The Nation February 27, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

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VOL. 7, NO. 2048 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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The new face of Osun

•The fountain roundabout at Abere, Osogbo, the Osun State capital ... at the weekend. The initiative is part of the Rauf Aregbesla administration’s beautification plan for the state.

Six dead as bombers hit governor’s church 50 injured 30 vehicles damaged Jonathan condemns violence

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SUICIDE bomber yesterday drove a car loaded with explosives into the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), Jos, where Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang worships.

In neighbouring Bauchi

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos and Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

State, what is believed to be an attempt on another branch of COCIN in Miyan-Barkate, Toro Local Government Area, was aborted by the police.

The failed attempt came barely six-hours after the Jos attack.

The police in Jos said “at least” six persons were killed by the blasts that rocked the COCIN headquarters.

Police spokesman Samuel Dabai told the News Agency

of Nigeria (NAN) that he was not sure of the total number of those injured.

The Plateau State Chapter of the Red Cross, which declined to be specific on the number of those killed, put the casualty figure at 50.

It’s chairman, Manasseh

Pampe, said the figure comprised victims taken to Plateau Specialist Hospital, Sauki Hospital and the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

“The Red Cross took 35 victims to Plateau Specialist Hospital, 10 were taken to

JUTH and five were taken to Sauki Hospital.

“But the Plateau Government later directed that all the casualties hospitalised at Sauki Hospital be moved to the State Specialist HosContinued on page 2

States declare public holiday for Ojukwu •Traders to shut markets

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GBO traders will shun markets on March 1 and 2 in honour of the late Chief Emeka OdumegwuOjukwu.

The late Biafran leader’s remains will be buried on March 2 in Nnewi, his home town.

The funeral rites, which started last week, continued at the weekend with a requiem mass in London and

By Our Reporters

a public lecture in Enugu.

The remains of the late Ikemba Nnewi will arrive in Abuja from London today to a military ceremony at the federal capital.

Traders’ spokesman and Southeast Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (SEMATA) President Chief Continued on page 61

•One of the victims of the COCIN Church Jos blast in hospital ... yesterday.

SEE ALSO PAGES 4&5

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

NEWS

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•Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc., Godwin Emefiele, flanked by the Managing Director, Zenith Bank (UK), Andrew Martin and Executive Director, Business Development, Zenith Bank (UK), Tony Uzoebo at the presentation of the award of best bank in Nigeria to Zenith during the 2012 corporate governance awards by World Finance, in London ... at the weekend

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Liyel Imoke was yesterday declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Cross River State.

Imoke scored 451,544 votes (90.11 per cent of total votes cast) to beat Pastor Usani Usani of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) who scored 31,026 votes.

The returning officer, Prof James Epoke, who is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) announced the result after receiving results from collation officers from the Local Government Areas at the mini-theatre of the Cultural Centre Complex, in Calabar.

In attendance were national officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini and party agents who signed the results among other stakeholders.

There were 1, 242, 916 registered voters. Total votes cast was 501, 117. Of this figure, valid votes cast was 489, 939; 11, 178 were rejected.

The results were collated from 17 of the 18 local governments of the state. Election did not hold in Bakassi Local Gov-

Imoke wins From Onyedi Ojiabor, Sanni Onogu, Victor Oluwasegun, Dele Anofi, Abuja and Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

ernment due to a court order served INEC late on Friday, restraining it from conducting the election in the area.

Twelve political parties participated in the election.

Other results are ALP 325, ANPP 2235, APS 172, CDC 197, CPC 705, DFPF 182, HDP 247, LP 1922, PPA 1146 and UNPD 235.

President Jonathan urged Imoke to move quickly to establish a dedicated, purposeful and efficient administration that will help him to consolidate on the laudable achievements of his first term and boost the pace of socioeconomic development in the state.

Senate President David Mark also congratulated Imoke.

Mark, in a statement by his spokesman Paul Mumeh in Abuja, said Imoke’s re- election would be a great leap for the social-economic and tourism development of the state.

He urged the governor-elect and his team to reconcile all sec-

tions of the state and encourage them to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal advised losers in the election to accept defeat and work with Imoke.

Tambuwal, in a congratulatory message by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, said Imoke’s victory reaffirmed the superiority of the PDP over other political parties.

According to him, Imoke’s record of achievement in the last five years played a huge part in his reemergence. The people made the right choice in reelecting Imoke, Tambuwal said.

Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar also congratulated Imoke.

He said his “re-emergence with a resounding and convincing margin is a mandate to continue leading Cross River in the direction he has led the state in the last four years”.

Atiku added: “Liyel is a performer. I know he won’t fail the party and the people.”

Six dead as two suicide bombers hit Governor Jang’s church Continued from page 1

pital. That we have done,” Pampe said.

He said three of the victims taken to JUTH had been treated and discharged while seven were still at the hospital.

Pampe, however, said he could not comment on the figure of those killed in the explosion as he declared that “it is not part of the responsibility of Red Cross”.

Dabai said the two suicide bombers were killed in addition to four others including two women who died at the scene.

Two others died at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, he added.

He confirmed that one of the bombers died in the vehicle that conveyed the explosives, while the other was killed at the scene of the blast by the angry worshippers.

Dabai, however, refused to react to reports that some suspected Boko Haram members were arrested with explosives around Gada Biu area of Jos. “I will get back to you on that. For now, I have been busy handling the explosion situation.”

30 vehicles were damaged.

One of those who died, Miss Grace Daniel, was an usher in the church.

The church, located behind the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) building, was attacked at 7:30am. Its main building and the annex under construction were affected.

The church is about 500 metres from the Police Headquarters and the Special Task Force (STF) headquarters.

Jang missed the early morning session (Hausa service) and was preparing for the second session (English) at 10am when the news of the explosions reached him.

The Boko Haram sect claimed responsibility.

The sect’s spokesman Abu Qaqa told reporters in a teleconference in Maiduguri that it was a reprisal attack.

The incident came three days after the resumption of the new Commander of the STF on Jos crises ‘Operation Safe Haven’, Brig.-Gen.

Jonathan condemns Jos violence

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan talked tough yesterday on the spate of violence in the country.

The President, speaking against the backdrop of yesterday’s bombing at the Headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) in Jos, the Plateau State capital, said relevant institutions would move against those who disregard the sanctity of life in the pursuit of sectarian ambitions.

He also said the government would continue to stand firm to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.

The President spoke in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Rubean Abati.

Jonathan also assured the people of Plateau that the government would redouble its efforts to win the war against terror.

The statement reads: “It is with great sadness that President Goodluck Jonathan received the news of the suicide bombing, today, at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, and the mindless acts of reprisal that followed the incident.

“Mr. President conveys his sympathies and condolences to the victims of the odious acts. Those who seek to divide us by fear and terror will not succeed. The indiscriminate bombing of Christians and Muslims is a threat to all peace-loving Nigerians.

Muhammed Ibrahim.

The church’s headquarters has been hosting Christians displaced from Yobe State since January as a result of Boko Haram attacks.

Undeterred by the early morning blast, however, other churches in the city held services.

A member of the church manning a roadblock, Rueben Luka, alleged complicity of the members of the STF. He said: “There are roadblocks 100 metres to the church from both sides, but the bombers beat the security because one Toyota Hilux van of the STF preceded the car of the bomber. It was a Golf car with tinted glasses and was following the STF vehicle. We were thinking they were together and they were allowed to pass.

“As soon as the security opened the roadblock for the STF vehicle to pass, the bombers drove in with speed

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

“Mr. President will continue to stand firm to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians while ensuring that the relevant institutions move against those who disregard the sanctity of life in the pursuit of sectarian ambitions.

“Government is gradually and firmly bringing justice to those behind these attacks and exposing their identities and dismantling their terror infrastructure. Those behind similar acts of terror in recent times have been arrested and are being investigated with a view to prosecuting them accordingly, as a deterrent to others.

“President Jonathan appeals to all residents of Plateau State to remain calm and be law abiding.

“As we mourn with today’s victims, let it be known that efforts are being redoubled to win the war against terror.”

Governor Jonah Jang yesterday directed more security around churches and mosques to check further attacks on religious places.

Jang, who gave the directive when he visited the scene of the attack, said government would stop at nothing to sustain the peace that was gradually returning to the state.

“We are doing everything to make sure that churches and mosques are protected from these attacks, the security

and headed towards their target. The STF vehicle passed to God-knows where, having led the bombers car to beat our road blocks. I can swear the bombers used the STF to beat our road block. These soldiers know of the suicide arrangement.”

Another eye witness said: “The bombers were two; one of them was dismembered by the explosion. The second had his head shattered and lay dead after the attack.”

“The bombers shouted Allahu Akbar (Allah is great) before the explosion, but God was wonderful for not allowing many casualties. From the sound of the blast, the casualties should have been in hundreds but our God intervened because we are innocent.”

Jang’s Special Adviser on Media, Pam Ayuba, told reporters: “This is an unprovoked attack. A painful one that is capable of sabotaging the peace

offices and major buildings are also being protected.

“I urge that we should all calm down and remain law-abiding, people should not take the laws into their hands, we should allow the security personnel to handle the situation.

“It will not help anybody if we start rioting. In any case, who shall we riot against? These are the people that the security should be able to unravel. So, allow the security to do their work.

“Everybody should go back home but I want to assure you all that we will maintain the peace that we have started enjoying.”

Jang, who later visited the injured at the Plateau Specialist Hospital where the dead and 40 injured persons were taken to, commended the workers for attending speedily to the victims.

The Commissioner of Police Mr Emmanuel Ayeni, Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mr Desmond Agu, and the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, accompanied the governor.

The new Commander of the Military Special Task Force (STF), Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim, did not go with the other officials as protesting youths were chanting anti-military songs.

The angry youths also blocked the roads leading to the church and barred soldiers from entering.

already achieved.

“Government is disappointed mainly because Jos is under state of emergency and yet this kind of attack was allowed to take place.

“An emergency security meeting has been convened.

The security agencies are expected to brief the government on why the incident occurred and, maybe, the alleged conspiracy of the STF members shall be investigated. The government will brief the media of its finding at the end of the day.

“In the meantime, the government is appealing to citizens to remain calm and allow the security agencies to do their job. The government is also expressing its sympathy with families of the victims.”

The Bauchi Police arrested five people with weapons and improvised explosive devices with which they allegedly planned to attack

COCIN Church in Miya Barkate village.

An eye witness, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, confirmed the incident to The Nation in a telephone interview. He said: “It’s true that some people attempted to attack COCIN Church.

“The suspects are a rival group within the church.

They have an internal problem and the other rival group decided to attack them this morning. So, when we got the report, we sent our men there and our men arrested about five of them (the group that attempted to burn the church). They were in possession of substances and other things that looked like explosives, but we are waiting for bomb experts to confirm because sometimes after investigation, it may turn out to be something else and not IEDs,” Aduba said.

The Commissioner of Police also said he had begun in-

vestigation into the incident and would make his report public.

He urged the public not to panic but remain law abiding and report any suspicious persons to the police who are on a 24-hour alert to ensure public safety.

An employee of Toro Local Government Area who witnessed the incident said “the suspects were arrested with sophisticated weapons and all of them, surprisingly, are Christians living in the same area.

“They are not in the same Miyan Barkate, but from the neighboring villages of Miya Barkate and we know them.”

The eye witness added that there was confusion after the arrest of the suspects.

A statement by the STF said: “There was an explosion at the headquarters of COCIN Church near the Central Bank of Nigeria, Jos on February 2012 by 7:15 am.

“The suspected suicide bombers arrived the premises of the church in a Golf car.

The Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) exploded with one of the bombers inside the vehicle while the other suspect that alighted and wanted to escape was killed in the process.

“The explosion damaged some vehicles at the premises of the church.

The statement called on law abiding citizens to go about their lawful business without fear.

Jang, accompanied by the Minister of Water Resources, Speaker of the House of Assembly Clark Dabwan and top government officials, visited the church and the hospitals where the victims of the blast were receiving treatment.

Jang said: “The attackers knew I worship at the church, but they will not succeed, I will only encourage citizens of the state not to panic or take laws into their hands.

We should be encouraged that God almighty is in control.”

Former Governor Joshua Dariye also visited the church to sympathise with the church and the victims.

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

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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NEWS EXPLOSIONS IN JOS NEW YEAR MESSAGES

‘Only God knows why the blast happened’

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• From top: Cars whose windscreens were damaged by the explosions; and bonfire made by protesting youths PHOTOS: YUSUF AMINU IDEGU

• A victim of the Jos explosion being taken to the hospital...yesterday

RESIDENT, Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Jos, Rev. Soja Bewarang, has declared that the headquarters’ church in Jos which was bombed yesterday was “fully secured’’.

Bewarang spoke with reporters on the scene of the blast. He said: “Only God knows why he allowed it to happened because we have always done our best to secure the place.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bomb attack was carried out by men in soldiers’ uniform.

One of the bombers died inside the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) conveying the explosives, while one was reportedly lynched by youths after he attempted to flee from the area just before the bomb went off.

“Our security is so tight, yet the Mighty God, whom we serve, allowed it,’’ Bewarang told NAN shortly after the blast.

Bewarang described the day as “very bad for us’’, but expressed gratitude to God for intervening, considering the magnitude of the blast.

He said: “Considering the tight security, there was no way such a car could gain access to the church premises, but we must give thanks to God in all situations.

“God is the ultimate chief security officer and we are happy that he took control.’’

The COCIN president said the incident was “evil“ and “shocking’’, describing it as “the height of man’s inhumanity to man.

“What I know is that God will always protect his own no matter the circumstances.’’

On the level of destruction, the president said the impact on the building was massive.

“The church could have collapsed but for God’s mercy. We are happy that it is still standing,’’ he said.

While calling on Christians to be fervent in prayers for God’s protection, he called on the government and security operatives to ensure that perpetrators were apprehended and brought to book.

Boko Haram: Fresh insight ‘

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N an imam’s quiet office, two young men in long hooded robes, their faces hidden by checked scarves, calmly described their deadly war against the Nigerian state.

The office door was open. Children from the Koranic school adjoining the mosque streamed past, laughing and jostling. Worshipers from the evening prayer service, which the young men had just left, poured into the parking lot. If the police had been alerted in any way, the two young men would have been instantly arrested, or worse. But neither appeared nervous about possible betrayal.

“It is not the people of Nigeria, it is only the army and the police who are against us,” said one of the men, explaining their membership in Boko Haram, the militant group that has claimed responsibility for killing hundreds in its battle against the Nigerian government. “Millions of people in Kano State are supporting us.”

His bravado notwithstanding, the

violent Islamist army operating out of these dusty alleyways, ready to lash out and quickly fade back, is deeply enmeshed in the fabric of life in this sprawling metropolis, succoured by an uneasy mix of fear and sympathy among the millions of impoverished people here.

The group’s lethality is undeniable.

Boko Haram unleashed a hail of bullets and homemade bombs here last month to deadly effect: as many as 300 were killed in a few hours in the group’s deadliest and most organised assault yet after two years of attacks across Northern Nigeria. It was an unprecedented wave of coordinated suicide bombing, sustained gunfire and explosions, much of it directed against the police.

But while Western and local officials cite the militants’ growing links to terrorist organisations in the region - presenting the ties as a reason behind the group’s increasingly deadly tactics and a cause for global concern - Boko Haram is not the im-

ported, “foreign” menace Nigerian authorities depict it to be.

Since 2009, the group has killed well over 900 people, Human Rights Watch says. Yet on the streets of Kano, the government is more readily denounced than the militants. Anger at the pervasive squalor, not at the recent violence, dominates. Crowds quickly gather around to voice their heated discontent, not with Boko Haram, but with what they describe as a shared enemy: the Nigerian state, seen by the poor here as a purveyor of inequality.

“People are supporting them because the government is cheating them,” said Mohammed Ghali, the Imam at the mosque where the two Boko Haram members pray. Imam Ghali is known as an intermediary between the militants and the authorities, and while open backing for the group can put almost anyone in the cross hairs of the Nigerian security services, there appears to be no shortage of Boko Haram supporters here.

“At any time I am ready to join them, to fight injustice in this country,” said Abdullahi Garba, a candy vendor who came into Imam Ghali’s office.

Of course, Boko Haram is feared and loathed by countless residents as well. Its brutal show of firepower here in Kano, a commercial center of about four million that for centuries has been a major entrepôt at the Sahara’s edge, has left many residents in shock. The attackers came on foot, by motorcycle and by car, throwing

They’ve built cells in Kano. They have much deeper networks in Kano than anybody ever assumed. My position is, this is a remarkably successful insurrection, more than anybody ever could have thought

‘

The New York Times, in a report in its yesterday’s edition, paints the insurgent group, Boko Haram, as one which is loved by some who see it as fighting injustice and feared and loathed by others, who perceive it as representing sorrow, tears and blood

fertiliser bombs and pulling rifles from rice sacks, mowing down anybody who appeared to be in uniform.

There were even decapitated bodies among the mounds of corpses the day after, said a witness, Nasir Adhama, who owns a textile factory with his family near one of the attack sites.

“When you saw this road, it was just shed with blood,” Mr. Adhama said. “Everywhere there were dead bodies. They passed through this place, just firing and shooting.”

One of the young men at the mosque said he had participated in the planning for the attack, asserting that the group had received no outside help.

But a United Nations report published in January cited regional officials as saying that “Boko Haram had established links with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb,” and that “some of its members from Nigeria and Chad had received training in Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb camps in Mali during the summer of 2011.”

Seven Boko Haram members passing through Niger were arrested with “names and contact details” of members of the Qaeda affiliate, the United Nations report said.

For now, Boko Haram’s targets remain largely local, despite its bombing of a United Nations headquarters in Abuja, the capital, last summer. The Nigerian state is typically the enemy, and many analysts see the nation’s enduring poverty as one reason.

This month figures were released in Abuja indicating that poverty has increased since 2004, despite the nation’s oil wealth; in the north, Boko Haram’s stronghold, about 75 percent of the population is considered poor.

Overall, 60 percent live on less than $1 a day. Every citizen appears aware of the glaring contrast between his or her own life and those of the elite.

Ado Ibrahim, a 22-year-old sugar cane vendor wearing a yellow soccer jersey, suspected more violence could be ahead.

“Injustice, and misgovernance by officials,” he said, adding, “It’s possible, as long as injustice persists, it’s possible to have another flare-up.”

Down the street, squatting in his

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

NEWS EXPLOSIONS IN JOS

• The interior of the annex of the church under construction after the blast.... yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

• From top: A Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a car whose windscreens were damaged by the explosion; and people trooping to the scene of the blast...yesterday PHOTOS: YUSUF AMINU IDEGU

into a group feared, loathed Insurgency: Fed Govt keen on dialogue, says Maku

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NFORMATION and Communications Minister Labaran Maku, at the weekend, said the Federal Government was still open to dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect.

The sect has been claiming responsibility for a wave of bombings in which hundreds have been killed since 2009.

Maku spoke in London at a security conference organised by the UKbased BEN Television.

He said: “We are ready to talk to them but we need to have a platform for that to happen; we will continue to maintain the pressure.

“Even in Afghanistan, the Americans are talking to the Taliban.’’

Describing as untrue that the government has no strategy in place to fight terrorism, Maku said: “In the midst of war, you must develop a strategy.

“We currently have a West African strategy where all our security chiefs across the region are meeting regularly to discuss cross-boundary

problems, including terrorism.

“We have a strong national resource and capacity to tackle this menace and are open to fresh ideas on this menace.’’

The minister said some members of the group were willing to talk to the government, adding that it was no longer a unified organisation.

“This is a war of minds; it’s not just a military or security war; how to talk to them is a long drawn process. We need to know who they are,’’ Maku stressed.

The minister explained that the Boko Haram method of indiscriminate attacks on innocent people showed that their strategy was terrorism.

He said that the methods adopted by the group were similar with those used by others across the globe.

“There are links between the groups in Nigeria and the elements in Somalia, in the Maghreb and alQaeda,’’ Maku said.

Also speaking, the House of Representatives Committee Chairman

•Maku

open-air stall where he sells cooked yams, Abdullahi Dantsabe had a similar point of view. Why had the attacks occurred? "Injustice," he said.

"The leaders are not concerned about the common man."

One resident argued that Boko Haram made some effort to protect civilians. "They told us to move away," said Mohammed Danami, a motorcycle taxi driver, describing a devastating police station attack on

Jan. 25. "They said, 'We are not here for you,' " he recalled.

But the fate of Alhaji Muhammadu suggests otherwise. He was fatally shot on February 9 as he walked along a sandy alley to his cinder-block

on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike DabiriErewa, said Boko Haram was neither a religious nor an ethnic group.

“It is a social, economic and political issue and some people just want to use it to destabilise the political process,” Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said.

The lawmaker, who commended the government for its efforts at tackling the menace, however, said more needed to be done.

home. His son said that his father had alerted the police to a booby-trapped car in the neighbourhood, several days before the shooting. Boko Haram found out. Two masked men on a motorcycle shouted: "Just try that again. Now you are dead," recalled the son, Sudaifu Muhammadu, a 27year-old student at Bayero University, shuddering.

"They are all around," Muhammadu said.

Last July the Nigerian news media reported on a letter of warning from the group to Kano's leaders, including the emir, the traditional ruler of this ancient aristocratic city: "All those arrested should be released immediately, otherwise, I swear with Almighty Allah, we may be forced to deploy our men to Kano," the letter said.

Six months later, on January 20, the group struck. The planning had gone on under the noses of the authorities. "What happened in Kano was something which the security agencies had foreseen," said Dr. Bashir Aliyu, a prominent imam in Kano.

There were up to five suicide bombers that day, at least 20 explosions, assaults on what were thought to be well-guarded state and regional police headquarters, on the State Security Service, an immigration office and the residence of a high police official.

Gunmen entered a police barracks and opened fire, killing dozens.

Kano officials have said little since the attacks, and the precise sequence

of events that day remains a mystery.

The police commissioner here declined requests for an interview, and the state's information commissioner did not respond to a message or phone calls.

An elderly aristocrat with connections to the royal palace, Yusuf Maitama Sule - Nigeria's former United Nations ambassador, he was one of those to whom Boko Haram's letter was addressed, according to the Nigerian media - said in an interview at his home: "We are making some efforts quietly. I don't think it is proper for me to speak out."

Sule acknowledged, however, that the country faced deep social and economic challenges.

"Because of this oil habit, we are sending our girlfriends to do their hair in Paris," he said.

For some analysts, the challenge posed by Boko Haram is a serious one for the Nigerian government.

"They've built cells in Kano," said Paul Lubeck, a northern Nigeria expert at the University of California, Santa Cruz. "They have much deeper networks in Kano than anybody ever assumed. My position is, this is a remarkably successful insurrection, more than anybody ever could have thought."

In the imam's office, the two young men spoke calmly and confidently of ultimate triumph. "God has already positioned us to follow his rule," said one of the men, 25. "At any time, we can gain victory. Because God will give it to us."

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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NEWS

Senate President David Mark (middle), Minister of Works Mike Onolememen( in white robe), Most Rev. Alaba Job (fifth from right), and Catholic bishops at the inauguration of the first plenary of the Catholics Bishops Conference in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Nigerians devise new methods to beat CBN cashless economy policy A

Accountant urges Jonathan to stop cashless scheme

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Determined to beat the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) Cashless Society policy, which stipulates charges for individuals and corporate citizens for cash withdrawal above certain limits, Nigerians are daily coming up with alternatives to enable them continue to transact businesses with huge amounts of cash, OLUKAYODE THOMAS and JOKE KUJENYA report

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N the last three months, Augustine Okafor has registered about 20 companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Okafor, who, before now, operated only two accounts, a corporate current account and an individual savings account, has now opened accounts in virtually all the banks in Nigeria.

He said: “ I don’t want this cashless policy the Central Bank just introduced to destroy my business.

To be honest with you, the only thing I know about the policy is that I cannot deposit and withdraw above N150, 000, and that if I want to withdraw above N150,000 after March 30, each a N1,000 above N150, 000 will attract N1,00 charge.

That is a lot of money for somebody like me who usually goes to my bank and makes withdrawals of N10 million and above on a daily basis. With many multiple accounts, I can get access to all the cash I need without paying the fines.’’

On the stress of going from one bank to the other to withdraw money when such transactions could be done in a single transaction within minutes, Okafor said: “Which stress? Let me tell you, all the banks are in Ladipo Market here ( Mushin, Lagos). Secondly, go to any bank within Ladipo here and transfer money to the account of any person using the same bank, sometimes, if

you are lucky, it could take minutes, but most times it takes hours, or it could be done the next day. If it is from Bank A to Bank B, that could be the next day or two days if you are lucky. Our business here is cash based, if I need N20 million now, all I need do is issue cheques to my boys to go to different banks, and within an hour, the cash is ready.”

But if Okafor easily takes care of withdrawal, what about deposit which equally attracts charges?

“That also has been taken care of, but I will not tell you, even my boys here, they do not know how I keep large deposits, only God knows, not even my wife.”

Okafor is not alone. With the logistic problems that have characterised the take off of cashless economy policy, many Nigerians, especially traders and others who believe that transacting all their business through banks will enable government know their worth and tax them accordingly, are devising alternatives to beat the policy.

Apart from opening multiple accounts, many Nigerians are now investing in safes with the intention to keep cash that could not be banked at home.

Reminded of the risks associated with keeping large amounts of money at home or office/shop, a trader at the Ladipo market, Chike Olisah, said: “Na God dey protect

person.”

While the likes of Okafor can be blamed for being pessimistic for not embracing a policy that the CBN’s Head, Shared Services Department, Mrs. Eyitope St. Matthew-Daniel, said would reduce cost of cash management, banking operations and enhance quick payment system, analysts said the apex bank should be blamed for not doing enough campaign to educate the illiterates about the policy and its benefits.

A scene at a banking Hall in Lagos last week best illustrates the confusion about the policy.

At the crowded banking hall, Madam Rachael Ogunlesi walked from one person to the other asking who was the last on the queue so she could join the line. After a few minutes, she joined the row.

After about 45 minutes, it was her turn. On approaching the paying cashier, an argument ensued. The paying cashier repeatedly said to Madam Ogunlesi: “Mummy, this has been announced time and over, how can you say you don’t know?”

One of the banking officials behind the counter intervened and Madam Ogunlesi was heard telling him that she had to withdraw N450, 000 to seal a deal. She added that she had made part-payment, insisting no one or policy could deprive her of a business she was almost

sealing.

Eventually, the intervening official invited the old woman into an inner office to make her understand the new cashless policy.

At a Filling Station on Itire Road, Surulere, there is a sign urging customers to pay for petrol and other products using their cards on the PoS machine. But attempts by these reporters to pay for petrol failed as the station attendant said neither him, nor the station manager could operate the machine.

A banker told The Nation that inhouse, things are not as rosy in terms of total preparedness. He said: “ So many things are still vague about the cashless society idea, I tell you.”

CBN Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate, Mr. Tunde Lemo, said more PoS machines would soon be deployed.

Lemo said: “The delay was partly caused by the Customs Service that refused to collect five per cent duty on PoS terminals. They insisted on 20 per cent and we have told the banks to go ahead and pay.

“But we are going to make a case for them with the Minister of Finance so that subsequently imports will be based on five percent.

“The banks are currently rolling out massively and you will see the result soon. We are on top of the situation.”

N accountant, Mr. Ori Adeyemo, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the cashless policy scheme.

Adeyemo, who said he has petitioned the Presidency on the need to end the scheme and other decisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said the country was not prepared for the policy, which he described as a time bomb waiting to explode.

He said: “It is a time bomb waiting to explode as it is surely going to fail.”

Adeyemo accused the CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido of wrong policy implementation. He said aside the cashless policy, other policies of the CBN governor, which needs to be reviewed are: cancellation of ceiling on lending rate, low interest on savings, Islamic banking and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Adeyemo said the cancellation of lending rates by Sanusi in 2009 is injurious to the economy. He wonders why banks will lend out money to customers at spurious rates, in some cases as high as 50 per cent. ‘’How do you want people to pay back?”

He said a reversion to a regulated interest rate tagged to the prevailing CBN Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) would help prevent undue accumulation of irrecoverable, toxic and spurious bank debts.

On AMCON, Adeyemo said: “AMCON has bought over life-snuffing liabilities in the form of contingent liability that would soon crystallise in due course through the legal system, which would ultimately extinguish life out of the moribund AMCON and also take along with it those of the colluding fraudulent banks.”

He also urged the President to sack Sanusi for his alleged failings.

We are gambling with a laudable idea, says IT expert Bayero Agabi, a top executive with AIT Infotech, one of the IT companies working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Nigeria’s cashless society concept, speaks on the policy

H

OW will illiterates cope with the cashless policy?

I believe that once any of them can press a button as ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ on their cell phones, they can basically fiddle with the terminal machines. But don’t forget that the cashless society does not mean that you will not transact with cash at all. It only means that if you withdraw above the allowed level, you’ll pay extra for that. I think the real challenges

here is the infrastructural deficiencies in most of our banking institutions.

Let’s talk about the transmission link; how easy is it for a blue collar customer and business people to transfer money from one bank to the other?

The transmission links are the backbones for transmitting data.

And all those consisting of Glo1 Main 1 and 3 are all landed in Victoria Island. And taking that to oth-

er parts of Nigeria like the North, East and others requires what you call the ‘Last Mile Service’ which for now is almost unavailable. So for instance, you may have the paying terminal machine in Alagbado, or one in Maiduguri, and let’s say you have a bank branch in Awka, you will have a challenge to transact that kind of large mass service in those areas. That is why most bank’s e-operations are down. This is because broad data service is needed for a stable and reliable cashless economy. And that is the point that the government needs to really come in because you need to dig ground to be able to fix the cables to help out to those areas where the installations are in demand.

What would you say are the obstacles to the cashless moves?

The banking institutions will tell you that they are ready because they would make money from it. But the ordinary man, that is those that would have to use it and pay for it, is unprepared for it. And this is because the other alternative that they have is also not working. So you are forced to, first go back to the bank to ask for your money above what you actually want. Those are the key issues. As we speak, Lagos is not yet ready as we have monitored and observed. So many economists, observers and even reporters that we sent to go and monitor it, they have also concluded and disclosed that the thing is not

just working. If the hand-held exchange machines of a restaurant as big as Mama Cass and other bigger ones, are not just working; then when are you going to be able to use your card to do any transaction?

So, what are the major concerns here?

The very major issues that we are not yet addressing are our judicial systems –the laws guiding it. You know, our E-laws, that is, electronic laws which have been at the National Assembly for over seven years. And as with this our laws, you can’t take the banks to court until that bill is passed. So, we are just gambling with something that should a very laudable idea.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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NEWS

Tinubu urges US to assist Nigeria’s anti-terrorism war CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Senator Bola Tinubu has lamented the threat to security in the country, urging the United States to assist Nigeria in tackling both terrorism and corruption.

He also called for Nigerian-American cooperation in the strengthening of democratic institutions.

Tinubu spoke in Lagos when he received an official of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ms. Tamara Klajn. He said America should help Nigeria to strengthen its capacity in these vital areas, adding that they are pre-conditions for

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•Senate Foreign Relations official visits ACN leader

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

democracy, development and prosperity.

Tinubu said: “Nigeria is tense and uncertain, and it is drifting. There is a disturbing sense of a lack of capacity at the highest level of governance. There is therefore an urgent need to develop democratic institutions.

“Strengthening democratic institution should begin with institutional guarantees of free and fair elections; as well as strengthening the judiciary”.

The former Lagos State

Wada’s stay as governor a slap on rule of law

Nigeria is tense and uncertain, and it is drifting.

There is a disturbing sense of a lack of capacity at the highest level of governance governor lamented that the 2011 elections were not free and fair as expected, pointing out that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)manipulated the process to ACN’s detriment.

He added: “After ACN’s

showing in 2011, the PDP has decided that the ACN would not win any further elections.

All the elections since then have been flawed. INEC is sliding backwards.

“PDP has tried to undermine the opposition, especially the Action Congress of Nigeria, and I personally have suffered political persecution.

The international community needs to press the Nigerian government now on electoral reform and not believe that the issue has been resolved or that INEC is passable.”

“The moment elections are not free, and you cannot set-

tle election disputes, the next step would be in the streets.

That would be bad for any country, as even the menace of Boko Haram would be a child’s play”.

Tinubu also drew the delegation’s attention to the dwindling confidence in the judiciary, adding that the organ should be strengthened, since the rule of law held a pride of place in a democracy, with its endless political disputes and law interpretations.

He lauded the US government for aiding Nigeria in counter-terrorism tactics as it was clear in the fight against Boko Haram, but suggested an effective oversight to avoid turning the gadgets into spy materials of political oppo-

nents.

Tinubu said beyond the provision of gadgets to counter terrorism,United States should help Nigeria to confront and defeat social injustices and economic deprivations that serve as the root cause of terrorism.

He said the United States must be a partner-in-progress with Nigeria to strengthen the political party system, such that multi-party democracy would develop.

He also called on the US government to help build the Nigerian government’s capacity to fight corruption.

On Miss Klajn’s delegation was Joseph Stafford, US Consul-General in Lagos and other consulate officials.

•PDP aspirant asks AGF to kick him out

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HERE is a fresh plot to unseat Kogi State Governor Idris Wada.

A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyebode Makinde has urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Muhammad Adoke (SAN) to ask Wada to vacate office.

In a letter by his counsel, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN) and addressed to the A-GF, Makinde said by virtue of a decision of the Supreme Court which dismissed an application by the PDP, Wada cannot continue to function as governor.

The party had approached the apex court for a consequential order, declaring Wada as governor in waiting as at the time the judgment on tenure elongation of five governors was delivered.

The application was a follow up to the apex court’s January 27 judgment in which it declared that the tenure of five governors had expired since May 28, last year.

Affected by the judgment were Governors Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), Liyel Imoke (Cross-River), Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).

Shortly after the judgment, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) issued a statement directing that the states’ Speakers should be sworn in as acting governors.

Although the Kogi Speaker was sworn in as acting governor by the Chief Judge, Wada was also on the same day sworn in by the President of the Customary Court of Appeal as governor.

Following the intervention of the presidency, Wada took his seat as the governor.

The Speaker was asked to quit as acting governor.

But the seven-member panel chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Dahiru Musdapher, however said it had become functus officio and lacked the power to

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

make pronouncement on the case again.

The apex court consequently dismissed the motion.

In the February 23 letter to the A-GF, Iziyon said: “We make bold to say that the effect of the dismissal of the application by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is that this issue cannot be relitigated any where before any Court or tribunal forever and ever.

He went on: “On the above premises, our stand is that by virtue of the said ruling, it means the prayers to recognise Alhaji Idris Wada as Governor of Kogi State, who was claimed to be the governor in waiting when appeal was pending at the Supreme Court and was not afrfected by the consequential Orde r 27/1/12 was not granted as same was dismissed.

It stands to reason that Alhaji Idris Wada cannot continue to function over the affairs of Kogi State, as Governor. Indeed it was clear nobody brought this before the Supreme Court either Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that election had been conducted in Kogi State while the appeal was pending before judgment.

“We are not unmindful of the suit before the Federal High Court but suffice to point put that the ruling of the Supreme Court which dismissed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaves no one in doubt that he cannot continue to function. It is by no means dabbling into a matter that is subjudiced. It is clear matter for enforcement in the circumstances.

“It is in the light of the above that we call on you as the Chief law Officer that Alhaji Idris Wada be asked to vacate his continued stay in office forthwith. His continued stay in office as Governor of Kogi State is a slap on the rule of Law and due process and this impunity must not be allowed”, Iziyon added.

•Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) officials working on the Makoko Canal during the environmental sanitation...at the weekend

Our plans to de-flood Lagos, by Commissioner

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HRILLED by an all-encompassing de-flooding programme presented before it by the Ministry of the Environment, the Lagos State House of Assembly at the weekend acknowledged the “seriousness” of the Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola administration to ensure a floodfree Lagos.

Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji spoke after the presentation of the programme to the Whole House. It was in response to the invitation on urgent matters affecting public interest after the rainstorm of February 13.

The lawmakers, who spoke in turns, testified to the presence of drainage projects and various cleaning, maintenance and dredging works in their constituencies.

On February 13, Lagosians experienced a rainstorm that claimed 12 lives, including school pupils and ravaged some parts of the state.

The development prompted the invitation of the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, to brief the House on his ministry’s preparation for rainy season.

In an e-presentation entitled: “Plans of the Ministry of

Fulani herdsmen rob on Lagos-Ibadan ULANI herdsmen yestimes the herdsmen Expressway three terday abandoned their were dislodged from the

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cattle and seized the Ogun State stretch of the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway.

They used bows, arrows, knives and other weapons to rob travellers of cash and other items.

They also stalled traffic for many hours at different times of the day.

The herdsmen, it was gathered unleashed some animals on the road, which slowed down traffic and ena-

Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

bled them to rob their victims.

It was gathered that travelers who were heading for Lagos were compelled to detour. Those traveling in the opposite direction had to beat a retreat.

For many hours, they seized the Expressway and

road by Police patrol team from the Ogun State Command, Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said.

Adejobi said the police would now beam their searchlight on cattle rearers, having taken to crimes along with minding animals.

He said no arrest has been made while the police have successfully evicted them from the highway.

•Bello tables agenda before lawmakers the Environment to Maintain Primary, Secondary and Some Tertiary Collectors for the year 2012,” Bello did a review of his ministry’s activities in 2011 and the plans towards consolidating on the efforts this year.

The strategy adopted, according to the commissioner, was to identify all the floodprone areas, after which the ministry embarked on massive cleaning, maintenance and dredging of all collectors across the state.

He said the efforts were complemented by the drainage maintenance officers and the Emergency Flood Abatement Department (EFAD), with their all-year-cleaning programme.

According to the commissioner, such interventions accounted for the near-insignificant flooding despite the high intensity of the rains recorded last year “because our channels were working”.

He listed other adopted strategies to include a liaison with the Ogun/Oshun River Basin Authority on the modality to release Oyan/Ikere

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gorge.

“All these strategies assisted a great deal in minimising the incidence of flooding in the state,” he said.

On this year programme, the ministry has put in place a three-semester flood management programme.

They include pre-rain work programme from January to April, mid-rain (May to August) and post-rain (September to December). The EFAD and the drainage maintenance officers will compliment throughout the year.

Already, the maintenance and dredging of primary collector drains across the state, periodic maintenance and cleaning of secondary collectors have begun to ensure the completion of ongoing construction, maintenance, cleaning of drainage projects before the rains and appointment of resident engineers for each local government.

Ikuforiji’s deputy Kolawole Taiwo praised the presentation and confirmed the presence of drainage projects in his Ajegunle constituency.

He also canvassed for a com-

prehensive de-flooding programme for his constituency because of its peculiar terrain.

Mudasiru Obasa (Agege constituency) said contractors have been working round the clock in his area, particularly the ongoing works at Arigbanla collector, which the governor inspected after the July 10, last year rainfall, the Oniwaya collector, Katangowa, Moricass, among others.

Fielding questions from the lawmakers, Bello promised to ensure that no project is abandoned. He assured them that all hands will be on deck to reduce the incidence of flooding.

He, however, pleaded with traders and residents to desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels.

Bello said: “As we gradually approach the rainy season, the Ministry of the Environment will ensure that all our collectors are cleaned to allow for free flow of storm water, while residents on their own part should complement the government effort through daily cleaning of tertiary drains in their frontages (gutters) in order to attain the Lagos of our dream,” he said.

NIMC Identity Database goes live

The National Identity Database has gone live, bringing closer the execution of the national project to identify every Nigerian citizen and residents. The feat was achieved on Thursday at the head office of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the agency charged to develop and manage a national identity management system for the country.

To mark the milestone, NIMC Director-General Chris

Onyemenam joined the directors to enrol their data. Onyemenam restated NIMC’s commitment to delivering a world-class identity management system.

“It has been a long journey to this point. Meeting up with the various international best practice standards was not easy.

“We are delighted to be building the best database in Nigeria, with the highest level of security, and with the best and cleanest data of citizens,”

he said.

The NIMC promised to begin enrolment of citizens’ data in the first quarter of this year.

The switch over to the production environment is in fulfilment of that promise. Sources close to the Director, Operations, Mrs. Cecilia Yahaya, said the enrolment centres nationwide are being prepared for inauguration in April. After inauguration, enrolment will be provided daily at these centres by NIMC’s private sector partners, Chams and the Onesecurecard Consortia.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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NEWS Agunloye: no alliance with Ondo LP From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Dr. Olu Agunloye, at the weekend said he has no alliance with the Labour Party (LP).

He was reacting to rumours that he is meeting with leaders of the opposition party.

The former Minister of Power and Steel said: “LP is dead in Ondo State and only the sick will team up with this drowning orphan that has made life miserable for the good people of the state.

“The rumours about my crossing to the discredited LP are manufactured by jittery adversaries and competitors.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am focused on ACN’s ticket and will become the governor of Ondo State.

“My aspiration is the desired change you can trust. I urge the public to disregard the messages of these adversaries and focus on the way forward for our dear state.

Oyo begins free health mission THE second phase of the Oyo State Free health mission began at the weekend at Kisi, Irepo Local Government Area.

Speaking at the flagging off of the exercise, Commissioner for Health Muyiwa Gbadegesin urged the people to take advantage of it.

The state-wide exercise includes screening, diagnosis, treatment, dispensing of drugs and medication, surgeries and counselling.

Gbadegesin said the visiting medical team, made up of 120 persons, would be assisted by resident doctors and health care providers in the council.

The team had carried out 85 surgeries and treated 3,500 patients.

The mission continued yesterday at Igboho in Oorelope Local Government Area.

It will hold at Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government Area, today.

The mission will continue to move round the 33 local government areas.

Amosun donates 500 mattresses to prisons

Ladoja’s return to PDP’ll make no difference, says ACN O S PECULATIONS about the return of the former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were laid to rest at the weekend, following Ladoja’s presence at the party’s elders meeting in Ibadan, the state capital.

After the meeting held at Chief Richard Akinjide’s home, the PDP said it would soon displace the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) administration. But the ACN State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke described PDP’s statement as an empty boast.

Oke said: “It makes no sense at all to draw the conclusion that Ladoja’s return to PDP will displace the ACN from the Government House.

They have forgotten so soon that Ladoja contested against the ACN in the last general election and lost. So how can anyone say his return to PDP

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

will be a threat to the ACN? It makes no sense.”

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, ACN said the PDP’s desperation for Ladoja’s return is a tacit acknowledgement that the party lacks quality people.

The statement reads: “As much as the ACN has regard for Ladoja, the feverish devotion of the PDP to his return is tantamount to giving the glory that is due to God and the electorate to a man.

“It is the people of Oyo State and God that the ACN depends on for success in the administration of the state.

“Yes, Ladoja is a good politician, but his politics has been over-hyped and mythified by

people who have soiled the name of their party by their shameful rule of Oyo State.

“Ladoja’s political fortress is his passable performance when he was the governor of our state. Governor Abiola Ajimobi has, in less than one year, performed even better than him. This is our strength; the Oyo people are our fortress.

“In any case, would Ladoja alone make up the PDP? He would be cavorting in the midst of those who killed Eleweomo in cold blood; those who are being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for milking Oyo State of over N50 billion of our collective inheritance; among characters like a man who was Senate Leader and brought no single

development to the state; the vestiges of Adedibu’s politics of kill and go; in short, those who constituted themselves into the cankerworm that devoured Oyo State like an invasion of locusts. We wait to see how the discerning people of our state will forget all these atrocities in a hurry.”

The meeting at Akinjide’s home was attended by Ladoja, Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, General Raji Rasaki (rtd), Alhaji Nureni Akanbi, Dr. Dejo Raimi, Dr. Saka Balogun, Chief Dejo Olaniyan, Chief Layiwola Olakojo, Chief Adigun Irawo, Chief Jacob Adetoro, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, Chief Bayo Lawal, Mr. Adeolu Adeleke and Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja.

Welfare of monarchs important, says Aregbesola

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said the welfare of traditional leaders is one of his administration’s priorities.

He spoke at the weekend during the inauguration of the newly completed ultramodern palace of the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye.

Aregbesola assured the traditional rulers of respect and involvement in policy making.

He urged the people to be productive and contribute to the development of their

•Osogbo wears new look From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

towns and the state.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, thanked the governor for always carrying traditional rulers along in his activities.

Sijuwade urged the people to continue to live in harmony.

Olatoye assured the governor of his people’s support.

Also at the weekend, the O-CLEAN initiative of the state government enhanced

the beauty of Osogbo, the state capital city, with a Fountain Roundabout at Abere.

Test running the facility, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Bola Ilori, said the Aregbesola administration is determined to beautify every part of the state.

Ilori said the structure, named APALARA, has a moving hand at its centre, which symbolises the virtue of hard work, which the rebranded Osun State represents.

He said similar signposts would be at Stadium Roundabout, Bolanle Roundabout and other locations in Osogbo, as well as other cities across the state.

Ilori said work would soon begin on an ultra-modern with a large viewing facility at Gbongan.

Commissioner for Environment & Sanitation Prof.

Olubukola Oyawoye said the Abere Roundabout was also designed for recreation.

The O-Clean beautification exercise is part of the administration’s urban renewal programme.

Fashola seeks solutions to education challenges

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has urged stakeholders to proffer solutions to the challenges in the education sector.

Fashola spoke at the unveiling of GFR Education Services, an educational service provider established by his former deputy, Princess Sarah Sosan.

He said there is need to invest in the training and retraining of teachers.

The governor praised the initiative and urged stakeholders to collaborate with the

By Miriam Ndikanwu

government and reposition the sector.

The governor said: “I am certain that this is a family that has come together in pursuit of a common purpose to invest in our future. If we do not leave an educated generation behind, who will look after us when we leave?

“There is a challenge in the way our children will learn in the future, we must begin to prepare the teachers that will

train them now.”

Princess Sosan said: “While serving as the immediate past deputy governor, I had the privilege to supervise our education sector. I am deeply aware of the challenges of this sector.

“I have suggestions and recommendations to deal with the challenges. I am committed to promoting literate, knowledgeable and high-performing human capacity.”

Services to be offered by GFR Education Services in-

clude quality assurance, corporate training, transformational training, communicative skills in teaching and learning situations, consultancy services, preparation for retirement, staff recruitment, technical and vocational training and skills development.

It also includes after-sales maintenance and post-training follow-up on participants.

Sosan said regular training of worker would ensure corporate relevance and quality services.

Youths urged to shun drug abuse

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HE Lagos State Commander of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Suleiman Aliyu, has urged youths to shun drugs and alcohol abuse.

Aliyu spoke in Lagos at the Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition programme organised by the Organisation of Nigerian Chaplains.

Represented by an official of the agency, Mrs. Titi Ogunniyi, Aliyu urged youths to refrain from acts that can jeopardise their future.

He said: “The society is replete with people whose dreams and lives were cut short by drugs and alcohol.

Remember Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and a host of others? Illicit drugs are more deadly than HIV/AIDS. “Alcohol can cause cholesterol accumulation, leading

•From left: Captain Vincent Okafor; Olukoju; and the Principal of Caleb International College, Mrs. Julie Falodun...at the weekend.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

By Adline Atili

to heart attack, diabetes, etc.

Life is about choices; make the right choice. Say ‘yes’ to life and ‘no’ to drugs.”

Vice-Chancellor of Caleb

University Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju urged youths to dream big and be God-fearing.

He said: “Trust God and pursue your dreams. Remember, life is war; have a

winning mentality.”

UNESCO Youth Ambassador for the Culture of Peace Mr. Temmylade AyoAladeokin said: “Everyone has what it takes to be great in life. Failure should not be

a setback. It is a test of greatness.

“Shun idleness and be prepared at all times. Do something everyday that will have significant impact on your future.”

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the weekend donated 500 mattresses to the IjebuOde, Ibara and Oba Prisons in commemoration of his 54th birthday, which was celebrated recently.

Presenting the mattresses on his behalf to the Ijebu-Ode Prisons, Commissioner for Special Duties Lanre Tejuoso, who was represented by the Director, New Project Implementation, Mr. Oyedokun Soriyan, said the government has started drilling a borehole at Oba Prisons.

Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Ijebu-Ode Zone, Olufemi Ogunyade, represented by the Assistant Superintendent of Prisons 1, Sikiru Adekunle, said the gesture would make life easier for inmates.

Ogunyade urged the governor to provide them with materials for vocational training and ensure quick dispensation of justice to decongest the prisons.

Mr. Gbenga Olusegun thanked the governor on behalf of the inmates.

OOU holds 54th Inaugural Lecture

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HE Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, will hold its 54th Inaugural Lecture tomorrow at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Lecture Theatre at the Main Campus by 2pm.

The lecture, entitled: “Spicing up Science Instruction: The Choice and the Chances”, will be delivered by Prof.

Kehinde Adeola Alebiosu of OOU’s Department of Curriculum Studies and Instructional Technology.

The event will be chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Wale Are Olaitan.

Femi Pedro joins PDP National Secretary race

By Miriam Ndikanwu

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HE former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro, has indicated interest to contest the position of the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This was contained in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr. Lanre Anjolaiya.

The statement reads: “The renowned banker turned politician is qualified for the position, judging from his rich experience in both the private and public sectors.

“His passion to serve the PDP in this capacity stems from a burning desire to team up with other party members to help President Goodluck Jonathan actualise his transformation agenda for the country.”

Pedro promised to bring his professional experience and political acumen to bear, if given the opportunity.

He pledged to work with stakeholders to strengthen the reforms instituted by the party’s outgoing National Working Committee, particularly in the areas of fostering internal democracy, effective dispute resolution and the maintenance of party discipline and supremacy.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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NEWS

Akpabio is Sun Man of the Year

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KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio at the weekend became the ninth Sun Man of the Year.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Akpabio’s wife, Ekaette, Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere and Secretary to the State Government Umana Umana.

Akpabio described the award as “a recognition of commitment, hard work, passion and deep sense of service to good governance in the country”.

The governor dedicated the award to the children of Akwa Ibom rescued from child labour.

He said the children had become beneficiaries of the ongoing free and compulsory education programme.

The governor said The

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Sun’s gesture showed the media’s readiness to partner those in governance for sustainable democracy in the country.

Akpabio said the award would spur him to do more for the state.

The governor said the government has also made significant attainments in the construction of an Independent Power Plant (IPP) and the Tropicana Entertainment Centre for tourism.

He said the state has partnered the Federal Government to develop a deep sea port at Ibaka.

The mega project, Akpabio said, would complement services provided by an international airport constructed at the instance of

his administration.

The paper’s Managing Director, Tony Onyima, said the award, which has gone through transformation since 2003, was instituted to acknowledge the contributions of individuals to national development.

Onyima said in repositioning the essence of the award, the contributions of ordinary Nigerians have been taken into consideration.

He said with the growth in status and statue the award is open for sponsorship.

Present at the event were former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanang, the Speaker of theHouse of Assembly, Sam Ikon, and others.

How Osunbor lost PDP primary From Osagie Otabor, Benin

•Osunbor

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ROF Oserheimen Osunbor lost last Saturday’s governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of his disagreement

with party chieftain Chief Tony Anenih, sources said yesterday.

Osunbor had 22 votes, coming last out of the five aspirants who contested for the governorship ticket.

Other aspirants were Maj-Gen Charles Airhiavbere, Matthew Iduoriyikemwen, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere and Kenneth Imasuangbon.

In 2007, Osunbor defeated Ihonvbere at the PDP primary and was announced winner of the governorship election.

He was ousted by a Court of Appeal judgment that declared Adams

Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) winner.

A source said Osunbor in his bid to prepare for a second term wanted to build his structures within the PDP. This led to a clash between him and Anenih.

The source said Anenih used last Saturday’s primary to pay back Osunbor and show him that he had no political clout.

In Edo Central where both Osunbor and Anenih hail from, Osunbor lost woefully as he had only five votes from the five local governments in the district.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Interbank rates ease on improved cash outlook

N

IGERIA’s interbank lending rates eased marginally last week to an average of 15 per cent from penultimate week’s 15.25 per cent on expectations of cash inflows from budgetary allocations to government agencies on Friday, traders said.

“People know that budget allocation has been approved and will soon be released, so there is this psychological impact on the market pricing. We are expecting that the budget funds will come in on Monday (today) and then rates will fall further,” a dealer said.

Traders according to Reuters News, said the market opened with a cash deficit of about N9.50 billion ($3.18 million) on Friday, reflecting tight liquidity. But they said the cost of borrowing among banks should ease further next week with the expected release of budgetary funds.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) was unchanged at 14.50 per cent, 250 basis points above the central bank’s 12 per cent benchmark rate, and 4.50 percentage points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement dropped to 15 per cent from 15.50 per cent, while call money traded at 15.50 per cent last week compared with 15.75 per cent penultinate week.

“There has been no cash inflow this week (last week), but the market recorded huge outflows, pushing the market into deficit,” another traders said.

CBN sold 149.65 billion ($953.00 million) worth of treasury bills last week with yields on the 182-day and 364-day papers lower than the previous auction, while the 91-day yields rose slightly.

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.

- Philip Uduoza, GMD, UBA

CBN sells N149.65b T-bills

Fuel scarcity is to blackmail Nigerians, says NLC T T HE current artificial fuel scarcity in some parts of the country is to blackmail Nigerians into accepting higher fuel prices and pressurise the National Assembly (NASS) to discontinue the probe into the alleged fraud in the oil industry.

In a statement, the Nigeria Labour Congress Acting Secretary, Owei Lakemfa, said: “The contrived scarcity is an unholy alliance between major oil marketers and various government agencies.”

Labour’s stance on fuel scarcity came on a day the ViceChairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, said the ongoing probe of fuel subsidy will reveal shocking underground dealings in the oil sector among highly placed individuals who have been stealing billions from the coffers of the government.”

Labour also faulted the claims by the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPAN) that the probe into the corruption-ridden oil sector by the NASS has created “uncertainties” and loss of confidence by the financial

• ‘Expect shocking revelations from subsidy probe’

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu and Oseheye Okwuofu ( in badan) and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

institutions, which has translated into fuel scarcity.

NLC said this is ridiculous.

“Banks cannot be scared to work with honest businesses as the marketers are claiming, and the country cannot be blackmailed to allow fraudsters continue to dominate the oil sector,” Labour said.

It said no ploy by marketers and the government to revert fuel price to N140 per litre will be accepted by the congress.

“It is unacceptable to the NLC that marketers and the government will contrive to push the price of a litre of petrol (PMS) back to N140 under the guise of fuel scarcity.

“It also re-affirms Nigerians support for the ongoing probe of the oil sector being carried out by the National Assembly.

“We also assure the National Assembly that Nigerians are solidly behind its probe into the age-long theft of our oil wealth and the fleecing of the country through the inflation of the subsidy on fuel. The future of our country lies in our ability, determination and the political will to tackle the endemic corruption that has become cancerous and is threatening our very existence.

NLC, therefore, enjoined the government to live up to its promise of providing dividends of fuel price hike to Nigerians.

But the Executive Secretary MOMAN, Mr Obafemi Olawore, said the marketers were not aware of any plans to increase pump price. He said: “Major marketers are not aware of any plans or part of any meeting where increase in pump price was discussed.”

Speaking during the inspection of water projects in the Oyo South Senatorial District of the state, Senator Lanlehin

said at the end of the probe, lots of cankerworms would be exposed in the oil industry.

Answering questions on the level of the Senate probe on the fuel subsidy, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lawmaker in the Senate representing Oyo South Senatorial District said there was no way the probe would affect the financing of improtation of fuel into the country.

Some importers were said to have stopped importation because some banks and financial institutions were afraid that the ongoing probe might affect them.

Senator Lanlehin acknowledged that it is true some importers have tendered that excuse, but said they have been assured by the Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Authority (PPRA), the Ministry of Finance and appropriate agencies that they will be paid.

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

Safety laws: Govt warns employers

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

F

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

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) sold N149.65 billion ($953.00 million) worth of treasury bills last week with yields on the 182-day and 364-day papers lower than the previous auction, while the 91-day yields rose slightly.

The apex bank, according to Reuter’s news, sold N44.65 billion of the 91-day treasury bill at a 14.80 per cent rate, up marginally from the 14.70 per cent yield at the previous auction, it said in a statement.

It sold N20 billion worth of the 182-day bills at 15.50 per cent, lower than the 16.09 per cent previously, and N85 billion in the 364-day instrument at a marginal rate of 15.55 per cent, compared with 16.89 per cent at the last auction.

Traders attributed the falling yields on the longer dated treasury bills to the surge in demand from offshore investors.

• Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr Adesegun Ogunlewe (left); Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu and Chairperson, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSTIF), Dr Ngozi Olejeme, at the inauguration of Lagos Corporate Office of NSTIF ... at the weekend.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

‘Govt to enhance Nigeria’s trade ranking’

T

HE Federal Govern ment is putting mea sures in place to enhance the ranking of Nigeria on ease of doing business from 144th position out of 189 countries in 2010 to 72nd position by 2015 and 20 position by 2020.

The ultimate goal would be to improve trade across borders, logistic performance index and global competitiveness - thereby enhancing the ranking of Nigeria on ease of doing business.

Director, Trade, Ministry of Trade and Investment Mr. David Adejuwon disclosed this during the strategic

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

stakeholder’s consultative forum on trade facilitation in Lagos. He said Nigeria is among the fastest growing economy in the world.

He said:”After China and India, Nigeria is the fastest growing economy in the World, with a growth rate of 7.2 per cent that is expected to increase to double digit growth typical of the Asian tiger economies.

“Nigeria was rated 146th position out of 189 countries on trade across borders 2010 and this position remained unchanged in 2011. Logistic performance index of 100

out of 155 countries in 2010 scored very low on most measures of trade facilitation and global competitiveness indices.”

He said the ministry is planning a forum to identify the following challenges such as free flow of goods and movement of people in Nigeria, discuss and agree on how to improve on Nigeria’s ranking on the 10 economic performance indicators on the ease of doing business, which remains very low, remove the encumbrances to inter and intra state commerce.

The forum, he also ex-

plained, will simplify as well as streamline the import export documentation and procedures to reduce compliance with regional decisions on the reduction of check points along the border corridors as well as adopt best practices on trade facilitation.

“It is also expected to address the issue of tariff and non- tariff barrier to trade to ensure a transparent and competitive trade regime, compliance with international and regional obligations, like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ECOWAS, AU protocols to which Nigeria is a signatory,” he added.

ACTORY owners and employers who defy safety laws will face the music, the Federal Government has said.

Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu, disclosed this at the weekend after making the first N557,800 compensation payment to Cappa and Dalberto workers at the inauguration of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund’s Lagos office for Employees Compensation Scheme.

He said the Inspectorate Division of the Federal Ministry of Labour will visit factories to ensure that owners comply with Nigerian law and international best practices and that workers work in a safe environment.

The minister said the Federal Government will take steps to enforce safety laws in factories to minimise claims.

Wogu said the government will enforce zero-tolerance on workplace accidents, injuries and fatalities.

The Federal Government, he said, is determined to collaborate with social partners and other stakeholders to guarantee a cleaner, safer and healthier work environment to workers.

He said the ministry has intimated all the 36 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to begin the implementation of the scheme in their states.

His words: “I have written a letter personally signed by me to all the 36 state governors and the Federal Capital Territory for them to implement the law. The law as you are aware is equally made for private sector. Most significant is that today at the inauguration, we have all the social partners that came to witness the opening.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

12

ISSUES

The menace of oil theft Oil theft has become protracted over the years.

Despite being illicit, the trade is thriving, with the nation losing billions of dollars in revenue. All efforts to stop the illegal trade appear to have failed.

The government has adopted coercion and moral suasion, to no avail. Is the problem insurmountable?

EMEKA UGWUANYI asks.

•Drops of oil

I

T is an attractive trade because it brings in easy money. But as lucrative as it appears, it is illicit.

Those who engage in it do so by vandalising pipelines and committing other atrocities in the Niger Delta.

Can’t they be stopped? That is the trillion naira question. The Federal Government seems to be as helpless as the oil producing companies over oil theft and criminal activities. For well over a decade, crude theft has been thriving, despite the efforts of operators and the government.

As the upstream operators are counting their losses so are the downstream operators. Shell, the most affected of the oil companies, has been losing money not just through the loss of oil but in repairing its pipelines and other facilities damaged by criminals.

Shell is the most affected; it has the most accessible assets, which exist onshore and in the swamps. In the last few years, the company has been losing an average of 140,000 barrels of oil daily to sabotage. The figure

has risen to 150,000 barrels per day (bpd).

With the implementation of the amnesty programme, it was thought that the problem would stop because of the belief that militants were behind it. Other than stop, the trade is thriving. The sabotage has assumed a frightening dimension, with more illegal refineries springing up in various parts of the Niger Delta region.

Because of the primitive equipment the ilegal bunkerers use, they waste the resources. It was discovered that only 30 per cent of the crude becomes useful while 70 per cent is disgorged into the environment, which further destroys the already delicate environment of the region.

Shell’s experience At the just-concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas conference in Abuja, the Executive Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa, Shell Exploration and Production Africa Limited, Mr Ian Craig, identified oil theft as Shell’s major

challenge in Nigeria, confirming the lamentations of the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC), Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, since he assumed office.

Craig said: "The greatest challenge, however, is the massive organised oil theft business and the criminality and corruption which it fosters. This drives away talent, both Nigerian and international, increases costs, reduces revenues to both investors and the government, and results in major environmental impacts.

"The volume of oil which is stolen is difficult to estimate but is probably in the region of 150,000 barrels per day (bbls/d). By way of illustration, in December last year, a spill was reported on the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) caused by two failed bunkering connections. Repairs took a month, with a total production deferment of over four million barrels (four MMbbls) of oil.

"Sadly, as so often happens, thieves used the one-month pipeline depressurisation as a window to install even

more bunkering points. Since the restart of production in January, there have been multiple trips caused by pressure drops resulting from illegal off-take. We have found over 50 bunkering points on the line and associated industrial scale illegal refining with major environmental impacts.

These are of course now being removed."

Buttressing why it is painful to see these criminals carry out their activities unhindered, with the asset owners watching helplessly, Craig admitted that oil and gas companies have always operated in a high risk business environment, which is undoubtedly true. But it becomes very worrisome when the losses a company incurs arise from premeditated, consciously planned and well executed by persons who operate as if Nigeria is lawless or not government by constituted laws.

Craig noted that a typical landbased oil well costs about $20 million to drill in Nigeria. But in deep water costs can be well over $100 million. And one well is of course never enough to prove a prospect, a company normally needs several appraisal wells to be sure that a discovery is viable, he added.

He further said that when a company is lucky enough to have a commercial discovery, the development costs and timescales are daunting; perhaps $10 billion for a large deepwater development or $20 billion for a large integrated oil and gas project. The execution of the project may take five years or so and many years beyond that before the initial outlay can be recouped.

After employing all these resources, someone emerges from nowhere and bore the pipes and fix hoses to draw the oil and sell at give away prices or waste it in the name of illegal refining.

At a special panel session during the conference entitled "What is the future for Nigeria exploration and production," which had oil major chiefs including Sunmonu, Total E&P's Guy Murray, Agip's Ciro Antonio Pagano, ExxonMobil's Mark Ward and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as panel members, the multinational oil companies agreed that oil theft should be frontally attacked by all stakeholders.

Sunmonu had, over the years, lamented the adverse effects of oil theft, which in process of execution leads to damage of Shell's facilities.

Sunmonu used every opportunity at any event to stress the criminality of stealing oil and the consequent environmental damage and how it affects the economy of the communities impacted and that of the country at large.

He had at several times taken reporters and other stakeholders in the industry to the areas where thieves steal Shell's crude and also where the stolen crude is refined.

About two weeks ago, Shell took some stakeholders including reporters to overfly some areas in Rivers and Bayelsa states where the criminals were carrying out their illicit act.

He expressed bitterness over the level of economic loss and degradation of the environment.

He said: "On December 24, last year, the Nembe Creek Trunk Line was shut down because of leaks caused by two failed bunkering points and since the repairs were completed, more than 50 theft valves had been discovered. In one case, 17 illegal bunkering points were found within a distance of 3.8 kilometres."

After the overfly, reporters confirmed thriving crude theft activities at Tora Manifold, Santa Barbara River, SEGO Manfiold, Awoba, Krakrama, Bille, Cawthorne Channel and Alakiri in Rivers and Bayelsa states, with some connections were made directly to wellheads and no longer pipelines.

Sunmonu said he was extremely disappointed at the scale of lawlessness, scale of criminality, lack of care for neighbours in view of the activities going on in the area.

• Continued on page 13

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

ISSUES • Continued from page 12

He said: "I am extremely worried and frankly, something has to be done. Otherwise, our entire oil and gas operation in the Niger Delta will not be sustainable. The level of crude theft at NCTL in Bayelsa State can no longer be tolerated. There have been multiple facility trips caused by pressure drops resulting from illegal offtake.

"This is more than Nigeria losing money from lost production, costly repairs and cleanup and facility downtime. It is a sad story of consistent pollution of farmlands and rivers by people, who are not bothered by the effects of their actions on the environment.

"If you talk to any of the international oil companies (IOCs) or any operator in the Niger Delta, I am sure they have similar stories to tell, but on a smaller scale than that of Shell, because of our footprints in particular. It is difficult to sustain production in the circumstance, as we have to shut down when a facility fails and fix the cause before restarting.

This happened three times just between January 26 and 30.

"We have increased surveillance of the route, so we can detect crude theft activities and respond early to spills. But what is urgently needed is a robust intervention at the federal, state and local government levels. We need increased patrols of creeks and waterways, removal of illegal off-take points and dismantling of illegal refineries.

"The best we (Shell) can do is to continue to play a strong advocacy for change, for enforcement of the rule of law, to make sure the government security agencies protecting these strategic national assets are effective."

The questions stakeholders in the oil and gas industry ask whenever the issue of oil theft is raised are who are those behind the act? Are they invisible or invincible? Are government officials and those of the companies involved?

Or is there something that is being concealed from Nigerians? Why is the government incapable of arresting the situation?

Government urges all stakeholders' participation The Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Alison-Madueke during her presentation at a forum noted that one of the major challenges confronting the government is that of pipeline vandalism, which she said has been at the front burner of government for sustainable solution. She said over 111 bunkering sites were destroyed recently in the Niger Delta.

Shell called on stakeholders to be committed to the fight against sabotage in the industry.

She said: "Investors, financiers, employees, host communities and the public at large, we must all sign-up to elimination of waste in the oil and gas sector, whether by eliminating gas flaring, by preventing pipeline vandalisation or by restoring the decaying infrastructure in the downstream.

"We need to open the gates to true reform and fix the inefficiencies in our sector, open the gates to transparency and to accountability and to most certainly open the gates to greater investments into the sector to generate prosperity for all stakeholders.

"There will be more products at our inland depots due to the operation of the Kaduna refinery, which will increase the domestic production in Kano, Suleja and Gusau. The contract for the protection of all crude pipelines in the country is in plan now in order to increase local refineries."

The menace of oil theft doesn't affect only upstream as the downstream operators also have their tales of woes to tell. Oniwon, had told the Hon. Farouk Lawan led House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on Subsidy Management that pipeline vandalism with a view to stealing oil, is a major reason for the sad conditions of the refineries. Oniwon told the lawmakers that if the pipelines were working properly as well as the refineries, there would have been no reason to import fuel in the first place let alone payment of subsidy.

Stakeholders in the industry believe illegal refineries and pipeline vandalisation pollute the environment more than the operational activities of oil companies.

Consequences of sabotage The impact of oil theft and illegal refining is substantial when measured in terms of financial losses, environmental damage and health hazards. Currently, going by the oil price of $106 per barrel, government loses about N2.5 billion daily from what Shell alone loses to oil theft. There have been several outcries by the communities, where these illegal refiners operate. Their operations, according to the communities damage their farmland and

•NNPC MD Oniwon

•Sunmonu

The menace of oil theft water. They said they cannot find good drinking water and cannot fish and eat fresh fish because of these nefarious activities.

A recent report by Peter C. Nwilo and Olusegun T. Badejo, entitled Impacts and management of oil spill pollution along the Nigerian coastal areas also confirmed that sabotage is a key contributor to environmental degradation.

They said in the report: "Sabotage is another major cause of oil spillage in the country.

Some of the citizens of this country in collaboration with people from other countries engage in oil bunkering or theft. They damage and destroy oil pipelines in their effort to steal oil from them. SPDC claimed in 1996 that sabotage accounted for more than 60 per cent of all oil spilled at its facilities in Nigeria, stating that the percentage has increased over the years both because the number of sabotage incidents has increased and because spills due to corrosion have decreased with programmes to replace oil pipelines.

"Pirates are stealing Nigeria's crude oil at a phenomenal rate, funneling nearly 300,000 barrels per day from our oil and selling it illegally on the international trade market.

Nigeria lost about N7.7 billion in 2002 as a result of vandalisation of pipelines carrying petroleum products. The amount, according to the PPMC, a subsidiary of NNPC, represents the estimated value of the products lost in the process.

"Illegal fuel siphoning as a result of the thriving black market for fuel products has increased the number of oil pipeline explosions in recent years. In July 2000, a pipeline explosion outside the city of Warri caused the death of 250 people. An explosion in Lagos in December 2000 killed at least 60 people. The NNPC reported 800 cases of pipeline vandalisation from January through October 2000. In January 2001, Nigeria lost about $4 billion in oil revenues due to the activities of vandals on our oil installations. The government estimates that as much as 300,000 bbl/d of Nigerian crude is illegally bunkered and freighted out of the country."

They also noted that the harmful effects of oil spill on the environment are many. "Oil kills plants and animals in the estuarine zone.

Oil settles on beaches and kills organisms that live there. It also settles on ocean floor and kills benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms

such as crabs. Oil poisons algae, disrupts major food chains and decreases the yield of edible crustaceans. It also coats birds, impairing their flight or reducing the insulative property of their feathers, thus making the birds more vulnerable to cold. Oil endangers fish hatcheries in coastal waters and as well contaminates the flesh of commercially valuable fish.

"In the Nigerian coastal environment large areas of the mangrove ecosystem have been destroyed. The mangrove was once a source of both fuel wood for the indigenous people and a habitat for the area's biodiversity, but is now unable to survive the oil toxicity of its habitat."

The report also showed that in in many villages near oil installations, even before the current big spills, an oily sheen can be seen on the water, which in fresh water areas is usually the same water that the people living there use for drinking and washing. In April 1997, samples taken from water used for drinking and washing by local villagers were analysed in the United States . A sample from Luawii, in Ogoni, where there had been no oil production for many years, had 18 ppm of hydrocarbons in the water, 360 times the level allowed in drinking water in the European Union (EU). A sample from Ukpeleide, Ikwerre, contained 34 ppm, 680 times the EU standard.

Government's inaction In October, last year, just like on other occasions, no fewer than 53 persons were arrested for alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering, theft and illegal refineries operation by the Joint Task Force (JTF), whose operational name is Operation Restore Hope in the NigerDelta. The task force spokesman, Lt. Col Timothy Antigha, said the arrests were made in separate operations in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states. The suspects were paraded but ever since nothing has been heard about them.

Antigha confirmed that during the arrest of some of the suspects the taskforce found fresh residue of poorly refined adulterated products from the ring hose attached to the pumping machines of the suspects. He said the suspects' equipment included three harbour engines, which were intercepted. These are the equipment they used to siphon stolen crude oil from ruptured pipelines, he added.

Antigha said investigations would determine the suspects' level of culpability in the

‘We have increased surveillance of the route, so we can detect crude theft activities and respond early to spills.

But what is urgently needed is a robust intervention at the federal, state and local government levels. We need increased patrols of creeks and waterways, removal of illegal off-take points and dismantling of illegal refineries’

criminal activities, after which they would be handed over to the police authorities for subsequent prosecution.

Similarly, some Chinese and other nationals were reportedly captured with undisclosed quantity of illegal crude oil. But, what happened to the suspects afterwards, was not made public.

Who are behind the illegal and criminal activities?

In November last year, the lawmakers moved to investigate the cause of oil theft, which cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars every year. In a report by Reuters, politicians and soldiers were fingered to be colluding in the trade.

"There is a an unprecedented upsurge of illegal bunkering activities within the coastal region, resulting in the daily threat of vandalisation of oil pipelines and other facilities and general state of insecurity in the country," said lawmaker Daniel Rayenieju, who presented the motion.

The resolution said the inquiry would need to answer pressing questions including who owns the illegal bunkering vessels in Nigerian waters and why is it difficult to stop them, what happens to the seized crude oil and who buys it internationally. The answers could prove embarrassing for Nigerian politicians and security agents, some of whom are thought to collude in the underground trade, the report added.

A United States diplomatic cable leaked to whistle-blower website Wikileaks in August said the political elite and soldiers were profiting from large-scale oil theft in the Niger Delta that may cost the country up to a tenth of its production.

What should the government do?

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) recently decried lack of enabling law and equipment to fight and sanction anybody, organisation and company that degrades the environment.

The agency's Director General, Sir Peter Idabor, criticised such development. Apart from the joint task force, operators said, the governments at federal, state and local council levels should show commitment to fighting the menace. They said the oil and gas regulatory agencies, the Department of Petroleum Resources and NOSDRA should limit their oversight to operational induced spills by the oil companies but spread their oversight to any spill including those caused by sabotage the and government should statutorily equip and empower them to work in collaboration with the security agencies and the judiciary. Any arrest made should be expeditiously treated and appropriate punishment meted.

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EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Shell: let charity begin at home • The oil giant should protect our environment the way it does elsewhere

S

HELL’s Executive Vice-President, Sub-Saharan Africa, Ian Craig, at a recent Oil and Gas conference in Abuja painted a graphic picture of what the nation loses daily from the theft of its crude. According to him, the nation loses an estimated 150,000 barrels of crude oil daily to theft in the Niger Delta region. In simple arithmetic terms, the loss translates to a princely $16 million or N2.5 billion daily.

The company’s Nigerian Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu, also in an interview with this newspaper last week raised concerns about the resurgence of criminal syndicates dealing in stolen crude and their devastating impacts on the environment. According to him, 75 percent of the cases of pipeline failures occasioning massive oil spills are to be

‘The question remains: why should oil companies adopt different standards for different countries where they operate? The lessons of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in the United States involving BP comes to mind here ... Well into the middle of the clean-up process, the Obama administration still forced BP to cough up $20 billion in clean-up and compensation costs‘

blamed on sabotage; the rest 25 percent, he admitted, are caused by the activities of the oil companies.

Of course, Nigerians have reasons to be worried about the threat of resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta – or any other part of the country for that matter. We expect the security agencies to constantly step up on intelligence gathering as well as surveillance of the nation’s crude pipelines to curb the menace. It is not just the quantum of daily losses to vandals that is frightening, the attendant massive destruction of the environment renders it particularly troubling.

We are however no less concerned with the continuing indifference by Shell and other operators to the challenge of oil spills when they occur. Whether caused by sabotage or failure of equipment, both obviously represent the two sides of the same bad coin of intolerable negligence.

That is where the attempt to magnify the so-called 75 percent fall short; even a failure rate of one percent from the oil companies – as against the current situation of 25 percent – would still represent a high price to pay for oil exploration.

We recall that only last December, Shell recorded an accident which led to the spill of 40,000 barrels of crude oil into the ocean some 75 kilometres off the coast of Nigeria. Till date, we are not aware that Shell submitted any programme of environmental remediation in the aftermath of that spill, let alone commit to a verifiable audit of the clean-up programme supervised by international agencies. We

are not even aware that the government or even the National Assembly called Shell to account on that case. This is not to talk of the Ogoni clean-up, which UNEP says would take $1 billion to undertake. Such developments no doubt render Shell’s concerns with oil theft, if not entirely suspect, but at least, diversionary.

The question remains: why should oil companies adopt different standards for different countries where they operate?

The lessons of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in the United States involving BP comes to mind here. An undersea leak caused by the careless handling of equipment by BP operatives and those of its partner, Halliburton, led to the spill of five million barrels of crude into the sea. Well into the middle of the clean-up process, the Obama administration still forced BP to cough up $20 billion in clean-up and compensation costs aside the millions of dollars shelled out in aggressive public relations campaign mounted by the British company. Why should things be different here?

Is it also not a notorious fact that hundreds of square miles of sensitive flora and fauna are being destroyed daily by the oil companies without any programme of remediation? It is therefore not in Shell’s place to point accusing fingers at this time. It should worry more about how to bring down oil companies’ share of 25 percent, while leaving the security agencies to go after oil thieves.

Lassa outbreak •Another medical emergency hits Nigeria AST week, Nigeria awoke to the unwelcome news that its creaking medical infrastructure had been assailed by yet another crisis, namely the outbreak of the highly-contagious Lassa fever. So far, about 40 people have died, including several medical personnel, and the disease has spread to over 12 states, including Edo, Nasarawa, Plateau, Ebonyi, Taraba, Yobe, Ondo, Rivers, Gombe, Anambra, Delta and Lagos. An estimated 40 million people are at risk of contracting the disease.

As is usual in such cases, the Federal Government has been at pains to assure the nation of its readiness to cope with the situation. The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, has claimed that there are about 750,000 doses of injections, as well as the necessary laboratory and hospital facilities required to combat the disease. A Rapid Response Committee has also been set up to coordinate an effective response to the outbreak.

However, government’s assurances do not explain how a disease that is named after the town of Lassa in present-day Borno State where it was discovered in 1969 is still able to wreak such havoc upon the lives of Nigerians. It is even less acceptable when it is seen that the disease is transmitted through the faeces of infected rodents, and therefore thrives in unhygienic environments.

Lassa fever joins a host of diseases like cholera, cerebro-spinal meningitis and polio whose virulence stands in direct proportion to the decline of effective health policies in the country. The sani-

L

tary inspectors who were a feature of effective sanitation enforcement in the past have all but disappeared. The immunisation of children is no longer the comprehensive exercise it was in the days of the late Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti. Many towns and cities across the country have become notorious for their accumulated filth and general un-cleanliness.

This latest manifestation of Lassa fever is also evidence of the precipitous decline in living standards that have occurred in the country in the past few years. The poor implementation of social welfare schemes and poverty-reduction strategies, combined with repeated increases in the price of food, transportation and fuel have combined to make many citizens more vulnerable to disease.

The fact that the Lassa outbreak includes states as widely dispersed as Nasarawa and Ebonyi is a sobering testimony to the infectiousness of the disease as well as the apparent unpreparedness of the health authorities. Given its prevalence in the country, it was to be expected that there would have been a comprehensive campaign to reduce the numbers of rodents that spread the disease. There should have also been an extensive enlightenment campaign designed to inform Nigerians on the best ways of preventing the disease, identifying characteristic symptoms and the appropriate actions to take in emergencies.

It is crucial that everything be done to reduce the number of deaths to the barest minimum and prevent more people

from being infected. Efforts must be made to see that infections do not spread to states that are not currently infected.

This will require extensive coordination and close cooperation between the health authorities at federal, state and local government levels. An effective information dissemination system also needs to be established to enable Nigerians contact local health officials quickly.

The drugs required to combat the disease must be distributed fairly, and should not become an opportunity for corrupt officials to exploit the public.

Nigeria can no longer afford to continue reacting to the outbreak of diseases like Lassa fever. Governments at all levels must embark on the health, education and other policies that will make it more difficult for such infections to become so widespread. Prevention is better than cure.

‘Nigeria can no longer afford to continue reacting to the outbreak of diseases like Lassa fever. Governments at all levels must embark on the health, education and other policies that will make it more difficult for such infections to become so widespread.

Prevention is better than cure’

Self-inflicted wounds

I

T is unfathomable how American military personnel in Afghanistan could decide to burn copies of the Koran. Muslims consider destruction of the holy book blasphemous. A decade after the United States intervened in Afghanistan, all American forces should know that.

Yet this week, Americans started to incinerate a truckload of Islamic religious items, including copies of the Koran, taken from detainees at Bagram Air Base.

The incident triggered three days of protests and on Thursday at least nine people were killed, including two American soldiers. Some members of the Parliament, eager to capitalize on the event, have even urged Afghans to take up arms against the American military.

The top American commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Allen, immediately apologized. On Thursday, President Obama sent a letter to President Hamid Karzai. According to Mr. Karzai’s office, it said “the error was inadvertent,” and promised to take “the appropriate steps to avoid any recurrence, to include holding accountable those responsible.” Mr. Karzai and the Americans began separate investigations. They should be completed quickly and the results made public.

General Allen ordered coalition soldiers in Afghanistan to undergo training in “the proper handling of religious materials.” This is not just a lesson in respect for other religions, as important as that is. The disregard shown the Koran has given extremists another excuse to fan anti-Americanism, making the incredibly difficult effort to stabilize Afghanistan even harder.

The behavior of the American soldiers was shockingly insensitive. And while Afghans’ anger is understandable, there can be no justification for violent rampages. President Karzai is trying to quiet the outrage and reportedly told Parliament he accepted the Americans’ apology. He needs to keep pressing for calm.

We wish the Afghans now denouncing Americans as their enemies recognized the huge sacrifices made by the vast majority of American soldiers. A decade later, some Afghans seem to have forgotten the horrors of Taliban repression and the high price Americans have paid defending them. Mr. Karzai should remind them of that, too.

– New York Times

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

20

9EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: Professor Sam Aluko lived, which means he is no more. Death is not a respecter of persons – brilliant, rich or poor.

As it was for Chief Awolowo so it was for his topmost intellectual and political associate, Professor Sam Aluko, fondly called Sam by Awo who spoke glowingly about him in my last conversation with the Sage.

It is impossible to write about Prof.

Aluko without producing a compendium about his lifestyle, intellectual prowess, his forthrightness and characteristically blunt statements on national issues. All this had endeared him to Awo whose formidable “UPN’s Think Tank” popularly known as “Unife Group” Aluko led from 1978 to 1993, and of which I was a member.

Many of us knew the professor by reputation before we knew him by acquaintance. So much has been said about his achievements, but mine is to say about some of his statements and attitude to life. In 1970 when he visited me at Massey College in the University of Toronto, Canada, he made me laugh and think when he spoke about the flambouyant lifestyles of some Nigerians – lifestyles that were later captured by what I call Awo’s ego theory of the mind. He said he accosted one military governor whom he asked why he always wore flowing agbada while he could wear something more comfortable, and drove in a big car when he could drive in a smaller car that was more economical on fuel consumption. The reply was interesting. The military governor told him: “Look, Professor, you know that if you ride on a bicycle along the street wearing ordinary singlet, people would point at you with admiration and say, that is the man – Professor Aluko. But people like me will have to wear big dresses and drive in big cars before we can get the kind of instant recognition people give you free of charge”.

It was Professor Aluko who told us that dividends paid out to investors were “unearned

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For Sam Aluko, a Professor of professors incomes”. Again, nobody ever realized the importance of petrol tankers’ drivers until they went on a marathon strike under the leadership of Frank Kokori’s NUPENG in the 90s. The strike was so biting that the economy of the nation was virtually paralyzed. In his characteristic witty saying, Professor Aluko came out with the statement “The importance of being unimportant”. That was his judgment about the tankers’ drivers who were never noticed as important workers until that strike.

Since then, not only have the tankers’ drivers been seen as very important, but also as workers you ignore at your own peril.

About expensive funeral ceremonies, he had always said he could not lose his father and his savings at the same time. So when his father died, he demonstrated this by holding a non-extravagant funeral ceremony in which Chief Awolowo was the most prominent invitee.

You visited Prof Aluko and saw him working in his garden. You

then offered to help by asking him to give you the hoe with which he was working so that he could sit down and relax. His reply: “you are not helping me by taking my hoe from me. That is a mere elimination by substitution which is of no use here. If you really want to help, then get another hoe there and join me so that the work could move faster”. What a practical economist!

As a great intellectual and a product of London School of Economics and Political Science, Prof Aluko had a great admiration

and often talked about logic and scientific method which he applied to virtually all his thinking and decisions about matters of fact including economic, political, social, moral and even religious facts. From Nsukka to Ife, he had trained many professors in his academic career. His demise at 83 should, therefore, be an occasion of great magnificence and rejoicing for his family, relations, friends and his many students. We do not expect more from this man who, in his life time, was a man of integrity and transparency; forthright, blunt, intellectually sophisticated and, above all, a Professor of Professors.

Surely, we shall always remember him in the words of William Shakespeare that “this was a man” • Prof M. Akin Makinde, FNAL Department of Philosophy Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State

Jonathan’s loss and his gentlemanly dictatorship

S

IR: I was breathless after going through each of Sam Omatseye’s columns of Monday January 16 and 23 titled “Jonathan’s Loss” and “A Gentleman Dictator” respectively.

I understood your first article to emphasise two points. First, the electorate was grossly misguided in voting Jonathan as president.

Second, the man is a woeful failure.

Your second article gave the clear impression that the president is so insensitive and crude that labelling him a dictator is something you did out of sheer magnanimity.

Your first article first. I think the electorate owes you torrents of apologies for the flaks it gave you when you forewarned it about the terrible implications of voting Jonathan. It is the demand of patriotism. Still on your first article, it seems obvious that ineptitude is the middle name of not only President Jonathan but also “his coteries of incompetent advisers, like Nigeria’s two unpopular women, Alison

Diezani-Maduekwe and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala”.

I have learnt a lot since I read that article. For instance, I have been shocked to know that incompetent women can be listed among “Nigerian Women of Distinction and Lifetime Achievers” (Thisday of January 25). That newspaper honoured Maduekwe “for championing local participation in the oil industry” and toasted Iweala “for being Nigeria ’s global champion” on macro-economic matters. Even more unbelievable is the fact that Forbes magazine of October 2011 named Ngozi OkonjoIweala as the second most influential woman in Africa and the 87 th in the whole world.

Undoubtedly, the most incompetent of those you mentioned is President Jonathan himself. So, it is clear why he merits epithets like “His Excellency the snake” and “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”.

Lacking vision, compassion and finesse, he is known to have triggered “riots and

shutdowns across the country, including the Niger Delta and even in the south eastern Nigeria”. The little problem I had here was how to match this report with reality since I am not aware that the meanings of the descriptive words you used have changed. Another worry that I had was on the reported “hunger and carnage on the streets”. I thought you should have restrained yourself on this.

You know the ICC chief prosecutor, Luis Mareno Ocampo is worse than the shark wherever blood is mentioned. Jonathan may be bad, but if Ocampo comes after him, our socio-economic climate will change for the worse. Please don’t press the matter further.

Now to your second article.

Honest people should agree with you that our president has goofed on several counts. So your palpable anger is well understood.

Jonathan’s blunders must have a lot to do with the incompetent advisers that he picked, as you pointed out. Regrettably, even

though some of them pretend to be world-class materials, they would not resign and thus save their names. That’s the trouble with Nigerians. The other way of evaluating your submission is that our president lacks the ability to make an omelette without breaking eggs, a feat that defines tested leaders. He seems to be enslaved by the archaic idea that nothing good can happen without some pain. But the whole problem is traceable back to us gullible electorate that failed to heed your advice. I appeal to your Christian conscience, forgive our sin and overlook the incalculable trouble that we have foisted on the nation.

Forgive and think no ill of anyone who falsely accuses you of being indiscreet with words or overzealous in your bid to keep your job and sustain your family.

Pray that, for the good of our dear country, the veil shall eventually be lifted from our eyes.

• Ekanem Akwa Calabar, Cross River State.

21

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Okorocha’s government by deception

G

OVERNOR Rochas Okorocha and his motley crowd in Owerri have, of late, lost their composure and have resorted to actions that spell nothing but desperation.

Part of that desperation is the series of media offensive in which the governor and his aides made outright fabulous claims and shameless falsehood.

First, let me say that I recognize that government is a continuum. So when people say that Okorocha has no new ideas but is just implementing Ikedi Ohakim’s programmes I say to them, that is how it should be. But Okorocha is not man enough to come clean and not mutilate Ohakim’s visionary ideas. For example we all in Imo recognize Imo Rural Roads Maintenance Agency, IROMA, when they see it in action.

Ohakim set up IROMA and by the time he left office, IROMA had graded over 2700 rural roads and acquired assets estimated at N12 billion by the World Bank. IROMA attracted Imo State a World Bank/Federal Government Rural Access Mobility Project, RAMP, facility worth US$ 6 million a year. But Okorocha disbanded IROMA, confiscated its equipment and Imo State lost the RAMP facility. Today Okorocha is carrying out IROMA projects, grading roads; except that this is only in Owerri urban where it attracts him cheap political points.

Owerri lies on low land, yet he asks contractors to be scrapping the roads without asphalting them.

We all know whose concept Imo as one-city state was. It was Ohakim’s well documented vision and he embarked on road projects that were designed to give meaning to this.

Most of those roads, including the Owerri outer ring roads and their flyovers, are today abandoned by Okorocha while he embarks on mere deceptions. He claims that he has tarred 2000 kilometers of road in less than one year. Pray, the distance from Lagos to Owerri is just 550 kilometres! Where did Okorocha tar 2000 kilometers of roads in Imo? We know who in 2011 vowed to make Imo a huge construction site after the rains. We also know whose policy the operation zero-pot-holes were. In fact in terms of projects,

‘Rochas Okorocha has shown his true colour as an unreliable man. He told Imo people that he would govern for one term and use Imo as platform to contest for president in 2015. He was asked in a recent interview if he was going to keep his words. He quickly denied saying so, saying that after four years he would ask Imo people what next they would want him to do!’

I

T was such an emotional time for me as I sat at the mini pavilion in the Government House, Oke Igbein, Abeokuta, venue of the meeting of the seven governors of the South-West (Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Edo) on Thursday, February 2. First was the significance of the meeting to my governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, whose nostalgia for the old West is a tonic for his Mission to Rebuild Ogun State. Then some sombre recollections on the fate of the South-West, and Nigeria in general? How did we get to this stage? It was a moment filled with poignancy. But the communiqué of the parley was most reassuring.

The distinguishing characteristic of a federation is the constitutional division of powers between the central government and the federating states. Whereas in a unitary system, all powers flow from the centre, in a federation, powers are dispersed between the centre and states. Federalism is a two-tier structure (federal and states) without one tier being subordinate to another but each deriving its powers and exercising them within the confines of a written constitution. Federalism is not just a fad in political theory. One thing leads to another. Certain factors conduce to a federation in a political organization, as against a unitary system. A country with a vast land mass, large and heterogeneous population, bewildering cultural and language diversities (leading sometimes to mutual suspicion of domination) cannot, for all practical reasons, run a successful union under a unitary structure.

Our experiences as a country since 1966 when a unitary structure was foisted on our body-polity has shown that there can be no alternative to full-scale federalism if we hope to form a strong and enduring union like that of the United States of America. The bane of Nigeria has been the attempt by the Federal Government since 1966 to ensure the diverse elements in the country progress at the same speed towards a political unity, sacrificing their divergent ways of life in the process. This is against what the Colonial administration under Governor Arthur Richards had seen as far back as 1945: “To create a political system… within which the diverse elements, may

By Emenike Nsu Emenike for which nobody, including his greatest enemies, has faulted Ohakim, there is no other way to go but Ohakim’s way. These visionary projects were only interrupted by the stolen mandate. So if Okorocha is carrying some of them out, he should not fight shy of the fact that he is continuing with Ohakim’s programmes.

Okorocha lately has been confusing Imo people and even the media with some false claims and his abracadabra. By all counts, Imo should rank about 17 among the states in terms of federal allocations. But he is making Imo look like it ranks with the likes of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. Contractors are just lured into construction work all over the place without any due process or contract papers, on the promise that payment won’t be a problem once they mobilized to site. Contractors have jumped into the scam, making it look like Imo has so much money or that he is making savings through prudence.

Contractors are now trapped in the construction scam.

Okorocha does not know the difference between political statement and policy statement. He promised free education from primary to secondary level. He recently suspended the salaries of the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary for education for three months because of late payment of teachers’ salaries. The fault is not with the Commissioner or the Permanent Secretary. The ill-digested free education is in trouble! Yet out of panic, he announces free education up to university level! Till today there is no law backing his free education! Free education is not captured in his budget approved by the rubber stamp House of Assembly.

Another confusion he sets up in Imo is the one he calls ICAPS, Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies, where he wants to turn an English or geography graduate into an engineer in six months! What type of engineer? Is there any statute setting up such a school? Has it been accredited by COREN or NUC or NBTE? What degree will such institution be awarding? Nobody knows!

Okorocha has no patience for the rule of law or due process.

There are over 100 court cases against his government. He does not obey court orders. He sacks tenured institutions without due process. He used soldiers to chase away elected local government chairmen after an Owerri High Court presided over by Imo Chief Judge, Justice Njemanze, ruled that he had no powers to remove the chairmen. Governor Okorocha is busy fighting everybody. He is fighting fellow South-east governors. He has factionalized his borrowed party APGA and now wants to return to PDP. We all recall how he was used in 2003 to destabilize the All Nigeria Peoples Party, after which he returned to PDP to be rewarded with the post of Special Adviser to President Obasanjo. He has divided Imo State House of Assembly, after using it to reverse some of Ohakim’s policies. The people of Owerri zone are today gnashing their teeth for the insult Okorocha is dishing to them.

After helping him to power, he hijacks Imo State University from the permanent site Ohakim relocated it in Ngo Okpala/ Mbaise, to his village in Ogboko to complete the asset stripping of Imo started by former Governor Achike Udenwa!

Rochas Okorocha has shown his true colour as an unreliable man. He told Imo people that he would govern for one term and use Imo as platform to contest for president in 2015. He was asked in a recent interview if he was going to keep his words. He quickly denied saying so, saying that after four years he would ask Imo people what next they would want him to do! Incredible arrogance and deception! After sacking 10,000 workers employed by Ohakim, he claimed that he had screened and recalled 2500 of them for a start. Till today, not one of them has been recalled. Rather he goes about promising that he will create 20,000 jobs in a tile factory alone! Let us ask his so-called Italian partners how big their own tile factory is and if it employs up to 5000 people? Okorocha must be a magician!

He claimed recently that he gave each local government N2 billion. That would amount to N54 billion. Where did he get that? Was it budgeted for? He also deceives Imo people every month about the allocation given to LGs after JAAC. Do they really receive the advertised amount? Let him show Imo people proof!

He talks about prudence, yet he would build a new edifice as office for his wife, when the former First Lady’s office was renovated by Okakim and is very impressive. He abandoned the new Multi-Purpose hall, the Ahiajoku Cultural Centre, which is part of the new Government House in area “P” completed by Ohakim only to build another multi-purpose hall inside what would soon become old Government House!

His Deputy cum Commissioner for Works knocks down the magnificent Deputy Governor’s Lodge to build himself a new one.

He has jeopardized the chances of most of the federal projects attracted to Imo State by Ohakim of being completed. He is not paying counterpart funds to attract other funds trapped at various federal and donor agencies in Abuja.

He claims that he has drastically reduced the cost of contracts.

There is a difference between scaling down the scope and concept of a project and reducing its cost. For example, after misinforming Imo people while in opposition with Udenwa and co that Ohakim’s Wonder Lake project was only existing on billboards, he goes to the project, renames it Blue Lake of Treasure and orders a contractor to build him a hall in the middle of the golf course.

While in opposition he told the world that Ohakim had embezzled the N18 billion bond money sourced for Wonder Lake and other projects. Ohakim handed over to him N13 billion of that money and till today he has not told Imo people that he received such money, where it is or what he has done with it. May God save Imo people!

• Emenike is a politician/ Public Affairs analyst living in Owerri

South-West governors quest for federal constitution

By Soyombo Opeyemi progress at varying speeds, amicably and smoothly, towards a more closely integrated economic, social and political unity, without sacrificing the principles and ideals in their divergent ways of life.”

It is not a moot question that it is the anomaly of welding the nationalities that make up Nigeria under a unitary structure since 1966 that has led to the disappearance of the groundnut pyramid in the North, cocoa in the West and palm produce in the East. It is responsible for the sorry state of affairs where every state or region goes to Abuja every month to collect allocation from the Federation Account rather than the states determining how much should go the centre (crude oil is only a secondary factor). It is the same situation that has led to monumental socio-economic losses foisted on each geopolitical zone, especially the South-west, which possesses the commercially strategic roads like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Sagamu-Benin Road. It is this same aberration of forcing the diverse elements within Nigeria to progress at the same speed that has ensured that the states or regions cannot, on their own, exploit the God-given mineral resources in their lands, even to the benefit of the whole nation, as the unitary constitution of a supposedly federal Nigeria strips them of the power to do so! It is the abnormality of unitarianism in a supposedly federal arrangement that sees a central government collects a monstrous 52 % revenue while the federating states go home with peanuts. Even on how to secure the local environment, every state still looks in the direction of Abuja, although the governor is proclaimed to be the Chief Security Officer of his state!

Yes, as I did observe in an earlier piece on federalism, you may have a President Jonathan that is predisposed to federalism

and would do everything possible to support a railway project from Lagos to Asaba, as the South-west governors have proposed to build, but what happens tomorrow when Jonathan is not there or when a myopic man holds court in Aso Rock and reaches out to the our unitary constitution which puts railway on the exclusive list? Therefore, it is important to enact a constitution that is truly federal and self-fulfilling, which does not have to depend on the goodwill of the man in Abuja. And that’s the kernel of the message of Senator Ibikunle Amosun and other governors from the West. You don’t want to start a (railway) project that will give you nightmare - the fear of one federal lord developing a brainwave and telling you the constitution bars you from embarking on such a project!

This is why it is important for President Jonathan to collaborate with the governors calling for full federalism to enact a constitution that truly makes Nigeria a federal republic. It’s not about politics or today but the future of our children and generations yet unborn. All the governors and President Jonathan must seize this moment to write their names in gold by returning Nigeria to the path of federalism through a federal constitution. In this regard, one must immediately commend President Jonathan for the decision to review the concessioning of the commercially strategic Lagos/Ibadan Expressway and Benin-Ore Road. Clearly, the decision is in the interest of all Nigerians.

The Federal Government is carrying a load that is heavier than that of 36 states. No, it should the other way round. Is it proper for the federal government, in a federation, to travel thousands of miles from Abuja in order to sink a borehole in a village or renovate a health centre in a far-flung community when there is a state government that is in touch

with such people on a daily basis, and will perform these responsibilities at a lower cost, since funds will move directly to where they are needed?

With 25% percent revenue allocation to the centre, for instance, the burden on the federal government will now be light. It usually beats my imagination why people in the provinces should be blaming the president for lack of development in their areas. It is simply because the centre looms large on the nation, bestrides the country like a colossus. This is what usually leads to cut-throat political contest at the centre. ‘Once you win the presidency, you have the states in your pockets!’ It is a wholesale aberration.

The Federal Government should now concentrate on core federal matters such as foreign affairs, currency, maritime shipping, defence, etc and maintenance of minimum standards in other socio-economic matters through legislation while powers are devolved to the states on those matters. With more revenue to the federating states and a truly federal constitution, the states, forming themselves into regions or collaborating, just like the governors of the West, will be in a position to open up the bowels of their lands, revive agriculture, construct railway, generate and distribute electricity, provide security for their own people, indeed develop at their own pace – reenacting and promoting healthy rivalries of the glorious days of the 50s and 60s and building a strong and enduring United States of Nigeria.

• Soyombo writes from Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

‘It’s not about politics or today but the future of our children and generations yet unborn. All the governors and President Jonathan must seize this moment to write their names in gold by returning Nigeria to the path of federalism through a federal constitution’

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

T

WO key developments last week again brought to the fore the debate on the desirability or otherwise of creating additional states in the country. The first was

by Ike Ekweremadu, deputy Senate President.

In a paper in Lagos titled ‘Constitutional Amendment and state creation’, he had disclosed that current demands for new states stand at 45. According to him, this is so even as the nation is yet to provide satisfactory answers to some nagging questions regarding the propriety of the 36 states structure or creation of new ones as against the return to regionalism on the basis of the six geo-political zones. He also raised such other posers as the extent “creation of more states has allayed the fears of minorities and feelings of marginalization and domination”.

Other issues Ekweremadu would want the nation to ponder are: the extent to which the existing states have resulted in speedy development and good governance; their viability and self- sustainability and the rationale for further expansion in the size and cost of governance.

The other event that bears positive correlation with the above was the report that there is no consensus between the Presidency and the National Assembly on the creation of additional states. Whereas the Presidency was said to be insisting that new states are not viable, the House of Representatives prefers the creation of additional local governments. It was also reported that the only concession that could come from the federal government if the pressure from the National Assembly becomes unbearable was

‘New states draw huge support largely for their political expediency rather than economic or d e v e l o p m e n t a l considerations. They are easily conceived as the surest way to access the national cake which regrettably has over the years, been mismanaged and looted by sundry buccaneers masquerading as leaders’

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Ekweremadu and new states’ debate to concede a state to the South-east which has been manifestly short-changed in the structure of extant states.

What these two developments inexorably point to is the fact that despite the high demands for it, the path to the creation of new states is strewn with intricate thorns. This is more so when it is realized that the lead character in this cynicism regarding the prospects of new states – Ekweremadu is the chairman of the senate committee on constitution review on whose shoulders the issue of state creation squarely rests. It is therefore to be imagined what will be the fate of the surging demands for new states in the face of the contradictions thrown up by Ekweremadu’s posers. The questions raised are both deep and tendentious as their resolution is bound to point the direction on this very sensitive issue.

Irrespective of the popularity and allure of new states, the issues raised by Ekweremadu are very central in the overall calculations for creating additional states. And many Nigerians know this. But the question that needed to be resolved is why the resurging agitations such that we now have demands for a whopping 45 new sates? Could it amount to an affirmation of the successful outing of extant states in redressing issues of alienation and marginalization, minority concerns and even development? Or is it a positive verdict on the self-sustainability, financial autonomy and viability of existing states? What of such more serious issues as their capacity to catalyze speedy and even development and enthrone good governance? Could it possibly be the pull of these lofty goals that accounts for the resurgence of agitations for new states

T

OVERNOR Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu’s second coming has been described by many as a period of consolidation for a better Niger State. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government took off in 2007 with an action plan targeted at promoting the welfare of citizens and to bring about the desired change needed for growth and development.

Areas of intervention by Governor Aliyu at inception ranged from re-invigoration of the machinery of governance to rapid revolutionalisation of public service, and from education to agricultural development.

Adequate attention was also paid to other fundamental sectors of human development as health, housing and environment, social security and rural development One of the deliberate steps Aliyu took to fulfil the solemn promises he made to the people of Niger state was to key in to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) framework as a guide post for achieving the eight developmental targets endorsed by world leaders under the auspices of United Nations General Assembly in September 2000 in New York.

The United Nations Millennium declaration embraces most of the International Development Targets (IDTs), which commits member states to meeting specific development targets by 2015. This includes eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and women empowerment; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability and developing global partnership for development.

Between May 2007 and now, the state government under

‘The administration has just approved the construction/drilling of another 75 solar-powered boreholes at average of three per local government area and also the construction and equipping of 13 comprehensive primary healthcare centres, to underscore the administration’s belief that promoting policies that ensure quick wins is the way to go’

such that we currently have demands for 45 new ones? These are some of the issues Ekweremadu would want to be resolved before a decision on new states could be taken.

No doubt, any attempt to proffer answers to these questions will inevitably throw up conflicting signals such that may negate the justification for new states.

But the issue is not so much with the demonstrable capacity of these states to deliver on these promises, as the desperate desire by the constituents to redress glaring inequities in the current state structure- a structure that is directly linked to revenue sharing, representation at the National Assembly, appointments and employment into all federal establishments. New states draw huge support largely for their political expediency rather than economic or developmental considerations. They are easily conceived as the surest way to access the national cake which regrettably has over the years, been mismanaged and looted by sundry buccaneers masquerading as leaders.

Thus, it will be incongruous to insist on positive answers to these posers or a credible measure of the issues of viability, selfsustainability, minority fears and even development before we respond to genuine demands for additional states. This is so because, if we push these questions to their logical conclusion, we may be confronted with irreconcilables regarding the propriety and continued relevance of subsisting state and local government structure. We can as well do away with them.

Even then, successive military regimes that left us with the current structure gave scant regard to issues of equity and balance such

MDGs: the Niger State example

By Danladi Ndayebo Aliyu’s watch has engendered meaningful change in the lives of the people by embarking on sustainable developmental projects that provide succour for poorest of the poor as envisioned by the MDGs. Driven by the aspiration to ensure that Niger State is rated among the leading states in Nigeria that seek to fast track achievement of the ambitious MDGs goals and targets, Governor Aliyu established the Niger State Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Office, a full-fledged agency to provide a clear framework for the MDGs process.

As part of efforts aimed at eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, government has scaled up investments in the agricultural sector through direct support and enabling policy environment to promote private sector participation in agriculture. This is to meet the target of ensuring food security and poverty eradication. Farmers now receive targeted incentives and support in form of subsidized fertilizer, improved seeds, crop protection products, farm inputs and training in new technologies of improving farm outputs.

Specifically, the MDGs agency in Niger State has renovated the farm institute in Tegina and has provided instructional materials. 60 Motorcycles have also been provided to the State Agricultural Development Projects for Agric extension services.

Universal access to education by children of school age including the girl child is another key sector. To fast track MDG targets, the state adopted free education policy from primary to secondary school since 2007. The free education model is anchored on the principle that education is a key enabler to human capital development. Again, education is a right and not a privilege and ensures equal access by boys and girls to achieve their life time opportunities. The pool of skilled labour expected from investment in education will support the burgeoning agro-allied industry in the state.

One unique thing in the policy is that every child in the state is treated equally, no matter the child’s state of origin or circumstances of birth.

Payment of examination fees for students including those organized by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

that some sections of the country justifiably feel short-changed within the scheme of our national affairs. We are yet to find the basis for giving the North-west zone seven states and others six whereas the South-east trails with only five states. This inequality is more pronounced in the structure of local governments. Again, with the status of Abuja, it could also be reasonably canvassed that the North-central has seven states.

So irrespective of the issues of viability, self-sustainability and high cost of governance that have been raised, they make no sense to a lot of people unless there is parity and equality in the structure of states.

They will not make sense to those who have suffered most on account of the shutting out of their children from federal positions that are shared on the basis of equality of states.

They will not make sense for those who over the years, have been short-changed in the sharing of revenue from the federation account because they have lesser number of states and local governments. That is the real issue. State creation has always been a political issue and must be redressed through the same political engineering process. Once this has been achieved, the debate on what form of governance framework best suits our circumstance can then begin. We can then debate within the comfort of this balance whether the geo-political zones, states or the local governments should be the unit of representation. We can then begin to look into the issue of devolution of powers either on the basis of states, local governments of the geo-political zones. Anything to the contrary will amount to a perpetuation of the subsisting inequities which have been the most potent source of the systemic stress that stare us on the face.

More fundamentally, these agitations arise because of the primacy and dominance of the federal authority in all spheres of our national life. The omnipresence and financial prowess of the federal authority account for the bitter struggle for power control at the centre. There exist very cogent reasons to whittle down the awesome powers at the centre through devolution of powers such that the states and local governments depend less on federal handouts.

With this, we will stave off the bitter power struggles that periodically manifest in ethnic militancy, its Boko Haram variant or sundry civil disturbances. So also the resurging demands for new states. But if we continue to brush these aside, the future direction may inevitably be charted for us by the potent forces of the social dynamics of history. Its outcome may be unpleasant.

and National Examinations Council (NECO) has resulted in changes in the educational landscape of the state.

Improvements in access to healthcare delivery equally points to growing investments in primary and secondary healthcare facilities spread across communities in the state.

Niger MDGs has so far constructed, equipped and supplied drugs to 13 comprehensive primary healthcare centres; renovated, equipped and supplied drugs to 100 basic health centres. Aside the existing facilities that were renovated, the Niger MDGs office constructed, equipped and supplied drugs to 100 basic health centres spread across the State.

Recognizing the importance of health training institutions to the reduction of child mortality and improving maternal and general health condition of Nigerlites, government renovated and equipped its four health institutions viz: School of Health Technology, Minna, School of Health Technology, Tungan Magajiya, School of Nursing, Bida and School of Midwifery, Minna.

A total of 50,000 insecticides treated mosquito nets (ITN) have been provided to pregnant women and children under the age of five by the agency aside the provision of 11 infant incubators purchased and distributed to the General Hospitals in the state. Five ambulances were also purchased to ply the highways to render assistance to accident victims while 50 tricycle ambulances were provided for services to the people in the rural areas.

These initiatives have resulted in reduction in child mortality, as more expectant mothers now have greater access to education and medical services that help the under five children.

In the area of provision of portable water, the state has constructed 75 solar-powered boreholes (3 per local government area) and 300 hand pump boreholes. The agency has also resuscitated 9 waters works and intervened in 51 Biwater schemes.

Ten Women Development Centres have been renovated and equipped with training facilities across the state as part of the state’s women empowerment policy. The works training school, Minna has also been renovated and equipped.

Interestingly, the administration has just approved the construction/drilling of another 75 solar-powered boreholes at average of three per local government area and also the construction and equipping of 13 comprehensive primary healthcare centres, to underscore the administration’s belief that promoting policies that ensure quick wins is the way to go.

• Ndayebo is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aliyu of Niger State.

Early goal excites Osaze

BATTLE OF KIGALI

Etuhu, others hit camp

Pg. 24

Pg. 41

•Etuhu

Targets 15-goal haul

Nation Monday, February 27, 2012

LIVERPOOL wins

Carling Cup L

IVERPOOL's six-year trophy drought ended Sunday after beating Cardiff 3-2 in a penalty shootout when Reds’ captain Steven Gerrard's cousin, Anthony Gerrard, missed the final spot kick.

The match finished at 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 after extra time, with Cardiff's Ben Turner scrambling the ball over the line in

the 118th to send the match into a shootout.

Cardiff led through Joe Mason's 19th-minute goal, before Martin Skrtel leveled for Liverpool on the hour to force the game into extra time.

Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool in front in the 108th minute, smashing in the rebound after his initial effort was blocked by Cardiff's Gerrard.

•Osaze

PAGE 23

24

41

NATIONSPORT MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Early

NATION SPORT

AndreaTonti NFF names Technical Director, sees problem in Falcons’coach in March Contador's ban From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt

E

X-PROFESSIONAL Italian Cyclist, Andrea Tonti has noted as a big challenge, the menace of doping in the sports industry globally.

Speaking with Sporting Life in Port Harcourt, he rues the undoing os several cyclists via doping and also noted that Alberto Contador's ban could have both economic and political effects.

"I think doping is a problem of sports generally in the whole world.

Many professionals have been victims of it.

"Talking about Contador, he is a champion, he is a professional and his ban is a big problem. Politically and economically, its a real big problem", he said.

On why he is in Nigeria, Tonti said: "Am here to represent the Italian federation, to promote cycling in Nigeria and to promote the sports that I love. I represent the president of the Italian Cycling federation who is a former world champion, by this visit."

Tonti is in Nigeria alongside Marangoni, the legal adviser of the Italian Cycling Federation to see how they can partner with the Nigeria Cycling Federation to promote the sport by sending both Nigerian athletes and coaches for training in Italy so as to develop talents from the nation to the international cadre.

A

TECHNICAL Director will be named for the NFF next month, along with coaches for the Super Falcons and the Flying Eagles.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said the Federation have decided to go ahead to name the coaches despite the series of court cases facing the football body.

"Even though there are

challenges here and there, we have decided that by the first week of March, the technical director and also the head coach of the Super Falcons and the coaching crew of the Under-20 male national teams will be made public," Amadu added.

The appointments have been pending since last year when Stephen Keshi was named Super Eagles coach.

BATTLE OF KIGALI

Osaze

Etafia thrilled by Man of the Match Award

N

Targets 15-goal haul

would have been better for us,” he told MTNFootball.com “We have to keep our heads and go out for victory in subsequent games to actualise our dreams for this season.”

Etafia dedicated his award, which carries a cash prize of 1,500 rands, to his coach Gordon Igesund and his teammates.

“The coach kept faith in me despite the Kaizer Chiefs match and overall the team worked hard for each other for us to get a result against Sundowns,” he said.

Swallows are sixth on the table with 30 points from 18 matches.

NSOFOR ready KESHI UNVEILS 11 for playoff Home-based for Rwanda with …Jabason vows to stage comeback

T

HE waiting game on home-based players who will make the Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda , came to a climax on Saturday, when the technical crew named the lucky 11 players that will join an equal number of European based players for the crucial qualifier against the Wasps of Rwanda.

It was another painful decision by Head Coach Stepehen Keshi and his crew as they again took time off to explain to the players that were are as good as those that had been chosen for the trip but not all can make the trip. “Many are called but few are chosen, just put in more effort and you will be back here soonest”, Keshi told the players after assistant coach Dan ‘the Bull’ Amokachi, named the five casualties.

The five players dropped from camp are Sharks goalie, Okemuteh Odah, Warri Wolves midfielder Ossai Uche,

Heartland’s striker Izu Azuka, Akwa United’s Solomon Jabason and baby-faced striker Barnabas Imenger of Kwara United.

As expected, Warri Wolves keeper Chigozie Agbim leads ten others that includes his club teammates Azubuike Egwueke and striker Sunday Mba, Papa Idris and Reuben Gabriel both of Kano Pillars and Sunshine Stars of Akure skipper Godfrey Oboabona. There is also Juwon Oshaniwa of Sharks of Port Harcourt , Heartland’s Bartholomew Ibenegbu and Obinna Nwachukwu, Rangers International’s diminutive winger, Ejike Uzoenyi., with Enyimba of Aba’s hitman Uche Kalu completing the list.

Speaking on the decamping, upcoming striker Solomon Jabason, said it was quite an experience for him to have been invited to the national camp and vowed that in due course he would bounce back to the team. “The coaching crew has told us that we still have a 100 per cent chance of making it and I have promised my self that I will be back soon even as I wish the team well in Kigali”, he said amidst smiles.

al

g

excites

•Osaze

IGERIAN goalkeeper Greg Etafia has expressed delight with the Man of the Match Award he won as his club Moroka Swallows drew 2-2 with table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns in a South African PSL game.

Etafia made several big saves to ensure Swallows got something out of this clash after one of his mistakes saw his club slump 3-0 to Kaizer Chiefs the previous week.

“It was a good and tough game. I was happy with my contribution in the game and the fact that I was named Man of the Match showed that my efforts were appreciated but victory

NATION SPORT

Accidents Mar 7th MONTHLY SATURDAY BOXING SHOW Garden City Cycling Panic, as boxer slumps in first round knockout Championship From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt

F

OUR accident cases in which about two of the key athletes who were medal bound at the 7th Garden City Cycling Championship were involved rocked the annual event that set Port Harcourt aglow on Sunday.

The usually colourful event witnessed some hitches this time as potholes in the areas of movement were not duly tended to.

According to the organizers, every effort made to get in touch with the Rivers state sports commissioner, Fred Igwe who would have assisted them in those technical areas failed.

NationSport scooped that the chairman of the Rivers state Cycling Association on appointment to see the sports boss could not succeed and after several hours of fruitless waiting had to leave.

This happens to be the highest number of casualties recorded in this event over the years. An Edo cyclist who was leading the female race was the first casualty. Rivers suffered the other three, one of them been the athlete who was leading the male amateur race be the crash.

Despite the casualties, the tournament maintained its colour with new champions emerging.

Emmanuel Onosanya had won the veteran category . Glory Odiase emerged winner of the female amateur race while Goodnews Clifford Edet emerged the male amateur winner in the 120km race.

W

EST BROM's Peter Odemwingie believes that his early goal in the English Premier League tie against Sunderland at the weekend was what gave the team the confidence to win.

The Nigerian international also expects to outclass last season's record of 15 goals by with his newly found goal- scoring form.

“I was very glad I could score an early goal and give confidence to the rest of the team.

"We didn't over-celebrate our last victory and were very serious because it was the right time to turn things around at The Hawthorns and get three points.

The 30-year-old bagged a brace in the 4-0 win over inform Sunderland on Saturday and now has five

Lokomotiv F L

•Nsofor

Nsofor, who suffered an injury towards end of last year, said he has returned to full action and will do his best to bang in the goals to ensure Lokomotiv win the championship.

"I am fully fit now, after my rehabilitation in Italy. I was with my team for pre-season in Portugal and Turkey. I even scored two goals in five games.

“I am fully fit and ready for the battle to help my team win the championship, I am looking forward to scoring goals to help us win.”

T

HE 28th edition of the Monthly Saturday Boxing Show, an initiative of Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, at the weekend recorded a first round knockout in one of the bouts.

Adeleke Adedeji kissed the canvass in the start of the 65kg bout against Michell Oriyomi whose right hand punch was too hard for him to hold back, at the Mobolaji Johnson sports centre, Rowe Park, Yaba.

It took swift response from the medical team on hand to revive the member of Diamond Boxing Club in the blue corner, after he slumped few minutes into the last bout of the day.

The referee and judges had to stop the fight as Adeleke could not get back to his feet to continue with the bout.

Other fights featured in the 9 bout competition were that between Tunde Sumade, who defeated Sulaimon Afisi in the 60kg category and Israel Akinola, who also gave Idris Ibaheem the beating of his life in the 50kg category.

Meanwhile, in the 75kg it was Qudus Aliu, who saw the better of Shina Balogun, and Peter Bender surrendering to the punching power of Tajudeen Sodiq in the 68kg category.

Also in the only female bout of the day, Ayobami Mustapha lost to

BATTLE goals in his last two outings for the Baggies.

Odemwingie's latest contribution helped Roy Hodgson's side earn their first victory at The Hawthorns in three months, which followed hot on the heels of their 5-1 win at Wolves.

"The most important thing for me is that we finally got a win at home for our fans," Odemwingie told the club's official website.

"It was very important to start well and get all the fans behind us right from the kick-off. "Hopefully we can win more games at home now.”

Odemwingie believes he can match his season's best tally of a 15-goal haul. His latest contribution helped Roy Hodgson's side earn their first victory at The Hawthorns in three months, which followed hot on the heels of their 5-1 win at Wolves.

ORMER African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, is thrilled by the excitement that has enveloped the Heineken Champions Planet where live match viewing of the UEFA champions league knock-out stage has attracted the elite of the society.

The 1997 African Footballer of the Year and former Super Eagles’ striker said he always looked forward to the stadium-like environment created at the Heineken Champions Planet. He was at last week’s activation of the Planet and hopes to be part of the programme till the final match in May. “I have been part of this viewing experience in the last few seasons and I am really amazed with the aesthetic work done here. This

gives everybody here a rare opportunity to be in an environment almost similar to the stadiums where the live matches are being played.”

“Heineken Champions Planet to me is a concept that has made many of the consumers to have a direct connection with the glamour and excitement of the competition.”

“On a personal note, the viewing experience has afforded me the opportunity to make new friends after my active days in football and at the same time be in contact with the corporate world where we all come together and appreciate good football in a more relaxed ambience,” he remarked.

The atmosphere is indeed electric as the Planet has gone through a massive renovation from

OF

By Innocent Amomoh Bose Oshomo in the 58kg category, while in the exhibition match, students of the Nigeria Model High School, Mushin, Saviour Francis and Joseph Badejo thrilled the fans to some exciting boxing, with Badejo winning the keenly contested encounter.

For both boxers, 12 and 10 years respectively, their dream is to make boxing a career of choice.

“I am passionate about the sport and I hope to get to the top as a boxer. In fact I am looking forward to becoming the next Muhammed Alli of boxing. We want to call for more support for us the future champions. The Governor Raji Fashola has really tried in the way he has encouraged sports at the grassroot and we want to thank him greatly,” Francis said.

However in the 52kg category, Hakeem Akinade defeated Junior Lukman, while Olaide Mustapha loss to Taiye Oluwo in the 65kg category. Also in the 69kg category, Niyi Emmanuel could not withstand the bravery and tenacity of Ademola Azeez, going down in a split decision. The next edition of the competition comes up March 31st, the last Saturday of next month.

KIGALI

Etuhu, others hit camp

T

HE mood at the Super Eagles camp assumed a more buoyant mood on Sunday evening as Euro-based national team players started to arrive in camp ahead of the trip to Kigali Rwanda , Monday night.

First to arrive camp, was Fulham combative midfielder Dickson Etuhu, who was in his trade mark dreadlocks

Heineken Champions Planet excites Ikpeba

OKOMOTIV Moscow striker Victor Nsofor has declared himself fully fit for next month’s Russian championship playoffs.

The Russian playoffs kick off March 3 and it involves the top eight teams of the league during the regular season.

The Railway men take on Kuban Krasnoder in their first game of this mini-league.

Other teams in the playoffs are Ahmed Musa’s CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow, who parade Emmanuel Emenike.

•Kid boxers seek more support from Fashola

what it used to be. To familiar visitors in the previous seasons, one striking change they will notice is the transformation of the viewing room that is the closest to the entrance. It now has a semblance of the room used in the 30 second ongoing UEFA Champions League television commercial in which one of the five legends, Clarence Seedorf took a shot at Guilucia Buffon. One would think the UEFA Champions League commercial launched last September was shot at the Heineken Champions Planet in Lagos.

Ikpeba, who made waves while playing for AS Monaco, took time to share his great moments with everyone at the Heineken Champions Planet.

and was immediately welcomed by Head Coach, Stephen Keshi and his assistants. After checking into his room, Etuhu said t h a t h i s teammates will b •Etuhu around later in t h e day or f i r s t t h i n g Monday morning, to w h i c h Keshi said he was aware of the development.

Keshi thereafter asked Etuhu to take care of his younger home lads in camp and he immediately started that after lunch by taking team captain Chigozie Agbim on a long talk, before he let him go to is room after lunch. Etuhu said of his return to the national team: “Its gladdening to be back and we need all the concentration to return Nigerian football to the very top in Africa ”, he said.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi also informed that he had given three of his players permission to arrive camp on Monday evening because they have Sunday games. The players are goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama of French side Lille , Joel Obi of inter Milan and Spain based Ikechukwu Uche.

“The players are ready for the game and the advance party have been giving us positive information on what we need to do, so we must be prepared for the task at hand”, Keshi said.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

25

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Southwest governors believe the first step towards the economic rejuvenation of the six states is regional integration. Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU highlights the obstacles against the realisation of the agenda and solutions proffered by stakeholders.

Can Southwest overcome obstacles against integration?

F

IFTY-THREE years ago, the defunct Western Region was a model for other zones in the country. The first premier, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and his team of ministers and legislators laid a solid foundation which his successors, both civilian and military, failed to effectively build upon, especially after independence.

In post-Awolowo era, the geo-political zone faces new challenges of development, which impose a heavier burden on the five progressive governors on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Awo’s legacies have endured. They have remained a benchmark for decades. Thus, the people of the zone are seized by nostalgic feelings because the region is now at a crossroad.

Many questions abound on the future of the Southwest in a traumatised and lopsided federal structure. How can the glory of the region reputed for scoring firsts in nearly many fields be restored?

Can the Southwest bounce back as the leading regional economy, a pacesetter in modern public administration, enterprise and good governance? In what way can Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos states look inward and forge a common bond of economic unity, in spite of perennial differences ? Can the comparative advantages of mutual enterprise and industry be consciously explored and effectively maximised by the states?

Currently, social amenities in the zone are ebbing away. At the recent Legislative Summit on Regional Integration at Ibadan, political headquarters of the zone, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola cried out that youth unemployment had become a time bomb. The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Omowale Kuye, attributed the dangerous trend to the collapse of industries across the states. The most important federal road - the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is impassable. Out of frustration, the governors resolved that, since the distant Federal Government had closed its eyes to the infrastructure battle in the Southwest, they may pull resources together to tar the road.

More worrisome to the governors is the dwindling federal allocation to the states, despite their soaring responsibilities. In addition, Yoruba has completely lost out in the distribution of important political offices at the centre.

Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) chieftain Dipo Famakinwa lamented that, in this dispensation, Yoruba are in for an unfair deal as a backward region. He pointed out that the absence of Yoruba in the commanding height of the regulatory agencies is weakening its influence in some strategic sectors, including banking, finance and telecommunications.

A review of submissions made by governors, legislators, statesmen and technocrats at the Ibadan Summit showed that “the attainment intentions” of the integration are plausible. The goals of economic integration include collective infrastructural development, human capital development, em-

ber of the National Assembly Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora contended that, unless the constitution is reviewed, it is impossible for the states to dabble into these areas.

Senator Olufemi Lanlehin argued that, not only is constitution amendment necessary, it should be amended in a way that would devolve powers to the states. Sources said the pro-integration legislators have to begin intense lobbying, gain the confidence of their colleagues in other zones and make their appreciate that states have a lot to gain, if they can in the nearest future legislate on power and rail transport.

Political difference

•ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and Ondo State ACN governorship aspirant Mr Wale Akinterinwa at the summit

•Senators Gbenga Ashafa and Ganiyu Solomon at the summit

‘Having repudiated the ‘mainstream’ option, a false and short-sighted approach canvassed by the conservative bloc in the region, the six governors seemed to have taken the bull by the horn. The idea of regional economic integration is beautiful on paper. Now, to translate it into reality without further procrastination is another hurdle’ ployment generation, improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP), galvanising the private sector, cultural awakening, enhancement of living standard, and good governance. However, it is acknowledged that the implementation process may be more tasking.

Governors and other functionaries have identified the areas of comparative advantage, which could make leverage possible.

These are the core strategic hubs of development. For example, Famakinwa said Ekiti has comparative advantage in education, human capital development, agriculture and tourism. Lagos has advantages in commerce, industries and services. Ogun’s strength ties in oil and gas, energy and industries. Similarly, Ondo has capacities in the areas of oil and gas, energy and agriculture, especially in cocoa. Osun’s potentials include tourism, agriculture, especially cocoa and animal husbandry. Oyo,

naturally has edge in agricultural processing, packaging, and small scale processes.

Having repudiated the ‘mainstream’ option, a false and shortsighted approach canvassed by the conservative bloc in the region, the six governors seemed to have taken the bull by the horn. The idea of regional economic integration is beautiful on paper. Now, to translate it into reality without further procrastination is another hurdle.

Stakeholders have agreed to set up a broad-based committee comprising nominees from six states and Edo to work out preliminary implementation details.

However, certain hindrances are on the way. Some participants, who spoke with The Nation at the threeday summit listed them as constitutional constraints, slight political differences, financial constraints, repressed suspicion and disunity among significant actors, lack of adequate information and

enlightenment, wrong conceptual perception (integration, collaboration or regionalism), misperception and misinterpretation of goal by the Federal Government, lack of commitment among actors outside the court of brains behind the initiative.

Constitutional constraints The flawed 1999 Constitution is the greatest obstacle to the realisation of the latent dream.

Currently, some of the projects critical to the achievement of integration cannot be undertaken by the Southwest states because they fall under the Exclusive List, which only the Federal Government can legislate upon. Two examples are power and rail. In the past, when Lagos and Rivers states implemented their Independent Power Projects (IPP), the Federal Government hijacked them. Former mem-

Southwest has three antagonistic political parties today; ACN, Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and Labour Party (LP). ACN is controlling Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, and Ekiti states. LP holds sway in Ondo. Despite its initial endorsement of the proposals, Ondo State government may have backed out from the plan, at least, for now. This is a set back because of the geographical location of the state and its contiguity to other participating states. How to retain power may be more important to Governor Mimiko. Conversely, extending ACN’s tentacles to the Sunshine State is the priority of ACN. In this election year, while integration is perceived as a unifying project, contest for power between ACN and LP has drew a wedge between leaders on both divides.

The programme can also be aborted, if ACN suddenly finds itself in slumber and a conservative party gains control. To forestall that, the deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Joke Orelope-Adefulire advised ACN leaders in the region to protect the stronghold against intruders.

Financial constraints Mutually beneficial projects in agriculture, transportation, education, power, and manufacturing sector have their financial implications. Indeed, the integration agenda is an eye opener for the Southwest. If true federalism is restored in Nigeria, is the zone prepared for its challenges? This is also the lesson of the moment. States in the zone are now equally endowed. Apart from Lagos, Ondo and, perhaps, Ogun, others are among the poorest states in the country. Therefore, the initial financial burden cannot be shared equally. Implementation processes should have to be undertaken through sheer collective will, sense of common pride and spirit of neighborliness and oneness. The focus, said Abike Dabiri-Erewa, is the gain that would accrue to Southwest as a whole in the future.

Repressed suspicion and distrust In the 80s, cracks appeared on the wall of brotherhood in the Southwest when the National Party of •Continued on page 26

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

26

POLITICS

Reps investigate poor quality of police welfare

‘Probe ‘ll sanitise polity’ Senator Mudashiru Hussein represents Osun South District in the National Assembly. He spoke with reporters in Lagos on his legislative activities. Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

OU were in the House of Representatives for eight years.

Now, you are a senator. What are the adjustment difficulties you have encountered?

It is a big challenge. I see it as a call to duty. As a result of the little achievements that we recorded in Lagos State, my people called me that I should come back home. So, I see it as a call to duty and an important opportunity to replicate what I have done in Lagos in Osun West district of Osun State.

What is the difference between serving in the Senate and the House?

There is a lot of difference. In the House, we have 360 members and being there was an experience. Having being a representative of people at the Lower Chamber and now as a senator at the Upper Chamber, I have a higher task to perform.

As a green horn in the Senate, how fast are you learning the rope?

Since I’m not a new person in the legislature, I think I learn so fast. To be a senator is not a day’s job and because of the experience that I had secured in the lower House, it is a lot easier.

What is your view about the recent petrol subsidy removal and how will the development in any way affect the 2012 budget?

It will affect the 2012 budget because the Federal Government did not consult the National Assembly before removing subsidy. We initiated the move against subsidy perversion.

Senator Bukola Saraki initiated the probe in the oil sector because we discovered that there was a lot of corruption going on in that sector. Well, the Senate as a whole mandated three committees; Petroleum, Appropriation and Finance committees; to investigate and conduct public hearing which we did and very soon, the report will be out. We were doing that kind of investigation during the break when Mr. President threw the bomb shell. We were shocked because we believed that he shouldn’t do that kind of thing to Nigerians. This is because it is the only area where Nigerians were benefiting. I mean subsiding oil.

Well, the budget that was brought to the National Assembly, of course, after the reaction of Nigerian people, the hike was reverted to N97.00 per litre because it will affect the original budget. Now, we are waiting for the review. That does not stop our job to invite all stakeholders from all sectors of the economy to come and present their budgets. Automatically, it is not going to be the same figures that were brought that will be approved because now, it seems that almost 65 per cent of subsidy has been

Y

removed. Before Federal Government can remove subsidy, there must be a dialogue. There must be a kind of awareness creation. You cannot just remove anything arbitrarily just because you want to remove it.

You must find out what is going out. Is it really true that we are subsidising the oil sector? If it is true, how many ships have been brought to this country? How many times do these so-called marketers load their own ships. All these we must find out. So, as far as we in the National Assembly are concerned, corruption is still there and we must get to the root of the matter.

Is there any hope that anything will come out of this ongoing probe by the National Assembly?

We have been having this kind of experience over the years. It depends on the leadership of the nation. It depends on the leadership of a company if he wants his company to move forward or if he wants his subordinates to work with transparency. The leadership of a nation must be seen as a transparent one as well. Honestly, I am not a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But from what I see from President Goodluck Jonathan, this time around, he wants to deal with these people.

That is why he has encouraged us to get to the root of this matter. You know we have done our own probe.

The House of Representatives is still doing its own. You will see that this time around, they are going to mention the names of people who participated in that corruption. In a matter of few weeks when the result will start coming out, you will see how so-called marketers, so-called cabal are sharing money without supplying oil. The President has assured us that we should just mention their names and Nigerians will see wonders.

Was the probe initiated at the instance of the President?

No. Senator Saraki brought this motion to the floor of the Senate. In the wisdom of the President of the Senate, he mandated the three committees to go and investigate the sector. Our first assignment initially was to go and investigate whether it was necessary to remove subsidy or not until we discovered that this thing was beyond the removal of subsidy. We found that there was massive corruption going on in (Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation) NNPC. Now, the question is, are we going to have NNPC as a body or we are going to scrap it? That answer will depend on the outcome of this investigation.

What is the worth of a National Assembly when its resolutions are ig-

T

•Senator Hussein

nored by the President?

Let me tell you something. The minority will have their say, the majority will have their way. We told the President at a closed session between him and the National Assembly: ‘don’t even mention the removal of oil subsidy now. What we are facing in this country now is beyond the removal of oil subsidy.’ We are facing the problem of security. Boko Haram is there killing innocent people and here, you are saying that you want Nigeria to be among the best 20 nations in 2020.

How can an investor come to Nigeria without having the desired peace? If I want to invest in this country, I must have comfort, I must have security for my company. You have not been able to address this security problem and you are saying you want to remove subsidy.

So, we told him, ‘please sir, don’t even talk about removal yet.’ But he went ahead to remove it and by doing so, he had already violated the constitution because in the National Assembly, if we are the representatives of the people and the constitution empowers us in Section 4 to legislate for good governance of this country, he ought to listen to us. And we believe that if he had accepted our own advice, the kind of riots we witnessed some weeks ago would not have happened. But since he did what he wanted to do, he had seen the reaction of the people. You see, we want democracy to survive. Otherwise, we have our own power to exercise.

What type of power are you talking about? Do you mean commencing impeachment process against the President?

I’m not saying that. We have powers that the constitution confers on us as legislators. It has not got to that level yet. You see, this is not a (Peoples Democratic Party) PDP affair. It is the entire country’s affair. You see, it was because of our intervention that he rescinded his decision by reverting the pump price to N97.00 from N141.

So, we are coming. We cannot do everything in a day. Rome was not built in a day after all.

•Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) chieftains; Dipo Famakinwa and Mrs Toke Benson; at the Legislative Summit on Regional Integration at Ibadan, Oyo State.

HE House of Representatives is to investigate factors responsible for the poor quality of police kits and the prevailing welfare condition of the personnel of the Nigerian Police.

This is as the lawmakers urged the Federal Government to immediately award scholarships to the children of Sergeant Sunday Bandang who was blown off while attempting to defuse a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Kaduna on February 14, 2012.

According to Rasaq Bello-Osagie (ACN, Edo) and 64 others in a motion seeking to find solution to the plight of policemen in the country regretted that policemen wear uniforms of various texture as well as different kinds of boots and sometimes found wearing bathroom slippers or sandals while on duty.

“This is worrisome because officers and men of the Nigeria. Police are expected to kited twice a year” “The general welfare of some police personnel is so appalling that some do not even have good and habitable quarter or barracks

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

thereby compromising their service delivery to the nation,” he said.

According to Osagie, welfare of officers and men of NPF appeared to be the least in the West Africa sub-region, “This is harmful and detrimental to the effective discharge of their statutory duties in protecting lives and property,” the lawmaker added.

House Committee on Police Affairs was given four weeks to report back to the House the outcome of its investigation.

Similarly, the House also urged the Federal government to immediately award scholarship to the children of late Sergeant Sunday Badang who died last week while trying to defuse a bomb in the Kaduna metropolis.

The lawmakers also urged the authorities of the Nigerian Police to set up a unit that would effect immediate settlement of all benefits of men and officers that died while on active duty.

Obstacles against integration •Continued from page 25

Nigeria (NPN) chieftains pushed for the sharing of assets and liabilities of Odu’a Group. The tonic was the election of Dr. Victor Olunloyo as the NPN governor of old Oyo State. Yoruba states still habour some differences, which serve as the bedrock of the avoidable boundary disputes.

In Lagos/Ogun States’ borders, officials still fight over collection of taxes. It was difficult for the ACN and PDP governments to live above partisan politics and collaborate over the construction of border roads.

At the summit, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who called for the establishment of a single mega regional university, pointed out that joint ventures have their negative effects, if participants disagree.

He said that Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has been a subject of dispute between Oyo and Osun States. It is worrisome that there are states that have not sent their nominees to “ad hoc integration committee’ set up by the governors before the summit. A situation where indigenes and non-indigenes of states who are Yoruba pay different school fees in stateowned tertiary institutions in the Southwest connotes lack of readiness for integration.

Politics of exclusion?

Shortly after the Ibadan Summit, there was the allegation that certain actors were not carried along by organisers. To them, in the absence of involvement, commitment is impossible. Alliance for Democracy (AD) chieftain, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, denied this allegation, saying that there was a broadbased consultation, adding that progressive elements who share the dream are welcome. Efforts are being made in some quarters to discredit the agenda by reducing it into an exclusive ACN affair.

Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker Dr. Wale Omirin called for enlightment of stakeholders in the Southwest. He said there is need to tap more ideas from people; traditional rulers, politicians, scholars and other segments. However, others have warned that there is no need to involve pro-mainstream politicians who harbours agends

for destabilisation.

Integration, collaboration or regionalism?

Some critics have uncritically confused integration with regionalism. Others have also wrongly perceived the agenda as a possible precursor to dissolution of the states and enthronement of regional government. Yet, others have described it as a prelude to secession.

To Dabiri-Erewa, this is sheer blackmail against the good intention of integration exponents, adding that it is wrong to ethnisise the genuine drive for regional progress. “When Southsouth and Southeast meet, there is no suspicion, but when it is the turn of Southwest to discuss its affairs, they insinuate”, she stressed.

There is no evidence that the integration curators have regionalism as a core goal. In 2000, a politician, Oloriunfunmi Basorun noted, in response to the Patriots’ clamour for regionalism, that “the idea of re-introducing the regions into the structure of the Nigerian polity at this time is retrogressive, expensive and out of tune with the general thinking in Nigeria. It is like dragging us 50 years back”. Many also believe that regionalism will deny them access to power and influence.

To resolve the conceptual misperception and misinterpretation, Ekiti legislator Segun Erinle called for sensitisation and enlightenment of the stakeholders. “For the people to support this initiative, they must know the details, objectives, goals and directions”, he added.

Politicisation of agenda

by Federal Government Aregbesola, in apparent response to the antics of critics, clarified that Southwest had no plan to secede from the federation. One of the routes to integration is restructuring of the polity and devolution of powers, following the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) by ethnic nationalities. When selected Southwest and Southsouth leaders visited the President recently in Abuja, he ruled out this option, saying that it is not necessary, since he had set up a panel chaired by Justice Alfa Belgore (rtd) to review the cconstitution.

CHARITY Senator unveils empowerment agenda Ogun

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CAPACITY

PROJECT

Ajimobi’s wife empowers women

Grassroots’ new deal from govt

Oyo

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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•Dr. Akintola

Oyo

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Page 27

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Clerics advise leaders on national issues

ELIGIOUS leaders have been urged to be proactive in their responses to issues of national importance.

They have also been advised to explore both the print and electronic media including, but not limited to the social networks, to make clear the position of Islam on such issues.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the 3rd Annual Conference of Imams and Scholars (CIS) held at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium, Akoka Lagos penultimate Saturday.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

The conference, whose theme was Islam and Nation Building, was organised by Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Lagos State chapter. Clerics across the state were in attendance.

The clerics hailed Nigeria Interreligious Council (NIREC) for its role of bridging the gap between Muslims and Christians across the country.

“CIS also implore NIREC to redou-

ble its efforts in promoting and encouraging Muslim-Christian dialogue periodically on issues affecting Nigerian Muslims and Christians with a view to eschewing religious bigotry, rancour, hatred and crises in the country,” the communiqué reads.

Earlier in his address, Coordinator of CIO Imam Abdullahi Shuaib said this year’s conference was to examine the role of our Imams and scholars as harbingers of peace and agent of positive change.

“As you are all aware, Nigeria as a

country is being threatened by the avalanche of political and socioeconomic crises, including ethnoreligious conflagrations across the six geo-political zones of the federation. The recent phenomenon called Boko Haram has added its ugly trend to the already bad situation in which we have found ourselves as a people.

“It must be stated that it is a paradox and a balance of apparent contradiction for any right-thinking •Continued on Page 36

W

HEN the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration came on board, one of its cardinal objectives was to ensure rapid development of the grassroots. Any wonder then that he has carried on with extraordinary zeal in spreading development to all the nook and cranny of the state.

However, one significant slant to Ogbeni’s style of distributing development for the good of the people is in his giving matching order to helmsmen at the local government areas to replicate the administration’s policy of grassroots development.

Happily, Ogbeni’s mind is at ease because, almost all the council chairmen seem to be imbued with the zeal for development. This informed what seems to be an evenhanded competition among the various local government chairmen in their bid to speed up development in their council areas.

In the circumstances, therefore, no one would be wordless should one be in the know of the level of development which the chairman caretaker committee of Osogbo Local Government Area , Hon. Isiaka Aderibigbe Faramade has brought about in the locality.

As soon as he was declared the chairman of the council, he embarked on massive development projects in all the nook and cranny of the council area. As expected, this was in line with the development agenda of the state government, to rapidly develop all parts of the state.

Mr Faramade has the knack to and passion for aggressive spread of developmental projects across the council area.

Recently, the council’s Executive Director, Centre For Good Governance and Public Accountability (CGGPA), Mallam Musiliudeen Oladimeji, conducted journalists round the council area which incidentally is located within the state capital. The facility tour was a showcase for the Faramade administration’s achievements within a space of 10 months.

Some of the numerous projects shown to journalists include provision of potable water by sinking of 28 boreholes, rural electrification, construction of bridges,

•Work in progress on a council road

A council’s grassroots development strides Projects spread across villages Residents praise chairman’s efforts From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

drainage and culverts, grading of roads, renovation of dilapidated maternity and health centres, building of new ones, renovation of the town planning office, provision of

transformers and town halls, among other community-based development projects.

To ensure equity and avoid possible crisis that may emanate from agitations against any form of marginalisation, the projects were

spread across the council area according to the need of each community.

All the communities like Adunmu, Oke Abesu, Akepe, Oke-Baale, Surulere-Okejetu, Isale Alfa-Owode, Irepodun Village, Fiwasaye, Tanisi, Iludun and Ajenisua have one project

or the other.

Mallam Oladimeji, who explained why projects done by the council should be monitored and assessed by the Centre For Good Governance and Public Accountability (CGGPA), said it has become imperative that funds allocated to local council authorities as third tier of government from the Federation Account must be well utilised.

He said: “In the case of Osogbo Local Government Area, the independent assessment of the council area because of its importance to the state as its capital cannot be over-emphasized. I must say that what the Faramade administration did and which we can see in terms of physical development is impressive.

•Continued on Page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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A council’s grassroots development strides •Continued from Page 27 “It is amazing that in less than a year in office as a caretaker administration, the council was able to achieve this much. It is expected that the level of development would double judging by the aggressive way the chairman is spreading developmental projects in all the nook and cranny of the council.”

Mr. Sulaiman Adegboye, a farmer at Ajenisua/Oke-Osun Farm Settlement stated that in time past they used travel far into Osogbo, the state capital, to receive medical treatment. He said the newly constructed primary health centre provided for them by the council would afford them the opportunity to manage their health well and at affordable costs. He, however, appealed to the council authorities to site a secondary school to serve the community and its adjoining villages.

Speaking after the assessment of his projects, , Hon. Faramade popularly called Rosebud, told journalists that it took his administration about four months to mobilise funds for the projects.

While expressing gratitude to the state government and the state House

J

UDGED from the important role social media played during the nation-wide strike occasioned by the removal of subsidy on petrol, it has become a veritable means of mobilisation.

The strike which lasted from January 9 to 16, made most Nigerians resort to it as a tool of passing information on issues.

Nigerians in their millions were glued to facebook, twitter, blackberry messenger, and so on to argue for and against the policy of deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry. At some point, it seemed that the opposition was wining the cyber war and there were rumours that the National Communications Commission (NCC) had directed mobile telecommunication operators to shut down blackberry services in some parts of the country notably Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna.

It turned out to be a mere rumour.

But what it brought to the fore is the influence which social media has come to wield in public policy and in the political environment.

In fact, President Goodluck Jonathan is said to have appointed a Special Adviser on New Media in the person of Reno Amakiri.

From having just about 400,000 telephone lines in 2001 when GSM was

of Assembly for supporting the council administrations in the state, he said he ensured that due process was observed during the execution of all the projects.

“In Osogbo Local Government Area, we owe the state government and the state House of Assembly a gratitude for our modest achievements as no council area could embark on any project without approval from the supervising government agencies.

“So, their supervision has helped us in no small measure because this has helped checks and balances and effectiveness in the administration of local governments in the state.

“My assignment here is to serve the people of the area and we have done our best in the area of physical development. W e clocked one year in office on February 17. But I believe that one year is not a small time in the life span of any administration.

We did our best for people to see and not to commend us because they have given us the mandate to provide these amenities for the people of the council area. I want to tell you that the projects are there for everybody to see and do the comparison,” he said.

•One of the projects executed by the council

Furore over NCC’s doors, toilets

By Wale Ajetunmobi

launched, Nigeria now boasts more than 95 million telephone lines, making her the country with the fastest growth in telecoms in the world.

Even in the effort to deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry and in the power sector, the poster template the government is using for the campaign is the NCC model.

For the agency to fulfil its mandate, it has to be properly funded.

Constitutionally, it is the duty of the National Assembly to approve

the budget of the government and its agencies and this is done annually. It is part of the oversight functions of the legislature.

In the weeks following the end of the fuel subsidy strike, many ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) were at the National Assembly to defend their budget proposal but the appearance by the management of the NCC before the House of Representatives Committee on Communication has raised some dust.

On February 8, the House of Representatives was said to have queried

Project vehicles are operational vehicles for compliance monitoring and surveillance exercises in Port Harcourt, Kano, and Lagos zones covering all the cities in the respective geo-political zones while monitoring vehicles are special purpose-built vehicles with equipment for drive tests designed for quality of service monitoring as they enable set-up tests with minimal vibration and shocks while in motion

•One of the 100 beneficiaries of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Free 2012 JAMB forms, Mr. Ibukun Sunday Micheal, receiving his photo card from council chairman, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan during the distribution ceremony at the council premises

the NCC management’s demand of N75m to fix and repair toilets and doors in its offices. Part of the money, according to the reports, is a request for N30m for furniture. The House of Representatives Committee on Communication was said to have queried Dr Eugene Juwah, executive Vice-Chairman of NCC on why the commission would put forward such a demand when N25m was approved for the same purpose in the 2011 budget.

The NCC was also accused of duplication with respect to the request for project vehicles at a cost N89m and quality of service vehicles for which the commission is asking for N72m.

The reports implied that project vehicles and quality of service vehicles mean the same thing.

This drew the ire of NCC which responded in a statement a couple of days later issued by its Head of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka.

The commission said the tone of the reports was contrary to the atmosphere of understanding that pervaded the budget defence by the NCC at the House of Representatives.

Muoka said: The sum of N75m under reference was for major works which were fully evaluated by the commission before the budget submission.

They include repainting of the external walls of the commission’s headquarters building, repairs and repainting of the steel roof structures.

This is in addition to a major face-lift of the reception areas, waiting room, two-wing canteen facilities with several equipment; provision of directional signs in the 9-storey edifice of the commission, in addition to replacement of old and unbefitting toi-

let doors and locks.

The NCC said there was no duplication in its demand of vehicles in its budget proposal. According to Muoka, the information provided in the budget details was explicit.

“Project vehicles are operational vehicles for compliance monitoring and surveillance exercises in Port Harcourt, Kano, and Lagos zones covering all the cities in the respective geo-political zones while monitoring vehicles are special purposebuilt vehicles with equipment for drive tests designed for quality of service monitoring as they enable set-up tests with minimal vibration and shocks while in motion,” he said in the statement.

He further said that there was also no query by the House Committee on Communication on the provision of N30m in the budget for procurement of furniture at the NCC headquarters and four zonal offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Ibadan. He added that the N10m provision for air conditioners at the headquarters building is for the phased replacement of some air conditioners, which have served out their useful life as procurement of new ones is more cost effective than the high cost of maintaining the old ones.

Muoka noted that minute details of each item on the budget proposal for 2012 were available during the budget session at the House of Representatives for any credible report by the media which wished to report the facts. The Nigerian Communications Commission is a responsible organisation and does not engage in frivolous budgeting as all works and services are carefully evaluated before the budgets are sent to the National Assembly.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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Senator unveils empowerment agenda

By Dada Aladelokun

•Kaka

A

CCEPT this token for now, keep faith with us and I assure you, we shall jointly laugh last.” This was the tacit message delivered to the people of Ogun East Senatorial District in Ijebu Ode at the launch of Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka’s empowerment programme.

In a carnival-like event that drew supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Kaka, who represents the district at the Senate chose the occa-

sion to kill two birds: He unveiled his Constituency Office along Ijebu Ode-Abeokuta Road and inaugurated his Sefiu Kaka Foundation, all in a bid to bring the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of his people.

Erstwhile governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who enjoined the people of Ogun State to give incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun a breathing space to concentrate on matters of good governance led other members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to the event.

Held at the Kaka’s Constituency Office amid songs by a mammoth crowd of party faithful, notably Kaka’s supporters, the well-attended event had dignitaries including Governor Amosun; his deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun; Ogun West Senator Akin Odunsi; Secretary to Ogun State Government, Adeoluwa Taiwo; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekanmbi; Ogun State ACN chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello; his deputy, Alhaji Wale Adeniji, and Abeokuta Central House of Representatives member, Olusegun Williams.

Osoba set the ball rolling after a brief dance to the supporters’ scintillating songs when he said that the time had come for all progressives

under the ACN banner to jettison disunity and work for the collective good of the state in order to ensure that the Amosun-led administration succeeded.

Amid thunderous applause, Osoba pleaded: “Let’s leave Amosun to face governance. I respect the office of the governor and so, when I was in saddle of leadership in the state late Pa (Senator) Abraham Adesanya also accorded my office the same respect. “Mine is to advise the governor whenever it is necessary. I want to seize this opportunity to tell you that I don’t bear any grudge against Governor Ibikunle Amosun. We don’t have any faction within the ACN party and we will never entertain it.”

Osoba further admonished ACN chieftains and supporters to work in harmony and choose credible candidates preparatory to the forthcoming local government polls without rancour.

Amosun rejoiced with the people of Ogun East for having Senator Kaka as their representative at the National Assembly, saying: “Senator Kaka has made you proud as a distinguished Senator and I promise to come in wherever it is necessary to complement the constituency projects which he (Kaka) has embarked upon.”

Kaka, in his response, disclosed that he had spent an initial sum of N25m on vehicles for mobile clinics; blood pressure monitoring;

blood glucose meters; kits’ reagents; minor eye operations; and training for treatment of three prevalent and most vicious but silent killer diseases under cardiometabolic care for diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases.

The project, under the foundation, Kaka disclosed, would include unemployment eradication, agricultural revitalisation, poverty reduction on all fronts and sporting activities, among others.

On his interest-free loans for commerce and industry, Kaka explained that he had injected N20m into it, adding that all that was needed was for beneficiaries to pay back in a year. “Mine is to get you empowered. I will pay the interests on the loans from my purse,” he pledged amid cheers.

On display at the venue were three brand new cars for the projects, including five motorcycles which Kaka said, would make it easier for the programmes get to the people at the grassroots.

What appeared a prelude to his programme was reeled off while reading his address. Sobriety descended on the venue as he raised his voice in an outburst against the various ills plaguing the society as a result of growing unemployment in the country, which he traced to crass ineptitude on the part of the country’s past leadership.

Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, who lectures at the Olabisi Onabanjo Uni-

versity, Ago-Iwoye, was among the dignitaries who appreciated the gesture.

“I was invited by Senator Kaka to be part of the project as a consultant. And I dare say that apart from seeing it as a very laudable project; I’m positive that if its focus and scope are kept inviolate and made to endure with people’s cooperation, its impact will be great.

It is exemplary.”

Journalist-turned grassroots politician, Olufemi Ezekiel Ogbonnikan, who is eyeing the chairmanship of Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of the state on the platform of the ACN, also said of the programme: “It is no surprise that this has come from Senator Kaka and by extension, the ACN, a truly people’s party. It is a tradition that has been laid by our reliable leaders in the state like Chief Osoba, Governor Amosun and all the other key figures of the party in the state. I think other parties only need to learn from them to create the new Nigeria of our dream.”

Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, a nationally acclaimed health expert, who described Kaka’s health programme as unique and timely, encouraged other political office holders to draw a cue from his example in order to really give governance a meaning among the people.

It was a moment Kaka described as “the foundation-laying of better time” for his people.

scribed him as the hope for the hopeless.

Eze Nwosu said that his cabinet conferred the title on Okelekwe because of what he has been able to do for the less-privileged people not only in Awka but beyond.

“Apart from establishing a scholar-

ship scheme through which students from every part of the country, this young man has done so many other things for the needy in the society.

That is why, after consulting with my cabinet, we decided to confer on him the title of Ochendo,” Obi Gibson Nwosu said.

Philanthropist floats scholarship scheme

H

E feels happy and fulfilled when less-privileged persons swarm around him both at home and on the road.

Today, Kodilichukwu Boniface Okelekwe is an administrator, a politician and an epitome of what a philanthropist should be because he started from a humble beginning. He felt and touched poverty.

A young man of 45 years, who was born in Umunaekwe Village in Ezeawulu, Nibo in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, he had to persevere in order to finish his tertiary education.

His journey to stardom began in far away Katsina State where he served his fatherland and since then, his life and story have been varying and each has been a veritable tale of success.

Before now, he had been local government personel officer, then secretary of legislative council of Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

However, between 1992 and 1993, the man they nicknamed helper to the helpless who walks around with his popular toga (Ubom-Nibo) came home and served as Special Assistant to the chairman of Awka South Local Government Area.

While serving in his new position as Personal Assistant to the defunct state chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), he displayed such integrity and immediately, he was promoted to the sensitive position of Secretary to the Fertiliser Distribution Committee.

This role fully prepared him adequately for the tasks ahead. He was appointed as fertiliser transporters for the Federal Capital Territory Abuja from 1996 to 2000 through an act of Grace of God. Okelekwe’s full involvement in party politics after the military regime brought him to the limelight. He was admired by the political class and the then Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chinweoke Mbadinuju who appointed him Special Assistant to the Governor, with responsibility for the Abuja and Kaduna offices.

•Chief Okelekwe, his wife (left) and others From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

There after, he went into business which, like other endeavours, has brought him immense success. Today, he sits atop a chain of blue chip companies.

He is the chief executive of Kodibo Nigerian Limited, Sali Bon International Company Limited, Glovic Communications Limited, Glovic Properties Limited, Glovic Resources Limited, Lincoln Hotels Limited and Essential Finishing Limited.

Any wonder that in 2009, former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s Oko Community in Orumba North Council Area of the state, honoured him with a significant chieftaincy title of Ezechimelu–Oko (meaning Godmade king).

In a chat with Newsextra, he said: “These blessing are not material ac-

quisition to be enjoyed in wild orgies of self-indulgence, but entrusted into my care to be used in the services of mankind and in the drive for a better society.”

Besides, Okelekwe’s “magnum opus” has been the setting up of Chiamaka Okelekwe Memorial Foundation in honour of his mother which is equally dedicated to philanthropy.

Through this foundation, hundreds of Nigerians will be able to study in various tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

He said. “My focus on education is borne out of my belief that the future of any nation, any society lay in education and that nobody should be denied the right to education.”

During his recent conferment of the traditional title of (Ochendo- Awka) (meaning the shelter of Awka) by the traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom, Obi Gibson Nwosu, the monarch de-

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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Ajimobi’s wife empowers women

T

•Mrs Ajimobi

HE Wife of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, has enjoined the new executive members of the National Council of Women Society(NCWS) Oyo State chapter, to harmonise all factions within the group to move the state forward.

Mrs Ajimobi gave this charge while presenting a cheque of N400,000 on behalf of the state government to the association in her office.

While stating that it is only where there is unity that progress and stability can be achieved, the wife of the Governor, congratulated the new Exco on their victory

Ogun to sustain development tempo

O

GUN State government has restated its resolve to ensure the successful implementation of its five cardinal programmes geared towards restoring the states’ lost glory despite scarcity of funds.

Commissioner for information and strategy.

Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu stated this while addressing executives of the state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) led by its chairman, Mr. Femi Dokunmu, in his office in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

Alhaji Olaniyonu disclosed that massive injection of funds into the education, health, housing, rural development and infrastructure, industrialisation and agriculture sectors which cumulatively formed the five cardinal programmes of the Amosun administration is aimed at taking the state back to its number one position amongst its peers.

He maintained that the administration is open to advice and suggestions from stakeholders for the purpose of improving on its policies and programmes while also noting that government will always welcome advice that will help it to achieve its global objective of rebuilding the state. “As a government, we are open to advice from all stakeholders in the mission to rebuild

Ogun the state, but we will not run government by proposal. We will consider those that fit into the global idea of achieving a secured, developed and peaceful state,” he noted.

Reacting to the issues concerning the rationalisation policy of the state government concerning state-owned higher institutions, the Commissioner said the move was a proactive measure to resuscitate the dwindling fortunes of tertiary education in the state, adding that it was meant to shift focus from quantity to qualitative and affordable education.

“OOU is sick, TASUED is sick and in rationalising, how do you kill a multidisciplinary institution like Olabisi Onabanjo University for a uni-disciplinary one like TASUED? It will even amaze you that the ratio of lecturers in some of the said ICT polytechnics’ was one lecturer to one student.

Our finances cannot sustain this arrangement which leaves the institution grossly underfunded and inadequately provided for,” he said.

Osun leads in implementation of Fadama project

Oyo From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

at the last election and also wished them a fruitful tenure in office, with an admonition to them to spend the money prudently for more of it to come to the association .

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development , Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation,Mrs Atinuke Osunkoya, had restated the commitment of the ministry to issues that relate to women.

Mrs Osunkoya urged the council to feel free to consult the ministry on issues relating to women in the state.

In her vote of thanks, the President of the council, Mrs Victoria Adetona, pledged that the money would be put to judicious use for the development of women in Oyo State. Mrs Adetona also used the occasion to express the council’s appreciation for the support given by Mrs Ajimobi during the election which she described as the first of its kind in the state.

O

• Oyo State Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi flanked by the Minister for National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman (left) and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Development and Intervention Fund, Dr. Adeyemi Fajingbesi, when the governor paid a courtesy call on the minister at his office in Abuja.

Lagos begins environmental sensitisation programme

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AGOS State government has kicked off environmental sensitisation and enlightenment programme aimed at ensuring safety of life and fostering environmental consciousness.

Already, the Ministry of Information and Strategy has printed hand bills for Lagosians to educate them about the safety measures in English and local languages.

Commissioner Lateef Ibirogba, who spoke with reporters on the sensitisation programme, said the measure was taken to prevent avoidable deaths and wanton disruption of property through sheer

Lagos

By Emmanuel Oladesu

ignorance and disobedience to laws.

No fewer than 10 categories of handbills educating people are being distributed. For example, there is one warning people about the danger of crossing busy expressway. The caption is: “Don’t cross the express road. Use pedestrian bridge”.

The wordings read: “Crossing the expressway is a suicide mission because it can send you to your early grave. The government has provided

Commissioner calls for dedication

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AGOS State Commissioner for Local Government and Chiefaincy Affairs Hon. Demorin Kuye has urged council staff to work harder to redeem the image of grassroots administration in the state.

The commissioner stated this during his visit to Oshodi –Isolo Local Government Area secretariat last week.

“All hands must be on deck and due process must be followed to achieve success at the local government. You must all work hand in hand to bring development to the council,” he said.

The commissioner also directed the council treasurer to embark on a fund drive to generate more revenue .

He stated that the internally generated funds should be properly used to embark on meaningful projects that will be beneficial to the people.

Kuye also tasked the Community Development Committee (CDC) in the council to work towards helping the council chairman to achieve his goals.

He urged them to help in areas of environmental cleanliness and report cases of drainage blockages to the council for

Lagos

By Amidu Arije

immediate action while stating that his office will provide an enabling environment for this purpose.

The commissioner urged the CDC to come up with the idea of forming CDC Corps that will help to monitor environmental cleanliness in their areas.

The council chairman, Hon Bolaji Idris Ariyoh, assured the commissioner that his administration would work to ensure that dividends of democracy get to the door step of the people. He promised to improve the welfare of the workers and the infrastructure at the council level.

He thanked the commissioner for the visit while promising to work hard to better the lot of people through his programmes.

Replying,the Council Manager, Mrs Olufunke Longe, promised that workers would be more committed to the goals of the chairman in bringing development to the council .

•Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Hon. Hakeem Bamgbola (second left) joined by (from left) Secretary to the Local Government Pastor Gbenga Oyebode; Special Adviser on information, Mr Adegbuyi Adesanya and Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue Mr Olatunde Olokodana during unveiling of the bus procured for the IGR Committee at the council secretariat, Baruwa, Lagos

Aspirant promises to take advantage HAIRMANSHIP aspirant on the of telecom platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)in Ogun State, Mr

C

•From Left Hon Kuye, Hon Ariyoh and the Secretary to the Local Government, Mr Daoud Olajobi Adeola, during Kuye's visit to the council

35

Adebayo Ayorinde, has pledged to bring his wealth of experience in telecommunication to open up the Abeokuta North Local Government of Ogun State if given the mandate.

Ayorinde, who was a top executive in Reyoms Global Communication, Lagos, said there was the need to properly integrate the youth by exposing them to telecommunication. This, he believed, would drastically arrest the rising cases of youth joblessness in the area.

He said: “My dream is to ensure that we position the youth to take advantage of the telecom, they can begin to operate their personal business in the industry and make decent living for themselves, they don’t have to rely on government or nonexistent jobs, this we can do by creating the enabling environment.”

Ayorinde, who is a Microsoft certified engineer, noted that Nigerian youths

Ogun

today have continued to wallow in hopelessness because they have not been able to strike the right cord.

He said if given the mandate by ACN, he would ensure that the parties manifesto take priority in his programme as the people had started to enjoy the fruits of democracy since the party took over the leadership baton in the state.

“We shall look into uplifting our primary schools, ensure that roads that fall within our territory and grades are developed so that market women and farmers alike take their products to where they can be easily dispensed with instead of •Ayorinde rotting away.”

pedestrian bridges for you and other cherished citizens so that your life can be safe. Therefore, why must you cross the express road when you can easily use convenient pedestrian bridges which are in every part of the state?”.

Ibirogba said government is worried about the number of people being hit by vehicles on the roads. “If they have made use of the bridges, tragedy would have been averted”, he added.

The commissioner explained that accidents are also caused by the negligence of drivers.

He frowned at those of them who drink while driving. There is a pamphlet alerting commuters to the menace of drinks on the wheel. It reads: “Don’t drink and drive.

Whenever you are on the wheel, do not drink so that you can be in control of your sense and respond well to the risks on the road. Also, do not drive whenever you are drunk because driving requires maximun concentration. Don’t endanger your life and that of other road users.

Drive carefully to reach your destination safely”.

In anticipation of the rainy season, efforts are also being made to prepare Lagosians for heavy downpour. Lagosians are enjoined by the commissioner not to build on drainage channels. They are also advised to shun indiscriminate dumping of refuse to avoid blocking the drains. A special handbill being distributed across the local governments reads: “Building on drainage channel is a risk to your life. Dumping of refuse into drain paths is also a source of epidemic and flooding. Therefore, do not put any structure on these channels or empty your wastes into gutters and other drain paths. It is dangerous and constitutes serious threat to your life and lives of other people”.

Face-offs between government workers and citizens had led to wanton destruction of public property in recent times. For example, misunderstanding between motorcyclists and BRT drivers had led to the torching of the buses by irate crowd. Thus, there is now a conscious effort to nip that in the bud, said the commissioner.

SUN has emerged the second best state and the best in South-West region of the country in the implementation of

the Fadama III agricultural project.

The Project Co-coordinator of the programme,Mr Wale Adeniji, disclosed this in Osogbo, while presenting the award from the Federal Government to Mr Wale Adedoyin, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security.

The World Bank project places premium on the payment of counterpart funds by the participating states.

The project coordinator said that the state government had contributed more than N310 million to the Fadama III pragramme to ensure its success.

Adeniji, who lauded the state government for its support, said that the full payment of its counterpart funds contributed in no small

Osun measure to the success of the programme in the state.

He said that the criteria for the award included timeliness of payment of counterpart funds and provision of adequate office facilities by the state and local governments.

In an address, the commissioner reiterated the commitment of the state government toward massive food production.

“This award is another manifestation of the huge commitment of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration to agriculture and food security.

“Landmark initiatives such as Osun Rural Enterprises and Agriculture Programme (OREAP), Osun Meal, (O-MEAL) among others are parts of the efforts in that direction,” he said.

Lawmaker urges govt to rescind decision on varsity

By Musa Odoshimokhe

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member of the House of Representatives from Yewa South/ Ipokia Federal Constituency, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, has urged Governor Ibikunle Amosun to shelve the plan to change the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun to Tai Solarin College of Education.

Akinlade, who is the House Committee Chairman on Science and Technology, noted that the decision to scrap the institution is uncalled for as the law establishing it was still in existence.

“The decision is illegal because the institution like others was established by an act of the state assembly, until the act is repealed; the decision by the state government is null and void.”

He condemned the process that threw up the decision and he asserted that the governor must had been ill-advised.

“This decision is ill-conceived as it does not represent the programme of our party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN both at the state and federal level. It is not in the interest of the people and our party stands for the people, the action is hereby condemned by National Assembly members from Ogun State elected on the platform of the ACN,” he affirmed.

While praisiing the Ogun State House of Assembly for standing against the development, he urged them to continue to tow the path of justice and equity in the affairs of the state.

He urged the government to reverse the decision and engage in far-reaching consultation with stakeholders in the institution. ‘‘Majority of the people are against this decision not for political reasons but for the future of our youths whose destinies are tied to education,” he added.

•From left: Chairman, Ikeja Local Goverment, Hon. Wale Odunlami and the Commissioner for Rural Development, Lagos State, Hon. Cornelius Ojalabi, during rural development programme held in the Local Government

Deputy governor advises cocoa farmers

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HE Osun State Deputy Governor, Otunba Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, has advised cocoa farmers to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the improved seedlings being offered to farmers in the state.

She gave the advice while addressing the farmers at the Cocoa Seed Gardens recently.

The Deputy Governor pointed out that “agriculture has the highest appropriation this

Osun current fiscal year as a practical demonstration of the commitment of the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration to the development of agriculture.

“The people of Osun State are predominantly farmers and the sector is very dear to our hearts,” she said.

Briefly

‘Breastfeed your baby ‘ THECONSULTANT Pediatrician of Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Dr Zanab Imam, has advised mothers to maintain a hygienic living in feeding their children to prevent them from disease.

The medical practioner told journalists during Nestle Start Healthy programme , entitled: New Easy Scoop,that exclusive breastfeeding is the best way for children to stay healthy .

She stressed on the need to feed babies properly saying breast milk substitution for babies whose mothers cannot breast feed and complementary feeds which also contain milk.

She said: “milk is a very good culture medium for microbial growth following contamination during preparation and feeding, the resultant diarrhea illness remains a major killer of children’’ According to her, the burden of diarrhoea however continues to haunt the developing world and most people do not have access to these basic infrastructures in these countries.

Politician seeks support for Ajimobi A woman leader in the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), in Oyo State, Alhaja Ramotallahi Balogun, has called for support for the AbiolaAjimobi administration as a precursor for real development in the state.

Alhaja Balogun said in Ibadan, Oyo State that the governor would need the support and encourangement of all to excel to develop every aspect of the state.This, she said, is achievable when the ruling party in the state succeeded in winning all the thirty-three local governments whenever the local polls was billed to hold.

“The positive physical and psychological changes reflected in infrastructural development and peaceful atmosphere, prompt payment of workers emoluments, giant strides in the education sector, provision of jobs for the teeming youths and other people-oriented programmes of this government deserve commendation,” she said.

She, however, called the attention of the governor to the neglect suffered by Oke Ogun from the previous administrationsand redress this .

•The Osun State Deputy Governor, Otunba Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori addressing cocoa farmers at the Cocoa Seed Garden

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

CITYBEATS THE NATION

31

E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

A community's metamorphosis •Agency: We’ve delivered on our mandate

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T is a dream come true. For 32 years, they campaigned for the rehabilitation of their roads, usually impassable whenever it rains. Last year, residents of Ilupeju Titun communities in Orile-Agege, a Lagos suburb, saw hell on those roads.

The July 10, last year’s rain, which wreaked havoc in Lagos, was particularly devastating in that area.

No fewer than 10 persons, including babies were killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed. With the rehabilitation of the road by the government, it seems the worst is over for them, no matter the intensity of the rain this year.

Reliving her experience, Mrs Dorcas Lawal said she abandoned her house on Alaramimo Street, one of the streets adjoining Soretire Street, for about two months after the flood.

"I finally came back to this house in October and had to buy five truck loads of sand to refill my compound. The flood destroyed my fence and property whose worth is inestimable,” she said.

Adewumi Alabi, whose house is being threatened by the canal on Alaramimo Street, said the abandonment of the concrete wall on the canal is posing a major threat to houses in the area.

"Anytime the canal overflows as a result of the rain, it enters into homes and eats into the foundation of our houses, thereby weakening them. We usually stay outside anytime it rains and you can't imagine how we use to pray against night rains so as to avoid disasters in this area," he said.

A commercial motorcycle operator, who identified himself as Mutiu, said he had almost concluded plans to move out of the area when he saw the government move in late last year to begin work.

According to him, except those who have houses in the area, tenants like him do not always stay long because the area, over the last three decades, has degenerated into an unlivable zone.

"Nobody likes to live here before. Gullies are everywhere as a result of the effect of the rains and these have affected the roads making them impassable. Even okada riders can't move here. Those who came here with cars often sell them as scraps within months as they would have been damaged by the roads," Mutiu said.

A housewife, who identified herself as Alhaja Ismaila, said though the area had been crying for help for over two decades, last year's rain was the most devastating.

She said: "People left this area in droves following the July 10 rain and even those of us who refused to leave have been living under the fear of what might happen if another heavy rain falls in the area."

These fears been adGullies are have dressed. The resieverywhere dents can now breathe better as

• Oguntade Street...before the reconstruction began. Inset: Fashola

• Soretire Street ... now

By Yinka Aderibigbe

the government through its agency - the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP), has attended to two of the major roads that were a major headache to the communities.

One of the roads already attended to is

Soretire Street. The road, which measures 611 metres and was impassable because of incessant flooding, now wears a new look when CityBeats went to monitor the extent of work in the area last week.

Not only has the drainage been rebuilt and properly covered to serve as pedestrian walk-way, the first asphalt coating had been

laid. It was gathered that the road would be delivered by month end.

But the most profound of the work going on is the reconstruction at Oguntade Street.

A portion of the 565-metre road, which begins at old Cele Bus stop (which has been cancelled) after Super Bus Stop, on Lagos/ • SEE PAGE 32

House to review law

Akiolu seeks arrest of rioters Govt regularises casual workers

THE Lagos State House of Assembly will review laws prohibiting smoking of Indian Hemp in recreation centres, Chairman of its committee on Youth, Sport and Social Development, Babatunde Ayeni, has said.

Ayeni spoke during a visit to the Office of Youths and Social Development at Alausa, Ikeja, as part of the committee’s oversight functions. He said: "The House has received complaints and petitions on the activities of hoodlums and miscreants who have turned various parks in the state to haven for Indian hemp smoking.”

The lawmaker said the House through the Committee would review law establishing recreation centres in order to put a stop to the trend. A member of the Committee, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, representing Ojo Constituency II, narrated how miscreants defaced public schools in his constituency with faeces turning it into public toilets.

OBA Rilwanu Akiolu of Lagos has called on security operatives to fish out those involved in the bloody clash in the city last week.

He said those fingered in the mayhem should be arrested to serve as deterrent to others.

He also condemned policemen at Adeniji Adele, saying they are not proactive.

The monarch, who deplored the wanton destruction of properties during the clash, said henceforth, nobody should be allowed to sleep in the market at night.

THE Federal Government has directed that the employment of all casual workers at the Egbin Thermal Power Station, Lagos be regularised with immediate effect.

Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, gave the directive when he opened the plant's gymnasium centre. Nnaji, who described Egbin as the most important power plant in the country, said the workers should not be treated shabbily.

He said: "We are committed to paying everybody and anyone that is a certified casual worker. We are sending their names in for immediate regularisation. The Minister said the workers would eventually get permanent employment when investors finally takes over the plant.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

32

CITY BEATS

A community's metamorphosis

•Continued from page 31 Abeokuta Expressway, and terminates at New Oko-Oba Road, had been overtaken by weeds, when the contractor Laralek, moved to site early this year.

According to Chief Jelili Jimoh, who moved into the area 27 years ago, the road serves as a relief road for those going to New Oko-Oba from the Lagos/Abeokuta axis.

"At that time, we used to have Cele bus stop on the expressway.

This is the road I use, going out of my house or returning from office everyday before I retired. But, it was abandoned when erosion made it impassable.

Gradually, as a result of the neglect, the road became bushy as weeds took over what used to be the very busy road.

"Before the contractor came here, you cannot ride a bicycle on the road talk less of motorcycle or vehicle. Anyone who passes this place today would not be able to imagine what we went through. What has been done here is fantastic and we sincerely thank our amiable governor for this," he said.

Jimoh, the Apesin of Oko-Obaland and Treasurer of the Ilupeju Titun/ Orile Agege Community Development Association (CDA), said many of those who were calling him names when he started sand-filling his plot of land before building his house in the ‘80s have seen the result of his foresight over the years as his house remained the only one unaffected by the floods in the past.

Jimoh, a retired staff member of FirstBank, said what makes the place most vulnerable is the Oko-

Oba canal that passes through the area.

He said: "Any time it rains, the canal embankment would be completely covered and, at such times, people living at the other side of the canal would have to wait till the water subsides. There was a day people stayed in my house from 5pm till 3am the following morning before they could go home."

He praised Governor Babatunde Fashola for his renewed commitment in the project, adding that with the work going on, the confidence of the people in the government has been rekindled.

Chairman of the CDA, Alhaji Yisa Ahmadu Ejalonibu, said the community had been agitating for the rehabilitation of the roads since the early ‘80s, adding that at a point the government implored the CDA to stop writing as it would find a way round the environmental degradation of the area.

"We had been bombarding the government with our petitions since 1983 when we began to experience corrosive erosion in this area. At a time the government asked us to stop writing as they would address the issue. We are very happy and grateful to the present administration for solving our problem."

Ejalonibu, who brought out tons of correspondence to back his claims, however, pointed out that the good work at Soretire and Oguntade streets might be eroded by flood that might over run them from Olagoke Street.

He explained that Olagoke Street has always suffered flood as the water from Super and Kotangowa

•Ejalonibu

‘

But an LMDGP official, Mrs Joy Oke, said the agency might no longer handle Ogundele Street. Responding to a text message from this reporter, who sought to know if the agency would handle Ogundele Street, Oke, a Civil Engineer, and project supervisor, simply replied: "We are not working on Ogundele Street."

The LMDGP Project Director, Mr Bayo Kelekun, corroborated her response. The agency’s top shot said the World Bank-assisted agency might not handle the project as it has no such cash to embark on all projects in all its areas of focus.

"Ogundele Street and any other such ones would be handled by the Orile Agege Local Council Development Area. We are working in nine slum areas, and I do not have

enough cash to tackle all the challenges in all these communities. In Orile Agege alone, we are also working on Ajiboye Street and Arigbanla Street, besides what we are doing at Oguntade and Soretire Streets. We have been able to show the council that building roads that could last can be done, let them take over from there. The local government could speak with the local contractor to extend his scope to Ogundele Street."

Kelekun described the projects as a fulfilment of the promises of Governor Fashola to Lagosians during his campaigns last year.

"During the campaigns, the governor had told Lagosians that the state had set up an agency to tackle all the issues facing the people living in the slum areas of the state.

He promised the electorates that the slums would soon witness a face lift. What LMDGP is doing in Orile-Agege and other slum areas, simultaneously is in partial fulfillment of that promise," he asserted.

The LCDA chief, Mr Taofeek Adaranijo, in an interview praised the quality of job done by the agency. "The quality of work done on the roads by the LMDGP is fantastic. The thickness of the asphalt meets the specification approved by the government. I only wish that they also speed up work on their promises for primary health care centres and schools."

He said the council would work with the Ministry of Works in addressing other outstanding issues in the area. "I m aware that the Ministry of Works has measured the entire Ogundele road. We will continue to work with them," he said.

And on the Alaramimo canal, the chairman said he has no capacity to embark on the project. "I have no means to take up the canal project. I have passed it over to the Ministry of the Environment for appropriate action," Adaranijo disclosed.

ought to be said," Mrs Fashola said.

She enjoined them to be role models not only for their family members but ensure that they support their husbands and their community.

"We must represent our offices and government properly and with decency," she added.

On the security threat in the country, she said it was high time women become involved in the happenings

within their neigbourhood.

"We have been contributing to security in the past, and now we are saying women need to look out for certain things that constitute security risks in our environment. We expect you all to go back home and educate people at the grassroots."

Mrs Aregbesola, in her contribution, welcomed the development which she said would promote unity among the Southwestern states and ensure good governance to the people.

Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Oluranti Adebule, urged the women to continue to do their best for the state to realise its objectives.

The guest lecturer, Mrs Teni Aofiyebi, who spoke on etiquette and hospitality, described the event as a reflection of the importance the government places on the upliftment and well-being of topmost women and government officials in the state.

She charged them on the need to be punctual at fora, complement rather than complain or make derogatory comments at gatherings and mind their business.

A senior officer from the Ikeja Command of the Police, who spoke on security and safety awareness, said with the recent trend of extreme political violence witnessed in the country, it behoves on individual and public office holders to desire to take all reasonable precautions for their personal safety and that of their immediate community.

• Jimoh

We had been bombarding the government with our petitions since 1983 when we began to experience corrosive erosion in this area

Market usually sack the road as it passes Oguntade to empty at the canal.

"If Olagoke is not addressed, we might soon discover that flood might wash away the good work that is going on on Oguntade Street and this would affect Soretire Street. We have always requested for the repair of Olagoke Street in all our correspondence to the governor and the appropriate ministries; yet, it was not included in the ones approved for execution by the LMDGP." He also urged the agency to embark on work on Ogundele Street which was the third street listed for rehabilitation in the area, wondering when it would be done when the job on other ones are more than 80 per cent completed.

’

Enhancing efficiency among women office holders

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T was a gathering of women from Lagos and other Southwest states. They comprised women in government and wives of top officials. They were brought together by wife of Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola.

Her counterpart from Osun State Mrs Sharifat Aregbesola was also in attendance.

The event took place at Dehall, Ikeja.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, described the event as a conscious effort at human capital development.

She charged women to take the forum seriously as it would help build their self-esteem and enhance their efficiency.

She said advancement in technology has made the environment in which they operate very competitive, stressing that with people becoming more sophisticated, it was imperative for them to brush up their skills and fit into the new trend.

"It is very important that we go through the training on protocol. It will help us deliver more impactful

• Cross section of participants at the event

By Miriam Ndikanwu

services,”Mrs Orelope-Adefulire said Welcoming participants to the forum, Mrs Fashola explained that it was necessary for the women to converge and discuss issues that would enable them function effectively.

She said a team of professionals from various backgrounds had been

assembled to educate them on issues, such as protocol, security and safety awareness, etiquette and hospitality, among others.

She said with a new set of leaders emerging after the election, it was necessary to convene such forum to put them on the right pedestal.

"That way you will know the right way to do things and what

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

33

CITY BEATS FROM THE GRASSROOTS

Council chief empowers youths

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HE Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Babatunde Oke, has given three transformers and tools to some youths to commemorate his 100 days in office.

Handing over the items to beneficiaries at the secretariat, he said the gesture was borne out of the need to make the people self reliant.

He said the celebration of the 100 days in office was to give further insight on what the government has done to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

Oke listed the achievements to include rehabilitation of roads, provision of health care services for primary school and training of political office holders and technocrats on various subject to improve the productivity of the workforce.

He noted that the LCDA has sponsored pupils at various coaching centres and competitive events within and outside the country. He listed such to include 2011 New Era Youth Leadership Camp (NEYOCA), a musical fiesta organised by o r Committed SO el un ra et m i to Tinubu and the people’s Speaker Cup well being football competition.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Oke said a meeting was also convened between the Conference of Heads of Primary Schools in Ikeja division to discuss the future of primary school, adding that two pupils from the primary school in the LCDA were sponsored to South Africa for the exchange programme initiated by the BRF foundation.

He also restated the government commitment to agriculture development, adding that 11 persons will be sponsored to the state Ministry of Agriculture Youth Empowerment Scheme tagged Agric -Yes. He spoke of the government’s effort in the development of markets across the LCDA. Oke said the Kuyasin Awuse Market would be re-developed to a modern market.

"The council had concluded negotiation with Rontex Engineering Nigeria Limited for the redevelopment of the market to a modern shopping complex."

He assured that the government would do everything possible to create enabling environment and ensure that the people enjoy dividend of democracy.

He also commended the effort of UAC Food Nigeria Limited at collaborating with the government to improve the life of the people.

• Oke giving out the transformers at the event

Yam sellers get free medical service

A

S part of its corporate social responsibility, the Gbagada General Hospital has offered free medical services to yam sellers in Mile 12, in IkosiIsheri Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

The market men and women tested their blood sugar level during the exercise.

Chairperson of the Governing Board of the Hospital Dr Tokunbo Oluwole said the exercise will address cases of hypertension and diabetes.

A member of the board of the hospital, who represents the interest of the community on the board, Mr Danialu Hamzat, said the initiative is meant to prevent growing cases of health problems in the community. ''It is part of my responsibility as a community leader. I am impressed with the turn out at the exercise. The

By Amidu Arije

essence of the free medical service is to make the marketers take good care of their health.

He said the exercise would be taken to other local government areas to avail the market men and women in the state avail themselves of this opportunity to know their health status.

Chief Tunde Temionu, another member of the hospital’s governing board, said the state-wide exercise is part of the hospital’s corporate social responsibility. ''This is part of our second year anniversary and it is part of our corporate social responsibility at the Gbagada General Hospital. The exercise took off in Ikosi Isheri Lcal Council Development Authority (LCDA) and we are taking it to other neighbouring local councils,'' he said.

Mrs Tinuke Ogundipe, a Pharmacist, told reporters that the exercise is a right step in the right direction.

She stated that the governing board of the Gbagada General Hospital is apt in making sure the hospital records success in its activities, while assuring the people that the board have enough drugs to cater for the people in all the areas where the free medical service will be taking to. ''We have enough drugs to cater for the needs of the people, with the support of the pharmaceutical companies within and outside the local government area the project will receive a huge success,'' she said.

One of the beneficiaries of the free medical service, Mallam Muhammed Usman, thanked the hospital for its foresight and move which he said is aimed at reducing cases of hypertension and diabetes among the aged.

Lagos Assembly to establish vigilante groups

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• Mr Pather (left) presenting a certificate to an employee, Tijani Abdullahi

S

O curb criminal activities in Lagos State, members of the House of Assembly have moved for a law establishing vigilante groups, to be known as Community Security Marshals (CSM).

Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1) cited the provision of Section 14 (2) (b) of the constitution, which reads "security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, in moving the motion.”

He said the government in line with the fundamental objectives and principles of state policy, is

By Oziegbe Okoeki

providing new facilities and upgrading existing ones to spend huge sums of tax payers' money to buy equipment for the law enforcement agencies toward the security of lives and property.

The lawmaker further noted and commended the initiative of the state government in mobilising corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals to contribute to the fight against crimes through the Security Trust Fund, which achievements have been acknowledged.

Starcomms initiates ambassador programme, award for workers

TARCOMMS Plc, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator in the telecoms industry, has launched an initiative that allows for more effective engagement of its employees. It is tagged Starcomms Ambassador Programme.

Also, the company has instituted a monthly recognition award for outstanding employees.

The initiative, which is targeted at all members of staff, especially the non-sales employees, allows for more competitive edge by motivating workers to promote the company's wide variety of products and services within their circle of influences (family and friends).

Starcomms Chief Executive fficer(CEO) Mr Logan Pather disclosed this in Lagos, saying one of the objectives of the programme is to encourage workers to become

By Yinka Aderibigbe

entrepreneurs and participate in or be responsible for the company's sales.

Pather, while explaining the rationale for the initiative, affirmed that it is to improve the company's bottom line, among other things, and instill a sense of pride in the company's employees as ambassadors. Highlighting the benefits of this scheme, he said members of staff should avail themselves the opportunity of increasing their paycheck by earning attractive commissions from sales.

"This programme will afford our employees the opportunity to increase their paycheck by earning attractive commissions for sales. It will also give them an idea of how

they can make a difference to retaining, growing and attracting new customers. Additionally, it provides an excellent platform for product knowledge so they can answer basic questions about the company's product or service line," Logan added.

In a related development, the company has also put in place, a monthly recognition award for outstanding performance of its employees, as a way of rewarding and recognising their diligent efforts.

According to Pather, when employees and their works are valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise and they are motivated to maintain or improve their good work, adding that, it is also an excellent strategy to raise morale and encour-

age higher levels of performance.

The staff recognition programme allows all employees to be eligible for recognition since the recognition supplies the specific information about what behaviors or actions are being rewarded and recognized.

Commenting on the workability of the programme, Pather maintained that the recognition is done monthly and members of staff are nominated by their supervisors and outstanding employees will receive a certificate from the company's CEO. He said: "Employee recognition is an acknowledgement of a person's or team's behaviour, effort or business result that supports the organisation's goals and values, and which has clearly been beyond normal expectations.”

He said: "The New social-economic nature initiative of the state encourages the to fight influx of people with crime different shades of character into the state on daily basis thereby making the nooks and crannies of the state to be more prone to criminal activities, particularly now that the spate of crime and violence has increased in the country.

"There was a time that the nooks and crannies of Lagos were almost predominantly manned by vigilante groups whose activities were complementary to the duties of the Nigeria Police and which collaboration with other law enforcement agencies fostered an era of peace in the provision of relative security for lives and property in the state," he noted.

Agunbiade, while explaining that the vigilante groups hardly exist in most parts of the state, expressed worry that where these groups still exist, they are effective with their rapid response to crime fighting.

Members, who contributed to the motion, commended Agunbiade for coming up with such a motion. They advised that the Neighbourhood Watch bill should be amended instead of calling on the House Committee on Rural Development to liaise with the Ministry of Rural Development to fashion out a bill for a law to establish Community Security Marshals throughout the state.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

34

CITYBEATS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK We shall not allow any vehicle to use the place for a motor park any longer because it is vulnerable to a lot of impact. Our duty is to prepare for emergency at all times; by so doing, we want to ensure the area is returned to a green area.

Managing Director of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, on the accident that occurred at the Mile 2 bus stop, on Lagos/ Badagry Expressway recently.

drivers were faring. He added that regular feedback would also assist the company in its effort to enhance service delivery and target its services and support appropriately.

While expressing the gratitude of the Managing Director, Mr Opuiyo Oforiokuma, who was unavoidably absent, to the drivers for their support, Imevbore enjoined them and other users of the tolled road to embrace the electronic payment system (Swiftpass and e-Tag) because of its multiple benefits. Mr Oforiokuma later confirmed LCC's plan to send the next batch of 200 drivers to LASDRI this year, saying, "We're privileged at LCC to be able to support the communities we serve in this way.

Road safety is a collective responsibility, but one which also relies very heavily on individuals, especially drivers, to excercise care and attention at all times. Unfortunately, many drivers who use the road have never had any formal driver training before, and are, therefore, a danger to themselves and to other road users.

“Therefore, anything that can be done to improve drivers' knowledge and skills should help to improve road safety and save lives.

We remain committed to the LASDRI programme and will be

sending more drivers for training soon".

The transporters in their testimonials affirmed their faith in the Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway brand even as they were full of praises for LCC for sending them to LASDRI. They said the re-certification has not only bolstered their driving skills, but has also impacted positively on their productivity, just as they restated their commitment to be safety conscious at all times.

One of the speakers and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), T&M Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Adesokan Oladejo, applauded the gesture by LCC which he said would go a long way in strengthening the symbiotic relationship between the firm and the transport operators. On his part, the Finance Director of the same company, Alhaji Shamsideen Alejo, said: ''We have gained so much knowledge from the re-certification programme.”

The interactive session today has also afforded us opportunity to learn more about the Lekki toll road project; we truly appreciate LCC because we are happy with what it is doing.'' Chairman, Bonny Camp sector, Mr Abiodun Akindele, appealed to his fellow operators who have not registered their vehicles for the e-Tag to do so without any further delay because of its immense benefits.

Chief Executive Officer, LASDRI, Mr Ayodeji Oyedokun, while speaking on the social impact of commercial danfo drivers, noted that driving as a vocation is critical to the overall development of society especially in our clime where the majority of the citizens commute by road.

He said whatever drivers do on the road has economic, social and environmental implications, thus urging them to always behave responsibly while driving. ''The intelligence quotient of a driver is expected to be high because lives are committed to his hand when he drives on the road. That is why the re-certification programme which LCC has facilitated and fully sponsored, is commendable. Bad driving behaviour will affect development, so be at alert whenever you drive,'' he added.

The highpoint of the interactive session was the opportunity for exchange of ideas in a most frank and convivial manner as the transport operators freely expressed themselves and got solutions to issues that agitated their minds.

ing the link, cannot but play its watchdog's role.

Omotoso said: "As far as the media and the public are concerned, they see the vision and mission of the agency as laid down by its managers as laws that must be followed to the

letter.

"In other words, they (public) expect your word to be your bond. By the time you derail from the letters of the edict which sets you up and the mission and vision behind the agency, then there is a lacuna.”

• LCC officials with the re-certified commercial bus drivers and the executives of commercial transporters during the presentation of the re-certified drivers

Lekki road concessionaire trains 200 bus drivers

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O enhance road safety and improve drivers' skills and productivity, Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) has sponsored 200 commercial bus operators and drivers for re-certification at the Lagos State Driver's Institute (LASDRI) in Epe, as part its corporate social responsibility.

The drivers, who have successfully completed the training, were drawn from major commercial transport companies operating along the Lekki-Epe axis.

The beneficiaries of the re-certification training comprised 75 drivers each from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and 75 drivers from Bonny Camp sectors, while the remaining 50 came from T&M transport segment. LCC assured them that the re-certification programme would continue, as the next batch of drivers would be sent to LASDRI soon. City Bus and BAMD are also among the transport operators that LCC collaborates with.

During an interactive session to commemorate the passing out of the first 200 drivers that have completed the training, and to promote best practices and experiences in traffic management, control and enforcement, Head of Operational Services, LCC, Mr Charles Imevbore, said the

By Yinka Aderibigbe

decision to send the drivers to LASDRI was informed by the need to enhance their knowledge of the highway code and other road safety rules, especially because human lives are entrusted to their care every time they are behind the wheels of their commercial transport vehicles.

He commended them for the cordial working relationship established between the operators and LCC, describing them as ''a very important stakeholder group.'' The session, which was well-attended by the transport operators, held at Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. ''We express our utmost gratitude for the cordial manner in which we have been relating with each other over the years. You are a very important constituent. As users of the

tolled expressway, it is important that you and LCC collaborate to make the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway project work. The re-certification training that we have facilitated for you, therefore, is to ensure that you clearly understand the Highway Code, rules of the road, and the various road signs and symbols in use today. The intent is that collectively, we can ensure the safety of road users, and minimise accidents and avoidable loss of life and property'', Imevbore declared.

He assured all stakeholders of LCC's commitment to maintain the newly upgraded expressway in world class condition, and highlighted the critical condition of the road infrastructure for the area.

Imevbore appealed to the leadership of the various transport groups to always provide LCC with up-to-date information on how the re-certified

‘

The intelligence quotient of a driver is expected to be high because lives are committed to his hand when he drives on the road. That is why the re-certification, which LCC has facilitated and fully sponsored, is commendable

’

At retreat, Lagos waste managers plot against filth

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ITY cleaners - the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), may have made a major breakthrough in its waste-to-wealth efforts.

The stage is set for the authority to launch its waste-to-energy scheme at the Olusosun Landfill Site at Oregun, near the old Tollgate at the Ojota end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Barring the unforeseen, the pilot phase of the ambitious project will be inaugurated in another two weeks.

CityBeats learnt that the electricity to be generated from the organic waste will benefit traders at the Ikosi Fruit Market.

LAWMA's Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer Olanrewaju Oresanya dropped the hint at the yearly retreat organised recently for the agency's top management staff.

Fresh from the five-day clinic, held at the Eko Tourist Beach Resort, Akodo, on Lagos Peninsula, where its egg-heads appraised its operations in the past 12 months, the agency looked set to hit the ground

By Bunmi Ogunmodede

running with the agenda drawn up by its various departments for implementation.

Expectedly, Oresanya, led the senior managers to the clinic tagged: Bridging the linkages for strategic growth.

The retreat afforded the various units the opportunity to interface as their heads took turns to present their scorecards, list the challenges in the previous year, and set a strategic roadmap on how to attain a filth-free environment and a more beautiful Lagos.

Besides mapping out the ground rules for future operations, consultants were invited from the corporate institutions, especially from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the media, to do an overview of the impact of the IT so far and give the management the public perception of the agency.

For instance, the Editor of The Nation, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, who was invited, gave the management team an insight into public perception of

•Olusosun dump site

the authority in his lecture entitled: Public and media expectation of government agencies: A case study of LAWMA. He urged them to keep faith with whatever promise they make as the public is keeping a tab on LAWMA's operations and that the media, be-

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

36

Clerics advise leaders on national issues •Continued from Page 27 person to ascribe the deadly activities of members of Boko Haram to Islam. This is because, Islam epitomises peace and its adherents are expected to be vanguards of peace and change agents in terms of bringing development and growth to any society where they are domiciled,” he said.

He continued: “It is against this backdrop that we are here to espouse what Islam offers to Nigerians irrespective of their religious affiliations and more importantly, the role of Imams and scholars in creating, facilitating and promoting a peaceful and an egalitarian society where all and sundry will be able to actualise their vision/mission without encroaching on the rights and privileges of their fellow compatriots.”

Conference of Islamic Organisations, he said, condemns in its entirety, the various spades of bombings, which resulted in the destruction of lives of innocent Nigerians and properties valued over billions of Naira across the country.

“This act of terrorism does not spare anyone from being a victim.

Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to fight this scourge and nip it in the bud. We must appreciate

A

As part of the reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a distress call centre that will be operational 24 hour was launched in Abuja last week.

The NYSC Distress Call Centre is designed to address the security of and concern for security of corps members, especially after the unfortunate events of April 2011. It is an electronic platform that corps members in distress can call into and will ensure they are quickly linked to help from the police and other security agencies within their locality.

Speaking at the launch of the centre, the Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier-General Nnamdi Okore-Affia said it became imperative to launch the project to protect corps members who had been exposed to violence such as rape, kidnapping and violent attacks wherever they may be during their primary assignments.

According to him, the call centre would complement the services of the police and the State Security Service to help corps members who may

•NYSC member at the event

what Allah has given to us in this country in terms of abundant human and natural resources. Our cultural and religious diversities are heavenly-divined and as such, they should not be seen as source of curse but source of blessing if properly managed by both the religious and political leaders.

“We should not compromise the indivisibility of our country. We must all strive to protect and preserve it for the good of our people and generations to come after us,” he added.

Among the speakers at the conference included Dr Sirajudeen Bilal; CIO Mufti Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I and Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Dr Is-haq Lakin Akintola.

Dr Bilal decried poor level of governance in the country, even as he blamed Imams and scholars for their low level participation in politics.

He said it is imperative for both religious and political leaders to complement one another in the act of governance of the country in order to make life meaningful for Nigerians.

“It is pertinent for Muslim leaders to close ranks irrespective of their socio-cultural and geographical backgrounds. Most importantly, Islamic scholars and Imams

•From left: Shekih Shafi’i; Imam Shuaib and Dr. Bilal

should endeavour to use their good offices to promote and facilitate unity among the rank and file of the Muslim community for the over-all development and growth of the country,” he said.

Shafi’I urged Muslim leaders to be change agents in their various Mosques and Islamic organisations; and be foremost in promoting equality, social justice, toler-

ance, brotherhood and peaceful coexistence in the country.

The revered cleric said Islamic organisations and mosques should, as a matter of importance, revive training and education of Muslim child spiritually, morally, physically, socially, economically and politically in anticipation of their role as future leaders.

Akintola frowned at the reckless-

ness, barbaric and inhuman activities of the Boko Haram group.

He condemned the killings of innocent people by members of the group through indiscriminate bombings of public and private buildings.

The Lagos State University (LASU) Senior lecturer implored the Federal Government to engage the group in a dialogue.

Repositioning the NYSC for productivity

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

be in distress or danger in any part of the country.

Okore-Affia disclosed that the call centres will only be operational on week days and be “moderated” at the weekends. He recalled that previous response to the security of corps members were strategic interface with schedule security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders. The centre has five stations working already. The features of the centre are calls, text messages and e-mail messages.

The NYSC boss, who gave the emergency numbers as 070022556972, 092912128, 092912129, 092912131, 092912132, 092912256 and 092912259, said the call centre was just one of the complementary steps being taken to address the serious challenges in the scheme.

Okore-Affia said the centre was es-

tablished with the desire to create an IT-driven platform where corps members can communicate speedily with top management and get help whenever they are in distress. He added that the information has heightened the safety awareness among corps members and staff of the scheme.

Speaking while inaugurating the Distress Call Centre at the scheme’s headquarters at the weekend, Minister of Youth and Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said it was important to display higher and more innovative capacities in protecting corps members and restore public confidence in the scheme.

Abdullahi called on corps members to take advantage of the establishment of the call centre to make their service year more rewarding in order to acquire the necessary skills to fall back on after the service year.

He added that as policy makers, they have a responsibility to ensure

that the lives of corps members are adequately protected as, according to him, “no goal or objective is worth more than that of any corps member.”

Recently, the NYSC boss at the permanent orientation camp in Yikpata, Kwara State, gave hint of how the project would work.

According to him, beginning from the next batch of corps members to be posted out to their respective primary assignments, they are now to submit their telephone numbers to their state coordinators, which would, in turn, be uploaded to the NYSC data system at their places of primary assignments.

He said: “If you call any of our numbers with your GSM phone, everything about you will appear including your place of primary assignment. So, you will be contacted fast and easy if you are in trouble.”

According to him, the issue of insecurity is leading to pressure on the scheme to compromise posting policy which holds that corps members be posted to states other than theirs. Abdullahi said the initiative was in line with the ministry’s mission of an IT-driven youth development agenda.

Recall that since after the 2011 general elections, the NYSC has been in the news. What has particularly kept a lot of analysts busy is what to do with the scheme to make it deliver on its original mandate, and much more.

These debates were triggered off by the killing of over 10 corps members in Bauchi and Kaduna states during the post-election violence that erupted in parts of the country. The fact that corps members had played a vital role in the success of the 2011 general elections which were adjudged to be the fairest since the return of democracy in 1999, did not, in any way, shield them from attacks.

The death of the corps members naturally caused furore and drove home the urgency for reforming the NIYSC. But like most Nigerian debates, everyone has an opinion on what the best strategies should be and what should constitute the key ingredients of the reforms. From the heated conversation, however, one could glean some common concerns.

These include: How successful has the

scheme been in delivering on its primary mandate of serving as a platform for national integration?

More than 40 years after the civil war that led to its institution and 38 years after its establishment, is the scheme still relevant? Does the scheme serve any practical purpose in preparing the corps members to face modern day challenges like unemployment? Is it possible to refocus the scheme on current national challenges, while still delivering on its original mandate?

As the debate was raging, a fresh batch of university and polytechnic graduates were being called up by the NYSC, just as the new administration was taking shape with the appointment of ministers. It thus seemed as if the questions raised in the debate were being directly posed to the new Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in whose portfolio the scheme falls.

Incidentally, he assumed duty at the ministry when the newly deployed corps members were just about rounding off their one-month orientation exercise.

In keeping with President Goodluck Jonathan’s charge to hit the ground running, the minister hit the road to visit some camps to see things for himself and personally give his gospel of transformation to the corps members. Almost simultaneously, the headship of the NYSC changed from Tsiga to Okore-Affia.

Since Abdullahi and Okore-Affia took over the supervision of the scheme, it is wearing a new look as the duo have kick-started reforms to streamline its activities.

The NYSC, it would be recalled was designed to restore faith and hope in the country after the trauma of the Nigeria civil war. The scheme was initiated as one of the strategies to achieve national reconciliation and heal the wounds of the war. It was meant to inculcate the spirit of unity among Nigerian graduates and restore faith and hope in the country after the trauma.

The decree that established the scheme stated that it was established with a view to proffer encouragement and development of common ties among the youth of Nigeria and the •Continued on Page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

37

Council inaugurates projects

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HE insinuations that everyone in government is there to enrich themselves without allowing the dividends of democracy to get to the grassroots may, after all, not always follow as the Oriade Local Council Development Area in Lagos State has inaugurated three major projects which it has completed. The projects included two public toilets at Maza-Maza Plank Market and the FSP Market as well as a long stretch of road known as Saibu Road.

The toilets, which have provisions for both male and female conveniences have with them water facilities including boreholes to ensure adequate sanitary conditions.

In a chat with Newsextra during the 1,200 days celebration in office, in Lagos, the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Ibrahim Tunde Sanusi stated that the measure was taken in the spirit of promoting good health and hygiene for the people as well as to speed up the processes of economic activities in the area.

In a nation where true democracy was practised, the government in power had always ensured that adequate infrastructures such as good roads, education, healthcare facilities, electricity and water were provided for the people to enable them to live a meaningful life.

He said: “It was in consultation with the market women who requested it from the local council.

They wrote a letter and followed it

•From left: Vice Chairman, Oriade Local Council Development Area, Hon. Gbolahan Dauda; Chairman, Hon. Sanusi; Hon. Kuye and the Council Manager, Mrs Bukola Dalumo during the inauguration of one the roads

By Ambrose Nnaji

up; they had a meeting with me where they complained that they were lacking public toilets in all the markets in Oriade, thereby causing a lot of problems between them and the Environmental Sanitation Tax

What the chairman has done so far in Oriade is impressive. We have seen the main structure at the LCDA secretariat; we have seen the stretch of road that has been constructed.

That is going to promote economic activities in this neighbourhood and increase the revenue base of the council and property owners

Force Officers who give them a lot of stress. Then, I promised that I would do it for them. I called the contractors to go and liaise with the Works Department and bring out a very solid prototype of toilet facilities that would befit a market standard and they liaised with the engineers in the Works Department before the execution of the job.

“When we started the project, we had a lot of challenges in respect of how we can touch the lives of all the people in Oriade. Everybody wants the government to come to their aids at the same time but the facilities and the capacity within our disposal will not be enable to touch every area at the same time.

What we are doing is to look at the problem and the importance attached to it and address it,” Sanusi highlighted.

Continuing, he said:”It is the concern of this administration to sit with the concerned people like the artisans, hairdressers, the citizens, the political class, artists and the stakeholders in Oriade LCDA. We want to bring to them what we have done so far. We want to know what they are expecting from us.

We want to get a feedback from them as regards what they want us to do for them.”

He added that the people of Oriade should be patient with the administration, pray for us, and be rest assured that we are not going to disappoint them because they have given us their mandate and we are working day and night to ensure that we did not disappoint them.

“The Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,

Hon. Kuye Ademorin, while inaugurating the projects expressed satisfaction with the ongoing developments in the area.

His words: “What the chairman has done so far in Oriade is impressive. We have seen the main structure at the LCDA secretariat; we have seen the stretch of road that has been constructed. That is going to promote economic activities in this neighbourhood and increase the revenue base of the council and property owners.

“We have seen the two public toilets in the markets that we have visited and those toilets were done to standard. I believe if they continue to do this and give account of their stewardship at every 100 days in office, they will have no problem when we get to elections,” Ademorin added.

Family warns against intrusion on land

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EMBERS of the Oloto Royal Family of Lagos State have warned suspected land speculators against encroaching on their land identified as the Millennium Estate - a large expanse of land situated at Gbagada, Lagos.

The warning, they said, became necessary in view of reports that some individuals have been laying claim to the land. They warned intruders and prospective buyers to desist from intruding on the land or face the wrath of the law.

The Oloto of Oto Land and the Mainland, Oba Ganiyu Odesanya, speaking through the family’s lawyer, Kunle Adegbite of the firm of Adegbite - Stevens & Co, argued that the land situated at Gbagada was initially taken over by the state government and later returned to the Oloto family after both parties agreed to an amicable settlement which was later adopted as a judgment of the Lagos High Court.

The about 14 acres of land, he said, was never shared among three families as reportedly claimed by the families of Adams and Alashe, (other families laying claims to the land), but solely owned by the Oloto family.

He argued that transitional land holding is historical and that the entire Oto land and a larger part of the Lagos Mainland belonged to the Oloto family from time immemo-

By Innocent Amomoh

rial.

It is gathered that after the Court judgment which gave the land to the Oloto Family, some land speculators, in connivance with a former lawyer to the family and a licensed estate agent contracted by the family, allegedly sold potions of the land without the consent of the family.

Adegbite said the case has since been reported to the Police and that it is being investigated by men of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Alagbon.

“These are replicas of surveys drawn over the years and other documents justifying this claim, but the original survey of the Oloto family land was approved by Herbert Macaulay himself. If you look at this survey though it looks small on paper, it encapsulates all the major parts of Lagos State.

“Over the years, lots of people have intruded and claimed potions of land belonging to the Oloto Family. But for this particular expanse of land we are not ready to let go. At the moment like you know, we have taken possession already. Anyone laying claims to the land can come up with document as we are ready to go back to court. The Oloto family will only welcome fresh negotiations from members of the public because we do not recognise any ini-

•A portion of the Millenium Estate land at Gbagada, Lagos tial transactions,” Adegbite said.

He said after the family succeeded in chasing off an individual, who initially encroached on the land, these other families emerged with their claims.

But when contacted, the representative of Adams family in Anthony Village, Lagos, Alhaji Taiwo Shodunke, maintained that the state government took over the land between 1999 and year 2001, released it to the families of Adams, Alashe, and Oloto after the out of

court settlement, and was shared accordingly.

He further claimed that the Oloto family was absolved in the suit midway because of the respect the then government had for the family, and that to his greatest surprise, they turned around to lay claim to the entire expanse of land.

He said efforts made by the families and buyers who have already paid for plots to develop their portion were met with resistance.

“As I speak to you, there is heavy

police presence on the land. We have reported the case to the State Secretariat, Alausa and we expect that positive steps will be taken to stop this oppression. The Ministry of Justice in the state has assured us that a strong letter will be written in that regard, as the Oloto family were the only ones missing from the meeting recently convened” he said.

Efforts made to get other parties respond to the allegations proved abortive, as they all declined comments.

38

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

My administration has distributed exercise books to pupils in the public primary schools as part of its supports for the free education programme of the government

Grassroots’ new deal from govt

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OCAL governments in Oyo State are silently deepening the content of service at the grassroots.

Aided by the governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi who released over N3b to the council chiefs in December, all the 33 councils in the state have embarked on a silent competition, aimed at making their area come tops in the utilisation of the funds.

From Atiba in the seat of the Alaafin, to Afijio, Saki, to Idi Ayunre, Igbomina, Ogbomoso, Igbeti, Kishi, to the hinterlands of Oke-Ogun and the council area of the sprawling Ibadan metropolis, the entire Oyo State has been turned into a huge construction yard, with the residents, the ultimate beneficiaries, most of whom have long been hitherto forgotten, singing, dancing and praising the government for bringing governance closer home.

Determined to re-define governance and arrest the enveloping rot in the state, the Abiola Ajimobi administration, in December last year, had given each of the 33 council chairmen N100m to fast-track development in their various areas.

The amount, it was gathered, was part of the state’s allocations of the subsidy re-investment fund, doled out to all the 36 states of the federation by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal which took effect in January this year, until its partial reversal 16 days later.

The directive from the governor was that each of the councils must embark on projects that will have the most benefiting impact on the largest number of people in their respective areas.

These projects, he directed, must be delivered to the communities in the first quarter of the year.

To demonstrate Ajimobi’s commitment to this deadline, the state government, last week, led a battery of reporters on a state wide monitoring exercise to inspect the projects being embarked upon by the chairmen.

At Atiba council area, the chairman, Prince Hakeem Adeniyi Adeyemi listed six roads, among them the Alaro Road at Agunpopo; (250 metres at the cost of N13m, the Health Centre Road at Boroboro area, Alhaji Olomi Road at Onire, Sabo; (590 metres long which cost N23m, the Commercial School Junction at Oke Mogi; Basorun

By Yinka Aderibigbe

Link Road; and Deacon Ayansiji Road, Oke-Ebo, as roads his administration constructed and are awaiting asphaltic laying. He promised that the roads would be delivered in two weeks.

The council chief said he has also constructed four VIP toilets at Akunlemu Market, Sabo Market L. A. Primary School, Iyalamu, and Akeede area, Basorun in the town.

He also sunk four boreholes at Akunlemu Market, Sabo Market, Boroboro area and Elegbo Community to improve the rural access to potable water all-year-round.

A community leader Alhaji Abdulwaheed Olomi, thanked the state government and the Atiba Council Chief Prince Adeyemi for finally yielding to the yearnings of the people by opening the Olomi area up through road construction.

The 540 metres-long road, Adeyemi earlier said, would gulp N23m when finally completed.

He said the council adhered strictly to the guideline stipulated by the state engineers in the construction of all roads.

He also disclosed that the dimensions of all drainage system on both sides of the roads constructed followed the engineering design by the government, adding that all were constructed with hard core stones which would make them stronger and last longer.

At Ogbomoso South, the Interim Chairman Comrade Adisa Olajide took the monitoring team to the Lagbami Osekun Civic Centre, constructed within the council, and a refurbished Customary Court house which he disclosed was rehabilitated at the cost of N3.2m at Ijeru in Ogbomoso.

Olajide said the Old Court house which usually sits the Baale of the Community which has been in existence since 1920 was slated for rehabilitation in order to further deepen access to justice and bring the community leaders abreast of modern trends in jurisprudence.

He said the facility would house a well-stocked library, modern restroom facilities and a 140-seater court room.

In Oriire Local Government Area, Ikoyi-Ile the interim chairman Mr

•A road project in Atiba Local Government, Oyo Jacob Abidoye Bamigboye showcased the 12-room Lapelu Comprehensive healthcare centre, which on completion, would provide healthcare needs for people in Ilesan, Babasesan, Arumpe, Awarakale, Aworodada and 30 other communities.

The facility, which would house six general wards, a theatre, and doctors’ rooms he said, would cost the government N12m.

Also inspected was the 2.3km long Babasele-Jagbe Road which would cost the government N100m. It is aimed at providing access for villagers going to the Odo-Oba Market. The road construction which began in December, Bamigboye said, would be delivered by the end February this year.

Bamigboye also led the team to the construction of the drainage he is constructing on the Tewure/Araromi Road along Ogbomoso/Igbeti Road, and the three blocks of classrooms being constructed to house the council’s skill and vocation training centre, where the chairman said would provide training in nine basic skills.

The skills are carpentry, computer engineering, desktop publishing, sewing, barbing and hairdressing, among others.

At Olorunsogo Local Government Area in Igbeti, the interim chairman

•From left: Former President, General Yakubu Gowon (Third left) being presented a branded Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) bag by the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), while Otunba Segun Runsewe Director General (NTDC) (right) looks on

Comrade Oyebisi Ajibola, listed six roads, including Alhaji Ahmed Road, Oguntoye Road, Ash Fau Road, Abegunde Road, Oke Ibukun and St Mary roads as having been constructed by his government.

The roads, which would be delivered by the end of February 2012, he added, also came with well-constructed drainage built with hardcore stones.

His government had also embarked on the extension of the rural electrification of the villages, renovated two women/child healthcare centres, sunk borehole at the state general hospital, sunk four other boreholes and built six room toilets in the council and gave 100 widows and orphans monthly stipends.

He added that my administration

has distributed exercise books to pupils in the public primary schools as part of its supports for the free education programme of the government.

In Irepo Local government, Kishi, work has reached advanced stage on the Oketage Bridge, which had become impassable as a result of neglect by past administrations. He also said a number of roads are being constructed by the council in line with government’s directive.

Among other local government areas visited are: Ibadan North Local Government where the chairman, Mr Idris Lapade whose council was badly affected by the August 16, 2011 flood, showcased a number of ecological interventions his council has embarked upon in the last two months.

Repositioning the NYSC for productivity •Continued from Page 36 promotion of national unity.

Over the years, the NYSC has fulfilled this vision by producing broadminded Nigerians who have become more knowledgeable about their country and familiar with other cultures and peoples, apart from theirs.

Observers believe that this role has, no doubt, deepened integration and in spite of our contentious politics, produced Nigerian citizens with a panNigerian outlook.

From the outset, it enjoyed the support of Nigerians. The youth particularly did not only embrace it as it provided them an opportunity to interact with others of diverse backgrounds and culture. They were all looking forward to participating in it.

With time, its establishment was eulogised and its operation as well as achievements, especially its momentous role in promoting national unity, integration and rapid economic development of Nigeria, commended.

Countries from the West African subregion like Ghana, Gambia, came to Nigeria to understudy its philosophy and operations with a view to emulating it.

Evidence shows that there is no aspect of Nigerian life that has not been affected by the contributions of its participants. Ranging from the economic, educational, social, cultural and even psychological life, the

scheme has touched and has contributed meaningfully in its primary purpose which is to instil discipline and foster patriotism in Nigerian youths and also inculcate the spirit of selfless service to the community.

It has, so far, emphasised the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of cultural or social background.

The expectations are that they interact with people of other ethnic groups, social and family backgrounds and foster national unity and integration and help youths appreciate other people.

As expected, the scheme, in the first few years, achieved the aims of its founding as many corps members were given automatic employments in their places of primary assignments. Many also married to one another, thereby encouraging inter-ethnic marriages and national unity.

Improving the security of corps members is part of the ongoing reforms of NYSC spearheaded by the Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and OkoreAffia. Apart from the distress call centre, other security measures for corps members include greater collaboration between NYSC and security agencies charged with the protection of human lives and the decision not to post corps members to volatile states, except when there is written assurance from governors of those states.

MOTORING

39

THE NATION

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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0803-4693-984 tajudeen1423@yahoo.co.uk

email:- tajudeen1423@yahoo.co.uk

After its complete redesign last year, the new Infiniti QX is pretty much unchanged. A new Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) system debuts as part of the Technology package, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO.

•Infiniti QX

Infiniti QX: improved handling, overall refinement OTHING succeeds like excess,” Oscar Wilde said, and he could have been describing the new Infiniti QX. That is because Infiniti’s full-size SUV flagship is the quintessential cuprunneth-over by just about every measure.

Last year’s complete redesign saw the QX move to its own unique platform (previous models were built on the platform of the Nissan Armada pickup), a move that improved its handling and overall refinement and put it on a more level playing field with the competition. Powertrain upgrades included a significant bump in horsepower, a seven-speed automatic transmission and a new full-time four-wheel-drive system.

The QX’s seven- or eight-passenger interior is downright posh, with high-quality materials and a mind-boggling array of available technology, notably a Blind Spot Intervention system that not only sounds an alert if the QX begins to drift out of its lane, but also gently guides it back between the lines if the driver fails to take corrective action.

While all those improvements have created an impressive luxury SUV, the QX still has a couple of shortcomings, including controversial exterior styling and a third-row seat that is tight fit for anyone over the age of 12.

For some buyers, the Cadillac Escalade ESV might be a better match for its extra space.

And if one is looking for serious four-wheeldrive capability, check out the Lexus LX 570 and Range Rover. But overall, the 2012 Infiniti QX56 remains a solid choice for buyers looking for an upscale full-size sport-ute.

“N

Body styles The Infiniti QX is a full-size luxury SUV with seating for seven or eight passengers. It is available in one well-equipped trim level

with a choice of either rear- or four-wheel drive.

Standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlights, fog lights, heated power-folding mirrors, a sunroof, running boards, rear privacy glass, a power liftgate and front and rear parking sensors. Inside possessed keyless entry/ignition, automatic tri-zone climate control, leather upholstery, a heated 10-way-adjustable driver seat with memory (eight-way for the front passenger), second-row captain’s chairs, a power-folding 60/40-split third-row seat, a 360-degree parking camera, an autodimming rearview mirror and a power tiltand-telescoping heated steering wheel. Electronic features include Bluetooth phone connectivity with streaming audio, a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic and a 13-speaker Bose sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and a USB/iPod interface.

Options are arranged in a succession of packages, most of which require to buy the preceding option package. The Theater package adds a rear seat dual-screen video entertainment system, a 120-volt household-type power outlet and heated second-row seats with a power tip-up feature for easier thirdrow access. From there one can add the Split Bench Seat package, which replaces the second-row captain’s chairs and center console with a 60/40 split-folding bench that increases seating capacity from seven to eight.

The Deluxe Touring package adds 22-inch wheels (available separately) as well as Infiniti’s Hydraulic Body Motion Control suspension, headlight washers, an upgraded climate control system with air purification/ filtration, heated and ventilated front seats, upgraded leather upholstery and special wood trim and a 15-speaker Bose surroundsound audio system.

Finally, the Technology package adds adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning and prevention system and a host of high-tech safety features designed to either prevent a crash or protect the occupants in the event of one.

Powertrains and performance Motivating the QX is a 5.6-litre V8 that produces 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic is the only transmission offered and features manual shift control with rev-matched downshifts.

Rear-wheel drive is standard, with fourwheel drive (with low-range gearing) available as an option. Properly equipped, the QX is capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds and features a tow/haul mode for the transmission as well as an automatic-leveling rear suspension.

In Edmunds testing, the QX hustled from zero to 60 mph in a quick 6.8 seconds. Not surprisingly, the QX is less impressive when it comes to fuel economy. The EPA estimates fuel consumption at 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined whether the QX has rear or four-wheel drive, a figure that is better than average for this class of vehicle.

Safety The Infiniti QX comes with a full complement of safety features including stability and traction control, antilock brakes, frontseat side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front active head restraints.

The QX’s ability to protect its occupants can be enhanced with the bevy of additional features in the Technology package. These

include a lane-departure warning and prevention system, collision alert, brake assist (which applies the brakes to reduce damage if the driver does not slow the vehicle) and a blind-spot warning system.

In Edmunds testing, the QX came to a halt from 60 mph in only 123 feet, which is a figure more accustomed to from a much lighter passenger car. For an SUV of this size, it is nothing less than outstanding.

Interior design and special features Inside its cabin, the QX is every bit as luxurious as any high-end sedan. The collection of standard and available technology here is enough to make your head spin, though bright gauges, a huge 8.0-inch dashmounted touch screen and thoughtfully laidout control placement makes everything more user-friendly than one might imagine. Particularly useful is the 360-degree parking camera system that stitches together images from four separate cameras to create a top-down view of the vehicle - something that can be a huge help when negotiating tight spaces in this very large vehicle.

While the first- and second-row captain’s chairs are the epitome of cushy comfort, the third row’s lack of legroom limits its usefulness to younger kids. Behind the power-folding 60/40-split bench are 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space that expands to a generous 112 cubic feet with both rows of rear seats folded down.

With 400 hp on tap, the Infiniti QX has sufficient acceleration to satisfy even the most leadfooted drivers.

On better surfaces, however, the ride smoothes out enough to leave occupants unruffled.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

40

MOTORING

PAN introduces new brand AN Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Peugeot vehicles in Nigeria, is set to reassert its position as the country’s leading automobile manufacturer. It has concluded plans to diversify its brand portfolio which will see to the mass production of new model in conjuction with Changan Automobile in China.

This is on the strength of a technical agreement signed between PAN Nigeria Limited and Changan Automotive Manufacturing Company, which has three distinguishing attributes: European design, strong Chinese elements of production and time honoured amenability to the Nigerian terrain.

Chairman, Board of Directors of PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Sani Dauda led top management of the

P

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

company to China for the event last year.

During an inspection tour of the first set of the Nigerian produced to ascertain the overall readiness of the company, Dauda said PAN will initially produce about 3,000 units of the car from its Kaduna plant this year with production target expected to increase annually.

To this end, PAN has completed a full scale installation of the factory lines for the production of the car – which comes with an engine capacity of 1.5 litres.

Managing Director PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Shehu Dauda said the decision to diversify into a multibrand is market driven and hinged on the need to produce affordable ve-

Lagos Assembly visits Federal roads

T

HE Lagos State House of Assembly ad-hoc committee on Federal Government roads has visited some parts of the state to see the deplorable nature of the roads.

The traffic congestion on Lagos roads have been attributed to the bad shape of the roads and the committee was mandated to find solution to alleviate suffering of motorists on the highway.

Explaining the purpose of the visitation, Chairman of the committee Hon Rotimi Abiru, said it was as a result of the untold hardship experienced by Lagosians, especially in areas, such as Mile 12 to Ikorodu, Epe axis among other roads.

Abiru said the House decided to constitute the committee based on the harrowing experience of Lagosians due to traffic congestion to look for a lasting solution to the problem.

“Some of the contracts for the roads have been awarded since December last year and very little has been done”, Abiru said. Adding that the roads would have been unmotorable if the State Gov-

By Oziegbe Okoeki

ernment had not been making palliative repairs on the roads.

At Asolo in Ikorodu, the committee members saw broken down tractors of the contractor, Hajaij Construction Company, working on the road. When the team interrogated the mechanics attending to the tractors, they promised that the tractors will begin work on the road repairs the next day.

A member of the committee, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade who represents Ikorodu constituency 1, said that incessant motor accidents at IkoroduShagamu road was part of the reason why the Adhoc committee was instituted.

Agunbiade said the committee’s job is to know the extent of repairs needed.

“After all, the roads are used by Lagosians, it will be insensitive of us not to act,” he said.

Roads visited were Mile-12 to Ikorodu Garage, Ikorodu-Shagamu road, Ikorodu to Epe road among others.

•Senior officials of PAN inspecting the new car

hicles within the reach of the middle class.

“We have achieved test production

D

IRECTOR- General, National Automotive Council (NAC) Alhaji Aminu Jalal disclosed last week in Abuja that the council has given loans worth five billion naira to 30 local automobile companies.

“The loans were given to enable the companies develop modern auto parts and components centres in various parts of the country, ‘’ Jalal said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said NAC had also built diagnostic centres for owners of auto workshops to train their staff on repair and maintenance of vehicles.

Jalal said the council had completed feasibility studies on the establishment of an automotive test centre to carry out quality control test on raw materials and finished locally produced components and parts.

The NAC boss urged owners of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to develop joint ventures and partnerships with foreign producers

of the car. We have also exhaustively conducted road test of our production to assess quality and durability, which

signify our reputation. The results were very favourable as the new car proved to be very suitable for Nigerian roads,” Dauda said.

NAC gives N5b loan to 30 auto firms of auto components.

“The only way to ensure rapid development of the nation’s auto industry is for the government to enforce the use of locally made or assembled vehicles to show good example to the citizens,’’ he said.

Jalal said less than five per cent of vehicles used by government agencies were made in Nigeria, describing the development as “bad omen for the campaign for the purchase of madein-Nigeria products.”

He said: “If there is no market, there will be no production; there is no future for a country that does not implement policy for the development of its local industry.

“It is a wrong economic plan to consume what you do not produce.

“Nigerians should be made to use Peugeot or Innoson vehicles and in the next five or more years, you will see rapid changes in the auto industry just, such as in countries like India and China, adding, “If you go to the National Assembly, most of the vehicles you see there are not made in Nigeria.

“If you ban the importation of vehicles, you should be able to comply with it as a policy maker, and if that is done, the country will break off from the shackles of importation.”

The NAC boss praised President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for revamping the auto sector by putting in place some development initiatives.

FRSC records 590 deaths in 1,132 road accidents

T

HE Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said its Benin zonal command recorded 3,840 casualties in 2011 with 590 killed in 1,132 accidents.

Zonal Commander of RS5HQ, comprising Edo, Delta and Anambra states, Mr Yakubu Attah made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

He, however, said the 3,840 casualty cases recorded in 2011 was a drop compared with the 4,158 recorded during the same period within the zone in 2010.

Attah said 3,250 accident victims sustained injuries in 2011.

The zonal commander said that out of 1,172 accident cases recorded in 2010, 461 victims died, while 3,697 were injured.

Explaining the reason for the reduction of the casualty rate in 2011, Attah said: “We attribute this to the aggressive enlightenment campaign by the commission in collaboration with several organisations.

“The media too assisted us in driving the message of safe driving on the road to motorists.

“The commission is also grateful to the assistant inspector-general of Police in-charge of zone five, who assisted us with a metro truck with which we cleared all broken down trucks on the highway.

“This greatly assisted us in traffic control and the consequent reduction of accidents on the highways, especially during the yuletide,’’ he said.

•President, Rotary Club of Egbeda, Mr Lekan Bakare flanked by Head of Operation, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Ikotun Unit Command Mr Fidelis Osuagwu and Acting Head of Administration, Dorothy Okorie, during a Safety awareness seminar for commercial transport operators at Ikotun motor park, Lagos PHOTO:TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

DRIVING TIPS

Aftermath of fuel subsidy strike action

T

HOUGH the fuel subsidy strike has come and gone but it left some lessons to ponder upon towards ensuring safety on Nigeria roads. Let us see a few of them: •Comparative analysis: In one of the television interview series during the strike, a government official said that the fuel price in Nigeria is cheaper than in America, Canada, Indonesia, Britain and several other countries. He went ahead to say that Nigerians should be comparing themselves with such countries. In

line with this comparative analysis by the government official, I hereby recommend that the Ministers and State Commissioners of Works and Transport should embark on a working trip to those countries to study their road quality and networks, road furnitures and traffic control system and replicate same in Nigeria.

•Tyre burning – In several parts of the country, the protesters burnt a lot of tyres on the roads. This will in no doubt deplete the bitumen on the roads thus causing more damage to the roads. If we are crying that the

roads are not good, no matter the situation, we must desist from habits that can further complicate the already deplorable situation.

•Road activeness: During the strike action, the youths turned many roads to playing fields. There were cases of children that sustained injuries in the process while a few others narrowly missed being knocked down by reckless drivers and riders who were demonstrating on the free roads.

It is disheartening that the state and local governments have not paid ad-

equate attention to the establishment of football fields and other recreation facilities for the benefit of the teeming youth thus exposing them to more hazards on the roads which they often see as alternative whenever there is strike or environmental sanitation exercise.

During the strike period, many husbands and wives that their jobs did not permit them to be so much together had more time for fun, meaning more children will be made during the strike period.

•To be continued next week

Jide Owatunmise

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

47

• Oracle Application Window

The Oracle in computing Many are struggling to get Oracle Certification, which is said to be the ultimate in computer training, to have an edge in the job market. An Oracle Certified computer operator is an hot cake any day, say industry watchers. AKINOLA AJIBADE writes.

M

ANY firms place a premium on Oracle Certified computer operators and the reason is not far fetched. These people are believed to know how to collate, analyse, and manage data to foster growth. Oracle Certification is a major requirement for those who wish to manage data in telecom, banking, oil and gas, and maritime organisations.

The certification is named after Oracle, the company that invented it. One remarkable feature of Oracle Certification is that it is run by few information and

technology (IT) centres. Besides, it costs a lot to obtain the certification.

The Nation gathered that it costs between N300,000 and N500,000 to obtain the certificate, and trainees need six months to run the programme.

It was gathered that about N250,000 is required to obtain the Oracle Certification Associate (A0P); the fee is higher for those that want to obtain an Oracle Professional Certification (OPC).

Fact is people that obtain the certification are capable of finding solutions to problems related to data management. Their services

are such that no data-based organisation can do without. A few years ago, the decision of the Lagos State government to change to Oracle Application caused some hiccups.

To industry watchers, Oracle certified workers are the best you can find anywhere. They said the complexity of modern business requires having workers who can use the computer well. The labour market, they argue needs people with skills.

They insist Oracle certification is a must for workers that need good jobs, noting that bigger corporations need them to survive.

They said the world is a global village, re-

quiring workers who can use Information and Technology (IT) facilities well.

The Chief Executive Officer, New Horizons Computer Learning Centres, Mr Tim Akano, said workers with Oracle certification are badly needed in the country. He said such workers stand a better chance of getting good jobs, noting that telecom, banking and oil and gas firms need workers with certification to survive. He said virtually all companies in the country are using Oracle application, • Continued on page 48

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

JOBS

The Oracle in computing • Continued from page 47

adding that the development made them to employ people with such skills.

He said: “People who possess Oracle certification and good skills would get good jobs faster than their colleagues who do not have such attributes. However, there is a difference between having the Oracle certification, and skills. One can have the certification, but may not have the prerequisite skills. If you have only the certification, you will know how to memorise how the application works.

“You would not be able to apply skills to solve problems. It is good to combine the certification with skills. What boost your curriculum vitae (CV) are actually your skills, together with certification. If you have certification, and you do not have the skills, you may not be able to work for three months before you are sacked. Certification helps, but skills are very important.”

Akano said the university system offers academic skills to people, arguing that they need professional skills to succeed. “What the university offers people is not enough.

When you combine the academic and professional skills together, you become a topflier in the market,” he added.

He advised people to get the certification, and further improve their skills to remain relevant in the labour market.

Akano said there are two types of Oracle Applications – the 10 G Oracle and the 11 I Oracle, adding that most companies in the country are using Oracle G 10. “The 11 I Oracle is the higher version of Oracle 10 G. Most companies use Oracle G 10 because Oracle 11 I is expensive to acquire,” he said.

Still on certification, Akano said anybody working in a database industry must strive to acquire it to facilitate growth.

Also, the Principal Director, StoneBridge Synergy, Mr Tunde Aofolaju, said most telecoms companies use oracle application, and therefore employ people that are certified in that area. StoneBridge is an information and Technology(IT) Consultancy firm.

Aofolaju, an holder of Oracle Certification, said

financial services institutions such as banks and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) use the application to manage their date.

He said data plays important roles in our day to day activities, arguing that oracle application is needed to store them.

“Oracle is referred to as the number one company in the world. The name is used for a company and application. It is used for storage and management of data. Based on these, there are demands for data-based administrators. These are the people that have gone through training. They have been certified.

They can easily work in an environment where oracle application is in use. Their jobs are badly needed. In countries abroad, the services of people with the certification are in hot demand,” he said.

Aofolaju said unemployment is the biggest challenge in Nigeria, adding that people with Oracle certification are still looking for jobs. He said people that have the certification stand a better chance, whenever there are employment opportunities.

A staff member of the Nigerian Institute of Technology (NIIT), Lagos, who pleaded anonymity, said people that have oracle certification get shortlisted first for an interview.

NIIT is a computer training centre, which specialises in training people on how to acquire Oracle certification, among others. The source said the centre has produced many oracle certified workers, stressing that the certification enhances jobs’ prospects. He said there is keen competition in the market, arguing that each company is looking for the best hands to work with.

“Oracle Certification has stages. There is

•Akano

Oracle Certification Associate, Oracle Certification Professional among others.”

People go through training before they are certified. The certification makes people to be more marketable.

People that have Oracle certification are not only saleable, but are doing well in the in-

‘What boost your curriculum vitae (CV) are actually your skills, together with certification. If you have certification, and you do not have the skills, you may not be able to work for three months before you are sacked.

Certification helps, but skills are very important’

•Aofolaju

dustry. A lot of people with Oracle certification came from NIIT. You will find them in many companies across the country”, the source added. He urged people to tap into the opportunities in the Information and Technology (IT) industry to enhance their career.

In a related development, the former managing director, Longman Nigeria Plc, Dr Dan Obidiegwu, said only skilful workers can retain their jobs now.

Obidiegwu said the unfavourable economic climate made companies to reduce their workforce, advising Nigerians to acquire computer skills. He said workers who do not understand the workings of the IT facilities will not be able to withstand the competition in the labour market.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Career and job success skills for newly employed

N

OW that you have made the big transition through job hunting and landed the job, the next goal is job success. Don’t take that for granted. There are specific skills you need to know and use to be successful at your job. It’s important to practice these skills prior to starting the job. First impressions show from day one.

You only get one opportunity to create first impression.

What follows here isn’t a complete list.

It’s a good idea to check with your direct boss about what’s most important.An important information for you: employers say many people lose their job because they don’t use good work habits and not because they are unable to do the job. The following list of suggestions is based on feedback form a majority of surveyed employers.

Employers expectations • A positive attitude is one of the most important factors in achieving job success.

Don’t carry negative feelings into your new workplace. Resolve them elsewhere.

• Always be on time. How long will it take to get to work? Allow a few extra minutes for traffic problems and getting children to school. Set an alarm clock to help you get up. Being reliable and dependable gains the trust and respect of your new employer.

• Good attendance and promptness are always important. It you’re going to be unavoidably late or out sick, find out the proper method of informing them.

• Know and follow all office rules, policies and procedures. Read the employee manuals. Please find out the informal rules.

• Listen and learn. Be open to new ways of doing things, even if you have taught differently in school or on a different job.

By Olu Oyeniran

Don’t be quick to find fault, criticise or complain until you can prove you can do something a better way.

• Meet and exceed your employer’s expectations.

• Learn all you can about the job you were hired to do before thinking about moving up.

Communication • When you need to talk with your supervisor, ask when would be a good time to meet • Take advantage of your performance reviews. Stay calm. Learn from them. Ask how you can improve. Show results or jobsrelated classes you’ve taken. Most Supervisors appreciate employees who are concerned about performance and in finding ways to improve. Your job success is also their success.

• Be a team player. Be willing to help.

Know the goals of your job and how your job fits into the overall organisation. Avoid a “know-it-all attitude. “Try to fit in with the team. Keep your sense of humor.

• Ask for help when you need it. If you make a mistake, let your supervisor know immediately. Find the proper chain of command. Discuss items with your supervisor first.

Personal • Prior to starting the job, have all your appointments with doctors, dentists, etc., out of the way. Have your transportation and daycare lined up so you don’t immediately have to take time off. Have an emergency plan for daycare and

transportation.

• Be willing to learn new skills. Keep a record of classes you’re taking that relate to the job. Review this with your supervisor at an appropriate time.

• Take time in making new friends. Find positive and upbeat co-workers. Avoid negative, critical and gossiping people.

• Be clean and well groomed. Wear clean and job-appropriate clothes. Pay attention to how your coworkers are dressed. Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes.

• Keep you personal life and problems at home. Do not use the employer’s equipment and time to do personal things like making personal phone calls, using the copy machine or resolving your personal problems on the job. If you’re having trouble resolving personal pro b l e m s , counseling, support groups or employee assistance programmes may be useful.

• Create the image. Dress for the job you want next.

• Be patient with yourself and your employer. It takes time to get used to, learn and like a new job.

• Volunteer to projects and committees if your work is completed and your supervisor approves.

Getting along with others • Don’t express your opinions, biases or prejudices about others while you’re at work. Diversity is a priority in the workplace.

• Accept criticism as constructive.

Don’t become defensive or take criticism personally. Thank the person for their input. Consider changing if it’s warranted. If you’re unsure how to handle

the situation, check with your supervisor.

• Always be friendly to everyone. Be willing to go the extra mile. This creates goodwill with employers, coworkers and customers.

• Notice who your boss relies on and model yourself after them.

• Find a mentor, someone who knows the employer and the job well enough to coach you or show you the ropes.

• Realise playing politics or power games could be dangerous and backfire on you.

• Treat everyone with courtesy and respect. Remember that as you climb the career ladder, you may meet the same people on your way down the ladder.

• Keep your emotions under control. The job isn’t the place to express or show your opinions or feeling.

• Show appreciation. Let your supervisor know your appreciate their training, support, input, feedback, etc.

• Strive to be positively recognised. Be friendly and helpful to everyone at all levels.

Note: See www.jobsearchhow.com/ freeseminars for more information.

Acknowledgem e n t : T h i s article, originally entitled: Job and career success was provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota, United States.

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Assoiciates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

49

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

50

THE CEO

‘Insurance must brace itself to terrorism’ Insurance deals in risks and these days, unlike in the past, risks keep mounting. These emerging risks, which insurance did not foresee include terrorism and climate change, and they are throwing up challenges in underwriting.

Director-General, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr Adegboyega Adepegba, speaks on efforts to conduct research on underwriting these risks in this interview with CHUKS UDO OKONTA

W

HAT is CIIN doing to educate operators on emerging risks?

We are conducting researches on some. For example, on climate change we have a close relationship with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). We are working to ensure that we get the latest information, which would be passed on to our members. Terrorism has become something the industry must brace to. We do not have courses on it, for now, but we will continue to work to get information. I know that terrorism underwriting is being done in some countries; we would get the requisite information on it and pass them on to our mem-

• Adepegba

bers. Maybe, for a short while, there may be the need for conferences and seminars on terrorism to update our members. If there is any company that wants us to conduct researches for them, we will be glad to

do that. On oil and gas, we have collaborated with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to organise seminars and conferences. But we want to move ahead to develop subjects on oil and gas that people

‘Terrorism has become something the industry must brace to. We do not have courses on it, for now, but we will continue to work to get information’

would study. Oil and gas is wide and it would take some time to be put into subject form. As for exposing the practitioner to basic knowledge, I think we have done well and will continue to do so.

What is your take on Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI)?

The MDRI is one of the initiatives of the NAICOM. One of the basic things it tries to achieve is to deepen insurance – take insurance to the nooks and crannies of the country. It is a laudable project. From all indication, it is achieving the desired re• Continued on page 51

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

51

THE CEO •Continued from page 50

sults. Insurance can only thrive in Nigeria if there is a conscious effort like the MDRI. Insurance can only become a household thing in Nigeria if there is a conscious plan by government and other stakeholders to take it to the door step of every Nigerian. Without mincing words, there are so many schemes in insurance that can benefit everybody – be it a child, woman and man. But what is lacking is awareness and I believe the MDRI has been planned in a way to take care of the inadequate awareness.

Where is the place of CIIN in the MDRI programme?

CIIN’s major concern on MDRI is to provide the required human capital to achieve its objectives. If you study the document on MDRI, you would observe that there is a prime position for agents.

The whole idea is to have agents as of old.

Agents who would be in every part of the country, who would not concentrate in the urban areas. Before they can do that, they must be trained to obtain the requisite skills, even as insurance canvassers. The CIIN is already working on this – training them. In the last two months, we have been able to train about 1,000 agents, and the target is to train between 5,000 and 8,000 this year. Insurance business is, indeed, good but a certain havoc has been wreaked on the practice by people who did not know what they were doing. It is dangerous to have people who do not have basic skills or who are half-baked loose in the market. Most of the problems of insurance come from the activities of people who canvass business. For example, if you look at the motor insurance business, there is a great havoc on the business in licence offices. So, if we have people who are adequately prepared and trained to go out and tell people what insurance is all about the industry will continue to grow. From our projection and feedbacks, the MDRI is already on the route to success and whatever we are doing is to compliment and ensure that the project is successful.

How equipped are the agents and brokers for the MDRI programme?

The CIIN is the professional training institute for underwriters, brokers and agents. We have different courses for each of them. Brokers are the real core technical people; they are saddled with the technical aspect of insurance job. The agents can at best be described as salesmen. The brokers do technical works which the agents do not have the skill to do. There is a common parlance in the United Kingdom (UK), which says if it is not brokered, then it is not genuine. The major job of insurance is performed by the broker. As far as CIIN is concerned, we ensure that the brokers get as much rigorous training as any insurance underwriter. This is because they pass through the process of writing CIIN examination. For one to become a broker, he must be a diploma holder of the institute. But for an agent, he/she only receive basic knowledge on the business.

Which template is CIIN using in training agents?

For our diploma examinations we got our template from the Chartered Insurance Institute of UK. But for agents, I will say it is a home grown thing that we have, because we have developed something for our market. We have developed something bearing in mind some issues like our terrain, socio political issues, the size of the country and the level of education. So, we are not using any template for the training of agents. We have sat and devised a tailor made training programme for agents that will enable them communicate with the populace. Our programme will enable the agents go to the rural areas and sell insurance to both young and old. We believe the major thing is marketing, which has some principles and all the principles have been put in place and laced with our local situations which is working well.

What is CIIN doing to stem the activities of quacks?

CIIN can only help stem the phenomenon by training. You may not find CIIN in the motor parks, NAICOM will do that.

You may not find CIIN putting billboards all over the place, warning against quacks, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) will do that. But in our own way, we are trying to educate people not only formally. Formally, we know that we have to talk to people on insurance. We

‘Insurance must brace itself to terrorism’

• Adepegba

‘Insurance can only thrive in Nigeria if there is a conscious effort like the MDRI. Insurance can only become a household thing in Nigeria if there is a conscious plan by government and other stakeholders to take it to the door step of every Nigerian’

• Adepegba

have an insurance awareness programme that we have put in place. Very soon, we are going to start a television programme on insurance awareness. The training of agents is another thing that will stem the activities of quacks. Also, our members who are on the field have been trained in such a way that when they speak to you

on insurance you will be able to distinguish between the genuine practitioner and quack. Our awareness campaign is an ongoing thing. We just concluded on the radio programme and going to the television programme. The feedback we got from the radio programme is being worked on and when it is concluded, the

result will be passed on to NAICOM and NIA to foster the industry’s growth. What we observed from the responses is that people are willing to embrace insurance given the right education. People are tired of the bad messages being preached about insurance, they have begun to probe and ask questions on what really insurance is and the CIIN is readily available to provide answers to their puzzle.

Is the industry getting the needed attention from the government?

I will give a yes and no answer. Whether we are getting the right quantum of attention from government is a function of how close we are to government and how we endeavour to move very close to government. I am saying this because there are current moves by CIIN to ensure that insurance is involved in all aspects of governance. For example, we just made a case for the inclusion of our members in the National Economic Summit (NES) that holds regularly in Abuja. It is our desire that the insurance industry be carried along in some of the government’s projects. We are also making a strong move, in fact, very shortly; we are going to let the whole world know what we want to do. We are rallying all insurance practitioners who are in the National Assembly to enable us come close to government. Our belief is that if you want government to draw you close, then you must be ready to move very close to government, who is the father of all. It is only that child that moved very close, that government would draw to itself. So, we are making all the efforts to ensure that we are at the right place at the right time with the government and there is no way the government will ignore us in the scheme of things.

What should the industry do to endear itself to the people?

Endearing one’s self to another person is a gradual thing; it is not what you take in one fell swoop. It is something that comes gradually, just like something goes bad gradually, to also repair takes some time. You will want to agree with me that sanity has been brought to the industry, claims are being paid promptly, companies are encouraged to impact their environment through corporate social responsibilities. All these will take time particularly on the issue of claims payment; we do not really hear too much of complaints again of people not getting their claims.

It is very easy to lose confidence, but to gain it back takes some time. I want to submit that with all the efforts of NAICOM, NIA and conduct of our members who are the ones doing the business, with time you will begin to hear new things about insurance. It will take time, but it is coming.

Does the industry have the required human capacity for anticipated growth?

There is no profession that has 100 per cent of all it needs in terms of human capital. This is because there are many issues about adequacy on human capacity. If you are talking of the number if you say the number is adequate, what about being up to date? What about the skills? If you talk of skill gap, it takes some time for you to fill them. The issue is not about being adequate, but having other needed variables.

I can submit to you and say yes we have about 50 companies, with many professionals, but that should not be used to measure the capacity. We consider adequacy in terms of number, skills and being up to date. Does the Associate of Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) of 1980 still carry the same this year? These are the issues. But CIIN will continue to update its members. We may not have enough number now, but we will ensure that the number we have is adequately trained and retrained through our Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programmes, through our conferences and seminars. We will encourage them to write different examinations.

What is the outlook for the industry this year and years ahead?

This year I believe God for a stable economic environment that will enable insurance to thrive. All these things that are flying about are disincentives to the growth of any business. I personal as a Nigerian I pray that we will have peace; security and stability in government that would make businesses thrive. On the future, I am optimistic that with the calibre of people that we are training the future of the industry is rosy.

52

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-2-12

Unity Bank targets N10.6b Q1 earnings U NITY Bank could gross about N10.6 billion in top-line earnings this quarter, putting the bank on a strong start for the 2012 business year.

In the latest forecasts on the operations of the bank, the board of Unity Bank said it expected gross earnings to be N10.56 billion by the first quarter ending March 31, 2012.

The bank also estimated that net profit after tax would be about N1.1 billion during the period. At current market valuation, the projected net earnings position represents earnings yield of 6.5 per cent.

This indicates that shareholders could earn a return of 6.5 per cent for the first quarter if the bank decides to distribute all net earnings during the period.

Analysts said the first quarter projection reassures on sustained profitability of the bank as investors await the full-year audited report and accounts of the bank for the 2011.

Third quarter report for the period ended September 30, 2011 had showed gross earnings of N30.9 billion and profit before tax of N3.02 billion. Profit after tax closed

Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

at N2.02 billion, which indicated about 11 per cent earnings yield for the bank, suggesting a strong dividend outlook.

Analysts noted that the most reassuring factor in the performance of the bank was its sustained profitability while dealing with legacy issues.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market ended last week on a positive not with the benchmark index rising by 0.4 per cent on a weekon-week basis. The All Share Index (ASI), which tracks all quoted equities on the NSE, inched up to 20,495.92 points while aggregate market capitalisation of all equities rose to N6.459 trillion.

Most other value-based indices appreciated, indicating the widespread upward movements that characterised the market during the week. The NSE 30 Index appreciated by 1.2 per cent to 937.14 points. The NSE Banking Index also rose by 6.9 per cent to close at 303.29 points. The NSE Insurance Index appreciated by

5.1 per cent to close at 120.74 points while the NSE Oil and Gas Index improved by 0.1 per cent to close at 208.98 points. However, the NSE Consumer Goods Index depreciated by 0.74 per cent to close at 1,653.98 points.

Oando Plc led gainers with a gain of N1.76 to close at N20.11 per share. First Bank of Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of N1.55 to close at N12.30 per share. CAP Plc chalked up N1.07 to close at N15.12 while Ecobank Transnational Incorporated added N1.05 to close at N11.

On the downside, Nestle Nigeria Plc led decliners with a loss of N21 to close at N420 per share. Dangote Cement Plc trailed with a loss of N5.20 to close at N105 per share. Lafarge WAPCO Cement Nigeria Plc dropped by N3.20 to close at N40.80.

Conoil Plc lost N2.73 to close at N25.27. MRS Oil Nigeria Plc also fell by N2.16 to close at N41.23 while Julius Berger Nigeria Plc dropped

by N1.01 to close at N21.

Turnover stood at 2.04 billion shares worth N12.33 billion in 20,449 deals as against a turnover of 2.45 billion shares valued at N10 billion traded in 16,760 deals two weeks ago.

Banking subsector remained the most active with a turnover of 1.54 billion shares worth N8.121 billion in 11,766 deals. Insurance subsector staged a distant second position with a turnover of 101.12 million shares valued at N92.4 million traded in 606 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-2-12

THE

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

States jostle for N49b outstanding agric funds Stories by Collins Nweze

T

HE 27 states of the federation participating in the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) are jostling to access the N49 billion balance in the N200 billion fund, The Nation has learnt.

The scramble intensified after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held discussions with state governments and other stakeholders, on how to boost the agricultural sector in the country. The fund is expected to help in food production and as a step towards ensuring food security, job creation and development of the country.

Lagos State Government last year, wrote the CBN to access N3 billion for disbursement to farmers. Director of Cooperative Services, Lagos Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Ayo Awokuleyin, said the government has notified the CBN on the need to access N3 billion to improve farming in the state. She explained that the first tranche of the N1 billion, would go to farmers at the grassroots level, while the second tranche of N2 billion would be devoted to middle and large scale farmers.

Bayelsa, Ogun, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe,

programme started three years ago. The states accessed the funds for on-lending to farmers’ unions, co-operatives and financing of other areas of agricultural interventions in their territories.

From inception to date, 16 banks, namely, Union Bank of Nigeria, Sterling Bank, Access Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Oceanic Bank Plc, Skye Bank, Stanbic IBTC, United Bank for Africa, Unity Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Citibank, Wema and Mainstream Bank participated under the Scheme.

The analysis of number of projects financed under CACS by value chain showed that out of the 163 private sector sponsored

Kebbi, Kogi, Imo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Sokoto, Taraba Zamfara, FCT, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Plateau, Edo, Kano and Benue states currently under the scheme are also strategising on how to access the remaining funds.

The state governments requested the CACS funds for on-lending to farmers’ unions and co-operatives and to finance other areas of agricultural interventions in their various states.

The apex bank had last week, said it had disbursed N151 billion to the participating states through commercial banks since the

Enterprise Bank unveils customer care line the core of its vision, “to be the preferred bank for value creation,” adding that the bank’s unalloyed commitment to customer satisfaction will be an essential factor in making a success of the cash-less policy.

The executive director said that customers have every reason to be happy because customers’ complaints will be addressed speedily.

“With this customer care hotline added to our strengthened Automated Teller Machine (ATM) operation, Point of Service (PoS) terminals, Mobile and Internet Banking channels across our branch bank-wide, our es-

ENTERPRISE Bank Limited (EBL) has unveiled a new customer care line, 0700Entbank to boost its customer service delivery especially with the take off of the cash -less policy in the country.

Speaking at the unveiling held at the bank’s corporate head office in Victoria Island, Lagos, Executive Director in charge of Service Bank, Aminu Ismail said the facility was introduced to satisfy the bank’s numerous customers at all times.

He explained that the bank’s quest for improved customer service is at

teemed customers really do not need to be at our banking halls to resolve issues because, our well-trained customer service personnel will receive customer complaints and enquiries and attend to them professionally,” he said.

The bank said it will continue to be creative in handling all its commitments to customers. He said unveiling of the customer care hotline gives the bank additional competitive advantage as it continues to explore the frontier of tested customer service delivery options that will delight its stakeholders

T

the expectation that members would return equivalent amounts to support concessional lending to LICs. The distribution was first endorsed by the IMF’s Executive Board in July 2009 as part of a financing package aimed at securing adequate resources for the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT).

Also, the total financing package aims at raising the PRGT’s concessional lend-

T

HE Bank Directors Associa tion of Nigeria (BDAN) has lauded the cash-less banking policy, saying it is capable of promoting economic developmenet in the country.

A statement from BDAN, an umbrella body of non-executive directors of banks, said the policy comes with huge benefits to members of the banking public and should be supported.

The body however, said aside making basic preparations for the successful implementation of the policy, it would be necessary to do regular assessment and review at short intervals.

This, it said, would enable the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), banks and other stakeholders to quickly identify and address issues that arise during the implementation.

“Such periodic assessment can be

ing capacity to $17 billion over 2009 to 2014. Contributions linked to the windfall gold profits will count towards that package’s target of raising an additional $2.3 billion to subsidise the PRGT’s lowinterest concessional lending, which currently carries a zero interest rate, with the balance coming from other sources, including additional bilateral contributions from member countries.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

Amount

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

FLOURMILL ETI FIRSTBANK ZENITHBANK OANDO CADBURY NASCON SKYEBANK UPL MAYBAKER

53.20 10.50 12.07 13.12 19.89 9.01 3.83 4.00 3.21 2.75

Current Before

C/PRICE

CHANGE

55.80 11.00 12.30 13.35 20.11 9.20 4.02 4.16 3.37 2.88

2.60 0.50 0.23 0.23 0.22 0.19 0.19 0.16 0.16 0.13

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

3.31 0.61 1.72 1.12 1.05 1.38 1.55 7.26 2.22 3.92

C/PRICE

CHANGE

3.30 0.58 1.68 1.07 1.00 1.32 1.48 7.15 2.11 3.73

0.01 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.11 0.11 0.19

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 1.00 120.97 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 24-2-12

VITAFOAM GOLDINSURE BAGCO NPFMCRFBK STERLNBANK AGLEVENT AIRSERVICE IBTC HONYFOUR ETERNAOIL

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 24-2-12

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 Currency

7.9-10% 10-11%

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

assigned to a group comprising banks, electronic payment service providers, merchants and consumer groups, with access provided to members of the banking public for complaints and information,” the statement said.

BDAN said to have an economy dominated by electronic payment is desirable. It added that the impact of the policy and the dramatic changes it would engender, requires patient implementation to ensure the objectives are achieved.

The association said it also assists its members and their various banks in building sustainable relationship with government Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), local/public authorities and trade association among others. It also monitors its members to ensure to enhance efficiency and accountability in the sector.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

projects, production accounted for 44 per cent dominated the activities funded while processing accounted for 41.1 per cent.

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

• CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

Bank directors back cash-less policy

World Bank approves $1.1b for Low-Income Countries

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has approved distribution of $1.1 billion Gold Sales Profits to support concessional lending to Low-Income Countries (LICs).

A statement from the bank said the fund, which came in reserve was attributed to a portion of the windfall profits from bank’s gold sales, with

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• 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 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

NEWS 22 die of Lassa fever in Edo

T

HE Chief Medical Director of Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo State, Prof. George Akpede, has said 22 people have died of Lassa fever in the hospital since last year.

Akpede spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Irrua, said the deaths were recorded between last January and this month.

He said the victims were admitted at the hospital over the period.

Akpede said the worst cases were recorded between October and February, when 12 patients died.

He said although cases associated with the disease were on the decline in the state, it was worrisome that medical personnel handling the cases were being infected.

“Mortality is decreasing. It is much lower than what we have been experiencing in the past year and a possible explanation for that is the increase in the level of awareness.

“Unlike previous experiences, people who have contracted the diseases now report for treatment earlier instead of treating common fever.

“Having a dedicated staff is also reducing the rate of mortality. Since last year, it is only now that it is possible for us to offer a level of critical assistance to patients by way of dialysis,” he said.

He advocated a sustained campaign to raise the level of awareness. ``Here, in this hospital, we are beginning to see overwhelming number of victims of the disease. We have had patients from Taraba, Abakiliki, Ondo, Kogi and even Abuja.”

Rivers ACN slams govt

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State has urged the government to rescind its decision banning the sale of fuel in jerry cans.

In statement in Port Harcourt at the weekend by the Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, the party said the ban was unwarranted as it infringes on the rights of generator-users who rely on jerry cans to buy petrol to fuel their generators.

ACN said the government shouldn’t ban the use of jerry cans to purchase fuel at filling sta-

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

tions when it has not fulfilled its promise of providing stable electricity supply.

The statement said: “With electricity supply very erratic in the state, ACN would want to know from Governor Rotimi Amaechi how people will power their homes and businesses.

“What government should do is to guarantee availability of fuel and adequate power supply rather than the fire- brigade approach of banning the use of jerry cans to buy petrol.”

Grant electricity licences to states, says Akpabio A

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday urged the Federal Government to grant electricity generation, transmission and distribution licensces to some states.

Akpabio said if this is done, it would end the problems of power supply which have engulfed the country over the years.

According to the governor, if states are given the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity, viable states would in turn distribute power to other states thus bringing the intractable problem of power in the country to an end.

Akpabio spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, during a summit on power, organised by the Federal Ministry of Power at the Le Meridian Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort.

The governor described the theme of the summit, “Resolving the critical issues militating against service delivery,” as significant, if the country is to achieve growth and development in all sectors of the

Akwa Ibom signs contract

A

CONTRACT for the procurement of a community Goss Graphics Press for The Pioneer has been signed between the Akwa Ibom Government and manufacturing companies from the United Kingdom and Germany.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aniekan Umanah and his AttorneyGeneral and Justice counterpart, Assam Assam, endorsed the transaction on behalf of the government.

Fred Partimore signing for Goss Graphics System of the United Kingdom and Jakob Berger appended his signature for Heidelberg Germany.

Umanah thanked Governor Godswill Akpabio for keeping his promise and approving the contract which he noted means that the dark days of the Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation (AKNC) are over.

The printing machines, Umanah said, are to be delivered with complete pre-press backed up with colour separation and would open an avenue for the paper’s management to go commercial.

“This effort of government will save the newspaper company the cost of printing outside, and will also ensure a wider reach and an improvement in quality and aesthetics.”

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

economy.

He said so far in Akwa Ibom State, 1, 463 of 2, 525 villages have been pro-

vided with electricity and linked to the National Grid.

The governor added that by next year, the state would have achieved 100 per cent electricity

coverage.

He told the Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, that he was building a gas plant through public-private partnership and had paid $33 million upfront for gas supply to the state for the next 10 years.

His words: “This is going to be the first PPP gas plant in Nigeria with 69km gas pipeline from Uquo to Ikot Abasi, where you have Aluminum Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).

“We need more of such partnership, we need to look at the problem of wrong pricing of gas and other issues militating investment in the power sector.

“We need to overhaul the transmission line, it will need a lot of financing and red tapes should be removed if we should move forward.”

The governor hoped that the Presidential Task Force on power would tackle the nation’s power problem.

Oshiomhole: cede oil wells to Edo

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has assured the state’s commissioner on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of government’s support to ensure that oil wells wrongly ceded to other states are returned to the state.

The governor spoke at the weekend when the commissioner, Henry Okhuarobo, visited him.

He decried the quality of NDDC jobs in the state.

His words: “We do not have to go cap-in-hand begging for what is our entitlement. The NDDC should ensure that money appropriated for the oil producing communities is spent judiciously and road projects should have drainages on both sides.

“Funds appropriated in the name of the people of the Niger Delta are stolen and oil wells in Edo State are credited to other states.”

He advised the NDDC management to avoid the mistakes of their predecessor.

Uduaghan: I won’t sign death warrants

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ELTA State Governor E m m a n u e l Uduaghan has said he would not sign the death warrants of condemned criminals.

He said his training as a doctor is to save lives and not to take them.

The governor spoke at the weekend at a Town Hall meeting in Umeh community, Isoko South Local Government.

Uduaghan said it has become necessary to create employment for youths and empower the people.

Besides, he said it was part of the government’s deliberate policy to refocus the attention of the people away from oil to more lasting and revenue-yielding sectors of the economy.

The governor assured the people the government would complete the 7.6- kilometre Umeh Road in 18 months.

Uduaghan said pupils and students no longer pay examination and other related fees even as he threatened that any head of school caught collecting fees would be dismissed.

Two kidnap suspects killed From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

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EN of the Rivers State Police Command have killed two kidnap suspects at Rumuodomaya area of Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The kidnap attempt was foiled by the policemen, who recovered the hoodlums’ Lexus car, in which two AK-47 rifles and ammunition were found.

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam confirmed the incident in Port Harcourt yesterday.

Ugwuegbulam said: “On a tip-off, police detectives trailed three kidnap suspects to Rumuodomaya, where the hoodlums attempted to kidnap their victim.

“There was an exchange of fire and in the process, two of the suspects were killed, one escaped.

“Their car was recovered, in which two AK-47 rifles, 53 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition, with six magazines were uncovered.”

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole flanked by former Acting NDDC Managing Director Mrs Areyenka and Okhuarobo....at the weekend.

Groups hail INEC on Cross River election HE National Coordinator of the Rights Monitoring Group (RMG) and the Conference on Security, Development and Democracy in Nigeria (CSDDN), Olufemi Aduwo has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful conduct of the Cross River State governorship election.

At a briefing in Calabar shortly after the announcement of the result, the Briefing Committee Chairman of the INEC Accredited Election Observer groups said the election was free and fair.

Aduwo hailed former Governor Liyel Imoke for not interfering with the process.

His words : “I and other INEC accredited election observer groups arrived

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Imoke: I wish for strong opposition From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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ROSS River State governor-elect Liyel Imoke has said he wishes for a “strong, credible and sincere” opposition in the state.

This, he said, would help strengthen democracy in the state.

Addressing reporters in his home, Imoke decried a situation where the opposition fails to go to the people to beg for votes, but rely on the courts to “circumvent the will of the people.”

He, however, promised to run an all accommodating government.

Imoke also promised to continue in his rural development drive as he said this was the only way to creating wealth across board.

Calabar before the election and monitored it with our personnel.

“It is our duty to report to the public on the development and as such, we want to use this medium to commend INEC and the governor-elect for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the election.

“The low turn out of voters was due to the registration of voters outside their residential areas. The election was peaceful and the result released by INEC is credible and acceptable.

“The re- elected governor is a rare breed of politician.

He has no killer squad like

many politicians and he is very accessible to the people.

“We urge the Federal Government to address the issue of compensation to the state for losing Bakassi in controversial circumstances.

“The observer groups said the election was conducted in accordance with international standards for democratic elections.

“It also adhered to the guidelines for elections observation issued by INEC. “The election has assured observers that the electorate, INEC, parties and candidates are becoming more and more enlightened and strengthened in democratic values.

“We are generally impressed by the conduct of the election and felt it was undertaken in a fair and free manner.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

57

NEWS Tomorrow’s work-free in Abia

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HE Abia State Government has declared tomorrow work-free to enable civil servants pay their last respect to the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Governor Theodore Orji announced this yesterday .

Ojukwu’s body would be brought to Aba tomorrow.

Orji said all markets in Aba would be closed as a mark of respect for the departed statesman.

He said: “Ojukwu brought

the luck that gave Umuahia the state capital today. He made Umuahia the capital of Biafra and lived in Umuahia as a District Officer (DO).

“Ojukwu personally requested that anytime he dies, his body should be taken to Aba. It is for this reason that the burial committee listed Aba as one of the places to take his body to.

“Though he lived in Umuahia, we cannot afford to bring his body here after Aba because the cost will be too high.”

‘Ikemba Nnewi hope of Igbos’

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•From left: Ekiti State Deputy Governor Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka; Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola; his wife, Abimbola; theOba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; and former Lagos State Deputy GovernorPrincess Sarah Sosan at the inauguration of GFR Educational Services, founded by Mrs. Sosan, at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos...at the weekend.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Why budget was increased to N83b,

by Anambra Assembly T HE ANAMBRA State House of Assembly yesterday said why it increased the 2012 budget to N83,500,340.

Governor Peter Obi presented a budget of N82,500,340 to the Assembly on December 14, last year, but the house committee on Finance and Appropriation, increased it by over N800 million.

The budget was passed

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

on Friday.

Speaking with The Nation yesterday in Awka, Chairman of the Committee Mr. Nikky Ugochukwu said it was raised because additional N600 million was allocated to the state Teaching Hospital at

Amaku in Awka.

Ugochukwu said the project capital expenditure of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget was also raised from N350 million to N451, 460, 000.

He thanked members of the House for their contribution towards the successful passage of the budget

Police smash kidnap gang in Onitsha

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HE hideout of a seven-man kidnap gang was yesterday busted by the police in Onitsha, the Anambra State capital.

The hideout is situated in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Governmant Area.

One of the suspects, simply identified as Rugged, was killed while trying to escape and another, Anayo Igwe, was arrested.

Five others escaped. A victim was rescued.

It was learnt that the police acted on a tip-off that the suspects were hiding a

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

victim at the hideout.

Sources said the building is owned by one of the suspects.

Parading the suspect before reporters, the secondin-command to the Police Area Commander for Onitsha, Mr. Rowland Omatoje, said police would not rest until it stamps out criminals in the state.

He said five kidnappers were arrested last week in Onitsha.

Items recovered from the suspects included two

AK-47 riffles, 56 live ammunition and five loaded magazines.

Others were one NISSAN ALTIMA saloon car marked DU 176 ENU and two AUDI saloon cars with Reg. No. BG 26 UWN and BG 734 KGE. Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Onitsha Area Command, Sir Vic Agubisi praised the police for reducing crime in Anambra .

He urged the government to equip the police properly to enable them perform creditably.

Ex-Kwara commissioner buried

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ORMER Kwara State Commissioner for Information Olatunji Oladepo was buried at the weekend at his Erin-Ile country home. He was 56.

The funeral service took place at the First Baptist Church in Ibolos.

The ace journalist died two weeks ago in Abuja after a brief illness.

His funeral was attended by former Deputy Governor Simeon Sayomi and his wife; former AttorneyGeneral of the State, Chief Titus Ashaolu; Bishop

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

David Abioye; Mr. Dare Babarinsa; and the Managing Director/Editor-inChief of The Nation newspapers Mr. Victor Ifijeh.

Ifijeh said: “It is difficult to speak about my friend.

Oladepo was an accomplished journalist, a man who distinguished himself wherever he worked. He distinguished himself at the National Concord and the people at the helms of affairs recognised him as a budding talent. At NewsWatch he distinguished

himself as a reporter and writer of repute. This earned him the sobriquet ‘investigator, policeman, SSS’ that became his second name.

“He was very simple. He shuned an ostentatious lifestyle. He served government with dignity, honesty and fear of God. “He left the commissioner-position untainted while many of his colleagues were hounded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for one misdemeanor or the other.”

and praised Obi for presenting a “realisable” budget.

Urging Obi to assent to it quickly, Ugochukwu assured the citizens that the implementation of the budget would begin soon.

The Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba South, Chief Ben Ibekwe, also assured the people that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)led government would manage the state’s resources prudently.

HE Late Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu represented the hope of the Igbo, the Biafra Liberation Council has said.

The leader of the group, Prince Longinus Orjiakoh, spoke at the Night of Tribute held at the Grasshoppers Stadium in Owerri for the late Biafran warlord.

Orjiakoh said Ojukwu was a man of several attributes, who touched peoples lives in different ways.

President-General of Igbo National Union Mr. Uche Onyeagucha lamented the spate of corruption in the country.

He said the power of the Federal Government must be whittled down to reduce corruption at the centre.

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

Onyeagucha said there is need to amend thecountry’s constitution to allow for regional development.

He said the celebration of the life and time of Ojukwu compelled them to reactivate the Igbo National Union as an umbrella organisation for Igbos.

Onyeagucha said they can no longer entrust the future and destiny of the Igbos in the hands of conservative politicians.

He said the organisation would continue to stand for justice, equity and fair play.

They highlight of the occasion was a candle light procession on Wetheral Road, Owerri.

‘Ojukwu paved way for southern AD Ndigbo not risen president’ to fight the civil war

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that lasted for 30 months between 1966 and 1970, there would not have been an opportunity for any southerner to become President, Igbo leaders said at the weekend.

At a public lecture held at the secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the life and times of Ojukwu, the leaders said Ndigbo had to go to war, following certain abnormalities observed by those in authority against the rest of the country, especially the old Eastern and Southern regions.

The lecture was attended by Abia State Governor Theordore Orji, represented by his

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Commissioner for Youths, Paul Mba; Champion Newspapers PublisherChief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; former Deputy President of Ohaneeze, Prof.

Ben Obumselu; Major General J. Okoloagu (rtd); Bishop Obi Onubuogu and representatives of Umuada Igbo and traditional rulers, among others.

CHANGE OF NAME SIMON I, formerly known and addressed as Simon Gift Agwu, now wish to be known and be addressed as Agu Onyinyechi Dorathy. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

58

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

NEWS

Al-Mustapha’s family threatens to petition NJC over death sentence

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EMBER of the Hamza Al-Mustapha family have threatened to report Justice Mojisola Dada to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for, according to them, refusing them access to the judgment that condemned the ex-Chief Security Officer to the late Sani Abacha to death.

According to a statement in Kano yesterday, Al-Mustapha’s family decried the alleged grand plot to frustrate its intention to appeal against the judgment.

The statement said: “The attention of the Al-Mustapha family has been drawn to the

S

fact that there is a deliberate desire to frustrate the quest

by Major Hamza Al-Mustapaha to seek justice at the Appeal Court.

“Shortly after the judgment by a Lagos High court that handed down the capital punishment to Al-Mustapha, we directed our team of lawyers to commence the process of filing an appeal against the judgment which we felt was unjust and lacking in merit.

“As a result, Mr. Olalekan Ojo who held brief for AlMustapha at the High Court,

sought for a copy of the written judgment from Justice Dada who delivered the questionable judgment.

“To our dismay, a copy of the judgment is yet to be made available one month after it was delivered under the flimsy excuse that it is yet to be typed.”

The family cited other cases involving Al-Mustapha where the written judgment was given to the family without delay, wondering why “in this particular case, the court does not want to release the copy of the judgment.”

“An excuse like this is coming to us as a surprise as we

T •Al-Mustapha

are aware that in similar cases involving Major Al-Mustapha in Lagos High Courts, we sought for a copy of the written judgment in respect of the cases involved and it was delivered to us on the same day and in an expeditious manner.

Senator disowns governorship aspirant

ENATOR Remi Okunrinboye has dissociated himself from a solidarity advertisement for Jaiye ola Ajata purportedly signed by his friends who

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From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

PDP wins by-election in Katsina

are in support of his governorship ambition in Ondo State. The advertisement which was published in a national daily mid last week is entitled; March To

Victory.

Dissociating himself from the publication, Senator Okunrinboye, in a statement in Akure, the Ondo State capital yesterday said

he was not privy to the arrangements leading to the said publication and at no time did he attend any meeting or gathering of the Ajata Campaign organisation.

Taraba governorship poll: Supreme Court hears appeal today

HE Supreme Court will today hear the appeal filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in last year’s governorship poll in Taraba State, Senator Danlami Ikenya, challenging the victory of Governor Danbaba Suntai of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned Suntai as winner of the

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

April 26, 2011 governorship election with 361,176 votes against Ikenya’s 154,665 votes.

Ikenya, who emerged third in the poll, is challenging the validity of Suntai’s victory.

He lost at the tribunal as Justice Luka Abba on November 10 last year ruled that “the petitioners (Ikenya and ACN) failed to establish relevant evidence to prove their allegations.”

The Appeal Court sitting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, last month upheld the tri-

bunal’s verdict, striking out the appeal filed by Ikenya “for lack of merit.”

Ikenya’s lead counsel, Festus Idepefo, appealed to the Supreme Court, saying the Appeal Court ruled in error. He told the apex court that the Appeal Court gave judgment in favour of Suntai without any reason.

“Only the Supreme Court has the power to do that,” Ikenya argued in his submission.

He is praying the court to order a retrial of the case by another appeal court.

The ACN candidate wants the April 26, 2011 governorship election in Taraba nullified and a fresh poll conducted.

He alleged that INEC did not conduct the election in compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 and 2011 Election Guidelines.

Lagos Assembly verifies dredgers

By Oziegbe Okoeki

THE adhoc committee set up by the Lagos State House of Assembly to probe and evaluate illegal dredging and reclamation of land on Lagos waterways has started began the verifying permits obtained by firms to operate on the waterways.

Chairman of the Committee Mr. Rotimi Abiru said the exercise was to know the number of companies permitted to dredge on the waterways.

Abiru spoke when the firms appeared before the committee.

He said: “The Lagos State Government will not tolerate any company dredging, stock piling or engaging in reclamation of land without the permit issued by the regulating body.

“During our visit to the Lagoon last November, we observed that many companies were operating on our waterways without approval or permit from the Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development.

“Henceforth, the government will arrest anyone who operates illegally on its waterways.”

HE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Najif Bello Yusuf, has won the byelection to the Katsina State House of Assembly.

The election was conducted in Mashi Local Government on Saturday.

Yusuf won by 27, 031 votes to defeat the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) candidate, Hussaini Ya’u, who polled 3, 177 votes.

The byelection was conducted to elect a new lawmak-

From Isah Idris Katsina

er to occupy the seat of Mashi Constituency which became vacant after the death of former member, Surajo Mashi, who died on December 12 last year.

The election, which was criticised by the opposition parties as a mere show of formality by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was, however, characterised by voters’ apathy in Mashi Council.

Why we are taking over Utako terminus, by Akinjide From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

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HE Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, has said that the proposed take over of the Utako terminus was meant to transform it into a modern facility.

Akinjide had said that the FCT administration would privatise the terminus that has been in a state of disrepair and hand it over to a Turkish consortium at the cost of $100 million.

However, this development has not gone down well with the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The council has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an indigenous firm for the upgrading of the terminus.

But the minister, through her Special Adviser on Area Councils and Muslim Pilgrims Affairs, Alhaji Ibraheem Aminu Ibraheem, said the move to transform the terminus was not limited to the facilities within the AMAC alone but to others in the six area councils in the FCT. He said the move followed the findings of a seven-man committee set up by the Minister of State to find out the condition of infrastructure in the six area councils.

Senate begins probe into road contract HE Senate will today scam in Abuja begin the probe into al-

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leged N5billion road contract scam in Abuja.

Senate Committee on The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which is handling the investigation has invited about 25 road construction firms to appear before it.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi

threatened to deal with any of the firms that fail to honour the invitation.

Adeyemi vowed to unearth what he described as the “wheeling and dealing” being perpetrated by road construction firms in the FCT and by extension the entire country.

Blame the rich for youths’ failure, ENATOR Babafemi says Senator Ojudu, representing Eki-

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ti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State, has attributed the failure of Nigerian youths to the rich.

The senator said the minority rich who controlled the “commonwealth” of the majority had refused to “give back” to the society.

He said although everyone shared in the blame, the privileged few should be blamed in particular for the plight of the youths.

He spoke at the weekend at the presentation of prizes to winners of the maiden edition of iBOLD Annual Student Challenge at Adetiloye Hall, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

He said: “As much as I would want to say that everyone shares in the blame for the not-so-impressive performance of our youths, I want to say that there is a class that has often been overlooked and sometimes ignorantly excused from the share of blame.

“This class I call the privileged few. These people are found in business, government, politics, churches, mosques and so no.

“Before we jump to conclusion by solely blaming our youths, let us endeavour to ask the people that hold a portion of Nigeria’s wealth that at what percentage do they give back to the people whose resources they control?”

The lawmaker warned the wealthy of the consequences of caring only for their chil-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

dren, noting that the neglected youths would not allow those taken care of to enjoy a life of security and comfort.

He said iBOLD, which means Initiative of Babafemi Ojudu for Leadership Development, would be an annual event that would feature more than an essay competition.

Ex-Ekiti Commissioner for PDP chair FORMER Ekiti State Commissioner for Information Kayode Otitoju has joined the race for the state chairmanship of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Otitoju, who was the party’s governorship candidate in 2006 primaries, will slug it out with other contenders at the forthcoming state congress slated for next month in Ado-Ekiti.

Woman passes on ALHAJA Adishetu Garuba, the oldest woman in Afoghogho and Afashilekpe Quarters in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government of Edo State, is dead. She was 81. She has been buried according to Islamic rites.

She is survived by six children, among who is Dr. Abdulraman Garuba, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

59

NEWS Nelson Mandela discharged from South African hospital

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•Senegalese leader Wade (middle) ushered through the booing crowd outside the polling station in Dakar...yesterday

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Senegalese leader booed as he casts his vote

CROWD at a polling station in Senegal yesterday booed incumbent leader Abdoulaye Wade as he cast his vote in a controversial re-election bid.

The crowd in the capital, Dakar, could be heard shouting “Get out, old man!” at Mr Wade, 85, who is seeking a third term in office.

Several people were killed in protests against Mr Wade’s candidacy, allowed by the top court despite a two-term limit.

The court also barred world-famous singer Youssou N’Dour from standing.

N’Dour has argued that allowing Mr Wade to run again

amounts to a constitutional coup d’etat.

Tension will be high later on Sunday when the first provisional results come out, the BBC’s West Africa correspondent, Thomas Fessy, reports from Dakar.

Senegal, a former French colony, is seen as a stable democracy with an unbroken series of elections since independence in 1960.

It remains the only West African country where the army has never seized power.

A cacophony of boos and jeers drowned out clapping from a few dozen supporters when Mr Wade appeared

at the polling station in the Dakar suburb of Point E, where he owns a private home, AFP news agency reports.

More than 100 people booed and chanted “Wade go away” in the local Wolof language, Reuters news agency said.

Visibly angry, the elderly leader reportedly pushed aside one of his own bodyguards as he beat a swift retreat after voting, without speaking to the media.

Earlier, he had dismissed opposition protests as “temper tantrums”.

Despite the ill-feeling, long

lines of voters could be seen waiting patiently to cast their ballots in Senegal.

In the working-class neighbourhood of Parcelles Assainies, many people turned out in their best clothes for the event.

“You can see the determination of the people, they want change,” Awa Faye Ndoye, a housewife, told Reuters after voting.

She predicted people would take to the streets in protest if Mr Wade was declared the winner.

Youssou N’Dour was barred from standing on technical grounds Mr Wade is one of 14 candidates who also include Macky Sall and Idrissa Seck, both former prime ministers who served under him.

Syria votes on new constitution amid unrest

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HE Syrian government is holding a referendum on a new constitution as violence continues around the country, killing at least 20 people.

The new constitution calls for a multi-party parliamentary election within three months.

The opposition has boycotted the vote, calling it a

farce and demanding President Bashar al-Assad stand down.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said “there’s every possibility” Syria could descend into civil war.

But she warned “outside intervention” could exacerbate the situation. “I think that as you try to play out

every possible scenario, there are a lot of bad ones that we are trying to assess,” she told the BBC. Activists say more than 89 people died across Syria on Saturday.

The Syrian government has pressed ahead with organising the referendum despite the unrest, setting up more than 13,000 polling stations

NEWS Dickson declares three days fasting in Bayelsa

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AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday declared that his restoration agenda is more spiritual than physical.

Besides, he declared a three-day fasting and prayer to herald his administration.

Dickson, who spoke while speaking at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital, said God is the head of his government.

The governor said the task of restoration was Herculean and called on the clergy and Bayelsans to intensify their prayers, adding that he and his team alone cannot actualise the wellintentioned restoration agenda.

Dickson thanked God for the peaceful electioneering campaigns and the conduct of the election, adding that it was heart-warming that there was no major breach

of the peace.

“This is the time for us in this state to put all things in the hands of God Almighty; rather than those of us in government seeing ourselves as those in charge, it is God Himself who is in charge of this government.

“First, we need to thank God for the peaceful conduct of the election as there was no reported case of crisis and breach of the peace; it is worth thanking God for and that is why we need to put everything before Him and from today, a three-day fasting and prayer session is hereby declared,” the governor said.

He used the opportunity to thank the people for their support in his emergence as governor, pointing out that without God it would not have been possible.

Dickson used the opportunity of his first official church

for 14.6m voters.

The streets are filled with billboards encouraging people to vote for the constitution but the polling stations I visited were nearly empty.

At one school, two people showed up to vote in the 20 minutes I was there, although Ahmad Baalbaki, who was supervising the process, said 300 people had cast their vote.

ORMER South African President Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital after a diagnostic procedure for an abdominal problem, the government says.

President Jacob Zuma’s office said he was sent home after the checks “did not indicate anything seriously wrong”.

Officials earlier said the 93year-old Nobel Prize laureate had undergone a laparoscopy but was recovering well.

The procedure involves inserting a tiny camera through the abdomen or pelvis.

The government has not confirmed where Mr Mandela was being treated nor the exact details of his health concerns.

Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu earlier told reporters he had been suffering from “ongoing discomfort” but denied reports of a hernia operation.

The BBC’s Mike Wooldridge in Johannesburg said South Africa had been ‘’holding its

breath’’ while Mr Mandela was in hospital She said the former president was “as fine as can be at his age”.

In his statement, Mr Zuma thanked the public for their “good wishes and support”.

“The doctors have decided to send him home as the diagnostic procedure he underwent did not indicate anything seriously wrong with him,” it said.

Mr Mandela, who is affectionately known in South Africa by his clan name, Madiba, spent 27 years in prison for fighting the white-minority rule of the apartheid era.

He became South Africa’s first black president in 1994, serving one five-year term.

In 2004, he retired from public life - his age and declining health mean he has appeared in public only rarely since.

In January last year, he was treated in Johannesburg for a serious chest infection and his health remains a subject of huge public interest.

Egyptian court adjourns US activists’ trial to April

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N Egyptian court yesterday adjourned the trial of dozens of democracy activists including 16 Americans to April, raising hopes among their supporters that the case could be dropped to spare further damage to Egypt’s ties with its ally Washington.

Forty-three foreign and Egyptian non-profit workers including the son of the United States transportation secretary - are accused of receiving illegal funds from abroad, carrying out political activities unrelated to their civil society work and failing to obtain the necessary operating licences.

The groups say they have long sought to register in Egypt.

The case has underscored tension between the United States and the generals who took power in Egypt when President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown. Washington officials have said annual military aid to Egypt, worth $1.3 billion, is under threat.

But they want to avoid burning bridges with Egypt’s rulers, who have upheld a peace treaty with staunch US ally Israel and are promising to hand power to civilians this year.

A senior US official said on Saturday that Washington and Cairo were holding what he described as “intense discussions” to resolve the crisis within days and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington was evaluating developments.

Prosecution lawyer Khaled Suleiman told the court: “These organisations are accused of espionage and going against the law. Most of them are in contact with the CIA. These organisations gathered information and reports on Egypt and sent them to the US State Department.”

Prisons names 73 Kogi jail escapees

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•Dickson

attendance to call on the people to participate in the three-day fasting and praying programme.

Describing the King of Glory Chapel as the ‘first altar in the state’, the governor urged the chapel’s leadership not to hesitate in bringing the needs of the Chapel to his attention.

Earlier in his sermon, the Chaplain, Rev. Canon Billy Ziwari enjoined Christians to faithfully follow the footsteps of Christ regardless of the trials and difficulties they may be going through.

EW days after the jail break in Koton- Karfe prisons in Kogi State, the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) at the weekend released the names of 73 inmates that escaped.

According to the document obtained

by The Nation, all the inmates who are still on the run are awaiting trial.

They are all men.

Forty-seven of them are northerners.

The escapees are: Shuaibu Isah; Abubakar Mohammed Mohammed; Abdulrazaki Jimoh; Usman Makawa; Suleiman Usman; Hussein James; Shehu Isah, Mohammed Isah Abubakar Madaki; Isiaka Ahmed; Usman Lawal, Ewuche Stephen, Blessing Ngiri; Momoh Jimoh Salawu; Usman Mohammed; Abdullahi Huseni; Isah Siaka; Hopu Asuoquo; Ahamed Hassan, Atiku Murtala; Sani Baba, Umar Mohammed; Idris Abdullahi, Adamu John; Akebe Unwojo; Abdulganiyu Yusuf Aduke; Zarki Zuberu Gwadabe; Ohikwo Ahmed; Audu Mustapha; Noah Abba Idoko; Sani Jibrin; Ifeanyi Chukwu; Baile Ajayi; Yusuf Usman; Shitu Yahaya; Isah Sule; Abdullahi Adamu; Seidu Musa Shadari; Sunday Kolawole; Timothy

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Tseen; Yunusa Mohammed; Amodu Garba; Ahaji Barwa Usman; Kayode Adeshina; Shaibu Jibrin; Abubakar Mukiga; Isah Akaba; Emmanuel Olive; Abubakar Umar; Sunday Ojeodion; Adamu Musah; Abu Yerima; Usman Isa; Ibrahim Musa; Felix Benedict; Gbenga Olatomiwa; Godwin Eze George; Mohammed Quazhi; Alexander Ojoma; Daniel Mohammed; Abdulkarim Musamusa; Kinghy Okopire; Tochukwu Okeke; Dahiru Isah; Amodu Garba; Yunusa Mohammed; Joel Maji; Onimisa Yusuf; Ilori Olushola; Stephen Anikwuenwu; Abubakar A. Usman; Buba Ali; Sunday Otoko; Godswill Essein.

According to the document signed by NPS Public Relations Officer, Kayode Odeyemi, the public have been advised to report any useful information that could lead to their re-arrest should contact the nearest Prisons Service Formations, the police stations or any other security agency.

The development is coming after the Minister of Interior; Comrade Abba Moro met with top prisons chiefs last Wednesday over the jail break.

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Powerful earthquake shakes Siberia A POWERFUL earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 shook southwestern Siberia yesterday afternoon, the second to hit the area in two months. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, emergency officials said.

Residents of multistory apartment buildings said objects tumbled off of shelves, windows rattled and chandeliers swayed during the quake, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

The earthquake hit about 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Kyzyl, the capital of the Russian republic of Tuva, which borders Mongolia.

A quake of similar strength hit the same spot in late December. That quake damaged dozens of buildings, including a bridge over the Yenisei River to Mongolia.

Yesterday’s quake, which the United States Geological Survey said was centered 11.7 (7.3 miles) below the surface, was felt across a broad swath of southeastern Siberia.

Pakistan pulls down bin Laden’s compound

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AKISTAN was more than halfway done yesterday demolishing the three-story compound where Osama bin Laden was killed by United States commandos last May, erasing a concrete reminder of a painful and embarrassing chapter in the country’s history.

Rings of police kept spectators and journalists away from the compound, which the government began tearing down Saturday night under powerful floodlights without providing prior notice. Three mechanized backhoes ripped into the building, according to an Associated Press reporter who was able to get close enough to see the work.

Pakistan was outraged by the covert American raid in

the northwestern town of Abbottabad because it was not told about it beforehand — a decision the US explained was driven by concerns that someone in the government might tip off bin Laden.

The terror leader’s death was cheered across the globe, but many Pakistanis were angry that the US violated its territory and that its troops were powerless to stop American soldiers from attacking a compound located next to the country’s elite military academy.

The backhoes — heavy machines with strong cranelike digging arms — have torn down the tall boundary walls around bin Laden’s compound and have destroyed more than half of the main building, where the al-Qaida chief lived for

years with his wives and children.

Army soldiers who were guarding the compound Saturday night handed authority over to the police in the morning and left. Work continued Sunday morning but paused around midday so that large trucks could carry away the debris.

Pakistani officials have declined to say why they decided to begin demolition.

Residents of the normally sleepy town of Abbottabad were divided on what the government should do with the compound in the aftermath of the raid. Some thought it should be destroyed, but others believed it should be turned into a tourist attraction to help the town earn money. There was always the danger, however, that it could also draw al-

Qaida supporters.

American officials said they buried bin Laden’s body at sea to avoid giving his followers a burial place that could become a makeshift shrine.

Many US officials expressed disbelief that bin Laden could have lived in Abbottabad for around six years without the Pakistani government knowing. But the US has not found any evidence that senior Pakistani officials knew of the alQaida chief’s whereabouts.

The US Navy SEALs who attacked bin Laden’s compound on May 2 infiltrated by helicopter from neighboring Afghanistan.

The raid, which lasted around 40 minutes, was a serious blow to the already troubled US-Pakistan relationship.

state’s Republican presidential primary tomorrow.

Brewer says she had looked at all the candidates and decided to endorse the former Massachusetts governor.

Brewer says Romney’s business background appealed to her.

She says, “I think he’d serve Americans the best of all the candidates,” adding that she thinks he’s the candidate who could win November’s election.

The endorsement came during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press”, and four days after Romney and three rivals appeared in a debate in Mesa, Ariz.

The former Massachusetts governor is expected to win tomorrow’s contest in Arizona, which is home to a significant Mormon population.

S

•Syrians cast vote on new constitution...yesterday

Anti-Putin protesters form human chain in Moscow T HOUSANDS of Russians joined hands to form a human chain around Moscow city centre yesterday in protest against Vladimir Putin’s likely return as president in an election next week.

The protesters stood side by side around the16-km Moscow Garden Ring Road in gently falling snow, many of them wearing the white ribbons that symbolise the biggest opposition protests since Putin rose to power 12 years ago.

The mood was festive as protesters, some chanting “Russia without Putin,” waved at cars which hooted back in support. Some held blown-up condoms - mock-

ing Putin for saying he mistook the white ribbons they pin to their coats for contraceptives.

“There is no way that Putin can win honestly,” said Yevgeniya Chirikova, a leading opposition campaigner.

“You see how many people are out here now. If we can prove that there is falsification in the presidential election, then there will be a very strong reaction (from the people),” she said.

Putin is all but certain to win the presidential election on March 4, and return to the post he held from 2000

until 2008, after a campaign portraying him as a strong leader who oversaw an economic boom and rebuilt Russia as a powerful nation.

But the protests point to growing dissatisfaction among relatively well-off voters in big cities with a political system dominated by one man, widespread corruption and a lack of transparency.

Putin has remained Russia’s dominant leader despite stepping aside to become prime minister in 2008 because of constitutional limits, and protesters are alarmed that could win two more

terms and rule the world’s biggest country until 2024.

“I don’t know that there will be any result (from the protest) but I’ve come to show the government that there are many of us and that there are many people together,” said Nikolai Chekalin, a 66-year-old scientist.

“I would like transparency, an honest court and conditions for business to develop. Putin has been lucky, the price of oil has helped him. Without that he’s nothing,” he said, referring to the surge in global oil prices that fuelled Russia’s economic boom during Putin’s previous presidency.

Santorum: no apology needed for Qur’an burning EPUBLICAN presidential hopeful Rick Santorum criticised President Barack Obama’s apology for the burning of Qurans in Afghanistan, adding that Afghanistan should apologise to the United States for the deaths of four American soldiers during six days of violence sparked by the incident.

“There was nothing deliberately done wrong here,” Santorum said yesterday on ABC’s “This Week”. “This was something that hap-

R

•The late Josephson

A

RIZONA Gov. Jan Brewer has endorsed Mitt Romney in her

Clinton tells Syrians to abandon Assad

Swedish actor Josephson dies at 88 SWEDISH actor Erland Josephson, who collaborated with legendary film director Ingmar Bergman in more than 40 films and plays, has died. He was 88.

The award-winning actor died at a Stockholm hospital on Saturday following a long battle against Parkinson’s disease, said Royal Dramatic Theatre spokeswoman Christina Bjerkander.

Josephson was born into a family of artists and culture workers in Stockholm in 1923 and would become the actor who had the longest-running collaboration with Bergman.

The two first met when Josephson was just 16 and participated as an amateur actor in the play “The Merchant of Venice,” directed by Bergman.

Although he never had any formal acting education, Josephson continued to appear in several Bergman stage plays in the 1940s and 50s, and received a minor part in 1946 film “It Rains on Our Love.” In the late 50s he played larger roles in Bergman’s films “The Magician” and “Brink of Life,” but first shot to international stardom with the role of Johan in “Scenes from a Marriage,” in 1973.

Arizona governor endorses Romney

pened as a mistake. Killing Americans in uniform is not a mistake. It was something that deliberate.”

More than 30 people have been killed in clashes since it emerged Tuesday that copies of the Muslim holy book and other religious materials had been thrown into a fire pit used to burn garbage at Bagram Air Field, a large US base north of Kabul. Protesters angry over Quran burnings by American troops lobbed grenades yesterday at a US

base in northern Afghanistan and clashed with police and troops in a day of violence that left seven international troops wounded and two Afghans dead.

“The response needs to be apologized for by (President Hamid) Karzai and the Afghan people for attacking and killing our men and women in uniform and overreacting to this inadvertent mistake,” Santorum said on NBC’s “Meet the Press”.

“That is the real crime here, not what our soldiers did.”

The president’s apology suggests that there is blame and that the US did something wrong “in the sense of doing a deliberate act,” Santorum said.

Santorum says that rather than saying he was sorry, Obama should have only acknowledged that burning copies of Islam’s holiest book in a trash pit was wrong and taken responsibility for the incident, “but to apologize, I think, lends credibility that somehow or another that it was more than that.”

YRIANS in the military and business who still support President Bashar Assad should turn against him, United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said yesterday.

“The longer you support the regime’s campaign of violence against your brothers and sisters, the more it will stain your honor. If you refuse, however, to prop up the regime or take part in attacks on your fellow citizens, your countrymen and women will hail you as heroes,” Clinton said at a news conference in Morocco as she conveyed a message to those holdouts backers of the embattled leader.

Syria’s authoritarian government held a referendum on a new constitution Sunday, but the opposition deemed it an empty gesture and the West dismissed the vote as a “sham.”

Activists estimate close to 7,500 people have been killed in the 11 months since Assad’s crackdown on dissent began.

“Assad would have the Syrian people believe that it is only terrorists and extremists standing against the regime. But that is wrong,” Clinton said. “So many Syrians are suffering under this relentless shelling. All Syrians should be working together to seek a better future.”

Clinton was among the international officials who discussed the crisis during a conference Friday in Tunisia.

They are trying to develop a united strategy to push Assad from power and they began planning a civilian peacekeeping mission to deploy after his government falls.

She said in the Moroccan capital that “we’re appealing to members of the Syrian army to put the people of their country first before a family or a political party.

And we are pushing hard for a plan that would lead to a political transition.”

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

61

NEWS

States declare public holiday for Ojukwu Continued from page 1

Okwudili Ezenwankwo said the decision to shut markets was reached during the meeting of the leaders and representatives of markets, held at the White View Hotel, Awka, Anambra State.

He said markets would be closed as traders observe a sitat-home directive as a mark of respect for the ex-Biafran hero.

Nwankwo said that markets in Enugu and Anambra states will be shut down March 1, when the remains of Ojukwu will arrive at the Enugu Airport enroute Anambra State, adding that traders in the country will shut down on March 2.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all the leaders of the markets and traders in the country, especially from other geo-political zones to comply with the decision. No sacrifice made for the late Ojukwu will be too much that day, we are also appealing to traders in Anambra and Enugu States to comply with the directive of closing the market on March 1,” he said.

Ezenwankwo appealed to those who may want to use the opportunity to cause trouble by inciting the traders against their leaders, or causing confusion by giving contrary directives to the traders to desist from such act, stressing that traders should seek clarification from their leaders.

He said: “It is the duty of the traders to decide when their markets will be closed and when they will be opened; it is not a decision the Presidents and Chairmen of the markets can take alone.

The traders were consulted before the decision was taken, and we expect full compliance.”

Ezenwankwo said that Anambra traders will hold a reception for the late Ikemba at the Alex Ekwueme Cenotaph, Awka, from where they will join the entourage to Nnewi for the interment.

Following speculations that the funeral will witness a bloody combat between the military and the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the movement said at the weekend there will be nothing like that.

Anambra and Enugu State governments have declared March 1 as public holiday for the late Ojukwu.

Abia State has also declared tomorrow as holiday.

The Local Organising Committee (LDC) Chairman for the burial and Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dubem Obaze, announced the holiday yesterday in Awka.

He said Ojukwu’s body will arrive in Anambra State on Thursday. It will be flown in from London today.

Obaze also said the body will be taken to the Southeast

states of Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Enugu before arriving Anambra.

At 3pm on Thursday, Ojukwu’s body will arrive at the Dr. Alex Ekweme Square in Awka.

Visitors will only be allowed to park vehicles at designated places.

He said there will be no role for MASSOB and local vigilante. The military, police, FRSC, civil defence personnel to take care of security.

MASSOB Director of information and communications, Uchenna Madu, said issues concerning security during Ojukwu’s burial had been settled.

He said an agreement had been reached between MASSOB and the military adding that soldiers would lead the security arm of the burial; MASSOB would complement them.

“Some people think there will be a bloodbath during the funeral of our late leader, Dim Ojukwu, but I want to assure you that there will be nothing like that,” he said, adding: “Our leader, Chief Raph Uwazuruike, has ordered that we support the soldiers in making sure that Ikemba Nnewi goes home in peace and that assignment will must carry to the later.

“We must accommodate everybody to give Ojukwu a befitting burial. We want the best for Ojukwu, the soldiers will lead the operation our own will be to support them.”

Soldiers have taken over security in Nnewi while vehicles moving inside the large Ojuk-

wu compound are being thoroughly searched.

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has said that the best way to immortalise Ojukwu is for Nigerians to live up to the ideals he lived and fought for. He spoke at St George’s Cathedral, London, after the requiem mass for the late Ojukwu.

Obi said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of goodwill for Ojukwu by all segments of the Nigerian society and the international community.

During the mass, the celebrant, Rev. Fr. Professor Ike Obiorah, said the society need-

ed men who believed in social justice as Ojukwu did. He called on Nigerians to strive to contribute meaningfully to the society rather than the culture of nihilism that is predominant in the society.

He recalled Ojukwu’s sacrifice for the good of his people and declared that Biafra was not dead as long as injustice remains in the country.

Ojukwu’s wife, Bianca, said she was moved to tears on the outpouring of goodwill that followed her husband’s death.

Ojukwu’s son, Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jnr., thanked God for the life of his father.

A wake-keep, which ended early yesterday, took place at The Enabling Centre, 640 Ripple Road, Barking, Essex. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Dozie Nwanna said the Igbo must remain thankful to Obi for his sacrifices for Ojukwu, especially in his last days.

At the service were: Obi’s wife, Margaret, Obi, Chief Victor Umeh, Dr. Tim Menakaya, Sen. Ben Obi, Gen. Isaac Obiakor, Ojukwu’s Chief of Staff, Prince Bob Onyema, the pilot who flew the last plane that brought relief materials to Biafra under the Joint Christian Aids, Phil Philip (83) and his wife, Jean Philip, among others.

•Some of the Catholic Priests at the funeral mass for the late Odumegwu Ojukwu at funeral mass...at the weekend.

Jonathan greets Shagari at 87

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated former President Shehu Shagari on his 87th birthday anniversary.

In his congratulatory message, Jonathan praised Shagari’s exemplary support for peace and national development, describing it as something worthy of emulation by all well-meaning citizens.

According to the message

by Dr. Reuben Abati, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the President also

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja described Shagari as an elder statesman who has continued to make his wisdom and vast experience available to the nation.

The statement reads: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has congratulated former President Shehu Shagari on his attainment of the age of 87. President Jonathan describes the former president as an elder

statesman who has continued to make his wisdom and vast experience available to the nation, adding that Nigeria has benefitted immensely from his selfless contributions.”

According to Jonathan Shagari’s exemplary support for peace and national development is commendable and worthy of emulation by all well-meaning citizens.

The President prays for continued good health and long life for Shagari.

•All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA’s) National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh

•Senator Ben Obi

Fed Govt is committed to Education for All, says Minister

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DUCATION Minister Prof Rukayat Rufai has reiterated the Federal Government commitment to providing vocational education through skill acquisition and skill development programmes.

The Federal Government recently licensed 86 Innovation Enterprising and Vocational Enterprising Institutions to award National Innovative Diploma (NID) and National Vocational Diploma (NVD).

The minister spoke at the

Workshop on Flexible Skills Development in Nigeria held at Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr Masaud Kazaure, Prof Rufai said the vocational institutions approved, out-numbered the conventional polytechnics which are just 75 in number, adding that the approval is in pursuance of the Millenium Develpment Goals (MDGs) in

education.

She revealed that the Federal Government has reviewed technical education syllabus in collaboration with UNESCO to ensure that those who cannot acquire formally can have access to technical or vocational training.

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Dr Philipa Idogho whose institution is a pilot school in FSD in Nigeria hinted that the polytechnic has made FSD and ICT integration a significant institutional strategic objective.

Mimiko begins emergency highway TILL basking in the eumedical service phoria of a successful

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third year anniversary, the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko-led administration in Ondo State is set to introduce an emergency medical service on its highway. The operation takes off next month.

The operation is one of the rescue measures being put in place to save the lives of accident victims across the state and reduce the rate at which people die in auto crashes.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju spoke at the weekend. He said most road accident victims

lose their lives due to lack of quick medical attention.

According to Adeyanju, the government is taking the safety measure because of revelations that motor accidents will be the leading cause of deaths in the New Year.

“We will begin to save lives because it has been said that road traffic accident in 2012 will be leading cause of deaths.

So, we are already thinking ahead of that” the commissioner said.

The government also

spoke of its plan to begin its zero polio programme expected to take the anti-polio crusade beyond the traditional door –to- door immunisation.

Adeyanju said the prevention of the scourge is better than its cure hence, the government’s resolve to prevent the burden of carrying paralysed children by intensifying immunisation campaign against polio using tricycle ambulances to ensure all children are immunised against polio.

•The crowd at the wake keep

•Former Minister of Health Dr. Tim Menakaya (left), former Information Minister Prof. Dora Akunyili, Chief Martins Agbaso and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jnr

THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27 2012

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SPORT EXTRA

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SAIN BOLT has pulled out of Saturday’s Gibson Relays, another delay to the start of a 2012 campaign pointed toward his defence of his Olympic sprint titles in London. “Due to Usain’s unscheduled trip (to Europe) which resulted in his training disruption the coach, Glen Mills, has decided that Usain will not take part in the Gibson Relays,” Bolt’s camp said in a one-line release. It’s the second local meeting Bolt will miss this month after he had left the island days prior to his traditional opener, the Camperdown Classic, two weeks ago.

Bolt, the reigning 100m and 200m Olympic champion, was slated to race a 400m at the low-key Camperdown meeting, but was seen in Germany where he reportedly went to see renowned sport medicine doctor HansWilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt. Bolt, however, has downplayed rumours of an injury and reported up to last

Bolt season

start delayed again • Bolt

Sunday that he was fine. Meet organisers in Europe said this month that Bolt will open his pre-Olympic season in Europe competing in the Golden Spike event in the eastern Czech

city of Ostrava on May 25.

He will then compete in on May 31, and in the Oslo League meeting on June 7.

Tyson to host a confessional style reality show

Federer eyes Olympic gold medal

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• Federer

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OGER FEDERER may have won a record 16 Grand Slams but the Swiss great has indicated that an Olympic gold medal is what he really wants this year, and not the number one ranking in the world.

Federer was bundled out of the 2004 Athens Olympics in the second round

by Thomas Berdych and then fell to James Blake in the quarter-finals at

Rome Diamond

Beijing four years later, but still rates it as an 'amazing experience.'

"I'd love an Olympic gold, everyone knows that," he told the media at the iconic Burj Al Arab on Sunday. "I've had an amazing experience at all the three Olympics I've played. But this is big milestone for tennis at the Olympics for all players of my generation. I'm really happy that it happens in our lifetime to be quite honest, that's me as a player. I'm still in my prime to actually have a shot at not only playing in the Olympics, but to dowwell," Federer added.

"That combination obviously drive me a lot to make sure I'm in good shape and a good position when I enter the tournament.

RESH off confirming his involvement with the future Hangover 3 movie, boxing powerhouse Mike Tyson stated he will be starring in his own reality show right off the Vegas strip that is centered around his own critiques of his tumultuous past in a confessional, no-holds-barred environment.

From Las Vegas Sun: “I’m [the reporter who broke the story] reliably told that his controversial life story will be told with video and photo flashbacks as he adds commentary and confessions. I’m told that he’ll include details of his tumultuous marriage to actress Robin Givens and his prison time. “It will be raw.

Nothing will be held back. He’s not going to shrink from the problems he’s faced and the battles he’s fought professionally and personally. It will be unfiltered, and he’ll tell it like it is,” one of Mike’s pals confirmed.”

Perhaps the most interesting part of the show is not the “off limits” video and photos throughout his life but rather at the end of each show, Tyson has said he will take questions from the audience: “Mike is so committed to the honesty of his new headliner show that he’ll also answer questions from

the audience at the end of each show before meeting fans for autographs and photos.”

Considering how many drunk idiots head to Vegas daily, coupled with the fact that anyone visiting the area is already game to do things a little outside of their, element opens the door for some potentially awkward moments for Tyson. Especially considering how well he handles live interviews already. Even if it’s not a drunk college kid, I’m pretty sure any half-talented journalist would be able to ask the right question to set off a firestorm reaction out of Tyson fairly easily.

Given Tyson’s almost sad life, I actually applaud the efforts of doing a live variety show. I’m not sure how long the actual series will last given there’s only so many questions you ask about prison, ear biting and pigeons that haven't already been asked but the dozen or so internet videos that will surely come from this will be gold nonetheless.

• Tyson

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THE NATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27 2012

SPORT EXTRA

Raiola thinks Zlatan will stay

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• Muntari

Muntari's ‘goal' ignites goal-line technology talk

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ULLEY MUNTARI'S never to be goal in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash between AC Milan and Juventus has provided another boost for the case in favour of goal-line technology.

And that goal could ultimately decide this season’s Serie A title race.

The Ghana international was already celebrating after heading the ball over the line but the referee had waved play on even though replays showed the ball was a good metre inside the goal.

AC Milan could have taken a 2-0 lead had the goal counted as they dominated the game and there might well have been no way back for Juventus, who regrouped to force a 1-1 draw.

Juventus stayed one point behind Serie A leaders Milan with a game in hand, whereas a defeat would have left them four points adrift and a blow of having lost their unbeaten record this season.

Players from both sides agreed that the ball was in, including Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

“I wasn’t aware at the time of my position or of Muntari’s shot.

Afterwards, I saw in the pictures that the ball had gone in,” he said.

• Goetze

Goetze poised to return to Dortmund training

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UNDESLIGA leader Borussia Dortmund says Mario Goetze will be able to train again in two weeks when the playmaker is expected to have recovered from a groin injury.

Goetze hasn’t played for the defending champion since a 1-1 draw at home to Kaiserslautern in the league on Dec. 11 as he struggled with a pubic bone inflammation.

Dortmund says in a statement that Goetze is poised to make his long-awaited return after a holiday and specialist treatment.

The 19-year-old Goetze says he is “very happy that things are looking up and that the inflammation is subsiding.”

Goetze scored five league goals and set up another five for Dortmund before suffering the injury.

•Benzema

MONJE:

Barca sitting on 50m war chest B

ARCELONA club secretary Susana Monje claims the La Liga champions will have 50 million euros to spend on transfers in the off season.

Barca have been linked with several bigmoney transfers, and are reportedly keeping tabs on the likes of Santos' Neymar and Spurs winger Gareth Bale.

But Monje's comments would appear to rule out a double swoop for the pair, unless Barca generated funds from selling members of their existing squad.

"We will have about €50 million for transfers," Monje told Mundo Deportivo.

"The figure is very competitive compared to

other clubs and in the future it will only increase, but we must use it wisely."

The club secretary claimed Barca are in good financial health, although she did admit they lost money after releasing Alexander Hleb.

"We are in line with the approved budget that is close to 21 million euro profit," she said.

"Box office revenues have given us joy in recent years and worked well. Marketing has also given us contracts in Asia such as the Chang Beer (deals) that have been great."

"On the other hand, we continued to make cuts but that can only happen so far. In the sport area, with the liquidation of (Alexander) Hleb's contract, we lost money."

LATAN IBRAHIMOVIC'S agent Mino Raiola says he is '99.9 per cent' sure the striker will remain at AC Milan for the foreseeable future.

The 30-year-old's long-term future at Milanello is uncertain, with the striker failing to publicly pledge his commitment to the club.

But Raiola has moved to allay fears his client, who joined Milan prior to the 2010/11 campaign, could move on at the end of the season.

"Ibra has a contract for two more years (at Milan), but (I am) 99.9 per cent (certain) that he will stay here," Raiola told Sky Sport Italia.

Raiola also criticised the Lega Calcio Disciplinary Committee's decision to not revoke Ibrahimovic's suspension for slapping an opponent, which saw him ruled out of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Juventus.

"I expected that they would go ahead with the three-match ban," he said.

"But I think it was unjust because I thought (his slap on Napoli defender Salvatore Aronica) was not a violent act.”

• Ibra

Rossi ignoring Lazio strife

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IORENTINA coach Delio Rossi says the confusion over Edy Reja's future at Lazio will not affect his players when the two teams meet.

Lazio coach Reja handed in his resignation last week only to end up withdrawing it, triggering considerable speculation about the situation behind the scenes at the Stadio Olimpico club.

Despite Lazio's apparent turmoil, Rossi wants to focus on circumstances within his control ahead of Sunday's match in Rome.

"Of course it cannot be a 'normal' game, but I can't be thinking about Lazio's problems," he told Il Corriere dello Sport.

"I have enough things to worry about."

Fiorentina will be without Amauri after the striker picked up a knock in training this week, and Rossi claims he also has concerns over the availability of some of his other players.

"We'll replace Amauri with either Adem Ljajic or Alessio Cerci. Alessio is working hard, but we'll probably start with Ljajic," he said.

TOMORROW

www.thenationonlineng.net

IN THE NATION

‘Let Nigerians engage themselves to get Nigeria out of the present hole of structured poverty. It is the sane way to bury the bogey of secession’ MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

VOL.7, NO. 2049

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

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HE idea of a puppet would seem sweeter as a metaphor in politics than another realm of human striving. It has all the trappings of high comedy, action, manoeuvre, romance and even horror.

We think of a man in his highest grandeur fall to the remote control of a few men as cliques or one hectoring figure who is hardly ogled by the public eye. A president, a governor, a lawmaker, a local government chairman is not credited with a wit of his own sensibility, a phrase of his own creativity, a policy of his own genius, an action of his own impulse, a manoeuvre of his own gallantry. In all his glory, colour, pump and severity he is somebody else’s man, plucked from a cabal or grandmaster.

He or she is a pawn, a marionette, a puppet.

But of late, we have now known that judges are part of a puppeteer’s game. That deepens the drama. Judges are supposed to be dour, serious, frigid, grand, tarciturn, cloaked out of the public eye. They are read but not heard. When they are seen, they come across as almost plastic – not smiling, not gesticulating, with formal gaits, their dress sense a dull and suffocating monochrome.

The drollery is supposed to serve them well. They inhabit the inner sanctum of a society’s justice, and this implies that they are immune from the scents and pollutions of the outside world - the lies, the compromises, the subterfuges, the murders and the thefts, all that take away from the pristine dignity of humans.

But we know that this remove has been removed. As the NBA president and other worriers about our judiciary have cried, judges are now on the take. The temple of justice may fall from the persistent nibbling of rats.

Many are asking questions, and this matter became very serious following the battle of wits and propriety between Justice Ayo Salami and the former chief justice of the federation, Aloysius Katsina-Alu over the governorship election in Sokoto State.

That matter led to the suspension of Salami and raised turbulent dusts over whether there was justice for justices in the court. If we don’t dispense justice for justices how can we guarantee justice for the rest of society?

That was what crossed my mind when I started reading of a man who I thought had been tossed into the dustbin of yesterday. I refer to Segun Oni, ousted governor of Ekiti State and the man with the phony Awo cap who remorselessly violates the principle and conscience of the departed sage.

Since his ouster from the governor seat in Ekiti State, he has not relinquished the seat in his mind. He probably still inhabits the position in his megalomaniac mind, privately calling himself governor and

IN TOUCH

so, it’ll EMPOWER them?

I

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009& 2010 (D.A.M.E)

The puppeteers

•Salami performing lofty rites, savouring the ceremony and exercising the high authority of that position in a febrile illusion. Last year, he went to court trying to challenge the integrity of Justice Salami. He was inspired by the belief that Salami was in foul odours with the justice establishment. If the National Judicial Council did not like Salami, it meant that he was going to be indicted for lack of integrity. So, if that happened, his role in the court of appeal verdict that chased him out of office would be questioned. In that case, his ouster would be ousted, so he could return to his stolen throne.

Well, the NJC did not do his bidding.

Recently, the body wrote to the president clearing him of any wrongdoing and recommended his reinstatement. The President, Goodluck Jonathan, has not acted on this letter. He is a president who cannot

RIPPLES

INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY TARIFF WILL NOT HURT THE POOR-Power Minister

Beauty and the beast in Lagos

SAM OMATSEYE

D

R Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance, is in China with a 17-man delegation to woo Chinese investors and explore the possibility of securing a $3 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.

The loan, if granted, will attract a three per cent interest rate and is part of the $7.9 billion external loans President Goodluck Jonathan wants the National Assembly to approve. So far, if official records are accurate, Nigeria has an external loan burden of $5.7 billion. If the $3 billion facility is added to the current debt figure, we would be contending with a burden of nearly $9 billion. If the National Assembly agrees completely with Jonathan’s request, we would groan under more than $13 billion debt burden. We must of course reassure ourselves that those running our economy this time around are better book-keepers than public officers who ran it in the past, and that, as they swear, they would use the loans for more productive uses.

It is bewildering that a few years back, under the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo presidency, public officers were caught in the frenzy of paying off all our loans in order, as they said, to begin enjoying the salubrious air of a debt-free nation. There was no argument spared, and no persuasive skill left unharnessed, to convince a wary and pauperised public reluctant to en-

tell how to winnow politics from policy. So he still sees Justice Salami as the man who ruled against his party and not as a man of justice.

Oni’s case has been shot in the leg. The man Salami is in the clear. Yet in a desperate game, the man went to court to secure leave to prosecute Salami. The court ruled last year that no panel of judges could proceed with any matter on the Ekiti governorship until Salami’s case was determined. Now that Salami has a clean bill, why did the acting president of the Court of Appeal set up a panel of five judges to rehear the case?

Two matters are involved here. Is the PDP playing up Oni as a puppet to play a role in choreographing justice against Salami? Oni wants badly to return to power. And the PDP fears the guts and gusto of Salami’s gladiatorial intelligence in court. Governor Kayode Fayemi has written through his lawyer to the chief justice of the federation to draw his attention to the travesty that seems to be brewing.

Civil rights lawyer Femi Falana has pointed out the impunities of acting president of the Court of Appeal, Dalhatu Adamu, in Borno and Anambra where he arbitrarily sets up panels of judges. This is the sort of travesty to lament. This takes away from the institutional innocence of the judiciary.

The Chief Justice ought to know that the integrity of democracies lies in its courts. If the courts fail, the law fails and the nation fails. We should learn from President Thomas Jefferson: “To lose a country because of scrupulous adherence to a written law, is to lose law itself.” If we lose the law, Nigeria loses its reason and passion of being.

When the puppeteers are clipped, the judiciary can blossom, and puppets and cretins are thrown into outer and utter darkness.

HAVE always contemplated the words of novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky in his classic work, The Idiot. The major character was made to make a quote that has become unforgettable: “Beauty will save the world.”

I always remember this when I go through Lagos and contemplate the environment.

We see conflict at work. The government is going in a direction and the ordinary folks are heading the other way. It is a conflict of beauty against the beast. The beauty here is the environment. The state government is in the vanguard of beauty. Here is an example of one thing the people need and the government gives them. The people like the result but are not ready for the discipline to make it work.

It is like a child who is sick who knows he needs medication to get well but will resist with all his feeble energy.

In the past, the people complained that Lagos was so dirty that there was nothing that could turn it into an aesthetic appeal. Today, that is not the case. The drains are vastly improved. The streets and major arteries are maintained, and the flowers bloom and parks abound in green.

Recently, a storm swept into town taking down roofs and snapping trees and killing people. That was nature’s tyranny. But the rains flowed through the drainage that witnessed tremendous improvement. Drainage upgrade certainly averted many tragedies that day and saved lives. The drains in some areas are still a challenge because the people do not understand the value.

One evening, I was driving through a part of town and saw a woman pour rice into the roadside drain (gutter) and moments later a little girl swept a heap of pure water sachets into another drain. Such attitude is a call to disaster. When the big rains come and water finds its level in the house and laps up (God forbid!) lives and property, we blame the government and then we blame witches and mermaids. We are the mermaids, the terrible beauty. If we acted with a sense of natural beauty, we will keep those fairies at bay literally. We do not want the ravages of beauty.

If nature and environment is beautiful, we have self-esteem and good health. Napoleon Bonaparte said “water, air and cleanliness are the chief articles in my pharmacopoeia.” The poor account for the most dirt and suffer the most disasters. If only they understand the power of beauty to save them from spending money on typhoid, malaria, etc. The battle continues, but it is government’s and ours.

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

From China with loans

of the whiz kid is pulled by the ear and shown the public officer’s resume. Even ruling parties and the president/governors behave the same way. The consequence is that public policies are often insular or inept.

Do we need the loans we have begun to accumulate again? Loans are in themselves not bad, but they must be a last resort. The fact about the Nigerian situation, however, is that we are still steeped in practices that cost us needlessly: expensive government; unwise unitary system of government; unwieldy 36state structure, and still counting; third-rate politicians in office whose ability to think clearly and logically is compromised by poor education; and a host of other silly encumbrances. Consider, for instance, that one of the projects to benefit from the new loans is what officials have described as modernisation of the rail system. Of course, that modernisation has nothing to do with bullet train.

Given the Jonathan government’s appetite for external loans, and the ruling party’s inurement to radical political changes, it should not surprise us, if in the next few years, we inch our way steadily once again into the big league of borrowers. Let us hope then that $15 billion or $20 billion would sate our gluttony and match, not surpass, our past experience with crushing debts.

dorse a massive financial haemorrhage of the kind contemplated by Obasanjo and his then Finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala. Nigerians were brusquely overruled at the time, just as they are being ignored this time.

A novelist once caricatured a spendthrift whose frenetic desire to spend money was triggered whenever he managed to save a considerable amount of money. A foreign newsmagazine called it Cranstonian economics. Nigeria may be at that precise point where its eagerness to borrow is triggered by its loan repayment. So, why in the first instance endure the pain of repaying loans on such a massive scale when the country was to be led down the steep slope of debt burden again?

Public administration in Nigeria has obviously become a nightmare. Once a self-professed whiz kid in government is seized by an idea, and he or she has the enterprise to make the president buy it, the next thing is to begin implementation. There is little or no debate, and everyone who denounces the impracticable idea

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