The Nation February 08,2012 by The Nation

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VOL. 7, NO. 2029 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

Dantata is dead

Sam Aluko, 82, dies of cancer F

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure and Eric Ikhilae

OREMOST economist, teacher and politician Prof. Samuel Adepoju Aluko is dead. Generally regarded as “a man of principle”, Aluko died of cancer yesterday at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newscastle, United Kingdom. He was 82. He was a teacher of teachers, with many professors of Economics passing through him at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, where he was the first •The late Prof. Aluko

Continued on page 2

N150.00

•The late Dantata

ANO businessmanAbdullahi Sanusi Dantata has died in a German hospital, it was learnt last night. Alhaji Dantata, until his death, was the chairman of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company. He was an uncle to business mogul Dr. Aliko Dangote. In a statement last night by the Director of Communication and Strategy in the Kano State Government House,

Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Alhaji Baba Dantiye, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said Alhaji Dantata would be sorely missed because of his contribution to the economic development of the nation. A former classmate of the late the late Dantata, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said the deceased was “an astute businessman, who made his mark.”

Boko Haram: Bombs rock military base in Kaduna

•A soldier on guard on the road after the explosions in Kaduna ... yesterday

Troops kill 10 in Kano NTA plays sect’s ‘tape’ A

•A bus affected by the explosion in Kawo, Kaduna ... yesterday

MAN dressed in military uniform, driving a Toyota Sienna bus. He was stopped by soldiers on guard duty, but the driver coasted through the first gate of the fortified military base. That was unusual. The soldiers opened fire. Then, an explosion. A bomb had gone off, killing the lone driver who turned out to be a suicide bomber. It all happened yesterday at the

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Army’s 1 Division’s Dalet Barracks in Kaduna. The city was shaken by three explosions within and around military formations. The explosions started at about 11.45 am – at the Dalet Barracks. Another explosion occurred 15 minutes later close to the main gate of the Nigeria Air Force Base about

1000 metres away from the scene of the first blast. At about 12.15, as residents were battling to overcome the shock of the multiple blasts, another occurred under the flyover in Kawo, about 100 metres away from the scene of the first blast and close to the Tuesday Kawo market, which was in session. The market and its surroundings were thrown into confusion as Continued on page 2

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS YOU, THE REPORTER Dear reader, here is an opportunity for you to join our team of reporters. You can send in stories and photographs, which you consider to be newsworthy. Our telephone number is 08082036515 (sms). The email is info@thenationonline.ng.net – Editor

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola presenting a souvenir to the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Mrs. Dorothee JanetzkeWenzel, when she visited the governor at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos ... yesterday. •President Goodluck Jonathan, French new Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jacques Champagne and First Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France in Nigeria, Mr. Etienne de Souza after the presentation of letter of credence of the new ambassador at the state house in Abuja ... yesterday Continued from page 1

Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. He was economic adviser to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha. He was economic adviser to Second Republic Governor of Ondo State Chief Adekunle Ajasin as well as the military government of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. He is credited with the idea of putting the excess funds from the increase in the pump price of petrol during the Abacha years into a dedicated account and the subsequent formation of the Petroleum Trust Fund. He also facilitated the introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT). Aluko travelled to the United Kingdom for medical

Foremost economist Aluko, 82, dies of cancer check-up month, accompanied by his wife, Joy. A family member, Mr Isaac Sedowo, who spoke with reporters at the late Aluko’s home in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said arrangements for the funeral would be announced by the economist’s eldest son, Bolaji, a professor who is the ViceChancellor of the Federal University at Otuoke, Bayelsa State. He said the late economist complained of general weakness of the body before he travelled. Sympathisers across the country were at the late Aluko’s home to register their condolences.

The late Aluko hailed from Ode-Ekiti, Ekiti State. He was born into the family of Fagbohun Aluko in August 17, 1929. He attended St. Mary’s School between 1936 and 1940 for his elementary education before moving to Emmanuel School in Ado-Ekiti. The late Aluko attended the Christ’s School in Ado-Ekiti before undergoing a private study in Economics with the University of London where he came out with a Second Class Honours. Prof Mobolaji Aluko, eldest son of the late Economist, described his father as an exemplary father, saying he was “a father per excellence”.

Also, frontline Economist, Bismark Rewane described the deceased as one of the oldest Economists who contributed a lot to the orthodox Economic thinking. Mobolaji said on the telephone last night that his late father was known outside home the same way he was known at home; a principled individual. Recalling fond memories of his father, Mobolaji said he was interested, and contributed to the success and growth of his children, particularly his grand children. “He had about 20 or so grand children. He always wanted them around him,” he said. Mobolaji recalled his last

moment with his father, saying though he was ill before enbarking on his trip to the United Kingdom, “we did not think he would die. He had cancer and fought it. You know, like every illness, one will hope to get over it.” But he died. He died of cancer. But he died peacefully in the presence of his wife. “I spoke with him two days ago. A saw him to the airport on Saturday, January 14, the day after the strike was suspended. His trip to the UK was actually delayed by the strike. “He traveled on the evening of that Saturday. He died at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle,” Mobolaji said. He said his late father was

passionate about the country, but died a sad man because of the current state of affairs in the country. “He loved Nigeria and was so passionate about the country. He was concerned about its growth. He died a sad man because of the situation of things in the country. He was always complaining about the current state of affairs before he died,” Mobolaji said. Rewane, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Limited, described Aluko as bold, fearless and one of Nigeria’s traditional Economists. The last time we heard about him was during the Abacha days. But in the old days, he had very divergent views and contributed a lot to the ways of traditional Economics and growth,” he said.

Boko Haram: Bombs rock military bases in Kaduna Continued from page 1

residents and traders ran helter skelter. Parents hurried to school to fetch their kids. The Kaduna Polytechnic cancelled a scheduled examination and sent students home. The government was rumoured to have imposed a curfew on the metropolis. It was gathered that the driver of the car died in the explosion, which was said to have had serious impact on the administrative building of the 1 Mechanised Division. All was tense. Glass panes and doors were shattered. Soldiers cordoned off the scenes of the explosions, preventing journalists and other residents from getting closer. The soldiers seized cameras belonging to the African Independent Television (AIT) and the Kaduna State Governmentowned Capital TV from their reporters who attempted to take shots of the scenes. The major road leading to Zaria and Lagos Road was blocked, creating a heavy traffic jam. Roads leading to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House office of the governor were also cordoned off. The injured were seen being conveyed to the hospital by emergency workers from the State Emergency Management Agency and Red Cross. A

Army vows to arrest sect members, sponsors

HE Army yesterday admitted that a suicide bomber made a botched attempt to attack its 1 Mechanised Division in Kaduna. It said its vigilant soldiers succeeded in killing the bomber before he could strike. The Army, in a statement by its Director of Public Relations, Major General Raphael ID Isa, however said the threats would not deter it from protecting lives and property nationwide. The statement said: “This morning, reports reaching us from Headquarters 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kawo, Kaduna indicate that there was a suicide bombing attempt by someone dressed in military uniform driving in a private car. Toyota Hiace bus belonging to the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association conveyed casualties from the 1 Division to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, escorted by soldiers. Unconfirmed reports said the bomber and two other persons were killed in the explosion, which left an undisclosed number of soldiers and civilians injured. The Assistant Director Army Public Relation at the 1Mechanised Division, Lt.Col. Abubakar Edun, said on telephone: “We are on top of the situation”. The Public Relations Officer of the Air Force Training Command in Kaduna,

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“The soldiers at the Headquarters 1 Division repelled the attack and were able to stop what would have been a suicide bombing at the frontage of the Headquarters I Division. “However, after firing the suicide bomber who tried to force his way, the bomb exploded and shattered the glasses that adorn the frontage of the Headquarters. The suicide bomber was the only casualty. “Once more, we urge members of the public to continue with their normal businesses and lawful activities. We also enjoin all to continue to partner with security agencies and provide valuable information that will help us tackle the menace of this misguided Nigerians and

Squadron Leader M. Ali, denied that an explosion occurred at the NAF Base. He said: “The bomb exploded outside the premises of the Air Force Base and as such, the Air Force does not have an opinion on the explosion. Although the explosion was close to the NAF Base gate, it wasn’t within our premises.” When asked whether the Air Force was investigating the incident, Squadron Leader Ali said: “No; since it is not within our premises, investigation is left for the police to carry out. We wouldn’t know where they were carrying the bomb to before it exploded.” Anti-bomb experts were

any would-be mischief makers. “We remain grateful to members of the public for all the information provide so far that have led to the arrest of key members of the notorious Boko Haram Sect recently. “We know that such attacks might not be unconnected with recent arrest of some of their key leaders. We are currently working on fresh information that will lead to the arrest of more sect members and their sponsors. “Let me use this opportunity to reassure members of the public that this cannot and will never deter our efforts at ensuring that lives and properties are well secured and safeguarded by members of the forces as required of us by the Nigeria Constitution.”

dispatched to the area to investigate whether there are more explosives. The Kaduna State Security Council was at its weekly meeting when the explosion occurred. The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Reuben Buhari, urged residents to disregard reports of any curfew, saying the government has not imposed any curfew. In Kano, security operatives pursuing Boko Haram members have stormed a home, shooting their way in to seize some suspects. In the raid on the house at Mariri Quarters on Maiduguri Road, seven members of the

sect were killed. Residents of the area, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, said at about 7:30pm on Monday night, a detachment of military and the Police came in 10 trucks and cordoned off a house believed to be hosting Boko Haram members. Gunshots were heard as the security operatives engaged the sect’s members in a battle that lasted for about seven hours. A security source said a large cache of arms and ammunition, including AK 47 rifles and assorted explosives, was recovered. Six suspects were arrested. Commissioner of Police

Ibrahim Idris confirmed the recovery of the arms and ammunition. He said on the same day, a group of terrorists believed to be members of Boko Haram attacked Sharada Police Station, bombing it and wounding a policeman. Three of the sect’s members were killed. According to the police boss, some members of the sect, which has been denounced by leading lights of Islam, were arrested during the Mariri raid. He did not give details. Residents said they had for some time noticed strange faces, mostly youths with Kanuri tribal marks, “but we did not know their mission, until that fateful night when nobody could sleep because of several gun shots”. “I must tell you that no fewer than five people must have died in that horrible battle,” one said. Also yesterday, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) played a tape which was said to have come from the sect, which later disowned it. In the tape four persons – Sheikh Abubakar Gero, Dr Shettima Ali Monguno, Alhaji Ali Bukar Ibrahim former governor of Yobe State and another person whose name was not clearly heard – were named as negotiators. The video featured two figures who wore black masks. Only the voice of one was heard, saying they accepted to dialogue with the government.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS RENEWED ATTACKS BY MEND NEW YEAR MESSAGES

A reign of terror

On Friday, February 4, when a group of yet unidentified ex-militants attacked and destroyed the Brass trunk line of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa State

On Thursday, February 3, a group of ex-militants threatened to return to the creeks over the failure of the Kingsley Kuku-led Amnesty Committee to include them in the over N120 billion largesse of the Amnesty Programme

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Is violence back in Niger Delta? The Niger Delta seems set to explode again, with a series of explosions recorded in the last few days. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which was at the heart of past violence in the region, has claimed responsibility for the renewed hostilities. Is it back to teh era of bombs and bullets? SHOLA O’NEIL writes

NDICATIONS that all might not be well in the creeks of the Niger Delta emerged on Friday, February 4, when a group of ex-militants destroyed the Brass trunk line of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa State. The multi-factional umbrella group of warlords in the oil-rich region, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. Before the dust settled on the attack, a popular hotel in Osubi, near Warri, Delta State, Lawfab was rocked by a massive explosion. The incident occurred in the the morning. Barely six hours earlier, exmilitants quartered there protested what they described as shabby treatment by the Amnesty Committee, the consultant handing their rehabilitation training and the hotel management. Although nobody has yet claimed responsibility for the Lawfab incident, MEND speaking, through its faceless spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, owned up to the NAOC attack and a previous incident at the country home of a minister. He listed a number of grievances as the reason for the actions and vowed that the group would cripple the oil industry in the next few days. Before the attacks, the rumour was rife in riverside communities that disgruntled former MEND leaders were regrouping and recruiting disenchanted foot soldiers who were not included in the Amnesty Programme. On February 3, a group of exmilitants threatened to return to the creeks following the failure of the Kingsley Kuku-led Amnesty Committee to include them in the over N120 billion Amnesty Programme. In fact, barely hours before the pipeline was destroyed, the group, under the auspices of Amnesty Phase 3 ex-militants, had at a meeting in Bomadi, headquarters of Bomadi Local Government

Area of Delta State, threatened to renounce the deal midwifed by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2010. The leader of the Delta State wing of the group, ‘General’ Ekiyes Para, gave the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to address their complaints or risk the collapse of the oil industry in the area. He advised foreigners to quit the region before the expiration of the deadline. But, that warning was not the first by aggrieved ex-militants. Last year, traffic on the busy Lokoja– Abuja highway was stuck for several hours following a protest by some youths claiming to be ex-militants. Similar blockades were mounted on the East/West Highway, particularly at Mbiama Junction leading to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital and others. The Joint Task Force (JTF), whose code-name was changed from Operation Restore Hope to Operation Pulo (Oil) Shield, blamed it on charlatans and persons who did not mean well for the region. JTF’s image-maker Lt. Colonel Timothy Antigha warned communities harbouring criminals of deadly consequences. In a further reaction on Monday afternoon, the JTF media coordinator released the names of seven persons, mostly members of the disgruntled 3rd Phase Amnesty protesters as masterminds of the attack. They are: Friday Burutu,Lord Onipa, Robinson Agagudu, Eyala Karo,Stanley Uduorie, Para Ekiye and Ramson Omukoro. Investigation by The Nation revealed that the matter might not be so open-and-close as the JTF has assumed. In fact, our checks revealed that more than anything, the attacks may continue in view of growing disenchantment with the amnesty package and rivalry among the ex-militants. Before the February 4 attack, there were handwritings on the

•Arms submitted by repentant militants to secure amnesty

WANTED

•Friday Burutu •Lord Onipa •Robinson Agagudu •Para Ekiye •Eyala Karo •Stanley Uduorie •Rasmus Omukoro wall that were either not deciphered, misread or were ignored. The home of one of the militant leaders in Bayelsa State, ‘General Africa’, was attacked in late January. At least three persons, including policemen deployed to safeguard the house, were shot during the midnight attack. It was blamed on armed robbers and sea pirates even though residents of the town said the attackers had good knowledge of the area. His former boys, perhaps? That is hard to tell. One of the grievances of the aggrieved foot soldiers is the refusal of Kuku’s committee to credit their individual accounts during the payment of their monthly stipends. It was gathered that most of the youths are not happy that the fund is transferred to the accounts of the ex-militant leaders who then pay them whatever they deem fit and when they want. Again on January 24, the country home of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe in Ogbobagbene, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, was

bombed. The gate was blown open, after which the palatial home and an accompanying cathedral were ransacked. A statement initially credited to the minister said he fingered the ousted governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, as the mastermind. But MEND has finally put the question over who did it to rest. Gbomo, while claiming responsibility for the Friday’s assault, said: “MEND wishes to confirm that our fighters were responsible for the attack at Ogbobagbene in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, on the compound of Godsday Orubebe, Minister of Niger Delta.” What remains unanswered is why the house was attacked. The Nation gathered that the brewing crisis transcends agitation for the betterment of the region but also involves disagreement among the former warlords following President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged patronage to a section of the exmilitants’ leaders. An aggrieved former ‘general’ of MEND, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused Jonathan of dividing and ruling the Ijaw nation and the ex-militants. A source said: “The President has graded the ex-militants by his own standard and their abilities to do damage. The special ones and their boys are receiving all the best contracts and the best recognition, while others get nothing. You will recall that recently one of the exwarlords got a multi-million naira contract, inspite of the wide outrage. “Some people are also angry that their contributions are not being recognised. It is this attitude that

led to the rivalry between Okah and Tompolo. That same anger led to the October 1, 2010 attack at the Eagle Square.” Investigations revealed that a section of the warlords and activists in the region are unhappy with Ijaw personalities that are appointed and empowered by the President. Specifically, it was gathered that Orubebe, Kuku and the Minister for Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke, have not endeared themselves to some of the ex-militants. Gbomo, in a statement, said the the government is more concerned with enriching its key figures and family members than attending to the problems of the Niger Delta and the continuously depreciating standard of living of the ordinary Nigerian. Comrade Austine Ozobo of Ijaw Development Initiative, in an interview with The Nation Evening Express, said: “I do not subscribe to violence because I am an advocate of peace and development. But the militants who stormed Ogbogbabene, Burutu, on a mission to destroy Orubebe’s palatial home are not the only ones irritated by the wilful failure the minister has made of his portfolio. I say it is willful because Orubebe is failing to deliver on purpose.” The Nation gathered that some key associates of Henry Okah, who is facing trial for the Independence Day bombing, are determined to express their displeasure about his fate. It was gathered that the plan to attack South African firms, such as MTN, SACOIL and others, is aimed at forcing the country to have a re-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS RENEWED ATTACKS BY MEND LAST year, traffic on the busy Lokoja – Abuja highway was held for several hours following a protest by the ex-militants. Similar blockades were mounted on the East/West Highway, Bayelsa State

On January 24, the country home of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe in Ogbobagbene, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, was bombed

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Timeline of MEND attacks M

• Okah

• Kuku

think about the trial. A similar ploy forced the Federal Government in 2009 to release Okah, after he was arraigned. The Presidential Amnesty Office has, however, asked the security agencies to nip the hostilities in the bud. In a statement, its spokeman, Henry Ugbolue, said: “Following the widely reported threat by persons claiming to be elements of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to resume hostilities in the Niger Delta, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku wishes to reiterate the confidence of the Presidential Amnesty Office in the ability of the nation’s security agencies and Armed Forces to tackle security challenges in the Niger Delta as well as other parts of Nigeria. “Similarly, Kuku condemns in the strongest terms possible the unconscionable attacks on the facilities of Agip by those who claim to be operatives of MEND and urges the nation’s security agencies and Armed Forces to devise proactive and creative ways of nipping insecurity in the bud in the Niger Delta, which is the nation’s oil and gas hub. “Kingsley Kuku wishes to assure all stakeholders and the public that the posturing of a few persons will not dissuade the Federal Government from doggedly pursuing the ideals of the Presidential Amnesty Proclamation as well as the postAmnesty Programme. “On this score, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger

Delta urges stakeholders and the public to note that the Federal Government through the Amnesty Office is currently pursuing with profound vigour, the reintegration of the already demobilised 26,358 Niger-Delta ex-agitators enrolled in the Amnesty Programme. “Following the completion of their non-violence training and career classification in camps in Obubra (Cross River) and Akodo (Lagos), the Amnesty Office has successfully placed a total of 7,395 former combatants in skills acquisition/training centres as well as in formal education within the country and offshore. Of this number, 3,078 are being trained offshore while the balance of 4,317 has been placed in either formal education or skill acquisition centres within the country. “Similarly, 12,067 transformed excombatants are currently being processed preparatory to their deployment to reintegration centres to pursue either formal education or vocational training. “He maintained that as at today, the Amnesty Programme has been of benefit to 33 local training centres in 12 states of the Federation; while the 3,357 ex-agitators placed in offshore educational and skill acquisition centres are in the United States of America, Italy, Russia, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Sri Lanka, India, Benin Republic, Cyprus, Poland, Ghana, Belarus, United Arab Emirates, The Philippines as well as Trinidad and Tobago. “More of the trainees are due to be deployed to skill acquisition facilities in Greece, Germany, Canada and England.”

AY 10, 2006: An executive with the United States-based oil company, Baker Hughes was shot dead in Port Harcourt. Witnesses say the attacker appeared to be specifically targeting the US executive. JUNE 2, 2006: A Norwegian rig offshore Nigeria was attacked and 16 crew members were kidnapped. According to the news agency Reuters, MEND has not taken responsibility for this attack. AUGUST 20, 2006: Ten MEND members were killed by the Nigerian military. The members were working on releasing a Royal Dutch Shell hostage. In an email to Reuters, MEND stated: “Our response to Sunday’s killings will come at our time, but for certain it will not go unpunished.” OCTOBER 2, 2006: 10 Nigerian soldiers were killed in their patrol boat by a MEND mortar shell. Earlier that day a Nigerian/ Royal Dutch Shell convoy was attacked in Port Harcourt, resulting in some people being injured. OCTOBER 3, 2006: A militant group abducted four Scots, a Malaysian, an Indonesian and a Romanian from a bar in Akwa Ibom State. OCTOBER 4, 2006: Nigerian soldiers attacked a militant camp, in the ensuing battle nine soldiers were killed. NOVEMBER 22, 2006: Soldiers attempted a rescue of kidnapped oil workers which resulted in one soldier being killed. MAY 1, 2007: At 4:15 a.m., MEND attacked Chevron’s Oloibiri floating production, storage, and offloading vessel off the coast of Bayelsa State. After one hour of fighting with security boats, resulting in the death of 10 people, MEND seized six expatriate workers, consisting of four Italians (Mario Celentano, Raffaele Pasceriello, Ignazio Gugliotta, Alfonso Franza), an American (John Stapelton), and a Croat (Jurica Ruic). On the same day, MEND published photos of the captives seated on white plastic chairs in a wooden shelter around the remains of a campfire. MAY 3, 2007: MEND seized eight foreign hostages from another offshore vessel. The hostages were released less than 24 hours later, stating that they had intended to destroy the vessel and did not want more hostages. MAY 8, 2007: Three major oil pipelines (one in Brass and two in the Akasa area) were attacked, shutting down oil production and cutting power to a facility run by Italian oil company Agip, part of the ENI energy group. An e-mail statement from a MEND spokesperson said, “Fighters of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) attacked and destroyed three major pipelines in Bayelsa state... We will continue indefinitely with attacks on all pipelines, platforms and support vessels.” SEPTEMBER 23, 2007: A MEND spokesperson named Jomo Gbomo announced, through a communiqué to the Philadelphia Independent Media Centre, that media reports of his arrest and detention were false; and then fur-

ther informed, through the letter, that MEND had officially declared war, effective 12 midnight, September 23, 2007, and that they would be commencing “attacks on installations and abduction of expatriates.” NOVEMBER 13, 2007: MEND militants attacked Cameroonian soldiers on the disputed Bakassi peninsula, killing more than 20 soldiers; three days after this incident, a southern Cameroonian rebel group claimed responsibility for the attack. MAY 3, 2008: MEND militants attacked Shell-operated pipelines in Nigeria, forcing the company to halt 170,000 barrels per day (27,000 m3/d) of exports of Bonny Light crude. JUNE 20, 2008: MEND naval forces attacked the Shell-operated Bonga oil platform, shutting down 10% of Nigeria’s oil production. The oil platform, Shell’s flagship project in the area capable of extracting a massive 200,000 barrels (32,000 m3) of oil a day, was widely assumed to be outside the reach of the militants due to its location 120 km off-shore. This attack has demonstrated a level of prowess and sophistication never before seen by the rebels and it is now known that all of Nigeria’s oil platforms are within range of MEND attack. SEPTEMBER 14, 2008: MEND inaugurated Operation Hurricane Barbarossa with an ongoing string of militant attacks to bring down the oil industry in Rivers State. SEPTEMBER 2008:MEND released a statement proclaiming that their militants had launched an “oil war” throughout the Niger Delta targetting both pipelines and oil production facilities, and soldiers that protect them. In the statement MEND, claimed to have killed 22 soldiers in one attack against a Chevron-owned oil platform. The Nigerian government confirmed that their troops were attacked in numerous locations, but said that all assaults were repelled with the infliction of heavy casualties on the militants. SEPTEMBER 27, 2008: A week after declaring an oil war and destroying several significant oil production and transportation hubs in the delta, the group declared a ceasefire until “further notice” upon the intervention of Ijaw and other elders in the region. JANUARY 30, 2009: MEND called off its ceasefire. FEBRUARY 17, 2009: Equatorial Guinea blamed MEND for an attack on the presidential palace in Malabo on which resulted in the death of at least one attacker. MEND denied involvement. MAY 15, 2009: A military operation undertaken by a Joint Task Force (JTF) began against MEND. It came in response to the kidnapping of Nigerian soldiers and foreign sailors in the Delta region. Thousands of Nigerians have fled their villages and hundreds of people may be dead because of the offensive. JUNE 18–21: MEND claimed responsibility for pipeline attacks on three oil installations belonging to Royal Dutch Shell in the Niger Delta. In a campaign labeled by the

group as “Hurricane Piper Alpha”, Chevron was also warned that it would “pay a price” for allowing the Nigerian military use of an oil company airstrip. JUNE 18, 2009: MEND claimed they had blown up a Shell pipeline, as a warning to Russian president Dmitry Medvedev who was arriving Nigeria the next day and to any potential foreign investors. JULY 6, 2009: MEND claimed responsibility for an attack on the Okan oil manifold. The pipeline was blown up at 8:45 p.m. (3:45 p.m. ET) Sunday. The militants claim that the manifold carried some 80 percent of Chevron Nigeria’s off-shore crude oil to a loading platform. In a separate action on the same day, the group said three Russians, two Filipinos and an Indian were seized Sunday from the Siehem Peace oil tanker about 20 miles (32 km) from the southern port city of Escravos. LATE JULY, 2009: MEND carried out its first attack in Lagos. Rebels attacked and set on fire the Atlas Cove Jetty on Tarkwa Bay, which is a major oil hub for Nigeria. Five workers were killed in the strike. OCTOBER 25, 2009: MEND announces unilateral truce and accepts the government’s proposal for reintegration. JANUARY 30, 2010: MEND called off its unilateral truce and threatened an “all-out onslaught” against the oil industry. MARCH 15, 2010: Two bombs exploded at a Government House during the Post Amnesty Dialogue in Warri. The bombs killed three people and injured six. The explosion damaged the Government House and other buildings in the area. MEND claimed responsibility for this attack. OCTOBER 1, 2010: Two bombs exploded in Abuja during a parade. Twelve were killed and seventeen injured. Bomb was one kilometre away from President Goodluck Jonathan. MEND claimed responsibility and claimed to have sent a warning in the form of an email to a journalists half-an-hour before the bombs detonated. NOVEMBER 8, 2010: Gunmen raid an oil rig off Nigeria, kidnapping two Americans, two Frenchmen, two Indonesians, and a Canadian. MEND claimed responsibility. NOVEMBER 15, 2010: MEND attacks on an Exxon Mobil oil platform, kidnapping seven Nigerian workers. NOVEMBER 21, 2010: The rebels said they sabotaged an oil pipeline feeding the refinery in Warri in the Niger Delta. MARCH 16, 2011: A bomb exploded on an oil platform owned by Agip in southern Nigeria. This is the first MEND attack on a major bombing campaign. FEBRUARY 2012: MEND has resumed attacks, threatening more violence. They attacked Agip on February 4.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS NATIONAL SUMMIT

Summit gets National Conference panel •Falae: let’s return to parliamentary system

ELEGATES to the National Summit in Lagos yesterday set up a Steering Committee to produce a “Work Plan” on the proposed National Conference within 30 days. The summit, which was convened by Summit Group, led by Prof. Pat Utomi and Comrade Tony Uranta, also resolved that dialogue should be held in the six geo-political zones to ensure total mobilisation of Nigerians and state institutions, including the legislature within the shortest possible time. Participants maintained that the purpose of the summit was to convene a conference of constituent units to produce a truly peoples constitution to replace the flawed 1999 Constitution. According to the communique signed by Uranta, who is the group’s secretary, “a steering committee whose membership would be continuously reviewed as more Nigerians come on board should be established to ensure that no interest is excluded.” The committee is to come up with a work plan within 30 days of its constitution. He noted that Nigeria is facing serious challenges that could lead to total disintegration, if urgent steps are not taken. Uranta listed issues constraining national development, including systemic corruption, insecurity of life and property, infrastructural deficiencies, lack of credible electoral process, clueless leadership of state institutions and processes across board, defective federal structure and flayed constitution. The communique also alluded to the deteriorating state of insecurity, warning that it could lead to violent collapse of the state. It also condemned the senseless killling of defenceless Nigerians in different parts of the country At the summit, former Secretary to Federal Military Government and Finance Minister Chief Olu Falae called for a return to parliamentary system, stressing that it is cost-effective. He said the re-introduction of the Westminster model would stem the wastage associated with the presidential democracy. One hundred and fifty participants cutting across the political class, rights groups, traditional institutions, labour and ethnic nationalities attended the summit. Those who turned up yesterday at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, were Profs. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) and Akin Oyebode; Segun Olusola, Dr. Kunle Olajide, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Denzil Ketenbe, Falae, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Chief Audu Ogbe, and Lagos State Commissioner of Police Yakubu Alkali. Others include former In-

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

formation Minister John Nwodo, Obong Victor Attah, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, King Dandeson Jaja of Ayanamabo Kingdom, Senator Felix Ibru, Chief Ralph Obiorah, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi, her son, Mohammed, Comrade Ayodele Akele, Mrs. Ankio Briggs, Mr. Ife Oyedele, Mrs Amara Nwosu, Ireti Doyle, her husband, Patrick, Senator Ben Birabi, Alhaji Suleiman Yerima, Michael Okoli, and Jita Buba. Yesterday’s session gave a clear view of likely developments whenever a national conference is convened. There were a lot emotional outbursts, arguments and counter-arguments, acceptance and rejection of proposals and multiple amendments to the resolutions. Actually, many attended in their individual capacities without prior discussion with their ethnic nationalities. Therefore, selecting seven members from each zone to work with the organisers in the steering committee posed some challenges. Only the Southsouth delegates, who were in majority at the summit were able to submit names of their representatives within 10 minutes of the announcement. An atmosphere of mutual distrust also pervaded the scene as some delegates raised obstacles that could be erected by the current crop of elected and appointed government functionaries against the success of the project. Also, younger elements criticised some elderly former governors and ministers on the high table, saying they contributed to the economic and social adversity of the country when they were in control. Tempers rose, as the elders flayed the youths for lack of respect. Some participants frowned at the presence of soldiers who mounted security at the gate of the hall where the summit held the second day. Also, delegates were sharply divided over the time-frame for the making of a peoples’ constitution and commencement of its operation, although Nwodo cautioned that the process of change could take time. A participant, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, stirred controversy as she asked the summit organisers to open up on the source of funding. She said: “If the federal government is funding this initiative, I don’t want to be part of it”. Uranta’s initial response that he would see her in private did not go down well with her. The retired Professor of French from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, stormed out of the summit, saying: “I asked for information. I asked, could you tell us the source of funding, since it is going to hold across the

From left: Mrs Ganiat Fawehinmi, Senator Henshaw Ewah, Dr. Kunle Olajide and Dr. Monday •Chief Olu Falae Okonny...yesterday

•Executive Secretary, Summit Group, Mr. Tony Uranta (fourth from left) and other members of the group...yesterday

•Muhammed Fawehinmi

geo-political zones. I don’t want a private answer. I want a public answer”. She told reporters said she demanded to know the source of the summit’s funding because the organisers accepted to pay the hotel bills of participant on demand. She said Nigeria’s resources should not be used to hold meetings, but be properly channeled into developing the country. Sonaiya queried: “How do we own the summit if you are paid? You own it by putting your resources into it. This type of initiative should not be government sponsored. It is repulsive.

•From left: Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Victor Attah, Mr. Bem Ikani and Mr. Ikechukwu Ikeji PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJO

Why should organisers underwrite the hotel bills?”. Uranta later ruled out government funding, clarifying that “the summit is a totally a private initiative”. He stressed: “We did not get any support from the Federal Government. Only Lagos State government, Inspector General of Police and Lagos State Police Commissioner gave us support”. However, the secretary did not disclose the nature of support offered the summit group by the Fashola administration. Justifying his call for a cabinet system, Falae said: “In 1999, I spent N500 million on my presidential cam-

paigns. Chief Audu Ogbeh here cannot contest for the presidency again because of the huge money involved in the campaigns. Parliamentary system is better; it is cost-effective. To become the Prime Minister, I will just go to Akure and contest for the House of Representatives. Then, I vie for the prime ministership. “In parliamentary system, there is consensus. Those in the executive are also part of the legislature. There is room for part-time membership. If that part-time method is introduced, professionals who are ready to serve will come in and 80

percent of the present legislators will disappear”. Berabi said: “The present system is rotten and no President can succeed under it. It must change”. Okoli said: “The question is : How do we get to the convocation of the national conference? Nigeria may end up like Egypt, Sudan and Syria, if care is not taken”. He also decried the collapse of merit and standard as yardsticks for recruitment in employment, lamenting that ethnicity is the main determination. Buba said: “Nigeria is collapsing and it needs rehabilitation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS SERAP gets leave to sue AccountantGeneral on recovered stolen funds By Adebisi Onanuga

FEDERAL High Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday granted leave to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to proceed with its legal action seeking information from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on recovered stolen funds. Justice Steven Adah granted the organisation the leave to serve processes on the two respondents - the AccountantGeneral of the Federation, Jonah Otunla, and the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke. SERAP is seeking information on the nation’s stolen funds said to have been recovered by the Federal Government since 1999. In an application, counsel to SERAP, Mrs. Oyindamola Musa, had sought “an order of mandamus directing and or compelling the defendants/respondents to provide the plaintiff/applicant with up to date information on recovered stolen funds since the return of civilian rule in 1999”. She submitted that the group’s application, filed as an ex parte, was on the strength of the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011. The lawyer noted that SERAP, in its application filed in December, last year, sued the respondents over their alleged “failure to release information and documents on the spending of recovered stolen funds”. Mrs Musa averred that the respondents refused to release the information despite receiving SERAP’s request letter dated September 26, last year.

Reps to probe Boko Haram suspects’ escape from police custody

HE House of Representatives yesterday mandated its committees on National Security and Public Safety and Army to investigate the disappearance of the alleged mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing at St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, Kabiru Sokoto, from the police. The committee is also to probe the circumstances that led to the escape of two terror suspects at the 33 Artillery Brigade in Bauchi as well as 26 armed mercenaries who were arrested in Jos, the Plateau State capital, but escaped

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

at the police headquarters in Abuja. The committee is expected to make appropriate recommendations and report back to the House within three weeks. The need for the probe followed the adoption of the resolution of a motion sponsored by Bitrus Kaze (PDP, Plateau) and nine others lawmakers entitled: Need to Investigate the Recurrent Escape of Terror Crime Suspects from the Custody of Some Security Agencies.

From Ogbonna Obinna, Abakaliki

Haram does not have definite demands except an agenda to destabilise Nigeria. He said: “The militants in the Niger Delta came out for dialogue and there was an understanding which made the government to provide jobs and training for them. We also expect that the Boko Haram members should come out and dialogue with the Federal Government. “If there is anything they have against the government, be it unemployment or any other thing, they should come out and say it so that the government can arrange something for them for the nation to have peace. “But if they refuse to come out and continue in their evil activities against the nation, what it simply means is that there is more to their activities. And we believe that it is an indication that they don’t want President Goodluck Jonathan to rule. Again, what that means is that they have somebody they want to rule the nation, somebody that would continue to protect their interest as they have affirmed that some governors were doing.

•A man suspected to be a member of the Boko Haram arrested at the Federal Secretariat Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Presidency denies ex-militants’ link with hotel bomb From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

HE Presidential Amnesty Office yesterday denied the involvement of its trainees in the bomb that rocked Lawconfab Hotel. It said contrary to reports, the incident was not masterminded by the trainees at Generic College, Delta State. In a statement in Abuja, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Kingsley Kuku said investigations have shown that the explosion occurred in a vacant room, adding that it could not be linked to any case of agitation by the trainees. He said none of the trainees could be directly linked with the incident since there was no reason for such an action. According to him, whoever made the allegation was mischievous. The statement by Amnesty’s Head of Media, Henry Ugbolue, reads: “The Amnesty Office wishes to clarify that preliminary investigation has revealed that the incident at Lawfab Hotel cannot be directly linked to amnesty programme trainees at Generic College, who are residing there. “The explosion occurred in a vacant room within the hotel, which also houses other persons, while no case of agitation for cash in lieu of accommodation had been recorded since after their resumption last Monday.” The statement added that though police investigation is still ongoing adding that it is possible that the explosives could have been planted by detractors to attract negative publicity to the amnesty programme, “since our boys are staying there”.

“The bungling of such security matters is now becoming a pattern, causing public anxiety over the potential danger posed by the disappearance of suspected masterminds of terrorists acts who can return with greater fury, as was reported to be the case in the August 2011 United Nations House bombing in Abuja.” The lawmaker urged his colleagues to “work assiduously in order to ensure maximum security and wellbeing of all citizens in line with relevant sections of the country’s Constitution and our legislative agenda”.

50 prison officers sacked for jail breaks, inmates’ escape

Religious alarm arouses sentiments, says Elechi BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi has said it is wrong to call every misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians a religious war. The governor noted that such alarm has caused bitterness and religious sentiments among followers of both faiths. Elechi spoke in Abakaliki, the state capital, at the inauguration of the state’s branch of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). He praised the Southeast zone of the council for inaugurating the Ebonyi branch, saying it would forestall misunderstanding between the government and Muslim clerics in the state. A 50-member executive committee was inaugurated by the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Emmanuel Chukwuma, and his Muslim counterpart, Alhaji Harouna Ajah. The Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma said members of the Boko Haram sect are cowards for refusing to openly dialogue with the Federal Government on what they want. The cleric noted that Boko

During the debate, the lawmakers decried the upsurge in Boko Haram’s activities and the escape of suspects linked with the sect from the custody of some security agencies. Kaze noted that the apparent upsurge in terror-related incidents has a dire consequence on the nation’s security. He said: “After being trailed, arrested and detained, certain terror suspects have escaped from the custody of some security agencies in very questionable circumstances. This completely ridicules our national security endeavour.

HE Federal Government has sacked 50 officers of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) from 2007 till date, following various jail breaks and coordinated riots in which three quarters of core prisoners escaped from prison custody. The new Controller-General of the NPS, Alhaji Zakari Ohinoyi Ibrahim, spoke yesterday in Abuja during an interactive session with top officers and zonal coordinators of prison formations. The NPS chief warned officers and men of the service formations and units to be wary of security breaches, saying they were responsible for inmates’ escape. He said any officer, whose duty post is found to be the source of escape and riots, would be dismissed. Ibrahim said there must be no jail break in 2012, urging NPS officials to effectively secure the prisons by expanding their security strength. The Controller-General said there is need to deploy armed prison guards to tighten security and prevent future jail breaks and riots. He urged NPS top officers to work with the State Security Service (SSS), the Army, the police and other security agencies to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Ibrahim said: “All zonal controllers will be held personally responsible for untoward incidents in the discharge of the duties of officers and men under their formation, whether in the negligence of prisons control among other mandates, or related matters. Appropriate punishment and sanctions will be duly meted out without sentiments. My administration will not tolerate major security breaches. Any breach of the Prisons Act by workers will not be tolerated.” Ibrahim who stated that his major areas of concern besides security are welfare and training for both staff and inmates to keep them abreast with modern challenges, synergy with sister security agencies, infrastructural development as well as reduction in the number of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATM), stressed that he would not rest until the seed of indiscipline which has eaten deep into the service is uprooted. Heurged them to ensure safety and security of the country, adding that on the issue of prisons management his administration is ready to reward hard working officers.

Senate queries PTI’s N915m capital budget

HE Senate yesterday queried the request of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Efurun, Delta State request for additional N915million to complete ongoing projects. The Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, (Downstream) handed down the query when the Principal of the institute, Mrs. Clara Dennar, and other officials of the school appeared before it to defend its 2012 budget.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja Committee Chairman Magnus Abe noted that of the N780 million approved for PTI last year as capital budget, N477 million was released. Abe asked whether or not the N915 million the institute is requesting for in this year’s budget is for new projects or to complete ongoing projects. Mrs Dennar said the school

has no new projects as all their projects were ongoing. She added that most of the ongoing projects should have been completed but for the paucity of funds. But Abe wanted to know the stages of the projects that warranted the request of additional N915 million, saying the N477 million released to the institute last year should have been enough for it to complete some of the projects. On the institute’s hotel, the

principal said the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) took over its renovation about three years ago. She, however, claimed not to know how much PTDF has spent to renovate the hotel nor the actual amount budgeted for the work. The committee mandated her to meet with PTDF officials to know how much has been spent on the renovation of the hotel and the amount budgeted for it.

Apo 6 killings: Accused absent in court

HE failure of the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) to produce four of the six policemen charged with the killing of six Apo traders in 2005, stalled the accelerated hearing of the case in Abuja yesterday. The four policemen are: Nicholas Zacharia, Emmanuel Baba, Sadiq Salami and Emmanuel Acehenje.

The others are: Danjuma Ibrahim, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (SCP), who is on bail, and Othman Abdulsalami, who is at large. The six policemen allegedly killed Ifeanyi Ozo, Chinedu Menriu, Isaac Ekene, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwokike and Tina Arebun when they were returning home from a night out.

The deceased were aged between 21 and 25. Justice Ishaq Bello, who adjourned the matter till February 8, said the accused must be produced in court on the adjourned date, The judge had stood down the matter from 9.30am to 12.30pm to enable prison authorities in Kuje, Abuja, bring the accused to court.

He did not hide his anger when the accused were not present in court. The prosecution counsel, Mr Mammam Usman (SAN), told the court that when he contacted the prison authorities, he was told that the “Black Maria” conveying the accused left Kuje about two hours before the court started sitting.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS Epe residents lament incessant robberies ESIDENTS of Epe

have urged Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to come to their aid, following incessant robberies. A community leader, Alhaji Shuaib Amoda, alleged that some prominent persons in the community are aiding the robbers and urged the government to intervene. Amoda said: “Armed robbery and burglary have become the order of the day in Epe. The hoodlums rob their victims at night and burgle houses in the afternoon.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

“It is one thing for the police to make arrest and another thing for men of influence to truncate their efforts. We appeal to the Commissioner of Police to change some of his officers, who have spent more than 10 years at Epe Police Station.” Praising the effort of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to curb the menace, Amoda urged the government to strengthen security in the area.

Ogun threatens to hand contractors over to EFCC From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

HE Ogun State Government yesterday threatened to hand over six contractors to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for abandoning the Universal Basic Education (UBE) projects. Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Mufutau Ajibola spoke with reporters in Abeokuta, the state capital, after receiving tenders for N3.2 billion UBE projects. He said: “We have ordered six contractors, who abandoned the UBE projects, to go back to site. If they fail to do so within the given time, we will hand them over to EFCC. “The contracts were awarded by the previous administration and payment was made for the unexecuted jobs. There are about 50 abandoned UBE projects across the state by contractors. “Unfortunately, all the addresses left behind by the contractors are fake, even their telephone numbers are not functional. This could not have taken place without an insider. We are looking into it and we will get them.” Ajibola said 1,161 firms have submitted quotations for the new projects, which include building and rehabilitation of schools, training of teachers, education managers and administrators, procurement of learning and instructional materials, among others. He said successful bidders would be required to present guarantors and would not be mobilised until 25 per cent of the jobs had been executed.

Suspected fake LASTMA official held HE Public Relations

Officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Richard Akinbode, has urged the public to report suspected cases of impersonation of the agency’s officials. He made the plea when Mr. Oluwanisola Adeolokun, who was apprehended at Mile 2 bus-stop, was paraded before the public for impersonating an official of the agency. Mr. Oladapo Afolayan, who led the team that apprehended Adeolokun, said: “There have been reported cases of fake LASTMA officials across the state and our surveillance team has been monitoring some of them. “This man has been parading himself as a LASTMA official for seven years without anybody reporting the case. Recently, he extorted money from some people without issuing any receipt, and the case was reported to the

By Musa Odoshimokhe

agency. “The public has to support us in this crusade. Every LASTMA official has a peculiar badge. When he was apprehended, he was wearing a uniform without the badge, and conflicting buttons that do not commensurate with the rank he claimed.” Adeolokun said: “I was registered as a LASTMA official in 2005 and posted to Zone 7, Iyana Ejigbo. I am not an impersonator, but I have not been given my letter of appointment and I do not have oracle number.” Akinbode said: “He is lying. How can somebody who does not have oracle number and is not on the pay roll of the organisation be an employee? He is a fake hiding under the cover of LASTMA employment and will face the law accordingly.”

Group backs Boroffice for governor By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

PRESSURE group, Akoko Elite Forum (ELF), yesterday endorsed Senator Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North District, as its candidate for next year’s governorship election. In a statement by its President, Abayomi Arodu; Vice-President Prince Boye Ologbese; Financial Secretary Femi Ojogborun and Secretary Richard Dahodu, ELF urged the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to pick Boroffice as its standard bearer. The statement reads: “Since there is a gentleman’s agreement among key politicians in the state to zone the governorship to Akoko, we have assessed the four major contestants in Akoko, namely Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Dr. Olu Agunloye, Mr. Saka Lawal and Mr. Tunji Abayomi. “They are all qualified, but Boroffice is the only man who can defeat Governor Olusegun Mimiko in an election. Boroffice won his election to the Senate through personal recognition for his contributions to the grassroots. “Again, he is the Asiwaju (leader) of Akokoland, whose influence cuts across the state.” ELF said it would soon begin empowerment programmes for youths.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his deputy, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (second left); Director-General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships (OEDP), Dr. Charles Akinola (left); the Project Coordinator, Osun Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP), Mr. Lere Oriolowo (right) and others during a tour of the newly constructed Iwo Farm Settlement roads in Iwo Local Government and the allocation of 100 hectares of cleared farmland to farmers...yesterday.

Ogun PDP chieftain flays Okupe’s attack on Obasanjo T

HE running mate of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) governorship candidate in last year’s elections, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye, yesterday flayed former Presidential Spokesman Dr. Doyin Okupe’s criticism of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was reacting to Okupe’s statements during a factional meeting of the state party in Ijebu-Igbo on Monday, where the former presidential spokesman blamed the dwindling fortunes of the state party on Obasanjo’s leadership style. Oladunjoye, a former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, said Okupe’s comments betrayed the frustration of a “political jobber and office seeker.” Describing Okupe as an “agent provocateur,” he

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

said the media attack on Obasanjo by Okupe was “needless and baseless.” In a statement, Oladunjoye said: “It is regrettable that Chief Okupe, a trained doctor, has not practised for over 20 years, but rather, he is relying solely on hustling, political appointments and patronages. This explains his new role of devil’s advocate. “I urge him to take Obasanjo’s advice that a politician must have a second address and not rely solely on politics for livelihood. Obasanjo is not a state leader, but a national leader in the PDP, and the Chairman, Board of Trustees.

“As such, Okupe’s unguided blackmail and political venom against the Balogun of Owu Kingdom will not work.” Dismissing the “Acting Leader” position conferred on Okupe at the Ijebu-Igbo meeting of the Buruji Kashamu faction, Oladunjoye said: “The ‘Acting Leader’ title conferred on Okupe is not only laughable; it underscores the desperation of the group and the ignorance of its chief promoter, who is a trader, rather than a politician. “It confirms the public knowledge that Okupe has no political base and is in search of relevance and financial salvation. “The title of ‘Acting Leader’ is unknown to the PDP’s constitution at all

strata. The established practice is that at the state level, the governor or former governor is the leader of the party. “Where the party has no governor or former governor, the leadership caucus of the party meets to decide who the leader will be. This was done last June in Abeokuta and Gen. Adetunji Olurin (rtd) was unanimously appointed as the leader of the party, with Okupe and Kashamu in attendance. “Attempting to contest the leadership of the party with Olurin is like a comical show of a dwarf attempting to rub shoulders with a six-footer.” On factions within Ogun PDP, Oladunjoye said disputes cannot be wished away in any political setting. He said efforts are ongoing to reconcile dissenting groups.

Bank driver, student arrested for robbery

200-LEVEL law student at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Michael Essien (27), and his friend, Charles Umoh (30), a driver to the manager of a second generation bank, have been arrested for robbery. They allegedly robbed the bank manager and three others of $12,800 on January 30, about 2:15pm. It was learnt that Umoh was taking his boss and three other female officials out for marketing, when another car hit their vehicle from the rear, so he stopped to assess the damage. It was gathered that Essien and another suspect, now at large, alighted from the other vehicle and robbed Umoh’s boss and the other occupants of $12,800 and other valuables. Police spokesman Mr. Jaiyeoba Joseph said the

By Jude Isiguzo

bankers reported the matter to the police and named Umoh as the prime suspect. Jaiyeoba said: “It was during interrogation and investigation that the driver confessed. He said he needed money to get accommodation for himself and no one was ready to help, so he employed his friends to rob his boss. “The command is determined to combat crime and maintain security in Lagos State. It is unfortunate that a student of the University of Uyo came all the way here to rob.” Essien said: “I met Umoh at Apapa when I came to buy a car for somebody and we exchanged contacts. He told me he had accommodation problem and asked if I had any link that does not involve robbery, but I told him I did not.

‘The command is determined to combat crime and maintain security in Lagos State. It is unfortunate that a student of the University of Uyo came all the way here to rob’ “We came up with a plan, so I bashed his madam’s car and collected the money with them. I was driving my father’s Camry car when the incident occurred, but I was not armed. That was the arrangement. “I was arrested when I wanted to give Umoh the

money. It was about $12,800. I have been in police custody for about eight days now.” Umoh said, “I have been working at the bank for three years. I was given a quit notice by my landlord, who said he wanted to renovate the building. I went to my madam for help. I asked her to help me with some money to secure an apartment, but she said she could only grant me leave, so that I can make use of the allowance. “I declined and told her that the N18,000 leave allowance would not be enough to get an accommodation. I had to look for a way to get the money, so I came up with a plan to rob the bank. “After the incident, I was suspected. Because I did not know Essien’s house, I phoned him, so that we could share the money. That was how he was arrested.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS ‘Nigeria won’t disintegrate despite threat’ From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

•Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka (middle) and the winner of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, Mr. Adekunle Adeyemi (holding the plaque) with students after the presentation of the prize in Lagos…on Monday PHOTO: NAN

IG: Police won’t exceed 24 hours to grant bails

HE Acting InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar yesterday said the police would no longer exceed 24 hours to approve bail applications to suspects and other detainees. He warned officers and men of the Force that there is no room for corruption, incompetence, docility and other vices that have militated against the good image of the police. According to him, the time has come for officers and men of the force to restore the image and respect the Force deserves, assuring that police service would be professionally rendered with due respect to the rights of Nigerians. Abubakar spoke at the Force Headquarters in Abuja during a meeting with Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs).

•‘No room for corruption, indolence’ From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

He noted that the existing structure in the commands encourages patronage instead of merit in administrative postings and deployments as well as the general operations of the commands. The IGP said these must stop forthwith. He said: “As you must be aware, we have, of late, faced extreme circumstances, which have shaken the fabrics of our profession. The trend in our country and the general pulse of the Nigerian public calls for a re-evaluation of policing styles and the conduct of police officers and men. “The expectations of Nigerians of their police force have

severally not been met as a result of various factors, including obvious internal shortcomings as well as a multiplicity of other external instruments. “I intend to reverse this trend and it is my sincere belief that we can collectively confront our institutional problems, enhance police performance and emplace in our nation a social order which promotes civic rights and a conducive environment necessary for socio-economic development. “There is a difficult task ahead of us, and this administration will not tolerate incompetence, docility, shirking of responsibility, corruption and the lackadaisical attitude

that have long characterised policing in this country. “This administration will not allow senior officers to continue with attitudes and actions that debase the police institution and undermine the framework of our corporate entity. These concerns are germane and timely, especially in the face of general mistrust and non-cooperation that have long characterised the relationship between the Nigerian public and the police.” Abubakar urged the DCPs to be proactive in their duties, saying they would henceforth be disciplined alongside their commissioners if there are lapses arising from negligence or misconduct by any state command.

Group warns Boko Haram for threatening Soyinka

YORUBA pressure group, the Oodua Liberation Movement (OLM), yesterday warned that any attack by the Boko Haram sect on Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka would spell doom for Nigeria. In a statement by its Secretary, Leye Akindara, OLM said it viewed the sect’s threat as the “epic of extreme madness and a call to war”. It described Boko Haram as a bunch of blood-thirsty anarchists. The statement reads: “The threat or plan to attack Soyinka is a direct assault on Yoruba civilisation. Prof Soyinka has spent the greater part of his youth and adult life defending human liberty and the most cherished principles of democracy. If Boko Haram attacks Soyinka, the OLM will hold the Hausa-Fulani elders

•‘It’s epic of extreme madness’ By Olamilekan Andu

and their business concerns solely responsible. “We believe in the philosophy of proportional response. Any attack on Soyinka is an attack on the Yoruba race. We already consider this threat as equivalent to an attack.” On the death sentence passed on Hamza al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State Gen. Sanni Abacha, OLM said the judgment must be implemented “swiftly and decisively”. It said: “We support the death sentence passed on a man who has wasted many souls, a man who fed animals with the flesh of Nigerians. The condemnation of the death sentence by the Northern

Caliphate is a criminal action that smacks of hypocrisy.” According to the group, the Boko Haram sect has no ideology but it is driven by the lust of power by the hegemonic Northern Caliphate. OML said: “We say it without fear of contradiction that Boko Haram is a tool of the Northern Caliphate. This has been demonstrated clearly by the choice of the group’s chief negotiator. Nothing confirms the parochial ethnic agenda of this group than the fact that it has spared communities inhabited by Hausa-Fulani Christians while Yoruba and northern minority Muslims have been direct victims of the group’s campaign of bloody terror.” It accused the Northern Caliphate of complicity in the

decimation of humanity in Nigeria because of its “callous pursuit of greed and avarice”. “If the group attacks any Yoruba or Itsekiri person, we shall hold the Hausa-Fulani oligarchy and their organisation across Nigeria responsible. OLM is not opposed to a group campaigning for ethnic interest but such campaigns should be waged within the confines of international laws and convention. “Our position has always been that Nigeria is not a nation. We support anything that will lead to the collapse of the evil empire called Nigeria, since the country thrives on the blood of innocent people. However, we will prefer the division of the country to be done in a peaceful way. But with the campaign of terror by the Boko Haram sect, we urge the Yoruba people to prepare for the worse scenario.”

“I expect you to return to your various postings and begin to generate initiatives that will change the face of policing in your various commands. Be assured that your commissioners of police will cooperate with you as I have directed them in that regard at our last conference,” he said.

HE Bishop of New Generation Bible Church, Kano, Godwin Elomobor, yesterday said Nigeria would not disintegrate despite the Boko Haram insurgency. The cleric addressed reporters at the church’s cathedral in Kano. He noted that the problem with Nigeria is not about religious difference but the inability of the leaders to provide good leadership. The cleric urged Nigerians to be patriotic and embrace peace, harmony and tolerance. He added that with the state of the nation, “all we need is prayers”. Elomobor decried the exodus of southerners from the North, saying the situation would be overcome through ceaseless prayers. “Anybody persuaded to move is free to do so. But from what I see on the ground, security is tight. The President and Kano State governor are trying their best. I appreciate the police, the Army and other security agencies and the residents for joining forces in securing the state. “I don’t see Nigeria disintegrating. I, therefore, appeal to the southerners leaving in droves to return as I see peace around the corner. We cannot afford a repeat of what happened in Nigeria in 1966. Christians should learn to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. I do not support retaliation or reprisal attacks. “Anything that can be done to bring peace through dialogue is acceptable to the church and all Nigerians. Both Christians and Muslims need to rise up in prayer and fasting like never before so that we can preserve Nigeria as a united country,” he added.

Mark solicits support for Jonathan

ENATE President David Mark has urged Nigerians to support the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan aimed at building a united and progressive nation. Mark noted that the President is leading the nation with the fear of God, saying the National Assembly would ensure that the present administration succeeds in its programmes. Addressing participants at the maiden Pa Aikwuta Mark Memorial Pro-am Golf tournament at Otukpo Golf and Country Club, Akpegede, Otukpo, Benue State, Mark said the mandate of the Subsidy Re-investment Empower-

By Olamilekan Andu

ment (SURE) programme of the Jonathan administration would improve the quality of life in line with the Transformation Agenda. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, the Senate President urged Nigerians to be honest in their actions. He said: “The Jonathan administration is determined to ensure that every Nigerian is carried along in this Transformation Agenda. We, in the National Assembly, are keen at ensuring the success of this government; we are praying and working harder to make sure that we succeed.”

Fed Govt seeks loan waivers for women From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

HE Federal Government is seeking loan waivers to enable women access bank credit facilities to enhance economic empowerment and self-reliance among them. Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Zainab Maina spoke in Abuja when she hosted a South African non-governmental organisation (NGO), New Faces and New Voices, in company of officials of the Nigerian Bank of Industries (BOI). Hajiya Maina noted that most Nigerian women find it difficult to access credit facilities from larger financial institutions. According to her, large scale women entrepreneurs who do not have landed assets to use as collateral are often denied such facilities despite their great potentials. She added that she would meet with the Governor of the Central Bank to seek his intervention for women to get waivers from commercial banks on credit facilities.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

The SIM card data is currently being uploaded at NCC into our backed servers, so it is a huge effort. There are operators who have registered 40 million subscribers and there are some who have registered less. Therefore, it takes time to upload these heavy data. - Dr Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

PENGASSAN shuts oil firm in Rivers From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

OR allegedly victimising about 27 members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the association yesterday shut VAM Oil Company in Onne, Rivers State. The Acting zonal Chairman of PENGASSAN, Port Harcourt, Comrade Friday Otono, in a statement made available to reporters accused the management of the company of wrongfully sacking its members and being uncooperative with efforts by the association to resolve the matter amicably. Otono said: “My members in PENGASSAN have peacefully shut the VAM Oil, Onne, to protest the victimisation of our members who were wrongfully sacked and have been out of job for more than three months. “We had explored all peaceful avenues to resolve the matter amicably but the management of the company has been recalcitrant,” he said. PENGASSAN further threatened to shut oil and gas operations in Rivers and some other states in the Southsouth should any of its members, who have shown their solidarity with the strike be victimised. “This shutdown will remain at the company level. However, we will not hesitate to shut oil and gas operations in Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states, if our members who engage in peaceful protest are victimised, embarrassed or harassed,” Otono stated.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.5% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $33.01b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

• From left: Chairman, Forth Oil PLC, Femi Otedola; Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu; President, Dangote Group of Company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Governor, Anambra State, Peter Obi; Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Chaiman, IBTC, Mr Atedo Peterside, during the meeting of the Economic Team with President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Subsidy claims jump by N22.8b, says Lemo S UBSIDY claims on pre mium motor spirit (PMS) has climbed to N22.8billion between December 15, 2011 and January 5, 2012, Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Tunde Lemo, has disclosed. Prior to the latest figure, the CBN put subsidy claims at N1.7trillion between January and December, last year, adding that there were some outstanding Sovereign Debt Notes (SDN), which is a commitment that the apex bank will pay subsidy claims to importers. Lemo, who represented the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido, yesterday at the ongoing probe of subsidy regime management by the House of Representatives Farouk Lawan-led Ad hoc Committee, however, regretted that the crisis in the banking sector had greater effect in the nation’s capital market, which led to its collapse. He said there is likelihood of the subsidy claims to remain high despite the increase in pump price. The lawmakers, however, expressed shock at the inability of the Petroleum

• Reps query PEF’s disbursements From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi (Abuja)

Equalisation Fund (PEF) to make available details of its benefits and disbursements from the pricing template of the Petroleum Product Pricing and Regularity Agency (PPPRA) to the oil marketers. They also lamented that the PEF could not furnish them with the details of funds that accrued to it between 2006 and 2011 after learning that the agency had been receiving N5.85 per litre since March last year from the PPPRA template. This indicates an increase of N3 since 2006 when the bridging started. The agency is vested with reimbursing oil marketers with transportation cost to deliver products from the point of receipt to the retail outlets in various parts of the country to facilitate the sale of its product at government approved price. Though the agency could

not ascertain the actual consumption of petroleum products daily, it, however, reimburses marketers through bridging, inter-district and equalisation schemes. Chairman of the committee, Lawan said the figures received from the PPPRA needed to be known to aid the committee in its investigation, adding that the figures, when computed could also assist in arriving at the daily fuel consumption. The committee also revealed that lack of mechanism to properly monitor bridging of petroleum products claims by oil marketers, made the agency use about 48 days to settle claims on submission of documents by the marketers. Though the agency disclosed that in March, it would launch an electronic verification system through its e-loading pro-

cess called ‘Project Akila’ that would authenticate bridging transactions and automate proof of delivery, it could not, however, confirm the actual delivery of petroleum to the end users. The Executive Secretary, PEF, Adefunke Kasali, said the organisation is faced with the challenges of having to rely on manual mechanism to identify and verify bridging claims by marketers. She said the reliance of the agency on manual verification mechanism was, among other factors, responsible for the delay in settlement of bridging claims, adding that improper documentation by the marketers also contributed to the delays. Kasali explained that there was minimum margin of error in the agency’s confirmation of products’ movement from a receiving to a delivery depot across the country. According to her, in addition to the agency’s staff, officials from the PPPRA, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and others were always on hand to verify in-coming and outgoing products.

Reps seek return of NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON to ports

HE House of Repre sentatives yesterday resolved that the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) should return to the ports to continue discharging their statutory duties. This was sequel to the adoption of recommendations of a report submitted by the House joint committee on Health, Commerce, Industries, Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes after it

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

was considered on the floor. Members while considering the report expressed dissatisfaction with the manner with which the agencies were evacuated from the ports by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala. While leading the debate on the report, House Committee Chairman on Health, Hon. Ndidi Elumelu, said the Minister’s position on the issue is faulty. According to him, there are statutory provisions that empower NAFDAC, SON and

NDLEA to monitor the importation of certain goods at the ports, adding that the Finance minister gave the order evacuating the three agencies without the approval of the President. The lawmaker told the House that the minister ignored the resolution taken by the House on October 31, last year asking her to suspend the withdrawal of the three agencies from the operating at the ports. Another member, Uzor Azubuike (Abia State) in a surprise revelation alleged that five containers carrying dangerous substances from

Brazil docked at the Apapa port during the absence of the three agencies from the ports. He said: “It appears the order was given in pursuance of the fulfilment of some selfish goals. It was obvious that the order was not going to last. The five containers that entered the port on the 31 October, 2011, prove that some elements were at work.” The House has mandated the joint committee to further investigate the allegation by Uzor that five containers carried dangerous shipments into the country within the period the three agencies were evacuated from the ports.

Etihad makes second bid to Nigeria

TIHAD Airways says it is planning to launch services to Lagos from July 1. The move, according to gulfnews.com, will be the Abu Dhabi carrier’s second attempt to launch operations in Nigeria. Etihad Airways was initially scheduled to start operations in Lagos in March 2009 with four services a week, as the carrier had announced in August 2008. But it failed to do so. The airline’s intention at the time was to launch “triangular” flights between Abu Dhabi, Lagos and Abuja, as it stated in a statement in August 2008. In the latest statement, however, Etihad said it would operate direct flights to Lagos six times a week, to mark the airline’s first destination in West Africa.

Total begins offshore production near Nigeria

RENCH oil firm Total SA says it has begun work to boost the production of its Ofon offshore oil field near Nigeria. The firm announced yesterday that construction had begun on building four new platforms and four production platforms on the field about 40 miles (65 kilometers) off Nigeria’s coast. The firm said it will boost production to 90,000 barrels of oil daily, up from 30,000 barrels. That also will allow the firm to collect natural gas from the site. Total says the extra production there should start in 2014. Total also says its Nigerian subsidiary has a 40 per cent stake in the site, with the staterun Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. holding 60 per cent.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS

Nigeria on target for SSA’s biggest economy, says RenCap

IGERIA may surpass South Africa and emerge the big gest economy among the 49 countries within the Sub-Sahara African (SSA) region, according to latest report on Nigeria’s national economic outlook by Renaissance Capital. Renaissance Capital, a leading emerging markets investment bank, said a 20 per cent rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) could make Nigeria the biggest economy in the Sub Sahara Africa by 2016 but a

By Taofik Salako

higher rebase value could hasten the emergence of Nigeria as the region’s economic leader by 2014. It estimated that if Nigeria’s GDP is upwardly revised by the 60 per cent rate that was used for Ghana’s rebasing in 2010, the country’s economy could potentially surpass the size of the sedately growing South African economy by 2014. Analysts, however, said they

expected a conservative rebase value of around 20 per cent, which would make Nigeria the biggest economy by 2016. According to the report written by Renaissance Capital’s SSA economist, Yvonne Mhango, Nigeria’s GDP is widely expected to be upwardly adjusted in 2012, following its rebasing to 2008, from 1990. Meanwhile, Renaissance Capital said it expected Nigerian inflation to accelerate in 2012 due to the increase in retail price of

petrol, expressing concerns about secondary effects on the supply chain as businesses pass on their higher energy costs. The investment banking firm, however, pointed out that the reduction in government’s petrol subsidy expenditure is expected to reduce arbitrage opportunities in the oil marketing sector. According to the report, the reduction in arbitrage in the sector would increase foreign reserves in 2012, which would bolster Nigerian currency and boost

her external reserves. “If foreign reserves continue to increase at the rate they did in January, then Nigeria is likely to have a stronger foreign position in 2012, which is positive for the naira. If the oil price remains resilient, as it has in early 2012, and stays above Renaissance Capital’s projection of an average price of $100/bl, Renaissance analysts see clear upside potential for Nigeria’s external sector,” the report stated.

Oando gets N12b Shell drilling contract

ANDO Energy Ser vices Limited (OESL), a subsidiary of Oando PLC, has announced the deployment of its new swamp rig, OES Passion, to execute a two-year drilling contract from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), valued at N12 billion. OES Passion, which is the third rig, according to a statement from Oando, is a unique swamp barge with sequential well drilling capabilities and a skidding system that enable it to drill up to six wells in one location. Formerly known as Parker 75, the rig entered into service in 1999 and it is rated to 3000HP, thereby able to drill up to 25,000ft in water depths of up to 16 ft. To ensure optimal performance on deployment, OESL said it is committed to a comprehensive lifetime enhancement programme after pur-

chasing the rig in 2009. This upgrade included the restoration of the cantilever skidding system, which is expected to save the client up to 30 days for every six wells drilled thus significantly reducing the overall cost of drilling campaigns. The rig’s mud pumps, the electric-motor driven engines, the top drive and the accommodation module, according to the statement, were modernised. “With a technical team that was 99 per cent constituted by Nigerians, several competent indigenous contractors, and the refurbishment project undertaken at the Federal Lighter Terminal in Onne, Port Harcourt, this project is a testament of Oando’s support for the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Development Content Act and local capacity development programme of the Federal Government,”

the company said. The Chief Executive Officer of OESL, Mr Bandele Badejo, said: “The deployment of this rig further underlines OESL’s commitment to ensuring competent indigenous companies take advantage of the provisions of the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Development Act. We remain resolute towards developing Nigeria’s upstream service industry and continue to set the benchmark for performance. ‘’Following the success of our previously deployed rigs, OESL has built a reputation as the drilling contractor of choice among the major oil companies and we will not relent in our mission to be the upstream preferred supplier of choice as we strive to achieve better operating efficiencies and better safety performance for our clients and other stakeholders.”

• From left: Governor Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, during the CBN Annual Microfinance and Entrepreneuship Award at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja ... yesterday. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

New cement factory to save Nigeria $2b, says Dangote

HE new cement fac tory to be inaugu rated tomorrow will save Nigeria over N300billion yearly from importation of the product, President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has said. Speaking to reporters in Abuja yesterday after the first Economic Management team meeting for the year, he disclosed that the new six million tonnes cement factory is the biggest in sub-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

saharan Africa. The business mogul also noted that on the long run, the new plant will not only make cement available but will also reduce the price in the market. He said about 97 per cent of the raw materials needed for production will be sourced locally with only gypsum, which is just three per cent that will be imported. The coming of the factory,

Dangote further said, was in fulfillment of his promise to make the country cement sufficient. He also said the factory has already started production in the last one month. “What we need to look at first is what value have we added. Today Nigeria does not need to import cement, which is a savings of over $2 billion that is number one saving. Number two is that we will not import anything to produce locally,” he said.

PHCN redeployment employer’s prerogative, says minister

INISTER of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, said workers should not meddle with their redeployment, insisting that it is the prerogative of the employers. He spoke while responding to questions from State House reporters at the end of yesterday’s National Economic Management Team. The minister, who spoke against the backlash from workers of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), said: “Redeployment is the prerogative of

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

the employers. The staff cannot dictate to their employers over their redeployment.” He also said the government has been able to settle 50 per cent of workers’ salary arrears. “We have settled the 50 percent of their arrears and we are also negotiating with their unions. We have also embarked on redeployment of staff,” he said. He also assured that the government is making

progress in making more power available to Nigerians. “What we are interested in is whether Nigerians are getting more power and we can see this in terms of the quantum of power available,” he said. On targets, he said: ”We have plenty of targets. We want to recover more power plants. We want to deliver more in terms of IPP and oil companies are also investing in power generation. We also want to bridge transmission gaps.

Fed Govt to spend N60.63b on Kashimbila the Minister of Water Resources, ONTRACT for the con dam Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, was imstruction of the

Kashimbila multi-purpose dam in Taraba State that was awarded in May 2007 for N42.93billion has been revised to N60.63billion due to the upgrading of the hydro power component from 6MW to 40MW by the Federal Executive Council. According to a statement made available to reporters in Abuja yesterday by the Assistant Director, Press, Deworitshe

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Patricia, the Minister of State for Power, Darius Ishaku, has assured the contractor (Messr SCC Nigeria Limited), handling the project, of prompt release of funds to ensure that the turbines equipment and accessories needed for hydro power section are put in place by the first quarter of next year. The Minister of State, who visited the dam site yesterday with

pressed with the 36 per cent progress so far made and promised to ensure he got his payment for the turbines as soon as the 2012 budget was released to the Ministry. He added that the hydro power component of the dam being financed by the Federal Ministry of Power would increase the National power generation by 40MW when completed.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

ISSUES

• Lagos Port

Making the ports more efficient With the introduction of the 24-hour ports operations, the country appears ready to remove all impediments that hamper efficiency and prompt cargo clearance. Maritime correspondent OLUWAKEMI DAUDA examines the underlying factors that can help the country attain greater efficiency and boost the economy.

HE ports appear to remain a headache despite efforts to reform the maritime sector. Cargoes still spend weeks before they are cleared, while the proliferation of agencies at the ports constitutes a barrier to economic growth. But the government is moving to change things. It has pruned the number of agencies at the ports as stipulated in the Port Acts No 61 of 1999 and directed that the ports be opened for 24 hours. All these are aimed at greater efficiency and improved revenue.

Odds against ports reform Stakeholders are urging the government to look beyond the economic gains it intends to derive from the tariff imposed on importers and exporters and look at the implications of multiple taxation on 24-hour port operations and the economy. According to them, the government has nothing to lose if it stops multiple taxation now that it has introduced 24-hour operation at the ports.

Security at night Before now, past governments did

nothing to make the ports functional all day. The initiative to address the issue was therefore, seen by some stakeholders as a laudable attempt to solve the problems of the ports. However, others said the 24-hour operations is another avenue to milk Nigerians. They insisted that the current port infrastructure such as power, rail and security do not support 24-hour operations. Opening the ports at night and asking importers and agents to clear their goods with prevailing high insecurity in the country, they said, is like inviting trouble. They urged the government to ensure security at night to prevent attacks on

importers and freight forwarders.

Reduction in agencies In June 2010, a Ministerial Taskforce set up by the former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, to fashion out ways to attain efficiency in port operations identified 15 agencies working at the ports. The taskforce, headed by Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Transport, noted that the agencies were involved in cargo clearance, thus making the process cumbersome, inefficient, slow and expensive. Some of the identified agencies

‘The Federal Government has little or nothing to lose if it stops multiple taxation at the ports now that it has introduced 24-hour operation. By so doing, the ports will become more efficient and competitive’

are: • Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); • Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); • Nigerian Customs Service (NCS); • Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS); • Nigerian Police Force (NPF); • State Security Service (SSS); • National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); • National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); • Port Health; • Veterinary Quarantine; • Plant Quarantine; • Federal Produce Inspection Service (FPIS); • Directorate of Naval Intelligence (DNI); • Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); • National Environmental Standards and Regulations Agency (NESREA); and others. As if these were not enough, more were still springing up before SON, NAFDAC, NESREA and others were sent out of the • Continued on page 14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

ISSUES

Making the ports more efficient • Continued from page 13

ports. “Most of these agencies caused delay during clearing as a result of checks and rechecks. These interference and overlapping of responsibilities by various agencies constituted greater part of the port problems. Where operators perform roles earmarked for others, conflicts arose and this lead to further delays and the ultimate looser is the ordinary consumer,’’ said the Managing Director, Shipping Investment, Mr Dolapo Adesegun. Adesegun said the huge number of government agencies at the ports posed serious challenges to the ports operations. He said he had no iota of doubt that the ports are set for greater efficiency with the current reduction in their number coupled with the introduction of the 24-hour operation by the Federal Government.

Multiple taxation Security agents, shipping companies and terminal operators have since formed what maritime analysts have described as a triad of vicious extortions in recent times. Importers and clearing agents working in the nation’s maritime industry said they were not happy with the policy of the Federal Government that allows terminal operators violates agreement. The Chairman, Bolas Shipping, Mr Gboyega Asafa, said the greatest challenge facing maritime transportation was multiple taxation and unnecessary charges by terminal operators, shipping companies and service providers, which are not commensurate with the services rendered by them. Importers and clearing agents, Asafa said, pay huge amount of money at different points in the ports before their goods are cleared. The shipping companies, he said, also force agents and importers to pay deposit for containers loaded by trucks. He alleged that in most cases the terminal operators look for needless excuses so that the monies would not be refunded after the agents have returned the containers. All the challenges, if not addressed, would hinder the 24-hour operations and delay efficiency.

Stakeholders’ perspective A senior manager working at the one of the terminals in Lagos who craved anonymity, blamed the high charges on the rising prices of petroleum products to run their machines, the cost of acquiring cargo handling equipment and the need to make returns on their investments. He denied the allegation that they are extorting importer and agents. ‘‘We only collect what the agreement says we should collect from them,’’ he said. The Chairman, Wet & Cargo Investment, Mr Samson Philip said there is need for the government to verify and fine-tune the current cargo handling practices to bring to bear the benefits of the reduction in the number of its agencies and regulates the charges adopted by terminal operators to boost trade facilitation and make the 24-hour operations meaningful to importers and the Nigerians. Philip said six years after the ports were concessioned, the cost of doing business have increased astronomically, adding that given the current situation in the ports in terms of cost, the country may be elevating failure to the status of world class, consequently, he said this was the reason why the government to took the bold decision of opening the ports 24-hours as done in other countries. Before now, there have been complains by the stakeholders that there were too many government agencies that were aiding and abetting corruption in the port and hindering trade facilitation. Multiplicity of inspecting agencies at the ports, stakeholders said, was one of the major reasons why the nation’s sea ports are

• Minister of Transport Idris Audu Umar

• MD NPA Suleiman

not attractive for business. This is also why the 48- hour cargo clearance policy by the Federal Government did not yielded the desired result. Most of the time, importers and their clearing agents complained that they had to get clearance from each of the agencies in the port irrespective of the type of cargo they brought into the country before their goods leave the port. This, the importers said, was after Customs must have done its statutory examination of the cargo and certified that it could leave the port. ‘‘Instead of goods leaving the port after Customs clearance, agents spent extra days to sort themselves out with the other agencies, which had to sign and stamp the clearance slip. This attitude, clearing agents said, promotes corrupt practices, hampers trade facilitation and delays efficiency,’’ said the Executive Chairman, Badmus Shipping Company, Chief Fola Badmus. Badmus said he was happy with the 24-hour operations introduced by the government and urged Customs to embark on retraining of its officers in tandem with the current challenges. The leadership of the service, he said, should not assume that everything is well as some of the officers are too lazy to work at night.

of the country to conduct examination of goods that were properly declared and give the appropriate duties. It needs the sincerity of all of us. Take for instance; in many other ports we have visited sometime, do you really see the Customs? It is a culture that has been imbibed by us that we now call corruption. Corruption that we have actually legalised in the country thinking it is the right thing. There must be an enforcer and a law abider for us to achieve efficiency in our ports. We must all in trade facilitation make sure that 24-hour port s operations works,” he said.

Corrupt practices Corrupt practices by many officials of the remaining government agencies at the ports and the delay in cargo clearance may hamper the efficiency that the government intend to achieve with the introduction of 24-hour operations. A majority of the stakeholders, who spoke to The Nation on the issue in Lagos, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of integrity, honesty and accountability exhibited by some of the officials of the remaining agencies. They said corruption and its resultant effects on the economy and the image of the country may render 24-hour policy useless, unless the remaining agencies are put under close watch. For instance, the Executive Director, Bolas Enterprise, Mr Samson Albert condemned a situation where most of the cargoes that come to the ports are still subjected to 100 per cent examination by Customs. The demand for 100 per cent physical examination of most of the goods coming into the country, he said, leads to extortion of money from importers and their agents and also translates to payment of demurrage to terminal operators. ‘‘It takes a very good mind and the interest

Goods clearance in neighbouring ports While it takes between two and four days to clear goods in other neighbouring ports such as Ghana and Benin, it takes 39 days to do same in Nigeria before the reduction in the number of government agencies at the port and the recent introduction of 24-hour port operations. The agenda to achieve 48-hour clearance time for cargoes at the ports, operators said, is hampered by the presence of a multiplicity of government agencies with responsibility for cargo examination, clearance and delivery. Ideally, that role, stakeholders said, is for the Nigeria Customs Service. At best, other agencies can partake in cargo examination when their services are needed at the port without necessarily having their offices and officers stationed at the ports.. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Omar Suleiman, was of this opinion. The NPA boss told The Nation that the multiplicity of the government agencies at the port was responsible for the noncopetitiveness of the nation’s sea ports. He said that was why the Federal Government had to reduce their number. ‘’Since the Nigerian Port Authority has gone through reform, there is need for the Federal Government to reform other agencies to aid the one-stop shop we have been canvassing to boost government revenue.’’ Suleiman blamed the inefficiency at the ports, incessant delay in cargo clearance, corruption, cargo diversion and smuggling on the huge number of government agencies operating in the ports in the past. But with the reduction in their number and 24-hour ports operations, Suleiman said, the agenda is set for the country to achieve greater efficiency in her ports.

‘Since the Nigerian Ports Authority has gone through reform, there is need for the Federal Government to reform other agencies to aid the one-stop shop we have been canvassing to boost government revenue’

• CG Customs Dikko Abdullahi

Exploitation by terminal operators Despite the modest growth recorded by the seaports in the last few years, the inability of the Federal Government to appoint a technical regulator in a landlord port model almost six years after the port concessioning has, no doubt, created a vacuum, which terminal operators are exploiting to bring inefficiency into the ports at the detriment of the nation’s economy. The Federal Government directive that NPA should regulate port charges and enforce the 24-hour operations at the port was, therefore, seen by stakeholders as a positive step in the right direction. Stakeholders said if any official of the remaining agencies become uncontrollable and self-centered, NPA should make prompt report to the authority. The resultant effect of the unholy activities of some of the officials of the sacked agencies, an importer, Mr Samson Adeleke said, was high cost of port operations, creation of several toll units by the agencies and the attendant diversion of the nation’s-bound cargo to ports of neighbouring countries.

Ports as transit point Speaking to The Nation in Lagos, the National Chairman, Shipping, Logistic and Trading Association, Price Adefemi Ojodu, said the Federal Government introduce the 24-hour operations to make the nation sea ports a transit point as done in developed countries. The Federal Government, Ojodu said, should be praised for introducing the scheme after reducing the number of its agencies and insisted that the remaining agencies should learn to carry out their regulatory inspections within the stipulated period. All inspections, Ojodu said, should be done in line with the trade facilitation programme of the government. ‘‘We are happy that Federal Government is set to make our ports a transit point as done in other developed countries. We believe. He should not relent in it efforts to the 24-hour operation was introduced to achieve greater efficiency in our ports. The time to make our ports work is now. If we do not get it right this time around, it may take us another 10 years to do that and that is why we must all support the current initiative to make the ports efficient.

Conclusion For the stakeholders, the government should enforce the 24-hour ports operations on the altar of trade facilitation and efficiency. They urged the government to give Customs the statutory powers to clear cargo at the ports. According to them, officers and men of the Customs should be sufficiently trained to imbibe international best practices in carrying out their statutory functions at the ports. They also called on the government to address the non-competitiveness of the ports by developing port infrastructure, have a strategic port planning, address port pricing and regulation, develop comprehensive policies for modal integration, harmonise trade policies, simplify standards, adopt common regulations and procedures, infuse deeper technological penetration and increase education for officers, importers clearing agents and other users to position the ports for greater efficiency.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

MONEY predict growth in Banks reject MfBs cheques Analysts private sector lending T F

HIRD-PARTY cheques from microfinance banks(MfBs) appear no longer tenable in some conventional banks. The banks are now rejecting the cheques on grounds of credibility. Third-party cheques are written in the names of (MfBs), corporate and individual customer. The Nation learnt that the cheques are being rejected during clearance for not meeting certain requirements. The cheques are rejected for fear that they might be cloned, or stolen by people who want to perpetrate fraud. The development has made banks to ask MfBs to keep substantial deposit (placement) with them, if they want their thirdparty cheques cleared. The banks include Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Limited, Intercontinental Bank Plc and Stanbic/IBTC Plc. The Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMBs), Lagos State Chapter, Mr Olufemi Babajide, lamented that banks have been rejecting thirdparty cheques issued by the customers of MfBs. Babajide said Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and Stanbic/IBTC Plc had since stopped

By Akinola Ajibade

accepting cheques from MfBs customers. Intercontinental Bank Plc, he said, stopped accepting third-party cheques from MfBs last year when it started consummating relationship with Access Bank. He, however, said that Sterling Bank Plc and Unity Bank Plc have agreed to assist the MfBs in clearing their third-party cheques to foster growth. Babajide said the banks gave no reason for rejecting such cheques, adding that the association has notified the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) about the development. He said: “The commercial banks have not given us any reason for rejecting the third-party cheques. As a matter of fact, we have reported the issue to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for necessary actions. We are still waiting for CBN to do something on the issue.” He said the issue is having serious implications on the activities of the microfinance banks, urging CBN to quickly wade into the matter.

Also, the Managing Director, Sapida Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr Lukman Oyebanji, said commercial banks were rejecting thirdparty cheques issued by customers of microfinance institutions. He said some third-party cheques were stolen or cloned, adding that the commercial banks will bear the consequence if such cheques are not detected in time. “I think commercial banks are looking for all possible means of averting troubles relating to the clearing of third cheques from the microfinance banks. Now the banks want all the cheques that will be sent to them for clearing to be written in the name of the concerned MfBs. “We were mandated to fill indemnity form so as to indemnify the MfB’s customer, so that whenever there is a problem with third-party cheques, such MfB will bear the consequence,” he said. He added that some banks are ready to clear it, but the concerned microfinance banks must have substantial deposit in its correspondent bank, so that if there is a problem with the cheque, the bank will deduct from that deposit.

•Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Sali (left) and Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Emeka Ezeh at the BPP retreat for permanent secretaries in Calabar, Cross River State.

Oil tax drops to N904b, says CBN

ROSS oil receipts fell to N904 billion last October, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said. In its Economic Report, the CBN said the drop followed the decline in Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and royalties from oil companies to the preceding. The report showed that gross federally-collected revenue was estimated at N1.1 trillion, representing an increase of 48.8 per cent over the monthly budget estimate, but fell below the level in September by 0.5 per cent. Non-oil receipts were N239.1 billion which is about 20.9 per cent of the gross federally-collected revenue, exceeded both the monthly budget estimate and the level in the preceding month by 19.4 and 0.8 per cent. However, the increase relative to the monthly budget estimate reflected, largely, the rise in Federal Government Independent Revenue and Receipts from Customs special levies. The estimated retained revenue was N282.57 billion, while total estimated expenditure was N326.04 billion. By this, the apex bank said fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N43.47 billion, compared with the estimated monthly budget deficit of N94.72 billion for the month

By Collins Nweze under review. Likewise, growth in the key monetary aggregate trended downward. On month-on-month basis, broad money (M2) fell by 3.5 per cent, due largely to the 33.9 per cent decline in other asset of the banking system. Similarly, narrow money (M1) fell by 3.4 per cent below the level at the end of the preceding month. Relative to the level at end-December 2010, M2, however, grew by 5.7 per cent, owing largely, to the rise in domestic credit and foreign asset of the banking system. Available data indicated that banks’ deposit rates showed mixed developments, while lending rates generally increased even as the spread between the weighted average term deposit and maximum lending rates widened by 0.35 percentage points to 17.78 per cent. Similarly, the margin between the average savings deposit and maximum lending rates widened from 20.50 per cent in the preceding month to 21.91 per cent. The weighted average interbank call rate rose from 15.00 per cent in the preceding month to 11.38 per cent, reflecting the improved liquidity condition in the interbank funds market during the month.

The value of money market assets outstanding was N211.8 billion, showing an increase of 13.93 per cent, over the level at September ending. The development was attributed to the increase in the value of Federal Government Bonds and Bankers Acceptances. The CBN said dominant agricultural activities included harvesting of various root crops and the preparation of land and nurseries for tomatoes, pepper, carrots, cabbage and other vegetables. Crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids was estimated at 2.06 million barrels per day (mbd) or 63.86 million barrels for the month. Crude oil export was estimated at 1.61 mbd or 49.19 million barrels, while deliveries to the refineries for domestic consumption remained at 0.45 mbd or 13.95 million barrels. The average price of Nigeria’s reference crude, the Bonny Light, was estimated at $114.05 per barrel, down by 2.28 per cent from the level in the preceding month. The end-period headline inflation rate (year-on-year), was 10.5 per cent, compared with 10.3 per cent at the end of the preceding month. Foreign exchange inflow and outflow through the CBN were $4.52 billion and $4.18 billion, respectively, and resulted in a net inflow of $0.34 billion.

BN Capital, the investment arm of FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, and Afrinvest West Africa Limited have predicted an increase in private sector lending this year, in view of the reforms initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The two agencies gave the forecast at different fora. According to FBN, the banks’ lending to private sector would increase by about 20 per cent as the year draws to a close. The company stated in its monthly review and analysis that activities in the oil and gas, power and agriculture will improve against last year’s. It said banks will not be prone to lending because most of them are yet to recover from the losses of the past.

Afrinvest West Africa Limited toed similar path. Afrinvest is a research and investment advisory company. The company stated that with the banking sector reforms well at an advanced stage, it is expected that there would be an increased credit flows to the private sector during the year. “After consistent year-on-year declines in half year, 2011, credit to the private sector seems to have picked, recording about 7.6 per cent growth y-o-y in September 2011; 15.9 per cent in October and 15.5 per cent in November 2011 to stand at N12.4trn, 163.8 per cent higher than the Federal Government’s budget for 2012,” the company said in the review.

Benefits of cash-less banking, by expert

HERE are enormous benefits in cash-less banking, the Act ing Managing Direc-tor, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said. He said the policy is expected to save huge banking cost of operation. According to him, banks are expected to cut down on operating expenses significantly after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) begins cash-less banking. Experts said by eliminating the “cash-and-carry” status of the banking system for the use of electronic channels, the cost of doing business in the industry would crash and the capacity of the banks for financial intermediation greatly enhanced. The NIBSS boss said the volume of e-payment transactions being processed by the company has been rising since the CBN cash-less banking initiative was announced last year. He said that NIBSS processes 32 million retail transactions worth about N20 trillion in 2011 and the commencement of cash-less banking in Lagos and subsequently in other parts of the country will take the figure higher this year. He said the transactions took place in NIBSS’s locations in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ilorin, Ibadan, Enugu and Benin. He assured of adequate electronic payment infrastructure needed to for the effective implementation of the initiative. Already, NIBSS at the instance of the Bankers’ committee has acquired cutting edge technologies for the operation of the Nigeria Central Switch (NCS) which is crucial to the effective takeoff of the cash-less banking initiative. Ajao said the necessary electronic payment infrastructure is already on

ground for the take-off of the exercise, first in Lagos and subsequently in other parts of the country. He said there was need for banks and other electronic payment service providers to embark on massive publicity campaign to educate the people about the availability and benefits of electronic payment channels. According to him, NIBSS is ready and committed to the effective implementation of the policy. He also explained that the industry proposal was not to place limit on cash transactions, but ensure customers that make high volume cash transactions bear the associated cost, if they chose to ignore electronic payment channels. The NIBSS boss said the policy was one aspect of the programme of mordernising the financial system in the country, adding that the only way to move the nation from cash-based economy to cash-less one was to invest in modern infrastructure that will make the process seamless. On January 1, the CBN policy limiting daily cash withdrawal and lodgements in a bank to N150, 000 by individuals and N1 million by a company commenced in Lagos. The policy will subsequently be implemented in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Aba in the first instance while it will be extended to other parts of the country at a date to be determined by the Bankers Committee. The apex bank took this step to curb dominance of cash in the economy with its implication for cost of cash management to the banking industry, security and money laundering. The NIBSS is owned by all licensed banks including the CBN and discount houses.

NEXIM’s export finance hits N28.84b

HE Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM) spent N28.84 billion on the export sector between January 2005 and October last year, its Assistant General Manager, Project Finance, Ifeanyi Nwade has said. Nwade spoke at an enlightenment programme for exporters tagged: “Developing the Nigerian Non-Oil Export Sector through Customised Solutions” organised by the bank in Lagos. Nwade said the figure represented actual funding to ongoing projects initiated by the bank in the period under review. He said it excluded those transactions that were currently under negotiations or waiting funding. According to him, the Southwest geo-political zone was the foremost beneficiary of the bank’s intervention with N16.5 billion which denotes 57 per cent of the bank’s total intervention. He said three states including: Oyo, Osun and Ekiti have yet to receive the

disbursements, adding that Lagos, Ogun and Ondo were the only beneficiaries in the region. “The Southwest region is richly endowed in agriculture, solid minerals and human capital. It is no doubt the commercial hub of the country and by far the most industrialised region,” he said. The Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Robert Orya, said the export potentials of the beneficiary states were far from significantly tapped. He urged the investors to take advantage of the numerous business and investment opportunities that abound in the zone. He said the bank had disbursed over N70 billion and supported over 900 export projects in the real sector. Orya said beneficiaries were mostly small and medium scale enterprises adding that the bank had also sustained over 300,000 direct jobs in addition to many indirect jobs.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRURARY 8, 2012

INSURANCE

Why insurers don’t promote terrorism cover T

HE promotion of terrorism insurance may lead to growth of the menace, the President, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) Mr Olusola LadipoAjayi has said. He said in Lagos that the industry operators are optimistic that terrorism will soon be over, adding that insurers are also wary of the effects of terrorism. He said terrorism insurance is very expensive as it generates large claims due to the risks that emanate from it. He said the industry

Stories by Chuks Udo Okonta

will consider the provision of such risks when there is demand for it. He said: “We have not started offering terrorism policy because it is very expensive and we pray that this Boko Haram menace will soon pass by. But if it is persistent and people start looking in that direction and begin to make enquiries, the market will respond accordingly. We are very careful for we do not want to fish in troubled waters. We do not want to

promote it because when you do that, you are saying this Boko Haram thing will not go away. We don’t want succumb to the menace.” Though insurers have not started offering the policy, the Managing Director Standard Alliance Life Assurance Limited, Mr Austin Enajemo, said terrorism is taking its toll on their claims profile. He noted that the rise in claims settlement could be as a result of the shock people got from terrorism. He said the company has settled

claims running into millions, adding that though terrorism and other natural disasters are excluded in most insurance clauses, their effects affect the normal services provided by underwriters. Enajemo noted that an insured that died as a result of shocks from terrorism must be indemnified though the death cannot be said to be caused directly by incidences such as bomb blast and other terrorist acts. He said the company has settled both death and medical claims of victims of April general Election, adding that N650,000 each was paid to victims covered by the policy taken by the Independent Nation Electoral Commission (INEC). “Though insurance cover risks, there are always exclusions. If you

have a special policy that covers terrorism, and you are affected by it you would be properly indemnified. But in most of our products, we have exclusion clause. If you are covered against natural death, things that have to do with war, we exclude them. But if it is with mutual agreements we will prove the cover. But also note that there is nothing that happens in the economy that does not affect every body. Therefore, either by a way of shocks from activities of terrorist act – Boko Haram - a natural death would occur. If some body dies by a natural cause, unknown to the insurer, that it is as a result of shock from terrorism, would I not pay the claims? Therefore, we are directly or indirectly affected. And that pushes our claims settlement,” he added.

PenCom begins issuance of compliance certificates to contractors

• From left: Director, Technical, Legal and Administration, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mrs Lawumi Idowu; Chairman, Mr Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi and Director-General, Mr Sunday Thomas, at an event in Lagos.

NAICOM plans to build investment guarantee firm T HE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has promised to assist in the establishment of a regional Investment Guarantee and Re-Insurance Company in Nigeria, the Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, has said. A statement from Assistant Director Corporate Affairs (NAICOM), Mr Lucky Fiakpa, said Daniel disclosed this when a fiveman delegation of European Union (EU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) paid him a visit at NAICOM’s Head Office in Abuja. He said the scheme is to guarantee all investment across the ECOWAS sub-region against political risk while the Re-Insurance scheme would function like the conventional ones. He noted that the scheme would operate with risk capital as against the prescriptive capital with which the regular insurance companies operate. Daniel said there exists a gap in this line of business in the sub-region, adding that NAICOM will be happy to provide the platform for the establishment of the firms. He urged the team to come up quickly with the risk profiling of the business, stressing that the commission will do all that is necessary to quicken the process. The delegation in their presentation had pleaded for the Commission’s assistance in the establishment of the institution, he said. A consultant with the ECOWAS Common Investment Market (ECIM), Dr. Jonathan Aremu, who spoke on behalf of the delegation,

said the Investment Guarantee and Re-Insurance company project is being at studies and the EU and ECOWAS are partnering to ensure its success. He said when fully consummated, the project would have its headquarters in Nigeria. He, therefore, pleaded for the Commission’s assistance, especially, in regulation, technical matters and what is required to set up such institution in the country. The delegation promised to come up with the pre-feasibility studies in the next two or three months. The guidelines regulating the implementation of the insurance industry International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) will be

released before the end of first quarter of the year, the Commissioner, for insurance Mr Fola Daniel, has said. Daniel told The Nation that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is working hard to ensure the guidelines meet with international standard. He said operators have been sensitised to embrace the initiative to reposition their financial records. The Commissioner said NAICOM is also working out a uniform IFRS template to ensure harmony in the accounts presentations of companies in the industry. He said insurers are engaged regularly to ensure seamless transfer from the old accounting standard to IFRS.

HE National Pension Commission (PenCom) has started issuing compliance certificates to organisations bidding for contracts with Federal Ministries, Departments, Agencies, The Nation has learnt. A circular by the commission said the certificate has replaced the erstwhile letters of compliance that were issued for the same purpose. PenCom said the certificate is renewable yearly. It noted that the Public Procurement Act 2007 has made it mandatory for organisations bidding for contracts to obtain compliance certificates from the commission. PenCom said it would further strengthen its collaboration with other regulatory agencies as well as social partners to ensure full compliance. It noted that collaboration with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would be strengthened to encourage the growth of the corporate bonds market; Debt Management Office (DMO) to enhance the secondary market for government bonds; the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to regulate the commercial paper market; the Federal Inland Revenue Serv-

ice (FIRS) on tax issues to the issuance of the council’s and corporate bonds; and Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) on the issuance of the infrastructure bonds. It said special focus would be given to research findings and full implementation of the Risk Management and Analysis System (RMAS) software application for timely rendering of accurate returns by operators to enhance surveillance and safety in the industry. “Awareness campaigns would be intensified to encourage employees in the informal sector, non-governmental establishments, states and self-employed to participate in the Compulsory Pension Scheme (CPS). “An automated technical platform for processing retirement benefits and auctioning annuities for retirees covered by the CPS would be implemented. “As part of the implementation of PenCom s Corporate Strategy, service delivery initiatives would include the provision of a help desk that would provide a comprehensive customer support services and facilitate the resolution of their complaints.”

NCRIB praises Akwa Ibom on insurance scheme for taskforce

HE Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) has praised the Akwa Ibom State government for planning to introduce insurance scheme for its newly launched security taskforce, “Operation Thunder”. In a statement signed by the council’s President, Mrs Laide Osijo, it said policing the society at this crucial period comes with its attendant risks, which are better mitigated using risk management and transfer mechanisms, which insurance is noted for. Osijo, enjoined other state governments with similar out fits to emulate the progressive policy of the state

government. Against the backdrop of security challenges confronting the nation, Osijo noted that there should be a new thinking on how individuals, the government and other corporate institutions could better safeguard lives and property using insurance. The NCRIB chief called for the use of the services of registered insurance brokers for insurances, in view of their diverse knowledge of the insurance industry, which they avail their clients in helping them to maximise their insurances at competitive costs.

Broker seeks increase in group life commission

RESIDENT, Lagos Area Committee of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr Tunde Oguntade, has called on the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to reconsider its decision to retain eight per cent commission on group life insurance. NAICOM has pegged the commission on eight per cent in this year’s insurance operational guidelines. He said the pegging of the commission is inimical to growth, noting that it ought to have been placed at 20 per cent as life business is a difficult policy to sell. He said: “I do not think it is the

place of NAICOM to determine commission rates. NAICOM’s role is to create enabling environment for operators. Commission should be a market agreement thing. If you are selling your product, it should be between the buyer and seller. “We, at NCRIB, are thinking that the thing should not be less than 20 per cent, because it is the most difficult policy to sell.” He said brokers did not agree with the percentage when it was issued last year, adding that brokers would take it up with Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA). Another broker, who pleaded to remain anonymous said the re-

duction of the commission from about 14 per cent to eight per cent was inimical to the growth of the industry. He noted that it was worrisome that at the time the prices of other commodities were rising, NAICOM had decided to reduce the commission of group life, which is one of the main stay of the industry. ”The decision by NAICOM to reduce the commission of group life insurance was ill-conceived. It is worrisome that at a time the prices of other commodities are going up, NAICOM decided to reduce the rate of a major business of operators.

“It is expected of NAICOM to encourage others in the harnessing of untapped insurance opportunities, but it is stifling the industry with unguided regulations.” he added. The guidelines read: “Employers shall maintain life insurance policy in favour of the employee for a minimum of three times the annual total emolument of the employee. “In line with Section 53(1) of the Insurance Act of 2003, commission payable to an insurance agent, broker or any intermediary on group life assurance business shall not exceed eight per cent of the premium.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

“Stoner”-in-chief? •Again, President Jonathan has let fly, unguarded words in a manner that is becoming a trade mark

ET another gaffe escaped from the mouth of President Goodluck Jonathan last Saturday, and from our reckoning, there must be enough now for his critics to produce a handy compilation. It happened at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in his home state, Bayelsa, during the presentation of flag to the party’s candidate (Seriake Dickson) in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. President Jonathan who had been locked in an undisguised feud with the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State (Timipre Sylva) seized the opportunity of the rally to comment, for the first time, on a matter that had left the little Niger Delta enclave spinning like a yoyo in the past few months. In an apparent explanation as to why former Governor Sylva fell out of favour, the President

‘If stoning were the punishment for dereliction of duty for governors , we wager that there would not be a single governor, present or past, alive in Nigeria today, and that includes President Jonathan, the chief advocate of the stoning treatment. As governor of Bayelsa State a few years ago, we have it on good authority that he was not an epitome of good governance, transparency and accountability’

dropped the clanger to his large audience thus: “You have brought everyone here today. Everyone is here because of you. But the only thing I want to tell you is that I was here some months ago, Bayelsans stoned the (former) governor. You must work hard to ensure that they don’t stone you because if you do not work hard and they stone you, I will join them to stone you”, he charged Dickson. The President also spoke about a fivestar hotel project which the former governor inherited but has been unable to complete about five years after. According to President Jonathan, the facility which ought to be a showpiece to have attracted people from all over the world to Bayelsa State, is only but a ‘monument of disgrace’ now. The office of the President of any country is a pristine, if not sacred entity and the occupier in a manner of speaking, is a deity which every action, inaction and most importantly, utterance, counts for something. The President is the ultimate political leader of any people; it is trite to say that he must not be given to flippancy and un-guardedness of speech. Leaders who are not quick of speech and can’t think quite straight on their feet often insist on prepared speech and they stick to it. It is not allowed for the president of a country, even at the hustings, to gloat over such unruly behaviour such as the stoning of a governor or any other person at that. And for such a president to give notice that he will join in stoning a non-

performing governor in the future must be a joke taken too far, if at all it was said jocularly. If stoning were the punishment for dereliction of duty for governors , we wager that there would not be a single governor, present or past, alive in Nigeria today, and that includes President Jonathan, the chief advocate of the stoning treatment. As governor of Bayelsa State a few years ago, we have it on good authority that he was not an epitome of good governance, transparency and accountability. It was President Jonathan who, speaking off the cuff after bombs rattled his inaugural Independence celebrations in October 2010, absolved a group of the act even before the smoke of the explosion had dissipated. He also said the Boko Haram bombings were the lot of Nigerians, a burden they have to live with, perhaps until the sect ran out of explosives. And not quite long ago, he had told a stunned nation that members of the Boko Haram sect had infiltrated even his cabinet. These are just a few of the presidential ‘bombs’ Mr. Jonathan had dropped on the people in this bomb-infested polity. Though stoning is tempting to some people, such barbarity has no place in today’s world anymore. Nonviolent protests, the force of the law and democratic processes like elections, are what we must continue to press upon, no matter how tedious and slow they may seem. May we never have to vote with stones.

10 years after •FG yet to fulfill promises to Ikeja bomb blast victims, even as response to emergencies remain poor

EN years ago, precisely on January 27, 2002, bomb blasts shook the entire Lagos State and environs. There was confusion and panic; especially because many people did not know initially what was happening. Some said it was an external invasion; some others said it was coup plotters at work; making many to wonder what the soldiers wanted again, barely three years after they returned to their barracks. The slow official response, especially from the military, lent credence to the coup rumour. It was later that the Lagos State government and the state commissioner of police, Mike Okiro, and the Commandant, 9th Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army appeared on television and told the world that it was high calibre bombs stored in the armoury of the Ikeja Cantonment in Lagos that began to detonate, apparently after they had overheated. The memory lingers, 10 years after essentially because of the magnitude of the casualties. Many people ran from the comfort of their homes to nowhere in particular when the intensity of the blasts became unbearable, in the hope of finding safe havens. Unfortunately, many of them got stuck in the Oke Afa canal in Isolo, in the Ejigbo Local Government Area of Lagos, which at the time was covered by water hyacinth- concealing the depth of the murky water The Ikeja incident was a tip of the iceberg. When it occurred, bombings, or terrorism as we now know it today, was unusual in the country. Unfortunately, it has become the order of the day in the north.

And the terrorists have no regard for any hallowed places; they target everywhere, including churches and mosques, police as well as military formations. As a matter of fact, to show that they are disgruntled elements without borders, they even bombed the United Nations headquarters in Abuja, killing many people in the process. The Ikeja bomb blasts and the Boko Haram bombings may not be exactly the same in terms of the causes; they are however related in terms of the place of safety and security generally in the country, and the premium we place on the sanctity of lives. The two tell the story of how we are as a nation. The Ikeja bomb blasts would have been avoided if certain military personnel had heeded warnings that the bombs be relocated elsewhere because they posed a clear and present danger. In spite of promises made by the Federal Government when the incident occurred, the government had only fulfilled partially, its promises to the victims’ relations. We however commend the Lagos State government for compensating each of the victims’ relations with N250,000 in addition to setting up of a scholarship scheme to aid the education of their children. The state government has also begun the construction of a bridge across what became known as the ‘Canal of death’ after the incident, to link Ajao Estate and Ejigbo area of the state, in response to the request of the residents of the area. We do not pray for a recurrence of such an ugly incident, but should that happen,

are we better prepared to handle the situation? We doubt. Since the Ikeja bomb blast, we have had a series of lesser catastrophes that were badly managed. Just like the Ikeja bomb blast, some of the victims of those disasters died because help did not get to them early enough, either by way of information or medical aid. Our response to emergencies is still abysmally slow and poor. We call on the Federal Government to fulfil its promises to the victims. This cannot bring back the dead; but it at least shows that the government cares. Nigerians deserve more than the moving graveside orations that government officials deliver in times of emergencies. They need measures to avert disasters and where these are natural and unavoidable, no one should be in doubt that the government is indeed on top of the situation.

‘The Ikeja bomb blasts and the Boko Haram bombings may not be exactly the same in terms of the causes; they are however related in terms of the place of safety and security generally in the country, and the premium we place on the sanctity of lives. The two tell the story of how we are as a nation. ’

A line of would-be immigrants? There isn’t one N THE VENOMOUS debate over illegal immigration, there is a point of agreement between President Obama and some of his would-be Republican rivals, including former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. They’d like to see undocumented immigrants “get to the back of the line” for citizenship. Unfortunately, that convergence of views distorts rather than illuminates the debate. Granted, Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney have different ideas of how the “line” would work. The president doesn’t seem inclined to force unauthorized immigrants to leave the country before applying for legal status. Mr. Romney thinks it would be nice if they somehow “self deported,” then lined up back home for legal reentry to America. In the end, the distinction is meaningless — because there is no line, not even a relevant visa category, for millions of immigrants. In the debate over illegal immigration, a convenient fiction obscures the truth. Here’s why. A large majority of the 11 million illegal immigrants are unskilled or low-skilled Mexicans. Many of them have no relatives over age 18 who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents in possession of green cards. That makes them ineligible for any realistic visa category. They are barred in most cases from employment-based visas, which favor skilled and well-educated applicants, and from familybased visas, which require applicants to have spouses, parents or siblings who are U.S. citizens or hold green cards. (Even the “line” for those visas often takes 15 to 20 years or more.) There is simply no immigrant visa category for which most unskilled Mexicans qualify and no realistic prospect they could be legally admitted to the United States. About half of the unauthorized adults in the country are Mexicans who probably have no category for admission, according to Pew Hispanic Center senior demographer Jeffrey S. Passel. However, there will continue to be a demand for their labor. At least 7 million illegal immigrants are in the American work force, in many cases doing jobs most Americans consider too dirty or unsuited to their educational attainment. (A half-century ago, about half of American men dropped out of high school to seek unskilled work; today just 10 percent do.) There is a tiny number of “other worker” immigrant visas for which Mexicans may apply. But those applications take several years and require employer sponsorship. And no employer would go through the time and expense of sponsorship for an unskilled worker. It is possible to argue that the United States should shift away from family-based visa preferences toward employment-based ones or that it should create a new category of visas for skilled or unskilled “fortune seekers,” who, like millions before them, want to come to America because of its record of rewarding hard work and hustle. Likewise, we would like to see an improved guest worker program, one that offered American employers some reasonable prospect of filling jobs with adequate numbers of immigrant employees in a timely way. But as things stand now, those things don’t exist. On the campaign trail, it may sound tough or fair or common-sensical to demand that illegal immigrants “get to the back of the line.” In fact, it is a convenient fiction, a trope designed more to obfuscate than resolve a policy mess that politicians find too hard to tackle. - Washington Post

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: At the height of Arab Spring mid-last year, a member of National Assembly was quoted as saying such revolution will never happen in Nigeria. However, the way Nigerians angrily reacted by pouring into streets when the price of petrol was hiked by the President should make our leaders have a rethink. And one may ask; why do people revolt against their leaders? People revolt against their leaders because of failure to deliver on promises. People can revolt against their leaders when their freedom is trampled upon. People can also revolt against their leaders when their society, instead of moving forward, is going backwards. People revolt against their leaders due to insecurity. Revolt against leadership can also happen when lawlessness is the language of the leaders. That Nigerians overwhelmingly gave Goodluck Jonathan their mandate in April 2011 is incontestable. That the man made series of promises top of which is betterment of the life of the citizenry is no news. That the man will make life unbearable for Nigerians less than a year in office was unacceptable and he was quickly rebuffed. That Nigerians abandoned their usually way of docility to spontaneously call their leader(s) to order was legendary. Even the arrival of Labour on the scene was belated. Lagos and Abuja

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Revolution looms in Nigeria streets were filled to the brim before the President could drop his microphone. In fact, if Nigerians had known the big betrayal awaited them from Labour, the story would have been different. Can we say here once beaten twice shy? Another day is always there. The least any one can take is the Labour’s excuse that its action was to save democracy. Indeed, it was a spectacular sight seeing Nigerians in the streets of all

major towns in the country, even with pregnant women not left out. Like Labour, another disappointing group of Nigerians seen and heard during the subsidy removal struggle was the students umbrella body NANS. This is the group that has been known to always stand up on the issues affecting masses in the country. But here we were; the body allegedly dissociated itself from the protests.

recorded feats that the essence of government is to genuinely cater to the manifold welfare issues of the people. Last Wednesday, Governor Aregbesola inaugurated a 10-man Schools Infrastructure Development Committee (O’Schools) whose main responsibility is to restructure education and provide infrastructure in public schools within the next two years. In the same period, the Committee headed by Chief Lai Oyeduntan will get the highest amount of money to enable it implement the grand task before it.

Nigerian students of the 70’s and 80 had better treatment than now, yet NANS was always there for the masses. Other parts of the world are moving progressively towards better society but can we say this is the case with our country Nigeria? In a major struggle like what took place recently in our dear country, the lessons learnt therefrom are very imperative. But, do we have leaders that care to learn anything?

• Obaike Adejo Benue State University, Makurdi.

Aregbesola and Osun public schools

IR: Leaders who untiringly and aptly draw from the inexhaustible well of history cannot be in want of viable ideas, lack a sense of direction, or be clueless about the right thing to do in order to significantly improve on the quality of life of their people – the very reason for which they are in the position of authority. Such is the case of the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Ogbeni Aregbesola in the last one year of his administration has unerringly proven through his many

With the tidy sum of N30 billion, the abominable reality of students receiving education in obsolete and dilapidated buildings will be squarely addressed by building 20 high schools, 50 middle schools and 100 elementary schools. The goal is to completely change the face of public education in the state with a view to making it a pacesetter in the South-west region. The government’s intent is based on the sound assumption that that students will rather stay in decent classrooms than take to hideouts which the present horrifying condi-

Re-Minister seeks improved budget for job creation IR: The attention of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu has been drawn to the publication with the above headline in The Nation of Monday February 6 on page 48. Contrary to the first paragraph of the said publication, the Honourable Minister neither sought nor lobbied the National Assembly for improved budget allocation to execute major projects during the ministry’s budget defense before the Senate Committee on Employment

What has Nigerian populace learnt out of the struggle? For Nigerians, the unambiguous signal has been sent out unequivocally that mobilisation for revolution does no long take time. Nigerians have done the rehearsal with a perfect outcome. Our leaders should get the message. As our people say, if one hears so much about a river and still allows himself to be drowned by it, then it is a clear case of insanity. But signals abound to show that our leaders are averse to experience. Clearly, it can be said that revolution is now very possible in Nigeria and one can see it coming very fast.

Labour and Productivity on Tuesday January 31, as proclaimed in the publication. To put the record straight, Chief Wogu only requested the National Assembly to structure the Ministry’s approved capital envelope to accommodate Skill Development and Certification Projects which hitherto was not in the ministry’s budget structure. His words were: “Considering the need to fill the apparent skill gaps in the country and provide the very many unemployed youths with the requisite capacity for

economic empowerment. I pray the ministry’s budget be restructured within the approved capital envelope which now accommodates skill development and certification projects”. In the last two years as Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Wogu has neither sought nor lobbied for improved budget allocation from the National Assembly knowing fully well that budget is the prerogative of the executive, hence his shock at the controversial publication of The Nation on the subject matter,

contrary to accurate publication in other media both electronic and print. Kindly note the distortion in the statement and put the record straight to avoid any misinformation this publication might place in the public domain which is inimical to the image of ministry. • Olowookere Samuel Assistant Director (Press) Ministry of Labour and Productivity Abuja.

tions seem to encourage. The governor is well aware that there can’t be any quality education where knowledge is disseminated to learners in the most dispiriting environment. He is also not oblivious of the fact that the mere mouthing of the need for excellent improvement in public education without taking solid steps and making available the necessary requirements will have damaging effects – hence the making of the committee the largest spender in his government. It is doubtless that with the genuine commitment of the government to improving the quality of education in Osun State, we will witness massive transformation on the scale that the enviable administration of Awolowo brought to bear on the Western Region between 1952 and 1959. I was also surprised to learn that he is providing school uniforms to the students free and would also give free meals to elementary school pupils. His commitment to education and the seeds he is sowing with this massive investment in education would yield good fruits in the not distant future as intellectual giants are going to emerge from this excellent educational system. • Dr Olu Joseph, Ilesa, Osun State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Youth 18-40? 80 years = Governor’s letter? NNPC: Who is afraid of the rainy season?

AVE you ever heard such nonsense? On NTA the newscaster said that ‘youths are 18 - 40 years’. In all other countries of the world you Tony are an adult at 18, can Marinho join the army, be killed for your country, get married and legitimately have sex and a child. Murtalab, the underwear bomber at 21 years old was a ’21 year old man’, not even a young man and that meant he was responsible for his actions. My generation in Nigeria would have been insulted if anyone called us youths at graduation at age 21-27 in the early 70s. The new generation ‘Overgrown Youth’ of Nigeria should grow up and take responsibility. At 21-23 you may be a ’young man’ but no longer a youth. A youth is 15-18. Period! Talking of age, ‘Hearty Birthday Congratulations@80’ and 81st year from last year to Professor Akin Mabojunje, Chief Mrs V Fagbemi, Professor Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose, Professor Emeritus TNT Tamumo, and Mrs Afolabi Denton, and all other octogenarians in their 81 st year for aging gracefully and being such wonderful personalities, having led disciplined lives in careers in business and academia, being exemplary role models of charity, for their hard constructive work and being recipients of God’s special gift of healthy longevity for friends and family to drink from their fountains of knowledge. Being in their company is a constant inspiration and also an aspiration. They are still hard at work, or just winding down wondering what to do - Memoirs or memories. What are their secrets? We wish them many more years of health, happiness and regular pensions where relevant in spite of the N151b stolen pension pot! Governors and LGA Chairmen should cultivate the habit of writing a congratulatory letter and delivering a small but valuable present to octogenarians and other contributory and distinguished citizens among the citizenry so that they, the governors too may become octogenarians

and distinguished citizens. It would cost government very little and be a big boost to someone who has contributed 80 years to the growth of a country which resists all assistance at development. In 2012 ‘birthday-mania’ is still plaguing Nigeria with Nigerians being forced to watch and read pages of hugely expensive adverts in the media and on TV demonstrating who can ‘out-greet’ the other for ordinary birthdays. Where is the Inland Revenue Service demanding ‘25% Birthday Advert Tax’ on adverts? This nonsense cuts across all parties and the birthday greetings costs many useless millions annually. Please note that there is as yet no Breaking News that NASS members have ‘volunteered’ or thought it expedient in the national interest or their own political future interest to cut their pay and allowances. We had hoped for a 75% cut in line with the present financial realities including massive loss of the value of the earnings of the suffering masses redoubled by the new rise in the cost of living precipitated by the government’s recent devastating economic blow caused by increasing fuel prices under the deceptive heading called ‘removing fuel subsidy’. The members of NASS are very anxious to know how much the NNPC and other oil related organs earn or steal, perhaps to further adjust their own NASS salaries upwards, abi? The NNPC revelations are priceless as very expensive jokes! For example it will take 24 months to do Turn Around Maintenance, TAM, on the three refineries. This 24 month time frame has finally been admitted to be another scam to cheat Nigerians of their birthright. The 24 months timeframe is not because it will actually take 24 months of continuous work in each refinery but because each refinery will take three months for TAM. However as intelligent Nigerians we are told that TAM work can only be carried out during the dry season, September – December, 2012, early 2013 and late 2013 because of the sensitive nature of the equipment. What utter rubbish! It is like the potholes and the buildings- nothing done in the rainy season. How heavy is the rain? Is this a monsoon or hurricane country? Do roads not get repaired and factories have their TAM in real hurricane and monsoon

countries? Will the Nigerian Society of Engineers please refute or back up this claim that engineers cannot work during rainy season. Who is afraid of the rainy season? NNPC is! And Nigerians are paying for it! Enough! Has no one in NNPC heard of temporary structures over sensitive areas like using roofing sheets and ceilings and canopies to cover and protect ‘sensitive areas’? It is a refinery not a nuclear plant. The solution is dramatically simple. Shut all the refineries down, now. Do all the TAMs now and have them working at 100%, not 90% by May 1, 2012. Start to plan more refineries and by December 2013 Nigeria should refine two million barrels of oil exporting to West Africa. That would be serious job creation in the areas of petroleum and shipping. The GMD of NNPC said that policing a 60km pipeline was difficult. What is the army for, if the police cannot handle pipeline security? What country in the world sees a three-month solution to a multibillion national problem and political time bomb and chooses a 24 month solution forcing the country into import fuel costing a N1trillion, for two years, in addition to the same $600m TAM? Nigeria! Nigeria’s roads and NNPC cannot be governed by the rainy season!

What country in the world sees a three-month solution to a multibillion national problem and political time bomb and chooses a 24 month solution forcing the country into import fuel costing a N1trillion, for two years, in addition to the same $600m TAM? Nigeria! Nigeria’s roads and NNPC cannot be governed by the rainy season!

Talking about Al-Mustapha

LEFT Lagos for London on the night of Wednesday, January 25, to attend a three-day Regional Conference of the Entrepreneur Organisation, EO, which took place at the Washington Mayfair Hotel in central London from Thursday, January 26 till Saturday, January 29. With a worldwide membership of more than 8,000 spread across 40 countries, the EO – for entrepreneurs only – was founded in 1987 to help young business owners on their path to greater business success and personal fulfilment. It is a global community that enriches members’ lives through dynamic peer-to-peer learning, once in a lifetime experiences and connections to experts. The full gist of what transpired at the conference which attracted participants from 17 countries and attended by me and one other Nigerian, Abdulrasaq Ayodeji Shittu (the EO presently has three members in Nigeria), including how we were constantly bombarded with questions from participants on the political, security and economic situations in Nigeria, will be reserved for another day. On my return journey, the aircraft touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos a little after 5 pm last Monday. After undergoing all airport formalities, we drove out of the airport some minutes after 6 pm en route my house. I was still trapped in the snail speed traffic of Lagos when the network news at 7 pm came on. Behold, the highlights opened with the news that Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former chief

security officer, CSO, to the late maximum ruler, Gen Sani Abacha, and Lateef Sofolahan, former aide to the late Kudirat Abiola, who had been standing trial for the gruesome murder of the late Kudirat had been sentenced to death by hanging by a Lagos High Court. My first reaction to the news was to express a loud exclamation inside the car. From then on until we got home, the gist was the implication of the sentence passed on the duo. I was sure that reactions will come in different forms. And true to my anticipation, different groups have commented on the convictions. While it seems as if Sofolahan has not been given so much attention possibly because he was a relatively unknown individual before the murder of the late Kudirat, Al-Mustapha’s case has attracted a lot of commentaries all over the place. But by far the most bizarre commentary came from a spokesperson for Boko Haram, the rudderless insurgency group that has so far taken the country near the precipice. The group threatened reprisal attacks on judges if the sentence passed on Al-Mustapha is carried out. It was, however, silent on Sofolahan. That was a novel and surprising dimension to the AlMustapha’s saga. The right question to ask at this point is: could there possibly be a nexus between Al-Mustapha and the group? Going by the threat issued by the group, which is a sort of divisive politics introduced into purely criminal episode treated by the country’s statute laws, the answer

‘Until we look at issues as Nigerians and not northerners, southerners, Muslims or Christians, the talk of making any meaningful progress in this country will continue to be a mirage’

to the above question is an emphatic Yes. This is reinforced by the fact that Boko Haram has all along been regarded as a political pressure group masquerading as jihadists. They are in actual fact pseudo-jihadists because all they have been doing is to destabilise the government of the day using religion as cannon folder. In any case, it is up to our security agents to launch an investigation into a possible linkage between Al-Mustapha and Boko Haram. A man in Al-Mustapha’s shoes, with stupendous wealth at his disposal and a past tainted with satanic plots and bloodshed, would stop at nothing to save his neck from the hangman’s noose. There were also reports last week that prominent northerners, including highly placed emirs, were holding nocturnal meetings to secure some sort of soft landing for AlMustapha. Although this has been denied, if at all it is true, it shows the depth of ethnic and tribal politics in this country. Nigerians are very familiar with all the killings, bombings and assassinations that characterised the Abacha’s tyranny. How many of those now shedding crocodile tears ever raised their voice when the mass slaughter of Nigerians under Abacha and AlMustapha’s Gestapo-like grip on power was raging like an angry volcano? I have met several generals who worked under Abacha and they have recounted bitter experiences in the hands of Al-Mustapha as CSO to Abacha at that time. That was a time when generals were made to genuflect before Al-Mustapha, a major, in order to keep their jobs. Those who dared him were either roped into phantom coups or had their careers truncated. Through his sinister actions, it was Al-Mustapha who made his boss to be paranoid of his own security. It was that platform that emboldened him to commit several unthinkable atrocities every-

where. People said he recruited marabouts for his boss across West Africa, including Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, as well as Saudi Arabia. No one was told that AlMustapha himself doubled as a marabout as his boss and several other generals strangely claimed that he was ‘gifted’ with the power of divination. “That boy is gifted with divine powers” was a common refrain among those who had been sucked in by Al-Mustapha’s consistent and pervasive abracadabra. No wonder he got and exercised such awesome powers that drove fears into the minds of whoever came near the Villa when he held sway as CSO. A lot of people today argue that Al-Mustapha, and not Abacha, was in charge of the affairs of the country before death put paid to that tyranny. Have we deliberately forgotten, so soon, the lengthy list of Nigerians who fell in the hands of assassins? Take a look at some of them: Alhaja Kudirat Abiola killed on June 4, 1996; Rear Admiral Omotehinwa killed in June 1994; Chief Alfred Rewane killed in his house on October 6, 1995; Alhaja Suliat Adedeji, shot dead in her house in Ibadan on November 14, 1996, Dr Shola Omatsola, killed by a bomb explosion in his car on November 14, 1996 and so on. The late Alex Ibru escaped the assassins’ bullets by a whisker on January 2, 1996. All these and many more occurred under AlMustapha who had then raised a nest of killers who went by the name Strike Force. Until we look at issues as Nigerians and not northerners, southerners, Muslims or Christians, the talk of making any meaningful progress in this country will continue to be a mirage. All of a sudden, emirs and others are meeting to discuss Al-Mustapha’s issue. What is there to discuss with babaringa when the issue is purely a legal matter? Where were all these char-

Dele Agekameh acters when Sergeant Barnabas Jabila, otherwise known as Sgt Rogers, opened the Pandora’s box at the hearings on the Kudirat’s murder trial? Curiously, Al-Mustapha’s defence, when the trial finally got underway after a lot of deliberate procrastination and rigmarole, was a comedy of absurdities as he made spirited attempts to whip up artificial sympathy for himself by blaming notable figures in the country as being responsible for his predicament. All along, he was treated like a VIP (Very Important Prisoner), both within the confines of Kirikiri prisons and whenever he came to court, because of the money he throws around. The fact is that he and Sofolahan have now been tried and convicted for the murder of late Kudirat Abiola under the country’s laws. They have already filed their appeal which they are legally entitled to do. There is nothing ethnic, tribal or religious in their convictions, and no attempt should be made to give them such coloration. And if at the end, perhaps, at the Supreme Court, their conviction is found to be in accordance with the law, let them be hanged. No sentiments please! Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘Commentators are busy facing the flip side of the oil subsidy debate i.e actual consumption. What about actual landing cost which government says forms the basis for paying importers a whooping N75 per litre? Our importers must be paying the highest ex- refinery price and freight charges in the world. From Dave Enahoro’

• Jonathan

For Olatunji Dare Re: “Still planning without facts” When as a leader you avoid constructive intellectual engagements and choose, instead, to bandy around illogical analyses based on conflicting data founded on fraud by a venal cabal, you are not only desperate but part of the problem for which your programme will not be SUREfooted but RUSEfooted and, therefore, dead on arrival! The question, however, is: Why would an otherwise hardworking and distinguished old man, in his old age, allign himself with our problems believing they are the solutions? God help Nigeria. From Kayode A, Abeokuta. I expect that you would have been objective in your write up “The road to regimentation” by putting forward the two sides of the argument. But you chose to state your own views only, which to me is in contrast with the reality on ground. We all know how our economic woes started, and if anyone chooses to demonise the pragmatic efforts of the President towards bringing us out of the economic quagmire, I wonder where we are headed as a country. You will also not claim ignorance of the composition of our security outfits and the attendant difficult situation the President finds himself. This is the more reason you have to appreciate the systematic approach with which the President is handling the situation. Let us join hands to make this country a better place for all of us, rather than unnecessarily criticising every government policy without giving it a chance. From Fredrick, Port Harcourt. I am sure that the organisation you represent can give us accurate data on our fuel consumption. This could be collated from information from fuel depots across the country or filling stations. Independent organisations can give us a fair number that can be reliable. From Jb. Thank you for your succint write ups. I have

also proferred that NNPC mega stations should be dedicated exclusively to the ethnosolidarity brigade and their cohorts to buy PMS at N141 to prove their ‘commitment’ to SURE/RUSE nonsense. From Kole AdeB Re: “Still planning without facts” I call their act of incongruent figures as ‘figure-juxtaposing’. Aside subsidy issue, inconsistent figures usually retard the growth of a nation. Four different figures by four institutions/agencies is tantamount to a shame of a nation. Excuse of the failing/failed promises would now be on the N97 rather than N141. Who cares? is my assertion; but planning with facts in all ramifications will be the best for an ambitious nation. From Lanre Oseni, Lagos. These selfish usurpers of resource experts ‘ll be flushed with cash if they stop their bosses from freeloading on us. Those poor Nigerians ‘subsidise’ President + VP, 42 ministers, Senior SpecialAdvisers, Special Advisers and all manner of positions, including Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants, with offices and annual budgets. At the last count (through a congratulatory advert), Senator David Mark has 16 Special Advisers and Assistants. I don’t know of the Speaker and the others. These people don’t buy fuel with their money. They don’t feel our pain! Yet, they are the shameless megaphones of the ‘good’ in subsidy removal. You live in America Dr, can they tolerate the insanity going on here? From Olu. What do you think is the volume per day at the best pump price for Nigeria? Anonymous. Commentators are busy facing the flip side of the oil subsidy debate i.e actual consumption. What about actual landing cost which government says forms the basis for paying importers a whooping N75 per litre? Our importers must be paying the highest ex- refinery price and freight charges in the world. From Dave Enahoro. Government cannot deliver on the sure programme without borrowing. Incidentialy, an end to borrowing is the reason given for subsidy removal in the first place. I thought the principle behind the debt forgiveness and payout a few years ago was so that we wouldn’t fall into another debt trap. Now we owe N5 trillion. Nobody is

even asking questions. Just like no one asked what happened to the $20 million Yar ‘Ädua left in the excess crude account. Anonymous. Police not perturbed by seige: While the country is up in flames by Boko Haram bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians, our policemen are on our roads extorting money from commuters. One needs to take a trip to the East, West and South-south to see what mess we have as police. Not even the sacking of the IGP would deter them since the authorities turn a blind eye. Who would invest in a country like ours? From Richard Onyegasi, Ajaokuta. It is laughable that one of the demands of Boko Haram is that President Jonathan should convert to Islam. Good for them, but let them come out and preach to him maturedly,. not by throwing bombs and hiding. Islam is a religion of peace. From Mike Madu Ogwuma. Aba, Abia State. “Still planning without facts” amounts to telling a beautiful story to a deaf and dumb. I am sure if relatives of the deaf and dumb do not pass the message to their person, at least, posterity can exonerate you. Good job always. From ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos.

For Segun Gbadegesin The question is: What is the fate of the money the government was generating before the subsidy? What will happen to it? We have been stage-managed with diversion of interest. The “if” in your last para on NADECO is a big one if we consider political turn-coats, ideological charlatans and opportunists who believe in mainstream slavery. I fear O! From Mike Aiyemo, Abuja. Dr Faseun founded NADECO to defend MKO’s mandate and showed up in court in solidarity with Al Mustapha who is on trial for the murder of Kudi Abiola... NADECO, indeed. Thank God, Abulsalami returned us to democracy! Try Obasanjo again! Anonymous Re : “NADECO & national question” I agree with you sir, that the goal of a sovereign national conference (SNC) can be achieved through existing institutions with careful strategy over time, for a journey of a

• David Mark

thousand miles starts with a step. The institutions in place now are better positioned to bring about the conference in a more palatable manner than any other, I believe. From Ibrahim L. Ciroma, Kaduna. Thanks for your write-up: “NADECO and the natiönal question”. We urgently need a SNC to agree on whether and how Nigeria should continue to exist. Irritating issues like billions NASS members, top politicians/public servants steal as salaries/allowances, corruption, Boko Haram and others need prompt attention. From Chuma, Imo State. GEJ is a novice. His action so far doesn’t show he has a cure for Nigerian problem. NADECO should be more proactive and engage the National Assembly in serious debate. Senator Mark, with his experience in public office would see reason in the holistic restructuring of the nation. From Falarungbon. I have enjoyed your article on Friday but NADECO must do more to ensure that Hausa/ Fulani now a minority group, do not get into power without a Sovereign National Conference. From Uche Lawson, Aba. I am fully in support of having a sovereign national conference where most of the issues would be addressed. How can one get to be a member of NADECO? From Ajim Michael, Ebonyi State. I read through your article of February 3, and I was impressed; the only way just as rightly pointed out, is how to take the movement (NADECO) beyond cities to other localities accross the 36 states to sensitise the citizens to vote based on party ideaology and not personality. Kudos! learned fellow. From Suleiman Abdulraheem, Kogi State. Never can this country(Nigeria)produce an Inspectorp-General of Police like Tafa Balogun who was feared and respected by the rank and file. He succeeded because he knew his onus. From Alhaji Yusuf Emelis.

OPINION

Curbing the excesses of NURTW members Our attitude to the sanctity of the human lives is becoming quite disturbing and alarming. In the course of the last general elections, some of the youths who were used by the Independent National Election Committee as ad-hoc staff were cut off in their prime. Of course, their various families were duly compensated by the appropriate authorities! That is how awful our outlook to human lives has become. In Nigeria today, almost everything has been monetised, human lives inclusive. So, it no longer pricks our conscience to offer money as reparation to the bereaved. It is in the light of this that one will like to examine the subject of the notorious activities of some members of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the country. Over the years, the members of the union have become so audacious that one begins to wonder where they derive their powers from. All across the country, it is not uncommon to hear tales of the lawless activities of members of the union which in some cases have become a serious threat to national security. It has become a common sight across major cities in the country to see members of the union beating bus conductors and drivers to the point of stupor while passengers bold enough to confront them are given same treatment. Quite often, NURTW members go to the extent of harassing pas-

By Tayo Ogunbiyi sengers unnecessarily. The reoccurring menaces of the NUTRW members has stopped a lot of decent people from investing in the commercial transport business in the country, just as many investors have sold off their buses because it was no longer profitable due to undue extortions. As it has become noticeable in every facet of the society, the struggle for resource control is often behind most of the clashes among the members of the union. Contending attempts by different factions in the union to control the revenue of the various motor parks is a strong factor in the violent crisis that has engulfed the union across the country. The alarming access to arms and ammunition among members of the union is quite frightening. They fight with so much recklessness that one wonders if they operate under different laws from the rest of the society. In most cases, they fight for hours, using sophisticated weapons as it happens in real warfare. Some of the union leaders, across the country, have died in a most brutal manner in the course of most of their gang warfare. And, as it is always the case when armed robbers strike, the police will only arrive at the scene when the havoc has already been done. The tragedy of

this situation is that innocent individuals, who are going about their lawful activities, usually fall victims of the anti-social actions of members of the union. However, in spite of the various interventions of governments across the country, it is baffling to discover that rather than diminish, dishonourable conducts among some members of the union have simply increased. The reasons for this are, of course, not far- fetched. First, there is the issue of complicity of law enforcement agencies. Infact, it has often been alleged that the various leaderships of the police across the country have their allegiance to some of the leading gladiators in the leadership stratum of the NURTW. It was sometimes alleged in Oyo State, sometimes ago, that a former Commissioner of Police in the state was loyal to one of the feuding NURTW factions that unleashed terrors on the state. It got so bad that, prominent Ibadan leaders had to call for the redeployment of the said top cop. Many Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the country are also alleged to be on the payroll of some of the notorious NURTW kingpins. These are serious allegations that the new Inspector General of Police must look into. When it has come to a situation where law enforcement agents connive with law breakers, then the whole society is in trouble.

Governments at various levels in the country must begin to take firm actions to curb the union’s lawlessness. They must ensure that they stick to tough-line policies in order to ensure that no section of the society continues to be a destabilizing factor scuttling peaceful co-existence. Similarly, the police and other security agencies should hunt down, arrest and bring to book any member of the union that is involved in criminal activities. In a sane society and in this age, it is astonishing that the NURTW adopt violence as its operational style especially as it affects leadership change and other related issues. Imagine the number of needless deaths, pains and destructions that their violent activities have caused in the country. The transport sector is too important to be left in the hands of thugs, hooligans and lawless men. How can those who have engaged in sustained gun battles, leading to the killings of many and the destruction of valuable property be saddled with the leadership burden of such a vital union as the NURTW? We must stop creating individuals and groups that are above the law. Before they become another monster that will consume the rest of the society, the time for the appropriate authorities to act against the men that give bad names to the union is now. Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

SHUT-IN

CAPACITY

PROJECT

NSCDC arrests pipeline vandal

N2b farm centres for youth empowerment

Suswam flags off rural electrification

Jos

Bauchi

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

Benue

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Page 25

Dakingari gives headmasters wake-up call on students’ performance G

•Dakingari

OVERNOR Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State has advised secondary school principals in the North West zone to adopt modalities that would improve students’ performance in external examinations. Dakingari spoke in Birnin Kebbi at the opening of a threeday Annual Mandatory Continuing Professional Training programme of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) in

the zone. He expressed displeasure at the poor performance of secondary school students in the region, especially in the last WEAC and NECO examinations. The governor particularly described the performance of students from the state as discouraging, adding: “but we would not relent in our efforts to im-

prove the situation.’’ An official of ANCOPSS National Secretariat, Alhaji Mohammed Ado, challenged the principals to leave a legacy in the education sector, “by breeding disciplined and well mannered future leaders.’’ ANCOPSS President in the state, Alhaji Aminu Umar, said the training was meant to appraise the performance of prin-

cipals, aimed at improving standards in external examinations. “Our members have resolved to ensure drastic improvement in standards, considering the support we get from government.’’ The training attracted participants from Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa and Katsina states.

ESIDENTS of Asaba, the Delta State capital, and its environs are experiencing hard times due to lack of potable water. The shortage of pipeborne water in their homes has forced many to have boreholes. The boreholes are bereft of water treatment facilities. Residents are contending with its health hazards. Ironically, the ancient city is bounded to the East by the timeless River Niger The plight of residents is further compounded by the dry season which is at its peak; coupled with the activities of shylock water vendors. The predicament of residents has been heightened by the slipshod manner in which successive governments have handled water projects in the state. Successive administrations have often resorted to unsustainable mini-water schemes at the expense of viable water projects which were established by leaders immediately after Nigeria independence. These water schemes built in the 60’s, with a comprehensive and extensive grid system have become derelict due to neglect. But the vacuum created by the moribund Urban Water Board has been filled by residents sinking untreated boreholes in their homes and selling same to individual vendors who in turn sell to individual homes. Almost every home in Asaba metropolis and its environs has boreholes; which they sell to other residents not fortunate enough to live in homes with mini-water schemes or boreholes. Residents who do not have potable water supplied by their landlords and cannot afford to buy water from water vendors are worst affected by the situation. These groups of residents have to go in search of water in the neighbourhood and beyond.

•Asaba residents milling around a commercial borehole in Umunaje quarters to purchase water

Asaba groans under poor water supply Residents call for government intervention We’re committed to solving problem From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

One of the residents who spoke to Newsextra in confidence narrated his ordeals: “I have to walk a dis-

tance of about two kilometers carrying two 25 litres of jerry cans to provide water for my family every day. I often make several trips to fill my 206 litres drum.” Continuing, he said: “I suffered

severe chest and waist pains in the course of performing this domestic chore. At a point my wife took ill due to this strenuous work. As time went on, a friend offered me his 1,000 litres tank which I spend

N5, 000 to fill with water from water vendors. This puts a heavy financial burden on me. “Large number of persons in the metropolis suffer water problem. I must not fail to commend the management of Churacks Filling Station. They are God-sent. His gates are open to all persons in need of water and I have been benefitting from his kind gesture since two years now.” Aside the physical strain suffered while engaging in this daily chore, he endured the embarrassment and shame of doing such menial job. He appealed to government to provide potable water in order to •Continued on Page 26

THE NATION WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 8, 2012

Asaba groans under poor water supply •Continued from Page 25 lessen the suffering of the residents. Another resident who identified herself simply as Mama Solomon, who lives at UmuOnaje Quarters, said she wakes up early every day in order to be part of the queue that forms around the only borehole in the vicinity to purchase water for her family’s use. She regretted what she called government’s neglect, even as she wants government to come to the rescue of the residents by solving the water problem in Asaba. According to her, it is cumbersome combining water-fetching with other domestic chores.It leaves her drained of energy and she often ends up falling sick due to physical exhaustion. Mr. Christian Nwandioke, ex-chairman and Patron Asaba Tanker Drivers’ Association, said that their role as water vendors is crucial to both Asaba residents and those of hinterland communities, stressing that since the collapse of the state Urban Water Board, his association has been filling the gap. He said: “It is about 10 years ago that the State Urban Water Board stopped functioning and we vendors purchase water from owners of boreholes in Asaba which we in turn sell to rural areas. We sell to residents in Asaba, Okpanam, Ibusa, Isele-Uku, UbuluUku and Illah communities and other places.” Mr. Nwandioke said the major problem confronting his members include buying water from commercial borehole owners at exorbitant prices. According to him, many commercial borehole owners normally increase price of the commodity. They would argue that they

incur extra cost using fuel or diesel to power their generators. He pointed out that the extra cost is often passed to the end users. According to him, to fill a tanker using public power supply, his members pay N500, while they pay N1, 000 if they buy from boreholes powered by generators. The overall cost of a tanker is calculated based on distance. In Asaba metropolis, a tanker filled with water sells for N5, 000, while it sells at N6, 000 in communities such as Okpanam, Ibusa, and Isele-Azagba, while at Iselu-Uku it sells at N10, 000. He absolves his members of accusation of profiteering, stressing that the costs of maintenance of vehicle and purchase of gasoline have combined to make prices high. Aside the above problems, Mr. Nwandioke blamed local government officials of double taxation. He further stated that his members purchase stickers from over nine different local government councils. He would want government to intervene so that prices at which they sell water would drop considerably. Corroborating Mr Nwandioke’s views, the Delta State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Chris Ogenechowven, admitted that there are lapses in the supply of potable water to residents, stressing that government has concluded plans to restructure the agencies responsible for water supply in the state. He said: “The Ministry of Water Resources has been responsible for awarding contracts and supervising the projects for us to have efficient water supply. I realise that for dayto-day maintenance of our water schemes, this can only be done by the Urban Water

Council gets team on scholarship funds T HE Kura Local Government Council of Kano State has set up a 14-man committee to oversee the disbursement of scholarship funds to students of the local government in tertiary institutions. Inaugurating the committee on Saturday in Kura, the council Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Halilu, said that setting up the committee was in line with the state government’s effort to enhance the students’ welfare. Halilu said the council found it necessary to constitute the committee to ensure transparency and fairness in the payment of scholarship allowances to students from the area. He charged the committee to discharge its duty with upmost fear of God in order to achieve the desired objective.

“I want to appeal to you to work toward ensuring that our students receive the allowances promptly to enable them concentrate on their studies,” the chairman said. He also said that the council had made adequate provision for education in this year’s budget to support students of the area, particularly those pursuing medicine, engineering and other science courses. Halilu gave the assurance that the council would give the committee all the necessary support to enable it discharge its duty effectively. Responding on behalf of members of the committee, Alhaji Mohammed Bala pledged that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.

•Dr. Oghenechowven

•Nwadioke

The biggest challenge is the issue of rehabilitating the pipes laid in the 60’s with asbestos pipes and replacing them with PVC pipes. The Urban Water Board has started doing this and we have discovered 56 points of burst water pipes within a small radius and these have been rehabilitated Board because they have all calibre of staff. These personnel, for some reasons, have not been functional .We are going back to the old system where if there is problem there will be a staff to effect repairs. We intend to strengthen the agencies and more importantly fund the agencies.” Continuing, he said: “What we have done within the last two years is to see how we can re-structure the Urban Water Board and Rural Water Supply Agency .We have created 10 zones so that we can have more outreach to the people and improve the manpower of these two agencies to make them function more efficiently.” According to Ogehenechowven, the problem of water supply has been the concern of government as it tries to reconsider the issue of borehole project which often breaks down soon after inauguration. “I have looked at it holistically, the cost of running so many stations over the periods we have had mini-schemes, but we are now going back to the post-independence water schemes. Within the state, you will see these massive structures. We have a scheme in Ogbeogonogo, Umunede, two at Agbor, one in Kwale, Owhe, Ozoro, Ughelli, Sapele, Oviorie, Ewvhreni, and Ezzi. These schemes were built by the immediate post-colonial leaders of our country. These schemes were built as a platform for providing water for the populace,” he added. The commissioner said his ministry has begun the resuscitation of hitherto abandoned water projects across the state, adding that a new 900 feet borehole has been sunk at the Ogbeogonogo Water Scheme to provide water for Asaba residents. However, the

From left: Hon AbulLateef AbdulHakeem, chairman, Lagos State Pilgrim Board; Ejigbo Local Council Development Area chairman, Kehinde Bamigbetan and Babatunde Mesewaku, Ejigbo council manager at one day induction workshop organised by Ejigbo LCDA for new political appointees

Ogbeogonogo water scheme has undergone test run in the last several months but a major challenge that may frustrate government’s efforts is the ancient subterranean pipes which ruptures with every test run. Aside this daunting challenge, Dr Ogehenechowven said the asbestos pipes laid decades ago will be replaced with more healthfriendly PVC pipes. His words: “The biggest challenge is the issue of rehabilitating the pipes laid in the 60’s with asbestos pipes and replacing them with PVC pipes. The Urban Water Board has started doing this and we have discovered 56 points of burst water pipes within a small radius and these have been rehabilitated. “If we conclude these rehabilitation works, we can pump water to individual homes. If we can get about 100 kilometers of laid pipes within Asaba, we will pump water to every home within the metropolis and its environs. It will interest you to know that a well-laidout grid has been put in place by our immediate post-independence leaders such that if I take water from Umunede, I can connect it with Agbor and further on to Oza-nogogo and from there we can drive it onwards because there exists already-laid water pipes. “We can drive water from Asaba to Ibusa and further on to Ogwashi-Uku –Umutu and thence to Ubiaruku and straight to Abraka. These lines have been laid.We have done a lot of repairs in Ubiaruku such that if you pump water at Ubiaruku, the whole town can get potable water from their taps.” A check by Newsextra at the Ogbeogono reservoir revealed that a new borehole had been sunk reaching an aquifer over 900 feet below, but the scheme has not worked due to several technical hitches including lack of a proper water treatment plant and a malfunctioning generator. Despite these challenges, Dr Chris Oghenechowven said he is determined to end the water crises in Asaba and other parts of the state.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NSCDC arrests pipeline vandals in Plateau

IGERIANS have been advised to desist from destruction of public properties on the premise that they are nobody’s assets. They have also been urged to protect government properties in their domain instead of vandalising them as the properties are meant to serve the public and make life meaningful for the people. The Plateau State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Desmond Agu gave the advice in Jos, the Plateau State capital while parading five suspected vandals of some pipelines belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. The pipelines convey fuel from the Kaduna refinery to the Jos NNPC depot. Speaking with Newsextra, Mr. Agu lamented the attitude of some Nigerians who sabotage government’s efforts towards alleviating the suffering of the people through acts of vandalism. He added that his organisation would not hesitate to prosecute any person or group who engage in such act. He said: “We have arrested five suspects, Daniel Adamu, Abbas Bawa, Mubarak Abubakar, Ya’u Isa and Ibrahim Adams at Tega Village of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State who vandalised the NNPC pipeline in the area.

•Drums used in storing fuel From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

“We recovered as exhibits, a Mazda truck with registration number XC 161 BSA, eight drums filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), seven empty drums, two plastic buckets used in scooping fuel, a funnel and rubber pipe.”

We have arrested five suspects, Daniel Adamu, Abbas Bawa, Mubarak Abubakar, Ya’u Isa and Ibrahim Adams at Tega Village of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State who vandalised the NNPC pipeline in the area…We recovered as exhibits, a Mazda truck with registration number XC 161 BSA, eight drums filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) •Mr. Agu

Continuing, Mr Agu maintained that “it is quite unfortunate that people are fond of sabotaging government’s efforts by vandalising assets meant for community use. “Let me warn those who think vandalism is a source of making money to desist from such act because we will ensure that they are apprehended and prosecuted. “The manager of the NNPC mega station has been notified to ensure the vandalised pipelines are repaired so as to prevent any form of calamity on the residents of the area.” He also gave those selling fuel in jerry cans at the NNPC mega station an ultimatum to vacate the place or risk arrest and prosecution. The Commandant appreciated the complementary role the Special Task Force (STF) in Jos is giving his organisation, stating that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are com-

pleted. Meanwhile, one of the suspects who spoke in Hausa accepted blame for not notifying the relevant authority when he saw the burst pipeline, arguing that they did not vandalise the pipeline. He said: “I saw the pipe leaking and fuel oozing out of it and I notified my friends about the development. Later, they called me on phone to come and show them the place. I did and they went to hire the drums and vehicle that will convey the drums to an unspecified location. “We were scooping the fuel when the Civil Defence arrested us. This is the first time I have taken part in such act. I am sorry.” However, three of the five suspects have been sentenced to six months imprisonment by a Federal High Court while judgment on the last two suspects was postponed till the February 13, 2012.

NIPR chief urges dialogue with Boko Haram By Ambrose Nnaji

•Ologun

HE chairman of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos State chapter, Mr Jide Ologun, has called on the Federal Government to urgently put in place strong measures to forestall further destruction of lives and property as currently witnessed in the country. He has also urged government

to fish out those who are backing the Boko Haram sect, a group which has claimed responsibility of the incessant bombings in some parts of the country in which several people have lost their lives and property worth billions of Naira lost in the process. Mr Ologun described as untrue insinuations from certain quarters that the crisis rocking the entire nation was targeted at Christians alone, saying from the analysis of what happened in Kano, majority of people who died in the bomb blast were not Christians. It added that the activities of Boko Haram cut across political, ethnic and religious inclinations; a situation it said poses great danger to the unity of the country if it is not addressed as quickly as possible. Mr Ologun argued that the Boko Haram sect consists of a group of persons who are not happy with the government of the day and are trying to express their grievances

over some issues that needed to be addressed. He therefore urged the government to quickly adopt the roundtable dialogue as a process of resolving the matter. Mr Ologun also suggested the option of amnesty as a means of dealing with the issue of Boko Haram insurgence. Recall that the late President Musa Yar’Adua had granted amnesty to the Niger Delta militants at the time when kidnapping and blowing up of oil pipelines were the order of the day. This, many believe, had succeeded in reducing the incidences of unrest in the region. Mr Ologun, a lawyer has also advised the government to conduct what he described as opinion research survey on the people with focus on the crisis-ridden states to ascertain the level of acceptance of government’s efforts in making life better for the people. He explained that the essence of governance is to have leaders that would be able to formulate and implement policies and pro-

grammes that would serve the interest of the people “If the people are not happy with style of leadership, they will rise to frustrate the system. The government should appreciate the result of the post-subsidy removal protests. Facts came from Nigerians about their expectations. Let the government begin to implement policies in those directions. “We are assuming that the government perhaps does not know how the people feel about their country and their leaders. Let

them begin to implement policies that will address these pockets of grievances. You cannot tell what will come out of an angry man. We know that aside bombs; there are other dangerous weapons that could be deployed by those who are violently expressing their displeasure with current state of affairs. “That is why the government should quickly move in for dialogue. It should, first of all, identify those who are behind this group. If they are cabals then host a dinner for them,” he concluded.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

N2b farm centres for youths

•Governor Yuguda

HE Bauchi State government says it will establish farm centres in its three senatorial zones to encourage the involvement of youths in agricultural productions. Alhaji Tasiu Mohammad, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Bauchi. He said that the farm centres, to cost about N2 billion, would generate nearly 6,000 jobs in three locations. He said that the centres would complement the state government’s efforts at empowering the youths through various cooperative societies established for such purposes. Mohammad said that already, work had begun at the farm centres and the programmes would begin once funds from the 2012 budget

Council to empower women, youths

HE Gwiwa Local Government Council of Jigawa plans to release N1 million monthly as soft loan to support small-scale entrepreneurs, the Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Daurawa, has said. Daurawa, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, said that women and youths of the area would be the beneficiaries of the programme. He said that women who had acquired some skills would be given the loan as capital to start their own businesses. Youths, on the other hand, would be given motorcycles, generating sets, vulcanising and water pump machines under the scheme to make them self-reliant, he said. “This month alone, we have bought 17 motorcycles and 15 generators which have been distributed to some of the youths, to enable them to engage in commercial motorcycle operations, popularly called

Jigawa ‘Okada’ , while generators were given to those engaged in barbing salon business.’’ He said that the beneficiaries would repay the loan instalmentally after an initial 25 per cent deposit. The chairman also said that agriculture was top priority for the aaministration due to the agrarian nature of the area. “We also have land under irrigation in our area; that is why our council is subsidising fertiliser, seedlings, tube wells and water pump generators for farmers in the area.” According to him, the council’s numerous initiaties are aimed at alleviating poverty in the area. The chairman further said that the council had introduced bursary allowance of N3,000 to each indigent student studying in any of the tertiary institutions across the country.

Fidelity Bank donates medical tools to children’s hospital

N a bid to reduce mortality rate among babies, Fidelity Helping Hand,a corporate social responsibity initiative of the Fidelity Bank Plc has donated medical equipment worth over a million naira to the children of Massey Children Hospital. The equipment which were two radiant warmers and an oxygen concentrator were donated through the funds contributed voluntarily by the staff of the bank to save lives, show that the bak cares and to give back to the society. The Deputy General Manager, Corporate Banking, Mr. Adeyeye Adepegba, speaking on behalf of the GMD and CEO of the bank, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, said that the little token was given by the staff to improve the hospital and to be of benefit to human kind. He added that the act of giving back to the society is the culture in the bank and they staff try to do something to solve part of the problems of mankind. Another Deputy General Manager, Corporate Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Taiwo Joda also said that the Fidelity Helping Hands programme decided to extend its help to Massey Children Hospital by donating

the eqiupment to keep babies warm and an oxygen concentrator to give the right amount of oxygen to every child. “This is what we do in every state that has Fidelity Bank and we didn’t just start and it will continue because it is the best way to continue to sustain and help our environment. “We cannot just to leave everything to the government but contribute our quota, not just as a bank but as staff. But still, Fidelity Bank,in its own right, pursues its corporate social responsibility programmes as well”, Joda said. The Medical Director, Massey Children Hospital, Dr. Emokpae Abieyuwa, responding on behalf of the medical team of the hospital, said that the equipment are useful to the babies without any complication since they are technology-based and regulated instruments. “Since warmth is important in a new born baby, one of the radiant warmers will be taken to the premature babies unit and the other to the emergency room. The oxygen concentrator supplies every child with adequate oxygen as long as there is power supply”, he said.

Church holds marriage seminar

HE Rhema Chapel International Churches will hold a two-day seminar on marriage and family on February 11 and 12 at 5.00pm and 8.30am respectively. Speaking on the programme with the theme: The ideal home; knowing the will of God, enjoying singlehood and married life, the host Pastor, Pastor Shola Obikanye said the programme is a complete package that will address that crucial unit of the society. He added that what affects the family will in that long run affect the entire society. He said the programme promises to be intellectually engaging and spiritually rewarding.

From left: Prof. Aliyu Bunza; Chief Imam of Farfaru Juma'at Mosque, Sokoto, Sheikh Abubakar Jubril, and National President, National Council of Muslim Youths Organisations, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, at a one-day symposium on Islam and Contemporary Challenges in Sokoto

Niger rewards emir, others

HE Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska and three other districts heads have received cash awards for averting damage to public and private property during the protests against fuel subsidy removal in their domains. Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu gave Namaska N500,000 and a letter of commendation. He also gave the District Heads of Gawu, Izom and Gwaribaban, Alhaji Muhammadu Bako, Alhaji Salihu Gwora and Alhaji Mohammad Garba, respectively N200,000 and a letter of commendation each. Also, 54 youths from Kpakungu, Maitumbi, Tunga and Chanchaga wards received N50,000 and letters of commendation each from the governor for protecting public facilities from vandalism. Speaking after the presentation, Aliyu said the rewards became imperative, judging by the actions of the traditional rulers.

Niger The governor said that Namaska dissuaded the youth from being violent during the nation wide protest against fuel subsidy removal, noting that the three district heads also cleared the road blocks on the SulejaLambatta-Minna road for motorists. Aliyu expressed delight at the efforts of youths in Kpakungu, Maitumbi, Chanchaga and Tunga wards at preventing damage to public property in their wards. “We have to celebrate them for their heroic efforts at protecting both public and private property during the riots of Jan. 11, 2012 so that others could emulate them”. He gave assurance that the government would also construct three gardens for Kpakungu, Chanchaga and Maitumbi wards and two television viewing centres in the three wards in appreciation of their actions. Aliyu said the government would establish vigilante groups to complement the efforts of the police.

•Aviation journalists outside Presidential Wing of Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos after security agents sent them out without access to their laptops, camera and other items PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Council poll: Aspirant begins house-toCHIEFTAIN of the People’s Democratic house campaign Party’s (PDP), chieftain, Bimbo Owolabi

in Ekiti State has led his supporters in a house-to-house campaign ahead of the local government election. Speaking to prospective voters in Ise-Ekiti, his hometown, Owolabi noted that with the level of support he got from the people, victory would surely come the way of the PDP in the Ise-Orun Local Government Area. The pharmacist turned politician, however, warned members of his party against violence, , saying that election is won on the basis of number of votes cast and not on account of level of violence perpetrated by any political party. He stressed the need for PDP members to always seek peace before, during and after the poll, warning whoever who is linked with violence would have his or herself to blame. “I want to urge you once again to always be law abiding and resist any attempt to drag you into crime or violence. I am promising you that I will stand by any member of our party who is genuinely harassed or whose rights are infringed upon” Owolabi said.

From Emmanuel Ojo,Ado-Ekiti

According to him, he joined politics to impact positively on the lives of his people, admonishing politicians not to see politics as an avenue to enrich themselves at the expense of the masses. The PDP chieftain used the occasion to disabuse the minds of his supporters on the rumour making the rounds that certain individuals had perfected plan to cage him during election, warning that whoever harbours such plan would be disappointed. Owolabi disclosed that since he relocated to his hometown, Ise-Ekiti ahead of the election ,Owolabi said it appeared certain individuals were not comfortable with his growing popularity and were devising several plots to stop him from mobilising votes for PDP. He spoke of how certain yet-to-be identified hoodlums attacked some of his supporters shortly after he had lodged complaints of harassment at the headquarters of the security agencies in Ado-Ekiti .

USLIM Rights Concern (MURIC) has said the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Maulud Nabiyy calls for sober reflections. A statement signed by MURIC director, Dr Is-haq Lakin Akintola, urged Nigerians to pray for our dear country, noting that Nigeria today is at the crossroads. “The foundation of this country is shaking. We are now exactly where we were in 1967. We need prayers more than anything else to escape a bloody interregnum as witnessed between 1967 and 1971. Nigeria is living between two wars. We, therefore, urge all religious groups to pray for peace and tranquility. “On this august occasion, we charge the Boko Haram group to emulate the peaceloving mien of Prophet Muhammad by surrendering their weapons, taking a vow to shun violence and embracing dialogue. “MURIC notes with deep concern that the

Briefly

‘How ACN can win Odeda council’

N appeal has gone to Action Congress of Nigeria not to allow opposition parties have their way in the control of Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State. The call was contained in a statement by Chief Alami Amoje, a community leader. Amoje said: “In the current administration, Odeda/Ilugun has been given a seat at the legislative arm of Odeda Local Government. As a matter of fact, the senator also emerged from Odeda/Ilugun constituency. “I wish to draw the attention of the present government to the need to respect the zoning formula which ascribes the positions, member House Assembly and chairman, local government in turn to Odeda/Opeji wards. He is therefore appealing to ACN leaders to pick the next local government chairman from Opeji ward to defeat the intention of the opposition parties.

Adamawa factories comprising fertiliser, water and energy plants. “The factory, which is capable of creating 15,000 jobs for our youths, is a turn-key factory, which installation in the state will take six to nine months within the fiscal year. “The factory is expected to produce 360 tonnes of fertiliser per day in terms of capacity, and is

also expected to serve the African market. “The coming of this multinational company to the state, to me, is a gate opener to other multinationals to come and invest in the state.’’ The acting governor presented a budget estimate of N87.9 billion out of which agriculture was allocated N3.5 billion. Livestock and fishery sub-sectors were allocated N454 million and N19 million respectively.

‘Educate people on tax matter’

call has gone to state governments across the country on the need for proper education of the people first, on issue of taxes before embarking on internal revenue drive. Speaking to newsmen recently, a petroleum product marketer and former aspirant to the Edo State House of Assembly on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Larry Aghedo, stated that until the people understand why and how they can pay their taxes, government would find their internal revenue drive effort counterproductive at the end of the day. According to him, “apart from the education of the people, state governments should also set up a mini committee to take inventory of predominant and thriving businesses in their domain, that way they would be able to levy taxes appropriately and successfully.” He said he is one of the apostles of internal revenue generation as a veritable source of boosting state government’s dwindling revenue from the centre. The Esan Central ACN aspirant stated further that, it was time for state governments to stop depending on the Federal Government for money. “They should look for ways of making their money and pluck same back into the lives of their people. If you collect one kobo from me and utilise it properly and I see what you have done with that my one kobo, next time if you ask me to give you two kobo, I would be glad to do it.”

‘Maulud Nabiyy calls for sober reflections’

•From left: CEO, Gawat Communications Alhaji Rasak Gawat; Representative of Governor Babatunde Fashola, Hon Obafemi Hamzat; President, Union of Arabic Teachers Ustadh AbdulGaniyy Sadiq and Chairman, Joint Technical Committee, Lagos State Muslim Council Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi during 2012 Maulud Nabiyy at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

Adamawa to establish fertiliser factory

HE Adamawa State government is to establish a fertiliser factory that would create 15,000 job opportunities, the Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, has announced. Fintiri disclosed this in Yola while presenting the state’s 2012 budget before the Assembly. The acting governor said that the government, had in December 2011, entered into a agreement with GreenField Ltd, a Canadian fertiliser multinational corporation for the establishment of three

Bauchi were released. The commissioner told newsmen that the criteria for youths to benefit from the scheme were through registering with a cooperative society. ‘’We always encourage people to go and register with the various associations of the farmers. So that we will know directly to whom we are going to give. But if you are not a registered member, it will be difficult for you to get it. ‘’But once you register with a cooperative society, we’ll give them the funds and the cooperative society will give that fund directly to the youths.’’ Mohammad disclosed that plans by the state government were at advanced stage to ensure the disbursement of not less than N1 billion loan to farmers in 2012 to boost production and sale of the produce. The commissioner revealed that the funds would be disbursed within 14 days of approval by the state government, adding that preliminary works had been completed with participating financial institutions.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

victims of the violence so far are the downtrodden, the poor and the wretched. No governor, minister or any other high-ranking government official has been killed. Perhaps this informed the nonchalance in official circles. We appeal to Nigerian authorities to stop playing politics with the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The time to engage Boko Haram in sincere dialogue is now,” Akintola said. The Lagos State University (LASU) senior lecturer stated that the Prophet, though born as an orphan and initially despised as a prophet of Allah, won the admiration of his enemies not by wanton killing of open enemies but by forgiving his foes and tolerating those who held opposing views. “Muhammad taught his followers to love their fellowmen, to give in charity, to protect the weak, to live a humble life, to respect women and elders, to shun violence and to embrace peace. He further advocated the virtues of diligence, transparent honesty and self-sacrifice. He warned against arrogance, pride and belligerence. “The Glorious Qur’an testifies to the impeccability of Muhammad’s character by describing him as possessing very high moral and further instructs Muslims to emulate Muhammad in all their undertakings,” he added. MURIC, he said, marked the occasion of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad with mixed feelings. “While we thank Almighty Allah for enabling many Nigerians to witness the occasion, we are filled with sadness at the thought of avoidable loss of lives through indiscriminate bombing and shooting of innocent Nigerians. We are in despair over the senseless killing of Nigerians by fellow Nigerians and the sacrilegious invasion of churches. We cannot be celebrating while fellow Nigerians are weeping over their dead and maimed. We therefore mourn with our mourning brothers and sisters wherever the bereaved may be. We pray that Allah will give all the affected families the strength to bear their losses,” Akintola said.

• Aremo Adeyemi Alli, the Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye LCDA(right) congratulating one of the supervisors, Hon. Isaac. O. Williams, at their swearing- in ceremony

Don urges action against corruption

ROF Olutayo Adesina of the Department of History, University of Ibadan has urged government to wage a serious war against corruption and reflect deeply on the things that caused the civil war in Nigeria to prevent a repeat of history. He made the remarks as guest speaker at the colloquium on the late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu organised by Prof Siyan Oyeweso of the Department of History, Osun State University, Ikire Campus, Osogbo. In a lecture entitled: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu: The end of an era, the university don noted that with the unfolding development, the country was yet to learn from the past. This is coming on the heels of the killings of the insurgent, Boko Haram, which had claimed lives of innocent people without adequate response from government. He stressed that with the renewed efforts of various nationalities calling on their people to consider the option of returning to their geopolitical areas, it was quite clear that the ember of disintegration was being fanned, a far cry from the dream of the founding fathers of nation. Adesina said: “Forty years after the civil war, the story and pictures are still regarded with widespread prejudices. The Igbo mythology and their clannish eastern identity have continued to be under threat at the places

By Musa Odoshimokhe

they carry out their legitimate business.” He urged government to intervene quickly on this negative development in order to guarantee the people the safety of their lives and property irrespective of where they are domiciled. Similarly, Prof Oyeweso while explaining the essence of the colloquium said it was meant to reflect on those things that put the country on collision path decades ago, some of them that had resurfaced in the form of insecurity and in the destruction of lives and property all over the country. He said even though many people had painted Ojukwu in unfriendly colours, the man and his ideas were to assist in achieving a country that was safe for everybody. “Rather than castigate Ojukwu or paint him black in Nigerian history, what is important is to emphasise the lesson of the war for the prevention of a re-occurrence.” Similarly, Prof Francis Ebokhaire of the University of Ibadan while commending the deep thoughts reflected at the event, urged Nigerians not to shield the swords yet rather they should be prepared to engage the Nigerian state so as to mop up the rot in the system.

•Prof Oyeweso giving his welcome address at the event

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

Life

The Midweek Magazine

‘How much is that artwork?’

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

•Mbanefo

When appearance Mona Lisa’s twin sister D’Banj for New York MonaLisa’stwin dazzles – Page 34 – Page 32 painting found – Page 33

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

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

When an artist ‘pours’ out his heart on canvass, what you find is an artwork that is as close to his heart as his new born baby. Can a collector really pay for that ‘soul’ of the artist? If not, what then is the real value of such an artwork? Can it be an alternative investment? These are some of the puzzles resolved by a team of financial experts, collectors and auctioneers in Lagos. Assistant Editor Arts OZOLUA UHAKHEME was there.

•From left Peppiat, Mbanefo, Shyllon, Obiago, Philips and Akinsanya at the seminar in Lagos.

‘How much is that art work?’

“I

F I give my artwork to GTBank as collateral for a credit, assuming the bank accepts it, how will it value the artwork? How do you convince bankers that art is worth investing on and how do you value the artworks for insurance?” These were some of the questions raised by Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Arthur Mbanefo, the Odu of Onitsha, at a business seminar organised by the Ben Enwonwu Foundation in Lagos. Ambassador Mbanefo, a renowned art collector, said he paid one pound for his first artwork- a used envelop on which the late Ben Enwonwu sketched some drawings. The artwork, he said, was, however, lost to the civil war in the late 60s. He regretted that but for the civil war, the old envelop would have fetched him millions of naira today. “If that art piece is still with me today, it would have fetched me lots of money up to an annual salary of a senator in the National Assembly. But each artwork I acquire, I find it difficult in disposing because it is like a baby to me,” he said. Mbanefo, who was chairman of the seminar, said he started collecting artworks in 1962, because of two reasons. “I collect for sentiment, which is a way of supporting the artists. I also collect because of the aesthetic of the artworks,” he said in a remark to set the tone for the discussions. Participants were drawn from various sectors of the economy to jaw-jaw on the topic: Art as an alternative investment? Leading the speakers was the Director of Contemporary African Art, Bonhams Auction House, London, Mr Giles Peppiat; President, Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Foundation (OYASAF) Prince Yemisi Shyllon; Chairman, Philips Consulting Group, Mr Foluso Philips, founder of Femi Akinsanya African Art Collection (FAAC), Mr Femi Aknisanya, and founding Executive Director, Communicating for Change, Mrs. Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago. Peppiat, a chartered arts and antique surveyor, said art could be a good investment, adding that sound judgement and good fortune are both needed for this to be so. He, however, noted that only a small fraction of all the art ever produced around the world, sells at a value above its initial purchase price. The majority of this, he said, is bought solely for enjoyment and not for investment. “I do believe that for the long term, art can be the best investment that a collector or individual can make. If astutely bought, correctly maintained and properly sold, the returns will easily outstrip any other asset class,” he said. Peppiat recalled how Pablo Picasso’s Nude, Green Leaves & Bust was bought by its owners, Mr and Mrs Sidney Brody of Los Angeles, US for $17,000 in 1950, and was later sold for $106 million in May 2010.“I will leave you to do the mathematics to calculate how good an investment this was,”

DISCOURSE he said. In any investment, he noted, dividends are important, pointing out that, unfortunately, artworks do not pay investors any dividend except for their long term appreciation in value. “The most important fact is to remember that art is an investment that does not pay a dividend. The non-tangible dividend to the owner is the enjoyment and appreciation. Buying an asset in the hope that someone else will pay more for it in future is ‘speculation’. But speculation with considerable benefits,” he said. Peppiat explained that establishing insurance value is a difficult task, advising that it should be done by an independent party. On how art can transform into an alternative investment, he said art collectors must determine what to buy and sell and take curatorial decisions that would shore up the value of his collections, which could, ultimately, become an investment alternative in future. “Buy what you know about and like. Knowledge of the artwork is very important. Collectors should attend auctions and talk to professionals to know more about pricing. There is, however, the international effect on art pricing. For instance, the five highest prices of Ben Enwonwu works were set in Bonhams sales. But any art market needs a domestic platform to thrive,” he said. The buying of artworks, he said should be an investment of passion, made with the heart not the head. He said it is for this reason that enormous prices are paid at auction. Collectors, he said, are thinking with their hearts and not solely in pecuniary terms. The Bonham chief said collectors should buy what they could afford and not be fearful of asking questions about pricing. He noted that buying works with good provenance is as vital as the quality of the work. “Aim to acquire works with good provenance, preferably traceable back to the artist. It also helps if works have previously been in an eminent or famous collection,” he said. He added: “Selling is important in many ways as this will stimulate new collection and entry of new artworks into the market. The timing of selling is, however, important but difficult. Timing should be when sales are strong because taste changes.” He advised collectors to always loan their works for exhibition as well as research their artworks to record the valid details about the pieces. These, he said, would add value to the collection. Buying into fine art funds such as the British Rail Pension Fund, according to Peppiat, is one sure way of investing in art without buying artworks. On his part, Akinsanya never saw art collection as a business but a hobby. He noted that for art to be an alternative investment, there must be lines of interested participants in the business of buying and selling. According to him,

•Picasso’s Nude, green leaves and bust

“we have to create a network on how works change hands. There are different tiers of collections. Artists should set their minds on globalisation when creating artworks because art is one way to cross borders. We need to have a staying power to remain productive. So, gallery owners should provide means to boost artists’ productivity.” Philips called for the creation of a structured market that allows artists to focus on practice. He charged the artists to develop brand and add value to their works. Shyllon, who noted that the British Pension Fund example would not work in Nigeria, said investment is not always about returns. He noted that other variables like risks should be considered when examining arts as an alternative investment. He said: “I did not start collecting arts from the point of view of investment. I am enjoying the arts. But what happens when collectors die? In Europe, private collectors donate their works to galleries and museums for keep before they pass on.” He said Nigeria does not have a befitting gallery that could house the private collections. Apart from that, he said preservation and conservation are vital to the sustenance of value of artworks. Obiago challenged investors to look at the long term investment opportunities in the local creative industry as investing in arts makes sense.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

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

Minister hails institute •Public service workers honour NICO chief

HE Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has hailed the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) for its programmes, saying they promote the country’s rich cultural heritage. The Minister, who spoke at the Second NICO Management Retreat in Owerri, Imo State, said programmes, such as the Nigerian Indigenous Language, Promoting Nigerian Dress Culture, the Reading Culture Campaign, Cultural Clubs in Schools, the Annual Round Table on Cultural Orientation (ARTCO), and the Training School are veritable platforms to achieve cultural heritage. Represented by his Special Assistant, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, the minister said retreats would provide opportunities for deliberations on action plans for improved performance. According to him, management retreats provide avenues for strategic planning by key stakeholders in an organisation, whether public or private, and that the exercise will be “a platform for the Executive Secretary and Directors of the Institute to carry out a critical reappraisal of its mandate, its vision, its mission and past performance, with a view to eliciting an action plan for improved performance into the future.” The Minister said: “I wish to commend the Executive Secretary and Management of the institute for this wonderful initiative, which is designed to provide opportunities for management to review performance and trends, as well as deliberate on action plan for improved performance. It is, therefore, expected that at this forum, you are going to deliberate extensively and analyse your strengths, weaknesses and challenges, and come up with programmes, which will address the challenges which confront us in the culture sector and the nation in general.” In his address, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, said the retreat with the theme, Consolidating the gains of the past: Taking NICO to the next level, was for NICO to take a critical look at its objectives, vision and mission statements, to agree on the strategies to adopt in furtherance of its mandate. Dr. Ayakoroma added that the need to examine issues critically was informed by the fact that NICO is a strategic Institute with pivotal role to address the unfortunate degeneration of culture in society. According to him, “The realisation of this informed the conceptualisation of key programmes which are designed to promote our cherished cultural values. In the past couple of years, NICO has engaged various stakeholders and government in various cultural content initiatives in the pursuit of our mandate, such as Quarterly Media Workshop for Art Writers to align our reporters with cultural matters that are essential for Nigeria’s national integration and cultural diplomacy. We have also engaged in establishing in concrete terms

•Duke

•Ayakoroma

CULTURE Nigeria’s dress culture. We are focusing extensively on the establishment of Cultural Clubs in secondary schools to catch them young, and as a follow-up on this, we have also established the bulwark for the reawakening of Nigeria’s reading culture. The Nigeria Indigenous Language Programme is where we reenergise and revitalise beyond the current educational policy level on languages.” Also, the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) chapter of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), has honoured the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma,

‘In the past couple of years, NICO has engaged various stakeholders and government in various cultural content initiatives in the pursuit of our mandate, such as Quarterly Media Workshop for Art Writers to align our reporters with cultural matters that are essential for Nigeria’s national integration and cultural diplomacy. We have also engaged in establishing in concrete terms Nigeria’s dress culture’

with the NICO Ambassador Award, in recognition of his immense contributions towards promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage, particularly in dress and language culture. The Chapter Chairman, Comrade Olusegun Iroko, stressed that wherever Ayakoroma goes, he is always dressed in cultural attires in furtherance of the Institute’s campaign for the Federal Government to officially declare Dress Nigeria Days, as the institute has introduced a policy to make it mandatory for all officers to Dress Nigeria on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Dr. Ayakoroma’s choice for the award of NICO Ambassador was after members of staff overwhelmingly nominated the NICO boss as evidenced in their response in a questionnaire distributed for them to suggest members of staff for different award categories on merit. Comrade Iroko said it is hoped that the award would spur the NICO boss to do more in the area of initiating policies that will not only take the institute to an enviable position in the culture sector, but also continue to put smiles on the faces of staff. Ayakoroma, who thanked the union for deeming it fit that he should be giving an award in that perspective, regretted that he could not attend the picnic since he was attending to pressing national issues that demanded the attention of his office. He said the idea of an end-of-year picnic for staff is a welcome development that could take place every year to afford both management and staff the opportunity to meet on a lighter mood. He also pleaded for the cooperation of staff with management to enhance a harmonious working relationship. “I am here to serve but you can only serve when you have listening followers, otherwise, there will be some inaction in the system,” he said, expressing optimism that with the anticipated support from staff, the institute can achieve the feat expected of it.

Group urges Jonathan on Bring Back the Book

CULTURE group, Literary Star Search, has congratulated Mai Nasara (Adeleke Adeyemi) on winning the $100,000 awards of The Nigeria Prize for Literature sponsored by Nigeria LNG. Mai Nasara won the 2011 edition of Children’s Literature with his book, The Missing Clock. In a statement, spokesperson for Literary Star Search, Mr. Seun Jegede, said Mai Nasara’s victory was a further testimony to the creative energy among youths that was waiting to be released with the right opportunity as provided by the Nigeria LNG-sponsored contest. Mai Nasara, he added, is another young Nigerian that has joined the rank of stars via literary creativity, noting that more like him would be made through Literary Star Search competition. Also, Jegede took the opportunity to task President Goodluck Jonathan on reviving his pet project for the book industry, Bring Back the Book (BBTB) that he started shortly before his election as President last year. He said the literary community and Nigerians were stunned by the silence coming from the

LITERATURE Presidency over the laudable project, saying it would be the saddest thing to happen to the book industry in the country if the entire campaign had merely been a political gimmick to earn votes from Nigerians who yearn for a fresh breath for books and education for the nation’s development. Jegede noted that Creative Alliance (parent company for Literary Star Search) was ready to partner with the Presidency on the proposed launch of the Bring Back the Book Foundation as a measure of distancing the project from government interference and bureaucratic red tape that stifle laudable programmes of government. Jegede stated that it was regrettable that Mr President had allowed security threats from Boko Haram to overshadow such commendable project as Bring Back the Book from being pursued with the vigour it deserves, pointing out that Jonathan must not allow such a faceless group to deny millions of Nigerians the immense gains to be derived from the Bring Back the Book campaign to

• From left: Mai Nasara, Babs Omotowa and Gabriel Okara at the presentation ceremony

deepen knowledge and the pleasures derivable from books, especially literary books, an area least patronised but where Nigerian writers have excelled. He noted that Nigerian writers must insist on the full implementation BBTB because of the possible gains they stand to get from it. Jonathan had launched BBTB with fanfare in Lagos last year, with literary icon and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka in attendance. He also read along with Mr President to give

a stamp of authenticity to what is fast becoming a mirage for Nigeria’s literati! Jegede tasked writers to take full advantage of the short story contest, Literary Star Search, to give expression to their creativity and be rewarded, like Mai Nasara, by visiting the website: www.creativeallianceng.com for details on how to take part in the short story contest designed to change the fortunes of writers and turn them into true stars worthy of the name.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

BOOK

Falonipe book for launch A new book, Succeeding with appearance in business and career by Mr Boye Falonipe will be launched at the De Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja Lagos on Saturday between 10am and noon. Black Carpet commences at 9.30am. President, Nigeria-American Chambers of Commerce, Mazi Sam I. Ohuabunwa, endorsed the book as well as agreed with the issues raised in it. “I have had a cursory read of this simple but impactful book on Succeeding with Appearance in Business and Career. Given my career start off point as a sales and marketing professional, I fully agree with the issues raised in this book. Appearance and presentation are keys to getting attention in a competitive market place. I completely endorse this book for all those who have to interact with their customers and clients - and that’s about all of us!” he noted. Jay Remer of The Etiquette Guy, Saint Andrews, NB, Canada said the essence of how to present oneself professionally is captured in the carefully crafted book and would be great help to both men and women. According to Remer, the information is extensive, yet clearly presented and easy to understand. “I recommend this book to anyone who is serious about presenting him or herself appropriately in the business world. Following the guidelines in this book will help assure you are taken seriously as a true professional,” he said. To Deborah King of Final Touch Finishing School, Inc. (United States Premier Finishing School) Decatur, Texas, USA, she rarely finds a book on such subject so complete and concise. She described Succeeding with Appearance in Business & Career as a must read for every motivated professional, adding that the author, Boye Falonipe provides a practical, thorough, and easy-to-read guide on how to brand yourself for success in today’s global marketplace. “It is an outstanding addition to our recommended reading list at Final Touch Finishing School, Inc,” she noted.

Rainbow hosts Ugandan author BOOK Club, Port Harcourt, Rivers State will host award winning Ugandan author, Doreen Biagana, who is currently in the country for a residency programme at Iseyin, Oyo State, on February 19, at Le Meridien Hotel, Port Harcourt. Biagana is a short story writer, whose book, Tropical Fish: Stories out of Entebbe, won the 2006 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best first book Africa, and the AWP Short Ficition Award. She was a finalist twice for the Caine Prize for African Writing. She is a law graduate from the University of Makerere, Uganda, and has an MFA from the University of Maryland. In Tropical Fish, a collection of eight inter-related stories, Baingana narrates about the choices made by three sisters and the inevitable consequences of such on them. Most of the stories are set in Uganda after the Idi-Amin era and explores themes as diverse as the family, sex and relationships, disease, betrayal, and spirituality. Rainbow Book Club has hosted many award winning authors, including Caine Prize winner E. C. Osondu, Uwem Akpan, Adaobi Nwaubani, Kaine Agary, among others. Rainbow Book Club is the organiser of the annual Garden City Literary Festival.

CONCERT

D’Banj for New York IRVING Plaza will rock on Sunday, February 19, as D’Banj alongside other members of the Mo’Hits Crew will give New York a grand taste of the rich Nigerian pop music. The concert, which is organised by Live Nation in collaboration with Mo’Hits, is supported by US loudspeaker company, Klipsch and is sponsored by GTBank, MTN, and Arik Air. The jig will mark D’Banj’s first major performance in the Big Apple.

•Joseph S. Phillips (right) and Susan J. Wood

‘98% of Published books sell less than 1,000 copies’ US publishing firm, Black Widow Press, is committed to publishing books with lasting impact on culture at an accessible price. Last year, it published Nigeria’s Niyi Osundare’s new book of poems, City Without People: The Katrina Poems. Black Widow Press helmsman Joseph Phillips spoke with ADEMOLA ADESOLA on publishing-related issues. Primary focus of Black Widow Press

LACK Widow Press is a strictly poetry-centric publishing house. We are a fairly small publisher putting out roughly seven to nine titles per calendar year. We emphasise poetry in translation especially from the French, and even further, mainly the Dadaist and Surrealists of the early 20th century. In the last couple of years, though we have broadened our scope to a number of modern and avante-garde poets based in the USA. Many of our projects have been put together by us to re-introduce these important 20th century French poets to the Anglophone world. We have published some critical bilingual anthologies of these poets’ works, with introductions and in depth essays, such that they can, and are being used in college literary courses as well. Our roster of translators includes many multiaward wining poet/translators such as Norman R. Shapiro, Mary Ann Caws, Ron Padgett, Patricia Terry, Clayton Eshleman, and Pierre Joris. The press is run by myself, Joseph Phillips, and Susan Wood. Both of us are poetry lovers first and foremost. My studies have been more towards French 20th century poetry and Susan’s more towards American and English poetry. We also own three bookstores that have an emphasis on poetry but are quite diverse in the number of subjects we carry. Susan, who has many advanced degrees, including a PhD, also works for the State of Rhode Island as an Education Specialist. The publishing house, though it seems to be a full time endeavour, is part time to my duties to the bookstores and Susan’s work in her educational department. The publishing works we do come out of a love of poetry, and a wish to see many of our poets and translations have a wider or new audience: for people to discover or re-discover this wonderful and often magical writing.

Location, geographical spread and network distribution

• D’Banj

We are based in Boston, Massachusetts and New Orleans, Louisiana, both cities which have an active and vibrant poetry scene. We are fortunate that we were picked up to be distributed by National Book Network/Rowman Littlefield Publishing Group which is one of the largest distributors and

PUBLISHING publishers in the United States. They make sure our books are available in a variety of countries including Canada and the United Kingdom as well as to most of the major online bookselling outlets around the world. I believe in Nigeria our books can be ordered through Glendora Books. Getting our books out into the world is always one of the major challenges of any publisher. Those that specialise in poetry it is even more so of a struggle as fewer and fewer bookstores around the world either carry poetry books or else if they do, many have cut the poetry sections to where they may have but a few shelves and offer only the biggest names, and little else. We are not currently accepting any submissions as we have a fairly full programme for the next three years and we often create the books in-house (i.e. put an author and translator together for a book we would like to see published).

On published African (nay Nigerian) works Our list of African poets published to date is still very small as we have only recently broadened our scope. So, Niyi Osundare, Habib Tengour, and Amina Said are our only ones to date. Nigeria itself has such a stellar list of poets writing. I am thinking of Wole Soyinka, Osundare, Achebe, Tanure Ojaide, J.P. Clark, Christopher Okigbo, Cyprian Ekwensi, Uche Nduka, and a host of others. But many African poets are still relatively unknown as far as their poetry writings go outside of Africa. Given the range and vitality of Nigerian poetry in English, this neglect is seemingly scandalous. We will likely add a few more African poets over the coming years, and may seek Niyi Osundare’s help and advice in this category as he is far more verse in the poetry scene of your country than we could ever be.

View on African literature I do not think we are qualified in any way to assess African literature as most of my reading and studies have been in English, American, and French poetry and the various inter *Continued on page 33

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

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

Mona Lisa’s twin sister painting found

POEM

The Lay of the Last Minstrel

CONTEMPORANEOUS copy of the world’s most famous painting has been discovered by conservators at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain, allowing arts enthusiasts to see the Mona Lisa as she would probably have looked in the 16th century. In art historical terms, the discovery is remarkable. The Prado painting had long been thought to be one of dozens of surviving replicas of Leonardo’s masterpiece, made in the 16th and 17th centuries. Now research presented to a recent symposium at the National Gallery suggests the painting was made by a copyist in Leonardo’s studio at precisely the same time he was painting the original. The original painting hangs behind glass with enormous security at the Louvre in Paris, a gallery it is unlikely to ever leave. There is no prospect of its being cleaned in the foreseeable future, meaning crowds view a work that, although undeniably beautiful, is obscured by several layers of old, cracked varnish. Put simply, she looks older than she is. The newly discovered work offers a much fresher version of the enigmatic, captivating young sitter, generally acknowledged to be Lisa Gherardini, wife of the Florentine cloth merchant Francesco del Giocondo. The story was broken by The Art Newspaper somewhat spoiling the Prado’s intention to release the news to the world later this month when conservation was complete. A gallery spokeswoman confirmed it had what is the earliest copy and that its true origins were only recently discovered. “The work has been in restoration for several months in preparation for an exhibition at the Louvre (entitled: Leonardo’s Last Masterpiece: The Sainte Anne). The conservation process has not been finished. We are going to present the finished painting at the Prado in about three weeks.” Gabriele Finaldi, Prado’s Deputy Director collections, said: “It is as if we were in the same studio, standing at the next easel. You can imagine that this is what the Mona Lisa looked like back in the 16th century.” Miguel Falomir, the Prado’s director for Italian painting, said the copy gives art lovers and experts a chance “to admire the Mona Lisa with totally different eyes”. He and Finaldi said the museum’s best guess was that the copy was done by an apprentice named Francesco Melzi, because of the style observed in it. Besides, the black background, one other difference from the original is the woman in the copy has eyebrows and the Mona Lisa in the real masterpiece does not. Prado conservators removed the painting’s dingy, black background to find – to their astonishment – a Tuscan landscape similar to that in the true Mona Lisa. The Art Newspaper’s Martin Bailey, who saw images of the painting with 90% of the overpainting removed, said the discovery could transform our understanding of the original painting. “It’s funny as it is an image that you know but it’s actually quite a different image from the one you know,” he said. “We are seeing Mona Lisa herself for the first time, as she really looked because the painting in the Louvre is covered with layers of dirt and varnish and it can never be cleaned because it is such an important masterpiece. “Now we’re seeing something that’s much closer to Leonardo’s original – we’re looking at Lisa almost eye to eye, we can see her enticing eyes and enigmatic smile much more clearly. It makes her look much younger and more attractive than the rather more aged version of Lisa that we see in the Louvre.”

By Chinwe Uwatse BREATHES there the man with soul so dead Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land! Whose heart hath ne’er within him burned, As home his footsteps he hath turned From wandering on a foreign strand! (Aso Rock is not “Nigeria”) If such there breathe, go, mark him well; For him no minstrel raptures swell; High though his titles, proud his name, Boundless his wealth as wish can claim Despite those titles, power, and pelf, The wretch, concentrated all in self, Living, shall forfeit fair renown, And, doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonoured, and unsung.

Maikontri By Agoha Chikaoha Justice

• Mona Lisa

VISUAL A RT Other discoveries led to the completion of the jigsaw. For example the London symposium heard that the Prado painting was assumed to be on oak, which was rarely used in Italy and was therefore assumed to be the work of a northern European artist. Conservators found it was on walnut, used in Italy along with poplar, on which the true Mona Lisa is painted. Infrared images of the Prado painting were compared with those from the original and conservators found that the underdrawings were similar – providing compelling evidence that the two works were executed at the same time. The discovery comes as the National Gallery’s blockbusting Leonardo show - the most complete display of his surviving paintings - comes to a close on Sunday after some of the biggest queues for any visual arts show. The Mona Lisa itself continues to be one of the most written about and theorised paintings of all. It also has innumerable conspiracy theories surrounding it, whether it’s Dan Brown suggesting in The Da Vinci Code that it provides evidence that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were a couple; or Italy’s National Committee for Cultural Heritage suggesting last year that Leonardo had put really tiny letters and numbers in her eyes: LV in the right eye and CE in the left, or it might be B. In the arch of a bridge is 72, they said, or it could be L2. But, The Art Newspaper reports, recent conservation reveals that the work was in fact painted by a pupil working alongside Leonardo. The original painting hangs behind glass and with enormous security at the Louvre, a gallery it is unlikely to ever leave. There is also no prospect of it being cleaned in the forseeable future, meaning crowds view a work which that, although undeniably beautiful, has several layers of old, cracked varnish. • Culled from The Guardian UK

‘98% of published books sell less than 1,000 copies’ *Continued from page 32 relationships, schools, and influences that have brought us to where poetry in America is today. African poetry is so diverse with so many linguistic/oral traditions (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Urhobo, and Nupe among others) that it would take a long time to become much of an authority on the subject. I think Osundare has addressed some of where Nigerian poetry is today with the article published on January 11, 2011 in Sahara Reporters culled from The Nation on Sunday on the State of Literature in Nigeria. There was also an informative book published in 2000 titled 25 New Nigerian Poets, edited by Toyin Adewale that we have found to be quite enlightening.

Partnering with Nigerian publishers Many of our books are done by arrangement or with the cooperation of the rights holders, which in our case, is often a French publisher. As such, those books, to be published in Nigeria by a different publisher than us, would have to have the rights negotiated first with the French publisher for the primary rights of the work in the original language, then if they were to use our translations, they would have to negotiate with us to use those translations as we have the worldwide rights to our English translations. As one can, nowadays with the Internet, get books from all over the world, it makes less sense for a publisher to republish something that is already out there as one can fairly easily obtain the original editions. For smaller publishers like BWP, technology is changing so rapidly that it is making the initial costs to get into publishing much smaller. When we started in 2005, one

had to go to a large printing house and do a substantial first printing (say 2000 copies) to have any kind of cost per book that would allow you to keep the book reasonably priced. Now, with the advent of digital presses, a much lower first run can be tried out at a cost much more like what used to be a 2,000 copy print run. Not only that, but the paper choices and quality of production for the digital presses has improved so much in the last two years that it makes much more sense to go that route than with the big offset presses and a large, costly print run. One can now also have a second printing in a matter of a couple of weeks which further makes sense to see how the smaller run goes first. This lets you budget out the costs and really stretch out your available dollars. I am still not impressed with the print on demand options as the cost per book is high and one does not get the paper choices that allow for a high quality book, at least as of now. At the rate of technology change, who knows what things will be like five or ten years from now. So, the options are expanding and the costs coming down for any start up press in America or Nigeria. But of course, printing a book is only half the battle, one still need to hustle to get the book into shops, online, and seen. In the English language alone some 600,000 books are now printed every year, and yet there are less bookstores every year to carry them. POD also means a lot of poorer quality, unedited or un-editorially judged and self-published books that may never be seen but to a few family members. I think it is now said that over 98 per cent of all published books will sell less than 1,000 copies and I think that number may eventually reach 99 per cent. It is an ugly fact that a publisher has to occasionally mention to authors with grandiose dreams of publishing glory.

MAIKONTRI is steeped in fortune Surging with polished tyrants Who nibble at her citizens’ comfort, Who flash their lights of blank enlightenment On the darkness of our “ignorance” And stretch our patience With ropes of greed Maikontri is cursed with fortune Trains trudge through tarmacs And litter, like goats’ excrements, The putrid scent of foreign civilisation. The voices of the masses strike strikes At our tyrants’ immunity shells And rain liquid sufferings On the flesh of Maikontri’s map Maikontri is cursed with fortune The price of rumpled subsidies Hover at labour markets, Hovering beyond the reach of our stretched palms: “Oh Lord, may your subsidy Never desert us!” we are chanting Maikontri is cursed with fortune Our tyrants store our tears In their gold boxes for the Luxury of their unborn bastards; Limbs of memory of our founding fathers Are clenched between their teeth Maikontri is a wilderness flowing With milk and oil And camels die of thirst on its soil Maikontri is cursed with fortune But we shall hide under the Umbrella of hope As this wind of change rails behind And wait for Thunder’s second coming!

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

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

When appearance dazzles

UCCEEDING with Appearance in Business and Career is a handbook. It is a manual for carving an image of confidence, achievement, competence and respect through the way professionals and business people appear for work. The motivation to write this book came from a careful examination of relative success of businesses in Nigeria- from large corporations to one-man enterprises- as it relates to the image they project to the public. Good public perception improves the chances of success even when the product or service is not the most fantastic in the industry that an organisation finds itself. This public perception or image of an organisation is largely dependent on the image of the workforce. That corporate image of the staffs can be assessed through their appearance, quality of communication, and general deportment. Of these three, the most accessible and effective in projecting a strong image is APPEARANCE. For instance, when you walk into a restaurant during office break time, you may observe a worker wearing company-branded lapel pin on a suit that is ill-fitting and faded; poorly matched tie and shirt; and unshaven facial hair, instantly you form an impression of the person and the organization he represents. Perhaps it is an organization that is not concerned with finesse of staff appearance; hence business details and customer service. So much personal and corporate information can be gathered from appearance, and this book was written to help professionals and business people project the right image of themselves and the brands they represent in every working occasion. The book is divided into seven chapters: This first chapter sheds light on the psychological and social benefits of appearing impeccably for business. It examines the impact of appearance in creating a good first impression, and better subsequent ones. The chapter goes on to compare the good dresser to a fine artist. An artist paints on a canvas; the good dresser has his own body as his canvas to display texture colour and fabric. The fine artist leaves a signature on his work of art; the good dresser also leaves a signature of impression on the mind of people who know him or her. Some are born with the talent to paint and draw, but mastery is attained through training and continuous practice; likewise, in dressing well, some people intuitively get it right, but we all can learn to be good at it by getting the knowledge and practicing it- using this book. Furthermore, the chapter highlights some benefits of good appearance which includes: Getting the ‘unfair’ advantage, making a good first impression, projecting the right image, acquiring self-confidence and Earning the confidence of others. Chapter two describes the details and requirements of various business dress codes, such as: Business Professional, Business Casual and Evening Occasions (black tie, white tie, and cocktail). Since business encounters have varying degree of formality, the outfits should also be variable to suit the occasion. There is a difference between a board meeting and, a Friday designated for little customer interaction and more office socializing. While the former requires a strict professional look, the latter calls for a dress-down, a business casual outfit. However, the ‘casual’ word in business casual should not leave room for disregard of decency and modesty expected of a professional. The chapter examines and gives recommendations in terms of clothing items and occasions for different levels of Business casual dress code, which are: Business casual basic, Business casual standard, and Business casual executive. This chapter also states the guidelines and components for the Business Professional dress code, which is favoured by most organisations especially financial institutions. It also explains factors to consider when selecting dress codes for an organisation. In chapter three, you’ll find useful information on suits

BOOK REVIEW Title:

Succeeding With Appearance In Business And Career

Author:

Boye Falonipe

Reviewer:

Femi Ipadeola

Publisher:

Noir Enhancement,

Pagination:

172 pages

and dress shirts for men and women, such as: size selection and conversion, fabric information, shopping tips and garment care guide. The objective of this chapter is to help the reader collect quality pieces, wear them in a manner that makes them look striking, and also care for these items of clothing. Adequate garment care is the key to building a fabulous business wardrobe that will not break the bank “Accessorising” takes a look at what the generally acceptable standards are in corporate organisation for using accessories with shirts and suits; accessories such as: ties, scarves, belts, handbags, shoes, jewelries and so on. These are the little add-ons that confer class, sophistication and let the personality of the professional shine through in an environment where everyone seems to appear alike. For instance, certain shoes should not be worm to work at all, like clogs, mules, platforms, strappy sandals and sneakers. While pumps are the most approved for ladies, stilettos should be kept out for personal safety reason. For men, the best colour of socks to wear with a suit trouser is the colour of the trouser itself; if the trouser is dark coloured. This makes the trouser appear longer when you sit and conceals your skin. You can match the socks with the shoes when the trousers come in khakis, and never wear a white pair of socks on a business outfit. The whole essence of this chapter is to promote elegant use of accessories with professional modesty. The book will not be complete without giving a reasonable guide to colour combination - an important finish-

ing skill. A professional does not need to own several suits, ties and shirts to look great all the time. A good knowledge of how to combine the few you have is the secret to looking good. This chapter gives basic understanding of how to combine colours and patterns. The chapter begins by giving a basic insight into colour formation and the classes of colours: primary, secondary and tertiary; and the ‘temperature’ of colours i.e. warm or cool (for instance blue is cool, while yellow is warm). It goes further to examine how more colours are formed by mixing other colours in different proportions and varying the amount of tint (‘whiteness’) or shade (‘blackness’) of these colours. Like burgundy is a darker harder shade of red. In order to combine effectively, the most important consideration is balance: wear a cool with a warm, wear a light with a dark, and wear a pattern with a plain (or another pattern of different scale). The chapter has the most pictures in this book to enhance understanding. Chapter six examines other factors that contribute to good appearance, which are: a healthy lifestyle attained from eating rightly, exercising regularly and breathing in a manner that guarantees optimum body processes. Also discussed is grooming and hygiene under such topics as: oral hygiene, body odour, hair care, skin and hand care. Very often we come across well dressed individuals who can only be admired from afar, but have a repulsive ambience about them caused by body odour or generally horrid grooming. The most effective business encounters happen in person, not over the phone or internet. Given that, it becomes essential to look impressive and make the air around you inviting- fresh breadth, mild but good smelling perfume, smooth hands to shake and beautiful makeup. Furthermore, tying all areas together in appearance is a wise choice, especially when a profession cares enough to put his body in great shape, with good food and exercise that will ensure good posture and impressive carriage; all these are addressed in chapter six. While previous chapters have discussed the details and components of business appearance, this final chapter looks at how to manage the great image that a good appearance can confer. It is considered in this chapter that while a lustrous, suave look can attract people to you, only good manners and ability to communicate effectively will make them stay. Image enhancement is not about getting a one-time result from an image overhaul but being able to sustain the success thereafter. The chapter introduces us to the new order of world and personal economy- Reputation Economy, where what keeps you in business in not that hardware you possess, or information available to you, but on reputation. Reputation can be crafted visually with appearances and embossed with a great attitude and dedication to quality service. The book comes with a DVD containing video clips of tie knot techniques- Half Windsor, Windsor, Four-inHand, and the classical Bow Tie. Preceding the demonstrations is a documentary on ties, the proper ways to wear them and how to care for them. This DVD was made to give respite to men who cannot knot their ties and depend on friends and colleagues to do it for them (an often embarrassing situation), and those who want to learn another tie knot, besides the one they already know, since different shirt collar types call for a different kind of tie knot. Unfortunately, pictorial demonstrations of tie knotting have been found to be confusing, but with a video, one can watch over and over again, until one gets a handle on it. The book is obviously not just about the clothes, but about the way each piece contributes to our overall professional image. It is for those who care to put their best foot forward! SUCCEEDING WITH APPEARANCE IN BUSINESS AND CAREER is published by NOIR ENHANCEMENT, an image consulting firm in Lagos Nigeria, whose business is to remake the image of individuals and corporate workforce into one that guarantees success in every business and personal dealings. The firm trains, consults and coaches in three critical areas: Appearance, Communication and Etiquette- the ACE’s of a great image.

VALENTINE SPLASH

Stars storm stage Popular theatre show Open-Mic Theatre has dedicated this month’s edition to celebrate Valentine’s Day, next Tuesday, with the theme, Passion. “We are excited that our fourth edition is holding in the Valentine season,”KemiAkindoju said. “The choice of passion is deliberate and we are expectant of the depth of artistry our performers will bring to the table. Fans and enthusiasts of Open-Mic Theatre are promised the time of their lives with the exceptional performances from these talented artistes,’’ Akindoju added. Established to serve as a tool for reviving the declining theatre culture in Nigeria, Open-Mic Theatre, is creating an environment where actors can hone their skills and improve on their craft. It also provides the needed platform for talented performers to be discovered.

Timi Dakolo performs on Valentine’s Day

• Dakolo

R and B star, Timi Dakolo will for the first time perform songs from Beautiful Noise, his debut album at Ribbons and Roses. The event holds at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos on February, 14, as a Valentine’s day special foran exclusive audience of about 300, Dakolo promises a mind-blowing performance of his 12-song album including two additional songs; Yes, I do (Love You) and an unofficial Nigerian National Anthem, entitled: Great Nation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Whither, whence Nigeria? By Moyo Okediji

HITHER and whence this dithering sovereign christened Nigeria? As the cry to collapse and repartition her body reaches unprecedented crescendo, this question has never been more compelling. The British geographically mapped Nigeria in 1900. Concerned Nigerian artists now reconfigure the nation with humanistic and emotional maps. Conflating the geographical and the emotional mapping of Nigeria are voices clamoring for the fragmentation and remapping of the country into separate nations states. Where and what is Nigeria on the global map? “Nigeria—as we call our latest dependency—is not properly a name,” Flora Shaw Lugard confides in 1906. “It cannot be found upon a map that is ten years old. It is only an English expression which has been made to comprehend a number of native states covering about 500, 000 square miles of territory in that part of the world which we call the Western Soudan. Ancient geographers called the same section of Africa sometimes Soudan, sometimes Ethiopia, sometimes Nigritia, sometimes Tekrour, sometimes and more often Genewah or Genowah—which, by the European custom of throwing the accent to the fore part of the word, has become Guinea; sometimes they called it simply Negroland. Always, and in every form, their name for it meant the Land of the Blacks. Genowag, pronounced with a hard G, is a native word signifying ‘black.’” This long quote that opens a 1906 book titled “A Tropic Dependency” published by Flora Shaw Lugard, denotes the inaugural definition in print of Nigeria. Wife of the British Governor of the protectorate of Nigeria, Lord Lugard, she proceeds to describe Nigeria as “the protectorate lying on the watershed of the Niger and the Benue.” Nowadays many Nigerians subscribe to a romantic definition of Nigeria as “Niger area.” This exotic configuration obfuscating the roots of “Niger” veers far from the original intent of the word as Flora Lugard crafted it. To verify Nigeria, you must dissect Niger, “pronounced with a hard G,” as Lugard recommended, to signify “black.” Articulated with a hard G, Niger becomes Nigger, something lumpy to swallow. Culling from Lady Lugard’s treatise, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in his 1947 book, “Path to Nigerian Freedom,” opines: “Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression. There are no ‘Nigerians’ in the same sense as there are ‘English,’ ‘Welsh,’ or ‘French.’ The word ‘Nigerian’ is merely a distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria and those who do not.” From Awolowo’s call, many Nigerians contest the nation’s tenability, claiming that Nigerians cannot fully identify with this “geographical expression,” less talk of fighting or dying to save and protect it. The killing, maiming, and destruction of properties during the otherwise peaceful “Occupy Nigeria” protests suggest otherwise. Enenche Akowgu, the television reporter who fell during the Occupy Nigeria protests, represents a seldomdisplayed bold core of Nigeria that I celebrate with his portrait. His brief life lent joy to the country and his death left her hollow. But from this calamity an artist may garner a comely bouquet to share with the victims and mitigate the trauma of their catastrophe. Forging images to remap Nigerian trauma is Victor Ekpuk. “People often ask me why I make art about tragic things,” Ekpuk wonders. “For example, I drew ‘The Wailing Woman’ in 1996 in honor of Ken Saro Wiwa. I encapsulate my lived experience as a Nigerian from the Niger delta area whose land and fresh water streams have been polluted by crude oil prospecting to the point where people are dying without knowing what is killing them. As if death from the toxic land is not enough, the government colludes with foreign oil companies to permanently silence voices of protest from these lands with death.” As a concerned artist, Ekpuk wears his devotion to Nigeria on his sleeve, from where he transfers it to his art. He continues: “The brutal murder of Ken Saro Wiwa, becomes my death and the death of other Nigerians. His mother’s wailing becomes our mothers’ daily wailings over yet another child whose life is wasted in schools that have no books and hospitals without medicines. He represents just another life wasted by police bullets and the corrupt Nigerian judiciary.” Ekpuk visualises Nigeria as a woman in morning, claiming, “‘The Wailing Woman’ is a country bleeding from 50 years of rape by her own sons. She is the mother of Muyideen Mustafa in Ilorin, the first to give his life for merely asking his government to give him a future by not removing fuel subsidy. She is a country whose bosom is bathed with the blood of her young. If laughing and crying provide the same release, then art is the

• Victor Ekpuk, The Wailing Woman, pen and ink, 1996.

• Okediji, Enenche Akogwu, 1980-2012,” pen and ink, 2012.

DISCOURSE release of my tears and laughter as well as the tears in my laughter. Isn’t there enough mirth in that mourning?” From Ekpuk’s patriotic work, and from the growing list of Nigerian martyrs, it becomes clear that the country has shifted from being a mere geographical expression to an emotional identity. Despite the fact that Nigeria fails to produce a leadership with any coherent vision and nurturing, when they have the opportunity Nigerians fly and soar to the highest level through their own sheer efforts. Imagine what Nigerians could achieve with visionary leadership instead of the cannibalistic rulers who unabashedly feed on them and their future. Many Nigerians advocate praying for the manna of leadership. Carine Vanderstraeten, a European artist who has traveled extensively in Nigeria, and has visited the country several times, suspects Nigeria piety, saying, “Nigerians do pray a lot!!! Even in the middle of the night, they praise the Lord, they dance and sing together. ‘One Love’ this moment, and then the next moment they are driving and cursing one another in the traffic.... They miraculously mutate from the pious person praying just a moment ago to a pompous ego.” Livid, Nigerian schizophrenia is infectious. As a Lagos resident, Sam Hogan, observes, “Many of us will scream and shout and criticise Nigeria at home, then go out and bribe a policeman at a traffic checkpoint; or buy our driving license or bribe an official to make life easier for us. So far I have not given or received a bribe. I am one of a dwindling few who care to take the driving test before obtaining a license. It took four weeks to register a car I bought during a recent visit to Nigeria.

‘Culling from Lady Lugard’s treatise, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in his 1947 book, “Path to Nigerian Freedom,” opines, “Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression. There are no ‘Nigerians’ in the same sense as there are ‘English,’ ‘Welsh,’ or ‘French.’ The word ‘Nigerian’ is merely a distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria and those who do not’

• Victor Ekpuk, To Serve Nigeria With All My Strength,

pen and ink

Eventually I got it on the road just days before I left, costing me a fortune in alternative transport. Had I been willing to grease a few palms, the car registration would take less than one hour. We Nigerians should examine our conduct and condemn unacceptable conducts. Unfortunately, we are conditioned to accept corrupt practices, and careless of the cultural damage.” Wielding a more optimistic mapping, Abimbola Adelakun, a Nigerian journalist studying in the United States, argues that Nigeria is now more than the geographical expression that it once was. “Those days were not conducive for fighting for a united Nigeria,” she maintains while commenting on the ethnocentric leaning of the founding fathers. “Nigeria of the 40s was a geographical expression in search of definition. Fighting for unity at that time would have been premature… Unity is not something that comes in a day or with a generation.” Her comment remaps Nigeria beyond past and present woes while anticipating a future that glides from fragmentation to unity. The remapping process already began with the Occupy Nigeria protests. But nobody knows where the boundary lines now lie on the global map. • Okediji writes in from Texas, US

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

•Watching the watchdog

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Like father, like son

HE creative industry has added yet another disciple to its fold as son of the former Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Tola Wewe, Lewes G, (Adeleye Wewe) has released his debut single, Winner. The three singles produced by Right Spot Entertainment is a fusion of Afro beat and highlife. At a recent listening party with music enthusiasts at Bogobiri on Maitama Sule Crescent, Ikoyi Lagos, the young rapper had a performance of what to expect from his debut. He said his interest in music dated back to his child hood days when his father used to take him to club to rap. Lewes G, who started professional music two years ago, hopes to study fine art like his father but he chooses music for the passion. “For me, it is easy to combine fine art with music. Music comes to me naturally. It is something I do easily,” he said. Winner, which is also the title track of the CD, is a dance hall kind of music laced with lots of African drumbeats. The vocal power of the young rapper sends every listener to the dance hall. Lewe G, who was born in 1993 into the family where music is celebrated, said he did not stray into music as he is preparing to study fine art at the Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy, Ile-Ife, like his father, Tola Wewe. He is equally determined to take his music career to greater height while studying fine art. The accompanying video is being directed by K. Lala Films. To get this far has not been very rosy for the young rapper, especially in the area of securing modern studio for recording of his songs. “Getting the right studio with adequate equipment is a big challenge. We had to look get to Lagos before we could get a good one for the production,” he said. On his immediate plan, Lewes G said his

•Lewes G By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

MUSIC primary concern now is to establish a name and build on it in order to push the music, which is the product. He noted that in future he would love to partner with the likes of Seun Kuti for a duet. Unlike other of his contemporaries, he is not restricted to rapping alone as he is already trying his hands on guitar and keyboard. According to the Ondo born rapper, beats spur him into singing, adding that the message in Winner is that life is a game and God is the referee. “To be a winner, it is God’s decision and best referee,” he noted. Asked of the commercial value of the single, Lewes G explained that the song is not only a commercial success but a one size fits all for every moment of victory in life. After Winner, the rapper’s next work for release in March is Run Things. Wewe said when his son was exhibiting musical traits at an early age, he was not surprised. “It was a pleasant offering. I gave him the moral and financial support, which we are witnessing today,” Wewe said at the listening party.

O ensure that marriages survive, Kings Church International (KCI), Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos will host couples to an evening of marital bliss on February 18. A statement from the Presiding Pastor of the church, Pastor Fred Igho, said the church is keying into the celebration of this year’s St. Valentine Day celebration to rekindle the first love that made couples to take their marital vows years ago. According to him, the event tagged FireProof, will hold at the church auditorium, Oregun, Ikeja on February 18 by 2.00pm. It is designed to help protect the fire of couples love from going off. He said the event, which will afford couples the opportunity to spend quality time together, is loaded with several side attractions and at no cost to the couple who want to fire-proof his or her relationship. Among some of the special features of the event is a talk show, entitled No holds bar, in which critical issues concerning romance and relationship will be treated. The statement also said couples would also be allowed in another session of the evening to express their minds on issues that bother them in their marriage, adding that couples who

Church marks Valentine with Fire-proof need help will be scheduled to meet with marriage counselors. Also, the event will be an exposition on the principles of building strong and healthy Christian homes. While urging couples to brave all odds to be at the event, Pastor Igho said the event is a give back programme of the church to the society adding that as a church, KCI is committed to impacting on the society. He said there are new romance techniques that couples would find useful to make their marriage to bubble again adding that doing one thing the same way all the time can be very boring. According to the Pastor, the couples day out is not only for the couples but also an opportunity for the church to assist families to boost family values in their home noting that when the family is stable, the society will be stable.

Plateau celebrates its day

OMMISSIONER for Youth Development, Mr Lohfa Barko has urged residents of Plateau State to allow peace to reign and support the government so that benefits of democracy, which include human and infrastructural development, can be achieved. He gave the advice in Jos at the celebration of the 36th anniversary of the creation of the state. Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Naomi Kwi, the commissioner enjoined the residents to be patriotic and hold unto the dream of the founding fathers of the state to achieve the

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

purpose it was created. He added that only in such peaceful atmosphere the state can reclaim its place as the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism’ in the true sense of the words. Earlier, the organisers of the events, Mssrs. Obadiah Afwanks and Zara Chike of NYNETHA and United Plateau Groups said the celebration of the Plateau Day would ensure interaction with critical stakeholders who would take a look at the state in the past, its present and renew efforts towards achieving a greater future for the state.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

N the bid to tackle peculiar environmental, social and economic challenges confronting most areas, Hon. Shola Fakorede, chairman, Community 3 Festival Town Resident Association (FTRA) Lagos, has enjoined residents’ associations to often come up with community development initiatives that will complement local government’s effort. Speaking at the launch of the (FTRA)’s 2012 Development Programme cum New Year get-together recently held at Loral International School, Hon. Shola said community association meetings should not be based on how to get government largesse but on how individuals could be responsible community residents.” The association launched a N5m development project. Shola, however, added that corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals would be approached to raise the targeted sum. “We have outlined a few programmes we intend to carry out this year towards the development of our community as well as assist our people. The programmes have been divided into two categories; Community Development and Human Development. “We have started executing some of our programmes on community development two days ago (Jan 26, 2012). We commenced filling of pot holes along 21 Road Junction by 2nd Avenue to 21 Road by 11 Road. Beautification project in community 3 shall commence soon. “We shall do more of painting of strategic locations. All open spaces and motor parks in the community shall be put to good shape. This is intended to make them wear befitting looks,” he said. On human development, he said students, the aged, and the unemployed youths shall be given priority attention in the scheme of things. “This is not to say we will not impress on various arms of gov-

HE chairman of the Stem Cell Transplantation Centre for Africa (STEMCETA), Dr. Perry Iloegbunam has cried out over what he described as efforts by some officials of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) to hijack the process of domestication of the use of stem cell transplantation therapy in the country. Addressing newsmen in Abuja recently, Dr Iloegbunam regretted that after over 10 years of laborious efforts to bring the new wave of

•Residents of the community dancing at the event

‘Community associations should assist govt’ By Paul Oluwakoya

ernment or our elected representatives in government to perform their statutory functions. “We shall look inwards to see what we can do on our own to better the lot of members of our community.

“We will liaise with corporate bodies within the area to perform their corporate social responsibility for our community We have seen the high level of degradation of FESTAC Town due to neglect by successive governments and also by some residents. Meanwhile, the former Commissioner for Environment and Plan-

ning, Francisco Abosede Abolaji urged FESTAC residents to pay their bills on land use charge. “At every instant they take the Lagos State Government to court. They don’t want to pay their landuse charge; they don’t want to pay any dues to the government. How do you expect government to channel any development scheme to

the area when you don’t pay your tax? It will be tantamount to robbing Peter to pay Paul” he said. “However, in a statement made available to The Nation, titled: Land Use Charge: Festac Town Resident Association’s Position, the community emphasised they are law abiding and do pay all their dues to government.

Medical expert cries out over alleged sabotage From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

healthcare to Nigeria, some unscrupulous individuals at both government agencies in connivance with some rich businessmen have decided to scuttle all that has been put in place to bring the idea to fruition. The physician gave a long history of the STEMCELL therapy in Nigeria

beginning from 2001 when it was first introduced by STEMCETA with the partnership of the best of brains from around the world in the area of stem cell, regenerative medicine, among others. He described the method of treatment as very effective, adding that it is simply a process that uses a minor surgical operation procedure where the implantation of stem cells from

•From right: Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of Republic of Iran, Mr. Seyyed Javadi; Sheikh Mujitaba Giwa and Chief Mufasir, Lagos Central Mosque, Sheikh Tijani Gbajabiamila during the Maulud Nabiyy celebration in Lagos PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

live tissue to fragment different tissues and organs as a therapy. The STEMCETA boss further argued that the process of stem cell has been practised in many developed countries of the world. He said that he insisted in bringing the idea to Nigeria to add his little quota to national development as well as to provide the teeming citizens of the country with alternative means of acquiring quality healthcare and also at an affordable rate. “It is very unfortunate that we have gone this far with the great opportunity to commence stem cell treatment in Nigeria, in partnership with world’s best brains in anti-aging and regenerative medicine, which will dominate the medicine of the 21st Century. Here we are toying with it while thousands of Nigerians troop abroad in search of stem cell treatment at exorbitant costs. “We have it on good authority that this noble project is on the verge of being hijacked by some money bags that have seen the economic benefit in it after more than 10 years of our painful and tortuous road towards the introduction of the therapy in

our country. This is with the active connivance of some top civil servants in the Ministry of Science and Technology and the NABDA,” Iloegbunam stated. The embattled physician also distributed some documents to buttress his claims. These documents included some correspondence between STEMCETA and the Ministry of Science and Technology from 2006 to 2011 when he said the officials began to sing new tunes instead of implementing the agreements for the domestication of the therapy in the country. Already, several committees including the Technical Committee that had the Ministers of Science and Technology, Health, Agriculture and Water Resources, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Information as members had been inaugurated. Equally, 10 university teaching hospitals across the country were penciled down for the take-off of the treatment. They include those of Ibadan, Enugu, Maiduguri, Zaria, Sokoto, Benin, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Kano and Jos.

We have it on good authority that this noble project is on the verge of being hijacked by some money bags that have seen the economic benefit in it after more than 10 years of our painful and tortuous road towards the introduction of the therapy in our country. This is with the active connivance of some top civil servants in the Ministry of Science and Technology and the NABDA

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

•Governor Chime (third left), Senator Umar (fourth left) and Mr. Sijuade (second left) ... after the meeting

HE Federal Government has concluded plans for the construction of new and standard rail lines, beginning with that scheduled to link Lagos with Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Minister for Transportation, Senator Idris Umar said this while on a working visit to the Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime. He led a delegation comprising top management staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and senior officials of the Ministry of Transport. A statement by NRC’s Assistant Director, Public Relations David Ndakosu said the delegation was in the state to flag off the rehabilitation of the rail line in the Eastern corridor, linking Port Harcourt (Rivers State) to Maiduguri (Borno State). The Minister said the completion of the Eastern line project later this year, will be followed by the commencement of rehabilitation of the line linking Zaria (Kaduna State) and Kaura Namuda line (Zamfara State).

Fed Govt plans new rail line for Lagos, Ibadan By Eric Ikhilae

He further said the government was more than ever before, committed to ensuring a functional rail transport system across the country. He said the government also intends to work with the private sector.

The minister sought the co-operation of the Enugu State Government in reclaiming NRC’s properties converted to private uses and the corporation’s land encroached on by people living along the rail line. Governor Chime expressed delight over the ongoing efforts to

The completion of the Eastern line project later this year, will be followed by the commencement of rehabilitation of the line linking Zaria (Kaduna State) and Kaura Namuda line (Zamfara State)…Government was more than ever before, committed to ensuring a functional rail transport system across the country

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

his administration has provided incentives for operators of heavy duty vehicles who have moved to Ankyenge motor park which was originally designed for them, even as he disclosed that efforts are also being made to move other traders to the Tomatar Market. He stated that his administration has embarked on the construction of police posts, an abattoir as well as completion of stalls in the market. Mr Yajir said that his administration has equally embarked on the construction of an alternative park for the heavy duty vehicles near the Dangote Cement Company as well as three health clinics in Mbayion, Mbatierev, and Mbatiav. On the efforts made by the council to improve the fortunes of the education sector, he said his administration has concluded plans on the supply of books and

duce accidence of accidents on our roads, improve roads lifespan, create employment and boost the economy. He said the rehabilitation of the Enugu–Port Harcourt–Abuja rail line will boost commercial and industrial activities in those parts of the country as it will enhance easy transportation of industrial products and goods. Speaking at the occasion held on the foot of a major bridge at Ndiagu Okpebe Umuoha Community in Enugu State, NRC’ Managing Director, Engr Adeseyi Sijuwade assured that the project will be well supervised to ensure prompt completion and adherence to the highest standard. He said the NRC management will adopt the practice of sectional completion and usage as was the case in the Western corridor, which allowed train operation in areas completed. He praised the government for funding the project.

Kebbi releases N9.2m for free N a bid to encourage students’ interests in education as well JAMB forms as assist parents in shouldering

Council chief shows off score card HAIRMAN Caretaker Committee of Gboko Local Government Area, Mr. Ioryue Yajir has said that his administration concentrated on peace-building efforts as well as the decongestion of the Gboko Main Market as its major preoccupation in the first one month. Mr. Yajir disclosed this in a chat with Newsextra at the Gboko Local Government secretariat recently. He said: “On assumption of office, there were threats of youth restiveness but by dialoguing with various youth groups, members of the main opposition political party in the state as well security agencies, the threats have been contained.” Mr Yajir also stated that he has also been preoccupied with decongesting the Gboko main market which he said was so choked-up that in the event of any fire incident or stampede, the disaster would be indescribable. In the circumstances, he said,

rehabilitate and modernise the country’s rail transport system. He advised that attention should, however be directed at modernising the system to ensure that the nation’s rail transport is standardised to meet current global reality in the sector. The governor spoke while receiving in audience, a delegation led by the Transport Minister, Umar Idris. Chime who blamed the destruction of the rail system, the Nigerian Airways and the nation’s refineries on “personal interest,” expressed the hope that those in the haulage sector would allow the rail resuscitation efforts to succeed. Chime, who observed that the rail sector employed a lot of people in the past, assured that he will support every effort to revive the rail system. He said a functional trail system in the country will re-

•Mr Yajir

other educational materials to primary schools, adding that the council is also working hard to inculcate work ethics in local government staff. He, however, regretted that he hasn’t enough time to implement some laudable policies and programmes towards restoring the lost glory of Gboko.

the burden of training their children in schools, the Kebbi State Government has released over N9m for the purchase of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for students of the state. This is to enable them to gain admission into tertiary institutions of their choice. A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Muazu a copy of which was made available to Newsextra said more than 2,000 students were going to benefit from the gesture, even as he added that the forms would be distributed in the six education zones of the state. Abubakar explained that the prospective beneficiary must have at least five credits in his or her West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) examinations. He noted that this is the prerequisite that will ensure that they are qualified for admission into any recognised institution of higher learning across the country. Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Kebbi State Scholarship Board Alhaji Murtala Bawa Yauri, commended the Kebbi State governor, Dakingari for making qual-

From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi

ity education one of the policy thrusts of his administration, even as he said that the gesture will help students to acquire the necessary knowledge. In a related development, the state has concluded arrangements to recruit over 2,000 youth across the 21 local government areas. A press release issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor said that the recruitment is going to be through shelterbelts establishment and sand-dunes stabilisation, even as he added that about 30 hectares of land have been stabilised at Duku, four kilometers of shelterbelt at Wabbaku, one kilometer of shelterbelt at Shinnabori and establishment of eight kilometers of shelterbelt along Dakingari-Fana Road. The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ishaku Daudu has said that over the years efforts were being made towards addressing the problem of environmental degradation across the state through sensitisation campaigns and production of public awareness materials.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

The project which was being executed in fulfilment of Governor Suswam’s campaign promise to develop rural communities would be an Easter gift to residents of the area

Benue flags off rural electricification

ESIDENTS of Akerior Community in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State would enjoy electricity by Easter this year. The Commissioner for Rural Development and Co-operatives, Dr Jacob Omenka disclosed this recently while speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the electrification project in the community. Dr Omenka stated that the project which was being executed in fulfilment of Governor Suswam’s campaign promise to develop rural communities would be an Easter gift to residents of the area. He further stated that contract for the job had been awarded to Babcock, a reputable company which has been involved in the provision of electricity in the state since the Aper Aku era, even as he added that the firm has been mobilised to site. The commissioner appealed to members of the community to cooperate with the staff executing the project by not demanding compensation for some of their property which may be affected. Dr Omenka explained that compensation was not included in the contract and that insistence on it would stall execution of the project. Engineer Adiele Nwagwu who represented the contracting firm assured that Babcock would live up to its reputation by delivering a quality job on time and according to specifications. Permanent Secretary in the Min-

HE lawmaker representing Okigwe Zone in the Senate, Ambassador Matthew Nwagwu has challenged northern leaders to put their heads together in order to find lasting solutions to the incessant bomb blasts being perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect in some parts of the country.

•Dr Omenka addresses the community at the flag-off From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

istry, Mrs Dinah Ahure, appealed to youths in the area to seize the opportunity to set up business ventures and to shun any acts that

would cause friction in the community. Leaders of the community expressed appreciation to the Suswam administration for in the areas of water, health and education sectors which had already

been executed in the area. They also pledged support for the administration. Those who spoke at the ceremony were the District Head, Chief Joseph Kumbur, former chairman Ushongo transition

committee, Christopher Adi, local government chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Doki Agerzua, and Pastor of NKST Church, Taangahar, Rev. Emmanuel Chafa, JP among others.

Boko Haram: Lawmaker advises northern leaders From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

Ambassador Nwagwu argued that genuine and spirited efforts by highly respected leaders of

northern extraction towards stamp out the activities of the sect would surely yield positive results. He premised his argument on the fact that members of the deadly sect are not ghosts but

•Secretary to the Lagos State Government Mrs Oluranti Adebule (middle), Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed (in yellow cap), Major Gen. Henry Ayoola (fourth left) who led Course 24 students of Armed Forces Command staff college, Kuru, Jos, Plateau State during the visit to SSG’s office

human kinds who live in the midst of the people. Senator Nwagwu gave the task at an interactive forum with members of his constituency during which he announced series of empowerment packages for over 1, 000 people. Senator Nwagwu, who expressed support for the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal urged the people to cooperate with President Goodluck Jonathan to enable him to implement the laudable policy that would fix the refineries and create more jobs for the unemployed youths. He assured that plans had reached advanced stage for the construction of the second Niger Bridge and fixing of rail lines to effectively link all parts of the

country. While pledging continued quality representation for the people, the lawmaker harped on the need for sustained peace and unity among the people for meaningful development to be achieved. He stressed that the security of lives and property should be part of the cardinal programmes of the Federal Government, even as he urged the government to take proactive measures in that regard. He disclosed that no businessman would want to invest in an insecure environment, stating that the earlier Nigerians decided to make the environment conducive enough to investment, the better for the socio- economic development of the county.

No businessman would want to invest in an insecure environment…The earlier Nigerians decided to make the environment conducive enough to investment, the better for the socio- economic development of the county

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Last Friday, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate for the Bayelsa State governorship election, Seriake Dickson, was presented to the public in Yenagoa. Thereafter, he spoke with journalists on his vision and mission. He also addressed concerns raised by the opposition. Correspondent WALE ADEPOJU was there.

‘We have put Sylva behind us’ S

OME people have branded you as the President’s candidate, are you? I have never been disturbed at any time by being branded the President’s candidate. He is my leader. You saw it at the rally when I addressed him as my boss, leader, elder brother and my senior friend, a combination of all of these. That is what he is. When we were in the race, prior to the nomination, I was probably the only candidate that was not claiming induction by the President. Every other candidate who came to buy the nomination form claimed to be doing so based upon their endorsement by the President. I was the only one that was saying, sorry gentlemen, the President is my leader, but I have been running on the strength of our idea, I have been running on the confidence I have on the team that we really have set up. So, I am running on the basis of team and then the message. And I was saying so, loud and everybody heard me. Some others were saying they were endorsed. As candidate of the President’s party, now it’s very clear that I am his candidate. At this point, because it’s a party affair. Mr President is the leader of PDP. That is why you saw what happened. The flag has been presented to me. The president has to come for the event. Yes, I am the President’s candidate. The President is not expected to do antiparty. That is what I can say about that, but not before the primary election. Before the primary, the President was clearly aloof. He was not part of the process. Would you agree that the PDP has failed as a party, considering how it has fared in the state in the last four years? I wouldn’t say the PDP has failed as a party. PDP produced over the years remarkable leaders from this state. Dr. Jonathan, the President, being one of them. You heard him talk about three senatorial roads, the hotel project at that was started by his government as governor and so many educational programmes which he started. He was very passionate about them. We are going to build on that. The PDP hasn’t really failed the people. But I will be quick also in saying that we have a problem with the messenger at a point. I mean with the driver of the PDP vehicle. This is because the party was the vehicle. Between 2007 and today, yes, we have a driver who appeared not to have a clear idea of the destination. Let me just put it that way. Therefore, the passengers feel uncomfortable. They asked. Where is this man taking us to? I thought we are going to Port Harcourt, are we not going to Benin. That was the problem we had. PDP remains the most credible platform for change. And that is why the PDP has been able to renew itself. How do you intend to reconcile the members of the party who were at loggerhead with one another, thereby causing a major crisis in the state? Most of what you see as crisis is exaggerated when you look at it from the outside. And that accounts for why you saw the crowd. It is actually a pointer to the fact that the situation you referred to as crisis may not really be as frightening as in politics. As a result of the circumstances leading up to the entry into the race and the signs that took place thereafter, I agree with you that there were some divisions. But politics is never devoid of division. I have been in it for quite a while and it’s never without division. Even within the same tendency, we have such tendency. But going forward, I am a team builder and being that really helped in the evolution of the new PDP, in the sense that we have been able to throw the party open and embrace all stakeholders. You may be

•From left: Beyelsa State PDP gubernatorial candidate, Seriake Dickson; Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje; National Organising Secretary, Prince Uche Secondus and Mr Michael Kalango as Dickson was presented last week.

aware that former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Timi Alaibe and quite a number of others have been at the fringe of the party. All major stakeholders in the party have really been at the fringe of the party. Only one small tendency held sway. The tendency that we assisted to get into power in 2007 was a tendency that was not even noticeable because it has no presence. And that was as a result of inability to build consensus and expand the political state and work with the stakeholders. Immediately after the primaries, I promised I was going to rebuild the party. The real stakeholders of the party are now back. As I speak to you, the House of Assembly is fully integrated. We have fully reintegrated the chairman and some members and going forward we hope to even get a few others who may not yet be part of us. We want them to know that there is a remarkable departure from the politics of exclusion. Now, you see the Acting Governor, who presumably has been on the other side, being part of the flag off. Some of your colleagues in the National Assembly were not present at the rally, are you sure they are on your side? My colleagues in the National assembly are really an exception. An even they are not going to be left out. We are contacting them. I don’t think there are any of them who are closer to the President than those of us that you saw at the flag off. And if you ask yourself if people contested elections with me, for example, a major political player such as Timi Alaibe, who contested with me, is now chairing the party campaign caucus; you see somebody such as Duokpala, a highly respected competent gentleman and others all fully part of the campaign. Now, if you ask why people who did not contest this election who were never candidates, who at the very best, probably as a run of circumstances leading up to their reelections became supporters of Governor Timipre Sylva, you wonder why they will take it to this level when even those who contested sent money and are now part of the team. At this point, I will have very little to say. The electorate understands our programme. They

understand the need for change and to make progress. You said there was no crisis, but some PDP members stayed away from at the rally? First, there is no crisis in the party. I told you that even in the best of situations in politics, because it is a game of interests and contest for power, for various reasons, somebody could be your very good friend, as these they are talking about, by the way, are my very good friends. Some of them have been in the same tendency with me, fighting different battles for several years even in the National Assembly, against Governor Sylva. At a point, you know political realignment made them to become close to the governor. And I don’t begrudge them. Some of us are known for steadfastness and that is why sometimes when we do things, people have confidence in it. Do you think you have the support of your party members? I have been in the territory for long. We are not really doing badly. Most of it is for propaganda. I know there was massive investment in propaganda. We need the media to tell the world the good things we are doing, but we would not spend money on propaganda. We will rather spend it on education, training one child. Most of the antics of the opposition are not really productive. Yesterday, about 25 governorship candidates were with me pledging support. Also, yesterday about 25 political party chairmen were here pledging support. It was the environment that encouraged this kind of dysfunctional political conduct. You want to buy form, take, go and buy form. So, that was the environment in this state and we know ourselves. Yes, Dr. Jonathan brought me to PDP. I was the engine room of the opposition in the state. There was nothing the opposition party was doing to PDP that I was not part of. George, Doukpola and I were active in opposition, and now I’m providing the leadership. Even in opposition parties, they know me and the kind of politics that I play. On cases in court, how affected are you and what do you think is the way forward? Most of the antics are to please the system to

‘I have never been disturbed at any time by being branded the President’s candidate. He is my leader. You saw it at the rally when I addressed him as my boss, leader, elder brother and my senior friend, a combination of all of these’

encourage that type of dis-functionality which we are going to address. So, going forward, a lot of candidates and parties will on their own completely withdraw. About the cases within PDP, I don’t like talking about merit of cases that are pending in court. I am more than 20 years old at the Bar, when matters are pending in the court, we should be courteous in our comments, which unfortunately has not been the case. Once a matter goes slightly against some people, they just take the judiciary to the cleaners. Without checking the implication that it has on the integrity of the judiciary as a democratic institution, let alone the integrity of the judge. That is what has been going on. Do you know once they file an application and get it assigned one day and get a judge to look at in chambers one day, and get a judge to make an order that is neither here nor there, they blow it open, misinterpreting it as a court order when there is no court order. Our reaction has been professional, go and appeal to them not desecrate the judiciary as an institution or the integrity of a particular judge. So I don’t want to comment on that, but I can tell you that, as you rightly observed, we are not ruffled. And the legal situation is perfectly under control. How do you intend to restore the lost glory of the state? Restoration means restoring lost glory. There was glory. It was lost at a time and we are now restoring it. The components of the restoration agenda are many. We don’t really have time. What I will not fail to do is the priority, education we have in the restoration agenda. As I mentioned at the rally, it is the most important challenge facing this society. This society, unknown to many, is actually sitting on a time bomb. Not just Bayelsa State, but so many states in the Niger Delta. There are so many places, so many societies, you can’t even go there. They have lost those communities and so many generations of young people to illiteracy, wrong and unproductive education and unemployment. We are going to massively tackle that in a revolutionary manner. And then invest in human capital development. Then infrastructure, we are going to commence that. We will work round the clock to ensure that people have good roads. Then, value orientation is also very important, because no matter the amount of money a state government has, if the right values are not there, if there is a leadership problem, you can’t really do much. We’ve got a lot to do to educate these people. Also, security is very important. We actually want to showcase this state as a major tourism destination.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

POLITICS

Bayelsa no longer for highest bidder, says ACN candidate Mr Kemela Okara, a Lagos lawyer, is the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Saturday’s Bayelsa governorship election. He spoke with journalists in Lagos on the issues and factors that will determine the winner. Correspondent WALE ADEPOJU was there.

AYELSA is the President’s home state, do you think you can make a head way in that state? Absolutely, because the President was voted into office not just by Bayelsans. It is the smallest state in Nigeria. It is approximately 1.7 million people. Even if every Bayelsan is of voting age and voted, there is no way that Bayelsans by ourselves alone could have determined the outcome of the presidential election in April 2011. It took people from the Southwest, Southeast, Southsouth, Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral to vote him into office. So, by implication, he knows that Nigerians were looking for a fresh direction in leadership and people voted in their numbers irrespective of where he came from. There were people from the Northwest who were running in that election, yet people voted for him. There were people, take the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for instance, they had a candidate but overwhelmingly most of the states controlled by the ACN voted Mr. President into office. So Nigerians have come to a point where we are now asking ourselves that we want credible candidates; we don’t want a candidate who emerged because of one power block or the other. I emerged through a process that was clear, transparent. I was nominated unopposed as the candidate of ACN and that tells me people themselves were looking for credible candidates. So, the President, I believe, would support my agenda for change because it is on all fours to what he wants to see for the nation. Last Friday, President Goodluck Jonathan endorsed Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), do you think you stand a chance despite this? The President did that, not only is he President of Nigeria, but also a card carrying member of PDP. He and Mr Dickson are of the same party, in other words, he was there to campaign for the candidate of PDP. That is normal in politics. But having said that, when it comes down to voting, the President himself would very much tell the whole world that democracy is about voting who you want. He would campaign for his candidate, but the Bayelsans would have to decide for themselves who is the best candidate. Do you see yourself beating Mr Dickson who is being backed by the presidency, PDP and federal might? Well, Dickson, presidency and federal might are not God. They cannot usurp the power of the people to get what they want. First and foremost, when you look at Mr. President’s emergence as president, nobody gave him a chance, but he rose from being Deputy Governor to Governor, Vice President and now President. That speaks of divine providence because God rules in the affairs of man. So, no man can arrogate to himself the power to determine what happens in any place. That would simply be pride and as such a very shortsighted approach to the way things happen in the affairs of man. It is the people who would decide and this election will be one election which would shock many people because Bayelsans are sick and tired of people who feel they can just toy with their destiny. Bayelsans are rising and say we are not going to mortgage our future on the altar of somebody’s ego or pride. We are going to determine what is in our best interest. Are Bayelsans sensitized enough to know that their vote is their power? Very obviously, they have been sensitized. We have been campaigning right across the state. They are going through pains and they themselves are realizing that this time around, it is not going to be N1000 which many times, others have used to seduce them to get their votes. They say no because we say to them clearly if somebody gives you N1000 to vote for him on the day of election and then what happens in the next four years, would that N1000 feed you? Many of them have realised that it is time to stop mortgaging their future. It is time to stop selling their birthright for mere pottage? They are all realizing that. It is evident. So evident is the poverty and squalor across the state. And they are asking themselves, we have been going the same way and for 12 years we see no real change in our human condition. Is it not time for us to change? They know and say it as we campaign across the state. How are the people embracing change and

•Okara

‘So, Bayelsa State has tried the same thing for 13 years, that is 1999 to 2012 and there were no changes. What is the major physical change in the state? There is nothing to show for it. There is nothing to show for the level of allocation and development. The people are crying out because they are hungry and in pain’ are they really ready for it? The people of Bayelsa have been groaning and crying for change. They have been. They have expressed their desire for change. Perhaps the great challenge the people of Bayelsa have faced is the past is a sense of powerlessness because it is one thing to desire change, it is another thing to have an opportunity to effect change. What some of us who have been crying for this change ourselves say is that we are going to go beyond crying and complaining? We are going to offer Bayelsa a credible alternative. I am saying to the people that I am a man of integrity who has the compassion, who feels the yearnings and pains of the people. I am responding to their cries, therefore, working together, we can bring about the change that they desire. Why are you in the race and what is the motivation? I am in the race because it is clear the way I see it that politics is about public service. And if you don’t have people who are public spirited, if you don’t have people who have the desire for public service, then really we cannot complain when we don’t see the kind of positive change we expect from people. My life has always been a life of public service, even as a lawyer and as a pastor. The motivation behind most things that I do is to see how I can be part of improving the human condition. So my motivation is clearly public service. What are the challenges facing Bayelsa and how do you intend to fix them if you become the governor? The major challenge facing Bayelsa is failure of ethical leadership, compassionate leadership. A failure of leadership that recognises that if you are given authority, it is meant to be people-centred. You are to look at how you can improve human dignity. Ho w you can bring prosperity to all. How you can create enabling environment for people to grow, find their talents and gifts and do the different things they are called to do. Bayelsans by nature are very hard working people. You need to be, if you look at the kind of terrain Bayelsa provides. Many communities can only be accessed

by boat, sometimes, upward two or three hours travelling in the open seas. And in those contexts, people are still with all the limitations. So, the challenge facing the people is the leadership that would harness the existing potentials for the common benefit. That is the biggest challenge. What are your plans for the youth in the state and how do you want to key into the amnesty programme of the Federal Government? The fundamental problem of the youth in Bayelsa is two-fold; one, the fact that there is poor education which itself raises people who are not in the position to take advantage of the job market. The second problem is that with poor education, in addition to not being able to take the advantage of the job market, it creates a sense of anger and disconnect from the society. So, what I intend to do for the youths in Bayelsa is to create the opportunity for massive employment and for massive self-employment, through small and medium scale enterprises and through providing micro-finance schemes for people who want to work for themselves. Bayelsa State has so many development needs with an average income profile of N13 billion a month; we can create massive employment through a major infrastructure drive that employs people in different sectors. It is very clear what has to be done, which is why I said it is the failure of leadership. Lagos State also suffered massive unemployment, high youth restiveness with the Area Boys. I am a trustee of the Freedom Foundations and one of the things that we do is working with disadvantaged youths. And we have seen that if you provide employment opportunity, you would attack the root causes of the problem we have in the Niger Delta. That is best way we can align ourselves with the best objectives of the amnesty programme. How grounded are you in the state, and do you know the people very well to say you want to lead them? We are running for an office in Bayelsa and I have an office there. We have a state secretariat. We are fully on ground. We have our party members across state and we are cam-

paigning. I spent most of my time there so I am as grounded as necessary to take on assignment as serious as running for the office of governor. How do you relate your party platform with the challenges facing Bayelsa State? ACN has been active in the state right back from the days of Alliance for Democracy (AD). In fact, Seriake Dickson was, at one time, the National Legal Adviser of AD. So, Action Congress which transformed to ACN also fielded a candidate at the 2007 governorship election. In fact, that candidate went to court to challenge some of the electoral malpractices of that election and there was a re-run election in 2008. So, ACN has been visible and active in the state. It has also been instrumental in entrenching democracy. The previous candidate was Ebitimi Amgbare, who ran for governorship in 2007. So ACN has been visible as the second largest party in Bayelsa State, going back over many years. So we are simply continuing in that tradition of being part of a party that has shown without any shadow of doubt that good, responsible government is possible. We have seen it in Lagos and Edo States and that is what we want to replicate in Bayelsa State. Do you think ACN is virile enough to win in Bayelsa State? Politics is about ideas. Which party in Nigeria has shown it has the best idea? People are concerned about their human condition. They know that a party may be there for 20 years, but if at the end of the day it has nothing to show for it, would they not look for an alternative? Bayelsa State has had the same party in power for 12 years. Meanwhile, the state with all its resources is still very backward. Don’t they have a right to ask themselves what is happening in other places? That is what is happening. And that is why we have a very strong following with the party. To quote Albert Einstein, if you do the same thing over and over again and you don’t get a different result, it is either you are mad or there is a problem. So, Bayelsa State has tried the same thing for 13 years, that is 1999 to 2012 and there were no changes. What is the major physical change in the state? There is nothing to show for it. There is nothing to show for the level of allocation and development. The people are crying out because they are hungry and in pain. Are you hopeful that the election would be free and fair? I am hopeful that there would be free and fair election because all eyes are on the state. So, are you saying there are no misgivings whatsoever? Nigeria is a developing country. I am hopeful, but does that deny the current reality that there is still corruption, manipulation and violence and vote rigging such as multiple thumb printing, among others? I have seen all these in previous elections. But am I hopeful, yes of course I am hopeful, because I cannot keep going forward looking with the rear mirror. So the past is past. We are in a new day. We are about to hold an election in a state and it is an isolated election. It is not like a general election affecting 36 states. This election involves the home state of the country’s president. Mr President wants to write his name in history. He will not want it to be said that because the election was in his home state, there was rigging. He wants a free and fair election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wants a free and fair election because its head, Prof. Attahiru Jega knows he has his place in history, too. We are faced with two principal actors who each wants his name in history book. Have you been consulting with the elders? There are many stakeholders in Bayelsa politics. They are in different segments of the society. We have the traditional rulers, elders in every community, the youth, women and unemployed graduates , lecturers and farmers. Also, we have different ethnic groups resident in the state. There are Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Ibibio, among others. And we have consulted widely across board. And our consultation is to sell our ideas. We know that people will have different political leaning and they want to vote this way or that way. That is their choice; we are on the mission of change we are to sell to Bayelsans our agenda for change and we have sold it to them across the state and we have been doing this long before now. I started campaigning for the office as far back as 2010. Some have just joined the race.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

THE NATION

INVESTORS Turnover drops as investors stake N32b T

URNOVER on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) fell below the monthly average last month as the market grappled with low investors’ confidence and disruptions caused the fuel subsidy removal strike. Total turnover last month stood at 4.09 billion shares worth N31.80 billion in 46,942 deals, as against the average monthly turnover of 7.47 billion shares valued at N52.91 billion last year. Banking subsector remained the dominant driver of activities at the stock market with banking stocks accounting for 56 per cent and 43 per cent of total volume and value of activities. It recorded a turnover of 2.29 billion shares worth N13.75 billion in 24,414 deals last month as demand for low-priced banking stocks sustained banks atop the activities chart. The slow start raised concerns about the prospects of the market, in the new business year, following decline in all key indices last year. Total turnover dropped from 93.34 billion shares valued at N797.55 billion in 2010 to 89.58 billion shares worth N634.92 billion last year, representing a declines of 4.03 per cent and 20.4 per cent in volume and value. As shares slumped to lowest values, average daily turnover had dropped to 364.15 million shares valued at N2.58 billion last year as against 377.87 million shares worth N3.23 billion in 2010. However, the overall pricing trend last month was positive with marginal month-on-month return of 0.70 per cent. The benchmark index at NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), closed last month at 20,875.83 points as against its opening index of 20,730.63 points. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities increased by N46 billion from 2012’s opening value of N6.533 trillion to close January at N6.579 trillion. Economist and investment advisor, Sterling Capital, Sewa Wusu, said the below average performance in turnover was partly due

Stories by Taofik Salako

to the strike embarked upon by Labour in early January. “But the fact still remained that most investors were selling off their holdings due to apathy and general lull that have characterised the market over the last couple of weeks due to global and domestic downside risk,” Wusu said. He pointed out attractive yields in fixed income securities have also impeded the equity market as investors sought refuge under bonds to preserve their capital and ensure modest returns. Against the background of a full year negative return of 16.31 per cent in 2011, most analysts remained optimistic that the stock

market would fare better in the current business year. According to analysts, the losses of 2011 might translate into better gains in 2012 as continued declines in shares prices amidst impressive fundamental performances by most quoted companies have enhanced the attractiveness of the stock market. Analysts said several equities now hold out prospects of doubledigit dividend yields, which in several instances are higher than yields on national and sub-national bonds. “The equity market has declined considerably and investment opportunities certainly exist. Good stock picking should yield superior returns,” analysts at Finan-

cial Derivatives Company noted in latest update on the market. While there are still potentials for short-term gains, analysts, however, appeared to be unanimous that the prospects of the market was surer in the medium to long term. Analysts at FSDH Securities, Sterling Capital, Cowry Asset Management, GTI Capital and Crossworld Securities said the market holds better prospects in the medium to long term citing the fundamentals of most stocks and gradual recovery that may result from above-average cash payouts by quoted companies. “I have strong expectation form the banking sector, because the impact of the reforms is yet to be

duly felt by the economy. The mergers and acquisition we have seen have provided a more competitive banking industry where banks can achieve their potential and contribute immensely toward economic recovery and growth. “The introduction of mobile money and efforts towards achieving a cash-less economy are good developments that will enhance service delivery to Nigerians and increase business prospects in the banking industry. “And banks being major stocks on the NSE, I expect the improvement in performances of banks to impact positively on the stock market,” Managing Director, GTI Securities, Tunde Oyekunle said.

•From left: Senior Manager, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr Kayode Ojuogun, grand prize winner, Mr Auzah Yakubu, Area Manager, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Zakari Fakai and Deputy Director, Consumer Protection Council Shaman Kolo during Ecobank Domiciliary promo in Kaduna

‘Why multinationals should be listed ’

HERE is growing agitation to get telecoms companies and upstream oil and gas joint venture multinationals listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The reluctance of these organisations to be qouted on the Exchange has elicited concerns, especially among investors and market analysts. The telecoms and upstream oil sectors account for about 70 per cent of real sector economic activities, yet they are not listed in the mar-

ket. Not long ago, the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market contemplated a legislation that will compel these multinationals to be listed. The move was aimed at positively impacting depth and boosting liquidity in the market. The idea received positive comments from stakeholders and investors , but the idea was later dropped. Attempts were made in the past by the market’s regulators and

stakeholders to get the oil and gas multinationals and the telecoms firms listed. Most of the companies rebuffed the idea arguing of that there was no prior agreement that they must be listed. They added that they a quoted on the stock exchanges of their home countries. In 2008, the Federal Government said oil and gas companies must be quoted on the Exchange. The oil and gas multinationals then insisted on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before their

list. The non-passage of the PIB may have pushed the listing of the firm away from the public domain. Market analysts noted that one of the factors responsible for the downward trend is the fact that the market is relatively small and unrepresentative of the size of the economy. Its relative small size makes it illiquid, underdeveloped and poor performing relative to peer markets. This is unsustainable and must change to engender development of the Nigerian

economy. At a time, countries such as France, United Kingdom and the United States put in place the legal structure that ensured that the companies that had operated within the countries for a specific period of time got listed on their respective stock exchanges. It would not be too much if Nigeria should emulate them by putting in place the law that compels the multinationals •Continued on page 48

Fund manager gets top rating

GUSTO & Co, a Nigerian rating agency, has assigned a rating of AA (f) to Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund, one of the six mutual funds managed by Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited. The rating, according to a statement, is the highest rating so far conferred on a mutual fund managed in Nigeria by the rating agency.

The rating agency said the rating underscored the competitive advantages of Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund which has minimal exposure to downside risk. Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said the company would leverage its robust risk management framework to safeguard and ensure optimal return on investment for investors.

According to him, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited is committed to implementing initiatives that improve corporate governance for the benefit of all stakeholders while it remains steadfast in implementing governance practices that comply with international best practice. Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Mr Olumide Oyetan de-

scribed the fund as collective investment scheme that invests in a wide range of very liquid short-term money market instruments such as guaranteed commercial papers, bankers’ acceptance, term deposits and certificates of deposit with domestic banks in Nigeria. He noted that the fund invested all its assets in low risk money market securities with financial institutions in Nigeria.

“The Fund is geared to rival direct money market placements and has the added advantage of making quarterly distribution of income which is very important for investors who require periodic liquidity. The effective yield net of fees on Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund as at 31 December 2011 was a competitive 15.44 per cent which was available to subscribers with a minimum investment of N50,000,” Oyetan said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

THE NATION INVESTORS

‘Why multinationals should be listed ’ •Continued from page 47

operating within the country to be listed on the nation’s capital market. According to analysts, by not getting listed on the NSE, the multinationals are not giving a true representation of the Nigerian economy. MTN for instance, paid a whopping sum of $285 million for its operating licence in 2001. Barely six months after commencing operations, MTN repatriated about $5 billion as profits from their Nigerian operations. MTN Nigeria, which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the industrial-non-Clinical services-Telecommunications sector, is the largest contributor to the MTN Group. The Nigerian operations account for over 25 per cent of the revenue of the MTN Group. The situation is similar with other telecommunications operators in Nigeria. Stakeholders said it was important for the legislators to consider the need for legislative reforms to make Nigerian investors participate in the success of those con-

nications companies to be listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE). According to the bill, telecommunication companies operating in Tanzania were required to offer shares to the public. They were also required to list with the DSE within three years after the Act came into force, but subject to requirements of the Capital Market and Securities Act. The government of Egypt insisted on partial listings as a condition for the award of a mobile licence to Vodafone Egypt, an investment between Telecom Egypt and Vodafone while there was the contractual obligation of Ghanaian Stock Exchange that made Tullow Oil to float a token of its shares on the Ghana’s capital market. Market analysts said if telecommunication firms as well as oil and gas multinationals are listed on the NSE, this will offer Nigerians the opportunity to become co-owners of the companies as well as enhance the process of capital formation and economic development. According to analysts, the measures will rapidly grow the economy as a substantial part of

Stories by Taofik Salako

glomerates operating in the country through ownership of their equities and participation in dividend payouts and capital appreciation of their shares. According to them, should the lawmakers pass such laws, they will not be doing anything that is alien to this part of the world. In 2002, Kenya enacted Foreign Investor Regulation which compelled multinationals operating in the country to list on the capital market. The legislation, provided for a minimum of 25 per cent reserve of the issued share capital for local investors while the balance of 75 per cent was left for other categories of investors. The legislation made it possible for Kenyan citizens to invest in companies like Nation Media, a regional media player; TPS East Africa, a tourism operator and Safaricom, a mobile telecommunication company amongst others. Similarly, the Tanzania’s parliament in February 2010 passed a communication bill which made it mandatory for mobile telecommu-

FACTS

the wealth generated by those companies stay within the country and offset multiplier benefits. It is estimated that the listing of the major oil and gas multinationals alone will boost capitalization of the Exchange by about N50 trillion. This figure was arrived at based on the assumption that Nigerian operations of these firms accounted for 25 per cent of the companies’ market capitalization with the exchange rate of N160 to the dollar. Specifically, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, which is quoted on The Netherlands Exchange, could grow the Nigerian capital market by N7.63 trillion while the listing of Total Upstream, based in France, would add about N4.15 trillion to the market. Conocco Petroleum, also quoted on the NYSE would add N3.41 trillion to market capitalization of NSE while Petroleo Brazileiro Nigeria, a Brazilian firm will add N3.41trillion. The others are Syntroleum N3.37 trillion; Statoil Nigeria N2.78 trillion; ExxonMobil N13.53 trillion and Chevron Nigeria, N6.99 trillion among others.

The telecommunications sector, which had subscriber base of one million in 2000, now caters for about 90 million users. The contribution of this sector to the gross domestic product, GDP, in the third quarter of 2011 increased to about 5.7 per cent of the GDP from 0.06 per cent it recorded in 2002, making it the fastest growing sector in the economy. Its impact could be more. It can boost market capitalization by about N6.76 trillion with MTN leading the pack with N2.4 trillion; Airtel-N1.55 trillion; Globacom-N1.70 trillion and Etisalat-N1.1 trillion. While the NSE needs to speed up its evolutionary process and become more like its counterparts in other economies of the world by adjusting its business and economic models from being only a source of raising capital for listed firms to one that creates economic linkages in the country, analysts said the National Assembly engage all stakeholders towards fashioning a bill with all inherent legal mandates for the listing of the telecommunication and oil and gas multinationals on the Nigerian capital market.

FACTS

Mobil Oil Nigeria vs Total Nigeria: Facts about oil majors

OTAL Nigeria Plc and Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc are the dominant multinationals among the six oil majors quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Total Nigeria leads the capitalisation table as the most capitalised petroleum-marketing company in addition to an enviable position as the second highest-priced stock at the Nigerian stock market. A subsidiary of French multinational and Europeleading oil company-Total S. A, Total Nigeria is a company of considerable influence and size in Nigeria and globally. With more than 500 retail outlets, five Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plants, three lubricant blending plants, four aviation depots and many other facilities, Total Nigeria is undoubtedly a leading oilmarketing company. Mobil Oil Nigeria, the earliest petroleum-marketing company to be incorporated in Nigeria, doubles as the third most capitalised petroleum-marketing company and third highest-priced stock at the stock market. Mobil Oil Nigeria is a subsidiary of Mobil Oil Corporation of the United States of America and it runs a nationwide network of outlets that make the company a household brand throughout Nigeria. With nearly six decades of operations in Nigeria, both companies have etched their brands and stocks as blue chips. Interestingly, both companies were listed in the same year, on the same month and within the same week. Beside their similarities as multinationals, the two companies mirror the variables in the downstream oil sector. Sales Generation The petroleum-marketing industry has rather been sluggish in recent years. Sales have hovered between marginal increase to stagnation and decline. For the second consecutive year, Mobil witnessed decline in sale in 2010, which pushed average sales decline over the past two years at 6.5 per cent. Sales had dropped by 7.1 per cent and 5.9 per cent in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Total Nigeria’s turnover growth, which was almost flat in 2009, contracted by 10 per cent in 2010, indicating average decline rate of 4.7 per cent over the past

FACTS TO FACTS

Total 2010

2009

Average

% 0.7

% -4.7 -2.25 -5.8 12.7 3.5 -4.8 9 58.9

Mobil 2010

2009

% -5.9

% -7.1

40.9

60.2

9.8 37 16.9 65.2

6.6 65.1 13.1 68

Average Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

% -10.1 -4.5 -6.2 13.1 3.6 0.1 10 60.9

-5.4 12.3 3.4 -9.7 8 56.9

Pre-tax profit margin (Total)

two years. On the average, Total’s top-line performance was better than Mobil’s. Profitability Mobil however showed greater efficiency and profitability in terms of year-on-year stand alone analysis as well as peer comparison. With average pre and post-tax profit growths of about 51 per cent over the years, Mobil made more profit form every unit of sales than its competitor. Profit before tax had risen by 60 per cent in 2009 and trended further upward to 41 per cent in 2010. Profit after tax also grew consecutively by 65 per cent and 37 per cent in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Pre-tax profit margin had improved from 6.6 per cent in 2009 to 9.8 per

cent in 2010, indicating average margin of 8.2 per cent over the years. On the other hand, Total Nigeria’s gross profit dropped by 4.5 per cent in 2010 and subsequently trickled down to 6.2 per cent decrease in pretax profit, the second consecutive decrease in pre-tax profit. Average pretax profit growth thus stood at negative 5.8 per cent in recent years. Net profit was also flat in 2010, though a better performance than decline of 9.7 per cent recorded in the previous year. But Total Nigeria also showed improved underlying profit-making capacity in the immediate past year. Gross profit margin had risen from 12.3 per cent in 2009 to 13.1 per cent in 2010 while pre-tax profit margin improved from 3.4 per cent in 2009

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

% -6.5 0.00 50.55 0 8.2 51.05 15 66.6

Pre-tax profit margin (Mobil)

to 3.6 per cent in 2010. Actual Returns Mobil Oil Nigeria also generally won the contest in terms of returns to stakeholders, although Total Nigeria made considerable gain in the immediate past year. Average annual return to shareholders by Mobil stood at 67 per cent over the twpyear period while return on total assets averaged 15 per cent. Return on assets had grown from 13 per cent in 2009 to 17 per cent in 2010. Return on equity however fell from 68 per cent in 2009 to 65 per cent. Total Nigeria has meanwhile continuously improved its returns, although the quantum of returns fell below that of its competitor.

With two-year average returns on assets and equity of 9.0 per cent and 59 per cent respectively, Total Nigeria had improved return on total assets from 8.0 per cent in 2009 to 10 per cent in 2010. Return on equity added four percentage points in 2010 to 61 per cent as against about 57 per cent in 2009. The Bottom-line With the protracted reform in the petroleum sector and continuing controversy that exacerbate global oil variables, Nigerian petroleum companies require deeper foresights and cushions to sustain sales and profitability. There is no doubt that the petroleum-marketing industry faces a major constraint in the area of sales generation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRURARY 8, 2012

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Small scale exports as money spinner M

ORE than 20,000 farming families have been lifted out of poverty in a remarkable success story spearheaded by Nigerians promoting small scale exports business. Director, Mydes Trust Limited, Chidueme Jude, said small scale exporting has emerged as a major area for Nigerians to benefit from the booming worldwide trade in sesame seeds, iron ore, charcoal and kola nut among others. Jude,who is also owner of www.mydexexport.com, said more Nigerians need to get into the export business because job security is no longer guaranteed. He said the export market is seeking commodities such as leather, hard wood charcoal, lead ore, sesame seeds, garlic, ginger, dried hibiscus flower (zobo), Cassava, cashew nuts. He trades on farm produce and has helped other Nigerians to sell cash crops at the international market. Jude has realised that limiting trading to the local market could deprive one of the numerous opportunities beyond the

Stories by Daniel Essiet

shores of the nation. He made new discoveries on how to explore opportunities internationally and exports to some countries in Europe. Jude said Nigeria is experiencing low volumes of trade with some countries in the world, because the products can’t meet international market. He said exporters need to be sensitised about the opportunities in the export sub-sector, and on import regulations on quality, standards, packaging, environment and chemical residue. Part of his programme is to enlighten Nigerians on market entry strategies to assist them to penetrate foreign markets. His company is dealing with important challenges such as insufficient understanding of the markets, logistical issues; and technical challenges related to the introduction of new varieties. Jude said it was important exporters and would-be exporters get themselves acquainted with the various ob-

•A charcoal market

stacles facing exports into foreign markets. He added that issues, such as tariff and quotas, trade preferences, product requirements and standards, among others, should be properly evaluated. With small scale exporting, he said communities that languished as an economic backwater, because of dependence on growing subsistence crops can increase production and benefit from the thriving global trade. His organisation is planning to diversify the export base and encourage Nigerian investors to move into new commodities. In addition to technical assistance, Jude is targeting the huge and rapidly growing demand market in Southeast Asia. He is educating Nigerians on what it takes to export to this highly demanding market - where insistence on high-quality products is paramount. He has become more active on international markets and wants Nigerians to deepen

their understanding of issues that pervade the global markets, such as unique produces to serve specific market demands. He provides training to help Nigerians identify produce with potential in an overseas market. One of this is how to make profits from exporting commodities in one month. His training covers the potential size of the export market, available distribution channels, suitability and acceptability of products for the target market. He said his organisation run comprehensive classes and lectures that are absolutely effective in demystifying the export sector. According to him, understanding the target market properly is essential for success in exporting. He said his organisation is making efforts to increase Nigerians chances of succeeding in the global market. He said those who are looking for stable businesses to invest money into that guarantees massive and instant returns in the shortest possible

time. Giving investment cost and profit profile on exporting a 20ft container of sesame seed to Ontario, Canada, Jude said 17 metric tons at N120,000 per metric tonne, will cost N2,040,000, insurance N6,500, documentation N40,000, Ness Fee N10,000. The total cost is N2, 096,000. The selling price at $1, 250 per metric tonne is $21, 250. At exchange rate at N150 = $1, the amount is N3,187,500. The profit is N1,091,000. The percentage on return is 52 per cent On a 40ft container of Hardwood Charcoal bulk Load destined for Hamburg, Germany,he said the cost is 23 metric tonnes (1×40ft) full load N350,000. Transportation to Lagos Tin-can island port is N120,000; documentation and agents fee N65,000; misc e l l a n e o u s N20,000. The total cost is N545,000. The product sells at 170 euro per metric tonnes. The price is 4,071 euro. At exchange rate of N199 per euro,

‘Bitter kola is in great demand in America, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, China, Japan, India and other Asian countries. The product, Jude said, abounds in the rural communities. Collection of bitter kola from the rural areas and processing them for export market is a simple operation to undertake and less capital intensive. But the exporter must ensure good quality product’

PPAREL decoration is a large industry. This makes its business a money spinner. The market is everywhere, so potential customers are available. For instance, fashion houses, schools, cultural groups, service companies, event management outfits are sources of potential customers for embroiders. Combined talents of both artists and craftsmen with the can-do attitude of an entrepreneur is a must for those who want to succeed in the business. Abass Adebayo is among Nigerians making impact in the business. The business has all the key ingredients that many people are looking for, including creativity, working from home, ability to work in any niche, huge profit potential and setting one’s schedule. The industry has been expanding and evolving to the point where every niche is a profitable opportunity for customers. Adebayo started small after learning the trade. He has acquired small embroidery machines. With word of mouth and repeat business, he should be on his way to a growing and profitable embroidery

• Jude

the total is N778, 090. The profit is N233,090. The percentage on return is 42 per cent. He said bitter kola is in great demand in America, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, China, Japan, India and other Asian countries. The product, Jude said, abounds in the rural communities. Collection of bitter kola from the rural areas and processing them for export market is a simple operation to undertake and less capital intensive. But the exporter must ensure good quality product. The product, therefore, must be free of foreign matters such as stones, sand-dirt, nylon, paper e.t.c. Currently, a kilogramme of bitter kola commands at the international market is $17, and the local price is about N200 per kg.

Making a fortune from embroidery business. What makes it easy for new entrants is that there are used and refurbished machines one can purchase for less than new machines, saving on start up costs until one earns enough profit to purchase newer machines as business grows. He said the business offers entrepreneurs an enormous amount of opportunities. Training, which he and other established hands offer, covers how to run a successful embroidery business. One area is how to properly hoop knit garments, woven fabric garments and even many un-hoopable applications. The other is placement for all of the most popular applications on garments as well as linens. Everyone buys embroidered goods. Nigerians are looking for individualised, “design your own” type products. This provides business opportunities for would be entrepreneurs. Adebayo specialises in fashion embroidery, but there are oppor-

tunities in travel bags, purses, blankets and mattress covers. Although these items are more difficult to embroider and special equipment may be required, it is a niche also available to people considering opening their own embroidery business. The possibilities are endless. Acquiring customers is one of the most difficult part of building an embroidery business. Since he deals with tailors and fashion designers, his works speaks for him. The market is there for him. Others need to make sales calls on potential customers and post flyers. Adebayo, who operates from Adaranjo market in Shomolu, Lagos advised new entrants to start small. With N15,000, one can buy the few materials. When there is business, Adebayo said one can make up to N80,000 monthly. Big companies, he said, will make more money. Such companies handle embroidery and garment printing on caps, T-shirts, jackets, bags, linens and uniforms.

Whether it is corporate logos, monograms, club names or stylish T-shirt designs, embroidery and garment market has turned into a large industry. While today’s fashion embroidery is produced by large embroidery and screen printing companies, smaller, local shops create the majority of other items. This provide opportunity for small players like Adebayo to make a living. One can operate fulltime or part-time at home or at a shop. With the new embroidery machines and digital garment printers on the market, applying embroidery and logos is easy. He said one doesn’t need a fortune to start and with very little work, one can cover one’s monthly costs very easily. A profitable embroidery business, according to him can be built with a simple single-head machine for very little investment. A miniindustry is building up around embroidery, and vocational training centres are taking interest in the

art. For experts such as Adebayo, the opportunities are enormous. It is a matter of creating synergy across the fashion industry. The multinationals apparel market is driving the creation of new jobs. Adebayo said embroidery is practical and result-oriented. The industry needs a team of conceptualisers and connectors to stimulate improvement in fashion designs in an urban context. He is using needlework to adorn garments with various logos, symbols and design and adding the value of the naira is helping to make it a profitable business. He said there is so much to do, so much to learn, and so many areas to prepare for before one can even open the doors for business. Today, the fashion industry knows. They are capable local hands that can make very fine embroidery designs. With the advent of computer technology, embroidery has become streamlined and even more profitable than in the past.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 7-2-12 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 1.09

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 570.00 500 570.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 26 3 14 43

Quotation(N) 0.81 24.25 8.90

Quantity Traded Value 4,957,364 19,200 512,050 5,488,614

of Shares (N) 3,985,923.92 442,368.00 4,249,595.00 8,677,886.92

Quotation(N) 1.97 7.61

Quantity Traded Value 8,727,437 1,357,619 10,085,056

of Shares (N) 17,193,250.89 10,559,771.03 27,753,021.92

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.20

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 82,028 41,014.00 377,365 452,178.00 459,393 493,192.00

Quotation(N) 5.70 2.70 4.15 1.50 10.32 14.10 7.25 3.36 0.82 2.00 8.65 0.52 0.53 12.40

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 17,379,715 97,724,780.53 1,005,409 2,741,981.64 433,600 1,769,959.00 9,358,046 14,369,065.16 23,257,435 243,575,176.54 8,303,074 121,842,191.88 1,083,230 7,842,096.00 7,360,538 24,953,379.14 2,777,701 2,271,870.12 22,623,291 45,229,641.55 19,857 163,224.54 3,050,000 1,533,009.46 509,904 270,269.12 14,372,706 179,047,945.57 111,534,506 743,334,590.25

Quotation(N) 220.00 5.79 94.09

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,313,372 510,309,422.83 751,980 4,063,673.80 3,810,685 358,138,337.40 6,876,037 872,511,434.03

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 43 46

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 10 14 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 162 31 23 78 522 431 31 102 37 169 8 19 12 368 1,993 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 65 26 169 260

Investors lose N28b as bears stage comeback T HE Nigerian stock market broke its recent streak of gains yesterday as a surge in supply overwhelmed the cautious demand situation, pushing the market’s benchmark index down by 0.41 per cent. With nearly two losers to a gainer, aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities dwindled by N28 billion to close at N6.552 trillion as against its opening value of N6.580 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), the benchmark index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which also doubles as Nigeria’s country index, dropped from 20,877.64 points to 20,792.75 points. Beside, the adverse impact of losses suffered by highly capitalised stocks, the bearishness was pervasive with significant declines in the banking, insurance and consumer good subsectors. The NSE Banking Index declined from 283.45 points to 279.68 points, reflecting losses by some eight banks. The NSE Insurance Index

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

also slipped from 119.78 points to 117.90 points while the NSE Consumer Goods Index dropped from 1,676.71 points to 1,675.38 points. These altogether weighed on the NSE 30 Index, which dropped from 942.24 points to 937.18 points. However, Oando, which recorded the highest gain of 85 kobo per share, lifted the NSE Oil and Gas Index from 212.75 points to 215.01 points. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc led the slackers with a loss of 55 kobo to close at N14.10. PZ Cussons Nigeria trailed with a loss of 51 kobo to close at N28. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company lost 26 kobo to close at N7.61. ETransact dropped by 24 kobo to close at N4.70. First Bank of Nigeria lost 19 kobo to close at N10.32. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 15 4 25 22 66

Quotation(N) 10.50 4.90 116.00 45.17

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 38,216 404,702.46 18,045 92,610.50 1,190,663 137,977,337.81 153,157 6,932,415.40 1,400,081 145,407,066.17

Quotation(N) 9.30 14.50 0.91 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 17,760.00 38,600 564,661.12 1,983 1,725.21 2,720,000 1,360,000.00 2,762,583 1,944,146.33

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC I. P. W. A. PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 8 2 17 29

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 8 9

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.39

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,000,000 5,000,000.00 410,640 939,096.40 10,410,640 5,939,096.40

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 2

Quotation(N) 9.29 2.94

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,000 97,500.00 50 140.00 10,050 97,640.00

CONGLOMERATES Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC CHELLARAMS PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 1 77 53 37 76 247

Quotation(N) 1.39 6.43 28.00 0.54 29.50 29.85

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 14,061 20,388.45 2,675 17,200.25 3,790,565 107,427,156.26 14,438,350 7,655,271.50 601,184 17,666,032.89 337,528 10,044,948.39 19,184,363 142,830,997.74

CONSTRUCTION Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 22 1 23

Quotation(N) 29.11 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 186,501 5,418,178.60 108 54.00 186,609 5,418,232.60

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC P. S. MANDRIDES PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 17 41 40 39 37 15 1 16 80 1 287

Quotation(N) 46.00 9.15 4.88 4.80 61.00 3.00 5.66 3.90 440.00 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 13,011 581,257.41 293,135 2,701,600.19 304,274 1,462,432.33 7,856,755 37,698,227.90 112,585 6,828,707.50 211,123 634,361.22 100 594.00 702,940 2,743,547.60 135,428 59,761,149.37 3,433 1,716.50 9,632,784 112,413,594.02

Quotation(N) 0.76 22.70 2.80

Quantity Traded Value 1,124,275 357,483 506,657 1,988,415

Quotation(N) 1.35

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 297,000 400,950.00 297,000 400,950.00

HEALTHCARE Company Name FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 10 16 16 42

of Shares (N) 864,410.00 8,096,933.60 1,448,955.50 10,410,299.10

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 7-2-12 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 10 10

No of Deals 2 37 1 40

No of Deals 1 1 7 9

Quotation(N) 6.83 3.00 2.88

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 90,779 620,020.57 9,078,718 27,357,329.95 88 253.44 9,169,585 27,977,603.96

Quotation(N) 0.50 4.70 0.50

Quantity Traded Value 30,000 500,000 3,165,000 3,695,000

No of Deals 12 8

2,800,441.39 384,330.00 78,254.02 8,500.00 385,759.00 7,790.00 2,250.00 500,000.00 342,237.40 8,000.00 158,350.00 6,491,781.81

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 400,000 200,000.00 400,000 200,000.00

Quotation(N) 0.78

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,041,712 1,630,168.80 2,041,712 1,630,168.80

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 15,000 7,500.00 15,000 7,500.00

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 54 54 MEDIA

Company Name DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 272 136.00 272 136.00

Quotation(N) 1.70

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,545,584 2,671,396.00 1,545,584 2,671,396.00

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 40 40

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 3 25 17 1 19 267 13 346

Quotation(N) 0.50 48.07 28.00 2.83 12.18 133.00 17.95 190.00

Quantity Traded Value 10,000 2,164 80,392 425,252 373 18,686 3,477,126 23,608 4,037,601

of Shares (N) 5,000.00 98,829.88 2,138,677.20 1,192,236.36 4,319.34 2,474,954.00 61,748,763.99 4,282,822.84 71,945,603.61

Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.51 0.66

No of Deals 3 3 7 13

Quotation(N) 2.09 2.81 3.09

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,801 7,563.99 207,785 585,340.75 45,572 147,406.39 257,158 740,311.13

Quotation(N) 12.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 38,250 457,852.50 38,250 457,852.50

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 4

ROAD TRANSPORTATION of Shares (N) 15,000.00 2,350,000.00 1,589,200.00 3,954,200.00

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC

1,652,336 603,000 63,027 17,000 771,518 15,580 4,500 1,000,000 393,556 16,000 316,700 7,685,217

LEASING

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC e-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

1.65 0.61 1.26 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.84 0.50 0.50

PRINTING & PUBLISHING

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC VONO PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

37 4 13 1 8 2 2 5 15 1 4 112

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

slipped by 18 kobo to close at N10.29. Honeywell Flour Mills and Vitafoam Nigeria lost 15 kobo each to close at N3 each while Learn Africa and Skye Bank dropped by 14 kobo each to close at N2.81 and N3.36 respectively. On the upside, Presco trailed Oando on the gainers’ list with addition of 40 kobo to close at N8.90 per share. International Breweries chalked up 21 kobo to close at N5.79. Access Bank gained 18 kobo to close at N5.70. Eterna added 13 kobo to close at N2.83 while BOC Gases and Nigerian Breweries rose by 8.0 kobo each to close at N6.83 and N94.09 respectively. Total turnover stood at 218.05 million shares worth N2.28 billion in 3,794 deals. Banking subsector remained atop activity chart with a turnover of 119.74 million shares valued at N825.58 million in 2,087 deals. First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc was the most active stock with a turnover of 23.26 million shares valued at N243.58 million in 522 deals. United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc followed with a turnover of 22.62 million shares worth N45.23 million in 169 deals. Access Bank ranked third with a turnover of 17.4 million shares valued at N97.7 million in 162 deals.

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 435,000 224,900.00 2,397,000 1,590,970.00

Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 640,000 321,461.92 640,000 321,461.92

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 94 94

Quotation(N) 10.29

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,203,752 82,244,004.76 8,203,752 82,244,004.76

3,794

218,045,762

2,276,274,737.97

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

MONEY LINK

CBN to float Microfinance Development Fund

HE Central Bank of Nige ria (CBN) will this year es tablish a Microfinance Development Fund (MDF) to improve access to affordable and sustainable source of finance by Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and Microfinance Banks (MFBs). This was disclosed yesterday by the governor of the CBN Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the 6th annual CBN Microfinance conference in Abuja. The fund when it becomes operational he said “will have both commercial and social component” to enhance the operations and outreach of the MFI and MFBs. The fund will also support the capacity building activities of the MFBs/MFIs. The repositioning of the microfinance sector the CBN

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

governor said will play a major role in entrepreneurship development in Nigeria, which has been hampered by a number of challenges, among which is the inadequate financial infrastructure leading to low banking penetration. He lamented that as at December, 2011 there were 24 deposit money banks with 5,789 branches and 816 microfinance banks, bringing the total bank branches to 6,605. The ratio of bank branch to total population is 24,224 persons which indicates a high level of financial exclusion. This he said was further collaborated by Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA)’s 2010 survey, which observed that 46.3 per cent of

such as the farmers, women, aged citizens, self-employed, jobless school leavers and SMEs hitherto considered by banks as costly, risky and unviable. The CBN he disclosed has made a commitment at the 2011 Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum held in Mexico, to reduce Nigeria’s financial exclusion rate from 46.3 to 20 per cent by 2020.

Nigeria’s population is still financially excluded compared to South Africa, Kenya, Botswana with 26.0 per cent, 32.7 per cent and 33.0 per cent, respectively. To address the apex bank he explained has undertaken a number of strategic initiatives, some of which are: Revision of the Microfinance Policy, Regulatory and Supervisory Framework; Conclusion of the National Microfinance Development Strategy (NMDS) (a road map to guide orderly growth in the industry and enable microfinance institutions (MFIs) and MFBs to be viable to attract investments and enrich our monetary policy projections and enhance its transmission mechanism; Development of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) that will further facilitate access for the otherwise dis-advantaged groups

Lagos pensioners owed N11b

HE Federal Government owes Lagos State pensioners a cumu lative of N11.2 billion, Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Modupe Oguntuase, has said. Speaking yesterday during the public hearing on Investigation of Payment of Pensions (South West Zone-Lagos), she said the debts comprise N1.1 billion accrued from payments made by the state for retirees to Federal Pensions Office from January 1999 to May 2002.

Fed Govt recording improvements in fiscal HE Federal Government is recording rapid improve discipline, say analysts ment in fiscal discipline,

FBN Capital, an investment and research firm, has said. The firm however, regretted that government has highlighted talks in the National Assembly of a higher oil price threshold, a step it said, would be a dangerous step, given the global backdrop and the likely softening of the oil price. The firm said the inflationary impact of fuel price hikes in the country has been short-lived, and projected that a single-digit headline rate by the end of 2013. It also said that investors should remember that the government is determined to move

By Collins Nweze

into full deregulation. It predicted that a single-digit inflation target is likely to remain elusive for most of 2012, until year-end when it could drop below 10 per cent. The CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said it may be counterproductive to raise interest rates in response to inflationary pressures, which may result from removal of fuel subsidy. The Federal Government had on January 1, scrapped its petrol subsidy, raising the petrol price by about 120 per cent from N65 per litre to about N140 per litre. How-

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Besides, she said the Federal government owes the Lagos State local government pensioners a cumulative of N10.1 billion comprising N3.2 billion from 1999 to 2002; N5.2 billion, 2003 to 2007 and N1.7 billion from 2008 to 2010. She said the funds were confirmed at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings. Oguntuase explained that out of the N44 million expected to be remitted to the Local government pensions account monthly, only N7.4 million is remitted quarterly, thereby making it difficult for pensioners to get paid. She said some pensioners have not been paid since 2002 even after Pension Task Force forms were filled by them and subsequently forwarded to the Federal Pensions Office in Abuja. Oguntuase said the Federal Government is expected to contribute on monthly basis, five per cent of the per-

ever, the price was adjusted downwards to N97 per litre after six-day strike organised by Labour Unions and Civil Society Groups paralised business activities in major cities in the country. It explained that fuel subsidies are an expedient tool used by some big oil exporters to appease citizens frustrated with delayed development, but they are expensive and prone to corruption. Through 2011, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) adopted pre-emptive tightening measures aimed at containing existing relatively high inflation.

By Collins Nweze and Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

sonnel emoluments of active local government staff, adding that the underpayment by the National Pensions Office is affecting Local Government Pensions Fund in the state. The Commissioner, Inspectorate Division, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Musa Ibrahim said part of the challenges was that the problems confronting the old pension scheme have not been fully resolved. Issues such as bureaucracy, lack of funding will not just disappear until after some time. He said the investigations being done by the legislators is welcomed. He said that PenCom is trying to make it easier to establish the exact number of pensioners in existence to make verification easier. Chairman, Investigation of Payment of Pensions (South West Zone-Lagos), Hon. Aloysius Etuk, said the Senate is worried over the level of corruption and inefficiency in the administration of pension scheme in the country. He said his team is committed to investigating the management of the funds, which prompted the institution of public hearing. The chairman said that the team is going to access professional views, to enable it exercise full oversight functions over pension matters.

DATA BANK Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 7-2-12 SYMBOL OANDO ETERNAOIL PRESCO RTBRISCOE UNITYBNK LIVESTOCK INTBREW ACCESS BOCGAS DIAMONDBNK

O/PRICE 17.10 2.70 8.50 1.15 0.60 0.78 5.58 5.52 6.75 2.67

C/PRI CE 17.95 2.83 8.90 1.20 0.52 0.81 5.79 5.70 6.83 2.70

CHANGE 0.85 0.13 0.40 0.05 0.02 0.03 0.21 0.18 0.08 0.03

LOSER AS AT 7-2-12 SYMBOL IKEJAHOTEL JAPAULOIL ETRANZACT AIRSERVICE HONYFLOUR VITAFOAM LONGMAN GOLDINSURE CUSTODYINS PRESTIGE

O/PRICE 1.42 0.82 4.94 2.07 3.15 3.15 2.95 0.64 1.73 0.88

C/PRICE 1.35 0.78 4.70 1.97 3.00 3.00 2.81 0.61 1.65 0.84

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

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

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 121.47 98.43 0.76 1.04 0.88 1,642.73 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,329.39 193.00

9.08 1.00 121.33 97.65 0.73 1.04 0.87 1,635.25 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,142.17 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 0.07 0.04 0.24 0.10 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.03 0.08 0.04

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS 33 waste disposal firms registered From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

THE Delta Waste Management Board has registered 33 private waste disposal firms under the Private Sector Partnership (PSP) initiative. Its Chairman, Olori Magege, told reporters in Asaba that the board was making efforts to register more firms under the initiative to make waste disposal faster and more efficient. He said although there was need for those who registered with the councils to register with the board, their inability to do so did not make them illegal since waste management was the responsibility of local governments. Magege said the board was an interventionist agency with the responsibility of monitoring and supervising waste disposal.

Support for Oshiomhole THE Onogie of Opoji , Zaiki Godfrey Ehidiamen, yesterday debunked media reports that traditional rulers in Esan land refused to endorse Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the July 14 governorship election. Also, the Enigies in Benin Kingdom are supporting Oshiomhole‘s second term bid. The traditional rulers, at a meeting with the governor yesterday, said: “You have our support and prayers even before you ask.” President of the Association of Enigies, Edo South, Omoregie Akenzua, said: “We want to say that we have gone round the state and we appreciate the development you are carrying out in all the local governments. “We want to thank you for it. And also for making us know that money comes in and money can be spent for the people, we pray you are inspired to do more. “The Enigies in Benin Kingdom are very happy with your administration and we will like to tell you that all you need from us is our support and prayers and even before you ask for those things we will give them to you.”

Delta bans sand dredging From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

THE Delta State Government has banned the dredging of sand in the 25 local governments. Commissioner for Environment Frank Omare said this yesterday after a meeting with sand dredgers in Asaba, the state capital. He said the directive was to save communities from ecological disaster. Omare said a task force has been set up to prosecute offenders, adding that government is serious about the state’s ecological problem. He summoned all the dredgers to a meeting next week in Asaba, where they will discuss with the government.

Tribunal dismisses Akpabio’s application

HE Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal yesterday dismissed the application by the counsel to Governor Godswill Akpabio, Bayo Ojo (SAN). Ojo urged the court to dismiss the petition filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and two others. ACN’s governorship candidate John Akpanudoedehe and his running mate, Ime Umanah, are challenging the declaration of Akpabio and his deputy, Nsima Ekere, as winners in the April 26, last year, governorship election. Ojo, had in his application, dated January 6, prayed the court to dismiss the petition on the ground that the 180 days’ time-limit allowed for filing petitions and within which the tribunal shall hear petitions and deliver judgment had lapsed. But ACN’s lawyer Kola Awodein (SAN) urged the

•To begin pre-hearing on ACN’s case tomorrow

‘Can we as a tribunal question the impropriety of that decision? Can we say the Supreme Court was in error? Can the petitioners be deprived of the truth of their judgment?’ From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

tribunal to overrule the arguments, saying to accept them would amount to disobeying the Supreme Court. He said the Supreme Court was conscious of Section 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) before ruling that the petition be heard on its merits. Justice Isola Olatoregun held that the tribunal would

follow the position of the superior courts on how the 180 days cited by Section 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) should run. The judge said there was no merit in the application filed by Ojo, who sought a dismissal of the petitioners’ application. His words: “We accept and acknowledge the broad principles adopted in this case. “The question is why did

the Supreme Court return the case to the lower court for it to be heard on its merit? “It is always the practice of a lower court to follow the latest of a conflicting judgment of superior courts. “In conclusion, this tribunal prefers to tow the line of the Court of Appeal in Calabar on the order of the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court, in its merit, ordered the matter to be heard in its merit. “Can we as a tribunal question the impropriety of that decision? Can we say the Supreme Court was in error? “Can the petitioners be deprived of the truth of their judgment? “A new lease of life must be offered to the petitioners to have their petition heard on its merit.

“Hence, we must commence hearing afresh as if the 180 days had not yet commenced, to hold otherwise is to make a mockery of the position of the Supreme Court and constitutional provisions which would amount to what Bayo Ojo called judicial rascality. “We, therefore, find no merit in the application brought by the first and second respondents and the petition is accordingly dismissed.” The tribunal chair, Justice Ayuba Kwajafa, ordered the respondents to file their response to the pre-hearing notice of the petitioners. He adjourned the matter till tomorrow for the prehearing session.

Pools agent arrested in Delta From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (left) listening to the President of the Edo College Old Boys Association S.K Momodu when he visited the school...yesterday. With them are other members of the association

Our vision’ll not be tainted, says Dickson

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Saturday governorship election in Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has assured that the vision and mission of his campaign organisation, to transform the state would not be tainted. Dickson spoke when he visited the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel (FCC) Forum in Yenagoa.

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

He said: “I was not part of the system neither was my running mate. “I have been in the trenches fighting against the system. “The work of the restoration team will not be tainted by those who were part of the last system. You need a strong character to tame a rotten system.”

Dickson also defended a popular view about his character, saying he is not arrogant but only holds strong views on issues of importance. “No. I am one of the most accessible politicians in the state. I am only frank andself-confident, this is no arrogance but a virtue, the ability not to be intimidated.” He defended the choice of Admiral John Jonah (rtd) as

his running mate. Dickson said Jonah has held sensitive positions in Nigeria and has submitted himself to serve the state. “One of the reasons among others was the capability he has to assist me to redirect the values of the state. “I want you to hold us accountable. Our administration will partner with the private sector to develop the state.”

Obong crisis: Drama as council submits re-election emerging as the new Obong HERE was a mild draresult to court with 15 votes of all the conma yesterday when

the Etuboms Traditional Council (ETC) of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar submitted a letter to the Calabar High Court. The letter contained the result of a fresh election in which the ousted Obong Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V defeated Etubom Anthony Ani by 15 votes to zero, . The court had ordered a fresh election to choose the Obong of Calabar. Members of the council marched on the streets to the

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

court with a little boy decked in white wrapper, carrying the letter in a basket with raffia tied around it. They were accompanied by masquerades . The protesting group gathered outside the gate of the court with a man dressed as a traditional priest making incantations. After the ritual, the letter

was submitted to one of the officials of the court for further action by the ETC Chairman, Etubom Bob Duke, and few others. Duke, who led the protest group, said: “This morning we went to court because we are very law-abiding. “The court had ordered that we should hold another conclave, and make sure that Chief Tony Ani is included in that selection, the outcome of that selection saw the incumbent Obong

clave members.” On the issue of Ikoneto as directed by the court, he said: “It is the turn of Western Calabar and Ikoneto in particular. Western Calabar includes Creek-Town, Adiabo, Ikot Offiong, Edere among others.” Justice Obgojor Ogar had in a judgment on January 30 brought by a contestant, Etubom Anthony Ani, declared the process that brought the Obong to the throne as null and void.

HE Delta State Board of Internal Revenue has arrested a man for allegedly promoting pools illegally. Ogheneove Oyawiri, who is an agent of an unregistered pools promoter, was arrested in Sapele, Sapele Local Government, yesterday during a clamp down on unregistered pools promoters. Many pools offices in Warri, Sapele, Udu, and Effurun were shut during the raid. The suspect said he was an agent of a Benin pools promoter, but it was later discovered he collects staked coupons for seven unregistered pools promoters. Oyawiri is being detained at the Ekpan Police Station, Uwvie Local Government. The board’s legal aide, Clark Ekpebe, said the board last November directed all pools promoters to register with the board and obtain licences for their operations. Ekpebe urged pools promoters to comply with the directive or face sanctions. He said those whose licensces has expired should revalidate them.

Edo PDP primary for Feb 25 From Osagie Otabor, Benin

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has denied allegations that it planned to hold its primary for the July 14 governorship election in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Matthew Urhoghide, said the primary would hold in Benin on February 25 and not February 18. Urhoghide said all aspirants have been assured of a level-playing field and that any aspirant who wins will get the support of others. Five of the nine PDP aspirants have bought the expression of interest and nomination forms. They are Prof Oserheimen Osunbor, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Maj-Gen Charles Airhiavbere, Matthew Iduoriyikemwen and Kenneth Imasuangbon. One of the aspirants, Jacob Idinye, has dropped his ambition and declared support for Airhiavbere.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS Nyako receives certificate of return From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

HE Adamawa State Governor-elect, Ad miral Murtala Nyako (rtd) and his deputy yesterday received their certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Issuing the certificates in Abuja, the INEC Commissioner in charge of Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba, Dr. Nuhu Yakubu, said the Electoral Act empowers the commission to issue the certificates within seven days of the election. He said: “The commission is delighted with the conduct of the people of Adamawa State. The election was peaceful and competitive. “In the opinion of virtually all international and national observers, it was free, fair and credible. “On behalf of the commission, I appeal to the electorate in the other states where election will be conducted this monthBayelsa, Sokoto and Cross River, to emulate and even improve on the record of the people of Adamawa State.” The commissioner further said: “This function is a very simple one. As we are all aware, Section 175 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, provided that a certificate of return shall be issued to the winner within seven days of an election.” After receiving the certificate, Nyako said: “On behalf of the PDP national secretariat and the state chapter of the party, we thank INEC for the wonderful way they conducted the election in Adamawa State last Saturday.

Court orders ex-Works Minister to face trial A

N Abuja Federal High Court said yesterday that the former Minister of Works, Senator Hassan Mohammed Lawal, has a case to answer in the alleged N75 billion fraud against him. He is facing a 37-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Striking out a preliminary objection raised by Lawal, Justice Adamu Bello held that his objection lacked merit and threw it out. Upholding the submis-

sions of the EFCC counsel, Wahab Shittu, the judge held that the ex-minister only wanted to hide under technicalities to escape trial, adding that his innocence could only be proved during trial. Lawal had challenged the competence of the charges against him, claiming that from the evaluation of the proof of evidence supplied

to the court by EFCC, no prima facie case was established against him. In the objection argued by his counsel, Isaq Ibrahim (SAN), the accused argued that the Federal High Court cannot try him because the alleged offence did not fall under Money Laundering Act. Similar motion was also filed by Wahab Toye on behalf of Dr. Adeogba Godwin Ademola who was the second accused person in the

Ex-IGP Ehindero urges police reform

ORMER Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Sunday Ehindero yesterday called for the revalidation of the police to tackle insecurity in the country. Explaining what could be responsible for ineffectiveness in the force, he said: “I am sure there are some insane people in the police. The attitude is to keep them away from handling arms. There is the need for the revalidation of the police. Many police officers need to be re-engaged after a period of time. The re-engagement will entail their mental alertness to see if they are mentally and physically fit to continue with

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

the work. “When we were in the force, we arrested policemen collecting bribes on the highway. We must get some of these bad eggs out of the force. I think time has come when there should be revalidation. You have to reengage them. Those who are not mentally fit should be rationalised. The same thing should happen at the officers’ level before confirmation because if not, things will continue to go wrong.” Speaking in Abuja on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA 24) programme tagged: ‘Early Edi-

tion’, the former IGP during the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo administration decried the escape of the Boko Haram suspect from the police net, adding: “There is a lot of expectations from the public. How would you explain the escape of the Boko Haram suspect, Sokoto, from police custody? Of course, they expect justice at the end of the day. They will think something is wrong with the force. When it comes to the issue of logistics to fight crime, I think the police should be well prepared. What is lacking is the intellectual input in the

•Ehindero

police from our university communities.” He said security agencies in Nigeria do not share information to curb crime, compared to those in other countries.

Revisit power probe, says CNPP, others

HE Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and some civil society organisations yesterday urged the Federal Government to empower relevant anti-graft agencies to reopen the power sector investigation. They also enjoined the government to take a second look at the immunity granted serving governors by the constitution with a view to abolishing it. A statement by the CNPP and its allies in Abuja said

Lead poisoning: $4m required for cleanup, says Human Rights Watch By Tajudeen Adebanjo

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

trial. However, yesterday the EFCC withdrew criminal charges against four of the accused persons. In a twist that played out in the open court, the EFCC turned the four accused persons to witnesses that will now give evidence against the ex-Minister. With the withdrawal of the charges against the four accused persons, Shittu told the court that he intended to amend the charges and applied for an adjournment. Justice Bello fixed March 27 for mention.

BOUT $4 million is required by the Federal Government to clean-up mining environmental hazards that can kill people in Zamfara State, Human Rights Watch said yesterday. This was made known during the release of a video on acute lead poisoning that has killed more than 400 people. According to Jane Cohen, a Health and Human Rights Division Researcher and Babatunde Olugboji, Deputy Programme Director who addressed reporters at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, thousands of children in Zamfara need medical treatment. They said government has been contacted through the Federal Ministries of Health, Environment and Mines and Steel on the urgent need for the fund. Olugboji explained that the ministries said there is no fund for the cleanup process now. “By failing to address this epidemic, the Nigerian government is sacrificing its children,” he said. Cohen said artisanal gold mines are found in Zamfara State, and high levels of lead in the earth. She said the use of rudimentary mining methods by small scale miners have resulted in an epidemic of lead poisoning among children. Research by Human Rights Watch in Zamfara late last year showed that children are exposed to the lead dust when they process ore in the mines, when their miner-relatives return home covered with lead dust and when the lead-filled ore is manually or mechanically crushed at home. Children are exposed to toxic lead in contaminated water and food. Cohen said this is also responsible for the high rate of infertility and miscarriage among affected adults. The federal and state governments, she said, need to educate people on the risks of lead, put safer mining programmes in place, end child labour in gold mining and expand treatment and environmental cleanup programmes.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

the call to revisit the power sector probe became imperative because some of those accused of large scale fraud in the sector had been stripped of the immunity. The statement by Chief Willy Ezugwu and Comrade Philip Agbase for CNPP and civil society urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take advantage of the prevailing situation to find out how the $16

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billion said to have been spent on the power sector under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo was used. The statement reads: “The CNPP, civil society organisations and other allies are constrained once again to bring up an issue that has been swept under the carpet because the time is auspicious, having waited this long to comply with the provisions of the constitution, which grants immunity to governors.

“It is on this basis that we urge that the issue of immunity granted to state governors by the constitution be revisited with a view to removing it since it is now proven to be a stumbling block to effective investigation and prosecuting persons suspected of being connected with corruption.” The CNPP noted that in the past, some key players in the power sector, where over $16 billion remain unaccounted, were never properly investigated.

‘No foreigner voted in Adamawa poll’ ADAMAWA Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service has said that no foreigner voted in last Saturday’s governorship election. Its Comptroller, Alhaji Yunusa Lerama, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Yola. Yunusa said the tight security measures adopted by the command, following security challenges facing the nation, had made it difficult for any foreigner to contemplate participating in the election. He said apart from beefing up security at the border and monitoring polling units, the support and cooperation of traditional rulers and leaders of the foreigners who had been holding meetings with the command had helped to prevent foreigners from participating in the election.

Dwellers testify against govt at ECOWAS Court THE ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja will, today, hear a case against the Federal and Rivers State Governments over the alleged shooting of protesters in Port Harcourt. Slum dwellers, who are among the plaintiffs, are expected to give evidence. One person died and 12 were injured when armed security forces allegedly opened fire on people protesting the proposed demolition of their homes in Bundu community in October 2009. The case was instituted by 10 residents of the Bundu waterfront and surrounding communities and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS Free NDIC books for pupils

Okorocha sued From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

FOUR ex-members of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission have sued Governor Rochas Okorocha and the House of Assembly for removing them. They are former President of the State Customary Court of Appeal Justice Obasi Iwuagwu, Majority Leader of the House of Assembly Nkem Nwankwo, pioneer ViceChancellor of the State University Prof. Thomas Indubizu and a lawyer, Chinedu Igwe. In an originating summons by their counsel, Declan Madu, the claimants are asking the court to declare as unconstitutional, their removal as members of the commission when their tenures had not expired. They are also claiming that Okorocha does not have the right to suspend the activities of the commission. Consequently, they are asking for a perpetual injunction restraining the governor, his servants or agents from interfering with their functions as members of the commission, until the expiration of their tenure. The claimants said since none of them had been found guilty of inability to discharge the functions of the office their membership of the commission is still valid. Joined as co-defendants are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Chief Judge, who is the Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission and the House of Assembly. However, when the matter was called up for hearing, it was adjourned till February 24.

‘Lawmakers should promote Igbo agenda’ From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

SENATORS and members of the House of Representatives of Igbo extraction have been urged to pursue the Igbo agenda to ensure that the imbalances suffered by the zone are addressed. Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka gave the advice when the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the National Assembly rerun election in Anambra South, Chuma Nzeribe, visited him. He said it is high time that lawmakers took advantage of their positions to impact positively on the zone by ensuring that equity is maintained. Ezeonwuka said the Senate’s newly appointed committee on state creation should be guided to undo the imbalance the zone had suffered. He said the creation of more states in the Southeast should be the priority of the lawmakers, irrespective of their political affiliations.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

•Chime (left) and Speaker Eugene Odo signing the bill at the Government House...yesterday.

Chime signs 2012 budget into law

NUGU State Governor Sullivan Chime yesterday signed the 2012 budget into law, with a promise to ensure its full implementation. The governor thanked the House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill, which he presented on December 1, last year. This, he said, demonstrated the harmony between the executive and legislature as both are committed to the sustenance of the development the administration has brought to the state. Chime thanked the House for increasing the budget

From Chris Oji, Enugu

from the original N74.9 billion to N76.3 billion to accommodate the increase in subvention to the State University of Science and Technology and the establishment of zoological and botanical gardens. He said the government would explore the possibility of reducing school fees in tertiary institutions as part of government’s palliative measures coupled with the recently introduced free transportation scheme for pupils of primary and secondary schools.

Anambra South rerun: Confusion as two PDP candidates emerge

DRAMA is playing out at the Anambra South Senatorial Zone as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ,for the second time, is fielding two candidates, but this time for the rerun. During the last election , Senator Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachuwu paraded themselves as PDP candidates. Although the rerun scheduled to take place on February 15 has been suspended by the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu, Ukachuwu ,Uba and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate,

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Chuma Nzeribe have begun their campaigns in Nnewi. But at a forum with the Nnewi Town Union yesterday, Nzeribe said the rerun was between him and Uba. He said Ukachukwu had no business in the election. Nzeribe was accompanied by the National Assembly member representing Nnewi North/South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Chris Emeka Azubogu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chukwudi Orizu.

Nzeribe, who said he believed he would beat Andy Uba, said the court ruled out the candidature of Ukachukwu. His words: “That man called Ukachukwu, we have finished him in court. He is not a candidate in the rerun. “I don’t know why he is parading himself as a candidate in the election. The election is between Andy Uba and myself.” As that was going on, Ukachukwu was at another forum at Okwuani, Nnewi, where he was received by a large crowd of PDP supporters.

He said his supporters should vote for the PDP and leave the contention over who is the candidate for the party to sort out. Ukachukwu said Anambra South is a PDP zone and could not be left in the hands of unserious people or party. There is a poster war between the APGA candidate and PDP’s Andy Uba in Aguata and Orumba. A political analyst, Mike Ike, said the election would not hold since the Court of Appeal had suspended the election.

Tribunal admits Akunyili’s witness

HE legal battle between Senator Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Prof. Dora Akunyili of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) took a new turn yesterday. The Anambra State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka yesterday ruled that the police forensic expert brought by Mrs. Akunyili should testify. The ruling was giving yes-

•Forensic expert contradicts self From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

terday by Justice Onajite Kuejibola. Mrs. Akunyili was at the tribunal to tender her papers. The forensic expert, Elias Okwudili Uzoemeka, contradicted himself when he was being cross examined

by Ngige’s counsel Emeka Ngige (SAN). The Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) claimed in his report that both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APGA had multiple voting ballot papers. But the matter was adjoined by Justice Kuejibola for continuation of witnesses appearance today.

•Mrs Akunyili

Industrialist gives one million free textbooks in Imo

UNITED Kingdom industrialist, Aloysius Ihezie, has donated one million books to the Imo State Government to boost Governor Rochas Okorocha’s free education programme. Ihezie said the gesture is a

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

demonstration of the importance and value he attaches to education. Presenting the Bill of Lading to the governor in the Government House, the book project Director, Victor

Ihezie, said the group would work with the government to ensure the efficient management of the operation from the safe collection and movement of the books from Onne, Port Harcourt Seaport, to the warehousing, sorting and eventual distribution of

the books to schools and communities throughout the state. Okorocha thanked Ihezie for the generous donation. The governor urged other Imo citizens to follow Ihezie’s example by contributing to the free education programmes.

IGERIA Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has donated copies of its handbook entitled: “Basic Knowledge on Banking” to junior secondary school pupils in Anambra State. The corporation’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Umaru Ibrahim, presented the books to the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Kay Onyechi yesterday. A statement from the ministry’s spokesman, Nnaemeka Egwuonwu, quoted Ibrahim as saying that the publications should be distributed free. “Given the fact that the information contained in the handbook is basic knowledge on banking, the corporation believes pupils in the junior secondary schools should be beneficiaries. “The decision is based on the need to catch them young in understanding the principles and practice of banking. “However, in view of the limited number of copies of the handbook, the corporation would appreciate it if the Ministry of Education in the state could put six copies in the library of each junior secondary schools that these young pupils would have access to them’’. “Just like most of the corporation’s other publications, this book is being distributed to all Secondary schools free of charge.”

Work begins on Enugu-Abakaliki road From Chris Oji, Enugu

HE Federal Government yesterday flagged off the rehabilitation of the 77 kilometre Enugu-Abakaliki road. The N9.74billion contract will be executed by SETRACO Ltd. Minister of Works Mike Onolomemen said the project was an integral part of the Transport Facilitation Programme (TFP) for the Bamenda-Enugu Road corridor which leads to the Republic of Cameroun. The minister, who was represented by the Minister of State for Works,Bashir Yuguda, promised that the project, which is co-financed by the World Bank and the Federal Government at the ratio of 9-1, will be delivered within 24 months. He warned both the contractor and the Road Sector Development Team (RSDT), which oversees the federal roads development projects of the World Bank, to dedicate themselves to meeting the deadline and doing a good job. The minister who was accompanied by the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Works Senator Ayogu Eze and Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi and Ebonyi State Deputy Governor Dave Umahi visited Governor Sullivan Chime at the Enugu Government House.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS SAM ALUKO (1929 -2012)

MT MBU (1929 -2012)

Ohaneze mourns Mbu

Jonathan, Speaker, Aregbesola, Atiku, others mourn Aluko

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday joined other prominent Nigerians in mourning the exit of foremost economist Prof. Samuel Aluko. Others who also reacted to the death of the Ekiti-Stateborn educationist were; House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Chief Richard Akinjide and Chief Ayo Opadokun. The President, through his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said he received with immense sadness and a feeling of great national loss news of the passing away of Nigeria’s veteran economist per excellence. He said the deceased will always be remembered as a visionary and a universally acclaimed pacesetter who delivered positive results in all the public assignments he undertook. Abati said in a statement: “On behalf of himself, his family, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, the President extends sincere and heartfelt condolences to Prof. Aluko’s family. “As they mourn the late Prof. Aluko, the President urges his family, friends, associates and admirers to be comforted by the knowledge that the renowned economist lived a life full of many indelible achievements and notable contributions to national development. “The President believes that Prof. Aluko will always be remembered as a visionary and a universally acclaimed pacesetter who delivered positive results in all the public assignments he undertook. “Nigeria will definitely remember the late Prof. Aluko as a man who gave the nation his best years and put her on the global map with his giant strides in the academia and in governance when he served as a leading adviser to various governments at state and fed-

‘Prof. Aluko will always be remembered as a visionary and a universally acclaimed pacesetter who delivered positive results in all the public assignments he undertook’ From Vincent Ikuomola, Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

eral levels.” Atiku described the death of Ambassador Matthew Tawo Mbu and foremost economist, Prof. Aluko as great loss to the country. In a statement by his media office in Abuja, Atiku said that while Chief Mbu was a fine gentle man who left a pioneering imprint on every national assignment he undertook, Aluko, on the other hand, espoused a model of pro-people economist in every public position he occupied. Mbu’s tenure as the Federal Minister of Labour, he said, remains a reference point of labour/government relations in the country. According to him, Mbu gave 50 out of his 82 years on earth to the service of his country and mankind. The statement reads: “It is not in doubt that the late Mbu lived a life worthy of emulation by every young Nigerian, as a man who gave himself to serving the country at the youthful age of 22, as member of the parliament from 1952 to 1955, and also as the youngest cabinet member in the government of late Sir Tafawa Balewa.” “Chief Mbu was among few Nigerians whose faces have become synonymous with Nigeria’s foreign policy, when he served the country first as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Representative to Washington DC in, and later as the country’s Minister of

Foreign Affairs in 1993. He noted that the country’s Foreign Service will miss his wealth of experience.” On Aluko, Atiku noted that throughout his years of service both in the executive and legislative arms of government, the Nigerian masses were the center-piece of his public policy positions. Aregbesola said it was not in doubt that Aluko lived as a man of robust intellectual capacity who deployed his works and thoughts in the service of humanity. “Except for the brief period that he worked for Sani Abacha as the Chairman of the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC), the rest of his life was devoted to being on the side of the people”, the governor noted. Tambuwal described as monumental loss, the death of Aluko and Mbu. In a statement by his spokesman Imam Imam, Tambuwal said by their deaths, Nigeria has lost two respected personalities whose services would remain reference points for succeeding generations. According to him, the late M T Mbu would be remembered for his patriotism and dedication to duty while Aluko’s pioneering role as head of the country’s economic intelligence entity earned him the respect of both opponents and supporters of the military regime he served at the time. Akinjide described the demise of Aluko and Ambassador Mathew Mbu as a great loss to the country . Speaking on the death of the two illustrious sons , Akinjide said , Prof. Aluko was one of the great economists produced in Nigeria and was a very patriotic person. He said: “As an Economic Adviser to the late General Sani Abacha, Naira was very strong. He called the bluffs of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank who are destroying our currency and economy.” Akinjide described Mbu as a great diplomat, politician

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

•The late Prof. Aluko

and a great lawyer, recalling that he was in the Parliament before the country’s independence, independence and after independence, adding, “the late Mbu believed in one Nigeria. His death was a great loss to us as a nation”. Akinjide therefore commiserated with the families of the two great Nigerians, asking them to accept the loss as good Christians. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed, saying, “may their gentle souls rest in perfect peace”. Opadokun described death of Aluko as a personal, national and international loss. It is very devastating, indeed. He said in a statement: “As an economist of international repute, he is the leading voice of the divide among economists. “He lived and exposed the fact that government exists for the people and in accordance with the fundamental objectives of state policy, the process and modality to make the economic policy serve the great interest of Nigerian peoples should never be compromised as it is today. “Our government has continually, under the BrettonWoods institutions’ directives, campaigned that government should stop running economic activities, but rather sever same to the private sector. “The ordinary man has therefore been shortchanged. We must recognise that those who campaigned for peoples votes should work for the greatest interests of the greatest number.”

Death robs us of a great scholar, says Fayemi From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•Dr. Fayemi

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday expressed shock over the death of erudite economist and illustrious son of the Land of Honour, Prof Samuel Adepoju Aluko. The late Aluko, who hailed from Ode-Ekiti, in Gbonyin Local Government Area of the state, passed on yesterday in a London hospital. In a statement signed by his spokesman Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, the governor said Aluko’s death has robbed Eki-

ti, Nigeria and Africa of a great scholar and an elder statesman. The governor said that the people of Ekiti would continue to celebrate the ideals the late professor stood for during his lifetime which made him one of the leading lights of the state. He noted that the late Aluko was one of the eminent citizens that fought for the creation of Ekiti which came into fruition in 1996. Fayemi recalled that the late professor had written him from the UK last Wednesday to tender an apology for his inability to attend a scheduled council meeting. He stated that the late elder statesman had, in his usual character, suggested some economic ideas that could help move the state forward

‘The late professor was a key member of the think-tank of the former Premier of the Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo that formulated policies that transformed the region radically’ in the three-page letter, dated February 1. Fayemi said Aluko’s contributions to the nation’s economic development, education, scholarship, including the emergence of Western Nigeria as a pacesetter to other regions of the country in the First Republic, will forever remain a source of inspiration to many. Describing the late Aluko

as a “selfless and altruistic servant of the people”, Fayemi noted that the late professor was a key member of the think-tank of the former Premier of the Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo that formulated policies that transformed the region radically. He noted that the late Aluko’s contributions to the making of the University of Ife and the University of Nigeria , Nsuka (UNN) as model varsities remains indelible. A scourge of Neo-liberal economist and the Washington consensus of BrettonWoods Institutions, Prof Aluko was unapologetic in his belief that Nigeria needed its own development path devoid of imposition by external forces. The governor recalled that Aluko also served as Economic Adviser to the Government of the old Ondo State under the leadership of the former governor, the Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin.

RESIDENT – General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Raph Uwechue yesterday described the death of Dr Matthew Mbu as the passing of an age. Uwechue , in a statement yesterday said: “the demise of Senator Matthew Mbu , the Nigeria’s youngest minister in Tafawa Balewa’s administration at independent in 1960 is like the passing of an age . He stated that the late Mbu was “a thoroughbred pan Nigerian nationalist, who served as Ojukuwu’s foreign minister throughout the Biafran struggle and played a key role in Gen Gowon’s post civil war reconciliation programme”. The Ohanaeze leader also described the deceased as “tactful and urbane in social intercourse”, adding that “the relationships of this polished diplomat cuts across ethnic boundaries, making him acceptable to all and sundry in our nation. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo commiserates unreservedly with his family over this great loss and wishes his soul the eternal rest it richly deserves”, he said.

Obi: Mbu’s death end of an era

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday described the death of Ambassador Matthew Mbu as the end of an era. According to him, the late Mbu represented one of the best the country has ever had in public service, both

as a minister and an ambassador. “We shall miss him greatly especially now that Nigeria needs the voices of statesmen like him as it grapples with many challenges on its match to greatness”, Obi said.

A political bulldozer, says Kalu BIA State former governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu yesterday described the late Dr Matthew Mbu as a political heavyweight who crushed barriers and outlived his peers because he stood for fair play. Kalu said: “Chief Mbu was a political bulldozer who was always on the side of the truth. A very principled man, his kind remains a rarity in our political sphere. You could count on him for support if he believed in your cause.” The ex-governor stated that the late Mbu’s contributions to the political development of Nigeria made him to serve the nation in various capacities from the days of nationalism to the last years of military rule. He said: “Chief Mbu remained relevant because he was a man you could trust. As a very young man, he was a minister in the First Republic, and that was after serving as a High Commissioner. “During the Civil War, that name rang a bell. Yet, he was counted upon as an elder to return as minister much much later.”

Aluko was my mentor, says Afe Babalola

MINENT lawyer and founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), yesterday disclosed that the late Prof Sam Aluko was his mentor. He described the late foremost educationist as a diligent, honest, patriotic and highly intelligent Nigerian. Babalola said the late Prof “came, saw and conquered” who lived a fulfilled and worthy life that would serve as benchmark for the coming generations. His words: “With his death, Nigeria as a nation has lost yet another colossus and social reformer. Aluko lived well ahead of his time. “He was a very humble man who began from a humble background and rose to stardom through a dint of hard-work and dogged dedi-

•Chief Babalola From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

cation to every cause that was noble. “His contribution to Nigeria’s development will remain indelible through his role as chair, National Economic Intelligent Committee under the late Gen Sanni Abacha. “He also continued to offer useful advices and suggestions on how the country could be run better.”

Chime: Mbu, Aluko were great patriots

OVERNOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has described the deaths of First Republic Minister, Dr Mathew Mbu and renowned economist, Prof Sam Aluko as sad and regrettable, noting that their demise has robbed the nation of two great patriots and detribalized Nigerians. Both elder statesmen died in London, United Kingdom (UK) Monday and Tuesday. They were 82 and 83 respectively. In a condolence message signed by his spokesman, Chukwudi Achife, the governor said that while Mbu was a nationalist and statesman who started very early in his life to pay his dues in the service of the nation, Prof Aluko carved a niche for himself as an intellectual giant and foremost economist, who made robust and enduring contributions to the economic development of the country.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

NEWS

Fed Govt appoints Ribadu chairman of Petroleum Task Force T O ensure transparency in the petroleum sector, the Federal Government yesterday appointed former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as the chairman of a 21-man Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force. It was not immediately clear if Ribadu has accepted the appointment or not. The choice of Ribadu was announced in a statement in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Goni M. Sheikh. The statement said: “Consistent with the policies and promises of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration, and underpinned by the yearnings of the people of Nigeria for transparency in the Petroleum Industry, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources has set up a Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force designed to enhance probity and accountability in operations of the Petroleum Industry. “The Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, is charged with the following terms of reference: ·To work with consultants and experts to determine and verify all petroleum upstream and downstream revenues (taxes, royalties, etc.) due and payable to the Federal Government of Nigeria; ·To take all necessary steps to collect all debts due and owing; to obtain agreements

Ex-EFCC chief may accept offer, says family

HERE were strong indications last night that Mallam Ribadu, may accept his appointment as the Chairman of the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force. It was also learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan secured Ribadu’s consent before making the appointment public. According to family sources, Ribadu had been under international and national pressure to accept the job to rid the oil sector of corruption. A family member, who spoke in confidence, said: “He (Ribadu) will most certainly accept the assignment. One of the sources close to Ribadu gave graphic details of how Ribadu made up his mind. He also said: “He has been under intense international and local pressure to give the nation a helping hand in its accountability quotient especially in the corruption-ridden oil sector, but he had repeatedly excused himself giving his ongoing United Nations assignment in Afghanistan as evidence that he is busy beyond bounds. From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

and enforce payment terms by all oil industry operators; ·To design a cross debt matrix between all Agencies and Parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources; ·To develop an automated platform to enable effective tracking, monitoring, and online validation of income and debt drivers of all Parastatals and Agencies in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources;

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja “He had reportedly said he was not opposed to serving the nation in any capacity to advance its good governance, but could not overload his availability because of the United Nations assignment. “ When a new wave of pressure mounted again last month in the wake of the national outrage over the removal of oil subsidy Ribadu was unreachable because he was at a Manchester Hospital in the UK helping to save the life of his only sister. “ With the Afghan assignment coming to an end, and its report ready to be submitted, Ribadu started getting calls again. He will “most certainly accept” the assignment.” A presidency source said: “The President secured the consent of Ribadu before making the appointment public. It took time to convince him to lead the task force but he has put national interest above personal consideration. “This appointment is without any string attached to it. The government will also not intervene in the affairs of the task force.”

·To work with world-class consultants to integrate systems and technology across the production chain to determine and monitor crude oil production and exports, ensuring at all times, the integrity of payments to the Federal Government of Nigeria; and, The statement said the Task Force will “submit monthly reports for ministerial review and further action.” Other members of the panel are Mr. Steve Oronsaye (Deputy Chairman); Mallam Abba Kyari; Ms. Benedicta

Molokwu; Mr. Supo Sasore, SAN; Mr. Tony Idigbe, SAN; Mr. Anthony George-Ikoli, SAN; Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji; Mr. Olisa Agbakoba; Mr. Ituah Ighodalo; Mr. Bon Otti; and Prof. Olusegun Okunu. Others are Mallam Samaila Zubairu; Mr.Ignatius Adegunle; Mr. Gerald Ilukwe; Rep. of FIRS (Ex-Officio); Rep. of FMF Incorporated (Ex-Officio); Rep. of HAGF/HMJ (ExOfficio); Rep. of OAGF (Ex-officio); Rep. of DPR (Ex-officio); and Rep. of NNPC (Ex-Officio).

NDLEA probes escape of five clients on rehabilitation

Amosun sad over Mbu’s exit

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has mourned the death of first Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Ambassador Matthew Mbu. In a statement by his media aide, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, the governor described Mbu as “a foremost politician par excellence, topnotch lawyer, versatile administrator and ambassador extraordinaire, who served the nation selflessly from 1952 when he was first elected to the Parliament till he

•Adamawa State Governor-elect, Murtala Nyako(left) receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner Abdullahi Kaigama at PHOTO:ABAYOMI FAYESE the INEC headquarters, Abuja...yesterday

Supreme Court to give judgment in Bayelsa governorship HE Supreme Court appeal prayed the Supreme yesterday deferred tussle April 20 Court to invoke Section 22 judgment in the

cross-appeal by former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva till April 20. The election would have been held on February 11. Sylva is seeking to validate his nomination as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party has sent the name of Henry Seriake

NDO State Governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko yesterday expressed shock over the death of the renowned economist, Prof. Sam Aluko, describing him as a rare breed who used his Godgiven economic acumen to serve the nation. Mimiko, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Eni Akinsola, noted that the death of the foremost economist was a great loss not only to Nigeria but to Africa. He said the late Aluko, a scholar, critic and economist, who chaired the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC), under the military admin-

Fashola mourns nationalists AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday mourned the death of Nigeria’s one-time High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Ambassador Matthew Mbu and renowned economist, Prof. Samuel Aluko. The governor described their death as painful. Fashola noted that the late Mbu was a nationalist, globalist and diplomat “who, in more ways than could ever be recorded, contributed immensely to the growth and development of our dear country”. Paying tributes to the late envoy, the governor acknowledged him as a “refined and knowledgeable gentleman, whose genial and affable nature, coupled with a vast vocabulary and skilful use of English Language, ensured that there was never a dull moment at any gathering where he held court”. “It is little wonder then that he recorded the many distinctions that he did in his eventful life of service to his fatherland, including the youngest Federal Minister till date, and the important and most coveted position of the first and youngest ever Nigerian High Commissioner to the Court of St. James”, Fashola said. On Prof Aluko, the governor described him as an esteemed economist, whose views on both national and global economies were respected worldwide. He regretted that the passage of the erudite professor, particularly at this point in time, has robbed the country of the wisdom of one of her most reliable economists, when it needed such counsel to stabilise its economy. Regretting that “the shoes left behind by these two great Nigerians will be hard to fill”, Fashola prayed that the almighty God would grant their souls sweet repose for the great service they rendered to their fatherland.

paid the debt of nature at a ripe age of 82.” According to him, the nation would truly miss a man of honour whose life and times symbolised service to the fatherland. He condoled with the President, family and friends of the deceased and the entire nation on the exit of a nationalist, statesman and great Nigerian. Amosun prayed for the repose of his soul and for God to grant the family and the entire country the fortitude to bear the loss.

A rare-breed gone, says Mimiko

From Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

HE Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade has ordered an investigation into the escape of five of its clients undergoing anti-drug abuse counselling and rehabilitation at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Abuja. He denied a report that five high profile drug suspects have escaped from NDLEA custody, saying they are people with drug problem and not drug dealers. Giade said the incident occurred last weekend, adding that it should be properly investigated to ascertain the circumstances of their escape. The report of the investigation is expected to be submitted to the office of the Chairman for necessary action.

SAM ALUKO AND M T MBU (1929 -2012)

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

Dickson to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate. The panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice Mahmud Muhammad yesterday, after listening to parties in the con-

solidated appeal said judgment cannot be ready earlier than April 20, due to the many pressing cases.. The PDP, which is the appellant, is challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision which remitted the Sylva’s suit back to the Federal High Court for retrial before another judge. But Sylva in the cross-

of its Act to decide once and for all who the lawful candidate of the PDP is. Adopting his written address yesterday, the PDP’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) argued that the issue raised by Sylva is pre-primaries which “remains in the realm of internal affairs of the party which the court lacks the jurisdiction”.

From Damisi Ojo,Akure

istration of the late Gen Sani Abacha, would be greatly missed by both the young and the old. He recalled that the books written by the late Aluko many on economics several years ago, are not only relevant till date, but still being used in colleges and higher institutions across the West African sub-rgion. According to Mimiko, the late Aluko’s views on the economy were always very objective and devoid of sentiments, saying the economist proved beyond doubt that he was a patriotic Nigerian who desired economic growth for the country at all times.

Benue: Result declared before final collation, says Returning Officer From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

LECTURER at the Department of Agric Extension and Communication of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM), Benue State, Dr Simon Ameh Ejembi, yesterday told the State and National Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, the state capital, that he declared election result before the collation was concluded. Simon was the Returning Officer for Gwer East State Constituency during last year’s House of Assembly election. He was testifying for the defence. The varsity teacher adopted his statement as evidence in the petition by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) House of Assembly candidate Peter Letta Terungwa challenging the election of Emmanuel Ayua of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). During cross-examination by counsel to the petitioner, Andrew Wombo - after his evidence for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) - Ejembi said he declared the results for Gwer East State Constituency on April 26, last year, before the results were concluded the following day. He admitted that this did not abide by the Electoral Act.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS SYRIAN VIOLENCE

Syrian violence rages despite increased world pressure

S violence raged in parts of Syria, and images on social media showed more and more victims including children apparently slaughtered, a long list of countries took a new step yesterday to increase pressure on the Syrian regime. The Gulf Cooperation Council announced its six member nations were pulling their ambassadors from Damascus and expelling Syria’s ambassadors from their countries. Spain, France and Italy called home their ambassadors as

well. Britain did so on Monday, the same day the United States closed its embassy in Damascus, saying the Syrian government was refusing to address its security concerns. The moves came as Syria tried to project an image of internal support for the regime. Throngs of supporters shown on state TV cheered the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, three days after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would

have demanded al-Assad stop the violence against the opposition in his country. Following the vetoes, many nations vowed to find other ways to act against Syria. The Gulf Cooperation Council, composed of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, said Tuesday its decision came “with deep sorrow and anger” at the increased pace of killings in Syria “that did not spare a child, old man, or woman.” The Gulf nations issued a statement calling on Arab

League nations, a meeting next week, to “take decisive action against this dangerous escalation against the Syrian people.” At least 23 people were killed Tuesday in Syria, including 13 in Homs, the city which has seen some of the worst violence in recent days; six in Damascus suburbs; two in Idlib; one in Aleppo and one in Daraa, according to the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria. “The entire world should be ashamed of what’s happening here,” a Damascus-based

opposition member told CNN. “Children are hungry,” and people are without power, said the activist, identified only as Zaidoun for his safety. “For God’s sake, this is too much.” He added: “Everybody is just silent and looking at us being slaughtered every moment, for no reason — just for asking for our freedom.” Syria, which routinely blames the violence on “armed terrorist groups,” said such groups were behind violence in parts of the country Tuesday. “Terrorist groups continued armed attacks in Homs, Idlib and Damascus countryside targeting civilians and military personnel, and shelled residential areas with

mortar shells and vandalized public and private facilities, not sparing even mosques to which citizens turned for protection,” state-run news agency SANA reported. But countries issued new calls for Syria to halt the violence. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had some of the sharpest words, calling on al-Assad “to return from this wrong path before taking the lives of more innocent civilians.” In comments broadcast live on Turkish TV, Erdogan said he had a message for al-Assad “in a way he can understand: ... What goes around comes around.”

Russia, China commit error of judgement, says Nigerian scholar By Leke Salaudeen

•Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) holds talk with President Assad in Damascus ...yesterday

Al-Assad hangs on by ruthlessness, reformist image

HEN the Tunisian revolt erupted last year, Tunisia’s president fled power in weeks. When Egyptians took to the streets, longtime leader Hosni Mubarak was swiftly ousted as well. In Libya, it took about seven months for rebels to topple dictator Moammar Gadhafi. And in Yemen, sustained antigovernment protests led to the departure from power of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. But Bashar al-Assad, the president of embattled Syria, is a survivor. He’s remained ensconced in power despite an 11-month popular uprising, a bloody government crackdown against civilians, and world outrage at the tales and videos filtering out of Syria.

Observers say he’s been able to stay in power with a combination of regime ruthlessness, diplomatic subterfuge, and internal sectarian dynamics. Rafif Jouejati, spokeswoman for the Local Coordination Committees, the Syrian opposition group, said that when al-Assad came to power in 2000, he inherited a Soviet style intelligence network erected by his father, Hafez Assad, who ruled from the early 1970s till his death in 2000. That spider web of agencies has served to control popular discontent, she said. “He has a network within a network within a network of intelligence services.” Al-Assad has continued what she calls “the family

tradition.” The repression has generated the widespread fear “embedded in day-to-day life” among the populace. “He didn’t come up with this himself. This came from his father,” she said. “In Syria, there are dozens of Mukhabarat-types of agencies that spy on one another,” she said, using an Arabic term for intelligence agencies. “In families, one doesn’t know if one’s sibling is an informant.” Jouejati said Hafez Assad has able to strike a deal with business elites 30 years ago during popular tumult then. “That’s been an important factor” and “up until recently” Bashar al-Assad has had the support of the business community.

She compares the current president to Germany’s Adolf Hitler and Cambodia’s Pol Pot. And she likens regimes in Haiti and North Korea, where sons inherited power from their fathers, to al-Assad’s Baathist regime. “He’s got a whole group around him, many of whom are from the old guard and they keep the pressure going,” with “Soviet-style tactics that other repressive regimes have used.” “They are raising the level the violence,” she said. She said al-Assad staked out his position “at a time when the world is sort of getting smaller and everybody is more aware of human rights and individual rights and governments are pushing people for more transparency.”

World seeks next step on Syria as deaths mount

YRIAN artillery fire echoed throughout the embattled city of Homs on Monday, with a human rights group reporting nearly 100 more civilians killed around the country. Most of the deaths occurred in Homs, where an opposition activist known as “Omar Shakir” said more than 60 people had been killed. Government troops have pounded the area since last week in the latest attempt to crush an 11month-old popular uprising. “More than 500 shells have come down on us since the morning, targeting homes, protest places and mosques,” he said. Much of the bombardment targeted the neighborhood of Baba Amr,

where rockets, tank fire and mortars were hitting “from all sides.” A mosque was hit by more than 10 shells, destroying a large part of it as well as surrounding homes, he said. He some of the wounded are likely to die due to lack of proper care, while some survivors have suffered crippling or disfiguring injuries. “There is no bread, no medication and no nutritional supplies, and as we mentioned in our last report, a field hospital was targeted and we lost a number of our medical crew,” he said. “There is no form of communication inside the area, and any

moving thing is targeted by snipers surrounding the area.” The violence came two days after China and Russia vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded President Bashar al-Assad stop the violence and seek a solution to the crisis. The decision drew a bitter rebuke from “Zaidoun,” a Damascus-based opposition member who spoke to CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.” “I want really to thank the entire world for watching us so silently,” he said. “We are getting killed every moment. We are not able even just to get some basic medicine to injured

people. Children are really hungry. I swear, children are hungry. No power, no fuel. It’s too cold.” The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 98 civilians were killed nationwide, most of them in Homs. Another 13 died in and around Idlib, while 15 were killed in the Damascus area and one person died in the village of Mari, near Aleppo. But Andrew Tabler, a Syria analyst at the Washington Institute for near East Policy, told CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront” that government troops are being worn down in what appears to be “a game of whack-a-mole” with a growing insurgency.

HE decision of Russia and China to veto United Nations Security Council’s resolution on Syrian crisis is a grave error of judgement by the leadership of the two countries, a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr David Aworawo, has said. Aworawo, who spoke to our correspondent yesterday, said the decision has portrayed the countries in a negative light within the entire world, adding that “it is not in reality with the contemporary world situation”. Their action, according to him, has emboldened President Bashar Assad to wreak havoc on the defenceless people of Syria. He noted that on the day that the UN’s draft resolution on Syria was vetoed about 100 civilians were massacred by Syrian forces. Both Russia and China did not see anything wrong with it. Aworawo said the Assad regime is doomed and no amount of support from world powers can make it recover its credibility internationally. He said Assad has stained his hands with the blood of innocent Syrians. The university don described Assad as the worst dictator in contemporary history because he has done the worst thing than any known dictator in the world. The Syrian crisis, he said, has thrown up two major issues in international relations. First, he said the two countries have allowed their parochial interest to overshadow international interest. Although he conceded that international relations is conducted in line with national interest, in a situation like this, the common goal we all share should supersede narrow interest. He said the UN’s draft resolution did not contain anything offensive rather it was intended to isolate Syria as a way of putting an end to the genocide. He said the draft was watered down to address the concern of Russia, yet both countries failed to reciprocate the UN gesture. Second, the decision on Syrian crisis has brought to the front burner the much talked about restructuring of the UN Security Council. “The reform of the UN should be hastened. It is lopsided. In the current dispensation, it is possible for one country to hold the whole world to ransom. UN created a lopsided window for a world power to override the decision of the world body no matter what is involved.” Aworawo urged the international community to keep mounting pressure on Syria until something positive is achieved.

Homs resident: ‘please someone help us’

E are killed every moment While international efforts continue, the situation inside Syria “is beyond description,” according to the opposition Syrian Revolution General Commission. The group reported 128 deaths Monday, mostly in Homs. “Some of these martyrs were killed with shrapnel and the others were under the rubble, and their bodies couldn’t be identified because they were in remains,” the group said. Mousa Azzawi of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, speaking to CNN in London, said, “The situation is very dire,” and Monday was almost “like a bloodbath.” “We have pictures of children under the age of 14 with half of their faces blown away; with children under the age of 4 with all of their bodies with nail bombs. We have pictures of one child who was dying on the lap of his mother under the age of 1,” Azzawi said. UN officials estimate 6,000 people have died since protests began nearly a year ago. The Local Coordination Committees, a network of opposition activists that organizes and documents protests, said at least 7,339 people have been killed. CNN cannot independently confirm opposition or government reports from Syria because the government has restricted journalists’ access to the country. Al-Assad’s British-born wife has been largely quiet during the Syrian uprising. But an article published Monday in The Times of London said Asma al-Assad appears to support her husband, while also wanting dialogue and comfort for the bereaved in the country.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Chavez’s opponents desperate

Hamas ready to cede power A SPOKESMAN says Gaza’s ruling Hamas movement is willing to cede power to an interim unity government led by its longtime rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Fawzi Barhoum yesterday played down criticism by senior Hamas figures in Gaza who said a decision to have Abbas lead the transitional government ahead of general elections violates Palestinian law. Hamas leaders in Gaza now stand to lose influence. However, Barhoum said the deal was approved by Hamas’ institutions and the movement is ready to implement it.

OUTMATCHED time and again at the polls by President Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan’s opposition leaders are trying a new strategy to unseat the populist leader this year, holding the nation’s first presidential primary to choose the strongest challenger. The front-runner in Sunday’s election is Henrique Capriles, a 39year-old state governor who has won a large following as a youthful alternative to the 57-year-old Chavez. Capriles, an avid jogger who plays pickup basketball games with supporters, has crowd appeal that makes him a formidable adversary. Sometimes wearing a baseball hat emblazoned with the yellow, blue and red stripes of Venezuela’s flag, Capriles has pledged both to help the poor and be a friend to business. He describes himself as a center-left progressive, saying he admires the approach of former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Other contenders range from Pablo Perez, a popular state governor, to Maria Corina Machado, a congresswoman who is the most forceful in her criticisms of Chavez and his effort to bring socialism to Venezuela. Whoever wins the primary is likely to give Chavez the toughest electoral fight of his more than 13 years in office.

Rebels take stand against heavy odds

ESTERN powers, meanwhile, stepped up their criticism of the al-Assad regime and of its supporters in the Security Council. Speaking to the House of Commons on Monday, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Moscow and Beijing were backing “a doomed regime as well as a murdering regime.” “They chose to side with the Syrian regime and implicitly to leave the door open to further abuses,” he said. “Such vetoes are a betrayal of the Syrian people,” he added. “In deploying them, they have let down the Arab League; they have increased the likelihood of what they wish to avoid in Syria — civil war — and they have placed themselves on the wrong side of Arab and international opinion.” Hague said his country called its ambassador home for consultations, while the United States closed its embassy in Syria and pulled out remaining staff after the Syrian government refused to address its security concerns, the U.S. State Department said. Britain also demanded that Syria protect the British Embassy in Damascus and called Syria’s ambassador for a meeting at the Foreign Office. Hague vowed that Britain and other countries will remain focused on pressuring Syria on numerous fronts, “undeterred by Saturday’s vote.”

Protest against Senegal’s president

•A Syrian boy injured by shelling. Story on page 61

Obama campaign panics over lack of funds B ARACK Obama’s reelection campaign team is showing signs of panic over lack of dollars flowing into the Democratic campaign chests, fearing he is going to be outspent by the Republicans in the White House race. The concern was expressed by senior campaign staff at a meeting last week, where aides warned Obama would face major negative ad campaigns funded by Republican Super Pacs with access to massive amounts of cash. The Obama re-election campaign responded on Monday night by urging supporters to donate to a Democratic Super Pac, Priorities USA Action, which Obama had kept at

arm’s length until now. Aides at the meeting last week admitted the shortfall in funding was partly down to disillusionment on the left with the Obama administration. Two of the big sources of donations to the Democratic cause, Hollywood and sympathisers in Wall Street, are still providing funds but way short of the money the Obama adminstration had been hoping for. Some Wall Street financiers are unhappy over hostile rhetoric coming from the Obama administration. Some Hollywood backers are less enthusiastic about Obama

than they were during the heady days of 2008 – and several are reported to have felt slighted by him. The Obama campaign chief, Jim Messina, in an email sent out to supporters on Monday night, said: “Due to unlimited and unprecedented Super Pac spending, we may have no spending advantage (as we did in 2008) and could in fact get outspent. I thought this might help you put the other side’s efforts into some context as you talk to friends and supporters about why we need their help and we need it now.” The Democratic party has watched aghast at not only the amounts raised by

Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney – who is favourite to take on Obama for the White House – but Republican Super PACs storing funds for the general election, such as Karl Rove’s American Crossroads. Messina said American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS raised $51m last year while comparable Democratic groups collected only $19m over the same period. Until recently, it had been widely assumed that Obama would be the first candidate to have a record-breaking $1bn to fight a White House campaign and his Republican rival would be behind, with about $750m. But these calculations are being up-ended.

Kidnapped Chinese workers freed in Sudan

UDANESE rebels released 29 Chinese workers on Tuesday, ten days after kidnapping them in the main oilproducing state of South Kordofan where the army has been fighting insurgents, Sudan&apos;s foreign ministry said. The incident had been an embarrassment for the Sudanese government, which is trying to boost investment from China, its main political and trade ally, as it seeks to overcome a severe economic crisis. The rebel SPLM-North group said it had taken the construction workers for

their own security after a battle with the Sudanese army in South Kordofan, which borders newly independent South Sudan. But the workers had apparently become caught up in a dispute between Khartoum and rebels who are trying to attract attention to the plight of 417,000 civilians who have fled fighting in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, another Sudanese border state. Khartoum has restricted access for aid workers and the United Nations in both states, triggering warnings by the United States that a

famine could break out. The 29 Chinese workers were flown out from Kauda in South Kordofan by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the campaign group and Sudan&apos;s foreign ministry said. “The Sudanese foreign ministry affirms to the government and people of China that Sudan&apos;s government seeks to protect Chinese investments and workers involved in it,” the ministry added in a statement. The workers later arrived in Kenyan capital Nairobi “safe and sound”,

China&apos;s official news agency, Xinhua, said, citing a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry. SPLM-North rebel spokesman Arnu Ngutulu Lodi declined to comment. SPLM-North leaders met Chinese officials in Ethiopia last week. Both South Kordofan and Blue Nile are home to large communities who sided with the south during decades of civil war with Khartoum. Many say they have been marginalised by the Khartoum government since South Sudan declared independence in July under a 2005 peace deal.

America to slash Iraqi Embassy staff

ESS than two months after American troops left, the State Department is preparing to slash by as much as half the enormous diplomatic presence it had planned for Iraq, a sharp sign of declining American influence in the country. Officials in Baghdad and Washington said that Ambassador James F. Jeffrey and other senior State Department officials are reconsidering the size and scope of the embassy, where the staff has swelled to nearly 16,000 people, mostly contractors.

The expansive diplomatic operation and the $750 million embassy building, the largest of its kind in the world, were billed as necessary to nurture a postwar Iraq on its shaky path to democracy and establish normal relations between two countries linked by blood and mutual suspicion. But the Americans have been frustrated by Iraqi obstructionism and are now largely confined to the embassy because of security concerns, unable to interact enough with ordinary Iraqis to justify the $6 billion annual price tag.

The swift realization among some top officials that the diplomatic build-up may have been ill-advised represents a remarkable pivot for the State Department, in that officials spent more than a year planning the expansion and that many of the thousands of additional personnel have only recently arrived.Michael W. McClellan, the spokesman for the embassy here, said in a statement, “over the last year and continuing this year the Department of State and the Embassy in Baghdad have been considering ways to appropriately reduce the size

of the U.S. mission in Iraq, primarily by decreasing the number of contractors needed to support the embassy’s operations.” Mr. McClellan said the number of diplomats — currently about 2,000 — is also, “subject to adjustment as appropriate.” To make the cuts the embassy, he said, “is hiring Iraqi staff and sourcing more goods and services to the local economy.” After the American troops departed in December, life became more difficult for the thousands of diplomats and contractors left behind.

THOUSANDS of people have marched in Senegal’s capital to call for the departure of aging President Abdoulaye Wade. The marchers included international pop star Youssou Ndour, who had turned in an application to run against Wade in this month’s presidential election. Ndour was disqualified by the court due to a lack of valid signatures. Unlike previous demonstrations calling for Wade’s resignation, Tuesday’s march did not take a violent turn. Four people have been killed in the antigovernment demonstrations that began over a week ago, when the constitutional council validated Wade’s bid to run for re-election. The 85-year-old Wade has faced stinging criticism for his decision to run in the Feb. 26 ballot, meaning he could rule into his 90s.

Palestinian village gets reprieve A JERUSALEM court ruled this week against plans to build a luxury housing development on the remains of a Palestinian village abandoned in the 1948 war that followed the establishment of Israel. The court battle was seen as a test case for preservation of Palestinian heritage in Israel, where remains of Arab villages whose residents either fled or were expelled in the fighting have largely vanished under modern buildings, parks and planted forests. A court petition filed by former residents of Lifta and their descendants, joined by Israeli activists, argued that the ruins of the village on the outskirts of Jerusalem, the most extensive remains of such a site from the prestate era, should be preserved. The petition cited opinions by preservation experts and architects who said the development plans did not meet local and international preservation standards.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

SPORT EXTRA

Keshi stops Euro-trials for Eagles

SUBTLE ban on Super Eagles who have been shuttling Europe for trials with all manner of club sides was issued on Tuesday by team boss, Stephen Keshi, who said the development is disrupting the building of a strong home-based national team. Addressing the players at lunch time, Keshi said he has been frustrated by players strolling in and out of camp all in the name of trials in Europe

and other parts of the world. He, therefore, asked those who have trials to decide between now and 60 days time to indicate and leave camp, so that he can invite replacements for them. “I have a programme to build a good team at home here that can compete with any national team in the world but I’m been distracted every time players walk up to me to ask for permission to travel, that has to stop from now on. Those

Granada boss hails Ighalo

ITH two goals in two matches, Granada boss Abel Resino has commended Nigeria international Odion Ighalo, stressing that his attitude has been sensational. Ighalo was on target in Granada's 2-1 defeat of Real Betis on January 29 before scoring again in 2-1 victory over Malaga in Andalusian derby on Monday at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes. Resino has now won two out of two as Granada boss since he took charge. “Tonight’s game was hotly disputed between two sides that wanted to win, but my men always believed they would be victorious,” said Resino. “At 1-1 it seemed Málaga had got a point but we recovered to earn a fully deserved win because we never give up and now have a winning mentality. “The attitude shown by Odion was sensational and we continue to improve. The

fans here have led this club to two successive promotions and I am convinced that with their help we will stay in this division.” Ighalo gave the hosts the lead on 57 minutes when he headed home a Dani Benitez cross from the right, only for Málaga to respond 11 minutes later when Salomon Rondón scored from close range after being set up by Nacho Monreal. However, El Grana regained the advantage nine minutes from time as Iñigo López turned the ball home after goalkeeper Willy Caballero had parried Guilherme’s initial effort into his path. The visitors were reduced to 10 men just two minutes later, Argentine defender Martín Demichelis getting a straight red card for a bad challenge on Franco Jara. The victory Málaga passed up the opportunity to go sixth in the Spanish La Liga table.

who want to travel can come and I will pray for them, it’s no quarrel but we are at a crucial bend now and I can no longer tolerate it”, he said. Keshi further told the players that apart from the fact that Europe is too cold at the moment for any meaningful trials, he feels insulted that Nigerian national team players go on trials with clubs in unknown leagues in the world and most times return without success and still hope to be recalled to the national team. “If we train players here and they make the team, such players don’t need trials in Europe to be engaged by top clubs, so why are we in a hurry.” He told the players the story of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele, who went to trials in France and was unsuccessful, but was trailed back to Ghana by another club that saw him play in a trial game. The rest, he said is history. “If you are good enough, clubs in Europe will come down here to sign you, instead of you exposing yourself to unnecessary health hazards over there. I can beat my chest to say I know what the standards are in Europe because I have played there and if I tell any manager that a particular player is good, such a player will be signed on because they know my pedigree. Eagles’ Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, recalls that in the last camping session players like Chibuzor Okonkwo, Jude Aneke, Obinna Nwachukwu and Kalu Uche all went for unsuccessful trials in Europe.

www.thenationonlineng.net

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.2029

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

AST Monday, Sam Nda-Isaiah, the publisher of Leadership, and Mahmud Jega, the Deputy Editor in Chief of Trust, each gave a most fitting reply to the nonsense peddled by many, including otherwise intelligent people like Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Literature laureate, that Boko Haram is the handiwork of a frustrated “Northern oligarchy” hell bent on making President Goodluck Jonathan look clueless for no worse crime than supplanting one of its own in last year’s presidential elections. Sam and Mahmud were specific about Soyinka in their Monday columns, pointing out the glaring fallacies and contradictions in his theory. However, Soyinka has not been the only otherwise intelligent person to peddle the rubbish about the sole culpability of the North for Boko Haram’s bombings. Certainly his theory, untenable as it is, is not even the crudest. For sheer crudity, my prize would go to Major-General David Ejoor (80) and the first military governor of the defunct Midwest Region, made up of today’s Edo and Delta states. In an interview in The Guardian (January 28), on his birthday, the general, like Soyinka, said Boko Haram has been the North’s way of expressing its anger at President Jonathan as a southerner. Only the general was far less sophisticated than our Nobel laureate. “The North,” he said, “is not happy that they are not getting the money at present. They are not happy that a southerner is the President of the country. They want to squeeze this country to the detriment of Jonathan’s government, so that they can take over or destroy it.” This, he said, was unacceptable to the South. “No Southerner,” he said, “is going to accept this lordship and this will lead to the destruction of the country. The fact is that I will rather stay on my own than to be suffering from my money being taken away from me.” Ejoor, as a former governor and ranking retired military officer, ought to know better than speak such economic illiteracy on the subject of revenue allocation as he did in saying in effect that the North is angry because it has been stopped from stealing the South’s oil money. As he knows very well, oil money, big as it is as the single largest share of public revenue, is not its only component. He also knows, or at least should know, that it was not the North alone that rejected “Resource Control” at the Political Reform Conference President Olusegun Obasanjo organised in the twilight of his second tenure. Again, the general knows, or ought to know, that the North has never made a big issue of the current revenue allocation formula. That his theory of Boko Haram as an expression of the North’s frustration at Jonathan’s presidency as a southerner is so much confusion was soon exposed by the man himself in an answer to The Guardian’s question on how he would have handled the Islamic sect’s war on the country, if he were the president.

‘The subsidy matter is no longer an issue to be toyed with. It has developed a life of its own and whether the Alison-Maduekes of this world like it or not, the nation shall get to the bottom of this fraud one way LAWAL OGIENAGBON or the other’

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Time for the Sovereign National Conference

•Ejoor

“If I were still in the military or in power,” he said, “I would have finished it by now. THE TRUTH IS THAT WE DO NOT KNOW WHETHER IT IS THE GOVERNMENT THAT IS DOING IT, BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY IS JUST KILLING PEOPLE AND TRYING TO ESTABLISH A WAR BETWEEN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY AND YOU ARE JUST WATCHING, WHO IS THE FOOL?” (Emphasis mine). For a man who became famous as someone who bicycled his way out of capture by the Biafran soldiers that had invaded the Midwest at the beginning of our civil war and a man who was also a senior member of the Gowon regime that took nearly three years to end a war it boasted would be a cake walk, saying he would have since ended the Boko Haram menace was a bit of a stretch. And as if to stretch matters even further, the man could apparently not make up his mind whether it was the North or, as it is now widely believed, some rogue elements in President Jonathan’s administration that have been responsible for the spread of Boko Haram’s terror. (Hence my emphasis on the second sen-

tence of his statement above). Obviously, the fact and logic that you cannot fix a problem whose source you are not sure of, never mind fixing it in the twinkle of an eye, seemed lost on our elderly general. However, whoever or whatever is the source of Boko Haram, postponing the much touted Sovereign National Conference (SNC) as a solution is beginning to look, to me at least, more and more untenable. Personally I don’t think it is a, and certainly not the, solution to the country’s crisis of unity and the integrity its advocates say it is. Since 2001, I have written on the subject on these and other pages at least four times. And on all occasions, I have argued that the SNC is a solution looking for problems for the simple reason that the problem of our country is more the attitude of its leaders than of its Constitution, with all its flaws. Unfortunately, attitude is not something that can be legislated upon. Of course you can make rules about do’s and don’ts in a society. However, in the end, they are worth only the paper they are written on if they are not obeyed, as has been the case in Nigeria where our leaders have all too often misbehaved with impunity. Not only is the SNC likely to be a waste of everybody’s time because its membership is not likely to be qualitatively different from those that now make and execute public policy, it even poses the distinct danger of leading to the breakup of this country. And I still believe, as I said in my biweekly column in the rested Citizen weekly news magazine which I managed, Nigerians and indeed Africans and the black race will rue the day the country breaks up. This is for the simple reason that each and every component of this country needs Nigeria more than Nigeria needs it. This, in turn, is for the historical reason that the strength of every society, country or civilisation lies in its number and diversity. That is why America is today’s sole super power and why China has become the world’s second economic

power in less than a generation. It is also why Russia, as the central pillar of the old huge Soviet Union, has shrunk into a middling power. Of all the sections of this country, the North, more specifically what is often referred to derisively as the Core North, meaning the Muslim North, seems the most wary of heeding the calls for SNC. This has led to the assumption that it needs Nigeria more than other sections of the country need the country. Nothing could be further than the truth. But for its leadership problem,the North has the number, the land and the resources to get on just fine and was doing just that when oil came along in the late sixties to afflict the country with what Economists call the Dutch disease –an affliction in which easy money from a commodity, minerals in particular, makes you abandon more productive and more labour-intensive sectors of your economy. Nearly 38 years ago the New Nigerian captured this phenomenon like no other in one of its inimitable editorials of old. “Oil Money: Honey or Poison?” it asked in its editorial of June 29, 1974. The way things were going, it said rather prophetically, oil money was likely to prove poison. The unworked for riches from oil, it said, “can land a country in trouble of a peculiar kind. There is soulless opulence of the few in evil contrast to the crushing poverty of the many. There is unimaginable corruption and disastrously wrong allocation of resources.” It then asked how an economic historian 50 years hence would explain such misallocation of resources. He could only conclude, the newspaper said, “that we had taken leave of our collective senses.” We still have 12 years to go before New Nigerian’s Economist comes along with his assessment of the way we have managed our oil money, but hardly can anyone dispute his conclusion that we have since taken leave of our collective senses. Easily the biggest victim of this mismanagement of the country’s oil money is Agriculture, the mainstay of the North’s economy. Yet, it is this oil money that has been the source of the denigration of the region. I simply do not see why any region should put up with the kind of insults and abuses the North has suffered because of a commodity from which the vast majority of its people have gained little or even nothing. By all means, let us have the Sovereign National Conference today, all the dangers it poses against Nigeria’s unity and integrity notwithstanding. Who knows, as Simon Kolawole argued in his Thisday column last Sunday, the advocates of the SNC may end up discovering that they should have been more careful what they had wished for, in their assumption that its realisation can only put the North on the defensive. •For comments, send SMS to 08054502909

RIGHT OF REPLY

Boko Haram, Azazi, America and the rest of us

ILL Mohammed Haruna ever stop his irreverent abuse of the power of the pen? It did not come as a surprise that the selfproclaimed serial columnist, Mohammed Haruna, resorted to turning logic on its head in his piece titled “Boko Haram, Azazi, America and the rest of us”, published in both the Daily Trust and The Nation newspapers of Wednesday, January 1, 2012. For someone who pontificates on the need for fairness, equity and justice even in reportage, it is saddening that Haruna failed to live by the same credo in his whimsical analysis of the grave security threat posed by the sporadic attacks and senseless killings of innocent Nigerians by members of the Boko Haram sect. Ordinarily, commonsense dictates that one ignores Haruna’s outrageous and scandalous posturing in the vexatious piece, laden with twisted logic and infantile canticles. But doing that has the potential of allowing an often told lie to take up the garb of truth. This, more than anything else, informs this short rejoinder to Haruna’s careless tagging of the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi (Rtd.) as “an epitome” of those with anti-Muslim bias in the

By Abdullahi Muktari

country’s security network. Working towards what was apparently a warped and biased answer; Haruna claims that Azazi deserves to be labeled an anti-Muslim security chief for “his assertion in July, last year, that ‘terrorism is a new phenomenon in Nigeria.’ He argues, with some measure of callous ingenuity, that terrorism presaged the modern Boko Haram menace as evidence of terrorism could be found in the late Isaac Adaka Boro’s attempt to “curve out a Niger Delta Republic by force of arms” and the “unprecedented bombing by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) of Nigeria’s capital on the very day the country was celebrating the Golden Jubilee of its independence on October 1, 2010.” He goes on to ramble about Azazi’s call for the support of the United States of America in tackling the Boko Haram insurgence. To Haruna, the puritan, that patriotic call for help amounts to “blind prejudice” against a particular religion! There is no point bantering words with a man who seems to have no qualms with a public image that borders on irredentism. But it is

important to set the records straight just that some persons would not take the liberty of their pen for licence to spew out any nonsense. First, Haruna got his facts wrong by his cheap allusion to the statement made by Azazi on terrorism being a new phenomenon in Nigeria. That statement, if Haruna had truly followed the discourse, was made against the backdrop of the serious but new security challenge faced by the country following the introduction of suicide bombings; attacks on worship places and military formations. Azazi had even made clarifications on the matter, stating unequivocally that the nation’s security agents were apparently ill-prepared for such attacks and, therefore, concerted efforts were being made to meet up with the identified lapses. In doing this, would it be out place if the government seeks the help of countries who, though confronted with the same problems, have recorded impressive milestones in curbing terror attacks both from within and without? If the nation’s National Security Adviser seeks collaboration with those that could curb a menace that has the potential of fragmenting the unity of the country, how does that translate into ‘blind prejudice’ against a particular religion or a section of the country? Would Haruna and his ilk prefer a situation where

those charged with the responsibilities of maintaining law and order look the other way as the senseless carnage against Muslim, Christians, Northerners and Southerners continue? Come to think of it, was Haruna in planet Mars when President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan offered the olive branch to the so-called Boko Haram leaders to sheathe their swords, table their grievances and dialogue with the government? How more discerning and accommodating can a government be? Since Mohammed Haruna makes so much song and dance of facts being sacred while comments are free, it would do him a lot of good to, in his public commentaries, stick to those facts that are verifiable instead of whipping up primordial sentiments that have done more harm than good to a country he pretends to love so much. It is also important to advise Haruna that he should eschew bitterness which tends to becloud his thought-pattern whenever he puts pen to paper. The pen, as they say, is mightier than the sword. But that glorious might becomes an abuse when it is deployed without any recourse to the truth, equity and justice. Is Mohammed Haruna listening?

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