The Nation February 26, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Row over choice of FIRS chairman

Celebrities give last honour to Goldie

•Ex-BBA star buried in Lagos

BUSINESS

Page 11

NEWS

•Minister shortlists bank chief, others

Page 53

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2412 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Governors reject Jonathan’s bid to remove Amaechi Forum’s election put off till May From Yusuf Alli and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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T was a simple gathering of governors to elect their forum’s chairman.

But the Abuja meeting turned out to be more - a verbal war between two governors and a retreat by President Goodluck Jonathan – backed opponents of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chairman.

All was tense. After four hours, the governors postponed the election till May. The bad blood generated by the Presidency’s move to oust Amaechi and the insistence of his supporters to ensure he continues defined the meeting.

Faced with a defeat of its bid to remove the Rivers State helmsman, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formed its own Governors’ Forum on Sunday night under the leadership of Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio.

It was learnt that anti-Amaechi forces proposed the postponement for time to restrategise.

The anti-Amaechi forces secured only 16 signatures out of the 36 governors at the start of the meeting. They needed 24 signatories for two-thirds or 19 for simple majority.

Reading the communique at the end of the meeting, Amaechi said: “We, the governors of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at our 3rd meeting of the year held on Monday 25th February, 2013, at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, deliberated on a number of issues and resolved as follows: “Members reviewed the affairs of the Forum in the past 21 months, detailing activities, achievements and challenges experienced during the period.

“After exhaustive deliberation of the issues regarding filling vacant positions, the Forum resolved that election in this regard be postponed until May when the Chairman’s iniContinued on page 4

•Amaechi reading the communique...last night. With him are from left: Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Almakura and Aliyu. Behind them from left are: Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, Obi and Akpabio PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

WHEN GOVERNORS QUARREL There was no basis for forming the PDP Governors Forum. The PDP Governors Forum is a deliberate move by the Presidency to split the Nigeria Governors Forum and turn it into a tool to be used.

By forming another forum within a forum, it means forces from outside are at work. A dictator is going to emerge.

—Aliyu

The PDP Forum was formed with the consent of party leaders in order to keep the party united.

There is nothing wrong with it. After all, you are the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.

Is there anything wrong with that? Has Northern Forum divided the NGF? The President or the PDP is not using anybody —Akpabio

APC will defeat PDP in 2015, says Buhari

F •Gen. Buhari

ORMER Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the All Progressive Peoples Congress (APC) will sack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in 2015.

Gen. Buhari said Nigerians are tired of bad governance and corruption, which have been the hallmark of the PDP Federal Government since 1999 – according to him.

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

He said those factors led the opposition parties to join forces to oust the PDP from power.

He spoke yesterday at a meeting of elected representatives of his party – the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

The CPC has announced the merger with the Action Congress of

Nigerian (AC N), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the All Progressive Grand Alliance to form the APC. The new party is processing its registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But the PDP also said yesterday that it was strategising to stop the APC from taking power.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio stated this yesterday when he presided over the maiden meeting of the PDP Governors Forum in Abuja.

Gen. Buhari said the country was in the grip of a bad government whose only intention is to hang on to power by all means.

“The country is in the grip of a bad Continued on page 4

•CITYBEATS P6 •PROPERTY P13 •SPORTS P23 •POLITICS P43 •ENERGY P47

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

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NEWS POLICE BARRACKS

•A decrepit police barracks

•A toilet facility in a police barracks in Lagos

Why policemen may President Goodluck Jonathan made an unscheduled visit to the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos after watching a Channels Television clip on the squalid conditions at the training institute. He was furious. But that was just a tip of the iceberg. What will he do if he visits the barracks? The condition of police barracks across the country leaves nothing to desire. Yet, there is a controversy over who should pay contractors to renovate the barracks, report GBADE OGUNWALE (Abuja), LEKE SALAUDEEN, BISI OLADELE (Ibadan), KOLADE ADEYEMI (Kano), PRECIOUS DIKE (Port Harcourt), YUSUF AMINU–IDEGU (Jos), DAMISI OJO (Akure), TONY AKOWE (Kaduna) and ADEKUNLE JIMOH (Ilorin).

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ITTERED in every available space, including under staircases, are various sizes of mattresses, sleeping mats, buckets and other personal effects belonging to stranded policemen attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. Many of these officers have been in Abuja for months and there is no accommodation for them in the barracks. So, they make the police command their squatters’ paradise.

The situation is not peculiar to Abuja. In almost all the police commands in the country, from Lagos to far-flung Borno State, the situation is the same.

For those who even have rooms in the barracks, they might as well be living in open-roof houses. The Nation’s investigations across the country reveal decay occasioned by years of neglect by the authorities.

At the various barracks, the structures are dilapidated from foundation to the roof. Owing to wear and tear, one can hardly make out the original colours the weather beaten structures were painted in. The environment depicts a mixture of organic and human waste caked up by the harsh, blazing sun. Separating the various apartments are streams of dark coloured, viscous and slimy fluids oozing lazily by. The putrid stench that assails the nasal passage can constitute a health hazard.

No rehabilitation has been done on many of the structures since they were built several years ago. The Presidential Committee on Police Barracks Rehabilitation seems to have gone into sleep. Contracts were awarded for the rehabilitation of the buildings, but the contractors do not seem to be making progress on the job, a development that has continued to be a source of worry to the policemen and their families living in such deplorable conditions.

Contractors say the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Force Headquatres have been pushing them around over who should pay for the rehabilitation.

Tale of neglect

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HILE the ministry and the Force headquatres seem confused about who

should pay contractors for the rehabilitation, the barracks are sinking deeper into rot.

The barracks at Ikeja are derelict, with the flats no longer suitable for human habitation. The walls are perforated. The pillars and deckings have signs of weakness written all over them. The plaster on the concrete is peeling off and the iron rods are becoming naked.

The drains are silted, forcing waste water to find its level, thereby making the environment to stink. The sewage system has collapsed; the soakaway and septic tanks are not functioning; the pipes connecting the toilet with the chambers constitute an eye sore to visitors. Residents of the State Traffic Division (STD) B Operations Department Barracks are using pit latrines, which the Lagos State government outlawed over a decade ago.

The facilities, built with iron sheets, could be taken for a shrine.

There is no water supply into the quarters. The occupants rely on water vendors for their daily need. Overcrowding makes living in the barracks unbearable. Three families share a two-bedroom flat in some blocks, irrespective of gender and family size.

The open gutters have become breeding ground for mosquitoes and this exposes residents to frequent malaria attacks.

With no provision for the evacuation of refuse, the residents discharge their waste into the drains, thus clogging the channels. The stench oozing out of the drains is offensive to the nostrils.

Despite the filthy environment, it is business-as-usual for the wives of policemen, who run restaurants and eating joints.

The Iwo Road Barracks in Ibadan, located inside the Area Command, has cracks on its walls; the windows of the two-storey building are broken and the sanitation is appalling. The lack of routine maintenance makes it to look like a typical house in the slum.

The barracks is home to the rank and file of the Force.

The building, which houses no fewer than eight families on each floor, has an abandoned water tank in the front.

At the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, where several of such buildings are located, the story is the same. The facilities are in a sorry state.

For instance, the bathrooms in the two-room apartments are largely unkempt, making them to look like public toilets. Becuase the taps in the apartments dry, residents are left with no option but to go down the stairs to fetch water from a communal tap.

It was learnt that occupants pay to fix facilities, such as electricity. Some of the vacant apartments have broken ceilings and their balconies stinks.

In Kano, many officers elect to rent houses on their own, owing to dilapidated facilities within the barracks.

A police officer attached to the Bompai Police Headquarters said: “Police men living in the barracks are suffering and smiling. In fact, apart from the security threat of the Boko Haram insurgence, I decided to park out from the barracks to rent an apartment for myself and family because I want to live long.

“Our police barracks are in bad shape. They are an eyesore. They are practically inhabitable because of lack of maintenance and provision of basic facilities.

“In fact, those of my colleagues still living the barracks do not have a choice, particularly the rank and file; because, there in the barracks, you still have the VIPs.” The MOPOL 9 Baracks at Hotoro Quarters is a replica of what obtains elsewhere, despite the fact that it belongs to the senior officers.

There is not much difference at the Zone 1 Police Barracks. The structures are dilapidated and the roofs lick. Residents at the barracks complain of lack of access to potable water and epileptic power supply.

In Plateau State, many of the barracks look like refugee camps. Yet, many officers do not even have space in the dungeon.

The largest police barracks in Jos, “A’ Divisional Police Barracks” has been undergoing renovation since 2010. Some of the blocks at the barracks now have modern aluminum roofs and have been repainted. The other facilities, such as toilets are unsightly. The environment stinks.

The situation of most police barracks in Ondo State is not different from what is obtainable in other states.

The barracks could pass for ghettos and shanties, as they lack the basic amenities to make life meaningful for its inhabitants The ‘A Division’ and the MOPOL barracks along Oba-Ile in Akure are in a terrible state. For instance, the A Division Barracks in Akure is in a sorry state with no potable water. A large portion of the two-storey building is completely abandoned, after it reportedly gutted fire several years ago.

In Kaduna, majority of police personnel live in rented apartments.

Those who are privileged to live in the barracks, spread across the metropolis are not excited to live there. Many of the facilities cannot be described as habitable. The one located close to the St Gerard Catholic Hospital, in Kaduna, have recently received attention. Many others, including the Kawo Police Barracks, have not received any form of renovation for a long time. The Nation gathered that the barracks were supposed to have benefited from the barrack renovation scheme under the Presidential Committee on Police Barracks, but only a few of the houses and the institutions were actually renovated.

A source within one of the barracks told The Nation that “some of these buildings were built before independence and many of them are just single rooms, while some others are two rooms. There was no provision for the extended family.

“That is why you have a lot of makeshift structures within the barracks. If you go to the Gabasawa Police Barracks, you will discover that what would have served as the balcony for the houses have been converted to rooms constructed mainly with plywood and that is where the children of the policemen and their extended families are living. This is not healthy.”

The J.P Clark’s popular poem on ‘Ibadan’ which reads “Running splash of rust and gold, flung and scattered among seven hills like broken china in the sun,” succinctly captures the pathetic state of the barracks in Kwara State. Many of the buildings have known better days. Stench wafting

from silted drains and soak-aways assail the nostrils of visitors to the ‘A Division’ of the Police Barracks, on the popular Ajase-Ipo road in Ilorin, the Kwara State.

Rehabilitation a huge joke

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NE of the contractors handling part of the barracks rehabilita tion contracts said the project has become a huge joke. The contractor, who did not want his name published for fear of victimisation, said the Preseidential Committee has not been fair to the contractors. He said nothing would be achieved at the end of the day.

Paucity of funds, he said, has been the major challenge. He added that some of the contractors, who borrowed funds to implement the project are alrready blaming themselves.

He said: “The truth is that I don’t see the project achieving the desired results.

I even doubt if the Federal Government itself expected any result from the exercise. They are not releasing funds to mobilise the contractors. Those who borrowed money to do part of the job are regretting our actions. As I am talking to you, some contractors have developed various kinds of ailments arising from the disappointment and the pressure being mounted on them by their creditors, including banks. As a matter of fact, I am aware that one or two of the contractors died while pursuing payments for the jobs handled by their firms.”

Buck-passing game

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HE Nation gathered that the rehabilitation contracts were awarded between 2009 and 2010.

Curiously, the question of who is responsible for payments to contractors has become a subject of buck passing between the Force Headquarters and the Ministry of Police Affairs.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba said he was not competent to speak on the matter. In a telephone conversation on Monday, Mba said his brief stops at routine operational and administrative matters concerning the Force Headquarters. He advised The Nation to direct its inquiry to “those whose responsibility it is to pay the contractors”.

But a source at the Force Headquarters said payments for police contracts, including the ones for barracks rehabilitation, are being handled by the Police Affairs Ministry.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

3

NEWS POLICE BARRACKS

•A dump site in a barracks

•The decking in a police barracks in Lagos giving way PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJOH and LEKE SALAUDEEN

continue to live in mess ‘

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There is no office at the Force Headquarters that pays contractors. All contractors are paid by the ministry. Even petty contracts awarded by the Force Headquarters are verified by officials from the ministry before payments are made...It is the ministry that exercises absolute control over police contracts •IGP Abubakar The source said: “There is no office at the Force Headquarters that pays contractors. All contractors are paid by the ministry. Even petty contracts awarded by the Force Headquarters are verified by officials from the ministry before payments are made. It is the ministry that exercises absolute control over police contracts. Even allowances and estacodes of police officers going on courses are being processed and paid by the ministry. Only funds meant for salaries are disbursed by the Force Headquarters.”

Last September, contractors under the aegis of the Association of Police Contractors protested at the Police Affairs Ministry over the N7.4 billion allegedly owed them by the police since 2008.

The group, in a letter signed by its Chairman, Patrick Ojo and Secretary, Aloysius Okonkwo, asked the National Assembly and the Finance Ministry to prevail on Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar and Police Affiars Minister Caleb Olubolade to use their quarterly allocations to offset the debt.

The group lamented that despite several appeals and meetings with Olubolade and the IG, “no concrete effort has been made to correct the unwholesome system of funds and project management in both the police force and the ministry”.

The contractors said: “This action smacks of gross insensitivity, recklessness and an attempt to further impoverish and pauperise our members. The action of the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Nigerian Police in handling the problem is at variance with the Bureau of Public Procurement Act.” The contractors also claimed that two of their members died due to frustration-induced stress, high blood pressure and

‘

stroke.

Police Affairs Minister Caleb Olubolade said the contracts were awarded by the Force Headquarters.

He said: "We are not the ones that award contracts for the rehabilitation of police barracks. So, you are asking the question from the wrong person.

You have to take that question back to the Force Headquarters.

“The Police Affairs Ministry only serves as a clearing house because vouchers for payment to contractors are usually raised at the Force Headquarters. The Ministry only ensures that due process is followed in the award of the contracts and that the contracts are executed to specifications."

Olubolade added that the contracts awarded by the Force Headquarters are in excess of available funds, thereby creating friction between the anxious contractors and the paying authority.

The minister said contrary to the general belief that the ministry warehouses the total police budget, every police formation controls its budget.

According to him, the ministry only gets its own budget and funds meant for police intervention projects under the Reform Programme.

Olubolade said the Police Reform Committee is chaired by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo. He listed other members of the committee as the Minister of Finance, six state governors, minister of Police Affairs and representatives of the police.

The minister continued: "Authority for the distribution, approval and disbursement of all appropriations for the police lies with the IGP who is the ac-

The authority for the distribution, approval and disbursement of all appropriations for the police lies with the IGP who is the accounting officer of the Nigeria Police Force.

The ministry... only carries out its supervisory roles of ensuring that all financial regulations and statutory due processes are followed •Olubolade counting officer of the Nigeria Police Force. The Ministry does not tamper with approvals and disbursements of police budgetary allocations, but only carries out its supervisory roles of ensuring that all financial regulations and statutory due processes are followed in the award and execution of contracts and fund allocations". The minister expressed worry at the non payment for contracts awarded for the rehabilitation projects at various police barracks.

To address the problem, the minister said he gave a directive at a meeting with stakeholders in October 2012 that incoming funds for barracks rehabilitation should be split on 60/40 percentage. The directive was that 40 percent of the funds should be used in paying outstanding liabilities for contractors, while 60 percent should go into rehabilitation project. "I also directed that contracts should be awarded according to available funds. But what is on ground today is a situation where the amounts of contracts already awarded exceeds the available funds."

The minister, who spoke with The Nation yesterday, said the priority of the Federal Government for now was how to tackle the insecurity in the land.

According to him, attention is focused on how to address challenges like bombing, kidnapping and other security challenges, saying it is a case of competing demands in the face of limited funds.

His ministry, he said, does not have a subhead for barracks rehabilitation in its budget. The ex Naval Chief added that available funds are being complemented by funding from the Police Reform Programme which was estab-

‘

lished in 2010. He added that even at that, funding from the programme, which comes in trickles, is mainly for training of police personnel and police training institutions like the Police Academy and Police Staff College.

"There is dwindling funding from the Reform/Intervention Programme, which is making things a bit difficult.

For instance, the budget for the Reform Programme for 2012 is merely N22 billion and we are not sure how much we are going to get from that amount at the end of the day," he said.

The sum of N65, 6 billion was budgeted for the Reform Programme in 2010; N17. 1 in 2011; and N12.3 in 2012 out of which only a fraction was released in all the instances. In view of the perennial shortfall in budget releases, the minister urged the Force Headquarters to prioritise its projects, stressing that the Force Headquarters has its own budgetary provision for the rehabilitation of barracks. The ministry put the total outstanding liabilities of the police to various contractors, including rehabilitation, at N26 billion.

He attributed the distortions in funding of police projects to shortfall in budget releases, pointing out that just like other ministries and departments, both the police and the ministry do not get their full annual budgets released to them.

By way of filling the resource gap in the funding of barracks rehabilitation project, the minister promised to make case for the project whenever the 2013 budget for the Reform Programme is released. He said: "If the police table barracks rehabilitation as their priority in the current year, we will make a

case with the committee headed by the Vice-President for more funding in that direction. This will be in addition to the police budget for rehabilitation of the barracks. But let me make it clear that contrary to what members of the public believe, this ministry does not decide the fate of the police. They turn to us whenever they have specific challenges and we support them according to what available resources permit."

A document obtained by The Nation shows that budgetary allocations for police formations and commands are released directly to the Force Headquarters and that the budget section of the IGP’s office handles budgetary matters of the police, including allocation of funds and distribution to heads and sub-heads. The document also stated that capital budget allocation, distribution and utilisation are the sole responsibility of the Force Headquarters where approvals and contracts are carried out in line with extant rules on thresholds (approval limits). Payments are processed at the Force Headquarters accounts department after due approvals by the IGP. The document states that the IGP, through the budget section of his office, issues fund allocation instructions on overhead and personnel costs, which are decentralised to formations and commands.

It was also discovered that approval limits for the Force Headquarters Tenders Board are N50 million for supplies of goods; N250 million for works; and N50 million for non-consultant and consultant services.

These approval limits are said to be in line with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

“The authority for the distribution, approval and disbursement of all appropriations for the police lies with the IGP who is the accounting officer of the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Ministry does not tamper with approvals and disbursements of police budgetary allocations, but only carries out its supervisory roles of ensuring that all financial regulations and statutory due processes are followed in the award and execution of contracts and fund allocations,” the document reads.”

When reporters asked Abubakar on February 14 why the rehabilitation of police barracks could not be done through direct labour, as being done in respect of the transit camp around the Force headquatres, the IGP kept mum.

Instead, he said the police institution under his leadership, will continue to ensure decent accommodation for police personnel.

For now, the bad times for the officers who live in the barracks continue.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

NEWS

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle) with President General of the Igbo Council in Lagos State, Professor Anya O Anya (sixth right) and members of the Igbo Council after a meeting at the Lagos House, Ikeja…yesterday

Boko Haram threatens to kill abducted French family

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UNMEN claiming to be members of Boko Haram threatened yesterday to kill a kidnapped French family of seven, if authorities in Nigeria and Cameroun do not release detained Muslim militants.

Yesterday, North’s governors urged the fundamentalist group and its cohorts Ansaru to lay down their arms.

French ministers said they believed the three adults and four children snatched in Cameroon’s far north, near Borno State border last Tuesday, were being held by Boko Haram which has killed hundreds in their campaign to carve out an Islamist state in Nigeria.

The first sign of the family since they were captured came in a video posted on YouTube in which they appeared surrounded by three gunmen wearing turbans and dressed in camouflage.

“We have been taken by Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad,” one of the male hostages said in the video, referring to the name in Arabic of Boko Haram.

“They want the liberation of their brothers in Cameroon and their women imprisoned in Nigeria,” the man added, speaking in French as he sat

North’s governors urge militants to lay down arms

T

HE Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), in a statement by its chairman, Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, said it was worried about “senseless killing of innocent citizens” in the North.

The statement, signed by Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, asked the terrorist groups to embrace dialogue.

The statement said: “The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has appealed to terrorist groups in the country to give peace a chance, saying a situation where aggrieved individuals take laws into their hands will not advance the course of peace.

“The chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State said the senseless killing of innocent citizens from Thursday last week through the weekend in various parts of the North negated all efforts to restore peace to the on the floor beside another man, a veiled woman and four children.

“A video of the French family kidnapped in northern Cameroon last Tuesday has just been posted by Boko Haram,” said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.

“These images are terribly shocking and show a cruelty without limits.”

The hostage-taking highlighted the risk to French citizens after France sent thousands of troops into Mali last month to oust al Qaedalinked Islamists operating in the north.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Continued from page 1

region.

“The forum expressed serious concern at the renewed attacks on citizens, beginning from a fire incident caused by bomb blast at Gamboru Market in Borno State on Thursday, as well as the killing of 10 people at Kogom Village in Plateau State on the same day.

“The forum said it was equally alarmed at the killing of five young men playing card game in Gombe town on Friday and the killing of another five persons and burning of houses when Hausas and Jikuns reportedly engaged themselves in a bloody combat in Wukari, Taraba State on Saturday.

“The forum said it is saddened by the news on Sunday of the death of five perContinued on page 59

“The president of France has launched a war on Islam and we are fighting it everywhere,” said one of the apparent kidnappers, speaking in Arabic and identifying himself as a member of Boko Haram. “Implement our demands. If you leave out even one, we will kill these people.”

Boko Haram has previously posted videos in Hausa, but the black and white flag that hung behind the hostages in the released video is more associated with al Qaeda-linked groups.

A spokesman for Boko

APC will defeat PDP in 2015, says Buhari

Haram had denied any connection with the kidnapping at the weekend.

However, security experts say Boko Haram is made up of multiple cells, without a defined command structure.

The militant group is known to have had some links to al Qaeda factions in North Africa and Mali, but experts say they appear limited for now.

Cameroon’s Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said he could not comment because his government was not aware of the video.

government whose only purpose is to retain power by hook or crook; preferably by crook. PDP does not need merger or alliance; they are already merged and are in alliance with police, INEC and Judiciary, with NNPC and pension funds. The country is tired of PDP, we are tired of oppression, corruption and impunity,” he said.

Gen. Buhari expressed satisfaction with the progress of the merger talks and urged party members not to allow personal and petty interests to becloud them from the broader national interests.

Gen. Buhari said the CPC Board of Trustees (BoT) met last Saturday and formed eight committees to fasttrack the merger. He singled out the registration committee as one of the most important because it is through its efforts that the party will gain more members.

“Our party is at the doorsteps of a historic opportunity to alter the political landscape of Nigeria . Our move to link and merge with the ACN and subsequently

with other parties who have broadly similar philosophies, namely good governance, is on the verge of success.

“When we sit in negotiating sessions, our strength will be in our numbers. We should negotiate hard, but always have the ultimate goal in mind. Personal and ethnic interest should always take second place to broader national interests,” he said.

Gen. Buhari urged the elected members to be proud of being the genuinely elected representatives of their people.

“You did not use police to intimidate voters; you did not use INEC staff to inflate your votes. You won, in spite of all attempts by government to rig you out.

How many in the PDP can say that? They are very few.

You can, therefore, hold your heads high as genuine representatives of your constituents. You are true sons of democracy. Your position is even more important than party officials and party leaders because you are the face of the CPC,” he said.

Continued on page 59

Governors reject Jonathan’s bid to remove Amaechi Continued from page 1

tial two-year tenure will expire.”

Akpabio said: “We thought that the election should be held in May so that by that time, the new leadership will start functioning immediately after they are selected, elected or by consensus they are brought into office.”

“This is almost a committee of equals. Anybody can be chairman or vice chairman.

So, it is not a big deal for us.”

On the newly-formed PDP Governors Forum, he said: “We are going to ensure total unification of the PDP. This time around, we want to put our house in order.”

“While the Chairman of NGF can speak for all of us, the PDP Forum will only speak for the PDP governors.

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi said: “The meeting went very well. The reason why we postponed the meeting is that our Constitution says the chairman must give a detailed account of his activities during his tenure before the election.”

“And today, that account

How Akpabio became PDP Governors’ Forum chair

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan declared a “war” against Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Chair Rotimi Amaechi at a session with the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday night, it was learnt yesterday.

He told the governors that he could not work with Rivers State Governor as the chairman of the NGF because the governor had not been fair to him as the nation’s number one leader.

According to sources who know what transpired in House 7 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Presi-

was presented. The incumbent has the right to recontest as long as our Constitution is not amended,” he said.

The low point of the meeting was when Akpabio and Niger State Governor Aliyu Babangida engaged in a shouting match over the formation of the PDP Governors Forum.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said the session was characterised by tension on both sides of the divide.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

dent was visibly angry that he had been allegedly maligned by Amaechi over the oil wells dispute between Rivers State and Bayelsa State.

It was gathered that the President said in view of the attitude of the governor, it would be difficult to work with Amaechi.

It was also learnt that a video clip of an event in Calabar was shown to the governors to strengthen the President’s case against Amaechi.

A source said: “The President made his point that no one can hide under the NGF to rubbish him in any manner. He told the PDP governors that he had had enough.

Amaechi was presiding.

It was gathered that the tension followed a series of caucus meetings attended by the governors preparatory to the session.

The source said: “Both sides had perfected their strategies, but the atmosphere was war-like for the conduct of an acceptable election.

“As a matter of fact, discussions on the desirability of the election got to a point that

“At a stage, the President said he was prepared for the worst, rather than allow Amaechi to tarnish his integrity. He asked the PDP governors to call Amaechi to order.

“Those at the session saw a video clip of an event in Calabar in which Amaechi purportedly indicted Jonathan on the rift over oil wells between Bayelsa and Rivers states.”

It was also learnt that the President got angry and said: “I cannot work with Amaechi as the chairman of the NGF.” Another source quoted the Presi-

the newly-elected chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, engaged in a shouting match at the session.”

A source, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “The two governors almost engaged in fisticuffs when Aliyu stood up to make his views known on the formation of PDP Governors Forum at the Presiden-

Continued on page 59

tial Villa on Sunday night.

“The Niger State Governor said there was no basis for forming the PDP Governors Forum. He told his colleagues that there was no problem running the NGF and if anybody has a contrary opinion, he can raise any issue for resolution at the forum. He described the PDP Governors Forum as a deliberate move by the Presidency to split the Nigeria Governors Forum and turn it into a tool to be

•Dr. Jonathan

used.

“Aliyu repeatedly said ‘by forming another forum within a forum, it means forces from outside are at work. He said he saw that a dictator Continued on page 59

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

5

NEWS

British High Commission denies Commonwealth boxing champion visa to defend title A Nigerian boxer’s dream of defending his title in Liverpool, United Kingdom, is threatened by the British High Commission’s refusal to grant him and his trainer entry visas, reports OLUKOREDE YISHAU

I

F nothing happens between now and March 8, Kareem Yakubu Olaitan’s dream of defending his Commonwealth Super-flyweight boxing title will not be realised. Reason: the British High Commission has refused him and his trainer, Isiaka Olatunji, visas to enter the United Kingdom. This is despite the fact that their applications were supported with letters from the promoter of the bout, Frank Warren Promotions, the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Boxing Council, Phillip Brook Smith.

The letter from Warren Frank Promotion shows that Olaitan is to defend his Commonwealth Super-flyweight title against Paul Butler at the Liverpool Olympia, Liverpool, UK on March 8. It also shows that the promoter will foot the bills for food, accommodation and round trip airfares for the team.

The letter reads: “Frank Warren Promotions will meet all of the food and accommodation expenses for the duration of their team’s time in the UK as well as the round trip airfares. They will depart Lagos, Nigeria on Monday, 4th March, 2013 and return from the United Kingdom on Sunday, 9th March ,2013.

“During their stay in the United Kingdom, they will be residing at Liverpool City Centre, Vernon Street, Liverpool, 122AY.” Smith, in a document supporting Olaitan’s application, pleaded with the High Commission to issue the visa.

He said: “I confirm that the above mentioned Mr. Olaitan is the current Commonwealth Super flyweight champion under his ring name of Yaqub Kareem. He has contracted with licensed British Boxing Board of Control promoter Frank Warren to defend his title at the Olympia Stadium, Liverpool of Friday, 8th March, 2013 against current British Super-flyweight Champion Paul Better.

“In order to fulfil this contractual obligation, it will be necessary for a UK entry visa to be granted to Mr. Olaitan and to his Trainer/Second Mr. Olatunji.

“I confirm that Mr. Warren is a licensed promoter of over 30 years standing who has promoted some of the major Championship contests in British during this time, including those featuring well-known boxers, such as Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Nigel Benn, Maseem Hamed, Richard Hatton and very many others.

“The hotel, transport, food, training and accommodation requirements of both named gentlemen will be taken care of by Mr. Warren’s organisation, which will also be responsible for returning both to the airport after the contest date.

N

From Kolade Akinyemi, Kano

THE Commandant of MOPOL 9 Kano, Dahir Musa, a Superintendent of Police, was yesterday shot dead at his residence by suspected terrorists.

Eyewitnesses said he was shot as he made to enter his house at Sabon Gundun Quarters at about 8:30pm.

Sources said Musa was trailed by some of the gunmen who alerted others laying siege to the residence of his arrival. It was learnt that the gunmen escaped immediately.

Police authorities in Kano confirmed the incident and the Joint Task Force (JTF) have cordoned off the area.

Dickson hails Akwa-Ibom Governor

•Olaitan (second right), his supporters and trainer after winning a bout.

•Olaitan (right) receiving his championship belt from former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance Wale Edun

“On behalf of the CBC, l kindly request that you deal with both visa applications as expeditiously as possible in order that Mr. Olaitan (and his Trainer/Second) can arrive in the UK with sufficient time to refresh and prepare himself to enable him to take part in this contest, which will be broadcast live on the subscription TV channel Box Nation.”

But the High Commission was not convinced by the recommendations made for Olaitan by the Commonwealth Boxing Council, Frank Warren Promotions and others. It said it was not convinced the boxer had enough ties with Nigeria that would compel him to return after the fight.

It said the boxer, despite the fact that

he was being sponsored for the trip, must also be personally qualified to receive an entry visa.

The embassy’s rejection letter reads: “In order to be able to make a decision on whether or not to grant you entry clearance in this category, l have taken into account your stated circumstances in Nigeria, the reasons for your visit and your proposed travel arrangements. You have declared that you are self-employed as a tailor with no fixed income and that you have one child to support. You also state that you are a boxer and wish to defend your boxing title in the United Kingdom. Whilst I acknowledge your statement that your proposed trip to the UK is to be sponsored by your

sponsor, I must take into account your personal socio-economic circumstance in Nigeria when reaching my decision. The Immigration Rules require me to be satisfied that you personally qualify for a visa. None of the money being used to fund your trip is your own. I am not satisfied that you have sufficient economic ties to Nigeria to suggest you would not seek to remain in the UK if admitted as a visitor now. Given the statements you have made and the documentary evidence you have presented to support your application, l am not satisfied that your circumstances in Nigeria, coupled with your reasons for wishing to travel to the UK, are such that you have shown your intentions are as stated or that you intend to leave the UK at the end of proposed visit.”

The Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, in a statement, yesterday urged the embassy to rescind its decision.

The Board said the High Commission’s decision was capable of derailing Olaitan’s career.

It said: “With this denial of entry visa to Yakubu Kareem and his trainer, Isiaka Olatunji, the implication is that come the 8th of March, 2013, the British boxer Paul Butler, who happens to be the challenger, would be declared as the new champion without throwing a punch.”

The secretary of the Board, Mr. Remi Aboderin, said: “This is a great injustice and we plead with the sport minister/ministry to please help address this issue before it is too late. The High Commission keeps denying applicants on the basis of the applicants not having sufficient ties or not being economically sound. This boxer needs to be allowed to travel and defend his title; if he is allowed to travel for this fight alone, he stands to earn $7,500.”

2015: Presidency can’t gag me, says Aliyu ORTHERN States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) Chairman Babangida Aliyu yesterday alleged that agents of the Presidency were attempting to gag him.

He spoke while hosting the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), led by its leader, Comrade Ibrahim Aliyu in Minna.

The Niger State governor said: ‘’One cannot make a statement on national issue without people reading meaning to it. They blackmail and accuse you that such statements were made because of one’s presidential

Gunmen kill MOPOL Commandant

From Jide Orintunsin Minna

ambition.’’

Aliyu had, in a radio interview, said President Goodluck Jonathan signed an agreement with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) goevrnors that he would serve one term in office and lacked the moral right to vie for the seat in 2015.

Aliyu said the move to gag him was too late, adding that politics “is about talking”.

He added: ‘’In politics, you must keep talking, especially when you have ideas on how to improve the lots of the people. It is only those who lack

ideas that will not not.’’

Aliyu advised all elected leaders to be open to constructive and meaningful criticism.

The governor said: “Anybody who subjected himself or herself to election process must be willing to listen to the complain of his people. Nobody is so autonomus that he or she will not have dealings with others.’’

The NULGE National President blamed the insecurity and increased social vices in the country on the crippling of local government administration by some state governors.

The NULGE leader said: ‘’All the

crises and insecurity being experienced in the country today are results of bad goverance by some state governors who have hijacked the local government administration, rendering it ineffective and incapacitated to discharge its satutory responsibility, which led to breakdown of law and order in some states in particular and the country in general.’’

He vowed that the union would save the local government system from the “hands of corrupt and inept leaders”, adding that the local governments were handicapped by some governors.

BAYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has hailed the election of Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio as the chair of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum.

In a statement he personally signed, the Bayelsa State chief executive said: ‘’With profound joy and great sense of responsibility, I, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson, on behalf of the government and good people of Bayelsa State heartily congratulate my brother, friend and colleague, Chief Godswill Akpabio on your selection as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors’ Forum. ‘’Your selection at this period of our party’s history is a testimony of your vision, purposeful leadership and your contributions to the growth of our great party. It is against this background that the PDP Governors unanimously bestowed this onerous responsibility on you. ‘’I pray that the good Lord will continue to shower you with wisdom and grace to steer the ship of the PDP Governors’ Forum.’’

EFCC detains Akingbola FORMER Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola was arrested yesterday by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Akingbola, whose former bank was acquired by Access Bank Plc, was being held at the Commission’s Ikoyi, Lagos office, from where he will be arraigned today before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos High Court on fresh charges of stealing.

The re-arraignment is sequel to the elevation of the former trial judge, Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos High Court to the Court of Appeal.

Fashola, Ola Makinde for synod THE Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Olatunji Makinde are expected to declare open the 51st Annual Synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos.

The synod tagged: “Golden Jubilee Plus One Synod” will hold at Methodist Church, 16, Brown Road, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos between Thursday and Sunday.

The Archbishop of Lagos, The Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Ajayi will preside at the activities of the four-day Synod.

The theme of the synod is: “What if the Lord had not been on our side?”

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

6

CITYBEATS 'LASTMA, KAI reforms paying off' T

By Segun Balogun

THE Senior Special Assistant on Transport Education in Lagos State, Dr. Mariam Masha, has said the ongoing reforms in the state's lawenforcement agencies are yielding result.

The main objective of the reforms, she said, is to build humane and responsive law-enforcement agencies, adding that this is why officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) had been undergoing career evaluation training in batches of 200 participants each, since October, last year.

Each batch is divided into groups and each group is mandated to carry out its choice community service and assigned to areas with various traffic and environmental challenges that need to be addressed.

Last weekend, the current 200member batch of LASTMA and KAI officials undergoing the training visited Agbowa Relief Camp to carry out their community services.

The officials donated food items to the inmates, cleaned up the buildings, and arranged beddings.

"This is paying off. LASTMA is now known for a lot of good things other than enforcement of traffic laws. People now know that LASTMA officials can just turn up to clean their neighbourhood. That is what we want, an agency with a human face," Masha said at the centre.

She added that "the ideals of selfless service, humility, enterprise, interaction, trust, inter-agency relationships and other sound values are being inculcated in these participants towards improved service delivery to the people of the state."

Mogaji advises Lagos traders

HOUSANDS of traders were locked out yesterday following the closure of Ladipo market in Lagos for alleged poor sanitation.

The traders gathered in front of their shops and on the streets bemoaning their fate.

There was traffic jam on the popular Fatai Atere Way and environs because of the traders' presence.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, visited the market last Monday and threatened to shut it down if the traders did not clean up the place.

Yesterday, they appealed to the commissioner to stay action, promising to make amends.

Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), led about 200 armed policemen to shut down the market at 4.00am.

Major roads leading into the market were barricaded by the policemen and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed at the Toyota Bus Stop, the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway end of the market. Nobody was allowed in for any commercial purpose.

No fewer than nine persons were arrested inside the Aguiyi Ironsi International Market for allegedly daring the enforcement team to come inside. Charms, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

Obinna Ibe, one of those arrested said they were security guards employed by the market's factional leader, Jonathan Okolie.

He denied threatening the enforcement officers, saying that they were obeying their leader's directive not to open the gate for any intruder.

The traders lamented what they described as their "huge loss" be-

By Emmnuel Oladesu

TRADERS under the umbrella of Market Men and Women Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter have been assured of democratic dividends because of their importance to the state's economy.

The assurance came yesterday from the President-General of the association, Alhaja Abibatu Magaji, at a luncheon organised for her members from all the 20 Local Government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

Mogaji, who doubles as the Chairman, Lagos State Market Management Board (LSMMB), said: "The importance of this association to the economy of this state and country can never be overemphasised," adding: "This administration is not unaware of your importance, hence the pride of place it gives you in its day-to-day activities."

Mogaji, who was represented at the luncheon in her Alausa, Ikeja home by the Vice Chairman of LSMMB, Mrs Folashade Ojo, told the attendees that "nobody would be discriminated against in the scheme of things in the state," adding that "marginalisation, which has never had a space in our lexicon, will not creep in now because every one of us is as important as any other person in the association."

She, therefore, urged them to keep on supporting the present administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola to encourage him to do more for the state, just as she advised them to remain peaceful, law-abiding. He reminded them that "nothing positive can be achieved in a crisis-ridden atmosphere."

Mogaji, therefore, called on the traders to feel free to channel their grievances, advice, observations, suggestions and comments through the board, assuring them that "this administration operates an open-door policy just as it is a listening one."

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Nine arrested as •Environment Commissioner spells out

•The market ... after the closure yesterday. Inset: Some charms found in its premises

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro and Segun Balogun

cause of the closure. A trader, Jewel Okeke, said: "We don't like the closure. It will bring us suffering. We came in this morning and met our market shut and the police stopped us from entering."

Many traders loitered around the market, especially on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, hoping that it would be opened within a few hours. They waited until they were dispersed with

teargas by the task force officials.

In 2006, the market was shut and it took the intervention of Senator Chris Ngige, then Anambra State Governor, to reopen it.

Bello said the government would whip the erring traders into line this time, warning that the market would not be opened until the traders comply with sanitation rules.

He said: "The environment is seriously polluted and degraded

•Some of the traders and customers with oil; surrounding canals are dumped with full and half engines' spares and human waste, while illegal structures were built along drainage paths and all the canal setbacks have been turned into shops and trading points.

"A visit to the place also shows that, street traders have taken over the roads into the market, while resi-

Tension rules Ogun community after reign of terror

N

INETEEN days after, the community has yet to overcome the shock of February 7 dawn attack. Yesterday, the people were still moving about in fear; uncertain whether assailants would return. Welcome to Vatipa community in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The villagers were still in bed in the wee hours of February 7 when no fewer than 20 armed men came in three vehicles, shooting indiscriminately. The rampaging hoodlums torched a building, abducted a resident and held many others at gun point.

When The Nation visited yesterday, the residents were paranoid that the assailants could return.

A 65-year-old community leader, Pa Abraham Tovisunkun, recalled how it all happened: "The hoodlums invaded our community at about 3.30 am. I was alerted by other villagers that some unidentified persons were around and before I knew it, they had started shooting. They came in three vehicles with queer-number plates and headed for a building to attack its occupants. Since the incident, we have been treating strangers with suspicion because we cannot distinguish between the innocent and criminals.

"When they saw that the man they were attacking was trying to escape into the bush, they shot him in the leg and killed his dog.

But the man still managed to escape. Then, out of annoyance, they set his house on fire and rummaged his belongings. They also attacked Akvowhanda Danthon in his home. They tied him and beat him mercilessly before abducting him."

The incident took a dramatic turn when some community leaders who had gone to report to the

By Kunle Akinrinade

police were allegedly detained at the Ipokia Police Station.

Pa Tovisunkun added: "When we got to the Ipokia Police Station to report the incident, we sighted our attackers and their vehicles. To our surprise, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Patrick Omejeh, did not listen to us; instead, he detained some of our leaders including the boy who was shot and whose house was razed."

Mrs. Alice Athansoke, 30, whose husband, Suuru, was shot in the attack, said: "We were asleep when the hoodlums came to my room and asked me to wake my children. They asked for my husband's room and threatened to shoot me if I refused to lead them to his room. By the time we got to my husband's room, he had escaped. Although, other members of the gang outside shot him in the leg, he still managed to escape. Before then, they had thought that he was hiding in the ceiling. Hence, they destroyed the roof, scattered our belongings before setting our apartment on fire."

"After that, about eight of them held me at gunpoint while others rummaged the room and removed some money kept in a corner of our room. The money was actually proceeds of contributions by some residents, which was kept with my husband. They burnt everything we had. I don't have any wear anymore and the one on me was given to me by a neighbour; my children also wear borrowed clothes now."

Suuru's younger brother, Gbenupo Athansoke, said: "The hoodlums came in large number went after my brother and I heard them shouting 'finish him, finish him up'. They came about 3.30am and left about 6am.They shot my

•Danthon

•Suuru

‘I also came out during the incident but I was held at gunpoint by the hoodlums.

They asked me not to meddle in their mission if I did not want to be killed.’ brother twice while he was running into a nearby bush.

"My brother was not the only victim of the violent attack; one of the villagers, Danthon, was also beaten and abducted. Unfortunately, when the community leaders went to report the matter at the police station, they were detained."

Danthon's wife, Elizabeth, also relived her experience: "The hoodlums smashed our door with cutlass. I tried to escape through the window but fell into the waiting hands of other members of the gang. They threatened to kill me if I moved. They beat him with cutlass until he almost passed out.

Not done, they tied him with a rope and took him away in one of their vehicles."

Danthon's father, Jimoh Akovowhanda, said: "My son could not have been involved in any shady deal or quarreled with anyone because he is easy-going and does not keep bad company. He relocated from Lagos where he had worked as a commercial motorcyclist, following the ban on commercial motorcycling and he has since continued the business here - plying the Tube-Agosasa route."

"I also came out during the incident but I was held at gunpoint by the hoodlums. They asked me not to meddle in their mission if I did not want to be killed.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Ladipo market is shut conditions for its re-opening

•Bello

during the operation dents have severally petitioned us about lack of access to their homes.

These traders have degraded all the major access roads to the market which need rehabilitation," Bello said, adding that to reopen the market, all illegal structures must be removed.

"Under no condition must they trade or solicit for customers on the

main road; they must remove all attachments built around the market/canals, remove all derelict vehicles, remedy all forms of degradation on the roads and market area; sort out waste management issues with Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) as they cannot continue to dump waste into the ca-

nals; ensure total cleaning of the entire market and adjoining streets which they have degraded, among others."

Chairman of Mushin Local Government Olatunde Adepitan said the closure was long overdue, adding: "I should have done this a long time ago if I had the same apparatus available to the state government because these people have turned themselves to another government. When we interfere, they will say we are tribalistic, but I cannot say any other thing about the market leaders other than that they are hooligans."

"Before re-opening this market, registration forms will be given to the traders for us to know genuine traders because inside the Aguiyi Ironsi Market here, there are criminals. There are arms and there are Bakassi Boys living inside this market."

CITYBEATS

7

Cleric expresses concern for the needy GOVERNMENT at all levels, religious bodies, non-governmental organisations and wealthy individuals in the country have been admonished to step up efforts at reducing poverty among Nigerians.

A Superintendent of the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, Revd. James Akinadewo who made the call yesterday in a chat with The Nation at the church's Headquarters on Motailatu Street, Oke-Ira, Ogba, Lagos State.

He bemoaned the prevalence of all forms of sins in the land because according to him, the government in particular, had not done enough to address the basic needs of the ordinary Nigerians.

"If one looks around today, one would see glaring indices of deprivations in the lives of the lessprivileged among Nigerians. And it is in the same stupendously endowed country; it makes one's heart bleed.

This is why I believe that all hands must be on deck to address the issue of poverty among us as a way of tackling all the various ills plaguing the system," he said.

The cleric who said his church had taken its corporate social responsibility seriously in that regard, explained: "We have provided borehole for people's use in our community; we have empowered several idle hands, especially youths, who are now useful to themselves, their families and the society. Through the church's efforts, a brothel has packed up while prostitutes who hitherto patronised there turned over a new leaf. Countless youths, including hoodlums are now on the church's scholarship in various schools; many are on diverse vocations that can ensure bright future for them through the church's intervention.

"We engage in prison and hospital ministration. We do go to hospitals like the Lagos State University

•Revd. Akinadewo By

Dada Aladelokun

Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to ensure the spiritual healing of patients whose conditions defy orthodox medication. Many are languishing in hospitals today whose cases are wholly spiritual; such patients need spiritual deliverance and we take it to them. Not a few have been liberated from the wheel chairs through our prayers to the extent that nurses in some hospitals now invite us when such cases arise."

Besides praying for Nigerians, Revd Akinadewo said his church had always organised seminars through which people, especially the youth, are counseled on how to live a holy lives that would be beneficial to them and the society, saying that such must be emulated by other religious bodies across the country.

Religious leaders, he also advised, must de-emphasise materialism in their sermons, adding: "It is time we began to consciously preach Godliness and salvation to reduce the tension in the land. It is people's tendency to get rich quick at all costs that has occasioned the blind race for wealth in the land."

'Our laws have checkmated robbery' THE Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji has said the laws passed by Assembly had helped strengthen security framework in the state.

He said this when the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) led by its Vice President, Mr. Raymond Tedunjaye presented him with the awards of Best SecurityConscious Speaker and House of Assembly in Nigeria.

"Despite the challenges in population increase, there is an atmosphere of security and good environment for business growth because of some laws passed by this Assembly, especially the Security Trust Fund, Child Trafficking and Child Rights Laws,'' he said.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

While presenting the award, Tedunjaye said: "You have fulfilled your responsibility as a legislative body, by providing legal framework for everything to work well in the state. This was made possible by some important laws like Security Trust Fund, Child Trafficking and Child Rights Abuse laws. Implementation of these laws has ensured safety of lives and property in Nigeria," Tedunjaye said.

Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, who witnessed the presentation, described Lagos State House of Assembly as a "very strong legislature that remains an excellent example for other states in the federation."

Relief camp needs worship centre A MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Ipoola Omisore, has sought the provision of a worship centre at the relief camp in Agbowa, a suburb of the state.

Omisore, who chairs House Committee on Special Duties, led his colleagues on a visit to the victims of the recent Ebute Metta fire incident at the camp last Friday.

The lawmaker told The Nation yesterday that apart from other recreation facilities at the camp, inmates are traumatised people who need a place of worship where they

By Oziegbe Okoeki

can get closer to God. He also commended the state Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) for its efforts to accommodate the victims in the camp.

Mr Olufemi Osanyintolu, General Manager of LASEMA, said over 451 victims of the Ebute Metta inferno were at the camp.

"We have 300 people that are being trained in various empowerment programmes to improve their wellbeing and to keep them busy in the camp, "he said.

Communities to enjoy free medical services •The charred remains of an apartment after the invasion The community's traditional ruler, Chief Sunday Tozunku, said: "The hoodlums attacked my people. Our kinsmen who went to report the matter at the police station were wrongfully detained but thank God that men of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Eleweran, have made some arrests. Now, what we want is justice so that the perpetrators won't go unpunished to serve as a deterrent to others."

Another victim, an expectant mother, who did not want her name in print, described the hoodlums as

"a band of heartless men".

"Those men are heartless. There was a pandemonium and I was caught in it; they did not even consider my condition. Instead, they beat and shoved me until I started bleeding. It is a miracle I am alive today because their intention was to kill me but when they noticed that I could not get up after they had pushed me, they left me for dead and fled," she said.

The spokesman of the state Police Command, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent

of Police (DSP), declined comment on the issue. He referred The Nation to Omejeh and the Area Commander, Ilaro Command.

Omejeh, in a telephone chat with The Nation, said: "All I can tell you is that the incident was reported at our station and later transferred to SCID, Eleweran, Abeokuta and is now being handled by the Inspector-General of Police Special Unit, Lagos."

The victims who were allegedly detained by police have since been released, The Nation learnt.

NO fewer than 20,000 people will enjoy free medical services at the Eko Free Health Mission (EFHM) which started yesterday in Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos.

The programme, holding at Ipaja mini stadium (Fela Field), will last till March 1, according to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris.

He said it would complement government's efforts at reducing mortality rate as beneficiaries are usually the most vulnerable members of the populace.

He urged the people of Ayobo, Ipaja and its environs to take advantage of

By Wale Adepoju

the programme.

The services to be rendered include free consultation and treatment for various ailments including surgeries on hernia, appendicitis, abdominal swellings, lumps, gynecological problems, screening and treatment of hypertension; diabetes, eye diseases and dental problems as well as the promotion and health protection enlightenment.

This is the 22nd edition of the programme, which has benefitted about 770,000 in the 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) where it has been held.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

8

NEWS

Presidency: why N4b African First Ladies’ Peace Mission building can’t be stopped

Court grants bail to 15 Russians •Directs Ambassador to produce them for trial

By Eric Ikhilae

R

EPRIEVE yesterday came the way of 15 Russians charged with unlawful importation of arms and ammunition. A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted them bail.

They are to be released to the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria, who is to produce them for trial.

Their ship - MV Myre Seadiver is equally to be released following the defence’s provision of $500,000 bond to be obtained from First Bank Plc. Justice Okechukwu Okeke set these conditions in a ruling filed by the defence.

The conditions were suggested by prosecution lawyer Ernest Ezebilo.

The 15 accused were arraigned on February 19 on a four-count charge, to which they pleaded not guilty.

They were arrested aboard a cargo ship - MV Myre Seadiver-containing the alleged unlawful shipment, within the nation’s territorial waters in Lagos on October 18 last year by men of the Nigerian Navy.

The accused include Zhelyazkov Andrey (the captain of the ship) (53), Savchenko Sergrey (36), Chichikanov Vasily (49), Varlygin Igor (48), Komilov Alexandr (32), Lopatin Alexey (38), Baranovskly Nikolay (50).

Others are Mishin Pavel (31), LLia Shubov (33), Dmitry Bannyrn (40), Alexander Tsarikov (44), Kononov Sergel (44), Korotchenko Andrey (23), Vorobev Mikhail (40) and Stepan Oleksuik (52).

Yesterday, defence lawyer, Chukwuwike Okafor had, while arguing his clients’ bail application, urged the court to make an order granting bail to all the accused and their vessel.

He noted that since the essence of bail was to ensure accused attend trial, his clients should be allowed on bail.

Okafor told the court that his clients would be available for trial, if granted bail.

At that point, Justice Okeke asked the prosecution lawyer to state the conditions under which the accused could be admitted into bail.

Replying, Ezebilo said, for the sake of overriding public interest, the accused could be released on bail to the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria, who must produce them as the need arises.

He said the vessel could also be released should the defence provide $500,000 bond.

Justice Okeke adopted the conditions.

The judge held that the accused should be released on bail to the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria, who will produce them from time to time.

Justice Okeke suggested three banks, any of which the bond could be obtained.

They are First bank, Zenith and Guarantee Trust Bank.

The Russian consul officer, Radomir Ganich chose First Bank, following which the judge ordered that the bond be obtained from First Bank.

He adjourned to April 10 for trial.

S

TOPPING the proposed N4 billion African First Ladies’ Peace Mission building in Abuja would amount to abdication of responsibility, the First Lady office said yesterday.

Many Nigerians have described the proposal as illegal and a misplaced priority.

The Special Assistant to the First Lady, Mr. Ayo Osinlu said such “diplomatic somersault” will be incongruent with the country’s status and leadership role in Africa.

He said the peace mission building was not a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) of the First Lady, adding that despite the pressure on the National Assembly to turn down its endorsement , the First Lady’s office would expect objective attention to be given to it by both the public and the legislature.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Noting that it was not the duty of the First Lady to defend the budget as it was the proposal of the FCT Ministry, he said the coming together of a group of wives of Africa presidents to undertake the moral duty of stopping violent conflict on the continent or provide relief to victims shouldn’t become an issue.

Osinlu said: “It offends the original African culture of charity to obstruct any effort to promote peace and development such as the decision of all African First Ladies to rise up to the social responsibility as mothers and wives of leaders on the continent to save the women, children and the aged on the continent from the traumatic consequences of violent conflicts and wars”.

“I can assure you, with-

‘It offends the original African culture of charity to obstruct any effort to promote peace and development’ out any doubt that it is far from the desire of the First Lady to have the project turned down. One, it will amount to an abdication of responsibility by Nigeria and that level of disappointment will be injurious for the leadership status of Nigeria in Africa.”

He went on: “Certainly, the First Lady will not expect Nigeria to behave in such a manner. Two, the First Lady would not also want the project abandoned because it is an undertaking that the country

has made to the continent.”

“It means therefore that the credibility of Nigeria will drop significantly if it goes back on its deliberate and willing commitment to host such an organ for the continent and at the request of the continent. ‘’Africa First Ladies Mission said, give us a secretariat and you agreed that you will do it and then five years after, you wake up and say you don’t want to do it again.

I don’t think that level of irresponsibility would be expected of Nigeria and the First Lady won’t encourage that at all.”

On the gains of the peace mission to Nigeria, Osinlu said: “There are other several advantages that the peace mission will attract to the country.

For as long as that peace mission secretariat which is going to be a huge com-

plex of international status is sited in Nigeria, it will continue to attract different kinds of international meetings and conferences, some continental and some global to the country. And then, of course, it promotes Nigeria’s strive to open up job opportunities for its citizens.

“Apart from the prestige that this building brings to the country, we could also see that there will also be social and economic advantages accruing to Nigeria from that. Look at the United Nations Building before it was attacked in Abuja. You can imagine the large number of young Nigerians that were engaged there as cleaners; security personnel and as maintenance workers around the structure. So, for this and many other reasons of course, it is the First Lady’s interest that the project should continue as proposed”

•Mrs Bamgbose-Martins (left); Munroe; Mrs Fashola; Mrs Idowu SenbanJo; Mrs Oladunjoye and Senator Tinubu at the event... at the weekend.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Munroe to leaders: promote youth development

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IGERIAN leaders at the weekend got a food for thought.

Motivational speaker Dr. Myles Munroe urged them to promote youth development because they are the future.

Munroe told his audience at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos that a leader is deemed to have left a good legacy only when he successfully transferred his deposit of knowledge to younger generations.

It was at the graduation of leadership trainees and the launch of Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (SMILE) connect magazine.

The Motivational speaker urged leaders to think more about the next generation than themselves.

In his lecture entitled: “Youth empowerment: A catalyst for change”,

•Empowerment magazine launched in Lagos

By Wale Adepoju

Munroe said most leaders in the developing countries do not transfer their knowledge, describing it as unfortunate that many leaders die with their dreams without leaving successors to actualise them.

He added that a leader’s legacy and achievement should be gauged by the success of his successors.

“Success without a successor is a failure,” Munroe said, likening true leadership to a marathon relay race run with a perfect exchange of the baton.

On the act of true leaders, Munroe said, they should identify their replacement and begin to mentor them.

He said: “Leadership is what happens in our absence because when you are

present to do everything, you are less a leader.”

Munroe identified one of the greatest untapped resources in life as youthful years, saying they were wasted by the old because they minimised their value and ability.

He described as a misconception by the elderly to think that youths cannot be effective, useful, credible, capable and valuable.

He said youths, if discovered and developed can be useful as agents of change.

Munroe said the thought that youths will fail is mostly the cause of the problems they experience in the society.

“You are always what you are born to be,” he said.

SMILE’s President Mrs Adebimpe Bangbose-Martins, urged the government to focus on youth develop-

ment to bring about meaningful progress and change in the society.

She advised the governments at the three tiers to formulate more polices for youths and provide funds to ensure they are self-sufficient.

Mrs Bamgbose-Martins traced the prevalence of misguided youths to disintegration of the family unit, advent of absentee parents and dearth of mentors.

According to her, many of the unruly youths are the products of technology and their peers.

Mrs Bangbose-Martins said a lot must be done to reduce youth unemployment, poverty, low self-esteem and lack of direction among others.

She said nation-building and creating a lasting legacy lie in the hands of the

leaders.

Urging leaders to take youth empowerment seriously, SMILE president noted that the youth deserves better living standards.

Her words: “Let us come together as leaders from the public and private sector and make commitment to the implementation of youth empowerment in the country. Let us build Public -Private Partnership (PPP), forge collaborations and pull resources together to promote education, training and job creation, among others, to enrich the youths.”

Among dignitaries at the event were Lagos State Governor’s wife Dame Abimbola Fashola, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is a member of SMILE Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora and Education Commissioner Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

9

NEWS

Security vital for growth, says Aregbesola O SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said security is a prerequisite for national development.

He said Osun is safe for investors.

Aregbesola spoke at the weekend in Osogbo, the state capital, after receiving the 2012 Banker’s Award for Good Governance from the Osogbo Banker’s Clearing House Committee.

The governor, who was represented at the Dinner/ Award Night by the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, said Osun is the most peaceful place in the country.

He said: “Very soon, the state government will complete its arrangement to provide area surveillance, which will help the security personnel to move quickly to crime

scenes and rid the state of criminals. This will be funded with the derivative fund.

“It requires a collaborative effort, especially between the banks and the government. We will call on you soon when it is time to inaugurate our Security Trust Fund (STF). We will need the apex and commercial banks to partner with us.

“I urge you to provide sufficient fund to ensure that residents and their property are safe. I assure you that the government will create the enabling environment for business to thrive.”

Aregbesola thanked the Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Osun branch, Mr. Joseph Oyinbo Atteh, for the support for his

administration and pledged to improve on their relationship.

A Deputy Director at CBN, Mr. Samuel Agagu, delivered a lecture, entitled: “Adequate security: Pre-requisite to national development- The role of banks and the CBN”.

Agagu said the insecurity in the nation has caused poverty, hunger, diseases, fear, uncertainty and disregard for the sanctity of human life.

He urged commercial banks to cooperate with CBN in the monitoring of financial institutions.

Atteh said banking and security were indispensable twins that are critical to national development.

He said: “Today, security is a major challenge in our nation.

Group decries ‘neglect’ of Southwest

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•Aregbesola

The challenges are multifaceted across geo-political zones.

There is a positive relationship between security and development. It is time public interest became a paramount factor in both banking and security arrangements, not as ends, but because the two sectors are vulnerable and they facilitate national development.”

Makinde: Alaafin a living encyclopedia

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HE Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, has described the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as a “living encyclopedia, whose doctrines and philosophies remain a rallying point”.

Rev. Makinde spoke yesterday at the Alaafin’s palace when he led four bishops on a visit to the monarch.

The bishops are the President of the Methodist Conference of Nigeria, Rev. Jimmy Coker from Abia State; Rev. Charles Kehinde from Ilesha Diocese; Methodist Conference Secretary Rev. Chibuzor Opoko and Rev. Kehinde Stephen, Arch Bishop of Ibadan Diocese.

Rev. Makinde said: “You (Alaafin) are a great philosopher and staunch advocate of justice, fairness and truth. Your Imperial Majesty is never afraid to talk to anyone, even those in positions of authority. You are blunt and thorough in advising and calling to order the excesses of those in authority

‘You (Alaafin) are a great philosopher and staunch advocate of justice, fairness and truth.

Your Imperial Majesty is never afraid to talk to anyone, even those in positions of authority’ From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

whenever they want to go astray. Your knowledge cuts across all shades of discipline.

Your contributions to peace, progress and development is indeed unrivalled.”

The prelate hailed Oba Adeyemi for accommodating all religions, adding that the Methodist Church would remain grateful to him for his

contributions towards its growth in Oyo town.

He said: “What is more amazing about the Alaafin is his dexterity and prowess of Yoruba language. Whenever he speaks, you will be carried away by his intonation. You will know that he is an embodiment of Yoruba culture and tradition. I urge the government not to allow Yoruba language to go into extinction. It must be adequately promoted and allowed to be spoken in schools.”

Alaafin thanked the prelate and his entourage for the visit and extolled Makinde’s virtues.

He said: “He is a Minister of God with a vision and mission. He is assertive and committed to human advancement. He is an example of justice and truthfulness.”

Reiterating his commitment to the service of humanity, the monarch said as the custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, he is not opposed to any religion, but owes it as a duty to preserve the deities.

Mimiko dissolves executive council

O

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko

yesterday dissolved the State Executive Council (SEC).

The dissolution, which came less than 24 hours after the governor took his Oath of Office, affected commissioners, chairmen and members of boards and parastatals, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and others, who have served in positions other than statutory commissions.

The dissolution excludes appointees, whose tenures

•Appoints CPS From Damisi Ojo, Akure

are not tied to the expiration of the governor’s first term.

Mimiko thanked the affected political office holders for their service.

He said: “I have always said the good work we did was as a result of the effort put in by members of the council and other people in positions of responsibilities.

“Through our collective effort, rich debates, engaging arguments, agreements and

sometimes disagreements, we have provided responsible and dedicated leadership to the people. Diligence has been our watchword and I am grateful to you all.”

Also yesterday, Mimiko appointed Mr. Eni Akinsola as his Chief Press Secretary.

Akinsola, an International Relations graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), was a human rights trainer, educator and campaigner before veering into journalism. He was appointed Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Mimiko in 2009.

Five prisoners freed in Oyo

O •Ajimobi

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has freed five inmates of Agodi Prisons in commemoration of this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration.

They are Ibrahim Wakili, Ismaila Mufutau, Sina Aborisade, Asimiyu Alabi and Oluseyi Akande.

In a statement yesterday, the Attorney-General and

Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, said eight prisoners on death row had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

They are Musiliu Suleiman, Paul Faforiji, Matthew Johnson, Funso Olanipekun, Asimiyu Babatunde, Olabode Emmanuel, Olusina Ajayi and Obasi Onyeye.

He said: “It is important to preserve our cultural heritage in order not to lose our identity. These artefacts, sculptures and antiquities were seen as the main obstacles to the spread of the white man’s religion and as a result, various unsuitable terminological descriptions were employed to devalue them.

“They were erroneously described as graven images, idols, fetish or devilish objects. They were regarded as mere woods that had no spiritual or aesthetic value.”

political arm of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI), has decried the alleged neglect of the Southwest by the Jonathan administration.

In a statement yesterday by its National President, Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade, who is also CAN chairman in the Southwest, CWI said: “We read with dismay in some national newspapers that the Southwest region has been marginalised by the Jonathan administration. When we studied the figure of the 2011 presidential election region by region, the Southwest overwhelmingly voted for President Jonathan.

“Jonathan won in five Southwest states convincingly and in Osun State, he came second with a little margin to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN’s) candidate. With the analysis at our disposal, we are not happy with this neglect and say it is unfair and uncalled for.

“We seek correction of this anomaly for equity, oneness of Nigeria and fair play. President Jonathan should treat the matter with the urgency it deserves.”

CWI urged security agencies to check the killing of farmers by herdsmen. It urged the federal and state governments to create ranches in northern states for herdsmen and stop them from roaming the country and destroying people’s farms.

‘

We seek correction of this anomaly for equity, oneness of Nigeria and fair play. President Jonathan should treat the matter with the urgency it deserves.

’

Fayemi for EKSU lecture today

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi will today deliver the first Interdisciplinary Public Lecture of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti.

He will speak on “Reflections on values and the building of a successor generation in Nigeria” at the institution’s multipurpose auditorium by 2pm.

The lecture is organised by EKSU’s School of Postgraduate Studies.

It will be chaired by the former Dean of the Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe, Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun.

EKSU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Patrick Aina is the Chief Host.

THE NATION TUESDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2013

10

NEWS Aregbesola rounds off US visit

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NVESTORS of American origin and Nigerians in the Diaspora have signified their intentions to partner Osun State on information technology, youth development and tourism.

This is the outcome of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s one-week working visit to the United States, which would end today.

At a dinner with Tim McNulty, the Vice-President, Government Relations of Carnegie Melon University, it was agreed that McNulty would visit Osun for an on-the-spot assessment with the intent to partner the state on information technology and set up a campus of the university in Osun.

The Osun State government was praised for its innovations by officials of Allegheny County at The Courthouse, the county’s headquarters, where they explored areas of partnership and exchange with Aregbesola.

The Chief Executive of Allegheny, Rich Fitzgerald, described the Opon Imo concept as an example of good governance.

Fitzgerald pledged to buy the tablets for public schools in the county, adding that just as Osun seeks to learn from Allegheny, the county has a lot to learn from the state.

Osun State partnered Allegheny County on culture, innovation, technology and youth empowerment.

Allegheny is the biggest county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with a population of 1.3 million.

It is home to the popular Heinz brand and seven Fortune 500 companies with interest in steel and nutrition.

Aregbesola, who later met with Bill Strickland of Manchester Bidwell Centre, a non-governmental organisation established in 1968 to combat the effect of economic and social devastation on youths of his inner city neighbourhood, expressed the desire to partner the centre in vocational development.

Expert: 167,042 names injected into Ondo Voter’s Register A N expert in computer analysis,Mr. Sunday Afolayan, yesterday told the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital, how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “injected” 164,072 names into the voter’s register.

Afolayan told the threeman panel that in some local governments and wards, there were irregularities.

The expert, who was led in evidence by the senior counsel of the petitioners (the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)), Mr. Akin Olujimi (SAN), said there were 27 irregularities in Unit 11, Ward

From Damisi Ojo and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Seven in Ondo West Local Government Area.

He said there were multiple entries of the names of voters in the register compared to the 2011 voter’s register.

Afolayan said for example, Oyetibo Dupe, whose name appeared in the voter’s register in Ondo West Local Government, was listed twice in the 2011 voter’s register and three times in the 2012 voter’s register.

He said Akintemi Ajoke Eunice was listed twice in the 2012 voter’s register but listed once in the 2011 register.

Afolayan said the 2012 voter’s register is arranged in alphabetical order, starting with surname.

He said the photo report he analysed revealed that in Ondo West Local Government with Code 16 - Ward Seven, Unit 011 - there are cases where alphabet B came before A. The expert referred to paragraph seven of the report, pointing out that Siko Oluwaloye’s name and occupation listed as fishing and farming appeared four times in the register.

Afolayan was cross examined by the respondents’ lawyer, led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Oluwole Osaze

Uzzi.

He said the magnitude of evidence gathered in his opinion conclusively proved that there was gross and deliberate injection of voter’s data into the register used for the October 20, 2012 governorship election.

The expert said 102,472 entries, which were not in the 2011 voter’s register, were injected into the 2012 register .

He said 50,188 multiple entries were injected into the 2012 register and they were single entries in the 2011 voter’s register.

Afolayan said 11,412 multiple entries were found in the 2012 voter’s register and

none of such entries existed in the 2011 register.

Afolayan said his analysis showed that 164,072 names were injected into the 2012 register.

The motion moved by the ACN’s counsel to allow the expert demostrate his report electronically was struck out by the tribunal on the ground that it was not in the ACN’s prayer.

Other witnesses that testified for ACN and Akeredolu include ACN State Secretary Mr. Adegboyega Adedipe, who said there was a crisis at his polling unit before he was accredited.

As at the time of filing this report, the tribunal was still in session, receiving documents from INEC.

•Fayemi (arrowed) swearing in the commissioners…yesterday.

Fayemi swears in 19 commissioners, 11 SAs

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday swore in 19 commissioners and 11 special advisers.

The ceremony was held at

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Adetiloye Hall in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Fayemi urged them to be innovative.

He said: “It is by bringing freshness into governance through people-driven and development-focused policies that you can justify your appointments.”

The new commissioners are: Mr. Wale Fapohunda (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice); Mr. Dapo Kolawole (Finance and Economic Development); Mr. Biodun Oyebanji (Budget, Economic Planning & Service Delivery); Mr. Funminiyi Afuye (Integration & Inter-Government Affairs); Mr. Remi Olorunleke (Housing, Physical Planning & Urban Development); Dr. Eniola Ajayi (Environment); Prof.

Olusola Fasubaa (Health); Mr. Wole Adewumi (Special Duties) and Mr. Kehinde Ojo (Education, Science & Technology).

The rest are Mr. Debo Ajayi (Trade, Investments and Innovations); Mr. Jide Arowosafe (Agriculture & Natural Resources); Mrs. Fola

‘Your choice is not by accident; it is the result of a meticulous process of screening to meet the challenges ahead of this administration.’

Adewusi (Women Affairs); Mr. Kayode Olaosebikan (Youth and Sports); Mr. Sola Adebayo (Works and Transport); Mr Tayo Ekundayo (Information and Civic Orientation); Mr. Paul Omotoso (Local Government); Mr. Oluwole Ariyo (Labour, Employment & Human Capital Development); Mrs. Ronke Okusanya (Arts, Culture and Tourism) and Mr. Folorunso Olabode (Rural Development & Community Empowerment).

Fayemi urged “returning appointees” to prove that they are not “spent forces”, saying: “You must take full advantage of your past experiences to be more strate-

gic, innovative and purposeful in accelerating your speed for spectacular performance.

“It is time for appraisal, restrategy and change of tactics for better performance and results. This administration, since its inauguration, has been unambiguous in its mission of removing the ubiquitous image of poverty in the land.”

Warning the appointees not to abandon the people in their localities, the governor said: “You have to interact with them regularly and educate them on the programmes and policies of our administration.

“Your choice is not by accident; it is the result of a meticulous process of screening to meet the challenges ahead of this administration.

Despite the fact that there is still a long way to go because our job is not yet finished, I assure the people that this administration would sustain the efforts that have transformed the state and the lives of residents.

“This year will witness the consolidation of our previous achievements with a view to expanding the frontiers of the administration’s

onslaught against poverty, our arch-adversary.

“It is in our collective commitment to consolidate our weapons of warfare that we are all gathered here to inaugurate you into the orbit of performance. Obviously, this is a strategic leap that the government considers as a new beginning.

“You should carry the technocrats and professionals in your Ministries, Departments and Authorities (MDAs) along in the policy direction of the departments, as they are critical in the corporate success of this administration.

“There must also be proper ministerial coordination for optimal utilisation of resources. To enhance productivity, some changes will occur in ministerial responsibilities.

“I remind you of this administration’s zero-tolerance to corruption and fraudulent practices. You must live above board in your dealings and be cautious of the implications and consequences of breaching the laws under the guise of public function. To this administration, there are no sacred cows.”

11

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

We want a SONCAP programme that would serve its purpose; a programme that would be dynamic, where all the identified loopholes would be effectively plugged thereby making it difficult for the plaque of substandard products to continue to dominate the Nigerian business space.

-Dr Joseph Odumodu, DG, SON

Row over FIRS chair: Finance Minister shortlists six • Makarfi withdraws from panel • Candidates face panel on March 3 • Staff grumble over acting chair’s disqualification

A

FRESH row has broken out over the short-listing of six candidates for interview for the vacant office of the Executive Chairman the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The Minister of Finance, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, has raised a panel to interview the candidates on March, 3.

Members of the panel are the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, who is a respected chartered accountant; the immediate past Chairman of the FIRS, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, Nike Ogunlesi (Fahion Designer, and owner of Ruff and Tumble), and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Fiannce, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

But following controversy trailing the short listing of the candidates by the Consultants, Makarfi has withdrawn from the panel of interviewers.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that apart from issues bordering on the choice of consultants, the choice of the six candidates from the South-East and South-South has raised ethnic suspicion.

Some of the candidates are, Ms. Mfon Akpan of Barclays Bank London; one Victor of KPMG and former Managing Director, Diamond Bank, Emeka Onwuka, who is curently the chairman of Enterprise Bank Limited.

It was learnt that none of the qualified candidates from the North, including the acting Executive Chairman, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, made the list.

Mashi, who succeeded OmoiguiOkauru, had generated N3.401 trillion in the past eight months.

The figure was N468.65 billion higher, when compared with the total collection of N2.93 trillion for the same period last year out of N3.6 trillion provisional annual budget estimates for the year 2012.

The staff of the FIRS are also aggrieved that out of the over 700 qualified chartered accountants in the employment of the agency, none was recommended for interview.

Most stakeholders and staff of the FIRS have raised eyebrows that the engagement of Phillips Consulting, a development alleged to be outside the Act and statutory procedure for appointing the Executive Chairman of FIRS. They are also questioning the criteria adopted by the consultants engaged to screen over 30,000 candidates who applied for the job.

They have alleged that the shortlisting of candidates had been done by the consultants to “achieve a pre-determined agenda for some candidates being brought from the United Kingdom .”

The inclusion of the immediate past Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Omoigui-Okauru, has attracted protest as staff have raised issue of a likely bias.

A highly-placed source said: “The process of appointing a substantive Executive Chairman had commenced in April, 2012 with a pronouncement by the President that the position would be advertised and filled through a competitive process. The process was

List of Commissioners/Chairmen of the Federal Inland Revenue Service from inception to date

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

however, stalled and only commenced in September, 2012, with an advert issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance calling for interested applicants to apply.

“The controversy however, commenced thereafter, with several applicants challenging the propriety of appointing external Consultants, Phillips Consulting to carry out a process, which is ordinarily the prerogative of the President.

“It was the view of several applicants that the President was unduly ceding his powers to Consultants on the misleading advice of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

“It was also felt that the process and criteria adopted by the Consultants was illegal as the Federal

• Okonjo-Iweala

• Mashi

Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2007 clearly provided that the appointment of the

Executive Chairman of the FIRS was to be done by the President subject to the confirmation of the

Senate.

“The Act did not create room for the use of Consultants to carry out a process, which would have been better handled by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as has been previously done.

In addition, the criteria put out by the Consultants was at variance with the requirements in the FIRS (Establishment).

“Even within the Ministry of Finance, the process of short listing candidates is creating ripples because the entire process was cloudy as only the Minister and the Permanent Secretary could state what criteria they adopted.

“Since Mrs. Omoigui-Okauru, who is from Edo State , spent two terms (eight years) on the job, the normal thing is for the North to produce the next Executive Chairman.

“Out of 52 years of Nigerian independence, the leadership position was only occupied by a Northerner for only five years, and the fact that the last eight years have been occupied by a Southerner, logically it means the position should now go to the northern part of Nigeria .

“Are they saying that there are no capable hands from the North to man the FIRS? This is unfortunate.”

Another source faulted the involvement of the former Executive Chairman of FIRS in the panel which will interview the six candidates on March 3.

“Well, some of us felt that being the immediate past Executive Chairman, she is an interested party, whose neutrality cannot be guaranteed.

“The composition of the panel is also alleged to be skewed towards a predetermined end and appoint her favoured candidate to the position.”

A third source said: “The set up of the panel informed the decision of the Chairman, Senate Committee of Finance, ex-Governor Ahmed Makarfi, to withdraw from the body.

“He said he does not want anything that will affect his personal integrity.”

“We have just heard that the preferred candidate is rumoured to be an employee of Barclays Bank in the United Kingdom , with no practical experience in tax administration in Nigeria or the United Kingdom . The preferred candidate is said to be a former colleague of Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru in Arthur Andersen and Co.” “The disturbing trend noted by the source is the preponderance of invited candidates linked to the former Executive Chairman, FIRS, which is being interpreted by many as a move by the Minister to continue the tenure of the former Chairman by proxy.”

The aggrieved stakeholders called on President Goodluck Jonathan to “take deep interest in the appointment process.

The source added: “There are fears that the Minister might want to control the affairs of the FIRS. “In spite of the impressive record of the FIRS, the Ministry of Finance has engaged McKinsey and Co to come and take over some core functions of the FIRS, such as auditing, tax arrears and debt enforcement, amongst others,” the source, alleged.

12

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

BUSINESS NEWS Naira weakens on speculation

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HE naira depreciated to its lowest in more than two months on speculation that the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) will not sell enough dollars to meet demand at auctions this week.

The currency depreciated by 0.2 per cent to N157.70 per dollar, recording its weakest on a closing basis since December 19, 2012, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The CBN sold $150 million at an auction yesterday, with lenders buying the entire amount on sale, it said in emailed statement. The regulator sold $240 million at its two auctions last week, the lowest in five weeks.

The naira gained as much as 0.2 per cent on February 22 after an oil company was said to sell $100 million. Oil producers, which sell dollars periodically to meet local spending needs, are the second major supplier after the apex bank.

“Dollar demand increased as dealers speculate the oil industry has finished sales of the U.S currency and that the CBN won’t supply enough to meet demand at interbank trading,” TundeLadipo, Chief Executive Officer of Lagos-based Valuechain Investment Limited, said by phone yesyerday. “Dealers needed more than was supplied at yesterday’s auction.”

The CBN held the benchmark interest rate at a record high 12 per cent for an eighth straight time on January 21 to control inflation and stabilize the naira.

The yield on the country’s 16.39 per cent domestic bonds due January 2022 rose eight basis points to 10.56 percent, according to Feb. 22 data compiled on the Financial Markets Dealers Association website.

Yields on Nigeria’s $500 million of Eurobonds due January 2021 fell six basis points to 4.374 per cent yesterday.

Controversy trails status of NNPC’s $1.56b loan

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ONTROVERSY is dog ging the status of the proposed $1.56 billion loan by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), as the House of Representatives and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, gave different classification to the subject.

While the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, declared that the proposed “loan” could not be found in both the 2013-2015 Medium Term Framework and the 2013 budget, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, said the fund was not a loan, but a forward sales agreement between the NNPC and its trading partners.

The Corporation’s Group Managing Director, Andrew Yakubu, also towed Mrs. Aloson-Madueke’s line of argument.

Speaking at the opening of the public hearing on the alleged loan by the House Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Aids, Loans and Debt Manage-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

ment and Justice, Tambuwal, who was represented by Chief Whip of the House, Ishiaka Bawa, urged the joint committee to do a good job.

He said the public hearing was in alignment with the determination of the House, to not only deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizens, but also to ensure an entrenchment of good legacies.

He said: “The proposed $1.56 billion loan by NNPC is very important. It’s importance is predicated on the fact that the loan was neither captured in the 2013-2015 Medium Term Framework, nor the 2013 budget.

“As a Parliament, we believe that if we continue on the path of truth, history shall vindicate us. I assure you that members of the Seventh Assembly are fully committed to bringing the dividends of democracy to our people, and ensuring that we have a policy that we shall all be proud of.

“It is on account of this belief that the House in its wisdom, referred this matter to the committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Aids, Loans and Debt Management and Justice to investigate fully and report back to the House.”

The Speaker said the leadership of the House is convinced that the findings and recommendations of the committee would influence the direction of the House on the issue.

But Mrs. Allison-Madueke, debunked the claim that NNPC was seeking a loan, explaining that what was being referred to was a forward sales agreement between the corporation and its trading partners.

However, the members of the committee were not happy with the explanation, resulting in an argument on the issue. Many lawmakers rejected the Minister’s explanation.

Also, Yakubu, adducing reasons for the acceptance of the forward sales agreement by the Corporation, said it

was to enable NNPC honour its obligations, “while addressing the risk of sovereign default and potential banking crisis that could ensue.”

He added: “Unfunded Federal Government’s expenditures over the decades, including but not limited to crude oil and product losses, pipeline security, demurrage on products strategic reserve stock, have resulted in periodic cash flows challenges to NNPC. “NNPC has accumulated various legacy liabilities which were being settled periodically from internal resources. The cash flow challenges have severe opportunity cost and complicated contradictions in corporate operations.

“The NNPC import invoices is contractually obligated to be paid 45 days after laycan, but extended to over 360 days after laycan in recent time due to obvious cashflow challenges.

“The non-reimbursement

by Federal Government of the Petroleum Products Price Differential to NNPC

D

• From left: Managing Director, D.K.K. Nigeria, Mrs. Temitope Jemirigbe; Mr. Bright Okpocha (aka Ali Baba) and Managing Director/Chief Executive, Sundry Food Limited, Mr Ebele Enunwa, at the inauguration of Coral Blue Seafood Restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos...recently

N60b credit for agro-dealers coming

MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -11.7% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $43.5b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

Nigeria/British trade to hit N1.9 trillion

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

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

has gradually led to accumulated and unpaid petroleum products invoices of about $3.5billion,” Yakubu , added.

“On account of this pipeline security issues and other severe operational losses NNPC has been unable to settle its obligations to the suppliers of petroleum products importers in a timely manner according to contracted terms.”

Listing some of the fallouts of the problems caused the Corporation by lack of funds, Yakubu said that traders (petroleum products importers) have become agitated over non-payment of their Petroleum Products invoices some of which were over three years old., and that the exposure of Domestic Banks is about US$1.5bn, and that the default of this magnitude of exposure could lead to another round of banking crisis.

T

HE Federal Govern ment through the Fed eral Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), have launched the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending(NIRSAL) initiative to provide N60 billion credit for agro-dealers at nine per cent interest rate.

The Permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Ibukun Olusote, said this yesterday at the Stakeholders meeting of Southern states on the takeoff of the implementation of Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme held at Wallan Hotels, Ibadan.

She said the loans would allow the small scale input retailers to have access to fi-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

nance to stock up on seeds and fertilisers across the country.

She said President Goodluck Jonathan has also approved N15 billion to recapitalise the Bank of Agriculture at less than 10 per cent interest rate for farmers and agribusiness practitioners.

Mrs. Olusote said the GES scheme is a major milestone in the government’s attempt to modernise agriculture and ensure that Nigerian farmers benefit from subsidised fertiliser, seeds and tractors.

“As you are all aware indirect targeting of farmers made it easy to divert funds because subsidised seeds, fertilizsers and other equipment are diverted to open

market and illegally sold at huge profits. As a result, tens of billions of naira were spent every year to reach farmers with agricultural inputs but the level of utilisation of improved seed and fertilizers remained very low.

“To ensure that only genuine farmers got the subsidised seeds and fertilisers, we put in place the first ever database of farmers in the history of Nigeria. In 2012, we started with the registration of 4.2 million farmers and will increase this year to five million farmers,” she said, adding that within 120 days of the launch of the GES, over 1.2 million farmers successfully redeemed their seeds and fertilisers, using the electronic wallet system.

Also speaking, the Oyo State Commissioner of Ag-

riculture and Rural Development, Peter Odetomi, said no fewer than 76,082 farmers were validated out of 78,000 that registered for the GES scheme.

He said only 16,466 farmers benefited from the system as a result of initial problems encountered on e-wallet operations and delays in supplies of agro-inputs to agro-dealers, urging that the cellulant and the e-wallet consultant for the scheme should appoint adequate staff for each geo-political zone in order to decentralise their operations and have resident offices in the states.

Odetomi said the state is giving farm settlements a facelift, opening new ones and also planning to rebrand the name to attract the youths to agriculture in a businesslike manner.

EPUTY British High Commissioner, Mr Peter Carter, has said trade between Nigeria and Britain is expected to hit N1.9 trillion by 2014.

Carter made this known yesterday when he visited the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola in his office.

He said the trade between both countries stands at 4billion Pounds Sterling (N960billion), adding that his country hopes to double the figure by 2014.

He said Britain would soon remove some trade barriers to ease issuance of UK visas to Nigerian businessmen in order to ensure seamless flow of trade between the two countries.

“We are already on our way to redoubling bilateral trade between the two countries by 2014. We will continue to work with the Nigerian authorities through our different agencies for international development, through the British councils and through a whole range of other links between official bodies.

He explained that Britain recognises the importance of a smooth efficient visa services particularly to Nigerian businessmen travelling to the UK. “We are constantly seeking ways to improve our visa services to Nigerians, while maintaining all the necessary security to ensure only people with good reasons get to Britain. Our aim really is to make the obtaining of our visas as efficient and straightforward as little time- consuming as we can“, he said.

Carter said Britain attached so much importance to its relations with Nigeria as a result of its vast resources and dynamic people, stressing that future of relations between the two countries was very bright. He said he visited the governor to familiarise himself with him and share thoughts on how to strengthen relations between the UK and the state.

13

PROPERTY

Tuesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

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

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

•Prototype of Eko Atlantic City with its protective walls meant to last over 1,000 years.

At $1000 per square metre, the planned Eko Atlantic City is meant for the rich. It is the brainchild of the Chagoury brothers and some local and foreign banks. They have earmarked over $1 billion for the project.

President Goodluck Jonathan was in Lagos last week for the dedication of five million reclaimed square metres of land at the city. No fewer than 250,000 people are expected to reside in the city; 150,000 others will work there, OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE writes.

From the sea rises a N150b city •Lagos goes into asphalt production

- PAGE 14

I

T is called the city behind “the great wall of Lagos”. Formed from the reclamation of land lost to coastal erosion, the Eko Atlantic City is expected to rise from the Bar Beach. It is designed to be home for 250,000 residents; 150,00 others will work there.

The ‘great city’ is expected to be ready in five to seven years. With land there going for $1,000 per square metre, many influential people are said to have acquired some plots.

Mr Segun Odusanya, Deputy Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), one of the financiers of the city, said his bank got

involved in the project because of its belief in the city’s viability and sustainability.

He said: “We are involved with FirstBank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and a few foreign banks to offer financial assistance to the project throughout its life. We did our analysis of the project in terms of its return on investment, impact on the environment and also as a means of supporting our customers.” FCMB, he said, is offering financial advisory services to the over a billion •CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

•UPDC to partner Lagos on housing

- PAGE 15

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

From the Bar Beach rises a N150b city •CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

dollar real estate project, which is second to none in Africa.

Chairman of Eko Atlantic City, Mr Ronald Chagoury, said the land reclamation started in February 2008, with a seven-year dredging operation planned to create 8,000 square metres of new land every day. He said the project is a ground breaking vision for the future of Lagos; offering world class infrastructure to facilitate the development of a new African city. The city, he said, would be a clean, energy efficient city for the 21st century. He said: “The essential new city for Lagos is being designed as a solution to coastal erosion and also help relieve pressure on the congested city of Lagos.”

President, Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers, Mr Emeka Eleh, said the city will up the ante for real estate development in Lagos based on the competitive infrastructure provision. On the price, he said it could not be less than the fixed amount ($1,000 per square metre) based on the location and price of land in such places as Banana Island, Ikoyi and Victoria Island. He projected that the plots may have been oversubscribed based on the patronage and level of personalities involved in the project.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who was at the dedication of five multimillion reclaimed square land in the city, said the Federal Government would replicate the project in three other cities to improve the living standards of the people. He noted the correlation between a wellplanned development and good quality of life, stating that it makes for higher productivity in all endeavours.

He said his administration has decided to offer the housing sector the

needed support due to its potential to create employment. To this end, he said the enabling framework for kick-starting the privatisation of this sector is being put in place to harness the sector as an important growth area for the economy.

Jonathan emphasised that the housing and construction sector are important component in the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP), saying the challenges in the housing and construction sector cut across many areas, which include access to finance, property tax loan, high cost of building materials, among others.

He said: “In order to solve the challenge in the housing sector, the Federal Government organised a retreat for all players in the sector. And at the retreat, several issues and recommendations were made. And one of the fallout of the retreat is the need for a viable mortgage institution.

“I am pleased to announce that we have commenced work on establishing a Nigerian Mortgage Finance Corporation (NMFC). This corporation will help to provide finance for the housing and construction sector.

The corporation would be private sector led. It would be established as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

“The partners would include the Federal Government, local banks, savings and loans’ institutions and the most important institution is the World Bank, which is providing constructional credit of $300 million.”

He said NMFC in the new arrangement will be able to approach the capital market to raise long term fund, adding that the intention was to ensure that funds are available for those who intend to build for commercial purpose.

“Most especially, for private mortgage institution, so that if anyone

•On going construction at Eko Atlantic City.

wants to buy a house, he will be able to access cheap fund to buy his house. We expect that this will provide more liquidity for the housing and construction sector,” he added.

Former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, said the current five million square metre of land recovered from the sea, which though forms half of the city, represents an ingenious engineering feat. He said it could also be home to people around the world, especially for over 10,000 residents who lost their houses to Hurricane Sandy, which occurred in New York in 2012.

“I spent more than two years as UN special envoy working on the repair of some of the cities affected by disaster. I saw what happened when American Hurricane Katherina went wild in the city where I spent my childhood. High rise buildings got buried in the water because they were not prepared and most recently my state, New

York, was hit by Hurricane Sandy where thousands of people lost their homes and many lives lost.

“These people will come to Nigeria; people want to live near the water where they can have a feel of nature. You have provided a beautiful option to brand the city, the state and the nation. The shape of the stones of the Great Wall shows the understanding of how the water reacts; people will come from all over the world to study the wall,” he said.

Mr Clinton said: “I want to thank the government and the developer for building this city. They have reclaimed five million square metres of the land initially lost to the sea.

That marks the beginning of this amazing wall, the Great Wall of Lagos. They have kept their commitment and it will work to improve the economy of Nigeria and all over the world, it will bring enormous opportunities. I am convinced that within five years, people will be coming

Lagos goes into asphalt production

T

HE Ikorodu-Imota and ItoIkin roads belonging to the Federal Government are to be rehabilitated with asphalt produced by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) so as to promote mutual relationship.

LSPWC Executive Chairman, Gbenga Akintola, said the asphalt would be from the firm’s plants which are under construction in Imota and Badagry.

He listed LSPWC’s action plan for the year to include, outsourcing of road maintenance contracts and selling of asphalt to FERMA at discounted rates to enable the agency to respond to road maintenance needs, especially, the federal roads in the metropolis and the suburbs.

LSPWC, Akintola said, has a target of working on 1,000 roads, fixing of 100 manhole covers; 250 gratings and construction of drain in about 17 locations in nine local governments and local council development areas (LCDAs) of the state.

The new asphalt plant in Imota when completed in April, he said, would be producing 120 tonnes per hour; the Badagry plant which is expected to be installed before the end of June, would cater for about 400 roads, in Amuwo Odofin, AjeromiIfelodun, Ojo, Egan-Igando, Badagry Township and part of Alimosho.

He said apart from the plants, three wheel loaders; two tele- handler (fork lift); three pothole’s patch equipment; rollers; reversible vibratory plate compactor tractors/bucket and a bulldozer would be procured to help the plants.

Akintola said the agency will double its night operations capacity in the year. “With the delivery of additional

Govt to tackle flood

L

AGOS State Government has intensified work on the rehabilitation and expansion of drainage channels across the state to mitigate the impact of flood during the rains.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, who led a team from the ministry to inspect some of the projects in Mushin and Isolo, said the development further affirmed the government determination to effectively tackle flooding.

He explained that the construction of drain collector at Takuro-EwunmiOjerinde-Paul Okuntola-Taiwo on Mushin Itire Road would help deflood part of Isolo Street, Alafia Ewenla Street, among others.

Also visited was the system 6C Odo Ashimowu channels, which would help de-flood Idi-Oro, Olode-Okuta, LUTH Road, Idi-Araba,Obele, Lawanson, Mushin/Itire Road, Ishaga Road and part of Apapa Oshodi and its environs.

By Seyi Odewale & Miriam Ekene-Okoro

five units of floodlight equipment, we would double our night activities in the year. This is a result of our quest to work more at night, given our sensitivity to the difficulty road users go through whenever maintenance work is being carried out, especially, on very busy roads,” he said.

Akintola added that the adoption of outsource contractors would be maintained. “The contractors have been complimenting the activities of the in-house maintenance gangs.

He said the two-killometer IjeshaLawanson-Itire collector drain takes its source from Yaba/Tejuosho and runs through Ojuelegba, Lawanson and empties into the system five channels at Gambia Street.

Bello said these are very significant drains that will service hundreds of thousands residents that live within the area.

The commissioner also frowned at some of the unwholesome practices embarked upon by traders in the popular Ladipo Market in Mushin Local Government Area, saying that it will shut the market if the traders continue with the degradation of the environment.

He expressed displeasure at the environmental nuisance created by the spare part dealers in the area.

Bello assured residents that the government would expedite action to ensure early completion of all ongoing upgrading of drainage channels in

the area. He said the government would not tolerate activities that would constitute environmental nuisance in the area.

He said buildings on drainage channels would be demolished while some places would be shut for not adhering to environmental regulation.

“In Ladipo market, the dealers have taken over the road by carrying out commercial activities on the road and beside the drainage, dump refuse indiscriminately on the road as well as haphazard parking of vehicles leading to traffic in the area.

“You can see what they have turned this market into. You can see the environmental nuisance created by the spare part dealers. Government is not going to allow this. I can assure you that the government is going to take decisive action very soon in Ladipo to curb this environmental nuisance.

“Any moment from now, we are going to seal up the market indefinitely, if they do not comply with the state environmental law,” he warned.

The approach is to enable the agency reach many sub-urban communities,” he said.

About 190 roads, LSPWC helmsman said, have been rehabilitated since the beginning of the year, adding that Lagos would witness improved activities before the end of the year.

Speaking on the alleged mistreatment of land owners by the government over the acquisition of the two hectares of land for the plant, Akintola said the government has demonstrated its commitment to catalyse development in Imota by locating the plant within Imota, given

that many other communities are clamouring for the same.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Imota Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Ibikunle Adebogun, advised land owners not to let a project of such potential developmental impact elude the community.

One of the stakeholders, Mr Folami Kehinde, said the people are genuinely willing to support the project, but noted that the way the land was allocated suggested that those concerned were not adequately carried along.

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE

from all over the world to see this wall.”

Governor Babatunde Fashola said: “While many may see only civil work and engineering project and the sign of an emerging city of Eko Atlantic Project, I see much more than that. I see the symbol of man’s undying spirit in Lagos to conquer nature. This is because the ability of human civilisation to survive and prosper on this planet has been a story of constant battle against nature.”

He regretted that the development of Apapa Port in Lagos about one century ago gave way to the gradual erosion of the coastland that affected Victoria Island until the Eko Atlantic City project was conceived.

“For many years, the nature has fought back. As is often the story, whenever man of goodwill, courage and vision exists, his surrender to nature is never an option. So, it was here.

When the erosion persisted and began to claim our shoreline,” he said.

The governor said with the reclamation of the land from the sea, buildings that were deserted are now occupied while property values have been restored and multiplied.

Fashola noted that more buildings are springing up along the axis because of the opportunities that lie ahead while thousands of people are earning their living on the historic shoreline and properties that are used to flooding due to rising waves of the ocean are now back because of the protection called the Great Wall of Lagos, which is yet to be completed.

He said though the battle is only halfway fought, the government with her development partners have recovered from the sea approximately five million square metres of land that was ‘stolen’ from Lagos.

Aso Savings to hold housing fair

T

HE Aso Savings Third National Housing Exhibition and Conference will hold will hold in April at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

It is entitled: Achieving affordable housing delivery by creating 500,000 housing units by 2016.

The Chief Executive of Affordable Housing Institute, Ghana, Evans Kofi Essienyi; President, Nigeria Bar Association, Okey Wali; Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Gimba Ya’u Kumo and Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) Olufemi Fabanwo are expected at the event.

Others include President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Olabode Afolayan; Managing Director, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Godwin Ehigiamusoe and Kalu Aja of Legacy Pension Managers Ltd.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Engineers seek role in economic growth

C

IVIL engineers have called for prominent roles in the nation’s quest for economic growth.

They made the call at the investiture of Mr Saliu Alao Lawal as the Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers in Ikeja, Lagos.

A don from the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Benin, Prof Jacob O. Ehiorobo, who spoke on the theme, “ Creating a sustainable future for Nigeria’s economic growth: The role of the civil engineer”, said sustainability implies support and maintenance without necessarily compromising future capabilities.

He stated that the sustainable growth of a society depends on key elements, such as social political, economic, physical environment and the inter relationship between them.

He said the challenge is how to create a life that allows all present and future human to live healthy, have their basic needs met, have fair and equitable access to the earth’s resources, decent quality of life and at the same time preserve the ecosystem in which they live.

Ehiorobo said designing a sustainable future requires a paradigm shift towards a systemic perspective, which encompasses the complex interdependence of individual, social cultural, economic and political activities.

By Ayetoto Temitayo

According to him, since it is likely that the amount of housing and other infrastructural construction within the immediate future will be doubled or tripled, it is, therefore, imperative the civil engineers be given a special role in creating a sustainable future for the economic growth of the country.

Prof Ehiorobo maintained that civil engineers are the interdisciplinary systems specialists, who will bring together, coordinate and manage the specialists to solve complex environmental problems.

The outgoing national chairman of the institution, Mr Amos Ade Omopeloye, an engineer, encouraged the new chairman to introduce new ideas to uplift the institution and work hard to uplift it.

In his response, Lawal said his cardinal programme include the restructuring of the institution and deepening of relationships with other reputable international organisations, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the World Council of Engineers (WCCE).

He said his rebranding agenda will also include empowerment of the members through provisions of profitable opportunities and consolidating upon the achievements of all his predecessors in office.

UPDC to partner Lagos in housing U

ACN Property Development Company (UPDC) will work with the Lagos State Government to create a robust property market for the public, the firm’s Managing Director, Mr Hakeem Ogunniran, has said.

Under the arrangement, those desirous of owning their own houses would be able to do so, he said. He spoke at the unvieling of his firm’s N1.5billion Grandville Luxury Estate in Ikeja, Lagos.

The estate, which sits on 5,999 square metres of land, consists of 18 units of four-bedroom town houses with one room boys quarter.

Ogunniran said his firm understoods the dynamics of real estate business and what the customer needs.

The company, he said, opted for Ikeja GRA following the growing demand on the mainland to satisfy the middle and upper income group in the state, who will have nothing to do with living on the Island.

Ogunniran hailed the Lagos State government for the improvement and liberalisation of property acquisition and titles at a record time of three months as against what was obtainable before, where obtaining building approvals and titling take forever to secure.

He said: “The estate, which fits into our product portfolio mix is delivered with the following, swimming pool, club house and children play ground, sewage treatment plant, borehole and

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

water treatment plant. Others are fire alarm and burglar alarm systems, PHCN and standby generator in addition to ample parking space for residents and visitors,” The UPDC boss said when they started Grandville 12 months ago, their intention was to provide all the benefits associated with the premium estates located within Ikoyi or elsewhere on the island.

Commending the Lagos State Government, he said the estate benefitted from the improved three months process of permit, property titles and building approval instituted recently by the state government to liberalise the sector . Earlier in his welcome address, Group Managing Director of UAC of Nig Plc and Chairman UACN Property Development Company Plc, Mr Larry Ephraim Ettah, said the company in 2011 took the decision to extend developmental activities to the mainland in line with its broad objectives of complementing the mega city strategy of the Lagos State Government.

He said: “Ikeja GRA was our first choice on the mainland because of its strategic fit with our portfolio mix and the recognised need to meet the identified yearnings of a growing customer

base on the Lagos Mainland.

“Our promise at UPDC is that we will continue to complement government’s effort to brighten the infrastructural landscape of our nation by embarking on real estate projects that conform to international standards are aesthetically appealing and other delightful living experiences to customers and residents. “ He also said UPDC would continue to ‘build for sustainable value” by ensuring that its designs comply with the basic tenets of sustainability, environmental friendliness and corporate social responsibility.

Commissioner for Housing, Mr Bosu Jeje, said the state government was ready to support serious investors and developers, such as UPDC and promised to collaborate in order to provide an enabling environment for them to thrive.

On the improvement on the reduced time it takes to process building approvals and property titling, the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Mr Toyin Ayinde, said the government in its reform agenda has been working tirelessly to see to the full realisation of the liberalisation of land and home ownership in the state.

He recalled when it took years to get building approvals, but noted that with recent reforms the process had become convenient to not only institutional investors, but also to individuals.

Ministry, NGO plan Eko Green project

A

BOUT 600 trees are to be planted on 61 streets of three local government areas of Lagos State.

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Eko Green Dream Initiative, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment is piloting the project. It is a proactive measure to prevent over use of land for physical development at the expense of green areas in the suburban areas of Lagos.

Known as “Eko Green Dream Initiative,” its initiator, Mrs Faderera Williams, at a sensitisation programme to herald the take off of the project at Eko Hotel &Suite, Victoria Island, said her team has identified three local government areas where 6,000 trees are to be planted.

The local governments are Kosofe, where 27 streets were identified; Ikotun-Igando, 16 streets and Isolo where 18 streets were also picked.

“Although the ultimate goal was how to prevent the suburbs from being over used for physical development to the detriment of environmental protection, especially, tree planting and open space. But we want to quickly seize the opportunity available in the identified three local governments before we carry the cam-

By Seyi Odewale

paign to the suburbs that included Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Badagy, among others,” Williams said.

She added that about 250 volunteers have been recruited for the exercise.

For residential tree planting to attract residents, she said the organisation has introduced “Green Card Promo”, which involves getting gifts from some manufacturing organisations for a number of trees plants by individuals, either by the landlord, tenants or corporate organisations.

The promo, according to Williams, is to motivate people to key into the vision of tree planting and protection of the existing ones.

In her address, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, appreciated the initiative, expressing joy at the efforts of Governor Babatunde Fashola on environmental matters, especially, the beautification exercises.

She urged the government to put in place a structure that would ensure the sustenance of the current efforts.

There were speakers from the environment sector, who provided ideas on how the initiative could succeed and be sustained.

How Nigeria can maximise real estate value, by experts

H

OW does Africa stand among its peers in the valuation of properties? The continent is a “paper weight” in asset value of real estate across the world, says Prof. Andrew Brown of Canbridge University, United Kingdom (UK).

He spoke on Catalysing the growth of Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs) in Nigeria, at a forum organised in Lagos by Stanbic IBTC Capital, and Actis and Resilient Africa and other key industry stakeholders. He said the gross asset value of real estate in Africa was 113 billion euro or one per cent of the world’s total value despite the continent’s control of 15 per cent of the world population.

Prof. Brown said domestic and foreign investors were more attracted

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, Asst Editor

to markets with properly structured REITs sectors. He urged Nigeria to develop this asset class to harness the investment opportunity.

A real estate manager, Craig Hallowes, outlined the performance of REIT structures in five developing countries.

Andrew Brooking of Java Capital, demand appropriate regulatory changes (especially modification of tax regulations) to truly harness the benefits of this asset class.

Chief Executive Officer-designate, Stanbic IBTC Capital, Mrs Yewande Sadiku, said the event was a right step in firm’s strategy to facilitate the establishment of an efficient and viable REIT product in the country.

•From left: Director, Technical Operations, UPDC, Mr Brian Greenawa;, Chairman, Mr Larry Ettah; Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State, Mr Bosun Jeje; Ogunniran, and Finance Director, Mrs. Folashade Ogunde, at the event.

Expert calls for subsidy in housing sector He called for the provision of competitive infrastructure, such as road, rail, water, sewage disposal to cut the cost of building construction, which according to him, increased infrastructure cost to RESIDENT, Nigeria Institution of Estate Sur- as much as 60 per cent in housing production. veyors & Valuers (NIESV), Mr Emeka Eleh, has called on the Federal Government to grant subsidy to the housing sector to stimulate housing production.

This, he said, is the only way the sector can move forward like its counterparts in the oil and aviation sectors.

Eleh said reducing the interest rate to single digit for developers and housing subscribers is the surest way of stimulating housing production.

He spoke to The Nation in Lagos on how to bridge the yearning housing gap. He said:“The same way the government invested billions of naira to resuscitate the textile and aviation sectors is what is needed if the majority of the people must have decent houses over their heads.”

The NIESV chief also faulted the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), as it is constituted and declared that it cannot sustain the mortgage sector or the quest for millions of people to build houses as it has failed to address their housing needs.

The housing sector, he said, is a major job creating sector with statistics that a three-bedroom flat will have at least an average of 70 people working on it before it is completed. He reasoned that if the sector is adequately looked after by the government, the number of unemployed youths would be reduced and prosperity would automatically increased.

He regretted that the laws of the land make it difficult for real estate investors to operate unhindered as they are not only retroactive, but anti-investment with the time wasted in acquiring proper documentation and titles.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, Asst Editor

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

17

COMMENT and ANALYSIS Talakawa Liberation Herald

A moment to reflect on the Talakawa condition in Nigeria and our world

BY BIODUN JEYIFO Talakawa: Hausa, noun: Of or pertaining to the poor. The poor as a social category, as a community of the desperately needy deserving of the solicitude of the wealthy and powerful Herald: English, noun. 1. A person, event or thing that precedes or comes before; forerunner, harbinger. 2. A person, event or thing that proclaims or announces: A good newspaper should be a herald for truth.

Dictionary.com (online)

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•Destitute on a street

symbol of new-found, lavishly spent wealth was the Mercedes Benz, the term “Benzawa” was coined on this same principle of adding that suffix, “wa” to identify and draw attention to a particular social group. [Incidentally, in Kiswahili, we have “Wa-Benzi” for the Hausa “Benzawa”, the same word serving reverse roles as suffix in Hausa and prefix in Kiswahili!]

At any rate, the most important thing that I wish to draw attention to in the term “Talakawa” is implied in the first of the two epigraphs to this piece. This is the idea of the poor as a community of the destitute and the needy deserving of the benevolence of the wealthy and the powerful. Behind this idea is the historic fact that in many traditional and strongly hierarchical societies of the world, most of the poor remain poor generation after generation. Through unexpected good fortune, a few individuals in a particular generation might escape the scourge of desperate poverty but for the most part, most don’t and do not even expect to.

To repeat: that is what the term “Talakawa”, in its traditional or received historical and cultural meanings, basically implies: a social identity, a worldview in which life cir-

“

Show me any part of the country in which, no matter how well the elites are doing politically and economically compared to other regional, zonal and ethnic competitors in the political class, the masses of the people are faring better than ordinary folks in other parts of the country and I will mortify my spirit by attending an all-night vigil of one of our most fanatical evangelical sects!

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HIS Sunday, February 24, 2013, I begin this weekly column in The Nation.

Readers accustomed to reading my column, Talakawa Liberation Courier, in The Sunday Guardian, will immediately recognize that there is an echo of that column’s title in the title of this new column in another newspaper: Talakawa Liberation Herald. I could have retained the former title in this new discursive context, this new journalistic space. But since my “migration” from The Guardian, so to speak, represents for me a momentous event in my journalistic work of more than forty years in the Nigerian press, I decided that it was necessary for me to also change the title of the column.

Perhaps some months or maybe even a year or two from now, I shall write fully on why I left The Guardian for which I have written continuously since it was founded in 1983, perhaps the only one left among the old or aging writers, academics and commentators that were there at the beginning of the Guardian group. For now, all I will allow myself to say is that I left without rancour or bitterness but with a great deal of sadness and anger. In the meantime, my “migration” to The Nation, I feel, is an occasion that provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the column itself, hoping in the process to clarify both for myself and for my readers what it is I have tried to do - and continue hoping to do - with and through the column. In a nutshell, this exercise entails the question of the informing perspectives, ideas and values on which the column is based. And of course, with regard to these perspectives, ideas and values, the central concept is the term “Talakawa”. Concerning this concept, I wish to address two central propositions, two cardinal theses that the readers of this piece will find as startling and as confounding as I find them. What are these two theses or propositions?

In our country, Nigeria and in many regions and nations of the world, age-old cultural definitions and social meanings attached to the poor as a definite, recognizable demographic category are changing beyond recognition to include social groups and strata that would never have been remotely close to the actual and potential ranks of the desperately poor or needy. That is the first of our two propositions. Permit me to expatiate on it carefully.

Now, I do not speak Hausa and neither can I claim to have deep ethnographic knowledge of Hausa culture and society. What I do know about the meanings attached to the term “Talakawa” comes mostly from information I have gleaned over the decades from colleagues and comrades who both speak the language and have insiders’ ethnographic knowledge of its culture and traditions.

From these colleagues and comrades, I have learnt that with the addition of the suffix “wa” to any ethnic or social group, a distinct collective identity is inscribed on the designated group. Examples are “Hausawa” or “Yarubawa” for the Hausa and the Yoruba ethnic groups respectively. I have learnt also from these “native informants” that in the wake of the oil-boom and the rise of a class of arriviste nouveau riches whose special

cumstances and chances are more or less permanently fixed. I may be wrong, but I strongly suspect that this is what many readers of this column will instinctively think about when they see the term “Talakawa” in the title of this column.

But capitalism in all parts of the world has changed that profile forever, giving new twists to what is involved in being within the ranks of the very poor, thereby opening up the range of experiences attached to being a member of the “Talakawa”. Abstractly, theoretically, there is no single modern capitalist country or economy in the world in which moving out of age-old, generation-to-generation poverty is completely or effectively blocked from anybody. People move from rural farming communities to the cities, they move from one job to another, and they move from one trade or profession to new ones perpetually, all in the hope, the promise that they stand a chance of having better lives than their parents and grandparents. But except in the richest countries in the world with highincome economies, most people in our country and our world in fact remain poor and only a sprinkling among their offspring will have better lives than they had.

“Talakawa” has historically become a broad, inclusive term that includes millions of factory workers and wage labourers who earn significantly less than the national, regional or local minimum wage; hundreds of thousands of vendors and hawkers whose daily and monthly trade turnovers are unbelievably paltry; uncountable numbers of grossly underpaid teachers and junior clerical staff; multitudes of pensioners and old people without solvent children to act as their social safety net in their last years. As I have repeatedly tirelessly in my column in The Guardian, 7 out of every 10 Nigerians live below the absolute poverty level; in some parts of the country, the figure is close to 8 out of ten in rural areas. In other words, and to use an analogy to drive home the point, like the group of animals that when molting completely shed their old skins, the term “Talakawa” has taken on new meanings, new expressions that were unthinkable in the traditional meanings attached to it. This is why unlike the “Talakawa” of old, the new “Talakawa” cannot expect - and at any rate will never get - the consistent, regular paternalistic benevolence of the wealthy and the powerful; they must fight it out by themselves, with the non-paternalistic help and

solidarity of members of the elite who take up their cause. This leads logically to the second of our two propositions which, in my opinion, is far more confounding than the first proposition.

In the new millennium, the demographic constituencies of the “Talakawa” have been massively expanded by new patterns in which the young and the highly educated are significantly represented. Two years ago, the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, gave the figure of over 20 million as the statistic for unemployed high school and university graduates with no prospects of employment anywhere in sight. This alarming figure is further compounded by the fact that the median age for Nigeria is 19. For those unfamiliar with the concept of the national median age, what it basically means is that 50% of Nigerians are below the age of 19 while 50% is above that age. If you raise the computational age to 30, then you get more than 65% of the Nigerian population below 30. In other words, there is a vast demographic bulge at the younger age strata of our population and this bulge feeds right into present and future specters of being and/ or becoming “Talakawa” among considerable numbers of the young of our society.

We might choose to take some comfort in the fact that this phenomenon of great numbers of young and educated people falling into joblessness and poverty is indeed a global phenomenon, the effect - and resultant cause - of spirals of global crises in world capitalism. As the saying goes, misery loves company! In some European countries like Greece, Spain, Italy and Ireland, the figures for unemployed, educated and restless youths are close to 40%. And drawing from a personal experience, I have simply been stunned by the number of my undergraduate students at Harvard University who, in the last half a decade or so, have been expressing to me grave, terrified misgivings concerning what the future holds in stock for them.

Each region and nation of the world must of course seek its own answers, its own solutions to the specter of being and becoming “Talakawa” - without of course being indifferent to issues of great inequalities between the various regions of the world. In the case of Nigeria, I wish to give as much emphasis as I can muster in saying that poverty, or the “Talakawa” condition, is the one single factor that unites all our ethnic and regional communities. Show me any one single geo-political zone, any state or group of states in the country where the poverty rate is better than the 7 out of 10 absolute poverty level and I will eat my words. Show me any part of the country in which, no matter how well the elites are doing politically and economically compared to other regional, zonal and ethnic competitors in the political class, the masses of the people are faring better than ordinary folks in other parts of the country and I will mortify my spirit by attending an all-night vigil of one of our most fanatical evangelical sects!

Indubitably, the “Talakawa “ question is the bottom line of all the crises bedeviling our country since it is both directly and indirectly linked to all the other crises and challenges. This, by the way, is why this column can never possibly exhaust the range of issues it can and will take up. Beyond this and more impersonally, I would argue that the “Talakawa” condition ought to be the first item of discussion in a sovereign national conference that will sooner or later have to be convened if Nigeria is to survive as one unified, egalitarian and democratic society.

In the weeks, months and years ahead, I hope to join my voice to the voices of other members of the “commentariat” [this playfully ludic term is, I believe, Victor Ifijeh’s] in The Nation and other organs of popular and progressive national conversation in our country.

Biodun Jeyifo bjeyifo@fas.harvard.edu

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Countering cyber threats

Naval incapacity

Congress must provide the motivation for enhanced computer security that the market has not.

• How can the Navy perform if it is underfunded?

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IL thieves who exploit the country’s territorial waters may continue to enjoy business as usual, based on the premise that the Nigerian Navy is allegedly incapacitated by underfunding.

This is the distressing deduction to be made from the observation of Senator Chris Anyanwu, on why the naval force cannot prevent oil theft. Anyawu is Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy.

The lawmaker who represents Imo East in the Senate told reporters that the navy needs more funds to police the country’s territorial waters and effectively combat oil thieves.

According to her, “You need to have the right vessels to give them a chase. We have to be present and dominate every inch of our territorial waters, and this is massive, one third of our landmass. It will take a lot of money to equip our navy.”

It is shameful that the navy is reportedly ill-equipped for its statutory maritime security responsibility, which must raise questions about how much the force gets for its activities and how the funds are spent. That the navy is badly underfunded sounds astonishing and deserves clarification from the authorities, considering the fact that government agencies are known to have made huge maritime security deals with some former Niger Delta militia leaders. It is ridiculous that these individuals were given priority over the navy.

These include the controversial partnership between Global West Vessel Specialist Agency (GWVSA), headed by ex-

militiaman Government Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo, and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). It was called “Strategic Concessioning”, and was defended by the government against public criticism that it threatened to undermine the navy.

The official defence was that Tompolo’s company would only provide platforms, security boats, equipment and expertise to help in securing the country’s waterways and thereby raise revenue; and its staff will not bear arms.

Also, some prominent ex-militiamen, including Tompolo, enjoyed multi-billion naira pipeline surveillance contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). These dubious arrangements have since been exposed for what they are.

The government’s contentious efforts to mollify the ex-militia leaders amounts to short-changing the navy, and constituted a disservice to national security. Obviously, it would have made far more sense, and would have been more productive, to spend all that money to improve the navy, rather than enriching some individuals.

For an important oil-producing country that depends substantially on earnings from the sale of the natural resource, it is objectionable that Nigeria continues to record significant loss of revenue as a result of oil theft, with negative consequences for socio-economic development.

Senator Anyanwu brought a historical perspective to the issue, making it even more worrying. She said: “The issue of

oil bunkering, oil theft and pipeline vandalism is not a new development. As a correspondent with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), I did a special documentary on bunkering. I remember a scene when I went to Port Harcourt and they took me to some waters and showed me men in canoes drilling holes in the pipeline to draw crude oil or refined oil.

That was in the ‘80’s. These things have been there, growing incrementally.”

Since the navy’s reported incapacity to tackle oil-theft is not a fresh development, it would be rather simplistic to overlook the possibility of collusion and official corruption. However, the authorities should provide the wherewithal that the navy needs to successfully perform its marine security function comprehensively.

‘It is shameful that the navy is reportedly ill-equipped for its statutory maritime security responsibility, which must raise questions about how much the force gets for its activities and how the funds are spent. That the navy is badly underfunded sounds astonishing and deserves clarification from the authorities, considering the fact that government agencies are known to have made huge maritime security deals with some former Niger Delta militia leaders’

Petroleum tax • Fashola is right in insisting that this belongs to the states

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HE day was Tuesday, February 19. The venue was the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos. The occasion was the 80th birthday anniversary of foremost legal luminary, prominent Lagosian, statesman and Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing in the General Yakubu Gowon regime, Alhaji Femi Okunnu.

It was certainly a most apposite opportunity for the Governor of Lagos State, Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who delivered a public lecture at the event, to reflect on critical issues affecting the practice of federalism in the country, and the place of Lagos in the Nigerian federation. In his lecture titled “The essence of patriot and

‘As the country’s most populous state as well as commercial and industrial nerve-centre, Lagos contributes substantial revenues to the national treasury but gets only a pittance in return to meet its obligations. But the struggle to remedy this warped fiscal structure cannot be left to Lagos alone. All states will benefit from a more just fiscal arrangement, which will also help curb the current obscene profligacy at the centre’

federalist”, Governor Fashola gave notice of his administration’s determination to resist any plan by the Federal Government to tax the purchase of petrol at pump price as provided for in the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act. Describing the collection of any such levy by the Federal Government as unconstitutional, the governor argued, and rightly so, that the proposed levy is a consumption tax, which ought to be collected by the state within which the commodity is consumed. Governor Fashola buttressed his argument by pointing out that Lagos State has 592 state roads, 8,402 local government roads and 25 federal roads, with the state having to bear the burden of the attendant heavy vehicular tonnage on this vast road network.

Surely, his argument that any petroleum tax at pump price must be rightly collected by the state to maintain the roads is unimpeachable. We fully identify with the governor’s strong denunciation of the country’s defective fiscal federalism when he declared that “The Federal Government is already collecting royalties on extraction of crude oil, taxing the profits of oil companies at about 30 per cent, taking 52.68 percent of the national revenues and leaving 36 states and 774 local governments with 26.72 per cent and 20.60 per cent, respectively. We will not lie at ease and watch a further encroachment”.

This skewed fiscal arrangement in favour of the centre is one reason why most states are unviable and rely substantially on monthly allocation from the centre. Yet, the states and local governments are where the

vast majority of Nigerians who must be provided with infrastructure, jobs and social services live. The implication of the current situation is that the entire country is virtually dependent on oil revenues of the Niger Delta to the detriment of that region. This is because the Federal Government monopolises most sources of revenue, including solid minerals with which many states are richly blessed and from which they should benefit.

It is noteworthy, as Governor Fashola said, that Lagos State is currently in court over the Value Added Tax (VAT), another consumption tax that is centrally collected rather than left to each state in accordance with the principles of derivation and federalism. According to the governor: “The same applies to the attempt to encroach on the power of states to raise revenues in their territories from lotteries, hotel licensing and other areas of residual authority of the state … Beyond the registration of hotel as a company from which the Federal Government has collected revenues through the Corporate Affairs Commission, what more service does it render to hotels in the various states of the federation?”

As the country’s most populous state as well as commercial and industrial nervecentre, Lagos contributes substantial revenues to the national treasury but gets only a pittance in return to meet its obligations. But the struggle to remedy this warped fiscal structure cannot be left to Lagos alone. All states will benefit from a more just fiscal arrangement, which will also help curb the current obscene profligacy at the centre.

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N what has become a depressingly familiar ritual, computer security experts revealed this week that hackers with apparent ties to a foreign government — in this case, the Chinese military — had “systematically stolen hundreds of terabytes of data from at least 141 organizations” since 2006.

But while such high-level international cyber intruders grab headlines, most successful online attacks are not all that sophisticated. Despite their Hollywood-enhanced image as inventive ubergeeks, most hackers don’t actually have to work very hard to steal data or disrupt websites. According to a new paper by James A. Lewis of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the vast majority of successful hacks could have been stopped by relatively simple precautions, such as regularly updating software. Yet many companies don’t bother to take even the most obvious steps to guard against data theft and service disruptions, let alone equip themselves to stop high-level attacks.

The challenge for policymakers is how to solve that problem while beefing up the public’s defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks. A promising Senate bill was stymied last year by business groups afraid that it would lead to burdensome federal regulations, leading President Obama to issue an executive order this month that addresses some aspects of the threat. Obama went further Wednesday, announcing new diplomatic and trade initiatives aimed at deterring cyber thieves. But Congress needs to do more.

The House has taken the path of least resistance, passing a business-friendly bill last year that would remove the legal barriers that stop companies and the government from sharing data about hacks. An alternative sponsored by Sens. Joe Lieberman (IConn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) also sought to establish voluntary, industry-defined performance standards for cyber security, but it died in the face of specious industry warnings about the standards becoming mandatory and government-dictated.

Obama’s executive order requires federal agencies to reveal more information to companies about the cyber threats they detect. It also calls for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a voluntary “framework of cyber-security practices” within a year, built around the performance standards chosen by private industry. Notably, the framework wouldn’t specify which technologies companies should use to meet the standards, allowing the market and private innovation to meet new challenges posed by hackers.

The order is sensible and welcome, but it wouldn’t enable companies to send more of the information they gleaned from their networks about hackers to other companies or the government. As helpful as that might be, Congress would first have to lift federal limits on data sharing and provide new privacy protections. Nor would the order prod companies to embrace the new cyber-security framework by giving them more protection against liability in the case of a hack. Only Congress can do that.

The most powerful feature of the executive order is a requireme nt that federal regulators of banks, power plants and other providers of critical infrastructure use the new framework to evaluate and, potentially, improve any existing cyber-security rules. Still, those companies operate only a fraction of the computers being targeted by hackers. More companies need to step up their security efforts, and it’s up to Congress to provide the motivation that the market clearly has not.

• Los Angeles Times.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge •Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: There is no faith that does not recognise the sanctity of human life. The two great religions of the world, Christianity and Islam- for sure, certainly do. A mutual refrain in the two great books is: You shall not kill. It is therefore sacrilegious to take human life. This is on the side of morals.

In our case, the contrary seems to hold sway. Our actions and inactions reflect the antithesis of the sanctity of human life. It seems praxis to flout God’s order of ‘You shall not kill’.

A group of people are busy throwing bombs all around and attacking all places including places of worship in the name of religion. It is sheer delirium touting the reason of religion given that both Christians, Muslims, atheists and anybody are their targets.

It will also be foolhardy to believe the economic angle. How will the death of hundreds of people on the streets of Kano, Zaria, Bauchi bring about a positive turn-around in Nigeria’s economy?

Arguably, road mishaps remain the cause of the highest number of Nigerians. Statistics by the highly reliable Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) showed that most road accidents were caused by each or a combination of these factors: bad roads, reckless driving, over-speeding, over-loading, drunkenness et al.

Why it took successive governments so long to find a solution to the slaughter slab that Lagos-Ibadan road was, is difficult to fathom considering the enormous resources at the disposal of the Federal Govern-

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Why is life so cheap in Nigeria? ment.

But, if government is intent in killing as many citizens as possible, why should we also be a willing accomplice? It is sad that the drivers themselves are ready and willing tools in the hands of the ‘devil’ to reduce the population of Nigeria. You need only a cursory attention at activities at our various parks and garages and you will be confounded by the assemblage of hawkers of an assortment of alco-

holic drinks of various names and makes some under the guise of herbs.

Same goes for cops who, under the influence of alcohol, pull the trigger. Only God knows how many lives have been lost due to ‘accidental discharge’.

Can we count the number of Nigerians who have lost their lives in the hands of armed robbers, kidnappers, rapists, assassins and the likes? How can we describe robbers

who forced hapless victims to lie on highways for them to be mauled by approaching vehicles?

What do we call armed robbers who after dispossessing their victims of their hard-earned valuables still went ahead to wipe out the family?

Nigerians’ proclivity to cheapen human life is inexorably tied to the incredibly high level of insecurity in the country. Any flimsy, mundane, even stupid, reason can draw

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• Laitan Akinwunmi Ifako-Ijaiye Lagos State

All hail King Eagles

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IR: As we bask in the euphoria of the heroic victory of the Super Eagles in the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, it is important that we spare sometime to distil and reflect on the lessons inherent in the entire episode particularly the resilience of Coach Steven Keshi and his faithful soccer ambassadors.

Interestingly, the Super Eagles and their handlers we celebrate and eulogize today were yesterday caricatured, derided and called names. Nobody gave them an out-

side chance of even qualifying from their group let alone winning the cup. They were harangued and variously described as “Super Chickens”, “Fatherless Eagles” and “Wingless Eagles” etc.

Thank you King Eagles for freeing us from the suffocating grip of negativism and cynicism. We are really grateful to you for a gift so precious, something to love and cherish and something different from the misery and despair we feel from the daily dose of stolen billions, armed robberies, kidnap-

ping and other myriad of social malaise.

What is more, you and your dedicated handlers refused to be detracted by the barbed and irritating criticisms of pundits and analysts. Rather, these criticisms fired your spirit which has produced the result and handsome dividend we are celebrating today.

For the Super Eagles it has been a triumph of determination over cynicism. While the rest of us wallowed in despair, the King Eagles and their handlers waxed stronger

Still on Police College, Ikeja IR: On Friday, January 18, President Goodluck Jonathan paid an impromptu visit to the Police College Ikeja. My only regret is that the President did not spare few seconds to walk across the little gate that separates the College from the Police Barracks. He would have seen the nauseating environment under which our policemen and women live.

Nigerians expect him to undertake more of such unscheduled visits to other national institutions on the verge of total collapse. But this would work only if his government would see the media as partners in progress.

Asking why a television station was allowed access to film the rot at the College is like leaving the message and chasing after the messenger.

It has been argued that the decay at

cudgels, machetes, guns and other deadly weapons from any group of people against the other in a cult, gang, religious or tribal feud and before you know it, many heads would have rolled. Mere Street squabbles, beer parlour arguments, bus banter among others easily degenerate into violence, blood and deaths.

Amidst all this grand madness, Nigerians descend on places of worship almost 24 hours every day to call on the same God that they have refused His simple injunction not to kill. If we attach a modicum out of the prodigious respect we attach to religion to regard to life, Nigeria will be a better place to live in.

the College did not just start today.

And that this government cannot be blamed for the decadence. So, tell me: who should we hold accountable? Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been in control of government. The party also controls both houses of the National Assembly. So shouldn’t we hold it accountable and responsible for the deterioration of many of our national heritages and values?

It has also been argued that poor funding is responsible for the sorry state of the police training college.

In 2012, for instance, four hundred and ninety six million naira (N496m) was reported to have been budgeted for the College. While this is appalling, it is obvious that the police itself lack proper maintenance culture. Look at their bar-

racks. Look at the vehicles they drive and how they handle them.

There is a Deputy Inspector General of police in charge of these training colleges. How much supervision and managerial competence has he shown in this instance? There is a Ministry of Police Affairs in charge of police matters. There is the Police Service Commission. There are also various committees of the National Assembly that are expected to have oversight functions on these institutions. All these superstructures are there sucking public fund while the institutions under their watch are rotting away.

Only last year, former Commissioner of Police, Plateau state, Emmanuel Dipo Ayeni, during his pulling out parade from the Nigeria Police force, had cause to lash out at

the police institution he served for many years. According to him, “The way the Nigerian Police force is operating today leaves much to be desired not because its personnel are not professionally competent but due to some dangerous chemistry that has been badly mixed against the soul of this vital organization.”

He dismissed the reform in the Nigerian Police force as “extremely cosmetic” incapable of taking the police force to the next level.

Such calls are wake up call for us to sit back and take a second hard look at the country and what can be done to save it from imminent collapse.

• Pascal Chimezie University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

in faith and spirit. Their avowed intent was to win the African Cup. Happily, they have achieved their supreme objective and nobody can deny them the glory which richly belongs to them and by extension, to all Nigerians both detractors and supporters.

What is really important now is for all of us to emulate the worthy examples of our glorious soccer ambassadors. This is reminiscent of John Kennedy’s inaugural address as President of the United States in which he passionately enjoined his people not to think of what America can do for them but what they can do for their country.

It is important also to stress that people imbued with sense of character like Steve Keshi has demonstrated, are like possessed creatures, men and women in the thrall of belief so powerful that they ignore all else including criticisms however barbed and discouraging. This is similitude of what Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world”. Yes indeed!

Our newly crowned kings of African soccer have shown the way.

All we need do now is to fall in step to move Nigeria forward. Nigeria has what it takes to be a great, prosperous, peaceful and a happy nation.

• Chief (Hon) David Attah, david.attah@yahoo.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

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COMMENTS

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NFRASTRUCTURAL development is one of the major components of economic growth of any developing nation. Leadership at all levels of government places premium on infrastructural development, as it creates the enabling environment to stimulate business and industrial activities which in turn enhances productivity, check undue rise in cost of operationa, employment generation and as well poverty reduction.

Good governance to the average citizen of a developed or developing nation is all about provision of social amenities at affordable rates, meaningful and long lasting development. And, to achieve this, the leadership must be prepared to tackle the challenges of basic infrastructural needs of the citizenry.

Some these basic amenities include efficient, stable and reliable power supply, safe and potable drinking water, functional public transportation system, effective communication system, functional and affordable healthcare and educational facilities.

Irked by the age long infrastructural decay in the oil rich Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson on assumption of office on February 14, 2012 officially declared a State of Emergency in the educationand other critical sectors of the economy.

Created in 1996, the issue of security in the state has been of great concern to successive administrations in the state.

The Internally Generated Revenue of the State nose dived on daily basis, as efforts at attracting investors hardly produced the desired results, largely due to insecurity and the chaotic situation infrastructure in the state among others.

Local and foreign investors never saw Bayelsa as a safe and viable investment destination. The state was always in the news for the wrong reasons. It was either rival cult wars, kidnapping of mainly expatriate workers of multinational companies, illegal oil bunkering, financial fraud, and other related vices.

In order to tackle this problem and make the state investment friendly, Governor Dickson, as a former security operative, put in place a security outfit code named: Operation Doo Akpor to checkmate the activities of criminals in and outside the state capital.

This decision is paying off, as night life has gradually returned to Yenagoa, the state capital.

The heatwarming news is that, investors, local and foreign are now jostling to invest in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Colonel Bernard Kenebai (Rtd) said with the security gadgets and personnel put in place by the Dickson-led administration, the state is no longer the safe haven for criminals.

In the last one year, the operatives of the security

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AN you really satisfy the people of Edo State? Of course, yes. Aren’t they more demanding than state resources can carry? The answer is in the affirmative. Could it be because to whom much is given, much is expected? Again, yes. The truth is – the people of Edo want more from Governor Adams Oshiomhole despite his overwhelming scorecard in the past four years in office.

Oshiomhole, on his part has vowed to post more mouthwatering dividends. His 2013 budget christened “Taking Edo to the next level” is one among three others before Oshiomhole will call it quits.

Successive governments in the past have had budgets tagged with flamboyant adjectives but unfortunately they hardly yielded the much trumpeted result. Today, the difference is clear. Whereas the budget used to be an opaque instrument; now it’s a self-reliant and fiscally prudent tool.

Edo State is one of the few states where Fiscal Responsibility legislation was passed into law and we all know the import of that. While the state benefits from the 13% derivation fund as a marginal oil producing state, this fiscal advantage does not translate to any significant edge in financial transfers and key indices when compared to other states in the Niger Delta region.

The proposed Budget size for the year is N150,045,377,060 billion. Of this, the sum of N87,407,475,855 billion, representing approximately 60%, is being proposed as Capital Expenditure; while the proposed Recurrent Expenditure is N62,637,901,205 billion, which represents approximately 40% of budget size.

By the above figures, government is sustaining the tradition of putting more funds into capital expenditure, while reducing recurrent expenditure.

The sum of N116, 479,778,045 billion is proposed as recurrent revenue, made up of the following components: Statutory Receipt - N86.51 billion, Internally Generated Revenue - N26.97 billion The projected capital receipts amount to N64,341,876,840 billion, while there is a projected deficit of N23,065,599,015 billion to be funded through the World Bank Budget Support Facility and additional credit lines.

The Recurrent Component of the 2013 Budget, which is N62,637,901,205 billion, is made up of Personnel Costs N25.46 billion, Overhead Costs - N16.40 billion and Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges - N20.76 billion Government is concentrating the bulk of it’s Capital Expenditure on key priority areas. Roads Project is allocated the sum of N33,351,000,000 billion. This will be used to complete ongoing intra and inter-city road projects, in addition to funding new road projects. The designs of these road projects, according to government sources, are ready.

The sum of N 13,293,000,000 billion is proposed for Flood and Erosion Control and Environmental Protection. Of this amount, N8.00 billion is allocated for the execution of projects under the Benin City Storm Water Masterplan.

Tackling Bayelsa’s infrastructure challenge

By Soji Ajibola outfit”Operation Doo Akpor” have arrested over 600 suspects for criminal offences and handed them over to the appropriate security agency for further interrogation and prosecution in accordance with the law. Prior to the advent of the administration, there were high incidents of criminal activities in Urban and other metropolitan cities of the state. The waterways, then were not safe as there were reported cases of sea piracy and other related vices. The impact of a state of insecurity is quite obvious. Criminals were taking institutions of government in open confrontations. There were reported cases of kidnapping, assassinations and the activities of some purported amnesty agitators.

However, with the installation of TETRA Trunk radio, the first of its kind in the West Africa sub region and purchase of over 85 patrol vehicles and 15 patrol boats, the residents of the state can now sleep with their two eyes closed.

Also, as part of the security measures put in place, the government has built 13 emergency response centres in some designated areas of the state. The areas are: Oloibiri, Ogbia town, Opume, Otuabagi junction, Emeyal 1/Otuoke junction and Otuasega/Shell camp junction.

Other areas are: Onuebum, Agbura, Okaki/Yenegwe junction, Igbogene/Okolobiri/Glory Drive round about, OkordiaZarama market and Opokuma and Sagbama junctions.

With the security measures put in place, Governor Dickson has turned the entire state to a massive construction site with work on 41 roads, 75 block-low cost Housing Estate, civil

‘With the installation of TETRA Trunk radio, the first of its kind in the West Africa sub region and purchase of over 85 patrol vehicles and 15 patrol boats, the residents of the state can now sleep with their two eyes closed’

servant quarters, building of model secondary schools in the three senatorial zones, commencement of work on 500 bed hospital, world class referral centre, the three senatorial districts roads, Transparency building, the Five-Star hotel, the four secretariat annexes, Multi Door Court House, Governor’s Lodges in Yenagoa, Sagbama and Nembe.

Conducting newsmen round some of the project sites, State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Lawrence Ewrudjakpor said, ‘when we took over, there was nothing to write home about and that is why the governor was angry to develop the state. All the ongoing projects as well as the ones earmarked for construction would be completed within the tenure of the present administration.

The government embarked on this massive construction of projects because the state is backwards in terms of physical development compared with its contemporaries, especialy in the southern part of the country.

The target of the administration is to restore the lost glory of the state and put it on sound footing to be able to catch up with the rest.

Also, the Government has invested over N4bn in rural electrification projects with the award of over 23 contracts.

These include; Obunagha-Sagbama 33KVA line, extension to Ofoni community through Ebedebiri, Bolou Orua, Angiama and Toru Orua, 2 by 7.5 MVA injection sub-station; Agbere-Odoni, 1000KVA gas-fired CAT generating station including cabling, upgrading and modification of Angiama sub station to import electricity to communities in Southern Ijaw local government area among others.

In the area of human capacity-building, a total number of 557 scholarships have been awarded in the last one year.

Governor Dickson stated that his administration has made huge investments in the education sector because of its commitment to developing the human capacity of the state.

According to him, Government made an initial provision of N1bn for the postgraduate scholarship scheme, but has since overshot that amount in view of the massive demands it got from Bayelsans.

“The sums involved are quite staggering, but we believe it is a good investment. Because of our passion for human capacity development, we have since overshot the N1bn originally earmarked for the scheme.” Dickson explained.

• Ajibola writes from Yenagoa

Edo’s 2013 budget

By John Mayaki Also, a substantial sum has been earmarked for the continue desiltation and dredging of the Benin Moat.

Similarly, the sum of N2.55 billion is set aside for erosion and flood control infrastructure in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts, while the sum of N1.20 billion is proposed for Beautification and Urban renewal projects across the State.

The total budget provision for education is N26.7 billion comprising of N14.6 billion capital and N12.1 billion recurrent expenditure excluding salaries to primary schools teachers.

The state owned university, Ambrose Alli University has a provision of N4.82 billion of which N1.02 billion is for capital projects. N4 billion has been provided for construction and renovation tertiary institutions in Edo State. The technical schools reconstruction/renovation has a provision of N500million.

The sum of N6.78 billion has been allocated to the Health Sub-Sector, comprising of N2.8 billion capital projects and N3.98 billion for recurrent expenditure.

Edo people should expect the procurement of rescue ambulances to cover Benin-Auchi, Benin-Ore, Benin-Agbor and Benin-Warri roads at an estimated cost of N30,000,000 million. It is expected that this will complement the on-going Accident and Emergency facility in the new complex at the Central Hospital, Benin City.

The administration has also promised to continue to transform the agriculture sub-sector to ensure increased food and raw material production. In this connection, government plans to provide necessary inputs to farmers and encourage our teeming youth to engage in agricultural activities. The sum of N400 million is proposed for this sub-sector in Year 2013.

Sure, the budget is intended to strengthen the administration’s resolve to galvanize the people of Edo state towards developmental action and make the state competitive economically as well as make it self-reliant.

This is more so as Oshiomhole is sworn to carry out institutional reforms necessary to guarantee and sustain irreversible development. “The thrust of our policies is to achieve concrete development. In this regard, the fiscal governance measures we adopted at the beginning of this administration will be sustained.”

Edo State has been acknowledged as a rapidly developing state in Nigeria by local commentators, investors and development partners. Oshiomhole and his team have creatively managed the state’s resources efficiently to deliver the greatest good to the greatest number of the people. He has worked consciously with the people to deepen their partnership for our overall progress.

The administration must be commended for its efforts at improving the state compared to the work done by its predecessors. But as with everything in life, there is room for improvement if continuity is sustained. The state is blessed with abundant resources which have barely been tapped and transformed to cash-cows. Apart from tax earnings which cannot even sustain its recurrent expenditure, the states’ major financing source is the Federation Account.

Without handouts from the Federal Government, will the state exist in the form it does now? The answer is no. It definitely needs an improvement in federal allocation. Has the state provided a thriving environment for SMEs to play an active role in its economy? It is trying but needs to do more. Is the government investing in physical infrastructure and human capital or is it just maintaining what it has inherited? The state’s performance in education and spending on roads answer this question affirmatively.

To a great extent, leadership is like beauty, it’s hard to define but you know it when you see it. Oshiomhole has proved himself a model in self-confidence, vision, virtue, plain guts, and reliance on blessed impulse. He has learned from everything, more importantly from experience, adversity, and mistakes. He has learned to lead by leading.

There are a lot of goodies for the people of Edo in Oshiomhole’s 2013 budget. All we need to get the best from this government is to simply support the government, criticize constructively, pay our taxes and maintain whatever public infrastructure the government must have succeeded in building in our environment. By so doing, Edo can be said to be on the path of sustainable development.

• Mayaki is a founding member, Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa

‘Leadership is like beauty, it’s hard to define but you know it when you see it. Oshiomhole has proved himself a model in self-confidence, vision, virtue, plain guts, and reliance on blessed impulse. He has learned from everything, more importantly from experience, adversity, and mistakes. He has learned to lead by leading’

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

22

COMMENTS

I

T is not often that personnel of Secret Service agencies around the world come out in the open to reveal their identities or what they are working on , let alone call a media conference to do so. But since the Boko Haram terrorism onslaught on Nigeria, the State Security Service has been more than willing to report breakthroughs and progress.

But while we have been inundated with efforts being made by SSS to crack Boko Haram, albeit with limited success, the revelation last week by the service that it had been able to burst an Iranian sponsored terrorist cell in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital could end up being a major breakthrough for the organisation.

Parading 50-year-old Abdullahi Berende as leader of an Iranian sponsored terrorist group in Nigeria before the public in Abuja Wednesday last week, SSS spokesman Marilyn Ogar named two others, Saheed Adewunmi and Sulaiman Saka as members of the terrorist cell being handled by Iranians to spy on Israel and American interests in the country. A fourth person, Bunyamin Yusuf is said to be at large.

In addition to spying on American and Israeli interests in the country for possible terrorist attack, the suspects were said to have also drawn up a list of prominent Nigerians that could be attacked and whose attack could set up a chain of reactions capable of destabilizing the country.

Of course Iran has denied ever running a terrorist cell in Nigeria or planning to do so and blamed enemies of the growing cordial relationship between the two countries for cooking up the story to not just cause disaffection between both nations but also permanent damage and enmity. And when Iran talks of enemies, the State of Israel and the United States of America come to mind.

When it comes to state security matters it is very difficult to know the actual truth as all the parties tend to exaggerate or “sexup” the facts to present a convincing evidence to justify their respective and often different positions. Remember former US Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell presented to the whole world, at the UN, what America said was solid evidence of Iraq’s weapon of mass destruction to justify US and allied forces attack and decimation of Iraqi armed forces and to a large extent the country’s infrastructure all in a bid to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein. Britain, in her own intelligence report even said attack on western targets in Europe by Iraq was

S

INCE the beginning of the year, the media has been awash with the story of the attempts by former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu to re-enter the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the resistance of such effort by the state leadership of the party led by Governor T.A. Orji and chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka. The scenario has unarguably drawn both critics and antagonists of both parties into the public domain.

However, an objective understanding of the Abia political situation can only be attained if we cast our minds back to the political dynamics in Abia State since 1999 and how it has evolved till date.

Such proper understanding will equally enable us understand why such effort by Orji Kalu evokes so much passion and emotions especially by Abia politicians and the stiff resistance to such re-entry by the current leadership of the party.

Orji Kalu in Abia State evokes so much emotion because his administration was one that came to power with so much support by a wide spectrum of the Abia population

‘The achievement of elite consensus has enabled the state government to concentrate effort at pursuing its legacy development agenda undisturbed by unnecessary political bickering and scheming. The most outstanding example of the healthy political environment is the numerous construction sites all over the state and building modern institutional monuments in Umuahia’

The Berende challenge just few weeks away and called for pre-emotive attack to destroy Saddam Hussein and his army. Of course they attacked and destroyed Iraq but no weapon of mass destruction was ever found because none existed in the first place. Virtually all the intelligences services in the west had similar report of Iraq’s weapon of mass destruction. So, were they deliberately misleading the world to justify their planned destruction of Iraq or they got their intelligence wrong?

Nobody could say which now, but because Iraq was such a bad guy nobody bothered to give the country the benefit of the doubt or even seriously blame the west after the fall of Saddam and destruction of Iraq and no weapon was found. The general conclusion was even if Iraq had no weapon of mass destruction, the world would be a better place without the Iraqi dictator.

The same could be said of Iran now as the country battles biting western economic sanctions over its nuclear programme. While the world is accusing Teheran of enriching uranium to produce nuclear war heads/bombs the Iranians are insisting that their nuclear programme is for peaceful purpose.

While it is very difficult to believe Iran on anything, we only have the words of Berende and the SSS on the alleged Iranian sponsored terrorist cell in Lagos. So, who do we believe?

Iran in the past had sponsored attacks against Israel’s interests, notably in South America and anywhere it considered the weakest link in the Jewish state’s seemingly impregnable security network. So, if truly the country had plans to attack Israel’s cultural centre in Lagos, it won’t be much of a surprise as it had done so elsewhere. And remember the previous Shia Muslim unrests in Nigeria had the hand of Teheran as the Islamic Republic appeared bent on having

more than a mere economic footprint in Nigeria but also political/ideological and religious presence.

But if Iran is saying no, then could our SSS be lying or merely carrying out the wish of Israel and America, fighting western war against Iran by proxy? It is very difficult to fault our security service in this regard not only because one is not in a position to do so, but also because it would be unpatriotic to do so when there is no evidence to the contrary. It is also unthinkable that the SSS would be protecting any other interest apart from Nigeria’s. So from the evidence at hand Iran is guilty, but then what are the options open to Nigeria to seek redress. One is to strongly protest this clandestine operation

by Iran within Nigeria’s territory to the authorities in Teheran and if we are truly convinced about it, we could summarily expel all or any Iranian diplomat here engaged or involved in one way or the other in this plan to carry out terrorist attacks in Lagos or anywhere else in Nigeria. We could also in addition to expelling the diplomat(s) recall our own envoy to Iran if we feel strongly about the alleged Iranian action. But are we on a strong footing on this matter? Because issues like this should not be taken lightly. So if our position is so strong, then let’s go ahead and do whatever we could to show our annoyance to Iran, after all we are a sovereign state.

But beyond this, the choice of Lagos should trouble every right thinking Nigerian, just as the alleged involvement of a Yoruba man from Ilorin, Kwara state in particular to cause destruction and mayhem in a largely Yoruba city/state of Lagos should worry every Nigerian. Aside Lagos being largely populated

by Yoruba, it is also home to all the other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and remains the economic capital of the country. Apart

from oil and gas that come from the Niger Delta region, Lagos accounts for virtually every other business and commercial, activities that drive Nigeria’s economy, so, any terrorist attack in the emerging mega city could be inimical to Nigeria’s shaky image of a stable country. An attack on Lagos could be seen by the rest of the world as a sign of insecurity in the country and this could scare foreign investors.

In addition any such attack could cause ethnic unrest that could ultimately lead to fratricidal conflicts across the federation, hence the need to take the Berende’ s Iranian terrorists plot very seriously. It is not enough to just parade the suspects, SSS should also endeavour to pursue not just the investigation to its logical conclusion but also charge the suspects to court and put a lie to the Iranian denial. It is about time our security services including the police and even Immigration intensify their surveillance of religious places and organisations to detect any foreign ideological infiltration that could harm our well being as a nation and a people.

The Immigration Service in particular should monitor (but not unnecessarily interfere) the movement of Nigerians to such volatile countries that have the tendencies to indoctrinate young and often idle minds towards harmful causes to their nations and their people. Most important however is a commitment by the Nigerian government at all tiers to providing employment for our youths. Most of these unemployed youths are easy targets for evil minded people recruiting terrorists all over the place. The fact that Berende and co and heir minders have Lagos in mind shows that the city and indeed the entire southern Nigeria is not immune to terrorist attack. We should all be vigilant.

‘Lagos accounts for virtually every other business and commercial, activities that drive Nigeria’s economy, so, any terrorist attack in the emerging mega city could be inimical to Nigeria’s shaky image of a stable country’

The battle of two Orjis

By Jones Nnanna Ike in 1999. It has to be stated that between 1999 and 2002 when there was still some pretence to governance, the Kalu administration constructed few short roads, which were concentrated in urban centres of Aba and Umuahia. However, by 2003 these roads which the Kalu administration used to showcase as its achievements had started showing signs of collapse due to poor conception and execution, and by 2006 most of them had actually collapsed. The gradual collapse of these roads was simultaneously followed by the collapse of a more fundamental value, which was the gradual collapse of democracy in Abia under Kalu’s watch, and its substitution with the rise of the dictatorship of the Kalu family.

How did this situation arise? Early in the administration of the Orji Uzor Kalu, the dictatorial tendencies of the Kalu family, the muzzling of dissent voices and alienation of critical segments of the Abia population were the main contradictions that generated an opposition group led by the trio of Onyema Ugochukwu, Ojo Maduekwe and Vincent Ogbulafor.

Towards the 2003 elections, the imperative of ensuring electoral victory for the PDP, had led to the resolution of the Abia leadership crises in favour of Kalu and his mother.

Such resolution equally led to the ascendancy of Mrs Eunice Uzor Kalu as the de facto leader of PDP in the state.

The 2007 gubernatorial election was mainly between the PDP led by Chief Onyema Ugochukwu and the PPA, which had Chief T.A. Orji, a technocrat with friends across the divide as the candidate. While the PPA, which had Governor T.A. Orji as the candidate won the governorship election and majority of the state assembly seats, the PDP clinched the majority of the National Assembly seats and some state assembly seats. The situation however remained such that the Kalu family dictatorship was still in full gear.

The power of the dictatorship was exercised

in a manner that gave them unlimited control over several organs of the government thus leaving Governor T.A. Orji very little room to utilize the mandate given to him by the Abia electorates.

The situation was made worse by the monopolization of the big projects contracts by the Kalu family companies and their inability to deliver. The matter was not equally helped by a burgeoning security challenge that was threatening civic and economic activities especially in the urban areas of Aba and Umuahia. As if history was repeating itself, these contradictions caused implosive crisis within the PPA that brought about Governor T.A. Orji seeking for another platform to contest for the 2011 governorship election. This development metamorphosed into the merger of Orji’s PPA large followership with the PDP. The fallout was a sweeping victory by the PDP in all the contested positions.

It has to be noted that Orji’s magic wand that made this history in Abia politics were his candour and exceptional humility that paid off in unifying the political bigwigs and reintegrating the state to the mainstream of national politics.

The most significant aspect of the 2011 elections was the round rejection of the Kalu family dictatorship as symbolized by not only the rejection of all PPA candidates but also the eventual woeful failure of Kalu who contested for Abia North Senatorial election.

He lost despite his empty boasts and grandstanding.

Over the past two years, this has guaranteed a quantum leap in governance in both qualitative and quantitative terms. At least, democracy has finally been restored to the people under the current leadership of Governor Orji and the PDP in the state ably led by a tested and self-effacing politician Senator Nwaka. The evidence of the new order can be taken from a little incident that happened a few months ago at Arochukwu Local Government chapter of the PDP, where the LGA Chairmanship position became va-

cant and a successor-Hon Obinna Nwankwo was elected in a transparent and constitutionally stipulated manner. There was no interference from either the state governor or the state leadership of the party. Such a thing would not have happened under the former era.

Another milestone of Governor Orji’s visionary leadership is the synergy and harmonious working relationship between the state government and the Federal Government. This has brought about a number of federal government projects to Abia State.

Some of the projects include: the AbiribaNkporo-Eso-Edda Road, rehabilitation of Ohafia-Arochukwu Road, re-opening of Osisioma NNPC Depot, the reconstruction of federal roads by FERMA, the Independent Power Project at Alaoji, the Labour Institute in Umuahia, etc. These harvests of projects were in contrast to the locust era of the Kalu family when Orji Kalu engaged the Federal Government in meaningless confrontation.

Again, the achievement of elite consensus has enabled the state government to concentrate effort at pursuing its legacy development agenda undisturbed by unnecessary political bickering and scheming. The most outstanding example of the healthy political environment is the numerous construction sites all over the state and building modern institutional monuments in Umuahia.

Those who know Orji Kalu well will agree that his sudden re-appearance to Abia scene after two years in the cooler, and his desperation to re-enter the PDP after re-organizing his PPA will only have one agenda in mind and that is to cause confusion and balkanize the Abia PDP, while repositioning his party (PPA) to actualize their plan for 2015. It is too late in the day for Abia people to be dragged back to Egypt by Orji Kalu and his band of buccaneering adventurers.

• Chief Ike is former chairman Arochukwu LGA, Abia State.

41

N

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INSIDE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Page 25

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Church rehabilitates community road - Page 26

New deal for Abuja land owners

Transport policy gets N500m boost - Page 27

T

Abaji varsity to begin academics in Sept

- Page 28

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that it will not take over land from those indigenous to Abuja without paying adequate compensation. It also pledged that all economic trees and farmlands acquired would be paid for.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed gave this assurance at a meeting with the chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC); graded chiefs; district heads; village heads and youth leaders of the areas to be affected by the development projects. He disclosed that the FCT Administration, in its drive to develop the area, is opening up and providing infrastructure for the 10 new districts under the Land-Swap-ModelInitiative in the Phase IV of the Federal Capital City.

Mohammed, who revealed that the inauguration of the Land-Swap Model would be performed in next month, said that the initiative entails using land as resource for investors to bring in capital with which basic infrastructure would

From Gbenga Omokhunu

be provided, even as they would recoup any money they invested from the sale of such land.

He also said that under this policy, the government will not expend any amount of money in the provision of infrastructure, since the investors are expected to source for over N300b to finance the projects.

The minister restated that any square metre of land taken would be adequately compensated for in line with global best practices; insisting that no investor would be allowed to begin work without adequately compensating the land owners.

Mohammed warned that the FCT Administration would not condone lawlessness because no government will take it lightly when people take laws into their own hands.

He said: “This compensation package will create synergy between the investors and the natives while the FCT Administration remains the arbiter to ensure neither of them is short-changed

in the process.”

He emphasised that the uniqueness of this arrangement entails the investor either paying outright compensation in cash or build houses in traditional fashion to become tourists’ centres. He quickly added that all will depend on the level of negotiation among the consultant handling the projects, the investors, the communities and the FCT Administration.

The minister further assured that his administration will continue to work on sound and deepened community relations with the Abuja aborigines; adding that he is not prepared to criminalise poverty or ignorance.

Senator Mohammed pledged that his administration would always relate with the people by carrying them along in all government’s policies and programmes.

Contributing, the Chief of Garki Alhaji Usman Nga-Kupi said Abuja has become a reality and would join hands to ensure its success. He praised the courage of the minister for this landmark achievement. He, however, used the opportunity to announce that his people will prefer the policy of integration rather than outright resettlement.

The uniqueness of this arrangement entails the investor either paying outright compensation in cash or build houses in traditional fashion to become tourists’ centres…All will depend on the level of negotiation among the consultants handling the projects, the investors, the communities and the FCT Administration

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

26

ABUJA REVIEW

T

HE Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Province 4 has rehabilitated a fourkilometre community road in Apo-Dutse, Gudu District of the FCT. Apo Dutse is a low-lying community inhabited by those indigenous to Gbagyi. It is sandwiched between major estates like Trade More and Covenant Garden. The area has suffered neglect over time, as successive administrations in the FCT have not done anything to develop it.

Pastor in charge of RCCG, FCT 4 Dr Dele Babade said the road project was part of the church’s social responsibilities, even as he said that it was also a way of touching the lives of the community in which a parish of the church is located.

Babade said: “We are opening this road to link the community to more developed districts. This would mean more economic empowerment for the rural dwellers.

They can now evacuate their goods from here to any part of the city with less stress.”

Explaining why the project lasted for one month, the clergyman said the major work was in grading, provision of drainage and evacuation of a huge heap of refuse dump located beside a section of the road.

“The road which is the major link between the community and other districts of the FCT was in a very deplorable condition until the church intervened.”

Community leader of Apo Dutse, Chief Ishaku Sagbeda said they had written several letters to the local government authorities to rehabilitate the road but the community’s attempts at drawing the authority’s attention to the deplorable state of the were ignored.

Sagbeda, who spoke through an interpreter, appreciated the church for the gesture and prayed God to empower them to touch more lives. He also prayed God to give them more wisdom.

“The road was in a very bad condition to the extent that vehicles found it difficult to pass through it,” he said.

Sagbeda added that the situation

T

HE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has criticised those opposed to the inclusion of the building of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) in the 2013 appropriation bill of the FCT Administration.

•Pastor in charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), FCT Province 4, Dr Dele Babade with Chief of Dutse, Apo, Ishaku Sagbede; some members of the church; residents of Apo Dutse with the football team

Church rehabilitates community road Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

was compounded by the heap of refuse dumped beside the road which made passage across the road more difficult. He promised to set up a task force to apprehend anyone that would dump refuse indiscriminately.

“Nobody will dump refuse in the drains again,” Sagbeda assured.

With this development, Babade said the church plans to organise environmental sanitation campaign in Apo Dutse.

He said: “We will teach them about sanitation. If the environ-

ment is good, disease will be far from the people. They will be given lectures on sanitation in the languages they will understand.

We will teach you how not to compound your problems by learning how to empty your dust bins at the appropriate time. It will go a long way in helping us.”

The youth leader of the community, Fanus Danjuma said the intervention of the church made deep impressions on their hearts. “We can’t forget this,” he said. He also appealed to other churches to emulate the good gesture of RCCG.

Danjuma implored the church to extend the gesture by providing other facilities for the community; especially a maternity centre.

The church acceded to the request and assured that with availability of fund, a borehole and maternity centre would be provided in the community. It noted, however, that a maternity centre is already provided in the headquarters of the church in Area 1, Church Village Durumi where the people can access natal care at no cost.

The Provincial Pastor also hinted that the open space created after

clearing the refuse dump is available for the football team of the village. Coach of the team, Joseph Nwa-God said they have agreed to rename their club from Flying Emirates Football Club to Redeemed Emirates Football Club.

Pastor of RCCG, Throne of Mercy Apo Dutse, Pastor Francis Adeboye told Abuja Review that the road project has improved the relationship between the community and the church, just as there is increase in the number of worshippers in the church.

Knocks for critics of proposed Africa First Ladies Peace Mission building

He said that rather than criticise the idea, his administration should be praised for working to uplift the image of Nigeria among the comity of nations.

The minister said this while re-

ceiving members of 13 non-governmental organisations comprising women who paid solidarity visit to him. Their visit was to express

•From left: Vice Chancellor, Landmark University, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi; Director, Policy, Army Headquarters, Major-Gen. Emmanuel Abejirin and Deputy Chairman, Committee on Information and Communication Technology, House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf at a Dinner/Award for Excellence, organised by the Committee of Friends in honour of Major-Gen. Abejirin and Prof. Ajayi in Abuja

their support to the FCT Administration in its plan to build the edifice.

Mohammed praised their patriotic disposition and the orderly manner they conducted themselves to present their grievances to government.

The minister further said that he was supposed to be on his way to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) but for the security report he received earlier that these NGOs had planned a protest in Abuja, adding that he therefore had to wait and receive them because the FCT Administration is working for the people.

Mohammed reiterated that development is not about poverty alleviation alone. He said: “What we are doing is to make sure whatever projects and programmes that are coming into FCT have bottom top approach to things, where issues about women and children are prioritised.”

He emphasised that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has done so much for Nigerian women and children; noting that AFLPM building will be an Embassy for the African Union in Nigeria.

Continuing, he said: “Dame Pa-

tience Jonathan inherited it from her predecessor and we in the FCT Administration have a responsibility to build public buildings for all the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as well as international organisations dwelling in Abuja.”

Mohammed recalled that the Decree No. 6 of 1976 that created Abuja also simultaneously created the Federal Capital Development Authority with duty and responsibilities to plan, design, provide the infrastructure and construct public buildings as well as services to the entire 8,000 square kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory.

The minister said that as part of commitment to live up to international obligation and diplomatic practice based on reciprocity, we must not shy away from our responsibility.

“Accordingly, in Abuja, this obligation is transferred to the FCT Administration and as part of its efficiency measures, the FCT Administration saw in the proposed headquarters of the African First Ladies Peace Mission building an opportunity to save cost by using the AFLPM building to serve mul•Continued on Page 27

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

27

ABUJA REVIEW

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HE Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed has announced that government has voted N500m from SURE-P to compensate those to be affected by his administration’s new transport policy.

Mohammed disclosed this while receiving the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of Mini-Bus Feeder Routes and Traffic Regulations.

The minister, who accepted all the recommendations of the committee, immediately lifted the suspension earlier declared for the implementation of routes delineation for high capacity buses, mini-buses, taxi cabs and the KEKE-NAPEP. He said there is grace period of three weeks which will give room for further publicity and adjustment on the parts of all stakeholders including the commuters.

He emphasised that the FCT Administration is not implementing the new land transport policy to inflict pains on any mode of transport operator or commuters but to reduce transportation time.

Mohammed reiterated that all the decisions taken were not for personal interests but were in the overall interest of the country and in particular residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

The minister restated the commitment of the FCT Administration to sustain the Abuja Mass Transit Policy particularly as his administration implements the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. He noted that the minibuses will have more work to do now than before as other nook and cranny of the city formerly not serviced have been provided to them for operation.

He said his administration would meet some banks including the African Development Bank as well as Toyota Motor Company to provide credit facility to buy brand new buses at hire purchase.

He said: “We are not making anybody jobless as speculated. Indeed, people will be more empowered under this policy because what the FCT Administration is doing is restricting their operations to certain areas of the Federal Capital City and allowing them to operate more •Continued from Page 26

tiple roles in providing office accommodation as well as housing not just for the African First Ladies Peace Mission but also to provide accommodation for other international bodies as well,” he said.

Senator Mohammed further stressed that from the foregoing, it could be seen that by proposing

•Abuja

Transport policy gets N500m boost

By Gbenga Omokhunu

broadly on other routes.

“We are not out as a government to criminalise poverty or ignorance, but we are here to create synergies and provide alternatives that will take Abuja to greater heights.”

Senator Mohammed also announced that the FCT Administration would soon review the opera-

Knocks

tion of the Abuja On-Street Parking, popularly known as Park-andPay Policy to make it more attractive.

The minister remarked that this measure has become necessary because of series of complaints and petitions being received by his office against the unholy activities of some of park-and-pay concessionaires.

“We may be going back to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory to meet with stakeholders in a way of a town hall meeting to discuss the entire operations of the policy vis-à-vis the activities of the concessionaires,” he said.

Senator Mohammed also revealed that the FCT Administration would be taking a bill to the

President for onward submission to the National Assembly for the establishment of the FCT Transport Authority to provide effective legal framework that would ensure sustainability of the policies.

The minister appreciated the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders that have come together to work out the mini-bus delineation implementation blueprint.

for critics of proposed Africa First Ladies Peace Mission building

to build the AFLPM edifice-a public-listed building-the FCT Administration is only acting in accordance to its duty and responsibilities as envisioned by the law.

He promised to pass their letters to President Goodluck Jonathan,

the Senate President, Senator David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

The leaders of the different NGOs who spoke in turns said

•From left: Chairman, Water Initiative, Mr. Kevin Mcgovern; Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water Resouces, Amb. Godswill Igali and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abubakar Kachalla, during a courtesy call on the Vice President at the Presidential Villa in PHOTO STATE HOUSE Abuja

that all those opposed to the building of the AFLPM edifice are antiwomen and unpatriotic individuals wishing to sabotage the efforts of the FCT Administration in carry out its statutory duties.

They stated that those opposed to this lofty idea are “anti-progress elements working to discredit the efforts of the current FCT Administration under Senator Bala Mohammed.

Part of the letter reads: “The evil plots devised by these unscrupulous elements include blackmailing the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed and the FCT Administration through dubious claims about 2013 budget presented for debate at the National

Assembly. They have been using mass media to spread the allegation that the FCTA proposed a staggering N5b for rehabilitation of prostitutes and destitute and N4b for the building of the office of a private NGO.” Their presentation was signed by the National Council for Women Society, the Market Women Association, United Women Traders’ Association of Nigeria, Friends of Abuja, Zenzelen Organisation, Youth of Social Network, Women in Business, Kasuwa da Kasuwa Mobilisation Team, The Widows Organisation, Youth Mobilisation Movement of Nigeria; Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, Hairdressers and Barbers’ Association of Nigeria, and the Disabled Organisation of Nigeria, among other NGOs.

All those opposed to the building of the AFLPM edifice are anti-women and unpatriotic individuals wishing to sabotage the efforts of the FCT Administration in carrying out its statutory duties…Those opposed to this lofty idea are anti-progress elements working to discredit the efforts of the current FCT Administration

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW

Abaji varsity to begin academics in Sept

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HE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has said that the newly established Abuja University of Technology, Abaji (AUTA) will begin academic activities in September.

He stated this in Abaji as part of the ongoing official campaigns for the forthcoming area councils’ chairmanship and councillorship election for the party in Abaji and Kwali area councils respectively.

Senator Mohammed said that arrangements have been concluded for the smooth take-off of the specialised university to give opportunity to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory to acquire technical education to provide the needed manpower across the country.

Apart from the academic activity, the minister reiterated that the university would also open up economic activities in the area which will have multiplier effects.

Mohammed further said that with that bold step, the people of Abaji and its environs would practically benefit from this transformative gesture of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

According to him, the FCT Administration has also concluded

T

HE Nigerian Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has condemned statement credited to the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu on President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure.

Aliyu said recently that President Jonathan agreed to a single term of office in 2011.

NYLF National President, Ambassador Marvin Yobana, in a communiqué jointly signed by the National Secretary, Prince Emeka Uzoka, at the end of its first quarterly national dialogue on the state of the nation in Abuja, described the governor’s statement as dangerous and one that could destroy the nation’s smooth democracy before the 2015 election.

Nigerians, NYLF said, must be

Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

arrangements to establish the FCT School of Health and Technology in Abaji.

The minister recalled that his administration has earlier promised to supply potable water to Abaji town, which residents agreed to have been fulfilled.

He emphasised that the Peoples Democratic Party-led government of President Goodluck Jonathan does not make unfulfilled promises.

He, therefore, appealed to the people of Abaji and Kwali area councils to reciprocate these gestures by coming out en masse to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party in the FCT area councils’ election slated for March 16.

Senator Mohammed pointed out that the FCT Administration, in fulfilment of its previous campaign promises, constructed several trunk “A” roads in these areas; adding that the notorious Mamagi Bridge in Abaji Area Council would be constructed after the elections.

The minister pledged to provide level playing field for all the political parties to canvass for votes, even as he warned that the electorate should not be intimidated or harassed. This, he said, is because government would not condone such illegalities.

Responding to requests for security during the elections, Senator Mohammed assured that the FCT Administration would not shy away from its responsibility as a government in providing adequate security to lives and property of residents in the territory before, during and after the elections.

Contributing, the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide stated that, in the spirit of President Jonathan administration’s 35 per cent promise to women to participate in governance, the area councils where there is no fair gender representation would be encouraged to appoint women as supervisory councillors.

During the campaign, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide and Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda presented flags to the party’s flag bearers. They urged members to embark on vigorous campaigns to ensure success for the party.

In a related development, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has said that the Peoples Democratic Party will be victorious.

Mohammed said this in Gwagwalada and Kuje area

councils during the party’s official flag-off campaigns for the forthcoming chairmanship and councillorship election.

The minister reiterated that the PDP at the federal, state (FCTA) and the area councils’ levels have performed creditably as gains of democracy have been delivered to the people of the Federal Capital Territory.

He said that all the campaign promises of President Goodluck Jonathan to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory have been fulfilled as exemplified in the performances of the Federal Government, FCT Administration, and area councils’ projects respectively.

Mohammed particularly praised chairmen of the FCT area councils for showing good leadership qualities with the delivery of solid infrastructure in their respective area councils.

He specifically praised the efforts of the outgoing chairman of Kuje Area Council, Mr. Danladi Etsu Zhin, for building roads that are of same quality with what is obtainable in the Federal Capital City.

The minister further stated that residents at the grassroots would always embrace democracy if Nigeria will have local government chairmen like that

•Senator Bala Mohammed

of Kuje and others in the FCT. He said: “This was made possible because my colleague and I made sure that we gave them their allocations from the Federation Account. We don’t sit down in the FCT Administration and take their money in the name of Joint Accounts.”

The minister further said that he is proud of chairmen of the FCT area councils because they have brought developments to their various communities thereby taking pressure off the FCT Administration.

Youths condemn Aliyu over comments on Jonathan’s tenure

allowed to choose their leaders when the time comes.

Among other issues, the group advised the Boko Haram sect to embrace the path of dialogue proposed by the Federal Government to sustain the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.

The communiqué reads in part: “The Nigerian Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) strongly frowns at and condemns in its entirety the statement credited to Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Niger State Governor and Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum, on the purported agreement signed with President Goodluck Jonathan, at the time of ascending the seat of President.

“While we at the Forum do not

intend to hold brief for Mr. President on the matter of presenting himself for re-election or otherwise, we hasten to point out that, coming from someone who is seen to be a respected leader in the North at this time, Governor Babangida’s statement has the potential to overheat our nations’ polity even when elections are still over two years away from now.

“That statement, as it was, is not only dangerous to our continuous match on the fine pavement of democracy, but has the capacity to truncate that smooth match!

Again, the forum believes that

•From left: National Commandant, Nigeria Peace Corps Dr. Dickson Akoh; President, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Wale Ajani and Secretary-General, Board of Trustees, Prince John Azhegbulu at the Peace Corps Board of Trustees meeting at the National Headquarters in Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Nigerians shall, when the time comes, choose who leads them instead of falling for the dangerous impression that the leadership of our nation can be merely ‘negotiated’ by a group of individuals who may choose on a whim to oust anyone’s constitutional rights to aspire to any office in the land, no matter their qualification; basing their action on religious, ethnic or regional considerations.

The group noted that peace “is gradually returning to our nation and encourages government to continue all actions that are aimed at achieving peace and security for lives and property in our nation”.

It condenmed attacks on some traditional leaders especially the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, who had served the nation in different capacities, including the position of an Ambassador.

While wishing the Emir a quick recovery, the forum called on the Boko Haram to, once again, continue to toe the path of dialogue as was begun sometime in the past.

The forum noted that “the issue of the national budget is too serious an issue to toy with and, therefore, called on the Executive and the Legislature to close ranks with regards to their differences on the considered “grey

areas” in the budget for 2013.The earlier the nation commences the implementation of the fiscal guideline for 2013 revenue-generation and expenditure profile, the better we shall be at the end of the day.

It said further that “the issue of alignment /re-alignment which is on-going in our polity at the moment is a welcome development as long as good governance and service-delivery to the Nigerian people are at the heart of such initiatives. The forum called on our leaders to exhibit maturity and patriotism in all actions pertaining to the above and on other issues of national concern.

The statement said that the issue of autonomy for local government areas is one that must be settled once and for all. It, therefore, called on the governors to respect the constitution as “the ground norm for our collective engagement and existence as a nation”.

The group said the attack and killing of health workers in Kano by unknown gunmen was the height of barbarism. It condemned the attack and praised the actions of government and some highly-spirited individuals who have assisted the families of the victims with cash and medicare. The forum called on the security agencies to apprehend those behind the attack and prosecute them.

The group described the governor’s statement as dangerous and one that could destroy the nation’s smooth democracy before the 2015 elections

29

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

think that the NBA is left with any other choice but, to challenge ‘Ithedon’t law because we have tried to engage with the powers that be to ex-

plain to them that we do not think that the way the law is being implemented is the way it is supposed to be implemented. Unfortunately, even though it seems as if the Financial Intelligence Unit understands the position of the FATF and the guidelines, but it seems that SCUML did not understand See page 32

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

’

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the retirement of two judges for alleged misconduct.

Lawyers are hailing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Mariam Mukhtar, saying the recommendation marks the beginning of the cleansing of the judiciary. They believe it will also help restore confidence in the Bench.

JOSEPH JIBUEZE writes.

A Daniel comes to judgment • Lawyers hail NJC’s suspension of Naron, Archibong

T

HE National Judicial Coun cil (NJC) has recommended the retirement of Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court Lagos and Justice Thomas Naron of the Plateau State High Court.

They have been suspended pending the ratification of the recommendation, the Council said in a statement by its Acting Director (Information), Mr. Soji Oye. Besides, a committee is to investigate allegations against Justice Abubakar Talba of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

Justice Talba sentenced John Yusufu to a two-year jail term with a N750,000 fine option after he (Yusufu) pleaded guilty to a threecount charge in a N32.8 billion police pension fraud.

The sentence sparked criticisms of the judge, with many calling for his head.

Justice Naron chaired the first Osun State Elelction Petitions Tribunal, which affirmed the victory of former Governor Olagunsoye

• Justice Mukhtar

Can Obasanjo, others be tried for Odi massacre

?

Oyinlola.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate, Governor Rauf Aregbesola had challenged Oyinlola’s victory.

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan, sacked Oyinlola and declared Aregbesola winner of the May 2007 election.

Following a petition by Aregbesola’s counsel, Mr. Ajibola Basiru, that the Naron tribunal was embroiled in call logs controversy with Oyinlola’s lead counsel, Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN), the NJC raised a team to investigate the allegation.

NJC said Justice Naron was recommended for compulsory retirement to Governor David Jonah Jang following its findings that there were constant and regular voice calls and exchange of mms and sms (text) messages between the judge and one of the lead counsel for one of the parties to the suit in the Osun State Gubernatorial Election Tribunal.

• Continued on page 30

•Obasanjo took that decision as the president, not in his personal capacity.

So, I think nothing else can be done except that which has already been done – Sagay (SAN) •Obasanjo is lucky that the Odi massacre occurred before the entry into force of the Rome Statute; otherwise, he would have been a prime candidate for the ICC at The Hague – Prof Oyebode •The court’s pronouncement shows that Obasanjo declared war against the people he was supposed to protect. But can the call for the prosecution of the former president be sustained?

–Quakers (SAN) •You cannot rely on immunity provided under our domestic constitution to avoid criminal responsibilities and sanctions under the ICC law - Agbaje

Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the Federal Government to pay N37.618 billion to the Odi community in Bayelsa State, which was invaded by soldiers in 1999. The invasion was at the instance of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, after some indigenes of the community killed some soldiers. There have been calls for the prosecution of the principal actors, including Obasanjo. Can they be tried? PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU writes.

•SEE PAGE 30

Inside: NBA to sue govt over anti-money laundering... P.32 Wanted: New laws on nuclear technology ... P.37

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

30

LAW COVER CONT’D • Continued from page 29

It said the action was contrary to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers vide Section 292(1((b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

For Justice Archibong, NJC said he was recommended for compulsory retirement to President Goodluck Jonathan following complaints levelled against him.

The complaints are that the judge dismissed the grievous charges against an accused without taking his plea; refused to release the Certified True Copy of his ruling to the lawyers; and issued a bench warrant on some officials of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for contempt even when the counsel who was directed by the Court to serve them filed an affidavit that he had not been able to serve the contempt application.

NJC said he made unfounded remarks on the professional competence of some Senior Advocates of Nigeria; and that there were glaring procedural irregularities which showed that Justice Archibong did not have a full grasp of the Law and procedure of the Court.

The disciplinary body further said that he granted the leave sought for in the originating summons that had no written address of the parties and without hearing both parties in the originating summons after he had earlier on overruled the preliminary objection.

Analysts praised NJC’s action. From powerful individuals who were discharged of corruption by some courts, but were later convicted abroad and jailed to allegations of corruption, the judiciary has been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent times.

Will the suspension of the two judges mark a turning point and beginning of a new judiciary? Observers believe the reinstatement of the essential ethic of the judicial order, the very value that sustains and validates public confidence in the judicial process may have been activated with the suspensions. Without question, other judges will be careful in their conducts and in the manner of judgments they deliver, as the public is watching.

A feature of judicial accountability is that judges must be subject to discipline if they fail to live above board. In ideal situations, it should almost be taken for granted that judges should be accountable to the application of the oath of office they took at their inauguration without fear or favour.

They ought to take decisions in accordance with the provisions of the law and not otherwise; and to the public whom they have sworn to serve. In the performance of their duties, the judge should not only do justice, but justice must be manifestly seen to be done by the common man on the street.

The Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers is the primary document that prescribes standards of ethical conduct for members of the judiciary.

Prior to the adoption of this code, judges had to rely on an unwritten code of conduct. They also had recourse to the Code of Conduct for Public Officers set out in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.

With the adoption of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, the standard of conduct that a judicial officer should observe is now clearly prescribed.

The Judicial Officer must therefore actively participate in establishing, maintaining, enforcing, and observing a high standard of conduct so that the integrity and respect for the independence of the Judiciary can be preserved.

The violation of the provisions of the code constitutes judicial misconduct or misbehavior and may attract disciplinary action.

The code expects that judges should respect and comply with the law of the land and should at all times conduct themselves in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

They must avoid social relations that are improper or give rise to an appearance of impropriety, that cast doubt on the ability of the judicial officer to decide cases impartially, or that brings disrepute to the judiciary. Adherence to the ethical rules and code of conduct requires discipline.

In their adjudicative duties, a judge is expected to uphold the course of justice by abiding with the provisions of the Constitution and the law and must acquire and maintain professional competence.

The judge is under constitutional obligation to grant fair hearing to both parties. Consequently, the court must allow counsel to conduct case in the way they think best without undue interference from the judge.

Judges are also expected to minimise the risk of conflict with judicial duties by being careful in engaging in extra judicial or vocational activities.

Judicial analysts believe there is need for a more effective monitoring process of judges’ behavior and activities. They cite instances where judges sit as late as 11am everyday and

A Daniel comes to judgment

• Ali (SAN)

• Nwobike (SAN)

• Otteh

adjourn even the simplest of rulings thereby wasting time.

Although the NJC in 2003 set up an evaluation and monitoring committee that visits all courts of high jurisdiction on a quarterly basis for assessment of their performance, observers urged the Judicial Performance and Evaluation Committee to insist on using each aspect of the code to bring erring judicial officers to account.

Such periodic assessments, some lawyers said, should be made public. The era of quietly easing out erring judges should be thing of the past, they argue.

The public need to be assured that the judiciary indeed offers them protection against executive excesses, and a forum for the peaceful resolution of disputes. This can only be achieved when judges abide by the ethics of the office.

The Judiciary occupies a crucial position in a democracy and is its indispensable partner. In abiding by its ethics, observers believe judicial officers will enhance its smooth running.

Therefore, a perception of corruption, bias, or other unethical traits can be almost as harmful to society’s confidence in its legal system and its respect for the rule of law as the reality of those traits.

For many observers, judges must not only avoid impropriety, but also the appearance of impropriety, if public confidence in the judiciary is to be maintained.

This explains why lawyers and rights groups welcomed the latest NJC decision involving the three judges.

A human rights group, the Access to Justice (AJ), said described the NJC action as “a positive intervention”, adding that it would “help change the perception that the judiciary is a major drawback to Nigeria’s drive towards a stable, just and progressive constitutional democracy based on the rule of law.”

In a statement by its Executive Director Joseph Otteh, AJ said: “We commend the CJN, Hon Justice Aloma Marian Mukhtar for her courage in leading the National Judicial Council (NJC) out of its long period of stupor, politicization and inertness on to a new path of rectitude and activism.

“The NJC has long suffered from a faltering loss of focus, ineptitude and partisanship and needed strong, resolute action to lift it out of its long inertia. The Chief Justice has signaled that she is up to this task.

“AJ, alongside many others, have for long expressed deep concerns about the dwindling public confidence in the judiciary following bizarre actions of judicial officials and questionable judgments of judicial officers. The NJC had acquired a sad reputation of either ignoring or politicizing the investigation of petitions against judicial officers.

“In the case of Justice Naron, petitions against his conduct whilst sitting as a Judge of the Osun State Election Petition were filed since 2008. It has taken about five long years to come up with a decision in the matter.

“This time gap left very adverse and unfavourable impressions about the integrity of the Council, and helped to further foster the view that the Council was now incapable of fulfilling its constitutional mission.

“There was growing suspicion that the NJC’s interventions appear to be deliberately manipulated to fall within a few months prior to the retirement of a Judge being complained against so that it would lose jurisdiction to entertain the complaint or enforce sanctions against judicial misconduct.

“Hopefully, Hon. Aloma Mukhtar’s fortitude and forthrightness will help the arduous tasks of repairing this negative image. AJ salutes the Chief Justice of Nigeria and applauds her resolve to lift Nigeria’s judiciary from the bottom of the barrel and out of prevailing clouds of public disenchantment with the behavior of some of its Judges.”

Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN) hailed the recommendation, saying the action shows that the judiciary would not tolerate any form of unethical conduct among officers.

He said the recommendation would serve as a warning to other serving judges that impunity and indiscipline on the bench must be abhorred.

His words: “Even though I don’t know the details of the grounds for the decision of the NJC, it is salutary. It will send signal to our judicial officers that impunity will not go unpunished. Indiscipline should have no place on the bench!”

Dr Joe Nwobike (SAN) believes that while the recommendation shows that the judiciary’s disciplinary machinery is working, the affected judges must, however, be given a fair hearing.

“I don’t know the details given for their suspension, but I should think that they should ensure that their rights under the Constitution are protected. They should give them fair hearing.”

On whether the development is good for the judiciary, he said: “Well, it is not good for the judiciary that these types of incidents are occurring.

“But it also shows that there are disciplinary measures within the judicial sector. But then, they should give them fair hearing before final decisions are reached.”

Activist-lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) described the action as “a determined move to restore confidence in the judiciary”.

He hailed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloma Mukhtar, saying: “Having regard to the fact that the petition against Justice Naron was lodged with the NJC in 2007, the leadership of the Honourable Justice Muktar deserves commendation for plucking up the courage to determine the matter in spite of the desperate moves of certain powerful forces to cover up the judicial scandal.

“The NJC has sent a clear message that the days of judicial impunity are over. We, therefore, call on President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Jonah Jang to approve the retirement of Justice Archbong and Justice Naaron as recommended by the NJC. “It is hoped that the Nigerian Bar Association will collaborate and team up with the NJC to purge the Bar and the Bench of corrupt lawyers and judges to reposition the Judiciary to discharge its constitutional duties to the Nigerian people.”

Bamidele Aturu described the decision of the NJC as a welcome development and a step in

the right direction.

“I have no problem with the decision of the NJC, if these judges have been found guilty of unethical practices.

“I believe they were given fair hearing before the decision was reached, and so their sack will only send warning signals to other corrupt judges,” the lawyer said.

Lawyer and social critic Mr Ebun OluAdegboruwa, praised the council for the bold decision to sanitise the judiciary.

He said the sack of the judges would no doubt send warning signals to others who are treading the same path.

President, Coalition of Lawyers for Good Governance, Mr Joe Nwokedi, said NJC’s decision was timely.

He said: “NJC acted rightly and timely because the citizenry are beginning to lose confidence in the judiciary, particularly regarding the recent development where culprits would be tried and set free in Nigeria only for them to be convicted and sentenced for several years for the same offence in foreign countries that operate almost the same judicial system with us.

“Something is definitely wrong with our judiciary. The earlier we embarked on the process of ridding the judiciary of bad eggs that deface its image the better for our society.

“Another place to we should beam our searchlight are on the prosecutors and state counsel. They should exhibit due diligence in their prosecution of cases, especially high profile ones.

“Most of them are heavily compromised while some of them simply manifest gross ineptitude in the prosecution of their cases. I am fully in support of the action of the NJC.” For the Welfare Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Samson Omodara, cleansing the judiciary of bad eggs was better begun late than never.

“It portends systemic cleansing though belated but a welcome development since every fact leading to NJC’s decision was long ago accentuated even to a layman.”

Constitutional lawyer Mr Theophilus Akanwa, believes the judges’ retirement “is a step in the right direction.

The head of Lagos law firm T.C Akanwa and Co said: “The NJC has a duty to rescue the judiciary from all manner of unethical conducts and to restore the sanctity, confidence, trust and hope of the common man which the judiciary is known for.

“The NJC’s action clearly sends a strong signal and warning to all concerned. I sincerely welcome more sanctions that will truly being back the public’s confidence in the judiciary.

“I urge the NJC to beam its searchlight more and more closer.”

Lagos lawyer Jonathan Iyieke said the swift retirement of judges whose judicial activities are questionable would serve as an example to others.

“It is my humble view that the retirement of Archibong and Naron will help checkmate members of the bench and warn others to be careful in the conduct of their judicial assignments,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

31

LAW COVER CONT’D

T

HE order by Justice Lambo Akanbi of a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt that the Federal Government should pay N37.618billion to Odi community in Bayelsa State, as judgment debt, has been praised by many Nigerians.

Odi, a community in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa, was attacked on November 20, 1999, by the military following an ongoing conflict in the Niger Delta over indigenous rights to oil resources and environmental protection, which led to the murder of 12 soldiers by suspected militants.

President Olusegun Obasanjo had issued a two-week ultimatum to Bayelsa State government and Odi people to fish out the killers, but before the said ultimatum expired, Obasanjo ordered troops into Odi and the surrounding communities. ‘The East-West road was cordoned off by the Orashi River at Mbiama and by the River Niger at Patani.

Thereafter, a major military operation started, through the use of heavy artillery, aircraft, grenade launchers, mortar bombs and other sophisticated weapons.

“So ruthless, savage and thorough was the operation that it could only have been intended to achieve a genocidal outcome,’’ said then Executive Director, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Abdul Oroh, The military invaded the community and indiscriminately attacked the unarmed civilian population, which, according to human rights organisations left not fewer than 2,500 people dead.

‘So complete was the destruction that crops were razed, yam barns were burnt, garri processing plants were willfully wrecked, canoes were set ablaze, and every house in the entire community, with the exception of the FirstBank, a Community Health Centre and the Anglican Church, were burnt down, according to observers.

The Niger Delta has suffered several hardships under the military government but nothing could be likened to Odi in terms of casualty and magnitude. Among such genocidal invasion was the Ogoniland massacre, carried out in 1995 under the military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, as well as Umuechem of 1990, both in Rivers State.

The Umuechem attack was orchestrated by the abduction of three policemen who were sent to maintain peace and order as rioting youths protested environmental pollution and the neglect of their town by multinational oil firm.

With the refusal to release the policemen, the Ibrahim Babaginda administration deployed a troop of armed policemen in armoured tank, to handle the situation.

An official inquiry revealed 25 persons were killed, 650 buildings reduced to rubbles and 175 bicycles had become a mangled heap of twisted and charred metal. Of course, inestimable stock of crops and livestock went up as burnt offerings to the gods of war.

The Odi attack, coming in a democratic dispensation, was one too many for Nigerians to handle, especially because observers believed the killing of 12 soldiers though a crime, did not justify the release of soldiers to terminate a people whose right to life is enshrined in the country’s constitution.

Unlike the extremist sect, Boko Haram, the Odi people took their grievance to the law court in 2000, where they prayed among other things that N100 billion be paid as compensation; that the Federal Government should issue a public apology to them; and that the government be made to rebuild the ruined community.

Tendered as exhibits in the trial included inscriptions by the soldiers, such as “We go kill all the Ijaw people with our guns”; “Come to Odi and learn a lesson”;

“Ijaw face, monkey face”; “Government has given us power to kill”; “Odi is for soldiers not for Ijaws” and “Bayelsa will remain sorrowful forever,” among others.

After 13 years of trial in which video clips were played to show how machine guns, bombs and helicopter gunships were used to destroy lives and properties in the community, Justice Akanbi in his judgment stated: ‘‘The destruction of Odi was comprehensive and complete; no aspect of the community was spared by what I saw in the pictures showed here.

“The respondents violated the fundamental human rights of the people of Odi, by the massacre. The people are entitled to fundamental rights to life, dignity and fair play.

The destruction of Odi was not as a result of gun battle but clear bombardment; the destruction was malicious.’’

Akanbi further cited President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent comment in reply to Obasanjo’s displeasure on his handling of the Boko Haram insurgence, where he stated publicly, that ‘‘only innocent people, including women, children and the very weak that could not escape were killed in Odi”, as well as then Senate President, late Dr. Chuka Okadigbo, who said ‘‘the facts speak for themselves, no need to speak again, as there is nobody to speak”.

Should criminal charges therefore be brought against the former president in line with international laws?

Some observers argue that a trial would be justified rather than using tax-payers’ money to pay the judgment-debt.

To them, only criminal prosecution of the key players in that ‘senseless’ attack can better assuage the trauma of the people.

They insisted that if former Liberian President, Charles Tailor; former deputy Prime Minister of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta; Sudanese President, Umar Al-bashir; and former Ivorian President, Lauren Gbagbo, have either been convicted or are standing trials for war crimes or crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), Obasanjo should also be prosecuted for declaring war against unarmed civilians in a democracy.

However, others said prosecuting Obasanjo and other principal officers in the massacre may never come to light because of the provisions of Section 308 that grants him certain immunity.

That section, they say, guaranteed his protection in whatever decision he took in his official capacity. They said since the Rome Statute of the ICC became enforceable after achieving 60 ratifications in July 2002, the ICC may also not have powers to hold him accountable.

Analysts, however, insist that the Jonathan-led government should muster the political will to prosecute the former president as well as other major players for their roles in the heinous crime as upheld by the trial court.

A group, Access to Justice (AJ), said those who ordered and oversaw the atrocious killings of innocent villagers, including those who gave executive orders for such crackdown, should be criminally prosecuted for genocide or homicide if they are still alive, irrespective of their status.

It said: “We call on the AttorneyGeneral of Nigeria to take immediate steps to bring all surviving persons who played a role in the genocide in Odi to justice. This ruling, will at the very least, help fight impunity entrenched in the conduct of security forces, and hold the government accountable for the wanton conduct of its security forces.

“The High Court judgment is a

• Prof Sagey (SAN)

• Prof Oyebode

• Adesina (SAN)

• Emeka

Can Obasanjo, others be tried for Odi massacre? clear indictment of those who ordered those killings and perpetrated them. These perpetrators should now be brought to justice in a more substantive sense because civil remedies alone will not atone for the crimes committed against the Odi people. The pains of Odi were made worse by the sense of gratification entertained by the then incumbent government following the massacre. For 14 years, Nigeria has owed a massive debt of justice and accountability to Odi, but all the governments we have had since that time, were simply not willing to acknowledge this injustice and to take actions to repair or remedy it, but must do so now.

“The government now owes it to those who were killed in that massacre to ensure that their lives were not wasted after all, and that never again, will the security agencies act with such disdain and impunity against defenceless citizens going forward.

The Federal High Court’s judgment has now provided fresh impetus to begin an earnest effort to close this ugly chapter of our nation’s history: it is up to the current government to respect that decision, and comply with its terms immediately.’’

Lawyers, who lent their voices to the issue, include Professors Akin Oyebode, Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and Itse Sagay (SAN); Dele Adesina (SAN) Norrison Quakers (SAN), constitutional lawyer, Fred Agbaje, Mr Sylva Ogwemoh and a Litigation Partner at Olisa Agbakoba & Associates, Chijioke Emeka.

Osinbajo said the judgment was a good development, especially because it has assuaged the people who were unfairly treated. ‘‘It shows that the rule of law has prevailed. The judgment has produced a result in favour of a people who believed they were cheated and who lost their loved ones and properties in genocide against them.

“That action by the Obasanjo ad-

ministration was extra-judicial killing of unarmed people. I am sure the jugment will be a pointer to our leaders to be mindful of their actions and reactions while in office because they will be made to account for it,” he said.

To Sagay, the court was protecting the right to life of a people which is the first item in the country’s constitution as well as a fundamental human right.

“To kill innocent people is a crime against humanity. What the court did was to hold the government responsible and I think that is a signal to public office holders and authorities to avoid human right abuse. It is a commendable decision and will serve as a deterrent,” he said.

Sagay, who stated that the massacre was genocide against innocent people, however noted that Obasanjo has protection under the country’s law from personal prosecution because he acted as the president.

He said: “Obasanjo is protected under our laws because it was an action he engaged in while in government. Moreover, there is no provision under our laws for his prosecution unless it is the ICC that will take up the matter since crime against humanity is an international offence.

“But in this instance, even the ICC cannot do anything before the rectification of the Rome Statute on which he would have been conveniently tried was done in 2002, about three years after the commission of the genocide.

Since, the Rome Statute is not retroactive, it can only take effect after the rectification and not for offences committed before then.

So, the ICC itself, lacks jurisdiction to prosecute those involved in the Odi massacre. ‘‘Then, under our laws, that action is viewed as an act of the state.

He took that decision as the president not on his personal capacity. So, I think nothing else can be done except that which has already been done.

‘‘Since it was an action of the state, the judgment has rightfully held the state accountable for its recklessness against its citizens. It is a lesson for those in power to be careful.

Obasanjo was fortunate to escape criminal prosecution by the ICC but any other leader who tries such impunity will definitely be brought to book by the ICC at the expiration of his tenure.’’

In the same vein, Oyebode said that Obasanjo was lucky the Odi genocide occurred before the entry into force of the Rome Statute else he would have been a prime candidate for the ICC. ‘‘Gen. Obasanjo is lucky that the Odi massacre occured before the entry into force of the Rome Statute, otherwise he would have been a prime candidate for the ICC at The Hague. However, under the extant Nigerian Constitution, he may continue to enjoy immunity for all his malfeasance while he was President. ‘‘Although it is frequently said that justice delayed is justice denied, the judgment is better late than never. It is one that seems to be putting all and sundry on notice that the era of impunity and executive lawlessness is slowly but surely exiting our national experience. ‘‘Enforcement of judgments against governments is an arduous but not insurmountable task. Writs of firei facias can be executed against government property and can be sought, while the image of any government that disregards court orders and judgments would be impaired in the court of public opinion with all the unsavoury consequences arising there from,’’ he said.

Oyebode, who lashed Jonathan and Obasanjo for commenting publicly on a matter before the court, said their actions were contemptuous. ‘‘President Jonathan’s gratuitous comment which the judge made reference to in delivering judgment was highly regrettable. A president should be mindful of his comments on any matter before a court in order for him not to stand accused of contempt of court and usurpation of judicial powers and disregard for separation of powers.

Adesina believes the judge was right and in tune with the principles of the rule of law and justice.

“I recall that the destruction which gave rise to the cause of action in the matter occurred during a supposed democratic government under the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

“I am of the opinion that the presidential order to destroy Odi community by the soldiers in a country that was not at war at the time was simply dictated by the rule of might which I must say has no place under our democracy. I am in fact tempted to go to the extent of saying that it was an act done with flagrant disobedience to all known principles of law and justice.

“I wish to recall that sometimes ago, although under the military administration, there was a similar incident whereby the properties of late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in Lagos, which he called the Kalakuta Republic, was destroyed by soldiers. He went to court, the court found in his favour to the extent that the destruction was wrongful. Unfortunately however, the court in that case chickened out and attributed the destruction to the work of unknown soldiers.

“It is important to commend the bravery, the boldness and the courage of the judge that handled this matter. That is how it should be. The concept of the rule of law encourages these fundamental ideals for a civilised society. Without it, there would be anarchy as clearly demonstrated by the destruction under reference.

• Continued on page 35

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

32

NATIONAL BAR

NBA to sue govt over anti-money laundering requirement

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HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) may sue the govern ment over a new requirement that lawyers should get registered to check those of them who aid money money laundering.

Its National Executive Committee (NEC) has mandated the body to take legal action against the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Ministry of Trade and Commerc.

It is over the recent directive of the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), that lawyers must register with it before February 1 to ensure compliance with the Money Laundering Act (MLA) 201.

It is said to be part of the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) regime NBA President Okey Wali (SAN) had briefed the association after his interactions with officers of the Unit, who visited him at the NBA secretariat in Abuja to seek collaboration with the NBA on how to implement this law among lawyers.

Officers of the Unit were invited to explain their position to lawyers at the NEC meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.

At NEC, officers of the agencies made efforts to explain their position on the matter and concluded that the law as it were, was not properly drafted, because the Unit never expected lawyers to report every transaction above $1,00 as presently contained in the law.

Rather the law expects the lawyer to report suspicious transactions of that amount to the Unit.

A memonrandum by the Lagos branch of the NBA to the NEC on the same issue was circulated , read and discussed.

Following the deliberations, NEC decided to challenge the law’s validity in court.

NEC considered as unacceptable and a violation of the law on confidentiality, the direction of the EFCC that Legal Practitioners in Nigeria should report to it lodgments in the bank of money above $1,000 on behalf of their clients.

It authorised the leadership of the association to institute legal action challenging the law if the need arises.

The Lagos NBA memo reads in part: “The Lagos branch has noted with concern the recent directive of the special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) that lawyers must register with the unit before February 1, 2013 in order to ensure compliance with the Money Laundering Act 2011(MLA) as part of the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. According to Section 5(6) of the legislation, there is a daily fine of N250,000 for failure of any DNFIs (Designated Non-Financial Institution) to comply with the law’s customer identification requirements and failure to submit transaction returns every 7 days.

“The Money Laundry Act, 2011 defines DNFIs as “dealers in jewellery, cars and luxury goods, chartered accounts(sic), audit firms, tax consultants, clearing and settlement companies, legal practitioners, hotels, casinos, supermarkets, or such other businesses as the Federal Ministry of Commerce may from time to time designate”. Legal practitioners are listed in the law as DNFIs. “The dangers posed by the current AML/CFT regime on Legal Practitioners have been highlighted by the American Bar Association (ABA) in a statement which we quote below: “Lawyers should be extremely concerned because (US) Congress is considering legislation that would impose burdensome and intrusive gatekeeper regulations on lawyers, including measures that could subject the legal

• Chairman EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde

By John Austin Unachukwu

profession to key AML compliances of the BSA. Of enacted, this legislation would undermine the traditional role of state courts in regulating lawyers, erode the attorney-client privilege and interfere with the role confidential attorneyclient relationship, impose excessive new federal regulations on lawyers engaged in the practice of law, and impinge on the delivery of legal services in general.’

“The requirement for lawyers registration and the rendering of periodic reports on his client’s financial activities are clearly in conflict with the express provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners in Nigeria (RPV) 2007, the Evidence Act 2011 and the common law rule against self incrimination.

“The rule which requires a report on every transaction of N150,000 and above(less than $1,000) without linking it to suspicion criminal activity impact upon and destroys the Attorney-Client confidentiality rule.

“The NBA must support the Federal Government in its efforts to combat money laundry and terrorist financing, these actions should be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the ethical rules and standards that regulate our profession, it said.

“NBA Lagos Branch wishes to draw the attention of the National Executive Committee to the status of SCUML.”

The legality of SCUML According to NBA Lagos memo, the special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) was established as a specialised unit of the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry by the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria (Decision N0. EC (2005) 2861) in September 2005. SCUML was given the responsibility of carrying out the statutory role of the then Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry (FMC & I) as spelt out in the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, ML(P)A 2004.

It said SCUML is not one of the agencies set out in either the MLPA 2011 or the MLPA 2004 to regulate DFNIs. Accordingly, the legality of SCUML is doubtful, more so as the Minister is not specifically empowered under the MPLA to set up any such unit and there is no saving provision in MLPA 2011.

Under section 5(4) of the Act, the Minister in the Federal Ministry of Commerce charged with respon-

• Mrs Adekoya

sibility for matters pertaining to commerce is empowered to make regulations guiding the operations of DBFIs. Section 5(5) enables the EFCC to “demand and receive reports directly from” DNFIs. Under section 5(6), DFNIs that failt to “comply with the requirements of customer identification and the submission of returns” are liable to a daily fine of N250,000 for the period of default. However, it should be noted that by section 5(1), the Minister’s power to make regulations is limited to DFNIs “whose business involves the use of cash transaction”.

It is, therefore, doubtful whether the Minister can make regulations relating to other aspects of the MLPA which also concerns DFNIs/ Legal Practitioners as there is no omnibus clause empowering the Minister to make regulations for the enforcement of other sections of the Act. In addition the extent the SCUML’s mandate is limited by Section 51) to “occasional cash transactions” by DFNIs. Furthermore, and as a policy matter (especially in the light of the CBN circular), the FATF have, since 2008, recognised that the 2003 recommendations – on which the MLPA 2011 is clearly based-required review. The guidelines for the legal profession suggest that AML CFT regulations adopt a risk based approach, as opposed to the “one size fits all” approach manifest in the MLPA 2004 and 2011.

The way forward The NBA Lagos Branch said: “The requirement for registration should be opposed as being unnecessary and unduly burdensome. The obligation to report should be on the bank where the financial transactions are consummated and they have records of the account owners. Additional Know Your Customer (KYC) requirement should not be predicated on registration with SCUML. Any KYC requirement which imposes a duty to register with SCML should be opposed as indirect regulation of the legal profession. Banks can carry out their customer checks as much as they can in order to ascertain their customer’s identify and business. It remains the duty of banks to do a KYC of their customers. Other persons not regulated by CBN should not be compelled to be subject to its regulation or that of any other Government agency.

“Litigation against the government and its agencies to challenge the validity of the blanket provision requiring registration with SCUML and supervision of legal practitioners by

• Chairman NBA Lagos branch, Taiwo O. Taiwo

MDAs outside the legal profession is the most viable option “The legality of SCUML should be contested, given that there is seemingly no express provision establishing the unit under MLPA 2011, nor is the Minister empowered in that regard. Further, there is no saving provision that may have preserved such a unit under the new regime. Any action would need to be accompanied by an application to restrain the Ministry of Trade and Investment, the EFCC and any other federal agency charged with the enforcement of the legislation from seeking to enforce it during the pendency of the litigation.

“Litigation should be instituted that forcing lawyers to submit to AML/CFT laws aimed at tracking money laundering and the flow of cash to terrorists would override solicitor-client privilege and thus violate extant laws/regulations and the Constitution. The 10-year legal battle between Canadian legal practitioners and the government in the celebrated case of RE: Federation of Law Societies of Canada v. Canada (Attorney-General), 2011 BCSC 1270 (CanLII) is a veritable guide as the points of law to be canvassed. The matter was decided in favour of the legal practitioners. A full text of the judgment is available at http:// www.canlii.ca/en/bc/bcsc/2011/ 2011bcscl270/2011bcscl270.pdf “While litigation is ongoing, the NBA should engage with the government through SCUML, the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (as well as EFCC, SEC, NDLEA etc) to enable the legal profession to be selfregulating in accordance with the most recent FATF guidance. The following areas of engagement are relevant: Persuade the Minister to delegate the AML/CFT responsibility for regulating the legal profession to the NBA or to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.

“The NBA should investigate the composition of the National Advisory Council of Designated Non-Financial Institutions which is charge with the financial institution against money laundering and countering financial of terrorism in Nigeria. The committee is/was chaired by the representative of ICAN while the Secretariat is located in SCUML. The NBA is supposedly presented on this council.

Conclusion “To be seen as a viable self regulatory organ, the NBA needs

‘The legality of SCUML should be contested, given that there is seemingly no express provision establishing the unit under MLPA 2011, nor is the Minister empowered in that regard’

to prepare and adopt strong AML provisions for the provisions for the profession. In 2008 the FATF issued AML guidance to the legal profession, which proposed a risk based approach, and these documents are all a ready source upon which any Nigerian provisions may be based.

“The NBA should liase with the appropriate agencies and ministries, and state clearly in the AML Regulations (yet to be drawn) how the Association intends to take punitive measures against practitioners who aid Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (assuming there are any) through their firms and expertise.

“In the interest of the profession, more emphasis should be laid on the need to ensure that control of the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing with the aid/assistance of Legal Practitioners be addressed by a committee to be inaugurated by the Nigerian Bar Association for that purpose.”

President, Common Wealth Lawyers Association (CLA), Mrs Boma Ozobia told The Nation: “It is clear from the presentation of the officer to the NBA NEC that there is a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of lawyers and the level of involvement we have in our clients’ businesses. As legal advisers to clients on transactions ranging from conveyancing to acquisitions, we may find that we have to hold funds in escrow in a client account, this does not mean that we participate in business with our clients.

“More importantly, these regulations are intended to prevent money laundering, in line with the global standards imposed on the legal profession in England and Wales or the United States of America for instance.

“Lawyers should, therefore, not be subjected to more onerous reporting requirements than their colleagues in these jurisdictions.

As a solicitor qualified to practice law in England and Wales, I can assure you that I do not have to report every transaction with a value of $1000, why should I have to do so as a Nigerian lawyer? The law and ensuing regulations as currently drafted places an unacceptable burden on the Nigerian legal practitioner and does not take into account our rules of professional conduct and the duty of confidentiality it imposes on us.

It is clear to me that the NBA ought to challenge this law in Court, it cannot stand in its current form in relation to the legal profession.”

Former Vice-President of the NBA and a promonent member of Lagos branch, NBA, Chief Funke Adekoya (SAN), said: “I don’t think that the NBA is left with any other choice but, to challenge the law because we have tried to engage with the powers that be to explain to them that we do not think that the way the law is being implemented is the way it is supposed to be implemented. Unfortunately, even though it seems as if the Financial Intelligence Unit understands the position of the FATF and the guidelines, but it seems that SCUML did not understand.

“They are asking us to report all transactions on our accounts without any proof or feelings of any criminal activity. We believe that that breaches legal regulations under the Evidence Act. It breaches the right of privacy under the constitution and that is what we want to test. We hope that we will be able to reach an agreement with the government. We support the government in the effort to check money laundering and terrorist financing, but we don’t think that we should be breaching the law to do so”

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

33

LEGAL OPINION

Floating bodies: NBA calls for judicial commission of inquiry

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with

• Calabar to host annual conference

By John Austin Unachukwu

• NBA President Okey Wali (SAN)

T

HE National Executive Com mittee (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to institute a high-powered judicial commission of inquiry to unravel the mystery behind the floating corpses discovered on Ezu River between Anambra State and Enugu States.

NBA condemned the development and called on government to to probe the cause of death of the bodies found, where they came from and their identities, and to bring those responsible to book.

On January 19, about 40 corpses were found floating in the river.

The dead bodies have remained a mystery, because nobody had come to claim any of them.

There was no report of communal clashes or any boat mishap in or around the communities in the State.

There was also no report of any missing person from any of the

communities around the place where this bizarre incident occurred.

To the NBA, this amounted to gross human rights violation, and a degradation of human life.

Consequently, the association considered the possible human rights violations involved in the incident and the urgent global importance of getting to the root of the matter.

Wali set up a committee to follow up and monitor the incident and report to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of association.

The committee, which has the First Vice-President of the NBA Mr O. J. Erhabor as chairman and former chairman of Abakaliki branch, Mr. Anthony Oka, as secretary, swung into action immediately after its inauguration on February 29.

Submitting its interim report, Erhabor thanked the president for setting up the committee and giving the members the opportunity to serve.

He said the committee visited some places and had interviews with the traditional Ruler of Amansea Community Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Anambra State Police Command, Emeka Chukwuemeka.

They also spoke with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Mrs Azuka Enemo and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Lawrence Ikeazor.

They were unable to reach the

Deputy Governor, as they waited for hours in his office and left when they were not attended to.

“The committee interviewed several persons from Amansea community, who witnessed the incident firsthand before stakeholders came to the scene before arriving at the interim report,” Erhabor said.

Meanwhile, NBA at its NEC meeting approved the bid by Cross River State to the host the 2013 Annual General Conference of the association in Calabar, the State capital.

The NEC also approved the theme “Law, leadership and challenges of nationhood in the 21st Century Nigeria” and different categories of fees for the conference from one-year old lawyers to Senior Advocates of Nigeria and political appointees who are members of the profession.

From the scale of conference fees approved by the NEC, there is a gap between fees to be paid by the early birds and those that will pay at the conference venue.

The Chairman of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning, Chief Joe Agi (SAN), told The Nation: “ We took our time in fixing the conference fees so that our members will take advantage of the disparity in fees to pay for the conference on time.

“We encourage lawyers to pay for the conference on time so that we can make budget and adequate plans for lawyers attending the conference.

“We wish to discourage a situation where lawyers come to conference venue at the dying minute to pay for the conference, this is not good at all because it stretches available resources and facilities.”

Ebonyi youths seek govt’s intervention in 100-year-old boundary dispute

A

COMMUNITY association in Ebonyi State, the Ishinkwo Youth Assembly (IYA), has urged the government to intervene in a land dispute between Ishinkwo and Abaomege communities to prevent crisis.

It said a peace agreement they reached in February, last year has not been implemented, and urged the government to do something about it before it is too late.

In a statement by its National President Mr Innocent Elum, the association said Ishinkwo people live in daily fear over the unresolved 100year-old land dispute.

Elum, who is also Vice-President, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), said Ishinkwo also risks being cut off from other towns as it has no good road leading to it.

The only access to the community, he said, is a road which passes through Abaomege. With the two communities yet to resolve the land dispute, Ishinkwo people fear their lives are at risk by having to pass through “enemy territory.”

Elum said: “Until the disputed pieces of land are shared between the two communities there can’t be solid peace. What we have now is a fragile peace of the graveyard. If there is any problem in Ebonyi state, the government of the day should be able to address it.

“The access road we have from Ishinkwo via Abaomege cannot be used because there has been the land dispute over which many of my people lost their lives. We have made several appeals to the state government to construct another road for us to no avail. This is a peculiar problem. We can’t travel at ease.

By Joseph Jibueze

“So, if governor Elechi cannot sort out the problem between the two communities, let him provide another access road for us through Ndufu Ishinkwo. Due to this problem, many Ishinkwo people abroad do not come home, yet the government is relaxed about the issue.

“Since February 2012 when a peace agreement was reached till date, nothing has been done. We urge Governor Elechi not to lose interest in such inter-communal issues.

“We have had people representing Ishinkwo in the National Assembly since 1999. Even the Secretary to the Federal Government Anyim Pius Anyim is from the Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone to which the community belongs. It is worrying that nothing has been done to open up Ishinkwo by building a road.

“Since 1987, we have been crying to government to do something about the abandoned F113 federal road which links Anambra, Imo, Cross River and Enugu.

“A river (Ebonyi River) that crosses the road at Ishinkwo was bypassed when the road was contracted to Hapel Construction Company in the 80’s. If a bridge had been built there, it would have opened up the community and we wouldn’t be cut off as we are from other towns.

“Most crucially, we wouldn’t have Abaomege as the only route to and from Ishinkwo.

“During the rainy seasons, we are cut off from the world and many get drowned in that river. What are our representatives in the National Assembly doing? Are they not seeing these things?”

IYA also urged Governor Elechi to

• Elum

reduce the cost of university education in the state, saying it is beyond the means of many.

“If there is any state that needs free education at all levels, it is Ebonyi, for obvious reasons. In Ebonyi State University, there was a foiled riot recently because the government increased school fees by a very wide margin, from N30,000 to N78,000. It is driving many students away from school.

“So, we want to appeal to the state government to please revisit the fee hike as it is not in the best interest of the state. It is possible for them to run a free education system as done in other states.

“I appeal again to the governor to make it affordable to the people.

Many don’t have the capacity to pay.

So, what happens to the children on the long run? In Lagos, 99.9 percent of hawkers are from Ebonyi, and they are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow. What that means is that the future of that state is very bleak.

“They are hawking because they are neither empowered nor educated. If school fees are made to be beyond the reach of the ordinary people, the situation is aggravate and that, if you ask me, does not speak well of either the state or the governor himself.”

gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Wilful murder and the punishment

I

F the South African Olympic and Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius, is standing trial in Nigeria for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, the chances are that he will not secure bail throughout the trial. This is particularly so within the jurisdiction of the states that make up Northern Nigeria, whose criminal offences are provided for in the Penal Code, and the procedure in the Criminal Procedure Code.

In Nigeria, while the Magistrate Court must not grant bail for Capital Offences like murder, whether in the Northern or Southern states; the High Court, under the Criminal Procedure Act, applicable to the southern states, may grant bail to a person charged with a Capital Offence.

Pistorius, a double amputee, is renowned all over the world, for using his carbon fibre blades to compete in races with able bodied men. At last year’s London Olympics, Pistorius was the cynosure of eyes because of his ‘special legs’. Now, his tragic shooting of his girlfriend on February 14, last Valentines Day, has pitched emotions between his supporters and those appalled by the high level of violence against women in Southern Africa. With South Africa reputed as the rape capital of the world, many in that country and across the world are nursing the reprehensible possibility that the killing may be a premeditated macabre valentine gift.

For Pistorius and Steemkamp’s families, the nightmare will linger until the truth is unequivocally determined, possibly by forensic evidence. But in the meantime, Pistorius is granted bail, as the court held that the prosecution has failed to provide reasons why bail should be denied. According to reports, Pistorius’s bail is premised on the fact that he mistook Ms Steenkamp for an intruder coming in through the toilet, whereupon he shot her four times through the door. The Magistrate in granting bail held that the prosecution has not established that Pistorius is prone to violence, or will likely flee the country, or that his release would provoke public outcry. The case by the prosecution is that the shooting was a premeditated murder; and with the intense public scrutiny, and the high profile nature of the accused, the murder trial of Pistorius could be likened to that of the famous O.J. Simpson of the United States of America.

Where Pistorius to be on trial in Nigeria, he would be facing death penalty, instead of life imprisonment, that is the punishment for unlawful homicide in South Africa. As provided in section 319(1) of the criminal code: “subject to the provisions of this section any person who commits the offence of murder shall be sentenced to death”. The offence of murder under our law is defined in section 316 of the act. The section provides: “except as hereinafter set forth, a person who unlawfully kills another under any of the following circumstances, that is to say – (1) if the offender intends to cause the death of the person killed, or that of some other person; (2) if the offender intends to do to that person killed or to some other person some grievous harm; (3) if death is caused by means of an act done in the prosecution of unlawful purpose, which act is of such a nature as to be likely to endanger human life….”

The offences listed in the criminal code, which are more expansive than those listed here, must however be juxtaposed, and possibly tempered if the trial is under Nigeria law, by the provision of section 33(2)(a) of the 1999 constitution. While section 33 provides for the right to life, subsection 2(a) however provides one of the exceptions, and it says: “a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this section, if he dies as a result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably necessary – for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property”. In the Pistorius case, it must be remembered that he claims to have acted in apprehension of an intruder, likely to cause him harm, particularly considering his vulnerability, as a physically challenged person.

While South Africa is reeling in insidious individual crimes, like rape and murder, Nigeria is faced with debilitating organized crimes, threatening the very existence of the country. The foremost is the criminal activities of the religious sects mutating from Boko Haram to Ansaru. Earlier this February, nine women health workers administering the anti-polio virus in Kano were murdered, while seven expatriate workers were kidnapped in Bauchi. Across the Nigeria border, but with accusing fingers pointed to our country, a French family holidaying in northern Cameroun was kidnapped by suspected members of the Boko Haram. The horror news is that the terror groups has extensive support from foreign terrorist organizations and are planning to spread their terror activities to Lagos, and other southern states.

In the Pistorius case, the chances are that the prosecution will rely on forensic evidence to determine the case, as ballistic tests can say whether the bullets passed through the door or not. Across the world, science and technology is used to solve murder and other serious offences. Unfortunately that is not the case in Nigeria, where several high profile murder cases have been left unresolved for years, without any clue as to the culprits. Nigeria currently is far behind in use of forensic evidence, and this has affected the police capacity to resolve crimes. As happened when Funso Williams, a Nigerian party stalwart was murdered some years back, the police showed lack of capacity to manage crimes scenes. In the Pistorius case, is there the possibility that South Africa is similarly afflicted?

34

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

FROM THE COURT

Family, firm in dispute over ownership of Gbagada land

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HO owns a parcel of land in OkeAlo, Gbagada, Lagos, on which a firm - Stardust Estate Limited – is building a residential estate? Could it be the Oloto family of Lagos or the company?

These are part of issues to be resolved by Justice Kazeem Alogba of the Lagos High Court when hearing opens in a suit filed by the Oloto of Otto and Lagos Mainland- Oba Ganiyu Odesanya (for himself and the Oloto Royal Family) against Stardust and five others.

In the suit marked: LD/1332/2012 Odesanya is claiming that the land, measuring 7481.009 square meters (approximately 14 acres), located at Millennium Estate, Gbagada was given to it as compensation by the state government under a terms of settlement dated December 17, 2004, adopted as consent judgment by the state’s High Court on June 1, 2005 in settlement of an earlier suit between the family and the state government.

Odesanya has accused Stardust of trespassing. He alleged that Stardust got a separate Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) on the same land and proceeded to develop same without his family’s consent.

Stardust and other defendants in the suit have faulted Odesanya’s claim. They denied that the land on which Stardust obtained a separate C of O and on which it was building, was the same as that being claimed by the claimant. They also denied the allegation of trespassing.

Named with Stardust as defendants, include the Registrar of Titles, Ministry of Lands, Lagos State; the state’s Attorney Genral and Commissioner for Justice, the state governor, the project financier, Skye Bank Plc and two directors of Stardust: Lai Oyediran and Akinniyi Akinmokun.

The claimant stated, in his statement of claim, that his family and other affected families sued the state government “sometime in year 2000, claiming ownership and possession of the large parcel of land at Oke-Alo, Gbagada acquired by the state for overriding public interest and development of the Millennium Mixed Housing Scheme.”

Odesanya added that in a bid to settle the case out of court, parties, after several meetings, agreed to the decision of the state to release a portion of the acquired land to his family and other families affected by the acquisition.

The agreement, he stated, was reduced to a

Stories by Eric Ikhilae

terms of settlement dated December 2004 and which was entered as a consent judgment by Justice A. J. Coker of the state’s High Court, in the case his family and others instituted against the government.

Odesanya stated that when the released land was sheared among the affected families, his family (the Oloto family) was got a parcel of land 7481.009meters, which it later registered at the state’s Land Registry, Ikeja as No: 52 at page 52 in volume 2109.

He added that before his family could move into the land, it discovered that Stardust had allegedly taken over the same land and commenced development, “without any valid title or authority.”

The claimant stated that the family later procured the services of a reputable land surveyor, Abiodun Esan to prepare a composite survey of the land allocated to it with a view to ascertain whether it was different from the land on which Stardust was building. He stated that the survey showed that construction being undertaken

by Stardust was within the land allocated to the Oloto family.

Odesanya said his family was taken aback on further realizing that the state’s Registrar of Titles and the governor has allegedly granted a C of O registered as No: 92/92/ 2007/X “in respect of the same land to the first defendant (Stardust) in violation” of the December 17, 2004 terms of settlement.

He averred that he will, at the hearing of the suit, contend that the C of O later granted to Stardust by the state governor and the Registrar of Titles in respect of the same land is in bad faith, illegal and renders the C of O null and void.

The claimant accused the defendants of frustrating every attempt by his family to execute the June 2005 judgment, which resulted from the terms of settlement, by allegedly engaging thugs, policemen and members of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC).

He is praying the court to declare the title over the disputed land was that given to his family by the state government by virtue of the December 17, 2004 terms of settlement which was entered as court judgment on June 1, 2005.

The claimant also seeks a declaration that the C of O registered as 92/92/2007 “illegally obtained by the first defendant, is null and

void and of no effect whatsoever.” He is praying for special and general damages of N25million against the defendants.

Odesanya has equally filed a motion for interlocutory injunction prayed the court to issue an injunction, restraining the defendants and their agents from further developing or building on the land until the final determination of the case. He also sought an order granting his family “immediate possession” of the said parcel of land.

In its counter affidavit dated February 4 this year, Stardust denied the claimant’s allegations. It denied similarity in the land on which it was building and that being claimed by the claimant. Stardust averred that it was allocated a parcel of land measuring 2.449 hectares by the state government via an allocation letter dated April 27, 2007 with reference number : LUO/ EST/72378/53.

The firm further averred that it subsequently registered its interest in the land and was issued a C of o dated May 25, 2007 and registered as No 92 at page 92 volume 2007x. It stated that it has been in undisturbed possession of the said land, situated at Gbagada, “verged RED on the survey plan No: LS/D/LKJ/2324,”since it was allocated to it in 2007.

Stardust further averred that it has expended huge amount of money in development residential apartments on the land, some of which have been sold and now being occupied. It added that the clamant has no right, title or interest in the land before and after it (Stardust) was granted the right of occupancy over the land.

“The claimant’s parcel of land registered as 52/52/2109 referred to in their motion on notice is clearly and distinctly different from the parcel of land covered by a C of O registered as 92/92/2007 dated May 25, 2007 registered in the name of the first defendant,” Stardust stated.

The firm prayed the court not to grant the claimant’s prayers as the balance of convenience was in its favour, having allegedly expended N1.5billion on the project so far.

Skye bank, in its counter affidavit argued along the same line with Stardust. It also denied any similarity between the land on which Stardust was building and that claimed by the Oloto family.

The bank stated that it conducted due

• Justice Ayotunde Phillips

diligence on the land and enquired from all relevant institutions and was convinced that the land allocated to Stardust was not encumbered before deciding to finance the project.

It urged the court not to grant the claimant’s prayers. The bank argued that it will be prejudiced by the grant of the claimant’s application. It further argued that the balance of convenience tilts in its favour having invested about N1.5 billion on the project.

In a joint counter affidavit by the Registrar of Title, the AG, Lagos and the governor, they also supported the prayer that the court should reject the claimant’s application.

They admitted that the state yielded the 7481.009 square meters to the Oloto family by virtue of the 2004 terms of settlement, but denied any similarity between the land given to the family and the one allocated to Stardust.

They argued that the grant of the claimant’s interlocutory prayers will defeat the intention of the state in attracting private investors with the aim of developing the housing sector.

Hearing in the case has been fixed for February 27.

Akande, firm query court’s powers to hear FAAN’s suit

•FAAN MD George Uriesi

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USINESSMAN-POLITICIAN, Chief Harry Akande and his company, AIC Nigeria Limited, have asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to strike out a suit filed against them by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for lack of jurisdiction.

The duo argued, in a preliminary objection, that the suit amounted to an abuse of court process because they had filed a similar suit in relation to the dispute between them over a piece of land measuring about 11.654 hectares located within the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

AIC had planned to utilized the land for a hotel project.

FAAN, is by its suit marked: FHC/L/CS/ 90/2013 seeking to perpetually restrain the defendants and their agents from tampering with its (FAAN’s) possession of the land, which it said forms the subject matter of the “invalidated leased agreement” between

them, dated February 17, 1998.

The plaintiff accused the defendants of trespass and urged the court to award N150million in damages against them. It also seeks N50m as cost of the suit.

AIC and Akande argued that since the plaintiff’s principal claim is trespass, the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain a suit on such issue.

They further argued that it would amount to an abuse of court process should the court entertain plaintiff’s suit despite the pendency of their earlier suit marked: FHC/ L/CS/ 1058/2010 and in which they seek among others, an order of specific performance against FAAN in respect of the same land.

The defendants averred that the land in dispute in the suit by FAAN is the same with that on which they were currently before an arbitrator. They stated that the land was leased by FAAN to AIC for 50 years, starting from February 17, 2008.

“AIC Limited was put in possession and was on the verge of commencing construction work when the plaintiff (FAAN) threatened to terminate the lease and take possession of the land,” the stated.

They added that the development led them to file a case, in which the Justice Regina Nwodo of the Federal High Court granted an injunction on February 18, 2002 restraining FAAN from disturbing AIC in the possession of the land pending the reference of the dispute to an arbitrator for determina-

tion.

AIC and Akande averred that the arbitrator, the late Justice Kayode Eso gave a final ward on June 1, 2010 and found in favour of AIC on all issues of fact and law submitted for determination by parties (FAAN and AIC).

They stated that the arbitrator awarded damages of $48,124,000 in favour of AIC, but refused to grant an order of specific performance against FAAN on the ground that he (the arbitrator) lacks the machinery for enforcing such an order.

AIC and Akande added that the arbitrator also refused to grant AIC’s prayer for an award for additional costs it would have incurred if it had completed the hotel project. They stated that the arbitrator’s refusal to grant both prayers formed the subject of their pending suit.

They are, in the suit, praying the court to hold that the arbitrator was wrong and to remit the June 1, 2010 award back to the arbitrator to formally make an award for specific performance and award for damages claimed by AIC. AIC and Akande contended that if the main issues in their pending suit, which are whether or not AIC was entitled to specific performance to remain on the land and an award for damages, were resolved in their favour, there will be difficult for FAAN to maintain its suit of trespass against them.

“It is certainly an abuse of court process

‘It is certainly an abuse of court process for FAAN to institute this present action for trespass against AIC, the determination of which is likely to lead to conflicting decision of this case vis a vis the pending originating summons’

for FAAN to institute this present action for trespass against AIC, the determination of which is likely to lead to conflicting decision of this case vis a vis the pending originating summons,” they said.

They stated that they have been in peaceful possession of the land until FAAN allegedly invaded the land, which they had fenced and began construction, on January 5 this year, using uniformed men.

FAAN, in its statement of claims, conceded to earlier leasing the land to AIC in 1998 for the purpose of constructing a hotel at the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport.

It added that upon re-evaluation of the lease agreement between them, it realized that the project posed security and other risks.

FAAN stated that “Security concerns over the close proximity of the land to the runway and the airport main building,” informed its decision to stop AIC from proceeding with its construction on the land, and later offered it (AIC) a substitute, but which the company allegedly rejected.

The plaintiff admitted being party to the arbitration, but contended that the arbitrator, on allegedly realizing that AIC had ceased to occupy the land, “specifically refused those claims as would give or restore possession to the defendants.”

FAAN argued that by the award, the arbitrator did not only recognize its legal title over the land, but also its possession of the disputed piece of land. it accused the defendants of resorting to self-help by allegedly utilising thugs in their effort to possess the land.

It contended that national security and security of individual lawful users and dozens of the airport are in grave jeopardy by the defendants’ purported invasion and presence at the airport. It prayed the court to grant its prayers.

Justice Mohammed Idris has fixed March 1 for hearing in the suit.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

35

LAW & SOCIETY

Rights coalition to mark Nigeria’s centenary

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HE civil rights movement has launched the campaign to mark what it calls the “people’s centenary group” to mark the 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation by the colonial powers.

The group under the auspices of the Nigerian Peoples Centenary Group, (NPCG) began the activity with a press conference on Thursday. Members of the group include civil rights lawyers, Mr Femi Falana, Mr Olisa Agbakoba, Abuka Onolo Omo-Baba, Mr Adewale Adeoye, leader of the Supreme Egbesu Assembly, (SEA) Chief Werinipre Digifa, Mr Popoola Ajayi and others drawn from labour, students movement and the human rights community.

The group said while, the authorities see the 100 years amalgamation as a carnival marked with photo opportunism, dance and drinks, the NPCG sees the landmark as a moment for sober reflection, a period to question, challenge and stem the drifting and life-threatening posture of the Nigerian state.

In the speech read by the Deputy Convener, Mr Lanrewaju Suraj, the NPCG said the Nigeria people after 100 years of amalgamation owe history and posterity the obligation to reflect on the floundering state of Nigeria and map out a new pathway for the freedom of the people from the relentless repression by those elected to protect the mandate of the people.

He said since 1960, the country has been troubled by social and political crisis and at least one major civil war that left millions of people, including women and children, dead. Nigeria has seen military incursion into the affairs of the state and the subsequent growth of arrested development, corruption, ineptitude, nepotism and spineless repression of the voices of dissent and the emergence of a vagabond political culture that continues to traumatize the citizenry.

The media conference held at the Femi Falana chambers in Lagos was attended by several Nigerian human right leaders including Mr Rasaq Oladosu, Mr Linus Okoroji, Dr Wale Balogun, the group’s representatives in the US, Mr Adewale Aregbesola and Ayo Turton, representatives of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, (AYCF), the Igbo Youth Congress, (IYC), the Nigerian Human Rights Community, (NHRC) amongst many others.

He said today, “the country has conducted three civilian-to-civilian transitions, a landmark in a country noted for military adventure in politics, yet elections remain far from being representative, rigging and bizarre stealing or stuffing of ballot boxes are recurrent

decimal.” The group plans to hold a centenary summit involving artisans, labour movement, students, academic, human rights community and representatives of the international community and the United Nations’ (UN) agencies. The summits will hold in Nigeria, UK and the United States. According to the group, the resolution at the summits will for the basis for the campaign for the needed social and political changes in Nigeria.

NPCG lamented that the country has failed to deal with the agitation by the various ethnic and social formations for political and social reforms while the prospect for the emergence of a nationalist leader, devoid of ethnic coloration and committed to the basic principles of democracy and the rule of law remain far-fetched unless the people rise up to the challenge.

The group said have linked the instability partly to the constitution imposed by the military in 1999, unfortunately, 13 years into the new democratic path, Nigerians are yet to enjoy the benefit of a people a driven constitution.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Publicity of the NPCG, Mr Adeoye said though with two million barrels of oil per day, locals remain extremely poor. He said: “The wealth of the country, her human and material potentials remain stunted and trampled upon under the jackboots and the awful influence of the years of military repression. From the first coup of 1966, the military became a dominant repugnant disease on the country’s emerging sore. Beginning from the mid-1980s, due to excruciating poverty, worker’s retrenchment, sale of the country’s commanding height to political cartels, the country began to witness massive immigration of its nationals across the world, millions of people fleeing from hopelessness, fear and anguish.”

The country, under the military became a patriarch state, characterised by murder, political assassinations, and massacre of whole communities, and the naked, brutal oppression of the mass media.

Digifa, a retired military officer who is the group’s South-South cochairman said the “military assumed, albeit wrongly, that the country could only be kept together through bullying and share force of arms. The situation has not changed fundamentally today. At the present, the country is now home to a large number of arms in the hands of nonstate actors, an unending source of threat to global security.”

He said the country’s return to democracy in 1999, if anything, has done little to offer hope to the teeming, hungry and desperate population.

Firm names first Chief Operating Officer

A

LAW firm, Banwo & Ighodalo said it has ap pointed Mrs. Kemi Ajayi as its pioneer Chief Operating Officer (COO). It is the highest office for non-lawyers in the firm.

By her appointment, Mrs Ajayi has become a member of the firm’s management committee and Secretary of the Partnership Group.

It was explained, in a statement by the firm’s Managing Partner, Kenneth Etim, that Mrs Ajayi’s elevation has among other considerations, been driven by the need to give non-lawyers in the firm a recognisable career path and an opportunity to rise to the pinnacle of the firm’s management.

Mrs Ajayi is a Chartered Ac-

• Mrs Ajayi

By Eric Ikhilae

countant, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and a member of the Association of Legal Administrators.

She was the firm’s Practice Manager before her elevation. She joined the firm in January 2003 Banwo & Ighodalo was established 22 years ago.

• From left: Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly (OGSHA), Hon. Surajudeen Adekunbi; Majority Leader, OGSHA, Hon. Israel Jolaosho, and member representing Ifo Constituency II, Hon. Adijat Adeleye Oladapo, at the inauguration of blocks of classrooms in Oke-Aro, free health care services and ICT training graduation ceremony instituted by Hon. Oladapo at her constituency office in Akute, Ogun State.

Can Obasanjo, others be tried over Odi ?

• Continued from page 31

“Let me conclude that democracy can only be sustained in an environment that is ruled by the law and where the law is supreme. It is left for me to add that the same concept obligates prompt obedience of court orders as well as prompt execution of court judgments by all persons and authorities, including the government. Epochal judgments of this nature I believe have a significant attribute of reducing if it cannot stop the growing culture of impunity in the Nigerian society.”

For Quakers, the Attorney General of the Federation should without delay, liase with the Minister for Finance and Budget to clear the debt, as an appeal against the judgment will be seen as insensitivity to the plight and wanton destruction of lives and properties of the citizens by government who is constitutionally bound to protect same rights and properties.

He described the judgment as laudable, just as he noted that the judiciary was beginning to show its worth. Quakers however wondered if the judiciary will have the will to make such a pronouncement if it involved an act by an incumbent president. ‘‘My worry is that if an incumbent does that can of thing, can the court make such a judgment? Until we get to that level, we can now say the judiciary has lived up to its expectation.’’

Quakers said: ‘‘Following the judgment of the court, it is clear that what Obasanjo did is murder. It is criminality, a crime against humanity. The court’s pronouncement shows that Obasanjo declared war against the people he was supposed to protect. But can the call for the prosecution of the former president be sustained? ‘‘He was acting in his capacity as the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a bid to forestall the attack on the military and the total breakdown of law and order. ‘‘By virtue of the provisions of Section 308 (1) (a) & (b) of the 1999 Constitution he enjoyed executive immunity for such acts while in office, but now that he is out of office, if such acts are adjudged to be criminal in nature, he can be prosecuted after the criminal machinery is deployed, starting with investigation which entails collation of information in other to establish criminal culpability. ‘‘Should the current administration tow this path, it will be viewed as political vendetta in view of the societal perception of the altercation and the divergence of views between the present administration and Obasanjo in the handling of the myriad of violence and security

challenges threatening the corporate existence of the nation and its people. ‘‘It behoves on the present and prospective leaders to learn that the culture of impunity can no longer be condoned. They cannot act callously and get away with it anymore. ‘‘As the custodian of Law and Order, the Attorney-General should take swift actions to ensure that the judgment debt is paid as quickly as possible. It is expected that this government should be responsive enough to comply with this judgment by paying the judgment debt as quickly as possible more so as it has always shown that it believes in the rule of law and has vowed to obey orders and judgments of Courts. ‘‘Judgments once delivered become enforceable against anybody including the government, Federal or State in the absence of an appeal against it. Where the judgment is for payment of money as in this case, the procedure for its enforcement is straightforward and entails writing formally to seek the consent and corporation of the Attorney-General who in turn either directs that the amount awarded be paid or where he thinks fit, direct that an appeal be filed against the judgment. ‘‘An appeal against the judgment as presently constituted particularly against the background of the pronouncement of His Lordship Justice Akanbi, will be viewed as government’s insensitivity to the plight and wanton destruction of lives and properties of its own citizens whose lives and properties it is constitutionally bound to safeguard and protect,’’ Quakers said.

Agbaje stated that Obasanjo was liable for criminal sanctions by the ICC as the Rome State punishes act of genocide irrespective of the time of commission.

He said: ‘‘I do accept the fact that the ICC law is not a retrospective law. It is a law with its own commencement day which was specifically enacted to check acts of genocide by ruling heads of state. ‘‘The intention generally, is to punish head of states who commit act of genocide irrespective of when the act was committed. The Statute has been invoked even in cases where genocide was committed before the enactment of the law. That was what the ICC did in the case of former Chilli President, Augustine Pinoche as well as Charles Taylor. ‘‘In further elaboration is that nothing in our domestic law, including Section 308 of our constitution can override any international treaty to which Nigeria is a signatory, especially the Rome Statute. ‘‘Therefore, any claim by Obasanjo that he is exempted from the application of that law by virtue of 308 is not only untenable but

flies in defence of the very intendment of the law outlawing genocide. Such an argument was put up in Pinoche’s case but the ICC rejected it. ‘‘You cannot rely on immunity provided under our domestic constitution to avoid criminal responsibilities and sanctions under the ICC law. Because of their heinousness and magnitude, crimes against humanity constitute an egregious attack on human dignity, on the very notion of humaneness. As a jus cogens crime, they carry an obligation under international law on the part of states to prosecute or extradite perpetrators found within their borders regardless of where the crime was committed or who the immediate victims were.’’

Ogwemoh said: “The Odi massacre smack of an act of executive recklessness of the President Obasanjo regime and it has been rightly condemned by the judgment of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. If the present Federal Government has any reason or ground to challenge the judgment, they can proceed to appeal against it. This is why the appellate courts have been established in the hierarchy of courts in Nigeria and all over the world.”

Emeka said he did not understand why a government would wage an internal war against its own people and in peace time.

His words: “It’s a typical case of Rule of Law prevailing over the Rule of Man. The former president was still gleefully celebrating the invasion and destruction of lives and property the other day as his panacea to militancy in Niger Delta, literally advocating the same style for Boko Haram States. You heard President Jonathan reply him that as Deputy Governor he went to Odi with Governor Diepreye Alamieseigha and that no militant was killed by Obasanjo’s troops, only women, children and old people!

“Please the judgment is welcome as deterrent on excessive use of State power. It doesn’t matter if previous victims take a cue as someone argued. That’s what the Courts are there for, to hold the balance between the oppressed and the oppressor!

“If the Federal Government cannot pay the judgment sum, or is concerned about the wrong people being enriched, it can enter into negotiation with the victims of war in Odi. A small assessment committee can be set up to ascertain the real victims, those wounded, those whose relations were killed and those whose houses were destroyed by the invading army and adequately compensate them to put the past behind. This will be easy since it’s the president’s brothers and sisters involved. Justice Lambo Akanbi’s judgment for reparation in Odi is the strongest statement this year against the Rule of Man, illegal use of force and abuse of State power.”

36

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

LEGAL OPINION

Importance of drafting legislation

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RAFTING Legislation in Ni geria: Constitutional Im perative is a book by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIAL), which attempts to examine the intricacies involved in the drafting of legislation in Nigeria, specifically in relation to the Constitution and its provisions.

The first Chapter of the book entitled Constitution as Organic Law, written by Adegoke A. Olarenwaju. It starts by a detailed exploration of the emergence of modern Constitution and what he considers the features of any Constitution which are basic irrespective of the form in which Constitution exists. An impressive exposé is made of the Constitutions of the United States, Britain, Canada and Nigeria, emphasising unique features of such constitutions.

In Chapter Two, Kafayat Quadiri writes on Supremacy of the Constitution and Drafting in a Constitutional Context. She considers the topic from the angle of sensitizing the mind of the drafter in ensuring that laws are made in accordance with constitutional provisions and in doing so, she highlights salient constitutional provisions which a drafter must be familiar with in other to draft compliant legislations. She however seems to have raised some interesting points in her recommendations such as the issue of a sovereign national conference, which unfortunately were not elaborated upon.

The expression “subject to” is a common legislative drafting term meant to define the relationship between two important provisions. David Oluwagbami’s chapter on Subject to the Constitution, considers the use of the expression “subject to” in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, after revealing that the expression had appeared in at least forty provisions of the Constitution.

Schedules to the Constitution as aids to Drafting, written by Uchechukwu Ngwaba is the fourth Chapter in the book. Legislative drafting is a technical endeavour as such; even professional draftsmen draw on a lot of influences as aids to achieving coherent and cohesive drafts. In this chapter, the writer considers the importance of Schedules contained in Constitution, to a draftsman. A general discussion on Schedules and their importance in any legislative document precedes a consideration of the general schemes of schedules as contained in the Constitution.

With the world being a global village and some form of relationships, (be it political, social or economic) existing amongst different jurisdictions, the likelihood of one jurisdiction influencing the laws, institutions and policies of another cannot be denied. In fact, Alan Watson in his book “Legal Origins and Legal Change” identified jurisdictions borrowing policy and legal solutions as the most common form of legal change. The term “legal transplant” indicates the moving of a system of law from one country to another. Transplantation in Drafting Legislation, the Fifth Chapter in the book is written by Ngozi Udombana. In this chapter, she examines the concept of legislative transplantation and the critical issues surrounding it.

An identification of the rationale for legal transplantation causes the writer to consider the debate and views of various scholars as to the circumstances, conditions and requirement for such transplantation. Her thorough analysis of the concept and her thoughts on Constitutional imperatives in legislative transplantation in Nigeria makes the chapter stand out in a class of its own and a definite must read.

BOOK REVIEW Book Title: Number of Pages: Number of Chapters: Name of Reviewer: Authors:

Drafting Legislation in Nigeria: Constitutional Imperatives: (Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies: 2012) 480 19 Osatohanmwen O.A Eruaga (Mrs) Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) & Ngozi Udombana (ed.)

The next chapter on Conventions vs. Constitution, written by Chukwuemeka Castro Nwabuzor focuses on the introduction of International laws into the Nigerian legal jurisprudence and more importantly, the question of at what point treaties and conventions become sources of law in Nigeria as well as the status of domesticated treaties in the hierarchy of laws in Nigeria. In identifying that treaties are sources of obligation rather than sources of law, the writer quickly admonishes the reader that his statement is not meant to relegate treaties to the background as in practice, they remain and are increasingly important sources of a State’s rights and duties in the international community. His discussions on the status of treaties in the Nigerian Legal order reveals that the Country embraced the dualist position which argues that international law regulates the relationship between states and other subjects of international law while national law on the other hand applies domestically and regulates the relationship of citizens with each other and with the executive and as such, the Constitution specifically in section 12 provides that no treaty can have the force of law unless and until enacted into law by the National Assembly. The writer notes that while treaties which have been domesticated are regarded as inferior to the Nigerian Constitution, the decision of the court in Abacha v. Fawehenmi is to the effect that domesticated treaties have a higher authority than other national laws. Nwabuzor’s chapter also makes reference to the Nigerian Treaties (Making Procedure, etc) Act of 1993 which provides for treaty making procedures to reside in the executive and a short, albeit thought provoking discussion on the issue of involving the legislature in treaty making process. The Chapter provokes the reader’s thought on the opinion of the writer positing that the legislature should be involved at the agreement stage of treaties so there can be commitment to treaties entered into by domestication.

Chapter Seven of the book written by Nnenna Joy Uche-Eboh titled Constitution and Statutory Instruments examines the position of statutory instruments which are derivable from the powers conferred by an Act or law, viz-a-viz the Constitution. The writer rightly posits that all times, the Constitution is regarded as supreme and the contents of any statutory instrument cannot contravene the provisions of the Constitution. The writer, using case law, attempts an analysis of what the courts have said about the need for regulations or orders to conform with the provisions of the Constitution and the effect on statutory instrument where it contravenes any provision of the Constitution. The writer’s analysis however are not in-depth and thorough and portrays her knowledge of the subject as superficial In Chapter Eight, Emmanuel Anyaegbunam’s Legislative Federalism: the Evolving trends, attempts to deal with the topic through an examination of the evolving trends in the definition of federalism, climaxing in the current posture of functional cooperative federalism.

Nigeria’s legislative federalism experience particularly in relation to the doctrine of covering the

field, which exposes its unitary/ centralised tendencies are also discussed. The writer ultimately proffers robust Constitutional reforms that would aid legislative federalism.

Chapter Nine, entitled Nigerianisation of Legislative Drafting, written by Peter Anyebe, provides an overview of the drafting and legislative process in Nigeria. The writer discharges his literary obligation by a consideration of the historical background of legislation in general before reviewing the history of legislative drafting in Nigeria, vital points to be considered in drafting legislations, drafting process as well as initiating bills in Nigeria.

In Chapter ten, Felicia Eimunjeze tackles the topic The Art of Legislation. Her 26 paged chapter excellently explores the art of legislative drafting by an in-depth examination of the stages of drafting and appropriate techniques employed in drafting.

Chapter Eleven is entitled The Process of Constitutional Amendment in Nigeria and is written by S.O Imhanobe. The writer tackles the topic by first considering the history of Constitutional amendment in pre and post independent Nigeria and bringing to limelight, the important milestones and challenges in Nigeria’s journey of providing an acceptable Constitution.

He then uses this historical background to set the tone for the discussion on the alterations of the 1999 Constitutional provisions and the role of the legislative drafter in the process of amendment.

In Chapter Twelve entitled Modern Approach to Contextual Drafting, Laura Ani attributes identified stunted growth in the development of legislative drafting in Nigeria to the continuous attachment of draftsmen to the style of drafting, reminiscent of our colonial past.

She aligns herself with the school of thought that propagates plain English devoid of archaic influences which would aid the creation of clear unambiguous laws.

Chapter Thirteen, titled Legislative Studies in Nigeria is written Onyinyechi Lilian Uche. The writer traces the evolution of legislative studies in Nigeria and examines the process of passing legislations both in the State and National Assembly In Chapter Fourteen, Enuma Moneke writes on Legislating Justiciability Provisions. In this chapter, she advocates the need for legislature and the judiciary to invigorate and make justiciable, the objective and directive principles contained in Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution by examining the human rights regime in Nigeria side by side what is obtainable in India and South –Africa, where the recognition of such principles as contained in the Nigerian Constitution are recognised. She encourages judicial activism pending when the directive principles would be put on equal footing as fundamental rights as is the case in South Africa.

Osatohanmwen O. Eruaga in Chapter Fifteen of the book, titled Enforcement of Human Rights through Legislation in Nigeria, considers and answers in the affirmative, the question of whether human rights can be said to be enforceable through legislation? She bases her argument on

the fact that Constitutional embodiment of Human rights and legislations relating to specific aspects of human rights are necessary first steps that bring about the applicable human rights provisions in Nigeria.

Chapter Sixteen, titled Legislative Ethics and Law Reform is written by Wahab Shittu. In this chapter, the writer focuses on concept of legislative ethics on Nigeria and his comparative analysis of legislative ethics in other jurisdictions such as Canada, United States, France, India, South Africa and Australia brought to limelight the shortcomings in legislative ethics in Nigeria. However, the writer did not make a very satisfactory attempt in discussing the entire subject matter of the chapter as his chapter lacked a discussion of the necessary connection to be made between legislative ethics and law reform.

Chapter Seventeen titled Legislation and Social Engineering, written by Suzzie Onyeka Ofuani, examines the role of legislations as a means of social engineering.

She posits that law through the instrumentality of legislation is the propeller for any form of development and the Constitution empowers the legislature whose role is to champion legislation, to enact, amend or repeal laws as the case may be. She then goes ahead to consider recent legislations which have been enacted to consciously foster socioeconomic growth and development.

In Chapter Eighteen titled Drafting Domestication of Treaty Bill, written by Vivian Madu, she examines the treaty making and domestication process in Nigeria, positing rightly that no convention or treaty can be a source of rights and obligation in Nigeria if it is not domesticated, despite the fact that it has been ratified.

Adejoke Adediran’s Constitutionality of Legislation is the last chapter of the book, explores the position of the Judiciary in the relationship between the Constitution and other legislations enacted. She focuses on specific declarations of unconstitutionality by of provisions of various

legislations by the courts but not without laying proper foundation as to the position of the Constitution and other legislations.

General Comments: The 480- page book is divided into Nineteen chapters each written by individual writers and edited by Professor Epiphany Azinge SAN (Director-General of the Institute) and Mrs. Ngozi Udombana. The Chapter titles in the book reflect a well thought out plan to thoroughly explore the subject matter of the Constitutional Imperative involved in drafting legislations.

The authors of the various chapters employ the use of narrative, argumentative, analytical and expository methodologies and the arguments presented were sound in both logic and reasoning, worthy of commendation. The academic content of the book is greatly enhanced by references made to the legal systems of other countries. Although two chapters lacked in depth discussions on the titles assigned, other chapters made up for their deficiency by the sheer brilliance with which they were addressed.

The chapter progression and arrangement contributes immensely to ensuring the reader understands the subject matter as it progress from what appears to be the most basic requirement for understanding the subject matter of the book to other more intellectually challenging areas.

The typographical errors notwithstanding, the book is compellingly exhaustive of the subject matter of constitutional imperatives in legislative drafting thus making any draftsman and lawmaking individual who hasn’t read and re-read it, technically and academically malnourished.

Recommendation This is a very enlightening piece suitable for a study on legislative drafting and its technical intricacies, legisprudence and Constitutional law. It is a resource material for academics, lawyers, students and all lovers of knowledge.

It is suitable for persons interested in learning the technicalities involved in drafting laws as well as members of the legislature, involved in making legislations.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

37

LAW & SOCIETY Nuclear experts have called for stricter regulation of radioactive sources to guarantee safety and security. They also want nuclear laws to be strengthened, beginning with the passage of a bill on its safety into an Act. JOSEPH JIBUEZE reports.

Wanted: New laws on nuclear technology applications

N

UCLEAR materials can be put to both positive and negative uses, but to guarantee safety in application, experts have called for a strengthening of the legal framework.

Speakers at the “Third Training Course on Nuclear Law and Regulation in Nigeria,” organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in Lagos last week, also sought stricter regulation.

Leading the discussion was Acting Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) Dr Martin Ogharandukun, who spoke on “Application of nuclear technology in Nigeria.”

He said the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act (Act), passed in 1995, provides the legal basis for nuclear safety and radiological protection regulation.

The NNRA, set up in 2001, ensures the right application of nuclear technology in Nigeria through regulation, he said.

On areas of application, Ogharandukun said radioactive sources, nuclear material and sources of ionizing radiation are widely used in various sectors of the economy, such as the petroleum industry, health sector, mining, manufacturing, construction, agriculture and water resources, security and in education and research; amongst others.

In the health sector, he said it is applied in the form nuclear medicine, such as radiotherapy, a cancer treatment that uses concentrated radiation beams to kill cancer cells.

“There are approximately 100 different nuclear medicine procedures available today,” Ogharandukun said.

According to him, as at last year, the NNRA database had 2,181 facilities which it regulates.

Besides, it issues licenses for diagnostic radiology, sale and distribution nuclear materials, reactor operators, nuclear medicine, gamma irradiation, radiotherapy, small accelerators, industrial radiography, power reactor, radioactive waste, among others.

Preventing abuse through laws NNRA Principal Legal Officer John Adamu said despite the beneficial effects of nuclear technol-

ogy, there are the attendant risks of damage to health, property and the environment.

According to him, behind the peaceful uses of these nuclear sources lies the potential for malevolent uses by non-state actors.

“These reasons perhaps have made the nuclear field the most highly regulated field the world over with the transportation of sources posing the weakest link,” he said.

Adamu said there is therefore need for improved capabilities in identification and detection of dangerous nuclear materials at the ports, the need to designate more ports of entry, and procurement of more detection devices.

He further recommended the construction of storage facilities at ports, improved funding, continuous development of manpower, meeting safeguards requirements and enhancing independence of regulatory decisions.

According to him, completion of the National Inventory of Sources, improvement of the authorisation programme, appropriate training of officials, completion of the National Radiation Emergency Response Plan (NERP) and integrating it into the National Emergency Response Plan would further boost nuclear security in Nigeria.

Further legislative development is needed through the passage of the Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards Bill into law, he said.

NNRA’s Director or Authorisation and Enforcement Dr Yau Idris said apart from the Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards Bill pending before the National Assembly, a draft Medical Physicists Bill has passed second reading.

He said another proposed law, the Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Bill, would soon be sent to the National Assembly for consideration and promulgation into an Act. NNRA, he said, applies a strict application and authorisation procedure for handling of nuclear materials.

However, he said safety and security especially in the import and export of radioactive sources is further guaranteed by a close working relationship between the agency and other law enforcement agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, the Police, Nigeria

• Prof Edwin Nwogugu and Prof Owasanoye represnting Prof Azinge (SAN)

• Dr Ogharandukun

• NIALS Secretary James Bathnna and Acting Librarian Enem Uwem

Immigration Service and the Department of State Security Services, amongst others.

“The NNRA has also put in place a system of control of practices and radioactive sources called the Regulatory Authority Information System (RAIS) to improve the control of radioactive sources and to provide information concerning their actual location at any time,” he said.

Speaking on “International Legal Framework for Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards” a Deputy Director at NNRA Nasiru-Deen Bello, said the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), adopted in Vienna, Austria on June 17, 1994, was ratified by Nigeria on April 4, 2007 having come into force on October 24, 1996.

Its objectives, he said, are to achieve and maintain a high level of nuclear safety worldwide, to establish and maintain effective defenses in nuclear installations against potential radiological hazards, and to prevent accidents hav-

ing radiological consequences.

The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which Bello said was signed at Vienna and at New York on March 3, 1980, which Nigeria subscribed to, lists nuclear offences under Article 7.

They include an act without lawful authority which constitutes the receipt, possession, use, transfer, alteration, disposal or dispersal of nuclear material and which causes or is likely to cause death or serious injury to any person or substantial damage to property; a theft or robbery of nuclear material or a fraudulent obtaining of nuclear material.

They also involve an act constituting a demand for nuclear material by threat or use of force or by any other form of intimidation; to use nuclear material to cause death or serious injury to any person or substantial property damage, or to compel a natural or legal person, international organisation or State to do or to refrain from doing any

act.

The convention provides that a state party in whose territory the alleged offender is present shall take appropriate measures, including detention, under its national law to ensure his presence for the purpose of prosecution or extradition, Bello said.

According to him, the probability of “sabotage” (deliberate act directed against a nuclear facility or nuclear material in use, storage or transport which could directly or indirectly endanger the health and safety of personnel, the public or the environment by exposure to radiation or release of radioactive substances) calls for more responsibility from all stakeholders.

NIALS Director-General, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), represented

by Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, said the course was organised to build stakeholders’ capacity in the area of nuclear law and regulation.

The institute, he said, recognises that proper application of nuclear science in various sectors would propel Nigeria on the path of development.

‘Covenant University committed to inmates’ transformation’

P

ARTNERS of the Life Recov ery Pre-Release Empower ment Programme a.k.a ‘The Onesimum Project’ were at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State to felicitate with the new Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Korede Ayo, on his appointment.

Speaking on behalf of the partners, Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Benson Ngozi Iwuagwu, extolled the visionary ethos of Covenant University, not only through its yearly release of great Eagles but its technological drive through the discovery series; in particular, he noted the University’s commitment to ‘the Onesimus Project’, a crime curtailment and human capital development tool, which seeks through mentoring, psychoanalytical guidance and counseling as well as entrepreneurial and vocational training to aid the re-

entry and re-integration of prison inmates back into productive socio-economic life, reduce recidivism and improve security of lives and property.

Responding, Prof Ayo, who led his Management team, Registrar Ntia, Ubong J., Deputy Vice Chancellor [Academics], Prof. A. A. A. Atayero and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof.

Taiwo Olubunmi Abioye, among others, thanked the Onesimus Partners, (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Prison Fellowship and Nigeria Prison Service] for finding time to pay a courtesy call.

Quoting Dr. David Oyedepo,Chancellor of Covenant University,Prof. Ayo said, “success in life is not in the amount of wealth amassed but on the number of lives touched.”

• From left: DCP Aliyu, DVC, Prof Abioye; ED, PF Nigeria, Benson; CU VC, Prof Charles Ayo, Akin Fisher (SMEDAN) and Registrar of CU, Ntia Ubong.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

38

LAW REPORT

In a charge of murder, prosecution must prove cause of death IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA HOLDEN AT ABUJA ON FRIDAY THE 1ST JUNE, 2012 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS SC. 12/2009, 2012 W. S. N. ONNOGHEN ….JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD ….JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT OLUFUNLOLA OYELOLA ADEKEYE…..….JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT MARY UKAEGO PETER-ODILI ….JUSTICE SUPREME COURT OLUKAYODE ARIWOOLA ….JUSTICE SUPREME COURT BETWEEN SABINA CHIKAODI MADU …....APPELLANT AND THE STATE …..RESPONDENT (Judgment Delivered by Olukayode Ariwoola, JSC)

T

HE appeal was against the decision of the Court of Appeal; Port Harcourt Division delivered on November 30, 2006 affirming the conviction and sentence of the appellant to death for the murder of the deceased, Nnenna Nwosu by the Abia State High Court.

Nnenna was discovered dead inside the septic tank in the premises where the appellant and the 2nd accused who had become deceased resided at No.17, Powerline. The deceased Nnenna was living with her family at No.16 Power line, Abayi, Ariaria.

The appellant was charged with the murder of the said Nnenna Nwosu on two counts.

The case proceeded to trial. At the end, the court convicted the appellant and the deceased, 2nd accused person for the murder of Nnenna Nwosu and consequently sentenced them to death. The 2nd convict had died shortly after he was convicted and sentenced.

Aggrieved by the judgment of the trial court, the appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division. The Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction and sentence of the appellant to death for the murder of the deceased, Nnenna Nwosu. The appeal was consequently dismissed.

Further aggrieved, the appellant appealed to the Supreme Court and identified five issues for determination, amongst which were whether the lower court was right when it upheld the conviction and sentence of the appellant by the trial High Court, when the arraignment of the appellant did not comply with the mandatory provisions of Section 36 (6) (a) of the Constitution of the Fed-

eral Republic of Nigeria 1999 and Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963 as applicable to Abia State.

The court itemized the three conditions under which an accused can be arraigned, including, (a) the accused must be placed before the court unfettered unless the court shall see cause otherwise to order. (b) The charge or information shall be read over and explained to the accused to the satisfaction of the court by the Registrar or other officer of the court; and (c) The accused shall then be called upon to plead thereto unless of course, there exists any valid reason to do otherwise such as objection to want of service where the accused is entitled by law to service of a copy of the information and the court is satisfied that he has in fact not been duly served therewith. On this, the Supreme Court cited the cases of OGUNIYE v THE STATE (1999) 5 NWLR (Pt.604) 548 at 565; and IDEMUDIA v THE STATE (1999) 7 NWLR (Pt. 610) 202.

The Supreme Court found and noted that there was nothing on record to dispute the fact that the trial court complied with the mandatory requirement of the Constitution and the Law. That the appellant was arraigned before the trial court unfettered, the charge was duly read and explained to the appellant and she was called upon by the court to plead to the charge, to which she accordingly pleaded and was so recorded.

Appellant’s counsel referred to Section 36 (6) of the 1999 Constitution and submitted that the trial of the appellant did not comply with the requirement of the law; hence it was in breach of the appellant’s right to fair

hearing rendering the proceedings null and void. He cited several other cases, including SUNDAY KAJUBO v STATE (1988) NWLR (Pt.73) 721 at 732; Ere KANURE v STATE (1993) 5 NWLR (Pt.294) 385 and ANYAKORA v OBIAKOR (2005) 5 NWLR (Pt.919) 507 at 532-533.

He contended that it could be reasonably presumed that the charge was read and interpreted to the appellant in English Language, being the official language of the court, but not her native language which is Igbo. He submitted that failure to record the language in which the charge was read and interpreted had vitiated the entire trial and conviction of the appellant by the trial court.Respondent’s counsel referred to the proceedings of the trial court on March 2, 2003 when the plea of the appellant was taken upon her arraignment with the 2nd accused person. He indicated that the record showed that the charge on information was read and explained to both accused and each of them pleaded ‘Not guilty’ respectively.

He contended that the complaint of the appellant was not that she was placed before the trial court fettered, neither was it that she was not called upon to plead, rather her complaint was that it appeared that the charge or information was not read over and explained to the accused in the language she understands.

He further submitted that the appellant and the co-accused were represented by their respective counsel before the trial Judge.

That both counsel participated in the trial from the beginning to the end without any complaint or objection from either of the counsel. Whereas, it was the appellant’s duty or that of her counsel to have objected to the proceedings if she had any complaint. That not having done so at the trial court, it was too late to do so at the Supreme Court. He cited; FRANCIS DURWODE v THE STATE (1997) 1 NWLR (Pt.482) 306 at 402.

On Issue No.2, whether the appellant was denied fair hearing by the fact that the PW1, PW2, DWl and DW2 testified in Igbo Language at the trial court respondent’s counsel alluded to various decisions of the Supreme Court and court below on the meaning of “fair hearing”. They include OLORUNTOBA-OJU v ABDULRAHEEM (2009) 13 NWLR (Pt.1157) 83 at 142; AMAMCHUKWU v FRN (2009) 8 NWLR (Pt.1144) 475 at 486-487; A-G OF KWARA STATE v ABOLAJI (2000) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1139) 199.

It was submitted further that there was no evidence on record that the appellant did not understand Igbo or English Language.

On the doctrine of “last seen” which means, in effect, that the law presumes that the person last seen with the deceased bears full responsibility for his death if it turns out

that the person last seen with him is dead.

He relied on IGABELE v THE STATE (2006) 139 LRCN 1831; NWAEZE v STATE (1996) 2 SCNJ 41-61; GABRIEL v STATE (1989) 3 NWLR (Pt.122) 457.

The Supreme Court considered the respective issues for determination formulated and argued by both the appellant and.

It found that there was nothing on record to dispute the fact that the trial court complied with the mandatory requirement of the Constitution and the Law. That the appellant was arraigned before the trial court unfettered, the charge was duly read and explained to the appellant and she was called upon by the court to plead to the charge, to which she accordingly pleaded and was so recorded.

It held that ‘It is trite law, that in a charge of murder, the burden is on the prosecution to prove that the deceased died, that the death was caused by the accused; that the accused intended to either kill the victim or grievously harm him.’ That ‘In other words, in a murder charge, prosecution owes it a duty to discharge by proving the death of victim, responsibility of accused by act or omission, intentional act or omission of the accused with knowledge that it could cause grievous bodily harm or death.’

On the issue of “The last seen theory”, it held that ‘This comes into play when the time gap between the point of time when the accused and the deceased were last seen alive and the deceased is found dead is so small that possibility of any person other than the accused being the author of the crime becomes impossible.”

In conclusion, his Lordship said of the appellant, ‘Now, to the person and attitude of the appellant. I must say that the appellant did not show that she is a mother herself who has children. Her behaviour as rightly found by the trial court, portrayed her as an embarrassingly callous woman who cannot be entrusted with anything, much more, a human being. She is simply a disgrace and disappointment to motherhood. Her cruelty is simply animalistic, to say the least. She is not fit to live in the community of man. In my view, she was rightly convicted and sentenced by the trial court and the decision was correctly affirmed by the court below.’

In the final analysis, the appeal was dismissed and the decisions of the two courts below on the conviction and sentence of the appellant to death for the murder of Nnenna Nwosu were affirmed.

Kemasuode Wodu, for the appellant.

Kalu Umeh, Attorney-General of Abia State, with him, Val Offia, N. N. Akinsola (Mrs.), Assistant Director, Civil Litigation, I. C. Omokwe (Mrs.), Chief State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Abia State, for the respondent.

AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF NBA NEC MEETING IN MAKURDI

• Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam (middle) with some members of NBA at the opening ceremony of their NEC meeting in Makurdi last week.

• From left: 2nd Vice President, NBA, Steve Abar; Treasurer Joyce Oduah and 3rd Vice President, Francis Ekwere.

• From left: Chairman, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Otunba Dele Oye; former General Secretary, NBA, Ibrahim Eddy Mark and Attorney-General and Commisioner for Justice, Benue State, Alex Odum.

•DOC. Ezeigwe and Director, Membership and Bar Services, NBA, Adaeze Ibechie

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

39

ABUJA REVIEW NEWS

•From left: Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi; Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Abdul’kadir Inuwa; Minister of Labour, Chukwuemeka Wogu; •From left: Abia State Governor Theodore Orji; his Niger State counterpart, Dr Director- General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Emeka Ezeh and Secretary to the Babangida Aliyu and Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako at the National Execu- Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim at the Federal Executive Council meeting PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN tive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa

•Clerk, House of Representatives, Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori (middle) after his decoration as the Liroma Ebira at Azad Palace, Okene. With him are Ohinoyi of Ebira, His Majesty, Dr Ado Ibrahim Atta (left) and Sarki Hausawa of Ebira land Alhaji Baba Yusuf Salah.

•From left: Representative of Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. A. I. Muraina; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Adeola; members of the committee, Pally Iriase; Karimi Sunday and Hon. Samuel Adejare during the Army response to audit report at the National Assembly

•From left: Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortom; Ijaw Leader, Edwin Clark and Chairman, Board of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Grace Clark at the inauguration of members in Abuja

•From left: Public Affairs Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN), Clement Iloba; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu; Project Coordinator, JBN, Olu Mustapha; Manager, Industrial Gas and Oil ( IGO), Peer Lubash during the exhibition tour at the ongoing Oil and Gas Conference

•From left: Chairman, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, Dr A.B.C. Orjiakor; Managing Director, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mr Austin Avuru; Chair•From left: Senator Chris Anyanwu; Chief Andel Okoli and Director-General, Nigeria man, Presidential Task Force on Power, Dagogo Jack and Chairman, Senate Committee on PrivaTourism Development Corporation, Otunba Segun Runsewe at the 10th anniversary tisation, Senator Gbenga Obadara at the signing of Transaction and Industry Agreements for public lecture of SUN Newspaper PHCN successor companies PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08138168825

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

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1.Magistrate (4)

3. Squalid District (4) 7. Insect (3) 8. Sailor (3) 9. Gave Food (3) 11. Acid Salt (7) 13. Recede (3) 15. Sphere (3) 17. Fuss (4) 18. Intense (4) 19. Discard (4)

2.Decay (3) 4. Allow (3) 5. Horse (4) 6. Shake (7) 9. Enemy (3) 10. Wipe (3) 12. Still Water (4) 14. Blinder (4) 16. Gathering (3) 17. Ruins (3)

SCRAMBLEWORD Unscramble the word below to reveal an 11-letter word with meaning

RAINTIOSPIN SUDOKU

Fill in the missing numbers in the grid to ensure that every row, column and 2 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 6

Sands of Time Born Richard Little Richard Wayne Penniman

on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, Little Richard was the third of 12 children.

His father, Bud, was a stern man who made his living selling moonshine and didn’t do much to hide his disdain for his son’s early signs of homosexuality.

At the age of 13 Richard was ordered to move out of the family home. Richard’s relationship with his father was never repaired. When Richard was 19, his father was shot dead outside a local bar.

The childhood that Richard did manage to have was largely shaped by the church. Two of his uncles as well as his grandfather were preachers, and Richard was involved with the church as much as anyone in his family, singing gospel and eventually learning to play the piano.

Upon moving out of his family’s home, Richard was taken in by a white family who owned a club in Macon, where Richard eventually began performing and honing his talent.In 1951 Richard caught his first major break when a performance at an Atlanta radio station yielded a record contract with RCA. But with a repertoire of mainly mild blues numbers that masked the searing vocals and piano that would come to define his rock music, Richard’s career failed to take off as he hoped it would.In 1955 Richard hooked up with Specialty Records producer Art Rupe, who’d been hunting around for a piano-pounding front man to lead a group of musicians in New Orleans. In September, Richard stepped into the recording studio and pumped out “Tutti-Frutti,” an instant Billboard hit that reached No. 17.

Richard’s success didn’t stop there. Over the next year and a half, he churned out several more rock hits, including “Long Tall Sally,” “Good Golly Miss Molly” and “Send Me Some Lovin’.” With his blood-pumping piano playing and suggestive lyrics, Little Richard, along with the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, established rock as a real musical form and inspired others, most notably the Beatles, to make a go of it. In addition to his records, Little Richard appeared in several early rock films, such as Don’t Knock the Rock (1956), The Girl Can’t Help It (1957) and Mister Rock ‘n’ Roll (1957).

In 1957 he abruptly and publicly quit performing rock and committed himself to the ministry and recording gospel songs. He recorded his debut religious album, God Is Real, in 1959 but In 1964, he plunged back into rock music.

Pep Talk

Behind the WEIRD Phrase SIMPLY Halcyon days: Calm, peaceful days.

The Halcyon is a bird of Greek legend and the name is now commonly given to the European Kingfisher. The ancients believed that the bird made a floating nest in the Aegean Sea and had the power to calm the waves while brooding her eggs.

Fourteen days of calm weather were to be expected when the Halcyon was nesting - around the winter solstice, usually 21st or 22nd of December. The Halcyon days are generally regarded as beginning on the 14th or 15th of December.

The source of the belief in the bird’s power to calm the sea originated in a myth recorded by Ovid. The story goes that Aeolus, the ruler of the winds, had a daughter named Alcyone, who was married to Ceyx, the king of Thessaly.

Ceyx was drowned at sea and Alcyone threw herself into the waves in a fit of grief. Instead of drowning, she was transformed into a bird and carried to her husband by the wind.

The myth came to the English-speaking world in the 14th century, when, in 1398, John Trevisa translated Bartholomew de Glanville’s De proprietatibus rerum into Middle English: “In the cliffe of a ponde of occean, Alcion, a see foule, in wynter maketh her neste and layeth egges in vii days and sittyth on brood ... seuen dayes.”

By the 16th century the phrase ‘halcyon days’ had lost its association with the nesting time of the bird and had taken on the figurative meaning of ‘calm days’. Shakespeare used the expression that way in Henry VI, Part I, 1592:

Behind The Phrase “break the ice”

(1)to relax a tense or formal atmosphere or social situation; (2) to make a start on some endeavor.

This came into general use, in sense (1), in English through Lord Byron’s “Don Juan” (1823) in the lines: And your cold people [the British] are beyond all price, When once you’ve broken their confounded ice.

The ice in question is metaphorically that on a river or lake in early spring. To break the ice would be to allow boats to pass, marking the beginning of the season’s activity after the winter freeze. In this way, this expression has been connected to the start of enterprise for abour 400 years.

Wordlink Puzzle The names of cars have been hidden in each of the sentences below. You are required to the consecutive link words that spell each car. An example has been given of the first sentence.

1.

Professor Toyo talked extensively on AIDS (TOYOTA)

2. James could die for Dorothy 3. Manis sanctioned Steven after he was caught 4. The song that Moses and Sadat sung was a medley 5. Elymaz dared to ask for what he knew he couldn’t have 6.

The Marathon day has been shifted

7.

The scrolls Royce made for Mary’s party were beautiful

8.

I will laud Idara if she decides to enter the spelling bee

Tongue Twisters How fast can you say these tongue twisting words repeatedly?

1. She sells seashells by the seashore.

2. Freshly-fried flying fish.

3. Many an anemone sees an enemy anemone.

4. Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man be perfected without trials.

- Danish Proverb

43

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The crisis-ridden All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been weakened by protracted crises, personality clashes and leadership tussles. Now, an interim chairman, Maxi Okwu, has been appointed to restore sanity to the party. Can he weather the storm? Assistant Editor AUGUSTINE AVWODE examines the challenges confronting the interim party leadership.

T

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is in a fix.

The party has been weakened by protracted crises arising from the lingering leadership tussles among its top chieftains.

As other parties prepare for the next general elections, observers fear that the APGA may not make much impact. Therefore, it may risk being deregistered, following its poor showing at the polls.

From all indications, it has been difficult to reposition the platform.

Efforts made by the concerned members to arrest the drift have been in vain. The latest effort in this direction was the appointment of Maxi Okwu as the Acting National Chairman, following the removal of Chief Victor Umeh and other members of the National Working Committee.

While unfolding his vision for the party, Okwu said that his primarily objective was to make APGA the indisputable “third leg” of the party system in the country. To achieve this, Okwu, a former national leader of the Citizens Popular Party (CPP) and the Convener of Save Enugu Group (SEG), said he would embark on the “three Rs”, which are reconciliation, rapprochement and reintegration.

But his efforts may have suffered a still-birth. One of the party chieftains he mentioned as his primary target in the “reconciliation” process that would have brought immense healing to the festering wound plaguing the party has dismissed the plan as unrealistic.

Chief Chekwas Okorie, the first national chairman of the party, who had a running legal battle with Umeh in a bid to retain his seat, until he eventually left the party last year to form the United Progressives Party (UPP), is not impressed by Okwu’s agenda.

He laughed off the suggestion, saying that the move was a mere grandstanding because nobody, for now, can claim be the leaders of APGA. “Maxi is a lawyer of many years.

Maxi and I and wrote the constitution of APGA. He was my Deputy Chairman, South. As a lawyer, we asked him to contribute his expertise, which he did. He knows that the constitution of APGA has no provision for Interim Chairman, or Acting Chairman. He knows that the Electoral Act has no provision for Interim or Acting Chairman, just as the 1999 Constitution does not make any provision for such a thing. So, in what capacity will he be coming to me? This is mere grandstanding, to make it look as if he has an agenda for the party. But, if he comes as an individual who knows my home for a very long time, I would welcome him and that is all”.

Okorie described plans to invite him back to APGA as flogging a dead horse. He said it smacked of a Nollywood show. “How can anybody say he wants to take me back to APGA? The party is dead.

I voluntarily handed over the Certificate of Registration to INEC and moved on. Today, the United Progressives Party (UPP) is doing very well. None among Maxi, Governor Obi or Menakaya can look me in the face and say come back to APGA. Which APGA?”

• Obi

• Okorocha

• Okwu

APGA: Weakened by protracted crisis Okwu told The Nation in an interview that: “What we intend to do is to ensure that, through the three Rs, we will move APGA from its present parlous state to a level where, as a party, it will constitute the third leg of the Nigerian political life.

“Nigerian politics has been built on a tripod, since the pre- independence period. Let me concede that, if you take the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as one leg and the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC) as the second leg, APGA will be the third leg. This is my vision for now.”

Okwu said he would embark on massive reconciliation that will involve all stakeholders of the party, who for one reason or another.

“Every stakeholder who played a role in the establishment of APGA would have to be brought back. We are going to reconcile all of them, starting with Chief Chekwas Okorie.

“Then, there are some political groups and stakeholders that are very close to APGA, like the Igbo in the North, the Igbo Ezue Cultural Organisation and other important personalities who played different roles, either by spending their money, time or other resources. They are not necessarily politicians but we have to recognize them and ask them to please stick with APGA. This we will do

and move on from there. Enough of marking time,” he said.

But observers believe that there are many impediments on the way.Apart from the internal crisis rocking the party as a result of leadership squabbles, the clash of ideological leanings among the top members has also polarised the top hierarchy To return the party to the path of glory, which it used to be in its early days, Okwu would have to reconcile the warring factions in the party, who are particular about the APGA. Also, the controversy triggered by the recent disclaimer by a faction of the party, as regards the proposed merger with other progressive parties to form a mega party, ahead of the 2015 general election, should be resolved.

A chieftain of the party, Chief Celestine Dibia, questioned the status of Okwu and asked how he hopes to mend a badly damaged party without taking sides.

He reasoned that for the two governors produced by the party to belong to two different ideological platforms is a sign of disunity. “As a lawyer, I know that some things are not just possible.

The person who wants to reconcile people knows that he is not empowered to do anything of such because nobody will allow his decision to subsist, if it goes

against him because the law does not recognise him. The man who has just been sacked by the court of law is not ready to back down and those who got the judgment are not ready to give up their position.

“The major problem that is even bigger than that of the warring factions over leadership tussles is that the two governors produced by the party are going in different directions. They are men who dispense favour; they have followers and loyalists. Their conviction is more important to them.

While Governor Peter Obi thinks that APGA should remain on its own, Governor Rochas Okorocha is convinced that joining the progressives is in the best interest of the party. And somewhere along the line, their followers and loyalists have queued up behind these men. Okwu’s dream is very good, lofty and to be desired, but the world of dream is different from reality. In fact, I foresee APGA being consumed by the present crisis”, Dibia said.

Okwu may have acknowledged how far he could go when he observed that APGA constitution has no provision for an interim leadership. But, he said the ‘doctrine of necessity’ could be invocked. .

“It is not expressly stated in the party’s constitution, but as a law-

‘Nigerian politics has been built on a tripod, since the pre- independence period. Let me concede that, if you take the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as one leg and the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC) as the second leg, APGA will be the third leg. This is my vision for now’

yer, I know that, if the party is decapitated and there is no provision on what to do in such a situation, won’t we use doctrine of necessity to save the party? It happened in the country and the National Assembly used it to save the country from anarchy. It is a legal concept used to remedy situations when there are no other legal options”, he said.

In his view, the present situation in the party could be likened to an emergency situation. And given the fact that there are elections that the party would want to take part in, and so must necessarily prepare for them, the doctrine of necessity can be brought to bear on the situation. “The Doctrine of Necessity is known by all Nigerians and beyond.

There is emergence situation in APGA now that needs to be addressed and that is what we are doing now”, he added.

But Okorie disagreed with this view. He said that, with the judgment of the Enugu State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, which ordered Umeh to stop parading himself as the national chairman, APGA becomes a party without a leader and the electoral umpire in the country cannot work with any other body than a duly recognized one.

“As we speak today, APGA has no leader. And because there is no leader in the party, it is like saying APGA is no longer in existence. We can say therefore, that, for now, there is no APGA. Over time, INEC has always made it clear that it can only deal with a party leadership that emerges from the ward congress to the national convention. In other words, the leader must be elected from the ward to the local government level and the state level before going to the national level.

So, let us not talk of the doctrine of necessity when there is clear provision for what is to be done.

“Besides, you can see a trend in the party now that the two governors are not together. Look at the other parties; some have five, like in the Southwest, some have more and some three. But the common thing to them is that they always stand together. Today, as we speak, the two governors are not backing one another in terms of where the party should go. Is that not a sign that the end has come for the party? Let us continue to watch and see how things will pan out. As for me, the UPP has come to be a force to be reckoned with as we prepare for elections in Abuja in March”, he said.

Okwu is not discouraged by these constitutional limitations.

He is optimistic that the APGA will overcome its present challenges and command a large following. He said that, if its enormous potentials are harnessed, APGA can can make it be the “third leg” of Nigerian politics.

“APGA will rise again, stronger and better. The party has so much potential out there, which has not been properly harnessed. I remember how popular the party was and how large the followership used to be, particularly in the Southeast zone”.

44

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

All Emmanuel Odutola requires to live is N6 million. With the money he will undergo a kidney transplant in India. Will Nigerians bring the cost to save him? WALE ADEPOJU writes.

Don’t let me die, says man with kidney problem W

HEN Emmanuel Odutola was born, he brought joy to his family, especially his mother, who is now late.

But his story changed after tragedy struck him. Last December he was diagnosed of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

His kidney has been badly damaged.

Is this not too much for an orphan? He has been living on charity. His education was also on scholarship. But, would this situation lead to his end?

The nephrologists attending to him say he has end stage renal disease (ESRD), which is the last stage of CKD. They said he can live through it, if he undergoes a kidney transplant as soon as possible.

In his medical report, they explain one of his two kidneys had totally collapsed; the other is partially working.

He needs N6million to have a kidney transplant but how can he raise such an amount.

He doesn’t work; neither does his grandmother, Mrs Florence Balogun, who has been staying with friends when the house she rented at Ebute Metta was razed, by fire many years ago. This was why Emmanuel had to put up with friends, while on holidays.

At the moment, Emmanuel is

undergoing dialysis at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Each week he spends about #120,000 on dialysis and drugs.

Three times a week he must be under the machine to flush out waste from his system. This is quite expensive.

Mrs Balogun said the diagnosis which revealed that her grandson had ESRD was carried out at Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin, before he was referred to LUTH. To sustain this, is a problem as he had to depend on friends and neighbours for help to have a course of dialysis to remove waste products from his system.

He said a kidney transplant will remove the untold hardship once and for all.

Odutola is an old student of St Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Oke Are, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He has been shouldering the problem but his might is little.

He wants people to help him so that he can have a kidney replacement surgery in India.

His grandmother said Emmanuel was a normal young man until last December when trouble struck.

She said doctors identified uncontrolled hypertension as the cause of his condition.

Mrs Bashorun alleged that Emmanuel had been aban-

• Emmanuel during dialysis.

doned by his father’s relatives’ the Odutola’s in Ijebu Ode. According to her, the father, Sunday Odutola had died many years ago leavimg him with the mother, Mrs Kafayat Bashorun, to nurture, but she too like the father, died the day after Emmanuel finished his seminary school.

Mr Odutola urged public spirited people, government and corporate organisations to help him.

A Good Samaritan, Miranda Onyedum said Emmanuel’s family disowned him when he went to see his extended family in Ijebu Ode, adding that this had further made his health deteriorate more.

Onyedum said she thought what Emmanuel had was an ailment that would be cured once and for all but was disap-

pointed when the medical report showed ESRD. She said Emmanuel was staying with her aunt at Oshodi because her cousin was his classmate at the seminary. But on her visit to her aunt’s house last Christmas, she found that Emmanuel didn’t have a home.

He was also sick with his legs swollen and there were also patches on his body. “So my aunt, Mrs Augustina Ezike gave him money to have a malaria test but none of the laboratories was opened as it was Christmas day. But at the church the situation became clearer,” she said.

She said she arranged for some church members in Ijebu Ode to find his extended family but on seeing him, they rejected him. This was another source of worry for him and he withdrew within himself.

Onyedum said he even lost his sight and was vomiting, but after treatment he regained his vision.

She said he was a likeable young man but with bitterness in his heart because of his background and inability to reunite with his extended family.

Onyedum said he wanted the family to know that their son was in her custody but they rejected him.

She said it has been hard coping with Emmanuel, especially in emergency as she lives in Ajah.

“I gave him a room in my house but my family is worried because of his safety. They said when something bad happens to him they might read all kinds of meaning to it. And the family which he has known all these years may come forward to cause trouble,” she said.

She said: “All I want is to see Emmanuel okay again.”

An account has been opened in his name: Emmanuel Odutola: GT Bank: 0018164155. He can also be reached on 08053283932.

Association deplores killing of Kano health workers

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•Head, Pharma Sales and Marketing, May and Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr Chukuka Chukutem, presenting a plaque to Dr. Arowosegbe Ayo Seun, one of the best graduating students of the College of Medicine , University of Lagos (CMUL) 2013.

HE Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has condemned the killing of nine health workers during immunisation in Kano State.

It described the act as inhuman and barbaric.

In a statement signed by its National President, Prof Adebiyi Olowu and National Secretary, Prof Jerome Eluyan, FAN condoled with the bereived families and called on the Kano State government to compensate them.

It said: “We condemn this barbaric and inhuman act of these evil minded people. Majority of the childhood diseases and death in our country are vaccine preventable. Immunisation of children remains pivotal to the attainment of the health related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) particu-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

larly MDG 4.

“Nigeria is one of the few countries where the wild polio virus is still ravaging our children. It thus becomes disturbing that health workers that should be motivated to do this sacred job are attacked and killed with reckless abandon.”

The statement said government should as a matter of urgency do all within its power to bring the perpetrators to book.

“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Adequate security should be provided to health workers performing their legitimate duty and government at all levels should remain undaunted, resolute and committed to the immunisation of the Nigerian Child.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

46

HEALTH Govt to reduce spread of cancer

‘There is hope for children T living with autism’ T

HERE is hope for children living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition which causes delays in typical development of a child, an advocate for ASD, Mrs Idowu Olajide has said.

She said there is a need for awareness on the condition so that autistic children can get adequate treatment.

According to her, they are not useless and should not be put under lock and key in the house, like common criminals. “A lot of people don’t know what the condition is and it makes them to see it as a spiritual and (or) congenital problem.

“They are only challenged, but they have their unique qualities that can be beneficial to parents and the society at large,” she added.

Mrs Olajide, a medical laboratory scientist, said they need good schools which should be affordable and accessible.

“At the moment, most of the centres for these children are quite expensive and are beyond the reach of even the rich, not to talk about poor parents,” she said.

Mrs Olajide said one in 98 children have the condition in the United States (US) but there is no available data on the condition in Nigeria.

“But I know many of our children were born with ASD, even by the rich because children do not choose families where they will not be born into. So, they are in the house of the poor and the affluent. What is pain-

•Mrs Idowu

By Wale Adepoju

ful is that most parents prefer to lock them up in the house.

“Children with ASD are special and unique and they deserve the best because they have gifts and talents to do great things. In the US many of the can solve puzzles more than the “normal” people. Some are even good at drumming, among others,” she added.

On their food, she said, they shouldn’t take dairy food, adding casein-free and gluten-free products are okay for them.

People, she said, should not be misguided that ASD is a spiritual problem because it is not. “It is a condition, though, with no known

cause but can be managed,” she added.

Recounting the ordeal of children with ASD, she said, there was a case of a child who was alleged to have been thrown into the mortar and pounded because the parents felt the child was evil.

“There are other instances too, where parents abandon their children or take them abroad because they believe the children are standing in their way to live a fulfilled life as they are, especially, seen to affect their social status,” Mrs Olajide said.

She said people should stop the stigmitisation of children born with this condition as they have equal rights like anybody. They should be treated fairly because it is not their fault they were born that way.

“God only knows why they were born that way. People should not call them “imbecile” or “not normal” children,” she said.

On research findings, Mrs Olajide said, it has been established that ingesting the required daily dosage of folic acid can prevent the condition by expectant mothers.

On the challenges, she said, autistic children are sleepless at night and often have problem with their digestive system, which was why they often drugs that aid digestion.

She enjoined the Federal Government to make their education, food and drugs, among others cheap and accessible, so that they can be well catered for like their counterparts in Europe and the United States.

HE Federal Government is working to reduce the spread of cancer in the country.

Deputy Director, Food and Drugs Services, Ministry of Health, Mrs Abisola Akinbisehun, has said.

She spoke during a cancer screening organised by Breast Without Spot, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

According to her, the ministry in the last two years bought about 13 mammographic machines to help in the screening of breast and cervical cancer. “We also have the humanpapilomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which we have been giving and are ongoing,” she added.

The ministry, she said, is refurbishing the Federal Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Labouratory and constructing of a new company to manufacture liquid muffin at Yaba, Lagos.

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), among others, have the vaccines, she said.

President of the NGO, Mrs Ifeoma Okoye, advised Nigerians to think positively and know they are at the risk of cancer.

Lifestyle and habits, what we eat, genetics, age are all risks factors of cancer. Cancer is not a death sentence as 90 percent of it is preventable if we all go for regular medical check up and are cautious of noting and reporting every ab-

By Olatunde Odebiyi normality in our body to the medical experts, she said.

Tobacco Control Activist and Public Health Care Consultant, Dr Lanre Onigbogbi, said smoking tobacco increases one’s chances of coming down with cancer because the cigarette affects the body, be it passive smoking or the real smoking.

“Though cancer results from many other factors but it has been said that smoking increases the chances”.

General Secretary, Nigeria Society Physiotherapy and Coordinator for Movement for Health, Bakare Ummukulthoum, said cancer can be prevented through exercise. “Exercise promotes the way our system functions and also boosts our immune system.”

In her words, “Cancer has been established for several years and there is really no spelled out cure for it but, it has been found out that when we have structured prescribed exercise, it would help our immune system function better and help us prevent some diseases of which cancer is not left out. For those who already have cancer, they need to manage the impact of exercise on cancers such that it can help the person to live a better quality of life.”

Ummukulthokun noted that exercise has no dosage, it should be done in bits to get the accurate result.

‘Keep pace of health trends’

F

RESH workers employed by the Ogun State Hospitals Management Board have been asked to be abreast of new trends in health care delivery system.

This will enable them make meaningful contributions to government’s effort to render qualitative health care services to the people, Commissioner for Health Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, said in Abeokuta at a workshop for them.

He urged them to see themselves as important part of the process to accomplish the efficient health care delivery component of the “Mission to Rebuild”.

Soyinka said the workshop was put together to familiarise them with Civil Service rules and expose them to accepted ways of discharging their responsibilities.

“You see yourselves as part of

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-mustapha

the mechanism and process of government to render qualitative and efficient healthcare service to the generality of our people. As you are aware, this government places a high premium on the well-being of its residents, so you must be committed, friendly and courteous to the patients when they need your attention”, Soyinka said.

Permanent Secretary of the Board, Dr. Oyin Sodipe, praised Governor Ibikunle Amosun for approving to employ more hands into the health care sector, saying “We believe that with this kind of recruitment, more hands will join the remaining hands in our various hospitals to work. I want to congratulate the new recruits for securing job with the state government, especially now that we need more hands in our various hospitals”.

How to prevent HIV /AIDS

M •Some members of the Nigerian Red cross Society donating blood during a blood donor drive organised by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC).

PHOTO: OLATUNDE ODEBIYI

ANAGER, Project Management Team (PMT), HIV/AIDS Prevention Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Co-oporative, Mrs. Titilayo-Onu Abaraham, has identified testing as a key to the prevention of HIV/AIDS. She called on people to go for regular testing.

1 billion affected by tropical diseases globally, says Ministry

N

O fewer than one billion people are affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) worldwide, it has been learnt.

About 90 per cent of the disease burden occurs in Africa.

The country, it was learnt, still has the highest risk of NTDs in sub-Saharan Africa, with about 100 million Nigerians said to be at risk of these neglected diseases.

Among the diseases are river blindness, intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, leprosy and Guinea worm.

These diseases are considered

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

of lower profile than malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. No fewer than 35million Nigerians are said to be affected by intestinal worms and 5,000 new cases of leprosy recorded annually. In both cases, the country is rated the fourth globally, according to data from the Ministry of Health.The country also holds the highest incidence of lymphatic filariasis (78million recorded incidence)and schistosomiasis with records of 43million people while 19million people are said to be at the risk of trachoma.

Meanwhile, Nigeria made a

bold statement in its bid to tackle the diseases with the launch of a Multi-Year Master Plan in Abuja, a plan described by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has a comprehensive plan to tackle this group of diseases in a holistic and integrated manner. Already, the World Health Organisation in January 2012 passed resolutions calling for the global control, elimination and eradication of 17 NTDs. These diseases, according to Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, are a major reason why 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa cannot escape poverty.

Pate spoke at the launch of Nigeria’s NTDs multi-year master plan for the control and elimination of NTDs in Abuja.

Implementation of the master plan, he said, is expected to cost the country about $230 million over the next five years.

These diseases, he said, have continued to affect our people. “We see them being affected and turn the other way-that is why they are called neglected,” he warned, adding that they must not be allowed to continue.

He said it could not be true that attention were not paid on the said diseases as huge sum are voted yearly to tackle the diseases.

By Olatunde Odebiyi

According to her, knowing your HIV status would prevent the disease from infecting others.

Abaraham made this known at the unit’s testing, sentisisation and counselling programme for farmer’s association members in Badagry division of Lagos State.

She said HIV/AIDS can be managed, stressing that one can be positive and still look healthy like every other person.

She added that this can only be achieved if the virus is noticed early enough and the person living with the disease starts medications immediately.

PMT member, Mrs Shola Faboyode, advised the farmers to ensure they protect themselves from sexual intercourse and prevent themselves from every other thing that could make them contact the virus.

She noted that the use of sharp objects that had been infected as a way of also contacting the disease.

Faboyode identified the sharp objects to include blades, knife, needle, clippers as well as farm tools, among others.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

47

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating flared gas and supporting the development of critical infrastructure. EMEKA UGWUANYI Assistant Editor (Energy) reports

Need to optimise utilisation of flared gas

•Mrs Alison-Madueke

R

OUTINE flaring of associated gas has been a major challenge to the government and operator companies since hydrocarbon exploitation started in the country. There have been several unmet deadlines for zero-gas flaring mainly due to dearth of gasutilising infrastructure.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, while rolling out government’s plan for the oil and gas industry in the next five years, said there is a robust plan and aggressive drive to reducing flared gas.

She said the government’s plan is to reduce flared gas from the current seven per cent to two per cent in 2017, adding that when she came in as petroleum minister in 2010, 30 per cent of associated gas was being flared. This has been reduced 23 per cent now.

The minister said the ministry is implementing several initiatives aimed at optimising the use of natural gas not just for export but for domestic activities. She noted that the focus now is on gas and how to deepen domestic gas usage. She restated how the implementation of the 12-month emergency gas supply plan, which is part of the gas-to-power initiative, was able to contribute over 230 million standard cubic feet per day (scf/d) gas supply to power plants resulting in increase of generation capacity by 30 per cent to 4.2 gigawatts. She added that there is plan to increase gas supply to power plants with 450 million standard cubic feet per day to further push power genera-

tion to six gigawatts.

She said that the ripple effect of what the government plans would result in massive job creation, retention of value in-country and skills and technology transfer to Nigerians.

The minister said that the government is also committed to total rehabilitation of the refineries by bringing the original companies that built them to do the turnaround maintenance. “In the downstream subsector, there has been an improvement in the refineries’ plants. The annual average has increased from 18 per cent to 30 per cent now and capacity utilisation has increased from rather epileptic situation to a more stable and regular situation of 60 to 68 per cent at this time. The fluid catalytic cracking units in the refineries, which had been down before now are back in operation again.

“The impact of all these has been an increase in the contribution of the refineries to the supply of petroleum products to the country.

We are now supplying about 21 million litres daily from about 12 million litres and I think we are expecting that we will gradually decrease importation as turnaround maintenance comes into play and rehabilitation of the refineries begins, and also the efforts of privatisation begin to kick in as well,” she added.

The minister disclosed that the Ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources are collaborating to support the development of this critical and huge gas infrastructure through Eurobonds.

The Special Adviser to Bayelsa State Governor on Power, Engr.

Olice Dickson Kemenanabo also stated the flared gas has cost the country a lot in terms of environmental and health hazards as well as revenue losses.

He said: “Ever since Nigeria struck oil in commercial quantity at Oloibiri in Bayelsa State in 1956, gas flares have continued to be an associated part of life in the Niger Delta area. Besides the attendant environmental consequences, I be-

•N39.42tr lost to flame from Kolo Creek lieve the unharnessed gas from 1956 till now can only be imagined in terms of wealth creation and employment generation. We simply burnt away a huge chunk of both the directly accruable revenue and the regenerative potentials of that revenue.

“Kolo Creek, where the first and largest independent power project by any state government is sited, flared about 80 million standard cubic feet of gas daily from 1962 until the recent past when it was harnessed and gathered by Shell at

the Gbarain-Ubie gas gathering facility. From that time (45 years now) till the wake-up call for gas utilization, Kolo Creek alone has wasted a whooping sum of N39.42 trillion through gas venting.

“Flares from the Nun River, Adibawa, Tebidaba, Clough Creek, Beniseide,Rumukrushie, Yorla, among others, have continued to “illuminate the environment” in a poisonous way that has been unacceptable anywhere else in the world but in Nigeria. In particular, the scandalous scale of gas flar-

ing poses grievous health hazards to large human populations in the Niger Delta area. The World Bank estimates the annual volume of natural gas being flared or vented worldwide at about 110 billion cubic meters, with Africa flaring about 37bcm or 1.307 trillion standard cubic feet (TSCF) annually.

Nigeria tops the chart with about 14.9BCM, second only to Russia in volume (but not in proportionality of gas flaring to the volume of hydrocarbon production, country size or population).

“This amount of gas is capable of producing 200 trillion watt/hour of electricity that can meet power generation of the entire continent and more than twice that of SubSaharan Africa, excluding South Africa. Painfully, it is simply wasted.”

•From left: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Okaa Chris Akamnonu; Member, Presidential Task Force on Power, Chike Madueke; Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Reynolds B. Dagogo-Jack; and Assistant General Manager, Technical Services, Ikeja Disco, Abiodun Ajifowobaje, during the inspection of distribution projects in Ikeja by Dagogo-Jack

Govt inaugurates project evaluation team for NIPP

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HE Vice-President/Chairman, Board of Directors, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Namadi Sambo, has set up a special project evaluation team for the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).

Sambo has notified NIPP distribution and transmission contractors and their projects consultants, that a special project evaluation team will from March 30, this year, commence visitation to all sites with a view to assessing progress of works by the contractors and consultants.

NDPHC is the implementing agency for NIPP Programme. The essence of the team is to ensure monitoring and evaluation of progress of works in line with the commitments earlier made by the contractors at the meeting of 26

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

January, this year, in Abuja.

All distribution and transmission contractors who by the evaluators fail to convince the team of completing their respective project

by June, and December, this year, will have themselves to blame, Sambo said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has begun the process of developing a new roadmap for the sector, which will be compliant with the realities in line with the private-sector driven power sector initiative.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, who stated this, said the process of developing another roadmap- called Roadmap 2 for the power sector, has begun.

He said: “The process will review

the existing roadmap launched in 2010 to make it relevant to our times and to remove those areas that are overtaken by time. At completion of the review, we will put in place a roadmap that will be a critical wining game plan for the power sector to attain all that the country intends to have.”

He said the roadmap remains a guide to power sector reform, aimed at improving electricity supply to consumers. The roadmap, he noted, is based on vital fundamentals meant to remove obstacles to private sector investment and ensure that accelerated development of Nigeria’s electricity market is achieved.

It will also improve service delivery throughout the transmission period to ensure that the average Nigerian begins to feel the impact

of the reform, ensure seamless divestiture of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies and reform the fuel-mix-power sector, he added.

He said significant progress has been made since the initial launch of the Power Roadmap in August 2010, which includes removal of obstacles to private sector investment.

“So far, we have seen the establishment of the cost reflective tariff, establishment and operationalisation of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company, provision of Federal Government credit enhancement to the bulk trader, operationalising Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company of Nigeria and strengthening of the licensing regime of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory

Commission (NERC). This is to ensure that the commission is well equipped to act and make sure that the power sector reform is fully operationalised.

“We have seen some substantial increase in the quantum of power delivery to consumers nationwide.

We have come a long way from less than 30,00MW to over, or near 4,200MW as at the moment. We have ensured that power supply is steadier and more predictable and ensure that supply is two times the level it was in August 2012. We would have the capacity by the end of December to generate anywhere between 80,00MW to 10,000MW.” The Minister admitted that transmission remains a challenge, but assured that everything would be done to have a robust transmission system to address the issue.

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ENERGY

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How to tackle power sector challenges

PART from diversification of sources of power generation, the dearth of skilled manpower and use of technology are areas that should be given serious attention if the problems of the power sector should get sustainable solution, it was learnt.

The Special Adviser to Bayelsa State Governor on Power, Olice Dickson Kemenanabo, who was the guest lecturer at the 12th Distinguished Electrical and Electronics Engineer Annual Lecture in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State, highlighted ways to surmount the problems in the power sector.

In his paper entitled: Surmounting the obstacles to the development of a sustainable power system in Nigeria: the Techno-economic approach, he said renewable sources of energy in the country are grossly underutilised.

He noted the importance of exploring alternative sources of power generation as against the undue dependence on conventional sources such as fossil fuels for thermal power stations. He said that long before we learnt how to manipulate and control ambient energy otherwise known as alternative energy, other countries had established ways to intervene in the use of the natural energies of the sun, moving air and water to deliver the basic comforts of life.

He said: “Technologies such as sails, windmills and watermills are a few energy sources that were developed early for specific human purposes. Ambient energy, especially from the sun, is all over yet, has not been maximally developed to meet the demands of modern comfort. The obvious implication is that with the right physical infrastructure, solar energy may well suffice, with no resort to conventional energy.

“Ironically, the world’s total electricity production for the year 2008 was 20,261TWh, which represents only 11 per cent of the energy received from the sun in an hour (174,000TWh); yet, solar energy contributed only about one per cent of this total in the following ratio 0.06 per cent for solar photovoltaic and 0.04 per cent for solar thermal. The extent of inconsistency between the amount of energy from the sun and that which is utilised further leaves a lot of questions unanswered. It calls for concerted global political and technical will in revolutionising research and development in solar power utilisation.

“The other forms of ambient energy were 18 per cent, of which 92 per cent is from hydro, six per cent from wind and about two per cent from geothermal. Indeed Hydro remains one renewable energy source that has proven to be sustainable even in Nigeria. The Kainji, Shiroro and Jebba Hydro power plants are clear testimonies of the hydro-electricity success in Nigeria. However, it is instructive to note that, as long as the world has built and accumulated physical infrastructure whose performance with solar energy seems to be wilfully poor, conventional energy shall continue to be indispensable.”

Conventional energy, he explained, is usable energy in a form that can be stockpiled, transported and released in a controllable fashion when and where it is needed. The first power plants ran on both conventional and ambient energy sources, and up till date on coal, natural gas, petroleum and nuclear. Fossil fuels account for 67 percent of the world’s conventional electricity generation sources, while 13 per cent is from nuclear power. Interestingly, Nigeria has huge untouched fossil fuel resources with potentials that are capable of exporting electricity to the entire sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, the nation has continued to struggle with a number of obstacles that prevented the realisation of these important opportunities to the fullest extent. It is

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi

therefore ironical to hear the untenable story of lack of gas or any other feedstock for that matter has been the issue. Perhaps a little bit of statistics will debunk that perspective, he added.

He noted that flared gas from Nigeria is capable of producing 200 trillion hour (TW-Hr) of electricity that can meet power generation of the entire continent and more than twice that of Sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa. Painfully, it is simply wasted. He called for more utilisation of gas for power and other domestics operations and for export.

On post-privatisation power sector, he said: “In the present era, and going forward, the major challenge that may confront the energy sector is the technical management of the new regime emerging in consequence of the privatisation of the assets owned by the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) monopoly. In meeting these challenges there are several factors that must not be overlooked.

Primary among these are the question whether there will be adequate local expertise.

“In spite of what mishaps, misjudgements, bashing, blackmails and setbacks they have suffered individually, collectively or institutionally, one thing I know for sure is that the vacuum created by the exiting PHCN staff will not be easy to fill. Most of the questions they are asked sincerely are not supposed to be answered by them.

There are obvious consequences that may arise in our march to infrastructural development with the exit of a workforce that though seems not to measure up with global best practices but, until the right values and competences are imbibed, will remain our best available technical corps in the power sector.

He also urged electrical and electronics engineers to play professional politics to be part of policymaking. “When we contemplate the high profile occupants of sensitive engineering biased ministries, parastatals, and agencies, it seems that engineers in general have not played their political cards right.

This appears to be particularly noticeable on the part of electrical engineering biased agencies. Given the importance of the electricity sector to the overall development and progress of our nation, we need to proactively integrate our professionalism with the political structures to enhance decision-making so that policies and plans for the sustainable growth of the sector will be initiated and guided accordingly,” he said.

The Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Adekunle Sunday Makinde, in address, said: “Engineering, by virtue of its commitment to the wellbeing of the society, places a huge responsibility on engineers to ensure that the interest of the society is upheld in the execution of their projects.

“In particular, electrical engineering, with its life-threatening dangers associated with it, carry serious risks for the safety and well being of electrical engineers in the practice of their profession. On daily basis, our professional colleagues place their lives on the line to deliver power, telecommunications and other utilities and services to users across the country. “ He added that the Distinguished Electrical and Electronics Engineer Annual Lecture (DEEEAL) series dates back to the year 2000, when the first lecture was delivered.

The President, Society of Engineers, Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, in his address, urged engineers to be professional to contribute meaningfully to national development.

He said: “As change agents, professional engineers must undergo several years of formal and informal training. In addition to the rigorous training successful engineers must

imbibe certain character traits in order to excel. At the state and local government levels where governance is closest to the people Nigerian engineers have displayed ex-

emplary conduct and served beyond the call of duty in their quest to deliver the dividends of democracy to every nook and corner of the country.”

•From left: National President, Nigerian Institution of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Adekunle Sunday Makinde presenting the 12th Distinguished Electrical and Electronics Engineer Annual Lecture (DEEEAL) plaque to Olice Kemenanabo. With them is representative of President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Otis Anyaeji.

Enugu Disco promises better services

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NTERSTATE Consortium- the preferred bidder for Enugu Electricity Distribution Company said it would begin operations with unique private sector model that has high efficiency and corporate governance standards that would set the pace for electricity distribution in Nigeria.

This follows the signing of transaction and industrial agreements between the Federal Government and preferred bidders for the purchase of the successor generation and distribution companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), The Chairman of Power House International – a member of the Interstate Consortium – Mr Kester Enwereonu, said the Interstate Electricity Distribution Company, which is led by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) of Thailand, has high efficiency and corporate governance standards and has a model, competes effectively with private sector models worldwide.

He said the consortium will upgrade the Enugu Disco network and deliver quality service to its customers. Apart from its financial capability, the group boasts of solid experi-

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ence, he added. For instance, MEA distributes electricity in the Thai capital city of Bangkok and environs and is reputed to be one of the most efficient developing world power distribution companies with record technical and commercial losses of below five percent over the past eight years.

Prior to the privatisation programme, the chief executive officers of select distribution companies of PHCN visited MEA and its sister company Provisional Electricity Authority of Thailand (PEA), which distributes power in the rest of the regions in Thailand. As model state utilities, they are efficiently run and make major contribution to state revenues. MEA has annual turnover of $6 billion.

He said for over 50 years, MEA has had immense experience in the management of electricity distribution company with large customer base.

In 2010, its customer base was over three million. During the intervening period, through continuous improvement in both power system development and customer services, MEA has been able to maintain an ATC&C loss level that surpasses the expectations of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in the ongoing

privatisation.

A detailed insight into the structure of the company shows that the Metropolitan Electric Authority of Thailand will run the company while Chrome Energy and Powerhouse International are co-investors. “Interstate Consortium will run Enugu in the best professional way with global best practices,” Enwereonu said.

The strength of Interstate Electrics Limited derives from the global experience of its key partner and technical operator, MEA of Thailand, which was established in 1956. MEA is responsible for the distribution and sales of electricity to users in Bangkok and metropolitan vicinities including Nonthaburi and Samutprakarn provinces. MEA’s distribution area covers 3,195 square kilometres, which is divided into 14 districts with a population of about eight million and energy sales of 44,714 GWH of electricity.

With the promoters of Interstate Consortium, it is expected that the consortium would blaze the trail in electricity distribution, he added.

Chrome Group and Powerhouse International Limited are promoted by Chief Emeka Offor and Mr Kester Enwereonu.

PTI chief lists achievements HE Principal/Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta

State, Mrs Clara Dennar, has said the institute has trained over 350 ex-militants in various skills since inception, adding that all the graduates have been employed.

She spoke at the Long Service Awards of the institute. She listed the achievements as the computerisation/online registration and checking of the institute’s entrance examination results; students online courses registration; regular power and water supplies on campus; installation of Drillsim 6000 and TestSim 500, the latest oil drilling and production sims in the world; training of 260 youths in collaboration with United Nations Development (UNDP)/UNOPS; SPE Student chapter adjudgement as the most vibrant

By Joseph Eshanokpe

in the country; mentioning of the institute in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the industrial peace on campus.

She said: “In spite of these achievements, there are so many challenges still lying ahead. As you are awre, the oil and gas sector is undergoing a holistic transformation, especially the Petroleum Industry Bill(PIB) currently before the National Assembly.

We must rise up to the challenges and play active role to meet the yearnings of our regulator, and aspirations of the oil and gas sector. The growth and development of the PTI as a trainer of competent technical manpower for the oil and gas sector, lies squarely on the shoulders of us all.

I wish to assure you that management is committed to the transfor-

mation of PTI into a beacon of hope for the oil/gas and allied companies. I implore you to put your wealth of experience to bear in order to realise the institute’s vision and mission. For the institute to take its pride of place among the comity of oil companies, it is absolutely imperative that we all work harder to achieve this noble objective.”

On the event, Mrs Dennar said: “As I said at the outset, the Long Service Award Ceremony is held in honour of staff members who have served the institute meritoriously in the various milestones. You have contributed greatly to the growth of the institute. Your deeds speak for you far better than anything I will say. I know you hope as I do that his occasion will remind you and your family of the appreciation and esteem in which we all hold you, and our thanks to you for your loyal service.”

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AVIATION Unions disagree on GAT verdict

•A physically-challenged passenger being assisted to board a plane with an Ambu lift facility.

Bellview, AIB trade words over 2005 plane crash •’Why we rejected probe report’

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HAT caused the 2005 Bellview plane crash in Lisa, Ogun State in which all the 117 passengers died? It is becoming more difficult to unravel this puzzle as Bellview and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) are trading words on the issue.

AIB has blamed “human error” for the crash, a claim which Bellview deplored. The airline has also written the AIB, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAN), United States National Safety Transportation Board (NTSB), Presidency, National Assembly committee on Aviation and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

In the petition, the airline denies culpability in the crash, faulting the reasons cited for the accident by AIB. The Bureau, it said, in a letter signed by its General Manager, Mr Rasheed Yusuff, has not formally delivered the (AIB’s) report to it, in contravention of annex 13 of ICAO. Bellview’s disagreement with the report is predicated on the fact that the AIB has not complied with the prescribed rules and regulations of how accidents reports should be released in line with ICAO require-

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

ments.

The airline said the AIB, in line with the prescribed requirement of ICAO, has yet to communicate to it, nor respond to its observations on the final draft, which it has since submitted.

The airline said in as much as it is determined to know the cause of the crash, the bureau has acted in gross violation of international rules.

Yusuff said: "We want to put it on record that the AIB is yet to formally deliver the new report to us. This contravenes the regulation of ICAO contained in annex 13 of the global body.

We are aware that AIB did not receive any contrary comments to the original report. The first report was circulated in 2009, we did not reach agreement with the conclusion, hence our comments should have been appended as provided above.

“The state of operator in Nigeria and the state of design and manufacture in United States, conducted this investigation jointly. It implied that the investigators had enough time to gather all inputs before the final draft

of the report was circulated in 2009.

And when investigation is reopened, there must be a fundamental basis that must be shared with the operator to demonstrate that the investigation remain open and transparent.

“AIB apparently unilaterally amended the final report without appending our observations and comments on the initial draft . This is in clear violation of article 6.3 of International CivilAviation Organisation ( ICAO), annex 13 and the 2006 Nigeria civil aviation act.

This we contend has rendered the report invalid.We trust that you appreciate that AIB has an obligation to fully comply with 2006 Civil Aviation Act incorporating ICAO annex.”

AIB said in its report of the Bellview Airlines crash: “After extensive investigation could not identify the conclusive evidence to explain the cause of the accident, but considered several factors that could explain the accident. They include the pilot in command training before taking command of the Boeing 737, which was inadequate. The cumulative flight hour of the pilot in the days before the accident which was indicative of excessive work load that could lead to fatigue.”

NCAA decries handling of physically challenged passengers HE Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, has called on airlines and ground handling companies to improve on the procedure for carrying physically challenged passengers into the planes.

He said manually carrying such passengers is below the minimum standard prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

He urged airlines and ground handling companies to be prepare for the challenge by acquiring modern equipment facilitate the boarding of such passengers.

He urged the airlines to acquire the equipment to reduce the pain of physically challenged passengers at domestic airports nationwide, saying: ”We need to do more by providing more facilities for physically challenged passengers who use domestic airports nationwide.”

Demuren's charge came on the heels of the the inauguration of Ambulift, a motorised equipment acquired by a ground handling firm, Precision Aviational Handling Company Limited (PAHCOL).

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The firm has deployed the equipment at both the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Describing the equipment is key, Demuren said: “We at the NCAA are excited over what PAHCOL has done: this is good for the industry, as it would improve the way physically challenged passengers are prepared to undertake their travels.

“It is glad that in Lagos and Abuja airports this equipment is now operational. But in the domestic scene, the way physically challenged passengers are handled is a complete mess, it is very far from the acceptable standard.”

He said having such support equipment at both the Lagos and Abuja airports, is not sufficient, as passengers with disability travel through other airports in Kano, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Katsina, and many other airports.

The way such passengers are carried manually at our airports when they are either travelling abroad or within for medical trips is unaccept-

able, he added.

He urged Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) and Nigetian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc to collaborate with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to provide passenger support equipment to make the travel experience robust.

General Manager, Operations/ Business Development, PAHCOL, Herbert Odika, said this was the first time such equipment is being introduced by a ground handling company, saying: "The equipment has hydraulic lift to convey passengers through the rear door of an aircraft.

Apart from the convenience of carrying passengers, the Ambu- Lift enhance facilitation of passenger"s boarding.”

Odika said in the past ground handling companies used high loaders meant for cargo and baggage to lift wheel chairs, pointing out that with the introduction of the Ambulift by his firm, that passengers with special need do not have anything to worry about.

THE Nigeria Aviation Professional Association (NAPA) has hailed the verdict of the Federal High Court, Abuja, striking out the suit filed by the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) against Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) on the ownership of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos.

But the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigetia (ATSSSAN), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) branch, said the verdict would not give Bi-Courtney the fiat to take over the terminal which it did not invest.

Justice Ramat Muhammed, in the ruling, described the suit as an abuse of court process.

NAPA, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu, described the verdict as “well-thought-out and a triumph of truth over propaganda.”

According to Saidu, NAPA had always insisted that agreements signed

by FAAN must be obeyed to the letter, “as there are clauses that make provisions for how to settle any disagreement in such agreements”.

The Chairman of ATSSSAN , FAAN branch, Comrade Ekanem Ekanem, said the verdict would not give Bi-Courtney the powers to take over the General Aviation Terminal the firm has not invested in the facility.

He said: ‘‘I don’t think Bicourtney can take over GAT because the company never invested a dim on GAT, you don’t give something to somebody who has not invested anything in the business.’’

NAPA, on its part in a statement argued: “We had a different opinion from that of the other unions about the concessioning of MMA2 to BiCourtney. Inasmuch as the unions were not present when the agreement was being signed, if there is any aspect of it they disagreed with, they should first of all face the people who represented FAAN and the ministry.

“We are not surprised at the ruling because part of the agreement affecting the GAT and the exclusivity of MMA2 for domestic operations is very clear. We are so happy we have been vindicated, that fairness, justice prevailed at last. We want to say this again that the Minister of Aviation, Princess Oduah, might have acted on the information given to her because she was not in the industry as at the time FAAN signed that agreement with Bi-Courtney.”

Kano Airport for inauguration THE Mallam Aminu Kano International airport is ready for inauguration, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi, has said.

Uriesi stated this in Kano while inspecting remodellingairport projects across the country. He inspected the arrival and departure lounges, check-in counters, security and safety apparatus of both the domestic and international wing of the airport.

He admonished the staff to adopt a new attitude that will compliment the transformational changes taking place in the aviation sector.

"We cannot carry over old nonchalant attitudes into the new world class airport terminals being constructed," he said.

Uriesi, who was conducted round by the Regional General Manager, Ibrahim Danyabu, said the airport would boost economic activities and create employement to thousands of people. He called on the people to take advantage of the new facility for wealth creation.

He had earlier visited Abuja, Jos, YoIa and Kaduna for on-the spot assessment of the remodelling projects.

The Mallam Aminu Kano International airport is one of the 11 airports being remodelled under the first phase comprising 11 airports, out of which two were inaugurated namely the General Aviation Terminal, Murtala Mohammed Airport,Lagos and General Aviation Terminal, Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

Airport users urged to support police THE Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lamidi Falekulo, has called for concerted efforts from airport users to assist the Police in fighting crimes within and around the airports.

Speaking at a performance award to distinguished personalities in the aviation sector and the launch for its proposed PCRC secretariat, Falekulo said the Police can only perform when the necessary support was available from members of the public.

According to the PCRC chairman, “the Policemen are not spirits and they need information and other necessary encouragement to perform, we need to support them to help fight crime in the society hence we have the PCRC.” Falekulo explained that the MMIA PCRC has drilled a bore hole at the Bessam Police Station to provide water for officers and men of the station, adding that the foundation of the secretariat would be laid as soon as fund was raised.

He called for the financial support from well-meaning organisation in the Command to ensure that the dream of building a befitting secretariat was realised, adding that a lot needed to be done to create a conducive working environment for the Police.

BA to unveil passengers’ guide A NEW book, based on British Airways’ course for nervous flyers, will help thousands of customers conquer their fears.

The book, co-written by British Airways’ pilot Captain Steve Allright, takes information from the airline’s one-day Flying with Confidence course which has helped more than 45,000 people over the past 25 years.

The book, which launches on March 7, 2013 will addresses a number of areas of concern including how an aircraft operates, turbulence and gives advice from clinical psychologists including relaxation techniques.

British Airways’ Captain Allright shares his top 10 tips from the forthcoming book: “Remember that turbulence is uncomfortable but not dangerous. It is a perfectly normal part of flying caused by nature. Learn to control your breathing. When you feel anxious, hold your breath, then take a long deep breath in, followed by a long deep breath out. Continue long deep breathing.

“Combine the deep breath in with a muscle contraction. Clenching your buttocks is most effective, as it overrides other nervous signals going up and down your spinal chord. Aircraft like to be in the air. They are designed to be in the air. Pilots and cabin crew like to be in the air also, it is a very normal, safe environment for them to be in,” he said.

He continued: “Understand lift. The wings enable aircraft to fly, not the engines. A commercial aircraft flying at 30,000ft can glide for 100 miles even if all the engines fail.”

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MARITIME 41 seafarers graduate

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• Cross section of the seafarers.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Firms fleecing govt of N47b yearly, freight forwarders allege

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RE service providers at the ports milking the Federal Government of N47 billion yearly?

Yes, they are, says the All Freight ForwardersCongress (AFFCON), which has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan.

In the petition, AFFCON alleges that the money which is paid as commission is not worked for by the service providers.

The commission, the petitioners alleged, is not referred to Customs for verification to ascertain if the service providers worked for the money in line with the terms of their contracts.

The N47 billion accrues from the one per cent the service providers collect on all cargoes that arrive at the port.

The group said the government is losing revenue because the Finance Minis-

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

try did not specifically tie the commission to the services providers’ performance of their duty.

The freight forwarders alleged that the amount paid to the service providers in the last seven years was a waste of public funds.

The service providers are COTECNA, GLOBAL SCAN SYSTEM and SGS. According to AFFCON, there is an attempt by some of the firms to sabotage the Customs’ efforts to take over the Destination Inspection (DI) at the expiration of their contract in June.

The risk managers have the mandate to provide infrastructure and render services in the following areas: scanning services; training of Customs officers; provision and maintenance of Information Com-

munication Technology; risk management – classification, valuation, rules of origin and the issuance of risk assessment report.

Their engagement is on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

Accusing the firms of insincerity, the group said they are not ready to cede their responsibility to the Customs at the expiration of their extended contract in June.

They urged the President to invoke Sections 5 (1) (a) and 171 (1) and (2d) of the 1999 Constitution to protect the public interest and save the seaports from “an army of occupation acting under the guise of service providers.”

In a February 22 letter, the association’s Secretary-General, Mr Increase Uche, said the percentage of fees usually paid to the service providers should be increased to two per

cent and converted to Police Trust Fund to boost security.

He alleged that two of the firms failed the country during the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) regime at the ports, wondering why seven years after, the government extended their contract based on allegations that the Customs not prepared for their job.

“We must remark that it is a colossal waste the amount of money paid as commission to the service providers who ordinarily maintain a staff strength of not more than 500.

It is a fact that they may not be picking anything less than N47 billion per annum.

Whereas the Nigeria Customs Service with a staff strength of well over 19,000 is left to manage and administer the core function of the service and its personnel with an average of N30 nillion per annum,” Uche said.

Shippers’ Council seeks commercial status

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CTING Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) Mr Hassan Bello has urged the Federal Government to appoint the council as the commercial regulator of the ports.

Bello told The Nation that if not for the council’s intervention, the arbitrary charges by concessionaires would have led to an increase in the cost of doing business at the ports.

The Shippers Association of Lagos State has also urged the government to make the NSC maritime regulator.

Its Secretary-General, Mr Jonathan Nicol, said such appointment would allow the council to regulate the activities of shipping companies, terminal operators and prosecute defaulters.

He said the NSC was set up without a law to empower it to prosecute maritime offenders, adding that this omission had brought about corruption in the sector.

“For the Shippers’ Council to perform its statutory

functions effectively, it must be upgraded to a Nigerian Shippers Commission, with all the enabling laws and not just on advisory capacity.

“The industry deserves this status because of its large input to the economy.

“The Nigerian Shippers should not be marginalised in their own industry, but should have permanent membership, participate in the management and dispensation of maritime duties within the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s Board,’’ he said.

He said the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was set up to arrest and prosecute offenders, saying that such power should be given to the NSC in the maritime industry. “ Until this is done for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, maritime laws will be blatantly violated by stakeholders and they would go scot free, as it is today,’’ he said.

Also the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) urged the government to appoint the council as commercial regulator of ports in the country.

President of the association, Mr Eugene Nweke, made the call in Lagos.

He said the call became necessary because both the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) were occupied with other activities.

“If you look at the agencies clamouring to transform into a port commercial regulator, you need to look at them either in terms of their track record or their commitment and involvement in the sector.

“When you look at the position of NIMASA NIMASA at present is saddled with a lot of tasks, looking at that Act that established it.

“NIMASA having much in its hand cannot be a commercial regulator in the in-

dustry.

“NPA has out-sourced the aspect of terminal management to the new ports operators and they are into agreement with the terminal operators. So, they cannot aid and abet at the same time. So, in that case, NPA is out of it.”

Nweke said the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) could not play that role because it was not stated in its provisions.

The freight forwarder said with the design of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act, it could not be a port regulator, but could play a part of lead agency when it comes to issue that borders on revenue to government.

He said the Shippers’ Council was close to it looking at the Act that established and gave it the power to represent the interest of the shippers.

Nweke said the Act was meant to ensure that the cost of doing business by the shippers was not too much for them to be out of business.

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said its seafarers training programme is yielding results as many Nigerians have been trained abroad by the agency under the Nigerian Seafarers Development (NSD) programme.

The Director-General of the agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi, who spoke at a reception organised for th first batch 41 students sponsored by NSD in Lagos.

He said the agency has set up a Joint Technical Committee on Indigenous Capacity Building Development with ISAN to work with local ship owners to encourage them to do business in the country.

He said 21 vessels were waiting for repairs, adding that they would be inspected by ship surveyors before being taken to ship yards for repairs.

He said the cost of repairs would be borne by the agency, noting that conditions for repayment would be discussed at the next meeting of the committee.

The NIMASA helmsman said no single hull vessel would be repaired because they have been phased out by the International Maritime Or-

ganisation (IMO).

Akpobolokemi said the agency would only handle double hull vessel.

He listed the benefiting firms to include AG Butler Nigeria, Japaul Oil and Maritime Limited, Morlap, Shipping, Jevkom Oil and Gas, Niger Delta Shipping, Peacegate Oil and Gas, Rangk, Peace gate Oil and Gas, Niger Delta Shipping, Rangk and Lenimar Ocean Trawlers Limited.

Others are Phenix Associates Limited, DLB Marine Sevices Limited Seabulk Offshore, West Africa Offshore, Miden systems Limited, Pramara Shipping, Kotram, Intergreted Services Limited and Intergreted services Limited.

He stressed that NIMASA had awarded contract for the survey of the vessels to ensure that they are commercially viable before they are repaired.

His words: “We want to have control of the shipyards where the vessels would be repaired and the agency has the right to determine where the vessels would be repaired.”

The NIMASA boss also assured that there would be transparency when executing the project, adding that it only those who are qualified would benefit.

Customs recovers N1.27b THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has recovered N1,273,940,223.40 through the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) conducted between January and September, last year.

Customs sources said the implementation of PCA has enabled the Customs to earn more revenue for the government, and has created a conducive working and business environment that has improved compliance level.

For instance, in January, the PCA officers recovered N93,788,814.

In February, they got

N165,758,103; in March, they recovered N199,778,037 and N160,894,248.40 in April.

In May, June and July, the source said, they recovered N154,575,661; N104, 469,167; and N95,413,837.

Between August and September they also recovered N141,680,736 and N157, 581,620.

Source said PCA is a structured examination of business subsequent to the exit of same from the Customs control mainly to facilitate trade and ensure compliance to import and export guidelines.

Cargo seminar coming A TRANSPORT logistics and cargo movement seminar will hold in Capetown, South Africa in April, the Vice President, Break Bulk Alliance, Ireland, Mrs. Alli McEntyre Gaharan, has said. She urged members of the Association of the Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents (ANLCA) .

She made the appeal when she visited ANLCA National Secretariat in Lagos.

Gaharan, who came in

company of her colleague, Kingsley Ekweariri, said that apart from acquiring knowledge, participants would gain from it.

She urged the clearing agents and several others to take advantage of the opportunity to expand their businesses.

ANCLA National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, assured the visitors that his members would attend the event.

‘Stop paying duty for importers’ WORRIED by the way some members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) are implicated in the clearing of goods, its National President, Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, has warned members of the association to stop paying customs duties for their clients.

The ANLCA chief told The Nation that the agents were often blamed for the wrong doings for importers, noting that this has been the major

problem between the Customs and clearing agents.

He said many policies of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) failed to achieve their set goals because clearing agents were not carried along when making the policies.

He, therefore, called for a synergy between the service and clearing agents.

“If we hold meetings regularly, some of the issues mitigating cargo clearance would have been tackled,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

53

NEWS

Tears, as Goldie is laid to rest

E

MOTIONS heightened yesterday, as Nigerian singer and former Big Brother Africa Stargame Housemate, Susan Harvey, popularly known as Goldie, was buried. The interment, held at Ikoyi Vault and Garden, Lagos, was witnessed by entertainers, music honchos, friends and family of the late singer, who were there to pay their last respect.

Entertainers present included: Kenny Ogungbe, Jaywon, Julius Agwu, Jimmy Jatt, Essence, Chidi Mokeme, Olisa Adibua, Capital Femi, Tiwa Savage, Tee Billz and Kenny Saint Best. The publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, was also present.

The activities, which marked the final home-going of the late singer, started from the Chapel of the Vaults Garden. The short service and admonition was presided

By Mercy Michael over by Pastor Oluleke Akinola and three others.

The cleric took his biblical reference from Matthew 7:12-14. He said the occasion was a clarion call for others, still living, to be closer to their creator: “Although she died at a time when her glory was supposed to start to shine, God knows best,” he said.

Shortly after, colleagues of the late singer paid tribute to the deceased. The crowd was touched by emotional comments made by Kenny Ogungbe, Denrele, Dele Momodu, Tiwa Savage and the twin brothers of the late singer, Gideon and Joshua Filani.

For close to 10 minutes, the Kennis Music honcho, Ogungbe, could not utter a word; he was merely shivering and crying.

Goldie’s widower, Andrew Harvey, looking very pale, had some heart touching words to say about his late wife: “Susan, you walked into my life. It was like God sent you as a fresh breath. I still remember your response to my first love message. You said, love killed Romeo, sent Diana to an early grave and killed Jack. Forget about love, just let us have friendship. There will be no other Goldie.”

Denrele, Goldie’s acclaimed best friend, said: “You were a lifeline, a therapist. You inspired my success and worldwide recognition.

I could remember that we used the same shoe size and had the same body proportion. Even when you were not around and a tailor wanted to make your dress, they took my measurement. What I still find it hard to come to terms

with is how I will manage with our reality TV show; True Friendship.

I’m dedicating it to your memory and I’m going to do all I can to get it off the ground.”

Among Goldie’s friends, Denrele seems to be the most hit, as he couldn’t control his tears and anguish.

Kenny Saint Best was equally emotional, wailing at the top of her voice. When she found her voice, she could only advise her colleagues. She pleaded with them to be cautious of stardom and draw closer to God. Dele Momodu described the late singer as an amiable personality. He noted that she was a person that anyone would love to be attached to. “She is indeed a big loss to the entertainment industry, hence a clarion call that we should take care of our health because we don’t know who is next,” he said.

Jonathan approves Justice Archibong’s retirement

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, has approved the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice Charles Efanga Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, with immediate effect.

The approval is sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) at its Emergency Meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Council is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.

A statement by the Acting Director (Information), Soji Oye, said the President has also approved the extension of the appointment of the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa.

The approval was sequel to the recommendation by the NJC, pursuant to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

The Council in a statement said “Hon. Justice Archibong was recommended for compulsory retirement to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR pursuant to the ‘Findings” by the Council on the

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

following Complaints levelled against him:*That the Judge dismissed the grievous charges against an accused without taking his plea; *That he refused to release the Certified True Copy of his Ruling to the Lawyers; *That the Judge issued a bench warrant on some officials of Peoples Democratic Party for contempt even when the counsel who was directed by the Court to serve them filed an affidavit that he had not been able to serve the contempt application; *That he made unfounded and caustic remarks on professional competence of some Senior Advocates of Nigeria; *That there were glaring procedural irregularities which showed that Hon. Justice Archibong did not have a full grasp of the Law and procedure of the Court; and *That he granted the leave sought for in the originating summons that had no written address of the parties and without hearing both parties in the originating summons after he had earlier on overruled the preliminary objection”, the statement added.

Maina’s supporters protest at National Assembly

H •Toyin Filani, sister to the late Mrs Harvey, widower, Andrew Harvey with Mr. Mike Olapade, a friend of the family and others.

UNDREDS of supporters of the embattled Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, yesterday protested at the entrance of the National Assembly, Abuja.

The protesters, mainly youths, under the aegis of the Pensioners’ Children, said they were at the National Assembly to protest against what they described as the witch-hunting of Maina by

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

the Senate, stressing that the senators went outside their constitutional powers of investigation as contained in sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.

Spokesperson for the group, Comrade Etuk Bassey Williams, said the call by the Senate on President Goodluck Jonathan was unconstitutional and appealed to the President to disregard the resolution.

UTME candidates lament over unavailable centres

C

•The pall bearers...yesterday

PHOTOS: VICTOR AKANDE

12 PDP governors to join APC, says Senator

F

ORMER Kano State Governor, Senator Kabiru Gaya, yesterday said that at least 12 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors will soon join the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Gaya who is Chairman, Senate Committee on States and Local Government, disclosed in an interview with journalists in Abuja .

The lawmaker said that the

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

discussion of a select group of APC members with some PDP governors is progressing “steadily and positively.”

Gaya who refused to give the specific number of PDP governors APC is discussing with simply said that governors are not only 12 as being speculated.

He said, “We are already talking to some governors,

not only 12 as being speculated.

“There may even be more PDP governors and by the time APC is fully composed it will simply be the winning party from day one.

“The discussion is progressing steadily and positively almost ready to produce result.”

“So I hope the media will give us the co-operation we require because with the me-

dia Nigeria can be better.”

Gaya (Kano South ANPP) said that members of APC are putting heads together to make sure that they give Nigerians “a better choice that will lead to a better fulfillment for the country’s agenda.”

He said, “This is the party of people of interest. Why we have this merger by group of parties-the ANPP, CPC, APGA, ACN and even the DPP has also joined us.

ANDIDATES trying to register for the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) holding in April are in a dilemma over the unavailability of centres in their states of residence.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) website is directing them to other states with available centres where they can take the conventional Paper Based Test (PBT).

There is no space in the centres in nearby states and candidates are being told they may travel to as far as Jigawa, Sokoto or Maiduguri to write the examination.

One candidate living in Lagos complained about being sent to Nasarawa, while another could not even register in Osogbo after initial complaint that it is too far.

An operator of a JAMB-accredited cyber café in Agege area of Lagos said some centres seemed to have been reopened after being declared full for days.

“Two weeks ago when we registered some people, there was no centre in Lagos and candidates had to choose Ogbomoso (in Oyo State). But three days ago when we

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

checked, we saw available centres in Ikeja East and they allocated the two people schools in Maryland,” he said.

JAMB spokesman, Mr. Fabian Benjamin, said those who cannot get centres for the PBT or the dual mode (Paper and Computer Based Test) can choose the Computer Based Test (CBT).

He said the board cannot immediately increase the number of centres for the PBT because of its stringent accreditation requirements.

“We cannot just increase the number of centres because the candidates are more than what we anticipated for the examination. Before we accredit a centre for the examination, they have to meet some requirements. Candidates that cannot find centres can register for the CBT. There are centres in Lagos and elsewhere,” he said.

Checks by The Nation showed that the CBT is now the only option for candidates, who are just registering. Before now, many cyber café operators said most candidates preferred the PBT over the CBT, which was introduced by JAMB as a pilot this year.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-2-13

Equities open with marginal loss

T

HE Nigerian stock market opened this week with a tinge of downtrend as investors paused to take profits from recent capital appreciation and reconsider the prospects of equities’ yields.

Average equities’ return dropped by 0.25 per cent, underlining N27 billion reductions in aggregate market capitalisation of all equities.

With negative response to the dividend recommendation of N3 per share by Nigerian Breweries Plc, losses by the brewery and other large-cap fast moving consumer goods companies (FMCGs) altered the dynamic of the market.

Besides the losses by highly capitalised stocks, the market was overtly bearish with nearly two decliners for every advancer.

The All Share Index (ASI), the common value index that

By Taofik Salako

tracks all quoted equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), slipped to 33,811.07 points from its opening index of 33,895.07 points. Aggregate market worth of all equities declined to N10.819 trillion as against its opening value of N10.846 trillion.

The 0.25 per cent decline in average return yesterday pushed the year-to-date return for equities downward to 20.41 per cent. This however, still represents significant adjusted return given the inflation rate of 9.0 per cent.

Nigerian Breweries, which last week announced its audited report for 2012, led the decliners with a loss of N4.80 to close at N161.20. Presco followed with a drop of N1.73 to close at N20.12.

Cadbury Nigeria lost N1.55 to close at N35.50. Okomu Oil Palm slipped by N1.36 to

close at N51 while Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria fell

by N1.10 to close at N65.

On the upside, Guinness Nigeria led the gainers with an increase of N13.90 to close at N290. It was trailed by Nestle Nigeria with a gain of N10 to close at N900. Nestle Nigeria had last week declared a final dividend per share of N18.50, bringing total dividend to N20 for the 2012 business year. Zenith Bank rode on the back of dividend anticipation to add 57 kobo to close at N21.08. CAP gathered 25 kobo to close at N36.30, while Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (Nahco) chalked up 22 kobo to close at N8 per share.

Turnover stood at 361.93 million shares valued at N4.03 billion in 5,674 deals.

FBN Holdings Plc was the most active stock with a turnover of 75.74 million shares valued at N1.52 billion in 549 deals. Access Bank placed second with a turnover of 41.59 million shares valued at N486.97 million in 237 deals.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) ranked third with a turnover of 33.89 million shares worth N270.57 million in 400 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-2-13

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

55

MONEY LINK

Union Bank appoints new chairman, directors

U

NION Bank of Nigeria yesterday announced the appointment of Senator Udoma Udo Udoma as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The lender, in a statement, also appointed four non-executive directors - John C. Botts, Cyril Akporuere Odu, Douglas Tawanda Munatsi and James Macarthur. They will be bringing additional depth of skills and experience to the Board as the institution enters its next phase of growth and modernization to become one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions.

Senator Udoma, who takes over from Mr. Richard Kramer is currently the Senior Partner of Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie, a corporate law firm, established by him in 1983.

He is currently Chairman of UAC of Nigeria Plc and a Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc and is Japan’s Honorary Consul in Lagos.

As a two term Senator of the Federal Republic- 1999 to 2003 and 2003 to 2007, he served in a leadership position on a number of Senate committees. In addition, he at various times served as Special Adviser to

Stories by Collins Nweze

the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Non-Executive Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); and Chairman of the Federal Government Task Force to promote the passage into law of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Senator Udoma is a lawyer by training, a seasoned politician and accomplished Legal Consultant.

Botts (representing Corsair Capital), is currently a senior advisor with Allen & Company, London, Corsair Capital, London, Director and Chairman of the United Business Media Limited and Botts and Company Limited, a London based corporate finance and private equity investment company founded in 1987 in association with Allen and Company in New York.

He had held management and business development positions with Citibank in New York, Johannesburg, Montreal, Casablanca/Middle East, Brussels and London. Botts was the Chief

Executive of Citicorp Investment Bank and Business Manager for Citibank‘s Global Investment Bank in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Odu (representing Africa Capital Alliance), was until recently Vice Chairman of the Board of Mobil Producing Nigeria and CFO for Exxon Mobil Upstream Companies in Nigeria. He earlier served in a number of technical and management positions including Associate Geologist, Treasurer, Controller, Project Finance Director (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Country HR Manager and General Manager for Planning and New Business Development.

Munatsi (representing Africa Development Corporation) has been the Chief Executive Officer of African Banking Corporation (ABCH) as the founding CEO since 2000 where he has succeeded in creating the ABC Group operating in five countries.

He started his banking career with Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe in 1986 and held various positions with a number of financial institutions including Zimbabwe Banking Corporation (Zimbank), International Fi-

nance Corporation (IFC regional mission for Southern Africa, Harare; Heritage Investment Bank (HIB) and First Merchant Bank of Zimbabwe Limited where he served at different levels and portfolios.

Macarthur (representing the Richard Chandler Corporation), a chartered Accountant of Scotland and U.K joins the Board from the Singapore based Chandler Corporation where he is the Head of Investments. The firm is involved in holistic investments on global macro, socio-political, fundamental and technical analysis.

He has worked as financial advisor and in different capacities at Ernst and Young, a firm that specialises in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&AS), European Financial Services Group, United Kingdom. Macarthur is a director of over 25 investment companies across five jurisdictions, many of which are involved in idea generation, investment analysis, decision making and execution in India, Russia, Hong Kong, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, United States and Europe.

UBA floats prepaid card

T

HE United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has introduced a reloadable prepaid card that offers customers financial control, convenience and security.

In a statement, the bank said the prepaid card, which is available in Nigeria and 18 African countries where the bank operates is accepted at all VISA acceptance points, on over one million Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), 30 million Point of Sale (PoS) /merchant terminals in over 179 countries across the world.

The card, it said, gives users full control over personal finances as it is not linked to any bank account and therefore attracts no minimum balance.

Head, e-Banking, UBA Plc, Dr. Adeyinka Adedeji said the product helps customers control spending and be in control of their funds making it ideal for budgeting and travel. He said the card is also ideal for students and even employees or casual workers who may not have a bank account.

‘Nigeria business milieu tough for foreign investors’

T

HE Nigeria business environment has been described as a difficult terrain for foreign investors even though it also has a longterm potential as an investment destination, a new report published by Oxford Business Group (OBG) has said.

Editor-in-Chief of Oxford Business Group, Andrew Jeffreys, said that Nigeria is a complicated country for a foreign investor to enter because of its problematic infrastructure, competitive

labour force, a sizable supply of feedstock among other factors.

Regional Editor Robert Tashima said that although Nigeria had a way to go before it supplanted South Africa as the continent’s biggest economy, the slow and steady reform of the country’s infrastructural bottlenecks, such as electricity generation, had helped improve both the medium- and long-term outlook for the country’s industrial and service sectors.

“Oil and gas may still dominate, but fields such as manufacturing, telecommunications and finance are playing an increasingly prominent role,” he said.

According to him, the risk in Nigeria is no small thing and short-term returns are hard to come by, but the country’s structural fundamentals, such as a large consumer market and labour pool, a sizable supply of industrial inputs, accessible liquidity and a wealth of natural resources mean the potential for

long-term growth is immense.

He said the government’s plans for economic growth and development over the short- and medium-term are ambitious, with targets to surpass South Africa as the continent’s largest economy in the coming years and a bid to become one of the world’s 20 largest economies by 2020.

However, there are still a number of obstacles which must be overcome to make that happen. He listed such

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 25-2-13

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

HONYFLOUR CUTIX GUINNESS MAYBAKER MCNICHOLS NPFMCRFBK EVANSMED JOHNHOLT VITAFOAM TRANSCORP

2.81 1.81 276.30 2.28 0.85 1.09 1.54 1.59 3.51 1.59

2.95 1.90 290.00 2.39 0.89 1.14 1.61 1.66 3.66 1.65

0.14 0.09 13.70 0.11 0.04 0.05 0.07 0.07 0.15 0.06

WEMABANK ROYALEX PRESTIGE UNITYBNK PRESCO AIICO FIDELITYBK CORNERST BERGER CCNN

O/PRICE 1.10 0.98 0.88 0.80 21.85 0.96 3.38 0.60 10.22 11.12

C/PRICE 0.99 0.89 0.80 0.73 20.12 0.89 3.16 0.57 9.71 10.57

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

350m

150m

150m

155.2

2-7-12

350m

138m

138m

155.8

27-6-12

350m

113m

113m

155.7

22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N) Parallel Market

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) (S/N)

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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% 11.8%

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 0.11 0.09 0.08 0.07 1.73 0.07 0.22 0.03 0.51 0.55

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 25-2-13

SYMBOL

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

Currency OBB Rate Call Rate

efits, which private sector participation, if successful, could bring in the coming years, including improved distribution infrastructure.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

•President Goodluck Jonathan

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

obstacles to include poor infrastructure, insufficient job creation, and a dependency on oil and gas revenues.

The report also explores a number of developments taking place in the country’s utilities sector, where the planned privatisation of several stateowned power companies has been subjected to a number of setbacks. The report also looked at the drag poor electricity supply has on broader output, along with the ben-

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 137.30 149.65 0.80 1.13 1.02 100.00 1,000.00 1,756.98 14.66 1.39 1.87 10,616.45

9.08 1.00 136.89 147.33 0.78 1.13 1.00 100.00 1,000.00 1,754.39 13.95 1.33 1.80 10,305.95

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

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2012

07, Aug, 2012

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

56

NEWS Six killed in Anambra robbery

Don’t be spectators, Obi tells Igbo

A

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has urged the Igbo to quit being spectators in the politics of the country.

Obi, who spoke with a group, Aka Ikenga, on his stewardship, said his doors were open to anyone who wants to invest in any part of Igbo land.

Present at the forum were former Minister of Information Prof. Dora Akunyili; president, Aka Ikenga, Anayo Uwazurike, founder, Lagos Business School, Prof.

Pat Utomi, the host, Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, former President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. George Okpagu, Mike Igboku and Dr. Davies Obikili.

The governor, who decried the quality of leadership in the Southeast, urged the Igbo to be active in politics.

He said: “You do not act like spectators and complain of neglect. Can anyone marginalise another without his contribution? We should be seen as participants and not just sit back and hope that manna will fall from heaven.

“If you call for a meeting, you will hardly see ‘Ndigbo’.

Then when other people have completed the meeting and agreed on the way forward, we will come out and start crying that we are

‘

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

F

You do not act like spectators and complain of neglect. Can anyone marginalise another without his contribution? We should be seen as participants and not just sit back and hope that manna will fall from heaven.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

marginalised.

“We need to start deliberating. That is the only way we can insist on what we want as a people.

“As for me, I am not interested in running for any political office after my stewardship as governor.

“I neither aspire to be a senator nor do I want to be a minister, but there is one thing I know I will always do, which is to advance the course of the Igbo at all times as well as the entire country.

“We have realised that the problem with infrastructure in our region is that the Federal Government always assigned our major projects to contractors who are not serious.

“So, in our last meeting, we agreed that those con-

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’

tractors who handle projects for other regions be assigned to us and not anyone who is just interested in making money.

“I can assure that it is working. We have said we do not want contractors who see government projects as private enterprise, and we have been justified.”

He said before the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) decided to support President Goodluck Jonathan during the last presidential election, the Igbo came up with conditions, which were agreed

upon.

“I personally went to Jonathan and told him APGA will not field presidential and vice-presidential candidates for that election and that the Igbo have reached that decision on conditions that visible developments be brought to the Southeast.

Obi reiterated that APGA was not in any merger talks with any party.

“APGA has not merged with any party and has not even negotiated for any possible merger. Before APGA goes into such a thing it must

•Obi

be discussed with the terms clearly spelt out.

“Our focus now is to hold conventions and congresses and work towards building a stronger force.

“I think it is better to be majority in a minority than minority in a majority.

“As an individual, I do not believe in moving from one party to the other.

“I am not leaving APGA for any party. The day I leave APGA, I stop politics.”

Okorocha may stop Ohakim probe

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha may stop the investigation into the administration of his predecessor, Ikedi Ohakim, it was gathered yesterday.

Okorocha, sources said, may have bowed to pressure from concerned Imo citizens, who indicted the probe committee investigating Ohakim.

They said the group of citizens told the governor to concentrate on providing good leadership and governance, instead of wasting the state’s resources.

But another source said

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From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Okorocha, after a thorough assessment of the facts and figures available, decided to jettison the idea due to lack of evidence.

He said: “The frenzied agitation that greeted the pronouncement of the probe by the governor was beginning to distract the government.”

But another source said Okorocha backed off after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) gave Ohakim a clean bill of health when he presented his handover note, which contained details of his fi-

nancial dealings and funds left in the state’s treasury.

When contacted, Commissioner for Information Chinedu Offor described the insinuation as mere falsehood fabricated by those who were not comfortable with the probe.

According to him, “the probe committee will complete its job and submit its report with recommendations.

“No amount of intimidation or wishful thinking or blackmail will stop the committee from doing its job fairly and lawfully.”

Two policemen held for attempted HE Anambra State Pobreak into his house but one murder lice Command yesterof them scaled the fence and

day arrested two policemen over the attempted murder and kidnap of an Onitsha businessman, Prince Emeka Asoanya.

The Commissioner of Police, Bala Nasarawa, said the two policemen were among the 20 suspects, who invaded and destroyed seven vehicles and Asoanya’s house in Onitsha.

The commissioner said he

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Central Police Station (CPS), Onitsha, Tope Fasugba, to transfer the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

Reliving his ordeal, Asoanya said he had a dispute with a lady, Princess.

He said the bandits who follow her around could not

destroyed the gate.

“Immediately they entered, the lady was shouting that she was working on the instruction of the Inspector General of Police (IG). She said she would kill me. She ordered one of her boys to shoot me.

“They shot but missed me before they started destroying the vehicles in the compound and the house.”

Two policemen killed in Imo

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WO policemen have been killed by bandits in Oguta community, Oguta Local Government of Imo State, after a businessman, Emeka Aseme, was abducted by the assailants.

Aseme, who is the proprietor of the Niger Plaza, Oguta, was reportedly seized by the hoodlums, who operated in a Toyota Hilux van and were dressed in military camouflage.

An indigene of the community, who gave

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

his name as Nani, said the bandits began shooting the moment they sighted their victim.

Two policemen were killed in the ensuing gun battle.

The victim was reportedly shot in the leg before he was taken away.

Police spokesman Vitalis Onugu could not be reached for comments.

1,000 PDP members join Enugu ACN

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VER a thousand members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State have joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The ACN leader, Joseph Okoloagu, said this in Enugu yesterday at a briefing by opposition parties.

Okoloagu did not disclose the identities of the ex-PDP

From Chris Oji, Enugu

members.

Representatives of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Labour Party (LP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) also attended the briefing.

He said the mass defection of PDP members was an indication that things were

about to change, adding that the new members have registered.

The ACN leader said the party was now the umbrella of all opposition parties in the state.

Okoloagu said opposition parties have resolved to use ACN as a temporarily platform, pending the consummation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

OUR women bankers have been killed in a robbery in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

Two others were also killed in the incident, which occurred in Agu-Awka.

A source said: “The bankers went for a course in Enugu. On their way back, at Agu-Awka, they ran into some robbers.

“The robbers ordered them out of the vehicle and told them to lie down on the road.

“As the robbery was going on, an oncoming vehicle, which was trying to escape the robbers, crushed the victims.

“Immediately this happened, the robbers fled the scene.”

Police spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka said four persons were killed.

He said the four women were working in different branches of the same bank.

“This has not happened in Anambra State in a long time, especially since the Commissioner of Police, Bala Nasarawa, took over.

This is unfortunate.

“But the assurance of the command is that such a thing will not repeat itself.

We are going to investigate the incident,” Chukwuemeka said.

NDLEA decries drugs use in Abia From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

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HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has decried the increasing rate of cocaine and heroin consumption in Abia State.

The Agency’s State Commander, Mrs. Florence Ezeonye, said the agency made a seizure of 1,112 kilogrammes of cocaine, heroin and cannabis last year.

She said cocaine was 683.9grammes, cannabis 1110.3kilogrammes and heroin 1.46kilogrammes.

The State Commander said 230 persons were arrested, comprising 211 men and 19 women.

“We are moving forward at least you can see the increase in the quantity of cocaine and heroin seized in 2012.

“I can say that people are leaving the trade of cannabis to that of harder drugs.”

Auto-Reg for Abia From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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HE Abia State Motor Licensing Authority has introduced AutoRegistration (AutoReg) for all categories of vehicles.

The Chairman, State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), Udochukwu Ogbonna, said the board has chased away licence touts from its offices across the state.

Ogbonna warned the public not to patronise touts who are always around tax offices.

He also warned touts operating in their tax offices to vacate such places.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

57

NEWS UNIBEN sues Edo Govt

Group: PDP NWC’s action in order

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HE management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has sued the Edo State Government over the ownership of 18 landed property in the Government Reservation Area.

The court has fixed March 5 to hear the interlocutory injunction filed by UNIBEN to restrain the government from evicting its staff from the property, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The university spokesman, Harris Osarenren, said the government, under the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, has threatened to dispossess the institution of the property.

Osarenren said the property were given to the institution under the administration of Brigadier-General Samuel Ogbemudia, who was then Military Governor of Midwestern State.

He said the property were residential apartments for staff of the university.

The spokesman said :“The government is bent to taking possession of the said property.”

Edo SSG hails CLOs

C

IVIL Liberty Organisations in Edo State have described Edo as a veritable and fertile ground in their quest to make the society a better place for all.

Their Chairman, Paul Enahoro Ojeme, said this when he led the organizations to visit the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

Ihonvbere said: “I want to praise some of you who have remained in the struggle.

Some of us who get into politics do so to be able to drive home the point we are making.

“But it is regrettable that some forget the struggle. If we don’t participate, they would be very happy but in participating, we should not forget the ideologies that brought us together.

SURE-P empowers youths From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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HE Federal Government has employed 3,000 youths in Edo State under its Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

The Chairman, Lucky Imasuen, said the payment of N10,000, known as the ‘Goodluck alert’, was delayed due to the processes of registration for beneficiaries.

He debunked the allegation that the forms were being given to only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the state.

Imasuen asserted that beneficiaries, who include youths, HIV/AIDS victims, indigent students, cut across the three senatorial districts.

“We have ensured that 30 per cent of the beneficiaries are women as directed by the Federal Government.

“We are working with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) because we want these beneficiaries to be self-employed at the end of their one- year programme.

A

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Communications, Hon Oyetunji Ojo (second right) cutting the tape to open the Digital Awareness Project of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at Erijiyan Community High School, Ekiti State. With him are NCC’s Head, Media and Public Relations, Mr Reuben Muoka (left); Commissioner, Mrs Abiodun Olujimi and Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe.

Cholera kills seven in Rivers community

S

EVEN people have reportedly died of cholera in Kula, AkukuToru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The indigenes yesterday blamed the scourge on the water in the community.

They called on the Rotimi Amaechi-led administration to come to their rescue.

•Govt denies outbreak

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Sources said the victims, mostly children, died as a result of drinking contaminated water and poor sanitary conditions.

An indigene, Anabs SaraIgbe, said indigenes de-

pended on borehole for drinking water, which he said was mostly non-functional.

Sara-Igbe said: "This is a major source of worry for Kula people.

“The government should work out modalities for a

good source of water for the community.”

The Commissioner for Health, Sampson Parker, could not be reached for comments.

But when contacted, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health, Akuro Okujagu, said the ministry is investigating the incident

Women protest invasion of farms in Delta

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VER two hundred women from Ohoro-Uwheru community of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday marched on the council secretariat to protest the invasion of their farmlands by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The women carried palm fronds and placards with inscriptions that read: “nama nama people have taken over our farmlands”; “We are afraid to go into our farmland for fear of rape” ; “They are killing our husbands and children, government should intervene.”

A protester, Mrs. Rose Osiebe, said since the Fulani herdsmen came into their land, so many women have been defiled in the bush.

“They have killed our husbands and children and any attempt by the youths to challenge them always end in a bloodbath.

Herdsmen kill woman in Edo

S

USPECTED herdsmen have defiled and killed a middle-aged woman at Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

The victim was identified as Victoria Umoru.

She was said to have been attacked while returning from the farm.

The lawmaker representing the constituency, Johnson Oghuma, narrated the incident under Matters of Urgent Public From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

“Two weeks ago, three indigenes of the community were killed by the Fulani herdsmen.

“We have complained several times at the Ughelli Police A Division, all to no

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Importance to the House of Assembly.

The lawmaker said investigation showed that the victim was slaughtered after being defiled.

He said activities of Fulani herdsmen were becoming a menace to the people.

The Speaker, Uyi Igbe, urged security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the crime. avail.

“We call on the Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Ughelli North Council Area Friday Akpoyibo to come to our rescue.”

Friday urged them to be calm and assured that the issue would be reported at the appropriate quarters.

Kidnapped driver: Family locks out Assembly workers

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ORKERS of the Edo State House of Assembly were yesterday locked out of the premises by the family of a driver, Victor Igbinovia, who was kidnapped on February 3 with his boss, Victor Edoror.

Edoror was released two weeks later but the driver is yet to be seen.

The family, which protested last Friday, continued yesterday, carrying placards in front of both entrances of the Assembly complex.

Inscriptions on the placards read: “Edoror, where is our son Victor Igbinovia?”; “Give us our son”; “We have not seen where a driver has been kidnapped before”.

The protesters said the kidnappers have not called to demand any ransom.

Igbinovia’s wife, Felicia, who was among the protesters, sat in front of the gate weeping.

She was inconsolable and carried their three-year old child.

Felicia said: “Edoror called my husband on Saturday to take him to Irrua that one of his relatives had an accident.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

“Since that day, I have been waiting for my husband and I have not seen him.

“The lawmaker said he didn’t see my husband that they were kept in different places.

“They came to my house three times asking me not to worry that if the lawmaker is released, my husband would

also be released.

“I am not sure this is kidnapping anymore. I went to his house to ask for my husband but he asked his security details to chase me away.

“One threatened to shoot me and I dared him to shoot.

“He does not call us. He said the kidnappers gave him a cell phone and N3,000 but that he cannot make calls with

PUBLIC NOTICE

the phone except the kidnappers called him. I then said maybe he had something with them.”

The victim’s brother, Osahon, said the lawmaker has refused to meet with them.

When contacted, Edoror said it was uncivilised for the family to accuse him of having something to do with their brother.

SOCIO-POLITICAL group, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Progressive Youth Forum (PDP-PYF) has criticised media reports that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party removed its former National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha and Vice-Chairman, South-West, Chief Segun Oni, despite a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal.

In a statement yesterday, the National Coordinator, Hon. Emiloju Ayeoribe, said: “Contrary to the falsehood being peddled in some section of the media, there is no order of the Court of Appeal stopping the PDP from obeying the judgment of Federal High Court.

The order was to stop the court bailiffs and plaintiffs from forcing PDP to implement the judgments and orders of the court by pressing contempt of court charges against them. There is no order staying the execution of Justice C.E Archibong in suit no FHC/L/CS/347/2012 and Justice E.O Abang in FHC/L/ CS/282/2012 – the judgments on which national leadership of the PDP based its actions.

“What the court said was ‘an order of stay of execution or further execution of the judgment and orders of Hon. Justice C.E. Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1248/ 2011 delivered on 27/1/11 is hereby made. All contempt proceedings shall stay to abide the outcome of the appeal in the said suit’.”

The group described the appeal as an afterthought that came rather too late in the day, adding:”The judgment in suit FHC/L/CS/1248/2011 on which a stay of execution was granted merely re-affirmed the Bashorun Dayo Soremi-led Harmonised Exco as the rightful body to conduct congresses in Ogun State.

And by the time the appellate court gave the order on 25th June, 2012, the Soremi-led had left office having conducted congresses in March 2012, and handed over to the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Exco. The posers are: can a completed act be stayed? Or can a pregnancy be aborted after the child had been born?

“The claims that the national leadership of the PDP acted hastily when there is a subsisting order of stay of execution or without allowing the judgment debtors to fully exhaust their rights of appeal is misconceived and an irresponsible attempt to intimidate the NWC and cause it to back down on the courageous path it has taken.

PUBLIC NOTICE RC NO: 922192

RC NO: 926092

THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 2004 MEMBERS VOLUNTARY WINDING UP OFABUKI LIMITED

THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 2004 MEMBERS VOLUNTARY WINDING UP OF CIELO LIMITED

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 468(2) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the Final General Meeting of the above named company shall be held at 56 Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos on the 27 day of March 2013, at 10am for the purpose of laying before such a meeting, the final account of the company and the giving of any explanation thereof.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 468(2) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the Final General Meeting of the above named company shall be held at 56 Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos on the 27 day of March 2013, at 1pm for the purpose of laying before such a meeting, the final account of the company and the giving of any explanation thereof.

Dated this 26th day of February 2013

Dated this 26th day of February 2013

By Order of the Liquidator

By Order of the Liquidator

Signed: Akin Ajibola

Signed: Akin Ajibola

…………………………………………

Liquidator

…………………………………………

Liquidator

Note: A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead, by completing and sending in a proxy form in the usual form to the Liquidator at 56 Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos, at least 48 hours before the time of the meeting. A proxy need not be a member of the company.

Note: A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead, by completing and sending in a proxy form in the usual form to the Liquidator at 56 Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos, at least 48 hours before the time of the meeting. A proxy need not be a member of the company.

58

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

NEWS

Taraba crisis: Police arrest 100

Fashola lights up underpass THE seven kilometres stretch of Ikorodu Road from Jibowu flyover to Maryland Underpass last night glowed brightly as Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola switched on the lights. He said the action demonstrates the government’s commitment to safety and security.

The Governor, who spoke at the brief but truly impressive switching on ceremony held after the State’s Executive Council meeting which expectedly stretched into the evening, added that safer roads, secured roads and crime free roads, are the hallmark of the kind of city state that the state wants to be.

“We are here tonight because most of the highways in Lagos now and the major traffic routes are lit up at night. The Ikorodu Road is the most strategic road, not only for Lagos alone but for the whole country. if you have driven on that road at night, you can only understand how impactful this service would be starting from tonight”.

“The lights will improve visibility, safety of drivers and safety of pedestrians.

That is one of the major reasons why this is a symbolic point for us to signify our commitment to the protection of life and property. To keep the citizens safe in their vehicles, to ensure reduction in road traffic accidents in the state that are caused by poor visibility at night.

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HE death toll in the ongoing religious crisis in Wukari, Taraba State has risen to 30, even as a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in the area, police said yesterday.

Over 100 persons suspected to have played roles in the riot have been arrested, said police spokesman Amos Olaoye.

He said: “Over 100 persons have been arrested. The death toll is 30.”

Also arrested is the man

•Death toll hits 30 From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

who was alleged to have first shot somebody.

An argument between two amateur players, while in the field in Wukari on Saturday ended in a bloodbath.

Five persons were killed and many injured.

Churches, mosques, commercial and residential buildings were torched.

A Muslim footballer reportedly gunned down a Christian teammate, following a quarrel. This caused retaliatory attacks that led to the death of four persons.

The Nation learnt that innocent people were still secretly being killed, bringing the death toll to 30 as at yesterday.

Police said the Katsina Ala-Wukari-Jalingo Road is

no longer safe. Motorists are now passing through the Katsina Ala-Takum-Mutum Biu axis.

“Bodies are recovered everyday,” the police said.

They are believed to be those of innocent people, who have been killed in clandestine reprisals.

The Chairman of Wukari Local Government, Danzumi Agbo, said the bodies have been deposited at a morgue in the General Hospital, Wukari.

Four Nasarawa varsity students killed

F

OUR students of the Nasarawa State University died yesterday during a protest over water scarcity in the institution.

Two of the victims were identified as, Aminu O. Usman, 400-Level Geography and Baba Emmanuel, 300-Level Physics The victims were among the students who protested against the scarcity of water and pow-

er outage in the school.

During the protest, some soldiers allegedly invaded the school and fired shots, an eyewitness said.

Nasarawa State Police Command spokesman Michael Ada confirmed the killing of the students, but denied that they were shot by the police.

He said the commissioner of police was on the scene.

Five students were reportedly shot by a combined team of soldiers and policemen, who moved in to open the barricade by the students of the Nasarawa State University (NSUK), Keffi, who protested yesterday against a water crisis, which had lasted for over one week.

The Deputy Governor’s spokesman, Joseph Danjuma, said they were about to “issue

a statement”, on the matter.

The university management has closed down the school, according to Jamil Zakari, spokesman for the university.

He said he heard of the shooting of the students, adding: “I cannot officially confirm this now.”

Ada said the Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Akeremale, had left Lafia to Keffi.

PUBLIC NOTICE OSOSANYA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwakemi Amudalat Ososanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwakemi Amudalat Lawal.

All former documents remain. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE STREET NAMING I, Cyril Kanu, wish to inform the general public that I have applied to Isolo Local Council Development Area, that the street situated off Onyebuchi Avenue, water side area, New Okota, be named CYRIL KANU STREET, in my favour.

This is for the information of Isolo L.C.D.A and the general public.

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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HE Logo 1 community in Makurdi, Benue State, has written a petition to the Minister of Power and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, against the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Makurdi Business Unit.

The community, a Makurdi suburb, has been in blackout for more than two months and two weeks. The residents alleged that PHCN disconnected their transformer and demanded that they pay N100,000 to get re-connected.

Spokesman for the community, Dr. Paul Omale, said the transformer was donated by the immediate past governor of Benue State and Senate Minority Leader, Dr. George Akume.

Said he: “We bought poles, cables, insulators and feeder pillars. But shortly after we were connected to the public supply, PHCN officials demanded N100,000. When we refused to pay, they asked for two units from the transformer, and later came to disconnect us from the public supply.”

The Public Affairs Manager of PHCN, Uche Oranye, said the company is investigating the matter and the community will remain in darkness until investigation is completed.

NPC to conduct demographic survey From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Navy to curb oil theft THE Nigerian Navy yesterday said only a proactive and constructive security would curb crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism across the country.

Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral DJ Ezeoba, said issues of crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism present significant threats to the country’s national security.

Admiral Ezeoba spoke at a two-day retreat on ‘Deterring Crude Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism in Nigeria; A Panacea for National Economic Prosperity’, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.

Blackout: Community petitions against PHCN

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•The chairmen taking the oath of office in Gombe…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Dankwambo urges new council chiefs on insecurity

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OVERNOR Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State has urged the newlyelected local government chairmen to address insecurity in their localities.

He spoke during the inauguration of the chairmen, who were elected during last Saturday’s poll.

From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

Governor Dankwambo said his administration has been doing its best to support security operatives, but has decided to extend the support to the rural communities through the local governments.

Said he: “While you are

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public of the Loss of acknowledgement receipt of Original Application for Grant/ ReGrant of Statutory Right of Occupancy with the following particulars belonging to Mrs. Chidinma Ngozi Ikpechukwu of No. 3, Nyala Close, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, FCT with file No: IM 64139 dated 10/12/2012 got missing. All efforts to trace the said document proved abortive. If found, please contact the owner on 08120909965 or the nearest police station.

SIGNED: MRS. CHIDINMA NGOZI IKPECHUKWU •

coordinating the activities of the communitybased security committees, prompt and timely reports should be sent to the state government to ensure that peace is maintained in all parts of the state.”

The governor also enjoined the chairmen to evolve ways of improving on the internally-generated revenue (IGR) of their local governments by plugging loopholes to prevent pilfering by the revenue collectors and other officials.

This, according to him, would reduce over-dependence on statutory grants from the federation accounts.

Governor Dankwambo said improved IGR would complement his administration’s efforts in the pro-

HE National Population Commission (NPC) will soon begin the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 12 of the 16 local governments in Kwara State.

The commission would embark on scientific random selection of 45 households for the exercise, the NPC Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene, has said.

He said a team of trained NPC supervisors and interviewers would conduct the survey in 12 of the 16 local governments.

Ndakene said women between 15 and 49 years and men between 15 and 49 years would be interviewed in 23 clusters of the state.

Council seals estate developer’s office From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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•Dankwambo

vision of infrastructural facilities. He advised the new chairmen to maintain the tempo exhibited by their predecessors in project implementation.

Speaking on behalf of the new council bosses, the Chairman of Gombe Local Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Sagir Babawuro, appreciated the people’s support during the election and promised not to disappoint them.

HE Consumer Protection Council (CPC) yesterday sealed the Abuja office of El-Salam Consult Limited, a real estate developer and seized its operational licence and other valuables for failure to appear before the Council to answer questions bordering on consumers’ complaints.

In the operation, which lasted about 30 minutes, the enforcement officers of the CPC, led by the Deputy Director Surveillance and Enforcement, Sham Kolo, an engineer, seized the firm’s operational licence, office equipment and arrested the Special Assistant to the Managing Director.

59

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

NEWS Governors reject Jonathan’s bid to remove Amaechi Continued from page 4

was going to emerge in President Goodluck Jonathan.

Akpabio replied: “The PDP Forum was formed with the consent of party leaders in order to keep the party united.

“There is nothing wrong with it. After all, you are the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum. Is there anything wrong with that?

Has Northern Forum divided the NGF? “The President or the PDP is not using anybody.”

“The shouting match between the two governors was so serious that some governors started packing their files, preparatory to leaving the venue of the meeting because they did not want to be part of the mess.

“At that point, the two governors embraced each other.

I think they raised their voices against each other as a car-

ry-over of their irreconcilable positions on Jonathan’s second term ambition.

“While Akpabio is for Jonathan’s second term, Aliyu recently reminded the President to stick to the oneterm pact he signed with PDP governors. So, a minor issue at the meeting led to the shouting march.”

The source added that the poll shift was at the instance of anti-Amaechi forces who sensed a loss at the meeting.

The source said: “It was apparent to the forces against Amaechi that they might not secure two-thirds majority or a simple majority to remove the Rivers State Governor.

“Prior to the commencement of the meeting, they were collecting signatories and they secured 16 out of 36, with only an opposition governor against Amaechi.

“They also came to the

meeting with a joker to make Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema the new Chairman of the NGF. All their permutations failed like a pack of cards. The pro-Amaechi governors also had a Plan B to make Aliyu the next NGF leader, in case of worst scenario.

“In the midst of the commotion, Akpabio stood up to move a motion for the postponement of the election till May. Akpabio was quoted as saying: “Why are we in hurry to conduct this election? After all, the tenure of the chairman of the Forum will end in May. “The election has heated up the polity, as if we are fighting each other. Let us hold the election in May when this tension would have died down.”

The source added: “The proposal from Akpabio was

seen as an olive branch from the forces against Amaechi and it was unanimously adopted that the election be postponed till May.” Asked why the pro-Amaechi governors agreed to the postponement, the source said: “We knew Amaechi’s opponents forces would have staged a walk-out, if we had gone ahead with the election.

“They did not have the number but they can create a crisis within the Forum and split it. This thing requires tact.”

Some of the states represented at the meeting are Borno, Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Niger, Enugu, Bayelsa, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Ondo, Anambra and Abia.

Others are: Plateau, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Adamawa, Jigawa, Imo, Edo, Kwara, Ogun, Osun and Katsina.

How Akpabio became PDP Governors’ Forum chair Continued from page 4

dent as saying: “If there is any issue, let us sort it out physically, man-to-man, instead of someone hiding under the Governors Forum to score cheap points.

“At that point, a pin-drop silence enveloped the venue because it was an open declaration of ‘war’ by the President.

Asked how the governor responded to the President’s speech, the source said they were all speechless at the session which had the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and acting National Secretary, Barrister Onwe Onwe in attendance.

With the comments of the President, the governors were boxed into a corner when the idea of a PDP Governors Forum was broached.

“I think the plot was al-

ready hatched before the President called for the meeting. That was how Governor Godswill Akpabio emerged as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum,” the source said.

Asked why no governor could make any input, the source, who pleaded not to be named, added: “The fear of backlash accounted for it.

With the vituperations against Amaechi, no governor needed to be told to

keep quiet.

“The mood at the meeting suggested that the Presidency could clampdown on any of the governors. So, it was better to beat a tactical retreat.”

But barely few hours after the forceful emergence of Akpabio, Northern governors in PDP regrouped to reject the “imposition”.

They said the North ought to have produced the chairman of the PDP Governors

Forum, going by the fact that 15 out of 23 members of the newly formed Forum are from the North.

Another source added: “The governors are insisting that the election of the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum ought to be thrown open.

“They want the choice of Akpabio revisited because it was not democratically done. That is another challenge facing the NGF.”

North’s governors urge militants to lay down arms Continued from page 4

sons in Zangon Kataf Local Government of Kaduna State which took a violent pattern like the ones before it.

“It decried the rising wave of murders of innocent Nigerians and increasing propensity of citizens to resort to violence to settle their differences.

“The forum said the surest way to resolve differences is through dialogue and therefore challenged those with grievances in all parts of the country to follow the path of dialogue instead of violence.

“The forum commiserated with the families of those killed or injured during the blast and called on all secu-

rity agencies to double their efforts in the discharge of their responsibilities of protecting the lives and property of the citizens.

“It said Northern Governors were working closely with the federal government to ensure that normalcy returns to the region.”

APC will defeat PDP in 2015, says Buhari Continued from page 4

Gen. Buhari urged the CPC leadership and its representatives at the various assemblies to see the merger as a call to duty, stressing that they should regard themselves as arrowheads of the movement.

“I believe merger is the only way to prevent the continuation of this bad governance. The political class is at one page that the only way to stabilise the nation is for the opposition to merge and face the ruling party because the country is tired of the PDP and its oppression, corruption, insecurity etc,” Gen. Buhari noted.

The National Chairman of CPC, Prince Tony Momoh, told the party faithful to be ready to embrace change in the affairs of the party as a result of the merger initiative.

Speaking about the postelection protests within the party, Momoh said the party has given enough room for dialogue and reconciliation with aggrieved members and that now is time for the party to move ahead.

“Change does not come from the bottom of the mountain, but from the top of it. Change comes not just like change of weather but human being can effect change,” he said.

Nassarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the only CPC elected governor, who briefed the gathering regarding the formation of the APC Governors Forum and its activities, said the forum has since imparted positively towards the achievement of the goals of the merger.

He said the APC has so far exhibited uncommon patriotism, unity and zeal in sup-

porting the opposition’s coalition movement.

Al-Makura said the governors resolved to work relentlessly not only to ensure the success of the merger, but also to work towards an APC victory at the polls in 2015.

He said the governors, who have met twice, would reconvene again at venue to be disclosed later to make further inputs in the constitution and manifesto f the new party.

Among the CPC leaders at the one-day retreat are former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Masari, Alhaji Sule Hamman, Alhaji Ishaku Ibrahim, Senator Solomon Ewuga, CPC senators and members of the House.

Akpabio said a committee led by Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema has been set up to look into the crises rocking the party in the Southwest.

On the Adamawa State crisis, he said the PDP governors resolved to allow the Kugama Mijinjwa-led executive to continue pending the outcome of Governor Sule Lamido Committee.

He said: “We are of the opinion that we should take steps to set up structures to meet the emerging challenge of APC. And part of the resolution is that we should have continued interaction of the party, the NWC, leadership of the Board of Trustees and build a synergy with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.”

According to him, the Shema committee on the southwest has two weeks to submit its report.

Some of the governors at the meeting included Delta, Abia, Bayelsa, Benue, Kano, Jigawa, Rivers and Kogi.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

G

ood day sir. Please what is the ideal age for a man to get married? Thank you – Chima

Dear Chima, there is no ideal age for a man to get married.

Maturity occurs at different ages. In addition to having the basics (an education, a stable job and decent income) a man should get married before he is 35. That way he can raise his kids before he grows old – Uche My uncle is 50years old and recently started experiencing weak erection. Sometimes he gets an erection but it will get weak in the middle of intercourse. On top of that, he does not last for up to three minutes before ejaculation and his sperm is small and watery. He does not want to use drugs because he is hypertensive – Luke Dear Luke, did your uncle tell you all these personal things about himself or are you the one having the problem? Anyway, men who do not want to use supplements for erectile dysfunction can use a penis pump instead. The Remote Plunger Pump is a new penis pump and is very good for weak erections and penis enlargement. He should also use a Cockring after pumping to maintain the erection for up to twenty minutes. For premature ejaculation, the Power Plus Delay Cream is recommended and for small watery sperm, Max Load supplement is what he needs. Max Load increases sperm quantity, thickens the sperm as well and makes male climax very enjoyable– Uche Hello sir. Thank you so so much. I am taking Sex Voltz now and I am getting powerful erections – Uche I experience dryness and pain sometimes during intercourse and I understand that a lubricant will help me. Please my husband and I do oral sex sometimes so please I need a lubricant that can be ingested– Margaret Margaret go for Frutopia Lubricant. It is made for lubrication and oral intercourse – Uche I could not get an erection for months until a friend that you helped told me about Enzyte. I just wanted to let you know that I took your advice and bought Enzyte. Now my

erections are okay again. Thank you sir - Linus I have had a lot of sex but I have never really had an orgasm.

Why? Mrs Ofokansi There are many factors that affect a woman’s ability to have an orgasm. Her upbringing, religious orientation, quality of intercourse, length of intercourse and her mental are all factors that shape a woman’s sexual experience. Get the movie Incredible Orgasms or the book Guide to Female Ejaculation.

They will explain this subject in detail and teach you what you have to do to become orgasmic. Also get a vibrator. That will make orgasms quick and easy – Uche Maximus Enlargement Cream has begun working since I started using it. The first thing I noticed before the enlargement started was that when I ejaculate during sex, my erections remained hard for more sex. I used to wait for hours before getting a second erection but not anymore. Thank you so much.

You have no idea how this has helped me – Jimmy You are welcome Jimmy – Uche Good morning sir. Please what is the work of Sex Voltz? I want something that will make me go two to three rounds – Ahmed Ahmed, in the words of the manufacturer, ‘Sex Voltz is a natural herbal supplement for men that gives energy, sexual vigour and bigger and harder erections with results that last up to 72 hours.

Sex Voltz also gives intensified orgasms, increased ejaculate fluid and a recovery time of as little as five minutes between erections’ (meaning that after ejaculating the first time, you will get a second erections within five minutes for a second round).

So yes, Sex Voltz is what you need – Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

FOREIGN NEWS Cuban leader Raul Castro says he will retire in 2018

Nigeria’s regional leadership role under-appreciated, says Osuntokun

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IGERIA’S contributions to regional and global peacekeeping efforts have been underappreciated and sometimes misplaced by entrenched interests, an international affairs expert has said.

Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Germany Prof. Akinjide Osuntokun, stated this yesterday at the Annual Nigerian Society of International Affairs (NSIA) 2013 lecture.

He spoke in a lecture titled: “A Hegemon in a Peripheral Region”: The Future of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Victoria island, Lagos.

The erudite scholar drew vastly on statistics to compare the enviable national power imperatives of Nigeria, in terms of its population, GDP, land mass, mineral derivatives and other intangible demographics including strategically geographical location, which towers immensely when compared with the combined stats of the other countries in the West African subregion, concluding that its claim as a hegemonic leader is never in doubt.

Unfortunately, Osuntokun says Nigeria does not get the credit it deserves out of envy from the sub-region and deliberate attempt by the West to attribute even its globally acknowledged success at peace keeping operations in the region to United Nations’s efforts.

On the home front, the historian laments Nigeria’s ruling class fumbling inability to put its house in order, giving the poor quality in governance, heart-rending corrupt practices, unacceptable poverty level which has led to insecurity in the national scheme of things.

He attributed these evils to why Nigeria’s quest for a permanent seat at

Syria says it’s ready for talks with rebels

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YRIA is ready to hold talks with the armed opposition trying to topple President Bashar Assad, the country’s foreign minister said Monday, in the government’s most advanced offer yet to try to resolve the 2-year-old civil war through negotiations.

One rebel commander welcomed the idea of talks, but only on the condition that Assad and those who are responsible for the bloodshed are put on trial.

Syria’s 23-month-old conflict, which has killed more than 70,000 people and destroyed many of the country’s cities, has repeatedly confounded international efforts to bring the parties together to end the bloodshed. Russia, a close ally of Assad and his regime’s chief international advocate, offered last Wednesday, in concert with the Arab League, to broker talks between the rebels and the government.

The proposal - which the Kremlin would be unlikely to float publicly without first securing word from Damascus that it would indeed take part - suggested the regime could be warming to the idea of a settlement as it struggles to hold territory and win back ground it has lost to the rebels.

Syria’s rebels have scored several tactical victories in recent weeks, capturing the nation’s largest hydroelectric dam and overtaking airbases in the northeast. In Damascus, they have advanced from their strongholds in the suburbs into neighborhoods in the northeast and southern rim of the capital, while peppering the center of the city with mortar rounds for days.

On Thursday, a huge bomb blast near the ruling Baath party headquarters in Damascus killed at least 53 people, according to state media.

P

By Dayo Fakuade, Foreign Editor

the UN in 2010 “was eroded by the abstention of the Guinean Permanent Representative and the outright voting against Nigeria by Liberia, Togo, and Sierra Leone.”

Professor Osuntokun called on Nigeria’s leadership to be mindful of the short life span of its hydrocarbon deposits, the fact that many countries in the region are discovering oil and the United States, Nigeria’s leading importer of its crude is poised to be a net oil exporter in the foreseeable future through technological advancement and that country’s quest for alternative, renewable energy sources.

Also worrisome, the professor says, is the proliferation of small arms which has escalated in the wake of the overthrow of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi “and the infestation of the Western Sahara by terrorists allied to either the Al-Qaeda In the Maghreb (ALQM) or al-Shabaab in the Horn of Africa”.

This threat he concluded, is not only to Mali, Mauritania among others but to Nigeria and her immediate neighbours’ security.

Moving forward, he advocated for a correlation between Nigeria’s power and influence in the West African subregion so that our assistance and efforts are not paid back with ingratitude.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, General Ike Nwachukwu, former distinguished senator, onetime Governor of then Imo State and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, enjoined all present to keep supporting the NSIA. He decried the contradiction in

•Prof Osuntokun

Nigeria’s growth rate of eight percent as one of the world’s fastest growing economy with 70 per cent of its population yet living below the poverty line of less than 150 Naira daily.

General Nwachukwu said it is cheer folly to place ourselves with the league of the top twenty economies in the world by 2020 alongside truly emerging economies of China, India, Brazil and others.

The well-attended lecture had in attendance experts, members and students of international affairs.

The President of the more than four decade old association, Professor Jide Owoeye, traced the formation of the association and its journey so far including an 12-year hia-

tus to the efforts of a few intellectuals led by Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, its founding president in 1971.

Among its objectives is; to promote teaching and research in international affairs; promote the application of knowledge thrown up by research in the process of foreign policy formulation and execution in Nigeria among others.

Professor Owoeye noted also that its early conferences were widely attended by members of the academics, military and the business communities, including Generals Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Chief Ernest Sonekan among other notable Nigerians.

Embattled British cardinal resigns

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ARDINAL Keith O’Brien, Britain’s highest-ranking Catholic leader, will resign early after being accused of improper conduct with priests — an unprecedented first head to roll in the mudslinging that has followed Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign — and said Monday he wouldn’t take part in the conclave to elect the next pope Benedict accepted O’Brien’s resignation as archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh — submitted back in November because he is due to turn 75 next month, the normal retirement age for bishops. But simultaneously, O’Brien issued a statement Monday

saying he would also skip the conclave because he didn’t want to become the focus of media attention at such a delicate time for the church.

O’Brien has said through his spokesman that he is contesting allegations made Sunday in a British newspaper that three priests and a former priest have filed complaints to the Vatican alleging that the cardinal acted inappropriately with them. The Observer newspaper did not name the priests, but it said their allegations date back to the 1980s. There were no details about the alleged inappropriate behavior.

It was the first time a cardinal has

said he was staying away from a conclave because of personal scandal, and comes in the wake of a grassroots campaign to shame another cardinal, retired Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, into refraining from participating because of his role protecting sexually abusive priests.

Mahony, however, has said he will participate in the voting for the new pope.

With O’Brien’s decision and the illness of an Indonesian cardinal, there are expected to be 115 cardinals under age 80 who are eligible to vote in the conclave.

Iran may get sanctions’ relief at nuclear talk

•President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

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AJOR powers will offer Iran some sanctions relief during talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan, this week if Tehran agrees to curb its nuclear program, a U.S. official said on Monday.

But the Islamic Republic could face more economic pain if it fails to address international concerns about its atomic activities, the official said ahead of the February 26-27 meeting in the central Asian state, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“There will be continued sanctions enforcement ... there are other areas

where pressure can be put,” the official said, on the eve of the first round of negotiations between Iran and six world powers in eight months.

A spokesman for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who leads the talks with Iran on behalf of the powers, said Tehran should understand that there was an “urgent need to make concrete and tangible progress” in Kazakhstan.

Both Russia and the United States stressed there was not an unlimited amount of time to resolve a dispute that has raised fears of a new war in the Middle East.

“The window for a diplomatic solution simply cannot by definition remain open forever. But it is open today. It is open now,” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told a news conference in London. “There is still time but there is only time if Iran makes the decision to come to the table and negotiate in good faith.”

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said there was “no more time to waste”, Interfax news agency quoted him as saying in Almaty.

The immediate priority for the powers - the United States, Russia, China,

Germany, Britain and France - is to convince Iran to halt its higher-grade enrichment, which is a relatively short technical step away from potential atom bomb material.

Iran, which has taken steps over the last year to expand its uranium enrichment activities in defiance of international demands to scale it back, wants a relaxation of increasingly harsh sanctions hurting its lifeline oil exports.

Western officials say the Almaty meeting is unlikely to produce any major breakthrough, in part because Iran’s presidential election in June may make it difficult for it to make significant concessions before then for domestic reasons.

But they say they hope that Iran will take their proposals seriously and engage in negotiations to try to find a diplomatic settlement.

The U.S. official said the powers’ updated offer to Iran - a modified version of one rejected by Iran in the unsuccessful talks last year - would take into account its recent nuclear advances but also take “some steps in the sanctions arena”.

RESIDENT Raul Castro announced on Sunday he will step down from power after his second term ends in 2018, and the new parliament named a 52-year-old rising star to become his first vice president and most visible successor, Reuters has reported.

“This will be my last term,” Castro, 81, said shortly after the National Assembly elected him to a second fiveyear tenure.

In a surprise move, the new parliament also named Miguel DiazCanel as first vice president, meaning he would take over if Castro cannot serve his full term.

Diaz-Canel is a member of the political bureau who rose through the Communist Party ranks in the provinces to become the most visible possible successor to Castro.

Raul Castro starts his second term immediately, leaving him free to retire in 2018, aged 86.

Former President Fidel Castro joined the National Assembly meeting on Sunday, in a rare public appearance. Since falling ill in 2006 and ceding the presidency to his brother, the elder Castro, 86, has given up official positions except as a deputy in the National Assembly.

LENTEN TALK Rev. Henry O. Adelegan

Theme: Joy over Jordan Text: “ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with Him” ( Matthew 3:17) RIVER Jordan is ordinary to ordinary minds but to spiritually minded beings, there is an historical perspective to it - it is a very dangerously powerful river! Jordan is from the Hebrew word, ‘yardane’ meaning “the Descender”.

When Jesus had an encounter with the River, His heaven opened and that engagement led to the start of His ministry ( Mark 1:9-11).

There was also a time when the sons of the prophets were desirous of progress and wanted to build a house, the River Jordan stood against, took their axe-head and frustrated their plans, but thank God that with a stick in the hand of an anointed of God their joy was recovered from “the Descender” (2 Kings 6:1-7).

Not only that, Naaman had grave health issues and Prophet Elisha told him that the solution was for him to engage the River Jordan. When he dipped his body in the River seven times, all that he had lost were restored (2 Kings 5:114).

Paul makes it clear that “ we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world…”

(Ephesians 6:12).

The only way to have joy over Jordan is “ to be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour ……” (Ephesians 6:10). The armour of God covers every part of the human body apart from the back meaning that children of God are not expected to shy away from any battle because turning back is dangerous. Resist the devil in prayers today and he will flee from you in Jesus’ name.

As you kit yourself with the full armour of God during this season of Lent and obey what He commands, be assured that God will fight for you, restore all that you have lost, move your life forward and take you to your Promised Land.

Prayer: Almighty God, you are the helper of the helpless, deliver me from the pains of Jordan and take me from where I am to where you destined for me in Jesus’ name.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

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SPORT EXTRA KESHI OPENS UP

NFF planned to sack me after Liberia game •Says two board members frustrated team in South Africa •Thanks Maigari for support

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UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi (CON) has confirmed the rumour about his sack shortly after qualifying Nigeria for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup. He said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) planned to sack him after the team’s Nations Cup qualifying victory against Liberia last year in Calabar.

Super Eagles defeated Liberia 5-1 at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, to book a passage to the 2013 AFCON after it failed to qualify for the last edition jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

By Taofeek Babalola and Uchenna Ajah Speaking on Monday Night Football on Cable Network station, Supersport, the big boss as he is fondly referred to shockingly revealed how some members of the federation did not want him to coach the team to South Africa.

“The plan to sack me in South Africa was not the first time. It started in Calabar immediately after our last AFCON qualifier game against Liberia. So it is not like the issue started in South Africa.”

•Keshi

Shortly after Nigeria lifted the trophy at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg, Keshi resigned his appointment following the federation’s decision to appoint a foreign Technical Adviser to boss him among other issues.

Speaking further, Keshi advised NFF chieftains over the unprofessional attitude of two board members who he said were bent on frustrating the team’s efforts.

“Maigari was out there trying to sort out money for the team and see how the team will succeed in the competition but these two people (board members) kept knocking our heads. I do not want to mention names since l do not want to dwell on the past, but these individuals need to get it right. In four weeks time we have a crucial World Cup qualifier against Kenya and we need to be focused.”

Keshi also responded to NFF’s claim of being the most supported local coach.

“Well, first of all I have a team on ground. Maybe the other coaches before me did not have one. My team needed to play friendly matches which NFF provided for us. If by doing so means they gave me and my team the best support that previous coaches did not have then l thank them very much because it enabled us to exposure the players.”

Dike confirmed for W/Cup ties

Mikel, a true H professional S

UPER Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi has explained why Chelsea star, John Mikel Obi was a huge success at the Africa Cup Nations despite the misgivings of Nigerians prior to the tournament.

He revealed that the midfielder is the best professional he has ever seen in the national team.

The Big Boss made this known 15days after he guided Nigeria to winning its third African Cup of Nations title by beating Burkina Faso in the final at the Soccer City Stadium, in Johannesburg on Monday Night Football a soccer talk programme monitored on SuperSport.

"John and I did talk before he came to honour Nigeria's last AFCON qualifier against Liberia; all I said to him was that he needed to give me 120% if he wants to play as he was not coming for holiday while he was in the country.

"I had a heard a lot of things about Mikel from

By Rasaq Oboirien

Nigerians; about his level of commitment to the national team.

"So he needed to prove me wrong. And from there, he said coach I'm coming to play for Nigeria.

"When he came we had another talk, and since the very first game he played under me against Liberia, I have never seen a great professional like John Mikel Obi in the national team.

"I told him to be himself, enjoy his game, do not hold back but express himself.

"As a coach, I needed to give my players a certain degree of responsibilities.

That I did, by giving him some that responsibility. I told him I was leaving everything in the midfield with him and if there were any lapses, I would hold him responsible.

"Mikel accepted it, with the belief that he's now part of the team.

He added that throughout the Nations Cup Mikel was a darling.''

By Paul Oluwakoya ead coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi yesterday expressed regret at excluding Bright Dike from the Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations winning squad. Bright Dike was named among the final five players dropped from the Super Eagles’ 23-man AFCON list released by Keshi in Faro, Portugal (Eagles Camp).

The Portland Timbers of U.S. Major League Soccer star’s omission from the team generated sympathy from football-loving Nigerians who were of the view that the impact of the America-based footballer, especially his performance during Nigeria’s friendly match against Catalonia, should have earned him a place in South Africa.

Speaking last night on Monday Night Football, a SuperSport programme, the Big boss described Dike as a potential player for the national team and that the 21-year-old lad will be invited for the national team's campaign for the 2014 World Cup. He said: “We really missed Dike. Yes we did. I know that if he had made my squad in AFCON it would have been a great relief, but I‘m so sure he will be called up for the World Cup qualifiers against Kenya in two, three weeks' time.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 8

NO.2,412

‘Lagos accounts for virtually every other business and commercial, activities that drive Nigeria’s economy, so, any terrorist attack in the emerging mega city could be inimical to Nigeria’s shaky image of a stable country’ WAHEED ODUSILE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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NTIL lately, few of the many puzzles the first-time visitor to Nigeria encounters could have been more intriguing than the warning in bold letters they find on the façade of many homes in many of the bigger towns: THIS HOUSE IS NOT FOR SALE. “If it’s not for sale,” the visitor must wonder in his or her innocence, “why call attention to that fact? Surely, any person offering to buy a house that is not on the market cannot complain if they roughen him up and throw him into the streets on the perfectly sensible ground that he could well be an intruder with criminal intent on his mind.

It could be worse, of course. The owners of the property could just as easily – and with greater profit to their own equanimity – hand him over to area boys forever lurking in the neighbourhood and abandon him to their notso-tender mercies. Or they could march him to the nearest police station, serenaded by the jeers and taunts and curses of passers-by, and turn him in as a burglar caught in the act Even in the more genteel section of town, offering to buy a house that has not been placed on the market is a fraught proposition. When it is proclaimed in bold letters on the property that it is not for sale, the contumacy is compounded.

As if this puzzle was not mystifying enough, a new one that cannot fail to raise questions in the visitor’s mind about the political rationality of the natives has now been added.

Hardly a day passes without a political figure proclaiming in full-page newspaper advertisements in lavish colour, on radio and television, on billboards and wall posters and in handbills, that he is not contemplating running for higher office (usually for president), has never contemplated such a move, and will never contemplate it.

To leave absolutely no room for any misreading, the statement usually adds for effect that any person who asserts, suggests, insinuates, implies, or in any other way creates the impression, by word or image or any other means whatsoever, that the declarant has ever harboured, now harbours or will ever harbor such an ambition, belongs in a lunatic asylum and should be rushed there without further delay.

You could hardly blame any visitor who concluded on encountering such abject disavowal again and again that aspiring to higher elected office is the greatest political crime in this realm. You would have a hard time convincing the visitor that political ambition has not been criminalised – at least, not yet.

It was not always like this.

Back when politics was politics and politicians were politicians, you adopted one of two strategies if you were desirous of climbing higher on what Disraeli called the greasy pole.

You proclaimed your desire from the rooftop and as loudly as possible, thus serving notice on anyone with any eye on the same position that he or she would have to reckon with you.

This strategy also carried with it the advantage of primacy, which is no small matter in politics. If you were the first to declare, you or your supporters could always label anyone declaring after you a spoiler driven by no higher motive than envy and malice.

RIPPLES PDP FORMS NEW BODY TO BREAK GOVERNORS’ FORUM–News

Are you EXPECTING ANYTHING BETTER FROM IT?

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

2015: So you want to be president?

•Aliyu

Nor is that all. If you cannot silence them altogether, jumping out ahead of the pack could also be an effective way of serving notice to all those professional malcontents who are forever kvetching about one thing or another to keep their intrusive eyes off you or face the consequences of their temerity.

The late Godwin Daboh understood this strategy very well. Even while the rules of the game were yet to be fashioned, Daboh would declare that he was going to run for governor of Benue. Thereafter, if anyone wrote or said anything he didn’t like, he would threaten to file a lawsuit seeking compensatory damages on the ground that the speech

or publication had ruined his chances of being elected governor. . .

Daboh had his faults, but you could never accuse him of reticence.

The second strategy is to keep everyone in suspense, without affirming an intent to run or denying it – the kind of strategy Dr Goodluck Jonathan has been employing with regard to the presidential election scheduled for 2015.

Those “on ground,” to employ a delicious Nigerian locution, say that his “body language” points powerfully to his seeking a second substantive term in 2015. But the wily resident of Aso Rock has steadfastly refused to be goaded into saying anything remotely definitive on the issue.

“It is too early to talk about it” has been his stock response when pressed on the matter.

He could for good measure add that the whole thing is a distraction when so much that has been malformed, deformed or unformed is awaiting transformation. From this vantage point, he can survey the entire field, identify potential challengers, and neutralise them on the threshold.

Could this be what has happened to Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, or are their current travails the products of pure coincidence?

No sooner was it bruited that the one might be running for president in 2015, with the other as vice president, than the political environment began to crackle. Though billed only to play second fiddle in the rumoured project, Amaechi frantically bought acres of pages in the newspapers and large chunks of prime time on radio and television, not forgetting

HARDBALL

billboards and handbills and social media, to proclaim that he had no plan to run for president or vice president.

Apparently, they did not take him at his word.

So, knock him off his perch as chair of the influential National Governors Forum. Failing that, create a separate caucus of PDP governors with a complaisant governor as chairman, to dilute whatever influence Amaechi may still muster. He may be governor of an oil-rich state, but he knows only too well that he can be brought to heel by the Federal Might.

Did I hear someone just say that the EFCC is waiting in the wings?

In this political season, fear of the EFCC is the key to self-preservation. Consider the cruel swiftness with which it was deployed against Timipre Sylva, former governor of Dr Jonathan’s home state, Bayelsa. Recall how it was pressed into service to rein in one party in what was essentially a war of words between protagonists of the previous order and the present one.

After his son was arrested, charged with trafficking in foreign currency and denied bail, Sule Lamido, who had been playing the waiting game, announced that he would not be a candidate for president in 2015.

In the months ahead, we are likely to see many more political figures declaring in the most emphatic manner possible that they have no plan to run for president, possibly going so far as to echo American Civil War general, William Sherman, who warned those seeking to draft him to run for president, that if nominated, they would not accept and if elected, they would not serve.

The PDP might well end up begging Dr Jonathan to run for re-election in 2015 because no one in the party currently holding high elected office is willing to risk being smothered in the EFCC’s net.

But the “No Vacancy In Aso Rock” opera, led by Tony “The Fixer” Anenih, had better not take the curtain call yet. Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu for one is not in the least fazed. He says he is not afraid of running for president and will announce his plans at the opportune moment. He has even summoned the audacity to assert that Dr Jonathan, having solemnly undertaken to hold office for just one term, cannot in good conscience run for another.

Bravo, Talban Minna.

Expect the EFCC or the ICPC or both of them to come calling shortly.

•For comments, send SMS to 08082036515

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

If N4b AFLPM House sails through NASS, anything else can

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O far, there is nothing to show that the National Assembly is softening its opposition to the N4bn proposed by the

Federal Capital City (FCT) administration for the construction and perhaps equipping of the headquarters of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) in Abuja. But you never can tell, especially with the curious manner the prickly and scheming Jonathan presidency handles lobbying. President Goodluck Jonathan, if we judge him correctly, may yet unleash lobbyists to push the project that started as an NGO affair only to graduate, in the eyes of the president’s wife, into a legacy project. It will not matter to the lobbyists that the economy cannot sustain the level of profligacy being embraced by the presidency. And it will hardly matter that the project, cleverly sidetracked by other African countries as unarguably nugatory, will merely massage the ego of the First Lady and her sympathisers. However, if the government presses ahead irrespective of opposition, it should meet a resolute National Assembly stand pat on the democratic ramparts.

But what is a little worrisome to every Nigerian is the First Lady’s rationalisation of the project. Not only did Dame Patience describe the lively and healthy debate on the AFLPM funding proposal as noise, she also

cynically concluded that were men to be the inspirers of the project, that grating noise would be absent. She made this point while speaking in Abuja last Thursday during the presentation of the ‘PDP Women-In-Power 2013 Calendar.’Bringing gender politics into the controversy is far-fetched in every conceivable way, but it is nothing compared to the outlandishness of her comparisons. Hear her: “The wife of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Maryam, built the National Women Centre while the wife of Gen. Sani Abacha, Maryam, also built the National Hospital.” Since she always comes across as a little wanting in general moderation and is often insensitive to the weight of her words, she added this clincher: “None of them (former First Ladies) left with the buildings. I am not the owner of the AFLPM, and when I leave, I will not take it away. It is not a pet project of anyone.” But contrary to the impression she tried to create, her argument actually showed it is indeed a pet project, her own pet project.

It is truly mortifying to hear the First Lady compare the AFLPM project with those of her predecessors. Frugality did not once feature in her argument, nor did relevance, nor, quite humbling, did reality check. Dame Patience forgets she is the wife of an elected president, not the wife of a military dictator. Her husband, she must be reminded, needs to ei-

ther persuade the legislature to acquiesce to the project or he must find creative ways of funding it, such as the ingratiating fundraisers Abuja is conversant with and is now inured to. But the country must hope that on the AFLPM issue the National Assembly will not indulge the presidency or the FCT. As this column argued on February 6; “No matter how much the Senate wants to cooperate with the presidency, it is unlikely it can be persuaded to approve the expenditure for AFLPM as part of the FCT budget.

After all, the sponsors of the project had vehemently clarified in 2011 and in July last year, during a dispute over supply of cars for the AFLPM summit, that it was an NGO. Taken together with its recklessness on the centenary project and other financial imprudence such as the N12bn proposed expenditure for the construction of two city gates for Abuja and rehabilitation of commercial sex workers in the FCT, it is clear that the President Goodluck Jonathan presidency has lost all sense of restraint in spending money and prioritising projects.” We hope flattering the Senate will get us somewhere.

If it doesn’t, and the AFLPM budget sails through, there may be no folly left that is too big or too self-deprecating for us to embrace.

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