The Nation February 21, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

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VOL. 7, NO. 2042 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

Commission screens 18 AIGs today

T

HE Police Service Commission (PSC) will today screen 18 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police among whom six will be appointed as Deputy Inspectors-General of Police.

Besides, the commission has received the report of

•Biu trial report ready From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

the Police Disciplinary Committee on Commissioner of Police Zakari Biu and five others who were tried in connection with the escape of

Boko Haram suspect Kabiru Sokoto. Sokoto has since been rearrested.

Biu and others will know their fate tomorrow when a full session of the commission

sits.

The Appointment and Promotion Sub-committee will meet in Abuja today to select new DIGs for the Police.

The AIGs to be screened by the Police Service Commission and their retirement Continued on page 4

N150.00

THE AIGS FACING SCREENING •Suleiman D. Fakai •Johnson Uzu-Egbunam •Mohammed H. Zarewa •Ibrahim Paiko Machi •Abubakar Mohammed •Ibrahim Mohammed •Christopher Ola •Saidu Daya •Bukar Maina

•Danlami Yar’Adua •Atiku Yusuf •Mohammed Abass •Aloysius Okorie •Shehu Babalola •Ephraim Amakulor •Madueke Dax •Mu’azu Idris •Charles A. Cole

30 dead as troops battle Boko Haram in market

M

AIDUGURI, the beleaguered capital of Borno State, was the scene yesterday of yet another battle between soldiers and Boko Haram men.

Residents spoke of deafening explosions, flying bullets and thick, dark smoke.

At the end of the gun duel, the Joint Task Force said seven members of the deadly sect were killed.

But the AFP reported that Boko Haram set off bombs and opened fire on a mar-

Task Force: we killed ‘How we get suicide eight sect members mission vehicles’ From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

ket, killing 30 people. The agency was quoting a witness and medical source.

“It’s true the number of dead could not be less than 30,” a Maiduguri hospital nurse told AFP. The explosions occurred in the Banga Fish Market in the city, the spiritual home of the

sect.

A member of the sect was captured at the market five days ago. It was attacked by some members of the group who hurled explosives into it.

The explosions attracted the attention of JTF soldiers stationed near the market.

They exchanged gunshots with the sect’s members.

A source said: “We saw

about three pick-up vans loaded with people in front of Ibrahim Taiwo Police Station, opposite the Baga Market this afternoon, shortly after the gun battle with members of the sect, but we could not tell whether they were corpses or the wounded.”

“The sect members were believed to have attacked traders in the market, follow-

ing last Thursday’s arrest of one of their members who was overpowered, beaten and handed over to men of the JTF. Another source said there was no way over 15 persons would not have been killed in the attack, claiming that the three vans were loaded with bodies.

Confirming the gun battle

to reporters, JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Hassan Mohammed said men of the Joint Task Force on Operation Restore Order killed eight members of Boko Haram during a gun battle at about 1:00 pm at the Baga Market.

He said that the JTF was informed of an attack on the market where three traders were shot by members of the Boko Haram. “Our men engaged members of the Boko Haram sect in gun Continued on page 4

Seven Xmas Day bomb victims go blind, says priest •CBN donotes N25m From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

S

EVEN hospitalised victims of the Christmas Day bombing by Boko Haram have gone blind, the parish priest said yester-

day.

The deadly sect bombed St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State on Christmas Day last year during an early morning mass.

Forty-four people died in the blast; 83 were injured.

The suspected mastermind of the blast, Kabiru Sokoto, is in security custody. His suspected accomplice, Habibu Bama, has been declared wanted.

Rev. Father Isaac Achi spoke yesterday while receiving Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who led a team of the apex bank to donate N25million to the church, victims and members of the community affected by the blast.

The priest said: “Of the 127 victims, we lost Continued on page 4

GOS: Some members of Street Sweepers and Highway Managers when Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola •FOR A CLEANER LA LAGOS met with them over improved service delivery at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos ... at the weekend

•NATIONSPORT P23 •PROPERTY P25 •AVIATION P37 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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NEWS VICTIMS OF BOKO HARAM ATTACKS

Widowed by Boko Haram, Widows of policemen killed by the Boko Haram insurgent group are complaining of neglect by the Federal Government and the police for failing to pay them the entitlements of their husbands. LEKE SALAUDEEN met some of them

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EFORE their husbands death, they were able to feed and clothe themselves as well as pay their children’s school fees. It has not been easy for them as they seem to have been neglected by the police and the Federal Government.

This is the fate of the typical widows, whose policemen husbands were killed by Boko Haram insurgents.

Human Rights Watch reports that police death arising from Boko Haram attacks since 1999 nears 1,000 while about 250 have been killed this year alone.

Angela Okoro, 35, whose husband, a police sergeant, was killed in Yobe State last December in a Boko Haram attack is finding it difficult to cope with five children. “My concern is about my children’s future. Three of them have stopped going to school because I can’t afford the fees. They have asked us to pack out of the one-room apartment allotted to my husband in the barracks. But for a member of our church who allowed us to pack in to his boys’ quarter may be we will be sleeping in open air. She says: “I have been managing with assistance from family members. I have visited the police state command together with church members to find out when his insurance and other benefits will be paid. They keep telling us to come the next day. They finally said I should wait to be invited to Abuja with my children.”

Amid sobs, Angela laments that “my husband who died in the course of protecting the public was buried without any assistance from the Police. Now, he’s gone. My problem is how to train the children he left behind.”

Hajia Hafsat from Gombe State is yet to recover from the shock of the recent killing of her two sons who were Police corporals (Idris and Bala Garba) by the insurgents. Since the killing of her two sons, life has not been smooth for the 60-year-old mother. She lost her sons in separate attacks by Boko Haram in Damaturu and Kano last month.

The old woman now looks after the two pregnant wives and five children left behind by the two corporals.

The younger corporal, Idris met his untimely death when he went to Damaturu to pack his belongings following his transfer from Yobe State to his home state, Gombe. Hafsat said: “When the family heard of the Kano attack on January 20, we called to find out about the safety of Bala from police headquartes in Kano. The

officer who answered the phone reassured us that all is well with Bala, only for the story to change a few hours later.”

Hafsat said though many families were affected in different ways by the Boko Haram attack , she considered herself as the worst victim. She is worried that barely two months after losing her sons while on active service she has not received condolence message from either the police or government. Hafsat pleads with the police to release the deceased’s entitlements to the family to enable them look after the wives and children left behind.

Titilayo Akande , mother of four, is a widow of a slain policeman. Her husband was transferred from Lagos to Kano in November last year. She and the children joined him in December having secured an accommodation in Kano. In January , he was killed in Boko Haram attack. She narrates her ordeal: “The day my husband was killed, there was nothing to suggest he would not return home. As usual I prepared his breakfast which was taken together with the children. He counselled them on good behaviour and went before they left for school. I was in the kitchen when he bade me byebye. It was two hours after that we heard a big explosion from afar . I thought that the soldiers were on shooting exercise. When it was 6p.m. when he used to return home, I said may be he had extra work to do at the office. At 10 p.m. when I didn’t hear from him, I called his number, the line was switched off. I started thinking that something has happened. Not minding the security risk, I went out that night to find out from the police post he was attached. The Divisional Police Officer told me my husband was among those deployed to Abuja for special duty and they will be back in two weeks time. I asked the Oga to call him on phone so that I can speak with him. He said no, I can’t lie for you. The DPO and other senior police officers around persuaded me to return home and come the next day .They took me home in a police van. I couldn’t sleep. The following morning they took me to the hospital mortuary to identify my husband’s body.

“Since we brought his body home for burial, we have relocated to Lagos to continue my business of plantain and yam roasting in Ikeja. My children are yet to start schooling because I can’t afford to buy them text

•Mrs Badang and her late husband

Lagos tightens security at secretariat •Restricts religious activities to church, mosque

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has ordered the stoppage of all religious activities within the state Secretariat, Alausa.

In an executive order dated Wednesday, February 15, the governor lamented the lack of adequate security measures in place to check the heavy human and vehicular movement in the secretariat daily,.

He urged all Muslim and Christian faithful to utilise the Central Mosque and the Chapel of Christ the Light to conduct their religious affairs.

Fashola also ordered that only vehicles bearing the official state government sticker will henceforth be allowed to park within the secretariat.

The directive reads:“The Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau and the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation are to work together to ensure immediate implementation.

“This Order is intended only to improve the internal management of the State Government. It is not intended to, nor does it create any substantial or procedural rights or benefits enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the Lagos State Government, its departments, agencies or entities, or its officers, employees, agents or any other person whatsoever.”

The governor yesterday the Patriarch and Pope of

books and other things they required. Their father when she was alive was the sole financier of their education. The police are yet to pay us the entitlements due to my late husband. We hope if they pay this money, it will serve

By Miriam Ndikanwu

the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, Pope Theodore 11 of Alexandria. He said the Church and the State have a shared responsibility to provide solace to suffering humanity.

He said: “People all over the world are facing extremely challenging times. The human race is challenged in many ways and it is people like you who minister the word of God that millions and billions of people look up to for solace. They also look to people like us in Government to deal with those other sides of their lives that are not spiritual”.

“I think, in many ways than we may probably have realised, the Church and the State continue to share a responsibility over the welfare of the human race.

“In Lagos, we co-exist across ethnic and religious lines. And this kind of co-existence continues to take place between Christians and Muslims, inter-marrying so that the integration is getting deeper.

“We recognise that there is one God. But we also recognise that people have their choices, how to seek relationship with God; and Lagos, more than probably any other African state, respects those rights; we protect those rights and our people have made those rights the foundation for their relationships.”

as a big relief for the family.”

Blessing Okon lost her husband, a police corporal, in Maiduguri in 2010 to the Boko Haram attack. She now lives behind the MOPOL 20 office at Oduduwa street , Ikeja, in a

makeshift structure with three children. Since the death of her husband, her children have dropped out of school because his entitlement has not been paid. “I only managed to put up this wooden structure so that I

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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NEWS VICTIMS OF BOKO HARAM ATTACKS

abandoned by police, govt ‘

Police: why benefits aren’t instant

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• IGP Muhammed Abubakar

HE payment of death benefits to the dependant of deceased officers take some time because of bureaucratic procedures, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr Yemi Ajayi, has explained.

Ajayi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said funds for the payment of death benefits are not always available. Rather, he said the Force has to make a request in the budget and await government approval.

“The process takes time because the request has to be checked at different stages. But money for funerals are being given to the dependant of dead officers as soon as the Force is notified. The funeral money is paid without delay unlike other benefits.”

Ajayi said the dependants of the deceased are allowed to stay in the barracks for at least three months before they leave. “It is wrong to say that families of deceased officers are forced to vacate their resident immediately”.

On the allegation that some police officers demand bribes from families of slain police officers who are desperate for help to speed up processing of the entitlements due to them, CSP Ajayi said: “Any policeman found guilty of collecting kickbacks from the

Any policeman found guilty of collecting kickbacks from the families of deceased policemen before paying them their benefits will have himself to blame. I urge people to forward the names of the officers involved in this act to the Force Headquarters for sanction. The Force has discouraged dependant of dead officers from giving anybody money as inducement to assist them families of deceased policemen before paying them their benefits will have himself to blame. I urge people to forward the names of the officers involved in this act to the Force Headquarters for sanction.

The Force has discouraged dependant of dead officers from giving anybody money as inducement to assist them.”

The spokesman of Lagos State Police command Mr Samuel Jinadu said it is the responsibility of the Police Pension to pay death benefits to families of dead policemen. Jinadu explained that some of the difficulties

‘

experienced by the family could be traced to negligence on the part of the policemen. He said some of them did not update their files before they died while others have their files in other states. It is the file that pension officials work on, he added.

The River State Commissioner of Police Alhaji Suleiman Abba attributed the delay in payment of death benefits to the problem of identifying who the true next-ofkin of the deceased officer is. He said the pension officials have to take their time in verifying the authentic next-of-kin to avoid unnecessary litigation in future.

‘They are victims of a broken, decaying system’

I band was alive, living on his meagre salary. But it is now more difficult surviving with three children on petty trading. We were driven out of police barracks in Maiduguri two weeks after my husband died and almost two years now, nothing is being said about his entitlement.” She recalled with bitterness that her husband was not given a befitting burial.

His remains were conveyed to the village in a police truck and his family was responsible for the burial expenses.

Mrs. Rose Badang, 35, is the widow of Sergeant Sunday Badang, a bomb disposal policeman, who was killed while trying to diffuse an explosive device in Kaduna on February 14. She was pregnant at the time her husband died.

Mrs. Badang said her husband had always helped in diffusing unexploded bombs successfully.

In an interview after the death of her husband, she said: “My plea to the government is that they should come to my help, because my husband died on active service. He had, throughout his working career with the Nigeria Police, been sacrificing his life.

Look at my children; they are still in primary school. My first son is 13 years, the second one is nine and the last one four; then the unborn child that I am carrying now.”

T is said that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. In the era of new media and YouTube videos though, one could well say a video clip is worth a thousand photo albums, a few seconds of which could tell a compelling story better than any book, verbal explanation or detailed written analysis. This is very evident in the recent video clip that has gone viral in social networks and Nigerian online communities, of Sergeant Sunday Badang, the young police officer in Kaduna, who was blown to bits in a roadside bomb explosion set by the dreaded Boko Haram group on February 14.

At first glance, one might regard the young policeman’s fatal action as reckless at best and utterly foolish at worst.

The video captures the scene of an earlier bomb blast but a suspicious bag is seen at the roadside which in all probability seems to be packaged explosives. Everyone steers clear of the area, but Badang walks gallantly with a confident stride towards the suspicious package perhaps acting on the command of his superiors. As you watch the video, dreading what you think might and would happen in the next few seconds, you wonder and might even utter it out loud “what on God’s earth is this guy thinking”?

He is without a bomb suit, body pad, body armour or any bomb detonation device.

He is neither wearing a common bullet proof vest, nor a pair of gloves at the very least!! Incredulously, he is armed with only a metal detector to denote an explosive device. As he approaches the bag and opens it, the dreaded happens, there is a powerful explosion and the rest is history. You are saddened, you are horrified, you are appalled, your stomach turns and

A Birmingham, United Kingdom–based Nigerian, Zainab Usman argues that police authorities need to treat fallen heroes better

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Overall as a nation, perhaps we could imbibe a culture of celebrating everyday heroes like Sergeant Sunday Badang who fell in the line of duty, not just as a victim of Boko Haram, but as a victim of a broken system when these feelings abate after a few minutes, you wonder how anyone could be so foolhardy.

Upon deeper reflection though, you may begin to realise that the entire two minutes and twenty four seconds long video clip aptly sums up Nigeria’s key problems especially those bedevilling the security apparatuses and their medieval approach towards tackling grave security challenges. With all the confusion and activity around the scene in the aftermath of the first explosion which had gone off earlier, the police didn’t think it wise to cordonoff the area from the public and comb it thoroughly.

The late police officer who, attempted to denote an explosive device with his bare hands was, believe it or not, a member of the antibomb personnel as the Kaduna State police commissioner confirmed.

This proves beyond reasonable doubt, how poorly trained and illequipped our police force and other security apparatuses are to handle present security challenges in the

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country. Their training is usually based on archaic techniques derived from colonial edicts and military decrees with a few revisions here and there. It is easy to dismiss our much loathed police officers as a corrupt, incompetent and inefficient bunch, whose specialty hardly goes beyond perfecting the art of harassment, extortion and brutalisation of innocent Nigerians.

Looking at the bigger picture though, it becomes obvious that Sergeant Sunday Badang, his superior who (probably) gave him the orders and the numerous much loathed police officers are not the culprits themselves, but like everyone else, they are victims of a broken and decaying system that urgently needs to be overhauled. In our hurry to condemn, we fail to realise that officers like Badang receive poor pay, remuneration and incentives to work in treacherously perilous situations they are extremely ill-equipped and incapable of handling, yet we expect them to

compete with Scotland Yard in discharging their duties. The tragic fate that befell Badang is by no means an isolated incident, only that it was captured on video. Hundreds of Badang’s ilk have fallen victims to Boko Haram’s deadly ambush of police stations and military bases in Maiduguri, Damaturu, Bauchi and Kaduna; police officers and even immigration officers have been outgunned and ruthlessly murdered in the recent attacks in Kano and in other parts of the country, police officers have fallen prey to the killing weapons of not only Boko Haram, but kidnappers and armed robbers.

They risk their lives in such perilous circumstances and when they fall in the line of duty, their valiant efforts are hardly acknowledged; widows, bereaved families and scores of dependant are left devastated from the loss of the only breadwinner perhaps with little government compensation.

Now that the crippling deficiencies of our security agencies have come to the fore, at least the government has a better idea where it could judiciously channel the N922 billion budgeted for security in the 2012 budget to train and equip our police officers on handling presentday challenges. And for everyone else whom this video struck a tender nerve, we could be a bit more appreciative and understanding of what our police and security officers go through. Overall as a nation, perhaps we could imbibe a culture of celebrating everyday heroes like Sergeant Sunday Badang who fell in the line of duty, not just as a victim of Boko Haram, but as a victim of a broken system.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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

How sect gets suicide mission vehicles

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ETAINED Boko Haram spokesman Abu Qaqa has told his interrogators how vehicles used for suicide bombings were sourced.

The government has asked all security agencies to be on the alert following intelligence report that the military wing of the sect may renew hostilities.

According to a source, Qaqa opened up again yesterday during another round of interrogation on the activities of the sect.

The source said the suspect provided clues on the type of vehicles used for suicide missions.

The source quoted Qaqa as saying: “We used to snatch those vehicles at gun point.

We use the less exotic ones for suicide bombings and just load vehicles with bombs, drive them near our target, park, get out and leave them to explode thereafter.

“The leader takes the ex-

30 dead as troops battle Boko Haram Continued from page 1

battle and we successfully killed eight of the sect members and recovered weapons as well as detonated some IEDs and recovered some others.”

According to him, the three traders shot at the Market did not die but were taken to the hospital where they are receiving medical attention.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

pensive (exotic) ones always, saying that he would arrange for them to be sold and the proceeds put into the jihad.

This is never done, anyway.

“Most of those vehicles end up with him and the Kanuri members of our sect. They use them; pose in them to deceive security agents at checkpoints.

“The distribution (utilisation) of these stolen vehicles on ‘man-knowman’, ‘man-know-tribesman’ became another source of anger and acrimony but you have to bear it or you die.

Once you are in, you are in.

If you attempt to leave, you are seen as a traitor, who must die.”

Another source said: The sect was worried that its intellectual and political wing has been dismantled by security agencies.

“Out of anger, the military wing has decided to renew hostilities. That is why all security agencies have been placed on the alert nationwide to ward off any aggression,” a source said, adding: “The security beef up is not restricted to only states where we have partial emergency declaration. It is going to be a nationwide thing.”

•GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; CEO Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema, during the presentation of the Facts Behind The Figures by UBA Plc, at the NSE Building in Lagos ... yesterday

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola speaking during the visit of the Patriach and Pope of the Coptic Church of Alexander, Pope Theodore II (in cap right) to his office in Alausa, Ikeja ... yesterday. With them are Archbishop Alexander of Lagos (left) and Mr Harry David (second right).

Continued from page 1

dates are: Suleiman D. Fakai (1/1/2019); Johnson UzuEgbunam (30/12/12); Mohammed H. Zarewa (15/ 3/2015); Ibrahim Paiko Mach i(1/3/2012); Abubakar Mohammed; Ibrahim Mohammed (1/3/2012); Christopher Ola (16/7/2015); Saidu Daya (5/2/2013); Bukar Maina (5/5/2013); Danlami Yar’Adua (5/6/ 2013); Atiku Yusuf (8/12/ 2017); Mohammed Abass (1/ 12/ 2016); Aloysius Okorie (14/2/2012); Shehu Babalola (8/7/ 2015); Ephraim Amakulor (17/5/2012); Madueke Dax (10/5/2014); Mu’azu Idris (20/8/2013); and Charles A. Cole(12/5/ 2014).

A source in the commission, who spoke in confidence, said merit, past service records, level of education and geopolitical consideration will determine the six that will be selected.

The source said: “The choice of new DIGs will be based on the existing mandate given to the new IGP to clean the system and fight crime to a standstill.

“It is not going to be a tea party; the era of automatic appointment based on ser-

Commission screens 18 AIGs today vice age is gone. We want results; we need a proactive police and we will select those who can meet these targets.

“Although we are aware that the appointments should reflect the six geopolitical zones, we will not compromise merit.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The report of the appointment committee will also be presented to the full session of the PSC tomorrow.

“These AIGs do not need to appear physically before the commission for screening.

Court stops Cross River election

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FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting Saturday’s governorship election in Cross River State.

Justice Abdul Kafarati issued the order following an exparte application filed and argued by Mr. Nmerengwa Alozie, counsel to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and its governorship candidate, Dr. Obol Patrick Okomiso.

The Judge ordered INEC to come on Thursday for its defence.

The plaintiffs argued that conducting the election on Saturday instead of the April 14 earlier fixed is illegal and unconstitutional.

According to them, the new date is in conflict with the mandatory timetable set by the Electoral Act for submission of names and addresses

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

of party candidates for the election.

They argued that INEC had no legal justification whatsoever to bring forward the date of the said election.

They said: “Apart from the inconvenience to the parties of suddenly shortening the period they had already taken for granted as available for their preparations for the election, the abridgment of time is ultra vires, null and void and would be a ground for nullifying the election, if conducted.”

The plaintiffs asked for an order of interim injunction restraining INEC from proceeding to conduct the election into the office of Governor of Cross River State on the February 25, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in these proceedings.

They also prayed for an

order directing INEC to maintain status quo ante lite, i.e to refrain from taking further action or steps regarding the revised timetable for the conduct of the election into the office of Governor of Cross River State of Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed on February 15 in these proceedings.

In an affidavit, ANPP stated that INEC’s reason that it brought the election forward because of the judgment of the Supreme Court which removed five governors from office was not tenable in law.

“That the Supreme Court judgment did not place any constraint on INEC to abridge or tamper with the timetable it had set on 11th August 2011 for the governorship election in Cross River State nor has it created any situation which the 1999

Constitution can not cope with as the governor and his deputy duly vacated their pursuant to the judgment and the Speaker of the Hose of Assembly has taken over as Governor pursuant to Section 191(2) of the Constitution.”

They argued that the Speaker, under the Constitution could act as governor for a period of 90 days hence no need for INEC to be in a rush.”

They said INEC would not lose anything if the election were held on 14th of April, 2012, as earlier scheduled.

“That on the other hand, the Applicants will be prejudiced if the election is brought forward to the 25th of February 2012 as INEC now proposes, because the validity of the nomination of the 2nd Plaintiff will be jeopardised by non-compliance with section 31(1) of the Electoral Act 2010.”

•Biu

We will only go through their files and achievements right from their first day of recruitment. Those with bad records may lose out.

The source added: “I think those due for retirement in the next few months may not be considered for appointment as DIGs.” The Commission has received the report of the Force Disciplinary Committee on the trial of Biu and five others.

A source said: “We have received the report; that is why we are meeting on Wednesday. We will make a pronouncement after our session.

“It is either they are guilty or not. Where they are guilty, we will take appropriate disciplinary measures.”

Section 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution says: “The Police Service Commission shall have power to (a) appoint persons to offices (other than the Office of the InspectorGeneral of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and (b) dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.”

Seven Xmas Day bomb victims go blind Continued from page 1

44, out of the injured seven lost their sight, four are still at Gwagwalada Specialist, eight at National Hospital, Abuja. Others have been referred to Kano, Zaria, Lagos and Enugu hospitals.”

Sanusi said the donation was in line with the 2006 Corporate Social Responsibility, approved by the Board, permitting the management to show concern to victims of any form of disaster.

“It was in the light of this that the Committee of Governors of the bank met to offer assistance to the victims, their families, widows, orphans and others whose property were damaged by the blast.

This is to show that we can all be our brothers’ keepers.

“We wish to announce the donation of N25million to the church and the community for the rehabilitation of our people.”

Sanusi said such a gesture was extended to the United Nations whose building was bombed in Abuja last year.

He said the CBN provided accommodation to staff of the global body by renovating a building and donating it to them.

Praying for the repose of the souls of the victim and quick recovery for the injured, Sanusi also prayed that God should frustrate the activities of the enemies of the country.

A donation of N100million was made by the bank to victims of the Kano explosion.

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

NEWS

Man charged with killing banker-wife had accomplice, says witness

By Joseph Jibueze

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LAGOS State High Court, Ikeja, yesterday heard that Mr Akolade Arowolo, who allegedly murdered his banker-wife, Omozoje, had an accomplice.

The court was also told that bloodstains were found on Arowolo’s hands and car after the murder and on walls, floors, clothes, and a mattress in their flat.

Several items were out of place in the parlour and the bedroom, indicating there was a struggle, which may have extended to the balcony.

Bloodstains were everywhere; an iron rod from a protective rail was torn away and covered in blood, the court heard.

What was suspected to be human flesh was found in the room, the court heard.

Mr Seyidu Useni, a security guard, and Mr Titus Ogbonna, an Assistant Superintendent of Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, were testifying at the resumed trial of Arowolo before Justice Lateefa Okunnu.

The defendant allegedly killed his wife on June 24 , last year at 8, Akindele Street, Isolo.

The alleged offence is contrary to Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 17, Laws of Lagos State 2003. Arowolo pleaded not guilty.

Useni, who gave evidence in Hausa through an interpreter, said he was at his duty post on the morning of June 24. According to him, it had just stopped raining when he heard a knock on the gate.

He met a man who asked to see Arowolo, who was away. He had never seen the visitor before.

Later the same day, he heard another knock. The man who came to look for Akolade was with him in a car. They both drove in.

“Akolade was rushing and urging me to open the gate quickly.

Akolade and his friend went up to his room. Then I went back to my duty post.

“After, they said I should open the gate quickly, that they want to go out. They spent about an hour in the room. I noticed Akolade was cleaning his hand with something.

I saw blood on his hands. Some clothes and an iron rod dropped from the building and were bloodstained.

“I saw his hands when he was

•Arowolo...yesterday

cleaning them. He was very eager to go out. It was the next day on Saturday that I heard Akolade had killed his wife.”

Arowolo was wearing a white Tshirt on a black sweater with blue jeans. He sat in the dock jotting on a notebook, shaking his head intermitently, folding his arms,

craning to hear the witness speak, and bending his head as if sleeping.

He also conversed with his lawyer, who showed him a with knife, which the police said he killed his wife. He nodded affirmatively before it was tendered in evidence.

The defendant began dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief, apparently

weeping when Useni spoke about when he heard about the murder.

The witness said Arowolo never returned to the compound since the day he drove out with the stranger.

He also never saw the visitor again.

Ogbonna, who handled the murder investigation, said items recovered from the crime scene include two blood-soaked knives, a bloodstained cloth, a hammer, a frying spoon. He said a Honda Accord registered as Lagos: RK-129KJA was also recovered.

The police superintendent said: “We saw bloodstains on the steering of the car, on the driver’s seat, and on the floor of the driver’s seat. We saw a N100 note soaked in blood beside the driver’s seat.

“The IPO took us to the top floor of the three-storey building. The door of the two-bedroom flat was broken. We met it open. The kitchen wall was stained with blood. There were no knives on the rack. I discovered rotten fish in the sink.

“There were bloodstains on the floor, and items in the parlour were scattered. The mattress in the room was soaked with blood. We also observed bloodstains in the balcony and in what looked like a penthouse room.

“The clothes there were scattered, which we suspected must be a sign of struggle. Beside the bed, we saw something that looked like a lump of flesh that must have been chopped off the deceased’s chest.”

Ogbonna added that a knife was pulled out of the woman’s neck, which left a deep cut.

He said the Honda had been released to Arowolo’s father, Mudasiru, after he signed a bond.

The police investigator tendered a knife, a Nokia E63 phone, an I-Tel phone, a Nokia Dual SIM phone, a Blackberry, and a Nokia phone battery yesterday.

Spectators in the courtroom burst into laughter when Ogbonna was asked to open the knife, wrapped in a polythene bag.

The court’s registrar, a man, handed the witness the knife. As Ogbonna made to unwrap it, he almost lost grip of the knife as it nearly fell off from his hand, prompting the registrar to jump backward as if in fear.

Then the judge asked him jokingly: “What are you running away from?”

The trial continues on March 20.

Traders rally support for Jonathan From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri TRADERS under the auspices of the National Market Traders and Leaders Council (NATMALC) yesterday declared their support for President Goodluck Jonathan.

They praised the president’s efforts to develop the country, despite the challenges facing his administration.

According to the organisation, the Transformation Agenda is aimed at lifting the nation from the position of a Third World country to developed world.

President of the Abia State chapter of the council Dr. Joseph Okeke spoke with reporters in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Okeke urged Nigerians to rally support for the President against the spate of terrorism unleashed on the country by Boko Haram.

Okeke said teh country needs peace to develop, saying Nigerians have to support Jonathan for meaningful results to be achieved.

On the Federal Government’s decision to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Okeke said the policy holds the key to the resolution of problems facing the country.

NAPEP gets N1.2bn to alleviate poverty THE National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) has received N1.2 billion from the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs), to alleviate poverty.

A Director with NAPEP, Mrs Godia Yohanna, spoke in Abuja at the training of participants on Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT).

Yohanna said the N1.2 billion grant was to service 10 states, adding that NAPEP would on its own take care of the 27 other states, including the FCT. She said: “Presently, NAPEP is liaising with the World Bank to ensure proper implementation strategy for 2012.

“There was a problem with the implementation of the former CCT strategy and that is what we are working on right now to ensure proper implementation of the programme. There has to be data in place for proper identification.”

Jonathan threatens to sack officials holding 2015 meetings

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday threatened to sack any of his aides who has started campaigning for the 2015 general elections.

He said such campaigns are causing distractions for the government.

The President spoke at the 58th Emergency Meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

He said: “ I have noticed that some people have started some meetings. It is too early to hold such meetings. You people have the electoral laws and the constitution; INEC normally declares it open.”

“The idea is that people who were elected into the offices as governors and President should be given time to work. In a situation whereby a governor has not even stayed for a year, the President has not stayed for a year, you started harassing people for 2015; it is another way of saying everything is election. There must be time to work. At the federal level, if you are holding a political office and I notice that you are involved in meetings for 2015 election, I will ask you to leave and

•PDP congresses, convention hold March 3-24 •SURE runs into hitch From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

go and hold your meetings because that meeting is too early. Government must not be distracted.”

On the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE), President Jonathan said the programme could can no longer be sustained as the downstream sector of the petroleum industry is yet to be fully deregulated.

He said: “I think as I came in, I saw this SURE book being distributed; we are withdrawing it; this is the old one. We developed this with the expectation that we are going to completely deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry. ” The party announced that its congresses and national convention are holding from March 3 to 24.

The President urged party members to remain united.

“We must emulate what happened in South Africa because ANC is a strong party. Even when Mr. President feels he is bigger than the party, they will push him out from

the party. So, nobody should be bigger than the party; the party must insist on that. “ I plead that from the ward congresses to the National Convention, let us insist that people are elected democratically. Let us begin to move from the culture of imposition.”

The Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, said the security challenges, petrol subsidy removal crisis, the Supreme Court judgment sacking five governors and the INEC new timetable for elections in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Sokoto and Cross River made the party move its congresses and convention from February.

Reading the resolutions of the 58th NEC Emergency meeting, the National Publicity Secretary, Prof.

Rufai Ahmed Alkali, said the NEC approved new timetable for the congresses and convention of the party.

According to him, Ward Congresses will hold on March 3, Appeals - March 5, Local Govt. Area Congresses - March 10, Appeals March 12, State Congresses - March

17, Appeals - March 19, Zonal Congresses - March 21, Appeals - March 22, National Convention - March 24, Hand Over Processes - 26 to 31 March.

He said: “NEC also unanimously approved a slight extension of tenure of the current National Executive Committee to terminate at the end of March 2012. Similarly, NEC approved that the tenure of office of Ward, Local Government, States and Zonal Executive Committees terminate in line with the revised timetable for Congresses and National Convention.

“NEC mandated the National Working Committee to constitute National Convention and Congresses Planning Committees to oversee the conduct of Congresses and National Convention. The next regular meeting of the National Executive Committee shall take place on the February 29 before the commencement of Ward Congresses.”

He said no position has been taken on the party’s zoning formulae.

On why the amendment of the party constitution was not discussed, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Chief Olusola Oke said constitution amendment could not be discussed at an emergency meeting.

He said the matter would be discussed at the next NEC meeting on February 29.

Among those at the NEC meeting yesterday are: Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar.

Also presentb were governors, such as: Babangida Aliyu, Rivers – Rotimi Amaechi, Bayela – Henry Dickson, Delta – Emmanuel Uduaghan, Kaduna – Patrick Yakowa, Taraba – Danbaba Suntai, Kogi – Idris Wada, Adamawa – Murtala Nyako and Akwa – Ibom – Godswill Akpabio.

Chief Chris Uba, Tony Anenih, Ken Nnamani, Bananas Gemade and Ahmadu Ali also attended the meeting.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

6

10 dead in Ogun accident From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

NO fewer than 10 persons were feared dead while eight sustained injuries when a Lagos-bound commercial bus marked Kebbi 189 AUG with passengers ran into a stationary trailer with registration number Lagos XV 512 EKY near Isara Saapade on the LagosIbadan Expressway.

The Ogun State Police Command spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nicholas Nkemdeme visited the scene. He said nine passengers died on the spot while one died later at the hospital.

He added that eight others are being hospitalised at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.

Parade of suspects illegal, says Falana

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AGOS lawyer Mr Femi Falana yesterday urged the Police to desist from parading crime suspects before reporters because, according to him, it is illegal.

He praised the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar for directing all police formations to stop the practice of detaining suspected criminals beyond 24 hours and for dismantling checkpoints.

Falana, in a statement said if faithfully implemented, the directive will stop the detention of suspects without trial.

The directive, according to the activist lawyer, is in line with the provision of the Constitution and the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

It will also discourage keep-

‘The IGP should proceed to stop the parade of suspects which has been held to be illegal by the courts’

By Joseph Jibueze

ing innocent people behind bars for the sole purpose of extorting from them, Falana said.

The lawyer said the police, in order to frustrate the implementation of the directive, allegedly impose onerous bail conditions on suspects,

while reliable sureties are also being rejected on frivolous grounds.

“There is therefore the urgent need on the part of the IGP to direct commissioners of police to liaise with the ministries of justice, the Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the human rights community to ensure that suspects are promptly arraigned in court,” he said.

On the lining-up of suspects before the media, Falana said: “The IGP should proceed to stop the parade of suspects which has been held to be illegal by the courts.

“It is on the ground that it is prejudicial to the right of criminal suspects to fair hearing guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution.

“Since criminal suspects are presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, their parade also contravenes Section 35 of the Constitution which guarantees the dignity of their persons.”

Falana praised the decision to dismantle police check points, which he alleged have become extortion centres, adding that the roads should however be regularly patrolled and monitored by antirobbery teams so as to guarantee the safety of motorists and the security of their goods.

If this is not done, members of the public may be compelled to demand for the return of check points if the roads are taken over, once again, by armed robbers, he said.

Northern governors greet Wamakko THE Northern Governors Forum (NGF) yesterday congratulated Sokoto State Governor-elect Aliyu Wamakko and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) over Saturday’s victory.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Niger State,Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu described Wamakko’s re-election as well-deserved.

In a statement by his spokesman Malam Danladi Ndayebo, Aliyu urged Wamakko to use the fresh four years to consolidate on the “good work” he started.

He advised the PDP led government to extend a hand of fellowship to loosers, saying only an all inclusive government can bring about the desired change.

Aliyu thanked PDP supporters for their belief in the party and its leadership, urging them to continue to keep faith with it (party).

The statement urged loosers to join hands with Wamakko to develop the state.

No G-57 group in House of Reps From Osagie Otabor, Benin

A MEMBER of the House of Representatives from Owan Federal Constituency, Pally Iriase yesterday debunked insinuations that a group of 57 lawmakers attempted to subvert justice in the ongoing probe into payment of fuel subsidy.

Iriase, who addressed reporters in Benin City said the intervention of the National Assembly in the outright removal of fuel subsidy by President Goodluck Jonathan was to ensure the people live better lives.

He said the lawmakers want to have the 2012 Budget tinkered with in order to ensure that subsidy is not removed in one fell swoop.

Iriase said: “I want to assure you that the so called Group of 57 does not exist in the assembly. It was a failed attempt to bring the assembly to ridicule and break the ranks of the lawmakers. We are here to ensure that the right thing is done to the benefit of all Nigerians”

•Falana

“In view of the avowed commitment of the new police chief to reorganise the force and make it serve the public interest, the Nigerian people should stand up to defend their fundamental right to personal liberty which has been grossly abused with impunity.

“In other words, Nigerians should take advantage of the new dispensation in the Police Force by demanding for their rights instead of compromising the police,” the lawyer said.

Ogun appoints Olu of Ilaro

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•Former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala (right), Senator Hosea Agboola and a contractor to Alao-Akala’s government Mr Femi Babalola during their trial in the 11-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the High Court, Ibadan…yesterday. Story on page 8

New fees threaten peace in Ekiti varsity

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HE stage may have been set for another round of unrest at the Ekiti State University, AdoEkiti, following increase in fees.

A paid advertisement in two national dailies by the Registrar, Dr. Omojola Awosusi, on Friday announced the fees.

According to the advertisement, the new regime which ranges from N83,000 to N191,500 depending on the faculties, will start from the current session.

Governor Kayode Fayemi at his inauguration in October 15, 2010 announced a general cut in school fees, peg-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti ging it at 50 per cent of initial amounts.

For instance, in Faculty of Engineering, some of the miscellaneous fees introduced by the university, besides the N50,000 tuition fee include registration, examination, N2500, library N1500 , sports: N5,000, health centre,N7500 GST N1500, ,ID card N1500, CautionN2500, Verification N2500, Matriculation N2,000, Convocation N2,000.

Others are, IT supervision, N10,000, M.I.S N2,000,lab Worksop N5,000, Professional feeN10,000, Equipment

N5,000,, Faculty/Dept due N10,000 and handbook N1,000 making a total sum of N122,000.

The increase did not however include 400 and 500 level students.

The state government which owns the university has disowned the increase.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Eniola Ajayi, government repeated its commitment to making education affordable for the students and their parents.

The statement reads: “It has come to the notice of the Ekiti State Government that the Ekiti State University [EKSU]

on Friday, February 17, 2012 placed an advert in two newspapers, The Nation and Tribune regarding fees payable by students for the various faculties in the university for the 2011/ 2012 sessions.

“In as much as the state government recognises and respects the autonomy of EKSU, the Ekiti State government Is mindful of its promise to provide affordable education for its students and parents.

“The state has therefore ordered thorough investigation of the basis of the said publication to properly review the list for the benefit of our students.”

NEW Olu of Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government, Ogun State has been appointed. He is Prince Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Communication) to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Funmi Wakama said: “In accordance with Part II of the Chief’s Law, Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006, the government of Ogun State yesterday announced Prince Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle as the new Olu of Ilaro.

“The appointment is in succession to Oba S.A. Adekanmbi, who joined his ancestors on February 20, 2008.”

The announcement was made at a news conference addressed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Muyiwa Oladipo, shortly after the meeting of the Executive Council, presided over

by Governor Amosun.

Oladipo said the Secretary of Yewa South Local Government set the machinery in motion for the filling of the vacant stool on January 11, through the issuance of a public notice to the AsayeAgunloye Ruling House.

He said the appointment followed the due process of the law.

N6.5b fraud: Trial of Borisade, three others suffers set back

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HE trial of former Aviation Minister, Chief Babalola Borisade and three others suffered a setback yesterday following an application for adjournment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Others standing trial with Borisade are the former Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Rowland Iyayi, Tunde Dairo, a former Personal Assistant to Borisade and an Austral-

ian, George Eider; the Managing Director of Avsatel Communications Ltd. The four are standing trial over the management of the N6.5 billion Aviation Intervention Fund.

They were arraigned by the EFCC on a 15-count charge, bordering on bribetaking and forging of documents relating to aviation contract on November 19, 2009.

At the resumed hearing of the case before an Abuja High Court Judge, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Sebastine Hon

(SAN), asked for a short adjournment to enable him to meet with a key witness.

Hon said the key witness for the prosecution was an investigator with the EFCC, Mr Reuben Omosigbo, who took statements of the accused in 2009 after they were arrested.

He said that the witness (Omosigbo), who is also the investigating officer in the criminal charges against former Nasarawa State Governor Akwe Doma, had just returned to Abuja on Sunday night from Lafia.

The prosecution counsel said that he was not able to meet and discuss with the witness as at the time of the sitting because the witness was “stuck in traffic.’’

Hon, therefore, prayed the court for a “short adjournment’’ to enable him meet with the key witness.

However, counsel to Borisade, Mr Kehinde Ogunmiyiju, opposed the application for adjournment, saying that he was ready to go on.

But counsel to Iyayi, Mr Muyiwa Akinbolu did not oppose the application for a

short adjournment made by the EFCC. Also, counsel to Dairo and Eider, Mr Wale Balogun and Mr Hyeladzira Nganjiwa respectively, conceded to the short adjournment as prayed by the EFCC. Justice Abubakar Umar, therefore, adjourned the suit to Tuesday for continuation of hearing.

Umar said that since he had given two clear days for accelerated hearing in the case, the EFCC should ensure that its witness would be ready on Tuesday.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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NEWS

Nigeria, U.S. lead in illegal varsities, says Afe Babalola •ABUAD College of Law inaugurated

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ELYING on a simple search conducted on the internet, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) has said Nigeria and the United States (U.S.) have the highest number of illegal and substandard varsities in the world.

“There are many illegal universities in Nigeria. A simple search on the internet reveals that Nigeria and the U.S. have the highest number of illegal universities,” he said yesterday at the inauguration of the multi-million naira College of Law building at ABUAD to flag off the3rd Founder’s Week.

According to him, the illegal varsities are being closed down on monthly basis by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC).

Expressing concern over the state of academics across the world, Babalola said urgent measures should be instituted to reverse the trend.

The ABUAD founder, who praised the regular clampdown on illegal varsities by the NUC, urged the government to empower

N1.2b MDGs grant for NAPEP From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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HE office of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has donated N1.2 billion to 10 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The contribution is in support of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) for uplifting the poorest of the poor.

National Coordinator of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Alhaji Muktar Tafawa Balewa, who was represented by the Director, Coordination and Programmes, Mrs. Godia Bitrus Yohanna, made the disclosure during the training of participants of the CCT in Abuja.

She said, “The money the MDG gave to NAPEP is for ten states out of 36 including the FCT, making it 37. NAPEP will now take care of the other 27 states by sourcing for money to ensure that this other states are taken care of.”

BSIRS begins training From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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HE chairman of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BSIRS), Mr. Andrew Ayabam yesterday declared open a one month-long training for about 500 newly recruited graduate employees.

The training which is on capacity building for effective service delivery for revenue managers has been organised in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is being held at Steam Restaurant in Makurdi.

The new workers have been divided into four groups with each group under going training for one week.

•Mrs Dupe Babalola (left), her husband, Chief Babalola (SAN), Justice Kayode Eso (rtd), Justice Musdapher, Justice Alpha Belgore and Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (rtd) at the event…yesterday

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti the commission in the task of sanitising the industry.

Urging the Federal Government to be guided by the rules and regulations of the NUC in setting up varsities, Babalola said the NUC would be much disabled in its task if standards would have to be selectively enforced.

He said: “The role of

F

regulatory agencies, particularly the NUC for quality university education in Nigeria cannot be over emphasised. NUC is equal to the task.

“They need the cooperation of all of us both in obedience to their rules and in partnering with them to achieve success.

“There are many illegal universities in Nigeria. A simple search on the Internet reveals that Nigeria

and the U.S. have the highest number of illegal varsities. The NUC closes down these illegal universities almost on monthly basis.

They need more capacity to continue in this job they are doing.”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, praised Babalola for his contributions to the development of education and the law profession.

Describing Babalola as a

hard working, persevering, resourceful and philanthropic Nigerian whose contributions to the law profession cannot be equalled. Musdapher said the establishment of ABUAD marked the beginning of good things for the country.

The CJN said: “The greatest gift by any Nigerian to the present generation and those yet to be born is this Institution.”

Lamorde pledges to deliver on EFCC mandate

ROM the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, came yesterday an assurance that the anti-graft agency will tackle crime and other acts of corruption head on.

The commission’s assurance to bark and bite was given to Nigerians and the international community.

Lamorde spoke while hosting at the agency’s Abuja head office, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Lloyd.

In a statement by the EFCC spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, Lamorde promised to deliver on the mandate of the agency.

The statement reads: “We are aware of the expectations of Nigerians and the international community.

We shall not betray the confidence. We shall deliver on our mandate and justify the confidence reposed on us.

It (statement) said the EFCC chief appreciated the support the commission has enjoyed over the years, especially from British agencies such as the Department for International Development (DFID), the Metropolitan Police and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

Lamorde appreciated the envoy, who he noted was the first to pay him a courtesy visit since his confirmation by the Senate last week.

Responding, Lloyd promised greater support for the EFCC. The envoy said: “We would be looking forward to support in whatever way we can. If the EFCC suc-

Anti-graft agency arraigns two over counterfeiting, extortion

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HE EFCC has arraigned two fraud suspects before Justice B.O. Quadri of the Federal High Court, in Gombe, Gombe State on charges of counterfeiting, altering of the American dollar and obtaining money under false pretences.

The suspects, Sanusi Nalado and Sani Ahmed, were arraigned on a three and two-count charge respectively.

A separate statement by the commission reads: “Nalado’s road to court began in January 2010, when he approached one Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Toungo, a Gombe-based retired civil servant and convinced him into being an Islamic propagator with support from a Saudi Arabian Propagation Agency which Nalado claimed he had strong contacts with.

“Toungo was told the agency would fund all his Da’awah projects, including building of mosques, schools, vehicles and books, etc.

“He was asked to pay some money for the processing of registration documents and logistics into a Unity Bank account in Kaduna bearing Sanusi Nalado’s name.

“From time to time, Nalado kept coming back and asking for money to meet one obligation or the other, all in the guise of facilitating the receipt of the expected funds from Saudi Arabia.

“Calls were also made to assuage and reassure Toungo that his application was receiving attention and that monies to start the projects would soon be sent to him in foreign currency.

“After such calls, Nalado would make financial demands from him which he would oblige.

The money obtained from Toungo by Nalado severally totaled N7, 317,000 (seven million three hundred and seventeen naira).

“In a move to assuage the doubts of his victim, later in January 2011, Nalado brought a sealed box to Toungo’s house which he claimed contained $2 million as the first installment from the Saudi agency.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja ceeds, the international community and international investors win.”

He also commended the National Assembly for making Lamorde’s appointment a reality.

“It is a significant ap-

“Nalado told him not to open it, until prayers and purification were made on the box, while still asking Toungo to bring more money for purification.

“Toungo, at this juncture, had to report to the EFCC Gombe zonal office. Nalado was arrested in Abuja after over a year of being on his trail.

“Upon investigation, the sealed box was brought to the EFCC office and opened in the presence of both parties. The box was discovered to contain 2,353 pieces of Bank of America’s $100 notes resembling the American legal tender. Information sought from Unity Bank confirmed Nalado as the owner and operator of the account Toungo had been lodging money in.

“When the charge was read to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty.

“The EFCC counsel, Abubakar Aliyu then pleaded for a date to call his witnesses. Justice Quadri adjourned the case to March 15, 2012, for hearing while asking the accused person to be remanded in prison custody.

“Sani Ahmed was also remanded in prison custody by Justice Quadri for being in possession of fake N1000 notes.

“He was apprehended in a business centre in Gombe metropolis, where he was found to be using a computer printer to scan the N1000 notes which he would print out with the aid of a computer printer and then cut and trim to size.

“When caught, Ahmed claimed he was experimenting with it for schooling purposes but he was later found not to be a student as he earlier claimed.”

pointment because what you represent is a clear sense of direction and progress for the Commission,” he added.

In Lloyd’s entourage are: Julius Court, Team Leader on Governance, DFID and Hooman Nouruzi, Political and Press Secretary.

•Lamorde

Nigeria Police worst paid in West Africa, says Osayande NIGERIAN police are the worst paid in the West African sub-region, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Parry Osayande said yesterday.

But the officers should not despair as the Police Re-organisation Committee is set to recommend an upward review of the salary structure of the in its report.

Besides, the committee, recently constituted by President Goodluck Jonathan to reposition the police, also plans to recommend a total overhaul of the institution.

Osayande, who also chairs the reorganisation committee, spoke in chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on yesterday.

According to him, the total overhaul of the police had become imperative so as to restore its past glory. Osayande said that the committee would also recommend massive training and re-training of officers while all the existing training institutions would be rehabilitated and equipped.

He said: “So, we are going to do a major overhaul. If we may use medical parlance, a complete dialysis of the force. Then, we will now take their welfare into consideration. They are underpaid, the worst paid in West Africa. Then we shall lay emphasis on their training and retraining.

“That means, all the police institutions will be refurbished. If need be, we build more in all the geo-political zones.”

On communication gadgets for the police, Osayande maintained that the committee would recommend modern communication equipment to enable the force discharge its duties diligently and with professionalism.

“Policing involves communication because if you post three million policemen in different places and you cannot communicate with them, they are on their own on the island.

“So, emphasis will have to be on modernisation of our communication equipment throughout the length and breadth of this country and of course transportation.

“We are going to try and back police operations with science and technology. That means there will be forensic science laboratory and the rest of them.”

According to him, the police will continue to embrace professionalism to enable it enforce the laws of the land, protect lives and properties of the citizens as well as to prevent and detect crimes.

“Everybody will be a professional; a professional detective; a professional intelligent gatherer, and so on.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

8

NEWS ‘Don’t reappoint Ilaje council chair’

Aregbesola signs N150b Budget into law

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday signed the 2012 Appropriation Bill into law.

Aregbesola also signed into law the bill for the repeal of the 2012 Public Procurement Law. The House of Assembly had approved a N150.125 billion budget for this year.

Presenting the two bills to the governor for his assent, Speaker Nojeem Salam said the 26-member Assembly increased the budgetary provision from N146.674 to N150.125 billion to allow the government execute necessary programmes and projects.

‘Agunloye’s ex-domestic staff not Ondo ACN member’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE campaign organisation of Dr. Olu Agunloye, a gover-

norship aspirant of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Agunloye Campaign Organisation (ACO), has debunked the media report that Agunloye’s former personal assistant, Mr. Bolaji Tanimola, defected to the Labour Party (LP) at the weekend in Arigidi-Akoko.

In a statement yesterday by its Technical Director, Prince Deola Ayelomi, ACO said Tanimola used to be Agunloye’s domestic staff and was never a member of the ACN. The statement reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, Tanimola left Agunloye’s domestic staff last year July and has since been hobnobbing with different political parties and interest groups.

“Tanimola left his paid employment when he was confronted with evidences of his meetings with a rival candidate before the last general elections. He had been accused earlier in the year of giving information to Agunloye’s political opponents.

“Each time he was confronted, he denied ever betraying his boss. However, during a prayer session at Agunloye’s country home last July, the presiding pastor challenged whoever was doubledealing in the congregation to repent. After subsequent prayers, Tanimola stopped coming to work.

“This explanation became expedient so that the public would not be deceived.

Tanimola has never been a political aide or assistant to Agunloye. He is not a registered member of ACN and has never worked in ACO. “Tanimola is one of the many perennial habitual political jobbers, who feed on the grains of parties during election periods. His purported defection was a ploy by LP to boost its already battered ego. In 2013, ACN will take over governance in the state.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

T

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

He said the budgetary provisions for some underfunded ministries and parastatals were increased.

The Speaker said the Public Procurement Law was repealed to remove the administrative bottleneck associated with the approval of contracts.

With the repeal, he said the Tender’s Board would easily approve contracts to ensure a speedy development of the state.

Aregbesola assured the House that he would implement the budget. He said every kobo in the budget would be accounted for.

•Aregbesola flanked by Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and Salam ...yesterday

Gunman kills admission seeker A in Ibadan N unknown gunman yesterday shot and killed a 21-year-old man, Rilwan Asimiyu, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The incident occurred at Orisasola Compound, Oke Are, Beere.

It was gathered that the gunman forced his way into the house at 3am and locked the door to the room of the deceased’s grand father, Pa Muraina Lawal (98).

It was learnt that the intruder broke the door to the room where the deceased and three others were sleeping, flashed a torch at the occupants and shot Rilwan in the chest.

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

The other occupants of the room were Olalekan Ajibola (19), Olalekan Sadiq (17) and Lateef Waliu (19).

Ajibola said: “We were sleeping when someone forced his way into the room. Roused from sleep, I saw someone holding a torch and heard the sound of a gunshot. I could not identify the shooter because the room was dark.

“The man demanded for money and our handsets.

We usually keep our hand-

sets on a small table in the room. I told him we did not have money and Sadiq gave him one of the phones. Unfortunately, the phone belonged to Rilwan.

“We later discovered that the man escaped through the back door. I then removed the padlock on the door to Pa Lawal’s room so that he could come out. We wanted to take Rilwan to the hospital, but he was already dead.

“Rilwan was an easy-going person. He was preparing to write JAMB and gain admission into the universi-

ty.”

Pa Lawal said: “When I heard the sound of the gunshot, I thought something fell from the roof. I tried to go out and find out what happened, but I had been locked in. Instead of killing him, they should have come for my handset. Why would anyone kill Rilwan, who is very gentle and easygoing. “Since my wife died, Rilwan and other grandchildren have been living with me to comfort me.”

The police have taken away Rilwan’s remains for autopsy.

Police spokesman Femi Okanlawon said investigation of the incident has begun.

Alao-Akala urges court to quash charges against him F ORMER Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala yesterday urged a High Court, sitting in Ibadan, the state capital, to quash the 11-count charges levelled against him and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Alao-Akala; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters Senator Hosea Agboola; and a contractor, Mr. Femi Babalola; are on trial for alleged conspiracy, fraud, contract scams and other crimes amounting to N25 billion.

A team of four Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and 23 three lawyers ap-

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

peared for the accused persons at yesterday’s hearing.

They filed a fresh prayer that the court should quash the fraud charges.

With Alao-Akala in the dock at the State High Court 2, Ring Road, Ibadan, were Agboola and Babalola.

The EFCC raised a preliminary objection to the prayer on the basis that it was incompetent.

Prosecution counsel Mr. Godwin Obla said: “This is a public interest case and for

good case management, parties should be enjoined to file written addresses.”

Lead counsel to the accused person Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) agreed that there should be written addresses by parties and asked for a short adjournment, on the grounds that he had just been served the preliminary objection.

Fagbemi said: “There is no need to rush the court and we cannot sacrifice justice on the altar of speed. We are asking for time to respond effectively because the accused persons are fac-

ing very serious charges, which, if proved, may curtail their liberty.

“We do not want to come back and ask for an extension of time. We do not even know the content of the additional proof of evidence just filed by the prosecution as it was handed over to us this morning.”

The prosecution, in its preliminary objection, is seeking to strike out the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused persons’ motion on notice dated December 16, 2011, for being ‘incompetent’.

Justice Akintunde Boade adjourned hearing till April 26 and told the parties to file their written addresses before then.

Four dead in Lagos drivers’ clash

F

OUR people died yesterday in a clash between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Lagos Island.

Several others were injured. About 20 vehicles were vandalised.

But Police spokesman Mr. Joseph Jayeoba said there were no casualties.

He said: “There was no causality. Nobody died and none was injured. But some vehicles were vandalised and some shops ransacked.”

•20 vehicles vandalised

By Miriam Ndikanwu

A resident, Jide Olabode, said several people were injured in the mayhem, which reportedly started at 2am and lasted about five hours.

He said about 60 hoodlums from Isale Eko, allegedly loyal to a faction of the NURTW, stormed Onola, Agarawu and Itafaji on the Island with guns, iron rods and cutlasses, daring

youths loyal to the rival faction to challenge them.

Olabode said members of the local vigilance groups started blowing whistles to alert residents.

He said the action angered the invaders and they started vandalising and setting vehicles ablaze.

It was learnt that the Onola boys retaliated, attacking the other group and innocent people at the Idu-

mota and Adeniji-Adele ends of the Third Mainland Bridge.

By the time the police restored peace, four persons were dead and many injured.

Some residents said the attack by Isale Eko boys was to avenge the killing of nine of their members.

Anti-riot policemen, Rapid Response Squads and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) have been deployed in Itafaji, Idumagbo Avenue and Tom Jones.

WO prominent indigenes of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mr. Akinbowale Ayeye and Mr. Omolade Ebijimi, have approached the High Court in Akure, the state capital, seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the House of Assembly from reappointing the Caretaker Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Council, Mr. Banji Okunomo, or extending his tenure.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Okunomo were joined as third and fourth defendants in the suit.

The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Mr. Rotimi Olorunfemi, are seeking the following: “A declaration that Okunomo, by virtue of his status as an employee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who has not resigned his appointment nor proceeded on leave of absence, is not qualified for appointment as caretaker chairman by virtue of the 1999 Constitution and the extant Public Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

“An order directing the Governor and State Assembly to remove Okunomo from office as Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ilaje Local Government, being a person not qualified for such appointment.

“A perpetual injunction restraining the Governor and State Assembly from reappointing, re-presenting, screening, clearing or extending Okunomo’s tenure under any guise.”

The plaintiffs said before a person can be appointed into any political office, including council chairman, he/she must first resign his appointment as a civil servant.

They said the purported secondment claimed by the chairman is mischievous, stressing that the procedure was not approved by the Federal Civil Service Commission or NDDC. The plaintiffs said: “We are also aware of the fact that on February 29, the six-month tenure of the caretaker committee will expire and in the next few days from now, the governor will represent Okunomo to the Assembly for screening and possible tenure extension.

“If the governor and the Assembly are not restrained now, pending the final determination of this suit, the plaintiff would have suffered irreparable damages.”

No date has been fixed for hearing.

Lagos to begin cremation of bodies

By Oziegbe Okoeki

T

HE Lagos State House of Assembly will soon pass a bill endorsing the cremation of bodies.

The bill is entitled “A Bill for a Law to Provide for Voluntary Cremation of Corpses and Unclaimed Corpses in Lagos State.”

The Assembly said the heap of unclaimed bodies at stateowned mortuaries can lead to an epidemic.

The bill seeks to establish a crematorium that will take care of unclaimed bodies and other bodies, if their relatives so wish.

It will solve the problems associated with getting land for mass burials and decongest mortuaries.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

10

NEWS ACN begins door-to-door campaigns From Osagie Otabor, Benin

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Edo State has urged its members to begin door-to-door campaigns ahead of the July 14 governorship election.

It also asked leaders of the party to go back to their villages and inform the people on the need to protect their voter’s cards.

The party’s leaders spoke at an expanded state executive meeting held in Benin City yesterday.

The Chairman, Thomas Okosun, said more than 70 groups have declared their intention to work to return Governor Adams Oshiomhole as governor.

National Vice-Chairman (Southsouth) Osagie Ize-Iyamu said: “It is time to stop quarrelling over who becomes deputy governor. It is time to unite and put an end to factions in the party.

Don’t listen to stories about division. We are united and one big family.”

Deputy Governor Pius Odubu promised to abide by whatever decision reached by party leaders over the choice of a deputy governor.

Oshiomhole said many on-going projects in the state will be completed before the rains.

Rivers Assembly approves budget From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

T

HE Rivers State House of Assembly has approved N438 billion budget for the 2012 fiscal year.

The budget is N11 billion more than the N427 billion Governor Chibuike Amaechi sought for in the 2012 Appropriation Bill.

The bill was unanimously approved by the 23 lawmakers present.

Speaker Otelemaba Amachree said: “This shows that this year’s Appropriation Bill of N438 billion is hereby passed into law.”

The Committee on Appropriation, which recommended the additional fund, said the extra amount was to assist the governor impact more on the various agencies and departments of government.

The committee also said the additional fund would be used for unspecified projects.

New Speaker for Bayelsa

T

HE Bayelsa State House of Assembly yesterday elected Kombowei Benson (Southern-Ijaw Constituency III) as its speaker.

This followed the resignation of Nestor Binabo, who acted as governor until he handed over to Seriake Dickson, the winner of the February 11 election.

“You all know that I and the governor are from the same senatorial district and it is therefore natural I vacate the seat,’’ Binabo said in his letter of resignation.

The News Agency of Ni-

geria (NAN) reports that the members accepted the resignation and nominated as speaker pro tempore, Tonye Isenah of the Labour Party, (Kolokuma/Opokuma I Constituency I).

But Isenah organised an election to fill the vacuum.

Ayobegha James (Nembe Constituency II) nominated Benson.

He was seconded by Alfred Egba (Yenagoa Constituency I).

Benson, who was the Chief Whip, thanked the House for his election, and promised to carry every member along.

Experts to inspect oil spills From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

T

HE Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) has engaged the services of environmentalists to access the impact of oil spills in riverine communities.

In a statement by National President Godspower Odenema and National Secretary Moses Omo-lkirodah, the group said it was disturbed by the massive and colossal environmental devastation and destruction being caused by oil spills from Shell and Chevron facilities in the last two months.

The statement said the National Executive Council (NEC) decided to engage environmentalists to assess the damages done to the communities, especially in Delta and Bayelsa states.

The statement said the team has two weeks to go about its findings, adding that the group’s reaction will be determined by the findings of the team.

Group petitions governor HE IJAW Peoples Congress (IPC) has called on Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to dissolve the Ayakoromo Rehabilitation Committee (ARC) for failing to utilise the N50 million donation for rehabilitation.

It, however, said the money has not been deployed satisfactorily for the purpose of the donation.

A statement by its National President, Ekanpou Enewaridideke, said the donation was channelled to other means rather than what it was meant for.

He noted that the people have been “dictatorially

T

starved of convincing explanation over the utilisation of the fund.

“This is clearly a dangerous objectification of Ayakoromo people by the insensitive and above-thelaw AYC and this must stop now.

“The ARC channelled the fund to building a market, three houses and a guest house without the involvement of architects and engineers.

“And now the market and the so-called guest houses have been seemingly abandoned without any explanation just as they embarked upon the project without any explanation.”

•Oshiomhole (second right); Obudu (second left); ACN chieftain Tom Ikimi (right) and Ize-Iyamu at the meeting…yesterday

Akwa Ibom tribunal strikes out ACN’s petition T

HE Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal yesterday struck out the petitions filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and two others.

ACN ‘s governorship candidate John Akpanudoedehe and his running mate, Ime Umanah, are challenging the declaration of Governor Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Nsima Ekere, as the winners of last April 26 election.

The tribunal’s chair, Justice Ayuba Kwajafa, based his judgment on the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Borno State governorship suit between Governor Kashim Shettima of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Mohammed Goni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Kwajafa said: “In view of the Supreme Court judgment of February 17 involving ANPP candidate,

•Relies on Supreme Court verdict •Party flays decision From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Alhaji Kashim Shettima and the PDP candidate, Alhaji Mohammed Goni, the tribunal hereby strikes out the petition.”

The Supreme Court had, on Friday, held that Section 285(6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is unambiguous that election tribunals cannot hear election cases after 180 days.

At the resumed hearing, Akpabio’s counsel Duro Adeyele (SAN) had challenged the competence of the tribunal to continue to entertain the matter after the Supreme Court had delivered its judgment on it.

‘Even the judge noted in this matter that the Supreme Court appeared to be reversing itself and the matter should have gone back to them for reinterpretation. We are surprised at the tribunal’s decision’ His words: “The Supreme Court has made it clear that any petition that is not decided within 180 days is dead on arrival.

“I urge your lordship to strike out the matter.”

ACN’s lawyer Dapo Akinosun, who had expected the tribunal to make a ruling on the continuation of inspection of electoral materials filed by the petitioners, was however, disappointed when the matter was struck out based on the decision of the Supreme Court.

Akinosun said: “The decision of the tribunal to strike out the petition is absurd.

“I have seen situations where the Supreme Court has reversed itself on several issues.

“Even the judge noted in this matter that the Supreme Court appeared to be reversing itself and the matter should have gone back to them for re-interpretation.

We are surprised at the tribunal’s decision.

“But because we are law abiding people we will appeal against the tribunal’s ruling.”

Ameachi blames insecurity on poverty

R

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Ameachi has blamed the security challenges in the country on poverty.

He urged the ruling class to address injustice as a way of tackling poverty.

Ameachi spoke at the opening of the Policy Dialogue on Oil and Gas management in Federal Countries, with the theme: “Ensuring Transparency and Accountability”.

The governor also warned that the poverty level, which stands at 71 per cent, might rise if not checked.

The one-day policy dialogue was organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Amaechi said: “Efforts must be made to alleviate

•Uduaghan: Niger Deltans are short-changed From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

poverty.”

Relating poverty to the unrest in the country, Ameachi said: “Violence itself is only a resistance to injustice.

“Those within and around the corridors of power must make efforts towards alleviating poverty.

“Religion is a mere weapon in the hands of those already lying below poverty lines.

“The earlier the ruling class begins to address poverty, the better for the country.

“And the way forward is proper management of resources” and diversification of the economy in such a way that it gives equal opportunities to all.”

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said the country’s figure of 2.4million barrels per day production of crude oil was false.

He said after over 50 years of oil production, the country does not have the correct data of its daily production.

The governor bemoaned the inability of the country to appropriately channel

the proceeds accrued from its resources.

Uduaghan said the people of the Niger Delta are not getting what they ought to from their resources mainly because of lack of transparency in the oil and gas industry.

He, therefore, submitted that except the country addresses the issue of transparency in the management of oil and gas, it would not be able to get the maximum benefit from the resources.

The governor gave assurance that the Niger Delta governors would ensure that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is passed.

Chime knows fate April 23 From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

•Chime

A

N Abuja Federal High Court has fixed April 23 for judgment in a suit challenging the nomination of Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime as

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate.

Justice Adamu Bello fixed the date yesterday after parties adopted their consolidated written addresses.

A PDP governorship aspirant, Alexander Obiechina, is asking the court to nullify Chime’s nomination.

In the suit filed by his counsel, Oba Maduabuchi, Obiechina urged the court to declare that the purported primary held on January 12,

which produced Chime as the second defendant’s (PDP’s) governorship candidate did not comply with the Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act. The section states: “A registered political party shall give the commission at least 21 days notice of any convention, congress, conference or meeting concerned for the purpose of electing members of its executive committee, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices under this

Act.” Adopting her address yesterday, Chime’s counsel Mrs. A. J Offiah said the action is speculative and academic as it discloses no cause of action against the defendant.

Stating that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi, Mrs. Offiah said the written address of the plaintiff against the preliminary objection of the governor is incompetent.

The PDP in its preliminary objection asked the court to dismiss the case for lacking in merit.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

We are going to put out adverts for advisers, who will advise us on how to sell the nationalised banks. We will let the process be transparent and run its course, but it may take about 12 to 18 months.

- Mustafa Chike-Obi, MD, AMCON

• From left: Peter Stephenson, former Director, United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI); Olusegun Aganga, Minister, Trade and Investment; Banjo Adegbohungbe, Group Head, Global Payment, Access Bank Plc and Ayuli Jemide, Detail Solicitors, at the Access Bank sponsored Trade Forum in London ... yesterday.

Naira sustains rally as dollar demand falls

T

HE naira sustained its rally against the United States dollar on the interbank market yesterday as demand for the dollar fell at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bi-weekly auction.

The local currency, according to Reuters news, closed at N157.60 to the dollar on the interbank, stronger than the N157.70 to the dollar Friday’s closed.

At yesterday’s foreign exchange auction, the CBN sold $145.27 million at N156.10 to the dollar, less than the $250 million it initially offered. The regulator sold $350 million at N156.40 to the dollar at the previous auction on Wednesday.

CBN sells foreign exchange at a bi-weekly auction to importers and endusers through their banks and charges one per cent commission on every dollar sold.

“The naira was cheaper at the interbank market than the central bank’s effective rate at some point, so it does not make sense for customers to buy at the official window,” one dealer said.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$123.6/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.7% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $33.01b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 245 $ 156.4 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 241 RIYAL 40.472

Senate probes N2tr pension fund payments T

HE Senate panel probing the man agement of the pension scheme yesterday said the Federal Government has paid over N2trillion to unspecified number of retirees under the new scheme pension scheme.

Chairman, Senate Joint Committee investigating management of the pension scheme, Senator Aloysius Etok, stated this in Abuja.

He said the Federal Government spends over N3 billion monthly as pension payment to retired civil servants.

Etok noted that contrary to reports that the Federal Government paid N700

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst.

Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

billion to pensioners under the new scheme, preliminary investigation showed that over N2 trillion was paid to retirees.

He, however, insisted that it would be hasty to allege fraud in the payments.

Etok said Senate was worried that despite the huge amount paid by the Federal Government, many retirees were yet to get their entitlement.

The lawmaker noted that the probe committee

was inundated with complaints by retired civil servants over the delay in the payment of the retirement benefits.

Etok, who said the committee was worried over the plight of retirees, assured that it would, through the investigative hearing, work out the best way to administer the pension fund.

He explained that the essence of the ongoing zonal investigative hearing was to work out a more effective strategy for the disbursement of the pension fund to the retir-

ees.

He also said the Senate would likely make case for colonial day’s civil servants.

He said: ”This committee has also noted with deep concern the compliants/ appeals of Nigerians who served during the colonial days as civil servants.

They had served for years that would have qualified them for pensions and gratuity but had their careers terminated as a result of the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War. “These pre-civil war civil servants are pleading that those years in which they meritoriously served the nation before the civil war should not be in vain.”

BPE delays power privatisation as bids open September T HE timeframe for sell ing off state-owned power assets has been pushed back again.

Financial bids of prospective investors for the privatisation of the successor companies created from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) will open between September 25 and October 10, 2012, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said yesterday. This is another setback for reforms, which investors hope will unlock the potential of the country.

The shift is coming on a day the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) warned electricity distribution companies not to charge their customers rates outside what was approved by it last year.

“According to the revised bid timeline issued to investors by the privatisation agency, the announcement of the preferred bidders for the 17 successor companies ... will be made on/or before October 23, 2012,” a BPE statement said.

It said part of the reason for the delay was the need to address concerns raised by power industry officials

• NERC warns firms over unapproved charges

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

at a conference with the Nigerian government in November.

The Bureau will issue revised legal documents to the bidders on March 30, 2012 while April 20, 2012 is the deadline for receiving comments by bidders on the legal documents.

The distribution/issuance of final bid documents is on May 11, 2012, while deadline for submission of technical and financial bids is July 31, 2012.

The revised transaction timeline reveals that the evaluation of the technical bids will take place between August 14 and 28, this year. The NCP will approve the results of the technical evaluation on/ or before September 11, 2012.

The deadline for the shortlisted bidders for generation companies to submit their letters of credit is September 18, 2012 while October 2, 2012 is for

shortlisted bidders for distribution companies.

Frequent electricity blackouts have long been a brake on growth in subSaharan Africa’s second biggest economy and economists say solving the problems could launch Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth from its current rate around seven per cent a year into double-digits.

Nigeria was hoping to produce 6,000 megawatts of power by the end of this year, up from the current 4,000. This would still only scratch the surface of the minimum 40,000 megawatts needed for a nation of around 160 million people.

Nigeria estimates it will need $10 billion a year of investment over the next decade to meet its energy needs.

The warning NERC is coming on the heels of increasing number of petitions and complaints received by the Commission

that some of the Distribution Companies are cashing in on the recent media reports over planned increase in the electricity tariff and charging their customers rates other than those approved by the Commission.

NERC disclosed this in a statement.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, said: “No tariff increase has been announced. Chief Executive Officers of distribution companies, who collect tariffs beyond what was approved last year, are operating in disobedience of the industry’s regulations.

“It is an offence to charge rates outside the approved tariff regime. Any erring distribution company will be made to refund its customers money collected in excess of the approved tariffs.”

He said the Commission will not spare any chief executive officer of errant electricity distribution company as applicable sanctions stipulated in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 will be meted out on those breaching the Act.

Oil rises to eight-month high on Iran, China moves

O

IL prices climbed to their highest in more than eight months yesterday, pushing Brent crude above $120 a barrel as Iran cut off oil exports to Britain and France while economic developments in Asia and Europe lifted riskier assets.

Monetary policy easing

by China, hopes for a Greek bailout and a slide in the United States dollar buoyed prices, which have risen more than eight per cent this month to trade at their highest since the Libyan civil war constricted exports last April and May. Hedge funds, according to Reuters news, have also boosted their bullish bets on oil to the highest since May, according to regulatory data.

Brent crude rallied as high as $121.15 a barrel during the thinly traded day, but later pared gains as traders reckoned that Iran’s retaliatory ban on shipments to the UK and France had more political than practical impact.

April Brent settled at $120.05 a barrel, up 47 cents or 0.4 per cent on the day, the first close above $120 since June 15.

Trading volume of under 140,000 lots was only about one-quarter the daily average due to the US President’s Day holiday.

‘IOC buys Nigerian light crude’

I

NDIAN Oil Corp (IOC), the country’s largest re finer, has bought Nigerian light crude and Egyptian heavy crude in two tenders, traders said yesterday.

IOC bought a 950,000-barrel cargo of Qua Iboe and the same volume of Escravos for April loading. The seller was Trafigura, traders said, but this was not confirmed.

In a separate tender, IOC bought Egyptian Ras Gharib from another trading house, the traders said. It was rare for the company to issue a tender by buy heavy crude.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

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LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

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LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

the subsidy was removed.

Nigeria’s consumer inflation rose to 12.6 per cent year-on-year in January, compared with 10.3 per cent the previous month, NBS said..

Analysts polled by Reuters expected January headline inflation to rise to 11.75 per cent.

“The biggest contributors to the consumer inflation were the high prices of some food items, liquid fuel and transport fares, and other miscellaneous goods and services, which need liquid

fuel and or transport fares for providing their services,” an NBS document said.

Food inflation, the biggest contributor to the headline figure, rose to 13.1 per cent, up from 11 per cent in December, NBS said.

The partial removal of the fuel subsidies push food triggered a spike in food prices.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) kept its benchmark interest rate on hold at 12 per cent for the second time in a row last month on expectations that any upward movement in inflation from the removal of fuel import subsidies would be short-term.

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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1. Dana

NFLATION rate grew to 12.6 per cent in yearly estimates for last month, after the government removed fuel import subsidies and then only partially reinstated them, sending prices higher.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which released the figures yesterday, blamed the spike in inflation rates on fuel prices going up, which then forced up the costs of food and other commodities.

The government scrapped the subsidies on January 1 but was forced to partially reinstate them to quell protests over the costs of petrol. Fuel prices fell but stayed higher than they had been before

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

Inflation rises on fuel subsidy removal I

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LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

• From left: Head Consumer Banking, FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Funke Smith; Group Head, Lagos Mainland (Retail Banking), Mr Seyi Oyefeso; Group Head, Products & Marketing Support, Mrs. Ezinne Obikile; Deputy Manager, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr Ita Calix and KPMG’s Mr Martins Olajide, at the maiden draw of the ongoing FirstBank Save & Excel Promo,in Lagos.

UBA sells N100b bad loans to AMCON

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NITED Bank for Africa PLC (UBA) sold non-performing loans worth N100 billion to the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in the 2011 financial year.

In what indicated the over-exposure that was the precursor of the banking industry crisis, the bank said N15 billion out of the N100 billion bad assets were due to Zenon Petroleum alone.

During a presentation of report of the bank to capital market stakeholders yesterday in Lagos, UBA Group Managing Director, Mr Philip Oduoza, said it has cleansed its balance sheet and repositioned the bank for profitability.

He gave more insights into the warning issued by the bank that it would likely declare losses for its 2011 financial year.

He said: ”We have effectively closed the chapter of non-performing assets by this decision. We have a very clean balance sheet and are

• To list subsidiaries

By Tonia Osundolire

poised to begin to make good returns.”

He noted that UBA’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) was strong at 18 per cent, far above the regulatory minimum of 10 per cent with Liquidity Ratio of 48 per cent compared to regulatory minimum of 60 per cent.

Oduoza restated that UBA remains on track to declare a gross profit of N15.1 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2012 while profit after tax is also projected at N12.1 billion for the same period.

“We are very confident that we would achieve our first quarter forecasts. We have carried out a lot of changes in the bank including top management changes. We have been investing a lot in Africa.

We have 19 African countries and what we have seen starting from

this year shows that so much revenue is coming from Africa,” Oduoza said.

He said the bank has also started arrangement on how to list some of its African subsidiaries, especially UBA Ghana, through a dual listing on both the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Ghana Stock Exchange.

According to him, Nigerian shareholders are in a very comfortable position with the investments the bank is making. “The cost-income ratio has dropped by a substantial number and the bank has been sowing the seeds and this is the time to get the benefits,” he said.

Oduoza pointed out that the UBA Ghana yields about $3 million to the group’s earning monthly.

According to him, investments in Africa are contributing about 1516 per cent growth to the group and the percentage could increase to 20 per cent by the end of the year.

Manufacturers’ IPP ready before December

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FTER about three years of its conceptualisation,the Manufacturers in Lagos State, under the umbrella Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said its Independent Power Project (IPP) initiative will start before the end of this year.

Speaking with The Nation, the Chairman, Infrastructure Committee of MAN, Mr Reginald Odiah, said the power intervention initiative of the association is aimed at arresting the epileptic energy crisis confronting manufacturers in the country.

Odiah reaffirmed the commitment of manufacturers to go ahead with the project, adding that about 2000 firms will be involved.

• 2000 firms to be connected

By Toba Agboola

“I can confidently tell you that before the end this year the IPP project will be ready and a number of our plants will come on stream.

That is for certain because we have gone very far.

“To further demonstrate our commitment to make sure that this project sees the light of the day, we have gone ahead to negotiate the tariff that out members will pay to the service providers. At the moment we are partnering with an independent body and we hope to come up with something very soon,“ he said.

Specifically, he said funding remained the major hindrance that had prevented the initiative from taking off, adding that, since MAN remained a Non-Governmental Organisation, it was constrained with meagre resources at its disposal.

Already, he said MAN has identified about 28 clusters to enable it put together power plants for its members across the country with each cluster generating about five to 60 mega watts or more.

He said MAN has identified investors who are willing to partner with the association to construct, generate and supply power to the different clusters for onward transmission to manufacturers.

NAPEP gets N1.2b for poverty alleviation From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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HE Office of the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) has released N1.2billion to 10 states in support of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) for uplifting of the poor.

The National Co-ordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Alhaji Muktar Tafawa Balewa, who was represented by the Director, Coordination and Programmes, Mrs. Godia Bitrus Yohanna, disclosed this during the training of participants for CCT in Abuja.

She said soon NAPEP will meet up with international standard.

“The money the MDGs gave to NAPEP is for 10 states out of 36 including the FCT making it 37.

NAPEP will now take care of the other 27 states by sourcing for money to ensure that this other states are taken care of.

“At present, NAPEP is liaising with the World Bank to ensure proper implementation strategy for 2012. There was a problem with the implementation of the former CCT strategy. That is what we are working on right now to ensure proper implementation.

“There has to be data in place for proper identification, like name, number of house hold, authentic house addresses etc, earlier, we have had accusation where they say most addresses are fake, that is why proper data is necessary.

“The staff in the meeting today are being trained to go into the rural areas, locate the poorest of the poor, as NAPEP will use them in reaching out to this group of people who in turn will have access to CCT. “The target of NAPEP is to reach out to 19,000 families. This still part of 2011 scheme. It is a capital project and will expire in 2012.

Chevron begins drilling of relief well

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

C

HEVRON Nigeria Limited (CNL) has begun the process of drilling a relief well to seal the shallow water Funiwa 1A natural gas well. The relief well is being drilled to extinguish a fire that began January 16 at the original well, approximately six miles (10 km) off the coast of Nigeria.

The company also said extensive testing from the well incident shows no threat to human health and environmental impacts were limited and contained to the incident site offshore. It affirmed that no oil was spilled or flowed from the natural gas well since the incident occurred.

CNL drilling plans will enable the cementing and abandonment of the Funiwa 1A well. The relief well is being drilled by the Transocean Baltic rig with approvals from Nigerian authorities.

The spokesman of the company, Mr Femi Odumabo, in a statement, quoted the Chairman/Managing Director of Chevron’s Nigeria/ Mid-Africa business unit, Andrew Fawthrop as saying: “CNL shares the concerns of the people of Nigeria about this incident. We have engaged with residents of the shoreline communities to listen to their concerns, explain what has happened and demonstrate our extensive response.”

He said CNL continues to conduct regular monitoring flights over the incident site and beaches.

The water and shorelines have been extensively videotaped and photographed, providing recorded verification that they have not been affected. CNL employs 30 area residents to conduct daily walking inspections of 88 kilometres of shoreline.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, LAGOS DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

S/N

1. MR OHANYEREM HARRISON LATE OF 37B, ADENIRAN AJAO CRESCENT, ANTHONY VILLAGE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 25TH FEBRUARY, 2005 AT PORTHARCOURT, RIVERS STATE. 2. MR. ADEBAYO OLUFEMI BANKOLE KNOWN AS BANKOLE ADEBAYO OLUFEMI LATE OF 55, SHOGBALA STREET, SABO, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 13TH MARCH, 2010 AT ABEOKUTA 3. COL. ABRAHAM ADEYEMI OLUSANYA FAKIYA KNOWN AS A.A.O. FAKIYA LATE OF 2A, MARINE ROAD, APAPA WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 25TH DAY OF DEC., 2009 AT LAGOS..

4. MR. OKOYE DEMIAN OGUEJIOFOR KNOWN AS DEMIAN OGUEJIOFOR OKOYE LATE OF 1, WATCH TOWER AVENUE, IJEGUN SATELLITE TOWN, IJEGUN, ALGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 14TH MAY, 2011 AT ANAMBRA STATE. 5. ODOFIN JOSEPH OLATUNJI KNOWN AS OLATUNJI ODOFIN LATE OF 51, LAWANSON ROAD, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 20TH OCTOBER, 2009 AT LAGOS. 6. BALOGUN VICTORIA KNOWN AS IDIATU ADEDADA LATE OF 5, RAHIMISHOYIGA, AGA, IKORODU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 14TH OCTOBER, 2010 AT IKORODU, LAGOS. 7. MR. ERNEST ANONYE MBALEWE KNOWN AS MBALEME ERNEST LATE OF 7, MOSHALASHI STREET, SHOMOLU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 6TH JULY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 8. MR. JOHN IKHENEMOH LATE OF 37, WILMER CRESCENT, OLODI APAPA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 11TH MARCH, 2010 AT LAGOS. 9. MR. FRANCIS OLEFOROM LATE OF 16, CALCULTA CRESCENT, APAPA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 8TH JULY, 2008 AT IMO STATE. 10. CHIEF EBENEZER FOLORUNSHO OKE KNOWN AS CHIEF EBENEZER FOLORUNSO OKE AND OKE EBENEZER FOLORUNSHO LATE OF 7, OLANNI OLANREWAJU STREET, LEKKI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 29TH NOVEMBER, 2010 AT LAGOS. 11. MR. OLUKAYODE ALLINSON KNOWN AS DR. IYOWUM ISHOLA OLUKAYODE ALLINSON AND DR. ISHO IYOWUM OLUKAYODE ALLINSON LATE OF 5, ALFRED OLAIYI STREET, AWUSA ESTATE, OPEBI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 20TH NOVEMBER, 2008 AT LAGOS. 12. MR. MADUKA PAUL LATE OF 31, OLOTO STREET, EBUTE METTA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 23RD JULY, 2008 AT ANAMBRA STATE. 13. AYANBOLA ROSELINE ODEDIRAN KNOWN AS IYANBOLA ROSELINE ODEDIRAN AND MRS. IYANBOLA A. ROSELINE LATE OF 10, BAYO AKOLEYAN STREET, IKORODU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 28TH JUNE, 2010 AT IKORODU, LAGOS. 14. MR. JEREMIAH ANIMASHAUN LATE OF 13, HOGGAN BASSEY CRESCENT, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 17TH MAY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 15. MRS. UMEH- OFFOR IFEOMA B. KNOWN AS IFEOMA BENEDINE OFFOR (MRS) AND UME- OFFOR IFEOMA B. LATE OF 221A, RED STREET, JAKANDE ISOLO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 24TH NOVEMBER, 2010 AT ENEUGU. 16. HELEN OFEIMUN LATE OF 6, ODUNLAMI STREET, ANTHONY, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 17TH OCTOBER, 2010 AT IKEJA, LAGOS. 17. MR. ADEBOWALE ADETAYO KNOWN AS VICTOR LATE OF 114 ROAD, HOUSE 8, GOWON ESTATE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 14TH MARCH, 2008 AT LAGOS. 18. EYITOPE OLORUTOYOSI OSOARE KNOWN AS MRS. OSOARE EYITOPE OLORUNTOYOSI AND OSOARE EYITOPE LATE OF 3, BAOKU STREET, IKATE, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 1ST FEBRUARY, 2011 AT MAKURDI. 19. ABUDU RAMON AMODU ADEBAYO KNOWN AS RAMON ADEBAYO AMODU AND MR. AMODU RAMON ADEBAYO LATE OF 65, MAFOLUKU ROAD, OSHODI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 1ST MARCH, 2011 AT LAGOS. 20. OSUMBA FATIMO LATE OF MATOGUN VILLAGE, IFO, OGUN STATE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 18TH NOVEMBER, 1980 AT MATOGUN VILLAGE, IFO, OGUN STATE. 21. CHIEF FELIX I. CHUKWUGBO LATE OF 3, NEW CRESCENT PROTOTYPE HOUSING ESTATE, SATELLITE TOWN, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2008 AT ANAMBRA STATE. 22. MR. MICHAEL SOJI AKINPELU KNOWN AS MR. AKINPELU MICHAEL SOJI LATE OF 49, MOBOLUWADURO ROAD, ALAGBADO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 25TH MARCH, 2009 AT LAGOS. 23. MRS. ARINOLA ABIMBOLA ENEOBONG LATE OF 1ST AVENUE, 11 ROAD, BLOCK 13, FLAT 3, F.H.A FESTAC TOWN, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 14TH MAY, 2004 AT ABUJA. 24. REBECCA ADEYANJU A. ALAKIJA LATE OF 2, AWOYOKU STREET, ONIPANU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 9TH AUGUST, 2004 AT LONDON. 25. NOAH IYABODE JOSEPHINE KNOWN AS MRS. NOAH IYABODE LATE OF HOUSE 11, CALABAR CLOSE, AGBARA ESTATE, OGUN STATE WHO SIED INTESTATE ON THE 20TH JANUARY, 2009 AT LAGOS. 26. CHIEF JOSEPH UDUIMO MAIKI LATE OF 46, ADEBOLA STREET, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 26TH DECEMBER, 2002 AT LAGOS. 27. GREGOIRE ZOCLI CODJO KNOWN AS ZOCLI CODJO GREGOIRE LATE OF 223, CLOSE, BANANA ISLAND,LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 10TH APRIL, 2009 AT BENIN REPUBLIC. 28. MRS. RASHIDA OLUWALOSE YAKUBU KNOWN AS MRS. OLUWALOSE RASHIDI LATE OF 5, RUFAI STREET, PALMGROOVE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 21ST FEBRUARY, 2002 AT LAGOS. 29. IBRAHIM WAIDI(ALAHAJI) LATE OF 39, OKEPOPO STREET, LAGOS ISALND, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 19TH JUNE, 2010 AT LAGOS. 30. RAPHAEL CHUKWUEMEKA OBISIRIKE KNOWN AS OLOLOLO LATE OF 17, IFELODUN STREET, AMUKOKO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2007 AT LAGOS. 31. MRS. ESTHER ASEMOTA LATE OF NO. 16. ADEBOYE STREET, IJORA- BADIA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 15TH DECEMBER, 2009 AT LAGOS. 32. ADENOLA ROTIMI OMOBOWALE LATE OF 5, ADEWALE ADEDAYO STREET, BARIGA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 26TH JANUARY, 2010 AT LAGOS. 33. MRS. VICTORIA JOLADE KUFORIJI LATE OF 2, LIWORO AVENUE, G.R.A, IJEBU ODE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 21ST FEBRUARY, 1998 AT LAGOS. 34. MR. ANTHONY BENJAMIN ORUH KNOWN AS ORUH BENJAMIN ANTHONY LATE OF 40, MOSAFEJO ROAD, AMUKOKO, APAPA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 19TH JANUARY, 2010 AT LAGOS. 35. CHIEF NELSON ADEYEMI KUFORIJI LATE OF LIWORO AVENUE, G.R.A, IJEBU ODE, OGUN STATE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 24TH FEBRUARY, 1986 AT LAGOS. 36. CPL. JOSHUA M. EKANEM LATE OF PAN AFRICK ESTATE OPP. OJO CANTONMENT, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 3RD SEPTEMBER, 2010 AT LAGOS. 37. MR. JOSHUA OLUFEMI JULIUS OTHERWISE KNOWN AS OLUFEMI JULIUS JOSHUA LATE OF NO. 6, SHITTU STREET, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 25TH AUGUST, 2011 AT LAGOS. 38. MR. BERNARD AGANWONYI LATE OF 111, ROAD, A CLOSE, BLOCK 1, FLAT 15, FESATC TOWN, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 6TH NOVEMBER, 2009 AT LAGOS. 39. JULIET OGHENEVWOGAGA IKOLO KNOWN AS MISS. JUL;IET IKOLO LATE OF ROAD 49, HOUSE 171 C, V.G.C, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 19TH DECEMBER, 2010 AT LAGOS. 40. MR. FRANK OLUSOJI AFANU LATE OF 88, AJIKE OGUNSANYA STREET, OFF AGO PALACE WAY, OKOTA , LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 3RD APRIL, 2010 AT LAGOS. 41. MR. JOSEPH ADEBAYO ADEBOBOYE KNOWN AS ADEBOBOYE JOSEPH ADEBAYO LATE OF 24, LUCINA JOSEPH SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED IBTESTATE ON THE 12TH JUNE, 2008 AT LAGOS. 42. SAIBU KAMORU LATE OF 72, SHOGBAMU STREET, BARIGA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 30TH JANUARY, 2005 AT LAGOS. 43. EKECHI NWEKE LATE OF ROOM 3, BLOCK A, N.R.C MARINA BEACH, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 19TH JANUARY, 2008 AT LAGOS. 44. BALOGUN BAMIKOLE LATE OF 32, BALE DADA ST., ABORU WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 25TH DAY OF JUNE 2007 AT LAGOS. 45. MUKAILA AROWOSAYE AREMU OTHERWISE KNOWN AS MUKAILA A. AREMU LATE OF 6, IGBAJA ST., AMUKOKO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 15TH DAY OF APARIL, 2010 AT LAGOS. 46. OLATUNJI AKINRINSOLA MACAULAY KNOWN AS M,ACAULAY OLATUNJI LATE OF 21, ALOF ST., LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 11TH DAY OF SEPT., 2011 AT LAGOS. 47. ONYEKEACHONAM SIMON KNOWN AS SIMON ONYEACHONAM LATE OF 6, KOLEX CLOSE, OFF ADESIANA IJESHA, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 24TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 48. AKANULOR JOHN CHIMA LATE OF 24, OBA KABIRU, AGBABIAKA ST., AGO-OKOTA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 6TH DAY OF JANAUARY, 2010 AT UMUAHIA ABIA STATE. 49. MRS YEMISI OSUSANYA LATE OF 5, KOREDE KOLAPO CLOSE, OWODE AJAH, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 20TH DAY OF OCT., 2010 AT IKEJA, LAGOS. 50. MR BABAFEMI AKINOLA ADEKOYA KNOWN AS ADEKOYA AKINOLA BABAFEMI LATE OF 3, BARRET ST., LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 31ST DAY OF OCT., 2010 AT LAGOS. 51. JOSEPH PIUS KUAO LATE OF 37, MODUPE JOHNSON CRESCENT, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 12TH DAY OF JAN., 1981 AT LAGOS. 52. MRS. PATIENCE CHUKWUEMEKA KNOWN AS MRS CHUKWUEMEKA PATIENCE LATE OF 30, ODUDUWA ST., OWORONSOKI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 25TH DAY OF JULY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 53. ALHAJI MUIBI AYINOLA OLOKO KNOWN AS ALHAJI M.O. AYINOLA LATE OF 2, ILUBO COMPOUND OJO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 25TH DAY OF SEPT., 2011 AT LAGOS. 54. PETER OFOEGBU LATE OF NO.2, KOJO ST., AJEGUNLE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 16TH DAY OF MARCH, 2003 AT LAGOS. 55. NWAULU SATURDAY LATE OF 7, ASHIMOWU ABEO ST., SARI IGANMU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 2ND DAY OF NOV., 2011 AT LAGOS. 56. MR ETIM WILLIE UMOH LATE OF 2, ABIODUN OSHOWOLE CLOSE, IKEJA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 6TH DAY OF MAY, 2011 AT UYO AKWA IBOM STATE. 57. MR LINUS ETIM OKOKON LATE OF 32, OLAYEMI ST., SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 12TH DAY OPF JANUARY, 2005 AT LAGOS. 58. GENERAL JOSEPH EWUBARE OTHERWISE KNOWN AS GEN. JOSEPH O. EWUBARE LATE OF BLK. 64, PLOT 23, OLANREWAJU NINELOWO CRESCENT, LEKKI PHASE 1, LAGOSS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 1ST DAY OF JULY, 2009 AT LAGOS. 59. ANTHONY CHIDOZIE AKOSIM (MR) ALSO KNOWN AS AKOSIM ANTHONY CHIDOZIE LATE OF 9, PALACE ROAD, OLODI- APAPA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 10TH JANUARY, 2007 AT ANAMBRA STATE. 60. MR SYLVESTER CHUKS MONYE KNOWN AS SYLVESTER NONYE AND CHUKS AKPADOMONYE LATE OF 6, OGBERU ST., SONGOTEDO, LEKKI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 15TH DAY OF SPET,. 2011 AT LAGOS. 61. MRS. ADEDOYIN OYEBOLA OKUBANJO (NEE ODETOYE) LATE OF 7, SAMUEL AWOFUSI STREET, ALAGBOLE, OGUN STATE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 29TH DAY OF JULY, 2011 AT OSHOGBO, OSUN STATE. 62. MRS MORENIKE OLAPEJU ONANUGA KNOWN AS MISS MORENIKE OLAPEJU AJIDAGBA LATE OF CLOSE 5, HOUSE 5, SATELLITE TOWN, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 27TH DAY OF JUINE, 2005 AT LAGOS. 63. MR OGUNMOLU ISAAC OLAITAN LATE OF 20, ISHAGA ROAD, MBA ST., SOMOLU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 16TH DAY OF DEC.,2009 AT LAGOS. 64. TAJUDEEN ADENIYI ADEGBUYI KNOWN AS ADEGBUYI TAJUDEEN ADENIYI LATE OF 24, AKINYELE ST., AGUDA, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 20TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2011 AT LAGOS. 65. GRACE ADENIKE AKINFE KNOWN AS MRS AKINFE GRACE LATE OF 3, NIYILOLA ST., ORILE COKER, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 16TH DAY OF JULY, 1995 AT LAGOS. 66. MR FAKOREDE EMMANUEL KNOWN AS EMMANUEL OLAYIWOLA FAKOREDE LATE OF 23, ADETOKE ST., BARIGA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 10TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2009 AT LAGOS. 67. MOHAMMED ISAH KNOWN AS ISAH MOHAMMED LATE OF LINE D, BLOCK C, ROOM 10, IJEH POLICE BARRACK OBALENDE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 6TH DAY OF NOV., 2011 AT NASARAWA STATE. 68. MISS JOY IMIRE LATE OF 1230B, AMADU BALLO WAY, NIGER STATE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 11TH DAY OF SEPT., 2011 AT LAGOS. 69. MRS OBIAGELI MADUWUBA KNOWN AS MADUWUBA OBIAGELI MRS. LATE OF ELESOKAN ESTATE, IBEJU LEKKI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 6TH DAY OF NOV., 2010 AT LAGOS. 70. MR DAPO ADEYO LATE OF 44, NORMAN WILLIAMS STREET, S.W, IKOYI, WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 20TH DAY OF JAN, 2010 AT LONDON. 71. FLORENCE TAIWO FADAIRO LATE OF FAIR FIELD NORTH ESTATE GRAILAND IJU HILLS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 12TH DAY OF SEPT., 2011 AT OGUN STATE. 72. MISS FIONA IHEME IFEYINWA KNOWN AS MISS FIONA IHEME LATE OF 16, UWABO OSEMWOTA ST., TERA HAVEN THOMAS ESTATE, LEKKI EPE EXPRESSWAY, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 15TH DAY OF APRIL, 2011 AT LAGOS. 73. KUYORO JULIUS ADENIYI LATE OF 1, IGBODILE ST., IJEBU-ODE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 5TH DAY OF OCT., 2010 AT IJEBU NORTH. 74 ATOLAGBE BUNMI KNOWN AS ATOLAGBE OLUWABUNMI LATE OF 254, BORNO WAY, EBUTE METTA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 20TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2011 AT LAGOS. 75. UGBODAGA JOSEPH DANBABA LATE OF 13, SUNMONU ST.,OGBA, IKEJA WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 8TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2012 AT LAGOS. 76. MRS SIKIRAT IYABODE BELLO KNOWN AS FLORENCE IYABODE BELLO LATE OF 51, OSHUNDAIRO ST., ARAROMI B/STOP, IYANA IPAJA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 23RD DAY OF APRIL,2011 AT LAGOS. 77. ISAAC OWOLABI OGUNLEYE LATE OF 6/8, OLADELE ADENIYI ST., AGRIC IKORODU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON 1ST DAY OF OCT., 2008 AT LAGOS. 78. MR FRANKLIN ORITSESUTIEYINMI MOORE KNOWN AS MR MOORE FRANKLIN ORITSESUTIEYINMI AND MOORE F.O. LATE OF 117, OGUNLANA DRIVE, S/LERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 24TH DAY OF JAN., 1989 AT LAGOS.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. MABEL NGOZI HARRISON AND OBINNA HARRISON BOTH OF 37B, ADENIRAN AJAO CRESCENT, ANTHONY VILLAGE, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 2. MR. ADEWOLE BANKOLE AND ADEGOROYE BANKOLE OF 55, SHOGBOLA STREET, SABO, ABEOKUTA AND 57, ADIYAN ROAD, AGBADO STATION, OGUN STATE, ONE OF THE CHILDREN AND BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 3. MRS. JUSTINA OSAMARU FAKIYA OF 2A, MARINE ROAD, APAPA AND MRS KATE IKHILLE OF 8, TITILAYO ST., EGBEDA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND SISTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 4. MR. EDMUND OKOYE AND MRS. ANGELA OKOYE BOTH OF 1, WATCHTOWER AVENUE, IJEGUN SATELLITE TOWN, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND FATHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 5. OLUFUNMILAYO YETUNDE ODOFIN AND JOHN ODOFIN BOTH OF 51, LAWANSON ROAD, SURULERE, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 6. BALOGUN OLUWASEUN BENEDICTA AND BALOGUN JACOB OLUWASEGUN BOTH OF 5, RAHIMI SHOGA AGA IKORODU, LAGOS. THE TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 7. MRS. EUNICE EGO MBALEWE AND MR. LECHI UZOCHI MBALEWE BOTH OF 7, MOSHALASHI STREET, SHOMOLU, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 8. MRS. REGINA IKHENEMOH AND MR. GODFREY IKHENEMOH BOTH OF 37, WILMER CRESCENT, OLODI APAPA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 9. MRS. EUNICE OLEFOROM AND MR. LAWRENCE OLEFOROM BOTH OF 16, CALCUTTA CRESCENT, APAPA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 10.MRS. RONKE AIMANOSHI DANIA OKE, MRS. TEMIJOPELO OWOLANA AND MRS. IBITAYO SONEKAN ALL OF 7, OLANNI OLANREWAJU STREET, LEKKI, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 11. MR. ADESEGUN BABATUNDE ALLINSON, MS. TEMITOPE OLUWASEGUN ALLINSON, MR. OLUWASEYI TOBOLAIFA ALLINSON AND MRS. OLUWABUNMI FOLASADE ADESALU ALL OF 5, ALFRED OLAIYA STREET, AWUSA ESTATE, OPEBI, LAGOS. FOUR OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 12. MRS. MADUKA IFEOMA AND MADUKA CHIKAMSO DANIEL BOTH OF 31, OLOTO STREET, EBUTE METTA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 13.JOSEPH SANNI ODEDIRAN AND MICHAEL ODETOYE OF 10, BAYO AKOLEYAN IKORODU AND 78, LAMBO LASUNWON STREET,IKORODU, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 14. MRS. TAIWO ANIMASHAUN AND MR. ADEWALE ANIMASHAUN BOTH OF 13, HOGGAN BASSEY CRESCENT, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 15. CHUKWUDI A. OFFOR AND KAMCY C. OFFOR BOTH OF 221A, RED, STREET, JAKANDE ISOLO, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 16. SOLOMON OFEIMUN AND AKHIGBE EMMANUEL BOTH OF 54, AJAIYI ROAD, OGBA, LAGOS. THE BROTHER AND NEPHEW OF THE SAID DECEASED. 17. MRS. IRETI DORCAS ADETAYO AND MISS. VICTORIA WEMIMO ADETAYO BOTH OF 114 ROAD, HOUSE 8, GOWON ESTATE, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 18. OSOARE KEHINDE, OSENI BABAFEMI ADETAYO ADENUBI AND BOLAJI ADENUBI ALL OF 3, BAOKU STREET, IKATE, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND COUSINS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 19. SHAMUSIDEEN AMODU AND TITILAYO AMODU BOTH OF 65, MAFOLUKU ROAD, OSHODI, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 20. ALHAJI BADMUS GANIU OLAYIWOLA, MR. AKINYELE ALANI, MR. TIAMIYU ISIAKA AND MISS. LAMIDI TOYIN ALL OF MATOGUN VILLAGE IFO, OGUN STATE. THE GRAND CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 21. OKENNA W. CHUKWUGBO AND MRS. HELEN A. NWANKWO BOTH OF 3, NEW CRESCENT PROTOTYPE, HOUSING ESTATE, SATELLITE TOWN, LAGOS. CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 22. MR. OLUDELE S. AKINPELU AND MOTUNRAYO AKINPELU BOTH OF 49, MOBOLUWADURO ROAD, ALAGBADO, LAGOS. THE BROTHER AND SISTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 23. ETE ASIBONG ENEOBONG AND ASIBONG ENEOBONG BOTH OF PLOT 192, STREET A, FEDERAL LOW COST HOUSING ESTATE, KUJE, ABUJA. THE WIDOWER AND SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 24. DR. (MRS.) MOBOLAJI O. ODEINDE AND MRS. REBECCA ENIOLA ALAKIJA-SAGOE OF 2, AWOYOKU STREET, ONIPANU AND 8/10 BROAD STREET, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 25. ABIOYE OLAORE NOAH AND MRS. OLAOTI EFUGHI OF 11, CALABAR CLOSE, AGBARAAND 24 ROAD, A CLOSE, BLOCK 7, FLAT 2, FESTAC TOWN, LAGOS. THE DAUGHTER AND SISTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 26. CHARLES MAIKI OF 46, ALEBOLA STREET, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE ONLY SURVIVING SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 27. MRS. MARY ZOCLI AND ZOCLI CODJO ACHILLE BOTH OF 223, CLOSE, BABANA ISLAND, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 28. LEKAN YAKUB AND RASHEED YAKUB BOTH OF 167, ADENIJI ADELE ROAD, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 29. MRS. FAUSAT IBRAHIM, MR. RASHEED IBRAHIM, MR. KEHINDE IBRAHIM AND MISS. MARIAM IBRAHIM ALL OF 39, OKEPOPO STREET, LAGOS. ONE OF THE CHILDREN AND BLOOD RELATION OF THE SAID DECEASED. 30. CORNEDIA OBISIRIKE (MRS.) AND CHIMA EZE OBISIRIKE BOTH OF 17, IFELODUN STREET, AMUKOKO, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 31. CHARLES ASEMOTA AND CHRISTIANA ASEMOTA BOTH OF 16, ADEBOYE STREET, IJORA, LAGOS. THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 32. MRS. ADEBUNKUNOLA O. ADENOLA, MR. ADENIYI ADENOLA AND ADEMOLA ADENOLA ALL OF 5, ADEWALE ADEDAYO STREET, BARIGA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 33. DR. OLUYEMISI ADENIYI KUFORIJI AND DR.(MRS.) OLUFUNMILAYO ONARONKE AJOSE-COKER BOTH OF 28, OMO IGHODALO STREET, OGUDU G.R.A, LAGOS. THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 34. MR. HOPE C.N ORUH, MR. UGOCHUKWU ORUH AND MRS. CHARITY C. ORUH OF 17, JOSEPH STREET, SABO AJAGBANDI, OJO, LAGOS. AND 40, MOSAFEJO ROAD, AMUKOKO, LAGOS.THE WIDOW AND TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 35. DR. OLUYEMI ADENIJI KUFORIJI, DR.(MRS.) OLUFUNMILAYO ONARONKE AJOSE-COKER AND (VICTORIA JOLADE KUFORIJI AND ARC. B.A OLUFEMI KUFORIJI BOTH NOW DECEASED) ALL OF LIWORO AVENUE G,R,A, IJEBU- ODE, OGUN STATE. THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 36. MRS. IMA EKANEM, MRS. AKINWUNMI CHRISTIANA, MR. DANIEL EKANEM AND MR. JOSEPH EKANEM ALL OF PAN AFRIK ESTATE, OPP. OJO CANTONMENT, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND THREE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 37. JOSHUA OGUN AND JOSHUA TUNJI BOTH OF OKE-TAN COMPOUND, YAGBA EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KOGI STATE. THE FATHER AND BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 38. MR. OJERAHI E. AGANWONYI AND MISS. OMOTANWA J. AGANWONYI BOTH OF 111 ROAD A, CLOSE FLAT 15, FESTAC TOWN, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 39. MR. PAUL IKOLO, PRINCESS MARGARET D. IKOLO AND BARR. DAFE A. IKOLO ALL OF ROAD 48, HOUSE 171C, V.G.C, LAGOS. THE FATHER, MOTHER AND BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 40. MRS. ODUNTAN AFANU AND MR. SEYI MABOGUNJE BOTH OF 88, AJOIKE OGUNSANYA STREET, OFF AGO- PALACE WAY, OKOTA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND COUSIN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 41. MR. HENRY ADEDIRAN ADEBOBOYE, MRS. FADEKE AFANU BOTH OF 24, LUCINA JOSEPH SURULERE, LAGOS. CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 42. RUKAYAT SAIBU AND AZEEZ SAIDU BOTH OF 72, SHOGBAMU STREET, BARIGA, LAGOS. THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 43. EKECHI PATIENCE AND EKECHI JOY BOTH OF ROOM 3, BLOCK A NRC QUARTERS, MARINA BEACH, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 44. MRS. CHRISTIANA OLAYEMI BALOGUN AND MR. OLUWASEUN BALOGUN BOTH OF 32, BALE DADA STREET, ABURU. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 45. JELEEL A. MUKAILA AND AKEEM GANIYU BOTH OF 6, IGBAJA STREET, AMUKOKO, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 46. OLAWALE KOFOWOROLA OF 4, OLAGOKE OLAYINKA STREET, IDIMU, LAGOS. THE ONLY SURVIVING CHILD OF THE SAID DECEASED. 47. CHUKS PETER OBIAZU AND ERNEST JONES OBIAZU OF 28, JIMOH MOJI AGUNLEJIKA IJESHA, SURULERE, LAGOS AND 6, ROLEX CLOSE, OFF ADESINA STREET, IJESHA, SURULERE, LAGOS COUSINS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 48. MRS. MARTHA N. AKANULOR AND CHIDIEBERE C. CHIMA BOTH OF 24, OBA KABIRU AGBABIAKA STREET, AGO- OKOTA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 49. HON. KOLAPO KOREDE OSUSANYA AND LANRE OSINOWO BOTH OF KOREDE KOLAPO CLOSE, LEKKI, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND BROTHER-IN-LAW OF THE SAID DECEASED. 50. FOLAKE ADEKOYA (MRS.). ADENIRAN ADEKOYA (MR.) AND FATAI A. OWOIGBE (ALHAJI) ALL OF 3, SEGUN BARRET STREET, LAGOS. THE WIDOW. BROTHER AND UNCLE OF THE SAID DECEASED. 51. MRS. ADELAIDE SYLVIA KWASHIE, MRS. OLUWAFUNMILAYO AMA OLUWAJUYIGBE, MR. KEHINDE OLADIPUPO KWASHIE AND MR. PAUL TAIWO KWASHIE ALL OF 37, MODUPE JOHNSON CRESCENT, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE DAUGHTER AND GRANDCHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 52. MR. STEPHEN CHUKWUEMEKA EKECHI AND MRS.BLESSING BASSEY OF 30, ODUDUWA STREET, OWOWRONSHOKI, LAGOS AND 22, OSUKO STREET, EBUTE- METTA, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND SISTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 53. MRS. WASILAT KASUMU AND MR. MUKAILA AYINOLA BOTH OF 2, ILUBO COMPOUND OJO, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 54. MRS. RACHAEL OFOEGBU AND MR. OKECHUKWU OFOEGBU BOTH OF 22, CEMENTRY ROAD, AMUKOKO, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 55. MRS. ADACHUKWU NWAULU AND MR. IKENNA NWAULU BOTH OF NO. 7, ASHIMOWU ABEO STREET, SARI IGANMU, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 56. MRS. MERCY AKPAN AND MRS. NSEABASI INYANGOTTE BOTH OF NO. 2, ABIODUN OSHOWOLE CLOSE, IKEJA, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 57. KENNETH AKANIYENE OKOKON AND SYLVESTER MFON ABASI OKOKON BOTH OF 15, ELALORE STREET, IKATE, LAGOS.TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 58. MR. ROLAND ONORIODE EWUBARE AND STEFAN OCHUKO EWUBARE BOTH OF BLOCK 64, PLOT 23, OLANREWAJU NINALOWO CRESCCENT, LEKKI PHASE 1, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 59. MRS. CECILIA O. AKOSIM AND EMMANUEL N. AKOSIM BOTH OF 9, PALACE ROAD, OLODI APAPA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 60. MRS. MATHA AZE MONYE, MR. LAWRENCE AKPADOMONYE AND MRS. PAULINE IFEGBOJE OF 6, OGBERU STREET, SANGO TEDO, LAGOS AND UMU-EZE, IBUSA, DELTA STATE. 61. MR. SEGUN OKUBANJO AND MISS. ABIOLA ODETOYE BOTH OF 7, SAMUEL AWOFUSI STREET, ALAGBOLE, OGUN STATE. THE WIDOWER AND SISTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 62. MR. BABATUNDE ONALAJA AND MISS. OMOWUNMI SALISU BOTH OF CLOSE 5, HOUSE 5, SATELLITE TOWN, LAGOS. THE NEPHEW AND COUSIN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 63. MR. OGUNMOLU OMOWALE OLANIRAN AND MR. OGUNMOLU OLATUNDE BOTH OF 31, BUHARI STREET, OGUDU, OJOTA, LAGOS. THE SONS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 64. MRS. IDAYAT OLUFUNMILOLA ADEGBUYI, MISS. MODUPE YETUNDE ADEGBUYI, MISS. OLUFUNMILAYO ADEGBUYI AND MR. OLADELE ADETOLA ADEGBUYI ALL OF 24, AKINYELE STREET, AGUDA, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND THREE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 65. OLUWAFEMI AKINFE OF 22, DENTON STREET, EBUTE- ETTA,LAGOS. THE SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 66. OLAYEMI OLAYIWOLA AND OLAYINKA OLAYIWOLA BOTH OF 23, ADETOKE STREET, BARIGA, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 67. SALEH MOHAMMED ISAH AND ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED ISAH BOTH OF LINE D, BLOCK 6, ROOM 10, IJEH POLICE BARRACKS, OBALENDE, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 68. ABRAHAM AKPOSIENWA AND JONATHAN AKPOSIENWA BOTH OF 6, TAIWO IBRAHIM STREET, IGANDO, LAGOS. THE BROTHERS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 69. GODSON MADUWUBA AND MICHAEL MADUWUBA BOTH OF ELESOKAN ESTATE, IBEJU LEKKI, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 70. MRS. OJUOLAPE ADEBAYO AND MR. ADEYINKA ADEBAYO BOTH OF 44, NORMAN WILLIAMS STREET, S.W IKOYI, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 71. FADAIRO ADEBOWALE AND AKINYEMI TITILAYO BOTH OF FAIR FIELDS ESTATE, GRALLAND, IJU HILLS. THE WIDOWER AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 72. IHEME FELICITY NKEIRUKA, IHEME KENNETH CHIBUZOR AND IHEME CATHERINE NKECHI ALL OF 16, UWANBO OSEMWOTA STREET, TERA HAREN THOMAS ESATATE, LEKKI EPE, EXPRESSWAY, LAGOS. THE SISTER AND BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 73.KUYORO OLUWASEGUN PETER, KUYORO OLUWATOSIN VICTORIA AND KUYORO OLUWASEUN PAUL ALL OF 1, IGBODILE STREET, IJEBU NORTH, OGUN STATE. THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 74.GBENGA ATOLAGBE AND BUSOLA OLUWASEUN BOTH OF 254, BORNO WAY, EBUTE- METTA, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND SISTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 75.MRS. AUGUSTINA UGBODAGA AND MRS. PATRICIA UNUANE BOTH OF 13, SUMONU STREET, OGBA, IKEJA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 76.KAMORU BELLO AND AFEEZ BELLO BOTH OF 51, OSHUNDAIRO STREET, ARAROMI, IYANA IPAJA, LAGOS.TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 77.MR. GBENGA OGUNLEYE AND MR. MICHAEL M. OGUNLEYE BOTH OF 6/8, OLADELE ADENIJI STREET, AGRIC, IKORODU, LAGOS. BROTHERS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 78.MRS. EVELYN TOSAN MYLONG AND MR. FEYISOLA MOORE BOTH OF 117, OGUNLANA DRIVE, SURULERE, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION COMMENT

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Satanic overtures

TRUGGLING euro-zone economies like Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy cannot cut their way back to growth. Demanding rigid austerity from them as the price of European support has lengthened and deepened their recessions. It has made their debts harder, not easier, to pay off.

This is not an issue of philosophical debate. The numbers are in.

As The Times’s Landon Thomas Jr. reported this week, Portugal has met every demand from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. It has cut wages and pensions, slashed public spending and raised taxes. Those steps have deepened its recession, making it even less able to repay its debts. When it received a bailout last May, Portugal’s ratio of debt to gross domestic product was 107 percent. By next year, it is expected to rise to 118 percent. That ratio will continue to rise so long as the economy shrinks. That is, indeed, the very definition of a vicious circle.

Meanwhile, shrinking demand and fears of a contagious collapse keep pushing more European countries toward the danger zone of unsustainable debt.

Why are Europe’s leaders so determined to deny reality? Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, in particular, seem unable to admit that they got this wrong. They are still captivated by the illogical but seductive notion that every country can emulate Germany’s export-driven model without the decades of public investment and artificially low exchange rates that are crucial to Germany’s success.

Mrs. Merkel also seems determined to pander to the prejudices of German voters who believe that suffering is the only way to purge Greece and other southern European countries of their profligate ways.

There’s no question that Greece has behaved inexcusably, spending more than it could afford, failing to collect taxes from some of its richest citizens and fudging its books. And while we sympathize with Greek protests against excessive austerity, we have no patience with politicians who continue to drag their feet over pro-growth reforms and privatizations. But the cure is neither collective punishment nor induced recession.

Europe must be willing to help Greece grow out of its problems — on the condition that Greek politicians finally commit themselves to market reforms.

Under strong pressure from international investors, euro-zone leaders have recently adjusted some of their policies. Europe’s central bank has injected much needed liquidity into the Continent’s banking system. Plans are finally under way to add money to a chronically underfinanced European Union bailout fund. But until they abandon the mistaken belief that austerity is the way to debt relief, even those steps won’t be enough.

With Greece rapidly approaching the day (probably next month) when it can no longer pay government salaries and foreign creditors, Europe still has not released needed bailout money. It is not clear whether Mrs. Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy and others are playing chicken with Athens or think they could withstand Greece defaulting and leaving the euro zone. The risks are enormous.

At a minimum, a Greek default would send damaging aftershocks rippling through government finances and banks across Europe.

The ideal and the practice of a united Europe would suffer a major blow. Those are high prices for all of Europe to pay for clinging to a failed idea.

– New York Times

• Reps’ panel on subsidy must shun the ‘bribes’ being dangled by corrupt fuel importers OR a committee charged with the probe of the trillion naira fuel subsidy scam, it comes as no surprise that the Lawan Farouk-led House of Representatives ad hoc panel has itself come under intense public scrutiny in what may be fast turning to a grand scheme to compromise the exercise. Of late, there have been disturbing reports of the cartel of fuel importers and marketers allegedly offering billions of naira to members of the panel. There are, unfortunately, credible reports of former members of the National Assembly being engaged as lobbyists to influence the findings and recommendations of the committee, with promises of business partnerships and other pecuniary considerations, to boot.

So rife are allegations of the committee members violating the House Rule on Ethics through alleged under-the-table dealings with stakeholders in the petroleum industry – including those under investigations; clearly, the allegations have become difficult to ignore.

Although the committee chairman, Lawan, has since denied that direct offers of bribe were made to the members, he did confirm however that “pressures and overtures” were being made to members to get them to “soft-pedal” on their cases.

His colleague, chair of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs Zakari Mohammed, went as far as offering assurances that there will be no cover-ups, and that the findings and recommendations of the committee

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would be made public.

To start with, the long-suffering citizens need more than the tepid assurances that the chair of the probe panel and his media counterpart can generously dispense to douse the bout of cynicism now building up around the work of the committee. The public had in the past suffered serial abuses of public trust by so-called honourable members not to take such assurances with a pinch of salt.

A most notable example was the Ndudi Elumelu power probe which descended into a circus show, with members preferring to hug TV cameras while the substantive work was left undone.

Several years after the power probe, it is its panellists that are in court to clear themselves of alleged bribe– said to have been obtained in the course of the highly publicised probe.

It is of course conceded that nothing has been proven – at least, not at this time.

Experience however informs that such appearance which presents in form of smoke may actually presage the fire to come. It is therefore not for the House to be dismissive of the allegations; indeed, we consider it in the interest of the House that the matter be thoroughly investigated by its relevant organs.

If it seems of any help, we remind the House that the trigger for the subsidy probe was the outrage that greeted the Federal Government’s unilateral removal of subsidy on petrol in January; the ensuing week-long protests saw several lives lost and scores maimed. To buckle to extraneous pressures on the probe for

whatever reasons is to violently assault the trust of the public at whose behest the House claims to have undertaken the public duty; it is also the surest way to dishonour the memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice in the course of getting the government stand up to its commitment to do right by the people.

The choice before the House is therefore simple: it is a choice between protecting the narrow interests of the rapacious cabal that continues to milk the nation through illicit claims of subsidy money, and, protecting the interest of the suffering majority denied the fruits of effective governance.

The nation is watching, just as the whole world is taking note to see whether the House would – as it did during the power probe – abdicate the historic duty to its eternal shame.

‘The choice before the House is therefore simple: it is a choice between protecting the narrow interests of the rapacious cabal that continues to milk the nation through illicit claims of subsidy money, and, protecting the interest of the suffering majority denied the fruits of effective governance. The nation is watching, just as the whole world is taking note to see whether the House would – as it did during the power probe – abdicate the historic duty to its eternal shame’

National confab •It is shocking that the Senate too is afraid of a Sovereign National Conference

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HE Senate has reportedly put a wedge on the path of having a proper Sovereign National Conference (SNC) in the country. Its supposed position that was made public through Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of Senate Committee on Information and Media, after a recent plenary session is derisory.

Abaribe reportedly said, “Our position is that we are already elected to represent all persons and citizens of Nigeria… We do not think there is any matter under the sun that we will shy away from. We do not understand the stand of those who insist that there must be Sovereign National Conference…We are not against any group, association or persons meeting to discuss because that is to ensure democracy. What we are saying

‘What is certain is that such an irritable National Assembly that could not sincerely do justice to a mere matter of constitutional amendment cannot at this period be trusted with the more important task of constitutionmaking. Moreover, sovereignty as provided in the constitution resides in the people and an assemblage of few senators and representatives cannot usurp the powers of the people, to decide the future of this country’

is that there cannot be democracy without democrats…Therefore, if you want any alteration to the way of life in the country, the vehicle is the National Assembly. If you want to change the constitution, bring it through the Representatives and the Senate.”

Senator Abaribe appears to have shown crass contempt for the genuine feelings of aggrieved nationalities within the country. That is why his insensitive statement has generated anger from diverse groups and individuals across the country. These include Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, Ijaw Republican Assembly and the Congress for Progressive Change, among others, that have vehemently condemned the questionable stand expressed by the headship of the Senate Committee on Information.

We demand to know from the leadership of the Senate whether Abaribe actually spoke for it. It is pertinent for the Senate to come out and tell Nigerians at what point senators elected by people who are clamouring for a Sovereign National Conference decided to halt the popular public decision in this regard? If this is the correct thinking of the Senate on this issue, then this portends danger to the future integration of the country.

Meanwhile however, we wonder, in the absence of any contrary statement from the Senate’s leadership, at least so far, whether these senators are not out of sync with the reality on ground in the country. Otherwise, they will not, in the

face of the avalanche of support for SNC be hiding under the guise of being the ‘representatives’ of the people to circumvent the overwhelming wish of Nigerians. We ask: Are the senators not aware of the injurious activities of the destructive Boko Haram Islamic sect and its attendant implication on national integration? Are they not aware of the defective federal structure that has retarded development in the country? Is the widespread insecurity in the country not of major concern to them?

When the sixth National Assembly had the opportunity to amend the constitution, rather than deal with core issues that could entrench true federalism, it merely acted on the periphery, with little or no impact on the defective federal status quo ante. What is certain is that such an irritable National Assembly that could not sincerely do justice to a mere matter of constitutional amendment cannot at this period be trusted with the more important task of constitution-making.

Moreover, sovereignty as provided in the constitution resides in the people and an assemblage of few senators and representatives cannot usurp the powers of the people, to decide the future of this country.

The current Senate, nay National Assembly, must realise that there is no other opportune time to discuss the future of Nigeria than now. And this would be done through a truly sovereign gathering, not through the array of publicly perceived compromised members of the National Assembly.

Europe’s failed course

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

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THE NATION TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: The nation’s strive towards socio-economic development may remain elusive if the deserved attention is not paid to the revitalization of the railway system. Over the years, the nation had relied so much on road transportation in doing this for number of reasons.

Firstly, the few existing railway networks are restricted with limited connectivity. Going by the nature and dynamics of the goods to be moved from several ports of the country, simultaneously, it becomes highly uneconomical and unattractive to business to hook on to such closed networking.

Secondly, the Railways Act of 1955 has largely contributed to the inability of private investors and foreign entrepreneurs to inject the lifeline required to massively turn around the railways. The resultant effect of the dearth of infrastructural facilities is due to the lack of massive capital that will open-up the system.

There is also the age-long belief that some powerful and influential people have deliberately turned themselves into a cartel to frustrate all efforts to make the railways work. This mafia is said to control road transportation business because the continued buoyancy in the nation’s railway system will

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Government should urgently revamp the railways spell economic doom for their investment.

Historically, Nigeria inherited a rail network from the British Colonial masters, which was designed in the north to south mode, to facilitate the flow of goods, such as cotton, cocoa and groundnut from the inlands to the coast, where they were shipped to Britain.

Presently, rail transport accounts for less than a one percent to the GDP. Road transport, freight and passenger have virtually taken over all the traffic, hitherto conveyed by rail, which is the most suitable mode of transportation for heavy traffic flows.

It is disheartening to note that the rail, which used to carry three million tonnes of freight in 1964 now carries less than 10,000 tonnes per annum. Passengers have equally declined from about 11

million, in 1964, to about one million in 2003. From over 50 coaches, when it was commissioned in 1964, the Kano Railway Station has only two coaches that travel the Kano-Nguru and Kano-Port Harcourt rail lines.

It is pertinent to mention that the pressure on our roads, occasioned by the collapse of the railways has done great damage to lives and property. The heavy duty equipment that is daily transported, from one part of the country to another is a major factor responsible for the deplorable state of the roads.

The strategic importance that railways confer can, therefore, never be wished away. That is why the Federal Government should take a more drastic and concerted efforts at making the necessary restoration to this ailing sub-sector.

As a way forward, the Railways

Act of 1955 should either be amended or repealed outright. This will help break the government’s monopoly, which, over the years has proven to be counterproductive and helpless. For efficiency and effectiveness, the almighty NRC could be unbundled into autonomous administrative entities, overseeing train/ locomotive services, rail road/track construction, facility management, rolling/wagon stock and disaster/ emergency management.

Additionally, the government should muster the political courage to deal decisively with the so-called cartel, alleged to be sabotaging genuine attempts at revamping the sub-sector. Genuine investors should be identified and given the necessary incentives and enabling environment to come in and save the system from further decadence and collapse.

Ondo should support S-West integration, Kudos to Amosun

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IR: State creation has its numerous advantages, but it will be most unfortunate if we allow it to alienate the communities of Oduduwa children, as happened between the former Governor of Oyo State, Alao Akala, and his erstwhile Osun counterpart, Olagunsoye Oyinlola. They quarrelled as if two states were up in arms against each other.

Thank God for the grace bestowed on Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Through his selfless efforts, the re-integration of the South-west under a progressive political party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has become a thing one can take for granted again. The only exception as at now is Ondo state.

And the imperialists are leaving no stone unturned that our region should be in their pocket.

Unfortunately, persons like Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi and Chief Olu Falae, are now paying loyalty visits to President Goodluck Jonathan, which indicates in no uncertain terms their PDP preference. The other day, it was Chief Reuben Fasoranti and Ayo Adebanjo who led others in the camp to the former Governor Gbenga Daniel.

I urge Ondo people to follow the authentic Yoruba leaders in the ACN. Even if Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is doing fine, that is no excuse to compromise Yoruba re-integration.

No ACN governor is doing less, nor can afford to do less. We need unity to collectively confront the rot perpetrated at the national level by the PDP. What is more, ACN is fairly spread, nationally speaking.

Through unity with others who desire a better Nigeria, we can effect such a change.

Permit me to commend the vision and courage of the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for scrapping Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode, to become Tai Solarin campus of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, both in Ijebuland. In Nigeria where everybody wants to be President, Governor, Chairman, ViceChancellor, etc., and want institutions sited in their towns and villages, one can understand the negative emotion and criticism that trailed the Governor’s action.

I have always lamented multiplication of structures without consideration for cost-effectiveness.

Here is one Governor whose idea

tallies with mine on the need to rationalise. Thank God Amosun did not downgrade the institution to what it used to be: a College of Education, rather it transformed into Education Institute of OOU. Part of the rationalization is the merging of the state’s four institutes of Information Communications Technology (ICT). The Governor said he wanted standard and well managed institutions. Running costs are expected to be reduced, to make more funds available for essential needs, such as library and necessary engines and machines.

More grease to the Governor’s elbow. And may God sanction Yoruba integration, toward a Nigeria of our dream.

• Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D, University of Ilorin.

Travelling by train, tube or metro line could be interesting. My recent experience, when I travelled from Hammersmith to Central London, United Kingdom was memorable.

It is safe, cheap, fast and reliable.

There is need for re-orientation for the populace to embrace alternative means of transport aside road and the expensive air transportation that is daily becoming unreliable and horrific.

•Adewale Kupoluyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State,

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Judiciary of confusion?

IR: Judiciary world over is seen to be the arm of government saddled with both interpretative and adjudicative functions. The reverse has been the case in Nigeria, just as Nigerian Judiciary more often causes constitutional crises rather than giving clear, concise and precise judgments in order to avert such crises.

Though the recent judgement handed down by Supreme Court’s judges sacking the five governors left an indelible imprint on the history of Nigerian politics, yet, the judgement threatened to cause a constitutional crisis because the judges fell short of rendering an exhaustive judgement. Although, it is a common saying in legal parlance that the court is not a father Christmas, as the court would not pry into what is not brought before it, the judges are however obliged in the interest of the public to look into other issues that have nexus with the matter for adjudication in order to avert possible constitutional crises as happened in Kogi State recently. If that had been done by the apex court, Idris Wada and other parties involved would have taken the judgement in good faith rather than trading utterances and heading to a lower court for the interpretation of the Supreme Court’s judgment. What a judicial rascality?

• Iyanda Ismail Faculty of Law, Unilorin.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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Mrs Adeola-Akande would have pressured her to – what would have been the catalyst of the Gbonigi delegation to Aso Rock? Besides, whoever gave the Gbonigi delegation the dual mandate to push for change and, at the same time, milk the hopeless situation it Olakunle decried? Classic case of unAwo-like opportunism! lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola But IBB, ACF, Gbonigi and Clark are not the president.

Goodluck Jonathan is. He is President” Ibrahim Babangida, who latest occupier of the Lugardian seems, at best, conceptually confused; at throne of systemic injustice; worst, conceptually schizophrenic. and the likely fall guy, should Nigeria today come a sad cropper.

In one breath, the former army general Scotland did not leave the United Kingdom, Alex Salmond, That is why he would, only at his own peril, be tardy on the endorses true federalism and devolution of more powers to Scotland’s first minister snapped: “The days when England asked Nigerian federal question. the states. That, by the way, is a recant from his glory days in Scotland to jump and Scotland would jump are over!”

In declaring SNC was uncalled for, President Jonathan said power, when he arrogantly declared that over-centralisation Even the Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi-led South West delegation, he had set up the Justice Alfa Belogore Committee to warehouse of power in Nigeria, among other “no-go” areas, was settled. which with Chief Edwin Clark’s South-South visited the president all recommendations of the past national confabs and distil In another breath, he opposes the convoking of a sovereign to clamour for SNC, suffered conceptual clarity. In one breath, them into bills for the National Assembly to debate and pass national conference (SNC). it demanded a radical re-ordering of the Nigerian federal polity, as constitutional amendments.

But pray, if the present National Assembly is perceived rightly saying the 1999 Constitution suffered fundamental defects Fair enough. The trouble however is that as always, the capable of introducing such sweeping constitutional changes to be incurably and fatally flawed.

But by the next sentence it president is drawing his glorious conclusions from terribly to restructure the country along productive lines, why would was lamenting the falling stock of the Yoruba, in the same flawed premises. To start with, all those past confabs, the anyone be credible pushing for SNC? Or could that be IBB’s dysfunctional presidency the SNC hoped to fix!

Abacha era National Constitutional Conference “with full way of floating with the reformation crowd (in endorsing Now, what was the focus of the Gbonigi delegation demands: constituent powers” and Obasanjo era National Political restructuring) and yet keeping faith with the conservative a fairer structure to revamp the Nigerian failing federation; or Reforms Conference were hinged on panel-beating the present bastion (by opposing SNC)? an opportunity for the Yoruba to join the resource-guzzling at centrist order, without making any fundamental changes. Yet, The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) too appears to be the centre? those fundamentals are the core of Nigeria’s economic playing some games, even as Mohammed Haruna, The Nation The delegation’s acknowledgement of the president’s failed stagnation and social regression today. and Daily Trust syndicated columnist, and passionate voice effort at installing Mrs. Mulikat Adeola-Akande, as Speaker of Besides, all of them were Trojan horses by the ruling order to of the North, in his column of February 8, headlined “Time House of Representatives, was instructive.

But in what way fend off agitations for change. But given that Nigeria is fast for a national conference” in anger told the North to call the would that have benefited the Yoruba, beyond the vicarious approaching a cliff hanger, such deceitful fending off is bluff of SNC advocates and agree to the confab. In his opinion, feeling that a “Yoruba daughter” was Speaker – and wasn’t dangerous. the North had suffered too much insult to stick further ones Patricia Olubunmi Ette one? Would that have altered the President Jonathan must realise the same factors that made on the restructuring question. structural imbalances that make Nigeria such a present the Yar’adua cabal attempt to muscle him out of the Presidency, The ACF however differed. Inasmuch as there was clamour nightmare? made his own South-South cabal, backed by eternal Nigerian for SNC, it held at its post-Boko Haram bombing of Kano And had Mrs Adeola-Akande been Speaker, and judging from power racketeers that hoped he would be their stooge, to push meeting, that “the terms of our national union and those by her contribution to the debate, would she have resisted the him to run for president; even with a trenchant protest from which the Nigerian federation are run have been well defined pressure to abort the emergency session the House of the “North”. The same factors are making the Igbo to fancy in our [1999] Constitution.” Really? But it added the proviso Representatives held during the fuel strikes, being a clear their own shot at the presidency, even after realising that with that the “North” was not averse to any dialogue to improve candidate of the age-long power racketeers now turned lattereach successive presidency in Nigeria’s dysfunctional federal Nigeria. day Yoruba nationalists, just to be sure a stooge they could system, the nearer the country is to collapse!

If ACF made this statement as a legitimate stakeholder in remote-control emerged as Speaker?

Jonathan must realise the gain of restructuring is in re-ordered the Nigerian project, that was fair enough. But to dismiss the And if the present Speaker had sold out – as interests pushing resources to power the economy and spread prosperity, in an clamour for SNC and yet claim you are open to a dialogue atmosphere of equity and fairness across the board; with the window smacked of that pre-June 12, 1993 arrogance of some “IBB, ACF, Gbonigi and Clark are not enabling environment for the federating units to grow at their northern elements who fancy they could veto whatever they the president. Goodluck Jonathan is. He own pace and engage in healthy competition. did not approve. But didn’t all that conceit vanish with the That is the only way to save this country from economic Waterloo of the annulled June 12 presidential election? is latest occupier of the Lugardian throne atrophy and political collapse. That grim spectacle is closer But anyone trapped in the past could use a wake-up call of systemic injustice; and the likely fall than President Jonathan and the National Assembly think, from squirming Westminster, whose Frederick Lugard fiddling on power vanity while the country wastes. That is started the Nigerian debacle, over the Scotland independence guy, should Nigeria today come a sad also the essence of the South West clamour for regional question. On David Cameron, the British Prime Minister’s cropper” federalism. declaration the he would do anything possible to ensure RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan can’t seem to get it: that Nigeria, as presently structured, is a development mind’s nightmare; and that any territorial entity not structured to develop would sooner or later wilt and die.

Nigeria wilts, and may well be dying, given the anomie in the land. But all the president could mouth, to a national emergency, is the old gradualist cant.

Neither can self-proclaimed “Military

epublican ipples

Jonathan can’t get it

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IVEN the phenomenon of growth without jobs that has assumed a permanent fixture in the nation’s economic profile in the last decade, it takes a measure of understanding to appreciate the import of the of the youth and women employment component of the SURE programme so elaborately staged in Abuja last week.

If it seems any a step away from the bizarre economics of denial in which economic growth and the welfare of the ordinary citizens have settled in opposite directions, the initiative may well serve to herald the new awakening that nothing – even when it comes to job creation– happens by accident.

Call it what you may – including such unflattering adjectives as tokenism, the launch of the Public Works and Women/Youth Employment (PW/WYE) project by President Goodluck Jonathan penultimate Monday, though modest in its ambitions, speaks both to the urgent imperative of job creation and the new realism in which government is for once actively leading the charge to create jobs.

If the startling statistics of poverty have failed to alert to the foolhardiness of locking out record numbers of Nigerians from the sustained bazaar from oil-induced growth, the rising crime wave across the country, and the latest scourge of the Boko Haram, said to have poverty and mass alienation as nursery beds, may have finally woken up the authorities to do something – or just anything!

Here, I do not intend going into the argument on whether government’s target of 370,000 jobs, which in effect, comes to a meagre 10,000 jobs per state, including the Federal Capital Territory, is the best that the government can do at this time. Agreed, the figure represents a tiny droplet in the mighty ocean of the unemployed. My comfort is that

‘The sordid infrastructure, unfortunately, is what President Jonathan is seeking to build his castle of $7 billion loan to finance some pipeline projects! The legitimate question here is whether the federal behemoth has weaned itself of the pathology of profligacy to assure Nigerians of its ability to use the proceeds wisely’

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Nothing to cheer something is being done, just as there can be no questions that every kobo spent to get these young Nigerians out of the vicious cycle despair and hopelessness is money well spent.

The same, I guess goes for the unquantifiable value additions derivable from engaging youths in public works programmes across the federation. No doubt, the initiative assumes a number of things that may seem ordinarily unsettling. For instance, it seems taken that the programme is well thought out. The programme assumes that the beneficiaries would be given proper orientation not only to appreciate the ethics of work but to see themselves as change agents. The latter is particularly important given that such initiatives have often tended to be seen merely as freebies. And finally, it assumes that the managers appreciate the philosophy behind it – as against the tendency by some officials to see the scheme as their own share of oil blocks!

More remarkably, it speaks to how our failures to attend to little things not only magnify problems, but reproduces in crises of unimaginable proportions. I draw a ready example from the road sector that has since turned a nightmare to users.

A simple but cost effective solution of returning the road gangs of old to fix the menacing craters on the highways would have saved the nation the untold carnage on the highways including the menace of daredevil noon stalkers! How this solution continues to escape the attention of those running the economy beats the imagination.

Does anyone bother to compute the value of man-hours lost on the roads and the consequential damages to vehicles as against the cost of engaging scores of unemployed to get the job done? Is it that some people in government and the bureaucracy hitherto prefer the perennial alibi of lack of funds for maintenance and the cycle of abandonment that has rendered the road sector derelict to such simple, but effective remedial measures?

That takes us to another matter: the trouble with our public

finance system. By now, citizens are well familiar with the farce that the budget has become. I refer specifically to the ever growing gap between the annual outlays in expenditure and the value delivered; the fiscal anomaly in which invisible provisions have thrust forward as main drivers of the entire outlay and the perennially bloated figures with virtually nothing as deliverables in the end.

Only last week, I listened with barely restrained amusement to the disclosure by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Ngozi OkonjoIweala that she knifed N100 billion from the 2012 budget estimates. Among the items she claimed to have slashed were consumables, computers, and stationeries etc – the usual pork (provisioning) that our eager artful civil servants have made a regular habit of inserting into the budget.

Well, N100 billion may seem a lot; it is however not even nearly enough given subsequent revelations by the Senate few hours later of the discovery of the whopping N1 trillion naira said to have been elegantly tucked in between the covers of the document awaiting final appropriation!

Should that alarm anyone given that such practices have become standard practices in our budgetary process? It shouldn’t. Not only does it explain why values are never delivered, it merely confirms what is already known about how government business is conducted – the lack of concerns for value for money and the lack of transparency that is easily at the root of the corruption that has assumed cancerous proportions in the public sector.

The sordid infrastructure, unfortunately, is what President Jonathan is seeking to build his castle of $7 billion loan to finance some pipeline projects! The legitimate question here is whether the federal behemoth has weaned itself of the pathology of profligacy to assure Nigerians of its ability to use the proceeds wisely. The other issue is the desirability of taking any loans given the steady but sustained performance of oil – the key driver of the so-called growth.

On the first count, no facts exist to justify such optimism; while on the second, the main elements in our oil receipts makes it hard to imagine that a government so blessed would even consider the option of borrowing for whatever reasons.

Today, crude prices are well above the 2011 benchmark price of $75 a barrel. This year’s budget assumes even a more modest price of $70. Of course, oil prices have maintained a steady growth streak, soaring over and above the benchmark price set out in successive budgets. Indeed, the net difference has averaged $30 on every barrel of crude sold in nearly a decade. Yet, in the last few years, the balances in the socalled excess crude account are reported as tending to the red. With nothing on ground to show for it, ordinary folks cannot but ask question about what is going on – or even more pointedly: where is our money?

Guess it’s time to deal with the blatant absurdities.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION LOT has been said and written about the propriety or otherwise of 1999 constitution bequeathed to the country by the military government of General Abdulsalami Abubakar at the outset of this political dispensation.

Quite vociferous in the debate has been those in favor of jettisoning the entire document for a new constitution drawn up by the true representatives of the people of Nigeria. In this corner are those calling for a Sovereign National Conference or a Constituent Assembly where a proper debate on the nature and structure of our union would be held and agreed upon. They are of the opinion that the present arrangement is not only unfair but also unsustainable.

Though their voices have been heard, it does appear that nobody or rather those that matters in the scheme of things in Nigeria are not listening to them, hence their change of tactic to repeated call for true federalism, both political and economic within the context of the present constitutional arrangement, albeit with necessary amendment here and there.

Those who control the levers of government at all the tiers, especially at the centre, together with their band of supporters who have been at the forefront of the no Sovereign National Conference campaign seem to be persuaded by this latter call for constitutional amendment and appear poised to tinker with the 1999 constitution.but the problem now is how to go about it and to what extent.

Going strictly by the provisions of the law, the National Assembly is best placed to effect the necessary changes in the constitution and both the Federal Government and the leadership of the national legislature are on the same page here. But those calling for a complete overhaul of the constitution are saying that that Assembly is not representative enough of all the four hundred or so ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and so cannot write a constitution for them. They contend that the enormity of the work to be done on the 1999 constitution is such that a more representative body of the people is required.

Judging by the utterances and body language of both President Goodluck Jonathan and Senator David Mark, the president of the Senate, you would think that those calling for this other body are asking for the dissolution of the country. In opposing the

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Towards a people’s constitution call for SNC, Jonathan is relying on a body he has set up to look into the reports of such previous committees on a new political arrangement for Nigeria, as the Justice Uwais committee, to advise on how to go about this anticipated new constitutional order.

Senator Mark is adamant that no other body could do it and should do it other than the National Assembly.

Stopping short of calling the pro-SNC/new constitutional order anarchist, Mark said while they can have their say, in line with democracy tenets, they cannot have their way. Members of the National Assembly he said are the true representatives of the Nigerian people and as such can amend the constitution and give the people the constitution they want. Good talk, but can this Assembly, in good conscience claim to be truly representative of all the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria? If we are truly and sincerely talking of one Nigeria, why is it difficult to convoke another body to debate and agree the terms of that oneness? Why must it be the National Assembly as presently constituted?

What is required of the body to look into this constitution is a near total rewrite of the document which this National Assembly is ill suited to do. Even if government wants to take sovereign out of the SNC, the report/ decision of that body could be sent to the National Assembly to pass into law, with the concurrence of at least two thirds of the Houses of Assembly across the states; this can then be put into a referendum for the people to accept or reject. The point here is that we should all be given a say in the type of constitution to govern our union and only

a larger assembly representing all can do this. The National Assembly could have a say on this, I agree, if we cannot agree to a Sovereign National Conference, but it should not be the exclusive preserve of the Senate and House of Representatives, as Jonathan and Mark are arguing.

Why are these people even afraid of a SNC, you might want to ask? It cannot be that they are opposed to the conference because of their love for Nigeria. Even if they claim to love the country it can only be because of what they are gaining and stand to gain from the present arrangement. If their hearts are pure and their interest in one Nigeria genuine, they would not stand in the way of SNC. What is even there to be afraid of? In neighboring Republic of Benin, a Sovereign National Conference was convoked and the heavens did not fall. Benin Republic is intact, alive and kicking in spite of the prediction of doom at the inception of the conference by the enemies of the country.

For the avoidance of any misrepresentation or manipulation of facts, there was a sitting government in Benin Republic when the SNC was convoked and it retained the powers to run the country. The SNC had the freedom to discuss all areas without interference. Both sides respected each other. As at the time of the conference, Benin was effectively a one party State with President Mathiu Kekou in power for about 19 years.

The country was drifting and the people decided something needed to be done to arrest the slide. The SNC among other things decided that the country must run a multi-party democracy and it’s report was overwhelm-

ingly accepted by the people. The government had no choice. Out was Kerekou in the multi-party election that followed and the old man quietly went home. Benin did not disintegrate. It is interesting to note that years later Kerekou was voted into office as president when the successor government messed up the country. This would never have happened in the previous constitution that Kerekou was running when he was a military dictator.

So if this could take place in Benin Republic why not in Nigeria? If Jonathan convokes a SNC today, its report would and should not affect his tenure. Its report could come into effect in 2015 or any time after, as decided by the people in a referendum.

The fear as represented by the Jonathans and Marks of this world is that the SNC or anything like it would break up Nigeria, a fear that is unfounded. The disintegration of Yugoslavia was not preceded by a Sovereign National Conference, instead the people took up guns to separate each nationality.

Perhaps, and I believe, a SNC could have prevented a break up of the once powerful Yugoslavia.

To address that fear, let the leaders or representatives of all Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities agree at the beginning that the unity of the country is nonnegotiable. That should be the first resolution, a binding one. Or rather the government should lay down that marker, and I think nobody would seriously oppose this since nobody is seriously canvassing for the break up of the country. However, the way and manner any nationality within the union that is not satisfied and would like to opt out, could leave should be properly spelt out and written into the new Peoples’ Constitution. Any one that wants to leave must get the consent of not less than two-third of the rest. With this properly spelt out, nobody would even think of leaving and the threat or fear of break up would have been confined to history, and then we can forge ahead as a nation. This is assuming all the other contentious political and economic issues would have been amicably settled and agreed at the conference and approved by the people.

It is wrong for the National Assembly to think it is the only body that can give Nigerians the constitution that they want, while the pro SNC/true federalism camp should also not remain adamant. Both should for the sake of the country, meet mid way and give us the People’s Constitution.

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

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HOSE who thought that President Jonathan did not mean business with his promise of investigating the rot in the oil industry, including the fuel subsidy administration, now have a rethink. As the debates and the testy times that came with the subsidy removal on petrol settled, government’s immediate action following the resolve on N97 pump price was the setting up of a Special Task Force on Governance and Controls in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other parastatals within the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The whole idea with this line of action is to clean up the Augean stables in the corporation as well as in its subsidiaries.

In going about this, the special task force, headed by Dotun Sulaiman, will review all management controls within NNPC and its subsidiaries; design a new corporate governance code that would ensure full transparency, good governance and global best practices in the NNPC. It will also design a blueprint for separating policy from operations in the corporation and its subsidiaries; set key performance indices for the corporation and its subsidiaries, and design a blueprint for eliminating all rent-seeking opportunities and arbitrage in the NNPC operations. The task force is also tasked with designing a roadmap for transition to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

What makes this initiative on NNPC and its subsidiaries unique is that it is coming for the very first time since the establishment of the corporation, 34 years ago. The Sulaimanled task force would lay bare the issues that have made the national oil corporation the foremost cesspit entity in the country. It is expected to uncover bit-by-bit, the issues that have aggregated to diminish the NNPC in stature and

‘The Sulaiman-led task force would lay bare the issues that have made the national oil corporation the foremost cesspit entity in the country. It is expected to uncover bitby-bit, the issues that have aggregated to diminish the NNPC in stature and operations in comparison with its peers such as Petrobras of Brazil’

Cleansing the rot in the oil sector

By Tony Egbulefu operations in comparison with its peers such as Petrobras of Brazil.

Because of the critical roles the PIB Bill would play in the advancement and the reshaping of the oil and gas industry, government within this period, has set a separate eightmember special committee to ensure a speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). An essential aspect of the bill is that of the Nigerian content. This aspect provides that the federal government shall, at all times, promote the involvement of indigenous companies and manpower and the use of locally produced goods and services in all areas of the petroleum industry in accordance with existing laws and policies. In addition, where any contract for work or services is considered to be within the capabilities of Nigerian companies, the tender list shall be restricted to Nigerian companies. With the Nigerian content, all companies involved in any area of the upstream or downstream petroleum industry shall, as a condition of their license, lease, contract or permit, comply with the terms and conditions of any law relating to the Nigerian content law in force at the time. Failure to comply with the terms of any local content law as determined by the inspectorate shall be a ground for revocation of a license, lease, contract or permit that may have been previously granted to the company that failed to comply with the said terms.

Nigerians and local industry operators have been waiting hungrily for these legal empowerments that would make them greater partakers in businesses of the oil industry, and the good news is that the Jonathan government has moved at full throttle to bring it about.

Aside these, Diezani Allison-Madueke, the Minister of Petroleum Resources has also officially invited, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to beam its searchlight on the Petroleum Products Price Regulating Agency (PPPRA), which oversees the administration of the fraud-infested subsidy regime in the petroleum industry.

What this action of government illustrates is that bringing every Nigerian who colluded to pollute the subsidy administration to book is at the heart of Nigerians, much as it is to that of the Jonathan’s administration.

To tackle the rot in the petroleum industry from every side, the minister also had to set up a new office to be headed by an independent auditor to review the under-fire KPMG and other audit reports on NNPC and its subsidiaries. The new probe office is to immediately begin the implementation of its findings, ensuring probity at all times, and value for money.

More recently, the federal government established a 16member Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, a globally respected anti-corruption personnel and former chair of the EFCC. Among other things, Ribadu and his 16-member team according to the terms of reference would work with consultants and experts to determine and verify all upstream and downstream petroleum revenue taxes and royalties due and payable to the federal government. Essentially the job of Ribadu and his team is about fighting corruption, and the enthronement of probity and accountability in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

President Jonathan has also approved the composition of a National Refineries Special Task Force, NRST. The task force is headed by a renowned frontline economist and a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu. The Federal Government described the setting up of the Kalu-headed task force as a further indication of its commitment to transform and change in the oil and gas sector. According to government, the National Refineries Special Task Force will ensure selfsufficiency of petroleum products in Nigeria “within a strong framework in the shortest possible time”. The task force will also conduct a high-level assessment of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries; review all past reports and assessments and produce a diagnostic report, complete with a Change Journey Map. Nigeria. It is expected to produce a report, complete with timelines and milestones within the next 60 working days.

Deserving applaud is the political will President Jonathan government has shown in forging ahead with the cleansing exercises, necessary for the sanitization of the oil industry as he promised Nigerians. The plaudits his government deserves for this uncommon courage are made compelling by the fact that previous governments have found the probe of the NNPC and its subsidiaries and the refineries unthinkable and feared it was a path to implosion of government. Despite how inflammable and dreadful the probe of the Nigerian oil and gas industry had seem to be, the Jonathan government has dared the odds and grabbed the probes and the cleansing by the scruff of the neck, but it is also necessary to observe that the president needs all the encouragement of Nigerians to run the gauntlet.

• Egbulefu writes from Abuja

2013 AFRICA NATIONS CUP QUALIFIER

Eagles move training to early afternoon

Pg. 24

Obodo banned •Nigerian, 12 others to Pg. 41 miss one Seria A match

Nation

•Obodo

•Keshi

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mikel aims

•Mikel

Pg. 24

forNapoli’sscalp

•Ahmed Musa faces‘unbeatable’Madrid Utaka makes Ligue 1 Team of the Week

Pg. 24

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NATIONSPORT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Eagles move training to early afternoon

N

IGERIA’s Super Eagles have changed their training times to 2pm local time due to an early kickoff of their 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda.

Nigeria visit Kigali on February 29 in the first leg of a qualifying round for next year’s Nations Cup to be staged in South Africa.

According to a press statement, the Eagles’ training schedule has been altered in readiness for the harsh weather in Kigali.

The team will now train daily from 2pm, away from the original training

schedule of 8am in the mornings or 4pm in the evening.

Officials said this was a tactical shift to help achieve the ultimate result they desire in Kigali.

Foreign-based players are expected to fall in line with the training time when they arrive later this weekend for the match in Rwanda.

The home-based stars have continued to train since their return from Liberia, where they won a friendly 2-0 At the moment, there is palpable tension and suspense among the 19 home-based professionals in camp over who will make the cut of nine for the Kigali battle.

Keshi has named the 11 foreign-based professionals

for the encounter, and going by his antecedent, he’s now expected to name an additional nine players this week for the 20-man squad for the Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda.

All the players spoken to expressed optimism about making the team to Rwanda with Papa Idris and Sunday Mba saying they will abide by the decision of the coaches.

The only player not in camp from the 20 who went to Monrovia was Enyimba’s Sunday Emmanuel, who was excused.

The team had a two-hour work out Saturday morning, the first since their return from Liberia with immediate past Eagles coach Samson Siasia on hand to watch them train.

Dolphin want more Obodo after big ACL win banned •Nigerian, 12 others to

N

IGER IA’s Dolp hin want a bigger win at home even after they trounced hosts Sony e l a Ngue ma 30 in

•Chidi Osuchukwu

Mal abo at the start of their CAF Champions L e a g u e campaign.

The Nigerian Champions, who were in total control o f the game, defeated the

hosts in Malabo with goals from Emmanuel Nwachi, youth International Chidi Osuchukwu and Ifeanyi Egwim.

“We hope to beat them by a wider margin in the return leg," goal scorer Nwachi told MTNFootball.com from Malabo “This was a massive victory no doubt, it was a good way to start the competition. We were in control of the game and took our chances well.”

The preliminary round return leg match will be played at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday, March 4.

In Madagascar, Zambia’s Power Dynamos eased past hosts Japan Acutel 5-1, also in the Champions League.

Two braces from striker Felix Nyaende and midfielder Mukuka Mulenga handed Power a comfortable lead into their March 3 return leg match at Arthur Davies

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

•Mikel

Mikel aims for Napoli's scalp

•Ahmed Musa faces ‘unbeatable’ Madrid

N

I G E R I a midfielder Mikel Obi and his Chelsea's teammates will have their work cut out when they face Napoli for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash tonight at the Stadio San Paolo.

Chelsea will be eager to put the disappointment of the weekend's FA Cup fifth round against Birminghma behind them with a positive response in Naples.

By Bimbo Adesina Andre Villas-Boas' side were held to a 1-1 draw by Championship outfit Birmingham City, which further increased the pressure on the tactician, who has also seen the west London club slip out of the top four in the Premier League.

Chelsea have only won once in seven visits to Italy - a 4-0 victory over Lazio in the 2003/04 campaign. Napoli have not lost a European tie at Stadio San Paolo since December 1994. However, they only returned to European competition in 2008 after a 13year absence.

Nonetheless, Partenopei are a formidable force in front of their home fans, as they proved when they beat Premier League leaders Manchester City 2-1 earlier in the group stages.

In Moscow, Ahmed Musa will play his first competitive match for CSKA Moscow since he joined the Russia side as they face Real Madrid at the Olimpiyskiy stadion Luzhniki.

The 19-year-old Musa, who joined from Dutch side VVV-Venlo, will have big shoes to fill following the departure of Brazilian Vagner Love, their talismanic forward who left for Rio de Janeiro's Flamengo last month after spending seven seasons with the army

side and scoring the club's record 117 goals.

Musa is expected to partner Seydou Doumbia; Russian league's top scorer with 24 goals last year - in CSKA's attacking formation.

"I don't think anyone wants to face Madrid, because they look almost unbeatable," CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky, whose team host the nine-times European champions.

"Against other teams you may have a chance," added the 40-year-old former amateur goalkeeper, dubbed the Russian Mourinho by local media for his analytical approach, thorough tactical preparation and attention to detail.

Itemuagbor salutes Keshi’s Eagles courage

UtakamakesLigue1TeamoftheWeek N N IGERIA striker John Utaka has been selected in the French Ligue 1 Team of the Week by foremost French sports paper L'Equipe.

Utaka's scintilating performance for Montpellier in an away 2-2 draw against Paris Saint Germain at Parc des Princes on Sunday earned him the selection.

The Nigeria international was

on target in the 82nd minute for Montpellier which seemed the three points already earned, just for PSG to equalise six minutes later to finish the match at 2-2.

Utaka, who started from the left wing, almost opened the scoring early in the ninth minute but his rasping effort was well saved by goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.

Following the draw Utaka's side Montpellier are still in the

feverish hunt for the Ligue 1 league title as they stayed on the tails of the leaders PSG, separated by a point.

Other players listed for the team include M. Landreau (Keeper), A. Abdennour, Alex Costa, M. Debuchy and H. Bédimo (defender), A. Diarra, B. Pedretti, G. Kakuta, G. Kakuta (midfielder), B. Nicolita, J. Utaka (winger), B. Jovial (striker).

I G E R I A ’ s foremost sports marketer and Chairman of Pamodzi International Ltd, Mike Itemuagbor, has joined thousands of Nigerians in hailing the courage of Super Eagles’ Head Coach Stephen Keshi in rebuilding the national team, starting from the local league.

Speaking on the team’s 2-0 defeat of Liberia before their fans in Monrovia,

Itemuagbor said he had always had the conviction that the national team would not achieve much if the coaching crew continued to neglect local talents who are always ready to learn and have plenty of raw talents to tap from.

“It takes courage for Keshi to do what he’s doing now, many before him had the opportunity to try out some if not all of these players but laziness

and fear did not allow that.

Every Nigerian must rally round Keshi, so that there will be a total turnaround in our football fortunes”, he admonished.

He called on the national team’s technical crew not to be carried away but to remain focused on the job at hand, while also calling on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to continue to back the team to rediscover Nigeria ’s glory days in football.

Stadium in Kitwe.

Mulenga gave Power a 1-0 first-half lead with the game’s opening goal in the 15th minute before completing his brace on the hour after he finished off a Kennedy Mudenda cross.

Simon Bwalya made it 3-0 in the 65th minute before 55th minute substitute Nyaende, who had replaced ineffective new boy Graven Chitalu, added Power's fourth in the 70th minute.

Mario Baraki got Actuel's lone goal a minute later, but Nyaende made sure of Power's emphatic away victory two minutes from time.

Power need just a draw at home in a fortnight to see them book a first round, first leg meeting at home with four-time African champions TP Mazembe on March 24.

TP Mazembe are on a preliminary round bye.

miss one Serie A match

N

IGERIA international Christian Obodo has been handed a onematch ban by the Italian Serie A League board. Obodo who will miss Lecce’s next league match against Cagliari due to accumulated yellow cards on Sunday was •Obodo banned alongside other 12 players.

The Nigeria midfielder received a yellow card in Lecce’s 4-1 defeat of Siena on Saturday.

Players suspended include Roma captain Francesco Totti booked during the 1-0 win over Parma and will thus miss out in the game against Atalanta, Manuele Blasi (Lecce), Andrè Dias and Matuzalem (Lazio), Marco Motta (Catania).

Others are Simone Pesce (Novara), Davide Biondini and Giuseppe Sculli (Genoa), Michael Bradley, Boukary Drame and Cyril Thereau (Chievo), and Cristiano Del

Haye, Chisora 'could face German prison’

•Haye

G

ERMAN prosecutors have confirmed that David Haye and Dereck Chisora are suspected of offences punishable by prison sentences, according to reports.

The BBC report that police suspect Haye of grievous bodily harm. If the former world heavyweight champion were found guilty, he would face a minimum term of six months in jail.

Chisora, who was released without charge after being detained in Munich Airport Sunday, is suspected of malicious injury, which could carry a sentence of up to five years, as well as a 'threat', which if proven could be punished by a fine or a jail term of up to one year.

The boxers clashed in the press conference following Chisora's defeat at the hands of WBC champion Vitali Klitschko.

Chisora mocked Haye, who was covering the fight for television, for his poor performance in losing to Vitali's brother Wladimir last year and tried to talk him into an all-British fight after the Klitschkos' manager said the brothers were finished with British fighters after protestations from Haye at the back of the room.

The pair then met at the back of the room, where punches were thrown and a mass brawl broke out.

Within boxing there are also set to be serious consequences to the brawl in a Munich pressconference, with British Boxing Board of Control General Secretary Robert Smith refusing to rule out the possibility of life •Chisora bans for the shamed boxers. "It's a possibility," Smith told BBC Radio 5 live.

"They could fine, they could suspend, they could withdraw a licence, they have many powers."

Police had reportedly gone to Haye's hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning to question him about the incident, but could not track the former world heavyweight champion down.

Akpala pleased with goal rush

O

VERLOOKED by Coach Stephen Keshi for the AFCON qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali, former Bendel Insurance striker Joseph Akpala is in the form of his life since his arrival in Belgium.

Akpala scored in his fifth consecutive game for Club Brugge in the Jupiler League in Sunday's 2-1 victory over KV Kortrijk.

Though the 25-year-old forward scored, he was a little moody after the game following the injury to his teammate, Fredrik Stenman, who had to be replaced after 44 minutes. ''During the half time interval, the atmosphere was not at its best in the locker room. Everyone was shocked by the injury to Stenman. I am obviously happy that I scored and so could help the team,'' Akpala told Belgian media.

Akp ala is the top Nigerian goa l scorer i n Europe wit h 1 7 goals in all compet iti ons this sea son.

Djokovic leads rankings comfortably

A

USTRALIAN Open champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia stays well clear at the top of the men's ATP tennis rankings released Monday.

Djokovic has 13,630 points to lead from Spain's Rafael Nadal (10,435), with Roger Federer of Switzerland improving slightly to 8,330 in an unchanged top 10.

ATP top 10 as of February 20 (previous ranking in parenthesis): 1. (1) Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 13,630 points

2. (2) Rafael Nadal, Spain, 10,435 3. (3) Roger Federer, Switzerland, 8,330 4. (4) Andy Murray, Britain, 7,150 5. (5) David Ferrer, Spain, 4,595 6. (6) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France, 4,410 7. (7) Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic, 3,950 8. (8) Mardy Fish, United States, 2,915 9. (9) Janko Tipsarevic, Serbia, 2,770 10. (10) Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina, 2,705

•Akpala

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes *Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

The changing face of GRAs

•Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

When GRAs were GRAs they were known for their quietness and solitude. They are no longer so. GRAs have become an all-comers abode. Those days, they were strictly for residential purpose. Today, people are greeted by a cacophony of noise as they enter a GRA because of the high level commercial activities going on there. Is this the concept of GRAs? Or are our GRAs changing with the times? OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE asks •CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

•Surveyors seek co-operation among professional bodies

- PAGE 26

•REDAN to create land banks

- PAGE 26

•Surveyors challenged on effective skills in Public Procurement Act - PAGE 39

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

26

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

The changing face of GRAs •Continued from Page 25

I

T was a place many loved to live in those days. Those who lived there were held in awe. They must be powerful and rich, so others thought.

Their belief must have been shaped be fact that the GRA is a colonial legacy. It was populated by the whites in the 40s and 50s and when Nigeria became independent in 1960, may politicans took up residence there.

So, the Government Reserved Area (GRA) portrayed affluence and a better standard of living. Its trade mark was large compounds with trees, gardens, shrubs, fruits and flowers well tendered.

The usual sight is that of kids riding bicycles in large compounds and parents relieving the day under some fruit tree or couples taking a stroll on the side walk but nearly all the exclusivity of the GRA is now gone.

Before now it maintained an egalitarian way of living with an elitist identity, separate from the larger society, complete with the best of infrastructures.

Most GRA’s are almost a shadow of their former state as they are slowly and painfully turning into one big slum, with bad roads and refuse heaps dotting what should have been a splendid setting. A visit to Ikeja, Kano, Aba, Enugu and Port-Harcourt GRA will sadden you if you were privileged to know it in its original form.

For instance, the Ikeja, GRA in Lagos has become almost a huge shopping mall losing all its tranquility, one will be lucky not to be knocked down by either a commercial bus or motor bike which was unheard of in GRA in its original form. The larger compounds with detached duplexes or bungalows are giving way to town houses and luxury flats with smaller spaces.

Former residential abodes such as Isaac John and Joel Ogunnaike etc have become high streets with eateries, hotels, banks, blue chip companies etc dotting.

An estate surveyor & valuer, who has been a player in the Ikeja real estate for about 30 years, Ms Claire Chizea said she has watched Ikeja GRA transform from the quiet

neigbourhood to what it is today.

She said: “Some years back Ikeja GRA was a place you could easily find those who worked with the government and in such establishment as the Nigeria Airways before its liquidation.

“You can easily find duplexes and bungalows with large compound but all that is disappearing now as Isaac John, Joel Ogunnaike and Sobo Arobiodu have fully transformed to a commercial abode and frequently you get requests from clients for commercial property.

The trend now is for developers to buy up otherwise large compounds and turn them into serviced apartments and blocks of flats for those within the age bracket of 30 and 40 who are upwardly mobile and can’t be bothered with the hassles of electricity and maiguard.”

Another estate surveyor, Mr Sam Ukpong said GRA Ikeja was before reserved for pilots and top workers in the aviation industry who take decision in the sector. He observed that when government gave up its holding on certain buildings people deliberately bought them especially as many of the detached houses had a land size of between 1,000 and 2,000 square metres which they re-developed to form blocks of flats. According to Ukpong with town planning approvals the new investors are building between two to three detached houses instead of one or luxury flats to recoup their investments.

He also agreed that in some parts of GRA the character is still preserved though minimally.

A builder and National Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Institute of Building, (NIOB), Mr Kunle Awobodu in his submission, noted that people are simply observing the times and maximising the use of space available in the large compounds of yesteryear GRA. He said the colonial masters took into congnisance the need for green vegetation guarding against the depletion of the ozone layer unlike now that people go for all concrete in the name of maximising returns on investment.

Awobodu said: “ Today’s GRA is replete with gigantic structures,

•Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos

traffic, ever growing population, congestion and infrastructure provision under stress unlike before where the abode depicted quietness and peace.

Currently, Ikeja GRA is a bubbling place with hustle and bustle, it is difficult now to devote the same number of space to plant trees and flowers like before as the place is put into greater economic value.”

The thinking now is that a small building in a large compound is a waste of resource as the land its costs a lot to acquire, he added.

He, however, cautioned that Ikeja GRA as it is today is unhealthy as tranquility has been phased out because of economic drive. Government should drive development into the hinter land and create satellite towns to discourage the pressure put in Ikeja GRA and other ar-

R

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

down the line, members are still in the process of acquiring land, but with the land bank, members can use the land to partner with investors, use it as equity or use it to secure funds from developmental banks and other financial institutions,” he said.

Rather than put acquired land in a pool, he said the association would preferred a situation where land would be given to members who were ready to develop immediately so as not to tie down capital unnecessarily.

Such group of developers who are ready to construct immediately, according to him, can pool resources together for infrastructure thereby reducing costs.

Afolayan also said the association would explore the Public-Private Partnership model and that as it was chasing land, financiers would be brought in through special purpose vehicles such as the REDAN Capital under a co-operative like system.

Another highlight of the threepoint agenda of the new executive council, according to Afolayan, is the professionalisation of the body through the recertification of all member-organisations and their

eas in the city centre.

When The Nation sought to know if the the character of present day Ikeja is in order, the Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Lagos State, Mr. Toyin Ayinde said Ikeja GRA has transformed with time as planning is dynamic.

He said: “Height restriction in Ikeja GRA depends on the location, allowable floors in low density is fourth floors, medium six and high 6 to10 floors. Planning regulations of the state also allows for mixed use and up to 10 floors on Joel Ogunnaike, Isaac John, Sobo Arobiodu, Oba Akinjobi and Adekunle Fajuyi.

In Kano State, for instance the larger part of its GRA is in a state of disuse not considering the fact that most of the residents are wealthy men, retired military men

‘Today’s GRA is replete with gigantic structures, traffic, ever growing population, congestion and infrastructure provision under stress unlike before where the abode depicted quietness and peace’

REDAN to create land banks EAL Estate Developers’ Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has begun moves to have land banks in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) to bridge the estimated 16 million housing gap.

This, according to the re-elected President of REDAN, Chief Olabode Afolayan, is to secure large expanse of land on which members could mass produce houses for sale to the public.

Speaking after his re-election at the Annual General Meeting/Extraordinary General Meeting of the association in Abuja, Afolayan said the details of the plan would be worked out by a special committee already set up for the purpose.

While unfolding his agenda for the next three years, the REDAN chief said the body would align with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, especially in housing and see how it could deliver one million units every year.

To do this, he said the association was seeking to have land banks in all states for members, who had been having a tough time acquiring land in most states because of the unusually long time the process was taking.

“We discovered that six months

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

categorisation into different groups based on their areas of core competence.

The REDAN boss hinted that all member-organisations would be admitted, while some existing ones might be deregistered if they were found; yet, others would have to go through a thorough recertification, while many would be admitted into the association, some existing ones delisted and many be treated as contracting firms and not developers.

Ultimately, he said the exercise would lead to the feeding of all relevant information about each member into the association’s database, which would also serve as the primary source of information on the real estate industry in the country.

Such a database, according to him, will be useful to bodies like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, National Bureau of Statistics, National Planning Commission; Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development; international funding agencies, investors and other stakeholders.

At present, there is a dearth of useful information about the real estate industry, as there is no single source of where relevant data can be obtained.

and top civil servants.

Residents of the once elitists abode blame neglect on the part of government who seem to have taken leave from the abode.

The Nation learnt that inside the GRA, the decay and apparent government absence is visible as some residents allege that last major road work was done 20 years ago with little or no basic infrastructure to sustain good living and well-being.

In Aba GRA, the story is the same, that of neglect and total disrepair.

Some residents who didn’t want their name in print, told The Nation that:” If it would be possible, we would gladly carry-away our homes to avoid the yearly havoc we experience during the rains to escape the perennial flooding caused by absence of drainages and channels not only in the GRA but all round the commercial city”.

They claim no major road project has been undertaken for a long time, the drainage system in the area, like the road network, has totally collapsed with government looking the other way.

The place has since lost the taste and status of a GRA any longer but has turned into a huge slum they said.

Surveyors seek co-operation among professional bodies

T

HE President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mr Agele Alufohai, has called for a closer collaboration between professional associations, to enhance the construction of better and more development-focused social and economic infrastructure.

In a goodwill message presented at the inauguration of Mr Mustafa Balarabe Shehu as the 28th President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Abuja, he said professional bodies, especially the NIQS and the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) would enhance the standards of practice of professional associations in the country, raise professional reputation and progress, aid the fight against corruption in professional practice as well as enable them forge a common front on polices that affect their industries.

According to him, the cooperation will bring additional gains to both bodies. “We know for certain the enormous gains we derive from having active professional bodies; it gives us a voice, allows us to protect our legitimate interests and advance the course of our professions.

If we co-operate more as professional bodies, I have, no doubt, that the gains

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

of the professional fellowship and camaraderie that accrues to us as members of individual professional bodies will be greatly magnified,” he said.

Alufohai advocated the alliance for promoting high standards in sectors both bodies jointly operate, such as construction, as well as in taking a mutual standpoint in economic policies and governance that affect both professions.

He called on the leadership of both bodies to outline the shape of the collaboration. “Once we agree on the need and possibility of this collaboration, we can sit down to think about the precise forms it will take.

But to speak more specifically for now, can we imagine the benefits to our professional reputations and progress, if we design and adopt a code of conduct that governs bidding for and executing construction jobs to reduce corruption to the barest minimum?”

He canvassed a concerted effort to stamp out corruption, reiterating that it is only by this that the menace can be eradicated. “The fight against corruption will be a lot more effective if we also police ourselves and not leave it entirely to the government.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

27

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

The Constitution refers to Nigeria as a Federal Republic, implying that it is a federation.

But the Constitution contains provisions that render the practice of federalism impossible, making the country to appear more like a unitary state than a federation. JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU and ERIC IKHILAE, relying on experts’ views, examine this contradiction, following the clamour for restructuring of the country

How not to practise true federalism

T

HE questions are many and they keep tugging at the minds of the people. It all has to do with the practice of true federalism, a concept on which the constitution is grounded. According to the constitution, Nigeria is a Federal Republic. Unfortunately, there is nothing federal about the system of government.

To the leaders, everything is okay as it is now. But the people seem not satisfied with things as they are.

Why do leaders delight in pre-

tending that nothing is wrong with the form the nation has assumed?

Why is it that of all countries that call themselves a federation, Nigeria alone portrays itself in that light, but operates a unitary system where the constituent units are deprived autonomy and consigned to beggarly status?

Why would people resist the practice of true federalism today, even when the Constitution, in Chapter One, refers to the country as the Federal Republic of Nigeria? Are the opponents of true fed-

eralism oblivious of what its practice entails? Are they stuck with the status quo and now scared of even the shadow of change?

True federalism implies a compromise between the extreme concentration of power (the current case in Nigeria) and a loose confederation of independent states, for governing people usually in a large expanse of territory.

Under this form of government, local pride, traditions and power •See story on page 28

Inside: NIALS names centre after Ayoola - P.31 S’ Court decision on tenure: Matters arising - P.36

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

28

LAW COVER CONT’D

How not to practise true federalism • Continued from page 27 are retained by the constituent units, while the central government is given the task of handling common problems like currency, international relations, among others.

Shortly before independence, and up until the military misadventure of 1966, the country operated a true federal arrangement; an era now commonly referred to as the glorious years.

This was so because not only was there development, the nation was also on the path to steady growth occasioned by dedicated leadership and sincere competition among the constituent units. It has tried without success since the restoration to return to this part of democracy in 1999.

The progress made by the country under indigenous leadership was realised in this golden era when true federalism was practiced. This was when the constituent states were allowed considerable autonomy.

This was, however, truncated by military incursion into power. It was a period when a military style unitary command system was imposed on the country, a system concretised with the promulgation of the military imposed1999 Constitution.

Critics are of the view that those in support of the current unitary arrangement are justified, bearing in mind that the military imposed 1999 Constitution is replete with contradictions. While it proclaims the country as a federation, it contains mostly unitary and anti-federalist provisions that have today, hamstrung the country and made progress impossible.

The Constitution is lopsided in its power sharing at the expense of the states.

For instance, Part one of the Second Schedule of the Constitution listed 68 items in the Exclusive Legislative List on which only the central government has control, while in Part two, it listed 30 items in the Concurrent Legislative List on which both the central and states could exercise control.

Proponents of federalism are of the view that the central government has no business with the control of land for instance, because it has no land to itself, hence the call for the abrogation of the Land Use Act. They also wonder why local government creation requires consequential provision of the National Assembly. They queried the inclusion of Police, Mines and Minerals, Railways, Stamp Duties, Taxation of Incomes, and Value Added Tax (VAT) in the Exclusive list.

In justifying their contention that the current arrangement was at the detriment of the constituent units, the federalists cited Section four, sub-Section five of the Constitution which places the central government’s position on issues above that of the states.

It provides that: “If any law enacted by the House of Assembly of a state is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.”

These provisions, observers argued, are peculiar to the Nigerian case as other countries that operate federal system allow more room for the constituent states or regions to operate.

They argued that a multi-cultural, multi ethnic and multi-religious nation like Nigeria can only progress under an arrangement that allows the constituent units to retain the peculiarities, while co-existing as a single entity.

To achieve this, they call for the dismantling of the current arrangement to allow for a thorough overhaul of the country’s mode of governance.

This position, now fast gaining general acceptance among Nigerians, is justified by renowned Law Professor, Akin Oyebode, Senators Olufemi Lanlehin and Babajide Omoworare; former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties

• Senate President, David Mark

• Agbakoba (SAN)

• Omowarare

(Osun State), Ajibola Bahiru and former President, Otu Oka-Iwu, Guy Ikokwu.

In a recent paper entitled: The law as too for development, Prof Oyebode highlighted what he termed the contradictions of Nigeria’s federalism, which he said constitute constraints to the people’s much desired drift towards regional integration, a move that will result in the nation’s development.

He observed that the country currently operates a deformed federal system, “where not even lip-service is paid to the tenets of federalism,” a development he attributed partly to long years of military run and the imposition on the country, by a departing military government, a Constitution which reflects unitary and military nuances and attitudes.

This, he said, accounts for the current situation where Nigeria’s mode of operation is a mockery of true federalism.

‘It is quite obvious that Nigeria, as currently constituted, would hamstring and thwart all initiatives aimed at regional autonomy and collective self-reliance. Accordingly, every effort should be made immediately to redress the infelicities and rough edges of Nigeria’s federalism in order to give this country a new lease of life.

“The attractions of more devolution of powers, fiscal federalism and regional empowerment make a re-configuring of the present set-up a matter deserving of immediate and relentless pursuit.

“Whether it is a sovereign national conference, constituent assembly or just a big family meeting of the multifarious ethnic nationalities that comprise Nigeria, the fact of the matter is that ignoring the central issue of our time could very well spell doom for, and herald the dirge of Nigeria as we know it.

“The demise of the Nigerian Federation which has been variously predicted can only be hastened by inaction and in light of the fissiparous tendencies clearly visible in contemporary times.

“The opportunity has to be speedily provided for the inhabitants of this vast country to basically address two issues: Do we wish to live together and if so, how? The difficulties Nigeria is experiencing at the present point in time need to be tackled headlong in order to create a better society able to meet the expectations and aspirations of its people,” Prof Oyebode said.

Agbakoba argued that the country re-

quires a broad approach to resolving the varied crises plaguing it.

“Broadly speaking, we must first adopt a policy about how we want to go; whether development would be brought about by more states in which case, we are expanding out or whether it will be brought about by integration or contracting in.

“There are arguments on both sides that are plausible. But clearly, because most states are unviable, the only way to go is by regional integration. Broadly speaking the concept must be to look at all those parts of the constitution that impede regional integration and remove them, so that Nigeria would cease to be based on state structures.

“Nigeria, in my view, would depend on regional or geo-political unity for future success. And since we have six regions, the way forward is to amend all the minor issues in the Constitution to devolve power politically and economically down wards and when those powers are devolved, they should be captured not at the state level, but at regional level.

“Therefore, the current states structure would become like local government areas and it is the regional structure that will carry Nigeria forward to development,” he said.

Omoworare dispelled the rumour that the call for regional integration in the Southwest was a ploy towards ensuring secession. He said the drive towards regional collaboration, resulting from the people’s quest for development, is receiving tremendous support from the political leaders in the Southwest region because of its many benefits to the people of the region and the country.

“To achieve this definitely requires a legal framework to actualise this. That is where the legislators come in and the need for amendment to the Constitution.

We, at the National Assembly level, have realised this. But because we can not do it alone, we intend to collaborate with like minded lawmakers from outside the Southwest region for the sake of Nigeria.

“If we get rail into the Concurrent List and ensure the amendment of the Railway Act, it will not only be for the benefit of the Southwest, but for all of us in the country. We also need to decentralize the control of electric power for instance.

These are fundamental issues that could only be addressed through constitutional changes.

Bashiru said the legal challenges to regional integration relate to creating viable institutions that will outlive the current crops of office holders. For instance if you are collaborating in the area of infrastructural development, how do you ensure that it is so structured that it is legally binding and it transcends who ever is in power.

“Another area is power. There is need for constitutional change to ensure that power becomes a concurrent matter and not something that only the Federal Government can control.

“This is because without energy, every effort at development, including the drive towards regional integration in the Southwest will be hampered. In the area of transportation, it is a shame that we still rely on rail road transportation as the major means of transportation in Nigeria today.

“It is also a shame that the government would promise the provision of buses as a palliative measure for the pain caused by the removal of subsidy from the price of petroleum and not the provision of modern and efficient rail transportation, which is a more efficient means of transportation,” he said For Ikokwu: “It is not only that we need true Federalism alone, but a thorough restructuring of Nigeria. There must be a sovereign national conference. If you like, you change the name it does not matter, but Nigerians must sit down and agree on how they will stay together or stay apart.

“The Southwest has now come on board.

We know that the majority of the people in the Southeast prefer Aburi, the Southsouth has just to agree with us in the Southeast that we need Aburi.

“We, of the Southeast have always, said that on Aburi we stand. The Middle-Belt has got to understand what we are saying. You know in the past they were being used to kill in the infantry, they have now seen that it is not the role that they should be playing in Nigeria. They have now agreed with us that the country should be restructured.

“The presidential system of government is not good for us. It is very expensive, it is very dictatorial. We don’t need it and we cannot survive with it. Look at the cost of running government today. We are spending 72 per cent as costs and nothing is left for development purposes.

“If we are not careful, we would just be like what is happening in Europe. Therefore, Nigeria has to be restructured. There has to be a national conference, which Nigeria has been running away from since 1967 when Yakubu Gowon cancelled the conference that should have held after Aburi.

“It should be held before President Goodluck Jonathan leaves the office. He is not seeking a second term and nobody would succeed Jonathan unless that conference is held. The events unfolding now will move on faster and if we don’t take time, we will end up like the Middle East.”

‘It is quite obvious that Nigeria, as currently constituted, would hamstring and thwart all initiatives aimed at regional autonomy and collective self-reliance. Accordingly, every effort should be made immediately to redress the infelicities and rough edges of Nigeria’s federalism in order to give this country a new lease of life’

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

29

LAW & DEVELOPMENT

Be patient, courageous, fearless, parents urge new lawyers It was a joyous occasion for both parents and young lawyers who were called to the Nigerian Bar in Abuja last week. For the new lawyers, popularly addressed as ‘new wigs’ by their seniors, it was a moment of accomplishment and fulfilment of their dreams. One unique feature of the call to Bar this year, is that a lot of senior lawyers and judges had their children on the call list. Legal Editor, JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, sought the advice of senior lawyers for the new wigs. as competing with anybody.

They should see themselves as individuals, fashioned, designed and created by God for a purpose and pursing that purpose means being patient and trusting God”.

Mrs. Nella Andem Rabana

OCJ Okocha (SAN)

Chief Lucius Nwosu (SAN)

Femi Falana

W

HOSE son was also called said: “My advice to them to be forthright, be courageous, to be very determined, fearless, maintain the path of honesty, truth and justice”.

M

T Lawal Rafiu Rabana (SAN)

I

FEEL really grateful to the Almighty God. I feel highly honoured by God that my first daughter is a lawyer in my life time because I believe that I have paid my dues in the legal profession. I have sacrificed for the profession. There is no doubt my wish is that children of many families, whether I know them or not should also benefit from our building up of the NBA and the legal profession. I feel grateful to the Almighty God, I feel proud, I am happy”.

On his advice to the new lawyers, Awomolo said: “They should be patient. They should watch their integrity, money will surely come. No lawyer is a poor man, no lawyer should suffer poverty; that I know too well.

They should not see themselves

M

the profession and diligence. Most importantly, integrity is of utmost importance. They should be determined to learn and acquire the skills that will lead them to get to wherever they wish to go, above all their integrity should be intact”

Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN)

Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN)

Mr Iroagalachi Anthony

advice for the new wigs “M Yis commitment, passion for

F

ORMER president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Chairman, Council of Legal Education, OCJ Okocha (SAN), whose daughter was called to the bar, said: “My advice for them is that they must remember that their first loyalty is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Their second loyalty is to the legal profession. They must discharge these responsibilities in the best interest of all” “First, before they start branching out either to the Bench or to any other sector, they must show loyalty to the NBA. I encourage them to maintain honesty and integrity to their practice of Law”.

appreciate the profession and say yes, I have joined a noble profession but more importantly, there are still more work to be done if they pursue that path, I am sure that at the appropriate time, they will have every course to celebrate.

For now it is not a celebration, for now, it is just a recognition.”

F

ORMER General Secretary of the NBA, Lawal Rafiu Rabana (SAN), said: “My short advice to them is that they should not be in a hurry to get to the top.

They should lay a solid foundation for themselves by making sure that they get the right place to work with, if they want to go into private practice, they should have good pupilage, if they want to go into corporate service, they should know where to go to. The essence of it all is that they have the ticket, they have the key.

“I believe that every lawyer would be successful in this country provided they keep to the ethics of the profession. So my word for them is that they should keep to the ethics of the profession and never by in a hurry to get to the top. They should get to that place one day if they are and remain diligent”.

HE Director–General, Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), whose daughter was also called to the bar, said: “Firstly, I congratulate all those who have passed the Bar final exams and have been found fit and proper to be called to the Nigerian Bar. For them. It is a great feat. We must commend them and acknowledge that fact. But over and above that, my advice to them is that they must see this as the beginning of a journey for them. We will all appreciate the fact the number of lawyers in Nigeria has continuously increased, this in effect means that at the base, there is no room at all but at the top, plenty of rooms abound. Every lawyer in Nigeria now should aspire to get to the top where there seems to be a lot of space. To that extent, my advice is that they should diligently and religiously pursue a career in whichever aspect of the legal endeavour that they want to embark upon, they should do it diligently and conscientiously, so that at the fullness of time they would be proud to say well, I have pursued this path and I have made success out of it.

One thing is for them to

R. Femi Falana, whose son was also called, said: “Well, like a parent I am proud of him. I feel great, but I also believe that he has a lot of challenges before him. I want him to be a lawyer that will be relevant to the society; a lawyer that would be involved in the struggle for a new country; a lawyer that will be interested in the question of social justice and a lawyer that will ensure that there is access to justice for a greater majority of our people.”

On whether he has co-opted the young lawyer into activism,” he said: “He is already a part of the struggle, during the last public protest. He was fully involved with his sisters. We were all on the streets to demonstrate.I am encouraged and I’m happy that he is coming up well.”

R Iroagalachi Anthony, whose son was also called, said: “I feel on top of the world, being my very first son, myself a lawyer, my wife also a lawyer, my daughter also is going to the law school. So, being the first of the children, who has been very successful, he made a two one at the Law school, I am a very happy father”.

Advising the new wigs, Mr Iroagalachi said: “Well, patience, patience, the law profession is a profession for the future, the older you get, the better it becomes. The young ones should not be in a hurry to get wealth, they should pass through the pupilage stage of the profession, they should be patient and learn the ropes, the sky is their limits”.

Mrs. Victoria Awomolo

I

Chief Sena Anthony advice for them is to “M Ywork hard and harder.

They should strive to be close to God. This is because it is the Almighty God that will give them the wisdom to be good lawyers. It is important that we have more and more hard working lawyers for the success of our country, Nigeria”.

FEEL over joyed, and I give thanks to the Almighty God for this day to come and for all of us, both parents, the siblings, everybody is alive to witness it. It is, indeed, a day of joy as our first daughter is being called to the Nigerian Bar. We cannot even thank God enough.

On her advice for the new wig, she said: “My word for her is to keep the integrity that we have built in to the brand Awomolo.

Chief Ademoyega Awomola (SAN) has become a brand in the legal profession and those just coming into the profession should try as much as possible to keep and uphold the integrity, the humility and the knowledge that she has come to find in the home. Both of us, her parents are lawyers and she coming in as a young lawyer, has role models in the home. So, she cannot but be a good girl, a good Barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

30

LAW COURT Court awards N5.86m against FirstBank for unlawful dismissal of staff

A

FORMER staff member of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr Nurudeen Akanji, unlawfully dismissed 12 years ago, wept for joy as Justice Opeyemi Oke awarded N5.86 million in his favour as compensation for unlawful dismissal by the bank.

A breakdown of the amount awarded by Justice Opeyemi Oke in a judgment against the bank is N4,862,540 as backlog of salaries and allowances he would have collected if still in the employment of the bank, N500,000 as general compensation for the trauma he went through since he was unlawfully dismissed and another N500,000 as

By Adebisi Onanuga

cost of litigation.

In a judgment which lasted more than two and half hours, Justice Oke declared as null, void and unlawful the dismissal of Akanji by the bank, saying that the action of the bank violated every principle of fundamental human right enshrined in the constitution.

She also declared that Akanji was entitled to full salary and allowances including leave bonus from date of dismissal till retirement age of 60 or 35 years of service.

The judge said: “I am of the view that the principle of natural justice had not been followed in this case,” adding that the bank should have waited for the Failed Bank Tribunal to decide the case before dismissing the claimant.”

The Failed Bank Tribunal acquited the claimant because there was no case submission in his favour.

Justice Oke said though the claimant is entitled to being reinstated having been acquited by the tribunal, it would be impossible for the court to force him on the bank.

“He is however entitled to be paid his full emolument including leave bonus, salaries until retirement age.”

Ex-workers petition lawmakers over pay

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LEVEN former workers of the Lagos Building Investment Company Limited (LBIC) have petitioned the state House of Assembly over its alleged refusal to obey a court judgment since 2009.

The company had sought for extension of time to appeal the judgment, but the petitioners claim it is a ploy to deny them what is due them.

In the petition dated February 14, 2012, and addressed to the Speaker, the former workers urged the lawmakers to intervene and get the company to pay them N67.6million owed them.

The affected workers are: Kabiru Adewale Yusuf, Mrs Olufunmi Ayo Fadairo, Adedapo Deko, Mrs A. A. Modupe Abegunle, Adegoke

By Joseph Jibueze

Olusola, Alfred Sunday Oguntuase, Lateef Ololade Akilo, Isola Abel Oyedeji, Ayodele Raufu, Johnson Oke and Timothy Akinremi.

They said their services were transferred to the state Civil Service, where there were allegedly asked to begin afresh, making all the years they spent in LBIC a nullity.

They sued, and a court gave judgment in their favour on April 2, 2009. Their lawyer wrote the company, which allegedly refused to re-instate them, as the court ordered.

“Our solicitor brought application on our behalf for enforcement of the judgment which we

calculated to be N67,611,468.72 as at June 2011, which was granted.

“We observe that the management of LBIC was only using delay tactics to frustrate us after serving the organisation for between 20 to 26 years.

“We therefore seek the intervention of the Honourable members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to request the management of LBIC to obey the court judgment and pay all our entitlement since 2006 till date.

“As the voice of the people, we rely so much on your intervention sir.”

The company had denied the petitioners’ claim in their defence in the court case, saying they were not indebted to the former workers in any way.

Rickey Tarfa is 50

A

SENIOR Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa, will be 50 on Thursday.

Tarfa is the Principal Counsel and Head of Chambers, Rickey Tarfa & Co. He hails from Garkida in Gombi Government Area of Adamawa State. He is the first lawyer from the state to be a SAN. A Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Tarfa holds second class upper honours in Law of the University of Maiduguri and a Master of Laws (LL. M.) from the University of Lagos.

He has attended several courses locally and overseas, including the 29 th Maritime Short Course, Southampton, United Kingdom.

He is also a member of the International Bar Association (IBA).

Reputed as one of Nigeria’s foremost litigation lawyers, Tarfa has been involved in many landmark cases, the most recent being the presidential election petition as well as the successful defence of the mandate of the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole.

He was also a member of the Panel of Inquiry appointed by the Federal Government to investigate the then National Electric Power Au-

thority (NEPA).

A well-travelled and happily married man, Tarfa has several awards to his name. These include the Paul Harris Fellow Award (Rotary International, 2007), Lawyer of the Year 2001(City People Awards for Excellence), Rotary Excellence Award (2003), Men of Achievement Award (Corporate Press, 2007), Law Personality of the Year 2004 (Fame Achievers’ Award, 2004), and Life Patron, National Association of Judicial Correspondents (2003).

He heads the leading law firm of Rickey Tarfa & Co., which he founded in 1988 and has nurtured to maturity. The firm has grown from a one-office company of three staff to, perhaps, the largest law firm in Nigeria with over 50 lawyers, 30 para-legal staff, and with offices in Lagos, Abuja, Yola and Port Harcourt.

The firm also has two retired Judges as Consultants-in-Chambers.

With affiliate firms in the United States of America and United Kingdom, Rickey Tarfa & Co. is listed in the KIMES International Directory and the

• Tarfa

Chambers Global Legal Directory.

The firm has several local and foreign blue-chip companies and leading individuals among its clientele, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and several banks.

• From left: Timi Olufade, Folashade Fagbemi, Sumola Fagbemi, Justice Folashede Ojo and Dr Leonard Fagbemi, at the call to Bar organised by Nigerian Law School at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Wanted: A reformed police

T

HE Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. M.D. Abubakar has been saying the right things, since his appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan. He has criticised his colleagues for their ineptitude, as a result of which they are vilified by many Nigerians. He has also demanded a new commitment to policing the country and also in the way the force conducts themselves. He was also bold to say that the menace posed by armed insurgency in the country, particularly by the Boko Haram will be confronted by his men.

Now the IGP has in his excitement dared the very reason many of his officers and men still remain in the force. He has told the police men and women to stop taking income ‘subsidy’ from road users. To confirm that it is an unrealistic demand, the respected officer who once policed Lagos State, did not provide the alternative to the Police welfare package, popularly known as roger, family support, among other catchy names. The IGP did not say, for instance, that he has secured an approval to increase the salary and allowances of his men; even if not comparable to the jumbo allowances of politicians or other privileged sectors of the economy. Where the acting IGP to have the capacity to stop this subsidy regime, I will not be surprised if he experiences mass resignation from the force.

The smart looking IGP from his looks must have long lost interest in the pecuniary benefits associated with wearing uniform in Nigeria. Each time I see him on television, I keep wandering how he grew through the ranks, without the physical benefit of bearing arms and uniform. While I do not have access to his profile, it may be correct to say that he hated road blocks early in his career; for him to still remain trim and fit. Who does not know that straight from a road block, the officers and men in uniform, not only among the police, move directly to ‘joints’ where the days subsidy receipts is cross checked in the presence of the participants, and the income shared according to ranks and responsibilities. Of course after making deductions for beer and pepper soup to help relax the nerves after a hard day’s job.

There is yet another issue the IGP did not take into consideration when setting out to abrogate road blocks, as the beats have more or less become the duty posts of many of his men. He has not considered the cramp police offices and where his officers will stay to do the investigations and research that he is asking for; unless he hopes to get an emergency declared to build new police stations and refurbish old ones fitted with equipment, laboratories and communication gadgets. If, however, he forces his men back to base, many of them may have to make do with seized vehicles as temporary offices and residential rooms when on transfer or forced to sleep over. With many of the police men still paying for their uniforms, boots and other accessories, stealing of these precious items could also become a new headache.

Of course the IGP would have to contend not only with a demoralised police force; he will now contend with an unsubsidised police. Without the family support from the road blocks that supports the official salary, many will leave the force, while those left behind would become even more dangerous than they currently are.

Bails which have always been advertised as free, but in reality is based on bargain and the level of importance of the culprit, may be faced with a sharp increase and a standardised pricing, something akin to the removal of fuel subsidy. Again with the arms and ammunition in the custody of an unsubsidised Police, cases of accidental and deliberate ‘discharge’ may rise; sale and/or loss of guns and bullets may rise and the IGP will just have antagonists as colleagues all across the country.

But if despite these challenges, the IGP goes ahead with his good intentions, then the executive and the national assembly must move quickly to help the acting IGP; as our police needs total reorganisation in structure, infrastructure and codes of practice. How that can be done side by side with the entrenched institutional abuse now in place is a huge challenge. With many of the police men working as private security for the politicians, with limited budgetary allocations and the lack of facilities and technical competence among the rank and file, I am wandering whether the new IGP will not go the way of his predecessors. That is declared a failure in few years and then shoved out of office. To avoid this faith there is the need to expand the sources of resources to provide an effective policing of Nigeria, and I dare say there is no alternative way out. Towards that I will advise the acting IGP to support even if in private the call for creation of state police.

Before we cross that inevitable road to a constitutional amendment to allow a state police, let us all support and wish the acting IGP well in his uphill task. Unfortunately, as the man is exciting Nigerians with his vision; the presidency has already limited his options with the inauguration of the Parry Osayande committee on the so called police reform. How the federal government’s policy on restructuring will be carried out by this committee made up of conservative interests is my worry. If the presidency is serious for a new police, fresh ideas are needed. But to have a new police may be expecting so much from a political class distracted by unprecedented corruption.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

31

LAW & SOCIETY

NIALS names centre after Ayoola • How to deal with trans-national criminality, by law experts

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HE Nigerian Institute of Ad vanced Legal Studies (NIALS) has created the Centre for Transnational Legal Practice and Trans-border Crimes, which it named after a retired Justice of the Supreme Court,Emmanuel Ayoola.

The centre, headed by Dr Adebisi Arewa, brings to 10 the number of such under the Director-General, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN).

Jurists at a two-day seminar/lecture organised in honour of former Chief Justice of the Western Region, late Justice Akinola Aguda,

by NIALS in Lagos, sought ways to end rising cases of trans-border crimes.

It had as theme: Transnational legal practice and cross-border criminality.

Aguda was also a pioneer director-general of the institute.

Speakers attributed the inability to curb crimes such as terrorism, human/drug trafficking, money laundering and petroleum smuggling to lack of “expertise” in the application and enforcement of the law.

They said a bit of “radicalism” is needed, as well as removing “innocence” from the laws. Lawyers also need to think outside local practice, they said.

Among the speakers were retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Kayode Eso; former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC),Justice Ayoola; and former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof Adedokun Adeyemi.

Others are former Supreme Court Justice, Olayiwola Aderemi; Executive Secretary, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Emmanuel Akomaye; Prof.

Dakas C. J Dakas, Prof Obiora Okafor, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, Prof Deji Adekunle, Dr Chinyere Ani and Dr Arewa.

Azinge said the idea of expanding knowledge in transnational legal practice and cross border criminality was conceived primarily to immortalise Aguda.

“While we were not contemplating the establishment of the centre, we felt that it would be out of place of we didn’t because of the commitment, the passion, the zeal and enthusiasm demonstrated by Justice Ayoola, who chaired the occasion.

“Behind the scene he kept saying we must do something. It is the kind of passion that is very rare among retired people, especially retired Justices.

“The commitment was overwhelming and we felt that certainly, apart from the suggestions he made, the institute should do something and do it quickly.

“It came to him as a very big surprise that we have established the centre and also named it after him.

He was indeed emotional about it.

“We were also lucky that in one fell swoop, while establishing the centre, there was also somebody with equal commitment and enthusiasm in the person of Chief Godwin Obla who immediately indicated his readiness and willingness to donate the initial funding for the centre and which he graciously fulfilled immediately.

“I believe that with that, the centre will take off smoothly,” Azinge said.

On why Ayoola deserved such honour, Azinge said: “For the fact that he, undoubtedly, cuts across as a very brilliant man. He has clearly demonstrated that over the years, his international repute and

By John Austin Unachukwu, Legal Editor, and Joseph Jibueze

exposure is one that is not in doubt.

“He is, indeed, a man with very wide horizon and international connection in the course of his extensive and expansive participation in global issues abroad.”

The director-general revealed that a journal on the subject is underway.

“Hitherto we were thinking of establishing a Journal of Transnational and Comparative Law, to be edited by Prof Dakas under the auspices of the institute, with my humble self as the editorin-chief.

“We have finalised all the necessary arrangements. Now that we have the centre, the journal can form part and parcel of it and be housed in the centre.

“We have also decided to publish a leading text in the area, whether it is a collection of texts or otherwise. It could be a tribute in honour of Justice Aguda because it is under his auspices that we held this seminar and lecture.

“If we are able to do that, those who are yet to be introduced to the nuances of transnational legal practice would have an opportunity in the form of a text book which they can easily digest for their own understanding, knowledge and information as the case may be.

“So, we are hoping that the forward of the book in question will be written by Justice Ayoola.

“He will also have the privilege of delivering the next Akinola Aguda memorial lecture for 2013, all arising from the passion and unusual commitment he demonstrated.”

Azinge expressed optimism that the centre, like others before it, will succeed.

“This is a baby that born and christened, ready to take off immediately. I believe that it is going to be a very good centre of excellence in the institute.

“We pray to God that it will serve its purpose and help in educating Nigerians and non-Nigerians in all the issues that have to do with transnational legal practice.”

In a chat with The Nation, Ayoola expressed his joy at the surprise of having a centre named after him.

“I feel elated because it came to me as a surprise. When I was invited to be the chairman of this two-day event, I did not expect that this was going to happen.

“I am tremendously happy, not because the centre has been named after me, but because I know that it is what we need and that it is going to function very well.”

On his expectations of the centre, he said: “It is that the centre will

• From left: Prof. Bolaji Owasananoye, Prof Paul Idornigie, Justice Ayoola (rtd) and Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun, at the event.

• Dr Emmanuel Okon (left) and Prof (Emeritus) Adedokun Adeyemi.

build national capacity in transnational law so that we have expertise in building legal framework for many of the challenges of trans-border or transnational crimes that we have, including terrorism.

“If we have people with legal skills, with expertise in transnational law, we will be able to design better strategies to meet the multifarious organised crimes that we are experiencing now.”

Speaking at the seminar, he noted that laws on cross-border crimes need to be amended to serve modern needs.

“Our laws remain what they used to be from the days of innocence,” he said, adding that what he called “legitimate, legal rascality” is needed to deal with “criminal rascality.”

Ayoola said the need to develop expertise in dealing with the resultant challenges of trans-border criminal activities has become ur-

gent.

According to him, there is a growing perception that Nigeria has not shown any structured or coordinated effort at developing such expertise.

“Nigeria cannot protect itself from organised crimes and transborder criminality or formulate effective and robust anti-organised crime measures unless it has the necessary expertise to cope with the demands of creating the legal framework and law-backed strategies for dealing with trans-border criminality at the level of law-making, law execution and adjudication.

“In the same vein we cannot play any meaningful role as global legal practitioners without learning in that field.”

Prof Adeyemi said it is important that lawyers become acquainted with crime and criminality with international dimensions,

‘For the fact that he, undoubtedly, cuts across as a very brilliant man. He has clearly demonstrated that over the years, his international repute and exposure is one that is not in doubt’

as well as the processes for their investigation, trial and appeal processes.

“The average Nigerian legal practitioner has neither studied the civil law system of any of our neighbouring countries, nor does he or she study the French language, with which legal practice can be done in those countries.

“Even those who study law in Ghana do not deem it fit to study for, and be called to the Ghanaian Bar, where they do not even need any bi-lingualism.

“Perhaps, the time has now arrived when the Nigerian training institutional authorities should ensure that all legal practitioners, and indeed all university graduates trained in Nigeria, learn to speak and write fluently in the French language.

“This will enable Nigerian lawyers to be properly positioned for transnational legal practice in the 21st century, particularly if Nigeria is now to take full advantage of the ECOWAS Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and Right of Residence and Establishment.”

Justice Eso regretted that Aguda never made it to the Supreme Court, saying he was ruled out due to the Federal Character principle.

Faulting the principle, Eso said it “knows no quality.”

Court to rule on John Holt’s application March 8

J

USTICE M.O. Emeya of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja has fixed March 8, for ruling in an application for stay of proceedings brought by John Holt Plc in a suit filed by its former employee Mr Olusegun Thomas Ejoor for nonpayment of the balance of his entitlements by the company.

Counsel to John Holt,Mr Ebenezer Uvhie, said at the resumed hearing of the suit last week that his client was asking for a stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal filed against an earlier ruling of the court on jurisdiction.

Uvhie had argued that only the National Industrial Court (NIC) is empowered to hear matters of this

By Adebisi Onanuga

nature in accordance with third alteration to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made in April last year.

But the counsel to the claimant, Mr A. Fadipe had opposed the application saying that the third alteration to the constitution which gave NIC jurisdiction over a matter of this nature has no retrospective effect.

“That law which transferred power to NIC over matters like this has no retrospective effect. It then means that matters like this already in court before the law came into being must still be heard by the court”, he said.

Fadipe argued that a law which came into existence only in April 2011 can not have any retrospective effect on a case that was already in court since 2010.

He averred that since the claimant filed the suit in court in 2010, the court still has the power to determine the matter.

Earlier, the defendant had filed an application in which it argued that the court lack jurisdiction to hear the matter and that it was only the NIC that could entertain such matter.

But the court had overruled the defendant saying that the state high court has jurisdiction to hear the matter since it was filed before the third alteration to the

constitution.

Justice Emeha has however adjourned the matter to March 8, 2012 for ruling.

Ejoor had sued his former employer, John Holt Plc, over its refusal to pay his gratuity of N11,157897.28 since he left the service in June 2008 after 35 years of meritorious service.

Ejoor also asked to be paid interests at the rate of 30 per cent per annum on the N11,157,897.28 from July 01, 2008 to the date of judgement and thereafter, interests at the prevailing bank rate until full and final payment of the judgment sum is liquidated.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

32

LAW & HUMAN RIGHTS

Status of human and peoples rights in Africa between April and October 2011

I

NFORMATION from the promotional missions undertaken by members of the Commission to State Parties, from the Periodic Reports of State Parties considered by the Commission, from the intersession activity reports of the Members and Special Mechanisms of the Commission and from the intervention made by the State Parties during the 50 th Ordinary Session, reveal both positive developments as well as causes for concern regarding the status of human and peoples’ rights on the continent during the last six months. (a)Positive developments 2.A number of countries have adopted legislation to domesticate international and regional human rights instruments: Senegal adopted a law instituting the National Observer of Places of Deprivation of Liberty as its National Preventive Mechanism; the Freedom of Information Act was passed into law in Nigeria; the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act 2011 was passed in Lesotho; in addition Nigeria, Togo, Namibia and Uganda have initiated bills criminalising torture in their respective jurisdictions.

3.A number of countries either ratified or acceded to various international and regional human rights instruments during the intersession. Guinea and Zambia ratified the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; Togo ratified the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa; Benin ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights; Tunisia acceded to the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court and the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT); while Cape Verde and Mauritania also signed the same Protocol during the intersession.

4.Further, South Africa launched a Child Protection Unit within the South African Police Service; the Government of Zimbabwe purchased and officially handed over a building to accommodate the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, and an Older Persons Bill was gazetted and now awaits debate in the Parliament of Zimbabwe; additional resources were allocated to improve places of detention in the Kingdom of Swaziland, in South Africa and in Tunisia; while Burundi established a National Human Rights Commission.

5.With the regard to the right to popular participation, peaceful presidential elections were held in Cape Verde (August 7, 2011), in Sao Tome & Principe (August 7, 2011), in Cameroon (October 9, 2011) and in Zambia (September 20, 2011). In Liberia the first round of elections was held in Liberia on October 11, 2011; additionally, Tunisia successfully held parliamentary elections following the popular uprising which occurred at the beginning of the year.

6.During a promotion visit to Nigeria, the delegate from the African Commission was informed that over the last four years, the Government of Nigeria had renovated over 60 per cent of the prisons in the country, and had also built some new prisons and new cells to ensure that the environment where prisoners are kept does not

detract from their humanity. The African Commission commends the establishment of the Borstal institutions for the rehabilitation of young male offenders.

7.During a promotional visit to Tunisia, the African Commission observed with satisfactory the great strides made in Tunisia in responding to the situation of women and children in prison. The African Commission also appreciated the range of training and skills programmes to rehabilitate women and children offenders in all the detention places visited. The African Commission commends Tunisia for offering education in prison, as this gives prisoners the chance to have a better future outside of the prison system by helping them to be equipped with useful and practical knowledge to become self-sufficient.

8.During a joint promotion visit to Algeria, several Special Mechanisms of the African Commission noted the improvement in the representation of women in some governance structures, such as in the Parliament, Government Ministries and other decision-making positions. Further, the delegation observed the various measures taken over the past few years to eliminate discriminatory laws against women, and in particular the amendment of Article 31 of the Constitution which now guarantees equality between men and women and the establishment of a Commission to ensure its implementation.

9.The African Commission commended the inclusion of provisions prohibiting torture in the training manual of the Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) and commuting the death sentences of sixty (60) prisoners to life improvement following the Constitutional Court Judgement, in the Concluding Observations on the Periodic Report of the Republic of Uganda 10.Further, the African Commission commended the adoption of the law relating to the protection of handicapped persons and the establishment of mechanisms for the promotion of their rights, in the Concluding Observation on the Periodic Report of the Republic of Burkina Faso. (b)Causes for concern 11.These positive developments notwithstanding, the African Commission continued to both note and receive reports of human rights violations from different parts of the continent.

12.During the period under review, allegations of arrests and arbitrary detention of civilians, journalists and human rights defenders, pre-trial detention, torture and harassment of human rights defenders, violations of the rights of women and breaches of the rights of groups such as migrants in some State Parties, were reported the Commission.

13.In addition, high levels of overcrowding, disease, malnutrition, torture and ill-treatment of inmates and unduly long periods of pre-trial detention were noted in some places of detention in Africa. At the end of a prison visit to Nigeria, the African Commission expressed concern regarding the overcrowding which was observed in many of the prisons visited, a fact acknowledged by the Delegation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the presentation of its four Periodic Report at

• Mrs Catherine Atoki, Chairperson, African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights

the 50 th Ordinary Session of the Commission in October 2011. The African Commission is especially concerned about prisoners in Nigeria who have been awaiting trial for a period ranging two- 13 years.

In this regard, the African Commission recommends adherence to Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 7(1) (a) of the African Charter, which guarantees the right of persons to be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time.

14.The African Commission is also concerned about the non implementation of the recommendations of the various Committees hitherto set up by the Government of Nigeria with a view to reform the Justice and Prison System.

15.The African Commission equally expressed its concern about the high number of prisoners on death row and overcrowding in prisons, in its Concluding Observations on the Periodic Report of the Republic of Uganda.

16.The African Commission is concerned about the prevailing conflict situation in Somalia which has further exacerbated the famine and led to an influx of refugees into Kenya. In addition, reports of the extra-judicial kill-

ings and persecution of African migrant workers in Libya, as well as the killing of innocent civilians during the Libyan conflict, were also brought to the attention of the African Commission. The situation in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile, in the Sudan, which have reportedly resulted in the displacement of populations, and created a serious human rights situation, were also brought to the attention of the Commission.

17.Access to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights continues to be constrained by the limited number of ratifications, as well as the reluctance of State Parties that have ratified the protocol establishing the African Court, to make the requisite Declaration, as stated in Article 34(6) of the Protocol, to allow individuals and NGOs direct access to the African Court.

18.Further to this, the African Commission is also concerned about the low rate of implementation and domestication of those regional and international human rights instruments that have been ratified by State Parties, as this impedes the realisation of human and peoples’ rights on the continent. (c)Interventions of the African

Commission 19.The African Commission has taken a number of measures and actions including the following, in response to some of the challenges outlined above: i.The African Commission adopted and launched the Principles on the Implementation of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the Guidelines on Reporting by State Parties on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to guide the efforts of State Parties in providing basic healthcare, education, water, adequate shelter, food and other basic necessities to their people. ii.The African Commission organized a number of sensitization seminars, workshops and a host of other activities in various countries, in collaboration with State Parties and other partners. These workshops and seminars were aimed at raising public awareness and empowering relevant stakeholders on human rights promotion and protection on the continent. iii.The African Commission undertook promotion missions to a number of State Parties and held discussions on the issues and challenges which influence the implementation of regional human rights instruments. The African Commission met with government authorities and engaged in constructive and continuing dialogue in order to identify good practices, share experiences and make recommendations on ways and means of addressing the challenges facing them with a view to strengthening existing policies, programs and plans of action and initiating new ones. iv.By virtue of Article 62 of the African Charter, the Commission received and examined Periodic Reports submitted by State Parties to the Charter. It engaged in constructive dialogue with the authorities of those State Parties and made useful recommendations on ways and means of enhancing and sustaining a culture of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. v.The African Commission and its Special Mechanisms adopted Resolutions, issued Press Statements, and sent Urgent Appeals to concerned State Parties with a view to raising its concerns about various human rights violations that has come to its attention. It issued for example, a Press Statement on the deteriorating human rights situation in Libya and Egypt, which, inter alia, condemned the violence against civilians and called on those Governments to uphold the fundamental rights and freedoms as provided in the African Charter. vi.The African Commission, acting under Rule 98 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, adopted provisional measures on the human rights situation in Southern Kordofan.

• From left: Ogundiran Mobolaji, John Uttute, Jude Uttute, Aderonke Ogundiran, Adewole Adeshola and Ogboghodo Jackson, at the last call to Bar by Nigeria Law School, Abuja.

33

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

LAW & SOCIETY LATE JUSTICE AKINOLA AGUDA MEMORIAL SEMINAR/LECTURE ON ‘TRANS-NATIONAL LEGAL PRACTICE AND CROSS-BORDER CRIMINALITY’ ORGANISED BY THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS) IN LAGOS

• Former NIALS Director-General, Prof Ayo Ajomo (left) and former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola • Prof Adedokun Adeyemi (left) and NIALS Director-General, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN)

• Former Supreme Court Justice, Kayode Eso (left) and his counterpart Justice Olayiwola Aderemi

Association holds award night

O

TU Oka-Iwu, an association of Igbo lawyers in Lagos, has held its annual dinner/ award night at the Metropolitan Club.

Chairman of the event, Prof. Anya O. Anya, urged them to identify where their collective interest is and play according to the rules. He said: “We must come from a position of knowledge and understanding.

As lawyers, you must know where our collective interest is and put it in the new.

He added: “Lawyers hold the ace and we depend on you to give us the guiding light so that we do not stumble and also for us to avoid the must takes of the past.”

Deputy Senate President,Ike Ekeweremadu, delivered a paper on the po-

sition of Ndigbo on states creation.

Earlier in his welcome address, President of Otu Oka-Iwu, Z. C. Zik Obi II, thanked members for turning out and urged the lawyers to work hard and toe the path of honour.

He thanked members for their dedication and urged both the awardees and member, to be guided by honesty, integrity and hard work.

Among those honoured by the association were Ekweremadu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, who was represented by the former Director-General of the NIMASA, Mr Ferdinand Agu; Justice Okeke of the Federal High Court, Chief Mike Igbokwe (SAN), Senator Onyeabor Obi, and C. Ziggy Azike.

• Prof Isabella Okagbue (left) and Mrs Akinola Aguda

Man demands N100m from police for ‘defamatory’ publication

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LHAJI Mohammed Rotim Lawal has petitioned the Nigerian Police over the alleged publication of his name as a wanted person in a national newspaper by the police.

He is asking for a payment of N100 million as compensation from the police on the damage the publication has done to his reputation or that they should be prepared for legal fireworks.

Lawal is also demanding a written apology and retraction of the offending publication which appeared on page 32 of the national daily’s December 14, 2011 edition and a full page retraction in the same daily paper that was used for the publication.

The petition by his lawyer, Mr Destiny Obun Takon, said Lawal was perplexed about the place of the rule of law when he gathered that the publication was ostensibly approved by the office of the Inspector-General (IG).

It read: “We are compelled at this juncture to query your justification for so publish-

By Jude Isiguzo

ing our client’s data, in spite of the pending suit before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court between our client, your office and others. Your action in publishing our client’s data in the said publication is under the circumstance of the case, rascally, malicious, defamatory and contemptuous of court.

“We shall not hesitate to give effect to our client’s further instruction to seek redress against your office for damages done to his reputation and ensure that appropriate order of court are made against your person and office”.

Efforts to get police to respond to the allegation raised in the petition were not successful. Several calls and text message to the Force Police Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), Mr Sola Amore, a Deputy Commission (DCP) on the alleged publication was not answered as at press time.

Court halts work on disputed property

A

• From left: Agu; Zik Obi II, Ekweremadu and Prof. Anya at the event.

LAGOS State High Court, Igbosere Road, has stopped further construction on a plot of land located on 53, Iga Idungaran Street, Isale-Eko, Lagos Island, until a pending suit is determined.

Justice Sybil Nwaka granted an interim injunction against building on the land where a three-storey building was demolished by agents of the Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Authority (LSPPDA) on the court’s order.

The applicant, Alhaji Salami Lawal, sought the restraining order pending the hearing of his motion on notice.

He is urging the court to set aside its earlier order to demolish the storey-building, as well as make an order for a retrial.

The defendants are Amos Ewetuga and Mrs Florence Oshode (for themselves and on behalf of the children of late Pa Joseph Ewetuga); Mrs. Arinola

By Joseph Jibueze

Adekoya and Madam Ashabi Sosanya (for themselves and on behalf of the children of Late Madam Ayinke Lewis), LSPPDA (fifth defendant), Babatunde Sosanya and Mrs. Jimoke Sarumi.

When the case came up, the applicant’s counsel, Chimezie Peter, informed the court that the new developers were constructing on the site, a claim that was not controverted.

He urged the court to order a halt pending the hearing of the motion dated August 29, 2011.

According to him, the ruling which ordered the demolitidid not order a fresh construction.

Ruling, Justice Nwaka said: “I am of the opinion that the defendants have gone far and above the ruling. I therefore order that the defendants should forthwith put a stop to further construction on the said piece of land.”

She adjourned further hearing till March 7.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

34

LAW & DEVELOPMENT AT THE CALL TO THE NIGERIAN BAR ORGANISED BY NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, ABUJA

• From left: Attorney-General of Ogun State, Oluwemimo Ogunde (SAN), Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Damian Dodo (SAN) and President Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN) Alhaji Tajudeen Oladoja

• Former General Secretary NBA, Ibrahim Mark, Mrs Victoria Awomolo, Mrs Nina Mark and Iroagalachi Anthony

• The Nation’s columnist, Mr Dele Agekameh (right); his wife, Bisi, and their son, Fabian, who was called to the bar last week.

• Femi Falana and his wife Funmi

• From left: Winifred Olanipekun, Dapo Olanipekun, former General Secretary NBA, Lawal Rafiu Rabana (SAN), Bode Olanipekun and Mrs Omolara Olanipekun.

• HRH Eze Dr C.I. Ilomuanya, Obi of Obinugwu and his wife Ebele

• Cross section of lawyers at the call to Bar of the Nigerian Law School, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

35

LEGAL OPINION Text of a paper presented by former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) at a round table organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Akoka, Lagos.

Retreat of legal process •Continued from last week

A

LSO about a week before his death, Chief Iyiola Omisore, then deputy governor of Osun State was involved in an incident at an event in Ibadan, where Chief Ige was rough-handled and his cap removed. The incident was apparently somewhat related to the assassination of an Osun State PDP chieftain, Chief Olagbaju – which the local PDP held the AD (Chief Bola Ige’s party) accountable for.

Some highlights of the subsequent investigation of the killing are that: 1. Forensic evidence, either of finger prints or ballistics, did not feature in the investigations. The prosecution was not provided with evidence as basic as whether fingerprints at the scene of the incident matched those of any of the suspects.

2. Ademola Adebayo alias ‘Fryo’ swore to an affidavit, which he handed over to his counsel, Mr Festus Keyamo, where he alleged that Chief Iyiola Omisore had offered him N5 million to kill Chief Bola Ige. 3. The police later arrested ‘Fryo’ and his lawyer, Keyamo. After two weeks in detention ‘Fryo’ recanted; and alleged that he was tutored by Keyamo to make the allegations.

‘Fryo’ also wrote a letter on the February 11, 2002 de-briefing Keyamo. Photocopies of the letter were distributed to the media by the police.

4. Keyamo was charged to court by the Police allegedly for making false declarations and perverting the course of justice. Keyamo maintained his position that ‘Fryo’ had confessed to him on tape and hand-wrote his confession. He also claimed that ‘Fryo’s’ testimony showed that he was familiar with Chief Omisore’s itinerary and had, in fact, been present in his house on specific occasions.

5. Alani Omisore, a cousin of Chief Iyiola Omisore, was identified by Andrew Olotu (the security guard on duty the night Bola Ige was assassinated) as the leader of the assassination squad. Alani presented an alibi, claiming that he was not in Ibadan that day.

6. Keyamo, (in an interview with researchers for this study) claimed that while in detention he was in a cell next door to Chief Iyiola Omisore and Andrew Olotu and that Andrew Olotu and Omisore were in the same cell for months. He alleged that Andrew Olotu was well taken care of by Omisore, and that frequently Omisore would shout across to him that he had just bought food for Olotu and he could get Keyamo some food if he desired it.

7. Andrew Olotu, who had earlier identified Alani Omisore later recanted, claiming that his earlier statement was extracted by torture. ACP Amusa Bello, who headed the investigations denied the allegations of torture and recalled that Olotu was about to be released on bail after being interrogated, but just before he was released, he (Olotu) saw Alani and Iyiola Omisore entering the premises of the Alagbon Police station, and informed him (ACP Musa Bello) that he had seen the man who led the assailants ( Alani Omisore) 8. ACP Musa Bello claimed to have a video tape of Andrew Olotu demonstrating how he was held at gun point and forced to take them to Chief Bola Ige’s room.

9. Muyiwa Ige, Chief Bola Ige’s son who was in Chief Ige’s home on the night of the assassination, identified Mr Pade Omisore, as one of the assailants who had ordered him to lie down on a bed at gunpoint. Pade Omisore was arrested, questioned and later released by the police.

10.By May 29, 2003, a PDP government had taken over in Oyo State. A nolle prosequi was entered by the DPP, Mrs Olubunmi Oyesina for most of the suspects except Chief Iyiola Omisore. In October 2004 Justice Atilade Ojo ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against Chief Omisore.

11. All the principal investigators of the case, DIG Abimbola Ojomo (then Head of Force Criminal Investigation Department), ACP Amusa Bello, were redeployed or otherwise taken off the investigation long before it was concluded and the suspects charged to court.

12. In May of 2007, the Obasanjo administration announced that an alleged drug baron, Moshood Enifeni had confessed while in detention to some fellow inmates that he was

•Osinbajo

responsible for the assassination ostensibly because Chief Bola Ige was Attorney-General and Chief Prosecutor in a drug-related case against him. The IGP, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, in a most bizarre television interrogation of Moshood Enifeni by some hooded individuals who claimed to have been his cell mates, declared that Enifeni was the culprit. Enifeni’s family at a press conference stridently denied the allegation and claimed that the alleged case against him was plea-bargained in August 2001, when he was released and that he could, therefore, not have borne a grudge of any kind as of December 2001 when Chief Bola Ige was killed.

There is little doubt that the quality of police investigation in this case was to put it mildly, superficial. The police appeared more actively concerned with ensuring that neither the government nor functionaries of the ruling party were implicated in any way in the assassination than in discovering the perpetrators. The police, it appeared, were determined to discredit and intimidate both Fryo and his counsel as evidenced by their detention and the haste in charging Mr Keyamo. Haz Iwendi, the police spokesperson was quoted as saying that a confession made to a lawyer was not usable by the police.

Fryo’s detention and his recant during the period certainly did not help the credibility of the conclusion that he somehow invented the facts and got his lawyer involved in it.

Again that Andrew Olotu who had positively identified Alani Omisore as the leader of the gang of assailants was kept in the same cell or even within interacting vicinity of Iyiola Omisore and that the said Olotu eventually recanted is the sort of poor judgment in witness protection that reeks of pre-meditation on the part of the police.

The assassination of Funso Williams Funso Wlliams, a PDP candidate for the governorship of Lagos State was killed in his study at home in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos on July 27, 2006.

Prior to his assassination, a fractious disagreement had developed among the top contenders for the PDP gubernatorial ticket for Lagos State, which had degenerated into violence between supporters of one such candidate and the then Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe and those of Funso Williams.

•To be continued

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

36

LAW PERSONALITY

S’ Court decision on tenure: Matters arising

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HE landmark decision of the Supreme Court in the appeal on the tenure of the former governors of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River, Kogi and Sokoto states appears to have raised more questions than it resolved. The decision had brought sanity to the hitherto confused state where a position prevailed; which was capable of issuing a blank cheque to a governor to stay on for as long as he could in a single term of four years certain. The decision is courageous, brilliant, sensible, commonsensical and reasonable. It is the law. Law is the voice of reason.

Then, the decision had left some consequential questions unanswered. But then an appellate Court has been said, in at least one decision, not to be a knight-errant looking for skirmishes all about the place. This means that the Supreme Court does not have the primary business of foraging into the realm of problems detection and proffering answers to the detected problems unless those problems are properly raised as issues before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court had ruled that the tenure of the ex-governors terminated on May 28, 2011, that is, the eve of the fourth anniversary of the day they subscribed to their first oath of office. Accordingly, the Speakers of the respective Houses of Assembly were ordered to take over as Acting Governors pending the conduct of governorship elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within 90 days. It was based on this that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN) directed that the Speakers should immediately be sworn in. The AGF did not exclude Kogi State where Capt. Idris Wada (PDP) had won a governorship election and waiting for the supposed ‘tenure’ of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris to expire before he could be sworn in.

Owing to the limited nature of the apex Court’s jurisdiction no special mention was made about Kogi State where a different scenario existed. The issue was whether the landmark decision offered a clean slate which would consequentially invalidate the Kogi election and probably even the party primaries. This question also came alive in Bayelsa State where opposing political camps were still at logger-heads as to who between the then incumbent, Chief Timipre Silva and the new party choice, Hon. Seriake Dickson, was the valid candidate.

Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Kogi State reportedly refused to swear in the then governor-elect Idris Wada leading to his swearing in by the President of the Customary Court of Appeal for Kogi State. The State Chief Judge later swore in the Speaker to act,

By Chijioke Ogham-Emeka

precipitating a constitutional crisis.

This raised another question: Can the President of the Customary Court of Appeal validly swear in a governor? Of course the act ran counter to the directive of the AGF that speakers should act. Another question arose: Can the AGF issue such directives to States authorities under our federal system? This deserves an answer, but a more important question will be whether the assumption of Idris Wada did not run contrary, not to the AGF’s directive, but to the Supreme Court’s order (rightly or wrongly) that Speakers be sworn in and elections conducted by INEC in the five States, without excluding Kogi State?

Now it is trite that when a Court makes an order it takes effect forthwith except the Court expressly states a time for the coming into effect of the judgment. Our respectful view is that the judgment of the Supreme Court took effect from the date it was delivered. The decision which ordered elections to be held in the five states meant what it says. It was wriiten in English Language. It was the pronouncement of that day that effectively created vacancy in the office of the governors of the relevant states.

It throws up the question whether INEC should not conduct a new election in Kogi State.

Is the election of Wada, which was conducted on the erroneous decision of the Court of Appeal on when Ibrahim Idris’ tenure would end, valid under the new position? To abide the new position from the apex Court, is INEC not required to comply with Section 30 of the Electoral Act and issue a Notice of Election? Are statutory time-lines to be reckoned from the supposed date of termination of tenure, May 29, 2011 or from a new Notice of Election?

Knowing the obstinacy of Nigerians in seeking judicial answers, this question may start yet another round of judicial journey up the ladder. It is compelling to refrain from stating a conclusive view on that.

The Bayelsa PDP headache follows naturally under this new spate of questions. Sylva won a primary election in 2011. Dickson won a new one in January 2012. The one was conducted under the initial view that Sylva’s tenure would expire on May 29, 2011 like most of the governors, and the other conducted based on the Court of Appeal’s decision that it would expire sometime in 2012. Now, if the same juridical platform upon which we placed the Supreme Court’s decision for Kogi is erected for Bayelsa, then the two primaries would appear to have problems, the one being too remote in law and fact to a new election, and the other based on the invalidated decision of the Court of

• CJN Musdapher

• Ogham-Emeka

Appeal. So should it not be a clean slate nomination? The Courts will decide.

But one thing that stands out in statutory law and case law jurisprudence is that the decision of the political party as to who their candidate will be, will be paramount. Provided of course that due process is followed under Section 87 of the Electoral Act. The last may not have been heard from the Courts on the Bayelsa PDP primary elections. It may linger long after the governorship election.

Other matters arising: Can INEC ignore the order to conduct elections within 90 days in respect of Kogi State? It is doubtful if such a decision can be ignored by the Federal Government, the PDP and INEC in an apparent political conspiracy without clarification from the apex Court. It is a dangerous precedent.

What of the AGF’s power to direct that speakers should be sworn in? Our federal practice, as the Supreme Court has said in at least two decisions, does not derive from political science textbooks but from the Constitution. The AGF is the attorney general of the “federation”, not necessarily of the ‘Federal Government’ (Section 150 CFRN). He could direct that the judgment of the Supreme Court be complied with.

The directive was intra vires. It is distinguishable.

What of the ‘customary law’ swearing in? The president of the Customary Court of Appeal in Kogi State also acted intra vires. Any of the Chief Judge, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal and the Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of a State can swear in a governor. It is not even dependent on if the CJ is unavailable.

Even in the presence of the CJ, it could be administratively decided that the President of the Customary Court of Appeal or the Grand Kadi should perform the ceremony while the Learned CJ looks on and applauds like every other person. Section 185(2) CFRN. There are law reform issues arising from the ‘decree’ of the Judicial Oracles in Abuja.

The tenure of a ‘returnee governor’ will be less than four years by the period it takes to conduct a fresh election. It is suggested that relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act be amended to reduce the time it takes to conduct fresh elections. The prevailing three months are in our respectful view, too large to lose out of a tenure. We suggest one month for fresh elections; and it is practicable.

Also Section 18 of the CFRN (First Alteration) Act, which offered legislative remedy to the problem before this decision, by amending Section 180 of the Principal Act, needs a retouch. It simply says “…the time spent in office before the date the election was annulled shall be taken into account”.

This means well but can be open to another morass of confusing interpretations. It is suggested that it simply says something like ‘where a governor whose election is nullified wins a re-run, his tenure will be deemed to have continued to run from the date he took oath of office; and will terminate as if he had not left office’. Full stop.

• Ogham-Emeka, a lawyer, writes from Lagos.

Court sentences staff to 10 years imprisonment for defrauding UBA

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USTICE Olubunmi Oyewole of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja has sentenced a middle-aged man, Omemogor Romeo to 10 years imprisonment for defrauding the United Bank of Africa (UBA) of N9.26million.

Justice Oyewole found him guilty on a 30-count amended charge of conspiracy, falsification of account and obtaining by false pretence for which he was arraigned and he was consequently convicted.

The trial judge held that the prosecution has established its case and found Romeo guilty as charged on all the 30-count offence for which he was charged.

Romoeo was an Information Technology (IT) officer in the IT department of the bank. ”It is unfortunate that the defendant choose to apply his special skills and talents in a criminal manner thereby destroying and terminating a promising career. I, therefore, sentence him to five years each without option of fine for each of counts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29. ”I sentence you to 10 years on each of count 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30,” the judge said.

He said all sentences would run concurrently and would start from February 2, 2007 when he was first remanded. He also ordered that Romeo should pay all sums that accrued to him from the fraud to UBA.”The trial judge said that he ac-

By Adebisi Onanuga

cepted testimonies of the prosecution witnesses which was corroborated in part by the defendant, noting that the defendant acted in concert with his convicted friend, Francis Ineh, in respect of all the alleged offences.” I accordingly find him guilty as charged on each of the 30 counts alleged against him herein. I, therefore, convict him as charged on each of the said counts”, he said. Romeo was first arraigned on February 19, 2007 as the second defendant on a 10-count charge to which he pleaded not guilty but in the course of the trial, his codefendant changed his plea to guilty and was accordingly convicted and sentenced while the initial charge was amended.

During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses, four of whom were staff of UBA and an investigator at Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The four bankers are Mrs. Nneka Nwankwo in the credit monitoring division of the bank; Mrs Ngozi Ikemba, a customer service manager whose profile was used to commit the crime; Mr Usman Isiaka, an auditor with the bank and Mr. Omolaja Sorunke, the group Head of Information Technology Audit of the bank and is an expert in detecting electronic fraud.

The defendants made a no case

submission which was thrown out by the court leading to the trial.

The defence called one witness while the defendant himself also testified from the witness box.During the trial, the first defence witness, Mabel Chionyeneye Irone-Nduka, the Head of Information Technology Care team testified that Romeo was part of her team and the only one skilled in setting up standard instructions and had the sole responsibility for standing instructions related issues. She added that on the day of the fraud, she was in the office for a training programme involving her team and the defendant was on duty, but only came to join the training around 3p.m on the grounds that he was busy supporting operations, adding that she knew the first convict as Romeo’s cousin.

Romeo in his defence confirmed that the first convict was his childhood friend whom he assisted to open an account in the bank, but was not aware he had other accounts in the bank as at the time he opened account for him.

He added that he became aware of the alleged fraud when his friend brought some money about $64, 000.00 for him to change but was unable to do so and he handed the sum for him to keep overnight.He stated that he didn’t suspect anything as his friend

works in the Western Union section of Ecobank and his residence was unsafe. According to him, he asked for the source of the money the next day and he confessed that a sum of over N9million was mistakenly credited to his savings account and he withdrew it and changed it to dollars.Romeo added

that he took out of the money and travelled to London for a delayed honeymoon, but kept the bulk of the money in his box in his uncle’s house with instructions that it should be handed over to his friend after documentation but that the money was given without collecting documentation.

LEGAL DIARY

NBA holds NEC meeting

T

HE quarterly National Ex ecutive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) holds from February 23 to 24 at the Adegbemile Hall, Ondo State Cultural Centre, Alagbaka, Akure.

A statement by the Welfare Secretary of the NBA, Sule Usman, said cocktail will hold at first Victorial Hotel, after the Chief Judge cocktail at Judges Recreation Centrel Alagbaka, Akure at 7 p.m.

Branch Chairman and secretaries are requested to meet with Sule at the venue for their accommo-

• Sule Usman

dation.

Issues affecting the Bar, its members and the state of the nation are top on the agenda.

NBA holds conference

T

HE NBA Conference on the re view of the performance of Election petitions Tribunals in Ni-

geria holds from March 15 to 16 at the Homeville Hotel, Benin City Edo State.

37

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

AVIATION

NCAA rules out night operations for helicopters T

HE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has rejected helicopter operators’ request for night operations.

NCAA said it was not safe to grant the request.

Its Director-General, Dr Harold Demuren, made this known during a meeting with major oil companies, operators of helicopters in his office in Lagos.

The firms use helicopters for the movement of goods and personnel in and out of the oil rigs and to their respective bases, in particular in their deep offshore explorative services.

Demuren said the request would only be considered after a proper identification of the location of various masts, high rise objects and buildings, scattered all over the place.

He said as part of the con-

Stories by Kelvin OsaOkunbor Aviation Correspondent

ditions, a proper surveillance and charting of the airspace would also be done.

He said: “Once these are in place, the next stage will be for us to work out the requirements for the night operations.”

Demuren also requested all the firms to furnish his office with details of all helipads and heli-decks, their respective locations, equipment in use at various locations and the status navigational aids in use.

There is fear in some quarters that some of the facilities being used for operations are not built for such operations, he said.

He, however, reaffirmed that the safety management

system adopted by the companies will assist to ensure safe operations.

According to him, helicopter operations are desirable as they would be useful for search and rescue in the event of incidents or accidents. But, he said, the necessary safety requirements have to be in place before the NCAA could grant the request.

In attendance at the meeting were representatives from the Directorate of Petroleum Regulations, Total, Chevron Oil, ConOil, Exxom Mobil, NNPC, Caverton Helicopters, Pan African Aero Contractors and Bristow Helicopters.

The operators in response to NCAA , requested that the regulatory authority furnish them with the outcome of inspections of their facilities on

time, to which Demuren declared that all barriers that could constitute any delay would be tackled.

The operators also sought clarification as to who is to bear the cost of the impending re-certification of the hundreds of helipads and heli - decks that are scattered majorly in oil producing states in the country.

Demuren, however assured that the matter will be given serious attention.

He explained that the recertification may require that NCAA is seeking extra hands or expertise outside where necessary and such designated inspectors would have to be paid.

The oil firms said the statutory yearly N1 million inspection fees should be extended to cover the exercise.

• From right: Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Managing Director, Nigeria Airways Olu Bajowa and the author, Oba Femi Ogunleye Tiwalade Akinale of Owu Kingdom, at the public presentation of a book Decade of security, safety and passenger comfort development, in Demuren’s honour at Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Experts seek airports’ privatisation

S

OME aviation experts have called for the privatisation of airports instead of their remodelling.

The development or expansion of airports’ infrastructure, they argued, should depend on the availability of land, funds and resources.

President of Aviation Roundtable Captain Dele Ore and an air traffic controller consultant, Mr Sam Akerele, made this suggestion while assessing the state of domestic airlines.

They said as long as NCAA does not make public, the financial standing of airlines, passengers will continue to think that they are solid.

They said that a situation where some carriers cannot

carry out regular maintenance of their aircraft, pay insurance premium and their financial obligation to staff calls for concern, affirming that some of the airlines may pack up soon. .

They said: “We recommend a complete privatisation of airports in the industry rather remodelling of the airports.

The development or expansion of airports infrastructure at our airports should depend on the availability of lands, funds and resources.

Unfortunately, most land at the older airports have been encroached upon by state government, local authorities and private individuals.

Rather than remodel the airport, the government should adopt the policy of public-private partnership

to construct new terminals in Lagos, which is handling 70 per cent of domestic and international passenger traffic.A transit lounge should be set up for transiting passengers to minimise delays in facilitation procedures.

The cargo village at the airport is a different world, at night , far from what should be seen around an airport in terms of security arrangement.”

On security upgrade at the airports across the country, they said : “ There is competition and rivalry among security agencies at the airport such that there is buck - passing among the agencies in the event of breaches.

FAAN is the designated authority responsible for coordinating airport security,

but it cannot exert authority over the operation of any of the government security agencies. Based on this, an independent aviation security establishment similar to the Transportation and Security Administration ( TSA), in the United States should be established in Nigeria.

Perimeter fencing should be enforced and broken fences at the airports should be tackled especially at a time when there is terrorist threat across the country.”

Meanwhile, the Aviation Round Table (ART) has recommended for the scrapping of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, calling for the Federal Ministry of Transport to supervise the various segments of transportation in the country.

Emirates SkyCargo expands network EMIRATES Sky Cargo has bolstered its operations on the booming Africa trade route. Supporting the thriving trade between Africa and the rest of the world, its weekly cargo capacity into and out of the continent will be over 6000 tonnes after the launch of flights to Lusaka and Harare on.

The addition of flights to the capitals of Zambia and Zimbabwe comes less than three months after the launch of a dedicated weekly freighter to Accra and Lome and means Emirates Sky Cargo now has a total yearly capacity of more than 300,000 tonnes. The two new gateways mean Emirates SkyCargo can connect businesses in 22 countries across Africa to its network of more than 100 destinations, while also providing increased opportunities for key trading partners such as China and Japan.

“While many regions are experiencing challenging economic conditions, Africa – with a population in excess of one billion and rich in natural resources - is one of the few areas to record growth and the long-term outlook is very positive,” said Ram Menen, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo. “We expect demand to be strong for a variety of commodities going into and out of Lusaka and Harare and have no doubt the two destinations will be a strong addition to our African network.”

The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service will be operated five times a week by an A330-200, providing a total weekly cargo capacity of up to 160 tonnes.

US lauds remodelling of airports THE Deputy Assistant Secretary, United States Department of Transportation, Susan Mcdermott, has lauded the recent efforts of government at turning around the fortunes of the nation’s airports.

Mcdermott, who led a delegation from the Department of Transportation and the United States Consulate, Nigeria, made the commendation, when she paid a courtesy visit to the Authority’s Headquarters in Lagos.

The DOT official, who expressed delight at the transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, admitted that the Nigerian aviation market is a major player in the world aviation community.

She emphasised the need to develop the industry in a safe, secure and efficient manner, adding that such effort would open up the economy of the nation to new investors and showcase the potentials of the Nigerian aviation industry.

“The need to network in a safe, secure and efficient manner is germane to the development of any economy,” she added.

Mcdermott noted that the DOT is impressed by the increasing passengers and aircraft traffic across the nation’s airports, a development, she revealed, prompted its curiousity about the plans of the Authority to make adequate provisions in terms of infrastructure.

The DOT official, however, advised the authority to give priority to the development of security and safety in its plans to build new airports and/or terminals, and remodel the old ones.

Managing Director, FAAN, Mr George Uriesi, who was represented by the Authority’s Director of Security Services, Mr. Wendell Ogunedo, expressed profound appreciation to the DOT for partnering with his organisation in its developmental efforts at the airports.

He also thanked the United States Consulate, for its seamless facilitation of travel documents of FAAN workers, who travelled to the United States for training programmes in the recent past.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

38

MARITIME

Fed Govt denies security pact with ex-militant leader T

HE Federal Government has not concessioned maritime security to the private security firm of a former Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpomupolo a.k.a Tompolo, a presidential aide has said.

What the government has with Global West Vessel Specialist Limited (GWVSL) is a boat contract, Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Maritime Affairs, to the President, Leke Oyewole, said in Lagos.

Oyewole also denied claims that President Goodluck Jonathan favoured the Niger Delta region in the concession by involving the former Niger Delta warlord.

What the Federal Government did through Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), he said, was to ask GWVSL to supply the patrol boats and surveillance equipment for NIMASA and the Navy to patrol the waterway.

“Government has not concessioned maritime security to any private firm.

We have simply addressed issues of maintenance bu-

Stories by Taiwo Disu

reaucracy that crippled the patrol arm of NIMASA like every other maritime agency. We have asked a private firm to supply patrol boats and surveillance equipment and maintain them. NIMASA and Navy will use these facilities to protect the maritime domain,” he said.

The contract, he said, is aimed at reducing freight costs to Nigeria which, according to him, is currently at war risk premium, adding: “It is purposed to capture offshore operations and the accruable revenue and to mitigate incidents of importation of contraband amongst other objectives.”

He said: “It is worthy of mention also that the concession is on No Cure No Pay basis. The company is to spend about $103 million, not the government. The company will only be remunerated from improvements in NIMASA revenue over and above the current earnings. We have also not ignored the natural growth of about 19 per cent in NIMASA’s annual revenue, which the company must

also beat before they can receive any payment”.

The process, he said, started with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that Jonathan merely concluded process.

Oyewole said the boat scheme was first announced by the president at the Niger Delta Council Meeting, telling them that it was meant to provide jobs for Niger Delta people.

“Tompolo was not involved, but because it is meant for his region, he lent his support,” he said.

He said the government would soon deploy gadgets to track and identify vessels within the country’s territorial waters.

The government, he said, would soon embark on the removal of abandoned ships on the waterway and improve on the capacity of the marine police.

“We want to begin to track all ships within our coast so that at every point, we will be able to know their locations, and going by the new maritime security technology that we are going to deploy very soon, there will not be any hiding place for anybody. It is either we

know you or we don’t know you and when we don’t know you, the ground forces will approach you,” he said.

Tanker vessels, he said, have become attractive to sea pirates because they sell smuggled and stolen petroleum product on cash basis.

Said he: “These are the same people who ought to pay duties to the government, but they don’t. Sometimes they bring the products in with subsidy money, but they are the same people who smuggle the products outside the country to be sold on cash and at the end of the day complain about piracy.

“They just drift anywhere they like to sell their products and collect cash, so people find out that they have cash on them, the same people that they do business with will now come back to take the money from them.”

Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs Ify Akerele, said her group is set to send its recommendations to President Jonathan, on the problems of the sector.

Transport experts lament TRANSPORTATION experts have lamented the increasing politicisation of the sector. They condemned the appointment of politicians, instead of professionals, into key positions in transport ministries and parastatals by Federal and state governments.

Speakers stated this at the induction/members forum of the Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) in Lagos.

President of the institute, Prof. Michael Filani, said the redeployment of professionals from Federal Ministry of Transport was worrisome.

He said although some state governments have followed the example of the Federal Government, others do not.

Filani noted that the Ogun State government, during the Gbenga Daniel administration appointed professionals into the transport parastatals into key positions, while Babatunde Fashola administration of Lagos State, during its first term, appointed Prof. Dele Badejo, a fellow of CILT as the state’s Commissioner of Transport, adding that “more of these are expected in the future.”

Speaking on the economic implication of consolidation in the sector, Prof. Kayode Oyesiku, of the Centre for Transport Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, AgoIwoye, Ogun State, warned that if consolidation is not implemented by professionals, it could lead to limited expansion and distinction of various expertise and specialisation.

Lagos State Commissioner of Transport, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said although he is not a export in transport, he has gained experience over the years.

Ferry operators count losses FERRY services operators in Lagos are counting their losses daily as the menace of water hyacinth has stopped their operations for almost three weeks.

The operators are lamenting that their customers are finding alternative means of transportation as a result of the problem.

However, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), through its contractor, has mobilised men and materials to the affected areas in Lagos and started the clearance of the weeds from the waterways.

An official of one of the affected ferry firms, Mrs Fareeda Adetula of Metro Ferry, said despite the non-operation of their boats, salaries would still be paid.

According to her, the menace of the water hyacinth has grounded the company’s operations since October last year, adding that the initiative of the management of the LASWA has brought some respite to them.

She also stated that besides the ferry operators, who have been affected by the weeds, fishermen in the affected areas are also counting their losses.

Said she: “These weeds have really affected our business tremendously because they have blocked the waterways and made it impossible for the boats to move and even if we try to move, we end up incurring a lot of damages on the propeller, the hull and we burn more fuel in the process.”

Customs seeks weekend banking THE Ports and Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa, is seeking to persuade one of the nation’s banks to establish a branch in the command, or set up its micro-finance bank, to facilitate cash operations at weekends.

In Lagos, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Chinedu Ogbonna, explained that this would further stand the command out in the country.

According to Ogbonna, having such a bank branch, or micro-finance bank within the command, mainly for cash operations on weekends, would further facilitate the 48hour cargo clearance target of the Nigeria Customs as well as its newly-introduced round-the-clock operations.

“The banks must be carried along in the 48-hour cargo clearance realisation and in our 24-hour operations. Just like we have banking on wheels, we can have a bank on weekends within the area of our operations, a special arrangement can be made where we can have this system.

They could open a window for this purpose, say, between 9am and 1pm, so that those who want to pay in can do so and proceed from there,” he stated.

Govt backs CRFFN

• Oil tanker vessel

Subsidy: How unscrupulous importers milk Nigeria D IRECTOR-GENERAL of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, has exposed the trick used by some petroleum products importers to claim millions of naira in subsidy.

The importers, he said, pass locally refined products for imported fuel.

He told The Nation that the importers are pretending to import products from abroad, when they actually

get their supply from local refineries.

According to him, when these importers get the locally refined petroleum products to the Lagos waters, they discharge same into another vessel and claim subsidy for the products.

He said the ship is taken outside the nation’s territorial waters and later

brought back for subsidy claim under the guise of being imported products.

Said he: “People carry products from Nigeria, precisely from Port Harcourt for instance; maybe the point of destination is also Port Harcourt.

Some of these ships are found in Lagos discharging into another ship and then brought back into the coun-

try as imports.

“It is then recorded that they have supplied petroleum products, asking for subsidy...”

He said the illegal bunkering and other shady activities on the nation’s waterways, which he noted, had gone unchecked for years.

He pointed out that since his appointment, he and the management team had worked hard to ensure that they brought sanity to marine business.

By Uyoatta Eshiet

THE Federal Government has reiterated its support to the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). The assurance was given during the first national induction of registered Freight Forwarders in Nigeria which took place at the University of Lagos.

The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, who was represented by Mr Danjuma Dauda, a director in the ministry, stated that transport is a vital sector and has a major role to play in the national development of a country.

He said: “Over the years, the Nigerian transport sector has been faced with numerous problems and challenges, one of which is freight forwarding and management. The Minister noted that the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) was therefore established by government to control and regulate the activities of freight forwarding in Nigeria.

“The Minister also noted that the vision of CRFFN is to become Nigeria’s leading logistics voice committed to the development of a modern globally competitive freight forwarding system in the country.” This, he said, is in line with the world’s best practices and standards.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

39

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT Building Issues

Rising to challenges of weather threat

T

•Femi Okunnu Estate, Lekki, Lagos

Surveyors challenged on effective skills in Public Procurement Act

D

IRECTOR-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Emeka Ezeh, has said national infrastructure development can only be achieved through effective and efficient budget implementation.

He stated this at the just concluded John Wood Ekpenyong Memorial Lecture, held in Akwa Ibom State. It was organised by the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), The theme was Estate Surveyor: Any role in the Public Procurement Process.

He said the coming of the BPP led to the introduction of standard bidding documents and procurement regulations, introduction of a procurement planning software, the establishment of recourse mechanism and the establishment of a national database of the particulars, classification and categorisation of federal contractors and service providers.

This, he said, is in addition to the establishment of the procurement cadre in the Civil Service, revised approval thresholds, training and conversion of procurement officers and the training in key areas of public procurement.

On the challenges of the on-going procurement reforms, he observed that they are numerous, but surmountable and include, but not limited to political interference, corruption, legislative support, institutional resistance, skills and competence gaps including slow start of the procurement processes, poor project execution and supervision and lack of personal integrity amongst professionals.

Ezeh said challenges also abound in securing the optimal use of land and its associated resources to meet social and economic needs; surveying the structure and conditions of buildings and their services, advising on their maintenance,

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

alteration and improvement not neglecting the need to determine the economic use of resources in the construction industry and the financial appraisal and measurement of construction.

On the place of surveyors in the scheme of things, he observed that since determining the value of all descriptions of landed property is one key factor in most projects particularly works, estate surveyors no doubt has a fundamental role to play in determining value for money for either acquisition of the landed property or compensation to the owners. The surveyor’s role is best appreciated against some of the crucial targets set by government in such areas as agriculture, housing, mortgage finance, and infrastructure.

Among such targets, according to him, is the housing deficit, which government is determined to bring to acceptable international standard of one housing unit per household. According to the BPP Director-General, this requires the professional participation of estate surveyors and valuers in the key areas of property development, project management either singly or in conjunction with other relevant practitioners within the built-environment.

Ezeh, however, noted that estate surveyors and valuers seem not to be adequately equipped to meet the challenges. He hinged his observation on what he called the resistance to the multidisciplinary dimension of facilities management by estate surveyors.

He said: “Just like procurement, facilities management has been evolving as a multi-disciplinary discipline. Some people have challenged the rigidity of traditional professions which advocate unilateral practice, suggesting strongly that for example, the estate surveyor, or any other professional should not be the exclusive professional in facilities management. In any case, aside from the co-ordinating role, functions such as rehabilitation, maintenance, repairs, cleaning in facility management are better dealt with by relevant individual professionals”.

Ezeh said: “For example, most of the proposals that come to the Bureau of Public Procurement for approval and which carry the professional stamp of estate surveyors and valuers, do not demonstrate evidence of any input from other relevant professionals, such as architects, civil engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, quantity surveyors and mechanical engineers in arriving at relevant decisions on government property acquisitions or disposal.”

According to him, this makes it difficult for the BPP to approve such proposals. In all of the cases, aside from expressing “opinion” no other form of computation is submitted by the estate surveyors in arriving at these opinions.

Furthermore, he noted that acquisition of projects (buying of property) that come to the Bureau neither show computations based on, the cost approach, the sales comparison approach or the income capitalisation approach, wherein such tools as developers budgets or perpetuity computation based rentage per square metre floor area for open office or unit accommodation for others are used.

HE rainstorm that damaged various structures in Lagos on February 13, 2012 brought into relevance Alan Paton’s Cry, the beloved country.

A passage in that South African book captures our present sepulchral situation: ‘When the storm threatens, a man is afraid for his house. But when the house is destroyed, there is something to do.

About a storm, he can do nothing, but he can rebuild a house’.

The two key words here are storm and house. Storm is a phenomenon, an obvious threat to our buildings that we have no control over.

A choice to rebuild a house brought down by storm is that of defeatist and should remain unacceptable. To researchers in the built environment professions, the attitude should be that of constructing buildings that will withstand storm, not rebuilding.

In the design of buildings and other related structures, meteorological data, in the face of global changing climate, are very essential at determining the design variables. Isopleths of basic wind speed in Nigeria rate the coastal area less susceptible to hazardous wind effect.

Wind pressure in the northern region is quite higher. Hence, roof design and construction in the northern part of the country consider wind resistance more than the southern roofing system.

But erratic wind

By Kunle Awobodu

impending heavy rain and the concomitant flooding. Naturally, extreme weather condition repeats itself only on long intervals. But the frequency with which extreme weather condition returns nowadays could be attributed to climate change. In a science-oriented society, experts would begin to work assiduously in order to find solution to challenges of nature.

As of today, Baca, a London-based firm of architects, who are also flood specialists, has developed Britain’s first amphibious house.

The house, if struck by flood would rise with the water and come down to its original position when flood recedes. With this construction ingenuity, communities on flood plains are bracing up to the challenges of climate change rather than accept defeat in a relocation.

Japan, in the face of frequent earthquakes, rose up to the challenges with innovations.

Buildings that could overcome destructive effect of earthquakes were designed and constructed. Compliance with standard construction could reduce effect of natural disaster on buildings. Haiti was known for substandard building construction.

Hence, when the country was hit on January 12, 2010 by 7.0 magnitude earthquake, greater damages on buildings were recorded if compared to the 2010 Chile’s experience of 8.8 magnitude earthquake on Richter scale.

In a nation where quackery reigns supreme due to inefficiency or nonexistence of building control agencies, many Nigerian buildings might not stand the test of time.

Lessons learnt from stability failure in a natural disaster are the importance of keeping to standard construction. The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) in this regard will not relent in the training and retaining of builders (hitherto called site engineers).

And any builder found to have compromised quality in his/her managing building production process on site will not be spared by the body’s disciplinary panel. Other professional bodies in the built environment should join hands with NIOB at promoting quality in the nation’s construction industry.

The weather challenges should foster a result-oriented synergy among construction experts. The NIOB has long recognised the importance of research and hence seeks a working relationship with researchers from other relevant institutes to create a platform. With such a body, underpinned by the government, innovations will be generated in a scientific stride to confront the rising weather challenges.

‘To researchers in the built environment professions, the attitude should be that of constructing buildings that will withstand storm, not rebuilding’

speed of present time calls for greater prevention.

The wind velocity prior to the Lagos rainstorm was generally calm and as low as 02 knots. Then emerged the drowndaft that was ossified by kinetic energy, resulting in maximum wind gust called squall.

The three meteorological stations in Lagos recorded the squall as 45 knots at Stranchan Street, Lagos Island; it reduces to 40 knots at Oshodi and 35 knots at the Murtala Mohammed Airport. The least of these is strong enough to knock down a structure not designed and constructed to withstand squall.

According to the Central Forecast Office of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the rainstorm was of microscale system, that is, unexpected; thereby it can happen again without warnings. In this peculiar circumstance, the onus is now on the professionals in the built environment, and with the support of the government, to ruminate on how best to mitigate losses resulting from extreme weather.

Lagos experienced severe flooding due to unusual rainfall of 233.3mm on July 10, last year.

Ibadan had a similar experience on August 26, last year though with the rainfall recording 88.2mm.

Fourteen years ago, (June, 1997) Lagos was heavily flooded following a rainfall value of 237.3mm.

This year, Nigerians have been warned by meteorologists of the

Awobodu National Publicity Secretary,Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB)

‘The present weather challenges should foster a result-oriented synergy among construction experts’ •Contributions, questions? e-mail: quichi3cities@yahoo.com

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRURARY 21, 2012

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1.Dry (4) 4. Stare (4) 8. Instinct (4) 10. Indicating an alternative (2) 11. Moose (3) 13. Glowing wood (5) 15. Ourselves (2) 16. Consumed (3) 17. Asterisk (4) 19. Pattern of straight lines (4) 20. Coloring Liquid (3) 24. Musical Note (2) 27. Used to show form/ shape( 2) 28. Remitted (4) 30. Pitcher (4) 31. Information (4)

1.Expert (3) Writing Fluid (3) Perform (2) Precious Stone (3) 6.Lyrical (6) 7. Strayed (5) 9. Observe (3) 12. Illuminated (3) 14. Prevent (3) 15. Perverted (3) 17. Divide (5) 18. Fuss (3) 23. Unit (3) 25. Final (3) 26. Color (3) 28. Saint (abbrv.) (2) 29. In the direction of (2)

Brain Teaser A Man in an Elevator 1. A man who lives on the tenth floor takes the elevator down to the first floor every morning and goes to work. In the evening, when he comes back; on a rainy day, or if there are other people in the elevator, he goes to his floor directly. Otherwise, he goes to the seventh floor and walks up three flights of stairs to his apartment.

Can you explain why?

2. Your last good ping-pong ball fell down into a narrow metal pipe imbedded in concrete one foot deep. How can you get it out undamaged, if all the tools you have are your tennis paddle, your shoe-laces, and your plastic water bottle, which does not fit into the pipe?

Answer

ShOwBiTz

Essaouira Gnaoua Festival

Is Khloe Kardashian’s baby O.J. Simpson’s love Child?

help 2. All the tools are random things that are not going to you. that the All you have to do is pour some water into the pipe so ball have swims up on the surface. And if you say that you don’t any water, use that then think about what you drank today and if you can someho w

PEOPLE & CULTURE

The man is of short stature. He can’t reach the upper elevator buttons, but he can ask people to push them for him. He can also push them with his umbrella

HUMOUR

Eye-popping huh? Take it easy....OJ is not in the news for the wrong reasons again. Khloe, the 31-year-old E! reality star made fun of National Enquirer’s recent cover story claiming her younger sister Khloe, 27, is the love child of O.J. Simpson, 64, and their mom Kris Jenner, 56.

(Their father, the late Robert Kardashian, was part of Simpson’s legal team; Jenner was one of Nicole Brown Simpson’s best friends before her unsolved June 1994 murder.)

“Now we have all the answers! It makes sense now!” Kim, who is of Armenian descent, joked on Twitter lately. “Khloe, you are so tan.” Ironically, Khloe took a DNA test during an April 2009 episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians to prove she was not adopted.

Elephant Man Charged With R@pe & Assault

Dancehall Reggae star Elephant Man has been charged with grievous sexual assault and rape

Pep Talk

according to Jamaica Star Online.aica Star Online.

The police said the charges stem from an incident at his St. Andrew home earlier this month.Investigators said a woman, believed to be of Chinese descent, filed a police report shortly after claiming that Elephant Man, whose real name is Oneil Bryan, sexually assaulted her.Elephant Man has been booked to appear in court.

The Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival celebrate the mysterious music of the Gnaouas and other worldwide rhythms. Originating through a cross-pollination of African magic and Islamic rituals, mesmerizing Gnaoua rhythms of drums and other instruments lead performers into a trancelike state. The Essaouira gnaoua festival is held in Essaouira, a picturesque port painted in blue and white that is the ideal resort of which most travelers dream: laid-back and yet vibrant, atmospheric yet relaxing. In this extraordinary melting pot of music, jazz, rock, and world musicians create original fusions on stage and share their musical cultures.

Essaouira gnaoua festival performances are in afternoons and evenings, giving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the idyllic charm of Essaouira by day. It is one of the major festivals in Morocco. Essaouira gnaoua festival performances are known to be one of the best out of the many festivals in Morocco.Your musical journey at the Essaouira gnaoua festival begins with welcome by your private driver upon your arrival at Marrakech, an ancient city of weathered pink buildings and orange groves at the base of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Spend the afternoon at the Essaouira gnaoua festival with a private guide as you explore fascinating local souks (markets), ancient palaces, and lush gardens. You may visit the Djemaa el-Fna at the Essaouira gnaoua festival, a carnivalesque public square where water sellers, snake charmers, magicians, and storytellers compete for an audience. Depart in the morning for the seaside town of Essaouira and home to the Essaouira Gnaoua Festival. A former Portuguese settlement in the 18th century, Essaouira overlooks an emerald sea where windsurfers frolic near the fringe of silvery beach and camels ferry passengers across fine sand. Dine at the fish market where you can select your fish to be grilled before your eyes. Explore the old fortress ramparts, browse artisan shops, or dream on the beach. Soak in the atmosphere that has been an inspiration since the 1960s for music legends from the Rolling Stones to Cat Stevens to Jimmy Hendrix, who composed Castles in the Sand on Essaouira’s beaches. Today the town continues to lure musicians and artists alike to the sparkling whitewashed fishing village trimmed with the brilliant azure of its skies.

Depart at the conclusion of the festival, or extend your visit to discover many more of Morocco’s delights.

Control of Women

A man goes to book store and says – I need a book on topic “Short ideas on full control on women.”

Salesman: Sir, Please move into our next row of ‘fiction section’.

Fifty People Deceived A newsboy was standing on the corner with a stack of papers, yelling, “Read all about it. Fifty people deceived! Fifty people deceived!”

Curious, a man walked over, bought a paper, and checked the front page. Finding nothing, the man said, “There’s nothing in here about fifty people being deceived.”The newsboy ignored him and went on, calling out, “Read all about it. Fifty-one people deceived!”

Words & Origin Barbecue This American contribution to international cuisine actually originated in the Caribbean, and the word comes to us via Spanish from its Indian roots. The original sense of barbecue is that of a raised, wooden (later metal) framework used for either sleeping upon or curing meats. The Indians of Guiana called it a babracot and the Haitians a barbacòa. The Spanish acquired the Haitian word and it came into English from the Spanish.

The earliest English citation, used for a sleeping platform, is from 1697, in William Dampier’s A New Voyage Round The World: And lay there all night, upon our Borbecu’s, or frames of Sticks, raised about 3 foot from the Ground.

By 1733 the word was being used for an open-air, social gathering featuring the grilling of meat. From the diary of a B. Lynde: Fair and hot; Browne, barbacue; hack overset.

Barbecue has at least one false etymology that is commonly promulgated on the internet and elsewhere. It is claimed that it comes from the French barbe (beard) and queue (tail); the idea being that an entire pig is roasted, from head, or beard, to tail. This is simply not the origin of the word.

Exert your talents, and distinguish yourself, and don’t think of retiring from the world, until the world will be sorry that you retire. Samuel Johnson -

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on management of the subsidy on petroleum products completed its task last week. VICTOR OLUWASEGUN and DELE ANOFI report the proceedings, the drama and fears of what may be the outcome.

I

T was at the public hearing of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on management of subsidy regime that it was discovered that agencies of government saddled with same responsibility found it convenient not to reconcile their records. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources were at one point or the other giving conflicting figures on subsidy claims, actual daily consumption of products and even existence or otherwise of certain accounts. It was also not uncommon to see these agencies confronting each other on figures presented, with each claiming to be right.

The 10-member Farouk Lawan-led committee did not hide its disdain for the ineptitude of the heads of the agencies and the treatment they have been subjecting Nigerians to.

One example: more than N220 billion was discovered as overpayment to some oil marketers as against the earlier presented figure.

The AGF and PPPRA presented overpayment of N30.43 billion to Ramalia Oil and Gas Limited; N15.147 billion to Tipex Energy and N22.548 billion to Emax Oil and Gas, among others. While the AGF computed payment of N27.50 billion, N5.953 billion and N4.452 billion to Ramalia, Tripex and Emax in 2011, the representatives of the companies, according to PPPRA records, confirmed receipt of N58 billion, N21.1 billion and N27 billion respectively.

Another surprising revelation were the discrespancies between N1.75 trillion subsidy presented by the CBNto the committee, against the N1.9 trillion qouted by the AGF. It was so shocking to the panel and the public that at will, government officials that appear so efficient suddenly become forgetful, that is, when it suit them. For instance, great efforts were made by the heads of the aforementioned agencies to remember whether there was subsidy on locally refined products. To the Petroleum Minister, it depended on several things; to the NNPC GMD, it is complicated and the layman is too simplistic to understand how it works.

On the extreme, the Executive Secretary of the PPPRA affirmed an emphatic ‘yes’ while the DPR countered with a ‘no’. The status of the subsidy account was as controversial as ever, the Petroleum Minister owned up that it was a virtual account, though she could not explain it. The NNPC was not aware of the existence of the account while the PPPRA claimed it was a technical account. The CBN said it did not have such account with it. The Finance Minister affirmed that it exists but not with a bank, the AGF explained that there was one but without funds.

Another instance was when the GMD and heads of the agencies under the NNPC suddenly forgot actual figures and facts required by the committee like the price of kerosene at the open market. “I will have to check the records and get back to you,” became the usual refrain. They even had to correct each other when asked about the number of NNPC mega stations in Lagos.

At the sitting, the NNPC was found to have continued doing business with companies al-

•From left: Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Austin Oniwon, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Allison Madueke and Executive Secretary, Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) Stanley Reginald during a Public hearing and probe of subsidy regime by the House of Representaives in Abuja.

What next after subsidy probe? ready indicated for operating unethically. For instance, according to the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Austine Oniwon, the Kerosene Direct, that would take the product to the door steps of Nigerian would be handled by a popular company found to have sold NNPC products in its tanks without authorisation. “We have a commercial issue with them and we have resolved them,” Oniwon told the surprised members.

It was also discovered that anyone can do business with the NNPC without technical or managerial capacity as long as the ‘connection’ is right. Owners of another briefcase importing company resident in the United States got electronic message from NNPC top shots to register a company in Nigeria if they are interested in importing fuel. The owners did and the rest is history. The company that was originally commissioned for waste management had no problems converting into importing PMS even without experience, expertise and capacity.

The hearing exposed the other side of aggrieved interest groups coming forth to claim what does not exist. For instance, Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) alleged that its members were exempted from participating in importation of PMS and other products. Their representative claimed that the group has over 250 ships but none was given the opportunity to import PMS and by extension enjoy the subsidy. Ironically, a member of the same group came forward and made nonsense of that allegation. He said his vessel was actually involved in shipping products from offshore Cotonou. Though he said many of the ISAN ships were technically unqualified to participate.

Suffice it to say that PMS can actually be hawked on the high sea like banana on the street but this time by big ‘mother vessels’ anchoring offshore Lome and offshore Cotonou. The place was tagged international trade centre where several small shuttle vessels known as daughter vessels scamper to get their cargo. Why offshore Lagos cannot become a trading centre of international status was a question that was

exposed by the public hearing with NNPC and CBN identified as culprits.

The CBN was shown to be involved in a grand conspiracy of sabotaging the Nigerian economy by encouraging massive capital flight from the country. Contrary to the confusing ‘power point’ presentations of the CBN top shots at every opportunity about the workings of the monetary system, the CBN ensured, through its regulations that the country is massively drained of its foreign exchange on a regular basis. It was learnt that to benefit from subsidy, CBN regulations does not give room for vessels importing petrol to Nigeria to berth on Nigerians waters, be it offshore or onshore.

By implication, if a big vessel berths on Nigerian waters, any daughter vessel that goes to lift products from her was at its own risk because that does not constitute import. So off they go to Lome and Cotonou. “If the cargo was discharged off-shore Lagos, then it is no longer an import. So to meet the CBN regulations, the mother vessel must stay outside the shores of Nigeria, otherwise, we will not qualify for foreign exchange,” says one of the genuine importers with capacity and the expertise. His expose may not be unconnected with the fact that he claimed to be a ‘serious Christian.’

The irony is that while imported PMS does not originate from either Cotonou or Lome, the documents that qualify for import and guarantee foreign exchange, according to CBN regulations, must bear off-shore Cotonou or offshore Lome. The question on the lips of the lawmakers was why was it impossible for the big vessels to berth off-shore Lagos that was secured by Nigerian government that also have deeper ocean depth than that other two countries? If it is possible, how come such transaction offshore Lagos would not qualify for foreign exchange?

On the other hand, and of great importance, is the fact that the CBN regulations made it absolutely impossible for the importing mother vessels to berth on Nigerian waters as the fi-

‘On the extreme, the Executive Secretary of the PPPRA affirmed an emphatic ‘yes’ while the DPR countered with a ‘no’. The status of the subsidy account was as controversial as ever, the Petroleum Minister owned up that it was a virtual account, though she could not explain it. The NNPC was not aware of the existence of the account while the PPPRA claimed it was a technical account. The CBN said it did not have such account with it’

nancial regulations disqualifies them from receiving their payments in dollar, the only denomination acceptable to the mother vessels.

Meanwhile, these mother vessels have no problems at all coming to Nigeria waters or off shore Lagos to lift our crude oil as confirmed by Vitol, a company that imports kerosene for NNPC and lifts crude from Nigerian.

It also became public knowledge that for selfish reasons, Nigerian importers would not want their cargoes to berth on Nigeria waters because they want to avoid additional cost. These cost include demurrage on both mother and shuttle vessels, port dues as well as other additional cost of war risk insurance since Nigeria was declared a war zone by some ‘international bodies’. So it is convenient and makes a lot of economic sense to just go to Lome or Cotonou and buy from the ‘hawkers’ but to the detriment of Nigerian economy.

The constraint, according to findings, is the incapability of Nigerian banks to power the economy despite all the recapitalisation and bail out by the CBN. Not a single bank in Nigeria can raise enough funds to support import of PMS into off-shore Lagos. “It is a capacity issue because some of the companies have about four vessels at the same time floating. An average coat of PMS per ton is $80,000, meaning that an average medium range vessel would cost about $35 million. If Nigerian banks can support the import, capital flight would be discouraged and employment encouraged.”

Vitol, one of the international suppliers doing business with Nigerian importers, exposed the conspiracy and inefficient financial regulations that bar trading off-shore Lagos. Rodney Gavshon, Managing Dircetor of Vitol Oil who was at the public hearing, confirmed that, “we trade in international currency-US dollar. There is the possibility for our materials to be brought into off-shore Lagos. However, CBN regulations makes the LC denominated in dollar. In a sense, we keep our cost in a very minimal margin by berthing off shore Lome.

There was also question mark on the actual daily consumption figure. While government gave a figure of 33 million litres as daily import, the committee discovered that 59 million litres of petrol daily was actually imported on daily basis. What happens to the 24 million litres of PMS on which subsidy is also drawn daily?

Is the National Assembly becoming more responsive? What becomes of the Probe Panel’s report will determine if it was just a show or a genuine commitment to transformation.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

44

POLITICS The Resident Electoral Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River State, Mr Mike Igini, speaks in this interview on Saturday’s governorship election, expectations from the political parties and the voting public as well as preparations by the commission.

‘How we intend to conduct credible poll in Cross River’

B

Y Saturday, you will be conducting a governorship election, what should the people expect from INEC in Cross River state?

We are going to use Saturday election to build or consolidate on the measure of success reorded in the last year election that was quite encouraging in terms of procedures and outcomes. The history of successful nations remain the history of people that have achieved something in certain areas of collective goal and had something to improve on. We shall raise the ongoing zeal of the Commission to conduct, credible and acceptable elections, that synchronizes with my often stated and firm belief that acceptable election is a product of a collective will and efforts to create electoral environment that allows the people participate in and make unfettered choice of who should be the leader. This is a key step in the development of a country.

While election in itself is only a means to the end of good governance, that end can only be attained and sustained, if and only if there is a culture of conduct of credible and acceptable elections. On this, our committment is unwavering and like the Romans, we shall defend our oath office to do the right thing for the people who are the true owner of power and who soverengnty resides.

When we get to a point when we are sufficiently confident that the outcome of an election was the choice of the people as expressed with the ballot, we can safely then be certain that leaders willl be responsive to the developmental aspirations of the people.

What are the key procedures that would really guarantee free, fair and credible elections?

The first step in the conduct of a credible election is to build trust amongst all stakeholders. To do this we have to carry all the key players along as we move from step to step in the implementation of the procedures of the election. We have been doing that in the last one year to the extent that as at today no political party has made adverse statements about us on matters of neutrality, compromise and fairness. Ours is leadership by example and not a case of do what l say and not what l do.

We have demonstrated to all the key players by following the rules and have enjoined the political elites and the people generally here that all we want is for everyone to play by the rules, for the benefit of all.

Additionally, as we step forward to the election proper on saturday, we will maintain this trust and good-

‘When the activities of the Commission’s staff consistently result in acceptable electoral outcomes, without succumbing to undue influences from partisan interests, then the era of electoral malpractices will be a thing of the past’ •Igini

will by following the electoral laws as mandated and ensure that all involved abide by these laws, How true is the assertion that a repositioned lNEC and a committed Judiciary can end electoral malpractice and thus secure our democracy?

That assertion is intended to convey the belief that, when INEC staff hold the Commission’s processes sacrosanct, they will engender the confidence of Nigerians in the process which in my view is more important. Moreover, when the activities of the Commission’s staff consistently result in acceptable electoral outcomes, without succumbing to undue influences from partisan interests, then the era of electoral malpractices will be a thing of the past.

However, if for any reason, mistakes are made given that as humans we are susceptible to error because perfection belongs to God or despite the best efforts of the Commission’s staff, some aspects of the process leading to outcome that are questioned , the judiciary should boldly and courageously live up to its expected roles as credible arbiter of

electoral disputes by interpreting the rules strictly against parties found wanting particlarly the umpire who is expected to live above board like cesaer’s wife in order to command the confidence of the people . This is the only way we can curb electoral abuses and the threatening subculture of impunity in order to safeguard our electoral processes and thus sustain the elecorates confidence. Nonetheless, our chief goal, is to conduct elections with outcomes that are determined with finality by the people at the polling units and final collation centre, so that we can evolve a culture as in the United Kingdom, where for 99 years there was no post election judicial intervention.

You have been reported to have given commendation to the primary elections conducted by parties in your state unlike last year. What did the parties do differently?

You may recall that prior to the last General Elections, in the state, party primaries and matters which arose from them were a major concern as strongly expressed by the

•From left: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Chairman of the occassion, Dr. Anagha Ezeike and Secretary to Imo State Government, Prof. Anthony Anwuka at the Colloquium on the Ahiara Declaration in honour of the late Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu held at Ahiara, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Imo State ... last weekend.

Commission in the state but for the intervention of the court . Today, the situation has changed largely on account of the firm position of the Commission last year on those primaries because of what it portends for internal democracy. we all learnt useful lessens that has brought a major paradigm shift in this year commendable and well conducted primaries given where we are coming from. The good news is that, this time the parties exceeded expectations by conducting their primaries with utmost decorum and respected their party members who keenly participated, even in instances, where the Commission raised objections on some procedural shortcomings about the importance of certainty of venues to participants, some parties voluntarilly where forthcoming giving full disclosure about delegates to their primaries that did not meet such procedural requirements, even where the Commission staff may not have been able to find this out, the parties volunteered the information and such delegates where lawfully excluded from participation. In this regard, therefore, I must say that we found their conduct commendable because while we must deprecate legally unacceptable conduct and procedures, we must also commend desirable conduct and proceures that are in line with the law to encourage people on such part of due process because that is the direction our democracy to go.

You have over time maintained that the burden of proof of how well election was conducted should be placed on lNEC and that we should end the business of tribunals in Nigeria. How? Indeed I have, besides it is also one of the key recommendations of the Uwais Electoral Reform Committee.

Unlike a normal civil or criminal cases, electoral matters are unique and as such matters of burden and standard of proof should be treated diffrently in that, whereas the contending parties are the candidates, the election manager holds a unique position as the umpire who oversaw the process, therefore he/she cannot stand aside while the candi-

dates prove that he/she did a professional job or not. This does not mean that the burden of proof will not shift or that the petitoner will stand idle. no. he will also have to lead evidence to prove his case.

The very fact that an election has been called to question, also questions the integrity, honour and professionalism of the election manager, it is not about guilt at this stage. so why should someone whose integrity and professionalism called to question hide behind the usual legal rule that the burden of proof lies in who asserts the existence or non existence of a state of affairs? To allow candidates belabour themselves with proving his/her professional proficiency. The election manager should be avid to step forward to stand by his/her conduct and defend his/her professionalism before the world. Here in Cross Rver after the last election and some contestants went to the election petition tribunal, l was eager to establish our sincereity and to defend our honour by making available all election materials requested for to all lawyers on behalf of their clients to enable them either file, maintain or sustain their petitions against the outcome or the returns made by the commission under our watch. On merit , all matters were determined by the Court of Appeal which is the final court. We discharged and acquited ourselves on our promise to conduct a credible election which though was not perfect , the court did not find sufficient our possible areas of imperfections to upturn the outcomes or those we declared winners.

What are the dos and don’ts that presiding officers must adhere to strictly to have an acceptable electoral outcome without recourse to election petition tribunals?

First I am glad to say that unlike last year when training of ad-hoc staff was a matter of three days, hurriedly conducted because of time pressure , we have effected a capacity building model, we have now pioneered in Cross River State and for the first integrated our election training program into the Community Days (CD) of NYSC Corpers in the state, in the last two weeks we have been giving training and conducting practical test on election procedures two days every week to corp members and other categories of ad hoc staff all from federal agencies who will participate in the conduct of the elections. We expect and hopeful of a better outcome given that good training is a harbinger of effectiveness.

While there are many dos and donts as anyone who is interested can find in an INEC election policy manual, the Electoral Act and the Constitution, some major rules that have been repeatedly highlighted to E.Os, SPOs with respect to distribution of election materials are to the effect that agents of parties in line with S.43 should be present at the time of distribution of election materials and we have also taken further step that they should copy serial numbers of distributed sensitve materials. The rules for all presiding officers and collation officers includes but not limited to: 1. that total votes cast at any polling unit after counting cannot exceed total number of registered voters for that polling center; 2. Given that accredition and voting are not simultaneous, after election total votes cast cannot exceed total number of voters accredited at a polling unit prior to the commencement of voting. Results that not conform with these expected realities are subject to the provision of section 68 of the electoral

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Why stroke is on the rise, by expert D

ESPITE all efforts to control it, stroke, one of the silent killer ailments, is on the rise.

Hitherto described as an ailment of the elderly, stroke, a temporary or permanent paralysis of one part of the body and loss of speech, now afflicts the young.

Why is stroke on the rise?

According to a consultant of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr Theophilus Umeizuike, it is on the rise because of the increased cases of uncontrolled hypertension and other factors.

He also identified diabetes, cigarette and old age as other contributory factors, adding that men in the 50s are especially at risk.

“However, in our environment, we have noticed that people younger than 50, especially people who are 40 or 45 years are coming down with strokes. This is attributed to undiagnosed hypertension,” he said.

A resource person at the College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL), who does not want her name in print, said if more Nigerians pay attention to common symptoms, they would easily know that they are at the verge of experiencing stroke. The symptoms include: dizziness, having trouble in walking, loss of balance and co-ordination, speech problems, numbness, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the body, blurred, blackened, or double vision and sudden severe headache.

She said other risk factors for stroke include the following: Overage, male, a family history of stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking cigarettes, diabetes, obesity and overweight.

She also identified cardiovascular disease, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), high levels of homocysteine (an amino acid in blood), birth control use or other hormone therapy, cocaine use and heavy use of alcohol as possible causes.To manage a stroke patient, she said a medic must first identify the two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke.

“Ischemic stroke accounts for about 75 per cent of all stroke and occurs when a blood clot, or thrombus, forms that blocks blood flow to part of the brain. If a blood clot forms somewhere in the body and breaks off to become free-floating, it is called an embolus. This wandering clot may be carried through the bloodstream to the brain where it can cause ischemic stroke.

“A haemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel on the brain’s surface ruptures and fills the space between the brain and skull with blood (subarachnoid haemorrhage) or when a defective artery in the brain bursts and fills the surrounding tissue with blood (cerebral haemorrhage). Both result in a lack of blood flow to the brain and a buildup of blood that puts too much pressure on the brain.”

A consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) said the outcome after a stroke episode depends on where it occurs and how much of the brain is affected. A smaller stroke may result in minor problems, such as weakness in an arm or leg. A larger stroke may lead to paralysis or death. Many stroke patients are left with weakness on one side of the body, difficulty in speaking, incontinence, and bladder problems.

Umeizudike said those at risk of having a stroke are people who have uncontrolled hypertension. “It is usually a long standing hypertension which may be diagnosed or undiagnosed. That is the reason people need to check their blood pressure to ensure it is okay. But the first time people come

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha and Wale Adepoju

to the emergency is when they first discovered they have a stroke.

“Women who have stopped seeing their menses can also have a stroke. When a woman is having her menses, her hormones modulate and prevent her from having stroke. After she attains menopause, she is more at risk of having stroke than those who are yet to attain menopause,” he noted.

He identified genetic factors as other conditions that could also trigger stroke, saying black people compared to white people are generally more at risk. “The reason was not very well understood, except for the fact that blacks are also more at risk of hypertension. The strongest path that leads to stroke is hypertension. In many people, it was due to hypertension. I don’t know the percentage but many causes of stroke were due to hypertension,” he said.

Diagnosing stroke requires a simple step.

“A patient is advised to do the brain CT scan to make a proper diagnosis of it. After that, the person will be discharged from the hospital. Out of those that have stroke about one third of them are likely to die from the stroke. Another one third will have what is called permanent disability. That means you are not able to recover functions of the part of the brain,” Umeizudike said.

As for treatment, he noted: “The treatment is not different for either of the forms of stroke. It is not something that can be stated in print. Each individual is managed accordingly in tandem with the golden standard.”

On prevention, Umeizudike said there is a need to prevent the risk factors, “Which were mentioned earlier that could cause stroke. A risk factor may be present in a person but that doesn’t mean the person will come down with stroke.”

The greatest risk factor that must be tackled in our environment, he said is hypertension. “People who were diagnosed to have hypertension need to be treated. Hypertension is a sustained, blood pressure of 140/ 90 in an adult. Once that level was established and sustained then the person needed to be treated. And in treating, there is something you need to do apart from medicine, the person needs to do a lifestyle modification by cutting down on his salt intake and doing exercise and decreasing the consumption of alcohol. Those three modifications must be added to medication,” he said.

Prevention Tips Much of stroke prevention is based on living a healthy lifestyle. This includes: Knowing and controlling blood pressure finding out if you have atrial fibrillation Not smoking Lowering cholesterol, sodium, and fat intake Following a healthy diet Drinking alcohol only in moderation Treating diabetes properly Exercising regularly. Moderate aerobic fit-

ness can reduce stroke risk, a study found.

Managing stress.

Not using drugs A study found that drinking three cups of tea per day reduces the risk of stroke Taking preventive medications such as antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs to prevent blood clots Cholesterol lowering drugs can prevent stroke recurrence.

Agency seeks more funds to fight HIV/AIDS

T

HE National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) is seeking increased budgetary provisions by the Federal, states and local governments for health and HIV/AIDS. The agency had complained that the funds for fighting HIV/AIDS, which came mainly from international donor agencies, have been dwindling in the past three years due to global financial crisis.

At the end of a Joint Zonal Workshop on Ownership for Sustainable HIV Response in Abuja, the stakeholders decided to look inwards to ensure that there is no increase in the spread of the disease in the country. They also seek the establishment of the National HIV/AIDS fund (NAHAF).

The communiqué reads in part: “The Federal, State and Local Governments in Nigeria should be strengthened to initiate, lead, fund, develop, monitor and evaluate future na-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja tional strategic plans for HIV/AIDS response in Nigeria.”

“The funding of intervention programmes including prevention, treatment, support and care of persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS should be by governments at all levels, the private sector and civil society organisations in Nigeria. This can only be achieved by increased budgetary allocation to health and HIV/AIDS by the Federal, State and Local governments.”

On the special fund for HIV/AIDS, he said: “The Government in partnership with the private sector and civil society organisations should set up the National HIV/AIDS fund (NAHAF).”

“Private sector should contribute to the fund, especially, from the oil and gas sector, telecommunications sector, aviation indus-

try, hospitality industry. The establishment of the National HIV/AIDS fund (NAHAF) should be backed up with legislation.

The operation of the fund should have systems and mechanisms (auditing mechanism, monitoring and evaluation, board of Trustees) to prevent godfatherism, nepotism and political influence.

“Disbursement from the fund should include multiple criteria including population, prevalence rate, need for prevention, programme, state contribution etc. Government should promote meaningful private sector and civil society participation in the HIV/ AIDS response (including persons living with HIV/AIDS).”

The stakeholders also urged the government to facilitate better integration and mainstreaming of HIV into other reproductive health services and development framework of Federal and state governments.

46

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

HEALTH

WHO okays hormonal contraceptives W for women with HIV OMEN living with HIV or at high risk of HIV can now safely continue to use hormonal contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, the World Health Organisation (WHO), has said.

According to a statement by WHO, the recommendation followed a review of evidence about links between hormonal contraceptive use and HIV acquisition.

The body said its recommendations in the medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (2009 edition) subsists, adding: "There are no restrictions on the use of any

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

hormonal contraceptive method for women living with HIV or at high risk of HIV. Couples seeking to prevent both unintended pregnancy and HIV should be strongly advised to use dual protection - condoms and another effective contraceptive method, such as hormonal contraceptives."

WHO held a technical consulta-

tion from January 31 to February 1, after a study published in Lancet Infectious Diseases (LID) in October last year suggested that hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill or injectable contraceptives may increase a woman's risk of HIV infection. It also noted that women living with HIV and using hormonal contraception may be more likely to transmit the virus to their partner than women

who did not use hormonal contraception, to review findings from all recent epidemiological studies on the issue. The meeting, it said, brought together 75 experts from 18 countries to review existing WHO recommendations following the of these findings.

The experts, however, recommended that women living with HIV, or at high risk of HIV, should continue to use hormonal

contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, but emphasised the need to also use condoms to prevent HIV acquisition and transmission. They also stressed the need for further research on the issue and the importance of offering a wider choice of contraceptive options.

WHO's GRC which is the body responsible for ensuring that all WHO recommendations are based on the best available scientific evidence and have been developed in a transparent, unbiased and clearly reported manner upheld the recommendations.

Bauchi to build heart hospital

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AUCHI State government is to build a world class hospital to treat heart diseases.

Governor Isa Yuguda told a team of Saudi Arabian officials, who visited on the proposed hospital, that the centre initially meant to be a paediatric centre for the treatment of children with heart diseases, has been converted to a cardiac centre to include adults because of the growing rate of heart-related problems.

The hospital, which is expected to begin operation next year is being sponsored by Euroson, a German international non-governmental Organisation (NGO), in conjunction with the United Nations. They will sponsor the project with the Saudi Arabian officials who will supply latest equipment in the treatment of disease.

Yuguda, who pledged his government’s commitment to reforms in the health sector, said the centre, which will be named Bauchi State Cardiac Centre, ‘will charge concessional fees for operation and will strive to keep many of the

• Yuguda

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

patients alive as its compliance will be based on the best practices of the world in health care.

•Cross section of participants at the event.

Lagos calls for voluntary blood donors

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HE Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC) has called for voluntary blood donors.

Its Executive Secretary, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee, Dr Uwem OlusolaOyekan, said the blood banks are empty.

Speaking at a workshop for youths, he said the quantity of donated blood was lower than what was needed. “What happens if a patient needs blood in an emergency and nobody is able to find any in the blood bank? The patient may pay the supreme price. Hence this appeal that voluntary donors should enrol for blood donation,” said Olusola-Oyekan.

According to her, Lagos State has a population of 18.5 million and should have at least 185,000 units of blood yearly to cater for emergency.

She said: “For a state of 18.5million inhabitants, we should have at least 185,000 units every year, but what we have is far less then that as we have only about 80,000 units in a year so there is a huge deficit. As a result of this, people are being asked to look for blood donors when their family members and

By Wale Adepoju friends are in dire need of blood which should not be.”

Head, Blood Recruiting Unit, LSBTC, Dr Temilola Alayande, said Nigerians should have positive attitude towards voluntary blood donation, saying it would help save many lives.

She said the workshop would aid recruitment of voluntary blood donors among youths to encourage them to donate more blood due to the age. “We are recruiting youths because they have many years to be active donors,” she added.

President, Club 25, a blood donor group of youths between 18 and 25, Mr Sogo Olosunde, identified parental pressure, peer pressure and religious beliefs as factors hindering blood donation. Others are culture, norms and values in Africa and lack of proper orientation.

On the seminar, he said it was aimed at sensitising people to increase the number of voluntary blood donation by regular donor, while recruiting new donors.

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins: • Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

• Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.

• When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours.

• When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

• To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

• Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidlygrowing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-

growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

• Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

• Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumour size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumour destruction.

• When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

• Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

•An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

47

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Chevron to extinguish fire at gas well C

HEVRON Nigeria Limited (CNL) has put in place measures to permanently put out the fire that has been burning at its Funiwa gas field offshore Bayelsa State since last month.

It said it has begun drilling a relief well to seal the Funiwa 1A natural gas well. The company said the relief well is being drilled to extinguish the fire that began January 16 at the original well, located approximately six miles (10 kilometres) off the coast of Nigeria. No oil was spilled or has flowed from this natural gas well.

“CNL drilling plans will enable the cementing and abandonment of the Funiwa 1A well. The relief well is being drilled by the Transocean Baltic rig with approvals from Nigerian authorities,” Chevron said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Pe-

•Govt assures affected communities Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor

troleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has assured the communities impacted by the Chevron gas rig fire in Bayelsa State that the government, Chevron and other industry stakeholders are making frantic efforts to stop the fire as soon as possible.

The Minister gave the assurance when she visited the communities affected by blowout.

CNL had earlier supplied relief materials and given medical attention to the affected communities.

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) had noted that the reasons for not

putting out the fire since is because Funiwa field is still leaking raw gas and until the point of leakage is found and plugged; the fire wouldn’t be stopped for health and environmental reasons.

The blowout, which occurred on a drilling rig on January 16, had 154 workers on board 152 were rescued but two couldn’t be found, French and an Indian. Chevron said it even engaged international fire service firms but they were unable to quench the fire.

The Director-General of NOSDRA, Sir Peter Idabor, said that putting out the fire will make the raw gas emission to be more harmful to the nearby communities and the fishes in the water.

Speaking during the Minister’s

visit, a spokesman of one of the communities, Mr Theophilus Moses, said his people could no more eat fishes as the explosion has killed most of the fishes and as a people who depend on fishing for income, the incident is impacting them negatively.

Idabor said the agency is working closely with Chevron for a permanent solution. He said: “We are fully in touch with Chevron. We are following the matter. It is better for the fire to be burning than for the raw gas to be smelling and affecting the communities there.

Sometimes, it is a technical thing.

It will cause more harm if the light is put out. It will affect more lives.

It will kill more fishes in the water.

“All these were happening as

a result of equipment failure. But what is more important is to have in place measures to mitigate the impact.”

He lamented that the country doesn’t have law that holds companies accountable when these incidents occur neither there exist penal laws against them. The development, he noted, hampers the agency from giving harder sanctions against offending companies.

He said: “All these were happening as a result of equipment failure. But what is more important is to have in place measures to mitigate the impact. The nearest communities to the incident (Koluama and Fish town) are about 20 kilometres away, and the agency had already taken both water and sediment samples for laboratory analysis.“

Storm disrupts power supply in Eko zone

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HE rainstorm that occurred in Lagos last week has caused extensive damage to power installations within the network of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

Following the incident, many customers of the company don’t have supply but the management of the utility firm said efforts were being made to restore supply within 48 hours.

In a statement issued by the company’s Principal Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Godwin Idemudia, the company appealed to the affected customers for the inconveniences the supply disruption caused them.

The statement said: “We regret to inform the esteemed customers of Eko Electricity Distribution Company that the rainstorm of Monday, 13th February caused extensive damage to our installations/facilities resulting in severe disruption of electricity supply to many areas within our network.

“The heavy storm felled many trees and communication antenna masts and other structures, which hit our power lines at many locations crushing the supplying poles and fittings.

“The affected areas are parts of Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Central Lagos, Lekki Peninsula, up to Ibeju. Others are Lagos Mainland, Ebute Metta, Surulere, Yaba, Mushin, Orile, Ijesha, Festac Town, Ojo, Iba, Ajangbadi/Okokomaiko, and Agbara along Badagry axis.

“Since the occurrence of this incident, our technicians and maintenance crew have been working relentlessly to fix the problems and restore normal services to the affected areas and customers.

“We hope to restore normal services to our customers within the next 48 hours.”

•From left: Chairman, Nigerdock, Mr Anwar Jarmakani, Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Ernest Nwapa; Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Mr Chike Onyejekwe, when the Minister inspected Nigerdock’s facilities.

‘Nigerian Content implementation is huge success’

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HE Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke, has commended t he successes recorded in the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, which was signed into law 20 months ago by President Goodluck Jonathan. She described it as key to the transformation agenda of the administration.

She spoke in Lagos during her inspection and appraisal of Nigerian Content in the activities and facilities of Nigerdock in Snake Island and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base, Tarkwa Bay, in continuation of her efforts to take stock of capacities available to execute industry projects and operations using local human and material resources as prescribed in the Nigerian Content Act. The Minister, who was shown round several facilities and projects in Nigerdock, including the Abang and Itut platforms fabricated by Nigerdock for Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), confirmed that progress recorded in the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act are best appreciated when seen physically.

The Abang and Itut platforms are part of three well-head platforms in the Satellite Fields Development Project – Phase I of MPNU, which

seeks to recover hydrocarbons from viable undeveloped fields within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC / Mobil Producing Nigeria Joint Venture’s acreage.

She expressed her satisfaction with how ideas of Nigerian Content are coming into life with positive results for Nigerians and the entire economy.

She said: “It is different coming to see platforms fabricated in-country, in the largest dry dock facility in West Africa and to understand the extent Nigerians are learning skills and techniques that will carry the sector into the next decade.

Government is proud of what we have seen here today.”

Alison-Madueke further directed the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, international operating companies and service companies to publicise the successes recorded so far in the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, to serve as a motivation to other investors who are planning to come into the industry or at various stages of projects development.

Addressing workers at Nigerdock, the Minister charged them to be diligent in their jobs and understand that their indi-

vidual contributions are critical to the development of the economy.

She urged them to be tenacious so they can put their capacities at the disposal of other Nigerians seeking to establish similar facilities in the country in the near future.

After inspecting LADOL, the minister commended the company for taking a bold business decision to come up with the project, which will be 100 per cent indigenously owned. She noted that for the Nigerian oil and gas industry and the economy to grow, “there is a need for combined efforts of stakeholders, visionaries and investors like LADOL.” Madueke who pledged Federal Government’s support to LADOL’s projects, expressed hope that the major projects planned to take off in the base like the umbilical plant and FPSO integration facility will come into operation in the next few years.

She further assured that the Federal Government will continue to support the implementation of Nigerian Content in the industry and ensure that any facility established in Nigeria would be fully utilised before work can be sent out of the country.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitor-

ing Board, Engr. Ernest Nwapa confirmed that the Minister who doubles as the Chairman of the Board’s Governing Council has been unwavering in her support of the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act. He stressed that all the successes recorded with its structured implementation were only possible because of the support she lends to the Board’s initiatives as well, which also helped to overcome initial resistance by some powerful interest groups.

The Managing Director of Nigerdock, Mr. Chris Bennett, explained that the company’s outlook to Nigerian Content went beyond merely complying with the law but to building a sustainable business and growth in meaningful employment. He explained that the company presently employs 1800 staff and will increase its staff strength to 3600 before the end of 2012, with some new jobs being expected.

Giving further insight to the EbangItut project, the Managing Director of MPNU, Mr. Mark Ward explained that the two platforms fabricated by Nigerdock would produce up to 70,000 barrels of crude per day. The project took 2.3 million man-hours with no Lost Time Incident to fabricate and a total of 30 NCDMB nominees were trained at Nigerdock in the course of the project.

THE

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

48

ENERGY Ex-NNPC boss to banks: Finance local oil firms

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•From left: Chief Operating Officer, Bell Oil and Gas, Mr. Ayo Aderibigbe; Managing Director, Mr Kayode Thomas and Chairman, Mr Francis Okoro, when the company marked 10th anniversary in Lagos.

Shell partners LIMGE on N735m project S HELL Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has joined hands with Lagos Island Millennium Group on the Environment (LIMGE) to put in place a world class fire-fighting project on Ajele S in Lagos Island.

The fire-fighting project, which cost, N735 million, would include the refurbishment of the present Ajele fire station, the construction of a new building equipped with stateof-the art fire-fighting apparatus, power/communication equipment, personal protective equipment, rescue and support equipment and training of 100 fire men.

On completion, the fire facility situated on Lagos Island, will have the capacity to effectively fight fire in a 20 story building.

Shell has donated N300 million to the project Speaking at the turning of the sod ceremony for the new fire station building at Ajele in Lagos Island, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Patrick Abba Moro, who was the special guest of honour at the event, lauded the efforts of LIMGE and display of corporate social responsibility by SNEPCo noting that it was a good example of public private partnership (PPP), which is currently the way to go across the world.

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor

The Minister, who also performed the turning of the sod, regretted that Nigeria with a population of about 150 million, doesn’t have an operational fire training academy and a well articulated fire safety policy.

He, however, noted that the present administration is committed to the development of critical infrastructures. He said his ministry has submitted a proposal for the construction of 212 fires stations across the country in order to timely respond to emergencies. He said there is plan to build a functional fire training school in Lagos, the first of its kind in the country and urged other corporate organisations to emulate Shell.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Hon. Danmole Oyinlomo, who stood in for Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, thanked Shell and called on other companies to toe the steps of Shell. He said the development of the Central Business District (CBD) is very important adding that the CBD has been broken into 60 segments for

purposes of development.

He lauded LIMGE for taking the initiative pointing out that he was the former Special Assistant for the CBD, he knew how well LIMGE had assisted the CBD. “I am grateful to LIMGE and would like other organizations to emulate SNEPCO which has redeemed the N300 million pledge it made five years ago,” he said.

SNEPCO Managing Director, Chike Onyejekwe, said: “We are proud to support LIMGE and we are also part of the CBD. Shell makes sure it meets its corporate social responsibility to the communities where it operates and the environment. We believe there shall be no fire incident anywhere. We contributed to this project to upgrade its operational efficiency and capacity. When completed, it will be a state-of-the-art facility. Fire service is very important support service even in organisations and we should not be where this lacks and that is why we are making sure that this project is actualised.

President of LIMGE, Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo, described the Lagos Island as the ‘front-runner, the trendsetter, the most sophisticated pulsating heartbeat of Lagos State and commercial capital of West Af•Continued on page 15

• Minister of Interior, Comrade Patrick Abba Moro, performs the ‘Turning of the Sod’ ceremony, with him are from left: Olusegun Okebiorun, Comptroller-General, Federal Fire Service; Chief Taiwo Taiwo, President LIMGE; Chike Onyejekwe, MD SNEPCO; Hon Danmole Oyinlomo, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Lagos State; Mrs. Derinsola Disu, Special Adviser on the Central Business District and Deji Adebayomi of Triarch Architects.

HE former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Funsho Kupolokun has appealed to Nigerian banks to assist indigenous oil and gas companies by advancing credits to them to finance their projects.

Kupolokun who spoke at an event to mark the unveiling of the new logo of Bell Oil and Gas Limited and 10th year anniversary celebration of the company in Lagos, said it is only through financing their projects would indigenous oil and gas companies grow and also help in the development of the economy.

The former NNPC chief also lauded government’s initiative on the Nigerian Content adding it was the only way to assist and develop indigenous companies in the country. He noted that countries like Brazil and Japan had invested so much in their indigenous companies to strive saying Nigerian banks should support local companies to achieve their set targets.

He said: “Banks should encourage indigenous oil companies by assisting them to create through grant of loan facilities. The essence of the Local Content Act is to promote indigenous companies in the country to be competent and successful and they cannot achieve this without easy access to funds.

“The success of Bell Oil and Gas is as a result of the support of the local content which was developed and supported by government.

Therefore, banks should introduce a special funding package to support the participation of indigenous companies in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

“The Nigerian Content Act insists on exclusive consideration for indigenous service companies that have demonstrated ownership of equipment, local personnel and capacity to execute work on land and

swamp areas of the industry.”

Kupolokun said Nigeria has earned over $800 billion in the last 50 years from oil but nothing to show for it.

Commenting, the Managing Director, Bell Oil and Gas, Mr. Kayode Thomas, lauded the support of government towards assisting indigenous companies in the oil and gas industry.

He said well over $10 million has been invested in the company in the last three years noting that investment on rotating equipment stood at about $4 million.

He said: “I can say conservatively that we have invested tens of millions of dollars over the last three years. I can only be specific on specific facilities. We have also looked at how many times we sent people abroad to be trained and be certified and so many professionals have also been brought into the country to train our staff.”

Thomas said on drilling, Bell Oil and Gas is investing in the next 18 months between $150 million to $200 million for the acquisition of semi-submersible rig. This is because at the moment you will not find any indigenous company that provides semi-submersible rig in the country.

“It is a tall order, a big challenge.

We already had agreement with foreign partner and rig owner,” he added.

“We are rebranding and we are celebrating the achievement in the last ten years. We now have nine divisions in the company providing a range of services from fibre gas piping to well testing, rotating equipment, loading systems, low control and host of other services.

“Recently, we went into partnership with two international drilling companies to begin to provide onshore, offshore drilling rig and the thinking behind that is that generally you don’t have many Nigerian companies operating in the offshore drilling.”

Siemens wins 1.1b euro power contract in Britain

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N a consortium with the Milanbased leading cable company Prysmian, Siemens Energy is to build a submarine DC inter-connector in the Irish Sea. The order is worth more than 1.1 billion euro for the consortium.

Customers are the British grid operator National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and its Scottish counterpart Scottish Power Transmission (SPT), which founded the special-purpose joint venture NGET/SPT Upgrades Limited for this grid expansion project.

The grid connection between Scotland and England, designed as a low-loss high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission system, will have a rating of 2200 megawatts (MW). It will be the first submarine interconnector ever using a DC voltage level of 600 kilovolts (KV). The highest voltage level used to date was 500 KV. The Western HVDC Link project will provide much needed additional power transmission capacity on Britain’s transmission system as the UK heads toward a low carbon economy. The power link will help to balance supply and demand within the grid sections in light of the continued growth of remote and fluctuating renewables. The link is scheduled to be operational by late 2015.

The chief executive officer of the Power Transmission Division of Siemens Energy, Udo Niehage said: “This order to connect National Grid’s and Scottish Power’s transmission networks underscores our technological leadership

in the HVDC field by using the as yet unrivaled voltage level of 600 kilovolts for a submarine interconnector with an also unmatched transmission capacity of 2200 megawatts.

Raising the voltage level in the cable by 20 per cent also enhances its transmission capacity by onefifth. The transmission losses in the cable are simultaneously reduced by one-third.”

Higher voltage levels in the cables allow higher power transmission capacity with the same diametre of copper in the cable and thus reduce the cost of material used. They also mean lower transmission losses. The total power loss in the link, caused by the two conversions – from AC to DC and back to AC – as well as by the ohmic resistance of the cables will be less than three percent.

The consortium comprising Siemens and Prysmian is responsible for turnkey supply of the link. This includes co-ordination and logistics efforts for cable installation along the 420-km-long route and HVDC converters in Hunterston, Scotland and the Wirral area in North West England.

The 400-kV alternating current used in the transmission grids will be converted into direct current in the Siemens HVDC converter stations. The electric power will be transmitted between these stations at a voltage of ±600 kV via a submarine high-voltage cable supplied by Prysmian and reconverted to AC for further transmission and distribution. The link can transmit energy in both directions, north and south.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

49

ENERGY

‘ Manufacturers, businessmen spend N3.5tr on power yearly’

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IGERIAN manufacturers, small scale businesses and families spend an average of N3.504.800 trillion yearly to power diesel and petrol generating sets annually due to unstable supply of electricity, which has become a serious challenge to past and present government.

In a survey conducted by Good Governance Initiative (GGI), a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), it was discovered that with the recent increase in fuel pump an average Nigerian family spends N80,000 every month on domestic consumption, despite the fact that the country’s minimum wage is N18,000 per month.

The survey also revealed that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) members spends about N800 billion to power their industrial generating sets to remain afloat while other small scale private businesses, banks and traders in various markets across the country spend over N2 trillion fueling generators to have power.

This is a condition, which other investors face in the country as a result of unstable power supply.

GGI, an organisation that advocates uninterrupted electricity supply in the country, noted that an average of three persons die weekly

•Prof Barth Nnaji, Minister of Power

through suffocation from fumes emanating from generating sets.

President of GGI, Mr Festus Mbisiogu, who spoke with The Nation said MAN has lost over 1,400 firms between 2000 and 2010. Some of these companies shut down while others relocated to neighbouring countries due to unstable electricity supply and inclement operating environment.

The survey showed that the most

• Mbisiogu

By Jude Isiguzo

affected sector is the textile industry. Almost all of the companies in that sector collapsed and employment in the sector dropped from about 350,000 to less than 20,000.

He said: “Data from MAN in 2009 indicates that more than 800 manufacturing firms have closed down and one out of every three new companies run out of business within

the first one year of operation because they cannot survive the harsh economic condition. Brazil generates 100,000 megawatts for a population of 201 million people, South Africa generates 40,000mw for a population of 50 million people while Nigerian is still generating below 4,000mw for a population of over 150 million. Previous administrations had spent over $16 billion for generation and distribution of electricity, with a promise of uninterrupted supply of electricity but till date, the story has not changed.”

Mbisiogu explained that the amount of money spent by individuals and corporate organisations should have been channeled to other developmental areas, which would have better improved the living standard of citizens, if the government had surmounted the problems of power supply.

He noted that health, education, and transport sectors have suffered different set due to poor power supply. “Numerous lives have been lost in our general hospitals as a result of poor availability of electricity to power hospital equipment, leaving doctors helpless to the detriment of the patients. The country’s GDP has gradually declined from 8.12 per cent in 1990 to 4.17 per cent in 2010 due to closure of companies,”

Mbisiogu lamented.

Mbisiogu who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Blue Diamond Logistics, a Chinese based company, commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister for Power, Professor Barth Nnaji for what they have been able to do so far to ensure stable supply of electricity, but he urged them to speed up their action as the country is losing a lot of foreign investors as a result of the power problem.

He said: “The Jonathan administration has created a road map, which proposes an annual spending of $10 billion to achieve a modest target of 40,000mw by 2020. His government should be focused in achieving this goal, which we expect, will wipe away tears in the eyes of Nigerians and lead us to a more investor-confident country.

Investors will only be convinced to invest when the cost is reasonable. Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Energy had advised Nigeria to separate electricity from partisan politics to achieve sustainable power supply. He advised that economically priced power supply is vital for the socio economic development of the country and GDP growth is directly proportional to the growth per capita electricity consumption.”

Asoil Energy boss bags award

•Akinyelure

HE Managing Director of Asoil Energy Limited, Mr Akinlola Akinyelure, has bagged the Peace Ambassador Award of Apostle of Peace Society.

A statement by Mr Siyanbola Oladapo, President of the society, said Akinyelure is being bestowed the award especially against the backdrop of security problems in the country in which many unemployed youths are involved. Oladapo added that Akinyelure was installed on February 19 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Isolo, Lagos.

Akinyelure is a graduate of the University of Reading England, where he bagged a BSc. in Accounting and Economics. He furthered his education at Cass Business School also in the U.K.

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where he gained a Masters Degree in Energy Trade & Finance.

Asoil Energy Limited, which Akinyelure is Managing Director, is a leading organisation in the oil & gas sector. Registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission, Asoil Energy commenced business on September 26, 2006 and specializes in the sourcing and delivering of LPFO, AGO, PMS, DPK, HPFO among others.

Products supplied by the company enjoy high reputation for quality and effectiveness of services, not only within the high brow of Lagos metropolis, but also throughout the neighbouring states.

The company’s special attraction to its teeming customers is that prices at Asoil Energy are very competitive without compromising on quality.

Akinyelure is also a stakeholder in Pak Oil Trading and POA Investment, an affiliate company of SPA Dredging. SPA Dredging is working on a dredging project with the Lagos State Government.

A devoted Anglican and a philanthropist, he is on the board of Queensland Academy in Okota Isolo, Lagos.

Shell partners LIMGE on N735m fire-fighting project •Continued from page 14

rica,” took guests down memory lane before calling on the organizations and individuals present to “join us in realizsing our ambitious but realistic dreams by providing financial support to aid us.”

Taiwo said the fire-fighting project is a major component of LIMGE’s ongoing five-year agenda targeted at the rebirth of the Lagos Island and would be completed by August 2012.

LIMGE was established in 1999 and has made impressive achievements. The advocacy and pressure group, it was learnt, was instrumental to the eradication of area boys and reclamation of the Lagos Island Central Business District which had fallen into disrepair and come under the control of area boys, as well as clearing of street traders, decongestion of the streets, and ensuring that street names and traffic lights are in place.

•From left: Andrew Fawthrop, Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited; HRH Jeremiah Lechemo, the Amananawei of Kolu-Ama I; Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources and HRH Newton Mienye, the Amana-nawei of Kolu-Ama II, during the Minister’s tour of communities affected by the recent Chevron gas rig fire in Bayelsa State

UNILAG, UNN, 15 other African varsities vie for Imperial Barrel Award

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TUDENT geologists and geophysicists from 17 African universities are locking horns to represent the continent at this year’s American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Imperial Barrel Award Programme (IBA) holding at Long Beach, California, United States of America on April 20 and 21.

The AAPG Imperial Barrel Award Programme (IBA) is an annual basin/prospect evaluation competition for geosciences graduate students from universities around the world. University teams compete to win scholarship funds dedicated to graduate student petroleum geosciences education.

The programme is rigorous and contributes to AAPG’s mission of promoting petroleum geosciences training and advancing the careers of geosciences students.

According to Mrs. Doja Ojelabi, Vice-President, AAPG Africa Region, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Africa Region, will on February 29, 2012 hold the semi-final competition of the Imperial Barrel Award programme, at the Peninsula Ho-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

tel & Towers Lekki Phase I, Lagos.

The Co-ordinator of AAPG/IBA programme, Mr Oluseye Ekun, said 18 universities from Africa registered for this year’s competition but 17 schools qualified to compete for the Africa representative at the final competition in Houston, Texas.

The competing universities are University of Lagos (Nigeria); Helwan University (Egypt); University of Nigeria Nsukka (Nigeria); University of Ibadan (Nigeria); Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Nigeria); Federal University of Technology Owerri (Nigeria); Federal University of Technology Akure (Nigeria); University of Ghana (Ghana); University of Western Cape (South Africa); Stellenbosch University (South Africa); Ain shams University (Egypt); University of Cairo (Egypt); Alexandria University (Egypt); Benha University (Egypt); Suez Canal University (Egypt); Tanta University (Egypt); and Zagazig University (Egypt).

The school that will fly Africa flag

will be chosen on February 29, 2012 during the semi-final competition at Peninsula Hotel and Towers, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The winner (Africa representative) will fly Africa flag in Long Beach, California, United States of America to compete at the final on April 20 & 21, 2012.

In the past, the following schools have represented Africa at the final IBA competition in the United States, in 2011 - University of Cairo (Egypt); in 2010 - Obafemi Awolowo University (Nigeria); in 2009 – Federal University of Technology Akure.

The winner of the 2011 IBA Award final competition will be announced during the AAPG annual conference and exhibition scheduled for April 22 -25, 2012.

The following awards are given to the winning teams during the student reception, the first prize - The Imperial Barrel Award (plus $20,000); second prize - The Selley Cup (plus $10,000) and third prize - The Stoneley Medal (plus $5,000).

The remaining contesting teams referred to as Honorable Mention, go home with $1,000 each.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

50

ENERGY

‘Nigeria should be prudent with proceeds from oil, gas’

T

HE Federal Government has been advised to use prudently proceeds from the sale of the country’s oil and gas and other resources if the aspiration of being among the world’s 20 largest economies by 2020 is to be realised.

With about eight years to the target date, some stakeholders are doubtful if Nigeria can still realise its ambition of attaining the vision 20:2020.

But Dr. Wumi Iledare, an associate professor at the Loussiana State University, United States, said it is achievable provided the country starts pursuing a 12 per cent annual economic growth through a culture of transparency and accountability.

Iledare gave this hint at an oil revenues, transparency and fiscal federalism seminar organised by the Deputy High Commission of

•Requires 12% yearly growth to attain vision 20:2020

By Bidemi Bakare

Canada and the Petroleum Club in Lagos.

He said it was inconceivable that substantial growth had not been witnessed by the country despite the huge proceeds accruing from its abundant natural resources including oil and gas.

According to him, as of January 1, 2012 available statistics showed that the country had produced about 37.2 billion barrels of crude and 180.5 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas but without corresponding economic growth to show for the huge proceeds.

He attributed the situation to the lack of transparency and accountability in the administration of oil revenues’ generation by the cen-

tral government and the sub-national entities.

He said the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors are bedeviled by all forms of under-hand dealings and mismanagement.

He said: “The leasing process and contractual agreements in the upstream sector are major issues of concern as well as the midstream and downstream licensing, marketing and regulation procedures.

“Most times, what is obtainable in the industry is what is called a discretionary lease award. By this it means that concessions are granted without proper bidding process. The Minister enjoys the discretionary power to award licenses. This is not always the best way to do things,” he said.

He added that the governance

structure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its joint ventures oversights is also flawed.

According to him, the corporation’s exploratory arm, the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) for instance, is not well-empowered to perform its statutory duties as it cannot access funds by itself for its operations unless from the purse of the NNPC. He, therefore, called for the total reform of the NNPC based on the principle of accountability and transparency as that is the only way to make it perform optimally and to expectations.

He noted that project approval must be made to follow due process and must be for incorporated

companies alone adding that technical and financial pre-qualifications based on legislative criteria should be done before any award is granted.

He solicited for a mechanism to ensure that revenue inflows and outflows are adequately managed for proper accountability and transparency in the oil and gas industry.

He added that economic data on oil and gas must also be made readily available to avoid shrouding the activities and operations of the industry in secrecy.

This, according to him, would enhance sound governance, corporate responsibility and citizenship accountability.

On subsidy removal, he said as much as he supports the policy he believed it must be done holistically to help strengthen all institutions operating in the oil and gas industry.

Oil price rises as global stocks rally

O

•From left: Outgoing MD, NLNG, Chima Ibeneche and his wife, former Country chairman, Petroleum Development Company, Basil Omiyi and his wife May; MD, SNEPCo Chike Onyejekwe; Incoming MD, NLNG, Babs Omotowa and Frank Edozie, General Manager OKLNG at send-off party in honour of Ibeneche.

Conference on opportunities in downstream deregulation coming

N

IGERIA Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) in association with Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Onne and Century 21 Systems Communication Limited will hold its Third Free Trade Zone Conference and Exhibition (FTZ Nigeria 2012) in Lagos.

The conference, which holds yearly provides interface for stakeholders in the public and private sectors to make viable contribu-

tions to addressing Nigeria’s free trade, border and export processing zones challenges and opportunities.

In view of the changing regulatory and legislative landscape in Nigeria, which has forced a monumental shift in business practice in the power and energy sector, this years edition is expected to bring the knowledge and experience of some of the top industry experts together to provide answers to ques-

tions on how Nigeria can use free trade zone to cope with deregulation in the downstream petroleum sector and opportunities there for foreign direct investment including practical Nigeria content.

The Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mr. Austen Oniwon and Mr. Luk Haelterman, the Managing Director of OK Free Trade Zone will lead the discussions.

IL price rose to about $103 a barrel Friday in Asia as signs of an improving U.S. economy fueled investor optimism and a global stock market rally.

According to the Associated Press, benchmark crude was up 48 cents to $102.79 per barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 52 cents to settle at $102.32 per barrel in New York on Thursday.

Brent crude was up 24 cents at $120.35 per barrel in London.

Crude has jumped from $96 earlier this month as a surge in stock markets suggests investor confidence in the U.S. economic outlook is improving. The U.S. Labor Department said weekly applications for unemployment benefits dropped for the fourth time in five weeks to the lowest point since March 2008.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose one percent Thursday to its highest level in almost four years while Asian stocks jumped on Friday.

Rising fears that a military conflict will erupt over Iran’s nuclear program and block oil supplies from reaching markets has also helped push crude prices higher.

The U.S. and Europe are tighten-

Total acquires interests in Côte d’Ivoire’s oil blocks

T

OTAL said it has signed pro duction sharing agreements with the Côte d’Ivoire state and national oil company Petroci for three new ultra-deep offshore licences. Total will operate the CI514 license with a 54 percent interest, in partnership with Canadian

Energy prices

Domestic prices of petroleum products

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl)

Companies

PMS

AGO

DPK

Conoil

97.00

160.00

140.00

AP

97.00

160.00

140.00

Total

97.00

160.00

140.00

Oando

97.00

160.00

140.00

Mobil

97.00

160.00

140.00

Texaco

97.00

160.00

140.00

Energy

97.00

160.00

140.00

Fagbems

97.00

160.00

140.00

Nipco

97.00

160.00

140.00

INDIGENOUS

PRICE*CHANGE% CHANGE TIME Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot OIL (¢/gal)

103.24 0.93 121.35 -0.26 103.24 0.93

0.91% -0.22% 0.91%

02/17 02/17 02/17

PRICE*CHANGE% CHANGE TIME Nymex Heating Oil Future 318.89 -2.08 Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future 301.56 -3.15 NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

-0.65% -1.03%

02/17 02/17

PRICE*CHANGE% CHANGE TIME Nymex Henry Hub Future 2.68 Henry Hub Spot 2.67 New York City Gate Spot 2.94 ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour)

ing economic sanctions against Iran over what the West believes is Iran’s attempt to build a nuclear bomb.

World leaders fear Israel may be planning a strike against Iran.

In response, Iran, which is the world’s third largest exporter, has threatened to withhold its own oil deliveries and to block the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil flows.

“Given the headlines regarding Iran, the market appears to be entering panic mode,” energy traders and consultant The Schork Group said in a report. “In this current sky-is-falling market, facts like weak demand relative to supply are overshadowed by fear and greed.

Bottom line, this oil market is afraid, very afraid.”

Some analysts are starting to worry that rising fuel costs will undermine consumer spending and stymie economic growth. At about $3.50 a gallon, the average U.S. price for gasoline is 38 percent higher than a year ago and likely to raise into the summer, said Carl Larry of energy consultant Oil Outlooks and Opinions.

“We all have to wonder now if that’s going to have a deteriorating effect on the current growth of America,” Larry said. “The question now is will America be ready for this shock?”

0.12 0.19 0.23

4.56% 7.66% 8.49%

02/17 02/17 02/17

PRICE*CHANGE% CHANGE TIME Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot24.722.53 11.40% 02/17 Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot 27.20 3.03 12.54% 02/17 BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON 22.75 -0.67 -2.86% 02/16 • Bloomberg Oil Buyers Guide

Natural Ressources International (36 percent) and Petroci (10 percent). Total will also hold a 45 percent interest in the CI-515 and CI516 licenses, alongside Anadarko (45 percent) and Petroci (10 percent). For each block Total will become the operator upon the first commercial discovery.

The licenses are situated approximately 100 kilometres offshore Côte d’Ivoire and cover an area of 3,200 square kilometres with water depths ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 metres. The work program includes a 3D seismic survey of the whole acreage and one well to be drilled on each block during the initial three-year exploration period.

“Total is very pleased with this new exploration opportunity in Côte d’Ivoire’s ultra-deep offshore, a field in which our expertise is globally recognised,” said Marc Blaizot, Total’s Senior Vice President, Exploration.

“The so-called Abrupt Margin theme that we will be exploring in this acreage is a core growth driver for the future. In particular, we are targeting the same theme in exploration licenses in French Guiana, where a promising discovery has already been made, and in Mauritania.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

51

52

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

53

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-2-12

Rising inflation dampens equity returns

I

NFLATION rose by 230 basis points from 10.3 per cent in December 2011 to 12.6 per cent in January 2012, further exacerbating the dwindling returns at the Nigerian stock market.

The National Bureau of Statistics in its latest report stated that headline inflation rode on the back of increase in cost of fuel to 12.6 per cent in January as against 10.3 per cent in December 2011. This has further widened the gap between the much-talked about single digit inflation rate and actual rate According to the NBS report, food Inflation rose to 13.1 per cent year-on-year from 11.0 per cent in December 2011 while core inflation, which was measured by all items less farm produce index, rose to 12.7 per cent as against 10.8 per cent in December 2011.

With year-to-date return at the NSE already at -1.14 per cent, inflation adjusted return would cut deeper into the

Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

capital of investors.

Capital market analysts said the rising inflation rate would narrow real return on investments and could worsen the flight from equities, which have wriggled mostly under an unyielding downtrend.

Analysts said investors might be tempted to hold short-term securities that hold better prospects for above-inflation yield.

They expected inflation to continue on the uptrend, with all indices pointing at the unreliability of the single-digit inflation target.

Meanwhile, the stock market opened yesterday on a positive note with the All Share Index rising by 0.14 per cent to close at 20,439.67 points. Aggregate market capitalisation of listed equities also improved by N9 billion to close at N6.442 trillion.

On the price movement tables, gainers outweighed losers with 22 companies appreciating in price compared with 23 that constituted the losers’ chart. Nigerian Breweries topped the gainers’ list with a gain of N1.30 to close at N99.

Oando rose by 90 kobo to close at N19.25. Berger Paints added 33 kobo to close at N8.69. Ikeja Hotels gained 6.0 kobo to close at N1.26. Dangote Flour rose by 20 kobo to close at N4.24.

On the downside, PZ Cussons Nigeria dropped by 78 kobo to close at N26.15. Forte Oil lost 55 kobo to close at N10.46.

Unilever Nigeria dropped by 35 kobo to close at N27.60 while Ashaka Cement and Dangote Cement lost 20 kobo each to close at N10.50 and N110 per share.

Turnover stood at 358.554 million shares valued at N2.721 billion in 3,446 deals.

Financial services sector contributed the largest chunk with 300.017 million shares worth N1.758 billion in 1,874 deals.

Banking subsector was the most active with a turnover of 273.7 million shares worth N1.7 billion in 1,785 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-2-12

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 2012

55

MONEY LINK

‘Cash-less economy to raise money supply by 25%’

T

HE implementation of the cashless banking initiative instituted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will push Broad Money Supply (m2) further by 25 per cent, the Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Bismarck Rewane has said.

The daily cash withdrawal ceiling of N150, 000 for individuals and N1 million for corporations being implemented in Lagos State, seeks to limit the volume of cash that can be withdrawn in a day.

Speaking during the FDC BiMonthly Economic & Business Update, Rewane said growth in monetary aggregates is mainly a result of growth in credit to the private sector. He said the overall impact of cash-less economy will lead to an increase in total money supply by an approximate 25 per cent. “We expect to see a continuous rise in M2, of about 25 per cent as a result of the cash-less economy reform that started in January in Lagos,” he said.

According to him, the cash-less economy reform will result in an increase in the velocity of circulation, which measures the rate at which money changes hands. “The velocity is expected to increase as transactions are carried out electronically and therefore have a one-day value date as against three days from the original norm. As money changes hands at a faster rate its price will also increase,” he further explained. The projection is that M2, which represents narrow money (M1) plus bank deposits, will increase due to an expected rise in demand deposits.

The CBN data showed that M2 rose by 8.93 per cent month-on-month to N13.3 trillion in December, its peak for 2011. When annualised, M2 grew by 15.40 per cent higher than the 6.9 per cent growth recorded in 2010. Other

Stories by Collins Nweze

aggregates such as Narrow money (M1) and Credit to the private sector (CPS) likewise recorded increases of 17 per cent to N6.768 trillion and 4.2 per cent to N12.934 trillion respectively in December. Demand deposits also rose to N5.523 trillion in December, a 17.36

per cent rise over November‘s figure of N4.706 trillion.

Rewane said there has been a decline in exchange rate volatility in the first half of February even as the naira appreciated by 0.2 per cent in the spot market. At the other forex market segments, the naira has also gained in value against the dollar by 1.43 per cent

and 0.60 per cent in both the inter-bank and parallel markets.

The FDC boss said the sale of dollars by the oil majors such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell amongst others, have played a significant role in reducing the demand pressure for dollars as these companies activities have

Mainstreet Bank overhauls financial products

M

AINSTREET Bank Limited has embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of all the products on its service line to make them more responsive to the changing needs of customers.

Most of the bank’s products were inherited from the legacy bank (Afribank), which existed for 50 years before it gave way to the all-new Mainstreet Bank in August last year.

A statement from the bank said a good number of the products had been in existence for a long period of time without undergoing the necessary process of re-invigoration and

that the best of conditions can still do with an improvement.

“So, even though the products we inherited from the legacy bank were all carefully thought out, it has become clear to us that most of them need a fresh spark to endear them more to the target market”, explained Faith Tuedor-Matthews, the Group

refocusing.

“The renewal process designed for these products covers key product personality issues like name change, re-definition of target market, enhancement of product appeal and organised marketing efforts to push for increased acceptance and share of the market,” the statement said.

All these form a major aspect of the bank’s marketing plan that is expected to ensure Mainstreet’s entry into the top league of the nation’s banking sector where its progenitor was once dominant.

“At Mainstreet Bank, we believe

D

dium scale enterprises (SMEs)in a bid to contribute to the economic development in a sustainable manner.

The Managing Director, Diamond Bank, Mr. Alex Otti, stressed that there was the need to empower micro and medium entrepreneurs in the country in areas where there were lack of funds.

In a speech delivered at the inauguration of Casa Lucio Event Center in Ibadan on Saturday, Otti stated that the bank would remain a channel in the economic development of Nigeria and in other markets where the bank had presence.

“We are focussed on remaining a catalyst in the economic development of Nigeria and in all markets where we operate. Partnering with like-minded organisations and in-

Ecobank assures customers on quality services

E

COBANK Nigeria has assured customers of seamless services delivery at all its over 600 branches nationwide. This follows successful integration of operations and processes of former Oceanic Bank and Ecobank Nigeria.

A statement from the bank said the merger has brought all customers’ accounts in the former Oceanic Bank into a unified Ecobank Nigeria account.

It said the merger has enhanced access to accounts for customers and has made a wide range of other services accessible to customers across its entire

branch network.

Ecobank Group Head, Domestic Banking, Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo, said customers’ account numbers and branch where their accounts were opened remain the same and unchanged. “We are now a stronger bank with presence in all the 36 states of the federation. We carry out your banking transactions at any of the more than 600 Ecobank Nigeria branches across the combined network in Nigeria, making your banking more convenient and more accessible,” he said.

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

O/PRICE

IKEJAHOEL DANGFLOUR OANDO FIDSON ETERNAOIL UBA LIVESTOCK CUSTODYINS AGLEVENT GTASSURE

1.20 4.04 18.35 0.62 3.75 1.89 0.85 1.50 1.32 1.32

Current Before

C/PRICE

CHANGE

1.26 4.24 19.25 0.65 3.93 1.98 0.89 1.57 1.38 1.18

0.06 0.20 0.90 0.03 0.18 0.09 0.04 0.07 0.06 0.05

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

11.01 0.61 0.63 3.80 0.53 0.80 1.55 26.93 4.15 1.38

C/PRICE

CHANGE

10.46 0.58 0.60 3.65 0.51 0.77 1.50 26.15 4.05 1.35

0.55 0.03 0.03 0.15 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.78 0.10 0.03

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m 400m

313.5m 443m

250m 400m

150.8 150.7

03-8-11 01-8-11

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

(S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

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

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

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 120.93 98.43 0.76 1.04 0.88 1,642.73 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,276.62 193.00

9.08 1.00 120.79 97.65 0.73 1.04 0.87 1,635.25 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,088.65 191.08

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

LOSER AS AT 20-2-12

FO EVANSMED GOLDINSURE NASCON WEMABANK JAPAULOIL BAGCO PZ FCMB FIDELITYBK

Rate (N)

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

Parallel Market SYMBOL

Exchange

Sold ($)

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 20-2-12

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 Currency

INTERBANK RATES

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

dividuals is imperative if we must succeed in this objective; hence we are delighted to have been on the side of progress with Gaso Furniture Nigeria Limited on this initiative,” he said.

Otti pointed out that the bank would focus on creating value for businesses that were largely ignored within the banking industry and the economy at large.

He added, “This event is one that we at Diamond Bank have looked forward to with a lot of enthusiasm.

Not only because the opening of Casa Lucio International Event Centre marks a significant milestone in the development of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, but also because Oyo State has been a key factor in the overall strategic thinking of our bank.

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

Managing Director/CEO of Mainstreet Bank Limited.

She said Mainstreet has a product line that speaks to the needs of the various market segments but these products have to be given more flexibility and value to continue their market dominance.

Diamond Bank committed to SMEs, IAMOND Bank Plc has reitsays MD erated its commitment to supporting small and me-

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

increased the liquidity stance of the markets.

As at February 17, the naira was trading at N156.4/$1 at the spot market compared to N156.7/$1 in the first week in February. The exchange rate at the interbank and parallel markets is N158.19/$1 and N162/$1 respectively.

• AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

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

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

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2011

NEWS Suggestion boxes in Enugu

T

HE Enugu State Government has installed public opinion/complaint and suggestion boxes in Ministries, Department, Agencies and Parastatals.

Speaking during the inauguration at the Office of the Head of Service, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Good Governance and Civil Society Relations, Mrs. Tochi Ene, said the action was to facilitate feedbacks from civil servants on government activities.

She said this would also enable the public give suggestions on government programmes and actions to ensure good governance and service delivery.

The governor’s aide appealed to civil servants not to abuse the privilege.

The Head of Service, Nze Dennis Eze, urged the civil servants to exploit this avenue of reaching government directly and contribute ideas about the quality of services by government.

Ebonyi to immunise 600,000 kids From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

O

VER 600,000 children under five are to be vaccinated against polio and other child killer diseases in the 13 local governments of Ebonyi State.

The Commissioner for Health, Sunday Nwangele, announced this during the flag-off of the programme at Onueke in Ezza-South Local Government.

He said about 128, 259 expectant mothers would benefit from the programme.

A breakdown, according to the commissioner, showed that 102, 607 kids are under one , 513, 036 are under five while 128, 259 are expectant mothers.

Nwangele said the objective of the immunisation is to eradicate poliomyelitis and reduce infant mortality.

He said: “Vaccines would be given to children at fixed or temporal posts, health facilities, churches, schools, villages and market square to ensure that no child is left behind.

“Expectant mothers would also receive tetanus toxoids.”

Igbo leaders reject Ojukwu’s son as Ikemba II I GBO leaders have rejected the installation of the second son of the late Odimegwu Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, Emeka Jnr as Ikemba II. He was conferred with the title by the traditional ruler of Nawfia community in Anambra State, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo.

They said it amounted to bastardisation of Igbo tradition and cultural norms.

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, said Ojukwu Jnr has no locus standi to answer to Ikemba II because there is no portfolio which warrants such title.

Represented by his second-

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

in-command, Rommy Ezeonwuka, Uwazuruike said: “The title of Ikemba was given to the late Ojukwu at Nkwo-Nnewi Triangle by the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III. “So, for Emeka to go to Nawfia, his maternal home town to be installed as Ikemba II is not something that is realistic in Igbo customs and norms.”

He said Igwe Nwankwo cannot install Emeka as Ikemba II because he was not the one who installed

‘...for Emeka to go to Nawfia, his maternal home town, to be installed Ikemba II is not something that is realistic in Igbo customs and norms’ his father as the Ikemba I of Nnewi.

The development, the

MASSOB leader said, could be ill-conceived and instigate internal wrangling among the children of the late Biafran warlord.

Uwazuruike decried the purported installation at a time when Ndigbo and the world are mourning the demise of his father, suggesting that it must have been selfishly motivated.

“Ikemba was a title given to Odimegwu Ojukwu by Nnewi clan and if Ojukwu Jnr had received same from Nnewi clan, just as Uwazuruike was crowned Ezeigbo at Nri where Ojuwku was previously crowned, it would have been a welcome development,” he said.

‘Abia not owing salary’ HE Abia State Government is not owing its workers, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ugochukwu Emezue, has said.

Emezue also said the new minimum wage of N20,100, which Governor Theodore Orji, approved has been paid to all workers.

He said those who have not been paid were from some local governments, whose accountants refused to submit their lists before salary

T

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

vouchers were prepared.

The aide said those who are saying the government owed its workers are not telling the truth.

Emezue said the workers, who have been paid are those who were captured with the biometrics machine.

He said the exercise has helped the government to identify over 558 ghost workers.

Ebonyi rerun fixed for March 3, 10 From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

T

HE Independent National Election Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi State has fixed March 3 for the rerun election in Ezza South State Constituency.

This followed the nullification of the election of Chris Usulor by the Appeal Court, sitting in Enugu, on January 7.

The commission has also fixed March 10 for the rerun in Ohaukwu South and Ishielu North State Constituency, which were nullified by the Appeal Court.

The three former lawmakers are Ohaukwu South State Constituency, Mrs. Mabel Aleke, Ikechukwu Ogbu, Ishielu North State Constituency and Ezza South State Constituency, Chris Usulor all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

INEC’s spokesman Johnson Nduohosewo said only those who registered in the last voter registration exercise would participate in the rescheduled election.

He said the commission had begun the training of electoral officers who would participate in the election.

“The six parties that participated in the April election have been notified of the dates for the rescheduled election.”

Ruler’s staff-of-office withdrawn

A

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has approved the dethronement of the traditional ruler of Agbaja Nkporo autonomous community in Ohafia Local Government, following a tussle over the stool.

The dethronement was contained in a letter to the former traditional ruler, Eze Agwu Nwankwo Kalu and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Emma Nwabuko.

The February 16 letter reads: “Following the report of the disciplinary committee on the community un-

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

rest, Governor Theodore Orji has approved the withdrawal of your recognition as a traditional ruler in Abia State.

“All rights and privileges, accruing to you as a traditional ruler, are hereby withdrawn.

“Consequently, you are directed to return your staff of office and certificate of recognition as traditional ruler to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs within 14 days.”

•Paul with some of the stolen goods...yesterday

PHOTO: NWANOSIKE ONU

Robbery suspect paraded in Anambra

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HE end came for a 20-year old robbery suspect, Chigbo James Paul, from Azu Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government of Anambra State at the weekend.

Paul was arrested for allegedly breaking into a shop on January 31 and stealing goods worth N10 million.

But he met his waterloo when he was duped of the funds he made from his loot in Lagos.

Paul confessed to the crime, saying he did it out of frustration.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

He said: “I visited the shop one day and saw the things there. I decided to rob the shop.

“After collecting the items, I gave one of the laptops to a friend and out of the remaining ones; I sold out five at N270,000 each.

“I packed the remaining items and took the money to Lagos to rent a house.

“But I was duped by some people, who claimed to be estate agents.

“The police were able to arrest me through the friend I gave the laptop to.

“When the owner of the shop, Nwosita James Ibeabuchi, visited my friend’s house; he was able to identify the laptop.

“So when my friend heard I was in town, he invited me to his house where the police had laid ambush and when I got there, I was arrested.

“I never meant to do it; it was the devil’s handiwork.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Criminal Investigation Department) Mike

Okoli said the suspect would be charged to court.

He said the items recovered from the suspect are valued at N10million.

The items, according to him, included 30 new laptops, with their complete accessories, motorcycle and generating sets, among others.

Ibeabuchi hailed the police for arresting the suspect.

He said the arrest has made him the happiest man.

“I don’t know what to say.

I thank the police for doing their job,” he said.

Anambra tribunal strikes out Udeh’s petition

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NAMBRA State Tribunal yesterday struck out the petition of the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Orumba North and South Federal Constituency, Okey Udeh.

He is challenging the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ben Nwankwo, in last April’s National Assembly election.

The application by Udeh, a former Deputy Governor, was struck out, following a

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

petition by Prof Ilochi Okafor and O.J Nnadi.

They are challenging the continued hearing of the matter after the 180 days constitutional provision.

Justice G. Garba said the petition was filed on April 29 before the Justice Biewalla-led panel, which struck out the petition for not filling forms TF007 and TF008 and was deemed to have been abandoned.

Udeh went to the Appeal Court in Enugu and the matter was returned on January 26 to Justice Onajite Kuejubola, who re-enlisted it and transferred it to the Justice Nasire Gumi-led panel.

Garba said: “Since then, the tribunal has followed the matter up till the present stage but the constitutional barricade that has bedevilled the petition has cut us off from continuing hearing the matter.

“We cannot confer further

life unto this petition because of the ‘natural time accident’, bearing in mind that the petitioner has not even concluded his evidence nor called his witnesses.

“The first, second and third witnesses are yet to cross examine him and open their defence.

“It is, therefore, very clear that there is nothing humanly possible we can do to continue with this petition and consequently the petition is struck out at no cost.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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NEWS Wamakko assures of transparency

Judicial workers, NBA, govt disagree over sacked CJ’s reinstatement

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OKOTO governor-elect Aliyu Wamakko yesterday assured the people that his administration will be transparent, sincere and accountable in leadership, vowing to ensure that the yearnings, aspirations and opinions of all are respected.

He appealed to his oppo•Wamakko nents to join him in building the state and promised that he From Suleiman Adamu, would remain a governor Sokoto with listening ears.

Wamakko had, in 2007, made a similar pronouncement when he was elected.

He vowed not to involve his family in the affairs of his administration.

Former Presidents Shehu Shagari and Ibrahim Babangida in telephone conversations congratulated the governor-elect on his victory.

Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Waziri Tamabawal, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Imam D. Imam, congratulated Wamakko on his victory.

Wamakko polled 518,247 to defeat Yusha’u Muhammad Ahmad of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) who got 131,048.

“I appeal to the other contestant to be reasonable and mature so that we can move our state forward.”

The Sokoto State chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) said it is satisfied with the results of the poll, adding: “We have accepted the results in good faith.”

Addressing reporters in Sokoto, the Chairman of CNPP, Alhaji Abba Sidi, described the exercise as free, fair and credible and called on other contestants to close ranks with the winner in the interest of the state.

You’re too desperate, Wada tells OGI State Governor Isah, others Idris Wada yesterday

K

described Alhaji Jibrin Isah, winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries of January last year and his supporters as desperadoes.

Wada, speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Jacob Edi, noted that the comments credited to Isah urging PDP and Wada to obey court orders and quit the Lugard House based on last Friday’s ruling of the Supreme Court, “lacks merit and is totally shallow,” and coming from “a drowning man who is not really expected to play by any rule other than that of self-survival.”

He said: “The judgment was written in plain and simple English language and to understand it otherwise smirks of delusion or hallucination. The tactics of distortion of facts for the purpose of distraction is old-

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

fashioned. Governor Wada is, unfortunately for the opposition, more interested in piloting the affairs of the state for greater development rather than being drawn into unnecessary issues that lack relevance to the progress of the people of Kogi State.

“Within the short period he took the front seat in the state, Wada has achieved what some of his colleagues would have done in months: he set up a think tank to draw a developmental road map for the state, inaugurated a transition team, laid the foundation for the building of new classrooms, hostel and library for Kogi State Polytechnic, visited Kogi State University for on-thespot assessment of facilities.

The bottom line, they are just idle desperados.”

Observers fault Sokoto governorship poll •My election was free, fair, says Wamakko

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HE Project Swift Count (PSC), a group of electoral observers which monitored the Sokoto governorship election, has identified anomalies in the election.

The first Co-Chair of PSC, Dafe Akpedeye (SAN), said yesterday in Abuja that the 627 observers deployed in the state found that the election was not free and fair.

The Sokoto governorelect, Aliyu Wamakko, said yesterday that last weekend’s election was not rigged as alleged by the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

But Akpedeye said there were many critical reports that the PSC received from the observers during the poll which could undermine the integrity of the poll.

The critical reports, he said, included intimidation

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

and harassment, late arrival of election materials, accreditation of voters after voting has commenced, violence, vote-buying, under-age voting, illegal voting, stealing of ballot papers, suspension of voting, campaigning and campaign materials in or near polling units and ballot box stuffing/snatching.

He said: “As PSC has noted previously, INEC did not make available to PSC the voter register for individual polling units for Bayelsa, nor has it done so for Sokoto or Cross River. Instead, PSC can only obtain the number of persons registered to vote at the polling units as it is announced by the electoral officers at each polling unit.

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EMBERS of the Kwara State branch of the Judicial Union of Nigeria (JSUN) yesterday embarked on a week’s warning strike.

They are protesting the Supreme Court judgment that reinstated the sacked Chief Justice of the state, Justice Raliat Habeeb–Elelu.

The apex court last Friday affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ilorin which had declared HabeebElelu’s removal as null and void.

The judgment ended the three-year legal battle between the Kwara State Government and Justice HabeebElelu.

The chairperson of JSUN, Mrs. Folake Laaro, had, immediately after the judgment, served a notice to the state government of the union’s decision to commence a warning strike yesterday.

While reiterating their “respect for the Supreme Court,” the workers said they would

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

embark on an indefinite strike after the expiration of the warning if the National Judicial Council (NJC) failed to reverse the Supreme Court judgment.

An Ilorin-based lawyer, Mr. John Bayeshea (SAN), faulted the action of the workers, saying disobedience of the Supreme Court judgment was an invitation to anarchy.

Bayeshea told The Nation that “once the Supreme Court has spoken on a matter, that is final. We must respect, obey and enforce the judgment of the Supreme Court, otherwise we will be giving room for anarchy.

“Now the CJ has been reinstated. In fact, we senior members of the bar have interacted with the High Court judges in Kwara State and their position is that the judgment of the Supreme Court reinstating the CJ has to be obeyed. The impression should not be given that the judges are against the judg-

ment of the Supreme Court.

“We don’t know whose script the Judicial Staff Workers Union of Nigeria is acting.

The Acting CJ, Justice Kawu, has removed his personal effects from the office and that is how it should be. For you to know that those people are on their own, we lawyers are united on this point that the authority of the Supreme Court must not be questioned. If they have any political point to score, it is none of our business. They must not politicise the judiciary.”

The Ilorin branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) described the judicial workers’ action as ill-timed “as it constitutes a stumbling block in the enforcement of the judgment of the Supreme Court.”

The NBA Chairman and General Secretary, Rafiu Balogun and Suleiman Abaya said: “The NBA wishes to state that the judgment of the Supreme Court is supreme in all ramifications and must be obeyed by

Lawmaker in court for alleged certificate forgery A LAWMAKER representing Bauchi Central Constituency in the House Assembly, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been charged with allegedly forging his primary school certificate at the Chief Magistrate’s Court 4 Bauchi.

The suit was filed by a former legislator in the House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkarim Angale of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauch

The Court of Appeal had declared Mohammed the winner of the April 2011 state assembly poll, nullifying the election of Angale for violating the Electoral Act 2010.

B. A. Oyefso, who appeared for the plaintiff, told the court that the accused person must

be in court even if the court in its wisdom deemed it fit not to take his plea.

Responding, counsel to the accused person, Muktar Abubakar, opposed the application, saying if the court grants it, it will amount to taking a step further.

Magistrate Garba Inuwa Sambo adjourned the case till March 5 for ruling.

all and sundry.

“Consequently, we call on stakeholders, particularly the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state to ensure that the judgment is enforced immediately.

“While congratulating the beneficiary of the judgment, we urge Justice Habeeb-Elelu to use her reinstatement to foster peace, stability and harmony in the state’s judiciary and guide against any act capable of undermining the integrity of the bench and the bar.

“We enjoin the striking workers to suspend the action in the interest of the sanctity of the rule of law so that the judgment of the apex court will not be rendered otiose or ineffective.”

Reacting to the development, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade, told reporters that the state would comply with the Supreme Court judgment.

His words: “The administration of Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed is a respecter of the rule of law and does not encourage the flouting or outright disobedience of the judgment of the apex court.

“I have been directed by Governor Ahmed to write to Justice Habeeb-Elelu to resume as the chief judge. The office of the CJ has been vacated by the former occupant.

“I therefore use this medium to appeal to stakeholders in this matter to allow the rule of law to prevail. I urge them to return to their duties and support the quick dispensation of justice the state is reputed for.”

Naval officers, commercial cyclists clash in Lokoja

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RISIS was yesterday averted in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, when naval officers clashed with commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada riders, leaving one person injured and

motorcycles vandalised.

The incident, which happened at 8.30am near Lokoja Club, was said to have occurred when an okada rider was allegedly hit by a naval officer and was injured.

An eyewitness told The Nation that the okada rider and his colleagues mobbed the naval officer and during the fracas his car key was seized.

The source said the naval officer, sensing danger,

called his colleagues to come to his rescue.

The Nation learnt that the okada riders, sighting three pick-up vans filled with naval officers, abandoned their motorcycles and fled.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Sudan’s rebels release 49 peacekeepers

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REBEL group in Sudan’s Darfur region said yesterday it has released 49 international peacekeepers it had captured earlier.

“All peacekeepers are free but we are holding three Sudanese accompanying them,” said a spokesman for the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

The rebels had earlier yesterday said they had captured 52 international UNAMID peacekeepers.

A spokeswoman for UNAMID said the peacekeepers had been allowed to leave but they were staying in the area in north-western Darfur since they did not want to leave three detained civilians behind.

Military crash near US Base in Africa kills four

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N American reconnaissance plane crashed 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the only United States base in Africa, killing four service members on board, after returning from a mission in support of the war in Afghanistan, the military said yesterday.

The statement said that the crash occurred at about 8 p.m. Saturday in Djibouti.

US personnel from Camp Lemonnier in the tiny Horn of Africa nation responded to the scene.

Specialist Ryan Whitney of the 1st Special Operations Wing said that initial

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that the WAEC certificate and OND result belonging to me, Mr. Collins Ubaezuonu is missing. If found please call phone number 08032322745.

CHANGE OF NAME OLUDAYO

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Oludayo Yetunde Esther, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Abdul Yetunde Esther. All former documents remains valid.

INELGEA, INELGEA, Imukoro, Atan and general public should take note.

OLOTA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwatoyin Bukola Olota, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Oluwatoyin Bukola Majaro. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

ADEGBESAN I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegbesan Elizabeth Serifat, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Adesina Elizabeth Serifat. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

JIMOH I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Jimoh Samurat, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Adekola Samurat Oyenike. All former documents remains valid.

Ogun SUBEB and general public should take note.

SUNMOLA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Sunmola Iyabo, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Adeeko Iyabo. All former documents remains valid. Ogun SUBEB, LGEA Imukoro and general public should take note.

MAKINDE I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Makinde Tiffney Nicole, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Akanni Adebisi Wossy. All former documents remains valid.

General public should take note.

BLANKSON I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Blankson Enize Favour, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs. Kemekio Christian Enize Favour. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME My name was written as Alex Erhienurein in my National Examination Council Certificate (NECO). I now wish to confirm that Akporode Erhienure Alex and Alex Erhienure refer to one and the same person. All documents bearing above mentioned names remains valid. Skye Bank Plc. and general public should take note.

indications are that the plane did not crash because of hostile fire. The plane was conducting an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission, he said. A statement from US Africa Amy Oliver, public affairs director of the Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing, said the singleengine, fixed-wing U-28A was returning from a mission in support of the Afghanistan war.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. Camp Lemonnier lies only miles from the border with Somalia.

The four killed in the crash included: Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the 319th Special Operations Squadron; Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Georgia, with the 34th Special Operations Squadron; 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Oregon, with the 34th Special Operations Squadron; and Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, with the 25th Intelligence Squadron.

Hall was a U-28 pilot with more than 1,300 combat flight hours. He was assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

•The GOC’s officer’s and members of 82 Division. Nigeria Army, Enugu ...yesterday

Senegalese opposition calls fresh protest

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ENEGAL’S opposition called for a new protest yesterday, prompting fears of fresh violence days before polls in which President Abdoulaye Wade’s bid for a third term has upset the normally stable nation.

The president’s spokesman Serigne Mbacke Ndiaye yesterday said the violence was regrettable and accused opposition candidates of paying youths and retired soldiers to “install chaos” in the country.

Tensions are running high just six days before elections in the west African nation, a former French colony known

for being one of the continent’s pioneer democracies which has never suffered a coup or conflict.

“This electoral campaign has known difficulties, clashes, which we regret.

These incidents have no place in an electoral campaign,” Ndiaye told journalists.

Senegal put “to fire and sword” headlined two daily newspapers after fresh riots erupted on Sunday, in which another person was killed, bringing to six the number of dead since protests first began in late January.

The opposition June 23

Movement (M23) planned to continue heaping pressure on Wade, 85, to step down ahead of February 26 polls.

“We call for a protest at 3:00 pm (1500GMT) at Independence Square,” said M23 coordinator Alioune Tine.

The green square in the heart of the downtown suburb of Plateau, with a grubby fountain which has not spouted water in years, is a few blocks away from the presidential palace and has been fiercely protected by police.

Last week approaching protesters clashed with

security forces in the sidestreets as they attempted to defy a ban to rally there.

During street battles, police on Friday fired tear gas into a mosque belonging to the country’s biggest Islamic brotherhood, the Tidianes, prompting fury among the faithful and fresh clashes on Sunday.

A peaceful gathering degenerated into an hourslong tense stand-off with police as angry youths belted riot police with rocks and set fires in main streets.

Security forces riposted with rubber bullets and volleys of potent invisible teargas.

Egyptian prosecutor says Mubarak deserves death penalty

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HE chief prosecutor in the trial of ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak said yesterday in his closing remarks that the former president should be given the death penalty for the killings of protesters in last year’s uprising.

Mustafa Suleiman said Mubarak, who ruled over the Arab world’s most populous country for nearly 30 years,

clearly authorized use of live ammunition and a shoot-tokill policy against peaceful protesters.

According to government estimates, about 850 were killed in the crackdown from Jan. 25 to Feb. 11, 2011.

For this, Suleiman told the presiding judges, Mubarak and five co-defendants, including his longtime Interior Minister Habib al-

PUBLIC NOTICE HOUSE OF GRACE WORSHIP CENTRE Notice is hereby given that the above named ministry has applied for registration under part C of the companies and allied matters Act 1990.

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Adly and four former top security officers should receive the maximum sentence.

“This is not a case about the killing of one or ten or 20 civilians, but a case of an entire nation,” he said.

Listening attentively to the closing remarks, the 83-yearold Mubarak sat upright in his hospital bed in the courtroom cage Wednesday.

His son Gamal and onetime heir apparent was seen in the defendants cage whispering into his father’s ear from time to time. His elder son Alaa held a copy of the Quran and paced around nervously in the defendants cage, wringing his hands throughout much of the prosecution’s remarks. Both sons are facing corruption charges in the same trial.

Anti-aircraft missiles smuggled from Libya found in Algeria

LGERIAN security services have found two cache of weapons, including 43 anti-aircraft missiles, hidden in the sand near the Libyan border, a local newspaper reported yesterday.

The French-language daily El Watan quoted unidentified security officials as saying the missiles were discovered recently in the town of In Amenas in southern Algeria.

Government officials would not confirm the report.

One cache included Russian designed SA-24 anti-aircraft

missiles and the shoulderfired SAM-7 from the arsenal of the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi.

According to the United States, Libya amassed some 20,000 shoulder-fired antiaircraft weapons, the largest such stockpile in a nonproducing country.

In October, the U.N. Security Council urged Libyan authorities to do all they could from keeping their enormous stockpile of shoulder-fired missiles from falling into terrorist hands.

It is feared that terrorist

groups might use the missiles to attack civil aviation.

Thousands of the weapons are believed to have gone missing when militias overthrew the Gaddafi and helped themselves to government stockpiles.

Algerian authorities have long warned that weapons from Libya’s civil war could call into terrorist hands, including the local branch of al-Qaida, which is active in northern Algeria as well as in the desert wastes straddling the borders to the south.

UN inspectors in Iran for crunch nuclear talks

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ENIOR United Nations inspectors arrived in Iran yesterday to push for transparency about its disputed nuclear program and several European states halted purchases of Iranian oil as part of Western moves to pile pressure on a defiant Tehran.

Meanwhile, a semiofficial Iranian news agency reported that Tehran was considering extending an oil embargo on France and Britain to other countries.

The head of Iran’s state oil company Ahmad Qalehbani was quoted by Mehr as saying that the country would stop selling crude to nations who take action against Tehran.

“If the hostile acts of some other European countries continue, oil exports to these countries will be cut,” he said.

Iran denies Western allegations that it is covertly seeking the means to build nuclear weapons and has again vowed no nuclear retreat in

recent weeks, but also voiced willingness to resume negotiations with world powers without preconditions.

The five-member International Atomic Energy Agency team, led by chief IAEA inspector Herman Nackaerts, planned two days of meetings in another attempt to get answers from Iran regarding intelligence suggesting it is trying to develop atomic bombs behind the facade of a declared civilian nuclear program.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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FOREIGN NEWS

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Barack Obama’s lucky history of hapless opponents

ARACK Obama has often been lucky with his enemies. During his senatorial primary campaign in Illinois in 2004 the campaign of his most-feared opponent imploded spectacularly just a few weeks before polling day. Unsealed divorce papers revealed that Blair Hull’s former wife had detailed several allegations of verbal and physical abuse. His ex asked for a restraining order because Hull had threatened to kill her. In a field of eight, Obama won 53 per cent of the vote.

In the general election that year, Republican candidate Jack Ryan seemed like a viable challenger for the senate seat until his divorce papers were also unsealed. Ryan, it was alleged, had pressured his ex, Jeri, to go to clubs where people had sex in public. One had “cages, whips and other apparatus hanging from the ceiling”; another had mattresses in cubicles. It did not help that Jeri was a TV star who had worn tight-fitting body suits on Star Trek.

Denying the allegations, Ryan nevertheless dropped out, in June. Five months before the election Obama had no opponent.

US election: Rick Santorum receives another boost in Texas

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ICK Santorum’s claim to be the unifying grass-roots candidate in this year’s Republican nomination contest has received another boost after a new poll placed him 27 points ahead of his rivals in conservative Texas.

Mr Santorum’s emergence, particularly in the allimportant Midwestern states such as Iowa and Ohio caught many pundits by surprise.

The poll is yet another fillip for Mr Santorum, an evangelical Catholic with blue collar roots who has surged in the polls in recent weeks, eclipsing his fellow conservative Newt Gingrich and challenging the long-time establishment front-runner Mitt Romney.

Analysts said the Texas poll was yet further evidence that Mr Santorum was emerging as the consensus candidate of the grassroots that the moderate-liberal Mitt Romney has conspicuously failed to energise since the primary season began in January.

“Rick Santorum has cut through the clutter and emerged as not simply the non-Romney candidate, but as the most credible conservative candidate in the race,” said Daron Shaw, co-director of the University of Texas/Texas Tribune.

The ‘Santorum surge’ has even put the former Pennsylvania senator ahead in the rust belt state of Michigan, home of Mr Romney, causing senior Republicans to question whether a Romney candidacy could survive defeat in the state where Mr Romney’s father was governor for most of the 1960s.

Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign was far less than the sum of its parts; John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate, a Hail Mary pass that went seriously awry.

Now, as he heads for

reelection, he must be saying a prayer every day in thanks for Mitt Romney. The problem with the former Massachusetts governor is not sex and aggression in the home but a lack of passion and

affection on the stump. For in the former Massachusetts governor the Republican party has found the worst of all worlds: a candidate feasible enough to represent their best hope and yet insufficiently appealing to be able to leverage that feasibility into electoral capital. Since Iowa, his nomination has seemed as inevitable as his candidacy was vulnerable.

Even the people who vote for him don’t really like him.

According to a CNN poll, more than a third of those who backed him in Florida said they were not satisfied with the candidates on offer; higher than any other candidate.

For a while this didn’t seem to matter. Romney was winning by default.

While there has never been a moment when his frontrunner status has not faced a challenge, the challengers – from Donald Trump to Herman Cain – were scarcely plausible. Their rise was a thing of intrigue. Romney would be the nominee; the rest was just process. What Romney could not fix, money would, and if money were not enough then common sense would do the rest.

•Culled from the Guardian

•Some Red Cross members offering humanitarian aid in Syria ...yesterday

Syrian leader sends tanks to homs

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•Red Cross seeks ceasefire talks ahead of referendum

YRIA’S military sent tanks and other reinforcements toward Homs yesterday for a possible offensive to break the opposition’s grip of the city as the Red Cross tried to broker a ceasefire to send emergency aid to areas affected by fighting.

The mobilisation around the resistance stronghold in central Syria was an ominous sign that President Bashar alAssad’s regime was preparing

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a ground assault after weeks of shelling the district of Baba Amr, which the opposition has dubbed “Syria’s Misrata” after the Libyan city where rebels fought off a government siege.

Syrian-based activist Mustafa Osso said Assad’s military should be ready to face stiff battles as residents planned to fight until “the last person”. He said Homs was facing “savage shelling that does not differentiate between military or civilians targets”.

“The human loss is going to be huge if they retake Baba Amr,” said Rami AbdulRahman, who heads the British-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The group said at least eight people were killed by shelling in parts of Homs yesterday.

Amateur videos posted online showed what activists said were shells falling on Baba Amr with black smoke billowing from residential

areas. Phone lines and internet connections have been cut to the city, making it difficult to get firsthand accounts from residents.

In Geneva, Carla Haddad, a spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the group had been in talks with Syrian authorities and opposition groups to negotiate a ceasefire in some of the most violence-torn areas.

Misrata holds first post-Gaddafi polls in Libya

OUR months after the death of Moammar Gaddafi, the people of Misrata were frustrated by stalled reforms. They played a key role in overthrowing the Libyan dictator of 42 years, and were impatient to see the changes they shed blood for.

Revolutionaries accused the self-appointed city council that came to power early in the uprising of deeply rooted corruption. They staged a sitin on the council’s steps, got the members to resign and call

new elections, which were held yesterday.

The vote was the first experiment in real democracy anywhere in Libya, and the fact that it happened here only demonstrated the newfound clout of Misrata, Libya’s thirdlargest city, on the national political scene.

It was also another example of how Libya is splintering into largely autonomous city-states, with powerful local militias and emerging local governments that at best have loose ties to

the Tripoli-based central government known as the National Transitional Council.

“This is a turn in Libya from suppression and dictatorship to democracy,” said Abdullah al-Kabir, a political commentator in Misrata.

“Libya has never known real elections.”

So far, cities like Misrata are pushing ahead even faster with the transition to democracy than the national government is.

A Libyan protester chants

slogans against dictator Moammar Gadhafi during a demonstration following the Friday prayers in Misrata, Libya. The people of Misrata, who played a key role in overthrowing the regime, held a vote Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 to elect a new city council. The vote was the first experiment in real democracy anywhere in Libya, and the fact that it happened in Misrata demonstrated the city’s newfound clout on the national political scene.

Algerian forces: Five dead in clash with militants

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N Algerian security official says Algerian forces have killed four Islamist militants implicated in a roadside bomb attack.

The official said the militants were shot dead yesterday in the Beni Khelifa forest in the district of Boumerdes, some 30 miles (45 kilometers) from the capital of Algiers. One soldier died from the operation.

The official said security forces were alerted to the militants by villagers, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the press.

On Sunday, a roadside bomb detonated near a military convoy in the area, killing four civilians and injuring nineteen.

Algeria is battling the local branch of al-Qaida.

F

Ex-IMF chief to be questioned in prostitution case

ORMER International Monetary Fund chief Dominique StraussKahn will be questioned tomorrow by French police investigating a suspected hotel prostitution ring.

Police in the northern French city of Lille are probing a suspected prostitution ring in France and neighboring Belgium implicating police and other officials.

Police have questioned prostitutes who said they had sex with Strauss-Kahn

during 2010 and 2011 at a luxury hotel in Paris, a restaurant in the French capital and also in Washington DC. StraussKahn lived in the United States capital while he was head of the I M F before resigning his IMF position in May. Two men with ties to Strauss-Kahn have been put under preliminary investigation in France on charges including organizing a prostitution ring and misuse of corporate funds.

Briton faces Kenya bomb plot trial

A

BRITISH man accused of links to Somalia’s Islamist militants is to stand trial in May for allegedly plotting a bomb attack in Kenya.

Jermaine Grant, 29, was arrested with three Kenyans in the coastal city of Mombasa in the East African country in December.

His lawyer, Chacha Mwita, claimed in court in Mombasa yesterday that the Briton is being held in solitary confinement and suffered beatings to force him to confess.

The Kenyan authorities allege that Grant is connected to the al Qaida-linked rebel group al-Shabab in Somalia.

He has already received a three-year jail sentence for entering Kenya illegally using false documents that claimed he was a Canadian called Peter Joseph.

Grant, from Newham, east London, will face trial on May 9 charged with possessing explosive materials and planning an attack.

There is heightened concern about the terror threat that Somalia’s Islamist militancy poses to the Horn of Africa region and beyond.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned last month that terrorists could be in the final stages of planning attacks on official buildings and tourist sites in Kenya.

Britons are thought to make up about 50 of the estimated 200 foreigners fighting with al-Shabab in Somalia, according to a recent Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) report.

Rusi director-general Professor Michael Clarke noted: “Those who survive tend to return in a matter of months or perhaps a year, and it is only a question of time before their commitment to the cause, and their newly-acquired expertise, are likely to be seen on British streets.”

Violence hits Yemen on eve of presidential vote

A

N explosion tore through a polling station and gunfire nearby killed a soldier in Yemen yesterday, the eve of a presidential vote to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh after a year of mass protests and spreading anarchy.

A spate of violence in south and east Yemen underlined the challenges Saleh’s successor will face in seeking to prevent Yemen from becoming a failed state and draft a new constitution that would underpin multi-party elections in two years time.

Interior Minister Abdul Qader Qahtan said in the capital Sanaa that security measures were in place but some violence in the southern province of Abyan, a stronghold of al Qaeda militants, was unavoidable.

“There are preventive security measures to confront any contingency ... to confront any group that may attack people,” Qahtan told a news conference. “Abyan still has many districts under the control of al Qaeda, there are

security failures ... and an explosion here and there is expected.”

The explosion at the Aden polling station caused no casualties but one soldier was killed and another was injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on an army patrol in the vicinity. It was unclear if the two incidents were related.

Southern secessionists seeking to revive a socialist state that Saleh united with the north in 1990 oppose today’s vote, which has been touted by diplomats as a turning point for the country following a year of political upheaval.

In another southern province, Dalea, troops opened fire on an anti-election rally, killing one protester and wounding nine, a leader of the Southern Movement said.

A local official said the march, which was heading in the direction of the former border between north and south Yemen some 10 km (six miles) away, was unauthorised and protesters waving southern flags had shot at soldiers, wounding one.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

63

www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

WHO SAID WHAT

‘Violence itself is only a resistance to injustice.

Those within and around the corridors of power must make efforts towards alleviating poverty.’

VOL. 7

NO.2,042

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE boldest and most ambitious experiment in Nigerian journalism since the founding of The Guardian in 1983 ended three weeks ago after a run of nearly three years.

And what a run it was!

Its very name, 234NEXT, signalled a departure from the ho-hum titles of newspapers, not just in Nigeria, but worldwide.

The prefix, by the way, is the international dialing code for Nigeria.

The product was going to be refreshingly different. It would deliver news and features and other journalistic forms on a multiple platform combining text and audio and video; in short, it was going to be a newspaper that also has the capacity to serve as radio and television. And unlike extant Nigerian newspapers, it was going to be rigorously non-partisan.

Its publisher, Dele Olojede, had distinguished himself by winning the Pulitzer Prize in journalism for his reporting on the Rwanda genocide. Until he relocated in Johannesburg, South Africa, he was foreign editor of the New York newspaper Newsday.

When it made its debut in December 2008, NEXT was only as an electronic newspaper. A paper edition would be introduced in August 2009. Audio and video would come later. But even as an electronic newspaper, its entry into Nigerian journalism was electrifying.

The web design was clean, tidy and wellstructured. Colour and space and type meshed to produce a visual delight. The site was fully navigable. The reporting was sharp. You did not come away from reading a story only to ask: “Where is the story?” or “What is the story?” And, as befitted a locale where there is never a dull moment, the stories were constantly updated.

The headlines were sober; they did not scream at you nor offend your sensibilities. The writing was clean, crisp and lucid.

The editorials were magisterial; thoughtfully and closely argued, they provided insight and leadership on a wide range of issues, national and foreign. Shortly after its debut, NEXT was parading some of the finest writing to have graced Nigeria’s news media in recent memory.

With captivating lyricism, the much garlanded poet, Niyi Osundare, distilled the history and augury of each month into an evocative poem on the human condition in Nigeria and world-wide. The novelist, Teju Cole, made words sing and sigh and hum and dance in his enchanting column, “Words Follow Me.” He commanded them, and how they did his bidding!

Amma Ogan, a veteran of the Daily Times and The Guardian, who has lived on four continents, infused her wry observations and reflections with sociological insights

RIPPLES

ONLY 17 STUDENTS PASSED WAEC, NECO IN GOMBE-Don

GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS... please note

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

What next for NEXT?

that opened the readers’ eyes and minds. Ayo Obe, lawyer-turned human rights activist and social crusader, brought global developments on these issues to readers’ attention every week with forensic brilliance.

In between diverting accounts of his peregrinations, Obadiah Mailafia drew on his prodigious learning to provide first-rate analysis on global politics and economics and society. Reading Yemisi Ogbe’s finely wrought articles on how to prepare a particular dish was almost as satisfying as tucking into the dish. She guided you through the delicate process of shopping for the ingredients and she made you see, touch, smell, taste, and sometimes, even hear the final product.

You wondered where Salisu Suleiman had been until NEXT came on the scene. How come he had not availed the public of his uncommon grace and wit and literary versatility? Week after week, Jibrin Ibrahim brought to our attention the travails of democracy and the rule of law in Africa.

Lanre Idowu expertly x-rayed the news media, pointing out what they did right and what they could have done better. Few tasks are more treacherous than assessing the performance of your own colleagues, but Idowu pulled it off magnificently week after week.

When she was not offering her own illuminating reviews, Molara Wood was putting together an absorbing literary package. Tolu Ogunlesi called to mind the late Cyprian “COD” Ekwensi. Like COD, he is a trained

pharmacist. And like COD, he wrote about “ordinary people,” the type who rode that hideous Lagos contraption we call “molue” (a corruption of “maul it,” whatever the “it” is, according to some old-time Lagosians), chronicling their vulnerabilities without glossing over their occasional villainies.

Femi Aribisala, international affairs scholar-turned pastor, dissected the Bible the way editors for learned publications dissect submissions. If he did not insist that he is a born-again Christian, he could easily pass for a disciple of Robert Ingersoll, the celebrated agnostic.

I must not forget the raconteur and critic, Ikhedi Ikheloa, or Lola Shoneyin, the poet and novelist, and the endearing feminism of her writing, or NEXT’s gifted editor, the self-effacing Kadaria Ahmed, and the plinth of its investigative team, Dapo Olorunyomi.

In full flight and with all its platforms operating, NEXT gave a tantalising glimpse of how the media can advance social process and help build a sense of community. It demonstrated that capacity most splendidly in the 2009 presidential election, filing up-to-the-minute reports from precincts nationwide and leaving no one in doubt about the true picture. Not once did its web site crash during that vast undertaking, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Before then, NEXT had given the definitive verdict on ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua when state officials were dissembling. Yar’Adua, it reported authoritatively, was brain-damaged and his presidency was for all practical purposes ended.

For weeks, NEXT held the nation spellbound by publishing secret cables, courtesy of Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks, from American embassy officials in Nigeria to the State Department officials, in the process showing just how vacuous and how lacking in

HARDBALL

A

BOUT six days after he was shot at the Kaduna State Government House, Mr Isua Kiforo, a Director with the Ministry of Information, finally died without giving the puzzled people of Kaduna the opportunity of his own side of the story. In the account of the Police Commissioner, the director, who was also a pastor of the Living Faith Church, drove his car dangerously in a suspicious manner towards the Government House gate. He was also said to have defied orders to stop and instead forced himself through the exit gate in order to gain access to the Government House, prompting security men to shoot him severally in the legs and abdomen. According to the police account, the security men mistook him for a Boko Haram militant, though a search of his car revealed nothing incriminating.

Unfortunately, it seems there will only be one side to the story of the shooting, thereby making the truth difficult, but not impossible, to establish. The police account appears based on the story told them by the team of security men who manned the gate on the day of the shooting. The soldiers, secret service operatives and policemen painted a scenario of security men forced to react testily to the slightest provocation occasioned by the operations of the militant Boko Haram sect, which had perfected the art of bombing vital installations, particularly government buildings, using bomb-laden cars. They would rather err than be embarrassed, they suggested.

GOVERNOR ROTIMI AMAECHI

judgment most of Nigeria’s policy makers are.

It went on to name officials who had accepted bribes from Halliburton, and to expose the oil blocs-for-trinkets swap between Petroleum Minister Diezani AllisonMadueke and an American-based jeweller.

These and other stories earned NEXT the industry prize for investigative reporting.

The paper also won the industry prize for excellence in design.

But there were troubling intimations that all was not well.

Rather than feel threatened by NEXT’s rapid ascent, veteran editors who know the industry inside out told me confidently that that paper would not “make it” because it was “too sophisticated” for the Nigerian market.

When I asked to buy a copy from a street vendor last June, he had to disinter it from the bottom of his huge pile of other newspaper titles. It was almost as if he did not expect anyone to ask for it.

Then, one after another, the writers who had made NEXT compelling and rewarding reading dropped off. In July 2011, it abandoned daily publication for a weekend edition, but that only accelerated the decline.

Three months later, it ceased publishing a print edition altogether. It was missing in action during the national uprising against the government’s plan to impose a hefty tax on gasoline under the pretext of cutting a subsidy on fuel.

By the time its publisher was awarded the prestigious James P. McNulty journalism prize in October 2011, NEXT had been reduced to a desultory web presence. That web site vanished some three weeks ago.

A great many patrons lamented NEXT’s fate. But sadly, a great many also rejoiced in it. “Another one bites the dust,” they declared with a touch of schadenfreude, “they” being mostly sympathisers of President Goodluck Jonathan, who felt the paper had been unkind to him, and of course the envious, whom, we shall always have among us.

I do not pretend to know what went wrong.

Olojede has been reported as saying that the paper was losing money and that it could not attract the official advertising patronage that is the lifeblood of most Nigerian newspapers – patronage that often comes at a huge price.

Our hope must be that the bold and innovative experiment that NEXT epitomised has only been suspended to allow a rigorous review of its fundamental assumptions and strategies, and that it will return and recapture the form that enthralled us all during its glorious run.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Death and the director The challenge, however, is to find out what really happened last week Monday at the gate of the Kaduna Government House. Did Mr Kiforo defy orders to stop and be searched? His friends, family and church members suggest that it was not in the character of the slain director to be aggressive or unruly. They paint the picture of a gentleman who was both disciplined and respectful, especially because he was a pastor. The security men who manned the gate that day emphatically insist the director defied orders and behaved aggressively. A second challenge is to establish whether a disproportionate force was not in fact used on someone who was not responding with firearms of his own, and whether it was necessary to shoot him severally in the legs to demobilise him.

It must be admitted that Kaduna and other northern cities have recently been subjected to various attacks by Boko Haram militants. It is, therefore, to be expected that security agents will be on the alert and even edgy. Mistakes are bound to be made, but when they involve the loss of innocent lives, it is not enough to view any mishap as a mistake, close the matter, and then fail to learn lessons from it. Both the security agencies that deployed their officers in troubled spots and the state government itself owe the nation the responsibility of es-

tablishing what transpired that Monday. They also owe Mr Kiforo’s family an explanation that would establish beyond doubt whether the slain director erred or whether the security agents overreacted. It is certainly not enough to blame the victim or merely admit the shooting was a mistake.

As tense as the situation in Kaduna and elsewhere is, and even if the nation is at war, the government still owes the people the responsibility of esteeming every life precious by ensuring that law enforcement agents conduct themselves with utmost caution and professionalism. Unfortunately, in the war against Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe states, we have not always got the impression that security agents behave with the sort of circumspection the indigenes of those states and other Nigerians can be proud of.

An inquiry is, therefore, definitely not out of place here, for things may not be as they seem. While it is possible Mr Kiforo behaved suspiciously, it is also possible the security men reacted intemperately to unstated provocations. The man is dead. But this country owes his memory the bounden duty of getting to the bottom of the mishap and establishing the truth. If any security agent overreached himself, he must face sanction.

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