The Nation December 12, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Ex-Governor Rotimi’s wife kidnapped

Subsidy: Jonathan seeks N161b more

NEWS Page 2

NEWS Page 2

•Abductors demand N200m ransom

•President writes National Assembly

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2338 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (fifth right), throwing a dice to launch the City of Lagos Edition of Monopoly during the City of Lagos Launch Programme held at the City Hall, Lagos Island…yesterday.

With him are: his wife Abimbola (fourth right), promoter of the Monopoly, Nimi Akinkugbe (right), member of the newly inaugurated Lagos State University (LASU) Governing Council, Mrs Ibukun Awosika (second right), Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Gbenga Ashiru (third right), Development Director, Winning Moes, UK, Mr. Peter Griffin (sixth left), Commissioner for Tourism and InterGovernmental Relations, Mr. Oladisun Holloway (second left) and others. Story on page 61 PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Mandela has lost his sparkle, says wife

States want $1b from excess crude account

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ORMER South African President Nelson Mandela, 94, who has been in hospital since Saturday for tests, has suffered a recurrence of a lung infection but he is responding to treatment, the government said yesterday.

The revered anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace laureate is spending his fourth day in hospital in the capital, Pretoria.

Continued on page 63

•Mandela

HERE seems to be no hope that Nigeria’s fuel crisis will soon end.

The Federal Government has N100billion outstanding subsidy claims to settle, after paying N881billion this year as subsidy claims.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting,

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

which lasted about five hours, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), with whom were Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Martins Elechi (Ebonyi) and Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Mukhtar Shagari, said verification of claims by the sup-

pliers was still ongoing.

On the governors request for $1billion (N157b) from the excess crude account in spite of the fact that both parties (Federal Government and states) agreed that the case should run full course at the Supreme Court, Shagari said the Continued on page 2

Okonjo-Iweala’s mother: Two policemen arrested Family, Mark plead for minister’s mum’s release

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WO policemen have been arrested for the abduction of Prof. Kamene Okonjo, Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother, Delta police chief Ikechukwu Aduba said yesterday.

Besides, the abductors are

Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba said to have contacted the family. Details of the conversation with the family remained unknown last night.

The family made an emotional appeal to the kidnappers to free

Mrs. Okonjo, saying the 82-yearold grandmother was frail in health.

Mrs Okonjo was abducted on Sunday from SEE ALSO her home in O g w u a c h i - PAGES 2&3 Uku, Delta

State.

The police had earlier arrested a suspect, who had just left the palace when the hoodlums stormed the place and kidnapped Mrs. Okonjo.

Aduba said: “We are not aware Continued on page 2

•SPORT P24 •LIFE 25 •POLITICS P43 •MONEY P30 •INVESTORS P32

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

NEWS Ex-Governor Rotimi’s wife kidnapped in Ibadan

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• Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (second left); his wife, Bisi, United States Consul General to Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Mr. Segun Ologunleko(second right) and a member of the Consul’s entourage, Miss Deanne Collins, during a visit by the US delegation to Ado-Ekiti.

Jonathan seeks N161.6b more for fuel subsidy

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INETEEN days to the end of the year, President Goodluck Jonathan is asking the Senate to approve over N161.6 billion supplementary fuel subsidy budget for this year.

Over N880.3 billion was set aside for payment of fuel subsidy in the budget.

But, in a December 5 letter to Senate President David Mark, entitled “Request for supplementary budget for 2012,” Dr. Jonathan said the N7.7 billion left of the N880.3 billion would not be enough for subsidy payment for the

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From Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

remaining days of the year.

Senator Mark read the letter on the floor of the Senate yesterday.

The cash will help to maintain a steady flow of petroleum products, especially in the run up to the festive season, according to the President, who hopes that the Senate will consider the request expeditiously.

The letter reads: “The Distinguished Senate President will recall that as part of the 2012 budget framework, a provision of N888.1 billion

was made for payment of fuel subsidy for the nation.

“I wish to intimate the Distinguished Senate of the fact that following the forensic audit carried out, the provision for fuel subsidy in the 2012 budget was underestimated.

As at now, the sum of N880,264,243,683.61 billion has been paid out, leaving a balance of N7, 735, 756, 316: 39 billion.

“In order to accommodate the outstanding arrears resulting from the forensic audit exercise and the remaining period of the 2012, an addi-

tional sum of N161, 617, 364, 911 billion over and above what was programmed in the 2012 framework is required.

“Given the need to maintain a steady flow of petroleum products, especially in the run-up to the festive season, it is my hope that the distinguished senators will kindly accord this request their traditional expeditious consideration and approval.”

It is not clear the consideration the lawmakers will give to the request, considering the unresolved controversy over fuel subsidy payments.

Governors sue President for subsidy cash

OVERNORS have sued President Goodluck Jonathan to Supreme Court for alleged fuel subsidy fraud.

The governors are aggrieved that part of the monies meant for the Federation Account are diverted by the Federal Government to fund the fuel subsidy – illegally.

Besides, they are worried that the fuel subsidy record is wrapped in secrecy, even as the subsidy claim is deducted without the budget line.

In the writ of summons filed by former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the governors

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

accused the Federal Government of over invoicing and under remittance of crude sales between 2007 and this year.

Other lawyers in the suit are H.O Afolabi, Atilola Popoola, P.B Daudu and Adedayo Adedeji.

The Defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and the National Assembly.

In their statement or claims, the Plaintiffs averred that when they collect revenues, they make such remittance without making any form of deduc-

tions from the revenue so collected, despite the fact that they also incurred expenses in the course of collecting and remitting the revenue to the Federal Government.

The plaintiffs averred that between 2006 and last year, total government expenditure on fuel subsidy amounted to N3.7 trillion.

The governors said they shall at the trial prove the accuracy of the figures quoted.

The Plaintiffs averred that the Federal Government, as a matter of practice does not provide a budget line for petroleum subsidy payments, but rather sets a nominal amount as appropriation for the Petroleum Support

Fund, which is the vehicle for paying the subsidy claims.

Querying the method of payment, the governors stated that “the Federal Government between 2006 and 2011 showed a tendency to make extra budgetary appropriations not approved by the (National Assembly).

“Therefore over the last few years there has been a disparity in relation to the amounts appropriated for fuel subsidy payments in the national budget and the actual payments made in those calendar years.”

The governors averred that “there are inaccuracies in the Continued on page 63

BDUCTORS have struck in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, snatching away the wife of Nigeria’s former ambassador to the United States, Gen. Oluwole Rotimi (rtd).

Mrs. Tayo Rotimi was grabbed in front of her company, AOP Logistics Limited, on New Ife Road at about 6:30pm by four armed hefty men. She was leaving the office after the close of work.

The kidnappers are demanding N200 million ransom.

Five of the company’s workers are being held by the police, who have launched a search for the abductors.

The home of Gen. Rotimi, a former military governor of the Western Region in Ikolaba, Ibadan, was deserted yesterday.

Oyo State police spokesman Ayodele Lanade said: “It is true the woman was kidnapped on Monday at about 6.30pm.

Our men are on the trail of the criminals.”

It was learnt that the abductors came in a green Nissan Primera car, which they drove in reverse into the company’s gate.

The police said they suspected a foul play, considering the manner the kidnappers drove into the premises and forced

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson Ibadan

their victim into their car .

Lanade said “the incident was different from other cases of kidnapping in some parts of the country because, in this case, we learnt that the driver of the woman was with the abductors when they took her away.

“And we found out that there is a rift between the woman and her workers because she was said to be owing them three months salary and there was agitation by the aggrieved workers.

“In the course of demanding for their unpaid three months salary, some of them were sacked . So, it seems there is a foul play in this case. It’s not in anyway related to other kidnapping cases in Southeast and Southsouth ,” the police spokesman said.

The company’s workers were praying yesterday for the quick release of their managing director. General Manager Mr Omini Ikpi recounted how she was abducted.

He said: “The MD was about driving out of the gate when she was abducted by four gunmen who blocked her with a grey Nissan car. They shot sporadically into the air to scare people away.”

Continued on page 63

States demand $1b from excess crude account Continued from page 1

money is needed by states to offset some of their debts. He said some of the states are indebted to their contractors.

He however said a final decision has not been reached on the matter, adding that since the case is still before the Supreme Court, the Attorney General has been asked to advise the council on the request.

“It was agreed that the court issue should continue so as to finally lay the issue to rest and this should not be as a dispute between the Federal Government and states.”

On the external borrowing, the council asked states involved to appear before the National Assembly to defend their borrowing plans.

Fayemi also said council reassured states of the readiness of the Federal Government to reimburse them for

rehabilitation of federal roads within their states.

According to Fayemi, payment to states will commence next year. He said all monies due the states will be paid.

He also said the verification has been concluded.

Also, Council approved the setting up of complementary security outfit.

Besides, the council warned against improper usage of number-plates.

For security reasons, the governors said council agreed that henceforth, “No one should drive around with an unidentified number plates.”

The decisions was reached after receiving briefing from the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, on the establishment of security outfits in the states as part of measures to improve security in the country.

Continued on page 63

Okonjo-Iweala’s mother: Two policemen arrested Continued from page 1

of any ransom and we will never support the payment of ransom”.

“For those who believe in the force, we have always rescued their victims unhurt without the payment of ransom. A case in point is the son of the SSG who was rescued without ransom and several other cases.

“We cannot cover up anybody; investigations were carried out and the two police officers who were supposed to be on duty are now in detention,’’ he said.

Aduba said that there were usually insiders in every kidnapping and bank robbery, among others.

He said the police had strengthened its artillery, which led to the arrest of 20 armed kidnapers in the past few days.

“For me, we have been do-

ing our best, the state criminal investigation and the State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) have been able to round up 20 kidnappers of four separate gang.

“We rescued some victims yesterday at Akukwu-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

“Also Thursday last week, we intercepted a gang of kidnappers that were heading toward Ogwashi-Uku and we recovered their guns.

“There is a 24-hour patrol in this state and within five minutes of getting distress a call we are there, the kidnap of the Queen is an unfortunate incident,’’ Aduba said.

The commissioner reiterated that those with “hostage value’’ should be very careful and watch their backs.

He advised them to endeavour to report any suspicious

movement around them.

He said that security was the responsibility of all, not only for the police force.

“Around lunch time on Sunday, some gunmen came to the compound and forced the gate open and took my mother away. The family is upset and traumatised,” the minister’s younger brother, Onyema Okonjo, told Reuters at the house.

“To abduct a grandmother more than 80 years old is sad.

We appeal to them to release her as soon as possible because her health condition is not good,” Onyema added.

Senate President David Mark yesterday urged the abductors to release Mrs. Okonjo.

In a passionate appeal, Mark urged them to honour the timetested biblical injunction that “we should honour our parents and, by extension, those

who are old enough to be our parents”.

In a statement by his Media Adviser Kola Ologbodiyan, Mark said abduction of any Nigerian is condemnable, adding that the abduction is an attack on Nigeria’s international reputation.

Urging the police to ensure the safe release of Mrs. Okonjo, the Senate President said the abductors should be brought to book. “Abductions are causing the nation’s reputation grave harm in the comity of nations,” he said.

Minister of Police Affairs Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) has instructed Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to deploy Special Police Officers from the Force headquarters, Abuja to assist in locating and freeing Prof.

Okonjo from her captors.

Speaking at the opening of a

two-day workshop on ‘Budgeting for Effective Policing in Nigeria ’, the minister said: “It is a very disturbing issue. In unraveling this matter, the police must take into cognizance that we have a role to let others know that such incidents will be given equal treatment. It could have been the mother of anybody’.

“Already, the IGP has deployed his men and they are working round the clock on the issue. The IG is on top of the situation. However, I have instructed the IGP to deploy specialist officers from Abuja if need be, to help in fishing out the culprits”.

The palace of the Obi of Ogwuashi-Uku has been surrounded by policemen since the abduction on Sunday.

Police said someone purContinued on page 63

•Mrs. Okonjo

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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NEWS

‘More kidnap P

•President Goodluck Jonathan (right) , Chief of Defence Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Sahad Ibrahim (left) and Commander, United States Africa Command, Stuttgart Germany, Gen. Carter Ham during Ham’s visit to the State House in Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Speaker, House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal (middle) inaugurating an empowerment project of Hon. Yuusuf Ayo Tajudeen for his constituents of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, Kogi State. With him are Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi (left) and Hon. Yuusuf Ayo Tajudeen ... on Monday.

RESIDENT of Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for Lagos and Ogun, Mr. Mamman Tsafe, have said kidnapping thrives because it is a source of easy cash.

Ekhomu said more high profile kidnap incidents are likely to be recorded this Xmas season.

Tsafe also attributed the high rate of kidnapping to payment of ransom by relatives of the abducted.

Tsafe told reporters in Abeokuta that it was important for relatives of victims to trust the police and show understanding in the rescue operations.

Tsafe, who was in Abeokuta as part of his routine visit to formations under his commands, said: ``When you pay ransom to kidnappers you are only telling them that they are in the right business. We implore relatives to believe in us rather than discuss with kidnappers.’’

In a statement yesterday, Ekhomu said kidnapping was now preferred by criminal syndicates as low risk but high-profit venture.

He said children of rich Nigerians on holidays could also be targeted by kidnappers as a way to make easy money. He said parents should caution their wards on being security conscious this Christmas.

Ekhomu said kidnappers preferred their trade as it did not carry the high risk that was involved in bank robbery, home invasion and car-jacking.

The security expert said several vulnerabilities were exploited by the kidnap gang in the abduction of Prof. Kemana Okonjo in Ogwashi Uku, Delta State. He said the absence of a capable guardian (policeman, security guard or vigi-

•Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan (right) and wife Olori Iyabode (left), during a condonlence visit to the widow of late Justice Kayode Eso, Mrs. Helen Aina Eso in Ibadan ... yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI, IBADAN

lante) was quite unfortunate. He also said the occupants of the compound did not display security awareness as they did not observe the attackers who were said to have been lurking around the entrance of the king’s palace.

Ekhomu said: “This dreadful criminal act was foreseeable and preventable.” He said prominent Nigerians should conduct kidnap risk assessment for their relations in their villages.

He added: “If the probability of victimisation was high, then one must act to strengthen the target against attack. The target-hardening measures include hiring security personnel to provide access control, installation of security technology, including CCTV surveillance systems and intruder alarm systems, including installation of vehicle tracking and personal tracking equipment and risk avoidance by temporarily relocating from the village.”

He urged vigilance on the part of parents in major urban areas, such as Lagos, Ibadan, Benin City and Port Harcourt.

Tsafe called for the cooperation of relatives of kidnapped victims as well as public-spirited individuals in the fight against kidnappers.

He said it was important for citizens to provide information that could help the police in tracking down not just the kidnappers, but also other criminals in the society.

The AIG said that Lagos and Ogun commands had been adequately equipped to tackle the menace of armed robbers, and to make both states safe for all and sundry during the Yuletide period. ``We understand that the government of Ogun is making roads, and banks are relocating; we are adequately prepared and I will not like to disclose our strategies. ``In addition to our normal routine

How Nigeria can to curb crimes, I

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Deputy Governor Pius Odubu and Secretary to the State Government, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere (left), at a Town Hall meeting in Benin City ... yesterday.

By Wale Ajetunmobi

NSPECTOR Charles Odigwe and Corporal Felix Egbosun were policemen attached to Ogidi Divisional Police Station in Anambra State.

The two officers were dismissed from the Police Force in September 2010 for torturing 45-year-old Osita Okafor to death in a police cell.

Okafor was away when his neighbour, Hyacinth Agbo, was arrested by some policemen for an alleged armed robbery offence.

The policemen confiscated some property of Okafor, alleging that he was fingered in the robbery incident.

When Okafor returned, he later went to the police station with his friend to reclaim his property but both of them were detained.

Okafor later died from injuries inflicted on him by the two police officers in their attempt to extract information from him about the robbery.

Observers maintain that stories like that of Okafor are commonplace in the country, as torture has somewhat become an acceptable means of extracting information from suspects.

However, experts in cell biology and genetics insist that this should not be so since there are innovative methods of extracting information from suspects.

The experts, at a recent DNA (deoxyribonucleic) forensics colloquium entitled ``From Crime Scene to Courtroom: The DNA

By Ijendu Iheaka, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Evidence'', held at the University of Lagos, underscored the usefulness of DNA analysis in efforts to track down criminals.

Prof. Bode Gbenle, who spoke on ``DNA Fingerprinting in Forensic Science'' noted that that DNA fingerprinting in forensic science, which started in the 19th Century in a laborious manual style, had now been made easier via the use of computers. ``The advent of computers in the 1970s has made fingerprinting much easier, as the electronic process takes less time and produces more accurate matches. ``The production of patterns of DNA bands that are unique to individuals make them useful in forensic examinations,'' he said.

Gbenle added: ``What differentiates the chemical structure of everyone's DNA from another is the order of the base pairs contained therein.''

The professor stressed that it was the difference in the sequence of millions of base pairs in each person's DNA that was unique, adding that it could also be used to distinguish one individual from another. ``Scientists use a small number of sequences of DNA that are known to be different among individuals in a very clear manner; they analyse them to get a certain probability of a match,'' he said.

Prof. Oluseso Omidiji, who deliv-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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NEWS

cases likely this season’ ‘ When you pay ransom to kidnappers you are only telling them that they are in the right business. We implore relatives to believe in us rather than discuss with kidnappers

‘

•Dr Ekhomu patrols of banks and other strategic places, we also have taken some measures to check criminals and make our people sleep with their eyes closed.”

He stated that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the

killing of five policemen in Ogun in November, adding: ``they are giving us very useful information that could lead to more arrests’’. ``They have confessed that their gang had killed more than 11 po-

licemen across the country, but we don’t want to talk too much for now,’’ he said.

Tsafe urged residents to go about their normal duties, saying that the police were on top of the security situation in both states.

use DNA testing by experts ered a lecture on ``DNA: The Molecule of Life", said the human DNA was one part of the human life that remained for a long time.

Omidiji, who is from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, said contemporary crime detection procedures involved using some elements in human life, like the DNA. He underscored the need for such activities due to the fact that only living things could commit crimes.

Omidiji said the DNA samples could be used in tracing criminals because they constituted an element in human life left at crime scenes.

He said research had shown that the DNA contained materials that were very reliable in determining their sources of origin; adding, therefore, that the use of DNA analysis in crime investigations could exonerate or confirm the complicity of a suspect.

Dr Mathias Okoye, the Director of Nebraska Forensic Medical Services in the U.S., stressed that Nigeria should not be left behind in the global efforts to acquire the DNA analysis technology.

He noted that some smaller African countries had acquired the technology. ``Laboratory procedures are very important in finding criminals because its results are usually more accurate. However, before you can use the technology effectively, you must have trained hands and relevant equipment to do quality forensic examination. To conduct quality

forensic analysis, you need welltrained biochemists, who have expertise in protein biochemistry,'' he said.

Okoye, who is a medical doctor and forensic pathologist, warned that those who were not competent enough in carrying out DNA analysis should not be pushed into it so as to avoid any temptation to ``cook up results''.

He noted that before examining crime scenes for samples, investigators should first get preliminary information from callers and persons around the crime scene.

Okoye, nonetheless, stressed that the investigators should be methodical in their documentation, adding that they should ``examine blood stain patterns at the crime scene''.

He emphasised that proper documentation would help the investigators to reconstruct the scene ``in order to verify or contradict an alibi or testimony''.

Okoye advised that before scaling up the practice of DNA analysis, the country should enact a ``DNA Evidence and Allied Matters'' legislation to take care of certain issues regarding human rights and standards which might crop up.

The Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Rahaman Bello, underscored the need for the establishment of a forensic institute in the university to train more experts in forensic biology.

He also stressed the need to ad-

Recent cases of kidnap •Popular actor, Pete Edochie was kidnapped on Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 in Onitcha, was released on August 17 •Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Hope Eghagha was kidnapped in Asaba on September 30 this year and released on October 15 •Wife of Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Muibat Salaam was kidnapped on October 9, this year in Ejigbo and rescued on October 13.

•Footballer, Mikel Obi’s father, Michael Obi was kidnapped on August 12, 2011 in Jos, and found in Kano on August 22.

•Super Eagle star, Christian Obodo was seized in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State on June 9 this year and rescued by security operatives on June 10.

•Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof Cyprian Onyeji was abducted on August 15 this year and later found Igbariam area of area of Anambra State on August 23.

•Former Chief Medical Director of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Eugene Okpere was abducted on November 6, 2010.

•The daughter of Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, Mrs. Diepreye Dagi Darego kidnapped on July 27 this year in Port-Harcourt was rescued on July 28.

•Folasade, wife of the lawmaker representing Ijebu North-East State Constituency in Ogun State, Samson Onademuren was kidnapped December 4 this year, in Ijebu Ode •Pa Samuel Uduaghan, first cousin of Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan was abducted on June 13 this year in Asaba, was released on June 16.

•Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Professor Michael Ibadin, was abducted on April 6 2010 by unknown gunmen, Some other people kidnapped recently include: •Tobechukwu Ochei, a younger brother to the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly; Victor Ochei; •Mrs. Zokumor, a sister to Godsday Orubebe, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs •Madam Suzanne Elumelu, 80, mother of former Group Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu.

•Wife of the Commissioner for Basic Education in Delta State, Prof.

Patrick Muoboghare.

•Former chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Area, Delta State, Emmanuel Sorokwu •Markson, son of the Secretary to the State Government, Ovuozorie Macaulay

Expatriate kidnapped in Delta

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UNMEN yesterday kidnapped an expatriate worker of Setraco Construction Company in Ekiugbo, Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State.

It was learnt that the kidnappers, who came in a black BMW car,

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

trailed the expatriate to the company’s yard.

A security aide was shot in the process.

The company confirmed the incident. The Joint Task Force (JTF) could not be reached for comments.

Jonathan seeks U.S. help in fight against Boko Haram

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•Preisig

vance the knowledge of security agencies in forensic technology in order to boost crime detection in the country.

The Executive Director, Inquaba Biotec of South Africa, Mr Oliver Preisig, said his company's interest in co-sponsoring the colloquium was hinged on the need to expand knowledge of Nigerians in DNA analysis as this could help the country in crimes' detection.

All the same, stakeholders agree that Nigeria should commence extensive use of DNA analysis in its crime investigation efforts.

They, however, stress the need for a proper legislation to take care of possible abuses.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has described Boko Haram and kidnapping as major challenges facing the country.

He spoke yesterday when he received Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, AFRICOM, Gen. Carter Ham, at the State House, Abuja.

He called on the U.S. to support Nigeria’s effort to find lasting solutions to various security challenges confronting the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ham was in the country to present a paper at the National Defence College, Abuja.

The president said Nigeria was “facing various security challenges, including the Islamic Boko Haram group, policing the nation’s extensive maritime borders, crude oil theft and kidnapping.’’

He commended the U.S. for its role in global peace and security.

“We appreciate the commitment of the U.S. to ensuring that the world is safe and secure,’’ he said.

The president also briefed Ham on his visit to Mali and the efforts

by ECOWAS to resolve the conflict in that country.

He said the situation could still be contained if the right steps were taken quickly.

Jonathan congratulated also President Barrack Obama on his reelection, commending the smooth process of the U.S. elections.

Ham said he seized the opportunity of the visit to the National Defence College to hold

•Dr. Jonathan

talks with security agencies on ways to strengthen the partnership between Nigerian and American forces.

He said the U.S. was ready to cooperate with Nigeria in maritime security, communications, development of civil-military capabilities and resolving the conflict in Mali.

The general commended the college for the harmonious working relationship between military personnel and civilians.

Participants at the lecture on security issues include military personnel from neighbouring countries.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12, 2012

NEWS 73.2km ring road to tame Lagos traffic, says Fed Govt •Works Minister decries paltry budgetary allocation From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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F the Federal Government keeps its promise, the unending gridlock triggered by articulated vehicles on Lagos roads would soon end.

Works Minister Mike Onolememen said the intractable traffic in the nation’s commercial and industrial hub is giving the government priority concern.

According to him, plans have been concluded to build a 73.2kilometre outer ring road to reduce the chaotic traffic situation being experienced within the Lagos metropolis.

Onolememen made the revelation at a hearing entitled: “Urgent need to address the near-total collapse of federal roads across the country, a Bill for an Act to provide for the maintenance of public infrastructure, 2011 and for other matters connected therewith.” The forum was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Works, chaired by Ogbuefi Ozomgachi.

The minister said the ring road, when completed, will be dedicated mainly to trucks and fuel tankers originating from the ports and tank farms.

He said the articulated vehicles would be compelled to ply the designated route to reduce gridlock on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

The miniser also told the committee that the federal, Lagos and Ogun state governments are collaborating on the implementation of the project.

Onolememen said the project has been divided into two sections; the first being the Tin Can Island-Igando-Lagos/Otta road interchange-Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, and the the LekkiIkorodu-Ijebu Ode on Sagamu/Benin Expressway as the second.

The minister told the committee that N500 billion would be required between now and the year 2015 to fix road infrastructure, adding that his ministry has started the implementation of “Operation Safe Passage on Federal Highways.”

Under the scheme, the failed sections on major roads across the country would be fixed to ameliorate the traffic headaches during the Yuletide.

He decried the budgetary allocation of N100 billion for the development of roads.

The minister said: “The average budget of about N100 billion for road development is grossly inadequate for the nation’s 35,000-kilometre federal road network and for a country that budgets N300 billion and N150 billion for its Central Bank and deposit insurance corporation respectively.

“The finance of road projects has been through fluctuating budgetary provisions which have proved inadequate to fund the projects.

“For example, the amount being owed on Interim Certificate for the Lagos-Otta highway is about N1.74 billion, yet only N742.5 million was provided in the 2012 Appropriation Act.” He attributed the inadequate provision of funds to delay and abandonment of projects across the country.

Onolememen said: “From past experience, budget provisions are not fully released. In 2011, out of a budgetary provision of N130 billion for highway projects, only N88.7 billion was released with a shortfall of N41.3billion.

“And in 2012, out the total budgetary provision of N143 billion, only N110 billion was released. The ministry is therefore recommending alternative ways of funding highway infrastructure by the Federal Government.”

In his earlier remarks, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who was represented by Minority Whip Samson Osagie, described as “horrendous” the deplorable state of roads in the country, adding that there is an urgent need to repair them.

Ozomgbachi noted: “The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) statistics for accidents in the first half of 2012 puts the figure at 1,936 fatalities and substantial part of it attributable to the poor state of our roads.

“The truth must be told, the condition of our roads is alarming and statistics attest to that and between 1999 till date about N4.414 trillion has been appropriated to the road sector.

“And yet out of about 34,400-kilometre of Federal Road network only about 35 per cent is paved and substantial percentage of it in varying degree of distress and or pot- holes ridden.”

Tinubu: we’ll make sacrifice to unseat PDP in 2015 T HOSE writing off the proposed alliance of opposition parties against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be shocked at the end of the ongoing merger talks, National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said.

Tinubu is optimistic that the ACN’s merger plans by his party with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) will work.

The ACN Leader, who spoke on how to dislodge the ruling party, told The Nation that leaders of the concerned parties are ready to make the necessary sacrifice to form united front against the PDP during the next general elections in 2015.

According to him, leadership of the three parties have subsumed their diverse in-

•Ex-governor says ACN, CPC, ANPP merger talks will work

terests and differences after appraising the decline in the socio-economic life and general well-being of Nigerians under the PDP. The former Lagos governor stressed that leadership is all about sacrifices and working collectively for the progress of the country and the welfare of the citizenry.

He dismissed insinuations by critics that the three parties are ganging up against the ruling party for inordinate ambitions.

Tinubu said: “What is wrong in forming association of three political parties for the purpose of fighting a worthy cause? What is wrong in our coming to-

gether to cooperate?

“Sacrifices are made by people and their leaders. We have resolved to forge ahead and if you set your mind to do something, you cannot fail.”

Reacting to the de-listing of 28 political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu said the move would sanitise the system.

His words: “There is nothing better than what INEC has done. The weeds must be separated from the crops. If weeds grow in your vegetable farm, you must take away the weeds for your vegetable to grow well.”

He, however, recognised

•Worshippers all...Monday night

the right of the de-registered parties to challenge INEC in court, saying that as bona fide citizens, the leaders of the de-registered parties have every constitutional right to seek redress.

Tinubu compared Nigeria’s electoral system to that of Ghana, where he had gone to observe the last general elections.

He said: “In Ghana, some political parties scored total votes of about 20 and several others scored about 30 and above.

Going by the country’s constitution, those parties are aware that they are already dead.

“Such parties cannot field presidential candidates for the simple reason that they don’t have any representation in the parliament.

“The good thing is that the Ghanaian system allows independent candidates to run for election. So, if the operators of the Nigerian system deem it fit to allow independent candidates, so be it.”

•Pastor Adeboye

Anti-bomb squad strengthens security at RCCG congress

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ETERMINED to ensure a hitchfree programme and adequate security for worshipers at the ongoing Holy Ghost Congress (HGC) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), security operatives are at work in the Redemption Camp, Kilometre 4648 on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

It was learnt that the presence of the operatives was at the instance of the RCCG authority in the liight of the Boko Haram insurgence and other security challenges facing the country.

The operatives, mainly from the Antibomb unit of the police, were yesterday patrolling the sprawling camp and using detectors and other equipment to screen worshippers at the gates.

They were also visible around the expansive HGC Arena.

By Damilola Owoyele and Paul Oluwakoya

An official of the church, who declined to give his name because he was not allowed to speak, said the anti-bomb squad would not only boost the existing security arrangement but work round the clock during the week-long programme to apply the “strictest measures of security and forestall any disaster.”

Mr. Matthew, who identified himself as a Provincial Pastor from Sagamu expressed satisfaction with the security arrangement.

“They are effective; they searched me thoroughly. They searched my bags and the trunk of my car,” he told The Nation.

Besides, the state and federal security personnel ( the Traffic Enforcement Agency

(TRACE) the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police traffic wardens), the church also has privately-trained security guards code-named:The Redeemed Army.

Members of the squad have the mandate to arrest anybody flouting camp rules and engaging in civil disobedience.

In his welcome remark on Monday night, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, described the programme, tagged: “Signs & Wonders” as a special programme divinely designed for divine surprises, noting that “nothing is too difficult for God”.

Pastor Adeboye said: “There will also be teachings on marriage, home management, business, career and other related issues of day-to-day living by professionals on the various fields during the afternoon sessions.”

How to resolve insecurity, by Falana at NUJ Press Week CTIVIST-LAWYER Femi Falana yesterday gave a recipe for solving the challenge of insecurity ravaging the country.

He, however, blamed the rising wave of insecurity on incompetence on the part of the ruling government, socio- economic injustice and the adoption of religion by state.

Speaking yesterday on “Nigeria’s democracy & insecurity: the way forward” at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, delivered at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Week,

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Falana said the anti-terrorism will remain elusive without the elimination of the culture of impunity.

He explained that until the issues bordering on economic injustice, adoption of religion by the state and political sponsorship of pilgrimages are fundamentally addressed, the challenge of insecurity will continue to plague the country.

The lawyer identified refrain from religion by the government at all levels as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as one of the ways to tackle the insecurity chal-

lenge.

He faulted the dialogue option being canvassed by the Federal Government as a defeatist alternative, “because it is laughable to resort to dialoging with a seemingly strong and guerilla organisation, when relevant institutions are not on top of the security situation.”

Falana affirmed that until the government lives up to her creed of implementing the rule of law by ensuring the prosecution of suspected criminals and terrorists, attempts to resolve the security challenge will con-

tinue to stare all in the face.

He argued that the dialogue option helped in solving the unrest in the Niger Delta because the leaders of the ex- militants were known.

According to him, such option will not work in the Boko Haram situation because the group remains faceless.

Besides, Falana said the fact that Boko Haram now has splinter groups would make the dialogue option unworkable.

Faulting the military option canvassed by former President Olusegun

Obasanjo as panacea, the lawyer affirmed that the massacre in Odi and Zaki Biam were failed models that have exposed the government’s incompetence in solving fundamental problems.

On the way out, he canvassed the creation of job opportunities for the youths, as a larger chunk of the populace were excluded from the national wealth.

He insisted that buckpassing by governments, the failure to cater for the needs of the people, as well as reckless spending by government officials, will

add more to the challenge.

Falana affirmed that greater attention to the people’s education as an empowerment strategy, respect for the rule of law, as well as waging a war against countries in the continent that support terrorism, will go a long way in solving the hydra-headed monster of terrorism.

He cautioned lawyers against yielding to the temptation of being used through institutional manipulation to frustrate the justice system, as well as strengthening of the weak legal system.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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NEWS objects to return of Soyinka: corruption is Nigeria’s EFCC unclaimed $15m to Delta N unifying factor T OBEL laureate Prof.

Wole Soyinka yesterday lamented that corruption has become so endemic in the country that it now serves as a unifying factor and a national lexicon understood by everyone in the country.

Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu called for a total war against it.

Speaking at the Second Annual Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu National Literary Colloquium in Minna, the literary giant said: “Corruption unites us, very few things unites us in Nigeria as corruption does.”

He regretted that corruption “is being played up to our national lifestyle instead of treating the cankerworm with total disgust.”

Said he: “Corruption is now a status symbol in the country that has eaten deep into our national fabric and has dampened the development of the

From Jide Orintunsin and Evelyn Osagie, Minna

country.”

According to him, “corruption does not have tribal, ethnic or religious differences. It is a language understood by everyone in Nigeria today.”

The Nobel laureate also condemned the spate of bombings and kidnappings in several parts of the country.

He said the reasons advanced by perpetrators of the various criminal activities in the country are not justifiable and tenable in any responsible society.

He faulted a claim that bombings in the North were as a result of the neglect of the region, just as he argued that kidnappers should not hinged their nefarious activi-

ties on unemployment, but because of greed and criminal tendency to deprive others of their legitimate freedom.

Hitting hard on the spate of bombings and killings of innocent people in the North, Soyinka said: “We must be able to distinguish between taking up arms against the government and declaring war on the nation and its people.”

He described the late novelist Cyprian Ekwensi as a “great thinker” whose works preached messages of unity and harmony among Nigerians.

Soyinka praised the acclaimed author, who was born in Niger State. He spoke at the inauguration of an e-library in Ekwensi’s honour in Minna, as part of the Second Annual Muazu Babangida Aliyu

(MBA) National Literary Colloquium. He urged young writers to take a cue from Ekwensi’s example.

The poet-dramatist said: “The works of Cyprian Ekwensi cut across ethnic divides and promoted national unity.

What we are celebrating today is an evocation that breaks petty dividing lines. Cyprian Ekwensi’s work was a revelation to many of us. He introduced this part of the world to many of us in the South.”

He noted that the move by the Niger State Government to immortalise the late writer would re-establish the values of national unity and empathy in Nigerians, adding that it would also promote education and literary works, especially in the North.

Aliyu said the fight against corruption should be total, adding that the battle should be accorded the same seriousness used in fighting terrorism in other nations.

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja not to order the release of the unclaimed $15 million (about N2.4 billion) “Ibori loot” to the Delta State Government.

The money was paid into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by the EFCC, after it claimed that the money was used to bribe its officials.

The EFCC, in a fresh application filed yesterday by its counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the Federal Government was interested in raising a fresh objection against the claimant.

In the application, the EFCC is claiming that Delta Government spent money returned to it on a N50 million building grant in 2008.

It said it had stumbled on an evidence, which showed that part of the money was sent to former Governor James Ibori in London when on trial for money laundering charges in 2010.

The commission said the $15 million was received by

its officers from an undisclosed agent of Ibori in 2007 as a bribe to compromise their investigation.

“The EFCC deposited the cash into the strong room number one of the CBN on April 26, 2007.”

The commission also said Ibori denied ever giving the money to either the antigraft body or any of its officers, adding that the money was a product of corruption.

EFCC said the money remained unclaimed since April 2007 to date and had remained dormant in the strong room of the bank.

The commission, therefore, urged the court to refuse the claimant’s prayer for the money to be returned to it.

Counsel to Delta Government, Mr. Charles Ajuyah, said he needed time to prepare an argument against the new objection.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, therefore, gave Delta Government 14 days to react to the new counter-affidavit.

He adjourned the case till January 10 for hearing of the application.

Reps plan ‘arrest’ of Sanusi, HE House of Repre14 others sentatives has begun

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•From left: NUJ President, Mr. Muhammed Garba; former National Secretary of the NUJ, Mr. Jola Ogunlusi; and Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dame Oluremi Oyo, at a workshop on the Freedom of Information Act 2011 in Abuja... yesterday.

N195b pension funds still missing, says Senate

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HE Senate yesterday said the Chairman, Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, has failed to account for the N195 billion pension funds.

Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Service, Establishment, Local and State Governments, Senator Kabiru Gaya, spoke at the resumed public hearing on the management of pension funds.

He said they have discovered from the submissions by the Accountant-General of the Federation that N195 billion pension funds were not accounted for.

Gaya noted that in the Head of Service alone, N139, 056, 523, 955. 20 was released, N100, 641, 106,957. 33 was paid to pensioners with a balance of N39, 783, 682, 993. 00 unaccounted for.

In the Police Service Pension Office, he said N131.5 billion was released in five years, but only N58.3 billion was paid to pensioners, while N44. 2 billion is yet to be accounted for.

In Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Office, he

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

said N85, 249, 222, 900. 16 was released, NN27, 452, 200, 993.72 paid to pensioners, leaving a balance of N27, 797, 822, 127. 00 unaccounted for.

In Military Pension Board, he said N317, 609, 082, 566. 05 was released, N294, 076, 743, 532. 87 paid to pensioners with a balance of N23, 532, 339, 034. 00 unaccounted for.

In the Department of State Service Pension Office, he said N34, 698, 149, 304. 68 billion was released, N9, 413, 090, 416. 00 paid to pensioners with a balance of N26, 121, 394, 662. 63 unaccounted for.

Gaya said the releases were made between 2005 and 2011 by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

He said: “This money belongs to the masses and it is expected that it should be accounted for.

“If everybody is allowed to grab as much as he could get, what are we going to bequeath to our children?

“Some people feel that because they have godfathers, that no one can bring them to judgment. They should realise that God is watching.”

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Aloysius Etok, expressed concern that Maina had refused to honour the committee’s invitation.

He gave the PRTT boss till 11 am today to appear before the committee or the committee would go ahead to present its report to the Senate.

“After the submission of our report, the Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team organised several media fora, where he claimed that he, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, was not given a fair hearing during the investigation of the management of the pension fund.

“The issue is that we gave him opportunity for a fair hearing, but he refused to appear before the committee until we issued a warrant of arrest.

“There is no law that states that if one is sued to court and he refuses to appear, the court will not go ahead to deliver judgment.

“We went out of our way to issue a warrant of arrest before he could appear before the committee.

“It was as a result of all

these that we now decided to invite him again so that he could have the fair hearing.

“We want to give Maina the last chance and this committee, which represents the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is saying that whosoever is behind Maina’s arrogance should know that his time is up and the masses want him to account for his stewardship.

“He should appear before this committee tomorrow (today) at 11 am without fail.

“If he doesn’t come tomorrow (today), the committee will proceed to hold the public hearing and we will take presentations from the Prison Service, Police and other agencies.

“We will get all the presentations, make up our case and tell the public what we have discovered in the course of our investigations.”

The committee also invited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Comptroller-General of Prisons, Chairman of ICPC, Chairman of EFCC, Head of Service, Director of Pension and Director of Police Pension Office, Shaibu Tedi, to appear before it today.

the process of issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The impending ‘arrest’ of Sanusi followed his refusal to honour several invitations to a public hearing on remittances of revenues by agencies of the government organised by the House Committee on Finance last week.

Others to be ‘arrested’ are the Chief Executives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Others are the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and National Pension Commission (PenCom).

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion by the Chairman, Committee on Finance, Abdulmumin Jibrin, who under a matter of urgent public importance requested the man-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

date of the committee to issue the bench warrant for the affected chief executives for nonappearance.

Sixty agencies were invited, but 15 failed to appear before the committee despite several official invitations.

Jubrin noted that the case of Sanusi was peculiar as he was seen at a conference on the day, the fourth invitation, where he was speaking about the need to sack half of the Federal Government workforce.

The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, rather than put to vote the prayer of the motion, guided the House on the procedure for the issuance of a bench warrant of arrest.

He said Section 89 of the constitution empowers committees of the House to summon any person in the country to attend the committee, but that procedure should be followed by the committee.

“So the procedure is that first, go and put down the request with the office of the Speaker, and I will oblige you,” the Speaker said.

At press time, it was learnt the committee had written to the office of the Speaker on the matter.

Court orders firm to pay ex-NMA chair N10m for libel

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LAGOS High Court in Ikeja has awarded N10 million damages against officials of an auditing firm, Kunle Ladejobi & Co (LK &Co), having found them guilty of libel.

Justice Yetunde Idowu held in her judgment in a suit by the former chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos branch, Dr. Hakim Akinlade that Kunle Ladejobi, M.A. Abdullahi and Mrs. Tola Gbogboade defamed the plaintiff in a letter dated February 14, 2008 and are guilty of libel.

The judge declared that

By Eric Ikhilae

the audited account of the association for 2006-2007 circulated at its Annual General Meeting of 2008 was not forged by the plaintiff as alleged by the defendants.

She held that the audited account was prepared by the firm of the defendants – KL & Co. Justice Idowu ordered Ladejobi, Abdullahi and Gbogboade to make a rejoinder of the libellous publication, circulate and publicise it in the same manner the earlier offensive publication was publicised.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

NEWS Mimiko replies ACN’s petition •Tribunal to hear motion tomorrow

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NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has filed his reply to the petition of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate in the October 20 governorship election, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), which is pending before the Election Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital.

The ACN is urging the tribunal to nullify the election on grounds that it was marred by irregularities.

In a 46-paragraph reply, the Labour Party (LP) candidate denied allegations of malpractices.

He prayed the three-man panel, led by Justice A. Kaka’n, to declare that it lacks jurisdiction over the petition, adding that the issue of Akeredolu’s eligibility to contest the election is pending before the Federal High Court, Akure.

Mimiko urged the tribunal to cancel part of the election in Irele and Ilaje local government areas for corrupt practices, violence, ballot manipulation and over-voting.

His reply was filed by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

Mimiko was served a notice of the petition on November 21 and his reply came five days after the expiration of the 14 days stipulated for

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the respondent’s reply.

The tribunal has fixed tomorrow for the hearing of the motion filed by the ACN and Akeredolu for the inspection of materials used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the election.

In a motion dated November 22, filed by ACN counsel Charles Titiloye, Victor Olatoyegun and Kola Olawoye, the party urged the tribunal to allow the petitioners to inspect, make copies and certify all the election materials and scan used and unused ballot papers by electronically.

Counsel to Mimiko and the LP Dr. Olumide Ayeni did not object to the application but sought to be included in the inspection.

Titiloye opposed the request on the grounds that it is not a requirement of the Electoral Act that a respondent must be present during inspection. He said the respondents could not make such a request without a formal application.

Titiloye said Mimiko and the LP are not INEC or the police and have no role to play in protecting the electoral materials as argued by their counsel in his written address.

Reps insist on completion of 2012 budget

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HE House of Representatives has resolved not to pass the 2013 budget until contending issues in this year’s budget are resolved.

At plenary yesterday, the House directed its committees on Finance and Appropriation to compile and present a report on outstanding revenues and expenditures in this year’s budget and propose a plan for the full implementation of the budget within one week.

They unanimously agreed to ensure the conclusive implementation of this year’s budget.

Under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, Mr. Abdulrahman Terab (ANPP, Borno) said with infrastructural deficit of over N4 trillion and a very high unemployment rate of over 70 per cent, the country must be accountable and transparent in all its revenue matters.

Terab said the budget was significant in meeting the social and economic needs of the people through the provision of public goods and services.

He said: “We are concerned that the revenue receipts so far for 2012 have been confirmed to be higher than what was projected for in the 2012 budget.

“Consequently, the fourth quarter capital releases made to Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) this month,

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

despite being inadequate on the percentage of budget implementation, were found to be inconsistent. Hence, only about 30 per cent of the allocated value were actually remitted to the MDAs. “At this moment in December, we cannot fully claim capital releases to average 60 per cent across the board to MDAs” Terab also questioned the whereabouts of recovered funds, non-oil excess revenue, the 2012 unspent revenue, pension reform and fake subsidy claims.

He said the funds were not captured in the 2013 Appropriation Bill and were not provided as opening balances in the 2013 Expenditure Account.

The lawmaker expressed concern that most of the capital projects captured in this year’s budget may be abandoned.

This, he said, would lead to waste of all the resources that were committed to the projects and increase the nation’s infrastructural deficit.

Terab said: “The implication of all this is that the nation’s 2012 growth projections will be completely eroded and difficult to justify.

“If the House did not come to the rescue of the 2012 budget, the dream of Nigeria be-

coming one of the 20 great economies by 2020 can no longer be achievable.

“Consistent missing of target plans translates to failure.”

Chairman of the Committee on Appropriation, John Enoh (PDP, Cross River) questioned the impact of this year’s budget on the economy.

Chairman, Committee on Finance, Abdulmumin Jibrin (PDP, Kano) wondered if the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) had not become a barrier to infrastructural growth with its burdensome procedures.

House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal yesterday foreclosed the possibility of any member of the House appearing before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to answer questions on the fuel subsidy probe report.

Tambuwal while playing host to a group of anti-corruption crusaders led by a former member of the parliament, Dino Melaye, said the leadership of the House will not allow EFCC play politics with the report on the subsidy probe by inviting members of the parliament for any sort of questioning or investigation.

According to Tambuwal any invitation by EFCC to any member of the parliament over the subsidy probe report is just mere grandstanding that will achieve no positive result, as he insisted that position of

Senator Tinubu gives N13m to senior citizens

•Urges elders to be change agents

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ENATOR Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central District) yesterday inaugurated her pet project, the Elderly Citizens Assistance Scheme (ECAS).

She shared N13 million to 1,300 elders from the 13 councils that make up the senatorial district. Hundred senior citizens were selected from each of the councils.

They were given N10,000 each.

The inauguration took place simultaneously across the councils, which included Surulere, Yaba, CokerAguda, Lagos Island, EtiOsa, Lagos Mainland, Apapa, Apapa-Iganmu and Ikoyi-Obalende.

At the Surulere Local Government Secretariat, Mrs. Tinubu said the ceremony was the main highlight of the Fifth Lagos Central Senatorial District Town Hall Meeting. The theme was: “The elderly, our societal treasure”.

She said: “The legislative agenda I began to pursue when I assumed office was to give succour to the elderly, who have laboured for the country, particularly in the informal sectors, who now wait to no avail to reap the fruits of their labour.

“I thank God that I have been able to deliver on my promise to them by sponsoring bills to provide social security for the elderly.”

The senator urged elders to be agents of change.

She said senior citizens

the House was to stand by only what is contained in the Subsidy Report, a document he said is detailed enough for EFCC to act on.

He also added that since EFCC can act on petitions from ordinary individuals, the agency should prosecute whoever found wanting in the Report without further delay.

While lamenting delay in operations of nation’s anti-graft agencies, Tambuwal said the House is only buying time before it takes next step on the issue currently pending before the two agencies.

“As a House we are here to ensure that issues of corruption are addressed but then our efforts are not being supported by some agencies of government, even though some of them have sole responsibility of fighting corruption”

Ajimobi hailed on roads FORMER Secretary-General of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) Dr. Kunle Olajide has praised Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi for restoring sanity to major highways in Ibadan, the state capital.

In a letter to the governor, Olajide said the IwoRoad interchange, which used to be a traveller’s nightmare, is now gridlockfree.

The state government recently removed illegal structures and beautified the city.

Olajide said the governor deserves accolades for his efforts.

He said: “Nigerians are very quick to criticise their leaders when things go wrong, but, often, they do not praise them when they perform.”

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

Federal pensioners protest in Ogun

can still make history, citing examples of the Dalai Lama of Tibet; Nelson Mandela of South Africa; Warren Buffet, who is one of the richest men in the world; and the IyalojaGeneral of Nigeria, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji.

Decrying the neglect of the elderly in many countries, Mrs. Tinubu said many aged people are poor and homeless.

She said Nigeria would not develop until we make provisions for the elderly, who she said are vulnerable.

The senator said: “Our budgetary allocations often do not favour the elderly.

This is an anomaly. Our society should treasure the elderly, who are custodians of wisdom. We must remember that we can only solve our problems by combining the wisdom of our elders with the knowledge and energy of our youths.”

She said ECAS was initiated to address poverty among senior citizens, adding that it was based on the populist ideals of her party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Senator Tinubu praised ACN governors that have initiated the social security scheme for the elderly and urged senior citizens to engage in healthy lifestyles.

She encouraged them to transfer their knowledge to

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

•Senator Tinubu presenting a gift to a senior citizen, Alhaja Salami. With them is the Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Mr. Tajudeen Ajide...yesterday.

the younger generation.

Mrs. Tinubu said: “Being elderly is a blessing and not a curse. I want our senior citizens to treasure their lives. Senior citizens should not rest on their oars because the society still needs them. Elderly citizens can play a big role in bringing up children. Many children brought up by their grandparents have grown up to become influential world leaders. We have the modern example of President Barack Obama of the United States and the biblical example of Timothy, whose upbringing were influenced by their grandmothers.”

Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area

(LCDA) Alhaji Olajide Jimoh complemented the senator’s efforts by distributing cloths, towels and consumables to the elders. He described the senator as “a humanist, selfless politician and dependable progressive, who cares for the needy”.

Coker-Aguda LCDA Chairman Mrs. Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe surprised the elders when she brought out a big dummy cheque.

Many left their seats to take a glance at the cheque, which had “ACN, CokerAguda LCDA” and the party’s logo on it.

Senator Tinubu’s name appeared as the “Authorised Signatory”.

The cheque was pre-

sented to the first recipient, Deaconess Olubukola Ajala.

Mrs. Akinyemi-Obe supported Senator Tinubu’s gesture by distributing fabrics and consumables to the elders.

Her counterpart at ItireIkate LCDA, Mr. Hakeem Bamgbola, was joined by his wife, Alhaja Ashabi; wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola and the Onitire of Itire, Oba Lateef Dauda; to present the cheque.

Before the arrival of Dame Fashola, the Council Vice-Chairman, Alhaja Mulikat Ajala, and Alhaja Bamgbola danced with the elders.

PENSIONERS of the Federal Civil Service yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, protested the nonpayment of their entitlements by the Federal Government.

Marching on major streets in their hundreds, the pensioners said they had nothing to show for serving their fatherland.

They urged President Goodluck Jonathan to pay their entitlement before they die in penury.

The frail-looking pensioners, who were between 65 and 95 years, carried placards bearing various inscriptions, such as “President Jonathan, no gratuity since 1996 not to talk of pension” and “We served our country at our youthful age”, among others.

They called for the sack of every member of the Federal Pensions Board, accusing them of inefficiency.

The pensioners said the board failed to implement the approved 53 per cent increment of the pension scheme since January, 2010, and called for a total overhaul of the board.

Chairman of Ogun State Pensioners Comrade Made Mustapha said they deserve their gratuities.

Mustapha urged the President to ensure that the backlog of pension arrears was paid.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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CITYBEATS

Wife seeks marriage dissolution

By Adebisi Adeyanju

A 32-YEAR-OLD health worker, Bolatito Oladele, has prayed the Meiran Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her 7-year old marriage because of false accusation by her husband, Kayode.

The petitioner said there “is no more love in the marriage” since she became the family’s breadwinner after her husband lost his job. She is also seeking the custody of their two children.

“Since then my husband has been accusing me of going out with different men and accusing me of witchcraft that I am the one behind his not getting a job since, even his family members also accused me of witchcraft and abused my parents in their house when they came to settle the dispute before bringing the case to the court for dissolution,” she said.

But Kayode opted for amicable resolution. He admitted accusing her of infidelity, but denied the witchcraft claim.

“I have never accused my wife of witchcraft, but my family did and I have been fighting with them about that and also begging Bolatito for us to come back in peace and harmony, but she never heeded,” he said.

The court president, M.O Jolaosho, refused Mrs. Oladele’s request. He urged relatives of the couple and their lawyers to settle the case. The matter was adjourned till January 14.

Council opens human rights office Risikat Ramoni

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

Lagos CJ frees 47 prison inmates

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AGOS State Chief Judge (CJ) Justice Ayotunde Phillips yesterday freed 47 inmates of Ikoyi Prison, about three months after she released 233 from Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Prisons.

Their freedom, she said, was in fulfilment of her pledge during her maiden visit to Kirikiri in September.

She had promised to visit the prisons regularly and released those held in custody longer than necessary.

She said: “Those set free constituted those who had spent more than the period they ought to have spent awaiting trial.”

The freedom granted the inmates, Justice Phillips said,

By Adebisi Onanuga

was “in pursuant of the powers conferred on her under Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007.”

She advised those freed to be of good behaviour and “go and sin no more.”

“I have a magnetic and very retentive brain. So, I would remember any of you if I come across your name again,” she said.

Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Mr. Emmanuel Bamidele, said the stigmatisation of former prisoners was a major obstacle, promising that those freed would not pose any problem.

“Therefore, to settle down for something meaningful after release may not constitute worry provided society allowed them a second chance.

“Nevertheless, let me assure my lord and other people here that you will never regret the bold laudable action being taken today,” he said.

Bamidele counselled them to be of good behaviour and not to betray the confidence reposed in them.

He advised those still in custody to be of good behaviour to ensure a repeat of the Chief Judge’s visit to the prisons.

“To my obedient, tolerant and understanding inmates, particularly those that will

get freedom today, as you can see and hear, I have spoken for you to be of good behaviour henceforth.

Therefore, never you betray the confidence so that it will not be too long before we get this type of rear opportunity,” he said.

He pleaded with Justice Phillips to donate a bus to the prison for conveying inmates to court.

The existing four buses, he said, are inadequate for conveying between 80 and 120 inmates to courts daily.

Bamidele said an additional bus would complement the existing four and stop late arrivals in courts.

Ikoyi Prison had 1,739 before Justice Phillips’ visit.

The Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State yesterday donated two new patrol vans to the two divisional police headquarters in the area.

The Council said its gesture was aimed at strengthening security.

The Divisional Police Officers in-charge of Maroko and Bar Beach, Johnson Adenola and Adegoke Fayoade, who are Chief Superintendent (CSP) collected the keys.

Adenola promised that the police would make judicious use of the vans.

He assured of adequate maintenance of the vehicles and other four now in use.

The Council Chairman Abayomi Daramola appealed to the police to make judicious use of the vehicles, saying: “Tax payer’s money was used in buying the vans, so, if we can afford to buy them, we should be able to do the maintenance.”

At the commissioning of the human rights’ office and a road on Saka Jojo Street on the Victoria Island. Daramola said: “The Human Rights’ building at Bar Beach Police Station was erected to promote peace and stability as well as provide services for people who are considered cheated by the law and they cannot obtain justice on their own.

“The road is to further enhance free flow of traffic.”

He urged road users to be considerate and warned against street trading and illegal activities.

Ajah crisis: 6 docked over alleged murder, arson A YABA Magistrates' Court in Lagos yesterday remanded six persons suspected to be thugs during the Ajah crisis at the Ikoyi Prisons.

Magistrate, Mr P.A. Adekomaya, ordered that they be remanded pending legal advice from the office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The defendants are Murisiku Ojupon, 60; Muka Abereoje, 66; Kolawole Lawal, 45; Olufemi Banike, 25; Wasiu Bajulaye, 30 and Godson Ulinfoh, 23.

They are facing 17-count charge of arson, murder, breach of peace and unlawful assembly.

The officer-in-charge of the Legal Department of the state Criminal Investigative Department (CID), Panti, Chukwu Agwu, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said the defendants allegedly committed the offences between Nov, 27 and Nov. 28 at No. 1 Ajah Ilaje, Double Close, Ajah, Lagos.

Agwu said the accused persons conspired to burn several houses within the period.

"The defendants unlawfully set fire to the houses of Segun Adejimi, Emmanuel Ibeh, Adeogo Omoboye, Festus Ovia, Tomisen Omosaye, Isaac Adetutu, Peter Chimeodo, Felix Adejemi, Moses Omotehishe, Micheal Adejimi and Atinuke Ayeni.

"They also unlawfully shot Martin Egang, who had tried to stop them,'' he said.

Agwu further said the defendants unlawfully gathered and acted in a disorderly manner, disturbing the peace and causing fear in the neighbourhood.

He said that the pump action gun used was without a valid licence issued by the appropriate authority.

The offences, Agwu said, contravened Section 27 of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and Sections 44, 45, 221,231,339 and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The pleas of the defendants were not taken and Adekomaya adjourned the case till January 21 for mention.

Robbers snatch The Nation workers’ car A worker with Vintage Press Limited, Haruna Adeleke, has reported the theft of his Honda Accord car. The car was stolen on December 7 at Cement Bus Stop on Lagos, Abeokuta Expressway.

The vehicle with number plate JL 529 AAA, was snatched at gunpoint around 11pm. According to an affidavit sworn to by Adeleke on December 10 inside the vehicle were: The Nation’s identity card, ATM cards of Diamond Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank, one Blackberry and Techno Phones.

•From right: Action Congress of Nigeria leader Dr Segun Mordi; Chairman, Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area Hon Bolanle Akinyemi-Obe presenting a cheque to Deaconess Olubukola Ajala. With them are her husband Colonel Rafiu Ajala; party leader Alhaji Ademola Dadanla and the council Vice-Chairman, Hon Ismail Bello during cash presentation to the elderly under the Elderly Citizens Assistance Scheme (ECAS) initiated by Senator Oluremi Tinubu at Aguda... yesterday

LAGBUS driver hits LASTMA official

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LAGOS State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) official, Peter Bankole-Eko, is in critical condition after being hit on Marina Road by a Lagos Bus Service (LAGBUS) driver.

Bankole-Eko, who was left in a pool of his own blood by the hit-and-run driver, is said to be recuperating at the Lagos General Hospital.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

The accident, which occurred opposite the State House, involved a LAGBUS vehicle with registration number XV228EKY. It was gathered that the LASTMA official was on duty at the BRT intersection, Onikan and was attempting to cross the road when he was knocked down by the bus with code number DO 33.

The Nation gathered that three of the victim’s colleagues and two policemen witnessed the accident.

“They were confused watching the LASTMA official on the ground bleeding profusely while the driver sped off, but he was later rushed to Lagos General Hospital by his colleagues and sympathisers,” a witness said.

When contacted, LASTMA’s

Public Relations Officer Mrs. Bola Ajao said the LAGBUS driver had been arrested.

She said the driver was arrested at the Iyana Oworo end of the Third Mainland Bridge and is being detained at the Lion Building Police Station, Lagos Island.

Mrs. Ajao denied that the LASTMA official was dead.

She said he was recuperating inthe hospital.

FoI bill passes second reading at Lagos Assembly

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HE Freedom of Information Bill passed second reading yesterday at the Lagos State House of Assembly and was sent to the Committee on Information, Publicity, Strategy and Security for further work. The committee has one month to report back to the house.

The bill, when passed into law, would facilitate disclosure of certain official information and establish procedures for obtaining such information.

Speaking on the importance

By Oziegbe Okoeki

of the bill, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Segun Olulade, said it would empower every citizen to have access to any record under the control of government or public institutions, notwithstanding anything contained in any law or regulation.

Pointing out that the bill is coming at the right time, Olulade said it would give the public opportunity to obtain statistical data on any information they desired.

The bill, which has 38 sections, include where access is refused; fees and action for waivers; destruction or falsification of record; access to records and economic interest of the state among others.

Meanwhile, the House has directed its committees on Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Land, Transportation and Environment to find out whose responsibility it is to demolish structures in the state.

Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and

Urban Development, Mufutau Egberongbe had informed the House of petitions from the public accusing some ministries of demolishing some buildings.

Egberongbe said only Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development is constitutionally responsible for demolishing any defective structure.

Deputy Speaker, Taiwo Kolawole who presided, mandated the Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development to meet with the affected ministries and report to the House.

National Security workshop holds on Friday

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CADEMICS, politicians, administrators, opinion leaders and captains of industry will on Friday speak on threats to national security.

The event, with the theme: “Treating the threats to national security: Sociopolitical cum ethno-religious

perspectives,” is scheduled to hold at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.

Expected at the event are secondary school pupils; undergraduates; Corps members and workers.

A book entitled: “Cry for

Change,” an artistic work on socio-political and ethnoreligious crises in Nigeria will be unveiled at the event.

A statemenrt said DirectorGeneral, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri; Director-General, NIIA, Prof Bola Akinterinwa; Managing Director, Lands

and Records Company, Mr. Omodele Ibrahim; Editorial Board Chairman, The Nation, Mr.Sam Omatseye; Certified Master Coach and Founder, Weyinmi Jemide LLP, Mr. Weyinmi Jemide and Abuja Bureau Chief of The Nation, Yomi Odunuga will speak at the event.

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REMEDY

INCENTIVE

DONATION

New infrastructure for flooded communities

Farmers get 1,500 tonnes of grain

Council lifts pupils with N10m materials

Kwara

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Lagos

Adamawa 47

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Osun schemes boost rural farmers

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•Governor Aregbesola

HE Rural Access And Mobility Project (RAMP) and FADAMA III in Osun State have boosted rural farmers.

Both schemes are World Bank assisted but driven by the state to raise the living conditions of growers, providing support where necessary.

For instance, RAMP provides roads in rural areas to enable farmers transport their produce to the markets or to other villages.

FADAMA III helps in other ways such as providing small-scale infrastructure, asset, input support, ad-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

visory services and capacity building.

A community-based pilot road maintenance project was recently inaugurated at Esa-Oke Farm Settlement in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State.

Certificates of registration were presented to six newly registered road maintenance groups while second contract agreement with Idiroko/Akinleye (Iwo) Oorelope RAMP Road Maintenance Multi-

purpose Cooperative Ltd was also signed. To add colour to the programme, a tricycle for Patara (Iwo) RAMP Road Maintenance Cooperative Society Ltd was commissioned as maintenance tools were handed over to members of the group.

In his welcome speech, the state coordinator of the Osun Rural Access and Mobility project (RAMP), Mr. Adeyemi Oriolowo, an engineer, acknowledged the six-point agenda of the Aregbesola administration, hoping it would bring comfort and prosperity to people

of Osun State.

He said RAMP came up with the idea of community road maintenance where people living in the corridor of the road will be engaged and registered as contractors to carry out routine road maintenance activities. This in turn will promote their high productivity.

Oriolowo disclosed that the success of the launched 12 kilometers Iwo-Patara has informed the World Bank’s deci•Continued on Page 26

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NUGU State government has taken steps to clean up its towns and cities.

Roads are being expanded and beautified, with interlocking paving stones laid on the sidewalk.

Auto mechanics in the capital, Enugu, are encouraged to relocate to a permanent site as part of effort to keep the city neat and tidy.

Undeveloped plots of land are being recovered.

The state lands commissioner, Dr. Chukwemeka Ujam said this was in keeping with the ongoing land reform, which Governor Sullivan Chime announced during the 2012 budget presentation.

Ujam said his ministry had been engaged in massive revocation and reallocation of the revoked plots to individuals willing to embark on immediate development for occupation, adding that the ministry fulfilled the necessary legal requirements and due process before embarking on such revocations.

The commissioner further announced that government has recently acquired more than 2000 hectares of land on the Emene axis which would be designed, parcellated, as he put it, and allocated to members of the public that have genuine interest in physical development for immediate occupation.

He assured that public servants would benefit from the scheme but explained that one of the points on the agenda of the state government was shelter for all.

The commissioner who also oversees urban development, frowned at the proliferation of illegal structures within the Enugu metropolis and warned that any structure not approved by government would be demolished in order to restore the original master plan and status of Enugu.

Particularly worried about

•Laying of paving stones at Akwata Road

Enugu steps up urban renewal Undeveloped plots recovered From Chris Oji, Enugu

mechanic garages scattered around the city, Ujam announced that the mechanic village at Akaegbe Ugwu has been parcellated and money for the electrification has been approved

by government.

According to him, the ministry was in collaboration with the leadership of Nigeria Automobile/Technicians Association of Enugu state with a view to ensuring that only bonafide motor mechanics or allied traders within Enugu metropolis were

issued with allocation papers to move into the village.

The movement to the village, he said, is expected to commence before the new year, stressing that the earlier date of September was not feasible due to problems such as electricity and authentic data of genuine motor mechanics and allied workers.

•Governor Chime

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Borno battles snake bites

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•Governor Shettima

HE Borno State government said it had distributed 10 million doses of anti-snake venom across the state ahead of the upcoming dry season.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Anas Kolo, stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri .

Kolo explained that the action was aimed at preventing deaths through snake bites during the dry season.

She said government had also embarked on an aggressive anti-malaria campaign to minimise the scourge of the disease.

“We have intensified efforts to curtail ma-

Kebbi explains delay in road job

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HE Kebbi State government has attributed the delay in the completion of the 10.5 kilometre Birnin Kebbi township road to the inability of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to relocate its facilities.

The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Bello Tugga, told journalists in Birnin Kebbi that “as soon as PHCN electrical poles and cables were removed the project would be completed’’.

He appealed to the company to hasten the removal of the facilities to ensure the timely completion of the project, and reduce inconveniences faced by people in Badariya and Tudun Wada areas of the metropolis.

Rivers He said persons affected by the project had been compensated, adding: “we are determined to complete the project as scheduled for social and economic growth’’.

Tugga assured that the government would improve the living conditions for people in all parts of the state irrespective of their political, religious and ethnic differences.

According to him, the administration has constructed 700 kilometres of road network in the past five years as part of efforts to expand the scope of economic activities in the state and attract investors.

Adamawa farmers get 1,500 tonnes of grain

Borno laria spread in the state, we have dedicated about 452 centres for the treatment of the disease in the state.

“We have also distributed about 3 million insecticide treated mosquito nets across the state, especially among pregnant women to prevent new cases,” Kolo said.

She said that government had also created 13 anti-retroviral centres in the state for treatment of people living with HIV and AIDS. The commissioner said, “Currently the state has about 16,000 persons living with HIV and AIDS. “We have created 13 centres across the state where anti-retroviral drugs are distributed free.”

She said the state had also initiated an enlightenment campaign to create awareness on HIV and AIDS. “We have been able to reduce the incidence of stigmatisation on people living with HIV and AIDS. “We are also trying to prevent new cases of the disease through public campaigns,” Kolo said.

She said government had successfully eradicated guinea worm disease from the state through deliberate efforts.

“Borno State did not witness any case of guinea worm outbreak in 2011.

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•Governor Nyako

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S the harmattan season sets in, residents of Kano now patronise second-hand clothes’ markets in the metropolis in large numbers to obtain fairly-used sweaters and blankets.

Some of the dealers, who spoke with journalists in Kano, expressed satisfaction with the high demand for the wears, and hoped that it would be sustained.

Malam Ali Saidu, who operates a “bend-

By Adejo David

club, Ladi Fagbenja advised road users to stay safe and enjoy the festive season with their families.

The Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW), Alimosho Branch, Evangelist Oladimeji Olusesan, said the union had set up monitoring groups in parks and patrol teams to look out for members indulging in drinking, taking hard drugs and any bad habit that can endanger their lives and the passengers as well as other road users. He said:“I thank the FRSC for bringing this programme to us and we ask that they will expose us to more of this so that our members will be educated on accident and safety precautions” .

Police warn vehicle owners THE Lagos State Police Command have warned owners of accident and abandoned vehicles parked at Alakara Division to remove them or risk losing them so members of the public through auction.They are: 1.

One scrap Audi 80 saloon car reg No DA 28LSR 2. One Scap Honda Accord Reg No HZ 30AAA

From left:Evangelist Oluwasesan, Commander, Alex Irelewoye, Eze Ndigbo of Alimosho, HRM Lawrence Eze, Mrs. Iwuoha, Awisare of Isheri Land, Chief Azeez Madamidola, Mr Fagbenja and FRSC Isolo Unit Commander, Abayomi Adegbesan at the event PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

HE Federal Government has released 1,500 tonnes of assorted grains as part of relief and rehabilitation assistance to farmers affected by the recent flood disaster in Adamawa State.

The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Walia Hamma, disclosed this in Yola while presenting the relief materials to officials of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA).

“Federal government has donated 1,500 metric tonnes of sorghum and millet to Adamawa to be distributed to farmers and other persons who were devastated by the

Harmattan: Kano residents go for used sweaters, blankets

FRSC launches safety campaign HE Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC) Ikotun-Egbe Unit Command, haslaunched her ‘Ember Month’ rally.The event was held at Iyana-Ipaja last week.

In her opening address,the Unit Commander, Mrs. Chiwendu Iwuoha, said that road safety is a shared responsibility because road trauma is a complex problem that cannot be solved by Federal Road Safety Commission alone.

Mrs. Iwuoha said: “Despite enacting and enforcing laws such as seatbelt wearing, use of phone while driving, overloading and wrong overtaking, over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and hard rugs etc. the FRSC has introduced a concept called Beyond The Road”.

The Ikotun unit commander said the programme is an initiative of the unit and it is collaborating with other organisations in reducing road accident in the unit,state and the country at large. According to her,the programme will monitor drivers in their park before driving and ensure that they are in good health and are fit to drive before embarking on any journey.

Mrs. Iwuoha said that this year’s rally tagged: “Continuous Drivers Education: A Key To Reduction in Crashes ” is aimed at educating drivers on the need to meet decade of action on reducing death and serious injuries by 2020, focusing on safe road, safe speed, safe vehicles and healthy people.

The president of Isheri Platinum Lion

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Kano down boutique” at the famous Kofar Wambai Market, attributed the high demand for the materials to the harmattan season that had just started.

He said: ‘’Most people don’t usually go for new clothes because of the high cost involved.’’

Another dealer in second hand clothes, Abubakar Musa, said that he had been recording high sales since the turn of the season.

“I sell about two bales of sweaters every day to retailers from neighbouring states,” Musa said.

Malam Habu Ali, a customer, said that the high cost of new clothes was forcing them to patronise fairly used ones.

Ali said that wearing sweaters was now necessary to protect the body against cold.

He said that he bought four pieces of sweaters and blankets for his household for just N7,500.

A house wife, Mrs Femi Olajumoke, told newsmen that she opted for second-hand clothes because she could not afford to buy new sweaters for her three children.

Adamawa recent floods in the state,’’ Hamma said.

He said satellite imagery showed that more than 10. 3 per cent of the arable land in the state was devastated by the floods especially in seven local government areas.

He added that the most affected areas included Fufore, Girei, Yola South, Yola North, Demsa, Numan and Lamurde local government areas.

Hamma noted that from the extent of the damage caused by the floods, Adamawa State was grouped in category A state, which also included Benue, Kogi and Delta states.

He said that the Federal Government had initially released N500 million to each of the most affected states.

“Subsequently, government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture released N9.7 billion as assistance to the affected farmers.

“The first assistance was the distribution of grains to them which we are today witnessing,’’ he said.

According to the director, the second phase of the assistance to the farmers would be the provision of fertilisers and improved seedlings to enhance their productivity.

He praised ADSEMA for its services to the people and the release of correct data of the affected persons to the Federal Government.

In their separate remarks, the Executive Secretary of ADSEMA, Mr Shadrack Barub, and the District head of Yola, Alhaji Sa’ad Bawuro, thanked the Federal Government for the gesture and assured that the relief materials would reach those they were meant for.

• Hon. Oyesanya(middle) and his wife with the executives of the association

Council sets new standard for market

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HE Chairman Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, Hon. Abdufatai Oyesanya has inaugurated the new measures for the use of Ifelodun Yam Flour and Grain market in Ketu, Mile 12 market area of Lagos State.

The council chief urged the marketers to adhere strictly to the new measures introduced by the state government to maintain uniformity in grain sales in the state.

The chairman inaugurated the standard during the10 years anniversary of the Ifelodun Yam Flour and Grain Market Association and

Briefly

NCC sets for reforms • Mr Tosin Odesanya, Special Project Editor of Tellview Magazine (left), presenting a recognition certificate Award to Hon. Omotuyi Awosila Vice Chairman, Kosofe Local Government recognition of his outstanding performance in Works Department of the council

Youths lead drive for self-empowerment

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ONCERTED efforts must me made by all stakeholders in the country to ensure proper upbringing of the youth for improved society, Oladipo Olanrewaju, President, Lagos-based Mafowoku Youths Association (MYA), has admonished.

Olanrewaju, who gave the charge at the Mafowoku Youth Talent Hunt Quiz Competition organised for youths in Somolu/Bariga area, said that government at all levels must fuel the drive.

The MYA leader, who hinted that it was established in 1999 and registered under Somolu Local Government in 2000, added that the association was established for youth empowerment and to contribute to the development of the communities in its domain.He warned that it would be too much of a risk for the youth to be left to their whims.

“The government, all non-governmental bodies and the rich in the society must make it a sacred commitment to ensure that the youth are assisted to grow up in such a way the will ensure that when they grow up, they will become useful to themselves and the society in particular,” Olanrewaju pleaded.

“In many communities,” he explained, “the youth are no all that useful; most of them are engaged in various shady things including crimes. But we are out to re-channel their inclinations for them to have the intellectual equipment to be active participants in the task of rebuilding our sick system.”

Shedding light on the efforts of his group at contributing meaningfully to the society, Olanrewaju said: “We do at intervals seminars. We have constructed boreholes in three streets – Toriola, Ayinke and Wright - and halogen lamps in five streets to aid security of lives and property. All that we have been doing were within the ambit of our limited pecuniary capability without any meaning-

By Dada Aladelokun

ful assistance from anybody or government.”

Speaking about the quiz competition, the activist youth leader said: “The rate at which education is dying in the country is worrisome. We cannot fold our arms and allow it to worsen irredeemably. This is why we initiated the concept to help bring the best out of our young ones in the lower schools.

“We decided to invite experts from across disciplines to partake in the event which involved no fewer than 20 schools. We are going to make it as regular as possible, not minding the costs. We believe that once the future of the youth is secured, we can rest assured of a better tomorrow of our dream.”

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NIGERIA Copyright Commission (NCC) has begun a reform process within the commission to address the rising rate of piracy.

NCC Director General Mr Afam Ezekude said the reform would also aid upgrading the commission’s existing act.

He spoke in Lagos during the commission’s consultative meeting on its reformation agenda.

Ezekude stated that the process would afford the commission the opportunity to curb piracy and pave way for economic and human development in the country.

“The goals of the reform process is to update and upgrade the Copyright Act and the digital age; to facilitate new innovation and new models of access to knowledge; to encourage and reward new forms of creativity; to enable Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries to adapt and leverage new technological platforms for distribution and enforcement of rights in global markets; and to improve the system of copyright administration,” he said.

Minister challeges stakeholders on HE Minister of Water Resources, Mrs flood management Serah Ochekpe, has praised the first Niger Delta Environment and Sustain-

able Development Conference on the successful handling of the recent flood, describing it as a strategic step to mitigate future flood challenges in the country.

Ochekpe, who made the observation at the symposium organised by the Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development in collaboration with Risk Management and Development Studies, sought the increased partnership among key stakeholders.

During the conference, it was observed that Nigeria is indeed facing serious environmental problems arising from heightened pollution associated with the 2012 flood, which caused devastating damage to areas submerged.

The chairman of the conference, Mr Shedrack Akolokwu in his opening remarks, stated that main objective of the symposium was to provide a platform for experts to discuss and share knowledge on the flood and ways to improve

By Musa Odoshimokhe

response mechanism.

He said: “The Niger Delta experience the greatest devastation during the 2012 flood because it is situated at the lowest part of Nigeria and receive all flood waters from most West and Central African countries.”

The flood which exposed the deficiency in the nation’s capabilities for flood disaster prevention, early warning system, emergency preparedness and response as well as post flood recovery, provided a major challenge to stakeholders to look at possibilities of forestalling future incidence.

Akolokwu said the flood completely dispersed and re-distributed major pollutants from waste pits, drill cuttings, hazardous waste with serious health threat to those affected, he called on stakeholders to be proactive in its prevention.

•From left: Kehinde Ogunmade, from Finance and Accounts; Comrade Orisamuyiwa Oladele, Union Chairman; Mr. Madi Swomen; Mrs. Funmilayo Oyesola, Union’s vice chairman during the anniversary in Abuja

Association marks centenary anniversary HE TRADE union in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, (OAGF),has mobilised workers of the department to celebrate the centenary anniversary of trade unionism in the country.

Members of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), OAGF Unit, Federal Branch, Abuja, used the occasion to reflect on the importance of trade unionism to foster the national development.

Speaking at the event, which has the theme: ‘Our Union, Our Strength’, chairman of the Unit, Comrade Orisamuyiwa Oladele called on the management of the OAGF to see the union as well as the workers as partners in progress in service delivery of the economic programme of the country. He praised the cordial relationship between the

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adminstration of the current Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Mr. Jonah Otunla, the union and the entire workforce, which he said is due to the exemplary leadership qualities of the AGF. Mr. A.O. Agi, Assistant Director, Staff Welfare, who represented the AGF at the occasion, applauded the union and its executive for the peaceful relationship between the workers and the management of the AGF. About 500 cartons of big Indomine, Close Up, toothbrushes and pack of foods were distributed to the staff and members of the security operatives at the OAGF at the ceremony.

Vice Chairman of the Federal Council of the NCSU, Comrade Timothy Odebunmi and his secretary, Comrade Nehemiah Ogem were among the important dignitaries that graced the occasion.

By Jeremiah Oke

the introduction of new yam flour held at the Mile-12 market, Ketu Lagos.

Oyesanya also assured the marketers of his support at all times and admonished them to keep the market clean, saying cleanliness is next to godliness.

He said the new standard adopted by his people showed that residents of his council are law-abiding and ready to support government policies at all time.

While speaking on the occasion, the chairman of the association,Alhaji Mukaila Jaiyeola, said the development is long awaited and all members of the association have already accepted the measurement.

Jaiyeola said the measurement was not made for marketers in Mile 12 alone but introduced to all grain marketers in Lagos State to avoid cheating.

He gave kudos to the state government for having the masses in mind especially for ensuring that life is made better for them.

He praised the chairman of Ikosi Isheri Hon Abdlfatai Oyesanya for his contribution to the cleaning of the Mile 12 market and its environ ever since he assumed office last year.

In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer of the Yucca Design Limited the maker of the new measurement, Mr. Akintola Ajanaku, said the new measurements were made to prevent food from contamination and highly hygienic for food stuff. he added that its standardise measurement uniformity in the state and it is durable as the items last longer.

Group raises fund

By Stella Edmund

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HE foundation stone laying ceremony of Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Ilupeju and fund raising have taken place with the highest donor giving out N1 million.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Rosemary Nikoro, said the parish had grown from strength to strength.She gave a brief history of the Church Mass service. In his remark, Rev. Fr Raphael Adebayo gave an account of how the land was acquired through his uncle, Mr. Akin Bayo and Arch Ben Ufot. “The Parish started with about 200 parishioners but today the population has risen to 400,so we need expansion. By the grace of God, we hope to complete this project next year. Mama Kusama donated over N1 million to her credit.

Church gives free medicare

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LL is now set for this year’s three days crusade and free medical treatment missions of Agbado Foursquare Gospel Church. The programme which includes free medical treatment and missions for Agbado Community will take place at 7/9, Akintoye Street, Crossing BusStop, Agbado, Ogun State. The programme will start on December 20 and end on December 23. (morning session 9am to 4pm.

There will be free medical treatment, free drugs, and free test on daily basis.

The host, Rev. A.T. Oluwalowo speaking through Rev, Oxborn Adebisi said, the reasons for this programme is to give the best to its immediate community.

Oxborn however noted; that it is intended to further the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ in reaching out to the whole world.

Other highlights include, salvation, deliverance from satanic oppression, divine healing, diverse manifestation, prayers among others.

•Rev Fr Adebayo (right) during the event

THE NATION WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 12, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

EDITORIALS

The affordable housing crisis

Expensive campaign •N6.2bn is too much to publicise PIB

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HAT manner of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) publicity awareness campaign will cost the nation a huge N6.2billion? What informed the decision and who are the architects of the wasteful move? These are the questions that should generate widespread outrage in a country where majority of the citizenry live on one dollar per day.

The nation got to know of the proposed expenditure when Diezani AlisonMadueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources, defended her ministry’s 2013 budget before the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Gas. The campaign started in 2010 and is expected to end in 2015. So far, however, N110.8million has been released for the purpose, leaving a balance of N6.09billion. If an item in the ministry’s portfolio will cost billions of naira to publicise, then, the entire publicity expenditure of the ministry will be too absurd to make public.

What is surprising is that the entire budgetary allocation of the petroleum ministry in the 2012 capital appropriation was N2.2 billion. However, only N820 million representing about 41 per cent has been so far released, with N759 million, representing 93 per cent of the entire sum, already spent. If we divide the remaining N6.09billion by three years (2013-2015), we have about N2billion on the average per year for the campaign. We ask: What sense is in making an item’s publicity budget more than the capital appropria-

tion for the entire ministry this fiscal year?

We consider this proposed expenditure to be part of moves to fritter away the country’s common wealth. It is baffling that even the ministry responsible for oil revenue generation for the country is proposing such grandiose spending. What is the petroleum ministry under the minister’s leadership out to achieve with such stupendous spending on the controversial PIB that has been in the crucible of law making for not less than 12 years? Virtually all Nigerians are aware that the main thrust of the bill is local content, which the multinational oil companies are out to stonewall.

The PIB, over time, has been an object of summits, including the Nigerian Refining Capacity Summit which held earlier in March, the 18th Nigerian Economic Summit held in Abuja and numerous public hearings conducted by the legislature. In all the newspapers, editorials and detailed features and news analyses have been written on the issue. The electronic media were not lagging in their reportage of the Bill. Only the extremely ignorant will claim not to be aware of an issue that has been in focus in the print and electronics media these past years.

With the kind of publicity already given the PIB, we expect that the petroleum ministry will be more circumspect in preparing a publicity budget for it. The bill has received generous coverage in the media. Moreover, the ministry was not methodical as the breakdown of what the

money will be spent on and how were not given. We equally wonder why the job of creating more awareness for the bill was not left for the Federal Ministry of Information to handle.

There is so much waste around, especially in government, giving the impression that money is not part of the country’s problem. Unfortunately, this does not reflect in the condition of living of the average Nigerian. We, therefore, call on the legislators to scale down the PIB publicity budget. Though we are not averse to publicity campaign as a necessary tool for creating the needed awareness on government policies and projects, we detest waste as obviously shown in this case.

‘There is so much waste around especially in government, giving the impression that money is not part of the country’s problem.

Unfortunately, this does not reflect in the condition of living of the average Nigerian. We therefore call on the legislators to scale down the PIB publicity budget.

Though we are not averse to publicity campaign as a necessary tool for creating the needed awareness on government policies and projects, we detest waste as obviously shown in this case’

Welcome recognition • Reserving N5bn contracts for local contractors is a good start, but ...

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ECOGNITION for home-grown technological wherewithal that has over time become routine in better organised climes seems to have caught the attention of the Federal Government at last. Thus, from 2013, all engineering and construction projects below N5billion in the Federal Ministry of Works will be exclusively reserved for Nigerian contractors with the requisite competence.

The cursor to this effect came from Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works, in a keynote Address at the 2012 National Engineering Conference “Harmony 2012” of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) held in Ilorin, Kwara State. The theme of the annual event was: “Infra-

‘This commendable policy is another form of indigenisation but the limit it places on the value of contracts that could be awarded Nigerian firms is contemptuous. Does it mean that any contract that is beyond N5billion cannot be handled by Nigerians? Does it mean that in 52 years of independence and despite admirable forays of Nigerian engineers in the Diaspora, there is no indigenous company with Nigerian engineers to handle projects of N5billion and above?’

structure Development and Maintenance in a Technology-Driven Environment.”

He charged that the belated decision is “a deliberate effort by the Federal Government to help build local capacity and promote local content” in the engineering sector. As a complimentary aspect of this initiative, it has now become compulsory for contractors handling major projects in the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure that qualified Nigerian engineering personnel are considered and employed for such jobs before nationals from other countries.

The Transformation Agenda of the current administration would only be meaningful if the desired support is got from the engineering profession that holds the key to technological knowledge. Like what obtains in other engineering conscious climes, the engineering profession must be encouraged to become more innovative, thereby helping in the process of driving the economy for global relevance and reverence.

Perhaps, it is not enough for the government to challenge the conference to merely come up with that home-grown technology and workable strategies that would act as catalyst for sustainable maintenance of vital national infrastructure necessary to guarantee the nation’s economic growth. What is more important here is for the policy to be strictly adhered to.

Once the government is able to play its own part very well, the onus would be

on the local engineers not to betray the trust reposed in them. They cannot afford to fail the nation by allowing this long sought opportunity for them to prove their mettle slip by. The Nigerian engineers/contractors must be ready to use their skills to move the country’s economy from consumer-driven to a production-driven economy. It is only then that calls for them to fully take over from foreign engineering firms can be justified.

This commendable policy is another form of indigenisation but the limit it places on the value of contracts that could be awarded Nigerian firms is contemptuous. Does it mean that any contract that is beyond N5billion cannot be handled by Nigerians? Does it mean that in 52 years of independence and despite admirable forays of Nigerian engineers in the Diaspora, there is no indigenous company with Nigerian engineers to handle projects of N5billion and above?

What are the disincentives in the nation’s system that are discouraging brilliant indigenous engineers or undermining indigenous firms but conducive to foreign engineers and firms?

We hope that the policy initiative would not be restricted to the Federal Ministry of Works but be extended to engineering portfolios of other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The government must equally ensure that impediments to the realisation of such laudable policies are removed without delay.

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HE precious few federal programs that provide rental assistance to the nation’s poorest and most vulnerable families are already underfinanced. These programs provide decent housing for about only a quarter of the low-income families who qualify for them. And with nearly nine million households teetering on the verge of homelessness, the country clearly needs more support for affordable housing, not less.

The main federal programs are traditional public housing, for which the government provides operating expenses, plus two different programs under Section 8 of the housing law, in which rents are subsidized in privately owned properties. Federal housing programs provide a lifeline for about five million low-income households that would otherwise be unable to afford liveable housing at all.

More than half of these households are headed by elderly or disabled people and more than a third are families that include children. These families are overwhelmingly “extremely low income,” which means they earn less than a third of the median income in the areas where they live.

Congress has not treated these housing programs kindly in recent years. Between 2010 and 2012, financing fell by about $2.5 billion, or nearly 6 percent, although some of this was mitigated by one-time measures, like spending from reserves. President Obama’s budget for the 2013 fiscal year is not much of an improvement; given inflation, Congress would have to increase appropriations just to keep treading water, when, in fact, what the poor in this country need is a significant jump.

The administration obviously needs to do better. The number of families eligible for this program has grown significantly since the start of the recession. Last year, for example, 8.5 million very-lowincome families without housing assistance paid more than half their incomes for housing — an increase of 43 percent from 2007.

These families skimp on food and medical care to make the rent and tend to move often, making it difficult for their children to be successful at school. They are also more prone to homelessness, which is traumatic for them and extremely costly for the municipalities that run shelters.

Yet even as the need for affordable housing has grown, such units have disappeared. Over the last two decades, for example, private landlords have removed more than 200,000 apartments from subsidy programs so that they could raise rents. And, faced with weak federal support and no money for repairs, the local housing authorities that manage federally supported developments have boarded up or torn down more than 150,000 units.

According to an analysis by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, it would take about $26 billion to repair the public housing developments that shelter more than two million of the nation’s most vulnerable people. The department is currently engaged in a pilot project under which a small subset of public housing authorities will be allowed to leverage private capital to make the needed repairs on their properties.

Meanwhile, Congress could help reduce costs for affordable housing units by passing the Affordable Housing and Self Sufficiency Improvement Act, a sound proposal in which core provisions have bipartisan support. The act would save money by streamlining a whole range of rules that are now redundant or excessively complicated — allowing agencies to more efficiently screen applicants, cutting the frequency with which housing authorities are required to inspect units, and simplifying the setting of rental rates.

But Congress would still have to find major new sources of revenue to sustain the current programs and meet increasingly pressing housing needs. It took an important first step in 2008, when it created The National Housing Trust Fund. Modelled on successful state programs, the fund would provide subsidies and incentives to preserve, rehabilitate and build housing for low-income families in stable middle-class communities.

It would also stimulate construction and create jobs. The money to underwrite the fund was supposed to come from the federally backed mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which imploded at the start of the recession. Now that those companies have turned the corner, the time may have come to divert some of their profits to affordable housing.

Other ideas are circulating that go beyond simply beefing up programs with more appropriations. The Centre on Budget and Policy Priorities, for instance, has suggested revising the tax code — which now provides some $100 billion in tax breaks to homeowners — to give low-income renters a benefit as well. The benefits would take the form of a credit to be distributed by the states according to income and other criteria.

The centre estimates that eligible families would end up paying about only 30 percent of incomes on housing, and that even a modest renters’ credit capped at $5 billion would lift 250,000 renters out of poverty, help 1.2 million of the lowest income renters and cut the number of poor households that spend more than half their incomes on rent by 700,000. That proposal deserves a serious reading.

– The New York Times

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The exit of Justice Kayode Eso will certainly remain indelible in our annals for many years to come. The legal profession will continue to miss the erudite jurist, extremely intelligent arbiter of uncommon order and frontline apostle of judicial activism in Nigeria.

Justice Eso, no doubt, is one of the few, who are destined to right societal wrongs and look oppressors in the face. The fearless Judge was highly revered, not only for his uprightness or Solomonic wisdom, but for his uncompromising stance when it comes to issues of truth and declaration of verdict without any fear or favour.

Kayode Eso’s name is incontrovertibly synonymous with an incorruptible and courageous judiciary.

The man Eso is undoubtedly a blessing to the nation’s Judiciary. He was one of the few judges, Nigeria is lucky to have produced, that held tenaciously to the principles of “Nemini Negada est” (Justice should be denied to no man). As a judge the late Eso believed not in the judgments, but in justice, not only for both parties but also for the society. Eso, as a Judge, right from the lower court to apex court, was like fire that respects its lighter. To him, it is “fiat justitia enruant coelium” (let justice be done even though the heavens fall).

He was one of the few judges who believed and displayed it obviously to all and sundry, the lordship and independence of judiciary over the two arms of the government, by refusing to bend for pressure or pacification from any quarters or anybody, no matter his rank or fortune.

He was a die-hard student in the school of legal thought that “judex habere debet dous sales salem sapientiae, nesit inspidus est salem

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Legal practitioners must emulate Justice Eso conscietiae no sit diabolus,” which means that a judge should have two salts; the salt of wisdom, lest he becomes insipid and the salt of conscience, lest he be devilish. And no wonder, he passionately displayed this in many cases that were before him, To mention a few: Fawehinmi V Akilu and ors; Awolowo V Shagari; Omoboriowo V A.G Federation, Ajasin V Omoboriowo; Nwodo V Onoh; State v Wole Soyinka etc.

As a matter of fact, Eso, a born mediator and a reputably stainless

Judge, will be difficult to replace, especially in this era of charlatanisms and favouritisms, when some men in gown, have turned Judiciary to an appendage of executive arm and annex of legislature; when cowards are now seen dominating the positions meant for the courageous.

Our longing to have the likes of Eso is a must.

The passage of Justice Kayode Eso to the great beyond is not only a call for eulogies and encomium, and is not only a call for celebration or adulation, but it’s a call for us to live

worthy lives and examine our lives.

What do we want people to say after we have stopped breathing? We must think deeply, whether we want praises like the ones being showered on Eso or people’s reactions to the demise of Sani Abacha.

To the men of the bench who are Eso’s colleagues, the greatest sympathy you can show is to literally put on his gown and his wigs, for in there lay honour, courage and praises. And as corruption is daily eating deeper into Nigerian fabric and escalating in an unprecedented

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• Bello Destiny Paul, Ondo State.

There are forces against Nigeria’s reform

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IR: The nation’s budget for year 2012 is largely oil-dependent to the tune of about N5 trillion despite the fact that India is expecting, for the same period, $70 billion (N10.5 trillion) from software exports alone.

Perhaps we need to remind ourselves of where both India and Nigeria are coming from. In the 1980s, when the Delta Steel Company (DSC) was being built by a consortium of foreign companies, Mecon of India was serving as consultants to DSC. Mecon seconded many of its experienced engineers to DSC, who were helping to groom their Nigerian counterparts.

While these highly experienced

expatriate Indians were chauffeurdriven in brand new air-conditioned, official Peugeot cars, people in DSC were usually surprised to hear of how some of them were receiving letters from their home office, informing them of the approval of their motorcycle loans!

This was at a time fresh Nigerian graduates looked forward to buying new cars after just a few years of working. This was before our present addiction for“tokunbo” products.

India has since transformed into one of the sensational economies including Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) while Nigeria is retrogressing deeper into poverty,

which according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has worsened from 54.7 in2004 to 61.9 in2011. Our state governors are busy bickering over statutory allocation, while their counterparts across the world are aggressively harvesting the infinite opportunities created by globalisation. While we remain on revenue allocation, the world is moving in the direction of technological creativity.

The real tragedy is that even with the pitiable state of our nation, our entrenched interests are still fighting viciously to ensure that nothing changed. More tragic is the fact that they are using the rest of us, to bring down anybody that tries to

Re: Okada and Fashola-phenomenon IR: The above entitled article

by Mobolaji Sanusi published in The Nation of November 16, 2012 captures my mind on this subject matter. How on earth will Lagos be turned into the dumping ground of inexperienced, stubborn, criminal-minded set of people from all over the place under the guise of okada riding as a business?

Fashola has done well with this restriction. Is it sensible for okadas to be contesting the right of way

proportion, the nation’s judiciary is highly in need of upright, godly and lion-hearted judges, like Kayode Eso. I can hear the voice of this departed man of honour and value, urging and warning our judges to strive for excellence in their acts of adjudication or mediation; that the judiciary should not look as executive arm is looking; that the judiciary should not reason as legislature is reason. Oh, I heard him loud and clear, urging Nigerian judiciary to stand firm and be courageous.

Justice Kayode Eso, in his message, prefers to be emulated rather than to be celebrated. He wants his principles and ideals cherished and not himself and he wants the judiciary to shelve encomiums and instead to stand for what he stood for.

May he rest in perfect peace.

with cars, lorries/trucks on the third mainland bridge for example?

This was the scenario before the law, and it will be wrong for the government of Eko to fold its arms watching the ugly trend.

Without mentioning names, total ban/restriction had taken places in some other states without the “political noise” being heaped on Fashola. Why is the Lagos case different? To draw the attention of the state government to the fact that

some unrepentant Okada riders are still waiting at Ikeja-along in the evenings in total disregard of the law to ply their nefarious trade shows that they must be tackled without further delay. Okadas/Tricycles operators must go to the street corners and other unrestricted routes to ply their trade and show respect for the laws of the land. To PDP and other anti-progress elements in Lagos, the downfall and campaign of calumny against

Fashola on this move will never succeed. Order is the first law in heaven, and it must be, here on earth.

The only constant thing in life is CHANGE. The change has come and it must be embraced. The mission to reclaim Lagos and bring back its old glory is a task that must be imbibed by all. On Okada restriction, I stand!

• Tunde Awe, Maersk Line, Lagos.

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

change things! We are helping our entrenched interests to ensure that nothing changes, and to deal with each officeholder that refuses to toe their line.

The Goldman Sachs’ research report for 2007 listed Nigeria among its ‘Next 11’group of countries expected to catch up to the fastest developing BRIC economies.

That reform might even have been most providential, considering what could have become of the Nigerian economy if the global meltdown that soon followed had met us with a financial sector driven by fragile, under-capitalised banks!

Similarly, the all-important Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which had clearly forgotten the destination of the 12-year journey it started since 2000 with President Obasanjo’s Oil & Gas Reform Implementation Committee (OGIC), is now suddenly contemplating reality! This means that all those years of regulatory uncertainty, blocking billions of dollars of oil-sector investments, are coming to an end. Again, for the first time in our petroleum history, we now have a “Nigerian Content Development Act”, which has transformed the capacity for local participation in the sector.

• Gabriel Zowam, Reform & Process Improvement Expert.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

COMMENTS

Berger; Rich Nigeria; Anti-corruption plan; Punish bad advisers; Passing Amnesty and TI exams

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GERE lanes are trailer-free at last!

But for how long?

Berger, RCC and FRSC must manage traffic better with only very senior, not lowly, officers making plans and taking Tony traffic closure and diverMarinho sion decisions. Berger and RCC are known for their high contract fees and Nigerians, their employer, expect to be treated with respect on the road in 2012.

Nigeria is rich but some lie that Nigeria is poor. But check first class in any plane for ‘poor’ government officials and politicians. Presidents can steal 50% of the budget and other corruption takes 50% of the rest and Nigeria still manages to survive on the 25% remaining and the survival strategies of our daily-paid market women and hawkers. Ever hungry, the greedy Nigerian leadership captures the struggling taxed person in cashless systems to ‘chop their money’ also.

Imagine what Nigeria would have become if every corrupt scheme revealed since 1999 had been nipped in the bud by a vigilant computerised bank police or EFCC or ICPC? What has Nigeria budget to do with the $700,000,000 or N105,000,000,000 - N105billion or N1050/Nigerian Abacha loot and all other stolen loot? The mothers it was meant to save are now dead, the youth it was meant to save are now despondent and recruited for trafficking and prostitution or unemployed, the hospitals lack that equipment, the libraries and laboratories in schools are empty, the Lagos-Ibadan and Ore-Benin and the East-West Highway lack their third lane or rehabilitation or completion, 10m deadly potholes remain unfilled. These and free health, free education, free non-toll roads, cheaper agricultural products, reduced taxes, toll free roads were all expected from that money.

When generals get greedy and politicians get peckish, they, like locusts, lay bare the land. Horrifyingly, Abacha’s name still survives on a stadium as a monument to his corruption suspected to be in excess of $7,000,000,000, N1,050,000,000,000/ N1,050billion or N10,500/Nigerian. Remember the First Gulf Oil Windfall $12.5b, N1,875,000,000,000 or N1,875billion or

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N18,750/Nigerian believed by the Financial Times of UK to have been ‘lost’ under Babangida. The most recent examples of colossal corruption being N275b petroleum subsidy scandal, multibillion naira pension debacle, unascertained corruption in Customs, unfathomable ignored un-investigated corruption in NPA where ‘saint’ PDP leader Bamanga Tukor held sway, when a private $5m non-refundable loan for a ship was believed to have been floated and set sail, the nation’s real tax cheats and any bribe-demanding FIRS and their local state counterparts, the FRSC and LGA touts who have replaced Police checkpoints and the new improved wole-wole environmental enforcement monsters, and you can see why we have such little faith in Nigeria.

Corruption thrives in an audit vacuum. Every Nigeria based public and private organisational head can today ‘nip corruption in the bud’ with a Department-based anti-corruption ‘Early Warning Keeping It Clean Policy’. In every office introduce this ‘Six Point Anti-corruption Plan’: 1. Anti-corruption Regular Weekly Internal Auditing. 2. Anti-corruption Monthly not Annual External Auditing. 3. Anti-corruption Compulsory Cellphone Bank Account Alerts to 10 senior staff in event of money movement in or out of the account. 4.

Anti-corruption employment and training of anti-corruption staff. 5. Anti-corruption Signatures, increase to 4 to 5 on all accounts. 6. Anti-corruption Invitation to EFCC and ICPC, in short anti-corruption rotation randomly chosen by ballot, to staff a desk in the organisation.

Since 1999, we are still ‘surprised’ at corruption. Of course elimination of fertiliser fraud and the nauseating sums of money being made public are a step, but prosecutions and subsequent convictions are in order but government paradoxically reduces the judiciary budget. Happily the NASS is seeking an upward revision of this. What does the judiciary need to reduce our court case times by 50%? As the budget is being discussed NASS should note that the Israelis are building 3000 homes –just like that- while we arrogantly demolish 300 home estates in a 14,000,000 home deficit country.

Don’t look at the politics. Look at the facts. In a country where 80% live on less than $1 /day, how dare anyone budget N79,000,000,000 for the Vice President’s compound and a further N2,200,000,000 for an Aso Rock extension to the Presidential banquet hall? This totals more than N10,000,000,000

or N100/Nigerian available for low income housing.

The crazy civil servants and Special Advisers responsible for these outrageous plans should be identified, exposed, censured and probably sacked. Only punishment will caution others. They cannot claim anonymity for their stupid decisions. For example, which civil servants stopped the LagosIbadan road from being made three and four lanes over the last 40 years? Someone must have been ir-responsible. The ministry already has approved plans by the World Bank contractor in 2008. How much was he paid for government’s ‘breach of contract?’ The contract should have been returned to that same contractor.

And yet the leadership lectures young Nigerians on ‘sacrifice’ and why free education is not possible and why they should be patient because ‘Rome was not built in a day’. Well Rome was eventually built and if the Roman leadership was as greedy as Nigeria’s, there would be no Rome today and there may be no Nigeria tomorrow. Success is not achieved by vitriolic political complaints against Amnesty International and Transparency International methodology and conclusions. Nigeria should learn to pass this annual exam, honestly with PQPs and a ‘Pass Examination Formula’ and national strategy –better human rights, a better coordinated anticorruption drive.

Nigeria is rich but some lie that Nigeria is poor. But check first class in any plane for ‘poor’ government officials and politicians. Presidents can steal 50% of the budget and other corruption takes 50% of the rest and Nigeria still manages to survive on the 25% remaining and the survival strategies of our daily-paid market women and hawkers.

The North and Boko Haram

IOLENCE and insecurity is not peculiar to northern Nigeria. Nigeria as a whole is at a point where perhaps its security apparatus needs a radical surgical overhaul in order to better guarantee the safety of the lives and property of the people who, in addition to coping with crippling poverty, have had to also contend with progressively worsening levels of insecurity through successive years, especially since the return to civilian rule on the eve of the 21st Century.

What, however, seems to be increasingly peculiar to the north as far as violence and insecurity is concerned is the brazen terrorist toga the violence continues to don. And since mid-2009 when, starting from the then-hotbed of Bauchi State, a radical group first engaged security forces in gun battles across some states of the north, things have hardly let down. From gun duels and attacks with crude war material that group is now the infamous face of violence in Nigeria as its tactics get ever more sophisticated. That group – Boko Haram – continues to thrive in spite of consistent chest-thumping by the government that somehow the government is prevailing in the war against insecurity and violence.

No doubt, Nigeria’s borders with other states contributes to the problem as some of the foot soldiers carrying out the violence have been found to be from some of these West African countries. Perhaps, this means that the efforts at border patrol and security measures in border towns have not been concerted enough. However, security forces may ransack compounds, and even invade and kill whole towns. This would no doubt, have its own suc-

cess. Still, we would only just be scratching the surface of the issue at best because sheer, outright force does not seem like the only viable solution to the problem.

Which is why it ought to (emphasis on “ought to”) be heartening that some people across both sides are beginning to consider dialogue in all this. But you wonder how feasible dialogue, productive dialogue in the interest of peace, is here considering the unrealistic nature of the group’s demands. If dialogue happens, that would be great. However, there are a few things that are beyond the direct control of the government that need to happen in order to have a chance of bringing about peace to the north.

The staying power that the Boko Haram ‘brand’ continues to demonstrate in the north, especially in its two strongholds of Borno and Yobe states is, arguably attributable to the attitudes of indigenes of the two states, side-by-side the suspected membership composition of the group. There was talk across town recently especially in Yobe, that some of the recent success enjoyed by the Joint Task Force in identifying members of the group and their lairs in Damaturu and Potiskum was down to the fact that a few more people in those cities came forward to blow the whistle on suspected Boko Haram elements, leading security forces to more precise targets rather than having blanket information. This sort of ‘snitching’ is what has to happen more with Boko Haram. Such attitude to violence is one of the things that had not happened often enough in the past especially in Borno State, which has allowed the group to continue to spread its violent tentacles as though

‘This is one hydra with stronger tentacles of religion and politics - politics feeding on religious fervour to ignite an all too inflammable social canister’

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its members were aliens with superhuman ability to completely evade attention until Violence Hour strikes. In truth, however, sentiment and lineal affinity has always interfered with the people’s thinking as far as Boko Haram is concerned. As many families are inextricably tied to the group one way or another with having a deviant family member on the group’s payroll, innocent members of the public usually feel compelled to play the unwitting accessory as the family ties that bind them force them not to expose their family member as belonging to the group. But as demonstrated with the relative success of the security forces in the two Yobe towns where this attitude changed, be it for a split second, fighting the group’s brand of warfare is every peace-loving person’s responsibility.

So, the people have to decide whether they will continue to allow their affinity towards family members who do not give a hoot about the safety and security of their innocent brethren becloud their sense of longing for peace. The people must simply wean themselves of that rather misplaced allegiance and realise that self-preservation and the preservation of innocent lives is infinitely more golden than protecting the interest of murderous, suicidal family members. They don’t have to go too far to find precedence to follow. In 2009, when a teenage Umar Farouq Abdulmuttallab attempted to blow up an American aeroplane, some attributed his behaviour to his privileged upbringing. But it turned out that his father, having watched him closely for a while, had been worried enough to alert the authorities that his son was showing extremist inclinations. In the end, although that act was not directly responsible for the botched bombing attempt, it vindicated his father and the family. It showed that not even a father could be swayed by filial ties to stand in the way of the safety and security of other people, even if his actions

meant he was discrediting his own flesh and blood. Similarly, every well-meaning northerner has to accept that the safety and security of the innocent should be superintendent to their rather primordial considerations of filial protection over those whose actions directly and indirectly deepen their misery and make their own kith and kin endangered species in their own land.

Another primordial factor that seems to be hindering the fight against violence in the north is the attitude towards religion. And by religion here, this writer means the interpretation of Islam by most northerners as against practically everything else, including contrary religious views and religions. If we chose to be naïve we can say that the Boko Haram problem is not a religious cancer. We can also elect to be simplistic and call it a sole problem of religion. Either way, we may not be doing justice to the issue. Simply, as it is today, violence in the north has a socio-religious touch to it, fuelled by political elements here and there. In the midst of this, other criminals of various ilks have exploited the situation to their own diabolical ends such that what we now have is a hydra. But this is one hydra with stronger tentacles of religion and politics - politics feeding on religious fervour to ignite an all too inflammable social canister.

So, a good way to go is for people in the north to start looking at religion differently, stop seeing everything through the vaunted superiority of the religious compass. What if the people become less uptight and sensitive about religion? What if they start to look at religion honestly as a life journey encompassing tolerance, understand others and allowing other opinions to precede even when this may not be in their own best interest? What if religion is no longer a struggle between faiths or beliefs to them? What if they begin to see Islam as not a fragile Masonic doctrine that must be protected aggressively from others?

Dele Agekameh How about they begin to see religion as a pattern of a series of interconnected faiths each with their peculiarity that might not always seem linked or pleasing to one set in the series, but then the one set does not harm the other set? I tell you what might happen: there would be less room for anyone or institution to attempt to mess with the sanity of individuals or groups by colouring everything as a religious struggle in which every man has to protect his own corner.

That way also, the people would begin the process of extricating themselves from ‘personality-institutions’ and instead embrace ‘institutionalinstitutions’ and authority – learning to give their allegiance to rules, social contracts with all, as well as institutions, rather than subjecting themselves to being (mis)led by individual or group of individuals only, no matter how wealthy or ‘knowing’ the individuals may claim to be.

But then considering the poverty level, the level of ‘unletteredness’ and the depth to which person institutions and religion has already sunk into the psyche of the people in the north, who will bell this cat?

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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COMMENTS

F

OR the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, under the current leadership which just marked one year in office last month, the last two weeks can be said to be its own baptism of fire by the media.

For right or wrong reasons, every organization, especially those in the public eye, often have their day in the media court. And since the journalism is history written in a hurry, many at times many organisations get undeservedly seriously bruised even without having the privilege of turning in all the facts of their case. Some others get their just dessert and the deserved knocks and go home sulking and sad thereafter.

Two weeks ago, the chief executive of the agency and his team came calling at the National Assembly to honour the invitation of the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Petroleum (Downstream) to defend the budget of the agency.

It was in the course of handling this important task that something went the unexpected way. The whole drama centred on how much accrued to the agency through its internally generated revenue and the use to which it was put. The PPPRA boss had informed the law makers about the N5.7 billion that was generated and listed the sub heads under which the fund was expended in line with what was approved by the Budget Office for its 2012 overheads and personnel.

In the spirit of true democratic practice and wanting to asset its authority, the legislators had reaffirmed the role of the legislature in respect of appropriation and proceeded to warn sternly that the MDAs have no power to expend any fund without the legislature appropriating it. The PPPRA boss was invited for a second session the following day and the law makers’ day’s job was done.

It was from here the media took over. The following day the media was awash with screaming headlines on how N5.7 billion was blown on staff, as one newspaper noted in its headline. Days later, some newspapers, drawing from the drama on the floor of the House and the sensational report of the event by their correspondents, took position, in editorials, calling on authorities to scrap PPPRA. Indeed a sober study and analysis of the encounter will bring out two salient facts.

One, what the law makers were after that day was to establish their authority, perhaps rightly, that by law, the role of the legislature to appropriate is sacrosanct and cannot be compromised; two, it was never in dispute that the sum of N5.7 billion was appropriated for overheads and personnel for the

I

N the past, leaders in Nigeria have failed the people; too much promises, less action hence the average Nigerian hardly has any confidence in their leaders. But even at that, there are still leaders with integrity, who have made promises, kept them in the face of daunting challenges of leadership in the country today.

One such leaders is the governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, a man who has consistently keep to his election promises since he was re-elected for second term in 2011. Today Abia State, hitherto a backward state on the development index in the country, has witnessed and is still witnessing uncommon transformation drive courtesy of legacy projects being executed by the present government. Anybody who has followed the politics of the state since 1999 would never believe that such progress could be made in the state within the short period of Governor Orji’s re-election. All these have been made possible, thanks to the successful and peaceful liberation of the state from the stranglehold of the former governor, Orji Uzor Kalu’s political dynasty.

The successful execution of some legacy

‘As the government has started the reconstruction of 16 roads in the city, what will armchair critics like the NBA leadership in the city and their paymaster do or say now? Will they applaud government efforts or continue to make mockery of themselves before the people in the name of criticisms against the state government?’

That PPPRA’s baptism of fire

By Abdullahi Yakubu agency in the 2012 Budget. What was in contention was where the fund was sourced from.

For any discerning analyst, it may not be too far to see that this may just have been much noise over little or nothing.

Contrary to the impression created about a major secret deal blown up, the overheads and personnel cost of the agency (not salary and allowances alone) went through the rigour of budge scrutiny and was duly appropriated. At no time during the session did the law makers describe the salary and allowances of PPPRA as something they were getting to know for the first time.

And contrary to the submission of N5.7 billion divided by 249 members of staff, that appropriation was for both personnel and overheads such as expenses incurred in its operations duly vetted by the budget office.

Indeed, little effort at information gathering would have shown that what PPPRA officials earn is not different, or rather similar to what obtains in other agencies of government in the oil and gas industry such as Nigeria Petroleum Development Trust Fund NPDTF, Petroleum Equalization Trust Fund PETF, Petroleum Products and Marketing Company, PPMC, among others.

Indeed, it is because of this standard salary structure that staffers of one of the agencies are routinely transferred to others as the situation requires without such workers feeling shortchanged, or unduly favoured.

The agency’s Chief Executive, Reginald Stanley had cause to correct the wrong impression of a jumbo salary at PPPRA days later, describing it as a gross misrepresentation of what he said while appearing before the august committee.

He said the sum of N5.7billion, when broken down into sub-heads, actually accounted for staff salaries and allowances, National Contributory Pension, Pension Payments, National Health Insurance Scheme, Pay-AsYou-Earn tax element, overheads, and other sundry deductions, consistent with what obtains in other MDAs, especially in the Oil and Gas Sub-sector. He added that ‘PPPRA does not operate a peculiar salary structure independent of what obtains in other sister organizations within the oil and gas sub-sector. We are fully aligned with other organizations on what we earn. We receive budgetary allocations on yearly basis, like others, and we account for every kobo spent, in

the spirit of transparency and accountability, all for the good of our country.’

Downstream oil sector analysts will readily attest to the efforts PPPRA has put into the works of sanitizing that sub sector of the oil industry in the last one year.

Records clearly show that owing to some stringent measures put in place by the new leadership, PPPRA has brought down payment on subsidy by 49.7 per cent in 10 months when what was paid between January and October this year is compared to what was paid during the same period in 2011.

While the federal government paid N1.351 trillion as subsidy between January and October 2011, what was paid during the same period this year came to N679 billion, with NNPC receiving N337.7 billion while other marketers received a combined figure of N342 billion. With this feat, the agency has been able to save some N671 billion in 10 months for the nation.

Of course, anyone familiar with this industry will testify to the fact that bringing this about took some efforts. Since November 2011 when the Stanley led team took over with a clear mandate by the supervising ministry to restore sanity to petroleum products importation business, the team has hit the ground running and it has not looked back. Indeed, the first step he took which gave a clear signal that he meant business was the pruning down of the oil importing and trading companies licensed to import products from an all- comers and unwieldy 126 to 42 by the first quarter of this year.

Not just that the figure has today been brought down to a manageable 39, stringent measures and regulations have been put in place to enthrone transparency, accountability and quality service delivery.

A few of these measures will suffice in this analysis. One of the earlier measures taken by the agency was the restriction of participation in fuel importation to only owners of coastal discharge/depots facilities, thus reducing participation in the PSF Scheme to only genuine and capable marketers. This move has achieved an added advantage of motivating more investments in the development of petroleum handling facilities, thereby promoting local content development ensuring better management of participants in the PSF scheme.

To enthrone transparency in the scheme, a number of measures were put in place, which today the nation is benefitting from remarkably. They include: the introduction

Tackling the challenge of Aba roads

By Joyce Ofodu projects in the state among which are the new workers secretariat, International Conference Centre, Amaokwe Housing Estate, Judiciary Complex and others within a short period of Orji’s re-election is a clear testimony and evidence that his government was hijacked, delayed and distracted during his first term in office by his predecessor and now estranged and frustrated godfather. Now the people must have realized what they lost in terms of developments in the years of political godfatherism.

That is why the planned probe of the exgovernor’s administration is very much supported and hailed by the people. This is because such probe will give an insight on how the collective resources of the state was mismanaged and cornered by a particular family for more than a decade with nothing for people. Truly, Governor Orji has shown that he is a better student of politics and governance than his predecessor, and the people of the state are already testifying and reciprocating it with the tremendous goodwill and support they have shown for his administration since his re-election.

Not forgetting his election promises on tackling of infrastructural challenges in Aba, Governor Orji has built a pedestrian bridge in front of Abia State Polytecnic Aba along Aba/ Owerri to save the life of commuters especially students who had fell victims of road accident along the road in the past. His government has also constructed and reha-

bilitated many roads in the commercial city of Aba, including the long-abandoned Ukwummango road before the rainy season sets in.

But with the torrents of rainfall coupled with heavy flooding in the city, government contractors working there left the sites to avoid wastages and shoddy jobs. But instead of understanding the true situation of things, some armchair critics especially the leadership of NBA in have since made themselves a pawn in the hand of Orji’s predecessor, to criticize and accuse Orji’s government of abandoning Aba roads.

The criticisms should never be allowed to derail the administration’s vision and commitment in Aba, knowing full well that it is much easier to be critical than to be correct, especially when such criticisms are being sponsored and paid for to achieve selfish political aim.

It was the British politician and author, Benjamin Disraeli who once said: “If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming criticisms. The thing is to get the work done.”

The above aphorism is Orji government’s philosophy in the face of sponsored criticisms and attacks at his government since he liberated the state from Kalu dynasty. As a man who lives and abides by his election promises to his people, Orji’s government has mobilized contractors and work has commenced on 16 roads that need serious attention in the city as the rainy season subsided.

He had made it clear before now that con-

of certified cargo inspectors to enhance operational efficiency and accountability in the areas of products receipts, in line with international best practices; introduction of Double-Three-Two (3-3-2) inspector system to monitor product imports. With this, three inspectors nominated by the agency will confirm vessel arrival quantities; three inspectors will confirm vessel discharge qualities, while two other inspectors will confirm the qualities physically trucked–out of the depots. Taking physical control of discharge values at depots is another initiative that has helped to eliminate risks of Back-loading activities.

The Agency has also tightened requirements for import documents such as Letter of Credit, Bill of Lading, Form M, DPR License, Shore Tank Certificates etc thereby eliminating risks of Bill of Lading manipulation and ensuring integrity of products discharge data to justify subsidy payments.

To battle the evil of round tripping, the Agency imposed a ban on cargo from storage tanks in West African coasts, except from refineries and blending plants; it also imposed a similar ban of ‘homogenized cargo’ in further pursuit of its war against round tripping.

The Agency hit the bull’s eye in July when it subscribed to Llyod’s List of Intelligence Sea Searcher services, for tracking vessels movements around the world. This is to determine the true origin as well as monitor vessels movement right from take off until they berth on the nation’s shores. Industry watchers described the measure as master stroke in the battle to sanitize the industry.

More interesting is the fact that the agency obtained NNPC’s commitments to comply with all the measures and requirements for PSF processing just like all other marketers.

•Yakubu wrote in from Lagos

‘To battle the evil of round tripping, the Agency imposed a ban on cargo from storage tanks in West African coasts, except from refineries and blending plants; it also imposed a similar ban of ‘homogenized cargo’ in further pursuit of its war against round tripping’ tractors had been mobilized to commence work on the roads any moment, so that motorists and commuters could enjoy the roads during the yuletide celebration but the doubting Thomases did not believe him.

The roads witnessing construction works which was flagged off by the governor recently include Azikiwe, Jubillee, Cemetery, Milverton Avenue, Eziukwu/Okigwe roundabout, Ama Ogbonna, Nwala by Faulks road to Brass Junction at Aba Owerri road, Ngwa road, Ohanku which is on-going; Emelogu Road completed but to be added drainage; Ehere, Omoba road, Umuola road, Ikot Ekpene road from Opobo junction to Bata, Amaogbonna/Omuma by ACCN, Nwigwe

by Nwagba Avenue and Geometric Access road Aba. With these projects, it is clear that the present administration in the state had always meant well for the city and the residents, but faced with natural and financial challenges to take the city to the next level. That is why the state government has always called on private investors and federal government to partner with them in tackling the challenges in Aba for good.

The present government in the state has never claimed repository of solutions and answers to the daunting environmental challenges in the city; rather than engage in blackmail or shifting-blame, it has continued to tackle them systematically and effectively since it came into office despite the paucity of funds.

As the government has started the reconstruction of 16 roads in the city, what will armchair critics like the NBA leadership in the city and their paymaster do or say now?

Will they applaud government efforts or continue to make mockery of themselves before the people in the name of criticisms against the state government?

• Ofodu wrote from Abuja

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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NATIONSPORT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Baribote finally thrown out

•Baribote

T

HE melee between the club owners and the NPL board chaired by Victor Baribote has been put to rest as the Baribote-led board was officially kicked out at the seventh annual congress of the NPL held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mikel eyes another

The congress which was held at prixair hotel, wuse zone 6, Abuja has proposed 16th of February 2012 as the kickoff date for the 2012/2013 NPL season which is subjected to ratification by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

It was also agreed in the congress that the draws for the coming NPL season will be held in Kano in a date yet to be fixed.

The congress also lifted the indefinite suspension imposed on Akin Akinbobola at the sixth congress held in Yenagoa after been alleged of provocative and inciting statements against the League body.

Expelled Club, Ocean Boys were also admitted to the second tier of the Ngerian football as the congress claimed that they were victims of a poorly managed League under Baribote.

The acting executive secretary, Tunji Babalola will now take charge of proceedings pending further directives from the NFF.

Chelsea history M

Maigari contests CAF exco post

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IGERIA Football Federation (NFF) president Aminu Maigari will contest for a place on the CAF executive committee next year.

According to CAF, Maigari is one of three candidates who will seek to replace outgoing Amos Adamu at next year’s ordinary general assembly.

The other candidates to contest against Maigari are Benin FA boss Anjorin Moucharafou and his Niger counterpart, Hima Souley.

Maigari is on his second-term on the

executive committee of the NFF. The vacancy is for West Africa B, which has Benin, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger.

CAF president Issa Hayatou is the only candidate for his position at the next General Assembly, while South Africa’s Danny Jordan will again attempt to get on the CAF board after he failed to do so previously.

Hayatou was first elected CAF boss in 1988.

18TH NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL FALLOUT

LOC counts blessings, counsels C/River on 2014

T

HE Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), of the 18 ,National Sports Festival (NSF), Eko 2012, Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire yesterday in Lagos disclosed dividends that accrued from hosting the national sporting fiesta.

Speaking to Journalists in her office in Alausa Ikeja, Adefulire, said the committee could confirm that the core objectives of promoting mass participation in amateur sports from the grassroots and healthy competition amongst athletes under the climate of sportsmanship that strengthens unity was achieved.

"These core Objectives were pursued and promoted in all aspects of the games during the festival. We accommodated and catered for a total of fourteen thousand and nineteen individuals for thirteen days.

"This is made up of eight thousand and ninety- five athletes, one thousand three hundred and eighty-two coaches, one thousand accompanying officials, and one thousand one hundred and twenty-two delegates, as well as one thousand one hundred and thirty-two technical officials, and four hundred and thirty-two Journalists.

"Twenty -five sports were held in ten venues, with two thousand seven hundred and six medals awarded. This is made up of eight hundred and seventeen gold, eight hundred and seventeen silver, and one thousand and seventy-two bronze medals carted away by all the represented states," she stated.

Adefulire further pointed out that Lagos has pioneered a new initiative to the festival by introducing new sports and raising the standard of existing ones.

On the financial gains of the festival, she said official statement can't be made now

as her committee will need time to collate the figures, while advising the next host Cross River State to imbibe the tenets and improve on the standard set by Lagos.

She said new talents were discovered and future champions produced, adding that the facilities put in place ranked among the best, while the logistics and security arrangements were excellent during the games.

She said: "For the first time in the history of the NSF, the social media plate forms became outlets for sports lovers all over the world to monitor and follow the games real time with seven thousand, four hundred and twenty one streams in total watched the events live in fifty- two countries of the world."

She, however, promised that all the athletes that represented the state at the festival will be well catered for as regular regional, national and state competitions will be entered for to keep them in competitive mood for the next edition in 2014.

•Wale Edun

IKEL OBI has said he wishes to win a first-ever FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea in Japan.

‘The Blues’ will take on Monterrey of Mexico in the semi-final of the Club World Cup on Thursday.

The Nigeria midfielder was in the Chelsea team who won an historic UEFA Champions league in May and he now wants to add another page to the history books.

"I am happy to be in Japan with my t e a m t o compete in the Club World

•Mikel

Cricket throws up surprises, Peter Rufai buries thrills at festival late mum in style

S

OCCER LEGEND and one of the Best Goalkeepers to have come out of Africa, PETER RUFAI will bury his late Mum, MRS Christiana Roseline Ilamina Jaja Rufai from December 14-15, 2012. The occasion comes up in Borokini, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Late Madam Rufai, who died at age 83 was born in 1927 has Six Children: Gladys, Peter, Bruce,Mary, Josephine and Patience. They will all be in Port Harcourt to Honour a Mother they said was their sole Source of Inspiration while growing up and who inculcated the importance of Education and Religion in them.

Aside from the normal ceremonies of committing her to mother Earth, there will be a Soccer match between the Port Harcourt All Stars and Green Eagles/Super Eagles Ex Stars to honour Mrs Rufai.

T

HE just-concluded 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) brought with it frills and thrills, some of which included the two formats featured in the cricket event of the biennial sports fiesta, for its novelty.

Since th inception of the NSF in 1973, cricket had only featured in the One-Day-International (ODI) format, but `Eko 2012’ saw the adoption of the sport's two formats.

George Wiltshire, General Manager, Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), said the development would certainly expand the scope of the sport in subsequent sports festivals.

Wiltshire told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the formats would present the opportunity for more games to be played at cricket competitions. The general manager added that it would also encourage an increase in the number of participating states at the NSF since two medals would now be up for grabs.

"Plus the added fact that cricket would have two medals now to be

contested for and it will engender the spirit of competitiveness in the sport.

"It will also act as a basis for other states in subsequent festivals to feature in the sport since it will be having two medals, as against its usual one.

"It will also allow future hosts reason to include cricket as part of the optional sports at the festival,” he said.

With the two formats, the ODI and the T-20 (a shorter form of cricket), spectators were thrilled by the quality of the games played across the three venues at ``Eko 2012".

Apart from the fact that two medals were up for grabs at the justconcluded 18th NSF, cricketers were also allowed to adorn coloured jerseys, which was also an innovation.

It enabled participants to showcase the colours of their respective states, while making the event colourful, against the usual norm of all-white jerseys.

Cup. This is the first time Chelsea are playing in this competition and I hope to win it with them. I ready to contribute my quota to making another history here in Japan," Mikel told MTNFootball.com Mikel said he was overwhelmed by the rousing welcome Chelsea enjoyed on arrival in Japan for the competition. "It was a great experience. They really appreciate us. It was a good welcome, we will do our best to make these fans happy as we aim to win the trophy," Mikel said.

Besides winning a first-ever Champions League trophy with Chelsea, Mikel has also won a league and FA Cup double with the London club.

The Nigeria international is serving out a three-match ban in England, but that does not affect his participation in the Club World Cup.

Boxing lives up to its billing at EKO 2012

A

LTHOUGH the boxing event of the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) ended on Dec. 7, the sport provided some memorable showdowns that will dominate national discourse for some time to come, as Nigerians appraise the just-concluded biennial Games.

The event featured many colourful boxers from various states across the federation, particularly Apampa Muri from Borno and Gabriel Francis of Lagos.

Apampa won most of his bouts via knock outs until the finals, where he lost his match to Ademola Najeem of Ogun in a tough encounter that lived up to its top rating.

Francis, on the other hand, another tough fighter, who was quick with his deadly punches, never dropped his guard until he settled for the ultimate prize – the gold medal.

In all, however, Lagos State boxers proved hard nuts to crack as they remained the team to beat as the team notched up eight gold medals in both the men and women's categories, at the finals.

Ogun was adjudged the second best to Lagos after winning seven gold and two silver medals, to stamp their strength and technical prowess in the competition.

Above all, some of the bouts were, however, hit by brick bats of controversies as spectators

and team officials expressed disappointment at some `controversial' decisions of some judges in the course of the competition.

Looking back at the competition, Hakeem Idris, a spectator, expressed his displeasure at some of the final decisions, saying that some of the decisions could not have been the true reflection of what the outcomes of the bouts actually were.

"It is sad that an event like this can be marred by questionable decisions. Some of the bouts were indeed thrilling, no doubt, but the balance of fair play was largely missing in some of the bouts,” he said.

Obinna Eze, a fan of Team Abia, expressed disappointment with the judges following Abia’s Okebugwu Flora’s 1-2 loss to Olaniyi Bola of Ogun, in one of the most controversial women's bouts.

"This is a major event – a festival. We can’t keep on allowing such things happen haphazardly and claim we want to get it right at the Olympics. Flora clearly won and everyone knew it,” he said.

However, Abiodun Obanla, Head Coach from Ondo State, described the officiating generally as fair, but noted that as humans, "errors are inevitable in Games of this magnitude, where passion can sometimes come into play".

•Ogbonna

Ogbonna to undergo hernia surgery

N

IGERIAN defender Angelo Ogbonna, 24, will have hernia surgery in the coming days and this will keep him on the sidelines for at least 40 days if there are no complications, writes Turin based sports daily TuttoSport.

It was decided after Sunday's 2 - 4 home loss to AC Milan that the Italian internationalist will undergo the knife because of the injury.

Ogbonna has played 12 games in the Serie A this season, and lasted the entire duration in each of the games.

According to reports, the Torino ace is on the wishlist of AC Milan, Roma, Juventus and Manchester United in the winter transfer market.

80 kids, 16 pros serve off Olagbegi Tennis Tourney

E

IGHTY KIDS from different schools in Ondo State will have the opportunity to learn the rudiments of tennis, as 16 professional jostle at the second edition of the Olateru Olagbegi Tennis Championship, which begins today in Akure.

President of the foundation, Olakunle Olateru-Olagbegi said that foundation was using tennis to reach out to youths in the society and show them that they can achieve their dreams by participating in sports. The kids would also have the chance to watch the top 16 players battle for honours from tomorrow to Saturday.

He stated that tennis could be used to empower the youth who, if rightly tutored, might find themselves competing in the circuit in future. He stated that the competition was a win-win situation for all the participants, as they will smile home with prize money even if

By Femi Shittu they lose in the opening round.

He said that a total prize money of N773, 000 would go to all the participants.

The winner will get N175, 000, the runner up gets N100, 000, while the two semi final losers go home with N75, 000. Also, the four quarter final losers will smile home with N50, 000 while the eight first round losers get N18, 500 each.

Olagbegi re-instated the principle behind the foundation's absolute support for Tennis in Nigeria, saying, it is entrenched in the values of stewardship and leadership to the Community and the Nation as examplified by the enigmatic Monarch Sir Olateru Olagbegi II KBE (late Olowo of Owo), who promoted a legacy of community development through sports and healthy living.

6-time European Champions Amike is Eket 2012 role model Lebanon, Portugal touch down for Copa Lagos F L OLLOWING in the footsteps of Utit Ofon Nkantah, nee Ukoh, Gabriel Okon, Uduak Ekah, Aniefiok Udobong and most recently Mary Onyali, Henry Amike is the role model for this year’s Akwa Ibom State, NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships which will come to a close on Saturday December 15 at the Eket Stadium, Eket.

Born 51 years ago in Lagos and of Edo origin, Henry Amike is one of Nigeria’s most decorated quarter milers, and his 48.50 secs national record set in Rome in 1987 which still stands, bears testimony to his enduring athletic prowess.

Amike’s track and field career started in 1978 when he came out fourth in a cross country race in a national schools sports competition in Calabar.

When he contested a year later in Ibadan,

he ran out tops. By 1982 he had gained scholarship to study abroad and established himself to the point of competing in the American Collegiate Regional competition where he came out second in his chosen discipline of 400 metres hurdles.

Two years later, he took part in the same competition and maintained his second position. That same year he represented his country in the Los Angeless Olympic Games and considered his 8th position encouraging given his age and experience.

The Olympics experience must have stood him in good stead when in the African Championships in Rabat Morocco in 1984, coasted home to silver in the 400 metres hurdles. At the World University Games In 1985 in Kobe Japan, Henry Amike missed the gold medal by the whiskers.

Gold also eluded him at the African Championships in Cairo, Egypt in 1985, at the African Championships in Annaba Algeria in 1988 and at the world Cup in Barcelona in Spain in 1989 when he represented Africa.

However, when Nigeria hosted the African Championship in Lagos in 1989, there was no denying Henry the priceless gold medal and prime spot on the victory podium.

There has been quality life after active participation in Track and field as Henry today, is the President of Nigeria Olympian Association, ( NOA) an umbrella body of all the athletes that have represented the country at the Olympics, after serving as Secretary General of the body from 2000 to 2008.

EBANON and Portugal will touch down in Lagos in the next few hours as they compete in the 2nd edition of Copa Lagos. The Beach Soccer tournament which has FCMB as its key sponsor will commence on the 14th December.

Argentina arrived a day earlier than Lebanon and Portugal.

Defending Champions Nigeria complete the line-up for the 3 day Beach Soccer tournament, Nigeria begin their campaign against Lebanon, whilst the first match of Copa Lagos is a heavy weight clash between Portugal and Argentina, the match kicks off at 2pm.

Nigeria and Portugal are the early contenders for the coveted Copa Lagos trophy. Nigeria overcame Brazil 9-4 in an exciting encounter last year. Portugal on the other hand are 6 times European Champions.

All teams will be training on the 13th December at Eko Atlantic, they will get to see the venue and familiarise themselves with their surroundings as they compete for glory. Copa Lagos gets underway from the 14th up until the 16th December this year. Nigeria is the defending Champion and will take on, Lebanon, Argentina and 6 times European Champions Portugal at EkoAtalntic. Tickets are on sale.

•Portugal national beach soccer team celebrating after scoring a goal

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

Life

25

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Text only: 08023058761

Olanipekun… committed to touching lives – Page 27

An adventure’s thorny path – Page 37

‘There’s a critical gap in visual art landscape’ – Page 39

Monarch backs rebranding Nigeria •STORY ON PAGE 26

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

26

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Monarch backs rebranding Nigeria Art scholars and collectors gathered in Calabar, Cross River State, last weekend for the yearly lecture of the National Gallery of Art. They examined topical issues affecting the sub-sector, Asst. Editor (Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme reports.

T

HREE years after the planned rebranding of the country by former Information and Communication Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, with the slogan; Good People, Good Nation, failed to fly, the artists’ community is charting a new course for the project. The art, according to visual artists, is the tool for rebranding the nation.

Leading the fresh campaign in Calabar, the Cross River State capital the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, who said the arts provide readymade materials for rebranding the nation. He said Nigerians needed a brand that would project the country’s image as many countries ride on brands that are unique to them.

He spoke at the fifth national symposium on Nigerian art organised by the National Gallery of Art (NGA), with the theme: Rebranding Nigeria Through Arts.

Igwe Achebe said NGA has a critical role to play in the development of visual art as an instrument for the promotion of Nigeria. According to him, the nation’s arts should be a major element in the rebranding.

He advocated that public buildings and spaces should be adorned with art works by Nigerians, noting that it is important that the best of Nigerian arts are protected as recent developments have made it imperative that Nigerians take interest in their works.

“We need a new brand for Nigeria. Branding a nation is not new as many countries have their brands. China is noted for cuisines; France for wine, England for football, while Brazil is noted for beaches and football. There is a common thread in all of this, which is making of money. Here in Nigeria, Calabar for example is branded as a clean and welcoming city while Lagos is branded as the commercial hub of Africa. Nigerian art provides readymade materials for the rebranding of our country,” Achebe added.

He observed that the challenge before the symposium was to identify how to place Nigeria on a high pedestal using the arts.

On the implications of Nigerian works that litter foreign museums and private galleries in Europe and America, the monarch warned that Nigeria is experiencing a variant of what led to such development because foreigners in the country place more values on Nigerian art. “It is important that the best of our works are protected,” he said.

He praised collectors, such as Sammy Olagbaju, Femi Akinsanya, Onyema Ofoedu and Prince Yemisi Shyllon, for publishing books on arts. He, however, urged the NGA to do more in this regard, adding that “we need a comprehensive list of practicing Nigerian artists which must be updated regularly and will serve as reference material.”

In his lead paper, Prof Ola Oloidi of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said arts has been rebranding the nation but the public was yet to acknowledge this effort.

He called for the rebranding of the arts as a first step to rebranding the nation.

“From the 60s to 70s, it was a period the country was rebranded by the art and artists but only a few understood what it meant then. Rigorous branding started in the 80s but still the society never acknowledged it. Unfortunately, other forces emerged to celebrate the art, and distorted its progress. NGA should be the first institution to be rebranded for this project. If it is an institution within the periphery of sciences, there would have been a befitting structure on ground,” Oloidi said.

Other participants who presented papers at the symposium were Prof Jacob Jari, Prof Frank Ugiomoh, Prof Osa Egonwa and Dr. Peju Layiwola.

When in March 2009, the rebranding Nigeria project was launched in Abuja, the then Information Minister, Professor Dora Akunyili, said: “Nigeria cannot wait until it solves all her problems before it can stand to give serious thought to re-branding its battered image.

•From left: Oloidi, Shyllon and Jegede

•From left: Muku, Achebe and Shyllon

ARTS This is because our development is tied to our image.

This negative perception has had destructive effects on our people and stymied our growth and national progress.” Former Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, who represented the late President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua at the occasion, said: ‘Let us resolve that we would no longer be held ransom by the fraudsters that give Nigeria and all of us a bad name and image.”

…As arts scholars talk on relevance of Phd The ongoing debate on the appropriateness of Phd as a minimum pre-requisite for teachers in the university, especially in the art schools, raped at the symposium.

Prof Dele Jegede of Miami University, Ohio, US and Prof Ola Oloidi of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, expressed reservations on the functionality and relevance of the Phd earned by arts teachers in Nigerian universities. They wondered what are the goals of the doctorate curriculum in the studio? In what ways is a doctorate in studio art different from the Master of Fine Art? They

‘We need a new brand for Nigeria.

Branding a nation is not new as many countries have their brands.

China is noted for cuisines; France for wine, England for football, while Brazil is noted for beaches and football. There is a common thread in all of this, which is making of money. ‘

said as much as the doctoral degree is a desired feat, it should not be tied to the growth of professional artists with terminal degree such as Master of Fine Art. Oloidi said it is a calamity to the art and artist when Phd is a criterion for promotion of art teachers, noting that the tragedy of the matter is that more than half of Phd holders in art are not making the degree functional.

He noted that such lecturers still dwell more on studio practice and less of scholarship. Oloidi lamented the sciencetification of art pointing out that research methodology in art project is incongruent with the need and relevance of art.

Prof Jegede, who presented a paper earlier at the distinguished lecture organised by NGA, said the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) mandate poses an important question that has not been tackled by the academic community: what is or will be the status of the MFA in the new order? Is it simply an advance degree that is on a lower level to the doctorate, as Nigerian institutions now seem to have regrettably acquiesced?

Or is it a terminal degree at par with the doctorate, as it truly is?

According to Jegede, the debate about the relevance of the doctoral degree in studio art in the country might become circumlocutory in due course, unless ‘we have mechanisms that mandate that, ultimately, any homegrown degree is good only to the extent that it is not incestuous; does not cannibalise; extends the frontiers of knowledge; and is sufficiently rigorous to meet not only national but also global standards.

“NUC in my opinion, does not and should not have the last word on what terminal degrees belong to which field…We owe it to our country to ensure that rather than emphasise acquisition of prefixes without fixes, our degrees are competitive with the best that similar institutions have to offer,” he noted.

Prof Osa Egonwa of Delta State University, Abraka, said the NUC regulation on Phd degree is a blessing for the art teachers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

27

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Olanipekun in the midst of the crowd

Olanipekun…committed to touching lives

F

OR 16 years, he has been touching the lives of his kith and kin in Ikere, which is regarded as the gateway to Ekiti State. Every year, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), contributes his quota to securing a future for promising youths.

The 16 th edition of the Chief Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme was held at his Iyaniwura House on Moshood Road, GRA, Ikere-Ekiti. During the ceremony, people praised the legal luminary, who they see as God’s special gift to Ikere.

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof Isaac F. Adewole, chaired the event.

Prof Olu Agbedana of Chemical Pathology Department of UI was the guest lecturer.

For the whole day, the management team of UI literally relocated to the town in appreciation of what Olanipekun, who donated a furnished multi-million-naira auditorium/law lecture theatre to the institution, means to them as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council.

Even before the event began, the UI musical band had taken to the stand, dishing out melodious tunes to welcome guests.

Among dignitaries at the event were Dr. Gani Adeniran of the UI Governing Council; Mrs. Francisca Aladejana. Provost, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti; all traditional leaders from the town and prominent sons and daughters including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Dayo Akinlaja, (SAN); Funminiyi Afuye, his counterpart at Information and Civic Orientation; former Governor, Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; Prof. Daniel Adefolalu of the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Mr Olu Afolabi, former Librarian, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; famous industrialist Abiodun Adeniyi (Abbey), and Ibadanbased frontline legal practitioner, Otunba Olawaye Alonge.

Hon Olufemi Ojo, the Secretary of the scheme’s Board of Trustees, was the moderator. He was unsparing in accolades for Olanipekun and his delectable wife, Princess Omolara for their unflinching commitment to

Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

PHILANTHROPY the scheme. He reminded the gathering of a multi-million-naira vicarage that Olanipekun built and donated to St. Peters Anglican Church, Ikere, a few weeks back.

Taking over the microphone from Ven. (Dr) S.I Falode, who opened the day with prayers, S.S Omoyeni who chairs the scheme presented his welcome address, declaring that the award was earmarked for indigent but brilliant pupils and students from Ikere and other 15 local government areas in the state.

Omoyeni hinted that since 1997, Olanipekun had been releasing a whopping N6 million for the scheme each year. He added amid applause that the scheme had helped many beneficiaries from junior schools to the Nigerian Law School.

“Apart from enjoying it for five years in secondary schools, brilliant ones among the beneficiaries have been enjoying it in the universities. In fact, 111 students have benefitted from Ikere. As for the undergraduates, across the state, 97 students have enjoyed it from Ikere out of which 47 have passed out; others are still enjoying it. From 15 other council areas, 36 out of 69 beneficiaries have completed their courses. Five students of the Law School from Ikere enjoy it per session. And besides giving bursaries to overseas students, computers have been given to some schools to aid ICT knowledge,” Omoyeni said.

Beneficiaries of the current edition, he

hinted, amid praise songs for Olanipekun, thus: “They comprise 45 secondary school students from Ikere; 50 undergraduates from the town and 33 from others; seven Law School students and one overseas student.”

The monetary values, of the awards vary according to levels. While undergraduates smiled home with N40,000 cheques, each Law School student received N200,000.

In his remark, Prof. Adewole opened what later turned out to be the floodgate of encomiums on Olanipekun, declaring without mincing words, that philanthropy is the core ingredient of the legal giant’s personality.

Virtually all his hearers were pleasantly stupefied when he reeled off the various assistances to the UI since he assumed office as Pro Chancellor.

Olanipekun, in his address, stated that his commitment to selfless service through the scheme especially, is his own “little way” of responding to God’s kindness to him by contributing to the fight against poverty and ignorance among his people.

“I hope our beneficiaries (young ones) will grow up to imbibe this spirit by in turn, contributing to lifting those coming behind them. The sorry state of education in this country today is appalling. While government must do more by committing 59 per cent of its annual contract awards to education other than defence as it is now the case, the few privileged individuals among us including organisations must rescue education for the sake of our children. And I must remind those who loot our treasury in high places today, leaving the needy to wallow in deprivation, will one day stand before

‘I hope our beneficiaries (young ones) will grow up to imbibe this spirit by in turn, contributing to lifting those coming behind them. The sorry state of education in this country today is appalling. While government must do more by committing 59 per cent of its annual contract awards to education other than defence as it is now the case, the few privileged individuals among us including organisations must rescue education for the sake of our children’

God to give an account,” he added amid sustained ovation.

Prof. Agbedana, in his lecture, which passed for a food for thought, echoed Olanipekun’s views on education and stressed urgent return to boarding system in schools to revamp ethical standards. He, however, heaped accolades on Olanipekun’s philanthropic instinct, submitting amid nods of affirmation, the he “is not only a cheerful giver but God’s wonderful donation to Ikere and humanity.”

Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries after Olanipekun’s wife was assisted by Prof. Adewole and Dr. (Mrs) E. T Ogunmola at presenting the cheques, Olaniyi Adebola, a 300-level Law student at the University of Jos, thanked Olanipekun, saying: “This will cushion the effect of the current excruciating economy on us. I would only urge other wealthy Nigerians to emulate this kindhearted SAN.” Olukemi Omoyeni, a student of Ekiti State University (EKSU) now in Law School, told the gathering: “I’m short of words. SAN has been my mentor and role model. One can only wish him long life and more blessing.

He must be emulated by the privileged few amid us.”

It was prayers galore for the donor from Eunice Olajire, another beneficiary who studies Geography at the University of Nigeria (UNN) and her parents, Rev. & Mrs Rufus Olajire. Rev Olajire described Olanipekun as “a human being indeed because he has allowed his life to rest on Godliness and humanity.” “He is a rare giver and a worthy son of this town,” he added.

Flaunting the cheque written in the name of Bamidele Okeya who studies Medicine at the OAU, Princess Folake Okeya gazed into the sky for a moment, showering heartfelt prayers on Olanipekun for “lifting a huge burden off the shoulders of her family.”

Before it was time for comments and presentation of gifts to Olanipekun, the cultural troupe from St. Louis Grammar School, Ikere, held the guests spell-bound with songs rendered in praise of Olanipekun’s selfless services.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12,2012

28

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Today’s success has wiped away the pains, tears of yesterday

L

ET me begin this tribute to a great mother, who came, saw and conquered by thanking God for her life. I have never believed that she will live up to sixty years old, if I remember all the troubles she went through. Her adversaries fought her in her home, in the Church, at family meetings, in the market, in the streams, in the community meetings and in fact everywhere she went. She was a sheep to be slaughtered but she endured it all and came out triumphantly. She went through hell and returned unscathed. She survived many of those who wanted her dead by all means. Her life was a living testimony that tough times never last but tough people do. Her life was a living testimony that after every rainfall comes sunshine. Her life teaches us of a quotation from the book of Psalm 118:22 that says the very stone which the builder rejected has become the head of the corner.

I shed huge and uncontrolled tears for my late mother Madam Dinah Nwanyimgbo, Onyebuchi Igbokwe (nee Egbuonu) early this year, March 22 2012 when my brother, classmate and friend Professor Emeka Obi buried his mother, Mrs. Virginia Ulokwe Obi. After the burial ceremony proper, Professor Emeka took the microphone to tell the story of his mother. As he began to recall the troubles, travails, animosities, hatred, maltreatment, suppression, oppression, repression and intimidation his mother suffered for nearly 65years I broke down completely.

Why? It was simply because his mother shared similar experiences with my own mother. Professor Emeka Obi’s mother was the third wife of his father just like my mother was to my father.

Time and space will not permit me to recount Prof Emeka Obi’s testimony of his mother and I do not want to tell the story either. The Professor of Automobile Engineering has told his story, and today it is my turn to tell the story of my mother.

The story of my mother is the one that will break the heart of anybody no matter how hard that person can be. On Saturday August 18 2012 my sister Chinwe was calling my phones repeatedly while in a friend’s house for his son’s one year anniversary in Yaba, Lagos . There was too much noise that I could not hear my

‘My mother’s story is a walking history, a story that must be told, a celebration that must be heard loud and clear and a transition that is peaceful and glorious. The success of today has made us to forget the pains, sorrows and tears of the past’

By Joe Igbokwe

TRIBUTE sister very well. I simply told her that I will call later. Few hours later when I remembered to call her what I heard jolted me. It was like a dagger in my heart. My mother I have known for 56 years just laid down and died after having her lunch. Instantly, it dawned on me that I am now an orphan. My mother, my police, my defender, my backbone, my confidant is no more. The rest is now history. My father died in 2004 at 92.

Growing up in our family was a memory I do not want to remember. We were living a good life until the Civil War started in 1967 and my father lost everything to that war. Raising the kids became a big problem for my parents. Hardship set in, strife came in, and hatred took the centre stage. The centre could no longer hold. It became the survival of the fittest, no mercy, no love, no sympathy, no regrets.

Every wife knew only her children and cared for them only. Competition set in, and there was no love lost. They told us that our mother knew nothing as we were growing up. For more than a thousand times, I heard my mother’s rivals say it and at a time we thought our mother was wrong and they were right. She resented

•The late Mrs Igbokwe

any move by her rivals and competitors to paint her black in order to curry favour. She protested against unfair treatment especially when it comes to sharing things in the family. She fought for her rights and fiercely resisted attempts to put her voice down. She was outspoken, the most educated among my father’s wives. She fought for us, and got herself into many troubles that nearly took her life. It was when we grew up to become adults that we realised she was a misunderstood activist.

Please take notice that if the world knows me as an activist, it is because I inherited activism from my mother. Like her, I have suffered untold hardship from adversaries because of my outspokenness and drive for justice, equity and fair play. Once in the days of the locusts my family took pages of Newspapers to tell the late General Abacha that the family gave me no mandate to criticize his policies. They even threatened to ostracize me from the family meeting. Thugs have been organised by my own brothers to beat me up in the palace of the Obi of Uruagu Nnewi for standing up for the truth. Between 1993 and 1998 most of my friends deserted me because of my involvement in the struggle for democracy and rule of law in Nigeria . Like my

mother, I faced all these setbacks with equanimity of mind and a deep sense of responsibility. I learnt from my mother that there is no gain without pains. My mother taught me how to convert problems as opportunities.

Poverty nearly killed her. Poverty drove her into mental darkness. Poverty devastated her poverty enslaved her and poverty nearly ruined her life and our lives. In those days if we went to bed without food which was almost a tradition, my mother would talk and would scold my father till day break and this lasted from 1967 to about 1973 when we started making money through menial jobs to feed her.

The moment we started making small money to keep her, the strife ended, the endless matrimonial squabbles ended, and relative peace reigned. It was then I realized that poverty is a disease and a curse. Today by the grace of God I and my brothers have fought poverty to a standstill in the family. This Life is beautiful!

My mother I thought will not clock sixty years, ended up clocking 85 years; leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come. A wretched and down-trodden woman, who struggled all her life to secure a future for her children, has grown bigger and taller even in death.

A small leg that must be carried and destroyed by all and sundry has left an indelible mark in the sands of times leaving her surviving adversaries in sorrows and tears.

My mother was an embodiment of fun, a great and an incredible story teller. We always laughed until tears started coming out of our eyes anytime she told us stories of how she fought with her adversaries. She told us stories of little tricks she played on them to gain advantages.

She complemented that with the tricks she used to survive in a polygamous family like ours. My mother was also a great singer of old folklores, and moonlight songs. We will miss all these.

My mother’s story is a walking history, a story that must be told, a celebration that must be heard loud and clear and a transition that is peaceful and glorious.

The success of today has made us to forget the pains, sorrows and tears of the past.

MY MOTHER LIVETH! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

Vision of the child organiser calls for entries

L

AGOS Black Heritage Festival (LBHF) in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Education has called for entries for next year’s Vision of the Child painting competition. It said forms are available for children between eight and 12.

The competition is open to primary and secondary (public and private) schools including non-schooling children.

LBHF said the registration forms would be sold from December 6 to January 25, 2013 at Diamond Bank branches in Lagos.

Applicants are expected to submit their forms at Lagos State Educational Resources Centre, by Babs Fafunwa Millennium Grammar School, Oba Ogunnusi Road, Ojodu Grammar School, Isheri, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos; Educational Resource Cenre, Ojodu Grammar School, Ojodu-Berger and Freedom Park, 1 Broad Street, Lagos Island.

The Secretary of Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF), Foluke Michael said, the painting contest is to build on the success of last edition and is exclusively sponsored by Diamond Bank. She noted that the age group has been widened to between 8 and 12 years in order to accommodate more participants. She added that there are plans to stretch the

By Udemma Chukwuma

VISUAL ART contest’ imagination, even as it focuses on their observation powers and perception of the society they live in.

However, Michael hinted that the screening, which would start by February 8, 2013 is in three phases and at the last phase 30 selected painters would be invited to Freedom Park to perform in front of live audience. The paintings will be screened and be rated by renowned artists in order to select the winners. She added that the theme of the competition will be revealed on 31 January, 2013 after the screening because it is one of the policies of the organisation to keep the theme of the contest secret until after the screen.

According to her, there will be selection rounds by Festival Arts Scouts who will visit schools and other informal setting in the Lagos environs for potential talent.

From the results, they will invite the successful entrants, accompanied by their teachers and parents or guardians, to Freedom Park, Lagos Island. There, they will be provided with canvas, brushes and easels and set to work. They are free to interpret and express the set theme according to their individual vision and artistic inclinations. The prize for 2013

•From left: Olagunju; Doyinsola; Segun; Michael and Sokoya

however, will spring a surprise, and is designed to encourage future contestants in the re-formulation of the knowledge of their own world.

There will be a final gala dinner in March in which the 30 painters will be celebrated and the final 6 will be selected at the gala dinner and their works are going to be on exhibited from the first day of the festival which will be on the 25th of

March, 2013; adding that the LBHF is set to bring up talents and expose them up to international level.

The Executive Director, Diamond Bank, Mr. Uzoma Dozie said, “our sponsorship of the Vision of the Child is a reflection of what Diamond bank stands for, we believe we have to give back to the community that we serve and that is the only way in which we can nurture and develop the community”.

29

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Forecasts Profit after tax N590.797m NIGER INSURANCE Gross Premium N2.73b Profit after tax N212.95m MUTUAL BENEFITS Gross Premium N2b Profit N885.633m REGENCY ALLIANCE Gross Premium N812.596m Profit after tax N256.437m LEARN AFRICA Turnover N1.06b Profit after tax N58.336m TOTAL Nigeria Turnover N46.676 b Profit after tax N942.1m MRS OIL Nigeria Turnover N51.20b Profit after tax N712 m ETERNA Turnover N27.64b Profit after tax N563.834m OKOMU OIL PALM Turnover N2.667b Profit after tax N1.044b STANBIC IBTC BANK Net Operating Income N16.805b Profit after tax N2.737b ASL Turnover N1.084b Profit after tax N101.355m GT ASSURANCE Gross Premium N3.892b Profit after tax N710.62m CORNERSTONE INS Gross Premium N1.223b Profit after tax N80.01m OASIS INS Gross Premium N562.500m Profit after tax N79.868m AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS Gross Premium N1.215b Profit after tax N107.213m BERGER PAINTS Turnover N976.303m Profit after tax N88.258m SCOA Nigeria Turnover N835.0m Profit after tax N18.200m DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY Turnover N38.251b Profit after tax N3.49b STUDIO PRESS NIG Turnover N3.375b Profit after tax N20.422m JULIUS BERGER NIG Turnover N80.125b Profit after tax N2.55b INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS Gross Premium N1.41b Profit after tax N250.450m EQUITY ASSURANCE Gross Premium N2.45b Profit after tax N287.283m STANDARDALLIANCEINS Gross Premium N2.142b Profit after tax N475.964m CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE Gross Premium N6.917b Profit after tax N805m PRESCO Turnover N2.60b Profit after tax N800.9m RT BRISCOE Turnover N4.553b

P

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

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

‘Access to loanable funds, challenge to courier industry’

REFERENCE of banks and other financial institutions to advance loan facilities to big companies at the detriment of small and medium scale enterprises in the size of indigenous courier industry has been identified as one major challenge that has stifled the growth and development of the indigenous sub-sector of the industry.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bowill Errands Limited, Mr Siyanbola Oladapo, said if the courier sector is well harnessed and allowed to operate, it would not only boost the economy by growing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it would provide employment for the growing army of the unemployed youths.

By Toba Agboola

Oladapo said: "Accessing finance through banks is a major challenge, especially now that the banks are also struggling to keep afloat. Their assistance to small and medium scale enterprises even before economic meltdown was nothing to make business grow.

Their focus was always the mega business for mega profit which has now resulted in mega collapse.

"They were not ready to play their roles in stimulating the economy. Bank loan to small companies then was frustrating. All these factors actually affect us, unlike in advanced

countries where banks will like to see your accounts and offer you facilities that will help your business to grow."

He lamented that, over the years, the industry has been dominated by multinationals, a development that had stunted the growth of the sector.

He said the enormous potential in the industry have not been fully tapped despite the huge market available in the country.

"The problem with Nigeria is infrastructural problem. We face the challenges of bad roads and multiplicity of taxes,” he said.

Oladapo said with these chal-

lenges, there is a limit to what anybody can do, adding that government is also not helping matters.

His words: "The overzealous local government officials impound our dispatch motorcycles for non existent offences at will, thereby causing delays in our operations."

Oladapo said most government policies strangulate investment, adding that some government policies are designed only for the purposes of generating revenue while government agencies are preoccupied with meeting their revenue target irrespective of the implication on the business community. This, he said,

has led to companies shutting down their operation and relocating to neighbouring countries at the detriment of Nigeria.

"Policy reversals do not give room for long term planning.

It is an unfortunate situation where the Lagos State government needs to strike a balance between security/safety of inhabitants of people in the state and business development," he said.

Bayelsa signs economic pact with South Africa From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

I

•From left: Mr George Ossi,Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Foyinsola Oyebola, Economic Empowerment Manager MTN Foundation and Brig.-General Oladeji Adeoye, Chairman of the Occasion, at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities sponsored by MTN Foundation in NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

OPEC meets to decide oil output targets, new head

T

HE Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countrie (OPEC) is holding in Vienna this week a ministerial meeting to decide on the cartel's oil production ceiling, as a predicted drop in demand risks weighing on high crude prices despite Middle East unrest.

OPEC, which pumps out 35 per cent of the world's oil, may also finally decide on a new head after a vote to appoint a successor to OPEC SecretaryGeneral Abdullah El-Badri was postponed in June.

The 12-nation cartel, which includes the world's biggest oil exporter Saudi Arabia and Iran - currently under an oil embargo - was to hold a regular output meeting at OPEC's head-

Debt recovery: NDIC dumps court for alternative dispute resolution - P 30

By Daniel Essiet and Agency report

quarters in the Austrian capital on Wednesday.

"OPEC's official production target is unlikely to change at the December meeting," noted Jason Schenker of Prestige Economics research group.

"Nevertheless, there is likely to be a heated debate over who will be OPEC's next SecretaryGeneral," he said At its last meeting in June, OPEC opted to keep its oil output ceiling at 30 million barrels per day (mbpd) - after agreeing on the level a year ago - and vowed to eliminate overproduction.

But the International Energy Agency watchdog said OPEC has failed to rein in excess sup-

plies, estimating that it had pumped 31.16 mbpd in October despite a sharp drop in output by Iran, which has been under a Western ban of its oil exports since July over the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear programme.

Despite the over-production caused largely by Saudi Arabia, "no change to production policy is likely in view of the high prices," said Commerzbank commodities analyst Carsten Fritsch.

Benchmark Brent crude oil futures have traded around $110 a barrel over the past six weeks, above the $100-level deemed acceptable by OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia.

The Centre for Global Energy Studies (CGES) warned

Insecurity: Firms face shrinking markets - P32

that member countries would however "need to be vigilant in the coming months and to act swiftly in response to a weakening market, if they wish to prevent oil prices from falling much below their unofficial $100 per barrel target."

Despite geopolitical tensions across the oil-rich Middle East, amid also violence in Syria and recent Israel-Gaza unrest, analysts said prices could drop in 2013 should Western economic recovery falter.

"The important thing is the outlook and most analysts expect OPEC to cut its production" next year because of weak demand growth, CGES analyst Manouchehr Takin told AFP.

N its renewed zeal to transform Bayelsa State through its restoration and economic development agenda, the state government has signed an economic pact with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa.

The aim of the memorandum of understanding is to improve the state"s economic profile and diversification from the oil and gas sector of the economy.

Mr. Tam Alazigha, the Economic Adviser to the state governor, who disclosed this after signing the pact with the World rated South African Corporation, said the pact with IDC will make positive impact on the state economically.

Alazigha, who had led the state economic team at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding held in South Africa ,said the rating of IDC would rob positively on the image of the state explained that the IDC is noted for transparency and accountability and with the position of the present administration on this key issue, foreign and local investors would be willing to invest in the state.

According to him, if the pact is implemented, the state stands to benefit more in terms of infrastructural development and expressed optimism over the success of the pact.

Areas of focus for the pact, the economic Adviser disclosed, would include operational and support skill requirement, human resource and capacity building, development and support of institutional policy and procedure and overall guidance in both establishing and operating developmental institutions.

The memorandum of understanding, he added would also have impact on low income earners, and would assist in financing of specific small and medium size enterprises, particularly as it relates to non oil and gas sectors, agriculture, agric processing, manufacturing and tourism.

Fortune in rice farming, says investor - P 35

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

MONEY

Debt recovery: NDIC dumps court for alternative dispute resolution W

EARY of what it calls a cumbersome court proc ess, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) is to explore alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for debt recovery, its Managing Director, Umaru Ibrahim, has said.

The corporation, he said, discussed with judges at debt recovery conferences in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt on the need to resolve bad loan cases outside the court, adding that debt recovery is a difficult task that has to be tackled with extra efforts and mutual understanding.

“Debt recovery is a herculean task, but we are making progress.

There is need to adopt alternative dispute resolution in solving pending debt issues in the banking industry. We had a conference with Judges on the need to resolve debt issues with bank customers outside the court,” he said.

Contending that going to court was expensive and in many cases nothing came out of it.

Ibrahim said the cumulative debt recovery for the closed commercial banks from 1994 to date, stood at N23.33 million as against N22.26 million in December 31, 2011. This is an increase of N1.074 million, representing 4.83 per cent.

Also, cumulative debt recoveries from closed microfinance banks (MfBs) as at September 2012 stood at N41.97 million, as against N13.57 million recovered as at De-

Stories by Collins Nweze

cember 2011. That showed an increase of N28.40 million, representing 209.29 per cent as at September 30, 2012.

He said N19.6 million had been realised from the sale of physical assets as at September 2012 from closed commercial banks. Also, N154.54 million had been realised from the sale of physical assets of closed MfBs from January to September 2012.

About 698 MfBs and Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs), he said, paid N980.79 million as premium to the corporation as at September 30, 2012 as against N1,06 million collected from 765 of them same period of 2011, a decline of 8.02 per cent.

As at September 30, 2012, 130 MfBs and 20 PMIs could not be assessed for premium collection as they failed to submit their certified deposit statements as well as call reports since December 31, 2011. He said the corporation is still prevailing on the banks to ensure that it obtains their certified deposit liabilities statements or call reports.

He said the regulators were to issue new licences to microfinance banks that wanted to enter the market.

According to Ibrahim, NDIC paid N6.68 billion insured deposit to 527,950 depositors of liquidated commercial banks as at September 30, 2012 as against N6.63 bil-

lion paid to 527,942 depositors as at December 31, 2011, an increase of 0.70 per cent.

The NDIC boss said the corporation conducted a joint risk assessment examination of commercial banks with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during which the later led 11 banks while it led seven banks.

The exercise, he said, was meant to find out the asset quality of the banks to determine provisions required, a precondition for approving their accounts for publication.

The CBN also conducted an examination of the three banks acquired by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) namely: Mainstreet Bank Ltd, Enterprise Bank Ltd. The Keystone Bank examination was led by NDIC. Ibrahim said the assessment was meant to determine the regulatory compliance and financial condition of the banks in the first five months of their existence. Also, out of the 291 MfBs and PMIs assigned for examination by the NDIC, a total of 207 had been examined. The examination of the remaining 84 banks slated for this quarter is still ongoing even as the report of the 186 out of the 291 MfBs scheduled for examination in the year had been concluded and forwarded to the boards of the respective banks and NDIC management for appropriate supervisory action.

On statutory returns, he said

N61.303 billion was collected as premium for commercial banks as assessment for 2011, the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) stood at N415.393 billion as at September 30, 2012. This, he said, is an improvement from N354.09 billion recorded as at December 2011, an increase of N61.303 billion or 17.31 per cent.

The NDIC boss also said a total of N2.64 billion out of the N4.67 billion insured deposits belonging to 73,000 depositors of microfinance banks in liquidation had been settled.

He said to date, the corporation

• Ibrahim

had, in addition to payout, deployed purchase and assumption and bridge bank option in resolving failures of banks in the country.

Nigeria’s revenue may fall over US oil

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HE United States (US) in creasing oil stock-piles, deep ening global uncertainties and weak global demand are likely to suppress oil prices and slash Nigeria’s revenues, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has said.

In an FDC Economic report, Rewane said since Nigeria obtains over 80 per cent of its fiscal receipts from oil, a reduction in fiscal revenue especially if production drops will deplete earnings for the country. “ Any oil price and or production disruption could easily deplete the government coffers to as low as $20 billion, a depreciation of the exchange rate, loss of market confidence and a possible rating downgrade,” he said.

The FDC boss said pointers are in favour of an end to the CBN’s tight monetary policy stance and the need to boost growth and lending to the real sector.

He said the contractionary policy stance has been in play since October 2011 when the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) was raised by 275 basis points.

He insisted that the sustainability of a contractionary stance and its stifling impact on growth and the economy justifies the need for a change in policy direction.

“Our view is that the overdependence on interest rates as a tool for adjustment is precarious. In 2013, the CBN will have to moderate its stance to allow the interest rate decline and exchange rate depreciate,” he said.

According to him, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), as anticipated, left its benchmark interest rate

unchanged at 12 per cent per annum during its last meeting for this year.

He said the decision was based on inflationary risks and uncertainties surrounding the weak global economy and that other policy instruments such as the Cash Reserve Ratio and Net Open Position were left unchanged at 12 per cent and one per cent.

Likewise, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate increased by 0.4 per cent to 11.7 per cent in October, primarily as a result of exceptional factors such as the flooding which resulted in an increase in food inflation to 11.1 per cent.

He said the impact of the flooding in 12 states of the country was immediate but was not as severe as expected. Core inflation declined for the fourth consecutive month to 12.4 per cent, which, according to the MPC has created some uncertainty as to the appropriate policy stance to apply.

Rewane said for the leading economic indicators to have remained positive for two months and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth figure for third quarter to come in lower than the previous year at 6.48 per cent, sends mixed signals on the direction of the Nigerian economy.

He admitted that government is resolute in its pursuit for fiscal prudence as reiterated by the Federal Minister of Finance. He said that with rising debt service cost of N560 billion that is estimated to increase by 5.67 per cent to N591.76 billion in 2013, the Nigerian debt market may experience respite soon as federal government instruments become more attractive to investors.

Visa forecasts growth in Africa

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•From left: Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and FirstBank’s Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Mr Kehinde Lawanson, during the Nigerian Economic Summit (NESw) in Abuja.

BoI, FMBN, NEXIM, others assets T hit N380b HE assets of Bank of Industry (BOI), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Bank of Agriculture (BoA), and Infrastructure Bank (IB) rose by 5.8 per cent to N380.3 billion at the end of the second quarter of this year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

The apex bank said paid-up share capital, deposits and loans/ advances increased by 3.1, 28.7 and 25.0 per cent to N70.5 billion, N94.2 billion and N162.2 billion.

Total shareholders’funds, however, declined by 8.1 per cent to N23.7 billion, while a profile of

the asset base of the institutions indicated that BoI, FMBN, NEXIM, BoA and IB accounted for 56.6, 18.2, 12.4, 10.0, and 2.8 per cent of the total.

With the exception of the BoI, the other DFIs were faced with dire operational challenges as evidenced in the increase in their aggregate losses from N42.6 billion at end of December 2011 to N47.1 billion at end of June 2012.

The Federal Government has

also called for the recapitalisation of the DFIs. The government had directed the CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi, and Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to meet with Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga, to come up with modalities, which would enable it to increase the capital base of the DFIs. It said the move to recapitalise the bank was not to only to improve its capacity to fund the country’s industrial sector, but to also align its operational practices with international best practices.

UNDAMO, a Visa Incorporated company and the world’s largest specialist mobile financial service provider, has reported growth of mobile financial services in Africa.

In a statement, the firm said it has launched three new services – FirstMonie with First Bank Nigeria and Celpay, with Celpay International in Uganda and Zimbabwe.

“Earlier this year the industry celebrated a decade of banking the unbanked. The market has transformed since we launched the world’s first mobile financial service in a developing economy with Celpay in Zambia. Mobile money providers are rapidly diversifying and consumers are demanding access to more sophisticated services,” Chief Executive Officer, Fundamo, Hannes van Rensburg in a statement.

“The launch of the services by Celpay International and First Bank Nigeria highlights the growing number of service providers competing to meet consumer demand in Africa. A great deal of credit must go to governments across Africa which are driving the prin-

ciples of financial inclusion and creating regulatory environments in which services like these can flourish as part of grander ‘cashless society’ plans.

“We expect to see a host of exciting government schemes gain ground in the next year,” said van Rensburg.

In Nigeria, it said mobile financial services market is set for phenomenal growth as only 38 per cent of the country’s 160 million people have access to formal financial services.

Meanwhile, there are over 93 million mobile phone subscriptions in the country, the most in Africa.

“The majority of consumers surveyed in Nigeria intend to use mobile money to save money for their family (59 per cent) and pay utility bills (58 per cent), the firm said.

To meet this demand, FirstMonie offers consumers a host of advanced services, including utility payments for airline tickets, electric, insurance, cash withdrawal from an Automated Teller Machine without a bank card, and payment for goods at merchant locations,” he said.

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MONEY

CBN’s fresh guidelines on bank fraud coming T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is contemplating introducing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) framework to guide against frandulent transactions in banks.

PKI is a set of hardware used in creating, managing, distributing, storing and revoking digital certificates used for transactions.

The hardware helps in validating the identities of customers during transactions.

The concept is expected to help improve transactions and prevent the theft of depositors’ funds through scams and forgeries.

CBN’s Director of Communication Mr Ugochukwu Okoroafor, said: “We are working on Public Key Infrastructure mechanism to

Stories by Akinola Ajibade

track down transactions. This will enable us to know when, where and who conducts transactions in the industry.”

He said the concept would help in ascertaining the veracity of claims made by customers after transactions.

“Through the Public Key Infrastructure, the banks would be able to know those who are conducting transactions, authenticate them, as well as proving that they were the ones carrying out the transactions. CBN is working on the framework for the growth of the industry,” he added.

He said the industry is set for greater heights in view of the

measures put in place to protect customers.

An investment analyst, Mr Tayo Bello, said corruption is the major problem in the industry globally, noting that fraudulent practices was the major cause of the distress in the banking industryin the 80s.

Bello said CBN was restoring confidence in the industry. He advised that the reforms must continue to improve growth. He said the reforms had helped in engendering confidence, and made customers believe in the system.

He said once customers are sure of the safety of their funds, they would not hesitate to patronise the products offered by banks.

Foreign trained accountants THE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has listed fresh condition for admitting foreign trained accountants.

Speaking during an induction in Lagos, President of the Institute, Mr Adedoyin Owolabi said: “The Council of our Institute has considered for some time the modality of admitting foreign trained accountants into the membership of ICAN; and has decided to subject the practice to a review. Holders of foreign qualifications will be expected to write examinations in specific papers for the Nigerian needs.”

Owolabi enjoined the inductees to live above board. He said: “The recent incidents in our banking sector have again re-echoed the need for transparency in our corporate activities. Professionals across a wide spectrum of professions have demonstrated indiscretion in their application of regulatory and ethical standards and within the accountancy profession; there is concern of inconsistencies and failure to comply with accounting and other regulatory requirements.”

“As you are no doubt aware, it is the prevalence of corruption and sharp practices in low and high places in the nation that has contributed to the slow pace of development of this richly endowed nation. This is exacerbated by the absence of transparency and accountability.”

Conference on 2013 budget BUREAU for Business Information (BBI) is organising a Roundtable of 2013 Budget Business Implication in Lagos this week. The firm said the conference aims at analysing and knowing the implications of N4.92 trillion budgeted for 2013.

It said: “The 2013 budget of N4.92trillion presented recently by the National Assembly would shape the economic and investment space in the short term. The budget has both appropriation and policy components which have multi-dimensional implications for businesses in 2013 fiscal year. It will throw up opportunities, as well as challenges across sectors of the economy.

According to the body, the roundtable will provide a detailed exposition of the budget; analysis of the appropriation to different sectors and Millennium Development Agencies (MDAs) in the economy; detailed analysis of the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF); detailed exposition on the policy content of the budget and impacts analysis on the economy; review and analysis of the inherent challenges, opportunities and risks; and budget implications for the capital market.

MfBs e-Network summit THE National Association of Microfinance Banks and Isaforth Nigeria Limited are organising the maiden edition of the Nigeria Microfinance Banks e-Network Conference in Lagos this weekend. The theme of the event is: “Revolutionising technology for microfinance sector”.

A statement from the organisers said issues such as maintenance and enhancement of the objectives of the existing microfinance; continuous development of technology for the banks; the need to achieve economies of scale by using a VSAT/GSM technology; to reach out to all branch networks of microfinance institutions; among others will be deliberated upon during the confab.”

The statement further said that the conference will help in inculcating the habits of using e-Save is a mobile deposit/savings card among the customers. It said the e-Save is a device that helps in deploying a mobile banking/commerce application that will enable user open microfinance bank (MfB) account anywhere any time; save money into the account irrespective of location and as well transfer money into a third party MfB account.

GIABA admits two more countries

•Customers queue at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Abeokuta, Ogun State... Monday.

PHOTO: NAN

NIBBS daily operation worth N70.02b

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HE Nigerian Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS) handles about 140, 344 transactions, worth N70.02 billion daily, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

The transactions, which were recorded across various electronic payment channels, indicated gradual acceptability of the cashless initiative in the country.

The statistics also showed that NIBSS processes 6,749 instant payments, 99,602 electronic fund transfers and 33,993 cheque transactions daily.

“With an aggregate of N70.2 billion daily, the transactions across the three e-channels are worth N5.66 billion, N40 billion and N24.7 billion ,” the statement said.

CBN Head, Shared Services, Mr Chidi Umeano, said the cash-less initiative hass gained since the beginning of the year. NIBSS has continued to process 4.2 million monthly inter-bank, instant payment and cheque transactions, he stated.

Industry observers said the N70.02 billion daily transactions amount to N2.2 trillion in a month, adding that the figure would be higher if the trend continues.

The Chief Executive Officer, Mobile Money Africa, Mr Emmanuel Okowgale, said the cash-less initiative has brighter prospects, if things go according to plans.

He said the cash-less project would yield more financial values to the industry as time went on, advising Nigerians to continue to appreciate the beauty of using e-payment channels for transactions.

He said mobile payment system has worked in Kenya, among other countries, arguing that it is taking shape in Nigeria.

In a related development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NIBSS, Mr Adebisi Shonubi, said continued encouragement of the use of PoS terminals is critical to the suc-

cess of the cash-less initiative.

“We strongly believe that the enhancement of PoS adoption relies on high PoS availability and connectivity and consequently the expansion of telco facilities beyond the conventional GPRS to CDMAs.” Shonubi argued that the Nigerians possessed the acumen required for the success of the cashless project.

On his part, the CBN Deputy Governor, Mr Tunde Lemo, said the number of deployed and active PoS terminals had grown from 5,557 as at January 2012 to 104,858 by October 14, 2012.

Lemo, who was represented at a forum in Lagos by an official of Shared Services Department, CBN, Mr Chimene Eleonu, said another 176,604 PoS terminals were already registered.

He lamented the huge gap between registered and deployed PoS, arguing that the gap was due to lack of capacity on the part of the payments terminal service providers to meet PoS demand.

THE Inter-Government Agency Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (GIABA) has admitted Sao Tome and Principe and Comoros into its fold.

A statement said the countries’ admission was among the decisions taken by the Council at its 69th ordinary session held from November 30 December 2, 2012 in Abidjan, Cote’d’ Voire.

The statement GIABA reads: “Sao Tome and Principe has been granted GIABA observer status in 2008, following the country’s application and has been actively participating in GIABA’s activities since then.

The I6th Technical Commission/Plenary Meeting of GIABA in Lome, Togo in November 2011 endorsed the Memorandum seeking the admission of STP into GIABA as a full member and recommended same for consideration and approval by the GIABA Ministerial Committee (GMC).”

According to the body, the 18th Technical Commission/Plenary Meeting held in Dakar, Senegal in November 2012 has also endorsed the application of Comoros Island as an observer member of GIABA and recommended same for consideration and approval by the GIABA Ministerial Committee, as well as ECOWAS Council of Ministers, and subsequent ratifications by the Authority of Heads of State in the region.

MasterCard restructures operations MASTERCARD has announced a new structure for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) business. This stems from continuous economic development, steady population growth, stable outlook and large pool of young consumers entering the workplace each year.

In a statement, the firm said MEA business would comprise three divisions, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Sub Sahara Africa and South Africa, clustering 69 markets stretching from Afghanistan to South Africa and from Morocco to Pakistan.

This change would enable it get closer to its customer banks, merchants and consumers in the region. Also, a new team has been established to support the MEA business. The MEA team will be reporting to President, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard Worldwide, Michael Miebach.

“Our new organisational structure and appointments are part of a strategic decision to invest in expertise, resources and know-how in this part of the world, which continues to register strong economic growth. This new structure will help us streamline our investments in areas that drive accelerated growth while helping MasterCard get even closer to our customers,” Miebach said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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THE NATION INVESTORS

Nigerian shareholders kick against GSK’s 80% bid

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IGERIAN shareholders have kicked against the bid by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) UK Plc to buy shares held by Nigerian shareholders to increase the foreign core investor's holding in GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc to 80 per cent.

Shareholders who spoke to The Nation said they would mobilise against such further acquisition, expressing fears the 80 per cent shareholding may be detrimental to the interests of Nigerian shareholders and the capital market.

Chairman, Ibadan Zone Shareholders' Association (IBZA), Chief Sola Abodunrin, said Nigerian shareholders did not agree with the directors of the company and the foreign core investor.

He said he would urge Nigerian minority shareholders not to sell their shares so that the shareholding structure would be retained.

The Ibadan Zone Shareholders' Association consists of shareholders from six investment-savvy states of Ekiti, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states.

Stories by Taofik Salako

Another shareholders' leader and activist, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said Nigerian shareholders should not be cajoled into selling their shares noting that if GSK UK is willing to buy at premium, then there must be greater underlying values in the company for Nigerian shareholders.

He said GSK has not discussed the reasons for the 80 per cent bid with the generality of shareholders, the acquisition appeared against the interests of Nigerian shareholders.

President, Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Dr. Faruk Umar, said the new share acquisition might not be unconnected with the foreign core investor's bid for full control of the company.

He said GSK might be making preemptive move to forestall a situation where other shareholders' groups could frustrate strategic decisions by the foreign core investor.

"I think the reason is to make the core investor have controlling shares.

It could also be a way of stopping

organisations like pension funds administrators from having 25 per cent equity stake, which can give them enough votes to stop the core investor from winning a poll at the general meeting," Umar said.

He cited the recent case of a quoted company, which board and management could not muster enough votes to secure some resolutions, which they had proposed to shareholders.

National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, said Nigerian shareholders would also want to benefit from any future value creation that might have motivated GSK to bid for Nigerian shareholders' equities at premium.

"Why do they think Nigerian shareholders will sell? Whatever they saw that's behind their bid, then Nigerian shareholders want that too. In any case, I'm not selling my own shares," Nwosu said.

He urged Nigerian securities regulators to protect the interests of Nigerian shareholders noting that domestic investors are the stable base for the growth of the market.

He called on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to review the proposed 80 per cent bid vis-à-vis the floating and liquidity requirements at the stock market.

GSK UK currently holds majority equity stake of 46.4 per cent in GSK Consumer Nigeria through two wholly- owned subsidiaries. With total outstanding shares of 956.70 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, GSK UK holds 443.91 million shares while Nigerian institutional and individual investors hold the balance of 512.79 million shares. Now, GSK UK wants to buy 321.45 million shares out of the shareholdings by Nigerians to increase the foreign core investor's controlling stake to 80 per cent. In the bid for the 33.6 per cent additional equity stake, GSK UK is offering N48 per share.

The offer price represents a premium of 28 per cent to the closing price of a GSK Nigeria on November 23, 2012 and a premium of 34 per cent to the volume weighted average closing price of GSK Nigeria for the three months prior to Novem-

ber 23, 2012.

Under the terms of the proposal, GSK UK would acquire additional shares of GSK Nigeria on a pro rata basis from existing shareholders through a Scheme of Arrangement.

The board of GSK Nigeria has called on shareholders to support the bid urging that increased GSK ownership underlines GSK's long term support of GSK Nigeria's strategy.

The board said it unanimously believed that the proposal is in the best interest of the continued growth of the GSK Nigeria, the shareholders, employees, customers, the community and Nigeria.

According to directors of the company, by maintaining a 20 per cent free float, the shareholders will also continue to benefit from the company's performance.

With 80 per cent stake, GSK UK will have more than 75 per cent equities required by extant Nigerian laws for companies to effect profound changes in their share capital structure as well as taking some fundamental decisions including mergers, acquisitions and share reconstruction among others.

First equity-based ETF to list on NSE

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ETIVA Fund Managers (Vetiva) Limited has concluded arrangements to list the first equity-based Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The ETF- VNSE 30 Index Securities, is based on the NSE 30 Index, which tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks on the NSE. The VNSE 30 Index Securities when listed, will be the first equity-based ETF to be listed on the NSE following the listing of the Newgold Exchange Traded Fund, a commoditybased ETF in 2011. Vetiva Securities had acted as Sponsoring Broker for the Newgold ETF. Speaking after the completion board meeting for the offer for subscription for the ETF, Managing Director, Vetiva Fund Managers Limited, fund manager to the ETF, Mr Damilola Ajayi, said the VNSE30 Index Securities represented a convenient investment vehicle for exposure to the Nigerian equities market via a single security.

Managing Director, Cordros Capital, the issuing house to the ETF, Mr. Wale Agbeyangi, said the ETF would further deepen the capital market by providing new and innovative alternatives to investors.

Investors take positions ahead of full-year results

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NVESTORS appeared to be taking positions in quoted equities as companies round off their financial year and prepare to announce operational results and dividends for thIS business year.

Most quoted companies including all banks, major manufacturers, oil and gas companies, breweries and cement companies use the 12-month Gregorian calendar year as their business year. The business year for 2012 thus terminates on Monday, December 31.

Post-listing rules at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) require that quoted companies should submit their reports, not later than three months after the expiration of the period.

Many companies with predictable result announcement pattern such as Nestle Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank are expected to announce their full-year reports between late January and early February 2013.

Market analysts said the stock market might sustain its recent rally till the end of the year as investors take advantage of relatively low prices and good earnings yields to increase their equity portfolios.

•???

• From left: Group Managing Director, Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc, Mr Paul Jegede; Chairman, Maj.-Gen. Joshua Omosebi (rtd) and Director, Mr Seyi Oyinlola, at the presentation of the Pearl Award for best dividend yield to the company.

Insecurity: Firms face shrinking markets

T

HE spate of violence, kidnappings and civil unrests is hampering corporate growth and precluding companies from exploring nationwide market opportunities.

Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Chief Keith Richards, said the disruptions caused by the gale of insecurity across several states were impacting negatively on companies' turnovers.

According to him, companies cannot distribute extensively to nooks and crannies of the country due to the violence in the North and kidnappings in the East.

Expressing the private sector's concerns at the 18th Nigerian Economic Summit, Richards identified insecurity, corruption and ease of doing business as three key issues adversely affecting businesses in Nigeria besides the low level of

infrastructure.

Reports by quoted companies and confidential operational reports by corporate sources indicated that there has been significant build-up in inventories in several companies while many have had to scale down their operations to counterbalance the shortfall from the Northern market.

Corporate sources said spate of violence and escalated sense of insecurity that lingered throughout the past business year undermined their forecasts given that the Northern market represented a major segment for nationwide companies.

An executive at a quoted healthcare company had told The Nation that the company's low performance in the 2011 business year was due partly to the insecurity in many Northern states.

According to the executive,

the Northern market, which represented about one-third of the company's sales target, substantially fell below targets while the company's margin was also reduced due to additional costs related to security.

The executive said the sales representatives in major states like Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Maiduguri have been forced to relocate to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Particularly hard-hit were companies dealing in perishable and breakable products, which have had to contend with longer transportation schedule and sometimes, seizure and obstruction of delivery trucks.

Corporate sources also said the insecurity in the Northern market has adversely affected the pool of human capital in that segment as existing and prospective employees now turn down placements in the

North.

Companies have been responding to the Northern market challenge by scaling down Northern operations and optimizing opportunities in other markets.

Corporate reports by companies which factories and main markets are based in the North appear to mirror the slow down escalated by the spate of violence in the region among other reasons.

Although companies have largely shied away from publicly highlighting the growing negative impact of incessant violence in the Northern states on their operations for fear of reprisals, executives, who spoke in confidence, s t r e s sed the need for quick control of the crisis and restoration of peace in the region to forestall complete shut down of operations.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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THE NATION INVESTORS

Sanusi, Rewane query Fed Govt's N23b margin bailout

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OVERNOR of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Bismarck Rewane's Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited have picked holes in the N22.6 billion debt relief on margin loans extended by the Federal Government to some 84 stockbrokers last week.

Sanusi queried the existence of any margin loan hanging on any stockbroker arguing that by virtue of its definition, technique and operations, brokers were not liable for any further indebtedness from margin loan agreement other than their deposits for the margin loans.

He said the liabilities arising from margin loans belong to the banks, which were the custodians of the margin loans agreements and were required to promptly activate the margin loan terms where share prices crash beyond the limit set.

According to him, under the margin loan arrangement, stockbroker would put up a certain percentage of the funds and the bank would come up with the balance with a provision mandating the bank to sell the shares once the prices fall below certain limits.

Although he acknowledged the absence of clear-cut margin rules during the 2004-2008 capital market boom period, Sanusi said banks should bear the brunt of not being able to sell the shares, rather than the brokers.

He noted than when he was in charge of risk management at First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), he made provisions for all the margin loans because they were recognized then as the risks of the bank.

Stories by Taofik Salako

He however said Nigerian capital market needs to draw the line over the past and move on to new era of stability.

FDC in its bi-monthly economic and business update said the margin loan bailout raised more questions of moral hazards and relevance than the intended benefit of stimulating the capital market.

According to the report, the selection of 84 stockbrokers to be anointed as debt-free, throws out the question of selective breeding and more importantly: moral hazard.

FDC noted that moral hazard played a central role in the events that led to the capital market crisis and all stakeholders need to appreciate this role to adequately design future reforms and to prevent disasters down the line.

"By issuing the "go and sin no more" mandate to 84 stockbrokers, the finance ministry has set a precedence that excessive risk will not be punished or in other words, issued the stockbrokers with subsidised risk-taking. This fosters moral hazard where a party feels that if it can take risks that another party has to bear, then it may as well take them. If a party has to bear the consequences of its own risky actions, it will act more responsibly. The finance ministry has now pardoned the excessive risks taken by the stockbrokers and thereby increases the chance of moral hazard coming into the equation," FDC stated.

The report noted that another important issue of moral hazard thrown up by the forbearance is that there is no reward for the stockbrokers that have stayed

•From left: Group Managing Director, BGL Plc, Mr Albert Okumagba; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Ariyo Olusekun and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi during the visit of the council members and executives of CIS to the CBN Governor in Lagos.

away from excessive leverage or refinanced their debt.

It pointed out that stockbrokers that paid off the majority of their debt by selling off their assets are now at a disadvantage to the 84 that received the "clean bill of health" noting that not only will these stockbrokers feel disgruntled but they will also feel excessive risk-taking is incentivised by the regulators.

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creased from N11.38 billion to N16.55 billion while profit after tax jumped from N8.97 billion to N13.23 billion in 2012. Basic earnings per share stood at N1 compared with 67.28 kobo recorded in comparable period of 2011.

The bank indicated it would drive top-line performance and profitability by expanding supports for growth sectors of the Nigerian economy while minimizing costs through low-cost deposits.

Recent reports have shown considerable in lending to customers, in spite of the general lackluster lending situation in the banking industry. Audited report and accounts of Skye Bank for the year ended December 31, 2011 showed that total assets rose from N705.86 billion in 2010 to N927.10 billion. Loans and advances to customers increased from N385.6 billion to N490.7 billion.

The third quarter report for 2012 indicated that loans and advances has risen to N537.45 billion just as total assets crossed the trillion Naira mark to N1.09 trillion by September 2012. Shareholders’ funds increased to N120.55 billion.

Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Timothy Oguntayo, said the bank would focus on growing businesses that would develop into stable long-term banking relationships.

According to him, Skye Bank is increasing its well-known traditional

other sectors of the economy will question why the bailout has not been extended to them. Indeed, there are moribund companies around the country that might benefit from a bailout and also go a long way to solving the unemployment problem. While the FGN might have the right intentions in handing forbearance to the stockbrokers, the value is lost in the moral hazard it throws up," FDC stated.

Global experts meet on Islamic financial planning, wealth INANCIAL regulators, exagement. Nigeria is working management perts, jurists, academics towards issuing its first

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and stakeholders across the world would meet in midFebruary 2013 at Sheraton Hotels and Tours, Langkawi Island, in Malaysia to brainstorm on how to promote growth and realign the practices of Islamic finance and economics to open new frontiers for the growth of the industry.

The Fourth Langkawi Islamic Finance and Economics (LIFE4) Global Forum, being organ-

Skye Bank targets N33b earnings in Q1 2013 IRECTORS of Skye Bank Plc have projected that the commercial bank would gross total earnings of about N33 billion during the first quarter of 2013, reassuring on the prospects of the bank as it consolidates its new status as a full commercial bank.

Forecasts for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 made available by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that the bank could make profit before tax of N5.58 billion on gross earnings of N32.85 billion, implying average pre-tax profit of about N17 from every N100 unit of operations.

After taxes, net earnings is estimated at N4.46 billion, indicating that shareholders could earn about 34 kobo on every share during the three-month period.

The forecasts are in line with current performance trend of the bank.

Many analysts described the estimates as conservative, stating that there were potential for positive surprises given the bank’s latest performance.

Annualised, the first quarter forecasts indicate possible pre and post tax profits of more than N22 billion and N18 billion in 2013 with gross earnings around N131 billion.

Skye Bank’s Latest operational report for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012 had shown an increasingly profitable bank with gross earnings increasing from N73.29 billion in 2011 to N94.13 billion in 2012. Profit before tax in-

It noted further that the 84 stockbrokers handed forbearance were not inherent to the economy or the capital market itself.

"A market gain of over 26 per cent this year further shows that with debt overhang on the 84 stockbrokers the capital market can recover provided steps are taken to boost investors' confidence.With the forbearance completed for the 84 stockbrokers,

financial supports for agriculture with establishment of a suite of customer-centric agricultural products and services aimed at not only providing finance but also other major success factors such as financial management services, advisory services, guarantees, information services, local and international liaison and other products and services that may be specially needed to enhance the success of the farmer.

He said the extensive agriculture support desk of the bank reinforced Skye Bank’s long-standing role as a key player in agricultural project financing with its project financing portfolio in the agricultural sector covering the entire nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

As an indication of the bank’s extensive supports to farmers, Oguntayo cited the Imo Hill Farm as a case study of what the bank has been doing in recent times to ease access to finance to farmers and support them all through to meet the peculiarities of their operations.

The Imo Hill Farm is an integrated farm project in the Southwest, which covers poultry, piggery, feed mill and meat processing. The farm has engaged MP Farms, a German agric firm known as one of leading names in Europe, as its technical partners.

He pointed out that with Skye Bank’s strong balance sheet and amenable lending rate, farmers would have adequate access to finance to upscale their capacities and enhance their returns.

ised by the INSANIAH University College in collaboration with Deloitte, Islamic Development Bank, IBFIM-Malaysia and Rayyan Ventures Limited, will provide global platform to discuss key issues around the competitiveness, growth and sustainability of Islamic finance.

The theme of the forum is: Islamic financial planning and wealth management as the new frontier for global Islamic banking and finance industry.

Managing Director, Rayyan Ventures Limited, Nigeria’s partner to LIFE-4 Global Forum, Alhaji Idris Usman, said the forum would brainstorm on how to reposition Islamic banking and finance for sustainable growth over the next decades.

According to him, the global nature and the quality of participation at the forum makes it a viable platform for the immediate strategic efforts to consolidate the asset size, market share, overall growth and competitiveness of services of Islamic banking and finance.

He noted that LIFE-4 Global Forum would also focus on how to create more wealth in the system through Shari’ahcompliant financial planning and wealth management techniques while providing scholars opportunity to update their knowledge with latest knowhow and skills.

He pointed out that as Nigeria makes efforts to develop its alternative finance industry, the country stands to benefit tremendously from the LIFE-4 in terms of practical knowledge and experience from other operators and regulators around the world.

It should be noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) introduced frameworks for Islamic banking and asset man-

Sukuk-Islamic bond. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has recently launched an Islamic equity index to provide ethical investors with baseline for tracking, measuring and managing their assets. The first wholly Islamic bank licensed by the CBN- Jaiz Bank Plc, has commenced operations while other Nigerian banks including Stanbic IBTC Bank run Islamic finance windows. There are also many Nigerian mutual funds based partly or fully on Islamic finance and economics rules.

Alluding to the successes of previous LIFE events, Usman outlined that more than 500 leading stakeholders including central banks, securities commissions, ministries of finance, Islamic banking and finance association, banks, financial firms, educational and research institutions, auditing firms and legal firms are expected at the LIFE-4 in addition to popular attendance by the public.

He added that experts would also discuss the peculiarities of emerging economies and provide the necessary solutions toward advancing Islamic finance and economics in emerging as well as advanced economies.

“LIFE-4 would create a global platform where all stakeholders could meet and brainstorm on operational challenges and opportunities in the Islamic finance and economics industry. The forum would provide supports for both operators and regulators in fashioning strategies to move the industry forward,” Usman said.

He pointed out that as Nigerian partner to LIFE-4, Rayyan Ventures would assist intending participants from Nigeria to facilitate their registration, travelling and other logistics.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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INSURANCE

Operators urge NAICOM to change tactics O

PERATORS are not excited with the way the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is regulating the sector.

They want the commission to develop what they call practical strategies for taking insurance to greater heights and talk less.

Though they said operators say the leadership has tried, they believe more could still be done to deepen the penetration of insurance in the country.

Managing Director, RiskguardAfrica Nigeria Limited, Yemi

Stories by Uyoatta Eshiet

Soladoye, told The Nation, that it was necessary for the Commission to concentrate on how the industry could move forward.

He said: “NAICOM having pushed all these reforms and sanctions to the market, in the last three years, should concentrate on how the industry can get quantitative results from all the good things they have done.

“As they have brought in Market Development and Restructuring Ini-

tiative (MDRI), they need insurance education and enlightenment to get the result and should now begin to look at it in quantitative terms. If they would need to help insurers on skill development they should do that. If they would help them even on product development, they should do that. If they need to assist them in providing training, they should do that, for there is huge man power shortage in the agency system. Not many people know how to run agency, so many of them do not have experience, so, if NAICOM

is to help them on retail market, it will be okay.

“If they would help them on payment system, especially mobile payment, they should also do that. So, that at the end of the day, NAICOM would concentrate on things that would bring about huge volume of premium.”

Meanwhile, the NAICOM has lifted the suspension placed on the Akurebased insurance brokers, Prime Investment Insurance Brokers Limited.

In a statement NAICOM’s Assistant Director Corporate Affairs,

Lucky Fiakpa, said the lifting of the suspension is sequel to the satisfactory conduct of the broker during the period it was sanctioned and that the company has purged itself of the infractions that necessitated its hammer.

The company was suspended on June 14, 2012 for not handling the Ondo State Government property insurance account properly.

The Commission, however, advised that the company to “henceforth conduct its business in line with good corporate governance and market practices.”

Late remittance of deductions to attract fine, warns PenCom

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• From right: Managing Director, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Mr Wole Oshin; Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Chike Ogeah and Director, Delta State Liaison Office, Lagos, Mrs. Augustina Onokpise during the donation of relief materials to Delta State flood victims by Custodian and Allied Insurance at the state Liaison Office in Lagos.

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Fraudsters will destroy insurance, says O win the confidence of “The challenges facing the inpeople, charlatans and Commissioner dustry not only requires a fresh fraudsters must be shown

the way out of insurance, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, has said.

Speaking at this year’s graduation of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mrs Oladunjoye said the world is threatened by environmental risks, terrorism and civil unrest. These, she said, called for greater protection from insurance covers and the need to educating the citizens about insurance.

She observed that some insurance practitioners were involved in activities that could dent the image of the industry, urging the institute to take steps to stem the ugly trend.

Mrs Oladunjoye promised to help create the enabling environment for the business to thrive in the state.

Meanwhile, CIIN has warned school certificate holders that they might be sanctioned if found guilty of unethical practices.

Its President, Dr Wole

Adetimehin, said the institute could withdraw its certificate from any holder, if it discovered any breach of examination.

He said: “Permit me to reiterate the policy of Council regarding certificates issued by the institute as the institute’s property, which could be withdrawn from the holders if the institute has good reasons to do so.

“Let me state categorically that the institute reserves the right to withdraw its certificate from any holder, if it discovers any breach of the examination process. A further reason for such withdrawal of certificates may emanate from acts unbecoming of a holder of the institute’s professional qualification.”

He noted that the institute would strengthen its examination system through regular reviews of the syllabus and examination structure, stressing that it is conscious of the industry post-consolidation challenges, which came with new and complex human capital needs.

Flood: Farmers to get lifeline from NAIC

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HE Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) has assured farmers whose farmlands were destroyed by the recent flood that they would be compensated.

In a statement, NAIC’s new Acting Managing Director, Dr Tijani Garuba, called on the staff of the firm to chart a new course to reposition the agency in the face of increasing competition and challenges in the market place.

He assured NAIC’s clients of improved service delivery.

While sympathising with the victims of the flood, Garuba advised farmers to take advantage of NAIC’s services to mitigate the floods, drought and crop failures that had become prevalent in the country.

He also said the Federal Government established NAIC to provide succour and extension services to farmers who insured with the corporation to be paid adequate claims.

impetus in human capital development, but also a renewed vigour and approach to skills recreation to equip practitioners for the huge tasks of managing the realities in the business landscape,” he said.

He noted that the attainment of professional qualification should not be seen as an end in itself, but as a means to an end.

Therefore, it behooves holders of professional qualifications to be mindful of the efficacy of Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

“As you are aware, the CPD has become institutionalised with varying degrees of enforcement by most professions. In our own case, it engenders a scheme which requires members to locate themselves in the point scoring index, hence it is referred to by our institute as the Mandatory Continuous Professional Development (MCPD) programme,” he added.

He said no professional should exempt himself from the scheme under any guise.

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N international rating organisation, A.M. Best, Europe Rating Services Limited, has given B’ rating to Mansard Insurance Plc and Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc. They made the list of the agency and were affirmed to have the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of ‘BB+’, with stable outlooks.

The ratings of Mansard reflect its “strong risk-adjusted capitalisation, good business profile and strong underwriting performance,” said Best.

As an offsetting factor Best

HE National Pension Commission (PenCom) has warned employers to submit deductions in respect of pensions’ contributions within two weeks or risk two per cent fine.

In a statement, it said: ‘’Employers are to remit employees’ contributions not later than seven working days from the day salary is paid.”

It noted that if default persists after three months, one per cent of the outstanding pension would be paid to the commission.

PenCom warned that it would sue defaulters if violation persists.

It added that employers who refuse to give access to information about their staff would pay a fine of not less than N200,000 and that every false or misleading information would attract N100,000 fine daily.

It said any employer who forces its employees to open an account with a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), would pay N1,000 after three months per employee for every month of violation.

Besides, it was gathered that the commission is seeking powers to enable it to sue employers for refusing to remit pension contributions.

PenCom called for the amendment of Section 11(7) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004, saying the provision is faulty.

It said: “Power to Institute Criminal Proceedings against Employers for Persistent refusal to Remit Pension Contributions: Section 11(7) should be amended to empower the Commission to institute criminal proceedings against employers who persistently fail to deduct and/or remit pension contributions within the stipulated time; review the penalties and sanctions, arguing that the sanctions provided under Section 85 are no longer sufficient deterrents against infractions of the PRA 2004.

It, therefore, suggested that Section 85 should be amended to provide for stiffer penalties.

Pencom’sDirector-General, Mohammad Ahmad, said 172 debt recovery agents had been employed to collect unpaid contributions, adding that they have resumed.

He explained that the agents, who are lawyers and accountants,

would ensure that employers comply with laws on remittance of their workers’ contributions.

He noted that 50 per cent of the penalty from outstanding contributions recovered through the agents would be given to employees with RSA, while the balance would be used to defray the cost of recovery.

He added that PFAs would not be allowed to charge administration fee on retirement savings’accounts that benefited from the recovery of the arrears.

He said each agent’s performance would be monitored based on performance.

He said: “The Commission would hold quarterly meetings with the recovery agents and PFAs to discuss remuneration of recovery agents which would be performance based. The remuneration would be met from the interest penalty charged on the outstanding contributions recovered through the efforts of the agents and administration fees charged

by PFAs. “In that regard, 50 per cent of the interest penalty would be used to defray the cost of recovery while the balance would be for the benefit of the RSA holder. In addition, PFAs would not be allowed to charge administration fee on RSAs that benefited from the recovery in the arrears or in retrospect.

“Recovery agents would be required to submit monthly progress report with respect to recoveries from employers assigned to them.

The reports would be reviewed to determine if the performance of the agent is satisfactory or otherwise. Challenges encountered and ways forward would also be reviewed. The compliance and enforcement department would be responsible for the implementation of the framework in conjunction with other relevant departments in the commission.

“The Commission would provide the secretariat and basic resources, such as telephone and Internet access for use of the recovery agents. The secretariat would be located in the Commission’s office. The framework is subject to a periodic review to ensure speedy recovery of un-remitted pension contributions by employers.”

Mansdard, Custodian get ‘B’ rating cited “Mansard’s investment strategy, which has a significant concentration on both land and property under development asset;”adding that it recognises the efforts made by the company to reduce the property exposure.

The ratings also incorporate Best’s view of the company’s “exposure to the very high political and financial system risks associated with its operation in Nigeria.”

On Mansard’s risk-adjusted

capitalisation, Best noted that it is “strongly supported by a large capital base, and although it is expected to slightly decrease going forward, it will remain supportive of the company’s ratings. Mansard paid dividends of N 900 million ($4.4 million) in 2011 equating to a dividend pay ratio of 96.6 per cent, and in Best’s opinion, this could negatively impact the company’s capitalisation growth.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Fortune in rice farming, says investor R ICE farming in Lagos State is making a p p r e c i a b l e progress.

One of the young men behind this success story is a chartered accountant, Abdul-Ghaniyy AlabiOjolowo .

With the growing realisation that farming can offer a lucrative career in an ever-competitive job market, more young farmers like Alabi-Ojolowo are moving back to their rural hometowns and trading their office cubicles for hoes.

He is so excited about the prospect of a better life farming has offered him.

When he decided to embark on rice farming in

By Daniel Essiet

2002, many thought he was on a financial suicidal mission. Today, he has turned his rice farming into a profitable business, and a ticket to a better future. He is better able to afford his children school fees and suppliers.

To help him get started on the right foot, he received pieces of advice from other farmers.

He walked the field, learning the different stages of rice and how to scout for insects and disease. His farming business registered under the name Resofam Foods Limited, and located in Ito Ikin, near Ikorodu in Lagos.

He has permanent and

temporary staff employed to work for about seven months in a year, during the production and processing of the firm’s flagship product - Oryza Ofada rice.

Right now, his wellprocessed Ofada rice, is packaged to meet international standards.

As a result, it commands a premium price in the market.

He said there is a higher demand for rice even in the local market. The boom is revving up the economies of young rice farmers.

Abdulghaniyy AlabiOjolowo, who represents the rice value chain in the Commercial Agriculture Development Association (CADA), Lagos chapter has

Group links youth entrepreneurship with attainment of MDGs

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FFORTS aimed at mobilising youth for entrepreneurship are vital to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a panel of Eminent Persons on the post-2015 Development Agenda meeting in London has said.

According to a statement, discussions covered human development, jobs and livelihoods, and how to reach the marginalised and excluded.

The panel is part of Secretary-General Ki Ban’s post2015 initiative, mandated by the 2010 MDGs’ Summit, during which the United Nations member-states took stock of the progress made in achieving the MDGs. Twenty-five eminent persons, comprising Dr. Graca Michel, Alhjani Amina Zubair Mohmammed, HM Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan, Fulbert Gero Amoussouga, Gunilla Carlsson among others; members of the UN High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda attended the conference.

The session was aimed at consulting with individuals and organisations in the private sector, civil society and young people to evaluate the missing links of the MDGs as well as kick-start the conversations on the next global de-

velopment framework after the expiration of the MDGs in 2015.

Speaking at the opening of the youth consultation, Chief Executive Officer, Restless Development, Mr Nik Hartley, noted: “This is the first time in history and in my career that young persons have been consulted directly by such a panel and on an important issue as the MDGs”.

With focus on Household poverty as its theme, the youth consultation was also centred on cross cutting issues, such as jobs and livelihoods, education, sexual and reproductive health/rights as well as skills development.

Speaking on skills building, Programmes Officer, The Bridge Leadership Foundation, Esther Eshiet, said: “It is not enough to teach young people how to write CVs, but to enable them access markets, become trend spotters, focus on new wealth and have relaxed trade laws and begin to set goals that prepare young people to seamlessly transit from school to work.”

The London Consultation is the first of many others ahead. Online consultations are ongoing via the World We Want Website. There will be over 50 national consulta-

tions, as well as offline consultations using the “My World” Mini Survey toolkit.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has jobs and livelihoods should be at the heart of the development agenda after the target date of MDGs. “Job creation is the most pressing global development priority,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

“A decent job is the best way out of poverty and it’s also the way economies grow.

Jobs mean development.

“By contrast, where jobs are scarce or where available livelihoods leave families in poverty, there is less growth, less security and less human and economic development,” he added.

The ILO estimates that 45 to 50 million new jobs would be needed every year for the next 10 years to keep up with the numbers of people entering the labour market.

It is calling for jobs to be a central goal of the post2015 development framework, which will be drawn up by the UN and other international bodies as a follow-up to the MDGs. “We need decent work – including full employment – as a goal in its own right,” said the ILO chief.

a lot of things working in his favour. The rains come at the right time, he get some fertiliser from the government, and everyone wants to eat rice.

He plans to expand production and engage other farmers. To strengthen the capacity of the producers,he said the Lagos government’s support them by providing the right kind of infrastructure and technical development.

Explaining some of the government interventions, he said they have a combined harvester, which is a product of a partnership between the Rice for Job Programme and the Lagos Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) in our farm estate at Ito Ikin.

But for the intervention of the CADP, which he explained supports with essential input, AlabiOjolowo said it would have

been difficult for him to increase level of production because he didn’t have enough money when he started.

Consequently, he advised up and coming rice farmers to take advantage of government’s interventions through CADP and start their businesses.

According to him, CADP has helped young farmers improve the quality and quantity of their rice and connect to higher paying market.

CADP worked to improve the farmers productivity, improved farmers skills in rice production, strengthen business skills market connection, improved rice prices through improved bargaining power.

With CADP, Alabi-Ojolowo said taking a loan facility may not be necessary.

He has learnt to grow the business through the returns of production cum marketing activities, which are ploughed

back into the business. On marketing, he said he works through a chain of distributors and direct supplies to some chain stores.

However, plans are underway to explore direct marketing as soon as some standardisation hurdles are removed.

He said he sells a carton of packaged rice to distributors for N2,000.

The distributors sell for N2,500. He is concerned about the next stage, which is to make rice farming competitive.

Alabi-Ojolowo said his partnership with CADP is making rice farming profitable enough so that growers can have enough money to make a decent living .

In the last couple of years, his rice acreage increased.

He won the maiden edition of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s award of Best Rice Farmer in Lagos State in 2010.

Associate Director, Rockefeller Foundation, Africa Regional Office, CD Glin (left) and Director of Advisory Services, African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET), Dr Ed Brown, at an event in Lagos.

‘Internet is goldmine for business’

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• Eshiet at the town hall meeting.

• Alabi-Ojolowo

• Rice Farm

HE Chief Executive Officer of MannaStores, Mr Ayoola Benson, has urged youth to explore the opportunities available on the Internet.

He said Nigeria ranks second among countries with the highest users of Internet with over 44 million people surfing the Internet daily. According to him, whatever one sells has a huge market waiting for it.

He said the low cost of reaching potential customers via the Internet has changed the face of business and that Nigeria should latch on to the opportunity.

Benson, a Chartered accountant, said: “I am pur-

By Adeola Ogunlade

suing the integration of Nigeria to the rest of the world through e-commerce and that is why I have created three online platforms, namely MannaStores.com, a procurement and logistic firm helping Nigerians to find value on the Internet and helping them to buy and bring whatever they want to Nigeria.

He said success in business is hinged on information, adding that he was happy to find where values could be obtained.

“Other common areas of profitable endeavours online are affiliate programmes, work from home schemes, article writing etc; our blog

mannamart.blogspot.com features these opportunities periodically to our teeming readers which are now in excess of 300, 000 in less than six months,” he said.

Although he noted that the economy looks gloomy, he said youths could take advantage of the opportunities on the Internet and stop the blame game on government for their problem.

Benson added: “I hope our youths would be reoriented to find solutions to their problems within themselves and stop thinking about getting something for nothing, it is not the circumstances of life that shape our destiny but rather the decisions we make now.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

36

Taxation Dri ving ffor or eign dir ect in vestment with doub le taxa tion a greements Driving oreign direct inv double taxation ag

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HE Nigerian Tax System continues to undergo constant changes that are almost as dynamic as those of the banking sector and other economic drivers. Abroad, carbon tax and other innovative policies are continuously on the front burner for tax regulators to enunciate appropriate and fair rules to administer such revenue drives.

Tax treaty is one grey area where Nigeria has unfortunately not achieved commensurate growth as we have witnessed in other tax jurisdictions. It is imperative to note that the growth of double taxation agreements between countries globally impacts on the flow of foreign direct investment directly and indirectly.

In the current era of cross -border transactions across the world, and the dynamism of international trade and commerce and increasing trans-border interaction among nations, there is a continuous movement of human capital across borders where income is earned. One of the most significant results of globalisation is the noticeable impact of one country’s domestic tax policies on the economy of another country. This has led to the need for continuously assessing tax regimes of various countries and bringing about indispensable reforms.

International double taxation has adverse effects on trade and services and on movement of capital and people. Taxation of the same income by two or more countries would constitute an unfair burden on the taxpayer.

This article attempts to evaluate various facets of bilateral Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with particular reference to Nigeria’s own version - Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTAs) as a tool for driving foreign direct investment.

Double Taxation Treaties are conventions between two countries that aim to eliminate the double taxation of income or gains arising in one territory and paid to residents of another territory. They work by dividing the tax rights each country claims by its domestic laws over the same income and gains. Over 2,500 Double Taxation Conventions exist world-wide. The United Kingdom has one of the largest networks with more than 100.

A peep into a typical ADTA prepared by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on behalf of the Federal Government shows that it grants concessions to beneficiaries and guards against the occurrence of a double non-taxation scenario in which a particular income escapes taxation from both the source state (where the revenue is generated) and resident state (state of residence of the enterprise) as it affects a taxpayer. It also captures exchange of relevant tax information beneficial to the contracting states for the operation of the agreement and assistance in the collection of taxes by either of the contracting states.

Establishment of the Mutual Assistant Procedure (MAP) for the resolution of disputes emanating from the implementation of the agreement or the taxation of income of residents of both contracting states is also enshrined in a typical document.

Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) is a written tax agreement between sovereign states called contracting states primarily on the allocation of taxing rights between both contracting states on the income of residents of either of the contracting states derivable from either states. Essentially, the ADTA is modelled to guard against the occurrence of a double taxation scenario in which a particular income is taxed in separate jurisdictions. It will also aid modification of domestic tax laws by reducing the domestic tax rate.

Will the ADTAs increase the flow of foreign direct investment into Nigeria? Many argue that the impact is not as substantial as it is been made to appear.

With the goal of increasing FDI inflows in mind,

• ALHAJI KABIR MOHAMMED MASHI, AG. EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, FIRS

Double Taxation Treaties are conventions between two countries that aim to eliminate the double taxation of income or gains arising in one territory and paid to residents of another territory. They work by dividing the tax rights each country claims by its domestic laws over the same income and gains. Over 2,500 Double Taxation Conventions exist world-wide. The United Kingdom has one of the largest networks with more than 100.

By Frank Onero Obaro

developing countries have resorted to bilateral treaties to signal their commitment to stable, correct and often favourable treatment of foreign investors. By signing ADTAs, developing countries provide foreign investors with security and stability as regards the issue of taxation in addition to the relief from double taxation.

By signing bilateral investment treaties, developing countries commit to granting certain relative standards such as national treatment (foreign investors may not be treated any worse than national investors, but may be treated better and, in fact, often are) and mostfavoured nation treatment (privileges granted to one foreign investor must be granted to all foreign investors). They also agree to guarantee certain absolute standards of treatment such as fair and equitable treatment for foreign investors in accordance with international standards, after the investment has taken place.

Few would argue that the absence of double taxation agreements represents the major impediment to foreign direct investment in developing countries. And yet, all other things being equal, the avoidance of double taxation can make a country more attractive to foreign investors who often have a choice among multiple locations. As Egger et al. (2004: 1) have put it, “One of the most visible obstacles to cross border investment is the double taxation of foreign-earned income.”

Investors like stability and the legal and fiscal certainty that comes with ADTAs can re-assure foreign investors that profits from their investment are not doubly reduced by taxation in both host and residence country (United Nations, 2001). As is the case with

Bilateral Investment Treaties, the conclusion of ADTAs also sends a certain signal to foreign investors that goes beyond the mere issue of taxation, allowing the developing country partner to acquire “international economic recognition” (Dagan, 1999: 32) or, in the words of Rosenbloom (1982, cited in Reese, 1987: 380), a “badge of international economic respectability”.

Certainly, policy makers in developing countries must believe that the conclusion of ADTAs increases inward FDI as otherwise they would not go to the negotiation table signing more and more of such treaties. This is because, as already mentioned, the majority of ADTAs concluded between developed and developing countries limit source-based taxation, which means that developing countries can only collect tax revenues from foreign investors to a limited extent. For ADTAs among developed countries this does not matter so much as FDI flows more or less equally in both directions.

Economic relations between developed and developing countries are highly unequal, however, with the developed country being almost exclusively the country of residence and the developing country almost exclusively the host country.

While it is true that the existence of ADTAs will reduce the amount of tax withheld from interest, dividends, and royalties paid by a resident of one country to residents of the other country and/or limit tax of one country on business income of a resident of the other country to that income from a permanent establishment in the first country or even provide for exemption of certain types of organisations or individuals. It must also be stated that it drives FDI through the reduction of double taxation, eliminating tax evasion, and encouraging crossborder trade efficiency which are major factors that cannot be wished away in global trade. It is generally accepted that tax treaties improve certainty for taxpayers and tax authorities in their international dealings. The elimination of double taxation and the other advantages offered to taxpayers – in particular reductions in compliance costs from the treaty are expected to encourage inflows of investment.

If the tax treaty shifts taxing rights from the developing to the developed country, and the latter maximizes these taxing rights, that may create an incentive for investors to reallocate capital to the developing country, where the tax cost is lower. Tax treaties also offer stability for investors in tax treatment, since in most instances unilateral changes to domestic law cannot override the treaty unless it is renegotiated The rational choice model of tax treaty negotiation by developing countries rests on the hypothesis that tax treaties increase inbound investment. Another important purpose is the exchange of information. ADTAs help to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance and to prevent double non-taxation by making information from one contracting state available to the other contract partner.

In principle, these other aspects of DTTs could discourage FDIs. The conclusion of more ADTAs will make a serious statement about the Federal Government’s will to create an encouraging environment for FDI. Though Nigeria has comprehensive ADTAs with Canada, Pakistan, Belgium, France, Romania, Netherlands, United Kingdom, China, South Africa and Italy a lot more still needs to be done in this regard by the FIRS in these important area of economic development. More importantly, any loss of tax revenue can be justified if the wider economic benefits of attracting more FDI, such as knowledge and technology spill-over’s, higher economic growth, employment and living standards exceed these costs.

37

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

His path was rough. But Bashorun Enoch Ogunmiloro was undaunted; he soldiered on.

Unknown to him, he was leaving his marks in the sands of time.

He relives his life history in his memoirs: Adventure in courage which was launched in Lagos.EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

H

OW rough can life be? It is becoming harder by the day to lead a life of integrity. But some have chosen to wade through.

Bashorun Enoch Ogunmiloro is a shining example.

From the pastoral milieu of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State to the hustle and bustle of the mega city of Lagos, Ogunmiloro takes his audience into a journey full of adventure.

But it was no tourist expedition.

It was the daring voyage of his life’s experiences from childhood till date chronicled in his memoirs, entitled: Adventure in Courage published by Diamond Publications. His piety and courage in dealing with life’s challenges were celebrated at the unveiling of the book at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mess, Victoria Island to mark his 80th birthday.

“If Bashorun were to be a politician, he would have been excommunicated from his party because of his refusal to play ball,” began former president, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, whose father and that of the celebrator’s were friends. “,” he said. According to him, Ogunmiloro showed them to the way of the Lord. “He led us to and he is still living for God. May God continue to strengthen him.”

“Thank you father for showing us the way,” Adekunle Adedeji, son-in-law to the celebrator, said with deep emotion on behalf of the children.

Their words echoed the opinions of guests, who were made up of dignitaries from all walks of life led by the Anglican Bishop, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Most Revd Adebayo Akinde. They not only came faceto-face with the man of the moment but heard daring stories directly from him, family, friends and colleagues. And as each recounted the many times Ogunmiloro chose to tread the right path, he would nod his head and wore an expressive face that

Portrait of a Silent Achiever

A

•From left: Chief Olanipekun, (SAN); Pastor Ighodalo; Most Revd Akinde; Mr Lanre Idowu; the celebrator; Air Vice Marshal Abdul Bello; Vice Admiral Ayinla and Mr Akinrelere.

PHOTO OSORE FUTO.

An adventure’s thorny path PRESENTATION showed he vividly connected with each episode and speaker.

The bishop eulogised Ogunmiloro’s sense of morality, noting that he is a good Christian whose life is modelled in selfless service. At 80 and still fruitful, Most Revd Akinde, who chaired the event, said it is a noteworthy feat. He decried the increase in corruption in public offices, while enjoining Nigerians to tread the path of integrity like Ogunmiloro (rtd) who is the longest-serving Director of Finance NAF. “Every child of God is meant to be fruitful.

And at old age, he is still fruitful by being relevant in the house of God and in producing this book. When given an opportunity to serve, how many can come out without any stain? He has paid his dues at different levels, living a life of selfless services and integrity that is worthy of emulation. I charge us that this life is not our permanent abode. May God Continue to find us faithful in wherever he has placed us. Ogunmiloro deserves to be celebrated. I am happy to be here to share the joy.”

Some, like Mr Ademola Akinrelere, (SAN), called him a “man of courage”, who would damn the consequence and prefers to tell the truth against the odds. Others, like the Owa of Okeoro, Oba Afolabi Babade, said he is an “icon of integrity”.

Mr Akinrelere, who reviewed the book, took guests into the author’s escapades as a

student, bus conductor, dancer, an administrator, accountant and soldier. “The symbol of his integrity can be seen in the author being the longest-serving Director of Finance NAF. The book is one of encounters of courage. Few incidents in the book show the author as a man of courage. There was this time the author wanted to get a job as a bus conductor with a bus company that insisted that the conductor must be a Jamaican.

After he got the job he went to confess to the General Manager (GM) because his conscience was troubling him. The GM was moved by the gesture said he would employ him every summer vacation.”

Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla decried the gradual extinction of motivators. The book, he said, would serve as inspiration for the young. “People don’t inspire the younger generation any more. The book would serve as a guiding light to the future generation.”

And to the bishop, he said: “I am used to seeing you on the pulpit. I have learnt so much from you even as a Muslim. And I must say that Ogunmiloro is a good Christian.”

“I got introduced to the family through Toyin and now I am close to the family in many ways. I consider myself to be the first child,” Pastor Itua Ighodalo, who presented the book, said.” He said Ogunmiloro’s life is an inspiration to the younger generation.

“He is a forthright man who desires to do the best for his nation. I wish many would be like him.”

R

ELIEF materials worth over N3 million have been donated by the Post Primary School Service Commission (PPSSC) to the flood affected victims in Anambra State.

The materials donated included 28,000 copies of 60 leaves exercise books, 3000 copies of 40 leaves, 4,370 packets of chalk, 23500 Bic/Biro.

Others were bags of rice, semolina, yam, indomie, detergent, palm oil, vegetable oil, 194 pieces of Nigerian prints, one full bag of new shirts and polo, 159 bags of fairly used female and male wears, assorted bags of bed spread, foot wears, babies wears, hand bags and 3,673 pieces of exercise books and many other learning materials.

Receiving the items from the Secretary to the Commission, Nze Emeka Olisa, the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mr Osaeloka Obaze thanked the commission for their kind gesture and reinstated the commitment of government to ensure that the standard set in managing the flood crisis continues until it is permanently resolved.

Obaze noted that the disaster has multi sectoral impact and assured the commission that thegovernment would always support the education sector while ensuring that students continue to do well in external examinations.

Earlier, Olisa informed the SSG that the commission made it bold to make the donations because the school children who are involved may be disadvantaged in registering for the external examinations, which according to him

LL is set for the public presentation of David Attah’s biography: Portrait of a Silent Achiever by the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Benue State chapter, Elvis Ogenyi.

The book highlights a critical era of military leadership in the country and offers inspiring inputs to burning national SenatePresident, David Mark will be leading other distinguished guests, including Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang to the unveiling tomorrow at the J.S.Tarka Complex, Makurdi, Benue.

The book will be will reviewed by the Dean of Student Affairs, Benue State University, Prof. Armstrong Matiu Adejo and has Prof. Jerry Gana its presenter.

The book’s forward is written by Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam who is the chief host of the unveiling, while the preface is anchored by the former Communication Minister and one-time national chairman of the PDP, Audu Ogbe.

Attah was Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to two Heads of State – the late General Sani Abacha and General Abdulsalami Abubakar. He was a second republic member of the House of Representatives and one-time General Manager of the Standard newspaper, Jos. He worked with the likes of Tony Momoh, Segun Osoba, Dr. Doyin Abiola etc in the defunct Daily Times newspaper in the 70. He was also Commissioner for Information, Benue state and General Manager of the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation, Makurdi.

YSGHubs unveils portal

L

OVERS of music and books on the go now would not need to wait too long to get their favourite music, videos and books with the unveiling of the portal of the new e-commerce and mobile applications Development Company called YSGHubs. YSGHubs, which is a subsidiary of the Young Shall Grow [YSG] Group, also unveiled its products today.

The company would be running an online media store that enables users purchase eBooks, Music, Videos, event tickets and lifestyle accessories from the convenience of their homes, classrooms, offices and even on-the-go.

According to its management team, it is offering authors, musicians and filmmakers free tools to build a wide range of audience. Authors, musicians and filmmakers interviews and on-site marketing are also possible, as is the posting of fans views and reviews.

Ozoro celebrates Opute Day

T

•Official of the commission at the collation centre

Relief for flood victims DONATION From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

?????

informed the decision of the cash donation and numerous education materials.

“We are part of Anambra State and we share in the feelings of the state government. To compliment what the state government is doing, we mobilised our staff who made donations which covers food items, materials and more importantly learning materials,” he noted.

The Chairman of flood relief materials committee for PPSSC, Anambra State and

Head of Cooperate Affairs, PPSSC Headquarters, at Awka, Mr Felix Uzor said that the interest of the commission is solely for education adding that they were worried about how the children will cope when they go back to schools which necessitate buying of the educational materials.

The chairperson, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPS) Lady Joy Ulasi said that Anambra as the light of the Nation would continue to be a pacesetter in matters of this nature stressing that the commission came to share in the pains of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS).

HE people of Ozoro Kingdom, the headquarters of Isoko North local government area of Delta State will celebrate this year’s Opute Cultural Day/ Festival 2012 on December 26 at the Ovie of Ozoro Palace, Erovie Community, Ozoro. The event is expected to be declared open by the Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Barrister Anthony Uvietoborie Ogbogbo (Ibuka 1).

The Opute cultural day is set aside for all sons and daughters of Ozoro both at home and in Diaspora, for the presentation of the rich cultures of the kingdom. This is aimed at promoting peace and unity amongst its people and neighboring communities.

Opute founded Ozoro kingdom in the 15th century during the same period Aboh in Ndokwa East was also founded. He was one of the sons of the then Oba Ozolua of Benin who migrated from Benin to found the Ozoro Kingdom.

The Okobaro of Ozoro kingdom, who is the chairman, organising committee of the Opute Cultural Day, Chief Charles Obuvie, said the ‘celebration is in commemoration of this legacy and the preservation of our culture. The 26 th of December every year has been set aside as the Opute Cultural Day.’ He described Opute as a strong and great warrior in the history of Benin kingdom.

According to Chief Charles Obuvie, Ozoro has a rich cultural heritage and tradition, which the Ovie of Ozoro is the custodian.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012

38

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

I

T was the radical and unrepentantly progressive journalist, Mr. Kayode Komolafe, who sometime in 2005 intimated me about the tragic death of the great Marxist historian and political economist, Dr. Bala Usman, whose encyclopaedic knowledge, incisive, unpretentious analysis and passionate commitment to social justice had such a decisive impact on a whole generation of Nigerian intellectuals, thinkers and writers.

Although I was not privileged to be his student at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where Dr Bala Usman researched, wrote and taught all his life, his writings played a crucial part in my mental development and progressive social consciousness. I was indeed undergoing my national youth service in Lagos when I came across Dr. Usman’s land mark book, ‘For The Liberation of Nigeria’ which had actually been published in 1980. As the title of the work suggests, it was a collection of about thirty lectures and articles about diverse aspects of Nigerian national life and unified by the single minded commitment to “the liberation of the Nigeria from western imperialist domination at the national and continental levels”. The book was my most constant companion throughout my service year and for long after. In one of the chapters, Dr. Usman admonished his readers: “Be theoretical! Be Coherent! Be Committed! The point I want to make is that when you go to work and in your life, never be afraid or ashamed of coherently analysing any problem and taking it down to its fundamentals and proposing solutions which relate to this. Do not be afraid or ashamed of being theoretical, as long as you are coherent and guided by patriotic commitment. You will make mistakes but you can learn if you are genuinely committed”.

Over three decades after the publication of this book, I am amazed at the continuing relevance of Dr. Usman’s ideas and critiques to the problems that continue to plague contemporary Nigeria. He was indeed a man who saw tomorrow. For instance, it is now

Segun Ayobolu sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

Bala Usman: The man who saw tomorrow fashionable for oil producing states and communities to fight for so-called resource control even to the extent of blackmailing the rest of the country without, for the most part, demonstrating any necessarily more judicious or honest use of the vast resources accruing to them. Yet, as far back as 1971, in a characteristically trenchant review of L.H. Schatzl’s book, ‘Petroleum in Nigeria’ thoroughly exposes the maldevelopment of the country’s petroleum sector and the conscienceless exploitation of the country by the oil multinationals in connivance with fraudulent Nigerian public officials. In the words of Bala Usman, “This sensational information about how we have been cheated of millions of pounds is not as significant as what Schatzl reveals about the role, or more accurately lack of role, of the petroleum industry in the Nigerian economy. Put against the great potentialities of the oil industry as a generator of both industrial and agricultural growth in the whole of our country, what we have gained so far from the industry is paltry.

The government in the seven years 1958 to 1966 received a sum of 68.7 million pounds, cash, since that time this sum might now total up to 150 million pounds. A few Nigerians

(actually about 5,000) have got jobs, mostly semi-skilled and unskilled. A few contractors have made a fortune. But the price of petroleum products from petrol and kerosene to fertiliser, drugs and nylon have gone up. The crude oil is sucked out of our sub-soli, piped straight to the tankers and taken to Britain and Western Europe to feed their expanding refineries and petrochemical works and fuel their industries”. Yet, Dr. Usman wrote these words in 1970! How much have things really changed?

Even as far back then, Dr. Usman had condemned in clear terms the criminal flaring of the country’s natural gas resources by the oil multinationals. According to him, “But the 257 million barrels of crude oil drained out of Nigeria in the years1958-1965 has at least given the government the paltry cash sum of 68.7 million pounds. But the billions, literally billions of cubic feet of natural gas which has come out of some of the drilling sites has simply been burnt off; ‘flared’ in the language of the oil combines; or in plain language, wasted, irrevocably lost to our country. The E.C.N. and a few factories around Port Harcourt use less than 5 per cent of this gas. The rest is burnt off despite its

Is literature the answer?

L

ITERATURE is as important as life; it is the sole link between the past, present, and future. It is the backbone of a people’s life and history; it retains what human memory forgets.

Who could have lived till this day to tell the events that took place several centuries ago?

Yes, literature is the answer because it provides the basis with which human hypothesis is conceived. It is the answer to many social and economic questions; it also answers political and spiritual questions. Literature is everything.

The dependence on literature makes the work of the writer far more enormous than the job of a governor orpresident.The writer is expected to comment, document, correct and rebuke erring leaders, but the writer is also a human being, it is in the light of this overwhelming task of the writer that it is pertinent to create a platform where the writer will feel appreciated and inspired to do his job. It is when those in power respect the writer that the rest of the society will follow suit. This perhaps is responsible for the conception and execution of the MBA National literary colloquium by the Niger state government.

The disposition of Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu towards writers and intellectual growth is remarkable and outstanding, it takes a highly refined and focused mind to pay attention to the wellbeing of intellectuals who generate ideas for society’s sufficiency; it is a no mean achievement, the chief servant’s commitment to intellectual development.

Books are vital to the development of the mind that reads them; the society is at the receiving end of the positive results of good reading which leads to refined thinking, reasoning and idea generation which benefit the economy.

Books not only liberate the individuals but liberate the nation as well;a reading nation is a free nation. The production of literature therefore must be encouraged at all levels; this is the obvious message the MBA national literary colloquium is sending out to the world, through its earnest promotion of literary activities in Niger state.

There are many things literature can do for society. For example, literature can provide insight on how security challenges can be tackled through its depiction of conflict, characters and resolution, and intelligent readers will be keen to look out for details of execution of

GTBank, UK firm promote African designers

By Paul T. Liam

G

DISCOURSE crimes in novels. Literature more than anything can colonize the mind and reasoning of the reader to society’s benefit.Literature can also change the course of society from ills to fortunes.

Education with its very important effect on the society is limited to the encompassing nature of literature. Literature has a broader effect on the society.It’s in literature that the vital organs of growth are embedded.It is in literature that the secrets of failure and success is hidden, since a teacher is limited to a specific field or area of specialization, his knowledge is confined to that particular specialization.Literature however goes beyond a designated area of interest, it covers every sphere of life.It offers a single pedestal that leads to several ends. For example it is inliterature that chemistry, biology, philosophy, sociology and agriculture come together to form a whole.

Literature provides a more definitive direction on the functionality of society and existence. It avails itself to the reader in various ways; essay, memo, drama, prose and poetry.

The support of literary activities cannot be a waste of resources but a most profitable investment to society. The MBA national literary colloquium is without doubt the best thing that has happened to Nigerian literature in recent times, if there was any such support for writers in the past. The chief servant is only comparable to the doyen of African literature the onetime president of Senegal, Leopold Sedar Senghor a writer and poet of international repute and staunch promoter of literature. He is highly revered till this day. The chief servant could without equivocation be called the ‘Governor of literature’, because of

‘Literature provides a more definitive direction on the functionality of society and existence. It avails itself to the reader in various ways; essay, memo, drama, prose and poetry’

high quality as a fuel (it has90 per cent methane content higher than even North African natural gas”. Decades after these home truths were uttered, how much has really changed in the management of the Nigerian oil industry?

Dr. Bala Usman along with Dr. Segun Osoba wrote a minority report of the draft constitution, which was eventually jettisoned for the majority report that formed the constitutional basis for the presidential constitution of the second republic. It is now obvious that the authors of the minority draft were far more prescient as the constitutional basis of the second republic was fundamentally flawed and the problems of corruption, instability and irresponsibility that ruined that dispensation far worse than the woes of the first republic. Commenting on the confidence reposed by the Constituent Assembly on a powerful executive presidency as a panacea to national unity and cohesion, Dr. Usman with characteristic perspicacity declared “The justification they give for making the office of president so powerful is that her will provide effective government and become a focus of national loyalty. But it is not clear how this effectiveness and loyalty will develop if there are no provisions to ensure that the president will be elected and operate during his term as somebody who, with his team, stands for a definite political programme and policies. Unless this is ensured the president will be seen as standing for nothing more than his personality and ultimately his place of origin”. Is a supposedly unifying presidency not today the source divisiveness and instability as Dr. Usman had rightly predicted? In 1987, Dr. Usman published another collection of essays titled ‘The Manipulation of Religion in Nigeria (1977 – 1987). We will next week examine the relevance of his ideas, diagnoses and prescriptions to the current challenges of religious intolerance, fundamentalism and violence particularly in northern Nigeria.

•Aliyu

his unprecedented contribution to literature and writers since the inception of his administration in 2007 to date.bus to ANA Niger, he has published writers and contributed to ASCAFS hosting. He is the first and only governor of Northern Nigeria to host the first Northern Nigeria writers’ summit 2008. He hosted ANA national convention with N10 million 2009. Moved by her husband’s love for literature, his wife, Hajiya Memunat Aliyu also sponsored the ANA Niger Read to a Child campaign with over N3 million. He supported the ANA Abubakar IMAM colloquium with N1 million.

Literature can bring about change in society; it can also cause attitudinal change amongst the citizenry. Literature can accentuate the aspiration of the people and inspire positive leadership. There is no end to the things literature can do for society. It is the answer to a malfunctioning society; it is the answer to Nigeria’s woes.

A society with educated illiterates can only do worse in ruining the nation than they can repair it. Until we begin to see beyond acquired certificates and start focusing on idea creation through harnessed talents, development will continue to elude us. Because we lack critical thinkers and idea generators in key position who are to turn the fortunes of the nation around for the better, only literature can bridge this gap. If accorded the desired attention literature will provide us the answers we seek; this is what the MBA National literary colloquium is obviously poised to do for the society.

•Liam is of the Hilltop Art Centre, Minna, Niger State

UARANTY Trust Bank plc has launched a partnership with Selfridges, UK to project authentic designs by talented African fashion designers. The collaboration tagged Guaranty Trust Bank presents Ndani, stems from the bank’s commitment to the projection of African art to global audiences as a proudly African and truly international financial institution.

Ndani represents the beauty of Africa and this is clearly demonstrated at a distinct pop-up shop in Selfridges’ departmental store on Oxford Street in the UK. The designs on display at the shop express the deep creativity, ingenuity and originality of African designers, attributes which the designers share with the GTBank brand.

The exhibition has already attracted several reviews and visits by fashionistas from all over the world and is set to be a high point at the store throughout December 2012 and January, 2013. Participating designers are from Nigeria and include: Agu, House of Silk, DOT Handbags, Odio Mimonet, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Jewel

by Lisa, Eki Orleans, Ituen Basi and Tiffany Amber. These designers are showcasing their Christmas/Cruise collection exclusively at the Nigerian world pop-up store during the project.

Commenting on the GTBank – Selfridges project, the Managing Director and CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje said that supporting and promoting African art such as fashion internationally is one of GTBank’s major corporate social responsibility thrust. He stated that “we will continue to forge strategic partnerships to create platforms for the contributions of Africans to the different genre of Art as an organisation positioned to harness the hidden potentials in Africa”.

Guaranty Trust Bank’s other recent art projects include its ongoing partnership with Tate, UK where it has appointed an international curator of arts and provides funds for the acquisition of African art by the gallery in addition to sponsoring annual art projects around the world.

Furthermore, Ndani TV powered by Guaranty Trust Bank is an online platform which seeks to promote the best of Africans in music, fashion, writing, technology and business. The platform tells their story from a uniquely African perspective and puts their works within the digital space.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

38

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

I

T was the radical and unrepentantly progressive journalist, Mr. Kayode Komolafe, who sometime in 2005 intimated me about the tragic death of the great Marxist historian and political economist, Dr. Bala Usman, whose encyclopaedic knowledge, incisive, unpretentious analysis and passionate commitment to social justice had such a decisive impact on a whole generation of Nigerian intellectuals, thinkers and writers.

Although I was not privileged to be his student at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where Dr Bala Usman researched, wrote and taught all his life, his writings played a crucial part in my mental development and progressive social consciousness. I was indeed undergoing my national youth service in Lagos when I came across Dr. Usman’s land mark book, ‘For The Liberation of Nigeria’ which had actually been published in 1980. As the title of the work suggests, it was a collection of about thirty lectures and articles about diverse aspects of Nigerian national life and unified by the single minded commitment to “the liberation of the Nigeria from western imperialist domination at the national and continental levels”. The book was my most constant companion throughout my service year and for long after. In one of the chapters, Dr. Usman admonished his readers: “Be theoretical! Be Coherent! Be Committed! The point I want to make is that when you go to work and in your life, never be afraid or ashamed of coherently analysing any problem and taking it down to its fundamentals and proposing solutions which relate to this. Do not be afraid or ashamed of being theoretical, as long as you are coherent and guided by patriotic commitment. You will make mistakes but you can learn if you are genuinely committed”.

Over three decades after the publication of this book, I am amazed at the continuing relevance of Dr. Usman’s ideas and critiques to the problems that continue to plague contemporary Nigeria. He was indeed a man who saw tomorrow. For instance, it is now

Segun Ayobolu sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

Bala Usman: The man who saw tomorrow fashionable for oil producing states and communities to fight for so-called resource control even to the extent of blackmailing the rest of the country without, for the most part, demonstrating any necessarily more judicious or honest use of the vast resources accruing to them. Yet, as far back as 1971, in a characteristically trenchant review of L.H. Schatzl’s book, ‘Petroleum in Nigeria’ thoroughly exposes the maldevelopment of the country’s petroleum sector and the conscienceless exploitation of the country by the oil multinationals in connivance with fraudulent Nigerian public officials. In the words of Bala Usman, “This sensational information about how we have been cheated of millions of pounds is not as significant as what Schatzl reveals about the role, or more accurately lack of role, of the petroleum industry in the Nigerian economy. Put against the great potentialities of the oil industry as a generator of both industrial and agricultural growth in the whole of our country, what we have gained so far from the industry is paltry.

The government in the seven years 1958 to 1966 received a sum of 68.7 million pounds, cash, since that time this sum might now total up to 150 million pounds. A few Nigerians

(actually about 5,000) have got jobs, mostly semi-skilled and unskilled. A few contractors have made a fortune. But the price of petroleum products from petrol and kerosene to fertiliser, drugs and nylon have gone up. The crude oil is sucked out of our sub-soli, piped straight to the tankers and taken to Britain and Western Europe to feed their expanding refineries and petrochemical works and fuel their industries”. Yet, Dr. Usman wrote these words in 1970! How much have things really changed?

Even as far back then, Dr. Usman had condemned in clear terms the criminal flaring of the country’s natural gas resources by the oil multinationals. According to him, “But the 257 million barrels of crude oil drained out of Nigeria in the years1958-1965 has at least given the government the paltry cash sum of 68.7 million pounds. But the billions, literally billions of cubic feet of natural gas which has come out of some of the drilling sites has simply been burnt off; ‘flared’ in the language of the oil combines; or in plain language, wasted, irrevocably lost to our country. The E.C.N. and a few factories around Port Harcourt use less than 5 per cent of this gas. The rest is burnt off despite its

Is literature the answer?

L

ITERATURE is as important as life; it is the sole link between the past, present, and future. It is the backbone of a people’s life and history; it retains what human memory forgets.

Who could have lived till this day to tell the events that took place several centuries ago?

Yes, literature is the answer because it provides the basis with which human hypothesis is conceived. It is the answer to many social and economic questions; it also answers political and spiritual questions. Literature is everything.

The dependence on literature makes the work of the writer far more enormous than the job of a governor orpresident.The writer is expected to comment, document, correct and rebuke erring leaders, but the writer is also a human being, it is in the light of this overwhelming task of the writer that it is pertinent to create a platform where the writer will feel appreciated and inspired to do his job. It is when those in power respect the writer that the rest of the society will follow suit. This perhaps is responsible for the conception and execution of the MBA National literary colloquium by the Niger state government.

The disposition of Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu towards writers and intellectual growth is remarkable and outstanding, it takes a highly refined and focused mind to pay attention to the wellbeing of intellectuals who generate ideas for society’s sufficiency; it is a no mean achievement, the chief servant’s commitment to intellectual development.

Books are vital to the development of the mind that reads them; the society is at the receiving end of the positive results of good reading which leads to refined thinking, reasoning and idea generation which benefit the economy.

Books not only liberate the individuals but liberate the nation as well;a reading nation is a free nation. The production of literature therefore must be encouraged at all levels; this is the obvious message the MBA national literary colloquium is sending out to the world, through its earnest promotion of literary activities in Niger state.

There are many things literature can do for society. For example, literature can provide insight on how security challenges can be tackled through its depiction of conflict, characters and resolution, and intelligent readers will be keen to look out for details of execution of

GTBank, UK firm promote African designers

By Paul T. Liam

G

DISCOURSE crimes in novels. Literature more than anything can colonize the mind and reasoning of the reader to society’s benefit.Literature can also change the course of society from ills to fortunes.

Education with its very important effect on the society is limited to the encompassing nature of literature. Literature has a broader effect on the society.It’s in literature that the vital organs of growth are embedded.It is in literature that the secrets of failure and success is hidden, since a teacher is limited to a specific field or area of specialization, his knowledge is confined to that particular specialization.Literature however goes beyond a designated area of interest, it covers every sphere of life.It offers a single pedestal that leads to several ends. For example it is inliterature that chemistry, biology, philosophy, sociology and agriculture come together to form a whole.

Literature provides a more definitive direction on the functionality of society and existence. It avails itself to the reader in various ways; essay, memo, drama, prose and poetry.

The support of literary activities cannot be a waste of resources but a most profitable investment to society. The MBA national literary colloquium is without doubt the best thing that has happened to Nigerian literature in recent times, if there was any such support for writers in the past. The chief servant is only comparable to the doyen of African literature the onetime president of Senegal, Leopold Sedar Senghor a writer and poet of international repute and staunch promoter of literature. He is highly revered till this day. The chief servant could without equivocation be called the ‘Governor of literature’, because of

‘Literature provides a more definitive direction on the functionality of society and existence. It avails itself to the reader in various ways; essay, memo, drama, prose and poetry’

high quality as a fuel (it has90 per cent methane content higher than even North African natural gas”. Decades after these home truths were uttered, how much has really changed in the management of the Nigerian oil industry?

Dr. Bala Usman along with Dr. Segun Osoba wrote a minority report of the draft constitution, which was eventually jettisoned for the majority report that formed the constitutional basis for the presidential constitution of the second republic. It is now obvious that the authors of the minority draft were far more prescient as the constitutional basis of the second republic was fundamentally flawed and the problems of corruption, instability and irresponsibility that ruined that dispensation far worse than the woes of the first republic. Commenting on the confidence reposed by the Constituent Assembly on a powerful executive presidency as a panacea to national unity and cohesion, Dr. Usman with characteristic perspicacity declared “The justification they give for making the office of president so powerful is that her will provide effective government and become a focus of national loyalty. But it is not clear how this effectiveness and loyalty will develop if there are no provisions to ensure that the president will be elected and operate during his term as somebody who, with his team, stands for a definite political programme and policies. Unless this is ensured the president will be seen as standing for nothing more than his personality and ultimately his place of origin”. Is a supposedly unifying presidency not today the source divisiveness and instability as Dr. Usman had rightly predicted? In 1987, Dr. Usman published another collection of essays titled ‘The Manipulation of Religion in Nigeria (1977 – 1987). We will next week examine the relevance of his ideas, diagnoses and prescriptions to the current challenges of religious intolerance, fundamentalism and violence particularly in northern Nigeria.

•Aliyu

his unprecedented contribution to literature and writers since the inception of his administration in 2007 to date.bus to ANA Niger, he has published writers and contributed to ASCAFS hosting. He is the first and only governor of Northern Nigeria to host the first Northern Nigeria writers’ summit 2008. He hosted ANA national convention with N10 million 2009. Moved by her husband’s love for literature, his wife, Hajiya Memunat Aliyu also sponsored the ANA Niger Read to a Child campaign with over N3 million. He supported the ANA Abubakar IMAM colloquium with N1 million.

Literature can bring about change in society; it can also cause attitudinal change amongst the citizenry. Literature can accentuate the aspiration of the people and inspire positive leadership. There is no end to the things literature can do for society. It is the answer to a malfunctioning society; it is the answer to Nigeria’s woes.

A society with educated illiterates can only do worse in ruining the nation than they can repair it. Until we begin to see beyond acquired certificates and start focusing on idea creation through harnessed talents, development will continue to elude us. Because we lack critical thinkers and idea generators in key position who are to turn the fortunes of the nation around for the better, only literature can bridge this gap. If accorded the desired attention literature will provide us the answers we seek; this is what the MBA National literary colloquium is obviously poised to do for the society.

•Liam is of the Hilltop Art Centre, Minna, Niger State

UARANTY Trust Bank plc has launched a partnership with Selfridges, UK to project authentic designs by talented African fashion designers. The collaboration tagged Guaranty Trust Bank presents Ndani, stems from the bank’s commitment to the projection of African art to global audiences as a proudly African and truly international financial institution.

Ndani represents the beauty of Africa and this is clearly demonstrated at a distinct pop-up shop in Selfridges’ departmental store on Oxford Street in the UK. The designs on display at the shop express the deep creativity, ingenuity and originality of African designers, attributes which the designers share with the GTBank brand.

The exhibition has already attracted several reviews and visits by fashionistas from all over the world and is set to be a high point at the store throughout December 2012 and January, 2013. Participating designers are from Nigeria and include: Agu, House of Silk, DOT Handbags, Odio Mimonet, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Jewel

by Lisa, Eki Orleans, Ituen Basi and Tiffany Amber. These designers are showcasing their Christmas/Cruise collection exclusively at the Nigerian world pop-up store during the project.

Commenting on the GTBank – Selfridges project, the Managing Director and CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje said that supporting and promoting African art such as fashion internationally is one of GTBank’s major corporate social responsibility thrust. He stated that “we will continue to forge strategic partnerships to create platforms for the contributions of Africans to the different genre of Art as an organisation positioned to harness the hidden potentials in Africa”.

Guaranty Trust Bank’s other recent art projects include its ongoing partnership with Tate, UK where it has appointed an international curator of arts and provides funds for the acquisition of African art by the gallery in addition to sponsoring annual art projects around the world.

Furthermore, Ndani TV powered by Guaranty Trust Bank is an online platform which seeks to promote the best of Africans in music, fashion, writing, technology and business. The platform tells their story from a uniquely African perspective and puts their works within the digital space.

39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Bisi Silva is an independent curator and founder/director of Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Lagos, which opened in December 2007. She is the co-curator of The Progress of Love, a transcontinental collaboration in the United States and Nigeria. Bisi has curated several exhibitions, including that of acclaimed artists ,such as Fela, Ghariokwu Lemi, Ndidi Dike and Lucy Azubuike. In 2006, Bisi was one of the curators for the Dakar Biennale in Senegal. She was co-curator for the 2nd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art, Greece, Praxis: Art in Times of Uncertainty, September 2009, and J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere:Moments of Beauty, Kiasma, Helsinki (April to Novermber 2011). In this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, she speaks on the dynamism of Nigerian arts.

H

OW has been the journey in the past five years?

The journey has been challenging but extreme fun. It has been learning and growing experience for me and all those who have journeyed with us.

Artists are known to be eccentric, what is your experience working with them all these years?

The notion that artists are eccentric is always interesting. I think they should be eccentric because that means they are not conforming to societal norms but creating their own. I think the privilege of being an artist - whether visual, comedian, performing etc is that you can extrapolate on our daily realities in creative ways. I liken them to a court jester, he is the only who can make fun of the king and in doing so tell the truth about the world in which we live in with some level of impunity. That is why in many dictatorial countries the first line of attack is on the artists and the intellectuals.

Most arts foundation are constantly cash strapped, still CCA has held several workshops and residencies, and, in most cases, weekly. How were you are able to achieve that?

We have a variety of strategies and we tap into our global network. For example at least half the talks we have hosted have been by people who are visiting Nigeria to do research so they already have their funding. Others that we invite can access funding from their countries. For example last month we had a Brazilian curator who came to Lagos Adriano Pedrosa, he contacted me to say that he has funding to visit 3-4 African countries to do research, meet artists and curators. That happens a lot because there is a very big interest in contemporary art in Nigeria. So without even inviting anyone very important curators are finding their way to Lagos. Within the global consciousness of visual art, in Africa Lagos is a must come to destination. For specific exhibitions and project we fundraise like any other organisation would do commercial or noncommercial. For the rest we find ways to do thing on small budget.

Has the Nigerian arts come of age?

It is coming of age.

Art critics say Nigerian arts and art sector holds huge potentials, yet most artists find it difficult to make ends meet.

What do you think is the cause?

I would say one of the biggest reasons is the absence of a Museum of Contemporary Art. We have extremely talented and committed artists across the country but no befitting space for local artists to exhibit. Most of the spaces we have are converted houses not really built for visual arts. We need a Tate Modern. You can imagine that the UK and their response to contemporary art was not so far from us about 20 years ago.

But with Young British Artists (YBA) like Damien Hirst, Tracy Emin and that generation, with aggressive collectors like Saatchi, with visionnaire museum directors like Nicholas Serota of Tate Modern have within a 10 year period or more made London an art capital rivalling New York and Paris.

Most artists complain of their works being under-valued compared to their counterparts overseas due to lack of appreciation of arts by many?

We still have a lot of work to do to professionalise the sector. Well curated exhibitions, articulate press coverage, a younger and more global collector base, impeccable exhibition catalogues and so on and so forth.

Do you think not making ‘art appreciation’ a subject in schools may be a major cause?

That is definitely part of it.

What can the government do in the development of arts?

Allocate it a commensurate budget, build a world class Museum of Contemporary Art, implement the National Endowment for the Arts to support all artists, make archiving and publishing a priority. They should also open up the parameters to more contemporary forms of artistic practice. But most importantly, they should stop making the Ministry of Culture a political post and put in a seasoned

•Silva

‘There’s a critical gap in visual art landscape’ INTERVIEW cultural administrator. The government has consistently showed its lack of interest or commitment to the cultural sector by putting lawyers, engineers and other non arts professional as the head. They kept taking us back to the dark ages because they are totally clueless about the power of culture and its potential role in national development and empowerment.

What inspired the founding of CCA in Lagos?

I think it was a critical gap in the visual art landscape. The sector was over commercialised with few spaces or platforms for discursive interaction. A sector that focused solely on producing work and selling it without any critical engagement would find it difficult to grow. The art sector needs several constituencies nourishing it - artists, curators, writers, historians, critics, galleries, dealers, agents as well as non commercial spaces. It is that non-commercial gap that CCA wanted to fill. We wanted to provide a space that allows artists to think, create work. We wanted to produce a space like a laboratory of sorts, that allowed artists to experiment,

try out new possibilities, fail, start again, push the boundaries without having to worry about whether a collector would or would not buy the work. We didn’t want to limit ourselves to painting and sculpture but to explore the multitude of artistic strategics and production processes available to any artist in the 21st century.

Has CCA’s existence impacted on the development of the Nigerian art and the well-being artist?

I think CCA, Lagos has played its part by providing a space where artists and art lovers can engage critically with contemporary art. We have held over 27 exhibitions, over 60 artists and curators talks and lectures and over 10 local and international residency programmes. We have started and developed the largest independent visual art library in West Africa. Starting with only 500 books it has grown to nearly 5000 books, catalogues, journals, magazines, videos on art and by artists as well as hundreds of ephemera.

We have a dynamic programme in which our content is rich and diverse. Many artists working in less ‘sexy’ areas of painting and sculpture such as installation artists, sound artists, video artists, performance artists and photographers have collaborated with CCA. We have also partnered with several institutions including prestigious ones such as Tate Modern, Museum of contemporary Art, Helsinki where we organised the first comprehensive photography survey of J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere. Our current project The Progress of Love is a collaboration with two eminent US instititutions The Menil Collection, Houston and The Pullitzer Foundation for the Art, In 2013 CCA,Lagos will be working with artists and organisations in Accra, and going with other institutions from Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal and Mali to Art Dubai. We are deepening our West Africa Focus as well as partnering with the global South especially countries in South America.

You are curator and board member of several international arts festivals like that of Bamako’s, why has such not been replicated here?

Most of the international festivals are organised by the ministries of the respective countries or cities - Bamako, Dakar, Johannesburg, Cairo, etc etc.

Our statutory institutions have not risen to the challenge.

Where they have it has been sporadic like Aresuva and Art Expo. Which then leaves it to individuals to do. CCA,Lagos is a small organisation. Our objective is not to do everything.

Goethe Institut also marked its 50 years existence in Nigeria. Where do you see CCA in future?

It is fantastic that the GI can mark 50 years of continuous cultural exchange between German and Nigeria. I wish our Ministry of Affairs would have a consistent programme of cultural activities as an integral part of its policy. Our Foregin Ministry should create an Institute with spaces in strategic countries that we do business with and use culture as a way of creating understanding between us and other countries.

Many of these foreign institutions - Goethe, British Council, Alliance Francaise etc etc are all cultural arms of their countries’ Foreign Ministries. Imagine if there was the Nigerian Council and it promoted our languages Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba, held exhibitions and performances on Nigeria culture, taught lessons on Nigeria food and weaving and dyeing. Held talks on Ife Heads, Nok Terracotta, Benin Bronze, on Performance Art in Nigeria, on the pioneering Nigerian painters such as Aina Onabolu, Akinola Lasekan and Ben Enwonwu. Then the less salient information about our beloved country will likely subsidised.

We see CCA, Lagos celebrating 50 years in 45 years time.

We see CCA, Lagos having a library of over 100,000 publications and being a centre of research for visual art on the continent as well as an institution with a dynamic curatorial practice that benefits artists and the public alike. It has been a learning and growing experience for me and all those who have journeyed with us.

China to champion green light project

T

HE Chinese government has assured that it would extend the green light project to the country next year.

It was learnt that the green light campaign, which will ensure that every home is lit with an environment-friendly green bulb that will help reduce the effect of climate change, is already operational in China.

Officials of the Chinese government gave the hint at the climate change conference (COP 18) held at the Qatar national conference centre in Doha.

The conference with the theme Phasing out of incandescent lamp and energy saving lamps promotion held between November 26 and December 7.

The participants from Lagos at the summit were the Chairman of Oshodi Local Government Area, Hon. Bolaji Ariyoh,; his counterpart in charge of Lagos Island LGA, Mayor Kamal Salau-Bashua and Hon. Shamsideen Olaleye, Chairman of Isolo LGA. Director, Division of International Cooperation, Department of Climate Change, National Development and Reform Commission, People’s

By Jude Isiguzo

SYMPOSIUM Republic of China Huang Wenhang, said his country’s government attaches great importance to lighting electricity conservation and has been attempting to address the problem since 1996.

Wenhang said that in the intervening period, green lightning projects are listed in the last three, “five-year plan”.

“A major subsidy programme for efficient lamps was initiated in 2008 which is still on-going. Over this period, the Chinese government has worked with the international community and has implemented China Green Light I and II, and most recently the “phasing of incandescent lamps and energy saving lamps promotion”, she said.

She said after years of unremitting efforts, China has carried out a great deal of effective practices in Green Light field which has been highly praised and unanimously approved by the international community, adding that it has made an important contribution to reducing global carbon emis-

•From left: Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh (Oshodi); Kamal Bashua (Lagos Island) and Shamsideen Olaleye (Isolo)

sions and mitigating Climate Change.

The conference facilitator for Lagos State, Mr. Adesiji Benjamin Jordan, said the local governments will be signing a Memorandum of Under-

standing (MoU) with the National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation under the direct supervision of the Federal Government soon.

40

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMMBER 12, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Book presentation • From left: Representative of Westminster College director, Mr. Stanley Echetama, father of the author, Mr Musa Momodu, the author, Miss Ruth Oshone Momodu and the Chief launcher, Honourable Godwin Eshieshi at the public presentation of the book No Fault of Mine, which took place at the Diplomat Hotel, Maryland, Lagos .

35-year-old Pit theatre seeks rebirth For three days, scholars and movie stars converged on Ile-Ife, Osun State, to foster the idea of an ‘Ife-Film School’ amid calls for improved facilities, Assistant Editor Arts OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

T

HE famous Pit Theatre at the Department of Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University IleIfe, Osun State, where great playwrights and dramatists such as Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Ola Rotimi and Prof Ahmed Yerima once held sway in the 70s, is in a deplorable state. Its stage, ceiling, curtain and lighting facilities are begging for rebirth. Little wonder one of its pioneer staff, Oba Segun Akinbola, the Aladeokun of Alade, Idanre in Ondo State, is calling on the university authority to fix the theatre complex, which, he said, needed a facelift. “The Pit Theatre is decaying and needs to be refurbished. I was part of the construction of the construction of the theatre and it has not changed for better all these years. Looking at the theatre, I am full of nostalgic feelings,” he said.

Oba Akinbola spoke at the third Ife International Film Festival organised by the Dramatic Art Department penultimate weekend.

He was honoured with a life time award by the organisers of the festival for his contributions to the development of film in the university.

The festival, which ran from November 29 to December 1, attracted scholars and movie stars, such as Dr Kola Oyewo, Prof. Ahmed Yerima, Prof. Foluke Ogunleye, Prof. Fadare, Prof. Dipo Salami, Otunba Segun Runsewe, Yemi Solade, Edmund Enaibe, Biola Olatunde and delegates from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, University of Jos, Pan African University, and Redeemers University. The theme for this year’s edition is Celebrating the Ife Film School.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole, said there was no way the golden anniversary celebration of the university would be marked without noting the contributions of the arts, especially the Department of Dramatic Arts. The department, he said, has remained a cultural icon as well as a worthy ambassador, both at the national and international levels. Prof. Omole who was represented by Prof. Fadare said Obafemi Awolowo University has made a great impact on the film industry in Africa, adding

•Oba Akinbola and Prof Ogunleye

FILM that film had played a very prominent role in the university. “Films were produced by Frank Speed in the 70s, with the themes of performance and entertainment, Prof Wole Soyinka also made his very important film, Blues for a prodigal in 1984, while he was lecturing in the university…It is also important to note that our Department of Dramatic Arts has trained many generations of dramatists who have become major contributors-actors, actresses, producers, directors etc to the international film community,” he said.

In support of the Drama Department, and the Ife Film School of the OAU, director general of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Segun Runsewe pledged to take the best student of the department to any of the UK or Spain tourism expo with the aim of exposing the student to the rudiment of tourism management and marketing. Runsewe who was impressed by the dress code of the students, expressed his pleasure at the academic and moral standard of the OAU attributing these to the vision of people such as the late Obafemi Awolowo.

Key note speaker, Prof Ahmed Yerima who spoke on Imagination Versus Reality: The Ife Film School, said if the dream of formally

establishing the Ife Film School at the Obafemi Awolowo University is realized, it would remain a great validation not only to the efforts of the early great missioners, but also to future generations of contributors and students to come.

“They want us to understand that a school which still has Wole Soyinka as head of faculty, and Ola Rotimi and Oba Segun Akinbola as spiritual fathers for Ife, must not exist in our minds alone or the burning embers of the figment of our imagination, but must be real,” he said.

Prof Yerima therefore called for the upgrading of the Television and Film course to a full fledge department and a professional school of film, the Ife Film School. “That is why we are here. To work out the nitty gritty of the school, the blueprint, the vision, the mission, the course outline, all in line with Nigerian University Commission (NUC) benchmarks, because our philosophy is clear…This is the hidden strength which Soyinka and the rest of our leaders implanted in us. The strength that has made the students from the Dramatic Arts Department achievers rather than empty barrels, “Prof Yerima added.

He however recalled that filmmaking at Ife started with individuals long before formal teaching of the programme of Film and Television was introduced into the academic syllabus. He noted that in the early 70s, Ola

Rotimi with the help and assistance of the then Bendel State government had produced a film of his play, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi. He said by the time Wole Soyinka arrived Ile Ife in 1977 to set up the Department of Dramatic Arts, he had made two films, The Strong Breed, and Kongi’s Harvest, which he made with the African American filmmaker and actor Ossie Davis with Wole Soyinka, Dapo Adelugba, Rasheed Onikoyi, Joel Adedeji, and Femi Johnson leading the cast.

Head of Department of Dramatic Arts Prof Foluke Ogunleye said the Ife Film School has come of age and it should be submitted to critical and academic rigour, with the view to documenting through academic publications, activities of the Ife Film School. “Celebrating the Ife Film School is one of our goals. Improving the visibility of our drama school is another. It is not enough for us to be tucked away in this serene environment, forgetting the existence of the big world out there. We have to forge arms that would enable us to dominate the big world,” Prof Ogunleye said.

The festival featured film screenings, seminars, workshops, discussions, lectures and exhibitions. Films screened included Niyi Coker’s Pennies for the Boatman, Yinka Aknabi’s Dapo Adelugba: Daodu of Nigerian Theatre, The Girl, the spirit and the water, Baba Landlord, Sketch Book and The foundation.

42

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

43

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The ‘Walk-to-Live’ programme of the government of the State of Osun has been achieving dual objectives. Apart from sensitising the people to the imperative of physical exercise, it has become a test of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s popularity. Editor GBENGA OMOTOSO participated in the eighth edition of the walk in Ilesa.

• Ogbeni Aregbesola, Mrs Laoye-Tomorim Alhaji Adegboyega and others leading the mammoth crowd in Ilesa during the Walk-to-Live programme.

A homeboy returns

A

SEA of people in white sport shirts and fez caps. Excited drummers in fre-netic display of skills. Singers doing some elegiac numbers in a symbolic flashback to the recent dark days preceding the new dawn. Curious kids and some women with babies strapped onto their backs, apparently wondering what was on the way this bright, sunny morning.

An old man stood there, soaking it all up, just behind the crowd, a white t-shirt pulled over his native Ankara dress, a walking stick in his right hand and a smile of inner satisfaction that seems to say “o, we’ve seen it all” playing on his wrinkled face. Truly, Pa Emmanuel Ajayi, an octogenarian, has been around for long. He recalled the days of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo on the hustings, his eyes betraying a glint of triumph.

“I can’t stay indoors on a day like this; I must be part of this,” the old man said, adding: “It’s a great day.”

But, despite the festive air – drums, songs and dances - it was no carnival in Ilesa, the Osun State home of the Ijesha, who are famous for their shrewd business sense. It was a test of endurance. A seven-kilometre walk; the 10th in the Walk to Live series initiated by the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration.

Why would Pa Ajayi join the walk? “I followed Awolowo all my days as a young man. And this governor has been following the footsteps of Awolowo. So, I have been supporting him,” he told this reporter.

For Pa Ajayi, it was a magical moment that brought memories of those days flooding back to him.

He recalled how the late Chief Awolowo went on a campaign

somewhere in the North and “as soon as he mounted the podium, a swarm of bees flooded the place and there was confusion”.

“Awo brought out a white handkerchief, waved it at the bees and they disappeared. The campaign went on,” he said excitedly.

The myths surrounding the late sage are many. So, it was not unusual for such old men who saw it all and fervently crave for the return of the good old days to identify with anyone they believe is full of thoughts for the common man, just like the late Awo, who passed on in 1989 after a sparkling record that has become a reference point in good governance.

But, what exactly has drawn Pa Ajayi to the circle of those who identify with the governor of the State of Osun? “Look at this road on which we are walking; it wasn’t this smooth in the days of the amunisin (the slave masters). Pupils are wearing free uniforms and eating free food. That’s why, for my house and me, it’s Aregbe.”

His walking stick tapping the ground faster than before as the walk got underway, the old man kept moving to keep up the pace.

There were many others in the crowd that kept on growing as the walk progressed. Some of them were in pairs – two men holding each other’s hands or two women holding each other’s hands – as an antidote to getting lost in the crowd.

A man was ringing a bell and shouting: E wa woko igbala; o fe si.

Aregbe fe si o. E wa wole o. (Come join the salvation train. It’s leaving now. Aregbe’s train is leaving). Once in a while, he takes a

• Pa Ajayi during the walk.

‘Why would Pa Ajayi join the walk? “I followed Awolowo all my days as a young man.

And this governor has been following the footsteps of Awolowo. So, I have been supporting him,” he told this reporter’ break to address bystanders on why the people should support the Action Congress of Nigeria

(ACN), the governor’s party.

Lost in the growing crowd are dignitaries. Aregbesola was there, flanked by Deputy Governor Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori and the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.

Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, the former Eagles coach, who has not missed any edition of the walk since it started a year ago, Taiwo Ogunjobi, the soccer administrator and ex-soccer star Segun Odegbami were there.

There was also a team of movie stars, including Toyin Adegbola, who is also known as Asewo to re Mecca (Cuba, after being part of the state’s contingent to that Caribbean country that has so much cultural affinity with the Yoruba).

Yemi Solade and Nike Peller, daughter of the famous magician, the late Prof Peller, were there. So were Dupe Jaiyesimi, Ayisat Abimbola, Muyiwa Ademola and many others.

The walk, which began in front of Ilesa West Local Government, snaked through some major streets, the frontage of the palace of the Adimula at Ereja Square where the statue of the first Owa Obokun, the fiery Oba Ajibogun, stood , a sword in hand. It terminated with an exercise session at the Ilesa Grammar School where some of the dignitaries addressed the participants and the huge crowd of spectators who needed an army of security agents to keep them in check. The emotion was gripping. They all wanted to touch Aregbesola. It was as if the trip was the governor’s first to his home town in about two years.

The Seriki Hausa led the Hausa community. Students were there.

ACN Chair Adelowo Adebiyi and Secretary Gboyega Famodun were there. Hon Ajibola Famurewa, member of the House of Repre-

sentatives, and many other frontline politicians whose robust frames betrayed a dire need for exercises. Every group wanted to be part of the action, which the governor insisted, was no political rally. Some old women representing the elderly, who are beneficiaries of the social security scheme, Agba Osun, mounted the podium to pray for Aregbesola, “who has ensured that we don’t suffer in our old age”. Widows also got a chance to say a word. They prayed for the governor.

The chairman of the local National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Lekan Salami, also spoke. Protocols. Then he hailed his men: “Up national!”

“Progress!” They screamed back.

“You like me, I like you.” You push me, I push you.” And on and on.

But the atmosphere became moving when the Special Assistant to the governor of Oyo State on Special Needs mounted the podium after Ogbeni Aregbesola broke his speech to allow him. Prince Paul Adelabu was as elated as he was touched by the governor’s gesture.

To him, the symbolism of it all is that the physically challenged are as good as other people; they should not be ignored.

“I thank the governor for this honour. It is rare for a governor to break the protocol, especially for somebody like me. This shows that we are all equal, mentally. There is nothing any able bodied person can do that I can’t do. I’ve been to America. I’ve been to London. If you have a child like me, please, don’t throw him away.”

Aregbesola spoke about the importance of exercise, saying it is a sure way to keep diseases out of the way. He urged the people to •Continued on page 44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

44

POLITICS

Corruption: Senator punctures PDP’s claim

Nigeria ‘ll bounce back, says Maitama Sule

By Musa Odoshimokhe

T

O President Goodluck Jonathan, members of his cabi net and indeed, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), appreciable progress has been made in the socalled fight against the monster of corruption, despite a contrary view by discerning stakeholders across the country.

The spokesman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lai Mohammed had, at the weekend, raised the alarm that corruption had turned endemic in the country. And responding on Monday, the PDP’s national publicist, Chief Olisa Metuh gave the Jonathan-led administration thumbs-up, claiming that the anti-graft agencies it set up for the battle had covered appreciable grounds on the issue. But advertising icon-turned-politician, Senator Babalola Akin Odunsi, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the Senate, has told the PDP to tell it to the marines.

“I have not seen anything to show that the government is serious about fighting corruption; all we have heard has been noise over noise and movement without any motion,” Odunsi told The Nation yesterday.

An ACN senator, Odunsi described

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

as well-intentioned and objective, any advice or suggestion to the federal government to the effect that its anti-corruption battle is slow or ineffectual, urging the government to accept such suggestions in good faith.

He said: “There should not be any pretence about the fact that there is no evidence of any progress being made in the direction. I think the government should be more decisive and serious about the whole issue. Much as we claim to be fighting corruption, it is obviously escalating. It is worrisome.”

Asked where to place the blame for the awry development between the President and The agencies, notably the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the lawmaker said: “Well, we have all seen what has been happening all along between the EFCC in particular and the Office of the Attorney General; they know what they are doing. But this is not good for us as a nation.

All the parties concerned must

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• Senator Odunsi

quickly harmonise their acts and be sincere about the fight.”

Speaking further, Odunsi tasked the federal government and the agencies to summon the courage to publish the names of all those indicted for corrupt practices and ensure that they are made to prove their innocence in the law courts.

Corruption, he emphasised, is a most terrible enemy of any nation and its economy, adding: “It is a serious injustice against the Nigerian people whose common wealths are being monopolised by the few among them who should be honest and reliable custodians of their sacred mandate. It is a rape on our people and all hands must be on deck to arrest the monster now.”

A homeboy returns •Continued from page 43

see it as a daily routine and not a monthly ritual.

He recalled that when the last Walk to Live took place in Ikire, it rained cats and dogs, but the show went on. He then recalled the song the crowd sang on that day: Se bawa lo laso awa, se bawa lo laso awa; teji ba de, e je o de, t’ojo baro e je o ro, awa kii segbe arojo sa o, se bawa lo laso awa.(Let the wind blow, let the rain pour. We own our dresses. We are not people who see the rain and flee. We own our dresses).

The crowd went ecstatic, with many singing along with the governor.

A walk of about seven kilometers with ease? It was easy because, according to the governor, there was unity of purpose. He urged the people to unite and support the government in its efforts to develop the state.

The crowd dispersed, but the show was far from being over. A reception had been organised in the home of a businessman, Lowo Adedeji (Obafoot). Food and drinks were served. Then a short interview by a radio station during which Aregbesola said his administration had spent over N424 million in two years on primary schools’ grants and examination fees in two years as against “the

negligible N64m spent by the previous government in seven years”. He promised more people – oriented programmes, saying “ the figures speak volumes of our efforts at upgrading the standard as well as quality of education” .

“And that is in primary school alone.”

A band was playing. Some youths were blowing trumpets and drumming – a southpaw girl-drummer was so skillful that she was applauded by all. They dished out old, familiar tunes that moved Aregbesola to stand up and dance like an excited bride on her wedding day. The dancing was infectious. The deputy governor joined the dancing. The Chief of Staff joined. Soon, everybody was dancing. The atmosphere became electrifying.

Soon after, it was time to pay homage to Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. His jokes, laced with proverbs, were witty. And quite funny. He told the governor how he wished Ilesa could be given priority in the scheme of things because “the governor is our son”.

Oba Aromolaran recalled his bitter experience during Aregbesola’s struggle for his mandate. He was detested for not disowning “a man whose father’s house I know very well”. Besides,

many indigenes suffered untold dehumanisation.

The governor thanked His Majesty for standing firm. He assured him that his dream of a beautiful town would become a reality, but that so it shall be for all towns in the State of Osun; not Ilesa alone because “they all voted for me”.

Aregbesola recalled the horrendous injuries some Ijesa suffered during the struggle to reclaim his mandate. A girl was raped. A former chairman of DHL, the courier company, was beaten up at a filling station where his driver had protested attempts by some people to jump the queue. Chief Komolafe was hit in the head. He died. His mother in-law had her teeth removed as she was being beaten. The list of horror is long.

“We are not for vengeance; vengeance is of the Lord,” the governor said, adding: “But we will never forget.”

As the last of the crowds melted into the night, one could not help but wonder about Pa Ajayi. Did he finish the walk? What was his impression of the day? The crowd was the largest ever in the series. Those who could not join the walk were hailing from their verandas and balconies. Could the exhilaration have been less? It is doubtful. After all, it was the return of a homeboy.

• From left: Dr Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Prof. Timothy Shaw, Prof. Adebayo Williams, Colonel Gab Ajayi and Odia Ofeimun at 10th Annual Democracy lecture organised by Centre for Constitutionalism and Demilitarisation at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos

LHAJI Maitama Sule has urged Nigerians to rekindle hope in the country saying Nigeria will bounce back from the seeming precipice to which it has moved.

Speaking in Lagos on Sunday as a special guest of foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze, the convener of Project Nigeria, Sule argued that all great countries of the world have had their challenging moments which they overcome through perseverance.

The former ambassador explained that the country is passing through a phase in its life and would heal in due course. His words: “This is the time to think about Nigeria, the time is not to apportion blame or to point accusing fingers to one another. The question is not who is wrong, let us come together and think of Nigeria first, Nigeria is a great country but essentially all of us need to come together to establish peace and love among ourselves irrespective of religion or tribe that is the one thing that will make Nigeria great.”

While praying for Nigeria to get it right in order to establish itself in the comity of nation, he stressed that even though the country was undergoing leadership crisis and near total collapse of basic infrastructure hope was not lost as God is in control.

He said: “Nigeria can take her place in the comity of nations if we love ourselves and put the interest of the country uppermost in our mind. In spite of all the things that are happening today, I still remain optimistic, I still remain hopeful, I believe by the grace of God we will over come these difficulties.”

Citing the various ethnic and religious crisis going on in different parts of the country as some of its darkest moments, he restated the need to be united in order to build a prosperous and economically viable country that could set the platform for African renaissance.

“If we have the political clout and the will power to be united, Nigeria will lead the rest of Africa. But firstly, let Nigerians make up their mind to think of Nigeria first, to place the country above personal and pecuniary interests, be our brother keeper that is when the country will be salvaged.”

His host, Prof Nwabueze while expressing the belief that Project Nigeria would point the way forward on how to get out of the myriad of problems confronting the nation, maintained that at the very moment a national conference was imperative.

He said: “Project Nigeria is essentially for Nigeria, we want to save the country, we believe that it can be saved and we can do a lot more for our country. There should be a national conference where we would sit down to look at the issues that can help galvanise a better Nigeria.”

Responding to some questions raised on conference which the country had had in past without positive effect, the previous conferences lacked the capacity to address the issues that had undermined the unity of the country.

He said: “We have not had any national conference, we have had conferences and so on but we have not had a national conference where the ethnic nationalities will be brought together to sit at the conference table, so that they can discuss the fundamental issues on how the entire people of this country can live together in peace and harmony.”

“This project will work out some modalities though they are not final because we are still fine tuning. We will put ideas together that is what it takes and how it has to be done. If we don’t do it that way we are merely postponing the evil days, when we run away from a national conference.”

Nwabueze who explained that if the issue of national conference is not taken with seriousness it would have consequences that would be inimical to the progress of the nation.

• Sule

‘Allegations against Razak over insecurity false’

By Emmanuel Oladesu

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HE President and the entire members of the League of Imams of Epe Division of Lagos State have tendered unreserved apology to an Epe High Chief, Balogun Lanre Razak over a damaging letter purportedly written by the league in which Razak was alleged to be a Boko Haram leader.

While dissociating themselves from the said “malicious letter,” purportedly signed by “17 misguided elements,” members of the league, led by their President, Chief Imam Kolawole Sanni in a letter of apology expressed dismay “how a great financier like you could be linked with the dreaded sect that no reasonable person would like to be associated with.”

The League urged the relevant authorities not to bother to investigate the false alarm because of Razak’s past activities and immense contribution to the progress of Islam in Epe Division, Epe township and Ita-Opo Central Mosque in particular.

“Based on this assertion, we unanimously tender our unreserved apology to you on behalf of all the names that appeared as signatories to the fake letter,” the letter read in part just as they solicited more assistance to ensure that peace continued to reign supreme in the division “so that we can move forward.”

It would be record that recently, a group of people, who claimed to be members of the League of Imams and Alfas in Epe Division petitioned all relevant authorities that Chief Lanre Razak, who is the Balogun-General of Epe Division in Lagos State was training some hoodlums suspected to be members of Boko Haram with the aim of unleashing mayhem on the people.

In his reaction, Razak stated that the issue was about a vacant position of a Deputy Imam (Naibi), that was filled with a wrong candidate. And after the intervention of the League of Imam, it was discovered that the writers of the petition had malicious intention to tarnish the reputation of the High Chief, hence the letter of apology.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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WARA State has stated its resolve to help victims of flood by scaling up infrastructure in their communities.

Already, Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed has drawn out a list of rural roads to be built in communities that were flooded.

But as a way of preventing another flood, the governor has asked the Federal Government to establish the Hydro-electric Producing Areas Commission (HYPADEC), complete with a law backing it. If established, it is reckoned that the commission will help to manage the low-lying parts of the state better and prevent or mitigate such diasaters as flooding.

Worried by the extent of damage done to infrastructure by the disaster, the governor said that the state government plans to expend a large chunk of the N300m intervention fund approved for the state by the Federal Government on infrastructural development in the affected communities.

Kwara State, by its classification as a third-class in the index of the states ravaged by the flood, was given the sum of N300m by the Federal Government to cushion the effects of the natural disaster which swept across six local government areas of the state.

Specifically, the fund would be used for the construction of rural roads and electrification projects in the flood-ravaged communities.

It was gathered that rural roads that have been slated for construction in the flood-prone communities are Patigi-Esugi Ferry Road, Rogun-Koro Road, PatigiGbaradogi Road, Belle-Gbere Road, Kpatayiringi-Tada-Kusogi Road, Degeji-Gbajibo Road and Arrefunwe Street.

“The rural electrification projects,” according to a government source “would be carried out in Moro, Edu and Patigi local government areas at the cost of N61m.”

Some parts of Edu and Patigi local government areas have been in darkness since the disaster due to lack of transformers. It is therefore not surprising that government thought it wise to use part of the flood intervention fund to provide

•From left: Governor Ahmed (left) with Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Umar at Patigi, Kwara State

New infrastructure for Kwara flooded communities From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the much-needed electricity for the people of these councils.”

Though, the state government had embarked on a large-scale rural road construction, spending over N2b in the process, it intends to use part of the flood intervention fund to construct more rural roads in the areas that have not been captured in the areas affected by flood in the northern axis of the state.

When the issue of HYPADEC was mentioned as a commission to be set up to take care of those communities, it was a very welcome development…We have since been looking forward to its full takeoff so that communities can begin to see that they are also put into consideration

The floods had displaced over 12,000 people in Edu, Patigi, Moro, Kaiama, Baruteen and Ilorin East local government areas of the state, even as large expanse of farm lands were washed away.

During his recent visits to the affected communities, Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed had called for the removal of all bureaucratic and other bottlenecks hindering the take-off of the Hydro-electric Producing Areas Commission (HYPADEC) so that the pains of flood victims in the hydro-energy producing communities could be mitigated while impact of future flooding could be better managed.

Ahmed made the call at the palaces of Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta Umar and Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Saidu Kawu Haliru, just as the two paramount rulers called for the take off of the dredging of the River Niger up to Jebba in Kwara State to reduce the devastating effects of flooding.

Ahmed, who presented relief materials procured from the over N340m Kwara State and Federal

•From left: President-General, African Peace Foundation, Prof Ola Makinde; The Alajase of Ajase Porto-Novo Republic of Benin, HRH Oba Onikoyi Abesan; Vice-Chancellor, Littoral University (Institut Littoral Des Etudes Professionnelles Superieures), Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin, Prof Ayeni Oyebode; President PortoNovo Elderly Association, Karim Da-Silva and his personal assistant, Afize Adamin at the third matriculation and award ceremony of the university held at National Stadium, Porto-Novo PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

Government relief funds to the people of Patigi and Lafiagi in Patigi and Edu local government areas of the state, noted that the flood disaster has thrown up a lot of challenges as fishing, farmlands and other sources of livelihood for communities along the banks of River Niger and Kaduna were destroyed, adding that, “when the issue of HYPADEC was

mentioned as a commission to be set up to take care of those communities, it was a very welcome development.

“We have since been looking forward to its full take off so that communities can begin to see that they are also put into consideration and feel a sense of belonging on issues affecting their livelihood.”

Osun schemes boost rural farmers

•Continued from Page 17

sion to approve additional 50 kilometers of rural roads for this maintenance approach.

He said: “In order to actualise this, some farm settlements roads were selected for upgrading, their road maintenance gangs formed, registered and their certificates ready for presentation. To move a step further on the achievements recorded so far, three kilometers out of 10.8 kilometers road in Akinyele/ Idiroko has been upgraded and ready for maintenance, thus bringing about the signing of the second contract agreement to enable the gang commence work on the upgraded part of the road to avoid deterioration before we can complete the remaining section of the road at the end of the rainy season.”

The state FADAMA III project coordinator, Mr. Ganiyu Adediji, said the scheme supported rural farmers at Iwo to Patara when it noticed that roads of many villages between these two communities were bad. He noted how12 farmers from these villages, including Jato, Akoti, Agoro, Mojila, Molefon,

were engaged and supported by FADAMA and RAMP with necessary tools in maintaining good roads in their communities.

“He said: “When FADAMA noticed the group are using head pan, wheel barrow to carry laterite to fill the potholes on the road, we advised them to form themselves into FADAMA group and they are called FADAMA Users Group using their original certificate as Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited. FADAMA provided one tricycle with maximum speed of 50 kilometer per hour for the group to transport the laterite from one kilometer to another when working on the road and it is this tricycle we are commissioning today.”

The state government was represented at the programme by the Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, Hon. Kunle Ige, and his counterpart on Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Festus Agunbiade.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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NGO launches good governance at local councils HE Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) has launched a project geared towards engendering transparency, accountability, and responsive governance in local government areas.

The Community Engagement and Public Participation Project is an 18month pilot project funded by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and the Social Development Civil Society Fund of the World Bank and executed in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on the MDGs, Ogun State.

At a stakeholders’ forum to sensitise the public, KIND’s founder, Mrs. Afusat Abiola-Costello, who is also the Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), said the project will promote widespread participation in governance process in a way that people can influence policies of local governments.

Executive Director, Emy Oyekunle

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RO-CHANCELLOR and Chairman, Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Alhaji Bilya Sanda has established a multi-million naira organic fertiliser industry to encourage academic research and generate revenue for the institution.

The Katsina State-born Sanda, aims to promote academic excellence and standard.

He has also begun the construction of a befitting 50-student capacity hostel accommodation for the university’s post-graduate school.

Alhaji Sanda who announced the endowment of a special fund for the university’s Pro-Chancellor, also donated two brand new Peugeot 406 cars to the university for logistics purposes.

Speaking to reporters in Sokoto,

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HE International Women’s Society (IWS) has urged the society to help the needy and less-privileged.

The organisation also advocated a healthier nation, saying people should be work hard to check prostitution, child abuse, stealing and other social vices common in the country.

The group urged members of the society to donate to people in need, channeling such efforts to the IWS. The women organisation

By Segun Balogun

said the impact of local government policies is below expectation and therefore, there is need to evolve a strategy to “provide the opportunity for citizens/communities to demand better leadership, accountability and transparency.”

The strategy will see KIND going as an intermediary between local government administrations and the citizens to engender “greater access to information about allocation of public resources and the increased channels for public participation in deciding priorities.”

She said the project will afford communities in eight local government areas in Ogun the opportunity to work with local authorities to evaluate local services, and consequently agree on spending priorities in three critical areas of primary healthcare, primary education, and environment.

The target LGAs included Abeokuta South, Ijebu-Ode, Ikenne, Odeda,

•From left: Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello; Adaora Ikenze; World Bank Representative, Hon Isiaka Aderounmu, Chairman Ipokia Local Government Area, Ogun State, and Mrs Elizabeth Shokunbi, Commissioner for Women Affairs at the event Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, Sagamu, and Yewa North.

For 12 months, 84 officials of selected local governments and 120 representatives of community based organisations shall be trained on community engagement tools and methodologies, after which a score

card rating the performance of each participating local government administration in the three critical areas.

“KIND hopes the use of the community scorecards process will encourage transparency and responsiveness through constructive

dialogue,” she said.

The project is currently at the data gathering and research phase, which is being executed by the project’s consultant, BPM Consulting Services Limited. The training will start in January 2013 and scorecard process starts in March, 2013.

Pro-chancellor donates to Danfodiyo varsity From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

Sanda, who was among the six that bagged honorary degrees of science, laws, letters and philosophy

awarded by the University, said his vision was to transform the institution and take it to greater academic heights.

He said he was inspired by the principles of transparency, pru-

During our inauguration, we all took the oath with commitment that we will conduct our affairs to assist and not to take from the university

dence, accountability, service to humanity, stressing that philanthropy is imperative in his life.

He added: “During our inauguration, we all took the oath with commitment that we will conduct our affairs to assist and not to take from the university.”

He explained that construction work on the factory was at an advanced stage, adding that it will serve as an academic resource centre for research as well as enable the diversification of the institution’s source of funding for the institution.

“The hostel will soon be commissioned,” he said.

The Governing Council chair

maintained that the industry would source its material locally, pointing out that ”its operations will require phosphate rocks as key raw material which Sokoto has in commercial quantity.”

He said it is rewarding to assist those in need especially contributing to the advancement of an institution of learning.

Alhaji Sanda who is involved with a number of philanthropy associations in different parts of the country, said teh state would soon begin to benefit from those associations.

“It is fulfilling as a humanitarian gesture aimed at creating hope among the hopeless,” he pointed out.

Women group makes case for the needy

By Ambrose Nnaji

added that needy members of thesociety such as widows could be helped with entrepreneurship training. The suggestion was made that skills acquisition centres, schools for the less privileged, homes for abandoned children, among others, could also be established. This is part of build-

ing the society, the group said.

Speaking during the Annual luncheon and fundraising in Lagos, the President of the association, Mrs. Evelyn Akeredolu informed that the group had embarked on some meaningful projects that would help to uplift the living standard of the poor.

These, she said, included the scholarship trust fund, widows’

•Guest of Honour and wife of the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs Dela Obika (middle) with Dame Abimbola Fashola (right) presenting a widow with a donation

trust fund, home for the abandoned babies, day nursery, library project and the skills acquisition centre where according to her women would be trained and empowered not only to fend for themselves but also to be employers of labour She said that hundreds of widows had benefited from the various empowerment schemes initiated by the group. This year alone about fifty five widows had been empowered while over a thousand students had also graduated To benefit from the schemes the recipients she said should have the potential to build a productive life for themselves first and they should be indigent as in the case of the students, “they have to be people who don’t have the fund or support either in the family or outside the family” “We look at the business they want to do if it is viable we give them advice and we give them the money. Then we do a follow up to make sure that they are actu-

ally able to grow the money and grow the business.”

On funding, the group president said funding was the major challenge confronting the execution of major projects. She therefore appealed to both the government and good spirited people to rally support for the organisation.

“Doing a charity work requires a lot of fund and it is difficult nowadays to get people to donate.

We are still asking for donations because we want to reach as many people as possible”, she expressed.

Meanwhile, plans are ongoing to establish the women society to other states of the federation including Port Harcourt and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This, Akeredolu said was to reach people outside the immediate environment.

The President Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA), Mrs. Vivian Ezeoba, said the less privileged derive joy and sense of belonging from the freewill donations from the public.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

Based on this promise, we took an intervention approach to build a block of six classrooms to cushion the effect of rising enrolment indices in our primary schools

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CHOOL materials valued at N10m donated to schools in Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area of Lagos have lifted the spirits of their management and pupils.

Their benefactor was the council chairman, Hon Abiodun Mafe.

They sang and danced as the council team visited the schools one after another. For some time, academic activities were paralysed.

The joy of the pupils was not just having the opportunity to meet the leaders of their communities but benefitting from the council’s gesture.

Led by Hon Mafe, the team comprised party leaders, past administrators of the council, executive and legislative members.

Some of the pupils were seen informing their colleagues the overall winner of the 2012 edition of Spelling Bee Competition among primary schools segment in Lagos State Master Chibuike Emeka who was part of the train.

An elated Master Emeka could not have wished for a better reward. A few months ago, he was honoured by the council leaders with numerous gifts.

The team distributed school materials including over 15,000 exercise books and a sizeable number of computer sets to the schools.

Each of the pupils from the schools went home with at least five exercise books each. The schools were also given computer sets to enhance learning activities.

According to the council chairman, the move is to improve the standard of learning in the area, adding that it will also help indigent students to go to the classes with books in their hands for effective study.

He assured the people of his ad-

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OVED with pity on the plight of little Miss Testimony Chike whose mother died while giving birth to her on September 2, 2009, the Divine Elects Sapphires Club (DESC), Port Harcourt has pledged to ensure that the girl is properly educated. The girl’s father also abandoned her.

To this end, the group has placed her on its scholarship scheme.

The scholarship will run from nursery till university.

Speaking at the handover of the scholarship certificate in Port Harcourt, President of the group which is made up of young Nigerian Christian professionals, Mr. Anthony Ikpor, said that his club was secretly assigned a member to monitor Mrs Jennifer Chike, the aunt and guard-

•Hon Mafe (second right) and others with the pupils

Council lifts pupils with N10m materials

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

ministration’s determination to continue to improve the standard of education in his council.

“I also want to reassure you that I will discharge and manage the meager resources at my disposal with good intension and astute prudence and to contribute toward the organisation and administration of good governance the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment will be capable,” he said.

Recounting some of his administration strides in the educational system, Hon Mafe stated that he has been able to reconstruct and rehabilitate some schools in the council.

“We took inventory of all dilapidated structures in various schools with the intension to fast track total overhauling and restoration of what is left of the educational system at the grassroots.

“Based on this promise, we took an intervention approach to build a block of six classrooms to cushion the

effect of rising enrolment indices in our primary schools,” he noted.

The council boss said he will not lose focus in bringing more developments to education in his council.

“We also refuse to lose focus of other essentialities that add value to education like drinkable water, better lavatories, libraries and computer programmes put in place to stimulate public consciousness in our schools,” he said.

“Our transformation agenda in this regard has since yielded enormous

Club gives orphan a lift From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

ian of Testimony who adopted the little girl from birth.

This, he said, would ensure that the group gets information on her wellbeing.

According to him, the club discovered that though Testimony’s guardian is treating her well, she has not started school because Jennifer, who used to be a secretary in a fast food outlet in Port Harcourt, lost her job and has been finding it difficult to fend for the child and her 10-year-old

son, Nnamdi.

For showing so much love to the little girl, DESC which has been involved in charity work in Lagos and Port Harcourt, also extended a oneyear scholarship to Nnamdi who is in JSS1 at Zion International School Academy, Ada George Road, Port Harcourt pending the time his mother gets another job, for which Jennifer expressed her gratitude to the club, even as she prayed for its continued success.

Speaking at the event which DESC also used to mark its end-of-the-year activity; the formal opening of its website as well as the launch of its

•Jennifer and her son, Nnamdi receiving the scholarship award from Ikpor. With them is little Testimony

ultra-modern skill acquisition centre, Ikpor said: “The place would be used to teach people how to fish and not just giving them a fish. This is because we believe that empowering people is a more effective way to

dividends in the person of Master Chibuike Emeka who emerged the overall winner of the 2012 edition of Spelling Bee Competition among primary schools in Lagos State. The picture of this promising lad has been favoured to adore the cover page of one of the materials due for presentation,” he said.

The pupil said: “We are very grateful to the chairman for given our pupils books and equipping the school with computer set to aid teaching activities in the school.” change the society than occasional handouts from individuals and organisations.”

The occasion was also used to induct seven new members.

Rev. Mrs Christie Bature-Ogbeifun was made a new matron of the club while Engr Celestine Cliffe a preacher of the Word, was also decorated as the new patron of DESC.

Institute tackles product adulteration T

HE Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) has said that it will begin post market surveillance of regulated consumer products in order to check sproduct adulteration by manufacturers.

This was disclosed by the institute’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor David Oluleye, at the opening of the 16th mandatory training workshop which held in Lagos.

The theme of the workshop was “Sampling Techniques and Sample Analysis”.

Oluleye said the institute will collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Agency (NESRA), among others, in order to checkmate substandard products in the market.

He said the theme of the workshop was carefully selected to highlight the need for public analysts to be more focused on the vital link in the processes of analysis of regulated consumer products which ultimately determines the accuracy of results obtained at the end of the chain.

“The institute is focusing more on these areas in particular and the management of analytical laboratories generally in readiness for expanded regulatory activity in the coming years. My target is to have at least

By Miriam Ndikanwu

100 standard laboratories accredited by the institute spread across the federation to handle analysis of regulated products by the end of 2013,” he said.

Oluleye also revealed that the institute has completed the renovation of its research and training laboratory at the secretariat, adding that a committee is being set up to work out the modalities on the use of the facility to assist members in rendering professional service to the industry.

Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu said the ministry will help to ensure that the objective is achieved.

“I believe when IPAN and the public analysts function to their full potentials Nigeria will be better for it since the health index shall be positively influenced,” he said.

He said he has directed relevant departments to study the draft scheme of service of public analysts submitted by the institute to enhance the profession of public analysis in the country, while noting that effort are on ground to ensure availability of funds for the completion of IPAN laboratory in Ibafo Ogun State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

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NEWS The Rivers State Government and TAF Nigeria Homes, a subsidiary of TAF Holding Company Ltd in The Gambia, have signed a N12.1 billion partnership agreement for the development of 750 housing units for the upper and middle classes. The houses are expected to be delivered in 30 months, OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports.

Rivers, Gambian firm partner on N12.1b Golf Estate

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HE N12.1billion Golf Estate targeted for the middle and high income earners is sited on a 38-hectare land located on Peter Odili Road, Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt.

At the signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office last week, the Managing Director of TAF Nigeria, Mr Mustapha Nijie, said his firm would build homes that are equipped with high maintenance facility to meet the expected taste of the target audience.

The estate would be the biggest residential estate with scenery a well-laid out landscape, he added.

Nijie, whose housing developments in other countries won him the European Council for Global business award for quality and excellence, said the project would also incorporate the development and delivery of infrastructure, such as shopping centres, sports centre, recreation centre, nine-hole golf course, central water sewage and power supply.

The government equity contribution, he said, includes the 38 hectares, basic external infrastructure, such as power supply, roads and other utilities leading to the project site.

He promised that the first tenants would move into their apartments in 12 months ahead of government schedule. On the house types, the TAF Nigeria boss said when completed the estate would comprise 200 two bedroom apartment; 408 three- bedroom apartment; 30 three bedroom town/ terrace house; 32 four-bedroom town/terrace house; 10 four bedroom villa/duplex; 21 five bed-

room villa/ duplex; 50 plots of site and services; retail and shopping mall; recreational facilities nad nine hole golf course.

In addition, he said the following services would be offered in the estate upon completion: 24hour electricity and water suppl; round the clock security (gated community); garbage collection; maintenance of streets and pub- lic areas.

On costs, he explained that a twobedroom costs over N12million while a three bedroom town houses costs N35million. The cost of a four- bedroom duplex is N40million.

The Chairman of company, Mr Basil Omiyi, assured that they would complete the job on schedule with material and encouraged the public to take advantage of the unique opportunity to live in a world standard estate.

On mortgage facilities, Regional Head, Marketing,Aso Savings & Loans Plc, FCT, Mr Elijah Onyeagba, said the firm expects subscribers to deposit a minimum of 30 per cent equity to qualify. He said his firm was working with Citibank to create mortgage products for Nigerians in Diaspora who might want to be part of the scheme.

First Bank Group Head, Public Sector, Port Harcourt, Mrs. Nkiruka Harris-Eze, said they were willing to give mortgage facilities to ensure that they would be performing mortgages.

She said since banks have short term funds, it makes it difficult to support long term funding.

Earlier, Governor Rotimi

•Golf Estate, Port Harcourt.

Ameachi said any economy that wants to develop must be committed to infrastructure provision , especially housing. He said the partnership between the government and the developer in golf estate would address the social and economic challenges of the people by providing affordable home ownership.

He said: “In this project, we are not only providing homes but also

creating employment opportunities for various skill sets, such as engineers, electricians, builders, construction laboureres and a whole lot of people in the whole distribution chain.”

He urged the developer to hit the ground running and disregard land speculators who might frustrate their efforts.

The governor warned the public against disturbing developers on site.

Experts seek more training for estate surveyors

F

OR surveyors estate and valuers to be relevant, they should embrace training in valuation and acquisitions, a past president and Fellow of the American Society of Appraisers, Mr Leslie H. Miles, has said.

He spoke at the international seminar on plant and machinery organised by the Faculty of Plant and Machinery of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV) in Lagos.

He said the opportunity offered by wealthy Nigerians who have high taste for private jets presents a unique chance for surveyors to put their training at the disposal of the society who are in need of

•Crown Court Estate, Abuja.

•’Focus on aircraft, oil and gas installations’

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

it.

He stressed that the profession is not only about the ‘letting agency’ , but that practitioners should step up to the more challenging and technical aspect of the profession which encompasses the valuation of aircraft , oil and gas installations.

He said a surveyor could only be competitive with self-development in other areas to acquire the rudimentary knowledge they need to value such high value as-

sets for clients.

Miles, who is on the Faculty of the American Society of Appraisers Education Committee, encouraged networking with his colleagues to remain relevant.

He also said in appraising an aircraft, the key knowledge needed include the year it was manufactured, model and what use the aircraft is put into.

The questions to ask, he said, should also include, identifying if it is a cargo aircraft, special use airplane and an air plane kept in the museum as static display.

According to him, the under-

standing of the specification of the item to appraise is of almost importance to arrive at a no controversial appraisal figure.

Earlier, chairman, Faculty of Plant and Machinery of the institution, Mr Paul Osaji, said they decided on the theme due to their belief that aviation is key to any economy, especially when there is a heightened interest in the acquisition of private jets by wealthy Nigerians.

He said estate surveyors need to be trained and retrained on how to effectively value and appraise aircrafts and related objects. He said : “ The value of businesses are growing and most chief executives need to move around quickly, safely and conveniently in their own jets but they need to be guided in terms of pricing and maintenance after the purchase. It’s one thing to spend a fortune to acquire a jet and another to maintain it to the extent that it will have a second hand value.”

Osaji said there is no better time to get the training than that the nation has moved from having 50 private aircraft to 200 to prevent air mishaps due to improper maintenance by the owners or age valuation of the aircrafts before purchase.

He said they have the adequate training and expertise to do valuation on any type of asset.

Workers for training

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

P

ROFESSIONALS in the construction sector and other players in the industry will today hold a workshop for concrete workers in Lagos State.

The Group under the aegis of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) and the Lagos State ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and others in a parley said the idea is to bring a multi-disciplinary approach to the problems of building collapse.

Chairman of the group, Mr Kunle Awobodu, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said: “Noting the crucial role of the concreting managers and artisans, such as the machine operators, the carriers, spreaders, vibrator operators, bricklayers, carpenters and iron benders, there is no better time than now to bring the artisans under one umbrella to educate and assist them in applying the knowledge.

He said the discussions, which involve the various arm of government, would include training concrete workers on the standards stipulated for concrete mixing by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), safety especially in the handling of concrete materials, quality control and need for materials testing including the essence of water in concrete with batching by weight and volume.

Awobodu said the training would also involve quality control tests, cube tests and curing test. This is in addition to what would be a major exhibition from the Lagos Materials testing Laboratory of various machines and equipment for production and testing of concrete.

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12, 2012

NEWS

How to usher in peace in Middle East, by Palestine Ambassador Dr.Montaser Abuzaid is the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Nigeria. In this interview, the envoy spoke against the backdrop of the massive support Palestine received at the United Nations General Assembly on November 29. One hundred and thirty eight countries voted in support of the proposal to upgrade Palestine’s “Observer Status” to a “Non-member State” of the United Nations. Abuzaid, who has been in Nigeria for about one year spoke to Assistant Editor, ONYEDI OJIABOR in Abuja.

O

N November 29, the United Nations overwhelmingly voted to upgrade the State

of Palestine from “Observer Status” to a “Non member State.”

How did you receive the news.

What happened on November 29, 2012 was a victory not only for the Palestinian people but a victory for all the honest people in the world. It was 29th of November; this day is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The United Nations in 1977 decided that 29th of November every year should be set aside for Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This is because in 1947, 29th of November, the UN had resolution number 181 to build two states on the Palestinian territory, the Palestinian State and the State of Israel. But while the State of Israel was given a birth certificate to exist as a State, Palestine was not given a birth certificate to exist. Before 1948 there was no State of Israel on the Palestinian territory. Palestine was under the control of the United Kingdom then. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, Mr. Belford, on the 2nd of November, 1917, promised the Jews to give them a home land on the Palestinian territory. At the end of the Second World War in Yalta, Ukraine, a decision was made by the winners of the war to propose to the United Nations to create the State of Israel on our territory. They promised to give them a homeland because they didn’t want them to live in Europe, so they just sent them to us. At that time, the population in our country was as follows: eight per cent were Jews and 92 per cent were Palestinians. That is why resolution 181, to have two states, came as a shock to the Palestinian people.

So what happened on November 29, is really a victory for the Palestinian people and all the honest people in the world, for all the countries that voted for the State of Palestine as a non member State in the United Nations. They understood that Palestinian people are under occupation since 1967 since Israel started war against the Arab world and occupied the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanese, Syrian and Egyptian territory. Since then many Resolutions have been adopted, among which was 1967’s Resolution 242 which stated that Israel must go back to the borders of 1967. The United Nations Resolution 338 of 1973 also urged Israel to go back to the 1967 borders.

Israel refused to implement any of the Resolutions.

Implementation of Resolution 181 of 1947 to have a Palestinian State, was ignored by Israel. In 2000, all heads of Arab States gathered in Beirut to consider a proposal for comprehensive peace in the Middle East with Israel to end the Arab-Israeli conflict. The proposal included to have a diplomatic relationship between 22 Arab countries and Israel under the condition that there will be a Palestinian State, implementation of the Resolutions concerning the ArabIsraeli conflict, implementation of UN Resolution 194 granting the right for Palestinian refugees to go back to their homeland. In 1947, Israel invited Jews from Ukraine, Russia, Canada and from other countries to come to Palestine.

They drove Palestinians out of the country that is why we have a lot of refugee camps in Lebanon, Iraq,

Syria and Jordan.

According to UN Resolution 194, Israel should implement the Resolution but it refused it and refused the Arab proposal. If Israel accepts the Arab proposal made by the 22 Arab countries it will be a very good thing for them. Then we will have security and a good relationship as good neighbours. Israel also refused to implement the old agreement which was signed between our leader Yasser Arafat and the Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, in 1993 in the White House in Washington DC. After that, an enemy of peace, a young man from Israel, who is in prison in Israel killed Rabin and the jewish fundamentalists supported him by saying that Yitzhak Rabin is the enemy of Israel because he signed a peace agreement with Palestine.

It means they have to occupy by force all the Arab World to build a big Israel. Ask them to give you their map, the map of Israel, they will not give it to you. Israel till today did not publish its official map because the map has to be a big Israel. They have to occupy small countries to build big Israel. That’s why ‘this young man’ decided to kill Yitzhak Rabin because he was a peace maker. He was the Prime Minister of Israel, but we were able to reach and sign a peace agreement with him. It is our right to ask for our legitimate rights.

Your Excellency, what is the import of the UN Resolution on November 29 to Palestine?

The implication of the UN Resolution is that the United Nations General Assembly accepted to recognize the State of Palestine born in 1967 with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. Before 1967, Jerusalem was under our control not their control.

They took it by force, by war and it was an illegal act. Now, UN accepted to recognize that there is a State of Palestine and that this State is under occupation by Israel. The resolution of the UN does not allow any member of the UN, and that applies to Israel because it is a full member, to occupy by force another country. It opposed Iraq when it occupied Kuwait by force, so the UN decided to use force to liberate Kuwait from Iraq. We heard America said that Israel has the right to defend itself.

Killing civilians, women and children is not Israel defending itself.

To bomb places with military planes is not self-defense. When civilians went to the Headquarters of UN in Gaza seeking refuge from the bombs, Israeli planes bombed them. Israel does not believe in International Law and do not respect UN resolutions. They believe in the law of the jungle. The law of the jungle means that the strong animal has the full right to kill and eat the smaller animals. However, we have to be civilized human beings and the laws of the jungle should no longer apply.

The State of Israel has continued to lay claim to its right to exist. What is the position of Palestine on the right of Israel to exist?

We recognize the State of Israel

by President Yasser Arafat since the 9th of September, 1993. It was a recognition between Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat. In order to assemble recognition from both sides, the Minister of Foreign Affaires of Norway flew to Tel Aviv and to Tunis, because at that time the Headquarters of Yasser Arafat were in Tunis, and brought Arafat’s

recognition to Rabin and Rabin’s recognition to Arafat. On the 9th of September 1993, the leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation signed that we recognized the State of Israel based on the 1967 borders which would leave Israel with 78 per cent of the Palestinian territory. This means that we accepted much more than just their right to exist. At the same time Yitzhak Rabin recognized that the PLO officially represents the Palestinian people. After the 9th of September, on the 13th of September both of them flew to Washington DC and signed a peace agreement.

We agreed that we will be in 22 per cent of our territory and they will be in 78 per cent of it. They should give us the opportunity to have our State on this small territory in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It will be good for them and for us. There will be security for us and for them. As it is today, the people cannot move from city to city because of Israeli military check points. The people cannot work because of these daily difficulties. They occupied the cities, they occupied the borders. It is not fair.

The conflict between the State of Palestine and the State of Israel has lingered for quite a long time. Will there ever be peace between the two neighbours. What are the terms of resolution of the conflict If you have a problem with your neighbour, what is the solution? To fight each other or to go to court?

We went to court. That is why we said, the solution is very easy. The implementation of all UN Resolutions concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict. We accepted the court but they refused to accept the court. They want to continue the occupation under the pretext of continuing endless negotiations. Israel must implement all the UN Resolutions, as respect to UN and International Law in general. Nigeria voted in favour of all the UN Resolutions on the Arab-Israeli conflict. From 1947 till November 29 2012, Nigeria voted in favour of the UN Resolutions.

Resolutions 194, 242, 338 and the one concerning Lebanon because Lebanese land is still also under occupation by Israel, as well as Syrian land.

If Israel implements all the resolutions there will be comprehensive peace for everyone.

It was a landmark achievement by the State of Palestine on the floor of the UN General Assembly on November 29. Palestine recorded overwhelming vote in favour of the State of Palestine to gain a non-member status in the UN. What next for Palestine The meaning of what happened is that the UN has recognized the State of Palestine, though not as a full member of the UN. It means that the State of Palestine, having received its birth certificate on November 29th, 2012, is still under the occupation of Israel. The UN can tell Israel, you are a member of the UN, you are not allowed to occupy another nation. You have to respect the international community, you have to respect Nigeria on behalf of 170 million people. You have to respect Nigerian people and other members of the African Union who voted to recognize the State of Palestine. You have to respect all the countries who have voted in favour. Enough is enough, we want justice, freedom and peace. One hundred and thirty eight countries said ‘yes’ to recog-

nize the State of Palestine, only nine countries said ‘no’. If you don’t accept the resolution of the UN, this means you don’t accept International Law. If you refuse, it means you don’t respect the 170 million people represented by the government of Nigeria. The European Union comprising 15 countries from Europe. The rest of the countries who voted in favour. They cannot occupy Palestinian people forever.

Following this great event, we will be moving towards full UN membership.

It has been shown that the use of force may not solve the conflict, only dialogue will lead to solution.

It is Israel who uses force. If you go home and find your home taken over by foreigners you will not defend it? You don’t want us to defend ourselves? We are under occupation, you know. We want peace, we want justice, we want freedom. They said that they are ready to play with time with Palestinian people for the next 100 years. It is not fair. They divided brothers and sisters. You cannot see each other because of the wall they have built illegally to divide the people. It is wrong if they will continue with this wrong policy. The right thing to do is accept UN resolutions, accept the agreement we signed with Yitzhak Rabin and Arafat. The Palestinian leadership is ready for peace, they are ready for justice, and they are ready for comprehensive peace concerning the Arab proposal. It will be a great thing for them to have the two countries living as good neighbours. But you shouldn’t deprive people of their lawful rights.

How do you see the relationship between Nigeria and the State of Palestine?

The relationship between Nigeria and the State of Palestine is excellent. We appreciate Nigerian people, we appreciate the government of Nigeria and all the presidents since the beginning of our relationship and I can say that Nigeria was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine since 1988, when Palestine’s National Council declared the independence of the Palestinian State. Nigeria was one of the first African countries to recognize the State of Palestine. That is why we have the Embassy of State of Palestine in Nigeria. It is an honour for me to be here. When we will have our borders under our control we will have free international trade.

And we will have good cooperation in investment. Our companies will visit Nigeria. We have some companies here, construction companies who are working here. But when we will have our borders under our control business will be more active. We are ready to expand when we have our freedom and Israeli forces will go back to their position in 1967 according to the UN Resolution, our businessmen will be free to invest in Nigeria.

What has been your experience in Nigeria?

Nigeria is a very important country for us. Nigeria is a great country and we respect Nigerian people. We appreciate the government concerning the Palestinian question. Nigeria has a great future and Nigeria is playing a very important role in ECOWAS and Nigeria has always been participating to find a solution to any problem like the problem in Mali. The international community respects Nigeria and in the future I

•Dr.Abuzaid

hope we will be able to support Nigeria when we will become a member of the Security Council of the UN. The Nigerian people have always been our friends.

What about the security challenge facing Nigeria What is happening in Nigeria sometimes can happen in any big country. I believe that the problem will be sorted out very soon. You may have misunderstandings, you may have different opinions among the people, but I am sure things will settle down in time. I feel pain and sadness when we hear explosions.

We condemn all kinds of terror. The best way is to try to come to understand one another. In Palestine for example, we have Christians and Moslems. We respect each other. In Bethlehem, where the Nativity Church is situated, where Jesus was born, people live like brothers and sisters. Christians and Moslems should live as brothers and sisters, no need to kill each other or to bomb each other. I feel pained. Nigerians should love one another because they are brothers and sisters. You have to find a solution, always compromise. Sometimes two brothers living in the same house find their differences. There is always a solution to any problem, it is always best to find a solution through peaceful means like we are trying to do with Israel.

Nigeria has a population of 170 million people, of course this may bring difficulties and challenges.

When will the world witness peace between your country and Israel and by extension peace in the Middle East?

Thank you for this question. If they are ready today not tomorrow to implement UN Resolutions, to move their forces and borders to the 1967 position, the two of us will be good neighbours. The result of what happened on November 29, speaks for itself: 138 countries against only Israel and eight other countries, some of which have a population of only 20,000, although we do respect every country regardless their population. 138 countries including great Nigeria with 170 million people who voted for us. They said that they are ready to play with Palestine for 100 years. Since 1993 they have been playing with us and are ready to play for another 100 years. Let us take a couple of quick-solution examples from recent history: the United States gave Kosovo their State in a matter of four days without consulting Serbia, while South Sudan State was created within three days without consultation or negotiation with Khartoum. We have been suffering for 64 years. It is not fair. We will witness peace the day that all UN resolutions will be implemented by Israel and the day Israel will show some regard to International Law. We have been waiting for this day for too long, so this is a good question.

53

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

NEWS Reps quiz Minister over $500m Aviation loan

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HE $500million pro posed loan for the Aviation sector was a source of concern for the members of the House of Representatives Committee on Debts, Aids and Loans yesterday.

The Adeyinka Ajayiheaded committee took the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, to task over the loan meant for the upgrade of four international airports located in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

According to the members of the committee, there was a need to ensure a judicious use of the proposed loan, which is to be obtained from the China Export-Import Bank.

The lawmakers added that even though there is a need for the upgrade of the airports had become necessary, there is also need for the Ministry to ensure value for the money by applying it to the projects it is meant for.

The said though they were in support of the $500 million loan in principle, the standard of work being carried out by some local contractors at some of the major airports at present, is a source of concern.

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

The Chairman of the Committee, Adeyinka Ajayi, said the House would like to know if in sourcing the loans, the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act were complied with by the Aviation Ministry.

Princess Oduah said the proposed loan was concessionary that has a 25-year live span, adding that it came with a 10-year moratorium and a 2.5 per cent interest rate.

She said the need to construct new international terminals at the four airports make the loan a necessity and that it will be used to upgrade them in line with international standards.

“The aviation industry has grown in the last six years and the construction of new airport terminals will bring to fruition our vision of establishing an aerotropolis where passengers on transit could have access to quality goods and services within the airport,” she said.

Speaking with reporters after the session, Oduah said the $500million loan will be properly applied.

“We do have checks and balances in place within the

•Princess Oduah

system which means that international engineering firms and local engineering firms will supervise the construction to make sure its in tandem with the drawings and that the integrity of the project is maintained.

She disagreed with the position of the committee that the quality of the jobs being carried out on the General Aviation Terminal of some airports by the ministry is substandard.

“This is not true, because we have independent inspectors that will inspect the structures and the facilities. It’s a global aviation, there is no substandard or local aviation.

You have one global aviation and its in line with international rules and regulations, that’s how it works.”

Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic set to form alliance

D

ELTA Airlines is to in vest $360 million in acquiring a 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic.

Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited have reached an agreement for a new joint venture that would create an expanded trans-Atlantic network and enhance competition between the United Kingdom and North America, offering greater benefits for customers traveling on those routes.

As part of this joint venture agreement, Delta will invest

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

$360 million in Virgin Atlantic, acquiring a 49 per cent stake currently held by Singapore Airlines. Virgin Group and Sir Richard Branson will retain the majority 51 per cent stake and Virgin Atlantic Airways will retain its brand and operating certificate.

Highlights of the agreement include:A fully integrated joint venture that will operate on a “metal neutral” basis with both airlines sharing

the costs and revenues from all joint venture flights.

A combined trans-Atlantic network between the United Kingdom and North America with 31 peak-day round-trip flights.

Enhanced benefits for customers, including cooperation on services between New York and London, with a combined total of nine daily round-trip flights from London-Heathrow to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

CBN, others urged to address unethical practices in banking

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ni geria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the country’s anti-graft agencies have been urrged to redouble their effort in the fight against unethical practices in banking sector.

Head of Department of Banking and Finance, Polytechnic Ibadan, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Aremu, gave the charge yesterday in a paper he presented at the Associates and Fellows forum of the Chartered Insti-

T

tute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Ibadan, Oyo State branch.

In a paper entitled: ’Stabilising the Nigerian banking industry through high ethical standards,’Aremu, who frowned at the several unethical practices in the banking industry, said there is an urgent need for collarboration between the CIBN and the CBN to ensure the enforcement of the provisions of the code of practices for bankers and banking institutions.

He identified pressure from shareholders, lack of motivation and poor recruitment policy adopted by some banks as some of the challenges working against the enthronement of professional standards in the system. He called for collective efforts to address the situation.

The CBN should take the bull by the horn by ensuring that the provisions of the code of practices for bankers and banking institutions are enforced, he said.

AMCON acquires majority shares in Aero Airlines flagship airlines in AfriHE Asset Manage

ment Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has bought the debts of Aero Contractors thereby becoming the majority shareholder of the airline. The Legacy shareholders would maintain a stake in the business.

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Consultant, Simon Tumba,

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

the airline said the Legacy shareholders would have the first right of option to buy-back the shares owned by AMCON through the financial investment for equity.

Tumba explained that in view of the development, the airline is repositioning itself to be one of the

ca’s Sub-Saharan region.

As a result, several changes have been made in the past few weeks to help Aero achieve its set turnaround objectives.

Attempts to reach AMCON for comments on the development proved abortive as a call placed to the Head, Communication of AMCON, Kayode Lambo, could not connect.

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-12-12

Why we intervened in capital market loans, by AMCON •Equities’ return hits 30%

T

HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday provided further explanations on the decision of the government’s debtresolution company to take over outstanding margin loans, which have been impeding operations of some stockbrokers.

Speaking at the annual national workshop of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in Abuja, chairman, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Alhaji Kola Belgore, said the intervention in the debt case in the capital market was strategic to the smooth running of every other aspects of the economy.

According to him, one major sector outstanding in AMCON’s intervention was the capital market, ADDING tha If all sectors are cleansed up and the capital market is left out, the problem in the economy would still persist.

He described the intervention in the capital market debt case as a milestone noting that the decision to intervene was

By Taofik Salako, Collins Nweze & Tonia Osundolire

a primary decision of AMCON, given the importance it attached to the role of the market in economy growth.

AMCON is owned 50 per cent each by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“Today, the margin loan saga is behind us. It is completely written off. Now, the capital market is alive, because all bailed out companies may soon begin to find their ways back to the market,” Belgore said.

He said AMCON injected more than N5 trillion into the economy to rescue the financial sector from total collapse, with the bulk of the funds going to the hitherto ailing banking sector.

According to him, virtually all non-performing loans in the books of the banks have been mopped up by AMCON while other sectors of the economy including power, telecoms, agriculture, oil & gas among others, felt the

impact of AMCON’s activities.

Meanwhile, average return at the Nigerian stock market yesterday hit 30.49 per cent as strong rallies by highly capitalised stocks pushed the benchmark return on the point most analysts projected for the year.

The All Share Index (ASI), the main value-based index that tracks all equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), heaved up by 0.85 per cent to close yesterday at 27,050.19 points as against its opening index of 26,822.09 points.

Aggregate market value of all equities also added N73 billion to close at N8.643 trillion compared with its opening value of N8.570 trillion.

The rally was orchestrated by gains recorded by several highly capitalised stocks.

Nestle Nigeria led the advancers with a gain of N16.51 to close at N675.06. Seven-Up Bottling Company followed with a gain of N4 to close at N44. Nigerian Breweries ranked third with addition of N3 to close at N148.

On the other hand, Cadbury Nigeria led the decliners with a drop of 35 kobo to close at N29.45. DN Meyer followed with a loss of 25 kobo to close at N2.27 while Portland Paints lost 21 kobo to close at N4.17 per share.

Total turnover stood at 378.87 million shares valued at N2.61 billion in 4,601 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-12-12

55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

MONEY LINK

Bankers’ Committee picks Borno to pilot W Financial Inclusion ORRIED by the high number of financially excluded adults in the country and determined to reverse the trend, the Bankers’ Committee has selected Bornu State to pilot the Financial Inclusion Scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The

Committee expressed concern over the high number of financially excluded adults in the country, particularly in some of the poorest parts of the country.

At the 4th Annual Bankers’ Committee Retreat held in Calabar, 7-9 th December, 2012, one of the key resolutions made was to pursue the implementation of Financial

Inclusion Strategy by commencing with the pilot scheme in the state.

Bornu State was selected to pilot the Financial Inclusion scheme due to its high rate of financial exclusion, significant number of rural women, and security issues plaguing the state and having one of the highest levels of poverty in the country.

The Committee agreed that financial inclusion should be broader than just access to credit. It involves facilitating the development

CBN: Consumer credit rises to N580b C ONSUMER credit has risen to 10.2 per cent to N580.25 billion in the first half of the year, data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has shown.

According to the report posted on its website, the increase was in contrast to the decline of 5.0 per cent at the end of the corresponding period of 2011. “The rise in consumer credit reflected an increase in the size of private consumption required for production of goods and services. As a ratio of credit to the core private sector, consumer credit constituted 4.11 per cent, lower than the 5.0 per cent at end of June 2011,” the report noted.

The CBN also said that its tight monetary policy stance, aimed at maintaining price and exchange rate stability, largely influenced the developments in the financial sector. Consequently, growth in money supply was sluggish in the first half of 2012. Broad money, (M2) grew by 1.4 per cent to N13.4 trillion, compared with 5.6 per cent at end of December 2011.

By Collins Nweze

Narrow money (M1) fell by 2.5 per cent, in contrast to the growth of 1.2 per cent at the end of the corresponding period of 2011. The development relative to end of December 2011 was attributed to the fall in the demand deposit and currency components.

Aggregate bank credit to the domestic economy fell by 2.7 per cent to N13.3 trillion, in contrast to the growth of 2.1 per cent at the end of

the corresponding period of 2011. It said the decline in net domestic credit reflected wholly the significant fall of 177.8 per cent in net claims on the Federal Government.

Also, currency in circulation (CIC) fell by 12.9 per cent to N1.3 trillion, compared with 1.8 per cent at end of June 2011.

At N6.4 trillion, deposits at the CBN increased by 7.5 and 36.5 per cent over the levels at end of December 2011 and the corresponding period of 2011, respectively.

S

TANBIC IBTC CEO, Mrs Sola David-Borha has said about 500,000 Nigerians use Stanbic IBTC mobile money service.

At an event to mark the one year anniversary of the bank’s mobile money service in Lagos yesterday, she said

T

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

advanced 3.1 per cent this year, the second-best performer in Africa, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The CBN sells dollars to lenders at foreign currency auctions on Mondays and Wednesdays to help manage the exchange rate. The regulator sold $66 million at its

auction yesterday, the least since the November 12 sale.

Oil companies, including the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation periodically sell dollars to lenders to meet local spending needs and are the second-biggest source of foreign currency.

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 12-12-12 SYMBOL

7UP AIRSERVICE CUSTODYINS FIDELITYBK CCNN ETERNA RTBRISCOE FCMB CONTINSURE STERLNBANK

O/PRICE

40.00 2.71 1.29 2.14 4.92 1.65 1.36 3.20 0.71 1.55

C/PRICE

44.00 2.98 1.40 2.25 5.16 1.73 1.42 3.34 0.74 1.61

CHANGE

10.00 9.96 8.53 5.14 4.88 4.85 4.41 4.37 4.23 3.87

O/PRICE 2.52 2.25 4.38 1.05 1.15 0.94 0.56 0.60 0.91 0.56

C/PRICE 2.27 2.14 4.17 1.00 1.10 0.90 0.54 0.58 0.89 0.55

CHANGE -9.92 -4.89 -4.79 -4.76 -4.35 -4.26 -3.57 -3.33 -2.20 -1.79

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 12-12-12

SYMBOL DNMEYER IHS PORTPAINT FIDSON NPFMCRFBK IKEJAHOTEL UTC AIICO TRANSCORP NEM

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

“The naira is reverting to its recent equilibrium after the large foreign-exchange sales from the NNPC pushed the exchange rate lower in previous days,” Samir Gadio, an emerging-markets strategist at Standard Bank Group Ltd. in London, said in an emailed reply to questions.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

the quality of the bank’s product has helped to drive its acceptance and subsequently unravel its enormous benefits to the economy.

She said the product has brought about transparency,

improved remittances and economic activities across various sectors of the economy, both in urban and rural areas. So far, she said the bank has 790 agents nationwide and has recorded 2.5 billion merchant transactions.

She said the bank is committed to being innovative and relevant to its customers, particularly in this increasingly competitive market.

David-Borha said the bank is driving the next wave of innovation in the mobile money space by researching and developing products that are both appropriate for clients and commercially viable for the financial service providers involved.

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

By Josephine Owede

Naira declines after forex sales dip HE naira weakened for a second day after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold the least dollars in a month at an auction and as oil-company sales were said to wane.

Bloomberg report said the currency slid 0.3 per cent to 157.45 a dollar. The naira has

• Sanusi

tervention in key sectors considered as growth drivers of the economy, as banks play their critical role of mediation beyond just custodial services.

Stanbic IBTC promotes mobile money

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

of cheaper alternative channels to serve the unbanked and under-banked segments of the population, within the context of alleviating poverty and exclusion from the economic system.

Another pronouncement from the Committee was the acknowledgement of the tremendous strides made by the Federal Government in tackling the challenges in the power sector, advocating that proceeds of ongoing privatization exercise should be reinvested to further develop the sector.

The Committee reasserted its focus to identify opportunities for the financial in-

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 1,394.22 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 124.61 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.13 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.92 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,746.93 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 11.31 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 9,057.18 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 1,375.79 123.81 0.77 1.13 0.91 1,739.08 10.75 1.33 1.80 8,823.31 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

57

NEWS

Commissioner’s home, others razed by protesting Plateau workers T

HE Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday shut down Plateau State following unresolved wage dispute with Governor Jonah Jang.

Labour had written the government on its intention to protest the “No work, no pay” policy of the Jang administration.

Yesterday’s protest, however, turned violent when the local government workers torched property belonging to political office holders, particularly local government chairmen and members of the House of Assembly.

The home of the member

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

representing Plateau South at the Assembly, Mrs Joyce Ramnap, was burnt down at Mabudi.

The home of Langtang South Local Government Chairman Nanman Darko was also burnt with his guest house.

Also, the home of the Commissioner for Youths Development, Mr Famak Barko Lohfa, was torched.

Labour union leaders defied an order of the Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which

restrained them from holding any rally in Jos. They beat up civil servants who turned up for duties at the state secretariat.

At the Joseph Gomwalk state secretariat, Labour forced the workers to abandon their offices and return home.

A passerby, who was suspected to be a worker going to the office, was allegedly stabbed by a hoodlum who joined the Labour protesters.

Banks were forced to close for business, leaving their customers stranded.

The government described the protest as an act of criminality.

It alleged that the protest was carried too far beyond the national minimum wage for local government workers.

The government accused Labour of using the protest to run down the state.

Efforts to get the Labour officials, especially the Chairman of the state NLC, Comrade Jibril Banchir, proved abortive.

He could neither be found at the secretariat nor contacted on phone.

FCT council chief can’t account for N1.6b capital vote

T

HE Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday sent back the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Mr. Joseph Chazhin, following alleged discrepancies in the expenditure of N1.6billion capital vote.

The committee also mandated the Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Yahaya Musa Mohammed, to explain why N323million surplus budget the council recorded in 2011 was not reflected in this year’s budget.

Committee Chairman Smart Adeyemi gave the order when Chahzin and Mohammed ap-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

peared before the committee to defend their 2013 budget.

Besides the inability of the Kwali Council chairman to explain how much he received for capital projects, the committee also noted that Chazhin could only report N7million of the N74 million he projected as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Domingo Obende, insisted that “it is either the IGR was not collected or the collected funds were diverted into private pockets”.

Adeyemi said the committee would investigate the anomaly.

He said: “Not even in Kogi State, where I come from, can any local government report N7million IGR. It is either your boys did not collect the IGR or they diverted the funds. It is completely unacceptable to us. We will investigate what happened.”

On the N1.6billion approved capital budget, the committee said Chazhin spent N295 million on projects.

Obende asked the council chief whether N295million was the total fund released to him or

Fed Govt, Chinese firm sign N162.9b power pact

‘Kwankwaso committed to improving living standard’

T

HE Kano State Government has said it is committed to improving the living standard of the residents and the development of the state.

The Commissioner of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture, Dr. Umar Faruk Jibril, spoke in Abuja when he led top ministry officials on a visit to Media Trust, publishers of Daily Trust.

Dr. Jibril said the Musa Kwankwaso administration would develop all sectors of the state.

He said the administration has made remarkable progress in less than two years of being in power.

The commissioner said the visit was to strengthen the cordial relationship between the newspaper and the government.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Dr Jibril said the visit was in continuation of the ministry’s tour of media organisations across the country.

He urged the management of the newspaper to explore possible areas of cooperation to would assist the development of commerce and the state.

The commissioner advised media organisations to desist from negative reports on the security situation in Nigeria because of the importance of Kano State to the country.

Dr Jibril said anything that affects the state has a reverberating impact on other northern states.

He noted that negative reports are inimical to the development of the state and affect the efforts of the govern-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

T

•Kwankwaso

ment to ensure the security of life and property.

The commissioner advised media organisations to consider the strategic importance of Kano State in their reports so that the insecurity could be reduced.

Firm hosts consumers at party

T

O consolidate its position in the market and create a platform for a consumer engagement, Dark Sailor Rum, from the stable of Grand Oak Limited, hosted consumers to Dark and Daring party.

The event was held at Club Ripples, Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The fun-packed event was well atended.

Consumers were enter-

tained by a popular artiste, Yahoo Pappy, among others.

Category Manager, Mr. Abiodun Ayodeji, said the initiative “is designed to set the brand apart from the pack when it comes to consumer engagement’’.

Brand Manager of Dark Sailor Rum Mr. Tope Adenle said the Dark and Daring Party, which is coming on the heels of the brand’s relaunch in October in Akure, Ondo State,

was to connect with the passion of the consumers.

He said: “The objective of Dark and Daring Party is to connect with the passion of our fun-loving consumers, generate positive word of mouth for Dark Sailor Rum and clearly establish a platform for consumer engagement.”

Adenle added that the second edition of the party would hold in Lagos on December 15 at Club Rumours.

Church holds praise night

A

Prophetic Night and Noon of Praise will hold today at Herald Goodnews Church, Giwa OkeAke, Aro Road, Ogun State.

The church’s Overseer Prophet Jeremiah Oluwole said the programme, entitled: The Battle is the Lord’s, was conceived through God’s inspiration to tackle personal and national problems.

He said the programme would use divinity and prophetic words to heal the

he diverted the capital budget released to him.

Chazhin did not answer, even after repeated questions about how much capital vote he received.

He, however, said the council spent a lot of money on personnel cost.

Chazhin said: “The challenge is that the salary we pay takes much of what we receive.”

Adeyemi said: “Mr. Council Chairman, I think we’ll allow you to go and come back to answer questions. It is obvious you cannot even comprehend what you were asked.

nation.

Oluwole said today is a unique day and “we must make it a day with the Lord, our Maker. When prayer fails, praise will not’’.

The cleric urged Christians to join the church in praising the Lord and seeking His intervention to resolve the problems facing Nigeria.

Guests at the event will include the President, World Hope Outreach Trust, Rev. Olagunju Amos,;Prophet Femi Odebunmi; Akede Jesu as well as Ade Jesu and his band.

HE Ministry of Power and a Chinese consortium, CNEEC-Sino Hydro Consortium, yesterday signed a N162,990,364,379.30 agreement for the construction of the 700megawatts (MW)Zungeru hydroelectric power project.

The ceremony was held in Abuja after 30 years of the conception of the power plant in Zungeru, Niger State.

The Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, said the Chinese company would complete the project within 48 months.

She said the Federal Government is financing 25per cent of the project while the Exim Bank of China would provide the 75per cent balance.

Kuchi said: “The source of the funding is from an arrangement with Exim Bank of China for the 75 per cent of the cost. The counterpart funding balance of $309million is currently available with the ministry.”

The minister explained that at completion, the project would generate revenue for the repayment of the loan.

According to her, the hydro-power project will create over 1,000 direct jobs, which will boost the economy.

She added that the contract agreement allows the use of competent local subcontractors and direct labour to complete it.

Nigeria currently generates about 4,200MW from the national grid.

Northern Governors’ panel in Jos for peace parley From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

T

HE committee set up by the Northern States Governors’ Forum on reconciliation, healing and security in Jos, the Plateau State capital, will hold a peace parley with stakeholders to resolve the Jos crises.

The meeting will hold at the Conference Hhall of the Government House, Rayfield.

It is a part of consultations and dialogue with stakeholders.

Ethnic groups, individuals and other stakeholders, who have submitted memoranda to the committee, are expected to participate in the interactive session.

The parley begins today.

Representatives of Berom, Anaguta, Afizere, Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba, South-South, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jamatul Nasrul Islam (JNI) are on top of the list of major participants for the parley.

The meeting is expected to cement the prevailing peace in the state.

Aper Aku Stadium: Contractor disappears after collecting N200m From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

T

HE Benue State House Committee on Youths and Sports yesterday ordered the contractor handling the laying of synthetic tuft inside the main bowl of the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, to appear before it on Friday.

Committee Chairman Benjamin Nungwa spoke in Makurdi after visiting the stadium with other committee members.

He was surprised that the contractor, Monimichelle Sports Facility Development Company, collecting N220 million of the N285million contract sum abandoned the project.

The lawmaker warned that it might invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the matter, if the contractor does not appear before the committee on Friday.

Nungwa said the money collected was enough to upgrade the stadium.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public that I Miss Olubunmi Shakirat Ayoka Lawal (SUPREMACY VARIETY LIMITED) of N0 1 Dada Street Moshalashi Mushin Lagos, has transferred all my interest and ownership of my property located at N0 9 ADEWALE OBAKOYA CRESENT,PEACELAND ESTATE,GIWA OKE ARO.IFO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.OGUN STATE. Through sale to PRECIOUSB DYNAMIC INVESTMENT LIMITED. All correspondence or dealings in respect of the above property should be directed to PRECIOUS-B GLOBAL INVESTMENT LIMITED as the rightful owner of the property.

PEACELAND ESTATE LANDLORD ASSOCIATION AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

TOKUNBO CARS FOR SALE LEXUS SUV LX 570 2012…….7 MILLION. TOYOTA SIENNA XLE 2010 MODEL…..1.6 MILLION. HONDA PILOT 2011 SUV…… 2 MILLON. HONDA CRV 2010 MODEL……1.5 MILLION. MACK DOUBLE AXLE TRUCK 2000 MODEL……2 MILLION. IVECO EUROSTAR TRUCK HEAD......1.5 MILLION. TOYOTA VENZA 2010 MODEL……..2 MILLION. MECEDES BENZ ML E350 2008 MODEL….2 MILLION. TOYOTA CAMRY 2008 MODEL …..1.5 MILLION. NISSAN TITAN 2008 MODEL……..1.7 MILLION. OYO STATE SECRETARIAT, BODIJA, IBADAN. FOR PURCHASE AND ENQUIRIES CALL08067814147,08035004681

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

58

NEWS Gunmen attack judge in Delta

J

USTICE Marshal Umukoro of the Delta State High Court was attacked yesterday.

The judge, his orderly and driver escaped unhurt.

The trio, it was learnt, were coming from Ughelli, to work in Warri at about 8am when a gang of hoodlums, fired at his official car at Okuokoko village.

Sources said the judge was held up in traffic at Okuokoko and immediately the bandits sighted his car, they shot several times at the vehicle.

Reliving the ordeal, the driver, Akatugba Ossai, said as they approached Okuokuoko, some armed youths shot at the judge’s car.

According to him, he drove through the melee to save his boss’s life.

His words: “When I no-

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba ticed two of the gunmen beside the vehicle, I pushed them aside and came face-toface with three others who fired at the front seat where oga hanged his suit.

“The bullets pierced through the front windscreen and shattered the back windscreen.

“They also fired at the front where I was driving but the bullet only pierced a hole and veered to a different direction,” he said.

According to Ossai, the police orderly attached to his master fired sporadically at gunmen who later fled into the bush.

Police spokesman Charles Muka said he had not been briefed. “I never hear that one o. I’ve not gotten that,” he said.

Governor to landlords: don’t hike rent

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has warned that any landlord who increases rent would have his building confiscated by the government and turned into a public school.

The governor gave the warning yesterday at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders to sensitise the people on the new law.

He said the law would not be a burden for the tenants but a levy on owners of large expanse of land, especially in the Government Reservation Areas.

“If a landlord passes this burden to the tenants, he/’she is taking a risk.

The government will seize the land of the landlord who increases rent andconvert the land to a school.

“Nobody who is economically disabled will be made to pay the land use charge.

“It will not put additional burden on the poor and it will not be used to oppress the poor and the middle class.”

“But those who are rich must be made to pay for the land because the most important resource in Edo State is the land which nobody brought from heaven.

“You will see how families are squeezed in old traditional homes, the face-me, I face-you.

“On that same street, you have another man who occupies 10,000 square metres. The truth must be told that before God we are all equal.

“If one man could take so much land, and the rest of the people live in a small 50 by 50 land, as he acquired the land, he will pay for it.”

•Reporters protesting at the Government House gate, Uyo...yesterday

More knocks for SSS over assault on The Nation reporter T HE furore over the assault on The Nation reporter, Kazeem Ibrahim, by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) is far from over.

The Committee to Protect Journalists urged the Federal Government to investigate the incident.

Three SSS operatives beat up Ibrahim at the Akwa Ibom State Government House, when he tried to cover Governor Godswill Akpabio’s

T

HERE was tension yesterday in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government of Edo State as residents scampered for safety, following the rumour of attacks on some banks.

It was gathered that operators of several financial institutions in the community closed shop unannounced.

PUBLIC NOTICE

-

Secretary

The general Public should please take note of this registration Signed: SECRETARY

WINDING UP IN THE MATTERS OF CORPORATE MICROFINANCE BANK LTD (RC 782757) and in the matters of the Companied and Allied Matters Act 2004.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE MEMBERS HAVE ON 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2011 duly passed the following special resolution RC 782757 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 2004 COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES WRITTEN RESOLUTION OF CORPORATE MICROFINANCE BANK LIMITED PURSUANT TO S.234 (B) AND S. 45901 THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2004 AND ARTICLES 63 OF ASSOCIATION OF THE COMPANY DATE 15 TH OCTOBER, 2008.

We the undersigned being all the members of the company who at the date of this special resolution, are entitled to vote at a general meeting of the company hereby as a special resolution as follows: VOLUNTARY WINDING UP 1. That the company be wound up voluntarily 2. That all necessary steps are taken to give effect to the above resolution on behalf of corporate Microfinance Bank Ltd., Signed B. A. ADEROSIN Esq Liquidator

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

Sources said threat letters were sent to two banks, informing them of planned attacks on their facilities.

Speaking in a telephone interview, the chairman of

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

OBJECTIVES: 1.

Guide men to their place(s) in God. 2.

Help men discover their ministry 3.

Raise Godly seed 4.

Preach the Kingdom of God Chairman

•'We're scared'

Bankers’ Forum in Auchi, Sanusi Bash, described the situation as worrisome.

He called for more security personnel to be deployed in the city.

Bash said: "They wrote a letter and dropped it at two banks, that they will come back before the end of the year, saying soldiers and po-

lice cannot withstand them.

"We are scared and please let the government provide security. We are not attending to customers and we are scared as we now live in perpetual fear.

"We will open to customers once we are guaranteed of proper security measures. We cannot risk our business and personnel."

Oshiomhole’s classmate testifies at tribunal

In line with its provision of Act 1990, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has registered the Glorious Destiny Family Centre with the following details;

-

fear for their safety.”

SSS Spokesperson Marilyn Ogar did not respond to CPJ’s calls and a text message seeking comment.

Journalists have been repeatedly assaulted in the state.

On June 9, during the local government election, a senior police officer ordered his men

Gunmen write to Auchi banks

GLORIOUS DESTINY FAMILY CENTRE

TRUSTEES: 1.

Pastor Akeem Idoniboye 2.

Bara Idoniboye 3.

Engr. D.L. Young Arney 4.

Beloved Belema G.

50th birthday celebration.

“We are deeply disturbed by the savage assault on Kazeem Ibrahim and call on the SSS to investigate and bring to account everyone responsible,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita in New York.

“Journalists must be allowed to cover public events without

to beat up a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reporter and the editor of News Net, an Akwa Ibom tabloid.

On March 8, a reporter with a local tabloid was assaulted by police officers during a protest by community youth against a Chinese oil company.

A Punch reporter was assaulted and sent out of the state’s High Court at an event marking the new legal year in September.

•Oshiomhole

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday opened its defence at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City.

It presented a professor of Political Science at the Am-

brose Alli University, Ekpoma, Philip Enahoro Agbebaku, who told the tribunal that he was a classmate of Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Blessed Martins Modern School, Jaittu.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Charles Airhiavbere, is challenging Oshiomhole’s victory in the July 14 governorship election for alleged electoral malpractices and lack of requisite academic qualification.

Aigbebaku, who was cross examined by the governor’s counsel, Adeniyi Akintola, said: “I knew Oshiomhole in 1963 when we both entered St Blessed Martins Modern

School, Jaittu, Uzairrue.

“We were classmates between 1963 and 1965 when we completed that modern school and left. At that time, the governor was known as Adams Aliyu and I was known as Philip Sunday Agbebaku.

“I later changed to Enahoro; it came from my parents. They gave it to me at birth. You know due to practices, you can decide to add or subtract some names.”

He told the tribunal that Adams Aliyu is the same person as Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.

He was asked by Akintola to identify the governor which he did before the tribunal.

When asked if the modern school certificate was equiva-

lent to a school certificate, the don said: “As a product of that programme because myself as a product of that programme and others who also benefitted, got their certificate from that system we know what we are, the academic standing, the standard vis-à-vis the secondary school we have now” “It’s a personal opinion of the petitioner that Oshiomhole’s certificate is not equivalent to school certificate. Because, it’s not a business of an individual but the Ministry of Education and within that ministry there is a unit which deals with evaluation and looks at the course content and evaluate.”

He added that Oshiomhole’s Diploma Programme was equivalent to university courses because of its course content.

N12m damages: Court exonerates Odubu’s wife

T

HE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City has exonerated the wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Endurance Odubu, of liability in the assault on an Army officer, Capt Olorunduyilemi Stephen.

Justice George Shoremi yesterday said there was no basis for the lower court to award damages against Mrs. Odubu for the action of her security detail.

Justice Adamu Hobon of the Federal High Court in July last year ordered Mrs. Odubu and

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

her security detail to pay Stephen N10million.

Justice Hobon, who awarded another N2million, as special damages for medical bills and car damage, said the beating was “unlawful, unconstitutional and barbaric”.

Mrs. Odubu was also ordered to apologise to the officer in three electronic media and two national newspapers.

The court held that the wife of a deputy governor was a private person and not entitled to

heavy security guard and use of siren.

But the appellate court held that there was no liability on Mrs Odubu’s part and that she had nothing to do with the beating.

The court held that she was not a public officer and that the police and State Security Service (SSS) should be held liable.

Mrs. Odubu’s counsel Wole Iyamu said the judgment of the Court of Appeal showed that the attempt to drag Mrs. Odubu into the matter was political,

motivated by ill-will and an attempt to embarrass and create disaffection.

Stephen’s counsel Clement Dike said he would study the judgment before commenting.

The victim was allegedly beaten up on Sapele road, in Benin City on January 11 2010 when his car almost ran into the six-car convoy of the deputy governor’s wife.

The security operatives were said to have forcibly dragged him out and beat him up before taking him away.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

59

NEWS US, Switzerland join Nigeria’s battle against terrorism From Faith Yahaya and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

N

IGERIA’s fight against terrorism drew the attention of the governments of the United States and Switzerland yesterday.

The US, through the Commander of Africa Command (AFRICOM), expressed concern over intelligence report linking Boko Haram sect to the alQaeda terrorist network.

Also yesterday, the Federal Government and Switzerland reiterated their commitments to continue to block sources of funding to terrorist activities in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

According to AFRICOM Commander, Gen. Carter Ham, the government should be prepared to address the social, economic and judicial issues that have been linked to the security challenges facing the country.

Ham spoke at a lecture at the National Defence College, Abuja. He said the military equally has a role to play in resolving the crisis, saying perpetrators of violence must be effectively prosecuted and punished.

His words: “You don’t need me as an outsider to lecture you about Boko Haram; you must understand this problem far better than I ever will.

Ojukwu’s Will: Leave property for Bianca, says cleric From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

T

HE Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese, Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor, has said it is unfortunate that the family of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu has been feuding over his will.

The cleric urged Emeka Ojukwu Jnr and others to relinquish the property of their late father to his wife, Amb. Bianca, and work for their property.

He said: “Let them forget what their father has. If I were them, I would even ask the wife to take everything. Let them struggle on their own. I don’t encourage the crisis; it is not worth it. It is not fair.

“I don’t think I would want to comment on Ojukwu’s will because it is a private matter. I don’t even know why journalists want to publicise the will that way. A will is supposed to be a private issue. Why are they interested?

“The only advice I have for the Ojukwu family is that there are people whose parents died without leaving a kobo for them. And they survived. So, why should a reasonable man or woman kill himself or herself because their father left something for them? Without the property, they can still survive.”

But the Chairman of the Nnewi North Transition Committee, Pat Ubajiaka, noted that the furore about the late Ojukwu’s will is unnecessary.

The council chief said elsewhere, especially in Europe, people will their property to dogs without anyone causing trouble.

He said: “I don’t know the implication and I don’t know what the tradition says on that.

Over there (Europe), people can will their property to a dog.

Some of these things are neither here nor there. Ojukwu can say in his will that he has nothing again…”

MDAs to remit N13b to Fed Govt coffers

S

OME revenue generating agencies are to remit N13 billion into the Consolidated Revenue Account, the House of Representatives Committee on Finance ordered yesterday.

The Abdulmumin Jibrin-led committee also expressed dissatisfaction over the ‘apathetic behaviour’ of most ministries, departments and agencies towards transparency and accountability.

It was during the reconciliation of the MDAs’ revenue profiles.

The lawmakers chided the management of theFederal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) for its inability to avail the committee of its 2009/2010

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

financial reports. They queried the N36 billion deficit presented by the bank.

The committee demanded the bank’s transactions to show its deficit status.

The financial statements of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) showed that N41,825,098,000 was realised as against the N50,828 billion projected in 2009; N50.038 billion against N52.166 billion in 2010 and N56.286 billion was realised against last year’s N85.403 billion budgeted.

The committee said the Federal Housing Authority should cut down its operating cost. Its

management was berated for non-compliance, despite its Managing Director, Mr A.O Ogunmoroti’s defence that the agency got no subvention from the government and had been operating on deficit.

NIGCOMSAT blaimed faulty satellite for its lean purse. It said it was the reason for the N1.334 billion being projected for next year.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) raked in N72,177,202,837 between 2009 and October this year, but remitted N4,966,912,525.42 from N30,714,596,715 projected.

Iyabo Solanke, Finance Director, who held brief for Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) said the com-

mission generated N34 billion in 2009, N36.6 billion in 2010, N39 billion last year and realised N7.9 billion in October.

Of the N39 billion generated last year, she said N10.2billion was remitted to the coffers of the government.

Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) said it generated N39 billion in 2009 and N46 billion in 2010. But the audited account for last year was not ready because of an ongoing EFCC investigation.

The committee refused to accept the excuse. It directed the commission to reconcile the account and report back.

The committee ordered the National Automotive Council

•From left: Regional Co-ordinator, British Department for International Development (DFID), Mr. Adesina Fagbenro-Byron, Osun State Governor’s wife, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola and DFID’s Regional Programme Officer, Mrs. Fagboyo Margaret at the Southwest Regional Conference on Gender Responsive Budgeting organised by DFID at Leisure Spring Hotels, Osogbo...yesterday

Court admits Ndume’s call logs

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FEDERAL High Court in Abuja yesterday admitted in evidence, alleged telephone conversations and text messages between Senator Ali Ndume and the convicted spokesman for the Boko Haram, Ali Konduga.

The call logs and text messages obtained from two telephones belonging to Senator Ndume and Konduga were processed by a forensic examiner from the Department of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Aliu Usman.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole rejected the argument of Ndume’s counsel, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), who said the forensic examiner from the SSS did not disclose his qualification to the court to determine his status.

He said the failure of the expert to substantiate his claim with requisite qualification as demanded by law was fatal to admissibility of the documentary evidence.

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

Besides, he argued that the telephone conversations and SMS messages documented in a bounded report was not certified as required by Section 102 of the Evidence Act. Tarfa argued that before such a document from a public officer could be admitted in evidence by a law court, it must be certified by the appropriate authority.

He also contended that the evidence was a computer generated document not backed up with a certificate as required by Section 84 of the Evidence Act. He therefore asked Justice Kolawole to throw out the document for not being admissible in law.

Mr. Thompson Olatingbe, counsel to the Federal Government, however asked the judge to dismiss the objection on the grounds that it was prepared by the witness and

signed as his own report of the forensic examination carried out on the telephones of Senator Ndume and Konduga.

He told the court that the SSS operative had earlier introduced himself as a forensic examiner and would not have been employed by SSS if he was not qualified.

In his ruling, Justice Kolawole agreed that the failure of the SSS operative to establish his qualification was fatal to the case of the prosecution.

The judge in the ruling, however, agreed that the document did not fall among the public documents that must be certified before it can be admitted in law.

The judge also held that the witness never claimed that he generated the contents of the report from computer as claimed by the defence lawyer.

The court said the probate value to be attached to the re-

•Ndume

port would be determined in the course of trial since the witness did not disclose his qualification.

Earlier, the witness had told the court how he was mandated by a probe panel to examine the conversations and text messages exchanged by Senator Ndume and the Boko Haram spokesman to ascertain the allegation of the Boko Haram sect that the Senator was their financier.

Further hearing continues today.

Senior lawyers lament delay in justice administration

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HE Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria yesterday decried what it described as the delay in the country’s administration of justice process.

It called for urgent measures to reverse the trend and ensure quick and efficient justice delivery system.

Louis Mbanefo (SAN), who represented the body at an event in Lagos, also condemned a practice whereby lawyers are only informed in courts on the date scheduled for the hearing of cases that the courts are not sitting.

He spoke at a valedictory court service held in honour of the retiring Justice Gloria Okeke of the Federal High

By Eric Ikhilae

Court.

Mbanefo said the practice whereby lawyers would not be notified that their cases would not go on must stop.

He appealed to judges of the Federal High Court to endeavour to notify counsel in the event that the court would not sit.

Lagos State Attorney-General, Ade Ipaye, decried a situation where judges are criticised in the media because of the judgments they deliver.

He said: “In the event that a party loses at the trial court, or a decision is not what the public or press expects, the practice

‘The point is that every commentary that tends to denigrate the judiciary drags our society downwards’ of castigating judges in the media must be deprecated.

“They must be left to take their decisions as they feel it should be done. After all, this is why the appellate courts are there. The point is that every

commentary that tends to denigrate the judiciary drags our society downwards. Loss of faith in the judiciary may be the beginning of the loss of this civilisation, which we hold so dear.”

Goodwill messages were presented by eminent people including the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta; AttorneyGeneral of Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN); Chair, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos, Taiwo Taiwo; and Chair, NBA Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani.

They eulogised the retiring judge, praising her sterling qualities.

to pay N250 million to the government following a discovery of under-declaration.

The Council said it realised N17 billion from two per cent automobile import levy into the country and the funds were domiciled with the Bank of Industry BOI).

The committee directed NAFDAC to return N105 million for 2009, N15 million for 2010, N15 million for 2011 and N253.6 million in 2012.

The committee flayed NAFDAC for inconsistency in its profile. It showed that N4.5 billion was genereated in 2009, N5.1 billion in 2010, N5.7 billion in 2011 and N5 billion realised as of October.

The Committee was also not happy with the inconsistency in the financial report and revenue profile of the National Teachers Institute (NTI). Its Bursar, Abdulkareem Acho, told the lawmakers that N1.4 billion was realised as against the projected N2.039 billion for 2009, N1.4 billion in 2010 and that no income was generated last year while N518 million was made this year.

The lawmakers asked Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to pay 25 per cent of all outstanding payments to government coffers since 2009 to date.

EFCC threatens to declare ex-Governor Audu wanted From:Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday threatened to declare Kogi State former governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, wanted in connection with an alleged N4 billion fraud.

The commission alleged that Audu escaped from arrest yesterday.

A statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, alleged that Audu escaped when the operatives of the commission stormed his home in Abuja.

The residence is within the precinct of the Presidential Villa.

The statement reads: “Following the escape from arrest, of the former Kogi State governor, Abubakar Audu, by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on December 11, 2012, the commission has concluded plans to declare him wanted.

“The former governor, alleged to have fraudulently enriched himself to the tune of over N4 billion when he was governor of Kogi State between 1999 and 2003, fled when operatives of the commission stormed his 32, Suleiman Barau Street, Aso Villa, Asokoro Abuja residence in the early hours of Tuesday “The latest effort to arrest the ex-governor followed a Supreme Court ruling of November 23, which dismissed the exgovernor’s appeal to continue to protract his corruption trial by the EFCC. The Supreme Court ruling therefore clears the way for his fresh arraignment.”

The EFCC gave graphic details on the case against Audu and how it had gone through legal hurdles.

The statement added: “It would be recalled that Audu was arrested in Jos in 2006 after a six-month manhunt by operatives of the commission, before his earlier arraignment at the Kogi State High Court on December 1, 2006.

60

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

61

FOREIGN NEWS

More rallies in Egypt T

Malian PM resigns

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HE prime minister of Mali has resigned on state television, hours after being arrested by soldiers who were behind a military coup in March.

Cheick Modibo Diarra was detained on Monday at his home in the capital Bamako, reportedly on the orders of the coup leader, Capt Amadou Sanogo.

He had been due to travel to France.

Diarra was made prime minister of an interim government in April after the military officially handed power back to civilians.

The 60-year-old astrophysicist has backed plans to send a West African intervention force into the northern half of Mali which was seized after the coup by Islamists and Tuareg separatists.

But tensions between the soldiers who led the coup and the civilian prime minister they were forced to appoint have been mounting in recent weeks.

Many within Mali’s military are opposed to foreign intervention, saying they need only financial and logistical support.

Military spokesman Bakary Mariko told the BBC that the prime minister was suspected of attempting to jeopardise the planned political dialogue over the transition to democracy.

“Eight months ago the prime minister was given the mission to help Mali recover its territorial integrity, but unfortunately he has been working to stay in power indefinitely,” he said.

Diarra would be held until

•Diarra

a new prime minister was appointed by the interim president, the spokesman said.

In his address on national broadcaster ORTM, Diarra gave no clear explanation of his resignation.

“Men and women who are worried about the future of our nation, you are hoping for peace. It’s for this reason that I, Cheick Modibo Diarra, am resigning along with my entire government.”

Royal Hoax station gives to victim’s family

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HE Australian radio station which made a prank call to a UK hospital that apparently resulted in the death of a nurse said yesterday that it would donate at least 500,000 Australian dollars (US$524,000) to a fund for the nurse’s family.

Jacintha Saldanha apparently committed suicide after being duped by the prank call from two DJs seeking information on Prince William’s pregnant wife, Catherine.

The Sydney-based 2DayFM radio station has come under heavy fire over the hoax call.

The media group which owns 2DayFM said it would resume advertising on the station — halted in the wake of the tragedy — beginning tomorrow, with all profits until the end of the year going to “an appropriate fund” that would directly benefit Saldan-

ha’s family and a minimum contribution of 500,000 Australian dollars.

“We are very sorry for what has happened,” said Rhys Holleran, chief executive of Southern Cross Austereo.

“We hope that by contributing to a memorial fund we can help to provide the Saldanha family with the support they need at this very difficult time.”

Saldanha put through a call from the DJs to a nurse on the ward at King Edward VII’s Hospital, where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for acute morning sickness early last Tuesday.

The 46-year-old nurse was found dead three days later in living quarters in central London provided by her workplace. She left a husband and two children.

An autopsy will be carried

out Tuesday in Westminster, London’s Metropolitan Police said.

The hospital has said it is also collecting donations from the public for the family and asked that checks be made out to King Edward VII’s Hospital — Jacintha Saldanha Memorial Fund and mailed to Finance, King Edward VII’s Hospital, 10 Beaumont Street, London. W1G 6AA. “She was an outstanding

HOUSANDS of demonstrators are on the streets of the Egyptian capital Cairo for rival rallies as emotions run high ahead of a planned referendum.

The opposition have breached a barrier outside the presidential palace but there has been no violence.

Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, who called the vote on Saturday to ratify a new constitution, has asked the army to maintain security.

Egypt has asked the IMF to delay a loan because of political turmoil.

Egypt requested the delay to the $4.8bn (£3.6bn) loan after President Morsi suspended a programme to increase taxes, Prime Minister Hisham Qandil told a news conference.

The International Monetary Fund says it “stands ready to continue supporting Egypt during the ongoing transition and to consult with

Islamist protesters who support President Morsi and the draft constitution are gathering around Tahrir Square.

Protests have also been planned in the cities of Alexandria and Assiut.

The head of Egypt’s Judges’ Club has said 90% of judges are refusing to oversee the referendum. Under Egyptian law, judges are required to supervise the vote at each polling station.

Meanwhile the head of the military has called for a national dialogue on Wednesday to resolve the crisis.

At least nine people were hurt early on Tuesday when shots were fired at opposition protesters in central Cairo.

The opposition wants the referendum scrapped, arguing that the constitution was drafted by an Islamist-dominated assembly, weakens human rights and fails to guarantee women’s rights.

Monopoly Lagos version launched

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HE first African city edition of the famous board game Monopoly has been launched in Lagos.

The Nigerian metropolis is one of the fast-growing cities in the world.

The board’s layout was unveiled at an event in Lagos

Ghana’s opposition to challenge election result in court

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the authorities on the resumption of discussions regarding the [loan]”.

The Egyptian economy has been hard hit by nearly two years of political upheaval since the protests which toppled ex-President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011.

Four separate opposition protest marches are due to converge on the presidential palace, which has been walled off with concrete blocks and ringed with tanks.

Hundreds of soldiers are guarding the palace perimeter.

Opposition protesters breached the temporary wall, but the BBC’s George Alagiah, who is at the scene, says the Republican Guard allowed the demonstrators through. Several hundred are now in the palace compound.

The military is allowed to arrest civilians but has clearly decided not to use those powers, our correspondent says.

HANA’S main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) yesterday said it would challenge the election results that declared incumbent John Dramani Mahama the winner, according to local radio reports.

The NPP leadership announced at a news conference that it would ask the Supreme Court to intervene, Accra-based Joy FM reported, based on the evidence of fraud.

Mahama, 54, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), won 50.7 per cent of the vote, while his main opponent, 68year-old Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP, got 47.74 per cent, according to the country’s electoral commission.

An NPP official on Monday said it had established “a pattern of fraud across the electoral spectrum” that meant “the presidential election should be cancelled.

“We are projecting that about 700,000 to one million votes were added to Mahama’s vote count,” NPP Chief of Staff Bryan Acheampong told dpa at the party’s headquarters in Accra.

City Hall, with the manmade Banana Island named as the upmarket equivalent of Mayfair in the London edition.

Makoko, the slum on stilts over the city’s lagoon, is the cheapest property for sale on the Lagos board.

Nimi Akinkugbe, the head of Bestman Games which is producing the Lagos edition, told The Guardian ahead of the launch that suggestions for the Mayfair spot were “a hot topic”.

The BBC’s Tomi Oladipo in Lagos says Banana Island, which got the coveted position, is an artificially created island where the very wealthy reside.

Some properties on the island sell for about $8m (£4.9m) - and it would cost about $150,000 a year to rent a flat there, he says.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Murtala Muhammed International Airport and several hotels are other properties on the board.

Many of the squares are sponsored by banks and shopping centres and even the Lagos State Government appears, while some major landmarks like Tinubu Square, the New Afrika Shrine nightclub, Third Mainland Bridge and the National Theatre have been left out, our correspondent says.

TODAY IN HISTORY

1988: 35 dead in Clapham rail collision Up to 35 people die and 100 others are injured after three trains are involved in a collision during morning rush hour in south London

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

62

(MACBAN) PLATEAU STATE CHAPTER

Address: C/o, Jos Central Mosque, Massalacin Jumma’a Str. Jos.

Motto: Read, Rear & Farm

th

The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

10 December, 2012

Your Excellency, Mr. President,

THE CONTINUOUS REPRESSIVE, OPPRESSIVE KILLING OF THE FULANI, THEIR CATTLE IN JOS-SOUTH, B/LADI, RIYOM LGAs OF PLATEAU STATE BY THE BEROM ETHNIC GROUP 1.

You will recall that when we met you on August 8, 2012 at the Villa, we enumerated some of our most serious problems and asked for your intervention and assistance to ensure that peace returned to our dear Local Government Areas of Jos- South, B/Ladi and Riyom and Plateau State. Since the first crisis of September 7th 2001 to that of th January 17 2010 and the continuous intermittent ones since then, our losses in both human and animal lives have gone beyond 700 human lives and 3.5 million herds of cattle.

2.

We had availed ourselves of every opportunity, on the side of the law, by going to all state and Federal bodies set up to took into the crises, beginning with the Justice Niki Tobi Commission of 2002 and to your humble self to plead for justice. And to also ask you, as a father, to the nation, to assist us with some form of compensation for our 3.5 million cattle killed or rustled within the last 12 years of these crises and to bear pressure on Governor Jonah David Jang to end this carnage.

This, we did, hoping that someday somehow justice would come our way. The waiting and wailing have continued as well as the crises, in various forms and dimensions.

3.

This calamity and catastrophe that have befallen us as a result of the loss of our ancestral and generational wealth of animals, is one reality we have not come to terms with. This sad, pathetic and life threatening condition has rendered us completely impoverished and endangered, to the level that life and death means nothing to us as we could hardly differentiate the two. As a result of this tragedy, over 150,000 of us left these areas to other parts of the state as well as other parts of Nigeria within the last 12 years of this madness.

SECURITY PROBLEM 4.

Before, during and post these crises since 2001, while counting our losses, we discovered that the reason why we lost over 700 human lives and 3.5 million herds of cattle was as a result of the fact that we were entirely abandoned and sacrificed by the state's security agencies, especially the Police. The security agencies all seemed to have been prepared to ignore our pleas and cries during these massacres where we were outlawed by the physical absence of these security agencies (agents) which gave our murderers the enabling environment to move freely with their weapons of death where they maimed and killed hilariously.

5.

The entire village police posts, the divisional police stations, the zonal police station as well as the state police command, all seemed to have been moved to another planet, leaving us with only the now marauding killer squads, moving from one hamlet (ruga) to the other killing the wailing and the fleeing men, women and children in their hundreds. There was no report of one family or its member who was saved by any of these security agents while the killings lasted. Entire families were wiped out in a tactical, premeditated and prearranged genocide.

6.

At the end of the 48 - 78 hour crisis, we had lost over 700 people. And such villages made no-go-areas until all traces of these killings were “cleaned up”. The corpses of our people were burnt, mutilated, buried in shallow graves, wells and mining pits, apart from those drown in flood waters. Twenty four hour curfews were imposed to make any movement to such areas by other relatives from other peaceful areas impossible, to help save their relations. The Kuru Karama episode is a classical example of this kind of state-sponsored genocide.

THE GAME PLAN 7.

Our investigation has revealed an unusual pattern of security officers posting to Plateau State, especially, areas of the Berom – Jos South, Riyom, B/Ladi LGAs and the state where ethnicity, and religion seemed to be the determining factor for such postings. As of today, there is no Muslim Hausa or Fulani head of any security organization in Plateau State since 2002. Right now there is no Hausa or Fulani military, police officer in-charge anywhere within the state and these LGAs. It appears like there is a law somewhere that makes it illegal and unlawful to post any Hausa or Fulani person to head any of the Federal Government security agencies in Plateau State!

8.

What the government does to conceal the agenda is to post a Muslim - none Hausa or Fulani as the Police Commissioner or the Commander of the Special Task Force (STF), the SSS Director from one section of the country that is known to harbour anti-Fulani/Hausa sentiments to the state. The agenda is now open and brutal, no Muslim at all. As a result, 95 per cent of the hangmen that were brought into the state to do the bidings of the government in the chairing of Panels of Enquiry or Commissions, were all sourced from this Hausa/Fulani enemy zone. And if anybody thought that those men and women were not hired to do the bidings of the government and its people, the reports are there as evidence.

9.

We are not trying to introduce religion into the country's security agencies. No. There is no sane person who does not know that Plateau State is today a referral point in the polarisation, politicisation and the ethnicisation of religion in Nigeria. This has become so due to the open, glaring roles some people and the government of the state have played in such crises, in most cases, without any apologies. In our view, if there is any state in Nigeria, where ethnic and religious considerations must be made in the postings of security operatives - that state is Plateau. Our reasons are simple –these emotive sentiments have set one group of people against the other, resulting in thousands of deaths in the last 12 years and the people are suspicious of this divide to ensure the safety of their lives and property in the hands of the security agents.

CHRISTIAN OFFICERS 10.

Today, in the state, the entire security principal officers are all Christians as follows: 1. The General Officer Commanding, 3rd Armoured 2. The Police Commissioner 3.The State Director of SSS and his

Deputy 4. The Commander Special Task Force (STF) 5. The Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) 6.The Commander Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Station 7.

The Asst. Inspector-General, Zone 4, Makurdi. So, with this security set up, coupled with the religious and ethnic suspicions in the state which have erupted several times into a battle between the Muslims and Christians, who would the Muslims trust and rely on faithfully when it comes to their faith, that such a person, being Christian, would not take sides with the Christians? Under such situations, no matter the professional, honest, nationalistic calling of such an officer, there are bound to be mischief makers and doubting Thomases who would capitalize on such divisive, murderous sentiments and experiences to instigate further distrust that could result into breakdown of law and order.

11.

Can anybody imagine the immediate reaction of our enemies if the security set up were to be reversed, to become all Muslim? We note with great interest that the first state in the North to declare officially that it is a Sharia State – Zamfara State, with almost less than five % Christian population has a Christian CP, Mr. Usman Gwary, C/O Lt. Col. Ilori, and a Christian Dep. Director of SSS, Mr. Joseph Onishoyi. What this means is that in Zamfara State today, there are two Christian members of the State Security Council while there is no Muslim member of the Plateau State Security Council despite the Muslims population of over 40 % and the Muslim/Christian crises in the state.

12.

Little wonder, therefore, that the crises in the state have refused to abate. Justifiably, there are those who believe that there is a very strong Christian religious organization that is midwifing this inequality, injustice, repression and oppression of our people, based on its connections with those who matter in the state and the country.

Otherwise, how could this glaring absurdity and anomaly in the security setup escape the authorities in this country for so long, doing nothing about it, even when the matter is raised several times before them? It is this scenario that has given birth to the apprehension, suspicion and mutual distrust that have informed the near total lost of confidence of our people in the security.

13.

The way the Berom were publicly found manufacturing weapons at Kuru, buying and transporting caches of AK 47s, MPMGs from Maiduguri by Government officials and an Asst. Comptroller of Customs in Abuja, to Plateau State, is still fresh in our memory. The fact that nothing seemed to have been done to bring such people to book in order to serve as a deterrent to others, simply give away the Government and the security agents' involvement in the entire crises. It is these arms now that the Berom are using in killing us, our cows and even members of the STF which they (STF) blame on us to justify attacking us.

14.

On the 3rd of July, 2012, security agents under the Police Command and the STF stormed Fulani settlement in Gashish and burnt 47 of our houses in an effort to eject us from the area. They alleged that one of their men was killed some two kilometers away from our settlement, infact within the settlement of the Berom. And yet it was our settlement they came to attack as if the Beroms had no capacity to kill, except us. This attack on us ignited and precipitated the crises that led to the death of Sen. Gyang Dantong and Gyang Danfulani, majority leader in the Plateau State House of Assembly on 8th of July, 2012. At the time they attacked and burnt our homes, the security agents had categorically said that they did not know those who killed the security agent, as he was killed in the night and that they were still investigating the incident.

15.

Since that incident, these areas have not known peace as guerilla attacks and counter-attacks have waged on. Officers known to be highhanded and anti-Fulani have been retained or posted to such places despite our open and stiff opposition and the Hausa in B/Ladi town that we would not support such officers due to their open taking of sides with the Berom against us. Yet, despite all these complaints, their bosses at the state headquarters have refused to redeploy them to other areas, hence such officers are working according to plans and instructions. How on earth, would one expect, such hated and compromised officers to have the cooperation of the citizens to maintain law and order?

16.

A typical example of this highhandedness was unleashed on the Fulani Bel community of B/Ladi on the 3/10/2012 when STF stormed the village and arrested 13 women, children, including babies, took them to their headquarters in Jos and detained them. Up till today, no reason has been given for this heartless and inhuman treatment meted out to these innocent people. Between September and November, 2012, 12 Fulani were killed by the Berom. Each of these killings followed a seeming ceasefire between the two parties. Whenever there was a lull in the crisis, the Berom would launch a sudden, unprovoked attack to reignite the crisis. One of such attacks took place on the 6th of November 2012 at Kamfas Shonong where Salihu I. Yusuf, Kabiru Yusuf, Zainab Y. Idris were ambushed and killed while returning from Fadan Karshi Market. Two others narrowly escaped with bullet wounds and were taken to the hospital by the STF. No arrest was made, to the best of our knowledge.

POLICE PERSECUTION 17.

Between July and November, 2012 alone, over 35 Fulani were arrested by the STF and, most of them, handed over to the CID for prosecution over alleged killing of Berom. Whenever a Berom was found dead, every Fulani, no matter where he was going or coming from, within that area was a suspect of homicide until a court of law decided otherwise. But whenever a Fulani was found murdered, no Berom would be arrested and charged for homicide. The STF seemed to be working in collaboration with the Gestapo Police Command for the State's Ministry

of Justice. The State's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice (AG) is an ethnic Berom, Barr. Edward Pwajok. As soon as the STF and Police arrest any Fulani, they charge them with homicide, a charge not easily bailable. The case files would then be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who is under the AG. The Fulani languish in perpetual detention (awaiting trial), while the DPP withholds the case files.

18.

It appears that the use of the security agents against us is the main reason that the Berom are not interesting in any cessation of hostilities. And that is why they are always the first to attack, to reopen the crisis, in the event of a ceasefire. Within the past three months, the Berom have killed over 100 of our cows in B/Ladi, Riyom and Jos-South LGAs. They do this, knowing fully well, that to us, the killing of their cows, as an ancestral and generational wealth, is an unforgiveable sin.

Most of us believe that our life and that of our family is valueless without the cattle that would sustain us. We believe that without the cattle, we would perish, one generation after another. We are, therefore, always naturally prepared to fight to the end to save those animals. Yet, due to total disregard and disrespect for our culture, economy and tradition, some wicked people, would say, how could people kill animals and you kill human beings? Let it be put on record that the Fulani is more likely to forgive any heinous act committed against him than the one committed against his animals!

19.

We believe that all our haters know this and that is why they attack our cattle, knowing fully well that we would be hurt uncontrollably and fight back endlessly. The Berom, own a stockpile of arms and are banking on Government support and the security agencies, believe in that they will eventually win the fight so long as the agenda to expel or annihilate us is not expunged. That is why the Governor and the Government have so far refused to come to a roundtable resolution of the crises. We challenge Governor Jang to mention one place that he called for a parley to resolve this crisis between us and the Berom. The Berom appear to believe that it is just a matter of time, they will be able to expel us, by themselves or through the use and manipulation of the security agents in the state. This became a reality in July/Aug. this year when a Military operation was launched against us in B/Ladi and Riyom to expel or exterminate us, after igniting a crisis by attacking us and burning our homes as we earlier mentioned. An operation that was said to last a maximum of 48 hours on August 16 has remained in place today and has taken a full permanent military occupation of our village of Mahanga.

20.

Our only access road that serves over 5000 of us, our only Mosque (Friday Mosque too), hospital, market that serve our entire communities are currently occupied by the Military, making Mahanga and its road a strictly no-go area for our entire communities. Our shops, Mosque, hospital, among others, have remained either completely vandalized or shut. Cut off in the North, East and West by the Berom, our only outlet through Mahanga road has left us marooned and encircled as we suffer thirst, hunger and death due to our none accessibility to the rest of the world. All our petitions and protestations so far to the Army high command in Jos has not yielded any positive response. For six months now, the STF has remained on our properties, with military tanks, giving no reasons for such occupation. The STF appears to be on a contract to ensure our total harassment, ejection and vacation of this part of Nigeria.

21.

Another typical example of this savage, grisly attack on us by the security agents took place on the 15/11/12 at Kuba village in B/Ladi where 4 of our boys on migration had a stop over in this area from Bauchi State. As soon as the Berom saw them, they told them to leave.

The boys told them that they were only on transit and would leave soonest, yet the Berom refused and called the STF who searched the boys and alleged that they found firearms. The STF arrested the four boys and ordered them to lie down (face down) without any resistance, only for one of the officers to open fire and shot all the 4 boys in the legs, thereby crippling all of them! The STF then picked them up and deposited them at JUTH. 22.

As we write this report, Rabiu Hassan, Mumuni Hassan, Salisu Dembo and Musa Hassan are at Bimma Orthopedic Hospital Jos. A case of unlawful possession which the Berom wouldn't have been charged for has turned out to be a case of grievous bodily harm and permanent disability. And up till now nothing has been done to that officer, according to our findings.

23.

As we were concluding this statement, the STF, the day before yesterday -11/12/2012 in the morning attacked our residences at Sho, B/Ladi and burnt 15 houses, having chased away brutally all the occupants- men, women and children. The STF then stormed out of the village with their weapons of death which included armoured tanks which they used in attacking and killing 27 of our cows, alleging that one of their members was found dead early in the morning. In this same area on the 17/8/2012-Mokaka Mogoggo, Wada Usman and Yero Goma were attacked and killed. But since they were Fulani, nobody was arrested or his home burnt by the STF even though one survivor identified the assailants and their village. As far as the STF was concerned despite the huge armoury of arms that the Berom possess and the fact that they hate the STF, they (Berom) do not have the capacity to kill any of its members! And yet the world is baffled as to why we fight back!!!

We thank you.

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Alhaji Husseini Boro – Miyetti Allah State Chairman Mallam Nuru Muhammad – Miyetti Allah State Secretary Ardo Uthman Bello, Bachit District – Riyom LGA Ardo Mahmud Adam, Riyom District – Riyom LGA Ardo Idris Gidado, Gashish District – B/Ladi LGA Ardo Abubakar Abdullahi, Ropp District - B/Ladi LGA

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

63

NEWS Two policemen arrested

States demand $1b from excess crude account Continued from page 2

Council also urged security agencies to procure tracking equipment to support their operation.

Fayemi said the NSA and the Council had extensive discussions on abuse of siren by security personnel by government officials, with council urging the Office of NSA to proceed to collaborate with states and expedite action on

stopping the use of siren.

Council also urged states to submit preliminary plan on grazing land to curb clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

It endorsed Nigeria’s centenary celebration.

The celebration which will commenc early next year will end early 2014.

Council agreed to set up a committee on multiple taxa-

tion on telecommunication services.

Members are: governor of Gombe as chairman, governors of Kwara, Oyo, Abia, Edo, vice chairman NCC, minister of communication Technology, FIRS and four members each of telecom operators.

It also endorsed the building of a national broadband and ICT infrastructure.

Continued from page 2

porting to be one of the kidnappers phoned on Monday to make some demands, but it was impossible to say whether the call was genuine.

“We have to identify the source of the call ... Anybody can make spurious calls and demands,” said Delta State police spokesman Sergie Ezegam, without giving details of •Shagari who was contacted or what was demanded.

“We still don’t know the reason for her abduction. What failed to bring N200 million for we know is that this is a crime, her to be released.

He said:” The driver of her car has been arrested with other coworkers, and our workers here Continued from page 2 could not work today (yesterday) and we have all been praying for crude oil and gas revenues rethe safety and quick release of our mitted to the Federation Acboss.” count by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), caused by wrongful deductions at source by the NNPC to fund her operations.

Besides, they posited that According to him, an infection of this type can be classi- subsidy claims ought to be refied either as upper respirato- mitted to the NNPC from the ry tract infection (URI or Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) URTI) or lower respiratory by the Federal Ministry of Finance, based on claims from oil tract infection (LRI or LRTI).

He said lower respiratory marketers approved by the Peinfections, such as pneumo- troleum Products Pricing and nia, tend to be far more seri- Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

Referring to a November 22, ous conditions than upper respiratory infections, such as the 2010 report of the Federal Ministry of Finance, entitled “the Incommon cold.

He said the infections are terim Report on the Process of anatomically different, as Forensic Review of NNPC”, the such can be as a result of bac- governors contended that the teria or viruses, adding that it actual remittance of proceeds for domestic crude sales to the could be acute or chronic.

“An example of chronic res- Federation Account is far less piratory infection is tubercu- than the amount expected.

They want the court to direct losis (TB),” Ele said.

Ex-Governor Rotimi’s wife kidnapped in Ibadan Continued from page 2 napped, Egbeda police station

Ikpi said at the time of her kidnap, Mrs Rotimi had her bag containing two BlackBerry phones, a laptop and other valuables. Her shoes dropped when she was being dragged away from her black Prado into the kidnappers’ car.

“Immediately she was kid-

was contacted and they brought a patrol van. I believe there is an informant in this company. The police have arrested three of our security guards and two workers while the investigation is still on going.”

The Chief Security Officer of the company, Mr Usman Illiasu,

said although he was not on duty during the incident, he was told by security men on duty that the abductors came with sophisticated weapons.

Illiasu said around 4pm (yesterday), Mrs Rotimi’s phone was called and it was picked by a male voice who said she will be killed if her family members

Mandela has lost his sparkle, says wife Continued from page 1

Known affectionately by his clan name “Madiba”, Mandela remains a hero to many of South Africa’s 52 million people and two brief stretches in hospital in the past two years made front page news.

“Doctors have concluded the tests and these have revealed a recurrence of a previous lung infection, for which Madiba is receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to the treatment,” the government said in a statement.

Mandela was admitted to the Pretoria military hospital

on Saturday after being flown from his home village of Qunu in a remote part of the Eastern Cape province.

Until now, authorities had given few details about the reason for his latest visit to hospital.

In an interview broadcast on South Africa’s eNCA television channel, Mandela’s Mozambican-born wife Graca said the former president’s “sparkle” was fading.

When he was admitted to hospital on Saturday, officials stressed there was no cause for concern although domestic media reports suggested senior members of the govern-

ment and people close to him had been caught unawares.

On the streets, ordinary South Africans crossed their fingers for his recovery. Leading cartoonist Zapiro depicted Mandela asleep in his hospital bed with hundreds of “Get Well” cards flying through the window like a flock of birds.

“He’s old and I hope he gets better soon. He means a lot to the world,” 25-year-old legal researcher Liezel Jacobs said.

Respiratory tract infection is an infectious disease involving the respiratory tract, Consultant Chest Physician, Prince Ele said yesterday.

the woman’s life is in danger and we are making frantic efforts to rescue her,” he added.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has received threats in the past, her special adviser Paul Nwabuikwu said on Sunday.

Security operatives have continued to lay a siege to Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State where the Queen Mother of the kingdom was kidnapped.

Security operatives were all over the palace yesterday. Residents in the neighbourhood were restless.

Governors sue Jonathan the Federal Government to pay their 24% share of the total amount of money wrongly deducted by the Federal Government from the Federation Account from 2007 till date.

They also want Federal Government to pay back into the Federation Account all illegal deductions made from the Federation Account all in the name of fuel subsidy.

They also demanding that the (AGF) be directed to give account of all subsidy claim deducted from the Federation Account from 2007 till date.

The Plaintiffs averred that the practice of paying the fuel subsidy from the crude oil account by the NNPC with the authority and approval of the AGF is “unconstitutional” and a “ flagrant contravention of Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution because crude oil money ought to be remitted with zero deductions into the Federation Account.

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12-12-2012

TODAY IN THE NATION

‘This is one hydra with stronger tentacles of religion and politics - politics feeding on religious fervour to ignite an all too inflammable social canister’ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

DELE AGEKAMEH

VOL.7 NO.2,337

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

HMADU Bello University is 50 years old this year and has just celebrated this epoch-making Golden Jubilee. One of the important divisions of the University is the Division of Agricultural Colleges which controls and manages the three Colleges of Agriculture of the University in Kabba, Samaru and Mando road, Kaduna. The Colleges were originally mandated to train middle level manpower called Agricultural Assistants and Field Assistants in Livestock Management.

While the Samaru College started formerly as School of Agriculture in 1932 with some 17 students specialising in Grains and Legumes, the Livestock Services Training Centre at Mando Road, Kaduna started operation in 1951 and the Kabba College started also as School of Agriculture with its first intake of students in April 1964, specialising in Tree Crops and Horticulture.

By Decree No 26 of June 1, 1971 (Ahmadu Bello University Law Amendment Decree), Kabba School of Agriculture together with Samaru School of Agriculture and the Livestock Training Centre at Mando Road, Kaduna, were brought under the Division of Agriculture and Livestock Service Training of the Ahmadu Bello University with its own Director.

As the various Schools/Colleges of Agriculture were given their mandates, they went about teaching and training thousands of young Secondary School leavers and some older ones from farm centres to acquire the necessary tools and knowledge expected of them in their new career; especially in crop production, animal husbandry, survey, engineering, extension, science and others.

In years gone by, students were well trained to be generalists by very dedicated teachers, to pass on their acquired knowledge and skills to farmers, as their curricula covered almost every aspect of agriculture needed by the huge Northern Nigeria. As middle level workers, they therefore filled the wide gap between the farming communities and the policy makers. There is no doubt that the same tradition has continued except that there are now greater choices of areas of specialisation, from Pre-ND to National Diploma and to Higher National Diploma in Agricultural Technology, Engineering, Home Economics, Farm Power and Machinery, Irrigation Agronomy, Agric Extension and Management, General Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Production and Health Technology, and others.

Thanks to the Colleges of Agriculture which have graduated thousands of general and specialised agriculturists, employed in many parts of the country, the population of Nigeria has been increasing, particularly in the North, rather than decreasing because these well trained agriculturists have contributed

OPEN FORUM By JAIYEOLA LEWU

Challenges before ABU's Agric Colleges

•ABU Gate

their services towards agricultural production, both in quantity and in quality to stem hunger.

The nation is now blessed with an agriculturist as the Minister of Agriculture in the person of Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina (triple A), who is looking inward in making Nigerians believe in themselves, in producing enough food to feed themselves and have surplus for export, through the beacon he has lit by the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of President Goodluck Jonathan, which every state and local government should key into and emulate. It is expected that the Division of Agricultural Colleges, ABU should be the reservoir of the army of the middle-level and higher level manpower needed as foot soldiers for the country’s agricultural transformation agenda, especially, in the northern states. Consequently, the Minister of Agriculture should

RIPPLES NIGERIA MAY MISS VISION 20 20;20 TARGET- NESG

We’ve missed it, what we have is FICTION 20 20:20

HE police had sneered at the figures before. They will sneer even more violently again, notwithstanding the fact that those figures were reiterated by Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Delivering a keynote address at a “national dialogue on torture, extra-judicial killings and national security” organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja, Adoke quoted a report by the Network on Police Reform indicating that some 7,198 people had been killed by policemen in four years. He added that about 2,500 of the victims were detainees. The minister also suggested that the police had relied on Police Force Order 237, which allows the police to shoot any suspect or detainee trying to escape or avoid arrest, to carry out some of these questionable killings. However, he did not suggest that all the deaths were as a result of extra-judicial killings, though he thought police methods were forcing a rethink of the criminal justice system to take away the power of prosecution from the police. His conclusion was damning. Said he: “Although these figures have been stoutly disputed by the police, even the most charitable defenders of the Force cannot deny that some dishonourable officers indeed have taken the law into their hands in the most barbaric

T

be a friend of the Division of Agricultural Colleges and should give, not only the necessary but sufficient financial and moral support to DACs; by galvanising the total support of Mr. President and governors to mobilise funds, material and human capital for DACs, ABU. It is quite fascinating to know that many alumni, including the writer, who left the agricultural sector, for other pursuits, have, on retirement, returned to invest in agriculture, empowering young people with wages and salaries earned from employing them; thus contributing to food security, reducing unemployment and Nigeria’s dependence on food importation. The Colleges of Agriculture should be commended for grooming and inspiring these alumni to believe that there is no alternative to food production to conquer hunger, reduce unemployment and improve the standard of living of the people of Nigeria.

Current and future challenges before the Agricultural Colleges of Ahmadu Bello University are enormous as they require the wherewithal to surmount them.

First, they require adequate funding in order to do the following, among others:• Retain the best lecturers/staff •Employ new ones who are well qualified and interested in the job.

•Provide adequate facilities to meet the teaching requirements.

•Expand their curricula to meet the demands of Nigerians, especially in the North, such as irrigation, fishery, high quality livestock for quality meat, milk and top class semen for artificial insemination.

•Provide scholarship to lecturers and students to overseas institutions, especially those with ecosystem similar to Nigeria, in order to acquire modern knowledge or state of the art skills and exposure to be imparted

on Nigerian Farmers.

Second, special challenges continuously confronting the Agricultural Colleges of Northern Nigeria are the negative effects of drought and the spread of the Sahara Desert over the North, with their attendant reduction in arable land and yields, including the displacement of farming communities and livestock. Specialists in this field may have to be recruited by DACS so that their knowledge and experience in combating the spread of the Sahara Desert can be acquired and imparted on students of DACS. A lot can be learnt from experiences of neighboring ECOWAS countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and also from Saudi Arabia, Israel and Australia. These countries virtually live in desert areas and are surviving.

Though a lot of efforts, such as tree planting, have been exerted by governments of northern states particularly, the far North, much more efforts in the area of research and acquisition of appropriate knowledge or technology from relevant countries and international organisations, like the United Nations and, its specialised agencies, are still needed, as the Sahara Desert continues to spread southwards from the fringes of the North.

Third, another challenge for the agricultural colleges is the heavy burden of climate change causing drought, and very high temperature/ global warming in many areas, and heavy rainfall and floods in some other areas, as currently being experienced this year in particular, at unexpected time of the year. This phenomenon creates challenges to students of agricultural colleges, to their lecturers, and most specially, to farmers whose templates regarding timeline for different farm operations are distorted. The issue involved is to device an adjustment mechanism to adapt to climate change. What the Division of Agricultural Colleges should do is to set up a satellite liaison unit that links the division with specific organisations or institutions, with the aim of sharing valuable and useful information that would be helpful to farmers in the northern states, in particular, and the country in general, so as to obtain more reliable forecast of the weather.

Information from these various organisations and institutions should be collated, examined by the Division of Agricultural Colleges staff and students and thereafter, disseminate same on daily basis to agricultural ministries to inform, warn and advise farming communities accordingly.

•To be continued •Amb Lewu was former Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil •Mohammed Haruna returns next week •For comments, send SMS to 08023211188

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Adoke confirms our worst fears

but the truth is that it is widely known to be their culture. And no one can doubt that it was a factor in the radicalisation of the Boko Haram Islamic militants.

Rather than continue to pretend that the problem does not exist, or needlessly debate the scale, the police should do an honest introspection if they want to become the law enforcement agency of their, and dare we say, our, dream. The Justice minister should be encouraged to work more assiduously at transferring the responsibility of prosecution of suspects to the Justice ministry. It is a step in the right direction. The notorious Police Force Order 237 should also be reformed in line with modern and civilised standards of policing. But it is not enough to reform the system and establish police rules of engagement that do not affront our humanity; it is also important that allegations of extrajudicial killings must be investigated and culprits brought to book. As the Boko Haram terror is showing, it is impossible for any society, let alone an errant Police Force, to make progress and achieve stability on the foundations of so much injustice and unfairness. As the NBA president succinctly puts it, “Denying cases of extra-judicial executions and unlawful detentions in the face of overwhelming evidence can only diminish our prestige and respect in the comity of nations.”

fashion by killing suspects and innocent citizens.”

Coincidentally, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was also on the same day and place worrying about extra-judicial killings, which it said were dehumanising Nigerians. The NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN), put it even more pithily than the Justice minister. Said he at a roundtable organised to mark the 2012 International Human Rights Day: “When rights are serially violated, the people are apprehensive, nervous and unsure of their humanity.” No statement can be more disapproving of the law enforcement agencies’ methods. With the Justice minister associating himself very strongly with the conclusion that police malfeasance is well known and on the rise, and the NBA focusing attention on the menace undermining the criminal justice system, perhaps there is hope that the will to do something about lawless law enforcement would be summoned. The police may dispute the allegations of extra-judicial killings levelled against them as much as they like,

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