The Nation January 04, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

PREVIEW 2012:

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Time to remove veil on Boko Haram’s face

Fashola signs N491.9b Budget bill NEWS – Page 10

•Governor promises better days

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VOL. 7, NO. 1995 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

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ONG MAR CH: A crowd of protesters in Lagos ... yesterday. Among them are NLC Vice President Isa Aremu (second left), varsity don Dr Dipo Fashina, widow of the late Chief Gani •A L LONG MARCH Fawehinmi, Ganiyat, Lagos lawyer Femi Falana and activist Mr Ayodele Akele (second right) PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

Fuel protests rock cities One dead in Ilorin action Demonstrations in Lagos, Ibadan, Osogbo, Kano Abuja/Lokoja road blocked

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ANY Nigerians shook off the hangover of the New Year celebrations yesterday to face the grim reality of the fuel price increase. They launched protests.

Petrol prices went wild after the sudden New Year Day’s removal of fuel subsidy, selling for as much as N200 per litre in some places – as against N65 before the government’s action.

By Our Reporters

The protests were staged in many cities, but the demand was the same – reversal of the government’s policy.

The Lokoja-Abuja highway was blocked for more than five hours by youths.

Vehicles from the southern part of the country could not go on to Abuja. Those travelling South

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THE QUESTIONS •Since there is no cash allocated to petrol subsidy in Budget 2012, where will the money to be reinvested by the Kolade Committee come from?

•Any cash for subsidy in the NNPC’s budget?

•NNPC’s budget and those of 34 other Federal Government agencies are usually not made public. How will the government redress this lack of transparency?

through the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were also stuck.

There were street protests in Lagos, Ibadan, Osogbo, Makurdi and Kano, where security men were put on high alert.

In Ilorin, a man was killed, but the police denied their bullet felled him.

The Lokoja protesters took over the ever-busy Murtala Muhammed Bridge (Jamata) linking the South

with the federal capital and other parts of the North.

The protesters, in their hundreds, carried placards, some of which read: “Jonathan you are not a good leader”; Resign now, Jonathan”; and “the nation is heading for anarchy”.

They also alleged that Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is out to enslave Nigerians with her economic policies.

While the protest lasted, shops, banks and fuel stations remained closed. Commercial vehicles disappeared from the roads.

Riot policemen fired tear gas to disperse the protesters.

In the ensuing melee, Abdullahi Yaro (a.k.a 140), 25, was injured.

Trucks of soldiers and mobile policemen patrolled Kano streets.

Deputy Governor Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje said the subsidy was removed to block wastage and save money for the improvement of the economy.

Gandiye said: “Though subsidy may lead to high inflation, which may affect the common man, the removal of the subsidy is on petrol alone. The price of diesel remains the same and you know that all the vehicles conveying goods from Lagos to Kano and other parts of the country use diesel.

Continued on page 4

•MONEY P15 •SPORT P23 •LIFE P29 •POLITICS P43 •NATION INVESTORS P47

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SUBSIDY REMOVAL

NHRC condemns arrest of protesters

By Eric Ikhilae

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HE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the arbitrary arrest of protesters by security agents, including the police.

It deplored the undue harassment of those protesting the fuel price hike and the use of excessive force against them by law enforcement agencies.

The commission justified the right of Nigerians to protest every action of the government against which they have reservations. Such right, it said, is guaranteed under Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution and other relevant laws.

In a statement by its Acting Executive Secretary, Oti Ovrawah, the commission noted that what the laws require of government and its security agencies is to encourage its citizens to express their grievances in a peaceful manner.

The statement reads: “At all times, it remains the obligation and responsibility of security agencies and law enforcement agents to ensure equal protection of all persons, including groups, within Nigeria and afford all protection they required to exercise their constitutional rights.

“The commission reiterates that law enforcement agents must, at all times, respect and protect the human rights of all persons, avoid use of excessive force, arbitrary arrests and detention or resort to ‘third-degree’ methods of policing.

It’s devastating, say Lagos lawmakers

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OME members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have said the effect of removing subsidy on petroleum products by the Goodluck Jonathan administration would be devastating.

Deputy Whip Rotimi Abiru told The Nation on phone that the action would further impoverish majority of Nigerians who are already living below the poverty line.

According to him, the multiplier effect of the over 100 per cent increment would take its toll on Nigerians.

He said: “This action, as far as I am concerned, is not right. Apart from the fact that many Nigerians are not in support of the removal, it is also coming at a very wrong time.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

“On a day Nigerians were celebrating the New Year, the government decided to spoil the good mood by removing the subsidy. This is an unwelcome development that Nigerians must stand against. Immediately the announcement was made, majority of the filling stations stopped selling to vehicles.

“The few that were selling started selling at exorbitant prices and, in that process, transport fares were hiked by almost 100 per cent.

Many Nigerians were stranded on the road on Sunday. The President must have a rethink and look at ways things can be turned around to favour the masses.”

Protest spreads in Lagos

By Adebisi Onanuga

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AGOS residents yesterday trooped out in their thousands to protest the New Year’s Day increase in the pump price of petrol.

A litre of petrol now sells for between N140 and N150 from N65 following the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

The day turned turbulent as the effect of the new pump price started taking its toll on the residents.

The protesters started trooping to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) secretariat at Tejuosho, Surulere, early yesterday to rally support for the action.

They were joined by more protesters onIkorodu Road and disrupted traffic flow.

The protesters set up bonfires at various locations along the stretch of the highway to show their anger.

They carried placards denouncing the economic policy of the government and called President Goodluck Jonathan and Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, names.

Some of the placards bore messages calling for the removal of the Minister and her Petroleum Ministry counterpart, Mrs Dieziani Allison-Madueke.

Rights groups to protest in Rivers

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ESPITE Police warning, a coalition of civil society groups in Rivers State yesterday said it would mobilise people to demonstrate against fuel subsidy removal.

Police Commissioner Suleiman Abba had, on Monday, warned Labour unions to abstain from any form of demonstration over the matter to avoid a security breach.

But at a briefing in Port Harcourt yesterday, the civil society groups, comprising the United Action for Democracy (UAD), the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development and the Ogoni Solidarity Forum said they would demonstrate.

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

The General-Secretary of UAD, Mr. Ken Henshaw, explained that the coalition would go ahead with the planned protest on Monday in Port Harcourt.

Henshaw said: “We have not communicated with the Commissioner of Police in the state, but we have contacted our partners outside the country. The police cannot stop us from marching on the streets and it is left for the Police Commissioner to carry out his threats.”

The UAD chief said the groups would ensure that any security agent that kills during the protest is prosecuted.

•A coalition of youths against fuel subsidy and members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the Southwest at a pro

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NLC dismisses Belgore committee

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday said it would hold the Federal Government responsible for the killing of an anti-petrol subsidy withdrawal protester in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

It dismissed the Justice Alfa Belgore-led committee, which has been constituted to negotiate with Labour following the petrol subsidy removal, as an “afterthought”.

Labour said the government was insincere but only announced the committee to give the impression that it was consulting.

The NLC accused the Presidency of “lying” by saying Labour supported the withdrawal of subsidy at their meeting.

In a statement by its President Abdul Waheed Omar, the NLC said: “It is with a heavy heart that the NLC announces the murder of an anti-fuel price hike protester, who was shot dead by the police today (yesterday), Tuesday, January 3, 2012.

“The victim was shot dead near the Post Office in central Ilorin, Kwara State. The perpetrators of this crime were

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Ahmed orders probe into protester’s death

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WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday ordered a probe into the killing of a protester in Ilorin, the state capital.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Abdulwahab Oba, the governor described the killing as unacceptable.

He ordered that a full scale investigation be conducted into the matter.

Ahmed regretted the incident, assuring the residents that tight security would be provided for them to avoid a similar incident in future.

The protester was killed when the residents took to the streets to express their anger over the fuel subsidy removal.

Eyewitnesses said the young protester was hit by a bullet from a policeman’s gun when security agencies tried to stop the protesters armed policemen from the Area ‘A’ Division, close to the UBA, Ilorin, and the State Police Command on Sulu Gambari Road, Ilorin.

“The NLC had cautioned the Goodluck Jonathan administration against the use of brute force and arms against unarmed Nigerians who protest publicly their rejection of its murderous policy of hiking fuel prices by between 120 and 200 per cent.

“The police are directly

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

as they marched on the Government House on Ahmadu Bello Way. The Nation learnt that the protesters had been dispersed by the policemen as they marched on the streets.

According to the residents, the policemen pulled the trigger to prevent the protesters from reconvening.

“The boy was holding a big stone to throw it when suddenly he went down ,” an eyewitness said.

The eyewitness said he has a shop at the Post Office Roundabout, where the incident happened.

Other residents claimed that they picked up expended pellets from the scene.

“The deceased was carried away by his colleagues and put on a bench near the Post Office,” another eyewitness said.

under the control and command of the Presidency and it is the Jonathan administration’s inhuman policy that has resulted in the murder of an innocent citizen.

The NLC holds the Jonathan administration liable for this murder and advises it to fish out its agents who shot at protesters in Ilorin and bring them to justice.

“The NLC praises Lagosians for their massive protests... which ended at the Gani

Fawehinmi Park, Ojota. We also commend the protesters who have been on the streets in various parts of the country from Lokoja to Kano.

“The Presidency, on Monday, January 2, set up a committee, headed by the retired Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Alfa Belgore, purportedly to dialogue with Labour. We think this is an afterthought and meant to give Nigerians the impression that the Government wants to consult

CDHR vows to resist Fed Govt’s action

HE Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has vowed to resist the New Year’s Day removal of fuel subsidy by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

In a statement in Ilorin, Kwara State, by its National Vice-President, Comrade Taiwo Otitolaye, the group noted that the current situation showed that Nigeria had be-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

come a failed state.

The statement reads: “The CDHR condemns and rejects the wicked act of the Federal Government to further increase prices of petroleum products. Deregulation, as a fallout of neo-liberal policy, is a high sense of insensitivity and irresponsibility of the rul-

ing cabals, aimed at further exploiting and dehumanising the mass of our people. Successive governments, both military and civilian, have increased prices with spurious claims of diverting the gains to infrastructural development. These gains have ended up in private pockets of members of the ruling oligarchy without translating to meaningful development of the

country.

“Nigeria, as a failed state, has further drifted into anarchy and in the throes of brinkmanship. Boko Haram has taken over the North; kidnapping in the Southeast and Southsouth; bank robbery with bold face in the Southwest; our security agencies are helpless to killings, destruction of property and other dangerous occurrences.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SUBSIDY REMOVAL

‘Reps didn’t decide on removal before break’

n the Southwest at a protest over fuel subsidy removal in Ibadan, Oyo State…yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Count ACN governors out, says Aregbesola From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

• Aregbesola

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has pitched tent with those opposed to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the

Federal Government.

He said the removal and subsequent hike in the price of the premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, showed the inefficiency and maladministration of the Federal Government under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Aregbesola, who spoke yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, urged Nigerians to count all the six Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governors out of the antipeople policy.

He advised Nigerians to pray for the country, saying the unfolding developments

across the country “call for serious prayers”.

The governor spoke on a day transportation worsened in parts of the Living Spring State as the hike in price of petrol nationwide entered the third day.

Many people found it difficult to go to their places of work as only a few commercial vehicles operated.

Many civil servants and other categories of workers returned from the New Year’s holiday late to their duty posts.

The price of petrol was yesterday increased from between N140 and N145 to between N180 N200 per litre, consequently forcing more people to stay at home.

Most filling stations were closed while the few sold fuel to their customers at outrageous prices.

The Nation learnt that many car owners parked their vehicles at home and boarded commercial vehicles to work.

Commercial motorcycle operators, otherwise called Okada riders, in Osogbo and other major towns in the state, such as Ilesa and Ile-Ife, have also increased transport fares to N70 per drop as against N30 before the subsidy removal.

Investigation revealed that many independent petroleum marketers in the state have resorted to hoarding fuel pending further directive from the Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

‘President must tackle rot in NNPC’

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LAWYER and the Rivers East Senatorial District candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Mr Leslie Chizi Michaels-Atata, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to tackle the rot in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and dismantle the cartel in the oil industry instead of removing fuel subsidy.

Addressing reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Michaels-Atata accused the President of insincerity on the matter.

He noted that it is unfair of the Federal Government to add to the burden of the masses through fuel subsidy removal.

Michaels-Atata said the two refineries in Port Harcourt

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

with one in Warri and Kaduna were deliberately rendered comatose for the benefit of the nation’s oil cartel.

He said: “Fuel subsidy removal is now a problem in Nigeria because the Federal Government has refused to tackle the rot in NNPC, since they are all benefiting from the stench. President Jonathan must be alive to his responsibilities.

“If the President can decide that there will be no crude oil allocation to NNPC, within one week the refineries will work. President Jonathan should not follow the easy way of removal of fuel subsidy. He should not add to the

sufferings of Nigerians.

“Whenever the President is able to stand up to the cartel in the NNPC and the oil industry, all the refineries will start to work at installed capacities and there will be no need to remove fuel subsidy.

“The metres for determining the barrels of crude oil sold/exported are yet to be fixed. Norwegians begged to fix the metres in Nigeria’s interest but NNPC officials said ‘no’, so that Nigerians would not know the barrels of crude oil lifted.

“The four refineries in Nigeria were deliberately made not to work, because NNPC officials prefer to sell the 445,000 barrels of crude oil daily allocated to the corporation or take the allocation

overseas for refining.

“Recent probe by the Senate Committee revealed that 65,000 barrels of crude oil, from the 445,000 barrels per day allocated to NNPC, could not be accounted for by its officials.

“Nigerians are very docile people. We are eternally-suffering people, as well as subserviently and eternally-patient with our governments.

But Nigerians are impatient with fellow citizens. What Italians will not tolerate from their governments, Nigerians will take it.”

The AA’s senatorial candidate added that Nigerians should say no to bad governance, by protesting bad policies, but not to take the law into their hands.

THE House of Representatives yesterday said it did not take a decision on the removal of fuel subsidy before it went on Christmas/New Year break on December 20.

In a statement by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Victor Ogene, the House said deliberations on the matter would begin when it resumes on January 10.

The statement reads: “The House of Representatives notes the decision of the Executive regarding the total removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the subsequent reaction of a cross section of Nigerians.

“It is worth repeating here that the House of Representatives has not taken any definite decision on the subsidy matter before it proceeded on a recess on December 20, 2011.

“However, the House of Representatives will immediately, upon resumption on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, commence exhaustive deliberation and consultation with other stakeholders on the issue, and wishes to assure all Nigerians that as the elected representatives of the people, the outcome will be reflective of the views of majority of members.”

SERAP urges UN Council to intervene

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IGHTS group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council to “act urgently to stop the Nigerian government from implementing its unlawful policy of removal of fuel subsidy”.

It appealed to the Council “to consider the removal of fuel subsidy as amounting to a violation of the country’s international human rights obligations”.

SERAP sent a petition, dated January 3, under the Human Rights Council Complaint Procedure, signed by its Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni.

It was copied to the UN

High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navanethem Pillay; President of the Human Rights Council, Ms Laura Dupuy Lasserre; and Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Ms. María Magdalena Sepúlveda.

SERAP said: “The withdrawal of fuel subsidy at a time when ordinary Nigerian workers are grossly underpaid and facing extreme poverty will perpetuate inequality and hurt the poor disproportionately by denying this group access to basic necessities of life, such as essential foodstuffs, essential primary health care, basic shelter and housing, and the most basic forms of education.”

Fayemi blames voters From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said the electorate are to blame for the removal of subsidy.

He said they voted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which never saw anything bad in imposing of burdens on the masses.

The governor spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the maiden mass rally by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in preparation for the chairmanship and councillorship elections on January 21.

Addressing thousands of party supporters, who had thronged Adekunle Fajuyi venue of the event, Fayemi said the hardship being experienced in the country was caused by those who voted President Goodluck Jonathan into office.

He said: “You voted them to do what they are doing now.

They are returning appreciation for your voting them the way they know best. See what they have done with your votes! They have continued to show the stuff they are made of.

“I am very sure that the removal of the oil subsidy is the last straw that will break the back of the PDP-led government in Nigeria. It is a war they cannot win against Nigerians, because they (Nigerians) voted them in before they (PDP leaders) turned against them.

“Three Saturdays from today, you will have an opportunity to consolidate your support for our party by coming out and encouraging others to come out and vote as well. This is grassroots voting. This is our party. We appeal to our people, wherever they are, to come home and perform their duty as indigenes interested in the progress of their state.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

NEWS

One dead in Ilorin

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•Cars parked on the Marina in Lagos as activities resume after Christmas and New Year’s holidays

PHOTO: NAN

Activists protest petrol subsidy removal in Lagos

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HOUSANDS of angry people converged on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) secretariat in Yaba, Lagos Mainland yesterday for the fuel subsidy protest.

It was a protest with a difference. The civil society did not wait for directives from labour before embarking on the protest, which was convened by the Joint Action Forum (JAF), an arm of the Labour and Civil Society Coalition.

The message to the government: “On N65 per litre of petrol we stand.”

The massive crowds were addressed by Dr Dipo Fashina and Abiodun Aremu, President and Secretary of JAF, before leaving the NLC Secretariat.

The procession set out at 9.15 am, with rights activist and lawyer Femi Falana, Ganiyat Fawehinmi (Gani Fawehinmi’s widow), Seun Anikulapo-Kuti (the late Fela Anikulapo’s son), Segun Sango, Lanre Arogundade, former Lagos NUJ Chairman, leading the way.

They went to Itire/ Lawanson Road and shut down three petrol stations – Total, Conoil and MRS. They advised the attendants to go home; they obeyed.

From Lawanson Road, the protesters marched on Ikorodu Road via Ojuelegba, Jibowu. As they passed the bus stops, more people joined the protests. By the time they got to Fadeyi on the ever-busy Ikorodu Road,

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

the crowd had grown massive enough to occupy the expressway and the service lanes.

This caused a traffic snarl.

Bonfires were made on the road with old tyres.

The protesters trekked to Gani Fawehinmi Garden at Ojota leaders of the protest addressed the crowd, saying the protests continue today.

The march from Yaba to Ojota was easy, with Fela Anikulapo’s music blaring from Speakers mounted on a van.

NLC Vice President Comrade Isa Aremu trekked with the protesters from Yaba to Ojota.

He praised Lagosians for coming out to “fight the second slavery”.

He, however, described the action as just a dress rehearsal because the NLC would hold more protests.

Aremu said: “We bring you fraternal greetings from the NLC. We salute you for coming out to fight against second slavery. Where have you ever heard that a price of a product will be increased by 150 per cent? It can only happen in the republic of slavery like Nigeria.

Ibrahim Babangida started fuel price increase under the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). Now, Goodluck Jonathan is passing that road again.

“Many Nigerians are

stranded in their villages where they have gone to celebrate the Christmas. If this price regime is allowed, many students will not be able to return to school.

We must resist it. If you want to deregulate our lives, you must also deregulate our resistance.

Fashina opened his speech with a song: “Se democracy l’eyi, se democracy l’eyi o, ebi npa ara ilu, se democracy l’eyi?” (“Is this democracy? The masses are hungry, is this democracy?”).

The former Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) president said the National Assembly has not approved the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, and the masses are rejecting it.

“They can’t teach us what democracy is. The people of Nigeria say ‘no’ to fuel subsidy withdrawal. The House of Representatives says ‘no’; the Senate says ‘no’. Our goal is ‘no addition to fuel pump price’.”

Aremu urged Nigerians to reject the new fuel price.

Falana said: “Fuel subsidy removal is rejected by Nigerians; that is why we are protesting. The government has no choice in this matter, but to listen to Nigerians. We are going to make government listen to the people. This is just the beginning of the struggle.”

The late activist-lawyer Fawehinmi’s spirit was invoked at Maryland when his widow, Alhaja Ganiyat, was handed the microphone. She

said a government that is reluctant to implement N18,000 National Minimum Wage should not be allowed to compound the masses’ problems by increasing fuel price.

She said the people need to know how the government arrived at the price of N141 per litre of petrol.

She noted that the price increase will have ripple effect on prices of commodities, including food and education.

Rounding off, she shouted: “Let us say ‘no’ to fuel subsidy removal.”

Seun Anikulapo-Kuti also urged the government to reduce the fuel price. “We are not receiving Americans’ minimum wage; so, we can’t pay Americans’ price for fuel.

Jonathan should not punish the masses because we elected him,” the singer said.

NTI-fuel subsidy removal protests entered the second day in Ilorin yesterday, with youths marching in the Kwara State capital.

However, yesterday’s protests turned bloody. One person was feared killed.

Eyewitness accounts claimed the youth was hit by a bullet as policemen tried to stop the protesters’ march towards the Ahmadu Bello Way Government House.

Two cars were vandalised at the MRS filling station. The station was the target of attempted arson on Monday before armed policemen stepped in. A pumping machine at the station and another at the Total filling station were also damaged. Besides, a bank’s bullion van, was set ablaze by the protesters.

“The deceased was holding a big stone to throw it when suddenly he went down on his feet”, an eyewitness, a shop owner at the Post Office Roundabout where the incident happened, said.

Other eyewitnesses claimed to have in their possession expended pellets picked from the scene of the confrontation.

The protest covered OjaOba, Maraba, Zango, OffaGarage, Adangba, Taiwo and Post Office.

Businesses were paralysed in the affected areas, until about 1.00pm when the police restored order.

Police spokesman Dabo Ezekiel (ASP) denied that a police bullet killed anybody.

From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson (Ibadan), Adekunle Jimoh (Ilorin) and Uja Emmanuel

He alleged that an angry motorcyclist stabbed the victim with a sharp object because he refused to join the protest.

Ezekiel said: “It is not true that police shot the man. The case is that in the course of the demonstration, some okada riders thought some people in their group were not joining the protest and that was how they attacked the man with a sharp object on the chest and he died immediately.”

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has ordered a probe of the death while the Emir of Ilorin has sued for peace.

The Nigeria Labour Congress blamed the federal government for the death.

University of Ibadan (UI) students, in collaboration with the Coalition of Youths Against Fuel Subsidy Removal in Oyo State, staged a peaceful protest from UI campus to the State Secretariat at Agodi.

Another set of youths protested at the Ore Meji point of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The protest by students, numbering about 200, started at about 9:00 am at the university gate. They carried placards with various inscriptions and sang anti-government songs as they headed for the Governor’s Office. Some of the placards read: “Government should cater for the people not inflict pains on them” and “Increase in fuel price makes salary increase useless”.

Continued on page 8

Fuel protests rock cities Continued from page 1

•A protester ... yesterday

“All the factories that use heavy-duty generating sets use diesel and not petrol. So, the cost of production does not in any way attract more expenses because the price of diesel was not hiked or affected by the removal of petrol subsidy,” he noted.

The Deputy Governor said as part of Kano State government’s efforts to manage the situation, the state government had held meetings with stakeholders, including transporters and traders, warning them not to seize the opportunity to exploit the hapless masses by increasing the prices of goods and services without justification.

An Osogbo human rights group, the Joint Action Front (JAF), spearheaded the protest in the Osun State capital.

Led by its co-ordinator, Mr Alfred Adegoke, the protesters marched through major streets of Osogbo to sensitise the people to the negative effects of petrol subsidy removal.

Huge transactions persist as Cash-lite Lagos takes off

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HE cash-lite banking initiative commenced yesterday in Lagos.

Amid confusion, customers still engaged in cash transactions above the limit as observed by our correspondent.

At many of the bank branches visited, customers still made deposits and withdrawals far above the N150, 000 for individuals and N1 million for corporate organizations, specified by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

At Oceanic Bank, Intercontinental Bank, Diamond Bank and GT Bank branches, visited in Matori, Lagos, it was business as usual for cash customers who still withdrew large sums in cash. The same was noticed at Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank and United Bank for Africa branches at Oba Akran, Ikeja, Lagos.

Many customers claimed ignorance of the policy.

Michael Obi, a bank customer said he was not aware of the

By Collins Nweze policy. Another customer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said even though he was aware, his bank must reassure him on the efficiency and security of the e-channels, to secure his confidence.

Prince Ademola Adetona, a bank customer, explained the difficulties he encountered trying to use a particular bank’s online banking platform. He wanted to transfer N300, 000 into an account of his supplier, but could not because of network failure.

He appealed to the CBN and banks to ensure that the right infrastructure is put in place before fully implementing the policy. Adetona said the apex bank and banks should continually educate the people on how the policy works to ensure a seamless implementation process.

Managing Director, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. Niyi Ajao, said

the compliance level will increase when the CBN’s penalty for defaulters begins from March 30. He said many bank customers are used to huge cash transactions, stressing that when the implementation of the penalties begins, customers will adjust to the new reality.

The NIBSS provides the infrastructure for automated processing, settlement of payments and fund transfer instructions between banks, discount houses and other financial institutions.

It was discovered that some banks such as FinBank, FirstBank, United Bank for Africa, Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Diamond Bank, among others, have developed products/services tailored towards e-payment.

FinBank has introduced collection products and services that include Point of Sale (POS) terminals which accepts Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) as means

of payment for goods and services at merchant outlets.

Its electronic portal solution allows customers to pay for tickets, hotel bills, school fees among others, online. Its FlashmeCash also allows users to transfer funds using their Global Systems for Mobile communication (GSMs) to beneficiaries. Other products supporting its cash-lite banking initiative are internet banking, Quick Teller at ATMs, FinBank Instant Pay which allows customers transfer funds to beneficiaries in other banks. There is also FinPay, an online real-time self-service solution that enables individuals and corporate organisations effect payments to multiple beneficiaries across banks.

At FirstBank, the First Pay, a web-based payment platform designed and developed to allow clients to directly effect payment instructions from their offices anytime, in a very secure and ef-

ficient manner, will assist customers in the cash-lite banking initiative. Since the First Pay service is available over the web, payments and authorisations can be done regardless of location.

First Online, a FirstBank Internet Banking services, likewise requires that a beneficiary has a savings or current account with the bank to enable him/her check account balances, see account activity, including uncleared effects among other services.

To educate customers, a few banks yesterday placed notices at the entrance doors of their branches, educating them on the policy and the need to migrate to e-products.

In a statement last week, CBN Director, Currency Operations Department, Mahmoud Umar, asked banks to continue to encourage their customers to migrate into e-payment platforms. “Banks should continue to encourage their cus-

tomers to migrate to available electronic channels, and where possible demonstrate the costs that will accrue to those that continue to transact high volumes of cash after March 31 in Lagos”. The apex bank further clarified that the policy applies to all accounts, including collection accounts. It advised banks to work with their corporate customers to arrange for suitable e-collection options.

According to Umar, the service charge for daily withdrawals above the limit into an account shall be borne by the account holder. The apex bank said charges/fees shall apply for all transactions in Lagos, and on Lagos State-based accounts while transactions initiated out of Lagos State, and affecting a Lagos-based account shall not attract charges/ fees, and shall not be counted as part of the daily cumulative amount on that account since the policy has not been activated outside Lagos.

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

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

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PREVIEW 2012

•Cars on fire as Nigeria recorded the first suicide bombing at the Police Headquaters in Abuja last year. Boko Haram claimed responsibility.

•A pump showing price of petrol

•Omotoso power plant

PROLOGUE

Nigeria’s defining and perilous year I

T is not often that we see a leader embrace controversy as eagerly and as adeptly as President Goodluck Jonathan has done.

Of the five or so hot button issues likely to influence the course of events in 2012 in ways guaranteed to alter the shape and destiny of Nigeria, the president casts his shadow over at least three: education, fuel subsidy and the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. The other two issues – electricity supply and the governorship elections scheduled for the early part of the year – have their own self-perpetuating logic and resilience that have made them hardy perennials in the turbulent waters of Nigerian politics.

A little over two years ago, Boko Haram, whose larger aim of undermining the stability of the country was at first subsumed under its narrower objective of undermining Western education, was the object of derision in security circles. Its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, had just been contemptuously murdered in controversial circumstances, and his foot soldiers put to ignominious flight. Late last year, tertiary institutions closed down after many awkward months of negotiations, thereby freeing a frighteningly large population of angry, restless and politically conscious youths for potential trouble. And, finally, fuel subsidy, an issue that had been quiescent for many years, came back to life dramatically on the back of a mismanaged national economy to form the third leg of Jonathan’s fearsome Frankenstein.

Starting from today, The Nation will be drawing attention to all these five issues, from a long list of other

By Kunle Fagbemi germane issues capable of defining the country, or in the apocalyptic words of Jonathan’s key aides, capable of crashing it. There is no special reason to start with the Boko Haram menace today. Nor by focusing on these five controversial issues do we presume to have a special magic wand to decipher their inner workings. We are merely making a statement about their interconnectedness with one another and their thematic relationship with the present and future of the country, to ‘define’ it or to ‘crash’ it, and to give a broader picture of the terrifying leadership lacuna the country has faced from birth more than 50 years ago.

Boko Haram would have been nothing more than a discomfiting aberration had it not been mismanaged from the beginning. Not only was there no attempt whatsoever to understand its internal and external dynamics, managing it was left wholly in the hands of the police who dismissively characterised it as the handiwork of hoodlums.

Then, sensing its usefulness, quite like the Niger Delta militants were first co-opted into fractious politics by leading politicians, it was appropriated by the governing elite of one or two states in the North. And when it began to loom larger than its handlers, when it threatened to get out of hand, when it began to feed on the socio-economic morass of the region, the elites panicked and made the situation worse.

Leadership slothfulness may have imbued Boko Haram with fresh dynamism, but it sometimes does

much more than animate a disaster waiting to happen. The same slothfulness virtually created the electricity generation shortfalls that have paralysed the country’s engines of production. Quite apart from the lack of scientific and futuristic reasoning required to anticipate the shape of events in the decades to come, there was the more important lack of seriousness and endeavour among the ruling elite which has made it impossible to summon the enterprise and courage required to build the future on a template of the future. If that appalling lack of enterprise manifested in the inertness that crippled the building of power stations for the future, it PETROL PRICES IN SELECTED COUNTRIES

Country Algeria Bahrain Brunei Egypt Iraq Kuwait Libya

US$ 0.41 0.27 0.39 0.31 0.38 0.22 0.17

NIGERIA Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE Venezuela

0.87 0.31 0.22 0.16 0.49 0.023

Source: Compiled by German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and published by Wikipedia

manifested even more cynically in the deliberate refusal to build refineries or maintain existing ones.

(See table showing that fuel price in Nigeria is more expensive than in other countries similarly placed).

Nothing bears more succinct testimony to these failures, among the many that litter Nigerian history, like the Biblical quotation that laments the betrayal of the young generation by the old generation: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”

Somewhere in India is a graveyard containing many war dead of the Indian Army that fought in the Burma campaign during World War II. On one monument at the foot of the cemetery at Kohima is this inscription: “When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today.” Nigeria’s ruling elite have turned this proud and evocative inscription upside down. It can be said of them that “for their today, they gave our tomorrow.”

There is no end to the sacrifices.

Policies of doubtful utility have viciously sundered the society into haves and have-nots and stratified the classes into mutually antagonistic entities sworn to destroy one another. This may be the logic that binds together the five controversial issues in consideration. Electricity generation shortfall hamstrings production, and together with structural adjustment programme and subsidy removal-fuelled inflation, low quality of education and a political system where votes do not count and incompetent governments win elections, they have bred malcontents determined to destroy society.

Read separately, these articles may make little sense beyond providing information and perspectives on the issues being addressed.

But if attention is paid to the leitmotif that runs through the essays, a recurring theme that looks at the consequences of the leadership failure Nigeria has battled with for a long time, the articles will make better sense. The lesson will be drawn that poor economic policies have stultified production as much as low quality education has spawned nearly illiterate graduates, fewer exemplary and notable men of letters and inventors, and young men and women who have become immersed in a dangerous smorgasbord of unreason, intolerance and retail violence.

This year could yet be Nigeria’s defining moment. It is not clear whether Jonathan understands the risky conjunction of explosive events he has put together in a pressure pot: whether it is the result of one of his typical but bungling deliberateness or the outcome of his boyish indifference to danger. But here he is, with universities closed down and anger among the youths simmering, he began implementing the removal of fuel subsidy on January 1, just when the ordinary Nigerian had exhausted himself financially, and when Boko Haram had stretched the security agencies to their tactical limit. If the country comes out of the cauldron unscathed, it is unlikely anything else would hurt it in the immediate future. But given the stage of the country’s political evolution, the chances of achieving that bliss is more theoretical than real.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

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NEWS PREVIEW 2012 NEW YEAR MESSAGES

Time to remove the veil Unhappy with the scary level of insecurity in the country, many Nigerians and security experts suggest options the Goodluck Jonathan administration must explore to put a stop to the menace of the Boko Haram, an insurgent group with Islamic leaning, which last year almost turned the country upside down and booked a place for it on the suicide bombing map, writes Assistant Editor (News) OLUKOREDE YISHAU •Jonathan

I

T still seems like a nightmare.

How she longs to wake up from it. But not this one. Thirteenyear-old Nancy is fast coming to terms with the fact that she has no home any more. Her life now starts and ends in the church. It is not a dream. She is an orphan. She will never again know the feel of the loving arms of a biological father; neither will there be the warmth of a mother’s bosom. There will also be no siblings to laugh and fight with.

The days when her father or mother scolded her for one perceived bad act or the other are over. Forever.

Until Christmas Day, the Madukas, to which Nancy was an integral part, were a happy lot. They were wellknown and seen as a model in Madalla, a sleepy town near Suleja, Niger State. A suicide bomber reduced Nancy’s parents and siblings; her elder sister and younger brother, to unrecognisable rubbles inside their car just after the end of morning Mass at the St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla.

Nancy was safe because she did not go to the Mass with her parents and siblings. When the news of the blast got to her, she dashed to the church on time to see the charred remains of her parents and two siblings clustered together in a car that was trapped in the explosion.

Like Nancy’s parents and siblings, Joseph Igbla was also consumed by the explosion. Later this month, he would have been part of the matriculation ceremony for fresh intakes into the IBB University, Lapai, Niger State. His father was happy when the admission letter came. So were Joseph and his siblings. But that dream was aborted forever on Christmas Day and his father, Daniel, has not stopped crying. He has become a shadow of his lively self.

In all, 43 people, including Joseph and Nancy’s family, perished in the disaster which the dreaded insurgent group, Boko Haram, has gleefully claimed responsibility for. Seventytwo others are still receiving treatment in hospitals in Niger and Abuja. The sect also struck in Plateau and Yobe states on Christmas Day, leaving deaths, sorrow, tears and blood in the wake.

The sect has made Borno State almost uninhabitable; its terror machine has made residents of Abuja, the federal capital, live in fear; it has ensured residents of Damaturu, Suleja

and Madalla sleep without being able to do so soundly.

The group on Monday was at it again. It ordered all Southerners in the North to return home or face being consumed by their planned confrontation with the security forces, which have been building up troops in its strongholds following President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of emergency rule in four states of the North.

The five local governments affected in Borno are Maidugiri Metropolitan, Gamboru Ngala, Banki Bama, Biu and Jere. The five councils affected in Yobe are Damaturu, Geidam and Potiskum. Others are Buniyadi-Gujba and Gasua-Bade councils. In Plateau State, four local governments are affected. They are Jos North, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom. The only affected local council in Niger State is Suleja.

The borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic have also been closed.

The ultimatum expires today. Army spokesman Brigadier-General Ralph Isa told Bloomberg yesterday that troops are increasing patrols in the North. The army has deployed two brigades to areas in and around the states of Plateau and Borno, where the Boko Haram group has carried out most of its attacks in recent months.

Isa said Christians are not yet reacting to Boko Haram’s threat. “I have not seen anyone move away. Patrols are on and life goes on normally,” he said.

Six days before Christmas, policemen arrested 14 suspected members of Boko Haram and seized explosive devices after four militants and three police were killed in a gun battle in Kano. The security forces a day to Christmas also reportedly killed 68 people suspected to be insurgents.

Still the insurgents found their way into Madalla on Christmas Day and left several families in tears.

On December 8, 2011, an explosion in Kaduna also resulted in the death of 14 people. Goods estimated at N200 million were also lost. Last November 27, churches, homes and the police headquarters in the small town of Geidam were set ablaze in a wave of night time gun and bomb attacks

by Boko Haram. This was like a repeat of the orgy of violence in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on November 5, 2011, which left at least 65 people dead when Boko Haram in-

•Aliyu

THE WAY OUT • Increased intelligence gathering on activities of the sect • Infiltration of its rank in order to break it from inside • Education of Almajiris who are easily susceptible to violent use • Negotiation with the sect to know and address its problems • Unmasking of sponsors of the group as against its foot soldiers • Prosecution of offenders to serve as a deterrent to others • Training of police in counter-terrorism moves which they currently lack • Close monitoring of international borders which offer a safe haven for BH •Determine if there are other bombers aside Boko Haram members • Policing with human face instead of the system which thrives on abuse •End social injustice in the North which has encouraged backwardness • Curb hate preachers who daily brainwash unemployed youths • Stop the use of soldiers because they are not trained to keep peace • Address youth unemployment which makes them tools for violence surgents bombed churches, mosques and police stations. Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim and National Security Adviser (NSA) Owoye Azazi last week ‘admitted’ that the security forces were helpless. Ringim, after the Madalla church bomb blast, said the police have only succeeded in arresting Boko Haram foot soldiers. Azazi, also speaking after the Christmas Day explosion, said it was difficult policing Nigeria. ast year was a particularly bad for the country. It was the first time the country recorded suicide bombing and the bomber chose the Police headquatres in Abuja to register his arrival. Before then, there were explosions, but Nigerians were thought to be too cowardly to contemplate suicide bombing. Not any more. If the real cause of the police headquaters disaster was doubted, the attack on the UN House, Abuja erased all doubts about the presence of suicide bombers in the country.

Over 20 people died in the UN House attack. Six people were reported dead in the attack on the Police Headquaters.

Before the declaration of the state of emergency in the terrorism-prone areas, the Federal Government had, through the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), turned the heat on the insurgents.

A source versed in the Boko Haram evolution said the government’s violent management of the group was counter-productive. He said the government, knowing the extremist nature of the group, should have throd with caution and not kill its leader, which was the beginning of its vio-

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lent attacks on Nigeria.

He said: “They started their movement in 2001. They were ‘preaching’ and going about within the North here ‘propagating’ their own ideals within the state wearing their palms and kinds of uniforms. But our government did not manage them well.

They tried to be pro-active but they ended up being hostile to them. And so, because of the enormity of their resistance, they started fighting back.

So, they started targeting police men, especially the ones called “Operation Flash 1” to kill them back. Since then, they made it a raging battle between them and the security forces. But the actual crisis we are now witnessing began in April of 2009 when some of the members of the Yusuphia Movement were returning from a journey and they had an accident. And many of them died in the accident. And as they made to go and bury some of their members that died in the accident, and they were moving in very large numbers of motorbikes, all without helmets. They were then intercepted by the Operation Flash 1 on their way to the grave yard ordering them to go back and wear helmets. And because they resisted, the policemen started shooting them and about 20 of them were hit by the bullets but they did not die. And they took them to the teaching hospital.

But when it came to the donation of blood to save the lives of their people, the police drove all of them away from the premises of the teaching hospital, saying that they were preventing the outbreak of a riot or whatever. And they were denied the opportunity to donate blood for their peo-

•A victim of Madalla blast ple and they lost them.”

He added: “Afterwards, the late Mohammed held a rally in April and read out what he called an open letter written to the Nigerian President and other leaders. In the letter, he said his group was not going to forgive the shooting of their members and that they would hit back. But my point is the government did not take this thing serious until July of 2009 when things went out of hand. Government did not do anything about that piece of information. In July, they then launched a massive attack on government buildings and police stations and the Operation Flash 1 later discovered that this was not something they could contain.

“Mohammed was thereafter killed and his body displayed like they did to Gadaffi in Libya. Between November 2009 till about June of 2010, everybody thought that it was over.

Everything was quiet.

“But by July 2010, they suddenly came out to celebrate what they called the one year anniversary of their leader that was killed. And that was how they started going from house-tohouse exposing people who they thought exposed them or reported their members, shooting traditional rulers or anyone they see in uniform and that is what brought us to where we are today.

“So, when Operation Flash 1 could not contain them, it was disbanded and Operation Flash 2 was initiated, and this time around, it was being reinforced with more soldiers. Then, when that could not help, the Federal Government brought in the Special Joint Task Force. And since the introduction of the JTF, the situation so escalated because they did not have the intelligent system to arrest the situation.” ome police officers are being tried for the killing of the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has also carried out trouble-shooting missions. His effort, however, suffered a setback when Babakura Fugu, brother-in-law to late leader of Boko Haram, was killed by suspected members of the sect shortly after his meeting with Obasanjo.

As far as Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima is concerned, much of the activities of Boko Haram are politically motivated. He is of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). The governor’s position makes more

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on Boko Haram’s face

•Igbla sense if the confession of Ali Konduga, the self-confessed Boko Haram spokesman is anything to go by.

Konduga claimed that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) used Boko Haram members to intimidate the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal with a view to forcing the court to cancel Shettima’s election in favour of the candidate of the opposition party. The tribunal was forced to take refuge in Abuja. Shettima’s return to Maiduguri after the tribunal confirmed his election was almost a disaster. His convoy narrowly missed a bomb attack. onduga’s confession led to the arrest and trial of Sena tor Ali Ndume, who though elected on the platform of the PDP, was a foundation member of the ANPP. Twice, he won election to the House of Representatives on ANPP’s platform. He was an ally of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who was also implicated by Konduga.

Former Vice Chairman of the ANPP, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, once said Sheriff should be held responsible for the existence of the sect.

But, it may not be totally right to say Boko Haram is a tool in the hands of PDP members, as even PDP members have been at the receiving end of its aggression. Konduga claimed that the group sent threat messages to a former Minister of Works, Sanusi Daggash and Obasanjo. Konduga said Ndume, who was a member of the Presidential Committee on Security in the Northeast until his arrest, scripted the threat messages sent to people by the sect in English language. Konduga has been jailed three years after pleading guilty to terrorism. Ndume is on bail.

Konduga and Ndume are not the only ones on trial. There are others being tried for terrorism on account of their alleged membership of the insurgent group.

Another measure taken by the Federal Government is collaboration with the international community.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe assured Nigeria at a meeting with Gbenga Ashiru, his Nigerian counterpart, when he visited last November, that “in France, we are in complete solidarity with the countries in sub-Sahara Africa and the ECOWAS region on how to cooperate with countries fighting (terrorism).” He added that his country was ready to share information, coordinate intel-

K

•Miss Maduka

•Odita

ta militants abroad so that they stop bombings and sabotage of oil pipelines, and you say you want to use force on the other people. It is not possible if peace is what we desire.”

He added: “They wasted time and resources inviting (the Sultan and emirs) to the Villa. No emir in northern Nigeria can talk to Boko Haram.

They don’t have links with them.

They (Boko Haram) see the Sultan and the emirs as part of the political establishment. The government must talk directly with the insurgents.” pecial Adviser to the President on Ethics Sarah Jubril does not believe government should be blamed for the crises. She recently decried what she saw as a criminal silence by northern elders. Her position tallies with that of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ayo Oritsejafor, who is of the opinion that some of the leaders find it difficult to draw the line between religion and national issues. He said: “A lot of those who are supposed to solve the problem are looking at their religion.”

But secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Garba Mohammed would not agree that northern leaders are not committed to efforts at fighting terrorism. Rather he said Boko Haram members are not willing to dialogue because they do not trust government.

That is why a Benin-based lawyer Tony Chigbata said: “Let all the ethnic nationalities come to a round table and agree that we should live together or that we should disintegrate. And if there is going to be a form of disintegration, the modalities are going to be worked out and

ligence services and provide training.

The United Kingdom, United States, Israel and Italy are also helping to crush Boko Haram.

In this fiscal year, the Federal Government plans to spend about N1trillion on security. Much of this, said analysts, may be spent on fighting Boko Haram. Many an analyst have criticised it asking the National Assembly to prune it down drastically.

But how effective have these measures been? Not a few believe that the government has been indecisive on the Boko Haram dilemma. President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) Joe Okei-Odumakin said “Government has been slow and indecisive on the issue of Boko Haram”. She decried a situation whereby security agencies parade “some haggard looking persons” and then allow the case to fade off.

A retired intelligence officer and the Waziri of Ringim in Jigawa State Sagir Mohammed faults the idea of using the military to quell civil unrest.

He said: “The problem is that we are using the military for a role it is not trained to play. When you invite the army, you don’t invite them to make peace; soldiers are trained to kill. That is why after a war, you withdraw the soldiers and let the police maintain the peace.’

President of the Civil Rights Congress (CRC) Shehu Sani agrees with Sagir. Sani said: “Government should apply the same carrot as it applied in the Niger Delta. Violence and bombing, whether it is done by MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta) or Boko Haram is still violence. You cannot allocate hundreds of millions to train Niger Del-

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‘

They wasted time and resources inviting (the Sultan and emirs) to the villa. No emir in northern Nigeria can talk to Boko Haram.

They don’t have links with them. They (Boko Haram) see the Sultan and the emirs as part of the political establishment. The government must talk directly with the insurgents

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

•Ekhomu

it is to be a gradual process. If we say we are going to live together as we have been living together, because the truth is that we have been living in pretence”. nother lawyer, Francis Njoku, said: “ The security forces should be able to infiltrate this group so that they will be able to dismantle them from inside.”

Instructively, Sani, who said Boko Haram is led by a spiritual leader, Imam Shekau, and has an 18-member Shura, or council, said: “Citizens are afraid of cooperating with the government out of fear that they will be targeted by the group. The Nigerian police have not, over the years, been well trained or equipped in handling terrorism issues of this kind due to the corruption in the service.”

He urged the Federal Government to design a political and economic programme, which should include working with state governments in the northern part of the country to set up an Almajiri Foundation, which he said should be used to document all Koranic schools in the area and take steps to incorporate them into the modern education system.

His reason is that the current system gives room for abuse as the clerics in the loose Koranic schools have a hold on the thousands of the Almajiris. He said: “You can see one cleric in command of about 4,000 students, and if he tells them to move against the state, they simply move irrespective of the consequences.”

Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) Dr. Babangida Aliyu, in an interview in the January 2012 edition of Africa Today, a magazine published in London, blamed the insurgency in the North on injustice, youth unemployment, breakdown of the family system, neglect of the traditional institution, poor planning and the brainwashing of youths by those he described as mischievous Islamic clerics. The governor said these problems must be addressed for the region to be peaceful.

According to him, “If you were told 10, 20 years ago that a Nigerian could be bombing a place, you would say not in northern Nigeria.

So, it means our planning and our level of intelligence information have not been useful. Our research and development should reflect the

A

new thinking of how to marry these competing groups.”

Aliyu said there is an international dimension to the crisis. “We must not also run away from the international dimension of this crisis. Borno is a border state to Chad. We know what is happening in Sudan. We know what has happened in Libya.

We know when Gaddafi was alive, the kind of relationship he was having with some of these neighbouring countries,” he said.

The governor called for negotiation with Boko Haram and other aggrieved parties, explaining, however, that “negotiation with these people does not have to be a formal government negotiation.” resident, Association of Indus trial Security and Safety As sociation of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu, believes the government and the people have to be proactive.

He said: “The problem we are witnessing these days is the result of institutional collapse. We have no people doing street patrolling to protect the citizens. And even when they carry terrorism cases to judges, they are afraid to touch certain cases. These boys are very potent. They have people’s numbers and they call.

There is a progressive collapse in every sector.”

Former Commissioner of Police Mr. Frank Odita said government should stop treating Boko Haram as an Islamic sect.

Odita said: “Government needs to note their extreme acts of violence.If people get scared to come and invest in our country, we will lose out and our overall development would suffer and the multiplier effect of it will be great. We must find out who are behind all this, unmask them, because the Boko Haram can’t be taken as fighting mere Western education when all that they are using to perpetrate their acts is totally Western. If indeed, they are fighting everything Western, they should be living under the trees. They have threatened the Nigerian nation enough and it is time for us to really find out who is our enemy and deal with it.”

Only then will there be no more cause for a child to be in Nancy’s position or a father to go through Daniel’s ordeal.

P

- Additional reports by Joke Kujenya

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SUBSIDY REMOVAL

Emir of Ilorin cautions Kwarans

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•Ikorodu road, Lagos...yesterday

HE Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari has called on Kwarans not to take laws into their hands while resisting removal of fuel subsidy.

In a statement last night, the Emir said: “Peaceful protest is lawful in a democratic society but should not be accompanied by an unwarranted and wanton destruction of property and lives which is inimical to democratic principles.

“It has come to the notice of the emirate council that in Ilorin and other parts of the state, people are protesting the withdrawal of subsidy by the Federal Government leading to increase in the pump price of petrol.

“People should not attack vehicles on the roads, they should not destroy property- both private and public. They should express their democratic rights peacefully as may by law permitted.”

•A bonfire on Ikorodu road...yesterday

BARRICADED: Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Central Area in Abuja...yesterday •BARRICADED:

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi addressing student protesters in his office ...yesterday

•Benue students protesting in Makurdi...yesterday

•Students, youths protesting at the Silver Jubilee Roundabout in Kano...yesterday

One dead in Ilorin protest Continued from page 4

•Lagos lawyer Femi Falana addressing reporters during the rally in Lagos PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI, RAHMAN

SANUSI, KOLADE ADEYEMI, UJA EMMANUELAND NAN

policemen at the gate of the State Secretariat.

Members of the coalition, who started their own protest at Mokola Roundabout at about 7:30 am, also joined the students at the same point. Governor Abiola Ajimobi addressed both groups.

A resident told our reporter that some youths, numbering about 25, staged a protest at the Oremeji on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. They were said to have carried placards and blocked the expressway for a few minutes before they were dispersed by men of the Oyo State joint military patrol, codenamed “Operation Burst.”

The protest began at 7:30 am and lasted for about 20 minutes.

The SUG President, Mr Tokunbo Salako, insisted

that petrol price must be reversed to N65 per litre, in the interest of peace.

Salako said the removal of the subsidy on January I was a demonstration of insensitivity by the Jonathan administration.

The students gave a sevenday ultimatum to the government to reverse the decision or face the taking over of the National Assembly by students.

He presented a letter to Ajimobi with a request to communicate the content to Jonathan.

The letter reads: “We the youths in Ibadan hereby reject the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. We see this as an attempt to aggravate rate of poverty, cripple small and medium scale businesses and throw the masses into perpetual economic chaos.

“However, we are aware of the position of the

Governors’ Forum, which you are part of, and we see this as cruel betrayal of the mandate the masses sweated, toiled and laboured to give unto the Governors at the April 2011 elections.

“Thus, we youths have taken a stand to reject removal of fuel subsidy and we shall mobilise all youths, students, artisans and all citizens of the state to demonstrate our anger until our Governor pronounces publicly that the people of Oyo State rejected fuel subsidy removal and relate this position to the Presidency...

“If at all the Federal Government is to remove subsidy, it should go simultaneously with the reduction of government expenditures. The masses cannot be suffering to keep public office holders in luxury. We shall be dogged, resilient and persistent in

seeking that this anti-people policy is reversed.”

Ajimobi urged them to employ maturity in presenting their grievances.

He pledged his continued support for the youth and stressed that his administration would not roll out anti-people policies.

Youths in Makurdi, under the aegis of the Movement Against Oppression (MAO), staged a peaceful protest.

The placard-carrying youths, took off from Woodland Garden on Kashim Ibrahim Road and marched through Iyorchia Ayu Road to old Otukpo Road. The march terminated at Wurukum Roundabout.

There was traffic jam on Iyorchia Ayu Road.

Motorists were forced to drive against the traffic by the protesters who were peaceful in their conduct.

Some of the placards reads: “Who is the cabal”; and “Fix our refineries now”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

NEWS Ajata knocks Ondo’s N27b bond bid

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ORMER House of Representatives member and chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State Dr. Jaiyeola Ajata has condemned the bid by the administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to raise a N27 billion bond from the capital market.

The chartered accountant, who holds a doctorate degree in Business Administration, said the timing is wrong.

He said it is shocking that the Mimiko administration is trying to drag the state into debt in the last year of its tenure.

In a statement yesterday, Ajata said: “A bond is a debt instrument with which a borrower seeks fund from a lender.

Its repayment period usually spans over a long period of time. It is irresponsible, therefore, for an administration that has less than 15 months to go to pile up debt for its successor.

“It is a most cruel move to condemn the good people of Ondo State to gruelling poverty and malnutrition by scheming to channel their future resources to the repayment of a debt they know its proceeds would be misused, just like the funds that have come into the state in the past three years.

“Secondly, because of the fluctuation of the federal allocation, the professionally correct option is to tie the repayment of bonds to Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which is often more certain, reliable and within the control of the borrowing government.

“However, the Mimiko administration’s lack of initiative in raising IGR has led to a situation in which it has no domestic revenue stream to absorb the shock of the bond conditions.

“I am, by this statement, issuing a Caveat Emptor to those who may be hoodwinked into putting their money in this instrument to beware, so that they do not burn their fingers.

They should look critically at the number of projects that have been delivered by the Mimiko administration vis-avis the billions of naira of federal allocation.

“It is unethical to use the bond instrument to encourage a government on the path of profligacy and reckless dissipation of public funds. The Securities & Exchange Commission must ensure that due diligence is carried out, so that false claims of prudence and accountability are not allowed to go unchecked.”

He said the people are monitoring the transaction and would resist any attempt to enslave them.

Ajimobi constitutes Inter-Religious Council

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has constituted a State Inter-Religious Council. He said the council would ensure religious harmony, peaceful co-existence and security.

Ajimobi spoke yesterday at the Governor’s Office Car Park, during the inter-religious service marking the New Year.

He said the council would be inaugurated before the week ends.

The governor said: “This is a proactive government.

We plan ahead of incidences. We hear of Boko Haram here and there. We have constituted an interreligious council as a proactive measure against security threats.”

He said the State Security Trust Fund would be inaugurated before the end of the month and praised security agencies for ensuring peace during the Yuletide.

Ajimobi said: “This is the product of our proactive measure in setting up the Joint Security Patrol to con-

trol crime in the state.”

In the last one year, he said his government has curbed the incessant violence by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and guaranteed peace.

Ajimobi said the government also reduced fees in state-owned tertiary institutions to make education affordable for everyone.

He said: “We have been able to set our dear state on this path of restoration, transformation and repositioning because of the guidance of the almighty God, the cooperation of the public service and the good people of Oyo State.”

Head of Service Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu urged civil servants to embrace best practices and ensure effective service delivery.

Rev. Theophilus Fadeyi and Prof. D. O. S. Noibi, who delivered sermons in both the Christian and Islamic ways, urged civil servants to do their job with the fear of God and be loyal to the government.

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi flanked by his wife, Erelu Bisi; and House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin during an Inter-Faith Service marking the first working day of the New Year at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital...yesterday.

L

Fashola signs N491.9b 2012 Appropriation Bill

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday signed this year’s N491.941 billion Appropriation Bill into Law. He said the implementation of the budget would improve the life of the people.

Calling for religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence, Fashola said development can only take place in a peaceful environment.

He said the budget gives priority to education, scholarship awards for indigent

By Miriam Ndikanwu

students, youth and women empowerment, social and housing schemes and road construction and repair.

The governor praised the House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the budget and urged Lagosians to fulfil their part by paying their taxes promptly.

He said: “It is incumbent upon us to fully declare our income and pay the appropriate taxes. Every effort to compromise our tax collectors and short-change the system that benefits us does us more harm than good.

“Those who short-change the system and get compromised do not have an obligation to remove your

refuse, provide security and build roads. It is the obligation of this government and it is in our best interest to collect every kobo due as tax.”

Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa said during the third reading of the budget, lawmakers advocated that the performance of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) be reviewed by the House quarterly.

Court rules against proscription of Oyo NURTW HE Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, has ruled against the proscription of the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State by the state government.

Governor Abiola AJimobi banned activities of the union last June, following a fracas between factions of the union, in which many people were killed at Iwo Road.

Delivering judgment yesterday in the suit filed by Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, a.k.a.

Tokyo, against the Nigeria Police Force, the court held that only the President and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) have the power to proscribe a society.

Justice Johnson Shakarho said there was no evidence to show that the government order was gazetted.

He said: “Exhibit A in the matter, which is the adopted

T

•Upholds Tokyo’s leadership From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

proscription order of the governor, was not shown to have been gazette.

“While the consent of the AGF referred to in Section 65 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38 Volume II Laws of Oyo State shall be construed as a reference to the consent of the Attorney-General of the state, such order must be sought and obtained before a proscription can take place.

“As such, Exhibit A cannot be used to prosecute the applicant as the consent of the Attorney-General of Oyo State has not been sought and obtained. Exhibit A, which is the adopted proscription order of the governor, was not shown to have been gazetted.”

On the declaration of Akinsola as a wanted person by the police, Justice

‘I resolve that the action of the respondent is contrary to the law, as all the facts given above have combined to vitiate any good intention on the part of the respondent.’

Shakarho said the police did not conduct a proper investigation into the matter before declaring the petitioner wanted.

He said the police also failed to comply with the order of the National Industrial Court (NIC), which reinstated Akinsola as the union’s chairman.

Justice Shakarho said evidence showed that during

the May 30, June 4 and 5, 2011, crises, Akinsola was attending functions in another state, including the graduation ceremony of one of his children.

He said NIC’s judgment foreclosed the issue of factions in Oyo NURTW, having adjudged the applicant as the authentic chairman of the union.

Justice Shakarho said: “The fact that the investigation of crime is part of the duties of the police does not give them the go-ahead to use their coercive powers to oppress a citizen.

“I resolve that the action of the respondent is contrary to the law, as all the facts given above have combined to vitiate any good intention on the part of the respondent.

“The motive of the respondent in declaring the applicant wanted is not bona fide; it is tainted with malice and vendetta.”

Lagos AG urges court to reject allegations against Customs boss

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HE Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, has justified the state's tardiness in deciding whether or not to prosecute the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Ibrahim Dikko, over an allegation of forgery made against him by a lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo.

Ipaye blamed the failure of the Nigeria Police Force to produce a comprehensive investigative report on the issue for his inability to decide on how to proceed with the case.

The AG said he was constrained by the failure of the Police to furnish him with the

By Eric Ikhilae

report of its investigation of the case, two years after he wrote to them (the Police), seeking a thorough investigation of the allegation contained in a July 19, 2010, petition by Keyamo.

Ipaye's position is contained in a counter affidavit filed by the state to a suit by Keyamo, seeking to compel the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to exercise his discretion under Section 258(a) of the state's Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2007, to decide whether or not to prosecute Dikko.

The AG contended in the affidavit deposed

to by a lawyer in the state's Justice Ministry, Olateju Taiwo, that the evidence presented

by Keyamo was insufficient for him to make a definite conclusion, a development he said informed his July 28, 2010, letter to the Police.

Ipaye argued that although materials presented by Keyamo contained allegations of forgery of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) documents, Keyamo failed to include evidence from these institutions to support his claims.

He urged the court to disregard Keyamo's application for an order of Mandamus compelling the DPP to exercise its discretion to

either prosecute Dikko or not. He contended that the application was premature because the Police was yet to provide the necessary evidence on which his office could act.

Keyamo had, while relying on a deposition by Olajide Oyewole, who claimed to have aided Dikko in the alleged forgery, accused the Customs boss of forging an NIM certificate numbered: 10912, and a WAEC certificate numbered: NGSG37836 of 1980.

On December 13, last year, Justice Yetunde Idowu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, granted Keyamo leave to apply for an order of Mandamus compelling the DPP to exercise his discretion on whether or not to prosecute Dikko over the allegation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

The rehabilitation of the rice mills would be part of the govt’s Agricultural Transformation Action plan to ban rice importation and make the country selfsufficient in its production by 2015.

- Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Oil prices rise to $102 as manufacturing grows

Fire at Wema Bank

By Muritala Omikunle

T

O

IL climbed to a sixweek high after manufacturing in the United States and Asia expanded in December and as concern persisted that further sanctions against Iran may disrupt shipments.

Futures gained as much as four per cent on the first day of trading this year as the Institute for Supply Management’s US factory index rose more than expected, adding to increases in China and India. An Iranian military official warned the US against sending an aircraft carrier back to the Persian Gulf.

“It looks like the US economy is coming back,” said Adam Sieminski, Chief Energy Economist at Deutsche Bank AG in Washington. “The upside risk for prices is greater than the downside risk.”

Crude oil for February delivery rose $3.90, or 3.9 per cent, to $102.73 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract touched $102.88, the highest level since November 17.

Futures climbed 8.2 per cent last year, the third consecutive yearly increase.

Brent oil for February settlement advanced $4.09, or 3.8 per cent, to $111.47 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.The European benchmark contract’s premium to West Texas Intermediate futures was at $8.74, down from a record $27.88 on October 14.

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

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

RATES Inflation -10.5% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $33.01b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-

0.2958 206.9 242.1 156 1.9179 238 40.472

• Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola flanked by Deputy Speaker, state House of Assembly, Hon Kolawole Taiwo and Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, signing this year’s budget into law, at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja ...

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES yesterday.

J

HERE was a fire out break at Wema Bank’s Head Office, yesterday.

The fire which started at about 2.oopm emanated from the generating set.It was however brought under total control in good time.

The bank commended the prompt response and efforts of the Lagos State and Nigerian Fire Services, the Nigerian Police and other banks in the neighborhood, including Union Bank, that came to lend their support in putting the blaze under check.

The bank, in a statement issued by the Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Adefemi Adeniran, assured the public that the bank has put in place necessary measures to mitigate the impact of such occurrences, saying the fire would not adversely affect the operations of the bank.

Shell shuts in 70,000bpd oil on Nembe Creek trunkline

UST two weeks after Shell shut its 200,000 barrels per day offshore Bonga facility, the company has announced the closure of operation of its Nembe Creek Trunkline (NCTL) in Bayelsa State shutting-in another 70,000 barrels per day.

In a statement issued by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) Corporate Media Relations Manager, Tony Okonedo, the company said it shut the facility to repair leaks found on it. The facility has been prone to attacks by militants before the amnesty programme was put in place.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

The statement said: “The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) is mobilising to repair the Nembe Creek Trunkline (NCTL) after crude theft leaks forced it to be shut down “SPDC had confirmed the leak on the 90-kilometre line and quickly shut in some producing flow stations, while also isolating the facility. Some 70,000 barrels of oil per day is deferred. The NCTL evacuates majority of SPDC and third party crude oil production in Eastern Swamp operations to Bonny Terminal.”

Shell said a joint investigation conducted by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, SPDC and the community showed oil thieves had installed valves at two points near the Tora manifold in Nembe in Bayelsa State. More than 200 barrels of spilled oil have been recovered.

Commenting, the Vice President HSE & Corporate Affairs, Shell Sub-Saharan Africa, Tony Attah, said: “What is really worrying about this leak is that it happened on a facility which was inaugurated in October 2009 to replace an old line, which was repeatedly targeted by crude oil

thieves. Sadly, the crude thieves continue to hinder efforts to maintain the integrity of key national oil and gas assets.”

The company said it is working to complete repair of the line before the end of January 2012.

The 90-km Nembe Creek Trunkline, constructed at a cost of over $1.1 billion, has a capacity to transport 600,000 bpd from 14 flow stations in the Niger Delta to the Bonny export terminal in Rivers State. It has been attacked many times. In September 2010, a major repair work was carried out on it following leaks caused by saboteurs.

Royal Dutch Shell said

• Shell MD Mutiu Sunmonu

last week an oil spill from the Bonga field, the largest spill in the African nation since 1998, has been contained, but the oilfield remained closed. The company has not said how long the field would be shut, and traders said yesterday no nominations has yet been seen for cargoes.

NCC: no plan to shut down BlackBerry services

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OLLOWING alleged protest messages over fuel sub-sidy removal through BlackBerry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has denied rumours that it plans to shutdown BlackBerry services across the country today. It has directed service providers to continue offering the service to Nigerians.

In a BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) message sent to some subscribers, and obtained by The Nation, NCC yesterday held a meeting with telecoms chiefs in the country and directed them to shut down BlackBerry services for two weeks owing to the rate of messages spreading over the networks to protest against the removal of fuel subsidy.

According to the BBM message, BlackBerry service on all networks will be suspended at 6.00am today.

But NCC, in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo has denied holding such meeting

• Sets call drop rate

By Adline Atili

with the heads of Telcos in the country. “There was never such a meeting held, nor was there ever a resolution to shut down BlackBerry services. The public is please advised to disregard such information.

“The Commission enjoins the network operators to continue to provide all telecommunication services, including Blackberry Services without fail.”

Corroborating, Airtel Nigeria, in a statement, also denied receiving any directive to shut down BlackBerry services.

“Please, be assured that Airtel is very passionate about realising its vision of being the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians and will continue to enrich Nigerians with world-class telecommunications services including BlackBerry services,” Airtel said.

Meanwhile, the commission has set a two per cent call drop rate and 98 per cent call completion rate as threshold for telecommunications companies as part of the conditions Telcos must meet in the new Key Performance Indicator (KPI) guidelines released by the commission.

Call drop rate is the number of dropped calls divided by the total number of call attempts while call completion rate is the ratio of successfully completed calls to the total number of attempted calls.

However, the commission, in a new report on quality of service KPI obtained from has indicated that there are improvements on the networks in quality of service delivery to subscribers.

This is coming in spite of frequent dissatisfaction expressed by subscribers on the quality of service by the operators, characterised by call drops, oc-

casional service outage and network congestion, among others.

Almost all the service providers in the Global System for Mobile communications and the Code Division Multiple Access segments of the industry are adjudged to have made some improvements in network upgrade to accommodate growing subscriber base as well as enhancing service delivery.

In the QoS assessment report conducted to measure the level of improvement on the networks of the operators between January and November 2011, NCC reported that for most of the operators, there has been improvement towards meeting the two per cent threshold.

Under the technical standard for the KPI report, NCC set two per cent call drop rate and 98 per cent completion rate as threshold for GSM operators, such as MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat.

Similarly, a two per cent call

drop rate and a 96 per cent call completion rate was set for the CDMA operators comprising Starcomms, Multi-Links, Zoom Mobile and Visafone Communications.

The KPI measures QoS assessment criteria, such as Call Setup Success Rate, Traffic Channel Congestion, Call Drop Rate, Call Completion Rate, Standalone Dedicated Control Channel, Paging Success Rate for the operators.

On each of the indexes, a rating such as ‘Improvement,’ ‘Good,’ ‘Poor,’ ‘Punctuation,’ ‘Most Steady below the Threshold’ are used to indicate operators’ performance.

Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity Department at the NCC, Dr Balarabe Sani, who signed the report said: “Improvement does not mean the new KPI threshold is met; it means that the trend to reach the threshold is progressing towards the set target of the indicator, taking into consideration the challenges the operators are facing.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

12

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

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

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

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

lem, it’s the middle part of the year that becomes the problem. That’s when we see the slowdown in the global economy having its biggest impact.”

The amount needing to be refinanced rises to more than $8 trillion when interest payments are included. Coming after a year in which Standard & Poor’s cut the US’s rating to AA+ from AAA and put 15 European nations on notice for possible downgrades, the competition to find buyers is heating up.

“It is a big number and obviously because many governments are still in a deficit situation the debt continues to accumulate and that’s one of the biggest problems,” Elwin de Groot, an economist at Rabobank Nederland in Utrecht, Netherlands, part of the world’s biggest agricultural lender, said in an interview on December 27.

While most of the world’s biggest debtors had little trouble financing their debt load in 2011, with Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Global Sovereign Broad Market Plus Index gaining 6.1 percent, the most since 2008, that may change.

Italy auctioned seven billion euro ($9.14 billion) of debt on December 29, less than the 8.5 billion euro tar-

geted. With an economy sinking into its fourth recession since 2001, Prime Minister Mario Monti’s government must refinance about $428 billion of securities coming due this year, the third-most, with another $70 billion in interest payments, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Borrowing costs for G-7 nations will rise as much as 39 per cent from last yaer, based on forecasts of 10year government bond yields by economists and strategists surveyed

by Bloomberg in separate surveys.

China’s 10-year yields may remain little changed, while India’s are projected to fall to 8.02 per cent from 8.36 per cent. The survey doesn’t include estimates for Russia and Brazil.

After Italy, France has the most amount of debt coming due, at $367 billion, followed by Germany at $285 billion. Canada has $221 billion, while Brazil has $169 billion, the UK has $165 billion, China (PRCH) has $121 billion and India $57 billion. Russia has the least maturing, or $13 billion.

Rising borrowing costs forced Greece, Portugal and Ireland to seek bailouts from the European Union and IMF. Italy’s 10- year yields exceeded 7 percent last month, a level that preceded the request for aid from those three nations.

12.15 12.45

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1. Dana

OVERNMENTS of the world’s leading economies have more than $7.6 trillion of debt maturing this year, with most facing a rise in borrowing costs.

Led by Japan’s $3 trillion and the United State’s $2.8 trillion, the amount coming due for the Group of Seven nations and Brazil, Russia, India and China is up from $7.4 trillion at this time last year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Ten-year bond yields will be higher by year-end for at least seven of the countries, forecasts show.

Investors may demand higher compensation to lend to countries that struggle to finance increasing debt burdens as the global economy slows, surveys show. The International Monetary Fund cut its forecast for growth this year to 4 percent from a prior estimate of 4.5 percent as Europe’s debt crisis spreads, the US struggles to reduce a budget deficit exceeding $1 trillion and China’s property market cools.

“The weight of supply may be a concern,”Stuart Thomson, a money manager in Glasgow at Ignis Asset Management Ltd., which oversees $121 billion, said in a December 28 telephone interview. “Rather than the start of the year being the prob-

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

World’s biggest economies face $7.6t debt G

08.00 18.00

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

Telecoms subscribers hail operators

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RESIDENT of the National Association of Telecoms Sub scribers (NATCOMS), Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, said there is slight improvement in Quality of Service (QoS) rendered by operators during the Yuletide.

Ogunbanjo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, yesterday that the operators have improved their service by about 10 per cent.

He said subscribers and states chairmen of NATCOMS confirmed the improvements in QoS by service providers.

“SMS improved in the delivery process, but for calls, it is neither here nor there, drop calls slightly reduced, while SMS delivery slightly improved this Christmas.

“You know usually, congestion here and there, some were still undelivered but when you look at the overall picture, there is little improvement in SMS delivery this Christmas because that is when people sent SMS so much.’’

He noted that it was because of the improvements noticed in the operators’ networks that made the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to waive sanctioning them.

Ogunbanjo said some service providers he spoke with, complained of the National Environment Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) obstructing them from smooth functioning of their base stations.

“Yes, NCC has said they are not going to sanction them anymore, but they have also said they will continue to keep eyes on them, to ensure that they still continue to respond positively to some of these their challenges and to actually improve Quality of Service,’’ adding that the operators promised to continue to overcome those challenges they face from NESREA and the multiple taxation from federal, state and local governments across the country.

Sugar: union flays import monopoly

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu • From Left: Commodore, Lagos Motor Club, Mr Bimbola Ogunbanjo; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Head, Corporate Communications, NSE, Mr Dante Martins, and international musician, Mr Keith Sweat, ringing the closing bell, during a courtesy visit to the Exchange.

Afren surpasses production target

A

S a result of the ramp-up in production at the Ebok field offshore Nigeria, aggregate roduction attributable to Afren has reached about 55,400 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) Afren, according to Proactive Investors UK, reported that group oil production at the end of last year reached 55,400 barrels of oil equivalent, higher than the 50,000 boepd it had previously forecast.

The news lifted the company’s shares in early deals yesterday and extended gains as the morning session progressed. The stock was trading up 10.8 per cent at 94.95 pence.

Production at the Ebok field, located offshore southeast Nigeria, has been increased to a stabilised rate of about 40,000 barrels of oil per day, following the commissioning and ramp-up of all production wells associated with the initial phases of the Ebok development.

As a result of the ramp-up in production at the Ebok field, aggregate net working interest production attributable to Afren has reached a rate of about 55,400 boepd.

A production rate above the 50,000 boepd target has been sustained since December 19 2011 from the Ebok, Okoro and Côte d’Ivoire operations.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi with agency report

In addition, gross production on the Ogini and Isoko fields in Nigeria has nearly doubled to around 10,500 bpd from around 6,000 bpd, since its 45 per cent owned associate First Hydrocarbon Nigeria and its partner Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) completed the acquisition of the OML 26 asset on December 1, 2011.

Afren Chief Executive Osman Shahenshah said: “We are delighted that all production wells drilled as part of the initial phases of the Ebok field development have been inaugurated, and to have increased production to 40,000 bopd, in line with expectations.

This marks one of the quickest independent developments of its scale in Nigeria to date.

“The group is in a strong position with aggregate net working interest production of 55,400 boepd going into 2012, as we embark upon an extensive exploration and appraisal (E&A) drilling campaign in Ghana, Nigeria, the joint development zone of Nigeria São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Kenya and the Kurdistan region of Iraq, that has the potential to materially transform and increase our discovered resource base.”

Westhouse Securities is main-

taining its ‘buy’ stance on Afren.

The brokerage company said in its ‘Oil and Gas Filter’ report: “Having guided the market to 50,000 boepd as recently as mid-November, this announcement marks a positive start to 2012. It also demonstrates that the development work and focus of the group on the Ebok field is set to produce very tangible results in 2012.”

On the planned exploration and development work this year, Westhouse said the 2012 programme will potentially add significant new resources to the company’s base, as well as continue to add production gains.

Brewin Dolphin stated in its Morning Brew, saying that meeting its stated target exit rate is positive news for the company, “although we would question how sustainable the current rates are.

“Also, we note that Afren will have underperformed on its original annual average production targets. Focus now turns to exploration, with the outlined 15 well exploration programme, which if adhered to could expose investors to significant upside potential. We retain our ADD recommendation but move our price target to Under Review for the time being.”

E

MPLOYEES in the food and bev erage sector have condemned the monopoly in importation of sugar.

The workers, under the aegis of the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), have urged the Federal Government to give import licences to other players in the food and beverage sector, instead of putting them at the mercy of a single importer.

Its General Secretary, Comrade Bamidele Busari, said the industry is contending with many challenges, including non-availability of electricity supply, multiple taxation and high cost of diesel. He, therefore, urged the government not to compound the problems facing the industry by putting manufacturers at the mercy of only one importer.

Busari noted that sugar is an essential commodity for food and beverage production, saying its scarcity or high cost would affect their employers negatively.

“They gave only one man the right to import at the expense of others. If you go to the port, you would see that to clear goods take months. Most raw materials would have expired.”

The food sector’s challenges are beyond sugar importation, as Busari also complained about over-taxation in the industry.

“Besides NAFDAC, there are about four other control agencies in one industry. There’s multiple taxation from the federal, state and local governments,” he said, adding that with the resultant high cost of production, companies won’t be able to produce enough to sustain their expenses.

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ISSUES The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is spearheading a new payment system designed to encourage e-payment and cut operating costs. The introduction of cash-lite banking, which has started in Lagos, is a way of realising this objective. COLLINS NWEZE x-rays steps to actualise the dream and its implication on the economy.

Cash-lite: Heavy transactions, less cash I

N Nigeria, almost everything is paid for in cash. In supermarkets, cheques are hardly accepted, and when applied, delivery of goods and services is only completed when the beneficiary gets value from the bank. So, Nigeria has remained a cash-based economy, despite the growth in the country’s banking sector and billions of naira invested in electronic banking over the years.

But all these are about to change with the take off of the cash limit policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Under the policy the minimum cash lodgement and withdrawal by individuals and corporate organisations are pegged at N150,000 and N1 million daily.

The policy took off in Lagos on January 1.

It will, subsequently, be implemented in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Aba, in the first instance, and extended to other parts of the country at a date to be determined by the Bankers’ Committee.

CBN adopted this measure to curb dominance of cash in the economy, with its attendant implication for cost, security and money laundering, among others.

CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi says the policy is designed to reduce the cost of handling cash, which is eating into bank’s profits and liquidity. He estimated that, by this year, banks will be spending N192 billion on cash handling, noting that this would be passed on to customers in terms of fees and interest charges.

“The target is getting the cost reduced by 30 per cent in three years through enforcement of four-pronged initiativesnamely reduction in cash management cost, enhanced electronic payment system, Information Technology and centralised back-office systems,” he said.

He explained that the proposal is not to place limit on cash transactions, but to ensure that customers who make high volume cash transactions bear the associated cost, if they opt to ignore electronic payment channels.

To kickstart the scheme, 11 Mobile Payment Service Providers (MPSP) – Pagatech, Fortis Mobile, UBA/Afripay, GTBank, eTranzact, Monetise, Eartholeum, Paycom, FET, Ecobank, and Kudi – have been licensed.

CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo, said it was agreed at a combined meeting with the Bankers Committee, that the policy be adopted to reduce the high usage of cash, moderate the cost of cash management and encourage the use of electronic payment channels.

Lemo, who spoke at a seminar organised by the Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads (CeBIH) in Lagos, said organisations that make cash transactions above the limits will be charged a penal fee of N100 per thousand and N200 per thousand for amounts above the cumulative limits. A contravention will attract a fine of five times the amount that the bank waives as a first offender. But further contraventions will cost the bank 10 times the charges waived.

• Mallam Sanusi

Also, third party cheques above N150,000 will not be eligible for encashment over the counter, except through clearing. If a bank allows third party cheque encashment above N150,000, a sanction of 10 per cent of the face value of the cheque or N100,000 whichever is higher, will be applied.

Stakeholders’ initiative The Intermarc Consulting Limited, has launched a coalition of e-payment, an initiative aimed at complementing the CBN’s policy. Members of the coalition include major stakeholders in the payment system, such as banks and financial institutions, telecommunications operators, insurance companies, airlines, and PoS/ATM manufacturers, as well as media partners.

The Managing Director, Intermarc Consulting, Adeyinka Adeyemi, said the coalition’s

aim includes educating professional and trade associations on the advantages of the policy, promoting consumer education and awareness for e-payment and its benefits.

“We are saying that there is no point investing on these platforms if the people are not using them. We are also mounting pressure on the CBN to provide the right policy and operating environment for the initiative to work,” he said.

According to Intermarc, the coalition will act as a catalyst for the propagation and promotion of e-payment across e-commerce channels, particularly through consumer education on a sustainable basis.

Adeyemi said the primary objectives of the coalition include: educating professional and trade associations in Nigeria on the advantages of government’s cashless policy; promoting consumer education and awareness for e-payment and its benefits; inducing and

promoting the use of e-payment in the various market segments.

Others include: conducting regular interactive forums to enlighten the public on the new policy and educating consumers generally on the transition to a cashless economy.

He said the industry has grown in terms of infrastructure, which have made the economy more appropriate for cashless transactions.

Also, CeBIH is calling on the public to support the cash-lite policy. CeBIH Chairman Chuma Ezirim made the plan at a seminar on “Cash-lite Lagos - Evaluating the level of preparedness” organised by the Committee in Lagos. He said the policy has a lot of benefits, adding that is other places transiting from cash to elec• Continued on page 14

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ISSUES • Continued from page 13

tronic payment led to one per cent increase in economic growth.

“This is mainly explained by the realisation of economies of scale in the provision of electronic payments, the overall increase in the total number of payment transactions, a greater reliance on cost-efficient service delivery channels as well as impact on technological change in terms of lower telecommunication and processing costs. We, therefore, believe that the recent policy by CBN to reduce the number of transactions settled with cash in the country is very laudable and should be supported by well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.

Cash-lite: Heavy transactions, less cash

Implementation strategies The CBN has started registering of companies providing cash-in-transit and currency sorting. In addition to enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of currency management, the policy is aimed at facilitating the generation of good and clean notes for payment and ensuring product quality, integrity and standardisation. So far, two companies, Bankers Warehouse Limited and Integrated Cash Management Systems Limited, have been registered as Cash-In-Transit companies and given approval-in-principle as currency sorting firms.

Hurdles The CBN has accused the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of hindering the deployment of Point of Sale (PoS) terminals in the implementation of the cash-lite policy.

Lemo said NCS is constituting a roadblock to the apex bank’s target of deploying 40,000 PoS terminals by the end of last year. The CBN had set a target of 40,000 PoS terminals by the end of December 2011 for the “Cashlite Lagos” project to cater for settlement of transactions, alongside other electronic payment options.

He said the NCS classifies PoS terminals as “cash registers” and so is demanding 20 per cent administrative charges on each terminal being imported by the commercial banks and co-ordinated by the CBN instead of the usual five per cent.

The apex bank also accused telecommunications companies of sending wrong signals to the public concerning the operations of Mobile Payment Scheme Operators, threatening to withdraw their licences if they fail to comply.

Telcos, it said, are carrying out public media advertisement on behalf of Mobile Payments Scheme Operators, thereby sending wrong signals to the public and causing disaffection among operators.

CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, Gaius Emokpae, said such practice is unacceptable, adding that the regulator will take action, which may include withdrawal of licences.

He explained that the bank is not unmindful of the critical roles of the telcos, and hence the explicit assignment of responsibilities to them in the Regulatory Framework for Mobile Payment Services as infrastructure providers.

Evidence Act review/financial inclusion There are also moves to ensure that the apex bank’s plan to strengthen e-payment system and extend financial services to the unbanked is backed by law. Moves are on for a review of the Evidence Act to that effect.

Stakeholders insist that the Evidence Act should be expanded to accept electronic evidence in court, should fraud occur in the use of e-payment platforms, such as the PoS terminals.

Angela Adeboye, Senior Consultant with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) on Financial Inclusion, said the legislative process should be advanced to reflect new dimensions in the e-payment system. She said the legislation guiding e-banking would be adjusted to address new threats in the industry, arguing that it would enhance people’s confidence on branchless and mobile banking which are the hallmarks of financial inclusion.

Improved lending /NUBAN The banks are planning a surge in credit from this month, with the take-off of ‘cashlite’ transaction and e-payment system. Besides, they have expressed their readiness to begin the cash-lite transactions regime, called “operations cash-lite,” following the

• GMD FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya

will enhance the efficacy of the monetary policy as more economic agents will resort to more use of cheques and e-payments and the currency in circulation captured within the banking system.

Speaking on “Cashless economy: The role of Microfinance Banks” at a capacity building event organised by the Lagos State Chapter of the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), David Adelana, Senior Bank Examiner, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD), CBN, said CBN’s stabilisation measures will become more effective as higher proportions of transactions will be done through cheques and electronic payments.

“The policy will enhance the efficacy of monetary policy operations and economic stabilisation measures and balance genuine currency transaction demands and speculative market behaviours.

“As at March 2011, currency in circulation stood at N1.42 trillion, while that outside banks’ vaults, stood at N1.025 trillion as at February, 2011. Cashless banking is the route to financial inclusiveness and inclusive development.

“Mobile payment revolution is currently sweeping across the African continent and Nigeria shouldn’t be out of the modern and global trend in enjoying such initiatives by adopting technological practices that make lives easier. The mobile payment industry will play a huge role in the development of the Nigerian economy.”

•GMD Zenith Bank, Godwin Emefiele

Experts’ view

• GMD Enterprise Bank, Ahmed Kuru

•GMD Skye Bank, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti

full implementation of the Nigerian Uniform Bank Account Number Standard (NUBAN).

Competent sources within the banks said the new number regime enables banks to deal with challenges associated with the old non-uniform structure of account numbers, thereby allowing the financial institutions to migrate to the cash-lite transaction era.

According to CBN, the initial challenges to NUBAN were increasing cost of clearing, occasioned by the slowing down of the pace of transactions, but as of today, those issues are being resolved. The new number scheme has addressed various complaints, ranging from payments into wrong accounts and the difficulty and lateness experienced in reversing such errors. The other issues include delays in presenting customer’s instructions in the clearing house, delayed application of inward items by some banks, and late return of unapplied inward items.

Besides, banks are beginning to witness some reduction in operating costs. The cost reduction is derived from the efficiency of the automated clearing house system of the banks, since the scheme took off this year.

The new account number scheme has fa-

cilitated better electronic payments among banks; besides, it has helped to implement the electronic payment directive of the Federal Government to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), thereby reducing operating cost among the banks.

Offsite ATMs return The CBN has also reversed its earlier directive to banks to withdraw their offsite ATMs in airports, hotels and eateries. Citing the new cash limit policy, it said banks can now deploy ATMs outside their premises.

Findings have shown that banks have started deploying ATMs and PoS terminals in strategic points, like shopping malls, airports, higher institutions of learning and busy markets to make cash readily available to customers. Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Godwin Emefiele, said the bank is putting in place everything needed to achieve a ‘Cashless Lagos’.

Benefits The CBN believes that the cash-lite scheme

‘From the possibility of ordering and paying for fertiliser by farmers in all remote villages across the country using GSM, to the promise of cutting down on the cost of loans to borrowers, the cash-lite policy seems to have something for everyone. The cash-lite policy is expected to deemphasise the use of cash and focus more on electronic banking products like Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), credit cards and other online payment modems’

Diverse views have emerged since the apex bank unveiled the policy. Corporate governance expert Oladele Solanke said the interest created by the cash-lite policy is an indication of its importance to the economic life of the people.

“From the possibility of ordering and paying for fertiliser by farmers in all remote villages across the country using GSM, to the promise of cutting down on the cost of loans to borrowers, the cash-lite policy seems to have something for everyone.

“The cash-lite policy is expected to deemphasise the use of cash and focus more on electronic banking products like Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), credit cards and other online payment modems,” he said.

Solanke said for the policy to succeed, the apex bank must make the needed infrastructure available.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Bismarck Rewane said the greatest challenge facing the policy is infrastructure, especially availability of power.

He said the high penetration rate of mobile phones will, within the next few years, make payments easier, and revolutionise the country’s financial and banking landscape.

This will enable banks to innovate and earn new commissions from financial services, and increase their net banking revenue.

Vice-Chairman, Integrated Cash Management Services Limited Charles Nwodo Jnr said reducing the cost associated with cash transactions is acceptable. Speaking during a cash management seminar, Nwodo said while other central banks have only partial responsibility for the supply and management of cash, the CBN has made it its sole responsibility.

He argued that cash, if not well-managed, has significant cost and risk implications, not only on the central bank’s business, but also on the larger economy, saying the CBN should take the lead and move from an active player in the cash supply chain to an active regulator.

CBN’s stand The apex bank promises that concrete steps are being taken to address all issues that are likely to constrain the implementation of the Bankers’ Committee initiative to promote e-payment.

The Head of CBN’s Shared Services Department, Mrs. Eyitope St. Matthew-Daniel, at a breakfast meeting organised by the Committee of Chief Inspectors of Banks in Nigeria in Lagos, said the transformation of the payments system is a major plank of the shared services programme, which aim is to reduce costs in the banking industry- by a minimum of 30 per cent.

Other elements of the programme include centralised back office operations and the alignment of information technology standards across the industry. The implementation of these initiatives will impact positively on industry cost structure, which banks are expected to ultimately pass on to their customers by way of lower charges.

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CBN advocates PPP, BOT to bridge infrastructure funding gap

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is advocating that government sources are not enough to finance infrastructural development, as options, such as ‘Public, Private Partnership’ (PPP) and ‘Build, Operate and Transfer’ (BOT) should be explored.

The apex bank has also approved a Development Finance Department that will work with stakeholders in the finance and infrastructure development sectors with the objective of drafting an Infrastructure Finance Policy.

The construction of the Second Niger bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Abuja International Airport and the Benin-Shagamu Expressway top government’s priority list in infrastructure financing.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, also announced it will provide Advisory Services for a new public-private partnership to build a hospital in Cross River State, and that it will explore the financing of a second Niger River bridge project at the request of the government.

The proposed policy is expected to, among others; specify the infrastructure financing options, dispute resolution mechanisms, roles of stakeholders, and incentives offered by relevant government ministries and agencies. This will serve as a guide to investors and other stakeholders in making infrastructure project investment/financing decisions.

The policy is expected to leverage private finance for infrastructure development; diversify and develop the non bank sources of long term debt finance of infrastructure and reduce the cost of projects. It will also promote the involvement of specialised funds and/or multilateral agencies and international

By Collins Nweze

banks in financing a growing number of development projects and determine and recommend incentives to spur local and international investors to invest in infrastructure projects.

The CBN said there is the need to explore infrastructure finance policies in other jurisdictions, especially in emerging economies to determine what can be leveraged from such experiences and liaise with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on their current policies on infrastructure financing and/or incentives provided for PPPs. The policy, when instituted, will contain a framework for issuing guarantee for public-private partnership (PPP), of which infrastructure financing is paramount. A statement from the apex bank said the initiatives taken so far have in no small measure addressed the huge challenges confronting the nation and added that such pro-activeness has provided a roadmap for resuscitation of critical infrastructure.

It reiterated the key role of infrastructure in economic development of the country, adding that concerted efforts are being made to reverse infrastructural decay. The CBN assured that government will continue to create conducive environment to attract foreign investments in the area of infrastructural development.

The statement said symbiotic relationship exists between infrastructure and economic development. It however decried poor performance of state-owned enterprises involved

in infrastructural development, huge financing gap existing in the sector and absence of maintenance culture.

It further identified major challenges confronting infrastructure financing in Africa and indeed, Nigeria to include non-availability of long term funds, harsh economic environment, absence of risk sharing structures and lack of refinancing facility to boost liquidity for banks engaged in infrastructure financing . Other impediments to infrastructure finance according to the Governor include inadequate capacity building for stakeholders and policy reversal by government.

Already, the Federal Government has estimated that $67 billion (N10.6 trillion) would be required to fix Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit in

the next four years.

The funds would be used to upgrade roads, fix bridges, channeled to the energy sector, the ports, hospitals and schools. The Information Technology sector also needs more investment among others, to create jobs and attract foreign direct investment.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who disclosed this at the opening session of the Africa Regional Public-Private Partnership (PPP) conference in Lagos, said the private sector is willing to enter into partnership with governments on PPP investments, but doing that will be dependent on returns on investments on those projects.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said Nigeria needs clear institutional framework

for the implementation, management and assessment of PPP projects within the government, which would set clear roles and responsibilities for regulation, preparation, assessment, supervision, and final monitoring and evaluation.

She said the projects also need to be bankable. “The private sector is looking for bankable projects. The reason Indonesia is not working as well as it should is because of the failure to get goodbankable projects to market as such would promote more PPP in the economy,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala noted that PPP takes a long time to mature even in the best of times and that the more a project is spread out, the complex it becomes. She regretted that in Nigeria, PPP projects take twice the time needed to complete them in other countries, noting that this has to be addressed to attract investors.

Besides, she said that Nigeria needs a transparent private sector and the understanding development partners to get the PPP working.

VISA unveils prepaid product for mobile banking

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ISA Incorporated has introduced a product serving the needs of unbanked and under-banked consumers. The product, known as ‘Visa prepaid account’ can be accessed through a mobile phone, offers consumers in developing countries a secure, reliable, globally interoperable electronic payment account.

The product is a significant step to bringing access to secure financial services and electronic payments to consumers in developing countries.

In a statement, Visa said it is partnering with MTN Group to offer the new Visa product to MTN Mobile Money customers across its markets. As part of the launch, the new product would be available to customers in Nigeria and Uganda.

At present, more than 100 mobile money programmes provide consumers in developing countries with basic financial services, with several more being planned by financial institutions and mobile network operators.

Visa’s new product will enhance the security, scale and interoperability of these mobile money programmes, while extending their payment functionality by enabling account holders to send funds to each other. They can also send and receive international remittances, make purchases online where Visa is accepted or withdraw funds at Visa Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

“Reaching consumers who have previously lacked access to formal financial services with secure and reliable electronic payments is finally a reality,” said Jim McCarthy, Head of Product for Visa Incorporated.

He explained that mobile technology has become the single most important driver of financial inclusion that is enabling financial institutions, mobile network operators and Visa to connect unbanked consumers to each other and the global economy.

MTN Mobile Money has been implemented in 12 countries with about 5.7 million registered mobile money customers. “The launch of this product with Visa does not only enhance our current mobile money offering, but also represents yet another crucial milestone in our journey to bring value-adding services to the growing population of mobile phone users in our markets. And as the appetite for mobile technology grows, MTN is excited to be at the forefront of providing millions of our customers with such important product innovations,” said Christian de Faria, MTN Group Chief Commercial Officer.

The mobile phone is changing how consumers around the world pay and get paid, and offers financial service providers in developing countries a new, efficient channel to serve the unbanked and under-banked. In the last ten years, 100 million people have been newly ‘banked’ through mobile services that offer consumers basic financial services that are limited in geographic reach.

Visa’s recent acquisition of Fundamo, a leading mobile money platform in developing countries, and its integration into Visa, has created the first globally interoperable mobile payment platform that can connect existing mobile money services with Visa’s global payment network, VisaNet, the statement, added.

•From left: Regional Manager, Southsouth Diamond Bank, John Ogwo ; Executive Director, Victor Ezenwoko and First Lady, Cross River State, Mrs Obioma Liyel-Imoke, in Calabar.

Operators seek increase in finance houses’ funding P

RESIDENT, Finance Houses Association of Nigeria (FHAN),Eddie Osarenkhoe, has said there is the need to broaden the funding of finance houses by authorising them to mobilise savings and idle funds from the public through fixed and savings deposit schemes. He said the operators will welcome appropriate regulatory controls limiting deposit taking capacity to a percentage of the shareholders’ funds unimpaired by losses.

Osarenkhoe told The Nation that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and operators in the finance houses are forging ahead with a new agenda aimed at reviving the moribund sector. Finance company business entails providing financial services for consumers and to industrial, commercial or agricultural enterprises. Such services include funds management, equipment leasing, hire-purchase, debts factoring and securitisation, project financing or consultancy, debt administration, Local Purchasing Order (LPO) financing, securities trading among others.

Osarenkhoe said the business space for finance companies have become crowded and an all comers affair. “The finance companies now face stiff competition from other players in the financial services industry who directly offer the supposedly core and traditional services covered by the subsectors’ operating licence,” he said.

The operators of finance houses

have also called on the CBN to design a bailout package for the industry.

“We make bold to call on the CBN to design and implement a unique and special “stimulus package” for the subsector to urgently stem the uncertainty, hopelessness, apathy, and business failures in the system.

“As the sub sector looks up to the apex bank to initiate a redesign of the operating and regulatory environment, the immediate challenge before us is the need to develop an industry wide strategy for attracting low cost funds into the system.

In addition, operators should as a priority put in place a robust credit risk management framework that will hedge against the growing huge stock of weak assets and the resultant loan losses that has installed income growth,” Osarenkhoe said.

The FHAN boss also charged operators to develop a strategic loan recovery strategy so as to remain afloat amidst the challenges in the system.

He stressed that the past 10 months of the year had posed enormous business challenges in the operating environment, adding that most finance companies have recorded poor financial results.

“This unfortunate scenario is clear evidence that our major business challenge has been the lack of a robust regulatory and supervisory reform programme that will ad-

dress the issues of the pervasive low investor confidence, narrow funding structure, and the concomitant inability to attract and retain high managerial capacity in the system.

However, he said that in spite of the very inclement structural and institutional difficulties, some of our members have remained resilient and redoubtable. Their ability to identify and leverage on their unique strengths and competences to take advantage of the growth opportunities in the economy is indeed cheering news in the midst of so much gloom.

The CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Kingsley Moghalu, disclosed that aside commencing comprehensive reforms of the sector, in 2012; it is going to give it new operational guidelines for its operations. He requested that the CBN brings finance companies under the deposit insurance scheme of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to boost investors’ confidence in the sub-sector.

He said the minimum capital requirement has become grossly inadequate and has reinforced the narrow funding base of operators.

“We therefore wish to advise on the need to significantly raise the minimum capital base in the near future. This will immediately address partly, the issue of funding as well as create a barrier to entry into the system for fringe players and mushroom institutions,” he said.

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Finance Ministry urged to stop Western Union, USAID partner creation of micro agric banks T

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HE Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have been advised to stop the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) from setting up microfinance banks.

The development follows the decision of the Bank of Agriculture to establish microfinance banks in the 776 local government councils.

Giving the advise, the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) said the idea is tantamount to the abdication of duties and responsibilities on the part of Bank of Agriculture.

NAMB’s Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Olufemi Babajide, said the Bank of Agriculture would lose focus if it goes ahead with the decision to set up microfinance banks.

He said: “The policies setting up microfinance banks and the Bank of Agriculture are different. While the former was set up to reduce poverty to a minimal level, the latter was established to provide loans to small and medium scale farmers at a more flexible, and

By Akinola Ajibade

lower rates. So, inability to stop the Bank of Agriculture on the issue would affect the operations of the microfinance institutions. If the Bank of Agriculture loses its focus, what would happen to the farmers.”

He said the development is going to have spillover effects on the operations of microfinance banks, adding that the goals of setting up the banks would be defeated.

“We have over 900 microfinance banks in Nigeria today. What the Federal Government agencies need to do is to support the microfinance institutions financially, instead of trying to duplicate the efforts of the banks”, he said.

He said the Ministry of Transport is treading a similar path, arguing such efforts must be checked to avoid problems.

Babajide said many investors have sold their properties to set up microfinance banks, adding that they would find it difficult to

make appreciable growth if the activities of such agencies are not checked.

Babajide said agencies, such as defunct Peoples Bank, Directorate for Food Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFFRI), Better Life Programme, among others, were set up in the past to render microfinance services without making any success, advising the Bank of Agriculture to learn from history.

“Where is DFFRI and the Peoples Bank today? They have gone. All these agencies set up microfinance banks in the past. But they have failed to tackle the issue of poverty in Nigeria,” he added.

The CBN owns 40 per cent in the Bank of Agriculture, while the Ministry of Finance owns 60 per cent. Under the regulation, the two agencies are required to monitor and control the affairs of the bank. Besides, they are mandated to ensure the bank keeps to its goals of promoting agriculture via providing facilities to the farmers.

HE Western Union Company and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have launched the second African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM). The ADM is an initiative, which encourages sustainable economic growth and employment by supporting United States based African Diaspora entrepreneurs with innovative and highimpact ideas for start-up and established businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The launch of ADM coincides with Global Entrepreneurship Week events in the United States, and kicks off a month-long series of small business workshops in six other cities.The second phase of ADM will incorporate key learning from the first African Diaspora Marketplace focusing grants toward high priority, high-impact sectors in Africa,including agribusiness, renewable energy, and information and communication technology (ICT).

To expand upon ADM’s previous success, Western Union and USAID are inviting small business investment funds and technical assistance mentors to participate in the effort to engage Diaspora entrepreneurs.

Coinciding with the launch, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an African-funded foundation that promotes the competitiveness of the African private sector, is joining the ADM partnership. The Foundation will participate through the

hosting of an annual event in Lagos, Nigeria starting in late 2012 where ADM grantees will have the chance to pitch to a group of select impact investors for second round equity and debt financing.

Also joining USAID and Western Union as funders are the Western Union Foundation, and Irv Barr Management through Western Union® Agent Giving Circles. In 2010, the ADM awarded more than a dozen matching grants of $100,000 each to winning business entries in seven countries.

“Our support for innovative Diaspora entrepreneurs is an investment in the long-term economic health of Africa,”says Hikmet Ersek, President/Chief Executive Officer of Western Union.

“Through this collaboration, Western Union and USAID are helping to tap the economic potential of the 1.4 million Africans living in the US, bringing more direct investment to the continent. The African Diaspora Marketplace will strengthen and help satisfy demand for locally-produced products and services by leveraging Diaspora capital and resources.”

“Small and medium enterprises still provide the majority of employment opportunities globally,” says USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah. Entrepreneurship and small businesses fuel economic development and empower communities by maximising the use of local products and services.

Stanbic IBTC improves turnaround time for SMEs’ loans

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•From left: Deputy Vice-President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Kabir Mohammed and President, Prof Francis Ojaide, at the 16th Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) at the yearly conference in Lagos.

PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

CBN harps on data to sustain growth

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said its goals of providing robust policies for the industry can only be achieved through adequate data. The apex bank further said policies are not arrived at in vague terms, adding that they are products of concerted and systematic gathering of data on issues evolving in the financial markets.

Speaking during a workshop on data collection for economic growth in Lagos, CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, urged stakeholders to provide and manage data that would spur economic growth.

Sanusi, who was represented by the Director, Statistical Department, CBN, Dr Sani Doguwa, said the need to seek the support of all stakeholders, especially the manufacturers became necessary in view of the problems affecting the economy.

Sanusi said the apex bank is

By Akinola Ajibade

committed to providing data that would aid macro-economic development.

He said: “In view of the heavy demand and timely release of monetary financial, and balance of payment data which are veritable tools for policy formulation, CBN is forging ahead to actualising its mandate of collecting, and collating statistical data relating to various aspects of the economy (including manufacturing, public finance, agric and energy production, foreign investments, money and banking, and balance of payment.”

He said the CBN can only solve the problems of inflation and balance of payment equilibrium, when there are adequate, reliable and up-to-date data.

According to him, key players in the economy must contribute their quota to ensure the success

of any regulatory policies.

Sanusi said data is being collected globally for economic growth, adding that Nigeria would not be an exception when its comes to using the instrumentality of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to achieve growth.

He said there are problems in the process of collating data, and formulating policies that would influence proper economic growth, adding that the problems can be overcome when all the stakeholders work together.

“One identified clog in the release of data by the stakeholders/ data suppliers is the fear of insecurity of the data supplied.

We want to reiterate that , the purpose of our data collection is neither for taxation nor political reason. Rather it is purely for macro-economic analysis, which would result in robust policies for the benefit of the entire nation,” he added.

TANBIC IBTC Bank has deployed a new product, SME Quick Loans, to bridge the huge funding gap in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment of the economy. This product will enable eligible SMEs access finance within five days of applying for a loan.

Sola David-Borha, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, said the introduction of SME Quick Loan to the Nigerian market will benefit SMEs that could not access funding due to lack of financial statements and collateral, reiterating the bank’s commitment to the deployment of innovative products and services to the retail segment of the market.

According to her, the product not only provides finance to a large pool of entrepreneurs, but does so quickly, in recognition of the urgent financial needs of growing businesses.

The Head of Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Obinnia Abajue, said the bank is committed to closing the financing gap for small businesses, through its SME Quick Loan product.

“Small businesses, which are typically the backbone of the economy, suffer considerably from inadequate access to capital.

SME Quick Loan will help to miti-

gate this problem and empower SMEs to contribute more optimally to economic development.

It entails a new credit evaluation approach that reduces loan disbursement process from weeks to less than five days, reduces application forms from 19 pages to two,” he said.

“Stanbic IBTC invested significantly in research in the SME segment in Nigeria, to complement the credit evaluation with processes that fit the SME business owner. All this has improved our ability to determine future risk profiles of customers. The combination of this together with affordability assessments as well as fraud management and prevention allows the bank to increase credit risk appetite. We are able to offer unsecured loans ranging from N100,000 to N4.5 million, to SMEs to enable them to achieve high level of productivity and capacity.”

SME Quick Loan employs a unique psychometric evaluation to overcome the traditional challenges of assessing risk in the SME market. Its introduction by the Standard Bank Group has resulted in 84 per cent increase in access to loans by applicants. Through the product, over N2.2 billion has been disbursed to 1,100 small businesses in Nigeria.

Standard Bank targets Africa’s SMEs

S

TANDARD Bank Group is financing small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs), tapping into a lucrative segment that was previously ignored by mainstream lenders but is increasingly on the agenda for most African governments.

There is a $140 to $170 billion financing gap for SMEs on the continent, according to research by the International Finance Corporation and McKinsey.

According to Reuters report, with some 40 million SMEs in the 17 countries that it operates in, Standard is aiming to extend more loans to SMEs by the end 2012.

The financing product known as Ouick Loan lends between $300 and $30,000, which it expects to be repaid within three, six or 12 months,

said Amrei Botha, head of SME banking for Standard. Interest rates range between 1.2 to six per cent per month, which Botha says is a third or half of what competitors charge.

“The future in Africa definitely lies in the small and medium enterprise sector,” she told Reuters.

“What we had underestimated is the huge demand.” Standard has rolled the product in four countries; Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania, and charges on average between 1.2 to six per cent interest per month.

The majority of Africans are not employees and earn their income from small businesses or farming.

Many do not keep proper records or have collateral, which causes obstacles when they need loans.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

17

INSURANCE results: Shareholders Industry data device begins Delayed want firms sanctioned in Q1, says NIA boss S T

HE data formation built to synchronise the insurance industry will take-off in the first quarter of this year, the Chairman Nigerian Insurers Association Mr Olusola LadipoAjayi, has said.

Ladipo-Ajayi told The Nation that the device was delayed due to the association’s determination to produce a flawless system. He noted that the association has got the data required to start the device, adding that the data collected are being verified to ensure their authenticity.

He said the data device has been aligned with that of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to forestall the harassment of policyholders by security officers.

He said: “Our data is linked to the FRSC data base so that they can verify the authenticity of insurance certificate that will be presented to them in the new number plate licence.

“The most important thing is for us to get it right. It is not how soon, but how well, because every existing data must be cap-

Stories by Chuks Udo Okonta

ture, tested and be error proof.

This is because we do not want any body to be denied passage by the police and other security agents when he or she has a genuine vehicle insurance cover.

“What this means is that all policies that are still running now will be captured into the system, so that when a policy holder is accosted, he or she will not be accused of carrying a fake or counterfeit document, whereas the individual is carrying a genuine document. This we are presently doing.

“We got the data ready, but we are checking and double check in every part of the country no matter how remote the places are, to make sure the system work perfectly.

“I can assure you that it will be done in the first quarter of this year. My tenure would end in the second quarter, I should be able to accomplish that before I live.”

Director General NIA, Mr Sunday Thomas, said the data would

provide mechanism for verification of Insurance Certificate issued or presented as evidence of insurance, an enabling environment for submission of statutory returns online and also provide access to all relevant policy underwritten and claims information.

“It would eradicate fake insurances and minimise instances of fraudulent claims provide real time information that would address issues raised by all stakeholders: insuring public, market players, law enforcement agents and regulators.

“Serve as source of historical data for analysis and benchmarking, thereby providing qualitative analysis of industry performance.

“Enhance transparency and accountability to its stakeholders thereby restoring confidence in the insuring public.

“Creates the basis for scientific management of operations in the industry, it will enable the tracking of transactions in the industry,” he said:

HAREHOLDERS have called on the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to hasten the release of company’s results and sanction firms that failed to comply with rules on submission of results.

The President, Nigerian Shareholders’ Renaissance Association, (NSRA) Olufemi Timothy, told The Nation that the delay in the release of results by insurers is inimical to the industry’s growth.

He said companies that failed to meet the deadline for submission of accounts should be made public and sanctioned, adding that there should be no reason why a company should be holding its yearly general meeting a year after the end of its financial year.

He said such misdeeds are not allowed in the banking sector and the Nigerian Stock Exchange where their regulators are proactive.

He said International Energy Insurance (IEI) Plc, which held its yearly general meeting a year after, blamed the delay on NAICOM, adding that the company told shareholders in its annual general meeting in Calabar Cross River State that it submitted its account to NAICOM in June while it was released in a November.

He said: “Can you imagine IEI doing it annual general meeting a

year after it end of the year? If NAICOM claims that the companies are not following the provincial guidelines, errant companies should be sanctioned. Their reports should be thrown back at them. NAICOM should not delay the accounts of companies until when they comply. When they did not comply, they should be punished and their name made public.

“Insurance companies are shouting, IEI told us that it submitted it accounts to NAICOM in June and NAICOM gave it out to them in November. Why should it be so?

What was NAICOM investigating?

“For no reason should NAICOM allow a company to hold its annual general meeting one year after the end of its financial year. Any company that tries such that should be sanctioned, its Directors and managing Director should be suspended by the regulator to exonerate itself from blames.”

Commissioner for Insurance Mr Fola Daniel said effort are been made to ensure companies submit their accounts as specified in the Insurance Acts. He note that the present provision in the Act, allows NAICOM to charge erring companies N5000 daily for failing to submit their accounts after June.

He said such misdeeds would be corrected in the new Act which will soon be implemented by NAICOM.

Expert canvasses patronage of NHIS

T

• From left: Non-Executive Director, Mr Francis Okwedi; International Energy Insurance (IEI) Plc Company Secretary/Legal Adviser Mr Paul Ekpenisi; Chairman, Mr Patrick Sule Ugboma; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Roseline Ekeng; Director, Mr Ifie Sekibo and non-Executive Director, Chief Glory Emeh, at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Calabar, Cross River State.

Our agenda for 2012, by CIIN DG

A

LL programmes and projects of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) will be given acceleration this year the Director General, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) Mr Adegboyega Adepegba, has said.

Adepegba, in a statement, said the institute will promote education through conducting professional examinations for eligible persons as insurance practitioners.

It will organised conferences, seminars, workshops and courses on insurance related subjects and encouraged and assist insurance professionals to regularly update their knowledge to respond positively to changes in the business environment and meet the challenging needs of their clients.

Others, include promoting general development of insurance by conducting, encouraging and assisting in the conduct of research into insurance and allied subjects with special emphasis on local practice, laws and conditions, upholding and encouraging members to adhere strictly to observance of the industry codes and ethics for healthy practice of the profession and creating awareness among members and general public through various social activities.

He noted that CIIN is committed to grooming professionals who will sustain the industry and advance its performance.

“The CIIN is established for the purpose of determining the skill that is to be obtained by those who will hold themselves high as insurance professionals in Nigeria.

That has confined on the institute the statutory responsibility of providing the required man-power for the industry in Nigeria. Over the years, we have conducted our examinations and certified some people as fit and proper to be able to practice as insurance practitioners in Nigerian insurance market and we have continued to train and retrain them through our Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programmes.

“We have also had our annual conferences, seminars and training programmes. We have a fullfledged training directorate that is in charged of all these,” he added.He said the council has taken some bold steps to ensure that it will in the next five years generate and attract 5,000 fully trained and qualified young men and women into the insurance industry, adding that the institute is working seriously towards the objective.

Its President/Chairman of Council, Dr Wole Adetimehin, noted that the institute has started an awareness campaign geared at entrenching insurance as part of the national consciousness.

He noted that there is the need for a reawakening on the part of insurance practitioners in ensuring the continued sustenance of the profession and business of insurance.

“Part of the current efforts of our Institute is in the area of enhancing the quality of Insurance education in Nigeria.

“This is because of our belief that the future of all professions depends largely on the quality of knowledge and skill possessed by the practitioners and insurance cannot be an exception. The main pivots under which this is being pursued are the development and completion of the institute’s college of insurance and financial management and its effective takeoff, aimed at mobilising new entrants into the profession.

“Establishment of a functional Research Department at the Institute to pursue studies in the technical areas of Insurance and products lines aimed at propelling growth in the industry.”

HE Chief Executive of Managed Healthcare Service Limited, Dr Pauline Korie, has said with the flag off of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Kogi State, every Nigerian will now have access to health care through the scheme.

Korie, who made this known at the company’s end of the years/ award party, noted that as one of the companies that would facilitate the scheme, it would ensure that it made it impact by enlightening Nigerians on the benefits.

He said: “The scheme is so innovative that you don’t have to face those bottlenecks, what you simply do is to pick up the scratch card, register on-line and have access medical facilities. ”He stated that with federal government effort in providing health

for the people, the dream of every Nigerian having access to medical facilities was by the corner.

“If you look at what the NHIS itself has achieved and looking back to what it used to be, so many hospitals have come alive recently. ”Gone are the days when the wife of a gateman who is pregnant and needs to deliver through a caesarean operation will sell all he has to achieve this. But with NHIS the wife of the gateman can be delivered of her baby in the best hospital in Nigeria through a caesarean section.”

Korie reiterated the need for Nigerians to approach the voluntary contributory health insurance scheme. He commended the initiatives of private hospitals who had tried to bridge the gap in the provision of medical services.

Firm unveils e-insurance solution

A

FIRM e-Insurance Centre Limited has launched TurnQuest BIMA 360 into the market. It is a device which enables insurance agents and policy holders to carry out insurance business on the mobile phone or tablet Personal Computers (PCs).

Its Chief Executive Officer Mr Sulaiman Koguna, at the unveiling of the device in Lagos, said in managing agents’ interaction in the field, the product would help in extending and integrating any backend solution to mobile phone devices.

The electronic solutions provider said the product was developed by Turnkey Africa, and would be leveraging on Nigeria’s telecommunication framework.

He said insurance agents have on demand access to information on their mobile devices, which would significantly improve agent-customer relations, even as e-Insurance, in partnership with Oracle, is working to ensure that clients have seamless operation in service delivery.

Koguna said the software is easy to adopt due to wide use of mobile phones; and is very reliable in ensuring security, integration and real-time data support.

According to him, “Equipped with this powerful new mobile application, insurance agents can work productively from virtually anywhere,

resulting in improved business performance of the insurance company they are working for,”.

In improving the operational efficiencies of insurance agents, the solution mobilises work and task management, prospecting, scheduling and territory management, thereby enabling agents to compete much more effectively than ever before.

“By streamlining your agent teams, you can increase competitive advantages, raise response time to real-time queries and neutralise customer service issues,” Koguna added.

The e-Insurance boss stressed that BIMA 360’s plug-in based architecture and enterprise-grade security made it easy to mobilise administrative tasks and personal information, while also improving organisational compliance and work-force management.

With the platform, he said insurance companies could be selling their products through telecommunications networks, while leveraging on the country’s fast increasing telecommunication ns subscriber base.

Koguna said the application in the nearest and farthest future, should be able satisfy the needs of players in the insurance industry and also take them to the next level of global business, which is information technology.

18

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneurs: remaking the country I

F poverty is to be reduced, companies have to create jobs, incomes and prospects. Firms have a bearing on how economic growth comes about.

But a lot of private-sector investors shy away from investing in youth entrepreneurs because of the attendant high risks. Investors have become very weary of young entrepreneurs who suffered heavy losses in lucrative sectors, such as the capital market and heavy industrial activities.

However, the Director, Honey Fountain Consult, Emeka Albert, believes any nation interested in long-term development and economic growth must not shy away from investing in youths and making entrepreneurs of them.

For him, young entrepreneurs are important to economic change.

They are change drivers and creative individuals who question the status quo, exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up, and remake the world for the better.”

He said mobilising youths to be involved in businesses not only generate profits, but have a positive social impact too. Young entrepreneurs, Albert said, have skills and ability to roll out technologies that are environmentally sound. So the company allocates pools of capital to such businesses as well as funds to invest in such businesses.

Ninety-five per cent of Honey Fountain Consult staff are young people below 30 years. Some un-

• Maduka

By Daniel Essiet

dergraduates floated the company to prepare them for life after graduation.

“When we started in 2006, a good percentage of them were teenagers still pursuing degree programmes in the University. The interesting thing is that these young staffers are also co-owners of the business. We adopted the owner-employee concept right from the beginning, and today, it has paid off tremendously.

We had always known that when it comes to 21st century technology, the younger generation is best

‘Solutions create market opportunities’

A

LHAJI Lukman Garu, Managing Director, Garu Technologies, is one who took note, realised the potential, and seeks for solutions to make a difference.

He was honoured with the award of most outstanding car diagnostics engineer by Nigeria Entrepreneur magazine in Lagos.

A full time car diagnostics engineer, Garu has dedicated countless hours to the enterprise and couldn’t be happier.

He sees this commitment daily.

He has helped to propel ideas, products and services designed to improve individuals, organisations and industry.

Across the telecommunications industry, Garu has created many jobs.

He said there are considerable opportunities in the sector.

With an eye to discover new ways of addressing technology issues, Garu is constantly scanning the global market place to see what can be applied locally to solve people’s problems,” Auto thieves are becoming more proficient in the art of stealing vehicles these days. To move ahead of them, car security manufacturers are developing well-secured and advanced electronic car safety devices.

One of the biggest inventions in car theft prevention is the GSM car alarm system.

Garu, said GSM car alarm systems are one of the most sophisticated antitheft systems, which are not easy for car thieves to get around. The Quad band car alarms, for instance works through SMS. It has a space for a GSM SIM card. The mobile phone incorporated inside the system, gives one a sophisticated car alarm along with mobile phone capabilities and any SIM card would work.

Explaining how the system works, Garu said it uses mobile GSM signals to communicate with the car and send the alarm through the GSM network to the user’s mobile phone. Once the owner alights from the car and goes somewhere, the alarm is activated.

The alarm will send SMS to the car owner’s mobile phone and the center if the car is shocked, or the door is opened, or engine is started, or the car’s power is cut off illegally.

The alarm would tell everything to the person who answers the phone whether it is shocked or car doors are open illegally. The owner can also use SMS to position the car and get the data information of Global Position System (GPS) latitude and longitude, speed and direction, then check it with Google Earth.

Garu said the car owner could control the car remotely to cut off power and fuel supply.

Speaking further on the device, he said an installed GSM car alarm, properly equipped with a SIM card, could detect that the alarmed vehicle had been entered, and then call a selected phone number to notify the owner of what was happening. Advanced features on the system enable the car owner to speak to the invader through a speaker built into the GSM car alarm, and instruct the car to shut off the fuel supply and disable the car’s driving ability.

Additional options offer the ability to lock and unlock the doors, close electric windows and even offer a remote starter to a vehicle with automatic transmission.

GPS locators added as an option to the GSM car alarm, a car’s location can be determined, in event of theft.

Sale of car alarm systems, Garu said, offers tremendous business opportunities.

Garu, who has a knack for discovering innovative and quality-built products that people need, said sale of car alarm system would create hundreds of jobs for Nigerians. He said the simple GSM car systems are affordable and can prevent one’s car from becoming the next car theft victims.

With a budget of N25, 000, he said one could get a simple GSM car security system. The more features provided on the system, however, the higher the cost. For Nigerians who want to learn how to install the system, the technology enthusiast said N40, 000, is enough for a day or two training on installation and purchase of a sample system to show customers. The training and later experience enables the service provider to make a choice with a wide variance in sophistication and price, among different makes and models of car alarms available.

• Johnson

at it. So, we invested in them, and at the same time invited them to invest their time and resources in themselves and in their future.

They did. We have a proven model that eloquently declares that youth entrepreneurship works.“ One thing the group knew, however, was that they lacked the experience needed to navigate the difficult terrain of entrepreneurship in Nigeria. To be well-positioned to face the challenge of the twenty-first century business environment, they had to look for viable mentors who could help nurture their dream and bring it to reality. This, they found in the persons of Adegoke Oshunniyi, a lawyer and Executive Chairman, Headstone Technologies and Emeka

Albert, a lawyer and chairman of Eagle-Eye Communications, a high-flying marketing communications company, among others.

Albert said there’s a real and growing movement of young people willing to devote themselves to a business concept with a high social value.

He said Honey Fountain Group connects talented, like-minded students with each other to help them bring their ideas to market.

They’re also given access to networking sessions, brainstorming events and seminars by entrepreneurs and industry leaders in IT, finance and business.

The young entrepreneurs literally eat, sleep and breathe business. They are already making waves in the information technology (IT) market. The company is into software development, web design and hosting, search engine marketing, internet media management, internet business consulting and e-business solutions. The public profile of young entrepreneurs has increased in recent years, and it corresponds to a real and unstoppable growth trend.

One of the entrepreneurs, Musonmola Johnson, said becoming an entrepreneur was the best decision she has ever made. “I wanted to be financially free. A corporate job cannot afford me that opportunity; In fact, studies have shown that you can never be financially free working for someone else. Also, considering the one per cent success rate in the corporate job market, coupled with the inevitable job insecurity, I wasn’t

ready to commit the next 15 - 20 years of my life scrambling through a system that rewards people based on seniority rather than accomplishment and has zero probability of getting m e the lifestyle I want. Becoming an entrepreneur gives me the ability to do what I love, be involved in the total operation of the business, allows me to explore ideas and actualise my dreams. You are only helping others achieve their dream s if you are working for them.”

Finding and exploiting the market, has contributed greatly to success. It also took a lot of hard work on her part. She basically has to live and breathe it to make it successful.

The company has provided a platform for young entrepreneurs who couldn’t start on their own.

She believed the company offered much more than simple benefits; she saw in it some real potential for economic growth too.

Johnson is a young entrepreneur, who looks out at the country, sees major economic issues and is not content to sit back and leave the resolution to others. Instead, she wants to do something about it. She believes in using business principles, and creating a venture to address it.

The company supports capacity development, contribute to market studies and share experience. The company ensures the investments are quality labels and fund pays attention to high standards for corporate governance. Because of this, the firm has since become a leading booster of entrepreneurship.

•From left: Mrs. Charity Maduka, Mr. Fola Adeola, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, winner, 2011 FATE Model Entrepreneur; Mr Wale Tinubu, Chief Executive Officer Oando; Director, Mrs. Sola David Borha, ED, FATE; Mrs. Osayi Alile Oruene and Director, Mrs. Bola Adesola

FATE Foundation awards hold in Lagos

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FATE Foundation yearly celebration and entrepreneurial awards has held at Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Eight notable Nigerians, who made contributions to economic sustainability, job generation and the creation of wealth, were recognised.

The FATE Outstanding Volunteer Award was presented to five people, comprising corporate executives and entrepreneurs, who have provided invaluable service to the foundation, in 2011.

Among them were MD/CEO of Thotline Concepts, Mr Chris Okocha; Mr Adinnu, General Manager (Laboratories and Testing Division), Fugro Nigeria Limited; Steve Ogamba, Mr Bayo Adeyemi,

VP, Investment Banking Team at Chapel Hill Advisory Partners; Mr. Wale Diamond, CEO, Black Diamond; and finally Mr Ralph Rapu, MD/CEO, RCJ Services Nigeria Ltd, an auditing and consulting firm.

According to Head, Training FATE Foundation, Elizabeth Olofin, “Our Volunteers in 2011 have contributed over 7, 680 hours working with aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs, and this awards gives FATE the opportunity to celebrate their diligence and passion.”

Other winners included the FATE SME Journalist Award, Miss Yinka Alawode, a Senior Correspondent with Business Day newspaper, one of the leading business newspapers in the country. Miss Alawode was rewarded for her selfless dedication to covering developments and is-

sues in the SMEs industry in the country. The award was presented

by FATE Model Award Committee member, Mr Sola Lawson, Chief Executive Officer of PGA Tours. The highlight of the ceremony was the award presentation of the FATE Model Entrepreneur Award to Cosmas Maduka, President of Coscharis Group, importers of luxury cars and distributors of auto mobile products in Nigeria.

During his acceptance speech, Dr. Maduka gave an inspiring speech and shared his humble story on how he built his business starting at the age 15 with N200, and how Coscharis Group had evolved into a company worth the value of several billions in shareholders’ holdings.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Out the door and into 2012

Reject it!

•Subsidy removal when govt claimed it was still consulting is in bad taste

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HILE citizens were still reeling in the aftershocks of the Christmas Day bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, which claimed scores of lives, the Goodluck Jonathan administration, as against reasonable expectations of Nigerians, yanked off the fuel subsidy on New Year Day. The result was as expected: an unprecedented hike of 115 percent in the price of petrol – from N65 a litre to N140.

Like every Nigerian, we are shocked at the apparent sleight of hand and the surreptitious manner the removal came about. We recall the coordinating /finance minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala assuring Nigerians, Christmas Eve, that no final decision had been taken on the implementation date for the subsidy removal. That was at the highly publicised event of the Town

‘A lot has been said of the timing of the measure. Clearly, those who say that the timing is baffling and in bad taste are not off mark. In the first place, whoever advised the President that the citizens needed another shock therapy so soon after the nation’s experience at Christmas does not mean well for his government or even Nigerians ... Nigerians should therefore reject the iniquitous imposition by the government’

Hall meeting convoked by the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN. Of course, Nigerians had every reason to expect that the removal would not come before April. In the first place, going by the measures published by the government to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal, a lot of things were supposed to have been put in place before it could take effect. Today, none of them has taken off. In the second place, aside the lack of provision for the subsidy in the 2012 budget, - barring possible rubber stamp by the National Assembly, nothing makes the removal a donedeal, as the National Assembly may in fact choose to tinker with the budget. Indeed, it should.

We are therefore left to wonder as to what informed the rush to remove the subsidy when Nigerians are still weighing all the options. Of course, at this time, not even the board, which the government is banking on to deliver the so-called post-subsidy removal dividends, has been properly constituted – so to speak. We would have expected government to finalise the on-going discussions with labour and other stakeholders, after which it could then communicate its decisions to the relevant stakeholders. That to us is what good faith is all about. Now that it has short-circuited the process by going ahead before the conclusion of discussions, government has opened itself up to charges of bad faith.

Of course the unfolding scenario leaves us with no other conclusion

than to say the government had all along been working to a predetermined answer. For an administration said to crave badly for the trust of the citizens, the development, rather than add a jot to its credibility, has further eroded it.

A lot has been said of the timing of the measure. Clearly, those who say that the timing is baffling and in bad taste are not off mark. In the first place, whoever advised the President that the citizens needed another shock therapy so soon after the nation’s experience at Christmas does not mean well for his government or even Nigerians. We are here forced to ask whether this government possesses an elementary understanding of the sociology of the people over whose affairs it presides? Why choose of all days – the first day of the New Year to slam a fuel price at a time when most Nigerians travel to reunite with their kith and kin? What kind of image does the government want for itself – the image of a kill-joy, or sadist?

As for the fundamentals of the subsidy removal, we are even more convinced now that the government needs to do a rethink. Rather than lift more citizens from poverty, the removal of the subsidy is the surest recipe to take more Nigerians down the poverty abyss. We said it before – the argument that Nigerians must be made poorer so that government officials can luxuriate in the illusion of more money in the kitty, is wrong.

Nigerians should therefore reject the iniquitous imposition by the government.

Selective emergency •What are the criteria for Jonathan’s declaration of emergency in only four states?

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan once again acted, albeit belatedly, perhaps reluctantly too, on the violence foisted on the country by Boko Haram. He declared an emergency rule in 15 local government areas that cut across four North-Eastern states. We see the president acting, though erroneously, with the mindset that those local government areas are the only prime operational incubators of the unruly Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The nation has watched helplessly as deadly attacks were inflicted on hapless citizens. For example, the Abuja UN office and Nigeria Police Force Headquarters were seriously devastated by Boko Haram’s agents of death last year. On the eve of the last Eid-el-Kabir, the sect unleashed bedlam in Damaturu, Potiskum and Maiduguri. Its most recent dastardly act was the suicide bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madallah, near Abuja, on Christmas Day. Hundreds have over time lost their lives to the Boko Haram insanity.

We acknowledge that President Jonathan acted legally in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the provisions of section 305(1) of the Constitution in declaring a state of emergency in: Borno State’s Maidugiri Metropolitan LGA, Gamboru Ngala LGA, Banki Bama LGA, Biu LGA and Jere LGA; Yobe State’s Damaturu LGA, Geidam LGA, Potiskum LGA, Buniyadi-Gujba LGA and Gasua-Bade LGA and Plateau State’s Jos North LGA, Jos South LGA, Barkin-Ladi LGA and Riyom LGA. Also

affected is Suleja LGA in Niger State. But will his tepid move resolve completely the current impasse?

We believe also that the closure of all land borders contiguous to the affected local government areas is in order. Despite Nigeria being signatory to ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, the protection of national internal cohesion that Boko Haram threatens, supersedes whatever protocol that is in the interim perceived to be an impediment to the country’s overall interest.

It is good that President Jonathan agreed in his national broadcast that ‘terrorism is a war against all of us’. However, his selective declaration of emergency in certain local government areas of some northern states is symptomatic of a palliative measure that would fail to achieve the desired result. By declaring emergency rule, the president intends to deploy soldiers, impose curfew and mount roadblocks, among others, in the affected areas. But how effective these measures that were once taken but failed in a state like Plateau in the past, stands to be seen?

The crux of the matter is that the Boko Haram sect is being tackled with hard men in uniform using brute force and weaponry, but with little intelligence.

This is why up till now the nation can still not get hold of the masterminds of the sect or its modus operandi.

We doubt whether the President sincerely believes his feeble emergency declaration can stem the tide of Boko Haram.

Otherwise, why can’t he declare fullblown emergency to cover all parts of the

affected states? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. We ask: What injurious things happened in the emergency-affected states that are missing in Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna and Nasarawa states, among others, to warrant their exemption from the presidential emergency declaration?

Sadly, the president is scratching the problem on the surface. His intention with this last move was to make up for the barrage of criticisms over his inept handling of the carnage. This is not good enough; what we need is a workable intelligence strategy and an immediate overhaul of existing security teams. Let the president get this clear: brawn without astuteness cannot work in combating the Boko Haram menace.

‘Sadly, the president is scratching the problem on the surface.

His intention with this last move was to make up for the barrage of criticisms over his inept handling of the carnage. This is not good enough; what we need is a workable intelligence strategy and an immediate overhaul of existing security teams. Let the president get this clear: brawn without astuteness cannot work in combating the Boko Haram menace’

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ERHAPS you have a New Year’s Day of your own — a day when it suddenly feels as though you’ve truly left the old year behind. It may be the day you no longer have to think twice when putting the date on a check, if you still write checks, that is. Perhaps your new year started the moment the days began lengthening just before Christmas. Or perhaps you hold off for the vernal equinox (March 20 in 2012), when New Year used to be celebrated and when, in many places, you can feel the newness of the year about to burst out of the ground.

But the calendar insists that this is the start of the public new year, and so we adjust our feelings to suit, whether we stayed up late to watch the revelers in Times Square or went to bed early knowing the year would come in on its own.

There is an undeniable excitement to this day.

On what other day in the calendar do you feel as though you’ve been handed a large lump of time, to be shaped as you see fit? When else do you feel time’s door closing so solidly behind you as you step out into the new world? We are like children on a bright winter’s day, all sent out to play with no demands or excuses to stay behind.

You may be a maker of resolutions — even a keeper of them — or you may have resolved to make none at all this year. It makes no difference.

A resolution, after all, is just a plan to take change by the throat, when we all know that that is what change does to us, whether we like it or not. There is simply no telling what this new year will bring, and that is the very thing that makes it so new.

– New York Times

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: In April 2011, when Goodluck Jonathan came with a smiling face and the comportment of a dove, a large percentage of Nigerians saw him as the messiah. Given the unusual circumstances that led to his emergence as President, the popular reasoning then was that he was the anointed one chosen by some superior forces to lead the country out of the doldrums of despondency. And so when the time came to elect the nation’s president, thousands of people, including those renowned for their political apathy and had never voted before, stood for hours under the scorching sun to cast their votes for the Otuoke born messiah.

It did not matter that the man had no antecedents or track records to convince anyone of his leadership abilities. What was important to many of his supporters was that his name Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan would bring good tidings and lead a nation floundering in a cesspool of failure to the promise land.

His campaign which was supposed be a platform to sell his visions and ideas became a jamboree where people danced and ate to stupor. When he held rallies, rather than talk about how he intends to lead the nation, he talked about his life as a child. How he went to school without shoes and how God has always favoured him. Jonathan eventually won the election not because he was the brightest of all the candidates or had a blue print of how to take the nation forward. He won because he was a lucky man who had fate working in his favour.

So we got a president who knew nothing about leadership but was lucky to become a leader.

But just a few months down the

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Jonathan: the angel we didn’t know line, the messiah is proving to be the bad choice. Judging by the present circumstances, even the most faithful supporter of the Jonathan project must be having a rethink. The man who came with a promise of transforming the nation and redeeming it from its perennial woes has turned coat. He is teaching Nigerians a bitter lesson in looking before they leap.

In eight months as an elected president, there is no worthwhile achievement that can be traced to his administration. Agreed, a chunk of the problems have always been there but they all assumed a new dimension since he became president.

Our economy is at its nadir with a devalued currency. The education sector is in ruins with striking lecturers and graduates of shallow knowledge. The health sector is in comatose with hospitals that have become deathbeds because they have no drugs or doctors. Electricity is epileptic, roads are death traps, infrastructures are decaying, industries are collapsing and our army of hapless, hopeless and unemployed youths is growing by the day. Bomb explosions and violent clashes are the order of the day. Fear has taken over the hearts of citizens because government can longer guarantee the safety of lives and properties in some parts of the

country, yet we have a president with ‘transformation’ as its motto.

As if the aforementioned were not enough problems, Jonathan hit many Nigerians below the belt on New Year day with the removal on the controversial subsidy on fuel and other petroleum products. At a time when the nation was mourning and trying to recover from the shock that followed the Christmas Day explosion which sent some innocent citizens to early graves, the president showed his callousness and insensitivity with such hasty decision.

If Jonathan knew he was going to take the decision so early in the year, why did he lie to Nigerians about

S

• Vincent Nzemeke Lagos

Fuel subsidy corruption

S

IR: The fuel subsidy debate organized by the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria came with some revelations. It reinforced the belief of many on the inappropriateness of subsidy removal (if indeed there was subsidy) and shed light on the problems plaguing Nigeria as a nation.

The three problems in their order of importance are corruption, corruption and corruption.

Although the two ministers and the Central Bank Governor that represented government presented figures to justify the removal of the

subsidy on fuel, they also acknowledged the inefficiency and corruption in government. An example was the round-tripping of imported fuel mentioned by Mr. Sanusi.

Very shocking was the revelation that the government does not have the initiative to deploy technology to monitor vessels berthing to discharge fuel. Even more shocking was the revelation that government does not have the capacity to deal with the corruption. I found it insulting to Nigerians, the concluding remarks of Sanusi that the subsidy removal issue was a

matter of ‘simple economics and commonsense’.

Contrary to Sanusi’s insinuation, Nigerians are not stupid! For a government that is clay-footed in the fight against corruption, it should be simple enough to understand that the vultures of the Nigerian economy will relocate from the oil sector to road and other sectors the government plans to use savings accruing from the subsidy removal to improve –an old and unintelligent argument. In the first place, it is corruption that is responsible for Nigeria’s importation of petroleum products,

Fuel subsidy removal blues IR: “Happy New Year!” We were all chanting until we heard the grim news that fuel subsidy has finally been removed.

I stood where I was, shocked, trying to come to terms with the situation. What does this mean for millions of Nigerians that depend on fuel subsidy to keep their businesses afloat, the civil servants

consulting with some stakeholders?

Why did he say government would make provisions to cushion the effect on the people when he knew what he there was no plan to do that?

He became a killjoy on a day when many were celebrating the beginning of a new year.

If truly the government intends to save money like the proponents of subsidy removal would have us believe, then it must begin with them. Napoleon Hills once said: ‘He who must change the world must first change himself’. If we want to save money to build roads, put infrastructures in places and revamp our dying economy, then we must start by cutting down the bogus expenses that goes into running the government. Reducing the number of cars in the president’s convoy, pruning the budget of the first lady and other needless expenses is a good starting point.

struggling to maintain their standard of living? What will happen to the market?

Of course, prices of things will go up.

I was heartbroken, like a teenager that had just been rejected by his high school crush. This was the only good thing the government had done for the people in years. It was

like a birth-right to most Nigerians.

Now, it has been taken away from us.

Ok, maybe we shouldn’t get too ahead of ourselves and let the government just say “Wrong number; we are sorry for the inconveniences” and everything becomes normal again. Or things could just go way out of hand.

Lest we forget, oil has always been synonymous with conflict and bloodshed in Nigeria. 2012 is a year Nigerians have anticipated and looked forward to. The last thing we need is a short-sighted and poorwitted government to put “sand in our gari.”

• Ere Silva, Bayelsa State.

despite being the sixth largest producer of crude oil in the world.

If truly we had a government, how did the recurrent expenditure climb to over 70%? How many agencies of government return unspent allocations? What they do is to convert unspent allocations for personal use.

About 30-40% of the recurrent expenditure is ‘money for the boys’.

Government employs people based on political considerations and pays wages to many of these people who contribute nothing to the economy.

Can’t Sanusi get it? The best of economic policies will fail without addressing Nigeria’s structural corruption. Nigeria’s problems are beyond economics. It is corruption.

The logical conclusion is that the government’s clay-footedness in its fight against corruption is because it is compromised.

Nigeria will make no progress until we get a government that is sincere and dogged in its fight against corruption.

• Victor O. Adetimirin University of Ibadan

21

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Bomb Victims; Federal Victims Dept; Ghana electricity/ fuel; Police salary delay

W

HAT a tragic end to 2011.

How do you communicate with, comfort, commiserate with, and finally offer r e s p e c t a b l e compensation to the Tony survivors of a church Marinho bomb blast who will bury entire families this week? A promise of a government scholarship is merely scratching the surface of this forced supreme national sacrifice and is no guarantee of a decent educational future to happy children made distressed orphans as Christmas present from terrorists.

Look at the larger terrorist victim picture. Far too much genuine, not publicity stunt, financial assistance depends on ‘generous’ government officials and not enough procedural or structured response. Surely Nigeria has enough bomb blast, police and other brutality victims and survivors of tribal conflicts to require a Department of Victims in the Presidency Special Duties Office and a Form ‘Victims 1’ to be filled for registration. This is not about refugees but about proper compensation for murderous man’s inhumanity to innocent man. Who pays the hospital and food bills, next term’s school fees, the house rent in the home of a dead parent? Who will replace or repair the house or car burnt or bombed? The insurance will not pay, claiming ‘an act of war’.

With the threatened increase in violence against citizens by terrorists, such a Federal Victims Department should be a properly budgeted line item and manned by sympathetic people, perhaps survivors themselves, to ensure that all survivors, past and present, get standardised and monitored care for immediate medical and other needs and future educational and job support. As more Nigerians lose life and limb to terrorism, this will become a more serious problem. Such a department requires duplication at state and LGA level to reduce the burden of travel for benefits.

May God grant Eternal Rest to all victims, and especially the victims of last week’s terrorist bomb violence against Catholic churches and others on Christmas Day. May God grant government officials the wisdom to create irreversible

machinery to cater, care and provide cash and replacement cars and education for survivors. But, as with most good ideas, corruption will be rife.

We are at the beginning of 2012, a year of uncertainty for citizen, currency and country. Obviously the only people interested in the naira value are the citizens and not the politicians or CBN’s leadership. Shamefully, we appear to be heading for disaster on these and any other front you care to hold personally dear - your salary value, and job security. Name one area where Nigeria has excelled or will excel in 2012? Happily Ghana rescues us as it plans to supply Nigeria electricity and refined petroleum products like fuel, kerosene and diesel by 2015. Shame on Nigeria, Up Ghana!

Maybe our reliable billionaire people will buy Ghana fuel and label it ‘Refined in Spain’ and roundtrip to ‘Add Value’ to it and announce another ‘Fuel Subsidy, abi???

Even our traditional ‘opium of the masses’ and ‘pretend success’ at the ‘foolball’, also called football, has deserted us. We failed to qualify everywhere. This failure has removed the weapon of deception to defraud the masses that the political class uses- football. This football fraud is exposed as a diversionary game, and as wasteful, unproductive and politically corrupt as Nigeria’s politics.

Amazingly, nothing is sacred in Nigeria and therefore even football suffers from a lack of investment. For years, the sports administrators have been stealing Nigeria’s ‘winner prize money’, millions of pounds, for qualifying in international football competitions. Nigerians did not know money was being made and misspent. No wonder the elections to football bodies are as acrimonious and as mired in filth as the Nigeria’s politics. That money, in millions of pounds, was for grassroots Nigerian sports development.

Shamefully no Nigerian child ever saw a football paid for by that money. Does any Nigerian government school have a football or net hanging in the goalposts? We ask the private sector to supply these as Corporate Social Responsibility.

What is the responsibility of government in Nigeria in anything?

We are a country of unparalleled paradoxes and myriad problems, problems overcome years ago by nations the same age as Nigeria. Horrifyingly, the Presidency did not ensure our police got December salary as at December 26. Strangely

the Presidency expected 300,000+ men with guns to ‘carry on with normal duties’ without giving their families Christmas holiday money. This was ’withdrawal of government subsidy from the police’. But over 100 police have lost their lives to robbers, kidnappers and terrorists recently. Someone should be sacked and investigated in case the money was roundtripped through banks for personal gain as ‘finder’s fees’ or ‘overnight interest’. The citizenry was subjected to a siege as the police extorted Christmas ‘police subsidy’ at checkpoints.

The resultant traffic strangled Nigeria’s road network. In Ibadan the Police Army Operation Burst is reportedly preoccupied with applying physical violence to young ‘fellow Nigerians’ suspected of ‘immoral dressing’ and wearing earrings. Every good idea goes bad in Nigeria.

Hopefully this will inform young Nigerians of the danger of calling the army back into power. The saying I believe of late murdered Uncle Bola Ige, 10 years dead, that ‘the worst democracy is better than the best military regime’ is being played out we have had and are having the worst of both, in painfully quick succession. O God, why are we so cursed?

May 2012 bring salvation through the work of our hands, Amen.

‘In Ibadan the Police Army Operation Burst is reportedly preoccupied with applying physical violence to young ‘fellow Nigerians’ suspected of ‘immoral dressing’ and wearing earrings. Every good idea goes bad in Nigeria. Hopefully this will inform young Nigerians of the danger of calling the army back into power’

Good morning, Mr. President

T

HE New Year’s Eve declaration of a state of emergency on the troubled part of the country by President Goodluck Jonathan may have formally ended his deep slumber. To say that the President was practically asleep in the last few months would be begging the issue. He must have been overwhelmed by the plethora of problems and crises confronting his presidency such that he opted to take a nap. At least, taking a nap would make him wake up fully refreshed to confront the hurdles of governance. But along the line, he must have slipped into a deep slumber, not a coma, from where he woke up last Saturday.

We were all witnesses to the whistle-stop campaign the President and his entourage had all over the place in the build-up to the April 2011 presidential election when various promises were made. That election eventually came only to be postponed as soon as it started. Various factors, mostly hinged on logistics, were adduced for the postponement.

At long last, the mistakes or errors were corrected, and the presidential and subsequent elections were held.

Winners were declared and losers were known.

In actual fact, the April 2011 election was about the first time in the history of this country when most of those who lost at the elections took their defeat calmly and even proceeded, in some cases, to congratulate the acclaimed winners.

But there was an exception in the presidential contest. The Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, one

of the numerous political parties that fielded candidates for the election, did not take kindly to the results announced by the Prof.

Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. It was obvious before the election took place that the contest was between Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, one-time Nigerian military head of state. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which had Jonathan as its standard-bearer for the election knew that Buhari and his CPC were dead serious to take power at all cost from the ruling PDP. Besides, Buhari had, by this time, become a veteran contestant for the office of the president. Before 2011, he had had a shot two times - in 2003 and 2007. The 2011 contest was his third outing. Added to this was the manner Jonathan emerged as a candidate for the election.

Jonathan’s political career began in 1999 when his erstwhile boss, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, DSP, for short, handpicked him as his running mate in that year’s gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State. Alams, as he is fondly called by his associates, won that election and Jonathan became his deputy. Jonathan as deputy governor was as cool as cucumber, gentle almost to a fault and very easygoing. He could not hurt an ant.

Then came the unfortunate incident which culminated in the illegal impeachment of Alams in December 2005. That singular incident thrust Jonathan to the pinnacle of power in Bayelsa State. He was gov-

‘The crises in the country are characterized more by the absence of a firm government than the presence of naked hostility to the President by those who want to wrestle power from him’

ernor till fate again thrust him to national political limelight when he was drafted to run as vice president with the then Katsina State governor, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, on the ticket of the PDP in the 2007 presidential election. The PDP won, and Yar’Adua became president with Jonathan as his deputy.

As Vice President, Jonathan was his old self - humble, obedient and unassuming. While the Katsina ‘mafia,’ as Yar’Adua’s aides and kitchen cabinet were then known, was having a field day, Jonathan was quietly going about the duties assigned to him by the President.

By the time Yar’Adua’s health took its toll on him, two power blocs had emerged: the one that was bent on holding on to power on behalf of the North at all costs and the one that was already thinking about succession in case of any eventuality.

The dream of the new power brokers of Aso Rock became a reality when the former President passed away on May 5, 2010. Jonathan was sworn in as president the following day, May 6, 2010. Since then, he has been hijacked by all manner of people who have clustered around him. Among these people are known political jobbers, failed businessmen, tainted former ministers and public officers. It is the same people who have kept their stranglehold on the President since he was declared the winner of the April 2011 presidential contest. They are the unseen hands behind many of the President’s actions and pronouncements.

We may recall that the announcement of the presidential election result was greeted by brigandage and wanton destruction of lives and property in some parts of the northern states. This led to the coldblooded murder of several members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. Till date, nobody has

been punished for the mayhem that attended that election in the North.

We are also witnesses to the various inflammatory statements made by some elements in the North before, during and after the April presidential 2011 election. So, invariably, when the Boko Haram insurgency erupted suddenly in Borno State in late 2010, we all knew that those who said they were fighting a ‘jihad’ had other motives. Although the President has profusely explained his ‘slow motion’ approach to burning national issues, I am sure his foot-dragging on the Boko Haram challenge might have been informed by the opinion of the bad advisers around him. That is why what could have easily been nipped in the bud at its onset was allowed to balloon into a full-blown terrorists’ onslaught directed at the fabric of the nation.

It is difficult to know what the Boko Haram sect wants. I think they are just a product of the country’s lack of planning and the endemic poverty in that part of the country in spite of the many years they have dominated power in Nigeria. In actual fact, the political configuration of this country is largely skewed to benefit the North but their leaders and, perhaps, their culture and religious extremism have combined to relegate them. It is this backwardness that we are all being made to pay for now through violence. It is high time the northern leaders put their homestead in order. If they don’t do this, their people should hold them responsible for their plight rather than visit their anger on innocent people who have nothing to do with their misfortune.

The Boko Haram’s gambit has thrown up a situation where different groups are spoiling for war.

Therefore, with a bewildering array of ethnic-based militias flexing their muscles and competing for at-

Dele Agekameh tention every now and then, Jonathan’s government may have little or no breathing space to actualize his trumpeted transformation agenda. Faced with crisis on every front, the country is looking more like a patient on life support. The insurgency in the North has raised a new political dissent on a scale not seen since the days preceding the country’s Civil War. Yet, the crises in the country are characterized more by the absence of a firm government than the presence of naked hostility to the president by those who want to wrestle power from him.

The President seems to have woken from his slumber. However, with the removal of fuel subsidy through the back door on New Year day, it is way too soon to know where exactly this government is headed. It is obvious that he needs to re-examine those around him visa-vis the type and quality of advice they offer because he must be alive to the responsibility and requirement of leadership in the country at this material time, the most volatile and agonising in the country’s history.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘The fuel subsidy debate is just another testimony to the quality of people in government. They think that Nigerians do not know that the so-called ‘savings’ is money that will be extorted from their already-famished pockets. And how sane is a government that extorts money from its own people to do ‘projects’ for them?

Is there any limit to hubris?’ – From Olu

• Jonathan

For Gbenga Omotoso The killing will continue unless there is a genocidal response from the Christian community. I’m surprised that people of the South-south, East and West are still sleeping while their kinsmen are being annihilated in the North. There should be a huge awakening to tell the Muslims that we are human beings. I’ll support it and lead the action in my area. Anonymous I quite agree with your comments. Those dismissed from the police, army, NDA and other military arms could be the major members of the group. The system needs to be reviewed with possible mass transfer of police commissioners in the states. The President has to agree that this problem is above the Nigerian security agencies.

From Abu John But why? Why are there bombings everywhere? Is it that the government is not doing anything about this? Please, we need a better security in this country.

Anonymous “The new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather” – Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We used the Minorities in the north as willing tools and the south as a conquered territory and will never allow them to rule over us and never allow them to have control over their future. Original source: Parrot, October 12, 1960. Made public by Tribune, November 13, 2002". Investigate the above piece as it seems to tally with present regional insecurity and threat to national unity in Nigeria under a southern President. We must watch our words and actions. We sacrificed by enduring during tyranical regimes of some past military leaders worst than Jonathan’s. We have one President at a time. Why Boko Haram now?

From P. Kassam, Jos. Thanks for the editorial note of 29/12/ 201Ì. Boko Haram bombings can’t stop without equal reprisal by the Christians then, the Muslim leaders who know them well will fish them out. rom Dan, Kano Sabon Gari Re: “War in season of love” May God bless you; you have said it all. As I went through your write-up I wished I could see our dear President and ask him if he has ever lost a close relation. As a mother, I feel agonised seeing the confused Mrs Dike who does not know whom to ask questions.

Please, let something be done before a war breaks out.

From Mrs Ugwu “A lone driver, who refused to stop for a check drove slowly into the church, turned his car before any question, faced a line of worshippers filing out and slammed the throttle to send the car flying into the crowd.” Get your facts right.

From Ejiro The issue of Boko Haram may be political and paradoxical. Let Nigerian citizens ask Goodluck Jonathan who

wants his own political stability by destabilising the North, or let us ask the Hegemonic cabal of the Caliphate who may want to destabilise Nigeria through Boko Haram’s guerrilla warfare. What is sure is that where two elephants fight, the grass suffers; but God, the all-seeing, keeps watch over all we do.

From Bawa Akinsanya, Akure.

“War in season of love”. The Boko Haram sect and its fathers cannot impose sharia on us by bombing our churches.

They should direct their anger to the political class else, some people will turn into a lion one day instead of being a sheep for a life time.

Anonymous We’re facing a real hard time as a nation.

Our security chiefs are naive. Let them resign.

Anonymous Your column remains one of the reasons I opt for The Nation. But if you have now chosen to speak lightly on the insane sect called Boko Haram because of a possible attack, I can as well keep my money. In the name of all that is fair, why did the sect opt for a church but not a shrine or Babalawo’s house if their intention was not to hurt Christians or that the Muslims have not declared hostilities against Christians? After their adherents achieved thier aim, they went to hospitals donating sugar. For desecrating the house of God on the day we celebrated the birth of Christ, they will face the wrath of God; but even before the wrath of God comes, they will face the wrath of men. Do you think anyone in the South will bomb a mosque on Sallah day?

Anonymous Re: “War in season of love”. It’s quite unfortunate that many innocent people have been and are still being killed. The government seems to have given up, causing the Boko Haram sect to expand its devilish territory. Why bombing at all, not to talk during Yuletide - Christmas time! God, I think we were too patient to have allowed them to continue to survive till date. One day, God will expose the perpetrators of the killings and maimings.

From Lanre Oseni, Lagos.

“War in season of love” is a remarkable wake-up call to do things right. I hope our vibrant analyst Reuben Abati will not become SA on commiseration and condolences.

ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos.

Nigeria has failed in all aspects with corruption on top of the ladder. We must deal with any individual who breaches the law, not minding his/her position or, else, we will continue playing politics with human lives, especially the hoi polloi.

From Ude Terfa Law and order can break down at any time if Boko Haram does not stop. Those in charge of the country should wake up to their duty, sweet words are no substitute for practical action.

From Alabi, Port Harcourt Please, what was amusing President Jonathan in the picture in Wednesday edition of The Nation? Was he laughing at Mrs Dike who lost her husband and five children or the dead? The President knows that postures should be compatible with situations.

From Okolonji Edmund, Idemili, Anambra.

I was very sad to see President Jonathan laughing throughout his discussion with the Sultan instead of being firm with a leader who has no control over subjects.

What a weak President!

Anonymous When those who have been trained in the art and science of security management are just reactive but not proactive; when they have compromised security intelligence gathering for competing with contractors in their offices; when their strategies are selfenrichment driven, when they are being infiltrated, the effect is the current situation.

From ART Re: “War in season of love”. Who are behind the war on innocent people? The culprits may not be far from the parts that Gideon Orkar threatened with excision from the Federal Republic of Nigeria when he led the move to loosen Babangida and co’s stranglehold on the country.

Orkar’s statement is as relevant today as when he made it. If we honestly take our bearing, we will see that, barring a change of course, we are headed for Sudan. We may get to this destination sooner than we think. Our captain of the ship appears to be more concerned about his future captainship than what becomes of the current voyage.

From Adebayo Adedayo, Akure.

“War in season of love” – A nice piece!

But when a nation is led by a leader whose sluggish instinct marries a blurred vision on security, then we have to live with the orgy of bloodbath. Now, the song is subsidy removal. Misgovernance with injustice provoke anger with innocent souls maimed. To the mad dogs, they surely will see Allah’s wrath for tarnishing Islam’s image. Islam condemns killing unjustifiably, and as a Muslim, it is a fact I know too well.

From Abideen K.

For Olatunji Dare “Desperate days in Abuja” is a great piece. Indeed, it is illogic and insensitive the lies the desperadoes have cooked up this time around. It is the same set we were sold when their fancy was debt resettlement under OBJ via OkonjoIweala.

From Adamade Those who are warning the Jonathan government on the unpleasant consequencies that will follow the removal of the dubious fuel subsidy are the true lovers of Nigeria. If the government is bent on committing political suicide by the anti-people policy, they should be left alone, period.

From Seyi Oluwaseyin.

Thanks for your piece “Desperate days in Abuja”. It’s laughable that Nigerian government is living in the 60s in this century. They do not remember yesterday and keep repeating their acts with already known results by the ordinary man in the street. I hope they read this and others, learn and change.

From Ela. My position is that assurrance about reliefs after removal of fuel subsidy is hot air. Apostles of this position forget something: nothing works in this country, even with the best of intentions. Your administrators ensure sabotage.

From Dr Cy Nwanodi, PHC. You are right on this one. The treasury is empty or nearly so. There is desperation to shore up the taste of our political office holders.

Subsidy, my foot. Desperation, indeed!

From Otunba Afolabi

• Sylva

Well expressed, no subsidy before; it is a deception at the highest level.

Anonymous Re: “Desperate days in Abuja.

Proponents of subsidy removal from oil have been more of appeals than facts! If the opponents make the mistake of caving in, to these appeals, it will be the mistake of their life as both the proponents and the opponents will not be able to control the inflation that will follow and the hopelessness that would be the lot of majority of Nigerians. Kick out fuel subsidy removal push. Fight for retention.

From Lanre Oseni, Lagos.

Thanks for your essay. You said it all!

May God Almighty bless you and satisfy you with long life. Once again, thanks so much for properly situating and articulating our position. From Joel, Warri Re: “Desperate days in Abuja”: Our selfopinionated political/elite leaders in Nigeria are perfecting plans to unleash their own version of terror on the poor majority through the removal of oil subsidy. More questions begging for answers are: If government is constrained to import refined petrol, who vets the cost elements that constitute the subsidy? Must everything be left in the hands of contractors? The entire sham amounts to robbing Peter to pay Paul. Concerning government promises to cushion the effects of the removal, who does not know that when prices go up in Nigeria, they don’t come down again? When costs of production go up, companies rationalise and lay off staff, swelling the ranks of the unemployed; widening further the gulf between the rich and the poor and also reducing the purchasing power of the poor. The government is busy cooking delicacies for itself and concocting poison for the masses in the 2012 budget.

From John R. Jimoh, Ijebu-Ode. The fuel subsidy debate is just another testimony to the quality of people in government. They think that Nigerians do not know that the so-called ‘savings’ is money that will be extorted from their already-famished pockets. And how sane is a government that extorts money from its own people to do ‘projects’ for them?

Is there any limit to hubris? From Olu. All our so-called leaders along with their wives and children should be destroyed so that Nigeria can become a better place to live in.

From Anyanwu.

“At home abroad” of December 27, 2011: You pointed out almost every fault with the subsidy issue. I agree its merely “a tax on consumption” because OPEC countries pay much less.

Anonymous Thanks for “Desperate days in Abuja”.

Nigeria is like a farmer that harvests cassava and sell it only to go back to the market to buy garri. We are abundantly blessed with leaders without vision. Even in Bayelsa State, the President is fighting with the governor instead of teaming up with him to develope the state.

From Chief J. C. Uwaga, Port Harcourt.

NFF: We will name Super Falcons’ coach this month Pg. 24

‘2012 AFCON could be most unpredictable’ Pg. 41

Nation PAGE 23

Wednesday, January 4 2012

Pg. 41

We proved we can beat the big teams

Pg. 24

Anichebe lacks self belief — Moyes Pg. 41

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

24

41

NATION SPORT OSAZE’S EPL VERDICT

We proved we can beat the big teams

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UPER Eagles’ striker, Osaze Odemwingie says his modest English Premier League side, West Bromwich Albion have confirmed their value worth in the English top flight. The Nigerian pacy forward declared in an interview with brilafm that Roy Hodgson’s squad has demonstrated that they can put the big boys in check, coming from their display last term. He also spoke about the Super Eagles and lessons of the last year’s ouster from the Nations Cup. OLUSOJI OLUKAYODE monitored the report. Excerpts No break for you in the EPL, I hope you still had time to catch some fun?

Well, there are positives and negatives of this period, many games, no break, no more celebrations but, you know every game now is very important every game is so big that you forget about having your days off. But you know, in between the games they try to give us one, two days off so that we can have sometime with family during Christmas and New Year.

Your club gave your fans something big to celebrate when you played a scoreless draw with league leaders Manchester City but the next match you fell 0-1 at home to Everton. How would you reconcile this?

Well, we have to think about the next games. It was a disappointing game for us. We conceded in the last minute of the game. I thought we deserved maybe a point in that game but I think there was a bit of tiredness. We played so many games in a row and most of them all 90 minutes. Now we have couple of injured players, I think the fatigue is showing some people have muscle problem, back problems.

Where do you think your club will be at the end of the campaign?

Well, I think the team with the caliber of players we have, mid table is the minimum for us we’re trying our best to get somewhere higher. I know it’s not going to be easy because the primary goal of the club is to stay in the Premier League. This year it’s a bigger challenge for us, it’s more difficult because no one underrates West Brom anymore. Last year we’ve proven that we can even beat big teams so it’s more difficult now and I’m sure the next six months will be more difficult for us to get the points we need but last two games show that we can beat a team like Newcastle away and we are a good, very conservative team and I hope we can continue that way and at least finish in mid table and that will be a great achievement for the season.

Peter, there is talk in town that Anzi Makhachkala of Russia are interested in signing you and I’m sure your fans will like to hear from you?

Well, about a month ago I had that question put to me but I said at the moment all my plans are in England, trying to progress here and the rumours of Anzi that came, were, let’s call them just rumours. It’s a team that wants to of cause get as much as possible top players and maybe I’m one of the players they want but I made it clear at the moment my plans are with West Brom and in England and after this season depending on what the objectives of West Brom will be for next season we will see what’s best for me to do The African Cup of Nations, the biggest tournament in Africa, the Super Eagles will not be there, what does this mean to you as a player?

Well, we feel disappointed that we’re not going to be part of this African Nations Cup. The only thing we can do at the moment is think of the next one and start preparing because you don’t win a major tournament overnight if you don’t change. It’s an opportunity for us to look at the whole tournament, look at African teams from the side. Look at it and compare the team which will have success with our team and see what we can add, what we can do to be successful as well. And I’m sure the fact that we’re not playing will make all our players more hungry and more aggressive. The only thing we can do now is start building for the next African Cup of Nations and all the qualifiers that is coming from February. And of course we need to take a look at (the competition) and the team that will win it and see what the keys to their good performances were. And try to take it on board and keep going. You know football, you never need to give up, you have to think of the next game and I think that’s the only way forward.

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Lulu reckons with grassroots

ORMER NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi has reiterated that the future of the country’s football lies in development of the game from the grassroots.

Lulu who spoke at the final of the 2011 FOSLA U-13 Soccer Competition played in Idah, Kogi State, said though the country’s football seems to be down now, but there is a ray of hope for the future.He said that whatever the country is experiencing now, is not new, as various other football playing nations had gone through such in the past, while advising the NFF to remain focus and steadfast in their quest to move the country’s football forward.

He announced that players discovered in the competition which was played among the nine local government areas in Kogi East would attend the attend the final screening phase at FOSLA Academy, Karshi Abuja to determine those that would benefit from the Academy’s 2012 Academic scholarship. 11 players were in all the teams.

Speaking at the occasion, the Kogi

CAN 2012:

I never wrote off Black Stars—Keshi

From Patrick Ngwaogu State FA Chairman Yahaya Adams promised that the Kogi state government would collaborate with FOSLA Academy to ensure that football players that are naturally endowed are sponsored to the school to continue their education while pursuing their football careers. He appreciated the efforts of the former NFF President in empowering the youths in country through the round leather game.

In the final match, Idah LGA defeated Igalamela/Odolu LGA by six goals to five on penalties after a 1-1 full time scores.

‘2012 AFCON could be most unpredictable’

NFF: We will name Super Falcons’ coach this month M

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has taken the wind out of the sail of the debate over the announcement of a new Head Coach for the Senior Women’s Team, also known as Super Falcons, by saying the Executive Committee will ratify the appointment this month.

“We don’t understand the hue and cry by some persons who did very little to promote the women’s game and the women National Teams when they were in the position to do so. As far as the Technical Committee is concerned, we have made recommendations to the Executive

Committee and the latter will sit to deliberate on the recommendations and make a decision this month”, said Barrister Chris Green, who is chairman of the NFF Technical SubCommittee.

Green said the Technical SubCommittee deliberated hard before coming up with its recommendations and was sure that the Super Falcons would be the better for it. “We have high regard for the women’s game because women football has brought so much glory to our country in the past two decades. The NFF has no reason to treat women’s football with disdain.

JUTH: Abubakar promises return to glory

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EWLY appointed head coach of Juth, Hassan Abubakar, has revealed that his ambition is to return the club to the Premier League.

Abubakar’s appointment was announced by the club on Friday and he replaces sacked Cameroonian coach, Emmanuel Deutsh, who failed to keep the team in the Premier League after Tunde Abdurrahman

was shown the exit door.

Juth has now turned to Abubakar, who took neighbouring Wikki Tourists back to the Premier League, as they prepare to compete in the second-tier level of Nigerian football.

A statement from the club expressed management’s readiness to work with him as they’ve always done with previous coaches who have handled the team in the past.

“I’m used to the assignment because of my experience over the years. I brought Zamfara United and Wikki Tourists back to the Premier League and saved Sunshine from going down at some time,” he told SuperSport.com.

The former Golden Eaglets assistant coach stated that he’s already planning ahead to achieve the desired result since his mandate is to get a Premier League ticket.

“The truth is that some of those who are now crying wolf had opportunities to do far more for the women’s game when they in position of authority but chose to pursue other interests”, stated Green, who also noted that the Super Falcons have no engagement for now, before a 2012 African Women Championship qualifier at the end of May 2012.

The chairman of Rivers State Football Association also shed light on the pending appointment of a National Technical Director.

“The Technical Committee has also made a recommendation to the NFF Executive Committee in that respect.

When the Executive Committee meets early this month, that matter will also be considered and a decision would be taken”, assured Green.

Meanwhile, 31 players who survived the screening exercise for the new U-17 National Women’s Team, also known as Flamingoes, have resumed camping in Abuja ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Kenya, which first leg takes place in Nairobi on January 21.

EDIA Officer of the Zambian Football Association, Erick Nwanza believes this year’s African Cup of Nations could end up as one of the most unpredictable of all time.

Speaking on brilafm, the Zambian remarked that with the absence of big guns like Nigeria the competition seem destined for surprises due to the unfamiliar faces set to grace the most prestigious African football fete.

He said: “You never know what Guinea will come to do, you can never know or predict what Niger will come to do. These are what you may call the dark horses. It will probably make the Nations Cup much more exciting, much more unpredictable and probably much more difficult.

“Whereas in the past when you are playing the Super Eagles of Nigeria, you probably knew what to expect.

But when you play Guinea, when you play Niger, who are you going to target; you don’t know the game plan and so on. Nigerians will be missed but on the other hand you look at it from a positives perspective.

“The so called smaller teams are no longer small. This will probably

S

UPER Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has reacted angrily to reports quoting him as saying Ghana Black Stars does not have the quality of players that can win this year’s Nations Cup being cohosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea .

Reacting to Black Stars Assistant Coach, Kwesi Appiah’s tirade against him over the issue, Keshi said he was misquoted by the media over the matter.

“I was asked to name my favourites teams to win the Nations Cup and I said on paper, Cote D’ Ivoire and Senegal, have the strongest teams, but tournaments like that are full of surprises. Maybe, because I did not list Ghana and the question was asked on Ghana soil, the journalist decided to say I have written Ghana off. How can I write off a team that made it to the quarter finals of the last World Cup”.

He advised the Ghanaian team to step up preparations for the tournament, instead of wasting ample time reacting to what they perceived as an attack on the Black Stars.

“Everything team that has qualified is capable of wining the championship, but you will agree with me that some teams are rated higher than others even by FIFA, that is what I simply said.”

• Super Falcon’s players celebrating after scoring a goal in an international match recently

Sunshine Stars will improve on Amoo unmoved at 3SC miss LA Galaxy interested in Obagoal BAFEMI Martins has Reggiana in 2001. He has also had a last season’s record—Ogunbote “What and how I feel will not change OACH Fatai Amoo has reacted emerged as the latest loan spell with Birmingham City cautiously to the decision of what has been done.

S

• Osaze

UNSHINE Stars’ coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has played down the growing rivalry between his team and Dolpins when the two sides go against each other in the opening game of the new Nigeria Premier League season on January 7.

The Port Harcourt team narrowly edged Sunshine to the league title on the last day of the 2010-11 season and they will have an early resumption of skirmishes this term.

“We lost the league last season to Dolphins. It was a painful one, painful in the sense that we really worked hard but were unable to get it,” Ogunbote told Goal.com in an interview in Akure.

“All the same, there’s nothing we could do as it meant that our best was not good enough. We have to work harder this season and hope that we can achieve the aspiration of the

people which is to win the league.”

In addition to laying a claim for the league title, Ogunbote will also lead his team into the CAF Champions League, the first time ever for the modest Akure side.

They had a semi-final finish in their first foray into continental football last season in the Confederation Cup where they narrowly lost to Morocco’s Maghreb Fes. “We all know that there is no tournament that is easy, we’re aware that it is a bigger challenge and much is expected from us.

“Since we did pretty well last season, it has become a challenge for us to better our last season’s records not minding what tournament we are playing.

“We know it is going to be tough, it’s meant for tough people and we’re one of the tough teams.”

C

3SC’s management to hire the former Bukola Babes now ASB FC coach Festus Allen in his stead as the team’s coach.

Amoo steered the team off relegation last season and for months was in pole position to return to his duty post.

The former coach of Enugu Rangers, Alphonsus Dike stole headlines as the chosen coach of the Oluyole Warriors for days before coach Allen slipped in to clinch the position.

In a voice laden with disappointment, Amoo told SuperSport.com that he read of Allen’s appointment for 3SC job and have decided to stay off passing comment of the issue.

“I read it on papers, that must have been their decision, and I have decided to keep my view and feeling to myself.

“I can’t fault their decision, it does not matter what I feel about it.

“I indicated my interest to coach the team and now it appears I am not wanted at 3SC, I will have to accept the reality and look elsewhere.

“I am a professional coach, life does not start and end at 3SC.” Asked where the next bus stop will be, the former Julius Berger tactician said days ahead will provide the right answer to the question.

“I am nowhere at the moment. I am without a job.

“I am already taking stock, I am a family man, too, so I have to do some soul searching before I take the next step.

“I don’t feel anything, definitely no ill-feeling to anyone,” he said.

Allen’s first assignment begins on Sunday, January 8 when 3SC welcomes Sharks to lbadan for the 2011/2012 match day one game.

O

transfer target for MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy.

The 27-year old Nigerian striker, currently with Russian club Rubin Kazan, is attracting interest from the Galaxy but at this stage he says it is only speculation. “”I have been told by some people about this interest a few days ago, but at the moment I remain a player of Rubin Kazan and I still have a year and half of my contract to run even though that could be like around the corner,” Martins told MTNFootball.com. “ “I’m on holidays right now and need to enjoy it without worrying about anything like a transfer.”

Martins joined Rubin from German club VfL Wolfsburg in July 2010 after successful stints with Newcastle United and Inter Milan after kicking off his career at

for whom he scored the winner in the Carling Cup final against Arsenal last year.

By Olusoji Olukayode

be one of the most competitive, one of the most exciting Nations Cup tournament that could throw out anything and any surprise.”

SPORT DEVELOPMENT

Ndanusa calls for private, public participation

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RESIDENT of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Engineer Sani Nudausa has expressed the desire of the committee to move sports in the country to an enviable height through private, public participation.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the Countdown Clock of the London 2012 Olympics, he noted that Nigeria can only attain its potential in sports with the support and coorperation of corporate Nigeria.

Ndaunsa a former sports minister said the NOC will work with other stake-holders to ensure that coperate organisations are encouraged to fund sports with the companies getting the adequate tax rebate and other benefits they deserve.

While thanking First Bank PLC and Bank of Industry for partnering NOC on the London 2012 Olympics, he disclosed that Nigeria is not going to this year’s London Olympics for sports alone but also to showcase the culture of the country, saying London is just about 5 hours from Nigeria unlike the last Olympics in Beijing, China which is 15 hours flight from Nigeria.

He, however, commended the Goke Dokun-led IMPC Limited for its initiative on the Olympics Clock Countdown which was the first in the history of NOC/Nigeria ahead of any Olympics games saying, “This has really shown that things are changing for good in the country and as well showed that the corperate organisations are beginning to put their trust in the NOC”, he said, adding that, “this event will make their effort in making the dream of Nigeria’s participation in the Olympics a worth while experience”.

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, while unveiling the clock at the Muri Okunola Park on Victoria Island urged Nigerians and more corporate bodies to rally round the NOC in their quest to make Nigeria proud at the 2012 summer Olympics in London.

Goke Dokun CEO, IPMC Limited in his speech at the unveiling ceremony stated that the long awaited countdown had begun, hoping Nigeria will excel at the games going by adequate preparation of the Team Nigeria ahead of the games and assured of his company’s continue partnership with NOC to take sports in the country to greater heights.

NATION SPORT Anichebe lacks self belief – Moyes

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ESPITE coming off the bench to score the winner for Everton against West Bromwich Albion last weekend, the Toffees boss, David Moyes has declared that Super Eagles’ striker, Victor Anichebe is lacking ‘a little bit of selfconfidence.’

Anichebe had not played since August having injured himself while on international duty with Nigeria.

He, however, came into the fray against West Brom to full effect with a telling performance capped with a well-taken goal but Moyes insists the player still has some way to go before returning to his best.

“He’s someone who we’ve missed, he’s someone who’s got a lot of potential if we get the opportunity to unwrap it really,” Moyes said.

“He’s missed a lot of football. At times he lacks a little bit of selfconfidence. I think the goal today and the reaction from the supporters will help him.

“Everybody likes it when you score the winning goal in a Premier League game.

“He even felt tired after 25 minutes.

It’s going to be a case of gradually bringing him back on and getting him match fit.”

Anichebe was one of three players to come on inside the first 20 minutes of the second half of a game of very few clear cut opportunities.

The Everton boss rounded off by praising the 23-year-old for his performance against the Baggies.

“Victor obviously got his goal and we hope it is a sign of good things to come,” he concluded.

Anichebe has played just two Barclays English Premier League games for Everton and the goal against West Brom was his first this season.

• Anichebe

FIFA appoints Maigari Committee member

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• Maigari

ORLD football – governing body, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has appointed the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari as a member of its Players’ Status Committee.

In the appointment letter forwarded to the NFF and dated 30th December, 2011, FIFA Secretary General, Mr. Jerome Valcke wrote: “Following the announcement by the FIFA President at the 61st FIFA Congress in Zurich on 31 May and 1 June, 2011, the composition of the FIFA standing committees has been

revised and completely restructured.

“In this connection, we are very pleased to inform you that you have been appointed as a member of our Players’ Status Committee. Please accept our sincere congratulations on this nomination.

“We will inform you about the date of the next meeting in due course”.

Maigari, a member of the NFF Executive Committee between 2006 and 2010, has been President of the Nigeria Football Federation since August 2010.

The Players’ Status Committee is one of the most powerful committees in FIFA.

NURTURE

AMENITY

EVENT

NEPAD hunts talents

Northeast state tackles water shortage

Cleric calls for peace

Bayelsa

27

Borno

28

Lagos

40

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

Page 25

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ECOVERING from the endof-year violence, residents of Plateau State have prayed for a better new year.

Christmas Day in Jos, the state capital, was ruined by a bomb blast, which threw residents into panic.

But it was a familiar scenario.

Such violence punctuated the justended year, and not just in the tin city but also in different parts of the state.

It left many wondering what the new year would bring. While some drank in celebration of its dawn, many prayed for the year to favour them. Some others, however, saw the new year as just another, and would not be bothered.

But most of the residents could not afford to be indifferent.

The explosion on Christmas Day caused a few to develop cold feet about going out for the vigil on New Year’s eve, but many turned up in different churches across the city of Jos to seek God’s face and pray for peace to return not only to the state capital and the entire state but also the rest of the country.

Asked for their expectations in 2012, all of them said they expected God to restore peace and unity in the state. A few asked for improved standard of living through the provision of basic amenities.

A resident, Rev. Gideon ParaMallam who convened the Jos Peace Forum in December, said there is need for combatants in the state to bury the hatchet, give peace a chance and build an enduring relationship with one another.

Para-Mallam said he expects a fresh start for the good of all in 2012, adding that the peace forum he convened was aimed at achieving a peaceful end of 2011 and enduring peace in 2012.

He stated that the people have lived in fear of sectarian crisis for so long, adding that the cycle must be broken in the new year.

Para-Mallam recalled with nostalgia the old Jos where everyone wanted to live in.

“The loss of peace among our people is devastating and requires

•A bomb blast scene in Jos

Plateau craves better year Residents seek end to crises From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

a collaborative response from all to restore the good working relationship among the people, irrespective of tribe,” he said.

Another resident, Mr. Christopher Jang is also looking forward to the end of violence and the beginning of true reconciliation.

“Whether we like it or not, we must coexist but this can only be

achieved when both parties respect each other,” he said.

When Newsextra contacted participants of the peace forum which took place in various communities, namely Mai-Adiko, Angwan Rukuba, Dadin Kowa, Anglo-Jos, Tina Junction, among other areas in Jos North and Jos South, they unanimously craved peace in 2012. They also agreed to embrace one another in forgiveness in the new year so that

development could be witnessed in the state.

Similarly, the Director of the Centre for Peace Studies and Conflict Management at the University of Jos, Dr. Audu Gambo expressed confidence that in 2012, interaction and meaningful dialogue would help in solving the problems witnessed in the state.

•Continued on Page 26

•Jang

Suswam’s wife celebrates with PLWHA

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•Mrs Suswam

EOPLE living HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Benue State felt some warmth during the Yuletide as the wife of the governor, Yemisi Suswam celebrated with them.

The state is ranked third in the prevalence of the pandemic.

They came from 23 local government areas under the aegis of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and were hosted to a new year party by Mrs Suswam.

She is also the founder of SevAv Foundation (SA), a platform

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

used to extend care to people living with the virus.

Apart from the party where there was enough to eat and drink, the the governor’s wife also donated assorted grains, including rice and over 10 cows in addition to cash to PLWHA. Mrs Suswam preached the gospel of behavioural change among residents of the state in

order to curtail the spread of the disease.

She said she chose to celebrate with PLWHA to underscore their importance in the society and wage war against stigma which is common with those with the disease.

Responding on behalf of PLWHA, the state president Mr Steven Yongo commended the the governor’s wife for the care and support given to them in the past four years and pleaded with her to fast-track the release of a

vehicle promised the organisation.

He expressed gratitude for the free counselling and testing programme available in three Sev-Av hospitals spread in the three senatorial district of the state.

Suswam’s wife also visited Federal Medical Centre and Bishop Muarra Medical Centre, both in Makurdi, the state capital, and gave out various items to the first babies of the year.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

26

Plateau craves better year •Continued from Page 25 He words: “Crises and conflicts are bound to happen amongst people, but they should rather be seen as a unifying factor rather than divisive one. If we keep on fighting we will be forced to migrate to where we will not be accepted by others.”

Also, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and that of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) appealed to residents of the state to give peace a chance this year so that tangible development can take place in the state.

JNI also appealed to the Christian leaders to calm their youths in the wake of December 25 explosion at the state headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM), saying no Muslim was assigned to carry out such dastardly act.

Vice Chairman of JNI, Sheik Mohamed Suleiman, said the time has come for all adherents of the two religions to agree not to spill any more blood, but to embrace one another and be their brothers’ keeper.

His words: “Instead of shifting blames, both religions should hold the government responsible for what is going on because the government has the capacity to unmask all evil doers and put an end to the insecurity situation”.

However, Jos North CAN chairman, Rev. David Bamidele said his association seeks to partner JNI to ensure a way forward.

He decried the situation that each time the two bodies meet on similar mission, there are always assurances that peace would be sustained, only for crises to break out in a few days. He said such a development would not be acceptable in 2012.

Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the state governor on Peace building, Mr. Timothy Parlong said that he got Muslim and Christian youths to-

•Jos during crisis

gether to celebrate Sallah and Christmas in the last year, adding that the programme stems from the determination to explore and re-establish areas of cordial inter-faith cooperation between the two religions.

Muslims and Christian youths who attended the last get-together held in December in Jos, told Newsextra that the recurring violence, attacks and bombings in the state are being orchestrated by external forces. They said they have resolved to live in peace in 2012.

Yet to another resident, Kehinde Otuniga said, “Peace is the mother of development. What use is develop-

ment if structures are burnt down because of unrest? If we have peace, we will be developed; it is as simple as that”.

For some time now, violence marked the end of the year.

On December 24, 2010 bombs blasted simultaneously at Angwan Rukuba and Kabong areas of Jos North Local Government Area.

On December 10, 2011 three different blasts occurred at Tina Junction, Odus area as well as the old Legislative Quarters, all in Jos North Local Government Area where one life was lost and several people injured at local viewing centres in the areas.

Before the Yuletide, series of rumours spread through the state, with some speculating that the Special Task Force (STF) saddled with keeping the peace in the state, may shut down the capital city, Jos to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

Before the Yuletide, ten partnering non-governmental organisations from the Christian and Muslim religions organised a peace forum to sensitise youths in Jos North and Jos South on the need to give peace a chance and build enduring relationships among themselves.

Youths in four communities in Jos North Local Government Area of the

state called on the Jonah Jang administration to provide provide jobs for them, facilitate their admission into tertiary institutions and not marginalise them.

A spokesperson of the Jos Jarawa community, Mr Christopher Jang, while tracing the causes of the crisis to economic, social, cultural and religious factors, called for the implementation of the various reports of commissions of inquiry into the Jos crisis as a way forward for the state.

“Whether we like it or not, we must coexist but this can only be achieved when both parties respect each other,” he said.

Ekiti to establish public cemeteries

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KITI State government has announced plans to establish public cemeteries and prohibit burying the dead inside homes or anywhere within residential quarters.

The development is part of ongoing urban renewal initiatives.

Speaking at a meeting with the state Council of Obas, Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by Elder Remi

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Olorunleke, Special Adviser on Land Matters, said such move was necessary to “shore up the value of properties and improve their marketability.”

Olorunleke explained that when the law comes into effect, it would be impossible for people to bury their

dead inside their houses for whatever reason.

Olorunleke said: “Investment in housing is known to consume considerable percentage of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Housing has become a major market in the world.

He said: “As a way of regulating the market, there is the need to shore up the value of properties and im-

•From right: Corporate Service Manager, Vitafoam Nig. Plc., Mrs Simbo Osunkoya; Head, Human Resources, Mr Akin Oladiran and father of first baby of the year, Mr David Ekanem, during Vitafoam’s donation to the baby at the Lagos Island Maternity Home, Lagos PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

prove on their marketability by discouraging burying the dead within and around residential buildings.

“A befitting public cemetery will be established in our major towns to take care of the dead.”

The Special Adviser further disclosed government’s plans to establish Government Reservation Areas (GRAs) across the 16 local government headquarters and noticed growth points where indigenes can apply and access residential land and obtain their certificates of occupancy with ease.

In an effort to streamline illegal activities on government acquired land, Olorunleke sought assistance of traditional rulers to appeal to their subjects “to desist from illegal sale of government land.

He said: “Once a parcel of land is acquired by the state government for its project, the law under which such parcel parcel of land does no permit does no permit such illegal activities on such land. Any request for excision of any portion of the acquired land Is expected to be channeled to Governor’s office for consideration.

•Governor Fayemi “The stocktaking of various private layouts will soon commence in the state. I am using this medium to appeal to our royal fathers to assist government in tackling the menace of haphazard development on the private layouts by ensuring that such are approved by the Ministry of Physical and Urban Development.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

27

Lawmaker celebrates victory

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ENATOR representing Taraba South, Hon. Emmanuel Bwacha has given thanks to God for his victory at the April 2011 poll.

The thanksgiving service took place at the Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria (CRCN), Mararraba, Donga Local Government Area of the state.

Pastor Paul Rika of the Holiness Rival Ministry Worldwide, said the church was a divine place of intervention for the people.

“God is the same yesterday, today and forever,” he said. “It is

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

when things are done in God’s way that good things happen.”

Rev. Istifanus Bahago offered special prayers for sustainable peace for the senator and the entire community.

Bahago stated: “The merciful God would protect and guide your steps to live a worthy life on earth, so that you could also make heaven in the end”.

Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai, in his speech at the event, described Bwacha as a

I know Bwacha very well; he has never failed in his mandate, and I know, with God by his side, he will not fail you

God-sent politician, who has been committed to serving his community people.

Suntai said: “Senator Emmanuel Bwacha is a man whom God has chosen to lead the people of Southern Taraba. His election was evidently possible with the overwhelming support you (the electorate) accorded him at the poll.

“I know Bwacha very well; he has never failed in his mandate, and I know, with God by his side, he will not fail you”.

The governor also solicited support from the masses for Bwacha and prayed God to give him (Bwacha) the grace and wisdom to serve his constituency well.

Senate President David Mark commended Bwacha for his commitment to the grassroots people.

“Senator Bwacha is providing qualitative representation for his people and state in the national Assembly. His thanksgiving at home signifies total obedience to God and commitment to his constituents,” he stated.

Mark was represented by the Minister for Interior, Comrade

Abba Moro.

For the Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, Bwacha’s victory in the last election was not a day’s journey.

“It is a journey that had come a long way; what we are seeing today has shown that the vigours and pains of that journey have given way for God’s favour and triumph,” he said.

Suswam, who was represented by the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. David Iorhemba, advised that in every endeavour of life, one needs to be focused and ready to pay the price.

Suswam, a former colleague of Bwacha’s in the House of Representatives, added that he and the celebrant had gone through a similar journey, but at last they could laugh and thank God. An elated Bwacha told newsmen that the thanks giving ceremony was not just for the election victory, but for also being alive.

Bwacha said: “I went through the thick and thin of life, and passed through the ups and

•Hon. Bwacha

down during the election. But now that all that have turned into joy, I needed to go back to God and the people, and say thank you.

“I have forgiven all those who constituted a hurdle to me during the journey to the senate”.

The two-day event was marked with cultural displays and a novelty soccer match.

Many dignitaries, friends and colleagues turned with gifts to rejoice with the Bwacha family.

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HOUSANDS of teenagers from virtually every part of Bayelsa State gathered at the Banquet Hall Government House, Yenagoa, to participate in a talent hunt show organised by the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) in conjunction with the state government.

The event which attracted youths from the various Local Government Areas in the state to mark the end of year activities, also witnessed dancing, singing, drumming, and competitions in mastery of assorted musical instruments. There was also a fashion show by children in the state.

Over 25 teenagers were discovered to have gifted in differnt areas, including dancing, singing, modelling and other areas at the end of the show.

The event had the theme ‘Children/Teenagers Christmas Show: Modelling Talent Hunt/Creativity Development 2011. There was also provision for health talk, anti-violence presentations and other side attractions including creating awareness on how to spend money wisely in the festive period and beyond.

There were, in addition, sessions on how youths can avoid sexual harassment. This was anchored by Mrs. Princess Egbe, Coordinator National Anti Corruption/Rescue Volunteers Corps and Operation Rescue; talk on staying healthy was anchored by a health specialist, Grace Iki. There was also a brief talk by Mother and Father of the Day. “It is time to stop child abuse and protect their future. Children are hawking because they do not have parental care.

She decried the allofness of the general society when a child is raped. She said the lack of protection of children led to the existence of agbero or motorpark touts.

•The youths at the show

NEPAD hunts for talents in Bayelsa From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

She urged parents and guardians to protect the children, saying, “Let’s join hands to protect the rights of children,” noted the Coordinator who also appealed to children to “protect yourselves, and to join hands against Child abuse”.

Mrs. Vivian El-Shema, the co-

We decided to end the year with something that will motivate the children, and that is why we decided to organise this show to encourage them.

We have discovered great talents through this show and I am overwhelmed

ordinator of NAPEP in the state, advised youths, especially school children to make maximum use of their God-given talents, and assured of NEPAD’s readiness to develop them.

“NEPAD would continue to discover talents in the state and develop them,” noted El-Shema who expressed happiness over the number of young talents NEPAD has been able to discover in the state within a short period.

She informed that the fashion show was supported by operators of boutiques and supermarkets for the promotion of talents especially artistes.

“We decided to end the year with something that will motivate the children, and that is why we decided to organise this show as a way of encouraging and bringing talents in the lives of these children.

We have discovered great talents

through this show and I am overwhelmed,” she stated.

It is good, she said, to discover talents at a very early stage so that such talents could be developed.

“The entertainment industry is making a lot of waves now due to its discovery,” she said the NEPAD coordinator , advising youths to avoid negative social vices for a

better tomorrow.

She disclosed that NEPAD would go to the creeks on a talent hunt mission soon.

Highlights of the event were the presentation of awards and gifts to 25 children who were advised to utilise the Christmas holiday to engage in activities that will benefit the state.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

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Dakingari approves N4.1b for rural road K

Borno to tackle water shortage

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•Governor Shettima

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HE National Farmers’ Registration exercise has captured no fewer than 16,000 women farmers in Adamawa State, the National Coordinator of the exercise in the state, Alhaji Mustafa Raji.has said.

Raji told journalists in Yola that at least, 140,000 farmers were expected to be

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HE Borno State government said it planned to tackle the perennial water shortage facing the Marama community in Hawul Local Government Area of the state.

Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, the state Deputy Governor, made the pledge while speaking at the Annual Marama Cutural Festival in Marama.

He said government would deploy some engineers to the community to begin work on the construction of new boreholes in the area.

“Government is touched by the plight of the community and we have decided to draft some engineers to commence work on boreholes’ drilling to solve the water problem,” Mustapha said.

He also disclosed that the state government

Adamawa registered in the state.

Mustafa, who is the state’s Manager of the Agricultural Development

Students advise Ajimobi

HE old students association of the polytechnic Ibadan has called on the Oyo State government to expedite actions on the conversion of the institution to a full fledged university and not to allow professor Kolawole report to suffer in the shelf in order to reduce the problem facing the products of the polytechnics in Nigeria.

The National president of the alumni association, Mr.Adelani Akintude said this in a recent interview.

Mr. Akintunde who graduated in 1976, while speaking with our correspondent, said it is quite unfortunate that the institution has not been awarding degree because there are many reports that has been submitted to the past administration in the state as per upgrading of the institution but no one has ever implemented it till today.

According to him “We are very happy to learn that it is something that has been on ground since 1987; the law establishing the Polytechnic Ibadan has been amended since 1987, that it should be awarding degrees. Also during the administration of Alhaji Lam Adesina, he accepted that the institution

should be awarding degree but it is the implementation that has been stolen’.

He, therefore, called on the appropriate authorities not to allow the report to end up in the shelve,saying the Polytechnic Ibadan has enough facilities to cope with such programme Speaking on the effort of the alumni association to ensure that the state government expedite action on the implementation of the report, Akintunde said the association had in the past submitted a paper to the new government in the state to know the problems facing the Polytechnic Ibadan, and in the process to get feed back from the government. The governor set up a panel to investigate the problems facing the institution which made them to wait and see the outcome of the effort of the state government.

He used the medium to encourage graduates of the institution not to see themselves as second class graduates, rather, they should see themselves as superior products.

EBBI State Governor Saidu Dakingari has approved the construction of Kawara/Mairuwa/Goron-Dutse road in Suru Local Government Area at a cost of N4.1billion.

This was contained in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mua’zu, and made available to jornalists.

According to the statement, the road which covers a distance of 16 kilometres will link

Borno would convert the Government Secondary School in Marama to a boarding school in line with the community’s request.

“The state government has approved the conversion of the school into a boarding school as requested by the community during the Christmas celebration.

“The conversion had been captured in the 2012 budget of the state for implementation,” the deputy governor said.

Mustapha added that the state government had also posted a medical doctor to the Marama General Hospital.

He said this was in addition to presenting an ambulance to the hospital as requested by the community.

16,000 women farmers registered Programme(ADP), said that the aim of the registration was in line with the national agricultural transformation agenda.

“Our farmers are willing to be registered and so far, 32,179 genuine farmers were captured out of whom are 16,000 women farmers across the state.

“The exercise is part of the national agricultural transformation agenda for planning purposes,” he said, and expressed optimism at a massive turnout for the exercise.

He said that although the exercise was scheduled to hold from December 1 to 16, the Federal Government should extend the time to enable more farmers to register.

Govt agencies warned

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•Men performing during Marama Annual Cultural Festival in Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State

Kano to create 1m jobs for youths

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ANO State Government is working towards creating over one million jobs for the teeming youths across the 44 local government areas. It plans to use agriculture as a springboard.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Baraka Sani, who made this known at an interactive session with reporters in Kano over the weekend, said the proposed budgetary

NGO feeds senior citizens

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HE Meal on Wheel Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, a nongovernmental organisation in collaboration with the Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area, last week, fed hundreds of senior citizens and gave them packages which included rice, beans, and money to enable them celebrate the Yuletide.

The coordinator of the programme, Dr Collins Awosika said it has become a burden to care for the elderly because most of them were often left at the mercy of society.

He said: “When the government brought pensioners together recently, my observation was nothing to cheer about. Many elderly people fell and died during the exercise and in the course of my interaction with them, many of them said they had not eaten for days. Many went into coma and ambulances were there to take them to hospitals.”

Awosika, who decried a situation where these senior citizens were left on their own as if they had not toiled to keep the country together wondered why they had to undergo

By Musa Odoshimokhe

pains in the midst of the abundant resources that God gave the country.

“How can we be living in the midst of abundance and some people are perishing for lack of food? That is why we have taken up the challenge to feed them and this would be a continuous exercise throughout the country,” he said.

He stated that there was no age limit for those that would benefit from the exercise, adding that as long as they were elders, they would benefit from it. “Most of these people I am talking about are living alone and nobody to cook for them. In most cases they have to struggle to survive at a time they should be reaping the fruits of their contributions to the growth of the society.”

He further explained that though government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of caring for its senior citizens, well-meaning Nigerians and other nongovernmental organisation must rise to the occasion.

•Children enjoying a ride at the Wonderland in Abuja during the New Year celebration

Group launches community service

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group, Pro Natura International Nigeria (PNI) has launched a community-based service mission tagged Eredo Community Development Foundation (ECDF) in Eredo, Epe Lagos with the aim of providing some basic amenities for the community. The chairman of the group, Adeyemi Adeleke, said the foundation was meant to assist the rural part of the state, to make life more meaningful. ”We expect to see increased community capacity in project implementation, gendersensitive planning and increased democracy, transparency and accountability in the Eredo-Epe LCDA. It is possible to achieve these goals with continued support and participation of the communities and the Eredo-Epe LCDA,” Adeleke said.He urged

By Hammed Yekini

the community to make the plan a success. ”This foundation is facilitated by PNI, but the communities are the true owners. I hope all of us; especially those at this ceremony will take up the responsibility to contribute positively towards our efforts to make the Eredo Community Development Foundation a success story,’’ he said.The Adeleke-led team was received by the Vice Chairman of Eredo-Epe LCDA, Mrs Olayinka Olusanya. She thanked the organisation for the initiative.She said the council would support any project that would bring meaningful development to the people.

First Lady challenges women on peace

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• Some of the senior citizens on the occasion

HE First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, has appealed to women to take the lead in the quest for peace for the country’s development.

Jonathan made the appeal in Abuja during a visit to the Maitama General Hospital to welcome the first baby of the year.

She noted that baby Chinonso Patience, who was born at 12:02 a.m. to Mr and Mrs Anih, should be taught the fear of God and the importance of love and peace.

She said: “I will like to urge all women to ensure that peace reigns in their domain. It is only when we have peace that we can make progress in our families and ultimately make progress as a nation.

“Please let us embrace the spirit of peace as a tool for nation building. Violence never solves anything, it only worsens situations.

37

“Let us resolve to renew the culture of peace for which the nation is famous. We must all work together to sustain peace and tranquility for our potential and goals to be realised.

The President’s wife further condemned the recent spate of bombings across the nation, saying that the aggrieved should “consider the option of dialogue’’ offered by the Federal Government.

Mrs Jonathan urged Nigerians to be “more security conscious in the new year, so that together we can free the children and the future of those who threaten our collective peace and security’’.

Mrs Angela Anih, mother of the baby and a Nurse at the hospital, thanked the First Lady for her kind gesture and prayed her child would bring “the family good luck and peace’’.

Sokoto

R John Dabwan, the Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, has said that any ministry or parastatal agency, which fails to perform in 2012, will be sanctioned.

Dabwan told journalists in Jos that the Assembly was dissatisfied with the performances of most government organisations.

“We have directed that each ministry, parastatal and department should submit a quarterly financial report to us beginning from next year to monitor the implementation of the budget.

“Anything that falls short of our expectation in terms of performance will attract serious sanction from the house.’’

Kebbi five local government areas (LGAs) across the Rima River in the state.

“The road, which also has provision for the construction of four bridges along the Fadama landscape, is expected to link Suru, Bunza, Dandi, Koko-Besse and Bagudo LGAs, as well as parts of Niger Republic,’’ it said.

The statement further explained that Dakingari approved the road contract based on his resolve to provide basic infrastructure.

“It is part of his resolve to provide the basic infrastructure that will enable rural dwellers

Bauchi vaccinates 2.9m animals

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AUCHI State Government says it innoculated over 2.9 million animals against various diseases in 2011.

The state Commissioner for Animal Resources and Nomadic Resettlement, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said this in Futuru Village, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.

He explained that more than 1.5 million

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

allocation of N8.3b for the 2012 fiscal year would be utilised to generate wealth and job opportunities for the young men and women of the state.

Sani said the ministry would focus on more efficient means of fertiliser supply and distribution to ensure that subsidy on fertiliser benefits the farmers.

According to her, the ministry would also promote capacity building for farmers, as part of measures to boost agricultural production, even as she pointed out that 900 youths have already graduated from the Farm Mechanisation Institute.

As part of efforts to revolutionise the sector, the commissioner further disclosed that government, through the ministry, had established Capacity Building Institutes, six of which include farm mechanisation, poultry production, fish production, livestock production, horticulture and irrigation development.

In order to create an environment conducive enough to the actualisation of the set goals, the commissioner appealed to the Federal Government, including its international partners, to continue with the promotion of a successful public-private partnership deal.

She disclosed that each trainee has received a post-training package of one pair of work bull, including ridger subsidised by 20 per cent. She pointed out that, as part of the efforts to mechanisation farming in the state, the youth are also given practical training on how to operate and maintain tractors.

Outlining the achievements of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, she said that within the last six months that the Kwankwaso-led administration came on board, it has implemented the long-awaited tractorisation programme introduced by the Federal Government in partnership with the state government, tractor manufacturing companies/suppliers and farmers organisations.

• Dakingari improve their social and economic transactions for an improved living,” it said.

Bauchi cattles, one million sheep, 400,000 goats and 860 dogs were vaccinated during the period under review.

Ibrahim said that more than 200,000 species of animals were also treated for various ailments while 316,298 animals were slaughtered within the period.

He decried the high rate of rabies being transmitted by dogs in the state and promised that government would intensify the vaccination against rabies in Toro, Giade and Alkaleri Local Government Areas, where such cases were reported.

Ibrahim attributed the high prevalence rate of the disease to the lukewarm attitude of the owners of the dogs, particularly herdsmen, who keep them for security purposes.

He said that an intensive enlightenment campaign would be carried out by the government to sensitise them on the need to vaccinate their dogs yearly.

The commissioner also frowned at the poor sanitary condition of Bauchi Abattoir and assured that the state government would construct a modern abattoir to replace the old one.

Church holds prayer programme •From left: Alaye of Odogbolu, Ogun State, Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa with the newly crowned Miss Odolewu, Ms Omobolanle Adelaja and a community leader, Senator Anthony Adefuye and his wife, Chief Mrs Bolaji Adefuye at the 2011 Odolewu Day, Ogun State

Aliyu canvasses peaceful co-existence

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NIGER STATE GOVERNOR Babangida Aliyu has called for peaceful co-existence among Muslims and Christians to ensure the country’s rapid development.

Aliyu made the call at the opening of the Niger Annual Quranic Recitation Competition in Minna on Sunday.

He stressed that Islam enjoined its faithful to live in peace with each other and other members of the society.

Aliyu challenged the youth to adhere to the teaching of the religion at all times in their relationship with each other and people of other faith by avoiding acts of violence.

He also urged Islamic scholars to mould their students to become models of the religion; educated and enlightened on the Islamic tenets and shun any act that could destabilise the society.

Minna Aliyu announced the sponsorship of 12 winners of the competition to perform this year’s Lesser Hajj and the annual Hajj for emerging champions in their categories. He said that the gesture would encourage others to put in their best during subsequent competitions.

He also announced the sponsorship of two other participants to perform the lesser Hajj (Umrah) for the excellent recitation of the Holy Quran at the ceremony.

No fewer than 400 participants are competing in the one-week event and the winner of the six categories for male and female groups would represent the state at the national finals.

S part of its new year programmes, Anthony Village Foursquare Church, City of Refuge, has begun a 30-day national prayer and daily fasting for members, nation and her leaders. It will end on January31.The programme starts 6pm daily at Adeteju Adeyeye Street, Anthony Village while on Friday, January 6,a session tagged: Refreshing Vigil, is slated for Foursquare Gospel Church Camp in Idimu and other days’ programme will continue at the Anthony Auditorium.

The Senior Pastor and host Rev. Gbenga Adekoya said: “We are embarking on this programme in obedience to God’s command saying this year is our glorious lifting by rejoicing in His promises, giving thanks to God along with prayers and supplication.

Phil 4:6-7”.

He added: “As we do this for Nigeria, the Lord will give peace, prosperity. We are also waiting on the Lord for 30days as we urge everyone to join us to intercede for Nigeria and leaders”.

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Institute seeks increased action against malaria T

HE Institute of Human Virology has called for increased mobilisation and empowerment of community leaders, role models and care givers in the campaign against malaria.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Patrick Dakum, told journalists in Abuja that people at the grassroots were very crucial in tackling malaria burden.

“People at the grassroots are vital in the fight to eradicate mosquitoes, hence the need to mobilise and empower the role models, care givers and mothers in communities.

“The battle to eradicate mosquitoes is really gaining ground all over the country; the good news is that many people now know what causes malaria attack, the dreadful disease that kills millions of children and women in subSaharan Africa,’’ he said.

Dakum commended the efforts of the

National Malaria Control Programme and development partners in ensuring the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets in Nigeria.

He noted that more nets were still in demand in many rural homes visited by the institute, stressing that the Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), should be made available at all times in all the Primary Health Centres.

According to him, there is the need to sustain all the efforts already put in place in the battle against malaria.

He said the institute would continue to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health to fight mosquitoes in malariaaffected villages.

•Wife of Chairman, Agege Local Council Development Area, Mrs Ajarat Adaranjo (middle) presenting gifts and cash to Jelili, one of the beneficiaries of Bola Hammed Tinubu Foundation at the council secretariat.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

29

Life

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

Sango returns in Oba Koso

– Page 30

Ugieoba Festival dims – Page 31

Black hen, nugget eggs – Page 35

A phenomenon in generations •Prof Akinyemi

– SEE PAGE 32

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

30

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Thirty-five years after his death, one of Nigeria’s theatre icons, Duro Ladipo, ‘resurrected’ in one of his plays, Oba Koso, at the Muson Centre, Lagos, last Tuesday. The two-hour presentation was a special Yuletide bouquet for arts enthusiasts, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

•A scene in Oba Koso

PHOTO: OZOLUA UHAKHEME

Sango returns in Oba Koso

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HE Agip Recital Hall of MUSON Centre, Lagos, was filled to capacity. For two hours, theatre buffs and enthusiasts watched with nostalgic feelings the return of the prodigies of the late Duro Ladipo at a command performance of the legendary and timeless Oba Koso. Several years after it was last shown on a Nigerian stage to such eminent personalities, the opera appeared on the MUSON stage to kickstart a planned nationwide performance.

With a special appearance by his wife, Mrs Abiodun Duro Ladipo, also known as Moremi or Oya, Oba Koso, the refreshing two-hour performance by Duro Ladipo Arts and Entertainment Group, threw the audience into ecstasy.

The presentation dubbed: An evening of cultural re-awakening was a Christmas gift the Industrial and General Insurance Plc, sponsor of the event, gave Nigerians, especially the Lagos audience.

Mrs Duro Ladipos’s opening rendition of songs set the tone for the evening performance that highlighted the characteristics of most leaders, especially pride, power, envy and influence.

The play was directed by Isiaka Eegunbunmi and choreographed by Raji Opeyemi, with Biodun Adekanmbi as stage manager. Interestingly, it featured three of Ladipo’s children.

His son, Yomi, played Sango, the powerful but insecure Alaafin (king) who plots the death of his two war generals, Gbonka (Jimoh Abdulrahman) and Timi (Adebimpe Muniru) after he perceived them as having become too powerful.

He sent Timi, a famous archer, on an assignment, hoping he would be killed but the general triumphs and crowns himself king at Ede. He then sent Gbonka after him, thinking that one of them would at least kill the other, but Gbonka, who succeeded in making Timi to sleep, did not kill his fellow general. He brought Timi to Oyo as a captive. Instead of leaving matters as they are, Sango allows the people to instigate him into arranging another contest between the two. Gbonka defeats Timi and becomes swollen headed.

Riding on the immunity he got from witches against death, he becomes indestructible and dares Sango to kill him. He tells the king to abdicate the throne and return to Tapa land, his mother’s home town, before seven days or he will deal with him. The fiery Sango, in a fit of anger with smoke bellowing from his

THEATRE mouth and nostrils, attempts to deal with Gbonka but kills his family and innocent onlookers in the process. This forces Sango to take an action which culminated in his disastrous end.

The play though commendable threw up a few puzzles. One is: what would be going through (Abiodun Duro Ladipo) Moremi’s mind as she watched her son, Yomi, play her husband and her daughter, Sholabomi Akinsola, play Oya, her traditional role?

The colourful traditional setting lifted the presentation as did other props. Also, the dances were well choreographed and Omolabake Adekunle, the costumier, deserves a thumb up for the good job.

Effective use of lively drumming, singing and dancing complemented the judicious use of sound and special effects that kept the audience occupied when scenes were being changed. But, the time lag between scenes was a bit too long.

In terms of characterisation, Gbonka and Timi lived up to their roles but Yomi could have done better by putting more energy into acting Sango, thunder god and a fiery actor full of energy.

But for his death, Duro Ladipo would have watched with pride as his children took prime roles in the acting of his most popular play, Oba Koso, which won him numerous prizes across the globe. Oba Koso took the first prize at the Berlin Theatre Festival in 1964 and wowed the audience at the first Commonwealth Arts Festival in the UK, a year later. It was reportedly performed some 2,000 times in at least 15 countries before the playwright’s death in 1978. Oba Koso was a special menu served the Lagos audience where the elderly nostalgically recalled years of the travelling theatre. And for the young, who had never seen any of Ladipo’s plays, it was a rare privilege watching the most popular.

It was, indeed, a refreshing evening as some guests relived their experiences at the close of the play. Among them was the former Managing Director of Daily Times, Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole, who noted that Oba Koso reaffirmed that “we come from very deep traditional roots.”

The former Minister of Agriculture, • Continued on page 35

•Sango.

PHOTO: DEBINN

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

31

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African artists’ works take centre stage in UK

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TRIO of outstanding shows (two large-scale commissions in public art spaces and a group exhibition in a stunning new gallery) are lighting up the cold and dark in and nearby London this month.

The commissioned works are Raimi Gbadamosi’s Banquet, a multimedia installation comprising 900 candles, neon signs, flags and stripes, all in the artist’s signature colours black, yellow and white at the Bracknell Gallery (It will run till January 29, at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell) and Abdoulaye Konaté’s Pouvoir (power) et religion’, a vast textile piece with 4,000 faux feather swatches in the showcase window of INIVA: Institute of International Visual Arts (it ended yesterday at Rivington Place, viewable from Rivington St), while The Tie that Binds Us, the first group show at Tiwani Contemporary, provides a platform to compare the diverse works of five artists who share Nigerian heritage: Mary Evans, Lawson Oyekan, Emeka Ogboh, Adolphus Opara, Ben Osaghae (It will run till January 27, 16 Little Portland St).

The artists are well-educated in studio art and critical practice; several teach and curate art in Europe and Africa; most of their works can be characterised as melding challenging concepts by fine craftsmanship.

The new gallery, recent as well as new in approach, is a transnational Nigerian initiative; Tiwani translates “this is ours” in Yoruba. The gallery’s on-site director is Maria Varnava (Lagos-born, SOAS-educated, former Christie’s employee) who works in collaboration with off-site London-based

VISUAL ART directors: Ayo Adenyika and Jude Cesar, and in consultation with Bisi SiIva of the Centre of Contemporary Art, Lagos.

Indeed, Maria said two objectives of the gallery are professional curation rather than personal choice and a dynamic public programme.

The works in the three shows are visually engaging, outreaching in ways that address issues of communicating between parties or people who differ. This is facilitated by careful and imaginative use of diverse media.

In his interview broadcast on the BBC World Service (‘The Strand’ on December 20-21), Abdoulaye Konaté discusses his use of the metaphor of the guinea fowl, specifically its cyclical plumage, to stimulate thought about the lack of transparency in human agency with regard to power relationships, particularly those which involve religious and political power.

In his rather solemn Pouvoir et religion, Mali cotton carries the symbolic load of feathers.

For east Africans, the work’s outreach resonates with kanga: Swahili for guinea fowl and its namesake the printed textile wrapper that always includes a social saying, often with reference to traditions.

These exhibitions – (in the context of 2011 developments), such as The Trust for African Art, the appointment of a Tate Modern curatorial specialist in African art, the extension of the Fourth Plinth Trafalgar Square display of Yinka Shonibare’s Nelson Ship in a

•Shonibare's How to blow your head

Bottle (now the focus of an Art Fund campaign), Grayson Perry’s nuanced treatment of the British Museum’s Africa material indicate a significant shift in London’s worlds of ‘African art’ from exceptional and seasonal events (and that of strict commodification) to their inclusion in the British mainstream and beyond.

Interestingly, Grayson Perry - The Tomb of

the Unknown Craftsman – with some 200 works, 30 post-modern pieces created by the Turner Prize winning ceramicist are displayed with his complementary selection of British Museum objects of which 10 to 15 per cent are from Africa. The artist/curator reflects the Africa “I imagine is not the ‘real’ Africa. That is in someone else’s head” (British Museum to February 19, 2012).

Ugieoba Festival: Many colours, fewer enthusiasts

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•Oba of Benin

OR the Binis, a year without celebrating the annual Ugieoba festival means unpredictable evil may characterise the coming year.

The festival, which is a combination of several ceremonies, has been dubbed the most colourful of all Benin royal activities.

Efforts are being made to redesign it into an international event.

The Igue festival, a ritual of the head, is as old as the Benin Kingdom and is a part of the Ugieoba festival.

Chief Priest of Benin kingdom Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, described it as “set of annual cycle of rituals and rites, which are performed to purify and strengthen the Benin kingdom and the Omo N’Oba.” To the Binis, Igue means the celebration of a successful year and the beginning of a new year and a period to drive out evil spirits and invoke spirits of good fortunes and favour.

Celebrating Igue is characterised by a feast of anointing the head and shoulders with (orhue) white chalk, coconut milk and blood from animals slaughtered after prayers have been offered to the ancestors.

Despite the pomp and pageantry with which this year’s Igue festival was celebrated because of some innovations introduced, there were fears over the continuous celebration of Igue Edohia ceremony which preceded the Ugie Ewere.

The Igue Edohia, which is performed two days after the princes and princesses perform the Igue ritual in their homes, is performed by all Binis at their homes.

Stephen Izekor recalled with nostalgia how they used to go from house to house at night on the appointed day to perform the Igue ritual with different families.

“There were lots to drink and eat but today you hardly find a household celebrating Igue,” he told The Nation.

This year’s Igue Edohia was performed on December 22, and it was mainly done by traditional rulers, chiefs and a few Binis. The usual bubbling night activities were missing even as many youths like Izekor searched for a household where the Igue is celebrated.

Enogie of Ukhiri in Ikpoba-Okha local council, Godwin Osayande Aigbe, said it was

FESTIVAL From Osagie Otabor, Benin

sad to see the Igue festival dwindling.

His words: “Igue festival is a festival of peace where the people come together to think of the year ahead; to thank God for the year past and to pray for a better future. This is a festival of prosperity. The Binis are watching, seeing that Igue festival is dwindling. Let us come out and celebrate it.

That does not stop us from going to our respective places of worship. It is our identity.”

However, some innovations were added to this year’s festival, such as lighting of the Ugieoba flame, cultural display and opening of Arts Villages at the National Musuem premises.

The cultural display featured troupes from across the 18 local councils, competing for the star prize of N500,000 donated by the Edo State Government.

Other ceremonies performed to mark the Ugieoba Festival included the Ugie Iron, Ugie Erha’Óba, Igue Oba, Igue Ivbioba, Igue Edohia and Ugie Ewere.

The Igue Oba, which is held at the Ugha Ozolua, was celebrated with great cultural display as chiefs and palace functionaries paid homage to the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa.

Dressed in traditional regalia, chiefs accompanied by their followers, danced with the traditional Eben, which is not expected to drop on the ground during the dance.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Adams Oshiomhole represented by his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, said the state government decided to identify with Igue celebration to make it an international event.

He said: “More attractions will be coming next year. This administration will build on what happened today to attract Edos in Diaspora and the entire international community to the annual Ugie festival.”

The Ugieoba Festival ended with a thanksgiving service at the Holy Arousa Cathedral.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

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TRIBUTE TO A MASTER DIPLOMAT AT 70

A phenomenon in generations

P

ROF Bolaji Akinyemi’s contribution to Nigeria’s foreign policy and the study of international politics is visible and palpable.

Many people have referred to him as an intellectual theorist. He features prominently in Nigeria’s history of foreign relations and perhaps he is more widely known for his involvement in foreign relations. Prof Akinyemi is very adept in his presentation, discussion and analysis of issues in world politics, democracy, political economy and international diplomacy.

Indeed, any discussion of Nigeria’s external relations of times past will be incomplete without mentioning Prof Akinyemi. This is because during his tenure as Minister of External Affairs, Nigeria experienced a radical change in its external relations. Akinyemi re-jigged the External Affairs Ministry through his pragmatic and down-to-earth approach. Even though he recognised the role of bureaucracy, he would allow intellectual theory to provide a wisdom path.

Prof Akinyemi at several fora, demonstrated his personality, and is rightly described as an intellectual gem of scintillating impact, a man who pays careful attention to details and quite detailed in his analysis. Prof Akinyemi, as I know him, is highly objective, humble and works with specifics. His sense of history is as captivating as his precision and his choice of words demonstrates a profound grasp of any subject matter or issue he handles.

Succinctly put, he works with an overflowing sense of finesse.

Having taught in several universities in Nigeria and abroad, including the prestigious University of Cambridge, England, Prof Akinyemi is an embodiment of experience and expertise. He is a reservoir of many practical cases, sufficient enough to influence public policy. One of the significant objectives of Prof Akinyemi during his 32 years of active public service was to provide the “cutting-edge in ideas as to how to build up Nigeria into a major international actor” but had to contend with criticisms over which his ideas prevailed even years after he had left public office.

For example, Nigeria’s present shift towards economic diplomacy had been advocated by Akinyemi years ago, and this view can be found in some of his public lectures.

Akinyemi believes firmly in Nigeria and sees the country’s potential leadership role in world affairs, provided there is genuine revitalisation of the economy, and positive efforts are made by the leaders to command respect from members of the international community. His insight into national and international issues is pragmatic. Akinyemi once asserted that Nigeria should not delve into African issues for which it is not consulted. According to him, Nigeria should be respected and his views on Nigeria’s dignity have not changed.

Before now and during his public service period, wherever he had cause to function as a public servant or an intellectual, Prof Akinyemi was sure to leave a footprint. He made radical changes in thoughts and deeds. Indeed, his views were usually different from those of others and were challenged, but in the end prevailed because he had insight into what others could not fathom and saw far ahead of his peers.

This might explain why he had many critics while in public office. His ideas were seen as weird and impracticable, but he always proved the critics wrong.

Akinyemi’s contribution to national development is notable. He initiated the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps during his tenure as Minister of External Affairs from 1985-1987. The programme is a pact that takes Nigerian professionals to many developing countries where their services are required. The programme has generated goodwill for Nigeria over the years; and since the inception of the programme, the

•From left: Lagos State Commissioner for Information Mr Lateef Ibirogba, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Chief Edwin Igbokwe and Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi at the Christy Essien-Igbokwe memorial Stars Nite

Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, who turns 70 today, is not a stranger to any student of international relations in Nigeria. His personality is not unfamiliar to the academic community both in Nigeria and abroad, especially where foreign policy and external relations are concerned, reports DR ZIMAKO O. ZIMAKO. PERSONALITY number of countries requiring the services of Nigerian professionals has increased.

Prof Akinyemi must be given credit for the original idea beyond the emergence of the programme.

Akinyemi as Minister made significant contributions at the All-Nigeria Conference on Foreign Policy, Kuru, Jos, where deliberations eventually influenced the direction of Nigeria’s foreign relations with a review of the country’s foreign policy.

Akinyemi’s tenure as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos 1975-1983, brought about a total transformation in the activities of the establishment. In reality, his efforts re-energised the institute and brought it back to its mandate as a research centre. The Institute became more vibrant and took several policy initiatives during his tenure.

Akinyemi is passionate about intellectual discourse and the depth of his knowledge is reflected in several of his public lectures. Indeed, any personal interaction with him reveals deep insight, a good sense of humour and scientific analysis of events/issues, supported with precise statements. Even years after leaving the academic community, his sense of analysis has not failed. He has remained continually in touch with developments around the world. His views on critical national issues are as much eclectic as are intriguing.

Even though Prof Akinyemi does not present himself as a politician, his role in the activities of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the 1993 June 12 election crisis appears suggestive. He acted as the spokesman of NADECO

abroad, and was highly critical of undemocratic practices. His views on many national issues are conveyed in one of his publications, Essays on International Politics: Foreign and Domestic Affairs, a book published after he retired from public service.

One of the remarkable attributes of Prof Akinyemi is humility. He exhibits the readiness to listen to others, and is willing to contribute to human capital development. As a renowned social scientist, and considering his world view, Prof Akinyemi is never known to engage critics in public war of words over any issue.

He is relatively calm and objective. He is a statesman whose opinion on national and international issues is always sought.

He has, by every standard, assumed the status of an international consultant. In his characteristic desire to serve Nigeria when called upon, Prof Akinyemi has never failed to respond to any national call from which, he is aware that, Nigeria and Nigerians will benefit.

Prof Akinyemi is generally regarded as the most enigmatic Foreign Affairs Minister Nigeria has ever had, and a well-bred Nigerian who is committed to the practice of true federalism. In every capacity, and in every position he held, Prof Akinyemi has always succeeded, not solely on the basis of intellectualism, but because he has always carved out a vision and a purpose.

That is why he does not allow himself to be distracted by critics. Indeed, he once remarked that criticism should provide an individual with the strength and drive to proceed.

Prof Akinyemi’s passion for Nigeria magnifies his thoughts about the country.

He believes that Nigeria should not be dogmatic and its military strength should be such as could match any other power.

In his opinion, the fact that Nigeria is con-

‘Would it be right to assert that Prof Bolaji Akinyemi is more respected abroad than at home? I would hazard a guess. But, from his performance and academic profile, Prof Akinyemi is an international figure and intellectual icon who never fails to provide bold, imaginative and pragmatic proposals cum solutions to complex problems’

fronted with a myriad of problems does not becloud his belief in the country’s potential greatness. Part of his valedictory speech at the NIIA in 1983 is still a reflection of his patriotism today. And he said: “I have sought in the past eight years to challenge Nigeria and Nigerians to climb the mountain of greatness. I have sought to get Nigeria and Nigerians to shift their gaze from the gutter to the stars… Time and again, I challenged this nation to dream dreams and see visions… Nigeria must never be allowed to sink into the complacency and delusion that she has done all she could or all she is capable of doing.”

Prof Akinyemi’s speech reveals the mind of a true nationalist, one who is not comfortable with the status quo but desires a change. It is, however, noteworthy to remark that Prof Akinyemi’s actions whether in or out of pubic office are guided by principles. He believes strongly that actions of public officers should be justified on the principle of national interest, which of course contributed to his success in public office.

Would it be right to assert that Prof Bolaji Akinyemi is more respected abroad than at home? I would hazard a guess. But, from his performance and academic profile, Prof Akinyemi is an international figure and intellectual icon who never fails to provide bold, imaginative and pragmatic proposals cum solutions to complex problems. He is well respected both at home and abroad.

To justify Prof Akinyemi’s delight and interest in efforts at improving the socioeconomic and political conditions in Nigeria, he is quick to contribute to sessions organised to find a way forward. Prof Akinyemi pushes for a stable, prosperous and secure Nigeria. In his thinking, a nation without political stability cannot provide the framework for sustained economic growth and development.

Prof Akinyemi, by his experience and contributions, is not only a resource person but a reserviour of knowledge. If, indeed, Nigeria has politicians who are sincerely prepared to serve the nation, people like Prof Akinyemi should serve as consultants to them. Prof Akinyemi should be celebrated, and I hereby propose that his writings should constitute a course in the study of international relations in Nigerian universities.

•Zimako, is a legal practitioner, arbitrator and international consultant

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

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TRIBUTE TO A MASTER DIPLOMAT AT 70

•Prof Akinyemi and River State Governor Rotimi Amaechi

•The late Head of State Gen Murtala Muhammed and Prof Akinyemi

•Prof Akinyemi (right), former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia and Tanzanian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Msuya Waldi Mangachi, during the 70th pre-birthday public lecture for Akinyemi in Abuja.

In this tribute to Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, DR BUKAR BUKARAMBE, recalls his first encounter with him at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos.

A

S a student, I liked International Relations both as a subject of study and as a career line. And the African diplomatic scene of the 1970s with its vortex of anti-colonialist international politics and wars of national liberation led by colourful personalities of the era like AugustinhoNeto and Jonas Savimbi in Angola; Eduardo Mondlane and Samora Marcel in Mozambique; Sam Nujoma in Namibia; Amilcar Cabral in Guinea Bissau; Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo in Zimbabwe; Oliver Tambo (and his famous comrades in prison like Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and Robert Sobukwe) in South Africa; provided students with role models of revolutionary nationalism and self sacrifice. At another level, there were personalities like Presidents Nyerere of Tanzania, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Sekou Toure of Guinea Conakry, Leopold Senghor of Senegal, Kamuzu Banda of Malawi, Felix Houphouet-Boigny of Ivory Coast, Houari Boummediene of Algeria, etc. and the very young leader of the new Libyan Jamahiriyya, Muammar Gaddafi who were defining Africa’s diplomatic thoughts and principles in accordance with their personal world views and experiences. Ghana’s independence leader President Kwame Nkrumah also had an added presence (out of office) through his numerous writings and practical policies on pan-Africanism.

For its part, Nigeria, more united and confident after its tragic civil war, and its economy boosted by new oil revenues, was enjoying a special diplomatic status of being an honorary Front Line State in the struggle against apartheid and settler colonialism.

This contextual background enabled students and the university community culture in general, to relate well towards similar admixture of anti-colonialist situations and personalities elsewhere – e.g. Fidel Castro in Cuba, Salvador Allende in Chile, Chairman Mao in China, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, etc.

A. Bolaji Akinyemi (official signature always a sprawling ABA in red ink) became the Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) during this momentous period while still in his 30s making him

‘Does the DG eat eba?’

PERSONALITY the youngest person to hold that office, before or since. The person, the post and moment bonded well together with regular press comments and interviews granted to journalists eager to tackle the events swirling all around. It was a mutual encounter where every side got what it wanted. ABA, young and confident, with big, near Afro hair style, long side-burns and moustache with cigar held up for all to see, and dressed like a simple (i.e revolutionary) lecturer, or some DIRECTOR by turns, came well-off in the encounters with the press with his picture splashed in many a newspaper.

It was very easy for many among the reading public to be familiar with him from afar. I noticed him then, from afar, like many others.

I came face-to-face with ABA for the first time when I was called for interview for employment as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) in the Research Department of NIIA. As I sat down nervously, he put me at ease at once: he looked at me, smiled, and said, “your report from Ife (i.e. University of Ife) is very good.” That simple gesture reinforced the good impression I had of him from afar and boosted my confidence about the interview and employment.

And I did get the job eventually.

As can be expected, the social and official gap between a novice JRF and the DG can only be very wide, indeed. In this regard, ABA’s confident and assertive bearing reinforced both the perception and reality of that gap. From the rank of JRF, you can get close to the person of the DG only at a meeting; when he calls you up for assignment; or by some coincidence somewhere, anywhere. Where invited, there were the occasional family visitations. Two of such stood out for me. One occasion was the trip to Iyin-Ekiti in solidarity with him following Mama’s passage. The second was happier – the home ceremony to mark the second birthday of his son (also initials ABA). Young ABA, a child

of the 1980s would, obviously, prefer to be acknowledged as a “MAN” now rather than the woozy two-year old sitting on daddy’s lap unaware of the significance of the swirl around him.

Outside of the formalities, you always get the sense that the DG might be around somewhere from the behaviour of the staff around, particularly the reaction of those trying to get his attention, and those trying to get away from the scene without being noticed. And if ABA was planning to drive away soon the signal would be very clear: the driver would start the official car, switch on the air-conditioner and keep it running before his arrival. Nothing like a stuffy car, getting cool. It should be cool first.

Of all such off-course coincidental encounters, one stuck in my mind. A youth corps member, some members of staff and I, had cleared the corridor, standing aside as soon as word got out that, “the DG is coming.” Then, ABA came along with his retinue and swept past acknowledging our greetings indifferently with a smile and a nod.

Thereupon, the thoroughly impressed corps member looked around and asked; “tell me, does the DG eat eba?” To which an equally impressed NIIA staff responded; “he even eats pounded yam.” The staff was saying, in essence, that ABA, a native son, does eat native foods in spite of his appearances.

After he left NIIA for the University of Lagos, I met ABA only once, when I accompanied a colleague to deliver his mail to his residence in Ikoyi.

After he became Minister of Foreign Affairs (or External Affairs, as it was known then), I met him about three times. Keeping in touch by and by made it easy for me to follow his policy directions and opinions. The most grand of these were his conception of the Technical Aid Corps (TAC), the Concert of Medium Powers and Nigeria’s pursuit of nuclear capability. The first (TAC) an idealistic formulation of assistance took hold easily and remains operational. The other two, founded on realism, posed more questions than practical policy: was Nigeria a genuine “medium power” when ABA spoke of a “concert?” How did the

international community rate Nigeria then?

How could Nigeria pursue a policy of acquiring nuclear capacity towards nuclear powers opposed to proliferation?

In this regard, ABA’s contribution to Nigeria’s foreign policy is in the realm of intellectual conceptualisation on a similar pedestal to (his professorial predecessor) Ibrahim Gambari’s idea of situating Nigeria’s relationships in a set of concentric circles. Both realms have futuristic strands contingent upon Nigeria providing the essential domestic base. For ABA’s perception, it can be said that Nigeria’s stated goals of becoming a permanent member of the Security Council in a reformed United Nations and the acquisition of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes (i.e. electricity generation) are an extension of the proposition of Nigeria as “medium power” in another format. These are parts of the quest to boost Nigeria’s stature in world affairs. And they are circlical in the sense of a boost giving rise to a power status which creates the basis of a new surge.

After he left the Foreign Ministry, I had no contact with ABA for a while until a chance encounter brought us together again. He came to the Institute to attend an event at the Lecture Theatre. When he saw me, he stood his ground and smiled. I hurried over and greeted him. Then he gave me his phone number. I began calling my greetings: “senior, how are you; just greeting; thank you.” He took me one level further up in showing grace and acknowledgement. On every occasion he deemed appropriate, he would text me a message of prayer, goodwill and greetings, without fail. In this regard, ABA stands alone among all those who have related to me in a senior capacity in age and rank. He continues to impress me just as when I used to know him from afar and when I met him for the first time.

And so, I pay tribute to ABA as he celebrates the special occasion of his 70th birthday. Young students looking at the grandfatherly picture of the septuagenarian now may find it a hard act to connect with the DG and Senior Lecturer images of the 1970s.

Happy Birthday, Senior.

•Bukarambe is a Research Professor at NIIA

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Black hen, nugget eggs

I

N the last 50 years, Nigeria’s Uli art has liquefied into an international pool of shimmering gold, for several reasons. First, no indigenous artistic tradition in Africa wears the fortunes of the continent better than Uli. Second, no other African artistic tradition has penetrated the capitals of contemporary international practice more deeply than Uli. And third, no artistic tradition is more calligraphic or legible than Uli for conveying meaning, or giving birth to creative mirth.

As a genre sourced in the art of Igbo women, the female spines of the Uli tradition have nursed myriads of contemporary treasures, including Ulism. Because the sun rises and sets daily, and the new year cracks, without fail, the egg of the old, it is easy to forget that Ulism is now in her golden jubilee days, since birthed around Nigeria’s independence in 1960. To realise the theoretical and practical dimensions of Ulism, male artists (including Uche Okeke, Chike Aniakor, Chuks Amaefuna, Obiora Udechukwu, and El Anatsui) perfected individual styles loosely united by rhythmic arrangements around Uli women’s art traditions. Decades after the abrupt eclipse of Biafran solar nightmares and dreams, the Uli sun soars higher and higher in the infinite sky. Ulism rises in Uli at dawn from the east of Nigeria, and shines its light across the west and the rest of the world.

The Ulism style of Obiora Udechukwu embraces convoluted geometry and unpredictable dimensions, ranging from minimalist pen strokes, cryptic inkblots, cosmic color allusions, and voluminous sculptural complexes. The luscious body of Uli-oriented works has grown into a robust mother earth that lactates for all and sundry, without discrimination against ethnicity, race, nationality, clan, gender, sexuality, disability, class or any other -ism or schism.

Uli is an abundant artistic fountain from which Udechukwu has assisted many artists to drink with creative abandon, after generously helping himself. Golden nuggets of Ulism float on the decorated skin of the maternal Uli pool-pot. Artists dip their pans and pick a bucketful today; by tomorrow fresh eggs—and new varieties— are ripe and ready to harvest in the Uli basket of culture.

Udechukwu has panned imagistic nuggets from this ancient tradition since the late 60s, as he transitioned from the North to Southeast Nigeria. His personal migration evokes the mass relocation of Igbo refugees crossing the Niger from the north to the south, amidst intra-ethnic hostilities and confrontations circa 1966. He frames his styles in the chances and changes attendant to life in a situation of tentative or minimal political control. In Udechukwu’s ideology of Ulism, form highlights content, but does not replace or displace it.

Udechukwu’s work thus complements Uche Okeke’s art because the latter’s form often suffices as content. To avert stereotypes, let us state it analogically: if Okeke were Matisse, pronounce Udechukwu the Picasso of Ulism. Or, perhaps, much further into Europe—the daughter culture of Africa: call Okeke the Michelangelo of Ulism, and Udechukwu the Uli Leonardo.

Kids indulged in nicknaming when I was younger, while we played “set” soccer in the evenings after close of school, weekends, and during the holidays, on whatever ground was available. But didn’t we call fellow barefooted players “Pele,” “Thunder,” “Yasin,” as we scored within makeshift goalposts improvised with two stones on each side?

The young Nigeria of those days would not recognize her older self, if she were to look into the mirror of time, and the picture of Nigeria today flashed on the screen. In the mirror of these dusky days, the Nigeria of those days looks almost as perfect as art.

It is in art, music, epics, videos, and movies that people seek perfection and justice; hardly in life, because no human being is perfect and the puerile good we demonstrate oft interred with our bones. When the fifties turned to the 60s, as Nigeria attained independence, Nigerians seemed to understand and aspire toward similar lofty goals of qualitative values, even if not outright perfection. Nigerians were born breathing this aspiration in the air, they crawled, learned to balance and walk in it, learned to hear, and speak its language; learned to expect and respect this aspiration in everybody they met daily.

They also understood the meaning of “giving before expecting others to give back to you,” and that the more you gave, the more you received. These ideas were not tied to any religious association. They were ethical answers blowing freely in the wind, filling the ears and lungs of all Nigerians with possibilities, hope, and optimism in 1960. The attainment of independence within this frame of mind helped to bolster trust in the efficacy of this positive attitude. Nigeria was set to attain glory and rise to unprecedented heights in the world. After all, weren’t Nigerians the truly favoured people of God, planted by nature exactly within the innermost ring of the centre of the world—before being granted political independence to do as they willed with their fortune?

After independence, the film director flashed “The End” on the screen. Nigerians got off their rears, cut the light, and went to bed. That was when the transformers of misfortune struck—the moment we began to dream, once we surrendered to sleep, in our deepest bliss, once we became free and independent, once we felt we deserved a

•An untitled artwork by Udechukwu

•A painting by Uche Okeke

By Moyo Okediji

VISUAL ART good nap.

We have slept a tad too long, and are just waking up to realise that the Nigeria of today bears no psychological semblance to the Nigeria in which we learned to drool, crawl, walk, talk, and sleep. Behind the psychological point zero, where Nigeria presently stands, Ulism artists have relocated their easels, chisels, and mallets as participants and observers. To become effective participants, Ulists observe and actively study indigenous Igbo forms; and in order to observe, they participate in whatever form, movement, or concept that is globally available to them.

The night of colonial rule thus birthed both the dawn of Nigeria’s independence and the contemporary art of Ulism.

The forms and styles of Ulism are, therefore, algorithms and registers of Nigeria’s history. In Okeke’s work, the images are written songs mixed with the twittering of Nigerian birds. In Udechukwu’s work, the birds have all read George Orwell’s Animal Farm, they have international flocks and folks. In other words, Nigeria’s art history is no longer simply African. It is mainstream art and history on a global scale of internet connectivity.

Udechukwu, consequently, is a text-pictorialist. Like most Ulists, he googles when searched. From a cyberspace that he cultures with twigs and spells of words, images, and choreography, he generates pictures

as manual devices for texting figurative messages. By placing images at the cyberspatial crossroads of thought and sight, he facilitates connectivity. Viewers reach across to them. They reach back to viewer. Using a visual language that is illuminated inside the fires of music, choreography, and fine-tuned light, the viewer and the picture negotiate differences and share similarities.

Outside the confines of images or text, Udechukwu’s symbols operate as nuggets of hypertexts and hyper-images. In other words, the texts are pictures, and the pictures are texts. The only abstract vector is the meter of the viewer’s rhythm: the viewer dissolves the boundaries of picturing texts by looking for dreams, only to discover maternal love, feminist formulations, and passion inside the pictures.

From this romantic realism, young experimental artists have garnered precious Uli nuggets. Udechukwu, Anatsui, and Ola Oloidi combined with Okeke and others to produce creative gems, notably Tayo Adenaike, Ndidi Dike, and Olu Oguibe in the service of Ulism. In her 50s, Ulism is a mysterious layer of subjective nuggets for which collectors can’t help but die.

Can we now speak of a post-Uli art, or of post-Ulism?

What are the implications of this idea? Who are the artists feeding the notion, and re-defining specific shifts within the last fifty years? What transformed post-Uli art into the black hen laying nuggets for eggs? Next week we will explore the complications surrounding the concepts of postUli art.

•Okediji is of the University of Texas in Austin, USA

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Inspiring ...In the lives spirit of through Christmas poetry

By Evelyn Osagie

D Children

ESPITE the prevailing security challenge, Victoria Abraham, author of Treasures, says there is no need to lose faith.

The book, a collection of motivational and religious verses, was presented at the Terrakulture, Lagos. The presentation attracted guests from the corporate and religious circles.

The book seeks to inspire hope and courage as it highlights varying experiences of a youth. Youths are the greatest asset of any country, according to the reviewer, Dr Austin Nweze, who was represented by television presenter, Mrs Agatha Amata.

Putting their challenges on the front burner, Nweze said, is a major step to salvaging their future.

“The youths are facing a lot of challenges.

With the writing of Treasures, Victoria has stepped in to fill in the void. The author challenges not just the young ones but everybody to dare and have faith. Faith is the number one ingredient for success in life, career or business. The future belongs to those who dare. So, dare to champion a cause; make progress when others crawl and wail.

“She peeps into the future and imagines the ideal Nigerian nation of her dream: a nation where there is unity of purpose, irrespective of tribe and tongue. A Nigeria where everything works – hospital, institutions are strong and infrastructure are available. In fact, she did a great job in putting her thoughts together in Treasures, eight chapters, written in poetic form. It would be a blessing to anyone who is opportuned to read it.”

The author, he said, encourages all and sundry to join hands and fight poverty.

“She tells her beloved continent to shine for the whole world to see. Africa can only shine by eradicating poverty and corruption, and by serving notice to violence and bloodshed. But, let me add a third arm which is ,commitment of the leadership towards development which will result in improved standard of living and quality of life. She stresses the need to stand up and try again, even when you have failed several times.”

The book is not the first attempt of the author at writing motivational verses. Guests praised her effort at sending monthly motivational text messages and emails to friends and loved ones.

Mrs Amata, who is one of the many recipients of Victoria’s kind words, described her as “a working motivation.”

The Managing Director, Terrakulture, Bolanle Austen Peters, a childhood friend of the author, is also one. While recounting

enjoying themselves at Alausa, Ikeja

•Mrs Amata

•Abieyuwa and Osato

‘I have known Victoria since we were 10; and through those years, she has remained the same, inspiring many with her words. The sad reality is that we have many like her in this country who are not being celebrated’ LITERATURE their early days together, she noted that Nigeria does not celebrate her talents. She read a poem from Treasures entitled: I see a new Nigeria.

“I have known Victoria since we were 10; and through those years, she has remained the same, inspiring many with her words.

The sad reality is that we have many like her in this country who are not being celebrated,” she said.

Mr Yomi Gbadebo Okunsanya of CMC Connect Perception Managers also had kind words for the author. He said: “Victoria has been a great encouragement to many with her poetry which she shares through text and email massages monthly and, sometimes, weekly. I have often wondered where she finds the strength to keep it up. I am excited by the content of the book because it reaches

•Victoria and Bolanle

out to young ones.”

The event was chaired by Prof Pat Utomi, who was represented by a motivational speaker, Mr Ubong Essien.

Sango returns in Oba Koso • Continued from page 30

•Olowude

Bamidele Dada noted that Nigeria could draw several lessons from the play in the face of current challenges.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Southwest, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, thanked the Executive Vice-Chair of IGI, Remi Olowude, for the initiative while folk singer, Jimi Solanke prayed for Oya in Yoruba. “Ise egbon mi ti o dawole, olorun a tunbo maa mu tesiwaju.” (My brother’s work that you have embarked on, may God continue to prosper it.”

Former helmsman at the Voice of Nigeria, Taiwo Alimi, noted that the only way Nigeria could be great is if the Federal Government made culture the centre of development initiatives.

Olowude described Oba Koso as one of the most recognised stage productions from Nigeria and a play with strong historic significance. He disclosed that IGI sponsored the play

as part of its contribution to the promotion of our culture and tradition through the re-awakening of popular theatre in Nigeria.

“Theatre is a strong medium of ensuring the continuity of a people’s culture and tradition, especially since it is an accepted fact that art imitates life. It is our interest in supporting professionalism in the arts, and stage performance is more demanding, hence, the complete, well-rounded artiste is one that is versatile on stage and celluloid,” he added.

According to Olowude, Oba Koso, matches the strong desire for a vision-driven Nigeria.

He said it is a quality family entertainment, especially in a festive season. He said in 2010, he attended a public function at which there was a brief rendition of Moremi Ajasoro by Chief Biodun Ladipo, wife of the late Chief Duro Ladipo and an accomplished thespian in her own right.

“Her performance brought back memories of the strings of excellent cultural performances of the Duro Ladipo family. Hence, it was

Children took turns to read extracts from the collection. Abieyuwa Imasekha and Osato Omoigui did a duet, while Efosa Imasekha gave a solo presentation. not difficult to accede to the request for sponsorship by the Yomi Duro-Ladipo Theatre Group. There is a need for concerted effort to help re-awaken culture in Nigeria as a panacea for national unity.

Olowude wondered why live theatre is still thriving in the West, especially London, but declining in Nigeria? He reiterated that it was time we revived the stage, not only for enjoyment but also for job creation. He added that the play would tour the Southwest and the country soon.

The excitement was also felt among the family members of the late dramatist. Duro Ladipo’s widow, who lamented the dearth of stage performances, highlighted its therapeutic functions, urging the audience to have a forgiving spirit as Olowude had previously abandoned the family, which made her angry with him before they reconciled.

She, however, thanked Olowude for sponsoring the production. Son of the late actor Yomi assured that the family was on a mission to bring back the works of his father whom he said is not dead.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

36

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO NEWS COLOURFUL FARWELL TO 2011 Below: 1000 Leaders Meeting at the NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja and top right, a function at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos.

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANAURY 4, 2012

38

H

IGH Chief Alex Olu Ajayi was the focus of attention at the second edition of the lecture series named after him.

The lecture took place in Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State.

The lecture was conceived to provide a platform to discuss burning issues in the country.

Guests and dignitaries came from all walks of life, filling up the Christ’s School Allumni Centre, venue of the event.

Renowned scholars, politicians, technocrats, captains of industry and a galaxy of the royalty intermingled and exchanged banters to make the occasion one that would indeed take some time to die out in the memory of those who attended it.

In his welcome address, High Chief Ajayi stated that the purpose of the lectures was to bring minds together and inspire inquiry, adding: “they will provide a forum for the town and gown to interrelate, cross-fertilise and re-assess burning topical issues.

“We in Ekiti still remain the intellectual light of this country and indeed far, far beyond in Africa. It therefore behoves us to beam the rays more brightly.”

Senator Bode Olajumoke said he was a student at Fiditi Grammar School while Chief Ajayi was the school principal.

Olajumoke spoke glowingly of High Chief Ajayi.

He said: “I was able to compare the standard of discipline, education and whatever we learnt at Fiditi Grammar School and what achievement we had in England, and came to the inevitable conclusion that what we experienced at Fiditi Grammar School compared very favourably with the standards in England.

“With his inclination to excellence, academics, he was able to attract the best into Fiditi Grammar School.

Definitely I remember one Mr. Adekanye but the most famous of them all was the late Christopher Okigbo. There was one Mr. Olajumoke of blessed memory also who was my brother. He was then a teacher under High Chief Ajayi at Fiditi.

I want to seize this opportunity to express my very deep gratitude to you, Sir, for all I gained while at Fiditi Grammar School. Whatever I am now, my base was Fiditi Grammar School.

Professor Esan Owolabi who was the distinguished lecturer gave a brief history of High Chief Ajayi and how their paths had crossed early in life.

He said: “His biography shows that he was a teacher in Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, in 1949, two years before I was admitted into the school as a

•Chief Alex Olu-Ajayi (second right); his wife, Mrs. Adedoyin-Olufunmilayo and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe (second left) and the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emanuel Adebowale Adebayo

Ekiti ‘remains Nigeria’s intellectual light’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

timid first-year student.

“I did not meet him there since he had left to undergo his undergraduate studies at Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone between 1950 and 1953.

The difference between my academic stature and his is clear.

“The next I got nearly close to him was when he was the Deputy Registrar of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), 1959 to 1969. His office was at the top of the building

at Yaba, Lagos.

“The closest I got to him was when he was again the Deputy Registrar of the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) from 1969 to 1976 and I was a young lecturer in Physics. Again, I know how much fear and respect his personality and deep baritone voice created in us, young lecturers at the time.

“After all these brief encounters, and in the last 10 years or so, I have got more closely acquainted with him and have realised that he is someone you can really come close

I have got more closely acquainted with him and have realised that he is someone you can really come close to, touch and talk with. His love for people and for the educational development of the young is legendary

to, touch and talk with. His love for people and for the educational development of the young is legendary.

Prof. Esan equally delivered the year’s lecture titled “Telecommunications: Past, Present and Future – Wither Nigeria,” tracing the genealogy of modern telecommunications from Sir Charles Wheatstone and sir William Cooke, around 1839, to the Graham Bellian telephonic discovery of 1876.

Regarding the development of telecommunications, Prof. Esan saw the 50-year period of 1950 to 2000 as a watershed in telecommunications, particularly as it witnessed “incursion of the electronic digital computer into telecoms systems.

However, despite recent proliferation of mobile telephone providers and spread of internet connectivity, the Prof observed that the country’s

Senate tackles Bonga oil spill

D

•Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area, Hon Shamsudeen Olaleye (second left) receiving the District Peace Commissioner award certificate from the Co-coordinator of Peace Vision and Care Organisation, Mr Adedeji Joseph. They are flanked by the Council Treasurer, Mr Hakeem Hassan (left) and the Council Manager, Mr Nuruden Shobajo during the award presentation held at the chairman’s office

telecommunications industry remains largely undeveloped.

He said: “Obvious benefits are obviated by unsatisfactory, poor quality of service and unacceptably high call tariffs, while service providers offer untenable excuses”.

The Provost of the College of Engineering, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) regretted that Nigeria remains “a consumer nation, imbibing the latest technology as fast as they are being produced in the advanced countries, while making little effort to develop critical indigenous infrastructure to engineer desirable growth.

Noting the seeming contradiction in Nigeria’s recent investments in space technology in the face of nagging challenges of poverty, illiteracy, inadequate health deliv•Continued on Page 40

ISTURBED by the reported oil spill at Bonga Oil Field, near River State, members of the senate committee on Niger/ Delta and environment have been ordered to resume from their Christmas and New Year break.

The development was to enable them visit the scene of the spill with a view to determining the degree of destruction to aquatic life.

A member of the committee, Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, representing Ondo South told reporters in Akure, the Ondo state capital, that members of the committee have been directed to resume from their recess.

He said necessary attention would be paid to the incident to ensure that the oil company responsible for the spill is made to pay for the damage it caused.

He noted that first-hand information made available to members of the committee showed that not less than 40,000 barrels of crude oil spilled at Bonga oil field and that only one oil company has already been identified to be operating in

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the area.

The lawmaker said: “The committee is expected to meet with all stakeholders and make recommendations to the appropriate authority to ensure that those needed to be compensated are adequately rewarded as it is being practiced in other parts of the world.”

The former Political Adviser to Governor Olusegun Mimiko identified lack of equipment as the main problem of the committee He said it would be difficult to really determine the quantity of oil that was spilled, stressing that the committee would rely on facts which will be provided by the oil company.

Senator Kunlere condemned the way previous cases of oil spill were treated in the country, saying, “Victims have always been made to suffer while oil companies linked to the incident are allowed to continue with their activities without being made to pay adequate compensation.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

39

R

ESIDENTS of Oyo town in Oyo State are in urgent need of government’s intervention in the management of waste disposal.

A foul odour hangs permanently in the air in the community. Heaps of waste dot the environment.

The sanitary habits of the people are said to be awful, and the previous administration did little to solve the problem.

However, the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi is said to be tackling the situation.

Most residential buildings lack toilet facilities, and there is no provision for waste disposal.

People relieve themselves in nearby bushes and streams.

Some public primary schools in areas such as Isale Oyo, Oke-Olola, Jabata, Saabo and Sakutu Ogbegbe are unsightly.

Scores of teachers and pupils were reportedly admitted at private hospitals for cholera epidemics, though no casualty has been recorded.

There is a community in the area known as Igbele, in the Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State, where residents share only one public toilet.

The population of the community is about 20,000. Water from their stream is unhealthy as body waste ends up in it.

Similarly, Owode, the commercial nerve centre of the metropolis could not boast of any public toilets, except a few private ones that charge between N20-N30.

There are four local governments (Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo West) within the densely populated metropolis.

“The filth in the ancient town and its environs is an eyesore, hence the need for appropriate authorities to, as a matter of utmost priority, save the lives of the people from imminent cholera outbreak,” a resident said.

Though there are waste disposal vehicles that collect refuse at designated areas every Thursday, which coincides with the weekly environmental sanitation, as directed by the state governor, yet there are mountains of refuse scattered across the community.

Equally worrisome is the magnitude of filth at the ancient Akesan Market.

Some of the traders interviewed attributed the poor sanitation to the care-free attitude of the immediate past local government administration. They said there is no public toilet in the market. Heaps of refuse define the environment.

Commenting on the development, the Deputy Director, Atiba

•Refuse dumped in a stream near a public primary school

Residents seek help over waste management From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

Local Government Environmental Health Services, Mr. Joseph Olagoke Ayoola, said former Governor Alao Akala refused to heed advice on the type of waste disposal vehicles to be bought for local governments.

“These waste disposal vehicles are good for template, as everything about them are computerised. But we don’t need that type of vehicles because they are heavy

trucks, and can’t go through the rural streets of the local government areas. They can only go through major streets. We told Alao-Akala to allow each council to buy two hunchback refuse vans, which will be good for the services required.”

He pointed out that the council at present has only three health attendants, and about eight environmental health officers, adding that with the gross deficits in manpower, the council is unable to achieve much, though it is doing

its best to ensure good sanitation.

According to Mr. Ayoola, “Atiba Local Government, apart from being indigenous, is the largest among the four in Oyo metropolis and also the second largest in the state’’.

Also speaking, the Caretaker Chairman, Oyo East Local Government, Mr Taiwo Tiamiyu, disclosed that as part of efforts to provide effective sanitation to the people of the area, a directive has been given for the evacuation of all refuse, including those located

within school premises.

According to Hon. Tiamiyu, ‘’the present administration knows the importance of environmental sanitation and good public health, hence the decision of the council to embark on public sensitisation, especially in the core rural areas.”

Newsextra findings, however, revealed that work is progressing on the completion of the construction of five top-grade toilets in each of the four local governments, courtesy of the state government.

Ondo community illuminated after 200 years

W

HEN the Dr Olusegun Mimiko-led administration came on board two and a half years ago, one of his major areas of focus was to ensure that communities in darkness got electricity.

The state government has committed a lot to the renewed effort

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

to ensure that rural communities are connected to the national grid.

One of such communities is Imafon in Akure North Local Government Area where whose residents have never had the opportu-

•From left: Prof Akin Odutola; Mr Bayo Onanuga; President Ijebu-Ode Club, Dr Tunji Dawodu and member House of Representatives, Hon. Lanre Odubote, at the induction ceremony of Ijebu-Ode Club

nity of living under the illumination of electricity since it was founded over 200 years ago.

However, the story is now different for the 5,000 inhabitants of Imafon community as the people for the first time on December 24, 2011 had the opportunity of enjoying electricity in the agrarian community. That day, the community was lit up as the switches were flicked on after being connected to the national grid by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

According to the traditional ruler of the community, the Olumafon, Samuel Aliu Adegbehingbe, the project started in 2003 with the erection of poles, wiring and installation of a transformer which later became faulty due to a long delay before connection of the 33KVA line to the national grid.

He explained that after being abandoned for five years, the project contractor resurfaced in 2008 to carry out massive replacements

of the bad equipment which took three years to complete before it was finally switched on.

Adegbehingbe expressed the community’s satisfaction with the performance of the Dr Olusegun Mimiko administration in the area of provision of infrastructural facilities as well as rapid and even development of communities in the community and the state.

Some of the inhabitants of Imafon community could not hide their joy over the development and showered praises on the state government for the fulfillment of its electioneering promises especially its efforts to promote commerce through the market revolution and women empowerment.

They also remarked that the provision of electricity in Imafon will, among other advantages, open up the community to the outside world as well as lift up the commercial, economic and social life of the community.

The residents remarked that the provision of electricity in Imafon will open up the community to the outside world as well as lift up the commercial, economic and social life of the community

40

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

Christmas is a way to sing songs to lift the hearts of certain people that are sorrowful. The birth of Jesus Christ brought life to us and told us to seek peace among ourselves, because he is the Prince of Peace

•The choristers during one of their renditions

G

UESTS at this year’s interdenominational Christmas Carol Service of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo Ni O) Surulere District Headquarters were treated to special songs.

Apart from the soothing and inspiring songs, the carol service also climaxed as the church’s biggest occasion to bid farewell to the year 2011.

The 21st Nine Lessons and Christmas Carol with the theme; Unchanging Christ literarily lit up the expansive church auditorium as the multitude praised and worshipped God in a season commemorating the birth of Christ.

The songs were rendered in Yoruba, English, Igbo, Hausa, Ibibio, Urhobo and other Nigerian languages, though the Yoruba and English languages versions had the lion’s share.

Some of the Yoruba songs included Nigbakan ni Bethlehemu; Gbo, eda Orun n korin; Wa eyin oloooto; Tire laanu; Oba ni ma sin; Gbo iro ayo loke; Others rendered

Cleric calls for peace

By Adegunle Olugbamila

in English were: How excellent; O little Town of Bethlehem; and Hallelujah chorus, among others.

The carol was interspersed with various Bible readings by some distinguished personalities in attendance and prayers dedicated to the nation.

The occasion was not only for celebrations as the General Leader and Chairman Prophet Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye, expressed his views on some burning national issues.

The revered cleric called on President Goodluck Jonathan to apply appropriate sanctions on those who have helped themselves with the oil subsidy proceeds.

Prophet Fakeye said the theme of the Christmas carol was to re-

emphasise Christ’s infiniteness towards changing the nation’s negative image. He said Christmas season signifies peace and Nigerians should live with one another in peace.

“All we are saying is that the world can change but Christ remains the same. If you have the belief that Christ means love for you, and that if the unchanging Christ tells you this thing will happen, it will definitely happen. If he promises you wealth peace and joy, he will fulfill his promise at the appointed time.

“Christmas is a way to sing songs to lift the hearts of certain people that are sorrowful. The birth of Jesus Christ brought life to us and told us to seek peace among ourselves, because he is the Prince of Peace. Christ died for all religions, he but for the world. My message is for every nation to take

•From left: Safariat Wakeel Ogungbo; Alhaji Seidu Arepo; Dr Muhammed Komolafe; Alhaji Toheeb AjiperunBalogun and Leader of Mahdiyyat Congregation Worldwide, Ashraf Kamarudeen Otubu at the 70th anniversary of the advent of Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mahdi which took place in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State

Christ as their savior, be it Christian or Muslim.

“This is the season of peace, and we should, if we be our brothers’ keeper. The issue of insecurity in the country will be a lot easier if, as Nigerians, we are ready to cooperate with the security forces by fishing out and reporting social miscreants in our neighbourhood.

But if we keep mum, we will continue to experience crime upsurge in the society.

Prophet Fakeye who also attributed the acts of terrorism by the Islamic militant group, Boko Haram

(Western Education is sin), advised Nigerians to repent, noting that militants and terrorist groups are outcome of the nation’s sinfulness.

He noted that the current revolution sweeping across North Africa and the entire Arab world is different when contexualised with situations in Nigeria.

“Revolution that is going on in the Arab world especially the North Africa is not the same thing that can happen in Nigeria because some of the countries such as Libya, had been ruled by dictators who spent decades and more, unlike Nigeria.

But it appears we do not have a good justice system in Nigeria, and this can provoke a revolution, because if you cheat me and I have nowhere else to go for redress, then people will rise up,” he said.

Ekiti ‘remains Nigeria’s intellectual light’ •Continued from Page 38 ery, insecurity and poor infrastructural signposts in various areas of life, the Prof. excused this national commitment on the fact that “return on investment is profitable when properly undertaken, and is a catalyst for the growth and development of other sectors of the economy.

“Telecommunications infrastructure is a capital-intensive venture.

It needs massive infusion of budgetary provision, Esan said.

He said: “Then there should be well thought-out policy frameworks of development and concomitant implementation strategies that must be duly followed to completion.

High point of the event was the presentation of scholarship prizes to three students in Senior classes in Ado Grammar School who had been consistently outstanding in their academics in the year.

The distinguished lecturer, Prof.

Esan Owolabi presented the first scholarship prize to Miss Adebiyi Adesola Esther, for being the most outstanding in her final year in the junior school.

The second scholarship prize, which went to Adebayo Itunuoluwa Opeyemi, was presented by Alaaye of Efon kingdom, Oba Adesanya Aladejare Agunsoye II while the third prize was presented by Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Oba Emanuel Adebowale Adebayo (FCIA;JP) to Master Ogunleye Ajibade Opeyemi.

The President of the Foundation, High Chief Alex Olu Ajayi explained that the scholarship which started way back in the sixties officially started last year with the inauguration of Alex Olu Ajayi Foundation and the distinguished lecture series.

“The scholarship actually covers every aspect of their learning for the rest of their stay in the secondary school,” he said.

Grand Patron of the Foundation, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, the Ewi of AdoEkiti remarked that High Chief Odoba had been giving scholarships to students for over 65 years, adding that more wealthy individuals should partner with Chief Ajayi to make life better for the downtrodden.

SLIDING TACKLE

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

42

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, blaming the referee for the 1-2 loss against Fulham on Monday

•Guardiola

•Drogba

Other Sports...Other Sports...

•Woods

•Wenger

•Lampard •Mourinho

•Serena

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Can CPC stop Aliyu’s moves in Niger?

The raging storm in Niger State, which has led to fear, overshadows politics and governance. However, the profile of Governor Babangida Aliyu continues to grow, with some of his supporters suggesting that he may be moving to the centre in 2015. JIDE ORINTUNSIN presents here the outlook of politics in the Power State.

T

HE politics of Niger State, the Power state has always being uni-directional.

It has always been a one-party state.

Even though there are opposition parties in the state, majority of the members of the opposition party were formerly members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

For over 12 years, the party has been holding forte in the state and its principal officers have been dictating the political pace in the state the party still holds the aces.

One issue likely to dominate action in 2012 is the unwritten rotation policy of power.

Niger North district is staking a claim to the governorship seat when the Babangida Aliyu tenure expires in 2015. This may push up some politicians from the zone in the course of this year. Aside from the governor, most political gladiators to watch are from the favoured zone.

Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu

• Shuaibu

• Aliyu

proved to be the governor’s main man. No wonder, he scaled all opposition against his appointment as the Chief of Staff to the governor, Yahaya has warmed himself to the heart of the governor. He is believed to be more powerful than many executive council members. Those in the corridor of power say the Professor of Agricultural Extension wields so much power and influence in the administration that many Commissioners, technocrats and even contractors push their proposals through him. The Chief of Staff has his hands in virtually all the projects being proposed or executed by the Aliyu administration. Yahaya stand out as one of the few men of influence who will determine the scheme of things in the New Year.

Ibrahim Matane The current Head of Service of the state, Matane an articulate public servant. He is about the most visible figure from Niger North in Aliyu’s administration. Though a

Civil Servant, Matane enjoys the support of the political class in the state, as well as his constituency. Over the years, he has built bridges that may serve as link to fame in the new year.

A technocrat Matane’s firm grasp and knowledge of the state work force put him in good stead as one of the prime movers of the Power State. Matane is regarded as a great stabilizer of the government and is likely to continue playing the role just after the election years.

Mu’azu Bawa A team player, Bawa is the current Commissioner for Finance. His name is being touted for the state’s highest seat come 2015.

A right hand man of the incumbent governor, there is no overseas tour of the governor that Bawa was not part of.

The former Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Board, Mu’azu has been in government from Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure was the

chief helmsman. The goodwill being enjoyed by his father, a chieftain of the ruling PDP, robs off on him. He is so much trusted by his principal and therefore commands so much power.

Umar Shuaibu Shuaibu is the state Chairman of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). The Sulejaborn politician is the face of the opposition in the state. Though a political green horn, Shuaibu is the man to look up to if anyone is to act as a check on the Aliyu administration in 2012. His party, the CPC, has taken over from All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) as the main opposition figure. A lot may depend on his steadfastness and activities of leaders of the party at the national level to build it up.

The ACN is another party to watch. It holds promise even though it fell short of expectations in the 2011 governorship and legislative polls.

The incumbent governor and leader of the ruling PDP in the state, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu remains the man to watch in the New Year. Fondly called the Chief Servant, Aliyu has firm control of both the party machinery and the state government. His overbearing influence over the local government chairmen further makes him the man to beat in the New Year. His victory in all the 25 local government chairmen during the October 30 local government elections to Governor Aliyu has been attributed to his political sagacity and an indication that he would hold the reins of politics and governance till 2015..

Currently chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Aliyu’s leadership position makes his voice on national affairs significant not only in the affairs of the state but of the entire northern region of the country.

His recent appointment as Sardauna Hausawa by the Emir of Daura in concert with other traditional rulers of Hausa extraction and the subsequent turbanning in the New Year may further position the governor for a role at the centre. Sources say this may influence his activities in 2012.

Mohammed Kuta Yahaya Many people in the state see him as the strength behind the power. Yahaya, a former University teacher, has in the last four years

• From left: Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State, Anthony Cardinal OkogiE, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor and Mrs Margaret Obi after the dedication of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Awka PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

POLITICS Fuel subsidy: ACF keeps mum •Police disperse protesters in Kaduna FromTony Akowe, Kaduna

T

HE Northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consulta tive Forum (ACF), was ambivalent yesterday while reacting to the removal of fuel subsidy.

Anthony Sani said, in a text message to The Nation, that the Forum had made its position known to the late President Umaru Yar ‘Adua when he was in power. Sani said the ACF had also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to use the outcome of his consultations and the probe by the National Assembly to arrive at an informed decision, saying “whether that is what actually happened, I cannot tell”.

The message reads: “ACF made its position on subsidy known way back under President Yar’Adua that it would be better to make the nation’s four refineries functional as a way of discouraging importation of refined products which bring about the subsidy and outsourcing of employment.

“And when President Jonathan decided to bring back the matter on the table for discussions with stakeholders, and the National Assembly decided to probe the saga, ACF advised the government to use the outcome of the consultations and the probe by NASS to arrive at informed decision. Whether that is what actually happened I cannot tell.”

However, a group known as Occupy Nigeria began mobilising residents of Kaduna metropolis for what they termed mother of all rallies which is scheduled for the Murtala Square on Friday.

The group which began obtaining signatures of would be protesters yesterday were dispersed by stern looking policemen.

Coordinator of the group, Mr Tajudeen Oladoja, a lawyer, told newsmen that “the youths of Nigeria are all here under the auspices of an NGO, Occupy Nigeria. The group is devoid of any political, religious or ethnic colouration and we are here in our thousands to frontally attack the act illegality the President has committed by unjustly and unlawfully removing the fuel subsidy which has brought untold hardship on Nigerians.

“It is a policy that should not be allowed to stay; a policy that we are going to fight with our blood. We have registered our names in thousands and we are working to stage the mother of all rallies at Murtala Square here in Kaduna on Friday and nobody under this planet can stop us.

“We will not give in; we are not going to be violent; but we will achieve our aim. But the Police want to make it rough. You can see they want to take that guy. Please don’t allow them to take him away. We will not allow them to take him away. Our position is that we must return to status quo; we have to return to where we were before now which is 65 naira for PMS. Anything other than that will not be acceptable to us”.

Reacting to the subsidy removal, a Kaduna based lawyer, Mr Yahaya Mahmood (SAN), said that Nigerians should not be allowed to suffer untold hardship for the inefficiency and greed of a few Nigerians.

According to him, “all those who followed the debates and argument for and against are convinced that the removal of the subsidy is the government’s best option for three reasons. First, Nigerians shouldn’t be made to suffer for few individuals and bodies inefficiency and greed.

“Secondly, with our level of poverty and unemployment the increase will compound security challenges. Thirdly, the government has not done anything to cushion the effects – 100 per cent increase in price of fuel means 100 per cent rise in the price of goods and services.

“Finally to avoid problems for the Federal Government and the country, two things should be considered. Reduce the increase to maximum of N80 naira per litre and cut allowances of political office holders and reduce unnecessary expenditure and wastages.

“Nigerians should pray. With security challenges (attack and killing of Muslims in Jos on Sallah day and bombing of a church in Madalla on Christmas day) the Federal Government shouldn’t risk Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)/Trade Union Council (TUC) strike which can be taken over by hoodlums and those with hidden agenda. Remember the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is already on strike”.

Also reacting, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Kaduna State, Mr Aliyu Umaru described the ‘Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Board’ headed by Dr. Christopher Kolade as an illegal executive contraption.

He said that “such a Board with immence powers can only be established by means of an Act passed by the National Assembly”, adding that “it is also provided under Section 5(1)(a) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 that the executive powers of the Federation “shall be vested in the President and may, subject to the provisions of any law made by the National Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Vice-President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the public service of the Federation.”

He argued that it is clear that the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and many members of the so-called ‘Board’ are not federal public officers.

• Gov Yakowa

Ekiti is one state where the political environment has been defined by crises and chaos. But, in October 2009, the courts ruled that Dr. Kayode Fayemi was the lawfully elected governor and that has restored order. Throughout 2010, all was calm.

This is regarded as unusual. Here is another year. There was no election in the state last year and another will not be due until 2013. What are the hopes, expectations and aspirations of the people in the New Year? Who are the major players on the political stage? What are the major events and issues to engage the political parties, politicians and general public in the year? Correspondent SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN previews Ekiti State in 2012.

Local polls set the stage in Ekiti

U

NLIKE most states, Ekiti is fast becoming what many regard as a two-party state.

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the ruling party in the state, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party that ruled for about seven years and now the main opposition, are clearly dominant.

Others like the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP); Congress for Progressive Change (CPC); United Nigeria People’s Party (UNPP); Alliance for Democracy (AD), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Democratic People’s Party (DPP) enjoy only titular existence as they have not gained sufficient patronage among the citizenry to make any impact in any election, local, state or national.

Labour Party, which burst to reckoning when former Governor Ayodele Fayose jumped into the ship from the PDP has eventually petered into oblivion.

While a majority of the LP members simply followed Fayose to wind into the PDP, others joined ACN contending that it approximates their dream. Substantively, therefore, there is no LP in the state today.

Local government polls This is scheduled to open the political calendar for the as 19 parties are vying for slots in the in the 16 local government areas of the state on January 21.

At an interactive forum organised

by State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) in Ado-Ekiti recently, a rare harmony was demonstrated as the parties related in a friendly atmosphere. Almost all parties, including the PDP, ACN, UNPP were present and asked probing questions that elicited satisfying answers from the SIEC Chair.

SIEC used the spelt out the rules and guidelines. It announced that accreditation and voting would hold simultaneously at polling centres beginning from 8 am until 4 pm, adding that voting would however continue after 4 pm to enable only those already accredited by election officials cast votes.

From Ado to Aramoko, from Ikere to Ikole, candidates of ACN have continued to mount campaigns, while others mainly of the PDP seem satisfied with a less attenuated option of early morning praise

• Dr Fayemi

singing through mobile vans across the localities.

How the parties stand The PDP is regrouping and trying to put its house in order, best proof of which lately is the veiled disbandment of all party executives and constitution of caretaker committees, especially in all Southwest states.

Investigations confirm forming of alliances and nocturnal meetings being held to consolidate brokered accords. It is no news that the return of Fayose to the PDP had ruffled feathers and set teeth on edge, considering the influence of the former governor and possible dangers such could pose to the planned resurgence of former Governor Segun Oni. The Party’s State Chairman, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo, has equally not enjoyed much confidence even among the rank and file of the party. Accused of being pro-Oni when he knows the majority is opposed to him. Bolu-Ojo has indeed not been having the best of times.

But the alliances are as yet largely subliminal as camps comprising mainly Fayose and Oni, have not openly voiced either the coming or working out of any manner of alliances.

What seems clear enough though is that Fayose has not enjoyed the support of certain critical elements within the party, given certain com-

ments ascribed to him lately.

The PDP house is unsettled and this is being sorted out within the party’s hierarchy through the constitution of caretaker committees in the southwest.

While the committees are seen by some as usurping the powers of substantive state executives, BoluOjo opined that it has not disturbed existing structure of the party in anyway.

Party chairmen in all states have been invited to the National Secretariat of the party in preparation for congresses that would hold at the various levels, according to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali.

Regarding the participation of PDP in the coming local polls, Bolu-Ojo said the outcome of the court case it instituted against the state government on the alleged lopsided membership of SIEC would determine whether it would participate.

The ACN chairman, Chief Jide Awe, is respected as a tested tactician. He is reputed to know his onions and how and when to deploy same for needs.

Watchers saw a proof of this is the manner he has controlled and reined in tinder ready ambitions of members who all wanted to vie especially for chairmanship slots with respect to the January polls in the state.

Governance is certainly an issue in the election. Governor Fayemi holds the aces. He has released the list of roads across the state to be constructed in the year and work has commenced on site. This has boosted the popularity of the party.

Apart from the many employment and empowerment programmes of the state government, the massive urban renewal efforts that has reduced all sections of the state, including the capital to one vast construction site, there is the complementary efforts of the office of the wife of the state governor through Ekiti Development Foundation which has rich plans for women and children.

A confirmation of the popularity of the party came with the recent landslide victory of Honourable Oyetunde Ojo in the rerun election in Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2 in which Ojo won in almost all the wards.

• Adamawa ACN gubernatorial candidate, Mr Marcus Gundiri and his running mate, Alhaji Abdurrazak Namdas, addressing party supporters in Ganye, Adamawa State...yesterday

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

45

46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

47

THE NATION

INVEST NVESTORS ORS NEW YEAR SPECIAL

Where to invest in 2012 T

HE stock market closed last year in the negative with an average return of 16.31 per cent. With most stocks trailing behind this figure, investors' losses were more than this average. Compared with a positive return of 19 per cent last year, the average performance was significant.

The actual return to investors was compounded by some moderating variables which include inflation and cost of capital.

With inflation rate at 10.5 per cent, benchmark interest rate, 12 per cent, and effective interest rate as high as 30 per cent, the adjusted real return on investment for the average investor might have been as high as 50 per cent.

Besides the decline in share prices, investors swallowed other bitter pills last year.

From the nationalisation of quoted banks to shares reconstruction and dilution, take-ordie business combinations, double-digit inflation amid rooftop double-digit interest rate and lack of committed national policy on capital market recovery, the market was skewed for failure.

But a handful of stocks delighted investors with impressive returns. While financial services stocks were recuperating under the shocks of the banking reforms, manufacturing stocks were the cheerleaders for the market. Many stocks including Nestle Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Presco, Roads Nigeria and Livestock Feeds were outstanding. Nestle Nigeria closed, with a capital appreciation of 20.9 per cent, which translated into a higher return when its bonus issue of one for four shares and cash payouts for the year are taken into consideration.

Presco, Roads Nigeria and Livestock Feeds closed at their highest prices, sustaining strong rallies amid the overall bearish trend.

Roads was the best-performing stock with a price gain of 188.7 per cent. Guinness Nigeria

By Taofik Salako

returned 31.2 per cent. Presco closed with a gain of 26.6 per cent. Nigerian Breweries' share price rose by 22.5 per cent while Livestock Feeds' market consideration improved by 10.8 per cent.

Beside the select opportunities that exist for discerning stock pickers, most analysts said the losses of last year might translate into better gains this year. With impressive fundamental performances by most quoted companies, the price depreciation in 2011 has further enhanced the attractiveness of the stock market. Several equities hold out prospects of double-digit dividend yields, which in several instances are higher than yields on national and sub-national bonds.

"The equity market has declined considerably and investment opportunities certainly exist. Good stock picking should yield superior returns," analysts at Financial Derivatives Company noted in latest update on the market.

While there are still potential for short-term gains, analysts, however, appeared to be unanimous that the prospects of the market was surer in the medium to long term. Analysts at FSDH Securities, Sterling Capital, Cowry Asset Management, GTI Capital and Crossworld Securities said the market holds better prospects in the medium to long term citing the fundamentals of most stocks and gradual recovery that may result from aboveaverage cash payouts by quoted companies.

As the market weaves through the labyrinth of fiscal and monetary policies as well as global ups and downs in 2012, investors should look out for gains in some sectors and stocks with considerable potential for above-average gain. They, however, need to be cautious of some moderating factors that might impact on the overall performance during the year.

•CEO, NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema

•DG, SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh

Sectors to watch: Financial services sector The abysmally poor performance of the financial services sector last year was because of the hangovers from the previous year's weak fundamentals of most financial services stocks and the usual waiting interval between improved fundamentals and market correction, especially in a market where investors' confidence had sunk to the lowest.

Operating reports of most financial services companies including banks and insurance companies have showed appreciable improvements in the fundamentals of the companies. Interim reports and accounts of nearly all banks showed growths in incomes and profitability during the nine-month operational period ended September 30, 2011. Most banking stocks carried double-digit earnings yields with yields as high as 21 per cent. Average industry yield stands at 11.4 per cent.

With the third quarter 2011 reports, earnings per share within the banking industry was as high as 137 kobo with industry average of 53 kobo per share. But uncertainties that had

characterised the latter part of the banking recapitalisation clouded the fundamental performance. So, with the improved results, most banks closed the year at their lowest prices. With the resolution of all pending mergers and acquisitions and sundry issues of recapitalisation, the banking sector is projected with a stable outlook in 2012 which would show off the attractive earnings of most stocks in the subsector Besides, insurance subsector holds good prospects for long-term gains. With insurance companies' portfolios heavily skewed in favour of equities, insurers had suffered considerably from the meltdown at the stock market. Insurance sector was the worst performing subsector in terms of capital appreciation in 2010 and continued with this trend in 2011. With more than two-thirds of insurance stocks trading at par of 50 kobo, insurance subsector appeared to have hit the bottom and might start to wriggle out of the downtrend in the new year. Emerging au-

How investors lost N1.4tr in 2011 •Gainers, losers

M

ARKET value of all quoted companies dwindled by N1.38 trillion in 2011 as uncertainties in the banking sector and monetary tightening policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deflated initial optimism that had seen the market with double-digit gain in the early part of the year.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities slumped to N6.533 trillion at the end of last trading session for 2011 as against the year's opening value of N7.914 trillion. The benchmark index, the All Share Index (ASI), which serves as the common gauge for all quoted companies as well as country index for Nigeria, fell to 20,730.63 points from its 2011's value-on-board of 24,770.52 points. Altogether, the benchmark index indicated a negative return of 16.31 per cent, which translated to almost N1.4 trillion

Forecasts Q1 2012 JULIUS BERGER Turnover N37.85bn Profit after tax N1.14bn PRESCO Turnover N2.60bn Profit after tax N800.9m ETERNA Turnover N6.31bn Profit after tax N436.8m OASIS INS Gross Premium N900m Profit after tax N409.3m PHARMA DEKO Turnover N491m Profit before tax N13m STUDIO PRESS Turnover N1.90bn Profit after tax N16.9m

UACN Turnover N13.80bn Profit after tax N950m UPDC Turnover N2.33bn Profit after tax N317m MRS OIL Turnover N25.60bn Profit after tax N356m TOTAL Nigeria Turnover N47.92bn Profit after tax N1.05bn SCOA NIGERIA Turnover N1.08bn Profit after tax N25.45m OKOMU OIL PALM Turnover N2.69bn Profit after tax N1.075bn AFROMEDIA Turnover N1.077bn Profit after tax N40.214m

BERGER PAINTS Turnover N781.04m Profit after tax N74.0m BETA GLASS Turnover N2.80bn Profit after tax N166.22m RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS Turnover N634.8m Profit after tax N75.46m GT ASSURANCE Gross Premium N5.0bn Profit after tax N368.92m CUSTODIAN & ALLIED INS Gross Premium N4.44bn Profit after tax N935.02m REGENCY ALLIANCE INS Gross Premium N589.13m Profit after tax N209.8m GOLDLINK INS Gross Premium N1.62bn Profit after tax N430.1m

•Continued on page 46

CORNERSTONE INS Gross Premium N2.33bn Profit after tax N165.32m CONTINENTAL RE Gross Premium N3.07bn Profit after tax N402m GUINEA INS Gross Premium N500m Profit after tax N18.1m Skye Bank Plc Gross Earnings N29bn Profit after tax N109m NESTLE NIGERIA PLC Turnover N22.70bn Profit after tax N2.78bn ETRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Turnover N952.91m Profit after tax N125.45m

loss.

The downtrend in last year was pervasive as all other key group indices showed negative returns. From the petroleum-marketing sector to banking, insurance and food and beverages sectors while the bears rattled all cadres of stocks from penny stocks to mid-cap and high cap stocks.

Losers Nearly one quarter of quoted stocks recorded worse return than the benchmark index while nearly one third recorded price depreciation.

A quarter of quoted stocks remained flat, including insurance stocks that were mostly stagnated at their nominal prices. Diamond Bank led the decliners with a negative return of 74.4 per cent. Diamond Bank's market value dropped from its opening price of N7.50 to close 2011 at N1.92. Fidson Health care followed with a negative return of 74.18 per cent

LAW UNION & ROCK INS Gross Premium N2.40bn Profit after tax N238.21m ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC Turnover N411.15m Profit after tax N62.96m UNION VENTURES & PETROLEUM Turnover N283.5 million Profit after tax N1.5m CADBURY NIGERIA Turnover N8.73 billion Profit after tax N339.2 million ACADEMY PRESS Turnover N591.142 million Profit after tax N8.91 million LAFARGE CEMENT WAPCO Turnover N18.658 billion Profit after tax of N1.02 billion

•Continued on page 48 BOC GASES PLC Turnover N2.28 billion Profit after tax N359.6 million CHAMS PLC Turnover N2.34 billion Profit after tax N238.1 million NEM INSURANCE PLC Gross Premium N4.12bn Profit after tax N1.16bn

(Q4 ENDING APRIL 30 2012) CUTIX Turnover N590.0 million Profit after tax N67.45 million BECO PETROLEUM Turnover N860.84 million Profit after tax N8.156 million (H1 ending Jan 31, 2012)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

48

THE NATION INVESTORS • Continued from page 47

dited full-year and interim corporate earnings reports as well as forecasts thrown up insurance stocks as possible goldmines. The disadvantage of heavy equity investment that had devastated insurers would turn into advantage in a general recovery in the stock market, presenting opportunities for substantial write-backs into the accounts. The latent potential of the Nigerian insurance industry also indicates significant headroom for growth. Nigerian insurance industry is categorized as an emerging industry and is still relatively small when compared with other developing economies. Experts estimated that less than three per cent of the 160 million Nigerian population have insurance cover, presenting an enormous growth potential for innovative operators. Legislations such as Local Content Act and Compulsory Insurance would also provide fertile ground for insurance growth.

Manufacturing sector Given recent investments by several manufacturing companies and new 'home-grown' growth encapsulated in the tariff structures in the 2012 national budget, manufacturing stocks still hold prospects for appreciable gains. The building material subsector will continue to benefit from favourable government policy and huge demand. The construction and building industry, which drives cement demand, has witnessed tremendous growth as stability in government and improvements in macro economy impact positively on public and pri-

Where to invest in 2012 vate sectors construction activities.

As the economy further takes shape, the construction sector holds appreciable prospect. With the government focus on infrastructure and private sector initiatives in housing and infrastructure, Nigeria has strong potential for the development of the construction and building sector.

The largest country in Africa, with more than 160 million people and in critical need of development of infrastructures, the need for capital projects especially in housing and roads has continued to grow yearon-year and budget emphasis now would increasingly shift towards capital projects implementation.

Government's attention is particularly focused on provision and restoration of infrastructure; given the realisation that good infrastructure is critical for sustainable national development. The combination of public and private sectors demand represents huge growth opportunity for the construction sector.

port the development of the agricultural sector. "In this respect, the duty on machinery and certain specified equipment for the sector will, effective January 31st 2012, attract zero duty," the President stated.

According to the budget, the government is also introducing policies to encourage the substitution of high quality cassava flour for wheat flour in bread-baking. With effect from March 31 2012, importation of cassava flour will be prohibited to further support this programme. All equipment for processing of high quality cassava flour and composite flour blending will enjoy a duty free regime as incentive to bakers for composite flour utilisation.

Besides, fiscal policy measures designed to encourage the purchase and utilisation of some locally produced commodities may enhance

Stocks to watch The emerging economic dynamics in 2012 are already pointing out some stocks for attention. This year’s national budget, if approved by the National Assembly, would create competitive advantages for some companies.

According to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal Government is working to extend the loan guarantee and single-digit interest rate schemes for the agriculture sector.

Also, government is introducing further fiscal policy measures to sup-

while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria ranked third with -71.92 per cent. United Bank for Africa (UBA) led declining banking stocks with a return of -71.69 per cent.

The Dangote Group featured prominently on the laggards' list.

Dangote Sugar Refinery and Dangote returned -70.63 per cent and -70.24 per cent respectively.

Oando dropped by 66.67 per cent.

Other top losers included C & I Leasing, -58.82 per cent; RT Briscoe, -57.93 per cent; Chemical & Allied

potential of local manufacturers.

From July 1, 2012, wheat flour will attract a levy of 65 per cent to bring the effective duty to 100 per cent while wheat grain will attract a 15 per cent levy which will bring the effective duty to 20 per cent.

There are also companies which recently opened new production lines or which new production lines and new subsidiaries are expected to take off in the new year. These are expected to contribute to the group's performance. For instance, Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria would witness significant increase in volume of production in 2012 as its newly inaugurated cement plant goes into full operations. Also, PZ Cussons Nigeria expects its N9 billion palm oil refinery to be operational by the third quarter of the year.

The joint venture company PZ

Wilmar is in partnership with Singapore's Wilmar International and would invest N100 billion in Nigeria over the next five to seven years to develop oil palm plantations that will feed the refinery and reduce import bills.

In the event of removal of fuel subsidy, large-stake oil majors with requisite financial capacity would be better placed to ride on economy of scale and international affiliations to consolidate their shrinking market shares. Given attractive fundamentals of most stocks; 2012 holds out good opportunities for discerning investors to build up their portfolios. But investors need to be mindful of intervening variables that could define the trend of the market.

These include demutualisation, market-makers, privatisation, rules on share buyback, public float, securities lending and monetary policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

How investors lost N1.4tr in 2011 • Continued from page 45

FACTS

TO

Products, -57.37 per cent; Skye Bank, -56.36 per cent; Sterling Bank, -56.28 per cent; Wema Bank, -55.81 per cent; Cadbury Nigeria, -55.50 per cent; Prestige Insurance, -55.02 per cent; Honeywell Flour Mills, -54.71 per cent; May & Baker, -52.62 per cent, University Press, -50 per cent and Julius Berger Nigeria, which recorded negative return of 36.8 per cent.

Gainers Roads Plc led the handful of advancers with whopping return of 188.70 per cent. Okomu Oil Palm staged a distant second with a gain

of 51.97 per cent. NCR Nigeria placed third with a gain of 34.15 per cent. Goldlink Insurance returned 34 per cent while Guinness Nigeria rose by 31.2 per cent. Other top gainers included Presco, 26.57 per cent; Airline Services & Logistics, 26.16 per cent; Nigerian Breweries, 22.46 per cent; Nestle Nigeria, 20.92 per cent; Seven-Up Bottling Company, 19.15 per cent; Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, 14 per cent; Livestock Feeds, 10.77 per cent; Unilever Nigeria, 7.81 per cent and Lafarge Cement WAPCO, which appreciated by 6.27 per cent.

FACTS

Forte Oil vs Eterna: Two restructurings, two results

T

HE downstream oil sector, no doubt, faces serious, sometimes uncontrollable challenges. With a stymied reform, petroleum-marketing companies have adopted various strategies to cope with the operating environment.

Forte Oil Plc, formerly African Petroleum (AP) and Eterna, like many other oil-marketing companies, had initiated extensive financial and operational restructurings aimed at enhancing the operating efficiency and placing the companies on the paths of sustainable profitability irrespective of the challenges. Both had raised new equity funds with positive forecasts and expectations.

They had also witnessed emergence of new management and board of directors. With new funds, new core investors, new management and newly constituted board of influential directors, they were quite appraised for growth and steady returns.

But the restructurings appeared to have produced different results in the two companies. Forte Oil, the older and larger company, which hitherto ranked within the privileged group of oil blue chips, appeared to have suffered from contraindication. With declining sales and negative profit margin, Forte Oil has been reeling in losses, which have not only been eroding total assets but also the shareholders' funds.

Eterna has, however, shown positive signs although legacy issues still call for caution and careful consideration of the sustainability of the upturn. A hefty double-digit growth in recent year and improved operating efficiency laid the foundation for much-awaited return to profitability.

Sales Generation Forte Oil's top-line performance has worsened over the years with average decline per annum standing at about 9.4 per cent. Total revenue had dropped by 1.7 per cent in 2009 and crossed the double-digit to 17 per cent in 2010. Eterna meanwhile grew sales by more than 53 per cent in 2010. Sales growth was

FACTS TO FACTS Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

Forte Oil 2010 % -17 -8.1 -68.1 9.2 -2.1 -70.0 -4.0 -10.8

2009 %

Average %

-1.7

-9.35 -4.05 -146.45 8.75 -3.85 -174.75 -7.2 -19.25

-224.8 8.3 -5.6 -279.5 -10.4 -27.7

Pre-tax profit margin (Forte Oil)

By Taofik Salako

an exceptional measure of performance in the downstream oil sector in the immediate past year given that sales by many petroleum-marketers dwindled considerably. Besides, in a low-margin, almost monolithic industry like petroleum-marketing, top-line growth is indicative of the extent of profitability.

Profitability Both actual and underlying measures of profitability placed Forte Oil on the downside. With 8.1 per cent decline in gross profit, the company's bottom-line has been in red in the past two years. However, the losses in the immediate past year were lower than the previous year, a trend that indicates some degree of success in cost management. Also indicative of improved performance, gross profit margin increased above two-year average of 8.75 per

cent to 9.2 per cent in 2010 as against 8.3 per cent in 2009. Pre-tax profit margin improved from -5.6 per cent in 2009 to -2.1 per cent in 2010, lower than two-year average of -3.85 per cent.

While Forte Oil is struggling to get out of the wood, Eterna appears to be out into the warmth of positive earnings. With 65 per cent growth in gross profit, Eterna turned around from pre and post tax losses in 2009 to pre and post tax profits in 2010. Gross margin had increased from 10.2 per cent in 2009 to 11 per cent in 2010 while pre-tax profit margin reversed from -21 per cent to 8.2 per cent.

Actual Returns The recent losing streak has undermined both payouts and actual returns of Forte Oil. While shareholders have not received any cash dividends in recent years, an average negative return per share of

Eterna 2010 % Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

53.3 65.4 159.1 11.0 8.2 148.4 7.8 15.6

2009 %

Average %

10.2 -21.3

26.65 32.70 79.55 10.6 -6.55 74.2 -3.4 -11.35

-14.6 -38.3

Pre-tax profit margin (Eterna)

about 19.3 per cent has been locked in their reserves. Return on equity stood at about -11 per cent in 2010 while return on total assets was -4.0 per cent. Notwithstanding, Forte Oil's performance in the immediate period was an improvement on 2009 when returns on total assets and equity stood at -10.4 per cent and -27.7 per cent respectively.

Eterna made positive returns to shareholders and other stakeholders, although it was still unable to make cash payouts. Average return on equity turned from -38.3 per cent in 2009 to about 16 per cent in 2010 while return on total assets similarly improved from -15 per cent to 7.8 per cent. Indicating the caution note on the performance, average returns on equity and total assets over the past two years however still remained negative at 11.4 per cent and 3.4 per cent respectively.

The Bottom-line Petroleum-marketing industry is highly susceptible to external shocks, which no doubt, most often undermine management 'strategies'. But a truly strategic approach will factor in the fluctuations domestically and globally. While waiting for the full deregulation of the downstream sector, oil-marketing companies need to evolve a competitive private-sector driven growth model rather than dependence on government-allocated growth. The tough operating environment calls for aggressive and sustainable sales strategy, given that sales growth is the major driver of long-term profitability.

Forte Oil needs to shrug off hangovers of its recent past and reassert itself as a major oil-marketing company. Eterna on the other had needs to stabilise its performance through steady, growths and good returns to shareholders.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

49

THE NATION INVESTORS CORPORATE SCORE BOARD

P

Z Cussons Nigeria Plc recorded modest growth in sales in 2011 as the conglomerate strengthened internal cost control and employee productivity to limit the adverse impact of a sluggish economy.

Audited report and accounts of PZ Cussons Nigeria in the year ended May 31, 2011 showed a generally stable outlook, although pre-tax profit was almost flat. The resultant marginal decline in net earnings coloured underlining return indices. The conglomerate, however, sustained its cash payout per share while boosting shareholders' incomes with a 25 per cent bonus share issue.

With a zero financial leverage, the balance sheet remained steady although key financing and liquidity ratios showed a mixed grill with better working capital position counteracting decline in current ratio.

Financing structure PZ Cussons Nigeria's shareholders' funds recorded modest increase of 6.4 per cent in 2011 to N41.19 billion as against N38.71 billion in 2010. The group's paid up share capital had remained unchanged at N1.588 billion. Total assets also rose by about 17 per cent from N58.97 billion to N68.93 billion. Current assets had grown by 28 per cent to N43.89 billion as against N34.23 billion while permanent assets had remained almost flat at N25.04 billion compared with N24.74 billion. However, total liabilities rose by about 37 per cent from N20.26 billion to N27.73 billion.

The increase was driven by current liabilities which had grown by 45 per cent from N15.3 billion to N22.1 billion.

The balance sheet indicated a mixed grill with impressive zero financial leverage but lower equity back up. The proportion of equity funds to total assets dropped from 66 per cent in 2010 to 60 per cent in 2011. Current liabilities made up 32 per cent of total assets as against 26 per cent.

Fiscal Year Ended May 31 Nmillion Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

PZ Cussons Nigeria: Modest growth

By Taofik Salako

Long-term liabilities/total assets ratio meanwhile improved from 34 per cent to 40 per cent.

Efficiency PZ Cussons Nigeria maintained a stable cost management and productivity outlooks as it balanced increase in operating expenses with higher employee productivity. Average number of employees dwindled by about 10 per cent or 311 persons from 3,232 persons in 2010 to 2,921 persons in 2011. Total staff cost however rose by 13 per cent from N5.93 billion to N6.71 billion, indicating average cost per head of N2.30 million compared with N1.83 million in previous year.

Average profit per employee correspondingly increased from N2.46 million to N2.75 million.

Total cost of business, excluding interest expense, in relation to total sales inched up from 87.6 per cent to 88.3 per cent.

Profitability PZ Cussons Nigeria increased its market shares across the business lines. Turnover in the main business segment of branded consumer goods rose by 5.3 per cent from N42.6 billion to N44.8 billion while the durable electrical appliances business line improved sales from N20.1 billion to N21 billion. Group turnover thus increased by 5.1 per cent from N62.67 billion to N65.88 billion.

Cost of sales also grew marginally to N47.43 billion as against N45.38 billion. Gross profit increased by 6.7 per cent from N17.3 billion to N18.45 billion. Total operating expenses however rose by 13 per cent to N10.7 billion as against N9.5 billion. Selling and distribution expenses had increased from N6.02 billion to N7.02 billion while administrative expenses rose from N3.48 billion to N3.72 billion. A 42 per cent

2011 12 months

% change

•MD, PZ Cussons Nig., Mr Christos Giannopoulos

increase in non-core business incomes from N309 million to N440 million nudged the operating profit to N8.15 billion compared with N8.09 billion. Interest expenses also dropped by 12 per cent from N143 million to N126 million. The combined impact of the increase in non-core incomes and the decrease in interest expenses slightly nudged pre-tax profit by a point from N7.95 billion to N8.03 billion. Segmental analysis of pre-tax profit showed that the flat performance of the pre-tax profit was due mainly to contraction suffered by the branded consumer goods segment. Pre-tax profit from the branded consumer goods dropped from N6.29 billion to N5.21 billion as against significant improvement in pre-tax profit from the durable electrical appliances, which profit before tax rose from N1.7 billion to N2.81 billion. Profit after tax before non controlling interest stood at N5.70 billion in contrast with N5.58 billion. However, with 69 per cent increase in non-controlling interest from N282.9 million to N479.5 million, net earn-

2010 12 months

44,833 65,878 47,425 18,453 10,741 440 126 8,025 5,218 164 2,732 86 1,297

5.3 5.1 4.5 6.7 13.0 42.1 -11.8 0.9 -1.6 -2.4 0.0 0.0 6.4

42,590 62,668 45,381 17,287 9,502 309 143 7,951 5,301 168 2,732 86 1,219

25,035 25,035 8,059 43,892 68,927

1.2 1.2 19.7 28.2 16.9

24,738 24,738 6,732 34,231 58,969

2,172 0 22,087 5,646 27,733

42.7 0.0 44.7 13.1 36.9

1,522 0 15,268 4,992 20,260

1,588 41,193

0.0 6.4

1,588 38,708

ing distributable to shareholders inched downward from N5.30 billion to N5.22 billion.

Further analysis showed marginal increase in gross profit margin from 27.6 per cent to 28 per cent but pre-tax profit margin slipped from 12.7 per cent to 12.2 per cent. Return on total assets dropped from 13.5 per cent to 11.6 per cent while return on equity dwindled to 12.7 per cent as against 13.7 per cent. Earnings per share reduced from 168 kobo to 164 kobo. The company retained its cash payout at 86 kobo, which reduced dividend cover from 1.95 times in 2010 to 1.91 times in 2011.

Gross dividend had remained unchanged at N2.73 billion. Net assets per share improved from N12.19 to N12.97. The company meanwhile complemented cash payout with bonus issue of one for four shares, which automatically increased the number of outstanding shares by 25 per cent.

This may pose a major challenge to cash payout in the immediate future unless the company breaks the sluggishness at the top-line and exerts more pressure on costs to create headroom for profit growth.

Liquidity The liquidity position of the conglomerate was generally stable with better working capital and adequate coverage for emerging liabilities, albeit at a lower level.

Current ratio, which relates current assets to relative liabilities, dropped from 2.24 times to 1.99 times. The proportion of working capital to turnover however improved from 30 per cent to 33 per cent. Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 371 per cent as against 442 per cent in previous period.

Governance and structures There were no major changes in corporate governance structure during the period. Prof.

Emmanuel Edozien still chairs the board while Mr Christos

Giannopoulos leads the executive management team as managing director. PZ Cussons Nigeria is a subsidiary of PZ Cussons (Holdings) Limited, United Kingdom, which holds 66.81 per cent equity stake in the Nigerian company.

However, more than 77,000 Nigerian individual and institutional investors hold equity stakes in the conglomerate. One of the earliest companies in Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria has maintained stable board and management over the years with requisite corporate governance structures to support its expanding business. The company broadly complies with the Nigerian code of corporate governance as well as the PZ Cussons international best practices.

Analyst's opinion The slowdown in the national economy and illiquidity in the financial system limited disposable incomes as well as access to funds, two drawbacks that altered the demand pattern against several consumer goods. Against the background of the general economic outlook, the performance of PZ Cussons Nigeria is commendable.

Recent investments in upgrade and expansion of production facilities and introduction of new products are expected to form the linchpin for future growth. The conglomerate's new business linepalm oil plantation and refinery, is expected to kick off this year.

The N9 billion palm oil refinery is scheduled to become operational by the third quarter. The new addition to the group, PZ Wilmar, is a joint venture with Singapore's Wilmar and would invest N100 billion over the next five to seven years in oil palm plantations that will feed the refinery. The new business would strengthen Nigeria's position as the hub of the multinational group. Already, PZ Cussons Nigeria contributes some 35 per cent to the group revenue. PZ Cussons Nigeria stands to benefit from huge local demand for palm oil and emerging favourable government policy towards local manufacturers and agriculture sector.

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

2010 %

2009 %

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

59.8 40.2 32.0 0.0

65.6 34.4 25.9 0.0

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

28.0 12.2 11.6 12.7 1.91

27.6 12.7 13.5 13.7 1.95

Efficiency Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

2.75 2.30 88.3

2.46 1.83 87.6

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

1.99 33.1 371.0

2.24 30.3 442.3

50

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

51

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

53

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

54

MONEY LINK

‘CBN won’t let reserves fall below $30b’

T

HE foreign reserves, which currently stands at $32.8 billion as at December 29 will not fall below $30 billion in 2012, analysts have projected.

Head, Market Risk, Greenwich Trust Limited, a research and investment firm, Babatunde Obaniyi said the $30 billion is equivalent to about seven months of import cover.

He added that the reserves have fluctuated between $31 to 35 billion in major parts of last year.

Obaniyi, who spoke to The Nation yesterday said defending the naira is a short term approach that may not bring lasting stability to the local currency. He said the only permanent solution to the volatility of the naira is to diversify the economy.

Obaniyi said that to safeguard the value of the domestic cur-

Stories by Collins Nweze

rency, foreign reserves are held as formal backing for the domestic currency. He said that feelers from market participants suggest mixed outlook for the naira.

“In the short run, it is expected that the naira will remain relatively stable, at both official and parallel markets, and that the Central Bank would continue to support the currency in the official market.

“However, deregulation of downstream oil and gas sector may be a major risk,” he said.

The market he said is also expected to continue to factor in the crude oil prices that will determine the level of external reserves which in turn will determine the extent to which the CBN can continue to support the naira.

Obaniyi insisted that the CBN has an forex reserves floor it is

ble naira, the CBN manages the naira/dollar exchange rate within a narrow range that is reviewed on an annual basis.

Under the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) plan, banks submit their bids, and the CBN allocates dollars to the

not willing to breach, even at the expense of defending the naira target band. “we think the authorities’ modest devaluation proposals imply the CBN is projecting a modest slowdown in the oil price, but with stable production in 2012. The CBN is expecting improved capital inflows in 2012, particularly as low interest rates in the West increase the attractiveness of yields in emerging markets and frontier markets.

Although Nigeria’s high yields may be appealing, capital inflows could be deterred by global risk aversion, particularly given the significant uncertainty surrounding the current euro zone financial crisis,” he said.

Findings show that Nigeria prefers a strong and stable naira, given its significant dependence on imports and desire for price stability. In the interests of a sta-

Minister: 2012 Budget in line with Presidential appointments

T

HE Presidency has pruned its number of aides drastically in line with its desire to reduce cost of governance.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinator, National Economic Team, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala disclosed this in Lagos.

She spoke during a media session with the Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms Christine Lagarde.

Responding to a question on why the Presidency has reduced the recurrent expenditure in the 2012 Budget, without a corresponding decrease in the cost of emoluments, Okonjo-Iweala, said there was no iota of truth in the allegations.

She said: “Concerning the aides working with the Presidency, I would like to say that the President has been careful in the number of aides being employed now. It has been reduced. It is lower now”.

She was silent on the number of aides employed by the Presidency.

However, the Chief Executive officer, CRC Credit Bureau Limited, Tunde Popoola, said the government is yet to plug the loopholes through which public funds are being wasted. He said the reduction of the recurrent expenditure to 72 per cent from 74 per cent,

FHAN boss backs CBN reforms

T

HE newly elected President of the Finance Houses Association of Nigeria (FHAN), Samuel Durojaye, has expressed support for the proposed reform of the sub-sector by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Durojaye, disclosed this at the sideline of the association’s 2010 Annual General Meeting (AGM) where he was elected. He said that the newly elected executive members would ensure that they work closely with the CBN on the reform exercise.

The CBN had said that it would unveil a reform package for the sub-sector before the end of first quarter next year.

Durojaye added: “This executive council has taken it up as a challenge to make sure that the first thing we need to do is to advance the course of finance houses and build its credibility of the association. We want people to know that finance houses are there.

“We want them to know that we are not Wonder Banks and we are here to add value to their business.

“People can go into finance houses and do businesses because we are licensed financial institutions. We are going to assist the CBN by working closely with them on the reform programme because we want to ensure that

as operators, we have input and participate in the reform programme.”

He also said the association would also consider the establishment of a finance institute to develop capacity in the sub-sector. FHAN’s financial statement showed that the body’s income grew by 9.81 per cent or N1.16 million to N12.96 million in 2010, compared with the N11.8 million it stood in 2009.

Similarly, its total expenditure grew by N1.37 million from N9.35 million recorded in 2009, to N10.72 million in 2010. It balance sheet showed that its net assets rose from N9.39 million to N10.03 million.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Amount

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 3-1-12 SYMBOL NB PZ ASHAKACEM UACN VITAFOAM NAHCO ACCESS DANGFLOUR CCNN DANGSUGAR

O/PRICE 94.42 28.00 11.30 31.18 5.06 5.14 4.80 5.00 4.35 4.70

C/PRICE 95.03 28.60 11.61 31.48 5.31 5.39 5.04 5.23 4.56 4.90

CHANGE 0.61 0.60 0.31 0.30 0.25 0.25 0.24 0.23 0.21 0.20

LOSER AS AT 3-1-12 SYMBOL NESTLE GUINNESS 7UP IBTC GUARANTY IKEJAHOTEL FCMB GTASSURE CONTINSURE FIDELITYBK

O/PRICE 445.66 250.00 46.47 8.30 14.25 1.70 4.18 1.42 0.84 1.46

C/PRICE 423.38 237.56 46.00 8.02 14.25 1.62 4.10 1.35 0.80 1.43

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

does not mean that the government is ready to curtail its spending.

He said it would have been better if the government reduced the recurrent expenditure significantly to stimulate growth.

It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan appointed another set of four special advisers in November 1, 2011, a development that jecked up the total number of advisers to 22.

The issue generated controversy, forcing the National Assembly to call for a review of the number of political appointees in order to cut the cost of governance in the country.

Speaking on the matter, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said: “As we are cutting down our running cost by 40 per cent, maybe the President should also consider reducing the cost of running government by the executive by 40 percent.”

On his part, Senator Umar Dahiru said: “Bringing 20 special advisers will be overburdening the governance. The 20 special advisers added to the about 36 ministers is a large number. Since we believe that we should cut the government running costs, we should cut the number.”

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

By Akinola Ajibade

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

highest bidder, down to the level that clears the volume on offer, known as the marginal rate. The marginal rate is the lowest level at which the CBN will supply dollars, and is also referred to as the WDAS rate.

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 03-01-12 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 161.0000 (S/N)

162.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

155.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

156.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.85 98.43 0.76 1.04 0.88 1,642.73 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,351.90 193.00

9.08 1.00 118.69 97.65 0.73 1.04 0.87 1,635.25 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,149.37 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 22.28 12.44 0.47 0.28 0.13 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.04 0.03

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

NEWS 27 kidnapped in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

TWENTY seven persons were reportedly kidnapped in Edo State last year while 19 others were killed by kidnappers.

Also, millions of naira were paid as ransom to the kidnappers even though some of the victims were later found dead.

Among those kidnapped include former Vice-Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor; CEO, Ray Royal Construction Company, Rev. Matthew Okpebholo, who was abducted in Uromi; a female gospel artiste, Palmer Omoruyi; wife of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mrs. Florence Obayuwana and CEO, Tomline Construction Engineering, Elder Tes Sorae.

Soare was abducted in the deadliest kidnap operation in the state as his wife, Bridget and two aides were killed in the process.

Others were Provost, State College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, Prof Julius Obahayuje; a Benin musician Bayo Ade who was killed after a ransom was paid; CEO, Nosakhare Plymouth bread and Nosakhare Group of Schools, Elder Nosakhare Eghobamien, who was abducted in Benin; wife of the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Phidelia Omokhodion and Executive Director, Greener Line, O. Uhunume.

Commissioner of Police David Omojola said 41 kidnap victims were rescued while 193 suspected kidnappers arrested.

Investigations showed that besides kidnapping, cult war was another major crimein the state.

More than 12 persons were killed in the cult war and 473 suspected cultists arrested.

Workers ground Akwa Ibom over minimum wage •Begin indefinite strike •Ignore govt’s directive

A

KWA IBOM State workers yesterday began an indefinite strike over the government’s refusal to adjust the salary structure.

The workers had given a December 31 ultimatum to the government to correct what they described as a “defective” salary structure table in the interest of the suffering workers.

As early as 8am, a police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was at the gate of the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat.

The workers ignored Governor Godswill Akpabio’s directive to resume work.

The state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Unyime Usoro, said besides the government’s reluctance to review the minimum wage, another worrisome issue was the dismiss-

We’ve released N16.2b for arrears, says Akpabio KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has said the government had released N16.2 billion for payment of arrears of the salaries to civil servants with effect from April last year.

He said he was disappointed in the attitude of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in calling civil servants to proceed on strike on the claim that the government had not paid the minimum wage.

The governor said in the Southsouth, the administration is paying one of the highest wages to workers.

Akpabio said due to his cordial working relationship with workers in the state, the NLC at the national level presented him with an

A

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

al of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour, Ime Umoh.

His words: “Labour has a lot of grievances, among which is the reluctance of the government to make its promise to review the minimum wage that is implemented in Akwa Ibom State.

award of Most Workers Friendly Governor in 2010.

He debunked rumours that he was planning to retrench workers.

“I love my workers. I cannot retrench anybody now. As a commissioner , I made sure arrears owed workers in the Unified Local Government were cleared.

“How can I retrench now that I am planning to establish industries in the 31 local governments to provide jobs for the people?”

The governor, therefore, called on workers to ignore the strike threats by their leaders and report to duty as the government was prepared for engage in dialogue with labour leaders.

“Another one is the refusal to implement the consolidated health salary structure for health workers.

“Akwa Ibom is the only state that has not implemented it in the Southsouth.

“We are also unhappy with the partial implementation of consolidated judiciary workers salary struc-

CAN advises Edo Christians From Osagie Otabor, Benin

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole assisted by the state’s Commissioner of Police, David Omojola, to decorate his Chief Security Officer, Alimeke Okorie, with his new rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Government House, Benin, ....yesterday

Uduaghan to Shell: stop the blame game •Communities warn against cover-up

‘Agip, come and clean up our areas’

D

GIP host communities in Bayelsa State have decried the continuous spill of crude oil from its pipeline.

For over two weeks, the spill has continued to ravage Okpotuwari and Ondewari communities.

Protests by members of the communities were not acknowledged by the management of Agip, who merely sent a worker to inspect the spill.

It was learnt that no Agip official has gone back to the site.

Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC) of Okpotuwari Community, Philip Odibo said the spill started before members of the community noted it.

“We cannot tell exactly when this spill happened along the 14 inch Ogboinbiri/Tebidaba pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

Acting community leader of Ondewari community Gilbert Sanga said: “It is a serious spill that has covered a vast expanse of the swamp, ponds and farmlands.

“We see no reason why Agip should delay in responding to this spillage. Ordinarily, we expect the company to come at once to effect clamping. We are still waiting for them.”

He added that there are spill sites that Agip is yet to clean up.

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged the Shell Petroleum Development Company to stop the blame game and begin the clean-up of the Bonga oil spill.

He decried the impact of the spill on some communities in Delta State and across the Niger Delta.

Uduaghan called on Shell to disclose fully the impact and extent of the damage caused by the spill.

In a statement by his Communication Manager, Paul Odili, the governor said: “This is not the time for the blame game. The economic wellbeing of the communities affected is being threatened.

“I expect Shell to take steps to ensure adequate cleanup and compensation for the communities affected.”

The governor dismissed claims by Shell that the spill was contained before it spread.

He said this is not being supported by evidence of what is happening in Ogula-

ture.

“We also not happy with the disgraceful way that government sacked our representative who the governor asked us to nominate.

“We have, therefore, added as a demand the immediate reinstatement of Ime Umoh to his former position as another condi-

tion for calling off the strike.”

The strike is indefinite, Usoro said.

He said the meeting with representatives of the government was fruitless.

“There is no commitment on their part so we have to embark on the strike.

“After a meeting with government team, headed by the Head of the Civil Service, Mrs Cecelia Udoessien, government could not come out with any strong commitment on the implementation of the new minimum wage as demanded by workers,” Usoro said.

A civil servant, who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “I do not have any farm or business, except this work but I am in support of the strike.

“I want labour leaders to ensure that all the demands are met before they call off the strike this time around,” he said.

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

A

From Shola O’Neil, Okungbowa Aiwerie and Wilson Egufe Yafugborhi, Warri

ha, Beniboye and Okuntu in Delta State and Orobiri, Odiama and Aggeh communities in Bayelsa State, which have experienced the impact of the spill.

Uduaghan reminded Shell that BP took steps to act in

cleaning up and compensating those affected by its large scale spill in the Gulf of Mexico two years ago and does not think the Niger Delta should be different.

He called on the Federal Government through its agencies, NOSDRA and NIMASA to ensure that full remedial measures are taken to restore the environment and to miti-

gate further damage.

Also, the Iduwini National Movement for Peace and Development in Bayelsa and Delta states yesterday called for an independent investigation into the spill.

The INMPD President, Presley Iyalagha, said he suspects some government officials have been compromised.

He said: “What we are saying is that we see a pattern of compromise even at the highest level and the purpose is for Shell to avoid compensation and clean up of the affected areas.

“We want to warn that we will not cordone any compromise and collaboration by Niger Deltans to sabotage the communities.”

Ogukagha Community has urged Shell to initiate moves to compensate communities.

It appealed for relief materials to ameliorate the hardship experienced by the spill.

Communities affected by the spill include Odimodi, Beniboye, Isiayegbene, Gbidipou, Osumaghan, Agge, Amatu, Okibo-Zion, AggeOkibo, Kare-epre, Okofaka, Belle-Zion, Youtu, Azamabiri, Koroborseigha, Fietonghan, Gbene, Osiagbene, Tubosuke,

THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Edo State has called on Christians to defend themselves in the face of adversity and provocation.

It said government has continued to read political meanings to killing and maiming of Christians, instead of bringing those responsible to justice.

State Chairman Rev Peter Imaseun spoke at a briefing in Benin yesterday.

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to rise above rhetorics and tackle the Boko Haram problem head on.

According to him, “this attack, which we believe has reached its crescendo, will spell doom to the corporate existence of Nigeria if the Federal Government continues to treat the matter with kid gloves.

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2011

NEWS Appeal court affirms Kwankwaso’s election

T

HE Court of Appeal, sitting in Kaduna, has upheld the election of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and awarded N50,000 against his All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) challenger, Mallam Salihu Sagir Takai.

Delivering the lead judgement in the appeal filed by the ANPP candidate challenging the judgment of the lower tribunal, Justice Muhammad Lawal Garba said the issues raised in the appeal were against the appellant and in favour of the respondent.

He noted that the appeal lacked merit, adding that the appellant failed to file his appeal within the mandatory 60 days specified by the

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Electoral Act 2010.

He said: “With this, I hereby dismiss the appeal, because it lacked merit to be entertained.”

The judge held that the appeal was filed out of time, saying the appellant has the judicial right to file his case, but that since it was not filed within the time allowed, the court had no option than to dismiss it and award N50,000 againt the appellant.

Addressing reporters after the judgment, Kwankwaso’s deputy, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the verdict confirmed the will of the people of Kano.

He described it as an act of God.

Senator decries fuel subsidy removal ENATOR Nurudeen

S

Abatemi-Usman (Kogi Central District) yesterday flayed the Federal Government for inflicting pains and hardship on Nigerians.

In a statement by his media aide, Michael Jegede, the senator said he had voiced out the position of Kogi Central District on the

Monday burnt four shops and damaged another at Shamaki Ward in Tudun Wada area of Gombe metropolis.

It was learnt that some rampaging youths set fire on one of the shops, which spread to the other shops.

The hoodlums, it was said, fled the scene immediately they started the fire.

But the other four shops were razed before a team of Mobile policemen arrived

From Vincent Ekhoragbon, Gombe

on the scene.

One other shop opposite Gombe State University was also destroyed by the rampaging youths.

The incident occourred after some Islamic sects clashed at the Gombe Central Mosque.

It was learnt that about three people were injured during the clash at the mosque.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE IN THE IKEJA JUDICIAL DIVISION (MATRIMONIAL CAUSES DIVISION) SUIT NO: ID/268HD/2011 BETWEEN: NDUBUISI ABEL CHIKEZIE

PETITIONER

VS ANGELINA CHIKEZIE

How to tackle Boko Haram menace, by ACN chieftain

By Emmanuel Oladesu

measure, adding that the electorate was against the move.

He added: “It is wrong to make the people start 2012 on a painful note. The Federal Government should have a rethink. To start paying N150 for a litre of fuel, as against N65, is unacceptable.”

Hoodlums burn, vandalise shops in Gombe OME hoodlums on

S

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle); Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle (left); outgoing Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Brig.-Gen. M. A. Alkali (second left); incoming Commander of the Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. J.O. Osuji, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, during a visit to the governor in Abeokuta.

RESPONDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO MRS ANGELINA CHIKEZIE TAKE NOTICE that a petition has been presented at the family and probate division of the above named court by Mr Ndubuisi Abel Chikezie of umuchi village Nkata Ibeku Umuahia Abia State instituting proceedings for a decree of dissolution of marriage on ground of desertion.

If you desire to defend the proceeding or to commence proceedings against the petitioner in relation to your marriage to the petitioner, you must file in the court an answer within 30 days of publication of this notice.

If you fail to take any steps in relation to the proceedings brought against you by the petitioner the proceedings shall be heard and an order may be made against you in your absence.

J.D. UWASOMBA ESQ 55,ADEOLA ODEKU STREET VICTORIAL ISLAND, LAGOS

PUBLIC NOTICE GLORIOUS ROYAL ROCK LIBERATION ASSEMBLY This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under part “C” of the companies and Allied Act of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Bro. Mike Enyioma 2. Bro. Emeka-Yellow Ikpegbu 3. Engr. Ikenna Okosisioma Ugorji 4 Bro. Albert Nwaogu 5. Bro. Uchechi Onyebinanma 6. Pastor Ifeanyi Mezue AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach and spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all nations.

2. To preach, teach and propagate the Word of God through electronic and print media and distribute magazines, pamphlets to all mankind, etc.

Any objection should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, PMB 198 Garki Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed BARR. ENYINNAYA D. ONYEGBU

T

HE Jigawa State deputy governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in last year’s election, Alhaji Muhammad Garba, has urged the Federal Government to improve security and unmask the sponsors of Boko Haram as some of the ways to tackle the activities of the sect.

He described as unacceptable the call by Boko Haram that Southerners should quit the North within a few days.

Garba, who addressed reporters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, noted that such a provocative statement by the outlawed group has the tendency to cause disaffection among Nigerians.

The ACN chieftain said the utterance did not portray members of the sect as patriotic Nigerians, saying this is a contradicting the true belief of Islam.

The politician urged the Federal Government to recruit more personnel into the Army to deal with the dissident group, which he described as misrepresenting the true teachings of Islam.

Garba said Islam neither

‘Religious tolerance’ll curb sect’

By Mercy Michael

T

HE Senior Pastor of House on The Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, has condemned the incessant bombings and killings by the Boko Haram sect.

He urged the Federal Government to strengthen security.

The cleric spoke at the church’s crossover service at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel, Lagos.

He said: “If something is not done soon, it could lead to a civil war. Muslims and Christians are not enemies and must not be seen as such. Moderate Muslims and Christians should dialogue and form an alliance. That will end the menace of Boko Haram.

“I implore Muslims and Christians to live together in peace, love and unity, because we are a nation ordained by God. We are collaborators for our equal progress. We are brothers in the Nigerian context and there is need to form a partnership. If we can do this, Boko Haram will be a thing of the past in 2012.”

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

supports terrorism nor the use of bombs to kill people.

He said: “There is a problem with the identity of Boko Haram as a group.

Why should such a faceless group be giving orders to a section of Nigeria from the South to quit the North within the next few days?

That is wrong. Genuine Muslims do not engage in such terrorist activities. The task is for the government,

through its security agencies, to unmask the forces and persons behind the dreaded group.

“Boko Haram is not recognised by genuine Muslims.

What I think the government should do is to tighten security around the country by recruiting more people into the Nigerian Army and other Armed Forces.

This is the right step to take by any government, by stepping up security around the affected areas.

“Another way out is to support the state of emergency that President Goodluck Jonathan has declared in some four northern states. This way, the situation will be brought under control.

“I am from the North and I think it is wrong for any group of persons to ask others to quit their area. We are peace-loving people in the North and will not support such unprovoked agitation by a group that still remains faceless for its unlawful activities.

“Nigerians are peace-loving people, living in a country that is so resourceblessed, from which every part of the country is benefiting. Why then will any group so-called ask some Nigerians to leave the North? I think such people are not Nigerians. They call themselves Boko Haram.

“Such a statement from Boko Haram has the tendency to break up the country. Why should such a group be asking Muslims to bomb churches and fight Christians. It is wrong for any group to wage war against other faith. Such people are not true believers of God.”

Gaidam, Shettima back emergency rule

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OVERNORS Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe and Kashim Shettima of Borno states yesterday threw their weight behind the declaration of emergency rule in some local government areas in their domains.

Gaidam spoke through his Special Adviser on Information and Press, Abdullahi Bego, while Shettima spoke through his deputy, Zanna Umar Mustapha, who urged royal fathers and clerics in the state to cooperate with security agents.

The Yobe governor said the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan was a step towards tackling the emerging security challenges in the country.

Bego said: “The Yobe State Government welcomes the move. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam believes that the security challenges the nation faces require bold and col-

‘Right move but wrong step’ From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

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HE senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Victor Lar, has faulted President Goodluck Jonathan for declaring a state of emergency in 15 local governments in four northern states.

Speaking on the action yesterday in Jos, Senator Lar said: “Mr President has the power, under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to impose a state of emergency as a pragmatic approach to solve the rising insecurity in some areas. But I notice a lot of faults in the declaration made by Mr. President on New Year’s eve.

“When Mr. President makes such an emergency declaration, the action should be approved by the National Assembly within 24 hours for it to have effect. Now, 24 hours have gone and the National Assembly has not given its approval. This means the action of Mr. President has become a nullity.

“I am in full support of the declaration of the state of emergency, but I will not support it when the wrong step is taken in such a laudable move.”

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

laborative effort to address.

“Long before the state of emergency declaration, the Yobe State Government had

worked closely with security agencies, including the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Security Service (SSS)

to ensure peace and security and the protection of life and property.

“The state government will continue this partnership and provide whatever assistance necessary to ensure a secure and peaceful state.

“The public should note that the state of emergency declaration is a security initiative. It does not affect the structure of political governance in the state.

“Governor Gaidam urges the public, especially in the affected five local government areas, to give maximum support and cooperation to the security agencies in their effort to ensure peace and security.

“His Excellency also calls on all people in the state not to relent in the prayers they have been offering for the Almighty Allah (SWT) to help us through.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

NEWS

Elechi accuses monarchs, politicians of plotting Ezillo attack E

BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi has accused some monarchs, politicians and stakeholders from Ezza of masterminding last weekend’s attack on the people of Ezillo.

Elechi spoke yesterday when traditional rulers from Ebonyi Central Senatorial District visited him.

He said some traditional rulers, politicians and stakeholders know the perpetrators.

The governor said he was angry with political office holders from Ezza North and South local governments who told him that they knew nothing about the attack.

Elechi warned them not to deceive him with such comments.

His words: “I know when I’m being deceived, let no one try to deceive me, I don’t like it.

“There are people within this hall who know the perpetrators of the crime in Ezillo, there are people within this hall who have

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

a hand in that crime, that is why civil wars are more difficult to fight than wars between nations. “ Whereever you have the 12 apostles, one of them must be Judas Iscariot.

“It is the Judases in our midst who are causing the mayhem in Ezillo.

“They believe that what they can’t get through the ballot box, they can get it by falsifying the state of our affairs.

“Regrettably for such people, the more they venture into evil deeds, the more we expose ourselves.

“I feel sad, indeed very sad and I made bold to say that there is so much insincerity in what we tell ourselves.

“The sentiments expressed here this afternoon are as they should be,

‘It is the Judases in our midst who are causing the mayhem in Ezillo.

They believe that what they can’t get through the ballot box, they can get it falsifying the state of our affairs’ many people here know what is happening and would never reveal it, that is why I’m sad.”

Elechi said the state is made up of people of different sub-ethnic groups and it cannot be held to ransom by any ethnic group.

Our detention has energised us, says Melaye

“We must live and work together with the knowledge that any ethnic group that attempts to destroy the other would fail.

“When Ezillo rocked and quaked I thought we had seen the worst.

“Nowhere in my life have I ever seen anything near what I saw at Ezillo on December 31.

“I was there with the Commissioner of Police and I personally counted 26 bodies lying on the road. “ Men, women and children, some less than six years old, and within 10 minutes more bodies were brought and I asked one person in my team to go and count them, he counted 35 bodies.

“We were told that more bodies were at the Nigercem Nkalagu mortuary, more are still scattered in the bushes, others were burnt in their houses because they couldn’t come out.”

The governor thanked the monarchs for coming, saying what they should do is resolve to fight crime, evil and expose the perpetrators of the act.

He noted that when the Ezza-Ezillo communal crisis started in 2008, the government spent about N70 million weekly on catering for the over 1,000 mobile personnel deployed in the area.

Elechi said it is regrettable that the people of Ezza are not sincere in the peaceful resolution of the crisis.

The monarchs’ spokesperson, Eze Dominic Aloh, said the traditional rulers from Ebonyi Central has cursed anyone from Ezza extraction, who knows about the massacre.

The team was led by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Igwe Nwagu and the Ezza North Council Chairman, Ikeuwa Omebe.

Monarchs from Ishielu Local Government boycotted the visit.

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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ORMER House of Representatives member Dino Melaye yesterday said his detention with other antifuel subsidy removal protesters on Monday by the police was an energiser and stimulant.

He said the experience has spurred them to remain on the side of the suffering masses.

Melaye spoke in Abuja after his release and eight others’.

He said: “Our detention is an energiser and a stimulant. We shall be back on the streets. Our struggle to deliver Nigerians from this corrupt, inept and wicked government, which suffers from limitation of ideas, is a battle of ‘no retreat, no surrender’.

“I want them to reserve our detention spaces because we shall be back on the streets, if this evil and satanic policy is not reversed soon.”

One of the leaders of NUASR, Mr Eze Nwagwu, who was also released urged Nigerians to remain resolute in the face of provocation from the government.

He said: “We are the 99 per cent. The government is only one per cent.

Therefore, the voice of the 99 per cent must be louder than the voice of one per cent who are now holding us by the jugular at the end of the day.

“We had thought they would take us to court but as I’m speaking with you, no single charge has been preferred against us.”

The Nation learnt that the eight detainees were held at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) cell after they had made statements to the police.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second right) ; Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Secretary to the State Government Moshood Adeoti and the Chief Judge, Olaniyi Ojo, at the religious interdenominational service at the Governor’s Office, Osogbo...yesterday

INEC, police promise violence-free election in Rivers

HE Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Aniedi Ikoiwak, has urged stakeholders to ensure a free, fair and violence-free Rivers East senatorial byelection tomorrow.

Ikoiwak made the remark yesterday in Port Harcourt at a stakeholders’ interactive forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The by-election will be held between George Sekibo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 11 candidates from other parties.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt had in November last year nullified the election of Sekibo on the grounds that the candidate of the Action Alliance, Leslie Michael’s name, was omitted in the voters

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From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

list.

Ikoiwak said the essence of the forum was to harness ways of improving the upcoming by-election and curtailing violence.

“I want to assure all of us gathered here that our task as a commission is to improve on what we did the other time and that the platform that we are going to use to experiment that improvement would come from us.

“I want to also appeal that all of us should work to make sure that we improve in our little contribution to make the electoral process in Nigeria a hitch-free.”

Ikoiwak stressed that INEC might not be able to conduct perfect elections,

but assured that officials of the commission were working hard and committed to doing things right at every opportunity.

The REC said: “We must move from one point to somewhere, in a positive direction. I wish to assure the electorate that INEC’s task is to improve on its last performance.

The electoral commission, however, advised all the players in the election to be fair.

Ikoiwak said the insensitive materials had been despatched to the local governments while the sensitive ones were being expected.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Suleiman Abba, represented

by Mohammed Zaki, an As-

sistant Commissioner of Police, said at least three policemen would man a polling unit.

Zaki said the police were fully prepared for the byelection and that 12,000 police personnel would be deployed in the election.

The command will restrict movement of vehicles between 10am and 4pm during the election.

The state Director, National Orientation Agency, Dr Andy Nweye, urged parties to be more organised during the polls to ensure a peaceful outing.

Nweye urged the parties to ensure that their agents had correct tags.

He, however, advised the voters to be orderly and wait patiently for their turn to vote, saying that jumping queues would bring about rowdiness and chaos.

Foundation lifts widows THE Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area in Lagos State has given money and food items to widows in the area.

Council Chair Babatunde Oke, represented by his wife, Aderonke, said the donation was on the platform of Bola Tinubu Foundation Outreach sponsored

by Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Over 100 widows benefitted from the programme.

Leader of the council’s legislative arm, Wahab Akerele, councillors and heads of departments attended the ceremony.

More than 100 bags of rice, groundnut oil and N2,500 cash per person were given out.

Group calls for mass protest RISING from an emergency meeting attended by its chapters in 24 states, the Integrity Youths Movement Nigeria (IYM) yesterday served a 24-hour notice on the Federal Government to revert itself on the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

The movement threatened to rock the boat should the government fail to act within the time.

In a statement by its National President, Dr. Tayo Komolafe, the group said: “This warning is coming after our consultations and deliberations with the government, at the state and federal levels. We are left without any other option than to go confrontational. We have directed all our members to go out and protest against the removal, after the expiration of the deadline.

“Subsidy removal is an executive coup against the already poor Nigerian masses.

“Meanwhile, we hereby warn the Nigeria Police that any arrest or intimidation against our members will not be taken lightly. It will be wise to get their focus on inconsistence, disgrace and embarrassment from Boko Haram and the security collapse in the country.

“We call on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and all fuel users to wake up to our call for the mass protest.”

Amaechi, Duke for boat festival From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcpourt

RIVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, are among dignitaries expected at the Opobo International Boat (OIB) racing festival tomorrow till Saturday at the ancient Kingdom of Opobo.

In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt by the Secretary of OIB Governing Board, Dr Sofiri JoabPeterside, it said the festival, which has been running for six years, has “established itself as a unique entertainment experience for both Nigerians and foreigners alike.

“It brings the truly indigenous Niger Delta cultural content to blend with those of other parts of Nigeria and West Africa.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

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FOREIGN NEWS

French President Sarkozy named in arms’ deal scandal

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RESIDENT of France Nicolas Sarkozy has been named by an investigation into an alleged party funding corruption scandal said to have led to the deaths of 11 French engineers in a Pakistan bomb attack.

It is claimed Mr Sarkozy must have been aware of the establishment of a shell company suspected of diverting cash from arms sales commissions to fund the 1995 presidential campaign of then Prime Minister Edouard Balladur.

The commissions, paid as part of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, were not illegal under French law at the time, but channelling the

money back to France was, and remains so.

Magistrates also allege the subsequent freezing of the payments by President Jacques Chirac led indirectly to a bomb attack on a bus in Pakistan which killed 11 French engineers.

The explosive accusations are a major embarrassment to Mr Sarkozy, the current French president, who is gearing up to for a re-election campaign in just four months time.

French newspaper Libération yesterday published the leaked transcript of a witness statement linking Mr Sarkozy, then budget minister, to the alleged scandal.

It quotes testimony from a former civil servant who claims Mr Sarkozy in 1994 must have ‘agreed’ to the setting up of a Luxembourgbased company, Heine, to handle the arms sales commissions.

Gerard-Philippe Menayas, former head of the DCNI Defence Ministry agency in charge of naval exports, was quoted as saying: ‘Clearly the budget minister necessarily gave his agreement for the creation of Heine.

‘Given the importance of the matter, this decision could only have been taken at the level of the minister’s personal staff.’

Two men found guilty in UK black teen’s murder

•Lawrence WO men have been convicted of the racist murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, 18 years after he was stabbed to death near a south London bus stop.

Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty by

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an Old Bailey jury after a trial based on forensic evidence.

Scientists found a tiny bloodstain on Dobson’s jacket that could only have come from Mr Lawrence.

They also found a single hair belonging to the teenager on Norris’s jeans. Sentencing will be done today.

Both Gary Dobson and David Norris denied murder In an exclusive interview with the BBC’s Panorama, Stephen’s mother Doreen Lawrence said: “I don’t forgive the boys who killed Stephen. They don’t think they have done anything wrong.

“They took away Stephen’s life and there is nothing in

their behaviour or anything to show they regret what their actions have done and the pain it has caused us as a family.”

In a statement read by his lawyer outside the Old Bailey, Stephen’s father, Neville Lawrence, said the convictions were a moment of joy and relief - but he could not rest until all of those who killed his son were brought to justice.

PUBLIC NOTICE AZEEZ I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kudirat Bolanle AZEEZ, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kudirat Bolanle OSINOWO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

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www.thenationonlineng.net

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.1996

Tomorrow in THE NATION ‘The problem facing the country on economy, security, development and education is legion and in order to solve these problems we have to scale down the cost of administration, the salaries of politicians, eradicate corruption and share the pains. But at the end of the day, there can be no crown without thorns’ JIDE OSUNTOKUN

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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EGULAR readers of this column would have noticed I was absent last week without notice. Three week before, I had written an unusually long piece about why I believed some dark forces were - and still are - playing dangerous games with Boko Haram. Among other things, I quoted extensively from an article by one Gordon Duff, an American war veteran and Senior Editor at Veterans Daily, who claimed he was well-connected with the Goodluck Jonathan presidency.

In that article, he made apparently credible allegations that some foreign interest groups in cahoots with their well-connected local collaborators were manipulating the country’s insecurity situation for fat filthy lucre and, in the process, targeting Nigeria for destruction.

Perhaps his most frightening allegation was, in his own words, that “Christian Nigeria is being set up, not just to fight a ‘terror group’ in the North, but to take on all of Islamic Africa to draw them into a war that will bring more players, Americans for one, into another endless cesspool” similar to Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The horrendous Christmas Day apparent suicide bombing allegedly by Boko Haram, the extreme Islamic sect, of a Catholic Church in Madalla, a suburb of Abuja, the Federal capital, but located in Niger State, aroused my worst fears that Duff’s doomsday prophesy might well come true sooner than later.

Obviously it was the subject to write about that week. I tried to do so but staying in Bida, my hometown in Niger State, where I was spending the long Christmas holiday away from my study in Kaduna, I did not have sufficient material to write sensibly about the subject.

Ten days on and with enough material to do so, I still don’t know what to say about the bombing beyond condemning it in the strongest language which, obviously, is not enough; beyond the condemnations, one should offer solutions to what seems to have become an intractable problem. And this is where words have failed me.

I mean, how do you offer a possible solution to a problem that those in authority who have the duty to tackle seem to have an interest in prolonging? As if to compound my confusion even more, President Jonathan decided to do the unthinkable; pour petrol on New Year’s eve on the insecurity that has been hanging fire in the country by completely removing the subsidy on oil, and thus more than double its price, something which no leader of this country has ever contemplated mainly because of its capacity to push inflation beyond unbearable limit.

For a pundit like me, obviously, the last thing to write about this week would be the celebration of anyone’s birthday. The times are simply too bleak for any celebration. But then, the subject of the column today is not just anybody, certainly not when he is someone who, for better or worse, has arguably had the greatest impact on our foreign policy since Independence in 1960.

So if celebrating Professor Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi’s 70th birthday today

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Bolaji Akinyemi at 70

•Prof. Akinyemi

looks like “going to Afghanistan,” i.e. writing about an issue remote from most peoples’ mind, it is not. Certainly not when there are foreign dimensions to the insecurity problems confronting the nation and not when foreign policy is the strong forte of the man whose birthday we are celebrating today.

So today we shall leave the subject of Boko Haram and the president’s incredulous and unprecedented removal of oil subsidy – others before him have only reduced it even if sometimes drastically - for another day and talk about the man who has left the most visible legacy on our foreign affairs.

Back in 1978, on January 31, to be precise, I wrote a piece in the New Nigerian under my column “Political Diary,” entitled “Academic Prostitution.” In it I criticised the foreign policy of General Olusegun Obasanjo, which I said was a betrayal of the radical foreign policy pursued by the assassinated General Murtala Mohammed whom he had succeeded.

“It seems,” I said in the piece, “we are more concerned with being in the good books of the West than in our own good.”

As evidence, I mentioned the raising of the status of our mission in Tehran, Iran, then under the stranglehold of the late Shah, Reza Pahlevi, then perhaps the “blue-eyed

boy” of the West. I also mentioned the gratuitous taking of our first jumbo foreign loan under the pretext that there was no alternative to doing so.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not pleased in the least with my comment and sent in a harsh rejoinder, which the officer who signed it for the Permanent Secretary said I was at liberty to publish “if you so wish.” Working for a newspaper owned by the Federal Government, I knew it would not be a wise thing not to publish the rejoinder. So I did.

“Your superficial analysis and ill-conceived criticisms of the present administration’s economic and foreign policies,” the half-page rejoinder said, “can only be regarded as unfortunate since you are supposed to know better in order to be able to inform the general public who read your column.”

The rejoinder then went on to educate me on why it was necessary to raise the status of our bilateral relations with Iran and why we needed to a take our first foreign jumbo loan.

Relevant as it is, it is not really necessary to go into the details of our exchange for today’s subject matter. Suffice it to reveal that even though I did not name names I had Professor Akinyemi in mind when I talked about academic prostitution.

For, at that time, the professor had become the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and, through his academic prowess, had succeeded in making it truly the think-tank of our foreign policy formulation, something which no DG before him had succeeded in doing.

Akinyemi came to the attention of those in authority through his well-informed and articulate interventions in policy debates in newspapers, especially the New Nigerian, then the most literate and influential newspaper in the country, as a young lecturer in the Political Science Department of University of Ibadan.

It came as no surprise then when in 1975, following the coup against General Yakubu Gowon in August, then Colonel Joe Garba who had played a critical role in the coup as the Commander of Gowon’s Brigade of Guards and had become the Foreign Minister, picked Akinyemi to head the NIIA. It was to Akinyemi’s eternal credit that he made the institution a household name akin to how Professor Dora Akunyili made NAFDAC a household word, with the big difference that in Akinyemi’s case it was more substance than image.

HARDBALL

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F President Goodluck Jonathan had known how deeply ironical and revealing of his personality his statement at the First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja, would be, he would have been more careful in choosing his words. He had gone to the church for the New Year service and had, as usual, been offered the chance to say a few words to the congregation. Never in want of something dramatic to say, Jonathan suggested that his slow approach to taking decisions was more a deliberate thing to avoid taking wrong decisions than a reflection of any inherent fault in his psychology. Said he: “When I’m challenged, I think more. I don’t rush to take decisions. I listen more to people; that is why it looks as if I’m slow. I also know that when people rush to take decisions, they also make a lot of mistakes.”

The president was apparently trying to justify why it took him so long in taking a decision to impose a state of emergency in

Presidential slow motion some areas of the four northern states of Niger, Borno, Yobe and Plateau. It is not clear whether the statement also referred to his decision on fuel subsidy removal, which many people thought was too hasty in view of the fact that he said he was still consulting. It is true his decision on state of emergency came alarmingly late, but no one, except perhaps himself, is sure the late decision was a product of slow reflection or of stumbling into an understanding that comes after all other options had been deployed without success.

Even then, we must take the president’s statements with a pinch of salt. He says when he is challenged he thinks more. Now, where on earth did he get that impression from?

There is nothing in his antecedents, nothing in his policies, nothing he has said or done

on the key issues challenging the stability and growth of Nigeria and its democratic experience to show that his response to challenges is more thinking. If he had offered us a few examples, we would have delightfully considered them and perhaps come to the same conclusion he felt was reasoned. In fact, whether on that same Boko Haram issue, or on fuel subsidy, or on Nigeria’s political evolution, or on the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, we find nothing to substantiate his assertion that he reasoned more when challenged.

Jonathan also asserts that he listens more to people. This is spuriousness taken too far. If he listened to people as he claimed, his decision on fuel subsidy would have shown it. If indeed he listens, then he is apparently inattentive, and he probably confuses listening with attentiveness. He also says that his late

It was his personal influence and that of the NIIA on foreign policy under General Obasanjo which prompted my article on academic prostitution. At that time it had become apparent that there was a not-so-subtle pro-Western shift in our foreign policy, away from the radical one that General Murtala Mohammed had pursued especially on the issues of Apartheid and the liberation wars in Lusophone Africa; Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.

If it was no surprise that Akinyemi became the DG of NIIA at the time he did, it was even less surprising that he became General Ibrahim Babangida’s Foreign Minister in August 1985, following the general’s palace coup against General Muhammadu Buhari.

He held the job for a little over two years.

For those two odd years he proved himself arguably the most effective foreign minister, what with the initiatives he took in several areas, above all the establishment of the Technical Aide Corps (TAC), Nigeria’s answer to the famous American Peace Corps, with the difference that its members served only in African and Caribbean countries.

Today the TAC remains the Foreign Affairs most visible and enduring legacy.

From his newspaper interviews ahead of his birthday today, the man himself obviously believes his greatest initiative was his attempt to establish a “Concert of Medium Powers” which was to serve as a forum of medium-status countries across the world, including small Western countries like Sweden. The idea was laughed out of court by most foreign policy pundits, most of who believed the forum could only further undermine the Non-Aligned Movement, ineffectual as it seemed.

Whatever its merits, the idea never took root.

Since Independence in 1960 we have had some 23 odd ministers of Foreign Affairs. Of the lot most Nigerians would, I am sure, agree that the four most outstanding have been the perpendicular Jaja Wachuku, the second Foreign Minister – the first was Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, our first and only Prime Minister who held the portfolio briefly for a year from April 1960, and after whom the impressive headquarters of the ministry next to Eagle Square, Abuja, has been named – Dr Okoi Arikpo, the longest serving (1967 to 1975), General Joe Garba, under the dynamic leadership of General Murtala Mohammed, and our celebrant. Of the four, it is a toss-up between Garba and Akinyemi who has had the widest name recognition.

My own bet would go to Akinyemi if only because the general has since departed this world, but the Good Lord has spared our celebrant to be 70 today, and, no matter what anyone may think of his academic integrity and there are many who do not think much of it, as opposed to his academic brilliance which no one can question - he has arguably been the most influential voice in our foreign policy formulation since Independence.

Here’s wishing the man many more years of service to his country.

•For comments, send SMS to 08054502909 .

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above decisions make him look as if he is slow. The truth is that he doesn’t just look like he is slow; he is indeed slow. But if he is slow and he ends up taking the right decisions, we would become accustomed to his speed, as undesirable as it might be, and rejoice that his painstakingness is at least bearing fruit.

But by far the most untruthful of his assertions is the one that equates fast decisions with lots of mistakes. There is nothing anywhere in the humanities or in the social sciences that establishes an inverse relationship between fast decisions and more mistakes. Absolutely nothing. Had he done his famously slow reflection on the topic, he would have known there is no link between the two. He is welcome to his slow decisions, but let him at least not buffet us with his furious mistakes. Since he thinks more when challenged, we throw him the challenge to think fast. Perhaps, for a change, that would see him making better decisions.

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