Fri e pages 20 6 14

Newspaper of the Year

Arisekola-Alao’s unfulfilled dreams

NEWS

Page 8

•Burial for business mogul today

•Colombia 2 Cote d’Ivoire 1 •Uruguay2 England1

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2883 FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

NDIA has replaced the United States as the largest importer of Nigeria’s crude, with China and Malaysia following closely.

The U.S. has drastically reduced its demand, which now stands at about 250,000 barrels per day. India buys some 30 per cent of Nigeria’s daily crude production of about 2.5million barrels.

Speaking in Moscow, Russia at the on-going 21st World Continued on page 2

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

EKITI 2014

India replaces U.S. as top importer of Nigeria’s oil

•Red hot Osaze to play Bosnia •Eagles train in Cuiaba •Kanu lifts team’s morale •We must play with force, SPOR TS SPORTS says striker Emenike Pages 24&41

N150.00

•APC leaders stump for Fayemi as campaign ends AND MORE ON •U.S. to INEC: your credibility is at stake • PAGES 10&43 •21 parties back governor •IG replaces commissioner

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WHERE ARE THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15?

Govt gets $227m Abacha loot

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RITICS of the withdrawal of the money laundering charges against Muhammed Abacha got a reply yesterday.

The Federal Government said it withdrew the N446.3 billion corruption case against the son of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, to enable it recover more of the loot stashed abroad by the

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

former military leader.

The government said it would on Wednesday receive 167million euros ($227million) from the Principality of Liechtenstein, being part of the Abacha loot in that territory.

Attorney-General Mohammed Adoke, through government lawyer Daniel Enwelum, told Justice Mamman

Kolo of an Abuja High Court on Wednesday that he had filed a notice of discontinuance of the case.

The government filed a nine-count suit against Mohammed who it accused of “dishonesty, receiving stolen property and voluntarly assisting in conceding money belonging to the state, estiContinued on page 2

•THE FIN AL PUSH: Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (middle) with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (beside him), Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Jide Awe (behind Tinubu) and others FINAL arriving for the rally in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday

Ekiti: Soldiers threatened to shoot me, says Amaechi Okorocha’s, Tinubu’s, Oshiomhole’s aircraft grounded

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•Amaechi (in brown cap) discussing with APC leaders at the village where he was stopped ...yesterday

IVERS State Governor RotiA system that relies less on institution mi Chibuike Amaechi was shocked yesterday when than the mass to determine who wins a vote soldiers prevented him from at- treks delicately on the path of anarchy. That tending the All Progressives Conscenario must be avoided —Editorial Page 19 gress (APC) rally in Ekiti State.

His party’s candidate, GoverFrom Damisi Ojo, Akure Ekiti, but soldiers stopped his connor Kayode Fayemi, is seeking rein Akure, the neighbouring Ondo voy at the Ondo/Ekiti states election in tomorrow’s poll.

Amaechi arrived at the airport State capital, and headed for Ado- boundary.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, also billed for the rally, was not allowed to leave the Benin Airport. The chopper that would have taken him was prevented from flying on “orders from above”.

Amaechi, in an sms during his encounter with the soldiers wrote: Continued on page 2

•LASU RELEASES REVIEWED FEES P11 •COURT STOPS ALISON-MADUEKE’S PROBE P7

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

NEWS Govt gets $227m Abacha loot Continued from page 1

•The traffic gridlock and bonfire by aggrieved residents of Lungu village, Gwarimpa protesting on the Abuja-Kubwa Expressway over the demolition of their buildings in Abuja…yesterday. Right: Some of the residents stading by part of the destroyed building…yesterday.

PHOTOS: NAN

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Atiku, ALGON, Falana warn against dictatorship

HERE was outrage yesterday over the barring of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors from attending the final campaign rally of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Fayemi and other APC leaders who made it to the rally described the situation as a descent to dictatorship.

They urged Nigerians to resist moves by the federal government to use security operatives to undermine governors and subvert the will of the citizens.

“A situation where governors and other citizens can no longer move freely in the country is highly condemnable. This is the height of intolerance.

“What has happened to freedom of movement, freedom of association, freedom of expression and freedom of choice, which are well entrenched in the constitution of the country?, they queried.

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja, Adebisi Onanuga and Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar warned against turning the country into a police state.

In a statement yesterday by his media office, Atiku noted that the action of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - led federal government stopping the governors of Rivers and Edo from attending rally in a Gestapo-like manner, was capable of turning Nigeria into a Banana Republic where fundamental rights of citizens are trampled upon with impunity.

The former vice president was miffed at the way the federal government had been dragging the military and police into politics, saying “the government must stop instigating state security agents paid from tax payers’ money against helpless, hapless and law-abiding Nigerians”.

To the nation’s security agencies, Atiku said: “Our gallant military men should remain focused on securing and protecting the territorial integrity of our great nation, especially in this time of terror attacks and insurgency across the country.”

“A government that deprives its citizens from access to jobs and education as manifested by the on-going closure of some tertiary institutions, such as polytechnics, to be shut for nearly a year, has alienated itself from the masses and will definitely suffer the repercussion at the polls, use of force or not.”

He said the only viable alternative to the PDP-led government is the APC, which he described as a prescription for socio-political peace, progress, equity, security, unity and national development.

Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) advised governors whose movement was restricted by security agencies to approach the

courts for the enforcement of their right to freedom of movement and other fundamental human rights.

In a statement titled “The militarisation of democracy in Ekiti State”, the rights activist advised the governors to approach the high courts to ask for a perpetual injunction to restrain the federal government and its agencies from further abusing their right to freedom of movement.

He remarked that the government had continued to perpetuate the inhuman act against the governors because they failed to challenge the action in law courts.

He remarked that with the deployment of over 30,000 military and paramilitary forces, Ekiti State had been fully militarised in readiness for the war against the forces of democracy, adding: “Not unexpectedly, the peace-loving people of Ekiti Continued on page 59

mated to N446.3 million.

In a statement yesterday on behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by her spokesman Paul Nwabuikwu, the government said President Goodluck Jonathan would constitute an interministerial committee to identify the best projects and programmes in which to invest the funds.

The statement added that President Jonathan had directed that “part of the funds be saved in the Future Generations Fund, one of the Funds managed by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to help secure the economic future of both Nigerian youths and unborn Nigerians.”

He said as part of the agreement reached with the Principality of Liechtenstein, the World Bank would assist in monitoring the utilisation of the funds in specific projects.

According to Nwabuikwu: “The return of the funds is the culmination of a robust 16year effort by the Federal Government to retrieve the funds.

Working under the leadership of President Jonathan, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adokeled the effort with support from the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi

Okonjo-Iweala and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.”

The return of the funds, the statement said, “was delayed by the suit instituted at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) by companies owned by the Abachas alleging infringement of their rights to a fair trial and to peaceful enjoyment of their possessions.

As a result, the Principality of Liechtenstein could not proceed with the return of the funds.”

However, to demonstrate the commitment of the Federal Government to retrieving the funds which belong to the Nigerian people, Nwabuikwu said “the Attorney-General of the Federation also filed a suit against Mr Mohammed Abacha before the Abuja High Court and as part of the negotiations to expedite the recovery of the funds, the Abachas agreed to discontinue their suit before the ECHR.” The Federal Government he said, “also equally withdrew the case against the Abachas, to pave the way for the release of the looted funds by Liechtenstein.”

The statement added that the Federal Ministry of Finance had released N200 billion for capital projects for the second quarter of the year. This brings the total capital releases for the first two quarters of 2014 to N400 billion.

India replaces U.S. as top importer Continued from page 1

Petroleum Congress, Coordinator, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Tim Okon, told reporters that the Asian countries had since replaced the US. NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Ohi Alegbe stated this in a statement yesterday.

According to the statement, Dr. Okon, who also doubles as the Director of Transformation of the NNPC, explained that Nigeria would not ignore any market in her quest to remain competitive in the global oil

and gas industry.

“Asia is important and in that respect we have regards for all markets; the important thing is to make sure that you are selling the products that you have and you do not ignore any market,” he said.

Nigeria is participating in the congress to access global business opportunities in the petroleum industry, especially in the gas sub-sector, to enable it to position itself as a major competitor in the hydrocarbon market.

He said as a natural resource rich country, Nigeria is working hard to do a better job in developing such resources and Continued on page 59

Ekiti: Soldiers threatened to shoot me, says Amaechi Continued from page 1

“Waylaid by soldiers in Akure/Ekiti road. Threatening to shoot me, chased me to a village called Olorunsogo Ilado in Ondo State. They have allowed the Minister of State for

Defence (Musiliu Obanikoro) and the Minister of Police Affairs (Jelili Adesiyan) to go through.”

In a tweet, Amaechi said: “Again, the plane that brought me to Akure has been grounded at the Akure Airport. I can’t go to Ekiti and can’t leave Akure.

There is God ooo.”

The Rivers governor was stopped at Iju, a boundary town in Ondo State.

The soldiers also did not permit him to return to Akure when he told them of his intention to go back.

Amaechi returned to Lagos by road after about five hours delay at the spot as the security operatives insisted they had “orders from above” to ensure he did not enter Ekiti.

The soldiers rebuffed entreaties from some APC chieftains who pleaded with the soldiers to allow the governor into the state to attend the rally, which is within the provision of the Electoral Law. His aircraft was grounded at the Akure Airport, following a

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APC raises alarm over barring of governors

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) raised the alarm yesterday over the stopping of its governors by security agencies acting on “orders from above” from travelling to Ado-Ekiti for the party’s final campaign for the Ekiti State governorship.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Governors - Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) were prevented from making the trip.

The helicopter that was to ferry Oshiomhole from Benin to Ado-Ekiti was refused permission to take off from the Benin Airport.

According to the APC, while the plane carrying Amaechi actually landed in Akure, his convoy was stopped at the boundary between Ondo and Ekiti States and ordered to turn back, because he would not be allowed to reach Ado-Ekiti.

The party said while Amaechi’s convoy was being detained to force him to turn

“fresh order” barring any plane from landing and taking off from the airport.

APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC Governors’ Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, were prevented from flying out of the airport after the rally. They travelled to Lagos by

back, the convoys of the Ministers of Defence and Police Affairs came, and were allowed to pass.

“These acts are illegal and definitely not in line with the Electoral Act, which stipulates that campaign for the election will only end at midnight on Friday.

“It also represents a manipulation of the electoral process when all the candidates will not be allowed a level-playing field to campaign for the election. There is no clearer manifestation of the federal government’s allergy to free, fair, transparent and violence-free election than this,” the party said.

It condemned the abuse of national institutions and the abuse of power which these actions represent, especially because only the Federal Government has control over these institutions, including the security agencies that have now become a tool in the hands of an increasingly-desperate government of the day.

Said the APC: “Several months ago, we warned that Nigeria under the watch of

road.

In a statement, the Rivers State Government said it was “concerned about the safety of Governor Amaechi who is right now being held hostage commandostyle by soldiers and federal government security agents in Olorunsogo Ilado, Ondo State.”Governor Amaechi, as

President Goodluck Jonathan was sliding into fascism and we were pilloried in certain quarters for daring to make such a statement. Today, we have sadly been vindicated.

“Not even in the worst days of the abhorrent military dictatorship were things done this brazenly, with citizens being denied their fundamental rights of free movement, free assembly and free expression, all because of the desperation by the ruling party to win elections at all costs.”

“We, therefore, call on all good people of Nigeria and indeed all the country’s international friends to speak out against what is happening before things get out of hand. If democratically-elected governors could be so shabbily treated, despite the high office they occupy, what will happen to ordinary Nigerians in the hands of an increasingly-fascist government?” the APC queried.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Re-

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and as an APC governor and chieftain, left Port Harcourt this morning for Ekiti State where he was to join his brother governor in his last mega rally before the elections.

“Governor Amaechi was ambushed and refused entry into Ekiti by military personnel act-

Continued on page 59

ing on orders from above. He made to turn back and return to Akure where his charttered aircraft was parked but was chased and surrounded by armed soldiers and security personnel in Ondo State. According to the captain, who led the operation, he had orders not to allow the governor entry or exit.

•Oshiomhole

“The chattered aircraft that conveyed the governor has been grounded while the minsters of Defence, Police Affairs and Minister of State for Defence have landed at the Akure airport.

“The Rivers State government is especially worried that the Federal Government and President Jonathan have singled out Governor Amaechi for harassment and attack.

Continued on page 59

ADVERT HOTLINES 08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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NEWS

Boko Haram st

•From left: CEO, Fidelity Bank Ghana, William Derban, Senior Vice President & Africa Regional Head, Accion, Brian Kuwik, Lead Consultant, Thistle Praxis, Ini Onuk, CEO, Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba and CEO, Lotus Capital, Hajara Adeola at the Thistle Praxis AR-CSR conference in Calabar, Cross River...yesterday.

Cameroun which shares border with Nigeria is beginning to feel the pang of the Boko Haram insurgents who are storming its villages to recruit young boys, reports Sky News

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•From left: Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru ,Executive Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Mrs Dayo George, Head of Lith and IP, Mrs Erewa Odiri and General Manager, Mrs Abimbola Okoya during BATNF Start-Up Ogun Youth Enterprise Training in Abeokuta... yesterday.

THE Nigerian-born Islamic militant group Boko Haram is terrorising communities inside neighbouring Cameroon and snatching young boys from across the border and forcing them to join the sect.

Abubakar Shekau is the shadowy leader of Boko Haram who took control of the Islamist group after the death of founder Mohammed Yusuf in 2009.

Little is known about him, although he was born in Shekau village in the northeastern state of Yobe and is now thought to be in his early 40s.

We saw abandoned villages and burned-out schools inside Cameroon, despite the presence of hundreds of troops including some of the country’s top soldiers from the elite rapid response unit Battalion D’Intervention Rapide (BIR).

Shekau is Nigeria’s most-wanted man and was designated a terrorist by the US government in 2012.

The huge 1,243-mile (2,000km) border with Nigeria is mostly unmanned and un-policed, allowing Boko Haram to cross over and mount at-

•Sky News Alex Crawford is with the elite Cameroon unit BIR as it fights extremists

tacks inside Cameroon with horrifying regularity.

A reward of $7m (£4.6m) and 50m Nigerian naira (£182,000) has been issued for information leading to his location.

Shekau is also known as “Darul Tawheed”, a reference to his knowledge of an orthodox doctrine of Islam centred on the oneness of Allah.

Soldiers from the BIR are desperately trying to stop the spread of Boko Haram in their country.

Nigerian authorities thought he had been killed in 2009 during clashes with security forces but he reappeared in a video in 2010 to claim leadership of Boko Haram.

Shekau is believed to have been be-

For policemen, officers, there is life after service

•From left:Technical Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Henk Wymenga , MD/CEO, Psaltry Inter. Ltd., Oluyemisi Iranloye, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, MD/CEO, NB Plc, Mr Nicolaas Vervelde, Divisional Director, International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), Andre de Jager during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigerian Breweries Plc and Psaltry International Company Limited on Cassava Starch Partnership in Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

Police Pension is a controversial issue. But, Police spokesman Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) FRANK MBA, in this piece, argues that a lot has been done to guarantee sweet retirement for officers and men

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•From left: Chairman, Mojee International Limited, Chief Mrs. Mojisola Abdul, Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Muhammed Ricco, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Patrick Ikhariale and Managing Director, Mojee International Limited, Mas Chantelle Abdul when the committee visited the company’s head office in Lagos.

AY and night, in peace as in times of crisis, they toil in spite of the elemental forces of the sun, heat, wind, rain and other adverse weather conditions.

Herculean indeed is the task of providing effective security and safety for their beloved country and people.

Yet, it is true that nothing borders these unsung heroes and long-suffering Policemen as much as their retirement benefits.

These worries are not unwarranted against a long and bitter history, better to be forgotten - a history of pension funds embezzled by corrupt civil servants, of gratuity and other emoluments not paid at all or paid belatedly in meaningless bits and pieces, or of Police retirees dying in endless queues while awaiting their benefits. Arguably, as the bitter groans and ululations of unhappy retirees from other Parastatals and agencies

did demonstrate, the pain and anguish suffered then were not limited to Policemen alone, it was a general malaise. This state of affairs compelled the Federal Government to enact the Pension Reform Act (PRA), 2004 which replaced the old public sector operated Defined Benefit Scheme with the present Contributory Pension Scheme.

Of course, the present scheme is miles away better than the old one and many literatures have been written in praise of the Federal Government for this. Equally commendable are the efforts tailored towards making the Scheme better. However, even under the present scheme, some of the complaints raised above still persist.

These include: under-payment of retirement benefits, low remittances and in some cases non-remittance of Pension contributions as well as undue administrative protocols deliberately

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

5

m storms Cameroun to recruit boys

•Cameroon has put elite troops on the border

hind the August 2011 bombing of the UN compound in the capital Abuja, which killed at least 21 people.

In a video released after the abduction of 276 girls from a boarding school in the village of Chibok on April 14, he described the youngsters as “slaves” and threatened to “sell them in the market”.

He said: “Western education should end. Girls, you should go and get married.

“I will repeat this: Western education should fold up. I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah.?

“I will marry off a woman at the age of 12. I will marry off a girl at the age of nine.”

But the sect, which appears to be try-

ing to create an Islamic fundamentalist belt across West Africa, continues to wreak terror and destruction all along the border.

Nigeria has accused Cameroon of not doing enough and has said Boko Haram fighters and leaders are using the country as a safe haven.

But the country’s military leaders insist that is not the case.

Cameroon Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Badjeck told us: “They are not in Cameroon. Why would we allow that?

This is bad for Cameroon.

“We are suffering, too, at the hands of Boko Haram.”

He said the country may have reacted slowly to the Boko Haram threat

but had reacted as soon as they realised it was growing and encroaching into Cameroon.

There are now hundreds of troops including those from the elite BIR unit, in the north.

The border lines are often difficult to decipher with no markings or obvious difference between the two countries.

In the town of Amchide, the border cuts right through the town with roughly two-thirds of the town under Nigerian control and the remaining third in Cameroon territory.

We were with the elite unit as soldiers patrolled through the town and up to a rope across the road which signalled the end of Cameroon land.

About 100 metres away, some Nigerian soldiers cheerily greeted their counterparts.

There appears to be much more cordial relations on the ground among the foot soldiers than there is between their respective political masters.

In other communities, the villagers told us how Boko Haram militants stormed in during the day, trying to snatch young boys to add to their recruits.

One young lad told us how he was approached by the militants as he worked in the fields.

They at first tried to persuade him to join them. When he refused, the situation turned ugly but somehow he managed to run away.

The eyes of the world are on Syria and Iraq at the moment as the Islamic militants there shock with their brutal attempts to wrestle control of swathes of both countries.

But according to the Cameroon military, the Islamic militants of Boko Haram are fighting a similar terror campaign in West Africa.

The sect is spreading across the northeast of its own country but also spilling over into its neighbours.

Cameroon, with its long, unchecked border, is possibly most vulnerable.

And so far, despite the attempts of even some of its top soldiers, the Boko Haram fighters, far from being defeated, appear to be growing in strength and numbers.

created by some Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

This paper therefore, is at once celebratory as it is, as well, an attempt to tell the true story on why the Nigeria Police Force opted to have its own limited liability company, the NPF Pension Limited which is to operate as a Pension Fund Administrator to exclusively manage the Pension contributions of the personnel of the Force.

In view of the above observations and desirous of an exemption from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) just as was done for the Military and the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force approached the Federal Government but that request was turned down, ostensibly because it was argued that since the Police Force commands the largest staff strength, having over 300,000 officers and men, its exiting from the scheme will be counter-productive and adversely affect the financial stability of the scheme. The Force however did not give up the fight and subsequently, the Federal Government directed that administrative solutions be adopted to address the genuine grievances of the Police within the framework of the pension law.

In line with the Federal Government’s directive therefore and in compliance with relevant provisions of the PRA 2004, the Police High Command then set up the NPF Pensions limited which subsequently applied to the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for license to operate as a PFA, exclusively for the Force, in order to address the peculiar concerns of Police officers. But like the proverbial camel passing through the eye of a needle, the task was tortuous and seemed insurmountable. In fact,

the road to the accomplishment of this feat was strewn with thorns and thistles but NPF Pensions Limited overcame it all. The Commission felt satisfied that NPF Pension Limited had met all the stringent conditions required and therefore granted it an Approval-in-Principle (A-I-P) for a license to operate as a PFA.

the matter, PenCom made it distinctly clear that first, only the administration of RSAs of Police personnel is being transferred to NPF Pensions Limited and not cash since the money will remain in the custody of licensed PFCs. Second, that it has designed an operational framework guiding the reassignment of Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and transfer of records of all Nigeria Police Contributors to the NPF Pensions Limited in eighteen months period.

It is worth mentioning however, that in spite of the fact that the NPF Pensions Limited was established by the Nigeria Police Force, it is nonetheless, a limited liability company independently managed by experienced professionals who have been certified as ‘fit and proper persons’ by the Commission. Besides, the Nigeria Police have never been involved in Pension Fund mismanagement or embezzlement.

Rather, they have been the victims who have suffered severely because some Federal civil servants entrusted with their Pension Funds had stolen their money. However, blaming the victims for woes they did not inflict on themselves, is at best an unkind cut and an injustice of the worst kind! As earlier stated, one of the reasons the Police Force opted to have its PFA is to right the wrongs of the past and prevent a repeat of becoming perpetual victims in our country.

Our history of excellent management of corporate entities is incontestable. Companies such as NPF Microfinance Bank Plc, NPF Mortgage Bank Plc, NPF HMO and NPF Multipurpose Cooperatives Limited which have been operating profitably over the years under the relevant regulatory agencies are proudly owned by the Police. The NPF

Microfinance PLC is quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and is the undisputed and widely acknowledged best Microfinance Bank in the Country.

It needs be stated that the setting up of the NPF Pensions Limited is worthy of celebration. Its operation offers an average Policeman a sense of fulfillment as issues relating to his job and career would be ably addressed to suit his peculiar needs. Firstly, it will help to address the issue of multiple registrations peculiar with existing PFAs. Secondly, it will ensure uniformity in contribution and accurate remittance of pension retirement benefits to all retirees under the scheme.

Thirdly, in all Police Commands there will be Pension desks, manned by officers, which will be integrated electronically with the NPF Pensions Limited to enable easier and faster transactions between Police officers and their PFA. No doubt, this will facilitate prompt payment of retirement benefits with little bureaucratic processes.

Fourthly, it will afford commensurate returns on investments arising from operational profits which NPF Pensions Limited can make and this will be ploughed back to improve Police welfare.

Fifthly, NPF Pensions Limited will provide another opening for job opportunities for Nigerians, thereby helping to tackle the problem of unemployment and other social ills, including crimes often associated with lack of decent jobs.

Furthermore, it is also easier to identify Police officers who have Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) such that payouts would be made to the true beneficiaries only and thus help to eliminate fraud. Also, there is

a measure of assurance with regards to the security of funds which are now in the custody of a licensed Pension Fund Custodian (PFC). As a matter of fact, the setting up of NPF Pensions Limited is a win-win situation for all the relevant stakeholders – the Federal Government, PenCom, NPF Pensions Limited and other PFAs, Police personnel and the general public.

Finally, as we draw our curtain on this write up, we wish to express our immense gratitude to all those who have in one way or another assisted the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, psc along with his Management Team in his golden, trailblazing innovations and unprecedented welfare measures, among which the setting up of the NPF Pensions Limited has become the icing on the cake, cautiously designed to make the lives of the officers and men of the Force better. Now, more than ever before, the officers and men can proudly and patriotically serve their country knowing that, indeed, after service, there is life!

Indeed, there is a strong reason to celebrate the Approval-in-Principle (A-I-P) granted which has qualified it for a license to operate as a Pension Fund Administrator that will exclusively manage the pension contributions of the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force. Needless to say that Police Pension Funds are funds meant to settle officers and men of the Nigeria Police upon retirement, in line with the Pension Reform Act (PRA) of 2004.

Some commentators on pension matters have however expressed fear and uncertainty that the setting up of the NPF Pensions Limited and granting it an Approval-In-Principle (A-I-P) for a license to manage the pension contributions of Police personnel will constitute a major threat to the N4 trillion pension assets, in view of the safety and professional management of the fund. What an unwarranted and misplaced fear!

In one of its recent publications, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) painstakingly addressed these concerns. It explained in very lucid and concise terms that there were no bases for such doubts and fears in view of the fact that the management and custody of Pension assets are respectively undertaken by separate licensed operators, namely the PFAs and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) under the strict supervision of the Commission. Expatiating further on

•CSP Mba

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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NEWS ‘NECO not set for computerbased test’ From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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HE National Examinations Council (NECO) is not ready for computer based test (CBT) , despite the global preference for it, the body’s Registrar, Prof Promise Okpala, has said.

He ruled out using CBT in the nearest future.

Okpala spoke yesterday in Minna, the Niger State capital, when a CBT laboratory was donated to the examination body by an Abuja-based information and communication (ICT) company.

He said the council would stick to its current system of conducting examinations, including the use of laboratory, multiple choice questions, long essays and orals.

According to him, the use of multiple choice questions is just one of the four processes and it is the only one available for computer-based testing in NECO examinations.

Okpala said: “Most of our examinations are in papers one to four. The use of multiple choice questions is just one-quarter of the examination procedures.

NECO examinations are not conducted in one day. We try to balance up. We will not dwell on multiple choice questions alone.

“In a subject like Mathematics, you cannot just mark the answers. How the candidate arrives at the answers is what matters. Even the alternative to practical is not practical. If you want to get a comprehensive assessment on some subjects, you will need to do practicals.

“Malpractice is becoming endemic in this generation. So, the marking requires deliberate observation. There are lots of processes to assess the student, which will not be possible in CBT.”

NAFDAC arrests prof for making ‘false claims’

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

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HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested Prof. Dayo Oyekole, the Chief Consultant of Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare International for alleged false claims.

The hospitals at 11 Ire-Akari Estate Road, Isolo, Lagos. Its head office is at Mosebolatan Plaza at Ogbere-Tioya, off Olorunsogo Express Bridge in Ibadan, its Oyo State Capital.

NAFDAC’s Director-General Dr Paul Orhii said the agency arrested the natural health practitioner for allegedly faking NAFDAC’s registration number and making false claims, including cure for terminal diseases.

Orhii said: “NAFDAC discovered an advertisement where Prof. Dayo Oyekole of Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre placed an unauthorised advertisement of a range of herbal products with spurious claims of total cure and deliverance of various ailments.

“Upon investigation, a few of the products (four of 14) were listed by NAFDAC between 2005 and 2007. Since then, the listing of the products has not been renewed, as required by law. Ten of the products have no history of listing with NAFDAC, but are openly displayed for sale and dispensing in his clinics.”

The NAFDAC chief said unauthorised advertisement and false claims among herbal medicine practitioners had been a source of worry to the agency.

Disquiet at Conference over arrest of 487 Boko •We don't want Haram suspects in Abia sect in Rivers, says Awuse •Dalhatu: North may retaliate

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EMPERS rose yesterday on the floor of the

National Conference over the arrest of 487 travellers in Abia State suspected to be Boko Haram member.

The travellers were said to be travelling from Kano State to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, when they were apprehended.

The matter divided delegates along ethnic lines during debate.

Attempts by northern delegates to cut short the speech of Sergeant Awuse, a delegate from Rivers State, who raised the issue failed.

The delegate persisted, warning that Nigerians should be told that Rivers residents would not allow Boko Haram insurgents on their soil.

Awuse, a delegate on the platform of Southsouth, said it was curious that where 33 trucks carrying 487 assumed traders were found around 2am.

He said: "We were told that these men were traders. The papers reported yesterday (Wednesday) that these men were members of the feared Boko Haram.

"The reason we can no longer wait but bring it to the attention of the conference is that we were told and we read in the papers that one of the most wanted men in the Boko Haram sect, being sought by the security agencies, was found among these men.

"There are happenings that made us to believe these things, because we have to be a little bit more proactive in this matter.

"If we all remember, on June 11, 2014, in one national newspaper, (Borno State) Governor Kashim Shettima was quoted as saying: 'If Boko Haram insurgents succeed in overrunning the Northeast, as they seek, they will surely want to extend greater havoc to other parts

Absentee delegates won’t be paid, says Akinyemi

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EPUTY Chairman of the National Conference Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, yesterday decried the high rate of truancy among delegates.

He said the conference leadership resolved that from Monday, delegates who failed to attend sittings would not get their allowances.

Akinyemi said it was disheartening that over 50 per cent of delegates have continued to stay away from plenary.

He said the government drew the attention of the conference leadership to the development when it became so glaring.

According to him, besides the government, other observers had expressed worry over the issue.

Akinyemi said: “This comment is not easy for me to make because some delegates may be offended. If you look at the seats, they are half empty. The government has also From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

of the North, and if they overrun the North, they will want to extend to the South'.

"This statement was made on June 11 and, on June 16 or thereabouts, we had this type of arrest in Aba, Abia State, of people heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

"Why it is important, and why we require some decisions by this house is because, for those who are familiar with Port Harcourt, when you enter the city, either from the airport or from Aba zone, you will find intermittently oil installations scattered all over the place.

"We are worried because any attempt to sabotage the oil installations will not only cause the economy of this nation some money but can cause a disaster that we may not be able to handle.

This is because of the way the city was constructed at the time. We know that oil installations are found in places where today are covered by residential buildings and industrial facilities.

"The importance of this to all of us is because the people of Southsouth enjoyed the friendship of all Nigerians. But when there are cases, such as where 33 trucks carrying '487 traders' are

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

observed that 50 per cent of our members do not show up for debates. The government has said we should consider not paying allowances to delegates who do not show up for debates.

“We are adults; we do not want to treat delegates as if they were secondary school children. But with effect from Monday, delegates who do not show up, will not be paid allowances, unless for health reasons, where such delegates must have informed the chairman in advance.”

It was learnt that some delegates have not attended the conference more than three times since it was inaugurated on March 17.

Akinyemi urged the delegates to take their assignment seriously in the nation’s interest.

found around 2am, one would have reasons to ask questions. Those questions would result in some issues that we may not be able to handle, if care is not taken. "...Nigerians have seen enough destruction and killings and we don't want such in our area. We don't want Boko Haram in our area.

"I urge this house to pass a motion urging security agencies to be a little bit more proactive. This is because we are going to have more serious issues arresting them.

"I am saying this because from dependable security source, those 33 buses were not the only ones; some had already been infiltrated.

From the same security report, we know they are there."

But Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, a delegate from Jigawa State, wondered why nearly 500 migrant traders would be arrested and tagged Boko Haram insurgents.

Dalhatu warned that the consequences of the indiscriminate arrest of northerners in some parts of the country under the guise of hunting down Boko Haram insurgents would be grave for the country.

He said: "A word is enough for the wise."

Dalhatu said: "It is true that

we are in trying times in this country; nerves are bound to be frayed now and again because of the security circumstances we all find ourselves.

But we have to caution ourselves.

"Since nearly 500 traders were arrested and tagged Boko Haram insurgents, we have heard all sorts of insinuations.

"But for us to quote newspaper reports, as authentic certified information, is not entirely advisable.

"When we heard of this development, a lot of us were scampering around to authenticate the information.

We have been assisted, however, by information from various independent sources that those people arrested in Aba are migrant traders engaged in the usual tradition of trading.

"This is a normal traditional system of trading that we are all aware of. We have been informed by the same security sources that only one of the 487 has questions to answer on security.

"We do not condone, accept or promote anything that will breach our security.

"Rivers State or Port Harcourt has been receiving people from the North from time immemorial and they have been living there as their hosts and guests and

• From left: Director-General, Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) Mr Benjamin Dikki; Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo; Minister of Mines and Steel Development Alhaji Mohammed Sada; Sole Administrator, Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd, Mr Isah Joseph Onobere and Special Adviser to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity Alhaji Umar Sani, during the National PHOTO:AKIN OLADOKUN Council on Privatisation at the State House, Abuja...yesterday.

have never had any problem.

"Talking about the convoy, every single night, between 2am and 3am, you find buses in a convoy bringing people from the East to the North. We don't stop and arrest them or take them for armed robbers.

“We accept them and give them hospitality and friendship.

"In Nigeria today, the law says, I as a Nigerian or anybody else can travel to anywhere in this country at any time of the day without let or hindrance.

"We were advised against a press conference we wanted to organise this afternoon (yesterday) because there was an ongoing investigation. We should not attempt to overheat the already tense polity.

"We stood down the conference because of the need for the law to take its course. But let no one think that because I dress the way I am dressed now and speak Hausa, I should be taken automatically for a Boko Haram member. Let no one say, because of the way I am dressed, I cannot roam around this country at the time and the way I want to.

"This is an ugly trend that has been going on. It happened to us in Lagos and Port Harcourt few months ago. Now, we understand that northerners have to pay for an identification card.

They have been arrested in Abia. The authorities better take the hint that if any other state decides to retaliate, the consequences may not be imagined...

The Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd), did not make any comment on the matter.

Arik Air to begin Lagos-AbujaDubai flight July

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

A

RIK Air has said it will begin operations on the Lagos-Abuja and Dubai route on July 28 to expand its long haul operations.

It’s Global Chief Executive Officer Dr Michael Arumemi Ikhide said the operations were part of the airline’s efforts to expand its reach into the Middle East.

Ikhide said the Dubai flights would make Arik the first Nigerian carrier to offer services between Abuja and the United Arab Emirates.

The airline’s chief said Arik ventured into the Middle East to consolidate its international operations after five-anda-half years of serving other international destinations.

He said Arik would offer competitive fares to attract passengers, adding that there is enough capacity for all carriers on the Middle East routes.

The airline, he said, was not worried by the seeming competition on the routes because its team understood why other Nigerian airlines that hitherto ventured into the route failed.

Ikhide said the airline was collaborating with Emirates Airlines for a code share agreement on how to consolidate operations on the route.

According to him, the route has enough capacity to accommodate all airlines.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

7

NEWS Jonathan appoints Bode George’s wife as NDLEA DG

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday appointed Mrs. Roli Bode-George, wife of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Bode George as the Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Mrs Bode-George takes over from Mr Olufemi Ajayi, who is now the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

The appointment is with immediate effect, according to statement by Presidential spokesman Dr Reuben Abati.

LUTH doctors suspend strike

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

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HE University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos branch of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) has suspended its three-week-old strike.

All resident doctors were expected to resume work at 8am yesterday.

The association went on an indefinite strike on June 2 over some demands.

The end of the strike followed an emergency meeting held yesterday, where the association unanimously agreed to end the strike action.

This, it was learnt, followed a positive response from the hospital management on most of the union’s demands; the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity; the Federal Ministry of Health; LUTH’s branch of the Medical and Dental Consultants (MDCAN); elders of the profession and other well-meaning Nigerians.

Health care financing’ll make treatment affordable’

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By Wale Adepoju

EY actors in the nation’s Health sector have called for an effective health care financing to bolster health for all.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr Femi Thomas, said Nigeria cannot run away from this, if it wishes to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).

Thomas spoke at the fifth anniversary and inauguration of Red Care Health Management Organisation’s (HMO’s) new corporate head office in Lagos.

The NHIS chief said there is the need for social solidarity in the sector.

He said: “The rich must be ready to take care of themselves and support those who cannot afford the cost of health care services. This way health care will be affordable to all.”

Thomas said people are born to be their brothers’ keepers, adding that social solidarity is a necessity.

The NHIS said the only obstacle to universal health coverage is social solidarity.

According to him, most Nigerians are unable to pay for health care services, a development that would not have arisen if there was social solidarity.

Three finalists emerge in Soyinka Prize for Literature

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By Evelyn Osagie

HREE Nigerians have emerged finalists in this year’s edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature.

The names were released yesterday in Lagos by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of Lumina Foundation, the organisers of the prize.

Lumina said Othuke Ominiabohs, Akin Bello and Toyin Abiodun emerged from a long list of 10 African authors, including Soji Cole, Comfort Adesuwa Ero, Isaac Attah Ogezi, Moshood Oba, Mayowa Saja and Wumi Raji. One of the three will be crowned at the prize’s grand finale at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on July 5.

Lumina Foundation’s founder Dr Ogochukwu Promise said the finalists’ works beat 160 others from 17 African countries that were submitted for Drama, which is the focus of this year’s edition.

The biennial prize, which showcases the best literary work produced by an African, is worth $20,000. It is sponsored by telecommunication giant, Globacom.

Lumina Foundation’s BoT Chair Mrs Francesca Emmanuel said a panel of five judges for the prize was drawn from Uganda, South Africa, Mali, Nigeria and Algeria.

She said: “In the past, consideration for selection of entries for the award was across all genres of literature, with winners of the first three editions being novelists. But this year’s edition of the event is focused on a specific genre – drama - to give playwrights an equal opportunity to win.”

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•From left: Comrade Bayo Olowoshile, General Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers’ Union (PENGASAN); Comrade Ismail Bello, former Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State, representing Comrade Isa Aremu and Comrade Okuneye Wasiu, Vice Chairman, NLC, at a workshop on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) at the Conference Hall, Business Club, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Court halts House probe of N10b chartered jets expenses

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ETROLEUM Resources Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke got a breather yesterday as a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the House of Representatives to halt its planned probe of the allegation that she spent N10 billion on chartered aircraft.

The court’s decision followed the House’s alleged insistence on proceeding with the probe, despite the pendency of the suit by the minister, the Petroleum Ministry and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) challenging the propriety of the investigation.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who was shown a copy of the House’s letter notifying the minister of its scheduled “investigative hearing” on June 25, 26 and 27, ordered the parties to maintain the status quo, pending the next hearing date on July 3.

The judge was uncomfortable with the tone of the letter, signed by the Chairman of the House Committee Public Ac-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

counts, Solomon Adeola.

The letter allegedly portrayed the court as meddler attempting to usurp the legislative and constitutional duties of the House.

Justice Mohammed said the court was created by Section 6(1) of the Constitution and given the judicial powers in Section 6(6)(b) of the same Constitution to determine disputes between persons or between governments and between governments and persons.

He added: “...While I agree that the Legislature has constitutional powers to exercise, I cannot, however, agree that where any of the powers of the Legislature is being challenged in the court of law, the court should turn its back to the plaintiff for fear of being accused of usurping the legislative power of the National Assembly.

“The court has inherent power and the duty to intervene to protect its integrity in

determining its processes, and the second defendant is bent on interrupting the processes filed in this suit.

“I hereby direct parties to maintain the status quo in the matter from now till the next adjourned date when the matter will be heard.”

The judge’s ruling followed a complaint by the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Etigwe Uwa (SAN), that the House had written to his clients and threatened to penalise them, should they fail to attend the hearing, despite the pendency of the suit.

Uwa prayed the court to preserve the res (subject matter of the case) by restraining the legislators from the proceedings with the scheduled hearing.

He averred that should he be left unrestrained, the lawmakers would have destroyed the res before the parties return on July 3.

The lawyer to the House, Aminu Sadauki, denied prior knowledge of the letter to the plaintiffs.

He urged the court to refuse

•Mrs Alison-Madueke

Uwa’s application for an order to preserve the res.

Sadauki averred that it would amount to the court granting the relief sought by the plaintiffs in the substantive suit, when it had not been heard.

The lawyer refused to give an undertaking, as requested by the plaintiffs’ lawyer, that he would tell his client to halt the probe, pending the determination of the suit.

“I cannot stand here and give an undertaking that an arm of government will not carry out its constitutional duty,” Sadauki said.

The lawyer to the first defendant (the National Assembly), Obasi-Obi Nwabueze, also denied being aware of the letter inviting the plaintiffs to appear before the House committee on the stipulated dates.

Supreme Court confirms death sentence on Yetunde Peters’ killers

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HE Supreme Court has confirmed the death sentence passed by the Appeal Court on Patrick Olufemi Kolawole Ogedengbe for allegedly killing her employer, Navy Capt Yetunde Peters (rtd).

Ogedengbe was Capt Peter’s driver.

Also to die for the 1999 murder of the Navy Captain is her estate agent.

A statement by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice through the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs. Bola Akingbade, said the apex court confirmed the judgment of the lower court on the accused last week.

The statement said the accused confessed to killing the

By Adebisi Onanuga

woman with a knife in her apartment, where she lived alone.

They were said to have wrapped up the body in a rug and disposed of it in the lagoon.

A Lagos High Court first convicted the accused of the murder. But they appealed the verdict.

The statement said the Court of Appeal also threw out their appeal.

Ogedengbe headed to the Supreme Court, questioning his conviction for murder on the basis of a retracted confessional statement, since the

body of the victim was never found.

During the trial, the appellant objected to his “confessional statement” on the ground that he was forced to write it.

The judge ordered a trial within the trial, and the court found that the statement was voluntarily made. At the Supreme Court, it was held that there were several factors that supported the confessional statement and linked the appellant to the crime. They included an attempt by the appellant to sell the deceased’s property in Lekki after her death.

The appellant reportedly

presented himself as the son of the deceased and informed a prospective buyer that his mother, whose name was on the Certificate of Occupancy, was dead.

At that time, Navy Capt Peters had only been declared missing by her neighbours and relatives. No one else knew that she was dead.

The apex court held that the prosecution presented enough evidence to support the confessional statement of the appellant and proved the offences against him beyond reasonable doubt.

The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the lower courts and the death sentence by hanging passed on the appellant.

She was accused of not wearing her identification tag, a prerequisite for admittance into the conference complex.

The drama began when Mike Ahamba (SAN) addressed the house that the woman, who he did not recognise because she was not wearing a tag, addressed him rudely after being told to go back to her seat.

He said it was a security matter and that the woman should be asked to leave the floor, if she failed to produce her tag.

Hajia Yahaya said it was irresponsible of Ahamba to address her in such manner, adding that the lawyer should not have claimed not to recognise her.

She wondered if Ahamba’s response was because of the veil she was hearing.

The Deputy Chairman Prof.

Bolaji Akinyemi said it was a rule that all delegates must wear their identification tags.

He said if she could not produce hers, she would have to leave the chamber.

Delegates propose death penalty for rape of minor

HE National Conference yesterday adopted a resolution for death penalty on anyone convicted of raping a minor.

The conference also adopted a proposal for life imprisonment with hard labour for rape convicts.

The delegates also accepted the proposal that a stiff punishment be adopted against those who practise sodomy.

They adopted the proposals as they considered the report of

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

the Committee on Civil Society, Youth and Sports.

Delegates accepted the recommendation that judicial officers found guilty of corruption should be liable to 50 years imprisonment without the option of fine.

Such judicial officers, the delegates said, should also lose their privileges, including pension and gratuity.

The conference adopted a

•Conference walks out delegate

proposal that any person who steals pension or public funds should be jailed for life without an option of fine.

The delegates accepted the proposal for the establishment of a national job creation agency and the merger of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

But they rejected the proposal that schools where exami-

nation malpractices take place be shut for five years.

A delegate was walked out of the National Conference yesterday, for the first time since the conference started.

Hajia Asabe Yahaya, a former President of the National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ), was walked out of the chamber by security operatives following the directive of the conference leadership.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

8

NEWS ABDULAZEEZ ARISEKOLA-ALAO (1945-2014)

We’ll sustain my father’s philanthropy, says Arisekola-Alao’s son

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NE of the late Alhaji Abdulazeez ArisekolaAlao’s sons, Idris, has said his father’s legacies, particularly his philanthropic activities, will be protected.

Idris spoke yesterday at the family house in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while receiving sympathisers.

He said: “We are sad that he left us suddenly. It is a monumental loss for the family, Oyo State and the world at large. My father was known to be a lover of the masses and his space will be hard to fill. We will continue his philanthropic gestures and follow the path he left behind. I will remember his smiles, laughs, jokes and his fatherly role in my life.”

Prominent Nigerians, friends, associates, admirers and beneficiaries of the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland’s humane gestures have continued to throng his home.

Among them are Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Methodist Church of Nigeria Prelate Dr. Sunday Makinde; National President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Chief Bayo Oyero; an Ibadan chief, Alhaji Lateef Oyelade; Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi and Alhaji Lamidi Ajadi.

Others are former Minister of Power and Steel Elder Wole Oyelese; business mogul Oba Otudeko; Chief Yekini Adeojo; Gen

•Ajimobi, Amosun, others gather at industrialist’s home Burial for Aare Musulumi today

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HE remains of the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao, will be buried today by 9am.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo.

The body of the late deputy president-general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) is expected to touch down at the airport tomorrow morning.

From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Raji Rasaki (rtd.) and the SecretaryGeneral of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest, Nigeria (MUSWEN), Prof Daud Noibi.

Arisekola-Alao died in London on Wednesday. He was 69.

As early as 7am, religious leaders, scholars, politicians and ordinary folks trickled into the deceased’s expansive home.

Men of the police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) controlled vehicular movements in the area.

Ajimobi; his wife, Florence; and some members of the State Executive Council arrived there before noon.

They were received by the

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

It will be moved in a motorcade to the Lekan Salami Sports Complex at Adamasingba in Ibadan, the state capital, where prayers will be held.

Arisekola-Alao’s remains will be interred at his Oluwo Kekere home in Bashorun.

Dignitaries from all walks of life and ordinary folks, to whom he dedicated his life, are expected at the burial.

deceased’s younger brother, Alhaji Abu Alao, and other family members.

Ajimobi wrote in the condolence register: “You were the rare gem of this world, a foremost Islamic leader, philanthropist of note, an industrialist and business mogul of the first order. You were patriotic, a nationalist and undoubtedly the Adelabu of our time. You were the Ibadan prince of the downtrodden. You remain the Mandela of the masses.

Ibadan is never the same without you.”

Amosun wrote: “A good man is gone to rest in the bosom of the Almighty Allah. We will miss your smile, your warmth, your candour, your inspiring touch and leadership qualities. You were a devoted Muslim who cared for all, a philanthropist of repute. Adieu, my dear

brother. May the Almighty Allah grant you Aljana Firdaus.

Dr. Makinde said the late Arisekola-Alao was a detribalised Nigerian, adding: “He was patriotic and was a lover of God and humanity. I commiserate with Ajimobi, the Olubadan, the Sultan of Sokoto, his family and the entire people of Ibadanland.”

Oyero said: “There are no words to describe his death, except shocking and tragic. When we look at the mystery surrounding his sudden demise, we wonder why. He will surely be missed by all Ibadan indigenes, Oyo State and the country at large.”

Secretary of the Yoruba delegates to the ongoing National Conference Dr. Kunle Akinjide said: “Nigeria has lost a genius philanthropist, an extraordinary humanitarian. Rest in

peace, lover of the masses.”

General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Ibadan, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Abegunrin said the late philanthropist contributed immensely to the development of humanity, adding that his role would be forever remembered.

Mr. Abiodun Awoleye (Ibadan North Federal Constituency) described the late Arisekola-Alao as “a philanthropist, lover of the masses and the needy”.

Awoleye said: “He was an Islamic scholar of distinction. We love him dearly, but Allah loves him more.

May his soul rest in peace.”

An Oyo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Dejo Raimi, said: “My dear Aare Agbaye, you never told us that you would leave this sinful world so soon. As a devoted Muslim, philanthropist and a high chief in the Islamic environment, who showed no symptom of death before giving up the ghost at a London hospital. You came, you saw and you conquered, leaving your footprints in the sands of history with the lives you have touched.”

Former Juju maestro-turned evangelist Chief Ebenezer Obey said: “He believed in equality and religious tolerance. He will be forever missed by all. He practiced his religion with all his heart and he accommodated everybody, irrespective of their religion or nationality.”

My last moment with my friend,

by Aluko UBLISHER of the de-

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funct Third Eye Chief Akanni Aluko has narrated his last moment with Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao, shortly before he died in London on Wednesday.

Aluko, who had been the late Arisekola-Alao’s bosom friend since 1969, said he was devastated to hear that his friend was dead less than an hour after he left his (Arisekola-Alao’s) London home.

He said: “We had a telephone conversation and I agreed to visit ArisekolaAlao by 12noon on Wednesday at his London home. He offered to come to my place in London. He was worried that since I came back, we had not met, but I insisted on going to his place. So we had an appointment for 12 noon on Wednesday.

“Before 12 noon. I arrived at his home and I met one of his sons, Isa, and a domestic staff, who asked me to wait downstairs for him to check on his boss. When he came back, he told me ArisekolaAlao was coming to meet

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

me. A few minutes later, the domestic staff came looking for Arisekola-Alao’s son and both of them went upstairs.

Later, Arisekola-Alao’s son came to me, saying his father was having health challenges and that I should go home instead of waiting. He said his father would come to my place in the evening. I told him to tell his father to call me before coming in the evening. Isa offered to take me to the train station, but I said he should arrange for a cab for me.

“When I reached home, I got a call from Nigeria from a friend asking if I had heard about Arisekola-Alao’s death. I was shocked when I later confirmed it.”

Aluko described the late Arisekola-Alao as “a good man, who loved his people dearly”, adding: “We met in 1969 and, since then, have been close friends. We did local politics together.”

He prayed to God to grant his friend eternal rest.

Arisekola-Alao’s unfulfilled dreams

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From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

HE death of Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao has ruined his plan to reopen his Ibadan-based flour factory, Lister Flour Mills, and Lister Biscuits before Ramadan.

The multi-million factories are located at Podo Layout on the old Lagos-Ibadan Road in Ibadan.

It was gathered that the late businessman planned to hold a reopening ceremony when he returns home from London, but it was not to be.

A source close to the family confirmed that the late Arisekola-Alao injected huge cash into the companies, which were to resume full operation before Ramadan.

He was said to have nursed the dream of seeing Ibadan state created from Oyo State.

The late Arisekola-Alao was said to be looking forward to his 70th birthday, which is eight months away. The birthday was expected to be a grand ceremony, given his wide connection, influence and philanthropic activities.

Death snatched all these dreams away.

•Sympathisers signing the condolence register at the late Arisekola-Alao’s home...yesterday.

He touched many lives, say Mark, Aliyu, Fayemi

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ENATE President David Mark has described the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao, as “a philanthropist, who touched the lives of many in positive ways”.

He condoled with the Arisekola-Alao family, the Muslim community and the Oyo State government on the demise of the businessman.

The philanthropist died in a London hospital on Wednesday. He was 69.

Mark, in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, noted the contributions of the late Arisekola-Alao to the development of his immediate environment, his dedication to Islam and promotion of peaceful co-existence.

He said: “Alhaji ArisekolaAlao was a man of peace and a patriotic citizen, who loved his country. He was a successful captain of industries. He contributed immensely to the

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

socio-economic development of the nation.”

Mark urged the deceased’s family to emulate his exemplary life style, adding that the only way to immortalise the late Arisekola-Alao was to replicate his virtues of hard work and discipline.

Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu described Arisekola-Alao’s death as “shocking”.

Aliyu said the late Arisekola-Alao was “an exemplary Islamic cleric, successful businessman, astute politician and philanthropist”, urging the younger generation of leaders to emulate him.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Ebije Israel, the governor said Nigerians would miss the deceased’s wisdom, spiritual guidance, intellectual depth and moral uprightness.

It reads: “We are saddened

by the fact that the late Arisekola left us at a time his wealth of experience and knowledge would have helped us greatly in overcoming prevailing ugly circumstances in our dear country.

“His passage has depleted the ranks of patriotic, selfless, pious and genuine clergymen and Nigerians, who are committed to offering their best for the good of all and Nigeria in particular.

“We will never forget the role the late Arisekola-Alao played, especially in our checkered political history as a nation. He was very vocal, especially on issues pertaining to the welfare of the masses.

He will be greatly missed. He was an uncommon philanthropist, who used his wealth, influence and knowledge to serve God and humanity.”

The governor prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the late Arisekola-Alao’s soul Aljannah Firdaus and grant his family, Nigerians and the

Muslim Ummah the fortitude to bear the loss.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said the late Arisekola-Alao’s legacies of goodwill, philanthropy, commerce and religious tolerance will continue to live after him.

Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, described Arisekola-Alao’s death as “a loss of a bridge of unity that linked Nigerians of different religions”.

The governor said he was deeply pained by the loss of the industrialist and religious leader, adding that as the Deputy President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the late Arisekola-Alao preached religious harmony.

He said through patience and diligence, the deceased built one of the largest business conglomerates in Nigeria and created jobs for many people.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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NEWS ABDULAZEEZ ARISEKOLA-ALAO (1945-2014)

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle); son of the deceased and Oyo State Commis- •Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (right) discussing with frontline businessman and closest sioner for Youth and Sport; Umar Faruq Alao (left); former Oyo State Deputy Governor Alhaji friend of the late Arisekola-Alao, Oba Otudeko...yesterday. With them is Evangelist Ebenezer Hazeem Gbolarunmi and Aare Alasa of Ibadanland, Oloye Lekan Alabi, during a condolence Obey-Fabiyi visit to the Oluwo-Nla, Bashorun, Ibadan home of the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao...yesterday

•Oyo State Governor‘s wife Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (right); Deputy Governor’s wife Mrs. Janet Alake Adeyemo (middle) and Ambassador Adefowope

•Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin (left) and Idris Alao (son of the deceased)

•Former Methodist Primate Rev Ola Makinde signing the condolence register...yesterday PHOTOS: BY FEMI ILESANMI, IBADAN

•The late Arisekola-Alao’s children and some members of the family...yesterday

Arisekola’s legacies live on, says Fayemi

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•Sympathisers at the home of the late Arisekola-Alao in Ibadan....yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said the legacies of goodwill, philanthropy, commerce and religious tolerance left behind by the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao, will continue to live after him.

Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, described the death of Arisekola-Alao, as a gargantuan loss of a bridge of unity that linked Nigerians of different religions together.

The Governor said he was deeply pained by the loss of the eminent industrialist and religious leader because he (Fayemi) believes that the deceased would still be around for more years to offer the needed counsel to political office holders.

Fayemi noted that Arisekola-Alao who served as the Deputy President-General

of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) used his position to preach against terrorism being experienced in some parts of the country and lent his voice in support of religious harmony.

Describing the deceased as a reputable captain of industry, Fayemi said Arisekola built one of the largest business conglomerates in Nigeria with interests in the key sectors of the economy. The Governor added that the late industrialist provided economic succour to many Nigerians and foreigners through his business interests.

He explained that Arisekola-Alao was an uncommon philanthropist who assisted the poor by giving them economic empowerment, scholarships for indigent students, provision of places of worship and other infrastructures in various communities.

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2014

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NEWS EKITI 2014

Fayemi ends campaigns amid assurances by supporters

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, ended yesterday his campaigns for tomorrow’s election amid firm assurances by his supporters.

The event, which held at the newly constructed State Pavilion on Bank Road, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, was attended by national leaders of the party.

They included the National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; former interim national chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Audu Ogbeh; Ogonnaiya Onu and Deputy National Chairman Chief Segun Oni. Others were Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and the party’s National Women Leader, Hajia Ramatu Ttijani.

However, Governors Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu

•APC leaders berate Fed Govt for intolerance From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Kwankwanso (Kano) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) were reportedly prevented by security agents from making the trip.

But Dr. Fayemi, who started the campaigns about three months ago, attended the event alongside his wife, Erelu Bisi, his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu and other state functionaries, including the State Interim Chairman, Chief Jide Awe. The even, which held at the newly constructed 12,000-seater capacity State Pavilion, was witnessed by many groups and members of the party across the state’s 16 local government councils as well as indigenes resident outside the state.

Those who could not get seats in the capacity-filled pavilion maintained standing positions within and outside the venue.

Party leaders, who spoke in turns amid music interludes as supplied by the Fuji musician, Saeed Osupa, expressed assurances that the voting exercise would confirm the admiration of the electorate for Fayemi’s performance.

Many other notable opposition figures formally called it quits with their parties and were admitted into the APC. These included Chief Dapo Alibaloye, Justice Edward Ojuolape, former Speaker Femi Bamisile, Chief of Staff in the Oni administration, Segun Ilori, former PDP state women leader, Erelu Ogundipe and many others.

APC National Leader Bola Tinubu said Governor Fayemi understands what governance was and had delivered same to the people through his eight-point agenda.

Tinubu noted that some other opposition candidates only pan-

dered to sentiments through funny populist contrivances.

He challenged the opposition: “Let us see the hospitals that you have built. Let us see the agricultural scheme that you supported. Let us see the students that you have supported. Fayemi has provided all these things and he has touched the lives of the people.”

“Ekiti people, your progress is in your hands. If they give you money, collect it. They are merely reimbursing what they stole from our treasury. On Saturday, go out and vote for APC. Stand and monitor your votes. No policeman or soldier can stop you from doing that. God gave you a kind-hearted man; they are asking you to send him away to bring back a violent person.

“The progress of Ekiti is in the hands of the people of the state, hence they must not allow a return to the days of violence”, he said.

He described the APC candidate as “a kind-hearted man”, noting that governance was development, which would bring lasting succour to the masses.

He also condemned the PDPled Federal Government for not allowing APC governors to attend the rally, adding that those whose credibility was suspect were now those issuing orders to the police and the army, saying: “This is a collective insult on Nigerians.”

His words: “Someone came here and said he is the leader of the party with the leaking umbrella. He asked you to vote for his party so that he can develop your state. That means his party has not done anything for Ekiti in the last 15 years since Nigeria returned to democracy.

“If you wait for his development, you’ll wait for long. Vote APC. Broom is the symbol of our party. It will sweep away poverty and sorrow and bring development.”

Former Minister Chief

Audu Ogbeh said Ekiti people must not mistake aluminum foil for silver, adding that other candidates in the election are like aluminum foil, which is disposable unlike silver which is a precious resource.

Ogbeh added that the opposition would cajole the people as though they were friends of the electorate, stressing however, that a vote for them would be a return to tyranny.

He lambasted the Federal Government for not allowing the plane conveying Kwankwaso and Wamako to land at the Akure Airport, including Rivers State Governor, who was detained at the Ondo/Ekiti boundary. Ogbeh also decried Oshiomhole’s inability to take off from the Benin Airport.

“The last time this happened was in 1964 when government did not allow the opposition to travel freely on the highway.

This is a return to that time, but we reject it.

Continued on page 57

TMG deploys 320 observers

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From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

HE Election Monitoring Group (TMG) yesterday disclosed that a total of 320 observers have been deployed in Ekiti State’s 16 councils to facilitate the monitoring of the poll.

TMG, an international election observer group, said while 300 of the total were spread at polling units, 20 were ‘mobile supervisors’, adding that it would employ what it called, “The Quick Count Observation Methodology”.

TMG Project Manager Lazarus Apir and Akinbo Timothy spoke yesterday at a training workshop organised by the group for some reporters in Ado-Ekiti.

According to them, with the ‘Quick Count,’ field officers would be able to offer in real time “representative and statistically valid information on the conduct of the election”.

Apir said: “TMG will also be able to verify independently, the accuracy of the official results that the INEC releases based on the official results announced and posted at polling units.”

U.S. Embassy: ‘INEC’s credibility at stake’

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From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

HE credibility of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be tested by the outcome of the governorship election, the United States (U.S.) Embassy said yesterday.

According to a statement by the embassy in Abuja, a well-conducted election in Ekiti that is free of violence and accurately reflects the will of the voters would both constitute an important demonstration of the credibility of the electoral system.

The embassy also argued that successful conduct of tomorrow’s election will bestow legitimacy on the electoral body ahead of the February 2015 general elections.

It also urged INEC to ensure that registered Ekiti voters are allowed to cast their votes efficiently and without hindrance.

The statement reads: “This Saturday, June 21, will be a very important day in the lives of Ekiti residents, as they go to one of the state’s 2,195 polling units to select their next governor.

“A well-conducted election in Ekiti that is free of violence and that accurately reflects the will of the voters would both constitute an important demonstration of the credibility of the electoral system as the February 2015 elections draw closer, as well as bestow legitimacy on the winner of the election.

“We call on INEC to ensure that registered Ekiti voters will be

Lagos APC urges Ekiti to vote wisely

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By Nneka Nwaneri

HE Lagos State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the Ekiti people on the danger of not voting wisely.

Its spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, in a statement, noted that a failure to vote for Governor Kayode Fayemi would bring the state backwards - a mistake he said might cost four or eight years of no progress. Igbokwe praised Fayemi’s achievements, describing him as God-sent to Ekiti.

He said with the level of the governor’s service delivery, character, integrity and honour, the APC candidate holds the key to the state’s future.

“Comparing Dr. Fayemi with Ayo Fayose is like apple and orange comparison. If experience is the yardstick to determine who the cap fits, Governor Fayemi is the one. Fayemi has performed and delivered services to Ekiti people in the last four years,” Igbokwe said.

On education, the APC chieftain said the governor holds a PhD in War Studies, Intelligence and Strategy, adding: “If power of elocution and engagement are the criteria, he has got it.

“If flamboyance, glamour, carriage, charisma are the rules of the game, he has got them sufficiently. If local, national and international connections are the rules of the game, he has got them plenty.”

Former Governor of Ekiti State Otunba Niyi Adebayo (left), All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the party’s Deputy National Chairman, South, Chief Segun Oni, during the APC’s Final Mega Rally ahead tomorrow’s election, at the newly constructed State Pavillion, in Ado-Ekiti... yesterday.

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IGP replaces Ekiti Police Commissioner

NSPECTOR General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has replaced the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police with another Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba.

According to the Police High Command, Aduba is to function as Commissioner of Police in charge of the state for the duration of the governorship election.

Similarly, the IGP has deployed Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Bala Nasarawa in Ekiti, to supervise security arrangements for the election.

•Restricts citizens’ movements in Ekiti, Osun, three others From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

Three other Commissioners of Police are also being deployed, with the responsibility for supervising security arrangements in the state’s three senatorial districts.

They are: CP Danladi Y. Mshelbwala (Ekiti-North), CP Mohammed Ibrahim (Ekiti-Central) and CP Augustine Eubakhabokum (Ekiti-South).

Another Commissioner of Police, Hosea Karma of the Mobile Police Force is being charged

with the responsibility of supervising the operations of the Police Mobile Force and other Special Strike Forces for the purpose of the election.

A statement yesterday by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, said the IGP has also placed an order banning movements in and out of Ekiti, with effect from 6p.m. yesterday, till the election is over.

The statement also reads: “On Saturday 21st June, 2014, which is the day of the election, movements will be restricted within the state between 6a.m to

8p.m.

“Consequently, the states of Kwara, Kogi, Ondo and Osun, which are contiguous to Ekiti State, will have increased police presence with all entry and exit points in and out of Ekiti maximally policed.

“However, persons on essential duties such as ambulance service providers, INEC officials, on-duty security men, accredited election monitors/ observers, accredited journalists, etc are not affected by this order.”

21 political parties, others declare for APC candidate

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COALITION comprising the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), commercial motorcyclists and artisanal groups in Ekiti State yesterday urged the electorate to vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. John Kayode Fayemi.

The groups represented by Prince Tunji Ogunlola (CNPP), Ademo Olu-Martins (commer-

cial motorcyclists), Mr. Julius Adu (artisans) and representatives of the 21 political parties that constituted the “Conference” in Ekiti, maintained that re-electing the APC candidate is the only way the electorate would not be voting against themselves.

Ogunlola clarified that the 21 political parties under CNPP decided to partner other groups and individuals in

the state to ensure the electoral victory for Dr. Fayemi, adding: “We cannot all be wrong.

Our conscience cannot be bought. We all saw what Fayemi has done. Our support for him is sure and desirable”.

The CNPP chieftain, who spoke to reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said the peaceful atmosphere in Ekiti was one of the achievements of Fayemi’s Eight-Point Agen-

da. “Peace is the greatest achievement of the administration and a primary need of the citizenry,” he said.

Insisting that their move amounted to a blanket endorsement for Fayemi’s reelection, Ogunlola said the step was taken because Fayemi had scored “excellent results in all items of his EightPoint Agenda.”

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2014

11

NEWS LASU releases breakdown of reviewed fees

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By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

HE Lagos State University (LASU) has released a breakdown of new fees in the institution after the state government agreed to a 30-60 per cent reduc-

tion.

In a statement, the university’s spokesman, Mr. Kayode Sutton, said final year students in the Arts Department will now pay N76,750 (representing 49.3 per cent reduction). 200Level Engineering and Medical students admitted by Direct Entry will pay N158,250.

The statement reads: “In the new school fees regime as approved by the Council, a 100-Level student in the Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication will now pay N103,250 and a 200-Level student (Direct Entry) will be required to pay same fee, while a 200-Level returning student pays N88,250.

“For the College of Medicine, a fresh student is expected to pay N115,750, ditto a final year medical student, while a 200 level (Direct Entry) student in the same College pays N158,250, representing a 36.4 per cent reduction.

“The approval also stipulated that a 100-Level Engineering student pays N115,750, while returning students in 200-500 levels will pay N143,250, N143,250, N131,750 and N106,750.”

Fees for the Faculty of Management Sciences and final year (500 level) students range between N86,750 and N113,250.

Students of the Faculty of Science will pay between N96,750 and N118,250.

LASU management has directed students to resume on Monday, June 23, and pay the required fees.

Ondo APC gets local govt excos

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IFTEEN of the 18 All Progressives Congress (APC) local government executive committees in Ondo State were inaugurated yesterday by the party’s State Chairman, Mr. Isaacs Kekemeke.

The committees in the remaining three councils Ilaje, Owo and Akure North, were stepped down pending the outcome of appeals filed against the outcome of congresses in the areas.

Kekemeke, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), urged the committees to operate with a

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From Damisi Ojo, Akure

new orientation by deemphasising party offices and emphasising government offices.

He urged them to embark on “vigorous” membership drive, so that the party would be victorious in the next round of elections.

Kekemeke urged members to always resolve their differences peacefully.

At the event were APC Deputy Chairman Ade Adetimehin; the State Secretary, Rotimi Rahman, and the Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya.

Ekiti opens 12 boreholes

KITI State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu inaugurated yesterday 12 boreholes at strategic locations in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

She said the projects would ease water problems in Isato Street and Adekunle Goat Market in Oke–Oniyo Quarters, among others.

Mrs. Adelabu said although the inauguration coincided with the electioneering campaigns, it was not for election purposes.

She said the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration has always been committed to the provision of social amenities, adding: “When the administration discovered that most of the hinterland streets in the state capital did not have access to potable water as a result of damaged and blocked water pipelines, it decided to drill boreholes in strategic locations to reduce the stress people undergo to get potable water.

Mrs. Adelabu said new roads have been opened up for residents of newly developed areas in Ado-Ekiti.

The Erunwa of Irona Quarters, Chief Julius Aladeloye, who spoke for Isato community, said the project was timely.

Aladeloye, who said the street had been neglected by subsequent administrations, thanked Fayemi for the asphalt overlay of the road from Atikankan Junction-Isato Street-Ilawe dual-carriage road.

•Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire presenting a Long Service Award to Mr. Nurudeen OjoraAdejiyan in Alausa in commemoration of this year’s World Public Service Day...yesterday.

PHOTO:NNEKA

Amosun urges workers to be diligent

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has described public servants as “the engine room of the government”, urging them to be committed to their jobs.

Amosun spoke during a programme tagged: “A Day Out with the Governor”, which saw him leading public servants on a tour of his administration’s projects in the three senatorial districts.

The programme was part of activities marking the 2014 Public Service Week.

They inspected the almost completed Abiola Way; Sapon and Itoku road and flyover; the completed mechanic village and the model college under construction in Onijanganjangan, Abeokuta.

They also inspected the Lafenwa-Ayetoro road in Ayetoro, Yewa North Local

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•Public servants inspect projects Government Area; the newly constructed Ilo-Awela township road, Ota; the 40km Sango-Akute-Ojodu highway under construction; the completed Model College in Mosimi; the Sagamu township road and the Ilisan-Ago/Iwoye road.

Amosun said: “The governor cannot work alone.

Workers contribute their immense quota behind the scene for whatever success recorded.”

He said the state, which did not have any flyover before the inception of his administration, now has 16 flyovers, which would be opened soon.

Amosun said: “We are renewing Ogun State and it must be as good as any beautiful state in the world. We will take it to the modern

day height. In the final analysis, we should have about 23 flyovers in our state.

“We are thinking ahead of the generation that will come after us. It has been proven everywhere in the world that if you want development in any place, besides education, there must be infrastructure in place.”

Public servants hailed the administration’s urban renewal projects, saying they have transformed the state.

The Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, who spoke for the public servants, said the project inspection initiative was borne out of the need for workers to go beyond the four walls of their offices and see what the administration was doing.

She said: “We have seen some of the things the gov-

ernment has been doing in each senatorial district. I know we have not seen everything, but we have seen part of it.

“We often sit in our offices and do our jobs, so, we decided to go out with the governor to see what is going on. For most of us, we only go to our villages and towns without going to other parts of the state. This tour has enabled us know places we have never been to.

“We are pleasantly surprised with what we have seen so far. They are not just well done, they are of Ogun standard. Even the projects that are yet to be completed are of standard structure.”

Mrs. Adekunle urged public servants to key into the Amosun administration’s vision, adding: “We should sustain the Ogun standard legacy.”

APC to police: probe Omisore’s assassins’ story

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has urged the Lagos State Police Command to probe Senator Iyiola Omisore’s claim that his Lagos home was invaded by suspected assassins.

Omisore is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in

Osun State.

In a statement yesterday by its Publicity Director, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, APC said: “This is absolutely necessary because the source of the story has been known to tell a lot of falsehood to draw undeserved attention to himself and create a false impression of goodness that is antithetic to his natural

disposition.

“Any story emanating from the Omisore/PDP camp should be taken with a pinch of salt. Our experience with these people over the years and in the run-up to the coming election is that they are a fountain of lies that hardly runs dry.

“On many occasions, violent events have been staged

by these people, who turn around to accuse others of criminal activities undertaken by them. So when they tell you of an assassination attempt, it will make a lot of sense to investigate it thoroughly to get to the bottom of the story. It is not impossible that they are up to yet another mischief with this story.”

ABDULAZEEZ ARISEKOLA-ALAO (1945-2014)

Soun, Ita-Giwa: he was humble

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ENATOR Florence Ita-Giwa has commiserated with Nigerians on Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao’s death.

In a statement yesterday, she described the deceased as “humble and amiable”.

The senator said his hospitality and philanthropic gestures made his Ibadan home a Mecca of sort.

The statement reads: “I join millions of Nigerians in commiserating with the Oyo State government and the family of the late Arisekola-Alao. So many qualities stood him out, but I am particularly touched by the fact that in spite of his stupendous wealth, he was humble, amiable and hospitable. He was not an active politician, but he supported democracy with his principled nature and resources. He meets you with a smile at every encounter. He used his wealth to help the less privileged in the society.

The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111, described Arisekola-Alao’s death as “shocking and painful”.

In a statement by his private secretary, Toyin Ajamu, Oba Oyewumi said: “He was a philanthropist per excellence and a successful business mogul by all standards. ArisekolaAlao was a pillar of support to many in the society, irrespective of tribe, age, race, religion and political divides.

He will be remembered for his large heart and humility.”

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Akanbi, Belgore mourn businessman X-President of the Appeal Court Justice Mustapha Akanbi has

described the death of Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao as “a great loss to the Muslim community”.

The pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) told reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, that: “It is very unfortunate. He was a good friend. When I was in Ibadan, he used to call me Aare Court of Appeal and I called him, Aare of Yorubaland. We joked a lot.

In fact, he came to Ilorin here for a marriage and he

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

looked bright. Although I heard he was sick, he looked so bright.

“When the news of his death came, we were all despondent. He was an asset to Islam. He contributed a lot to the wellbeing of Muslims; he was a great philanthropist. We pray to Almighty God to forgive his sins and number him among his faithful servants.

“It is a great loss to the Islamic community. He was not given to flippant talk and always played his part in anything that affected the Muslim Ummah.”

The 2011 governorship

‘Aare was a great humanist, whose philanthropic gestures and humility were as legendary as they were infectious.’ candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kwara State, Mr. Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), said the deceased’s humility was infectious.

In a statement, Belgore said: “I received with shock the news of ArisekolaAlao’s death on Wednesday.

The death is one too many,

not just for Oyo State or the Muslim community, but to all lovers of peace, human liberty and shrewd business acumen.

“Aare was a great humanist, whose philanthropic gestures and humility were as legendary as they were infectious. As his background clearly showed, ArisekolaAlao is a role model for the beauty of hard work and human resilience.

“My condolences go to the immediate family, the government and people of Oyo State, the Muslim community and the business community. May the Almighty Allah rest his soul and be with the family he left behind.”

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2014

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NEWS

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Niger warns contractors

NY contractor or civil servant who “frustrates” projects in Niger State will be prosecuted.

Commissioner for Local Government Isah Kantigi gave the warning in Kaboji, Mashegu Local Government Area yesterday.

Kantigi was told the contractor handling the 10-kilometre projects in the council had absconded.

The commissioner said either the contractor returns to site or he faces prosecution.

The project’s desk officer, Adamu Danladi, said the contractor was paid N115 million

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

and N113 million for Mashegu and Mokwa projects.

It was gathered that the contractor came to site for only three months, since 2009 when the contracts were awarded.

Kantigi said: “We cannot continue like this any longer. The contractor is a sadist.

He was given two local governments to build and he left for overseas.

“Get the managing director to see me in my office on Tuesday or face arrest.”

Almakura to improve education

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ASARAWA State Governor Tanko Almakura said yesterday that the administration is seeking to improve technical education.

He spoke at the signing of a memorandum of association between the state and the Singapore Institute of Technical Education Services.

A statement by Almakura’s Chief Press Secretary Iliyasu

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From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

Ali Yakubu said vocational and technical skills acquisition and special education for the physical challenged are part of the vision of the administration.

It reads: “The first phase of the training will begin in three centres in Doma and Lafia local governments.”

“The gesture will be extended to other senatorial districts soon.”

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HE Army on Wednesday night dismantled a road block between Damboa and Biu in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The Coordinator of the National Briefing Centre, Mike Omeri, who announced this in Abuja yesterday, said the road block was mounted by insurgents in search of food, fuel and vehicle lubricants He added that 10 Boko Haram suspects were killed in Tumbarka area of Borno State during the operation.

“In the continuing efforts at countering insurgency, military forces have conducted successful operations at Tumbarka in Borno State, resulting in the killing of 10 Boko Haram insurgents.

“A rifle, eight locally made guns and 15 motorcycles were recovered.

“The soldiers equally dismantled a road block between Damboa and Biu, which was mounted by insurgents.

“Generally, while the insurgents are under pressure,

NILEST DG re-appointed

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the re-appointment of Dr Isuwa Kari Adamu as the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Zaria, Kaduna State.

A letter by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. R.S. Jimeta, said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has approved

the renewal of your tenure for the second and final term of four years.”

Dr Adamu, who was first appointed in 2009, was born in 1965 and hails from Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Director General is a member of Material Science of Nigeria (MMSN), Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) and Polymer Institute of Nigeria (PIN).

Army dismantles Boko Haram road block in Maiduguri

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Japan gives N136.8m to Chibok girls, families

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HE over-200 abducted Chibok girls and their families are to benefit from the N136.8 million ($855,000) Japanese emergency support grant.

According to Mariko Chiba, JapaneseAmbassador’s Special Advisor, the grant is expected to provide support for the psychosocial and physical care of communities in Chibok Local Government Area.

Chiba said the grant was in response to a request by United Nations (UN) organisations and the Federal Government to support victims of Boko Haram attacks.

A statement by the Japanese Embassy in

•10 killed From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

military forces are recording successes in the anti-terror campaign in the Northeast,” he said Omeri added that screening by security agencies has continued on the 486 travel-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Abuja said: “The fund will be implemented

by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other organisations.”

“This emergency grant aid is expected to contribute to providing support for the psychosocial and physical care of communities of Chibok Local Government Area in Borno State, which is suffering direct and indirect harm as a result of the abduction of school girls by Boko Haram on April 14.”

lers, who were intercepted in Abia State enroute Rivers State on June 16.

“It has become necessary to reiterate that all the passengers are all assumed to be Nigerians, until when proven otherwise.”

The coordinator said a Boko Haram suspect arrested among the travellers is

still undergoing interrogation by security agencies.

“It is necessary to caution against uninformed comments and assumptive prepositions that can mislead the public.”

He said security agencies were still studying the data gathered in the Northeast in order to secure the release of the Chibok girls.

15 die in Kogi road accident

IFTEEN persons died yesterday in an accident on the MagongoOkene Road in Kogi State.

This is coming less than 24 hours after four persons died in an accident at Ogaminana in Adavi Local Government Area.

Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, Godwin Omiko, said

‘Preliminary investigation showed that the driver was drunk and drove recklessly’ From James Azania, Lokoja

the accident occurred about 10.15pm at a spot close to the boundary between Kogi

P

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

tal, the wife of the Assistant Inspector General (Training), Mrs. Zubaida Atiku-Kafur, who represented the wife of the Inspector General, Mrs. Zara Bunu Aubakar, said POWA was committed to improving the living stand-

ards of its members.

The governor’s wife, Hajiya Salamatu Almakura, who made a cash donation of N1million, said members should keep a close watch on their children, especially ahead of next year’s general election.

N1.5b silos built in Bauchi

HE Federal Government has built silos worth N1.5 billion in Bauchi, Minister of Agriculture Akinwumi Adesina said yesterday.

Speaking in Toro Local Government at the launch of assorted fertiliser sales, Adesina said the Federal Government also executed various projects in the state

K

including the girl, were rescued alive by his officials, but the child later died in the hospital.

According to him, the victims included eight men and six women.

The Sector commander said 12 of the victims were given mass burial at the public cemetery at Magongo, in the presence of policemen from Ogori Police Division.

The bodies of the girl and two men were still lying at the morgue of the General Hospital, Obangede.

He said the bus driver, Idris Abdulahi, was arrested and put in police custody.

“Preliminary investigation showed that the driver was drunk and drove recklessly.”

POWA fetes officers’ widows

OLICE Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) has donated 70 sewing machines and food items to wives of the slain officers who died during the Ombatse crisis.

Donating the items in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capi-

T

and Edo states.

He said the victims were mostly public health officers of the Local Government Service Commission in Kaduna State.

Omiko said the victims were 400-Level students travelling to Cotonou, Republic of Benin, to write their first semester examination at Houdegbe North American University.

A young girl travelling with her mother also died.

He said a bus rammed into an oncoming passenger bus, which also hit another vehicle in front of it.

The sector commander said the passenger bus caught fire on impact, burning 14 of the passengers beyond recognition.

Omiko said three victims,

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

as part of its Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

The minister who was represented by the State Zonal Director, Ibrahim Arabi, said the silos are in Wailo town, 65 kilometers from the state capital.

The Federal Government, Adesina said, allocated 36 tonnes of fertiliser for 12,000 farmers at 50 per cent subsidy along with salt and preservatives to 200 hides and skins dealers and15 livestock farmers.

The Federal Government also gave 22 motorcycles to Agricultural Extension Officers.

Ahmed reappoints Kwara Poly rector

WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has reappointed the Rector of the State Polytechnic (KwaraPoly), Mas’ud Elelu, for another term of five years.

The Governing Council has also reapproved the reappointment of the Registrar,

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Pastor Moses O. Salami, for another five years term.

The council stated that the reappointment was in line with chapter 12 Part 1V, Section 25 of the Kwara State Polytechnic Law.

A memo from the registrar said: “The re-appointment of the Rector is for another term of five years with effect from June 23 to June 22, 2019.”

Similarly, the Governing Council had its emergency meeting held on May 5 affirmed the reappointment of the Registrar.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

PEOPLE

13

THE NATION

A SIX -PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

Sokoto State University Vice Chancellor Prof Nuhu Yaqub and former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Amidu Sanni have been honoured by the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) for their contributions to the group. The ceremony held during the association’s annual pre-Ramadan lecture in Lagos, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

•Prof Yaqub (right) receiving an award from Alhaji Alimi

Laurels for academic giants

I

T was a three-in-one event comprising lectures, awards, and presentation of scholarship to some students. It all happened at the annual pre-Ramadan lecture of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA).

Muslims nationwide, especially those in Lagos, usually look forward to the lecture because it attracts eminent scholars.

Sokoto State University Vice Chancellor Prof Nuhu Yaqub and former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University (LASU) Prof Amidu Sanni delivered this year’s lecture.

Prof Yaqub spoke in English and Prof Sanni, Yoruba. The lecturers were honoured after their presentations. Alhaji Ganiyu AdetolaKazeem (SAN) presented an award to Sanni and Alimi presented an award to Yaqub for their contributions to UMA. The event was anchored by two members of UMA Dr Ahmad Rufai and Dr Khalid Adekoya.

Besides, aside the lectures, the gathering watched a short documentary by UMA to highlight some of its activities in the last 19 editions of the event.

The clip showed the transformation of some of UMA members between 1994 when the maiden edition held and 2014.

Welcoming the gathering, the UMA President, Alhaji Lere Alimi, thanked those who have supported the alumni since inception, saying the support has been the tonic for the association to forge ahead. According to him, the

•Former UNILAG Social Science Faculty Dean and INEC Commissioner Prof Lai Olurode

•Prof Mabadeje

UMA scholarship scheme has been fruitful.

“We are quite happy with the result that we are getting. Out of 48 students awarded scholarship since inception, five have completed doctorate degrees (Ph.D) and three of them have been employed in UNILAG. For this year, 22 awardees have been selected, seven Ph.Ds and 15 Masters Degree,” he said.

He congratulated the new graduates, with special recognition of Bakre Oluwafemi Abubakre, the best student in Science and the

overall best student and Akeem-Omosanya Muinat Wuraola, the best student in Humanities, for their achievements. “It is our hope that they will keep the flag flying and join the list of our scholars for the Masters’ degree next year insha Allah,” he said.

Alimi urged Muslims to use the forthcoming Ramadan to cleanse themselves of sin and be ready to do good always.

He enjoined Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion, to learn to live in peace.

In his lecture titled: Democracy: Beyond Electioneering, Yaqub said the politicking in the build-up to 2015 elections is different from the First Republics.

According to him, this time, there are politicians who believe that there must be democracy or democratic governance rather than a grotesque rule by the civilians, especially at the centre.

He said there must be democracy and democratic governance in Nigeria, adding: “It is going to be the only antidote against lawlessness, corruption, impunity, visionless leadership, and political immaturity – a terrible combination that could easily spell the death knell of the country.

The year 2015 should not be allowed to turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy that the America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has predicted for our dear country.”

Sanni enjoined leaders to eradicate poverty which, according to him, makes people to sell their conscience and prevents them from not doing the right things during elections.

After the lectures, cheques were presented to the scholarship beneficiaries.

There were goodwill messages from Prof Saidat Mabadeje; Alhaji Adetola-Kazeem (SAN) and former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commissioner Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso.

Rufai gave the vote of thanks and the gathering departed after closing prayer.

•More pictures on page 16

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

14

SOCIETY

LAURELS FOR ACADEMIC GIANTS

•Alhaji Adetola-Kazeem (SAN) presenting a plaque to Prof Sanni

•From left: Prof Fatai Mabadeje; Alhaji Wale Sonaike and Lagos State University (LASU) Associate Professor Lateef Adetona

•From left: Alhaji Hafiz Alawode; Dr Oyekan and former UMA President Mr Lekan Bello

•From right: Dr Rufai; Dr Adekoya and Alhaji Rasak Asaju PHOTOS: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

GOVERNMENT COLLEGE IBADAN OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION (GCIOBA) ANNUAL LUNCHEON IN LAGOS

•From left: Chairman on the occasion and former Oyo State Governor, Dr Omololu Olunloyo; Chairman, Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association, Lagos Branch, Dr Wale Babalakin and his wife, Gbolahan.

•From left: Chief Obi Achebe; his wife, Nonyelum and Justice Fatima Akinbami

•From left: Prof Fatai Mabadeje; his wife, Prof Saidat and Dr Soji Kumolu

•Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on 2014 National Conference, Senator Femi Okurounmu and his wife, Sumbo

•Dr Biodun Layonu (SAN) and his wife, Shakirah.

•Mr Festus Oseni and his wife, Anne

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

A

HUMOUR

pastor and a church sister were Being Intimate under a tree,not knowing,a smoker was up on the tree hiding & smoking. After the act,the sister asked the pastor, did u use condom?

Pastor: no!!!! why?

Girl: supposing i get pregnant who will take care of the baby?

The pastor replied,“let’s leave it to the one above. Suddenly the smoker jumped down and shouted, U DEY CRAZE? LEAVE WETIN 4 WHO? NA ME bleep AM? An American, an English man, and a Nigerian were on a ship. Suddenly the Devil appeared and said, “Drop anything in the sea, if I find it I will eat u, If I can’t, I will be your slave!” The American dropped a pin, the Devil found it and ate him. The English man dropped a coin, the Devil found it and ate him too. The Nigerian opened a bottle of water, poured it in the sea and said, “Na today be today, go find am!”. *A Nigerian man fainted outside Mr. Biggs (an eatery). Soon a crowd gathered around him and someone suggested, “Give him some water, it will help.” Hearing this, the man opened one eye and said, “Commot from here, if na water I wan drink, I for go faint for water board…” (Translation: “Get lost!

If I needed water, I would faint in front of a water facility) *A man sits on the balcony having drinks with his wife, and he says, “I love you!” She asks, “Is that you or the beer talking?” He replies, “It’s me… talking to the beer.”

*A husband comes home from Church, greets his wife, lifts her up and carries her around the house. The wife is so surprised and excited! She asked with smiles, “Did the Pastor preach on being romantic?” Out of breath the husband replies, “No, he said we must carry our cross.”

COUNTRY

ACROSS 1.German City (6) 3.South American Country (4) 5. Top European City (6) 8. Republic, formerly of Denmark (7) 10. Country, SE of Europe (7) 13. World Power, abbrv.(3) 14. W/A Country (6) 15. Sovereign Entity (5) 16. First Capital of Nigeria (7) 17. Eastern Nigerian City (3)

DOWN 1.Western Nigerian City (5) 2.Where Julius Caesar Reigned (4) 4.Nigerian State (3) 5.Nigeria’s Commercial Capital (5) 6. Central American Country (9) 7. Fmr. US Colony (6) 9. Coca Growing Country (8) 10. Fmr. Unit of USSR (6) 11. Spanish City (6)

A man brought his elderly father on visit to Lagos from the village for the first time. After dinner, the son asked the father: Son: “Father, should I bring you Coca-Cola?”

Father: (not knowing what Coca-Cola means), “You can bring the Kola now, but as for the Coca, you can keep it till later.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

SOCIETY American-based pharmacist and daughter of a former Managing Director of Union Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Salihu AbubakarEhimeakhe, Mariam, got married to Aliyu, an accountant with Schlumberger and the first son of the late Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar at a colourful ceremony in Lagos.

NNEKA NWANERI was there.

T

HE young woman walked down the aisle with measured steps. She was aware of stares from the crowd as she took her steps determinedly, holding on to her father with one hand and a bouquet of roses in the other. She radiated joy.

Guests and well wishers nodded to themselves approvingly and smiled at her with admiration.

She drew their attention for a number of reasons. Her exotic looks – high cheek bones, black brows beautifully arched above large dark eyes, partly shielded by a white net veil – were enthralling to behold. This was the scene when Mariam, the daughter of a former Managing Director of Union Bank, Alhaji Salihu Abubakar-Ehimeakhe got married to Aliyu Abubakar, at a colourful nikkah.

Though beautiful in the classical sense, her unique look, just like her father, and graceful steps arrested everyone’s attention.

Her wedding clothes were simple.

She wore a netted sleeved, white rose flowered flowing gown. Her hair was perfectly covered to the last strand. Her jewelry were midi-dropping earrings. As she made her entry, the walkway was littered with white and gold rose petals, sprinkled by three little flower girls.

It was her day of joy last Saturday as she took a vow for a lasting union with Abubakar, at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Crystal balls hung from the roof of the waterfront cape as the audience savoured the seaside breeze and watched the Lagos landscape, highrise buildings and vehicles moving from afar.

Many shone in tea green (a bluish shade of green) laces and burgundy (dark red) head gears while other women covered their heads according to the Islamic custom during the ceremony.

An Imam from Houston, United States, Luqman Adeyemo was the officiating minister. Just before the Nikah rites and Aqdun (solemnisation), he delivered a sermon, explaining the essence of Nikah in Islam. According to him, it is to follow the instructions of Allah.

Quoting the Holy Quran, Chapter 4, he said marriage is not done for business, but by freewill where a man is free to marry a woman of his choice.

He urged Aliyu to hold his household firm, describing Mariam as a “virtuous woman.”

He told the couple to ensure that their courtship does not end in honeymoon, but continues forever.

“Make her happy because she will make you happy,” the cleric told the groom as he asked him if he was willfully ready to take her as his wife. Aliyu answered “Yes”.

Both parents also gave their consent to the union. Alhaji Mutairu

‘She is a virtuous woman’ • The couple, Mariam and Aliyu (middle) with (from left) bride's father, Alhaji Ehimeakhe; Groom's mother Mrs Asimou Abu; Bride's mother, Hajiya Azara Ehimeakhe and Alhaji Bello

•Otaru of Auchi Kingdom Alhaji Haliru Momoh (left) and Akarigbo of Remo Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo

•From right: Elepe of Epe Sagamu-Remo Oba Adewale Osiberu; Olofin of Sonyindo Sagamu-Remo Oba Lasisi Gisanrin and Nloku of Iraye-Remo Oba Samuel Kalejaiye

•From right: Dr Ogunbiyi, his wife, Sade and Olori Olubukonla Osiberu

•Dr Unuane (left) and Real Admiral Peter Ebhaleme (rtd)

•Maiden Ibru

•Alhaji Yisa Umoru

•Hajia Nofisat Momoh (right) and Mrs Akosua Unuane. PHOTOS: BIODUN ADEYEWA

Bello represented the father of the groom.

Thereafter, the cleric read the Khutbah for the marriage to be solemnised.

Just as they were pronounced Man and wife, Aliyu took off the veil on Mariam’s face. They said their vows.

Mariam read out a prepared speech where she said she was proud to have finally taken Aliyu’s last name and promised to be his biggest fan. Aliyu also promised to love her till eternity.

The Civic Centre, venue of the event was filled with guests. While the couple had group photographs at one corner of the venue; guests had cocktails on the ground floor of

the venue.

There was enough to eat and drink at the reception, which held on the first and second floors of the centre as soon as the photograph session was over. They elderly ones used the elevators while the young ones used the stair case.

The halls were decorated in style.

It was lit by coloured lights. Two candles were lit on each table. The Groove band supplied good music while comedian Gbenga Adeyinka was the master of ceremonies.

Former Managing Director of Daily Times, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi chaired the occasion. Dr Ogunbiyi, who was the bride’s father’s childhood friend, said he remembered vividly when

Mariam was born. He urged guests to remember them in prayers.

In proposing the toast, sister of the bride, Zulei Abubakar-Ehimeakhe, said the couple’s match is one made in heaven. She also recalled that they met two years ago through a mutual friend in an unconventional manner.

While Mariam was in Houston in USA, Aliyu was in Nigeria.

“At that point in time, none of them was interested in meeting anybody because they didn’t feel like the long distance relationship would worth the while. Eventually, having conversed, travelled and had series of meetings, they realised they were meant for each other and the rest is history.

“Their love is infectious and they are so happy together. I remember she came to me once and said Zulei I think I have found the one that gives her butterflies and makes her feel in a way she has never felt,” she said.

Alhaji Bello said he was happy his daughter-in-law has the three encrypts as commanded by the Holy Quran: family background, character and people’s opinion.

In attendance were the wife of the late publisher of The Guardian Newspaper, Mrs Maiden Ibru; Bashorun Jaiye Randle; the Paramount Ruler of Remo Kingdom, Oba Akangba Sonariwo; the Elepe of Epe, Oba Adewale Osiberu and others.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

SOCIETY

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS A simple format

O

•Dr Ajani, his wife Kabirat (second left); FIIRO Chief Research Officer, Analytical Services Division Dr Funmilayo Kayode and Chief Technical Officer, Analytical Services Division Mrs Dorcas Adetuyi

A reception was held for the Acting Head, Packaging Technology Division of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos, Dr Sakirudeen Ajani, after he bagged a doctorate degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), reports IBRAHIM ADAM.

I

A rewarding effort

T was a day of joy and a dream come true for the Ph.D graduates of the University of Lagos last week.

It took them years of serious effort, commitment and focus to achieve what they were being celebrated for that day.

They were all happy and grateful to God for the grace to accomplish their dream in their academic pursuit.

The event attracted dignitaries including former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon; Deputy Governor of Ogun State Prince Segun Adesegun; Professor Jerry Gana and UNILAG Registrar Dr Taiwo Ipaye, among others.

For the Acting Head, Packaging Technology Division at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi in Lagos State, Dr Sakirudeen Abidemi Ajani, who bagged a doctorate degree in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, it was his happiest day.

The Ph.D graduate, accompanied by his family and friends, stormed the Multipurpose Hall of the University in choice outfits.

Gowon congratulated Dr Ajani and others. He noted that the university is progressing and urged the management to keep the flag flying.

He advised the graduating students to improve the good reputation the university has built in the past.

“They should also build their own businesses and not wait for white-collar jobs,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG, Professor Rahamon Bello, in his address, reiterated the

institution’s commitment to maintaining its tradition of producing quality graduates who would compete favourably with their counterparts in any part of the world.

He said: “The tradition of producing quality first-class graduates that can compete favorably with their counterparts in any part of the world is in line with the vision of the University of Lagos which, is ‘to be a top-class institution for the pursuit of excellence in knowledge through learning, research and community service...

“In our continuing internationalisation bid and in response to the reality of the growing influence of China in the world economy, University of Lagos in conjunction with its Chinese partner University, Soochow University, has commenced a B. A. degree programme in Chinese Studies in the Faculty of Arts, in the 2013/2014 Session. This is the first of its kind in any University in Nigeria.”

After the convocation, a reception was held for Dr Ajani at the main mosque of the University of Lagos.

It was the outcome of his 12 years of hard work, perseverance and determination in his academic pursuit.

Friends, family members and colleagues came to celebrate his success.

Ajani’s wife, Kabirat Oyinlola, FIIRO Principal Technical Officer, Analytical Services Division ensured the reception venue was set for the day. Guests were merry as they consumed assorted food and drinks As Ajani arrived the venue,

•Managing Director, Highrise Pharmaceutical Ltd, Mr Luqman Miftah (left) and Aremson Properties Managing Director Mr Mufutau Agbi

all eyes were on him. He decked in red and black graduation gown on ash suit.

His mother, Mrs Mulikat Ajani, clad in a white lace with red and gold head gear, led other guests to embrace him. Everyone stood to take pictures with him.

They all had the day to chat with one another, saying nice things about the celebrator.

Mrs Ajani was full of joy.

She said the success her son has achieved will not end with him. ‘’I ‘m very happy today for having a child that reached this height. I pray it won’t end on him and that he will do the same for his children and siblings.

“When he was a child, he always tell me that he wants to get to the top and I kept praying for him. I am happy that he, indeed, made it to the top,” she said.

A Senior Estate Officer, UNILAG Consult and friend to the celebrator, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Amida, described him as a determined and focused man. ‘’With all that he went through before he could get what we are all celebrating today, it shows his doggedness, focus and determination, to make it,’’ he said.

His colleague at Federal In-

stitute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Mr Hassan Tunde, described him as a hardworking man who endured for so long.

“He is a nice person and he has good relations with all staff. He is worth emulating,’’ he said.

Younger sister of the celebrator, Kehinde Ajani, described him as a peaceful person, religious and generous.

She said her brother has been to different countries to gather materials for the doctorate degree.

The celebrator, Dr Ajani, said the doctorate degree was a great accomplishment in his life. “ A journey of over 10 years with perseverance and determination is not a small thing.

I thank God for today and I say Alhamdulillah.

“I dedicate this work to Allah, my father, Alhaji Jimoh Ajani and my mother, because they are the architect of my academic pursuit, I also dedicate it to my wife and children,’’ he said.

Wife of the celebrant, Kabirat was all smiles. She described her husband as a man who struggles to the last.

She thanked God for the accomplishment of his success and thanked everyone for coming.

F all the types of speech presentations, impromptu speech is perhaps the most believable. The reason is not farfetched; listeners believe the speaker speaks from the heart instead of delivering a premeditated speech. If, for instance, you are given several months notice to deliver a speech on President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged AMODU LANRE OLAOLU ambition to contest during the 2015 election, you will (Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com.

07034737394 have enough time to think of @lanreamodu all the right words to speak.

One of the things you may also do is to assess the nature of your audience. If you don’t fancy the idea of the President contesting, but a government official will be present at the event, you may think of several diplomatic ways of presenting your views. However, if you were not informed of the presentation, you may actually express you real view (or at least something close to it).

For this reason, audience finds it easier to relate with impromptu speeches in terms of credibility than some other types of speeches. Think about it, why is it that at press conferences by government officials or other dignitaries, journalists still ask questions after the individuals have delivered the speech? First, the speech delivered was premeditated so the journalists need some heartfelt responses, second, there are areas of concern that were not covered in the speech, and third, there is need for further clarification on some issues raised. In most cases similar to the one we have here, people tend to benefit more from the question and answer session than the initial speech presentation.

During question and answer sessions, people get the answers the desire, which are usually beyond what the speaker are prepared to share.

Last week, we examined a few elements of impromptu speech. We said that it is immediate, it is brief and it is based on the current situation or event. We also said that you are called to deliver the speech because of your experience or personality. Consequently, it should be presented from your personal point of view, though it should focus on other people rather than yourself.

This week, we shall examine a simple format you can adopt anytime you are called upon to deliver an impromptu speech: • Introduction: since the entire speech should not last more than a few minutes, your introduction is not expected to be an extensive one. Nevertheless, it should be catchy enough to capture your audience’s attention. A brilliant way to start your speech is to acknowledge the distinguished people present and appreciate the privilege given to you to contribute to the important subject. You may also begin by referring to the invaluable contributions that have been made before you. While you don’t have a lot of time, it is still fashionable to refer to one or two memorable contributions that others have made for your audience to know that you are not engaging in flattery.

• State your point: remember that you don’t have a long time to speak, so, suspense may not be the best idea at this time. Considering that public speaking is an art, I believe you can adapt your speech to any situation or be creative whichever way you like. Nevertheless, I suggest you state your position straight on. Let the audience know what side of the discussion you belong to.

• Justify your position: why do you feel the way you do? That is your next assignment. Your justification is perhaps more important than your position. This is because the credibility or soundness of your position will be judged by the reasons you give. For instance, lets assume you are asked at your organization’s board meeting if the company should fire some staff in view of emerging economic realities. If you say yes and you are asked why, you can’t simply say, “Well I don’t know. I just kind of think the company is too crowed.” People will lose respect for you because you are putting others’ jobs on line without any sensible justification.

• Illustrate your point: don’t waste time at all, give a practical example that will drive home your point. While there is no time for any lengthy story, you may just call their attention to something around them that supports your line of reasoning. If you can bring the illustration close to them, you are likely to get their attention. The more familiar your illustration is, the more likely you are to win your audience.

• Restate your point: make sure that your listeners don’t stray from your line of argument. Remind them of your position again. This time, they should understand it better because you have already provided your justification.

• Conclude with appreciation: end your speech by thanking whoever invited you to talk for the opportunity to make a contribution. You should also thank your audience for listening and seeing your point.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIAL

The capture of a Benghazi suspect has lessons for the Obama administration

Ekiti polls •INEC and FG should give no room to brigandage, theft, rigging and other forms of subversion

I

F the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intends to be taken seriously as an impartial arbiter of democracy, we shall know that on Saturday, June 21. If the President Jonathan-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will tie its deed to its lofty promise about commitment to a free and fair poll, history in its diligent vigilance will put that on record on Saturday.

But the signs are ominous, and it is important for this newspaper to ring out its warning to all those elements of violence and electoral subversion in the body politic in the country. They should understand that the dignity of a fair election should not be compromised. But the Ekiti State governorship polls billed for Saturday is crucial because it is a foretaste of the 2015 elections.

Already, two developments in the past week give us cause for worry.

One, in the aftermath of the symbolic gesture of sweeping away the debris of a PDP rally, an Ekiti State commissioner was arrested and sued for terrorism. In a savage irony, the commissioner, Funminiyi Afuye, had been a victim of violence and sued the police.

The police exercised a bravado of law by suing Afuye instead. The cynical point was to take away the moral power of Afuye’s legal fang.

The second was a news report that some PDP bigwigs flew in an aircraft to Akure, a neighbour of Ekiti, and loaded a bullion van marked •Jonathan

back to the appreciation of development.

The roads were expanded and lifted with bitumen. Old and dilapidated ones were repaired and rebuilt in many parts. The burst of infrastructural renewal as well as education have instructed the people, in spite of their party loyalties, about the possibilities of government in improving the environment and inspiring the governed.

The social security scheme that involved doling out N5,000 for the elderly has been a breath of fresh air as innovation and it helped inspire other states about the neglect and alienation of those who had toiled in their prime without reward for their hoary days of weakness and fruitlessness.

But we know that government thrives

BL271AGN with loads of money intended to induce votes. Also in the van, ballot papers were stamped as though valid votes. The report also noted that a minister accompanied this act of thieving absurdity.

The world witnessed, on the day Afuye was manhandled as the state governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, was being harassed by the police who uttered words disrespectful of his office and person.

This sort of fascination with bare-knuckle violence and blood is incompatible with the cooperative spirit of democracy.

Before Dr. Fayemi became governor, the state witnessed a series of blood-curdling scenes of mayhem dramatised by fights, gunshot duels, arson, and plain murder.

This was because the PDP top brass did not accept the logic of mass popularity signalised by the election of 2011. In the end, it was not the love of rapine and the fury of subversion that hailed the winner. It was the legal sobriety of the court.

When Ekiti State settled to its new governor, Dr. Fayemi restored to the state a halcyon air of cooperative work. Within three years, the state rebounded from the fractious temperament of a few years

on self-renewal and a test of the ideas of the day against the strengths and weakness of powerful individuals. These persons are the electoral gladiators who seek offices to fulfill the spirit of the times.

For Saturday’s election, we have Ayo Fayose for the PDP and Opeyemi Bamidele for the Labour Party (LP) as the main contenders for the job performed by Dr. Fayemi. It is a tragedy that on the eve of election, violence rather than the sparkle of ideas concentrates the minds of the people. People are wondering how many people will die and get injured rather than what candidate has advanced the superior argument.

The context of violence has also come to bold relief with the militarisation of the state. This is against the grain of democracy. We have seen this as a pattern in our raw and stunted democracy. Soldiers

have no place in elections. Even the presence of police should be subtle and unobtrusive. Days to the Ekiti State polls, the world ogled darkly a spectacle of policemen on parade with vicious-looking dogs. This underpins the temper of elections as exercise in crime busting.

This foul mood is not helped by the rhetoric of the president. He has elevated his language in this regard and has called for a sense of honour and responsibility by all the parties. But in deed, he has watched with a wink and a mischievous nod how his party chieftains have played the game of disdain for rules.

Brigandage, ballot snatching, waylaying of electoral materials and diverting them, fomenting riots, conjuring new and fake ballot papers pervade such activities of lawlessness. They end all with the heist of the people’s votes. We have seen this over and over again. The cynical view of the thieving elite often is that the loser can go to court. We also know that in the past couple of years, the judiciary has come under fierce onslaught over its want of impartial wisdom.

When politicians increasingly doubt they can secure justice in the court, the democratic dispensation is in peril.

Self-help that potentially results precipitates a cauldron of mutually assured destruction. The loser is not only democracy but ultimately the people who are denied the benefits of a system of popular persuasion.

It is important that the INEC pays attention to this challenge. Its chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, ought to understand that we sit on the cusp of history, and he bears an especially high burden of calling up integrity among his staff.

The last gubernatorial election in Anambra State created a farce when he declared that it was inconclusive but he could do nothing about it. The Edo State governor poll involved mass vigilance and Adams Oshiomhole’s triumph was less a factor of INEC’s efficiency but the energy of the electorate.

A system that relies less on institution than the mass to determine who wins a vote treks delicately on the path of anarchy. That scenario must be avoided as citizens of Ekiti State go to the polls Saturday.

‘A system that relies less on institution than the mass to determine who wins a vote treks delicately on the path of anarchy. That scenario must be avoided as citizens of Ekiti State go to the polls Saturday’

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HE CAPTURE of Ahmed Abu Khatalla is a testament, as President Obama said, to the “courage and professionalism” of U.S. military, law enforcement and intelligence personnel. It vindicates Mr. Obama’s promise to stay focused, no matter how long it would take, on the hunt for the killers of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012.

But this episode includes a couple of other lessons that Mr. Obama did not dwell on in his brief statement.

We believe the president is correct, Republican criticism notwithstanding, to send Mr. Khatalla to civilian court for trial. As Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. has said, the courts have proved their capacity to deal fairly and decisively with terrorism suspects. In one sense, to treat Mr. Khatalla as a prisoner of war and send him to the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as the critics demand, would be to accord too much respect to his alleged behavior. And as Harvard law professor and former Bush administration official Jack Goldsmith pointed out on the Lawfare blog Tuesday, civilian courts are likely the only legal option for Mr. Khatalla’s detention; he is not covered by the congressional declaration that authorized the United States to go after the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks.

It’s worth noting, however, that the Obama administration did not immediately read Mr. Khatalla his Miranda rights and clap him into a U.S. jail. Instead they put him on a ship where he could be questioned for intelligence purposes. This is the right call, but it also shows what Mr. Obama has been reluctant to acknowledge — that as long as the United States is engaged in hostilities with terrorists such as Mr. Khatalla, the criminal system alone is not sufficient. The country would be stronger if the administration worked with Congress to update the 2001 declaration and clarify the rules for interrogating such detainees.

In addition, dispatching U.S. Special Operations forces into other nations to essentially kidnap wanted men without their government’s permission is not the ideal method of law enforcement. The United States behaves this way when a country is unable or unwilling to assist in a legitimate apprehension.

Libya certainly fits that description today, suffering as it does from feuding militias and a breakdown of law and order.

One reason the country finds itself in that sad state is that the United States and its allies, after conducting a bombing campaign that led to the downfall of dictator Moammar Gaddafi, didn’t stick around to help a new government establish itself. The United States can protect itself to a degree by killing (with drones) or arresting individual enemies. In the long run though, that will be a losing battle if it does not also work with partners to reduce the extent of lawless spaces where such enemies can be trained and sheltered.

– Washington Post

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Your editorial of Thursday, June 5, with the above title refers. We agree that both the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who was Chief Great Ogboru’s opponent in the 2011 elections have heaved a sigh at last, from the persistence of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Chief Ogboru (“the appellants”) to have their case heard on the merit. But we disagree with your conclusion that Dr. Dickson Osuala or his clients, that is, our good selves and Chief Ogboru abused the process of court. We explain.

Was the merit of the appellants’ case against Uduaghan ever heard by the Supreme Court? Did the apex court ever decide who won the 2011 Governorship election in Delta State? Was there a pronouncement about who won the election based on the valid/lawful votes cast by the people of Delta State? The answer to these questions is NO! Should it therefore not be a serious concern that this is a nation where people can hold democratic office without our peoples’ given electoral mandate? What does it say of a nation where electoral justice is deemed impossible?

It is a fact that the Appeal Court heard the appellants’ case but did not deliver its judgment within 60 days stipulated by section 285 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). We appealed against this decision, contending that it was

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EDITOR’S MAIL BAG

At least the appellants expressly prayed the court to invoke its powers to consider the evidence. Again, is it not also correct that time does not count against an appellant when a nullity occurs?

These, we think, are very cogent reasons for the appellants’ principled stance that their case be heard – which remains unheard – on the merit!!!

The contention of the appellants’ legal team, led by Dr. Osuala, is that Section 285(6) and (7) newly inserted into the 1999 constitution was not valid for being inconsistent with Sections 1(3); 4(8); 6(6)(a) & (b); 9(1), (2), (3) & (4); 36(1); and

294(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

More so, the insertion amounts to interference by the legislature on judicial functions because it stipulates time in which a court must carry out a function.

We are convinced that the insertion of the said section into the Constitution (vide the First and Second Alteration Acts 2010) fell short of the mandatory requirement of four-fifth (4/5) majority of both Houses of the National Assembly to do so. That is to say, the time limits created in the said Section 285(6) and (7) run counter to the “reasonable time” provided in Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution

for the determination of “civil rights and obligations” to which electoral disputes unquestionably belonged before now. That Section 36(1) remains unamended.

It was this contention about the validity or otherwise of Section 285(6) & (7) that took the appellants back to the Supreme Court. That question was not determined. It remains unanswered. Yet, Osuala was fined N8 million for abuse of court process!

Is it an abuse of process of court to call judicial attention to the fact that our Constitution is violated and Nigerians are being made scapegoats as a result? Shouldn’t our courts determine the validity of the law in question before coming to such a conclusion? Which is really an abuse: to ask for the correction of an invalid amendment of the Constitution, or to be governed by unconstitutional laws?

• Chief Tony Ezeagwu State Chairman, DPP, Asaba, Delta State

IR: Osun, is now fully in that season when some Teflon politicians cast aside whatever is left of their threadbare integrity. The Osun Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, is no doubt at full throttle in the electioneering season, lying through his teeth, lobbing the self-demean-

ing salvos of fabrications, and authoring largely unsupportable and unsubstantiated claims against anyone he considers a threat to his ambition, especially the incumbent Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

Since he emerged as the governorship candidate of his party in questionable circumstances, Omisore has been ignobly brewing

some fellow had sent scam messages via my facebook account. It’s an unconscionable act for a person to steal another person’s identity. Our leaders should give teeth to laws that punish people who steal other people’s identities. Those whose identities have been stolen suffer defamation of character.

Should we become hold-outs and luddites in the digital age in order not to become victims of email and facebook hacking with its deleterious concomitant effects? I cannot imagine myself becoming a hermit for fear of falling victim to internet hackers who steal people’s identities to perpetrate crimes. The world has become a global village owing to the existence of improved gadgets of communication in our today’s world.

Now we have identity thieves to contend with. These unscrupulous people have embraced crime in order to earn big money. Perhaps, they are unemployed youths. Unemployment is one of the factors that predispose young people to take to crimes.

I urge the government to stem the tide of unemployment by articulating and executing economic policies that would create jobs for millions of unemployed Nigerians. The minister of finance would reel out statistical data to prove that our economy is growing; yet millions of Nigerians have been reduced to subhuman beings via poverty.

• Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi Anambra State

all kinds of tasteless liquor of falsities against his main opponent, Aregbesola, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun, Ambassador Oloruntoyin Akeju. Of course, he has always drawn blank when asked to substantiate his assertions.

Omisore’s new-fangled falsehood is his hollow claim that Aregbesola is planning to unfurl the canopy of violence on Osun in order to win the governorship election. Virtually all the major newspapers of Monday June 16 reported the Osun PDP candidate as saying that the 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) bought by the Osun State Government to improve security are to be used by Aregbesola to intimidate the electorate during the election. In his twisted logic, the fact that those security apparatuses are yet to be formally handed over to the police is enough reason to conclude sententiously that they are meant to be used to instigate violence, intimidate opponents, and fill eligible voters with trepidation.

Yet, when in April last year Governor Aregbesola handed over five APCs and about 120 patrol vans to the police so as to enhance security, the lying spirit that often inspires Omisore did not lead him to cater-

waul that they would be used to scare off suitable voters in the election. Now that further steps are being taken to shore up security in the state as promised, the PDP flag bearer is unduly depressed and making completely baseless claims.

Would he have preferred that no improvement is made on the vital business of protecting life and property in Osun? Since Aregbesola took office, it is evident that security has improved. Unlike before when the PDP reigned, there is peace and security in all areas of Osun and the tide of armed robbery has subsided considerably.

What is Omisore afraid of? Is anticrime hardware synonymous with APC as a political party and the scourge of PDP? The only individuals who think efforts aimed at improving security in Osun are meant to terrorise lawabiding people are Omisore and his refractory media minders. As always, this Omisore’s claim is groundless. It is crying wolf where there is absolutely none.The people of Osun must be chary of politicians who specialise in brewing distasteful whisky of unjustifiable affirmations.

• Dele Adebayo, Ikire, Osun State.

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Re: Last sigh - Osuala’s N8 million fine a nullity. In agreement with us, the Supreme Court declared the Appeal Court’s judgment a nullity. But by a stroke of irony, the same apex court struck out the same appeal on the ground that there was no longer an appeal because the Appeal Court’s judgment was a nullity! But that was why the appellants went to the Supreme Court in the first place!!!

It is trite law that where a judgment is a nullity; that the person affected is entitled to approach the same or a superior court to set it aside. Against this backdrop shouldn’t the apex court have heard the appellants’ case on the merit?

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Omisore’s unfounded claim

Agony of a hacking victim

IR: Nigeria is at the cross-road of moral crisis. We need messiahs who can salvage the mess that Nigeria has become. Our country, Nigeria, stinks to high heaven with evil doings, criminal activities and others. Our economic stagnation and technological backwardness are interlinked to our lack of positive morality and spirituality.

Recently, a bum and computer nerd hacked my email and facebook accounts, and sent messages via them begging for financial help. I couldn’t access my facebook account and email, and I was terribly worried. I feared that some unscrupulous person who is internet savvy had hacked my facebook account. My fears were confirmed when I received a phone call from a friend who told me that

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 16

21

COMMENTS

Slaves eternally (2)

(The ‘nigger’ in CNN’s Isha Sesay and Nigerian public officers)

Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

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SHA Sesay is belligerent, cocksure and pride to her clan no doubt. She exudes confidence and competence and she is neither timid nor given to crass hero-worship characteristic of many a Nigerian journalist. Sesay dutifully epitomizes that proven essence of her employer, the CNN’s brand of quintessential journalism.

Sesay is a gift. And then she is a curse, a fashionable blight to the spirit of Africa. But Sesay is no African. Though of Sierra Leonean parentage, Sesay is Briton. Good for her, and even better that she was neither birthed nor forced to evolve in a clime beholden to extreme forces of plunder and darkness as characterized by Africa’s leadership and citizenship. This shields her from the monstrosity and vaingloriousness of the Nigerian leadership for instance, hence her ability to face the nation’s public officers down and ask the hard but essential questions about trending issues–particularly the quality of the government’s response to terrorism in the country.

A straw poll would perhaps reveal rising admiration for the CNN correspondent amongst Nigeria’s youth, particularly the female folk dreaming of attaining her type of professional acclaim. Sesay’s coverage of the northeast terrorist sect,

Boko Haram’s recent abduction of over 200 high school girls has been particularly applauded by the nation’s civil societies, the social media activists especially. And if she can manage to best her initial performance, she just might attain the status of a cult hero amongst her Nigerian admirers.

By her reportage, Sesay, a shoddy image of CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, becomes a perfect nemesis for Nigeria’s bungling leadership; her clinical and condescending manner of interviewing the nation’s public officers spanning the presidency and the country’s consulate abroad has been very instructive. It reveals the depth of contempt and institutionalized condescension that is the core of the CNN’s house-style in dealing with perceived nincompoops representing Africa and Nigeria’s leadership.

The fault however, hardly lies with Sesay, as many of her groupies say, “She is only doing her job.”

Thus Sesay is applauded for harrying and insulting with robust confidence, Nigeria’s government and sovereignty. The situation gets more interesting in the wake of the presidency’s attack dogs’ palpable silence over the travesty fostered by their principal’s shameful representation by the CNN and their failure as the presidency’s media

‘While the nation’s leadership enjoy groveling for any form of representation by the news agency, whether damaging or not, let our public officers be guided by manifestations of the news organization’s unprofessional conduct as revealed by the likes of Amber Lyons’’

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ENERALLY, it is the civic responsibility of all and sundry to keep the environment clean all the time. But that has not the case in our society today with filthy environments becoming part and parcel of our everyday lives.

That was and still the true situation in most states across the country with successive governments and perhaps incumbents paying little attention.

Since its creation in 1991, the environmental management cum maintenance of Abia’s capital city Umuahia, and the commercial city, Aba has posed serious challenges to successive governments in the state. Apart from obvious neglect of the situation by the past governments in the state, there was no culture of environmental sanitation among the residents of the cities. Proper orientation was lacking and strengthening the enabling environmental law was never governments’ topmost priority. Environmental management, especially in the commercial city of Aba was nothing to write home about for years. Residents were in the perpetual habit of dumping refuse right inside the drainage channels, especially during the raining season with hope that they would be washed away by the flood, whenever it rained. But whenever it rained then, the refuse would block the drainage channels, and flood would take over the roads in the city.

On the hand, most landlords and indigenes of the city were also in the habit of conniving with some fraudulent government officials to sell lands and build shops on the drainage channels and flood routes. It was business as usual.

At every nooks and crannies of Umuahia and Aba, it was common sight to see refuse dumps that constituted serious health hazard to both residents and visitors of the cities.

Umuahia, being home to mostly civil servants was a bit better than Aba that is a commercial city with beehive of business and industrial activities on daily basis. The state wore the toga of a dirty state and Aba could be best described as headquarters of refuse in the south-east zone. The situation was a source of embarrassment, not just to the successive governments in the state, but to residents of the cities, visitors, investors and tourism-loving individuals. It was a pathetic and daunting situation calling for urgent attention then.

It was as if no one would dare to bell the cat.

That was why on assumption of office in 2007 as governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji made environmental sanitation especially in the city of Aba his government’s topmost priority. In the effort to rid Aba of heaps of refuse, the government quickly entered into partnership with an American refuse management firm, Phoenix Environmental Resources based in California whose term of the reference include the evacuation of all waste materials in the state to their factory at Obingwa to be turned into organic manure to be used by farmers in the state. After two years, it became obvious to all that the company lacked technical knowhow and capacity to deliver, despite enormous support by the government. In-

advisers. Suddenly, the high and mighty Reuben Abati and Doyin Okupe have lost the bluster that drives them to commit infinite gaffes in blind defense of their employer.

Who would believe that the duo will someday get bowled over and too cowardly to protest insults recurrently heaped on the nation’s leadership? For the first time, the rabid defenders of the government’s cluelessness are cowed by a capitalist press’ zealot and applausejunkie from abroad, Sesay.

This discomforting situation should have been nipped in the bud ever since the disastrous interviews that President Goodluck Jonathan had with CNN’s Amanpour. It becomes even more worrisome to note that the presidency’s media advisers could not muster the expertise and counsel essential to the grooming of Mr. President in the art of public speaking and appropriate conduct cum tactfulness in repelling the devious tactics of foreign newshounds like Sesay and company. Agreed, no degree of image laundering will repair inept leadership but what is the presidency keeping a media team for?

How can they remain entitled to the remuneration they receive in spite of their shameful incompetencies?

The fact that the Nigerian leadership gleefully throws open the doors of the country’s State House and grant interviews to characters like Sesay without equipping its core officers with appropriate tools of tact and reason reveals the scandalous ineptitude and mediocrity of the nation’s leadership.

No leadership worth its salt and no nation worth its claim to sovereignty will continue to endure with complacency such shameful misrepresentation and insults by a foreign media; particularly a shady news organization like the CNN. Does the nation’s leadership under-

stand the import of the ongoing campaign of calumny launched against it by the CNN? Is the presidency even aware that by being severally portrayed as clueless and inept by the CNN, New York Times and so on, an unforgivable slight is being perpetrated against the Nigerian nation?

The ongoing denigration of the nation’s leadership and citizenship is only part of the prologue to an unfolding plot to destabilize and destroy Nigeria by foreign powers but the nation’s leadership is disturbingly oblivious of this; perhaps our leadership is aware, it is just too unaffected to care. As the country’s leadership prepares to grant more disgraceful interviews to the CNN even as it grants the organization’s newshounds unrestricted access around the country, let the presidency take note of the CNN’s devious exploits across the world.

While the nation’s leadership enjoy groveling for any form of representation by the news agency, whether damaging or not, let our public officers be guided by manifestations of the news organization’s unprofessional conduct as revealed by the likes of Amber Lyons’. Lyon, a three-time Emmy award winning reporter revealed during an interview with Alex Jones of Infowar that while working for the CNN, she received orders to send false news and exclude some others which the United States’ government did not favor with the aim to create a public opinion in favor of launching an aggression on Iran and Syria. She revealed that the scenario used before launching the war on Iraq is being prepared for justifying US-led invasion of Iran and Syria – two countries that are now being subjected to constant ‘demonization’ by the US government’s cheerleading medium, the CNN. Lyon stresses that CNN has been

known to manipulate and fabricate news in its reportage, stressing that the channel receives money from the U.S. government and other countries' governments in exchange for favourable news content. One need not the gift of clairvoyance to understand that the CNN perpetrates buzz-word conditioning via repetitive broadcast of videos and phrases hinged on the media’s Hypodermic Needle or Bullet Theory.

CNN deploys multiple misleading and conditioning tactics thus blatantly flouting and breaking journalistic ethics of professionalism and non-partisanship.

There’s a psychological effect that even if viewers hear something they know to be false, if it’s repeated long enough, they begin to classify it in their minds as truth. CNN uses these propaganda tactics in its reportage and the Nigerian government need to take note of this before exposing its flanks and the nation’s integrity to more damaging ridicule by the CNN, the US government’s unofficial propaganda unit.

Now back to Isha Sesay; what good would it do to expend precious energy carping CNN’s latest toy poodle? Sesay, like a pitiful ‘nigger’ on America’s infamous slave camps of yore affects the mentality of a plantation scum who suddenly finds herself working the kitchen and pantry by the benevolence of her slave master; she deserves pity and more pity – just like the gang of fops masquerading as Nigeria’s leadership.

Yet doggish or not, the CNN reporter was only doing her job. It isn’t her fault that Nigeria is led by her worst and she should not be blamed either for the Nigerian leadership’s ineptitude and inclinations to self-destruct; we provided the news, she is simply reporting it, milking it and exploiting it for all its worth.

Abia and the environment challenge

By Romanus Uwa deed, the environmental situation in the city moved from bad to worse. Residents complained bitterly over the company’s failure to live up to expectation.

Based on this obvious failure and lapses on the part of the company coupled with complaints by the residents, the government terminated the contract and subsequently returned their responsibilities to Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) whose workers past governments owed backlog of salaries. To ensure close supervision and effective performance, the governor made the agency a parastatal under his office.

A new team of committed leaders led Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe, now Chief of Staff to the governor, were appointed to oversee the management of ASEPA with a new mandate.

The government paid the backlog of salaries and arrears owed workers of the agency for years by successive governments in the state. Special allowances were equally introduced to motivate workers. One of such incentives was the monthly donation of a brand motorcycle for the best waste worker in Aba. All the dilapidated waste containers, receptacles, broken down equipments, and trucks were repaired by the government and put into use, while they procured some modern waste management equipments such as trucks, tippers, waste bins, bulldozers, graders, light weight waste containers, domestic waste bag, motor vehicle waste baskets, bio-degradable waste bag and others to complement the existing ones.

To ensure effective waste management and forestall the outbreak of epidemics associated with dirty environment, the state government quickly closed down Ubakala-Umuahia and Ariaria- Aba dump sites due and relocated them to a safer and convenient location.

The agency constituted the Environmental Management Strategic Committee made up of experts and consultants in waste management who brainstormed on how better to effectively tackle the waste upsurge in the cities. To make its work easier, the cities of Aba and Umuahia were divided into six environmental sub-zones each and new strategy for monitoring and control were channelled accordingly. Later additional 36 sub-zones were later created and more hands were deployed. Industrial capacity receptacles and light buckets were placed at neighbourhood proximities, while lightweight waste buckets were placed at every 50 metres interval in Umuahia and Aba. The approach was aimed at discouraging illegal dumping of waste and to serve as an anti-trash device in the state.

To complement this, bio-degradable waste bags known as environmental black bags and waste buckets were introduced at homes and offices, to encourage waste bagging consciousness for easy disposal of refuse. The agency also introduced a unique waste sorting device known as “Medical Waste Management Devise”, a very special environment management approach designed for sorting out medical related waste for effective disposal.

Today waste workers in the state are working day and night as the agency introduced a monitoring scheme aimed at policing all the various dumpsite and waste collection points to ensure proper and regular disposal of waste. The strategy has aroused the consciousness of the residents of the cities as they complied with government directives to avoid being penalised.

Also, mindful of the need for effective environmental sanitation in the state, the government reconstituted the Environmental Sanitation Mobile Courts and equipped them for optimal performance. The courts are made up of magistrates, lawyers and the security agents. They enforce compliance to environmental laws and standards and monitor all aspects of sanitation and pollution activities including wrongful disposal of wastes, all forms of pollution regulations, blockage of drainage systems, non-payment of sanitation fees and others.

Last year, the state government procured additional 36 brand new disposal trucks that were handed over to the agency for speedy refuse disposal. Nearing completion at the Ogurube Layout Umuahia is a gigantic office to serve as the agency’s permanent office. This many believe, will make it more effective and focused in its operations and mandates.

Today, the cities of Aba and Umuahia are wearing new looks befitting of a state capital and a commercial city. Even with what has been achieved, it seems the state government, and the agency is not relenting in sustaining the tempo, and improving on them for a more cleaner Abia State.

• Dr. Uwa, wrote from Aba, Abia State

‘Mindful of the need for effective environmental sanitation in the state, the government reconstituted the Environmental Sanitation Mobile Courts and equipped them for optimal performance...They enforce compliance to environmental laws and standards and monitor all aspects of sanitation and pollution activities’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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COMMENTS ‘Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.’ - Orison Swett Marden HIS time last week, all minds were busy wondering about what the outcome of the national convention of the leading opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC), would be. Most people, especially from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were seated in their strategy room waiting for the doomsday prophesy that APC would buckle under internal wrangling. This is expected in view of the fact that PDP would not ever contemplate that any political party, not even APC, could ever give it the kind of serious challenge that it presently faces.

Consequently, the PDP would still attempt to do everything possible, including the planting of moles within the opposition’s topmost hierarchy, to ensure that the APC crumbles like a pack of cards before the dawn of the 2015 general elections. Moreover, it is not in doubt that the ruling party would be ashamed that the national convention that it failed to successfully conduct last year, which led to its decimation, was what APC has just achieved.

Apart from the major challenge of sponsored subversion from the PDP, APC equally and expectedly has to contend with the test of members that see the platform not necessarily as one for change, but one for the realisation of their inordinate ambitions and when not achieved, are ready to rock the boat.

When juxtaposed with earlier raised PDP’s wish, some analysts have concluded that the task ahead of APC is Herculean. The two extrapolated positions are true but this column wants to believe that the promoters of APC,

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‘The man that I am talking about is the contemporary rescuer of the southwest that many love to use his name and resources to attain power and comfort but gleefully choose to betray easily without a whiff of conscience. He is Bola Tinubu who alongside Mohammadu Buhari, Abubakar Atiku, Wammako and others ensured a successful APC national convention’

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HE process leading to tomorrow’s elections in Ekiti State, offers important lessons for the rest of Nigeria and indeed for many other parts of the continent. At stake here are two sets of tendencies: one concerns the values that guide society in the dayto-day life of its people; the other deals with the set of values that underpin formal processes of governance, which reproduces the state and ensures smooth leadership succession. In this regard, Nigeria has been deliberate in its choice of democratic values. Those who occupy positions of authority in society and within institutions of the state are naturally looked upon as the custodians of these values. Invariably, they are moderators of the space of the application of values to ensure that they do not swing massively away from the pursuit of “common good” or “collective well-being”.

Ekiti people have for long prided themselves as a people who exemplify values of excellence, honour and integrity. Any young person raised by an Ekiti parent or grandparent understood well that success depended not on quick accumulation of material wealth but on a “good name” built on hard work and character; and above all, the pursuit of excellence – all of which brought pride to one’s community. To be certain, this ideal was not the preserve of Ekiti people. One could easily locate such values with people in other parts of Nigeria and indeed across the African continent. But for a relatively homogenous agrarian society, which had little else going for it in the area of development, there was a near total commitment to this ideal. And it paid off. Its people rose to prominence through achievement of excellence in education and a continued commitment to principles of honour and good name. Ekiti people still boast of the largest number of Professors and PhD holders per capita in Nigeria although this is fast becoming a thing of the past. Other Nigerians readily recall with admiration and exasperation in equal measure, how Ekiti people could hold up processes in defence of high

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A convention against all odds!

• Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

• John Odigie-Oyegun

especially former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a shrewd politician, must have anticipated these at the formative days of the mega opposition party.

The adequacy of the steps he had taken to checkmate such injurious malcontents is what may be in doubt in view of the high-wired politics that took place in Abuja during the party’s last convention.

Again, some have argued that what happened in Abuja during the APC convention is normal for such a political gathering because politics is ordinarily the game of intrigues. But this column agrees with this position to a point that it is targeted at achieving the general wellbeing of whole and not a malicious personalised war. One doubts if any reasonable Nigerian can honestly profess to be contented with the performance and governing style of the ruling PDP. And the reason behind this is why majority of Nigerians could not affirmatively answer this question. In retrospect, this was what led to the birth of APC. The need for an effective alternative party to dislodge PDP from power, and APC has done effectively well at the regional level.

In 15 years of supposed democratic governance, the PDP has been ruling by fraud and through this fraud, it acquires access to the tools needed to finish the job of killing off the constitution. APC is hopefully out to cure this mischief. PDP has foisted a nation where justice is denied; where poverty is enforced and where ignorance prevails among the people; a society where the privileged class is made to feel that society is an organised conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade the hoi polloi. This column now knows why lives and property are not safe under the current administration. The truth is that PDP has failed and it is obvious that those who deny good governance and meaningful wellbeing cannot claim to be defenders of the suffering Nigerian people. The testimonies of good governance in the states controlled by APC are in sharp contrast to the wobbling misrule in most of the PDP states including the centre.

Somebody saw the need to forge a united front and replicate the development of the APC states all over the federation. He toiled day and night meeting people from the other parts of the country. He could have remained

Ekiti: It’s battle against ‘stomach infrastructure’ By ’Funmi Olonisakin principles and values!

For John ’Kayode Fayemi, one of the many Ekiti indigenes raised on these values, these were not romantic notions when he decided almost a decade ago to leave his academic and activist career to seek the transformation of Ekiti’s political space in pursuit of a common good in what he first termed “Ekiti collective rescue mission”. Those of us who knew of his commitment and determination were concerned about the price he would pay for daring to pursue such a mission, not because it was not a worthy cause, but because the pendulum of values were shifting even in Ekiti State. The holders of the highest public positions, expected to be the very custodians of the space of values had polluted that space beyond recognition. It was against all odds that Fayemi became governor after four years of gruelling court battles. The last four years of his governorship have seen a worthy effort to moderate the space of values such that Ekiti’s societal core values of honour, hard work and excellence are brought back alongside democratic values. His government responded to the needs of the people through his “Eight-point agenda” that includes: governance, infrastructural development, modernising agriculture, education and human capital development, healthcare, industrial development, tourism development and gender equality.

As the cycle of election returns and with Ekiti people set to elect a governor to oversee the affairs of the state in the next four years, Fayemi is right to expect that in any democratic order, an incumbent should be judged

on the basis of his achievement in the preceding four years. His campaign has made this case, systematically and consistently. And many in Ekiti do not dispute that he has worked hard and changed the face of the state in the past four years even if this is work in progress in some respects. This has been duly acknowledged in several quarters among which, was the award of “Governor of the Year” in 2011 after only one year in office.

Additionally, one would expect that the opposition party’s choice of governorship candidate ought to make the re-election of Fayemi an open and shut case. In one of the cruelest manifestations of the distortions of values I had highlighted above, Ayo Fayose – a former governor of Ekiti State who left office disgraced following what many saw as his promotion of destructive values, has returned to vie for elections.

Interestingly, Fayose’s emergence as governorship candidate intersects with what was a quiet but persistent voice in Ekiti in the last four years of Fayemi’s governorship. That is the opinion of a number of people who acknowledge that while Fayemi has worked hard, built infrastructure and recorded visible progress, he has failed to provide infrastructure of the stomach – a euphemism for regular cash hand outs and other rewards. This, alongside the view that Fayemi is too educated [in a state that has historically cherished education] has found synergy and resonance with Fayose’s re-emergence on the political stage.

To be clear, attention to stomach infrastructure has been rife across Nigeria and Africa as whole. It is by far the easiest objective to pursue for those seeking public office who have

in his southwest cocoon which yours sincerely would have preferred but he took the risk. He has hope and confidence in himself and ultimately, God against odds. But when the party has taken firm roots, most of those who silently mock him sees the hope that he saw long time ago and decided to have a piece of the action. They conspired against him at the convention in their scheme to have stronghold over the party.

This column finds quite treacherous the moves of some APC governors that were installed by the man to usurp his power at the convention. At the nick of time, the national leader of APC’s trump card of visiting Governor Wammako revealed the wolf in APC’s sheep’s skin from Borno State. He comfortably sat down and was caught compiling his conspiratorial list of self-serving national officers. This mole from defunct ANPP is working for Jonathan’s PDP. The same man worked for Obasanjo, though he claimed to be a chieftain of ANPP. The man that I am talking about is the contemporary rescuer of the southwest that many love to use his name and resources to attain power and comfort but gleefully choose to betray easily without a whiff of conscience.

He is Bola Tinubu who alongside Mohammadu Buhari, Abubakar Atiku, Wammako and others ensured a successful APC national convention. They realised that whatever misfortune befalls APC at this period could not be in the interest of democracy and Nigeria’s stability. Most people cannot continue to mouth PDP’s maladministration without working concertedly to provide an effective alternative which Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, a matured man of integrity, had been elected at the convention to provide.

Tinubu tickles more because he liberated the southwest from the yoke of PDP-concocted misfortunes and because Claude Thomas Bissell once said: He “Risks more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.” Also on the conspiracy against him during the convention, he was able to prove the words of Orison Swett Marden right when he said: “Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.” Ride on Asiwaju for weathering this national convention’s storm to a successful end. A caveat: Beware more of the enemy within and the several birds of strange bedfellows that are always flocking around you, pretending to be genuine loyalists! Their motive is clear enough for all to see now. no new ideas or change making agenda for their society. Its results are instant but short lived. Ekiti was perhaps the last bastion of resistance in Nigeria to this phenomenon, but it is clear that its corrupting influence has been taking hold in certain circles. The blind pursuit of selfish ends through destructive values that stand in stark opposition to the collective well-being is a growing threat to the wellbeing of ordinary Africans.

Fayemi’s battle against the phenomenon of stomach infrastructure is a real one and he has been persistent in his message that hard work for the common good is the only way to ensure that Ekiti does not succumb to mediocrity and relegated to obscurity.

The people of Ekiti State will do well to recognise that tomorrow’s election is a titanic struggle between the pursuit of the “common good” on the one hand and “stomach infrastructure” on the other. The pendulum of values must not be allowed to shift in favour of personal gains of a handful of unscrupulous elite against the pursuit of the collective well being of Ekiti people.

Ekiti is a microcosm of the shifting landscape of elite-society relations in Nigeria and in many parts of the continent at large. In Nigeria, this election, which is coming months ahead of Nigeria’s general elections, will be a legacy check for President Goodluck Jonathan, who has taken a particularly keen interest in Ekiti’s election. It will send a crucial message about how the highest office holder in the land presides over the space of values.

• Olonisakin, PhD, is Director, African Leadership Centre, King's College, London.

‘Fayemi has worked hard, built infrastructure and recorded visible progress; he has failed to provide infrastructure of the stomach – a euphemism for regular cash hand outs and other rewards’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

NSIA, Russian Fund join IFSWF

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HE Board of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) has approved the applications for IFSWF membership of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

Mr. Bader M. Al Sa’ad, IFSWF Chair and Managing Director of Kuwait Investment Authority, welcomed the new members and states: “It is a great pleasure to welcome two new members to our global network of sovereign funds. The IFSWF Board notes the willingness of the new members to endorse, on a voluntary basis, the Santiago Principles. We look forward to collaborating with the teams led by Mr. Uche Orji, CEO and Managing Director of NSIA and Mr. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of RDIF.” With these two new members, the IFSWF now has 28 members.

The IFSWF, a voluntary group of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs), was established by the International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds in April 2009.

Among its major objectives is the promotion of an understanding of the Santiago Principles - a set of 24 guidelines for the operation of SWFs. NSIA will be inducted at the next IFSWF annual meeting in Doha slated for between November 19 and 20 where it will also sign the membership agreement and formal declaration of IFSWF membership.

25 NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Nigeria gets World Bank’s $200m for flood control C T

Japan spends $2m on rice production

By Daniel Essiet

HE World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $200 million International Development Assistance (IDA) credit for Nigeria to improve Oyo State’s disaster risk management capabilities.

According to the World Bank, the financial support will also “strengthen community-based resilience capacity, and provide support for risk assessment and early warning systems in Ibadan.”

The World Bank noted that “Ibadan’s poorest and most vulnerable residents are the most affected by the floods.

The most recent floods of August 2011 caused significant human and economic losses primarily in housing,

By Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

education, agriculture and transport.”

The project investments, the World Bank said, will have considerable long term benefits such as improved city functioning and less impacts of flooding on livelihoods and other socio-economic activities in the city.

Marie-Francoise Nelly, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria stated: “Nigerian cities are growing at a scale never seen before and are exposing more people to disaster impacts. Floods and other climate-related shocks are a severe threat to the achievement of the country’s development goals.

“It is critical that these cities

are able to face these significant challenges, and prepare for potential natural disasters and climate change.”

The Oyo State government had earlier requested the World Bank’s support to finance a flood management project after recognising the need for an integrated and long term solution to flooding in Ibadan.

When completed, the Ibadan Urban Flood Management project will benefit the 3.1 million people living in the city, and specifically the 40,200 who reside in flood prone areas.

The project will establish early warning and flood response actions and will also finance the rehabilitation of Ibadan city drains, roads and

bridges, as well as restoring the flood damaged Eleyele dam.

In addition, the project will develop a long-term flood risk management framework to reinforce Oyo State government’s early warning and response capabilities and leverage existing World Bank projects such as the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) in Oyo State.

Sateh Chafic El-Arnaout, the World Bank Task Team Leader for the project, noted that “by promoting a policy shift from reactive disaster response to preventive flood risk management, both the Federal and the Oyo State governments have shown strong commitment to flood risk management in Ibadan”.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N11.4 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES

Inflation -8% TreasuryBills-10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

•From Right: Mr. Ayodele Othihiwa, Lead Discussant, Chief Olusola Dada, Special Guest, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi, Chief Alex Akinyele, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Dr. Ngozi Chianakwalam, Executive Chairman, Investment &Securities Tribunal , Mr. Tayo Orekoya, Mr. Tola Mobolurin and Mr. Wole Adetunji at the 10th PEARL Award Public Lecture Anniversary in Lagos.

700m euro Dutch Growth Fund coming

N

IGERIA is one of the countries to benefit from the Netherlands’ 700million euro Growth Fund to be launched in July, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Co-operation, Ms. Lilianne Ploumen, has said.

The decision to include Nigeria in the preferred list of countries came on the heels of the discussion between Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, and his Dutch counterpart, last

year.

Aganga confirmed this during the Nigeria-Netherlands Business Forum in Lagos.

The Netherlands minister is currently in Nigeria with a delegation of over 20 Dutch businessmen to tie win-win trade and investment relationships.

The Dutch Growth Fund will enable the country’s entrepreneurs and SMEs to form Joint Ventures with their Dutch counterparts, expand their businesses and also invest in critical and thriving sectors.

Aganga said: “Netherlands is one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners. Within the last five years, the value of trade between Nigeria and Netherlands has grown from about $2.5billion to about $10billion.

“In addition to the fact that there are so many Dutch companies operating and doing well in Nigeria, there is also the E700m Dutch Growth Fund, which the Government of Netherlands is planning to establish which will be accessed by Nigerians in partnership with

Dutch entrepreneurs who can bring in their know-how and innovation. This will make Joint Ventures easier between the two countries.

“I want to commend the Dutch Government for this.

When I went to the Netherlands about two years ago when the Fund was about to be created, I appealed to the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Co-operation, Ms. Lilianne Ploumen, that Nigeria should be included as one of the countries that will benefit from the Fund.”

NIWA seizes sub-standard life jackets in Lagos

T

HE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has seized more than 200 substandard life jackets from boat operators in the Lagos area.

Its Head of the Marine Department Mrs Sarat Suleiman, said the jackets were seized because they did not meet the approved standard.

She said: “Our mandate is

By Oluwakemi Dauda

to make the state’s waterways safe for all travellers and this should be more paramount to every operator and passenger.

“As part of our efforts to sanitise waterways and make it safe, we seized no fewer than 200 fake life jackets in a single raid last week. One of the ways of ensuring water safety is the use of standard life jackets and operators have

option than to comply.’’

On what will happen to the number of fake life jackets seized, the marine officer said NIWA usually burnt worn-out and sub-standard jackets seized during its operations every Wednesday.

She assured that the authority will sustain the crusade against sub-standard life jackets and warned boat operators to provide standard jackets for passengers or risk

more sanctions.

NIWA’s Area Manager, Alhaji Muazu Sambo, said the government had donated standard life jackets to operators as part of efforts to enhance safety.

He said the authority had commenced enforcement of laws regarding the safety of waterways, urging ferry operators and passengers to comply with safety requirements.

HIEF Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agenc, Mr Tetsuo Seki said his agency spends $2million annually to support Nigeria’s effort to double rice production and help alleviate poverty.

Speaking with The Nation after the kick off of rice seeds distribution to vulnerable farmers in Benue and Nasarawa states, in Lafia, Seki said JICA was particularly interested in transferring the expertise gained during his country’s ‘green revolution’ to Nigerian farmers.

He said the Japan-funded Emergency project addresses critical needs in rice seed and data, adding that Japan is providing significant support to provide enhanced access to quality seed of improved rice varieties He said his agency is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, to train Nigerians on rice processing and packaging. The training is to ensure self-sufficiency in rice production in the country.

He said JICA support include rice milling machines, rice pre-cleaners, rapid steam par boilers, destoners, probe moisture metres and bag sewing machines.

The Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said the government is aiming to increase paddy rice production to about 13.27 million tons by 2018 under the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) initiative, and an improved rice seed sector is important to meet the goal.

CARD is collaboration among the JICA, Growing Africa’s Agriculture (AGRA) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

The pilot phase of the initiative involves identification of strategies to improve rice seed supply. The Technical Coordinator of CARD Secretariat said a stable and timely supply of quality seeds is important for increasing rice production and productivity.

Most of the CARD members consider seed sector as one of the priorities to be tackled, he adds.

Nigeria is expected to pass the National Agricultural Seed Law (NASL), which will include points such as upgrading of available seed testing laboratories to international standards, consistency in agricultural policies, increase in the annual budget of seeds, and timely release of budgetary provisions.

Nigeria is aiming self-sufficiency in rice production by 2015. However, this could be a challenge for a country that imports almost 3 million tons of rice per year.

According to the USDA, Nigeria’s milled rice production is estimated at 2.8 million tons (about 4.4 million tons of paddy) in MY 2013-14, less than half of an estimated domestic consumption of around six million tons.

26

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

BRANDS & MARKETING

T

O deepen the competition in the pay-TV market through cutting-edge content offering and better experience, a Nigeriangrown and owned business, Continental Satellite Limited, has unveiled a pay-TV brand, CONSAT. The market has Dstv, StarTimes, Daarsat as players.

But the Chief Executive Officer, Continental Satellite Limited, Mr. Mayokun Okunola, while unveiling the CONSAT at a media parley in Lagos on Tuesday, said CONSAT was coming into the country to herald true pay-TV experience as countries migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting next year.

“Continental Satellite Limited, established in 2012, is a privately owned digital satellite television company with its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. The company launches the newest entrant into the pay-tv satellite service market in Nigeria under the brand name, CONSAT. As one of the most important entrants into the pay-TV market in Africa, CONSAT offers an affordable price and high quality channels for the rapidly growing, choice conscious African family homes. CONSAT aims to be the platform of choice by providing over 10 free channels for local and international content enabling customers to stay informed and be entertained,” says Okunola.

CONSAT offers MPEG4 digital compression technology broadcasting of over 50 channels with a view to reach over 100 channels in 2015. It also offers over 10 quality channels to the viewer’s even if their subscription lapses.

Okunola affirmed that the company is focused on ensuring the growth of the Nigerian entertainment industry by delivering the best in Nigerian culture, music, entertainment and lifestyle to a worldwide audience.

“We have invested in a telenovela channel through a third-party partner for the women who love novela entertainment. Our channels also include international news channels, home grown entertainment, State TV channels, and terrestrial channels,” he explained.

He said pay-TV will offer the middle-income, choice-conscious Nigeria family a new option that respect their desire for better content, quality pictures and true pay-TV experience.

To ensure that Nigeria’s pay-TV subscribers enjoy value for their money, Okunola noted that content is key. “Content is key to this industry. Our investment cannot be fully maximised if new providers are not able to air compelling and relevant content. It would be an unfair start. There is a prevalence of exclusivity that is steering this industry in the wrong direction. These issues need to be discussed by the stakeholders; regulators and other content providers in the industry so that we

e-mail: adedejiademigbuji@yahoo.com /mobile line: 08131075667

CONSAT Pay-TV joins race • To provide over 10 free channels for subscribers

• From left: Director of OPS and IT, Funmilola Adewon; CEO, Mayokun Okunola, and Director of Content, Addy Awofisayo, during the Media unveiling of a new pay television cable, CONSAT, in Lagos.

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

can find an amicable solution. We need a fair start.”

CONSAT subscription price of N4000 is very competitive such that entertainment-loving Nigerian families can have access to it.

CONSAT provides Direct To Home (DTH) digital multi-channel television services to sub-

scribers with access to multiple programming that transmits directly to subscribers’ homes or businesses via high-powered satellites.

CONSAT channels include News, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Sports, Movies, Music, Kids, Religion and indigenous channels. The platform is home to some of the world’s most

popular brands, including SKY News, FOX, Nickelodeon, MTV and Extreme Sports.

CONSAT will introduce new channel brands into the market that showcase the favorite programmes that viewers want to watch. The platform also plans to build and offer CONSAT branded channels with yet to be revealed

‘As one of the most important entrants into the pay TV market in Africa, CONSAT offers an affordable price and high quality channels for the rapidly growing, choice conscious African family homes’

unique proposition and worldclass content.

“Nigerian’s have come to expect diversity in terms of what they watch and listen to. We are a nation that attracts the attention of people around the world; content providers like us are expected to provide the best in information and entertainment content that showcases why Nigeria is so important to the world. CONSAT will definitely resonate with viewers, especially working professionals seeking international exposure,” he said.

CONSAT management team brings forth a vast wealth of experience from the telecommunications and broadcasting industry that is invaluable to satellite services business.

World Cup: OSMI battles StarTimes over TV right infringement

O

PTIMA Sports Management International (OSMI) and DStv are engaged in a battle with a low-end market pay TV over the infringement of its exclusive FIFA World Cup terrestrial broadcast rights.

The Nation exclusively gathered from sources that StarTimes has been airing the World Cup matches on a terrestrial station, NTA 24, which is one of the TV channels on its bouquet. This action is said to have violated OSMI transmission agreement with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).

BON is the umbrella body of ra-

dio and television stations in the country. Under the agreement, BON, through its network of radio and television stations, OMSI was billed to broadcast the 64 matches of the World Cup to Nigerians free.

But, DStv was reported to have blocked all terrestrial stations on its platform to avoid any infringement from StarTimes.

The Public Relations Manager of StarTimes, Mr. Anetor Irete, confirmed the development, saying that StarTimes received a query from OSMI. “We received a letter requesting that we shouldn’t air the World Cup matches because

StarTimes has no pay-TV right to show any of the matches on our platform,” he said.

He added the terrestrial channels on the platform during the football season are free to access.

“This means, no subscription is needed to view any of the analogue channels on the platform pay TV, hence it’s not a pay TV service we are offering Nigerians that have our set up box. As a result of the good relationship and understanding we have with analogue channels on the platform, we obliged them when they sent a request that we block signals during the football matches, and

this, we have done to honour their request. During this football season, the matches can be viewed on super clarity channel NTA SPORT 24 and any other NTA Multi channels on the platform,” Irete said further that in the interest of public, NTA-Star TV Network is an operator and also a digital transmission platform, which has the objective to carry as many analogue signals on the digital platform as we are the main transition platform.

“According to NBC law, we are obliged to transmit the obligations of states and local television

stations in the province, especially in Jos (the pilot city or digital migration), StarTimes play the role of platform for digital migration.”

“StarTimes is saddled with helping Nigeria migrate from analogue to digital and the only licensed carrier for digital terrestrial television in Nigeria.

Every terrestrial digital TV platform must transmit public transmission channel (like NTA) in the public interest.

“StarTimes conduct legitimate evidence, and does not infringe the rights of others subjective intent and fault,” he told The Nation via an email.

27

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

Brandnews

APRA to reposition Africa

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HE African Public Relations Association (APRA) is to ensure that African countries are well-positioned.

It intends to use theAfrican Union (AU) platform to achieve some of its objectives to boost the image of the continent against some perceived stereotypes being peddled against it.

At the 26th Conference of APRA in Mauritius, African PR practitioners set an agenda that will go a long way in positioning Africa in a positive light.

Tagged “Advancing Africa”, the conference identified key intervention areas on the continent which it hopes to bring the association’s activities to bear upon.

The conference attracted many public relations practitioners, the media, communication spe-

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

cialists and members of the business community from both within and outside the continent.

The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Justus Mwencha, gave the keynote address.

Other notable speakers included the renowned Paul Holmes of the Holmes report fame, Jeremy Galbraith, CEO, EMEA; Burson Marsteller, former IPRA president from Egypt; Loula Zaklama, Robyn De Villers, chairman, BM Africa, Ian Riley, Folake Ani-Mumuney of First Bank, Muyiwa Afolabi and Adekunle Ayeni.

The Secretary General, APRA, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, said the conference provided a plat-

form for his colleagues to strategise on ways to tell the African story by Africans rather than allowing foreign media to narrate it.

“The only way to tell the full story is for Africans to tell our own story. Public relations should be used extensively to advance the course of Africa.

APRA is set to put out a balanced story and clear the ‘dark continent’ perception. APRA is set to make African nations more attractive and inviting to investors,” he said.

Since the inception of the administration in 2011, APRA set, as its target, membership drive, continental relevance, increased financial base, capacity and a sound administrative structure.

Capri-Sonne to drive sales with Rio 2 film CAPRI-SONNE has launched a consumer promotion tagged ‘Collect the Fun.’ The promo, which will use Rio 2 merchandise and gift items in one million cartons of CapriSonne, has been described as pan-Nigeria.

Rio 2 is a 2014 American 3D computer-animated adventurecomedy film. It is the sequel to the 2011 computer-animated blockbuster movie Rio. The title refers to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, where the first film was set and Rio 2 begins, though most of its plot occurs in the Amazon rainforest.

The Managing Director of Chi Limited, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, said the firm is excited to tie up with Capri-Sonne Worldwide in

the Capri-Sonne Consumer Promo where gifts will be in one million cartons.

According to Roy, every RIO 2 promo carton of Capri-Sonne will contain RIO free gifts, including two straws, one wristwatch, one wrist wrap, one colour pencil and one puzzle. He added that the promo applies to other products of CapriSonne.

He said the promo will leverage on the popular Rio 2 film to drive sales. He disclosed that the turnout at the cinemas for the film, which is being screened in Nigeria, has been impressive.

It is estimated that five billion pouches of the brand are sold yearly in about 100 countries.

Samsung launches wattage sound system SAMSUNG Electronics has introduced a 3,400 wattage giga sound system into the market.

During the unveiling of the product, the Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Mr. Brovo Kim, said: “At Samsung, we believe and take pride in our innovation with design and features, with a view to delivering World class products, which enrich the lives of our consumers and deliver the future of technology today.”

He explained that the sound system gives customers a party atmosphere anywhere.

He added: “With our latest innovation, you can get the party started with the Premium Hi-fi

Component Audio System’s Beat Waving and 3D Beat Lighting. Visualise the high-wattage sound and experience superior sound quality. See and feel the rhythm and beat through Beat Waving which illuminates the speaker in sync with the music.

3D Beat Lighting perfectly flashes lights and patterns that flow with the music, transforming any party place to the atmosphere of your favourite club.”

According to the Product Manager, Audio Visuals, Margaret Ijebi, the Premium Hi-fi Component Audio System gives consumers the opportunity to be the DJ of their own party.

Lagos bakers endorse Mama Gold Flour

• Winners at a Dubai shopping mall.

Legend promo winners relish Dubai shopping was a case of killing two birds with S their plane touched down, experience one stone. “This is one experience some winners of the

A

Legend Extra Stout promo who were travelling for the first time, marvelled at the electrifying ambience of Dubai, the most visited city in the United Arab Emirate (UAE).

With its sprawling architectural edifice, malls and skyscrapers, there is no better way to connect consumers than an all-expense-paid trip to world tourist destination.

However, from the experiences shared by the winners of the Legend Extra Stout Real Deal National Promo, the trip to Dubai has deepened their affinity with the Legend Extra Stout brand, no doubt.

In the heart at the desert safari, they visited various exciting spots.

Their first touch-point was the Falcon spot where they learnt a few things about the Falcon from an expert Falconer who also entertained them with exciting Falcon displays. Next was the Sunset photo Spot where they had fun running up and down the dunes, taking photographs and watching the sun set in the middle of the Arabian Desert.

A bus driver in Ibadan, Oyo State, Stephen Ajayi, said the trip to Dubai was not all about the shopping or the N1million worth shopping spree given to them by Nigerian Breweries but the new experience

the promo has given him which he never dreamt of.

“I have never owned an international passport before. I have never travelled by air in my life not to talk of leaving the shores Nigeria.

But Legend has made it all happen to me free. I value the exposure and experience more than the items I picked,” he said.

He was part of the second set of winners of Legend Extra Stout ongoing Real Deal National Consumer Promo, to Dubai.

The new set emerged at various draws a fortnight ago and was flown to Dubai to shop for items worth N1 million in one of Dubai’s biggest malls.

A carpenter Olusegun Ogunbiade, who emerged a lucky winner from Port Harcourt, described the experience as enlightening. “Legend has elevated my thinking. I now have a better estimation of myself. That something I never imagined will come within my reach. Legend has made possible free. It has been a VIP treatment right from my base in Port Harcourt down to Dubai,” he said.

A civil servant from Delta State, Emmanuel Ogunje, who went with his wife, said he would not forget the promo in a hurry. For him, it

I will remember for a long time.

First, it helped me overcome the fear for travelling by air and secondly, it gave my wife whom I took along, the opportunity to explore Dubai for the business she has always wanted to go into.”

Some of the winners said if the N1million had been given to them, it wouldn’t have been better.

Chinonyerem Eleleme, a teacher, said he would sell some of the goods he bought in Dubai. He plans to sell some of the things that he bought to raise money to start his own small business.

A 21-year-old student of the Federal Polytechnic, Okoh Jephtha Chukwuoti, also expressed gratitude to Legend Extra Stout for giving him the his first-time travelling experience, adding that it would sustain his bond with the Legend brand.

During the visit, the winners also visited the Camel Spot where they rode on camel and capped off the day’s adventure at the Bedouinstyle camp being entertained by a Belly Dancer while they enjoyed a three course Arabic dinner.

The Legend Dubai Promo is its third and final phase. In addition, Legend Extra Stout is also giving out instant airtime worth N300 million.

THE Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Lagos Chapter has praised Crown Flour for introducing Mama Gold Flour into the market.

Presenting a certificate of attestation to the company in Lagos, the association’s Chairman, Prince Jacob Adejorin, said the product has increased the profit margins of members. cording to him, the association arrived at the idea of presenting a certificate to the company after the product had been tested during the last baking exercise car-

ried out by the company in all the 20 local governments in the state.

The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Anurag Shukla, explained that the decision to introduce Mama Gold Flour was informed by the need to enhance quality and the economic fortunes of bakers and caterers.

The Deputy General Manager, Marketing, Mr. John Olaoye, added that the flour was as a result of market research and consumer insight which revealed that bakers and caterers wanted a flour that was better than those in the market.

Etisalat introduces cliqlite to children ETISALAT Nigeria has unveiled a new product called cliqlite to enhance children’s knowledge.

The Chief Commercial Officer and Acting CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher, said: “Etisalat is driven by a sustained commitment to enriching customer experience. Innovation remains part of our DNA and we believe technology has the potential to revolutionise learning.”

He said further that while children have an insatiable appetite for technology and innovation, worldwide a significant number of online users are un-

der 18.

“Etisalat has taken it as responsibility to equip them with the right tools to successfully harness and hone their burgeoning potential.

“It is on this etho that we present our younger customers with Cliqlite, our new educational tool which will no doubt pave new ways of learning,” he said.

The Director, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Oluwole Rawa, noted Cliqlite was especially designed for parents and children.

P&G unveils toothpaste PROCTER & Gamble Nigeria has launched Oral B Pro-Expert at the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) conference.

The new extension consists of two brands - Oral B Pro-Expert Gum Protection toothpaste and Oral B Pro-Flex Toothbrush.

The Brand Communications Manager for Oral-B, Ayotomiwa Ajewole, said: “The new Oral-B

Pro-Expert was designed to combat gum problems quicker and help fight against cavities, plaque, tartar build-up, sensitive teeth and enamel erosion better.”

Ajewole said the gum protection claims by the new brand have been confirmed by the dental association.

c

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

27

Brandnews

APRA to reposition Africa

T

HE African Public Relations Association (APRA) is to ensure that African countries are well-positioned.

It intends to use theAfrican Union (AU) platform to achieve some of its objectives to boost the image of the continent against some perceived stereotypes being peddled against it.

At the 26th Conference of APRA in Mauritius, African PR practitioners set an agenda that will go a long way in positioning Africa in a positive light.

Tagged “Advancing Africa”, the conference identified key intervention areas on the continent which it hopes to bring the association’s activities to bear upon.

The conference attracted many public relations practitioners, the media, communication spe-

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

cialists and members of the business community from both within and outside the continent.

The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Justus Mwencha, gave the keynote address.

Other notable speakers included the renowned Paul Holmes of the Holmes report fame, Jeremy Galbraith, CEO, EMEA; Burson Marsteller, former IPRA president from Egypt; Loula Zaklama, Robyn De Villers, chairman, BM Africa, Ian Riley, Folake Ani-Mumuney of First Bank, Muyiwa Afolabi and Adekunle Ayeni.

The Secretary General, APRA, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, said the conference provided a plat-

form for his colleagues to strategise on ways to tell the African story by Africans rather than allowing foreign media to narrate it.

“The only way to tell the full story is for Africans to tell our own story. Public relations should be used extensively to advance the course of Africa.

APRA is set to put out a balanced story and clear the ‘dark continent’ perception. APRA is set to make African nations more attractive and inviting to investors,” he said.

Since the inception of the administration in 2011, APRA set, as its target, membership drive, continental relevance, increased financial base, capacity and a sound administrative structure.

Capri-Sonne to drive sales with Rio 2 film CAPRI-SONNE has launched a consumer promotion tagged ‘Collect the Fun.’ The promo, which will use Rio 2 merchandise and gift items in one million cartons of CapriSonne, has been described as pan-Nigeria.

Rio 2 is a 2014 American 3D computer-animated adventurecomedy film. It is the sequel to the 2011 computer-animated blockbuster movie Rio. The title refers to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, where the first film was set and Rio 2 begins, though most of its plot occurs in the Amazon rainforest.

The Managing Director of Chi Limited, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, said the firm is excited to tie up with Capri-Sonne Worldwide in

the Capri-Sonne Consumer Promo where gifts will be in one million cartons.

According to Roy, every RIO 2 promo carton of Capri-Sonne will contain RIO free gifts, including two straws, one wristwatch, one wrist wrap, one colour pencil and one puzzle. He added that the promo applies to other products of CapriSonne.

He said the promo will leverage on the popular Rio 2 film to drive sales. He disclosed that the turnout at the cinemas for the film, which is being screened in Nigeria, has been impressive.

It is estimated that five billion pouches of the brand are sold yearly in about 100 countries.

Samsung launches wattage sound system SAMSUNG Electronics has introduced a 3,400 wattage giga sound system into the market.

During the unveiling of the product, the Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Mr. Brovo Kim, said: “At Samsung, we believe and take pride in our innovation with design and features, with a view to delivering World class products, which enrich the lives of our consumers and deliver the future of technology today.”

He explained that the sound system gives customers a party atmosphere anywhere.

He added: “With our latest innovation, you can get the party started with the Premium Hi-fi

Component Audio System’s Beat Waving and 3D Beat Lighting. Visualise the high-wattage sound and experience superior sound quality. See and feel the rhythm and beat through Beat Waving which illuminates the speaker in sync with the music.

3D Beat Lighting perfectly flashes lights and patterns that flow with the music, transforming any party place to the atmosphere of your favourite club.”

According to the Product Manager, Audio Visuals, Margaret Ijebi, the Premium Hi-fi Component Audio System gives consumers the opportunity to be the DJ of their own party.

Lagos bakers endorse Mama Gold Flour

• Winners at a Dubai shopping mall.

Legend promo winners relish Dubai shopping was a case of killing two birds with S their plane touched down, experience one stone. “This is one experience some winners of the

A

Legend Extra Stout promo who were travelling for the first time, marvelled at the electrifying ambience of Dubai, the most visited city in the United Arab Emirate (UAE).

With its sprawling architectural edifice, malls and skyscrapers, there is no better way to connect consumers than an all-expense-paid trip to world tourist destination.

However, from the experiences shared by the winners of the Legend Extra Stout Real Deal National Promo, the trip to Dubai has deepened their affinity with the Legend Extra Stout brand, no doubt.

In the heart at the desert safari, they visited various exciting spots.

Their first touch-point was the Falcon spot where they learnt a few things about the Falcon from an expert Falconer who also entertained them with exciting Falcon displays. Next was the Sunset photo Spot where they had fun running up and down the dunes, taking photographs and watching the sun set in the middle of the Arabian Desert.

A bus driver in Ibadan, Oyo State, Stephen Ajayi, said the trip to Dubai was not all about the shopping or the N1million worth shopping spree given to them by Nigerian Breweries but the new experience

the promo has given him which he never dreamt of.

“I have never owned an international passport before. I have never travelled by air in my life not to talk of leaving the shores Nigeria.

But Legend has made it all happen to me free. I value the exposure and experience more than the items I picked,” he said.

He was part of the second set of winners of Legend Extra Stout ongoing Real Deal National Consumer Promo, to Dubai.

The new set emerged at various draws a fortnight ago and was flown to Dubai to shop for items worth N1 million in one of Dubai’s biggest malls.

A carpenter Olusegun Ogunbiade, who emerged a lucky winner from Port Harcourt, described the experience as enlightening. “Legend has elevated my thinking. I now have a better estimation of myself. That something I never imagined will come within my reach. Legend has made possible free. It has been a VIP treatment right from my base in Port Harcourt down to Dubai,” he said.

A civil servant from Delta State, Emmanuel Ogunje, who went with his wife, said he would not forget the promo in a hurry. For him, it

I will remember for a long time.

First, it helped me overcome the fear for travelling by air and secondly, it gave my wife whom I took along, the opportunity to explore Dubai for the business she has always wanted to go into.”

Some of the winners said if the N1million had been given to them, it wouldn’t have been better.

Chinonyerem Eleleme, a teacher, said he would sell some of the goods he bought in Dubai. He plans to sell some of the things that he bought to raise money to start his own small business.

A 21-year-old student of the Federal Polytechnic, Okoh Jephtha Chukwuoti, also expressed gratitude to Legend Extra Stout for giving him the his first-time travelling experience, adding that it would sustain his bond with the Legend brand.

During the visit, the winners also visited the Camel Spot where they rode on camel and capped off the day’s adventure at the Bedouinstyle camp being entertained by a Belly Dancer while they enjoyed a three course Arabic dinner.

The Legend Dubai Promo is its third and final phase. In addition, Legend Extra Stout is also giving out instant airtime worth N300 million.

THE Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Lagos Chapter has praised Crown Flour for introducing Mama Gold Flour into the market.

Presenting a certificate of attestation to the company in Lagos, the association’s Chairman, Prince Jacob Adejorin, said the product has increased the profit margins of members. cording to him, the association arrived at the idea of presenting a certificate to the company after the product had been tested during the last baking exercise car-

ried out by the company in all the 20 local governments in the state.

The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Anurag Shukla, explained that the decision to introduce Mama Gold Flour was informed by the need to enhance quality and the economic fortunes of bakers and caterers.

The Deputy General Manager, Marketing, Mr. John Olaoye, added that the flour was as a result of market research and consumer insight which revealed that bakers and caterers wanted a flour that was better than those in the market.

Etisalat introduces cliqlite to children ETISALAT Nigeria has unveiled a new product called cliqlite to enhance children’s knowledge.

The Chief Commercial Officer and Acting CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher, said: “Etisalat is driven by a sustained commitment to enriching customer experience. Innovation remains part of our DNA and we believe technology has the potential to revolutionise learning.”

He said further that while children have an insatiable appetite for technology and innovation, worldwide a significant number of online users are un-

der 18.

“Etisalat has taken it as responsibility to equip them with the right tools to successfully harness and hone their burgeoning potential.

“It is on this etho that we present our younger customers with Cliqlite, our new educational tool which will no doubt pave new ways of learning,” he said.

The Director, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Oluwole Rawa, noted Cliqlite was especially designed for parents and children.

P&G unveils toothpaste PROCTER & Gamble Nigeria has launched Oral B Pro-Expert at the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) conference.

The new extension consists of two brands - Oral B Pro-Expert Gum Protection toothpaste and Oral B Pro-Flex Toothbrush.

The Brand Communications Manager for Oral-B, Ayotomiwa Ajewole, said: “The new Oral-B

Pro-Expert was designed to combat gum problems quicker and help fight against cavities, plaque, tartar build-up, sensitive teeth and enamel erosion better.”

Ajewole said the gum protection claims by the new brand have been confirmed by the dental association.

c

FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

28

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

Sms : 07035302326 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

Ahead of the Ramadan, which begins on Saturday next week, Muslims in the Lagos metropolis, as part of the preparation for the yearly fast, storm various foodstuff and fruits markets, thus helping to drive sales, TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

T

HE Ramadan season is here again!

As usual, the tempo of shopping in and around major foodstuff and fruits market within the Lagos metropolis is on the upswing, as Muslims shop for items for the yearly fast. When The Nation Shopping visited some of the major markets in Lagos, such as Mile 12, Oyingbo, Ojuwoye-Mushin, Badagry, and Idumota, among others, the upsurge in human traffic in those markets could hardly go unnoticed.

Shoppers, mostly Muslims were seen trooping in and out of such markets to purchase items, mainly foodstuffs and fruits. These markets, it was found, have been busier in the last one week with patronage increasing by the day.

According to the traders, sales are picking up with more customers buying up most of the items on display. Indeed, the markets have come alive, riding on the crest of the spirit of the Ramadan season.

For instance, at Daleko Market in Mushin, a suburb of Lagos state, the leader of the market, Alhaja Rafatu said traders have been making huge sales since last week because Muslims are buying Ramadan items. “We at Daleko Market always look forward to seasons like this to make more money. Those of us who had our stalls burnt to ashes last month now have reasons to smile again. We are pleased with the rush and high patronage we get from customers far and near,” she said.

A foodstuff trader at Balogun market in Lagos Island Local Government Area, Kudirat Sanni said at the weekend that customers now patronise her more than they have in the last three months when sales was very discouraging. “Ramadan rush has started again. It comes once in a year and I always look forward to it,” she said.

Another trader, Shade Ifedapo, a pepper and tomato seller at Sabo Market in Ikorodu said sales have been very different these few weeks. According to her, “Customers now come to buy pepper, tomato and other items in large quantities regardless of the hike in the price of these items at times like this.”

She disclosed that small quantity of tomato which used to sell for N50 now sells for N200 while a small quantity of pepper originally sold for N50 also increased to N100 with reduced quantity. Shade explained that when these items are sold at exorbitant rates to the end user, it is also sold at exorbitant rates to the trader who is buying to resell. “Yes, we sell to make profit. But we cannot afford to lose after spending so much money to buy from producers and wholesalers. That is why we sell according to what we buy,” she stated.

One of the traders at the market, Taiwo Johnson, said he wishes that the huge patronage the market is experiencing presently would last for some time, even after the fast.

While stating that in the past, Muslims would buy in bulk before the fast and when they are fasting, he said patronage would reduce until when it is time for them to conclude the fast. “I have noticed a fluctuation in the patronage of Muslims before, during and after their yearly Ramadan fast” he said.

The story is the same at Oshodi Market.

One of the traders in the market who spoke

•The Aboju market in Lagos

Shopping on the upswing as Ramadan knocks the door to The Nation Shopping, Zugwai Duniya said Muslims don’t want to be caught unawares as they stock their homes with staple food items to prepare for the fast. He said: “It is better to prepare ahead because when Ramadan eventually starts, food items and fruits would become costlier than they are now.”

Duniya added: “People are complaining that these items are on the high side, but they should be used to it by now. They should know that we anticipate periods like this.

They should also not forget that we sell based on the price we buy,” he said. Hameed Abu, a middle-aged stall owner, also said that he has been selling seasonal fruits for twenty years now and that business has not been bad. “I have to deal with about 300 customers every day. I can sell fruits worth more than 30, 000 a day; watermelon is the most patronised” Abu said.

Traders at the popular Agege Market also have cause to cheer. Haji Abdullah, a trader, said that this year’s Ramadan business is better than last year. She said despite an increase in the price of almost all food items, her sales did not go down. She said Muslims patronise her stall more every Ramadan because they can’t do without their basic needs for the fast. While some consumers complain of the hike in prices, others say they are use to it.

At Ebute Market in Ikorodu, a customer, Fiyin Adedayo, who was seen buying food stuffs and other items said Ramadan is about to start and as usual, she stocks her home with food items and fruits a week to the fast so that she can have enough to share. “I am used to Ramadan prices and I’m not bothered,” she said.

At Mile 12 Market, Hakeem Usman, a

customer who religiously follows the family tradition, said that without stocking his house with these items, he finds it very difficult to buy when fast starts. “I prefer buying all necessary items my family needs for the fast early enough. It has become a part of our heritage as devoted Muslims,” said Usman told the Nation Shopping.

However, foodstuff and fruits are not the only items of choice for Muslims during such season. Ramadan accessories such as Hijabs (Head Scarfs), Khimar (Hijabs with hands), Abayah, jalbab (long flowing gowns for women) and many more from retailers, who stock them, also enjoy increased patronage.

For instance, Adejoke Ahmed who sells Islamic items at Yaba Market said she has been making huge sales from the sale of the Holy Quran, Mausalah (prayer mat), Tesbah (rosary), prayer kettle, house decorations, posters with Allah images and verses from the Quran. Same for Alhaji Nurudeen Gbadamosi, who sells Islamic discs at Idumota Market. He has been making bumper sales this season as shoppers are patronising his Al-Qunut CDs (prayer discs) and Islamic Nasheed (Islamic poems).

A sales person at an Islamic store in Ikeja, Medinat Raman said it has become a tradition for the store to record very high sales when it is Ramadan. “It is not new to us here that when Ramadan is around the corner, more people, mainly Muslims patronise us,” she disclosed, noting that Hijabs, Khimars which are coverings for Muslim women while praying during Ramadan is the most demanded among items in stock.

However, Akanni Abdulazeez, a shopper, complained that the price of the same quality of hijab he bought for his daughter last year

‘The Ramadan shoppers are encouraged by traders from the north who have promised that they will ensure that products like pepper, tomato, onions and other staple food items are available in various Lagos markets regardless of the insecurity challenges the northern states are facing presently’

has increased by N1, 250. “I am shocked!

The price difference this year is killing and I doubt if Nigerians can cope. We can’t even afford our daily meals,” he said.

The shoppers are however, not deterred by the slight price adjustment. For them especially the Muslims, Ramadan is an annual ritual, which is why ahead of the fast, Muslims are expected to distribute gifts to the needy in line with the Islamic injunction of giving to the less privileged, which is mandatory to enable them observe the fast.

The Nation Shopping learnt that during Ramadan, food consumption pattern changes, as some Muslims who are used to patronizing ‘bukas’ eateries and restaurants, begin to prepare their early morning and evening meals themselves, either for convenience or to cut cost.

Majority of them who can afford to stock their homes with necessary items do so before the fast begins.

The Ramadan shoppers are encouraged by traders from the north who have promised that they will ensure that products like pepper, tomato, onions and other staple food items are available in various Lagos markets regardless of the insecurity challenges the northern states are facing presently.

Mallam Musa is one of the northern leaders at Mile 12 market. He told The Nation Shopping that staple food items might be very expensive but won’t be out of stock. “People should bear with us because of the Boko Haram issue our states are facing now. It is not easy travelling to these places to transport food items or fruits to Lagos. We take lots of risk and endanger our lives. That is why we sell them at exorbitant rates,” he said.

Musa further disclosed that many traders have moved down to Lagos to secure their lives. “So, we practically buy these things also from few mallams who are farmers and who don’t mind to take the risk of travelling to the north to cultivate,” he pointed out, adding that these days, traders are at the mercy of their fellow countrymen. “We buy what is available most of the time or rather, what our brothers agree to sell to us” he said.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

•Akpabio

FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

PAGE 29

AKP ABIO AKPABIO

AKWA IBOM

PETERSIDE

DESPITE repealing the controversial pension law, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has continued to receive knocks from different quaters. Political observers are blaming him for initiating the controversial review of the law in the first place.

AKWA Ibom State-born maritime expert Michael Onofiok believes the time has come for the Oron to produce the governor.

Anything short of this, the governorship aspirant says, amounts to breaking a pact on the state’s leadership.

THE chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Pteroleum Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, has added another feather to his cap by acquiring a doctorate degree from the University of Port Harcourt .

•PAGE 34

•Onofiok

•PAGE 31

•Dakuku

•PAGE 33

‘

People have been dying because we don’t have healthcare here and there is no assistance of carrying people up to the ranch.

Expectant women and sick children have been dying. I am sure you have seen it with your two naked eyes in the almost eight hours you have passed through to get here

‘ Belekete…Hell on earth

•A cross-section of houses in Belekete, Cross River

SEE STORY ON PAGE 30 & 35

• YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

30

35

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

Cross River’s Belekete…Living in ‘bondage’ It is not accessible by road. The only way to get to Belekete, a ranch community bordering the world famous Obudu Ranch Resort, is by foot and it takes some seven hours or more of mountain climbing, rushing streams crossing and more, reports NICHOLAS KALU

T

HE semi-temperate weather endures all year round giving the area the serenity of an average European city. The clouds are almost permanently locked in kisses with the mountains. The image is simply breath-taking. Beauty, beauty and beauty everywhere so much that some say they feel closer to God in this environ. But life here is not beautiful. It is brutish. Hellish may not be out of place to describe living here. It is the survival of the fittest.

Welcome to Belekete, a ranch community some seven hours on foot away from the world famous Obudu Ranch Resort in Obalinku Local Government Area of Cross River State.

At the resort, guests live in abundance and have almost everything they need at their beck and call.

Belekete is the opposite. In Belekete, dejection walks on all fours, daring residents to send it packing. It is like their king and they its reluctant subjects, powerless to change the status quo.

In Belekete, the opportunity to savour the good weather is like heaven. This apart, everyday is like living in hell. It is not a place, where visitors flock. Residents are not eager to go out because going out is a hell of a task. Nature tucks them away among the mountains and makes it difficult even for help to come. As soon as you leave the Obudu Ranch Resort, the Global System for Mobile (GSM) telecommunication ceases to work.

Nothing is enough here, except the good weather. Homes are nothing to write home about. Diseases are rampant. Death is not uncommon. Expectant mothers die regularly. But no one, not even the government, has statistics of the maternal mortality.

Homes in this community made up of eight villages are red brick houses with either zinc or thatched roofs. No electricity, except one compound with a generator. There are no schools. There is no pipe borne water too.

The journey to Belekete starts from the top of the Obudu Ranch Resort.

But unlike transporting oneself to the top of the ranch where one has the luxury of choosing among the cable car, a vehicle or a motorcycle, the only mode of getting to this community is by foot.

This is where the problem begins.

Members of the community pleaded with this reporter not to embark on the “risky” journey. Some who embarked never got back, they said, as it involved climbing mountains and descending valleys, crossing rushing streams, rocks and other obstacles.

All their entreaties fell on deaf ears.

If anything they only served to deepen curiosity. After all it was just walking and even if it took a full day, one would get there. Belekete must be reached. Confidence was brimming.

So, accompanied by a guide from the community and a couple of others, the descent of the first mountain began. After about 45 minutes’ descent, one person returned. He was carried back to the top of the ranch

by youths from the community.

About 30 minutes after, this reporter began to see some sense in the warnings that were given to him earlier. The mountainside was very steep and slippery and a any mistake would mean plunging to a very horrible death, likely that one’s body may never be found.

But at this point, it was not really clear what would hurt most – a feeling of failure for aborting a mission or a bruised ego, having to come back to meet people who would just have that “I told you so” look on their faces. About five more hours of this arduous journey lay ahead.

After another 30 minutes’ descent, the guide, others and this reporter arrived at a rushing stream. After managing to cross it without being swept away (the rocks at the bottom were really slippery). Two more steep and slippery mountains were climbed; two dense forests and three more streams were crossed and several small hills descended before arriving at Oshenokpa, the first village about five hours later. From there, another one hour through a difficult terrain brought the team to the headquarters of Belekete.

Throughout the trip, not once did this reporter believe the day was going to be his last on earth. It was a near death experience. At least so it seemed to be. But this was just half of the journey. One still had to go back the same way. Thinking about it was traumatic. A comfortable mattress provided by the community head to rest for the night did not provide any comfort at all. Sleep was full of nightmares of what could happen on the way back the following day, given that all energy was expended arriving there. It had taken just over seven hours of life-risking journey to reach the community.

Leaving the ranch at noon, the team had arrived a little after 7pm.

After fervent prayers to God and with quotes from Mandela like, “It always seems impossible until it is done”, and Bob Marley “You never know how strong you are until it is your only choice” filling this reporter’s head, the journey back to the ranch began at 6 am. In many places, you would be looking down at the cloud beneath you. Also at many points, you could not see far in front of you because you were engulfed in the cloud. The return journey was more difficult. It took 10 hours to get back to the ranch. It was a true manifestation of mind over muscle. Drinking from streams along the way, soaking gari with a relaxer container found in the forest with water from the stream, resting severally along the way (even lying on the ground, given that fear of snakes and other wild animals had dissipated), the team managed to reach the ranch resort.

This reporter’s only joy was that he was not carried throughout the journey. It was a miracle. But for the people of Belekete, it is no miracle.

It is what they face every day.

Clifford, the guide, was very helpful. He did not break a sweat . He just had a patient look on his face

and words of encouragement to put one step in front of the other.

Health wise, the people are deprived. In many cases, it was gathered that many had died of malaria because they had no access to proper healthcare.

Though they have two health centres, these are grossly underequipped and undermanned.

The two have just one member of staff each. They can only offer first aid or deal with minor issues. If there is an expectant woman with labour complications, or someone is gravely ill or severely injured, such a person is carried all through the way to the ranch from where they are taken to where they can have access to proper healthcare. Many never made it.

The people have constructed baskets which they hang on their backs to carry expectant women, who have complications. Wooden stretchers are used to carry other incapacitated people who need healthcare.

What is most important to the people, they say, is a road that would aid transportation in and out of the area. Besides, they require health facilities.

Chief Achagba Augustine Akwo, an indigene of Belekete, holds a National Diploma in Community Health with over 21 years’ experience. He mans one of the health centres. In fact, he is the only member of the staff.

E said: “We have no roads and we don’t have man power to keep the health facilities working. We don’t have enough drugs and equipment. The two health facilities we have are not well-equipped and up to standard and so we don’t efficiently carry out our health service the way we were taught to do in our various schools of health technologies. We would be very happy if the government would intervene, especially in the area of road construction and the employment of staff and equip them.

“When a woman is in labour and we see that she will not be to deliver safely, we refer such cases and to refer a pregnant woman in that condition under labour, we weave a basket made up of cane ropes and the woman will be put in that basket and carried on the back and she will be backing the carrier. The woman will be hung on the back like a sack and brought to the ranch, which is a distance of about 20km which one would use up to six to eight hours through the forest and across running waters, mountainous areas and other dangerous terrains. Many times they do not make it and they die and are carried back.

“Let me tell you that even when policemen come here to keep peace, at the end of the day, we have to convey the policemen on our backs to bring them back to the ranch. Even you as you have come, we are not sure you will reach and go back on your own without being carried.

Apart from the pregnant women, other casualties who have serious problems, we put them on a wooden stretcher and carry them to the ranch.

Many times they fall on the road and

•Kalu making his way to Belekete

•A cross-section of houses in Belekete, Cross River

•Clifford demostrating how an expectant mother with complications is carried to the top of the ranch

H

•The basket for conveying an expectant mother to the ranch for medical attention

somebody who was already in critical condition would sustain a secondary injury. We need a road so that people can even have access to the place.”

Akuo went on:“Belekete is a ranch community and it gave out the ranch to the government and that is why they kept off the place, allowing the place to be managed by government.

That is why they are inside that hole there. The government should look into their problems, especially health.

The people are dying. No vehicle can get to the place, not even a bicycle.

We just attend to antenatal patients and treat minor ailments.”

ECHI, who is from the area, also said: “We don’t have hospitals and access roads and we lack many other amenities there, even schools. We just have a primary school there. Each time

K

they send teachers there due to the roughness of the road, they don’t go.

“It is by God’s race that we are living. It is only when there is immunisation that health workers go there. Some of our people are health personnel. So, they go there and collect the immunisation and bring it as the other health workers cannot come. We have a health centre there but it is nothing. If somebody is in labour or other serious ailment, you cannot operate anybody from there because there is no equipment to be used there. They only deal with minor health issues there like cuts. If there is any such problem, we carry the person on our back to ranch here; then take the person down to the hospital. It is very risky and many time people die along the way, then we take the dead person back.

“First we need access roads, then

•Ajie

hospitals. We have two health centres and two health officers that are far from adequate. Health personnel can’t go there because they cannot because of the terrain. Many women die due to labour problems.

Just very recently, a mother died after child birth and after that the baby died a few days later because they could not get access to proper health service. Government should help us and take care of us because we are equally Cross Riverians. We go herbal most times but having proper healthcare would be the best thing for us.”

Francis Ajie, a farmer, said: “We are totally an enclave people that don’t have any health facility as far as I know. It is just that some of our people have struggled to be health practitioners, like the health officer you spoke with and helping his own

•Ngweli

people to at least give them first aid, which is not even enough. We are like forgotten people even though we contribute so much to the development of the state and country. But in terms of welfare, we have nothing.

Deaths are rampant because of lack of health facilities. Even common malaria kills people there. Road has not even been dreamt of reaching this place. Something needs to be done urgently. You have three big mountains to cross over a distance of about 20kms. There are wild animals on the way as it falls within the reserve. You can meet things that can even eat you up on the way. Many people have gone missing and their bodies have not been found between this ranch and the village. We need a road first because even if you build a hospital, how do you transfer drugs there?”

A mother, Mary Keche, also com-

•Kechi

plained: “When a woman is pregnant and is struggling to put to birth and since we don’t have any health service here, we would carry her on the back and carry her to the ranch. We carry them in a basket tied to the back and other times we carry her on the head. We are suffering here. If somebody has a serious sickness here, there is no way for us. That is how our people die. Imagine the distance you came from the ranch. I believe you don’t need any further explanation to see what we suffer. It is not easy. Let the government give us hospital and road. If we had road at least we would not suffer like this.”

HE Clan Head of Belekete, Chief Ogweshi Francis Ngweli, who could not give this reporter the community’s population, said: “People have been dying because we don’t have healthcare

T

•Akwo

here and there is no assistance of carrying people up to the ranch. Pregnant women and sick children have been dying. I am sure you have seen it with your two naked eyes with the almost eight hours you have passed through. We need facilities.

The only health officer we have here, if anything takes him out that means we would not even have anyone to attend us even for the small ailments. In the past weeks, my people have been dying.

“We have appealed to the government but because there is no motorable road, the government has not been able to give us some sort of assistance. We are begging they should help us. The place is so backward in all in the sense that there is no road. There is no pipe borne water and we back people who are sick all the way to the ranch. And because

•Mrs Keche PHOTOS: NICHOLAS KALU

of that we wish the government to help us with a road and assist us with proper healthcare facilities.”

Back in Calabar, the state capital, a senior government official, who does not want his name in print, said he never knew that a place like Belekete existed in the state.

His words: “Are you serious there is a community in the state that you can trek to on foot for that number of hours to get to? You are not saying the truth. To be honest with you, I have never heard of it. Did you say it was a ranch community? Does such a place exist in this state? Let me see what I can find out about the place.”

For now, life goes on in Belekete.

There are diseases, deaths and all manner of pains amid a temperate weather which gives the area the phony image of an average European city.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

31

NIGER DELTA REPORT INTERVIEW

Why Ibibio should support Oron for governor Michael Onofiok, a maritime expert, is one of the governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State. He spoke with KAZEEM IBRAHYM.

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned the governorship ticket to Eket Senatorial District. As a governorship aspirant from Oron, are you satisfied with such arrangement?

I am partly satisfied with the arrangement. At the initial stage, there were insinuations making rounds in the state that there was not going to be any kind of zoning at all. That was against the original arrangement of tripod. The power sharing formula between the major ethnic groups in the state, that is the Ibibios, Annangs and Orons.

The Ibibios have had the first share in the formula. They have been there from the time of late Obong Akpan Isemin to Obong Victor Attah’s period. They spent almost 12 years in the Government House. The Annangs are there now represented by Chief Godswill Akpabio whose second tenure is running up by 2015. 2015 is supposed to be the Oron’s turn, which is the third leg of the tripod but from nowhere we started hearing politics of Senatorial District and no more an ethnicity. We were very uncomfortable with that. We had to battle that with the party and the governor himself. So I am glad that at least the party has made that first pronouncement that the governorship has now been zoned to Eket Senatorial District. We still expect them to say more. The party and the governor still have to say more.

That apart from the power shifting to Eket Senatorial District, it has to be Oron Nation.

That was exactly what Ex-Governor Victor Attah did. He made that pronouncement that power was going to shift from Uyo to Ikot Ekpene with particular reference to Annang speaking group because he knows that there are still Ibibio of Ini and Ikono of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. So we expect the party to go further in their pronouncement and declare that Oron has the right to produce the next governor after the expiration of the tenure of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

What is the way forward for Oron now that emphasis is placed on politics of senatorial district instead of tripod arrangement?

It will be a disservice to the people if the government now feels it should abandon the tripod agreement that has given us relative peace in the state. I am just a governorship aspirant, I wasn’t there when our forebears drew the agreement on the tripod arrangement.

People like Dr. Etim Uye, former Ambassador was part of the meeting. Someone like Chief Don Etiebet was also in the meeting. Former Governor Attah is much aware of this arrangement and even the late Obong Akpan Isemin, a former governor from Ibibio stock was privy to this arrangement. If there is any derailment from that arrangement then that will be of disservice to the people. I will be grateful to see the Ibibios mobilising support for Oron and declaring that Oron had the right to produce the next governor for Akwa Ibom State.

With that, the Ibibios would

Oron seeks Akwa Ibom’s top job

T

HE Oron Nation comprises five local government areas in Akwa Ibom State.

The Oro Nation is appealing to other ethnic groups in the state to support it in its bid to produce the next governor of the state.

During The people spoke at the first Oron Nation’s Thanksgiving Day and lecture in Lagos.

The event took place at the Oron House located on Hamidu Williams Street, Okota, Isolo, Lagos mainland. The first part was an interdenominational thanksgiving service. The second part was a soul-searching lecture on why Oron Nation has remained backward despite its huge contributions to Akwa Ibom State and the national economy through her oil and gas resources.

The lecture titled: “The Politics of Land and Sea in Nigeria; Redefining Political and Economic Engagement in Oron Nation”, was delivered by Rev Fr. Donatus Pius Ukpong of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Ministering at the thanksgiving part of the event was: Archbishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Calabar, Most Rev. Joseph Ekuwem, Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Akwa Ibom State, Ven. Antai and Rev Fr. Ukpong.

In the Homily by Bishop Ekuwem titled: “Oro, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, he quoted from the book of Psalms 137, Romans 9: 1-5 and Luke 17. He emphasized the need for thanksgiving as a means of appreciating God for His goodness and getting Him to do more.

He told the Oron people that though God has the power to do anything, He would not do everything because He has given man the intellect and every other thing needed to use to excel.

He said: “With a friend in Jesus, one can achieve the unachievable, urging them to team up within themselves and with others to achieve their desires. After 89 years, the Oron Nation has come of age; God has blessed them with intellect, they must stand up for what they want as no one will give them their due if they don’t demand for it”, the cleric said.

He urged the Lagos branch of the union to ensure the larger Oron Nation imbibes the spirit of giving thanks to God. Ven. Antai said though the thanksgiving was belated, it was better late than never. He said it was thanksgiving that caused Jesus to make whole one leper out of 10 who were cleansed because she returned to give thanks.

Rev Fr. Ukpong, in his paper, faulted the “political anger” in the Akwa Ibom project as satirised by Governor Godswill Akpabio. He says it lacks natural justice and frustrates the divine blessedness of some people in the state.

Rev. Ukpong insisted that the starting point of a true Akwa Ibom Project is the elimination of the structures of sin, correction of perennial injustice and the up-turning of economic and political structures that are not rooted in justice. These structures are responsible for poverty in the midst of wealth and enslavement of kings and queens in their palaces, he said.

The real and true Akwa Ibom Project should be driven by real anger for equity and justice, without which there can be no real development and economic transformation, he added.

He said: “The real argument in Nigeria today should be resource contribution to the sharing pool not just on land mass or population have for once reciprocated the gesture often done to them by the Oron people since senatorial districts were created as purely administrative areas.

Are you comfortable with the aspiration of some Uyo politicians that have also indicated interest in the 2015 governorship?

I am not comfortable with that because Uyo Senatorial District has ruled the state for almost 12 years from late Obong Akpan Isemin’s time to the end of Governor Victor

By Uyoatta Eshiet

as some would want us to believe either in Akwa Ibom or Nigeria. The Oro Nation has contributed the largest share to the sharing pool in Akwa Ibom State to produce the next Governor of the state in the interest of justice and equity.”

As the Nation moves towards another election period, Rev. Ukpong warned political gladiators to bear in mind that democracy has its standard and core values, which are not optional in any country. He listed some of them to include respect for human life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, the common good, justice, equity, respect for diversity and truth.

The paper recommended that Oro sons and daughters should train and equip themselves for serious political engagement in Nigeria to give them a voice in the politics of land and seas in the country.

The people were urged to embrace politics of equity and inclusiveness in 2015 and beyond.

The paper presenter urged the Oron people to endeavor to establish urgently what he called “Oro Business Consortium” with seed money from the five local governments in the Oro nation and strive to revamp the Ebughu Fishing Company for the use of the Oro people.

On the abandoned Ibaka Deep Seaport, Rev Fr Ukpong challenged all Oro sons and daughters to pursue it relentlessly, politically and otherwise. “The project is perennially ignored because there is no Oro person at the helm of affairs in the state as a governor,” he said.

He urged them to take advantage of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron and train themselves on sea-related businesses.

The people were challenged to give necessary support to political appointees of Oron extraction either at the state or federal level. Since the future of any person is education dependent, Ukpong said individuals and groups should engage themselves extensively in educational advancement.

The lead discussant and former Managing Director, Niger Dock, Nkpubre Nkpubre, demanded justice from Akwa Ibom State government on the issue of 13 per cent oil money derivation.

“75 percent of the oil derived from Akwa Ibom State is from the five local government areas of the Oro Nation. Equity demands that the state government should give a reasonable percent of the derivation received to the oil bearing local government areas instead of what is obtained today,” Nkpubre said.

Another panel discussant, Chief Abasi-Etim Edet, urged the Oron people to take their destiny in their hands, unite and demand the governorship of the state next year.

The people called on the Akwa Ibom State government to declare May 23 of every year as a public holiday in the Oro Nation.

The President of the Lagos branch of the Union, Mr Maurice Ukpong, said on May 23, 1925, their founding fathers, Chief Okon E.O. Isong, Chief Awana Esin and Chief Ekpu Edubio Odoro led others in the first meeting that gave birth to the present Oro Nation. The ideals of the founding fathers laid the foundation for the educational foundation of the people, which offered scholarships to indigent but bright children of Oro Nation to study abroad, Maurice said.

Attah. I have heard series of messages going round the state and I have also read from some Ibibio people saying that Governor Akpabio should make pronouncement that he will be handing over to an Oron person that if the Governor is bold enough to do this, then the Ibibio race will withdraw from the contest and also look for who to support from Oron. But what I am not comfortable with is the Ibibio also indicating interest to run for the same governorship and giving the gov-

ernor a condition as well. If you give a governor a condition that until he makes further pronouncement that governorship is going to Oron and not Eket senatorial district, then I think we can go and have peace but not also contesting inside the election and also giving the same condition. So, I expect the Ibibio to lay down their ambition and also give support to the Oron people. Apart from waiting for the governor’s pronouncement, the Ibibio should also pronounce that Oron is the

•Onofiok

third leg of the tripod and Oron is due for the governorship.

Oron has supported an Ibibio man for office of the governorship. Oron has supported an Annang man to the office of the governor ; so, I think it is expedient to also give an Oron man an opportunity to be governor.

Then the governor will be helpless and he will see the reason to also shift his support to Oron.

But when the Ibibio are looking for governorship and compelling the governor to make that pronouncement, it is not right. If the Ibibio accept to do that it is a war 90 per cent won because what that means is that we have now won the support of Uyo Senatorial District and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district cannot have a problem with this arrangement. They are 100 per cent in support of Oron emerging the next governor after Governor Godswill Akpabio. So, if they go on to make this pronouncement, then other people will be weakened and they will see no other reason than to support an Oron person.

What kind of PDP primaries do you expect in Akwa Ibom State going by the claim of some people that the governor is trying to impose his SSG on the people?

There will be no primaries on the basis of imposition of aspirant. When you impose a candidate on the people, especially at this time where the government is supposed to be doing stock taking and try as much as possible to re-align itself to the wishes of the people. When you impose a candidate on the people, they will see it as a challenge. That is not expected of a leader which I am sure that is not what our dear governor is out to do. He may have one to three people that he could wish to give his support. He has to present this man to the people of Akwa Ibom State. All we have been hearing is rumours

that Governor Akpabio is in support of Emmanuel Udom.

If the reason for sacking former SSG Umana Umana was that he already campaigning while in office for the governorship, then what is Udom doing now?

Udom is also campaigning. His flyers and posters are everywhere in the state. He is also holding meetings everywhere much more than what former SSG Umana did. I am very sure why Umana was removed from office may have been on something that transcends what we know. The question of imposition to me is still a mirage because that is not realistic at all. If you are talking about going into a primaries with a candidate that has already been imposed on the people, the people have the right to reject such candidate and we want proper things to be done.

As we move towards the PDP primaries, what role do you expect of Governor Godswill Akpabio?

The governor should play a fatherly role because he is disengaging from the government. I think the only legacy he holds the people is giving us that memory of him that we would sit down here and say we have missed our dear governor that if he were around he would have done this and that for us. We want to him to disengage with respect and go home with total respect from the people of Akwa Ibom State.

He should play a fatherly role and give us a level playing field.

The governorship should be zoned to the area that is due for it and that is Oron. No matter how many people that indicate interest in that area to run for the governorship if none is willing to step down for the others let them go to the field. Be fair and be impeccable in your decision and let us see what comes out of this but all we want is for him to give us long lasting legacy.

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33

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT NEWSMAKER

How Public-Private Partnerships is promoting Niger Delta's prosperity ALI MOSHIRI, President of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company, examines how the governments of the Niger Delta states and oil companies are promoting prosperity in the region.

N

IGERIA recently claimed the title of largest economy in Africa, with a gross domestic product of $510 billion - underscoring its tremendous economic potential and the opportunity to improve livelihoods by promoting peace and further economic growth.

Private companies have a role to play in this story. The energy industry, in particular, should continue to be a major contributor to social and economic development.

Societal expectations have never been higher, and companies need to advance economic opportunity for communities where they do business by creating jobs, hiring local workers, and developing their skills and capabilities through onthe-job training.

The oil-rich Niger Delta is the source of 80 percent of Nigeria's revenues. Having been part of this community for a long time, we are familiar with the challenges facing the region - from limited economic growth to uncertain conditions of security and peace.

We've also seen the positive, sustainable impact we can have on economic development as a privatesector entity. We do this not only through philanthropy, but also through a strategic, partnershipbased approach to help create prosperity - now and for generations to come.

In Nigeria, we approach our social investments with the view that public-private partnerships are critical for successful economic develop-

ment. But those partnerships are necessary, as well, for creating an enabling environment for business.

One example of this is the Niger Delta Partnership Initiative (NDPI), established in 2010 as a five-year, $50-million endowment by Chevron. Over time, this investment grew to $100 million after being matched by partner funding.

Since inception, this model - which focuses on removing systemic constraints that can lead to poverty and conflict - has involved 172 local and international partners and has directly affected more than 10,000 people.

Organisations such as the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United Nations Development Programme and others have supported these projects with best practices, global credibility and local reach, magnifying the impact.

Over the past four years, NDPI has trained more than 5,500 people, created more than 600 new jobs and stimulated new growth sectors in the local economy. Job creation, increased incomes for residents through improved productivity and efficiency are helping to break the cycle of poverty and conflict that has been a root cause of some of the region's problems.

Encouraged by NDPI's initial success and looking to the future, Chevron is reinforcing its long-term support by pledging an additional $40 million over the next five years to expand and build-out successful programs and practices that have laid the groundwork for transformative

•Oil spill site in the Niger Delta

change. This additional funding brings the company's total investment in NDPI to $90 million, the largest social investment in the corporation's history.

Four years in, NDPI has identified key factors for success.

First, work closely with the community to identify pressing local

needs and understand where the company's support can have the biggest impact Second, create effective programs that address these needs and build local capacity.

Third, generate local ownership of the projects and long-term buy-in to enable local organisations to sus-

Olu-Browns pays tributes as Ateke Tom celebrates birthday

A

S Niger Delta leader, Chief Ateke Tom celebrated his birthday last Saturday, his close friend and alies, Chief OluBrowns Olubunmi, CEO Steroil Marine Services Limited and Mr. Raymond Morgan pay glowing tributes to the man who alongside others fought for the ongoing emancipation of the Niger Delta region.

Ateke Tom took up arms against the federal government of Nigeria to fight against the degradation of the Niger Delta region, a situation that has led to the improvement of lives and infrastructure as well as drew more development to the region.

Brown, in a tribute, described Ateke as a “powerful force to reckon with in the South South region of Nigeria. Ateke Tom has being a good friend he merits all the best wishes on his birthday. He is the most amazing person I have ever met. He is a true friend and brother, that is why I am wishing him a very happy birthday to you.”

Chief Olu-Browns is of the opin-

ion that the Niger Region is better off after the struggles by Chief Ateke Tom. “Yes, the region has witnessed tremendous development all thanks to the struggles by Chief Ateke Tom. The region owes him a lot because the struggle is ongoing until the Niger Delta is totally emancipated and her people enjoying their resources.”

Ateke Tom is a philanthropist, he has been supporting people from all sectors especially entertainers and Nollywood practitioners. His doors are opened 24 hours for any entertainer either in Nollywood or the music scene. Everyone, at least almost everyone at his Palatial home in Okrika Rivers State had one issue or the other that they want Tom to solve ranging from the fund to shoot a movie, re-launch a music career or shoot a big budget music video among many others.

“Ateke Tom has touched many lives and he does not get tired of doing that,” Chief Olu-Browns said adding, “You never leave his presence the same way you came. You

tain the beneficial outcomes.

The additional funding will allow NDPI to take all this learning forward and expand projects. This is a long process in which the path to success requires strong, committed participation from governments, businesses, nonprofit organisations and communities doing business in

Nigeria.

The shared vision that is built into the NDPI model is crucial to socioeconomic success in the Niger Delta.

Together, NDPI and its partners have made great strides and will continue to implement projects that help move the region toward shared prosperity.

Culled from allafrica.com

Sorry state of Sapele Prisons

I

•Olu Brown

•Ateke

must have a smile on your lips. That is why I am wishing this wonderful man a happy birthday and praying

that God gives him many more years to be kind to humanity.

Happy birthday Father!”

T is the oldest prison in the country. But that is all that is special about Sapele Prison.

Established in 1904, it now boasts of dilapidated cell blocks and so on.

The deplorable state of the place can not enhance rehabilitation of inmates who are traumatised and dehumanised by the inhuman condition to which they are subjected.

The deputy comptroller in charge of Sapele Prison in Delta State, Mr. V. I.P Nwosu, recently appealed to well- meaning Nigerians to assist the inmates, stressing that they deserved better condition of restricted life.

Nwosu, who spoke while receiving relief materials procured for the inmates by former Niger Delta Minister Elder Godsday Orubebe ,said the facilities housing the inmates, especially the kitchen, which is in a state of decay, were out-dated and due for total reconstruction and renovation.

He said: “Sapele Prisons is the oldest prison in the country. Established in 1904, the facility has only two escort vans that cannot match the police escort vehicle speed that

‘We lack security lights, we cannot prepare inmates food when it rains and above all, we need water tanks.

Our needs are numerous but we will at least appreciate efforts to paint this facility’ conveys inmates to about 45 courts.

“We lack security lights, we cannot prepare inmates food when it rains and above all, we need water tanks. Our needs are numerous but we will at least appreciate efforts to paint this facility.”

He thanked Elder Orubebe for the kind gesture and especially for the football kits which he said will boost exercise and spotting activities in the facility.

Peterside…Another feather to his cap M ANY will find it difficult to believe that despite his tight schedule as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, had time to further his studies. His quest for new frontiers overshadowed his tight schedule and created space for Peterside to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He is through with the course work and is now qualified to be addressed as Dr. Dakuku Peterside or Dakuku Peterside, PhD. Peterside will in August this year start a scheme to award local university scholarship to 46 underprivileged undergraduates from all the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

This scholarship is not for the children of the rich. It is meant to give education to the underprivileged or less privileged and other vulnerable members of Rivers State society.

This will compliment his postgraduate scholarship scheme. Every year the lives of 10 graduates from the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency of Rivers State change for good. Last September, Harry Dunotio Zipporah, Utong, Barthemaeus Abraham, Ofik Tana,Oko Jaja Opuada, Festus Victor Pepple and five others left for the United Kingdom to pursue masters degrees, at no cost to them. All their expenses throughout the duration of their studies at A-list universities, such as the Kingston University, University of Aberdeen and University of Bedfordshire, will be borne by one man, Hon. Peterside through the platform of the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Economic Zone Development Foundation.

These young men and women are the latest of the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme through which Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro’s generation next are being groomed.

Last year, the Opobo, River Stateborn politician brought resource persons from the United Kingdom alongside a former Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service( FIRS) to train upcoming women entrepreneurs, 300 women from Andoni/ Opobo/ Nkoro benefitted from the first set of trainees. These women have all developed different business proposals which is being assessed for sponsorship of top ten viable ones which addresses a local need.

Peterside, whose friends describe as a man who despite his growing profile has remained the man they knew when he was nowhere the ladder of leadership, has been a Student Union Leader, aide to a governor, local government chairman, Commissioner for Works and now member of the House of Representatives. Those who know him insist Peterside has remained the humble man they knew right from his days at the Okrika Grammar School. What may have changed is that he has proven himself as a dependable leader driven by the desire for change. They have described him in these words: compassionate, intellectually-driven, imbued with leadership virtues, dependable and obsessed with integrity.

He has indeed come a long way; yet, those close to him say he is still a mission in progress. Wherever that mission takes him, what is clear now is that he is touching lives in different ways. He has become a role model of sorts to younger people garnering unprecedented followership because of his simplicity, consistency and sense of accommodation.

Peterside also facilitates the participation of Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro scholars in at least four other overseas scholarship programmes sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rivers State government, Rivers State Sustainable

By Wale Ajetunmobi

Development Agency (RSSDA) and oil giant Shell Scholarship.

Hon Peterside, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), has been described as members of the committee as ‘a leader in whom they are wellpleased’. There is no doubt that Zipporah, Abraham, Festus Pepple and other beneficiaries of his scholarship scheme will echo the same sentiment about this man who has earned a reputation as a charismatic and disciplined leader, creative and hardworking legislator who is broad minded.

That Peterside cherishes education can be easily gleaned from the fact that despite his tight schedule as the chairman of a very busy House Committee, he still finds time for intellectual activities, such as delivering lectures in Nigeria and abroad and giving talks on areas of national importance. He has had the benefit of being educated in some of the best institutions at home and abroad. A native of Biriye, Opobo Kingdom, Dakuku attended the Okrika Grammar School (OGS), the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, the University of Port Harcourt, the Georgia State University, Atlanta, United States and the Harvard-Kennedy school, University of Harvard, United States.

He earned degrees in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Haematology), Business Administration (Management) and certificates in Leadership and Project Management. Peterside is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), a fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria (IMCN) and a member of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences of Nigeria (MLSN).

He has held various leadership positions, such as Rivers State Commissioner for Works (2007-2011), where he anchored Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s transformation of roads and Infrastructural landscape of Rivers State, Board member of the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority (GPHCDA), Executive Director of the Development and Leadership Institute (DLI) between 2005 and 2007, Chairman, Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area (2002-2003) during which he was declared the most outstanding local government chairman

by Dr Peter Odili, who was then the governor of Rivers State. Between 2003 and 2005, he was Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Rivers State on Works.

Peterside has also served as Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Youth and Student Affairs and Board member, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), a Federal Government arts and research establishment.

Peterside, who is the Amaopusenibo of Opobo kingdom, was elected to represent Andoni/ Opobo-Nkoro in the House of Representatives in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Some weeks back, he dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a result of PDP’s endless crises. In a recent interview he said Rivers long term interest and that of his constituents is his incentive for being in politics and that whenever that is compromised or threatened he is bound to stand up for the people. It is obvious that his recent defection to APC is because PDP could no longer protect and advance the interest of Rivers State. Aside serving as the chairman of the strategic Petroleum (Downstream) Committee, he also serves in the House most important committees on Anti-corruption, National Ethics and values; Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes; Co-operation and Integration in Africa, Electoral Matters;

• Peterside Industry; Communications and Works.

He established the Andoni-Opobo-

Nkoro Economic Zone Development Summit (AONEZDS) as a constituency engagement project.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Good time for orphans in Port Harcourt M

EMBERS of the Junior Chambers International (JCI), and Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), reached out to the less privileged members of the society to mark the Democracy Day in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

They visited the “Lifetime Orphanage and Vulnerable Children Home”, which was founded some 19 years ago by a retired commander, simply identified as Abadan, now elderly and inactive.

The home was established to give helping hand to orphans and vulnerable children, with the founder having suffered the loss of both parents in a very tender age, is presently harbouring 58 children in a four bedroom apartment.

The delegation from the International charity and business development organizations led by the TransAmadi chapter President of JCI, Ms Josephine Osigbeme and PHCCIMA President, Emeka Unachukwu defied the morning rains to visit the children who were visibly excited on seeing the visitors Osigbeme, shortly after the presenting food items for the upkeep of the children, explained that the visit would have been made two days earlier, May 27, ( Children day celebration), but had to take the advantage of the Democracy holiday to do it.

She expressed concern over the poor environment the children are kept, but lauded the efforts of the founder of the home, a retired Army commander, Abadan for his good heart to give succour to the hopeless members of the society and said the group would liaise with PHCCIMA to improve on their well-being.

“We look into the challenges of the less privileged and try to see how much and best we can assist them. We actually planned to embark on this outreach on the children’s day celebration to identify with them on their day but for some reasons it was moved to this day.

“Before we made the choice of this Home we had gone on a survey of other homes in Port Harcourt and came to the conclusion that this particular centre actually needs assistance.

“Apart from this visit, we have a

•Items donated to the home.

•Officials of JCI and PHCCIMA making the presentation to the Co-ordinator of the Home. return. “she assured.

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port “Corroborating the president, Dr. Harcourt

yearly health sensitization programme tagged “nothing but net”, where we educate and distribute insecticide treated bed nets to rural dwellers, to enhance their health condition.

“By what we’ve seen here today, we are definitely going to come back, just like the president of PHCCIMA, our partners in this project had earlier said, we are going to meet and come back, we’ve already informed them of our interest to be part of their 19th year anniversary next month and we hope to do more when we

Felix Akubuenyi, Chairman of the planning committee, said the group had the past years been distributing 1000 pieces of insecticide nets to communities but said they have concluded plans to distribute between 1500 and 2000 pieces this year.

“I appeal Nigerians to embrace service to humanity; it is the best work of life; because when you are serving humanity you are helping the next person. I encourage people to identify the less privilege in their neighbourhood and try and put smiles on their faces.”

Also the National Executive vice

•Some of the beneficiaries.

president, area 2, comprising Southsouth/South-East, Aretha Faotu said the group is known for charitable activities and have gone on several charity outreaches in various communities across the state and also planned to visit the Nigerian prisons for sensitization and donation.

Earlier the President of PHCCIMA, Emeka Unachukwu, had expressed gratitude on the policy of the Home, not giving out their children for adoption and pledged PHCCIMA’s readiness to partner with the Home, to develop the inmates.

In his introduction earlier, the outreach coordinator/ Head of Education of the home, Mr. Nnordee

Bariabara informed the visitors that the 19-year old Home presently has 58 inmates, 54 of them are in various levels of scholarship while the remaining four that have not got sponsors are receiving tutelage at the Home.

Bariabara hinted of the Home’s plan to discharge in line with their policy the set of stipulates male children who are the pioneer inmates of the Home, having turned 18 years.

The children offered all manner of prayers to God for their visitors especially prayers of long life, God’s protection and provision as well as guidance to their visitors.

Knock for Akpabio over pension law A

POLITICAL commentator, Mr Sunday Ekong, has condmened Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio over the pension law.

He said though Akpabio has repealed the law he still deserved some knocks.

Ekong, a former Travel Manager of Daily Times Plc in a statement, said: “Of late, the Akwa-Ibom State government was in the news, negatively though. Its state House of Assembly had just passed into law what sane minds regarded as the most vitriolic pension/retirement law that aimed at milking the state’s treasury dry and rendering the already destitute citizens poorer than ever. Acquiescing to the obnoxious law by Governor Godswill Akpabio was an in-

dication that the leadership of the state did not mean well for the citizens.

“Even though the law has been repealed after much pressure from within and outside the state; not excluding some stalwarts of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), it reflects the true state of affairs in and around Governor Akpabio’s administration.

“Even ahead of their end of tenure, only a no confident vote is enough as terminal reward for the Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration. Views from sound and unbiased individuals suggest that the Speaker of the Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly on whom the governor had showered so much encomiums for passing the anti-

people law has betrayed the people.

“The review of pension benefits to past governors and deputies need not be the pre-occupation and prerogative of an incumbent. We hold this view because to revoke an obnoxious law may be a mission impossible, futile and intractable exercise for a fair-minded successor. A no confident vote is the answer now as the first reaction by the people.

“A drastic disease needs a drastic treatment to avert the devastating effects of the time bomb. This shot is not yet lighted and our safest bet is to avoid the aim.

“In the changing fortunes of time, it may be an illusion to figure out the workability of a policy that was intentionally meant to fail. In it, government’s programmes may be

put on hold, forced to collapse or crash out.

“Even as the pension law has been repealed, the people of Akwa-Ibom State, a predominantly civil service society, are a surviving lot, denied of their due dignity of labour and purchasing power.

“Teachers, constituting over 75per cent of the state’s workforce, have gone without salaries for more than four months. Election campaigns for Senate have continued uninterrupted not minding the security implications it has on state and the country.

“By 2015, Akwa-Ibom State shall continue to remain the only state in Nigeria without a single tangible industry. Their account of achievements and development, being rela-

tive term are mere window dressing and painted sepulchers to the great minds and discerning people of Akwa-Ibom State.

“The most unfortunate thing which definitely cannot be taken for fun is that those who are going to suffer Governor Akpabio’s legacy of inhumanity to man which he will bequeath to the state and their generations unborn, had the law remained, are not in any position to know what has befallen them.

“This legacy of ill-will which Governor Akpabio wanted to introduce to the state needs the attention of Senators and members of the House of Representatives of AkwaIbom State origin to halt its repetition by any governor of the in future.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

36

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE title of this piece tells a lie. In a way.

Google, that world famous internet search engine, does know two places called Belekete. But the two places it knows are not the Belekete I write about. It knows a Belekete in Central African Republic (CAR) and another one in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It was clueless about the Belekete in Cross River, one of the six states in the Southsouth. I searched and searched but the information I kept coming across were about the weather of the CAR Belekete and the DRC Belekete.

Until some days ago when our correspondent in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Nicholas Kalu, sent me a report on Belekete, a ranch community made up of eight villages, the place never existed to me. I am sure many are in my shoes. Some days before the report came, Nicholas had briefed me about a place he visited and had to walk for hours and almost died in the process. The reality only hit me when I saw Nicholas’s copy and the pictures. Reading through the report made me ask a question I have always asked when I come across shocking places people call homes. I asked myself: why live in hell?

This question has always popped up in my mind when flood sacks people who live in flood plains. I have always wondered why can’t they relocate and the answer has always been in question form: to where? And they usually add: “This is our home.”

People are very sentimental about certain things, which baffle me. I will never live in a place where flood constantly harasses me. I will never live in a place far removed from civilisation like Belekete.

From Nicholas's accounts, Belekete has no schools, not one; Belekete has two health centres, with one member of staff each; Belekete has no connection with the outside world via the Global System of Mobile (GSM) Telecommunication; Belekete regularly loses its children, men and expectant mothers to sickness and complications far beyond the experience of its health officers; Belekete knows nothing about electricity; and the road to Belekete cannot take a car, a tricycle or even bicycle. To get there you need to walk for at least seven hours, climbing mountains and crossing gushing streams.

The inhabitants of Belekete claim their original home is where the Obudu Ranch Resort sits. They claim they moved further inside when the ranch was to be developed.

But I ask a question: why did they not move to somewhere around the Bebi airstrip? On my last trip to the airstrip, I saw so many unused parcels of land and I doubt if the government would have denied them access to the parcels of land. Or could it be they feel more comfortable having to climb mountains, valleys and cross rushing streams on their way home?

Like Nicholas recounted, his guide did not

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Google knows not Belekete

‘

Belekete has no schools, not one; Belekete has two health centres, with one member of staff each; Belekete regularly loses its children, men and expectant mothers to sickness and complications far beyond the experience of its health officers... The road to Belekete cannot take a car, a tricycle or even bicycle. To get there you need to walk for at least seven hours, climbing mountains and crossing gushing streams •Belekete clan head Ngweli

break a sweat on the return journey which took all of eight hours. What he saw as a miracle was no miracle to the people of Belekete. It is what they face regularly.

But no matter what the people enjoy about

LAST WORD

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

‘

The governor should play a fatherly role because he is disengaging from the government. I think the only legacy he holds the people is giving us that memory of him that we would sit down here and say we have missed our dear governor that if he were around he would have done this and that for us. We want him to disengage with respect and go home with total respect from the people of Akwa Ibom State __

‘

Michael Onofiok

‘

staying in such difficult terrain, it is also a source of worry to them. Being tucked away in such pre-ancient caves also means only the daring will be willing to take help to them. With no roads, no one will plan any medical mission

there. With no roads, it is unlikely anyone will be willing to donate hospital facilities and equipment. How will the building materials be transported? How will the labourers find their way there? Just how will things work out?

Yet help is needed but the question remains: how will it come?

The clan head, Chief Ogweshi Francis Ngweli, painted a gory picture of their fate.

His words: "People have been dying because we don't have healthcare here and there is no assistance of carrying people up to the ranch.

Pregnant women and sick children have been dying. I am sure you have seen it with your two naked eyes with the almost eight hours you have passed through. We need facilities.

The only health officer we have here, if anything takes him out that means we would not even have anyone to attend to us, even for the small ailments. In the past weeks, my people have been dying.

"We have appealed to the government but because there is no motorable road, the government has not been able to give us some sort of assistance. We are begging they should help us. The place is so backward in all in the sense that there is no road. There is no pipe borne water and we back people who are sick all the way to the ranch. And because of that we wish the government to help us with a road and assist us with proper healthcare facilities."

Not many in government even know a place like Belekete exists. A top shot in the state was quoted by Nicholas as saying: "Are you serious there is a community in the state that you can trek to on foot for that number of hours to get to? You are not saying the truth. To be honest with you I have never heard of it. Did you say it was a ranch community? Does such a place exist in this state? Let me see what I can find out about the place."

He was not able to find out anything before we went to bed. Such is the mystery of Belekete. I asked Nicholas if the people vote and he said: "yes". I found that difficult to believe. Which adhoc electoral staff will agree to go to such a terrain? May be the electoral body uses indigenes of the place.

My final take: Belekete needs help to stop the deaths of its children, expectant mothers and others alike to 'small' ailments like malaria.

What will it take, for instance, to put a road there? Yet, for me, access is critical. Without a road to Belekete, nothing can truly move forward. With a road in place, other amenities, such as electricity, water and health facilities can come. I am not an engineer, but my layman's knowledge tells me that with the mountains and gushing streams, putting a road in Belekete will mean building bridges and stuffs like that. That will cost so much money, which the state government, weighed against opportunity cost, may not see sense in.

It may prefer the people relocate to less difficult terrain.

•Last Word is Niger Delta Report’s verdict on Southsouth affairs

Stop the madness in Edo House

F

OR the past few weeks days, peace has taken a flight from the Edo State House of Assembly. This is not unconnected with the crisis which followed the congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Some members of the party were aggrieved as a result of the outcome of the congress, which either did not afvour them or their political caucus.

Cross River State government took reporters round some of its legacy projects. The tour started in Calabar and terminated in Ogoja, the far end of the state which is no less than five hours away from the state capital.

Some members of the House of Assembly were wooed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into their fold.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole later alleged that each of them got N50 million to defect.They have since fired back, saying the governor has earlier offered them money too to remain in the APC. They claimed to have rejected the money.

The defection has since polarised the House with the leadership suspending the defectors, who have since teamed up with other PDP members to send peace on leave.

A court has ordered them to stay suspended.

They have threatened to go ahead and sit

claiming to have suspended their other colleagues. A new mace has even surfaced, which it has emerged was an old one stolen in 2010.

The day they ‘sat and removed’ the leadership of the House a fracas broke out when the Speaker and his colleagues stormed the floor of the Assembly. It was a hectic day for the police. And since then, hell has come down to the Edo House.

Both parties are not ready to give in. It is like fire for fire and like they say, when two elephants fight, it is the grass, which in this case is the people, that suffers. It is a funny case in which eight lawmakers are trying to play the majority.

Oshiomhole has washed his hands off the crisis. The governor’s spokesperson has said he knows nothing about the crisis.

Justice A.M. Liman ruled on June 6 that the Speaker was right in suspending the four lawmakers but that he had no right to declare their seats vacant.

Justice Liman held that: "That the disciplinary power of the House is not subject to the judicial review of the Court, accordingly the application to restrain the 2nd Respondent from suspending the applicants from the House is hereby

refused".

This ruling cleared the way for the suspension of Festus Ebea, Patrick Osayimwen, Jude Ise-Idehen and Friday Ogieriakhi.

The APC, in a statement, said: “Despite the service of the processes including the Order of Injunction on all the parties, the suspended members have continued to create tension and chaos in the House of Assembly and its environs by forcibly entering into the premises and chambers of the House of Assembly aided by numerous thugs and (rather unfortunately) officers and men of the Nigeria Police force.

“We are informed that these contemnors claim, rather erroneously, that they can act in defiance and disobedience of the positive order of Court on the ground that they are pursuing an appeal against the order.

“It is an elementary principle of our Legal System that an Order of a Court remains valid and subsisting which all parties must comply with unless and until it is set aside by the Court which issued same or a Court of Appeal.”

The court has spoken and the law should be allowed to stand. The time to stop this madness of going against the law is now.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

37

SHOPPING

Adibba.com, Smile partner for improved services

T

O evolve innovative ways of solving consumer challenges and provide convenience, Adibba.com, one of the fastest growing online retail stores in the country, has partnered Smile Communication to provide increased access to Smile products and services.

The deal, described as a technical partnership, would ensure that users of Adibba.com services have access to Smile products and services at home via Adibba.com site.

By placing its products online, Smile now adds the convenience of door-to-door delivery and same-day activation to the list of customer services its offers. The service will be coordinated by adibba.com’s professional delivery network.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, adibba.com, Chris Udeji, “this partnership is one designed to create convenience for our customers and other consumers willing to join the growing consumer base of the business. Customers would have Smile products delivered to them wherever they so desire as long as Smile service coverage is in that area. This partnership will fulfil both companies’ desire to make access to Smile services easy, convenient and worry-free”.

Explaining the mechanics, Udeji said a consumer needs to log on to adibba.com, search for the Smile icon and click on it and select the device they want to purchase. “If you already have a Smile Subscriber Identification Module (SIM), you can purchase airtime using your debit card and once the purchase is confirmed, the product will be delivered. The SIM

•Udeji (left); Public Relations Executive, adibba.com, Deborah Bosah; Esenwah and Manager Indirect Sales, Smile Communications, Adedokun, Olagunju at a briefing on the partnership in Lagos.

By Oluwakemisola Iroju

card will be automatically registered and activated for Smile customers,” he explained.

On the partnership, the General Manager-Sales & Distribution, Smile Communications, Ken Esenwah, said: “Adibba.com was picked after a painstaking screening procedure. We found out that Adibba.com possesses the capacity and technicality Smile requires to venture into this type of partnership and we are very excited to announce that consumers would find this offer irresistible.”

He added that Adibba.com customers,

who purchase Smile products from Adibba.com, would have their products activated and would also receive free delivery of the products.

Other benefits attached to the partnership, he said, are that customers will receive the products at home or office.

There is also hassle-free registration and activation of the products. Besides, Adibba.com is an online shopping platform that provides its customer base with an ever-growing variety of products at competitive prices.

Smile provides a super-reliable, highquality and affordable 4 G LTE broadband Internet. It also offers high-speed connec-

tions of 6Megabutes per second (Mbps) on average up to 21Mbps. In addition, Smile’s products are easy to use and offer multi-user access.

Apart from offering Smile products and services, Adibba.com product offering include power solutions, such as inverters, inverter batteries, and mobile phones; top brands and accessories, such as computers, electronics, laptops, tablets, and electronics accessories.

Other products include fashion - men’s and ladies’ clothing and accessories, Ankara style, shoes; beauty and personal care, body skincare, fragrances, hair centre, makeup; home and living: home appliances, kitchen and dining, kitchen appliances, home safety, and home décor; food and drink, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and food (cereal, beverages, etc.).

Chivita Active gets new packaging

• large hijab • Assorted designed hijabs

•Brown knitted hijab

• Qaira hijab

I

•Hijab pin

Hijab: Marriage of faith and fashion

N Islam, the word ‘Hijab’ literally means a screen or curtain. However, by semantic extension, Hijab suggests a veil for covering the head and chest, particularly by Muslim females who have attained puberty.

It is also a symbol of modesty, privacy and morality. Historically, women in the Islamic culture wore veils to cover themselves.

Interestingly, in modern times, learning about the different kinds of Hijab can help a Muslim woman enjoy a fulfilling shopping experience. It affords the user the opportunity to adhere to her cultural standards, while expressing her individuality through her choice of colour, style and fabric.

Just as there are different types of Hijab, there are many options for purchasing these garments. For instance, there are retail Is-

By Basirat Braimah lamic stores that specifically deal in these items. An example is Arabel, an upscale Islamic store, where items, ranging from the simple to the avant-garde, are sold. It also offers online trading to show buyers an opportunity to learn how to differentiate between the styles of Hijab as well as where to purchase specific garments that are worn comfortably and securely.

However, while some prefer to visit some of these ‘elitist’ Islamic stores, others prefer to patronise individuals in some markets across the country with the belief that they can enjoy the luxury of haggling over the prices.

Hijab usually comes in different shapes and

sizes. They can sometimes be small or large, but it solely depends on the taste of the buyer.

It may also be square, triangular and rectangular, depending on how it is used.

Hijab comes in silk, chiffon, cotton, polyester and rayon or a combination of fabrics and sells for between N500 and N15, 000 per one. At times, it comes in patterned or flowery designs. Buyers may also consider wearing under- scarves, which are accessories worn to keep a woman’s hair from slipping out of the Hijab.

Over the years, Hijab has changed in appearance and is now available in different varieties. People have come to like Jacquard veils, which come in various designs and colour because they suit different occasions and fit their personalities.

C

HIVITA Active, a refreshing and nourishing fruit juice from the stable of Chi Limited, now wears a new look following a strategic makeover to reposition and convey tangible and intangible attributes of the brand to the consumer.

According to the Managing Director of Chi Limited, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, the new pack is a fresh and entirely new design aimed at effectively communicating the core value of Chivita Active as an “active healthy lifestyle” brand to consumers.

He added that the new pack parades a bold new logo that is refreshingly modern while exuding the core essence of active health.

“With rounded contemporary edges and the forward pointing red triangle, the logo emphasises on advancement, achievement and success,” he said.

Roy continued: “The design is cutting edge.

The rich fruit and juice visuals combine perfectly with the simplistic design and colour pallet to reveal a truly sophisticated pack. It is a pack that exudes confidence and fitness and will resonate with those who lead an active lifestyle and are primed to achieve more.”

The pack also features a nutritional information panel on the six citrus fruits mixed together to form the juice while “Fortified with Vitamin C” is strategically positioned on the pack to further identify with the health conscious consumer. Further examination of the pack reveals active images on the side panels that urge consumers to embrace the active lifestyle and an inviting motif of fruits and juice splash.

Chivita Active fruit juice contains six citric fruit juices and added vitamin C. The citric fruit juices are Orange, Grapefruit, Lime, Tangerine, Lemon and Mandarine.

38

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: agrobusiness@thenationonlineng.net

Given the increase in its production to meet rising demand from operators in the livestock feed, starch and bio fuel markets, cassava is gradually becoming a major cash crop and driver of industrial development. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

Cassava as driver of economic growth A FEW decades ago, cassava was not a major cash crop. But today, the story has changed.

The crop is being transformed from a humble root crop into a money spinner of sort for farmers and a prized industrial input. Much of the turnaround in the fortunes of the crop is driven by increasing production and rising demand from the livestock feed, starch, and bio-fuel markets.

The Nation learnt that because of the intervention on cassava under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the government, demand for cassava has grown so strong that those who traditionally engaged only in subsistence farming grow cassava as a cash crop. This made cassava a dynamic cash crop, helping to drive industrial development while delivering higher incomes to small holder farmers.

Addressing a Cassava Adding Value for Africa Stakeholders forum in Lagos, the Coordinator, Cassava Value Chain, ), Regional Hub for East Africa, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Tanzania, Dr. Adebayo Abass, said cassava has multiple uses and markets, ranging from on-farm consumption as food or livestock feed to local wet or dry starch processing enterprises and large-scale commercial operations. Besides, wet starch extraction and transformation has been the business of cassava trading clusters.

Abass said there was a tremendous opportunity for the industry to create 30 million jobs across Africa.

These opportunities, he said, arise from demand for cassava starch and chips, which are likely to increase strongly in local and international markets, signaling a bright future for the domestic cassava industry.

He said cassava has a huge potential and could turn from ‘a poor people’s food into a 21st century crop’ if grown according to a new environment-friendly farming model.

According to him, cassava yields have increased due to the planting of new high-yielding varieties and the adoption of more sustainable production practices across the continent and many factories have invested in the upgrade of their production technology. With tremendous support coming from the government, he predicts that demand for cassava would continue to increase, adding that the domestic market would also see high demand for cassava by-products as raw material for enterprises. He noted that cassava farming is a great business and that there is a huge market for the commodity, which could be grown in all parts of the country.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said the cassava transformation project seeks to create a new generation of cassava farmers oriented towards commercial production and farming as a business. H said the plan was to link them up to reliable demand either from processors or a guaranteed minimum

• Cassava

•Adesina

price scheme of the government.

Represented by the Technical Adviser (Cassava Value Chain), Mrs. Toyin Adetunji, the Minister said the overall strategy of the cassava transformation is to turn the cassava sector in Nigeria into a major player in local and international starch, sweeteners, ethanol, High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), and dried chips industries by adopting improved production and processing technologies, and organising producers and processors into efficient value-added chains. To boost domestic production of cassava bread, the minister said the Federal Government has given the Bank of Industry (BoI) the mandate to manage the N4.3 billion Cassava Bread Development Fund to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), master bakers and large industrial cassava flour

• Prof Sanni

• Adebayo

mills.

He further said the fund would also be used to support research and development efforts on cassava bread, training of master bakers, and support for master bakers for the acquisition of new equipment for production.

The Minister earlier said in another forum that the Federal Government was to provide machines for the cultivation of 29,500 cassava farms. This would be funded from the Cassava Bread Development Fund managed by BoA. Adesina said cultivating the farms would cost N915 million. He said the government would supply 1,770,000 bundles of planting materials to the owners of the farms at the cost of N708 million. In addition, the government would supply 118,000 bags of cassava-specific fer-

tiliser at N708million and 88,500 litres of herbicides at N88.5 million to the farmers.

According to him, the farmers are to produce 59,000 metric tonnes of cassava roots in line with the transformation plan. Adesina said the ministry was facilitating the procurement of 22 medium-scale high quality plants of 60 metric tonnes capacity to meet the annual demand for high quality flour. He said the ministry was carrying out the enumeration of all farmers, including the cassava farmers with their biodata for input into a database. The objective, he explained, is to have a baseline upon which levels of intervention could be measured in terms of outreach and impact. In 2012, he said 21,059 farmers benefitted from free 315,898 bundles of cassava stems, while in 2013, 1,546,720 bundles of improved stems were distributed to 64,000 cassava farmers for 25,779 hectares expected to yield 644,475 metric tonnes of roots.

He reiterated government’s commitment to building robust fresh roots supply chains for cassava processing plants; supporting large/medium HQCF mills, SMEs producing HQCF and master bakers who use 20 per cent of HQCF in bread production. According to him, HQCF can be used as an alternative for starch and wheat flour in a variety of industries. These include raw materials for the production of glucose syrups, industrial alcohol, bakery products, and in the production of adhesives, as an extender

‘There is a tremendous opportunity for the industry to create 30 million jobs across Africa. These opportunities arise from demand for cassava starch and chips, which are likely to increase strongly in local and international markets, signaling a bright future for the domestic cassava industry’

for plywood glues and as a source of starch in textile sizing. He said efforts have been made to develope a simple and appropriate process for producing HQCF that is suitable for baking.

This was tested in the baking and confectionary industries; it was found successful and the cost implications were favorable.

For the Minister, the introduction of cassava starch in the food and nonfood industries has transformed the cassava utilisation industry. This is because it is used as an ingredient in manufactured foods (infant foods, confectionary, glucose, alcohol) and in non- food industries (glues, oil well drilling, adhesives, paper sizing and bonding, textile sizing and strengthening).

He said Nigeria is one of the leading production of cassava in the world and that production has witnessed a tremendous increase following the introduction of high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties.

The Country Manager, Cassava Adding Value for Africa, and President, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Prof.

Lateef Sanni, called on the government to pass the bill regulating the institute to guarantee food safety. Cassava, he noted, is used as food, dried chips for feed, alcohol, and starch, and for industrial uses and is the staple food crop of the nation’s population.

Under CAVA, he said there is a roadmap to increase the national average yield per hectare, taking cognizance of the bright financial prospect being offered by the cassava sector.

The Project Director, CAVA 11, Dr Kola Adebayo, said Africa has shown remarkable success in cassava processing. This followed the introduction of machines for most unit operations to ease the labour-intensiveness of the trade. He said there are processors involved in producing traditional foods or intermediate products, such as chips, high quality cassava flour and starch.

According to him, there are some exclusive cassava-based products being traded in countries served by CAVA project. Adebayo said the project has worked to encourage local fabricators in processing technology, adding that farmers can now have access to locally fabricated mechanized and high-capacity equipment to get involved in the business.

The project gives farmers the opportunity needed to develop and test an integrated approach that keeps the benefits of cassava production and processing in rural communities. For him, cassava trade is expanding quickly, particularly in response to burgeoning exports of dried cassava chips and starch to China.

Experts believe the cassava boom largely depended on local processing of cassava into wet and dry starch, which is then transformed into higher value food and industrial products – from noodles, glucose, and maltose to textiles, pharmaceuticals, cardboard and glue.

Also, crop varieties were tested along with improved production, soil erosion control practices - specifically better use of fertiliser.

The new cassava varieties from IITA’s collaborative breeding efforts have been grown on cassava areas where they have doubled average crop yields. Shortages of cassava roots is however still a challenge though the higher yielding varieties and cassava roots are sourced from IITA and other research institutes.

Experts, however, said how much farmers benefit from increased cassava trade depends a lot on two things: how well they are linked to markets and how well they manage their crop.

D

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

39

AGRICBUSINESS

Don makes case for national agric census A DON, Dr Ademola Adeyemo, has called on the Federal Government to conduct a census of agriculture to provide a direction on what the nation has to provide the base on how it can achieve the dream of becoming the food hub of West Africa.

Adeyemo, the Deputy Director, General Management Division, Agricultural and Rural Management and Training Institute (ARMTI), said a census would provide data on agricultural holdings, such as farm size, land use, land tenure, livestock numbers, and the use of machinery, as well as crop

N

and livestock distribution nationwide.

With the government urging the private sector to partner it to implement the agricultural transformation agenda (ATA),Adeyemo said the information provided by the census would have many uses.

These will include information on agricultural produce that can be raised in Nigeria and where, how and by whom they were grown.

The data, according to him, will help the national, state and local government, farmers, ranchers,

maize or 12.5 kg of rice at 90 per cent subsidy.

“The farmers are expected to pay 10 per cent for the cost of the seed, whereas the Federal Government pays the balance of 90 per cent.

“The farmers pay N200 for maize and N310 for rice, whereas the Federal Government pays N1,800 and N2,700 to augment the prices of the seed respectively. “ The government has reduced the cost of fertiliser to N5,500 both for NPK and UREA; the government pays the balance. “ The complete package for each of the farmers redeeming maize is N5,700, while it is N5,810 for a farmer redeeming rice,’’ she said.

Akinjide said the FCTA was determined to improve the productivity of farmers by giving them access to improved technology and other production incentives.

IFDC moves to check agro-dealers

HE International Fertiliser DevelopmentCentre (IFDC) said it had introduced receipt and stock inventory to check the excesses of agro-dealers in the fertiliser distribution.

The GES-IFDC’s Project Team Leader, Mr Chinedum Ukeka, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi that the distribution was carried out under the Growth Enhancement Support scheme (GES).

Ukeka said the documentation process for this year’s fertiliser distribution had been improved.

According to him, the documentation is meant to check the sharp practises of agro-dealers, particularly as it affects fertiliser diversion and adulteration.

“We have, therefore, mandated the agro-dealers that for every transaction, a receipt must be issued such that the farmer gets a

receipt, the supplier gets a receipt and the agro-dealer gets a receipt.

“With this measure in place, it will be difficult for any agro-dealer to divert fertiliser, or sell adulterated product to the farmers.

“It will be difficult because every farmer will answer his father’s name.

“It will be very bad for a farmer to spend months tilling the ground and at the end of the day, there is no appreciable yield.

“If that happens, the farmer would lose confidence in the programme and if the agro-dealers sell the wrong or adulterated product to the farmer, it will definitely affect crop yield.

“To ensure that all agro-dealers adhere to guidelines, the suppliers as well as officials of the federal and states Ministry of Aagriculture would monitor the exercise.

Plateau Fadama III Office gets loan from Union Bank

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agribusiness and others make decisions.

Compared to others, the don said the census will provide a uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data down to the local governments, adding that it would help to shape programmes and initiatives that benefit young and beginning farmers and ranchers; expand access to resources that help women, and help farmers diversify into new markets, including local and regional food systems, specialty crops and organic production.

With the government’s effort to

boost food production, he said there is need for agricultural statistics to monitor and reflect current agricultural and food supply conditions and to provide information to help governments and others in short-term decisionmaking. To this end, he said agricultural statistics has to be produced on a regular basis.

One feature of a census of agriculture, he explained, is that it involves the collection of data at the individual holding level.

On crops, he said the census will provide data on where crops are planted, the number of holdings

with each crop, the distribution of crop area, and the average crop area planted, among others.

He said the census provides the most reliable data available on production of crops and a base for estimating crop area and production in the following years.

He said a census of agriculture is one of the largest national statistical collections undertaken by a country.

Right now, he said, livestock production statistics are weak because of inadequate data, adding that a census can help in this regard.

100,000 farmers benefit from GES-tap scheme

OT fewer than 100,000 farmers have benefited from the Federal Capital Teritory (FCT) Growth Enhancement Support scheme Touch and Pay (GES-tap) for the rainy season farming, the FCT Administration has said.

The Minister of State for FCT, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, represented by the Executive Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mrs Olvadi Madayi, performed the ceremony in Kuje.

The minister said the programme was designed and packaged to transform the small scale farmers from poverty to lucrative agricultural business entrepreneurs.

She said: “Farmers, who registered on the GES-tap project, will receive their farm input at subsidised rates.

“Thus two bags of fertiliser at 50 per cent subsidy and 10 kg of

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Stories by Daniel Essiet

HE Plateau Fadama III State Project Coordinator, Mr Gideon Dandam, said the project had secured a loan from the Union Bank of Nigeria for farmers.

He made this known at a meeting with officials of the Fadama Community Associations (FCAs) in the state and the bank.

He said one of the mandates of the Fadama Coordination Office is to assist farmers to access finance from commercial banks.

He said: “Fadama III has as one of its objectives, linking farmers with commercial banks who have interest in supporting farmers to increase their income.

“That informs the state office to make contact with Union Bank; they are here to interact with you farmers with the aim of helping you with some small agricultural loans that would increase your income.’’

Dandam said the office was still

negotiating with the bank to ensure that the loan had the lowest interest that could be given by a commercial bank to farmers.

He advised farmers to make the best use of the opportunity to improve and expand their farms as well as exit poverty.

The Zonal Coordinator of the bank in Jos, Malam Abdulkadir Jaafaru, said the farmers would access the facility in groups as members of FCAs through the Fadama coordination office.

“Most farmers are peasant farmers and we need to see how we can assist them expand their farms and consequently develop agriculture.

“Farmers are the bedrock of poverty alleviation; by assisting farmers to develop, poverty would be reduced in Plateau and in Nigeria,’’ Jaafaru said.

The facility, he said, would be given in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines for such loans, including insurance for farmers.

•A beneficiary, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi (left), receiving a N1million cheque on behalf of Ado-Ekiti Irede Cooperative Multipurpose Society, from Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, during the distribution of cheques and equipment to farmers in Ado-Ekiti.

Be committed to biotech research, Fed Govt urged T HE Federal Government has been urged to demonstrate more commitment to biotech research, development and innovation (RDI) incentives as the sector faces fresh challenges of producing food to meet the demand of an increasing population.

The Deputy National President (Administration and Operations), Prince Ike Ubaka, said biotechnology still remains a cornerstone of the agricultural sector in terms of economic competitiveness.

To help farmers achieve greater income, Ubaka told The Nation that the need for researchers to collaborate with farming communities to produce through improved yields that can be accepted within a locality.

He spoke on the need to improve extension services cover a broad range of skills and crops and to ef-

fectively support smallholders to grow almost anything.

To commercialise farming, he said farmers require good practice in crop production, post-harvest handling and a sound business model. This, he said, the extension service should provide.

Ubaka canvassed the provision of specialist extension services by the private sector to work to ensure farmers improve food security and the investments benefit women and small farmers as well as investors.

To meet the food security needs of a growing population, he said the government needs to forge stronger, more robust partnerships across sector and bring all necessary stakeholders together to meet the challenge of food production.

He said the battle to end hunger and poverty is achievable, but no one can do it alone, calling for collaboration to bringing local connections, expertise, passion and private resources to ensure Small farmers have access to input, information and services they need to grow a better future.

Chief Operating Officer, The Centre for Cocoa Development Initiative, Robo Adhuze, said providing farmers with access to knowledge and affordable, quality agricultural input, would help them to grow a better future for their families and communities.

He said the government has made a tremendous progress to offer input, seeds and other materials to farmers in some value chains.

Rice farmers decry insecurity in Borno

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HE Maisandari Rice Farmers Association in Borno said the Boko Haram insurgency has forced its members to abandon farming this year.

The Chairman of the association, Malam Garba Ibrahim, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maisandari, Jere Local Government Area of the state.

He said: “We are an association of big term rice farmers comprising about 200 members.

“Each of us used to produce between 50 and 200 bags of rice per year.”

He said the production had witnessed some decline due to the insurgency in the state.

“We have witnessed steady decline in production in the last two years due to the insurgency.

“Last year, most of our members were not able to produce for fear of attacks in the farm by suspected insurgents.”

Ibrahim said the situation became worse this year as most of the farm-

ers had abandoned the dry season farming due to insecurity.

“This year, no farmer has been able to cultivate during the dry season due to the insecurity.

“Although the state government has provided imported rice mills to our members in anticipation of massive production, insecurity had made it impossible for us to cultivate.”

He appealed to the Federal Government to intensify its efforts in tackling the insurgency so that the farmers could go back to the farm.

Meanwhile, the Jigawa chapter of the Rice Dealers Association of Nigeria, said it had concluded arrangements to establish six pilot rice trading centres in the state.

The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Idris Ya’u, said in Hadejia, Jigawa, that the centres would be established in collaboration with the Federal Government.

He said the government would spend about N12 million on each of the centres, while farmers’ association in each of the participating areas would

contribute N600,000 to the project.

“The Federal Government has also introduced a new 100-kg bag to ensure accuracy in the measurement of paddy rice,” he said.

Ya’u explained that the gesture was to accelerate paddy rice production, enhance farmer enterprising skills and encourage competition.

The chairman said that the trading centres would be sited at Auyo, Birninkudu, Hadejia, Kazaure, Kirikasamma and Ringim, all in Jigawa, and be equipped with processing and packaging equipment to add value to the produce.

He added that officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture had already inspected the sites for the proposed trading centres.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government, during the last dry season, distributed fertiliser, seeds and chemicals to 154,000 registered rice farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL China rejects shipping alliance

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•Branch Manager, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Trans Amadi Branch, Port Harcourt, Okeke Chika (right), congratulating winner of N1million prize Mr Erefaa Emine Tom-Jack in the ongoing SCB Mega Rewards Promo during the prize presentation at the bank’s office.

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IMF warns over Argentina ruling

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Argentina’s legal defeat in its fight against hedge fund investors may have wider implications.

On Monday, a US Supreme Court ruling sided with bondholders demanding Argentina pay them $1.3billion (£766million).

The IMF said it was concerned about “broader systemic implications”.

Meanwhile the ratings agency S&P cut Argentina’s credit rating, warning the ruling made it more likely that the country would default.

“The Argentine government has limited capacity to pay the plaintiff creditors while servicing its current debt”, S&P said.

S&P reduced the credit rating by two notches from “CCC+” to “CCC-”.

The move theoretically makes it more expensive for Argentina to bor-

row money. However, the country has been unable to raise funds on the international market since its 2001-02 debt default.

Argentina’s Economy Minister, Axel Kicillof, said the government was “starting to take steps” to restructure the debt under Argentine law - as a way of avoiding complying with the US order.

In a press conference Mr Kicillof said this would allow the country to honour its commitments with those creditors who had accepted the initial agreement.

Argentina has agreed a restructuring with the bulk of investors holding its defaulted debt, but the socalled “hold-outs” have been fighting for 100 per cent of the value.

Mr Kicillof added that he would be sending lawyers to speak to the US judge behind the ruling, Thomas

Griesa.

On Monday President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said her country would not bow to “extortion”, in a reference to the court’s ruling.

She urged people to “remain tranquil” in the days ahead.

This realistically is the end of the road for Argentina’s decadelong fight” End Quote The Supreme Court rejected Argentina’s appeal against an order to pay the full value of bonds that some hedge funds bought after the country defaulted more than a decade ago.

Also, the bondholders won the right to use the US courts to force Argentina to reveal where it owns assets around the world. The court’s decision means that bondholders should find it easier to collect their debts.

fall in inflation, as wage growth was “very sluggish”.

“Lower prices for transport, food and clothing will work to ease pressure on disposable incomes – especially in Northern Ireland where a larger proportion of household income is spent on food and clothing relative to the rest of the UK. “The latest data from the government family expenditure survey shows that Northern Ireland households spent £159 a week on food, clothing and transport in 2012 relative to the UK average of £142.60.

“With inflation now at its lowest level for over four years, consumers should hopefully be able to maintain the recovery that we have recently seen in the local economy”.

Air fares, which were lower due to the timing of Easter, had a sig-

nificant downward effect, while petrol pulled in the other direction as pump prices crept up.

PwC Chief Economist Dr Esmond Birnie said everyday goods were coming down in price – but real earnings growth was still far off as inflation was still above the 0.7 per cent rate of wage increases.

“Food and non-alcoholic beverages fell by 0.6 per cent year-on-year in May, the biggest fall in a decade, with basics like bread, cereals and vegetables the main contributors to the fall.

“By implication, the UK economy is moving closer to a position where earnings grow in real terms although there is probably some distance to go before that happens. This is good for consumers’ purses and wallets and household purchasing power.”

Family to benefit from fall in prices

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OUSEHOLDS in Northern Ireland are expected to benefit from a four-year low in inflation as supermarket price wars pushed food and drink costs to their steepest decline in nearly a decade.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation dropped more heavily than expected to 1.5 per cent, from 1.8 per cent the month before, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

CPI equalled the rate seen in October 2009. It was last lower, at 1.1 per cent, in September 2009.

The latest figures mark the sixth month in a row when the rate has been at or below the Bank of England’s two per cent target, the first time this has happened since 2009.

Danske Bank Chief Economist Angela McGowan said households in Northern Ireland would welcome the

Bank of England names London Chinese currency clearing hub

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HE Bank of England has appointed one of China’s “big four” banks as the Chinese currency clearing bank in London.

The China Construction Bank will be the London renminbi clearing house.

The appointment is part of a plan to make London a hub for Chinese currency dealing.

Standard Life chair Sir Gerry Grimstone said renminbi trading is the most important issue facing the City of London at the moment.

In March, the Bank of England signed a memorandum of understanding with the People’s Bank of China setting out the deal.

The banks have said they want to encourage the cross-border use of renminbi, or yuan, to rebalance the global economy.

Bank of England governor Mark

Carney said the appointment was an “important milestone”, because the Chinese bank would “play a valuable role in facilitating greater use of the RMB (renminbi) for trade, investment and other economic activities in the UK”.

Mr Grimstone, who chairs financial services trade body The CityUK and Standard Life, helped broker the memorandum.

He said the deal could help to secure City jobs for decades.

“We’re moving down a track very rapidly where London is going to become ... the offshore centre for trading renminbi,” he told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Two-thirds of Chinese currency traded outside of China is already done in London, he added.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that trade deals worth more than £14billion had been signed during a state visit by Chinese premier, Li Keqiang.

Mr Li said the yuan clearing house deal “will further consolidate and promote London’s status as an international financial hub” and help “promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation”.

During Mr Li’s visit, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) said that it had signed agreements with two of China’s biggest banks to develop UK renminbi trading.

The LSE deal with the Bank of China will see the two firms design clearing and financing processes for financial products.

HINA has rejected a shipping alliance initiative aimed at saving the industry money, despite approval from the US and the EU. The “P3 Network” was intended to operate in a similar way to code-sharing deals between airlines.

The idea was to allow the world’s top three containershipping operators by volume to cut costs by sharing ships and port facilities.

A successful alliance would have seen about 250 ships participating in P3.

The idea, announced last year, came from a proposed collaboration among three shipping groups: Maersk from Denmark, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) from Switzerland and CMA CGM from France.

The network was supposed to begin operating in the second quarter of this year, subject to approvals from various authorities including China, US and the EU. The US Federal Maritime Com-

mission approved the alliance in March, while EU competition authorities said earlier this month they would not raise any anti-trust issues in connection with the deal.

However, China’s Ministry of Commerce has now rejected the tie-up.

Maersk said in a statement: “The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) of the People’s Republic of China announced that they have not approved the P3 Network. The MOFCOM’s decision follows a review under China’s merger control rules.”

China’s state-owned news agency Xinhua said the commerce ministry rejected the alliance “due to monopoly concerns”.

According to various publications, the P3 Network would have positioned the three partners to control up to 40 per cent of all cargo capacity along three trade routes: Asia to Europe, trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic.

The shippers had agreed to deploy about 250 ships between the three of them and share capacity of 2.6 million containers along the busiest sea routes.

‘No wage rise until jobless rate falls to 5%’

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HE members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to hold interest rates at 0.5 per cent.

Average wages may not rise until the jobless rate has fallen to five per cent, a Bank of England policymaker has suggested.

Martin Weale said there may be more spare capacity in the economy than policymakers had previously estimated.

If so, it means employers have room to keep hiring for some time before they have to increase wages to attract scarce workers.

He said low wage growth could also keep interest rates at 0.5 per cent for longer than currently expected.

But he added policymakers should start to raise interest rates before any sustained rise in real wages occurred.

In a speech to business leaders at a Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference in Northern Ireland Dr Weale said for every one percent-

age point that unemployment was “above its equilibrium,” quarterly pay growth was likely to be 0.3 per cent lower “than it would otherwise be”.

He added: “If I put all of the weakness in wages over the past year down to the unemployment gap being larger than we currently believe, this points to extra spare capacity of over half a per cent of GDP. “This is consistent with a mediumterm unemployment rate closer to five per cent than our current range of six per cent to 6.5 per cent (the Bank’s current consensus estimate of the point at which employers will have trouble recruiting suitable people).”

In its February quarterly inflation report the Bank of England estimated there was between one per cent and 1.5 per cent of spare capacity in the UK economy, but Dr Weale’s remarks suggest that could be as high as two per cent.

PBOC’s Zhou: China’ll enjoy steady growth

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EOPLE’S Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said he was confident China would enjoy steady growth and financial stability that would ensure market confidence in its currency.

According to Reuters, Zhou said that China was in the process of liberalising its capital markets, and that markets would determine the extent of the use of the yuan as an international currency, which is also

known as the renminbi (RMB).

“Although we are faced with many challenges ... we have full confidence that we will maintain steady economic growth and financial stability,” he said.

“We will provide a very solid foundation, a very good macro environment for RMB,” he said.

Zhou was speaking in London at a conference to promote financial links between Britain and China.

General Motors CEO to face US Congress

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ENERAL Motors chief executive Mary Barra is set to appear once more in front of US lawmakers.

Ms Barra appeared in Washington 11 weeks ago, but questions have lingered over the car giant’s botched recall procedures.

She is expected to face intense questioning from lawmakers over GM’s handling of the safety scandal.

The firm’s failure to recall car models with faulty ignition switches has been linked to at least 13 deaths.

In prepared testimony, Ms Barra said the firm accepted a “brutally tough and deeply troubling” report into why the carmaker failed to issue a recall or safety notice earlier, after the problems had been reported nearly ten years ago.

She promised that changes had been made at the firm, and that those responsible for failing to report the problem had been disciplined or fired.

The report - which was carried out by former US Attorney Anton Valukas - exonerated Ms Barra and other top executives, saying that lower level employees failed to alert them to the safety issue.

Many lawmakers have expressed scepticism that Ms Barra, who was head of product development for a period before rising to leadership, remained unaware of the problem with the switches.

The hearing comes days after GM announced another recall of three million cars.

Safety actions have cost GM a total of $2bilion (£1.2bllion) this year.

That includes the $35million the car maker was fined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its failures to report the safety defect. That was the maximum amount allowed under US law.

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Friday, June 20, 2014

POLITICS

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FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

EKITI POLITICS Free and fair elections in Ekiti State are the collective responsibilities of the stakeholders. But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a duty to properly organise the governorship poll without compromising ethics and the rules of the game. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU highlights the mistakes the electoral agency must avoid during the exercise.

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Mistakes INEC must avoid in Ekiti poll

INCE the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) bungled the Anambra State governorship election last year, it has been under fire. Tomorrow, its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, will also be on the weighing scale in Ekiti State.

The commission’s poor performance in the Southeast state has heightened fears about future elections.

On Saturday, the challenges that will confront the umpire are the same.

“INEC must affirm the sanctity of the ballot box. That is why we are calling for the use of card readers. But INEC is saying no,” laments Ayo Opadokun, coordinator of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral reforms (CODER).

But observers also believe that INEC can only succeed, if the stakeholders cooperate with the electoral officers. Stakeholders in the election are political parties, candidates, voters and security agencies. The onus, according to them, is on the parties to perceive the periodic elections as contributions to the development of democracy. If the candidates and voters have the assurance that INEC will conduct a credible poll, there will be less aggression and desperation.

Three years ago, the Commission showed an improved capacity for restoring public confidence in the electoral process, judging by its performance in the 2011 general elections. But public confidence has diminished, following its poor showing in subsequent elections and by-

elections.

INEC has a historic duty to live to expectation, as it conducts the governorship polls in the two states in the ‘wild wild Southwest’, Ekiti and Osun.

The governorship elections are scattered, owing to the bungling of the 2007 elections in the two states by INEC under Prof. Maurice Iwu. To conduct a credible and transparent exercise in Ekiti, the commission must avoid the “Anambra pitfalls”, which brought in its wake the current crisis of credibility. “Election can be free, and yet be fraudulent,” said activist cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

Warning INEC to always approach its duty with patriotism and sense of responsibility, he said while election can be free at the level of voting and counting at the polling booths, as experience has shown in this dispensation, it can be fraudulent at the level of collation at the collation centres.

In Anambra, the collation was flawed too. In some polling units, there were no result sheets. Many voters cried foul, pointing out that INEC was not well prepared for the exercise. The commission had also failed the elementary test of credibility when its officials reported late for the assignment in many local governments. Where the officials reported for the exercise, they did not show up with the non-negotiable polling materials. Voters were disillusioned. Many returned home in protest. Thus, the commission was compelled to reschedule the exercise in

•Prof. Jega

some polling units to the next day.

The most critical material is the voters’ register. When the names of many voters are omitted from the register, there will be tension on poll day. The implication is that many may be disfranchised.

Also, the accreditation hurdle is a recurring decimal. Voters usually raise objections to the issue of late accreditation and voting. The late arrival of polling officers and electoral materials is also worrisome. In 2011, many voters returned home without voting because their names were not found in the voters’ register. Uncouth electoral officers have always been giving INEC a bad name. A dispirited INEC Chairman had to even hand over a polling officer to the police for interrogation

in Anambra.

Elections have become a burden in Nigeria, owing to the do-or-die attitude that characterises the contest. Politicians often resort to thuggery and violence, which often the contest into a theatre of war. Already, there is a charged atmosphere in Ekiti. The Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo has been under fire for describing the state as a war front.

Governorship election, more or less, is a higher local election posing greater challenge to the electoral commission than the presidential and National Assembly elections. Incidentally, the fear of democratic election at the state level has contributed to the fragility democracy in the country.

The commission owes it a duty to sanitise the voting process. The universal principle of one man, one vote is not guaranteed when a large number of people are disenfranchised due to the ineptitude of the commission. The practice of displaying voters’ register ahead of the election, for verification, tends to be fading. The penchant for doctoring results by the combined forces of unscrupulous politicians, unpatriotic security agents and electoral commissioners often create a nightmare. This, according to stakeholders, should be avoided in Ekiti.

Many electoral observers have wondered why INEC is reluctant to invoke the various provisions in the constitution against electoral malpractices. Electoral officers who act in concert with politicians and the police to commit atrocities against the ballot box should

In this piece, Idowu Ajanaku, who highlights the achievements of Governor Kayode Fayemi, contends that the people of Ekiti will vote for continuity.

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be prosecuted.

Electoral violence has also become a feature of periodic polls in Ekiti. Ahead of the poll, the campaigns have been marred by violence. Thugs who are armed with sophisticated weapons beyond the reach of the police are often recruited by desperate politicians to create panic, molest voters, scare away electorates and invade polling booths.

They snatch ballot boxes, inflict pain, maim and kill, in the interest of the highest bidder, and in expectation of a reward. INEC and security agents must do the needful this time around to avoid the floodgate of litigations that trailed the 2007 elections.

Ordinarily, a credible election is a panacea for violence. In earlier dispensations, rigging provoked popular revolt. In the defunct Western Region, malpractices was perceived as a colossal rebellion against the people. It led to the burning of houses and mass killings in the First Republic. The scenario was repeated in the Southwest States of Oyo and Ondo States in the Second Republic.

After the 2007 polls, the rot stared the country in the face. Petitions flooded the election tribunals and courts. Many of the stolen mandates were retrieved back at the courts at greater cost to the opposition parties. The courts decried the electoral horror and terrorism. The country’s image was dented.

Can Jega, the labour unionist, political scholar and a leading light in the civil society, live up to expectation in Ekiti tomorrow?

‘Why Ekiti will vote for continuity’

HE recent violent assault on the convoy of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State by a police team led by the Commander of the Police Mobile Force in Ado-Ekiti, Gabriel Selenkere is totally condemnable. That it led to the death of an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Taiwo Akinsola ,and the forcible arrest of the Commissioner for Integration and Inter-government Affairs, Mr.Funminiyi Afuye makes it all the more horrendous.

This ugly incident, coming a few days to the gubernatorial elections makes it worrisome. The position of the APC is that the attack on Governor Fayemi may be part of a script by the PDP rigging machinery to unleash mayhem in the Southwest geopolitical zone all in the desperation to capture political power by brute force can hardly be faulted.

While it is a well known fact that the Southwest, which is reputed for its political sophistication, brings out the best of its brains to the political space as exemplified by the emergence and excellent performance in office by the Awolowos, the Ajasins, the Iges, the Jakandes,the Tinubus and the Fasholas through progressive political parties, the PDP as an off shoot of reactionary forces under the aegis of the conservatives does the exact opposite. For instance, the PDP exhibits the tendency to project candidates from the Southwest with antecedents for perpetrating evil to the political podium. The choice of Ayodele Fayose and Iyiola Omisore to fly the gubernatorial flags of the

party in both Ekiti and Osun states are perfect examples of this tendency. Both have questions hanging on their necks over the dastardly assassinations of Dr.Ayo Daramola and Chief Bola Ige, respectively. Both are dictatorial in nature and believe in breathing down the necks of political associates to get their wishes done. As conservatives masquerading as democrats, they are given to acting, as well as breeding violence through blood-letting thugs. It is intriguing that both also have questions over their academic qualifications.

Narrowing down the gubernatorial contest in Ekiti State between Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the APC and Mr. Ayodele Fayose of the PDP, “the difference”, as the popular advert message goes “is clear.”Fayemi is a wellrounded and thorough-bred worldrenowned professional with a doctorate degree in war strategy. Fayose’s educational background, as mentioned earlier is shrouded in secrecy.

While Fayemi is credited as having a listening ear, Fayose has been lampooned several times for his domineering attitude to governance. His associates, both past and present, find this uncomfortable. Lacking in sophistry and diplomacy, Fayose with his short temper could take on anyone and rain insults on him. Indeed,one reason why the traditional institution in Ekiti State would not pray for Fayose’s return is because of his utter disrespect to them.

Many of them, including the paramount ruler of Ado-Ekiti had their positions threatened while the man called Fayose held sway as the Ekiti State governor. It was no different for

the elite and powerful stakeholders whose toes he trampled on at will, including the erudite Chief Afe Babalola, who he was severally rude to.

Furthermore, empirical evidence shows that Fayemi is methodical and thorough in both planning and execution of projects. The same cannot be said about Fayose’s approach to governance.

In terms of prudence and accountability, Fayose’s tenure was marred with weighty allegations of financial impropriety. He still has questions to answer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the controversial poultry project and money laundering. It is therefore a sad commentary on our political culture that someone with such pedigree is being tipped to lead a state with the highest concentration of academicians on the African continent.

Fayemi has more than enough reasons to seek re-election for a second term. After Fayemi was sworn into office as the governor on Saturday, October 16, 2010, he launched a mission

‘While Fayemi is credited as having a listening ear, Fayose has been lampooned several times for his domineering attitude to governance. His associates, both past and present, find this uncomfortable’

statement tagged ‘Collective Rescue Mission.’ The vision, summed up in an Eight-Point Agenda is predicated on the elements of : Good Governance, Infrastructural Development, Modernising Agriculture, Education and Human Capital Development, Health Care Services, Industrial Development, Tourism Development, and Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.

He became the first governor in this political dispensation to openly declare his Seven Hundred and Fifty Million Naira, (N750 million) assets, including the property owned by his wife, Bisi Fayemi. Fayemi also made history as the first governor in Nigeria to sign into law the Freedom of Information (FoI) Law on Monday, July 4, 2011.These salutary moves were to reinforce his firm belief that, to deepen the democratic culture, government business should be conducted with utmost probity and accountability.

Subsequently, he embarked on massive infrastructural development. In four years, Ekiti State has since been turned into a vast construction site with road construction going on in towns and villages.

There is free education policy. Many dilapidated school buildings, which had not been touched for 40 years are being demolished and rebuilt. The pace of work going on in commercial agriculture, health, and tourism is commendable. The popular Ikogosi Warm Spring has been upgraded with requisite infrastructural development to make it a tourist‘s destination of choice, even as some cultural festivals are being given the desired attention to boost the industry.

• Dr Fayemi

It is also praiseworthy that Ekiti State is also the first in Nigeria to demonstrate in practical term a welfare scheme for the aged, as indigent elders receive N5,000 monthly. Indeed, the Federal Government has recently keyed into this by expanding the programme to reach selected women in the state. It is such that after one year of receiving the stipend they could be offered soft loans to start their businesses.

The governor also commissioned five water treatment plants at Ipole Iloro, Efon, Ido Ile, Okemesi and Mary Hill Ado Ekiti, as part of people-oriented projects to mark the second anniversary of his administration providing potable water to at least 80 per cent of the state population this year.

Similarly, all the four dams in the state have become functional as a bulk of the 2013 budget was expended on water.

With these laudable landmark achievements, Fayemi is eminently qualified to ask Ekiti people for another four years to consolidate on the state’s monumental development.

Indeed, he is a jinx -breaker waiting to re-write the history of the Fountain of Knowledge.

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THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2014

POLITICS Henry Chilaka, a lawyer, is a member of the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, (ASOPADEC). He spoke with reporters on the Orji Administration and the struggle for power between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Southeast state.

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‘PDP will retain Abia in 2015 with ease’

N what way has the ASOPADEC impacted on the people, since it was set up in 2009.

ASOPADEC has make a lot of impact on the socio-economic development of Abia State. We embarked on the provision of various facilities for our people, including the renovation of schools. ASOPADEC has renovated over 30 schools and presently, we are constructing new schools.

We are building schools in Umuokpo, Isimiri Autonomous Community with toilet facilities.

Apart from that, we are also alive with our responsibilities in the health sector. We have renovated so many health centres. If you go to Obehie Health Centre, that place is like a teaching Hospital now. ASOPADEC has renovated the buildings and we want to provide a borehole there for the workers and patients. We have done very well in giving pipe borne water to our people.Water is very essential to people, especially rural dwellers who cannot afford to procure this water themselves.

We have also made our impact in the provision of electricity. We have opened up areas and communities with the provision of electricity poles, cables and transformers to ensure that the rural people also enjoy in basic needs of life.

We have sent 10 of our people to study abroad in specialised courses.

We have also trained over 2000 youths in skills acquisition programmes across the state and over 64 per cent of the youths are from Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. We have completed the training and the next phase is to provide them a package to take off and practice what they have learned, and by that, we would have employed over 2000 Abia Youths in different skills and these youths will go back to their respective areas and employ others and at the end of the day, we are targeting over 10,000 youths to be engaged in a multiplier effect process and it continues like that.

Recently, the former chairman of Ukwa West, Chief Sylvanus Nwaji, berated the commission and the state government for non-performance What is your reaction?

Ukwa West has been producing oil for many years and many administrations have come and gone without thinking about the goose that lay the golden egg. But the administration of Governor Theodore Orji came on board and started thinking of how to take care of the people of Ukwa West because oil exploration in the local government area has devastated the area. The ASOPADEC bill was passed by the House of Assembly. In Obuzor, ASOPADEC has completed more than two visible projects there. You know one thing about politics is that when a man feels that he has lost credibility, he tries all sort of things to see how to relaunch himself into relevance. The governor has used the instrumentality of ASOPADEC to help our people. During the tenure of Chief Nwaji as Chairman of Ukwa West, we had the worst security problem.

And with all the security votes at his disposal, kidnappers took over Ukwa West. Governor Orji used the state resources, and with the assistance of the Federal Government, the issue of kidnapping in Ukwa West and Abia State as a whole is a thing of the past.

PDP members are said to be defecting to the APGA. What is your view?

The recent media report of 1000 people decamping to APGA is just a

•Chilaka

figment of some peoples imagination. The chairman is seeking for recognition. Nwaji contested for the House of representatives in 2011 and lost.

Governor Orji has shown us the way; he has abolished idolatry in Abia State. I am a living witness.

Governor Orji is charting a new way for Abia State. He has transformed Abia State. The fortune of youths, men and woman in Ukwa West has changed for the best. ASOPADEC empowers our people by giving them jobs worth millions and they do them and improve on their living standard. This has turned around the political and socio-economic lives of our people for good.

If there was provision for a third term in our constitution, you know that Governor Orji would have continued. But, thank God that his people in Abia Central Senatorial Zone, having seen his giant strides, are appealing to him to represent them in the Senate in 2015. I want to also appeal to him to hearken to this clarion call by his people. He has no choice. He doesn’t own himself. His people own him and they have said that he must go to the Senate.

But there is infrastructural decay in some parts of Abia...

Some people are economical with the truth. The truth is that the Niger Delta Ministry is undertaking the reconstruction of some roads awarded to CCEEC Construction Company.

They are doing it from the Akwa Ibom axis to some parts of Ukwa East Council. The compensation and the rainy season have delayed the project.

Has ASOPADEC created employment for youths?

The pioneer chairman of ASOPADEC, Chief Sam Nwogu started very well and did his best to

‘The governor is leaving legacies that will stand the test of time.

You could imagine before now what it used to be in Aba and other parts of the state. Now, you can move around anytime without molestation or fears of any insecurity’

lay the foundation of what we have as the ASOPADEC. Today, we have on board a man of repute on board, in person of Rt. Hon. Emeka Stanley. He has always told me that the welfare of our people is paramount in his consideration and he has demonstrated that. At the end of the administration of his predecessor, Chief Sam Nwaogu, there were on-going projects both in Ukwa West and other parts of the state, before he was called to this national duty as the NDDC commissioner representing Abia State. He couldn’t stay to see the completion of the projects. When Hon. Emeka Stanley came on board, unlike many other administrators who could have chosen to abandon ongoing projects for fresh projects, he has insisted that these projects must be completed and they cut across all sectors.

But why are some leaders, including Nwaji, calling on the people to dump the PDP for APGA during the recent rally by the APGA? What APGA did was not a rally, but a meeting of 22 persons from Ukwa West and you can imagine Ukwa West with over 56,000 voters, and if you add those that have just attained 18 years of voting age, we should be having over 100,000 voters in Ukwa West and only 22 persons could attend the APGA meeting under the leadership of S.U. Nwaji.

His brother, Ephraim Nwaji, is presently co-ordinating the campaign of a PDP governorship aspirant, Sir. F.N. Nwosu. Another brother, Raph Nwaji, is an active member of the PDP. Their father, Pa Nwaji, is a diehard follower of the PDP. The PDP still remains the main and leading party in Ukwa West and Abia State.

Hon. Emeka Stanley is ASOPADEC Chairman. He is from Ukwa East.

Chief Chris Nkwonta is from Ukwa East. He is the Chairman SURE-P. Chief Chisom Nwamuo, alsofrom Ukwa East, is a commissioner in the state.

The Consular General in South Africa, Chief Okey Emuchay is also from Ukwa East. The commissioner representing Abia State in NDDC, Chief Sam Nwogu, is from Ukwa West.

Chief Don Ubani is the commissioner for Petroleum; Henry Chilaka, Commissioner in ASOPADEC . They are all in the PDP. You have showered so much encomiums on the governor. What are his major achievements?

ASOPADEC has at least two projects in each council. Then, look at the Abia Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia and Aba. Before, our people would travel abroad to do scan on any ailments. Today, it is at our doorsteps in Umuahia or Aba. The governor has constructed and equipped over 240 health centre across the state.

What about the governors legacy projects? The judiciary headquarters in Umuahia and Aba, the International Conference Centre, the state secretariat, ASEPA and BCA buildings, the new Government House, magnificent buildings everywhere.

Our governor deserves commendations in these sectors. The governor is leaving legacies that will stand the test of time. You could imagine before now what it used to be in Aba and other parts of the state. Now, you can move around anytime without molestation or fears of any insecurity.

The governor has done well and the security situation of the state has made Abia an investment heaven for both local and international investors.

Then you talk about yout empowerment. The governor will complete all projects before he leaves office.

Senator’s third term ambition suffers setback

S

By Musa Odoshimokhe

TAKEHOLDERS are divided over the third term ambition of Senator Smart Adeyemi, who represents Kogi West in the Upper Chamber. Barely 24 hours after he was endorsed by the people of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, some stakeholders within the constituency have vowed to stop his aspiration to remain in the Senate.

Adeyemi was endorsed by a former chairman of Kabba-Bunu Council, Mr. Sulaiman Bello, a former member of the Kogi State Assembly, Alfred Bello, and Fehinti Dada, also a former council chairman. They said that he has lived up to expectation in the Senate and provided infrastructural facilities for the district.

But when Governor Idris Wada visited Yagba Constituency last week, some political leaders protested against Adeyemi’s bid. Yagba Constituency comprises the three Okun councils of Yagba West, Yagba East and Mopamuro.

In Yagba East, the headquarters of Yagba Constituency, hell was almost let loose as some youths accused the Senator of not doing enough for the area.

The Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, who hails from the area, witnesed the outburst by the youths.

The major complaints against Senator Adeyemi have to do with his empowerment programmes, which, they said, had not gone round. Another accusation is his failure to deliver on the township stadium he promised to Kabba.

However, some elders disagreed with the protesters, claiming that they were sponsored to smear the Senator’s reputation. They described him as a popular polilician with a bright future.

The local government chairman, Alhaji Funso Ibrahim, and the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Hassan Salawu, who hails from Yagba East, frowned at the protest.

However, a community leader, Chief Mudi Olorunmonu, said that that kind of protest is not new, adding that it is peculiar to the electioneering period.

All efforts to speak to Senator Adeyemi on the matter, proved abortive. His senior aide, Dickson Adeyanju was also not available for comments. “These are interesting times,” he said.

•Adeyemi

Legislator accuses Presidency of fueling Oyo PDP crisis From Adetayo Johnson, Ibadan

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FEDERAL legislator, Hon. Segun Odebunmi, has accused the Presidency and the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of fueling the crises rocking the party in Oyo State.

He said the crises may consume the chapter and rob it of victory in the next general elections.

Odebunmi alleged that the national leadership is backing a parallel executive committee, which has refused to make peace with the party.

The lawmakler, who represents Surulere/Ogo Oluwa Constituency in the House of Representatives, said the crisis is not in the interest of the party leaders.

Odebunbi said: “The crisis at the national level is over. But at the local level the party is still in disarray. This is a very serious issue. It is not only Oloye Jumoke Akinjide that is strengthening the parallel executives against the recognised executives in the state. I will rather say it is President Goodluck Jonathan that is working against his own party in Oyo State.

“With my little knowledge of government, there is nothing happening in any state beyond the knowledge of the President. He has acccess to security reports. The President cannot deny not having the details of what is happening in the Oyo State PDP. So, it is a bad omen that he has chosen to ignore it. He has a motive. If people like Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, who is working for him, is not in the mainstream of the party in the state or financing parallel executives of the party, then it means he or she is against my interest. The only problem we have in the state is from Mr President and he is the one who has a solution to the problem and he knows how to handle. But he must act fast.”

Odebunmi warned that the crisis may become the party’s albatross in the next year election, urging the national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to wade into it.

He maintained that certain personalities in the Jonathan administration are fuelling the crisis to the detriment of the party.

He pointed out that the Harmonisation Committee set up to bring the caucuses to the round table failed because party leaders fueling the crisis refused to cooperate with the committee.

Odebunmi added: “The leadership of the party is trying to bring everybody under one umbrella. But, to me, things are not being handled the way it should be handled, compared to how issues like these are being handled in the past. When the party gives directives that the congress should hold at a particular place, whoever did anything contrary deserves a sanction.

“But, instead of sanctioning them, those who are close to the President are not sanctioned.

So, many things are wrong with the Oyo PDP.” Odebunmi said that some party leaders are building their ambitions on their caucuses, instead of building the party ahead of elections.

He said much emphasis has been laid on governorship election, unmindful of the fact that the PDP can only produce a governor if its structures at the grassroots are formidable.

Odebunmi said the scramble for the governorship ticket may mar the party, if the crisis is not resolved before the primaries.

• Odebunmi

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COMMENTARY

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T a time like this when the month of Ramadan is fast approaching, most Nigerian Muslims have a way of preparing for it. But their preparation is invariably concentrated on mundane rather than spiritual aspects of life. While some prepare by gathering food stuffs and house utensils, others think of what to sell or buy in order to make money. In other words, the month of Ramadan is, to many Nigerian Muslims, a month of commerce in which they can materially become richer.

Of the many spiritual activities that make up the sacred month of Ramadan, only a few have meaning to most Nigerian Muslims. Most of them have become so much addicted to ephemeral life that they the real value of Ramadan is of little concern to them.

One of the prominent activities in the month of Ramadan is Tafsir.

From the beginning of that sacred month, every year, Muslims congregate in various Mosques or learning centres where Tafsir (exposition of the Qur’an) is rendered by scholars. This is in accordance with the prophetic tradition which encourages better understanding of the Qur’an.

Linguistically, Tafsir means exposition.

But technically, it means the comprehensive analysis of the Qur’an through elucidation of facts and figures.

In other words, Tafsir is the exposition of the contents of the Qur’an, as usually done comprehensively by Islamic scholars, especially during the month of Ramadan, throughout the Muslim world.

Because of the coded language of the Qur’anic revelation, it became necessary for the verses of that sacred Book to be decoded for the purpose of thorough understanding by the Muslim Ummah.

This confirms that the revelations of the Qur’an were the immediate cause of intellectual research in Islam. For instance, Arabic the original language of the Qur’an had no grammar prior to the revelations of the divine message. The grammar of that language evolved only from the contents of the Qur’an.

Challenge

The challenge which the Qur’an threw to humanity in all spheres of life led to competition among the scholars. Thus, each time a revelation came, the disciples of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) wanted to know why and how of everything. And this led to closer association with the Prophet who paved the way towards that intellectual research.

Although the formal study of Tafsir as an independent discipline did not begin until many years after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he (the Prophet) nevertheless started its process.

He did not only give the exoteric and esoteric meanings of revealed verses of the Qur’an, he also explained their application to daily life of a Muslim as well as their implications.

It was the prophet who decoded most of the coded areas of the Qur’an for proper understanding of the ordinary Muslims.

Through his utterances and actions which came to be known as Hadith and Sunnah respectively, the contents of the Qur’an became more and more comprehensible to the Muslims.

Thus, with time, after the prophet’s demise, Hadith and Sunnah too jointly became an independent subject of research.

And these helped, in no small measure, in expanding the scope of Tafsir.

From that, all new discoveries, new frontiers in knowledge were adapted to the study of Tafsir until Tafsir became an estuary through which every stream of knowledge was passed to humanity.

Ever since, Tafsir has become a field of study in which research into all spheres of knowledge has increasingly advanced with resultant development of man. It is through such research that man zoomed into the firmament of science which brought about the current gargantuan civilisation wrought by technology.

If there are such famous institutions like Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt; Qarawiyyin University in Fez, Morocco and Zaytuniyyah University in Tunis, Tunisia, which are the oldest universities in the world today it is as a result of the research developed to advance the course of Tafsir.

Philological implication

However, it is understandable that most of the Tafsir books available in the world

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

While waiting for Ramadan

•Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar

today are in Arabic language. The language of the revelation of the Qur’an is Arabic.

Most of the disciples of Prophet Muhammad (PBOH) who interacted closely with him and were privileged to knowing through him, the interpretation of the Qur’an were Arabs.

Arabic itself is exceptionally rich linguistically and literarily. And for centuries after the revelation of the Qur’an it was mostly the Arabs who assumed authority on its interpretation. Others like the Persians (Iranians), Indians and Turks who tried to compete with the Arabs in that field, could only do so in Arabic language which they first had to learn.

Thus, from the beginning, Arabic had been the authoritative language of Tafsir.

Whoever wanted to attain scholarship in the field of Tafsir ought to master Arabic.

But the anomaly in that becomes very conspicuous when one remembers that over three quarters of the world’s Muslims today are non-Arabic speakers. This anomaly seems to be creating some hurdles for humanity in understanding the practical meaning of the Qur’an and in appreciating its real essence.

There is nothing like being literate in one’s own mother tongue. The Arabs have demonstrated this abundantly through Tafsir.

But since Tafsir of the Qur’an is not meant for the Arabs alone, shouldn’t there be a means of making it available to majority of Muslims in the languages understandable to them?

That is one major question which the global Muslim leadership has not been able to answer for over 1,000 years. The Qur’an is begging for understanding. Overwhelming majority of Muslims are looking for a means of understanding it. There must be a meeting point.

Tafsir in Nigeria

The situation of Tafsir in Nigeria today is the same situation in virtually all the Muslim communities outside the Arab world.

That situation does not help the spread of Islam as it does not assist Islamic scholarship.

Worshiping in the original language of the Qur’an is unique in sustaining the unity of the Ummah and the uniformity of their faith.

It also encourages the spirit of brotherhood by over 1.73 billion Muslims around the world, who are faithful to it. And since the only means of understanding it is Tafsir,

‘Worshiping in the original language of the Qur’an is unique in sustaining the unity of the Ummah and the uniformity of their faith. It also encourages the spirit of brotherhood by over 1.73 billion Muslims around the world, who are faithful to it’ language should not be a barrier.

Valuable Gold

Qur’an is like gold. Making a variety of ornaments from it does not debase it. Neither does it alter its quality in any form. On the contrary, it enhances its appreciation and value. In this computer age, the world needs the Qur’an more than ever before.

And it is only Tafsir that can justify that need.

Muslims and non-Muslims alike should be able to read the interpretations of the Qur’an in languages they understand. That is a challenge to Islamic scholars of this age.

It is also a challenge to Muslim philanthropists around the world who want to give a little back to Allah from the bounties they have received from Him.

Literary implication

Besides, one of the aiding instruments of Tafsir is literacy. The more literate the Muslims are in the relevant language, the more they are likely to understand the Qur’an through Tafsir. And no one who thoroughly understands Tafsir will be ignorant about Islam. That is the basis of the Muslims in West vis a vis their brothers and sisters in other parts of the world.

Muslims who are deeply schooled through the Western system of education will discover that virtually all the sciences, social sciences and arts, originated from the study of Tafsir. Even some scientific terminologies like ‘Al-jibrau’ (Algebra), ‘Al-kaimiyau’ (Chemistry), ‘Al-fisiyau’ (Physics) confirm this.

It therefore takes real scholars, not just reciters of the Qur’an or speakers of Arabic language, to be exponents of Tafsir. This is a rare factor in Nigeria.

There is a sharp difference between translating the context of the Qur’an and interpreting them expositorily. The one is shallow. The other is deep. Tafsir, during the life time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was not an annual Ramadan affair. It was a daily practice for scholars who were ardent in it. And that is what it should be to eternity.

Although Tafsir gains more popularity in the month of Ramadan because every true Muslim wants to get closer to Allah through familiarisation with the Qur’an, it is not limited to that sacred month and it should not be seen as such. Going by the limit of their knowledge and the extent of their unwillingness to seek more knowledge, only a few Islamic scholars in Ni-

geria are qualified to tutor the populace in Tafsir. Most of the so-called Nigerian Alfas have turned Tafsir into an annual commercial jamboree which fetches them what they regard as Ramadan booty. Their motive of engaging in Tafsir is more pecuniary than religious.

What such Alfas dish out in the name of knowledge is mere unsubstantiated hearsay. And that is why majority of Nigerian Muslim audiences at Tafsir centres can hardly benefit from what they hear in those centres.

Field of Discipline

Tafsir is a special field of discipline meant only for research oriented scholars. But unfortunately, it is one area of study which has very few institutions of learning in Nigeria. Because of this problem, the Qur’an has been translated into only two Nigerian languages so far. These are Hausa and Yoruba. The former was championed by the late Sheikh Muhammad Mahmud Gumi, a leader of Izalah Muslim Organisation.

The latter was led by the late Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory, the founder of the Arabic and Islamic Centre (Markaz), Agege. Both scholars are now demised.

Today, copies of the vernacular Qur’an so translated can hardly be found on book shelves and they are virtually out of reprint. With this situation, how can Nigerian Muslim populace understand the Qur’an?

This is a great challenge to truthful Muslims who are blessed by Allah. They can pull resources together and jointly finance the reprinting of reviewed copies of these Tafsir Books in appreciation of Allah’s special favour on them.

Meanwhile, Muslims in most parts of the world always view Ramadan from economic, social, moral and spiritual perspectives. What they don’t know is that the practical lessons of this divine month are far beyond this scope. Science is in a state of continuous evolution and new discoveries follow one another’s heels. There is a large flow of information coming like a spring from symposia, encyclopaedias and medical journals which put us always on the right path of knowledge.

Biological implication

Biologically, human beings grow old and eventually die. Very few people ponder over this occurrence. We have all accepted it as a natural phenomenon which we must willingly or unwillingly abide by.

Apart from old age, most people die not because they are naturally ripe for death but because the blood flowing through their coronary arteries clots sometimes prematurely. These arteries must have become hard and rusty as a result of improper diet and other defective factors in our biological set-ups.

In medical terms, this process is called Atheroma, and many theories have been advanced to explain its mechanism as that of the rustiness of the blood vessels. This is one major area in which Ramadan is quite relevant. Fasting increases the power of the blood to dissolve blood clots whether the clots are in the coronary arteries of the heart that cause heart attack or in the cerebral arteries that cause stroke.

Fasting, therefore, does not only lower blood pressure and alleviate angina pectoris; it also prevents arteriosclerosis (an arterial disease occurring especially in the elderly, characterised by elasticity and thickening of the blood flow).

Not only that. Fasting also reduces the mortality rate of myocardial infarction.

The blood sugar is maintained at a steady level during fasting, the glucose being formed from glycogen and natural fat which have been mobilised to dispose tissue. If, however, there is any tendency of hypoglycaemia (a decreased sugar level in the blood), the adrenal medulla immediately secrets increased amount of catecholamine: adrenaline and non-adrenaline which prepare the body for either or both.

Ramadan brings about an increase in secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary and which causes an increase in human weight and acceleration of linear growth with widening epiphysis in young animals.

Thus, with Ramadan, many human health problems are easily solved. Those who have experienced it can testify to this assertion.

In a nutshell, Ramadan is a healing month as much as it is an ailment preventive phenomenon.

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SOCIETY

Celebrating 70 years of achievement The Twelve Brethren Society of the African Church Cathedral Salem in Ebute Metta, Lagos Mainland, has celebrated its 70th anniversary at the church auditorium. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

•Mr Adetimirin (right) and Mr Odeseye

T was a day to remember; a day of thanksgiving, jubilation and celebration at the African Church Cathedral Salem in Ebute Metta, Lagos Mainland.

A society in the church, Twelve Brethren, ended its 70th anniversary activities with a thanksgiving service that day.

Guests filled the venue in various traditional outfits with women displaying different styles of head gears. They all looked gorgeous.

Members of the society were in white traditional attires. The men wore light brown with white straps and caps made with Aso Oke. The women used the same Aso Oke as head gear and Ipele.

The society clocked 70 on January 2. The anniversary celebration started with an interactive party with the society’s honorary officers, led by its Grand Patron, Dr Ore Falomo. It was rounded off with a thanksgiving in the church auditorium.

The thanksgiving began around 10am with a processional hymn, Baba Ade o.

A session of praise and worship, led by the choir followed. Guests clapped, danced and sang along with the choir.

Rt Revd Julius Abbe, from the African Church Cathedral Bethel of the Lagos Central Diocese, gave the sermon.

The cleric dwelt on service to humanity.

He urged members of the society to continue with their selfless service.

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•Rt Revd Abbe

“They should work together as one to achieve greater heights and spread the gospel of God,” he said. Donations followed.

The Chairman of the society, Mr Adelere Adetimirin, said the donations were for the completion of the church’s chancel windows and its beautification.

A fundraiser was held for the bus and auditorium projects of the church.

Guests donated generously.

A foundation, Twelve Brethren Society foundation, was also set up. The goal of the foundation is to cater for the education of the children of any dead cleric and the less privileged children in the church.

The Chairman, 70th Anniversary Planning

Committee and Vice Chairman of the society, Mr Olutoyin Odeseye, said the society’s goal is to assist the church to grow.

He said the society also works in harmony with others to spread the gospel.

“We stand for the unity of the Church, integrity and winning of souls to God’s Kingdom,” he said.

The thanksgiving ended with a recessional hymn, Lo kede Ayo Na Fun Gbogbo Aye. The anniversary train moved to the Angelia Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos, where guests were treated to sumptuous meals and chilled drinks. They danced to gospel music supplied by Bunkol-Lake Versatile Band led by Lekan Ojo.

Fanfare as market leader is installed

President-General, Association of Market Men and Women in Nigeria Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo has installed Alhaja Basirat Balogun as the Iyaloja-General of Lagos Mainland at the council secretariat in Oyingbo, last Thursday, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

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FTER acting for over 20 years as Iyaloja-General of Lagos Mainland and Oyingbo Alhaja Basirat Abeni Balogun was inaugurated as the substantive market leader.

Her inauguration followed a court verdict.

Despite being to court, the parties returned as friends as they put aside their differences to rally round Alhaja Balogun during her installation.

Though the installation should have been done at the Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa, Ikeja headquarters of the Association of Market Men and Women in Nigeria, it was held at the Lagos Mainland Local Government Secretariat to honour Alhaja Balogun and the council boss, Mr Oladele Adekanye for their steadfastness.

An elated Alhaja Balogun could not hide her joy seeing the calibre of those who came to share in her joy.

The arrival of President-General, Association of Market Men and Women in Nigeria Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo was greeted with fanfare.

Wife of Lagos Mainland Local Government chairman Mrs Anike Adekanye led some band boys to welcome Mrs Tinubu-Ojo. The duo danced for close to 10 minutes before heading into hall.

The one-hour ceremony was punctured, at intervals with political songs.

After the opening prayer by the Chief Imam of Lagos Mainland, Alhaji Sabitu Lawal, the Babaloja General of Lagos, Alhaji Wasiu Balogun, gave a brief remark.

Alhaji Balogun urged Alhaja Balogun to be fair to all.

Adekanye congratulated Alhaja Balogun for her perseverance, sincerity and patience.

Adekanye, popularly called Lado, urged the market leader to continue to mak justice her watchword.

“She is a very straight forward woman; I want her to keep up the attributes that have endeared her to

•Mrs Tinubu-Ojo (second right) assisting Mr Adekanye and wife Anike to present a portrait to Alhaja Balogun (left)

•From left: Alhaji Balogun; Alhaji Lawal and Chief Pedro

•Mr Jide Jimoh and wife Shakirat

the marketers and political class,” he said.

Mrs Tinubu-Ojo described Alhaja Balogun as a good woman and a faithful person.

“Her character brought us here; this installation was supposed to hold at our headquarters in Alausa.

I pray God continue to bless you,”

of the market.

The hall erupted in jubilation, singing and dancing.

There was an exchange of gifts between the council boss and the new market leaders.

Alhaja Balogun promised to continue with policies aimed at elevating the traders and supporting the

she said.

She called on the traders to remain together.

With the assistance of Alhaji Balogun, Chief Alade Pedro, Adekanye and wife Anike, Mrs Tinubu-Ojo decorated Alhaja Balogun with the regalia of office.

She also decorated other officials

•Hon Bolarinwa Bashiru

council’s activities.

The closing prayer was said by the Lagos Mainland chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Akin Odebo.

The gathering moved to the Railway Recreation Club for the reception.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

SOCIETY

FUNERAL OF CHIEF MARY EHINDERO, MOTHER OF FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, SUNDAY EHINDERO AT ST. JOHNS ANGLICAN CHURCH, OYIN-AKOKO, ONDO STATE

•Former Executive Vice Chairman, Mobil Oil Producing Nigeria, Otunba Solomon Oladunni

•From left: Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Otunba Gabriel Sunday Ehindero; Primate Nicholas Okoh; Mrs Lara Eyindero and Bishop of Diocess of Akoko, Bishop Gabriel Akinbiyi

•Former IGP Alhaji Musiliu Smith

•Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Chief Joseph Sanusi and his wife, Abigeal

•Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase (left) and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeleye Oyebade PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

‘She is my dream woman’ They met at the Abia State University in Uturu (ABSU). Today, Pastor Onuoha Chukwu and Dr Ijeoma, an optician, have become one following their wedding in Lagos, reports. NNEKA NWANERI.

•The couple, Ijeoma and Chukwu flanked by groom’s parents, Chief Benjamin Onuoha and wife Ngozi (left) and representatives of bride’s parents Mrs Nnena David and Chief Johnson Elechi

S

HE flaunted her ring for all to see. Decked in a white flowing wedding gown with a veil over her head, she stood and held tight to her man. The groom was also in a white suit, a pair of white trousers and a pair of white glossy shoes.

Dr Ijeoma Ukumuneh was full of joy.

To her, getting married to Pastor Onuoha Chukwu was fulfilling; it is a dream come true.

For the couple, the journey began at the Abia State University in Uturu (ABSU). Standing before a crowd of well-wishers, family members and friends, they looked confidently pronounced man and wife.

Venue was the Pink Hall, Gbaja Shopping Mall in Surulere, Lagos Mainland. Chukwu, as the story goes, proposed to Dr Ukumuneh in a Fast Food restaurant. She was shocked at first by his proposal, but she became convinced later that he would not renege on his promise to take care of her.

Pastor Iyke Iboko of Showers of Grace Christian Centre joined them together.

She was led into the hall with pro-

• From left: Felicia Onuoha; Chief Ebueme Ezikpe and wife

•Dr Festus Oshoba and wife bunmi

cessional hymn, “Praise to the Lord” by her father Emmanuel Nkumuneh, who walked her down the aisle and handed her to the waiting groom.

The declaration of consent was done after a sermon by Pastor Iboko. He referred to the Bible; quoting from Proverbs 24:3-5 and Genesis 2:16-24, where God commanded man to leave his parents and cling to his wife.

Pastor Iboko implored the couple to see marriage as God’s idea of fixing a nation. He urged them to seek understanding, knowledge and information, which he described as secrets to a successful union.

The couple, together with the cleric, their maid and best man, re-

PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

ceived the communion.

As they stepped aside to sign the marriage register, the Living Spring Choir sprung into action, rendering nice songs to entertain the gathering.

Beaming with smile, the groom said his marriage to Ijeoma is a dream come true. God, he said, made him a promise and has fulfilled it. He described his wife as a go-getter with a lot of untapped treasure.

“I knew she would be my wife because when I told God I wanted to settle down, He gave me specific instructions which I obeyed,” he said.

The best man, Prince Obioma Ihesinlo, who is the Worship Director of the church where the wed-

ding held, said he has known the groom since their school days.

Chukwu, he said, graduated in Economics while his wife read Optometry at ABSU. He said he (Ihesinlo) was the music director of their Christian fellowship.

He told their love story. “The couple began their relationship less than a year ago. Chuks told me he had a conviction about the bride and I encouraged him to take the bold step and approach her, which he did and it turned out positive.

All the while, they were both serving in the same church at different units, but they never discovered themselves until the day the pastor preached and made a comment saying these exact words: “Your grace

is in your place and God cannot give you something outside your environment”.

“So, probably inspired by the message and some other reasons, the groom started praying to God to open his eye, and then the dream and picture of sister Ij (Ijeoma) appeared to him and he took the bold step. But at his birthday last year, we all mocked Chuks, asking him when he will get married? It is surprising that his wife was also among those who teased him,” Ihesinlo said.

Their courtship, he said, changed Chukwu’s life. “His (Chuks) life has been so refined and he is more organised and he acts more responsibly,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

53

BUSINESS EXTRA

Fed Govt to revoke dormant coal block licences •Ajaokuta Steel commences operation soon T

HE Federal Government has threatened owners of coal block licenses that have refused to move to site with revocation.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada who spoke yesterday with State House correspondents at the end of the National Council on Privatisation (NPC) meeting presided over

by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the State House, Abuja insisted that owners of coal blocks must operate

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

them or it will be taken over by government and given to those who are ready to start operation.

He explained that coal blocks belonged to the government but were sold to various companies who ought to have been in full production of coal by now.

Stressing that the decision to revoke such idle licences was in line with the provisions of the Mineral Mining Act, he said government will not allow the process to be on speculative basis.

He said: “We are looking at the agrreement they signed with the Bureau of Public Enterprises; we are looking at the Mineral Mining Act; we are putting the two together.

We have already started interfacing with some of them and we are making progress in terms of making progress to start something tangible on them.”

He also assured that the $5 billion Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State will soon become operational, adding that the present administration is doing everything possible to ensure that the facil-

ity comes back to life, The intention of the government, he said, is to privatise a living company, and that everything would be done to make sure that an investor that is competent technically and financially runs Ajaokuta Steel Company.

Also speaking on the steel company, its Sole Administrator , Isah Onobere said the government has invited investors that are interested in operating the company.

According to him, the steel

Iran minister urges trade barriers removal

T

HE Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Mr. Mohammed Nematzadeh has urged his country and Nigeria to remove all fetters to trade in both countries.

He also urged both governments to work towards paving way for the private sector to fully deploy their capacities.

Nematzadeh spoke in Abuja yesterday at the opening of the fifth Iran-Nigeria Joint Commission, which witnessed the signing of four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism, finance,mining and industrial cooperation.

He said the removal of obstacles is imperative to facilitate trade flows between the two countries which is for now very low.

He said:“I think the governments of Iran and Nigeria are responsible to pave the way for their pri-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

vate sectors to do business in Iran and Nigeria making use of their full capacities.

“I also think that it is our rensibility to seriously identify and remove the ovstacles on the way to further economic development of the two countries.”

He said the removal of obstacles in banking, finance, insurance, investment and customs is necessary to facilitate trade flows between both countries.

He also suggested that “establishment of trade centers can be considered as one of strategies to further develop trade relations if the two countries”.

He said the two countries have great potentials to cooperate in the fields of power, water resources and agriculture.

Labour seeks workers’ interests inclusion in PIB

T

HE organised labour yesterday said the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) pending before the National Assembly must address the interest of its members before being paased into law.

The organised labour, which include the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at an interactive workshop on PIB in Lagos, agreed that the bill is vital in view of the importance of the oil and gas sector to the economy.

NLC Vice President, Comrade Issa Aremu, in his presentation at the event, said: “The PIB is adjudged one of the most important legislative bills in the history of the country due to the critical role of the petroleum sector in the Nigeria economy. However, in passing the bill, it must address critical issues. It must make provisions that recognise and uphold the interests and welfare of organised labour and workers represented

by Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG).”

The workers said the oil industry bill must ensure that all companies operating in the oil and gas industry comply with international labour conventions that have been ratified by Nigeria, the collective agreements with the labour unions and the extant labour laws as a minimum in all their

company is about 98 per cent technically ready to start operation.

The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo said the nation would benefit from the operation of the coal blocks through adding to power supply.

According to him, the coal operation is critical as it will complement the efforts of the Federal Government towards exploring various alternative sources of generating power.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

dealings with the workers and their representatives.

“PIB must ensure the mandatory recognition of the right to freedom of association and effective collective bargaining by all companies operating or doing business in the industry irrespective of where they are located, ensure all workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and all other government agencies to be impacted by the bill, transit to the new companies/agencies on terms and conditions no less favourable than their present conditions. This is crucial to the successful takeoff of these agencies the National Oil Company, which will replace NNPC, and the PIB itself.

“It must ensure that companies operating in the oil and gas industry don’t use PIB as a ploy to disengage Nigerians, give regulatory agencies the power to protect the jobs of Nigerian such that no worker should be relieved of his/her job without the approval in writing of the regulator, and workers impacted by PIB shall not be asked to leave service until a minimum of five years after transition.

They also wished to be involved in the reorganisation/ rightsising and negotiation of exiting staff. They also want the Nigerian Content Act strenghtened and labour training and manpower development enhanced.

•From left: Chief Operating Officer, Dele Arowolo; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gran Imperio Group Adeyeye Ogunwusi;

BATN Corporate General Secretary Mrs Odiri Meggison and General Manager, Walk-in Customer Relation Division, MTN Fehintola Mustapha at the launch of 5,000 housing units at Lekki axis by Gran Imperio Group.

T

‘NIMC card will curb financial fraud’

HE Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Barr Chris Onyemenam, has assured that the current initiatives of the identity management body will reduce, if not wipe out completely, cases of fraud associated with identity theft and others in the country.

Speaking on the sideline after a presentation at the Card Expo 2014 held in Lagos yesterday, he said NIMC has worked tirelessly to ensure that all chips and features in the card meet international standard, adding that the card will meet all international organisation’s requirement in that of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). He said there are about 20 features in the card which he said is unique to Nigeria alone.

According to him, the card contains three important features that will safeguard users from fraudsters.

By Lucas Ajanaku

He said: “There are at least three biometric attributes in the card-the eye-reads, facial recognition and the finger-print. It will be difficult for you to beat this card. When you combine it with what you own, which is the Personal Identification Number (PIN), and what you have which is a smartcard which has a public key infrastructure (PKI) built into it, even the encryptions methodology has ensured that you cannot put your card besides any of the smartphones and the data will be taken out.

“That card cannot easily be hacked into; we have taken time to build the PKI around it in line with global best practices.

That card has 18 security features and the 19th one is a complex security feature while the chip is 80kb and defeats all Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards around now.

“I am talking about a card that

if you want to manufacture it, you must take permission from NIMC in any part of the world you may be. The features are recognised based on global best practices and by institutions whose job it is to recognise such cards.

“International Telecommunications Union (ITU), for instance, knows about this card and there is a certain number that once they check the card against a device and it shows the number, they will know it is genuine-that is in any part of the world. That is the level of thoroughness and meticulous we have been in trying to ensure the card meets standards.”

He said NIMC is aware that hackers are waiting for it to be issued so that they could go to the drawing baord to subvert it adding that they will be disappointed because they will not be able to breach its security.

He said: “We know that there are people who are

Sensitisation on quality policy begins

T

HE Federal Government has started a broad stakeholders’ consultative forum on National Quality Policy (NQP) designed to enable the country to play meaningfully in the global community.

Speaking at a one day forum on NQP, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga represented by Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) John Isemide said; “The need for a NQP is to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.”

He added that the commitment made to the World Trade

By Toba Agboola

Centre (WTO) by signing the agreement on Trade Facilitation at the 9th Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonisia last year meant the country is ready to remove barriers to trade and engage in real business with the world.

He advised the country to go along with the rest of the world and play its role in ensuring that appropriate quality infrastructure is provided in order to create the enabling environment for business activities and also make quality part of the national life.

In order to achieve this, he said people must focus on de-

veloping capacity and competence on products and brands that have competitive and comparative advantage, adding that with the National Quality Infrastructure in place, and a market of 170 million people out of about 950 million in Africa, an unprecedented increase in the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which stood at 150 last year with the first five years of implementation period.

Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu said the country stands to gain a lot especially in the area of standardisation when the NQP becomes operational.

keenly watching and targeting the period to start tracking the cards for advanced fee fraud. Advanced fee fraud, we know, is not committed by one person. It takes two people to commit the fraud.

It is easy for someone to say I am the DG of NIMC; however, when the card is subject to scrutiny that the authenticity of the card and ownership is revealed.”

India now largest importer of Nigeria’s crude From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

I

INDIA has replaced the United States (U.S.) as the largest importer of Nigeria’s crude with China and Malaysia following closely.

The U.S. which had traditionally taken the bulk of Nigeria’s crude has in recent months drastically reduced its demand which now stands at about 250,000barrels per day (bpd).

India now purchases about 30 per cent of the nation’s daily crude production which currently hovers around 2.5million bpd.

Speaking in Moscow, Russia at the on-going 21st World Petroleum Congress, Coordinator Corporate Planning and Strategy, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Tim Okon said the Asian countries have since replaced the U.S. In a statement endorsed by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Ohi Alegbe explained that Dr. Okon who also doubles as the Director of Transformation of the NNPC said the country will not ignore any market in its quest to remain competitive in the global oil and gas industry.

54

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 19-06-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 19-06-14

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

55

EQUITIES

Oil & gas stocks rally against bearish market

O

ANDO Plc was the toast of the stock market yesterday as investors flooded the market with open orders for the integrated energy company, which on Wednesday received final government’s approval for the acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian business.

With more than 200 million shares on demand, the upsurge in bid against declining supply from investors who expected further appreciation pumped Oando’s share price by the maximum allowable percentage change of 10 per cent.

Oando’s share price rose by 10.24 per cent, the highest by any stock, to close at N27.56 per share.

“The effects of the recent indication of consent for the acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian oil and gas business unit at a disclosed $1.65 billion dominated the market today as such pushed up the price of Oando,” said analysts at GTI Securities.

Most analysts said they expected the share price of Oando to continue on the uptrend in the days ahead.

Analysts at Afrinvest (West Africa) attributed the broader rally in the oil and gas sector to what they

•Oando now toast of the market Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

described as “Oando factor” noting that the “approval of Oando’s acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ upstream assets by the minister of petroleum resources precipitated investor optimism on the counter, hence sparking broader bullish sentiment across the oil and gas sector”.

The NSE Oil and Gas Index recorded the highest gain of 3.9 per cent, riding on the back of Oando’s 10.2 per cent gain and complementary gains by Conoil and MRS, which gained 5.0 per cent each.

Conoil added N2.96 to close at N62.23 while MRS rose by N2.83 to close at N62.23. SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company rose by N9 to close at N670 per share.

“We expect total market turnover to trend higher in the session ahead on further ‘Oando effect’ and “early bird’ positions in view of the second quarter earnings season,” Afrinvest stated in its review of the market.

The Federal Government on

Wednesday approved the landmark acquisition of ConocoPhillips (COP) Nigerian assets by Oando Plc, paving the way for the final closure of the $1.65 billion acquisition deal.

The much-awaited consent of the Minister of Petroleum Resources sealed the deal for Oando and sent investors scrambling for the shares of the leading indigenous integrated energy group. Oando’s share price rose by 7.99 per cent to close Wednesday at N25 per share.

With the due completion of the game-changing acquisition, Oando would be immediately positioned as the largest indigenous oil producer in Nigeria and would now produce circa 50,000 barrels per day from six producing fields and will significantly impact its near immediate Upstream strategy and operations, and optimise its value across the energy chain.

Notwithstanding the widespread bullish sentiments which saw 32 gainers to 25 losers, losses recorded by a handful of highly capitalised companies weighed down the over-

all market position. These highly capitalised stocks included Nestle Nigeria, which lost N20 to close at N1, 050; Nigerian Breweries, which dropped by N2 to close at N165; Dangote Cement, which lost 81 kobo to close at N226.20; Zenith Bank, which declined by 80 kobo to N24 and Guaranty Trust bank, which lost 30 kobo to close at N29.70 per share.

Aggregate market value of all quoted stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped from N13.595 trillion to N13.561 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index at the stock market, contracted from 41,171.16 points to 41,068.93 points, representing an average decline of 0.25 per cent. This further depressed the average year-to-date return to 0.63 per cent.

Total turnover stood at 317.77 million shares valued at N4.19 billion in 5,175deals. Financial services stocks accounted for 203.93 million shares valued at N1.96 billion in 2,525 deals. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) was the most active stock with a turnover of 47.95 million shares worth N220.34 million in 469 deals.

Julius Berger to raise N7.5b From John Ofikhenua and Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

J

ULIUS Berger (Nig) Plc) recorded a turnover of N212.7billion in the 2013 financial year.

According to the financial statement of the company made available to shareholders during the 44th Annual General Meeting in Abuja, turnover rose by 5.5 per cent from N201.6 billion to N212.7billion.

The company also declared an impressive 31.4 per cent increase in profit before tax in 2013 from N12.3 billion to N16.2billion.

Speaking at the meeting, company secretary, Julius Berger Nigeria, Mrs. Cecilia Madueke said that the directors of the company have been authorized to raise additional capital up to N7.5billion .”

She said that the authorized share capital of the company has been increased from N622.5million , comprising of 1.245 billion ordinary shares of 50kobo each to N800million which comprised of 1.6 billion ordinary shares of 50kobo .

Managing director, Julius Berger Nigeria, Wolfgang Gotsch said that the company wants to generate new fund to gain an edge whenever there is a huge future opportunity.

WHO certification of PharmaCentre on course, says May & Baker

M Skye Bank prepares SMEs for listing on Exchange

S

KYE Bank Plc is grooming more small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) by providing them with steady financial and managerial supports that would enable them to transit the stages and become qualify for listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Group managing director designate, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, who led the management of the bank to the NSE yesterday in Lagos, noted that the bank has been contributing to the development of the Nigerian economy and the stock market by providing stable supports to SMEs. Citing the examples of two upstart companies-Tantalizers Plc and MultiTrex Plc, which were supported from their early period into becoming publicly quoted companies; Oguntayo said many SMEs under the portfolio of the bank are prospective new listings at the market.

According to him, Skye Bank’s commitments to the growth of SMEs have made it possible for the emerging companies to consolidate their operations and become operationally stable to the point that they can meet the stringent listing requirements at the stock market.

He noted that the bank has a good track record and pedigree in SMEs development and financing, assuring that Skye Bank would remain committed to SMEs as a way of launching the economy on the path of sustainable growth and development.

He added that the commitment of the bank to develop and fund the SMEs aligned with the agenda of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s new leadership which has identified the small businesses as the engine of the nation’s growth.

He said Skye Bank would also support worthy micro finance banks for them to be able to successfully help fund the micro businesses which help power economic activities among the poor.

On the bank’s contributions in other key sectors of the economy, Oguntayo said the bank had helped many oil companies to grow, especially the indigenous oil firms which are presently doing very well and contributing to national growth and development.

He pointed out that the bank has been a strong force in real estate fi-

nancing with several landmark projects in the key commercial cities of the country.

Oguntayo, who performed the traditional ringing of closing bell to close stock market yesterday, assured the investing public that the bank would continue to grow its business as it focuses on its core commercial banking activities.

In his remarks, chief executive officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, described Oguntayo’s visit as a good development and a good investors’ relations

strategy.

According to him, when the market understands the people managing quoted companies, it helps them to make good investment decisions.

Onyema promised to support the bank in its bid to develop the SMEs, adding that the NSE was working on a concept of selecting some SMEs and support them to become world class businesses.

He said the NSE was partnering with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to help develop the sector.

CAP pays N1.58b dividends amidst strong growth

S

HAREHOLDERS of CAP Plc yesterday approved distribution of final dividend of N700 million, in addition to N875 million earlier distributed, bring the total dividend for the 2013 business year to N1.575 billion.

At the annual general meeting held at Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos, shareholders commended the performance of the company during the year ended December 31, 2013. CAP grew turnover by 18 per cent to N6.2 billion in 2013 while profit before tax rose by 26 per cent to N2.1 billion.

A breakdown of the gross dividend indicated that shareholders would receive a final dividend per share of N1 in addition to an interim dividend of N1.25 earlier paid, bringing total dividend per share to N2.25.

Addressing the shareholders, chairman, CAP Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah, said the company was able to surmount the difficult operating environment to record another impressive perfor-

mance.

He attributed the performance of the company in 2013 to expansion in market share and its focus on quality and safety.

According to him, the company expanded its network during the year with the opening of eight new Dulux colour shops in Umuahia, Dopemu, Akure, Jigawa, Abuja, Katsina, Aba and Ughelli while it also successfully executed the Dulux Mobile Room Makeover, an innovative marketing campaign in the Nigerian clime, to the delight of our teeming consumers.

“We commenced ink jet coding of our product packages, making adulteration of the product more difficult. We will ensure that our products continue to meet global quality standards; hence retained the NIS ISO 9001: 2008 certification of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON),” Ettah said.

He noted that CAP’s consistent drive to conduct its operations in a

healthy and safe manner, complying with all relevant laws and regulations and ensuring minimal impact on the environment, was rewarded in the year with the award for the first time of ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System (EMS) certification.

He however pointed out that the growing insecurity in the Northern part of the country with its attendant consequences in the loss of lives and properties and the denial of the enabling environment needed for businesses to thrive were encumbering the performance of companies.

He underscored the need to retain focus on economic growth in spite of the increasing momentum of electioneering as the 2015 elections approach.

“We hope that policy makers will ensure that increased tempo of political activities does not negatively affect the business and economic environment,” Ettah said.

AY & Baker Nigeria Plc has assured that the process for the certification of its multi-billion Naira pharmaceutical manufacturing complex in Ota, Ogun State, otherwise known the PharmaCentre; and prequalification of its products by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has made good progress.

In reaction to a media report, not The Nation, that claimed that there had been undue delay which has stalled the operations of the complex, May & Baker said the process for the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) certification and the eventual pre-qualification of products of the company by the WHO has made satisfactory progress.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Eugene Olewuenyi, the company said such insinuation of undue delay is totally false as it does not reflect the facts on ground in respect of WHO pre-qualification process for the PharmaCentre.

“The PharmaCentre has been in full and unbroken production of drugs since 2012 and its operations has not been hampered in anyway by either WHO or any other organisation whatsoever,” the company stated.

According to the company, the PharmaCentre, which was commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan on June 27, 2011, had received all manufacturing authorizations by both the Pharmacist’s Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in 2012. From that time onwards, more and more products are being produced in the Pharmacentre.

“Indeed, WHO will only inspect a functional manufacturing site of any company that applies to the organisation for the pre-qualification programme which companies do not need for their normal commercial production of pharmaceuticals.

The approval to produce medicines is the responsibility of respective country’s regulatory authorities and not WHO,” May and Baker noted.

It pointed out that the erroneous media report that WHO would ever be associated with the stalling of the operations of a manufacturing facility that does not need its authorisation to operate is therefore strange and unfair.

According to the company, WHO has, on the contrary, selflessly contributed immensely to the improvement of GMP standards within the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry, both for manufacturers and regulatory agencies.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

MONEYLINK

AfDB approves African devt strategy

Nigeria eyes N900b GDP by 2020

N

IGERIA is targeting a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) worth N900 billion by year 2020 to ensure that it realises its vision of being in the club of 20 economies in the world within the period, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismark Rewane has said.

Speaking at the ongoing Finance Correspondents and Business Editors conference in Kaduna, he said GDP measures the size and activities in a country at a particular point in time.

He said the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) recommends that countries rebase their GDP every five years adding that Nigeria had been using 1990 base year until recently that it rebased to 2010.

Rewane said the heightened attention the rebasing has attracted suggests a need for more structured argument for the exercise adding that investment is necessary for capital accumulation and economic growth.

“In April 2014, Nigeria rebased its GDP and changed its base year to 2010 from 1990. As a result, Nigeria is now regarded as a medium income economy. The rebasing exercise helped incorporate the informal sector into the national accounts and this showed a great increase in activities of the service sector of the Nigerian economy,” he said.

He said rebasing has enabled the service sector to be better covered and has shown that economic activities such as wholesale and re-

T

HE Board of Executive Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved new strategy for addressing fragility and building resilience in Africa from nest year to 2019.

In a statement, the lender said the strategy aims to place the institution at the centre of Africa’s efforts at addressing fragility and pave the way for a more resilient and inclusive economic development trajectory.

It explained that over the past decade, Africa has seen enormous growth and transformation that has expanded opportunities and improved living conditions for millions of people. However, it explained that there were significant risks that this growth could be undermined by important pressures – including continuing patterns of exclusion and poverty, unemployment, climate change and poor management of natural resources.

Policy makers at AfDB emphasised the critical role of leadership, the multiple sources of fragility, the political dimension of conflicts, and the limited capacity of

Stories by Collins Nweze

tail trade, information and communication, real estate services, health and social services, professional, scientific and technical services have gained importance in the country.

He said the service sector is expected to grow fastest ahead of sectors such as industry and agriculture adding that while the country is becoming slightly more diversified, it is heading towards a more serviceoriented economy.

Speaking further, he said the FSS 2020 vision was developed to make Nigeria the safest and fastest-growing financial system among emerging economies. “It is made to strengthen the Nigerian domestic financial markets; enhance their integration with external financial markets; and engineer Nigeria’s evolution into an international financial centre (IFC)..

“In terms of performance so far, highest levels of achievement might have been recorded in the areas of predictable exchange rate, single

•Rewane

digit inflation and financial (banking) soundness. At the other extreme end however, achievements in the areas of integrating informal financial sector, achieving a strong knowledge-based capital market and creating enabling environment and finance for SMEs can still be described as low. Also, in the remaining areas, the levels of achievement can still be described as marginal and requiring much effort,” he said.

On investment, he said investment entails additions to the economy’s capital stock. It involves the purchase of goods that are not consumed today but are used in the future to create wealth.

Citigroup gets Asia-Pacific banking head

C

ITIGROUP Inc., which gets about half of its revenue from emerging markets, named Mark Slaughter as Asia-Pacific head of corporate and investment banking.

Slaughter, 58, was most recently global chief operating officer for corporate and investment banking in New York, according to an e-mailed statement yesterday. He started in

Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

NIDF

OBB Rate

DATA BANK WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

Price Loss 2754.67

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

GAINERS AS AT 19-10-14

SYMBOL OANDO VITAFOAM CAVERTON MRS CONOIL ASHAKACEM TRANSCORP REDSTAREX UPL GOLDBREW

O/PRICE 25.00 4.40 5.70 56.61 59.27 27.51 4.45 4.75 4.36 0.68

C/PRICE 27.56 4.72 6.02 59.44 62.23 28.88 4.67 4.98 4.57 0.71

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR 212.4997 NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) 149.7450 (S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

CHANGE 2.56 0.32 0.32 2.83 2.96 1.37 0.22 0.23 0.21 0.03

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

SYMBOL

O/PRICE 0.60 11.85 5.48 2.35 1.54 0.99 0.52 0.54 24.80 4.20

C/PRICE 0.57 11.26 5.21 2.24 1.47 0.95 0.50 0.52 24.00 4.07

CHANGE -0.03 -0.59 -0.27 -0.11 -0.07 -0.04 -0.02 -0.02 -0.80 -0.13

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

Date 2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGET FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIGFUND INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND KAKAWA GUARANTEED INCOME FUND

Offer Price Bid Price 157.99 157.07 9.17 9.08 1.09 1.08 1.18 1.18 0.68 0.68 1.39 1.33 1,664.78 1,661.81 1,087.24 1,086.78 119.02 118.19 1,087.30 1,087.00 1.67 1.62 1.05 1.03

LEGACY FUND NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND STANBIC IBTC ETHICAL FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

LOSERS AS AT 19-6-14

COURTVILLE CHAMPION CWG TRANSEXPR COSTAIN WEMABANK OASISINS MBENEFIT ZENITHBANK HONYFLOUR

gest lender by assets, will start eliminating about 100 jobs from its investment bank in Asia this month as part of a global headcount reduction, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Macquarie Group Ltd., Australia’s biggest investment bank, stopped issuing structured products in the region this month and will cut jobs in the team, people familiar with the matter said this week.

Asia-Pacific region face pressure from a shrinking investment-banking business. Fee income from underwriting equities and bonds, as well as advising on mergers and acquisitions, fell 23 percent in the region from 2011 to 2013, according to New York-based research firm Freeman & Co. Barclays Plc, the U.K.’s second-big-

Hong Kong this week, said James Griffiths, a spokesman for the bank.

He replaces Farhan Faruqui, who ended a five-year tenure in that role in May to join Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd as chief executive officer of international banking.

Slaughter is taking over at a time when global banks operating in the

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

institutions to put in place mechanisms for dialogue and reconciliation.

It said the bank has been called to enhance its leadership role in this context and mobilise regional and international efforts to address the development challenges posed by fragility. “The AfDB will stay engaged across the spectrum of fragile situations, making use of all available instruments and focusing its resources on the areas where it can have the biggest impact,” said its President Donald Kaberuka.

He said the lender will also strengthen its engagement in four regions that are particularly at risk: Horn of Africa, Sahel, Mano River Union and Great Lakes and Central Africa region.

“There is no predefined toolbox to address fragility and build resilience in Africa. Therefore, the African Development Bank will engage in a process of “learning by doing, jointly with its regional member countries, private sector and civil society,” said Sibry Tapsoba, director of AfDB’s department in charge of Fragile States.

143.11

142.62

0.78 1,944.64 13.62 1.07

0.76 1,936.31 13.28 1.05

1.3379 1.3544 1.0146 1.1770

1.3271 1.3544 0.9967 1.1770

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

8.5000

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2014

57

NEWS

Nigerians honour Justice Oputa at valedictory service

E

MINENT jurists, lawyers and politicians, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, yesterday honoured the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

Justice Oputa died on May 4. He was 90.

Speakers, who took turns to eulogise the deceased, were unanimous that he was a rare legal mind, with impeccable character.

They spoke in Abuja at a valedictory court session for the late former Justice of the Supreme Court.

The CJN described Justice Oputa as “a legend, a legal icon, a distinguished jurist and a gentleman.” She noted that he contributed to the development of the judiciary.

Justice Mukhtar said the late Justice Oputa “earned an infallible reputation as a lawyer,” through hardwork and dedication to duty.

“He was a person, who drew respect by his air of quiet dignity, and not one to purposely call attention to himself or his achievements.

“His manner, demeanour and way of speaking showed his depth of character, intelligence and breeding.

“He proved himself a brilliant, honest and respectable lawyer by his handling of celebrated cases and special inquiries, such as the Oguta chieftaincy dispute (1958/1959) and the Amanyanabo dispute (1958/1960),” the CJN said.

•From left: Former Anambra and Rivers Governors Peter Obi and Peter Odili; Imo State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere and wife of Charles Oputa, Diana, at the session in honour of the late Justice Oputa. Inset: Deceased’s son, Charles, with his mother, Margaret...yesterday.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), described the deceased as a man, who enjoyed the privilege reserved for only a few men in every generation, to have been acknowledged and honoured in his life for the diverse contributions to the development of the country, especially in the judiciary.

“It was in the national as-

signment of chairing the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (Oputa Panel) between October 2000 and May 2002 that he demonstrated, not only his patriotism and belief in a Nigeria free of division and acrimony, but also the human spirit necessary to achieve that vision.

“At the end of the day, he reconciled implacable foes and sworn enemies, restored our belief in the capacity of the

human spirit to overcome bitterness and pent-up hate, and in the process, helped in laying a healthy foundation for our democracy, which has endured for 15 years,” Adoke said.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali (SAN), extolled the virtues of the late jurist, describing him as an individual with many pleasant parts.

Tribunal orders APGA chairman to vacate office

T

HE Anambra State Election Petitions Tribunal in Aguata Zone, sitting at Ekwulobia, has ordered the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chairman in Ihiala Local Government to vacate office.

The tribunal, presided over

by Justice Peter Obiora, upheld yesterday the judgment of the Obi Anizoba-led lower tribunal, which nullified the elec-

•’Fresh election within three months’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

tion of Chigozie Awugosi.

Also, the tribunal ordered the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) to conduct election in the local government within three months.

Justice Anizoba on April 9 nullified the election of Awugosi, following a petition by

Golden Iloh of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Iloh, through his lead counsel, Chief Okey Muo Aroh, filed the petition against Awugosi, the Electoral Officer, ANSIEC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging his election on January 11 as the chairman.

He is also seeking its nullification, “since election did not take place in the area.” His prayers were granted with an order for a fresh poll.

Following the decision of the lower tribunal, Awugosi headed for the Appeal Tribunal and asked that the judgment of the lower tribunal be upturned “because there was a free and fair election, which he won.”

APC leaders berate Fed Govt for intolerance Continued from page 10

“What you have here in Fayemi is a fine gentleman and a brilliant contribution to the progress of the nation. Don’t ever mistake aluminum foil for silver. They will cajole you, but they are like aluminum foil, which is disposable. Ekiti people, I know your history. You are people of honour. In less than 48 hours, you’ll be called upon to defend your honour,” Ogbeh said.

Amosun added that seeing the transformation witnessed under the Fayemi administration, the electorate should not allow the opposition to deceive them or

disrupt the progress recorded in the last three and a half years.

He said the PDP was using soldiers and policemen, knowing full well that the people are not on their side, adding that the people can only be intimidated if they allow it.

After he was presented to the electorate by the APC National Chairman, the candidate urged Ekiti people to display the usual courage by defying the unusual security siege on the state.

“The surreptitious plan of those who have sent the police and soldiers to Ekiti State may have been to scare you from com-

ing out to vote. But I am here to assure you that the people they have sent are being paid from your taxes and the commonwealth that emanates from your sweat. They will not harm you.

They cannot harm you,” the APC candidate said.

Fayemi further extolled the uncommon moral courage and resolve for which Ekiti people are known, saying: “This is Ekiti land; this is your home land. A man cannot be afraid in his own home.”

He however said it was unfortunate how intolerant the PDP-controlled Federal Govern-

ment had become. He reminded the people that the APC’s leadership and members did not stop President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Sambo from coming to campaign in Ekiti.

“But why are they scared of us? The reason is simple: they do not have people. The rented crowd they brought to deceive the President has since being paid off and departed. The resolve of our people is strong. Our teachers, our doctors, market women, farmers, students and youths have resolved that Ekiti State will never slide backwards again,” he concluded.

NYSC DG to corps members: ‘don’t let Nigeria down’

D

IRECTOR-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.Gen. Bamidele Olawumi has urged corps members currently serving in Ekiti to undertake tomorrow’s assignment with needful fidelity and transparency.

Olawunmi spoke yesterday at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, where corps members selected as ad-hoc staff by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were addressed in readiness for the poll.

With him was former com-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

missioner and INEC’s Bilateral Committee Chairperson nationwide, Hajia Amina Zakari, the scheme’s State Director, Mr. Ibe Tobias and other officials.

According to the DG, the election would offer an opportunity to prove the continued relevance of the scheme, adding: “We were driven by the primary urge to serve our country. The entire world is looking at us. Don’t let the scheme down”.

According to him, NYSC had done all to ensure a good welfare package for them. “But we don’t take the token to be paid you as a measure of the sacrifice you are putting in.

INEC has approved a sum of N11,000 for the exercise. In the past, the money is paid after the election, but we know the election day is near, you will need to eat and transport yourself to places and back home.

“We will deviate from the past. I have directed that before 10a.m. tomorrow morning (today), you will be credited with

N5,000. The accountant is already doing that. For those of you using less prominent banks, if it is delayed, that does not mean we have not complied.

“It’s an assignment I urge you to take seriously. When we were young like you, we considered such an assignment as this as sacrosanct. Entire world knows that all corps members are meant to be graduates and so have the requisite level of enlightenment to conduct themselves well on all occasions,” he said.

He said: “Whether you are talking about honourable Justice Oputa the philosopher, the distinguished lawyer, the eminent jurist, the teacher, the public lecturer, or the judicial activist, you cannot but appreciate his great learning and industry.

“He possessed a rare depth of character, breadth of vision and equality of demeanour.

His knowledge and love for

art, classics, history, law, literature and philosophy were profound.

“He was an interdisciplinary scholar, a true man of letters and was aptly awarded a Doctorate of Letters, honouris causa by the Imo State University.”

Also at the event were former governors of Anambra and Rivers states, Peter Obi and Peter Odili and Imo State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere.

Lawmaker hails Umeh’s court victory

A

LAWMAKER representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Mr. Victor Ogene, has hailed the Appeal Court victory of Chief Victor Umeh, the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

He said it was a victory for the party, adding that it affirmed Umeh’s leadership and nullified the judgment of Justice Abdulkadir of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Ogene, who said in a statement that he received the news in Brazil, where he is part of the SuperSport’s team to the World Cup, congratulated Chief Umeh and Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, the national secretary, noting that the litigations were not only diversionary, but also a disservice to Ndigbo.

He said the doggedness of the duo stood them out as committed leaders, who should be emulated. The legislator, who is also the deputy chairman, Media & Public Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, said: “Chief Umeh has worked hard over the years to ensure the survival of the party. Thus, he should be supported to complete his tenure.”

Union gets N1.5m machines

S

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

EWING machines worth about N1.5million were yesterday distributed to the Nigerian Union of Tailors (NUT) in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

This is part of an empowerment programme embarked upon by a lawmaker, Mr. Hammed Adigun, who represents Akinyele Constituency II. Speaking at the event at Moniya in Ibadan, the legislator said tailors were not the only ones to benefit from the exercise.

His words: “Today we are distributing 100 sewing machines to tailors, but they are not the only beneficiaries. They are just the first on the list. We have concluded plans to also empower mechanics, vulcanisers, welders, commercial motorcyclists, hairdressers and others.”

Adigun said he distributed the machines through the local government unit of the union because of the need to ensure that genuine tailors got them.

Police commission raises team to monitor personnel’s conduct

T

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

HE Police Service Commission (PSC) has deployed a team to monitor the conduct of police personnel assigned for tomorrow’s election.

PSC’s Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, Ferdinand Ekpe, in a statement yesterday, said the move was to ensure that police personnel adhered strictly to the rules of engagement guiding the conduct of the poll.

“This is in line with the commission’s constitutional mandate of ensuring discipline in the Force and also to ensure that police officers on election duties adhere strictly to the rules of engagement, which is to maintain peace and security of lives and property,” the statement said.

58

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2014

NEWS

‘Student’ to die by hanging From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

A WARRI High Court has sentenced a 22-year-old “polytechnic student”, Eguono Akpeghughu, to death by hanging for robbing his victim of cash and other valuables worth over N30,000.

He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery.

The court held that prosecution was able to pin the accused to the scene of crime from the evidence of the complainant, the testimony of a witness, who assisted in apprehending the accused, as well his confessional statement and other exhibits recovered from him, including the victim’s watch, which were all tendered and admitted in evidence by the court.

The accused, who claimed to be a student of the State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, with others now at large, on January 4, 2008 waylaid George Ogbemudia at Bazunu junction, Warri and dispossessed him of his wrist watch worth N1,200, a necklace worth N7,000, N2,000 and Sony Ericson GSM handset worth N26,000.

The prosecution told the court that the accused was apprehended with the help of a passerby when the victim summoned courage and grabbed the accused.

Pro-Wike lawmakers move sitting to hotel

T

HE six Rivers State House of Assembly lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, supervising minister of Education, relocated to a hotel in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, in an attempt to sit and serve Governor Rotimi Amaechi an impeachment notice.

The hotel, Krisdera, is owned by the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah.

But it was gathered that they could not meet, as the governor’s loyalists learnt of this and moved to prevent them from sitting.

Sources said the pro-Wike lawmakers later moved to a house in Bauchi Street, Port

•To serve Amaechi impeachment notice From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Harcourt.

However, as at press time, no impeachment notice has been served on the governor.

The anti-Amaechi lawmakers, following the sealing of the House of Assembly over the July 2013 crisis, have been seeking alternative venues to meet, claiming that pro-Amaechi legislators hold their sitting at the Government House.

Sources said PDP leaders want Amaechi out of office before next year’s election, to improve President Goodluck Jonathan’s chances of winning the state, in case the

‘The monorail and KaribiWhyte Hospital projects passed through due process and they are ongoing’ President decides to contest the election.

Twenty-five of the 32-

T

Sickle cell patients protest From Osagie Otabor, Benin

SICKLE cell anemia patients marched on the streets of Benin, the Edo State capital, yesterday to protest a directive, which prevented them from getting 24 hours service at the Sickle Cell Centre.

They said the new directive would lead to many deaths.

The patients, who were joined by their parents, said they used to access the centre during emergencies, especially at night.

They accused the Commissioner for Health, Eregie Aihanuwa, of downgrading the sickle cell hospital established in 1993 to a clinic.

The protesters shunned a party organised to mark Sickle Cell Day by the government because of what they described as “inhuman treatment and insensitivity” as regards the new directive.

Their leader, Charles Edigin, said the protest was necessitated by alleged mismanagement of the sickle cell centre and a directive to the centre to stop admitting sickle-cell patients.

Mrs Blessing Orobosa said her two sons (nine and five) died recently because they could not access the facility during emergencies.

She urged the government to reactivate 24 hour service and employ more doctors.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Joe Apili, said the centre was recently made a referral centre, where patients are diagnosed and referred to major hospitals for treatment.

member Assembly, including the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, and his deputy, Leyii Kwanee, are loyal to Amaechi.

A former Speaker, Tonye Harry (Degema), who died last year, is yet to be replaced.

The remaining six, backed by Wike, have Evans Bipi ( Ogu/Bolo) as their speaker.

Last Saturday, Wike declared in Port Harcourt that Amaechi had committed many impeachable offences and should be removed.

He said: “If you commit impeachable offences, it is your luck.

“Amaechi has committed many impeachable offences. Where is the money for Karibi-Whyte Hospital?

“Where is the money for the monorail? Where is the money for landscaping of Port Harcourt?

“I am not a member of the House of Assembly. Amaechi is always talking of my

•Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson presenting a sourvenir to the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Peter Agba, at the Government House, Yenagoa.

Shell: no plan to resume production in Ogoni

HE Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has said it has no plan to resume oil production in Ogoni, Rivers State.

It said its presence in Ogoni land was to protect its facilities with the engagement of local surveillance contractors.

Shell General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations,

Three ‘killed’ as flyover collapses in Delta

T

HREE employees of Constructed Contractors Company (CCC) were feared dead yesterday after a pile pit at a flyover project at Inter-Bau roundabout in Asaba, Delta State, collapsed.

Two other persons were injured in the incident, which occurred at 11am.

The incident sparked off protest from their colleagues after the management insisted that workers return to work after the incident.

The protest disrupted work for several hours, not minding armed policemen drafted to quell the protest.

T

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

The government embarked on the building of two flyover projects in Effurun and Asaba, at a cost of N7.9 billion.

The pile pit, which reaches a depth of over 20 feet, is designed to hold the beams on which the flyover rests.

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) assisted in evacuating the causalities to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

The workers accused the management of insensitivity, adding that two workers have died in the last few weeks due to lack of adher-

ence to safety regulations.

But a management worker, who pleaded for anonymity, blamed the incessant rains for the collapse.

A source blamed the company for not providing personal protective equipment, including coveralls, hand gloves, hard hats and safety boots and other welfare incentives.

His words: “A lot of things are happening on the site. Despite all odds we have pressed forward. We know our rights. If anything happens to us let the company show concern.

“Someone had an accident last week we all went back to work. Yesterday, three

persons were buried alive and are in a coma.

“All we are asking for is that is to have a day’s rest so we can pray for them. We are not being well taken care of. “We should honour the injured. We are not members of a union so the company treats us shabbily.

“We want the company to show some concern for our welfare.”

The Administrative Manager, identified as Diran, became belligerent when reporters sought his views.

His words: “I am only here to address my workers and not journalists. I do not have time for you people.”

Crisis over privatisation of cocoa estates

HERE is crisis in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State over government’s plans to privatise cocoa estates in their domain.

Hundreds of placard-carrying youths took to the streets of Etomi community, threatening to resist if the government intends to go on with its plan.

Chairman of the Etung Cocoa Estate Landlords Committee Ata Obi Tangban said such move will leave the youths jobless.

He said the cocoa estates were leased out to the gov-

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

ernment in the 1950s for 99 years.

The estates were later regenerated and a small holders’ scheme was started where government gave out the farms to individuals, who paid a fee to the government.

He rued the situation where the government has refused to review the agreement over the land, whereby it (government) paid only two shillings and six pence (N200 equivalent today) to the community for a hectare of land.

Tangban said: “Most of our children cannot get jobs but with the small scale holdings, our youths are employed.

“The government thinks it is more reasonable to sell out the farms under the guise of privatisation.

“We cannot but shout out our helplessness. The economy of Etung, Ikom and Boki local governments are hinged on cocoa, cocoa merchants, local cocoa buyers.

“The government cannot pay a paltry rent of N200 per hectare when it gets N20, 000 to N40, 000 and

plans to impeach him.

“If he has not committed impeachable offences, who will impeach him?

“He claims to have majority in the House of Assembly and he is violating the law. Does Amaechi expect us to fold our arms?”

One of the six anti-Amaechi lawmakers, Kelechi Nwogu (Omuma), said yesterday on the phone that the right to impeach the governor was part of their legislative functions.

He said if the governor commits any impeachable offence, he should be removed.

The Chief of Staff, Government House, Tony Okocha, who doubles as Amaechi’s Political adviser, however, insisted that the governor committed no impeachable offence.

He said contracts were awarded through the Due Process Office.

“The monorail and Karibi-Whyte Hospital projects passed through due process and they are ongoing.”

above per hectare.

“We see the government as being insensitive to the plight of the people.”

Woman Leader Lady Mary Asu Mbe, said: “We have nothing else. All our resources come from here.

“This is what God has given us. Government rented this land.

“It is not that they should take it. We have no other source of income.

“Even our children after their university education come back, they get employment here because they do not have other jobs. What do they want us to do?”

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

Nedo Osayande spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt after a protest by some Ogoni contractors, who accused Shell of trying to instigate another crisis in Ogoni land.

The Ogoni contractors, under the aegis of Oil Field Landlord Contractors Association of Nigeria (OFLCA), had on Tuesday threatened to force Shell out of Ogoni land for denying indigenous contractors its surveillance contracts.

But Osayande said there was no need for the protest because their contract with Shell was not a lifetime contract.

He noted that that Shell has withdrawn its operation in Ogoniland since 1993 and has no plan to resume oil production in the area.

The official said Shell recognised that communities will take more responsibility for monitoring oil theft along the Trans Niger Pipelines (TNP)in Ogoniland under the agreements signed with SPDC Joint venture, which has made it possible for other individuals to handle surveillance contracts.

He said: “The new arrangement with Clusters Development Board (CDB) in Eleme and Ogoni axis will support more than 500 community youths to be engaged in unarmed surveillance activities along section of the 24-inch and 28-inch TNP in Ogoniland, thereby replacing existing arrangement with contractors.

“The new arrangement is not to cause crisis in Ogoni land as the protesters claimed but to build strong relationship with the communities.

“Though, the surveillance contractors are losing the contract, however they should know that it is not a permanent contract.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

59

NEWS

Ekiti: Soldiers threatened to shoot me, says Amaechi Continued from page 2

“While we hold the person and office of the President in utmost regard, we believe that it is unacceptable that the Presidency would disrespect the person and office of an elected governor of a federating unit and consistently hound him.

“The Rivers State government is all more worried as the Ondo saga is coming on the heels of a plot by six PDP lawmakers this morning to carry out a kangaroo impeachment of the duly elected governor of Rivers State, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, first at Krisdara Hotels and later Bauchi Street, Port Harcourt.

“Ordinarily, such banality should be ignored as it is neither legal nor constitutional. However, in the light of the recent attempts to hoist a Chief Judge on Rivers people through the back door and the attendant rumours that the reason for that desperate act was to make it easier for the PDP to actualise its sinister daydream of ousting Governor

Amaechi before May 29, 2015, we believe that it has become necessary to draw the attention of Rivers people, Nigerians and the international community to the situation in Rivers State.”

The statement signed by Commissioner for Information Mrs Ibim Semeniteri, added: “We appeal to all Rivers people, to all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and citizens in the state to remain calm in the face of these provocation.

“We call on the security agencies to exhibit professionalism in their conduct of affairs. We appeal to all well meaning people in Nigeria and around the world to please call the PDP to order before they truncate our democracy.

“It appears to us that the PDP clearly has no interest in the peace and stability of Rivers state.

“We are mindful of these mischievous elements but continue to call for tolerance and eternal vigilance. We are certain that the

God who reigns in the affairs of Rivers people will again deliver us from this evil and terror that stalks us at noon day.”

For the second time in a year, the Federal Government, yesterday, grounded the helicopter charttered to fly Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole from Benin Airport to Ado-Ekiti.

The Governor’s helicopter was first grounded on June 7, last year, after it was recalled mid-air.

He was then heading for Anambra State.

Commander of the 81 Air Maritime Group, Benin City, Air Commodore Soji Awomodu told the governor that he received “a call from above” that no private jet or helicopter be allowed to fly out of Benin City to either Akure or Ekiti.

The governor was left stranded at the Benin Airport for two hours before Air Commodore Awomodu delivered the message “from above”.

A source at the 81 Air Maritime Group said it was purely a

military affair.

Oshiomhole expressed shock at the development but declined to speak with reporters.

The Airport Manager, Mr. Sunday Ayodele, and the Airspace Manager, Mr Ibekwe, said they had no hands in the governor’s ordeal as they had no directive to that effect.

The helicopter, with registration number 5NBQ8, later flew out of the Benin Airport at 1:20pm without its intended passengers.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Prince Kassim Afegbua, described the development as “strange”.

Officials of the the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) in Akure, the Ondo State capital, denied that it prevented aircraft carrying leaders of the APC from landing at the Akure Airport.

The official, who pleaded for anonymity because he had no authority to speak, said more than 10 aircraft landed and took off at the airport.

APC raises alarm over barring of governors from Ekiti Continued from page 2

sources (Downstream), Hon. Dakuku Peterside, condemned security agencies for stopping Amaechi from entering Ado-Ekiti.

Peterside, in a statement yesterday, said: “The fears of many Nigerians, particularly lovers of democracy that the PDP-controlled Federal Government is determined to rig the June 21 Ekiti governorship elections has started manifesting. Today, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, a leading mem-

ber of APC and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, was barred by heavily armed Soldiers from paying his colleague Governor Kayode Fayemi a solidarity visit ahead of Saturday’s elections.

“Governor Amaechi’s convoy was literally arrested at the boundary town of Odudu between Ekiti and Ondo states by soldiers led by a captain citing orders from above.

“This arrest of Governor Amaechi marks another dimension in the impunity and desperation by the PDP controlled Federal Government to

capture power at all cost, even at the cost of Nigerian lives and the entire Nigeria democratic project. This is worrisome and should be condemned by all lovers of democracy and liberty.

“I join members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State to condemn in very strong terms this lawlessness and infringement on the freedom of movement and association. I would also use this medium to affirm that we the people of Rivers State and our political associates will

hold the federal government and its agents responsible for the safety of our governor.

“I also wish to draw the attention of all Nigerians and the international community to this growing intolerance and impunity of the executive arm.

These developments pose a major threat to our hardearned democracy and we all have a responsibility to defend our country. Therefore, we must not allow the inordinate ambition of a few people to plunge the country into avoidable crisis.”

India replaces U.S. as top importer Continued from page 2

translating them to the wider economy.

While stressing that the country does not have preference markets for its products, he however admitted that the Petroleum Industry Bill, which is before the National Assembly, needs to be passed into law to enable the country maximize its potentials in the oil and gas industry.

“I cannot talk about future incentives if the principal law that would give birth to it has not been passed but I want to say that the general intention is that Nigeria must compete in the market place and our fiscal systems are designed to be competitive that would lead to good outcomes for the country,” observed Okon.

“It is always helpful to do

things in a timely manner and that is an important point to stress. Many of the countries that were trying to get new legislations passed like Ghana, Brazil, Mozambique and even Uganda have passed their legislation. So, I think timeliness is of the essence,” the Coordinator noted.

Roundly regarded as the global oil and gas industry equivalent of the Olympics, the World Petroleum Congress is the biggest congregation of oil and gas experts on the global stage. The Congress essentiality consists of an exhibition and conference.

Nigeria’s participation at the 2014 WPC is anchored on the theme, “Harnessing Nigeria’s gas resources for sustainable national and regional development’.

Atiku, ALGON, Falana warn against dictatorship Continued from page 2

State are being terrorised by the armed troops even though it is said that they are on ground to prevent any breakdown of law and order during the governorship election fixed for Saturday, June 21, 2014.

“I wish the same number of troops had been mobilised and deployed in each of the states in the northeast zone to fight the menace of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, “ he said.

Members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State chapter, expressed shock on soldiers’ ambush of Amaechi at Olorunsogo-Ilado, Ondo State, on his

way to Ekiti State for the rally.

ALGON Chairman Oji Ngofa with whom were other members of the association, at a news conference in Port Harcourt, threatened to go to court over the soldiers “lawlessness and attack” on the governor.

Ngofa noted that it was the third time that such an unfortunate treatment would be meted out to Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

ALGON in Rivers said: “For persons who are using the constitution now against fellow citizens of Nigeria, they will still need to fall back on the same constitution for their protection.”

FOREIGN NEWS

Back to Iraq: U.S. tracks ISIS forces

I

RAQ has formally called on the US to launch air strikes against jihadist militants who have seized several key cities over the past week.

"We have a request from the Iraqi government for air power," confirmed top US military commander Gen Martin Dempsey in front of US senators.

Earlier the Sunni insurgents launched an attack on Iraq's biggest oil refinery at Baiji north of Baghdad.

Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki earlier urged Iraqis to unite against the militants.

Government forces are bat-

tling to push back ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) and its Sunni Muslim allies in Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, after the militants overran the second city, Mosul, last week.

US President Barack Obama was due to discuss the Iraq crisis with senior Congress members yesterday.

Ahead of the meeting Senate leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, said he did not "support in any way" getting American troops involved in the Iraqi "civil war".

But Gen Dempsey told a Senate panel that it was in Ameri-

ca's "national interest to counter [ISIS] wherever we find them".

A detailed look at what ISIS says about itself, in two annual reports, is very revealing.

Get past the gruesome audit of violence - the numbers of people they claim to have killed through car bombs, suicide attacks and even "apostates run over" - and a picture emerges of an "increasingly structured organisation", in the words of an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The statistics show a major ISIS focus, over the past two years, on Nineveh province,

which may help to explain the Iraqi army's headlong flight from Mosul last week. More than 30% of ISIS attacks in both 2012 and 2013 were focussed on Nineveh, with a particular emphasis on threats against members of the Iraqi military and intimidation of local journalists.

But the reports suggest ISIS has nationwide ambitions, to take over large parts of the country. In the absence of a considered strategy, warn the authors of the ISW study, ISIS "will become a permanent fixture in the Middle East".

Watchdog accuses Syria's Kurdish party of abuses

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N international rights group said Thursday that Kurdish authorities ruling three enclaves in northeastern Syria have committed abuses, including arbitrary arrests of political opponents, and have failed to address abductions and unresolved killings in areas under their control.

Human Rights Watch said in a new 107-page report that the Kurdish Democratic Union Party also has used children in its armed wing known as the People’s Protection Units.

Kurds are the largest ethnic minority in Syria, making up more than 10 percent of the country’s prewar population of 23 million. They are centered in the impoverished northeastern province of Hassakeh, wedged between the borders of Turkey and Iraq.

President Bashar Assad’s forces largely pulled out of Hassakeh in late 2012 when the Syrian military was stretched thin by fighting with rebels elsewhere in the country, effectively ceding control of the area. Their withdrawal sparked a fierce competition between rebels and the Kurds.

The Kurdish Democratic Union Party, or PYD, is affiliated with the Kurdish PKK movement in Turkey, which long fought for autonomy in the southeast.

The PYD declared its own administration in the northern Kurdish areas in 2012, after driving out Islamic militant fighters allied with rebels trying to overthrow Assad.

While there are still clashes between Kurdish forces and Islamic militants of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and the extremist Islamic

State of Iraq and the Levant, the fighting has declined slightly in the area as militants moved on to other rebel-held parts of the north.

The Kurdish-run areas of Syria are quieter than (other) parts of the country, but serious abuses are still taking place,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The PYD is firmly in charge, and can halt the abuse.”

Human Rights Watch documented several cases in which the PYD-run police, known as the Asayish, have arrested members of Kurdish opposition parties because of their political activity. In some cases, Kurdish opposition members have been convicted in apparently unfair trials, on trumpedup charges of being involved in a bomb attack, the report said.

At least nine political opponents of the PYD have been killed or have disappeared over the past two and a half years in areas the party partially or fully controlled, the group said. Security forces controlled by the PYD have carried out mass arrests in raids that followed bombings.

Human Rights Watch said its report was based on interviews with former detainees, local lawyers and activists. The PYD gave Human Rights Watch access to the three areas under their control, but the rights groups said it only visited one of them because of security concerns.

In February, HRW researchers visited two prisons under the party’s control and had unrestricted access to officials, prisoners, and others.

In addition to a police force

I

Israel fears Iraq crisis may spark concessions

SRAEL fears that a jihadist offensive that has swept up swathes of Iraq may prompt concessions to arch-foe Iran from its longtime ally the United States.

“If Washington needs Tehran’s help to solve the Iraq crisis, the United States will need to be more flexible in negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme,” public radio cited a senior official as saying.

Tourism Minister Uzi Landau warned: “We’re in a situation where, to confront the threat from the global jihad, we rely on Iran and its allies.”

The rise of the jihadist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which has seized Iraq’s second city Mosul and a swathe of its north and centre over the past 10 days, has prompted talk of possible cooperation between Washington and Tehran to help stop the insurgency.

A top Iranian official said on Wednesday that Tehran could consider working with the United States over the crisis in Iraq if talks on its nu-

clear programme are successful.

The Iranian official’s comments came after US Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday he would be open to cooperating with Iran on Iraq.

“I wouldn’t rule out anything that would be constructive,” Kerry told Yahoo News when asked if the United States would cooperate militarily with Iran, one of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri alMaliki’s key allies.

US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns held a brief meeting with Iranian officials in Vienna on Monday on the sidelines of talks between Tehran and the major powers over its controversial nuclear programme.

Israel — which has the Middle East’s sole if undeclared nuclear arsenal — is deeply opposed to the talks, which also involve its US ally and aim for a long-term deal to set out clear limits to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Taliban attack NATO supplies in Afghanistan

F

OUR Taliban militants struck a NATO post in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar on yesterday, destroying dozens of trucks and sparking a gun battle with polices, Afghan officials said.

The attack took place in the parking compound of a NATO base near the Torkham crossing on the Pakistani border, near the Khyber Pass and a main supply route for NATO-led forces in land-locked Afghanistan.

Militants on both sides of the border have for years been attacking supplies bound for NATO-led forces in Afghanistan.

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 20, 2014

60

NEWS

‘We’ve destroyed illegal refineries’

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From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

HE Navy in Warri, Delta State, has destroyed more than 500 illegal crude oil refineries and other equipment used in oil theft from February till date.

Commanding Officer of the NNS Delta, Navy Captain Musa Gemu, said the cost of the Cotonou boats destroyed had gone far above N256,000,000.

He spoke yesterday when

the Warri Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited his office.

“Since I resumed as Commanding Officer, we have destroyed more than 500 illegal refineries, each one costs about N4.5 million to build. Also, we have, on a weekly basis, destroyed at

least two to three wooden boats, which they also call Cotonou, each one costs about N8 million.

“Our operations have sent most of these oil thieves out of Warri because if you consider how much we have forced them to lose to our operations, there is no way they can stay very long in that business,” Capt Gemu said.

NDLEA arrests man with N75m cocaine

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HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Cross River State has arrested a 26-year-old man with 6.3 kilogrammes of pure cocaine worth N75 million.

The State Commander, Kayode Adeniyi, said Amaka Kelechi was arrested at Inland Waterways Jetty in Calabar.

He was said to have come in from Cameroon with the drug concealed in six handbags, and kept in a leather box.

Adeniyi said: “The street value of the drugs is put at N75 million.

“He attempted to smuggle the drug into Nigeria from Cameroon but could not succeed because of the patriotic effort and zeal of NDLEA officers.

“This arrest is the largest singular arrest with respect to category ‘A’ drug ever made by the State Command.’’

Adeniyi said the drug was to be delivered to someone in Owerri.

“If the suspect had succeeded in transporting the consignment to its destination, the effect would have been disastrous, especially to the youths who are vulnerable to

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

drug abuse, ‘’ he said.

He said the suspect was cooperating with the agency by providing information for further investigation.

Adeniyi decried the influx of cocaine and heroin into Calabar and its environs, describing the situation as very worrisome.

The commander added that the command last week destroyed a Cannabis farm in a forest in Ikom Local Government Area.

“This is part of our Operation Burn the Killer Weed strategy of the command to eradicate illicit cultivation of

Ocean surge threatens community

A

SURGE from the Atlantic Ocean is threatening to submerge Koluama communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

It was learnt that the sea’s tidal current rose, overflew its bank and emptied into the Koluama River.

Residents of the communities located on the banks of Koluama River are reportedly exposed to the waves and tidal currents from the sea.

PUBLIC NOTICE SARAH ADEBISI SOSAN FOUNDATION

Notice is hereby given to the General Public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1. Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan OFR 2. Mr Remi Makanjuola 3. Dame Abimbola Fashola 4. Mrs Foluke Abdulrasaq

5. Mr Adebayo Adeyemo 6. Pastor Siju Iluyomade 7. Pastor Cornelius O. Ojelabi

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES A. Establish an Empowerment Scheme for the benefit of the women in Awori Community of Lagos State.

B. Establish an institutional Leadership and Re-orientation Platform targeted at enhancing the capacity and capabilities of women generally.

C. Establish a youth empowerment and leadership-building agency.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Garki Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Babatunde Fadipe Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE THE SMILES OF THE WOUNDED HOPE INITIATIVES

The above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration of its name as provided in the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Miss. Umeugo Chinenye Ruth 2. Mr. Berry Israel Tariah (Jnr.) 3. Mrs. Osere J.A. Mamus 4. Mr. Enyeribe Augustus Dasilva 5. Mr. Ejimadu Gift Emeka 6. Mr. Isaac Adekunle Raji

Cannabis sativa in the state, ‘’ he said.

Kelechi said the handbags were given to him by a man, he identified as Mohammed, in Cameroon.

He denied knowledge of the contents of the bags.

“I was on my way to see my parents in Owerri. I am learning electronics trade with my master in Cameroon.

“I did not know the contents of the bags because they were sealed.

“They were given to me by Mohammed to give somebody in Owerri in Imo State,” Kelechi said.

-

Chairman Secretary

AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1. To touch the lives of wounded hearts round the globe with the message of Hope; 2. To engage in activities or projects that would be beneficial to hopeless or depressed individuals, families, communities & countries, 3. To raise young people that are spiritually, morally, economically & socially stable to withstand social vices and youthful exuberance.

Any objection to the intended registration of the above name should be forwarded to Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Patrick Ifeanyi Akam Esq. (Solicitor).

St. Patrick's Law Firm, No. 24 Ikwerre Road Mile One Diobu Port Harcourt R/State.

08023468437/ 08036223436

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Traditional rulers of the communities rushed to Yenagoa, the state capital, yesterday to raise the alarm.

The traditional rulers of Koluama Clan, S.E. Edi-Mangi; Koluama 1 , JTC Leghemo and Koluama ll, N.E. Ogboinbiri-Mienye, decried the development.

They traced their woes to the activities of oil companies in the area, particularly the Koluama-Chevron gas explosion and fire in the area on January 16, 2012.

They complained that the explosion which emanated from the gas drilling rig, K.S. Endevour, owned by Chevron Nigeria Limited, caused tremors and vibrations in the communities.

“Several houses had their foundations and walls shaken”, they said.

Ijaw youths gather in Edo From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

H

UNDREDS of Ijaw youths will today meet in Edo State to take a decision on President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection.

It was gathered that the youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide will among other things evaluate Jonathan’s chances next year.

It was further learnt that the Ijaw youths would weigh other options available to them , if Jonathan fails to run.

A source said the convention which was scheduled to hold at Ofunama community, Egbema clan in Ovia South West would articulate and document the common position of the youths for 2015.

The source said the youths were worried about the tide of public opinion against their kinsman.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

SPORT EXTRA

MIKEL WARNS

C

Eagles’ll be ruthless

HELSEA FC of London's midfield pearl John Mikel Obi has warned Super Eagles’ strikers to be ruthless in front of the Bosnia's goalkeeper stressing that: ''only goals can secure Nigeria the desired three points to stand any chance of qualifying for the second round.''

Mikel informed The NationSport that the Eagles created scoring chances against Iran in the first game but argued that the strikers were not daring enough to

•Says Emenike, Osaze, others must be clinical •Cautions against losing points again From Ade Ojeikere in Cuiaba waltz their way through the stone-walled defence mounted by the Iranians.

He disclosed further that the players need to be calm on Saturday when playing against Bosnia, adding that: '' We have learnt a big lesson from the Iran game not to rush the opposition. I trust that the coaches have seen

other flaws and together we will plot the way forward against Bosnia and dream of the best in the last group game, which you know is Argentina.'' ''We need to raise our game if we hope to reach the next round. We prepared very well for this World Cup. We cannot afford to drop another point in our remaining matches. It is true

that we are naturally unhappy. We know what it means to win the first game in big competitions such as the World Cup. We reasoned that we had a good chance of beating Iran when the draws were made. But we now know we must convert the chances we created in front of the goalpost, if we dream of winning games,'' he said.

ALL NIGERIA ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP

B

Okagbare makes history in 6th 100m

LESSING Okagbare, has won her sixth women's 100m at the All Nigeria Athletics Championships as the 68th edition of the championship begins in Calabar, Cross River state on Thursday, coasting to the finishing line in 11.06s.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics long jump bronze medallist first won the 100m gold in 2009 at the Abuja National

•Targets 200m gold on Saturday From Stella Bamawo, Calabar Stadium tartan track where she ran 11.16s to dethrone then reigning queen, Oludamola Osayomi.

In winning her sixth straight blue ribbon title, Okagbare defeated Gloria Asumnu and Justina Esule

who came second and third in 11.17s and 11.63s respectively.

Speaking immediately after the victory, Okagbare stated that she was the only woman alive to have made such history, winning six concecutive gold medals in 100m at the championship.

“I want to say thank you

•Blessing Okagbare at CRS-All Nigeria Athletics championship Calabar 2014 PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

World Cup: Nigeria can still qualify for next round —Glo

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AJOR partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and official sponsor of the national teams, Globacom, has advised the Super Eagles to work hard and win their next match against Bosnia to earn second round qualification.

Since the draw with the Iranians, the Super Eagles and their coaching team have been under severe criticisms from Nigerians all over the world.

The Nigerian players were specifically criticised for their alleged lackluster approach to the game.

Even though the Nigerian players were unable to find the back of the net of the Iranians in spite of their efforts, Globacom said the Super Eagles could fly over their next opponent, Bosnia Hezegorvonia, if they could compose themselves and play purposeful football. The company advised the players and the coaching crew to take the criticisms from Nigerians around the world as a mirror to assess their last performance.

2014 Brazil World Cup RESULTS Colombia 2-1 Côte d'Ivoire Uruguay 1-0 England

“You can make it in Brazil.

All you need to do is keep your heads straight, review your last performance, identify your errors and take some lessons that will enhance positive outing against Bosnia,” Globacom said in a statement released on Wednesday. The company advised Nigerians

to constructively engage and criticise the Super Eagles so as not to demoralise the team.

“The Nigerian players need all the words of encouragement now than ever to enable them re-establish their confidence as they prepare for their second group game on Saturday night,” the statement said.

to God because it is a priviledge to triumph. I saw something in the papers saying Okagbare will be the second woman alive to have won the 100m race six times, I want to say that it is a wrong impression, I am the only woman to have won it six times.

"The target now is to win the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and bring honour to Nigeria,” she said.

She, however, promised to win the Long Jump and 200m women’s gold medal on Saturday.

The championship continues today with the final of the men’s 100m, women’s 400m, men and women’s 110m hurdles to be decided among others.

63

Tea, apples, drones and gun•Continued from back page

In 1993, in the Abiola-Abacha death-lock some smart, unidentified aliens helped us reach a denouement during our succession heartaches by deploying such simple, if not jejune stuff like apple and tea to pull us back from the brink.

We are at it again; this time, come 2015, we might need drones, gunboats and a multinational peace-keeping force to rescue this shambolic state from herself or to divide her along some indeterminate ethnic lines. But surely, determinate international power blocs.

Our leaders cannot see beyond the power and treasury matrix but those leaders (like Americans and Chinese) who see the big picture and who plod into the future and project 50 years ahead, have long foretold our current succession debacle. But we do not see, we do not hear and we do not work otherwise we would have taken a cue from their warning 10 years ago. Prof Pat Utomi (one of the few thinking men in the land today) in a recent article describes our endless troubles as a “rolling slow motion civil war”. How apt, except that I want to call it a festering uncivil war of fiendishly corrupt power mongers, violent robbers, kidnappers, militants, extreme social vices and now, full-blown armed terrorists against the state. Next: complete anomie or break up?

Did you ever ask why things continue to get worse here and hardly get better? Because we have successively been ruled by criminal gangs of power mongers and criminality only begets even more of its kind. Even when we are at the brink as we are now, we cannot pull back on our own because those who are leading us can only see power and the treasury and they will kill us, maim us and pull down the entire country if need be, to have their way. Can anyone out there think out of this ugly box?

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

O

N the eve of the rerun of the Ekiti State governorship election in April, 2009, I made a bold prediction in my “Give us this moment” that Dr. Kayode Fayemi will come out on top. My prediction was based firstly, on my assessment of Fayemi’s background and his 10-point agenda for the development of the state, and secondly on my understanding and appreciation of the demographics of the state as the Land of Honour and the home of a people with an unquenchable appetite for knowledge.

We all witnessed the rerun election and its discontents, which prompted my “Ekiti wonder” the following week, followed by my “Weapons of mass deception.” Those were the days of the locust. I am hopeful that we have all learned from that sordid experience with its ugly stain on our young democracy and can now look forward to the upcoming election with renewed confidence in the system.

Fayemi had to wait for another year before his mandate was restored by the Appeal Court.

His patience was tried. His resolve was tested.

His humanity was challenged. In the end, he came out triumphant. His triumph was not just because his mandate was restored, but especially because with the ultimate result he proved that (i) the people’s voice and action will not be ignored and (ii) the hope and aspirations of the people will not be disappointed.

I do not live in the country and in my shortterm visits since 2010, I have not been privileged to visit Ekiti. I have only seen Governor Fayemi two or three times at events in Lagos in the last three and a half years.

Though he visits Washington metro area every now and then, our paths don’t cross. I mention this to make an important point. I evaluate him on the basis of (a) his fidelity to his campaign promise based on credible reports of independent observers and (b) the integrity that he brought to governance.

Outside of these, nothing else matters to me. I have heard a lot of complaints: Fayemi doesn’t give recognition to party leaders. He doesn’t reward party members. He is being advised by a few, etc. This is all hogwash. We need to go beyond personality politics and a “me-too mentality” and embrace the ideal of governance.

We elect leaders to lead in accordance with the promises that they make. If they succeed in fulfilling the majority of those promises, and they make a good-faith effort to fulfil the rest, then it is only fair that they be given a second term to carry out the rest. When a leader fails abjectly because he has no clue about what he got into in the first place, then no matter

D

ILEMMA of a columnist: It is a great time for columnists as well as the worst of times. The more you write, the more you seem not to write. It’s like a legion of suicidal soldiers rushing at you: the more you gun them down, the more they stream at you. You eventually discover that you are like a mouse in a huge maze running a futile gamut from point A to B. You are also bound to begin to think that you are in a vast, ungoverned wasteland. So Mr. Writer, how are you going to begin to make sense of a huge arid jungle? How do you interrogate on a weekly basis, a formless entity? How do you articulate an unmanned, borderless space where dog eats dog at will?

Such is my dilemma as I contemplated this week’s offering. A staccato of issues crowded my mind and the more I try to untangle and sort them, the tackier and more intractable they get. I was in my village in Imo over the weekend and I returned even more depressed than ever before. The state continues its slide into wretchedness; Imo is a depiction of despair and statelessness. I saw structures in various stages of abandonment and apparent in all the exertions is the frantic effort of a perturbed mind. I saw a rampancy of scruffy soldiers and policemen pretending to secure some of the towns but they are actually left there to scrounge for their existence. They are a wretched occupation ‘army’ in a failed empire and they don’t even know that the walls are falling all around them.

VOL.9 NO.2,883

‘The man that I am talking about is the contemporary rescuer of the Southwest that many love to use his name and resources to attain power and comfort but gleefully choose to betray easily without a whiff of conscience. He MOBOL OAJI SANUSI MOBOLO is Bola Tinubu...’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Fayemi deserves a second term

•Dr. Fayemi

how gentle or loving or friendly he may be, to “reward” cluelessness with a second term is to mortgage the lives of millions of people.

Secondly, while everyone has a right to present him-or herself for the position of a governor, I feel strongly that, as a matter of political morality, members of the same political party who originally gave the incumbent the mandate to lead, have a heavy burden of moral responsibility to support him for a second term as long as he delivers on his promises and the party’s manifesto. This is on the understanding that there is always going to be future opportunities for other aspirants within the party. These are important issues for our political development in this country.

The splintering of political parties on the basis of nothing more serious than a “me-too can be governor” doesn’t help our cause.

Now, what has Fayemi accomplished to deserve a second term in office? I will attempt to answer this question based on a candid comparison of my 2009 election eve optimistic assessment of what a Fayemi administration will do and what the Fayemi administration

has actually done.

In “Give us this moment” I maintained that I was sure that Ekiti people will give Fayemi their mandate because as a people fired up for knowledge and honour, they knew best who can deliver their dream Ekitiland. After almost four years, I am sure that the people can now say that the Land of Honour has reclaimed its glory. Decency has returned to governance.

Assume that there has been no material improvement, which is certainly not the case; this return of decency to governance would still be a big deal. Who wants to be associated with rascality and hooliganism?

Secondly, I observed in 2009 that “Ekiti indigenes know which candidate in this election has an agenda for their welfare needs.” I can now boldly assert that Fayemi has fulfilled his promise to look after the aged and the needy. The N5,000 monthly social security benefit for elderly citizens of the state is a gesture that lets them know that their years of productive services to the state are greatly appreciated. In the same category are the free health programme and the free health mission that the state government embarked upon as soon as Fayemi took over. More than two-thirds of the state population in need of these services have benefitted from the programmes.

Thirdly, in 2009, I based my prediction that Ekiti will elect Fayemi as their Governor on his agenda for education. I observed then that the “Fountain of Knowledge” will make education its foremost industry again by improving access to quality education towards creating a knowledge economy…

Computer education will be prioritised in the spirit of the 21st century advances.” I cannot overemphasise the significance of good education for our country and our region, and for me, it is this particular aspect of his campaign promise that attracted my attention.

In view of the fact that years of the locust have had a debilitating effect on our educational system, it will take more than four

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

Tea, apples, drones and gunboats The town died: Though the rains have not helped matters, if the state was desolate, my community, (Ibeme, in Ugiri, Isiala-Mbano LGA) is in a decrepit state. The community market (afor Ibeme) and its adjoining roads have been waterlogged since the beginning of the rains as always; down to the imposing St. Ita’s Catholic Church, the dilapidated Ibeme High School and Community Primary School. It’s a forlorn story of a perennial shutdown of my littletown during the rains for nearly two decades now. My town died long ago and there is no one to cry to: no councilor, no representative, no LGA chairman and no governor. The death is physical as well as psychological. My town is now a no-man’s land; it’s so soggy it has become a ‘NigerDelta’ of sort except that mercifully, it has no militants of its own yet. But without exaggeration one can easily raise an army of the

stranded and broken youths of the locality to take over the town and beyond; jokes apart.

Ibeme is only a metaphor for nearly every community in this disemboweled land we still refer to as a country. We have long lost control of this vast entity. It is a wonder that the few folks who hold this place captive don’t seem to know that they have lost it. The presidency, the governors and their cronies who have debased the system and corrupted our institutions to death cannot seem to understand it. They have self-destruct; they do not even understand that elite principle of enlightened self-interest which sustains capitalism.

Like deranged people, they deliriously badger at the polity, most remorselessly, they keep pillaging the treasury because they cannot see tomorrow, or rather, they can only see the selfish tomorrow of their fantasy. They have lost touch with the rest of us. Encrypted

years in office to make an appreciable impact.

But Governor Fayemi has started well with bold plans and strategic thinking. The renovation of schools has been a top priority for him. He has provided laptops for students.

He has inaugurated the Committee on Ekiti State Integrated Science and Technology Education Transformation Framework and Roadmap with a view to positioning the economy of the state and converting its “intellectual capital to prosperity for the people of Ekiti.” As I also observed five years ago, “a progressive politician measures success by how many citizens he or she lifts from the depth of poverty onto the pinnacle of knowledge and wealth.” I think Fayemi has opened the path for the desirable uplift of Ekiti citizens.

If education is the key, then those who have the responsibility to provide sound education for the children must also have sound knowledge and the temperament to educate for success. I have been an educationist all my life with the exception of a couple of off-years.

As a proud recipient of the Teachers’ Grade III and Teachers’ Grade II certificates, I take teaching seriously and I have tried to give my students the best.

I am disheartened about the current state of the education of our teachers. I am even more disappointed about our approach to further training. I believe that this was the context in which Governor Fayemi proposed the further training and testing of teachers. That proposal was politicised but there was a good intention behind it and I expect that teachers would see beyond the unprincipled politics of others who try to put a wedge between them and Fayemi.

I observed in 2009 that Fayemi promised the infrastructural development of the state.

In the three and a half years that he has been in the saddle, he has transformed the state with the building of roads, linking major towns in the state, successfully accessing development funds from international agencies, such as the World Bank. We have reports of rural electrification projects and construction of water-works across the state.

Finally, citizens of Ekiti know Fayemi as a compassionate leader who has demonstrated his democratic credentials. They will again give us this moment to savour and cherish when they elect him for a second term in office on June 21, 2014.

•This piece was first published on June 6. It is being published again because it was not seen by many Nigerians on June 6, no thanks to the military’s clampdown on the media.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

in their gilded cocoons they have lost touch with the hinterland, with the LGAs and with all the socio-political units of the country.

They have forgotten the arcane processes of modern governance. Like gamblers, they just dish the cash.

Of apples, drones and gunboats: They just grab power; in fact they kill for it knowing that power grants unrestrained access to the treasury. Thus right from the beginning, since the British exited this crazy contraption in 1960, we have been locked in a deathly roulette of power- for- treasury-jacking sake.

Being blind and unthinking, they cannot see the connections; they cannot figure it out that power and treasury are potent medicines for collective therapy. They are strong drinks not to be taken by one or a few, but by all in equitable measures.

Because power and treasury are personal things for our ‘leaders’, we have often found ourselves in kill-or-be-killed situations since 1960. We cannot seem transit from one power cabal to the other without a bloody fight.

There is too much at stake for individuals and not for the collective so they fight to death when it’s time for power to change hands. Yet they can’t see it that the quest for power and rabid use of it has been the bane of Nigeria and it’s now poised to extirpate her. Consider the scenarios: In 1966, succession tussle led to the Biafran war.

•Continued on page 63 •For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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