February 16, 2015 by The Nation

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•Fayose admits voice in Ekiti rigging audio tape •Ladoja faults Oyo INEC’s plan to use NURTW •INEC to prosecute voters with fake PVCs MORE•AND ON PAGES •PDP leaders seek Obasanjo’s suspension 2-9,58&60

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VOL. 10, NO. 3127 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

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APC accuses PDP of secret push to instal interim govt PDP disowns anti-polls leaflets

S an interim government on the cards? Yes, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday. It alleged that the Federal Government and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had started a clandestine campaign, lobbying emirs and other opinion leaders to accept an Interim Government from May 29 —the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration’s terminal date. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke has said an interim government was not being considered because it is not in the Constitution. The APC claimed that the PDP was scheming against elections because of the fear of defeat. The PDP, APC alleged, is behind the distribution of leaflets in Gombe, the Gombe State capital, at the weekend, warning people against voting in the elections. In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the APC said: ‘’It is an open secret that their emissary is touring the North, meeting with Emirs and others to push for an interim government. It has also been revealed how they plan to use the National Assembly to seek tenure elongation. Never before has a sitting government been this desperate to avoid elections. This election phobia by a sitting government is a first in contemporary history.’’ Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being behind the shift of elections,

•‘ST OMA CH INFRASTR UCTURE’ IN ACTION •‘STOMA OMACH INFRASTRUCTURE’ CTION:: Long rows of Imams and Islamic scholars queuing up to collect gifts after a meeting with Vice STORY ON PAGE 4 President Namadi Sambo and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Kaduna…yesterday.

Continued on page 4

Air Force tests its new tools in Lagos

EW equipment have arrived for the Air Force to fight Boko Haram, it was learnt yesterday. Its personnel are to be trained in Lagos before being sent to the troubled Northeast which the military says it will make

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 EVER RETURN?

By Precious Igbonwelundu

safe in six weeks. Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Olusola Amosu broke the news at the National Air Defence Corps (NADC), Lagos. Air Marshal Amosu, who kicked off the operation, said there would be gun fires and movement of military equipment day and night, urging Lagosians not to panic. He noted that Lagos is an ideal environment for the mil-

PHOTO: ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE

•ALL FOR AMBODE: All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode surrounded by excited shoppers at the Lekki Mall on Valentine’s Day. Behind him is Nollywood star and House of Assembly candidate Desmond Elliot.

Continued on page 4

•COVENANT VARSITY IS WEST AFRICA BEST P7 CBN STOPS BANKS FROM DOLLAR RESALE P7

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

Job losses sweep ac

•Executive Director, Marketing, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc; Mr. Benson Evbuomwan (left); Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank Plc; Ayona Trimnell; Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway, Nobel laureate and Festival Consultant; Prof Wole Soyinka; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Mrs. Funmilayo Balogun; Executive Director, Lagos and West Businesses, Diamond Bank plc, Mr. Victor Ezenwoko and Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Nigeria Mr. Olayinka Oni, after a news conference to announce finalists for the Vision of the Child competition sponsored by Diamond Bank at Freedom Park in Lagos.

•Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri (left) and Registrar, University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Mrs. Rifkatu H. Swanta receiving the Joint Committee Report from Chairman, Mr Bonat Job Tagwai during the signing of the memorandum of Understanding between UNIABUJA and NOA, in Abuja... at the weekend.

•L-R: Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina, Commissioner, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mrs. Biodun Olujimi and Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis of NCC, Ms. Josephine Amuwa at the presentation of ICT books to the university by the NCC.

•Chairman, Med-view Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole (second right); Head of Engineering, Lookman Animashaun (left); Captain Mohammed Mwondha, Mr. Abdul Rahman Shaibah (crew) and Captain Stephen Fevrier during the reception of Boeing 737-400 at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 in Lagos. PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

The chicken has come home to roost. The prevailing macro-economic indicators, particularly the plunge in oil prices, which ultimately put the value of the naira on a downward slide, have pushed up prices of basic raw materials for production. This has forced companies across the sectors to resort to laying off hundreds of workers to cut cost. CHIKODI OKEREOCHA, OKWY IROEGBUCHIKEZIE and TOBA AGBOOLA report that this has put the organised labour on the offensive, as various labour unions warm up for a showdown with government and private employees.

T is a crisis foretold. Since June last year when oil price started crashing, forcing sharp drops in accruals to foreign exchange reserves and, ultimately, devaluation of the naira, economic and finance experts had predicted the worse for the economy in 2015. What was probably not expected was that the crisis would hit the nation so early in the year and at the most vulnerable point: labour. Workers in the Food & Beverage sector are first hit by mass sack, as companies struggle to stay afloat in the face of skyrocketing cost of wheat, induced by the sliding value of the naira, which is inching to an all-time low of above N200 to the dollar. For instance, over 100 Nigerians in the employ of Nigerian Bottling Company Plc (NBC), part of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling company (CCHBC), have been slated for retrenchment by the beverage manufacturer. A highly placed source in NBC told The Nation that some staff members had already received their sack letters. The source, who did not want to be named, said the affected workers cut across all sections of the establishment. Other workers who constitute the company’s workforce of about 6, 000 are now losing sleep, as about 1, 800 workers of Coca-Cola worldwide have been lined up to join the labour market when the company finalises its restructuring. The 1, 800 workers would be the largest to lose their jobs since 2000 when Coca-Cola laid off as many as 5, 200 workers. The company, which employs about 130,600 people around the world, including a group of about 13, 000 corporate employees who are primarily located in Atlanta, its headquarters, said employees had already been notified about the job cut, which as seen as a move to cut cost. The layoffs, it was learnt, have been on the drawing board, as the beverage manufacturer reported a 14 per cent fall in earnings for the July to September quarter last year and a dismal revenue growth. Flour Mills Nigeria Plc workers are also jittery over possible loss of jobs, as no fewer than two million direct and indirect jobs in the sector are said to be on the line because of increase in the price of wheat and Value Added Tax (VAT). Group Managing Director/ CEO Paul Gbededo raised the alarm that because of the current high price of wheat and the government’s plans to increase VAT from five per cent to 10 per cent, the jobs of over 125,000 direct employees and 1,800,000 indirect jobs in the sector were on the line. Gbededo, who doubles as President, Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), reckoned that the government does not wish to create jobs in the primary sector (agriculture) and lose the jobs that have been created in the secondary sector (manufacturing), adding that new investments in the food industry have boosted the economy. He said the national food security and nutritional wellbeing of consumers could be negatively impacted if

nothing is done to stem the tide. “The consequences of this are that prices of even basic processed food would likely go out of the reach of the common man and compromise his nutritional status,” he said. He said food and beverage products, such as biscuits, confectioneries, water and carbonated drinks, which are basic food items, may not be within the reach of the masses. Food and beverages, according to him, are considered to be easy sources of immediate energy and are nutritiously enriched with quick source of vitamin for the teeming population and should be readily affordable. He pointed out that the sector accounts for 40 per cent of the Nigeria’s manufacturing output of the estimated N3.5 trillion, contributing almost N40 billion in taxes and VAT annually. Gbededo said though the manufacturing sector contributed a little less than five per cent to GDP, the food and beverage sub-sector accounts for about 40 per cent of that figure. He said market capitalisation of top 10 listed companies in the food industry comes to N2.8 trillion, while the major companies in the industry are the stabilising factors in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, even during the financial crisis. However, things are not looking good for the sector. FMN’s performance has been less than sterling due to increases in the price of wheat at the international market. The food giant’s recent gross profit stood at N22.3 billion, representing 8.4 per cent down from the N24.4 billion. This is a far cry from the N43.7 billion as at December 2013. According to the company’s reports, the significant contraction in gross margin was driven by the over 10 per cent rise in wheat prices through January, as well as the eight per cent devaluation of the naira. Also, the company’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) decreased from N8.4 billion to N3.7 billion, representing a decrease of 55.7 per cent. This is despite paying lower tax of N0.4billion compared to N2.4 billion paid in 2013. Its Profit After Tax (PAT) of N3.3 billion represented a 44.5 per cent decrease from N9 billion in 2013. All these, according to the report, is as a result of high cost of wheat. The oil sector is no exception. The Nation learnt that since mid year 2014 when the crisis started, the blood pressure of workers in the Nigerian oil & gas industry has been on the rise for fear of possible retrenchment. Such fears are not without justification particularly in view of earlier warning by the Director, Advisory, Oil and Gas, PriceWater House Limited. Mr. Ritch Wingo that oil companies may lay off workers due to the drop in oil price in the global market. Wingo, who spoke on the sidelines at the recent Offshore West Africa Conference in Lagos, said falling oil price has adversely affected the sector. “Right now, a lot of companies are trying to lay off workers due to falling oil price. It is going to be pretty rough in a couple of months to come.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

eep across sectors as industrial disputes loom

•Dr. Jonathan

The best thing to do now is to go back to the banks to talk to them on how to restructure our finances so that people will not default. If oil price continues to fall, investors are not going to invest again,” he said. Winco was right. The situation has already forced American multinational oil service firm Schlumberger Limited to line up approximately 9, 000 workers from its global operations for sack due to lower oil prices and the expected cutbacks in exploration and production spending this year. The company expects to record a $296 million charge associated with the layoffs, according to the firm’s fourth quarter 2014 earnings report. “In this uncertain environment, we continue to focus on what we can control,” Schlumberger said. While global oil demand continues to rise, available supply is significantly higher, depressing oil prices and prompting exploration and production companies to cut spending. The company has already taken a number of steps to restructure and resize the company, leading to a record number of charges in the fourth quarter. “We are convinced that performance must now be driven by an accelerated change in the way we work through our transformation program,” the company said. This program includes the delivery of new technology that improves the performance of customers’ reservoirs; increases in efficiency and reliability that reduce overall finding, development and production costs; and opportunities to grow from more integration – all are significant drivers of our own and customers’ performance. A recent survey also found that oil and gas managers are planning to scale back their hiring plans this year due to declining oil prices and an uncertain economic environment. Labour saw it coming and possible confrontation is imminent . The on-going sack did not come as a surprise to labour, operators and stakeholders across the sectors. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), is among groups that first raised the alarm, warning however, that it would not tolerate indiscriminate sack of its members under the guise of falling oil prices in the international market. Its President, Comrade Olabode Johnson said the union would jealously guard the rights of workers in the sector in the face of the current realities. The association earlier raised the alarm that companies, especially petroleum companies, plan to retrench staff. PENGASSAN through its Media Officer, Babatunde Oke, said that non-core employees of oil firms in the country may be asked to quit their jobs, if the fall in oil prices persists. “The effect might be severe if it continues because some employers are already complaining that they may

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

Firm

•Mr. Oshinowo

•Omar

Estimated No of affected staff

Coca - Coca

100

Flour Mills of Nigeria 125, 000 (direct) 1,800,000 (indirect) Schlumberger need to shed weight, if the situation persists. Of course, it will affect contract staff, if the slump persists,” he said. The National Union of Beverage and Tobacco Employee (NUFBTE) is also kicking. NUFBTE said plans by food and beverage manufacturing companies to reduce their workforce because of high of cost wheat, a major raw material, is in bad taste. The Union warned the companies to desist or face their wrought. NUFBTE President Comrade Lateef Oyelekan said it is not fair for companies to lay off their workers because of high exchange rate. He argued that the situation is not peculiar to the food & beverage sector alone but affects all the sectors of the economy “It’s true that price of wheat, which is the major raw material, has gone up, but it is very wrong for the manufacturing companies to use this as justification to lay off their workers. The issue of high interest rate affects the whole economy,” he said, urging the companies to be patient. “Let them finish the national election first before taking such decision. We believe that everything will come back to normal. So, they should be patient.” Comrade Oyelekan also noted that unemployment is a scourge that must be tackled by all, adding that employers ought to be supporting government, as labour issue should be treated as a matter that affects all. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) may have also been warming up for a showdown. It’s President-General, Bobboi Kaigama, said the TUC would resist any attempt to retrench workers. “TUC would resist any attempt to retrench workers; all the definitions of resistance put together would be done, including protests and strikes. “Let’s fight corruption, let’s fight oil theft, let’s improve our Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR), let’s be prudent in our expenditure, develop our infrastructure and tourism potential; those are the things that would give us money, not sacking workers,” he said. TUC is not alone in the threat of confrontation. While directing its threat to the government over any possible sack of workers in the public sector, the Association of Senior

About 9,000 (globally) Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), warned of dire consequences if the Federal Government decides to retrench workers under the guise of austerity measures announced last year. ASCSN’s National President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, made the declaration at a recent interactive session with newsmen in Lagos on the dangers of planned sack of workers as a result of austerity measures “Any attempt by the Government to sack workers or reduce their salaries in the name of austerity measures will amount to a declaration of war on Nigerian workers and would be resisted by the Labour movement,” he stated. He added that the association’s warning is clear because when the economy boomed, the political office holders were freeloading as if there was no tomorrow while most Nigerian workers lived below $2 per day. “While workers called for better pay package in the past, they were rebuffed by the ruling elites, especially those in government, the helpless workers roasted as if they were not stakeholders in the system,” he lamented. Noting that the meagre N18,000 monthly minimum wage approved in 2011 by the Federal Government has not been fully implemented by some state governments, he said it will be the height of insensitivity for any government to contemplate sacking civil servants or reducing their pay in the name of austerity measures. “Our Union advised the Federal Government to reduce the whopping pay packets and mouth-watering allowances of political office holders and check other leakages that encourage corruption in the system, but the

wise counsel fell on deaf ears,” he recalled. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is also threatening fire and brimstone should workers be sacked. NLC out-going President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, warned the Federal Government to take sustainable, viable and proactive steps to address the consequences of the falling crude oil prices instead of punitive measures against ordinary Nigerians especially workers. He advised against consideration for rationalisation of staff, adding that labour will support government initiatives to tax the rich through luxury taxes. However, such warnings appear not to have hit the right chord. Although the mass sack for now affects workers in the private sector, the fear is that it’s only a matter of time before it gets to the public sector. Already, some state governments hit by dwindling allocation from the federation account are said to be owing their workers several arrears of salaries and are therefore, contemplating reducing their workforce. Reliable sources informed that some of the affected state governments are only holding back because of the general elections. The state governments are said to be treading carefully to avoid a backlash, as any sack might make them incur election loses. What this means is that the labour movement might be reviewing their strategies for a possible confrontation starting from the private sector.

Operators react Managing Director, Spectra Foods Limited, Mr. Duro Kuteyi, makers of Suco brand of cocoa drinks and food products, confirmed that some companies are laying off their staff. As he explained, companies are set up to make profit and when the purpose is not realised, promoters of such businesses take decisions that will enable them continuously stay in business. Mr. Kuteyi predicted that with the daily slide of the value of the naira more companies will shed weight especially those whose primary raw material is wheat and other related inputs. He said that although, his company has not yet sacked any worker, he assured that there is no immediate reason to do so as most of

‘

Let’s fight corruption, let’s fight oil theft, let’s improve our Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR), let’s be prudent in our expenditure, develop our infrastructure and tourism potential; those are the things that would give us money, not sacking workers

‘

its raw materials are sourced locally. He said he uses maize in place of wheat and believes the will weather the storm until the economy stabilise. Kuteyi however disclosed that high cost of wheat is not the only factor forcing companies in the sector to downsize. He said, for instance, that the stock market has become bearish as investors are taking their monies out of the country. Besides, election expenses by politicians have spiralled out of control with far-reaching implications on the economy, especially on inflation. While noting that news of the mass sack of workers is still speculative, the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Segun Oshinowo said it is not impossible. He explained that if high exchange rate leads to high cost of raw materials such that manufacturers can no longer meet up with their capacity utilization, then it will lead to layoff of workers. He said this is because it will reduce the companies’ cash inflows. “If the cost of production of these companies increase, the companies will have no choice than to reduce their staff,” he said, pointing out however, that this will be too bad for the economy. Indeed, because of the profound nature of the revenue shocks arising from the slump in oil price, many companies are taking measures to mitigate the effects on their businesses. They are therefore, reviewing and focussing on key areas such as spending priorities and deepening revenue profile. The situation is made worse by the sliding value of the naira against other major foreign currencies especially the dollar. Unbridled raw materials import is the issue, the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry (LCCI), Alhaji Remi Bello, said, confirming that some companies are down-sizing their operations and laying off their staff to stay afloat. He was however, quick to observe that the crisis is more prevalent with companies that are mainly in the food and beverage sector because of the high level of wheat importation. Going by his analysis, it means the failure to reverse the current trend where as much as 80 to 90 per cent of raw materials used by local industries are sourced abroad despite the abundance of raw materials locally, have started to manifest. The situation, described as the ‘import syndrome’ where manufacturers rely heavily on imports rather than source their raw materials locally, is said to have created a hollow in the purse of the Federal Government to as much as N1 trillion annually. Renowned Economist and Finance Analyst, Dr. Alaba Olusemore, explained how the import syndrome has contributed in triggering the current sack gale across the sectors. According to him, most manufacturers depend on foreign inputs, and with exchange rate now going up the roof, cost of inputs will go up. Olusemore, who is also Managing Consultant, Nesbet Consulting, a Lagos-based firm of management and finance consultancy, said the challenge to manufacturers is two-fold: “First, when they borrow to import raw materials, it will be at higher interest rates. Secondly, with the naira devalued, they will have to pay more naira for each unit of goods they import,” he said. While emphasising that many manufacturers may not be able to finance their imports, he said those who will, are likely going to have shrinking margins of profit, and that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will suffer more. Continued on page 55

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS Elder statesmen seek Jonathan, Buhari meeting

•The police station in Kwadon village, Gombe State after Boko Haram members set it on fire...at the weekend.

PHOTO: AFP

APC accuses PDP of secret push to instal interim govt Continued from page 1

saying the President wants to go the way of former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo, who shifted elections many times until he felt he was in a position to win. When the election was eventually held, Gbagbo lost, but he refused to handover until he was disgraced out of power. The elections were rescheduled from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11. The APC insisted yesterday that the PDP is “mortally afraid” of the general elections, “sponsoring the circulation of leaflets urging the people of Gombe to stay away from poll-

PDP disowns anti-polls leaflets From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Publicity Secretary Abdullahi Jalo, dismissed the accusation against the PDP. According to him, it is not the first time the Boko Haram would give notice of impending attacks, especially in Borno and Yobe states. Jalo, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone last night said: “Let me ask you, is it the first time Boko Haram would give notice of impending attack? Of course that has been their attitude. Continued on page 57

ing booths on election days or they will be in trouble”. The APC said “even the attack on Gombe on Saturday was suspect, wondering how

Boko Haram insurgents will drive on the highway from Maiduguri to Gombe in a convoy of many vehicles without being spotted or stopped at the

myriad of military checkpoints dotting the area”. It described as “curious that the Boko Haram terrorists, who have never mentioned the elections in their regular videos on YouTube, have suddenly started campaigning against the conduct of elections”. The party also noted that the local government elections in Yobe, one of the hotbeds of the Boko Haram insurgency, went without any incident in 2013, indicating that there has not been a systematic campaign by the insurgents to attack voters. Continued on page 57

Air Force tests new tools in Lagos

Continued from page 1

itary to conduct the exercise, adding that other exercises have been carried out in Yola. He said:”As part of ongoing operations in the northeast, we needed to show up in Lagos to bring additional capabilities in the fight against insurgency. We are incorporating some new systems. Some new ammunition have shown up and we need to incorporate this into our existing platforms and intensify day and night operations.

“We need to let the citizens know that, occasionally, they will hear gun fires and we will have ammunition being delivered; they should not panic. We have been in the air for the past few days and we are notifying the citizens accordingly, that the ongoing operations are to recalibrate our weapons system and fine tune our tactics. “It is going to be a combination of day and night operations. It is also another opportunity for us to look at the

maritime environment and the challenges around that area. “We captured all these because it is not only in the northeast that we have challenges. We equally have in the maritime sector and we are contributing to the Operation PoloShield in the Niger Delta and in some of these platforms here today, we have new ammunition that we need to test. “The Owode Range here in Lagos is the most ideal for these operations and so we have to make use of the facili-

ty. Everything is being harnessed in terms of the land space, capability and manpower are brought to bear towards fighting insurgency and to take care of emerging threats across the country. “We need the citizens to be aware so that they won’t panic and start believing any false information. We are here with the ground forces (Army and Navy) to ensure this operation is carried out successfully. “We have carried out exerContinued on page 57

TRONG indications emerged yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan may meet his political arch-rival, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on a neutral ground for another round of talks on how to manage the outcome of the March 28 presidential poll. The plan is allegedly being packaged by some leaders of thought and elder statesmen. Details are being worked out, it was learnt. Some of the issues on the agenda are acceptance of the results of the poll and making Gen. Buhari to allay fears of President Jonathan if the PDP is defeated. A highly-placed source said: “I think the two leaders are being consulted by those behind the meeting to seek their consent and in order to determine the venue. “If there are issues they might want to be on the agenda, they can add ahead of the meeting. “We expect a heart-to-heart discussion because Nigeria is greater than anybody.” The list of those behind the initiative was kept under wraps yesterday. A source, who is privy to the proposed meeting, said: “We are aware of plans to facilitate a meeting between Jonathan and Gen. Buhari to allay some fears including alleged plans to try and jail the President if he loses the election. “The modalities are being

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

worked out. Those behind it want the two leaders to have frank talks on how to manage the outcome of the general election. “In fact, there is a plan to hold the meeting abroad with only one of the facilitators at the proposed session to reduce influence on the candidates. “One of the objectives of the proposed meeting is to avoid plunging the nation into a deeper crisis.” Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday alleged that the President was afraid of being sent to jail by the APC presidential candidate, Buhari, if PDP is defeated. Obasanjo said: I believe the President’s fear is not leaving office per se, because he and I have had occasions to talk about this both seriously and jovially. “I believe President would want an opportunity to disengage peacefully and have a nice, decent and a glorious exit, I believe the President’s fear is, particularly, motivated by those who he see as Gen Buhari as his likely successor. “I believe those people would have been telling him that Buhari is a hard man, he would fight corruption and you may end up in jail if not in grave. I believe people must have told him all sorts of things and he is not the only one, there are other people who may be afraid of Buhari. But why?”

Sambo, Jonathan’s aide woo Northwest Islamic clerics

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday intensified its mobilisation of Islamic clerics in the Northeast geo-political zone ahead of next month’s presidential election. The party called a huge meeting under the banner of “sensitisation and mobilisation of Islamic clerics on non-violence 2015 elections”. It was the culmination of events including visits to the clerics by Jonathan’s Campaign officials in the seven Northwest zone states. At the head of the lobbying team is the Senior Special Assistant on Islamic Matters to President Goodluck jonathan, Alhaji Tahir Umar Tahir. Tahir and his team started visiting Imams in their homes and mosques since Friday to persuade them to attend the

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

meeting and support President Jonathan, it was learnt. At the meeting, the President’s aide donated N500,000 to Initiative for Muslim Women of Nigeria (IMWON) at NUT Endwell Auditorium, Magadisu Layout in Kaduna. He also donated four desktop computers to the organisation to mark the graduation of young Muslim women, who were trained by IMWON in different skills. Vice President Namadi Sambo attended the meeting at the end of which the 3,500 participants – mainly Imams and Islamic clerics – qued up to collect gift packs. A source said they were handed cash. The Vice President who adContinued on page 57

PDP leaders seek Obasanjo’s suspension

PPARENTLY shaken by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s striping comments on President Goodluck jonathan, some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders are pushing for his suspension from the party. They said Obasanjo’s diatribe amounts to anti-party activities. But Jonathan, who is the leader of the party, is yet to accede to the demand of the aggrieved PDP stalwarts, including some members of the Board of Trustees (BoT). It was however learnt yesterday that a media campaign will be launched against Obasanjo to expose what a source described as his “weak side”. The Nation learnt that lead-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

ing figures in PDP, including governors, BOT members and those in the National Working Committee (NWC), felt slighted by Obasanjo’s comments at a briefing. A source said: “From the President to party leaders, we were all sad by Obasanjo’s attacks against the person of the President who had shown him much respect. “We all concluded that what the ex-President did in an election year amounted to anti-party activities. “Some of our leaders have started demanding for Obasanjo’s suspension from the party. They said there was no point having Obasanjo in PDP to give him more leverage to destroy the party.

“Worse still, these angry leaders said Obasanjo had written off his party by openly canvassing for the All Progressives Congress (APC).” A member of the NWC said Obasanjo’s activities could attract suspension - in line with Article 57(3) of the PDP Constitution 2012(as amended). The NWC member said: “No matter the situation, you do not discredit and abandon your party for another. Obasanjo cannot be a bonafide member of PDP and be attacking the party’s presidential candidate. “The preponderance of opinion is that we should damn the consequences by suspending him from the party. But some are saying we should ignore him.

“To most PDP members, we should ask him to go because he has even reduced his involvement in PDP to ward activities. Do not forget, he was not a founding member of the PDP. “If Obasanjo’s case comes to NWC, we will look at it on merit and treat as such.” “Article 57 (3) of the party’s constitution, 2012(as amended) says, “The Working Committee, at any level of the party, and the executive committee (at the Ward Level) may, after preliminary hearings, suspend a member from the party for a period not exceeding one month, during which period the member so suspended shall lose his right to contest any election, and shall be referred to the appropriate disciplinary commit-

tee.” “Article 57 (4) specifically states that “where an allegation is made against a member of the party, the disciplinary committee shall inform the member in writing of the allegations made against him or her.” A Presidency source said: “The President is also unhappy with Obasanjo. This was why he also came hard on the former President in a statement on Saturday night. “Jonathan has the choice to allow the issue to run its course in the media the way it is now or allow the party to exercise its discretion since no one is above PDP. “Obasanjo’s case is certainly being looked into by the party. “The President is a bit cau-

•Chief Obasanjo

tious on the proposal for Obasanjo’s suspension because it might distract the party’s attention. He also does not want to be seeing as betraying his benefactor.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

5 ...10 AYS TO GO ...1022 D DA

DSS ransacks home of Reuters correspondent in Bayelsa

Obasanjo, Adoke frustrating probe of ‘snipers training’, says NHRC

HE planned investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of the allegation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that President Goodluck Jonathan was training and arming killer squad for this year’s elections has been frustrated. NHRC Chairman Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, who said this in Abuja at the weekend, blamed the uncooperative attitude of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), and Obasanjo for the hindrance facing the probe. Dr. Odinkalu said the AGF and the former president, who are key to the investigation, refused to honour NHRC’s requests to furnish it with the information and evidence it required to carry out the investigation. Obasanjo had, in an 18page letter to Jonathan in De-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

cember 2013, accused the president of, among others, keeping over 1,000 people on his political watch list, secretly training snipers and other armed men as well as acquiring weapons for political purposes. The NHRC boss said the commission, in trying to afford all concerned the opportunity to make representations, had written to both men twice, but without response from them. “What happened was very straightforward. We need materials and evidence from different people. We have written to the attorney general of the Federation to give us his evidence. We have written to General Obasanjo to give us his evidence. And we have heard from neither side. Now, we have repeated the demand and we have heard from nei-

ther side. “The process is facts-based. It is evidence-led. We are not going to sit down here and manufacture evidence. We wanted to give everybody a chance before proceeding. Again, we wanted to convene the public hearing. But again, it was close to the elections. “So, we took a deliberate decision that we did not want to make that a factor in the elections. After the elections, we are going to convene that hearing. But if the attitude continue, which is that neither side is willing to give us evidence, we will adjourn it sine die (indefinitely),” he said. Dr. Odinkalu also explained why the commission decided not to go public on its conclusion in the case of rights abuse made against Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime by his wife, Clara. Mrs. Chime had accused her husband of keeping her in-

communicado against her wish on allegation that she was mentally unstable. “The commission also has the responsibility to fashion remedies to fit the facts. In the case of the wife of the Enugu State Governor, the most important thing for us was that there is a child, who is barely four years old. “We have a responsibility to that child. And everything we have done has been focused on making sure that that child is protected. Everything we did was done in the best interest of that child,” he said. The NHRC boss said his commission would undertake an independent investigation into allegations of rights abuses by the opposition, which claimed agents of the Federal Government had bugged telephones and deployed armed soldiers against it. “If somebody wants the commission to be involved,

•Security operatives seize computers, others From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

•Adoke

he should bring us the materials, give us the evidence or allow us to access the evidence. “We have received about 10 petitions on election related violence. We have constituted the most high-powered investigating team this commission has ever instituted to see us through the season of election violence related incidents. “We will take everything. We are not going to shirk it. We are going to do our homework and necessary investigations and come out with our findings,” he said.

•Vice President Namadi Sambo (right) being received by Kaduna Sate Governor Mukthar Yero at Kaduna Airport after Sanbo arrived for a sensitisation and mobilisation seminar on the general elections... yesterday.

ARMED men from the Department of State Security (DSS) have invaded the home of Mr. Tife Owolabi, the correspondent of international news agency, Thomas Reuters. The security men, who were said to have accused the correspondent of espionage, took away personal computers and other electronic gadgets. The security operatives, armed with automatic rifles and pistols, were said to have searched the home of Owolabi for over four hours, claiming to be acting on orders from Abuja. After the search, the security men left with the mobile telephones of the Reuters reporter and those belonging to his wife, Jane. It was gathered that the invasion followed an invitation for a brief chat extended to Owolabi by the department on Friday. It was learnt that the correspondent was quizzed for hours and later released to the state chairman of Nigerian Union of journalists (NUJ), Mr. Tare Akono. Owolabi who confirmed the development in a text message, said: “The DSS men stormed my apartment on Saturday to conduct a search and claimed it was based on an order from Abuja. The DSS men claimed that I am unpatriotic owing to my job and relationship with the Thomas Reuters. “They claimed that they gathered that I sent or planning to send “negative” report to the outside world. I believe it is a deliberate clampdown on international journalists. All my working tools, including gadgets, cameras, laptops, iPad and hard drives, are with them. I was asked to report back on Monday (today).”

Don’t turn Nigeria into a police state, Buhari’s supporters warn

UPPORTERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, under the auspices of the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), have warned the Federal Government against attempts to turn the country into a police state. In a statement by its spokesman, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe in Abuja yesterday, the BSO said it was alarmed by the mass deployment of security agents around the country, saying this had raised questions about the effectiveness of government to secure the nation against insurgents and acts of political violence. In the statement entitled: “Nigeria must not become a police state”, the group said that the deployment of troops around leaders of the APC and a statement credited to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Mbu Joseph Mbu were part of efforts by the government to turn the state into a police state. The statement reads:

From Tony Akowe and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

“Events in the last few weeks on the political scene are beginning to raise concerns about attempts by the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in collusion with national security institutions, to turn Nigerian into a police state. “Reports of mass deployment of police, army and other security forces around the country by the PDP-led administration have continued to raise questions about the effectiveness of government in providing security against insurgency and anticipated acts of political violence in the general elections. “The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, gave a hint of what could be described as government’s hysteria about the APC fast-moving wind of change across Nigeria and the ostensible plan to checkmate it with the deployment of police crack teams around the country.” It added: “Today, Nigerians

‘Jonathan must abide by May 29 date’ are made to watch the increasing build-up of the army around major streets of towns and cities under the pretext of providing security. It is, however, coming to light that rather than carrying out what ought to be routine security duties, these military personnel are detailed to intimidate leaders of the opposition party, particularly the APC. “How does one explain the military build-up around the residences of the leaders of the APC in Lagos and Abuja as well as a reported attack on the personal residence of the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in Abuja by yet to be identified persons. Are these not clear signals of the making of a police state in Nigeria? “Shortly after the postponement of the elections that was meant to take place on February 14, 2015, the PDP government deployed troops in a number of towns and cit-

ies, such as Kaduna, Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Ibadan, where the APC sentiment is known to be strong. Reports from across these states show that the soldiers have been carrying out “stop and search” operations, thereby making life inconvenient for the people. “The danger in this is that members of the opposition are believed to be the target of these “stop and search” operations in continuation of the plot to intimidate supporters of the party. “Clearly, these anti-democratic tendencies on the part of the PDP and its agents represent very serious threat to the survival of participatory democracy and freedom of choice as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. “It is important to draw some lessons from a similar situation that happened in Côte d’Ivoire under the disgraced President Laurent Gbag-

bo in the year 2011. President Gbagbo against the popular wish of the people of Côte d’Ivoire plotted to stay in power using both the army and police to terrorise the opposition even when the people have rejected him. “It took the intervention of the international community for Gbagbo to respect the wish of his people who had elected Alassan Quattara as their new president that year. “Today, Gbagbo is standing trial in the International Criminal Court of Justice for mass murder of political opponents and human right abuses against his own people. That is the fate that awaits political despots who try to impose themselves on the people through the manipulation of the electoral processes. “It would therefore be very unfortunate if President Jonathan, who ironically played a significant role in resolving the Ivoirian crisis, fails to learn from that experience. “The popular wish of Nigerians in electing the govern-

ment of their choice freely to provide the desired positive change against his divisive, corrupt and lacklustre leadership should be seen as sacrosanct”. The group, in another statement, also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to walk his talk on his promise to hand over if defeated at the rescheduled presidential polls. According to the group which is rooting for the election of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 presidential election, “the moment of history beckons on President Goodluck Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in the realm of integrity to keep faith with his promise to allow Nigerians a new political deal.” The president had assured Nigerians that 2015 elections shall hold within the remaining constitutionally available window and would also be free and fair. Jonathan also promised that he was ready to abide by whatsoever the outcome.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

...10 AYS TO GO ...1022 D DA

Our democracy polluted by sentiments, says Lamido From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

•President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and Chief of Defence Staff , Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (right) with children of Nigerian soldiers who lost their life at the presidential dinner for the wives of fallen heroes at the Banquet hall of the Presidential Villa in PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN. Abuja...yesterday.

IGAWA State Governor Sule Lamido has expressed concern about the nation’s democracy being polluted by sentiments. The governor, who spoke at the weekend in Dutse, the state capital, while fielding questions from reporters, regretted that lack of patriotism was threatening the country’s democratic growth. He spoke shortly after an emergency meeting with senior civil servants and political appointees at the state’s secretariat. “It is quite unfortunate today in Nigeria that whatever you say or you do, people would give it interpretation, based on parochial political sentiment with no consideration to its significant or otherwise,” he said. The governor, who tactfully refrained from reporters’ questions, noted that as long as Nigerians would continue to use selfishness and partisanship to judge issues, the nation would not develop. For the nation to move forward, he stressed, the society must be rational and people must become objective in their analyses and social interactions. Lamido refused to comment on endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He urged Nigerians to be patriotic by putting national interests above their personal interests.

Elumelu foundation appoints chief •APC campaign flays Fed Govt on N76b botched CCTV executive

Buhari pledges to run lean govt

HE presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari, has assured that his government will cut out wastages and run a lean as well as efficient administration. The envisaged administration, the presidential candidate said, would enable funds to be made available for “capital and development projects to assure prosperity for all Nigerians.” A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO), Mallam Garba Shehu, said an APC presidency would deepen a viable free market economy in the country, stressing that businesses would enjoy marked differences in the environment for undertaking their activities. The statement said citizens in business, foreign investors and young entrepreneurs under the APC presidency will enjoy equal incentives and friendly business and investment climate. “It is envisaged that this will help them to participate and engage in productive economic and entrepreneurial activities geared towards the resuscitation and revamping of the nation’s economy and its capacity to generate millions of direct and indirect job opportunities for our teeming citizens,” the statement said. According to Shehu, APC’s national economic policy will support and insist on diligent implementation of the yearly budgets to guarantee accountability and transparency in public resources management. “Gen. Buhari recognises and appreciates that the world has changed with marketbased economy being the norm in an increasingly competitive global village. He knows for a fact that no nation can exist in solitude and ignore the global trend; not even Russia and China, let alone Nigeria. “Make no mistake about it, the Buhari/Osinbajo government will run a market based economy; but with clear and unambiguous regulatory framework and effective enforcement mechanism with zero-tolerance for corruption,”

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

the statement indicated. He added that in line with the party’s manifesto, an APC government will implement custom and import duties that support the prosperity of both indigenous and foreign investors and industrial development in the interest of job creation and the enhancement of citizens’ purchasing power. He said: “We shall liberalise government’s incentives to the business community and ensure that few business interests do not enjoy undue advantages against majority of our entrepreneurs to the detriment of the national economic prosperity.” On corruption, the campaign organisation said that the envisaged Buhari government would draw a line and look forward, stressing: “We shall plug all loopholes of wastages of our commonwealth and discourage money guzzling ventures, particularly in the oil sector, electric power and pension. “The essence is to conserve resources for the massive infrastructural renewal needed to

drive our economic and social system and generate massive employment for our jobless masses.” In another development, the APCPCO said the failure of the government to deliver on the $470 million (N76 billion) National Public Security Communications System Project in Abuja was an indication that the government was not serious about fighting insecurity in the country. The organisation said the project, otherwise known as the CCTV Camera Project, which was supposed to help Nigeria shore-up its security, had remained shrouded in mystery, wastage and embezzlement of scarce national resources. Lamenting the shoddy and inadequate delivery on the project which was designed to cover Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Bayelsa, Kaduna and Kano in its pilot phase, the APC Campaign queried the “sincerity of the Federal Government in its battle against insecurity and corruption, when it could not deliver on a project that was supposed to use technology,

which President Jonathan lately has a passion for, to make our cities safer like is the practise in other countries. “It is heartbreaking that in an era that we are confronted by huge security challenges, especially as it relates to the insurgency, the Jonathan administration has failed woefully to deliver on the safe cities’ project after billions of our scarce resources have been spent, wasted or stolen on these phantom projects that have not added any value to the nation’s security asset.” He said it was bewildering that the PDP-led government failed to report on the status of the Abuja CCTV Camera Project even after the House of Representatives ordered probe and countless petitions to the anti-graft agency. “The PDP-led government owes Nigerians an explanation on the status of this project. This project must not go the way of several others, as it is too central to our security architecture to let some greedy persons to undermine it,” Shehu said.

HE Board of Trustees of the Tony Elumelu Foundation has announced the appointment of Prof. Reid E. Whitlock as its chief executive. Prof. Whitlock’s appointment followed Dr. Wiebe Boer’s movement as director of Strategy at Heirs Holdings, Mr. Elumelu’s pan-African proprietary investment company. Dr. Boer was the foundation’s inaugural chief executive. The foundation - which was founded in 2010 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony O. Elumelu - is Africa’s leading advocate for entrepreneurship. It was responsible for programmes designed to ensure that entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship become the primary driver of Africa’s economic growth and social transformation. Prof. Whitlock brings 30 years of experience to the foundation as a business school rector, diplomat, en-

•Prof. Whitlock

trepreneur, strategy consultant and adviser to leaders in Africa, Asia and the Middle East on economic development. He received his PhD and law degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and is a cum laude graduate of Princeton University. Commenting on Prof. Whitlock’s appointment, the foundation’s founding patron, Professor Michael Porter said: “Tony’s commitment to African entrepreneurship is unshakeable and I salute his appointment of Prof. Whitlock as the CEO of his foundation.”

How NLC election’s fiasco was planned, by union leader

RESIDENT of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Dr. Ayuba Wabba, has said that plans to frustrate the workers from electing a new leadership was hatched long before the beginning of the delegates’ conference. Ayuba, who was one of the presidential candidates in the election, said the plan was put in place early in the year by a group of union leaders who wanted the presidency of the congress ceded to unions in the private sector through undemocratic means. Addressing a news conference on the development, Dr. Wabba criticised the system adopted in the printing of the ballot papers. The system adopted, he said, was different from what had been used in the past in which names of all

Falana seeks probe LAGOS-based lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has condemned last week’s disruption of the national conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and election of its national officers by persons suspected to be “hired thugs”. Falana described the incident, which led to the hired thugs carting away ballot papers and other voting materials, as a national embarrassment, urging the NLC leadership to probe the incident. He noted that the disruption came too soon after the postponement of the nation’s general elections. The lawyer contended that the failure of the congress to conduct its election had exposed the country to ridicule before the international community. In a statement yesterday in Lagos, the erudite lawyer advised the NLC to reconvene as soon as possible and conclude the election of From Tony Akowe, Abuja

candidates for an office were printed on one sheet. He denied claims that he was being sponsored by the

By Adebisi Onanuga

its national officers in strict compliance with the provisions of the congress’ registered constitution. He said history was beckoning on the congress to play a leading role in ensuring that the country’s fragile democratic process was not truncated by desperate anti-democratic forces. Falana said as the nation’s most organised civil society body, the congress could not afford to be distracted at this critical period in the life of the nation. The lawyer, who noted that the country was once again on the edge of a precipice, said the disruption of the conference of the labour movement was a replay of the 1993 scenario “by the service chiefs in cahoots with a faction of the ruling class”.

government for the election, saying: “Those saying that does not know me. If they know me, they will not be saying such things. We know

who the real government candidates are.” Dr. Wabba also accused members of the credentials committee, who his oppo-

nents alleged were planning to rig the election in his favour, as part of those behind the ploy to disrupt the election. Opponents of the MHWUN president had accused members of the committee of trying to favour him by printing his name two or more times on the ballot paper booklet. “Let me call the attention of the public to the fact that the first attempt to cause confusion began on the second day of the conference when some delegates of NUPENG disrupted the proceedings of the conference by throwing chairs and smashing the head of one of the delegates of the Civil Service Union. “All other delegates decided to keep their calm as they have never been part of violence and will want to protect the integrity of NLC,” he stressed.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS African Bar gets interim executive committee

•Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Olusola Amosu (middle), General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Tanmi Dibi (fifth right) and others after a news conference on the military bombardment training coming up in Lagos...yesterday.

Naira crisis: CBN stops banks from dollar resale

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stopped banks from reselling dollars bought at the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) to other lenders. It is all to stop the scare forex from being used for purposes other than what the funds are meant for. Besides, the move, it was leant, is aimed at curbing currency speculation and strengthening the naira against the greenback. The naira on Friday gained 0.6 per cent to N204.30 per dollar but has lost five per cent over the past eight days, the most weekly basis since December 2008. The policy shift, experts said, is also expected to ensure that banks do not violate the Letters of Credit (LCs) by diverting the RDAS funds obtained via customers’ LCs to unauthorised purposes. The RDAS or official foreign exchange (forex) window allows banks and other authorised dealers to place forex bids on behalf of individual clients who qualify to buy forex at the official auction. Unlike the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) scrapped in Sep-

‘

It’s not likely we would raise the band on the naira any time soon. We are looking deep into the areas of demand. If speculators are not there then the situation would return to normal,” he said.

’

By Collins Nweze

tember 2013 over widespread abuse, the RDAS allows the CBN to monitor more accurately various sources of forex demand and any potential duplication of demand in the system to address speculation in the market, which has put naira under pressure. The naira has been under pressure in recent months as crude oil prices continue to fall. Last November’s eight per cent devaluation of the currency over falling Brent

crude oil prices has not brought any stability. The CBN is, therefore, adopting a pragmatic approach to exchange rate and reserve management to protect the naira as weaker oil prices persist. CBN spokesman Ibrahim Muazu told Reuters the apex bank sold dollars in a special intervention on Friday and that it will continue such sales on a “need basis” to satisfy demand in the interbank market and curb speculative attacks, which he blamed for the naira’s weakness. Muazu said that the bank was not planning to devalue the currency again, but was studying dollar demand closely. “Our target is to stabilise the market in the interest of investors and the economy. We will do everything to ensure that we meet demand,” Muazu said. “It’s not likely we would raise the band on the naira any time soon. We are looking deep into the areas of demand. If speculators are not there then the situation would return to normal,” he said. The naira has crashed through the psychologically important level of 200 to the dollar last week in a rout

HE outgoing President of the African Bar Association (AFBA), Mr. Charles Idehen has appointed a new executive committee to run the association’s affairs. In a statement, he said: “Arising from the meeting of concerned lawyers of the African Regional Forum of the International Bar Association (IBA) on the continued docility of AFBA, a steering committee was formed in September last year in Dar es Salaam Tanzania, during the IBA Regional meeting. “The steering committee later submitted its report to me and after due consultation with stakeholders and leaders of AFBA, I constituted the interim Executive Committee to pilot the affairs of the association till its next conference.” Members of the interim Executive Committee are Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo, president (Nigeria); Dev Eriah, VicePresident (Mauritus); Mrs Flaviana Charles, General Secretary (Tanzania); Nyamordi Ochieng-Nyamogo, Director of Protocol and Publicity (Kenya); Mrs. Obele Akinniranye, Deputy General Secretary, and the current chair-

By John Austin Unachukwu

man of the International Bar Association Human Rights Council, Sternford Moyo (Zimbabwe). Idehen said other appointments will be announced in due course, while urging the interim Committee to work with chairpersons of the Interim Bar Council Mrs. Funmi Oluyede (Nigeria) and Moyo to constitute a new council for AFBA pending its next conference. Idehen said: “As a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), I regret the political circumstances that led to the docility of the African Bar Association in the past 16 years and promise to work with and encourage the new team to make AFBA vibrant and indispensable “Perhaps, it may not be too much to call on other past leaders to join hands with the interim Executive in order to keep the dreams of the founding fathers alive, which is already working “The new team is expected to visit and sensitise every African lawyer in the different countries of Africa,” Idehen said.

Nigeria still investment destination, says Dangote

T •Emefiele

triggered by weak oil prices and escalating tension over the postponement of a presidential election. The CBN tightened policy in November while simultaneously devaluing the official RDAS rate to more realistic levels (at the time). Access to foreign exchange through the RDAS window was also limited to safeguard foreign exchange reserves. Besides, the apex bank a fortnight ago, sold $30,000 to each of more than 2,500 bureau de change operators. The fund is an addition to the weekly sales to operators. The move is aimed at increasing dollar liquidity in the system said and bringing stability to the naira. Despite these measures, the naira has slumped 17 per cent against the dollar in the past three months, the most among 24 African countries.

HE President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has urged Nigerians to see the country’s economic challenges as a wakeup call for the citizenry to rededicate themselves to the task of nation-building through production activities. Dangote, who spoke with a delegation of cement distributors who visited his office in Lagos, added that Nigeria still remain the destination of choice for investments despite the economic and security challenges. He noted that though economic downturn was ravaging most countries of the world, including Nigeria, “the situation is not insurmountable, if properly addressed”. He added that the challenge could also serve as a stepping stone to a more economically stronger Nigeria in future. The Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc explained that with good support for the government, the challenges would soon be a thing of the past and Nigeria would come out stronger. His words: “I have always said it that Nigeria is a good place to invest. God has given us in Nigeria what many other countries don’t have and they keep searching for it. We have got fertile land for agriculture, we have the minerals resources and we have oil. All we need to do is to harness them for our good. “The present challenges we are facing should not deter us from growing our economy. It shouldn’t stop us from investing. It’s just a passing phase. Other countries that we referred to as “developed” started from somewhere. They all experienced some of these challenges in the past. So, I want us to see these challenges as obstacles towards attaining greatness.” Dangote told the distributors that it was for these reasons that he had continued to invest in Nigeria’s economy. “If Nigerians do not invest in their country, other people would not come. They will want to see our success story before they can come,” he said. He promised the distributors that his companies would continue to live up to expectation to ensure that their interests were protected at all times, noting that as a matter of policy, his companies have put in place arrangements to consider relations of his distributors for job opportunities once there is opportunity.

Harassment of opponents counterproductive, says Opadokun

HE Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) yesterday warned against the harassment of political opponents by the Federal Government, stressing that it is counter-productive. The group said that when victims of oppression, victimisation and repression are pushed to the wall, they may resort to self-help. Its Coordinator Mr. Ayo Opadokun, told reporters in Lagos, it is curious that security agents are deployed to victimise leading opposition figures during the electioneering, thereby sending clear signals that the govern-

By Emmanuel Oladesu

ment is afraid of legitimate contest. He lamented that senior military officers have embraced partisanship by becoming a tool for subverting and undermining democratic culture, adding that it is a disservice to the cause of patriotism and professionalism. Opadokun also alluded to the danger of the over-involvement of the military in partisan struggles, saying that it conveys an impression to the soldiers that civilian leaders are incapable of providing effective leadership. He said the misbehaviour

of the political leadership has also sent a signal to pro-democracy activists to gird their loins and return to the trenches because participatory democracy is falling. He added: “The political operators are busy undermining the growth and maturity of public institutions. They should know that when they have so compromised public institutions for temporary gains, they would be the first to be consumed by the inadequate and inefficient performance of our public institutions. “The military officers should stop acceding to the political operator’s attempt at

fooling the public by denying their recent harassment of political opponents, just as President Putin of the Soviet Union is doing in Eastern Ukraine. When the equation changes, they will be the first casualties.” The pro-democracy activist recalled that Nigeria had passed through the inglorious path under the military between January and June 12, 1993, adding that the leadership was disgraced out of office, following popular uprising. He urged Nigerians to brace for the March 28 and April 11 elections, which he said, will be a turning point in the

march of democracy. Opadokun urged leaders to learn from history to avoid repeating the mistakes of the party. He added: “Using the military to intimidate opponents is their negative institutionalised crude tactics. In 1984, the home of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Ikenne was for sometime had a lorry load of fully armed military, stationed on the street in front of Papa’s home. I remember visiting Papa every morning to witness what they were up to. “I remember passing by their vehicles many times and questioning what they were

set to achieve by their crude activities. They stopped coming when I got some of our people to keep surveillance on them. The media focus on the invasion made them to leave. “If anyone in temporary sojourn in political office wants to return to crude tactics as Abacha did, such a fellow or group of political adventurers should remember that they cannot win against the people’s will. Warring against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the opposition is an avoidable desperation that the local and global audience will rise up to resist.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

• Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (fifth right) in a group photograph with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (fourth left); daughters of the APC's presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, Safina (fifth left) and Halima (fourth right); Farouk Adamu Aliyu ( second right), National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right), and others at a dinner in honour of Buhari and his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos…at the weekend.

Covenant is best in West Africa

OVENANT University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, has emerged the No.1 university in West Africa and 15th in Africa, according to two renowned ranking agencies-Webometrics and Repositories. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles K Ayo, said the rankings revalidate the fulfillment of the ‘Vision 2022: One of 10in-10’, a mandate which was handed over to him when CU commemorated its 10th anniversary. He said: “As soon as we were given the mandate, we were mindful of that mandate. We embarked on it full throttle. “We took cognisance of the ranking agencies, and embarked on an eight-point agenda targeted towards the fulfillment of the vision. With the attained feat, we are convinced that we are set to conquer the world. “It’s not easy leading a revolution. We witnessed much criticism from the public, particularly on the dress code. Some labelled us a glorified secondary school but we were undaunted because we believed the process would definitely inform the

By Adegunle Olugbamila, Education Reporter

product. “We raise kings and queens here. But we are happy that now a number of universities adopt our dress code though they may not be able to enforce it the same way we do.” Ayo noted that CU began academic activities in 2002, pioneering some innovations, such as the introduction of entrepreneurial education, abolishing a pass degree, introducing dress code as well as a certificate in leadership (diploma), which all graduates of the university must acquire alongside their course of study. Webometrics is the largest academic ranking of higher education institutions, comprising about 2,500 institutions globally. The agency considers factors, such as openness, impact, web presence and excellence as parameters for ranking. Repositories ranking supports open access initiatives and offers free access to scientific publications in an electronic form and other academic materials.

Indian hemp warehouse in Ondo

HE National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State has discovered an Indian hemp warehouse in Akure, the state capital. The state Commander, Ibrahim Addul, said missionary, government and security vehicles were used for conveyance of cannabis sativa. He said the agency would ensure the monitoring of all government vehicles. Addul said 30 persons were arrested for alleged drug of-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

fences across the state. The NDLEA boss said the agency had destroyed 20 hectares of land with Indian hemp, adding that 19 tonnes of Indian hemp were also seized by the agency. Abdul informed that 26 drug offenders were serving jail terms in the state with 11 others facing trials. The NDLEA boss said it has also intensified efforts at curbing the menace of drug abuse among teenagers and youths.

Plot to discredit Ambode uncovered

GROUP, Eko Liberation Movement (ELM), has alerted to a plan to procure and tender a fake medical report to discredit the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode. In a statement by its convener, Gbolahan Agboola, the group said: “A faceless group is set to procure a fake medical report to discredit Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as being unsound in mind, body and spirit. “There is no amount of shenanigan by the desperate opposition to discredit him that will change our resolve to support him in his bid to keep Lagos on the track of greatness and prosperity. “Their latest antics are to claim that Ambode had suffered a strange mental illness. We cannot be deceived by any false claim from any group or individuals. Ambode is our man for the job of moving Lagos to the next level. “He possesses the mental, spiritual and physical capacity to take Lagos to the next level. Well-meaning Lagosians should disregard such rumours and ill-advised activities of the opposition.”

Fayose admits voice in rigging audio clip

KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has admitted that his voice was one of the voices heard in the rigging audio clip. An Army officer, Capt Sagir Koli, recorded the voices of Fayose, former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, Police Affairs Minister Jelili Adesiyan, Osun State PDP governorship candidate Iyiola Omisore and Brig.-Gen. Aliyu Momoh allegedly strategising on how to use soldiers to manipulate the elelction. But Fayose denied discussing a rigging plot, adding that “he was accusing Gen. Momoh of conniving with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the election”. The governor challenged his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to go to court and prove that the military and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) colluded to rig the June

•Urges Fayemi to go to court From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

21, last year, governorship election. Fayose also challenged Fayemi to produce the soldiers, who participated in the alleged electoral malfeasance in court and insisted that the soldiers must produce evidence to back up the allegation. The governor was reacting to the ex-governor’s explanations on an ADABA 88.9 FM programme, “APC Change Hour,” in which Fayemi said some soldiers were ready to give evidence in court. The audio clip, which has gone viral on the Internet, was aired on the programme. Fayemi said the second part would soon be released. But Fayose accused Fayemi of “grandstanding and play-

ing to the gallery”, saying the former governor should go to court to prove his allegation. The governor, who itemised the areas he would want the soldiers to prove, said his predecessor was only trying to undermine the election adjudged by local and international observers as free, fair and credible. He said: “The soldiers should give evidence and explain where and how they were instructed to rig the election, if they were instructed to thumb print ballot papers, or if they were instructed to snatch ballot boxes. How many of such ballot papers did they thumb print and how many boxes did they snatch?” Fayose He said: “The problem

with my predecessor is the defeat he suffered in the 16 local government areas. He is yet to recover from the shock, and he is fretting over the prospect of going down in political history as the first sitting governor to suffer such defeat. “All that Fayemi is trying to do is to undermine the election adjudged best by local and international observers. “I respected him before now but events after the election have exposed his character that he is not a democrat “In 2011, when my defeat was very glaring, just like what we have now, I did not go about disparaging the winner. Instead, I went back to prepare for the next election. “I say again, let him bring his soldiers who will say Fayose told them to rig election but they must show the evidence.”

Police arrest three herdsmen for ‘robbery’

HREE Fulani herdsmen have been arrested for alleged robbery in Sabo, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Haruna Ibrahim, Usman Burani and Haruna Usman were arrested in Sabo after they allegedly robbed residents of Atoba Estate in Sabo. The police alleged that the suspects were behind the attacks on commuters on Ayetoro Road in Yewa North and Igboora area. It was gathered that the residents of the estate had placed the herdsmen under surveillance. When they were sighted around the neighbourhood, the residents alerted the police. Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said com-

•Three robbery suspects arrested in Ogun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

munity leaders in Atoba Estate contacted the Divisional Police Officer, Gbenga Megbope, at the Ilupeju-Sabo Police Division, who led a team of anti-robbery operatives to arrest the suspects. Adejobi said the herdsmen later led the police to their hideout in Igbo Olodumare forest on Igboora Road, where two others were apprehended. Items recovered from them included cartridges, cutlasses, charms and dummy guns, among others. Also, three robbery suspects were arrested in a joint secu-

rity operation between policemen and soldiers (OP MESA) attached to the 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta. Amuche Chukwuemeka(22), a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State; Blessing Edottie(26) from Bayelsa State and Santos Peter(25) from Delta State allegedly snatched a Toyota Highlander at Festac Town, Lagos on February 4. Adejobi, in a statement, said the joint operations team seeing the suspicious movement of the suspects stopped their vehicle and upon interrogation, they were found to be fleeing. He said: “The suspects kid-

napped the owner of the vehicle and dropped him on the road, having compelled him to deactivate the vehicle’s security device. “The vehicle was later demobilised and it stopped on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, prompting the suspects to hire the services of a technician to start the engine. They continued their escape movement, until they were intercepted and arrested. “The Acting Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, has instructed that the case should be transferred to the Lagos State Command, where the robbery took place.”

Prosecute Igbemo violence suspects, says Ekiti APC

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has urged the police to prosecute the suspected thugs, who allegedly unleashed terror on IgbemoEkiti community last Thursday. APC’s Publicity Secretary Taiwo Olatubosun, in a statement, said after APC members complained at the Igbemo police post and later at Iworoko Police Station, the victims were later re-invited to the Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti where they were arrested. He said the perpetrators of

the violence rushed to the Police Headquarters to complain that they were signage officials, who were prevented from carrying out their lawful duties. His words: “Our members were attacked and their houses destroyed. The attackers fired gunshots at them from Thursday night till early Friday morning. The abducted Igbemo citizens were dumped at the Special AntiRobbery Squad detention cell since the wee hours of the morning and were only temporarily released Friday

evening. “The thugs suspected to be working for Fayose were the first to rush to the State Headquarters to lodge a false complaint against them that they were on signage duty when Igbemo people attacked them. “One of the thugs who did most of the shooting with a pump action gun was seen in pictures with a bandage feigning head injury. “The victims who were released were rearrested on Saturday on the orders of the commissioner of police who said their houses should be

searched because there was a complaint of gunrunning against them. We wonder the connection between signage officials and the petition against perceived opponents for gun running. “The people who languished in detention are the same people whose property and houses were vandalised and who were traumatised in the all-night shooting while the thugs who attacked them have turned the complainants and moving about freely. This is double jeopardy and injustice.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

Your deeds’ll haunt you, APC tells Alao-Akala

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has said the anti-workers’ policies of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, which climaxed with the mass sacking of 34,000 workers in 2007, will continue to haunt him. A statement by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, said the exgovernor, who is the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, had forgotten how he treated workers shabbily and plunged the state into needless industrial crises, until the intervention of the “500 wise men”. The party added that Alao-

Akala’s predecessor, Rashidi Ladoja, who is the candidate of the Accord Party, did not fare better in the shoddy way it handled workers’ welfare and wellbeing. It said the mass sacking on September 19, 2007 by the Alao-Akala government was still fresh in the memory of discerning workers, labour leaders and the traditional institutions. The APC, therefore, cautioned workers in the public service, pensioners, market women, taxi drivers, food vendors, among others, who suffered during the labour crises against supporting his

fresh governorship ambition. Sadare said: “Under AlaoAkala’s watch, the workforce embarked on a three-month strike, following his refusal to implement the N9,400 minimum wage. “It is instructive that Ladoja had approved the minimum wage shortly before the April 2007 governorship election to curry workers’ favour, following his failed calculation that he could wrest the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket from Alao-Akala. “Teachers cannot forget how the former governor

hounded them and politicised the teaching service, culminating in the unprecedented formation of a splinter group known as Akala Teachers’ Vanguard to destabilise the union. “No teacher will support him again because many of them were beaten by the exgovernor’s goons during their delegate conference at the Teachers’ House in Ibadan, leading to the disruption of their election on November 16, 2009. “Teachers had to relocate to Ondo State to conduct the election when he made the state too hot for them.”

The APC said it took the intervention of traditional rulers, led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the clergy; professional mediators and the national leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Abdulwaheed Omar, otherwise known as 500 wise men, before Alao-Akala reluctantly agreed to pay some categories of workers the N9,400 minimum wage. The statement advised political leaders entrusted with the people’s mandate to use their position to promote people’s welfare for posterity to be kind to them.

Folarin, PDP after my life, says lawmaker From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

MEMBER of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Temitope Olatoye, aka Sugar, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin, of planning to kill him. Sugar claimed that there were plans to arrest him to pave the way for the PDP candidate. “I am about to be arrested on frivolous and unsubstantiated charges to keep me away from the election. “PDP has embarked on provocative actions so as to force me and my supporters to react so that I can be arrested or assassinate me if my arrest is not possible. Almost everyone can testify to my popularity. I have done more than enough to empower the people of my constituency and even beyond.” The Director-General, Senator Teslim Folarin Campaign Organisation, Ashimiyu Alarape, dismissed the allegation. “It’s a lie and there is no need whipping up sentiments where there is none. “He is only jittery because he wants to cause violence in the election. We want a peaceful election and that is what we are pursuing. My principal is a peace loving person.”

Nurse dies after mysterious operation From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

NURSE, Tambaya John Amu, has died mysteriously after a surgical operation on a patient at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State. It was gathered that he was among the medical team of five staff, including a foreign doctor, which conducted the surgery. There was confusion in the hospital as members of the medical team were struck by a strange ailment, few hours after the operation. It was said that all of them were stooling and vomitting. The nurse was said to have been rushed to the intensive care unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, when the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital could no longer handle the case, but he died later. Patients in the ICU ward of OAUTH were said to have been evacuated to disinfect the ward after Amu’s death.

‘Monarchs‘ll get good deal’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has assured monarchs that he will pay them five per cent statutory allowance from the local government allocation. He said, if elected, his administration will conduct local government elections within its first six months. The SDP candidate made this promise at the palace of the Sabiganna of Iganna, Oba Saliu Oyemonla Azeez, in Iwajowa Local Government Area. Makinde solicited the monarch’s support and prayer for the actualisation of the SDP’s “laudable and life-changing programmes”, stressing that his party “is committed to poverty eradication through job creation and women empowerment”. The monarch requested the multiplication of the campuses of Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, to engender development in the OkeOgun area. Former Saki Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, was recently upgraded to a full-fledged institution and renamed Oke-Ogun Polytechnic.

Ladoja faults INEC’s pact with NURTW •From left: Head of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Oyo State, Mrs Stella Dosumu; former Head, Rev. Benjamin Haruna; Public Relations Officer, Anslem Okonkwo and Zonal Coordinator, Southwest, Mrs Yedunmi Adenuga, at a stakeholders meeting in Ibadan...yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

‘PDP allegation baseless, specious’

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has described as idiotic, baseless and specious the allegation by Felix Oboagwina, speaking for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, that the APC wants to use teachers and civil servants to win the election. In a statement in Lagos by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said PDP is a sinking ship that now lives on a campaign of blackmail, forgeries and gossips. “We find the PDP allega-

tion as laughable considering the fact that the Lagos PDP has discovered that the false bubble on which it built its wild expectation of taking over Lagos has burst. “It is well known that today, the PDP is using amorphous groups to launder money as inducement for people to either surrender their voter cards or their numbers for ulterior motives during the election. “We know the groups, mainly Igbo groups and traders organizations, the PDP is using to buy and con the cards of voters and in due season

My brother didn’t lobby for INEC job, says Mimiko NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has denied the rumour that his sibling, Prof Olufemi Mimiko, is eyeing the chairmanship of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Prof Mimiko recently completed his term as Vice Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), AkungbaAkoko. There have been speculations over the move by the Presidency to sack the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega and replace him with Prof Mimiko. Speaking to reporters yesterday in Akure, the state capital, the governor said:”I don’t know where the propaganda came from. It is not true; my brother did not apply for INEC job. “Let me tell you, it is just

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

propaganda from the opposition. If this is true, I should be in the best position to know. I don’t know what they want to gain from the rumour. “President Jonathan had also denied that Prof Jega is to be removed from office, so it is a lie. Prof Mimiko did not apply or lobby for INEC job. On the statement credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo that President Goodluck Jonathan deliberately shifted the polls to scuttle democracy, the governor said the evidence on ground could not support the postulation of the former president. According to him, INEC was not adequately prepared for the election, especially in the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards.

we shall reveal the groups and individuals involved in this shady practice. “We urge Lagosians to disregard the diversionary allegations of the PDP and monitor closely some groups and individuals who are inducing innocent people all over Lagos. “We alert the good people of Lagos about this development and urge them to watch closely the activities of these PDP mercenaries in their neighbourhoods. “Nigeria is on the verge of change and Lagos remains the hotbed of this progres-

sive movement and cannot afford to go on a reverse gear by patronising a party seen as a global brand for failure and corruption. “We urge Lagosians to remain firm and resist PDP and the kind of notorious propaganda with which it hopes to con an extension of its woeful regime. “We urge eternal vigilance as the PDP tries every trick including such lies as the one we are refuting here for them to continue to stay in power and further their single agenda which is the total ruination of Nigeria for the selfish interest of its members.”

Leave Lagos alone, SURE-P warned

WO GROUPS- Civil Rights Agenda (CRA) and the Lagos Peace Initiative (LPI) - have warned the Federal Government against turning Lagos into a “police state”. The groups said Subsidy Re-Investment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) operatives should be cautioned. In a statement by Segun Adamolekun (CRA) and Gloria Anozie (LPI), the groups said: “They should be called to order as they are disturbing the peace of the state, intimidating Lagosians and preventing them from going about their business with an intention to turn it into a place where terror, disorderliness and impunity reign. ”Why is it always that when election is around the corner these strange men in black come around to disturb the peace of Lagos? We have not recorded their presence in other states. “It beats our imagination, why Lagos, the economic and commercial heartbeat of Nigeria, is treated with such illegality. “If really they want to add value to Lagos, they should go to Apapa Port, which investors have deserted due to several years of neglect by the Federal Government and return it to the good old days. “They should also go to tackle the massive neglect of Federal Government property scattered all over Lagos and the massive environmental degradation caused by Petroleum Farm Tanks in Apapa Ijora and other places.”

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

HE governorship candidate of Accord in Oyo State, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, has faulted the decision of the state’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to engage the services of commercial drivers in conveying election materials to voting centres. Ladoja, who spoke through his campaign organisation, condemned the choice, describing it as “an unholy alliance” between INEC and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). He said it was a call for anarchy. The campaign group, in a statement by its DirectorGeneral, Adeolu Adeleke, said the arrangement to use buses belonging to NURTW members to convey INEC officers during elections was suspicious. Adeleke said the arrangement was not only wrong on account of NURTW members being loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but also endangers the integrity of the results of the elections. “We want to advise the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rufus Akeju, not to centralise the hiring of buses; rather, the electoral officer in each local government council should be given the opportunity to hire buses without any condition attached to it. “We want the REC to conduct free and fair elections and warn him not to engage in any activity that will change the will of the people, as any attempt to do this will be strongly resisted.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2014

NEWS Umahi denies involvement in freezing accounts From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

BONYI State Deputy Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dave Umahi, has denied a rumour that he was behind the freezing of the state’s accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He said the report was unfounded and tailored to paint the candidate in a bad light. EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) are reportedly investigating the state government’s finances. An aide to Umahi and the Director, Media and Publicity of his Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation, Abia Onyike, said the anti-graft agencies had the constitutional duties of checking corrupt practices at all levels of government. He stressed that the reported freezing of local governments accounts and the inability of the government to pay the salaries of local government workers could not have been caused by Umahi or his supporters. Onyike said the freezing of council’s accounts and finances should not be a reason for the non-payment of workers’ salaries. He said: “There has always been a standing rule, which stipulates that workers’ payment should be set aside during such exercise. The banks involved in the exercise have been directed to ensure that workers’ salaries are paid as and when due.” Onyike urged workers to find out the true position of things from the banks.

APGA women decry attack on Obiano, Umeh W

OMEN for Good Governance (WGG), a group in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has condemned the attack on Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, Chief Victor Umeh and other members of the APGA campaign team at Agulu in Anaocha Local Government. Obiano, APGA senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Umeh and other members went to the hometown of former Governor Peter Obi to campaign when youths attacked them, destroying their vehicles and billboards. The group decried the attack, describing it as despicable, detestable, reprehensible and repugnant to democratic ethos. It alleged that it was the handiwork of desperate politicians.

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

A statement on behalf of the group by its coordinator, Mrs. Grace Chike, called for an end to such an action, which it said was not in the interest of democracy. The statement reads: “We wonder why failed politicians should hire and hoodwink youths in Agulu to stone Governor Obiano, APGA senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Chief Umeh and supporters campaigning in the area. They destroyed vehicles and billboards. “We frown at this primitive, do-or-die politics in this era of issue-based civilised politicking.”

The body also condemned the attack on the party’s campaign team of former Minister of Information Labaran Maku, who is gunning for the Nassarawa State governorship on APGA’s platform. It described it as the height of irresponsible politics. WGG said those behind the attack were afraid of the ex- minister’s popularity and grassroots support, which had changed political equation in the state, alleging that the cabal that held the state hostage since 1999 sponsored the attack to intimidate Maku. “The former minister has remained focused and will never be distracted by frustrated politicians with no vision for a greater

Nassarawa State.” The APGA women said they were shocked by the destruction of four campaign offices and 15 vehicles of the party’s governorship candidate, Sani Shinkafi, in Zamfara State. They wondered why APGA candidates had become target of violence. The women said: “This is man’s inhumanity to man and a giant step backward in our democratic process. We demand a stop to this madness. Let the word go out to the perpetrators of this crime and their sponsors that APGA is a mass movement and a change agent that cannot be crushed by disgruntled elements. If the objective is to quench APGA’s progressive flame, it has failed. We demand a stop to this dangerous political naivety.”

Widows, orphans feted

HE Executive Secretary of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and the President of Grassroots Women/ Widows and Orphans Improvement Project (GWOIP), a non-government organisation (NGO), Mrs. Fausat Hassan-Olajoku, has explained why her organisation feted grassroots widows and orphans every Valentine’s Day. Addressing reporters at a special prayer/seminar for women on Valentine’s Day, she said the NGO gathered widows to show them love, since they were the most neglected in the society. Mrs. Hassan-Olajoku said the neglect the women suffered, especially on a special day as February 14, prompted her to fete them on the day. The council boss, who is also a widow, said her passion for the less-privileged motivated her to start the project in 1998 when her husband was still alive, as she gathered over 200 widows to start the project. Her words: “Today is a day set aside for lovers. But where do we go, who will take us out, who will celebrate Valentine’s Day with us? So, instead of staying at home

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

alone, thinking or mourning our dead husbands, I decided to gather these women so that we can pray together for our children, ourselves and our dead husbands. “Not only that, we need to have fun together. We do what our husbands would have done for us. We give ourselves gifts. I did not know my husband would die when I initiated the idea. After he was killed by gunmen, I continued. This is how far we have gone.” Mrs. Hassan-Olajoku urged the affluent to care for the less-privileged. She solicited assistance from well-meaning Nigerians to give widows’ children and orphans scholarships and empower widows, as she had been doing over the years. Some of the beneficiaries, who are members of the organisation, Deaconess Ronke Olayinka and Mrs. Florence Adeola Oke, hailed the council boss for her generosity. They solicited the support of other privileged Nigerians. A nutritionist, Isi Oboh, educated the women on how to live a healthy lifestyle. There are over 210 women in the group.

‘My husband is not stingy’ By Jeremiah Oke

HE wife of the Oyo State governorship candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs. Angela Folarin, yesterday described her husband as a generous man, who empowered people. She said the indigenes erroneously judged him, based on the rumours by his foes. Mrs. Folarin, who spoke at a meeting with the delegates of the National Professionals and Business Group, at the Pentorice Guest House, Bodija, Ibadan, listed some of her husband’s achievements when he was a senator. She said he was an introvert and a silent achiever, who believed in the state’s development rather than making a noise about his achievements. The wife of the former Senate leader noted that it was unfortunate that people refused to understand that major projects, such as building of roads, creation of jobs and other huge projects, were the responsibilities of the state and federal governments, adding that lawmakers could only facilitate them in their constituencies, which her husband did. The Coordinator of the group in Oyo State, Mr. Enitan Olaide-John, said the meeting was to harness relationship with the standard-bearer of the PDP in the state, adding that the body saw potential in him.

•The Convener of Musical Youth Fiesta Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and students of Leadership Academy For Girls, during February Class, at Rehoboth House, Yaba, Lagos...yesterday

Nyako seeks NJC’s probe of alleged judgment arrest

ORMER Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the alleged arrest of a judgment in his suit challenging his impeachment. Nyako, in two separate petitions to the commission dated February 13, said verdict in the case was ready only for it to be suspended. Justice Bilikisu Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Yola, had fixed February 12 for judgment after parties argued and adopted their briefs. But the verdict was not de-

By Joseph Jibueze

livered as scheduled as the court’s Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim allegedly withdrew the case-file following a petition. Urging the NJC to urgently investigate the matter, Nyako through his lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, said his client believes there is a bid to frustrate the case. Nyako was impeached last year shortly after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC).

His deputy, Bala Ngilari, who remained in PDP, was said to have resigned moments before the House impeached Nyako, while the Speaker, Abubakar Fintiri was sworn-in as acting governor. However, Federal High Court in Abuja declared Ngilari’s purported resignation as unlawful and ordered Fintiri to vacate office as acting governor, following which Ngilari was sworn in as governor. Nyako had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before Justice Aliyu in Yola to contest the propriety

of his impeachment after a similar suit in Lagos was struck out. “Why would Justice Auta not want the reserved judgment delivered contrary to his recent admonition to judges of the court at a workshop that political cases should be dispensed with before elections?” Ogungbeje wrote. According to Nyako, NJC should unravel why a judgment should be withdrawn based on a petition, wondering what allegations could be so weighty as to suspend a judgment for.

Shell to execute N1b Oloibiri health project

HELL has inked an agreement with the General Electric for the execution of a N1 billion health project, as part of three initiatives to mark 100 years of Nigeria’s nationhood. The project, which is phased over three years, aims to provide affordable and quality health care delivery through a population-wide approach in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The project will involve the delivery of care through a network of four primary health centres and one general

hospital using a Health System Strengthening model. It will also involve the establishment of a health research centre at Oloibiri to disseminate best practice for replication. A project steering committee has been set up, comprising representatives of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), the General Electric, Bayelsa State Government, Federal University, Otuoke and Ogbia Local Government Council. “The Oloibiri project is one of the single biggest

social investment initiatives we have undertaken in the Niger Delta and underlines our commitment to a better future for the people there,” said SPDC Managing Director & Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, at the signing ceremony in Lagos. “We’re looking to see a holistic community health improvement in poverty alleviation, water and sanitation, safe/clean housing and household renewable energy among many others,” he added. The incoming SPDC MD and Country Chair, Shell

Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, agreed. “This is a game changer in the provision of health care in the Niger Delta,” he said. Also reacting, Lazarus Angbazo President & CEO General Electric, Nigeria, added: “We’re pleased to act as implementing partner on a project that will significantly touch lives and improve the lot of community people.” The Commissioner of Health Dr. Ayibatonye Owei and the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, pledged their support for the project.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

10 bankers declared wanted for alleged T N125m fraud HE Police yesterday declared wanted 10 bankers over an alleged N125.1 million fraud scam. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the names and photographs of the suspects have been pasted on the notice board of the zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos. The command’s spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Gbenga Adeoye, told NAN in Lagos, that it was normal for the police to declare

wanted anybody suspected of crime. “It is normal for the police to declare wanted anybody who refused to make himself available after committing crimes such as fraud, jump bail or murder. “When we declare anybody wanted, the photograph, names and contact address of the sus-

pected fellow will be pasted in the police formation for easy identification of his or her arrest,” Adeoye said. The suspects who are at large, were being investigated over alleged forgery and obtaining money by false pretence, he said. A warrant of arrest has been

duly obtained from a Magistrate’s Court in Lagos State against the suspected fraudsters. NAN gathered that the suspects conspired with others to obtain financial facilities of N15, 055, 541; N10, 894, 478 and N24, 597, 628. Other amounts are N9,983,195; N11,114,992; N12,231,958; N8,663,833; N10,827,561; N5,657,937 and N15,054,383, respectively, from a Bank. The suspects are between the ages of 34 and 48.

How my son was killed, by mother

MOTHER is still in agony over the death of her son last December 24. Mrs Gift Ilaya (37) said her son, Sunday was allegedly stabbed to death by his friend, Nnabaike Enwerem, in the presence of the suspect’s father. The suspect’s father, she claimed, also witnessed the incident. Mrs Ilaya is seeking financial assistance from Nigerians for her son’s burial. The 21-year-old Sunday, who was a welding apprentice, was allegedly stabbed in the neck. Mrs Ilaya, who deals in cat fish, said since the incident, she had been left to her fate, alleging that Nnabaike’s parents have fled. She said: “Since his corpse was deposited at a morgue in Badagry, I have been paying N5000 monthly. I am a struggling woman; I am broke now. I don’t have anyone who can help me. I still have five other children who I cater for. I want people to help me with money so I can bury my son. It is so sad that my son, who was brutally murdered, is still lying in the

By Basirat Braimah

mortuary almost two months after.” Speaking with The Nation at her Ajangbadi, Lagos residence yesterday, she recounted the circumstances surrounding the death of her son: “A man who operates a bakery in our area asked some children in the area to gather firewood for him. Upon completion of the task, he gave them money in appreciation of their efforts. However, Nnabaike decided to share the money unevenly. My son was angered and questioned the rationale behind the sharing formula. In the process, they started fighting and I was told he hit my son in the eyes with a torch. “Nnabaike and his father later came to our house. While his father was accusing my son of fighting his son, Nnabaike suddenly came from behind and stabbed my son in the neck with a kitchen knife. He was then rushed to Delta Medical Hospital, Ajangbadi, where he died. “Sunday had always lived with my mother in Edo State. He had spent only three years in Lagos

•The late Sunday

before the incident occurred. I don’t know what happened between them. We are friends of the Enwerems. They ate and slept together. We have been living in this community for over six years and we have not had issues with anyone.” The chairman, Isoko Leading

‘Fake engine oil in market’ By Sulaiman Salawudeen

ONSUMER Rights Awareness, Advancement and Advocacy Initiatives (CRAAAI) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have raised the alarm over the circulation of adulterated engine oil in some. A statement by CRAAAI Executive Director Moses Igbrude, said unscrupulous manufacturers and business persons were “smiling to the banks from the proceeds made from adulterated engine oil while the nation suffers”. Igbrude said the importance of engine oil, otherwise called lubricant, could not be overstated as “it is the substance which keeps engines running.” “Regrettably however, unpatriotic business persons and manufacturers are threatening our economy through the manufacture and distribution of adulterated engine oil, which is eroding value, creating crises of confidence and raising doubts on safety issues,” he said. CRAAAI said it would hold an awareness seminar with SON on the issue.

•The deceased’s mum, Mrs Ilaya

Group, Ajangbadi, Friday Awodita said efforts to locate the Enwerem family have been futile. "They shouldn't have neglected us. I heard they have been bribing the policemen to free their son. I hope the police will not compromise on allowing justice to reign," he said.

•SON DG Joseph Odumodu

were in celebration mood. The papers were complete. Unfortunately, on December 26, operatives of ZSARS led by SP Peter Gana trailed us to Ibadan and caught us where we were waiting for the buyer. We did not know that they had been trailing us. The buyer and one of our gang members escaped.” Abib, who is from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was also a commercial bus driver. “My role when we were doing one chance work was to sit at the back seat of our operational bus

and pretend as a passenger to attract other passengers. I helped to carry the drunken man out of his jeep to the ground.” The third suspect Ramoni, from Igesan Village in Ogun State, is the gang’s bus conductor. Ayinde, an automobile technician said, he did not join them for the “one-chance” operations. He said: “I only participated in car snatching. It was Abib that laid him beside the gate where he continued to sleep. My role is to search victims and collect their money, laptops, phones.”

Four suspected robbers arrested

UCK has run out against four of the eight-man gang that allegedly snatched a black Acura MDS Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in Ajegunle, Lagos, last December. The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Zonal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (ZSARS) in Olorunsogo, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital when they attempted to sell the vehicle. They are Idowu Ibrahim, 26, Rasak Abib, 25, Saheed Ramoni, 25, and Azeez Ayinde, 25. The officer in charge of ZSARS, Peter Gana, a superintendent of police (SP), while parading the suspects, said the vehicle belonging to Orhomuro Michael was snatched while the owner was driving into his house. Their armourer, Toheeb, and driver, Michael, are at large. Ibrahim who hails from Ajashe in Kwara state, was a commercial driver on the OshodiMile 2 route, before he took to the underworld through what is known as one-chance’. He said: “We used to select passengers to enable us overpower our victims especially women. We did not use gun that time rather we used motor jack which we manipulated as gun to intimidate our victims. We did not beat or torture our victims and we did not push any victim out of our operational bus on motion. We used to operate only on Tuesdays and Fridays and each trip fetched us between N20, 000 and N50,000.

‘ Wethatdiscovered he was

drunk and deep asleep and we carried him down and laid him by the gate and zoomed off with his jeep around 4am. We took the jeep to Ibadan and sold it for N280, 000 when the market price is N2.5 million

’

By Ebele Boniface

“I resigned when I was arrested and charged to court because one of our victims (a woman) recognised our operational conductor Michael when we carried her and robbed her. Police came with Michael and arrested me. When I came back from prison, I decided to be snatching phones, jewelry, laptops and we have been succeeding. “On December 24, as we were going about along Kadosu Street

•The suspects...yesterday

in Ajegunle, we saw a man inside his jeep sleeping and well parked at his gate. We thought that his people refused to open the gate for him because he returned home late. When we got closer to him, we discovered that he was drunk and deep asleep and we carried him down and laid him by the gate and zoomed off with his jeep around 4am. We took the jeep to Ibadan and sold it for N280, 000 when the market price is N2.5 million. It was during Christmas period. The road was free and people

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

CITYBEATS Man suspected of kidnapping seven kids escapes lynching

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

•The bus

UT for providence, a technician would have been Iynched in Lagos last weekend by a mob that thought he abducted the eight children in his bus. Gabriel Chima’s son was among the children, his explanation that he did not kidnap the boys was ignored by the mob. His nose was bruised and his bus vandalised. The incident occurred in Ijegun, Lagos, about 6pm last Friday when he went out the children to deliver some goods. Recounting his ordeal at the Isheri-Oshun Police Station, Chima, whose shop is on Prince Road, Tunde Akinsola Street, Ijegun, said he agreed to assist another shop owner Charles Asoku, to deliver cartons of whitening liquid at Ijegun market. His words: “It was my own bus and whenever business is dull, I go out in the evenings, plying Jakande Gate and Ijegun. I would go a few rounds be-

•Chinma By Sulaiman Salawudeen

fore retiring home. These days, PHCN has been dealing with us in the area generally and I have to make ends meet. When my neighbour told me to assist him, I accepted as I have been doing for him and some others before. I did not suspect I was wrong or that the children’s coming with us that day was a disaster in waiting.” He said while packing the cartons inside the bus, his son and seven of his friends joined in the packing and “after we finished, my son jumped into the bus, insisting on following me”. Chima said: “When I saw that his friends who had worked with him equally came into the bus, I did not feel like disallowing them. We went out together. We had delivered about 50 cartons of the liquid substance at a place and was going to the second for the remaining seven when the police stopped me for a check”.

He said it was while talking with the police that some hoodlums emerged from nowhere, calling him “a kidnapper who the police should not be allowed to take away and later released as they usually do”. The mob, he said, ignored his explanation that he is not a kidnapper, adding: “They punched me severally, in the process of which I lost my phone and some amount of money. “I told them (the police) the seven boys were friends of my own son who was in the bus. But before the police could allow me to go, these boys came from nowhere, slapping and beating me. They almost took control if not for the bravery of the police. “When the two officers could not control the situation, they called for additional men from the IsheriOshun Police Station who soon came, firing bullets into the air and releasing tear gas canisters. If the police had not done this, to-

day I should be a dead man. The hoodlums really wanted to lynch a kidnapper,” he added. Sources, however, said Chima initially refused to stop for a search when the police flagged him down. The source said: “The man caused all that happened. The report I had was that he refused to stop when the police stopped him. This caused some suspicion and raised concerns. It was actually this development that attracted the hoodlums who almost lynched him”. Clarifying that no one had been arrested in connection with the attack, the source warned the people against flouting police orders, especially at check points. “Why will anyone not stop when ordered to do so? There are so many dangers in it. If this man had been lynched, he would have shared in the blame, although it is wrong for people to take laws into their hands as well,” the officer said. The seven children hace been re-united wittheir parents and the bus released to the owners.

•President, Alliance for Reformation and Action (IARA) Ibukunoluwa Durosinmi (2nd left); Speaker, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Hassan Adeola (3rd left); Chairman caretaker committee Ojo local government, Ariyo Oseni Gbolahan (4th left); Coordinator, Ambode-Adebule Youth Forum, Lagos State University wing Ogungbe Moruf Olawale; President AOCOED Student Union Government Ojoare Waheed and Awesu Olaniyi with other members, presenting a letter of endorsement for All progressive Congress (APC) candidates to Gbolahan at Ojo Local Government.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

PAGE 15

Pg. 16

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY16, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

NNPC’s forensic audit •FG should publish the report in full if it has nothing to hide

OR a corporation long known to be inured to shame and probity, it comes as no surprise that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would mount an orgy of self-exculpation barely hours after the AuditorGeneral of the Federation, (AuGF), Samuel Ukura, made public the highlights of the PriceWaterHouse Coopers (PwC) forensic audit report on the alleged missing $20 billion. Not even a key highlight of the PwC report asking NNPC and its subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to refund “a minimum of $1.48bn,” to the Federation Account, it seems, could suffice to temper the corporation’s mission in self-justification and image laundering. By the way, were the NNPC to be any guilty of the aforementioned, the Jonathan administration would be just as complicit for allowing the corporation to go public with the cherry-pick even as Nigerians are denied the opportunity of seeing the entire document. To be sure, the PwC can claim to have delivered on its mission of investigating the shortfall in remittances to the Federation Account as alleged by the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. What remains at issue is whether the process – from duration to the point of submission – has resolved the riddle of the missing $20 billion. We have no difficulties in stating the obvious – which is that the entire process is, as would be expected in the circumstance, highly disappointing. To start

with, it is worth noting that the report is actually coming four months late. Given that the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had stated in April last year that the firm had 16 weeks to do the job, the report ought to have been submitted last September. Without the relentless pressure mounted by various segments of the Nigerian society, it seems unlikely that the report which the administration is now so eager to claim some credit for would have seen the light of the day. That the administration finally caved in would owe in part to the fact that the general elections are only a few weeks from now; and the nigh impossibility of being able to fob off questions about the scandal. Of greater interest to us however is what President Goodluck Jonathan has chosen to do after receiving the report. Ordinarily, given the intense public interest generated in the wake of the allegations, we would have expected the administration (ever so eager to prove that it had nothing to hide) would cause the findings to be published to enable citizens – at whose behest the investigation was undertaken – draw their own conclusions. Rather, the President opted to hand the report to the AuGF with a directive to the latter to publish its highlights. The point really is that things have gone beyond the attempt to cherry-pick the report. Asking the AuGF to do what is no more than an executive summary, aside being opportunistic, is hardly helpful to the cause of establishing the truth. Moreover, audit reports are by their na-

ture public documents. Why the Jonathan administration would choose to treat it as a matter covered by the Official Secrets Act is hard to comprehend; just as the notion that Nigerians cannot comprehend let alone draw their independent conclusion is absurd. As for the order by Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke to the NNPC to pay the outstanding $1.48 billion due to the Federation Account, we consider it superfluous and utterly condescending. Clearly, the magisterial directive merely confirms what is today known as the farce going on at the petroleum ministry where the minister doubles as sole administrator. Until the nation is availed the entire PwC report, we would expect the NNPC and the petroleum ministry to spare Nigerians the distractions.

‘Ordinarily, given the intense public interest generated in the wake of the allegations, we would have expected the administration (ever so eager to prove that it had nothing to hide) would cause the findings to be published to enable citizens – at whose behest the investigation was undertaken – draw their own conclusions’

PVCs or nothing •It is inconceivable that PDP kicks against using the cards even after securing postponement

HIS seems like the election that will change all elections in Nigeria. If this election holds eventually, it is poised to serve as a watershed both for Nigeria’s democracy, her electoral processes and even the structure and fundaments of the Nigerian state. We make this postulation based on the high-wire tension the 2015 elections have generated and particularly, the seeming desperation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In the annals of Nigeria’s elections, it is not often that the party in power gets fidgety and shows obvious signs of panic suggesting the imminence of defeat. This is what Nigerians have witnessed in the run-up to this election. First, the presidency and PDP had to corral the rest of the country into shifting the long-fixed Election Day dates just one

‘There was unanimity among all stakeholders that Nigeria must migrate from the old, unreliable, analogue and temporary voters’ card (TVC) to the vastly improved PVC. It is therefore troubling that the ruling party would begin to question the use of the PVCs after it had secured an adjournment which gives INEC ample time to distribute the cards ...’

week before. Though they denied it, it was obvious that the party in power noticed a high-wave momentum; it feared defeat and the only option available to it was to force a postponement. It hid under the pretext of a weak security situation and the supposed unpreparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Having forced its way to secure a shift in the polls, why does the PDP and presidency seek to distress the process further by introducing more extraneous conditions? Barely a few days after the postponement of the polls was announced, the ruling party started calling for the rejection of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs)! All parties, and the National Assembly had agreed ab initio that the PVCs must be used for the elections. The reasons are as simple as they are obvious: the PVC is a digital and advanced method of casting ballot; it has biometric properties thus less susceptible to rigging; it is a permanent device as the name suggests and provides a permanent and easy to manage voters’ database, among other benefits. There was unanimity among all stakeholders that Nigeria must migrate from the old, unreliable, analogue and temporary voters’ card (TVC) to the vastly improved PVC. It is therefore troubling that the ruling party would begin to question the use of the PVCs after it had secured an adjournment which gives INEC ample time to distribute the cards – a matter that had been the sore point of INEC’s prepara-

tions and a major plank presented for the postponement. According to reports in national newspapers quoting a presidency source: “We are not comfortable with the card readers. For example, we have not seen any and we don’t know how it works? We have not even been told they would not fail. And if they fail what would happen? I think the issue of card readers must be re-examined.” While we agree with some of the concerns, especially as regards functionality of the card readers and the need to have carried out extensive test-runs, we must point out that all the parties would be affected equally. Secondly, if it is not borne out of bad faith, we do not expect the ruling party to embark on a media campaign in condemnation of INEC. There must be better ways to correct lapses in the activities of the nation’s electoral umpire. A periodic meeting of all stakeholders and INEC could be convened for instance, to thrash issues that arise as preparations get on to high gears. The Presidency and the ruling PDP, we must admonish, need to recognise that they owe the country a duty to see to it that an acceptable general elections are held as scheduled. The consequences of mismanaging this election are too grave to be contemplated. Let it be noted that it shall be on record that it was during the era of a certain President Goodluck Jonathan and his ruling party that a general election failed and the country imploded. History will be unkind to them.

Open letter to President Jonathan

IR: Dear President, please pardon me for writing you at this tense political moment in our country history, a time when you have serious political campaigning to do. Obviously this is not the best time to write this kind of letter but I feel compelled to write after the postponement of the general elections and the backlash that followed. In 2010, we watched you do your thing as leader of our republic; and as has been the reality over the past five years of your rule, there are as many people singing your praises as there were those excoriating you for all that is not right with our beloved country. We have been listening to speech after speech from you where you invariably promise us a better life, better leadership, corruption-busting, jobs, a better economy, freedom, justice and a “new” Nigeria where young people can aspire and prosper. Indeed, our hopes as Nigerians are that we would finally get to have a feel of the good life during your administration, and not endure the pain and indignity of watching our relatives, friends and acquaintances living in other countries doing well and showing off to us. Among other things we hoped for after your historic election in 2011 were: fixing the potholes on our roads, constant electricity supply your promised would be achieved within a few years, among others. But you failed to meet our aspiration and the pain of the populace has become unbearable, making your departure through the ballot box almost a certainty. But you should leave honourably instead of trying to buy time by postponing the election. The postponement will do you no favour; surely. If the army could not defeat the insurgents in six years, then only a fool would believe six weeks extension will be the answer. Even the super powers have not defeated any kind of rebellion in six weeks. Dear President, we all remember how you promised to create job opportunities for Nigerians. What you rather did was sending our beloved graduates to their early graves. The immigration recruitment tragedy is something that I will never forget, and the families of the departed souls can’t wait to avenge their loss through the ballot box come March 28. You may want to know that many of my colleagues who graduated same year you were elected president are still unemployed, and they have also failed to secure loans to start their own businesses. Their percentage on the total numbers of eligible voters may be small, but they have resolved to ensure it makes the needed difference come March 28. Rightly or wrongly, many people see you as the catalyst behind their success or failure, and I understand it could be difficult carrying the burden of having to make the wishes of over 170 million people come true. I do not have much to ask, but that you keep your promise of handing over come May 29, if you lose the election. Our desire is to try something new, something different from the PDP. And no amount of bribery can stop it; we need to save the future of our children and that of the unborn generation. All eyes are on you this year, as they have been for the past five years, hoping that we finally say goodbye to your government that has brought us so many agonizing and painful experiences; we have had enough of impunity, fake promises, insecurity, and unemployment that has become the trademark of your administration. • Comrade Ahmed OmeizaLukman, Kiev Ukraine

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: There are so many reasons for Nigerians to seek to discontinue with the present led PDP administration. It is unfortunate that few Nigerians still view the nation’s problems through the lenses of religion, region or ethnicity. At a time other nations struggle to develop and get out of problems, many of our citizens are stuck with religion, ethnicity and regionalism. It is the same way that some people are no longer hopeful that the abducted 219 Chibok girls by the terrible Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram will be found. For me however, I believe that a serious government with commitment and zeal can locate and bring back the girls. Since April 2014, when these little girls were abducted in Chibok, I have been unhappy with the manner the government of

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Buhari win would save Nigerians from trauma President Goodluck Jonathan handled the situation. The president who could not visit Chibok to sympathise with parents of the girls recently went to Maiduguri to campaign for his reelection. Several times, our security chiefs have complained of shortage of manpower to tackle the terrorists but they have battalions of soldiers to escort the president to campaign. Even though most politicians appear not to be trustworthy, I have the hope that if Buhari wins,

we would experience tangible changes in governance. I do not mean that Buhari is perfect but there are enough signs that he would be a better leader than President Jonathan. The future of several brilliant Nigerians continues to be dashed because of uncaring PDP-led government. There is no genuine development masterplan for the country, so to say. I hope that the APC candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari will win the next presidential elections

Poll shift, a setback to democracy

IR: There is no doubt that the recent postponement of the forthcoming elections by the Independent Nation Electoral Commission (INEC), through the manipulation of the Presidency and the PDP, constitute a serious setback to democracy. It is an embarrassment of an immense proportion that an election packaged many years ago could be shifted through the manipulation of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP. It is a greater embarrassment that the security agencies that did not oppose the conduct of elections all along were suddenly alleged to have renounced their constitutional and statutory duties to provide security for the nation, its inhabitants and their activities including the pending elections. The postponement of the election is an affront on Nigerians and a threat to democracy, infact it is a coup against democracy and the constitution of Nigeria. The postponement is not only

provocative but extremely disappointing. Fearing that the PDP and its Presidential Candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan may not survive the Feb 14 polls, INEC was cleverly manipulated to shift the polls through the alleged memorandum from security chiefs that they could not guarantee the protection of the election process. The elections have therefore been moved six weeks forward from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11. Majority of Nigerians clamouring for change with the hope of replacing the under-performing PDP government with that manned by the APC under the Buhari Presidency are disappointed. If President Jonathan was hopeful of winning the elections, he would not have done sabotaged it. Let it be known that the PDP has only postponed the evil day, as nothing can change the peoples perspective about the lack-lustre performance of President Jonathan for the past six years and that of the PDP for the past 16 years. Six weeks will not therefore rub-off

all the evidences of bad governance ravaging the land such as insecurity, corruption, acute poverty and decay of all essential infrastructures. Never has a properly scheduled election been postponed in its journey of over 100 years. Nigeria has worked hard to rescue Liberia, Congo and Sierra Leone from the quagmire of destruction in the past, but the same country is now being rescued by a landlocked Chad. What a greater irony that the same security agents that could not muster forces to quell the insurgents in the North-east is now battle ready in six weeks to restore Nigerians hopes and aspirations. We must also appeal to INEC to take all necessary measures such as the total distribution of the permanent voter’s cards to enable all eligible citizens including those displaced to exercise their civil right to vote in the elections. •Sen. Olorunnimbe Farukanmi, Iju, Ondo State

on March 28. Nigerians are tired of the empty promises of the PDP administration. The wind of change has been blowing steadily in the past few months hence the PDP has become scared and frustrated. It is unfortunate that government that cannot protect its citizens still wants to remain in power at all costs. IR: I MUST begin by appreciating the efforts made so far by the federal government to ensure constant power supply in the country and at the same time be honest to say that the power supply in most parts of the country remains the same while some places even prefer what was obtainable before the privatization of the power sector. Permit me to use Mpape, one of the communities in Abuja as a case study. Power supply in Mpape, Abuja is getting worse day by day most especially at the Mashafa Community by Okada Junction. If what residents of Mpape are experiencing now is worse than what we experienced when PHCN was yet to be privatized, then, what is the essence of privatization? For example, some residents of Mpape, get one day of power supply, two days off. That should not have been a serious issue except that we are always having power supply when people are already asleep on the only one day that we are supposed to have light. To be clear, whenever it is a day for us to get power supply, we do not have it until past midnight. How can anyone wake up at that late hour of the night to watch television, iron clothes and so on? Would they ever leave the light till daybreak so that we can make use

We need change at the centre. Every day, we live in fear of being kidnapped, killed or attacked by unseen enemies who live around us. Our citizens are psychologically traumatized by these daily killings, bombings as well as abductions of innocent people. We have heard the songs of change by APC presidential candidate, General Buhari. Nigerians are not prepared to take anything less than positive change the APC has promised. We are truly tired of mismanagement of our country’s resources . •Maryam Muhammed Kutigi , IBB University, Lapai, Niger State

Abuja Disco and Mpape residents of it? It seems Abuja Distribution Company (Disco) would never allow that. I have been living in Mpape all my life and so can confidently say that what we use to get from the PHCN when it was not privatized is better than what the Abuja Disco is offering us now. When we heard of PHCN privatization as proposed by the federal government, we were very happy thinking that privatization is going to wipe away our tears of epileptic power supply. Now we are wrong. The privatization of PHCN is now giving us double tears. We are still paying for what we haven’t gotten. We are yet to get something new, something different, something better, something befitting even though we were told that privatization of the PHCN would give us stable power supply. Time to tell ourselves the truth is now. We can’t continue living in darkness. We need light; we need stable power supply. Enough is enough. • Awunah Pius Terwase, Makurdi, Benue State

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

COMMENTS

Postponement: For blatant or sneaky rigging?

ERE all things tolerable allowed to run well without fear, by now, Nigerians would have been conscious of their fate in the next four years – either to remain static or be transformed in reality. But today, with obvious coalition of the unrighteous desperate politicians with security forces meant for all, the nation’s democracy is being undermined, with prospects remaining hesitant. The presidential election that was preordained for last Saturday was dreadfully apprehended by those who abruptly realized their probable defeat and deferred it to six weeks in pretension rather than in reality. The agenda now is to manipulate the will of the people and be declared winner at all cost. Initially, at the National Peace Committese meeting in Abuja, with authenticity in mind, there was assurance of preparedness and readiness for the general elections. The military high command guaranteed the nation of inclination to offer security for the elections, even when in truth military is not what is essentially needed to make election successful. With the excuse to be busy tackling the North East insurgency, there was still a guaranty of competence to ensure peace before, during and after elections. But barely three days after, the same promising service chiefs turned around their mission. In a letter to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), they countered their earlier pledge and declared inability to provide security for the elections due to the terrorism the military has failed to handle competently in the last years of the present administration. To them, it does not matter again that the identical mode of militancy that once stalled Bayelsa State and yet did not hinder elections in the rest of the country in 1999 should not be an justification in the three North East where 14 afflicted Local Government Areas (LGAs) by Boko Haram should not hinder elections in the same country of total 774 LGAs and 36 states. Almost the same ineffectual and pointless way, INEC which had consistently affirmed its preparedness and obligation to hold the elections as scheduled was enforced to sidetrack its claim for readiness. The Commission which had even reaffirmed at the National Council of States meeting 10 days ahead of its slated presidential election its contrary stand to the flowing apprehension across the nation and in the media that postponement of the elections on the appointed days was on the way – notwithstanding the atrocious brief of the service chiefs to the Council of their reminded security confrontation, conceded

the military incapability as becoming its own inability. It became fable that without the military, election cannot hold in a democratic nation. The service chiefs’ letter to INEC required deferment for “at least” six weeks. And that which was also the demand from the presidency became what was eventually granted. Can anyone be so perverse not to see that INEC had been intimidated, moreso with loud cries by President Goodluck Jonathan’s apologists that the Commission’s Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega should be fired? With the leaders of opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) now under security watch and the party’s presidential candidate Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) under plot on frivolous issues, it could not have been an inaccuracy that people are now becoming aware of how PDP used intimidation and arrests to rig the last governorship election in Ekiti State. It is divine revelation of the rigging desperado of the party and administration that has dumped Nigeria to the valley of lost glories. Acknowledged clueless government is struggling to remain squandering the resources meant for the goodness of the citizens the same way it is now occurring in Ekiti State, a land of honour till four months ago but now a state of political ruffians, criminals and vandals. Just go through Saharareporters’ website and watch the interview with the army captain that revealed the rigging plot in Ekiti. Then listen to the PDP gangsters’ discussions with the army chieftain. The plot of the adversaries of this nation’s advancement manifests the postponement of the elections as a manipulation through pedestrian service chiefs. Voting thievery failed to work in the Osun State gubernatorial election last August as the plot became abortive. Now again, those who do not want to be probed of their massive corruptions are frantic to use those who should defend peace as apparatus to shield rigging this general people’s voting. The way the political scandals tested and worked in Ekiti State might be what is now being recurred at the federal level. But that is where the pending storm might also start blowing and the president who has promised to surrender his seat if he loses being voted for would find course to enthrone himself to continue ruling against the people and God’s will. And that might be the further instigation of darker days of the country. Afterall, the authority in power could not see the immorality in militants Asari-Dokubo and Tompolo’s threats to impose war if President Jonathan is truly voted out. Take it or leave it, subversion of the democratic will of the people is surely at work with the electoral deferment to the time those in power want. It is saddening that the military and the security are now being used as weapons when they should be handling insurgency in a section of the country. The military chiefs still claiming to be “professional, apolitical and nonpartisan” are being drummed up to secure those not performing well in power and then detach the will of the people to change

OULD the controversial rescheduling of the country’s general elections have taken God by surprise? This question is worth contemplation in the context of the concept of divine intervention in politics. A few days before the rationalised rearrangement of the dates by the electoral authorities under the not-too-subtle influence of the political authorities, the Benin monarch, Oba Erediuwa, drew attention to the all-knowing attribute of the Almighty. Significantly, the occasion was a promotional visit by President Goodluck Jonathan to the king’s palace. The Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, who represented Oba Erediuwa, reportedly said: “God and our ancestors already know your (President Jonathan) aims; whoever God has chosen is our choice.” Who knows whom God has chosen? How is God expected to communicate the divine selection to the electorate? How will the voters be certain about the divine source of the endorsement? How true is the saying, “God does not play dice with the universe,” meaning “The course of all events is predetermined?” Does the introduction of God into politics amount to a mystification of the fundamentally unmystical? It was equally intriguing that former president Olusegun Obasanjo brought God into the picture. The former Board of Trustees chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was quoted as saying: “I have said I will not speak again regarding the forthcoming election until it is over. After the election, then we will talk. But as for me, I have spoken with my mouth, eyes, nose and other body languages. It is now left for your understanding.” He added: “Whichever one that you do not understand, I will just put it in prayers for you that God Himself may make you understand all that I have said fully.” It is interesting that Obasanjo expects God to do the work of clarification, not necessarily the work of communication. Or perhaps to put it more specifically, God is expected to clarify Obasanjo’s communication.

‘It is also possible to ask: Who do the people expect to solve these problems? It is fascinating that while the people seem to expect God to provide the solution, God most likely expects them to fix the problems themselves, especially since these problems are man-made and man-sustained’

‘Who does God expect to solve these problems?’ Speaking of clarity, the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, made a clear-cut presentation showing the country’s pathetic level of development in a lecture he delivered in Lagos to mark the 73 rd birthday of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye. In his talk titled “Harmonising virtues to gain heaven and earthly prosperity,” Osinbajo said: “Our challenges are poverty - 112 million extremely poor despite being the largest economy in Africa. We are one of 33 of the poorest countries in the world; infant mortality – 3.9 million children have died between 2009 and 2014; maternal mortality – 55, 000 women die every year; diarrheal diseases – 110,000 yearly deaths; literacy – 10.4 million children out of school; 80 per cent graduates jobless; corruption; missing funds – N2.6 trillion NNPC petroleum subsidy scam; $7 billion kerosene subsidy scam; $1 billion missing excess crude fund; 400,000 barrels of oil stolen everyday…” According to Osinbajo, “Our challenges present personal and communal obstacles to prosperity and happiness. Who does God expect to solve these problems? According to Mathew 5: 13-14, we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth…we are the solution to Nigeria’s problems.” It is reasonable and important to understand Osinbajo’s definition of the solution in a wider and all-encompassing sense beyond the narrowness of a particular faith or belief system. In other words, it should be clear that the victims and casualities of the social problems highlighted by Osinbajo belong to all religions and to no religion.

the wrong affairs of nation. What could not be attained in six years is now the excuse being laboured to accomplish in six weeks. Or why are more soldiers, police and security officers assigned to ensure peace in election when fewer of them with weaker arms are consigned to battle terrorists with assurance to win? If indeed Boko Haram can be demolished out of Sambisa forest and totally eliminated, that will be glorious and bring joy to all those who truly seek peace in this country. Yet, that might not be what will make President Jonathan victorious in the election until he begins to encourage the citizens to believe in his efficiency and sincerity to rid out corruption that will make life better for the masses. No matter the plots to maneuver, either through deliberate or tricky rigging, the political setback might not favour PDP’s campaign as more Nigerians are feeling the economic impact of downgrading oil prices and the tumbling naira currency through the bigger dimension of presidential associates operating in selfinterest. Feedback Re: Why Jonathan Should Not Return Thanks sir the write up is very apt; it’s the hunter’s call to a straying dog. God will give them a heart of flesh for peace to reign. - 2348033740233 You are biased in your write up. Who should be accused of desperation? The one who seized PVC of over 20million of nonindigenes voters or the one who wants fair play and due process? -2348037221570 The grace of the Almighty God we serve will see you through. Delay is not denial; no matter how long the night, the day will surely come. Our God who neither take bribe nor collect “oil block” will come to our rescue on March 28. Let’s keep hope alive, Nigeria! - Esther, Kaduna. We must get these elections right. Any mistake may cost us our future and that of our children. No more corruption. -Anonymous. The Bible says transgression increases as wickedness multiplies; but the righteous shall see their fall. Believers world over should pray along with Nigerians for God to allow His will to manifest - election shifting date or not. When the righteous are in authority, people rejoice while mourning gains currency when the wicked bears the rule. Should $20m, N30tr etc disappear and 1,000 people dying every month? Corruption, poverty, ignorance of elite and illiterate must be taken away. God is watching us. - Abiodun Erinfolami, Lokoja.

Indeed, the indiscriminate nature of these problems means that the solution providers must rise above discrimination. Didn’t Mahatma Ghandi say “God has no religion”? Certainly, the business of governance belongs to the secular space, which is not to say that it may not be influenced by the spiritual. Indeed, politics may benefit from spiritual enlightenment; given the reality that excessive materialism and materialist excesses exhibited by the political leadership have taken the country nowhere. The echo of Osinbajo’s striking and penetrating question just won’t go away: “Who does God expect to solve these problems?” It is also possible to ask: Who do the people expect to solve these problems? It is fascinating that while the people seem to expect God to provide the solution, God most likely expects them to fix the problems themselves, especially since these problems are manmade and man-sustained. Power to the people is a catch-phrase that must be actualised by the people themselves for meaningful change. Fundamentally, the country’s historically significant 2015 general elections represent an unquantifiable opportunity for the electorate to demonstrate not only discerning political consciousness but also confident mastery of its ultimate sovereignty. In other words, the elections are better appreciated as a People Power Project. The people have the power to vote for change. The question, therefore, is whether this would happen, not whether it could, because it is always a democratic possibility based on people capacity Against this background, probably the main the challenge facing the progressive camp in the countdown to the defining elections is people mobilisation, which will likely come with the difficulty of spreading political awareness and enlightenment as well as delivering the crucial message of the need for game-changing political action within a population that is usually fatalistically absorbent. Indeed, how far the people are ready to go to protect the sacredness of their votes will be decisive. It is always too easy to declare that the voice of the people is the voice of God. It may be more important to find out whether the voice of God is the voice of the people. The logic of divine good and perfection means that, in the final analysis, God’s intervention is always excellent and faultless. Based on this deduction, can the electorate logically enthrone an ungodly model in God’s name? When the voice of man is equal to the voice of God, there will be no room for the champions of corruption; there will be no space for the despisers of the dispossessed; there will be no atmosphere for power-drunk oppressors; there will be only the rule of the righteous.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

COMMENTS

N this column last week, I wrote on the title “Fleeing for their lives”. The article which came a few days before the now rescheduled general elections, had examined the seeming tension generated by events of that election. The tension was such that non-indigenes were reported to be fleeing to their ancestral homes for fear that harm my come their way. The matter generated so much concern that the Inspector General of Police had to intervene, reassuring the people of the capacity and preparedness of the security agencies to protect them wherever they may live. The summation of his message was that people should remain wherever they are as the security of their lives and property were assured. The article had appraised that assurance and its capacity to assuage the sensibilities of those fleeing. We had also looked at the phenomenon of people fleeing to their home states for fear of being attacked by their hosts; what these portends for nation-building and whether the outcome of the coming elections will have any direct bearing in redressing this fear. The summation of our position was that those things that give rise to the feeling that indigenes will vent their spleen on non-indigenes at the slightest provocation are the greatest challenges holding this country down. And as long as we have not shown any serious commitment to addressing them, so long will the problems of this country remain a recurring decimal. Elections may be won and lost. Those who win or lose may not make any real difference if there is little or no commitment on their own part to consign this “us versus them” syndrome to the dustbin of history. Our fears were heightened by the fact that the coming elections are rather raising these fears of insecurity, ethnic and primordial sensibilities to an all time high. The language of political discourse has not helped matters as we are inundated with threats from various groups

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Re: Fleeing for their lives and ethnic nationalities on the dire consequences that await the nation should one of theirs in the race for the presidency fail to win that election. So much have these threats raised fears that there are now speculations that this country may implode after the elections. And we ask, is election an end unto itself or a means to satisfy public good. If it is to attend to public good, why are people fleeing to their ancestral lands? And can we really build a united nation when these ethnic and primordial sensibilities have been reinforced by the unbridled quest by the constituent units for power at the center. One of my readers Adeniyi Akintola SAN was so moved by the issues raised by that write-up that he took time to send me text messages on his views on the matter. I found the views so serious and challenging that they are reproduced here for the benefit of the reading public. Now read on: “Fleeing they are and they will continue to flee. As it is today, it would be tomorrow until we embrace the two basic gifts to the world by the French which are assimilation and integration”. When you assimilate and integrate into the local culture without looking back into your biological origin, you blend easily

‘The truth is that your 200 years of settlement outside the place of your origin is not a safety valve. If in doubt, ask the Yorubas of Jos, the Igbos of Kano and the Hausas of Onitsha. Outside Nigeria, ask the British Asians of Uganda, the British farmers of Zimbabwe or even the Nigerian of Yoruba extraction in Ghana in the sixties. Even as late as 2013, the Mayor of London was heard complaining of the overbearing and domineering attitude of Nigerian settlers in South East London’

HE curious union between the ruling People Democratic Party, (PDP) and the Nigerian military is one that should bother every well meaning Nigerian. The unfolding drama of the absurd, which has led to a shift in the much anticipated general elections, certainly poses great threat to the advancement of the cause of democracy in the country. It is one that calls for extreme vigilance by all Nigerians as the current thickening plot and ploy to subvert the hardearned democracy in the country is, in every sense, akin to what was experienced in the run off to the abortive June 12,1993 presidential election and the eventual termination of the Third Republic. One is worried that the desperation and power-drunken tendencies which is our president is now exhibiting may set us back and make us suffer another round of socio-political disorder as was experienced during the June 12 debacle. This is because never in the history of the country’s democracy has the military become so overtly partisan as it is currently doing. It is a strange development in our democratic voyage that the military will be covertly involved in a ploy to blackmail an electoral body into putting off an election some days to it on the account that it cannot guarantee security. It sounds ridiculous and unbelievable, but it actually happened that a sitting president superintended the passing of “vote of no confidence” on his own government as its security institutions declared that they cannot guarantee the security of Nigerians. It is sufficiently nauseating that professionalism and morale in the Nigerian military have sunk to an all time low under the Jonathan government. One finds it quite ludicrous and treacherous that our President and his party are doing everything to drag the leadership of the military into their deadly game of evil political manipulation. Before now, the trend used to set Nigeria back was a heinous alliance between the PDP-led federal government and the police, with the intent of intimidating and harassing perceived political opponents. But now, with the way things are, it is glaring that the PDP is not satisfied with compromising the integrity of the Nigerian police. The military and all other security agencies have, stylishly, been dragged into their grand plan to perpetuate the party in power for 50 years as once predicted by one of its former chairmen. The signs are ominous and makes me wonder if Jonathan and his selfish collaborators are really considering the negative implication of this on our nationhood. The noxious union between the PDP-led federal government and the military top hierarchy is one that could actually jeopardise our democracy. This is why one finds it baffling that those who ought to read between line and promptly act as conscience of the nation seem not to really see any need

and become one of the locals. A Yoruba man living in Enugu who takes delight in celebrating the Oro festival is courting trouble ditto an Igbo resident who loves celebrating new yam or Ofala festival in Lagos has unwittingly set himself apart as a stranger for the day of trouble. The north-western part of the country is a model place of assimilation. The Abubakar Rimis, the Abacha’s, the Abdulkareems and the Adamus, etc assimilated very well into the culture of their place of birth and place of settlement. They propagate the interests and ethos of their place of abode and in some cases became more Catholic than the Pope in defending the interests and aspirations of their locals and their hosts. They respect the interests and wishes of the locals and never at any time showed any sign of superiority complex over their hosts. They assumed local names and imbibed their traditions. They never at any time looked back at their so-called place of origin. They bid bye, bye to the anachronistic town unions of their places of origin and before long became locals and indigenes of their places of abode. Before long, they were becoming governor in Sokoto, Kano and Kaduna. These people have no other towns, states or region they can flee to. In contrast, take a look at the settlement pattern of the ethnic nationalities in cities other their ancestral places. They set themselves apart. You hear of Sabo, Sabongari, Alaba, Nassarawa, Gwom and Janpanu in cities as Ibadan, Kano, Lagos, Jos and Sokoto. By these segregated settlements, the ethnic nationalities made themselves sitting duck in the event of the outbreak of violence. The locals know where the non indigenes reside in large numbers. Most non indigenes

monopolize certain trades at the expense of the locals and in some cases the locals are prevented or banned from engaging in those lines of trade. Of course the locals get bottled up and wait for the slightest opportunity for violence to descend on the “outsiders” most of who could have been third or fourth generation settlers. The truth is that your 200 years of settlement outside the place of your origin is not a safety valve. If in doubt, ask the Yorubas of Jos, the Igbos of Kano and the Hausas of Onitsha. Outside Nigeria, ask the British Asians of Uganda, the British farmers of Zimbabwe or even the Nigerian of Yoruba extraction in Ghana in the sixties. Even as late as 2013, the Mayor of London was heard complaining of the overbearing and domineering attitude of Nigerian settlers in South East London. Yet some Nigerians especially of Yoruba extraction are fourth, fifth or even sixth generation settlers there. But the fact remains that their respect for the locals are waning and their domineering attitudes are becoming too glaring to be condoned by the locals. The Pakistanis of East London just like their Nigerian counterparts are no better. This has made the British authorities to be paying more than a passing interest to these “settlers”. The Aborigines of Australia are now becoming more vocal and a threat to the settlers. All over the world, the trend is to go local. Every one is a local champion. The antidote to this madness is to assimilate with the locals. Eat their food, wear their clothes, imbibe their culture and possibly religion, assume the local names, shun tribal associations and affiliations of ancestral homes and build a nation of common interest instead of that of ethnic nationalities. After all if you are in Rome you behave like a Roman. Those who think they can defend themselves in another man’s territory are deluding themselves. Ask the white South Africans of the apartheid era, the British Asian of Uganda or better still the Yorubas or Igbos of Jos and Kano respectively. They had their noses bruised and seriously too during the various attacks on “outsiders” in 2001, 2002, 2003 and up till 2011. The security system that could not guarantee the safety of the INEC and the electorate cannot be trusted with the lives of helpless settlers who are scattered around the nooks and corners of this country. If you are a settler or outsider assimilate fast or get perished with your investments in foreign land. For now, fleeing, we must all. To your tents all settlers until we meet after the April elections”.

PDP, military and audacity of impunity By Lateef Ibirogba for such. It is only hoped that it won’t be too late by the time all of us wake up from our slumber because things may then have gotten out of hand. It is scary that the PDP-led government has started to clamp down on perceived enemies and those seen as thorns in their flesh in its desperation to scuttle this democracy. Latest report has it that soldiers are laying siege at the Ikoyi home of the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Also, it was widely reported that a military team stormed the Imo State Government House in Owerri, deploying an armoured tank. The two incidents readily strengthened the fear of an imminent militarization on some political figures perceived by the PDP as the engine room of the opposition. It is rather sad and ironic that the PDP and its military collaborators, who have found it difficult for six years to dislodge the Boko Haram insurgents in the North, are now shamelessly flexing muscles against unarmed opposition arrowheads. Come to think of it, why has the military and the PDP not extended their current onslaught against opposition leaders to prominent Niger Delta leaders as well as ex-militants who have been threatening to bring down the nation if President Jonathan is voted out of power? In the first place, why bring in soldiers to harass civilians whose only weapon is the rule of law? Why expose such a dignified and universally respected institution, as the military, to such open ridicule? Thank God it is now coming out quite clearly for all to see, that President Jonathan is nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing. What we presently have on our hand is the manifestation of a despot. Yes, President Jonathan has finally bared his fangs. He has put off the deceiving garb of a gentle, harmless, innocent and shoeless next door guy. He has now come out in his real colour and, in the words of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, he might, indeed, be going for the broke and ready to damn the consequence. But, one really hopes he doesn’t toe such self-destructive and ignoble path because history has never been kind to those who once toed such pathway. One expects the president to know that destroying the integrity of the military to achieve parochial political ends only portrays him and the PDP as desperate co-travelers who could go to any dastardly extent to cling on to power. There is, perhaps, nothing that best demonstrate the scope of the damage which the PDP-led federal government has

done to the image of the Nigerian military more than the recent Ekiti poll audio recording of the meeting purportedly held in Ado Ekiti between PDP chieftains and one General Momoh to perfect the rigging plot for the June 21, 2014, governorship election in the state. In the said audio recording, which was posted by online medium, Sahara Reporters, it was revealed that General Momoh was deployed by the military top brass to abet the rigging plan, using soldiers already positioned into the state for the purpose. When one adds up the recent clampdown by men of the State Security Service on the data office of the APC and its staff in Ikeja, Lagos, to all the aforementioned, it would definitely become evident, to dispassionate watchers of the unfolding political scenario in the country, that the greatest threat to our democracy today is the shameful marriage between the PDP-led federal government and the leadership of the Nigerian military. No amount of denials and deceptions by the President and his men would fool Nigerians into believing that the military leadership wasn’t compromised in the poll shift agenda. It was a coup that was plotted and executed by the Presidency and the PDP with the active collaboration of the military leadership. It will be recalled that the president’s National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, had initially flown the kite of an impending shift in poll. And it eventually happened! The Nigerian military needs to quickly detach itself from this unwholly alliance so as not to, in the language of exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo, bring about “degradation in the proficiency of the military”. Hopefully, it will not be too long before the Nigerian military is saved from the suffocating arms of the PDP. Very soon, change will come. Very soon, the Nigerian military would have a feel of the much needed breath of fresh air. Very soon, we shall all heave a great sigh of relief.

‘The Nigerian military needs to quickly detach itself from this unwholly alliance so as not to, in the language of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, bring about “degradation in the proficiency of the military”’

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

SHOWBIZ

‘Etcetera’s album is worst ever,’ says M.I

INGER-turned-writer, Etcetera, has received flaks again for his latest published article in a Nigerian newspaper. Etcetera in the write-up had called certain entertainers showing support for political parties and some presidential candidates, political prostitutes. Olamide, Banky W, Don Jazzy, Flavour, Duncan Mighty, D banj, Mercy Johnson, Ibinabo, Ini Edo, and Mama Gee were among those he took a swipe at.Others are Naeto C, Joseph Yobo, Daddy Showkey, KanuNwankwo and Sammie Okposo. However, less than 48 hours after the article went viral, prolific Rapper, Jude Abaga, aka MI, took to the social media to lash out at Etcetera. Venting in a series of tweets, MI

By Mercy Michael

wrote, “Lol @ etcetera. I remember a time when etcetera and I were hustling the music business together. Doing what we had to come up. “Hoping that one day we would be in a position for political candidates to seek out endorsment. I’m sorry you aren’t here with us. “The primary thing an entertainer brings to any platform is eyeballs. Look at views with a star and views without. #yoursmarterthanthis. “The only reason you write your articles is because that’s your hustle #igetitigetit #hopesayyoudemakemoney #yoursmarterthanthis. “If you had a large fan base. Your lack of class and an ethical com-

• Etcetera

pass as a writer shows you would probably support Hitler for the right sum “You should be ashamed at yourself. That you would so classlesly

• MI

criticize anything that puts money in your colleagues hands. “You should be ashamed that in the last few years you have done more to pull our industry down then

help it grow. “And here is my opinion. Since you freely give yours out. Your album is quite possibly the worst album released by a Naija artist ever!.”

Tunde Kelani’s Dazzling Mirage hits cinema

• Chris and Damillola

Chris Attoh, Damilola Adegbite marry on Valentine’s Day

HE much awaited matrimony between actors Chris Attoh and DamilolaAdegbite has finally taken place. The couple signed the dotted lines in a private ceremony in Accra, Ghana. It will be recalled that the couple who are blessed with a child named Brian, met on the set of MNET Series, Tinsel, and since become an item. While many people were expecting them to walk down the aisle, Damilola surprised them with a baby

Organs failing Bobbi Kristina

By Mercy Michael

bump. However, their love continued to be the envy of friends as they freely showed each other love on social media. After a year of their sizzling romance, the two actors finally got married on February 14. Ghanaian actor Majid Michel,Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu and other close friends and family graced the ceremony. • Kristina

AUGHTER of late Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina, who has been in coma for two weeks, is said to be suffering organs failure. And although her father, Bobby Brown, has refused to let her pass away by pulling the life support plug, doctors say her organs which are already shutting down, may soon determine her fate. When Bobbi Kristina was taken to the hospital two weeks ago, her brain activity was minimal. A few days later, she showed an improvement in brain function, but sources say her condition has since deteriorated. However, Bobby Brown is still holding strong to his religious view and is saying he will do what it takes to keep his daughter alive, even if it’s just on life support with no long-term hope. Some members of Bobby’s family disagree with his decision but seem to respect it. Meanwhile, Bobbi Kristina’s boyfriend, Nick Gordon, has not been seen in the hospital. Whitney Houston’s family is scoffing at Nick Gordon, bemoaning the “fact” that he can’t see Bobbi Kristina while she remains in a hospital bed on life support, because they say he

hasn’t even tried. Houston family sources told TMZ it’s absurd that Nick has a lawyer putting them on blast for denying him the right to see his girlfriend. The sources say Nick has never once tried to make his way inside the hospital. As for the picture of Nick in front of the hospital, they think it was just for the cameras, as he never tried entering the building. Nick’s lawyer Randy Kessler insists his client has made the effort but has been blocked, but the lawyer says he’s not taking legal action so Nick can gain entrance. It will be recalled that Nick Gordon was fingered as suspect in the present condition of Bobbi Kristina.

EGENDARY filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, is set to release Dazzling Mirage, a love story in cinemas across the country, following the movie’s grand premiere in November 2014. The moviewhich opens in cinemas on February 20 th ,revolves around a sickle cell sufferer who is caught in the love triangle with two handsome men. Despite societal pressure, she’s determined to prove that she has all it takes to live a normal life and be happy.It stars Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju, KunleAfolayan, SeunAkindele, TaiwoAjayi – Lycett, Bimbo Manuel, Carol King and Yomi FashLanso. “The movie is a love story, one of a kind that will certainly dazzle the audience,” said Kelani, also noting that the movie “aims to raise

awareness about the sickle cell condition and to aid people in making better informed decisions.” Mr KeneMkparu, MD/CEO of FilmOne distribution, speaking of Kelani, said: “We are proud to be associated with the work of a man of purpose, whose commitment to continued high end production values has remained consistent over the years. He’s an iconic figure in the filmmaking industry in Nigeria and we have no doubt in our minds that Dazzling Mirage will do well at the box office and also enlighten many about the sickle cell disease.” Dazzling Mirage is a film adaptation of a novel of the same name authored by OlayinkaAbimbolaEgbokhare, and adapted to screen by Ade Solanke. The movie is distributed by

• Kelani

FilmOne, who also distributed the 2014 blockbuster movies - Half OfA Yellow Sun, October 1 and When Love Happens.

Banned Iranian director wins Berlinale’s Golden Bear

MBATTLED Iranian filmmaker, JafarPanahi, has won the Golden Bear at the just concluded Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), for his Tehran road movie, Taxi, which critics described as a victory for freedom of speech and the art of cinematic storytelling. The dissident filmmaker, who is banned from making films by the Iranian authorities and forbidden from travelling abroad, stars in his own film as a taxi driver talking to his passengers as he drives them through the streets of Tehran. The decision to celebrate Panahi, who has been described as the ‘Iranian Woody Allen’, cements the Berlinale’s status as the most politically driven of the world’s main film festivals. “Instead of allowing his spirit to be crushed and giving up, instead of allowing himself to be filled with anger and frustration, JafarPanahi created a love letter to cinema,” said Darren Aronofsky, the American director and Berlinale jury president. “His film is filled with love for his art, his community, his country and his audience.” Although committed to a six-year prison term and a 20-yearban from filmmaking by the Iranian government for attempting to explore the social situation in his homeland, the filmmaker has continued to be celebrated at international film festivals. Panahi’s film, Offside, won the Berlin festival’s Silver Bear award in 2006 and in 2011. But he was prevented from attending te ceremonies because he could not get bail to attend. Panahi’s Taxi is the first after his jail term, which again, has been de-

scribed as his courage against his 20year ban from filmmaking. Panahi’s award was picked up by his niece, one of the film’s young female stars. She, however, broke down on stage saying she was “too moved” to talk. She was comforted by the French actress and jury member Audrey Tatou. The award ceremony of the 65th Berlinale was attended by stars including Cate Blanchett, Juliette Binoche, Christian Bale and James Franco. The event was also a huge success for British cinema – Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling won the best actor and actress awards for their leading roles in 45 Years, a much-feted drama directed by the rising star Andrew Haigh in which a long-term marriage breaks down within a week.

In a further boost to British film interests, Kenneth Branagh was among the stars on the red carpet following the world premiere last Friday of his live-action modern retake of Cinderella for Disney, as well as Peter Greenaway, the British director whose ambitious and sexually explicit biopic of the Russian director Sergei Eisenstein, Eisenstein in Guanajuato, was warmly received. Other awards included the Grand Jury prize, or the Silver Bear, for the Chilean director Pablo Larrain for El Club, a film that centres on a group of Roman Catholic priests who have in various ways dishonoured the church and have been relocated to a small seaside town. The jury said it expected the film would become a “classic of the history of cinema”.

• Iranian director Jafar Panahi (right) in a still from his film Taxi

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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‘How to bridge 17 million housing gap’ - P. 37

When age is a barrier - P. 35 News Briefing

Listing of power firms’ll add N3tr to market

Uncertainties loom over JV projects UNCERTAINTIES loom over several Joint Venture (JV) projects the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is executing with some oil firms. The firms are planning to scale down the execution of the projects that are either in their planning or advanced stages, especially the JV projects. This is due to the slump in oil price.

By Akinola Ajibade

–Page 26

ANLCA: Ports can generate N2tr THE ports can generate N2trillion to the economy, the National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Prince Olayiwola Shittu, has said. –Page 26

• WELCOME: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema (2nd right) welcoming the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele to the exchange. With them are President, NSE Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede (left); and 1st Vice President, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

Stock Exchange goes tough on false sale of shares

NAICOM warns CEOs against paying unethical commission THE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has warned Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of insurance firms to desist from paying overriding commission to brokers or face the wrath of the law. –Page 28

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil

$54/barrel

Cocoa

$2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb RATES

Inflation

Treasury Bills 10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending

15.87%

Savings rate

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

FOREX (RDAS) US Dollar

168

Pounds

253.26

Euro

190.6968

Swiss Franc

181.1907

Yen

1.4316

CFA

0.2889

WAUA

235.9975

MID the dwindling fortunes of quoted equities, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) may wield the big stick on stockbrokers and dealers that may be implicated in any false sale of shares. False sale of shares, known as naked short selling, is prohibited at the NSE. As Nigerian equities continued to reel under the adverse effects of tough macroeconomic and political outlook, there are suspicions that some brokers and dealers may want to cash in on the substantial devaluation of quoted shares to sell shares that they do not own with a view to buy back the shares later at lower values or to cover up short-term liquidity gap. Nigerian equities on Thursday slumped to a two-year low with a four-day loss of N684 billion. The market opened Friday with a yearto-date loss of about N2.16 trillion, representing aver-

By Taofik Salako

age year-to-date return of 19.39 per cent. This is already worse than the performance in the entire 2014 when Nigerian equities ranked among the worst-performing stocks globally with average full-year decline of 16.14 per cent, representing a net loss of about N1.75 trillion during the year. The management of the NSE at the weekend issued a circular to stockbrokers and dealers reminding them of the implications of engaging in naked short selling. The circular, obtained by The Nation, detailed the applicable sanctions for naked short selling. Though couched as a reminder, a source said the Exchange was being proactive amidst suspicions that the increasingly hard-hitting bearishness at the stock market may lead to breach of rules and ethics. The Nigerian market had witnessed

increased cases of infractions and unethical practices in the wake of the 2008-2009 recession. Reports of the regulatory authorities had linked the infractions and malpractices, including unauthorised sales of shares and diversion of sales proceeds, to liquidity problems that arose from the recession, after several stockbrokers and dealers suffered huge losses. According to the circular, brokers and dealers must not engage in false sale of shares as this is strictly prohibited at the Nigerian market. “Naked short selling is the practice of selling securities which the seller does not own, and has not made arrangements to borrow such securities. It is a violation of the Rules and Regulations Governing Dealing Members (Amendments and Additions – Part III),” the circular stated. It reminded brokers and dealers of the relevant rule titled “Penalties for Naked

Short Selling”, which amongst others provides that “any dealing member that engages in naked short selling shall be liable to pay a fine of 10 per cent of the total transaction value and any benefit accruing from such transaction” to the Exchange. Besides, any dealing member involved in naked short selling more than once over a period of year shall be classified as a “serial offender”. Such serial offender will be suspended from trading for a period to be determined by the Exchange, according to the rule. The NSE also reminded the dealing members on the need to safeguard the integrity of their operating systems citing a rule that provides that every dealing member firm shall be fully responsible for all matters arising from access to the trading engine of the NSE through its trader identification code and password.

HE decision of the Fed eral Government to list the power generation companies (GENCOs) and distribution firms (DISCOs) on the floors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will boost market capitalisation by N3trillion, if all go according to plans, the Managing Director, Bgl Securities Limited, Sunday Adebola, has said. He said the market capitalisation would move to N16trillion from N13trillion if the power firms were listed. Adebola said: “Our market capitalisation is N3trillion. Maybe between N2 trillion and N3trillion would be added to the market capitalisation, depending on the number of shares and the prices of the stocks of the power firms.Until the companies come, we cannot say precisely the level of impacts the companies would be made on the market. He said the firms were battling with technical and financial problems less than two years after privatisation, adding that the various interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) would help in reviving their operations. “The approval of N213billion and N18billion facility for the firms by the CBN would go a long way in boosting their operations. Based on this, the firms are going to achieve a reasonable level of profitability, as well as having the boldness to approach the market,”he added. He said the market would be diversified, when power firms come to the market. He said the development would enable investors to diversify their portfolios since they would have a variety of stocks to pick from for investment purposes. He said the market will reflect the economy, when the power sector, among others are well represented in the capital market.

FMBN targets 15 per cent mortgage contribution to GDP

HE Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) is targeting 15 per cent mortgage contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the next few years, the Managing Director, Gimba Ya’u Kumo, has said. He said: “The mortgage industry in Nigeria is just starting if you look at the size of our contribution to the GDP it is less than one per cent but my target before I leave here is that we should be able to contribute at least 15 per

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor), Abuja

cent.” To drive this process, he said FMBN was addressing several issues one of which is how to get more cash from the National Housing Fund (NHF) that is under FMBN management, adding that his priority is how to reach out to the larger segment of the society to boost housing fund. “Out of the 170 million population, less than one per

cent are the ones contributing, so we said this is not good,” he said, pointing out that the bank is working on how to reach out to the other segment of the society and those that are not in formal employment. Kumo said FMBN wants to bring all the state governments into the NHF Programme, lamenting that so far, only six states are not contributing to NHF. “One of them is Lagos and what happened is that they have formed co-operative socie-

ties. They have registered with us, so they are contributing indirectly to NHF.” On the others, he said the bank is in discussion with them “and as soon as possible, we will see what we can put on the ground.This is because workers want to see actual action; they want to see the mortgages created. This is what we are trying to do in all the 36 states, to build houses, create the mortgages and at the end of the day, we will be able to convince them. But I can assure you that in

the next 10 to 11 months, all the states will be back into the NHF programme”. Another issue affecting the target, Kumo said, is the high cost of building materials. He noted that there “is need for reduction in the cost of cement; there is need for a reduction in the cost of iron rod and other accessories that will make up the houses. Once that is done, I think it will go a long way in reducing the cost of the houses”.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

BUSINESS NEWS NNPC, NGO promise to enforce N50 per litre of kerosene

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora tion (NNPC) and the Coalition of Grassroot NGO (CGN) have set up a monitoring team to ensure that kerosene is sold at N50 per litre, The Nation has learnt. The product though officially sold for N50 per litre, goes for over N120 per litre. The 15-man team will ensure that the product does not go to the black market through middlemen. The Team Leader, Waheed Adetunji, assured that Nigerians would not be subjected to hardship as a result of the inordinate ambition and get rich-quick attitude of a few Nigerians. “We have a job to do to ensure kerosene gets to the common man regularly and at regulated price of N50 per litre,” he said. He said the team would

By Chikodi Okereocha

ensure that no one buys more than 25 litres of the product at a go. To checkmate officials and dealers, the team would also ensure that measurement of kerosene at each station was taken before and after sales daily. It is also expected to report cases where there are infractions of procedures by the dealers. The product will be available between 8am and 5pm daily. According to Adetunji, this will halt the mid-night racketeering. Adetunji said kerosene would be sold at the NNPC Mega Stations and affiliated stations are scattered all over the country, urging Nigerians to take advantage of this intervention to get kerosene at the regulated price.

Fiscal responsibility’ll grow economy, says LCCI

AGOS Chamber of Commerce and indus try (LCCI) has called for a review of expenditure at all levels of government. The Chamber called on the government to take a look at certain critical areas of government spending to curb leakages and reduce cost of governance. LCCI President, Alhaji Remi Bello, said the government should beam its search light on how to cut down on fuel importation, as well as put an end to subsidies on fuel and kerosene that would save the nation about N91 billion. He also called for the thorough review of budgetary provisions in areas like service wide vote, pensions, capital supplementation, gratuity administration, and

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

bers were meeting and would soon come up with a position on the issue. The source said the majority of projects under the production sharing contract (PSC) would not be affected by the OPTS’ decision since they are funded by the IOCs. The source also said some major gas projects, such as the $5 billion Trans-Nigeria pipeline project, and the $4 billion Southnorth gas pipeline, designed to be built from Calabar through Ajaokuta and to Kano, would be put on hold. The Trans-Nigeria pipeline project is a major backbone pipelines targeted at integrating the gas transmission systems in the country. It

also forms part of the TransSahara pipeline project. Another project the oil price fall will affect is the over $5 billion Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (Brass LNG) project, which will be sited on Brass Island in Bayelsa State. The project, which was recently resuscitated after years of delay due to fund challenges and pull out of ConocoPhillips, which held 17 per cent interest in the project will be affected, the source said. Some of the IOCs’ officials declined to make definite statements but noted that that they would come out with statements on the issue. Oil companies operating JVs with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) include Shell

Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), ExxonMobil, Chevron, Total, Eni/Agip, Addax Petroleum, Petrobras, Pan Ocean, among others. The NNPC has reduced its capital budget for the 2015 joint venture oil operations by 40 per cent to $8.1 billion from the initial budget of $13.5 billion due to the slump in crude oil prices.The budget was planned when oil price was around $80 per barrel while price stands at about $52 per barrel. The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Joseph Dawha, at the Offshore West Africa conference in Lagos, said the fall in oil price affected about three deep water projects, adding that many firms had serious cash challenges due to oil price decline.

presidential amnesty budget. He expressed concern over the falling oil price, pointing out that the global and domestic economic conditions portends profound challenges for the private sector. “There will be pressures on costs driven by the depreciating naira; there will be structural shifts in demand and competitiveness in favour of high local content. There will also be erosion of profit margins across many sectors,” he said. Also, the Director-General, LCCI, Muda Yusuf, said if there was no fiscal responsibility, erosion of profit would occur with the emerging weak public sector cash flow affecting the public sector patronage.

‘Nigeria needs quality food accreditation’

NCERTAINTIES loom over several Joint Venture (JV) projects that international oil companies (IOCs) are executing with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). They are planning to scale down the projects that are either in their planning or advanced stages. No thanks to the slump in oil price. The Nation learnt that IOCs and some indigenous oil companies under the aegis of Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) are discussing the oil price regime and its implications. The OPTS, it was also learnt, had decided that most of the projects that would be affected were JV projects that are being planned for development and those that they are being executed. A source in the petroleum industry said the OPTS mem-

By Okwy lroegbu-Chikezie

‘The government should beam its search light on how to cut down on fuel importation, as well as put an end to subsidies on fuel and kerosene that would save the nation about N91 billion’

IGERIA needs a ro bust national food ac creditation system if she must produce food products that meet international quality standards. United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO) Representative and Regional Director, Dr. Patrick Kormawa spoke during the Proficiency Testing seminar in Lagos. He said in both the public and the private sectors and analytical laboratories would ensure safety is given priority. Kormawa,who spoke through Lead expert in Accreditation,Mr Stephen Cross, said Nigeria needs quality laboratories to carry out various analyses. He explained that the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) for Nigeria Project is a 12 million Euro Project and part of the collaborative initiatives the European Union, UNIDO and the Federal Government to stimulate the competitiveness of Nigeria. The goal, according to him, is to prepare Nigeria for an economic future that is built

Oil price slump: Uncertainties loom over JV projects U

By Daniel Essiet

on a platform of inclusive and sustainable industrial development. His words: “Nigeria is fast shedding its reputation as a mono-product economy and, in line with recent economic policies of the Federal Government, more sectors have been identified that exhibit Nigeria’s comparative advantage. The Food and Beverage industry is clearly a strong leader in this category. I am pleased to inform you that today’s event prepares us to achieve one of the five objectives of the NQI Project – the Establishment of a National Accreditation Body.” Kormawasaid the NQI Project aims to support the improvement and establishment of standards and quality control agencies in order to advance the quality of products and services exchanged in the Nigerian and international markets – the goal is to improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s private sector and ensure the protection of its consumers.

• From left: Representative of the Lagos State Lottery Board (LSLB), Miss. Simisola Abass; representative of Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Nwosu Esther and Miss. Yetunde Kotoye of Retail Proposition, Sterling Bank Plc at the Third Sterling Gunners Promo Draw in Lagos ... at the weekend.

Ports can generate N2tr, says ANLCA chief

HE ports can generate N2trillion to the economy, the National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Prince Olayiwola Shittu, has said. He said the target is achieveable if the Federal Government could stop the granting of waivers that do not contribute to the economy. He urged the government to consider the iimperativeness of such waivers before granting them, saying as an incentive, the government should concede five per cent of the revenue generated to the ports

By Oluwakemi Dauda

and border stations. He solicited the creation of a ministry devoted to the maritime industry. Shittu said: “If the government wants to harness the potentials of the maritime sector, there is need to create a ministry of maritime services. “We are the revenue generators for government. Last year, we made about N800billion for Customs, but if the government can give Customs brokers five per cent of revenue generated as an incentive, we can get up to N2trillion yearly.’’

He added: “The government uses contractors, consultants and they pay them so much but we are not asking for so much but for just five per cent of money generated by each Customs license firm. “Let me inform you that the government can make close to N2trillion in our sector for the government if things are properly harnessed. Government should do away with waivers that do not have any productive value to the economy because waivers are used to help political friends and not the economy. “The transport ministry as currently constituted is saddled with so many jobs; rail,

road and others, they need to unbundle the ministry of transport and create a ministry of maritime services.’’ The ANLCA chief also cautioned the Federal Government on plans by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to privatise the transport sector, warning that caution must be taken to avoid a repeat of what happened with the port concession. Shittu observed that privatization in Nigeria are mostly carried out with political undertone however warned that any privatization that needs to be embarked upon must have adequate government regulation.

‘Why domestic carriers cannot merge’

HE Executive Chair man, Airlines Op erators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison has given reasons why the much-sought after merger of domestic airlines may not materialise. He said domestic carriers are grappling with some challenges, especially accessibility to credit, high interest rates from commercial banks, as well as imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on airlines. He said it is only in Nigeria

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

that airlines pay VAT. “Until there is a common ground, it would be difficult to achieve a merger of airlines.” The AON chief disclosed that until the government creates a window for domestic airlines to access funds from financial institutions at single digit interest rate, airline operators will continue to experience increasing costs of operations which make air transport business unprofit-

able. Meggison said unlike in banking where it was easy for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to achieve consolidation of commercial banks, the aviation sector is quite different because respective airlines have different sources of funding, business model and reasons for setting up the airlines that could erect a road block on plans to bring them together. He said consolidation could have brought about a stronger a transport industry , but indi-

vidual differences between airline owners and the rationale for setting up the business could affect such proposal . He said: “Merger and consolidation is not easy in aviation sector. It should not be looked at from a finance position. It is a matter of business interest, because the business models and feasibility is not the same. The reason is that operators are getting money from different sources. It is not easy to achieve a blanket merger for operators.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

BUSINESS

FCMB rescues traders from pains of fire disaster

IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has intervened to salvage traders from the harrowing experiences they usually encounter when their shops are gutted by fire. The bank’s solution to this reoccurring calamities that cost traders their resources is in its product, FCMB Personal Business Account (PBA). The FCMB Personal Business Account, which was introduced in November, last year, guarantees traders, merchants, self-employed professionals and artisans, who operate businesses in their personal names, security in the conduct of such businesses in the event of unexpected disasters such as fire and flood incidents. It is a current account designed for traders and merchants with reduced cost of banking so as to protect and boost their businesses. Stakeholders insist that whether to a business or residence, fire disaster has the capacity to wreck or slow down economic development of an individual and nation. Statistics indicates that there are no less than 100 major yearly fire incidents in Nigeria, especially in markets and other business outlets, with losses running into billions of Naira. Indeed, individuals, traders and small businesses, organisations and governments all fall victims at various levels. Invariably, the risks of trading at markets are very high and it is fur-

Stories by Alvin Afadama

ther aggravated by the fact that no formal insurance system exists to cover these market fire incidents and other unexpected disasters, like flood, due to their informal nature. The poor insurance culture in Nigeria is beginning to take its toll as cold dry winds stoke fire outbreaks, raising the number of occurrences, especially during the harmattan season. This usually shoots up the damages to lives, properties and other valuables. Last January was no exception. In Lagos alone, there had been two major market fires and many house fires all resulting in loss of lives and property estimated at billions of naira. For instance, the Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, said the service responded to 685 fire incidents out of 922 emergency calls received between January and June, last year. This year, three major fire incidents occurred in Lagos and Anambra state On January 12 this year, traders and other business owners at the popular Balogun Market in Lagos Island watched in shock as their goods and properties were destroyed by an early morning inferno. At least 10 buildings, 100 shops and makeshift structures within the axis, were razed during the incident. Four days after this sad loss, the Berlin Market, also on

Lagos Island, went up in flames, consuming goods and properties worth millions of naira. One of the victims of the Balogun market fire outbreak, Mrs. Vera Ezenwa, lamented thus amid tears: “I received a call at 5:00a.m on that day that my shop and warehouse had been gutted by fire. I quickly rushed down there to salvage some of the goods, but when I arrived, I could not salvage any. These were goods my husband who went to China last year sent to me two weeks ago. At the moment, I don’t know where to turn to for help.’’ After a devastating fire incident, traders are forced to raise new capital to erect new stalls, pay their distributors and purchase new merchandise for trading. The psychological and economic trauma associated with this pathetic situation is one that very few are lucky enough to overcome. As urbanisation continues to increase and the informal sector continues to be a dominant feature of the urban economy, tackling this issue becomes paramount. Among other features, the FCMB PBA offers a zero Commission on Turnover (COT) charge, which is replaced by a small monthly service fee. Customers can also carry out an unlimited volume of debit transaction and withdrawals for a fee as low as

N1,500. The account reduces the cost of banking for customers with heavy and daily transactions. The most outstanding benefit of this product is the fact that FCMB will support the customer with a free cover of up to N1 million in case of loss of goods/stock due to fire or flood disaster that affects his or her business. FCMB’s Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu, explained that the Personal Business Account is aimed at encouraging business owners and Nigerians on the need to safe-guard their businesses against disasters, considering the spate of fire incidents and other disasters recorded in recent times. ‘’We want our traders to do their business with peace of mind with the FCMB Personal Business Account knowing that their bank FCMB is behind them with bancassurance services that protect them from unforeseen incidents like market fire or flood’’, he stated. The FCMB Personal Business Account product has continued to receive massive endorsement and patronage across the country. At the unveiling of the product at the Alade Market, Ikeja in Lagos last December, the Iya Oloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade TinubuOjo, joined various market associations and business owners to commend the Bank for its foresight in developing a product that aims to protect businesses.

• FCMB CEO, Ladi Balogun

Describing the product as ‘’a brilliant initiative’’, she urged business owners to take advantage of, ‘’this unique opportunity being provided by FCMB’’, to safeguard their business from hazards that usually leads to the collapse of businesses. The Chairman, Ariara International Market Traders Association, Chief Lucky Akubueze, said: ‘’This is a step in the right direction. Most of our traders are now out of business or struggling to come back because of the harm done by unforeseen circumstances like fire outbreaks. I strongly believe that a product like the FCMB Personal Business Account will help to reduce the pains and costs associated with such situations’’.

Skye Bank, COPE Foundation tackle cancer

• Oguntayo

S the global community commemorates this year’s World Cancer Day, Skye Bank Plc has demonstrated its commitment to public health and safety by promoting a public awareness campaign about the disease. The bank, in collaboration with a non governmental organisation, COPE Foundation, focused on the menace of breast cancer and embarked on a sensitisation campaign to get women come out for free breast cancer courtesy of both Skye

Bank and Cope Foundation. Stakeholders insist that the public can learn more about the causes of cancer, its prevention, control and treatment through the sensitization exercise. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said about 70 per cent of all cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue to rise to over 13.1 million in 2030. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 7.6 million deaths, around 13 per cent of all deaths in 2008. Skye Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, described cancer as one of the leading causes of death world wide, especially in the developing countries where inadequate medical care and lack of awareness about the disease have combined to make it very deadly. He called on government and private sector operators to collaborate to fight the scourge of cancer in the society as incidence of the disease is on the increase. “At Skye Bank, we have taken up the challenge of working in concert

with other publicly spirited organisations and philanthropists not only to promote awareness about the scourge but also to facilitate screening, early detection and effective care for those afflicted. Our concern and desire to stem the growing incidence of the scourge date back to several years ago when we partnered with some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to call attention to the threat posed by the disease,” he said. Continuing, the bank CEO said: “It was in furtherance of our commitment towards contributing to the fight against the high incidence of cancer, especially breast cancer in the country that we partnered with an NGO known as Care, Organisation and Public Enligthenment (COPE) Foundation, under our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, by donating two breast cancer screening machines to it to facilitate screening and early detection of the disease”. The Skye Bank boss pledged that the lender would continue to support worthy social causes in the health sector to improve the wellbeing and healthcare of Nigerians,

saying a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. Oguntayo called on other corporate organisations to join in the fight against cancer by supporting various programmes and initiatives by NGOs and the government to reduce the cancer scourge and mortality rate in our society. The Managing Partner of COPE Foundation, Mrs. Ebun Anozie, called for the establishment of cancer care centres in the country where specialists would be available to provide care and treatment to patients and survivors. She commended Skye Bank for sponsoring over 30 indigent cancer patients for treatment in addition to providing free screening programmes for over 10,000 women within and outside Lagos. Anozie said the 2015 World cancer day’s theme is “not beyond us”, focusing on choosing healthy lives; delivering early detection; achieving treatment for all and maximizing quality of life. For her, focusing on these issues would improve the quality of life and stem incidence of cancer disease.

“Unfortunately, we have noticed the prevalence of breast cancer in younger women and late presentation is still on the increase. Women should please avail themselves of the opportunity to free screening because early detection and treatment is safer and cheaper,” she said. Cancer experts affirm that death arising from cancer can be avoided in low- and middle income countries if action is taken, bearing in mind that we have well over 100 types of cancer worldwide. The COPE Foundation chair person thanked Skye Bank for taking up the challenge to support COPE in spearheading the fight against cancer. According to her, the lender has made available free breast and cervical cancer screening to over 300 women during the World Cancer Day week and many more thereafter through the provision of a multimillion naira mobile and stationary cancer screening equipment. Skye Bank acquired two cancer screening machines for COPE to help in early detection of the disease as well as facilitating effective treatment when diagnosed of the disease.

Enterprise Bank creates employment opportunities

• Executive Director, Heritage Bank, Mrs. Mary Akpobome presenting Hilux Van keys to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr. Kayode Aderanti as part of the bank’s donation of patrol vehicles and security gadgets to the Police Command. With them is Head, Corporate Affair Heritage Bank, Mr. Fela Ibidapo.

NTERPRISE Bank Limited has introduced the Graduate Empowerment Savings Account (GESA) to help the unemployed graduates drive the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment of the economy. As the name indicates, GESA provides the platform for university undergraduates and graduates to think of more creative ways of becoming self-employed rather than perpetually waiting and hoping to be employed. The product, which is a component of the Enterprise Graduate Empowerment Scheme (EGES) that was launched last year, enables entrepreneurial-minded graduates to redirect their destiny by opening an account with only N5, 000. Once that is done, the individual will immediately stand the chance of procuring a loan to establish a small scale business of his choice, which automatically takes him away from the labour market. Aside from that, the product is de-

signed to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at that infantile stage to firmly position for future growth. This effectively removes the syndrome of SMEs being unable to access loans as start-ups. GESA changes the story for the young entrepreneurs by leveraging the technical knowledge and experience of the bank in SME lending to dislodge the encumbrances that hinder them from taking bank loans. The scheme is planned in such a way that even after the loan disbursement, Enterprise Bank ensures a sustained growth of the business through advisory and capacity building programmes via its partnerships with business schools and entrepreneurial training centres around the country. Subscribers of GESA can access a maximum loan of N3million. Other benefits that the the young graduate will enjoy include internet banking and ATM facilities, as well as free monthly e-statement of accounts as requested by the account owner.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

NAICOM warns CEOs against paying unethical commission

HE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has warned Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of insurance firms to desist from paying overriding commission to brokers or face the wrath of the law. Overriding commission is an extra commission paid by insurance firms to brokers against what the law prescribes to gain undue advantage over competitors. Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, who gave this warning at a briefing, said the Commission would increase fines against defaulters from N200,000 to N10 million. He said the commission recently fined an insurance firm N62 million, adding that it is enough for shareholders of such firm to query and sack the chief executive officer of the firm for the

• Fines firm N62m for default Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

misdemeanour. Daniel said: “The issue of overriding commission is like the Ten Commandments God gave to mankind. There is no how hard a preacher preaches about it, there are people who will still want to break the laws and the same is what we are experiencing in the industry. “But we are deterring them from breaking these rules. Some shareholders at their annual general meetings complain that NAICOM is just pilling penalties on them and it was also reechoed in the

press. In one of the meetings I had with industry, I said though we have been slamming you with penalties, it has not stopped you from misbehaving. I promised them that the penalties will get bigger.” He stressed that since inception, NAICOM has not fined any insurance company N10 million but this year, a company paid N62 million. He said: “As we speak, the N62 million is a shouting figure for the banking sector, it is not a common fine. But as people are becoming hardened, we must also restrategise on how to effectively

deal with them. So, for any insurance company that may be complaining of N500,000 or N200,000 fines, we have promised them that we will not do it again; rather, they will get N5 million, N10 million even multiple of that as fines so much that some managing directors will lose their jobs, because if I am a shareholder and you make me pay N200 million to a regulator; not tax, there will be trouble. “One of the complaints we receive from the industry last year was incessant inspection of their books because some significant companies were inspected up to six times. This is because we want to know exactly what they are doing. if we see an expendi-

• Daniel

ture of N5 million at a time, you got big business, we interrogate to know what they might have done with the money and we will want to know its recipient.”

‘We misled savers for 20 years over hidden fees’

• From left: Head, Corporate Operations Quality Assurance, Access Bank Plc, Foluso Adedeji; Managing Director, Global Trade Review, Peter Gubbins; Head, Project and Structured Finance, Bola Bamidele and Producer, Global Trade Review at the African Trade and Export Finance Conference, Paul Greetham, sponsored by Access Bank in Lagos.

Rotimi Fashola is IGI MD

HE Board of Directors of Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI) has appointed Rotimi Fashola as its Group Managing Director (GMD). He replaces the founder/Executive Vice Chairman, Remi Olowude, who died last year. Fashola was the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) before he was later appointed acting managing director when the late Olowude went on medical leave. The company’s spokesman, Steve Ilo, who made this known to reporters, said Fashola’s appointment, which takes immediate effect, was part of the decisions taken at a meeting of the board in Lagos on Wednesday, last wek. He said the board also named the erstwhile Executive Director, Special Risks, Mr. Sina Elusakin, DMD, while Mrs. Foluso Gbadamosi was appointed Executive Director, Human Resources, Administration and Information Communication Technology. Ilo said: “The appointment was guided by proper corporate governance procedures and best practice, aimed at ensuring seamless business continuity, stability and

growth in the interest of all stakeholders. “With his over 20 years’ experience and a remarkable track record in the insurance and financial services industry, Fashola has earned a reputation as a truly accomplished and highly respected professional. The Board believes that he possesses the core values upon which IGI was founded and has the capacity to take the company to greater heights. He has pledged to uphold the lofty vision of the company and drive its growth and transformation strategies to ensure its continued competitiveness in the industry.” A chartered insurer and a seasoned marketing expert, Fashola holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Before joining IGI in 1993, he was the Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Assurance Company Limited. He is a Fellow of numerous institutions, including the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Institute of Directors (IOD), Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) and the West African Insurance Institute

(WAII), The Gambia. He is an Associate of Chartered Insurance Institute of London (ACII) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (ACI Arb) (London). Fashola is an alumnus of both the West African College of Insurance and Risk Management in The Gambia and the Global Institute for Leadership Development (GILD), United States. He is a member of the Governing Council of WAII and the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA). He is on the Board of many companies both local and abroad, including WAICA Reinsurance Corporation Plc, Sierra Leone; National Insurance Corporation (NIC), Uganda; IGI Gamstar Insurance Limited, The Gambia; Global Trust Savings and Loans Limited; Investment Profiles Limited; IGI Pension Fund Managers Limited; Sonarwa Holdings, Rwanda; and Sonarwa Life Insurance Company, also in Rwanda. Fashola pledged to uphold the lofty vision of the company and drive its growth and transformation strategies to ensure its continued competitiveness in the industry.

N an unprecedented rebuke, the United Kingdom (U.K) pension industry’s leading executive admitted calculations of fees were misleading and based on spurious assumptions Savers are losing money because nobody understands how much is removed from pensions and Isas in charges, the head of the investment industry has admitted. In an unprecedented rebuke, the chief executive of the Investment Association said past calculations of fees were “misleading” and based on “spurious assumptions”. Daniel Godfrey, speaking for fund managers who control £835 billion of savers’ money, said customers should be told in pounds and pence exactly how much was removed from their funds each year. His highly-critical blog post, published on the trade body’s website yesterday, instructed the investment industry to end “twenty years” of hidden fees. Savers should be given a “complete picture of all costs involved in the investment process”,Mr Godfrey said in landmark moment for The Telegraph’s campaign against secretive and excessive pension charges. “We think [a full list of charges] will avert a continuation of the trap we’ve all fallen into over the last twenty years with disclosure [of charges] that nobody understands at best and which can be misleading at worst with spurious assumptions of accuracy being made that could lead to real consumer detriment,” he wrote. The intervention was made days after ministers pushed through a

cap on pension charges that will save middle-class workers £100,000 over their careers. However, critics said Godfrey’s plans to tackle hidden fees were insufficient and would fail to end the rip-offs. Historically savers have been told that around 1.5 per cent of their money is eroded by fees each year. Research has shown that as a result, workers typically reach retirement with just twothirds of the money they could have accumulated. Yet the true level of charges would be nearer 3.2 per cent if hidden fees were included, industry insiders have said. Under the proposals set out by Godfrey, pension and Isa providers will have to declare how much was removed from savers’ funds each year for most purposes. But the information will be made available only once a year in lengthy and complicated documents, The Telegraph understands. Customers will be presented with a table of 14 different “raw” numbers under headings such as “operating net asset value per unit” and “distribution of income units” and asked to use these as a basis for their own calculations. Gina Miller, founder of charges campaign group True & Fair, said the new fees list would be “about as useful as an umbrella in a hurricane”. “Ordinary investors will be given a table of what is frankly incomprehensible and incomplete data,” she said.

Micro-insurance workshop holds April 7

REENFOCUS Global Services will hold workshops between April 7 and 8, in Ibadan, Oyo State for Small Medium Enterprises, Micro and Small business, small scale industries and small scale and cottage farmers on insuring their businesses and investments. The workshops are being held with All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Tradesmen and Artisans Association of Nigeria, Association of Commodity Market Women and Men, from the Oyo State Chapter.

The firm’s Managing Director, Adeola Adessy, in a statement, said the workshops are geared toward making them see insurance as risk management. According to him, the event is expected to complement the effort of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to deepen the awareness of micro insurance. He noted that they are, however, soliciting the support of NAICOM to enable them get the attention of the insurance firms, government agencies, commercial banks, and other stakeholders.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

ISSUES

Bode John Audu P.O. Box 2015 Asokoro, Kaduna Nigeria

• A sample of dividend warrant

Stemming the tide of unclaimed dividends Shareholders eagerly await dividend payment. Yet, many do not claim it when it is paid. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) puts unclaimed dividends at over N70 billion. Why is unclaimed dividends this high? What should be done with this huge cash? SEC suggests that it be ploughed back into the business. Amid plans to tinker with the rule on handling of unclaimed dividend, Capital Market Editor TAOFIK SALAKO examines the implications.

VERY year, quoted companies pay billions of Naira as cash dividends. While dividend payment is not statutorily compulsory, its payment, distribution and custodianship are statutorily regulated. In the next few weeks, the new earnings season- the period of the release of corporate earnings and dividends; will start and build up all through the second quarter. Post listing rules at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) requires all quoted companies to submit their periodic financial statements and reports not later than three months after the expiration of the reporting period. With most companies-including all banks, running the 12-month Gregorian calendar year that ends on December 31, corporate earnings reports and dividends for the 2014 business year are expected to trickle in this month and build up gradually in March and subsequently peak in the second quarter. Earnings season is the most momentous period for investors. It is simply the harvest season. The twin inseparable objectives of investment are the protection of capital and attainment of appreciable return on investment. Dividend is used in generic sense as well as specific sense to refer to return on investment. In generic sense, dividend refers to all gains that accrue on an investment including cash payouts, scrip or bonus shares and capital gain. But dividend is usually used in relation to cash dividend-the periodic distribution of net profit from the business to shareholders. For most retail and long-term investors, the cash dividend is the regular allure and immediate reward since the capital gainthe premium that comes due to appreciation in value of investment, only

comes at the point of sale or exit. Just like a landlord looks forward to expiration of current rent and payment of new rent by a tenant, so an investor looks forward to dividend payment. Besides the earnings season, new rules and regulations aimed at changing the custodianship and distribution of unclaimed dividends have brought dividend payment into the focus. Three weeks ago, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the apex regulator for the Nigerian capital market, released a draft of new rules and regulations that tend to portend a paradigm shift in the management of unclaimed dividend.

Unclaimed dividends, unknown billionaires Unclaimed dividend is a recurring issue in the Nigerian market. Over the years, the market has grappled with mounting piles of returned and unclaimed dividend warrants, and the pool of unregulated "slush" fund runs into billions every year. According to official data from SEC, unclaimed dividends had

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increased sharply from about N27.8 billion in 2008 to N41.3 billion in 2009, only to hit N41.7 billion in 2010. In 2011 it hit N50.2 but slightly increased further to N50.7 billion as at September 2012. By the end of 2012, SEC put unclaimed dividend at N60 billion. Unclaimed dividend is currently estimated at more than N70 billion, based on its threeyear growth average. This is the honey-pot of interest to all stakeholders. Under the current rules and regulations, the billion-Naira unclaimed dividend portfolio is idling away under the registrars-who receive and distribute dividends and keep the unclaimed dividends for as long as 12 years. The nature, distribution and custodianship of the unclaimed dividend have been at the centre of the controversy, accusations and counteraccusations that roundly animate all stakeholders whenever the unclaimed dividend takes the stage. From whichever perspective, there is always a bit of argument in support of every angle to the debate. Naturally, a good understanding of the

Most stakeholders agree that stemming the tide of unclaimed dividends requires multi-prong approach that involves commitments of all stakeholders; from paying companies, to regulators, shareholders, registrars, banks and other capital market operators

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nature of dividend, the rights of shareholders with respect to dividend declaration and payment, the dividend payment process and institutional responsibilities and necessary rules and regulations guiding dividend payment would enhance dividend payment and reduce unclaimed dividends. The board of the company recommends possible cash payout, closure date for register of members and payment date to shareholders who usually approve these recommendations at a general meeting and thereafter the gross value of the dividend is deposited with the registrar for onward distribution to shareholders. The "chequelike" nature of dividend itself presents a challenge to several shareholders. Being a "cheque," the requirement of a "current account" to convert dividend warrant into raw cash has been a major hurdle to most small investors who operate mostly "saving deposit account." Another cause of the huge unclaimed dividend is the seeming intangibility of dividend especially by average and below average companies. For instance, a dividend per share of 10 kobo would result into a net sum of N90 on 1000 ordinary shares. With the cheque-like nature of dividend warrant and the intangibility of some dividends, many shareholders who received their warrant merely dump them somewhere. Also, events such as change of address, death, and incorrect entry also contribute to the unclaimed dividend problem. Many shareholders hardly bother to communicate these vital changes in their details to the registrars, so the registrars continue to work • Continued on page 30

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

ISSUES • Continued from page 29

on the old details and after many returned warrants, may altogether suspend further communication based on the previous details. These poor attitudes on the part of shareholders are major reasons for unclaimed dividends. This is explained by the fact that the largest chunk of unclaimed dividends belongs to individual retail shareholders and are scattered in little amounts. It could however not be denied that many unclaimed dividends resulted from inefficient public utility and the nature of dividend sometimes. Gone are those days when the post-office officials moved through the nooks and crannies of cities and towns to drop letters. The private couriers are not better and more importantly far too expensive. So, many companies are left with the public postal system which often performs below expectation. This has been further compounded by the lack of investment and financial education on the part of several retail shareholders. This is illustrated by the fact that several options that should nonetheless work to reduce the unclaimed dividends appear not to be suitably working for the larger segment of retail shareholders. Under the current system, a dividend warrant becomes statute-barred, that is, unclaimed and due for return to the originating company after 12 years. But before this, it only becomes temporarily invalid after six months and this could be solved by simply taking it to the registrars for revalidation and revalidation can be for as many times as possible. In effect, many shareholders still have ample chance to claim their monies "lying waste in banks' vaults." However, revalidation can become difficult in the case of absence and irregularity of signature and valid identity card. There have also been commendable improvements to the payment system. A mandate could be given to the registrars to pay dividends directly into the owner's account-either current or saving deposit account. Registrars now provide electronicdividend (e-dividend) mandate form, either separately or attached to company's annual report. Many banks have also introduced varieties of special deposit account that accepts monetized papers such as cheque and dividend warrant. Rather than the delay and uncertainties around the postal system, a shareholder can also undertake to pick his warrant directly from the registrars. With cooperation of the board, some registrars pay dividends at the venue of general meeting, thus giving shareholders immediate access to their monies. But companies have been alleged to borrow certain sum to pay dividend with mindset that certain percentage may not be claimed by their owners. This was one of the many reasons put forward by SEC in its initial efforts to establish a highly controversial unclaimed dividend Trust Fund, a move that was shut down by popular outcry from shareholders and companies. Until the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) changed the banking regulatory framework through its Scope of Banking Activities and Ancillary Matters No 3, 2010, most banks directly own ed their registrars. The Scope of Banking Activities and Ancillary Matters No 3, 2010 requires banks to fully concentrate on core banking functions. The model requires banks to either sell all non-core banking businesses or form a holding company to hold such non-core banking businesses including activities such as insurance, asset management and capital market operations. The owner-registrar relationship has been at the centre of suspicion of dividend malpractices. While some companies still own their registrars, the divestments that followed the change in banking regulatory regime have significantly altered the structure and ownership of registrars. The registrars, who by the current nature of custodianship keep custody of unclaimed dividends, have all along been subjects of intense criticisms by many stakeholders. Sometimes poorly staffed and often lacking in efficient internal processes, registrars' corporate failures and alleged deliberate efforts to create unclaimed dividends have also been contributing factors to unclaimed dividends.

Blocking the loopholes In the quest to block loopholes and strengthen the institution of dividend payment, SEC had in 2011 strengthened its rules on payment of dividends. SEC Rule 204 stipulates that a separate interest yielding escrow account shall be opened by a company within 24 hours of the approval of dividends at a general meeting in the case of final

• CEO, NSE, Oscar Onyema

• Mounir Gwarzo, Ag. DG SEC.

Stemming the tide of unclaimed dividends dividends or a board meeting in the case of interim dividends, and evidence of such opening must be forwarded to SEC and the company within 24 hours of the account being opened. Also, the rule provides that the total dividend declared by the company shall be paid en-bloc into the said escrow account within 24 hours after the opening of the account and evidence of such payment forwarded to SEC and the Registrar within 24 hours. The Registrar, then, shall be responsible for effecting dividend payment either by way of electronic transfer or by issuance and distribution of dividend warrant to the beneficiaries within the time limit prescribed in Rule 204(a)(5). Besides, the Registrar is expected to forward a monthly statement of account certified by the bank to SEC detailing the outflow and inflow into the accounts and the accrued interests on the dividend. Failure to comply with the rules carries stiff penalties for the registrars and paying companies. Now, SEC plans to change the custodianship and duration of the unclaimed dividend. The draft of new rules and regulations; released three weeks ago and currently undergoing stakeholders' review, will allow companies to retrieve unclaimed dividends and invest such money for their benefit. It is a paradigm shift from the current position where companies are not allowed access to unclaimed dividends until after 12 years. Unclaimed dividends, which, under the current regime, are in the custody of registrars until after they become statute-barred after 12 years, will now revert back to the paying company after 12 months. However, the company is under obligation to make the unclaimed dividend available to the registrars for payment whenever there is request by any shareholder. According to the new rules and regulations, all unclaimed dividends in the custody of the registrars shall be returned to the paying company 12 months after the date of approval of dividends at a general meeting, in the case of final dividends, or a board meeting, in the case of interim dividends. The registrar is expected to provide evidence of such remittance to SEC within 24 hours. The rules indicated that "where dividends are returned to the company unclaimed, the company may invest the unclaimed dividend for its own benefit in a guaranteed income investment outside the company and no interest shall accrue on the dividends against the company". However, unclaimed dividend shall not be used by the company for its own business except in accordance with provisions of Companies and Allied Matters Act

(CAMA). This obviously is a reference to the 12-year waiting period for companies to plough back unclaimed dividends into their capital. Also, a company may retain a minimum of five per cent of the unclaimed dividends in cash or near-cash for the purpose of remittance to the Registrars upon request for payment. According to the draft, all accrued interests from the failure of Registrars to remit the unclaimed dividends within the time limit prescribed in these Rules and Regulations shall be remitted along with the unclaimed dividend to the paying company. In this instance, the accrued interest shall be calculated at a rate not below a premium of five percent above the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) treasury bills rate. Failure to remit unclaimed dividends to the paying company by the Registrar as indicated shall attract a penalty of N5 million and an additional sum of N100, 000 for every day such contravention persists. The rules however retain registrars as the distributors of dividends. The registrars will still bear the responsibility of paying dividends to a shareholder after the dividends have been returned to the company. However, the affected company shall remit the portion of unclaimed dividends claimed by a shareholder to the registrar within 48 hours of receiving a request or claim for payment. Where the company fails to meet the remittance or payment deadline to registrar as indicated above, the company will pay penalty of N1 million in the first instance and N100, 000 for every day such contravention persists. Also, any registrar that connives or fails to comply with the provision of the rules on the 48-hour repayment will pay a penalty of N2 million in the first instance and N500, 000 for every day such contravention persists. Taking altogether, the existing rules and impending rules and regulations appear to address substantially stakeholders' concerns on the unclaimed dividends. Companies and shareholders had argued that rather than idling away with registrars, unclaimed dividend should be put to better use by the companies, which indirectly still create values for shareholders. Shareholders have thrown their weight behind the draft. President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Shehu Mikhail, said the main plank of the new rules and regulations is in line with the agitation of shareholders. According to him, shareholders have been clamouring that unclaimed dividends should revert to paying companies rather than staying with registrars as

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Unclaimed dividend is a recurring issue in the market. Over the years, the market has grappled with mounting piles of returned and unclaimed dividend warrants, and the pool of unregulated "slush" fund runs into billions every year

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shareholders own both the paying company and unclaimed dividends and can get future values from both. "This is one of the things shareholders have been clamouring for, it is good to have the unclaimed dividends sent back to the companies," Mikhail said. He said the new rules and regulations might help to check any unhealthy collaboration between directors of companies and registrars noting that there has always been suspicion that shareholders were being deliberately frustrated from getting their dividends. Founding member of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA) and shareholders' rights activist, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said the impending new rules will be good for the capital market. Still suspicious of registrars, Olatokunbo said that registrars are still using delay tactics to create unclaimed dividends because the returned monies will come to their custody. "Some companies don't abide by the payment date stated in the annual report and will not release cash as at when due to the registrars, yet the registrars will keep quiet in order not to lose the clients. Really, the new rules will lead to improvement in dividend payouts, the sanctions will prevent malpractices," Olatokunbo said. Chief relationship officer, TFS Securities and Investment Limited, Mr. Charles Fakrogha, also described the new rules as welcome development noting that putting the unclaimed monies in the custody of paying companies will be better. Managing director, Dependable Securities Limited, Mr. Chinenyem Anyanwu added that the new rules will provide the paying-company additional funds to improve its bottom-line for the benefit of the shareholders. He however noted that stringent enforcement should be put in place to ensure that the company remits the money whenever it is required. However, while shareholders under the aegis of Salemson Shareholders' Association of Nigeria welcomed the general nature of the new rules, they wanted the rules to be modified. According to the association, the unclaimed funds should be used to buy additional shares of the paying company in the name of the beneficiary. National coordinator, Salemson Shareholders' Association of Nigeria, Chief Erinfolami Gafar, said such provision will lead to direct benefit to the affected shareholder in the form of increased shareholdings.

Beyond rules and regulations Most stakeholders agree that stemming the tide of unclaimed dividends requires multiprong approach that involves commitments of all stakeholders; from paying companies, to regulators, shareholders, registrars, banks and other capital market operators. Mikhail urged SEC to coordinate a compendium of unclaimed dividends with names and addresses of the beneficiaries as part of efforts to push unclaimed dividends out to shareholders. Shareholders said SEC should liaise with the CBN to ensure that dividend warrants can be paid into savings accounts and banks should stop the charges on signing of e-dividend form. Alternatively, with the know-your-customer (KYC) relationship management firmly establish in the capital market, stockbrokers should be able to sign e-dividend form since they are closer to the shareholders than the banks. Shareholders have also called for increased public enlightenment to educate investors about the processes at the capital market. Some shareholders still want the 12-year statue-limit to be removed completely so that shareholders can claim their money whenever they want. Alongside the new rules, SEC is also addressing the issue of valid identity card. SEC is amending its rules to include voter's registration card issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as another valid identity for capital market transactions. This will increase possible personal identity documents for shareholders to seven. The other means of identity include current international passport, residence permit issued by the immigration authorities, current driver's licence issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), inland revenue tax clearance certificate, birth certificate or sworn declaration of age and national identity card. The new SEC management, under acting director general Mounir Gwarzo, has indicated that it will take investors' education to the front burner and will create nationwide enlightenment framework. With multi-prong and multi-stakeholders approach, the quantum and growth rate of unclaimed dividends will reduce considerably, to the benefit of all stakeholders.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

MONEYLINK

CBN sells $350m to halt naira’s fall

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervened Friday with about $350 million foreign exchange sale to dealers at its official exchange rate, halting the naira’s slide to a record low. The regulator sold foreign-exchange at a rate of N198.50 per dollar, weaker than its target band of N159.60 to N176.40, spokesman Ibrahim Mu’azu told Bloomberg. Two large sales were done at N198.50 to the dollar, totaling $40.8 million, Thomson Reuters data showed. Trading on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market was delayed until after 10 a.m. to allow dealers to submit demand for dollars to the apex bank. President, Financial Markets Deal-

Stories by Collins Nweze

ers Association said the aim is to pump a maximum amount of liquidity into the market and reduce dollar demand. Analysts estimate that Nigerian assets have plummeted with a 50 per cent decline in oil prices since June that has curbed government revenue and export earnings for the country. The selloff deepened last week, pushing the nation’s currency to a record low, after elections scheduled for Saturday were postponed by six weeks. The CBN sells dollars to banks on Mondays and Wednesdays at a rate of five per cent above or below

N168 per dollar. “It is part of CBN measures to defend the naira. The aim is to increase dollar supply to the level that it will be able to suppress dollar demand and minimize the level of depreciation of the naira,” Mu’azu said. The naira gained 0.6 per cent to 204.30 per dollar, reversing an earlier decline. The naira has lost five percent over the past eight days, the most on a weekly basis since December 2008. “When the election was delayed, confidence was sapped. It’s mostly foreign investors that are selling. No sector is safe from the selloff and shares may fall even further

Overnight lending rate soars to 95%

HE overnight lending rates climbed to near record highs on Friday after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold Treasury bills to mop up liquidity and enforced a cash reserve requirement for lenders, dealers said. Amid a squeeze on the naira, the rate commercial banks charge other banks for borrowing on the inter-

bank market jumped to 95 percent, from 20 per cent on Thursday. Overnight rates had climbed to a record high of 100 percent on Tuesday after the CBN soaked up liquidity to support the naira currency, which fell through the psychological 200 mark for the first time this week. The central bank sold 115 billion

This brings to 18, the number of lucky winners that have emerged in the three draws held. The next two draws holding in March and April will produce another set of 12 winners bringing the total number of winners to 30. The six lucky winners are Abubakar Hallihru, Obi Nwaogwugwu, Lawal Kazeem, and Momodu Francis Aleogho. Others are Bala Belief and Muritala Agbolahan. An excited Nwaogwugwu who was called during the draws ex-

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

banks at risk of giving wrong prices, according to Kunle Ezun, an analyst at Ecobank Transnational Inc. in Lagos.

FCMB PayPad makes its debut

naira ($575 million) of debt in a bid to tighten liquidity in support of the local currency by draining cash and pushing up lending rates. Traders said the state-owned energy company, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), also recalled a portion of its deposits with banks, putting further pressure on liquidity.

Sterling Bank’s promo produces winners TERLING Bank has rewarded another set of six lucky winners with the bank’s Arsenal accounts in the on-going Gunners Promo organised by the lender to reward loyalty and encourage savings culture among Nigerians. At the third draw was held at the bank’s Corporate Head Office in Lagos at the weekend, the lucky six lucky winners will have the privilege of an all-expense paid trip to watch the home match involving Arsenal Football Club and Liverpool on April 4.

before elections because of the high political risk,” Seun Olanipekun, an analyst at Investment One Financial Services Ltd., said. “I just don’t see any investors going long naira onshore assets,” Samir Gadio, head of African strategy at Standard Chartered Plc, said by phone from London. “We are hardly seeing any trading in the interbank market.” Price swings in the naira jumped to a six-year high this week after Standard & Poor’s said on Feb. 10 that the country’s BB- credit rating, already three steps below investment grade, may be cut. Trading in the naira was temporarily halted by dealers on Wednesday as increased volatility put

pressed his gratitude to the Bank for fulfilling its promise to reward owners of Arsenal Accounts. Although he was initially sceptical, he explained that “what is happening to me can only be a dream and l hope to wake up in the Emirates Stadium”. Same for Messrs. Kazeem, Agbolahan and Momodu. The bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola, said the lender came up with the promo to reward customers for their loyalty, and encourage other football lovers to share the one-customer experience.

IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has unveiled a Mobile Point of Sale (MPoS) terminal, which it has aptly tagged FCMB PayPad. The product, the lender said, is in demonstration of its commitment to further support the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and the success of the cashless policy initiative in Nigeria. It described the product as a portable device that allows merchants securely process payments in a seamless manner, driven by a robust mobile application on a smart phone or tablet. The product, it added, can easily be customised to suit the needs of merchants which could entail inventory management or airtime vending. The device can be obtained from any FCMB branch across the nation at no cost to the merchant. The FCMB PayPad provides a more secure, simple and efficient payment solution to merchants in the Nigerian market. “It easily synchronises with any smart phone

or tablet running the customised application that is freely downloadable from the app store. The benefits of the device, includes availability of transaction details via SMS, email and paper print and long lasting rechargeable battery which ensures fewer recharging frequency. It is also portable (smaller than a mobile phone) which makes handling very convenient,” it said. FCMB’s Executive Director, Service Management and Technology, Mr. Nath Ude said the robust nature of the product makes it very reliable for secured transaction processing for merchants that run mobile businesses and also for small, midsize and large merchants. He added that, ‘’it is also the device of choice for businesses in the e-commerce space that operate door-to-door delivery and need secured payment processing’’. Mr. Ude continued by saying, “the FCMB PayPad is truly a payment device that will revolutionize how secured payment processing is done in fixed locations and on-the-go.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 36472.82 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1,745.83 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.1949 1.2846 0.7157 1.1258

125.82 36472.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1,745.83 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.1885 1.2846 0.7051 1.1258

GAINERS AS AT 12-02-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) February 11, 2015

Inflation: December

42.98

10.21

202.00

5.00

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$34.5b

27.90

29.29

4.98

$59

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR) OKOMUOIL

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

CAVERTON

2.81

4.98 Tenor

AIRSERVICE

1.95

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

PRESCO TRANSCORP UACN GUINNESS 7UP LIVESTOCK ASHAKACEM DANGSUGAR FBNH ETI FIDSON ACEESS GUARANTY

30.38 2.42 36.40 120.00 157.00 2.20 18.28 6.46 6.70 17.00 3.08 5.59 17.86

C/PRICE 28.00 2.28 34.58 114.00 149.15 2.09 17.37 6.14 6.37 16.17 2.93 5.32 17.00

03-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 04-02-15

4.62

LOSERS AS AT 12-02-15

CHANGE -7.83 -5.79 -5.00 -5.00 -5.00 -5.00 -4.98 -4.95 -4.88 -4.87 -4.83 -4.82 -4.76

Interbank ($/N)

202.50

Black Market ($/N)

212.00

CBN EXCHANGE RATES (RDAS) February 11, 2015

CHANGE

39.00

168.00

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b) CADBURY

R-DAS ($/N)

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

11.94

12.18

13.08

13.33

14.03

14.17

Transaction Dates

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

US Dollar

167

168

Pounds Sterling

251.7525

253.26

Euro

189.5617

190.6968

Swiss Franc

180.1122

181.1907

Yen

1.4231

1.4316

CFA

0.2689

0.2889

234.5928

235.9975

Yuan/Renminbi

26.6837

26.8444

Riyal

44.4908

44.7582

SDR

235.2863

236.6952

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Feb. 11, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

13.65

T-bills - 182

13.88

Amount

T-bills - 364

13.65

Offered in ($)

Sold in ($)

Bond - 3yrs

13.81

03/02/2015 3/12/2014

500m 400m

499.93m 399.97m

Bond - 5yrs

13.85

1/12/2014

350m

349.96m

Bond - 7yrs

13.83

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

EQUITIES

Investors’ losses climb to N2.27tr as equities lose N801b in 5 days N IGERIAN equities lost N801 billion in five successive trading sessions last week, raising aggregate loss for investors so far this year to N2.27 trillion. It was a traumatic week for investors as a combination of negative reactions to postponement of the general elections and negative credit rating report worsened the tough macroeconomic outlook that had been orchestrated by the global decline in crude oil price and resultant depreciation in Nigerian currency. Assurances by the Presidency on peaceful political transition and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the readiness of monetary and fiscal authorities to do everything possible to support the economy failed to lift investors’ mood. The Nigerian stock market recorded average day-on-day loss of 1.25 per cent, representing a loss of about N117 billion, on Friday, immediately after the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, met with the capital market community at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). All value-based indices at the NSE indicated widespread declines in share prices, which saw the market dropping below its two-year low and most equities trading below their lowest values. However, the market showed a little upbeat on Friday with more gainers, although there were still nearly two losers for every gainer and losses mostly outweighed gains. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities on the NSE closed weekend at N9.204 trillion as against its opening value of N10.005 trillion for the week. Market capitalization of quoted equities had opened this year at N11.477 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), a valuebased index that tracks prices of all quoted companies and doubles as country index for Nigeria, slipped to 27,585.26 points at the weekend as against its opening index of 29,985.08 points for the week. It had started the year at 34,657.15 points. With average daily decline of 1.25 per cent on Friday and a week-onweek average loss of 8.0 per cent, average year-to-date return at the Nigerian stock market opens today at -20.41 per cent. This implies that an average investor has lost at least more than 20 per cent of the value of his investment so far this year. This relates to a well-balanced portfolio with the cross-sectoral cushions to absorb higher losses from some sectors. As investors were grappling with

the increased anxiety generated by the postponement of the general elections, which were scheduled to start on February 14, to March 28, Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (S & P) exacerbated Nigeria’s risk profile by Nigeria’s sovereign credit rating on negative watch. It was the second damaging extraneous influence on the Nigerian financial markets after JP Morgan placed Nigeria on “index watch negative” due to what the global financial company described as lack of liquidity induced by regulatory policies of the CBN. Nigeria was admitted to the JPMorgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets Indices (JP Morgan GBI-EM Index) on October 1, 2012. Nigeria was the second African country after South Africa to be included in the widely followed index. The largely negative trading pattern at the stock market this year worsened the portfolio performance of investors in Nigerian market, who had been at the topend of the global decline last year. Nigerian equities ranked among the worst-performing stocks globally in 2014 with average full-year decline of 16.14 per cent. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities

leading broker and dealer on the Nigerian stock market, noted that the decision of the INEC to shift the 2015 general elections by six weeks to March 28 and April 11 set off a domino effect in the Nigerian economy and the financial market, destabilizing macroeconomic variables. Afrinvest Securities stated that the placement of the Nigerian sovereign credit rating on negative watch might be a precursor to downgrade of the credit rating from its current BB-. According to analysts, yields on Federal Government bond had risen in response to the negative watch, with average yields closing at 16.5 per cent. All the three government instruments on auction by the Debt Management Office (DMO), Federal Government’s bond issuance agency, last Wednesday were not fully allotted as investors sought higher premiums to compensate for risk. “Our prognosis for the economy in the run-up to the election is of crystallizing risk as we expect further capital market volatility and sustained pressure on the Naira. We forecast a 50 basis points increase in inflation in January 2015 to 8.5 per cent whilst we note that a further re-

•From Left: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema presenting a gong souvenir to National Chairman, Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), Mr ‘Gbenga Falabi during the courtesy visit of NAIP to the Exchange.

Investors to use voter’s card for capital market transactions NVESTORS in the Nigerian capital market can find greater need of the permanent voter’s card (PVC) issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as they will be able to use the PVC for all identity requirements in capital market transactions. An amendment to identity rule at the capital market currently under consideration by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeks to include the PVC as equivalent to other recognized means of identifications. According to the draft of the amendment titled “proposed inclusion of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter’s registration card as a valid means of identification of individual clients in the capital market”, SEC will amend its identity rule under the Section 44, subsection 4 of SEC Regulations, 2013, which listed suitable documentary evidence as means of identification, to include the PVC. Accordingly, the subsection will be amended to include the INEC voter’s registration card alongside suitable documentary evidence for Nigerian resident private individuals, which included current international passport, residence

closed 2014 at N11.477 trillion as against its opening value of N13.226 trillion for the year, indicating a loss of N1.75 trillion during the year. The performance of the Nigerian stock market last week contrasted sharply with the generally positive performance of the global equities markets. Key global indices showed growths across the emerging and advanced markets. Brazil’s average index, Bovespa, rose by 3.1 per cent. Russia’s RTS index climbed by 10.5 per cent. India’s Sensex index rose by 1.3 per cent China’s Shangai index and South Africa’s ASI rose by 4.2 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively. In Europe, United Kingdom’s FTSE 100 index indicated average growth of 0.5 per cent. France’s CAC 40 index also rose by 1.9 per cent while Germany’s DAX index climbed by 1.3 per cent. Also, Japan’s average index, the Nikkei index, rose by 1.9 per cent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index inched up by 0.01 per cent. The United States’ benchmark S&P 500 recorded a gain of 1.6 per cent as investors responded positively to improving macro fundamentals. Afrinvest Securities Limited, a

permit issued by the immigration authorities, current driver’s licence issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), inland revenue tax clearance certificate, birth certificate or sworn declaration of age and national identity card. With this amendment, investors can use their PVC for validation and claim of sales and buy mandates, collection of sales proceeds, dividend warrant, change in personal details including name and addresses, estate management including next of kin, probate and power of attorney, confirmation of signature and confirmatory evidence for Know-Your-Customer (KYC)’s requirements of residence, age and nationality among other identity validation requirements. The INEC’s PVC included critical data of every holder including the bio-data, facial image, 10 finger prints and optional fields for those that possess national identity card and telephone numbers. The size of data captured for every holder is approximately one megabyte per voter. Besides, each holder has a unique identifier- voter identification number (VIN). The INEC had extended collection of the PVC till March 8.

adjustment of the mid-point of the Naira exchange rate to reflect a fairer value is inevitable. This would be necessary to calm uncertainties in the financial market regarding policy direction, reduce the incentive for round tripping and more importantly, stem the tide of the decline in foreign exchange reserves,” Afrinvest Securities stated on the outlook for the financial markets. Exotix Partners LLP, a global finance and investment firm with offices in major global financial centres and significant imprints in Africa, last week downgraded its positive view on Nigerian sovereign Eurobond. Exotix coordinates its global operations through five major offices in London, New York, Lagos, Dubai and Nairobi. In a report signed by Stuart Culverhouse, Exotix’s global head of research, said the downgrade was due to the uncertainties around Nigeria’s general elections and the decline in macroeconomic outlook. “What has changed? Oil prices have been lower than expected-and could remain low for longer, which in our view is creating a hole in the balance of payments which needs addressing. Yet crucially the postponement of the presidential election to 28 March announced at the weekend (February 7) is only going to create policy-and political uncertainty and delay the necessary policy response for much longer than we had anticipated. We could be waiting until May/June. Nigeria cannot afford to wait that long,” Exotix stated. According to the firm, the Naira outlook remains negative with expectation that there could be further devaluation, the scale of which is mounting by the day. It noted that the prospects for the widely-anticipated, post-election devaluation become more complicated with the postponed election and this may not happen now until the May Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting rather than the March meeting at which it had expected to see further moves. “A first-stage devaluation of the official parity to N190-195 looks likely to us, and more could follow later in the year subject to external and domestic conditions. We expect a year-end Naira rate of N220-230, by which time the (expected) policy response should help to stabilise the position. But a lot can happen in the meantime and risks to the naira look skewed to the downside,” Exotix stated.

Ecobank gets $50m Deutsche loan

COBANK Transnational Incorporated (ETI) Plc has signed a one-year senior unsecured loan facility of $50 million arranged by Deutsche Bank AG. The facility will be used for general corporate purposes. The new $50 million loan facility brings total funding arranged by Deutsche Bank to $250 million. ETI had successfully raised $200 million loan facility from Deutsche Bank in December 2014. Altogether, in the last six months, Ecobank has raised approximately $1 billion in combined equity and debt capital for its parent company and its businesses in Nigeria, the largest of the group’s affiliates. ETI had in December 2014 signed a loan facility agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The dollar-denominated loan facility agreement involved $100 million and will have a tenor of seven year. Ecobank will use the loan to provide some of its subsidiaries with additional lending capacity as well as finance some of its group strategic capital expenditures.

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

The loan deal, according to the group, also demonstrated its commitments to contribute positively to the African economy by increasing the levels of credit available to businesses while at the same time generating long-term value for its shareholders. Group Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) Plc, Albert Essien, said the group would use the fund to consolidate its operations across Africa. “This funding continues our relationship with the European Investment Bank. It will allow us to continue to consolidate our expanded operations and translate our scale and geographical footprint into added value for our customers. We shall use the financing to maintain credit provision in key economies in Africa thus contributing to the development of the continent,” Essien said. Key extracts of the interim report and accounts of ETI for the nine-

month period ended September 30, 2014 had shown that the financial holding company grew its top-line by 16 per cent to N207.75 billion in third quarter 2014 while interest income rose by about 11 per cent to N187.67 billion. Profit after tax rose to N52.49 billion in 2014 as against N39.96 billion in comparable period of 2013. Further analysis showed that the company’s cost to income ratio reduced to 66.56 per cent in 2014 from 71.20 per cent in 2013. Additionally, net margin moved to 19.51 per cent as against 17.23 per cent in previous year. Ecobank was aggressive about lending as its loans to deposit ratio jumped to 71.63 per cent from 66.80 per cent while loans and advances were up by 16.55 per cent to N1.97 trillion in third quarter 2014 as against N1.69 trillion by third quarter 2013. Deposit from customers also rose by 8.69 per cent to N2.75 trillion as against N2.53 trillion in comparable period of 2013. Total assets rose by 10.69 per cent to N3.83 trillion in 2014 compared with N3.46 trillion in 2013.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Taxation Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) Explained…

S is the case with several tax types, the Personal Income Tax (PIT) which is made up of direct assessment for self-employed enterprises and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) for salary earners has attracted various questions from taxpayers across the nation. In a Q&A session with the Director, Medium Tax Department of the FIRS, Peter Ademola Olayemi explains in clear terms issues regarding PIT and PAYE. P. A. Olayemi is a chartered accountant and a seasoned tax administrator with vast years of experience in tax practice. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Institute of Debt Recovery Practitioners of Nigeria. Taxpayer What is PAYE? P. A. Olayemi: PAYE is an acronym for “Pay as You Earn”. It is a method of collecting personal income tax from employees’ salaries and wages through deduction at source by an employer as provided by the relevant sections of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA). (S.81 of Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8 LFN 2011) Taxpayer What is the due date for remitting PAYE? P. A. Olayemi The due date for remitting PAYE is the 10th day of every month following the month of deduction. Taxpayer Does PAYE charges on income vary from ministry to ministry for the same level of income/salary? P. A. Olayemi PAYE does not differ because the rates used for computation are the same. The current rates applicable to the chargeable income are as follows: 1st N300,000 @ 7% Next N300,000 @ 11% Next N500,000 @ 15% Next N500,000 @ 19% Next N1,600,000 @ 21% Above N3,200,000 @ 24% Taxpayer Is the submission of comprehensive list of staff with monthly PAYE deductions/ remittance different from submission of annual returns? P. A. Olayemi Yes, the two submissions, though made at different times, should be accompanied with a comprehensive list of staff that suffered the PAYE deductions. Comprehensive list of employees from whom PAYE deductions were made is continuously submitted on monthly basis each time PAYE is deducted and remitted to FIRS for residents of FCT, police, members of the armed forces, officers of the Nigerian Foreign Service and non-residents that derive income/profit in Nigeria and to the States Boards of Internal Revenue, residents of the respective states. The Annual returns (form H1) on the other hand is to be submitted by 31st day of January of every year by every employer to enable the tax authority ascertain whether the correct deductions and payments of tax have been made for the previous year (period of twelve months) for all its employees and for incomes from all sources earned during the year. Taxpayer What is Benefit-In-Kind? P. A. Olayemi Benefit-In-Kind (B.I.K) may be defined as those benefits or perquisites that accrue to a person by reason of the office and/or position he/she occupies. Benefits in kind include such benefits as official car, official accommodation, cooks, garden-

ers, security etc. The amount treated as B-I-K in the hand of the officer that enjoys the benefit is added to his income in arriving at his/her gross/ consolidated income that is assessed to tax. Taxpayer Where should PAYE deductions from the salaries of a staff working in Abuja but residing in Suleja or Mararaba be remitted to? P. A. Olayemi By residency rule, an employee’s PAYE is payable to the tax authority of the state of his/her residence. It is therefore the duty of the employer to deduct and remit it to the tax authority where the employee is resident. If the employee is resident in Suleja, the tax authority that is entitled to his PAYE is the Niger State Board of Internal Revenue. If he is however resident in Mararaba, the tax authority will be the Nasarawa State Board of Internal Revenue. Taxpayer What is the minimum tax rate for Personal Income Tax? P. A. Olayemi The minimum tax rate is 1% of gross income. It is applicable if the taxable income is below N300, 000. Taxpayer Is it possible to apply for a refund for excess Personal Income Tax deductions/payments? P.A Olayemi Yes; the law provides that excess tax paid by any employee shall be refunded on application by the employee to the relevant tax authority. He could however elect to have the excess tax payment be used to off-set future tax liability. Taxpayer When there is under deduction of tax from the employee’s income, who bears the burden of the under deduction? P. A. Olayemi Section 82 of Personal Income Tax Act, Cap P8, LFN 2004 states “that where an employer is required under a provision of this Act to make deductions from emoluments or amounts on account of emoluments paid by him to an employee shall account to the relevant tax authority in such manner as the relevant tax authority may prescribe for the deductions so made, and in the event of failure by the employer to make the deduction, or properly to account therefore, the amount thereof together with a penalty of 10% per annum of the amount plus interest at the prevailing commercial rate shall be recoverable as a debt due by the employer to the relevant tax authority” Based on this provision of the law, when there is an under deduction of tax from a staff salary, the employer whose duty it is to deduct correctly and remit to the relevant tax authority bears the burden. Taxpayer What is gross emolument/salary? P. A. Olayemi Personal Income Tax Act (PITA, 2011) as amended defines gross emolument as the aggregate of wages, salaries, allowances (including benefits-in-kind), gratuities, pension, superannuation and any other income derived solely by reason of employment. Taxpayer What are non-taxable deductions under the PIT Act? P. A. Olayemi The sixth schedule of Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2011 listed the following as

• Acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed Mashi

tax exempt: a) National Housing Fund contributions b) National Health Insurance Scheme contributions c) Life Assurance Premium d) National Pension Scheme e) Gratuities Taxpayer Is it within the law for a State Board of Internal Revenue to charge interest, penalty and threaten distraint for a shortfall between the PAYE remitted by a company and the PAYE deducted as stated on the company’s tax deduction cards. P. A. Olayemi It is lawful for the relevant tax authority to carry out audit of your returns to ascertain compliance. It is also lawful for a penalty and interest to be imposed and to carry out enforcement action of distraint to recover any shortfall in the remittance of tax deducted. It should however be noted that a taxpayer should be given a fair hearing during a reconciliation meeting by both parties where all issues must be discussed. Where a taxpayer is still not pleased with the decision after the reconciliation meeting, he/she can approach a higher authority of the relevant tax authority after which he could appeal to the Tax Appeal Tribunal for adjudication under the relevant provision of the PITA, 2011 (as amended). Taxpayer What is the tax implication of giving new/used vehicles to staff for use in an organization? P. A. Olayemi This is treated as B-I-K. 5% of the value of the vehicle is calculated and added to the income of staff that enjoyed the benefit and taxed accordingly. Taxpayer What is the current relief claimable under Personal Income Tax Act? P. A. Olayemi The Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) as amended provides for Consolidated Relief Allowance (CRA) of N200,000 or 1% of gross income whichever is higher plus 20% of gross income. The balance shall be taxable in accordance with the tax rates in Schedule Six (6) of the Act.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

Job seekers are confronted with many barriers. Of all the problems, age appears to take the lead. Even when the applicant is qualified for the job, his age can be an obstacle, writes MUYIWA LUCAS.

When age is a barrier

HE number of the country’s unem ployed youths may continue to grow in leaps and bounds. This is because of a seeming clog employers have placed in the way of job seekers. Presently, not only must a job seeker graduate with very high grades, his age at the time of seeking employment has now become as equally important as his good grades. At business districts, they are noticeable as they comb the streets in a well dressed suit, moving from offices to offices to submit job applications but during the shortlisting; most companies dump their applications despite their impressive CV. Hakeem Akintunde used to be a victim of age barrier in the labour market but the US visa lottery which he won in 2013 helped

him out of the quagmire. He finished his degree at the age of 28 but most of the jobs he applied for turned him down because he did not qualify for age benchmark of 25 at a new generation bank among several others. He is not alone. Uche Chiwendu finished her degree at the age of 26 from University of Port Harcourt with 2.1 grade in Accounting. She applied for a job at a leading auditing firm in Lagos. She was called for interview but at the final stage of the interview which she passed, the head of the interview team praised her for displaying excellence performance. She was however told that part of the company policy is that any candidate at the entry level should not be more than 23yrs. Chiwendu almost collapsed. Sometimes in 2013, Tue July 2, KPMG In-

ternational, a global network of professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services advertised job vacancy for graduate trainee copied on www.hotnigerianjobs.com with job reference number J2013. With 100 slots available in Lagos, the company requested that interested candidates should posses’ first class or second class (Upper) in any discipline, five O’level credits (including English & Math) at one sitting with an age ceaveat: “Not more than 26 years.” Age discrimination in employment has become a major problem facing graduates and non-graduates in Nigeria. It has continued to enhance the unemployment •Continued on page 36

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

JOBS

When age is a barrier •Continued from page 35

situation in the country. Take a look at vacancy adverts in Nigeria and you will see how they are equipped with age restrictions and sometime certificate barriers. A typical example reads, “Candidate must not be more than 25 years of age, must possess a good university degree with a second class honours (Upper division). Candidate must have at least 10 to 15 years of experience”. Emphasis hardly placed on competence. Sadly, a practice which was mainly associated with the banking industry has spread to other sectors. Today, government institutions Champion this course. Even foreign companies indulge in the practice when they do not have similar conditions in their own countries. President General of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Bobooi Bala described age barrier in employment requirement as an unwholesome development. “In other parts of the world, employers look at your competence. They never bother with your age

• Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity Alhaji Kabiru Turaki

as long as you can do the work efficiently. In the US, you see people still getting new jobs at 50; people are still working at 60 years. There is another thing they do here. They ask for seven, eight years experience. Can anybody acquire experience without first getting a job? It is really sad. People are taking advantage of the unemployment situation.”

• Bala

Akintunde Ojo, a businessman, said employers are not inserting the age clause to prevent any class of people from getting employed. They are just looking for the best in terms of efficiency and disposition. “You know the older you are, the tendency for you to be slowed down by age. I also tried in vain to get paid employment. My in-

ability to get a job after six years of leaving the university, made me go into auto spares business.” He, however, added that not everyone would be able to raise capital from family members like he did. He appealed to employers to consider the state of the nation and try to remove the age clause from vacancy adverts. Comrade Lateef Oyelekan,

President, National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), appealed to employers to remove the age clause, and consider competence instead of insisting on employing people within a certain age bracket only. He said they should also consider experience in their search for workers as experience goes hand in hand with age. “Many people are frustrated, not because they cannot acquire the necessary qualification needed to secure employment, but because employers make them feel rejected. Many have lost hope. “Employers should consider older citizens who have the required qualification for jobs,” he said. The National Assemby has made efforts in the past to ensure that employers at all levels remove age barrier clause in their employment criteria. An Act to prohibit age discrimination in employment in the public and private Sectors in Nigeria sponsored by Hon. Hassan El-Badawywas debated but nothing has come out of the assembly. With age discrimination in the labour market, a job recruitment expert, Mr. Michael Omole, said most Nigerians studying part time programmes without being engaged in a job already might not have a company to employ them as a result of age barrier which prevented them from going to school on time. He said government should enact the bill on age discrimination in other to make companies stop this act.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Fishing out your dream job: Techniques and strategies

E are presenting the series designed to provide job seekers the road map to the nitty-gritty of the tough aspects of tackling the job market and making it available for you, no matter where it is.

Job fairs Job fairs are being utilised by an increasing number of recruiters. They offer a cost-effective and convenient way to contact a large number of candidates in a relatively short them. Job fairs also offer similar benefits to candidates — as long as you know how to work them. Plan in advance and your job fair visit will be very worthwhile. Be sure to investigate all participating companies in advance. When possible, obtain a list of these companies from fair organisers, and begin to research about six to 10 companies that may be of particular interest to you. In making your decision, consider the type of candidates sought, company location, company reputation, etc. Once you’ve drawn up your list, do some research on these companies at your local library, on the worldwide web, or through directly contacting the company. Be sure to uncover basic information such as company product and services, size, etc. You may even want to explore what the company’s philosophy or approach is. In particular, what they emphasise in their literature. Write this information obtained on index cards, a notebook or in a PC file. Your next step is to check out your own communication tool for the fair, your resume. Be sure to give it a make-over to make sure it highlights and showcases your skills in a professional and concise way for the job you are seeking. If it doesn’t, revise it in advance of your visit to the job

By Olu Oyeniran

fair. Now it’s time to put both items together. For each company that you have researched information on, write down the basic details obtained. Next to this information, list some skills, qualifications, achievements, or specialised training from your resume that would match the company’s “ideal” candidate. A typical entry in your notebook may look like this:

XXYYZZ Nigeria Plc • Manufacture and sell office products and equipment. • Lagos-based • 550 employees. • Family owned and operated with strong commitment to customer service. • Looking for sales professionals. • Five year outside sales experience and an associate’s degree in marketing. • Worked in retail during school, completed an internship, have strong letters of recommendation for friendliness and courtesy to customers. As the date for the job fair approaches, check out your logistics. Make sure that you know where the event is being held, where to park, job fair hours, etc. Depending on the number of companies scheduled to attend, it’s a good idea to allow yourself at least one and a half hours to talk with prospective employers. Be sure to dress appropriately for the fair, and bring along 10 to 12 copies of your resume.

Plan on arriving about 45 minutes to one hour after the official start time Look for your targeted compa-

nies, did they all show up? How busy are they at the moment? If a recruiter is busy talking to other candidates, look for another targeted company whose table is free. The trick is to minimise waiting in line, and maximise talking with prospective employers. Be sure to shake hands with the recruiter and introduce yourself Provide them with a copy of your resume to look over, along with your references, or any letters of recommendation you may have. As they review your resume, describe your background and qualifications. Make this a brief, to the point presentation recapping your skills and abilities. At this point, the recruiter may have some additional questions about your qualifications and also provide you with information about current job vacancies. Keep your talk concise — your total time spent with a recruiter should not be more than eight to 10 minutes. To wrap up, thank the recruiter for their time, express an interest in a more formal interview in the future, and ask for a business card in order to send a follow-up thank-you letter. After you’ve talked with the recruiters of your “targeted” companies, talk with other employer representatives if time allows. By doing so, you can often uncover information about certain companies and jobs that you were unaware of prior to the job fair. Finally, make one last tour of the area before you leave, and stop by the tables of any recruiters who had been helpful or interested in your background. Reintroduce yourself remind them of your earlier meeting, and reiterate your interest in schedul-

ing to meet with them at a later date. Visit a local job fair and interview with at least five companies and collect at least 10 business cards. However, I will say that you do not put too much stock into this strategy. We have discussed the main strategies for job hunting. A major issue for job seekers but the least discussed is the issue of fear. But anybody who has had to look for a job will agree it is a regular company at various points in the job hunting stages. We will bring the matter to the fore by considering how to manage fear. You’ve heard of fire-fighting, let’s talk about fear fighting. You may have heard the old saying “Fire and fear – good servants, poor masters”. Whenever I hear that quote, I am always struck by how much fire and fear have in common. • It’s easy for both to get out of control and maim or damage. We have a fear of both. (Nothing to fear, but fear itself). • Both can be hard to capture or contain, much less extinguish. • Both can be controlled and made to serve us, if created respectfully and knowledgeably. We are in a business climate where fear is an everyday companion for most of us. Our friends, business associates and clients can seem to take an almost ghoulish delight in sharing the latest business horror story. Even the strongest of us can find ourselves bitten by the fear bug, and from there, the fear can start to grow like a dreaded disease. It starts to permeate every task, every phone call, every prospect interaction. How do we inoculate ourselves from the fear virus? How do we keep it from destroying our peace, sapping our energy and stealing

our motivation? You may have heard what we resist, persists” This is definitely true for fear. We can fear number of things in these challenging times, many of which are beyond our control. The pivot-point questions are: What can I affect? (What is within my ability to change, control, or manipulate, even minutely?). Am I willing to take the effort to do so? Consider these in managing fear: • Honour the fear: Acknowledge it. Thank it for showing up. Do not deny it, or stuff it away, or anesthetise it with food, alcohol or drugs. • Be aware that there is no shame in being afraid. Fear is a natural response. It means our body, mind, spirit and emotions are working the way they are supposed to. • Ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen? Have I been through something like that before? Am I willing to deal with the situation? If not, what am I prepared to do? What am I prepared to change?” • Understand that fear is not a signal to stop, not a red light. Fear is a yellow light, telling us to proceed with caution and awareness. • Give yourself permission to move forward cautiously, with the fear. Consider fear an informative travelling companion, not on adversary during these challenging times. And certainly, not the thief of our peace of mind and our future security. • Ask yourself “what will I do if am not afraid?” Then, just do what you would have done if you are not afraid. •Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

THE CEO

‘How to bridge 17 million housing gap’

• Mr LeBris

The devaluation of the naira is an extra burden on individuals and corporate entities because of its wider implications on the economy. But Nigerite is promising not to allow the devaluation to affect its business. The company, its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Frank LeBris says, will not increase its price, at least within the first half of the year. LeBris, in this interview with MUYIWA LUCAS and BUSOLA ADESUNLOYE, talks about the operating environment and how to bridge the 17 million housing gap, among others.

HAT is your assessment of the business environment? The business environment should be very good for us as a company because there is a housing deficit of between 16 to 17 million in the country. So, I should say the environment is very good, but there are some external factors which are not favourable and most likely this year, because of the present political environment, we are expecting lower sales in February and maybe in March too. This is because most times people wait a bit before the elections before spending money. So, business in Nigeria is a bit of a question mark and I see it remaining so for the first half of this year in the Nigerian market. How has this affected the performance of Nigerite as a company? Although it could affect us, but at the moment, it has not affected the performance of our firm. It would only affect us because some customers will wait a bit before buying. So, it would affect our turnover for one or two months. The naira devaluation means that cost of production would increase. How do you hope to cushion this effect on the final consumer? The commitment of Nigerite is to provide very good quality sheets at a good price. So, I will say the decision at the moment is not to pass the burden to the customers; we, as a company will bear the cost differential. This is to say that we will cushion it at our own

cost, that is to say the customers should not expect a price increase for the first half of this year. How do government policies encourage your company? I don’t see any encouragement of the government for us, but I see some encouragement from our partners such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Lafarge Africa, or other local partners. Could that be inferred to mean that government policies are not favourable to you? It’s not because they are not favourable, but I know the government wants to encourage the local content, like the technology transfer for sure, so they are in favour of what we are doing. But we would appreciate if we had more financial support for example. At the moment we don’t have such. I would say that is one of the supports we could benefit from, and also we are ready to contribute to team up with the government or with some private partners in order to

build affordable houses. We had a CSR project in Abuja supported by the foundation of our mother company. It is a Foundation founded by the shareholders of Etex group, which is the main shareholder in Nigerite. So, we built 24 small affordable houses in Abuja at affordable price of less than N2 million, which the people have a chance to buy at lower than N1 million due to subsidies from the government. So, we are waiting for this kind of support from the government and the private partners. How many bedrooms are those units of houses? One bedroom, kitchen, simple. It’s the same pattern. We have four-by-24 houses which are almost a hundred houses. How many states do you have housing partnership with? We are in partnership with Osun and Ekiti States and we have some talks with Ogun State. In addition to that you must know that Odua Investments, which include the five old

‘I should say that the environment is very good, but there are some external factors which are not favourable and most likely this year, because of the present political environment, we are expecting lower sales in February and maybe in March’

western states except Lagos are our shareholders. Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti, have five per cent each. So, we should have a tight relationship with them. For Osun, the government is ready to listen to us and to team up with Nigerite. It should be encouraged and we should speed up the cooperation with these states. What informed your investment in dry construction technology? I would say it was its advantages, because it allows you to build new houses very quickly with this technology. Then, secondly, for Nigerite as a company, it makes for an extension of our operating scope because it takes us from being providers of ceiling and roofing products to a full provider of houses, that is, the walls, flooring and all the other parts needed in completing a house will now be provided by us. That’s why we introduced this new process to be able to be a “one -stop” shop provider for housing. As a solutions provider in the building sub sector, what solution would you proffer to housing deficit? It’s to provide kalsi walls, a concrete surface for the floor, some kalsi partition and to use our corrugated sheets for the roofing. Of course, we need to buy door, windows plus plumbing, but for the rest we provide the full house. We cannot meet this deficit within a short time, but the dry construction system makes it possible to construct within a •Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

THE CEO

‘How to bridge 17 million housing gap’ •Continued from page 37

short time. So, with possible collaboration with the government and other agencies this will be achieved within the shorter time than the ordinary construction. That is the solution that we are bringing to the table. We can at least fill this gap within a relatively shorter time. Indonesia is a booming country like Nigeria. In terms of the number of inhabitants, Indonesia has already launched the kalsi. It’s a new process and in fact, they use the kalsi to build two types of walls measuring 2.4 meters by 1.2 meters and the thickness of 3.5 millimeters putting the two together. With that you can build a lot of houses at very affordable price. What is the comparative cost advantage of kalsi over the mortar and brick system? We take into account everything. This is because the cost of building materials is slightly higher than the current materials we have, but thanks to this because you will save 30- 50 per cent of the time to build a house. So, if you add it to the material link costs, the labour costs, the financial costs, it will be cheaper than the current way of building houses. At what point in construction can kalsi be deployed? You should have a normal foundation of concrete, but all the rest from ground floor to the roof will be made of kalsi. You can use the kalsi board as the external cladding. Most of the people I saw in Indonesia and in a South American country have old houses as ground floor and they want to renovate the house. The best way to use kalsi to start with, is to keep the ground floor as it is, brick and mortar then you crash all the walls and replace everything with kalsi including the flooring. Then you can have a very nice, big bedroom or a small internal garden and everything in kalsi is lighter and it is a big advantage. I saw it in Indonesia. I’m talking about middle class. So, the first step is to start with kalsi and the next step is to have a full house for the upper class. In this case, 20 millimeters and then you have very nice external cladding. We have been able to copy some chalet in Canada or other countries to have a wooden effect. How can an average person benefit from the Kalsi dry construction innovation? First, we have a very good network of distributors. They are our main partners and we rely on them to explain the benefits and the way of using kalsi. We have another group of partners who are carpenters. We train the carpenters to explain the benefits of kalsi to a vertical exercise to use kalsi. So, this two population, the distributors and carpenters will help us spread all over the country. Lastly, our training team will not go all over the country, but to the south west first, the rural market to support the distributors and the carpenters and to explain the benefit of our product, and of course, to sell. We plan very intense action this year, but for the following year we will continue because the south west of the country is a big market. We are also in partnership with professionals like architects and builders and you know most of them are in places like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and the likes, but they have projects all over the country. Once we are in good rapport with them, wherever they go, they carry the technology with them. Another one is that we are also going to use the mass media extensively. Where we cannot get to, our radio and TV adverts can get, even newspapers, these are other means

• LeBris

‘I don’t see any encouragement of the government for us, but I see some encouragement from our partners, such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Lafarge Africa or other local partners’ of awareness that we are planning. In what way has Nigerite intervened in enhancing technology transfer? We brought the auto clave. We did all the training and skills in Nigeria. Therefore, the technological transfer for us is to transfer the skills to our workers so that they will be able to handle more sophisticated equipment. So, that is the first thing. The second thing is the increase of local content. We will increase the number of suppliers because in the new system we have a new supplier for sand. So, we import less because in the current process we import fibers from abroad, but in the new process, we will use less fiber. In fact, we are increasing local content of our product. What is the state of your investment in a new plant? It should be completed by the end

of March. It’s a big investment, we are talking of an investment between one and two billion naira. The main part of it has been provided here. So, we have also some equipment coming from Europe, China and Japan. So, it’s really an investment financed by Nigerite. What’s the volume of your investment in Nigeria? Let’s say 50 per cent for the one in Nigeria and 50 per cent for the equipment outside. We use stateof-the-art facilities at Nigerite. So, we pick the best from every country. We got something from China, Japan and Germany. We also asked some specialists to come from Germany and Spain to help us. Here, we have a lot of technical assistance from Nigeria. What are some of the things you are bringing to the market? First, you bring to the Nigerian

market, a model, a new product. The designs on the product are smoother and more elegant. It is easy to paint and nail and one of its best advantage is that you can bend it. Nigerians like specific designs, which are good and it is lighter than the former PVA. So, it is easier to handle by a carpenter now. How has your company been able to evolve over the years considering the competition that has been springing up? First, our industry is not a matter of putting machines and running them, it is also a matter of improving the processes. So, the engineers of Etex did a remarkable job to run the machines between 1995 and 2005. So, we improve the efficiencies of all our machines and work and processes around it. We are committed to have a high level

of safety in our factories. We still have some accidents unfortunately, but we are now moving for the highest standard of safety, that is, the EEC the European standard of safety on a machine. So, we will have competitive edge, new safety equipment by the end of this year. We have moved from those machines we used in the 60s and 70s to more modern machines. The last investment was done in 2008. So, it’s step by step and kalsi is the last improvement. We are entering into a new market and the new market we want to emphasise on is the non-residential market-the offices, banks, commercial malls; all these markets were not open to Nigerite, because our PVA and roofing sheets. We were and still more dedicated to the diverse market since 1995, but with this new one we will be able to extend our activities to offices. Looking at the market and the new product you are bringing do you have the capacity to meet up with demand? At the moment no. We have plans to prepare, but for extension I would say that in the next 10 years we will be able to multiply our capacity. So what is your present capacity? It is about 20 million square meters per year and the market is so huge that we should be able to multiply to 40 million. But you know in this industry it is a matter of return and investment. You want to be sure that the money you invest, you want to get back and we are not going to invest for nothing. This is the first time with kalsi I’m sure we will be successful and then we will expand and have new machines to extend the capacity. So what is your current market share? We should have different market share. For me I would say the roofing is 30 per cent and the ceiling, I would say is 50 per cent. What is the advantage of the crater roofing over the corrugated iron sheets? There’s no noise, the insulation is perfect and its good for the human health and its life span is for life except you want to change because of fashion. Are your raw materials locally sourced and are there any challenges in getting them? Mainly the raw materials are locally sourced. Cement, sand, celluloid, we have suppliers in Nigeria. It’s just that we need some fibres, which are provided abroad. There is no problem of validity because it’s an advantage to have Etex as the main shareholders. Etex group is the biggest supplier of this kind of fibre in the world, so we have a kind of central purchasing unit based in the Europe buying for all the subsidiaries. So, there’s no problem the only problem we could have is the Nigerian ports. Sometimes we could have some delay of vessels or bureaucratic problems at the ports in this regard; I would say the government should help us with some waiver. We are fast-tracking it, but with that there’s room for improvement. Five years from now what should Nigerians expect from Nigerite? Nigerite would be with higher market share in the building market and we would have a significant market share in the nonresidential market. The long term market is 50 per cent. For Nigerians, my dream is maybe not in five years, but in 10-15 years. Nigerians will buy small sheets of one by one or two by two or in small quantities, to store it to prepare a ceiling, or a roofing or to make their walls, Nigerians should go to distributors to get everything related to building a new house.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

BUSINESS

MOTORING

Nissan Qashqai out with contemporary design Nissan has restyled the Qashqai crossover otherwise known as Compact Crossover Utility Vehicle (CCUV) to exude Nissan’s contemporary design cues and tagline, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO who joined other automobile journalists for a test drive last weekend.

•Nissan Qashqai

OMING eight years after the first generation model, Nissan says the new Qashqai builds on the strengths of the original model, offering ample style, space, equipment with better fuel economy and sharper handling. The original Nissan Qashqai, according to the Japanese automaker, was one of the first crossover models in the market, combining unique characteristics of a hatchback and SUV. Stallion NMN, the local Nissan Sales Company and member of the Stallion Group shared these views when he acquainted local automobile media with the distinguishing characteristics of the second generation Qashqai at a product presentation followed by a test drive last weekend. The new Qashqai was indeed excelled in almost every area, offering unassailable space and practically best suited to family life – thanks to the vehicle’s huge boot and spacious cabin. The car is much more stylish with sharp lines enhanced by chrome trim and strips of LEDs in the headlights. Economical and classy inside, the Qashqai boasts of a refined, hi-tech and solidly built interior with decent amount of equipment that elevates the well-ordered and fashionable dashboard layout. Coupled with this, is the ergonomically designed panoramic sunroof that stretches from the rear to the front end of the car giving the car a premium feel from a distance. Mr. Amit Sharma, Head, Sales and Marketing at Stallion NMN who spearheaded the product presentation of the new Qashqai described the vehicle as trendsetter in the crossover segment and one of the most practical midsize SUVs to imagine. According to him, Nissan purposefully swank the Qashqai to offer customers better and improved driving values with superior versatility of an SUV at low running cost and affordable price. Sharma said unlike the previous model, the new Qashqai is enjoyable and reassuring to drive with a Caller ID that allows drivers to check calls without necessarily keeping eyes off the road. “You can also track your favourite artists

ited Slip Differential, providing the best traction and the least understeer. This highly intelligent system works seamlessly with the driver, to deliver an agile and secure driving experience. The Qashqai gets the usual six airbags: four that protects those in front plus two that runs the length of the car at window level. Only the high-end version powered by 2.0Litre engine with 126kw and 233Nm mated to a sixspeed transmission will be available at the local dealership, Stallion NMN assured. The dealership is though mindful of competitions; it is convinced the Qashqai would outclass rivals in the midsize SUV C-segment which of course include Peugeot 3008, Kia Sportage, Hyundai iX35, Renault Dacia Duster, Mazda CX-5 and Skoda Yeti. These cars have actually helped to improve the Qashqai by showing Nissan where it needed to improve the car and pushing the company to make it even bet-

• Interior of the car

and music while driving just as the various Advanced Drive Assist Display screens delivers infographics in real time,” he said. Creating a car with good low-speed ride and the ability to handle rough surfaces usually involves a compromise in set-up. Not so with the new Qashqai. The second generation model is equipped with advanced double-piston shock absorbers that deliver faultless damping at both ends of the dynamic range. The two channel system features a conventional channel that handles the kind of lowfrequency bumps found on rough roads, and an additional channel that deals with the kind of small high-frequency bumps found on smoother roads. The end result is a car that delivers a smooth and refined ride whatever the road surface. Unlike in conventional 4X4s, the all-mode 4x4-i transmission of the new Qashqai ben-

efit from one of the most advanced fourwheel-drive systems on the market, which is designed to offer maximum security and traction in all conditions. The Chassis Control system on both two and four-wheel drive for instance takes vehicle dynamics one step further. It combines three elements - Active Ride Control monitors - the wheel speed to detect undulations which could potentially upset the pitch of the car body and applies subtle braking to compensate. Active Engine Brake harnesses the power and controllability of the Xtronic transmission to add a degree of engine brake while cornering. The benefits are greater braking control and enhanced feel with less pedal effort along with less brake application when cornering and greater braking feel when coming to a stop. Active Trace Control monitors the behaviour and trajectory of the car, and applies subtle braking to deliver a function similar to a Lim-

ter. But who are the target customers? Sharma described them as upwardly mobile executives within 35 – 45 age brackets looking for a refreshingly different car so as to be noticed. Passengers in the new Qashqai also benefit from a new ambient cabin lighting system, featuring a subtle orange mood light around the gearlever. Designed to give the cabin a premium look and feel when travelling at night, the lighting system is fully controllable by the driver and can easily be turned up, down or off altogether. Combining conventional passenger car efficiency with the sense of adventure of an SUV has always been a key part of the appeal of crossovers. A supremely efficient and refined petrol engine allows the new Qashqai to exceed the expectations of drivers no matter the drive condition.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

MOTORING

Kia Soul wins award

IA’s hip urban crossover and first all-electric zero emissions vehicle, the Soul EV, has been named the Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle in MotorWeek’s 34th annual Drivers’ Choice Awards. MotorWeek, which airs on 92 percent of PBS stations nationwide, analyses trends, new products and new technology to produce a list of winners that can be used as a carbuying guide by the show’s viewers. Admired for its practicality and fun design, editors at MotorWeek appreciated the roomy interior and cargo space of the Soul EV, which offers more rear seat leg room than other key EV competitors. “As the centrepiece of Kia’s

Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo

Clean Mobility programme, the Soul EV has the best range in its segment, EPA estimated at 93 miles, and it’s been recognised by Underwriters Laboratories for its use of bio-based materials,” said Orth Hedrick, Vice President of Product Planning, Kia Motors America (KMA). “MotorWeek’s Best EcoFriendly Vehicle award is a great honour from a respected source and a powerful endorsement of the Soul EV’s unique blend of range, utility, style and value,” he said. “The Kia Soul EV is the perfect EV.It is totally practical with plenty of room for adults and everyday cargo,” noted John

• Kia Soul

Davis, host and executive producer, MotorWeek. “It has more power and range compared to other affordable all-electric vehicles. Plus, its funky style makes

Jaguar, Land Rover announce partnership with franchise

AGUAR Land Rover has announced its line-up of vehicles set to feature in SPECTRE, the 24th James Bond adventure, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions. These will include; Jaguar C-X75s, Range Rover Sport SVRs and Defender Big Foots which have been provided by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. The Jaguar C-X75 will feature in a spectacular car chase sequence through Rome alongside the Aston Martin DB10. The C-X75 vehicles have been built in collaboration

with Williams Advanced Engineering facility in Oxfordshire, England. Scenes including the heavily modified Land Rover Defenders and Range Rover Sport SVR have already been filmed in Austria. The Range Rover Sport SVR is the fastest and the most powerful Land Rover ever. The highly capable Big Foots were constructed by the Special Operations division, and are shod with huge 37-inch diameter off-road tyres to tackle extreme terrain. They also feature bespoke suspension and enhanced body protec-

tion. Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, John Edwards, said: “This is an exciting partnership for Jaguar Land Rover and an opportunity to demonstrate the fantastic capabilities of the Special Operations team.’’ Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles have been involved in a succession of James Bond films. Most recently, in 2012, the rugged Defender 110 Double Cab Pick Up was driven by field agent Eve Moneypenny in the opening sequence to SKYFALL.

U.S to make ABS compulsory for car makers

HE United States auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is planning to change its vehicle safety ratings programme to include automatic emergency braking systems, putting pressure on automakers to add those features to new cars and trucks, Transportation Secretary, Anthony Foxx said. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will add the braking systems to the recommended safety features included in its New Car Assessment Programme, which awards up to five stars for vehicles based on safety. Whether a vehicle has the braking systems will not impact how many stars it receives, which currently is based on crash tests,” he stated. Foxx, who made the announcement at the Washington Auto Show, said adding the braking systems to assessment programme would encourage consumers to consider them when purchasing a vehicle and pres-

sure automakers to make the innovation more widely available. The proposed change to the programme, which will undergo a 60day public comment period, was first reported by the Detroit News. An automatic braking system utilises forward-looking sensors to detect an impending collision and applies the brakes, or applies additional braking pressure if the driver is not pressing hard enough on the pedal. According to Foxx, the future NHTSA would also consider including the braking systems not just as a recommended safety feature, but as part of the five-star ratings themselves. Data released by NHTSA recently said one-third of all police-reported crashes in 2013 involved a rear-end collision with another vehicle. The agency said it found that in many crashes drivers did not apply the brakes or did not apply them fully before the crash. NHTSA’s support of automatic

braking could benefit a number of automotive suppliers, including companies that make brake components and electronic controls, as well as such related technologies as sensors, microprocessors and software. Traditional brake component suppliers include Germany’s Continental AG, South Korea’s Mando Corp, Italy’s Brembo SpA and England’s TI Automotive [TIATO.UL]. They also include these Japanese companies: Akebono Brake Industry Co, Aisin Seiki Co, Denso Corp and Nissan Kogyo Co. Leading U.S. brake component suppliers include TRW Automotive Holdings and WABCO Holdings. As more manufacturers incorporate automatic braking into collision avoidance systems, some non-traditional suppliers stand to benefit as well. They include Israeli startup Mobileye, a maker of vision software for vehicle cameras, and Nvidia, a Silicon Valley chipmaker that has begun supplying high-powered microprocessors to automakers.

driving the Kia Soul EV really cool,” Hedrick added. The Soul EV retains the iconic design of its gasoline-powered sibling and is offered in four-colour choices from which designconscious customers can choose. The Soul EV has a premium interior and standard amenities in-

cluding: Navigation with eightinch touchscreen, a 6.6kW onboard charger, CHAdeMO DC fast charge port, Rear Camera Display, power windows and driver’s seat, cruise control and an HVAC system that extends the EV’s range by minimising energy draw.

ABC Transport expands sprinter, connects more routes

HE management of ABC Transport Plc has injected 10 new buses for its Sprinter operations, as part of its plan to refocus the service and bring it much closer to customers in major locations. The plan was also informed by the increasing demands for the service in other parts of the country, where ABC Transport has not been operating initially. Sprinter is designed to satisfy the needs of light travellers: passengers who like to travel with little or no luggage, who would rather travel smart on fully air-conditioned 14-seater buses. With its compact yet portable size, the normal ABC Sprinter bus is best suited to operate in challenging road conditions and finding a way through tricky hold-ups –to the benefit of its passengers who might not have to entertain much anxiety or fears of finding themselves stuck or stalled in traffic for too long. Moreover, the Sprinter operates scheduled departures, thereby offering passengers early arrivals to their destinations. Unlike the typical mini buses deployed by some road transport operators, the ones used by ABC Sprinter carry 14 passengers only and boast of more legroom. Keeping in line with the company’s unrivalled safety policy, only three persons are allowed to sit on a row on the

Sprinter buses – no cramping of passengers, no excess luggage. This is aimed at enhancing comfort of passengers while in transit. In addition, Sprinter buses are equipped with speed governors enabling the drivers to avoid over-speeding, based on the strict safety standards for which ABC Transport is known. Although ABC Sprinter has mainly operated in Lagos, Abuja, Owerri, Calabar, Uyo and Port Harcourt, its services will now be available in most of the ABC terminals across the country. With the injection of the 10 new buses into the existing fleet, Sprinter will henceforth service customers in Bolade, Enugu, Onitsha, Jos, Kaduna, Ikorodu, Onitsha, Gwagwalada, Aba, Awka, Ibadan, Umuahia, Lokoja, and Orlu. ABC Transport’s Orlu office is at Onitsha Road, opposite Orlu LGA Headquarters, Imo State. Meanwhile, under the ABC Corpers’ Rebate, National Youth Service Corps members are entitled to a N500 discount on fare every time they travel with the Sprinter. Still expanding its fleet size, ABC Shuttle Service, a short distance fully air-conditioned intercity service, has also taken delivery of seven new buses, to enhance its operations in Owerri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Enugu, Awka, Onitsha, Umuahia, Uyo and Warri.

How FRSC,VIO, MVAA and driving schools increase the rate of accidents • Continued from last week

HE Nigerian Graduated Driver Licence Scheme was tailored after the American system but its implementation in Nigeria has been so bastardised that rather than leading to a reduction in the rate of road crashes and fatalities, it is on the increase. As at the time of writing this article, there are thousands of Nigerians holding the new driver licence without knowing how to drive, not to talk of knowing the traffic signs among others. Some officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Vehicle Inspection Departments, Motor Vehicle Licensing

Authority, Driving Schools and Hospitals are conspiring together to racketeer the driver licence issuance through the backdoor and even front door bastardisation of the process thereby making an international mockery of the Nigerian Graduated Driver Licence programme. Majority of the Drivers holding or processing the new Driver Licence in Nigeria did not go to any Driving School to acquire driving knowledge and skills. After paying their way through, they only go for FRSC data capturing. Sadly, no party among the stakeholders is ignorant of this dastardly act but little or nothing is being done to halt it hereby

putting more and more innocent Nigerians at risk on the road. Many of the FRSC, VIO and MVAA officials and their collaborators have become sudden multi – millionaires while the obedient driving schools are hungry and yawning without drivers to train. Hospitals are also guilty of issuing certificates of fitness for driver licence candidates they did not even see nor test. When shall we stop putting personal gain above public interest in Nigeria? I believe that very soon, when the government and its agencies responsible for the issuance of driver licence are taken to court to pay compensation to the innocent victims of road accidents, they will know that the safety of lives and properties should not be

sacrificed on the altar of filthy lucre. One of the ways this negative conspiracy in driver licence processing can be stopped is by stopping the use of fake old driver licence to process the new one and let all the candidates go through driving schools as learners but the perpetrators of the evil are consistently resisting every move to stop such renewal because of the illicit money they are making from it. Hence the continued illegal production of fake driver licence in the country. For the GDL system to work and accomplish its objectives in Nigeria, all renewals with the old driver licence must be stopped and whether or not you know how to drive, once you don’t have the new

Jide Owatunmise Registrar / Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety Academy

driver licence, you must be subjected to the steps highlighted below no matter your position or status in the country. • To be continued next week

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Celebration (9) 6. Greeting (2) 7. Documentation (6) 9. Indelible Mark (4) 10. Former (2) 11. Spread Out (3) 12. Final (4) 14, Resounding Noise (4) 15. In direction of (2) 16, Myself (2) 17. Eager (4) 19. Young Boy (3) 20. Father Christmas (10) 24. Being (2) 26. Tinkle (6) 27. Perform (2) 28. Tease (6)

1. Impression (4) 2. Cereal (4) 3. Created (4) 4. Amuse (6) 5. Celebration of Christ’s birth(9) 8. Free Air (6) 11. Paths (5) 13. Clawed 18. Deserve (4) 19. Juvenile (3) 21. Story (4) 22. So be it (4) 23. Musical Note (2) 25. Gladness (3)

SANTA PUZZLE Find alternative words to the clues below and fill them in their spaces in the grid.The answer to the first word on the grid “ORICK” has 4 letters which should be placed in their spaces in the grid being 1,8,6, and 15 as shown besie the word. The star word, an 11letter word denoting the yuletide will be revealed when done .

Story of the Christmas Tree

POETRY

The Legend of Christmas Tree

7 4

Just how powerful a symbol is the Christmas tree? Any Christmas tree, given the right kind of attention, can be perfect, and even humble things take on exalted meaning in the eyes of Christ. • “The First Christmas Tree”Did you know that an oak was the inspiration for the first Christmas tree? In this informative story, we learn how an eighth-century monk named Boniface chopped down an oak tree to prove an important religious point, and ended up viewing a small fir sapling as a miracle. • “The First Christmas Tree Lights”Ever wonder about the origin of Christmas tree lights? This story tells how Martin Luther changed the Christmas tree tradition with the addition of lights, the result of his frightening walk through the dark woods. It reveals the fascinating fact that Christmas trees were originally hung upside down, without lights. • “The Perfect Tree”This delightful story is told from the perspective of a small, unremarkable tree that worries whether it will be suitable for Christmas. Through the inspired care of a family, it fills the bill perfectly. Try reading this uplifting tale to a child — it will teach him or her some valuable lessons about caring for others. • “The Tale of Three Trees”What if Christmas trees could talk? What would they say? In this profound Christmas tale, three trees have grandiose hopes for their wood after they’re harvested, and all three are disappointed — temporarily. Eventually, they all play meaningful roles in the life of Jesus Christ. Make this inspirational story part of your family’s Christmas tradition. • “O Christmas Tree” The brief on Christmas Tree Stories ends here with the story about a “special” Christmas tree everyone thought was too small. Read ‘O Christmas Tree’ to find out how this special tree turned into a bright, beautiful spectacle that would remain with one happy family forever.

Pep Talk

Humour * What did Adam say to his wife on the day before Christmas? Answer:It’s Christmas, Eve! * What for the trumpet of Ken was kept in the freezer? Answer: Because he loves cool music. * What is the popular carol in Desert? Answer: Camel ye Faithful. * Why the Christmas tree can’t stand up? Answer: It doesn’t have legs.

“The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things”. - Thomas S. Monson

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

42 USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorses the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan roads. Accordingly, the general public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following numbers on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

188TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING PREPARED BY COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.

eminiscently, the inauguration and swearing – in ceremony of Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE as the Chief Executive Officer and Governor of Kano State for the second (2nd) term/tenure of four (4) years was conducted on 29 th May, 2011. Reiteration of all resolutions and campaign promises was celebrated and heralded at the occasion. Hopes, expectations and aspirations of the good people of Kano State were raised. Wednesday, 11th February, 2015 is exactly three (3) years and nine (9) months ago,a period within which all the promises are fulfilled mostly to 100% level with only a few close to completion while those continuous in nature are unfailingly maintained. This is possible by the adoption and strict adherence to a properly designed and execution of a development plan with comprehensive sectoral perspectives. Every sector is considered with priority centered on public spirited/oriented issues so as to reach every person in Kano State in the endeavor to deliver the “Dividends of Democracy” for the benefit of all and sundry as promised. This way, the envisaged is achieved as indelible records on performance by MDAs across all sectors shows and the new look Kano State wears attest. The Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and eighty eighth (188th) sitting under the chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE on Wednesday 11 th February, 2015 (21 st Rabi’ul Awwal, 1436AH). During the session, ten (10) MDAs submitted forty one (41) memoranda for deliberation of which Council approved twenty five (25) cutting across four (4) sectors for execution with an expenditure of Three Hundred and Seventy Two Million, One Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty Naira, Nine Kobo (N372,187,220.09) covering twenty (20) projects while the remaining five (5) are on policy issues as follows; 1. THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT/ MAINTENANCE SECTOR Performances by relevant MDAs under this sector explain the physical transformation,development and achievements recorded across all sectors by the present administration. For example, all construction projects, provision of general functional infrastructure and consumables are undertaken by this sector. Such include construction of roads/related structures; construction of schools, hospitals, secretariats, Courts; provision of potable water under public utilities; provision of housing; etc. Prominent among achievements recorded by performances of the infrastructural development/maintenance sector include the following; • Construction of roads/related structures. 5KM road construction projects executed in all the 44 Local Government Council Areas of Kano State. Three (3) flyover bridges constructed at three (3) locations. Viz; Silver Jubilee Roundabout to Kofar Nassarawa, Ibrahim Taiwo Road by Gidan Bello Dandago (Radio Kano) and Triumph Publishing Company to Tafawa Balewa Road (Murtala Muhammad Way). Expansion of Sheikh Ja’afar Road, Zaria Road, Hadejia Road, Gwarzo Road, etc. Construction of Wuju – Wuju Conduit drainage/road over the Jakara and Kwarin Gogau Rivers. Construction of underpasses at two (2) locations (Gadon Kaya and Kabuga). Installation of street lights along all categories of roads. Installation/maintenance of traffic control lights at most strategic locations on Kano Metropolitan roads. Repairs/provision of ring – Kwankwasiyya Type drainage for all categories of roads within the Metropolis. Construction of Kano Northern Terminus, etc. • PUBLIC UTILITIES. Majority of the over thirty (30) Kano State Government owned Hospitals are renovated and provided with functional equipment/materials while many others are upgraded to Cottage/General Hospitals, etc. Schools/Colleges/Institutes at all levels constructed/ renovated. Over 3,000 classrooms constructed in addition to those already existing in Basic/Primary and Secondary Education Schools in order to decongest them. Many unused/ underused Public/Government owned buildings converted for utilization as viable schools, etc. Government Secretariats such as the Gidan Murtala Complex and Audu Bako secretariat Complex, etc. renovated to befitting status. The Kano State Government House, the Deputy Governor’s Office, the Cabinet Office, etc renovated. Construction of the Kano Coronation Hall in the vicinity of the Government House. The Mahaha Playground Complex constructed at the former NAMA Site, etc. Fifty three (53) new Courts constructed while the Court Complexes at Miller Road and No – Man’s Land renovated. Provision of long distances of water supply pipelines between source and demand areas (e.g. Tamburawa to Yankaba; Watari to Miltara/Tsanyawa; Kafin Chiri to Sumaila; Challawa to Gwaron Dutse, etc.). Initiation of the Independent Hydroelectricity Projects at Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams; etc. • Provision of Housing

Construction of the three (3) modern cities of Amana, Bandirawo and Kwankwasiyya. Construction of proto – type housing units under the Kano State Model Village Scheme at Warawa, Kunchi and Kwankwaso towns, etc. In fact, the envious physical developmental trend was maintained by the Kano State Executive Council at its one hundred and eighty eighth (188 th) sitting during which twelve (12) memoranda were approved for execution under the infrastructural development/ maintenance sector which can be sub divided into two (2) as follows; provision of public utilities = 10; provision of housing = 02; total = 12. a) Provision/Construction of Public Utilities:i. Presentation on the Need/Possibility of Merging Two (2) Nearby Primary Health Centers (PHC) at Burum – Burum Town for Upgrading to Cottage Hospital Status:Incessant complaints by residents of Burum – Burum Town in Tudun Wada Local Government Council Area instigated submission of this request from the Ministry of Health for consideration by Council. accordingly, Council was notified, through contents of this memorandum that, the nearest referral Hospitals to Burum – Burum Town are at Sumaila and Rano Towns respectively both of which are considerably far and difficult to reach on emergencies. In this respect, a team of professionals inspected the area and assessed the two (2) Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers available in Burum – Burum Town for possible conversion/merger to one Standard Cottage Hospital. Six (6) basic requirements available at the two (2) PHCs put together were summarized and presented to Council as enough to facilitate the required conversion/merger/ upgrading. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved the merger recommended so as to ameliorate the distance/access problem to health care delivery services experienced by residents of the area. ii. Request for Funds to Enable Payment/Offsetting Liabilities Incurred by the Kano State Polytechnic on Various TETFUND Projects:The Ministry of Higher Education submitted this request for consideration by Council cognizant of the need to uphold the good name of the Kano State Government on issues of such irreversible financial commitments. The highlights of the projects executed at the Institutions is presented to Council along with name of Contractors includes the following; • Construction of Mechanic and Autotronic Laboratory. • Construction of three (3) classroom block and toilet. • Procurement of Students’ Desk. • Procurement of Library Equipment. • Purchase of Civil Engineering Equipment. The sum of N38,635,638.64 was requested for release by Council as financial liabilities incurred during the execution of the stated projects. Council noted, considered and approved as requested. iv. Request for Funds to Enable Provision of Inter Town Connection (ITC) and Town Distribution Network (TDN) of Electricity in Respect of Kundurum and Ruma Towns in Madobi and Bagwai Local Government Council Areas Respectively:This request from the Ministry of Rural and Community Development was endorsed by the office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented to Council for consideration. Details on the assessed project estimated to cost the sum of N7,796,372.00 which was requested for release were presented. Congruence of the project with the commendable policy of the present administration to provide qualitative useful infrastructure to all nooks and crannies of Kano State prompted the granting of approval as requested. v. Presentation on Need and Request for Funds to Enable Completion of Construction Works under HSDPII Projects at School of Health Technology, Kano:The Ministry of Health submitted this presentation/request for consideration by Council. The contents of this memorandum recommends for the completion of outstanding projects at the School of Health Technology by the Ministry of Health with a view to enable the immediate utilization for the improvement of health care delivery services in the State. In line with above, the remaining works for completion of the outstanding project was estimated to cost the sum of N10,019,186.63 which was requested for release by Council according to the details presented. Accordingly, Council considered and approved as requested. vi. Request for Funds to Enable Provision and Installation of Brand New 350KVA Electric Power Generating Set(Sound Proof) and 300KVA 11/0.415 Electricity Transformer at the Newly Constructed Deputy Governor’s Office:It is a known fact that the present administration has undertook the construction of a new befitting Deputy Governor’s Office with the aim of providing conducive atmosphere for qualitative service delivery. Necessary requirement for steady supply of electricity at the newly constructed Deputy Governor’s Office instigated submission of this request from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. Details on the assessed project estimated to cost the sum of N31,611,161.96 which was requested for release were presented for consideration by Council. Accordingly, Council considered and approved the release of the stated sum for the commitments. vii.

Presentation of Report on Sale of Store and Ware Houses

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso at Niger Street behind Coca – Cola and Dawanau, Kano:This presentation is sequel to the approval granted by the Kano State Executive Council at its sitting on the 19th February, 2014 that, all Kano State Government owned landed properties in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and Kano be sold to interested members of the public through bidding handled by a Consultant. The two (2) sets of warehouses cited are still available for sale to interested persons and/or Corporations as the initial proposed buyer declined interest. The purchase should be on cash and carry basis as recommended for approval by Council as proffered from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved execution of the recommendation according to the details presented. viii. Request for Funds to Enable Provision of Motorized Water Boreholes at College of Nursing, Madobi; Informatics Institute Kura and Sports Institute, Karfi:The Ministry of Rural and Development submitted this request for consideration by Council. The contents of this memorandum notified Council on the completion of works at the Permanent Site of the stated Institutions and the need for the provision of potable water. Details on the project at the three (3) respective locations (sites) were assessed and estimated to cost the sum of N13,576,000.00 which was requested for release at the disaggregated rate of; N4,500,000.00 – College of Nursing, Madobi. • • N4,500,000.00 – Informatics Institute, Kura. • N4,576,000.00 – Sports Institute, Karfi. Council noted, considered and approved as requested. ix. Request for Funds to Enable Acquisition and Compensation of Title/Structure of Plaza Cinema for Conversion to a fully Functional Modern Hospital:Formerly vibrant, the Plaza Cinema currently stands desolate at its prominent location in the famous Fagge Local Government Council Area which instigated the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to submit this request for consideration by Council. The memorandum recommends for the conversion of underutilized property to a Modern Hospital so as to enhance Health Care Service Delivery in the State. The sum of N77,261,943.00 was requested for release for the execution of the entire project disaggregates as follows; • N62,261,943.00 – compensation value. • N15,000,000.00 – extra work. Accordingly, Council considered and approved the release of the stated sum for the commitments. In a related development, Council further approved for the Modern Hospital to be named after the Late Tijjani Hashim Galadiman Kano. x. Request for Funds to Enable Procurement and Installation of Professional Public Address System and Associated Devices at the Newly Constructed Kano Coronation Hall:The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport notified Council, through contents of this memorandum that, the Kano Coronation Hall was commissioned on completion with a capacity of 1,200. Thedesirous need for the provision of Audio – Visual Devices of International Standards was assessed, appraised and estimated to cost the sum of N17,000,000.00 which was requested for release to enable execution of the project by a reputable Contractor under the supervision of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. Council noted, considered and approved as requested. B) PROVISION OF HOUSING:i. Request for Funds to Enable Continuation of Construction of 100 Units of Two (2) Bedrooms and Zaure Proto – Type Houses for the Resettlement of Scattered Households at Kwankwaso Town under the Kano State Model Village Programme:The entire Housing Policy of the present administration in Kano State under the guidance of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE deserves commendation and applause as it provides access to decent housing for the citizenry at all nooks and crannies of the State, rural areas inclusive. Establishment/construction of the following attest to the laudable performance; • Establishment/construction of Amana, Bandirawo and Kwankwasiyya Cities. • Establishment/construction of proto – type housing units at Warawa and Kunchi Towns in two (2) phases of 100 units respectively. • Sales of GP Houses to their occupants, etc. Submission of this request from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport was cognizant of the commendable effort. Kwankwaso Town was presented as deserving of the construction of additional 100 units of the proto – type housing units at the cost of N883,253.70 each totaling to the sum of N88,325,370.00 for the 100 units which was requested for

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 release. Council considered and approved as requested. ii. Request for Funds to Enable Repairs/General Renovation of Staff Houses at GTC Tiga:Government Technical College (GTC) Tiga was converted for use as a viable school courtesy of the efforts by the present administration. Formerly, the site was used by WRECA as a Technical Workshop which was grossly underutilized. Currently, GTC Wudil is successfully relocated at the site. Nevertheless, the forty (40) Staff Houses available at the site are in a state of total dilapidation which instigated submission of this request from the Ministry of Education on behalf of the Kano State Science and Technical Schools Board. Details of the requirements for the renovation project estimated to cost the sum of N9,750,250.00 was presented to Council for consideration. Accordingly, Council considered and approved as requested. 2. THE EMPOWERMENT SECTOR Efforts of the present administration in the State under the capable leadership of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE in respect of the commendable achievements recorded on the performance by relevant MDAs on the empowerment of the good people in the State towards self actualization for self reliance is second to non. From inception to date, the present administration granted approvals for the execution of schemes/projects/programmes under the empowerment sector which center on provision of access to professional/academic education at under and post graduate levels in Colleges/Universities in Nigeria and abroad; provision of access to training for employable skills and provision of take – off capital free of charge; provision of access to capacity building for serving Civil Servants; provision of support to the needy, etc. The list of beneficiaries across all segments of the society is impressively long and the volumes that can be written transcend the available space in this medium. But, indelible and easily retrievable records have them and are evidence enough for posterity to vindicate the efforts of the present administration in the State towards the empowerment of its people in continuation with which the State Executive Council approved the execution of nine (9) more memoranda under the empowerment sector which can be sub – divided into three (3). Viz; provision of access to support for the needy = 05; provision of access to professional/academic education = 03; provision of access to training for employable skills acquisition = 01. Thus; • Provision of Access to Support for the Needy:i. Request for Funds to Enable Reimbursement/Refund of Expenditure Incurred by the Kano State Basket Ball Team for participating in the National Division One (1) Basket Ball League, Lokoja (2 nd – 9 th November, 2014):The unparalleled support provided by the present administration towards the general development of sports and engagements of the youth in sports activities is commendable evidenced by the series of approvals granted for the release of funds to establish the Kano State Sports Institute at Karfi; the Mahaha Sports Complex at former NAMA Site, Kofar Na’isa; sponsoring the Kano Pillars Football and Basket Ball Clubs; sponsoring the Kwankwasiyya Football Club; etc. In line with the above, the office of the Secretary to the State Government endorsed this request and presented it to Council for consideration. Details were presented along with the request for the release of the sum of N1,083,000.00 sourced/incurred by the authorities at the Kano State Sports Council to ensure the participation of the Kano State Basket Ball Team at the cited National League in which the Team clinched fourth (4th) Position with five (5) points and maintains its division one (1) status. Council noted, considered and approved as requested. ii. Request for Funds to Provide Medical Assistance in Respect of Muhammad Baba Sulaiman:This request submitted from the Ministry of Science and Technology was endorsed by the office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented to Council for consideration. Muhammad Baba Sulaiman is amongst the one hundred and ninety seven (197)Kano State Indigenous Students sponsored for one (1) year top – up degree programme at Uganda. Muhammad Baba Sulaiman had medical problems the treatment of which was sponsored by the Kano State Government at Fortis Heart Hospital, India. Operations conducted on Muhammad Baba Sulaiman were successful and the patient requires to return to the Hospital in India for follow up and removal of steel wires placed in his sternum. The sum of N773,000.00 was requested for release by Council to enable the trip, of which the Council noted, considered and approved. iii. Request for Funds to Enable Payment of First (1st) Batch (2015) Bereaved Family Allowances (BFA) to 138 Beneficiaries:This routine request was submitted from the Office of the Head of Civil Service for consideration by Council. Successful disbursement of the fourth (4th) Batch BFA (2014) was reported along with the request for the release of the aggregate sum of N6,660,000.00 for disbursement to 138 beneficiaries of the first (1 st) Batch BFA (2015). Council commiserates with the bereaved families and approved as requested with the prayer for the Almighty Allah to grant eternal peace in Jannatul – fir – Dausi for the deceased. iv. Request for Medical Assistance in Respect of Seventy Three (73) Kano State Indigenous Deaf Children:The office of the Secretary to the State Government endorsed this request from the Ministry of Health and presented it to Council for consideration. Essentially, Council was notified, through contents of this memorandum that, seventy three (73) Kano State Indigenous Deaf Children (3 – 14 years) were identified for screening to ascertain their eligibility to benefit from the treatment procedure called COCHLEAR IMPLANT SURGERY. The screening is to be conducted in Katsina with cost implications to the tune of N2,505,000.00 which was requested for release as Government financial assistance. Council noted, considered and approved as requested. v. Request for Funds to Enable Procurement and Distribution Free of Charge of Anti – Sickling Drugs to Sickle Cell Patients in Kano State (1 st Quarter, 2015):Since inception, the present administration relentlessly approved the release of funds quarterly (four times) every year in support/ assistance to sickle cell patients in the State. The year 2015 is

43 not exempted. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health submitted this request for consideration by Council. Two (2) prayers were forwarded as follows; • Council to consider and approve the release of N5,026,569.00 to enable procurement of twenty eight (28) drugs/ items for donation to the sickle cell disease clinic (1stquarter, 2015). • Council to consider and approve the release of N2,077,000.00 to cover for expenses. Council appraised the two (2) prayers forwarded and approved for the release of the sum of N5,026,569.00 onlyfor the procurement of the twenty eight (28) drugs/items to be donated to the sickle cell disease clinic (1stquarter, 2015). • Provision of Access to Professional/Academic Education:i. Request for Funds to Enable Refund of One Way Air Tickets in Respect of Twenty Six (26) Amongst the 501 Kano State Indigenous Qualified Candidates Sponsored for Post Graduate Studies Abroad:The office of the Secretary to the State Government endorsed this request from the Kano State Scholarship Board and presented it to Council for consideration. Details on the twenty six (26) students were summarized and presented along with the financial implications as follows; Seventeen (17) students returned from Jordan = N1,653,399.89. Nine (9) students returned from Malaysia = N988,878.97. Total = N2,642,278.86. Council approved the release of the sum of N2,642,278.86 to the Scholarship Board for disbursement to the twenty six (26) students accordingly and congratulate them on the successful completion of their respective courses praying for prosperity in their future endeavours. ii. Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Registration Fees in Respect of Four Hundred and Eighty Four (484) Kano State Indigenous Qualified Candidates Admitted into the School of Health Technology, Kano:The Ministry of Health submitted this request which was endorsed by the office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented it to Council for consideration. It is pertinent to note that, the request is in tandem with the policy of the present administration of providing free education at all level for its citizenry. Details were summarized and presented to Council for consideration as follows;

S/N Courses i.

Community Health Extension Workers ii. Junior Community Health Extension Workers iii. Dental Health Technician iv. Health Information Technician v. Medical Laboratory Technician vi. Medical Laboratory Assistant vii. Pharmacy Technician viii. X – Ray Technician TOTAL

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT/MLA); Dental Health Technician/Dental Surgery Assistant (DHT/DSA). Eleven (11) Local Government Council Areas presented applicants for the screening exercise. They include Nassarawa; Tsanyawa; Rogo; Shanono; Tarauni; Gwale; Dala; Bagwai; Fagge; Rano and Bebeji. 352 of the screened applicants from the eleven (11) Local Government Council Areas qualified and are eligible for employment. The screening exercise was reported to be in continuation. Based on contents of the first (1st) progress report, Council was requested to approve the employment of the 352 applicants from the eleven (11) Local Government Council Areas accordingly. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and approved as requested. b) Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Hotel Bills in Respect of the newly Recruited Egyptian Doctors:Council was reminded, through contents of this memorandum that, on arrival, the newly recruited Egyptian Doctors were lodged at the Ni’ima Guest Palace Hotel ranging from twenty six (26) to thirty five (35) days in six (6) rooms (26 days = 1 room, 31 days = 1 room, 35 days = 4 rooms). The Hotel submitted the bills which was endorsed by the Ministry of Health in the sum of N5,122,000.00 and requested for release as the final bills payable in respect of the newly employed Egyptian Doctors as all of them are currently accommodated properly. Council noted, considered and approved as requested. c) Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Four (4) Month’s Salary and Upkeep Allowances to the Third (3 rd ) Batch of Seven (7) Tutors (January – April, 2015):The Ministry of Health reported to Council, through contents of this memorandum that, the second (2nd) set of seven (7) Nursing Education Tutors employed by the State to work at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Kano completed their assignment successfully.

The memorandum further explained that another set of seven (7) tutors are already in the State as the third (3rd) Batch to work for four (4) months (January – April, 2015). As such, Council was requested to approve for the release of the sum N15,820,000.00 to enable payment of their salaries and upkeep No. of Registration Amount (N) allowances as follows; Students Fees (N) • Salary at $2,500.00 x 7 x 4 = $70,000.00 (equivalent to N14,350,000.00). 66 18,000.00 1,188,000.00 • Upkeep allowances = N1,470,000.00 at N52,500.00 each every month. 86 18,000.00 1,5 48,000.00 Council noted, considered and approved as requested. 85

19,900.00

1,691,500.00

22,100.00

1,259,700.00

30 15 15 130 484

28,650.00 28,650.00 23,400.00 14,400.00

859,500.00 429,750.00 351,000.00 1,872,000.00 9,199,450.00

As such, the sum of N9,199,450.00 was requested for release to enable execution of the stated purpose. Council approved as requested. • Provision of Access to Training on Employable Skills Acquisition:Presentation of Programme Report on Kiru Reformatory Institute, Kano (KRIK) and Request for Funds in Respect of the Fifth (5 th ) Batch Trainees:The Kiru Reformatory Institute, Kano (KRIK) was among the twenty six (26) institutes established by the present administrationwith the bi – focused aim of rehabilitating and reintegrating the teeming socially degenerate and drug addicted youths in the society. In this regard, four (4) batches of the drug addicted youths were trained by the KRIK with the fourth (4 th) batch of 136 inmates graduated in December, 2014 after acquiring training for employable skills provided by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) that empowered/reoriented them for proper reintegration into the society as useful/productive/responsible citizens. Accordingly, this request submitted from the Ministry of Women Affair and Social Development endorsed by the Ministry for Local Governments was presented to Council for consideration. Details on the number of slots available for each of the 44 Local Government Council Areas in the State in respect of the fifth (5th) batch of trainees earmarked for recruitment at the KRIK were summarized and presented along with the cost implications to the tune of N21,080,000.00 which was requested for release. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved as requested since the project is in line with the empowerment policy of the present administration. 1. THE HEALTH SECTOR The Health Sector is among the cardinal priorities of the present administration in the State where series of approvals were granted for the execution of projects/programmes/schemes in respect of issues related to the Health Sector. Especial of such issues include provision of physical/infrastructural requirements (in terms of structures, equipment, tools, materials/consumables); engagement of the required professional personnel; establishment of Health Training Institute; etc. The feat was maintained by the State Executive Council at its one hundred and eighty eighth (188th) sitting during which three (3) more memoranda were approved for execution under the health sector as follows; a) Presentation of First (1 st ) Progress Report on the Screening of Casual Medical Staff for Employment into the Primary Health Care Facilities (PHCF) in the 44 Local Government Council Areas of Kano State:The Ministry of Health submitted this report for consideration by Council. Main highlights include the following; Approval was granted to employ 4,701 Health Staff to fill the gap currently existing in the PHCF of the 44 Local Government Council Areas in the State. Eight (8) cadres are considered for the employment drive which include Community Health Officer (CHO); Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW); Junior Community Health Extension Workers (JCHEW); Pharmacy Technician (PTECH); Nurse/Midwife (NM); Health Information Technician (HIT);

2. THE EDUCATION SECTOR The Education Sector is second to no other in the priority attention accorded by the present administration towards the developmental transformation of the State for the better. Provision of qualitative education free of charge is the main thrust irrespective of the improvements recorded in the provision of the required infrastructure in terms of classrooms, furniture, consumables, etc. as well as engagement of appropriately trained teaching personnel for retraining continuously based on the demands of the teaching profession. Progressively, the Ministry of Education submitted one (1) memorandum for consideration by Council which was approved for execution under this sector. Thus; Presentation on the Need and Request for Approval to Employ 1,903 Teachers on casual basis:A three (3) Member Executive Committee assigned to process the employment of 1,928 teachers who had all along been rendering voluntary teaching conducted its assignment successfully and presented a list of 1,903 recommended for employment as teachers on casual appointment basis after which they can be converted to permanent and pensionable appointment accordingly. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved as requested.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES AT THE 188TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SITTING PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO GOVERNOR ENGR. RABI’U MUSA KWANKWAWSO, FNSE i. An Award from the Vanguard Newspaper on Personality of the year 2014 to the Governor cognizant of the transparency, prudence and accountability in running his administration. The Kano State Head of Service Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Shehu Minjibir (Garkuwan Minjibir) represented the Governor at the occasion (Saturday 7 th February, 2015), Lagos. ii. An Award of appreciation to the Governor from the one hundred and ninety seven (197No) Kano State Indigenous Students sponsored for one (1) Top – Up Degree Programme at Uganda. The students successfully graduated and awarded with various classes of Degree as follows: • • • •

Fifty (50) students - First Class. Eighty nine (89) students - second Class Upper. Forty four (44) students - Second Class Lower. Four (4) students – Pass.

One (1) Student was retained as an Assistant Lecturer at the University due to his Excellent and Outstanding Performance.

SIGNED: HON. COMMISSIONER, INFORMATION, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, YOUTH, SPORTS & CULTURE, KANO STATE

MONDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

A huge crowd of supporters welcomed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to Ilorin, Kwara State capital, for a rally. Correspondent ADEKUNLE JIMOH examines the implications of the rally for both the ruling and opposition parties.

When Kwara got into the change mood T

HE city of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has hosted a huge rally. The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, came to town to campaign for the election earlier scheduled for February 14. The rally, which attracted a huge crowd, was held at the Ilorin Metropolitan Square. From the Ilorin International Airport, through Geri Alimi junction to the General Hospital roundabout, the palace of Emir at Oja-Oba, where the APC presidential candidate and his team paid homage to the Emir, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, to the Ilorin Metropolitan Square, thousands of supporters lined the routes to give Buhari, his vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and other leaders a rousing welcome. They pledged their loyalty to the party, saying they would come out en masse to cast their votes for the APC. The turnout was an indication of the respect and general acceptability of the people for the Saraki Dynasty, which is now led by the senator representing Kwara Central District, Bukola Saraki. It was also an acknowledgement of the leadership qualities of Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed. Also, the leadership of the party wanted to show to the opposition, the Peoples Democractic Party (PDP); that the APC owns Kwara. It is an indication, according to political pundits, that there is no way for the PDP in the state. The Ilorin APC rally was the second most successful rally, after Kano State, since the commencement of the campaigns across the country. The venue was filled to the brim, with party members and supporters from the 16 local government councils competing for attention. Buhari, Osinbajo and other chieftains; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Deputy National Chairman, Senator Nuhu Shuaib, former interim national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, the Director-General of the APC presidential campaign committee and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, former governors of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni and Niyi Adebayo, and former governor of Kogi State, Audu Abubakar, were at the campaign. At the Emir’s palace, Buhari, who lamented the high rate of unemployment, decayed in infrastructure, the ailing power sector and economy said, if elected, he would address some of Nigeria’s challenges. Buhari also promised to equip Nigerian schools and provide jobs for the youths. He solicited the Emir’s support, stressing that the APC means well for Nigerians. The Emir described Buhari as a man of honour and justice. He said the crowd that besieged Buhari on his arrival showed that he was accepted by the people and that all Nigerians are looking forward to him to put the nation back on track if elected. Addressing the crowd, Buhari said he would ensure the rejuvenation of agricultural and the mining sector to create massive employment for the nation’s unemployed youths. He also promised to block all loopholes and use the proceeds to develop the infrastructure and educational development of the country. “The APC has identified these problems and wherever we go, we repeat these fundamental problems Nigeria is going

• Gen. Buhari (second right), Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (second left), his Kano State counterpart, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso (right), and Senator Saraki (left) at the rally.

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Corruption is endemic in this country especially in the last 16 years. You don’t know the magnitude but you are hearing it. If power is available, a lot of entrepreneurs would be able to put up industries and employ more people and produce goods and services

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through – of insecurity, of the depletion of the economy and corruption. From the airport here, we saw the faces of hundreds of youths and it is believed that 60 per cent of the youths in Nigeria are unemployed, whether they have finished school or not and that is why the insecurity in the country is aggravated by unemployment. “It is therefore, the correct choice for the APC to identify these problems and decide to do something about it as soon as we can. The only way to ameliorate the unemployment problem is to go back to farming and mining where we can absorb a lot of ablebodied youths, while in-depth study and plans are being made for the economy, to build infrastructure, especially power, roads and rail transportation. “And, whatever we realized from savings from wealth, we make sure schools are built, equipment provided and qualified teachers are provided. Our talented children who don’t have opportunity to go to school, whose parents cannot afford to send them to school, we will cooperate with the local governments to have a scholarship system, where talented Nigerians could be identified and properly educated. “Corruption is endemic in this country, especially in the last 16 years. You don’t know the magnitude, but you are hearing it. If power is available, a lot of entrepreneurs would be able to put up industries

and employ more people and produce goods and services. And with the naira being devalued almost by the day, this means entrepreneurs cannot afford...to put the machineries, to employ people, to buy essential raw materials and produce goods and services. “The cycle of corruption has done a great damage to the security and economy of this country. The APC is determined to break the vicious cycle of insecurity, unemployment and corruption. We need understanding. “We are even scared of the high expectations of the people; that if we succeed, they would want to get jobs the following week, to get power and to work freely and work 24 hours a day without fear of assault. We have to be persuading people to bear with us. But, we would make all these things available as soon as we can within the shortest possible time.” Osinbajo said: “Today is a day of destiny in the political history of the country, in view of the massive turn out of members and supporters of the APC at the rally held in Ilorin. God has given us the destiny to change the fortune of the country for better. But, some people are trying to change it and God will not give them the chance to change it.” Amaechi said this year’s election was a last chance for Nigerians to change the

country’s destiny and they should not miss it. “I want to say this is the last chance we must make because if we don’t change it, it will impose itself on us,” he said, accusing the PDP government of bad leadership in the last six years of President Goodluck Jonathan and appealed to the people to vote for change. Tinubu appealed to the people to vote out the PDP-led government at the centre during to bring the much-desired socio economic development to the country. Saraki said: “With today’s coming out of the APC members and supporters in large number to the rally shows that Kwara has spoken and there is no way for the PDP in Kwara again. “When I came home one year ago, the PDP had collapsed and all its engines had locked and we are progressing to the All Progressives Congress, so with today’s massive turn out of the people at the rally, the APC has taken its root in Kwara and the party is going to win all elections in the country.” Shuaib, who presented the flag of the party to Ahmed, called on Kwarans to rally round him and cast their votes for him and other candidates of the party during the polls. Ahmed, however, said his four years in power had witnessed good governance. He promised to continue with the successes recorded to accelerate the socio-economic well being of the people. Evidently, the crowd that greeted the Ilorin APC rally was a strong message to the opposition that the APC remains the party to beat. Besides, the rally has also confirmed the general acceptability of the party and showed that Saraki remains the political leader of the state. Above all, it suggests that the APC have become a house hold name in Kwara politics.

THE NATION MONDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2015

When the military under my leadership ‘came on board, we suspended those aspects of the constitution that we felt would make it difficult for us to operate under the circumstance we found ourselves

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...10 2D AYS TO GO ...102 DA

Former Head of State and presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buhari fielded questions from the CNN International Correspondent, Christiane Amanpour, on his vision, insecurity in the Northeast, polls shift and other issues. Excerpts:

HAT is your reaction to the delay in the elections by six weeks, and President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise that the military will make inroad in the area of security of the Northeast in six weeks? My reaction is that of disappointment because the presentation made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was that they were ready to conduct the election on the dates they fixed a year ago, and for them to be forced virtually by the military, which said that they cannot guarantee the safety of INEC staff, which made the commission to concede to the demand of additional six weeks. But, since six weeks is within the time stipulated by the constitution, we had to advise our supporters to remain calm, resolute and obey the law. You are a former military General, and you ruled the country briefly. Why is it that the Nigerian military today cannot take on Boko Haram and has failed to combat that terrorist organisation? The issue was made much clear when the National Assembly attempted to conduct a hearing after soldiers granted interviews to foreign media about being sent to the fronts without proper weapons. The National Assembly attempted to conduct a hearing by inviting all the Service Chiefs to come and explain why weapons were not procured and sent to the soldiers under competent leadership. But, the hearing was scuttled. This shows misapplication or misappropriation of resources provided by the government. It also explains why the Nigerian military has been unable to defeat Boko Haram. You recently got a huge endorsement from a former ally of President Jonathan; former President Olusegun Obasanjo. How do you react to that and what will that do to your campaign? It will certainly bring more supporters to us and more confidence again to us and those who were sitting on the fence before now because General Obasanjo is highly respected and as far as the Nigerian nation is concern, there is no serious issue that can be

Buhari: It’s harsh to judge me by the past

•Buhari

•Amanpour

discussed without people seeking for his opinion and listening to it. The headlines around the world are that the Nigerian presidential election is a contest between a failed president and former dictator, and you are the former dictator.

Some people say that you expelled 700,000 migrants years back, thinking that it would create jobs; that you banned political meetings and free speech; that you detained thousands of people; set up secret tribunals; executed people for crimes that were not

Unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Ni‘geria. And this was best illustrated by the hearings conducted by the National Assembly on the pension fund ’

capital offences. Have you changed or are these what the Nigerian people should look forward to if you win the election? All those things you mentioned with a degree of accuracy were what actually happened, but they were under a military administration. When the military under my leadership came on board, we suspended those aspects of the constitution that we felt would make it difficult for us to operate under the circumstance we found ourselves. But, I think I would be judged harshly as an individual by what happened during that military administration, or to extend what happened under a military administration to a democratic system. Now that you say that you are a democrat, what do you think you can do to combat Boko Haram and the galloping corruption in your country? We know how Boko Haram started. Certainly, the Nigerian military has built a reputation for effectiveness, but it is a great embarrassment to the country that the military has not been able to secure Nigeria’s territory, losing 14 out of 774 local governments. I believe that it will not be difficult for an APC government to deal with Boko Haram because we know that the Nigerian military is competent. What we will do is to make sure the funds voted for equipment and training are properly utilized. On corruption, there are complains by many people in your country over massive corruption. Can you face up against that? Are you committed to rooting out corruption? We have to because there are serious citizens of our country who said that “unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.” And this was best illustrated by the hearings conducted by the National Assembly on the pension fund, power sector and petroleum industry, on which the country depends on for about 90 per cent of its external revenue. The National Assembly conducted the hearings here in Abuja and the six geo-political zones of the country. They sent their recommendation to the executive, but it has been there collecting dust in the last 18 months.

PDP ‘ll retain Enugu, say Nwobodo, Nnamani From Chris Oji, Enugu

•Nwobodo

ORMER Governor of old Anambra State Senator Jim Nwobodo has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win. Nwobodo made this declaration while addressing a huge crowd of supporters at the PDP campaign rally held at the headquarters of Enugu South Local Government Area. He said there is no opposition in the state as far as the election is concerned, adding that members of the PDP that left the party to contest elections in other political parties are wasting their time. Nwobodo however urged such people to return to the PDP as the umbrella of the party is big enough to accommodate their various interests. The former governor also ex-

pressed confidence that the governorship candidate of the party, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will continue with the good works of Governor Sullivan Chime, having distinguished himself creditably as a three-time member of the House of Representatives, who has held important portfolios, including the position of the Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport. Also speaking at the rally, former Senate President Senator Ken Nnamani decried the antics of fifth columnists within the party, especially in Enugu East Senatorial District, and charged party members to be watchful and not to relent until victory is achieved. Nnamani said that Enugu South Local Government Area was a fortress for the PDP, having produced him and Nwobodo, adding that the good works of Chime will make it easy for the party to coast to victory, in the forthcoming elections. Hon. Ugwuanyi thanked all the stakeholders that voted for him during the primary election for their overwhelming support, and assured them of his resolve to continue with all the policies and programmes of Chime’s administration for the overall interest of Enugu State.

•From left: National President, The Bible Society of Nigeria, Dr. Aaron Nuhu; Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Christopher Kolade; General Secretary of BSN, Dare Ajiboye and Guest Speaker, Prof. Sola Fajana, Vice Chancellor, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arekeji, Osun State at the BSN's Founder's Day lecture titled: Credible Election: Key to Political Development, in Lagos.

‘I will donate my salaries to the aged’

HE governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Kwara State, Dr Mike Omotosho, has promised to donate his salaries to the aged and less privileged, if elected the governor. Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, the pharmacist said he would place high premium on welfare of the aged, the less privileged and the handicapped, and pensioners. Omotosho, who is the North-Cen-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

tral Coordinator of the Jonathan Actualization Movement (JAM), said: “I am making a commitment when elected governor of Kwara State for the four year term to donate my entire salary as a contribution towards the social security scheme. “When I say we are donating, we are truly donating. It is not a kind of donation you will donate and you get it back using allowances. The social security is a priority be-

cause of the emphasis that we place on the aged, the less privileged, the pensioners and the handicapped within the society. “For starter, I am making a commitment when elected governor of Kwara State, for the four year term to donate my entire salary as a contribution towards the social security scheme. When I say we are donating, we are truly donating, it is not a kind of donation you will donate and you get it back using allowances”.

THE NATION MONDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Why should Nigerians vote for Gen. ‘Muhammadu Buhari? Gen. Buhari represents change, commitment, transparency and focused leadership ‘

...10 2D AYS TO GO ...102 DA Ahamdi Nweke is the senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for Abia Central District. His opponent is Governor Theodore Orji of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with reporters in Aba, Nweke speaks about his preparedness for the contest. SUNNY NWANKWO was there.

‘I’m contesting against Ochendo and his family’

OW are you going to square up against the Governor Orji at the senatorial contest? I am going to be contesting the Abia Central senatorial seat with a number of other people and the current governor appears to be interested in that seat. People talk of the power of incumbency, but that’s an imaginary power as far as Abia State is concerned. People will look at your antecedents; what you have done when given power before voting for you. Abia today is not the Abia of 2007; not the Abia of 2011. The people of Abia are better informed today, than they were before. This is an Abia where people have seen that civil servants have not been paid for months; pensioners have not been paid their entitlements; many of them are dying without getting the payment that they worked for in the course of their career. If you are travelling on the motor way, the moment you enter Abia you will know, because the roads have become deplorable. It is an Abia where the school system has virtually failed; there is hardly any school, except the ones that are being shown as show biz where the blocks are not dilapidated, the building collapsing on our children. This is an Abia where the hospitals have shamefully dilapidated; no hospital bed, no provision for people (patients), no drugs. This is an Abia where unfortunately it would appear that governance and government have failed and I am going to contest with the people who are responsible for this and you are talking about power of incumbency? What motivated you to enter the race? I contested the governorship election in 2007 on the platform of the PDP, as some of you know. The PDP didn’t form the government at that time. Unfortunately, someone who didn’t actually contest — who was imprisoned during the electioneering campaign — became the governor and since then because things have not been working well in the state. Today, things have become worse than it used to be. That was motivated me to come out then. Today, Abia has been languishing for eight years. In Abia Central, we

need somebody who will understand lawmaking. Someone who will have empathy for the people and propose laws that will alleviate the sufferings of the people. If you have been given an executive power and you mismanaged it and the mismanagement is because you didn’t care about the people. Is it when you are going to make laws that you will remember them? What will you do to improve the welfare of Abians, if elected? People do not seem to understand the difference between the executive and the legislature. The major responsibility of a member of the Senate is over sighting what the executive is doing. They ensure that they (executive) do what they have stipulated in their social contract with the people; making sure that government provides basic amenities for them. If given the opportunity, I will ensure that the various ministries and parastatals that provide services and amenities do their job. In terms of the constituency projects, which are provided for, I will ensure that the projects are properly monitored to ensure that they are done properly and that the intention for executing them are realised. Many of you would have known that before my governorship contest that I had and still have the Udo Abia Foundation. Through the Udo Abia Foundation, I have extended scholarship programme to people, I have empowered the youths among other things and these and more are some of the things I will be able to do when I enter the Red Chambers of the Senate. What is your unique selling point? My edge over others is that I will provide a breath of fresh air on the political scene. My edge is that I am empathetic to the plight of Abians. I am a part of the people in Abia State who feel that things are not working the way that they ought to work. My edge is that I am a lawyer and the work in the Senate is about lawmaking. Professionally, I have been prepared for this job than the people contesting with me. I was for over 14 years a Justice of the Inner London Commission... I was trained in England. My professional training, my experience and exposure, my reach nationally and internation-

APC France drums support for Buhari

•Nweke

ally prepares me much better than anyone contesting the Senate today in Abia Central. Do you have confidence in the INEC to deliver free and credible polls? First of all, we are very excited by the political development in Nigeria. We have been told time again and we believe the INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega that electronic card readers will be applied this time around. This is no longer the period where thugs are used by the government to snatch ballot boxes, run down to somewhere to write results and submit. A lot of that opportunity has been denied them. Secondly, people today are yearning for a change wherever you go in the state. I am glad that you journalists are part of the Abia society today. You can feel it in the air that people can’t wait to see good governance from Abia State. The ruling party is threatening people that there will be violence and mayhem like a way of discouraging them from coming out on election day and we are saying to them that nothing will happen. It has threatened to use the army; if you go into the local communities, members of the ruling party are threatening to kill people that will try to come out and vote on that day. There will be no such thing. We are not in a state of war. I doubt that soldiers will be used in this election to intimidate people. APGA will not fold its hands and watch such intimidation.

•R-L: Comrade Sanusi Sulaimon, Chairman, Lagos State Joint Campus Committee (JCC), National Association of Nigerian Students; Comrade Ayodele Adewale, former Executive Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government & Convener, Connect for Change (C4C); Comrade Nurudeen Yusuff, President, Lagos State University Students Union, Ojo and Comrade Ernest Zitto, Mobilization Officer, JCC, at a stakeholders meeting on the issues surrounding the collection of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC), held at Sunfit Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State, during the weekend.

HE French chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is drumming support for the party’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking at a rally, its coordinator, Mrs. Ibifuro Thompson Tatua, charged Nigerians resident in France to mobilise support from their base for Buhari’s candidature at the general elections. Tatua noted that the anger and bitterness of Nigerians in recent years have grown so deep that the nation cannot endure another four years of hardship any longer. She therefore, called on Nigerians home and abroad to rise to the challenge by voting for the APC presidential candidates and other candidates of the party during the polls. She said: “Back home, the people’s anger has become deep and bitter. They are not comfortable with the prevailing deficit in the nation’s body polity. They are against the ruling party because of its ineptitude. “To majority of Nigerians, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a failure and any vote for the party in the general election is a mandate for poverty, bad policies, insecurity, infrastructural decay and destruction of the nation’s economy.” She pointed out. Tatua noted that the most effective way Nigerians can show their resentment against the government in power is to vote in General Buhari. She added that the APC presidential candidate represents all that is

•Buhari By Yetunde Oladeinde

needed to entrench good governance in the country Tafua added: “The only approved way of Nigerians expressing their resentment against the atrocious activities of the PDP is to vote for the APC presidential candidate and all other APC candidates. “Why should Nigerians vote for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari? Gen. Buhari represents change, commitment, transparency and focused leadership. He is an honest and sincere leader of genuine integrity. He is a man of great ideas, dreams and abilities.” The coordinator said victory for Buhari at next month’s general elections will not only aid the country in regaining her place on global stage, but will also help in bringing an end to the myriad of challenges confronting the nation. “Buhari will make Nigeria gain her place on global stage. He will provide security for lives and property for our citizenry.He will provide electricity and health facilities,” she said.

Nigerians in Diaspora lament polls shift From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

•Omolara

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued to receive knocks over the postponement of the general elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11. A group canvassing support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the United States, the Progressives Platform for Change (PPC), said that over 250 of its members who arrived the country because of the presidential poll, were disappointed because of the shift The PPC is a platform with over 400 members, which has structures in both Nigeria and the United States. Addressing reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, its Coordinator, Mrs. Emprss-Omolara Olaleye, said no fewer than 250 members are in the country because of the polls. She noted that the PPC, whose members are indigenes from the 36 states, came home to mobilise the people to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs). She said despite all their efforts, which include taking off from their places of work and abandoning their businesses in the US to exercise their franchise as Nigerians, INEC at the end postponed the poll for six weeks. According to her, “we are disappointed because before leaving the US

for Nigeria what we heard was that INEC was fully ready for the polls and we have also read in some online newspapers that the security operatives are fully prepared for the polls. “It was this that motivated members of our group to storm our country and to join other Nigerians in electing a credible leader as a president. “We still remain firm that every disappointment is a blessing and I am also very sure that Nigerians are fully ready to effect a change. Nigeria wants good leaders like Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osibanjo. “We in diaspora, are sick and tired of the level of corruption in the country and we believe that the presidential candidate of the APC has the credibility to cleanse corruption from the country. “Pastor Adeboye of Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG) has once testified to the capacity of Prof. Osibanjo when he said that when you give him job to do, you can go back to your bed and sleep. “The same thing when Buhari was in the military, they will say “Sai Buhari, sai maigaskya”, which means I believe you because your word is your bond. Anything Gen. Buhari says, he stands by it. Any leader that cannot stand by their words, we don’t want them anymore. “We want a change and a credible person as leader; we want to return to our country; we are only in US just because our previous and present governments have failed us”.

THE NATION MONDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2015

country’s diverse challenges present per‘The sonal and communal obstacle to commonwealth, prosperity and happiness ‘

...10 2D AYS TO GO ...102 DA Dr. Yerima Ngama is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Yobe North District. In this interview with reporters in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, the former Minister of State for Finance explains why he opted to vie for the Senate. JOEL DUKU was at the event.

Ngama: APC’s mistake ‘ll give us an edge in Yobe

HAT is your impression after the flagging-off your campaign? I want to say that the response exceeded my expectations. I received people from all over the senatorial district within a short time. So, to me, it is a clear indication that my people have accepted my senatorial bid and I am very grateful to God and the good people of Yobe North who turned out in large numbers to attend the rally. I think we have started very well and I am sure of success. Why did you switch to the senatorial race after the governorship primary? I believe that everything is destined by God. Whenever I pray to God, I have never prayed that God should make me governor. I only prayed to God to make me the best which only he knows. God can make you to become anything; it is not the position that matters, but God’s blessings. I was a minister of state for 31 months and God really blessed that tenure and period because the development projects and programmes that I brought within that time were much. I brought about 77 development projects, including roads, completion of several abandoned projects like that of the NTA, youth empowerment and the prison project. The empowerment includes the distribution of over 650 Keke NAPEP, over 400 commercial cars, and I can’t even count the number of motorcycles that were distributed to the youths. In our history in this area, we have never promoted poultry farming. We provided chicks in several thousands to people across the state. We brought fertilizer to the state and compelled the Yobe State govern-

ment to hands off the distribution of fertilizer, which was ridden with corruption. During the hardship period last year, we distributed over 222 trucks of grains to the people. The University of Gashua was initially shelved, but we thank Mr. President for listening to us and approving it for us. With all these projects, I think it’s not the position that matters, but what God has blessed you with in that position. Even the governor of Yobe has not done what I did within that period. What have you identified as the problems of your people that you will tackle at the Senate? Number one problem is drinking water because it is connected to health. If you look at Gashua area, all our water have iron, the more you drink it, the more likely that you will have kidney disease. This area is the headquarters of kidney failure in the whole country. The only way to solve this is to treat the source, which is the water that we drink. With the water treatment plant that will be in both Gashua and Nguru and this will be the size of what we have in Gombe and all the other four local government will have medium scale water systems. We are adding Bursari and Fika local governments. In Fika, there is a Federal Government Water Project that was started that requires about N500m to finish it and we have already included it in our project list. I will not wait until I am sworn in as a senator. The moment we finish election and I win, I will just go up and start pursuing these projects. Right now, I am in touch with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources where we had a committee that I am still a member, even after I left the cabinet.

Osinbajo decries loss of 400, 000 barrels of crude oil per day • Laments rise in poverty, unemployment rates

•Ngama

So, I will just pursue it. We also have a health programme for the new children and maternal hospital of 250 beds capacity in Gujba and Potiskum. These are things that I will continue with even before I am sworn in as senator. When we get to the Senate, the work is divided into two; one is to ensure that we have excellent legislation in this country and to ensure that we monitor the government. In terms of bringing development to my people, I believe that what I have done in the past will be a child’s play, compared to what my people should expect in the future. Why do you think you have an edge over your opponent who has been at the National Assembly for the past 16 years? The fact that he has been there for 16 years suggests that he has become rusty. If you look at what he has done for 16 years, it is not up to 10 per cent of what I did for 31 months as a minister and everybody knows that. That is, I was given an opportunity for two and a half years and I have proven myself. But, he has been there for the past 16 years and people know he has done woefully. In fact, you cannot compare the two of us. I don’t have any iota of doubt that if there is a free and fair election, I am going to defeat him.

HE vice presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said the daily loss of 400,000 barrels of crude oil to oil thieves and organised criminals was totally unacceptable. Osinbajo, who was the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos under former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, linked the ‘prevailing oil theft’ to the monumental rise in poverty rate. He expressed concern over the socio-economic crisis confronting Nigeria at the first annual lecture series to mark the 73rd anniversary of the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye at the 10 Degree Event Centre, Oregun, Lagos. Osinbajo, who spoke on the theme, Harmonising Virtues to Gain Heaven and Earthly Prosperity, said the loss of 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day was unexplainable and unacceptable in a sovereign country. He said the oil theft simply “shows that there is no law and order in Nigeria. In orderly society, the daily loss of 400,000 barrels of crude oil will not be possible. It demands urgent action in order to save our country.” He added: The activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs “have compounded poverty level in the country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data, more 112 million Nigerians are extremely poor. “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa. Yet, more 60 per cent of our population are extremely poor. We are one of the 33 poorest country in the world. Currently, more than 80 per cent graduates are jobless.” Osinbajo also linked the oil theft trend to the country’s worsening

•Osinbajo

social indices, citing the astronomic increase in the infant mortality, which he said, was put at 3.9 million between 2009 and 2014. He also expressed disappointment at the magnitude of corruption in the country, which he said, was disturbing and unbelievable, citing the subsidy petrol scam of over N2.6 trillion; the kerosene subsidy scam of $7 billion and the missing excess crude account fund put at one billion dollars.” He, therefore, said the country’s diverse challenges “present personal and communal obstacle to commonwealth, prosperity and happiness, which he said, God ordinarily expected human beings to create.” Osinbajo canvassed fairness, equality and justice for all his countrymen irrespective of tribe, religion and political persuasion which he said, should be upheld Nigeria would overcome her prevailing challenges and crisis. He urged Nigerians across the ethnic, political and religious divides to imbibe a culture of selfless service; by giving priority to education; embracing hard work, integrity, care for the downtrodden, love their enemies and humility, without which he said, growth and development would be a mirage.

Kwara APC, PDP bicker over violence

S political parties in Kwara State canvass for votes, ahead of the general elections, political violence has increased in the state. Suspected thugs are on the prowl. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are accusing each other of sponsoring their supporters to perpetrate thuggery against opponents. The two parties are also claiming that their banners, posters and billboards are being defaced and pulled down on a daily basis by thugs suspected to be members of rival parties. Some thugs suspected to be affiliated to the PDP were said to have launched the offensive when they attacked the convoy of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki. The thugs were said to have shot and wounded two members of the APC, while scores sustained varying degrees of injury. The attack took place in Isapa, Ekiti Local Government Area.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Isapa is the home town of the PDP’s governorship candidate, Senator Simeon Ajibola. APC leaders were on campaign tour of communities in the local government, with Governor Ahmed and Senator Saraki, among other APC leaders. It was gathered that one of the victims of the violent attack was shot on his left leg, while the other had his ear lobe chopped off by machetes. The hoodlums, it was also gathered, laid ambush for the advance team of the APC members coming to Isapa, attacked them and destroyed campaign vehicles belonging to the ruling party during the attack Reacting to the incident, Governor Ahmed described the attack as unfortunate, saying that he was committed to peace. Said he: “We have remained committed to a peaceful campaign everywhere we have gone to and we have been to virtually all the

communities in this state without any problem. “However, it’s quite unfortunate that as we were coming here our advance team was met with resistance by some misguided youths. Some of our people were shot and they have been rushed to the hospital. One of them was very critical and we don’t know what will happen to him but we are praying that he survives it. “It is very unfortunate and it was not expected because we have been carrying out our campaign peacefully and we intend to continue to do so and we would not allow any misguided group to truncate our record of peace in the state.” The PDP, on the other hand, claimed that a member of its party had been killed by suspected APC thugs in Ilorin, the state capital. A chieftain of the PDP in the state and Minister of National Planning, Dr Abubakar Abubakar condemned the renewed wave of intimidation and attack on the party’s members.

•One of the vandalised vehicles.

The former University of Abuja political science teacher alleged that the attack claimed the life of one of PDP’s supporters.

He urged the security agencies to probe the killing, with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the act to book.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NATION SPORT

Van Gaal: Rooney still my best striker

Wenger defends "completely logical" tactics

•Wenger

RSENE Wenger has leapt to the defence of Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, claiming that the Dutchman's supposed 'longball style' at Old Trafford has been greatly exaggerated. The Red Devils have lost just one of their last 15 Premier League games to keep their topfour hopes well on track, al-

though the style of play adopted in recent weeks has led to some criticism. Former United star Paul Scholes was among those to accuse his former suitors of taking a "miserable" approach which he found tough to watch. However, Arsenal boss Wenger has joined Kenny Dalglish in defending Van Gaal, telling reporters: "I didn't understand what was the problem. Manchester United went a bit 'longer' in the last 10 minutes. "I found that completely logical. There's no reason for him to defend himself. An intelligent team knows how to exploit its strong points. "I don't even think Van Gaal said to his team 'go longer'. But when they saw [Marouane] Fellaini on the pitch the guys at the back say, 'Ah, I'll kick it to Fellaini and then [Robin] van Persie or [Wayne] Rooney can score the goal'. It's normal." United are back in action on Monday night when they take on Preston North End in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Deepdale.

Pulis switching styles again aving used a range of styles at Stoke City and Crystal Palace, Tony

Pulis once again has to find the survival formula at West Brom. Tony Pulis is relishing showing his tactical flexibility at West Brom, as he looks to perform another Premier League firefighting job. Pulis took Stoke City to the Premier League before keeping them competitive in the topflight for five seasons with a rigid defence and direct approach. After departing the Britannia Stadium, Pulis was drafted in by Crystal Palace last term and a proficient counter-attacking approach took the London club to safety in stunning fashion, having picked up just four points under predecessor Ian Holloway. Now he has arrived at The Hawthorns, where West Brom hope he can once again be a catalyst for survival after a spell of struggle with Alan Irvine. Though often labelled as a proponent of a physical style of play, Pulis believes he has displayed an ability to switch up tactics previously - highlighting a partnership between strikers Brown Ideye and Saido Berahino as crucial to his hopes

OUIS van Gaal still rates Wayne Rooney as a striker even though he

has dropped his captain into a deeper midfield role in recent weeks. At the beginning of Van Gaal's reign, it seemed only a matter of time before Rooney would break Sir Bobby Charlton's scoring record. The striker was in good form, scoring 11 goals before December for club and country. But the goals have dried up somewhat since, and the idea that he will definitely bridge the 25-goal gap between himself and Charlton has been put into question because of his positional change. Rooney started the season as a striker, but Van Gaal moved him back to number 10, then into central midfield and he ended Wednesday night's 3-1 win over Burnley as a defensive midfielder. Van Gaal has been heavily criticised for moving Rooney back deeper and deeper, but that does not mean his days are numbered as a centre-forward. "He is maybe the best striker," the United manager said.

*Van Gaal

"It is not that anybody isn't a good player in my selection. I have to look at where each player can make the biggest contribution. "It's the composition, which is

more important than the individual player." Roy Hodgson indicated this week that Rooney will play up front in the upcoming internationals against

Lithuania and Italy. Van Gaal insists he has no problems with the England manager over his comments and claims he would do the same were he in his shoes.

Hodgson welcomes Sturridge return

R •Pulis

of striking the perfect balance at West Brom. Pulis said: "This is a different team with different qualities to the one I worked with at Palace and at Stoke. "At Palace, for example, we had pace down the sides but we don't have that here. "We have other qualities such as trickery and we've got 'Bobby' [Ideye] and Berahino working as a partnership.

OY Hodgson insists there is no simmering tension with Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers as the England manager prepares to recall Daniel Sturridge. Friction appeared to mount after the 25-year-old's season was thrown off kilter in September by an injury during a training session with the national team. The prognosis on the thigh injury was a matter of weeks, but the issues snowballed as he sustained a calf problem before another thigh complaint. Sturridge went to the United

States to aid his recovery and, five months after his last Liverpool appearance, made a goalscoring return in a 2-0 win against West Ham on January 31. The forward has continued to look bright since returning from the lay-off and is set to return to the England squad in next month's matches against Lithuania and Italy. "Of course (I am excited to have him back)," Hodgson said. "As long as he playing well and playing. "I haven't had to the pick the team yet or squad yet - I have a few weeks to do that.

"But, of course, I have always said that Daniel, for me, is a player that I think has the talent we are looking for. "I am really delighted that he is not suffering from his muscle problems any more

and we have the chance to bring him back." Sturridge's return to the national team will no doubt stir up talk about potential underlying club-versus-country tension.

•Balotelli

Fresh setback ´crippling´ for Carroll

NDY Carroll has had another season curtailed by injury woe, and manager Sam Allardyce is concerned over the mental affects it could have. Sam Allardyce is worried that a fresh long-term injury for Andy Carroll could be "crippling mentally" for the West Ham striker. All three of Carroll's seasons

•Carroll

at Upton Park have been heavily interrupted by fitness issues and he will play no further part in the current campaign due to a knee injury that requires surgery. Carroll has already missed an estimated 14 months of action due to injuries in his time with the club. A struggle to play regularly has affected the England international as he looks to rebuild a reputation damaged by a fruitless spell at Liverpool. Allardyce said: "It's crippling mentally for Andy of course because it was such an innocuous situation when you saw it he just ran into a defender. "These things have been testing Andy for a number of years so we all feel for him and we all miss him and want him playing for us, because you saw what an impact he has made."

´Penny has dropped´ for Balotelli

•Sturridge

FTER an impressive cameo in Liverpool's FA Cup win at Crystal Palace, Brendan Rodgers believes Mario Balotelli is hitting his stride. Mario Balotelli looks to have finally convinced Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers of his capabilities, with the manager claiming "the penny has dropped" for the Italian. A £16million signing from Milan in August, Balotelli failed to score in his first 12 Premier Leagues games for the Anfield club before hitting the winner against Tottenham on Tuesday(Last-week). The 24-year-old could not add to his three-goal haul for the sea-

son as a half-time substitute at Crystal Palace on Saturday, but an impressive display helped Liverpool overturn a 1-0 deficit at the interval to win 2-1. "He's been working really hard in training," Rodgers said. "I think now the penny has dropped. "I assess players every day in training. No matter how good they are, it doesn't matter - you have to put the work in. "It has been difficult for him because he's coming into a [playing] style that he's perhaps never been in before in terms of the intensity and the pressing. "But one thing he has got, he's got big quality. In the last couple of games he's come off the bench and been effective for us."

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

UN Security Council condemns Boko Haram attacks

HE United Nations Security Council has condemned what it described as the continued escalation of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists, including deadly attacks during the past week which took the lives of many civilians in Chad, Cameroon and Niger. In a statement yesterday evening, the Council deplored the ongoing escalation of Boko Haram violence, which has spread beyond north, where the group has perpetrated a raft of heinous crimes against civilians. Council members cited

weekend’s attacks in Ngouboua, Chad, which killed many civilians, including the local traditional leader, and injured several others, as well as February 8 attack in Kerawa, Cameroon, and February 6 to 8 attacks in Diffa, Niger. In its statement, the Council extended its condolences to the families of the victims and its sympathy to all those injured in these heinous attacks, as well as to the peoples and the Governments of the

Republics of Chad, Cameroon and Niger. “The members of the Security Council reaffirm that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the actions of Boko Haram, constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” said the statement, stressing that such acts are “criminal and unjustifiable,” regardless of their motivation. Council members also reiterated their determination to combat all

forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the UN Charter, and underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of acts of terrorism to justice. Finally, the Council reminded states that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

Ukraine crisis: Fighting subsides after ceasefire

IGHTING in east Ukraine has subsided but not stopped since a ceasefire came into effect, the warring parties say. Spokesmen for both the government and the pro-Russian rebels said some shelling had continued, mainly around the besieged town of Debaltseve. But both sides say the truce that came into force at midnight (22:00 GMT Saturday) is holding with some exceptions. OSCE monitors agree, but complain they have been denied access to Debaltseve. The town - a key transport hub - has been the object of some of the fiercest fighting in the conflict zone in recent weeks, and the ongoing struggle there appears to pose the gravest threat to the truce. Analysts point out that previous ceasefires initially appeared to be holding but eventually failed, and say the next 48 hours are critical. Officials say more than 5,400 people have been killed since the conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine in April, but the UN believes the actual death toll to be much higher. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel brokered the agreement on Thursday after lengthy talks in the Belarusian capital Minsk.

Italy’s richest man, Nutella billionaire Ferrero dies

ILLIONAIRE Michele Ferrero, whose global chocolate empire made him Italy’s richest man, has died aged 89. His privately-owned firm is famous for its chocolatehazelnut Nutella spread, Ferrero Rocher chocolates, Kinder eggs and Tic Tac sweets. Mr Ferrero died on Saturday at his Monaco home after months of illness, according to his company. Italian President Sergio Mattarella called him a “born entrepreneur”. Mr Ferrero’s father, a pastry maker named Pietro, developed the forerunner to Nutella in 1946, called Giandujot, combining a small amount of cocoa and lots of hazelnuts to make an affordable luxury at a time chocolate was expensive.

•The protesters

Turkey rallies over murder of woman who ‘resisted rape’ HOUSANDS of women in Turkey have protested at the murder of a young woman who allegedly resisted an attempt by a bus driver to rape her. Police discovered the burnt body of Ozgecan Aslan, 20, in a riverbed in the city of Mersin, on Friday. They have arrested three

men in connection with her death - a minibus driver, his father and a friend. The Turkish president and prime minister called Ms Aslan’s family to offer their condolences. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu promised the family to hunt those responsible for the crime and punish them.

Ms Aslan, a psychology student, was kidnapped on Wednesday on her way home. The driver allegedly tried to rape her. She reportedly fought him off with pepper spray, but was then stabbed to death. She was also hit on the head with an iron pipe. The brutality of the murder caused an outcry across Tur-

key. Thousands of women staged protests in several cities on Saturday, including Ankara, Istanbul, and Mersin - Ms Aslan’s hometown in southern Turkey. In Istanbul, women activists held two separate protests to show their anger at the murder.

Copenhagen shootings: Police kill ‘gunman’ after two attacks

OLICE in Copenhagen say they have shot dead a man they believe was behind two deadly attacks in the Danish capital hours earlier. Police say they killed the man in the Norrebro district after he opened fire on them. It came after one person was killed and three police officers injured at a free speech debate in a cafe on Saturday. In the second attack, a Jewish man was killed and two police officers wounded near the city’s main synagogue. Police say video surveil-

lance suggested the same man carried out both attacks. They do not believe any other people were involved. The head of Danish intelligence said investigators were working on the theory that the gunman could have been inspired by the shootings in Paris last month. The attacks on the Charlie Hebdo magazine, a kosher supermarket and a policewoman claimed 17 lives. Jens Madsen told reporters the man had been identified and had been on the agency’s radar for some time.

Westerners join Iraqi Christian militia to fight Islamic State

AINT Michael, the archangel of battle, is tattooed across the back of a U.S. army veteran who recently returned to Iraq and joined a Christian militia fighting Islamic State in what he sees as a biblical war between good and evil. Brett, 28, carries the same thumb-worn pocket Bible he did whilst deployed to Iraq in 2006 – a picture of the Virgin Mary tucked inside its pages and his favorite verses highlighted.

“It’s very different,” he said, asked how the experiences compared. “Here I’m fighting for a people and for a faith, and the enemy is much bigger and more brutal.” Thousands of foreigners have flocked to Iraq and Syria in the past two years, mostly to join Islamic State, but a handful of idealistic Westerners are enlisting as well, citing frustration their governments are not doing more to combat the ultraradical Islamists or prevent the suffering of innocents.

Police were working to determine whether the man had travelled to Syria or Iraq, he said. Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said it was “a very sad morning” and described the shootings as “a cynical act of terror against Denmark”. She later visited the synagogue and said Denmark

would do everything to protect its Jewish community. On Saturday a gunman attacked a free-speech debate hosted by controversial Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks. One man - identified by Danish media as film director Finn Norgaard, 55 - was killed and and three police officers wounded.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS India building collapse kills 13 in Uttar Pradesh

BUILDING in northern India has collapsed, killing 13 people believed to be from the same family. The three-storey building in Uttar Pradesh state was near completion when it fell on a family of weavers asleep on the ground floor, police said. At least three escaped unhurt when the structure came down in Dulhipur village near the city of Varanasi. India has suffered a series of similar incidents, blamed in part on poor regulation and housing pressures. Twelve people died at the scene and one in hospital, officials said. Local police superintendent Chandauli Muniraj said construction appeared to have been hurried. Police are looking for the building contractor and an investigation has begun. Among the victims was the building’s owner, Mohammad Kamarrudin, and two children, Supt Muniraj said. A local unit of the National Disaster Response Force helped in the rescue operation and mechanical diggers were deployed to retrieve bodies. Many such incidents in India are attributed to substandard building materials and lax safety standards. The city of Chennai was the scene of a major collapse in July 2014 when an 11-storey building gave way, killing 61.

Canada Halifax: Two charged over ‘mass shooting plot’

WO people have been charged in connection with a plot to carry out a mass shooting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canadian police say. Police said Lindsay Kantha Souvannarath, 23, and Randall Steven Shepherd, 20, are due to appear in court on Tuesday. A third person has been released without charge. Media reports say a 19-year-old man found dead had written a blog with dark references to death and shootings. The man, identified as James Gamble, posted a picture of himself holding a rifle and a knife. “Valentine’s Day it’s going down,” he is quoted as writing by CBC News. “What doesn’t kill me might make me kill you,” he also reportedly writes. Police say they unearthed the plot following a tip-off from Crime Stoppers on Friday - just a day before the plan for a shooting spree in the Halifax Shopping Centre had allegedly been due to take place. Justice Minister Peter MacKay said if it had gone ahead it would have “been devastating, mass casualties would have been a real possibility”. But all suspects are now either dead or in custody, he said. Ms Souvannarath and Mr Shepherd were arrested at Halifax airport after Ms Souvannarath arrived on a flight from her home state of Illinois, the US, police said.

•Pope Francis celebrates a Mass for newly-elected cardinals, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican...yesterday

Pope to new cardinals: practice compassion, be open to all

OPE Francis on Sunday exhorted 20 new cardinals to reach out to all those who have been shunned, physically or spiritually, by the church or society. Celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica with the men he installed as cardinals a day earlier, Francis told them that their mission must be one of “welcoming,” and of “rolling up our sleeves and not standing by and watching passively the suffering of the world.” The red-hatted “princes of the church” elect pontiffs and help the pope to shape and implement policy. Francis told the cardinals “the way of the Church is not to condemn

anyone for eternity.” He urged them “to go out in search of those who are distant, those on the outskirts.” Elected pope in 2013, Francis has sought to make church hierarchy less judgmental and less dominated by its Vatican-based bureaucratic workings. His picks for cardinals included some from far-flung place such as Myanmar and Tonga. One new cardinal, Archbishop John Dew, from New Zealand, recommended in an interview with

to receive Communion instead of being seen as “living in sin.” Homosexual Catholics are wondering if his leadership will result in more openness toward them. Church teaching condemns homosexual activity. Francis told the cardinals the Church must not be a “closed caste.” He instructed them to “see the Lord in every excluded person ... even in those who have lost their faith, or turned away from the practice of their faith.”

China opposes extending Iran nuclear deadline, says minister

HINA is against another extension of the deadline for Iran to reach a deal with world powers in talks on its nuclear programme, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Tehran Sunday. “They have been extended twice, we hope that they will not be for a third time,” Wang said at a joint news conference with Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Wang said the talks between Iran and the P5+1 powers (the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) were a “historic opportunity” to resolve the longstanding dispute over Tehran’s nuclear efforts. “The negotiations have seen positive progress,” he said, but “they have become more difficult and complicated” as they near conclusion.

Two deadlines for a permanent agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme have been missed since an interim deal was reached in November 2013. Negotiators are now working toward reaching the political outline of a deal by March 31, with the cut-off point for the technical details of a comprehensive accord by June 30. Western powers accuse Iran of

seeking to develop a nuclear weapon — a charge Tehran denies. Disagreements in the talks centre on the extent of nuclear activities Iran will be allowed to continue and the timetable for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear efforts. Zarif also said “the opportunity must be seized” for a deal and said Iran was ready “to show flexibility to reassure the P5+1 group”.

Australia PM warns Indonesia of tough ILLIONS of Australians are response to executions “sickened” by the immi-

Germany: Braunschweig parade halted over terror alert

Let them live,” it said. No date has been set for their killing, but Indonesia has said governments with citizens on death row have been invited to talks at the foreign ministry on Monday. Chan, 31, and Sukumaran, 33, are facing execution by firing squad as early as this week as ring leaders of the so-called Bali Nine group trafficking heroin from Indonesia’s island of Bali into Australia. While all hope appears to be lost, Abbott put pressure on Jakarta for the second day in a row. “Millions of Australians are feeling sickened by what might be about to happen in Indonesia,” he told Channel Ten. “If these executions go ahead, and

CARNIVAL parade has been called off at short notice in Braunschweig, northern Germany, due to the threat of an Islamist attack, police said. A “specific threat of an Islamist attack” was identified by state security sources, they said in a statement. Police urged people planning to attend to stay at home. The parade - a well-known regional attraction - was cancelled only 90 minutes before it was due to start. “Many people arriving at the train station were already dressed up and very disappointed - but we didn’t want to take any risks,” police spokesman Thomas Geese was quoted as saying. Braunschweig’s Carnival parade reportedly draws around 250,000 visitors each year. More than 4,000 participants in fancy dress march down a 6km (four-mile) route through the city. The decision to call it off was taken by Mayor Ulrich Markurth and the parade’s marshal, Gerhard Baller. “This is a sad day for our city,” Mayor Markurth told public broadcaster NDR. “The assessment of the police however left us with no other choice.” Large carnival parades and street parties are held every year in the week before Lent in Catholic regions of Germany.

nent execution of two of its citizens by Indonesia, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Sunday, warning of a tough diplomatic response. His comments came as the families of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran made emotional lastgasp pleas to Indonesian President Joko Widodo. “I beg him (Widodo) again and again to please forgive them and give them, both of them, a second chance,” Sukumaran’s tearful grandmother Edith Visvanathan told reporters. A statement from the Chan family said Andrew Chan “continues to pray”. “While there is life, there is hope.

Jordan jails Muslim Brotherhood leader for UAE criticism

Vatican Radio that prelates working in the Curia, the Vatican’s Romebased administration, be assigned to the field, in dioceses. There he said, they can “meet people who are very often struggling in life” and obtain “real on-the-ground experience.” Many Catholics will be watching to see if Francis’s determination to lead a more merciful church impacts their lives. Divorced Catholics who remarried are hoping Francis will change policy so they will be able

MUSLIM Brotherhood leader in Jordan has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for criticising the United Arab Emirates. Zaki Bani Rushaid was found guilty of damaging relations with a foreign country. It was the first such case against a top opposition figure in Jordan for years. Rushaid had criticised the UAE, a key financial backer of Jordan, for its crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood. As deputy head of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood, he has been at the forefront of protests against the government. In November, he was arrested after writing that the UAE’s rulers lacked legitimacy. His lawyer denounced the jail sentence as politically mo-

tivated, reported the Associated Press news agency, while rights groups also criticised his arrest. The Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood has substantial grassroots popularity and is the country’s main opposition organisation. However, branches of the group in Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been banned. In recent months Jordan has been engaged in a crackdown on suspected supporters of Islamic State (IS), which has seized swathes of neighbouring Syria and Iraq over the past year. The government intensified air strikes against IS after the group released a video earlier this month showing a Jordanian pilot being burned alive.

I hope they don’t, we will certainly be finding ways to make out displeasure felt.” Brazil and The Netherlands recalled their ambassadors in protest at executions of their citizens in January. Abbott has not said what Canberra’s response would be. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop last week warned Jakarta that Australians could boycott Indonesia, including the island of Bali, a popular holiday spot for its travellers. Abbott also stepped up criticism of Indonesia for trying to save its own citizens on death row in other countries for drug trafficking while rejecting pleas from Australia. “What we are asking of Indonesia is what Indonesia asks of other countries when its citizens are on death row,” he said. “If it’s right for Indonesia to ask and expect some kind of clemency, it’s surely right for us to ask and expect some kind of clemency.” There are 360 Indonesians on death row around the world, including in Malaysia, Singapore, China and Saudi Arabia, Australian media reported. Of that, 230 are on drug charges. As time runs out for Chan and Sukumaran, attorneys-general from across each of Australia’s states and territory have sent a joint letter to Indonesia’s government asking they be spared, broadcaster ABC reported.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Forex expert needs N10m for cancer surgery

FOREX trainer and newspaper columnist, Mr Adekunle Adeyeri, needs N10 million for cancer of the bone marrow surgery. The 46-year-old personal finance expert explained that he was struck by the ailment last year while preparing for church. He said: “On August 17, 20I4, I was in the bathroom preparing for church, when everything suddenly went blank. I felt some sensations like electric shocks ravaging my body and I could not move my left leg. I could not even stand on my feet again and I was about to fall when my wife quickly came to my aid. I was rushed to a private hospital where I was revived and subsequently transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, for further treatment.” Adeyeri’s medical report reveals that he is suffering from a deadly disease called multiple myeloma-cancer of the bone marrow. He is been

•Adekunle Adeyeri on sick bed

unable to walk or sit. His condition, according to doctors, requires a spinal surgery and a bone marrow transplant that will cost N10 million. “Through the help of my family members and classmates at the Federal Government College in Ido-Ani, Ondo State, I had to travel to India for the spine surgery which cost N3 million. I was told if I didn’t do it before the transplant I would become paralysed. But my doctors insist that I must go back for the bone marrow transplant because the cancer cells are now spreading through my body and eating deep into the spine again.” Adeyeri, who hails from

Ondo State, is pleading with well-meaning Nigerians for support to carry out the lifesaving surgery. “I have spent all my life savings on treatment and I have no money to take care of my health. Even my family members have really assisted me with money and have exhausted their pocket. I am, therefore, pleading with Nigerians to assist me to raise N10m. I am also calling on Governor Segun Mimiko as well as well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to rescue me from the jaws of death,” he said Adeyeri can be reached on08039391041; donors can send money to his accountAdekunle Adeyeri, Guaranty Trust Bank, 0007654719.

•All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives Surulere Federal Constituency II candidate, Hakeem Adisa Bamgbola (second right); his wife, Alhaja Ashabi (third right); APC chieftain Fuad Oki (second left); Bamgbola’s Campaign Director, Pastor Olugbenga Oyebode and others during a rally in Ijesha, Surulere, Lagos

Rusted NNPC pipes contaminate community’s water R

USTED Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipes have contaminated water in Baruwa-Ipaja, Secretary of the Community Development Committee of Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chief Bayo Shittu has said. Speaking at the Ayobo Ipaja LCDA Stakeholders’ Forum at the council secretariat last weekend, Shittu said the contaminated water is not good for the people’s health. “NNPC has destroyed our water since 1998 and this polluted water has affected

the well being of our children,” he said. The community, he said, has reported to NNPC but up till now nothing has been done. “We drew the attention of NNPC and when they came, the statement they made was to construct three tanks but up till now, no single drop of water comes out of the tanks they dug,” he said. Shittu appealed to the government to provide potable water for the community. The council Executive Sec-

retary, Dele Ayinde represented by Femi Owolabi, assured the residents that something would be done. “We will look in the complaints and challenges; be rest assured that we will include all your demands into this year’s budget to meet your aspirations,” he said. The stakeholders’ meeting, he said, is a feedback mechanism between the people and the government. He said his administration would focus on projects that will transform the council.

•From left: Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Yinka Ogundimu; Divisional Police Officer, Elere Police Division, Mr Musediq Orobiyi and Publicity Secretary, Owolewa Security and Peace Development Committee, Agege, Mr Mujeeb Abata after a security meeting in the area.

Ambode mobbed at malls

HE All progressive Congress (APC) Lagos governorship candidate Mr Akinwunmi Ambode was practically mobbed by Lagosians at the weekend when he visited the Ikeja Shopping mall and Shoprite at Lekki. It was during the occasion valentine. Ambode, many said, has endeared

himself to the heart of the people of Lagos as an embodiment of hope for a better Lagos. The two shopping malls full to the brim by fun seekers came to a standstill with the shout of Ambo!, Change!, Ambode is our man!. Ambode has been enjoying show of love and reception from the people of

Lagos at functions, which include road-shows, grassroots town hall meetings, and campaign rallies. He promised to continue providing conducive environment for self actualisation and prosperity. The ecstatic crowd promised him their votes come April 11.

•Executive Secretary, Ikorodu Local Government Area, Wasiu Adesina receiving gifts from Mrs Anthonia Fregene of the Corporate Affairs Department of Zenith Bank Plc during a presentation of pediatrics items to the council

•Lagos State Governor Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, (middle), in a group photograph with the student leaders from the South-West during a breakfast meeting with them on their expression PHOTO:OMOSEHIN MOSES of support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Lagos House, Marina.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS Hausa in Kwara endorse Ahmed From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

HE Hausa in Kwara State have endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, for the April 11 election. They promised to vote for all APC candidates. The Haussa urged members of their community and other Kwara residents to “disregard any call on them to jettison their benefactor in the coming elections as one good term deserves another”. The Special Assistant to the Governor on Hausa Community, Alhaji Yusuf Albusira, hailed the Ahmed administration for even distribution of dividends of democracy to indigenes and non-indigenes. Albusira said: “The present administration in the state has done so much to the Hausa community. About 10 of our people have benefited from the Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES) and Quickwin empowerment schemes of the government. “We enjoy immense benefits from the state and local governments. Our people have been employed in Kwara State Transport Management Authority (KWARTIMA). In the same vein, some of our children have also been employed in the state ministries.”

Kano spends N20.2b on water From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

HE Kano State Government has spent N20.2 billion on the provision of potable water in the last three and a half years, Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said yesterday. The governor spoke at the inauguration of the State Water Board’s modern office complex at Mubi Quarters in Kano. He explained that N11 billion was used to provide 1,000 ductile milimetre iron pipes for the major reticulation. Kwankwaso said N300 million was spent on the generator for pumping water, adding that N200 million was spent on repairing water pumping/generating machines. The governor assured that by the time the pipe laying was completed, water would flow adequately from Challawa and Tamburawa water treatment plants to the city. He said other regional water schemes would be upgraded to supply water to several parts of the city. Kwankwaso urged residents to inform the water board on any pipe leakage to enable its workers to fix it. The governor said the people should not allow public and private water pipes to leak recklessly. He said over N200 million was spent on the building, adding that the complex was named after Alhaji Abdul Azeez Umar (Sardaunan Hadejia), who was a Managing Director of the board, for his contributions to water management.

Female suicide bomber kills 10 in Yobe

HE Yobe State Police Command has said 10 people were killed when a female suicide bomber detonated an explosive at the Damaturu Central Motor Park in the state capital. The police also said 31 others were injured in the incident. The motor park is located near a divisional po-

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

lice station, which was razed on January 9 by the Boko Haram insurgents. Police spokesman, Toyin Gbadegesin, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the suicide bomber had made several failed attempts to bomb the military outfit at the park before she

boarded a half-loaded car and blew up herself. The 10 people died on the spot. Gbadegesin said: “At 12.10 hours, an hijab-wearing female suicide bomber came into the park and went to the security vehicle. She was turned away after her movement aroused suspicion. She then went to a commercial

vehicle; the car was halfloaded, and the bomb exploded. “Ten people died; 31 others were critically injured and are at the Sani Abacha Hospital in Damaturu. We have condoned off the area. Investigation is ongoing.” The police spokesman added that the suicide bomber was about 21 years old.

•From right: Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko; All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Aminu Tambuwal and his running mate, Ahmed Aliyu, at the party’s rally in Dangen Shuni Loca Government Area...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Two killed as police repel attack in Kano •Two suspects arrested

HE Kano State Police Command has said it killed two suspected insurgents at Kibiya, about 60 kilometres from Kano city, when the terrorists attacked a police division in the area. The police said the casualties were among the six suspected Boko Haram members who stormed the police station on two motorcycles. Police spokesman, Musa Magaji Majia, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told our reporter yesterday that one of the gunmen was killed in an exchange of fire while the other was lynched by the residents as the other

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

gunmen attempted to escape. Majia said the incident happened at 5.30pm on Saturday. The police spokesman said the police repelled the insurgents. According to him, two of the gunmen were arrested and were assisting police investigation. Majiya said: “No policeman was killed or injured during the incident.” The spokesman said the gunmen abandoned one of their motorcycles before fleeing. He said security had since been tightened in the area, adding that the neighbouring states had been alerted to arrest the fleeing hoodlums.

APC alleges plot by PDP to eliminate members in Kogi

HE Kogi State Central Working Committee of the General Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of planning to eliminate its notable members before the March and April general elections. The organisation’s Coordinator James Ocholi (SAN) said sources within the PDP informed APC on the plot. Ocholi said: “You may wonder how we knew this. We have our sources and we have our informants even in Government House. We have made it very clear that it is not possible for any of these

•PDP: allegation baseless From James Azania, Lokoja

criminal plans to take place before we get to know because we have our tentacles. “They (PDP leaders) have people who are sympathetic with us, desiring a change. When they see any criminal elements, especially in this dimension, they let us know.” But the state government denied the allegations. It urged the opposition to prove its allegation. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, said PDP

was not a blood sucker. The governor’s aide urged the APC to petition security agencies, if it was sure of its allegation. He said the security agencies would investigate the matter and bring the culprits to justice. Edi said the PDP had performed well, adding that its campaigns were based on the dividends of democracy the electorate was enjoying. He said: “These men are too old to descend this low to seek relevance. Their remaining life is not worth any political value. So, nobody

should take them seriously. “If they feel so strongly, let them go to the appropriate security agencies...” Ocholi stressed that the APC was informed that “16 bad boys” from outside of Kogi State had been deployed in the state for the hatchet job. He added: “They arrived yesterday (Saturday) and today (Sunday). They have been moved to Kogi East to begin the elimination of certain names they identified. “We have been told about those of us on the list for elimination: Senator Ohiare, Barrister Eneojo Ocholi, Dr Alex Kadiri, Positive Ihiabe and a few others...”

Niger borrows N5b to finance rigging, says APC

IGER State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state of taking N5 billion loan to finance the rigging of the March and April general elections. APC State Publicity Secretary Jonathan Vatsa, who addressed reporters yesterday in Minna, the state capital, said N3 billion was borrowed by the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs while the state government secured N2 billion. But the government said the allegation was false. The Aliyu administration said the allegations were “lies from the pit of hell”. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Israel Ebije,

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

challenged the opposition to back its claims with documents. The opposition wondered why a government that was rounding off would borrow money, if not to use the facility to buy security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to rig the election in its favour. Vatsa alleged that the government recently summoned a meeting with the INEC state electoral officers for an alleged deal to assist the ruling party in the general elections. He said: “At the end of the meeting, each of the officers was given N100,000 with a promise of N3 million to be released when the election commenced.”

Borno declares today holiday for Buhari From Duku JOEL, Maiduguri

HE Borno State Government has declared today a work-free day for the visit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement in Maiduguri, the state capital, by the Secretary to Borno State Government (SSG), Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, the government said the public holiday would enable the residents to give Gen. Buhari a rousing welcome for his rally. The statement reads: “The Borno State Government has declared Monday a workfree day. It is to enable the people of the state welcome the APC presidential candidate, General Buhari, who will arrive in Maiduguri on a campaign visit on Monday.” The statement urged APC supporters to troop out to welcome the important visitor. “Governor Kashim Shettima has urged Borno State residents to come out en masse to welcome Gen. Buhari, who is ‘the people’s general’.” Borno State APC has been preparing for Gen. Buhari’s visit. The billboards of the “people’s general” and those of his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and Governor Shettima, have been mounted at major entry points into the state capital.

‘Nasko is best candidate to succeed Aliyu’ From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

IGER State Commissioner for Information, Danladi Ndayebo, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Umar Mohammed Nasko, is the best man to succeed Governor Babangida Aliyu. The commissioner noted that since Nasko had worked under Aliyu for two terms of eight years, he had been well groomed to tackle the state’s challenges. He said: “Nasko has gone through the rudiments of grassroots politics - from being an aspirant for the position of a local government chairman and as commissioner in four ministries. “His crowning glory is as Chief of Staff to Governor Aliyu. So, I have no doubt that he possesses the key to confront the nagging problems confronting the state.” Ndayebo said he was confident that Nasko would build on the achievements of the current administration in all critical sectors, especially in Education, Agriculture, Health care delivery, Infrastructure and Job creation. The commissioner said much work had been done by successive PDP administrations, adding that the continuity and consistency in the implementation of its policies and programmes could take the Power State to the Promised Land.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

Fed Govt probes death of Aisha Falode’s son

HE Federal Government may have begun the probe into the death of 19-year-old Toba Falode, who was allegedly killed in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 16, last year, it was learnt yesterday. Toba, the late son of renowned sports journalist, Mrs Aisha Falode, was said to have been pushed from his 17th floor apartment on February 16, last year, by a Saudi Arabia teenager who accused the deceased of having an affair with his girlfriend. Although testimonies of Toba’s friends, who were at his apartment when the incidence occurred and exhibits gathered from the scene fingered the suspect, Faisal Aldakmary Al-Nasser, the Dubai police investigation said Toba fell from the rail-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

ings. He was said to have sat on the railings with his feet off the ground. Several efforts by Mrs. Falode, her lawyer Festus Keyamo and rights activist, Dr. Joe Okey-Odumakin to get the Nigerian Embassy in Dubai to prevail on the country’s police to reopen the case proved abortive. The situation had pushed the bereaved mother to ponder the worth of a Nigerian life and the activities of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Mrs Falode spoke yesterday in Lagos at Toba’s one-year rememberance at the Trinity House, Zion Centre, Lekki,Lagos. The popular broadcaster and television host spoke of her plan to start a foundation to give succour to women who lose their children in

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (second left); Dr Joe-Odumakin (left); Senior Pastor, Trinity House Zion Centre, Pastor Itua Ighodalor(third left); Mrs Falode, her daughter, Tolu and Mrs. Sanmi Awobuluyi, at the service ...yesterday. PHOTO:DAVID ADEJO

questionable circumstances. Expressing hope that Toba would get justice, Mrs Falode said the Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation,

had written the Dubai Government. She urged Nigerians to hold the Foreign Affairs Ministry accountable for the death of Nigerians abroad, especially in sus-

picious circumstances. She blamed the Nigerian Embassy in UAE for not making sufficient efforts on the incident, despite written, oral and pictoral evidence presented to it.

Mrs Falode urged the government to ensure that her son and other young Nigerians killed in foreign lands get justice.

Job losses sweep across sectors as industrial disputes loom (Continued from page 3)

Olusemore added that high cost will obviously lead to high prices of consumer goods, and depending on the price elasticity of demand for each manufacturer’s products, aggregate demand may shrink in the short run, as there could be consumer resistance. Those likely to be affected the most are consumers on fixed income, who will be left with lower disposable income thus, becoming poorer in relative terms. Companies that cannot stand the heat would be left with no option than to throw some of their workers into the labour market. Indeed, not a few manufacturers have been agonising over the persistent high cost of production arising from the prevailing high cost of imported raw materials due to the high exchange rate. The skyrocketing cost of production is said to be responsible for the high cost of goods produced locally compared to imported ones. The cheaper price of imported goods is blamed for the penchant of Nigerians to patronise imported goods at the detriment of locally produced goods. This is why many local industries that could not cope with the competition in the

same market with imported goods are either fast disappearing from the industrial landscape or adopting costcutting measures including sacking their workers. The belief is that all the basic raw materials to feed the industries are available locally, but are not available in sufficient quantities and quality. According to manufacturers, most of the available local raw materials are in unusable form, requiring value addition before they can be used by industries. The value addition is done mostly by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) because they take the materials from the unusable form to the next intermediate stage. It is the intermediate raw material that industries require. However, because of the low capacity of the SMEs to add value to available local raw materials, coupled with lack of access to capital to set up processing facilities, process technology and techniques, and spare parts, among others, they have not been able to fill the gap. Other challenges impeding the effective utilisation of local raw materials, include multiple taxation by various levels of government, poor infrastructure, unbridled importation, labour cost, fis-

cal policies, non-sustainability of policies, high cost of funds, technical infrastructure, and gaps in diffusion of technology. Unemployment may worsen Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has 24 per cent unemployment rate, with youth unemployment estimated at over 54 per cent. The figure could be higher considering the pausity of reliable data in the country. Some experts argue that given Nigeria’s penchant for poor record keeping, the figure could be as high as 37.7 per cent. For instance, an estimated one million graduates are churned out annually by no fewer than 300 universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria. Although, some people have expressed fears that the country’s economy is not robust enough to absorb even 20 per cent of the products of the institutions, the current economic crisis added a scary dimension to the problem. With companies, in a bid to cut cost, now downsizing their workforce thus sending thousands of their employees back to the labour market, the consequences is unimaginable. Rising unemployment is largely responsible for the spate of

kidnapping, advance fee fraud, otherwise called 419, armed robbery, prostitution, cultism, drug and child trafficking, among other social vices, which have become daily occurrences. Today, many Nigerians particularly those in the North East region hardly sleep with two eyes closed since the upsurge in violent campaigns by terrorist groups Boko Haram added a new and scary dimension to these social ills. Many Nigerian youths, for lack of paid employments, have become ready recruits into terrorist organisations, a development that confirms fears that the country is indeed, seating on a keg of gunpowder. The increasing rate of unemployment in the country is seen by experts as confirmation that Nigeria’s widely reported rapid economic growth has evidently failed to translate into job creation. LCCI recently raised the alarm that worsening unemployment in the country, especially among youths, put at 54 per cent, poses great dangers to the economic, social and political stability of the country. According to Bello, there is a correlation among unemployment, poverty and insecurity. The Chamber, therefore, called for the adoption of appropri-

•Mr Femi Oshoniyi, an engineer(left); Mr. Taiye Johnson, Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa and Mr. Dimeji Sofowora at the Valentine celebration with the All Progressives Congress Presidential/Vice-Presidential candidates, Gen Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the Intercontinental Hotel, VI on...yesterday.

ate policies to fix the unemployment problem, especially through the creation of an enabling environment for the private sector, especially the small and scale medium enterprises (SMEs) to retain jobs and create new ones. The Council expressed concern that the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises in the economy have been trending downwards, thus affecting the capacity to create jobs. Failed assurances No one envy Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala. Since June last year when the crisis started, she has been in the eye of the storm. It couldn’t have been otherwise. The Minister, despite overwhelming negative macro-economic indicators that the economy was in for unprecedented turbulence, assured Nigerians that there was no cause for alarm. The Minister said, for instance, that government had put in place strategies to deal with the situation, part of which was the development of scenariobased approaches to cushion the unfavourable effects of falling oil prices. Such approaches, the Minister added, was comprehensive and supported by extensive consultations with global analysts such as the International Monetary Fund. Besides, she said short to medium term strategies mainly targeted at the poor and vulnerable had been developed. But it is doubtful if any Nigerian was swayed by Okonjo-Iweala’s assurances. Backward integration might do the magic The consensus of experts is that if the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIPR) is to make the anticipated impact on manufacturing, deepening the utilisation of local raw materials must be accorded high priority. “For us at Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), we are committed to addressing the lingering issue of capital flight experienced in the country through import of raw materials by Nigerian manufacturers as against the patronage of local materials,” says RMRDC

Director-General, Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Doko. Doko, who spoke on the sideline of a stakeholders meeting to announce the 2nd edition of the Nigerian Raw Materials Exposition (NIRAM Expo), which held in October last year, stressed the need to promote efficient synergy among stakeholders for the purpose of ensuring sustainable sourcing of raw material value chain. He frowned at the exportation of raw materials, which is imported back as finished products with the addition of certain additives at great cost. Doko identified the need for stakeholders to encourage the local supply of raw materials to halt the billions of naira spent on raw material importation when it can be sourced locally. For Director General, Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. John Esemede, there is no reason why the current import dependent raw materials economy should persist when Nigeria parades over 100 universities and 80 departments of agriculture, as well as 20 research institutes. His counterpart at Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Remi Ogunmefun, agrees with him. He called on the agency to work hard to encourage local substitutes for the manufacturing sector to conserve the nation’s foreign exchange reserves. To mitigate the crisis The LCCI while acknowledging the various initiatives of the government, such as the Youth Enterprise for Innovation (YouWin) programme to create jobs, said it believes that given the magnitude of the problem, a more fundamental and sustainable strategy is necessary. Can the present administration fashion out urgent, more pro-active, comprehensive and honest approach to halt the on-going mass sack of workers? That is the big question, What is clear however, is that failure to do so would not only worsen the rising unemployment scourge, but also confirm fears that it is only a matter of time before Nigeria erupts into a serious crisis.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS •A bus carrying displaced people from the Diffa region, fleeing fighting between army and Boko Haram on the border between Niger and Nigeria are checked by police on the outskirts of Zinder. Police are looking for weapons and suspicious behaviour, for fear of infiltration by members of Boko Haram into the thousands of people fleeing the fighting between army and Boko Haram

Sambo, Jonathan’s aide woo Northwest Islamic clerics Continued from page 4

dressed them, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is not a religious bigot. He said Gen. Buhari a few days ago, met with the Christian leaders from the North and even accepted a gift of Bible from them, which he described as a good precedent of peaceful co-existence and religious harmony.

The Vice President who addressed the gathering in Hausa added: “So, people should desist from making such unpleasant comments about politics and religion”. He said the meeting was a clear demonstration that Nigerians must live together irrespective of their religion or ethnic background because God would have made all Nigerians Muslims or Christians if he so desired. “From our independence in 1960, it has always been Mus-

lims and Christains working together; Sir Tafawa Balewa worked with Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and Second Republic President Alhaji Shehu Shagari worked with Dr. Alex Ekwueme. Ex-President Olusegun Obsanjo worked with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Late Umaru Yar’ Adua worked with Goodluck Jonathan and Today by Allah’s will, I am Jonathan’s Vice President. All these show that Christians and Muslims in Nigeria are neighbours and no-

body can separate them. The Vice President said the nation could not afford to have a repeat of what happened in 2011 hence there was the need for restraint from politicians and their followers. “You as spiritual leaders of our people who have a great role to play for the nation to have peaceful elections. I challenge you to go out from here and reach out to your followers and preach the message of peace during the election.

Air Force tells Lagosians not to panic as training begins Continued from page 4

cises in Yola and have tested weapons that ought to be tested around that area. But here is the ideal range for us. You will see arrays of platforms setup and we expect that within five days we will be done. But some of the platforms maybe ready between Sunday and Monday and as soon as they are ready, we move them straight to the northeast.” Air Marshall Amosu expressed optimism that the six weeks granted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was adequate to enable the security agencies conclude their war against the terrorists just as he maintained that the nation was winning the war. Although he admitted that fighting terrorism was a complex war, the Chief of Air Staff Amosu maintained that the terrorists have been destabi-

lised and their communication disrupted. “Fighting insurgency and terrorism is not an easy task. Based on the outline, particularly with the Air Force, we set out first to decimate the terrorists by gaining air and ground intelligence so as to deny the enemy freedom of action and movement, disrupt their communication and supply lines and deny them the possibility of regeneration. “We have done this sufficiently. Their supply lines are heavily depleted; command and control already disrupted and so what we need now is an exercise to complete the project. “It is so easy for people to say we couldn’t do it in many years and how do we claim we can in six weeks. Well naturally, most operations will come to an end. It will get to a point where you can categorically

say that within a time frame you can do this. And that is where we are now. “Do not forget that your military is a well trained military and we are aware of variables which are already there but we may not be able to disclose these variables we know that could prevent an operation from being completed within a given time. The Airforce Chief said the postponement of the general elections was in order to maintain peace, noting that the military only advised INEC that took the final decision. He also spoke on the multinational joint operations in the northeast, just as he allayed fears of neighbouring countries encroaching on the nation’s territories. Air Marshall Amosu said the military was concerned about the country’s porous borders but noted that steps were being

taken by the authorised security agencies to improve the situation. “If you noticed last week, some aircraft came down here for surveillance. We have captured and are still capturing whatever is happening in the maritime environment alongside activities in the northeast.”

PDP disowns anti-polls leaflets Continued from page 4

“Government has acquired new weapons which are being kept in Gombe and that is what the Boko Haram are targeting. Or are you saying that the government would acquire weapons and allow the insurgents to come and destroy or steal them?”. On the allegation that the PDP has been sending emissaries to Emirs and traditional rulers to support the idea of an Interim National Government, Jalo said he was not competent to comment on the allegation. “Do you think I am competent enough to answer that question?. I am not the appropriate person to answer that question”, Jalo said.

APC accuses PDP of secret push to instal interim govt Continued from page 4

‘’Part of the strategy of the PDP and the Jonathan Administration is to depopulate perceived opposition strongholds through all sorts of dangerous measures, and this scaremongering, supposedly by Boko Haram, fits into that strategy. They are also the unseen hands behind the advertisement by faceless groups, urging Muslims to vote for Muslim candidates. It is in line with their exploitation of religious and ethnic fault lines to divide Nigerians,’’ the party said. The APC said the alarm raised by Mike Omeri, the Coordinator of the National Information Centre, that some female suicide bombers may strike at polling units during the elections, also fits into the PDP/Jonathan Administration’s opposition stronghold depopulation strategy. ‘’It is now very clear to Nigerians that the PDP-led Federal Government does not want the forthcoming elections to hold, because it is guaranteed a shellacking. First the government sponsored a campaign to postpone the elections because of low PVC distribution. When they realised the number of PVCs collected was growing and that their argument might no longer be tenable, they suddenly used security as an alibi, abandoning their earlier push for the election shift on the basis of low PVC distribution. ‘’After they succeeded in forcing the postponement, they launched another campaign for the PVCs and the Card Readers to be jettisoned in favour of TVCs, because that will allow them to rig, if indeed the elections proceed in spite of them. Those campaigning

against the use of PVCs and Card Readers have forgotten that Ghana successfully used the same technology in its last elections, and that it is not rocket science,’’ the party said. The party urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to plunge Nigeria into a crisis or give the country the Gbagbo treatment, all in pursuit of personal interest at the expense of national interest. ‘’The plot that landed Ivory Coast under Laurent Gbagbo in hot water, and for which Gbagbo is currently cooling his heels in a holding cell at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, was not as elaborate as that being pushed by the PDP and the Jonathan Administration. That is why we are urging them to tread softly and save Nigeria from crisis. ‘’We know Nigerians have seen through the games being played by the PDP and the Jonathan Administration. Nigerians and the entire world know those who are behind the election postponement, the myriad of court cases seeking to disqualify our presidential candidate, the ongoing efforts to depopulate opposition strongholds, the devilish advertisements seeking to use ethnicity and religion to divide Nigerians, the campaign to jettison the PVCs and Card Readers in favour of TVCs as well as the tenure elongation and interim government options. ‘’That is why we are calling on all lovers of democracy to be vigilant in the run-up to the rescheduled polls, and for them to insist that nothing but the holding of the elections will be acceptable to Nigerians,’’ it said.

Obasanjo’s criticism of Jonathan reckless, says Fani-Kayode

•The ill-fated bus conveying the Bayelsa PDP women who died in Ahoada, Rivers State...at the weekend

HE Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan as reckless. According to him, the issues Obasanjo raised against Jonathan were serious and grave. At a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, Fani-Kayode said Obasanjo’s statements were capable of derailing the nation’s democracy and creating chaos. According to him, the ex president’s grouse with

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

Jonathan was personal because the sitting president had refused to be controlled by the former leader. Obasanjo accused Jonathan of plotting to scuttle the rescheduled general elections, for fear of going to jail if he loses the contest to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. The ex-President also accused Jonathan of plots to perpetuate himself in power “by hooks and crook”, likening his antics to that of ex President of Ivory Coast Laurent Gbagbo who refused to hand over when he lost an

election. Gbagbo was eventually humiliated out of office, to pave the way for his opponent who won the election. Fani-Kayode said: “President Obasanjo spoke about President Laurent Gbagbo and he claimed that President Jonathan was attempting to do a Gbagbo in Nigeria. The question that must be put to him is this: ‘who got Gbagbo out?’ “Was it not Jonathan’s government that played a key role in ensuring that democracy was fully established in the Ivory Coast and did he not play a key role in ensuring that the Gbagbo’s plan to stay in power forever did not work?”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

NEWS

Akwa Ibom abandons Ikono general hospital

HE Akwa Ibom State Government has listed the Ikono General Hospital as one of the standard health institutions providing health care for the people. But an inspection of the facility, last Friday, showed that it did not qualify for a hospital. Many people, it was learnt, would not allow their dead to be taken to the hospital’s morgue. The hospital has been taken over by bush. The expansive hospital premises have decayed, following its abandonment by the state government. When the State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited the hospital at Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, the once beautifully equipped and functional hospital had become decrepit. There were cobwebs everywhere. A hospital built to care for hundreds of patients was found to have only one patient. It was learnt that the

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

patient was still on admission because she had no money for the bills she would pay at Ikot Ekpene General Hospital. Although some of the workers declined to speak with reporters because they were not so authorised, our correspondent learnt that several letters on the sorry state of the hospital had been written to the government through the State Health Management Board. The management was said to have received no response from the government. The decay has affected the seven departments in the hospital. Almost all equipment are affected. A senior worker, who spoke in confidence, said: “There is no power supply here; there are no toilets, no water, no workers. Doctors don’t live here. The place is now snake-infested. The quarters are not good. So, we cannot handle patients most of the times. We need total renovation here. Government offi-

cials came here sometime ago, talked with us, took pictures of the extent of decay and left. “Ever since, nothing has been heard from them.” It was learnt that whenever it rains, the water comes in from the theatre and other wards in the upper floors of the building. The roof of the hospital had broken down. “We always pray that it does not rain because the whole place leaks,” a senior official told our correspondent. The equipment in the theatre, laboratory, X-ray and every other department has been abandoned. The buildings have been covered by bushes. A visit to the workers’ quarters, including the home of the resident doctor, was also abandoned. Nobody was occupying the buildings because they had broken down and were in bushes. The few nurses and other workers appeared helpless. The workers said they used torch lights in the night because of snakes.

Our correspondent saw a small Mantrac generator on the premises. It was said to have been donated by a public-spirited individual. But the generator could only carry an infinitesimal percentage of the hospital. Its fuelling was another major issue. It was learnt that drugs were often supplied but the nurse said they could not guarantee their efficacy because they were exposed to abnormal temperatures. A nurse said the hospital was grossly understaffed, adding that there was just one security officer, who would retire soon. There were two casual workers and two cleaners who ensured the hygiene of the expansive facility. On revenue generation and the state of the hospital, a worker said the hospital was making about N100,000 a month. During the correspondents’ visit to his palace, the paramount ruler of Ikono, Edidem Nyong Obop, said: “We are not happy about the situation. The hospital is dilapidated. I won’t criticise the government because it has done so much for Ikono residents, including the dilapidated hospital. The best thing to do is to go there and see things for yourselves.”

Peterside: holiness is no excuse for ignorance

IVERS State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has told the Prayer Group for Dakuku, an association of Christians praying for the success of the APC candidate, that holiness and righteousness should not be an excuse for ignorance. The APC candidate said knowledge is power. He urged Christians to seek information and knowledge, if they desired to serve God. Peterside spoke in Port Harcourt, the state capital, when the group visited him at his Greater Together Campaign office. Quoting Hosea 4: 6, he said: “My people perish for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priests for because you have forgotten the law of God, I also forget your children.” Peterside advised Christians and other Nigerians to seek the truth about politics and other issues to avoid getting secondhand information. The APC candidate also urged Christians to use the new

Union gives one week ultimatum over TETFund, salary deductions

HE crisis between the management of the College of Education, Ekiadolor in Edo State and the Coalition of Union, deepened at the weekend, following the alleged inability of the school management to remit to the union’s TETFund deductions and the non-payment of last December and this year’s January salaries. The union, at a meeting in Benin, the state capital, gave a seven-day ultimatum to the

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

management to pay the unions or face another strike. The union’s chairman, Comrade Fred Omonuwa, who addressed reporters in Benin, described the development as a “grand theft and deceit” allegedly perpetrated by the management. Buttressing his claim over the alleged diversion and

mismanagement of TETFnd, Omonuwa displayed copy of a letter, dated June 6, 2014, in which TETFund’s Executive Secretary B. M. Umoh, queried the bursar, Esekhile Ehiremem, whose name was allegedly smuggled in as a beneficiary of TETFund’s conference. It was learnt that the arrangement was against the policy of the fund.

The letter, addressed to the Provost, Prof Amen Uhunmwangho, reads: “You are kindly requested to recover N1,500,005 from Mr Esekhile Emmanuel Ehiremem, lodged same in your TETFund dedicated account and forward evidence of such to the fund. The amount so recovered should be used to pay the underlisted workers, who were omitted and short paid in our earlier re-

lease. Edokpa W. Imonikhe, (N793,960) and Mrs Noruwa Doris Ohenhen, (N560,000) short paid. Omonuwa said: “The unions observed with great disappointment the delay on the part of College management to remit the union’s trust fund deductions of COEASU and NASU for last October and November to the trust fund executives...”

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

Jonathan’s wife mourns

IRST Lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan yesterday sympathised with the government and people of Bayelsa State on the death of some women. A statement by her spokesman, Ayo Adewuyi, said: “The First Lady, Dame Dr. Patience Faka Jonathan, wishes to commiserate with the government and people of Bayelsa State on the death of some prominent Bayelsa women in a motor accident ar Elele in Rivers State, on their way to Bayelsa.” “The First Lady prays the Almighty God to grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest and the families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Uduaghan doubts INEC’s readiness for polls From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

UPU: ‘we won’t fight Omene’ HE President-General of the new Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Chief Tuesday Onoge, has said his faction of the group will no longer join issues with his predecessor, Chief Joe Omene, in the media. Onoge spoke at the weekend when he hosted the youth wing of the UPU, led by Freeborn Mukoro, at his Ekpan home, in Uvwie Local Government Area. The UPU chief explained that Omene was removed because he allegedly misled the Urhobo.

knowledge platforms that had radically simplified learning. He was apparently responding to the question by a Christian who wanted to confirm if General Muhammadu Buhari’s former party, the All Peoples Party (APP) introduced Sharia in Nigeria. Peterside described as malicious and cruel the deliberate act by some people to drag Gen. Buhari into controversies on Sharia. The APC candidate called for restraint. He said from available records, 12 of the 36 states at one time or the other introduced the Sharia law. They included Bauchi, Bornu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Niger, Yobe and Zamfara at the birth of the present Republic. Peterside said nine of the states were under the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time of the introduction, with only three under APP. The APC candidate urged Rivers residents to disregard the propaganda of a failed and confused government, which he said was determined to use religion and tribe as campaign tools to hoodwink Nigerians. Peterside, who insisted that leadership at any level called for vision, character, sacrifice, strong moral bearing and commitment, added that Nigerians needed to support Gen. Buhari to stabilise the nation.

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (second left); Works Commissioner Funkekeme Solomon (holding the microphone); House of Assembly member Eri Jeo (behind the governor and Funkekeme); HRM Ambrose Odiri, Owehe I, the Odio-Ologbo of Umeh kingdom; House of Representatives Meajority Leader Leo Ogor and Maj.-Gen. Paul Omu (rtd), at the inauguration of the 7.1kilometre Umeh Road in Isoko South Local Government Area.

Tinapa owing N79b, says Cross River lawmaker

HE Tinapa Project, initiated by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, left a N79 billion debt for the Liyel Imoke administration, the Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Dr Jake Otu Enya, said at the weekend. Enya addressed reporters after various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) defended their budgets before the Assembly. The lawmaker said the Tinapa debt was just one of several inherited by the former administration. He said the financial problems faced by the government today were because of the huge debts it inherited.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Although Enya did not give a figure on how much the state owed, he said it was within manageable limits. He said: “The debt profile of Cross River State did not start from today. We inherited from the former government. I was the chairman of the panel set up by this House to investigate the activities of Tinapa. I went into it for two to three months and presented a report before this House. We know the level of indebtedness as at when the last administration left office. Most of the financial problems we have today are the result of that indebtedness of about N79 billion as at then for Tinapa alone.

“We had other debts, which were deducted at source from the Federation Account. We have the problem of Bakassi. All of you are living witnesses. We had a problem of the 76 oil wells that left Cross River. If not the instrumentality of the present administration it would be very difficult. “It is quite unfortunate that

we are trying to see how best to bring in the best financial management policy that will actually reposition Cross River State for the interest of all. People will not even ask how Cross River State government is paying salaries but they are very anxious to know why the state is owing salaries for one month or two as the case may be.”

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has expressed concern about the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the March 28 and April 11 general elections. The governor spoke at the weekend on a live radio and television broadcast on the state-owned Delta Broadcasting Service and monitored in Warri by our reporter. He wondered if the military would have achieved much success in the Northeast, where INEC said it had some constraints that necessitated the shift in the election dates. According to him, no one could tell how long it would take the soldiers to defeat Boko Haram. Uduaghan said there was no way elections would be held without proper security. The governor said INEC would not have been through with the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) within the given time frame, following the low collection recorded so far. The card readers introduced by INEC, he said, were another ground for apprehension. Uduaghan said he was aware that the machines had not functioned well.

Akpabio to Akwa Ibom youths: don’t sacrifice for APC

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday warned the youth not to sacrifice their lives for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor said the lives of the youth were too precious to be wasted by the op-

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

position. He noted that if youths give their lives for APC’s course, they would be misguided. Akpabio spoke in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area at the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) rally for the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. The governor noted that in the face of the political season, selfish politicians would want to use their positions to deceive youths into sacrificing their lives.

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David Luiz: Reason I Left Chelsea

AVID Luiz has revealed the reason why he left Chelsea to join Paris St Germain. The Brazilian international swapped Stamford Bridge for the Parc Des Princes in January 2014. Many Chelsea fans questioned the 27-year-old' decision to move to Paris and were perplexed by former Benfica star's £50m pricetag. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Luiz who made 143 appearances for the Blues, discussed his shock departure and revealed that PSG hitman

Zlatan Ibramhimovic urged him to quit Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinal last April. He said: "There are two Zlatans: one the media portrays and then the real one. “He was one of the big reasons that I chose to join Paris” "He was one of the big reasons that I chose to join Paris. "When Chelsea played Paris he said to me during the game,' you need to come and play with us next season.' "He is one of the best players in the world, and a great guy."

Di Maria fantastic for Man U Ashley Young

SHLEY Young has backed Angel Di Maria, saying he is sure Manchester United did not make an expensive mistake when they broke the British transfer record to sign him from Real Madrid for 59.7 million pounds in the summer. United smashed the British transfer record to bring the Argentina international to Old Trafford, but he has struggled to match his early impact after suffering a hamstring problem towards the end of last year. But Young, reported to be in talks over a new contract, told United Uncovered: "Angel was a fantastic signing. "Real Madrid have other top players like Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, but he was the one who stood out for me in that team last season.

"When you add quality to a squad that already has quality it can only help us. "We saw in the first couple of days in training just how good a player Angel is and what we can expect from him. He was definitely a great signing for us." Di Maria has scored three goals since arriving at United, but has been played in several different positions. The 27-year-old has operated as a No. 10 in recent weeks and had a spell as a central striker when manager Louis van Gaal felt United lacked pace up front. He has been at his most effective when operating on the left-hand side of a midfield diamond. Michael Carrick, who sits at the base of that diamond, likened Di Maria to Ryan Giggs, saying: "There are players who have got tricks and can drop the shoulder to go past players, but he is so direct in his play.

•Luiz

Tottenham, West Ham to battle for Lukaku

OMELU Lukaku has said he wants a move to a big club like Chelsea again Lukaku has suggested he has every intention of leaving Goodison Park, and has set his sights on a 'big club' move. The Belgian told the Sun: "It was brilliant to play at Chelsea and I had a good reception. "They know I'm a good player but that I want to develop so I can eventually get back to playing for a club like Chelsea. "I don't have a secret ambition to rejoin — there are other clubs in the world. I just want to grow as a player and eventually arrive at a top club again." Although a Chelsea return seems highly unlikely, London rivals Tottenham and West Ham are said to be interested in competing for the 21-year-old's contract. The Daily Mail suggests that if Enner Valencia does leave for Chelsea, the Hammers will then have the necessary cash to cover Lukaku's £30m fee and £60k wages. And Spurs are said to have

Di Maria

Ewood Park or, failing that, attracting clubs of a similar stature in the summer. "I just focus on my football. I don't want to comment too much about if I get offered a new contract or if anything happens," he said after firing Rovers into the quarter-finals for the second time in three years. "Whatever happens happens. That is a footballer's life and I don't want to put too much en-

S speculation mounts regarding Danny Ings' future, Burnley manager Sean Dyche has urged him to snub Real Sociedad and stay in England. Burnley boss Sean Dyche is adamant Danny Ings is too good to play for Real Sociedad and should instead be targeting a move to a major Premier League club. The England Under-21 international striker, who has netted five goals in his last six Premier League games, will become a free agent at the end of the season, sparking plenty of reported interest in him. Sociedad head coach David Moyes rates Ings highly and has already hinted he will offer him the chance to relocate to Spain, but Dyche - who appears resigned to losing the striker - believes a switch to La Liga would be detrimental to his developing career. "I think we all know his development needs to continue and that's in the Premier League," Dyche told Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday. "The middle of La Liga is no use for a young player, I don't personally think so – albeit it is a great standard. "I think he's better than that. I think he's top end of the Premier League.

"He would only move abroad for financial reasons. It's not for development. His development is top end of the Premier League. It's the most powerful league in the world. "His aspirations, as they should be, are to play for his national side and he definitely wants to play for England. I think his journey is in the Premier League."

Arena to meet with Gerrard A Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena is to meet incoming star Steven Gerrard for the first time next week. Bruce Arena will meet Steven Gerrard for the first time during LA Galaxy's pre-season tour of Europe next week. Liverpool captain Gerrard signed a pre-contract agreement with the Galaxy last month, and will move to Los Angeles upon the expiry of his deal with the Premier League club at the end of the season. The Galaxy are currently in Europe as they ramp up their preparations for the new MLS campaign with friendlies

L •Lukaku

lined-up Lukaku as a back-up option, should their attempts at signing West Brom star Saido Berahino fall flat. La liga giants Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also rumoured to be possible suitors.

King not thinking about new deal LACKBURN forward Josh King does not expect his new status as FA Cup hero to alter his contract situation and he is not wasting time worrying about it. The 23-year-old scored a hattrick in the 4-1 victory which dumped Premier League Stoke out of the competition but his current deal with the club expires in the summer. King has made as many starts - four - for Norway this season as he has for Rovers in the Sky Bet Championship, with just 14 appearances in total for the club. He only got his chance against the Potters because manager Gary Bowyer made eight changes as he looks to close the 11-point gap to the play-off positions but the Osloborn former Manchester United youth team player seized his opportunity. However, he knows he will have to put in many more repeat performances if he is stand a chance of staying on at

Dyche: Ings too good for Real Sociedad

ergy into what might happen in the summer window, I am just trying to do my bit on the pitch. "Every good performance helps but I don't think about the window right now, it is too early. "I just go in every day trying to be a better footballer. I want to help Blackburn get to Wembley and get into the playoffs.

against Swedish side Hammarby and Shamrock Rovers of Ireland this week. And head coach Arena has confirmed that he will take the opportunity to sit down with Gerrard when he visits Liverpool to watch their UEFA Europa League clash with Besiktas on Thursday. "Yes, I will meet with him," Arena told the Galaxy's official website. "We'll just have an opportunity to talk about our club and expectations those types of things."

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LMC pleads with governors not to ignore clubs for politics

HE League Management Company, LMC, has drawn the attention of state governments that fund Glo Premier League clubs to the need to provide the clubs’ management needed funds to prepare for and participate in the 2014/ 15 football league season scheduled to kick off March 7. In a recent interview, the out-going Chairman of the league body, Hon. Nduka Irabor, said the LMC recognises that election campaigns have occupied the time of most political office holders including the respective state governors but pleaded that they should also consider the exigency of the clubs meeting their requirements which includes finances to participate in the league. “The feelers that we are getting right now is that officials are neck-deep in campaigning. Please if you are serious about professional football, all these proprietors who happen to be the state governments should make out time and give the clubs money they need to prepare,” Irabor said. The LMC has led an advocacy for expanded revenue generation by clubs and championed a switch to Community

Ownership of Clubs from the government funding that has seemingly not met requirements for the business side of football. “We know the peculiar environment we operate in, we do not have the best infrastructure and we do not have the best funding system for our clubs but we do hope those who own these clubs live up to their responsibility and make funds available to the clubs,” Irabor added. Speaking about the clubs that will represent Nigeria in continental tournaments, Irabor said the LMC is confident the teams will do well. He also charged the clubs to work hard on attracting fans to the stadium as this remains a big revenue option. “We are talking to club managers, it is their business, it is their business to earn money...to understand the business side and how it affects them. "Hopefully they will add that point… it’s beyond game, its entertainment, it ought to be a full entertainment package. Hopefully, they will get it right and begin to add all those elements that make a full entertainment package. “But (existing) infrastructure doesn’t support providing good entertainment. Abuja Stadium is for the elites but how many other venues do we have like this? We need to begin to redesign our infrastructure to suite modern day footballing and entertainment purpose,” he said.

Malik continues El-Kanemi romance

FTER an impressive start to his El-Kanemi Warriors career in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Cameroonian import Demba Malik has expressed readiness to continue with the Maiduguri side this term. Malik scored four goals in the second round of the league after joining the Maiduguri side during the mid-season

break. “I’m happy with my performance for El-Kanemi and ready to play again this season,” the Cameroonian told supersport.com. With the exit of Joel Djondang to champions Kano Pillars, Malik and central defender Souleymanu Douri continue to fly the Cameroonian flag at ElKanemi. Malik has played in the Central African Republic, Chad and in his native Cameroon before his Nigerian adventure.

Al-Malakia were no pushovers - Idoko

i r r a W s t e n z e Aze B C R t a r e n n i w Wolves' late S

UPERSAND Eagles forward Abu Azeez was the hero of the day for Warri Wolves as they claimed a 1-0 win at Racing Club de Bobo-Dioulasso (RCB) of Burkina Faso in a CAF Confederation Cup match on Saturday. Azeez scored from six minutes from full time to help Wolves secure an away win in the first leg, preliminary round of Africa's second tier club competition. The striker started from the bench as Wolves’ head coach Paul Aigbogun preferred to go with Onyekachi Okafor as the only out and out forward in a style that saw the Warri club play more men behind the ball. Wolves were without Oghenekaro Etebo, who is injured, and also lined out against RCB without Super Eagles defender Azubuike Egwuekwe, who has failed to secure a move abroad despite being linked to West Ham and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Aigbogun also had 16 rather than 18 players to select from for the match as they had to drop Michael Okoyoh and Austin Amutu just before departure to Burkina Faso due

to their registration not being confirmed for the CAF Confederation Cup. The match was bogged down in midfield and it was no surprise as the first half ended without goals. Ikechukwu Ibenegbu thought he had given Wolves the lead in the game against RCB, but his goal did not stand as the referee ruled it offside. Aigbogun sent on his impact men, Azeez, Kelvin Itoya and Freedom Omofomah, into the match. The pace of the three players, especially wide men Itoya and Omofomah gave the Burkinabe club something to focus on defensively.

In the 84th minute, Azeez converted Ibenegbu's corner kick for the winning goal. The feat is similar to their winning start in the same competition last year when they defeated Cameroon's Union Douala at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala. Musa Najare, Etebo and Ibenegbu scored in that game but Wolves nearly blew their advantage in the return leg in Warri which ended 1-1. Aigbogun will be keen to keep his men on their toes this time as they will play hosts to the Bobo-Dioulasso club on March 1. The other Nigerian club in the CAF Confederation Cup, Dolphins, lost to a secondhalf goal in Malabo on Saturday.

Emordi satisfied with Pillars' victory K

ANO PILLARS’ coach Okey Emordi has described their 2-0 win over Al-Malakia of South Sudan in the first preliminary round game of the CAF Champions League as satisfactory. Goals from Gambo Mohamed and Christian Obiozor sealed an important away win for the

Nigerian champions, and their coach, Okey Emordi has expressed his thoughts. “It was a good game of football and the result I would say was satisfactory. It is just the first game of the competition, so it was nice seeing the players play as well

Ex-Heartland coach Lodewijk De Kruif eyes Nigeria return

X-HEARTLAND FC of Owerri coach, Lodewijk De

Kruif has expressed interest to make a return to Nigerian football. The Dutchman, who lead the Naze Millionaires to a Federation Cup triumph in 2011, opined to SL10.ng in a chat that he is favourably disposed to work in Nigeria as long as the offer is good enough. De Kruif expressed a soft spot for Nigerian football as he noted that the talents in Nigeria are incredible. "I have always had a soft spot for Nigerian football ever since I came to coach Heartland FC, I made some very good friends while in Nigeria and the talents in Nigeria are

incredible," De Kruif told SL10.ng "Just a little bit of proper organisation and I tell you, Nigerian football will be among the very best in the World.” De Kruif also hinted that he got some calls from a few Nigerian clubs between December 2014 and early January 2015 but he couldn't do much due to reasons beyond his control. "Actually, some Nigerian clubs inquired about my availability between December last year and early January in 2015 but I couldn't respond at that time because my father was critically ill. Sadly though, I lost my father on the 13th of January this year. It was a very sad loss to the family, a big blow indeed. But I've got to move on,” he said calmly. When De Kruif left Heartland, he moved over to Bangladesh where he was the coach of the country's national team until last year. He led the Bangladeshi national team to silver in the recently concluded Bangadabu International Gold Cup, a feat that remained Bangladesh's biggest in about 23 years and the

ANO PILLARS’ CAF Champions League committee member Mike Idoko said that despite the side's 2-0 win in Saturday’s CAF Champions League round one clash, Al-Malakia of South Sudan were no pushovers. Gambo Mohammed and Christian Obiozor scored for the Nigerian champions and Idoko said Al-Malakia played their hearts out but found the Pyramid City side unyielding. “It was the tightest game I’ve seen in recent times. The South Sudanese side were no pushovers as they fought like wounded lions but were overwhelmed by a resolute Kano Pillars side. “Pillars had a good and tight game, we’re happy to return to Nigeria with the two-goal margin win as well as three maximum points. We’re quite impressed with this resounding away victory. The hard-earned away win won’t go to our heads as we’re determined to approach the second leg clash as if the first leg had not been played. “It was at this stage of the competition we were bundled out in the immediate past edition, so we’ll do everything humanly possible to avoid a repeat,” said the former boss of the Ondo State Football Agency (OSFA) to supersport.com. Kano Pillars are expected in the country on Tuesday to start preparations for the reverse fixture in a fortnight.

whole nation was ecstatic. His team lost 2-3 to Malaysia in the final watched by a 50,000 capacity crowd. He is currently in Holland where he is cooling off and considering what his next line of action will be. He is more disposed to coming back to Nigeria. "I'm resting in Holland and I'm still studying some offers but sincerely, my heart wants to be in Nigeria and I'm only waiting for the best offer," the Dutch man concluded.

Yinka Adedeji returns to 3SC F

ORMER Nigeria U-23 star Adeyinka Adedeji has returned to newlypromoted Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria Premier League season. The Beijing 2008 Olympics silver medalist, who played for the Oluyole Warriors from 2006 to 2008, leads other new recruits for the team. Adedeji, who played for Sharks last season, had a stint with Armenian club FC Pyunik Yereven in 2010. Other players who have joined 3SC are former U-20

invitee Emmanuel Onuwa from MFM. The Church World Cup 2014 Most Valuable Player told AfricanFootball.com he was delighted to join 3SC. "I have agreed a year’s loan deal with 3SC. It is a done deal. I am happy to join a team like 3SC who are one of the best in Nigeria and Africa. The team are back in the top flight and I am delighted I am here too,” Onuwa said. Enyimba forward Menshark Chibuikem and Kayode Agboola from Niger Tornadoes have also joined 3SC.

as they did,” he told SL10.ng. It was Kano Pillars’ first game in this season’s competition, and their first away win in the competition in four years, but Emordi says they are not getting carried away by the feat. “We cannot afford to get carried away and I have already said that to the players and they understand. It was only our first game and not even the second leg. We know we still have a long way to go because the target is to get to the group stage and continue to make progress.” Pillars were semi-finalists in 2009, losing both legs to their Nigerian rivals Heartland.

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No pay rise for Keshi • Super Eagles coach to get N5m monthly • Technical Committee silent on contract details

• Keshi

VEN though members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)'s Technical and Development Committee recommendation an extension to Super Eagles' head coach, Stephen Keshi's contract a top member of the committee

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri told NationSport that the Big Boss will do so with his the same old salary of N5m. The issue bothering on Keshi's contract negotiation has dominated both local and international media with so many divergent opinions on whether the NFF should ditch the Eagles' boss for another coach, while some were of the view that he should be allowed to continue from where he stopped. A member of the Technical Committee who spoke to NationSport on the condition of anonymity, opined that most members of the committee agreed that it would be seen as

celebration of failure if they are to discuss Keshi's salary increment based on the fact that he failed to lead the Eagles to the recently held AFCON in Equatorial Guinea. They also affirmed that one of the reasons given for arguing for an extension to the Big Boss' contract was for the country to give continuity a chance and that Keshi still ranks among the best Nigerian coaches if the job won't be given to a foreign expatriate. NationSport however strove to seek the length of the new contract offered to Keshi but the Technical Committee member was quiet on this.

Siasia, Obuh, Okon support Enyimba in Aba

OP Nigerian coaches led by Dream Team VI Samson Siasia, John Obuh and Super Falcons' coach, Edwin Okon were all at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba yesterday to cheer Enyimba to victory in the CAF Champions League preliminary round, first leg match against Borgus de Borgou of Benin Republic. Siasia ostensibly came with a view to watching some of his players who featured for the Peoples Elephant during the said match. Peter Onyekachi, Kingsley

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri Sokari are some of the players of Enyimba who are also in camp of the Dream Team VI preparing for the All African Games qualifiers against Gabon this weekend. Siasia will no doubt be happy with what he saw with Enyimba players especially some of his players in the Aba Millionaires' fold misfiring for most part of the match. Enyimba was never short of support with most of stadium stands filled to the brim.

• Obuh

SAINSBURY'S INDOOR BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

Oke’s victory signifies high hopes —AFN

HE Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has commended Nigeria’s Tosin Oke as he leapt a jump of 16.59m to win the Sainsbury's Indoor British Championships triple jump event on Saturday.

• Oke

By Stella Bamawo In an interview with NationSports, the Technical Director of AFN, Commodore Omatseye Nessiama stated that Oke’s victory was indeed a sign of good times in the jumps as the country prepares for major athletics competitions. “It’s a good time, he jumped 16.59 which is also 17m. This is something that is quite different from what he did last year , it was only towards the national trials that he now got up to the 17m, we should be happy that we are having a good start this year,” he said. Oke is currently the All-Africa Games Championship couldn’t have had it any better as he wore the Green White Green Nigerian kit to outshine seven Britons and a Jamaican at the Indoors. Meanwhile, the Sainsbury's Indoor British Championships also has the stakes higher this

year as competitors go head to head for places on the GB & NI team for the European Indoor Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, in March. It could however be recalled that Oke had initially competed for Britain. He set the current UK junior indoor record and was 1 cm shy of the outdoor junior record. He was the 1999 European Athletics Junior Championships Champion, and came 5th at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. After multiple indoor and outdoor UK titles, he later switched to compete for Nigeria. Since competing for Nigeria he has won back-to-back African Championships in Athletics titles and the Commonwealth Games championship and is the current AllAfrica Games Champion. At the 2012 Summer Olympics Oke finished seventh in the triple jump final, the best Nigerian result of the Games.

Red House rules Princeton College sports day

T was the prowess of Olorogun Abimbola that aided Red House to clinch title at the Princeton College sports fair held at the Union Bank Sports Complex in Lagos. Abimbola who was adjudged the best female athlete of the competition was instrumental to Red House triumph at the one-day tournament. To emerge as the overall winner, Red House garnered 30 gold, 14 silver and eight bronze medals. Activities marking the third annual Inter-house sports competition of Princeton College came to a grand close at the weekend. The highly competitive sports day, which was sponsored exclusively by the flagship Chikki Noodles brand afforded stu-

dents of the institution the rare opportunity to exercise and interface with the teachers, parents and visiting friends and colleagues from other notable schools in the area. At the end of very fierce competition between participating students in no less than 20 different sporting events, Red House emerged as overall winners garnering a total of 51 medals. They were followed closely by Green House which placed second with overall of 34 medals haul in the competition comprising nine gold, 14 silver and 11 bronze. Blue House placed third having won a total of 37 medals including seven gold, 13 silver and 17 bronze. Kingsley Amadi of Green

House was adjudged best male athlete for the year 2015. It was indeed a highly competitive affair between the participating students as they jostle to outdo one another in no less than 20 different sporting events including Football, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Discus, Shot Put, Javelin Throw, High Jump and Athletics. It also featured March Past, Callisthenics display and dance competition. The sports fiesta recorded high attendance of visiting students from notable schools across Lagos including Covenant Child Academy, Fountain Height, Penny College, Vineville Academy and May Day College. Others include Glory Land International School, Rainbow College, Select International, and Aquinas Private College.

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Amuneke hails Eaglets after 2-0 win G

• Amuneke

OLDEN Eaglets’ captain, Kelechi Nwakali, was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of Niger 2015 African U-17 Championship after his stellar performance helped Nigeria to a 2-0 win against host, Niger on Sunday. Nwakali capped an outstanding performance with a well-struck goal in the 30th minute of the encounter after Victor Osimhen had given the Golden Eaglets a 17th minute lead earlier.

OLDEN Eaglets Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has hailed the players for a perfect start at the 11th African Under-17 Championship after they beat host Niger 2-0 at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) in Niamey. Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Nwakali scored in the first half to secure Nigeria the maximum three points and a spot at the top of the group that also has Zambia and Guinea. The former African Footballer

of the Year said he was impressed with the overall performance of the players even as he admitted there is still room for the team’s improvement. “I want to congratulate the players for a job well done,” he told thenff.com “Playing against the host team for these boys was always going to be difficult but I’m happy they were able to translate our match strategy.” He went further to hail the impact of players like Awual Saddam , Christian Charles,

Uko Anietie who had their bow for the Golden Eaglets against Niger :“ The new boys did well and we need to commend them and I think they can get better because our objective coming to Niger was to qualify for the World Cup in Chile.” The Golden Eaglets would return to Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) on Wednesday for their next game against Guinea and a win would guarantee them a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.

Nwakali dedicates goal to coach “ I’m so happy today because this was my first time of leading out the team in a big tournament and I want to thank my teammates also, “began Nwakali, younger brother of Chidiebere Nwakali who was a member of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning team.“ This was a good start for us and we would continue to work very hard in the coming days.”

• Wins MVP Speaking further, Nwakali said he had only one person in mind when he struck the ball into the net and has singled out Coach Emmanuel Amuneke for special praise, adding he had long been practicing such free kicks for some time now. “I’m dedicating the goal to

coach Amuneke who has really helped me to improve my skill especially in taking free kicks,” he said. “ This was not the first time I’m scoring this kind of goal that I had against Niger but all thanks to the coaches especially Amuneke for having so much belief in us. “Above all, I want to thank God for the gift he has given to me and I would continue to do my best,” he added.

Flying Eagles in Ghana to beat Satellite — Garba

LYING Eagles’ Chief Coach Manu Garba has sounded it loud and clear that his team has come to Ghana for only one thing which is to beat Ghana’s U- 20 junior national team called the Satellites in the two legged friendly matches slated for today and Wednesday. The first leg of the friendly matches comes up today at Accra Sports Stadium at 3pm local time and 4pm Nigerian time, while the second match comes up on Wednesday at Tema Sports Stadium at the same time. Garba whose team is not used to losing but used to beating teams with at least two unreplied goals told NationSport in Accra yesterday that his mission is to beat Satellites in the front of their home fans. He, however, said that his main mission and objective was to give exposure to some of the new players that have just joined the team before the kick off of the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal that would hold between March 8 and 22, 2015. “We have a lot of new players in this team who have not gotten exposure. So these two legged friendly matches coming up on Monday (today) and Wednesday in Accra Sports Stadium and Tema Sports Stadium respectively will help expose some of these players that needed exposure. “These friendly matches will also instill confidence in the players and get them prepared for the task ahead at the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal. “We don’t have any reason to complain of Ghana’s weather as we don’t expect such at the venue of the AYC too. We are rightly focused to do a good job by beating the Satellite of Ghana tomorrow (today) and Wednesday too hopefully, you know that Nigerians don’t joke or treat with levity any game against Ghana’s national teams so we are desperate to win these two matches. “In football you always have to be very optimistic and opti-

• To expose new players too From Segun Ogunjimi, Accra, Ghana mistic in the sense that you have to put that winning mentality in place. We like winning matches and the two legged friendly matches will not be an exception with God on our side. “The Nigeria Football Fed-

eration has tried a lot for this team and like I said earlier, there are lots of players that have not travelled outside this country. So these matches will go a long way to expose them internationally so that they can have more confidence before the Africa Youth Championship commences.

• Flying Eagles players at the training ground in Accra

Garba also spoke on the two expected players in the team. “For now I believe we are happy with the players we have on ground. The only players we are expecting now is Wilfred Ndidi and Christian Pyagbara who has gone to play for Dolphin Football Club in the continental CAF Champion League”, he told NationSport at the team’s hotel Mplaza in Accra yesterday.

Photo: Segun Ogunjimi

Pinnick denies bribery allegation

ONTRARY to speculations last week that the NFF President Amaju Pinnick had expended N37 million on all the State FA Chairman as bribe, to ensure that he sustains himself in office. Nationsport gathered at the weekend that there was no iota of truth in the bribe issue, but what was given to the 37 State FAs is their two years grassroots developmental fund which was not been paid by the immediate past administration. According to our normal source at the Glasshouse secretariat of the Federation, the money was not bribe in anyway "I think the President is living true to his words. He did promise that the State

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja FAs would be paid their grassroots development money immediately such is received from FIFA. So when the FIFA grant was received he directed that the FAs be paid instantly. It is their entitlements and should not be deprived of it. Because the FAs were paid the grant last during the tenure of Sani Lulu, does not make it a bribe to them. The money is not for the Chairmen, it was paid directly to the various FA accounts and not the Chairmen. So,I don't think we should be commending the President for living up to his words instead of castigating him" the source concluded.

We further gathered that all the FAs were paid N1 million each which is their grants for 2013 & 2014 as specified by FIFA.

RESULTS England - FA Cup Villa 2 - 1 Leicester City Bradford 2 - 0 Sunderland Arsenal 2 - 0 M’sbrough Italy - Serie A AC Milan 1 - 1Empoli Atalanta 1 - 4 Inter Genoa 5 - 2 Hellas Verona Roma 0 - 0 Parma Torino 1 - 1 Cagliari Udinese 0 - 1 Lazio Chievo 2 - 1 Sampdoria Spain - Liga BBVA Valencia 1 - 0 Getafe Barcelona 5 - 0 Levante

YOBO TELLS FLYING EAGLES

You can be bigger stars

ORMER Nigeria skipper Joseph Yobo has urged the Flying Eagles to work harder so they could be bigger stars than he and his contemporaries. Yobo met up with the Nigeria U-20s at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos on their way to Ghana for two test matches against their Ghanaian counterparts. “You can be bigger stars than we were,” Yobo told the players. “I left this country for Europe when I was just 17 and before you know it, I was my family’s bread winner. You can also do same and even more, but you must be willing to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices. “You have some great coaches and you only have to obey their instructions to make it in this game.” Yobo, who has won a record 101 full international caps for Nigeria, also featured at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which Nigeria hosted. Former Nigerian sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi also encountered the team at the airport and restated his belief that the Flying Eagles are the future of Nigerian football. “I am delighted there is continuity in this squad, from U-17 to U-20. This team is the future of Nigerian football, I have no doubt about this,” declared Abdullahi. In the meantime, leader of the Nigerian delegation to the

• Yobo and family warm-up matches against Ghana Black Satellites, Emmanuel Ikpeme, has told the team he expects them to win in Ghana. “We all know the rivalry between the two countries and so I expect you to ensure victory in these two matches,” said Ikpeme. “A lot is now expected of you after your recent exploits in the Super 4 in Abuja. “You cannot afford to relax, rather you have to be focused and professional so as to attain the height of your careers.” The Flying Eagles had their first training at the Presbyterian Secondary School in Accra. They trained for two hours with defender Zaharadeen Bello the only one who did not train fully with the rest of the squad on account of a swollen back foot. They will play against their Ghanaian counterparts on Monday and Wednesday before they return to Abuja on Thursday.

Emenike: Fenerbache 'll be champions again

MMANUEL Emenike has backed Fenerbahce to retain the Turkish championship after they thrashed Gaziantespor 5-0 on Saturday with the Nigeria striker among the goals. Fenerbache ha s now moved to the top of the table courtesy of this win as they have 46 points from 20 matches, two points ahead of erstwhile leaders Besiktas, who have 44 points and a game in hand. Emenike, who opened the scoring for his team in the seventh minute, told AfricanFootball.com he will do his best for his club retain the league title. "It was a sweet victory for the team, we showed great team spirit which is good for us as champions," Emenike told AfricanFootball.com. "Every game is important for us to retain the league

title, this is the best time for me and the entire team to keep working hard because this is the toughest time in the season and we must always be ready to conquer. “I am really happy for my display and that of the team in the game and I believe there is more is coming from us in subsequent games." "I have always maintain that I am still a player I was last year. I am much fitter mentally and physically but some times you experience some patches on the road to success but I will always fight on. “I want to keep building on what I am doing at the moment and I believe with hard work I will be my score more goals." The former Karabukspor striker has now scored four goals in the Turkish Super League this season after going through a long-drawn goals’ drought.

Egbo eyes Delta FA top job

HAIRMAN of Isoko United, Evans Egbo has signified his intention to run for the post of the chairman of the Delta State Football Association after picking his form. He has also sponsored Royal Eagle FC, winners of Utuama Cup in 2013, Champion in Delta FA Cup in two years. With his multiple experiences in grassroots sports in Delta State over the years and his political connection, if he wins, Ego noted that he is ready to use his position to lead FA to the promise land. He also stated that some of the grassroots sports in Delta State would be revived if elected.

“If the like of Blessing Okegbare could make Delta State proud then I am ready to discover more grassroots talents for international competition. Other contestants for Delta Football Association are also qualified for the position, but i believe I have the wherewithal to move football forward in the state.” He stated that Delta State grassroots sports have suffered total neglect over the years where most talents are now political thugs to some desperate politicians in the state. He has received over 10 meritorious awards to his credit and remains sought after philanthropist in the state.”

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 10 NO 3127

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

NE is stocky, nearing ninety, with a comic face, dons a riverine hat, has a bitter tongue in his head but loves his role for not being a role model. Another is tall, slim, past middle age, has a face of shifty calmness, a lickspittle when he wants something and a Judas afterwards. The third is a prince who is a pauper in wisdom, who has made a living only because of his birthright; he is past middle age, not very articulate but a chameleon who knows how to live in and out of uniform. This is not an age of riddles. Nigerians don’t need much elucidation on the identities of the trio described above. The first of course is Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the so-called leader of the Niger Delta, who fattens on the identity of President Goodluck Jonathan whom he calls “my son.” In fact, he likes to call a lot of people “my son” or “my daughter.” Sonship and daughterhood have suffered from many tongues. The second is the quisling governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, otherwise known as the whitlow of the west. He is the man who has come out in true colours to the citizens of Ondo State and the vast, now wiser Yoruba race. Like leaves of autumn, he no longer can hide the colour of his teeth. He has been forced to laugh in public. The third is Sambo Dasuki, the blue blood, who prides himself on only one qualification: that he is blue blood. On that score he rose in the army. On that resume again, he is the national security adviser to President Jonathan. These three men epitomise the gloom of the moment. They are Jonathan’s trusted men. They are the point men of tragedy. There, of course, are others, like the buffoon governor of Ekiti State, whose audio tale is still unfolding. And Doyin Okupe, who was booed out of a church recently for campaigning against Buhari. But those are for another day. Then we have Musiliu Obanikoro, the minister whose imploded gubernatorial fantasies are driving him into all sorts of public misbehaviour both in and out of tapes. Then we have the service chiefs who have presided over cases of desertion in the military. Yet their failure to defend democracy on February 14 was desertion in chief. As Shakespeare noted, if correction lies in the hand that committed wrong, to whom shall we complain? One of them, Badeh, even scampered away with his family when the dreaded insurgents came calling in his village. Back to the trio. It is because of these men that we have not known our next president now. The elections would have become history. But these men were afraid, just like their principal Dr. Jonathan. Since he has a PhD, I want him to write a thesis for political science with a tentative title, “the fear of elections: the Nigerian example.” At least, that PhD thesis would be seen by all, not the one on biology that is only heard but not seen. Clark acted his part as an elder who is not elderly when he opened the slaughterhouse on INEC chairman Attahiru Jega. He was the

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

•Winner, Informed Commentary (DAME)

Three unwise men

‘

•Clark

•Mimiko

•Dasuki

first to call for the firing of INEC boss. Why? Because the man said he was ready for the polls. This elder who is not elderly was afraid like his master-son, Jonathan. After that, he led his Southern Nigerian People’s Assembly, an umbrella group of desperate fuddy-duddies and expired statesmen, to endorse Jonathan for a second term. Recently I saw a cartoon in a newspaper of Tompolo carrying him on his back to Government House, a spoof of his role as an interloper in the affairs of Delta State and how he now works obsequiously with militants, the same men who want to burn the country if his master-son loses. Let us not forget that the same elder who is not elderly had once stated that Jonathan was not in the second eleven of Niger Delta when the Owu chief made him vice president. That was the last time he was true to his conscience. Now, he calls the same man his son. Mimiko, who has turned into a mimic governor, was very loud in supporting the service chiefs when they said they were not ready for elections. He is expecting Jega to be fired, which will light the tinder of crisis in the polity. The whitlow of the west’s younger brother is now being told that he would succeed Jega in newspaper speculations when the INEC boss is fired. Neither the mimic governor nor his professor brother has dissociated from the

RIPPLES

FED GOVT INSISTS IT’S GENERATING OVER 4000 MEGAWATTS–NEWS

Yes•••4000 megawatts of BLACKOUT

These three men epitomise the gloom of the moment. They are Jonathan’s trusted men. They are the point men of tragedy. There, of course, are others, like the buffoon governor of Ekiti State, whose audio tale is still unfolding

’

speculation. The speculated removal of Jega is so fraught with evil that Jonathan denied it in public. Why have both of them kept a sepulchral silence on it? No man who guards his reputation lets such words slip in public without rebuttal. Although Jonathan said he would not sack Jega, who can believe him? Did he not say that he went on his evangelical spree because the churches invited him? The churches said he invited himself and they could not say no. He placed his flawed finger in the holy of

Agbaje, Ambode, Sanity, et al

RECEIVED a text message twice last week from Lagos For All raising sanity questions about APC governorship candidate for Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode. Is this where the Agbaje Campaign is now headed? After failing to defend its candidate’s subversive gaffes, it now walks the dangerous terrain of fantasies. Agbaje joined the ranks of Tompolo and Asari Dokubo recently by saying that if Jonathan loses the election, Nigeria will be shut down. The Governor of Example, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, exposed the man for not paying taxes but only paid for 2013 and 2014 and evaded three years. In a federal system, he also wants to sell his state’s birthright when he says Lagos belongs to the Federal Government. After all those implosions, the campaign cannot steer its course aright. Rather it is trading in insane fantasies. Is that what his godfather Bode George taught him? In his short story The Madman, Achebe tells of a chief who runs naked in the public square in reaction to a man he had mocked as mad. Who became the madman and who is the specialist? Apologies to Soyinka.

HARDBALL

T must be in order for Hardball to confess upfront that he is not particularly in love with accountants – and lawyers too. He would be the most happy if the world could do without them or better still, do away with them. Why? He thinks they do more harm than good to the modern man; or if you prefer, they cause more harm to the civilised world. Lawyers are not the subject of focus here, so we let them go in peace today. Besides, and in fairness to lawyers, they hardly start the quarrels, they are only on hand to help complicate and cash in on them. Accounting on the other hand and by Hardball’s estimation, is the most legitimised scam man ever contrived. It is a dreadful irony that a system that has been perfected over the ages to help man track his wealth is also the one most vulnerable to abuse and manipulation. For instance, every audit or accounting report can bear at least half a dozen versions. In other words, six different reports can be generated on one company’s particular accounts and mind you, not by six different firms, but one. Yes, just one accounting firm can pro-

holies. If he could lie against the church of Christ, why can’t he lie about Jega? Did he not say in that presidential chat that PVC collection in Lagos was about 30 per cent when it had pushed around 60 per cent? It was presidential charade, not chat. Dasuki was the first to fly the kite. A national security adviser did not talk about security in Chatham House when he raised questions about February 14. He spoke PVCs. He became a politician, not a security man. For a man who has lived both in and out of uniform, he thought he made the right sartorial choice in Chatham House. He wore neither uniform nor civilian clothes. He was naked, exposed as a civilian hireling. When he was appointed NSA, the reason was that, being a prince, he would help destroy Boko Haram. I wrote in this column that Jonathan erred in judgment. Boko Haram is a virus of paupers. A prince could not relate to them. A few weeks after, Dasuki stopped travelling to speak to emirs, who were also targets of the insurgents. These men have been afraid of Buhari, and that is why the president and his men have published unprintable material that could cost newspapers billions in libel suits. Abraham Lincoln went through a similar fate. His detractors said he could not speak English, that he was a third-rate lawyer, that he was a backwoods man (bush man), that he was like a baboon, that he descended from an African gorilla. But he won the election because the time had come for him who had failed many times in his political career. He freed slaves and saved the union. Churchill’s political obituary was written in the House of Commons when he was 65 years old. He became perhaps their greatest leader ever. It is clear Nigerians are tired of Jonathan and that is why we did not have the election last Saturday. They want another chance, just like the Governor’s Forum polls. They asked for time, only to subvert arithmetic. Sixteen became bigger than 19. The Ekiti audiotapes reveal what role the PDP assigns the military to rig elections. Before Lincoln became president, mammoth forces amassed against him and the abolition of slavery. Ralph Waldo Emerson then wrote, “the hour is coming when the strongest will not be strong enough.” Wise words.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

NNPC and foren-sick auditors duce for you, six different reports if you so desire and would make it worth their while. Any John Doe who can read an annual report of accounts knows that accounting is more about creative (mis)application of numbers for a desired result than a true picture of business transactions for a period. Yet people hardly speak up or demand a revolution. We have seen companies – some so-called blue-chip companies – audited to death by equally topnotch audit firms. Often, we have seen companies that are mere hollow shells yet reputable audit firms hide such deleterious facts from the investing public for many years until the dam of infamy busts and everyone gets drowned in it. Everyone but the audit firm. The best example in Nigeria is the Cadbury debacle a few years ago: for over a decade, a foremost audit firm reassured shareholder and the public that Cadbury was a blue-chip company. By the time it came to light that Cadbury had turned to dust, it was almost beyond sal-

vage. It took almost another decade to revive it. Of course casualties were aplenty. The audit firm lost nothing; not even its ugly face. Who does not know the story of Arthur Anderson (AA)? At the apogee of AA, the entire globe was at its feet; it had its pick of jobs from government and corporate. Woe betide you if you worked with an AA alumnus: you would almost believe he resumed from Mars and returned straight to Mars after work. AA became a deity worshipped by denizens of the corporate world until a certain mega energy firm called Enron crashed. The world suddenly woke up to the fact that AA is actually a mere wooden totem. And if gold rust… As you may have guessed dear reader, the leitmotif of this long verbal excursion is that Hardball is of the lay opinion that something seems sick about the recent PWC’s forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Especially because they call it forensic!

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