The Nation December 31, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Yam sellers to raise N5b for Buhari NEWS

Page 6

•To donate 5million yams’ proceed

News Fire razes shops, school in Ondo P7 Sports AFCON miss sad, says Oshaniwa P41 Business Govt fails 5,000mw power target P57

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 3081 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

CBN warns banks against loans to oil and gas, public sectors

B

ANKERS have got a warning on the dire consequences of the falling oil price on loan advances to the oil and gas as well as the public sector.

In a letter to all banks signed by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs.

By Collins Nweze, Snr. Correspondent

Tokunbo Martins, the apex bank said the falling oil prices and the potential for a further decline had been a major concern.

Many states have been unable to pay salaries as banks

shut the tap amid dwindling and delayed allocations.

Mrs. Martins said considering the quantum of exposure to the oil and gas sector, combined with risk management deficiencies revealed by the recent Risk Based Supervision, there is a need to proactively guard against a crystal-

lisation of these risks.

“The CBN therefore considers it essential to ensure that banks have sufficient capital buffers to mitigate these escalating risk taking activities.

Where exposure to the oil and gas sector (as defined by the International Standard Industrial Classification of Eco-

nomic Sectors as issued by the CBN) is in excess of 20 per cent of total credit facilities of a bank, the risk weight of the entire portfolio in the sector will attract weight of 125 per cent for the purpose of capital adequacy computation,” she said in the letter titled: “Oil and Gas Industry Credit Risk

Mitigation”.

Oil prices have declined from $107.89 per barrel in June to $85.06 per barrel in October, and trading at $57.33 per barrel. The possibility of further decline, Mrs. Martins said, should not be underestimated.

Continued on page 4

•Members of the Indonesian Air Force show items retrieved from the Java Sea...yesterday PHOTOS: AFP

40 bodies of AirAsia jet passengers found on sea

A

FTER three days of searching, bodies, luggage and aircraft parts of doomed AirAsia flight 8501 were yesterday recovered from the Java Sea. Indonesian Navy said no fewer than 40 bodies were recovered. Many of the remaining 122

victims are thought likely to still be on board the aircraft.

A naval spokesman said the rescuers remained “very busy” retrieving the victims.

Before darkness fell in the area, search teams identified a shadow that they believe to be the plane’s fuselage beneath the

water, which is relatively shallow at just 160 feet at its deepest point.

The recovery of 40 bodies came as devastated relatives of AirAsia crash victims collapsed in grief and were taken to hospital after an Indonesian televiContinued on page 4

•Family members of passengers react after watching news reports showing an unidentified body floating in the Java sea, inside the crisis-centre set up at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya…yesterday.

2015: Jonathan gets bloody nose on corruption

?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 EVER RETURN?

Tinubu, Akanbi, Yusuf attack govt President defends his performance

A

DAMNING verdict was yesterday returned on President Goodluck Jonathan’s anti-corruption battle.

The government has lost the battle, some eminent citizens said.

The subject dominated public dis-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

course as leaders looked ahead to the New year.

To Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pioneer Chairman Justice Mustapha Akanbi, corruption is esca-

lating.

Foremost lawyer Yusuf Ali (SAN) said: “There is no drive against corruption by the current government and that is quite obvious because the president believes that there is no corruption in Nigeria. He believes that

what is going on is petty stealing.”

All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is worried about “the everwidening inequality between the wealthy minority and the impoverContinued on page 4

•OGUN WORKERS GET DEC. SALARY WITH BONUS P8 COURT STOPS ONDO PDP’S LIST P8

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

2

NEWS

2014: Harvest of awards for The Nation •From Left: Executive Director, Editorial Operations, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Isaac Ighure, Executive Director, News, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Shola Atere and Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) Chairman, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), at the End of the Year Dinner organised for reporters in Abuja...on Monday.

The strings of awards in its kitty notwithstanding, The Nation is inspired by its vision and mission to become the paper of first choice on the newsstand.

Assistant Editor, OLUKOREDE YISHAU writes that the best is yet to come for the newspaper despite its impressive outing in the outgoing year

T

•From left: Brand Manger, Power OiL, Disha Agarwal, winners of the Power Oil Pay for Calories Campaign, Adeola Afolabi and Favour Okunbo and Supervisor, Power Oil, Ogbuagu Chokodiri, at the Power Oil Pay for Calories Campaign at the Ikeja City Mall, Ikeja, Lagos.

•From left: Mr. Bimbo Manuel, Tinsel Actor Mr. Akin Fadeyi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Buffer 20NG Limited, Mr. Gbenga Adeyinka, Co-presenter, Health Access, Scheduler, Minet West African, Mr. Muyinwa Ojo at astrategy session PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIMAS. for Helath Access National Health Insurance Scheme Talkshow Season II in Lagos

•From left: All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Hostess, Maryse Acotie, AFRIMA Host, Innocent Idibia (aka 2Face) and winner, Artiste of the Year Category, David Adeleke (aka Davido) at the 2014 AFRIMA Awards at the Grand Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Lagos

HE signs emerged early in the year. It was at the Promasidor award for journalists. Head of Investigation Desk and multiple award winner Adekunle Yusuf emerged the Industry Reporter of the Year. The judges’ citation on the story titled A tale of two endangered empires reflected how thorough Yusuf was in gathering and putting together this story on the collapse industrial sector in Kano and Kaduna. For this sterling piece of journalism, he was sponsored for a course on Digital Journalism at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

On the heels of this came the Golden Pen Award organised by the Nigerian Breweries, and for the first time in the history, the award spread its catchment area beyond brands reporting. And when the answer to the winner of the N1 million worth overall prize was announced, it turned out to be The Nation’s Seun Akioye. The judges led by respected Mass Communication teacher Prof Ralph Akinfeleye were full of praises for the story titled ‘Even the rich envy us the way we live’. The judges were proved right later in the year when the story went on to win two more major awards.

The Rotary Humanitarian Awards, which came next, saw Associate Editor Olatunji Ololade clinching a prize.

Before the last lap of the year, Akioye and Brand Correspondent Adedeji Ademigbuji were honoured outside the country for their excellent reportorial and writing skills.

Their attention to details were praised by the judges of the WASH Media Award and the Schneider Prize for Electrical Counterfeiting in Africa.

In August, Akioye emerged the winner of international environment award - the WASH Media Award - organised by the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), Geneva and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). The award was presented during the World Water Week in Stockholm. His winning entry titled ‘Lagosians shun public toilets as open defecation continues detailed the challenge of .

Akioye also clinched the third position at the Hala Nigeria Story Contest. The contest was organised by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ), a non- profit organisation that advances quality journalism worldwide with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The contest: “Hala Nigeria: Many Voices, Better Lives,” is designed to increase public engagement and amplify citizen voices in health news. The project, which means “Speak Out, Nigeria,” focused on the use of new digital tools to spur citizen engagement, promote data-

‘

Established in 2006, The Nation has gradually emerged as a paper of record, parading some of the most enterprising reporters and columnists in the land. Guided by its Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director Victor Ifijeh and the Editor, Gbenga Omotoso, and Sam Omatseye, its Editorial Board chairman, and a host of other key officers, The Nation is truly one of Nigeria’s leading newspapers giants

‘ driven reporting to take advantage of Nigeria’s new open data movement, organise public events around key health issues, and engage journalists to expand coverage into neglected regions.

Ademigbuji got the Schneider Prize for Electrical Counterfeiting in Africa at an elaborate event in Paris.

Ololade won the CNN African Journalist of the Year in the Medical and Health Reporting category.

He received the prize before a cheering audience in Dar-es-Salam, Tanzania.

Ololade won the CNN award for his story titled: "This marriage will kill me - Tragedy of Nigeria's child brides". The judges praised Ololade for his excellent writing and attention to details.

This is what the judges said about his winning entry: "This category provides the challenge of making often complicated and technical issues understandable and readable.

Our two excellent finalists illustrate both the range of entries and how well many of those rose to the challenge. Our winner produced a moving account of Nigeria's child brides and a close look at the devastating medical and personal implications of forcing young teenagers to marry much older men. It is a major story

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

3

NEWS

•Omotoso

•Omatseye

•Osuji

•Akinrinade

•Akioye

•Ademigbuji

•Jibueze

•Dauda

on a widespread problem, written with a deep sense of humanity, and an excellent attention to detail. The medical issues are set out with clarity and the result leaves one with a tangible sense of the horrors of this practice and the long-term trauma.

It is a moving and informative exemplar of the value of well-crafted health reporting. It was well-illustrated and effectively presented."

The last lap of the year was the icing on the cake. At the national and continental levels, this newspaper’s reporters garnered awards upon awards so much that there is no other way to describe the newspaper’s attainment other than to say: it has been a wonderful year.

The Nation won eight awards – the highest by any newspaper – at the November 9 Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) in Owerri, the Imo State capital and seven – also the highest – at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) in Lagos. This newspaper was also named Newspaper of the Year and the Editor, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso was named as Editor of the Year at the DAME. Managing Director Victor Ifijeh said the DAME awards confirmed this newspaper’s feats at the NMMA. “You’ve made us proud,” he told the awardees at a reception organised for the winners.

The honours, he said: “Are for all our reporters everywhere and for our perceptive writers and our subeditors, who ensure standard as well as our non-editorial colleagues,

who provide the logistics.”

Ifijeh recalled that in the DAME citation, The Nation was described as one of the giants. “We want to be the giant,” he said, adding: “We must continue to press on – as defined in our Vision – to be the first paper of choice for discerning readers. We will get there. We will be the undisputed champion. In fact, with eight awards from NMMA and seven from DAME- with 15 nominations – we are the champion.”

While declaring the newspaper the “dame” of the industry at the 23rd DAME, the organiser said: “In emerging The Newspaper of the Year for the first time at DAME, The Nation put up an impressive fight, elbowing out The Punch in a close finish. The Nation won five DAMEs in Informed Commentary, Development Reporting, Health Reporting, Political Reporting, and Judicial Reporting. She also came second in six categories, namely Informed Commentary, Development Reporting, Child-Friendly Reporting, Business Reporting, Editorial Writing and Press Investigative Reporter of the year.

“Finally, she also recorded two third place positions in Press Investigative Reporter of the year award and Development Reporting. Established in 2006, The Nation has gradually emerged as a paper of record, parading some of the most enterprising reporters and columnists in the land. Guided by its Editor-inChief/Managing Director Victor Ifijeh and the Editor, Gbenga

Omotoso, and Sam Omatseye, its Editorial Board chairman, and a host of other key officers, The Nation is truly one of Nigeria’s leading newspapers giants.”

At DAME, Editorial Board Chairman Sam Omatseye won the prize for Informed Commentary.

Of the 19 awards up for grabs, The Nation won seven. Ololade got the Peninsula Resort Prize for Health Reporting. His winning entry is “Blind Medicine”, published on April 6, 2013. Ololade was also runner-up in the Child-Friendly and Development Reporting categories.

Akioye won the Development Reporting Prize with his entry “Even the rich envy us the way we live”, published in The Nation on Saturday, April 20, 2013. Assistant Editor Joke Kujenya, was runner-up in this category. This was the third prize the story won this year. The expose on Dustbin Estate in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, has won the N1 million Golden Pen Reporter of the Year and the NMMA Environment Reporting prize.

Akioye was also a runner-up in the Investigative Reporting category, which was won by Yusuf for his story “How addiction to corruption is killing the drug agency”. The report was published by Tell Communications Limited, Yusuf’s former employer. Akioye, and Chief Correspondent, Kunle Akinrinade, were runners-up in this category. Yusuf was also runner-up in the Business Reporting category.

Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu won the Anthony Enahoro Prize for Political Reporting with his entry “Census: Can Nigeria get it right?” published on September 24, 2013.

Senior Correspondent (Judiciary) Joseph Jibueze got the Judicial Reporting prize, with his entry “Rape: Why most suspects escape justice.”

The story was published on June 17, 2013.

At the NMMA, a fortnight before the DAME, the newspaper’s reporters made a haul of eight top awards from a record 17 nominations.

This newspaper proved that it parades some of the best commentators in the industry, with Editorial Board member Steve Osuji emerging the Columnist of the Year. Omotoso was runner-up.

Yusuf won the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Prize for Culture and Tradition Reporter of the Year and the Chevron Nigeria Prize for Oil and Gas Reporter of the Year. He won the Culture and Tradition Prize with a story entitled: “Help, Nigerian languages are disappearing!”, published on November 13, 2013.

His story, “How Nigeria lost $11 billion to vandalism and theft”, won the Oil and Gas Prize.

Yusuf, who joined this newspaper last year, also won a third prize as the Cecil King Memorial Prize for Print Journalist of the Year with an entry published by his former employer, Tell Communications Limited. His sterling achievements caught the attention of the host gov-

ernor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who rewarded him with an additional N500, 000 cash.

The Nation’s Oluwakemi Dauda also clinched the Maritime Reporter of the Year Award.

This newspaper’s reporters were also finalists in other categories.

Collins Nweze was runner-up in the Banking and Finance category. Innocent Duru was runner-up in the Feature Writing Category.

Assistant Editor Lucas Ajanaku was also runner-up in the Telecommunication Reporter of the Year category.

A senior cartoonist with this newspaper, Muyiwa Adetula, was also runner-up in the Nnamdi Azikwe Prize for Cartoonist of the Year.

The Nation’s performance at the NMMAshowed an improvement on last year’s record when it won six top awards, including the Newspaper of the Year and Editor of the Year.

The newspaper closed the year with Ololade and Chief Correspondent Kunle Akinrinade clinching the Wole Soyinka Prize for Investigative Journalism in the health reporting category for their threepart series on herbal gin. Their coauthored five-part series on Lafarge Cement was runner-up in the print journalist category.

And projecting into the New Year, the newspaper’s editors say the awards’ haul will certainly continue, given the great journalism pieces done in the outgoing year.

•Ololade

•Yusuf

4

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

NEWS Nigerians ’ll appreciate me after leaving office, says Jonathan

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has promised that Nigerians will begin to appreciate his achievements when he leaves office.

He spoke while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers and leaders from Bayelsa State at his residence. It was led by Governor Seriake Dickson Jonathan said he wasn’t surprised by the spate of criticisms

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

of his administration in recent times.

He, however, said he was very sure that when a new administration takes over and people make comparison, they will appreciate his efforts and give him his due credit.

Continued on page 59

40 bodies found on sea Continued from page 1

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle), his Deputy Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (second right), All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice-Presidential candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (second left), Lagos State APC governorship candidate Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left) and his running mate Dr. Oluranti Adebule during the Town Hall Meeting with artisans, tradesmen and farmers at Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday.

ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPH ON PAGE 6

Boko Haram kills 15 in attack on village

S

USPECTED Boko Haram militants opened fire in a Borno State town on Monday night, killing no fewer than 15 people, witnesses and a security source said.

The attack targeted Kautikari, near the Cameroon border, just 10 kilometres from Chibok, where more than 200 schoolgirls were abducted in April. They remain captives.

“They were about 20, wellarmed. They came in fourwheel drive vehicles and some motorcycles. Initially, I thought they were soldiers,” survivor Jonah Umaru said by telephone, according to Reuters news agency.

“The man running behind me was gunned down as I was fleeing. Afterwards, there were 15 people lying dead in the streets.”

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped 172 women and children and killed 35 other people this month near the same area.

Violence by Boko Haram, which is fighting to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria, has killed 10,340 people so far this year, according to a count by the Council on Foreign Relations last month.

The five-year-old insurgen-

‘Police still searching for missing 14 from Academy’

F

OUR months after, the police authorities are still searching for no fewer than 14 missing policemen after Boko Haram attacked the Police Academy in Gwoza, Borno State.

The insurgents were still occupying Gwoza as at yesterday.

Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, however assured that the missing policemen would be located and reunited with their families.

The Boko Haram insurgents on August 21 attacked the Police Academy where 159 personnel from the Police Mobile Force were undergoing training.

About two months ago, the whereabouts of 35 of the policemen were unknown.

Abba however said the police have not foreclosed the search for the missing policemen.

The IG spoke during a visit to MOPOL barracks in Akwanga where he met 98 families of policemen, who were either killed by the Ombatse militia or missing after the invasion of the Academy in Gwoza.

In an emotional-laden tone, Abba said: “Without mincing words and with due consideration to the status of my office, I want to say we meant every word we have said. The search for these policemen continues, the hope is still that they are alive.

“Not quite three months ago, one of them surfaced and reported to his office. So, we are hopeful.

cy has also displaced more than a million people from the remote northeast. It is considered the gravest threat to the stability of Africa’s biggest

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“Let me tell you, dead or alive, we will continue with the search. Even at the height of that, I still find time to come to see these families. This is an indication that they are not forgotten.

“And let me assure you, even my successors, whom I believe are professional police officers, will not forget them.

“The purpose of the visit is to condole with those who lost their husbands and loved ones as a result of the incident that took place in Alakyo on May 7, 2013.

“I have also come to sympathize with wives of of the policemen who were missing since the invasion of Gwoza on August 20. The death of a police officer is an unfortunate loss particularly when he or she dies in line of duty.

“This is a season of sharing. I have come to let you know that your husbands are not forgotten at all times.

Abba gave the widows N7.8million to share and 20 tubers of yam each, one bag of rice each and vegetable oil.

The IGP also visited seven policemen at Our Lady of Apostle Hospital, who were recuperating after being injured in line of duty.

One of the widows, Mrs. Helen Joseph, said: “We thank the IGP for remembering us. We have been having challenges but if I start mentioning challenges, I will just burst into tears.

“Around June, we were sent out of the barracks.

But with the IGP’s visit, there is a ray of hope.”

economy and top oil producer — and its neighbours.

Underscoring the regional threat posed by the group, Cameroon’s army said it had

killed at least 41 Boko Haram militants as it fought off a wave of attacks along its border with Nigeria over the weekend.

sion station showed disturbing uncensored footage of the swollen bodies floating in the sea.

Images shown on a news channel showed at least one body floating in the water, causing the victims’ relatives who were watching live reports at crisis-centre at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya - to burst into tears, with some fainting and requiring hospital treatment.

The Airbus A320-200 was 42 minutes into its flight from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore on Sunday when it vanished with 162 people on board.

Images on Indonesian television showed a half-naked bloated body bobbing in the sea. Search and rescue teams were lowered on ropes from a hovering helicopter to retrieve

the bodies.

As family members of the plane’s passengers sat together in a waiting room at Surabaya airport, they watched the graphic details on television.

Many screamed and wailed uncontrollably, breaking down in tears while they squeezed one another. At least two people fainted and were carried out on stretchers to waiting ambulances.

The chaotic scenes came after several pieces of red, white and black debris were spotted in the Java Sea near Borneo Island.

The bodies were found in the Java Sea about six miles from Flight 8501’s last communications with air traffic control.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo confirmed plans to visit both the crisis centre in Surabaya and the suspected crash location near Pangkalan Bun.

CBN warns banks against loans Continued from page 1

The CBN director said that a proposed single-factor sensitivity stress test showed that at $70 per barrel, 25 per cent of oil sector loans would become non-performing while 15 per cent of the loans will be nonperforming in the public sector.

At $65 per barrel, 40 per cent of oil and gas portfolio becomes non-performing and 30 per cent for public sector loans.

Also at $60 per barrel, 55 per cent of oil loans become nonperforming while 45 per cent of the loans become non-performing in the public sector.

The test also showed that should oil price fall to $50 per barrel, 65 per cent of the portfolio would become nonperforming in the oil and gas sec-

tor, while it is 60 per cent for public sector loans.

The single-factor sensitivity testing, Mrs. Martins said, is a form of stress testing that usually involves incremental change in a risk factor holding other risk factors content.

“Shocks can be assumed to occur instantaneously, and it can be used as a simpler technique for assessing the impact of a change in risks when a quick response is needed. The focus of the sensitivity test is on transmission of crude oil price shock through deteriorating oil and gas, and public sector credit quality, resulting in elevated non-performing loan levels for the aggregate credit portfolio, and a requirement for additional prudential provisioning,” she said.

2015: Jonathan gets bloody nose on corruption Tinubu to Nigerians: glorious dawn beckons

Continued from page 1

ished majority, fuelled largely by a scale of corruption and outright theft of public funds that have reached unprecedented heights in today’s Nigeria.” Tinubu’s view are in his New Year message to Nigerians.

But Dr. Jonathan defended his integrity, saying Nigerians will appreciate him after he must have left office.

Justice Akanbi and Ali spoke with reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on the sideline of a public lecture, entitled: “Corruption: The bane of our society.” It was organised by the Amicus International Club.

They described the crusade against corruption by Jonathan’s administration as “lacklustre, dull and devoid of drive”.

Justice Akanbi, a former President of the Court of Appeal, said: “The indices are that the moments are dark, the clouds have thickened, corruption is escalating. And we cannot pretend. The Transparen-

A

LL Progressives Congress (APC) National leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to look forward to a glorious dawn as opposed to the poor governance being offered by President Goodluck Jonathan.

In his New Year message yesterday, Asiwaju Tinubu also expressed worries about “the ever-widening inequality between the wealthy minority and the impoverished majority fuelled largely by a scale of corruption and outright theft of public funds that have reached unprecedented heights in today’s Nigeria.”

According to him: “All of these are responsible for the large-scale manifestation of sundry forms of violence and insecurity across the country undermining the very foundation of the Nigerian state.”

He urged Nigerians to be vigilant when exercising their votes at next year’s elections.

Tinubu also spoke on the need for the citizens to protect their “sacred mandates”

cy International (TI) put us at the position of 136th corrupt nation. You cannot deny it, even though it is a perception.

Honestly, I do not see what is being done about corruption now.

at the polls.

Assessing the Jonathan administration, Tinubu said it is “a catastrophic disaster.”

The former Lagos State Governor urged the electorate to utilise the power of vote to take back the country “from the predators and scavengers in the corridors and bedrooms of power” holding it hostage.

He noted that as the nation enters a new year, it was easy to give in to despair and despondency, owing to the country’s state.

Tinubu assured that after “darkness, a glorious, new dawn for Nigeria is possible.”

However, the APC leader said the needed change would not occur by chance.

“It can only be the result of deliberate and purposeful action on the part of our people to utilise democracy and popular power to achieve national liberation and transformation,” Tinubu said.

He said: ”The gap between our tremendous potentials as a country and our actual attainments is depressing and disheartening.

“Speaking for myself, I ask myself these questions: does it mean all the governors are corruption-free? Does it mean all the legislators are corruptionfree? Does it mean the judiciary is corruption-free? We know

“For a country as endowed with human, material and natural resources as Nigeria, the level of poverty in which the vast majority of our people live is appalling and unacceptable.

“The voodoo statistics of illusory growth and progress peddled by those in charge of Nigeria’s affairs do not reflect the dire material circumstances of millions of Nigerians. ”Yet, the growing impunity of an arrogant, imperious and complacent presidency weakens the rule of law and prevents the purposeful and responsible governance necessary to tackle Nigeria’s severe challenges.”

He warned that “despair is a luxury” Nigerians could ill-afford at this time.”

Despair, Tinubu added, breeds depression and a sense of hopelessness, adding: “This can only result in a paralysis of the popular will that will benefit those who want to lull us into collective inaction so

that it is happening, but people are not being arrested; no action is being taken. The end result is that people accept bribe with impunity now.

“At least if they had taken few people to court, we would

Continued on page 59

have known that something is being done. There is a general lull and the fight against corruption has gone down completely. That is why we are gearing up the tempo now, so that people can be aware of it.

•Asiwaju Tinubu

“Now, when you look at many people wanting to be governors, is it because they want to serve their people or that they want to go and chop, chop chop?

“It is apparent that many of them want to enrich themContinued on page 59

ADVERT HOTLINES 08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

5

NEWS

Osinbajo: only those who love hunger ‘ll vote Jonathan

A

LL Progressives Congress (APC’s) vice presidential candidate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday that Nigerians were fed up of the “failed promises” of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.

He believes that only those comfortable with poverty, hunger and want to remain jobless will vote for the President’s return next year.

Osinbajo, who was addressing thousands of artisans, tradesmen and farmers at a town hall meeting organised by the Lagos State in Ikeja, reiterated that there must be a change of government at the federal level to liberate Nigerians from poverty.

The former Lagos State attorney General said: “No one is ignorant of all that is happening to us in this country.

No one likes hunger and poverty; but people are hungry.

In 2015, only those who love to continue to be hungry would prefer that the government in power at the centre remains there.

“By God’s grace, we would remove them from the seat of power. The people there presently cannot do anything, because they don’t know how

•Fashola, Ambode urge Nigerians to vote Buhari

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

to. They lack the capacity and capability to govern the country. I pray for the farmers and artisans that the Lord will bless us in the incoming year.”

He hailed Governor Babatunde Fashola for his achievements, adding that he has the best record of achievements among his colleagues.

Also speaking, the state APC flagbearer, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said the progressives, from the period of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to Fashola, had continuously provided good governance to Lagosians.

If voted into power, he said, his administration would not deviate from the principle.

He urged Lagosians to vote for the party at the governorship election as well as its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

His words: “Our promise to you as a party is to provide good governance and able leadership. We want to take good care of your businesses.

If you have been making N1,000 profit before, we want to provide the facilities your

businesses need to enable your profit swell to N10, 000.

“We know that when you make more profit, you will have more to take care of yourself, your children and your home. We promise not to stress you with our policies.

“I also want to remind you that no matter what we do, if we do not take over the central government, we may be hindered in a way and may not be able to provide all that we want to provide for you.

“There must be change of government at the Federal level. APC must take over in Abuja.

“In Lagos, we remember where Tinubu started from and how Governor Fashola consolidated on his achievements and raised the bar. That is what we want to continue in Lagos.”

Earlier, Fashola noted that if Nigerians observed and analysed the country’s situation critically, they would find out that Nigeria is not better off than it was in 2011.

He enjoined Nigerians to vote for APC at both the gov-

ernorship and presidential elections, reiterating his support for Ambode.

The governor said the emergence of APC candidates at next year’s general elections is the only way out of the country’s predicament.

His words: “The time to make a very important decision is here. Your request for continuity in Lagos is what I support. But for that project to continue, it would require you to vote for our party in 2015 election.

“If you vote for him, not only will he continue, but will improve on what I have done.

Also, our party has during its primaries elected Gen. Muhammed Buhari and Prof. Osibajo, if you vote them into power in 2015; you would have successfully rescued this country from destruction.

“In politics, promises are important and that is why no one should make promises that they can not fulfill. And that was why we said that the time for ‘I had no shoe’ is over.

“The president made prom-

ises within and outside the country. But today, those promises are yet to be fulfilled. He promised to reduce the importation of generator, but today, citizens have bought more generators than the numbers they bought before 2011.

“He promised to ensure that the country move beyond producing and exporting crude oil to exporting refined petroleum product because Nigeria has no reason to import kerosene. But today, we have not moved beyond where we were in 2011.

“He promised to fight corruption in the country regardless of the person involved, but the president has refused to release the audit report of the missing $20 billion on crude oil.

“That is not how to fight corruption. We know that the audit has been completed.

The president is shielding the report and he must release the report.

“He is shielding the report because he knows the contents of the report. These are the issues for the next election and there is no reason for anyone to engage in violence.”

•President Goodluck Jonathan (fourth right), Niger Delta Affairs Minister Chief Stephen Oruh (fourth left) and members of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) PHOTO:NAN during a visit to Jonathan in Abuja…yesterday.

F

offer selfless service rather than personal enrichment.

He argued that once democracy was made to work as it should, there would be no excuses for the level of poverty in the country.

On deepening democracy, Atiku urged political leaders to embrace the spirit of tolerance, adding that people should not become enemies because of political differences.

He urged Nigerians to see the New Year with renewed optimism and be active participants in the struggle to bring about change by democratic means.

Atiku urged them to register massively and collect their PVCs to enable them to vote for parties and candidates of their choice.

On the slump in oil prices, he urged leaders to cut down on extravagant lifestyles.

To Atiku, it is not enough to tell ordinary Nigerians to make sacrifices in the face of economic austerity while leaders are reluctant to evenly share the burden of such sacrifices.

O

NE hundred and forty-two men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been trained by the Nigeria Army on counterterrorism and weapon handling.

The Commandant of the 31 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Abba Dikko, said this yesterday at the Batch C passing out ceremony in Minna, the Niger State capital.

Brig.-Gen. Dikko said the training involved practicals and theories for 129 workers of the NSCDC state command and 13 from the zonal command on weapon handling.

He said the lessons on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency were added to the curriculum to get the participants better equipped for contemporary security challenges.

“The training commenced with a directive from the army headquarters to train NSCDC personnel nationwide on the same subject.

“The participants exhibited sustained interest and good character, which enhance the smooth conduct of the course,” he said.

The Course Officer, Cpt. Labiwa Madugu, said the participants were trained on various kinds of weapons, adding that practicals were conducted at the cantonment firing range.

Madugu said physical fitness, obstacle crossing, route march, 3.2-kilometre race and beam work were also included.

“They were also trained on special counter-terrorism raid operations, cordon and search, bodyguard duties and VIP protection.

“The training cut across practicals and theories and the general performance score of the training was put at 60 per cent,” he added.

The NSCDC Zonal Commander, Alhaji Saidu Rabe, who was represented by the Niger Commander, Mr. Micheal Ochugwo, called on the trainees to use what they learnt to improve the services.

PDP scores Jonathan high on transportation

Atiku urges Nigerians not to despair

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians not to despair because of the country’s challenges.

Atiku, in a New Year message to Nigerians by his media office in Abuja yesterday, said he was aware of the tough challenges of existence facing ordinary Nigerians.

But, he noted that democracy offered the people the opportunity to use the power of their votes to bring about the desired change.

He also reminded political leaders that the success of democracy is determined by how much the life of the people has improved, and not how much fortune leaders made for themselves.

According to the former vice president, “while poverty is accelerating like hurricane in the land”, elected leaders are living opulent lifestyles inconsistent with the hardship of the ordinary voters.

Explaining that democracy is as good as those who practise it, Atiku added that elective offices should be perceived as an opportunity to

Army trains NSCDC on counter-terrorism

•Minister hails President for uniting Nigeria From Gbade Ogunwale and Tony Akowe, Abuja

•Metuh

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan in transport and aviation as unprecedented.

In a statement yesterday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the party and “all well-meaning Nigerians” were happy with the transformation in these key sectors that support greater economic productivity.

The statement said: “Under President Jonathan, rail services have returned, boosting not only commerce but also national integration.

“Today, the Lagos-IbadanOsogbo-Ilorin-Minna-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano narrow gauge has been rehabilitated with

improved fast coaches providing regular services. The Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu intercity train has been opened for operations while container cargo freight services from Apapa port complex have commenced.

“Already, rehabilitation works on the Port HarcourtAba-Umuahia-EnuguMarkurdi-Lafia-Kuru-BauchiGombe-Ashaka-Maiduguri, as well as the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna are at completion stages and will be operational soon.

“In the same vein, work on the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line has reached advanced stage and is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2015. This is in addition to the ItakpeAjaokuta-Warri standard gauge line, which is projected to resume full operation by the middle of 2015.

“Other segments of the new standard gauge speed train network are planned, with contract already awarded for the Lagos–Ibadan segment.

Already, a Memorandum of Understanding for the con-

struction of a new railway line that will run from Lagos to Calabar, extending to the Obudu Cattle Ranch has been signed.

“Passengers carried by rail has increased from 1 million in 2012 to 4.2 million in 2013 and still growing with the opening of new lines in 2014.

“On land transportation, the investment friendly environment created by the Jonathan administration has resulted in increased participation of private individuals and companies in road mass transit, including those funded through SURE-P and other financing windows, thereby reducing the land transport challenges faced by Nigerians”.

Giving an overview of the achievements in the water transport sector, the party noted that the dredging of the River Escavos and the Niger from Warri to Baro in Niger State and the inland city ports in Onitsha have since been completed to create the desired inland water channel for movement of workers and goods.

“This is in addition to the acceleration of the dredging work at the Lokoja axis and

the opening of coastal transport services. In the last three years, over 6.7 million passengers and over 1.6 million tonnes of cargo have been moved through this channel.

“In the same vein, extensive port reforms by the administration have paved the way for availability of twenty-four hour services with clearing time reduced from 39 days to 7 days for trouble-free cargo.

“On aviation, it is incontrovertible that this sector, which in the past was denied desired attention, has been revamped and repositioned by President Jonathan.

“In line with the President’s Transformation Agenda, the Aviation Ministry and its parastatals were immediately restructured, while obsolete infrastructure were either replaced or upgraded in all the major airports in line with international best practices.

Also, the National Planning Minister, Dr. Sulaiman Olanrewaju Abubakar, said despite the challenges facing the nation, Jonathan deserved praise for keeping the country together.

He assured Nigerians that next year will bring hope and succour.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

6

NEWS

•Cross-section of artisans, tradesmen, farmers, guests and other stakeholders during aTown Hall Meeting with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola at the Blue Roof, LTV, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

‘Why Fed Govt is improving railways’ From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that his administration was intensifying efforts at transforming railway system to actualise national prosperity and development.

He spoke in Kaduna at the flag-off of “Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) passenger service for Kaduna Intra-city.”

Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, added that the essence of giving much attention to railway system was to reduce the cost of moving goods and services in a manner that would make Nigerians happy.

He lamented that in the last 30 years, the railways had suffered neglect by previous administration.

He noted that his administration had rekindled hope in the lives of Nigerians, assuring that effective and efficient rail system would continue to be his administration’s priority.

Kaduna State Governor Muktar Yero noted that railway system was the most affordable and easy means of transportation.

Transport Minister Idris Umar advocated for a PrivatePublic Partnership (PPP) to aid in making the system functional.

Umar added that nine railway stations would be remodeled under the PPP arrangement.

How Nigeria can lead Africa, by don From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

A

UNIVERSITY don, Prof.

Oluwole Aluko, has urged the nation’s political leaders to be transparent and make integrity their watchword, if Nigeria must lead the African continent.

Aluko, who spoke at a public forum in Osogbo organised by the Osun State Chapter of Association of Veteran Journalists, added that Nigeria must also start to exhibit exemplary traits to liberate the continent from corruption.

The Professor of Public Administration and Local Government, Babcock University Ilishan, Ogun State, decried the way money was being spent into the local government administration without anything to show for it.

He said: “The vision of honesty, transparency and integrity for African governments and people must start in Nigeria, if the black continent must not be doomed, but get liberated from the yoke of corruption. This is because for every five Africans, there is one Nigerian.”

According to him,

Nigeria must strive hard to be a leader among the third world countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Botswana, by adopting probity, accountability and transparency in governance.

In his lecture, entitled: “Local Government in Nigeria: The Search for Survival,” Aluko, who retired from Osun State Public Service as Permanent Secretary 15 years ago, called for direct receipt of statutory allocations by local government themselves and not through state governments.

The lecture chairman, Dr. Basheer Komolafe, who is the proprietor of Ostrich Success International College, OdeOmu, called on journalists to always see themselves as professionals, who have a duty to perform for the good of the society.

He said journalists must promote ethics and maintain the integrity of the profession and be ready to lead campaigns for literacy.

He advocated better laws for the country and social security for the masses.

Y

Yam farmers to raise N5bn for Buhari’s campaign

AM farmers from some northern states have pledged to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign for next year’s general elections with N5 billion.

The group said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

Rev. Jacob Musa, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the farmers, under the name “Buhari-Osinbajo Presidential Appeal Campaign Fund (BOPCAF)”, said the money will be raised in 10 states.

Musa said members drawn from Taraba, Nasarawa, Pla-

teau, Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and Kaduna states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, would feature at the fundraiser.

“We have contributed five million tubers of yam to be donated in support of the funding of Buhari’s presidential campaign.

“The five million tubers of yam will be retailed at a special price of N1,000 each towards raising the sum of N5 billion in support of the APC candidate,’’ he said.

The statement added that

the public presentation of the five million tubers of yam would hold at the Mararaban Demshin village yam market in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau on January 4.

It stated that the ceremony would also witness traditional wrestling, involving 500 traditional wrestlers from the 19 northern states and the FCT. “The aim is to mobilise the wrestlers in the campaign against poverty, crime, killings, kidnappings, armed rob-

bery, cattle rustling, rape, cultism, election rigging, looting of public fund, smuggling, terrorism and other social vices now prevalent in the society,’’ it said.

The statement also said the event would be heralded by a world news conference in Jos on Friday.

It added that the event would be attended by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in his capacity as the director general of the Buhari-Osinbajo Campaign Organisation.

Lagos records 1,500 fire cases, says agency chief

T

HE Lagos State Fire Service said yesterday that it responded to over 1500 emergency cases this year.

This figure, according to the agency’s director, Rasaq Fadipe, is lower than about 2,500 cases recorded last year, noting that the late arrival of the hammattan wind might have contributed to the low figure recorded this year.

In an interview with The Nation, Fadipe said 1,499 emergency cases were recorded from January to November, with 133 others occurring between December 1 to 21.

He added that the fire service attended to 23 cases during the Christmas holiday, attributing most of the incidents to carelessness and electrical surges.

The fire service boss also said plans were underway to curb the activities of fake fire extinguisher manufacturers and sellers, warning the perpetrators to desist or face sanctions.

He decried the situation whereby some people have sacrificed the safety of lives and properties on the altar of money, noting that the state could no longer condone the activities of fake fire extinguisher manufacturers.

According to Fadipe, there will be harmonisation of the manufacturers of fire-fighting equipment to make it difficult for those producing fake ones.

“Everyday, we respond to an average of three to four emergencies. Looking back

By Precious Igbonwelundu

into the year, I will give you figure from January to November 1499.

“Although December has not ended, I can tell you that from December 1 to 21, we effectively responded to 133 cases. For the four days that the Federal Government declared holiday (Thursday, December 25 to Sunday, 28), we responded to 23 emergency cases, including a guy who died in a swimming pool on Christmas day.

“If you look at that, it is on the high side. It shows that the fire service is living up to its responsibilities. It is important for us to understand that emergency will not happen, if we are not careless.

“Human error contributed majorly to most of the outbreaks we witnessed this year.

But we will continue to enlighten and lecture our people on what to do to avert outbreak of fire or actions to take when fire breaks,” he said Fadipe said the agency would continue its aggressive public enlightenment and consolidate on its achievements.

His words: “We have discovered that sometimes, when there is fire outbreak and people apply the equipment, some of these equipments fail to work.

“What we deduced from there was that there are lots of fake fire-fighting products outside. I do not know why people do such things. If you want to make money, engage in other ventures; not safety

issues, because you will be putting the lives of others at risk.

“We will go all out even if it means enacting a law that will see to an end of this evil; we will do it.”

He stated that the agency witnessed several attacks of its workers and vandalisation of equipment by mob in the course of carrying out its responsibilities within the year.

Using the University of Lagos (UNILAG) instance, where angry students vandalised the Ilupeju fire truck when it answered a fire outbreak call, Fadipe urged Lagosians to desist from actions that could incapacitate the agency.

He said: ‘The attitude of attacking firemen or equipment is bad. Our people most desist from such behaviours. We had instances, where our men were wounded. What normally results to this attack are late calls to fire service.

‘When there is an emergency, people do not place calls early. Rather, they spend time trying to salvage their personal effects. And as they are doing that, the fire keeps burning and before you know it, it would have spread.

“So, when the fire service eventually gets the information and comes, bystanders will attack us, saying that we came late.

“I am just saying this for our people to know that these vehicles they are damaging do not belong to the governor, fire service or an individual.

‘It belongs to the people and

are there to safe the lives of every citizen in the course of emergency. So, when you damage the vehicles, you are stopping it from being on the road and by so doing, cheating other people who would have benefitted from its services.

‘For instance, when the students damaged the Ilupeju vehicle, it could not be used for operation. Around that time, there was outbreak at Okobaba in Ebute-Meta. I had to draft the Isolo and Alausa to go there. If the fire truck at Ilupeju was functional, it would have been the first responder for that incident.

“A lot of things retard our response to emergency. Fire outbreaks usually occur at night and most times, the areas of outbreak are inaccessible because of street gates.

“Most of the streets are under lock and key, once its 12am. No matter how we horn, the security men will not respond since they are acting under instruction not to open the gate once it is past 12 midnight.

“Some of them also do not understand what an emergency vehicle is and since they have not seen fire flames in the street, they may not even understand what we are talking about. So, most times, we spend appreciable time trying to break barriers to accessing scene of fire.

“Another instance was a fire outbreak that happened in Oshodi, where three kids were locked in the house by their parents, who went out.

Fire broke out and there was no one around.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

7

NEWS

APC hails NULGE for rejecting PDP lawmakers’ position T T HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has praised the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for supporting autonomy for local governments, which was passed by the 19 APC lawmakers.

The party also extended its “arms of fellowship” to teachers, who have asked for forgiveness for working against the re-election of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, having misunderstood his education policies.

Some of the teachers apologised on behalf of their colleagues to Fayemi on a radio programme last week in which they bemoaned non-payment of salaries and alleged poor welfare package.

The party, in a statement by its state Publicity Secre-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

tary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, hailed the local government workers for rejecting the seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, who voted against autonomy for local governments.

The 19 lawmakers, led by Speaker Adewale Omirin, at their last sitting on December 18 voted that local government autonomy be included in the constitution.

The seven PDP lawmakers, loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose, held a counter-sitting a week later and voted against the autonomy, which elicited the anger of council workers.

Describing the state executive of NULGE as “men of sterling qualities”, the APC said NULGE’s position “would go down in history as speaking the truth in matters of popular demand among the people against a narrow political interest”.

The party said: “The members of the Executive Council of NULGE are men of sterling qualities and apolitical civil servants.

“Even at the risk of being hounded and haunted by those who neither know what separation of powers is all about nor have any respect for the rule of law, they voiced their stance on the rejection of the autonomy for local governments. We salute their courage.

“The NULGE stance, which has our total support, is commendable while the stance of the PDP-Seven is condemnable, illegal, unconstitutional and of no consequence. We are recording it as one of the several illegalities they are being backed to commit by Governor Fayose.

“We hold nothing against the teachers or anyone in the state. Rather, we share in their sorrows and pains as they celebrated dry Christmas.

“We are equal stakeholders. We, the teachers and NULGE are partners in progress in our unyielding stance to move our state forward.”

4,000 teachers promoted

HE Ondo State government has presented letters of promotion to 4,000 teaching and non-teaching staff of public secondary schools.

It said the recruitment of another 1,500 teachers will be completed before the end of next year.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko presented the letters of promotion to the beneficiaries at the launch in Akure, the state capital.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Aderotimi Adelola, the governor said the ceremony was in fulfillment of his promises to prioritise the welfare of workers, particularly payment of salaries and prompt issuance of letters of promotion to deserving staff.

He reiterated the commitment of the government to the rapid development of education in the state, adding that various projects that elevate the education sector will continually be implemented.

Mimiko told the beneficiaries that their promotions are in recognition of their good deeds and they should reciprocate the gesture by ensuring that they contribute their best to the society.

He urged them to rededicate themselves to excellent teachings in schools to afford students the best chances to excel in their national or international examinations.

Osun felicitates with residents

T

HE Osun State government has felicitated with the people in the New Year.

A congratulatory message by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olusegun Aduroja, thanked the people for their support, encouragement and cooperation in 2014.

On behalf of the state government, he urged them to continue with the same spirit in the New Year.

According to him, the Aregbesola administration is poised to provide dividends

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

of democracy to the people within available resources.

Aduroja praised civil servants as well as teachers for showing understanding in the face of dwindling funds from the Federation Account, which has greatly affected the timely payment of their salaries.

He said: “Since it has never been in the character of this administration to delay the payment of salaries, the government would strive hard to address the issue as the situation improves.”

Elders condemn attacks on Buhari From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second left); Human Rights activist Amitolu Shittu (middle); his wife, Falilat (second right); Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland Babatunde Badmos and his wife, Ganiyat at Shittu’s 50th birthday party in Osogbo.

Shops, school destroyed by fire in Ondo

A

SCHOOL and some shops were razed yesterday in Odosida area of Ondo town.

The inferno which was said to have started at 6 am destroyed personal property and vital documents owned by the school.

Although no one died, the cause of the inferno was sketchy at press time.

There were speculations that the fire occurred shortly after some hoodlums, who drove in an unmarked

•Property, documents razed From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Toyota Camry, allegedly stormed the area at 5am with guns and other weapons.

It was gathered that the hoodlums blocked the major road leading into the street, before shooting sporadically and setting the shops ablaze.

Sources said the hoodlums were led by a boy, whose identity was yet to

be ascertained.

The boy reportedly engaged in a brawl with his brother, whose name was given as Rotimi, over the property of their late father.

Firefighters from the State Fire Service tried to put out the fire.

Some of the victims, including the school’s headteacher, lamented the loss of the property.

The headteacher, Nelson Akinkuade, said he lost sev-

eral documents.

Another victim, Mrs. Kikelomo Akinbobola, whose shop was destroyed, described the incident as sad.

She explained that some boys threatened, two days ago, to set one of the shops ablaze.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Enuowa, Emmanuel Adesina, , confirmed the report.

He said two suspects arrested by the police were still in their custody .

Oyo APC stakeholders back Ajimobi

L

EADERS and stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have passed a vote of confidence in Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan, the state capital.

They lauded the governor and members of the State Executive for the successful conduct of primaries, which they described as free and fair.

The communique issued at the end of the meeting reads: “The meeting hinged its unanimous support for Governor Abiola Ajimobi on unprecedented achievements in the state as attested to by the world.

“The meeting noted that the administration has been able to restore the pacesetter’s status of the state by distributing dividends of democracy across the nooks

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

and crannies of the state.

“The meeting was unanimous in giving credit to the conduct of primaries which produced candidates for all the elective posts in anticipation of the 2015 general elections.

The meeting adjudged the outcome of the APC primaries as free, fair and credible as the conducts signaled a watershed in the history of political parties in the state.

“The meeting acknowledged the heroic activities of all aspirants before, during and after the party primaries, describing them as worthy party faithful and “Champions of Change”.

“The meeting urged all contestants (aspirants who emerged and those who were defeated) to bury the

hatchet and forge a common front to enable the APC win in the elections.

“The meeting applauded the governor for ensuring the smooth conduct of the APC primaries in the state.

“It said Ajimobi and the party leadership guaranteed a level- playing field for all aspirants.

“All stakeholders, including all aspirants, resolved to work for the success of all APC candidates.

“The meeting enjoined members of the party to eschew all activities capable of causing rancour and schism within the party.

“It urged the public to be wary of the antics of the opposition elements whose stock in trade is political violence, election rigging and indecent practices as we approach the general elections.”

“The communique also

T

HE Elders Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has deplored attacks on the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It warned the party to face issues instead of attacking personalities.

The body said the morbid fear for Buhari by the PDP has confirmed that the “umbrella party” had many things to hide from Nigerians, who are tired of its leadership.

The group’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Bayo Orire, condemned yesterday the comments credited to the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; National Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo and National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh.

According to him, making attempts to denigrate Buhari by accusing him of being semi-literate and unqualified had portrayed the PDP as an unserious party, resorting to chasing shadows.

The doctor-turned politician said the more PDP attacks Buhari, the more he becomes popular among Nigerians who, according to him, see him as the face of a new Nigeria built on transparency, probity, accountability and credible leadership.

“Under a Buhari Presidency, I expect eradication of corruption, graft and stealing, I expect dedication to duty and a paradigm shift in the way Nigerians will start to look at things.

“I expect total uprooting of Boko Haram and I expect discipline in the Armed Forces. It will be a new Nigeria where everybody will be happy, where everybody will enjoy light and water between six months and one year.”

50 graduate from internship scheme

F •Ajimobi

condemned members of the opposition in Accord, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) over the conspiracy aimed at sabotaging the result-yielding efforts of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, particularly in the area of providing security.

“It condemned the withdrawal of soldiers from the combined security outfit of the state code named ‘Operation Burst.”

IFTY interns have graduated from the training organised by the Graduate Internship Scheme, in conjunction with Supreme Management Training and Consultancy Services Limited.

The project, according to its Director, Peter M. Papka, who was represented by the Operation Officer, Miss Kemi Fatoki, was launched in October 2012, to train youths to contribute meaningfully to the government’s transformation agenda and enhancement of national manpower development.

The programme provides opportunity for graduates by attaching them to different firms and organisations to work and enjoy a monthly stipend of N30,000 with a group life and accident in-

surance.

The efforts, he said, were to reduce the number of unemployment persons roaming the streets.

The interns, he added, could use the opportunity to gain work experience, enhanced employability skills and also guarantee them the personal and social skills that will lead them to selfdiscovery.

The Chief Consultant, Supreme Management Training and Consultancy Services Limited, Yinka Fasuyi, said the GIS programme was introduced as a component of Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) to provide the youth with job apprenticeship opportunities that would expose them to skills and experiences.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

8

NEWS APC re-run primary holds in Osun East From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

A

RE-RUN primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun East senatorial district was held yesterday between Jide Omoworare and Sola Lawal.

Following a petition to the party’s Election Appeal Committee by Lawal against the declaration of Omoworare as the winner, the rerun was held at Timsed Hotel in Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State.

Lawal and Omoworare are from Ife Central Local Government in the senatorial district.

Two thousand three hundred and five accredited delegates participated in the re-run earlier scheduled to hold at Zanabab Resort, Olo-Ijesa but later moved to Timsed Hotel at Ijebu-Jesa, few hours before the exercise.

The aspirants’ supporters thronged the venue in last minute vote canvassing and lobbying.

Accreditation was held up till 5.30 pm and voting for the 10 councils constituting the Osun East senatorial district started shortly after.

As at 8pm voting in Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Ife North and Ife South had been concluded.

Voting in six councils, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Oriade, Obokun, Ife East and Ife Central still continued.

As at press time yesterday, Omoworare had 1280 votes and Lawal seven.

The winner would have to contend with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Francis Fadahunsi, who is from Obokun Local Government in the senatorial district.

Dickson predicts victory for Jonathan From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

B

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has predicted victory for President Goodluck Jonathan in next year’s presidential election.

The governor also urged residents to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) .

He spoke at the monthly praise night at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.

Dickson appealed for prayers for the Federal Government.

Claiming that the President’s scorecard and credibility would fetch him victory next year, he said: “With constant prayers from Bayelsans and leaders at all levels, he would emerge victorious, because God answers prayers.

“I wish all Bayelsans Merry Christmas and a prosperous crises-free 2015. There will be security and peace across the land.”

According to Dickson, “there will be unprecedented progress and development in the land of Bayelsa in the New Year.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun inaugurating the Ogun Transit Home at the Juvenile Correctional Home, Asero, Abeokuta...yesterday. With him are Secretary to the State Government Taiwo Adeoluwa (left); Chief of Staff to the Governor Prof Ganiyu Olatunde (second right) ; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Mrs Elizabeth Sonubi and others.

Amosun pays Dec salary with 10 per cent bonus

T

HE Ogun State government announced yesterday the payment of December salary for its workers with 10 per cent bonus.

The state’s monthly wage bill, including subventions and pensions, is put at N6.2billion, according to the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, who announced this in Abeokuta, the state capital, added that junior workers had been paid

T

ers.

According to him, Ogun and Lagos were the only states which paid their workers December salaries together with bonuses.

Adeoluwa said had Amosun not taken the initiative to grow the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the paltry N730milliion monthly he inherited in 2011 to between N4.5billion to N6.2billion monthly, things would have gone bad.

The SSG said the announcement of the payment of the December

Lagos Countdown: LAASA assures of security

T

HE Lagos State government has assured Lagosians of security for the Lagos Countdown festival, which ends tonight with a big party.

At a briefing, the Managing Director of the State Signage & Advertisement Agency (LASAA), George Noah, whose agency organised the event, said the government had completed arrangements to host 100,000 residents at the grand finale to usher in the New Year.

He said: “In the last two editions, we have not had any problem with security. In last year’s edition, we had about 100,000 people in attendance and we did not record any security problem.

Oyo Speaker advises youths HE Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, has advised youths to shun politics of bitterness.

She said this at a meeting with ward youth leaders from the 11 local governments in Oyo Central Senatorial District at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building Secretariat, Ibadan.

The Speaker stressed the importance of youths in politics, urging them to work together for the actualisation of the dream for change in Nigeria.

Mrs. Sunmonu, who is the APC candidate in Oyo Central Senatorial District, said she would operate an open-door policy, promising youths that their voices would

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

before Christmas.

Adeoluwa said at the close of work yesterday, the salaries were released to the workers’ banks for onward disbursement into their respective accounts.

He said the Ibikunle Amosun led administration believed in the philosophy that a “labourer’s wage should be paid before his sweat dries up” and rued what he called “financial stress” being experienced in the country that engendered the slight delay in payment of work-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan and Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

count, if given the mandate.

She said her experience would be an added advantage for better representation in the National Assembly.

The coordinator of the meeting, Akintunde Isiaka, said the meeting became imperative because of the recognition and active involvement of the youth in the Speaker’s programmes.

Isiaka described Mrs. Sunmonu as a grassroots politician and a mother to all. He added that the forum was to formally declare that the youth of Oyo Central were behind her and ready to bring her senatorial dream to reality.

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

“This is because we take security seriously. I have met with some of these security agencies.”

He added that legendary singers like Sir Victor Uwaifo, Orlando Julius and Sir Shina Peter would perform at the event.

According to him, this would be the first time the Countdown would be featured live on CNN ,adding that the government has brought in experts to manage the stage, lightning, fireworks and the crowd.

He said this year would feature 25 artistes like 2face, Olamide, Iyanya, Omawunmi, Banky W, Wizkid, Davido and some upcoming artistes.

Noah said the government

would provide free buses from Ikorodu and Badagry to convey people to the venue.

The Lagos Countdown seeks to institute an enduring crossover tradition signifying the end of the year and the celebration of the beginning of another in a splendid fashion.

In addition to offering a viable platform for commerce, encouraging brand development, job creation, leisure, entertainment and tourism, the event includes music performances headlined by top artistes, an enchanting cascade of lights, fireworks and pyrotechnics, all combining to transform the entire Bar Beach, on Victoria Island, Lagos, into a melting pot for culture and commerce.

Court stops Ondo PDP’s list of candidates

A

N Abuja Federal High Court has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from using any list of candidates from the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate elections.

The court gave the order, following an application for contempt filed by the state PDP Chairman, Chief Olu Ogunye.

The vacation judge, Justice A. R. Mohammed, directed that whichever list of candidates to be used for the elections from either of the parties to the suit should be determined by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, whose order was violated by INEC. The court also ruled that the entire contempt proceedings and committal to prison application would be determined on January 6.

Justice Ademola, on December 18, directed that the leadership of PDP and INEC should relate with the Ogunye-led new executive in respect of conduct of primaries and elections into the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate.

This order was allegedly violated by INEC and the PDP, which precipitated the contempt motion.

salary became necessary because of an alleged wrong information earlier passed on a radio programme by the leader of the state chapter of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Abiodun Olakanmi, who said the workers, particularly those on the senior cadres, have not been paid.

But when brought before reporters to substantiate his claim, Olakanmi said he meant no mischief, saying as at the time he spoke, he was not aware that the workers had been paid.

‘Jonathan should forget Ondo votes’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A

N All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and Coordinator, Buhari Volunteers (BV) in Ondo State, Akogun Olugbenga Omole, has said President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) should forget votes from the Sunshine State.

Omole spoke at the group’s inaugural meeting yesterday in Akure, the state capital.

“On February 14, Ondo people will speak with their votes. We will ask the President what he has done for us in the last six years,” he said.

Omole ‘s comments followed the statement credited to Governor Olusegun Mimiko in Abuja that he would give Jonathan one million votes in the state.

The BV coordinator said this was a statement of an attention seeker, who has lost his relevance in the political scenario in Ondo.

“Without exaggeration, Governor Mimiko has been rejected by majority of his new party members; he is battling with so many court cases.

“A political leader who cannot provide basic infrastructure and life saving amenities for the people can only be a campaign coordinator for a presidential candidate who is ready to fail.”

He enjoined members to continue to mobilise for the party by preaching the candidature of Buhari/Osinbajo to everyone.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

9

NEWS

Fear grips PDP candidates over INEC’s list

T

HERE is tension in Anambra State, following the non-inclusion of the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list for the general elections.

Some of the candidates have threatened to mobilise against President Goodluck Jonathan in the elections.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

When INEC’s list was released last week, the PDP candidates’ names were missing, raising doubts whether or not the party would take part in the elections.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who preferred ano-

nymity, said the submission of names had ended “and any other thing INEC does will be illegal.”

APGA’s National Chairman and the party’s candidate for Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh, threatened that the party would seek legal redress to stop PDP from fielding multiple candidates.

This, according to him,

had become a norm in the party’s practice in the state over the years, adding that APGA had written to INEC and PDP. The Nation learnt that the situation was causing panic among PDP candidates.

Following the deployment of 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) ahead of the elections, another REC had been posted

to Anambra. He is Edwin Nwakatari from Ezeagu in Enugu State. He takes over from Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu.

The Nation gathered yesterday in Awka that the REC might resume next week.

When our correspondent called on INEC’s spokesman Frank Egbo for confirmation of the list, he said: “I’m not competent to comment on it.”

‘I’m not Abia Professionals Forum’s president’

M

R. Sam Onukwue yesterday denied issuing any statement on behalf of the Abia Professionals Forum in which he allegedly warned the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, on the possibility of the party losing in Abia State.

He also denied being the president of the purported forum, describing the association as “phoney,” and the statement as emanating from “the stable of desperate politicians.”

In a statement yesterday, Onukwue said: “My attention has been drawn to a publication on page 9 of a national newspaper of December 29, headlined: “PDP may lose Abia State, group warns Mu’azu”. It was credited to me as “President” of a phoney group, Abia Professionals Forum.

“The newspaper (Not The Nation) claimed that the publication was based on a statement I allegedly released in Abuja. I have been inundated with phone calls, text messages and personal calls by well- meaning Nigerians, who were surprised and embarrassed by the odious publication.

“I wish to state that I am not the President of the phoney Abia Professionals Forum and that I neither issued nor authorised to be issued the statement. I have not written or caused to be written and circulated any such statement or petition as allegedly quoted and published.”

FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu (third left), with other senior officers, parading the suspects arrested at PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE locations in Abuja... yesterday

Ebonyi budgets N80b for next year

E

BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi yesterday presented an appropriation bill of N80,017,929,870.00 (Eighty billion, seventeen million, nine hundred and twentynine thousand, eight hundred and seventy naira) to the House of Assembly for passage into law.

In a surprise development, the warring factions of the Assembly sheathed their swords and came together to receive the governor to the chambers.

They were led by embattled Speaker Chukwuma Nwazunku.

The presentation ended speculations and apprehensions that the budget may not be presented to the House this year or that it may be presented to the 13 members loyal to

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Governor Elechi.

The sitting, however, started three hours behind schedule, as the lawmakers and the governor had a marathon closeddoor meeting, the outcome of which was not made known to reporters.

Tagged: “Budget of transmission and economic fulfilment”, it is over six per cent lower than last year’s downward revised budget of N85,634,933,972.

According to the governor, 47.48 per cent of the budget or N39,991,977,780 billion is being proposed as recurrent expenditure and N42,025,952,090. billion or 52,52 per cent of the budget is for capital expendi-

•Promises more democracy dividends

T

cupied top positions.

Eke said the indigenes would not forget the good work of the governor and the only way to reward him was to ensure his victory at the polls.

The APC Chairman in the local government, Chief Stanley Onwukwe, said the party would win in Imo State.

Nwachukwu assured the governor of the people’s support.

He said the party had adopted measures to prevent rigging in the local government.

Okorocha assured them of the completion of AmamuraItu-Eziudo-Obizi-Ihitte Ezegbogu Road before the end of the first quarter of 2015.

He stressed the need for Ezinihitte people to vote for him to ensure the sustainability of free education and other

promises to our people; and that we have created a hope for the future generation,” the governor said.

Nwazunku praised him for his prudent management of the state’s resources. He promised that the Assembly would ensure a speedy passage of the budget to enable the governor continue his good programmes.

Nwazunku announced the setting up of a special appropriation committee to ensure a speedy passage of the budget.

Members are Frank Onwe, Odefa Obasi Odefa, Nwifuru Ogbonnaya, Val Okike, Chike Ogiji and Oliver Nwachukwu.

Twenty-one of the 24 members were in attendance, including Deputy Speaker Blaise Orji.

•INEC urged to conduct free, fair elections

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

C

HRISTIANS under the aegis of the All Christian Leaders/Ministers Forum (ACLMF) have begun mobilising for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

The National President of ACLMF, Dr. Sam Ogedengbe, who spoke yesterday at the group’s end-of-the-year youth summit/symposium, held at the Overcomers Prayer Assembly, AbuleEgba, Lagos, said Christians should vote for Gen. Buhari because he is honest and disciplined, adding that his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is a devout Christian, who would complement Buhari’s effort.

He said Lagosians should vote for APC’s governorship candidate, Ambode, to allow the continuity of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s laudable programmes.

Ogedengbe went on: “2015 general election is crucial in the history of our nation. We should avoid voting for politicians, who don’t have the interest of the masses at heart.

There is need for a change at the national level. Nigerians should support the Buhari/ Osinbajo candidature to put this country on the path of progress.

“We are mobilising Christians and other Nigerians to vote for Gen. Buhari because we need him at this crucial time to right the wrongs.

People should vote for APC because it has a solution to the nation’s problems.

“Christians should no longer sit on the fence. We should vote during the general elections. It is only through our votes that we can effect a change. As we go for crossover service tomorrow (today), we should remember Nigeria in our prayers because this is our Jerusalem.”

He urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , Prof. Attahiru, Jega, to conduct free and fair elections.

Confusion over Abia PDP governorship candidate

2015: Okorocha gets support HE second term bid of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has got a boost, as the people of Ezinihitte Local Government have vowed to ensure his victory.

About 17,000 people in the council, including women, men and youths, took the decision at the official declaration of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ezinihitte Constituency, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, at Okpofe Central School.

The party Chairman, Dr. Hilary Eke, assured the governor that Ezinihitte people would vote for APC candidates to ensure the continuity of good programmes.

He said the people benefitted from the Okorocha administration, especially in infrastructural development, adding that Mbaise people oc-

ture.

Elechi hailed the Assembly for the cordial relationship it maintained with the Executive, “although in the last few months, there have been trials caused by internal and external factors.”

He said the 2014 “Budget of stabilisation” faced obstacles, especially the global economic meltdown, fluctuations of crude prices, which led to a shortfall in the expected revenue of the federal and state governments, as its expenditure profile rose.

“Despite the hiccups experienced over the years, we have a justification to say we have consolidated on the performances of the past years; that we have reasonably, if not wholly, fulfilled our electoral

Christians mobilise for Buhari, Ambode

A •Okorocha

lofty programmes.

The governor described Nwachukwu, Adaku Ihuoma, who is contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives and Uche Onyeagocha, who is gunning for a senatorial seat, as people having impeccable character and the pedigree to deliver.

HUGE haze seems to be hanging over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, ahead of the general elections.

It was learnt yesterday that there were issues surrounding Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu’s candidature.

Ikpeazu’s form C0028, according to findings, was already with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This is contrary to information available to The Nation that the Form C002B, as it relates to Abia State, was withdrawn by the PDP national leadership, following questions about Ikpeazu, thereby casting doubt on the authenticity of the signature on the form Ikpeazu submitted to INEC.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Form CF 002B is the INEC approved document with which chairmen and secretaries of parties can submit the names of their parties’ candidates for the governorship election.

According to a copy of the Form C002B made available to The Nation yesterday in Abuja, only the signature of the PDP national chairman, alleged to have been forged, was appended. That of the PDP national secretary was not appended.

It has raised questions in some quarters on how the document made it to INEC without the PDP national secretary’s endorsement.

Our findings showed that the national leadership of the

party had dropped Ikpeazu’s name.

Although the party did not name any replacement, The Nation learnt that it rather asked that stakeholders should meet the governorship aspirants and Governor Theodore Orji to seek a credible replacement.

The meeting is yet to hold.

A source at the commission told The Nation that “it was possible the document did not pass through the right channel before finding its way to INEC.” Fingers are being pointed at a senior worker of the commission from Abia State in the alleged “smuggling in” of the Form C002B, as the PDP national chairman was said to be out of the country when the form was signed and submitted.

10

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

CITYBEATS Man, 35, in battle for life A

35-year-old man, Emmanuel Damilola, is battling for his life after coming down with acute renal failure.

He is now undergoing dialysis which costs about N50,000 per session, including the accompanying blood transfusion. His doctors say Damilola, who hails from Ondo State, will be undergoing dialysis twice weekly because of his worsening condition.

Damilola is a tailor, his mother is a petty trader and his father is a pensioner.

Their savings have been spent on his treatment.

Doctors say Damilola requires a renal transplant.

Dr O. B. Onuzo, Chief Medical Director of Life Support Medical Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, said on November 10: “Emmanuel Damilola was presented to

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Lagos Task Force reclaims N2bn ‘seized’ estate

O

By Joseph Jibueze

our institution on account of acute renal failure. He was diagnosed in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and referred for urgent dialysis in our centre.

“The patient has had five sessions of haemodialysis and several blood transfusions but cannot keep up with the treatment cost.

Therefore, he has not been compliant with his treatment. This letter is written on his behalf, for whoever is willing to assist him. Renal transplant is the definitive treatment.”

Any such donations can be made through the account: Damilola Shedrack Akinuyi, Skye Bank Plc: 1019053381. The family said it will cost N7.5milion for the transplant in Nigeria

•Damilola

(excluding the donor) and N12million in India. The amount covers the donor.

FFICIALS of the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit yesterday reclaimed a N2billion Estate allegedly seized by suspected land grabbers in Gbagada.

Led by their Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Police, the officials got to the estate around 10am and took over the property. Suspected thugs fled on sighting them.

The Estate was built by Stardust Estate Limited after buying the property from the Lagos State Government in 2007 with over N1.5 billion loan.

The suspected land grabbers said to be working for a popular Lagos family seized the property from the developer claiming that the place belong to the family.

A Lagos High Court had restrained the Oloto Family from encroaching on the land but the family ignored the judgment to sack the developer.

Task Force Sulaiman said

‘I always have bad dream after sex with my husband’ THE day my motherin-law took our first child out to relieve me of the stress of our new baby, that was the day our daughter became deaf. When we visited several churches, they asked after my husband and his mother. If I really knew my husband, I wouldn’t have accepted his marriage proposal. “ These were the words of a middle-age trader, Shola Abdullah, as she sought the dissolution of her eightyear-old marriage to Lanre, at the Alagbado Customary Court in Lagos.

“

By Basirat Braimah

She alleged that her husband was fond of beating her.

Mrs Abdullah said: “My husband and I are strangers in our home. We have never had a cheerful moment.

Whenever I talk, he would rain curses on me. He accuses me of adultery. I don’t know his plans for me because I am treated as a slave.

His attitude is weird. Whenever he sleeps with me, I always see myself vomiting a gecko in my dream. Strangely, I always wake up with a swollen stomach. He once

took me home during a church service only to sleep with me and later dropped me off at the church. It’s been a month since I left home.

Am not missing anything because we don’t relate well.”

The marriage, which was contracted under Native and Customary Law, is blessed with three children.

But her husband is insisting on the marriage. Abdullah told the court: “My mother didn’t do anything to our first child. We were told our first child had measles which made her deaf. I have

had to buy a hearing aid worth thousands of Naira.

My wife has never supported me. I opened two shops for her but she couldn’t maintain it. Whenever there is an argument, she leaves the house leaving me with our children. I have never sent her away. I want her back. I have never accused her of adultery.

“The court’s President, Mr. Olubode Sekoni, ordered Abdullah to write an undertaken never to maltreat his wife again.

He adjourned the case till January 22.

•We ‘re the owners, Oloto family insists

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Stardust legally acquired the property, which is about 27 plots from the government to build an estate. The firm has certificate of occupancy (C of O) for the property, he said.

He said a survey by the Surveyor-General Office showed that the land does not belong to the Oloto family, adding that the Attorney-General, through the Solicitor-General had written to the Oloto family to stay away from the land.

But the family, he said, refused and took over possession of the already built estate and started selling the houses on it.

Sulaiman said the family waited for the company to develop the estate before taking it and putting it up for sale.

Those who had bought 4-bedroom duplex were chased out of their apartment.

Vehicles belonging to the family found on the land were towed away by the task Force; some people were arrested over the issue.

Dr. Akin Akinmokun, Partner, Stardust Estate Limited lamented that the bank was already harassing the company to pay back the loan. The company, he said, lost about N2 billion because of the land grabbers activities.

According to him, the company legally acquired the land from the government in 2007 and also obtained the C of O. Investigation revealed that after taking over the estate, the family began to sell the houses therein through Westgate Properties on Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos the company’s signboard on the estate’s wall.

A representative of the family, Adeola Egbeyemi, 60, refused to speak to newsmen at the estate. She was arrested by the task Force and taken to its Alausa, Ikeja head office, where she made a statement.

In her statement, Egbeyemi insisted that the land belongs to the family, adding that there are plans to build a Millennium Estate on it.

Foundation fetes the less-privileged

D

UCHESS Royale Foundation, a non-for-profit oragnisation, held a Christmas party for the less privileged in Adekunle and Makoko in Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

In a statement, its founder, Duchess Adeyinka Obat Akinruntan, said the foundation provides community projects for some women in Lagos, Abuja, Ikale and Ore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

She said: “Any discussion about Nigeria’s future must necessarily entail consideration of children and women, the role they play and the difficulties they face in making the future a successful one. Violence against children and female underpins these disadvantages and exclusions. Investing in children and female

By Lucas Ajanaku

now will increase productivity and will promote sustainable growth, peace and better health for the next generation of children and women. That is why Duchess Royale Foundation has made its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children within the Nigerian communities.”

The group’s Director of Operations, Oluwadare Oyepitan, said members of the organisation undertook the visit to alleviate the plight of the people who could not afford to feed themselves.

He said: “Members of our organisation are like minds; our main objective is to reach out to the down trodden - the grass roots. We all are professionals.”

Council chief: we ‘ve improved HE Administrative facilities Head of Ejigbo Local

T

•L-R: Director of Community Development, Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development, Lagos State, Mr. Eniola Awolaru, Director of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Elizabeth Ashiru; Director of Accounts, Mrs. Olabisi Boco; Chairman, Community Development Advisory Council, Mr. Tajudeen Quadri; and Deputy Director, Mrs. Gbemisola Rufai, during the thanksgiving service to mark the Community Day at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja.

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE

Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Mrs. Babatunde Kehinde, has spoken of her strides in office in the last two months.

She told reporters in her office that there has been an improvement in education, health, the environment and roads since she became council manager on October 28 following the chairman’s exit.

Governor Babatunde Fashola, she said, directed that council managers should ensure that people at the grassroots enjoyed dividends of democracy.

The directive, she added, informed her council’s decision to provide 400 desks and benches for pupils of Oladele Alake

By Basirat Braimah

Public Primary School.

Mrs. Babatunde said the pupils and teachers were happy when the furniture were given to them.

She said with the provision of the furniture, the 209 pupils would now study in convenience.

The council chief said drugs worth N1.8 million were given to six public primary health centres last month adding that the council also participated in the Lagos State Wellness Health programme, during which residents were offered free hypertension and diabetes test.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

11

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

12

NEWS

Man defiles nine-year-old daughter •Impregnates step-daughter •Victim to govt: send my daddy to prison

A

55-YEAR old man, simply identified as Osaro, has allegedly defiled his nine-year old daughter and impregnated his 17-year old step-daughter.

Residents of Ogida Quarters in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State were shocked when they heard the man’s sexual escapades with the girls.

The revelation followed his arrest and detention by the police at the Ogida Police Di-

Two suspected robbers killed in Warri

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

vision.

The suspect was in police detention last night for the alleged crime.

Onlookers shed tears as the nine-year old victim told reporters how her father defiled her.

The youngster urged the police to jail her father.

She said: “My daddy slept with me all the time. In the night, when I am asleep, he would take me to the chair in the parlour and lie on top of me. He used to do it anytime. If I wanted to shout, he would cover my mouth. It used to pain me.

“I want my daddy to go to prison. I want them to arrest my daddy. They should put him in jail so that he will not come out again.”

The mother of the victim, who gave her name as Stella, said her husband wanted to sleep with her second daughter but succeeded in impregnating her third daughter.

Stella, who had left her husband, said she returned to him after he confessed and pretended to have repented.

She said: “He later succeeded in sleeping with my other 17year-old daughter. After impregnating the girl, he begged

me severally to forgive him. He started the church I used to attend and confessed what he had done. The church members begged me and I accepted him.

He has paid my bride price; so, I went back.

“After we settled, my husband started with his daughter.

The little girl told me what she was going through in the hands of her father. I asked my husband but he denied. He said he had stopped the act since he repented.

“One afternoon, I caught him on top of our daughter. I didn’t realise it was my daughter he was making love to. I went to

the church and vowed that I could not continue with the marriage. I was tired of forgiving him all the time. I packed out of the house and went to my first daughter’s house.

“I started praying fervently.

On Christmas Day, he drove me outside at 8pm. He was alone inside with the children. The next day, my daughter told me what he did to her. When I decided to check my daughter’s private part, he beat me up. But neighbours intervened.”

The police said the case had been transferred to their headquarters for further investigation.

•Two others arrested From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

T

WO suspected robbers were killed on Monday night by men of the Delta State Police Command at Ogunu, Warri.

A statement yesterday in Asaba, the state capital, by the command’s spokesman, Celestina Kalu, a deputy superintendent of Police (DSP), said two other members of the gang were arrested.

According to Kalu, a patrol team from the Quick Response Squad (QRS) encountered the gang at 9.50pm on Monday when they were “operating” with a tricycle, popularly called Keke.

The statement said the police engaged the suspects in a gun duel, which resulted in the death of two of the suspects.

The statement added: “On December 29, at 21.50hours (9.50pm), a patrol team from the QRS in Warri on a stopand-search duty on the Ogunu Road, by Zenith Bank branch in Warri, encountered four robbers operating in a tricycle, with registration number: AKU 027 QB. “...Two of the robbers were fatally wounded while two others, Oghenero Eghagbere ‘Male’ of 5 Okoloba Street, Effurun and Michael Aguwaneshe ‘M’ of 13 Kpokpogri Street, Off Adeje Road, Okpe, were arrested.

“Items recovered from them include one cut-to-size locally made barrel gun, one live cartridge, one battle axe and one tricycle, with registration number: AKU 027 QB. “Also, the suspects are undergoing investigation at Area Commander’s Office in Warri while the bodies of the deceased robbers have been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.”

(

F

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

T

HE Edo State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday traded words over a television documentary sponsored by the PDP. The APC accused the PDP of using “vulgar and abusive language, illogical arguments and fallacies” to deceive the people on the achievements of the state government.

The ruling party said it was an insult to Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the PDP to allege that the government had created an Office of the Governor’s Mother.

APC’s State Publicity Secretary Godwin Erhahon, in a statement in Benin, the state capital, called for a “psychiatric examination” on PDP’s State Chairman Dan Orbih.

Erhahon said the PDP used false photo footages of the previous administration to create disbelief about Oshiomhole administration’s transformation on basic infrastructure.

Wike gets woman running mate

T •Member, House of Representatives representing Ikorodu, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa (seventh right) donating food items and cash to widows in her constituency for the festive season at Ikorodu.

I

JAW youths have condemned the crisis that erupted in Odi, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, over the Federal Government’s payment of N15 billion compensation to the community.

Of the over N35 billion the court ordered the Federal Government to pay for its invasion of Odi in 1999, it paid N15 billion.

But the community erupted in violence, with youths attacking and injuring some elders.

This followed an allegation that the committee, which was supposed to prosecute the case, diverted about N1 billion.

But Ijaw youths, under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, said the crisis rocking the management of the funds was unfortunate.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Mr. Eric Omare, IYC said the Odi community lead-

Ijaw youths proffer solution to Odi N15b compensation crisis •Accuse community leaders of betraying victims of 1999 invasion From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ership, through its action, had betrayed “all those who paid the ultimate price, those alive in the fight for justice for Odi community and the entire Ijaw nation”.

IYC said the money should be channelled into the reconstruction of the community and the future educational development of indigent Odi indigenes.

The group said it was against sharing money to members of the community.

It stressed that after deliberating on the matter at its meeting, it recommended the establishment of an Odi Reconstruction Committee and Trustees (ORCT).

The statement said: “An

Odi Reconstruction Committee and Trustees, comprising representatives of the various quarters that make up Odi community and special interest groups, such as elders, women and youths, should be set up.

“The Reconstruction Committee would be mandated to use substantial part of the money to rebuild the Odi community and, if possible, relocate and build a new Odi, considering the flood-prone nature of Odi community.

“It is on record that Odi is usually one of the first communities to be flooded in Bayelsa State. Where necessary, the Bayelsa State Government should provide additional fund for the building of a new Odi community to

solve the problem of perennial flooding.

“The Odi Trustees should manage the remaining money to train some indigent Odi indigenes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in selected areas.

“There should be a Bayelsa State Government Monitoring Committee to ensure judicious use of the fund, with representatives of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

“The IYC calls on Ijaw youths from Odi community and Kolokuma clan to maintain the peace and be lawabiding while the Bayelsa State Government and Ijaw leaders are taking steps to resolve the crisis.”

2015: Tompolo meets with Olu of Warri, 11 Urhobo monarchs ORMER Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) yesterday went on a peace mission to aggrieved ethnic groups in Delta State.

The move is said to be part of the plan to shore up the thinning support for President Goodluck Jonathan and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in Delta State.

The meeting, it was learnt, followed the announcement of Tompolo’s anointed candidate and cousin, Chief Kingsley Otuaro, as the run-

Edo PDP, APC quarrel

From Shola O’Neil, South-South Regional Editor, Port Harcourt

ning mate to Delta State PDP candidate Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Our correspondent learnt that Tompolo met with the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II and 11 Urhobo monarchs in Delta Central Senatorial District.

A source at the palace of the Olu of Warri, who spoke in confidence, said: “It is true.

Tompolo came here today (Tuesday) and he indeed met with the Olu and notable members of the Warri Traditional Council. The meeting lasted about five hours.”

Tompolo had met with several notable Urhobo monarchs at the palace of the Ovie of Idjere Kingdom in Jesse, Ethiope West Local Government Area.

A prominent political leader in the area, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said those at the meeting included: the Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Abe I; the Ovie of Mosogar, HRM Samson Okirhiobo; his counterparts from Oghara, HRM Noble Oyibo Eshemitan, Uku–Ogharaname, Orefe III and the host monarch, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, Erhiekevwe 1.

The source said: “The traditional rulers of Abraka clans and the Ovie of Agbarho-Otor were also present at the meeting. The kernel of discussion was the need to support President Jonathan’s re-election and the success of the PDP candidate in Delta, Dr Okowa.”

Delta PDP has been hit by a series of crisis.

Specifically, the Itsekiri are unhappy with the President over the abortion of the November groundbreaking ceremony of the $16 billion Delta Gas City Project at Ogidigben, Warri South West Local Government Area.

Ironically, the abortion of

the ceremony was blamed on Tompolo’s alleged threat and demand of his Gbaramatu kinsmen on the project’s name, among others.

A source at the Olu’s palace (Aghofen) in Warri said the former warlord explained his alleged role in the EPZ crisis and appealed to the monarch to support President Jonathan and other PDP candidates.

“He told the monarch that he (Tompolo) was his (Olu’s) son.

He begged him not to rely on hearsay on issues concerning him. He begged the Olu to try to hear his side of any story on issues concerning Ijaw/Itsekiri relationship,” the source added.

HE Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, yesterday presented Mrs Ipalibo Gogo Banigo as his running mate ahead of the 2015 election.

The 62-year medical doctor is a former Health Commissioner, former permanent secretary, former Head of Civil Service and former secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG).

At the public presentation of Mrs Banigo in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Wike said the governorship position was not a personal property of a godfather to be bequeathed to ill-prepared godsons.

The PDP candidate said the alleged rot and underdevelopment of Rivers State necessitated his governorship ticket, which he said was built on the commitment to serve the people through new approach.

Jedy-Agba quits Cross River governorship race From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

T

HERE was confusion yesterday in Cross River State following the withdrawal of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Goddy Jedy-Agba, from the race.

A statement in Calabar, the state capital, said the aspirant was shelving his ambition to work with the party’s candidate, Ben Ayade.

The confusion followed the report that Jedy-Agba had moved to the Labour Party (LP) to actualise his ambition, after he withdrew from the PDP primary, which he said was biased against him.

Also, there was a newspaper advert of Jedy-Agba with the LP logo. This gave the impression that he had dumped the PDP.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

13

14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

15

16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2014

17

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Foreign organisations have predicted that Nigeria may break up next year, following its inability to resolve the national question and its speedy drift to state failure. Now, fears about its likely fulfillment are rife among Nigerians as some political gladiators prepare for next year’s general elections in a do-or-die manner, reports Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU.

• Dr Jonathan

N

• Lord Lugard

• IG Abba

• Obasanjo

• Gen. Buhari

Will Nigeria disintegrate in 2015?

IGERIA, the largest country in Africa, has been threatened by the secessionist agenda thrice in its chequered history.

The first time was in 1953, when Northern delegates to the pre-independence Constitutional Conference in Lagos and members of the Northern Regional House of Assembly asked for secession from the rest of the country. The agenda was borne out of frustration and disillusionment. An Action Group (AG) member of the Federal Parliament, the late Chief Antony Enahoro, had moved a motion for independence. In their view, the North was not ripe for independence because of the obvious educational and economic gap between it and the seemingly more prosperous South, especially the educationally advantaged West. The delegates were booed and jeered at in Lagos as they headed for the railway terminal to board the train, after rejecting the independence motion.

Reflecting on the episode in his book: ‘S. Ladoke Akintola: His life and times’, a historian, Prof.

Akinjide Osuntokun, recalled that “British officials were able to persuade the Northerners that it would be economic suicide to consider such a move.” Therefore, the Northern Nigeria Congress (NPC)-dominated Northern House passed an eight-point resolution, which manifested the compromise between “outright secession” and “loose federation.” Their resolutions expressed their readiness for a federal structure, which agreed with the clamour power federalism by the defunct Action Group (AG).

The second threat to national unity came during the civil war, which was foisted on the country by the competition for power by the military class. Rejecting the elevation of the Army Chief of Staff, Col. Yakubu Gowon, to the military Head of State and Commander-In-Chief, following Major-General Thomas AguiyiIronsi’s assassination by soldiers of Northern origin, the military governor of the Eastern Region, Col. Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, declared the ill-fated Republic of Biafra. In fact, Ojukwu, a highly educated tactician, tricked the Nigerian delegation led by Gowon to Ghana Peace Meeting brokered by Gen. Ankrah, to accede to its clever demand for balkanisation. On returning home, Ojukwu and his men retorted: “On Aburi we stand.” The Vice Chairman of the Federal Executive Council and Federal Commissioner for Finance, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said, if the East was allowed to secede, the West would have been motivated to follow suit. For three years, Nigeria was up in arms against itself, until the secessionists surrendered on the battle front.

The third attempt at disintegration also came during the military rule. A coup plotter, Major Gideon Okar, during a failed coup, announced that eight states have ceased to be part of the federation. He said they should come and nego-

tiate with the new government, which never came into existence. Lamentably, the military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who survived the coup, later annulled the most transparent and credible presidential election. It was an unprecedented milestone that adversely affected the unity of Nigeria.

However, subsequent developments have also not averted the fear of disintegration, even after the restoration of civil rule in 1999. Although some Nigerians have carried on with the optimism that the national unity is non-negotiable, critical minds, especially foreign observers, have thought otherwise.

Last week, a political scientist and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, alerted the country to an impending doom; a horrendous post-2015 electoral violence, which may be precipitated by sponsored armed thugs.

He complained about the massive importation of arms in an alarming proportion. “The certainty of violence after the 2015 elections is higher than it was in 2011. If president Jonathan wins, the North would erupt into violence as it did in 2011. If Gen. Buhari wins, the Niger Delta will erupt into violence. I don’t think we need rocket science to make this prediction,” he said.

Akinyemi, who was the deputy chairman of the Constitutional Conference called for tolerance among political gladiators. He urged the two presidential candidates to sign an undertaking that campaigns would be peaceful and devoid of threats, and that post-election protests would be peaceful. The former university don, whose father, Canon. Akinyemi, was one of the actors when the first civilian regime collapsed, appealed to eminent traditional rulers, former heads of state and influential religious leaders to facilitate the pre-election rapport between the flag bearers and the management of post-election conflicts.

Few years back, a foreign body aroused Nigerians to the reality that the country stood the risk of a break-up next year. The warning was dismissed with a wave of the hand. Also, in 2009, the former American Secretary of State, Senator Hillary Clinton, peeped into the future, warning that Nigeria may become a failed state because of soaring corruption. Her warning may have been informed by the persistent struggle for self-determination by ethnic organisations, which thought that loyalty to a central government that cannot defend the interests of compo-

nent units was illusory.

“The most immediate source of disconnect between Nigeria’s wealth and its poverty is a failure of governance at the federal, state and local levels. Lack of transparency and accountability has eroded the legitimacy of government and contributed to the rise of groups protesting the injustice and challenging the authorities of the state”, she submitted.

Another United States organisation, the ‘Fund for Peace’, had listed Nigeria among the failed states. In the list are war-torn Somalia, Iraq, Yemen, Chad, Afghanistan, Congo, Ivory Coast and Haiti. In the last decade, peace has eluded these countries. Their citizens are in disarray.

The growing number of refugees there is a major concern to the United Nations and some regional organisations.

In 1994, a former university don, Prof. Adebayo Williams, warned that Nigerian federalism had become a compelling and comprehensive failure. Dissecting the polity, he alluded to frightening memoranda and manuals for disintegration flying all over the place. “What we are witnessing is a man-made disaster of epic proportions. The Nigerian State has, so far, become a compelling and comprehensive failure”, he submitted, adding that the consequence may be the price for the failure of leadership. At that time, the country was facing serious economic challenges and the transition programme was on the reverse.

There are three major puzzles, ahead of 2015.

These are the economy, which is nose diving, the insecurity, which appears to have defiled solution, and the general elections, which has provoked passion.

According to observers, there are clear signals that Nigeria’s economic problems may be compounded by the drop in the anticipated earnings from oil, which is the mainstream of the economy. Already many states cannot pay salaries. In a country that has not embraced the economic imperative of diversification, the reality stares the government in the face. According to a rights activist, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, “this times calls for value engineering and uncommon management of resources.” But, he doubted the capacity of the Federal Government to offer a creative leadership required in the period of grave economic crisis.

The intense struggle for presidential power is on the front burner. The All Progressives Con-

‘Nigerians see themselves, first as indigenes of their tribes, sub-tribes and ethnic nations. There is no sense of attachment and belonging outside your region of origin. A President is perceived as the Northern President, Southwest President and Southsouth President. There is loyalty to the regions, and not the centre’

gress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has warned against rigging, saying that it is in nobody’s interest. He said the opposition will resist it. One of the President’s backers, Senator Edwin Clark, has chided the opposition for desperation. In a rather inflammable tone, he said, if the opposition has its way, it would poison or kill the President to take power. Another supporter of Dr. Jonathan, Alhaji Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo, said there will be blood on the streets, if the President is not re-elected.

“We will not take any prisoner of war. It will be total battle,” he added.

Will next year’s election be free and fair? If there is power shift through the instrumentality of the ballot box, will there be orderly transfer of power? If the opposition is not endorsed by the majority of voters, will it accept the result? If the struggle shifts from the ballot box to the temple of justice, will the jurists live up to expectation?

Many commentators believe that state failure may be a prelude to disintegration. But, opinion is divided on the categorisation of Nigeria as a failed state. Some scholars, who believe that the problems confronting the country have been exaggerated, explained that, Nigeria is not yet a failed state; it is a fragile state. A political scientist, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, said that state fragility expresses a tendency towards state failure.

However, he stressed that this condition can still be mitigated by stakeholders, if they find a common ground for building a nation-state. In his opinion, state failure and disintegration can be averted.

Osaghae acknowledged that the Nigerian federation is facing the most challenging test of survival. Ethnic militant groups are threatening its existence. In the North, the Boko Haram sect is on the prowl. The members are demanding a Muslim state. Why they are on rampage is now known. In the Middlebelt, the Ombatse Group is unleashing terror. There is no solution in sight.

In the Southeast and Southsouth, militants and kidnappers have made life unbearable for people. In the Southwest, there is armed robbery and pockets of kidnapping are on the increase.

There is no evidence that these challenges can be resolved before the elections. Akinyemi pointed out that the contest may degenerate into an ethnic contest, or a regional scramble between the North, the birthplace of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate and President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, who hails from the Niger Delta. Already, the struggle for power between the core North and Southsouth is generating tension. The North is demanding for power shift, based on an inexplicable agreement between the President and certain Northern elders. The oil•Continued on page 18

18

THE NATION WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2014

RACE TO 2015

‘

Major tribes dominating the six geo-political zones have grudges. They are apparently at each other’s heels; aggrieved and bitter; striving to build on the legacy of ethnicity erected by the founding fathers of Nigeria who promoted tribalism, mistrust and suspicion

‘

Will Nigeria disintegrate next year?

•Continued from page 17

rich Southsouth has fired back, saying that, if power returns to the North, there will be no oil money to run the country. The implication is that the militants will come out to disrupt mining activities in the coastal region.

A century after, Nigeria is writhing in pains as a colonial legacy. From an amalgam of two incompatible protectorates, the fragile edifice transformed into a country of three diverse regions.

Later, it metamorphosed into four antagonistic regions. Today, the federation of 36 states is almost on the edge, with its foundation threatening to collapse.

Despite its oil, other natural deposits and vast human talents, the fledgling nation-state has not yet become an economic miracle. Its democratic institutions are weak, said frontline legal scholar, Prof. Itsey Sagay, who added: “Nigeria is not building institution and a system that can sustain democracy.” The polity is not erected on a strong political culture. Security of life and property is a mirage. The state, in the view of the late statesman, Dr. Pius Okigbo, has become the greatest corrupter of the society. Unemployment, especially among graduates, is increasing. Many elected functionaries are battling with legitimate crisis because they emerged through a colossal assault on the ballot box. The standard of living is declining on daily basis.

Many have attributed the long journey to a difficult future to the mistake of 1914. The foundational error by the first colonial governor, Lord Fredrick Lugard, who forcefully lumped the different tribes together without mutual agreement, may have become Nigeria’s albatross. From the forceful union, through the 46 years of colonial tremor, to a failed start at self rule at independence, the re-colonisation of the free country by its ambitious and restless soldiers and the trial and error process of installing a durable democracy, the involuntary union was boxed into multiple crises of nationhood, development and survival.

The signs were ominous from the onset. The over 450 tribes have been locked in acrimonious relationship as they competed for state power and resources. The development of national outlook has proved abortive, with ethnicity and religion shaping their responses to the socio-political milieu. The Federal Government at any dispensation has always maintained an ethnic focus, with the zones not producing the President nursing a feeling of marginalisation. To observers’ consternation, the tension between theoretical federalism and regional selfishness has been sustained, making the country a victim of ethnic configuration and confrontation.

A former lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ibukun Falayi, noted that, owing to the successive administrations’ aversion for true federalism, equity and good governance, the country is also permanently assailed by a curious and disturbing distribution crises. “The crisis is triggered by a dubious formula for sharing of the somehow real and somehow elusive national cake,” he stressed.

Paradoxically, Nigeria’s strength is also its main weakness. It is a large heterogeneous society blessed with diverse human assets. Even, the British coveted its vast natural endowments. In fact, at independence, some British statesmen thought that, by mid seventies, the country would have become a medium-ranking world power. But, observers point that its vastness is inversely proportional to

• Asari-Dokobo

its propensity for politics of affection, equity, cooperation and brotherhood.

Frictions and tensions among the ethnic groups are recurrent phenomenon, right from the pre-colonial days. The apathy towards the cultivation of national outlook has inadvertently given way to a continued lukewarm attitude towards nation-building by the frustrated nations whose emotions are stirred by the clandestine tribal organisations coordinating the tribes in the hot race for relevance within the polity. “Nigeria today faces a test, a challenge of continuity and survival. There is a federation on paper, but the federating units are detached and not united by a common destiny,” said Falayi.

“Major tribes dominating the six geopolitical zones have grudges. They are apparently at each other’s heels; aggrieved and bitter; striving to build on the legacy of ethnicity erected by the founding fathers of Nigeria who promoted tribalism, mistrust and suspicion”, he added.

As ethnic tensions degenerate into ethno-religious crises, which have undermined national unity, cohesion and security, leaders, who adorn primordial lenses, are eager to politicise the core issues germane to the solution. The Presidency is not a unifying factor. In the opinion of a political scientist, Boniface Ayodele, it is perceived as a rotational commodity, adding that any region that does not produce the President at a time cannot have confidence in the power base. “Nigerians see themselves, first as indigenes of their tribes, sub-tribes and ethnic nations. There is no sense of attachment and belonging outside your region of origin. A President is perceived as the Northern President, Southwest President and Southsouth President. There is loyalty to the regions, and not the centre,” Ayodele.

He also pointed out that anger and disillusionment ooze from the feeling of domination; real or imagined; neglect and inequality. “Perhaps, no ethnic group has been insulated from the pervading fear of marginalisation, a singular development that has fueled unrestrained calls for confederation, restructuring of the much criticised lopsided federalism and outright secession,” he added.

In the past, many stakeholders argued that Nigeria could overcome eth-

• Akinyemi

nic tensions by evolving a virile federation through the breaking the country into smaller units for easy administration. State creation was designed to loosen the tribal bonds and chains. However, the exercise was conducted by partial, partisan and distant military rulers, who imposed a unitary system, which ironically alienated the newly created states and systematically encouraged further regression to tribal enclaves. In fact, the civilian regimes inherited the unitary posture, which has hindered the growth of cooperative federalism.

Besides, in some states like Kwara, Kogi, Benue and Adamawa, different tribes with different identities were lumped together. The states and local governments are not also evenly distributed between the North and the South by the military.

Fifty four years after independence, the national question has remained unsolved. As the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, noted, Nigerians are more divided more along ethnic and religious lines than any time in its history. The unresolved national question revolves around the core crises of development, including identity, legitimacy, participation, and distribution crises. The burning issues arising from these unresolved challenges include citizenship and indigeneship, the secularity of the state, state and community policing, the revenue allocation, the devolution of power, the rotation or zoning of presidential power, and corruption. Although President Jonathan set up a National Conference to resolve these issues, its report has not seen the light of the day. Thus, efforts at resolving the national question through constitution amendment have failed.

Dismissing the 1999 Constitution as a ruse, the legal luminary, the late Chief Rotimi Williams said the document, which is actually a military decree, lied against itself, when it opened with the preface: “We the people”. Another lawyer, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), described it as a rebellion to true federalism. Citing two defects of the constitution, he said it is wrong for the Federal Government to have input into the creation of local government, adding that it is also wrong for the governors, who are

• Clark

the chief security officers in their states, to rely on the Abuja-based InspectorGeneral of Police for maintenance of law and order.

Since the police is beyond reach, governors have been giving support to vigilante groups, ethnic militia and other para-military forces. Irked by this development, a lawyer, Kola Awodein (SAN), said these “emergency and quack security men”, who lack proper training and structure, are dangerous. But, what has also dented the image of the police is its inability to resolve high profile murders. When eminent Nigerians, including former Justice Minister Chief Ajibola Ige, Alfred rewane, Harry Marshall, Abiye Sekibo, Funso Williams, Iyalode Bisoye Tejuoso, and Ayo Daramola were killed, foreign investors started to doubt the prospects of a safe atmosphere for business.

Ethno-religious crises have aggravated the security challenge. So far, the state of emergency in the troubled states have not stopped the killings.

Non-indigenes have left for their regions of origin, having lost relations and property. This has generated bad blood. Even, wealthy indigenes cannot visit home because of the fear of kidnapping. For more than 250 days, the Chibok girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect have not been rescued by soldiers, who are demoralised on the battle front by obsolete weapons to fight terrorism. Ayodele expressed worry about the “demobilised army”, saying that a state or country is incomplete without a competent military base. “One of the conditions for nationhood is the presence of a standing army ready to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria. Our soldiers are not equipped to fight internal forces. It is doubtful, if they can defend the country against foreign aggression. The litmus test is the Boko Haram insurgency. It is not their fault.

It is the fault of past governments that refused to fund the military adequately, despite the heavy defence budgets,” he said.

Ayodele pointed out that “when some sects “annex” part of the component units that make up a federation and hoist a strange flag, sovereignty is threatened and the country becomes fragile and susceptible to failure.” However, he said for a country

‘Will next year’s election be free and fair? If there is power shift through the instrumentality of the ballot box, will there be orderly transfer of power? If the opposition is not endorsed by the majority of voters, will it accept the result? If the struggle shifts from the ballot box to the temple of justice, will the jurists live up to expectation’

to break up, it would have been subjected to socio-economic and political stress for a long time. “It would have gone through upheavals and disintegration can only come as a last resort.

I don’t think Nigeria has come to that stage,” he stressed.

Had the military not intervened in government, perhaps, the story may have been different. Despite its delicate plurality and the ethnic bitterness of its regional leaders, Nigeria gave birth to a promising First Republic anchored on true federalism, regional autonomy and fair revenue sharing, based on the principles of derivation, need and national interest. The only dark side of that epoch was the lack of national outlook and the promotion of ethnic interests above the national interest. But, the politics of the independence years reflected the image of Nigeria as an amalgam of incompatible, diverse and antagonistic social formations. The leaders recognised the need to build a big, economically viable, politically strong and stable country. The Premier of Eastern region, Dr. Nnamidi Azikiwe, told his Northern counterpart, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello: “Let us burry our differences”.

Bello replied: “No, let us understand our differences”. The Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, had said: “Nigeria is a geographical expression”. By this, Awo implied that the terms for peaceful co-existence must be agreed upon by the component units.

The coup of 1966 terminated the delicate marriage and compounded Nigeria’s woes. The military, which posed as “modernisers” and “agents of change”rejected the federal principle and foisted a unitary system. According to analysts, the army mirrored the polity, its ethnic bias and cravings for power in regional interest. Thus, under the military regime, the country nearly disintegrated when it was plunged into a three year civil war. In post-war period, the North, more or less, consolidated its control of the federal power, until 1999, when the regions renegotiated for power rotation.

Under the military, economic management was a difficult task. Under the civilian regime, there has been no sign of improvement. The sixth largest producer of oil in the world is going backward, unlike the Asian countries, which were on the same pedestal with Nigeria, almost six decades ago. The manufacturing sector is gone.

Churches and residential buildings are sprouting up from the industrial estates. The army of unemployed youths is now a liability instead of asset. Yet, profligacy, theft and graft are peculiar to the privileged few in government.

Disturbed by the trend, an Afenifere chieftain, Hon. Wale Oshun, said that “Nigeria is at crossroads”.

Closely related is the integration crisis. This relates to forging cohesion among the tribal units, which differ on sensitive national issues. But, far more challenging is the legitimacy crisis, which is triggered by the abuse of the ballot box and lack of performance by the government. A peaceful, free and fair presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola was criminally annulled, drawing the country to an edge. But, in this dispensation, democracy has been mocked by the assault on the ballot box. It is a tragedy, said Ayodele, that many unelected governors and parliamentarians have invaded the corridor of power, thereby creating a disconnect between the government and the governed. He pointed out that the extent of the legitimacy crisis manifested in •Continued on page 47

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Why Sokoto youths want Wamakko as Senator

Up and down • WASSCE candidates continue to fail English Language and Mathematics HE recent announcement of the November/December 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) contained no real surprises, given the usual mix of large-scale failure, miniscule improvement and significant malpractice.

Out of the 246,853 candidates who sat the examinations, only 75,522 or 29.37 per cent obtained the standard pass of credits in five subjects including English Language and Mathematics; 75,313 (30 per cent) obtained credit passes in any six subjects while 110,346 (44.7 per cent) obtained credit passes in any seven subjects. The results of 28,817 candidates, or 11.67 per cent of the total, were withheld, while the results of 5,691 candidates are still being processed due to registration errors.

The 2014 results represent a marginal improvement over those of 2013: the five-credit standard pass rate was better (26.97 per cent), as was the fall in the percentage of those involved in examination malpractices (12.88 per cent). However, the most worrying statistic – the inability of two-thirds of candidates to obtain standard fivecredit passes – is a recurring decimal that has continued to appear, regardless of minor improvements.

The causes of this educational calamity are well-known: decrepit schools and inadequate infrastructure; insufficient numbers of well-trained, properly-remunerated and competent teachers; the widespread absence of parental and societal engagement; consistently low levels of funding at federal, state and local government levels; declining levels of commitment on the part of the students themselves.

Public examinations like the

T

WASSCE are a critical indicator of the progress or otherwise of Nigeria’s educational system. As the standard qualification signifying success at the senior secondary school level, it is crucial to students seeking to acquire tertiary education and professional certification. It is an affirmation of the basic literacy, numeracy and criticalthinking skills that were to have been acquired at the primary level and refined at the junior secondary school level. The inability of two-thirds of candidates to obtain standard passes is therefore nothing less than a disaster.

Several states are taking steps to reverse the situation. Edo and Ekiti have introduced teacher-competency tests designed to ensure that teaching skills are raised and kept high. Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Lagos, Osun and Rivers have all embarked on ambitious school-rehabilitation programmes aimed at providing standard educational infrastructure.

More efforts are being made to assimilate information technology into the educational process.

These measures must become more widespread if they are to result in appreciable success. The opposition of teachers’ unions to the competency tests cannot continue; it is strange that they would oppose measures aimed at enhancing the professionalism of their own members. If teaching ceases to be a dead-end profession for all comers, it will be to the benefit of the unions and the nation. The investment in infrastructure and technology must be further integrated into all educationimprovement measures. Succeeding administrations should continue with the educational policies of their predecessors instead of ignoring them.

The paucity of funding has been ar-

guably the major obstacle in the face of the educational improvements that are vital to improving overall WASSCE performance. Apart from the obvious problem of inadequate funds, there is the surprisingly consistent inability of states to provide counterpart funding for critically important interventions like the Universal Basic Education Programme.

In January 2014, the Federal Government claimed that states were not accessing the N44.9 billion available in counterpart funding for the UBE, with the biggest offenders being Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Plateau and Benue. Inadequate investment in primary school results in poorly-equipped secondary school students.

Parents and guardians must also develop a greater interest in the educational pursuits of their children and wards. Too many of them are too involved in the rat-race to show interest in school work. This is replicated at the societal level, where educational attainment lacks the social prestige of sporting or musical accomplishments.

‘The causes of this educational calamity are well-known: decrepit schools and inadequate infrastructure; insufficient numbers of welltrained, properly-remunerated and competent teachers; the widespread absence of parental and societal engagement; consistently low levels of funding at federal, state and local government levels; declining levels of commitment on the part of the students themselves’

Restoring prisoners’ rights •The order by the Federal High Court that prison inmates be allowed voting rights is commendable

T

HE order by the Federal High Court sitting in Benin-City, Edo State, that inmates of the Nigerian prisons should be enabled to vote at elections is indeed a landmark in enforcing the fundamental rights of all Nigerians. As Justice Mohammed Lima who heard the matter pointed out, it is unconstitutional and illegal to deprive any Nigerian of the right to vote or be voted for.

It is unfortunate that the ruling came so late in the day. It ought to have occurred to all involved in the administration of justice and conducting elections that being remanded in or jailed in any of the prisons is not enough to strip any Nigerian of his or her citizenship.

Sections 14 and 25 of the 1999 Con-

‘The electoral commission should realise that the order made was a mandatory injunction and could not be set aside except by a superior court.

The order has deepened the nation’s jurisprudence and further provided for the participation of all Nigerians in their own affairs’

stitution, as well as section 12 of the Electoral Act 2010 have spelt out the rights of all citizens. Other Nigerians who have been inadvertently deprived a hand in deciding those who rule them are those in the diaspora and those in uniform. This is no longer so even in other African countries that have given effect to section 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. The physically challenged also deserve attention in the design of ballot papers and boxes.

They are full citizens, not second class compatriots and must be encouraged to participate in the electoral system.

We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make provision for the inmates to participate in the 2015 elections as the court has ruled. It is not enough to hold that the commission would find it difficult to register and give effect to the order before the February 2015 elections.

It is the more pathetic to note that of the 56,000 inmates of the Nigerian prison system, almost 40,000 are awaiting trial. They are, therefore, in the eye of the law, deemed innocent at the moment. Why then should they be deprived of their voting rights?

We find it difficult to understand

how they would be compensated for this deprivation if eventually they are acquitted of the crimes for which they have been accused.

In any case, what are the administrators of the justice system doing to ensure that those responsible for pauperisation of the masses are duly punished? Rulers of yesteryear, responsible for the country’s underdevelopment, are those still dictating the tune today. They not only vote, but use looted public funds to dictate who should be elected.

It is also proper to point out that the utter neglect of the prisons by the Federal Government is itself criminal.

The poor attention to welfare of the prisoners is one reason for jail breaks recorded in various parts of the country recently. Even in the Kirikiri Prisons, inmates protested poor treatment and pounced on the warders recently, thus calling attention to poor funding of the facilities.

The electoral commission should realise that the order made was a mandatory injunction and could not be set aside except by a superior court.

The order has deepened the nation’s jurisprudence and further provided for the participation of all Nigerians in their own affairs.

S

IR: As the saying goes, some leaders are born great while some have leadership thrusted on them. One of the famous academics in the world,John Quncy Adams once said,” if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”. His contemporary, Warren Bennis also said,” Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” Without much ado, all these aptly apply to Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for he is inarguably a great leader. He is an inspirer, a bulldozer and an invaluable achiver to the core.

He has indeed been a governor with a difference.

It is a known and an incontestible fact that the peoples governor is also a trail -blazer. He is humble, pious, honest, transparent and an achiever to the core. Failed promises and failure are never in the dictionary of the Sarkin Yamman Sokoto. The facts speak for themselves and they are up for verification by any doubting Thomases.

He is also emulating great leaders like the late Sardauna of Sokoto and the Premier of the Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello and the Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the likes of the second republic President Shehu Shagari, among numerous others.

The fact that the tenure of Wamakko as a governor of the state is on the verge of expiring is a disturbing reality that is lurking around and it is staring on the eyes and ears of the people of the state. The people of the state are generally concerned about its fate after the eventual handing over of power in May, 2015. Some others are also pondering on what the governor will venture in afterwards.

This is why there are sustained efforts in all corners in the state and even beyond to pressure Wamakko to contest for the post of a Senator in 2015 for him to occupy the Sokoto Central Senatorial Zone seat under the platform of the political party to beat, the All Progressives Congress ( APC).

Contesting the posisition of a Senator will enable him to continue with the good things he has being doing for the people of the state, Nigeria in general and even beyond the shores of the nation. In fact, he was just appointed as a member of the 60member prestigious Council of the Saudi-based Muslim World League. This is in recognition of his startling leadership traits, the world over.

The Sokoto central zone of the state will indeed be lucky and so honoured to have a person in the calibre of Wamakko to represent it at the Senate.

The series of calls by various groups and individuals for the governor to contest the post are also on the increase. This is a vote of no confidence passed on the incumbent Senator representing the zone under the failed PDP, Senator Ahmed Muhammad Maccido, whom a lot of people and keen watchers of the state’s political terrains have described as an ingrate.

He was indeed ungrateful to the peoples’ governor for staying put in the PDP at a time when Wamakko and his teeming supporters decamped to the APC due to the compelling circumstances and the general interest of the North.

As the Youths Earnestly Ask For Wamakko to contest, our hopes, wishes and aspirations are waxing stronger. This is because Wamakko has always insisted he will always do what the people want. This is just as God, in His Infinite mercies has bestowed a lot of known and latent potentials in the Sarkin Yamman Sokoto.

• Mohammed Mustapha.

Sokoto

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 31, 2014

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: That Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi state has performed to leverage the sleepy but potential state from backwardness to growth in a certain level of infrastructure provision is not in doubt.

By May 29 2015, the governor will pride himself with the new Abakaliki city also known as Ochoudo city, connecting the once remote areas in both old Abakaliki and Ohaozara communities with state of the art bridges and measurable roads. Elechi also tried to provide water for sanitation in the previously guinea worm endemic villages even though he may not complete the costly project.

The more important thing he did for the state is the assimilation of what used to be the two divides of the related people of the state that were balkanized in the other four states of the South-east region before Ebonyi State was made a reality in 1996.

He did all that but towards the end of his eight years reign, Elechi lost grip of the ruling Peoples Democratic party, PDP, that he controlled

S

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

Lessons from Elechi’s loss of Ebonyi PDP like a man ruled in his private family.

Now, Elechi could not field, nay, impose his preferred candidates for the 2015 general elections in the state. He did not only fail in imposing the former minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu as the governorship candidate of the PDP for the state, but also failed to nominate himself as the candidate for Ebonyi Central Senatorial district.

In the same manner he also could not succeed in foisting any candidate of his choice for any elective position in the coming election.

What the governor rather did was to push his followers to join the Labour Party (LP) while staying back in the PDP, pledging to work for the

re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, even when Jonathan could not rescue him from the disgrace with which other members of the PDP meted on him by forcefully snatching control of the ruling party away from him.

PDP stakeholders in Ebonyi State became furious with Elechi when the governor after personal evaluations came to announce his choice of candidates for the election. The governor allegedly shared the positions without carrying along other important stakeholders of the PDP in the state.

For an important stakeholder like the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who hails from

Jonathan and neglect of Yoruba

S

IR: I read a letter to the editor written by Chief Kola Aderemi published in The Nation of December 23 in which the Ekiti chief accused President Goodluck Jonathan of neglecting and marginalizing the Yoruba race in power sharing in the country, and that the President is now frantically courting the race to realize his re- election ambition.

Chief Aderemi reminded Nigerians how President Jonathan removed some Yoruba figures from national offices and replaced them with people of Igbo extraction.

According to him, “nothing illustrates President Jonathan’s hatred for Yoruba better than the way he removed some Yoruba people from key positions on allegation of being too close to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo. To buttress my point, I recalled how he removed Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary. Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa was removed as Director General of Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, Otunba Segun Runsewe was removed as Director General of Nige-

rian Tourism Development Commission (NTDC) and they were replaced with Igbo people”.

What impressed me most in that letter was the disclosure that from number one to 22 most important positions in the country, there is no Yoruba person. But now that 2015 election is around the corner, President Jonathan is now courting Yoruba race for electoral support. No, this is too cheap to swallow. I totally align myself with Chief Aderemi’s position that Yoruba race must be tactical and politically sagacious in their choice.

In addition to the list of Yoruba people removed from office by President Jonathan, I recall that Segun Oni was removed as PDP South-west deputy chairman, Olu Oluleye was removed from Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) among others. Why is President Jonathan now desperate for the people he hates to see in his government?

Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State who was defending the President recently cannot speak for Yoruba race. By the way, where was Mimiko when Jonathan was removing Yoruba

people from public office? It is obvious that President Jonathan has not been fair to Yoruba race. Yet, this is the race that assisted him to attain the present status! Yoruba should think twice before supporting him again, because it is clear that the race has been cheated politically. As if Mimiko was equally reminding us how President Jonathan treated us with disdain, hear what he said, “a Yoruba man was to be Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011 but was denied and the slot given to North-West geopolitical zone. Also, the position of Minority Leader in the Senate was to be given to the Yoruba but was also taken to the North-central which already had the Senate presidency. The question now is what did Mimiko do to correct the situation? Why is he now defending and supporting Jonathan to woo South-west that has been badly cheated? Yoruba is wiser for this. We are not stupid and we will not take stupidity from anybody.

•Fatai Arisekola Ibadan

the state, Anyim heard about Elechi’s choices in a distant place, and so was the case with people like Dr. Sam Egwu who in 2007 defied all advice and handed power to Elechi on a platter of gold.

Having stayed in the cooler for eight years and as election got closer, Egwu was said to have indicated interest to go to the Senate and discussed it privately with Elechi for about three times and Elechi gave him assurances of his support only for Elechi to turn the tables against the man who left younger men in the state and made him governor even without his asking.

In the case of Senator Anyim, Elechi had always shown him hatred to the extent that the governor ensured that a local government council chairmanship aspirant from Anyim’s native council was disqualified on trumped up allegation that Anyim had sympathy for that aspirant. As if that was not enough,

Elechi nominated the most visible antagonist of the SGF from his community to become the acting state chairman of the PDP and when that plot failed, Elechi asked the antagonist to run for House of Representatives of Anyim’s constituency, to spite the SGF and paint him as one who is incapable of delivering even his community.

Similar stories were told by people like the respected Dr. Offia Nwali, the Deputy Governor who now It was therefore not surprising that after the national headquarters of the PDP listened to both sides in the Ebonyi PDP divide and seeing what majority of the PDP members in the state wanted, the PDP took a decision to allow due process prevail in the state and at ward congresses of November 1, and the subsequent congresses that produced delegates for the party primary elections, Elechi was roundly and compoundly defeated.

Governor Elechi therefore became the proverbial king who coroneted himself without the approval of his subjects.

Our political leaders should learn from this great misfortune that the era of dictatorship is fast fading away and that democracy would always remain a government of the majority.

???????????????????

•Dennis Agbo Enugu

Calling on Kogi INEC

S

IR: The importance of permanent voters’ cards to the smooth conduct of next year’s election cannot be over- emphasised, hence the distribution exercise to prospective voters across the country. The last voters cards distribution exercise across the country raised a lot of dusts; many registered voters could not obtain their permanent voters cards for various reasons.

I appeal to Kogi State INEC to please make available the remaining voters cards to the people particularly as the former INEC resident commissioner while addressing the leadership of political parties in the state, admitted that a total of 1,189,355 permanent voters cards were received in the state, out of which only 755,777 have been distributed, representing 63.54 percent. The balance of 433,500 repre-

senting 36.46 percent is yet to be collected by electorates.

Kogi INEC should ensure they distribute the remaining voters cards before the election next year as the good people will not allow any flimsy excuse from INEC to deprive them of their right to exercise their franchise in the coming election.

The political parties should also be engaged in the efforts to make eligible voters collect their permanent cards for them to come out and votes the candidates of their choice.

The complaints associated with the current distribution of permanent voters cards should not in any way hamper the smooth conduct of the election.

• Bala Nayashi, Lokoja, Kogi State

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

21

COMMENTS

Our Girls; Gumsuri victims; Disgrace on Ibadan Lagos ‘Expressway’; B vs J on Fulani Farmer war

F

OR Our Girls –a short poem Christmas came and now New Year/ For Chibok girls and Gumsuri victims we shed a tear/ Too many ‘Fellow Nigerians’ live in fear/ Even Tony questioning if God is near.

Marinho And so, too many families will enter 2015 without word of their loved ones and will little hope of ever hearing from them again. The report that Boko Haram has a large contingent of neighbouring country foreigners should raise the stakes to a war situation, an invasion situation, even if the murder of an unknown number of Nigerian security officials is taken as an ‘insurgency’.

As we pray for the return of all victims of the Boko Haram and the Fulani Wars, what do the two major political candidates offer beyond saying ‘peace’? Being a Fulani himself and a general, Buhari must have strong views on the lethal ‘Fulani matter’. What are his views on his strategy to end the ‘Fulani Herdsmen–Nigerian Farmers’ violence? He and we will bear in mind that the ‘Railway Transport of Cows‘ option has been suggested, as has the ‘Trailer Transport of Cows’.

Indeed with railways, this problem would quickly become of historical importance –though the dead will remain dead, the crops will remain destroyed, the orphans will remain orphans, the widows and widowers will remain without a kobo in compensation.

Unfortunately, Buhari has never proved himself a lover of modern transport or the modernisation of Nigeria, as he with or without Babangida, cancelled Lagos State’s Jakande Rail in 1983, hailed as solution to Lagos gridlock, at a suggested compensation cost of $184million penalty. Even when he was chairman at PTF, a lot of the resources ‘appeared’ diverted to the North but the railways unfortunately stagnated further. So it will be a miracle if Buhari builds an inch of railways or roads during his era should he become President. Of course we know what Jonathan is doing in this area

T

HE year 2014 comes to an end in a few hours. Like previous years, the outgoing year has been dominated by a potpourri of good, bad and ugly issues in all facets of our individual and national lives. One particularly sad thing is that the year recorded a high number of avoidable deaths, especially those that were inflicted on helpless Nigerians through bombings and wholesale massacre masterminded by the senseless Boko Haram terrorists now on the rampage in the Northeast geo-political zone of the country. From a band of misguided youths roaming about and hunting for people to kill about five years ago, the Boko Haram terrorists have grown in strength and sophistication to a major terrorist organisation that now dominates front page headlines of newspapers within and outside the country.

This year, the terrorists added a worrisome dimension to their dastardly operations by using teenage girls as suicide bombers. This is happening at a time the whole world is agonizing over the fate of more than 200 innocent school girls who were abducted by the terrorists from their school compound in Chibok community, Borno State, on the night of April 14. The fear is that the terrorists may have converted the captured Chibok girls to suicide bombers. In fact, rather than release the girls, the terrorists have continued to embark on fresh kidnappings of vulnerable women and children whom they take along to their enclaves as spoils of war after each assault on isolated communities. And like a festering sore, the activities of the insurgents have continued unabated.

Earlier in the year, the nation was gripped by the unfortunate incident that has since been christened ‘Immigration Recruitment Scandal’.

but we must question its slowness and the cost. There are such huge outsized contracts that make nonsense of any purported anti-corruption drive. The result is an overpricing and obvious reduction in value of the end product - a proposed multi-state modern rail link nationwide.

We spent five and a half hours getting from Ibadan to Lagos, just 110km, last Sunday December 20, another four hours Lagos-Ibadan on Sunday December 27, 18 kilometres an hour –on an expressway. Has government no shame even if it has no road management skills? Zero movement or massed vehicles are a danger. This regular crisis is a catastrophe waiting to become a mass carnage. The difficulties at the time I travelled had nothing to do with the Berger repairs as there are no repairs going on there and no church services at Redeemed or the Mountain of Fire. It is about bad roads and poor planning for the Ember months increase in traffic, in spite of noisy FRSC readiness claims and the noisy FERMA doing nothing to ’make smooth our paths’ just before and immediately before and after Redeemed, at Ibafo, Mowe, Berger, the bus stops in Ibafo, Mowe and at Berger in Lagos. Government should have sent its engineering staff to identify the top 10 or 30 or 100 worst bottleneck bad portions; secondly it would have immediately filled them; thirdly it would have widened the road at those turning points to accommodate turning traffic and also bus stops.

Government should have led these same engineers and road maintenance departments to liaise with an increasingly questionable FRSC, to stop stopping innocent passing vehicles at Ogere, but rather to ensure safe and unhindered travel at difficult spots. Unfortunately too many Nigerian ministry and organisational officials actually plan evil, not good, for the traveling public who are mere victims to be preyed upon by the use and abuse of the power of the uniform.

Redeemed, Ibafo and Mowe are ‘towns with no overhead bridges and yet dual carriageways run through them. It is similar in many towns in Nigeria. What type of Nigerian human beings, engineers, have not built the 100 overhead bridges and 100 more turning points needed to reduce strain of jaywalking and turning.

Government must solve this problem. Nigerians cannot

wait four years for road completion, fall in oil prices and oil sales or not. Government should negotiate with construction giant Julius Berger to open all available road surface and start fixing the top 100 trouble spots first and start major construction from the Lagos end of the Ibadan Lagos side. By starting at the Sagamu junction, the contractors are delivering more vehicles quicker to the bottlenecks at Redeemed, Mowe and Ibafo and Berger. Fixing Mountain of Fire, Mowe and Ibafo now will allow quick exit of vehicles from these bottlenecks.

Another key problem is the abuse of the road shoulder for driving. Those in the correct lanes look like idiots as all those who overtake on the shoulder will get in front sometimes 100 to 200 vehicles and six lanes are formed. This is so easily solved by a more efficient FRSC which should allow shoulder driving only in specific circumstances of accidents and lane obstruction. Government can also insert plastic barriers every 50 metres on all shoulders to discourage the practice. May your roads be rough, the Chinese quote proclaims as a prayer. The road of most Nigerians is rough enough from road management incompetence. HNYIA.

‘Government must solve this problem. Nigerians cannot wait four years for road completion, fall in oil prices and oil sales or not. Government should negotiate with construction giant Julius Berger to open all available road surface and start fixing the top 100 trouble spots first and start major construction from the Lagos end of the Ibadan Lagos side’

Reflecting on 2014 The term is used to describe the harvest of death recorded in March this year, when thousands of unemployed Nigerians, who had converged at different venues across the country to be interviewed for some job vacancies in the Nigeria Immigration Service, met their untimely death. The unfortunate Nigerians had been mandated to pay N1,000 each as application fee before they could be considered for employment. Thousands of them paid the fee and later converged at the venues of the exercise, mostly stadia.

But in the melee that ensued due to poor organization, no fewer than 15 applicants, including some pregnant women, were trampled to death. However, what remains a big puzzle till date is that this incident has gone without anyone taking responsibility and no one has been sanctioned either for the avoidable deaths.

The year also witnessed a protracted upheaval in both the health and education sectors. The issue of doctors’ strike, which has become a perennial problem in the country, reared its ugly head. Preceded by a warning strike in January, the actual strike by the doctors finally commenced on July 1 and was only suspended after 55 days of sorrow and agony by Nigerians who could not access healthcare while the industrial action lasted. The action was finally called off on August 25 after the medical doctors extracted some commitments from the government.

While the doctors’ strike was on, a certain Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian-American diplomat sneaked into the country carrying along with him the deadly Ebola Virus Disease

‘The irony of this austerity regime is that while the poor man is often requested to tighten his belt, the rich are not wearing any at all, as their waists have doubled and even tripled in size over the years’

which is currently ravaging the three West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, where no fewer than 7000 people are believed to have been so far despatched to their early graves. With the ‘importation’ of the deadly virus disease to Nigeria by Sawyer, Nigerians’ penchant for handshake almost became a taboo during this period. The disease claimed a few lives in both Lagos and Port Harcourt, even as the governments of Lagos and Rivers states, as well as the Federal Government, took concerted efforts to contain the spread. Relief finally came in October when the World Health Organisation declared the country free of the deadly virus after 60 days’ observation without any fresh case of infection.

In the trouble-prone education sector, polytechnic students remained at home for about 11 months due to a nationwide strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP. The union embarked on the strike over, among other issues, the nonrelease of the white paper on issues in the polytechnic sector since 2012.

This caused the students the loss of a whole session when students admitted into the first year of the National Diploma and the Higher National Diploma programmes respectively, for the 2013/2014 academic session, were unable to resume. The issue was finally resolved and normal academic calendar resumed in the polytechnics.

As almost always, the year also witnessed a lot of political activities, two of the more remarkable ones being the governorship elections that took place in Ekiti and Osun states. The polls in the two states had several similarities in terms of the political parties and the dramatis personae involved. Long before the elections, political permutations had predicted that the elections in the two states could be marred by violence. In anticipation of this, soldiers were deployed for

the elections. Fortunately, both events did not record any major incidence of violence.

Furthermore, primary elections were recently held by the political parties at the state and national levels in preparation for the 2015 general elections. The elections saw many political Goliaths kissing the canvass and losing to political Lilliputians in their territories. In many instances, the primaries demystified the incumbency power of governors as many of them did not succeed in either imposing their surrogates to succeed them in office or set up their loyalists for other political positions. In all, the primaries paved the way for the emergence of new political gladiators.

Of particular significance is the fact that no fewer than 50 of the sitting senators will not be returning to the chambers because they failed to pick their parties’ tickets. While many of them are crying blue murder, others seem to have resigned to fate as they lick their wounds in utter disbelief and amazement.

The outgoing year also recorded unprecedented jailbreaks as series of attacks were launched on prisons by some faceless bandits in various parts of the country. The Kirikiri Medium Security Prison in Lagos, the Koton Karfe Prison in Kogi State, the Federal Prisons, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State and the Medium Security Prison in Minna, Niger State, were all turned into theatres of war. The attacks on detention facilities in the country have become worrisome in recent times as it has nearly turned into a routine. The problem could have been exacerbated by some criminal gangs particularly Boko Haram terrorists who may have capitalised on the trend to free their members from detention. Accusing fingers are also being pointed at the activities of fifth columnists within the prisons system itself because some of the attacks bore the full imprimatur of insiders’ connivance. These recurring incidents of jailbreak could es-

Dele Agekameh calate the already terrible security problem currently confronting the country as rapists, murderers, kidnappers, drug addicts and other dangerous criminals may have been let loose to roam freely thereby wreaking havoc on the society.

Perhaps, 2014 is closing with economic doom for those who rely so much on oil as the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market, is sending economic and political shock waves across the globe. Worse off are countries whose economies depend largely on oil for appreciable percentage of their foreign exchange earnings. In that bracket is Nigeria where crude oil accounts for about 95 of foreign exchange earnings. What this means is that in the New Year, 2015, the country would be tormented by the negative impact of the fall in global oil prices even harder.

Already, the Federal Government is jittery. Now, Nigerians are again being inundated with the old, usual song - “tighten your belt”. This is suicidal because Nigerians have been tightening their belts since 1976, 38 years ago, without any respite in sight.

The irony of this austerity regime is that while the poor man is often requested to tighten his belt, the rich are not wearing any at all, as their waists have doubled and even tripled in size over the years. May God help us, help Nigeria!

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

22

COMMENTS For Olatunji Dare Thank you so much Prof Dare for your explanation on the memoir and the magistrate.

The judge should be heavily sanctioned or sent back to the Law school. This kind of ruling incites violent reaction; in fact it makes ’Boko Haram’. As for the editors at The Nation, please Prof organise seminars for them. Their negative reaction to anything about Obasanjo: good or bad, is very unbecoming. Freedom of speech is very important. How can a judge attempt to stop somebody from talking because he felt what he will say may be libellous? From Abimbola Rotimi, Ondo State.

Good morning Sir, Re: Mainstreamers at work. There are two Nigerians as a student in the mid seventies most of my colleagues and I would have gone to war for any day, we thought. But I am happy and I believe most of my colleagues too are happy to have had the opportunity to see the flip side of these guys.

God bless you. From Msb Mahmud, Lagos Why not the court allow Chief Obasanjo’s book circulate rather than ban it to expose the evil acts of our leaders, despite that Obasanjo himself is not saint over the allegation levelled against our leaders for their conducts? If we continue hiding things without exposing evil acts, Nigeria will not move forward. From Gordon Chika Nnorom Sir, Ebino Topsy is confused where he is and ashamed to return home. He has destroyed all he stood for as a youth. Imagine Ebino campaigning for Obasanjo, and what of Omisore. Haa! Wonders shall never end.

Anonymous When some people say IBB is an evil genius, I always disagree with them. Rather Obasanjo is in the best position to be called that name.

Obasanjo was part of those who introduced zoning system into the country but turned around and said there was no zoning in 2011.

Inconsistency is the most powerful attribute of Obasanjo during and after his tenure. He should check his record first before descending on others because he who points a finger at someone, the remaining four are pointing at him or her. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Apapa Lagos.

Re-The memoir and the magistrate. Justice Ashi is one of them, doing judgment the manner he feels rather than considering what the entire laws say- criminal, civil, administrative, constitutional etc. Although former president

Y

EAR 2015 is a desicive year. It is a year that will determine the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians, young and old and even, generation yet unborn. It is a golden opportunity for our political leaders to decide for the majority, whether we are going to fulfill the American prophecy that Nigeria’ existence may be terminated or we shall throw such prophecy into the trash can.

The situation in Nigeria today is not rosy, but we cannot continue to lament over the economic downturn, insecurity of lives and property, mass youth unemployment, poor infrastructure, haphazard educational policy and poor power supply to sustain industries.

What needs to be done is to review our political leaders’ efforts in the last 15 years and x-ray the opportunities they have had to better our lots, and do a comparative analysis of the missed opportunities and look ahead to attempt at correcting the wrongs of the past.

According to John F. Kennedy: “ Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past; let us accept our own responsibility for the future.”

Our responsibility therefore will be to put a round peg in a round hole. We have arrived at a point where ethnic consideration must be jettisoned for merit. We must drop the campaign on the platform of religion for the factor that will not only save our muchfought-for democracy, but our nation from total disintegration. We as a people must recruit men and women of timber and calibre; men that office cannot buy nor wealth corrupt, statesmen that the nation needs in order to get out of the present economic mess and insecurity that is currently overwhelming the military.

“We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world or to make it the last,” says J. Kennedy.

“That power is the power of the electorate”.

As February 2015 approaches, we must come out and use the power that the powerless majority has over the powerful minority that are our representatives in various political offices. From the office of the President to that of the state House of Assembly, we must vote only for the best in an hour and times like this.

Boko Haram insurgency that has eliminated

‘When some people say IBB is an evil genius, I always disagree with them.

Rather Obasanjo is in the best position to be called that name. Obasanjo was part of those who introduced zoning system into the country but turned around and said there was no zoning in 2011. Inconsistency is the most powerful attribute of Obasanjo during and after his tenure. He should check his record first before descending on others because he who points a finger at someone, the remaining four are pointing at him or her’ Obasanjo should have respected the law and go back to court(s) to challenge the wrong judgement of Justice Ashi rather than also breaking the law by going ahead to launch his book ‘MY WATCH’. This is why it may take Nigeria a long time to grow. Were it to be the poor that breached the law, your guess is as good as mine. Both of them acted ultra-vires.

From Lanre Oseni.

Uncle Ebino deserves whatsoever name you call him. Must he join PDP? Please, tell Sam Omatseye to do more of Ebino political disaster in subsequent write up. No apology to him.

From Isaac.

Prof. You rightly condemned Buruji and Justice Ashi for the petitioning and granting of the petition against the publication of the Obasanjo book without first going through it.

But then you also seem to have fallen into the same ditch by writing on the book when you have neither set your eyes on it nor read the content there from. Or don’t you think that what influenced your writing on the book without first reading it could equally be the same that motivated them to want to stop the publication without first going through the book? Of course the petitioner, I think, wouldn’t have resorted to the court action had he given a second thought to it. It isn’t only ridiculous for him to opt for a legal action against the publication of a book he hasn’t read, he was also by the court action inadvertently attracting wider attention to the

said libelous- content in the book, contrary to his reason for wanting to stop the publication in the first place – From Emmanuel Egwu.

For Gbenga Omotoso Your article is quite splendid and germane to the socio-political events in the country.

You’ve done more than Santa Claus by doling out Christmas gifts to everyone that leads our political and economic terrain. Your article is steep in humour, laden with parodoxical tropes, spiced with oral acrobatics. You are indeed the editor of the year, the Achebe of journalism. Anonymous I just read your Christmas day piece. You were a little bit biased in the Santa gifts galore.

Are you saying the Labaran Maku; Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose; Chief Nyesom Wike; Mr Femi Fani-Kayode and other enfant terrible are undeserving of your largesse? Haba! Try and make the list more comprehensive, in the spirit of the season. My own gift for you is a lorry load of ink for your ever sharp pen.

From Olusegun Owoeye. Kogi State.

You did not mention Dieziani in your article. Why? Does she not deserve a space here? Thanks and merry Christmas. By now Nigerians studying the Jonathan-led PDP administration have come to the sure conclusion that a leopard cannot change its spots. Let us take their money and still vote them out this time around. Wankar Daniel Reacting to your piece, When Santa comes to

2015: Nigeria’s year of decision

By Yomi Obaditan thousands of innocent people, and displaced millions in the North-east calls for concerted effort among all Nigerians. Our neighbouring countries are today living in fear and apprehension, just as we are. Our internal insecurity has now snowballed into regional insecurity. We must keep reaching out to our neighbours in the sub region that we need them to secure our boders. World peace, Kennedy said is “like community peace, that does not require that each man loves his neighbour; it requires only that they live together in mutual tolerance, submitting their disputes to a just and peaceful settlement. And history teaches us that enmities between nations, as between individuals, does not last forever. However fixed our likes and dislikes may seem, the tide of time and events will often bring surprising changes in the relations between nations and neighbours. “ For instance, Ife and Modakeke in Osun State fought themselves for several years. Today, they are harmoniously living together under the dynamic Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Before then, who would have thought that Osun would be one of the most peaceful states in the country as it is today? The Zango Kataf in Kaduna State shed blood among themselves before they eventually agreed to sheath their swords. For over 50 years, the United States and Cuba were arch-enemies; but President Obama has put an end to it.

President Goodluck Jonathan must rise above party politics between now and January 2015 and mobilize all security agents to see that they are well-equipped to terminate the insurgencies in Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Kano Bauchi, Gombe with all sense of urgency. Election must hold in the above-mentioned states, otherwise, it may be wrongly insinuated that the ruling

party intends to disenfranchise the electorate in that region to the disadvantage of the opposition . As Chief Security Officer, the President must see to the return of peace in the said states.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must wake up to its responsibilities, as we have less than two months to the elections. Just as the commission did its best in the conduct of Osun gubernatorial election which its chairman acknowledged to be the best ever, the nation’s peace and political stability depends on the INEC in 2015. The body must not give room for any excuse. It must be transparent in all its operations. Any of its officials, whose integrity cannot be guaranteed, should be removed before the elections. The commission must not allow politicians, whose trade mark is “do or die” to have their way. This nation is greater than any individual. Evil prophecy must not be allowed to come to pass. We as a nation cannot afford to disgrace the black race.

Already, there are signs that 2015 election may be violence-prone. Four people were reported to have been killed during the primary of a political party at Ebute Meta, Lagos. Asari Dokubo has promised war should the incubent President lose out in the election but no security agent has attempted to arest him or invite him over such statement. If we love our nation, must we kill and maim to get power? Violence beget violence; we must avoid it and not just paying lip-service to the rejection of violence in our polity. We the people must condemn any political leader that provokes violence in any form and mark them out for rejection. The media must not be silent. The innocent Nigerians that were killed during the 2011 elections, particularly, the case of NYSC members in the North that were killed, is still fresh in our memory. Their

•Jonathan

town. As witty as it sounded, our leaders should be ashamed of their performances in the outgoing year. Though, we know shame doesn’t appear in their dictionaries, we can get them to eat the humble pie at the polls in 2015. From Adesina Kunle, Abeokuta.

For sure your gift to Emperor Okupe was the best. But will he read and study those quotations?

You have done your very best. Compliments of the season. Anonymous I always enjoy your style in the Editorial Notebook. Please keep it up. From N. O. Olawore ‘When Santa comes to town’ is a master piece and a good parting shot for them. Ph.ds with tunnel vision. You left out Rueben Abati. How come? From F Onagoruwa.

Thanks for your piece; “Santa comes to Town”.

But what Yuletide gift do you have for our own Reuben Abati? He seems missing in action these days. It would have been interesting to hear from him in these seasons of change versus transformation agenda. From Wole Alawode, Ijagbo, Kwara State.

My dear Omotoso, thanks for those generous gifts. But alas! You’ve left out the almightyPetroleum Queen? She deserves Santa Claus gift too. Anonymous Mr. Gbenga, your gift to Mama Ngozi, for her misdirection of the Nigerian economy, is most fitting. You are a fine literary pugilist. From Sam. blood is still crying to God for vegeance.

Patriotic Nigerians must support Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi’s appeal to President Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari over the perceived fear over 2015 elections where he asserted: “The certainty of violence afer the 2015 elections is higher than it was in 2011. If President Jonathan wins, the North will erupt into violence as it did in 2011. If Gen. Buhari wins, the Niger Delta will erupt into violence..... The violence of 2015 is going to be horrendous and worse than the one of 2011 for the simple reason that the illegal, massive importation of weapons of into the country has reached such alaming proportions that I really wonder which is better armed; the militias on one hand or the official armed forces.”

Akinyemi’ clarion call to political actors must not be ignored as we approach 2015 elections.. We must bear it in mind that just as it was in the First Republic, when some politicians set the nation ablaze and fled abroad, leaving the common man to bear the brunt. We must not allow history to repeat itself.

Politicians should focus on issues rather than on individuals. It is issue-based politicking that can change our country for good. Tell the nation how our economy will be improved upon. Tell the youths how unemployment will be reduced drastically. To do otherwise, and be raining abusive language on the political opponents will be an open invitation to violence. It will also show the stuff in which such politician is made of. Enough of bloodshed, we must bring hope and good tidings to the people, heralding a new era in a country that has long awaited its hour of redemption from the multiple challenges.

• Obaditan writes from Osogbo, Osun State

‘Politicians should focus on issues rather than on individuals. It is issue-based politicking that can change our country for good. Tell the nation how our economy will be improved upon. Tell the youth how unemployment will be reduced drastically’

23

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

NATION SPORT CAS dismisses Barca’s appeal on transfer

B

ARCELONA'S appeal against a transfer ban imposed by FIFA has been rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The Liga club were handed the sanction in April after irregularities were found in their dealings at youth level.

FIFA suspended the punishment pending an initial appeal to the governing body, which was dismissed, with the Catalan club subsequently opting to the take the case to CAS. Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has been among those to join Barca while the embargo has been on hold, making the switch from Liverpool for a fee in the region of •80million.

However, Barca will now be unable to add to their squad until 2016 after CAS

determined FIFA's original decision to ban them from making signings for two transfer windows should stand.

In a statement, Barca expressed "its total disagreement with the resolution" and revealed their intention to explore their legal options, once the reasons for the dismissal of the appeal have been published.

"FC Barcelona wants to state its total disagreement with the decision of CAS reported on Tuesday which confirms the sanctions imposed by FIFA as a result of alleged violation of the rules on international transfers of p l a y e r s u n d e r age," the statement read.

Bale not for sale - Perez R

EAL Madrid president Florentino Perez has insisted that Gareth Bale is not for sale and rubbished talk of a bid from Manchester United.

Bale, who joined Real from Tottenham for a world-record fee thought to be around £85million in September 2013, has been linked with a return to the Premier League.

United are said to be keen to lure the Wales international to Old Trafford, but Perez is adamant the 25-year-old will not be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

Perez told Marca : "We haven't received any offer

for Gareth Bale, not from Manchester United or any other club.

"We'll never listen to any offer for Bale regardless of how important it is."

Bale has enjoyed great success since making the move to the Spanish capital, forming an intimidating attacking trio with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

The former Southampton man was on target in extra time for Real as they came from behind to beat city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League final in May and win Europe's premier club competition for a 10th time.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

25

BUSINESS THE NATION

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

Fed Govt may overshoot budget deficit in 2015, say analysts

Accenture celebrates employees

By Toyin Olasinde

A

CCENTURE, a global technology management company and also in the area of outsourcing and consulting; has celebrated the performance of two of its ex - staff that have contributed to the development of the company.

Speaking at the appreciation ceremony held in Lagos, its Managing Director, Nigeria, Niyi Yusuf, said: “The former employees, Mr. Usen Udoh, a Senior Director and Mrs. Onyeche Tifase both ex staff of the company have excelled as staff of the company.

The event was to show appreciation for what they have done while they were there.

That they have reached a milestone in their careers, and have further advanced to become important personnel in the new organisations where they now work.”

He said they have done very well to move Accenture forward in their various capacity adding that the successes recorded has paved the way for their advancement in their careers. “ Tifase has now risen to become the managing director and chief executive of Siemens, the first woman to reach such enviable position. Also, Udoh has moved to Dangote Group as the group chief human resource manager, a position which I know Udoh would excel.”

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

T

HE Federal Government may overshoot its proposed budget deficit of N722 billion in 2015 given the current global crude oil price scenario and the fragility of government’s nonoil revenue mobilisation.

Analysts at Afrinvest Securities Limited said the current scenario suggests possibility of a higher deficit than anticipated in 2015 citing the declining crude oil price and the vulnerability of the non-oil revenue mobilization.

According to analysts, with a new floor yet to be established, there is the possibility of crude oil prices declining, which will undermine Nigeria’s budget benchmark and pose major challenge to budget performance during the year.

Analysts noted that in the scenario that oil prices do not recover to a minimum of $65 in 2015, Nigeria’s budget

By Taofik Salako

benchmark price, government may incur larger deficits than the previously estimated sum of N755 billion.

The 2015 Budget indicates net federally collectible revenue of N6.9 trillion, with a total of N3.6 trillion envisaged to fund the FGN 2015 Budget, representing about 3.4 per cent drop from N3.7 trillion for 2014 Budget. Details of aggregate budget revenue of N3.602 trillion included oil revenue of N1.92 trillion and non-oil revenues of N1.68 trillion. This represented a ratio of 53 percent oil revenues to 47 per cent non-oil revenue.

“Whilst we acknowledge the non-oil revenue mobilization efforts presently embarked on by the government, we note that the structure of this revenue mobilisation effort is still fragile, hence will require a considerable time lag before results will be evident,”

Afrinvest stated.

Analysts noted that while the reduction in total budget expenditure from N4.7 trillion appropriated in 2014 to N4.36 trillion in 2015 reflected the decline in national revenue due to the oil slump, the proposed reduction in the fiscal expenditure is not broad based.

According to analysts, the reduction being proposed in 2015 will only affect capital expenditure while recurrent expenditure is still on the increase.

“With the already huge infrastructural deficit in the economy, we are of the view that 14.6 per cent allocation to capital expenditure is relatively miniscule, hence major impediment on growth and development in 2015,” analysts stated.

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services had in its recent report pointed out that an in-

creasing number of sub-Saharan African sovereigns have begun accessing international debt markets. South Africa has been issuing for many years. In 2007 Ghana and Gabon also issued debt, of $750 billion and $1 billion, respectively. Senegal followed in 2009 with $500 million issuance, followed in 2011 by Nigeria, also with $500 million. In 2012, Zambia issued $750 million, while Angola issued a $1 billion structured transaction. The following year, issuance was led by Rwanda with a debut Eurobond of $400 million, followed by Ghana ($1 billion, including a $250 million buyback), Nigeria ($1 billion), and Gabon ($1.5billion). Of the sub-Saharan African sovereigns not rated by Standard & Poor’s, Namibia issued $500 million in 2011 and Tanzania issued $600 million in early 2013.

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

-0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

•From left, Chairperon, Mr. Chef First Lady Reality Show, Moji Oyetayo; Managing Director, Bayswaters Industries Limited, Mr. Piyush Nair presenting the key of a brand new X I 35 Hyundai Sport Utility Vehicle ( SUV) to the winner of the maiden edition of Mr. Chef First Lady Reality Show, Miss Juliet Onyinyechi Ofodile. With them is the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Xmedia Communications Limited, Mr. Tunde Lawrenson during the presentation in Lagos.

Debt Management Office raises N947b in 12 months

T

HE cumulative debts raised by the Debt Management Office (DMO) this year stood at N947 billion, FBN Capital has said.

Its Head of Markets, Olubunmi Ashaolu said the DMO held its final monthly auction of Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds for the year last Wednesday, and raised N54 billion from the sale of three debt instruments.

These, he said, were all reopened issues (13.05 per cent Aug ‘16s, 14.20 per cent Mar ‘24s and 12.15 per cent Jul ‘34s).

The marginal rates (effective cut-off points) widened in each case from the previous month, by between 240 basis points and 350 basis points.

Ashaolu who disclosed this in a report titled: ‘A weakening of auction demand for FGN bonds’ also said participation by local investors waned due to the lure

Banks’ loans to private sector hit N17tr, says CBN

- P26

By Collins Nweze of higher yields on money market instruments. Also, offshore investors showed very little interest while the participating Pension Fund Administrators concentrated on the longer dated instruments. “The DMO only achieved its sales target for the long bond (Jul ’34), and then at a price. This year, the debt office has raised N947bn (gross) from its auctions, and so comfortably within the target range in its quarterly calendars of between N800 billion and N1.11 trillion,” he said.

In fourth quarter, in contrast, the DMO raised N182 billion, and so below the target range of between N195 billion and N285 billion for the quarter.

“We see yields staying within the range of 14.50 per cent to 16 per cent over the next few weeks due to the turbulence in the money market. Given the macro uncertainties including the pas-

sage of the new budget, we see greater challenges in issuance for the DMO in the months ahead,” he said.

He said the total bid of N94 billion was the lowest of the year and about 10 per cent below the previous month. This, he explained, is due in part, to concerns surrounding pressures on the naira exchange rate following the slide in oil prices.

The DMO recently confirmed that Nigerian companies issued nine bonds worth $30.4 billion in the International Capital Market in the last three years.

Director-General of the DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, said the Nigerian companies took advantage of the window opened through the successful issuance of Nigerian Sovereign Eurobonds to successfully issue the international bonds. He noted that “for the first time in Nigeria’s economic

Analysts pick UBA, Transcorp, Oando, 16 others for high returns - P28

history, the private sector has been enabled to access long-term funds from both the domestic and international capital markets.

“The successful issuances of three Nigerian Sovereign Eurobonds in the International Capital Market – one in 2011 and two in 2013 – have opened the window for Nigeria’s private sector to raise required foreign currency funds,”he said.

He explained that banks and other companies are now able to fund long-term real sector projects in agriculture, manufacturing, housing, mineral exploration and processing, infrastructure for diversified and sustainable economic growth, towards employment generation and poverty reduction.

On the domestic front, 22 Nigerian companies raised over $1.37bn from the domestic market between 2007 and 2013.

Lagos not divesting from Water Corporation

By Simeon Ebulu

T

HE Lagos State government is not divesting from the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), the Controller, Media and Publicity, Mrs. Ronke Famakinwa, has said.

In a release, she said reports insinuating that there is a planned “Privatization of LWC” are misconstrued, adding that they are based on inadequate information.

In allaying the fears of those who may have been misled by the publications, she stressed that the Lagos State government has never at any time considered the sale or divestment of any of LWC water assets.

She explained that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) law of 2004, only seeks to partner with the private sector for accelerated development of water infrastructure to meet the current water demand in Lagos State, which presently stands at 540 million gallons per day (MGD).

“In order to address the current water demand deficit and meet the projection in the very near future, LWC developed a Water Master plan to take the state from its current 210MGD to 745MGD by year 2020, through the development of additional large water schemes, taking raw water from Rivers and the Lagoons for treatment into potable water. The estimated cost of this is projected at $3.5 billion dollars. An investment which the State government cannot solely undertake. It will take the State government 2 ½ years to fund this; with every naira income going into the water sector only!

With other equally demanding sectors (Health, Education, Security and Social services, among others.”

Mrs. Famakinwa pointed out that due to the huge investment involved, coupled with the growing population of the state, it became imperative to partner with investors, both domestic and foreign to develop existing water assets to make water available to all.

She said such investments will be recovered over a negotiated concession period of several years in order to make water tariff affordable to the public, adding that concessions usually range from about 20 to 30 years depending on size of investment, and financial model.

She said other government agencies, including the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency; Office of PPP, Lagos state Water Regulatory Agency and Lagos State Ministry of Justice, are working with the LWC to ensure due diligence, transparency and fairness both to the investor and the public.

“The Management of Lagos Water Corporation unequivocally reiterates that the State government is not divesting or selling off water assets. On the contrary, it is a strategy to grow our existing water assets to make water available to all!,” Mrs. Famakinwa, said.

Rising above his challenges - P39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

26

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

Banks’ loans to private sector hit N17tr, says CBN

C

REDIT to the private sector on month-on-month basis, grew marginally by 0.7 per cent to N17.7 trillion in October, according to a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Economic Report.

CBN said the figure compared with the growth of 1.5 per cent at the end of the preceding month. The development was attributed to the 5.2 per cent and 0.5 per cent increase in claims on states and local governments and the core private sector.

Over the level at end-December 2013, banking system’s credit to the private sector grew by 7.7 per cent.

Also, at N16.4 trillion, aggregate banking system credit (net) to the domestic economy grew by 0.9 per cent, on month-on-month basis, compared with the growth of 2.7 per cent at the end of the preceding month.

“The development relative to the preceding month, reflected the growth of 0.9 per cent and 0.7 per cent in net claims on the Federal Government and on the private sec-

By Collins Nweze

tor. Correspondingly, the level of growth at end-December 2013, was 9.1 per cent,” it said.

Banking system’s credit (net) to the Federal Government, on month-onmonth basis, rose by 0.9 per cent to negative N1.3 trillion, compared with the growth of 10.4 per cent at the end of the preceding month.

The report showed that foreign assets (net) of the banking system declined by N6.9 trillion, or 9.1 per cent, compared with the decline of 0.5 per cent and 0.3 per cent at the end of the preceding month and the corresponding month of 2013 respectively.

The development relative to the preceding month, was attributed to the decline of the 17.6 and 7.3 per cent in foreign asset holdings of commercial banks and the CBN, respectively.

Over the level at end-December 2013, NFA declined by 18.7 per cent. The decline was attributed to the fall of 32.5 per cent and 15.4 per cent in the foreign asset holdings

of both the commercial banks and the CBN, respectively.

Other assets (net) of the banking system, on a month-on-month basis, rose by 4.1 per cent to negative N7 trillion, compared with the growth of 0.7 per cent and 4.5 per cent at the end of the preceding month and corresponding month of 2013, respectively. Over the level at end-December 2013, other assets (net) of the banking system grew by 11.2 per cent.

Available data indicated that the money market rates were relatively stable during the review period. The banking system was awash with liquidity surfeit, occasioned by maturing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bills, Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) credit posting for the maintenance period, Joint Venture Cash (JVC) call and fiscal injections through statutory revenue released to the three tiers of government.

Also CBN bills of diverse tenors were floated at the Open Market Operations (OMO) segment to mop

•From left: Executive Director, South, Sterling Bank, Mr. Lanre Adesanya and the Bank’s Regional Business Executive, Southsouth 2, Mr Emmanuel Emefienim, welcoming Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson to the official opening ceremony of the new Yenagoa III branch.

Ultimate Microfinance Bank records N21m profit U

LTIMATE Microfinance Bank, Ipaja, Lagos has recorded a profit of N21.17 million in 2013.

The bank’s Chairman, Mr Wale Odunayo who disclosed this at the 5th Annual General Meeting said the lender was formerly Ipaja Community Bank Limited incorporated in 1993.

He said additional shares were allotted to the bank by CBN which rose from N50 million to N100 million while the operating environment and cost of doing business in the country remained high.

He disclosed further that the bank’s gross earnings for year 2013 was N52.5 million while that of the year 2012 was N37.2 million and N26.4 million for the year 2011 saying that in year 2013, the bank recorded a profit of N21.17 million.

“In the past three years, the bank did not make profit thus no dividends were paid. The reason for lack of profit in the preceding was clear because borrowers refused to pay back their loans and the Central Bank of Nigeria took all our profit for operating capital. During the year under review, the bank made a profit after tax of N19.9 million out of which the Board approved the sum of N2.9 million as dividends at 10k per share,” he said.

By Adeola Ogunlade

The bank’s Chairman said it is hoped that with the increase in shareholders’ funds, loans and advances, the bank would make more profit next year while shareholders would enjoy more returns on their investment.

He noted that, despite some challenges like poor power supply, the bank has been performing its civic duties of tax payment and levies to relevant Federal, State and local Government tax agencies.

He said 50 per cent of the profit has been added to shareholders’ fund and that this in turn would boost the operating capital of the bank.

“As part of the recommendation of the strategies committee being put in place, the bank has embraced group lending to various bodies, associations and cooperatives. In group lending, the risk was spread among members and it is easier to recover such loans than when the loans are given to individual borrowers,” he said.

Odunayo recalled that in recent times, the bank has improved its marketing strategies and introduced new products such as group lending,

salary advance, Traders’ Help Support Products, personal loan against house-hold equipments purchase are now all at the disposal of customers.

“The relationship of the bank with regulatory authorities has been cordial. At the last exit meeting held with the CBN and NDIC audit teams, they ensured strict compliance with the recommendations of the two regulatory bodies. The bank is also complying strictly with the new Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines for microfinance banks. In line with CBN directives, the board has set up several committees including the Regulatory Authorities Directives Monitoring Committee,” he said.

He however noted that the greatest challenge confronting the bank is the repayment of loans by customers saying to overcome this challenge, a new credit policy was put in place to ensure aggressive recovery of all outstanding debts through legal means.

“Another issue is the increase of the Bank’s authorised capital from N50 million to N100 million and the increase in the paid up capital.

While the Board is doing all that is humanly possible to achieve a positive result on these issues, I appeal to all shareholders to purchase more shares”, he said.

up the liquidity surfeit in the system. In the review month, Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) was more predominant as there was liquidity surfeit in the banking system. There was no request for repurchase transactions, same as in the previous month.

Provisional data indicated that the total value of money market assets outstanding in October 2014, stood at N7.5 trillion, indicating an increase of 2.2 per cent over the level in the preceding month. The development reflected the 1.8 per cent and 2.7 per cent increase in outstanding FGN bonds and Nigerian Treasury bills, respectively.

Provisional data indicated that growth in the key monetary aggregate contracted in October 2014. On month-on-month basis, broad

money (M2) fell by 1.5 per cent, in contrast to the growth of 2.7 per cent in the preceding month. The development reflected the 9.1 per cent fall in foreign asset net of the banking system, which more than offset the effects of the 0.9 and 4.1 per cent growth in domestic credit (net) and other assets (net) of the banking system, respectively.

Similarly, narrow money supply (M1) declined by 1.5 per cent below the level at the end of the preceding month due to the 4.6 and 0.7 per cent fall in its currency and demand deposit components, respectively. Over the level at endDecember 2013, however, M2 grew by 4.2 per cent. Reserve money (RM) rose by 4.0 per cent at the end of the review month and was below the quarterly benchmark.

How devaluation will impact market outlook, by operator

G

ROUP Chief Executive Officer, Morewits Financial Market Institute, Dr. Oluwatobi Oyefeso, has highlighted some of the implications of the naira devaluation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a report obtained by The Nation, he explained that in a floating exchange rate regime or managed float, such as in the United States and Nigeria, market forces determine currency depreciation or appreciation.

He said the naira devaluation has been having domino effects on the capital markets’ performance.

“For fixed income securities, the naira exchange rate depreciation pushes up the domestic inflation through higher import prices. Investors would require higher returns to compensate for the inflation and the CBN may raise interest rates to fight off inflation, thereby pushing up interest rates even more,” he said.

Continuing, he said that the devaluation will result in the price crash of the fixed income securities and increases investment risk of fixed income securities like bonds and treasury bills (TBs).

“Expectedly, as the interest rate increases, investors will be averse to investing in the ‘existing’ bonds and treasury bills that pay lower than the new rate. On the other hand, investors will have preference for the ‘new’ issues whose prices factor

in the new and higher rate,” he said.

He explained that the crash in the fixed income securities, will only be applicable to the ‘existing’ instruments issued prior to the naira depreciation and its associated inflation rate increase.

“Additionally, there is usually a capital flight from the capital markets to the money markets to capitalise on the new and higher rate in the money markets. This often causes price crash and enhances the investors’ negative sentiments in the capital markets,” he said.

He said a strong naira can actually hurt the profits of the Nigerian companies when translated to foreign income. “In the contrast, a depreciated or weak Naira increases the exchange rate for the foreign-currency denominated sales and profits. Interestingly, a depreciated Naira will boost the Nigerian exporters’ trade and profits as the Nigerian products become more price competitive in overseas markets,” he added.

Continuing, he said, the naira depreciation will erode the value of the underlying asset(s) forming the mutual funds. “However, the naira depreciation will create bullishness in the money markets via the increase in the demand and price as investors divest from the capital markets to invest in the money markets. In this case, the mutual funds on money markets instruments will experience market growth,” he said.

Afrinvest partners Serengeti Capital

A

FRINVEST (West Africa) Limited has partnered with Serengeti Capital Limited of Ghana to expand its operations and strengthen its capacity to execute transactions within the West African investment market.

The pact would enable Afrinvest act as a Nigerian partner for Serengeti and be responsible for the origination, general coordination, management and implementation of any transactions for Serengeti in Nigeria, and vice versa.

In a statement, the firm said the deal involves principal subsidiaries of Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited such as Afrinvest Asset Management Limited, Afrinvest Securities Limited. It also involves key subsidiaries of Serengeti Capital such as Serengeti Asset Management and New World Securities, and covers all areas of mutual interest including Investment Banking, Asset Management, Brokerage and Investment Research.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Afrinvest, Ike

Chioke, described the partnership as a positive development for both companies. “The partnership with Serengeti portends huge potential for clients and investors of both firms, and we will leverage on our combined experience and deep insight of the Nigerian and Ghanaian financial markets to our clients’ benefit,” he said.

Managing Partner at Serengeti Capital Partners, Francis Kalitsi said: “We, at Serengeti, are pleased to enter into a business relationship with Afrinvest and subsidiary firms. We are confident that with our rich experience and track record of excellence within our respective markets, the partnership will offer greater opportunities for our individual clients and investors.”

The partnership between both companies is in line with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and West African Capital Market Integration Association (WACMIC) objectives to harmonise and regulate investment banking and securities trading activities in the sub-continent.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

27

MONEY Agent banking is expected to deepen banking services and create more wealth for the citizenry. But achieving it requires the quick resolution of complaints and an improved regulatory environment, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

Taking banking to the grassroots B

EFORE now, banking was the exclusive preserve of the rich and the educated. Majority of the poor and illiterates kept their money at home. Far-away bank branches, cumbersome account opening requirements, lack of awareness of financial products and services,among others, were barriers that stood between the poor and illiterates and the financial system.

But the coming of agent banking is expected to change all that by bringing into the bracket those at the grassroots. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) signposted this with the inauguration of the Agent Banking Model which liberalised the financial system in favour of all, most especially the poor.

Some of the services to be rendered by the agents are transactional in nature. They include: deposits, withdrawal, cash transfer, account opening, cheques request, bills payment and balance inquiry.

For a country where more than 70 per cent of its 168 million population live below the poverty line and 46.3 per cent unbanked, achieving the goal appears herculean.

For the operators, the CBN Director, Banking & Payments Department, ‘Dipo Fatokun, pegged the minimum shareholder fund for Super Agents at N50 million. He said to be licensed, a Super Agent must be a company with an existing business operational for at least 12 months and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

He explained that the agent must also have a minimum shareholders’ fund unimpaired by losses of N50 million and obtain a reference letter from a financial institution as part of its documentation for licence request.

Fatokun insisted that with agent banking, everyone can now open and run accounts on the agent bank model. This is by allowing the agents to take customers’ fingerprints since the model runs on biometric-enabled Point of Sale (PoS) technology with that information, open account for the customers.

The CBN’s objective is to reduce the number of adult Nigerians who are excluded from formal financial services from 46.3 per cent in 2012 to 20 per cent by 2020 with specific targets for payments, savings, credit and insurance. This, he said, can only be achieved with the support of the banks.

“The CBN is trying to tell Nigerians that whether you are poor or rich, speak English or not, have means of identification or not, live in town or village, you have right to banking services. The only thing you need to open an account is the finger God has given you. No one can take it from you because no one has your finger type,” the apex bank said in a statement.

Operational channels Managing Director, Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), a financial sector development organisation that promotes financial inclusion in Nigeria, Modupe Ladipo, said sustaining the country’s development hinges on ensuring that at least 80 per cent of all adults have access to affordable financial services as well as the right environment within which to flourish economically.

She said agent banking model would ensure increased activity in the delivery of banking services outside traditional brick and mortar bank branches. This, she explained, can be done through additional financial access points such as existing retail stores, petrol stations, post offices or via PoS devices and mobile phones.

But Chief Maurice Adekunle, a traditional ruler based in Lagos, expressed fears over grassroots banking in the country. He said there are several cases where smaller banks closed shops, and the people lost their money. He said operators of the agent banking project needed to assure depositors that their funds are safe.

Group head, e-Business, Sterling Bank Plc, Fatai Amoo, said the bank’s agent banking operation takes security of funds seriously.

He said the bank is determined to have the

highest level of agent outlets in the country provided such locations have sizeable number of commercial activities and do not pose any risk to depositors.

“We can only set up in locations that have some semblance of commercial activities.

The agent must have a running business, integrity, and be a respected person. The environment also needs to be secured. We need someone who is able to read and write,” he said during a meeting with agents at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos. Amoo said agents have better opportunity of accessing credit from the bank.

Agents speak But Yusuf Obe, an agent, said although banks promised that the biometric-enabled PoS will help in the payment of utility bills, that service is not available. She also complained about tedious account opening process and inability of the machines to check customers’ account balances. Obe said fixing botched transactions is frustrating and takes months to resolve and that has been very bad for the business.

Other agents also expressed fears encountered in the course of the business such agent fraud, unauthorised fees, loss of customer assets and records, data entry errors, system failures among others. Amoo said the bank is working on installing a technology that enables the customer to hear their balances in local languages. “We have all these facilities but they have to be installed in phases so as not to confuse the customers. We also have dedicated team going round, ensuring that nothing goes wrong. We will be in every location that is potentially viable,” he assured.

He said for security reasons, the bank ensures that the agents do not handle more cash than they should ordinarily do. “The agents are economic agents that do transactions and the kind of limit we will allow each of them to do, is also a function of the amount of cash the person can handle,” he said.

He said such agents can also take deposits, but cannot accept deposits above the set limit to ensure they are not exposed to more cash that brings extra security risks around the agent. He said how much an agent earns is a function of volume and value of transactions done. “The agents must be able to go to the bank as quickly as possible to withdraw funds or deposit cash. The more accessible such agent is to the bank, the better,” he said.

Heritage Bank is also one of the banks offering agent banking services in the country. The bank had in March launched its agent banking scheme with the opening of what it calls the ‘Corner Shop’ bank in the Gbagada Plank Market, Lagos.

Ifie Sekibo, managing director, Heritage Bank Limited, said the customers now have the opportunity to enjoy financial services without visiting any physical branch location. He said banking services is for everybody. “With the small bank we have opened in the market, we are offering banking services to everybody in this market, irrespective of your educational background and what you do. From this small bank, you can enjoy a lot of banking services, which is available in the bank branches. You can send

• CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

money to people, receive money from others, buy recharge card. You even send money to people abroad. You can do all these at this corner shop bank,” he said.

Subairu Akano, a trader said banking is not complete without the customers being able to access credit from the bank. He said there is also need for the bank to assure them of security of funds and efficient services. “We do not want to hear bad story. We want mutually beneficial banking services,” he said.

Regulators Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Umaru Ibrahim, said although Nigeria has not reached advanced stage in its implementation of agent banking project, it is making progress. He said agent banking would go a long way in reaching out to the largely unbanked population, creating banking representations where banks ordinarily do not have enough resources to establish branches. Ibrahim explained that agent banks is a complimentary policy that is worthy of emulation as it provides simple banking services to a variety of people on behalf of various banks.

He dispelled fears that banks with national banking licence would become lax in branch expansion with the introduction of the agent banks, saying “the banks will now be able to decide which will be more cost effective for them in reaching out to their customers, either opening up branches or using agent banks.”

Bismarck Rewane of Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited said banks’ commitment to financial inclusion will help reduce the level of poverty and underdevelopment in the country advising that funds and credit must flow with ease to those who need them.

He said viability of agent banking will be determined by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, per capita income, poverty and literacy level, mobile phone and internet penetration, electricity and level of insecurity among other factors.

Complaints resolution The CBN has given banks and agents 72

‘The CBN’s objective is to reduce the number of adult Nigerians who are excluded from formal financial services from 46.3 per cent in 2012 to 20 per cent by 2020 with specific targets for payments, savings, credit and insurance. This can only be achieved with the support of the banks’

• Ibrahim

hours to treat and resolve any customer-related issues in agent banking. The apex bank also said financial institutions shall be responsible for setting up dispute resolution mechanism for their agents to facilitate resolution of customers’ complaints.

The CBN also pegged the minimum shareholder fund for Super Agents in Agent Banking at N50 million, a guideline released at the weekend stipulated.

In a circular to deposit money banks, mobile money operators (MMOs) and switches, signed by Fatokun, the regulator said that Super Agent, must also have a minimum of 50 agents even as applications for such position shall be accompanied with board approval, certificate of incorporation, shareholding structure of the consortium, feasibility study for the agent network among other conditions.

“The Nigeria Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS) shall provide the switching infrastructure to enable inter-scheme CICO at all agent locations. The super-agents’ platform shall be for the management and monitoring of the activities of their agents only and shall not hold electronic money value, whereas, the financial institutions shall provide and operate the Mobile Money platform and hold electronic money value,” he said.

Explaining further, he said all MMOs operators platforms must be up to date (inclusive of mandatory integration to NIBSS), tested and active to ensure interoperability between MMOs. Also, all licensed MMOs shall ensure that their platforms are upgraded as needed, tested and active within 30 days from the release of this document.

For over-the-counter (OTC) transactions, it said the period for holding funds not withdrawn by a receiving customer shall be 30 days. Thereafter, the fund shall be reversed to the sender even as notifications sent to the receiving customer shall indicate the expiry date for the transaction.

Director, CBN’s Development Finance Unit, Paul Eluhaiwe, said agent banking requires the engagement of pre-qualified individuals in different locations that are predominantly financially-excluded to serve as agents to the bank under the CBN approved model.

Eluhaiwe said CBN’s Consumer Protection Unit has been established to ensure that customers have an adequate level of protection.

This, he said, will build consumers’ confidence in the industry as previously unresolved issues are now handled appropriately. He said there are different layers of inspectors ensuring that customers deal with only banks’ approved agents.

He recalled that in 2009, the CBN had commenced measures to open up banking channels to non-bank agents. An amendment to the Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFIA) Act allowed banks to start using agents to deliver financial services. However, it was in 2012 that the financial industry, along with other stakeholders decided to make financial inclusion a top priority and launched a National Financial Inclusion Strategy.

28

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Analysts pick UBA, Transcorp, Oando, 16 others for high returns I NVESTORS seeking high-return stocks should consider United Bank for Africa (UBA), Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), Oando Plc, Cadbury Nigeria and 16 other stocks with potential to deliver double-digit capital appreciation.

Analysts at BGL Plc said the downtrend in 2014 has opened attractive opportunities in the Nigerian stock market noting that Nigerian equities are currently trading at attractive compare to regional peer and other emerging markets.

According to analysts, while Nigeria’s market price-earnings and price-to-book ratios compare favourably with other emerging markets like Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) and its regional peer South Africa, price earnings ratio of most sectors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) are also lower than those of its peers; indicating significant buy opportunities.

Analysts at BGL outlined that banking, consumer goods, conglomerates, health care and building materials sectors present very attractive valuation at the moment.

A list of stocks recommended by the analysts showed that Transcorp has the highest upside potential with a possible return of 140.8 per cent. Analysts said Transcorp’s share price, which opened yesterday at N3.78 per share, could rise to N8.26 per share. They noted that UBA’s share price, which opened

Stories by Taofik Salako

yesterday at N4.94 per share, to rise as high as N10.51 per share. Oando has an upside potential of about 93 per cent with a possible target price of N37.95. Cadbury Nigeria is estimated to have possible upside potential of about 69 per cent with a target price of N64.81.

Other stocks with strong return outlook included FBN Holdings, 49.7 per cent; Access Bank, 48.3 per cent; Diamond Bank, 51.7 per cent; FCMB Group, 38.3 per cent; Fidelity Bank, 56.2 per cent; Skye Bank, 62.7 per cent; Dangote Cement, 48 per cent; Lafarge Africa, 64.1 per cent; Nestle Nigeria, 40.3 per cent; PZ Cussons Nigeria, 76.8 per cent; Dangote Sugar Refinery, 71.9 per cent; Honeywell Flour Mills, 77.9 per cent and UAC of Nigeria, with potential return of 64 per cent.

Others included Zenith Bank, with 19.9 per cent; Nigerian Breweries, 19.2 per cent, Total Nigeria, 42.8 per cent and Flour Mills of Nigeria, with potential capital appreciation of about 22.3 per cent.

Analysts noted that the uncertainty surrounding the financial system is clearing out as the major reforms in the banking sector have been completed and the need to resume financial intermediation by banks has become glaring.

According to analysts, the uncertainty in the banking sector led to cautious approach to investing activities; hence the below market performance of the sector.

“However, the expected increase in liquidity from election spending may temper the effect of the tight monetary environment for the banks and boost their investing activities and profitability. It may also lead to the narrowing of yields on fixed income instruments to the benefit of the equity market. The channelling of liquidity to productive sector would help the market while stronger earnings from increased financial intermediation by banks would also boost investors’ sentiment for banking stocks,” the analysts’ report stated.

BGL noted that due to identified infrastructure gaps in terms of housing, transportation and power, there would be more focus on building and construction going forward, which would impact positively on building and construction stocks.

According to analysts, since the provision of the infrastructure needs is largely to be private sector driven, there would be better efficiency and transparency in the handling of the projects with positive implication for the capital market.

Analysts pointed out that the merger between Lafarge Africa and Ashaka Cement Plc in order to achieve cost reductions through scale and removal of duplicated duties has positive potential effect on the sector while the newly launched Mortgage Refinance Company (MRC) is expected to boost housing development over time; leading to increased demand for building materials.

“Consumer goods stocks are defensive stocks. The capacity to generate cashflow all year round portends huge value for these companies. In addition the ban on the importation of some items and the increase in tariff on some will create a favourable competitive environment for the players in the sector. The ban on importation of refined cube sugar is expected to generate increased business and volume sugar manufacturers; hence our optimism on their stock performance. The return to profitability of some consumer goods companies after years of negative performance signal that they have started benefitting from the restructuring embarked upon while the consistent positive performance of the industry bellwethers offers an attraction to the sector’s stocks,” the report stated.

Analysts pointed out that al-

though the unwieldy nature of conglomerate companies usually makes them difficult to analyse and understand, several of them are known to hide inherent values.

They noted that in addition to risk reduction through diversification, some of the conglomerates have invested in highly profitable and cash generating business with strong upside potential, pointing out that conglomerate companies with investment in defensive sectors herald very attractive returns , for investors.

“We expect that the conclusion of the Petroleum Industry Bill to unleash significant investment in the sector, particularly unlocking value for the downstream petroleum sector as well as the upstream sector.

The increased foray of indigenous oil and gas companies into the upstream and midstream oil and gas sectors and the expansion into power generation and distribution offer significant upside for the stocks of quoted oil and gas companies in Nigeria,” the analysts’ report stated.

According to analysts, companies with operations in the upstream, mid-stream and downstream sectors like Oando Plc portends great inherent value especially with the purchase of the assets of Conoco Phillips Nigeria Limited. Most of the international petroleum marketing companies have also been consistent in their performance with attractive returns to investors.

Champion Breweries concludes N12b rights issue •Lists 6.3b new shares

C

HAMPION Breweries realised its full target of N11.7 billion from its recent new capital issue, boosting the company’s financial restructuring programme.

Champion Breweries has listed 6.3 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which increased its outstanding share capital to 7.2 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

Champion Breweries had floated a rights issue to raise N11.7 billion in the third quarter as the company moved to recapitalize its operations and optimize production capacity.

It issued 6.30 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to existing shareholders on the basis of seven new ordinary shares for every one share they held as at May 7, 2014.

The rights was sell at N1.85 per share.

The rights issue’s price represented a substantial discount to the company’s market price of N10.17 on the NSE. The discount was in line with the traditional view of rights issue as a form of return to existing shareholders.

The management of Champion Breweries had earlier indicated that the company would soon overcome its challenge of capital inadequacies with the planned recapitalisation exercise.

The recapitalization, according to the management, was to enable the company to maintain and sustain the production of premium quality beer and non-alcoholic beverages that meet international brewing standards through the deployment of cutting-edge technology and application of human capital.

The Raysun Nigeria Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Heineken International BV, recently became the new core investor in Champion Breweries following the sale of 513 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each by Consolidated Breweries Plc, the previous core investor in Champion Breweries.

•From left: Disha Agarwal Brand Manger Power Oil; Ruth Oil (Winner); Ekhafidor Precious (winner) and Ogbuagu Chokodiri, supervisor Power Oil at the Power oil pay for calories campaign at the Ikeja City Mall.

Elumelu’s Heirs Holdings invest in American tech firm

H

EIRS Holdings, a Lagosbased African proprietary investment company, has provided start-up soft funding to Wonderloop Incorporated, a California-based technological firm.

Heirs Holdings is owned by former United Bank for Africa (UBA) group managing director, Mr Tony Elumelu. Wonderloop is based in Mountain View, California and will launch fully in 2015.

The seed funding will support the development and expansion of Wonderloop’s custom video-profile platform. It will also enable the Silicon Valley start-up to conduct experimentation and prototype development to accelerate the global adoption of the video platform. The investment will be disbursed as a convertible loan directly to

Wonderloop.

Wonderloop is the world’s first video-profile identity platform. The cutting edge iPhone app will revolutionize the way people connect through short 10 to 15 second videoprofiles, creating real-world connections on mobile devices. The video-profile replaces the static images and bios on traditional social networks and provides users with more accurate impressions of users.

Commenting on the investment, chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, described Wonderloop as a high-potential firm which should be supported to achieve its aims.

“I am excited about Wonderloop’s vision of giving everyone in the world an opportunity to be seen through this dynamic cutting edge

video-profile system,” Elumelu said.

According to him, Heirs Holdings will bring its experience investing in American technological firms to bear on the development of Africa’s equivalent of the Silicon Valley.

“We see this as an investment in a high potential tech start-up, similar to what we did previously with Planet Labs. These are the kinds of investments that create a simpler and more connected world. We want to bring lessons learnt from our investments in the Silicon Valley tech space to the African tech entrepreneurs we are grooming,” Elumelu said.

Founder, Wonderloop Inc, Hanna Aase, said the firm’s video-profile platform will impact profoundly

on social and economic interactions.

“If we can meet each person in the world with a click of a button, it changes the way we connect, hire, invest and give. We do introductions for the people we know, but what if we could replicate that experience with everyone in the world? If we can see anyone, anywhere in the world, we will feel we have met and can be comfortable hiring, investing, giving and more, virtually,” Aase said.

Aase created the Wonderloop app after being inspired by Oprah’s mission of connecting and giving to people all around the world and wanted to bring it to the mobile space. Her goal is to give everyone the power to meet life-changing people using the integrated search engine.

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

•www.thenationonlineng.net

PAGE 29

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION ON THE 44TH BIRTHDAY OF DAKUKU ADOL PETERSIDE

The man who may be Rivers’ governor

30

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

DR DAKUKU PETERSIDE @ 44 DR Dakuku Peterside does appear like a regular politician. He actually is not. No air of selfimportance. The fact that he occupies an important position in the House of Representatives as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has not gotten into his head. He has occupied this position since he arrived in Abuja as a congressman in 2011.

For years, Peterside, who turns 44 today, did everything right in his position to support many lifechanging bills. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been one of those.

Peterside, who represents Opobo/ Nkoro/Andoni Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, perhaps had a clairvoyance eyes into the c h a l lenges c o n front-

“The choosing of Hon. Peterside as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State ahead of the governorship election next year in the state is the best thing that happened to Ogoni people. Among any Ogoni politician out there, Hon Peterside is the only politician that has rolled out developmental projects to Ogoni while he was the Commissioner for Works inRivers State“ see very er in

Dakuku Adol Peterside…New face of Rivers He has been a local government chairman, commissioner and House of Representatives member, among many other leadership role. Now, the gates to the Brick House, Port Harcourt are about to be flung open for Dr. Dakuku Peterside

ing Nigeria today over the tumbling oil price. He had been a strong advocate for the passage of the PIB presently before the National Assembly. Last year, when opposition mounted against the bill, he had said, “it is a legislation that should be supported by all sections of the country.”

His views have not changed much.

“Presently, the economy is being strangulated and all this is because there is restricted opportunity for investment,” he said.

“Our economy is still a third world economy which requires a lot of investment in infrastructure. The PIB addresses all of that.

The Bill intends to open up the economy for further investments, because there is that uncertainty in the petroleum sector.”

Just four years in the parliament, Peterside’s strengths are well-known. He is seen as focused, forthright, studious, urbane and a superb communicator. In a time of reviled politicians, people actually like listening to him, making him a man who cut across party lines.

On a recent weekend in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, it was striking to see Peterside stretching forth his hands to greet locals on the streets. It was the same thing in his constituency where men and women were in ecstasy at his appearance and giggled to be photographed with him.

“When you are not far from the people, that is what you get,” he told me.

On Birabi Street in GRA Phase 1, Port Harcourt, where Peterside’s church, Salvation Ministries is located, he is not looked upon as a politician. The worshippers there see him as ‘one of us’. He is one of the early birds in the church; he comes before the service starts.

Every year he provides scholarship to young ones. In electronic interviews, beneficiaries of Peterside’s overseas post-graduate scholarship scheme narrated how the scheme many of them doubted has changed their lives.

One of them, Victor Pepple, who graduated from the University of Port Harcourt with a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum and Gas Engineering (Gas Engineering Option) between 2010/2011 and now studying for his master’s degree in Engineering Business Management at the University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, said Peterside has kept his part of the bargain.

He said full tuition and upkeep allowance as promised by the scholarship board have been paid.

“We were credited with over six months’ maintenance allowance for living expenses before arriving the UK. Beyond that, the Honourable has come to visit us in person to how we are faring. This I find rare of any public office holdhis capacity. For this, I remain

eternally grateful.”

“Every honest and right-thinking mind would agree that education is the greatest legacy any society can give to its youths in order to secure a sustainable future. In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. Hence, Hon. Dakuku Peterside is championing the individual initiative and effort to empower youths of his federal constituency with life-time training, skills and competences that will outlive time and temporary materialistic gains,” he said.

Pepple who said his previous experiences with sourcing for a scholarship to study abroad had always been a last minute disappointment even in situations where he met the criteria, described Peterside as a honest politician that is rare.

He said: “The name Dakuku Peterside will forever remain engrained in the hearts of many, for being a man who helped in writing the history of many generations even yet unborn. Beyond being a fast selling brand in Rivers State, the man has modestly proved that his words are honourable and he keeps his promise. He said he would empower the people of his constituency with qualitative education abroad, he did it. He said he would not interfere with the selection process for the candidates, not even on grounds of any primordial sentiments, and he did it. This I find very remarkable because if it were otherwise, people like me would most likely never have been on the preferred list and I know it. Whilst I strive to make the best of this opportunity given me, I urge all and sundry to emulate Hon. Dakuku Peterside in creating more empowerment opportunities for the upcoming generation, lest we remain in the woods.”

Now, what started during the Christmas season of 2012 when posters for the Peterside overseas post-graduate scholarship scheme were pasted everywhere in Opobo Town and designated collection centres in Port Harcourt, has turned out to be a glorious opportunity for Pepple and others in its ilk.

For his path, Tana Ofik, Ofik, a native of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, currently studying for an M.Sc. in Subsea Engineering, with the scholarship, Peterside is laying a new foundation for the Niger Delta and Nigeria.

He said: “I got selected as a beneficiary of the Hon. Peterside’s overseas post-graduate scholarship in June of 2013 after a very transparent selection process in which I emerged the best candidate for the engineering disciplines. The scholarship covers my tuition and living costs at the University of Aberdeen. Till date, the Hon. Dakuku Peterside has followed through with all the promises made to the scholarship beneficiaries. I am thus confident that I will not have any financial worries all through my degree programme. Academically, the experience so far has been quite tasking, as I have been enrolled in a world renowned university with an excellent reputation in engineering studies related to oil and gas development.

“I have had the opportunity to meet key industry players and develop both personally and professionally. This had only existed as a

dream for me before the scholarship but today it has become a reality. Many thanks to Hon. Peterside. He is truly a leader who has the concern of the people and the development of Nigeria at heart.”

Miss Hope Ngerebara, one of the dozen scholars, who is studying for an Msc in Information Systems and Data Management, believes the country will develop better if leaders emulate Peterside.

She said: “Peterside is a very humble and kind-hearted man because only someone with such qualities will remember his people and carry out such charitable work. He has proven to be a great leader, who not only believes he needs to carry his people along but has also shown me that he really believes in our youths being the future. This kind act of his has inspired me greatly to give back to my community.”

For a man who started out as a community organiser, Peterside has appreciable appeal as a politician in Rivers State. So the past few months have been a whirlwind of meetings for him. He has spent a lot of time engaging with the people across the state. A couple of people have said he is a bridge builder who is liked by everyone.

When his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chose him ahead of others to lead the party to victory in the February 2015 gubernatorial election as its candidate, there was wild jubilation on the streets of Port Harcourt.

Mr. TamBari Lebee, who heads the Ogoni Stakeholders Forum (OSF) in the United States, said the jubilation was simply a sign of victory for Peterside come 2015.

But some of the kinsmen of Lebee in Rivers State didn’t celebrate much over the choice of Peterside ahead of an Ogoni man in the race.

Lebee simply said: “Those people were rented crowd. You can see that Senator Magnus Abe, the only Ogoni man in the race gave his support to Peterside’s candidacy. It is because Peterside is a full flesh Ogoni man by all ramifications”.

In a statement issued by his association, Lebee said: “Dakuku Peterside, originally from Opobo, lived in Bori from his teen until the day he got admission into the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, and always returning to Bori as his home when school closed.

“In Bori, he is popularly known as Dagogo not Dakuku. His mother and two sisters are well known as Ogoni women. Hon. Peterside, now in his 40s, spent his 10th, 20th and 30th birthdays in Bori, making him more Ogoni man than an Ogoni man who lives all his life in Port Harcourt.

“Among many streets he lived on in Bori were formal TTC now Poly, Taabaa road, Court Road etc. He has more Ogoni friends than Opobo and passed more Christmas in Bane (the house of the Wiwas) than Opobo.

“The choosing of Hon. Peterside as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State ahead of the governorship election next year in the state is the best thing that happened to Ogoni people. Among any Ogoni politician out there, Hon Peterside is the only politician that has rolled out developmental projects to Ogoni while he was the Commissioner for Works in Rivers State. He is responsible for all the tarred

31

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

DR DAKUKU PETERSIDE @ 44

‘

I am an open book! In my days both at Okrika Grammar School, OGS and Rivers State University of Science and Technology where I served as National President of National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) among other positions, I did not join any cult group not even with the excuse of youthful exuberance

‘ Tribute to a man of probity and accountability

•Peterside (second left) and Amaechi

I

T is with great joy that I felicitate with my brother and colleague, Hon. Dakuku Peterside on this occasion of his 44th birthday. I celebrated mine some years ago, so I’m his senior!

But speaking seriously, I’m glad for him that God has spared his life to see this day in his life and the progress that God has allowed him to make in life because it’s one thing to be adding years to one’s age but another thing to be pleased with one’s life. I’ve no doubt that Dakuku Peterside is happy with his life and thankful to God for this.

I never met Dakuku Adol Peterside, member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Cositutuency, until he came to the House of Representatives in 2011. Since then, we have worked together especially in his capacity as Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) where I am a member.

Peterside is a unique personality. Among his equals, he has conducted himself like a prince devoid of any aura of pride or arrogance. His interpersonal relationship is robust. His capacity for hard work is amazing. His understanding of issues especially governance issues is broad and captivating.

Dakuku is highly cerebral. He is an excellent communicator.

His compassion for the less privileged is profuse. He is a responsible family man. His character is unassailable. He is a devout Christian – a Christian in practice not a nominal

BY AMINU SHEHU SHAGARI

one.

I remember a particular time that there was intense pressure on him from some interested persons to make him compromise his integrity during the probe into the oil subsidy scam.

Dakuku surprised them when he easily turned down their tempting offer. He told members of the Committee that he would rather resign as Chairman, Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) rather than sacrifice his Christian belief. He was almost resigning but I encouraged him to stay put as Committee chairman which he did without accept the offer to corruptly enrich himself. He stood for probity and accountability.

It is therefore cheering news that Hon. Peterside is one of the Honourable Members that members of their parties have found worthy to fly their parties’ flag for the governorship of their states. This is not the first time that this has happened as we have some the current state governors who were previously members of the House of Representatives.

The choice of Dakuku by the APC to pilot the affairs of River state could best be described as divine. His colleagues who aspired to the same office for him are no less qualified but you can’t do anything about divine choice.

Considering Hon Peterside’s vast experience and record of performance, the River State APC has made a right choice. I have related with this man very

roads in Bori, the electrification of many villages of Ogoni under Amaechi’s administration.”

As one of the most presentable, high-profile members of the APC front row leaders in the House of Representatives with capacity to reach out beyond his party ranks, Peterside arrived on the political landscape prepared. In Okrika Grammar School, Okrika, one of the pre-eminent public schools where he had his secondary education in the 1980s in Rivers State, he was a school prefect by reason of his conduct, leadership qualities and academic standing.

After OGS, he gained admission to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) Port Harcourt, where he studied Haematology, graduating with an honours degree from the department of Medical Laboratory Sciences.

He later earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Business and a Masters Degree in Business. And last August, Peterside, after satisfying the Senate of the University of Port Harcourt with his

closely since 2011 and my assessment is: The man is good.

Dakuku is the right man for the job and deserves the support of everybody especially the River State electorate. I’m hopeful that come February 2015, the people of River State will give him their mandate to continue to do on another platform the good service he has been rendering to them all these years.

Once again, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, I rejoice with you on this occasion of your birthday and pray that the Almighty God will give you long life and good health to fulfill His purpose for your life.

As you traverse the length and breadth of River State, enter the creeks and travel the nooks and crannies of River State for your campaign, I pray for God’s protection for you and your team. May God grant you, as the next governor of River State by the grace of God, wisdom to govern the state well and in the fear of God and take it to greater height.

It’s with great joy that I felicitate with my brother and colleague, Hon. Dakuku Peterside on this occasion of his 44th birthday. I celebrated mine some years ago, so I’m his senior!

But speaking seriously, I’m glad for him that God has spared his life to see this day in his life and the progress that God has allowed him to make in life because it’s one thing to be adding years to one’s age but another thing to be pleased with one’s life. I’ve no doubt

•Peterside

that Dakuku Peterside is happy with his life and thankful to God for this.

I never met Dakuku Adol Peterside, member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Cositutuency, until he came to the House of Representatives in 2011. Since then, we have worked together especially in his capacity as Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) where I am a member.

Peterside is a unique personality. Among his equals, he has conducted himself like a prince devoid of any aura of pride or arrogance. His interpersonal relationship is robust. His capacity for hard work is amazing. His understanding of issues especially governance issues is broad and captivating.

research work, was awarded a doctorate degree in Organisational Behaviour. Peterside also took courses at different times at Harvard University, Kellogg School of Management and Georgia State University, all in the United States.

He was an outstanding student’s union leader in RSUST who gave hope to his generation and exhibited great passion about a bright future that lies ahead.

Some would say his life has been one long preparation for a future in politics. He admitted it too. “When opportunity comes to lead your people to prosperity, you cannot think of another day, how well-prepared you are at the time makes the difference,” he said enthusiastically.

He has worked with Dr Peter Odili, the former governor of the state, whom he counts as a ‘father and respectable elder statesman,’ and admires the current governor, Rotimi Amaechi for his courage and audacity that has given Rivers citizens much needed hope.

Dakuku is highly cerebral. He is an excellent communicator.

His compassion for the less privileged is profuse. He is a responsible family man. His character is unassailable. He is a devout Christian – a Christian in practice not a nominal one.

I remember a particular time that there was intense pressure on him from some interested persons to make him compromise his integrity during the probe into the oil subsidy scam.

Dakuku surprised them when he easily turned down their tempting offer. He told members of the Committee that he would rather resign as Chairman, Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) rather than sacrifice his Christian belief. He was almost resigning but I encouraged him to stay put as Committee chairman which he did without accept the offer to corruptly enrich himself. He stood for probity and accountability.

It is therefore cheering news that Hon. Peterside is one of the Honourable Members that members of their parties have found worthy to fly their parties’ flag for the governorship of their states. This is not the first time that this has happened as we have some the current state governors who were previously members of the House of Representatives.

The choice of Dakuku by the APC to pilot the affairs of River state could best be described as divine. His colleagues who aspired to the same office for him are no less qualified but

you can’t do anything about divine choice.

Considering Hon Peterside’s vast experience and record of performance, the River State APC has made a right choice. I have related with this man very closely since 2011 and my assessment is: The man is good. Dakuku is the right man for the job and deserves the support of everybody especially the River State electorate. I’m hopeful that come February 2015, the people of River State will give him their mandate to continue to do on another platform the good service he has been rendering to them all these years.

Once again, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, I rejoice with you on this occasion of your birthday and pray that the Almighty God will give you long life and good health to fulfill His purpose for your life.

As you traverse the length and breadth of River State, enter the creeks and travel the nooks and crannies of River State for your campaign, I pray for God’s protection for you and your team. May God grant you, as the next governor of River State by the grace of God, wisdom to govern the state well and in the fear of God and take it to greater height.

•Shagari is Chairman, Committee on Judiciary, House of Representatives

For those who have chosen to rewrite history, Pterside says: “I never belonged to any secret society or cult group all my life, including my university days and I will never be. For emphasis sake, let me unequivocally state that I was never a member of any cult as alleged by my accusers. I can say without any fear that I was never and will never join any cult.

“I am an open book! In my days both at Okrika Grammar School, OGS and Rivers State University of Science and Technology where I served as National President of National Union of Rivers State Students, NURSS, among other positions, I did not join any cult group not even with the excuse of youthful exuberance. This accusation is therefore unjustified and should be disregarded. ” On his future, he says: “I will like to end up as a teacher of the gospel.”

Now, his focus is on being the next governor of Rivers to sustain and build on the strong foundation laid by Amaechi.

32

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

33

34

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

35

QUOTABLE QUOTE My honest advice to the people of Rivers State is to vote for a Godfearing man and not an emperor. It is my conviction that only a Godfearing man can wipe out poverty from the state. Only a man of strong character can bring development to the state and not an emperor. No emperor will govern Rivers State GOVERNOR AMAECHI

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE three virtues that Dr. Dakuku Peterside admires most are fear of God, courage and brainpower. By the way, Peterside is the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in Rivers State.

Peterside seeks out those who have demonstrated in some ways, these admirable qualities in government, civil societies, the professions, particularly the media, corporate world and in other spheres of human endeavour. Being a scholar himself, he sometimes searches for this mental power and bravery before he makes the ultimate connection with people. But Peterside is also compassionate, patient, spiritual, self-driven, hardworking and humble. In addition, he supports freedom and justice. He stands for principles as well. I know he holds in very high esteem, those who, even at the risk of their comfort and well-being, stand for fairness and principle.

I hasten to add here that I may not have done an excellent character analysis of Peterside in these few sentences but this is my perception.

We met in 2011 shortly before the commencement of the Seventh Assembly. He had just been elected into the Federal House of Representatives to represent Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency in Rivers State, so he needed to recruit his staff. Usually, every legislator has an idea about the kind of staff he or she requires. In many instances, lawmakers always prefer lawyers as Senior Legislative Aides for obvious reasons but Peterside thought differently. He wanted somebody with journalism background and that was how we got in touch.

The interesting part of our meeting was the circumstance. He had actually informed two of his friends with background in the media, my seniors, who had gone ahead to become Commissioners of Information in their respective states that he needed a Senior Legislative Aide with a media background. I understand the two commissioners conducted the head hunt. On the day we eventually met, he actually told me that he had wanted to interview two people for the job so he could have a choice. But as fate would have it, my name returned twice to his desk. That was how I was contacted. The rest, to borrow a popular cliché, is history.

Before I met Peterside, I had done a handful of media work outside the newsroom; this included my stint with a former senior minister under the late President Umar Musa Yar’ Adua.

Because of my experience, I am usually tempted to describe public office holders in Nigeria as

I

T was during our doctoral sojourn at the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, that I came to really appreciate the admirable qualities of this great son of Rivers State. I, most assuredly, speak what I know about and testify what I have seen in him.

During our doctoral experience, Dakuku Peterside was very studious, hard working, and blessed with an analytical and practical mind. His approach to issues is both simple and sophisticated: If you can’t define the problem, provide alternative solutions and properly analyse the alternatives to see the option with the optimum solution, don’t execute.

I have found him to be a man of credibility and competence. He is forward-looking, inspiring and God-fearing. He is a man who listens more than he talks; a man who has his head in the clouds and his feet on the ground; a man who believes that leadership is everyone’s business; a man who has capacity not only to initiate but motivate and manage change and; a man who does not procrastinate.

Endowed with a large heart and a good head, Dakuku appreciates very clearly the intensity and enormousness of the socio-economic uncertainties and challenges that Rivers State and Nigeria face. I recall travelling with him to see a friend in Khana, Ogoni, about a year ago. We got held up at some point and we tried to find our way through the Woji-Elelenwo axis of Port Harcourt. At a point he said, “My brother Gift, there is still plenty of work to be done to lift our people out of poverty.” Dakuku has had a fair share of the pains that come with being born in this part of the world and I believe it is this pain that drives his vision/mission to get our people out of the woods. I see him as one who has risen above self interest and the politics of running things.

I can’t remember calling or messaging this friend and classmate without getting a reply almost immediately. I found this behaviour rare, given his busy schedule as a principal member of the House of Representatives. I have come to know he does same with other

OPEN FORUM By Sylvester Asoya

Courage, brainpower, fear of God Caring for others, giving life to vision, helping people achieve their most desired positive goals, teamwork, and solving complex problems constitute a way of life for Peterside •Peterside

“ghosts” because of their alienation from those who work for them. Alienation, at other times may even sound mild before other workers who face more upsetting experiences with their bosses.

In all my experiences in my adventures outside the newsroom, no one compares to this one. Therefore the adoption of Peterside as consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State is commendable and well-timed.

The flag bearer will enter this contest with his rich

background and depth in social activism, robust public sector experience and law making which he has given the last three and half years of his life. But one thing I know that is uppermost on the mind of this candidate is his desire to pull down all barriers created by politics among the people of Rivers State.

Similarly, in the view of many, the APC governorship candidate is an asset. Peterside has a healthy experience in both the legislative and executive arms, this is in addition to his Doctorate degree in Organ-

GIFT WORL U The Peterside I know people too. Sometimes I am left to wonder if he really finds time to rest and sleep. Surprisingly, he does sleep and peacefully, too.

There is wisdom in measuring a man’s responsibility by the quality of his family life.

For Dakuku, after God comes family in the order of important things. It goes without saying that Dakuku is a faithful and responsible husband and father.

Dakuku is not only physically attractive; he is a quintessential “Port Harcourt boy” who personifies simplicity, humility, courage, charisma, kindness, and compassion. He is a person of integrity and is integrated with inspiring principles. He was liked by both lecturers and colleagues for many positive attributes, including his aura and candour.

Dakuku works round the clock, day in and out, attending to people, old and young, male and female, and from all walks of life. He is never found wanting whenever duty, family, or friendship calls. Widely traveled and welleducated, he is unarguably very experienced, sophisticated and cosmopolitan. Thus, age, race, religion, sex and the like don’t create a distance between him and people.

It was for these rare qualities and others,

which time and space will not allow me to present here, that I salute the wisdom of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (the fastest growing party in Africa) in choosing him as the consensus governorship candidate for Rivers State. Some say he is the most credible of the serious contenders for the top job, hence the man to beat in the election. I believe so, too, because he has to his advantage experience and a track record of never failing in elections or to perform in office.

Finally, permit me to use this medium to appeal to my dear people and residents of Rivers State to eschew politics of ethnicity and other primordial considerations to vote massively for Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside in the 2015 gubernatorial elections. Perhaps the most important goal before every well-meaning Rivers person today is defending and consolidating the gains and legacies of the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi years in Rivers State as well as promoting the peace and unity of the state. I am happy and confident that Dr. Dakuku Peterside is leading the voyage. Rivers State needs a Dr. Dakuku Peterside at this time to continue the good works of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

isational Behaviour. Being a professional manager and leadership trainer, Peterside is also bringing a whole lot to the table. His membership of the Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM and the Independent Management Consultancies Network, global professional partners for implementing best solution in various areas is also an advantage. He is therefore widely believed to have arrived the political terrain fully prepared and ready.

There are also those who have in the last three years, praised Peterside for a stout representation in Nigeria’s House of Representatives. And he is a well known face among assertive and forward-looking law makers who have demonstrated capacity, consistency and credibility in this Seventh Assembly.

I believe that Peterside will make a resounding success reconciling and reuniting his people because in many ways, his entry is a fitting payback. By providing opportunities through his educational foundation for the underprivileged so that they can live with dignity and self respect, the candidate is laying a solid foundation for the future. But importantly, Peterside through education is changing lives and making our world better and safer.

One thing that is undeniable about Peterside is the credibility and followership his candidature will attract across Rivers State. This is one unusual Nigerian politician who cares about the common good and he has demonstrated this in the last 15 years. We may not all agree, but this is not a particularly great season for politicians.

Therefore it is very possible for some people to look down on politicians not because of political activities of the past but because of our present.

The hope however is that politicians like Peterside, I am very sure has addressed this poor image not only in his support base in Rivers State but also in Nigeria’s National Assembly where he heads one of the most important committees in the parliament. This is why at every point in our history, we must pray for politicians like him who can bring honour and dignity to politics.

As citizens, whether we like it or not, our future and the future of our children depend on the decisions of people in government. Therefore we must all strive to encourage with our support, people like Peterside because it is in our best interest.

•Asoya is Special Assistant (Media) to Dr. Dakuku Peterside

If experience is anything to go by in the forthcoming elections, Dakuku is more than experienced. He excelled as national president of Rivers State students at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. He served meritoriously under former Governor Peter Odili as Special Assistant on Student and Youth Affairs (1999) and got promoted to Senior Special Assistant on Works (2003). He also left an indelible positive mark as local government chairman (2002). In the same vein, he performed creditably as Commissioner of Works Rivers State between 2007 and 2011. Currently, as a member of the House of Representatives, the testimony of his Opobo/Nkoro constituents is that they made no mistake in “putting their best to work” in 2011.

He serves as Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and member, committees on Works, Industry, Communications, Electoral Matters, Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Values; Co-operation, Integration and NEPAD; and Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes. One of the innovations he introduced in legislative representation is the Andoni-opobo-Nkoro Economic Zone Development Summit- a robust constituency engagement strategy designed to showcase the vast investment cum economic potentials of constituency and a future and forward looking development master plan for the area.

Every year Hon. Peterside, through the platform of Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Economic Zone Development Foundation sends 10 Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro graduates to United Kingdom to pursue master’s degree programme in different fields.

The Microfinance Scheme to boost entrepreneurship development, which benefits over 300 women annually in his constituency, is also worthy of note.

What else can I say but a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many returns to a dear friend and leader!

•Dr. Worlu is of the Department of Management, University of Port Harcourt, Choba.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 08034505516.

Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790 WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

37

THE NATION INVESTORS

Unity Bank assures on continued growth U

NITY Bank Plc would sustain the improvement in its earnings and further consolidate its recent turnaround to deliver values to all stakeholders.

On the heels of 857 per cent growth in net earnings in the third quarter, the management of the bank has assured that the profit growth was a glimpse of the strategic turnaround of the bank, stating that the bank has started on the path of irreversible growth.

Third quarter results of Unity Bank for the period ended September 30, 2014 showed that it made a profit after tax of N11.05 billion, an increase of 856.83 per cent on N1.15 billion recorded in comparable period of 2013.

Key extracts of the interim ninemonth report showed that gross earnings rose to N48.14 billion in third quarter 2014 as against N45.40 billion recorded in comparable period of 2013. Net interest income grew by 23.36 per cent from N20.83 billion in 2013 to N25.70 billion in 2014. Total operating income also improved by 22.9 per cent to N35.06 billion compared with N28.54 billion in corresponding period of 2013. Total operating expenses reduced by 22.1 per cent from N26.8 billion to N20.9 billion.

These underpinned a leap in pre-tax profit from N1.20 billion in third quarter 2013 to N12.02 billion in third

Stories by Taofik Salako

quarter 2014, representing an increase of 897.6 per cent. Profit after tax also jumped by 858.8 per cent from N1.15 billion to N11.02 billion. Further bottom-line analysis showed that weighted average cost of funds improved to 5.0 per cent in 2014 as against 6.8 per cent in 2013, outperforming the industry average of 5.5 per cent.

Cost to income ratio also improved to 60.03 per cent as against 95.7 per cent, significantly better than the industry average of 71.5 per cent. Net interest margin stood at 66.3 per cent in 2014, an improvement on 55.3 per cent recorded in previous year and industry average of 63.5 per cent. Earnings per share improved to 28.76 kobo as against 4.40 kobo recorded in corresponding period of 2013.

Managing director, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Henry Semenitari, said the growth in the third quarter was founded on the improving fundamentals of the bank and would not be impaired by any loss or impairments going forward.

According to him, the bank’s current growth strategy is anchored on strict operational efficiency in line with its chosen business model and strategic intent of being the leading retail bank in Nigeria. This strategy resulted in improvement in all the key indices as reflected in the third quar-

ter of 2014.

“The growth is expected to continue in the foreseeable future, no loan loss, no impairment, no termite will eat into this profit because it’s cash income,” Semenitari assured.

He said the bank has what it takes to achieve its vision of being the retail bank of choice by 2020 citing its vast nationwide branches, human resources, improved capital base and committed executive and non-executive directors.

He outlined that Unity Bank is already one of Nigeria’s leading retail banks in the country with 240 business offices spread across the country and ranking as Nigeria’s 7th largest bank by business locations adding that the bank would increase its branch network in the nearest future.

He pointed out that the bank has carved out a niche for itself as a leading bank in small and medium enterprises, agriculture and rural economy financing noting that the bank is leveraging on its historical position and spread to bridge the urban-rural gap in the economy while simultaneously reaching out to the un-banked populace in line with the national financial inclusion strategy.

He noted that Unity Bank has a deliberate strategy of focusing on emerging middle market businesses with growth potentials across various sectors of the economy, especially

agriculture stressing that the bank runs on its own strategy of exploring opportunities in undiscovered markets and running ahead of others in unlocking potential.

He outlined that major successes recorded in 2014 highlighted increased confidence in the bank by all stakeholders citing the reopening of banking relationships with major government agencies that manage and regulate major developmental sectors such as oil and gas, ports authority, maritime and other infrastructural development agencies, raising of $120 million Tier 11 capital from Afrexim Bank, and oversubscription of the bank’s N40 billion rights issue and special placement offer.

He added that Unity Bank is rated 3rd under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) with a total disbursement of N26.1 billion on about 65 projects while it has advanced discussion with the apex bank in accessing the SME special intervention fund from the CBN. He noted that the inclusion of Unity Bank as one of the component stocks for the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) 30 index underscored its increasingly important role as a leading financial services company. The NSE 30 Index tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks on the NSE and it mostly

•People purchasing wares at Wuse market in Abuja

We ‘ll continue to lead in corporate governance, says Transcorp

T

RANSNATIONAL Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc has reiterated its commitments to upholding best practices and good corporate governance.

With the conferment of the Most Compliant Firm on Transcorp by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the conglomerate stated that the recognition would spur it to continue to lead in corporate governance. The award is given to the company which demonstrates the highest degree of compliance with the rules and regulations of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in the year under review. The winning company is also expected to have demonstrated its recognition for the importance of corporate governance.

Chairman, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, said the award

was a confirmation of the positive changes that the new core investor had brought to Transcorp and would further serve as a motivation for continuing best practices.

According to him, when Heirs Holdings took over Transcorp in 2011, one of the core objectives agreed at the very first strategy session was the need to transform Transcorp into an institution with world class corporate governance standards in all its processes, reporting and compliance.

“This prestigious award confirms that we are delivering successfully on our commitment. The NSE’s stamp of approval acts not just as a powerful recognition of our achievements over the past year but also acts as a motivator to inspire us to continue to raise the bar on corporate governance,” Elumelu said.

Chief executive officer, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom, said the award confirms that best corporate culture is an integral part of the conglomerate.

“This highly coveted award means so much for all of us at Transcorp.

Our teams have worked tirelessly to meet and exceed the statutory requirements for disclosure and I am delighted to see that this comes not only from a legal and professional obligation but as an integral part of our corporate culture at Transcorp.

My heartfelt thanks and congratulations go to every member of the Transcorp team,” Nnorom said.

The award has further increased investors’ appetite for Transcorp’s shares after third quarter results showed that the conglomerate may sustain its dividend payment, which

started in 2013. Key extracts of the interim report and accounts of Transcorp for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 showed that turnover leapt by 166.55 per cent. Gross profit rose by 129.6 per cent while operating profit doubled by 112.7 per cent. The conglomerate’s profit before tax grew by 88.5 per cent while profit after tax rose by 130.7 per cent.

Transcorp’s turnover rose to N31.40 billion in September 2014 as against N11.78 billion in comparable period of 2013. Gross profit also rose from N9.20 billion to N21.12 billion. Operating profit stood at N12.36 billion in 2014 compared with N5.81 billion in 2013.

Profit before tax jumped from N5.15 billion to N9.71 billion while profit after tax doubled from N3.58 billion to N8.26 billion.

influences the overall market situation at the stock market.

Semenitari said the bank’s aggressive recovery drive has cut non-performing loans from more than 50 per cent of gross loans and advances to 20.4 per cent, assuring that the impact of the recovery drive will be felt more in the coming years.

He said the bank is targeting a nonperforming loan-gross loans ratio of 10 per cent by the end of 2015 and which push this downward below the industry benchmark of five per cent by December 2016.

“We are working on loans recovery, all the executives are involved, there is no hiding place for our debtors. We are not shy of giving loans, but then you must be sincere and be ready to pay back,” Semenitari said.

Unity Bank plans to use the net proceeds of its N39.22 billion new issue for branch expansion, investing in human capital, and the development of information technology.

China’s Xiaomi raises $1.1b from investors

C

HINA’s Xiaomi Inc, one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone makers, has raised $1.1 billion in a round of funding that cements its status as one of the world’s most valuable private technology companies at a valuation of $45 billion.

Investors include private equity funds All-Stars Investment, DST Global, Hopu Investment Management, and Yunfeng Capital, as well as Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, Chief Executive Lei Jun said Monday on Weibo, confirming earlier media reports.

The deal is one of the first highprofile scores for All-Stars, a recently established fund headed by former Morgan Stanley tech analyst Richard Ji. It also strengthens ties between Lei and fellow tech magnate Jack Ma, the Alibaba Group Holding Ltd executive chairman who invests privately through his Yunfeng Capital fund.

Reuters reported that industry sales data from recent quarters show Xiaomi has risen in just three years to become the world’s No. 3 smartphone maker - behind only Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Apple Inc - and the latest round of investment enforces its standing as one of the world’s most valuable private companies.

At $45 billion, Xiaomi is now worth nearly three times the market capitalization of Lenovo Group Ltd, the world’s No. 1 PC maker, and more than quadruple the $10 billion valuation it garnered during its last financing round in 2013.

Xiaomi’s skyrocketing valuation reflects investors’ belief that it will grow into a global powerhouse despite signs it is encountering intellectual property challenges outside China. This month sales in India were temporarily halted after Swedish telecommunciations firm Ericsson filed a patent complaint.

Xiaomi brands itself as an Internet company that eschews traditional marketing and sells hardware at low prices as a distribution channel for its real money maker - software and services.

It has been investing heavily in other manufacturers with the aim of building an ecosystem of Internet-connected devices and appliances to extend its reach beyond smartphones.

Other Xiaomi backers include Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings Pte, Qiming Venture Partners, Morningside Venture Capital and DST, the Russian tech fund that has also taken pre-IPO stakes in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart and Facebook Inc.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

38

THE NATION

BUSINESS P ENSION

Pension fund drops by N7.79b in October

I

NVESTIGATIONS by The Na tion has revealed a dip of N7.79 billion in the Pension Fund. The drop, which occurred in the October 2014 valuation of pension fund assets, represents a 0.17 per cent decline when compared to the figure in the preceeding month of September 2014.

Checks on the fund showed that from the N4,582,735.14trillion recorded by the pension industry in September, it fell to N4,574,939.36 trillion in October.

Before now, the sector had witnessed steady growth up to the tune of N4, 501, 753.39 trillion funds recorded in August and N4, 454, 953.57 trillion recorded in July.

When The Nation contacted PenCom Head of Investment Elumeme Ohioma, the decrease in the pension fund is a normal occurrence and not a strange phenomenon.

PenCom Head of Investment, Ehimeme Ohioma said the decrease in the pension fund is a normal occurrence and not a strange phenomenon.

He explained that the decline resulted from recent fluctuations and depreciation in the market prices of quoted ordinary shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which inevitably affected pension fund investments in ordinary shares.

Moreover, he said, the reduced market prices present good investment opportunities for pension fund investments in the ordinary shares

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

of blue-chip and sector leaders.

He said this is because current market prices are below the intrinsic values of such companies’ stocks.

Meanwhile, a report titled “summary of Pension Fund Assets as at October 31,2014 showed that total investment made by the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) in Federal Government Securities in October totalled N2.827 trillion, accounting for 61.81 per cent of the total pension assets under management.

This was broken down into FGN Bonds of N2.28 trillion accounting for 49.96 per cent and Treasury Bills of N541.98 billion accounting for 11.85 per cent.

A further analysis of the report showed that pension fund investments in local money market instruments in October was N57.49 billion, bringing the total pension fund invested so far to N561.64 billion out of the total N4.57 trillion fund recorded in the pension industry.

However, only N992 million has been invested in the Foreign Money Market securities by the PFA with no investment in September and October.

Also, funds invested in Domestic Ordinary Shares is N592.54 billion, accounting for 12.95 per cent, Foreign Ordinary Shares N54.977.75, State Govt. Securities N179.53 billion, accounting for 3.92 per cent, Corporate Debt Securities N91.61 billion accounting for two per cent,

Supra-National Bonds N12.14 billion accounting for 0.27 per cent, Open/Close-End Funds N20.3 billion.

In the Real Estate and Properties sector, N204.32 billion accounting for 4.47 per cent was invested, Private Equity Fund N9.45 billion accounting for 0.21 per cent while Cash & Other Assets N19.68 billion accounting for 0.43 per cent.

In another report by the regulator titled: ”2014 Second Quarter Report”, detailing developments in the Money Market, the stance of monetary policy remained restrictive.

In the second quarter, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) maintained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 12.00 per cent and in pursuit of restrictive monetary policy, the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on both public and private sector deposits were maintained at 75.0 and 15.0 percent, respectively in the quarter.

It read: “The Liquidity Ratio and net open position were similarly maintained at 30.00 and 1.00 percent respectively as in the first quarter. Similarly, open market operations were conducted in ways that further contained inflationary pressure on the economy.

“Interest rate developments in the money market, however, showed mixed results especially on banks’ deposits and lending rates. Apart from the three months deposit rates that declined from 9.41 in the first quarter to 9.37 in the second quar-

ter, every other rate on deposits of different maturity increased from a range of 3.30–9.92 per cent in the first quarter to a range of 3.42–10.06 per cent. The average term deposit rate increased marginally from 8.60 per cent to 8.65 per cent. Similarly, the maximum lending rate increased marginally from 25.72 per cent to 25.82 per cent while the prime lending rate actually fell from 17.19 per cent to close at 16.86 per cent.

“The inter-bank segment of the money market recorded some increases in the rates of some financial instruments. For example, the weighted average inter-bank call rate, which stood at 10.33 per cent at the end of the first quarter increased by 0.26 per cent to close at 10.59 per cent, reflecting the liquidity condition in the banking system.

“However, the Nigeria Interbank Offer Rate (NIBOR) for the sevenday and 30-day tenors decreased from 11.88 and 12.22 per cent to 10.91 and 12.41 per cent respectively.”

The report further stated that the primary market segment of the money market was quite active during the quarter under review as the Nigerian Treasury Bills of 91-day, 182-day and 364-day tenors, amounting to over N1 trillion, N3.56 trillion and over N1 trillion were offered, subscribed to and allotted respectively.

This shows that the level of oversubscription to the NTBs was

T

Greece spends more on pensions than UK

S

is coming up in a space of one month after the 14th presentation that held in November.

The LASPEC boss recalled that as at the 14th Bond Certificates presentation held in November this year, a total of 5,530 retirees had been paid a total sum of N28.93 billion.

He stressed that Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration, has since the adoption of the CPS in 2007, taken it as a duty and utmost importance to always organise the ceremony to present the retirees with their retirement benefits.

He said the retirees are presently enjoying their retirement benefits under the scheme without any rancor or stress, noting that this is in a clear affirmation of the state’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce.

Inspenonline unveils nominees for 2014 award

•Civil servants queuing to use ATM in Bauchi

fered since the financial crisis, which has caused other state spending to shrink.

Iceland spent the lowest proportion of its government funds on pensions in 2011, at 4.5pc.

Tim Reay of accountancy firm PwC said countries in northern Europe tended to have smaller, “welfare-style” state pensions that benefited the poorest most. Across Southern Europe, however, state pensions were more generous and provided a percentage of people’s salary, much like a final salary private pension.

According to the OECD, pension systems “differ substantially” across its member countries, but face the same main difficulty: remaining financially sustainable while delivering adequate pen-

238.86 per cent in the quarter, which indicates continuous investors’ confidence in FGN securities.

The bid rates for the 91-day tenor ranged from 8.50 to 15.00 per cent, while the stop rates were from 9.95–11.71 per cent. The bid rates for the 182-day tenor ranged between 9.20 and 13.69 per cent, while the stop rates ranged between 10.02–12.84 percent. For the 364-day tenor, the bid rates ranged between 9.00 and 15.00 percent, while the stop rates ranged from 10.12 –13.04 percent.

Lagos retirees get N1.5b today O ensure that workers in Lagos State have a better and fulfilling life after retirement, its government will today pay another set of 234 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), a sum of N1.547 billion, Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission, Rotimi Adekunle Hussain, has said.

According to him, the payment is to be made for their past service prior to the commencement of the CPS in 2007 in the state.

Hussain, who made this known to reporters, said the retirees would be receiving their retirement benefits during the 15th Retirement Bond Certificates presentation, which held yesterday at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) auditorium in Lagos.

He added that today’s ceremony

TATE pensions are one of the biggest expenses for the Brit ish government. However, new figures from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) showed that the United Kingdom (UK) spends less on pensions than most other developed countries.

In 2011 Britain spent less than 12pc of its total government budget on state pensions, putting it below the 18pc average across OECD countries.

The countries spending the highest proportion of their public money on pensions are Italy at 31.9pc, Greece at 28pc and Portugal at 26.4pc.

This is down to these nations’ ageing populations and the economic meltdown they have suf-

•PenCom DG, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu

sion income.

In a report it said: “The economic crisis in 2008 developed into a fiscal crisis in many countries.

These difficulties have led to substantial changes and reform of pensions.

“The current need to reduce government debt to more sustainable levels and the high level of public pension expenditure in many OECD countries imply that additional pension reforms are likely to figure prominently on the policy agenda.”

As a result of these challenges, most of the OECD countries have been very active in reforming their pension system over the past two-and-a-half years, it said.

•Culled from Telegraph

T

HE Management of Inspenonline, an insurance and pension online medium, has released the names of nominees for the 2014 Nigerian Insurance and Pension (Inspen) Award.

A statement by its Editor, Chuks Udo Okonta, said the awards presentation is billed to hold by February 2015 in Lagos.

He said the yearly award, which is in eight categories, will be contested by underwriting firm, Pension Fund Administrators, broking firms and individuals, who distinguished themselves in 2014.

He noted that nominees for the Insurance Man of the year category are, the Managing Director Mansard Insurance Plc, Mrs Yetunde Ilori; Managing Director Leadway Assurance Limited, Mr Oye Hassan-Odukale; Group Managing Director, Custodian and Allied Plc, Mr Wole Oshin; Managing Director AIICO Plc, Edwin

By Bolajoko Bukola

Igbiti and former President Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) Fatai Lawal.

Those for Insurance Company of the Year are, Mansard Insurance Plc; AIICO Plc; Leadway Assurance Limited; Custodian and Allied Plc; Royal Exchange Plc and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc while those nominated for the Excellence Award are, Mr Oladipo Bailey; Professor Joe Irukwu and Mr Osaka Ogala.

He said institutions nominated for Best Professional Group Award are, Nigerian Insurers Association; Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers; Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria and Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.

Companies for Corporate Brand Award according to him are Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Leadway Assurance Ltd and Mansard Insurance Plc.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

39

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Essiet_daniel@yahoo.com 08180714151

His life is full of challenges. It is a story of a deprived Nigerian, who overcame adversity to achieve success, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Rising above his challenges J

OHN Bull Ojiekpon, Chief Executive, JB Shoes, has overcome life challenges to make a living. Through running a thriving shoe business in Lagos, Ojiekpon, popularly known as JB, has managed to beat the odds to succeed. Since childhood, life has been an endless struggle and it’s only his zeal to carry on that saw him go far.

From a family of eight children, Ojiekpon learnt shoe mending while in secondary school to support himself and his family.

Living conditions were harsh with sparse employment opportunities, especially for those living in the rural areas, who make a living daily struggling. His childhood and adolescence were difficult due to the polygamous nature of the family.

As an apprentice at the shoe factory in Benin, he worked in a variety of footwear roles. Following a successful completion of his apprenticeship, he started a repair business. He later relocated to Lagos in search of greener pasture.

However, his search for a better life in Lagos was marred when he could not find anybody to offer him accommodation to stay, forcing him to go back to th village.

However, he did not give up. So, on his second coming to Lagos, he had to take up a 24 hours security job because it offered him

free accommodation.

In the course of his job, he met someone, who had a failed shoe repair business and was looking for an experienced hand to revive it. That meeting opened up his journey to self actualisation and success. Ojiekpon had to quit his security job, took up the challenge, and within a short time, he was able to bring the business back to life and money started flowing in.

Somehow, his partner and principal was not honouring his commitment to the landlord of the property where the business was located and so the rents accumulated. A quit notice followed and they could not continue there.

Within the period he was managing the business, he was able to build good will.

Subsequently, one of his clients offered him a shop to use. But he couldn’t afford the rent. On trust, the shop owner allowed him take over the shop with the understanding he could pay the rent later if the business picked up. That was a cheery news. He took the offer and got the machines he was using in the former shop on rents. He was able to make money within a short time. However, much of it went into payment of rent for the shop and machines.

Eventually, the owner of the machines

offered to sell the machines to him on hire purchase basis and he bought the machines.

Since 1995, the business has been growing steadily. Ojiekpon said that he has been getting busier and busier.

Customers from all over rely on what he provides. His services include repairing purses, boots, designing and producing belts and bags. He tries to work as reasonable as he can in order to make his products affordable.

In the long term, as a shop owner, working with leather, shoes and boots, he is still learning new things on daily basis. For him, it is not just about the new materials shoes are made from, but figuring out which glues and primers work with them. Most of his customers, however, are individuals.

He thinks one of the reasons the shop stays popular is because people enjoy coming in.

He puts customers first by telling them whether he can or cannot repair their items and by keeping prices affordable, most people are drawn to him.

What stands his shop out is the ambiance.

The scents of polish, dyes and varnishes pervade the air. On one side of the store are shelves of shoe accessories, leather care and cleaning supplies and on the other are shelves with shoes for sale .

•Ojiekpon

For him, Nigerians are not getting enough well made locally shoes. His productslocally-made, solid-looking footwear styles have been in fashion for the last few years, and are not showing any sign of falling out of favour any time soon. To this end, he is taking advantage of this to design shoes that perfectly complement the more refined, well tailored dresses that today’s style-conscious Nigerians go for. His styles are so unique and they are his signatures. They give their wearers utmost comfort and pleasure, and are affordable and durable.

•From left: (Sitting) President, AUSA, Valerie Albani; Mr Lade Adeyemi; OGUNCCIMA President Otunba Toyin Taiwo; Chairman,AUSA Mr Tim Mcdonald; Mrs Thecia Efuwape and Prince Bayo Ikujenyo. Standing are Collins; Mr. Olaleye; Mrs Saka; Mr Segun Ikujenyo; Mrs Ajiboye Folakemi; Mr Dele Olopade; Mr Sodeheinde Temitope; Mr Ogunti Olukayode; Mr Gideon Goildman; Mr Ajayi and Mr Ogunyemi Aderemi during the trade mission facilitated by AUSA with OGUNCCIMA and Ogun State Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The Ogun State government, in partnership with ASUA International Business Network, United States (US) and Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), embark on a visit to the US in furtherance of stronger trade relationship. DANIEL ESSIET looks at the impact of the visit on entrepreneurship.

T

HE industrial giants of the economy are largely small and medium businesses. Such companies will represent nearly 70 per cent of the nation’s enterprises.

And there are good reasons to suspect that these companies will remain a more significant part of the economy.

With the state of the economy, empowering them is fast becoming a crucial longterm priority—not only for job creation , but also for would-be investors that must ultimately decide whether and how to support this fast-growing segment of the economy.

To this end, the government, through the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry, ASUA International Business Network, United States (U.S) and Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) took some business owners and entrepreneurs on trade mission to the U.S early this month.

The fact that so many entrepreneurs were involved demonstrated the commitment of the government to develop entrepreneurship by exposing Nigerians to the markets and manufacturing capabilities of the US and learn from leading global companies using the latest technology and business management tools. One of the beneficiaries is Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye, Treasurer, OGUNCCIMA. Speaking with The Nation, Olaleye said the trip exposed them as business owners

Promoting entrepreneurship through trade mission to skills on how to manage their businesses more effectively through improved branding, technology and logistics.

He said the mission demonstrated the continued commitment of the U.S to help business become more competitive to achieve inclusive and resilient growth for the economy.

The trip, he explained, afforded them the opportunity to seek guidance on what capacities they need to acquire as entrepreneurs as they seek new markets beyond their borders.

As global competition intensifies, Olaleye said the programme provided an avenue for them to learn about best practices and tips on how to maximise opportunities and address constraints as business persons.

He noted, for instance, that e-commerce or technology-enabled commerce, lowers the barriers to trade and levels the playing field for enterprises of all sizes, especially SMEs, who lamented that small businesses in Nigeria have not been able to leverage on such platforms to reach consumers from global markets .

Deputy Treasurer, Mrs Cynthia Sake noted that the prosperity of SMEs is so critical to job creation, praising the bold reforms carried out by the Ogun State government

to improve the business environment. She said the reforms are a great step in the right direction, adding that the major breakthrough is simplifying procedures for micro- and small business owners, who do register their businesses within the state.

Such reforms, she noted, is crucial in an economy where a growing number of young people are joining the ranks of the unemployed, adding that there is a need to support the establishment of new businesses to create jobs.

Comparing the country to the U.S, she observed that Nigeria has some of the biggest barriers and constraints to private business and changes to business laws may help pave the way for a more entrepreneurial future.

According to her, Ogun State is naturally fit for new businesses, with the government ready to listen and promote a thriving economy and a very successful high-tech sector.

Concerning the trip, Mrs Saka said it afforded them the opportunity to see the concentration of innovation and entrepreneurship. According to her, the influx of intelligence, cultivated by public-private entrepreneurial incubators, has spawned a dynamic environment that changed the business culture of the country. According to

her, the trade mission could result in a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which included incentives for technology collaboration, resulting in business partnerships. As business people, she said, they were able to learn 21st Century negotiation skills and business development solutions that would help them maximise revenue, generate growth and develop a sustainable competitive edge domestically and internationally.

According to her, the Ogun State government, OGUNCCIMA, the Africa-U.S.A International Business Network in association with the Warwick International Business Institute facilitated the trip.

A member of the group, Mr Aderemi Ogunyemi said the group participated in business discussions and meetings with U.S entrepreneurs, adding that they are enthusiastic to do business with their Nigerians counterparts.

According to him, the insights gained from the trip will have a major impact on industrial success.

The spread of digital technologies, he noted, has raised the productivity of business and agriculture, redefine how services are delivered in the U.S. He added that the government need to address barriers such as infrastructure to create an environment where entrepreneurship can flourish.

40

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

BUSINESS

NEWS

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the Festival of Light with the Lagos Countdown 2014 team

Lagos Countdown: showcasing Lagos value proposition T HE Lagos State Countdown looks like a marketing activation to sell Lagos State to tourists. Organised by Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency LASAA as a form of tourism event to showcase Lagos State value propositions, the Lagos State Countdown has become a rallying point where Lagos exhibits its offerings to the world.

The countdown which started in 2004/2005 by the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has grown and the current Govenor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), wants the countdown to go beyond the bar beach areas to the entire state as a result of the level of acceptance the event has enjoyed over the years. To ensure that, Fashola (SAN) has extended the duration of the Countdown from one week to a full month for the 2014 edition.

Under the new plan for the Countdown, the event commences from the first week of December and ends with the crossover night on December 31. The high points of the event include the amazing and trilling fireworks which last for about 30 minutes. It is a highly captivating ambience that many look forward to repeating itself in 2014/2015 where a brand new Hyundai car, donated by one of the sponsors, is giving away to a lucky winner after a raffle draw.

At the Lagos Countdown Festival of Light held at the beach early in the week, Fashola said the history of the Lagos Countdown could be traced to the year 2004/ 2005 when his predecessor, Bola Tinubu decided to take the bull by the horn by reclaiming the bar beach shoreline lost to the Atlantic Ocean. He noted that Tinubu’s bold step at the time that saved the beach.

He said: “Now the story of this countdown is a long story. Sometimes in 2004/2005, this place was not here. It took the courage of my predecessor to say this must stop.

We have lost the road, all of the properties on this shoreline have disappeared and all that the Fed-

eral Government of Nigeria was doing was pumping sand here every two years only for it to be washed away.

“It was that courage that brought about partnership with South Energies and today, not only have we reclaimed the road, businesses are back and even more businesses are emerging at small and micro levels. After we have saved the beach, the next challenge was how do we turn nature’s asset, an Atlantic coastline into an opportunity for tourism, for economic development and for daily prosperity.

“The countdown started as the last few days event, it has become the last whole month event, but for me, the work is not finished.

What we have done here for about a month now must now happen here, every month; from then on, every day.

“That is when the story will be complete. When there will be commerce and sport, when there will be signing, when there will be buying and selling and when the whole world will fly into this city and the state and to this country and say that I am going to Lagos State Bar Beach water front.

That is the dream.”

A participant in the 2013/2014 Lagos Countdown, Mr. Emmanuel Adua recalled. “I had planned to stay till midnight but I ended up staying till day break. It was a wholesome experience, full of fun and excitement. I am looking forward to the grand finale of this year’s countdown.

My experience last year is the first of its kind and I hope this year will offer much more,” Emanuel said.

Meanwhile, the 2014 Lagos Countdown has begun since December 1. Stating the reason for the extension of the duration of the event, Fashola said the longer the duration, the better for commerce and industry which is expected to cut across the entire state as against the former which is restricted to the Bar Beach area.

He believes the state will generate more revenue for the state government.

As the Lagos State countdown to 2015 begins, Lagosian and the Diasporas, who witnessed the 2013/2014 are waiting for this year’s edition, which Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) explores as a tourism event to sustain the state brand promises. Organised by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Fashola commends the agency for the level of preparation for the 2014/2015 edition, ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI writes.

He commends the management and staff of the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) for the impressive planning and organisation of the countdown. Fashola said: “Let me also thank the leadership, the management, the men and officers of LASAA, the brand that I am very proud of. I continue to challenge LASAA and year on year, they have not only responded, they have moved the boundary of my challenge. That is perhaps one of the many outfits that we have in Lagos now, led and run by young people.

“LASAA is an example of what is possible if the right government, the right people allow Nigerian youths to lead instead of shouting them down. Policies and programmes that challenge young people will bring out the best in them. Lagos has shown through

LASAA, through LIRS, through Electricity Board, through Public Works Corporation that things can be fixed if we entrust young people to take decisions.”

In an interaction with journalists at the close of the event, Managing director of LASAA, George Noah said the previous editions of the countdown has really been helpful in improving on the quality and programmes of the countdown, saying the agency would continue to improve on its performance.

He said: “I think we have learnt a lot from the two previous editions and with that knowledge, we are going to improve on what we do in the successive years. I must tell you that if you are not at this year’s countdown, you are going to miss a great deal because for the first time, we are going to introduce a superb lighting on

• Night scene of the Lagos Countdown 2014.

stage that you have never seen before in any concert in Nigeria.

“Just as the governor said, this is something that should be happening on a monthly basis. We want this 1.5km stretch to be for entertainment, for leisure for commerce for employment. We want people at the end of this countdown to know that they don’t need to go to Time-Square or Tafaga Square or Dubai to experience a crossover event.

“We have a customised countdown crossover event comparable to anywhere in the world. Countdown in other countries like New York, London, Dubai and other cities is a one day affair, but for us is a one month affair. Lagos is a place where people work hard, enjoy very well that is the difference between Lagos Countdown and any other countdown anywhere in the world.”

42

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31,2014

43

SPECIAL REPORT

•Aerial view of Lagos: Everybody wants to be in this city

Housing...Simply tokenism!

The federal and state governments are not folding their arms. The private sector is contributing too. But the truth remains that all these efforts are insignificant, making many wonder what will happen in the next ten years when an estimated 60 per cent of Nigerians will live in cities. Failed and unimplemented policies, including very weak institutions, have been identified as why Nigerians are daily becoming destitute, writes MUYIWA LUCAS

A

S a young artisan, John Essien left his home in Ikot Ekpene, Cross River State, for greener pastures. His destination turned out to be Lagos State, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. But his hopes soon turned into nightmare, when after six weeks of squatting with three other friends in a one-room apartment in Ajegunle, a suburb in the state, he was evicted. Frustrated, after several failed attempts to get accommodation on his own due to financial constraint and unavailability of room space, he returned to Ikot Ekpene.

On the part of Musa Ibrahim, a resident of Okene, Kogi State, coming to Lagos for him was influenced by the ‘sweet stories’ he heard about the coastal city. But his sojourn was cut short after only two weeks. He had no shelter to retire to after roaming the streets all day. He returned to Okene.

Shelter, going by Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, ranks among the topmost needs of man. It is, therefore, understandable why the desire of man owning his own house remains a priority in his life ambition. However, considering the harsh economic environment in the country, achieving this dream has become elusive for most Nigerians. And for a country whose average citizen lives on less than $1 a day, this dream of home ownership may remain a tall order.

Various states and the Federal Government are making efforts to solve housing problems, with an estimated deficit of 17 million deficit. From the LagosHoms scheme of the Lagos State government, to the various private initiatives, housing solution seems to be on the front burners of every stakeholder. For instance, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, through the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Ur•Peterside ban Development (FMLHUD), explained it has made tre-

mendous effort in solving the housing needs of the country.

In the last four years, the FMLHUD has built 43,126 housing units nationwide. A breakdown of this figure shows that 710 housing units were built under the Prototype Housing Scheme; 7,869 housing units under the Public Private Partnership; 3,302 units through the FHA; 5,007 units from the FMBN; 17, 240 through estate development loans provided

by FMBN, and 8,998 units through contractor finance initiatives. The ministry also generated N8, 110,389, 817.79 as internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The IGR, which showed a tremendous improvement across the years, were generated through tender fee, ground rent, premium on land, title registration fee, consent fee, Certificate of Occupancy processing fee and survey fee respectively.

One of such efforts to reduce the problem is the setting in motion of a process that brought about the development of a roadmap for the housing and urban development sector.

This, it is hoped, would give effect to the National Housing policy and the National Urban development Policy. This policy includes the restructuring of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) for the effective and efficient discharge of its mandate; supporting the implementation of the mortgage liquidity facility through the operationalisation of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), and the recapitalisation of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

With the recapitalisation of the FMBN, a new product targeting the provision of housing finance to an estimated 17 million Nigerians in Diaspora has been developed by the mortgage institution. This scheme will target one million Nigerians within the first year of the launch of the “Nigerians in Diaspora Mortgage Scheme” and provide $100 million (at $100 per person per year) to FMBN as monthly con-

tributions. Another product the recapitalisation will birth is the opportunities for Nigerians to own a home on a “Rent-To-Own” basis. Under this scheme, rents paid by occupants of a house will be converted to mortgage and when the amount for the house has been paid up, the occupant becomes the owner. This does not involve any initial deposit for the house.

The restructuring will also make the institution attractive to international lenders, whose credit line facilities are needed to enable the FMBN achieve greater feat in the country’s housing sector. The FMBN is also to engage with key partners, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Ministry of Finance and international development partners to address its challenges and explore opportunities for intervention funding for social housing aimed at redressing the national housing deficit.

With the huge capital requirement of the sector, stakeholders are of the opinion that an effective national development tools are needed to actualise the dream of adequate housing in the country. To this end, government, it is believed, is now considering the use of additional sources of funding for housing delivery. This may come in the form of deploying pension funds, unclaimed dividends, and dormant accounts for this purpose. Besides, the FMLHUD is said to be planning an adoption of various housing delivery models for mass housing development. This will include new towns development, cooperative housing, public-private partnership, publicpublic partnership, regeneration (including completion of abandoned houses) rental housing and sites and services schemes.

•Continued on page 44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31,2014

44

SPECIAL REPORT

Housing programmes: Simply tokenism!

•Maku

•Continued from page 43 The FMLHUD is also said to be championing the African urban Agenda, in collaboration with UNHABITAT, in view of the need to deal decisively with the rapid population growth and deteriorating living conditions of human settlements in the continent. This, it is believed, is very fundamental going by the estimation that by 2025, more than 60 per cent of Nigerians will live in cities. This belief is also influencing the designing and implementation of a national programme aimed at making slums become history in the country by 2020.

To make this achievable, Eyakenyi revealed that the Federal Government, through the ministry, has put in place a social and affordable housing scheme. Under this scheme, estate developers are being enjoined to embrace the concept of mixed development in housing delivery and also ensure that at least, 20 per cent of the total number of housing units built in projects sites is allocated to low-cost housing ranging between N1.5 million to N5 million for one to three bedroom houses. Moreover, she explained that the ministry is also collaborating with domestic producers for the supply of building materials to estate developers at factory prices.

A boost for housing delivery also comes with more contributors now joining the NHF under a new e-collection system. This is now ensuring an efficient, more transparent and accountable system of fund collection and remittance. Also, mortgage access for informal sector workers has been put in place since December 2011 under the informal sector cooperative housing scheme.

The FMLHUD has also developed a framework for conducting a National Housing Survey with the aim of ascertaining the authenticity of the 17 million housing deficit figure being bandied in the country instead of relying on forecasts. This will also give an insight into the quantum of the investment needed to meaningfully address the housing gap, as well as the requirements for transforming the housing and urban development sector on a sustainable basis. Already, a ministerial committee under the minister’s

chairmanship, including stakeholders, such as the National Population Commission (NPC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as members, is carrying out the survey.

The launch of the NMRC on January 16 gave hopes that the estimated 17 million housing gap may soon be filled. And with this, the President is convinced that his administration is creating the “enabling environment for primary mortgage banks and other financial institutions to offer real mortgage facilities to Nigerians at affordable rates.”

Interestingly, when the NMRC launched its first application for 10, 000 housing units about two months ago, over 60, 000 applications were received, forcing the government to direct the company to accommodate all the applicants. The mandate given to the NMRC is to provide mortgage-lending institutions with access to long-term finance at an affordable interest rate, which in turn will enable mortgages to be issued by these institutions to Nigerians at longer tenors and affordable rates.

Simply put, NMRC though is government inspired, is a private sector-led effort to provide affordable housing for Nigerians through loans accessed from mortgage and commercial banks. It is being implemented as a component of the Nigeria Housing Finance Programme, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the CBN, the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (FMLHUD) and the World Bank/International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The NMRC scheme, a vehicle set up to bridge the funding cost of residential mortgages and promote the availability and affordability of good housing to working Nigerians, is to provide mortgage lending banks with increased access to liquidity and longer term funds in the mortgage market. It is designed to be an integral part of the country’s financial system, with special focus on housing finance and/or the mortgage system. Also, it has the mandate of resolving access to affordable housing finance and, more importantly, as a focal point for creating an enabling environment for

housing finance by playing a strong developmental role in supporting the improvement of land, legal framework, housing development and construction. Thus, it is the latest hope for low-income earners who cannot afford the cost of a mortgage loan. As a take-off for the scheme, the World Bank approved a concessional $300 million 40-year interest free International Development Association (IDA) loan to facilitate the execution of the Housing Finance Programme. About $250 million of the IDA loan will be disbursed in instalments to NMRC as Tier 2 Capital based on key performance indicators – it will be retained on NMRC’s balance sheet to provide credit support for NMRC’s bond issuances. The balance of $50 million will be allocated to other components of the Housing Finance Programme as follows: $25 million for the establishment of a Mortgage Guarantee Facility for lower income borrowers and $25 million to support the development and piloting of Housing Microfinance Products.

This is where the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) will benefit from a $25 million facility to improve its mass housing programme and empower some of its microfinance partners. This measure is also believed to be a major step that will reposition the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). It is hoped that the introduction of NMRC will reduce the cost of mortgage loan by improving market efficiency, lowering cost of funds and allowing for longer repayment tenor period by financial institutions.

But such efforts are yet to have the desired effect. Laudable as these feats are, stakeholders are concerned that Nigerians are yet to feel the full impact, at least, going by the high demand for accommodation and the high cost of rents. They fear that these policies may be all talks and no results. They, therefore, canvass for a reduction in the cost of building materials, even as they want an early implementation of the housing roadmap. The roadmap, it is expected, will drive housing and urban development in the country for the next 30 years.

One point generally agreed on by stakeholders and participants at the

validation is that the country is not short of having good plans, but implementation of such plans remains the problem.

The roadmap draft seeks to achieve nine strategic goals. They include the annual provision of one million housing units over the next 10 years to enebale the country tackle the housing deficit in the country headlong. The housing units are to be delivered by the government and the private sector. The private sector is to deliver 800, 000 units and the remaining 200, 000 by the government. till date, no government agency has delivered 300, 000 housing units in a year. The strategy to achieve th feat will include collaboration with the Ministry of finance to promote a private sectorled housing and infrastructure fund institution; collaboration with the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) to promote group mortgage as a strategy to ease access to housing for household not currently qualified for individual mortgages; and promotion of local production of high quality critical building materials. The collaborating agencies to actualise these goals include the Federal Ministry of Finance, Stock Exchange Commission (SEC), states’ ministry of housing and urban development, developers, insurance firms, international development partners, and financial institutions.

The former minister of the defunct federal ministry of works and housing, Mamman Kotangora had earlier estimated that there were about 4, 000 uncompleted or abandoned projects worth about N300 billion across the country. Therefore, to meet up with delivering of its 200, 000 housing units share of the estimated one million units, the Federal Government, through the FMLHUD, will adopt legal/policy instrument for completion of abandoned projects, establish a Task Force for completion of abandoned projects, develop and implement a national programme for completion of abandoned project phased over 10 year period.

Other goals in the roadmap include; to establish an information management system for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects and pro-

grammes; establishment and enforcement of building standards based on the national building code to ensure quality, functionality, aesthetics, and safety; making serviced land with secured tenure easily available, accessible and transferable and at an affordable price for housing development; building adequate capacity of professionals and artisans in the built environment; making cities and human settlements inclusive, productive, safe, livable, resilient, and sustainable; transforming the way FMLHUD is structured and operate as the industry regulator and facilitator; and promoting research and development.

Prof Bade Falade, a former United Nations (UN) Habitat Representative in Nigeria, reckons that the roadmap is a measure of filling a long gap in the operation of the FMLHUD. “There is a need for proper planning. In the UN that I come from, there is always a five- year plan. So with the ministry putting in place two robust policies- national housing policy and urban development policy, then we are on course. Nigeria became the first African country to have a housing policy in 1981.

Others came to borrow from us,” he told The Nation, regretting that the country achieved nothing with the 1981 policy until it lapsed.

Therefore, he contends that there is a need for the roadmap to drive the implementation of those policies that are put in place. This, he said, will give the country a vision for the future, substantive things to achieve and also contribute to the transformation agenda.

As the largest economy in Africa, Prof. Falade explained that there is a lot for the economy to benefit from the sector. “This sector holds a lot of solutions to our economic problems because the city is the vehicle for growing the economy. The business is in the city - everybody lives in the city -and that is where the demand is and that is where services are required and where people are willing to pay. If you plan the cities very well, then the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country will go up. It can also contribute to huge •Continued on page 45

45

THE NATION WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31,2014

SPECIAL REPORT

•Ogunjobi employment as several people are employed in building sites,” Falade said, adding that urban planning is the preventive arm of deadly sicknesses as it will eliminate sicknesses such as malaria, cholera, amongst others.

Eyakenyi believes that the revalidated Draft Roadmap, once approved, will provide the pathway for navigating through the housing and urban development sector over the next thirty years.

The former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, showed an understanding for these concerns when at an interactive session on the housing sector issues he noted that “the housing sector is a sleeping giant that has just woken up.” For him, the housing sector has now moved on because it is being driven by policies that are feasible. “In the next two to three years, Nigerians will get the full benefits of what is being done now,” Maku assured.

Maku’s optimism, some say, may just be viewed as political talks. This is because salient issues affecting the delivery of houses have remained unresolved. Prominent in this is the Land Use Act, which several stakeholders have blamed as constituting a clog in the desire to have an efficient housing finance system; bureaucracy; high cost of building materials, amongst others.

This is because despite several efforts by government, through its mortgage institutions, to encourage or improve on housing finance, its own policy on the Land Use Act, has remained its albatross in achieving this goal. Stakeholders insist that except a review is done on the Act, the problem of housing finance would linger. The Act, promulgated in 1978, was to allow the government access to land for developmental purposes. This was because in the past, land owners proved to be a hinderance to government’s developmental plans as they constituted bottlenecks; therefore, the creation of this Act vested land ownership in government, and also made it easier for government to lay claim to land ownership in order to develop the country and create infrastructure.

Lending credence to this belief, the chief executive officer, 3Invest, a firm of Real Estate consultants, Mrs. Ruth Obih said that as a grow-

•Eyakenyi ing nation, there is the need for a reformation of the Land Use Act, considering that it has caused lots of the problems in the country as it does not allow the housing finance sector to kick-start.

“A major reason why our housing finance cannot take off is because of the foreclosure law in the Land Use Act. There is a foreclosure law, and what does it say? First of all, the Land Use Act does not allow you to own a property until you transfer title. That means if you haven’t transferred or perfected a title, you don’t own that property,” Obih explained.

Besides, she identified red-tapism and bureaucracy, as enshrined in the process of perfecting land title documents. The process, which she said involves over 56 procedures, takes about two years to perfect.

Within this period, she argues, a lender, usually a financial institution, cannot foreclose on such property in the event of a default in payment by the borrower because both parties cannot lay claim to the ownership of the land since the title document may not have been perfected with government.

“That is the reason why we don’t have a housing finance sector in Nigeria. The banks that have actually done it in the past have been banned.

So, you see them trying to foreclose illegal forecloses because legally they don’t own the property as a result of non-perfection of the property title in anyone’s name. That is one problem,” Obih said.

Legal issues have also been identified as being a factor militating against effective housing delivery. she disclosed the trend has always been a global phenomenon in real estate business. For instance, after the 99 years lease period on land, the land refers back to the government, for which renewal of ownership is always difficult.

Mr. Ola Aluko, of the Department of Urban & Regional Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos, in his research on “The Effect of land Use Act on Sustainable Housing Provision in Nigeria: The Lagos State Experience”, submitted that land is the main component of housing problem in urban areas. The problems surrounding availability of land in urban areas, he identified to include the vari-

•Obih ous policies and regulations that were formulated by governments at all levels to tackle the problems of housing; the fees payable and the procedure of obtaining Certificate of Occupancy and the Governor’s consent, which he said, is about 15 per cent and in some areas up to 45 per cent of the cost of the land.

“This creates a problem in housing delivery especially if these documents are required to secure financial assistance from banks. It also leaves room for fraud and compromise. The long time it takes to obtain consent (from six months to eternity) has made reliance on properties as collateral security for loans quite unattractive, as the process of perfecting a legal mortgage is cumbersome,” Aluko submitted.

According to Aluko, the present land policy in the country is faced with many problems that make land acquisition difficult for corporate estate developers.

The high interest rates have also not made procurement of capital for housing development through mortgage finance attractive to developers.

An Lagos-based estate developer, Mr. Kayode Oyedele, contends that the Land Use Act as it is, constitute a clog in the housing development effort. This is because of the financial constraint that has come with the policy, as financial institutions remain reluctant to lend a hand to land owners who have no C of O. “The Act should be modified or repealed,” he canvassed.

Stakeholders in the sector have since charged lawmakers to transform the Land Use Act, reform the foreclosure law, and help to make the people understand how they can key into the process for better result as it obtains in modern day. This would stimulate a robust real estate industry from the legal perspective.

Another major problem for the attainment of efficient housing delivery in the country has to do with the operational capabilities and efficiency of government agencies saddled with such responsibilities.

Recently, Eyakenyi had to dissolve the management of the FHA, citing years of below par performance as reason.

The FMBN has also not fared better. Its much talked about “Nigeri-

ans in Diaspora Mortgage Scheme” which the Bank’s managing director, Mr. Gimba Yau Kumo, said would be launched before the end of this year has not seen the light of the day. The FMBN, which is seeking international cooperation with other financial bodies to finance its projects seem to have been hitting a brickwall in its efforts. This is because until recently, for four years, beginning from 2010, the mortgage bank did not have an audited account. The Nation gathered that at one of the bank’s Board meetings, the management was embarrassed when asked by the CBN for its audited accounts.

The Chairman of the FMBN Board, Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, however, told The Nation that the 2011 audited account of the bank has been published; while that of 2012 has been awaiting CBN approval and that of 2013 has been completed. Ogunjobi, a former Vice President of African Development Bank (AfDB), said the auditing had to be done as a way of enshrining transparency in the institution.

“We try to build the internal transformation and capacity for effective utilisation of the resources that will be put at the disposal of the bank, like external resources from international organisation.

This lays emphasis on transparency as a base for preparing the ground for resources we might be given,” Ogunjobi explained. He added that the FMBN is a goldmine for the country. Experts say that the financial muscle of the FMBN is nothing to write home about when compared to that of Ghana, in spite of the bigger demands on the former.

But the unaudited account of the bank is not its only albatross. The Nation discovered that the bank is bogged down by huge debts, said to be in excess of N50 billion. Part of this debt was incurred from loan facilities granted defaulting property developers. The primary mortgage institutions (PMIs), that are supposed to drive mortgage in the country are relatively weak. This is evident in the inability of most of the PMIs to meet the recapitalisation as only less than 50 per cent of the banks have met the recapitalisation, whose deadline and further extension ended on July 31.

Ogunjobi said the bank has recorded progress in its debt recovery efforts, while it is also taking further measures, including exploring options for addressing non performing loans, enhancing the credit review process and streamlining project monitoring. He expressed satisfaction at the over 75, 000 housing units that the mortgage bank has delivered nationwide, adding that efforts would be intensified to deliver 15, 000 units in the next two years.

But this is not the only bane to affordable housing. Stakeholders in the sector stressed the need to have a mortgage system, which encourages a longer time period to buy and pay for houses, say for a 20-30-year tenor and at single digit interest rate. This is the practice in other developed countries. Ogunjobi agrees with this position, saying that long term funds is required for this type of regime to be put in place. But he regrets that this is not easily available because institutional investors such as the pension funds’ managers, have not really been very active in the mortgage and the housing sectors, blaming their seeming inactivity on the limit placed on the ammount of resources they can invest in such projects. The issue of foreclosure is another problem that needs to be addressed in the industry. Stakeholders are of the opinion that foreclosure is not favourable because of the delay in getting debts sorted out. “The attitude of Nigerian businessmen not paying back their loans is also a disservice to mortgage in the country. Somebody is owing you and you have no opportunity to take over possession of the property,” Ogunjobi explained.

The high cost of building materials is also a problem for effective housing delivery. And much as the government has promised to look into this, it has remained all talks and no action.

However, experts and stakeholders say all hope for a better housing finance is not lost. They based their hope on the establishment of the NMRC, for which they hope government may have realised that the housing sector will bring out a better economy. For now, Nigerians can only live on hope.

46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2014

47

RACE TO 2015

‘

The conference became another avenue, not only for airing regional grievances, but fuelling pre-existing bitterness among competing political leaders, who debated issues in an atmosphere of mutual suspicion

‘

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Mr. Smart Asekutu is the President, Delta Ijaw Peace Movement (DIPM). In this interview with PAUL UKPABIO, he speaks about next year’s elections and other issues.

Why Okowa won Delta PDP ticket , by chieftain

W

HAT is your reaction to the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State?

I must say that his emergence as the PDP’s flag bearer in the state is a welcome development. It calls for celebration because Okowa is a man that can be trusted with the resources of the state and he has worked with those that are in power today. He has moved progressively in his political career.

Even in the contest for the ticket of the the PDP, he was opposed in a manner that ordinarily nobody wants to think that he would win the primary. He is a man that we are very sure of, that he can deliver if given the opportunity to serve as governor.

He is a former commissioner and SSG. He is a senator. The delegates decided to vote according to their conscience because of his track record of public service. He has done so many things that could speak for him as a man to be trusted. He was not backed by any godfather but the people. The grassroots decided that he should be the candidate of the ruling party in the state, and that is why every member of the PDP in Delta state is very happy that Okowa is the flag bearer of the party. I am supportive of everything that should be done to ensure he emerges as the governor of the state in the 2015 election.

Can Okowa beat the APC and LP candidates at the poll?

People believe that things should be done fairly and that things should be shared equally. The other day, Chief Edwin Clark said on the pages of newspapers that this time around, whoever would become governor should come from Delta North because they believe that it is time for a Deltan of Delta North extraction to become governor.

Yes, we heard some people com-

plaining here and there, but genuine people of Delta State know that it is the time of Delta North to produce the governor in this state. Okowa is from that region and I would think that every well-meaning Deltan would give him their support. They would do what is right by voting for Okowa. I am sure that Deltans are already talking to themselves, reasoning within themselves to make sure they do what is right.

Are you aware of the protests from the Urhobo and Isoko against what they described as the betrayal by the Ijaw of Delta South?

We have been reading some text messages by some faceless persons concerning that. We don’t know the brains behind these nefarious actions because they have been sending these frivolous texts under cover. It is not out of place for people to complain, but I want to say that we need to be careful. You don’t just complain because what you desire is not in place or that you didn’t get what you wanted, therefore, the best thing is to destroy. It is not good enough.

Today, the Ijaw, the Urhobo, the Isoko are one. So many things have always been proven that we are one.

We need each other to succeed in everything we have to do and so we cannot go to the extreme. You don’t condemn a whole tribe because you wanted something but could not get it. You want to insult leaders, you gives names to people that have worked hard to even make life meaningful to everybody. You say because one thing did not work today, you want to destroy everything. I want to caution people that are behind these agitations to have a re-think. If they say some sensitive things about certain persons now, the next minute, they may see themselves needing the support of such people.

So, don’t say because you did not get

• Okowa

this one, you are trying to pass the blame or trying to call them names.

We just need to be careful. The Urhobos today have produced governors. For instance, Chief Ibru was a governor; he is an Urhobo man.

Chief James Ibori was a governor and he is an Urhobo man. So, there are things they have enjoyed, which other ethnic groups have not enjoyed. We have so many people contesting for this position and you know one person will certainly emerge and somebody put the strictures in place to deliver one person. We should not see it as the end of the game.

After Okowa’s tenure, we will always have this kind of moment. So, you cannot just sit back and say because it did not happen the way you wanted it, you start calling people names. It is not fair. We don’t have to say things that we may regret tomorrow. I want to add that Urhobo people are people that we respect. We also respect Isoko people. There are people today I know are working effec-

tively for all that we are celebrating now. The Urhobo are part of it, the Isoko are part of it, the Itsekiri are part of it. The victory of Okowa was not made possible only by a section of people, but by people from Isoko, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw; everybody worked for him. If anybody is complaining, we should be able to ask what happened and how it happened.

Why are you supporting the reelection bid of President Goodluck Jonathan?

As the president of this country and with where he came from in mind, people really didn’t expect so much because they generally assumed that he would not be able to perform. But between you and I, today, in the area of power, road and other social infrastructure, even in terms of the economy, he has done wonderfully well. To this end, if somebody is performing or has performed beyond our imagination, I don’t see any reason why he should not continue. So, I am very much in support of President Jonathan coming back come 2015, to continue the good works that we all know that he is doing.

What would you say he has done for the Niger Delta?

If you look at Niger Delta today, you will discover that the issues of insecurity and militancy have become things of the past because President Jonathan has initiated processes that guarantee peace and security in the region. Although we still have pockets of kidnapping here and there, militancy in the region has been put under control such that today, the oil companies are operating unhindered and oil production is increasing.

Look at the East/West Road. Although there were a lot of issues, in recent times they have positioned contractors so that by 2015 they will commission this road. We have a maritime school in Okerenkoko in Delta State

and the EPZ project is also underway in Delta State. These are major projects that will at the end of the day provide jobs to people.

But critics believe that he lacks the capacity to lead the country...

I disagree with that position. First of all, Nigeria as a country, we have so many issues—ethnic background, language differences and so many other factors—serve as a cog in the wheel of administration in the country. The reason why one group will understand and appreciate what you are doing is the same reason other groups will oppose you. Goodluck Jonathan has the ability to tolerate. He has the calmness as a leader to allow people to express themselves.

No President has been insulted and criticised openly like they have done to Goodluck but he is not vindictive and he has proven to be a democrat.

He is doing things steadily to the extent that he has not offended anybody.

He has not arrested or put anybody in prison. For me, I believe in his style of administration. He is a peace-loving man and he is there as everybody’s President. He is not for a particular region. Another president would have done things in his area alone and shut out other parts of the country, but this is not true of President Jonathan.

Like today, what past northern presidents could not do for their people, President Jonathan is doing it, especially the establishment of schools for the Almajaris. He is ensuring that things go round the whole country and that you don’t need to fight the people; allow them to express themselves, allow them to point out what they want and when you go back to your table as the leader, you will be able to know what to deliver to the people. But they should not take his calmness for granted. He is just being a good leader and that is one good quality of a leader.

How to avert disintegeration, by experts

• Odigie-Oyegun •Continued from page 18

the confession by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua that the election that brought him to power was severely flawed.

How has the country resolved the distribution crisis, in a mono-product economy where oil is the main source of income? There are many questions and few answers: should the national cake be shared among the component units, who are producers and non-producers of oil? Which formula for dis-

tribution will foster equity, fairness and justice, and minimise the complaints of the “marginalised” and the “minority?” Is resource control plausible and practicable? Are the regions or states prepared for the challenge of true federalism or guided resource control? Why is diversification ignored? If there is oil theft or disruption of mining activities in the Southsouth, will Nigeria will not be held to ransom?

The over-dependence on oil has implications. There is the feeling that Nigeria is being fed by one region.

The zone is devastated by exploration and mining activities. Former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande said: “It is ironic that the region has suffered monumental regret and deprivation in the past.” This is injustice, he added. The offer of amnesty to the restless Niger Delta youths have only temporarily doused the tension. There are still cries of despondency in the Niger Delta. When militants strike occasionally, the oil will cease to flow.

One of the measures being adopted now is the PIB, which has become a bone of contention between the goose that lays the golden egg and the North.

For long, citizens have been denied of comfortable living. In the last 14 years, lack of electricity has crippled business operations, especially by artisans. The cost of doing business has gone up because people have shifted to generators as the alternative source

of power. Efforts to fix the electricity has not succeeded. Generally, government seems to have lost the infrastructure battle. Roads are full of potholes.

Schools are on their knees because education is underfunded. Nigeria is the only oil-producing country without a functioning refinery. “Poverty is on the increase and those in government swim in opulence,” said Igbokwe, who chided the government for profligacy.

A group, Transparency International, has listed Nigeria among the most corrupt countries in the world.

Activist-priest Dr. Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, blamed the elite for the cankerworm.

“Greed will always stand on the way of national interest”, he said. In fact, corruption is the greatest problem.

Frontline social crusader Dr. Tunji Braithwaite lamented that the resources for development have been carted away by those in power, making infrastructural development to suffer. Even, pensions are stolen by government officials.

During his visit to Ghana three years ago, United States President Barack Obama pointed out that no corrupt country can make progress. In an obvious reference to Nigeria, he said: “No country is going to create wealth, if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves or the police can be bought off by drug traffickers. No business wants to invest in a place

where the government skims 20 percent off the top or head of the port authorities is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy; that is tyranny and now is the time to end it”.

The anti-graft bodies are in dilemma.

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (ICPC) have their limitations. While it is relatively easier to fight corruption outside government, it is difficult to curb corruption in the corridor of power. In the early nineties, foremost economist Dr. Pius Okigbo cried out that “the government has become the greatest corrupter of the society.” In the past, critics alleged that the anti-graft bodies were used by government to intimidate and witch-hunt perceived foes.

The preoccupation of those power is the 2015 polls. More attention, energy and resources are devoted to the scramble for power than good governance and commitment to national survival.

If Nigeria disintegrates, Africa will be in big trouble. “One in every Africa is a Nigerian. How will neigbouring countries in West Africa cope with refugees from Nigeria?” asked Ayodele. “a calamity of monumental proportion may befell Africa,” he added.

To the stakeholders, disintegration is not the answer. They are of the opinion that the restoration of true federalism,

with its elements of regionalism, state police, devolution of power and restructuring, may save the country from doom. In the past, Afenifere leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo said: “We need to convene a Sovereign National Conference to discuss the basis for peaceful co-existence.” A legal luminary, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN), agreed with him. He said: “We need the conference now more than before.”

However, when the conference was convoked in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), observers contended that it paled into a decoy and a jamboree. The report is still hanging.

“It was difficult for delegates to agree on common grounds of the national question. It was more difficult for them to iron out differences,” observed Lateef Raji, a historian, who added: “The conference became another avenue, not only for airing regional grievances, but fuelling pre-existing bitterness among competing political leaders, who debated issues in an atmosphere of mutual suspicion.”

Will the report, if implemented, restore hope? Will is restore moral value and stop corruption? Will it ensure free and fair elections? Will it resolve the national question? Will it rejuvenate the economy? Will it restore national security and foster national unity? Will it avert disintegration?

Will the report pave the way for a new Nigeria? More questions, few answers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2014

48

‘

RACE TO 2015 Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Ajibola Banire spoke with TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO on the governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, and why he may surpass the achievements of Governor Babatunde Fashola, if elected in next year’s poll.

Going by the track records of Akinwunmi Ambode as a thorough bred technocrat, who got to the pinnacle of his profession through hardwork, I have no doubt in my mind that he will surpass the achievements of Governor Fashola in the state

‘

I ‘ll fight infrastructure battle in Bauchi, says APC candidate From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

‘Nigerians are tired of PDP govt’ B

W

HAT lessoon should the APC learn from its presidential and governorship primaries?

First, I think I need to thank the leadership of the party for their diligence and hardwork, and for conducting one of the freest, fairest and the most credible primaries ever conducted in the history of modern Nigeria. All aspirants were given a level playing field to take their cases to the delegates.

It is apparent that the best candidate won, through the outcome of the primaries as demonstrated by the delegates.

There are rumours that some governorship aspirants in Lagos State have gone to court to challenge the validity of Ambode’s emergence as the governorship candidate for Lagos State.

I do not believe that to start with. All the aspirants that contested in the primary are honourable men and woman that do not believe in the politics of anything goes. They are individuals with outstanding pedigree that believed in party supremacy and would not do anything to tarnish the party’s image. I can authoritatively tell you that nobody is challenging Ambode’s victory at the primary election.

He (Ambode) deserves the victory because he ran the best issue-driven campaign among the lot. He took his case to the ordinary Joe on the street of the 20 Local Governments and the 37 Local council development Areas across Lagos State.

Do you see Akinwunmi Ambode matching Governor Babatunde Fashola’s feat in Lagos State?

Going by the track records of Akinwunmi Ambode as a thorough bred technocrat, who got to the pinnacle of his profession through hardwork, I have no doubt in my mind that he will surpass the achievements of Gov-

• Ladoja

ernor Fashola in the state. He was a key figure during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu so also Governor Fashola, especially on improved revenue generation profile of the state. Lagosians should have trust in Ambode. He will increase our road networks by constructing new roads, build new schools while modernising existing ones,

‘Our chances have never been brighter because Nigerians no longer trust the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led federal government to execute its primary responsibility, which is the protection of the lives and properties of its citizens and to promote their common welfare’

improve the healthcare delivery services, empower the people, create conducive environment for businesses to strive , clean the environment, and attract foreign investments to the state and much more.

What is APC’s chance of winning the Presidential election?

Our chances have never been brighter because Nigerians no longer trust the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led federal government to execute its primary responsibility, which is the protection of the lives and properties of its citizens and to promote their common welfare. They have failed to create an accountable and transparent government that is free from corruption. This is a government that believes in harnessing the fear and hatred of others to advance their ambitions and agenda. They use stale tactics to scare the voters because they do not have any fresh ideas.

They painted General Muhammed Buhari as an individual that should not be trusted by the people but his track record of success, diligence, forthrightness speak volume.

Nigerians are frustrated with all these tactics and the continued tolerance of corruption at high levels and are yearning for real change. A change that is genuine; free from religious, ethnic, tribal and political bigotry. APC is determined to bring a change the will unite Nigerians through the candidates we have presented both at the Federal and state levels. A change that does not divide religion from religions; communities from communities; and neighbours from neighbours.

PDP has presented more of the same people with worn-out ideas and politics of the past but we have presented two fine gentlemen (General Muhammadu Buhari and Prof Yemi Osinbajo).

AUCHI State All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate Mohammed Abubakar has promised to fight the infrastructure battle in the state, if elected as governor. The flag bearer said that his administration will complete the Kafin-Zaki dam project.

Mohammed, who expressed concern over the abandoned project, said athe legal, political and social issues militating against the project implementation will be resolved.

The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice spoke with reporters in Bauchi, the state capital. He said: “I know that, beside geographical issues canvassed in the building of the dam, the project has been over-politicised and the controversy surrounding the implementation blown out of proportion.”

The dam is located in Ganjuwa Local Government Area. The project started in the Second Republic when Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the |President.

But, it was abandoned. Therefore, it has become a major issue of campaign during elections.

Abubakar said: “I can assure you that the APC government at state and national levels will sort that out by bringING all stakeholders to a round-table discussion and allow each to give convincing reasons.At the end,we will have an upper hand because millions of people will benefit from the project.

“We should genuinely allow the people to reason with us that the project is not meant for Bauchi State alone, but for the people of Yobe, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Plateau and Borno states. Apart from getting drinking water from the dam, there will be irrigation, fishing and relevant cottage industries will come up to process farm produce for export.”

He added: “This will not only provide food for millions of families, it will create jobs and generate wealth, especially for the youth and this will certainly reduce crimes in the area to the barest minimum”.

Mohammed also reiterated that his campaign will be issue-based, adding that it will not be characterised by mudslinging.

The flag bearer said: “Nigerians want positive changes in their lives. Bauchi people deserve the good things of life such as potable water, functional health facilities and good roads that will link them to bigger towns to sale their farm produce.

‘The APC will provide additional resources that will enable us give quality education even in remote areas for the children of peasant farmers.”

On security, Mohammed observed that bad governance will always create ill-wind that will blow nobody any good. He added: “Our security challenges will be critically looked into and all aggrieved people will express their grievances that will be amicably settled.

“We will do everything humanly possible to stabilise the economy of the state as part of our top priorities. The welfare of the people, agriculture, health, and education will be on the front burner.”

Kebbi PDP chieftain protests wrong substitution From Khadijat Saidu Birnin Kebbi

H

OUSE of Representatives flag bearer on the platform of the Peo ples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State Alhaji Musa Ibrahim Dan-Illela has warned against wrong substitution, saying that it is undemocratic.

Dan-Illela, who claimed that he was duly elected at the primaries held in Birnin-Kebbi Constituency, Kebbi State, said only the delegates can withdraw the ticket given to him.

The Chairman of Birnin-Kebbi Local Government Area and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria( ALGON) told reporters in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, that he will contest the parliamentary election next year because he is the preferred choice of the constituency.

He said, if his name is substituted, it is done in error, warning against plans to foist post-primary crisis on the party.

Dan-Illela said it is wrong to attempt to substitute his name with that of another chieftain, who did not participate in the primaries.

He added: “I scored scored 83 votes in the election while the person next to me scored 40 votes and the third contestant got zero vote.

“How can it be possible for a great party like the PDP, with much respect for internal democracy, to turn around to perpetrate evil and other vices? There is an iota of truth in every rumor, but I will not succumb to this wicked rumor. It is against our party constitution.”

Dan-Illela however, urged calm among his supporters, saying that the situation is under control. He advised them to remain loyal to the PDP, assuring that victory is assured.

The Council Chief Executive however urged his teeming supporters and followers to remain calm and be loyal to the PDP saying the party still remainsthe best.

‘I’m in race to unite constituency’

P

• From Left: Representative of Commandant School of Armour, Brig-Gen. Kayode Ugundele; Commandant 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig-Gen. James Myam; Bauchi State Deputy Governor Sagir Saleh; Bauchi State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Capt. Yakubu Mohammed (rtd) and the Secretary to Bauchi State Government, Alhaji Mahmud Maijama’a, during the 2015 Armed Forces emblem appeal fund week in Bauchi ... yesterday.

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate in Efon Constituency, Ekiti State, Mr. Afolabi Akanni has promised to unite Efon Kingdom, if elected ij next year’s poll.

He promised to attract dividends of democracy to the constituency and adequately represents its interest in the parliament.

Akanni, who spoke with reporters in Efon-Alaaye. said that he will not betray the trust and confidence reposed in him by stakeholders.

He said: “My candidature has generated much interest and enthusiasim in this politically conscious constituency. I have conducted the need analysis of our people. I am in the race to unite our people and galvanise them for the task of development. It is not about any political party. It is about the peace, progress and development of Efon and its environment. I will not let our people down.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

Life

49

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

•From left: Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora and MallamNasir El-Rufai

Saro hits Lagos stage – SEE STORY ON PAGE 50

A unique music heritage

With Arts Journalism, we created value

– Page 51

– Page 53

Group promotes Yoruba heritage in Europe

– Page 54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

50

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

• Mrs Bolanle Austem-Peters, Mamora, Buhari and Amaechi at the MUSON Centre, Lagos

The stage is set; the lights are on. Get ready… It is Saro, the Musical 2. The musical drama ran throughout the Yuletide inside the Shell Hall of MUSON Centre in Lagos. With three directors to handle music, dance and drama, the multi-million naira performance ended this season. Its three directors share their ‘behind the scene stories’ with EVELYN OSAGIE.

Saro hits Lagos stage

F

ROM high life to afro beat, afro pop, afro fusion, to the inspirational and traditional music, Saro, the Musical 2 returned to the Lagos stage, bringing influences and instruments from many ethnic groups to bear on the audience.

Lagosians had a thrilling theatre experience this Yuletide as Saro’s 100-man cast hit the stage inside the Shell Hall of MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos.

The musical-play, the story of four young, but frustrated performers who embarked on a journey in search of their destiny, is a unique blend of music, drama and dance drew dignitaries from across the state. They included All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Kaduna State APC standard bearer, Mallam Nasir El -Rufai and Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora.

Like many in the audience, “freedom” is what they sought; and Lagos was the city - that held a promise of escape from the jaws of poverty for the emerging artists - the four young men in Saro chose. Will they realise their dream?

Weaving together the trials, misfortunes, love, and destinies of the quartet into a 14-act masterpiece, the producers of Saro tell the unforgettable and inspiring story of the journey to success in a city filled with broken promises, as we see Lagos personified by its colourful and unforgettable characters, frenetic pace of living, and endless drama.

Fun lovers joined the “Four” on the exciting journey – through different stages of their lives – to the land of discoveries and dreams.

Beginning with two shows from last Tuesday, the play, which ran till Sunday, was produced by Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters and Mok Art & Media Production. It was supported by Terra Kulture, Access Bank, Etisalat and Africa Magic.

The production, which cost about N50 million, featured outstanding Nigerian artistes and performers, such as Bimbo Manuel; Dolapo

MUSIC Oni; Gideon Okeke; Ade Laoye; Patrick Diabua; William Benson; Adesua Etomi; Dolapo Ogunwale; Paul Alumona and Paolo Sisiano.

Three directors handled music, dance and drama. The play was directed by Ayo Ajayi (music), Gbenga Yusuf (dance) and Kenneth Uphopho (drama). They shared their directing experiences below.

With a 100-man cast and short period to prepare, how was the preparation for this year’s outing?

Saro Music Director, Ayo Ajayi: So far it’s been a trying journey, but then it’s been worth the while. We didn’t just want to repeat what we offered last year, but to refine and produce the best performance so far in Lagos and Nigeria. A lot of hard work has gone into it, and we’re determined to get the result we want.

What we had last year was good; this year we were determined to take the play through the necessary process, through fire, through the forge to make it the best performance ever.

Dance Director, Gbenga Yusuf: Preparations were very hectic; we wanted to beat last year’s production. And since we didn’t want to give our audience the same thing, it was challenging. Saro 2 is definitely better than the first.

And indeed, we took the audiences unawares from start to finish. The dances were spectacular. We had more indigenous, cultural dances infused with modern dances.

Drama Director, Kenneth Uphopho: The journey has been great. With a tremendous effect in its scripting, Saro 2 had more elements to play with. We wanted to make the characters stronger, distinct because we wanted to carry the audience along, which we eventually did. What we’re selling to people is a lifestyle. The theme of Saro is liberty - liberty to achieve, to excel and achieve what you hope to achieve! That is what we wanted people to buy into. It’s the story of four young boys, who wanted to achieve something for themselves, musically. Fate takes them to Don Ceeto; and Lagos City influences them and impacts their lives. At the end, they come out triumphant.

There’s also a love story, as sub-plot which goes to show that a thin line exists between dream and love.

What was new with Saro?

Ajayi: Last year, it was a great show, but this

year was greater because we infused many things into it to make a great product. We refined the three departments – drama, dance and music and the effect on the audience was whao! In musical aspect, so many original songs were incorporated to meet the demands of popular hiphop artistes and listeners. The standard of music we had in this edition was higher than what currently exists in the Nigerian hiphop scene.

In 2013 edition, we only had Magba gbe mi, this year’s we had so many other original songs.

All the audience needed was to sit tight and get blown away. For me, “the audience must have goose pimples from the effect of music or else, just scrap it!”

We’re trying to set the pace. Since last year’s edition, several musical productions have sprung up. We are also a turn around in Nigeria. Nigerian music at the moment doesn’t seem to have focus, just rhythm, bad sound and silly language. On the contrary, the music is attractive, different in language and music content. Hiphop artistes in Nigeria will learn how to make good music after listening to Saro 2. There was so much musical content for the play than we have on the streets today because we are schooled and professionals in what we do. And the songs make sense unlike most of the music we have on the streets.

The performance of the four young men, which didn’t happen last year, was also grand.

Don Ceeto’s musical project is also a new addition. “Don Ceeto” is the man who discovered the four men and gave their music career a lift. In this edition, his musical project stood out on its own. The five tracks of his project incorporated in the production were made up of different genres and styles – jazz, soul and Nigerian music. Three of the tracks have already been recorded.

Yusuf: It is that creative infusion of indigenous and modern dances that gives Saro 2 its magic. Saro envisages the future of music and that was expressed through different dance steps – from indigenous African, Nigerian dance styles to modern styles. It was innovative because we sought to bring something new, original and spectacular into this edition.

Last year, there was no circus, acrobatic displays, no skaters or chopper landing on stage.

In this year’s, dance was wide in form and style. It had all those spectacular elements and

more. There was also the use of props and things to give it that whaoh effect. Imagine Bata drumming being infused in Jazz and a ballerina. In fact, Saro’s message came out clearer this year. The music, the dance and the interesting acts contributed in giving the audience a clearer picture of the story-line. They were able to follow the story of the four boys from the village to the city and to Don Ceeto’s house. We took the audience through the nooks and crannies of the state to which the audience can relate to as their own Lagos.

Uphopho: Lagosians and Nigerians should look out for Saro 2 in 2015 because what they had during the Yuletide was only the beginning. In fact, this is bigger than elections; elections leave us hungrier and frustrated. Saro will bring joy and smiles to Nigerians. It will provide a beautiful escape from all the election hardships and excesses of our governments.

What is your job in Saro?

Ajayi: My job, essentially, is that of the music arranger and composer. As MUSON School of Music alumni president, I’ve tried to influence a few young artistes in the music scene.

We take music to schools to try and influence those coming up.

Uphopho: I’ve done musicals before, such as Cinderela, Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Rubiewe, an African adaptation of Beauty and the Beast and then Beauty and the Beast proper.

But Saro was more challenging; it has bigger cast and crew. Luckily, I was part of the script development process. I can only say it’s been tough all through, but absolutely enjoyable!

The hardest part is the rehearsal; 100-man cast and crew is not a joke. Managing the emotions of people takes a lot. We tried to micromanage everything. The cast has been amazing and supportive. There’s no laid back approach; everyone is ever ready to play his part.

We looked forward to a good show. The three directors worked six hours a day to ensure that everything worked out well. It’s a combination of all efforts. Saro is child-friendly with simple language. It was a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas with one’s entire family.

Yusuf: The team I worked with this year was unique; and that was why you saw wonderful performances. We used certain dance forms we didn’t use last year. There was the use of circus and props. The Saro boys not only sang, but danced and acted.

51

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Ajetomobi

•Adedara on stage

A unique music heritage

T

HE crowd at the Obokungbusi Town Hall of the Owa Obokun Palace in Ilesa, Osun State, might have looked ordinary last Friday evening. But the spirit behind the gathering was uncommon. It was unique because it attracted leading Adamo music exponents, a traditional Ijesa genre of music, seasoned and up and coming performing musicians from Ijesaland only. Their mission was to inaugurate the first Adamo Music Festival as a prelude to the yearly Iwude Ijesa Festival, which climaxed on Saturday at the same venue.

Adamo Music Festival was initiated by Embrace Osun and supported by social groups such as Friends of Rauf Aregbesola (FORA), People Friendly Governance Initiative (PFGI) and Ijesa All Stars.

For about six hours, the Owa Obokun Palace premises was agog with musical performances by no fewer than eleven musicians of different genres, ranging from Adamo to Fuji, Hip-hop, Rap, Juju, Gospel and Highlife. Among the artistes that performed were the ageless Pa Ige Adubi; Baba Adedara Aruna; Niyi Ajetomobi; Rawlings; Boblad; Olatunde Abiodun aka (Baba Ewe); Ayuba Aliu and Adewale Kadoka (Ijaya).

Others were Young Ade; Wewe Mighty; Gbenga Falope, Osogbo-based fuji act; Oluomo (Oyeniyi Ismail) and Small Doctor, who is popular with his song; I dey kill mosquito well well.

T

HE 9th edition of The Experience Lagos held at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), will linger in the memories of those in attendance. Described as the largest music concert in Africa, with the theme: 1 God 1 Voice featured artistes, such as, Donnie McClurkin; Israel Houghton; Chevelle Franklin; Micah Stampley; Midnight Crew; Freke Umoh and Frank Edwards.

Others were Sinach, Nathaniel Bassey, Angella Christie, Onos Ariyo and Chioma Jesus.

The Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Community Choir opened the event alongside Sammie Okposo, followed by ministrations from Freke Umoh, Onos Ariyo and Midnight Crew. Prayers were said

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

FESTIVAL Adewale Kadoka took the first shot at thrilling the crowd that has waited patiently for about 4 hours for the start of the concert. He was followed by Wewe Mighty, a talented juju musician. His performance lasted within the stipulated 10minutes allocated to each artiste.

But by 7pm, there was a brief shift to rap music and hip-hop as a stop-gap for the young at heart in the audience. That break lightened the crowd with the rendition of Dorobucci by Mavin Crew led by Don Jazzy.

Oluomo’s performance though the shortest, stood out among the lots. In fact, it was a mix grill of scintillating drumming and narratives of Yoruba ‘orikis, yabis and faboos’ that characterised fuji music. The self-taught 12-man band leader, Ismail, who has been into music since 2007, said he loves fuji because it provides the finest platform for creative expression.

The tempo of the festival got to a crescendo when Pa Ige Adubi went prayerful with his song Baba wa ti mbe lorun, a rendition the crowd could not resist. Like Adubi, Pa Adedara kept the crowd on their toes for longer time. His sterling performance attracted other younger Adamo musicians, who joined him on stage for a ‘collabo’ that lasted several minutes.

Young Ade mounted the stage after

Gbenga Falope, who spiced his juju music with effective use of saxophone. By 9.30 pm, Falope’s rendition of Oriki Ijesa was what the entire crowd needed to join in the sing-along chorus that echoed into the dark night.

Young Ade’s performance was a mirrorimage of King Sunny Ade’s stage craft and singing ability. In fact, Young Ade was the big masquerade that danced last as his presentation drew the curtain for the festival.

Chairman, Iwude Ijesa Planning Committee, Chief Olu Falomo, said the rebranding of Iwude Ijesa Festival- a convergence of culture, tradition and communion, was informed by the need to forge unity among the Ijesa people. The festival featured motorised floats and parades of clubs, societies and communities. The high point of the celebration was the public appearance of the Owa Obokun Adimula, Oba Aromolaran, to Yeyerise’s compound, Obanla, Sawe, Lejoka and Salotun’s courtyards.

Development Consultant and Festival Director, Aremo Tope Babayemi, said Adamo Music Festival is the brainchild of Embrace Osun, a group that identifies and nurtures different talents in Osun State, especially in the socio-economic and cultural sphere. According to him, the idea is to follow up with the promotion and presentation of such talents as these artistes for the developed markets.

‘Nigeria is crying for justice’

By Toyin Olasinde

CONCERT for the nation by Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of the Fountain of Life Church, Rev Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre, Bishop Mike Okonkwo and his wife Peace, of the The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) Church, among others .

A remarkable moment was Nathaniel Bassey’s sterling performance. Micah Stampley also surprised the delighted audience when he joined the trumpet playing artiste on stage for a rendition of his

popular song, Imela. Not long after, Grammy award winning singer, Donnie McClurkin, joined the duo into what became an awesome trio as the Americans belted out Imela like it was sang in their native language Speaking on the theme of the event, founder of House on The Rock Church, Pastor Adefarasin, said: ‘’In the course of nine years from inception, the Experience Lagos has become arguably the largest gospel concert in Africa and indeed, one of the largest gospel music concerts in the world with a recorded significant infu-

• Babayemi

Babayemi disclosed that the festival would be an annual outing.

Governor-General, PMAN (Osun State Chapter) Mr. Mutiu Aiyeloja, described the festival as a new dawn for musicians in the state, especially the platform it created for expression of creativity. He was optimistic that next year’s edition would be better and bigger despite low funding this year.

State PMAN Treasurer, Alhaji Abdulazeez Ibrahim, stressed the need to promote and sustain the Adamo brand of music, which is why PMAN has identified with the initiative. “We are government voice and we spread the good works of government everywhere.

And we are happy with what Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is doing in our industry. He provides the platform for artistes to showcase their talents to the world. He has been able to show to the world that we have stars in Ijesaland,” he said.

Despite the absence of colour that often characterise many big festivals such as Ojude Oba Festival and Osun Osogbo Festival, Adamo Music Festival has succeeded in laying a solid foundation for the growth of subsequent editions. Organisers of the festival have assured that early preparation and sensitisation of the people would be given top priority for a successful outing next year.

sion into the Lagos State Economy. This year our theme resonates with our prayers as members of the body of Christ for unity in our great nation, Nigeria.”

On the reasons for the theme, Adefarasin said Nigeria is crying for justice and peace coupled, especially as the 2015 election is around the corner. He added that the event will serve as a time where people all over the globe will cry out one true God with one voice in petition. Distinguished Nigerians who attended Experience 2014 included Jimi Agbaje, First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode, Lady Maiden Ibru, various banks chief executives and more.

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Former Deputy Editor, ‘The Guardian’, Mr Ben Tomoloju, who has just turned 6o, recalls how his alma mater, Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, shaped him.

CHINASA EKEKWE reports

F

RIENDS, relations and colleagues of Ben Tomoloju, playwright, journalist, culture communicator, activist and director gathered at the Afe Babalola Hall of the University of Lagos, in honour for his 60th birthday celebration.

There was a lecture and presentation of Tomoloju’s three books.

One of Tomoloju’s mentors, Prof Niyi Osundare chaired the lecture. Prof Tony Afejuku delivered the lecture titled: Thoughts on the Nigerian media in a deadly season.

Tomoloju’s is former Deputy Editor of The Guardian.

The three-day birthday celebration, which started penultimate Friday also featured dance drama presentation, Art forum and poetry performances at the Freedom Park, Lagos.

Interestingly, the Sunday feast at Freedom Park, Lagos was full of nostalgia and reminiscences for the celebrator, whose plays such as Jankariwo and Flowers’ introspect were put on stage. During the Art Forum session, Tomoloju observed that one great advantages of designers of the nation’s educational polices was the liberalism that was entrenched into such policies. He said it created room for diversification of skills and very profound and deep moral thrust. “‘Christ School, Ado-Ekiti (my alma mater) has a romantic appeal even till now because it is located on the hill.

From the main gate to the theatre, there is an ascending of a gradual slope surrounded by mango trees by the left and right hand sides. Right at the tip of the hill, there is an ark made of concrete with a garden of shrubs. There is also the art gallery shielding the theatre designed like the roman theatre.

“Then, students like Niyi Osundare and Moyo Ogundipe were my seniors, but the interesting thing in the school was that the age grade was similar in every class. Admission was not just for anybody. For example, if admission was for 12 and 13 years old, the school will stick to it. Like when Osundare was in Upper Six, I was in form one. All these inspired me. It was so much that Osundare won the first prize of the senior category for the Western States poetry contest in 1968 while I came second in the junior category for the poster designing,” Tomoloju recalled his Christ School days.

Prof. Osundare, according to Tomoloju, was the ‘head of table’ in the dining hall.

“In fact, he taught me how to use the cutlery,” he added.

He continued: “Also, back then we just pick a piece of paper and scribble something down and the house will present them during the inter-house drama com-

T

HEY were made to dance from their chairs, with which they moved about. The dance portrayed them as fooling around when they were having fun and enjoying the best of the moment. It was their own way of expressing the joy of the season. Their predicament was not enough to stop their joyful mood. They were the down-trodden from nine charity homes and members of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria.

Others watched from the sideline as they were offered items ranging from cooked and raw food to canned foods, clothes, shoes, mosquito nets and bags.

With them were widows, the less-privileged and needy in the area.

It was a Christmas party, organised by the Rotary Club of Festac Town and Central in conjunction with the Society of St

•From left: Toyin Akinosho, Tomoloju and Mahmoud Ali-Balogun at the drama presentation.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

‘No cultural revolution, no national resolution’ CELEBRATION petition. The works were more like test by our teachers to see if we could do it like our masters. And so you would not know that you have written something that would be preserved in the history books.

“The first play I wrote was The Son of a Witch and Sweet Poison in 1971 followed

by The Walnut. Interestingly, The Walnut was the kind of total theatre. It predicted the Flowers Introspect. I believe in the ideology that informs a statement which also sometimes influenced the kind of style you adopt.

“In those days, we spend 50k per day for food and you will eat to satisfaction.

The younger generation needs to know this so as to analyse how bad things have gone in the country.”

Monuments and art structures, he noted, have been abused and destroyed, describing such act as charlatanism in high places. According to him, ‘intellectualism is of the highest value in social development and “so we have to train

the younger generation so that we can hand over the industry to them”.

He noted that having produced skilled and talented artists, it is important for the government to create an enabling environment such as neighbourhood theatres for them to practice.

“Take for instance, the late reggae legend, Bob Marley and the late Afrobeat legend, Fela. They were revolutionary artists of the highest possible political dimension. Their songs were the most popular all over the world in their time and so the artists should be able to accept the politics practised in his time. I tried twice to be in the House of Representatives. Some artists should be involved in politics for the centrality of culture to the cause of nationhood. Artists should go there and transform the nation culturally with authority. If we know how to get it right, there will be a change, but without cultural revolution there cannot be a national resolution.

There is a disconnect between intellectualism and popularism. But, I believe that there is so much complacency within

Celebrating ‘Xmas with the needy

By Nneka Nwaneri

PHILANTHROPY Vincent De Paul of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

The distribution of items, which was done in the church premises, catered for more than a thousand women and children. Not only that, everyone went home with a sum of N500. It was all encompassing and each group’s input made the event juicer for attendees.

While the Rotary Club of Festac Town distributed 850 pieces of mosquito nets to the women, 200 to the chaplain of the pris-

ons, and 50 desks and chairs to So-Said Home for the Handicap in Okota, Lagos; the St Vincent De Paul distributed clothes, foot wears and packages to the children as take-home gifts. Also, rice, beans, oil, tubers of yam and tomatoes were given out.

Their baby club, Central, supported by screening people for blood sugar and pressure, and distributing gifts items such as packs of Vitamin C tablets and pens.

Rotary Club President, Mr Gabriel Onyema said the celebration was in line with the Rotary Day, to celebrate humanitarian services and showcase themselves to the world. He gave the cost of the mosquito nets as 1.7 million naira and expressed satisfaction that despite the dis-

the academia and theories are being propounded without trying them. In Nigeria, we never had articulate proletariat and a revolution will not happen in Nigeria.

We had a test case in the ‘Ali Must Go’ campaign in the 70s. Unfortunately, we have been reaping anarchy because rather than produce vanguards, we produced vandals.

“I knew right from time that Marxism theory cannot work in Nigeria. The old Soviet Union were highly educated and would discuss philosophers from Aristotle to Karl Marx. So, revolution cannot work in Nigeria except the minds of the masses are cultivated, without it, anarchy will be the order of the day,” he said.

Oba Gbenga Sonuga described Tomoloju as a complete cultural communicator. “Before Ben Tomoloju, one could hardly find articles about culture in the newspapers. Now, one of the most outstanding things I remembered that he did was going to the National Theatre to see a play, Ori and writing a superb and insightful article ‘clearing the ritual thoughts on it,” he noted. tribution, every charity home goes back with two bags of rice and beans.

“It is our duty to feed the hungry and poor every year. All in all, we are living out the spirit of Christmas and touching two of the 6 core areas of focus of Rotary: poverty and literacy.”

He said such gestures would make Nigerians realise the meaning of Christmas and touch lives just like Jesus Christ did.

Chaplain of Prisons Services, Fr. Jacob Adeyemi, who received the nets, said the gesture would go a long way in helping the inmates, many of who sleep on the bare floor and are exposed to the dangers of the night due to congestion. He said love such as this would make them realise that by the time they come out; they will never go back to crime again because they know that the society cares for them in their hard times.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

53

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘With Arts Journalism, we created value’ (II) Former Deputy Editor of The Guardian Mr. Ben Tomoloju is a man of many parts. He is a theatre artist, writer, musician and cultural activist, who has dedicated his life to the promotion of arts and culture. He was with The Guardian between 1985 and 1993. Askari, Aminatu, Jankariwo and Flowers’ Introspect are some of his published plays and books. Penultimate Thursday, he turned 60. In this interview with Arts reporters, Tomoloju reflects on his career, activism, politics and art journalism. Arts Editor OZOLUA UHAKHEME was there.

•Continued from last week

I

S there a distinction between culture, art and entertainment journalism?

I did a paper on this; there are differences. These are departments of a body of disciplines which can still be complementary of one another. Culture is wider; it goes as far as the sciences, the intellectual culture, the spiritual materials and economics, but these various aspects of culture have been so self-defining in certain areas that you do not need the culture journalist to go into the details of them but to appropriate as a culture of context as a way of life of the people. That is where the person who reports arts connects self-expression with the way of life because to show your way of life you must express yourself and that connects the arts journalist and culture journalist and the more knowledgeable in culture the arts journalist is the better a culture journalist he can be.

Arts appears to be the satellite culture, it approximates everything about the people’s way of life, there is astrological fusion; the art as a mirror of life captures all the components of life, the arts mirrors culture. There is a symbiosis which makes it inevitable that the arts writer is definitely connected with culture writing. Then the entertainment writer appears to be a misnomer if it is connected to arts; if there is an entertainment side of an art, then it is reported as entertainment, football is entertainment but then it is sports and so what entertainment are entertainment writers writing; they are reducing entertainment by qualification to music and movie which are arts in the first place. A movie director is an artist; he is a professional in the art, so I believe that there is a misnomer, if they are keeping entertainment as art, it is fogy just like I have always said two decades ago.

What went through your mind when you decided to go into politics?

The waters of politics are not mucky; it is the human beings in politics that are mucky.

There is a song in Yoruba that says, ‘the world is not tough, it is the human beings that are complex. I was a member of the students’ representative council and a frontline elder statesman in my final year and I took part in one of the most momentous national protests embarked upon by students in history.

So, politics has been in my blood. My father was a student leader, so if at a point in my life I decided to go into politics, I am driven by a sense of mission that was why I went into full time politics in 1999. We were part of Abacha’s problems as artists; he banned Soyinka’s plays at the theatre, he sent SSS to our artists’ camp and we disrobed the man and sent him back. So, since 1999, one has been in politics because one felt that there was something we could do to move either an aspect of this country forward or the whole of the country forward, but what is mucky is the caritas there. But I felt that we shouldn’t just leave this country in the hands of the opportunist machinery politicians, we have been complaining, and if we complain without doing anything about it, they would ask why you are sitting on the fence. I know some solid political and culture activist who have attempted to get into politics that couldn’t make it; I couldn’t make it and I am not ashamed to say so. Twice, I attempted to get into the House of Representatives, and intraparty intricacies played out and I couldn’t compromise; you cannot compromise cheating, lying, subverting the will of the people or imposition all because you want to be in a position. People want to be seen as Lords, they want to steal as much money to buy as

CELEBRATION much cars they want and you can see the pedestranisation of the Nigerian masses and they become low brow entities that run after 10 naria. We are not for this in Nigeria, you have to set standards for the people in Nigeria and our children in the future. We have to tell Nigerians that all those people who are creating entanglements for the future generation are the people who at this particular moment in the history of Nigeria are diluting the true democratization process in this country – opportunist politicians. I will not support any unholy attitude from an aspirant.

Do you support journalists who want to go into politics?

Yes, of course, that was why I did it. When we were going into politics, some people were skeptical, somebody said I should concentrate on the songs I do on television. Now, we have a whole lot of entertainers going into politics, but I have gone to ask them, what mission are you bringing into politics?

How were you able to manage the home front with trailer load of engagements outside?

Let me first appreciate my parents, late Chief Samuel Tomoloju and my mother Funmilayo Tomoloju, she is alive and kicking; they made me a breed, a noble kind and they always tutored me on the significance of the name Tomoloju. I am married to Adama Abose Tomoloju, an indigene of Auchi, born and bred in Lagos. I appreciate her, because she has the melo-temperament to accommodate the fiery nature of an artist and I think she is a stabilizing force in my life, I am so lucky that all the sides of me that I turned to my wife, she has faith in me, she keeps a safe distance from my place of work; we go to social parties together.

Sometimes if I am attending an art event, it is only when it’s so necessary that she comes with me, she has a diploma in mass communication, a business woman and the mother of my three children: Tolulope, a graduate of English, Olamide, a mass communication graduate, and Damilola the only girl a graduate of Botany currently serving. Some of them are creatively inclined, but they don’t come to me unlike outsiders. I acknowledge that they have been able to create a very conducive environment for me to blend creativity with domesticity.

You pioneered art culture journalism, what made you leave and move on shortly thereafter?

After my departure from the newsroom, I didn’t leave journalism. If you have four generations of editors working under you, why should I sit on their future? l wouldn’t allow them to come up and concerning myself, what I would have wanted at the stage I left in 1993 was to be given other assignments above the level of being a deputy editor. The structure in the newsroom should have accommodated the flourishing of new ideas developing the minds of experts in the editorial department, but instead of these it was as if I should be a jobber; I want to do a job that will make me add value to the society and it has been won-

• Tomoloju

derful since I left.

What next for you at 60 What next is stock taking, I think with the support of my friends across generations, the stock taking has begun. I am not saying goodbye. One should be conscious because when you are getting older, you are closer to the grave, you do the right thing; create legacies that people will remember you for. We will take stock of what we have done, and probably a bit more writing of greater dimension to encapsulate all the values that we have spent a life time building, there will be bigger values.

Why did you decide not to follow the gown aspect of your profession, at least with your artistic output, you should have bagged professorship by now?

Other societies outside Nigeria allow for a certain category of professorship but Nigeria does not; I am not a professor, I am a free thinker and so I move in all directions and I tap from all areas where knowledge is breathing and I don’t claim to be omniscient to be equipped to capture all the bodies of knowledge. I am a free thinker who independently writes in a studied way with a degree of authoritativeness. I thank God for a lot of scholars that have acknowledged my output, particularly in Nigeria like Soyinka; those who are winning the laurels are the most unassuming members of the literary muse and the most self-working. You should work for it and earn it but don’t turn it into an exhibitionist fact in life. That can easily diminish the value of the status.

Two of your works were turned into movies, were you satisfied with the output?

I was quite satisfied with ‘Askari’. Before it was aired, one of the artists, who acted in the

‘After my departure from the newsroom, I didn’t leave journalism. If you have four generations of editors working under you, why should I sit on their future? l wouldn’t allow them to come up and concerning myself, what I would have wanted at the stage I left in 1993 was to be given other assignments above the level of being a deputy editor’

movie said, this film was shot in 1997 and he appraised it that it has outlived some of the movies that were shot and I am satisfied.

‘Aminatu’ is work in progress, in fact, it is supposed to be an epic dimension, it is not released because the format is not fully intact and so we may have to relay it into series, which happens when you have production impatience and I don’t want it to come out wrongly. As a critic, I want things down right.

Message for Nigerians at 60 My message for Nigeria is that we should exercise modesty, charity and altruism in everything that we do. We should not forget that this life is short and the value lies in the quality of legacy handed over to the next generation. Let everybody know that even tomorrow has every right today.

What is your take on the line-up of activities to mark your 60th birthday?

The committee of friends is fully in-charge in terms of artistic, cultural and academic aspects of the celebration and I can only appreciate them.

I did not contribute one kobo, they only take me around and ask me to sit in a place to record, I can only say that God will reward them. Whatever comes from the celebration, I carry it with a sense of humility, and I will carry it like an instrument of God for humanity. In the morning of December 18, we will have family breakfast, then thanksgiving in church and then rush to Freedom Park. But on Friday and Saturday is full blown mystification of whatever phenomenon they want to unleash on the public in my honour and let it go inspiring and blessing for everybody. I love it that I keep this company and I pray that God will continue to bless them.

The critical and status conferral dimension to journalism should be based on fundamental principles and there should be no patronisation of anybody, the more patronising you are, the more important they feel.

Like Bayo Onanuga said about his political journalism career, that he wants his own brand of journalism that will make political leaders feel uncomfortable, which will make them sit up. They will respect you more as an art journalist if you are sound in criticism, creative in reporting, friendly in appreciation, but not patronising.

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

The Midweek Magazine Group promotes Yoruba heritage in Europe

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘The task of revamping, resuscitating and rejuvenating of the cultural identity, norms and moral traditional values which distinguish the Yoruba race from the others is necessary accomplished mission. It is in this line that I urge all of us to see the intrinsic necessity in teaching our children our culture, tradition, values and mores.

These are what make and distinguish us from others’

T

O take Yoruba culture and identities worldwide, Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) National Coordiantor Otunba Gani Adams has inaugurated three chapters of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in France, Sweden and Cyprus.

With the inauguration, the list of countries where OPU is has risen to 52. In Sweden, the inauguration was held at Gothenburg, attended by over 2,500 Yoruba and their friends.

The inauguration of the France Chapter was held at Boulevard De Liberation, St Denis, Paris. Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, His Excellency Hakeem Olawale, was represented by the Head of Chancery, Olumide Olowo.

Otunba Adams, who was represented by a delegation led by the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun said: “It is imperative on us, as true sons of Oduduwa to rise up and quash the scientific and systematic obliteration of the pristine Yoruba cultural heritage and value, particularly among the new generation of the Yoruba in the Diaspora.”

Also in the delegation were Captain Abiodun Adesina, Chairman, Freelance Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) Lagos Chapter, Mr Abiodun Abayomi Mate and two other journalists.

He noted that it is a task, which if ‘we fail to do, will bring upon the present generation generational curses and denouncement by the next generation and generations yet unborn.’

In a speech by Captain Adesina, Otunba Adams said any race which out of sheer carelessness, irresponsible despondency

•Adams

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

HERITAGE and unbridled complacency allows cultural imperialism, vogue, modernisation and social indoctrination to wash away its intrinsic cultural heritage, traditional values, norms and mores, will heap on itself irremediable generational curse and odium from generations yet unborn.’

“And I cannot be part of this generation and allow this omen to come to fruition; hence, I have taken this burden of Yoruba cultural rejuvenation, sustainability and enhancement upon myself in alliance with you all.

“Some of you may be complacent and careless about your children embracing other people’s cultures without having a grasp of your own. It may be expedient now, but very soon, the children will have cause to blame and even curse you by the time they failed to culturally identify themselves, which may subject them to being ridiculed and embarrassed as children of no culture, no tradition, no value and identity,” he added.

Otunba Adams, however, warned that

if Africans in the Diaspora fail to aggressively address the deliberate cultural imperialism being launched in a systematic destructive process by the western world in the name of vogue and modernism, the continent will wake up one day to find out that its culture and values have been obliterated from the socio- cultural map of the world.

Continuing, he said: “This is why we have inaugurated the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in 52 countries of the world and we will not rest until OPU is launched any where under the firmament where the scion of Oduduwa lives and recreates.

“On my own, I have decided to defend the cultural integrity and heritage of the Oduduwa race without entertaining any fear or favour.

“The task of revamping, resuscitating and rejuvenating of the cultural identity, norms and moral traditional values which distinguish the Yoruba race from the others is necessary accomplished mission. It is in this line that I urge all of us to see the intrinsic necessity in teaching our children our culture, tradition, values and mores.

These are what make and distinguish us from others.”

The event witnessed colourful presentation of Yoruba cultural dance, poems, display of Yoruba cuisines, cutting of the cake

by OPU members in Sweden spiced by ribcracking jokes from Mate, aka, Ifankalelluyah.

The Nigeria Ambassador to Sweden, His Excellency, Benedict Onochie-Amobi, who was represented by Mrs Jane Ndem described Otunba Adams as the standard light bearer of Nigerian cultural asset in the global forum.

The ambassador noted that without any point of equivocation and bias, Otunba Adams is the only Nigerian, who has strongly stoked the embers of Nigeria’s cultural revival on the international scene and in particular among Nigerians in the Diaspora.

The Ambassador said the embassy was not only proud of the vision and activities of Otunba Adams in the area of cultural rejuvenation and resuscitation, but happy that a Nigerian is going all over Europe showcasing the cultural heritage of his race.

“This singular move of Otunba Adams at showcasing the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race in Europe is setting in motion cultural revivalism among other Nigerian ethnic groups in the Diaspora.

“We are happy about this development, which is calling the attention of our people to the predicament, which our pristine culture, norms, values and traditional orientation are in, and ringing a wake up bell for all to hear and act. This is a new dimension to cultural nationalism and patriotism which is commendable.”

Onochie-Amobi assured Otunba Adams of the fullest support of the embassy, saying: “I am happy that the objective of OPU tallies perfectly with cross–cultural relation one of the reasons why Nigeria maintains an Embassy here.

“Your association apart from reviving and sustaining the Yoruba culture is also showcasing and selling Nigeria as a country of very rich diverse culture for tourism purposes.”

Coordinator, OPU, Sweden Chapter, Mr Victor Mobolaji Adewale called on his members to remain focussed in the pursuit of the objectives of the union.

He commended Otunba Adams for rising stoutly in defence of the cultural integrity and protecting the heritage of Oduduwa children from being consigned to the dust bin of forgetfulness and ocean of irremediable damage by invoking a cultural revolution, which has spread through 52 countries of the world.

When directors came for dinner

I

T was a night of glamour and honour at the Eko Hotel & Suites, on Victoria Island, Lagos as the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria had its yearly Directors Dinner . The event lived up to its expectations as members from different waaalks of life thronged the hall.

For the directors and the host, Chief Eniola Fadayomi, the President/ Chairman in council, it was a befitting celebration and time to appreciate the support of members. The institute has done well for itself in actualising its goal of becoming the premier institute in the corporate sector.

Mrs. Fadayomi said the appointment of a Director- General/CEO and Heads of Department between May and June, was part of the restructuring of the Institute’s secretariat to boost its service delivery. She reiterated the high demand of the Company’s Direction Course 1, as the most favoured among directors for corporate governance and directors development, the introduction of company’s direction Course 2 for continuous professional development, and stated that the launch of the IoD Nigeria Advanced Company Direction Programme( ACDP) in London marked another major milestone in the history of the Institute.

Mrs Fadayomi expressed satisfaction at the creation of the IoD Register of Independent Directors by the IoD Nigeria Governing Council, which will enable the Institute to establish a comprehensive database of directors who possess effective business leadership skills, sound boardroom experience and have a high regard for corporate governance.

Also, the Institute upped its ante when it partnered with Pricewater House Coopers (PwC) to establish the Nigerian Corporate Governance Network in July 2014 to improve its service delivery on contemporary govern-

•Mr Yemi Akeju, Chief Eniola Fadayomi, Mrs Ohiwerei, Mr Felix Ohiwerei and Chevalier Uduimo Itsueli, at the dinner

AWARD ance issues. This was after IoD Nigeria joined the African Corporate Governance Network ( ACGN), an umbrella body of all Institute of Directors in Africa. Also, within the year, the Institute had positively impacted in the business community via two successful conferences tagged Women Directors ConferencesWomen as Leaders; Discovering the Authentic Leadership and the 2014 annual Directors conferences themed- Imperatives of Good Governance in promoting Investment Opportunities.

Beyond the achievements of the institute, however, the dinner was an opportunity to

honour members who have distinguished themselves in the corporate world and have become a reference point. For Mr Tony Elumelu, Mr Felix Ohiwerei, Chief Lugard Aimiuwu and Mrs Ifueko Omoigui- Okauru, the night was a fitting commendation for their achievements, which were recognised via nominations and recommendations from members of the institute and endorsed by the Governing Council Committee. They have accorded themselves the status of a living legend through their pedigree and proven track record and have created a positive paradigm shift in the business community earning them commendations from far and near. Each of the

four awardees were awarded in four different categories which are: Mr Felix Ohiwerei was awarded IoD Anofi Guobadia Award for Leadership and Excellence, Chief Lugard Aimiuwu was awarded the Director Development Award, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui- Okauru the award for Good Governance and Mr Tony Elumelu, the Entrepreneurial Award.

On behalf of the awardees, Mr Tony Elumelu, gave appreciation of the awards.

He called on other successful directors and CEO’S to invest in grooming Africa’s next set of entrepreneurs, stating that this is the gateway to wealth creation and improved security in the country.

55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

SHOWBIZ Actress Luise Rainer dies at 104

H

O L L Y W O O D golden era actress, Luise Rainer, has died at the age of 104. She is famed for being the first consecutive winner of Oscars in the 1930s. The Germany-born star was named best actress in 1936 and 1937 - a feat achieved by only five actors in Academy Awards history to date.

Rainer was married twice, and second husband Robert Knittel died in 1989 after their marriage of 44 years. The couple had one daughter, Francesca Knittel-Bowyer, who said her mother had died from pneumonia at her London home.

“She was bigger than life and could charm the birds out of the trees. If you saw her, you’d never forget her,” she said.

As an actress, her achievement made her a force in the golden age of Hollywood cinema, but was also a curse, making her last major film in 1943.

Rainer settled in London and made occasional appearances on film and TV. She appeared in US small screen series, The Loveboat in 1984, while her last substantial film role came in 1998, playing opposite Michael Gambon and Dominic West in The Gambler.

The actress appeared in a number of German films before being talent-spotted by Hollywood studio MGM and making her debut in 1935. Rainer spent much of her post-Hollywood life living in London Just a year later she scooped an Academy Award for her performance in The Great Ziegfeld, playing the legendary theatrical impresario’s wife.

In one famous scene, her face was tear-stained as she congratulated her former husband on his marriage to another actress.

The following year, her portrayal of a Chinese peasant in The Good Earth won her a second statuette, at a time when Oscar winners were disclosed some time before the ceremony.

After clashing with MGM over a lack of artistic freedom and losing out to Ingrid Bergman in Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom The Bell Tolls, she broke her contract with them.

Other actors to have collected consecutive acting awards are Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Jason Robards and Tom Hanks.

• Luise Rainer

African musicians dazzle at AFRIMA

L

AST Saturday, notable stars gathered at the Grand Ball Room of Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, to celebrate outstanding musical talents across Africa.

For the hosting of event, the organisers chose no less a person than top Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, aka 2face, who was ably assisted by Democratic Republic of Congo’s beauty and broadcaster, MadingoSona Maria.

The well attended event that had internationally recognised African stars such as DJ Arafat (Cote D’Ivoire); Mi Casa (South Africa); Buffalo Souljah (Zimbabwe); Ahmed Soultan (Morocco); Laurette La Perle (Democratic Republic of Congo); Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania); Betty Akna (Equatorial Guinea); Radio and Weasel (Uganda); Lawi (Malawi); Dama Do Bling (Mozambique); Wiyaala (Ghana); Davina Green (Zimbabwe); Cindy Munyavi (Zimbabwe); MC Mahjoul (Algeria); Elani

By Mercy Micheal

(Kenya) and Dear Zim (South Africa) among Nigerian top stars and socialites who witnessed the breathtaking performances from stars like 2face Idibia, Davido and Oritse Femi.

Among the winners, budding Ghanaian talent, Wiyaala who won two of the coveted 23.9-carat goldplated trophies for The Most Promising Artiste in Africa and The Revelation of the African Continent, stole hearts with her acceptance speech. The young singer wished that the recognition of her talent will inspire other young girls in her home town to pursue their dreams.

“I hope my award influences those young girls in my village who are being married to men very early to pursue their dream. I come from a very small village where there is no electricity. So this award means a lot to me and I appreciate it,”she said.

Other young talents whose talents were

recognised include Nigerian hit maker, OlawaleAshimi, aka Brymo, who also won award for Songwriter of The Year.

Brymo revealed where he got his inspiration from when he said; “I will like to dedicate this award to my lovely girlfriend, Ese, for always being there for me.”

Davido took home two awards, including Song of the Year and African Artiste of the Year. However, guests were left wondering why he did not come out to receive any of his awards, despite his presence at the show.

Bez, on the other hand got Video of the Year.

Olamide’s effort in his album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was rewarded with Album of the Year.

The award which had the backing of sponsors like Diamond Bank, P&G among others is geared towards peace, economic integration and growth in the African continent, using music as a tool.

• Wiyaala receives her award

Tunde Kelani’s film for community cinemas

T

O promote community cinema during the yuletide period, Mainframe Productions will be exhibiting one of its latest films, Yeepa in Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos State.

The film will be screened from December 25, 2014 to January 4, 2015 at the Havens Lounge on Sagamu Road, opposite Mallo Filling Station, beside LASPOTECH, Ikorodu; Mambillah Hotel at 6, Omodisu Street, off Isawo Road, Agric, Ikorodu, D’jos Hotel, Ijede and Ambassador’s Hotel, Bayeku, Igbogbo, Ikorodu.

The movie screening is a joint project of Mainframe Productions and a Lagosbased cinema and culture promotion outfit, Shoots

• Tunde Kelani

By Kunle Akinrinade

Perspectives.

A statement issued by the brains behind the initiative, Steven ‘AnuAdesemoye reads: “Shoot Perspectives brings community cinema to Ikorodu and its environs with the screening of Yeepa, a new flick from the renowned filmmaker- Tunde Kelani. This is to bring cinema experience closer to the residents of Ikorodu this yuletide season with the screening of this film, which is centered on the intrigues and dynamics of local government administration in Nigeria.

“The choice of Yeepa, a satire, during this festive period is to encourage the reemerging cine culture, a family bonding, mental re-

newal and stress management. The film is an adaptation of Yeepa Solarinnbo, a play written by Prof. Femi Osofisan based on Isola, a rascally and unreliable man who is mistaken for the formidable Public Complaint Commissioner, Solarin, by the corrupt officials of local government council areas.

His presence causes anxiety and panic among the officials, and they make desperate efforts to out-do each other so as to pacify the visitor. The flurry of activity to cover their misdeed exposes the high level of corruption and rot that is prevalent in the local council,” he added.

The movies parades seasoned actors like Bayo Bankole, Ropo Ewenla, Ayo Mogaji, Ebun Oloyede, Joke Muyiwa among others.

Ushbebe stages Tight Shot photography challenge

C

ELEBRATED Nigerian comedian and OAP, Justice Nuagbe, better known as Ushbebe recently held a photography challenge for up and coming photographers tagged Tight Shot.

Package by his Pride Rock outfit, the challenge, according to the artiste, was created to give the upcoming photographers and models the chance to explore their talent and produce creativity in the art of photography.

After two weeks of rigorous search and adjudication, the finals were held on December 17 in Gbagada as a mini concert.

Hosted by Osi of the Beat FM, the grand finale featured performances from Joel, Monica Ogah, Cdq, Mbryo of Rugged Records as well as Tee Blaq.

According to Ushbebe,

By Ovwe Medeme

the desire to search for a budding photographer stems from the need to contribute his quota into the growing of Nigerian entertainment industry.

“As I continue to expand in the industry, I discovered that I had quite a number of aspiring photographers around me. So I asked myself what I could do to help them and the industry grow. That was how I came up with this idea.

This is the first edition and we are looking forward to having many more editions after this,” the comedian stated.

According to him, it doesn’t just end with the competition. He revealed that the entire process is being put into a TV series that will begin airing in the first quarter of next year.

For the winner of the competition, Aderiye Rachel, participating in it was worth the effort. “It felt really good winning the competition. It wasn’t that easy because I had to pay for a lot. I put my all into the shoot and I was just positive about winning because I did everything I could. It was really a nice experience because I was able to challenge myself and I am very happy that such competition is in Nigeria,” she said.

As winner, Rachel went home with a generator set, Laptop and a promise of two weeks national photography tour. She was also named official photographer for the media agency.

Judges for the competition were renowned photographer Hakeem Salaam and style expert Swanky Jerry.

• The winning photograph

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

56

MONEYLINK

CBN policy forces banks to divest from insurance subsidiaries

T

HE decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reverse universal banking licenses has forced banks to divest insurance subsidiaries unless they opt for the holding company structure, Head , African Markets at FBN Cpital, Olubunmi Ashaolu has said.

In an emailed report, he explained that the policy shift led both GT Bank and Union Bank of Nigeria to sell off their insurance companies.

He said: “At the end of November France’s Axa announced that it had acquired a 77 per cent interest in Mansard Insurance, formerly GTAssurance, for 198 million Euros.

Axa is not the first foreign entrant into the Nigerian market. It joins Old Mutual (Oceanic Insurance), Sanlam (FBN Life Assurance), NSIA Participations (ADIC Insurance) and Greenoaks Global Holdings (Union Assurance). Axa has taken the welltrodden path to insurance companies in sub-Saharan Africa, following Swiss Re in Kenya (Apollo Investments) and Prudential in Ghana (Express Life).”

The main driver, he added, has been the positive demographics and rising household incomes across Africa, sometimes dressed up as the emergence of the middle class.

He said the new national accounts with a base year of 2010 were helpful in this respect. The same investment rationale, he added, can be applied to banks, retail, telecoms, consumer goods, manufacturing and advertising.

“South Africa’s Sanlam views Nigeria as one of its star markets in Africa, noting that the operation achieved breakeven after little more

Dickson lauds Sterling Bank’s expansion policy

B

Stories by Collins Nweze

than two years. It cited figures showing that insurance penetration stands at about 10 per cent in South Africa yet less than two per cent in Nigeria. It might have added that the authorities are supportive, and we give the example of the requirement for all companies with at least five employees to provide life cover. “Foreign companies can own insurance firms in full, and we can see their becoming the dominant players in the industry within this decade. This is obviously not the case with banking. The industry regulator, the national insurance commission (NAICOM), reported a total of N258 billion in gross premium income for 2013 and expects N1 trillion for 2018. The CME has projected

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele N5 trillion within 10 years.”

He said NAICOM data for last year showed that the unlisted Leadway achieved the largest gross premium income (N41.8 billion). The next four are all quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange AIICO (N22.8 billion), Custodian and Allied (N20.5 billion), Continental Reinsurance (N13.8 billion) and Mansard (N13.6 billion).

AYELSA State Governor, Seriake Dickson at the week end, commended Sterling Bank for its strategic branch expansion policy aimed at taking its quality products and services closer to its customers.

The governor who stated this at the launching of new branch, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State also challenged financial institutions operating in the state to make their services more liberal for the people of the state to benefit.

The opening of the branch brings the total number of the bank’s branch to 175, complemented by 585 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) points and about 1000 Point of Sale (PoS).

Dickson, who spoke while commissioning a new branch of the bank, Plc in Yenagoa, decried a situation where some banks only show inter-

Mixed reactions trail N100 note

M

IXED reactions have contin ued to trail the new N100 note unveiled to commemorate 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation.

A man who identified himself simply as Mr. Oni, an insurance broker, said such notes, although valuable, involved high printing costs that would better be channeled into key areas of the economy such as agriculture and security.

He said enhanced security to resist counterfeiting, micro optics authentication feature and the Quick Response Code (QRC) features in the new note are expensive to produce and maintain, hence, the worry over how much of the nation’s already dwindling funds would have to go into the production of the notes per year.

Abiola Beckley, a banker said the

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

printing of new naira notes will not in any way increase the value of the naira nor lead to economic growth and development, which are the basic things the government should focus on.

Mr. Chris Oke said: “Despite the pertinence of commemoration of historical events, the country would be better off if the resources used for this unplanned and unbudgeted occurrence, had been put into savings for the coming year’s budget or invested in validating this inflated economy.”

Other concerned citizens, including traders and commercial motorists admire the aesthetics of the note but decried the lack of publicity given to

it and its features.

An Ogba based bus conductor, Ismail Rasaq, expressed surprise at the sight of the note, claiming that he did not know of the existence of any note.

Another bus conductor outrightly refused to accept the new note as transport fare, claiming he knew nothing about the new note and could not risk accepting fake currency.

Persuasions from other passengers did nothing to assuage his fears as he preferred to give ‘change’ to the passenger holding N500 note than to accept the N100 note. Other passengers on the bus, however, pushed to own a copy of the new note, begging to exchange the old for the new, and making proclamations to keep the note, rather than spend it.

est in the collection of deposits from their customers without doing anything to better their financial standing.

Describing Bayelsa as Nigeria’s best kept secret; the governor reiterated his administration’s determination to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

While thanking the management of the bank for heeding to his earlier call, Dickson urged other financial and private institutions to emulate the bank in building befitting corporate offices to enhance the development of the state.

Expressing confidence in the partnership existing between the state government and the bank, he however, asked the lender to work out modalities that would create wealth and employment opportunities for Bayesians.

He said: “I am confident that by opening this branch, more of our people will have access to the opportunities and services that your bank provides.

I’m keenly monitoring and will like to have a report in no distant time that business people in this state and those involved in the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will continue to benefit from your facilities.

“And I dare say I challenge you to prove in no distant time that you are not like other banks that come to Bayelsa only to collect deposits. I want to see that you are also in the business of giving facilities (loans) and encourage the development of indigenous businesses in Bayelsa State.

“I’ve no doubt that, as you continue to do so, we, your partners in government will continue to create the enabling environment as we have done to encourage you and all other well meaning partners.”

DATA BANK AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

152.19 9.17 1.12 1.19 2,237.65 1.39 1,710.65 1,092.63 115.26 121.16 1,117.51 1.1841 1.2569 0.7009 1.1047

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 10/12/2014 3/12/2014 1/12/2014 1,116.70 1.7777 1.2569 0.6899 1.1047

GAINERS AS AT 30-12-14

SYMBOL VONO RTBRISCOE CHAMPION GUINNESS CAVERTON CONTINSURE UBN UNILEVER NB NAHCO NESTLE

O/PRICE C/PRICE 0.98 1.07 0.69 0.75 6.49 7.00 159.45 170.00 3.30 3.49 0.94 0.99 7.80 8.19 34.10 35.80 161.00 169.00 4.73 4.96 995.00 1,043.00

CHANGE 0.09 0.06 0.51 10.55 0.19 0.05 0.39 1.70 8.00 0.23 48.00

LOSERS AS AT 30-12-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

OANDO UBA FCMB PZ COSTAIN ACCESS PORTPAINT DANGFLOUR SKYEBANK TRANSCORP DIAMONDBNK

19.00 4.94 2.80 24.55 0.81 7.10 4.30 4.79 2.94 3.78 5.69

17.15 4.50 2.66 23.33 0.77 6.75 4.09 4.56 2.80 3.60 5.42

CHANGE -1.85 -0.44 -0.14 -1.22 -0.04 -0.35 -0.21 -0.23 -0.14 -0.18 -0.27

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: November

7.9%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b) Money Supply (M2)

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$36.8b

US Dollar

167

168

$61.12

Pounds Sterling

261.9395

263.508

Euro

206.2617

207.4968

171.546

172.5732

Yen

1.3838

1.3921

CFA

0.2944

0.3144

242.3484

243.7996

Yuan/Renminbi

27.1505

27.314

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES December 29, 2014

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

Swiss Franc

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

WAUA Tenor

17-12-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 18-12-14

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

Riyal

44.4906

44.757

1M

11.94

12.18

SDR

243.2856

244.7424

3M

13.08

13.33

6M

14.03

14.17

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

165.29

165.29

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

Parallel ($/N)

185.50

185.50

0

Dec. 18, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

13.65

T-bills - 182

13.88

T-bills - 364

13.65

Bond - 3yrs

13.81

Bond - 5yrs

13.85

Bond - 7yrs

13.83

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

57

BUSINESS EXTRA

Govt loses N10b yearly to fraud, says Minister O VER N10 billion is lost yearly to prolif eration of illegal survey documents and violation of the information technology (IT) systems by fraudulent persons at the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Bala Muhammed said yesterday.

He, however, said President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has approved a new system to enhance revenue generation and block the leakages in AGIS. Reviewing this year in Abuja, Muhammed said the activities “have led to cases of double allocations, land racketeering and forgery with estimated racketeering

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

business at over N10 billion”.

According to him, Jonathan commissioned 10 projects in the Federal Capital Territory this year.

A statement endorsed by the Asst. Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, said the government upgraded engineering infrastructure to Apo/Garki Resettlement Village, Abuja (Lot II-Water supply) as well as to Apo/Garki Resettlement Village, Abuja (Lot IRoad Works).

The minister added that the construction of primary infrastructure to National As-

sembly Owner Occupier Housing Scheme at Dape District, Abuja as well as supply and installation of Laser Automated Burglary Alarm System at Gudu District, Abuja have also been completed.

He said: “The idea was muted due to the incessant reports of proliferation of illegal survey documents, violation of the IT systems by fraudulent persons making the government to lose over N10 billion annually. The FCT Administration has launched new AGIS Systems Infrastructure to block the menace.”

The minister added that the upgrade now provides AGIS Back-up data centre and state-of-the art 2013/2014

Models Geo-Media Satellite Imagery equipment that covers the entire FCT and some neighboring states.

He said during the year, the FCT Executive Committee reorganised the Abuja Central Medical Stores to enhance the procurement, storage and distribution of drugs, laboratory reagents, medical gases and other specialised medical items to all FCT Administration Hospitals.

“The approval is to further ensure regular supply of quality and cost-effective medical supplies to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory in consonance with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan,” he added.

• From left: Legal Division, Hassan Osuwa; Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises,Bank of Industry (BoI), Waheed Olagunju; Executive Director, Lagos and West, FirstBank, Gbenga Shobo; and General Manager, Small and Medium Enterprises, BoI, Abdul-Ganiyu Mohammed, at the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between FirstBank and BoI to fund SMEs in agric and allied businesses ... yesterday.

T

Fed Govt misses 5,000Mw electricity generation target

HE Federal Govern ment has failed to meet its target of generating and supplying 5,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricity to Nigerians by end of this year. Today is the last day of 2014.

Although there is a slight improvement in the generated power, it is still 887.71Mw less than the promised target.

But the Transition Electricity Market (TEM) will take effect from tomorrow, according to Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo.

Out of the 4,112.29Mw that the electricity generation companies produced as at December 29, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was able to evacuate

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

4,034.48Mw. It was unable to wheel 77.81Mw, according to statistics of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) on the website of the Federal Ministry of Power yesterday.

According to the data, the energy generation was 4,112.29mw while the market hit a peak energy generation of 4,389.70Mw on December 29.

With the statistics, the electricity market has soared within nine days in terms of power transmission from 3,666.7Mw to 4,034.48Mw. This shows that in the pe-

riod under review, the market raised energy sent out by 367.78Mw. The market also increased energy generation by 277.41MW, as the power generation in the penultimate statistics of December 21 was 3,732.27Mw. In terms of peak power generation, the market rose from the 3,912.3 on December 21, to 4,389.70 Mw. In the history of the NESI, the highest peak power generation ever was the 4,517.6 Mw achieved December 23, 2012.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said its new Multi-

Year Tariff Order (MYTO) will be effective from tomorrow.

Residential customers, according to the commission, will be exempted from the tarriff hike that will affect other categories of electricity consumers across the nation.

Prof. Nebo had said by January 1, 2015, the Transition Electricity Market (TEM) would take effect.

The ministry’s spokesman Mr. Timothy Oyedeji,said the vesting agreements in the market will become operational and become sacrosanct from tomorrow.

He said the stakeholders would begin to trade by the contracts they signed into.

Angola to further cut fuel subsidies on low oil prices

A

NGOLA, Africa largest oil producer behind Nigeria, plans to keep decreasing fuel subsidies next year after it raised gasoline and diesel prices by 20 per cent last week, President Jose Eduardo dos Santos said Speaking in his year-end address in the capital, Luanda, Dos Santos said: “2015 will be economically difficult because of significantly low oil prices. Some public expenditures will be reduced and some projects

postponed. For example, subsidies for fuel prices.”

Oil futures fell 44 per cent this year, set for the biggest annual drop since 2008, as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) resisted supply cuts to defend market share in response to the highest United States (U.S.) output in three decades.

Angola’s government relies on oil for more than three quarters of its revenue, and falling prices prompted the southwest African country to

scale back investment plans.

Angola raised the price of gasoline to 90 kwanzas ($0.88) a liter last week from 75 kwanzas, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. Diesel climbed to 60 kwanzas per liter from 50 kwanzas.

Dos Santos said: “Tougher state-budget controls and financial discipline will have to be enforced to keep stability.

However, we will maintain our poverty-reduction policy.

There are Angolans who live with very little or almost noth-

ing.”

The country is recovering from a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002. The government posted a 1.5 per cent budget deficit last year, the first since 2009 when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) began a $1.4 billion loan programme to help Angola weather oil prices that fell to $33 a barrel. This year’s budget deficit is expected to reach two per cent and the fiscal balance won’t be in surplus until 2019, The IMF said in March.

During the year, the FCT Administration carried out Needs Assessment of people living with HIV in the FCT with the aim of identifying indigent members, economic status, current level of care and additional services and support requirements.

The minister said the FCT Administration within this year formulated and came out with FCT Waste Management Policy to holistically manage both solid and liquid waste within the 8,000 square kilometers of the FCT. Mohammed also said this

policy enabled the FCT Administration to manage various forms of waste not only in the Federal Capital City but also in the six Area Councils including the Satellite Towns in consonance with the vision of the Transformation Agenda of President Jonathan.

“This is in addition to official launch of the eight brand new mechanical sweepers, four mechanical litter pickers as well as two new rollon roll-off trucks to improve the sanitary standard of Abuja metropolis,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

58

NEWS

Al-Makura: there’s no problem with my health

N

ASARAWA State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has dismissed the rumour that his health was deteriorating.

The governor, who spoke through his Director of Press, Yakubu Lamai, blamed the insinuation on the handiwork of attention-seeking politicians.

Al-Makura said he was hale, hearty and alive.

From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Abuja

In a statement in Lafia, the state capital, the governor said he was reacting to the rumour because many people were making mischief out of the situation.

He said there was no truth in the rumour, adding that the people were being fed with lies through the various media platforms.

The statement reads:

“Given the fact that we live today in an era of information chatter, where people are constantly bombarded with countless competing messages from various media platforms - ranging from television, radio to online sources - it sometimes becomes necessary to clarify and buttress what is true from what is a lie.

“In this regard, our attention has been drawn to

rumours being peddled, mostly online and by word of mouth, that the health of Governor Al-Makura is at risk or in question.

“We wish to assure the entire citizens of Nasarawa State and confirm with clarity that Governor AlMakura is alive, hale and hearty and in excellent health.

“We recognise that this is an election campaign period

and publicity strategists are likely to use every available tool to gain public attention, including the peddling of unfounded rumours about His Excellency’s health.

“But Governor Al-Makura is no stranger to political campaigns, and he appeals to all and sundry to concentrate on making the ongoing campaigns and the forthcoming elections issuebased.”

Gowon, Obasanjo urge Nigerians to emulate Lambo

F

ORMER Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim have urged Nigerians to emulate former Health Minister, Prof Eyitayo Lambo.

The eminent Nigerians spoke at Lambo’s 70th birthday.

Gen. Gowon (rtd), urged Nigerians in public service to contribute to national development with integrity and good judgment, especially in the management of human and material resources.

The former leader noted that such people must work for the nation’s greatness for

Nigeria to take its place as a pacesetter in global affairs.

He noted that the former minister was “a capable administrator, who not only made well-thought out policies but also ensured that such policies were executed to the best of his ability”.

Gen. Gowon hailed “the leadership and support Prof.

Lambo gave the Carter Centre and the Yakubu Gowon Centre in the eradication of the guinea worm disease in Nigeria” in 2011.

He urged public office holders to imbibe the selfless attributes of Prof. Lambo, which he said, was anchored on integrity, sincerity, transparency and good judgement.

Alluding to the pioneering and pace-setting achievement of Prof. Lambo as Minister of Health, Gen. Gowon said: “The establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) stands as a worthy legacy to the celebrant and his time in public service.”

He added that Prof. Lambo “worked selflessly because he believes strongly that this great nation has the wherewithal to lead the world”.

Obasanjo, who was president when Prof. Lambo served as the Health Minister between 2003 and 2007, eulogised the celebrator’s professional accomplishments as an academic, health economist and health sys-

tems colossus.

He said: “In putting his knowledge and expertise to enrich public administration and governance, the nation has certainly gained more from the choice you made to move out of the Ivory Tower to the wider socio-political space where you have been rendering invaluable contributions to the country.”

Obasanjo, who was represented by a former Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Bamidele Dada, and his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, expressed gratitude to God “for sparing the life of Prof.

Lambo with good health and fortune and for the brilliant achievements he has re-

•Traffic gridlock on KetuIkorodu road in Lagos ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

corded over this period”.

Anyim said: “Prof. Lambo epitomises the highest ideals of excellence, diligence and integrity, contributing immensely to the development of Nigeria’s Health sector as the Minister of Health and one of the foremost medical economists in the world.”

Dignitaries at the event included Kogi State Governor Idris Wada and wife of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mrs. Titi Atiku Abubakar.

Prof Lambo’s colleagues in the Obasanjo administration on the occasion included former Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun; former Minister of Communications, Chief Cornelius Adebayo; former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) and former Sports Minister, Bala Kaoje.

Also, former Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Prince Olusola Akanmode; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Namibia, Dr. Biodun Olorunfemi; wife of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Eme Ekaette and a senator from Nasarawa State, Solomon Ewuga.

Billionaire businessmen Bashorun Jide Omokore and Tunde Ayeni, both from Kogi State; former Directors-General of the National Mathematical Centre, Prof. Sam Ale and the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Bamidele Solomon, were also present at the event.

Suswam presents N98b budget proposal to Assembly From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

B

ENUE State Govern Gabriel Suswam yesterday presented N98 billion to the House of Assembly as the 2015 budget proposal.

The governor said the revenue of the budget estimate was N98,545,599,853, with the recurrent expenditure put at N52,827,072,284. and the capital expenditure at N45,718,527,569.

Suswam explained that the drop in the proposal, as compared to the 2014 budget, was the result of the sharp decline in the statutory allocation to the state.

The governor said the decline was about 11 per cent of the 2014 budget.

He listed the budget sources as the Statutory Allocation, Value Added Tax and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Suswam said it was the earnest desire of his administration to block all revenue leakages to boost the revenue base of the state.

The governor urged the Assembly to consider the budget expeditiously for speedy passage.

He said the state government was evolving new and smarter policies to sustain the delivery of democracy dividends to the people.

Suswam attributed his achievements to the unparalleled cooperation he enjoyed from the two other arms of government – the Legislature and the Judiciary.

He urged them to sustain the tempo to enable him achieve greater things for the state.

Also, Speaker Terhile Ayua assured that despite the late presentation of the budget, the Assembly would consider it speedily for passage.

Ayua hailed Suswam for presenting the budget before the end of 2014.

Kebbi proposes N166.825b budget for 2015

Sambo reconciles angry Yobe PDP members

V

ICE President Mohammed Namadi Sambo yesterday reconciled aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State.

This followed the disagreement on the primary that produced former Minister of Police Affairs Adamu Maina Waziri as the party’s governorship flag bearer.

The reconciliatory meeting was held at the Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina House in Kaduna among PDP candidates from the state and other

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

aggrieved members, particularly those who contested the primaries on the platform of the party.

Sambo assured them that the PDP would consider all its aspirants for greater responsibilities when the party emerged victorious in the 2015 general elections.

The vice president hailed PDP members for putting aside their grievances and agreeing to work for the

party’s success.

He said: “You have set a good example for others to follow. Rather than engage in anti-party activities or defecting, you heeded my call, which primarily is aimed at sorting out the differences and agreeing on a common ground with a promise to work for the success of PDP, not only in Yobe State but also in the entire Northeast.

This is highly commendable and encouraging.

“With this step you have taken, I want to assure you

that all those who are aspirants under this great party will be considered for responsibilities. But the first thing must be done: that is, you must ensure the victory of the party at the polls by working as a team.”

The leader of the delegates, Dr. Abdu Bulama, who is also the Minister of Science and Technology, said: “Today is very important to the indigenes of Yobe State because reconciliation has finally been achieved among party members in the state.”

K

EBBI State Governor Saidu Dakingari has p r e s e n t e d N166,825,048,092 budget proposal to the House of Assembly for the 2015 fiscal year.

The budget comprises N126,888,545,719 capital expenditure and a recurrent expenditure of N39,939,502,373, indicating an increase of about N15 billion over the 2014 budget.

The budget, tagged: Making Economic Development a Reality for All, is expected to be financed with N179,298,352,20.

Dakinari, who was making his last budget presentation, explained that Kebbi State

From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi

had witnessed tremendous economic and social development over the years because of the prevailing peace in the state.

Other areas in which the governor said it had recorded success include the construction of an international airport, the recruitment of 4,000 teachers and the creation of 500 jobs for youths at the new airport.

He said a new Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Livestock Management had been created while extension services and fisheries would get priority attention in 2015.

Shettima presents N175b budget proposal to Borno Assembly

B

ORNO State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday presented a budget proposal of N175 billion for the 2015 fiscal year to the House of Assembly in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Shettima said the proposal,

tagged: Budget of Fulfilment, comprised N62 billion recurrent and N113 billion capital expenditures.

He explained that the budget would be financed through N98 billion statutory allocation, N39 billion inter-

nally generated revenue (IGR) and N38 billion capital receipts.

Shettima said the budget was aimed at completing ongoing projects and introducing viable ones that would have positive im-

pacts on the lives of the residents.

He said: “The main target is to improve the living standard of the people and boost the economy of the state.

“The budget is aimed at mobilising available re-

sources to ensure the attainment of targeted goals.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ministry of Works got the highest allocation of N23 billion.

The Ministry of Health got

N17 billion and the Ministry of Education N14 billion, to place second and third.

Others included the Ministry of Higher Education, N12 billion and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), N11 billion.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

NEWS Tinubu to Nigerians: glorious dawn beckons Continued from page 4

they can perpetuate their misrule of our much-abused country.”

According to him, next year will be one of the critical and momentous years in the country’s history.

“It must be a time to renew our hope in the possibilities of our country. Hope enables us to generate the strength to take the positive action as citizens to achieve the positive change Nigeria so badly needs today,” the former governor said.

He believes another Nigeria, “where focused, visionary and competent governance vigorously tackles corruption, insecurity, poverty and promotes peace, progress and prosperity for” all is attainable.

The politician also warned that the “stratospheric level of hunger, deprivation and inequality in the land will inevitably provoke a violent revolution,” if not urgently addressed.

But he claimed that Nigerians were already facing a situation difficult to distinguish from bloody revolution, adding: “It manifests in the armed robbery, kidnapping, communal conflicts, religious extremism, terrorism and ritual killings rampant in Nigeria today.”

However, the APC leader warned: “We have no choice but to be active participants in the common sense democratic revolution needed to salvage our country. It is a common sense revolution that must insist that legitimate power flows from the will of the people duly expressed in free and fair elections.

“Governments must assume and remain in power only at the pleasure of the people. That is the only way that democracy

can promote development by ensuring that government is responsible and accountable to the people. ”My message to our fellow countrymen and women is thus simple: this year must be one of eternal vigilance on the part of us all. This is the price we must pay for our democratic rights and liberties as citizens.

Let us make no mistake about it.

“The traumatic experience of the over 200 Chibok girls, who have remained in captivity for over six months, shows that plaintive cries to an impotent government to ‘bring back our girls’ have become insufficient.

“Rather, we must utilise the power of our vote to take back our country from the predators and scavengers in the corridors and bedrooms of power that currently hold her hostage.

This calls for eternal vigilance to exercise our vote and protect out sacred mandate at the polls.

“As the careless, reckless, irresponsible and highly suspicious handling of the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shown, every effort will be made to disempower voters by a sinking and desperate administration.

“Millions of voters across the country have been disenfranchised in the flawed process.

This subtle coup against the very foundation of democracy, voters’ power, must be challenged and resisted. Flaws in the process must be corrected.

“All eligible citizens must be enabled to exercise their inalienable right to vote for a government of their choice.

“This can only be achieved through eternal vigilance and persistence by the populace in

insisting that the entire electoral process must be free, fair, transparent and credible.

“Nigerians face a critical choice at the polls this year. We must vote for either continuity of the present decadent order or change. Yes, many state governments across the country have performed creditably in diverse sectors despite the meagre resources at their disposal, compared to the Federal Government.

“However, the PDP-controlled Federal Government, which controls the bulk of the country’s resources, has been an abysmal failure. It has failed to provide the necessary leadership for accelerated national development commensurate with its immense resources and its phenomenal powers under the present corruption. The Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Presidency in particular has been a catastrophic disaster.

“The country today has degenerated to unprecedented levels of global obloquy as a result of the prevalent repellent levels of corruption, impunity, insecurity and leadership mediocrity.

“The greatest need of the hour is a drastic change of direction at the national level. It is the emergence of a visionary, responsible, patriotic, purposeful and competent Federal Government that will diligently pursue the path of transparency, accountability, respect for the rule of law, true federalism and justice without which there can be no national transformation.

“As I wish the good people of Nigeria a Happy New Year, I urge us to rededicate ourselves to the realisation of the positive change on which the very survival of the country depends.

Eternal vigilance must be our watchword this year.”

2015: Jonathan gets bloody nose on corruption Continued from page 4

selves because they know that when you go there, you make money and become wealthy; ditto going to the legislature.

Yet people are suffering; there is no development. Corruption, kidnapping and the ills of the society have gone on the ascendency.

“Honestly, in terms of these governors, who has been arrested? We know about Oduahgate and the billions of naira that (former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor) Sanusi (Lamido Sanusi) alleged that was missing. The terrible thing is that the judiciary is not helping.”

Ali said the president’s actions, utterances and body language suggested that corruption does not exist in Nigeria.

The Ilorin-based legal practitioner said: “I have said this long time, no drive against corruption by the current government and that is quite obvious because the president believes

that there is no corruption in Nigeria.

“He believes that what is going on is petty stealing. So, if he doesn’t believe there is corruption, you can’t hold him for not driving any anti-corruption war. If somebody doesn’t believe there is a problem, then he would not be obliged to look for solution.”

The lawyer added: “Corruption makes all of us poorer in the short and long run. Even for those who are stealing our money, they are poorer; what is the essence of money you have stolen and you cannot

display whatever you have acquired with it? You build houses outside of Nigeria; you are not proud to tell people you have built such houses and you buy big cars and keep them as if they are items of antiquity.

“The saddest aspect is that when you take these monies out of Nigeria, you are malnourishing our economy and nourishing the economies of the countries that are already nourished. It is a-no win situation for those who are corrupt, those who condone it and the rest of us.”

Nigerians ’ll appreciate me Continued from page 4

According to him, “people do not often give credit to great men when they are still in charge.”

He also stressed that leaders globally get lambasted these days through the social media, lamenting that people often use new inventions for the wrong reasons.

He said he would not be distracted by criticisms as he would continue to give his best to the nation.

He said: “These days, leaders all over the world get lambasted a lot and the effect of the social media has made it worse. There are some inventions that are not used for the right reasons.

“The social media that is supposed to be used for positive things, is being used for something else. I don’t expect praises now, until I leave office.

“But I will do my best for our economy to continue to thrive despite the challenges in dwindling oil price and the security challenges.

“People don’t often give credit when the man is still

there. They often do it when he has left and another man is in charge. When they make comparison, they will begin to see the great things the former man did. ”We will continue to thank Nigerians for the opportunity given to us to serve and we will continue to do our best.”

The president told his visitors that he was on the seat by the grace of God and the willingness of Nigerians, adding: “If Nigerians didn’t want me to be here, when I contested elections in 2011, I wouldn’t be here. But they voted for us and we are here.”

Urging prayers from the delegation, the president said: “I’m your own. If I don’t do well, the shame will be on you.

And if I do well, you will take the glory. But I assure you, I will do my best.”

He thanked the delegation for their consistent support for his administration.

Dickson said they were in the State House to felicitate and solidarise with Jonathan and his family in the spirit of the festive season.

59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2014

60

FOREIGN NEWS

Another AirAsia scare as jet J overshoots runway OURNALIST Jet Damazo-Santos tweeted: “Just landed in kalibo on an AirAsia flight that overshot runway.

“Nobody seems to be hurt.

Weather was bad because of #senangph Plane came to a very abrupt stop.

“Engine was shut immediately, we were told to leave bags, deplane asap. Firetruck was waiting. Seems handled well.”

According to pictures tweeted by Ms Damazo-Santos, elderly passengers on

board the flight had their blood pressure checked after they disembarked the aircraft.

AirAsia said in a statement: “AirAsia Philippines confirms flight Z2272 from Manila skidded off the Kalibo International Airport runway at 5.43pm (8.43pm AEDT) upon landing.

“All 153 passengers and crew were able to disembark

safely, no injuries reported.

All passengers are now at a hotel assisted by AirAsia staff.”

AirAsia Zest is a domestic carrier, partly owned by AirAsia Philippines - the Philippine affiliate of AirAsia, a low-cost airline based in Malaysia.

The mystery of AirAsia flight QZ8501 which went missing on Sunday has been

solved after dozens of bodies were found in the Java Sea along with a “shadow” believed to be the stricken aircraft.

Just days ago, an AirAsia Zest plane developed a tyre problem in the central Philippine city of Tagbilaran while its 184 passengers and crew were boarding.

The airline then cancelled the flight to Manila.

Putin critic arrested at Moscow protest

R

USSIAN opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been arrested at a protest in Moscow, hours after being given a suspended sentence for fraud.

His brother Oleg had been given a three-and-ahalf-year prison term for the same offence.

Navalny had tweeted a picture of himself on the way to the Manezh Square rally and was later pictured there.

He says the charges were politically motivated and linked to his opposition to President Vladimir Putin.

Navalny had called on his supporters to “take to the streets” after the sentencing.

He then tweeted a selfie

on a metro carriage, with the caption: “House arrest- yes.

But today I really want to be with you. That’s why I’m going too Manezhka”.

Upon arriving at the rally, police detained the opposition leader and put him into a police van.

After his arrest, he sent a tweet saying that he “had not got as far as the square”.

“I call on everyone not to leave until they are forced to,” he said. “They cannot arrest everyone”.

Just before his arrest, he told reporters that his motivation was “not my brother, my family, myself or some specific people” but “this disgusting outrage

that has been going for many years”.

Television pictures from Manezh Square showed hundreds of people gathered in temperatures below -10C. Alexei Navalny was visibly angry when his brother Oleg was given a three-year custodial sentence for fraud.

He accused President Vladimir Putin of targeting his relatives in order to get to him.

Prosecutors had earlier demanded 10 years in prison for Alexei Navalny and eight years for his brother Oleg.

Alexei Navalny had been under house arrest since February as part of a five-year suspended sentence for the

Gambia government denies coup plot

T

HE Gambia’s government has denied there has been an attempt to overthrow President Yahya Jammeh while he is abroad.

A statement broadcast on state radio said that “contrary to rumours being circulated, peace and calm continue to prevail” in the West African state.

Heavy gunfire had earlier erupted near the presidential palace in the capital.

Mr Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994 and his critics accuse him of ruling with an iron-hand.

Diplomatic and military

sources said soldiers from the presidential guard appeared to have mounted the attack on the presidential palace in Banjul in the early hours of Tuesday.

Mr Jammeh has won four elections marred by allegations of rigging State radio had been off-air during the fighting, but resumed transmission later.

In radio statement, the announcer said “peace and calm continue to prevail” in The Gambia. “[The] government would like to urge the public and all businesses to continue with their normal activities,” it added.

The statement did not clarify Mr Jammeh’s whereabouts.

Some media reports say he is on a visit to France, while others say he is in Dubai.

In 2011, Mr Jammeh told the BBC he would rule The Gambia for “a billion years”.

He has won four disputed elections since taking power as a 29-year-old army officer.

Mr Jammeh is known for expressing bizarre views. In 2007, he claimed that he could cure Aids with a herbal concoction - a view condemned by health experts.

Later, he also claimed that he could cure infertility among women.

Haiti mandate extended over stalled elections

H

AITIAN President Michel Martelly has reached a deal with the senate and the chamber of deputies to avert a political crisis over long-delayed elections which sparked mass protests.

Officials said Mr Martelly had signed an agreement with the presidents of the two chambers to extend their mandate.

Lawmakers will now have to sign off on the deal.

If it is not passed, Haiti could be left without a functioning government once the mandates expire on 12 January.

Under the agreement, Haiti’s deputies would be extended in their posts until 24 April and senators until 9 September.

The deal comes just over

two weeks after Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe resigned in the wake of violent protest at the delayed elections.

Mid-term senate elections had been originally due in May 2012, while the municipal poll is three years behind schedule as Haiti slowly emerges from the earthquake which left much of the country devastated in 2010.

U.S. strike in Somalia ‘killed al-Shabab

A

LEADER of the alShabab Islamist group was killed by a US air strike on Monday, Somali officials say.

The intelligence chief, named as Abdishakur, was part of a unit responsible for suicide attacks, security officials said.

US defence chiefs did not confirm whether the alShabab leader had died.

Washington has supported an African Union (AU) force which has driven the fundamentalist group from strongholds across the coun-

try since 2011.

On Monday the US said it had targeted a “senior leader” of al-Shabab in the area of Saakow, about 320km (200 miles) west of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

In a statement, the defence department said it was “assessing the results of the operation”.

But Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency said on Tuesday that the air strike had killed a militant it identified as Abdishakur, also known as Tahliil.

It said he had just replaced al-Shabab’s former intelligence chief, who was arrested a few days ago.

The agency added that two other al-Shabab members had also died in the joint USSomali operation.

The development came three days after another top al-Shabab militant, Zakariya Ahmed Ismail Hersi, gave himself up to the Somali government.

Mr Hersi, a leading figure in the militant group’s intelligence wing, surrendered to police in the Gedo region.

alleged theft of 16m roubles from a timber firm in 2009.

He is the most high-profile opposition figure in Russia and came second in Moscow’s mayoral election last year, with 27% of the vote.

Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey transferred to London unit

•Cafferkey

A

HEALTH worker who was diagnosed with Ebola after returning to Scotland from Sierra Leone has arrived at a specialist treatment centre in London.

Pauline Cafferkey, who flew to Glasgow via Casablanca and London Heathrow, was taken to the Royal Free Hospital.

She is understood to have been flown to RAF Northolt in an air force plane after leaving Glasgow in a convoy.

Passengers on flights she took to the UK are being traced, but officials say the risk to the public is very low.

Ms Cafferkey was part of a group of up to 50 NHS healthcare workers who returned to the UK at the weekend after volunteering in Sierra Leone.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “doing as well as can be expected in the circumstances”.

Egypt urged to free al-Jazeera staff one year after

T

HE parents of one of the three alJazeera journalists jailed in Egypt are optimistic they will soon be released.

Speaking to the BBC on the first anniversary of their arrest, Peter Greste’s father said he was confident their convictions would be overturned.

Mr Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were sentenced to be-

tween seven and 10 years in June for spreading false news to help a terrorist group.

Later this week, a court will decide whether they have grounds for appeal.

The journalists strenuously deny collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military last year. They say they were jailed simply for re-

porting the news.

The court will tomorrow begin examining whether the proper legal procedures were followed in the case of the journalists and four Egyptian students who were convicted alongside them.

It could either uphold the guilty verdict given by the court which tried them earlier this year or quash it, in which case a retrial would be ordered.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

61

62

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Government must solve this problem. Nigerians cannot wait four years for road completion, fall in oil prices and oil sales or not’ VOL.9 NO.3081

TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

N an interview with Channels TV three Mondays ago, Dr. Doyin Okupe, a senior spokesman for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ), said the All Progressives Congress (APC), the country’s leading opposition party, made “a fatal error” by electing General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB), a former military head of state and serial loser in the country’s presidential elections since 2003, as its candidate for the February 14, 2015 presidential election.

General Buhari won his party’s presidential primaries, held on December 10 in Lagos, by a landslide, much to the surprise of most pundits who had forecast a tight race between him and former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar. Indeed, so confident was the Atiku camp of his victory that his able spokesman, Garba Shehu, boasted on the eve of the primary that his principal’s acceptance speech had already been written. Shehu, you may recall, had conducted the vice-president’s highly successful media war in 2007 against his estranged boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, “For you to know how confident we are,” Shehu said, “Oga’s acceptance speech has already been written. So we are winning.”

In the event, Shehu and his oga couldn’t have been more disappointed; not only did he lose to Buhari, he also lost to a much less fancied Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Governor of Kano State, who came a very distant second. The scores were 3,430 for the winner, 974 for the governor, 954 for the former VP, 624 for Rochas Okorocha, the Governor of Imo State, and 10 for Sam Nda-Isaiah, the publisher of Leadership.

The contrast between Buhari’s win and the coronation ceremony of President Jonathan as PDP’s candidate in Abuja on the same day couldn’t have been starker as a comparative study of the internal democracy of the two parties; the ruling party simply made it absolutely impossible for anyone to contest for its presidential ticket against the incumbent, inadvertently betraying a lack of confidence that the man can retain his ticket even in a rigged primary.

When Okupe said he knew Buhari’s election was “a fatal error” he of course meant it for APC. Buhari, like Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Obasanjo (whose spokesman he once was), he said, only reminded Nigerians of a past that was best forgotten. Well, contrary to Okupe’s wish, APC’s “error” may well turn out to be fatal, not for itself, but for PDP, which has ruled (misrule is more like it) this country since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999 - and has threatened to rule us much longer for at least the next half century.

Okupe’s remarks in the Channels interview merely echoed his master’s acceptance speech on his coronation as PDP’s candidate. “The choice before Nigerians in the coming election,” he said in the speech, “is simple: A choice between going forward or (sic) going backwards; between the new ways and the old ways; between freedom and repression; between a record of visible achievements and beneficial reforms and desperate power-seekers with empty promises.”

I do not have any opinion poll to back my belief, but I have no doubt that if Nigerians were free today to choose between the immediate and distant past Okupe has denigrated, on the one hand, and his principal’s present, on the other, the vast majority of them will prefer the past. Whatever those like Okupe who prefer the status quo may choose to believe, the fact is that Nigerians have never had it as bad as it has been in the last five years under President Jonathan, the good people of the oil producing Niger Delta region he comes from not ex-

RIPPLES ISIAKA IS A FAKE PDP CANDIDATE – BANKOLE

Fake Product?... then take his CASE to NAFDAC, not INEC.

People and Politics By MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Between GEJ’s today and GMB’s yesterday

•Jonathan

empted.

As Eric Teniola, a veteran reporter and now a frequent commentator, pointed out in a well researched piece, “Changing tide for the Niger Delta” in The Guardian (December 24), with the region blessed with a development commission (NDDC), a ministry and the Presidential Amnesty Programme, all being allocated princely sums that are the envy of most states in the country - not, above all, to mention a president who is a son of the soil - money has since ceased being an object for the region.

Yet, today the ordinary people of the region have not in any way been better off than they were in the past. On the contrary, they are probably worse off today, as they wallow in abject poverty in sharp contrast to the mindless opulence of a few of them who the president seems ever so proud to say, as he repeated during his fundraiser two Saturdays ago, he has made millionaires and billionaires and, who knows, even trillionaires.

Speaking on December 23 at the inauguration of the Enugu-Port Harcourt train service, the president repeated the statistical self-delusion, following the so-called rebasing of our Gross Domestic Product this year, that his administration has grown Nigeria’s economy into the biggest in Africa and one of the biggest in the world. “We have,” he said, “managed the economy such that it has risen to be the greatest economy in Africa and one of the biggest in the world.”

Obviously the president, in repeating this mantra about Nigeria’s new economic status, chose to ignore a report, issued by the UK-based Legatum Institute, a research organisation that documents annual prosperity indicators around the world, which listed Nigeria as 125th in poverty out of 142 countries the institute surveyed.

P

OPE Francis' Christmas Day informal intervention in strife in Nigeria, specifically the apparently religious war by Islamic fundamentalists under the banner of Boko Haram, should be cause for deep reflection by the presidency, which does not seem to be winning. It is noteworthy that the Goodluck Jonathan administration extended emergency rule in the troubled Northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe by another six months with no end to the destructive conflict in sight. There are indications that the insurgents have reviewed their strategy in a counter move to the government's approach, and their recent devastating penetration of military facilities demonstrated that they were not about to surrender or concede defeat.

So, when the new Vicar of Christ, elected on March 13, in his first "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and world) message on the theme of peace, called for a dialogue to resolve the violence, he was understandably speaking as a priest and perhaps without a clear understanding of the basic issues. It is certainly difficult to imagine a compromise on the part of the rebels, who have escalated hostilities since 2009 and callously terrorised the people with a view to imposing an Islamic theocracy, which amounts to an unacceptable contradiction of the secularity emphasised by the country's constitution. How do you talk with closed-minded des-

•Buhari

The report, issued on December 19, said: “Despite its latest status as Africa’s biggest economy, and its government’s claim of improved standard of living, Nigeria was not only one of the world’s least prosperous countries in 2014, but also one of Africa’s poorest, beaten by smaller nations like Niger, Benin, Mali and Cameroun... Remarkably, Nigeria failed to make the list of Africa’s top 10 most prosperous countries, a league dominated by Botswana and South Africa.”

Obviously this is not a record any leader who cares for the welfare and the happiness of his people would be proud of. As The Punch said in the conclusion of its strongly worded front page comment, “Jonathan’s N21 bn donation: Impunity taken too far,” (December 23), “It is all evident that Jonathan has failed badly to build a credible, honest and minimally effective government for almost half a decade that he has been president. This is regrettable indeed.”

Yet we are told that we should reject change and vote for the status quo next year when our yesterday seems all so much better than our today.

Of all the things the president said in his acceptance speech as PDP’s candidate, the most profound for me was one of the shorted paragraphs in the speech. “Our mission,” he said, “is to secure Nigeria’s future.”

On his current record of his abysmal failure to even secure our present, it seems highly doubtful that he can secure the country’s future – certainly not with the level of threat we have repeatedly been subjected to by several of his henchmen like Asari Dokubo, who have said his loss next year will mean the end of Nigeria. Given the widespread public concern about recent massive and illegal importation of arms as articulated only the other day by

former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, in a letter to the President and to Buhari as the two leading presidential contenders, pleading with them to sign a memorandum of understanding that they will get their respective followers to eschew violence especially after the election, Dokubo’s threats cannot be dismissed as empty or idle.

Predictably, threats from the likes of Dokubo have provoked counter-threats from Buhari’s camp, the most controversial of which has been the threat by Rivers State Governor and now the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, that the opposition will form a parallel government if PDP wins, his assumption being, of course, that PDP cannot win next year’s election if it is free and fair.

Amaechi’s threat is to be condemned as much as Dokubo’s. However, whereas government officials have condemned Amaechi over his threat, they have maintained a deathly silence over those from the president’s men.

Not only have government officials condemned threats of violence from opposition elements, they have now gone further to threaten them with arrest and imprisonment. Only two Mondays ago, the combative Minister of Police Affairs, Chief Jelili Adesiyan, said he has ordered the Inspector- General of Police and the Directorate of State Security to arrest anyone “making mutinous and inflammatory statements.”

He named no names but it was obvious he was referring mostly to Amaechi, especially over another statement the governor made, condemning the death sentence passed recently on 54 soldiers for alleged mutiny in the war on Boko Haram terror in Borno State. “The soldiers,” the governor had reportedly said, “have a right to protest for the Federal Government’s failure to fully equip them.”

If the rather liberal interpretation of Amaechi’s words by PDP and government officials is accurate, he was hardly alone in speaking them. In this he was clearly in the company of such human rights lawyers like Femi Falana, SAN, and the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who have said the inability of government to arm and motivate the soldiers adequately are mitigating circumstances for their misconduct.

More importantly Amaechi is in the good company of one of the most respected retired generals of the Nigerian military, Major-General Alabi Williams.

“Those playing politics with the lives of these soldiers who were being sent to commit suicide in the name of fatherland and they refused, have to be ashamed,” the general, who retired as an officer and gentleman of the highest integrity and as the Chief of Defence Operations, Planning and Training in 1993, said recently. “The army’s top hierarchy is covering up its weaknesses by court-martialling these soldiers. Period.”

As the February presidential election approaches, the question then is not whether our present is worth preserving, because obviously it is not. The question is, can the opposition deliver on its promise to bring an end to our nasty and brutish present? My answer will form the subject of this column next week, God willing.

Happy New Year With every difficulty, says a dictum, there’s ease.

As we enter the year 2015 tomorrow, may the Good Lord bring an end to our sufferings of recent years.

Happy New Year.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of HARDBALL the columnist featured above May God hear Pope's prayer on Nigeria peradoes who refuse to co-exist with others outside their own faith?

Ironically, the Roman Catholic leader, who preached a homily of harmony to tens of thousands of the faithful from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, represented a symbol of the very religion that Boko Haram considers anathema and deserving of destruction, to go by its consistent attacks on churches. It is interesting that with particular reference to the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, and the crisis in Nigeria, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq, the chief of the 1.2 billion-member church said: "God is peace; let us ask him to help us to be peacemakers each day, in our life, in our families, in our cities and nations, in the whole world."

Of course, the Pope's recommendation of dialogue in connection with the Nigerian conflict is not novel; various other voices from different quarters have before now suggested that the government should pursue the path of negotiation and lay down arms. However, there is no doubt that, on account of his immense stature and moral influence, the Pope's verbal mediation has not only further publicised the clash internationally, it has

also reinforced the need for government to critically re-evaluate its road map to peace. It is a development that demands a high degree of strategic creativity, especially in the light of the fact that the prolonged fighting continues to arrest progress in the affected areas.

It is intriguing that the government has been unable to crush the rebellion through the force of weapons, which makes the Pope's wisdom attractive.

However, apart from the rigid resistance of the militants to dialogue, there is the inevitable possibility that such accommodation may set a counter-productive precedence, which could be exploited by others. The situation places the administration in a tight spot, but it will need to do something anyway and expeditiously too.

It is clear that the world is watching and waiting to see how answers will be provided to the problem, and what answers. The Pope's supplication for peace brings to mind the poetic construction of Alfred Lord Tennyson, who wrote: "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." In this context, it is optimistic to dream of a New Year that will bring an end to terror in the land. May God hear the Pope's prayer!

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 08034505516.

Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO