The Nation Feb 19, 2014 by The Nation

Newspaper of the Year

Sambo’s adviser Balat dies at 62 NEWS – Page 7

•Jonathan, others mourn

News

2015: APC hires Obama’s strategists P4

Sports

Eagles consider Portugal warm-up P49 Business No number plates for smuggled vehicles P5

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2764 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

•AROGBOFA IS JONATHAN’S CHIEF OF STAFF P5

N150.00

•FIRE RAZES IBADAN PLANK MARKET P8

NNPC ‘spends N8.49b on subsidy in 19 months’

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stated yesterday why it did not obey the presidential directive stopping subsidy on kerosene in 2009. According to the NNPC, which initially obeyed the late President Umar Yar’Adua’s directive for almost two years and then continued the practice in 2011, the corporation jettisoned the directive because it was not published in any official gazette. This position was maintained by Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu while speaking at the hearing organised by the Dakuku Peterside-headed House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream). The committee is investigating the supply and distribution of kerosene as well as the subsidy expenditure on kerosene from 2010 to 2013. NNPC Company Secretary Anthony Madichie corroborated Yakubu’s stance by citContinued on page 4

•The Baptist Central Elementary School in Ilare, Ile-Ife, Osun State, which was opened ... yesterday

Let’s battle Boko Haram now, says Gowon

HE Boko Haram insurgency took the centre stage in the polity yesterday. It dominated discussions at the inauguration of the new leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna. The inauguration of the Ibrahim Coomasie-led

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

ACF leadership attracted the North’s political leaders, including Vice President Namadi Sambo. Also there were former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, gover-

nors and others. Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon called for serious action against the insurgency. In Abuja, the House of Representatives passed a resolution that the Army Headquarters should move to Maiduguri, the beleagued Continued on page 58

•Osun State Governor Rauf Argbesola discussing with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, at the ceremony ... yesterday. STORY ON PAGE 8

Aregbesola defends education policy

Why court must stop Mark, Tambuwal, by 79 defectors Senators, Reps who dumped PDP for APC battle to keep seats

T •Mark

HE 79 legislators, who sued the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and leaders of the National Assembly over threats to declare their seats vacant, justified their decision to defect from the party yesterday. The lawmakers - 22 PDP Senators and 57 members of the House of Representatives, including those who have defected to the All Progressives Con-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

gress (APC) - argued that Senate President David Mark and House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal could not declare their seats vacant. They contended before the Federal High Court, Abuja that Mark and Tambuwal cannot rely on the provisions of sections 68(1)(g) and 68(2) of the Constitution in declaring their seats vacant because there is division

in the PDP and a faction of the party has merged with other parties. They argued that the two conditions precedent for lawful defection, as provided in the Constitution - division and merger - had occurred to warrant their defection. The planitiffs’ lawyer, Mahmoud Magaji (SAN), argued that - as against the contention by the PDP, its former Chairman Bamanga Tukur and Mark

- the power to decide whether a defecting lawmaker’s seat is vacant or not, where his party is factionalised, is the court’s. Magaji, who adopted his final submissions in the case, argued that his clients were justified in abandoning the PDP and that the National Assembly’s leadership cannot, by virContinued on page 4

•LIFE P15 •SPORTS P24 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P37 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS

Tambuwal: k

•Chief Operating Officer, Dana Air, Mr. Yvan Drewinsky (middle), Media and Communications Manager, Mr. Sam Ogbogoro (left) and Head Commercial, Mr. Obi Mbanuzo at a news confrence to announce Dana Air re-commencement of flight operations on the Lagos - Port Harcourt and Port Harcourt - Abuja routes in Lagos...yesterday.

House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who was represented by his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday delivered a speech at the opening of an investigative hearing on kerosene subsidy, decrying mystery surrounding the subsidy on the product. Excerpts:

I •From left: Managing Director, Abraaj Group, Ragheb Rami, Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga, Group Chief Executive Officer, Abraaj Group, Arif Naqvi, Director, Abraaj Group, Ijeoma Agboti and Ravi Sharma during a visit to the minister in Abuja.

T is my pleasure to join the Chairman and members of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to welcome you all to this all important national assignment being undertaken by the National Assembly on behalf of all Nigerians. You will recall that on 27th November, 2013, the House of Representatives in the discharge of its statutory mandate unanimously resolved to carry out full investigation on the expenditure, supply, distribution and subsidy on kerosene. The House mandated its Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to carry out this extensive investigation on her

Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Peterside, and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Yusuf Shittu Galambi, at the public hearing on supply, distribution, expenditure and subsidy on kerosene in Abuja...yesterday.

behalf for the benefit of all Nigerians. Kerosene has become the most topical issue in Nigeria today for several reasons. First, it has been empirically proven that at least 30 per cent of households depend on kerosene as source of domestic fuel. About 56 per cent of our population still depend on firewood due to lack of access to kerosene. The implication is that about 80 per cent of our population will most likely depend on kerosene as source of domestic fuel. Whatever affects 80 per cent of the population affects the entire country. As representatives of the people we have an obligation to ensure that

African American History Month

The National Council of Black Mayors

T •Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment Tunji Bello (holding the microphone) speaking during an inspection tour of Lagos Island and Victoria Island...yesterday. With him are Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Muideen Akinsanya (second right), Deputy Director, Drainage, Henry Johnson (left) and Director, Public Affairs and Research Fola Adeyemi. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES.

•From left: President, Women Arise) Dr. Joe OkeiOdumakin , Minister of Information Labaran Maku and (Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)Prof. Chidi Odinkalu at a policy dialogue on gender-based violence organised by Women Arise in Abuja... yesterday.

HE National Council of Black Mayors (NCBM) was founded on Wed, December 20, 1972. Headquartered in Georgia, NCBM’s mission was to enhance the executive skills of its members to more effectively govern their cities. After the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965 were enacted, the number of AfricanAmericans elected to public office increased substantially, with the most dramatic gains coming in the South at the mayoral level. In 1972, 13 recently elected black mayors met in Fayette, Mississippi to discuss developing programs to benefit their respective municipalities. A year later, a second meeting of 15 black mayors was held in Tuskegee, Alabama, leading to the creation of a new organization, the Southern Conference of Black Mayors (SCBM). In 1974, 20 black mayors gathered in Santee, South Carolina, where they voted to incorporate SCBM, hiring its first executive director and opening a headquarters office later that same year.By the time of its first annual convention in 1975 in Grambling, LA, SCBM had secured funding, conducted several economic development and water system studies, and developed an extensive technical assistance program. In 1976, at the second annual convention in Atlanta, the mayors voted to expand the organization’s scope, changing the name to the

National Conference of Black Mayors, Inc. That same year, NCBM presented a series of municipal management clinics in communities, and produced many proposals and grant applications that generated millions in federal funding for badly needed public works projects across the South. Since that time, NCBM, in partnership with a number of federal agencies, has offered technical help and training in a number of areas, including housing, community development, water and wastewater system development, employment training, energy management, and rural transportation. The organization has also networked effectively, to respond to national issues, with other organizations such as the National Association of Black County Officials, the Conference of Minority Public Administrators, the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Since 1980, the NCBM has helped promote international exchange, taking delegations of mayors to China, Taiwan, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Liberia, Japan, and several other foreign countries. Finally, NCBM has been active as an advocate for the African-American community at-large in matters of health, social policy, economic development, and political empowerment. Reference: National Conference of Black Mayors. 1151 Cleveland Avenue, Bldg D, East Point GA 30344.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS

al: kerosene scarcity embarrassing

From left:Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke; Permanent Secretary,Daladi Kilfasi and Yakubu, at the hearing...yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

our people are not made to pass through avoidable hardship. Secondly, today almost all our citizens will agree that it is easier to have access to gas and PMS than kerosene. The scarcity of kerosene has become a national embarrassment. It is so serious that the 7th House of Representatives in its first legislative year invited the Minister of Petroleum Resources to explain to the public through the instrumentality of the House at plenary. Since that time not much has improved on the supply and distribution of kerosene. Third, worse still when kerosene is available it is sold at such an exorbitant rate that Nigerians pay with their blood to get a little of kerosene. This obviously is not acceptable and cannot be in the best interest of our people. Fourth, the country has spent at least one trillion over the past four years to subsidize kerosene yet the product is neither available nor is it sold at the official NNPC pump price whenever it is found and wherever. Fifth, nobody can say what our kerosene consumption volume is per annum. Kerosene consumption volume cannot under any arrangement be a national secret. Transparency and accountability are things we should take for granted in 21st Century democratic Nigeria. Sixth, the masses, which is the justification for subsidy on kerosene, are in no way benefiting from the "subsidy"on kerosene thus NNPC needs to explain to the Nigerian people how it spent part of the $8.9bn, or $10.8bn or $20bn

We want kerosene sold at official price, says Peterside

HE Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, has said one of the reasons behind the public hearing on kerosene subsidy is to ensure the product is sold at the official price of N50. Peterside spoke yesterday at the opening of the investigative public hearing on kerosene subsidy at the National Assembly complex in Abuja. The public hearing is sequel to resolution HR84/2013 of the House of Representatives, which directed its Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) to establish the actual amount spent on kerosene subsidy from 2010 to December 2013; establish the source of the money used in financing kerosene subsidy and the relevant budgetary approval; determine the companies benefiting from kerosene subsidy; establish the extent (if at all) to which the subsidised kerosene gets to the consumers at the regulated price; and investigate all incidental issues relating to kerosene supply and distribution. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said the diversion of kerosene to neighbouring countries, industrial use, aviation fuel, sharp practices by middlemen and pipeline vandalism are reasons why kerosene is not readily available for domestic consumption. Group Managing Director of the Corporation Andrew Yakubu said: “There are quite a number of competing demands for kerosene and until these are addressed by other relevant agencies, the issue of kerosene not being readily available for domestic use will continue to reoccur every now and then. The way out is for this committee to collaborate with the NNPC to encourage the sale of liquefied petroleum gas otherwise known as cooking gas.” He said the NNPC has stepped up the supply of LPG from 65,000 metric tonnes in 2011 to 250,000 metric tonnes in 2013, adding that the target is to grow the consumption of the product to 500,000 metric tonnes by the end of 2014. The NNPC helmsman said the increase in the CBN accused her of not remitting to the Federation Account which NNPC claimed was spent on kero-

By Olukorede Yishau

consumption of cooking gas would reduce the dependence on kerosene and help in the redistribution of kerosene. Responding to a question on whether kerosene subsidy is still in place, the NNPC GMD said that was what he met when he assumed office in June 2012, adding that kerosene subsidy is funded by unrealisable revenue flow. “The NNPC takes crude at international price and sells it at the domestic market at regulated price of N50 per litre,” he said. Answering a question on what the NNPC is doing to stop kerosene diversion, the NNPC boss said the corporation does not have the power to police marketers and sanction them adding that there are statutory bodies with the responsibility. NNPC Company Secretary, Anthony Madichie, citing Petroleum Act section 6 subsection 1, said only the Minister of Petroleum Resources has the authority to fix petroleum product prices, adding that if a presidential directive is given and not gazetted, such directive will not be effective. The Managing Director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC, Prince Haruna Momoh, said kerosene is sourced for the Nigerian market through importation and domestic refining, adding that Dual Purpose Kerosene is sold to coastal marketers, Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and NNPC Retail. “I can confirm to this committee the statistics for the supply of DPK is as follows. In 2010, NNPC supplied 2,515,582.44 metric tonnes of DPK, in 2011, NNPC 1,922,263.56 metric tonnes, in 2012, NNPC supplied 2,622,843.20 metric tonnes and in 2013, NNPC supplied 2,671,747.97 metric tonnes making a total of 9,732,437.17 metric tonnes,” Momoh said.

sene subsidy. Seventh, since there are no budgetary provision for subsidy on

kerosene, the people of Nigeria will obviously be interested in knowing the source of funding of

kerosene subsidy and on whose authority. These and several other issues warranted a full scale investigation to unravel issues surrounding kerosene subsidy so all Nigerians will be satisfied that kerosene subsidy is actually serving the interest of the masses. Because kerosene affects 80% of households in Nigeria, this is obviously a most strategic national inquiry. It is our fervent believe that the findings of this investigation will assist us as a nation better manage our resources, block leakages if any and ensure that all our people have access to kerosene at a competitive price. Most importantly the outcome of this investigation is expected to boost confidence of the people on the management of our economy and protect the people of Nigeria from unavoidable losses. Let me reiterate that this is a constitutional duty and not a witch haunting exercise. In the short life span of this 7th House of Representatives, we have made accountability and transparency our watchword as demonstrated in earlier investigative hearings conducted by the House. I urge all of you stakeholders; Ministers, Policy Makers, Government Officials, NNPC, Marketers, Retailers to give the National Assembly maximum co-operation for the interest of all Nigerians that we are serving. I charge the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to be guided by truth and fairness, and not uninformed public sentiment as history is watching all of us.

Nigeria’ll overcome Boko Haram, says U.S.

HE U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, yesterday expressed confidence in the ability of the Federal Government and the military to defeat Boko Haram. Thomas-Greenfield spoke at a news conference in Abuja at the end of the two-day Nigeria-U.S. Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting on good governance, transparency and integrity. Greenfield told reporters that the U.S. was strongly committed to support Nigeria in the fight against insurgents. “I do not think it is a failure of U.S. government if Nigeria government fails to defeat Boko

Haram, I think the Nigeria government will defeat Boko Haram. “We are given the government tremendous amount of support and advice and it is our hope for the people of Nigeria that Boko Haram is defeated,’’ she said. She expressed sympathy to Nigerians and families who lost their loved ones in the latest massacre in the North-eastern part of the country. “Extremism is a problem not only in Nigeria, it is a problem that we have faced in the United States, what we have learnt is that terrorism anywhere affects everyone,’’ she said. On the possible use of drones in Nigeria to

counter insurgents, the U.S. top envoy for Africa said such military plans were not for the public knowledge. “We are working closely with your government and anytime such military actions are taken it is with the coordination of the requesting government,’’ she said. According to a communiqué issued at the end of the BNC meeting, both countries agreed to increase operational collaboration in the investigation and prosecution of individuals and groups involved in corruption. The communiqué said that Nigeria and the U.S. would collaborate in cases of money laundering, illicit finance, and related economic

crimes. The meeting also agreed that ensuring the credibility of the electoral process would require adequate preparations for activities at all stages of the electoral cycle. Both countries recognised the importance of continuing a programme of electoral reforms as outlined by INEC and the relevance of the security services in working with INEC to safeguard the election materials. According to the communiqué, Nigeria expresses its determination to prevent thuggery and all forms of violence during the election period.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS

NNPC explains position on Kerosene subsidy Continued from page 1

•Vice President Namadi Sambo (middle); former Head of State, Gen. Mohammed Buhari (third left); Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (second left); Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero (left);Chairman, Board of Trustees, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Aliko Muhammed (third right); General Yakubu Gowon (behind Sambo) and other members of ACF National Working Committee after their inauguration in Kaduna ... yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Why court must stop Mark, Tambuwal, by 79 defectors Continued from page 1

tue of their defection, declare their seats vacant. His argument was in reaction to arguments by Joe Gadzama (SAN) and Ken Ikonne (lawyers to the PDP, Tukur and Mark) to the effect that the plaintiffs’ seats automatically become vacant upon their defection, by virtue of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution. They argued in their counter affidavit that the suit was misconceived as the plaintiffs were under the wrong impression that it requires Mark’s and Tambuwal’s pronouncement for the seats of defecting law makers to be declared vacant. Both lawyers argued that there was never a division in the PDP to justify the plaintiffs’ defection and qualify them for exemption as provided under Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution. The section deals with instances when seats can be deemed vacant. Section 68(2) deals with the powers of the Senate President and Speaker to declare seats vacant. Gadzama, who tendered two judgments from earlier cases involving the Tukur-led faction and the Abubakar Barajeled faction of the party, argued that the PDP was never divided. Ikonne argued that the plain-

tiffs failed to prove that the party was actually divided to the point of being turn apart. He also argued that the plaintiffs misconceived the nature of the powers vested in the Senate President under Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution. Ikonne said his position was informed by his understanding that the provision of Section 68(1)(g) is not only mandatory; it is self-executing. “This is because the vacancy happens by virtue of the operation of the law,” he said. Gadzama and Ikonne, who had in their preliminary objections queried the competence of the suit and urged the court to strike it out, urged the court to dismiss the suit, should it resolve the objection in favour of the plantiffs. Replying, Magaji argued that the existence of the suits, whose judgments Gadzama tendered, was a confirmation that the party was polarised. He argued that what the Tukur-led PDP sought in one of the cases was that members of its Executive Council be declared the authentic leaders of the party. Magaji contended that there was nowhere in the suit decided by Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where anyone denied division in the party. He drew the judge’s attention to a portion of Justice Chukwu’s deci-

sion (pages 72 to 75), which he said supported his position. Magaji argued that it is only the court that can decide when a seat is vacant where a member defects to another party when there is a division in his old party. He urged the court to disregard the defendants’ objection to the suit and grant his clients’ prayers and reliefs. Tambuwal, represented by Alex Marama, challenged the suit’s competence and urged the court to dismiss it. He argued that the suit amounted to an abuse of court’s process because it was wrongly filed. Tambuwal argued that the suit ought to he initiated by way of writ of summons as against originating summons filed, because issues raised required the calling of oral evidence to resolve. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), represented by Al-Hassan Umar, chose to be neutral in the proceedings. It filed neither an objection nor a counter affidavit in the suit. It argued that the dispute was a PDP affair. Justice Ahmed Mohammed refused Magaji’s request that the court should sanction Senator Ita Enang, who he said urged Mark to declare the seats of some of the plaintiffs vacant, despite a subsisting interim order of the court directing parties to maintain status quo.

Justice Mohammed, in rejecting Magaji’s prayer, held that the court’s rules made sufficient provision for how issues relating to disobedience to court’s orders should be handled. He held that since there was no formal application for an order against Enang, Magaji failed to provide evidence against the senator, “the court is not in a position to sanction the said Senator“. Justice Mohammed has fixed judgment for March 26. Defendants in the suit include Tukur, Mark, Tambuwal, the PDP and INEC. The plaintiffs are, in the originating summons, seeking a declaration that: •the circumstance prevailing at the national level and various state chapters of the PDP (4th defendant), which led to factions/ divisions as witnessed at the Special National Convention of the 4th defendant held on 31st August 2013 and holding of a parallel convention simultaeneously at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, followed up with the emergence of new National Executive Committee constitute and qualify as crisis, faction and division anticipated under section 68 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended;

•any of the plaintiffs or other members of the PDP who pursuant to the crisis that led to factions/divisions in the 4th defendant, joined new faction of the 4th defendant or desires to join it or another political party (individually or as a group) is/are saved by the proviso to section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution, as amended without losing his/their elective seats; and a declaration that: •in view of the proviso to Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution as amended, the 1st defendant or any other officer of the 4th defendant or any person or authority whatsoever cannot declare vacant the seats of any of the plaintiffs or other members of the 4th defendant that joined or who may desire to become members of another political party, in view of the present crisis that created factions/divisions in the 4th defendant. The plaintiffs are pleading for an order “restraining the 2nd and 3rd defendants from conducting any proceedings in their respective chambers aimed at declaring the seat (s) of any the plaintiffs or other members of the 4th defendant who joined or intended to become members of another political party vacant” in view of the present circumstance in the 4th defendant as vacant.

2015: APC hires Obama’s stragegists as PDP plans rallies

AMPAIGNS for the 2015 elections are yet to open, but parties seem not to be taking chances. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has engaged prominent international political consultants AKPD Message and Media to boost its electoral chances. President Goodluck Jonathan and governors of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors are also getting set. They met on Monday night behind closeddoor to finetune strategies for zonal rallies to receive defectors and woo new members to the party.In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the Chicago, U.S.-based firm is best known for its lead role in President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012. The party explained that the

firm has also worked with key Democratic party candidates throughout the U.S. and has a strong reputation for supporting leading populist movements across the globe. “We have been working closely with AKPD Message and Media over the past few months and we shall leverage on the firm’s skill, experience and expertise throughout the upcoming campaign cycle,” APC said. “As a party destined to bring change and succour to the long suffering people of Nigeria, the APC is proud and excited to work with one of the foremost exponents of change in the world, especially with their track record of success in political climates akin to ours, notably in Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana. With this strategic partnership, the process of change in Nigeria has already begun and it can’t be stopped,” the party concluded.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said it was also part of regular meetings with the President to review other activities of the party. According to him, the ongoing consultations between President Jonathan and traditional rulers and other interest groups across the country are expected. But he declined to confirm when exactly the President would declare his ambition to contest the 2015 presidential election. Orji said: “The meeting was in compliance with what the President promised us, that he will be meeting regularly with PDP governors. He met with us today and we reviewed party activities, especially the rallies that we are going to hold in the states and zonal levels.” “The rallies are meant to sen-

sitize people. In Owerri, we are going to receive some people who are coming back to the party. In other states where people are coming back to the party, they will be received formally. We discussed party affairs.” On the President’s yet to be declared ambition, he said: “It is the President that knows when to declare. This consultation is what a President should do. A President should consult with his subjects, that is what he is doing. Declaration is not the issue now.” “The President will declare when he wants to; he will tell you if he wants to run or not. As of now, what he is doing is to interact with stakeholders and that is the function of the President, to meet with his people,” Orji added. The President recently met with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero; Ooni of Ife, Oba

Okunade Sijuade; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu and Oba Babatunde Akran of Badagry. At the meeting were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim; PDP Chairman Ahmadu Muazu and his Deputy, Uche Secondus. Governors at the meeting included Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Theodore Orji (Abia), Mukhtar Ramallan Yero (Kaduna), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Garba Umar (Taraba), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Saidu Nasamu Dakingari (Kebbi) and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, John Jonah and that of Adamawa, Bala James Ngilari were also in attendance.

ing the Petroleum Act’s Section 6 subsection 1, when speaking on the legality of kerosene subsidy. According to Madichie, only the Minister of Petroleum Resources has the authority to fix petroleum product prices. If a presidential directive is given and not gazetted, such directive will not be effective. But Yakubu failed to disclose how much was spent on subsidy between 2010 and 2013. He also could not provide the authority on which the subsidy deductions were made or how the funds for obtaining the product were sourced. He, however, said he was aware that N8.49 billion was spent on subsidising 5,015.413.022.06 trillion litres of kerosene as well as 15,177,76,123 trillion liters of fuel imported into the country within 19 months. Both Yakubu and the Managing Director, Petroleum Products and Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr Haruna Momoh, gave reasons for consistent shortfall in the supply of kerosene. Yakubu said situations whereby the product is diverted to neighbouring countries and used for Industrial purposes, painting, adhesive, chemical and allied products cause scarcity. He also said the adulteration of diesel to kerosene and its use for aviation fuel, pipeline vandalisation and sharp practices of middlemen also contribute to non-availability of the product. He added: “There are quite a number of competing demands for kerosene and until these are addressed by other relevant agencies, the issue of kerosene not being readily available for domestic use will continue to reoccur every now and then. “The way out is for this committee to collaborate with the NNPC to encourage the sale of liquefied petroleum gas, otherwise known as cooking gas.” The NNPC boss said the corporation has increased the supply of LPG from 65,000 metric tonnes in 2011 to 250,000 metric tonnes in 2013. The ultimate target, he said, is to grow the consumption of the product to 500,000 metric tonnes by the end of this year. According to him, the improved consumption of liquefied petroleum gas or cooking gas will surely reduce the demand for kerosene. Momoh expressed the same opinion, saying that PPMC would ensure that pipelines and the depots are fixed as part of ongoing efforts to bridge the gap in supply of kerosene. According to him, by the time the 800,000 metric tonnes on the use of domestic gas is attained, kerosene use will reduce significantly. House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, while opening the hearing, Continued on page 58

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 08099365644, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS

‘Buyers of tokunbo vehicles won’t get number plates from FRSC’

From left: Bishop Michael Adebayo Oluwarohunbi; Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Abuja, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh and Mrs. Grace Olufunke Oluwarohunbi, at the consecration of Venerable Oluwarohunbi as Bishop of Yewa at the Cathedral Church of St. James, OkeBola, Ibadan

From Franca Ochigbo,

Abuja

HE National Automotive Council (NAC) has said smuggled vehicles will soon become unattractive because their buyers will not be able to obtain number plates from Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and vehicle licences from state vehicles registration offices. NAC was reacting to reports on the looming crisis in the Auto sector, following worries by Freight Forwarders Association of Nigeria that the new National Automotive Industry Development would stem the inflow of used vehicles into Nigeria and deny them their main source of income when the workers are laid off. It listed the factors that would stem the inflow to include 150 per cent hike in tariff on used vehicles, smuggling and possible diversion of second-hand vehicles to neighbouring ports. Freight Forwarders Association also worried that Nigerians cannot afford new cars if produced locally, that tariff hike will and has already led to price hikes for existing stock of vehicles in Nigeria even before the policy takes effect and doubted the capacity of existing local automotive plants to meet demand.

2015: ‘Canada will support Nigeria if...’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ANADIAN High Commissioner to Nigeria, Perry Calderwood, has said his country will support Nigeria to improve the conduct of the 2015 presidential election, if Nigeria officially makes the request. The envoy addressed reporters at a regional conference on: Promoting Gender Development and Increased Participation of Women in Democratic Governance in Southwest Nigeria. The conference was organised by the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) in partnership with Canadian government, under the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada Fund for Local Initiative at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort. Though he did not state the particular area of support, Calderwood said: “If Nigeria’s government asks for any assistance in this regard, we shall offer it.” The envoy explained that Canada could not impose its assistance on Nigeria to curb election malpractices. He added: “Up to this time, there has not been any discussion on the mode of assistance. “As a strong supporter of democratic development across the world, Canada welcomed the contributions of civil society and public institutions to 2011 elections.”

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

N118b debt may stall ongoing projects, says minister T HE Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, told the Senate yesterday that a debt of N118 billion owed contractors may stall the execution of capital projects listed in this year’s budget. The minister spoke in Abuja when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Works to defend his ministry’s 2014 budget. He said: “One of the major challenges that would face the implementation of the 2014 budget is the outstanding payment of N118 billion owed to contractors on the ministry’s ongoing projects. “Since road projects overlap and transcend the yearly budgets, it is important that

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

the 2014 budget take cognisance of this to guarantee accelerated progress of work in the ongoing massive rehabilitation and construction of roads nationwide.” The minister stressed that more progress could only be achieved when the outstanding funds are released to the ministry. On the 2013 budget, he said N65,212,257,665.79 was released from the Capital Ap-

propriation of N141,487,997,912 for the ministry, with an outstanding N76,275,740,246. According to him, despite the shortfall in the release of the funds, the ministry made significant progress at various sites across the country with outstanding certificates properly earned by contractors currently standing in excess of N118 billion. Onolememen said the performance of the ministry in 2013 would have been considerably enhanced if there was a 100 per cent release of budgeted funds.

Arogbofa takes office as Jonathan’s Chief of Staff

RETIRED officer of the Signal, Corps of the Army, Brig.-Gen. Jones Oladehinde Arogbofa, has assumed office as chief of staff to President Goodluck Jonathan. A statement yesterday in Abuja by the President’s spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, announced the appointment of Chief Mike Oghiadomen’s replacement yesterday. The statement said: “The new chief of staff to the President was born on November 10, 1952. He hails from the Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State. “In addition to administrative capabilities and experience garnered from a distinguished career in the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen Arogbofa brings an impressive array of academic qualifications to his new job.

“They include a Diploma in Communications Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, U.S.A; a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Sciences degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama, U.S.A and a Masters degree in Military Arts and Science from the United States Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. “The new Chief of Staff holds several military honours and awards including Mss, Fss, Fsc and Fwc and is also a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.” The Chairman of the Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has hailed President Jonathan for “heeding my plea and that of other leaders in the zone to give more strategic appointments to the Southwest zone”. The politician described the appointment of Arogbofa as “timely and strategic”. Kashamu said: “I am elated that our truly democratic and listening President hearkened to the pleas of well-meaning leaders and elders of our party in the Southwest to appoint one of our own. For me, my joy knows no bound, given the fact that the appointment came barely 24 hours after I reiterated the call in a statement published on pages 41

The minister said the ministry would have taken full advantage of the current dry session to make progress on its projects. He noted that in line with the 2014 budget circular, the emphasis would be on the completion of ongoing projects and “quick-win” projects. On this year’s budget, he explained that the ministry and its corporations were given N128,646,558,986 as its ceiling for capital and recurrent expenditures. The figure, the minister said, represents a shortfall of N62,604,767,520, when compared to the 2013 budgetary provision of N191,251,326,606.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). Akingbola, in an application dated September 27, 2013, through his counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), urged the court to discharge the judgment of a Lagos High Court, which allowed the enforcement of a foreign judgment against him. Justice Burton of a London Court ordered Akingbola to pay Access Bank N212.2 billion (£654 million) for his alleged fraudulent practices when he was in charge of the defunct Intercontinental Bank.

To enforce the judgment in Nigeria, Access Bank, in an exparte application, urged Justice Oyebanji to grant registration of the judgment and the accompanying order of the foreign court, dated September 13, 2012. Although Justice Oyebanji granted the bank’s prayer, Akingbola appealed the decision before Justice CandideJohnson. He argued that the State High Court lacked jurisdiction to preside over the matter. But Justice CandideJohnson held that the suit instituted in the London court by Access Bank was under the

From Augustine Ehikioya,

Abuja

HE Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has said Nigeria’s anti-violence laws against women and children indirectly encourage the rape of children. Odinkalu spoke yesterday in Abuja at a Policy Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence Affecting Young People in Nigeria, organised by Women Arise for Change Initiative, led by Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin. While the law specifies life imprisonment for the rape of women, the law, the agency chief noted, only specifies 14 or seven-year imprisonment for the rape of a child. He explained that rape is rape, irrespective of the age of the victim. Odinkalu faulted the rape of children, saying it is ‘defilement’. He said: “It is important that we address the law reforms. It is important to recognise the parity of the crime of rape. Why is it that the rape of children is easier than the rape of adults? It is because our laws create incentives to rape children. If you rape a child, it is not rape; it is defilement. “And the punishment for rape is life imprisonment while the punishment for defilement is 14 years or seven years, depending on where you are. That is wrong. We have got to create a serious disincentive.”

‘Invest in anti-corruption campaign’ From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

•Arogbofa

and 60 of The Nation and ThisDay. “With this appointment, it is clearly a sign of better things to come our way,” he said.

Akingbola: Court discharges N212.2b judgment debt registration

LAGOS High Court, Igbosere, yesterday set aside the registration of the N212.2 billion judgment delivered against former Intercontinental Bank’s Managing Director, Erastus Akingbola, by a London court. Ruling in an application filed by Akingbola challenging the judgment enforcement order granted by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji in favour of Access Bank Plc, Justice Candide Johnson held that a Federal High Court, and not a State High Court, had jurisdiction to adjudicate on matters under Companies

Nigerian laws encourage rape of children, says NHRC chief

exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. He averred that while it would not sit as an appeal on the foreign judgment, the court should not fail to examine the foreign judgment, especially when the jurisdiction of the court is challenged and in the overall interest of all the parties. Justice Candide-Johnson said: “I hold that the Lagos High Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain, hear or determine any aspect of the foreign judgment as the content of the said judgment is under the purview of the Federal High Court.”

HE Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Nta Ekpo, yesterday urged Nigerians to invest in anti-corruption campaign. He said Nigerians need to ensure that corruption is reduced to make the nation progress. Ekpo spoke in Abuja during a meeting between ICPC management and Galilee International Management Institute. The ICPC chief said every Nigerian has been negatively affected by corruption one way or the other. He said: “God has blessed Nigeria with a good and lovely environment. If we can use our intellect, we will sit at the number one spot in the world. “The biggest industry in the world is corruption. We must invest against it. We have invested in other sectors, except in the fight against corruption. We need to invest in this sector and stamp out corruption in Nigeria. “It affects all of us and we need to do what is needed to ensure that this thing is reduced.” Nta said it was imperative for Nigerians to embrace the fight against corruption because “there is no Nigerian who has not been affected directly or indirectly by corruption”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS

Missing oil money: Falana urges National Assembly to pass PIB

AGOS lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). He said this would show that the federal legislators are genuinely interested in promoting accountability and transparency at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and in the oil and gas industry. In a statement yesterday in Lagos, titled: The Limit of Investigative Powers of the National Assembly, the frontline lawyer regretted that the PIB appeared to have been quietly jettisoned by the lawmakers. According to him, the lawmakers were beating their chests for enacting irrelevant laws, such as the Antigay Act (“same-sex was never recognised under the law”), the Prisoners Exchange Act (to swap convicts with the United Kingdom when there are no British prisoners in Nigeria), among others. Falana said it was shameful that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi) did not seem to understand the operations of the federation account, which is kept at the apex bank. The lawyer noted that this was the reason “...his (Sanusi’s) figures of the missing fund have varied from $49.8 billion to $12 billion and $20 billion, while the reconciliation carried out by the finance minister showed $10.8 billion.” Falana urged the auditor-general of the federation to audit the federation account and the accounts of the NNPC and the CBN before the nation is further exposed to ridicule by the CBN, NNPC and the Federal Ministry of Finance. He said: “In particular, the auditing of the CBN account should cover

Senator blames $10.8b NNPC missing fund on impunity

HE Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning, Olufemi Lanlehin, has blamed the alleged $10.8 billion missing money from the account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on impunity by some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). Lanlehin, who represents Oyo South in the National Assembly, noted that the failure of some MDAs to keep to the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mandates them to submit their budgetary estimates to the National Assembly for scrutiny and approval, should be halted. The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, while contributing to the debate on the 2014 budget on February 6, urged the Senate to ensure that over 30 agencies listed in the Schedule of the Fiscal Responsibility Act submitted their budgets estimates to the National Assembly for scrutiny and approval. Quoting the Constitution and the Act to buttress his point, Lanlehin told reporters yesterday in Abuja that the failure of the agencies and corporations, including the NNPC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to submit their budget for approval was a breach of the law. He said: “Some agencies are just spending money without appropriation, without such money being in the estimate. They just spend it. By Adebisi Onanuga

the illegal payment of over N2 trillion by the CBN to fuel importers in 2011 when the National Assembly appropriated N245 billion.” The lawyer recalled that before the 2012 national strike and mass protests, the CBN governor claimed that the amount involved was N1.3 trillion. Falana urged the auditor-general to also examine the validity of the several billions of naira allegedly withdrawn from the federation ac-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

“The NNPC has never presented its budget to us, either through the Ministry of Finance or through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources; same with the Central Bank of Nigeria. “The Fiscal Responsibility Act makes it particularly compelling that the two bodies, among others, before they spend any money, must place their budgets before the National Assembly. It is because this aspect of the law is not being enforced that the NNPC had the audacity to tell us that the $10.8 billion it has not been able to account for represents operational expenses. Who granted them the right to incur these operational expenses? The fact is that when money comes, in the first place, it should go to the federation account. You don’t have any right to keep anything. “That is why sometimes when we grill the ministries, we ask them what happened to your Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) because you don’t have any right to spend your IGR. It must go to the federation fccount, no matter how small. “The two main institutions: NNPC, which is the cash cow which brings in 98 per cent of the revenue of the Federation, has not obeyed this law. When they tell us the Nigeria Customs Service brings in this, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) brings in this, where do they get it, if not from oil revenue?”

count without appropriation in the last five years and donated to certain individuals and institutions by Sanusi. He advised the Senate and the House of Representatives to desist from “endless probes” and concentrate on law making, “now that it is clear that the National Assembly lacks the power and the technical expertise to audit the federation account.” The frontline lawyer noted that if

the National Assembly had seriously considered the reports submitted each year by the auditorgeneral and taken actions, the nation would not have heard the accusations and counter-accusations among senior government officials. Falana said: “In the last 15 years, the National Assembly has carried out diversionary probes of several agencies and departments without results. “It is pertinent to point out that the powers of investigation con-

Hyundai partners Stallion Group to make vehicles in Nigeria

YUNDAI Motor Company, one the world’s foremost vehicle manufacturers, is partnering a regional conglomerate, Stallion Group, to manufacture Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicles in Nigeria. The partnership will begin in April. Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited - a division of Stallion Group – represents Hyundai’s range of passenger and commercial vehicles in Nigeria, and operates an ultra-modern vehicle assembly plant in Lagos. Hyundai’s foray into the critical sub-Saharan market followed the announcement of a new auto policy in Nigeria, which is intended to start a major advancement in the country’s automotive industry. An impressive range of Hyundai passenger models, including the i10, i10 Grand, i10 Grand Sedan, ix35 SUV and the Elantra, will be assembled in Nigeria by Stallion Group. Regarding the Korean manufacturer’s commercial segment offering, an assembly of models, including the Hyundai County Bus and the Mighty Truck, has begun. Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East Headquarters, Tom Lee said: “This agreement with Stallion Group represents a

major step for Hyundai Motor Company’s expansion in Africa, and our ability to cater to the needs of customers around the continent. Stallion Group’s Chairman Sunil Vaswani said: “We are pleased to have tied up with Hyundai, which is among the world leaders in automotive industry. Stallion is committed to investing in the industry, aligning well with Nigeria’s policy initiatives and socio-economic objectives. “Hyundai’s entry at this stage will be a critical catalyst to develop the auto industry ecosystem, complementing the other prime brands we are associated with.”

ferred on the National Assembly, under Section 89 of the Constitution, are meant to be exercised for law making. To that extent, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) and Nigeria Police Force should be allowed to investigate complaints of corruption, fraud and other economic and financial crimes, in line with the provisions of the laws. “The practice of usurping the statutory powers of such bodies by the National Assembly should stop. More so that reports of the investigation conducted by the National Assembly are usually turned over to the anti-graft bodies, which have to commence fresh investigation. “This is what happened last week when the Finance Committee of the Senate was compelled to call for an audit of the NNPC account in the middle of a probe.” The lawyer said it was embarrassing that the Finance minister and the Senate did not know, ab initio, that they were not empowered to audit any of the accounts of the ministries and agencies of the Federal Government. He recalled calling on the National Assembly to stop what he called diversionary probe and his request to the auditor-general to audit the federation account and submit his findings to the National Assembly pursuant to Section 85 of the Constitution. Falana added that the decision of the Senate that the NNPC accounts be subjected to a forensic audit was the result of the alleged confusion the CBN governor caused with “conflicting figures” over the actual amount allegedly missing from the federation account.

Oduah hands over to supervising minister By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

•The Chairman, Stallion Group, Mr Sunil Vaswani (right) and Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East Headquarters, Mr Tom Lee, after their companies’ partnership in Lagos.

ORMER Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, has hailed President Goodluck Jonathan, workers of and stakeholders in the Aviation sector for giving her the opportunity to serve the country. The former minister also expressed gratitude to all for the support she got during her over two years’ stewardship in the ministry. Ms Oduah spoke yesterday in Abuja when she handed over to the Supervising Minister for Aviation and Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom. She said: “It was a great privilege to be chosen from among over 160 million Nigerians to serve in the Federal cabinet. My profound gratitude goes to Mr President, who provided me with this rare privilege. I also want to thank him for all the support he accorded me to pursue his Transformation Agenda in the Aviation Sector. “I equally wish to thank my personal aides, aviator sector workers and stakeholders, who partnered with me to realise our vision and mission in the sector.”

Osun senators kick as Senate clears 11 for minister

HE confirmation of Alhaji Abduljelili Oyewale Adesiyan, one of the ministerial nominees, yesterday divided the Senate. President Goodluck Jonathan nominated Adesiyan from Osun State. Indication that Adesiyan’s nomination create tension started last week when he appeared before the Senate. With a voice full of emotion, the ministerial hopeful denied complicity in the assassination of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Chief Bola Ige. Ehigie Uzamere (Edo

From Onyedi Ojiabor,

Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

South) asked Adesiyan to swear by the Qur’an if he had no hand in the death of Ige. Adesiyan referred to Ige, who was killed in his Bodija, Ibadan home on December 23, 2001, as his mentor. As the Senate resumed the yesterday, Olusola Adeyeye, (Osun Central) raised a point of order that three other senators from Osun State opposed the nomination of Adesiyan. Adeyeye’s reasons for their opposition failed to sway majority of the lawmakers.

•Mark: Senate not court of law Adeyeye said: “During the hearing, I also sought your wisdom to guide me as to when I should voice our collective objection to this nomination. You advised that I should wait until the confirmation process. “I also want to place it on record that this nominee is the sixth person who was nominated by our President for an appointment that requires the confirmation. I want to put it on record that in all five previous nominations, three of us have not only endorsed the nomina-

tion, we have also canvassed support for them. “This is the first time that we are opposing any nomination. We opposed this nomination on two grounds: One, we do not believe that the President would be best served by the appointment of Mr. Adesiyan. When he met the three of us from Osun, he did just as he did when he appeared before the Senate. He told a long story about being accused falsely in the murder of the late Chief Bola Ige. He spoke at

length, and when he finished, I told him that two things are clear: One, Bola Ige did not kill himself. Two, the dead do not talk. Bola Ige cannot come and tell us who killed him. “So, we are not even going to bother you about that whether or not you are the one who participated. We said the serious issue is that if you have this albatross around your neck, are there not any other people in your party?” As Adeyeye made further attempts to tell the Senate why Adesiyan should not be confirmed, Mark cut him short.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS

Five killed in Jos violence

THNO-religious violence is ‘returning’ to Jos, with the death of five persons on Monday at Gyel, Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The last religious violence in Bukuru was in 2010. Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at 8:30pm. They said: “We saw a Hilux van painted in military colour heading towards Gyel. “After a while, we heard gun shots and on inquiry we were told that some armed men had opened fire on some Berom youths, killing five of them instantly. “Two other people escaped with gun shot wounds and

•Herdsmen kill 10 in Benue From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos and Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

were rushed to the hospitals.” There has been tension in Bukuru in the last two weeks, following the discovery of the bodies of two women. But for the intervention of troops of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis, code named ‘Operation Safe Haven’, many lives would have been lost. The Berom are accusing STF officers of complicity in the killings. A resident, Pam Dadu, said: “The security agencies, led by

the STF, know there has been tension in Bukuru. They assured us that they are keeping close watch on Bukuru and encouraged us to go about our businesses. Now, where was the STF when five of our people were killed?” Another resident, Mrs. Esther John, said: “These STF soldiers should be held responsible for this attack. “They are supposed to be all over the place to protect us but people are killed without finding their killers. They have to tell us who came to kill our people.” The police have begun in-

vestigation into the killings. The STF could not be reached for comments. In Benue State, 10 Tiv farmers have been reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen. This followed an attack on the home of the Tor Tiv , Alfled Akawe Torkula, yesterday. Over 100 suspected Fulani herdsmen were said to have carried out the attacks on Agyom, Tse Usenda and Tse Tokula villages in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The herdsmen invaded the settlement and the home of the Tor Tiv in the village was the first to be set ablaze before they razed the entire village.

Wamakko, Sudanese governor sign MoU From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko and Governor of Sinnar in Sudan Ahmed Abbas yesterday in Sudan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mutual partnership benefits in agriculture, trade and investment. The MoU will promote and advance cultural and educational status for the socio-cultural benefits of their people. The agreement is expected to foster and stimulate mechanisms for further unity and mutual exchange of artistic groups, culture and sports. Wamakko said he was delighted by the warm reception accorded him and his entourage. The governor said his government is ready to partner any government and organisation that can bring development to his state. He said his visit to Sudan was initiated to explore modern ways of mechanised farming.

Kwara Poly suspends seven From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

WARA State Polytechnic has suspended seven students for their alleged involvement in cultism. The students are from the Departments of Computer Science, Marketing, Banking and Finance, Business Administration and Public Administration. In a statement, the school’s spokesman, Moshood Amuda, said: “Already, the management has embarked on enlightenment campaigns to alert staff and students on the need to keep peace on our campuses. “On February 11, three of these students were found with incriminating documents and were subsequently handed over to the police for investigations. “In a related development, a group of suspected cultists, led by non-Kwara State Polytechnic student, attacked a student, Salaudeen Abimbola of the Computer Science Department. “Staff and students rallied to capture four of the suspected cultists with the aid of security officers. Also on Monday, an infiltrator came into the main campus and started shooting sporadically to scare students, who were set to write the first semester examinations. “The first semester examinations are in progress without hitches. The management has strengthened security on our two campuses.”

Relief materials donated in Bauchi •From left: Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Prof Charles K. Ayo; Chancellor Dr David Oyedepo; Pro-Chancellor Pastor Abraham Ojeme and the lecturer, Prof Louis Egwari, at the university’s fourth inaugural lecture, Microbial Life in the Presence of Carbon and Oxygen: Consequences for man, delivered by Prof Egwari at the University Chapel.

2,000 declare support for Ahmed, Saraki

VER 2,000 youths under the aegis of the Mohammed Dele Belgore (MDB) Solidarity Group announced yesterday their support for Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The MDB Solidarity Group was the youth megaphone of Mohammed Dele Belgore before his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The group’s State Coordina-

Belgore: we are not surprised From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

tor, Obalowu Olaitan, described the defection of the 2011 governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as embarrassing. Olaitan announced the group’s dissociation with Belgore’s defection, saying all lovers and defenders of democracy are irked by his action. Said he: “The forum con-

demns the defection of MDB when Kwara is in high political competition for development; the action has been informed by self-centred ambition to the detriment of Kwarans and Nigerians. “In the interest of well meaning Kwarans and Nigerians, we officially dissociate our forum from the MDB political movement and subsequently announce our merger and har-

monisation with other progressives and vibrant youths of the state to be known and addressed as APC TEAM Kwara.” But Belgore’s media aide Rafiu Ajakaye said: “We are not in any way surprised at Olaitan’s action. “There is no such group as the MDB Solidarity Group. The group of youths allied to Belgore is MDB Solidarity Team. They missed it. We wish Olaitan and his backers well.”

Sambo’s aide Balat dies at 62

ORMER Minister of State (Works) and Special Adviser on Special Duties to the Vice President Senator Isaiah Balat is dead. Balat, who served in 1999, and was elected as senator representing Kaduna Southern Senatorial district, died at the National Hospital, Abuja of an undisclosed ailment. Balat (62) was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State and contested the governorship primaries but lost to Vice President Namadi Sambo. President Goodluck Jonathan has condoled with Sambo and the Balat family as well as his kinsmen, the people of Kaduna State and supporters, whose interests he represented and defended throughout his political career. The President prays that God would receive the soul of the senator, whom he had the pleasure of working with in the Presidential Villa, and grant him eternal rest.

•Jonathan, Mark, others mourn From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Senate President David Mark described the late Balat as “an astute politician, a distinguished parliamentarian, respectable colleague and gentleman. He noted that Balat was one of the leading lights on the political scene who “demonstrated his love, patriotism and dedication to the ideals of nationhood.” Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero expressed shock and sadness . He said the death was a “big loss” not only to his family and Kaduna State but to the country. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Balat’s death had depleted the breed of bridge-builders diligently committed to holding together Nigeria. Yero said: “Balat exhibited the true essence of sacrifice as one of the leading lights of our

present democratic dispensation. History will judge him fairly as one of those who gave their all in building a modern, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.” The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also expressed sadness. National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh described the death as a huge loss to the country, adding that Balat left the scene at a time the nation needed his contributions. President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), umbrella body of the southern Kaduna people, Dr. Ephraim Goje said: “Just as we are recovering from the death of former Governor Patrick Yakowa, we are receiving this blow again, this is another big blow to the Southern Kaduna people. “But our consolation is that both Balat and Yakowa left their marks on the political terrain

•The late Balat

of Kaduna State.” Civil rights activist Mallam Shehu Sani said Balat was a political asset to the North. “His death is a great loss to Kaduna, northern Nigeria and Nigeria. “We have lost a pacifist an optimist and a political titan. Balat was a political asset to northern Nigeria and an ardent believer in a politics of consensus. “He lived his life a liberator of his people and an upholder of their dignity.

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

AUCHI Local Government Area of Bauchi State distributed yesterday relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Adamawa, Plateau and Yobe states. Caretaker committee Chairman Lawal Babamaaji said the donation was in line with the mandate of Governor Isa Yuguda. The relief materials were distributed at Mararaban Liman Katakum, 15 kilometres from the state capital. Babamaaji urged them to live in peace with one another and refrain from rumours that may trigger violence and disharmony.

Uneasy calm in Maiduguri •Shettima donates N100m to victims From Bodunrin Kayode, Maiduguri

ESIDENTS of Maiduguri, Borno State, have decried the recent killings in some parts of the state. They flayed the activities of officials of the Joint Task Force (JTF), who they alleged only respond after attacks. Some of the residents, however, said the management style of the military in the capital was commendable. They said it was disheartening to see their relatives, who escaped from the attacks in Gwoza, Bama, Konjuga and Damboa towns by Boko Haram insurgents in the last one month. A resident said: “My daughter and her friends had to trek through the bush all day and night to get to Maiduguri. That was how she and her friends escaped being captured as sex slaves. God, when will all this end? We are tired.” Many of them, however, refused to talk as they went about their business and looked at the reporter with suspicion. The recent death toll, which stood at 93 on Sunday as a result of Saturday’s Boko Haram attack on Izge town in Gwoza Local Government Area, rose by 40 as decomposed bodies were brought from surrounding bushes on Monday and Tuesday. There is fear that the toll could be higher as search operations were still ongoing. Sources said Izge, with a population of 10,000, was totally deserted as the residents have fled the area. Commissioner of Police Lawal Tanko could not say the exact number of casualties. The Borno State government donated yesterday N100 million to the victims of Saturday’s attack. Governor Kashim Shettima announced the donation while addressing some of the displaced persons in Sabon Gari, Madagali, in Adamawa State. “Our visit here is to sympathise with you. I want to assure you that we share your grief with you. “We have approved the release of N100 million to the victims to take care of immediate needs. “This is in addition to the previous N100 million approved for the victims of the recent attack in other parts of the local government,’’ the governor said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS

I’ve no religious sentiment, says Aregbesola

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said his administration’s education policy is devoid of religious sentiments. He said it was aimed at securing a brighter future for pupils in public schools. Aregbesola spoke yesterday at the inauguration of new buildings at the Baptist Elementary Primary School in Ilare, Ile-Ife. The governor; his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; and other members of the State Executive Council were dressed in the state’s school uniform. Also at the event, which was aired live on the state’s radio and television broadcasting stations and independent television stations, were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; the governor’s wife, Mrs. Serifat Aregbesola; and House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam, among others. The governor urged the people to support his administration’s education policy, saying it would have a positive effect on pupils. He said nothing would stop him from carrying out a revolution in the education sector and warned his critics against causing a crisis. Aregbesola said he was neutral on religious issues, adding: “I have always been

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

neutral and maintained a balance on religious matters. The future of our children should be more paramount in our hearts than religion or politics. “The hallmark of our new education policy is the enhancement of better welfare for teachers and pupils in public schools. We have resolved to make our public schools better than the private ones, though we are not ready to compete with the private schools. “We spent N1.2 billion on the Opon Imo (tablet of knowledge), which we distributed to pupils in senior secondary schools. We spent N14.8 billion on the construction of school buildings under the O’School programme.” He said his administration was investing much in education because it was concerned about the ideal development of children and youths. Aregbesola said his administration spent N14.4 billion capital expenditure on new schools and N21 billion recurrent expenditure annually on elementary schools. He said N13.43 billion was spent on secondary schools, amounting to N84,000 per capital spending per elementary school pupil, and N30,000 per secondary school pupil.

‘What we have brought to education in Osun, if we will not sound immodest, amounts to a revolution. Critics who will be honest should compare this new school and its facilities to what obtained when they went to school and what public schools have become of recent’

ality, who will be an asset to the society as he would be for himself. “This is a total man that understands life as an endeavour to add value to society through the application of self for the benefit of all. We are clearly neutral on religious observances. It is this neutrality that is the root of the absurd stigmatisation.” Aregbesola said if politicians were genuinely interested in the future of children, they would “bury their narrow concerns of today to assure children a glorious tomorrow”. He said progress was desired by every human society and brought about by “persistently confronting and providThe governor said the total ing solutions to societal probcapital expenditure on schools lems”. The governor said the govin the last three years, excluding new schools, is N31.31 bil- ernment should serve as an arbitrator in the society, always lion. He said: “What we have in pursuit of public interest, brought to education in Osun, which is larger and necessary if we will not sound immod- for the good and happiness of est, amounts to a revolution. all. His words: “The governCritics who will be honest should compare this new ment must not discriminate or school and its facilities to what favour any group or individual. obtained when they went to By design and purpose, the new school and what public schools school buildings are not for Muslims or for Christians. Neihave become of recent. “I repeat for the umpteenth ther are they for adherents of time that our efforts at revamp- any other religion. They are for ing education never had a reli- all children, regardless of their gious motive. We are moti- circumstances of birth. This, I vated by the highest ideal of expect, should be the basis upon developing a complete person- which government should be

Fire razes Ibadan plank market

PORTION of the plank market in Sango, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, went up in flames on Monday. Goods and tools worth several millions of naira were destroyed. The market was established in 1970. Over 20 shops were burnt before the fire was put out by sympathisers and men of the Oyo State Fire Service. The cause of the fire has not been identified. Oyo State Fire Service Director Oyekunle Kareem told our correspondent that the fire might have been caused by an electric surge in one of the shops. Eyewitnesses said the fire started about 9:45pm. They said attempts to put it out failed until the arrival of fire fighters. Mr. Babatunde Bolarinwa said he lost stocks and machines worth N2 million. He said: “They phoned me about 10pm that my shop was on fire. I could not come because my house is far from here. I came this morning to

To Mrs. Laoye-Tomori, who is also the commissioner for Education, the school was a testimony to the administration’s sincerity on education reforms. She described the Baptist Elementary Primary School, Ilare, as an architectural masterpiece designed to attract pupils and provide a level playing field for them, irrespective of their backgrounds. The deputy governor said: “The education reform is a complete package to provide a level playing field for pupils of school age. “We introduced the school meal system, called O’Meal, to provide balanced diets for pupils to enhance their physical and mental development. “The school is an architectural masterpiece designed to accommodate 1,000 pupils. The classrooms are well-ventilated. This will allow for more space as opposed to the old crowded classroom system and this will ultimately promote learning.” The Ooni hailed Aregbesola for what he described as “a wonder of a school”. He said: “I saw the new school and I was pleased with what I saw. The people of the town and state will confirm that the school is one of the best they have seen in this country. I urge the people to continue to support the government so that it can do more.”

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

see my shop in ruins. It is devastating. I had, at least, 80 doors and various machines used to design doors and other planks in my shop. They are worth N2 million. I am appealing to the government to help me.” Mr. Abiodun Alabi Sunday said: “I have lost all I worked for. I was at home when I received a phone call informing me of the fire. When I got there, I attempted to open the shop and salvage some items, but the fire was faster than me. It spread to my shop before I could open it and I ran away. Now, I am empty. I need help.” On the possible cause of the fire, Sunday said he was told that there was electricity supply about 7:50pm but it lasted for only two minutes. He ruled out electric spark or surge . Ibadan North Local Government Chairman Idris Lapade visited the market yesterday morning. He sympathised with the victims and promised to help them. He said he would get back to them in two weeks.

•People at the scene of the fire...yesterday.

Akpabio, others for Owo monarch’s 15th anniversary

engaged and encouraged. The education of our children should not be a subject of petty squabbles or unhealthy politics about our narrow interests.” Listing his administration’s achievements, Aregbesola said it employed 10,407 teachers, adding that the state now has 12,715 teachers in primary schools and 7,848 in high schools, which amount to 54.8 per cent increase in the number of public school teachers. The number of non-teaching staff has also increased by 564. The salary of primary and secondary school teachers and the pension of retired teachers cost N16.8 billion and N10.3 billion yearly. The governor said N900 million was spent on free school uniforms and N3.6 billion on the elementary school feeding programme yearly. He said: “On the supply of furniture to our schools, we have committed N2.5 billion so far and spent N503 million on instructional materials, which were not part of public school education before we assumed office. We have increased school grants from N122 million to N856 million. Under our administration, WAEC fees have shot up from N38 million to N400 million. We have also expended N1.2 billion on our pace-setting elearning tablet, Opon-Imo.”

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio and the Chairman of Elizade Mo tors, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, are among dignitaries that would be conferred with chieftaincy titles at the 15th Coronation Anniversary of the Olowo of Owo in Ondo State, Oba Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi. Businessman Rotimi Ibidapo and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. James Adelabu, would also be honoured. Activities marking the anniversary began on Monday, when the monarch addressed reporter. He urged his subjects to remain peaceful, so that the community can witness more developments. Oba Olateru-Olagbegi said: “I thank God for my life and that of my subjects. I am never in a

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

hurry to do anything. I do my things with painstaking attention to guard against mistakes.” Yesterday, a football match was held between Owo High School and Imade College at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic play ground. There will be a health talk today. Pupils will parade tomorrow at the palace ground. The conferment of chieftaincy titles and a fund raising in support of palace projects will hold on Friday. Guests will be entertained by the Royal Dance (Ugha) Cultural Band. Also on Friday, a Jumat service will hold at the Owo Central Mosque. A thanksgiving service is fixed for Sunday at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Owo.

PHOTO: NAN

Oyo Assembly passes N208b budget

HE Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday passed the N208, 376,635,152 2014 Appropriation Bill into law. The budget is about 22 per cent higher than last year’s N159.6 billion. The budget is N19,541,047,452 higher than the N188,835,587,700 proposal Governor Abiola Ajmobi presented to the Assembly for consideration. The House, presided over by the Speaker, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, passed the budget into law after the Committee on Public Account, Finance and Appropriation submitted its report on the bill.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

The report was jointly presented by the committee’s Chairman Olusegun Olaleye and House Committee on Information and Orientation Chairman Kolade Olagunju. Recurrent expenditure got N97,960,164,300 and N110,416,470,852 capital expenditure. Explaining the reason for increasing the budget, Olaleye said the House considered the need to adequately finance the administration’s people-oriented and welfare programmes. He said the House needs to support the governor to make Oyo investors-friendly and less-dependent on Federal Allocation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS

Lagos spends N500 million on teachers training

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola said yesterday that his administration spent over N500 million on the training of teachers in public schools. He said the training was aimed at improving the standard of education. The governor spoke at the Lagos City Hall at a breakfast meeting and Corporate Social Responsibility awards organised by the Support Our School Initiative of the Ministry of Education. He urged individuals and corporate organisations to support his administration’s effort to improve education, adding that 33,000 teachers need to be retrained in Information Communication Technology (ICT). Fashola said: “At the primary school level, about 12,000 teachers need to be trained, while 21,000 secondary school teachers also need training. If you look at our annual training budget between 2010 and

By Oziegbe Okoeki

2013, we have spent about N500 million on teachers’ training.” He urged teachers who have acquired additional knowledge to approach the government, adding that his administration would employ them and give them commensurate remuneration. Fashola said: “With the support of the people and corporate organisations, the milestone that has been achieved can be built upon. I want you to join me in facing the challenge we are facing in the sector. “We have alluded to the declining standard of education today, compared to the past. The question I ask myself is: Is it true that there were public schools in the past? I find it difficult to say there were public schools in the past because most of the schools I remember in the past were mission and pri-

vate schools. “The truth is that at that time of prosperity and educational success, the schools were not run by the government. They were run by the missions and private sector. What the government did was to regulate, set standards, set calendars, set the rules and the examinations. “Now, the government has realised that it is not a one-man show. That is why Christians and Muslims have some of their schools back, but the challenge endures. We urge the private sector to work with us to do what it did before. “That is the brain behind the ‘Adopt-a-School Initiative’, but unlike before when there were predominately Christian and Muslim missions, corporate organisations and individuals can now intervene.” Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye thanked the

CBN chief hails Aregbesola on security

•Fashola

awardees and those who have bought into the Adopta-School Initiative, saying their contribution to the development of education was remarkable. The awardees included Group Managing Director Rose of Sharon and Executive Vice-Chairman of Famfa Oil Limited Mrs. Folorunso Alakija; Chief Kessington Adebutu; Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB); First Bank, Mr. Femi Okunnu (SAN) and Elegant Twins.

APC registers over 720,000 members in Ekiti, Oyo

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State registered 226,527 people in its just concluded membership registration. The Interim Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, said despite provocations from the opposition, the exercise was successful. He thanked the people for coming out to register and urged intending members to register at their wards, adding that the registration was “continuous.”

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Awe, who earlier forecasted that the party would register 100,000 members, said he based his earlier permutation on a 100 per polling unit. He said the large turn out showed that the people have confidence in the APC and the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration. A breakdown of the figures, according to local governments, is as follows: Ado, 30,070; Oye, 23,130; Ekiti

Southwest, 19,972; Ijero, 16,379; Ikole, 16,294; Ekiti West, 16,020; Irepodun/ Ifelodun, 15,389; Ido/Osi, 13,100; Gbonyin, 12, 656; Moba, 11,028; Ikere, 10,568; Ekiti East, 10,070; Ise /Orun, 9,586; Efon, 8,594; Emure, 8,156 and Ilejemeje, 5,515. Awe said the February 12 closing date announced by the party was intended to assess the turnout, adding that the registration continues in wards. He debunked the allegation that civil servants were

‘Omisore can’t win ward election’

SUN State Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration Ajibola Bashir has described Senator Iyiola Omisore’s statement that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win the governorship election as “an empty boast.” Bashir said Omisore cannot win election in his ward and local government, adding: “It amazes me when someone like Omisore, who lost in his ward and local government in 2007 and 2011, boasts that the PDP would capture Osun State.” The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed August 9 for Osun State governorship election. Omisore assured his supporters while submitting his nomination paper for the PDP governorship ticket that if he was picked as the party’s flag bearer, he would dislodge All Progressives Congress (APC) from power. Bashir, who spoke to our correspondent, wondered why a person like Omisore who can’t win ward election now want to rule the state. “Someone who was rejected by his people at the ward and local government hoping to rule the state is a comedian”, he said. According to him, Omisore‘s first election as a senator in 2007 was declared null and void by the Appeal Court. In 2011, he was de-

By Leke Salaudeen

feated by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate Senator Babajide Omoworare. Rather than challenge his victory at the tribunal, he said Omisore keep saying the election was rigged. “The one that went to the tribunal, I mean Wole Oke lost at election petition tribunal level and the Court of Appeal.” PDP can’t win any election in Osun State. “As a party, we are the party in control. We know they would engage in thuggery, unleash security operatives to harass and intimidate and to steal peoples mandate, our people are prepared to thwart their evil machinations. We don’t have any doubt that the government of Aregbe sola will continue beyond 2014. “We are prepared for the August 9 governorship election. We have delivered on our promises. In 2011, our people in Osun voted for APC. It is only in Osun that PDP lost presidential elec-

tion in the Southwest”, he said. Reflecting on the success of APC membership registration exercise, Bashir said within 24 hours, 100 forms sent to each unit were exhausted. We have 3,010 registration units in the state. That is to say over 300,000 people were registered on the first day of the exercise. He said: “From the registration exercise, Osun State is a pace setter. The State of Osun has decided to go the way of APC.” According to him Governor Aregbesola has made the people to be the centre of development and stressed that in a democracy when people is the source of your strength, you don’t need any other strength again. “Human being is the focus of our development programme. The gamut of our development programme is about elevating the people. All our programmes are about the people”, he added.

Two robbery suspects held in Ondo From Damisi Ojo, Akure

WO robbery suspects, Usman Richard (22) and Kehinde (32), were arrested yesterday in Ondo town. Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said the suspects were arrested on the Ondo-Akure Highway about 1am. He said six others, who were with the suspects, escaped. Ogodo said a Beretta pistol with ammunition was recovered from the suspects.

compelled to register as members of the party. In Oyo State, the party registered over 500,000 members. A source said the party was still collating data on the number of people registered in each local government.

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Osun State branch, has hailed Governor Rauf Aregbesola for tightening security in the state. Branch Controller Mr. Macduff Okorode Effetabore said businesses thrive in a secure environment. Effetabore spoke at the weekend at the 2013 Dinner/ Awards night for efficient banks at the Leisure Spring Hotel in Osogbo. He said: “There is a causal relationship between business and the environment. Conducive environment allows businesses to thrive. With the peace in the state, the required ennoblement for businesses to flourish has been given a boost. At this juncture, join me to appreciate the Chief Security Officer of the state, Governor Aregbesola. “Since he assumed office, he has created enabling environment for every citizen to go about his /her lawful business. Equally, appreciation goes to security agents –the Military, Police, State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others who have contributed to the peace enjoyed in the state.” On the cashless policy, Effetabore said the implementation of the third phase would begin on July 1, adding that the CBN would hold sensitisation workshops in Osun State from February 25 to 27.

Ekiti gets ICT award

HE Ekiti State government has won the 2014 Alder Top Social Media Brand in the Social Media Icon Government category. The Lagos State government came second and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) third. The Alder Social Media Report was put together in 2013 to look at brands that make effective usage of the social media. The rankings, carried out by Alder Social Media Ranking (ASMR), are results of a public poll and expert rankings of brands that effectively use social media in Nigeria. The Ekiti State government’s website, www.ekitistate.gov.ng, was last year ranked as the best by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). The Ekiti State government’s Youtube channel has been verified. This makes it the only government Internet video channel to be verified in Nigeria. Other brands ranked by ASMR were the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Daystar Christian Centre and the Elevation Church for the Faith Sector. FIRS, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Osun State also joined Ekiti and Lagos States in the government sector ranking. GTB, UBA and First Bank made the ranking in the banking sector.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS Osun committed to boosting IGR, workers’ welfare

SUN State is committed to boosting its internally generated revenue (IGR) and relying less on federal allocation, Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Bade Adeshina has said. Speaking during the 2014 budget presentation, he said the government is repositioning and strengthening its IGR mechanisms by “beaming its searchlight towards the informal sector.” Adeshina has allayed workers fears over the safety of their contributions in the pension scheme, adding that the governor is committed

By Joseph Jibueze

to improving workers’ welfare. Speaking at a forum to sensitise pensioners, he said the state would ensure that the scheme is well-administered by competent persons. According to him, participants should not worry about receiving their pensions after retirement as the contributions are kept with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in line with the Pension Reform Act 2004. He said those who condemn the contributory pension scheme do so out of ignorance.

Pilgrim commission debunks cleric’s claim

HE board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has debunked the claim of its one-time federal commissioner, Rev. Robinson Oritsuwa that he was wrongly removed from the board of the commission last year. According to a widelycirculated publication, the clergyman alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan approved his return to the board, but he was replaced by the NCPC boss. In a statement from the office of the NCPC, the board agreed that “no

doubt, Rev. Oritsuwa is a former federal commissioner on the board of the NCPC. He represented the Southsouth between 2008 and July last year. He was the only board member whose appointment was not renewed by President Jonathan. He was replaced by Pastor Mike Abrakata to represent Southsouth.” The statement also considered it “saddening that Rev. Oritsuwa went to press to misrepresent information. That once Mr. President approves the name of any candidate for an appointment, no one can change it.”

Social media summit for journalists

VERYTHING Journalism – a group on

the professional network, Linkedin.com – and its adjunct, The Journalism Clinic, in collaboration with United Bank for Africa (UBA) plc is hosting a one-day social media summit to boost the capacity of Nigerian journalists to maximally use the social media for news gathering, building online communities and engaging with their audiences. Tagged: “Functional Social Networking for Nigerian journalists”, it will hold tomorrow, at the Amphitheatre, UBA House, 57 Marina, Lagos. “We have seen the creative disruption happening in the media space. It is important that Nigerian media

professionals get a clear understanding of this process and how to take advantage of it. We hope that by hosting this high profile discussion for the media, a clear path way will be mapped for the Nigerian media industry,” said Phillips Oduoza, MD/CEO UBA Plc while explaining why the bank decided to sponsor and host the event. Convener, Taiwo Obe, founder and moderator of the EveythingJournalism group and director of The Journalism Clinic, stated that at the end of the summit, not only would journalists “be more socialmedia friendly and savvy, media owners, a number of whom have indicated their participation at the summit, should also have the zeal to change their mindsets to operate more efficiently, and profitably, in the digital age.”

DCO shot at us while we ran, says witness

LAGOS High Court, Igbosere heard yesterday how a dismissed Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Segun Fabunmi, charged with murder, shot at a crowd while people ran during the January 2012 fuel subsidy removal protest. Led in evidence by the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan, a witness, Chizoba Udoh, told Justice Olabisi Akinlade that he was reading a newspaper at Maternity Junction, Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba, Lagos on January 9, 2012, when a police van arrived. “Suddenly a policeman got off from the van and shot in the air. I immediately crossed

By Precious Igbonwelundu

the road. “Another policeman, who was not in uniform, collected the gun from him and shot at the crowd at the Maternity Junction, while we ran. “It was while we were running that Adedamola Daramola was killed. Three others and myself sustained bullet injuries,” he said. Another witness, Moses Daramola, who said the deceased was his brother, told the court that he was in his home at Ogba when he heard gunshots from Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba. “When I got to the scene, people told me that my brother had been shot and

taken to General Hospital, Ifako Ijaye. “I got to the hospital and found out that my brother is dead. I cried and was taken back home, while his body was taken to the mortuary,” he said. Fabunmi was arraigned on May 5 last year for murder and attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty. He was accused of killing Adedamola Daramola and injuring Alimi Abubakar, Egbujor Samuel and Chizorba Odoh. The defendant was admitted to bail on health grounds. At the resumed hearing, the prosecuting counsel informed the court of an additional proof of evidence and prayed

that she should be allowed to call the witness. But the defence counsel, George Oguntade (SAN), objected, saying he had not been served the additional proof and therefore the witness could not be called. Following the objection, Justice Akinlade told the prosecuting counsel to call other witnesses listed on the first proof of evidence, in order not to waste time. During cross examination, the defence counsel argued that the hospital the deceased was taken to was not in operation that day due to the strike. Justice Akinlade, after listening to both counsel, adjourned till March 19 for continuation of trial.

Unions join LASU students’ protest against fee hike

USINESS activities were halted yesterday in Alausa, the seat of power in Lagos State, as the Joint Action Front (JAF) and Education Rights Campaign (ERC) joined the protest by the Lagos State University (LASU) students against hike in tuition fee and the partial resumption of students. The protest started at about 7:20am at the Textile Garment House with hundreds of LASU students marching and singing war songs on the Agindigbi road via Awolowo road. They stormed the House of Assembly to express their grievances over what they called “outrageous school fees”. Addressing protesters, the National Coordinator of ERC,

By Toba Agboola

Comrade Hassan Soweto, said: “We earnestly urge honourable members of the Assembly to reverse the fees at LASU because the fee hike was the cause of protests by LASUITES on January 23 and 24, as well as the inability of about 1,292 students to register”. Soweto said the cause of the protests should be addressed once and for all, adding that the fee hike is “anti-poor” and unaffordable by the majority, including civil servants. He said: “This regime of fees in the only public university in the state is unaffordable for the majority. It contradicts the vision of LASU founding fathers and is calculated to price education out of the reach of the

children of the working class. “We urge members of the House to prevail on the governor to reduce the fees and allow LASU students to resume on February 24 as announced by the school’s management for final year students.” JAF Secretary Comrade Abiodun Aremu said: “We demand immediate reversal of the hiked fees at LASU by the management. We have argued severally that the outrageous fee hike is the cause of crisis in LASU and its reversal, adequate funding and the democratic management of LASU are the only solutions. “The majority of Lagosians, except the few who benefit from the government, are opposed to the continuous charging of N193,750 and N348,750 as fees

in LASU.” He said JAF members would be at LASU gate on the resumption day and they would disregard law enforcement officers the school management might invite to harass students. Deputy Speaker Musibau Kolawole Taiwo said the fees were increased to provide adequate facilities. He said: “Some courses were disaccredited in LASU by the National Universities Commission (NUC) during its visit to the school. I was part of the lawmakers that went to the commission’s office in Abuja and we were told that they were coming to disaccredit more courses. That was why we supported the state government on the need to increase fees to help the school.”

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (second right); Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey (right), Most. Rev George Lasebikan (left), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh (second left) and Archbishop Joseph Akinfenwa (behind Ajimobi) during a courtesy call by delegates from the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) to Ajimobi...yesterday

‘54 Boko Haram suspects arrested in one year’

FORMER General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Gen. Obi Umahi, has urged his successor, Gen. T. I. Dibi, to avoid the assumption that

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Boko Haram insurgents are not within the command’s area of responsibility. Umahi said the Army division arrested 54 suspected Boko Haram members within a year when he held was the helmsman of the division. The former GOC addressed reporters yesterday in Lagos at the command’s headquarters, after his handover to Gen. Dibi. He advised Gen. Dibi to keep watch round the clock and ensure that his alertness level remains high. Umahi said one of his greatest challenges as GOC of 81 Division was the reality of the existence of Boko Haram elements in Lagos and Ogun states. He said: “The most trying moment for me was the point we realised that we were already living with Boko

Haram elements. Though we had always assumed they could be around, the realities did not dawn on us until we made the first arrest of 12 suspects. “At that point, we had to expand our dragnets and spread out networks to garner as many within as possible. This proved a tedious challenge for us. But, in the end, we were able to mop them up. “So, I can say that I am living Lagos safer than I met it.” On the number of terror suspects arrested during his leadership and the stage of investigation, Umahi said after the arrest of 12 suspects, 42 others were also nabbed. He explained that while some of the first 12 were set free, after screening by the State Security Service (SSS), others are on trial with exhibits, such as 14 explosives, AK47 rifles and various types of ammunitions. “The 42 suspects, who were

subsequently arrested have been profiled, screened and are awaiting trial,” Umahi said. According to him, the suspicion that some terrorists planned to bomb military formations in the Southwest was only a rumour but which the Army did not ignore. Umahi said: “The information did not come to us as well prepared military intelligence but as rumour. All the same, we do not leave any information lying down. We have responded to it and the signs are evident in all military formations.” It was learnt that security has been tightened in military zones across the state, with intelligence personnel searching vehicles, including those of senior and junior officers. It was also learnt that armoured personnel carriers (APCs) were being searched, with visitors made to call their hosts.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2014

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08078425391

LASU students take protest to Assembly

RATE students of the Lagos State University (LASU), led by some civil society groups, stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday in protest against hike in their tuition fees. For peace to return to the institution, they insisted that the fees must be reversed. Among their requests as contained in their petition to the House are: Adequate funding for the school; democratic management; no payment of reparation/ damages; no victimisation and that all students must resume on February 24 as against selective resumption for different levels currently put in place by the school’s authorities. The students carried placards bearing inscriptions

HE Lagos State Government has sealed off eight illegal sand dredging sites in Ikorodu in line with its commitment to protecting waterfronts against illegal dredging. Officials of the Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences and the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development stormed the waterfront at Baiyeku, Aiyetoro and Ijede, all in Ikorodu axis, last weekend, as part of their monitoring and enforcement in the

‘CDC ‘ll boost grassroots growth’

By Oziegbe Okoeki

like: “Education is a right not a privilege”; “Adequate funding of education is nonnegotiable” and “Reverse the fees now”, among others, as they chanted anti-government songs. The National Coordinator of Education Rights Campaign, Mr Hassan Soweto, who spoke for the students, lamented the harrowing experiences of indigent students paying N250,000, adding that it was the cause of the institution’s crises. He said the House was biased in its earlier intervention by putting all the blame on the students, saying: “The hike in school fee in 2011 is the cause of the recurrent crises in LASU. The fee is one of the most expensive in the entire country. We think the

•The protesters... yesterday.

House has acted in error. It is unfair to put all the blame on students. This is against the claims of a party that calls itself progressive; it is undemocratic.” The Secretary General of Joint Action Front (JAF), Abiodun Aremu, said: “The House has constitutional responsibility to reverse the fees. We are passionate to be

here today because we know the lawmakers were beneficiaries of public education.” Deputy Speaker Kolawole Taiwo, who said the House had never been biased against the students, said: “I assure you that the House will look into your complaints. We thank you for not taking laws into your hands. We shall do the needful.”

Lagos shuts illegal dredging sites By Oziegbe Okoeki

area. The illegal dredgers, on sighting the enforcement team, fled the scene abandoning their equipment. But 16 people, who work for various companies, were arrested and are being held by the task force, awaiting prosecution. Confirming the operation, the Head of Press and Pub-

lic Relations Unit in the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Olatokunbo Dawodu, said the enforcement team also confiscated the components of the dredging machine the illegal operators abandoned at the site. She said: “The Commissioner for the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru, had persistent-

ly warned against illegal dredging and has promised stiffer penalties against illegal dredging operators in accordance with extant laws. “He has also assured that the ministry would not relent in undertaking similar enforcement exercises from time to time as long as illegal dredging continues to be perpetrated in the state, until it is completely curbed.”

HE chairman of Mushin Local Government in Lagos State, Hon. Olatunde Babatunde Adepitan, has described Community Development Committees (CDCs) as a catalyst for grassroots mobilisation and development. Speaking at the inauguration of the newly elected executive members of the CDC in his domain, he explained that through such bodies, infrastructural needs of the community could be addressed by using leadership by example to mobilise the citizens to embark on projects that could improve their welfare. Adepitan thanked members of the committee for conducting themselves maturely

during their election, and promised to “assist any community that could start a project of immense benefits to their society.” He, however, said they must have started and gone far on the project, adding: “At the end of the year, during the Community Development Association Day, we shall give handsome awards to the best CDA in Mushin.” The Chairman, CDC in Mushin, Chief Rasheed Agbolade, who promised to mobilise the residents for growth and development, urged the council to provide utility vehicle for the body. He also sought its assistance on office accommodation and stipends for the CDC’s leadership.

‘Change awaits Nigeria’

ITH the large turnout of members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for its justconcluded registration, Nigeria is due for the much-awaited change for better times, a chieftain of the party in Lagos State, Otunba Akinola Ogunyolemi, has said. He said it lent credence to the leadership acumen of the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

whom he described as a great mobiliser who had been using his influence to bring all progressive elements in the country together to rescue the nation. He said the turnout was good for democracy and commended the extention of deadline for the registration, adding: “I urge all party faithful to get prepared for the forthcoming election in Osun and Ekiti states.”

Private doctors hold conference

HE Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) will hold its 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, between March 31 and April 6. The conference, which is tagged “Garden City 2014,” has as its theme, Environmental Protection and Health in Developing Economy. Its Rivers State chairman, Dr Henry Sota, said about 1,500 doctors were being expected at the event.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS CPC promises to protect consumers By Toba Agboola

D • From left: Head, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Lagos Office, Mr. Tam Tamunokonbia; Director-General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki and Director, Legal, Emmanuel Ataguba, in Lagos ... yesterday.

TCN records 7,000MW capacity

HE Transmission Com pany of Nigeria (TCN) has the capacity to wheel 7,000Mega Watts (MW) to the national grid, the Chairman TCN Board, Ibrahim Waziri, has said. Waziri, who spoke yesterday at a press briefing in Abuja, said the company presently has over 165 ongoing projects aimed at doubling its power wheeling capacity from 5,00MW to 10,000MW. He said: “As at today, the performance of TCN is commendable, and on a positive up-swing. We have over 165 on-going initiatives and projects aimed at doubling

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

our output from 5,000MW to 10,000MW, of which we are confident of 7,000MW on a balanced delivery as of now.” He said the Board has asked the management to review and prioritise the raft of ongoing projects to ensure a more prudent focus of limited resources to key projects with immediate tangible impact, adding that, the board has a policy thrust to steer the affairs of TCN towards achieving three broad objectives; zero stranded power, to ensure that every wattage of power generated

is transmitted to the power distribution companies nationwide. He listed other objectives as zero system collapse and transparent and efficient market operation. Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Manitoba Hydro International ( MHI), Mack Kast, said TCN needs $1.5billion yearly to wheel 20,000MW by 2020. “ What we thought of, is to develop transmission stand of 20,000MW by 2020. Over that period of time, our projection is that we need between $1billion to 1.5billion per a year to make that a reality,” he said.

No shutdown of 600 MFBs, says CBN

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) has re futed reports that 600 microfinance banks (MFBs) will be shutdown. CBN’s Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD), Mr. Olufemi Fabamwo said the claims were false. Dismissing the report as untrue and misleading, Fabamwo said the CBN is satisfied with the state of the microfinance industry and the financial condition of the MFBs, adding that the report should be ignored, adding that the writer never bothered to crosscheck the report with CBN Corporate Com-

munication Department, or any other relevant authority. Fabamwo said such misinterpretation of the policy direction in the microfinance sub-could result in the demarketing of microfinance banks and thus, undermine public confidence, which is capable of precipitating panic withdrawals by depositors and investors in the MFBs. He urged the public to ignore the story, saying that the microfinance sub-sector is being regulated and supervised by the apex bank and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). He explained that all MFBs are examined at least once

yearly, while some are examined more than once, depending on the exigencies of the situation, with follow-up visits to ensure that examiners’recommendations are implemented and corrective actions are taken by the operators of the MFBs in order to engender stability in the microfinance space. He advised the public and depositors of microfinance banks to ignore the report, describing the development as an attempt to subvert the development of the nascent microfinance industry in Nigeria and solicited for their unwavering support to the microfinance industry.

Dana Air to undergo IOSA audit

ANA Air said it has concluded plans to undergo the International Operations Safety Audit ( IOSA) carried out by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global airline regulator. Speaking yesterday at the flag-off of the Lagos-Port Harcourt flight operations at the Murtala Muhamed Airport, ( MMA2), Terminal in Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer of airline, Yvan Drewinsky, said the airline is one of the 10 carriers selected by the African Union ( AU), to undergo the global safety operational audit.

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

He said the African Union would pick the bill of the audit as part of its assistance programme to African carriers, adding that the African Union will be facilitating training and other logistics that would assist DANA Air achieve the audit before the end of this year. He said DANA Air is investing in the acquisition of more aircraft to boost its operations beyond the traditional triangular routes of Lagos- Abuja - Port Harcourt and other destinations .

He said the return of DANA Air has engendered competition aiming the carriers, resulting in the reduction of air fares . He said :” African union last year decided to sponsor 10 airlines to make them more safe and pay for their IOSA. We have been selected as one of the 10 airlines by the African union, the first workshop with IATA will come up in Lagos in March this year . For one week, we will have trainers, instructors, people helping us to become IOSA compliant .”

Customs body seeks coordinated border HE World Customs Or management dor and information technolganisation (WCO) yes ogy could culminate in in-

terday called for a better coordinated border management in Nigeria. According to the visiting Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya, who sought this in Abuja, the call followed the mandate of the organisation to support government of member countries to improve revenue generation for economic growth. He said that from his inter-

From John Ofikhenua and Grace Obike, Abuja

action with traders in Lagos, he realised that the business community wants better transparency and predictability . The businessmen, he said, complained about the multiple agencies at the ports as causing delay in transactions. Mikuriya stated that a better coordinated border system by the Single Window corri-

creased revenue generation. “The IT that we just saw at the Customs ruling centre can really provide the basis for the connectivity; we are living in the 21st century so we have to make the best use of IT that can connect Customs to Customs and Customs to business. We also expect business to be more compliant and in that way we can have a win-win situation,” Mikuriya said.

ETERMINED to pro tect Nigerian con sumers from unwholesome practices of multi-national and local companies, the Consumer Protection Council has directed Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian Bottling Company to subject their manufacturing processes to the Council’s inspection for a period of 12 months to ensure compliance with laid down safety standards and regulations. The directive came on the heels of a recent investigation by the CPC, which revealed that cans of sprite manufactured by NBC under the licence of Coca-Coca Nigeria Limited, were unwholesome for human consumption. CPC Director-General, CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, confirmed the development during a press briefing on the ‘Investigation into Violation of Product Quality Standards by the firms. The CPC, a parastatal under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is empowered by the Consumer Protection Council Act, Cap 25, LFN 2004, to, among others, provide speedy redress to consumers’ complaints, remove hazardous products from the market, cause an offending company to protect, compensate and provide relief to injured consumers and encourage the adoption of appropriate measures to ensure that products are safe for intended use. Mrs. Atoki said, pursuant to a consumer complaint received by the CPC regarding two half-empty cans of Sprite, products manufactured by NBC under the licence and authority of Coca Cola, the Council in accordance with its Act, investigated the complaint and found, among other things, that the cans of sprite were defective and had health and safety implications for consumers. When contacted, an official of the Nigerian Bottling Company Plc, Melvin Awolowo, said the company’s position will be made known today.

Onecard integrates with Baba Ijebu

NECARD Nigeria, said it has completed its integration with Premier Lotto Limited, better known as Baba Ijebu. By the integration, Nigerians will now be able to top up their mobile phones from all Baba Ijebu agents nationwide bringing direct TopUp services closer to people. “We are excited to have partnered Premier Lotto, a household name in Nigeria’s gaming industry. We have chosen the company because we believe its agency network provides us the perfect opportunity to get our unique services to customers across the country. The reliability and successful business network of Premier Lotto offers us an excellent system that will ensure that Nigerians also access the convenience that OneCard has brought to the marketplace,” Baba, the OneCard Chief Executive Officer, said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

Life

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

•Muson Shell Hall

MUSON Centre: Braving the odds Muson is an example of an institution that thrives on collective efforts of private individuals; a society that encourages classical music and training of youths without a dime from the government. Its music school has moved from a basic class in music to a two-year diploma course accredited by the Ministry of Education in 2005. – SEE STORY ON PAGE 16

Immigration boss backs domestic tourism – Page 17

With Samodun Festival, Oyo raises bar for regional integration – Page 18

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

MUSON AT 20

In the last two decades, the serene ambience of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre at Onikan in the heart of Lagos has remained unpolluted. The centre is a unique brand in top-flight events hosting and a model in sustaining standard and quality in service delivery in the private sector. Its General Manager, Mr. Gboyega Banjo, reflects on dwindling support from corporate bodies and the increasing challenge of funding the centre’s flagship programmes, among other issues. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

•The Muson Mobil Hall

•The Muson Shell Hall

MUSON Centre: Braving the odds

HEN it started 31 years ago, the founding fathers of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) were resolute on their vision-taking the best classical, folk and popular music from Nigeria to the rest of the world. Also, they were committed to the performance of serious music with emphasis on classical ones. Driven by these desires, the society established the Muson Centre that literarily became one of the leading event venues in Lagos. Twenty years on, the vision to sustain excellence has not changed. But, what has changed is the quantum of funds at the disposal of the centre to run its flagship arts events. The establishment and running of Muson choir, Muson Music School and Muson Symphony Orchestra and the annual Muson Festival are among the centre’s landmark objectives. At inception, some corporate bodies such as Shell, Agip and Mobil committed huge resources into the construction of its facilities, especially the recital halls that earn the society regular income. Till date, it thrives on hosting top flight events. Like an oasis, the architectural elegance and serene ambience of Muson Centre stand out among other event venues on the island. The tall, luxuriant royal palm trees that provide shade at the car parks and walkways, and the refreshing cool breeze from the love garden fountain are soothing balm to every guest at the centre. However, there seems to be a downward slide in the centre’s earnings from corporate bodies’ supports. Little wonder, it is getting increasingly expensive to fund the annual Muson Festival. “The festival was designed to broaden the music for Nigerians to include jazz, drama and literary competition. We have performances by Nigerians and African musicians. We are largely fulfilled by

•Front view of the Muson Shell Hall

our objective, but it is getting increasingly expensive to fund the festival. Though shorter, we still succeed in touching wider audience,” Banjo said. He said corporate supports these days are limited to sponsorship of concert and the annual festival, adding that the stream of income for staff emoluments and maintenance come from internally generated revenue. “Muson is a membership society with

wide range of categories, and there is an inflow of income from that,” he said. What percentage of the centre’s budget is derived from hall charges and membership subscriptions? How has the centre managed the cost implication of its maintenance culture in the last 20 years? According to Banjo, Muson Centre at the beginning got massive donations for the construction of the recital halls, but that since

‘The festival was designed to broaden music for Nigerians to include jazz, drama and literary competition. We have performances by Nigerians and African musicians. We are largely fulfilled by our objective, but it is getting increasingly expensive to fund the festival’

then, ‘donations have been for concert and funding of emolument for Artistic Director of the centre. However, it is getting increasingly difficult to get funding.’ He said the founding fathers knew that much money would not be realised from gate takings for arts events, which was why they approached the corporate bodies for supports. “We have a strong link with the corporate Nigeria. But in running a regular event, we let out the halls to raise such income. All these are used to fund the concerts,” he said. He said no efforts have been spared to sustain the maintenance culture at Muson but that it requires discipline of staff. “At the outset, cleaning of the facilities was contracted to cleaners, who work 24 hours every day. It costs money and yet we don’t cut corners. Adequate budgetary allocation is provided for maintenance of space, generator, •Continued from page 14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Immigration boss backs domestic tourism

“I

AM happy that you have discovered what is necessary and needed to unlock the hidden potentialities of this sector. You will discover that most countries reaping bountifully from tourism today, first of all, looked inward, took tourism inventory in their countries, drove the consciousness in their own people, developed the sites, enhanced them and invited foreigners to see. “This is exactly what Nigeria needs to do and it gladdens my heart that you are not only talking it but doing everything practically possible to bring it to be. This is good.” This remark was made by the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Services, Mr David Parradang, when the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, visited him in Abuja. The Immigration boss assured NTDC of his support, especially in evolving a sustainable vision to kick-start the blossoming of the tourism sector in Nigeria. Parradang said he was particularly happy that Mrs Mbanefo has been living up to expectation and spreading the gospel of domestic tourism in Nigeria, which he described ‘as the magic and a potent instrument capable of jump-starting and kindling the zeal of tourism consciousness in the nation’. He noted that statistic within the agency revealed that foreigners love to visit Nigeria tourism sites but informed that some of them are skeptical about the status and facilities available in these sites adding ‘these are the areas which your organisation needs to work on.’ The CGI used the opportunity to highlight what the agency has put in place to further the cause of tourism and tourists saying that ‘the focal points of his administration, which is hinged on capacity building, robust border patrol, deployment of appropriate technology for monitoring and statistical analysis of foreigners and tourists in Nigeria.’ Mr. Parradang disclosed that “the Federal Government has made Nigerian visa procurement easy and smooth. “The Operation getting visa at point of entry has kicked off. There are facilities on ground now, where you can renew your visa in a day and there is no room for delay in obtaining Nigeria visa any longer.” He reiterated the desire of the agency not only to partner with NTDC, but to collaborate in any way that could add value to the domestic tourism vision of Mrs. Mbanefo. “Whatever the case is and may be, just be assured that the Nigeria Immigration Service is not only in

•From left: Mrs Mbanefo recieving a plaque from Mr Parradang By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

TOURISM alliance with your vision of promoting domestic tourism but ready to support and collaborate with your corporation for the lifting of Nigeria’s tourism status among the comity of tourism states.” Mrs. Mbanefo commended the immigration boss for having a good grasp of the tourism sector saying, ‘I am impressed by your brilliant overview and suggestion about the tourism sector, which revealed the fact that you are not only a thoroughbred immigration boss but one with informed global perspective of tourism trends. ‘This is a good sign for us at NTDC. NIS is a very important stakeholder to NTDC and it will be unwise if I did not pay respect to you and seek collaboration and advice. As partner in progress, we want a strong partnership with Nigeria Immigration Service, in the area of easy Visa regime for the entire tourists that will attract foreign investors. She disclosed that ‘we are here to strengthen and lubricate the chord of relationship and collaboration,

which should be between the Immigration Service and NTDC, the two Siamese twins of the travel and tourism sector.’ Mrs Mbanefo said no tourism agency can make any meaningful impact without a strategic partnership with the immigration service. “Our paying you this visit is to tell and show you our respect and appreciation of your import and essence to the tourism sector and the domestic tourism vision. We are happy that we met a man who is well grounded in what we are about to sell to him. This has made my work smooth,” she said. She disclosed that no serious tourism driver of a nation would undermine the position and essence of Immigration service because “statistical data and effective border control is essential to the growth of tourism and protection of the nation’s security and integrity” Mrs. Mbanefo commended the Immigration boss for his sense of duty and the warm reception accorded her delegation. “We commend you for your warm reception, enlightenment and assurance of collaboration and support, we are leaving here re-energised, re-invigorated and with the assurance of having a productive partner in Nigeria Immigration Service,” she said.

UNILAG hosts Mega Praise

EGA Praise, a musical concert by the Breath of Life Ministry, was held at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos

last week. The concert had students and non-students in attendance. Heads of Departments, lecturers and other well wishers were also present. The host, Pastor Jedafe, said the concert was borne out of his passion for sound and music. He said; “I have passion for sound and music; for the worship of our king. “Music is all about God, it is the front •Pastor Jedafe (fourth left) with the Mega Praise choir on stage. line of evangelism and a medicine to the soul. “In our songs, we sing scriptures, we sing Jesus and in a By Olatunde Odebiyi way we preach the gospel”, Jedafe said. The cleric said mega praise was borne out of the need for MUSIC people to arise and give God worship; this is what God deserves from each of us, Jedafe said. The choristers later joined them singing contemporary gosThe concert started with an opening prayer led by Kio pel songs including; brighter day by kirk Franklin, never Ayanate after which there were various performances inagain by James Fortune, trading my sorrow and Jesus at the cluding rap songs by Gods Own Radicals a.k.a (G.O.R), and center by Israel Houghton, posses the land by Marvin Sapp dance by G-reloaded. and days of Elijah by Donnie McClurkin. The instrumentalists of the mega praise choir took to the The African praise songs they sang include; he set my feet, stage for a jam session which lasted for about 20 minutes. Jehova Shama Jehova Nissi, have you heard, bere ko jo ko jo They played instruments including the drum set, two keyand Alagbara bi ara o among others. boards, bass and lad guitar, saxophone and a talking drum.

PHOTO: OLATUNDE ODEBIYI

They were composed of two sopranos, two altos, two tenors and 1 vocal coach. The choir held the audience spiel bound for hours with their excellent voices and gesture on stage. They wore black dress on choice colours of jacket. Some guests sang along with them while some danced. In his sermon Jedafe spoke on the relevance of anointing saying that it is the anointing that takes people far in life. “Your skills, education and talent is crucial in life but it is the anointing that brings the blessings”, the cleric said. A session of comedy followed after which the church choir sang other songs to the admiration of guests.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

BRIEF

Afrkia Shrine hosts Soundsystem show

HE world-famous reggae artist, Gentleman, will be in Lagos as part of an African tour during which his band will also grace stages in Cape Town, Dakar, Abidjan and Addis Ababa. It will hold at the New Afrika Shrine, 1 NERDC Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja at 7pm on Sunday, February 23. The event is in co-operation with the New Afrika Shrine. Dubbed the Soundsystem Show, the concert features Tamika and Treesha from Gentleman’s band performing tracks selected by Kingstone Records producer Rodney. Prior to his recent tour of Africa, Gentleman has previously visited Ghana, Gambia and Nigeria, where he featured in an hour-long documentary with the country’s famous female musical export Asa, in Lagos. The documentary, Through The Night, was produced by French Tv company Arte and broadcast on German television. This time round, Gentleman will be sharing the stage with Grammy nominee Femi Kuti, a multiple awardwinning Afrobeat musician and son of Afrobeat creator Fela AnikulapoKuti. Two decades ago, Gentleman first set foot on Jamaican soul and over the years, he has spread reggae music all over the globe and is now an international reggae headliner, topping charts and garnering awards along the way. The intensity of his vibes and his honest personality continue to earn him growing respect and the love of a global audience. Last year, he released a new album New Day Dawn to mark his twentieth year in reggae music.

NANTAP mourns Kafewo, Ayegba

HE National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has mourned the deaths Prof Samuel Ayedime Kafewo, Head of Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, Ahmadu Bello University and Dr. Martins Ayegba, Postgraduate Programme Coordinator of the Department. The two academicians died on February, 7 in a ghastly motor accident, which occurred in Gwari, Abuja-Kaduna Express Highway, while they were returning to Zaria after a workshop on Theatre-for-Development (TfD) in Abuja. Their deaths were described as unfortunate. Kafewo, until his death, was the Secretary-General of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), the umbrella body of theatre arts lecturers in Nigerian Universities, and was inducted into SONTA Hall of Fame at the 24th Annual SONTA Conference. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Kafewo and four children. Dr. Martins Ayegba was a specialist in Theatre-for-Development (TfD) and Development Communication. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Binta Ayegba and three children.

Art, a medium of economic growth By Ovwe Medeme

WAY from Bone Collage, a concept he generated and for which he has been celebrated, painter and visual artiste, Godwin Archie-Abia, has added his voice to the call on governments to focus on beautifying their environment, thereby creating job opportunities for art practitioners. Using treated metal fabrication, a medium which he says is better handled than other materials, Abia recently produced a glowing version of the Nigerian Coat of Arms and adorns it at the first gate of Tin Can Port, Apapa, Lagos. “That brings us to what we have been saying over the years about beautifying working environment and for a conducive atmosphere where visual arts aredisplayed in offices being in painting and sculptural pieces. Go there and see serene and friendly environment unlike before. I enjoin other organisation to display and promote their logos on their gates and on major Round-Abouts. By doing this you are stimulating the economic and certain class of people – artists; the custodians of the visual power of God,” he says. This, he says, will ultimately translate to economic growth as the government alone can’t provide jobs for everyone, but can create the enabling environment for creativity to blossom. In line with the call, the visual artist has also expressed his desire to take art, as a passion and as a means of livelihood, to the grassroots, away from the elitist aura which it has come to be known for. According to Abia, Nigerians have come to see art and collection as an activity only for the highly placed, a notion which he says has hampered its development in the interior. Other parts of Lagos, he says, are bursting with raw talents and it is the desire of his outfit, Winarc Gallery, to hunt for those with a flair for the arts, especially at Ipaja and its environs. “On our own, we have tried over the years to create a platform for artists to find rhythm, this year we are taking art to the interior, setting up a gallery, studio for young minds. We want to catch them young and make them creative, a creative nation will always create wealth not relying on natural resources,” Abia reveals.

• Some masqueraders at the festival opening

With Samodun Festival, Oyo raises bar for regional integration No fewer than eight states’ delegates converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, for the second Samodun Festival last weekend, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME .

HIS year’s valentine day celebration took a different dimension in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital at the weekend. Instead of flaunting the usual red and white colourful dresses, balloons and gift items in commemoration of lovers’ day (February 14), delegates from seven other states in Southwest including Kwara and Kogi States, converged on Ibadan to feast on the rich cultural heritage of the people. It was the celebration of this year’s Samodun Festival, which has as theme, Asa Parapo. For two days at three venues (Lekan Salami Stadium, Civic Centre and Oyo State Cultural Centre) Yoruba language, music, art, dress, food among other intangible heritage took centre stage. Apart from security operatives, who wore uniforms, almost everybody at the festival venues wore traditional dresses such as Buba and Sokoto, Sanyan Dansiki and Buba and Iro with good head tie or hairstyles such as Suku and Kojusoko for the women. Participants were drawn from Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun Lagos, Kwara and Kogi States to celebrate the second Samodun Festival initiated by Oyo State Governor, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi as a tool for regional integration. The festival, which featured cultural parade, oleku night and food fair was attended by Nollywood artistes such as Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Muyiwa Ademola, Saheed Balogun and Ronke Ojo (Oshodi Oke) among others. Traditional rulers from Ibadan, Oyo, Oke-ogun and Ibarapa areas of the state were present at the opening ceremony with the trio of Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun of Ogbomoso who pledging their continuous supports for Senator Ajimobi’s desire to promote Yoruba culture and change the face of Oyo State. Senator Isiaka said he was happy for the success of the festival, saying that through it he has scored another point in promoting the culture and tradition of Yoruba land while taking another fruitful step towards enhancing the regional integration agenda. He said: “The concept of Omoluabi’, which has been the major guiding principle of Yoruba people, is being restored through promotion of cultural festival and enlightenment programmes such as this, adding that, ‘everything about Yoruba is unique. Our dressing, food, traditions and everything about us is fantastic and that is why people from other parts of the world are coming to learn it, because they consider it useful and crucial to living a good life.” Governor Ajimobi, who lamented the retrogressive method of teaching Yoruba language and culture in schools, said the state government is taking serious steps in making people interested in learning the language. “We are worried about it and part of what we intend to do apart from encouraging the teachers, is to organise cultural competition where cultural events will be held and prizes

•

FESTIVAL given to those who excel. This, will no doubt, go a long way in making people to be interested in learning and developing positive attitude towards the culture and tradition. The parents, guardians and custodians of culture and tradition of Yoruba land not to relent in their efforts, but encourage people to develop interest in the culture and tradition. “Our culture is a free gift from God, it is a wonderful gift, which naturally must be flowing in us, but things have changed due to globalisation and infiltration of the western idea but we must not allow it to die,” he said. Oyo State Cultural Troupe demonstrated their pacessetting role when they entertained the audience with a drama sketch on the king and olori. The presentation reinforced the tales about the elegance and majestic life kings enjoyed in the ancient days. The mountainous installation displayed by the Ekiti troupe was another interesting part of the event. All through the opening ceremony, sweet melodious tunes from evergreen and contemporary Yoruba music rented the air. From the traditional dundun, sekere, bata and other drums were freely used to spice the melody. On hand to add colour was an American artist, Kelvin Berry aka Kayode Oyinbo, who tried his hand on Bata and Omele drums, which he did to the admiration of the audience. Kayode, who spoke passable Yoruba language said he has been an advocate of promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition, and has been in Nigeria for a while. “I love this tribe, their culture is the best in the world, the dress, food, tradition and everything about the tribe I love and I will want Yoruba people not to allow the culture to die by organising events like this. Today, I have learnt a new thing. I am happy to be here,” he said.

‘The concept of Omoluabi’, which has been the major guiding principle of Yoruba people, is being restored through promotion of cultural festival and enlightenment programmes such as this, adding that, ‘everything about Yoruba is unique. Our dressing, food, traditions and everything about us is fantastic and that is why people from other parts of the world are coming to learn it, because they consider it useful and crucial to living a good life’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Banks and new employees

•The introduction of background checks on all employees long overdue

ENULTIMATE week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), demurred to the representations made by banks during the CBN/Banks Human Resources Forum of December 2013, by modifying its extant circular of July 16, 2004, mandating banks and discount houses to obtain prior approval before engaging prospective staff. In its circular dated February 5, a new employee may now assume duty prior to obtaining the apex bank’s approval – in a situation where this proves difficult or impractical. The proviso here is that the employing bank is mandated to submit the employee’s Curriculum Vitae and other relevant information within 30 days of assumption of duty to the apex bank for necessary clearance. Also, the bank or discount house, is mandated to include in the employment letter, that the “offer is subject to the receipt of satisfactory responses on any background checks or other inquiries on the employee from relevant authorities”. As would be expected, the amendments exclude new employees on the grade of Assistant General Manager and above. For this category of staff, the banks are still required to continue to obtain the prior written approval of the CBN before they can assume duty. According to the CBN, the idea is “to prevent the recycling, within the banking industry, of erstwhile bank employees indicted, terminated or dismissed for fraud and other acts of dishonesty”. If only for the fact that the apex bank

and the banks appear to be on the same page on the matter, we consider it a positive development. After all, the banks have in the nearly 10 years borne the brunt of the provisions of the extant circular; enough time for them to provide the apex bank authorities with necessary feedback about the challenges that they have had to put up with in the course of their recruitment exercises. As for the CBN, we understand that its role as the guardian of the industry has increasingly meant that it kept the tabs on the records of operators in the industry to minimise cases of moral hazards. Now that both have found a meeting point on the issue, it is also our understanding that the banks have accepted the responsibility to ensure that the new window afforded them is not abused in any way. In this, we understand where the CBN is coming from: the need to ensure that the individuals whose activities have helped in no small measure to bring the industry to ruin are not allowed into the industry through the back door. The point remains however that the July 16, 2004 circular and, by extension, the February 5, 2014 amendment are both reflective of the state of record-keeping in the industry. It is unfortunate that the financial services industry has not thought it fit to maintain a centralised, biometric database of employees over the years. Had the industry done so, it seems unlikely that the two circulars would have been anything but pointless and

superfluous. It would have rendered pre-employment screening mere routine. Perhaps the time to begin the process is now. How to ensure that only those worthy of trust are availed employment opportunities is of course the issue. Proper background checks on prospective employees are no doubt important, at least as far as reducing the possibility of offering bank jobs to characters with shady past. The issue is whether the requirement offers any real guarantees that such characters would still not manage to beat the system. Be that as it may, there is no question that the February 5 circular from the CBN is overdue.

‘Proper background checks on prospective employees are no doubt important, at least as far as reducing the possibility of offering bank jobs to characters with shady past. The issue is whether the requirement offers any real guarantees that such characters would still not manage to beat the system. Be that as it may, there is no question that the February 5 circular from the CBN is overdue’

Good example

• A judge’s rape verdict against the police should serve as corrective to a sadly soaring crime

HERE has been an incredible increase in reported rape cases in recent years. What is not known is whether there has been an increase in rapists or merely the reportage. Regardless of the argument, the statistics on rape from all corners of the country show a potential epidemic. And our society needs to urgently tackle the scourge. Worse is that pedophile rapists have unleashed their venomous libido on infants and children, and the grim reaper is in deaths and the physiological and psychological traumas of the surviving victims

‘While the corporal is entitled to appeal the judgment, we hope that the police will not waste public funds in pursuit of an appeal. What the institution needs more than an appeal is to apprehend their employee rapist and diligently pursue criminal prosecution with the support of the office of public prosecution, to ensure that the corporal gets his fair due under the criminal justice system’

and their loved ones. To sooth a hurting victim, a federal high court has awarded exemplary damages in the sum of N10 million to a two-year old infant, who was raped by a police corporal. In an action brought pursuant to the fundamental human rights of the victim, the court awarded the exemplary damages against the police corporal and his employers, the Nigeria Police Force. We commend the judge, and the counsel to the victim, for this innovative way of bringing a rapist and the institution that he serves to account. We also urge the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure that the police are not allowed to frustrate the execution of the judgment. While the corporal is entitled to appeal the judgment, we hope that the police will not waste public funds in pursuit of an appeal. What the institution needs more than an appeal is to apprehend their employee rapist and diligently pursue criminal prosecution with the support of the office of public prosecution, to ensure that the corporal gets his fair due under the criminal justice system. For, while we applaud the civil action that gave the victim a deserving financial benefit, we have not lost sight of the crime against the society, which deserves no less an exemplary punishment upon conviction. What the police as an institution should further do, is to engage its staff in remedial workshops and training for them to be equipped to deal with this scourge. The officers and men must appreciate that investigating and prosecuting rape cases as

we have seen from the court trials, require delicate handling. So, there is need for specialised training. As we have also advocated on many occasions, there is the urgent need for modernisation of the laws on rape and other sexual offences. Under our criminal and penal code, the excruciating procedure for the proof of rape is anachronistic and dehumanising for the victims, and so should be amended. We have also advocated for the provision of lesser sexual offences that require lesser rigorous technicalities to prove. The Lagos State government has shown direction in this regard. We also in one of our interventions advocated for an increase in the jail term for rape to 25 years, but not the death sentence. So, we restate the need for comprehensive amendments of the state criminal laws across the country and also the criminal and penal code, to stem this descent to perfidy by a significant proportion of our society. We urge other victims to take the example of this case. While the society should pursue vigorously the rapists in a criminal trial, the victims should be assisted by their relations and the civil society to institute civil actions. We appreciate that the trauma of a rape cannot be paid for monetarily, but most times, the victims require medical attention and other forms of treatment to assuage their losses; the court should come down hard on the rapists whenever the action merits it.

As genocide looms

HE Central African Republic is on the verge of being torn apart by the rampages of Christian and Muslim militias and civilian mobs. Since French and African Union troops arrived there in December with a United Nationssanctioned mission to prevent mass murder, the situation has degenerated alarmingly. The United Nations estimates that 2.5 million people, more than half the population of the country, need help, but sectarian killings are making it impossible to reach them. On Saturday, France pledged to add 400 troops to its force of 1,600 that is now working with about 5,500 African Union peacekeepers. These troops are overwhelmed by the scale of the violence. Disturbingly, some Chadian forces among the African Union peacekeepers are colluding with Muslim fighters, which include mercenaries from Chad and Sudan, who prey on Christian civilians. In Bangui, the Muslim population has largely fled. Christian militias have taken advantage of the chaos to engage in horrific ethnic cleansing of Muslims. The United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, warned last week that genocide and the partition of the country are real risks. Catherine Samba-Panza, who became interim president of the republic on Jan. 20, has vowed to keep the country whole. Over the weekend, some Christian militias showed interest in beginning to talk about security. The European Union has pledged 500 troops to help establish a safe haven in Bangui. The United Nations has released an additional $10 million from its emergency humanitarian fund. These efforts are hardly enough. Donor countries pledged $207 million in humanitarian aid at a meeting last month, though only 28 percent of the money has been committed or disbursed. The United Nations’ $551 million strategic response plan is only 13 percent funded. Donors need to fulfill their pledges immediately. Rogue members of the peacekeeping forces must be held accountable. The International Criminal Court has opened a preliminary investigation into war crimes. Far more international peacekeepers must be deployed quickly to avert a catastrophe and to let President Samba-Panza prepare for elections by next February. Without urgent action, the Central African Republic’s descent into chaos will soon be unstoppable. The lives of millions of people are at risk. – New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

• Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor 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, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: The Igbo today are groping in a labyrinth of confusion; a labyrinth that they have knitted together out of humongous morsels of selfishness, avarice and ignorance. And as they waltz in the ball of anodyne confusion their status or place in the Nigerian entity magnanimously tapers off. It is indubitable to aver that the place of the Igbo in Nigeria is the abominable and thrashed quarters of irrelevance. The Igbo take the wizened, bottom space after the Hausa, Yoruba and Ijaw. In fact, other peoples that are considered ethnic minorities in Nigeria may go up the political ladder before the Igbo as it is today. To say the least, the Igbo have become side-kicks to dominant Hausa-Yoruba-Ijaw power heroes in the Marvel comic of Nigeria. As always, the unthinking Igbo horde will allude the present condition of the Igbo to the Biafra-Nigeria

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

As Igbo become a minority in Nigeria civil war. And for this horde there is no way out of the asphyxiating culde-sac because the war has already done irredeemable damage. Playing the victim has become the lazy default configuration of some Igbo. Is the war the reason greedy Igbo leaders in a perfidious clique known as Ohanaeze barter the political future of the Igbo for billions of naira which they swallow, and defecate pennies for their coterie of unthinking followers? Is the war the reason states in the South-east are sprawling igloos in spite of all the huge

monetary allocations to the various South-east governments? Is the war the reason the Igbo lack direction, and orphaned of an agenda? Is war the cause of the gully erosion gormandizing parts of Anambra State with belligerence? Is the war the reason the Igbo are ball boys at the Maracana of Nigerian politics? Is the war the reason for the ossified, stealabroad-and-take-chieftaincy-title at-home culture in Igboland? Is the war the reason for the baby factories mushrooming in Igboland? Is the war the reason for preponder-

ance of Igbo criminal regiments at home and abroad? There are many more imposing posers, but these are for cerebral crunching. Perhaps, the war is the reason why “Kpomo” is more expensive in Anambra than in Kano. For the thinking Igbo, it is wholesomely clear that the trash position of the Igbo in Nigeria today is as a result of a concatenation of ill-forces mustered by the Igbo themselves. The vilest ill force militating against Igbo ascendancy to affluence, influence and power is Igbo penny lead-

Pilakyaa, Bolaji Douglas, Aham Nwanko, Imadu Dooyum, SamPam Jr.,Wilfred Agbonavbare as well as Lemi Yisa, John Zaki, Amir Angwe and Terfa Kpako. In terms of administration, the club also produced the legendary and efficient manager in the person of Dominic Iorfa who passionately managed Lobi Stars FC, Makurdi for many years and was instrumental to the success of the club both within Nigeria and Africa. However, the future of the club had continued to evaporate since the Gboko base

team lost to Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan at the Amateur league in 1998. Since then, the club was unable to regain its lost glory, unlike other big clubs in Nigeria that had gone on relegation for a number of times and barely managed to bounce back to the premier league. An attempt to resurrect the club in 2002 by the administration of Dr. George Akume and Guilder Brewing Plc has totally failed. In 2007 the board chairman of Benue Cement Company Plc, Alhaji Aliko Dangote approved N110 million for the club to participate in the

2008/2009 season which ended a disaster - finishing 13th on the table. I am, therefore, making a compassionate plea to the government of Hon. Gabriel Torwua Suswam and the good people of Benue State, Tiv sons and daughters and the management of Benue Cement Company Plc, Gboko to, as a matter of urgency, wake up the sleeping giant for it to return to it glorious days.

the library was on Thursday, October 10 2013. By the time the rain stopped and I came out to leave, I met a ‘pool of river’ in the front of the library (which is about 30-40 feet to the main road). I asked the security man how people pass in that kind of situation and he told me that I have to roll up my trousers and remove my shoe and enter the ‘river’. Apart from the germs and rubbles in that flood, I was afraid there might be dangerous creatures in that flood, but since there was no other escape route, I didn’t have option than to do as the security man advised. I hereby call on the authorities at

the Lagos State Library Board, Ikeja to come to the aid of the library before this year rainy season sets in to prevent floods from destroying the entire library building. For the records, the library was built by Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as a Family Support Programme (FSP) under the military government of Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa and it was commissioned on May 19, 1999 by the then First Lady, Munira Marwa. Since the library was commissioned, I don’t think there has been any major renovation to maintain or upgrade the level of the library and its facilities.

Save BCC Lions Football Club of Gboko

IR: before its declined fortunes, BCC Lions Football Club of Gboko was once a leading and formidable club ruling the Nigerian football landscape, especially towards the end of 80s and early 90s. Historically, BCC Lions FC, formerly owned by Benue Cement Company Plc, Gboko, which is also known as Lions of Gboko, commands huge followership and supporters across the country, most especially in the northern Nigeria. To the Tiv people of Benue State, BCC Lions FC represents what Enyimba is to the Igbos, Kano Pillars to the Hausas and Shooting Stars to the Yorubas. As a giant among the Nigerian club side, BCC Lions FC was the first club in the northern part of the country that won the Challenge Cup in 1989 by beating Iwanyanwu Nationale 1-0 in the final at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi. The club also won the cup on three different occasions 1993,1994 and 1997. In 1994, BCC Lions also won the Nigerian premier league title and the African Cup Winner's Cup in 1990. There is no doubt that the club of Gboko has produced great players who have really done the club, state and the nation proud in their chosen career. Players such as Dominic Iorfa, Sam Adingi, Moses Kpakor, Felix

• John Akevi Bauchi.

ers. The fact is a scrum of Igbo penny leaders feed fat on the emaciated condition of the Igbo in Nigeria. They claim to represent the Igbo, but what they do is to gulp down mouth watering sums of valuable paper in exchange for Igbo’s rights farting stained coins of greed. The alleged handout of 1.2 billion given to Ohanaeze by President Goodluck Jonathan is a knocking affirmation of this point. Even if Ohanaeze disputes the allegation, the truth remains it cannot be tooting Jonathan’s horns and running his errands for free. Ohanaeze, we all know is not for charity. So it must have been duly raking in “solid quid” into its bloating coffers from its consort with the President. The vacuity of Igbo leadership heralds itself as the national conference dawns. The Igbo seem to be the obfuscated people without an agenda. The Yoruba agenda is regional autonomy. The Hausa-Fulani agenda according to Arewa Consultative Forum is unitary Nigeria (even though they are euphemistic about it), but the Igbo sadly, tout conflicting ideological noises as agenda. At best, what the Igbo do is to sandwich themselves between Ijaw agenda of resource control and selfdetermination. One Igbo leader from the North Pole cries, “self-determination” another one from the South Pole screams “con-federalism”. Disjointed schema! Playing the “fourth fiddle” has become the genius of the Igbo. • Fredrick Nwabufo, Abuja.

Ipaja public library needs attention

IR: I wish to call the attention of the concerned authorities to the condition of the Ipaja Public Library- a branch of Lagos State Library board located at B24 Pako Bus Stop Abesan Estate Ipaja, Lagos. Though the library was built in a noise-free area and it is well ventilated, flood is trying to scare away the users and also try to destroy the library building. The flood which is usually caused by the poor drainage system in the street where the library is located used to lock both library users and the staff inside anytime it rains. The first time the rain met me in

I plead with Governor of Raji Fashola and the chairman of Alimosho Local Government to renovate and upgrade the facilities at the library. Also, the drainage system in the street where the library is located should be reconstructed and raised to prevent the overflow of erosion that used to cause flood inside the library. As regard the library, the shelves are few and the few books there are outdated. New books should be purchased to encourage the students and other library users to patronize it. • John Tosin Ajiboye, Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

COMMENTS

Party transparent funding - anti-corruption strategy; ‘The Pre-Election Year of ‘Phantom Governance’

ANTED: Party Transparent Funding, PTF –an election issue! Parties must fund themselves and politicians independently of the government treasury. PolitiTony cal hangers-on tell poliMarinho ticians to stop developmental projects during the pre-election year and divert all the budgeted public money to party people for distribution to the party faithful and hangers-on as ‘dividends of democracy’ to boast about to other party faithful and cause maximum disaffection and envy among ‘hungry’ non-party members. They say that only this undemocratic injection of stolen funds and abandonment of development projects will guarantee election victory. Shame. What wrong thinking is this especially as the absence of that money leads to project abandonment, a fall in social services, more potholes, less medical care, inconsistent salaries and pensions and a grinding of governance to a halt for the election year? Of course, the salaries and perks of politicians and certain ‘key’ fictional and untraceable projects will be fully ‘funded’ during this ‘Year of Phantom Governance’ but pensions and civil servant salaries may suffer due to ‘shortage of funds’. All this creates opportunity for the party officials to gather huge ‘Political War Chests’ collectively estimated in the hundreds of billions of naira nationwide for political publicity, politicians’ posters, billboards, advert time, rallies, uniforms, clothes, party insignia like umbrellas and brooms, vehicles, security and cash handouts and violent ‘covert ops’ - all at the expense of public treasury, development and electoral credibility. It is calculated that less than 30% of money given out to a second person or group for a political activity is ever spent on that activity. Again it is ‘The Mobutu Law of Multiplied Corruption’. If Mobutu wanted $1m, he would ask the Finance Minister who would ask the Central Bank of Zaire for $2m. The CBZ Governor would sign out $3m, steal $1 and send $2m to the Finance Minister who would steal 1$m and send $1m to Mobutu. The CBZ officials may have a ‘self-service

HE debate on same-sex marriage has been ranging back and forth for some time. It gathered momentum recently when Nigeria passed a legislation which put a seal on the abnormal behaviour. Since then, different groups and governments, especially the United States of America, USA, and the United Kingdom, UK, have been very vociferous against the clampdown. The reason is simple: their laws support such inanities and, therefore, whoever goes against such moral absurdity is regarded as a ‘sinner’. At least, that is the unfolding scenario that is threatening to suffocate all of us and lead us through the path of evil and perdition. Now the United States, the selfacclaimed custodian of morality, has gone a step further. On Monday, February 3, the most obscene event took place. The venue was the Chapel of Our Lady at the Presidio in San Francisco, California State, where the first-ever state-recognised human-animal marriage took place. Paul Horner, a 35-year-old local resident, was the groom during the wedding ceremony. He was joined in ‘unholy’ matrimony with Mac, his faithful dog, who is 36 years old in dog years. Mac was to have been the groom, but the animal ended up wearing a white veil at the last moment. On hand to perform the marriage rituals at the outdoor wedding was Reverend Father McHale. Shortly after he had officiated, an obviously elated Fr. McHale told reporters that he was extremely happy to be a part of “this joyous moment of life”. According to him, “this is the definition of true love my friends. There is nothing more sacred than the bond between a man and his faithful dog. It’s a fantastic day to be alive.” Among those who witnessed

administration charge’ of 20% i.e. $600,000. So when one big person like a First Lady or minister chooses to steal, the effect on the moral system is devastating and crippling to the economy. Similarly when a party chairman or governor or council chairman allocates funds to a ’party rally’ or campaign, he will have a first line charge as oga at the top, even if it is his ‘own’ money acquired fraudulently. Everyone in line will take 10-50% of whatever passes by under the principle of ‘who is a fool? Not me O!’ So an initial mobilisation of N10,000,000 passing through five or 20 greedy party hands will quickly become only N500,000 or at most N1m available for the actual political rally or project. And everyone gets rich drinking from the gravy trail, the money stream passing by down to the trickle reaching the ground or grassroots. Of course it has been this way for years under the slogan ‘Government Money is Nobody’s Money’ or ‘Government money is Party Money’ or ‘Government has more money than I can steal –but I will try my best’, especially with military and political government money. It is exactly this way for thousands of government projects written in the mists of the harmattan dust and executed only in foreign bank accounts where mobilisation funds and loans have been deposited with no intention of execution of developmental activities. The beneficiaries are scattered across the political and military landscape as ‘respectable’ citizens while we suffer the indignities caused by their leadership skill failures and corruption –no power, railways, second Niger Bridge, water, books and libraries in schools –all budgeted for annually. Party and military patronage, first lady accounts, import licences, Form M and ‘Military indent’, security votes, the unauditable accounts of political and military office all add up. Of course there are many honest contractors denied their money and owing banks for money used to execute projects. Such non-payment and compulsory kickbacks are corruption making them ‘underperform’ or be owed the N1.7trillion domestic dept. This is a true but very sad indictment of the political system which trivialises the voter in the political scheme and equated the voter to a N200-500 commodity instead of that voter needing to be converted by the ‘wonderful’ productivity, projects and performance of the party. The politician

seems to ignore the voters completely or have the voters on a string. Voters are not part of politicians’ toys to be brought out of storage to ‘perform’ at the four-yearly election event. Voters must seize back the central political ground and not be peripheral to the political battles to come. Disgraced, nonperforming and corrupt politicians must be relegated and kept out. There are enough new Nigerians without going to geriatric homes to bring back the nearly dead. We want a new wind to blow the political chaff away from the wheat. Remember it is not every idle person who seeks to be a politician who is capable of service, not self-service. Worldwide politics takes up 1-10% of governance, but in Nigeria politics takes up 90-99% of governance. This must change. However the current situation is no different from the corruption common under all misguided and teleguided ‘corrective military coupist’ adventures. We must insist on PTF: Party Transparent Funding and get a maximum performance year instead of a ‘The Pre-Election Year of ‘Phantom Governance’. Spend the money on performance and there will be no need to bribe anyone.

‘Voters must seize back the central political ground and not be peripheral to the political battles to come. Disgraced, nonperforming and corrupt politicians must be relegated and kept out. There are enough new Nigerians without going to geriatric homes to bring back the nearly dead. We want a new wind to blow the political chaff away from the wheat. Remember it is not every idle person who seeks to be a politician who is capable of service, not self-service’

Man, animal marriage this eye-sore of a union was Horner’s entire family who flew in from Hawaii for the event, while Mac also had her puppies in attendance. In the book of California’s State Laws and Regulations there is a little known law that was passed as the state was being formed in 1850. Article 155, paragraph 10, clearly states: “If a man and a man can get married and a woman and a woman can get married, if ever comes that day, then a human and animal will have the exact same rights to marriage in every eye of the law. God help us if this ever is to happen!” Now, it has happened. Since it is recognised as a legally binding marriage by California law, “Horner and Mac will have all the same tax benefits and everything else coming to them that a regular married couple would receive.” However, Horner, the man of the moment, surprised many when, after the wedding, he quickly said that he would not have sex with the dog. According to him, “I just love my Mac so much; I can’t wait till we can finally get back to the honeymoon sweet in Montana where bestiality is legal… People keep asking me why I wanted to marry a dog. I told them I just want the same God-given rights that every person in California is allowed to have. Don’t tell me I can’t marry my dog. I don’t tell you that you can’t marry a 500 lb woman with gas issues. That’s your decision. Don’t tread on me. I love my dog and I know he loves me a hundred times more than any gay wedding out there.” With this strange wedding between a man and a male dog now

‘With this strange wedding between a man and a male dog now officially consummated, the US must have wittingly opened a new vista in the journey to bestiality and amorous rascality’

officially consummated, the US must have wittingly opened a new vista in the journey to bestiality and amorous rascality. It is a one-way ticket to Sodom and Gomorrah. As usual, they may be too willing to export this strange union to other parts of the world. What this signifies is that we are seriously in trouble with this convoluted definition of human rights as espoused by the Americans and their cohorts in other parts of the world. Nigeria has been placed under the hammer since the country recently signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013 into law. This action unsettled many gay-rights enthusiasts across the globe. When the Senate, the Upper House of the National Assembly in Nigeria, passed the bill on November 29, 2011, the international community greeted the move by launching a spirited campaign to stall the final passage of the bill into law. At the forefront of the international campaign were the UK, Nigeria’s colonial master, and the US. Since then, their resentment had multiplied not diminished. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Australia towards the end of 2011 provided an opportunity for David Cameron, the petite British Prime Minister, to assault the collective sensibilities of Africans when he veered off mark during his speech and launched himself into a sermon ostensibly targeted at Africans at the meeting. In the long speech, which betrayed his deep-seated anger and emotional stress, Cameron laboured hard to espouse the beauty of same-sex marriage. He said his country would not tolerate a law that seeks to punish people because of their preferred ways of life in accordance with their orientations and beliefs. He was not alone. Barack Obama, the US President, added his own voice by issuing an executive order through a memo personally signed

by him, empowering US diplomats worldwide to advance the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, LGBT, persons. According to the memo, “the struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons is a global challenge and one that is central to the United States’ commitment to promoting human rights. By this memorandum, I am directing all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that US diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons”. The release of that memo coincided with the day some handpicked Nigerians posing as gays, staged a protest against the same-sex bill in their country in front of the Nigeria House in New York. Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism. In Uganda, punishments for homosexual acts range from 14 years to life imprisonment. By the new law, the gays in Nigeria risk 14-year jail terms if they do not retrace their steps and renounce such marriages. Also, any person who operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations directly or indirectly will earn 10-year imprisonment. Those who administer, witness, abet or aid the solemnisation of a same-sex marriage are going to bag 10-year jail term. The signing of the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill into law has foreclosed any pressure on the Nigerian government not to assent to the bill. Indeed, this is a piece of legislation that is needed in this country to protect the traditional family and the future of our children because the African cultural values do not tolerate same-sex marriage. Like I said in my column on December 14, 2011, “Africans abhor same sex unions”. African culture revolves round their ancestors, the living and the unborn children. Not even the

Dele Agekameh advent of the dominant religions Christianity and Islam - has been able to interfere with that fundamental belief. Therefore, marriage in African context has never been seen as a private affair. Rather, it is a community affair, and that is what gives it essence and meaning. Christianity and Islam frown at homosexuality. So also is African traditional religion, wherever practised. In actual fact, African traditional religion does not only frown at it, it imposes severe sanctions on those involved and even their families. So, for all practical purposes, homosexuality is un-African; the society condemns it in its entirety and, in most cases, ostracizes anybody involved or passes a curse on such a person or persons”. Now that human beings are getting married to animals – and maybe trees and other objects much later – this satanic practice, rather than bring development, will only spell doom for those who engage in it or who tolerate it in the name of civilisation. However, in Nigeria and as a people, we must remain steadfast and undaunted as we move gradually and steadily to annihilate the vestiges of bad influence on our culture, beliefs, tradition and norms. Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

COMMENTS ‘The qualification to engage in corruption and go scot free goes thus: you must belong to the specie that perm their hair, use lipsticks, and have the mammary glands. Having a light skin will be a big plus. Now, the biggest mistake anyone will make is to conclude that President Jonathan eased Oduah out because of the jersey of … that she wore so fittingly, no! Do not be surprised to see her resurface in a couple of months with her so-called Neighbour-to-Neighbour stuff! Expecting this President to fight corruption is the same thing as waiting for him to self-destruct. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso’

•Muazu For Dare Olatunji Sir, I wonder whether your article titled Corruption: The EU to the rescue was not a ‘cash & carry one’ But for Mallam Sanusi’s whistle blowing, NNPC would not’ve owned up spending the unaccounted for $10bn or more on operational costs. By the way, who approved the money for NNPC? Let us be sincere! Anonumous Dare, “Corruption: the eu to the rescue” will remain brilliant as an expository material on Europeans’ false claim of transparency far above Africans. They are still under their colonial illusion, bathing in self-delusion of superiority over a selected race, African. Corruption was brought to Nigeria principally through international trade with Europe and other foreign countries; predominantly white. And like anything beneficial to converts, it grew in bounds within. Curbing big time corrupt practices would take connivance with European and other countries, who are recipients of stolen funds from Nigeria. The US$2.8billion Gulf War windfall carted away decades ago must have turned around fortunes of the country it was stacked in by 300% now. Your antidote to European deceptive transparency gimmick is the right dose. And that bit on Sanusi’s fallacies and the Oduahgate issue are big lessons too. From Lai Ashadele Dear Dare, would it not have been better for you to come out plainly to support curruption than to defend the tolerant attitude of the President over Ms Stella Oduah and others whose stealing habits are smelling all over the place? Tunji, please do not derail. From Vin Chukwu Port Harcourt Re: Corruption: The EU to the rescue. So Olatunji Dare, you can be this fair minded to governmental issues. I love you the more. From Folorunso Daniel Corruption is boastful achievement in Nigeria whether you like it or not. It is not a suprise, if transparency international and EU come up with their rating toward Nigeria position in corruption intake goverance, because we merited it. The only thing that remains in goverance is to establish ministry of corruption or agency for corruption. It is only in Nigeria that you served public domain without stealing, people would

HE former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, is opening an old wound. He is insulting the sensibilities of the people by daring to remind them of a past they have struggled to forget. In the last couple of days, Kalu, in his characteristic crudity, has been unduly displaying disrespect for the person of the great Ochendo, Governor T A Orji of Abia state. He recently commissioned one of his hatchet men to not only defame the character of Governor Orji but to denigrate the personality of the well-meaning leaders and elders of the state. This is discourtesy taken too far. Truth is that Kalu’s name is today inscribed in the hall of infamy. His time and age in Abia state have been swept into the dustbin of history. He is a fallen emperor who is still living in the self-delusion of a kind of self-importance. No amount of insult from Kalu and his commissioned agents against the person and personality of Governor Orji or his son can diminish the towering profile of the governor. The reason is that Governor Orji’s achievements and reputation are well ahead of him. There comes in a century a time when God brings a leader that comes to provide a pathway for the people. Governor Orji is this agent of change. Instead of Kalu’s new-found preoccupation of throwing invectives on Governor Orji and using his paid agent to insult Ikuku, Kalu should rather embark on a self and critical post-mortem to understand and learn from the errors that led to his downfall. He should re-examine his life to know when and how he contravened natural justice. He should strive to identify that point of departure when he transcended the borders of decency and transgressed against the heavens. The 2011 elections for him was a strident demystification of a self-styled master strategist, the unmasking of the masquerade, and the humbling of the enfant terrible. Kalu did not only lose the election for the senatorial seat of the Abia

not regard you as somebody even the family you come from. It is unfortunate conduct in Nigeria. God will help us. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia No president of a country, empirical knowledge confirms, would deliberately want to become a failure to be entered on the wrong side of the nation’s history, no matter what. Jonathan, I am sure, cannot be exception. He inherited a very enomous economic rot of the country left by his predecesors and has been doing his best to turn things around, except that his best has not been good enough to fetch us the needed eldorado. His scorecard so far might not be very impresive but the difference between the economy he inherited and the one he leaves behind at the end of his tenure it is, that should give us the clear picture of how good, bad, worse or worst his overall performance has been, including his war against corruption. Hence, his assurance to leave the country a better place than he met it inspite of the many odds and chalenges facing him. Whatever happens at EU presently notwithstanding. From Emmanuel Egwu Sir, in your article, “Corruption: The EU to the rescure”, I have the following questions for you: Is it the entire EU 28 countries budget that is$100bn? If the entire budget was lost to corruption as surgested, was there nothing carried out on both recurrent and capital budgeted expenditure? From Odus Emma For Gbenga Omotoso Gbenga, with what you are writing about PDP and its leaders especially on Mua’zu’s visit to Obasanjo. I hope they will not make you one of the victims of the snipers Obasanjo wrote about? I love your write-ups. Anonymous A dead body that has been buried and exhumed cannot be the same again. The pestilent and his erst-while chairman killed the party and buried it, and now somebody who has just woken up from sleep said he would exhume it; it is very far from reality. If Mua’zu wants to succeed in his reconciliatory tour, he should listen to the G7’s demand and work with it; if not, his reputation is at stake. PDP is a rotten egg that needs to be destroyed. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos The CBN governor is a very patriotic Nigerian. For once we have a CBN that can call a spade a spade. Call the NNPC to order. Leakages must be blocked! Enough is enough; period. Anonymous We are not surprised, this is just the beginning; more figures are coming. From Hassan Usmania

You are very correct; it is not a personal issue. Sanusi has presented facts, let NNPC counter with its own facts, finish! From Chollom, Abuja Either just or unjust, we should not foolishly go to war because of selfish ambition of two friends. When two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. From Lukman, Kaduna Re: Mua’zu visits Obasanjo. After my hard day’s job when I had the time to go through your writeup, I was highly relieved with nerve-cracking laughter I burst into, reading from the beginning to the end of Muazu-Obasanjo Abeokuta discussion. May God settle the party rumpus for them, amen. From Lanre Oseni For Tunji Adegboyega Re: ‘Good riddance’. Even as it sounds and looks belated , I think Mr. President should be appreciated for taking his time to ponder the pros and cons of action on Stella Oduah, most especially that might later sound to some people harsh and others as an after-thought. Ghana is different from Nigeria! It got her political independence in 1957 and in 1981 did what we have been avoiding here, hence the ‘slow decision’ taken on Oduah. Then, what would you write, say or do if at the end of this administration Mr. President fails to relieve Diezani AlisonMadueke of her appointment? Most likely she would stay with the administration to 2015. This is why Mr President deserves commendation on Oduah … Ingredients of development in a decent society are honesty in appreciating a decision made. Remember, some people accused OBJ of harsh and rash decisions even though they were justified. Discipline in Nigeria is lower than Ghanaians. From Lanre Oseni. Get it right, what is important is not that Oduah is gone; it is that Jonathan is not sincere about the war on corruption. Anonymous. Re: Good riddance: Another view. Recently, I went to Imo Airport to pick up a friend. I was overwhelmed by the new look Imo Airport that I saw. This was in contrast to what I saw two years ago. I said to myself whoever must have remodelled this airport must have a sense of decency and must be an achiever. Despite the scandals, Stella Oduah has taste! She has become the new face of aviation infrastructure in Nigeria of today. She has achieved what her predecessors could not do. For this and many more, I say well done to her. Great achiever, welcome back; you have done us proud. From Chukwuma Dioka, Owerri, Imo State. Your argument on Oduahgate is a security risk.

•Stella Oduah N255m cost of bullet-proof cars is not worth more than the figure as written on the pages of newspapers, compared with the safety of ministers. From each according to his ability, to each according to his need! Bullet-proof car is for safety of diplomats and envoys. Will Oduah carry the cars with her out of office? Is Satan not defeated; is Satan not shamed? … The wisdom of God rules the world. Strive, Tunji, to perceive His almightiness. Somebody sacked in Ghana for acquisitiveness is different from security conscious minister who bought bullet-proof cars with N255m. The car in which Murtala Muhammed was shot dead is in the National Museum till today. Can N255m buy the life of General Muhammed back? The wisdom of God rules the world; strive through your recognition, Tunji, to perceive His omniscience. The only reason I can adduce to the President’s clamour of social agitators over Oduah is that the agitators had no point. Oduah did not steal the money, there is administrative protocol that brought papers to her table to sign and she signed. You only call the pot black to give it a bad name. Anonymous. We don’t need any prophetic statement from anybody to understand that the President actually got his mind made up for him to remove Stella Oduah. Mr. President does not believe in fighting corruption. Because Sanusi spoke the truth about the missing money, he asked Sanusi to resign immediately while he kept Oduah in office for close to five months. History is on the side of the oppressed. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos. The qualification to engage in corruption and go scot free goes thus: you must belong to the specie that perm their hair, use lipsticks, and have the mammary glands. Having a light skin will be a big plus. Now, the biggest mistake anyone will make is to conclude that President Jonathan eased Oduah out because of the jersey of … that she wore so fittingly, no! Do not be surprised to see her resurface in a couple of months with her so-called Neighbour-to-Neighbour stuff! Expecting this President to fight corruption is the same thing as waiting for him to self-destruct. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

Kalu’s opening of old wound By Godwin Adindu North, his brother, Nnanna Kalu also lost his seat in the House of Representatives, and yet another brother who was the Chief of Staff to the former governor also lost out in the power games that culminated in the liberation of the state from the stranglehold of their family’s political dynasty. Today, Kalu is a dimming star who has descended into political limbo. In the days of his pomp and power, he had been celebrated as the quintessential political Maradona. And, indeed, he was. He deployed a combination of street intelligence, desperate manipulations, outright deceit and selective generosity to build a cult of loyalists and a fortress of power under the banner of the Progressive People Alliance (PPA). Confident that he has conquered the state and consolidated his regime, he then boasted that his structure would rule Abia for 50 years and that his daughter was going to be the youngest governor in Nigeria. Thus, having conquered the state, he became the very personification of power. At the national level, he courted controversy as a way of gaining cheap popularity. This was benchmarked by his open confrontation with the then President Obasanjo whom he called names. Kalu’s popularity was later to soar when he took up the populist posture of a self-appointed advocate of Ndigbo. But, following from his pedigree of controversy and inconsistency, many discerning Igbos were not deceived. They were proven right when he suddenly somersaulted as his second term bid came under serious threat in 2003. However, his demystification was essentially a gradual process which started with the self-asser-

tion of Governor Ohakim, who quickly extricated himself from the PPA fraternity and abandoned Kalu mid-way. Indeed, to everybody’s shock and bewilderment, the lesson of that incident did not crystallize on him, for before long, it became obvious that this self-acclaimed strategist was not even a good student of the history of power. In his illusion of being in control, he tried to humiliate a sitting chief executive of the state with his deputy. He dared to query a man who has power in his hand. This was the last straw that brought him to his ruins. It was a tragic error with consequences that have been terribly devastating than he had imagined. From that moment, Governor Theodore Orji took the bull by the horns and orchestrated the liberation of Abia out of the captivity of the Kalu dynasty. Today, Kalu has been stripped naked at the market square. The once enfant terrible of Abia has been derobed. All the simulations that created the Kalu mystique have been unveiled. He is today a loner, denigrated and deflowered. He is as lonely as an orphan, abandoned by even his greatest die-hard followers. What is obvious is that Kalu is now coming to grips with the bitter lesson of the aphrodisiac of power. The self-acclaimed master strategist is now a wandering minstrel, with no political worth or value. His fate is the lamentable story of the classical tragichero. He should pause and re-examine his life to identify the critical point of departure and not to insult a man that God has used to bring succour to Abians. For the entire state of Abia, it has been celebration and jubilation galore. For the eight years of his reign and the first three years of his successor, the master strategist held the state by the jugular. From the

leadership of the Okada Riders Association, traditional rulers, market associations to every political appointment from local government councillors to even the aides of his successor, he held a suffocating grip on the state. Power started and ended at his doorstep. His first casualties were the elite. He rubbished the elite by marginalizing and sidelining them out of power, and elevated commoners and miscreants as a way of insulting the intelligence of the wellmeaning elite of the state. The strategy of the elevation of the commoners was to have a congregation of sheepish loyalists. These men were to forever deify him as their "maker", and as the man who brought them out of the dark abyss of hopelessness to the daylight of hope. In this mission, also, he deconstructed the entire Abia society, reduced the revered traditional institution into a calling for commoners and ridiculed even the political class. He balkanized many ancient kingdoms and appointed miscreants as traditional rulers for these new communities. In his own Igbere community, he created 21 communities out of a single community. Thus, Abia inherited from Kalu, a burden of a societal anomie that resulted in the regime of crime with many youths taking to kidnapping and all manners of vices. He created Frankenstein monsters that later came to haunt the peace of the land. This is why, to Abians, his demystification amounts to liberation. It is a well-deserved end of a dark era and the dawn of a new society. • Adindu is the President-general of the Abia Renaissance Movement (ARM)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

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

Forecasts Niger Insurance Gross Premium - N2.73b Profit after tax - N212.95m Mutual Benefits Gross Premium - N2b Profit - N885.633m Regency Alliance Gross Premium – N812.596m Profit after tax – N256.437m Learn Africa Turnover - N1.06b Profit after tax - N58.336m Total Nigeria Turnover - N46.676 b Profit after tax - N942.1m MRS Oil Nigeria Turnover - N51.20b Profit after tax - N712 m Eterna Turnover - N27.64b Profit after tax - N563.834m Okomu Oil Palm Turnover - N2.667b Profit after tax - N1.044b Stanbic/IBTC Bank Net operating income N16.805b Profit after tax - N2.737b ASL Turnover - N1.084b Profit after tax - N101.355m GT Assurance Gross Premium - N3.892b Profit after tax - N710.62m Cornerstone Insurance Gross Premium - N1.223b Profit after tax - N80.01m Oasis Insurance Gross Premium N562.500m Profit after tax - N79.868m African Alliance INS Gross Premium - N1.215b Profit after tax - N107.213m Berger Paints Turnover - N976.303m Profit after tax - N88.258m SCOA Nigeria Turnover - N835.0m Profit after tax - N18.200m Dangote Sugar Refinery Turnover - N38.251b Profit after tax - N3.49b Studio Press Nig. Turnover - N3.375b Profit after tax - N20.422m Julius Berger Nig. Turnover - N80.125b Profit after tax - N2.55b Intercontinental Wapic Ins Gross Premium - N1.41b Profit after tax - N250.450m Equity Assurance Gross Premium - N2.45b Profit after tax - N287.283m Standard Alliance Insurance Gross Premium - N2.142b Profit after tax - N475.964m Continental Reinsurance Gross Premium - N6.917b Profit after tax - N805m PRESCO Turnover - N2.60b Profit after tax - N800.9m RT Briscoe Turnover - N4.553b

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

‘Naira devaluation coming in 2015’

HE continuous decline in foreign reserves and increased spending expected during 2015 elections are likely to force the incoming Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor to devalue the naira, Global Chief Economist, RenaissanceCapital (RenCap),Charles Robertson firm has said. In a report titled: Nigeria/ Kazakhstan comparison and Sanusi oil sally, he said the cumulative deterioration in

Customs agents decry policy inconsistency By Oluwasheyi Ala

EMBERS of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Murtala Muhammed Chapter, Ikeja, have decried inconsistent government policies at the ports, lamenting that they have badly affected business and disrupted the flow of investments into the country. Speaking in Lagos at the weekend during the inauguration of new executive members of a group within ANLCA, Idiagbon Club of Nigeria, they expressed bitterness at the inability of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to provide them a befitting space to use as operational base after it demolished its building located at NAHCO shed about a decade ago. President of the group, Mr Ademola Oluwadamilare Adetola said customs agents are partners in progress with all other agencies of the government at the ports, adding that while the other agencies are provided operational bases, agents are not. “We generate revenue to the coffers of the Federal Government from our activities at the ports as customs brokers. So, it is just the right thing to do for the government to provide the environment conducive for us to operate,” he said. The Vice President of the group, Balogun Olashile, said the agents have had to contend with the pains of inconsistent policies in the ports, a situation he said, had led to loss of revenue to the government and importers. “One of the major challenges we are facing in the industry is inconsistent policies. When a new policy is introduced, it takes time for the policy to be understood by all stakeholders, but the sad thing is that no sooner had we started understanding the policy than the government would come out with another one.”

Bank, discount houses get N314b CBN loans - P 26

By Collins Nweze Snr Finance Correspondent

the external reserves position last year and this year implies devaluation next year, after the elections. Robertson, however, doubts devaluation before the elections, saying such an act would be unpopular for an import-dependent nation. “We think a N160 to 170 to dollar target range is likely. One upside for the government from a weaker naira would be more naira from dollar oil tax revenue,” he said. The economist said foreign exchange reserves, which stood at $41.7 billion on February 14, would drop to $35 billion by year-end. He explained that should such decline occur, that would imply greater weakness of the naira than current N164 to dollar end-year assumption, adding that the CBN would counteract the position, by tightening mon-

etary policy. “We assume foreign exchange reserves will fall from $44 billion in 2013 to $35 billion this year – a decline of $9 billion.That would imply greater weakness than our current 164 to dollar end-year assumption. But we expect the CBN to counter-act this, by tightening monetary policy,” Robertson said. However, he said the foreign reserves would have to drop significantly for the naira to be devalued, adding that the last time the CBN devalued the naira was in 2011, following the $11 billion drop in foreign reserves. Continuing, he said: “We believe reserves will likely fall further in 2014 on the back of subpar oil production and higher imports due to election-related spending. We think the cumulative deterioration in Nigeria’s external position in 2013 and 2014 implies devaluation in 2015,

after the elections; a devaluation before the elections would be unpopular for an import-dependent nation. We think a N160 to 170 to dollar target range is likely. One upside for the government from a weaker naira would be more naira from dollar oil tax revenue,” he said. The global economist explained that the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido sees no advantage in devaluation. “He highlighted his hawkish stance when sharing with us his that he voted for an increase in the cash reserve ratio (CRR) on private sector deposits at the January Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting; however, he was outvoted by other Monetary Policy Committee members. A CRR hike at the March MPC is a real possibility. This stance is contrary to a central bank that may be considering a weaker naira,” he stated. He continued: “Although our base case is for no

devaluation in 2014, there is a risk that the new CBN governor may devalue the naira, as Kazakhstan’s new central bank governor did in February 2009. “Like Kazakhstan, Robertson said the naira came under pressure recently from the United States’ Federal Reserve’s tapering policy, and its current account surplus is likely to decline as imports rise in the run up to the elections.” The foreign reserves declined to $43.5 billion as at January 2, as petroleum and food imports soared. The reserves which stood $45.4 billion on September 30, last year, have maintained steady fall in recent months. The level of Nigeria’s external reserves has fallen precariously low to $43.63 billion as at December 30, last year. This is the lowest level since November of the previous year and a decline of 10.7 per cent from last year’s Year to Date peak of $48.86 billion.

•Chairman,House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (left) and member, Sunday Adepoju, during a briefing on the discrepancies in the service-wide vote account of the budget at National Assembly, Abuja. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Insurers underwrite 40% of local risks, says Daniel

HE Nigerian Content Act has increased insurance firms capacity to underwrite local risks to 40 per cent, the Commissioner for insurance, Fola Daniel, has said. Daniel, who stated this in Lagos during an interactive session with reporters, said prior to the enactment of the law, the industry was underwriting about three per cent of local risks. He noted that the law has paved the way for underwriters to engage in special risks hitherto done overseas. The NAICOM boss insur-

By Simeon Ebulu

ers are at present doing well in the oil and gas risks, noting that tremendous growth has also been recorded on aviation risks. He said industry operators are careful about the level of their involvement in high profile risks, stressing that they only take a bite of what they can chew. He said: “The insurance sector has great potentials for massive growth. The population, if adequately harnessed, gives an added advantage to the industry to further develop its mar-

Eight lenders control N20tr assest

- P26

ket. “Also, the implementation of the No Premium No Cover law, has significantly improved the cash flow of insurance companies. We are optimistic that the positive turn of events would impact on the capacity of operators to settle claims promptly.” He said the Commission is also working towards having a Call Centre that will enable the public report insurance firms that failed to honour the terms of contracts entered with them. “The insurance industry has witnessed tremendous

changes in recent times owing to the new reforms embarked upon by NAICOM. These reforms include the introduction of risk based supervision, migration to International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) from the Nigerian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (NGAAP), market conduct reforms, claims settlement reforms, financial inclusion and more. “These are all geared towards developing the industry and improving the general perception of insurance,” he added.

‘Mentoring vital to business success’

- P39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

Banks, discount houses get N314b CBN loans

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offered N314.22 billion to banks and discount houses to boost liquidity, according to the apex bank’s Economic Report. There are 21 banks and four discount houses in the country. The figure, the last November report of the CBN, stated, represents a daily average of N14.96 billion for the 21 business days. This is against the N263.36 billion with a daily average of N12.45 billion in the preceding month. The fund, which came as a Standing Lending Facility (SLF), was given at 14 per cent. It is an overnight CBN credit available on banking days between 2 pm

Stories by Collins Nweze

and 3.30 pm, with settlement done on same day value. Interest paid on SLF in November stood at N0.09 billion, compared to N0.02 billion in the preceding month. The CBN showed that total assets and liabilities of the deposit money banks (DMBs) amounted to N23.5 trillion, showing a marginal increase of 0.2 per cent above the level at the end of the preceding month. Funds were sourced mainly from time, savings and foreign currency deposits, as well as accretion to unclassified assets. The funds were used, largely, to ex-

tend credit to the private sector and payment of claims on demand deposit. The report also said that DMB’s credit to domestic economy rose by 2.4 per cent to N11.5 trillion, above the level in the preceding month. The development was attributed largely to the rise in banks’ credit to the private sector during the review month. Total specified liquid assets of the banks stood at N6.6 trillion, representing 41.4 per cent of their total current liabilities. Further analysis of the report showed that liquidity ratio fell by 0.6 percentage point below the level in the preceding month, but was 11.4 percentage points above

the stipulated minimum ratio of 30 per cent. The loans-to deposit ratio, which stood at 36.1 per cent, was 1.5 percentage points above the level at the end of the preceding month, but 43.9 percentage points below the prescribed maximum ratio of 80 per cent. Further, the CBN data indicated that total assets of the Discount Houses stood at N131 billion, showing an increase of 11.7 per cent. The development was accounted for, largely, by the 15.9, 14.8 and 7.6 per cent rise in claims on the Federal Government, Banks and “Others Assets”. Correspondingly, the increase in total liabilities was attributed, to the 32.5 and 4.1 per cent rise in money-at-call and other liabilities, which more than offset the 4.5 per cent fall in capital and reserves. Discount Houses’ investment in Federal Government securities of less than 91-day maturity rose by nine per cent to N36.4 billion and accounted for 35.4 per cent of their total deposit liabilities. At that level, discount houses’ investment in treasury bills rose by 16 per cent above the level at the end of the preceding month but was 24.6 percentage points below the prescribed minimum level of 60 per cent. Total borrowing by the discount houses was N45.07 billion, while their capital and reserves totaled N18.4 billion.

The CBN attributed the significant increase in activities in the standing facilities window mainly, to the banks’ preference for depositing their overnight balances at the discount window rather than placing at the interbank. It explained that money market rates were influenced by the liquidity condition in the banking system arising from the introduction of the 50 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on all public sector deposits, coupled with the delay in the release of fiscal allocation. The CRR on all public sector funds has been raised further to 75 per cent at the January 21 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the CBN. The CBN had, during the MPC meeting, maintained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 12 per cent, and kept the symmetric corridor of plus two per cent around the MPR for SLF. However, the SLFs are available only to banks and discount houses that have executed the Nigerian Master Repurchase Agreement (NMRA) with the regulator. It covers the SLF and addresses issues pricing, duration, custodian as well as default resolution in lending. The MPC said the CBN is taking immediate step to redress the supply-demand imbalance in the BDC segment while maintaining its focus on anti-money laundering.

Dermalog chief refutes bankruptcy claims

• From left: Past president, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Tifase James; Interim President, Aminu Gwadabe; Deputy Director, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Bedu; and an official of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Abuja, Hanafi Baba-Ahmed, at the launch of ABCON operational manual, in Lagos. PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON

Eight lenders control N20tr assets

IGHT banks control N20.8 trillion or about 80 per cent of the total assets in the banking system. According to a report by Afrinvest West Africa Limited, an investment and research firm, the sector is characterised by a “policy induced” earnings, and aggressive competition for cheaper deposits. The eight lenders are also expected by the end of the year to control 76.3 per cent of the industry’s gross earnings. The top five banks are: FirstBank, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa and Access Bank. The other three are: Skye Bank, Diamond Bank and Ecobank Nigeria. According to the report titled: Nigerian banking league: The fate of small players, the bigger banks, with an average total assets of N2.6 trillion, the banks appear more competitive in squeezing out higher earnings compared to tier-2 (smaller banks) with N900 billion of total asset as at September. However, the operating expenses margins and cost funds for the bigger banks are rising. It said the era of real banking appears to be re-emerging as traditional sources of high income

continue to face significant threat from tighter regulation and increased competition. It said the era of real banking appears to be re-emerging as traditional sources of high income continues to face significant threat from tighter regulation and increased competition. Tier-2 banks, on the other hand, are faced with the challenge of expanding their local franchise, to absorb cheap deposits and aggressively generate more risk assets. This has left Tier-2 banks with the option of either “Specialise”; or “Expand inorganically”. “While most banks are hinged on product differentiation strategy using innovation to remain afloat, we keep a keen watch on the industry’s competitiveness as events unfold. Nevertheless, the future of banking is set to take a dramatic turn,” it said. According to the report, the era of double digits earnings growth in the industry has begun to thinout. “The numerous liquidity tightening policies introduced by the CBN is exerting pressure on the banks’ profitability in the last few months. A review of the banking industry’s last nine months Profit before Tax (PBT) re-

vealed an average nine per cent decline across the Tier 1 banks, and a 6.3 per cent growth within the Tier-2 echelon,” it said. The analysis also revealed that Tier-1 banks accounted for 82 per cent of the total income in the banking industry; with GTBank and Zenith Bank leading with a nine-month Profit After Tax of N69.2 billion and N69.8 billion as atlast September. It said a further review spots the downward trend in Tier-1 bank’s Net Income Margin from 7.9 per cent in 2012 to 7.1 per cent in June and 6.1 per cent in September, last year. This, it said, could be attributed to a reduction in the industry wide interest and non-interest income. Similarly, the net profit margin for Tier-1 banks shrank quarter on quarter to 23.3 per cent in September from 24.3 per cent in June, last year. It said liquidity tightening policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had an impact on the banks. The policy targeted at price and exchange rate stability, has affected the earnings of the banks, particularly the 75 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on public sector deposit.

HE Managing Director, Dermalog, Gunther Mull, has faulted bankruptcy reports on his firm. Dermalog is handling the biometric project of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Speaking at the launch of the project in Lagos, Mull said reports that the firm had gone into liquidation since 2012 were false, adding that it has been in profitable business in the last 12 years, with an average profit of 15 per cent. He said the CBN has been courageous in executing the project, adding that in other countries where the project had been implemented, it was mainly government-driven. The report had claimed that the German firm was broke at the time it got the contract in Nigeria. Chairman, Bankers’ Committee sub-Committee on Biometrics,

Godwin Emefiele, said the project would revolutionalise the banking system. Emefiele, who is the Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank, said the project would lead to re-setting of credit standards in the banking sector, as well as enhance consumer credit. He said: “It is a rare opportunity that needed to be embraced. This project has the capacity to serve over 160 million people. The good thing is that even when one forgets his/her Personal Identification Number (PIN), once the information is verified, transactions can be done.” The Managing Director, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Ade Shonobi said the biometric solution is needed to bring sanity to the payment system, adding that an effective payment system is key to building the economy.

Enterprise Bank assures of improved services at ATMs, PoS

NTERPRISE Bank Limited has reassured its customers of an improved electronic transactions across the nation. In a statement, the lender assured customers using the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, mobile and internet banking services, among others, that they would continue to enjoy seamless banking services. It said the lender has strengthened its e-banking channels across its branches nationwide. “Through the internet banking channel, for instance, customers will be delighted with the different platforms, which allow banking transactions from the comfort of peoples’ offices and homes any-

where in the world,” it said. These transactions, the bank said, range from checking account balances, viewing or downloading statements of accounts, requesting for cheque books and banking transfers to as much as N10 million in one go. The banking transfers can be intra or interbank as the case may be with the use of personal computer (PCs) or smart phones. The interesting thing, the statement added, is that both new and old customers can sign on for these safe and secured services. The services, it said, also provide added value in the form of convenience banking in any of the bank’s branches.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

MONEY Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) have been tipped as key to Nigeria’s growth and transformation project. However, positioning them for the role requires banks to give the subsector the needed support through funding and skills development. FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has taken some steps, including an alliance with CNN’s African Start-Up show, to help SMEs achieve their growth potential, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

‘Funding SMEs lead to economic growth’ S

MALL and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remains a key driver of the economy. The challenge, however, is that not too many banks are willing to lend to the subsector. Over the years, when the loans come, they are priced higher than what obtains when lending to multinationals or other operators in the real sector of the economy in most cases. Determined to reverse the fortunes of the subsector, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has reiterated its commitment to providing cheap and long-term funding for SMEs in the country. Gbenga Shobo, Executive Director (Retail Banking South), who gave this indication during the maiden edition of the bank’s SME conference, titled: “SMEConnect”, reiterated the need to create successful SMEs that would help the economy achieve its full potentials. “Definitely there is a lot of large buzzword right now, as a lot of banks are saying they want to do SMEs finance. But we have been relatively successful in financing SMEs. A recent survey shows that the efforts of FirstBank in this regard more than double those of any other bank in the last three years,” he said. He said at present about 50 per cent of the funds of the lender come from retail banking. “Those funds are from our SMEs, our affluent and our mass market. Retail banking is split into those segments. The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) itself doesn’t affect retail banking directly because it was meant for public sector funds. But it shows how more important to the banks the funds from retail banking would be because no CRR affects it. So, obviously, there is more focus on retail banking funds. So that is why we are doing more to get more SMEs,” he said.

African Start-Up project As part of its strategic focus to grow and sustain the development of SME’s in Nigeria and Africa at large, the bank, through its SME support programme, SMEConnect, which is sponsored CNN’s African Start-Up show, is exploring how ideas are generated, formulation of business plans, and access to capital and product development amongst other things. African Start-Up is a 30-minute programme, which follows entrepreneurs across African countries to see how they are working to make their dreams become reality. It offers viewers the opportunities to see entrepreneurship in a broader perspective, with each show dedicated to an entrepreneur taking viewers through daily challenges. The programme tries to highlight the fact that the rules of entrepreneurship are not defined, its setbacks are frustrating and that the opportunities are for those with

vision and creativity. Each segment is aimed to inspire the viewers as they witness one determined individual after another defying the odds. The programme, which hit the airwaves last November has featured entrepreneurs such as Fomba Trawally, a Liberian businessman who started his career as a street vendor and just recently opened Liberia’s first paper and toiletry product manufacturing company; Isaac Oboh, who started Media 256, a film and production company in Kampala, Uganda; as well as Tola Ogunsola, Damola Taiwo and Dolapo Taiwo, who pioneered the establishment of a new digital store where Nigerians can access local music. According to Celine DeCarlo, Account Director at CNN International. “We’re delighted that FirstBank has chosen to connect with CNN’s global audience of key business decision-makers and opinion leaders around the world via ‘African Start-Up’. This is the first time CNN has created dedicated programming looking at African SMEs. FirstBank’s exclusive sponsorship provides a unique opportunity to support a series that will shed light on efforts of successful entrepreneurs contributing to the growth and development of Africa’s economy. According to FirstBank’s spokesperson and head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, the bank’s sponsorship of CNN’s “African Start-Up” is a firm commitment of our drive to sustain the development of SME’s in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. “We are proud to sponsor ‘African Start-Up’ on CNN International. SMEs play a critical role as the engine of growth in the economy, providing employment to thousands of people and contributing significantly to GDP. This segment is a critical platform for repositioning the national economy for sustained growth, and one which aligns with FirstBank’s position as the number one SME bank in Nigeria. “FirstBank is pleased that CNN has created this dedicated programme, which in itself is a first that takes a critical look at the lives of these entrepreneurs and the ways they have contributed to their societies in their countries.

• CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Having supported SME’s in Nigeria for over a century with first class products and services, CNN’s African Start-Up aligns with our commitment to drive and sustain the growth of SME’s in Nigeria,” she said. The “SMEConnect” is one of FirstBank’s SME’s value propositions designed to empower small and medium enterprises in the country. The programme is geared towards building SMEs capacities to deliver and contribute significantly to national development. FirstBank’s value proposition goes beyond an SME product or suite of products to a robust engagement programme designed in every way to help SMEs succeed.

Relationship management As part of the engagement programme, SMEs are given access to dedicated Relationship Managers (RMs) with deep industry knowledge of the customer’s business and challenges. They can offer basic advisory services to the customer. The subsector are also provided with opportunities for capacitybuilding and business networking through National Conferences, Open Seminars, Industryspecific Forums as well as Town Hall Meetings. SMEs are also offered a free payments-and-collections platform to drive the payment and receipt aspects of their businesses and deepen their transaction capabilities and speed, with a free web presence on a social cum business online portal to enable them trade as well as net-

• FirstBank CEO Bisi Onasanya

work. Start Up Africa follows several entrepreneurs in various African countries to see how they’re working to make their dreams become reality. It explores how they generate their ideas, formulate their business plans, raise capital and distribute their products. The entrepreneurs take viewers through their daily challenges. The series’ online component encourages user participation, and serves as a forum for ideas.

Branch expansion Shobo said the bank’s branch network has increased tremendously in the last two years. “This is just to make sure that we bank the mass population more comfortable, without queues and things like that. Why do we have queues? It’s because we have more customers than the number of branches that can handle them. We have expanded the number of branches; our ATM network is by far the most in the whole industry. Of course, if you treat your customers better, the more funds they give you. So we are really concentrating on servicing our customers in all segments much better,” he said. He also said that the bank found out that it needed to have different ways of approaching different segments within the youths. “What we are also doing on the youth side is that we realised that times are changing. The way the youths see things is different from the way older people see things. The youths do not prefer going to the branches, they like online bank-

‘The “SMEConnect” is one of FirstBank’s SME’s value propositions designed to empower small and medium enterprises in the country. The programme is geared towards building SMEs capacities to deliver and contribute significantly to national development’

ing. You find out that a lot of the hits on the website are from the youths,” he said.

SMEs in Nigeria Shobo said SMEs in Nigeria have to grow; because that is the only way the economy. “So it must grow and that is why we are doing the national conference and after that, we are going to have regional conferences. After that, we are going to have industry specific conferences to make sure that we take the SMEs to another level,” he said. The bank’s experience in SMEs financing, he added, is what separates it from other lenders. “We have the most SMEs; we have had them for a long time, we understand their needs better than anybody else and clearly that informed the way we approach them. Most other banks don’t even focus on SMEs. We have relationship managers focused on them. We have products that support SME operators that do not have collateral, which a lot of other banks don’t have. I think what we haven’t done well in the past is the capacity building and that is where we want to focus on now. Like I said earlier, we like double the other banks in terms of support to SMEs,” he said. He said the bank listens to SMEs to know their problems and address them. “We are the number one SMEs’ bank in Nigeria, but we do not want to stop there. We want to be able to create value for our SMEs. In listening to them, survey and focus discussions and all that, we found out that capacity is a big problem. When I say capacity, I mean being able to develop proposals which banks can finance or indeed which anybody can put money to finance for them. A lot of people have dreams on what they like to do, but how do I actualise those dreams? You find out that a lot of SMEs cannot do that successfully. That is one,” he said. Shobo said several SMEs go into businesses and they run into trouble because they just can’t do the business properly. It is capacity that is still the problem because if you had capacity and you understand them, you wouldn’t do a business that will fail.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Investors likely to be cautious of equities, I says Standard Bank NVESTORS are likely to be cautious of equities and may probably reduce exposure to equities. However, Nigeria still stands a good chance as an attractive destination for Africa-focused investors, Standard Bank’s emerging market strategist-Samir Gadio, has said. In a response to enquiry by The Nation, London-based Gadio said global investors could be edgy about Nigeria’s political, currency and transitional risks. According to him, there may be limited interest from global emerging market funds, and more generally, investors would likely to be cautious, if not underweight Nigeria, ahead of the 2015 elections, and considering the uncertainty surrounding the transition at the CBN and concerns about the currency. “Moreover, the expensive valuations of consumer names and even somewhat less attractive metrics of the banking sector-those have to be increasingly differentiated, represent a constraint on further offshore appetite. Gadio noted that the domestic pension funds which have remained largely underweight in

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

equities, may not likely change the disproportionate skew towards fixed-income securities given the high yields on offer in the fixed income market. He however noted that there is a favourable technical bias from the growing frontier market investor community and Africa-focused funds that simply cannot ignore the attractiveness of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). He pointed out that the Nigerian market had recorded more than a double of the average return by frontier markets. Nigerian stock market benchmark-the All Share Index (ASI), had recorded a yearon-year return of 47.19 per cent in 2013 as against 20.3 per cent recorded by the MSCI Frontier Markets (MSCI FM) index. The 2013 business year set the Nigerian stock market on a new high with average full-year return of 47.19 per cent, its best performance

since 2007. Aggregate market capitalization of all quoted equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed 2013 at N13.226 trillion as against its opening value of N8.974 trillion for the year. This represented a whooping increase of N4.252 trillion. The ASI-a common value-based index that tracks all quoted equities, recorded full-year return of 47.19 per cent rising from its opening index for the year of 28,078.81 points to close the year at 41,329.19 points. The performance in 2013 significantly surpassed the much applauded return in 2012 when equities posted average return of 35.45 per cent, equivalent to capital gains of N2.44 trillion. The stock market had closed the first half of 2013 with average return of about 28.8 per cent, equivalent to N2.45 trillion in capital gains. Aggregate market value of all equities on the NSE had closed the first half at N11.426 trillion while the ASI had closed the first half at 36,164.31 points.

•From right: Chairman, West African Capital Market Integration Council (WACMIC) and CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema and Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa, at the WACMIC’s sensitisation workshop in Abuja at the weekend

Courteville to diversify business portfolios

OURTEVILLE Business Solutions Plc is implementing a dynamic growth strategy that will increasingly diversify its business portfolios with less attention on government projects and more attention and focus on the private sector. Managing director, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Mr. Adebola Akindele, said the company has developed a marketing platform for all insurance houses to sell genuine insurance policies. According to him, Most of the insurance companies in Nigeria now are already partnering with Courteville on its Auto Insure policy, which pays more claim than other third party policies. He noted that Auto Insure has created a marketing platform for insurance companies to market their insurance policies and programmes adding that the product will also automate the process of issuing motor vehicle insurance like the process of issuing motor vehicle licence. He said that the company will soon become a major exporter of technology and business solution around the world pointing out that Courteville has the capacity and

expertise to provide biometric solutions for the economic and business needs of Nigeria and Africa. He stressed that policy makers, government institutions and private sector players need to pay attention to the business solutions that indigenous firms like Courteville have to offer the economy as it is by such opportunities that the nation can experience sustainable growth and development. He noted that his company has already applied online solution and technology towards eradicating the bottlenecks that once surrounded motor vehicle administration in Nigeria while it has also successfully exported such technology to other parts of the continent and in the Caribbean. According to him, the Egole online marketing platform which is a web based portal that the company has created will allows various merchants of different categories, service providers and consumers to transact business online and real-time, noting the Egole online platform is a well thought through platform that guarantees both the merchants and consumers convenience in usage and security.

Assuring shareholders of the company on future returns, Akindele underscored the fact that the company has been one of the companies listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) that has consistently paid dividends to its shareholders in the past three to four years consecutively.

Foreign investors still dominate Nigerian stock market, although Nigerian investors have increased their participation in recent months. Value of foreign portfolio transactions on the NSE increased from N808.4 billion in 2012 to N1.04 trillion in 2013. In both years, Nigeria retained net inflow from foreign investors. However, net inflow dropped considerably from N94.4 billion in 2012 to N20.48 billion in 2013, reflecting the speculative and edgy nature of foreign portfolios during the year. But while foreign investors gradually reduced their dominance, Nigerian investors regained more confidence and created a nearbalance market situation. Foreign investors had accounted for about 61.4 per cent of total turnover on the NSE in 2012 while domestic investors accounted for 38.6 per cent. However, domestic investors

stepped up their participation with 49.2 per cent in 2013 while foreign investors slowed down to 50.8 per cent. Foreign portfolios were the main drivers of transactions on the NSE between 2011 and 2012, with foreign investors accounting for average of two-thirds of equity transactions between 2011 and 2012. Total foreign inflow increased from N451.40 billion in 2012 to N531.26 billion in 2013 just as foreign outflow correspondingly increased from N357 billion in 2012 to N510.78 billion in 2013. Recent portfolio flow analysis has however shown a consistent trading pattern in foreign transactions. While foreign investors flowed in more funds than they took out in the first half, they have taken more money out than they invested since the beginning of the second half, showing a sustained trend of profittaking in the second half.

RIVATE equity and venture capital companies see Nigeria as the main hub for private investments and will further explore emerging opportunities in the country as Africa-centered fund managers and investors converge on Nigeria. Under the auspices of the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA),private equity and venture capital firms, institutional investors, international development institutions and global professional service firms are scheduled to meet in Lagos in early April. Chief Executive Officer, African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA), Michelle Essome, said the conference would further bring Nigeria’s investment potential into global focus. According to her, with reported investment figures increasing to close to $3 billion last year, private capital supports hundreds of local businesses looking to build to their potential and could be catalytic to Nigeria’s economic growth. She noted that by its nature, private capital in Africa is chiefly growth investment, unlike the typical perception of private equity in more developed markets, and as such it is an essential provider of jobs and boost to local economies. Chief Executive Officer, African Capital Alliance (ACA), Mr. Okey Enelamah, outlined that private equity and venture capital have contributed significantly to the transformation inkeyeconomicsectors,citing such investments in telecommunications, banking and power sectors. “As you look across the sectors of the economy, you will find out that institutional private capital work for the growth of the economy. The idea of AVCA

coming to Nigeria is to showcase private equity as a catalyst for growth and change that can help to move from the level we are to the next level,” Enelamah said. Chief Executive Officer and cofounder, Alitheia Capital, Tokunboh Ishmael, underscored the importance of private equity as first point of capital for new businesses and ideas noting that private equity firms help to nurture small and medium businesses and upstarts to become commercially attractive to other retail and institutional investors. She noted that Alitheia has invested $10 million each in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and Ghana. According to her, private equity plays a crucial role in financial the SMEs sector, which is regarded as the engine of economic growth worldwide. Managing Director, Africinvest, Abiola Ojo-Osagie added that private equity fund managers also play a key role in helping management to establish governance structures and growth plans, which lead to more sustainable businesses. She noted that private equity has been helping in the realisation of the Local Content Act by providing financial and other supports to indigenous Nigerian companies in the oil and gas business. Essome said AVCA will launch its first ever pan-African limited partner survey focused on private equity at the Nigerian conference noting that the survey will appraise the sentiment of investors from across the globe and continent on the private investment opportunities in Africa.

bank is partnering with the Gombe State Government through its subsidiary company; Gombe State Investment & Development Company Limited in developing 400 housing units of two and three bedroom bungalows at Dukku Housing Estate. “For instance, in Bauchi, the bank is partnering with Terraquest Development Company in developing and packaging mortgage facilities for the 571 housing units two and three bedroom of which about 288 are already on ground, at an affordable price of N5.9 million and N4.95 million,” Olayinka said. According to him, the development is coming shortly after the recent partnership with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), in

packaging the National Housing Fund through the Federal Mortgage Bank last year. He noted that in its bid to spread across the various geo-political zones, Resort is opening more areas to achieve its purpose of providing housing for all in the year pointing out that the company also working on the Donga Estate in Jos, Plateau State, using the Estate Developmental Loan it took from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. He outlined that the Donga Estate has about 200 units of two bedroom detached and two bedroom semi-detached units, of which 50 are already completed while each unit will be sold at N7.5 million and N5.5 million.

Private equities focus on Nigeria as SMEs get $10m

Resort predicts better prospects

ESORT Savings and Loans Plc will turn the huge housing deficits in Nigeria into business opportunities in the year as it partners with governments and private sector operators to deliver housing projects across Nigeria. Managing Director, Resort Savings and Loans Plc, Mr. Abimbola Olayinka, said this year would be a year of providing more housing projects and partnering with developers throughout the federation. Citing developments across the federation, Olayinka said the company has perfected plans to ensure enough partnership to provide housing for all by the end of 2014. According to him, the mortgage

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

Peaceful students, trouble-shooting parents INSIDE

How Aregbesola’s peace meeting exposed parents’ role in stoking religious crisis in Iwo schools

Another tanker accident at Aramoko-Ekiti claims lives •PAGE 32

‘Comedy is good but I regret abandoning my career’ •PAGE 35

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

PAGE 29

At a meeting called by Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola to resolve the crisis over school uniform in Baptist High School, Iwo, BISI OLADELE gives details of the role played by parents in instigating the crisis threatening to derail the Osun school uniform policy •Continued on Page 30

The quest to salvage Oko-Oba abattoir •PAGE 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

ITH the furore that accompanied the decision of students of Baptist High School, Iwo, to wear different, albeit unapproved school uniform(s) to school recently, reflecting their religious beliefs, one would have thought that the school and indeed the entire community would be on fire. But on February 10, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola chose to visit and douse the tension, everywhere and everything were calm. The semi urban town was as usual quiet, so also was the secondary school that grabbed the headlines in the media recently for the wrong reason. By 7:45 a.m. when The Nation arrived at the sprawling premises of one of the most popular schools in Southwest, most of the teachers were already at work but the majority gathered in twos and threes, silently discussing the expected event of the day. Wearing curious looks, the teachers and the five principals in the school attempted to carry out the instruction of the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary for the area (Osun West), Mr Adisa Olabamiji, to convene a single general assembly for all the students in the school. They were expecting the governor who pledged to visit the school for a peace meeting with all stakeholders in the crisis to address the general assembly. A total of 92 students had worn unapproved uniforms to school the week before to create chaos and attract the attention of the world to the uniform crisis rocking the ongoing reform in the secondary education system. While some wore church choir robes, some came to school in traditional egungun (masquerade) costume, stirring tension and controversy on the propriety of the school uniform policy of the state. But on this Monday morning, the students were in their normal joyous mood as they clutched to each other, trooping into the compound in large number. Unlike their teachers, the presence of some adults who converged inside the school compound near the gate, did not change the students’ mood. They were friends, colleagues and manifested no sign of segregation. This was conveyed in the way nonMuslim students clutched to their hijab-wearing Muslim friends and the happiness expressed in the way they exchanged banters as they walked into the compound. Obviously, to them, there was neither threat nor trouble. Peace could be read on their faces while they bubbled in friendship spirit. To the students, all was fine! They all appeared in the approved uniform distributed to them by the state government. With common chocolate brown trousers, skirt, shorts or pinafore as appropriate, the students donned yellow or gold colour top to match, with a beret to differentiate the schools. Female Muslims students, however, wore hijab as a mark of their religious belief. After a short period of foot-dragging, the bell for assembly rang at exactly 8:10 a.m. but the students did not gather quickly. It took them another 10 minutes before they responded to the call for assembly. At that time, suspicion was filling the air on the turn which the planned event would take as the crowd of adults at the gate was swelling. Then, the Tutor-General addressed the assembly. He told them that the state government meant well with the new policy, adding that the megaschool being constructed would accommodate most of the high school students in the area. He highlighted some of the specific aspects of the policy aimed at making the students better adults in the future. Mr. Olabamiji urged them to show understanding with the government and maximise the opportunities being offered them.

The school Baptist High School, Iwo was established in 1955 by the Nigerian Baptist Convention. It was a first-class secondary school with full boarding fa-

Peaceful students, trouble-shooting parents cilities. Located in the then serene Adeeke area of Iwo but development later expanded the town to the location. It has produced several renowned personalities and carries the name of the Baptist church high. In spite of the take-over of all mission schools by the government in 1976, members of the church and the alumni still see Baptist High School, Iwo as a missionary school of sort.

Build up to the event As the assembly was going on, the crowd of locals made up of parents and government officials began to grow steadily. At 12:27 pm, the helicopter conveying the governor appeared on he sky an appearance that threw the students into a frenzy of jubilation. They screamed and jumped as they moved towards the direction where the chopper was to land. They criss-crossed the lines they had formed to usher him into the open field, venue of the meeting, flouting directive of security agents. But they were not punished. It was emotional! A minute later, the green helicopter marked 5N BLI, touched ground. The ecstasy, particularly among the students and locals was palpable. They pressed towards the governor as they screamed: “Ogbeni, Ogbeni,” waving their hands. Aregbesola did not disappoint them. He also waved as soon as he became visible through the helicopter’s window in his school uniform. With a broad smile, he alighted from the copter and was led by security agents towards the waiting crowd. The governor ignored the thick dust generated from the preponderance of legs marching the graded piece of land as he trudged into the thick crowd. They massed him in ecstasy. It was a rousing welcome at its best! Then, the meeting commenced. It was an outpouring of emotion. After the opening prayer by representatives of the Christian, Muslim and traditional worshippers communities, the Secretary, Iwo Local Government, Alhaji Kamardeen Alao, welcomed the governor and members of his cabinet. Hailing Aregbesola for the systematic way he handled the crisis, he recalled that the deputy governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, had visited the town to discuss with warring religious leaders but that it was good that the governor eventually came. He prayed for peace to continue to reign in the town and lauded the

•Chief Akeem Oyebimpe Bello Aregbesola administration for the production of the learning tablet dubbed “Opon Imo.” Giving the reasons for the meeting, the Tutor-General, Mr Olabamiji, explained that the parley was to find a

lasting solution to the crisis and to distribute Opon Imo to the students. He reiterated the need for peace to reign in schools and to support the Aregbesola administration. According to him, “our governor observed that poor results have been emanating from our schools. He was not happy. That is the reason he has been introducing several reforms in the education sector including appointing a principal as a Permanent Secretary (PS). It has never happened in the history of this state. With the many reforms, teachers are now working harder because they are happier and students are doing better in public examinations. “Eight days ago, trouble started in this school but we thanked God that our intervention changed things. We have held several peace meetings including the one called by governor last week. This is the biggest peace meeting. “This government believes that we are all one and religion should not tear us apart. Hence, he brought the government here to have a face-toface meeting with stakeholders. Christians were not represented at the Osogbo meeting, hence, Aregbesola decided to come down here.” The PS disclosed that the school has a total of 2,123 students including 479 students in Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3). The Deputy Governor who also doubles as the Commissioner for Education, Laoye-Tomori explained that the gathering was not a political meeting but that people should not be surprised to see the crowd because Aregbesola has a magnetic pull.

‘

For us in Osun State, the importance we attach to education makes us put education in the front burner. We are determined to produce true leaders of tomorrow. That is why we provide appropriate tools and facilities that enhance learning

‘

Addressing the crisis, she said: “The governor watched how some students came to school in unconventional uniform. But as a father to all, he directed that none of them should be punished. He has invited their parents and had a successful meeting with them on Friday. His coming (here today) is to broke permanent peace. Both the students and the parents are here. “For us in the Osun State, the importance we attach to education makes us put education in the front burner. We are determined to produce true leaders of tomorrow. That is why we provide appropriate tools and facilities that enhance learning. We always work for peace in our schools and everywhere in Osun. (And) in furtherance of the technology-based education, the governor will distribute Opon Imo to our students here today.” The Deputy-Governor sued for peace and love among students. “Let parents also lead in showing love,” she said. As the programme progressed, religious leaders were called upon to present their positions on the issue. First to speak was the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Iwo, Rev. Dr. Bayo Ademuyiwa. Ademuyiwa said, the Christian community, most of who are the parents were pained by the troubles emanating in the school system. Emphasising that the troubles are unnecessary, he said Christians would continue to reject wearing of unconventional uniform to school. “We are pained that unnecessary issues are troubling our education. CAN says ‘No’ to wearing of unconventional uniform. Our governor sees equity. He is not partial. We think the governor should make a statement on this. Christian children began to wear unconventional uniforms when they realised that their counterparts in other religions wore it without being punished. “At the meeting with the governor, religious leaders agreed that no child should wear unconventional uniform. Our children didn’t wear it today because we prevailed on them while Muslims wore theirs. “Christians want equity. Please define conventional uniform for all of us,” he said. He, however, charged students to concentrate on their studies, and not the uniform issue. In their presentation, spokesman for the Muslim community, Sheik Idris Mogaji, pointed out that Western education experienced delayed growth in Iwo in the early times because Mus-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Deputy Governor Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (second left) distributing Opon Imo to the students

•Sheik Idris Mogaji

•Rev. Dr. Bayo Ademuyiwa

lims discovered that many of their children that went to school abandoned the religion for Christianity. “We are not interested in using force. We are just following the Qur’an. We support the government and its activities,” he said. He also alleged that Muslims are always criticised for sticking to the precepts of the Qur’an. In their presentation, spokesperson of the traditionalists Miss Ifawole Anifalaje, simply declared: “We are for peace and traditional religion does not support violence.” She thereafter pronounced a lengthy blessing on the gathering and the entire state. The representative of the Oluwo-inCouncil, Chief Akeem Oyebimpe Bello, sued for peace among all stakeholders. He admonished students to concentrate on their studies and reject offer to be used as cannon fodders. He said: “Children, pay more attention to your studies than any other thing. The future belongs to you and education is what will help you to fulfill your dreams in life. This generation of your parents would soon grow old. This problem is age-long in Iwo. It was muffled by previous governors. We have held meetings with leaders of the two religions and we believe this administration will resolve it once and for all.”

SS3 students in the school were given the Opon Imo by the Deputy Governor. She disclosed that government was working towards distributing 150,000 copies of the tablet across the state. Two of their representatives, Samuel Aremu and Mutiyat Bashir, expressed gratitude to the governor for the tablets. They also appealed to parents to allow them concentrate on their studies by shunning any action that is capable of causing chaos in the schools. Samuel said: “We students have no problem among ourselves. Those misbehaving are being sponsored by their parents. Parents, let peace reign.” “We are not happy about this chaos. We beg our parents to let peace reign. We can’t concentrate on our studies in an atmosphere of chaos. Government, please do something about it,” Bashir said. Addressing the crowd, Aregbesola, after singing three Yoruba songs that emphasised the importance of education, told the audience that he attended school in a local community but thanked God for taking him to his current position. “I came to address you children, especially. This is the only platform for you to become great in life. You can be great if you pay attention to your

studies and work hard. That is why we take education seriously. No state takes education as seriously as the Osun State. I want to advise you to face your studies. Your future is important to us. Let our investments on you show. “When you see us running up and down, it is because we want you to have a great future. Don’t let such ugly incident recur. Wise people don’t show protest in a way that will destroy the society. When they push you, don’t push yourselves. “For efficiency, we divided school management into three with three Tutors-General as heads. We have also employed over 10,000 teachers, 58 per cent of the number of teachers we inherited. We give free food and fruits, all with a view to improving the quality of education in the state. We can only be proud to see you succeed. Don’t let us regret what we are doing. We are building excellent schools. It is all because of you and future generations. We have paid N400 million for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examination this year. We spent N850 million yearly to remove the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levy. This government has good plan for you.” The governor disclosed that a section of the society went to court over the matter because the government is neutral. He said the government could not go further on the issue pending the determination of the case. But he emphasised; “Those inciting people against us will fail.” Aregbesola declared: “I have decided to visit you today after I heard about a little misunderstanding and consequent bad behaviour by a very

tiny number among you, which does not by any stretch of the imagination approximate the spirit of amity and scholarship in this school and even the community. The manner in which you have all received me has put a lie to the antics of mischief makers, who made futile bid to impress upon the whole world that this school and indeed Iwo town are on the verge of civil war. “On the contrary, what I have seen are happy students in gay mood willing to project the Omoluabi ethos and looking to the future with great hope. This indeed is our desire for you. Our philosophy of education is the creation of the total man, a man who is physically, intellectually, morally and spiritually equipped to contribute to societal development. This is a man who views his acquisition and life attainment as instruments in the service of society and improvement of fellow citizens. This new person stands confident and radiates love to fellow human beings and is never threatened by other people who are different from him or her in some respects. “Education is the means by which this new man is produced. Our interest in education even goes further. The world is now a rapidly changing place. Knowledge has become the basis of power and no longer the old notions of large territory, large army, large human population and large deposits of material resources. “The most powerful nations are those that know how to use resources and trade in knowledge. Our world is now controlled by those who know technology and not those who have it. It means in essence that a nation that knows how to manufacture cars,

‘

The government did not at any time approve the use of hijab in any school, before the matter went to court. It is the court’s position that the status quo ante be maintained until the case is determined. This means that where it is in use, it will be maintained and it should not be extended to where it is not. This is the beauty of democracy, where there is respect for the rule of law

‘

tractors and nuclear weapons is superior to those who merely have the money to buy them. The former is the master while the later is a mere servant. As we are, we are already marginalised in that world and our pie will further shrink in the future if we do not prepare our youth to compete favourably in that imminent future. We are therefore preparing those who will be political leaders, scientists, clergies, diplomats, inventors, captains of industries and leaders in all respects in the next 20 years, at least.”

Education: before and now The governor rolled out data on steps taken and policies introduced so far to address the poor state of education. He enjoined all stakeholders to support the efforts aimed at putting the state on the world map, particularly in the area of teaching and learning and its attendant harvests. His words: “Let me briefly intimate you with our commitment to education since our inauguration three years ago. The first thing we did was to convoke an education summit which was attended by eminent stakeholders in education, including Prof. Wole Soyinka. The reforms we have carried out emanate from the summit. We realised that there was shortage of teachers and as of now, we have employed 10,407 teachers in all categories of schools. We now have a total number of 12,715 teachers in primary schools and 7,848 teachers in secondary schools. This is 54.8 per cent more than we inherited. We have also employed 564 non-teaching staff in schools. The salaries and pensions we consequently pay every year is N16.8 billion for primary school teachers while N10.3 billion is expended on same in secondary schools. So, on salary alone, we are spending a total of N27.1 billion. For the free school uniforms we gave to pupils, we have spent N900 million. For the free school feeding programme, we commit N3.6 billion every year. For the furniture supplied to the schools, we have committed N2.5 billion. Before we came, no school had instructional materials and again, on this, we have spent N503 million. The total grants to schools stand at N856 million against N122 million recorded for previous administration. We have also paid N400 million for WAEC fees against N38 million paid by previous administration. We have spent so far N1.2 billion on Opon Imo and this includes the de•Continued on page 33

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Another tanker accident at Aramoko-Ekiti claims lives As another another petrol petrol tanker tanker fell fell off off its its path, path, killing killing aa minimum minimum of of six six persons persons and and destroying destroying properties properties valued valued at at As millions of naira in Aramoko-Ekiti, Tuesday last week, fresh concerns were raised regarding the expediency of millions of naira in Aramoko-Ekiti, Tuesday last week, fresh concerns were raised regarding the expediency of the completion completion of of aa long long abandoned abandoned by-pass by-pass around around the the town town by by the the Federal Federal Government, Government, writes writes SULAIMAN SULAIMAN the SALAWUDEEN SALAWUDEEN

‘

•The horror scene

•Mrs Kuburat

T was a harrowing sight, horrible and apocalyptic. Dense smell of human beings and other objects roasted by the ill-fated petrol laden tanker the evening of the day before assailed the nostrils as the reporter moved amidst the rubble and beheld heaps of charred red bricks and metals which littered the scene. There it was still, the reason for the sorrow. Though burnt and misshapen, the tanker laden at the time it fell off the high way with thousands of litres of fuel still lay rooted to the spot where no less than six persons met their untimely end Tuesday, last week. The accident which, according to eye witnesses, occurred some minutes to 6 pm on the day also destroyed two buildings, two vehicles, about ten motorcycles and other valuables, all valued at about N10 million. Mr. Babatimilehin Bamidele, an occupant of one of the two burnt buildings, lamented his fate, saying “My diploma certificate and other important documents have gone. I just came back from a journey, undressed and came outside to get some fresh air. “I was outside, chatting with friends under that tree when the truck came with the message of destruction. I could not recover anything. This cloth I am wearing was donated to me. I came out with only the trousers and singlet. Some of the dead, according to findings, included one Pa Abiodun Ololade, 78 years, Kokoro Owo reportedly in his fifties and a teenager said to be one Gani Foto’s step child. So also was 16-year-old Ahmed Bakare, an SS2 student of Aramoko District Commercial Secondary School. Other losers, aside those who lost dear lives, was Mr. Agunbiade

The road that passes through our town is not only hilly but winding and this has been causing a lot of accidents. I want to believe that if there is a by-pass, some of these accidents would be prevented. And I urge the Federal Government to revisit the contract to save my people from untimely death

•Kareem Kareem. His Toyota Corrola car which “they had proposed to buy from me at N1.4 million”, two plasma TVs, Sharp TV, 6 DSTV decoders and a sum of N513,000 in cash were burnt. Another, Mrs. Arowosafe Kubrat, explained she just returned from Osogbo with her Honda Accord car, noting “hardly had I entered my

‘

•Bamidele house after parking the car than I heard a loud explosion. “Rushing outside, I could not see the car again. The truck had fallen on it. Inside it was a sum of N103,000, some tubers if yam, and a leather box containing various dresses. The particulars of the vehicle and those of another vehicle were inside the car”, Kubrat said.

The two buildings burnt, going by findings, belonged to Mrs. Agunbiade Ayisat Abiodun Falade and Chief Ololade Odofin Ilure. Efforts made to reach them were unsuccessful. Such occurrences of goods bearing trucks falling off their paths and devastating life and property had continued to menace the people of

the communities which lie on the highway from Itawure junction down to Erio, Aramoko, Igede and Iyin. Findings also revealed that scores of such had equally been recorded in other parts of the State as elsewhere in the country. Chief Ololade Isaac, the Aro Ilure, explained that no fewer than 25 of

such trucks had at various times in the past fallen off, killing people and destroying properties. “The problem has to do with the sloppy pattern of the road which is a natural thing. There is nothing anyone can do to the road. What can be done is to have an alternative route which will take the trucks off this road.

“Each time it occurred like this, we cry and shout. At the end, nothing would be done. Nothing is ever being done and it is just because those who are responsible for the completion of the road have never been affected. If they are once, the next day, they will mobilise to site and complete whatever remain”, Chief Ololade said. According to a young man who identified himself as Sunday, the driver of the truck had been aware that the truck’s propeller had detached just as he entered the town from Ibadan-Ilesa end but could perhaps no longer control the truck as it kept coming down the sloppy portion of the road towards the town’s main junction. Sunday said: “We were there when the truck was coming down and the propeller kept scratching the road. We followed it to see how he would manage but the truck went where it wanted to go. Immediately it rolled off the road into the buildings, it emitted thick smoke and then caught fire”. Although, victims of the accident had been taken to the mortuary while some had been buried, findings revealed that the driver of the tanker who was first detained at Aramoko Divisional Police Station had been released. Investigations also showed that some of the dead victims were still at the mortuary of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH). However, while some residents vowed to stop the trucks from plying the main road as an immediate outrage against the accident, they were later pacified on the excuse that it would not be possible to stop them unless an alternative was created. As many indigenes of the town had commented and findings have shown, there is another road, a by-

pass, which can serve as an alternative route for the trucks and which has been abandoned by the federal government for well over thirty years. Baba Tiamiyu Lawal, Mr. Olawale Falusi and Baba Timilehin Bamidele, residents of the town condemned the Federal Government for abandoning the by-pass which could have taken the trucks and other heavy duty vehicles away from the township road and prevent the incessant accidents Also stating the worries of the residents, the town’s monarch, Oba Olu Adeyemi, who accompanied the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu to the scene the next day lamented that the Federal Government had awarded the construction of a road that would link Ado-Ekiti from Itawure near Efon Alaaye and which would by-pass Aramoko, Erio, Igede and Iyin Ekiti during the regime of Alhaji Shehu Shagari in the second republic. Oba Adeyemi said, “The road that passes through our town is not only hilly but winding and this has been causing a lot of accidents. I want to believe that if there is a by-pass, some of these accidents would be prevented. And I urge the Federal Government to revisit the contract to save my people from untimely death”. Although, efforts made to locate the officer in charge of federal roads in Ekiti State was unsuccessful, there appears to be readiness on the part of the State government to either reconstruct or complete the bypass. The state Governor Kayode Fayemi, gave this indication while on a condolence visit to the families of the victims. According to the governor, the alternative route, a by-pass, would be embarked upon and completed soonest by the administration, to take the trucks off the current route which has menaced lives and properties in the town and other towns in the area. While blaming the Federal Government for failing to reimburse the Ekiti State government for the N12 billion it spent to fix federal roads, Fayemi said the state would have embarked on the construction of Iyin-Itawure road which was awarded during the Shagari era but has been abandoned. Said he, ”We clearly cannot continue this way. It also brings to the fore the challenges we are facing fixing federal government roads. This state, as challenging as things are for us, we are being owed more than 12 billion Naira for doing roads belonging to federal government. “If that money has been returned to us, we would have embarked on the new Iyin-Itawure road which we have in our own plans and that would have taken all the vehicles away from this place so that our people can have a free access without fear of some drunken driver or break failure resulting in terrible and unfortunate death such as we have witnessed here. I think we need great cooperation from the Federal Government to live up to its own responsibilities”, Fayemi said. The governor also promised to ensure that more officials of the State Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA) were deployed to the route to ensure that vehicles plying the route obey traffic regulations.

Peaceful students, trouble-shooting parents •Continued from Page 31 livery of 50,000 units of the tablets, some of which will be distributed in this school today. We have spent N14.4 billion on capital projects so far for the construction of brand new 13 elementary schools, 14 middle schools and 12 high schools. Work is ongoing. We have also spent N1.6 billion on school renovations and will continue until all our schools are all centres of excellence. The total recurrent annual expenditure on elementary schools is N21 billion, amounting to N84,000 per capital spending on each pupil while for secondary schools, it is N13.43 billion and per capital of N30,000 on each pupil. Our capital expenditure on all schools stands at N31.31 billion. We are not just bandying figures. These are good money spent and reflected on increased school enrolment and healthy and well-fed school children; in the cutting edge instrument of Opon Imo; in conducive environment for learning; and in drastically improved performance in internal and national examinations. They are reflected in brand new uniforms; in fulfilled teachers who now have instructional aid for the first time; in promptly paid salaries; and ultimately in self assured youths bracing up with confidence to the future. Beyond our financial commitment, we have invested hope in you; the hope that you will realise your greatest potentials and be a winner in your life endeavour; the hope that you will redeem our future that looked bleak hitherto. You cannot let us down. It is our hope that Nobel Laureates; renowned clergies like Pastors Adeboye and Kumuyi; Imams like Sheik Adelabu; army generals like Petinrin; great entertainers like Moses Adejumo (Baba Sala), Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande) and King Sunny Ade; inventors like Prof. Makanjuola; eminent jurists like Kayode Esho and Emmanuel Ayoola; astute diplomats like Hastrup and Fafowora; and great politicians like Bola Ige. I want you to know that our concern for you is getting the best education available. You should, therefore, avoid distractions and indiscipline. We view you all as created equal by God and are therefore our shining stars. We cannot place any group above other.”

Government’s position on the crisis

Aregbesola insisted that a pending case against the government on the case renders it incapacitated to act further. “We are a product of the rule of law and this has guided all our actions. As we have said in the past, we have not approved the use of hijab in any school. Let me repeat this again for the hearing of mischief-makers who have been working tirelessly to bring religious war to our state; those prompting chaos and conflagration in our state; those who have well established antecedent of violent behaviour; those sowing the seed of discord in our schools and community and inciting one religion against another (and they will all fail miserably by the grace of the Almighty), that the government did not at any time approve the use of hijab in any school, before the matter went to court. It is the court’s position that the status quo ante be maintained until the case is determined. This means that where it is in use, it will be maintained and it should not be extended to where it is not. This is the beauty of democracy, where there is respect for the rule of law. We have set up a committee on discipline in public school and when we receive their report, we shall begin to enforce discipline in all schools. The future we are preparing you for has no place for unruly and undisciplined persons. Order, they say, is the first law in Heaven. Yoruba people have a tradition of accommodation and inclusion; that is why our families are interwoven around all religions. Some people, goaded from hell, however, are working to break our bond of unity by beating the drum of religious war. They will fail and only they and their families will dance to that evil beat,” Aregbesola concluded. He, thereafter, set up a sixman committee headed by Barr. Gbadegesin Adeseji. The committee has one week to examine the crisis and submit its recommendations

Osun governor’s wife challenges artistes on culture

SUN State Governor’s wife, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam have urged theartre artistes to instill good culture and character in the young ones through their profession. The duo spoke in Osogbo on Sunday at the launch of a Yoruba film, produced by Mrs. Foluke Amere, wife of the House of Representative member, representing Iwo/ Ayedire/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency, Hon. Gafar Amere, which was celebrated amidst fanfare. Mrs Aregbesola, who described artiste as teachers, said that evidences have shown that young ones, cultivate the habit they watch on films. She added that the artistes can assist the administration of Governor Aregbesola in the propagation of Omoluabi ethos being propagated by the administration. She added: “Artistes are teachers, because what our children, even the old watch on video sometimes serve as guide for them. “This is the reason our thearter professionals must always come up with ideas that will instill good character in our children,” she said. Also, Hon. Salaam urged the

artistes to always be proud of their profession and use it to help the government in the development of society. He said: “As you entertain, try to use your profession to help the society by propagating Omoluabi culture.” Commending the governor for ensuring peace in the state, which, according to him, allows all professions to thrive, he said that this has brought rapid development to the state. Speaking, the producer of the film, Mrs Amere said that the film was tailored towards propagating Omoluabi ethos. She further noted that the major objective of the film was to showcase Yoruba culture and tradition. Present at the occasion were the state Deputy Governor, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; Senators Babajide Omoworare of Osun East, Mudashir Hussein of Osun West and Gbenga Ashafa from Lagos State. Other are members of the House of Representatives, members of the state House of Assembly, members of the state executive council, Yoruba film producers, actors and actresses among others.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

‘Comedy is good but I regret abandoning my furniture making career’ His name might not ring any bell in Nollywood today, but Pa Ola Omonitan, popularly known by his stage name Ajimajasan is one of the earliest Yoruba theatre artistes to popularise comedy. At 74, Aji Father looks back at his career and expresses regret that he did not capitalise on the opportunities he had in the past to make lots of money. He spoke with BISI OLADELE

HOUGH he has grown older than the face one used to see on the television screen some 30 years ago, Ajimajasan is still surprisingly agile. He hasn’t lost his idiosyncrasy. Ever smiling, happy and above all, filled with funny acts, even at 74. After series of efforts to get him for this interview, Pa Ajimajasan, who is always courteous on the telephone and during face-to-face conversations, arranged our meeting for a near-public place at Dugbe, the central business district in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. On getting there, this reporter needed not ask anyone before sighting him. And his Ijesa dialect is still fresh and illuminating. It was an interesting one-hour encounter! What was your first occupation in life? I lost my father when I was eight years old. I went to primary school and after that I learnt to speak four different languages by reason of the tough conditions I encountered while growing up. I am from a polygamous family. Early in life, I went to Patigi, Kwara State, as a house boy with a European. I took this job because I hated begging. My first job was carpentry and I learnt it in Ibadan for six years, while I stayed with my brother, the late Adebisi Aromolaran. I am also talented in drama, but I took to carpentry as an alternative to drama so I could survive if drama went down. My contemporaries in drama are Ola Olumegbon, Lere Paimo, Ojo Ladipo, Moses Omilani, Jimoh Aliu and our mentors then were late Duro Ladipo, Bola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi, Baba Ogunde, Baba Sala. When I came into limelight in this drama job, we were connected with top people in the society including General Jembewon. But I made a mistake then because I didn’t utilise the opportunity to make additional income through those influential people because I have passion for this job. We were two prominent comedians then - Moses Olaiya (aka Baba Sala) and myself. Ojo Ladipo later joined the league. During your days, drama was acted on stage but the situation had since changed. How would you compare comedy then and now? The present comedians deserve to be praised because they are performing well, they took it from where we stopped to the current level. They are now doing better all the things we could not do. I was the first comedian to act a comedy series for one year. 52 episodes of one hour each on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) from 1981. It was aired on all the NTA stations. We started with “Omo Araye Le”, “Bata Wahala” and “Ogun L’aye.” You cannot compare our own days with the present because we were underdeveloped then but all our works really made a mark. Do you have any relationship with the present generation of comedians? Yes, I do. Babatunde Omidina (aka Baba Suwe) and Sanyeri, among others do still come to seek advice from me. What was your troupe like in those days and how will you describe your achievement then? I always thank God for giving me the opportunity to be able to gather

that troupe. Baba Sala was a one-man comedian and a role model, but I didn’t like imitating others. Baba Sala’s comedy show was on Wednesdays, ours was on Mondays. If you see most of our comedians now they copy Baba Sala because they prefix their name with ‘Baba’. But instead of calling myself Baba Something, I called myself ‘Ajimajasan’, that was where I showed my uniqueness. How did you come across that name? My maternal grandmother used to sell meat and I used to eat meat a lot. So, she used to call me Ajimajasan (a meat lover). When she later died I took after that name in order to always remember her. I gained stardom during my days to the extent that before appearing on stage, the audience will be laughing already and that was what gave me an edge over Baba Sala. My troupe comprised Baba Eleko, Iya Ijebu, Adamson, Jacob, Aderupoko, Papilolo and myself. We were seven. We trained ourselves to the extent that within five minutes on state you had to produce a comedy. My troop was very strong then but at the end of the day we got separated. What caused the separation? It was because we wanted to copy the white men. There was a foreign comedian called ‘Jester.’ I told my troupe members that we should create another troupe called ‘Jester,’ that will not be limited only to the stage but would also offer stand-up comedy, entertaining guests at social gatherings. Papilolo had the talent of converting songs to create jokes. Jacob also had the ability to display. Aderupoko could also convert songs and it was accepted by the audience. But later, some members of my troupe decided to stay alone because they believed they could stand alone. When they told me that they wanted to stand alone, I was shocked. The three of them - Jacob, Papilolo and Aderupoko left in a day. I said there is no problem. A good composer should not be afraid, if any of his members was leaving his troupe. It was Papilolo that brought the idea of converting songs to create jokes in a stand-up comedy and it was well accepted by the audience. When they left, some people were of the opinion that I should not have allowed them to leave the same day but I told them that I cannot hinder their progress. Jacob served me for 13 years, Aderupoko served for eight years, and Papiplolo, six years. So, I saw no reason why I should hold them down when they wanted to leave for greener pasture. Their leaving didn’t affect me because I was the one God gave the idea of composition in the troupe. They were like organists while I was the musician. So, it did not affect me but what hurt me most was that when I took a script to Lagos for a show, I was told that most of the script had been acted by the three of them. I also went to other states, I was told the same thing. So, I called them for a meeting and asked them what was happening to all my scripts. They have left my group but they were still performing my comedy in their shows. But Jacob laughed and said: “When a carpenter finishes apprenticeship from his boss, his products

•Pa Omonitan will be exactly like his boss’. Then, I said no problem, but I ask them for prayers and I also prayed for them and we departed. They were very nice boys to me and I had confidence in them. You earlier mentioned that Baba Sala was your senior in the business. Did you always compete? Yes, we did. People turned us into enemies which ought not to happen. Again, some artists believed that we were competing enemies but I did not see it that way. I like Baba Sala because he was a good comedian and I always praised him for that. When our misunderstanding started he went to the North and we were given his time on NTA every Wednesday instead of our normal Monday. When he came back he was annoyed with the new arrangement, saying that we also took the show’s name ‘Awada’ from (his) ‘Alawada’ series. So, he said he was taking us to court for that and NTA said it was ready to defend us because it was NTA that gave us that stage name but later we did not hear anything from the court again. How will you rate this present generation’s comedy? What we have not seen or done in our time are now being included in

today’s comedy. They now incorporate new things and the world itself is changing fast. We have strange things happening today. Imagine, homosexuality in the society today. That didn’t happen during our time. The more the world is changing, the more comedy activities will be changing. I recently saw a picture and story in the newspaper that a father wanted to sell his six children and he put them inside a wheel barrow. If a comedian uses that as his story line all the audience will laugh. But during our time the audience will not believe it because all those evil things were hard to find then. In your days there was nothing like Nollywood, but now we have comedians, artistes and others making waves in the industry and they are making a lot of money now. Did you ever imagine it could be this better? At all, we didn’t believe that it can get to this level because only cinema films were fashionable then. We didn’t even believe we could start acting at all. It was Orlando Martins that acted a film then and he was speaking Yoruba. So, the audience was thrilled. So, the movie was showed for seven days instead of three days because everybody was rushing the ticket. It was

‘

We wish we could have Nollywood during our days but money was hard to find in our time. But the Naira was strong then because I can remember I bought a new Mercedez Benz car then for N10,500. I bought my Volvo car for N6,500. But now, there is money in Nollywood, we thank God for that and we also thank God that we are still relevant in the history of comedy and acting in Nigeria

‘

only the white men that produced film then. Orlando was a Yoruba man but schooled in America. He was just like an angel then. Whenever we touched his hands we will not want to wash it off. Most Nigerian artistes, then, too could not believe they can appear on the screen. Looking at the industry now and the money in it, would you have wished that Nollywood had come during your time? Although, we wish we could have Nollywood during our days but money was hard to find in our time. But the Naira was strong then because I can remember I bought a new Mercedez Benz car then for N10,500. I bought my Volvo car for N6,500. But now, there is money in Nollywood, we thank God for that and we also thank God that we are still relevant in the history of comedy and acting in Nigeria. Nollyhood has really reduced the work of the artistes because actions are magnified to be the best with new technological equipment. But, during our time, we would work hard to get the best. Most of today’s artistes are doing well and making more money every day, but I thank God that I am alive to witness it because I would have died. There was no such money during our days and the industry was full of stigmatisation. Any woman acting would be labelled a prostitute then. There was a female banker in 1982 that came to our location. She wanted to join our group. That was when I started suspecting that there is a great future for our profession. I was in Lagos then because I had relocated to Lagos when my boys left me and I started another new system because I believe in myself and I won another contract with a telecom outfit for ‘Omo Araye Le’. There was a time a white man was carrying out a research with us and I told him that I did not want to marry more than one wife. I told him that I was afraid, that bringing in more women may lead me into marrying more wives. But he advised that the best thing to do was to bring them in as guest artistes. We would give them a script and put them on payroll. So, when I got to Lagos I started inviting all the artistes and we acted ’Omo

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT Araye Le.’ The artistes included Baba Wande, Lere Paimo, Bello, Aluwe and others. What the white man taught me was what I used to produce ‘Omo Araye Le’ and ‘Bata Wahala’ and they were acceptable to our fans. How do you source materials for your plays? They come in two forms. We develop them from true life story, although it may be tragic to the fans. We also get some in our dreams or sometimes in the news. Ajimajasan was a very popular name in the past but the present generation don’t seem to know you by that name, what happened? When I relocated from Ibadan to Lagos, I discovered that it would be a difficult thing for non-Yoruba to pronounce ‘Ajimajasan.’ So, I changed it to ‘Baba No Regret’, ‘Awaiting Millionaire’ or ‘A fool at 40 is a fool forever’. So it was easy for every tribe to pronounce it. I was sick sometime ago when I had prostate cancer. It was discovered late, and I spent so much money. I even taught I would die. The sickness started about six years ago but God took control when Aare Musulunmi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao came to my aid. I was even duped by some people just because I wanted to be healed. They passed a 36ft rubber hose into me to urinate but when Alhaji Arisekola came to my aid, I went to South Africa for the surgery and he was the one who paid the bills. I was surprised and told him that I don’t know why he likes me so much because I am a Christian and he is a Muslim. But he laughed and said that Nigerians must overgrow the sentiment of religion and work for the progress of the country. He said Nigerians need to cultivate this idea of helping one another without being religion biased. I thank God that I am healthy now. What is the state of your health now? I thank God for His mercy because I am healthy now and my struggle will continue. Very soon a film on Nigerian politics will be released and the title is ‘Do or Die.’ It is aimed at warning politicians against do-or-die politics. I have to work in order to be able to feed myself. With your long years of experience you don’t need to work hard again. At which level do you wish to operate in the movie industry? I want to participate in drama but money will decide the position one will be. The amount of money you have for the production will determine your role. If I have money and a good sponsor, all the new technologies used by the foreign artistes will be used for the production. I am also scared of piracy. They will buy one disc and go to Alaba Market to mass dub it into millions of copies. We will sell our film at N300, they sell theirs at N100. We have complained to the government but till date, there is nothing they could do to stop them. If a producer spends N10 million on the production of a film, if he is not careful, piracy will plunge him into debt. Is any of your children into acting of comedy? Although, they wish to do but I didn’t allow them. I like the idea that ‘Oga Bello’ adopted. Our children should first graduate from the university, have all the necessary degrees and then, they can do anything they like. Look at Femi Adebayo now. He is a lawyer - competent one for that matter. So, many of his (Bello’s) children did the same thing. If drama goes down, they will be able to rely on their profession. As an icon in this industry, what is your advice for the upcoming artistes and those intending to be? I pray they will be able to listen to my advice and yield to it. From experience, they should have another vocation or skill and should not depend on drama alone. They should look for a profitable business to rely upon because of the future and that was the mistake I made when I finished learning my furniture work. I should have continued with it. I would not have found myself in this mess.

Oyo inaugurates website From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

•Ajimobi (middle) with Chief Olaniwun Ajayi (left) and Chief Ayo Adebanjo

Demand regionalism at conference, Ajimobi urges Yoruba leaders

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has urged Yoruba leaders to demand the re-introduction of regional government at the forthcoming National Conference. He spoke at the second preliminary meeting on the Yoruba position at the forthcoming conference. The meeting was held at the Ishara-Remo, Ogun State country home of an Afenifere chieftain, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi. Ajimobi canvassed the adop-

tion of the 1960 Constitution with minor adjustments to suit the present day Nigeria and its peculiarities. He urged Yoruba leaders to focus on advancing the course of the region at the conference. Ajimobi stressed the need for the constitution of a technical committee that would coordinate and aggregate the official position of the Yoruba at the conference. He said the committee should consist of experienced techno-

crats, who have held sensitive positions within and outside the government, adding that all Southwest states should be equally represented. Ajimobi, who decried the disparity in the allocation of revenue to states, urged the elders to focus on why the government at the centre should have less allocation and states. Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Olu Falae lauded Ajimobi’s developmental strides in Oyo State.

Woman, 56, dies at Ekiti market

56-YEAR-OLD trader, Mrs. Bosede Ajayi, slumped and died on Monday at Oja Bisi market, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. It was learnt that she fell after quarrelling with another trader, Mrs. Aminat Raheem, over space. It was learnt that the women argued for over an hour. An eyewitness said: “Some traders intervened and settled the quarrel. They had started displaying their wares before the woman

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

slumped.” Police spokesman Victor OluBabayemi said: “It is a case of homicide which resulted after an altercation between two women.” He said Mrs. Raheem (40) had been arrested and detained at the Okesa Police Station. Olu-Babayemi said preliminary

investigations confirmed that the dispute was resolved and that Mrs. Ajayi was displaying her wares when she slumped. He said: “We gathered that she was rushed to the Comprehensive Health Centre in Okeyinmi, where she died. Her body was deposited at the mortuary of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH). Investigations are ongoing on the cause of death.”

HE Oyo State government has inaugurated a website that opens seamless interaction with the public. The website was launched by the Ministry of Industry, Applied Science and Technology (MIAST) at the Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital. Commissioner for Industry, Applied Science and Technology (MIAST) Dapo Lam-Adesina said the website would breach the communication gap between the ministry and the public. He said in today’s world, information is power, adding: “When we look around us, we see that science and technology grow in geometrical ratio every second in the other parts of the world. We, in this part of the globe, grow in arithmetic ratio. Explaining the importance of the website, the commissioner said: “It is an avenue where questions about the ministry and other topics relating to the industrialisation and development of science and technology in the state will be attended to and I am glad that you and I are present here this day to witness such a milestone in the history of information technology as far as this ministry is concerned, the formal launch, the official unveiling of the MIAST website... “Through this website, the maiden edition of a monthly onehour social media interactive session with my humble self and other top officials of the ministry tagged “Platform MIAST Oyo,” will be introduced to the public.” The interactive session will hold between 8 and 9 am on the last Wednesday of every month, with the maiden edition coming up on February 26. The consulting designer of the website, Mr Yemi Fadipe, explained that the website, which is accessible on www.oyostate.miast.gov.ng, has its core design in pho/Ajax, JQuery, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, while the database is MySQL. According to him, the website has an unlimited bandwidth with unlimited sub-domain. Its accessibility is about five gigabyte while the administration has front and back end with the platform on Linux/ Unix.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle); his deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right); Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission, Dr. Ahmed Balogun (second right); his wife, Bola (second left); daughter, Tomi (left); Health Commissioner Dr. Jide Idris (back rowright); Special Adviser to the governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adesina (second left) and others at the swearing in of Dr Balogun at Alausa, Ikeja... on Monday. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

ITH no fewer than 1,000 cows slaughtered daily and transported to various markets across Lagos, the abattoir at Oko-Oba in Agege, an outskirts of Lagos, is a key player in the meat supply chain in Lagos State. Millions of households and businesses rely on it to meet their needs for beef. Established over 35 years ago, the abattoir managed by Harmony Abbatoir Management Services is arguably the largest in the state as it continues to attract thousands of meat merchants from across the country on a daily basis. But in recent times, the facility has come under public scrutiny over its poor state with residents of the surrounding estates complaining bitterly about the stench emanating from the abattoir which can be felt as far as about 50 metres away. This has become too much them to bear coupled with its attending health hazards. They have also been vocal in calling for the government to either relocate the abattoir or find a lasting solution to curtail the environmental hazard posed by the presence of the facility in their area. More worrisome, however, is the recent allegation that about 200 sick cows are slaughtered daily in the abattoir. The reports had alleged that sick animals were being brought into the state and slaughtered for human consumption, an allegation vehemently denied by the management. And in a move to further sanitise the abattoir and make it conform to best practices, the state government last year took stakeholders in the meat chain including butchers to Kenya and Botswana to understudy how the industry is run in those countries with a view of replicating same in the state. When The Nation visited the facility last week, some of the stakeholders, who were part of the entourage to Kenya and Botswana dismissed the allegation of slaughtering of unhealthy animals. The Chairman, Lagos State Butchers, Abattoir Branch, Alhaji Barki Yusuf told The Nation that there has been huge improvement in the operation of the abattoir since their return from the trip. He said, “I can speak authoritatively on behalf of the butchers. The preparations that we are urged to adhere to, we have put them in place, our uniforms, boots, helmet and hand gloves and everything are now being installed now.” But, Yusuf fumed at the reports suggesting that butchers in the abattoir deliberately slaughter sick cows on a daily basis. Explaining the situation, he admitted that most of the animals brought into the state from the northern part of the country, spend about seven days on the road making some of them unfit for slaughtering on arrival. He, however, said such animals if found unhealthy, are taken to the veterinary doctors in the abattoir for observation and treatment over a period of time before they can be taken to the slaughter slab. “It’s a big lie, you can see for yourself that the cows we slaughter here are healthy cows and you can also see the one that is stressed. If you don’t know the difference between stressed animals and sick animals, that’s when one can make such conclusion from afar. We don’t know where such information that we slaughter sick animals here came about, but we always ensure that the animals are healthy before we slaughter them.” Yusuf, however, raised concern over the state of the abattoir calling on management to rise to the challenge and put the necessary structures in place to ensure the slaughter slab is kept clean at all times. Corroborating Yusuf’s position, another official, Alhaji Taofik Olaleye, said the trip to Kenya exposed them to the standard required for abattoirs stressing that they would not be party to cutting corners, He said, “That (slaughtering sick animals) is not true, we see this as

•Butchers at work at the abattoir

The quest to salvage Oko-Oba Abattoir Recent reports alleging that sick animals are slaughtered daily at the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege, Lagos, have raised questions about the state of affairs at the facility, but stakeholders in the meat industry have rebuffed such allegations. OZIEGBE OKOEKI reports politically motivated because this abattoir does not condone killing of sick cows. Since we returned from Kenya, all the stakeholders here, all the equipment and uniforms we were asked to introduce are ready and we are waiting for the management of the Abattoir to begin enforcement,” Olaleye said. On his part, General Secretary, Butchers Stakeholders, Abattoir complex, Aminu Tanko Sadiq, who gave more insight into the process of slaughtering animals described the allegation as unfortunate distinguishing between stressed and sick animals. “You can’t blame the journalist who wrote such a thing, he’s a journalist, he does not have any idea of veterinary issues, he doesn’t know animals; the cattle industry is not in his line of business, but however, we do have animals that are stressed, by virtue of the fact that they travel very long distance over a number of days before they come to Lagos market. “Unfortunately, by the time they arrive, they are already stressed, there is traction in the blood, they cannot even stand. But we have vet-

erinary doctors in the market that direct that such animals be kept for like a week, till they are certified fit and can stand on their own and walk. They are then taken to the slab for slaughtering purposes,” he said. Sadiq, however, said that concerns about the environmental and unhygienic state of the abattoir are real and called on the government and the management to tackle the concerns immediately. “By virtue of the Nairobi Declaration, it was jointly agreed by the butchers, stakeholders, management of the abattoir and the Ministry of Agriculture, that the slab should be upgraded to semi-mechanised status. The work started for some time and suddenly it stopped for reasons unknown to us. For now the work has stopped. If we want a way forward, it is better for the management to put that place in shape as directed by the Ministry, so that we move away from slaughtering on the ground to the hoisting semi-mechanised system ”Our hope is for the government to always uphold its policies, when policies come, there should be fol-

‘

The transformation of the abattoir from its traditional operations to modern standard is a process that must be taken gradually. We have started the reform and we are not relenting in our efforts

‘

low-up. When there is no follow up, it gives room for lapses like in the case of the semi-mechanised areas, it is better that government supervises, so that it would be in order. Aside that, there was also an agreement in the Nairobi Declaration that there would be constant enlightenment from the government to the butchers, it has not commenced, but we are hopeful, we are putting a lot of things in place, government too is preparing to turn the abattoir around and maybe they are waiting so that all can take off at the same time. But enlightenment is very important in the meat industry that is one of the things we have been yearning for, if there is enlightenment about wrongdoings, people will change.” Meanwhile, the state government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, says it is not relenting in its effort at ensuring that only wholesome meat is sold to its citizenry, a situation which made the Ministry to recently clamp down on illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs operating in the state in order to avert incidents of diseased and infected animals. Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, who recently held a meeting with stakeholders of the Oko-Oba Abattoir disclosed that animals slaughtered at illegal abattoirs are not hygienic and not in compliance with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering in the state. He said intervention measures have already commenced by government saying that for a start, the entire abattoir would be fenced to control unauthorised access to the facility. He added, “The slaughter slab would also be fenced with modern wire mesh and only authorised persons and butchers that are fully clothed and protected would be allowed as an interim measure while the mechanise production line at Oko-Oba abattoir undergoes relevant rehabilitation.

“The transformation of the abattoir from its traditional operations to modern standard operation is a process that must be taken gradually. We have started the reform and we are not relenting in our efforts.” Lawal added that meat transportation in the state has undergone various stages of development in the last seven years, from the use of carts to the use of tricycle. He said from the initial use of tricycle and air cool meat van, the state has adopted the use of Refrigerated Meat Van to transport meat within the metropolis. According to him, 200 refrigerated Meat Vans have been provided to replace the air cool vans for healthy distribution of meat , adding that the Ministry placed an advert sometime last year in the media, with intention of licensing private companies to convert a number of the existing slaughtering slab to mechanize ones. Lawal said, “We are very much concerned about the implication of consuming unwholesome meat. We cannot toy with the lives of over 20 million Lagosians and that is why as part of our pro-active measures, the Ministry recently led the stakeholders within the meat supply chain on a study tour of Kenya and Botswana Meat Commissions with the primary purpose of understudying the two countries and tap from their wealth of experience in animal husbandry, meat production, supply chain from farm to fork, food safety and control.” He noted that his Ministry had developed a road-map policy document called the Strategic Programme for Accelerated Agricultural Growth (SPAAG), which relates all the key agric sub-sectors with the singular objective of improving agricultural output and productivity. Adding that “to sustain the momentum of progress, we have expanded the scope for private sector participation in all our projects, especially in the meat supply chain and across the entire agriculture value chain-preproduction; processing, packaging, storage, distribution, supported with modern technology”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

NASD to partner GTI on securities trading

HE Board of NASD Plc would hasten discussions with GTI Securities Limited on areas of cooperation on securities trading on GTI Securities’ private trading floor to deepen capital formation and creating opportunities for more local and offshore participation in the market. Vice Chairman, NASD Plc, Mr. Chike Nwanze, who led other directors to NASD Plc on a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s first private trading floor built by GTI Securities in Lagos, said the NASD and GTI have complementary roles in deepening Nigerian capital market and would work together to achieve this common goal. NASD Plc is a registered over-thecounter (OTC) trading platform for unquoted securities including equities and bonds. NASD is owned by several investment and financial institutions as well as strategic investors. It is registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an organised trading platform for unlisted securities. There are more than 10 unlisted companies presently on NASD while more than 50 stockbroking, investment and financial services firms have signed on to the OTC. Located on Tinubu Street in the Marina axis of Lagos’s main Central Business District, the trading floor built by GTI Securities Limited, a member of the GTI Capital Group; is a 150-seat multi-purpose trading floor. This implies that at full installed capacity, some 150 brokers and dealers can trade on all securities listed on any of the securities exchanges including Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and NASD Plc. Nwanze, who is also the Vice chairman and chief executive officer of Icon Stockbrokers Limited,

By Taofik Salako

Capital Market Editor

described the GTI’s trading floor as “one of the greatest contributions that has come to our market” and applauded the dynamism of the GTI in ushering in a new era of development for the capital market. He urged all stakeholders to support GTI noting that the Nigerian capital market needs milestone private initiatives like the GTI trading floor to realise its full potential as Africa’s financial hub. Managing Director, NASD Plc, Mr. Bola Ajomale, said NASD will work with GTI to explore the concept of its private trading floor, which he described as a “highly imaginative, state-of-the-art, world-class, first-of-its-kind” platform. “We are very excited about this, it has really set a standard and we want to move closer to see how we can partner with GTI. I believe that the mind that put this together is not empty yet, it still has much more to come out of it,” Ajomale said. A Director of NASD and Managing Director, Marina Securities, Mr. ‘Jibola Odedina, said GTI has attained a milestone as the owner of Nigeria’s first trading floor but quickly added that it must braced up for competition that will come from other operators. “This is a real milestone in terms of development of our market; I’m overwhelmed. Being number one is an enviable position, you have attained that; but be rest assured that a lot of us will be chasing you, so don’t rest on your oars,” Odedina said. Managing Director, Goldbanc Asset Management Limited, Mr Abayomi Sanya, also reiterated his

support for GTI pointing out that it has changed the growth curve of the Nigerian market as many operators are now reviewing their growth plans. Group Managing Director, GTI Capital Group, Mr. Abubakar Lawal, said the group has put together a network of financial resources and expertise to energise Nigerian companies and assist professional financiers to effectively perform their functions. According to him, GTI has a backup of both local and international funding to be able to assist financiers to meet demand of their

transactions and close deals that may otherwise be beyond the capacity of the firms. He reiterated that the GTI is committed to deepening the market to channel funds for economic development. Managing Director, GTI Securities, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle, pointed out that the trading floor is fitted with cutting-edge technology that allows seamless interconnectivity with the NSE and other exchanges as well as settlement agents and banks for real time online trading and straight through processing of transactions. According to him, the trading

floor offers immense benefits to all stakeholders as it will reduce cost of operations to market operators, provide wider access to Nigerians and global investors to participate in the trading and price discovery at the stock market, enhance market regulation and liquidity as well as the fostering global best practices in the market place. He said GTI Securities has developed an array of specialised products and services to assist market operators and retail and institu-, tional investors to optimally play in the capital market.

•From left: Managing Director, DNA Capital, Mr. Charles Iyore; Managing Director, GTI Securities Limited, Mr Tunde Oyekunle; Group Managing Director, GTI Capital, Mr. Abubakar Lawal and Vice Chairman, NASD Plc, Mr. Chike Nwanze during the visit of Board of NASD to Nigeria’s first private trading floor built by GTI Securities in Lagos

Africa Prudential declares Flour Mills reassures on earnings outlook N700m dividend in first year

HE management of Flour Mills of Nigeria has assured that the company would consolidate its performance in the last quarter with a view to ensuring better returns to shareholders. In a statement, the management of Flour Mills said it expects contributions to the group’s bottom line from a variety of investments that will come on stream. “The company’s outlook for the last quarter of the financial year remains positive. Management will focus attention on its innovative routes to the market and distribution network to sustain

the growth momentum and deliver good value to stakeholders,” Flour Mills assured. According to the company, in spite of the challenging economic and tough business environment, it had posted an impressive result for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2013 as turnover rose by 28 per cent from N139.2 billion to N178.9 billion. However, group’s earnings before tax for the nine months declined from N8.2 billion to N5.9 billion. The company attributed the decline in bottom-line to operational ramping up and strong

competition faced by its subsidiary- Golden Sugar Company Limited, which launched its products during the first quarter of the financial year. It noted that increased production capacity and enhanced efficiency following completion of the ‘West Mills’-the company’s latest milling facility, contributed to the improved performance. The statement stated that the company derived some benefits of synergy arising from internal restructuring and completion of merger with two former subsidiary companies, Niger Mills Company Limited and Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company Plc.

•From left: Commissioner of Finance, Lagos State, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi and Group Chief Executive Officer, UBA Capital Plc, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni during the visit of management of UBA Capital to the Commissioner in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

FRICA Prudential Registrars (APR) Plc would be distributing N700 million to shareholders as cash dividends as the share registration company ended its first business year as a stand-alone company with strong growth in revenue and profit. In a regulatory filing obtained by The Nation, the Board of APR indicated that shareholders will receive a dividend per share of 35 kobo for the 2013 business year. The dividend recommendation was part of the highlights of the board’s meeting last week. According to the board, the dividend will be paid on Friday, April 4, to shareholders whose names appear on the company’s register of members at the close of business on Friday, March 14. Audited report and accounts of the company for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that gross revenue rose by 78.6 per cent while pre and post tax profits jumped by 81 per cent and 63 per cent. Group turnover rose from N1.03 billion in 2012 to N1.85 billion in 2013. Profit before tax nearly doubled at N1.21 billion in 2013 compared with N667.54 million. After taxes, net profit rose from N561.65 million to N914.46 million. With earnings per share at 46 kobo, the company will be paying 76 per cent of net earnings to shareholders. The balance sheet position of the company also emerged stronger as total assets grew by 91 per cent from N91.4 billion to N16.42 billion. Shareholders’ funds grew by 33.6 per cent to N4.33 billion as against N3.24 billion in previous year. Total liabilities had increased from N6.96 billion to N12.09 billion. APR, formerly known as UBA Registrars, was unbundled from the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group and its shares distributed to UBA’s

shareholders last year. It subsequently made history as the first and only share registration company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Towards the end of the year, APR had recently successfully raised N1.2 billion new equity funds from its existing shareholders through a rights issue of one billion ordinary shares of 50k each at N1.20 per share. APR has indicated that it will use the net proceeds of the rights issue to finance its growth plan. APR recently concluded the acquisition of UAC Registrars, the oldest non-bank affiliated registrar in the capital markets. The company plans to integrate and absorb UAC Registrars to enhance its competitive scale, reduce operating expenses and increase overall profitability. Directors of the company said it is focused on delivering values to shareholders. “The group is focused on delivering value for its shareholders whilst ensuring the group is able to continue effectively as a going concern. Value adding opportunities to grow the business are continually assessed, although strict and careful criteria are applied,” the board stated in additional reports on the 2013 earnings. According to the board, the policies for managing capital are to increase shareholder value by maximising profits and cash. The policy is to set budgets and forecasts into the short and medium term that the group ensures are achievable. The board noted that the process for managing capital are regular reviews of financial data to ensure that the group is tracking the targets set and to reforecast as necessary based on the most up to date information while maintaining a sustainable generation of free cash flow in operations to fund steady growth.

Priv

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS PENSION

PenCom recovers N3b from erring employers in Q3

HE National Pension Commission (PenCom) has recovered about N3billion from defaulting employers. The amount represents the principal contribution of N2.87 billion and interest penalty of N183.61 million. The figure was made in the third quarter of last year by agents appointed by the Commission to ensure erring employers whose liabilities were established, remit outstanding pension contributions and interest penalties into the

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

RSAs of their employees. Under the period under review membership of pension schemes increased from 5,693,936 at the end of second quarter to 5,796,979 at the end of the third quarter, representing an increase of 1.81 per cent. According to PenCom’s Acting Director-General, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, the increase was largely due to Approved Existing Schemes (AES) and Retirement

savings Accounts (RSA) memberships that increased by 2.63 and 2.1 per cent, adding that the membership of Closed Pension Fund Administrators (CPFA) also increased marginally by 0.05 per cent. She said: “Total RSA registrations for both public and private sectors showed that total RSA registrations increased by 2.1 per cent. The public sector dominated total RSA registrations with a total figure of 2,987,967, thereby accounting for 52.16 per cent of to-

tal registrations.” She said the private sector also witnessed an increase in RSA membership, as total registrations increased from 2,652,626 in the second quarter, to 2,740039 in the third quarter, representing an increase of 3.30 percent. “In all, the private sector accounted for 47.8 per cent of total RSA registrations at the end of the quarter under review. This could be seen as the product of stricter regime of sanctions for non-compliance with the Pension Reform Act, 2004 and the efforts of Recovery Agents”. Mrs. Anohu-Amazu explained that the analysis of the age distribution of RSA holders showed that those in the age category of between 30 and 40 accounted for the highest proportion of contributors in the third quarteby 35.11 per

T •Director-General, LASPEC Mr. Adekunle Hussain, presenting a Retirement Bond certificate to Mr. Ajibola Ogundipe. With them are Mrs. Raolat Alaka;Dr. Adekunle Wright and Mrs. Folasade Adesoye.

CPS undersubscribed, says Premium Pension chief

HE Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) is still undersubscribed despite recording about N4 trillion from inception till date, the Executive Director, Operations and Services, Premium Pension Limited, Kayode Akande, has said. Akande, who spoke at the Customer/Retiree Interactive Forum in some states of the Southwest region, said only about six million Nigerians have registered under the scheme out of about 60 million people that have one form of employment, or another. Notwithstanding this, he noted that the scheme is growing and assuming its pride of place in the socio-economic landscape of the country. He called on stakeholders to support the scheme, adding that it enables the long term investible funds to grow the economy.

• Meets southwest retirees He described the new scheme as secure, and that the law that sets it up, which is also under review at the National assembly, has not left loopholes for corrupt practices. He noted that since the new scheme started almost a decade ago, there has not been cases of corruption and its objectives have almost been met without protest from pensioners. Speaking on the need to sensitise retirees and intending retirees on the scheme, Akande said the management of Premium Pension embarked on a tour to Ogun, Oyo and Osun states to assess the success and challenges of the company in particular, and the CPS in general. He said: “The tour is periodic and meant to show us how the retirees are doing in retirement after many years of service. The forum held in

between the tour, also served to educate intending retirees on what they should do in the months leading to their final disengagement from work to facilitate the receipt of their gratuities and pension in good time. “Workers need to submit all the necessary documents and information to their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) months before the date of their retirement to enable them to receive their pension and gratuity immediately after retirement.” Chairman, Board of Trustees, Association of Contributory Pensioners of Nigeria, Mr. Adesanya Agbomeji, who spoke during the tour, said the CPS was working, saying they have been receiving their gratuities and pension on time. A retiree, Rasaq Lawal, also said payment had been regular.

•From left: Chief Superintendent of Immigration, Mr. Oladapo Rufus Ajiboye; Executive Director, Operations and Services, Premium Pension Limited, Mr. Kayode Akande and a retiree, Razaaq Atanda Lawal during an interactive forum by Premium Pension Limited in Ibadan.

cent. While said those in the age category of 40 years and below accounted for 68.38 per cent of RSA contributors, suggesting that pension funds are veritable sources of long term funding of various developmental projects in the country, such as infrastructure and housing development, she added. On RSA registration by Pension Fund Administration’s (PFA) market share, she said the ranking of PFAs by number of registered contributors has shown increases in the shares of the top three, five and 10 PFAs in the third quarter, as the shares increased from 45.44, 62.39 and 87.3 per cent in the second quarter to 46.68, 63.78 and 87.77 per cent, While the share of the bottom three and five PFAs decreased marginally by 0.01 per cent.

299 Lagos retirees get N1.2b pension

HE Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) has credited N1.2 billion to 299 retirees, being an amount accruing to the state before the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) took off in 2007. This is coming at a time that the state government contributed a total of N47.4 billion monthly. The amount include the 7.5 per cent deduction from the salary of every worker, and the counterpart 7.5 per cent contribution by the state into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) with the state’s approved Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). Out of the contribution, it has paid N22.7billion to 4,199 workers that retired in the state under the CPS. LASPEC Director-General, Mr. Adekunle Hussain made this known during the 10th bond presentation to the retirees. He said the commission has remained resolute in ensuring that every employee is equipped with the necessary knowledge about the CPS before quiting the service. He said: “The Lagos State govern-

ment has continued to set the pace for stakeholders in the pension industry. We can proudly say without mining words, that Lagos has confirmed its leadership status as the only state in Nigeria to have paid up to this sum of N22.7billion to 4,199 retirees, who retired from the public service from inception of the CPS till date.” The Head of Service, Lagos, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams said the Office has continued to intensify efforts at ensuring that workers continue to live well in retirement. She said the state has continued to wax stronger and maintained its leadership position in the CPS, particularly in issuing bond certificates to retirees. She urged the retirees to live within their means. The Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, said her ministry ensured that the retirees’entitlements were paid promptly. She advised the retirees to invest their money to enable them enjoy their lives.

UK Markets Watchdog to probe competition in pension sector

HE Financial Conduct Authority said it would investigate the sales practices in the pension industry to better understand why retirees don’t seek out better deals and switch providers. Pensioners could boost their income by an average of seven percent, equivalent to 71 pounds ($118) a year, if they switched their provider to find a better annuity deal, the FCA said, citing a survey of 25 firms. Around 80 percent of people could get a better deal, the FCA said in an e-mailed statement. The market “is not working well for consumers” the FCA said. “The need to get an income in retirement unites us all,” Martin Wheatley, the FCA’s chief executive officer, said in an e-mailed statement. “But once you’ve bought an annuity you can’t change your mind.” The FCA, set up in April to police U.K. markets, has the power to make rules for financial markets where a lack of competition affects consumer rights. The Office of Fair Trading last year settled a probe into fees charged by firms in the

275 billion-pound market for defined contribution workplace pensions, requiring them to audit pension plans and strip out unfair charges. For most people getting the right annuity could mean the equivalent of an extra 1,500 pounds in savings so we need to understand why they aren’t shopping around and switching,” Wheatley said. An annuity is a financial product that provides a regular income in exchange for a lump sum. U.K. rules allow retirees to take a quarter of their pension in tax-free cash while the rest must be converted into an annuity. “The low levels of switching, despite the clear benefit in doing so, and lack of options for people with smaller pots are both key factors in the FCA commissioning a market study,” the FCA said. The final results of the FCA’s competition study will be published later this year, the regulator said, and may lead to recommendations on how to improve competition among market participants.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Charles Heyward is an American business mogul who has gone through ups and downs. He speaks on his success and why people either succeed or fail. He shares his grass-to-grace story with DANIEL ESSIET.

‘Mentoring vital to business success’

HARLES Heyward, a United States-based business coach and entrepreneur. After graduating from Howard University, in Washington DC, with a B.A. in Finance, he worked at the prestigious Wall Street firm, Goldman Sachs. Surprisingly, at 24, while making a near six-digit income, he resigned and joined the real estate industry. He owned several investment properties.But the unexpected happened. “My real estate business was booming and had even purchased my ‘dream car’, a Cadillac Escalade ESV, which I fully paid for in cash. I purchased a house worth close to $500,000 and thought I was living the good life. I thought that I had achieved what I had dreamed. And then the real estate market and economy collapsed and I lost it all.

“My marriage disintegrated, business was minimal, the investment properties had to be sold; my personal house was on the verge of foreclosure and I was emotionally and financially bankrupt.” That’s when he met one of his mentors, Mr. Demond Crump, who has only a high school education, and had gone from washing cars for seven years to earning hundreds of thousands of dollars (USD) a year. This accomplishment took him less than five months to accomplish! He met another mentor, Mr. David Imonitie. He is a college drop out, who by 27, was among the top five income earners in a fast-growing network marketing company. Imonitie, who taught him business success skills, had gone from living on his father’s couch to making thousands of dollars monthly in just two and half years.

‘Export business is lucrative’

He also took his father’s advice: ”If you want to be successful, then find someone who is successful and do what they have done.” He said his biggest asset was belief in himself. Heyward said he had only $800 and his four sons in the house. He took $600 of the money and went into business with his mentors. It was a n unique idea. He didn’t have an impressive financial statement. He launched into the sale of a coffee drink. Since then, his life has not been the same. The change didn’t mean that all of a sudden he became a millionaire. With his business savvy and perseverance, he has grown his business from a one-man business operating out of his bedroom into a small business with its own office and employees. “What most people don’t understand is that you don’t

become a successful person before you begin to think like a successful person. No. You must first began to think like someone who is successful, then you will begin make the decisions that successful people make and doing what successful people do ... only then will your success become a reality. Unfortunately, most

people don’t have a successful person that can teach them how to be successful. “I wanted to become a millionaire, but I didn’t know any millionaires until I partnered with Mr. Imonitie and Mr. Crump. They have been able to educate and guide me on this path,” Heyward recalled. He said he was very skeptical of network marketing, and thought it was a joke. His mentors were able to teach him how to use it to create a level of financial success to provide a means of livelihood for his family. According to him, the key to achieving business success is a mentor to guide one. “Someone who is where you want to be and will help you navigate the many pitfalls on your journey to success. There are many obstacles both real and imagined, that stop 95 per cent of people from achieving what they really want. A principle

ties which meet international standards and getting the produce to the buyer safely,” he said. This, he has been able to do, by reaching out to farmers for supplies, who partner him on the price for every produce. Anjorin is empowering small and medium scale enterprises’ (SMEs) owners to become major players in global markets. He provides them with knowledge to become and gives them contacts in the world market. However, he believes other SMEs should be aware of not just whether one’s product is right for another market but, crucially, getting paid.

This makes taking out insurance to protect non-payment a good idea, as well as getting credit from other firms who have worked with a potential customer. Quoting for a business can be a challenge because of the exchange rate and the fact that terminologies and specifications of products differ from country to country. He deals with buyers in countries where he will not encounter language barriers and different business cultures to avoid confusion, advising that exporters to ensure that the ‘fine’ words of any order are clear. Yet, there is another problem.

•Heyward

that my father, and my mentors, taught me was that the only way to obtain your dreams and goals, is to show others how to obtain their dreams and goals.” His firm does over $400 million every year. “We have a goal of doubling in size over the next 18 month and Nigeria will play a very large part in that. Those who take part will have an opportunity to create and extraordinary level of financial benefit for themselves and their families,” he said. His life’s mission is to teach others what his mentors have taught him. Heyward is excited about bringing Mr. Imonitie to Nigeria. He said the coffee drinks business has taken off and is one of the most exciting, booming industries.

Some entrepreneurs are gradually gaining international exposure and recognition through exports. Sunday Anjorin, Chief Executive, Anjorin & Atanda Investment Limited, is one of them, writes DANIEL ESSIET.

UNDAY Anjorin, Chief Executive, Anjorin &Atanda Investment Limited is a small scale agro commodities exporter. He exports timber and kola nuts to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. And for many entrepreneurs like Anjorin, exportation is helping them to cope with the downturn in the economy. While Anjorin has sailed through troubled waters to the island of victory, his success story can be likened to that of the proverbial drop of water becoming an ocean. He has made fortune from exporting commodities, such cocoa,sesame seed and shea nuts. As it is in any start-up business, he did an analysis of the market, especially how to reach his target - the buyers. Satisfied with its findings, and on obtaining a soft loan of N10, 000 from his wife’s first salary as a civil servant in Ekiti State, he launched into the murky waters of agro produce exportation. He made his first breakthrough with a profit of N250, 000. On the initial start up, Anjorin

said an agro export business does not require huge capital. From his experience, prospective exporters can go into the business either in a small or big way. For instance, with N20,000, one can start a bitter kola export business, while with N700,000, commodities such as cocoa can be exported, he said. And the profit margin, he said, was also encouraging. “When you invest N15,000 in few pieces of bitter kola, you may get at least N4,000 profit,” he explained. His success the business shows its potential to eradicate poverty since it can also be done by small farmers, who constitute a greater part of the population. This, perhaps, gave him the impetus to charge young Nigerians about N20,000 to set up a bitter kola export business and see themselves making income that will launch them on to the path of success. According to Anjorin, there is a huge demand for soya beans, especially because of its multiple uses. With the help of knowledge, information and facts, he said entrepre-

•Bitter kola neurs and farmers can get a better price for cotton, cocoa, sesame seeds and cashew. You don’t need a large space to start the business.They can start it from their bedrooms using an e-mail address, he said. He gets online export contracts and sends produce to buyers once he settles the price. Anjorin has also armed himself with information, which has helped him to take the business to a different level. He has clients spread in the country and Cameroon, which export processed timber. He said the potential to grow is enormous. “What counts is being able to source commodi-

•Anjorin

“There were times I was duped by local suppliers, and also some of my produce were rejected by customers overseas, leading to loss for me,” he lamented.

Motivational corner

•You have already started. There is no need in stopping half way. I am sure stopping half way would not bring back all the time you have invested in ensuring that you achieve this project/plan. • You are almost there. Most times, problems don’t come until you are almost there. Remember, one painful thing about life is not achieving something you knew you could achieve, something that was almost within your reach. •You are stronger than your current problems. Even

Reasons you don’t have to give up your problems are not there to intimidate you but to challenge you to get better and move higher. Your problem that looks like your number one enemy is actually your friend in disguise, always trying to ensure that you bring out the very best in yourself. • You believed you could do it in the first place, that was why you started. You believed you could achieve it,

which was why you put all your effort together to start it. Why have you decided to betray this strong belief you had in yourself? • You have realised the benefits you will get when you complete this project/ plan/mission of yours. Don’t you want them? • Every problem of yesterday is the success story of today. I am sure you want to be nicely dressed up in your suit,

be on the center stage with a microphone probably in your hands, telling people how you made it to the top. • The problem you are facing now is what will give you the experience you need when you get to the next level. People that learned from their problems are able to cope better when they get to the next phase of their life. •The problem and your promotion are directly

proportional.The bigger your problem, the bigger your promotion. The more you run from your problem, the more you lower your promotion. So, it’s up to you to decide. Be wise. •You were probably tired of your previous position, title or state, which was why you tried something new. Are you willing to go back to your previous position? •You have a Big GOD that

is ready to support you. He knows the beginning and he knows the end. He created you to experience life fully and he believes in you. God has given you power and authority over everything including your problems, so you have no reason to allow your problems to subdue you. •Seun Emmanuel Alaofin the Chief Publisher/Chief Executive SEA Publication, a publication that comes out monthly to give hope and impact lives positively.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC

Guide to fraud prevention

with

BOOK REVIEW Author: Publisher: Reviewer:

GOKE ILESANMI

S a result of the prevalence of fraud in our society today, there is need for a sustained campaign against the menace. This is why we are examining this book on fraud prevention this week. It is written by Adebisi Abiodun, a professional accountant. Abiodun studied Accountancy at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration, Lagos, Nigeria. He bagged a Master of Business Administration (MBA), with specialisation in Marketing, from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Abiodun is an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). He was formerly parttime lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos; Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and Kwara State Polytechnic, Lagos Centre, Iponri, Lagos. Abiodun says publication of this text became necessary due to frequency of (attempted) fraud in the banking sub-sector and the fact that knowledge of this aspect of banking has not been properly developed in proportion to the rate of fraud increase in the industry, especially after the last bank consolidation. This text contains five sections of 15 chapters. Section A has the overall thematic focus of “Fraud, prevention and detection” and

Adebisi Abiodun Megasynergy Nigeria Ltd Goke Ilesanmi

contains the first two chapters. Chapter one is entitled “Fraud”. In the words of Abiodun here, “Fraud has been in existence from the beginning of creation. From biblical account, it started in the Garden of Eden, where the serpent deceived Eve, resulting in the fall of man... The reality is that fraud can happen anywhere....” He adds that the risks of fraud may only continue to increase as we experience stronger globalisation, more competitive markets, etc. The author educates that fraud can originate from within or outside a bank. According to him, “From within, the staff involved may use their position as an avenue to steal from the bank’s assets or customers’ accounts. However, when fraud originates from outside, the fraudsters simply use a bank as conduit.” Chapter two is based on the subject matter of fraud prevention and detection. Here, Abiodun explains that based on the earlier discussion as to why people commit fraud, it is clear that one of the most effective ways to deal with the problem of fraud is to adopt methods that will decrease the motive, restrict the opportunity and limit the ability for potential fraudsters to rationalise their actions. Section B is generically christened “Customer service activities” and covers four chapters, that is, chapters three to seven. Chapter three is on customer information management. Abiodun says the aspect of customer information management is that based on the relationship between the customer and the bank. This author explains that there are rules expected to be observed and the moment these rules are improperly applied, any future issue on such an account may lead to a great loss to the bank. He says it is the as-

pect that ensures that information indicated by the customer is correct or verifiable, in addition to being in compliance with the entire statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements. In chapters four to seven, this author beams his analytical searchlight on the concepts of deposits and withdrawal administration; clearing activities; bank guaranteed cheques and local fund transfer. Section C is summarily woven together as “Creation of risk assets” and contains chapters eight and nine. Here, Abiodun examines risk assets and facility processing. Section D has eclectic subject matter of acceptable collateral and covers five chapters, that is, chapters 10 to 14. Chapter 10 is entitled “Land”. Here, this author says land is the most important and most acceptable form of security to banks.

“In law, land comprises the earth surface, everything above and below it, in as much as such things are physically attached to the land. Hence, land in this context may be of developed and undeveloped nature. The property right over land can be in two forms,” Abiodun educates. In chapters 11 to 14, he X-rays concepts such as stocks and shares; guaranteed and indemnities; life assurance policy; and miscellaneous securities. Section E, the last section is summarily labelled “Bad debt management” and contains just a chapter, that is, chapter 15 entitled “Debt management”. As far as articulation of concepts is concerned, the intellectual efforts of the author are commendable, especially that the ideas are highly didactic and rich. Stylistically, this text is okay. For example, a legendary quote, classical allusion or biblical allusion is used at the beginning of every chapter as a prelude to the conceptual focus. Abiodun also uses detailed illustrations to enhance the understanding of readers. He proves that he was once a lecturer with his simplicity of language and depth of research. What’s more, this author also aligns with academic culture by including rich references and index at the end of the text in addition to inclusion of legislation and cases. Another thing worthy of note is the attractiveness of the cover design and its visual communication which reinforces the book title. The layout of the inside pages is also aesthetically seductive. However, the uncountable noun “Collateral”, which has the lexicographical symbol of “U” (that is, “Uncountable”) against it in the dictionary, is wrongly used in a countable form on page 217. Another error found in the book is a common error in Nigerian English, that is, “...was yet to...” (page vi), instead of the Standard British English version “...had yet to...” Confirm this from pages 913 and 1918 of the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, 2005 edition. On the whole, this text is fantastic. It is a book that everybody in the financial services industry, especially bankers must have. It is highly educative.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Deploying business-analysis tool in effective communication

NE thing that makes intellectual activities interesting is creativity. That is, ability to think outside of the intellectual box and transplant ideas from their original areas for meaningful application elsewhere. To be able to determine potential for success in the face of competition in business, existing and prospective entrepreneurs basically try to assess their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) against competitors. This is simply known as SWOT Analysis. It is a system for examining the way a company is run or how someone works, in order to see what the good and bad features are. SWOT Analysis is widely used in strategic planning. It is most effective when you have defined the problem or concern that needs to be addressed and ideally have also developed your goal statement or intended end state for the project. In this way it helps to give clarity between where you are and where you want to be. It is interesting to know that this strategy can also be deployed in general and business communication for greatest effectiveness.

Simplicity

SWOT Analysis is quite simple in principle, and you should keep the process simple – avoid complexity and over-analysis. “But you need to beware of the danger of being tempted to merely compile a list rather than thinking about what is really important about the parts of that list in achieving the goal of the project,” says Kim Harrison, a public relations authority. SWOT Analysis is best undertaken by a cross-functional team of six to eight people who can provide a range of perspectives, especially people from areas relevant to the issue or problem for which you are preparing a communication plan. Therefore, in addition to communicators, you should include peo-

By Goke Ilesanmi

ple who are broadly in tune with communication, such as people from your marketing section, your market researcher, a representative from operations and human resource departments, etc.

Mistaken application

You may also be drawn into presenting the resulting SWOT lists uncritically and without clear prioritisation so that, for example, weak opportunities may appear to balance strong threats. Harrison adds that you can use specialised software to show the SWOT lists graphically, which can help you clarify the factors being considered. A SWOT summary can be useful for strategy development in a communication project or programme as well as in an annual communication plan. It is especially useful for deciding the key points in your message.

Strength and weakness

A strength is a resource or capacity that can be used effectively to achieve the project objective. To identify strengths, ask: “What are our advantages in this situation?”, “What do we do well?” or “What do other people see as our strength here?” Obviously you would want to build on your organisation’s perceived strengths in your communication activities. A weakness is a limitation, fault or defect in the particular product, service or issue that may be the reason for your communication plan. To identify weaknesses, ask: “What could we improve in this?”, “What do we do badly?”, or “What should we avoid?” Other areas of the organisation may be able to resolve the problem caused by the weak point if, for instance, it is a financial, operational or marketing matter, in order to minimise its impact without you actually hav-

ing to communicate it. If it needs a communication strategy, then you can tailor all or part of your communication plan, particularly the message, to minimise the weakness, or at least have a communication response in place if it is raised against you by opponents.

Opportunity and threat

An opportunity is a favourable situation in your project or organisation’s environment, often a trend or a change of some kind or an overlooked need that increases the relevance or effectiveness of the project in question. You can seek to exploit the perceived opportunity through your message to key stakeholders. A threat is a danger or menace in your project or organisation’s environment. Often threats are ignored until they become major problems. Threats can be identified by looking at the obstacles faced, initiatives by competitors, changing technology and changing demand or technical requirements for your products or services. As with a weakness, other areas may be able to act to counteract the problem without having a communication response. If it does need a communication response, you should assess the likelihood and extent of the risk or threat so that if it emerges, you are able to quickly implement a communication response.

X-ray and action

It is good to work out your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, but what do you actually do with these insights? SWOT Analysis is not much value unless you actually use the key factors identified to contribute to your communication plan. To keep this manageable, the factors should be prioritised. You could note the top three factors from each of the four quadrants to form

a total of list of 12 factors, and then reduce the total list to the top five to six factors that would have a bearing on your communication strategy. Be careful to evaluate the factors that are the strongest and focus on them. Since resources are always limited, you cannot afford to follow up every SWOT item, so you need to attend to the most important by prioritising the items. The SWOT factors could be prioritised by urgency, importance, strategic advantage, cost, lead-time for completion, duration of actions, etc.

Parting shot

One strategy of achieving effective utilisation of SWOT analysis is to cross-link the four quadrants of factors to identify how strengths can be used to take advantage of opportunities and to tackle threats. Similarly, the weaknesses can be examined to ensure they do not compound the threats or stop your organisation from exploiting the opportunities relating to your project. PS: For those making inquiries about our Public Speaking, Business Presentation and Professional Writing Skills programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details. Till we meet on Monday.

•GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/ CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Certified Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant. Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

After serving as Minister of Special Duties and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in the cabinets of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Godsday Orubebe was one of the ministers President Jonathan reportedly relieved of their positions last week. But the ex-minister told some reporters in Asaba, the Delta State capital, including our own VINCENT AKANMODE, that he was not sacked; he voluntarily resigned his appointment to pursue his governorship ambition. He also spoke on President Jonathan’s rumoured second-term ambition and his relationship with the Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark who once vowed that Orubebe would not become the governor of Delta State while he (Clark) remained alive.

‘Jonathan didn’t sack me; I resigned’

HY did you quit the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan? First and foremost, people should help me to thank God who made it possible for me to serve the nation for more than six years. In the history of this country, only very few people have been there for more than six years. I also believe that the opportunity is not meant for only one person. I have done my best serving this country. I also believe that I should also come to my state to use what God has given to me to join the Governor and the people of Delta State to move the state forward. I had to appeal to Mr. President, and he allowed me to come and play a great role in Delta State, having spent over six years as a minister, working for this country. I remain grateful to God and the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. I also remain grateful to my leader, my mentor and elder brother, President Goodluck Jonathan. I remain grateful to the Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the people of Delta State for the support they gave me to remain in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for more than six years. Are you saying that the reports to the effect that President Jonathan sacked you from his cabinet are not correct? How can? After every FEC meeting, the Minister of Information comes out to brief journalists. It was unfortunate that so many people decided not to listen to the Minister of Information. They decided to form their own opinion. I worked with President Jonathan very, very well. He is an elder brother. He is a friend. He is my leader. He is a great Nigerian leader and I worked with him over the years. I was not sacked. I resigned and he allowed me to go when I told him that I needed to come to Delta State to support the Governor and the people of the state to move it to a greater level, having contributed my little quota towards the advancement of this country. I do not want to end my political career without coming to my own state to deposit what God has given to me through President Goodluck Jonathan. That was why I resigned to contest the governorship election in Delta State in 2015. Are you saying that your relationship with the President is still very cordial? In fact, is 100 per cent cordial. At every given time, I am ever ready, I am at his beck and call to do what he wants me to do. My coming to Delta State cannot stop me from working for him. Anyday, anytime, I am at his beck and call to do whatever he wants me to do. Why do you want to govern Delta State? I believe that having been a councillor, a local government council chairman, an executive member of the primary education board in Delta State, a party chairman, an adviser to Governor James Ibori on Urban and Regional Planning, Minister of Special Duties, Supervising Minister of National Planning Commission, Minister of State for Niger Delta and thereafter the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs over these years, I have garnered some experience. God has been faithful to me. He has deposited enough knowledge in me and I want to dedicate the knowledge that has been given to me by God to the service of the people of Delta State. I also want to support the governor that has moved the state this far, to add my own quota to move the state forward. And I think God has helped me and endowed me to be able to take off from where Dr. Uduaghan will stop. You inaugurated a group known as the Delta Peoples Forum (DPF). Many people believe that it is the springboard for the realisation of your political aspiration in Delta State… It is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which aims to bring all Deltans together, to uplift the state. That is why their slogan is “Deltans Working Together.’ It is a great NGO and it is there to support the government; support Dr. Uduaghan to move Delta State from one level to the other. I believe the NGO is a strong team that would support any government that would come to power in Delta State. It is going to be a focal point of political activities. What can you offer the state if you are elected governor? If Deltans work together to take the state to the next level, we must be able to push the state forward. We are going to add to what Governor Uduaghan has done to take Delta State to the next level; to glorify what God has destined for the state. What is your relationship with the Ijaw National Leader,

•Chief Orubebe

‘I do not want to end my political career without coming to my own state to deposit what God has given to me through President Goodluck Jonathan. That was why I resigned to contest the governorship election in Delta State in 2015’ Chief Edwin Clark now, given his earlier threat that you would not become the governor of Delta State in his lifetime? Chief Edwin Clark is my father, my leader, my master and my mentor. He has the right to correct me any time he feels that I should be corrected. I have no disagreement with him, and if for any reason he feels bad about whatever statement I must have made or I was misquoted to have made, he should in all graciousness consider it fit in his mind to forgive and forget. Chief Edwin Clark is a rare gem. That we are seeing him now in our generation is a rare privilege. He is not only the leader of the Ijaw in Nigeria and Diaspora, many ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, which comprises nine states not only in the South/South but also parts of South/West and South/East, also accept him as their leader. No man can disregard such an elder statesman. What is your take on the alleged second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan? One, I want to say that President Goodluck Jonathan is qualified and allowed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to run for a second term. Two, those people who are opposed to him also know what he can do. President Goodluck Jonathan has the capacity to provide for Nigerians what we need. In the almost three years that he has ruled this country, we have all seen what he has done. The rails that were not working before his time are now working. The roads that were not fixed are now being fixed. The East/West Road, which was not meant to be completed, is about 68 per cent complete and it is going to be completed by December 2014. Our airports are working and power is now put deliberately by government in the hands of the people who can make it work. It is the private sector that can do it. President Jonathan has initiated policies and programmes to ensure that Nigeria moves from where it is now to a higher level. For a leader to move a country forward, he is bound to step on toes. I believe that the opposition is coming from the people

who are used to the old order. But there is a new concept of governance in Nigeria now and President Jonathan is determined to take Nigeria to the next level. He is a great leader who loves Nigeria and thinks about Nigeria. I implore all Nigerians who worked for him in 2011 to come together to do it again, because he will not disappoint Nigerians. Having worked with President Jonathan for this long, do you share the sentiment in some quarters that he is a weak leader? I think having been governed by the military over the years has also affected our psyche and our perception of people who are leaders of this country. President Goodluck Jonathan is a democrat per excellence. He has allowed the rule of law to work in this country. So, what are they talking about? President Goodluck Jonathan is a firm leader. If he believes in anything, he will take it to a logical conclusion. President Goodluck Jonathan does not believe in waking up and sacking people because of rumour. He is very thorough. He must know why something has happened. He must investigate, he must ask questions to know why these things should happen, and you know Nigerians are not used to that. And I think a new way of governance, which is the democratic process, must go into the reasoning of Nigerians. That is the only way we can develop our democracy. He is not a weak leader. He is a great leader who rules the country by the rule of law and the provisions of the constitution of this country. What do you think are his chances in the 2015 presidential election? Very, very bright. I can tell you that I have not seen any candidate from anywhere that can rival President Goodluck Jonathan. Who has the credentials that he has? I believe that the challenges we have now that people are talking about are not as serious as the one we had in 2011. If you listen to the programme during the power and economic summits, the private sector openly testified that the revolution we are having in Nigeria now, we have never had it before. I believe that Nigerians know what to do. I am convinced that he is going to make it again. But there are claims in certain quarters that President Jonathan agreed to serve for a single term of four years… People have peddled this rumour over and over, but none has been able to come up with that agreement that they signed. The President has told Nigerians that he never signed any agreement. Who do you want to believe? Is it the people who are saying he signed an agreement because of their personal interest or our President, who has said that he never signed any agreement? I worked very closely with President Jonathan. I was the Deputy Director-General of President Jonathan Campaign Organisation. There is nothing like the one-term agreement that they are talking about. It is a mystery to me, and I believe Mr. President wholeheartedly, that there was no agreement of that nature. He could not have signed such an agreement when he knows that he is entitled to two terms. He is free to run, the constitution permits him to run and we will encourage him to run. How would you rate the performance of Governor Uduaghan? I think my friend and brother, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan started very well and he is finishing very strong. I will continue to support and pray for him to take this state to greater heights. He has tackled the problems of this state from so many dimensions. He has been able to work hard to ensure that security is maintained in the state. He has introduced a new concept of moving Delta State beyond oil. He has tried his best and I think that he is finishing very strong to the glory of God. Do you have any regret as a minister? I think I should thank God, first, for the opportunity He gave to me, and, secondly, for what I have learnt and for the knowledge I now have about Nigeria. I have no single regret. I remain grateful to God. I remain grateful to my elder brother, mentor and leader, President Goodluck Jonathan. I can’t help but to thank God. How do you react to the emergence of the new National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Mu’azu? Do you think he can return the party on the path of sustainable peace? You can even see from the few weeks he has spent as chairman that things are turning around. He is great Nigerian. He has the reach, the capacity, the contacts and the courage. PDP is fortunate to have a dynamic chairman, and he is building the house very fast. He is leading PDP to victory again. He is already leading the party to the promised land. The signs are very, very promising and glaring and we are very confident that he is moving the PDP to victory again. I want every member of PDP to pray for the leadership of the party and to support the leadership of PDP so that we can make it again. By the grace of God, PDP will win more states. Our credentials can speak for us and we are confident that PDP will make it again.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

POLITICS OSUN POLITICS Senator Iyiola Omisore is one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Osun State. If he gets the PDP ticket, can he defeat Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the poll? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines his chances.

Osun poll: How far can Omisore go?

N Osun State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket is most likely to be Senator Iyiola Omisore’s. But does he have any chance against Governor Rauf Aregbesola in this year’s governorship election? In the PDP, other aspirants are Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, Chief Peter Akinbade, Hon. Niyi Owolade, and Hon. Wole Oke. However, Omisore is the first aspirant to unfold his ambition. In Osogbo, the state capital, the former deputy governor fired salvos at the ruling APC when he declared his ambition to rule the state. It was not a torrent of un-replied missiles. The APC Chairman, Lowo Adebiyi, chided Omisore for peddling rumour and falsehood. He said the governor has justified the confidence reposed in him by implementing people-oriented projects across the three senatorial districts. “The people know that the governor is working for the progress of the state and he will not relent. He deserves a second term because of his achievements. The slogan in Osun is continuity. No room for marauders,” he added. Between 1999 and 2002, Aregbesola and Omisore had one thing in common. They were chieftains of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Omisore was the Osun State deputy governor in the Bisi Akande Administration. Aregbesola was Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos State under former Governor Bola Tinubu. However, there was a deep ideological gulf between the two politicians. A source said that that difference became more evident when Omisore, who he described as a typical political investor, started demanding returns on his investment. Instead of grabbing the meaningful opportunity for political tutelage under the more experienced Akande, he was impatient. He claimed that his structure was instrumental to the emergence of his boss as the governor,” added the source. But Akande, who believed that the resources of the state should be used for people-oriented developmental projects, was said to be taken aback. The House of Assembly was instigated to impeach the governor. But, Akande was unperturbed. Ironically, the legislators later turned the heat on the deputy governor. At the peak of the crisis between him and Akande, he was impeached. Omisore’s greatest ambition is to become the governor of the State of the Living Springs. He has been nursing the aspiration since be entered politics in the days of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, the former head of tate who ruled with an iron fist. Even, when BrigGen. Olagunsoye Oyinlola was selected as the flag bearer in 2007 by the PDP, Omisore believed that he was the right person for the job. Twice, the opportunity had eluded him. But, like an optimist that he is, hope, for him, has become the elixir of life. As the state prepares for the poll, the PDP chieftain has adorned the cap of the opposition leader. He has reviewed the political situation in the state and chided the governor for “behaving as if he is still in Lagos”. Although he did not tender proofs, Omisore alleged that the resources of the state are not judiciously allocated. In his view, the previous PDP administration, which was declared illegal by the court, was many poles apart from the present administration, in terms of performance. . To the ruling APC, Omisore has only attempted to equate statesmanship with showmanship. “It is the ranting of an ant. We have hesitated to join issues with him because we can only react to the comments of credible men”, said a party elder, Chief Felix Awofisayo. “He is not in the reckoning. Our joy is that Aregbesola is working for Osun. If he says that he cannot see what the governor has done, he is blind’, he added. Another party chieftain, Sola Lawal, warned PDP leaders against heating up the polity. He said their plans to divert the governor’s attention by instigating religious leaders against him based on unfounded allegations have failed. Omisore has two hurdles to cross to get to Bola Ige House - the seat of government. He has to fight for the PDP ticket with other contestants. They include Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Wole Oke, and Fatai Akinbade. If being controversial is the main deciding factor, then, Omisore will beat them at the primaries. Besides, he has a popularity test awaiting him on poll day. If he defeats them at the primaries, can he convince the people to reject Aregbesola at the poll? A PDP source said that the party may opt for a consensus candidate. He doubted, if the former senator would be the beneficiary of this option. “The thinking is that, to confront this governor, we need a candidate that will be acceptable to the generality of the people. We also want to go for the election as a united house. People are thinking about a consensus candidate. This has worked for the ACN. If we go this way, I doubt, if it will be Omisore. We need a candidate

•Masari

who can match the governor,” added the source. But, another sources said that the Presidency has its eye on the politician from Ile-Ife. “The only problem is perception. But, top PDP leaders are behind Omisore,” he added. Omisore is not an underdog, but controversy has always dodged his steps. When he defected from the AD, he became a factor in the PDP. Instantly, he became a senatorial aspirant, despite being a ‘rejectee’ from another party. A cloud of uncertainty hung over his political career in 2002 when he was arrested in connection with the murder of the former Attorney-General and Minister of justice, Chief Bola Ige. For months, the flamboyant politician was in detention, his fate hanging in the balance. Many party members deserted him. The feeling was that he could not be an asset, but a liability to any party. As a detainee, Omisore did not bury his ambition for a seat in the Senate. There were protests within and outside his party. The former national chairman of the party, Mr Audu Ogbeh, advised that Omisore should not be given the ticket on moral ground. He felt that, as a suspect, he would be a moral burden to the party at that critical period. Ogbeh felt that, if the PDP was actually committed to the emergence of rational leadership, Omisore was more of a liability than an asset. The advice was not sufficient to deter the state leadership of the PDP from issuing a nomination form to him. Observers have described Omisore as a curious survivalist. For him, history merely repeated itself in 2002/2003. In 1998, he had honed up his machinery in preparation for the governorship election. He had relied on his financial clout and the political structure he built when serious politicians were on holiday in the state. In the days of Abacha, when principled politicians of the old order could not participate, the rascally new breeds who lacked ideological compass invaded the slippery political field. That year, some old politicians expressed reservations about Omisore’s romance with Afenifere/AD. In particular, the Chairman of Afenifere/AD in Ekiti State, the late Chief Nathaniel Falaye Aina, cautioned the Osun State chapter of the party against fielding Omisore as the running mate to Akande, the governorship candidate. It was during a crucial meeting of the group in AdoEkiti, the state capital. Aina, an Awoist, rejected the explanation by Ige that Omisore had made a significant input into the establishment of the Osun State AD and that there were enough people on ground to control him, if he wanted to go off the line. The old politician may have been infuriated by the activities of the unprincipled young politicians dancing around the military. The former deputy governor of the old Ondo State carried his protest further by telling Ige and other party leaders that he would not share the same high table with Omisore. His grouse was that the impatient new breed politicians who were alien to the progressive agitations in the Southwest were political enemies within. He said there was no convincing proof of any political and moral rectitude on the part of the Abacha politicians, the arrowheads of the “leprous” parties in OsunState. Aina predicted that the Southwest AD would regret the hand of fellowship extended to the Abacha politicians. When that future came, the prediction of the Ekiti politician came into fulfillment. It jolted Ige and other leaders who deluded themselves into thinking that a leopard could change its skin. The AD won the poll in Osun State, but there was division after victory. A wide pole separated Akande, the visionary leader and his deputy, the businessman. The cohabitation created a nightmare, until Omisore was shoved aside. Predictably, the former deputy governor went to his natural political habitat. He was a big catch to the conservative rivals of the progressive bloc. His defection coincided with the time former President Olusegun Obasanjo was planning to have a political base after four years in office. The Southwest PDP was in want of candidates that would be acceptable to the people who had already embraced AD, which was largely perceived as an off-shoot of the old parties, the Action Group (AG) and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), that cared for the society, When the task proved difficult, the ruling party at the centre turned to the option of predetermined rigging. The design was that PDP should look for ‘capable men’, not on account of sound pedigree, subscription to the familiar ideology that attracted the zone to the men of the old order, or past diligent service to the people, but on account of deep purse and capacity for the strange behaviours condoned by a political bloc bent on imposing itself on the reluctant voters. In 2003, PDP delighted in raising thugs for destructive activities than mobilising voters for party endorsement.

•Omisore

Omisore was handicapped. Nevertheless, he bared his fangs from the prison. Many wrote him off, because he was not visible. He did not feature in any campaign. The people of Ife-Ijesa District had no hint of his manifesto. His agenda was not known. He was not even privileged to vote during the election. According to the AD chieftains, the electoral body allocated victory to him. In 2003, Omisore defeated Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, a former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Ige Administration who joined the Action Group in the fifties. The PDP senator was one of the beneficiaries of the political earthquake that swept the Southwest. Those who made him senator said that more of his type were needed in the region to attract the dividends of mainstream politics to Osun and the other sister states. The hope of the few who swallowed the deceit were dashed. In the Senate, the Ife/Ijesa senator was the Chairman of the Finance and Appropriation Committee. What mattered was not performance in 2007 when Omisore sought re-nomination. With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not being truly independent, electoral victory was certain for the undeserved. Victory must be won by all means and at all costs. Omisore’s challenger, Hon. Babajide Omoworare, the grandson of Ooni Adesoji Tadeniewo Aderemi, was agitated. The people were enraged. History was re-enacted. Ife, Ilesa and environs were battle grounds again. The contest between Omisore and Omoworare reminded the people of Ife about that day of rage when Chief Remi Fani-Kayode and Chief Michael Omisade clashed at the House of Representatives election, with the power that be swinging the pendulum of victory towards ‘Fani-Power’. But Omoworare, a lawyer, went to the court. A new election was ordered, but when the new senatorial poll was conducted, it paled into another festival of rigging. However, 2011 was the turning point. On the soap box was Omisore, the two-time senator. The campaigns were issue-oriented. But he lost. His bravado and over-confidence evaporated. The election reflected the restoration of the sanctity of the ballot box. After the poll, the senator was left in the cold. Federal appointments eluded him and it was clear that, for some time, Omisore would be politically jobless. But the PDP chieftain remained a force in his party, according to his supporters. He went back to the drawing board and the scheming for the governorship ticket commenced. Party sources said that Omisore, who has just bagged a doctorate degree from abroad, has the backing of a leading political actor in Ondo State. Curiously, a section of the factionalised Afenifere has been closely associated with his aspiration. In fact, Omisore was said to be present at the Afenifere reunion meeting in Akure. But Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) took exception to this, saying that it was an unfortunate miscalculation. “If Omisore was in the Afenifere meeting, the bodies of Awo, Ajasin, Adesanya and Ige would turn in their graves”, said ARG leader, Hon. Olawale Oshun. The PDP will soon hold its governorship primaries. Will Omisore get the ticket? If he gets it, can he beat Aregbesola at the poll?

Masari urges INEC to conduct credible poll

ORMER Speaker of the House of Representatives and Interim Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Aminu Masari has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible governorship poll in Ekiti State. The APC leader gave the charge in Ado Ekiti during a courtesy call on Governor Kayode Fayemi. He said the APC is worried by the lip service paid by INEC to conduct free and fair elections in recent time. Masari, who urged Ekiti people to carefully monitor the electioneering process, asked the electoral umpire to justify people’s confidence

in the commission by making sure that the governorship election in Ekiti state is not a repeat of the Anambra hicupps. “The INEC should walk the talk. The director of ICT made available the presentation at the stakeholders meeting in Ado, but the presentation is not the issue, implementation is the solution. From our experience in Anambra and other places where INEC made presentations, promising that they were going to conduct credible election, it never happened. So even here in Ekiti, we are not comfortable and then we are comfortable. The election has to be free and fair because Ekiti is an enlightened society with the highest number of educated

elite in Nigeria. I hope they will be able to monitor it to ensure the election is free and fair”, he said. He asserted that the APC would allow rigging in Ekiti. The former Speaker, who described the programmes of the Dr. Fayemi-led administration as second to none in the history of the state, expressed confidence that the party will defeat his opponents. On the return of some of the House of Representative members to the PDP, Alhaji Masari said regret is inevitable for the defectors, saying it is better to be people-oriented and principled politicians than being sycophants.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

POEM

Celebrate Love By Viola Akhigbe

Celebrate love oh sons of men Celebrate love daughters, with them Fill the air with its presence Exalt its office in life’s essence Let it take its place inside your heart Let it rule instead of might Not love that’s fickle in need of a sign But love that’s inspired by God’s design Exuding from your spirit, oh! Infiltrating your soul Evident on your face In your glow that’s full of grace Celebrate love if you’ve got breath Celebrate love in all the earth.

Okediran leads celebration team

• Oyo State contingent on parade

• Food exhibitors at the fair

A Japanese researcher, Dr. Satoru Muranaka of Tropical Agriculture Research Front (TARF) who was at the food fair said he loves iyan and efo or egusi, amala and gbegiri and ekuru, moin moin and akara. “I have been in Nigeria for ten years and what I enjoy most is Yoruba food. We are carrying out a research on yam and cowpea on how to preserve them,” he said. Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Princess Adetutu Akhigbe Adeyemi who spoke in Yoruba, said Samodun Festival is a unique event that is organised to celebrate the goodness of God in the life of people of Oyo state and designed in a way that it encompasses events that will enhance the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition. According to her, “as a pacesetter, we are determined to champion the cause of taking Yoruba culture and tradition to a higher level. It is obvious that we are losing the legacies of our forefathers through the overbearing influence of Western culture on our land. But we can no longer continue to fold our arms to watch it die, we are ready, more than before, to ensure that the dying culture is rejuvenated and promoted beyond the shores of our land.” She explained that the event was held to showcase the beauty of ‘our, music, dress, hairdo and everything associated with our tribe and which form the basis of our strength and unity, and we hope by the end of this festival the cultural integration agenda will be on another level.’

The Governor’s wife, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, who was the special guest at the food fair, said women should encourage their wards in preparing local delicacies, noting that ‘our delicacies and culture are far better than others. But we can only demonstrate it if we reflect it in our day to day activities. This kind of belief reinforces the confidence in the fact that Yoruba culture will not fade, and we are organising this food to showcase to the world that we are truly omoluabis with rich culture.’ She urged everyone to ‘encourage our culture, growth of language, our dressing and activities should reflect our tradition. If we lose it, it may be difficult to retrieve. But, I am sure it won’t.’ Oyo State emerged winner of the cultural parade, while Kwara and Ekiti took the second and third positions respectively. But the Oleku night held at the Civic Centre featured performances by acts such as Rashidi Ayinde aka Fuji Merenge, Musiliu Ishola and Tilaman. The performance by Tilaman at the Oleku night was not too homely. At a point, he invited the Oyo Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Princess Adeyemi, to the stage only to sing ‘vulgar and obscene’ songs. The same for the youths drama sketch, which was a far departure from the spirit of the festival. Organisers should ensure presentations at subsequent editions of the festival do not only celebrate the cultural values but also key into the omoluabi principle of the Yoruba people. .

By Evelyn Osagie

S India begins the chains of celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the publication of Chinua Achebe’s thought provoking book, Arrow Of God, preparation for the Nigeria version is in top gear. As part of its preparations to join the global Literary Community in celebrating the novel, the National Organising Committee led by its Chairman, Dr Wale Okediran visited the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS). UDUS is one of the seven centres where the celebration will be taking place in April. Dr Okediran was accompanied by officials of both the Kebbi and Sokoto chapters of the Association Of Nigerian Authors (ANA) such as Yusuf Dingyadi (General Secretary, ANA Sokoto); Prof Asabe Kabir Usman (ANA Sokoto), who is also the Head of Department of English Department at UDUS;, Aisha Umar Mohammed (ANA Sokoto), who is also a Lecturer in the English Department; Abubakar Kalgo (General Secretary, ANA Kebbi) and Shehu Malami Aliyu (Treasurer, ANA Kebbi). On hand to receive the team to the University were the Vice Chancellor, Prof Riskuwa Arabu Shehu (OON) and the Deputy VC Academics, Prof A A Bagudu. Dr Okediran said the book’s anniversary will be celebrated in about 20 countries worldwide, adding that is important for Nigeria as “the owner of the book and the author” is to be part of the celebration. He said the celebrations will be marked with the major events a literary quiz competition for children, a Symposium and the staging of a stage adaptation of the book will take place in UDUS on April 28. He called for the support of the university management and community in organising a very successful event. In his response, Prof Shehu expressed the delight and appreciation of the university to have been chosen to be part of the celebration in Nigeria. He reminded the audience that Prof Chinua Achebe was the University’s alumnus having received a honorary doctorate degree from the university way back in 2004, as such, UDUS will ready to celebrate one of its own. The Professor of Biochemistry further informed the visitors that UDUS is one of the best Universities in the country having scored 100% in a recent program accreditation carried out by the National University Commission. In addition, the University which according to the VC is one of the second generation Universities in the country, started from scratch without any take off grant but by dint of hard work and prudent management of funds has risen to its current enviable position. The University is also currently prosecuting many important projects such as a Solar Energy Project which on completion is expected to assist the country in its quest for an alternative energy source. The Deputy VC and the HOD English Department will constitute a Local Organising Committee with the ANA Members, it was learnt. The HOD English Department took the visitors to the Ultra Modern University Auditorium where the event will take place. The visitors took time to inspect the 700-seater university auditorium with its modern technological gadgets for both audio and visual recording as well as a beautiful stage for play acting. After another meeting in the office of the HOD English Department, it was agreed that a 15-man LOC to be made up of 5 members each from the ANA Sokoto, Kebbi and the university community, which was inaugurated on last week. The Okediran-led committee will said they would continue to liase with the LOC on every aspect of the program in order to ensure a smooth and successful event. Okediran praised the university for the warm reception accorded the visiting team and the passion and commitment shown to execute a successful event. The team, then, moved to the Catholic Bishop Court for a courtesy visit to Bishop Mathew Kukah, who is also an author and a patron of the arts. Bishop Kukah who was also happy that an event of such magnitude was coming to Sokoto went on memory lane to recount his long standing relationship with the works of Professor Chinua Achebe whom he greatly revered. He expressed his readiness to support the event by assisting in publicising it and also invite his friends and associates. • Okediran

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

OR the last three editions of this column we have examined the fundamental and incisive critiques of what the South African radical political economist, Professor Patrick Bond, describes as the pervasive looting in various guises of the resources of one of the most endowed regions of the world largely responsible for the persistence of underdevelopment in Africa. In the concluding section of the last chapter of his book, Bond summarises his central argument concisely and precisely thus: “The looting of Africa dates back many centuries, to the point at which value transfers began via appropriation of slave labour, antiquities, precious metals and raw materials. Unfair terms of trade were soon amplified by colonial and neo-colonial relations. These processes often amounted to a kind of ‘primitive accumulation’, by which capital of Northern countries grew by virtue of looting Africa. But as this book demonstrates, this was not a once-off set of problems, solved by the 1950s-90s independence struggles. In recent decades, wealth extraction through imperialist relations has intensified, and some of the same kinds of primitive looting tactics are now once again evident”. Of course these same points have been convincingly made by such radical scholars as Walter Rodney, Claude Ake and Samir Amin among others. Bond does not spare conniving local allies of the North within Africa states who cooperate in implementing neo-liberal, free market policies that have intensified underdevelopment across most parts of Africa since the early eighties. According to Bond, “Instead of a sustainable level of debt service payments, as claimed by those supporting the elites’ limited debt relief schemes, Africa’s net financial accounts went negative during the 1990s. And although remittances from the African diaspora now fund a limited amount of capital accumulation, capital flight is far greater. At more than US10 billion/year since the early 1970s, collectively, the citizens of Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, the DRC, Angola and Zambia have been

Segun Ayobolu

sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

Africa and the economics of continued exploitation (IV) especially vulnerable to the overseas draining of their national wealth”. Bond points out that Africa has lost over $272 billion to trade liberalization since the early 1980s. While the West advocates the abolition of subsidies in Africa “…agricultural subsidies accruing to Northern farmers rose from the late 1980s to 2004 by 15 per cent, to $279 billion mainly benefitting large agro-corporate producers”. Contrary to the IMF’s characterization of African countries that deviate from unhelpful and ineffective neo-liberal policies as being ‘off-track’, Bond argues that most African leaders have actually been ‘on track’ by comprador elites and neo-liberal technocratic elite that demonstrate unrestrained loyalty to Northern objectives detrimental to their countries’ interest. Nigeria is a case in point here particularly with the dyed-in-the wool World Bank/IMF loyalist, Dr NgoziOkonjo-Iwealla as the country’s economic Czar. How then does Africa move from looting to the liberation that will promote development and radically minimise misery on the continent? Bond is sympathetic to the ideological perspectives of the World Social Forum (WSF) but believes it is too loosely organised and laissez-faire in its attitude to provide the coordinated approach needed

for development-oriented social struggles in Africa. For instance, he notes that in 2005 at the WSF in Porto Alegre, 19 progressive intellectuals and activists had produced a draft of twelve proposals for the emergence of a more just, equitable and humane world that would help underdeveloped countries break the shackles of poverty. Among these proposals were cancelation of the external debt of Southern countries; implementation of international taxes on such financial transactions as direct foreign investments , consolidated profit from multinationals and weapons trade; dismantling all forms of fiscal, juridical and banking paradises; recognising the right of all inhabitants of our planet to employment, social protection and retirement/pension; promoting all forms of equitable trade while rejecting all free-trade agreements and laws proposed by the World Trade Organization; forbidding all forms of privatisation of common goods for humanity , particularly water; dismantling all foreign military bases and allowing troops to operate in foreign countries only under the mandate of the United Nations; taking urgent steps to end the destruction of the environment and the threat of severe climate change as well as reforming and deeply democratising inter-

national institutions through the protection of human, economic, social and cultural rights. Although Bond doubts that these proposals were thought through thoroughly enough and with sufficient consultation with those most affected by the issues, his own more detailed proposals hardly differ in concrete terms from those proposed by diverse groups within the World Social Forum. However, he agrees with Walter Rodney that any genuine liberation of Africa must involve the vital activity and participation of the African masses just as happened during the anti-colonial struggle. But Rodney considers this a tall order given “the shabby reality of neocolonial Africa”. In the words of Bond, moving from the historical legacy of looting in Africa to liberation and transformation would require the replacement of “shabby neo-liberal projects like the New Partnership for Africa’s Development with a bottom-up programmatic strategy that can confront the looting of Africa…through the rapid development of mass democratic movements across the continent, suffused with the values of liberty, equality (including between the sexes) and solidarity. In addition, the intellectual plays a crucial role. The possibility of a revived African left intent on halting and reversing the looting of the continent depends upon the nurture of Africa’s independent-minded nationalists, feminists, critical political economists and anti-imperialists, who are already helping to shape the strategies of progressive movements”. What Bond’s work so poignantly demonstrates is that a world in which so much poverty exists despite the technological capacity to actually make poverty history is unsustainable. It will continue to contend with all kinds of violence, revolt and social disorder including religious fanaticism and assorted forms of terrorism that fuel global insecurity. Sooner or later, Africa must face the challenge of fighting for its second and more meaningful and impactful liberation.

Museum as agent of national unity and cultural integration (1)

HE National Commission for Museums and Monuments has been able to establish its presence in almost all the states of the federation. The location of Museums, in each state capital is in fulfillment of the Federal Government policy adopted after the civil war to build a museum of national unity in each of the federation. Nigeria no doubt is a land of many parts. It is rich in a variety of culture and tradition which make its people an interesting subject. This explain the reason why the cultural civilization of the ethnic groups of the country which reflects the extent to which they are able to harness the cultural resources of their immediate environment. However, over the years the relative cultural integration of its major ethnic group de-emphasized the heterogeneity of the people. All these features about Nigeria have important impact on the immediate and past people of the country. The series of movement have registered in geopolitical history of the country especially in the northern, western and eastern parts of the country in such vivid details that some have been well reconstructed. It is important to know that the great empires of Hausa city state, Kanuri and Kanem Borno empires, the Yoruba kingdoms, Benin Kingdom and society all represented the different aspects of organized control of the Nigeria Nation. Our major focus today shall be how culture has contributed to the integration of the Nation called Nigeria, rather than what divide us. The concept of Nation building in most cases is not an issue of primordiality but in the case of Nigeria, authority and power, the two concepts usually go together as authority means ability or right to give orders and make others obey, while power means strength or force that can be used to enforce orders. The two are usually enjoyed by the traditional rulers even in the model society of ours. Example of authority in this case means a pronouncement by a ruler that must be obeyed by the subjects either because that is the convention or because the ruler has power to en-

From Onime O. Wilson

HERITAGE force such a pronouncement where the subjects are unwilling to obey. The colonial authority and power ensured that the emergent centralized northern Nigeria was further centralized while with the same force, the atomistic eastern Nigeria was welded together, and the same thing was done to western Nigeria. The various actions ensured the birth of Nigeria and opened up the country to every citizen such that they could move to wherever they desired to work, live and marry. This development produced high rate of migration that the Hausa people moved to Lagos to work as soldiers and traders while the Igbos move to Isoko area in Niger Delta to farm and to the Northern Nigeria to trade. Since independence, attempts have been made to dismember the country. The fact that the country is still intact today attests to the extent to which the initial authority and power has succeeded in integrating the country into one unifying force. Integration here, is bringing the different ethnic groups together culturally through the similarity of or function of their cultural materials, individual ethnic groups can realize their potentials not necessarily in their place of birth but cultural potentials, which would help us to resist any form of dismemberment. In essence, the people of Nigeria since the colonial period ensured what can be called adjustment in peopling procedure which helped to mix the various groups that dotted the landscape of the country. Nigerians have strong belief in the continued relevance of those who have died. The concept of the people in family hood that is a continuum is vividly reflected in ancestral concept. In fact this makes the Nigeria religion truly indigenous. The typical Nigeria life has no value in the

•Ife Bronze absence of ancestral power and care. In this case it is believed that every aspect of the people’s life is influenced by the ancestors. As indicated above, ancestral concept is based on the African belief that death is not the end of man. Those who die only enter into a spirit world of existence. Once they take on this existence, they are transformed and become capable of doing things which were impossible for them while they were on earth as humans. In this form they are thought of a being everywhere, capable of seeing and knowing everything.

All the above, constitute the reasons why ancestors are not only taken to be real, but belief in them is one of the most important features of the Nigerian people. In Nigerian, the belief is that the ancestors enjoy a unique pre-eminence, just as the Supreme Being. It must be stressed here that not all the dead are ancestors. This is because there are certain conditions to be met before a dead person could become an ancestor. The first condition to be met is that the dead must have lived a good and fulfilled life. Secondly, his death must not have resulted from a “taboo e.g. accident, suicide or any violent or unusual death. Thirdly, he must have lived to a rip age. A very important condition is that a potential ancestor must have lived an exemplary life that is worthy of emulation. The respect and honour which Nigerian’s give ancestors are not borne of blind considerations, they are products of long and tested cultural disposition which guarantees venerability for old age and high regard for eldership. In this regard the ancestors are seen as elders and predecessors who have the advantage of a spiritual state which the living lacks. Thus, as they are in the spirit world so also are they in the world of the living. The most concrete forms of remembering and venerating the ancestors are by festivals, usually held around the ancestral cult. Most Nigerian Communities have one form of rites or the other associated objects with the ancestral cult. Among the Yorubas, the Egungun and Oro festivals represent the hall mark of the ancestral cult. For the Igbos, the meno Society embodies the spirit of the ancestors. For the Adamawa’s North east mumuye ancestral objects, Jukuns, Urhobo’s, Bini’s ancestral figures etc. In all, the belief and significance of ancestral belief in Nigeria are basically the same:The continuation of life after death and the continued relevance of the dead to the living. The unending nature of the Nigeria sense of obligation both to and by individuals and the society.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Beyond Chika Unigwe’s Writers’ Village

WRITERS’ Village will soon be inaugurated in Awka, Anambra State. The village is the brainchild of an Afro-Belgian writer of Nigerian origin, Chika Unigwe. She had requested for a land to build the village from Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, which was recently granted. Governor Obi gave Unigwe a land beside the Prof Kenneth Dike Library near the Anambra Broadcasting Service Awka for her proposed the village. Obi also gave a cheque of N2 Million to support the development of the Writers Village. Elated Unigwe disclosed that work was at the planning stage for the village. Unigwe writes in English and Dutch. She has won many awards including the 2012 Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas $100,000 sponsored literature prize for the prose category. She won the prize with her entry: “On Black Sister Street”. She believed that a Writer’s Village may make the difference in the dwindling reading culture in Nigeria. On how she copes with her writings as a family person, Unigwe said: “I have four boys and you know, kids have bedtime and once they go to bed it’s my time. I write sometimes at night, sometimes early in the morning but I always try to make out time to write, it’s a job and not my hobby. It’s my career so I treat it like a nine-to-five.” Reacting to the challenge of improving Igbo language she said: “We are updating the Igbo dictionary. It’s a labour of love. And there are five of us in the core group and over a total of a thousand of us. What we do is extract words from the dictionary. For every word we try to find an Igbo, where Igbo was not in existence we try to find an appropriate word for it. I’m into it because I love languages, which is why I did an extensive course on Dutch language when I moved to Belgium.” Other beneficiaries were Miss Rosaline Ejindu, who was the overall best graduating student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka last year received a cheque of three million naira scholarship to further her education; while Dr Uche Amazigo, Prof Francisca Okeke, Mr. Uzochukwu Alutu and Prof Akachi Ezeigbo received one million each in appreciation of their various achievements in their fields of endeavour. They were happy and spoke glowingly about Obi’s administration, describing it as the best in the country and since creation of Anambra State. Others such as Chimamanda Adichie. The duo of Peter and Paul Okoye (P-Square) were honoured by Obi for their outstanding performances. Obi appealed to community leaders to compile names of their subjects who have distinguished themselves and those who made first class in various institutions of higher learning to enable his government honour them. He explained that the aim of celebrating the best human resources of the state is to provide positive role models for children and the youth. He puts it succinctly when he said that a Writers’ Village behind a state library makes the unique difference in the commitment of his administration to improve standard of education in the state. He said honour was part of measures to restore the state status as a pacesetter in the country, noting that the state has remained in the forefront of rebuilding and advancing the country. The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Oseloka Obaze

• Governor Obi (Centre) flanked by recipients From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

LITERATURE said Governor Obi’s policy of celebrating talents and achievements would motivate youths to aspire to greater heights. He stressed the need for collective efforts to tackle the challenges of male drop out in schools to save the future of the society. Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof Chinyere Okunna said Governor Obi’s administration had remained gender-friendly and had achieved visible and tangible results in all sectors through multi-sectoral vision and strategy geared towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). In their separate speeches, the achievers thanked the governor for recognising and rewarding excellence and his commitment in redirecting and encouraging youths to embrace acquisition of knowledge. Also, Miss Sandra Anazor, who emerged as overall best in National Examination Council (NECO) and in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations, got a cheque of N2, 220,000 from Governor Obi. It was to cover the 6 years she will be in school. Anazor has won many academic competitions and awards. She had secured admission to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. She expressed surprise at the state government gesture, saying that Governor Obi has proved beyond doubt that he loves education and the successes of his children. Sandra’s proud father, Mr Azubike Anazor accompanied by her mother, Chinwe said that the resurrected performance of Anambra people in examinations is attributable to Governor Obi who has shown interest in all sectors. Obi equally gave scholarship to children displaced fromthe Northern part of the country by Boko Haram. He had given thousands of jobs too to Nigerian Graduates at International organizations but silently. Obi had in 2009 announced scholarship for students who did the state proud at Nigeria/UNESCO special Quiz competition in 2007 and 2008. The awards were won between 30th March and 5th April, 2008 .The students won three trophies and a plague for the Anambra State at the competition and Governor Obi announced an award of scholarship to the contingent that won laurels for the state.

According to Governor Obi, the scholarship will take the two students of the contingent, who are already in the University to at least four years while others would enjoy theirs at the appropriate time. The students were Anikwe Calista studying Pharmacy at University of Ibadan , Anozie Echezona studying Mathematics at the University of Nigeria , Bernard Nwogbo and Ndidiamaka Umeh won various laurels for the state . Aniekwe of St Monica’s Ogbunike was overall best in Physics, Echezona of Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha was the overall best student in Biology and Technology and won two trophies , Ndidiamaka Umeh of Queen of the Rosary College , Onitsha and Bernard Nwogbo of St Charles Onitsha were part of the contingent. Two of the beneficiaries of the scholarship largesse, Aniekwe Calista and Anozie Echezona said they were surprised by the Governor’s award of scholarship to them, noting that they have realized that hard work pays. The children of the murdered Anambra people at Mubi by Boko Haram , 14 or more of them, were all on scholarship of Obi. And the two surviving daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Obiukwu of Umuduru village, Awka-Etiti whose four daughters were killed at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Mandala, Niger State are also on scholarship. After a tour of the Maranatha International School, Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, Onitsha and St. Anthony of Padua Secondary School, Nkpor, and donating 18-seater buses and computers to them, Obi awarded scholarships to the duo of Theresa Mbanefo and Ogochukwu Okafor, who are students of Regina Pacis Secondary School, for what he termed ‘a display of exceptional brilliance’. He vowed to honour those doing the state proud and he has kept to that as he has honoured almost all known writers and brilliant people as well as those in leadership positions elsewhere as a mark of motivating youths to struggle to be the best where ever they found themselves. He said the state would continue to honour and celebrate individuals who had distinguished themselves and brought pride to the state. But the Archbishop and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Valeria Okeke, has urged Governor Obi to monitor the progress reports of all those he gave scholarship with the aim of assisting them get good jobs when they graduate.

MUSON Centre: Braving the odds •Continued from page 16

• Banjo clearing of the lawns and cooling system. It requires putting aside a substantial amount of money to do that. I don’t think I can give out the figure,” he added. Muson is an example of an institution that

thrives on collective efforts of private individuals; a society that encourages classical music and training of youths without a dime from the government. Its music school has moved from a basic class in music to a twoyear diploma course accredited by the Ministry of Education in 2005. This has deepened Muson’s involvement in music education in the country. Telecommunications giant, MTN, is a major partner that picks the bills- tuition, allowances and books for the students. What separates Muson Music School form the regular music departments in the universities and polytechnics? According to Banjo, training at the Muson Music School with an enrolment of 60 students is unique because its performance based. “We are extremely proud of our students and it has proven that Nigerian youths are talented,” he said. Banjo however noted that there is need to expand the school’s space to accommodate the students adequately. He disclosed that the centre is supposed to have a

major concert hall. “We are looking at the possibility of having a larger hall and a multi-purpose building in future. But the school’s expansion will look beyond the walls of the centre,” he said. Like the Music School, the Muson Symphony Orchestra is the second dream, which is an offshoot of the Muson choir. Banjo, who returned to Muson Centre after serving as General Manager between 2001 and 2006, said his satisfaction at Muson is that the standard is still being kept. “Again, the management members are young and that gives me satisfaction too as they will sustain the dream,” he said. On the seeming challenges from other emerging events centres in Lagos, Banjo described it as a healthy development adding that ‘when City Mall located opposite the Muson Centre was coming up many thought it would drive us out of business.’ “But today, Muson Centre, located on 1, 666 hectares of land in a quiet leisure and cultural zone of Lagos, ‘has remained an icon with loyal clients. In fact, the Muson brand is uniquely different,” he said.

VISUAL ART

CBAAC lecture holds at Ibadan

HE public lecture to celebrate this year’s edition of Centre for • Director General CBAAC, Prof Tunde Babawale Black Art and African Civilisation (CBAAC)’s annual Black History month festival holds at Hall A, New International Conference Centre University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday, February 27. The lecture titled: PanAfricanism and the Challenges of Global African Unity, would be delivered by Prof Kwesi Kwaa Prah, a renowned PanAfricanist and Director, Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society (CASAS), Cape Town South Africa. The lecture will start by 10.00am.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Test of might Danfo bus conductor and a tout during a fight at Idi-Oro Mushin, Lagos

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Dr Nelson Edewor, in this report, examines the activities of the Society of Nigerian Artists executive, one year after election.

ITH the prior encounter at the NEC meeting and Dr. Adeyemi’s stepping aside from the contest, the electoral committee led by Ass. Prof. Jerry Buhari was simply constrained to conduct the election with the persons that were available for the process. Of course the same brutalized and raped constitution was the willing bride as the working document to conduct the election. At this point nobody cared to refer to Article 13.1.11 which states, “Any of the three (3) Vice Presidents shall be eligible to contest the post of the President and shall be declared President at the annual delegate conference, at the end of the tenure of office of the incumbent President.” By and large, elections were conducted and the process ended with a resounding victory for Mr. Oliver Enwonwu who clenched more votes over his opponents. While the electoral issues of Uyo 2012 continue to state at us, this article also calls to mind many other issues that continue to threaten our cooperate existence. The concern relates legitimacy to practice as professionals, protection for our practice, and undue interest on personal ego. Some of these issues coupled with the constitutional imbroglio and financial status are threatening the cooperate existence of the Society. It is sad to note that these issues are as old as the Society itself. Memory lane takes me back to the year 2000. The outcome of the Kogi AGM in the year 2000 with its overheated election, eventually clenched by Professor Egonwa, and most of his executive members made up of members from the Auchi block, may have been the beginning of sorting out some of the problems of legitimacy and protection of professional rights. It is unfortunate that for reasons best known to that executive, it did not achieve its goal of an Artists Registration Council bill. By the time that executive handed over, the executive was in disarray for which reason only the out-going President and Mr. Shola Kukoyi, were the only executive members present at the AGM that ended that regime. Secondly, apart from a general member apathy that bedeviled Egonwa’s executive coupled with lack of funds, there is the wrong perception that the Society’s constitution is their own manipulation. Members seem to

SNA: One year after (II) VISUAL ART forget that Prof Egonwa served as Chairman Constitution Review Committee during Mrs. Funke Ifeta’s regime. And that the reviewed constitution was ratified in that AGM that ushered in Prof. Egonwa and his team into office. That misconception might be his greatest undoing coupled with the internal wrangling within his executive. All that is history now, but we may need to learn some lessons from all this. Thirdly there also a seemingly cold war that appears to exists between the ranks of academic professional members and full time studio professionals. It is possibly coincidental that all previous but the present serving President comes from the academia. One may not be too sure though, but one sometimes feel the formation of art professional groups such as Guild of Fine Artists (GFA) could be a response to this perceived reality. In fact one of the moving arguments that fueled Oliver’s elevation was the attempt at making history that a studio based artist could also rise to that exalted position. Mr. Sam Ovraiti took a shot at the exalted position in 2008 at Abeokuta AGM. However, wise sayings have continued to remind us that the issue of seeking office is inconsequential. It is what one does with the office that makes the effort either worth-while or a fools dream come true. Oliver’s clenching of the position I believe must have sent joyous signals that a studio person who possibly knows and understands the yearnings of practitioners has become President of SNA.. All said and done, “Tick, Tick, says the clock, what you have to do, do quick”, is a children rhyme. That innocent recital now stares us on the face. One year has gone by. What is the result of all the emotional tensions and vocal exertions that the Uyo election generated? What can be said as assessment of a full year’s activity of the Oliver led executive? Maybe it is too early to be expectant. But commonsense tells the blacksmith that he must hit the iron when it is red hot. I do not know if it is only here in Delta that the seemingly steady decline of momentum of the National executive is being felt. If it

•Edewor

is the case, I sincerely ask to be excused of whining at the expense of others. If it is not, then this article is a clarion call to our National Executive to step up into the mandate given them. Being that as it may, one cannot shy away from applauding some initial activities of this present executive within the first few months of taking over. But to what import did these energy sapping assignments amount? I am aware that posters towards celebrating SNA at 50 were sent out. I am also aware that that event has gone down in history as one of the least organised programmes of the Society at the national level in recent times. In fact the choice of the lead paper presenter gave the event its anti-climax. I am also aware of beautifully printed posters to advertise publication avenues through Art Reviews, Art bulletin, and the Creative Dialogue Journal. The beautiful graphics that heralds these posters are alluring enough. But what machinery is in place to actu-

alize these laudable ideas? What the Executive must know is that, it is not just about getting articles and running to press and making volumes of publications, it is the quality of the editorial board and a truly peer review system that drives publication dreams. Many serious minded academics may not approach any of these proposed publication outlets unless they have confidence in the editorial team. I am also aware that in the cause of its familiarization courtesy call to government agencies, the executive visited the apex supervisory body of Nigerian universities (NUC) but to what purpose? While other professional bodies visit such corridors of policy formulation and implementation to seek out ways to step up standards of their profession so as to make them conform to international standards, ours went for the opposite. It is no longer news, and it has been argued exhaustively that Ph.D degree is a prerequisite to functioning effectively in the university system. To stem a situation of inconsequence of the artist in the university system as well as revive the studio component of art for which Ph.D never existed, less Art History, some of our universities with progressive and insightful art professors have developed and passed through their university Senates the approval of Ph.D in studio practice. Instead of our executive visiting NUC to appreciate this laudable development, or possibly bringing a proposed curriculum where courses like media art, performance art and curatorial studies are included in the university curriculum, they went to pressure NUC to exclude artists from the general Ph.D rule of NUC. It really beats my imagination that such narrow mindedness could still exist in our ranks. I wonder what cooperate pride remained in them after the NUC officer that attended to them had finished pointing out their folly. Bringing you back again to the 2012 AGM, the house gave the mandate that of urgency, a review of the constitution must commence. One year has gone and there is no news about anything of such. Members also frowned at the Uwa Usen led Executive of its inability to hold Executive and NEC meetings on regular basis. It would seem as if that style of one man government is already being repeated by this executive. •Dr Edewor is a senior lecturer at the Delta State University Abraka

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT

18-2-14

Integration: Nigeria, Ghana, others harmonise trading rules

HEAD of the April 1, take-off of the first phase of the integration of capital markets of West African countries, the three major stock exchanges in the region have harmonised their trading rules and practices to ensure seamless trading among brokers within the region. The West African Capital Market Integration (WACMI) programme seeks to integrate the existing securities exchanges in Nigeria-Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); GhanaGhana Stock Exchange (GSE), Sierra Leone-Sierra Leone Stock Exchange and the bloc of eight francophone countries under the Bourse Regionale des Valuers Mobilieres (BRVM). Countries under BRVM include Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

â&#x20AC;˘April 2014 take off realistic By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

WACMI entails integration of listing, trading and settlement rules in a way that allows capital market operators and investors to trade across the markets. Any company with primary listing in any of the country will be able to raise capital across the markets. The first phase of the integration, known as the sponsored access phase, is expected to take off in April 2014 through which brokers within the member countries to trade and settle securities in other markets through local brokers. Speaking on the efforts to ensure effective seamless takeoff of the first phase, chairman, West African Capital Markets Integration Council

(WACMIC), Mr. Oscar Onyema, said the council through its several technical committees and liaisons with all stakeholders has agreed on key harmonization of trading rules across the regions. According to him, the harmonized trading hour is now between 9.00am and 3.00 pm while the daily price change on the exchanges will be 10 per cent. NSE currently trades between 9.00am and 2.30 pm while GSE already operates on the harmonised trading period of between 9.00am and 3.00pm. Prices of stocks on the GSE can move up or down every day by 15 per cent while BRVM operates 7.5 per cent daily price change limit. NSE runs on 10 per cent limit. The clearing cycle for the exchanges will now be T+3 for equities and T+2 for bonds. Onyema said all market regulators are expected to approve the sponsored access rules by March 31, paving the way for the takeoff of the first phase. He expressed confidence that the first phase of the integration would be achieved in April as planned.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-2-14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

MONEYLINK

Bank directors caution CBN on CRR hike Stories by Collins Nweze

•CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido

HE Bank Directors of Nigeria (BDAN) has expressed concern at the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on public sector deposit from 50 to 75 per cent. The CRR is a portion of

banks’ deposits kept with the CBN. In a statement, BDAN observed that raising the ratio by 25 per cent within six months after it was jerked from 12 to 50 per cent would adversely affect the banking sub-sector and the economy. The group noted that the increase would weaken the ability of banks to lend to economic agents and slow down the improved growth rate the country has enjoyed in the past few years. The BDAN noted that as the economy slows down, the poverty rate and incidents of social upheavals, which have constituted serious hindrance to national development, worsen. “Since banks do not have much liquidity to lend, they will increase in-

terest rates. Two consequences could naturally evolve from this. The first possibility is that many people will shun bank loans because they cannot afford it, while those who bear the excessive cost of funds will pass it to consumers of their products and services. These will reduce the productive capacity of the economy in favour of short term high margin trading, which is not in the interest of the country,” it stated further. The BDAN also lamented that the policy will reduce returns on capital investment in banks.

It argued that weak lending would translate to lower incomes, noting that some banks could consider staff downsizing to mitigate the impacts. “Unfortunately, the squeezing comes when the economy is crying for interventionist programmes that could make funds available for the real sector. With the mop up, the already credit-dried economy faces harsher funding environment,” BDAN said. BDAN is the umbrella body of bank directors and it was established to represent the interests of bank directors in the country. The body also promotes sustainable banking best practices within banks, collaborating with regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the public interest.

NESG restates roles of education in national development

HE Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has called on the government and other stakeholders to pay more attention to the education sector, which it said, is key to national development. Speaking ahead of the 20th yearly Nigeria Economic Summit (NES-20) titled: “Transforming Education through Partnership for Global Competiveness”, NESG Chairman, Foluso Phillip said the summit would, this time, pay more attention on how to solve major challenges facing the educational sector. He said the country has a lot of investment opportunities that need to be explored to achieve the desired benefits for the citizenry. He said there has been several interventions in the educational sector showing how much importance government attaches to the sector. He said the educational sector is not yet successful, hence the need to

Nigeria. He said the summit has grown to become the largest and the most prestigious annual economic forum for policy makers and captains of industry from the public and private sector of the Nigerian economy, as well as representatives of the academia, civil society organisation and develop-

get stakeholders deliberate on how to move it forward. Also speaking at the inauguration of the NES-20 Joint Planning Committee in Lagos, the Supervising Minister, National Planning Commission (NPC), Bashir Yuguda said this year’s summit, holding from March 18 to 20, is, particularly, special because it marks the 21st year of the hosting of the Economic summit in

Unity Bank rewards customers

NITY Bank customers in Central Zone, Abuja have won items worth millions in the bank’s Aim, Save and Win promo. Speaking during the grand finale in Abuja, the bank’s Zonal Head, Aminu Baffa said, the exercise gave customers opportunity to cultivate savings culture. He said, aside giving customers opportunity to save and win fantastic

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

prizes, it is also a way to cultivating life-long saving culture. He said the exercise has helped the bank to bring several unbanked into the banking system. Explaining criteria for participating in the promo, he said: “We only required that

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

customers grow their accounts to the required minimum balance for a period of 45 days in any of the Savings Account. We had customers from Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Jos, Niger, and Nasarawa states. Also in the list is Abuja. At the end of the draw, Mallam Isiaka Sule from Ajaokuta branch in Kogi State won the star car prize.

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

-2.11

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8

2-5-14 2-3-14

245.6422

-2.57

400m

399.9m

155.7

1-29-14

209.2910

-1.51

Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

BANK (S/N)

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

(S/N)

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

Parallel Market

153.0000

OASISINS AFRIPRUD MANSARD MAYBAKER UAC-PROP TRANSCORP INTBREW FIDELITYBK WAPIC DNMEYER

0.52 3.37 2.20 2.00 19.75 3.78 26.75 1.99 0.91 1.42

C/PRICE 0.56 3.56 2.31 2.10 20.72 3.96 28.00 2.08 0.95 1.48

CHANGE 0.04 0.19 0.11 0.10 0.97 0.18 1.25 0.09 0.04 0.06

Feb. ’14

July ’11

Feb ’14

MPR

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate

8.50%

9.50%

4.50%

5.50%

30.00%

Cash Return Rate

1.00%

2.00%

Inflation Rate

7.8%

7.9%

Deposit Rate

Liquidity Ratio

LOSERS AS AT 18-02-14

SYMBOL JOHNHOLT AIICO GNI SKYEBANK INTENEGINS WAPCO NPFMCRFBK STERLNBANK AIRSERVICE PRESCO

O/PRICE 1.33 0.89 0.67 3.40 0.74 109.45 0.76 2.29 2.58 41.58

C/PRICE 1.27 0.85 0.64 3.26 0.71 105.10 0.73 2.20 2.48 40.00

CHANGE -0.06 -0.04 -0.03 -0.14 -0.03 -4.35 -0.03 -0.09 -0.10 -1.58

6-2-14 N13.07tr 40,766.16

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

DISCOUNT WINDOWx

O/PRICE

NSE CAP Index

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 18-02-14

SYMBOL

400m

Date

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NIGERIA INTER OBB Rate Call Rate

N expert in the property market has described the real estate market as investors’ haven as the industry holds great potentials for operators in the country. Speaking on “Growing a diversified group of businesses” at an SME Forum, a weekly radio programme organised by Fidelity Bank, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Group of Companies, Ichie Nnaeto Orazulike said investors can make quick returns on their investment in the property business. He advised Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs) desirous of growing their businesses to make conscious efforts to tap into the huge property market in the country even as they plough back the excess funds into their business. “Naturally, as you grow your business and develop it, the best thing to do with the excess which the business didn’t absorb is to invest it in real estate,” he said. Orazulike, who veered into business immediately after his National Youth Service Programme (NYSC), essentially because he wanted to do something different said that the real estate is an investment he would advise every entrepreneur to take on. “Real Estate, as far as I am concerned is the best of value. It will grow over time, out last you and generations to come”. He advise operators to be smart, quick and articulate as the business requires people who have head for numbers and who are able to think on their feet. He, however, cautioned them to move into areas of potential high yields.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

ment partners. He said the private partnership arrangement has been adopted for the summit process over the years. This has yielded positive results. In particular, the introduction of that Transformation Agenda and the V20:2020 are living testimonies of this collaboration.

Fidelity promotes real estate investment

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012

7 Days

9.0417

30 Days

9.6667

Rate (Currency) Movement 6, Mar, 2012

Offer Price

Bid Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 0.72 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 172.15 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.10 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.72 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.72 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,617.65 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.83 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTEED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 0.78 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,856.44

0 171. 9 1. 1. 0. 0. 1. 1,613. 1,000.00 115. 100. 1. 1. 142. 0. 1,857.

• ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE OPEN BUY BACK

10.17% 11.46%

60 Days

11.2917

11.96%

150 Days

12.1250

12.54%

Bank P/Court

Current

04 July, 2012

07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS Robbers dismantle ATM at Ondo varsity

RMED robbers dismantled yesterday an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at a new generation bank inside Adekunle Ajasin University AkungbaAkoko (AAUA) campus, Ondo State and stole an undisclosed amount. It was learnt that the bandits carried out their operation between 1am and 3am at the ATM opposite Olusegun Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall. Sources said five gunmen, armed with two AK 47 rifles, entered the campus through a pedestrian gate at the southern part of the university. The Nation learnt that when the hoodlums got to where the ATM is located, they met two AAUA security guards and three sheriff deputies and tied them. It was gathered that the robbers entered the ATM room after breaking the door with electrical metal cutting tools. According to a source, the robbers attempted to dis-

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

mantle an ATM at one of the old generation banks. A student, who preferred anonymity, said: “We discovered that they attempted to open the ATM of an old generation bank when we got to the place this morning. “I think they could not dismantle the ATM because it was already dawn and they were afraid of being attacked by students.” The management of the university, led by Prof. Femi Mimiko, has visited the scene of the incident. Confirming the robbery, police spokesman Wole Ogodo said nobody has been arrested. He said the robbers succeeded at the new generation bank because there was no anti-robbery alarm, but failed at the old generation bank because it had a strong security door. According to him, police were making efforts to arrest the robbers.

•The dismantled ATM

Reps probe N300b power, aviation fund

OUSE of Representatives is concerned over the manner with which the N300billion Power and Aviation Intervention Fund (PAIF) is fast dwindling, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said yesterday. He said it was regrettable that the fund, established by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had shrunk from N300billion to N100billion. Tambuwal assured that the ad hoc committee on the disbursement of public funds by the Bank of Industry (BOI), mandated to find out how the fund was being disbursed, would do a thorough job. The Speaker noted that it was the responsibility of the legislature to ensure that the public funds were not subjected to waste or corruption. He said: “We will devote attention to situations where the actions of government or any of its agencies infringe on the constitution. By some accounts, the volume of this fund, which originally amounted to about N300billion, has dwindled to less than N100billion. “Officials claim that over N200billion has been disbursed through deposit money banks to certain individuals and corporate organisations without following due process. “You will agree with me that we have a serious issue here, which falls within the precincts of the constitutional mandate given to the

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi Abuja

National Assembly that revenues belonging to the federation must be paid into the consolidated revenue fund. Withdrawals therein shall only be carried out solely upon the authority of an Act of the National Assembly. “It is the mandate of the legislature to ensure that where funds are so authorised to be withdrawn, they are not subjected to waste, corruption, or inefficiency. Section 88 of the 1999 constitution makes it mandatory for the National Assembly to protect the interest of the citizens and the tax payers, with respect to the use of public funds.”

According to the Speaker, the National Assembly should not be ignored on its resolve to use the instrumentality of the constitution to correct the anomaly. “In this vein, we shall not hesitate to recommend appropriate sanctions where any such violation has been deemed to have occurred. However, we shall not pursue every rumour of misdeed or subject government officials to unnecessary harassment either,” he said. Yakubu Dogara, who chairs the ad hoc committee, said agitation from quarters that the disbursement of the fund did not follow due process, was responsible for the investigation. “In this process, special-

•Tambuwal

ised views and expert opinions are sought in a way that fully erases all time-inconsistencies as well as making-up for informed dynamics and complexities, which occur as a result of changing times,” he added.

Woman delivered of stone in Yola

25-YEAR OLD woman in a remote village of Yolde Pate in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa has been delivered of a sizable stone. Madam Amina Bello of Unguwar Jalo village, narrated her story at the opening ceremony of Vesico vaginal fistula (VVF) free medical treatment at the Yola Specialist Hospital. Bello, who was also a VVF patient, told the gathering that after four years pregnancy, she was delivered of a sizable stone last year. “I was carrying a pregnancy for four years, which I bitterly suffered because of the heavy weight of what was contained in the stomach. “It was last year around June, I started feeling labour and I was in that condition for three days and finally I was delivered of a stone,’’ Bello said. She said it was after the delivery she dis-

covered that she had VVF. Dr Sunday Lengmang, Director VVF Centre, Jos, confirmed that giving birth to a stone or any object was possible. Lengmang was in Yola to attend to the VVF patients for one week. “Stones and other solid objects can form in a human body in different cases. “Stones can form in a gall bladder, urinary bladder and other several parts of urinary tracks,’’ he said. The medical expert said why VVF patients were prone to giving birth to stones or any solid object was because they drank less water to reduce urine leakage. He said as a result of taking less water, their urine become concentrated. “Inside urine, there is salt, sodium and chlorine, and when the urine becomes concentrated, the salt is crystallised and finally forms itself and latter ends up as a stone,’’ he said.

NEWS (SHOWBIZ) Pregnancy rumour: Annie Idibia spits fire

Kunle Afolayan showcases Nigerian films in Athens

OLLYWOOD filmmaker Kunle Afolayan will join filmmakers from seven African countries as Nigeria’s representative at the Third African Film Week in Athens, Greece, next week. In a statement obtained by The Nation, he said: “This is to notify you that I have been nominated to represent our country, Nigeria, at the third edition of the African film festival in Athens, Greece, from February 20 to 24. The festival celebrates films from Africa and is put together by African embassies and high commissions in Greece. Each embassy brings films to represent its country and I am glad to tell you that our films, The Figurine (Araromire), Phone Swap and Orisa, a documentary from our stable, have been selected to represent the country.” Asked about his roles at the festival besides the screening fo his three works, Afolayan said: “I shall be there as the director and attend question-

By Victor Akande

and answer sessions.” According to the website of the film festival, the eight countries represented at the event this year are Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia. Tagged the Third African Film Week, the event, which is bankrolled by the embassies and consulates of African countries in Athens, will come under the Greek Film Archive project. It will hold at 48, Lera Odos Street (Kerameikos Metro station) free of charge. Maria Komninos, general secretary of the Board of Directors, Greek Film Archive, said “such events promote the multicultural dialogue that film archives aim to encourage.” He described Afolayan as a new generation Nigerian filmmaker, who studied Business Administration and embraced filmmaking, enrolling at the

•Kunle Afolayan

New York Film Academy. “His films have garnered international acclaim and featured at the London Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, New York African Film Festival as well as Cinema Africa International Film Festival in Japan,” said Komninos in his introduction of Afolayan on the festival brochure.

Di Ja joins Mavin Records

•Hadiza Bell

OMING on the heels of the departure of Wande Coal from Mavin Records, Founder and President of the label Michael Collins Ajereh, alias Don Jazzy, has signed on Hadiza Bell, alias Di Ja. Born of a Nigerian mother and a Sierra Leonean father, Di Ja, who was based in Canada, has been described as a pop singer, who infuses reggae and RnB into her music. She just released her first single,Yaro, under Mavin

By Adewoyin Adeniyi

Records. In 2009, she released her first effort, Rock Steady, which was nominated for the Best Urban/R&B Single at the 2009 Canadian Radio Music Awards. Di Ja, with a degree in Biology and Psychology, has joined Dr. SID, D’Prince and Tiwa Savage on the label. According to findings, more acts are likely to join the Mavin camp, as Don Jazzy will be unveiling two artistes soon.

Wande Coal, who had been with Mavin Records since its Mo Hits Records days, left the label, following alleged conflicting ambitions. The management said: “Over the last few months, Mavin Records has made moves to consolidate by pursuing a renewed ethos to raise quality and professionalism. Wande’s vision has not aligned with ours; and a few months ago, we agreed that a separation would be the best.”

EGGAE/POP artiste Tuface Idibia has denied rumours that he has impregnated a Lagosbased banker. Earlier in the week, a weekly tabloid reported that an Access Bank official is pregnant for the singer, a report which has left the artiste in a sour mood. The blog also reported that Tuface had pleaded with the lady to abort the pregnancy, promising to buy her a car. Though the artiste, on Monday, put up a series of tweets debunking the claim, his wife, Annie, appeared angrier at the particular blog, as she lashed out at the publishers. ‘Hope you have gotten all the traffic needed for your blog? There is no difference between you and the dumb Icon mag! Evil people trying to take the Suga out of our tea,’ she tweeted. Tuface, on the other hand, seemed to be taking it easy. “The world knows I’m an open book. If anything hap-

Annie

pens, na me go first tell una...” Until he got married to Annie last year, two ladies, Pero Adeniyi and Sumbo Ajaba, were in a fierce contest for the heart of the singer. At some point, both got pregnant with their second babies almost at the same time.

Benny Ark weds Ese Walters

OPULAR blogger Ese Walters, on February 15, bade goodbye to spinsterhood when she married to Cool FM’s Benny Ark in Abuja. Ese, who many describe as a controversial blogger, became popular last August when she published intimate details of her affair with Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, in an article entitled: My Affair with Pastor Biodun

Fatoyinbo of CommonWealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Abuja Her alleged affair with the pastor caused a ripple, particularly in the Christendom. Though she alleged that she was seduced by her pastor and admitted to having an affair with him, she said she was always pricked by her conscience whenever she sees the pastor preaching.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS Petrol scarcity hits Ekiti, Lagos From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti and Emeka Ugwuanyi

HERE is petrol scarcity in Ekiti and Lagos states. In Ekiti, consumers paid as high as N110 per litre. Early signals of the scarcity came late last week when most fuel stations shut their doors to customers. Marketers said: “The landing cost per litre has increased based on our experience at the depots where supply has been hampered.” Some buyers alleged that the stations had adjusted their pumps and had been dispensing less than the quantity paid for. A taxi driver, who identified himself as Adewale, said: “We have been facing underdispensing for a long time. Even when there is fuel, you don’t get correct quantity. What we are complaining about is that to get the product at normal prices is becoming the problem now.” Filling stations in Lagos yesterday went dry while the few that have fuel had long queues as motorists struggle to get manageable quantities that to use should the scarcity last longer than expected. A marketer who spoke to The Nation in confidence, said the cause of the scarcity is the non-allocation of fuel import permit for the first quarter of this year to marketers and no marketer wants to lose money as any importation that didn’t follow due process with approval of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), will not attract subsidy reimbursement.

Yewa Anglican Diocese gets bishop From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rev. Nicholas Okoh, installed yesterday Ven. Michael Adebayo Oluwarohunbi as the Bishop for the Anglican Church Diocese in Yewa, Ogun State. The ceremony took place at the Cathedral Church of St. James The Great in Oke-Bola, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Handing a pastoral staff to the new bishop, Primate Okoh urged him to “be a shepherd and not a wolf to the flock of Christ”. He said Ven. Oluwarohunbi was chosen by God and the people have affirmed their trust in him. Primate Okoh said: “A Bishop in God’s church is called to be one with the apostles to proclaim Christ’s resurrection, interpret the gospel and testify to Christ’s sovereignty as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. You are called to guard the faith, unity and discipline of the church to celebrate and provide for the administration of the sacraments of the new convenant, to ordain priests and deacons, to join in consecrating bishops, to be a faithful pastor and wholesome example to the flock of Christ.” Taking the oath of allegiance, Bishop Oluwarohunbi said: “I am not a member of any secret cult and will never join. I declare before God and his church that I have never been a homosexual/bisexual and I vow not to indulge in the practice of homosexuality/bi-sexuality.

PDP protesters call for Obuah’s sack

HERE is crisis in the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Hundreds of protesters are calling for the sack of the Chairman, Felix Obuah. The protesting PDP members were led by the Asari-Toru Local Government chairmanship aspirant, ‘General’ Soboma Jackrich, aka Egberipapa, a loyalist of the Supervising Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike and Tubotamuno Dick. The protesters, carrying placards, yesterday disrupted activities at the State secretariat on

From Bisi Olaniyi and Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt.

Aba Road, Port Harcourt. Wearing white T-shirts with inscription, Kengema Unity Forum (KUF), the protesters accused Obuah of poor performance and short-changing PDP members in Degema and Asari-Toru (Kalabari) local governments. Some of the placards read: “We are tired of Obuah”; “There‘s no peace in Rivers

PDP”; “Muazu, sack Obuah now”, “End must come to Obuah’s highhandedness”, “Obuah must go, now.” The aggrieved PDP members also insisted that the activities of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), which has Wike as the grand patron, must be separated from those of the PDP at the state level. The party’s Secretary, Ibibia Walter, while addressing the protesters, urged them to give peace a chance, while assuring that their grievances would be brought to Obuah’s attention.

The KUF members said they had been in existence in Kalabari land long before GDI was formed and wondered why Obuah would neglect them and focus on “GDI, which is just a new body and it is not known.” Dick said they came to Port Harcourt with the intention of carrying out “Operation Occupy PDP Secretariat” and that is why they came with their food and drinks. “But since the state executive has listened to us, we are leaving the place now.”

•From left: Governor Amaechi, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; wife Of the governor, Dame Judith and Commissioner For Health, Dr Samson Parker, at the inauguration of Kelsey Harrison Hospital at Emenike, Port Harcourt...yesterday

Obasanjo abandons chopper in Rivers

HERE was a tinge of drama yesterday, the second day of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s visit to Rivers State.Obasanjo and his host, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, in the last minute drove for one and a half hours from Port Harcourt to Buguma, the headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government, where he went to inspect a fish farm built by the Amaechi administration. He avoided the chopper prepared for the trip. At a point during the trip, Amaechi drove the four-wheel vehicle in which Obasanjo was travelling. Obasanjo insisted that he remained a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite honouring Amaechi’s invitation to inaugurate projects. The Rivers State governor belongs to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).Amaechi, it was learnt, reached out to the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government, Ojukaye Flag Amachree, on Monday night,

•Ex-President: I’m a card-carrying member of PDP From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

urging him to make the sandfilled road to the fish farm good. Toyota Hilux vans were provided to take the team down. It was not clear why there was a sudden change in plan. “Prior to getting the new information from Amachree, we had prepared a helipad near the Buguma Fish Farm, where ex-President Obasanjo’s helicopter would have landed, but it turned out to be a wasted effort,” a source said.Security was very tight at the Buguma fish farm, with fully-armed soldiers, operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) and policemen at strategic points to prevent any incident. The ex-President inaugurated more projects yesterday before heading for the Buguma fish farm about 3:10 pm. He spoke to reporters at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, before depart-

ing in a white private jet marked G-SENT. The inaugurated projects included Numbers 1, 2 and 5 Fields in the old Port Harcourt township, popularly called Town; St. Andrew Primary School, Mile One, Diobu; the Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Mile One, Diobu and the reconstructed and dualised Olu Obasanjo Road in Port Harcourt. While the monorail project was also inspected at the UTC Junction on Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt. The former President said: “I am a card-carrying member of the PDP.” On the 2015 elections, he said: “For me, I do not look that far. This is not a question for now.”Ex-President Obasanjo, commenting on the much-criticised monorail project of the Amaechi administration, said: “Any good thing that you are doing and there is no opposition, try and take a second look at it. “The only state, which can do that (monorail)

Party sues INEC for N500m over ‘name confusion’

HE Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly registering another political party with the word “Mega” in its name. MPPP said INEC, prior to the 2011 general election election, registered the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), and thereby caused confusion among voters. It is, therefore, seeking N500million “being general

By Joseph Jibueze

damages against the defendant (INEC) for registering the name Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), thereby causing confusion and unquantifiable loss in time and money to the plaintiff.” MPPP said INEC should not have registered SDMP because the name or acronym of an association seeking registration must not be the same as that of an existing party or association. INEC later changed the new party’s name by removing the word “Mega”, as it is now

known as the Social Democratic Party. But MPPP, through its lawyer Daniel Aghadigbo is contending that the commission made the correction after the 2011 elections when the damage had already been done. The lawyer told Justice Saliu Saidu that his client tried to reach INEC for an out-of-court settlement without success. “This matter was fixed for report of settlement. We tried to reach the defendant, but they have shown that they are not willing to settle,” he said.

now, with the power (electricity) that you have, is Rivers. With what we inaugurated yesterday (Monday), Rivers State will be generating well over 700 megawatts of electricity and he (Amaechi) can dedicate 20 to 25 megawatts to the monorail. There is no other state that can do that now.”

Fayose opposes consensus candidate •Ekiti PDP aspirants meet Mu’azu tomorrow From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

ORMER Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has kicked against alleged plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to adopt a consensus candidate for the June 21 election. The PDP has fixed March 15 for its primary election. It has six aspirants. They are to meet with the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, in Abuja tomorrow to perfect arrangements for the emergence of a consensus candidate. One of the aspirants, Dr. Abiodun Aluko, in a telephone conversation with reporters yesterday, confirmed the meeting and decision to adopt a consensus candidate. Aluko said: “The idea of a consensus candidate came up in our meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan. The president said it would be better if we adopt a consensus candidate. He said allowing all aspirants to contest the primary election would create a wide gap among us.” But Fayose, a PDP governorship aspirant, kicked against the consensus option, saying it contradicts the open and transparent primary election that was canvassed by the party’s national leadership. Speaking with reporters in Abuja yesterday, he said Mu’azu made it clear when he assumed office that candidates for elections must emerge through open and transparent primaries, adding: “So, to turn around to say that there would be no primary election in Ekiti State to elect the governorship candidate is against what the national chairman is preaching. “You also know that the Electoral Act guarantees a primary election at all stages and I do not know how these people will convince the National Working Committee (NWC), which has slated March 15 for the governorship primary.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

NEWS

Let’s battle Boko Haram now, says Gowon

Continued from page 1

capital of Borno State – the epicentre of the Boko Haram activities. The Presidency slammed Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima for declaring on Monday that the Army lacks the capacity to combat the sect’s members. Gen. Gowon expressed concern about the growing hype of ethnic nationalism and ethno-religious activism. Gowon spoke as Vice President Sambo said the nation would need about 2.9 trillion dollars to address its infrastructural needs within the next 30 years. The former Head of State said there was the need for all Nigerians “to come together and unleash their synergy against the security challenges and other national malaise, be it Boko Haram, ethno-religious crisis, kidnapping, militant activism, armed robbery or piracy or any other such act that disrupt the peace and harmony and threatens the economic and social development of the country. “We believe the situation is not beyond redemption and so, should not be allowed to set a national agenda of reconsideration of our unity and nationhood. “Freedom brought about by democracy… is expected to thrive on a tripod of: foundation of liberty, justice and common decency. That is why it is said that democracy is rather a contest of ideas and reasons and not contest for survival where politicians take it out violently among themselves in the name of democracy. Only Liberty, justice and common decency are true elements of democracy,” he said. Gen. Gowon urged politicians not to resort to violence

in the name of freedom that comes with democracy. You will agree with me in saying that although Nigeria may be going through hard times, political, economic and social, we have a resilience to tackle it successfully. “The different times should spur national grandeur, bring about good leadership and the best in every one of us, instead of the current hype in ethnic nationalism and religious bigotry that seek to promote cleavages that is self destructive. It is very important to note that no nation thrive on the victory of factions, but through ultimate reconciliation”. He frowned at the emergence of different elders’ groups in the north, noting that the ACF was built on the

promise of an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peaceful coexistence in the north and in the context of one united Nigeria. He said “I am compelled to mention this because the ACF emerged through the coming together of northern elders for the expressed purpose of promoting peaceful coexistence in the north as precondition for socio-economic development of the north and that of Nigeria. “We do not share in the reason being advanced in favour of proliferation of elders groups that ACF is not politically active. It is important to note that while ACF may not be politically partisan for obvious reasons, many of the forum’s members belong to different political parties. Sambo said the nation

needs an average infrastructure spending of 25 billion dollars between 2014 and 2018 as against the current spending of 9-10 billion dollars. The leadership of the ACF is made up of the following: Board of Trustees Chairman-Adamu Fika, Deputy Chairman- AVM Muhktar Mohammed (rtd), Vice Chairman-Prof. Para Mallum National Working Committee: Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie-Chairman, Musa Liman Kwande-Deputy Chairman, Senator Abubaklar Girei-Vice Chairman, Col. John Paul Uba-Secretary General, Barrister Halima AlfaNational Legal Adviser, Abubakar Husaini MorikiNational Treasurer, Muhammed Ibrahim Biu-Na-

tional Publicity Secretary, Ahmad Bawa-National Financial Secretary, Baba Sule Bissala National Auditor, Abubakar Gambo UmarDeputy Secretary General, Hajia Fatima Kwaku-Deputy National Legal Adviser, Murtala Usman AliyuDeputy National Treasurer, Hajia Amina Ladan BakiDeputy National Publicity Secretary, Hajia Laraba Dattijo Deputy National Financial Secretary, Mohammed Hassan Fawu-National Deputy Auditor, Mohammed Tanko Soba- Assistant Secretary General, Bashir AlbasuAssistant National Legal Adviser, Sale Gacha Bade-Assistant National Treasurer, Adebayo Abubakar-Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Ado Datti Assistant National Financial Secretary and Navy Capt Hamidu Usman Jefeji.

Continued from page 4

killed and 80 houses were razed, and 150 cattle taken away. “A total of about 120 places of worship (churches and mosques) were destroyed by the gunmen between December 2013 to February, 2014.” While Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno), said the insurgents appeared more equipped than the security men handling the crisis, Titsi Ganama (PDP, Adamawa) appealed to the government to, as a matter of urgency, tackle insurgency as it was getting out of hand. The lawmakers, as part of their resolution, urged the Federal Government to liaise with the governments of

Chad, Niger Republic and Cameroon with a view of discussing ways on how to tackle the activities of the insurgents around border areas. While commiserating with the people and government of Borno State over the killings, the House also called on the Nigerian military to provide additional personnel to strategic areas in some parts of the villages affected so that security could be strengthened in the areas. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was also advised to urgently provide relief materials to the affected victims.

flayed the secrecy engulfing the subsidy of kerosene. Tambuwal, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, said despite the fact that the government has spent about N1 trillion to subsidise the product, kerosene was still beyond the reach of Nigerians. He said: “This is just unacceptable and certainly not in the best interest of our people. It is important to note that the country has spent at least one trillion naira over the past four years to subsidise kerosene, yet the product is neither available nor is it sold at the official NNPC pump price whenever it is found and wherever. “Things are not helped by the fact that nobody has been able to tell us what our kerosene consumption volume is per annum. This attitude by government officials who continue to treat the issue of kerosene consumption volume as if it were a national secret is quite deplorable. Transparency and accountability are things that we should by now take for granted in 21st Century democratic Nigeria. “Moreover, the people, who are the only true justification for spending such huge subsidies on kerosene, have in no way benefited from the arrangement. Curiously, since there were no budgetary provisions for subsidy on kerosene, the people of Nigeria will obviously be interested in knowing the source of funding of kerosene subsidy and on whose authority such monies were appropriated. “These and several other issues warrant a full scale investigation into the mysteries surrounding the subsidy so that we can at last unravel the truth. Nigerians need to know to what extent kerosene subsidy is actually serving their vital interest.” The House has also adopted the recommendations of the report of an ad hoc committee that investigated the deal between Malabu Oil Limited and the Federal Government. The recommendations contained were adopted despite the observation of Rep Simon Arabo (PDP, Kaduna) who condemned the contents of the report. Arabo noted that the recommendations contained in the report were unconstitutional and out of the mandate given to the committee. He cited sections 4 and 6 of the constitution, stating that the report arrogated the role of the judiciary to the National Assembly. “This report is an embarrassment to this House. It’s unconstitutional for us to have such a report. We’re not part of the judiciary; so, we can’t play their role,” he said. The report was adopted as majority voted in its support.

•Says Boko Haram not better armed than military

Kashim Shettima that the insurgents are better armed than our military is based purely on a civilian perception of the situation at hand. “It is clear that Governor Shettima does not have the expertise to categorize or classify the effectiveness of any weapon. “We state categorically that the Nigerian military is one of the best equipped in Africa and that in 2014, the Federal Government made budgetary provision in excess of N1 trillion for the

military and other security agencies, an amount, which is about 22 percent of our entire national budget for this year. “This definitely belies the suggestion in certain quarters that the Federal Government is not doing the needful in prosecuting this war” The President’s publicist also disagreed with the opinion in certain quarters that the morale of the military is low and that there is lack of motivation for members of the Armed Forces.

•Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (second right), receiving the Managing Director, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Mr George Nassar to his office while the Commissioner for Commerce, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru (left) and the Director, Government Relations, P & G, Mrs. Temitope Iluyemi (right) look on when the management of P & G visited the governor in his office at OkeMosan, Abeokuta ... yesterday.

Terrorism: Reps want Army HQ relocated to Maiduguri

F the House of Representatives members have their way, the headquarters of the Army should relocate from Abuja to Maiduguri to fast track the battle against Boko Haram. According to the lawmakers, the relocation would enable the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Maj. Gen. Kenneth Minimah to be acquainted with the reality on ground. The COAS would also be able to devise more effective means of tackling the insurgency, the lawmakers said. The decision followed the adoption of a motion by Peter Guntha (APC, Borno), who painted a grim situation in Borno State.

NNPC explains position

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

He said apart from the people and the soldiers killed in Izge village, many others died in Gavva West and East local government, while 150 houses were burnt. He said: “In Zalidva village, Sabon Gari, 14 people were killed, while 30 houses were destroyed previously. In Ngoshe town, 46 people were killed, while 30 houses were razed down; seven people were killed in Hambaged and about 140 cattle were taken away. “In Chinene village, seven people were killed and also Krawa town, 20 people were

slaughtered and 20 shops razed down. Emir of Gwoza’s house at Jaje village was razed with property and food stuffs worth millions of naira destroyed. Several houses in Juba village and places of worship were razed down with property worth millions of naira destroyed. “10 people were also killed in Wala ‘A’ and three people in Wala ‘B’, while many cattle were taken away during an attack in the two villages. “In Ndufa village, six deaths were recorded and 120 cattle taken away, while in Pulka town one person was killed and eight people were abducted. In Ngoshe Sama village, 18 people were

Presidency faults Borno Governor Shettima on Boko Haram

HE Presidency yesterday faulted Monday’s comments by Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima that the Boko Haram insurgents are better armed that the military. The Presidency also dismissed the Governor’s position that the country is at war, saying what the country is experiencing is a guerrilla warfare from the insurgents. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyen Okupe, re-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

porters in Abuja that it’s wrong for anyone to say that the military cannot defeat the Boko Haram insurgents. Governor Shetiima spoke against the backdrop of the incessant killing of innocent and unarmed villagers by the sect members in various settlements in Borno State. No fewer than 200 have been killed within the last few

days. Okupe said: “We are certainly not involved in conventional warfare but are rather engaged in guerrilla warfare with all its unpredictability. “However, it is heartwarming that our military, which has participated in numerous international peace keeping operations where they helped to quell insurgencies, has acquired the sophistica-

tion and necessary capacity to adapt to the ever changing modus operandi of the insurgents. “It is therefore wrong for anyone, Nigerian or foreigner, to assert that our armed forces cannot defeat the Boko Haram insurgents or to insinuate that the insurgents are better armed. “We believe strongly that the statement made by the Borno State Governor, Alhaji

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

DISCOURSE

Text of the speech by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola at the launch of the Lagos Homs Ownership Scheme on February 3.

welcome you all our distinguished guests to this occasion very warmly and with a lot of pride. I am proud because this occasion affords me the opportunity to deliver on a promise made on behalf of our Party during the electioneering campaign. I am proud because many years of grueling work, long hours and devotion by our team can now set us on a course that takes us closer to our desired prosperity. I crave your indulgence to bear with me today because I may speak for a longer period of time than you are accustomed to. The reason is that I will need to explain the details of our Lagos Homs Scheme which is why we are all here. I said Lagos Homs because that is what we decided to do. To provide people with a home instead of a house. The difference is significant and I need to explain our view of these differences. For many years, our people have had to acquire houses; often times being required to pay cash once and for all, as if they were buying a shirt or a pair of shoes in a shop. This approach in part explains the reason why a large number of ordinary middle class and working people cannot afford to acquire homes on the basis of the their legitimate income derived from hard work that rewards the dignity of their labour. In Lagos State, we have taken the view that a home is not something you buy in one day but over time, in a way that your ability to acquire it is tied to your income and continued prosperity. Our view of a home is that it is something you pay for gradually and it is a place of safety, well built, safe and sound, to protect you and your family from the hazards of nature such as rain and heat; a place that will not flood or suddenly collapse. An asset that outlives you. These and more are the ideals that have inspired the event that we are gathered to start today; the Lagos Homs. Lagos Homs is the acronym we have created from the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme. It is a process by which Lagosians will be given a fair and transparent opportunity to pay for their homes over a period of not less than 10 years under a mortgage scheme. Today as we flag off this Scheme there are 1,104 (One Thousand, One Hundred and Four) completed homes while another 3,156 (Three Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Six units are various stages of construction, and we intend to start more. We are starting 132 (One Hundred and Thirty Two) units in Iponri, 720 (Seven Hundred and Twenty) units in Ibeshe Ikorodu, 420 (Four Hundred and Twenty) units in Ajara Badagry, 648 (Six Hundred and Forty Eight) units in Sangotedo Phase II, 216 (Two Hundred and Sixteen) units in Obele, 36 (Thirty Six) units in Akerele Phase II, 48 (Forty Eight) units in Oyingbo, 1254 (One Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Four) units in Ilubirin and 1080 units in Ijora Badia. The easiest thing to do would have been to simply sell all the houses today, collect the cash and wait for the next batch and do the same; but this is not our way. That is the simplistic way that does not solve the problem of housing. For us, sustainability is the key and I have personally benefitted from previous initiatives by my esteemed predecessors in this regard. I am happy that we took the decision to confront this problem and I hope that the solution we offer today will be the long term solution. Part of the pride I have about this project is that we have not had to borrow money to fund any of these housing units. Our progress so far is the result of rigorous planning and financial discipline, savings and commitment. These projects have been fully funded from the taxes that our people have paid as monthly internally generated revenue (IGR). About 3 years ago, when we took the view that the Lagos State Ministry of Housing on its own cannot deliver all the houses that Lagosians require without the active

support and participation of private sector developers, this Scheme was born in my mind. The next hurdle was how to deliver it. We started saving N200million monthly, whether the internally generated revenue increased or decreased; and today, we are now saving N500million monthly, and it is possible to increase this as more people pay their taxes. The role of the Ministry of Housing will increasingly be that of a regulatory one, facilitating private sector housing development and enforcing housing regulations, leading research into systems building and cost saving initiatives that increase the affordability of homes and the speed of construction. Our ultimate plan is to be the guaranteed purchasers to developers who will acquire their own land, build to our specification and to our agreed prices. This way, many more houses can come on stream because of private sector participation, and Government will use the IGR from tax payers money to buy from the developers and sell to the citizens on a 10 year mortgage payment. When I signed the Landlord and Tenant Bill into law, I explained that it was the beginning of a housing plan for Lagos. Many commentators who either did not listen to me or did not understand me reasoned that I should have provided houses first. The truth is that are empty houses. People simply cannot afford them. While the Tenancy Law represents our moral intervention to protect citizens who earn monthly income from landlords who demand multiple year advance payments, the Lagos Homs represents our leadership intervention to increase the stock of affordable housing on convenient payment terms. After experimenting with a few designs of bungalows, room and parlour and block of flats, we have settled on two designs. A block of four floors, containing 12 flats of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom on each floor and a block of 12 flats of two units of 2 (two) bedroom flats; and 1 (one) unit of a 3 (three) bedroom flat. In each case, each block will have 12 flats and in this way we can optimize the use of our limited land space. We are still working on a design of a block of 18 flats with lifts while we are looking for ways to power the lifts without increasing the cost unreasonably. We have also taken pains to design the flats such that they have more space than most of what is available in the open market. For example, our one bedroom flat is 60.22 square meters while the 2 bedroom is 75.79 square meters and the 3 bedroom is 123.88 square meters. They all contain more living area than many of the standard 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms in the market, which are ordinarily available to middle and low income bracket people who are out target under this project. In terms of pricing, our policy is about affordability and accessibility. his is so because we have not yet found cheap or low cost cement, neither have we found low cost iron rod or low cost labour. The continuity and sustainability of the entire project depends on our ability to build more at break even cost without profit, in a market where there is increasing inflation; fluctuating exchange and interest rates and a high dependence on housing inputs that are imported and priced in US Dollars against a struggling local currency. Accordingly, we have applied an across the board discount of 25% to the total actual cost of land, infrastructure and building which is the total cost of the home. The homes become more competitive against what is available on the open market because there is a minimum period of 10 years to pay for it and the mortgage payment will attract a maximum interest of 9.5% per annum. There is no other payment plan superior to this in the country today and this is our starting point, from where we hope to get better. Indeed I have commissioned a study on the total number of mortgage loans in

the portfolio of all banks in our country and the result is that there are approximately 200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand) mortgages for a population of about 160 million people. The lowest interest rates are about 11% while there are higher regions of 25% or above. Similarly, there are tenures of repayment as little as 4 years to as long as 30 years, but none of them is as low as 9.5%, which is our maximum interest payment. Therefore at the very start we have established a capacity to out strip what exists by way of mortgage funding in the open market. I can only guess at this time that many of you will be asking the question, how do I qualify to become a home owner? My response is that after about 27 meetings, spanning over 3 years, many debates and disagreements, we have resolved that this project will only be for first time home owners. In other words, only those who have never owned a home whether acquired privately or brought from Government, will be eligible. o applicants will be required to swear an affidavit to this effect, which is already part of the documents we have prepared, within a contract that entitles us to re-possess the house anytime, even in the tenth year, if we have we intend to vigorously enforce this policy and others that I will now announce. In addition, only Lagos residents who are tax payers will benefit. For our people, we have taken the definition of Residency applicable in the Tax Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is a continuous period of residency for a minimum period of 180 days, or about 6 months, irrespective of where your original roots are. It will help applicants if they are able to show us their residency card under Lagos State Residents Registration exercise which is meant to register people who live in Lagos. The application forms have been designed to demand this information. Apart from residency, applicants must show proof of payment of tax for a continuous period of 5 years preceding their application. This must be so because, as I said all these houses have been built from taxes paid by our residents, and it seems to us only fair that those whose taxes paid for it must get the first opportunity to benefit. While we welcome payment of tax arrears from those who owe it, I must say that we have resolved that it will not entitle such a person to qualify. He must wait and be a good citizen. We also expect successful applicants to immediately pay a deposit of 30% of the house they choose as their equity which is global best practice, while the balance will be paid on a monthly basis over 10 years. Accordingly, we will match house choices to applicants’ proven income sources to determine eligibility and it is only eligible applicants, whose forms will go into the ballot from which successful applicants will be picked. We already have trained mortgage counselors to deal with this process. In the first instances, we intend to allot 200 homes per month, and increase that number to 300 per month and beyond, as the number of completed homes increases and sustainability is guaranteed. Accordingly, from the 4th of March when the first draws will hold in public for the first 200 homes, I expect that subject to the ability of our contractors to keep building quickly and qualitatively and that all things being equal, there should be a minimum of 200 new home owners in Lagos every month even beyond my tenure of office, with a capacity to increase the monthly number until we strike a decisive blow at the housing deficit in Lagos. In order to help us manage the flood of applications, let me advise applicants to only bid for houses in the areas where they are prepared to live and not for eve-

‘The future is now here’

So applicants will be required to swear an affidavit to this effect, which is already part of the documents we have prepared, within a contract that entitles us to re-possess the house anytime, even in the tenth year...

ry house that is put on the market. We will not allow any successful applicant to rent out the houses. If you do not live in the house that you win, you will have violated our first home owner rule and it is a ground to re-possess the house, pay you off and offer it to those who really need a home. As I said, we are building across Lagos and we will all do well to wait for a home to be advertised where we want to live or close to it. For example, if you wish to live on the Island, or in Surulere, you can bid for a home in Oyingbo, but certainly not one in Ikorodu with a view to renting it out. We will only allow you to rent it out after 10 (ten) years when you have fully paid for the house. Let me add that prompt payment of monthly mortgages will be rigorously enforced because we have seen that default of payment and difficulty of re-possessing houses from defaulters has been a major disincentive to investment in the property sector, by the private sector developers, whose participation in housing development is critical to our ability to increase the supply of homes. We have therefore resolved to quicken recovery by using Arbitration Rules which have been drafted into the contract of sale and the mortgage agreement and the arbitration proceedings are expected to be completed in 21 days. We hope that we will receive the full co-operation from home owners, lawyers and judges who must refrain from seeking and granting injunctions to mortgagors who are in default, and submit to arbitration. As for the application process itself, we have heard the fears of genuinely concerned citizens about the transparency of the process and we are not unaware of the dismissive conclusion of the cynics that we have pre-sold the houses to ourselves. We have listened to all well intentioned concerns and our response is that we intend to make the process transparent, subject to the rules I have stated and the luck of the applicants at the monthly ballot. Accordingly, we have opened a website, www.lagoshoms.gov.ng where all the FORMS can be downloaded and all the housing projects are displayed with their prices, floor plan, drawings, videos of the interior and exterior and a mortgage calculator to help applicants calculate their equity contribution and their monthly mortgage payments. What the website has presently: Download application form Dowload full application pack Apply online Search for properties, floor plan and prices Track your application Calculate your mortgage payments Check everything about Lagos Homs – Information sheet, draw rules, eligibility criteria, latest news, FAQs etc Some pictures and video Therefore, the only time applicants will come into contact with our staff is when those who cannot complete it online come to submit their completed forms and are taken through mortgage counseling by our Lagos Mortgage Board. istinguished ladies and gentlemen, this is the outline of the work we have done behind the scenes to bring us to this day. It is not finished, and we remain flex-

•Fashola

ible to review the process and make modifications as you engage with the Scheme. We also anticipate that you will have questions that my speech may not cover and we have designed and printed copies of answers to what we think will be frequently asked questions, in English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Egun. We intend to update the range of answers as we get feedback from you. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in the process of building these houses, we have created jobs on various construction sites that have benefited 134 (One Hundred and Thirty Four) construction companies, 459 (Four Hundred and Fifty Nine) sub-contractors employing over 1,168 (One Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Eight) persons, 7 (Seven) consultancy companies, 5,442 (Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty Two), suppliers, artisans, labourers, and numerous citizens who are employed in the supply chain of sand, gravel, wood and fittings, as well as food vendors and transports. We see the possibility for many more as we increase construction. The LagosHoms is not about providing a home alone. It is also about a total lifestyle change. We are moving our people from a desperation for shelter, to an orderly and planned living. Because it is a mortgage driven scheme we expect that people will take their jobs more seriously and apply themselves more diligently in order to retain the ability to pay the mortgage. In the normal course of things, you are only likely to lose your home if you lose your job. And you are only likely to lose your job if you misconduct yourself on your job. Our Contributory Pension Scheme in Lagos has been perhaps the most well funded in the country. We hope that amendments to the national legislation will be sensitive to home ownership and will open a window for employees to secure their homes with some of their pension benefits in the event of retirement before full liquidation of their mortgages. We therefore expect to see not only increased productivity which will benefit our economy at large, but we also expect to see a progressive reduction of unethical conduct in the work place. I will now conclude by thanking all of the members of the LagosHoms Committee within and outside Government who have served with me to bring us to this day. Mr. Olasupo Shasore SAN, Mr. ’Dele Onabokun, Mr. Ben Akabueze, Mr. Ade Ipaye, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, Mr. Bosun Jeje, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, Mr. Jimoh Ajao, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Mr. Sonnie Ayere, Mrs. Felicia Awofisayo, Arc. (Mrs) Y.O.A Ajayi, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Mr. Kunle Awofeso, Alhaji S. A. Yusuf, Mr. Taofeek Oki, Mr. Tunde Jinadu, Mrs. Tayo Gbajabiamila-Olomona, Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, Ms. Shola Shasore, Mr. Bayowa Foresythe, Mr. Kodjo Sagoe, Mrs. Mobola Fashola, Mrs. Wande Adeniyi-Williams, Mr. Bello Salihu, Dr. Yemi Isiba, Ms. Iyabode Oshodi, Mrs. ’Keji Onabolu. It seems to me that the future is now here. To the glory of God, towards a new home ownership culture and a new work ethic that secures the future through hard work, I inaugurate the LagosHoms website which opens the door today for applicants within the next few days for the first 200 (Two Hundred) homes that we are making available with the draw holding on 4th of March 2014.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

DISCOURSE

N 16th February in Izge village, Borno State, Boko Haram killed 90 innocent Nigerians. They killed 10 innocent Nigerians the day before on the 15th February in Baga village which is also in Borno State. On 12th February 2014 in Borno State they killed 60 innocent Nigerians and carted off 24 young girls without any trace. On January 27th 2014, no less than 70 innocent Nigerians were murdered in cold blood again by Boko Haram in a series of attacks in Borno and Adamawa states. On January 14th 2014, at least 50 innocent Nigerians were blown to pieces by a Boko Haram suicide bomber in the heart of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Not too long before then, they attacked an army barracks in Borno, killed 200 soldiers, carted off the wives and children of our military personnel and burnt the barracks to the ground. A few weeks prior to that, numerous schools were attacked and hundreds of our children were either shot to death, hacked to pieces or had their throats cut and blood drained. Consequently, many schools have been closed down in Borno and Yobe states respectively. A few weeks back, no less than 160 of our soldiers were killed by Boko Haram in one skirmish simply because they ran out of bullets. Worst still, it has been generally acknowleged that the Boko Haram fighters are better equipped and better supplied than our soldiers. Goodness me....what a mess. Finally, no less than 130 churches were burnt down in Borno State in 2013 alone and the Catholic Church alone lost 53 churches out of that figure. All in all, Nigeria has lost almost 8000 innocent civilians to Boko Haram in the last three years and that includes women and children. It does not however include the vast number of women that have been captured and kidnapped by them and that are now being used as sex-slaves. All this and yet some complain about the fact that I recently wrote that we have a ‘’President without balls’’ who is simply incapable of facing the

Boko Haram, Jonathan and a nation without empathy By Femi Fani-Kayode

•Chief Fani-Kayode

challenge of Boko Haram. Given his accursed weakness in the face of what is undoubtedly the greatest insurgency and rebellion of our time since the civil war and given his inability to behave like a real Commander-in-Chief and to properly engage and crush the enemy, I do not regret my choice of words (or title) for that celebrated essay. As a matter of fact I ought to have gone much further. As I wrote in another contribution almost one month ago, ‘’the problem that we have is the President himselfa President who prides himself on his own weakness and incompetence. A President who is as confused and as clueless as the comic character called Chancey Gardner in the celebrated 1970’s Peter Seller’s Hollywood blockbuster titled: ‘’Being There’’. A President who does not understand the meaning of the word ‘’class’’. A President who has abdicated his responsibilities, destroyed his own political party, divided his own country, alienated his own friends, humiliated his own mentor, abandoned his own people, brought ridicule to his own faith, cowers before his own officials, betrays his own governors, scorns his own allies and breaks his solemn oath to protect and defend the Nigerian people. He is the problem we have in our country today and until he resigns or he is voted out

of power, nothing will change and Nigeria will continue to go from bad to worse. That is what you get when you vote for a man who never wore shoes to school’- (‘JONATHAN, TUKUR AND A GOVERNMENT OF JEZEBELS’, Premium Times, 19th January, 2014). Under this administration, Nigeria has been turned into one of the most blood-soaked and blood-drenched nations in the world where lawlessness and terrorism holds sway and where human blood is the currency. It is no wonder that President Goodluck Jonathan has been endorsed for a second term by a motely and hitherto unknown group known as the ‘’Witches and Wizards Association of Nigeria’’. As my good friend and brother and the Kakaki Nupe, Mr. Sam Nda Isaiah, recently wrote in response to this rather strange ‘’endorsement’’ from an equally strange group- ‘’the devil is a liar’’. Each time a precious soul is snuffed out and a life is cut short by Boko Haram, whether that person be a christian or a muslim, or a northerner or a southerner, it takes something away from our collective humanity and it wounds our nation’s soul. Worse still, it diminishes us before the entire world and confirms the fact that our country has been turned into a human abbatoir and slaughterhouse where, no matter how many innocents are butchered, no-one really cares anymore. Such matters no longer even make it to the front pages of our newspapers anymore and neither do our politicians or newspaper columnists even talk or write about it anymore. All that stopped long ago and now we see such atrocities as a norm that we must just accept and live with. We have accepted

it as our ‘’lot in life’’ and, as our President said last year, we regard it simply as ‘’Nigeria’s contribution to the war against terror’’. Early in 2013, our President also said that he regarded Boko Haram as his ‘’siblings’’ whom he ‘’could not move against’’ whilst Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the erstwhile National Chairman of his political party the PDP, described them as ‘’freedom fighters’’. Can you imagine that? These are commendations from Mr. President and the then serving National Chairman of the PDP for Boko Haram barely one year ago. Jumping Jehoshaphat. It is only in Nigeria that a terrorist organisation can kill thousands of it’s citizens in the most brutal, violent and horrendous manner and yet the President and the National Chairman of the ruling party still feel comfortable and safe with calling them their ‘’siblings’’ and ‘’freedom fighters’’. What a terrible insult this is on the Nigerian people and what a bitter pill to swallow for the family members of all those that have been killed in the last three years by these terrorists. I really do wonder whose ‘’freedom’’ Boko Haram is fighting for, whose interest they seek to further and protect and what blood ties exist between them and our President. What a shameful and insensitive set of leaders we have and what an indolent and insensitive followership who are not prepared to call them to order and keep them on their toes when they make such outrageous comments and who have absolutely no empathy with or sympathy for the many victims of Boko Haram. The truth is that we as a people have lost all sense of compassion and decency when it comes to such matters and our feelings and conciences have become seared. To the majority of

Nigerians those precious souls and compatriots that have been killed by Boko Haram over the last three years are just a number- they are nothing but distant names, from a distant place, belonging to distant figures. There is simply no sense of national outrage from our people about this insidious rebellion and about these brutal killings and vicious attacks and neither is there any sense of urgency on the part of our government to bring it to an end. Given the way we conduct ourselves one would not have thought that Nigeria is currently enmeshed in the most brutal war against terror in it’s entire history. Yet as we go on with our day to day business and act as if all is well, thousands are being killed in the north-eastern part of our country by Boko Haram. There can be no greater evidence of man’s inhumanity to man when one considers our attitude. Such inhumanity and insensitivity to the plight of others has taken firm root in the Nigeria of today. What a monemental tragedy this is. When did we, as a people, degenerate to this abysmal level of lack of empathy and when did we stop becoming our brother’s keeper? As millions of Nigerians joined the rest of the world to celebrate Valentines Day last week, I hope that they found it in their hearts to spare a thought and say a little prayer for those whose loved ones were not with them on that day, or indeed on any other day, simply because they had been murdered or kidnapped by Boko Haram. May God heal their wounds and have mercy on them even as we grieve with them. And may God forgive our President and the majority of the Nigerian people for simply ‘’not giving a damn’’ about their sad and unfortunate plight.

•From left: Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Oyo State chapter, Alhaji Olayinka Taiwo receiving the letter of intent from a governorship aspirant Mr Femi Babalola and his wife Peju at the PDP office in Ibadan... at the weekend. •Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke (right) explaining some points to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (middle); Deputy Leader, Hon Leo Ogor, Hon Owan Eno and Hon Bassey Ewa during inspection of work at the multi-billion naira Calabar Int’l Convention Centre... at the weekend.

•Managing Director of Zenon Laboratories, makers of So-Fine Cosmetics, Mr Gabriel Edeoghon (left) presenting a car to Mr Charles Isintume (second left) of Pico Investments, Aba as the Distributor of the year 2013 in Lagos. With them is Edeogbon’s wife Melvin and Zenon’s Director of Operations John Edeoghan. PHOTO: NNEKA NWANERI

•Head, Administration and Human Resources, Fort Oil Plc, Mr Oludare Arinde (left); Executive Director/GCEO, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa and Fort Oil Ambassador Tiwa Sawage at the relaunching of Super Visco Static oil at Ladipo, Mushin, Lagos. PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS Fourth person dies in Venezuela unrest

STUDENT protester died in eastern Venezuela after being hit by a vehicle. This is the fourth fatality during political unrest over the past week, Reuters reported. Residents and opposition activists said on Tuesday that the 17-year-old student was struck by a vehicle during a demonstration late on Monday in the coastal town of Carupano in Sucre state.

Iran, world powers begin talks on final nuclear deal

Deadly clashes around parliament in Ukraine

iolent clashes between protesters and police have erupted in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, with at least seven people, including a policeman, killed. In the worst violence in weeks, police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to stop thousands of protesters marching on parliament. A deadline set by the security forces for the violence to end has passed with no immediate sign of police action. The clashes came as MPs were due to debate changes to the constitution.

The proposals would curb the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych, but the opposition said they were blocked from submitting their draft, meaning no debate could take place. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was “deeply worried” by the escalation of violence, and urged politicians to “address the root causes”. Russia blamed the upsurge in violence on “connivance by Western politicians and European structures” and their refusal to consider the “aggres-

sive actions” of radical factions within the protest movement. Ukraine’s unrest began in November, when Yanukovych rejected a deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. The mood had calmed in recent days, but protest camps remain on the streets and the opposition - which insists the president must resign - had warned the government it risked inflaming tensions if it failed to act. Yesterday, thousands of protesters tried to march on the parliament building to put

IX world powers and Iran began talks on Tuesday in pursuit of a final settlement on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme in the coming months, Reuters said. Both sides warned that a breakthrough deal may prove impossible. It is the first round of high-level negotiations since a November-24 interim deal. It has seen Tehran curb some nuclear activities for six months in return for limited relief from sanctions.

Snowden elected Glasgow University rector

NTELLIGENCE whistleblower Edward Snowden has been elected to the post of student rector at Glasgow University. The former US National Security Agency contractor fled from his homeland last May after revealing extensive details of Internet and phone surveillance.

•Stones were thrown at police in central Kiev as clashes broke out amid tensions over proposed changes to the constitution....yesterday. AFP PHOTO

Iraq violence: Almost 50 killed in car bomb wave

T least 49 people have been killed in a wave of car bombs in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Hilla, officials have said. The blasts come a day after at least 23 people were killed in bomb explosions in the Iraqi capital. Last month, more than 1,000

people were killed in attacks which mostly hit Shia and government targets. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, but in the past Sunni militant groups have targeted Shia areas. Medical sources in Hilla say the main hospital has so far re-

ceived 35 bodies from seven car bombings. In the capital Baghdad, bombs in mainly Shia districts killed at least 14 people. In one attack, a bomb inside a parked vehicle exploded near a bus station in the capital’s Bayaa district, killing five people, sources said.

Controversial 'quenelle': Anelka hearing for next week

to be "abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper". The aggravated breach was that it included "a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief". The quenelle has been described as an inverted Nazi salute and its invention has been credited to French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, a friend of Anelka's, who was been prosecuted in France for antiSemitism. Anelka maintains his goal celebration was an anti-establishment gesture in support of Dieudonne. Last month, Dieudonne was banned from entering the UK after the Home Office made him subject to an exclusion order.

WO rockets fired from Syria hit the Israeli-occupied Golan heights on Tuesday, shortly after a visit to a field hospital treating injured Syrians by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon and army chief Lieutenant General Benny Gantz. Israel annexed the plateau during the 1967 Six Day War and since the civil war in Syria erupted in 2011, stray shells have frequently hit the Israeli side, which has occasionally responded.

•Anelka

just two wins from their last seven games. However, Mata believes that the Premier League champions can make a late surge up the table if they put together a positive run of results. "The objective is to get to

the Champions League spots," the Spaniard told Canal Plus. "It's difficult because Liverpool are doing well, so are Arsenal, as well as Tottenham and Everton, who are all clubs also fighting for them, but I think we have a team who can

do it. "This is Manchester United. When this club wins two, three or four matches in a row, it has a winner's mentality." United continue their Premier League campaign on Saturday with a trip to Crystal Palace.

Luiz not bothered by Mourinho, Wenger feud HELSEA defender David Luiz has played down Jose Mourinho's comments about Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger claiming it is just part of football. Chelsea manager Mourinho and Arsenal boss Wenger recently traded words - Wenger said he was embarrassed for

Syrian rockets hit Golan Heights after Netanyahu visit

Reina reveals difference between Benitez’s Liverpool and his current side

Mata: 'Champions League qualification still possible' UAN Mata has claimed that Manchester United can still qualify for next season's Champions League. The Red Devils are currently 11 points behind fourthplaced Liverpool following

Police say all Tuesday’s attacks were caused by cars parked in or near commercial areas and bus stations, reports the Associated Press (AP) news agency. Al-Jazeera also reports that 13 Iraqi soldiers were killed in a separate battle with Sunni fighters in Fallujah in Anbar province yesterday.

HE Libyan interim assembly said it was facing an impending coup yesterday after a group of exrebel militias issued a fivehour deadline to hand over power. Powerful militias from the western town of Zintan gave the General National Congress, Libya’s highest authority, the deadline, or said it would kidnap any lawmaker. Commanders from the Zintan militias appeared on television yesterday and blamed the Muslim Brotherhood and “ideological and extremist groups” for the country’s chronic instability since the 2011 uprising that toppled the four-decade rule of Muammar Gaddafi.

PREMIERSHIP

NATION SPORT ICOLAS Anelka's disciplinary hearing into his controversial 'quenelle' salute is due to start early next week. The three-man independent regulatory panel's hearing is expected to last several days but to be completed by the end of the week. West Brom's French striker faces a minimum five-match ban after being charged by the Football Association with performing an alleged anti-Semitic gesture during his club's match against West Ham on December 28. The 34-year-old has denied the gesture was anti-Semitic and requested a personal hearing. Anelka was charged last month with an aggravated offence after making a gesture that was judged

pressure on the government to address constitutional reform. But the march was blocked by lines of police vehicles. The BBC’s David Stern in Kiev said it is unclear what sparked the clashes - protesters and police have blamed each other. Unlike in previous weeks, violence took place in a number of locations, our correspondent adds. Some protesters ripped up cobblestones to throw at police. Others threw smoke bombs. Police fired stun and smoke grenades, and rubber bullets. Protesters also attacked the headquarters of President Yanukovych’s Party of the Regions, temporarily smashing their way in before being forced out by police. One person - believed to be an employee - was found dead inside. The bodies of three protesters were found inside a building close to parliament. Another three bodies were seen lying in the street. The interior ministry said a policeman had died after being shot in the neck.

Libyan rebels give MPs ultimatum in coup threat

Mourinho who had claimed that the Frenchman was a specialist in failure. Luiz told Sky Sports News: "Football is like this, you cannot listen to everyone because if you listen to another coach, you don't just have just one coach, you will have 10, 20, 100 coaches, everyone wants

to be part of our club and that's natural." The Brazilian is also aware of the pressure on the players with 12 games to go and welcomes it, even if Mourinho's comments were designed to take the attention off them. He said: "I love pressure, you don't need to take pressure of

me because I love pressure and that's why I play for a big club - that's why I am here. "We are not afraid, we are top of the league now, we are happy with this. We keep working hard every day. Of course I respect everyone, every team, but we need to do our job."

IVERPOOL goalkeeper Pepe Reina has talked about his spell at Napoli and his thoughts about the future. Pepe Reina has once again been speaking about his future in an interview he gave to N+ that was later published by Football Italia. The Liverpool goalkeeper is currently on loan at Italian side Napoli, but he has reiterated that he is unsure what the future holds. “Until the end of the season I will be here, but even I do not yet know what will happen next,” he said. He then gave a glimpse of life under Rafa Benitez in Serie A compared with the Spanish duo’s time at Anfield. “What’s the difference be-

•Pepe Reina

tween this team and Benitez’s Liverpool?" Reina said. “Now he has become more complete with the experiences at Chelsea and at Inter. “Even in negative ones you can develop, perhaps it is that from Inter he learned more.” The ‘keeper also spoke of the differences between Italy’s top flight and England’s.

Cissokho ignoring the critics

LY Cissokho has shrugged off criticism of his performances for Liverpool as he waits to find out if he has a future at the club beyond the end of his loan spell. Cissokho joined Liverpool on a season-long loan deal from Valencia last summer but made the worst possible start to his Anfield career as he suffered a nasty ankle injury in the Capital One Cup game against Notts County. A spell on the sidelines meant that it took longer for Cissokho to adjust to English football, and he is aware that some people continue to doubt his ability. However, the French left-back does not pay attention to such matters and insists he is as de-

termined as ever to play a key role for the team. He told L'Equipe: "In my first match against Notts County, after five minutes, my ankle turned. It was a big ankle sprain. "The most important injury in my whole career so far and at the worst moment. A piece of cartilage moved. I had to undergo surgery in London. "It was a very difficult moment. I was afraid. Surgery delayed my adaptation. "Critics? I am used to not winning unanimous support. I let people have their own opinion and I give my best." Cissokho has always been aware of Liverpool's history and feels a great sense of pride at playing for such a club.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

City falls at home

ARCELONA beat 10man Manchester City 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at the Etihad Stadium. Alvaro Negredo had City's first chance of the match when he was put through by David Silva and took the ball past Victor Valdes before chipping an effort across the face of goal. The home side were inches away from forcing the ball over the line following a goalmouth scramble after Valdes had failed to claim a corner from Silva, but the UEFA Champions League RESULTS Man City 0 - 2 Barcelona Bayer Leverkusen 0 - 4 PSG UEFA Champions League TODAY’S FIXTURES Milan v Atlético de Madrid Arsenal v Bayern München

keeper recovered well to prevent Yaya Toure scoring at the back post. Xavi then tested his luck from long-range with a powerful effort that Joe Hart had to hold onto. Manchester City was reduced to 10 men eight minutes into the second half as Martin Demichelis brought down Lionel Messi just inside the box, with the Argentine clean through on goal. The visitors were awarded a penalty for the foul, and Messi made no mistake by calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net. Dani Alves came within inches of doubling Barcelona's lead when he exchanged passes with Xavi and burst into the box before firing a low drive narrowly wide of the far post. The hosts fashioned a good opening when Silva was found in the box by Pablo Zabaleta before firing in a

•Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a penalty against Manchester City powerful strike that was well held by Valdes. In the final minutes Alves scored the second goal of the

night for the visitors when he latched onto Neymar's pass and slotted a low strike underneath the legs of Hart.

2014 Lagos International Polo tourney begins

TTENTION of polo faithfuls across Nigeria will shift to the Ribadu Road, Ikoyi Lagos Polo Club as hostilities begin in the 2014 Lagos International Polo Tournament with Lagos Bonhams and Lagos Valkyrie getting the twin-phased event underway today. The Stream A match is one of the four encounters scheduled for the opening day which is dedicated to the Dansa Cup. The tournament which has MTN and GTB as major sponsors

will also see Lagos Sao Paolo battle Unity Polo, who qualified at the expense of Badboys, in the second match of the day in Stream A, while Ibadan A and Kano Tripple K will confront Kano Titans/Ibah and Ibadan B respectively in Stream B to round off the day’s activities. The first week of the tournament runs from February 19-23, where four of the nine titles will be decided as the Open Cup, Beginners Cup as well as the Oba of Lagos Cup are up for grabs.

In other matches listed for the first week, six Lagos teams will have their reputations at stake when the Open Cup commence on Thursday. Lagos Ashbert 98.1 and Lagos Kashton/Lintex will tango, while another Open Cup match will see Lagos Ironclad/Taleveras size-up Lagos Shoreline. The matches will be preceded by matches in continuation of the Dansa Cup preliminaries. The final week which runs from February 26 – March 2 will see teams battle in the Low Cup

and the prestigious Makekodunmi Cup. The Independence Cup, Lagos Governor’s Cup and the Italian Ambassador’s Cup will also be contested. The tournament is regarded as the biggest in the calendar of the Nigeria Polo Federation and also has Veuve Clicquot, Union Bank, Chapel Hill, UBS, Caverton Group, Dansa Foods Ltd/Dangote, Southern Sun Hotel, Smooth FM, Beat FM, Delaney and Avlon Group as cosponsors.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Nigeria fails to pick ticket

IGERIA Men's National Volleyball team failed to book one of the African ticket to the 2014 Men's World Championship in Poland after they finished 4th at the Pool T African qualification tournament held at Palais des Sports in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The Nigerian team which arrived Yaoundé a day before its first match against Cameroon, however, began its campaign losing 1-3 (11-25, 2522, 18-25, 19-25) to the host country. The team then rallied back in the second game to beat Gabon 1-3 (2522 20-25 11-25 16-25). Nigeria then lost 1-3 (23-25 16-25 25-21 17-25) to Rwanda in the third game before losing 3-1 (25-17, 2514, 21-25, 25-15) to Algeria in the

•NVBF blames failure on shoddy preparation By Akeem Lawal last game to finish 4th overall with just three points. Cameroon won the 5-nation round-robin tournament with a winloss ratio of 3-1 to gain 9 points to win the Pool’s qualification ticket. Algeria and Rwanda came second and third respectively, while Gabon finished fifth. Meanwhile, the Technical committee chairman of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Tony Oghuma- Eghiemai has blamed Nigeria’s poor outing on the team’s shoddy preparation towards the tournament. In a telephone chat with

NationSport, Oghuma- Eghiemai who revealed that Nigeria participated in the tournament because the federation was afraid of being sanctioned by the Volleyball ruling bodies, praised the players for their level of discipline and commitment. “First of all, I’m happy with their level of commitment. I’m satisfied also with the amount of discipline they exhibited here. We know what it takes for you to be there, you are expecting money from home and the money is not forthcoming. “Again against the backdrop of the fact that they didn’t camp for a long time, to a large extent they tried. Look at Cameroon, they were

preparing for this championship for the past six months, playing friendly matches in far away France. Rwanda too were in Netherlands for two months. The same thing with Algeria, they all have the best of preparations. “I think it’s a lesson for all of us that before our next outing, if there is no good preparations, we’ll just let it go. In fact we really attended this because we were afraid of sanction from FIVB and CAVB if we didn’t go for the final phase, having competed in the first and second phases. So to a large extent I’m happy with the boys, it’s a good experience for them, it’s good experience for the federation, it’s good experience for Nigeria as a country.”

2014 NNPC/SHELL CUP

States set for zonal preliminaries

HE finals of the 2014 edition of the NNPC/Shell Cup were played in most states

of the Federation last weekend with some stunning results being recorded. This has paved way for the zonal preliminaries as all the state champions will now proceed to the next stage of the championship. The state champions shall be grouped into 9 different cities across the country from February 25. The cities are; Osogbo, Ado Ekiti, Benin, Yenegoa, Enugu, Lokoja, Keffi, Katsina and Jalingo, where quarter finalists are expected to emerge after series of matches. In Osun State, Progress Comprehensive High School, Modakeke defeated Osowusi Muslim Commercial High School

4-0 to represent the state at the zonal preliminaries. Oyo State will be represented by Brightville College, Ibadan which defeated Success High School, Babanla, Ibadan 5-3 on penalties after the tie ended 2-2 during regulation period. Government Unity Secondary School, Malumfashi defeated

Government Pilot Secondary School, Mani 1-0 and will represent Katsina State in the zonal preliminaries. Ogun State will have Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu-Ode as its representative after the school defeated Alamuwa Grammar School, Ado-Odo 5-4 on penalties in the state final.

Government Day Secondary School, Dange wallopped Sokoto Teachers College, Sokoto 4-0 and will represent Sokoto State in the preliminaries, while Kwara will be represented by Kwara Football Academy Secondary School, Ilorin which defeated Government Day Secondary School, Sao 6-1 in the state final.

Bush House Nigeria set to honour Keshi, IGP

BUJA based Bush House Nigeria, has announced plans to honour Stephen Keshi, the coach of the Nigerian National team, the Super Eagles, along with the Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, the Inspector General of Police as The Personality of the Year

and Personality of the Decade respectively, come March 2014. To set the ball rolling, the organisation, last Friday, at the Sinoni Chinese Restaurant opposite Abuja Nicon Luxury Hotel, inaugurated a 5-man committee, charged to put together, a befitting event

ceremony, to honour these two notable Nigerians. Speaking moments after the ceremony, the Project Executive for Bush House Nigeria, Arit Effanga explained further on the choice of the two personalities for the maiden awards.

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9 NO.2,764

‘With this strange wedding between a man and a male dog now officially consummated, the US must have wittingly opened a new vista in the journey to bestiality and amorous rascality’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

MONG the reactions to my column, last week, on the diatribe by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, against defectors from his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the new formidable opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) were a few who said I was biased. Some of them said I should’ve equally criticised the defectors from PDP to APC. Others said I should’ve considered the merit or otherwise of why the defectors from APC to PDP defected before condemning them. I plead guilty to both counts, but only partially. I plead partial guilt on the first count because my silence on the defections to APC can be easily and seemingly justifiably construed as a blind endorsement of the opposition party. It was an endorsement, alright. But it was not a blind one; no Nigerian who has witnessed and/or experienced PDP’s brutalising misrule of the country in the last 15 odd years - a misrule which has made Nigerians much poorer today than they were in 1999 and which has also made their country much more insecure today than it was since then - would not shudder at the prospects of four more years of same under the behemoth, never mind the 60 more years of same it has been threatening Nigerians with. The huge turnout in the membership registration of APC a couple of weeks ago which prompted the PDP to accuse the party of preparing the ground to rig next year’s election – a strange accusation coming from a ruling party which prides itself as being the largest on the continent was a clear testimony of the desperation of Nigerians for something, anything, to rescue them from PDP’s misrule. However, as a journalist and political analyst, I have a responsibility to point out to the public that it is not just anything that can rescue them, obvious as this is. Obviously anything which lacks the virtues necessary for good and transparent leadership can only lead to a change of guards, so to speak, rather than to a change from the misfortune of the people. The way the APC has carried on since it emerged as an amalgamation of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), it stands the distinctive risk of becoming PDP, with all its ingrained “garrison democracy,” in all but name. For the sake of itself and of Nigeria, the APC must do everything it can to have internal democracy. In defecting to the PDP from APC, both Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano State governor, and Alhaji Attahiru

RIPPLES JONATHAN WILL RUN FOR SECOND TERM, says Uche Secondus

EMERGENCY INFORMATION MINISTER REPORTING FOR DUTY

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

For APC, time is ticking

Bafarawa, his former Sokoto State counterpart, accused it, in effect, of being no better than PDP which it wants to replace. This was precisely why I thought it was strange that the two would defect to the PDP, which is obviously too set in its undemocratic ways to transform itself and offer the genuine article. However, both governors were justified to have felt exasperated with the way the top party hierarchy at the centre simply asked them to subordinate themselves to the governors of their states. The right thing the party should have done was to have provided a plain level field for congress elections of its officials from the ward level to the national within at most six months of its emergence. If it had done so most of the internal crisis the party is currently facing in several states would have been avoided. Certainly, its defectors would have had to look for other excuses. I say excuse because, in my view at least, the defectors should not have given up so early in the fight for entrenching internal democracy in the party, especially when they are unlikely to make any serious

GOZI Okonjo-Iweala, PhD and Oby Ezekwesili, PhD, were the golden girls of Olusegun Obasanjo’s transparent presidency. If you have read Nasir El-Rufai’s Accidental Public Servant, you would have met the pair, among the other transparency holiest of holies, in their true habitat. There she was, Okonjo-Iweala: dollarised Finance minister, who never shared her glory with anyone; and who Rufai, in his book, insisted wanted total control of her Finance and economic domain (later proved by her Jonathan era epaulette of “Coordinating minister for the economy). There was Ezekwesili herself, the inimitable “Madam Due Process”. There was also the theorise-or-be-damned Chukwuma Soludo, later CBN governor. In early days, however, Soludo stormed out of Okonjo-Iweala’s “cabinet”, because she would not share her glory and Soludo was staging his own grandstand for presidential attention. Of course, there was the “muse” himself, ElRufai: clean, antiseptic, uncompromising — like some good machine with human life! But how times have changed. Soludo has moved on to be replaced by an equally voluble Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Goodluck Jonathan has become president. El-Rufai has moved

difference in the way the party they have defected to is run. It is not too late for APC to avoid creating itself in the terrible image and character of the PDP. It can avoid this pitfall ideally by first of all dissolving its interim executive organs at the ward, local government and state levels before the congress elections. These interim executives have generally constituted themselves into obstacles in the way of internal democracy. However, if dissolving them sounds impractical, the least the interim leadership at the national level should do is to bar them from contesting in the congress elections. It should also bar its own members likewise. Not least of all, it should send large enough teams of members with high integrity to conduct the elections. For example, for Kano that has 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs), the APC should send a 46-man team of outsiders to Kano, made up of a chairman and secretary and one person per LGA to conduct the elections. And for a state like Bayelsa that has eight LGAs, they should send a 10-man team, also of outsiders, with a chairman and secretary to conduct the elections. If this looks unaffordable the party should send teams larger than those it sent for the membership registration, say at least one member per two LGAs. Of course, all this would cost a lot of money which APC is not as well endowed with as PDP. However, with proper organisation the party does not need the huge outlays the PDP has been using to keep itself in power. If the well-endowed and the comfortable members of the party sincerely wish to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of what looks like an unreformable PDP, they should selflessly give their all, including their money and time, to ensure they create and sustain internal democracy in their party. The time to do so is not on their side.

HARDBALL

Golden girls at war?

into the opposition. Ezekwesili, it appears, is non-committal, except to public accounts transparency. Okonjo-Iweala has achieved her dreams — empress of the economy; but under an especially clueless president. And that is the cause of the “war” between the hitherto chummy golden girls. In the scandal of the “missing” $20 billion NNPC public money that won’t go away, Okonjo-Iweala and Ezekwesili have gone different paths. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is dreaming forensic auditing, to clear the air once and for all, since NNPC has submitted some documents to explain — or explain away, as quite a number prefer — how the money was purportedly spent. But Dr. Ezekwesili is screaming putative cover-up without quite saying anything. To her, forensic audit is easily compromise-able. NNPC is flush with petro-dollars to resist compromising any firm — any firm at all — if it really has anything to hide. She would rather keep Diezani Alison- Madueke, Petro-

RE: Makun and the defections from PDP

IR, I agree with you that politicians are looking for shelter from the typhoon called poverty. Blame the social system which protects big business at the expense of the people. The truth, however, is that the Alice in Wonderland world awaits the politicians the day their charming promises fail to send the hungry and the homeless to sleep. Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna. +2347085284103. Sir, Are you surprised at any politician or Nigerian politicians and their comments? They all cling together when ‘the goings are good’ AND vituperate when their ‘goings get sour’. Not only Maku, not only Bafarawa and not only Shekarau! They are spread across all the political parties. Lanre Oseni. +2347064181045. Sir, It is surprising how you condemned Shekarau’s and Bafarawa’s defection from APC to PDP, while keeping mute on the defections of many governors and legislators from PDP to APC! To you any defection from the PDP to any party is like a blessing to the nation (or north), while defections from any party to the PDP is a curse to the nation (or north). The truth is: APC treated Shekarau, Bafarawa and many other members just like the PDP treated the five defecting governors and other members too. Please always be objective in judging peoples actions and inactions. Habibu Hamisu Ibrahim. +2348033262011. Sir, Dr. Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe (God bless his gentle soul) was once asked, why he joined d then NPP, and not NPN, UPN, GNPP, PRP, or any of the parties, so called then) in Nigeria’s Second Republic. He retorted, among others: “...I reserve to myself, the prerogative to pick and choose, those who will travel with me, comfortably in d same ‘boat’ ... and I will not complain (about) the ultimate fate of the ‘canoe’!” Defecting politicians (either in APC, LP, APGA, PPA, PDP, whatever called) in Nigeria today are enjoying this prerogative of jumping into any ship or canoe they feel comfortable with and/or may guarantee them electoral success. So it’s a question of time, for us to see the ultimate outcome of these defections. For now let us watch, pray and wish them well/bon voyage! Chukwuma Dioka. +2348142171487. •For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above leum minister, out of the probe loop too. Hear Madam Due Process thunder: “The minister of Petroleum Resources is the chairman of NNPC Board. Her argument in overseeing a mere corporation, usurp the power of appropriation is awful.” And her vicious raking of Okonjo-Iweala: “Sadly, the minister of Finance stated that her ministry does not have the expertise to verify the impunity-induced expenditures by NNPC.” No smoking guns yet, of course; and the fiery Madam Due Process is pronouncing no one guilty. But she smells, it appears, putative cover-up, and is furious enough at the tragicomedy, in an otherwise serious public finance scandal. “How awful,” she thundered, “to see some reduce serious conversation on missing US $20 billion to what the Yoruba call ‘Awada Kerikeri’ [serious comedy]. No, this is not comedy.” Gbam! It is not. So, she suggests an international probe panel, like one Paul Volcker headed, in wartime Iraq, to get to the root of the matter. Why not? So, what can set hitherto golden girls of governmental rectitude and public accounting transparency on such a take-no-prisoner war? It’s the clueless Jonathan Presidency, stupid.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily: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