The Nation January 11, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

EFCC grills Soludo over N750m contract

Ayo ‘The Arena’ Ositelu dies at 69 SPOR TS Page 41 SPORTS

NEWS

•Journalist slumps watching TV

•Ex-CBN governor seeks bail Page 6

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2368 FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

12 vehicles, shops gone in Ibadan fires

•SEE PAGES 7&9

•The scene of the inferno at Sanyo, Ibadan...yesterday

Eminent citizens to Jonathan: disband your cabinet now Oshiomhole accuses DIG of aide’s murder

Nwabueze, Asiodu, Ibru, others call for National Conference

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HE ship of the Nigerian state is sinking, eminent Nigerians said in Lagos yesterday.

The Patriots urged President Goodluck Jonathan to take radical steps to stop the country from descending into anarchy.

The group’s leader, Prof. Ben Nwabuaeze, an octogenarian constitutional lawyer and one time Secretary of Education, read a statement at a Lagos news conference in which the group urged Dr. Jonathan to “reconstruct his government immediately and appoint a competent, energetic, selfless, patriotic team, which will assist him in initiating the peaceful but far-reaching revolution involved”.

The Patriots also insisted on a national conference, saying the increasing demands for more states and local governments is “seen by many of the would-be rulers of the new entities as the quickest way to personal fortune and not necessarily for dedicated public service, to spread development and improve the standard of living and quality of life of the vast majority of our people”.

Nwabueze said the government has failed to tackle the Boko Haram challenge. “Security of lives and property is the foremost challenge for any government. On the issue of Boko Haram, we do not believe that it is being tackled effectively by the Federal GovContinued on page 63

•Police get Code of Conduct •Nwabueze

•Adebanjo

•Asiodu

•Ajayi

•Mrs. Kuforiji-Olubi

•Akinrinade

‘

We are only postponing the evil day, until we have a National Conference. We must have it, if we don’t have it now, we will have it some day

’

•Ibru

•Obi

THE DEMANDS •Convocation of National Conference •Reconstruction of government •Improved security •Appointment of a selfless, patriotic, energetic team •Stop outrageous renumeration of political office holders •No to proliferation of government agencies •Punishment for people found guilty of corruption

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday called for the immediate dismissal of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Mr. Peter Gana, for allegedly bungling the investigation of his Principal Secretary’s murder.

Olaitan Oyerinde was murdered on May 4, last year at his 65, Second Ugbo Road, GRA, Benin City home.

Oshiomhole, who spoke in Abuja yesterday at the launch of the Police Code of Conduct, said Gana should be charged

‘

The DIG Force CID has a case to answer. It is either he is guilty of conspiracy to murder or is guilty of conspiracy to shield murderers or both

’

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

with murder or conspiracy after the fact of murder. Gana was detailed by Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to investigate the murder.

According to the governor, instead of going after Oyerinde’s murderers, the DIG seized Oyerinde’s friend, Rev. David Ugolor, and clamped him into detention for two months.

Oshiomhole also accused the DIG of presenting a gun, which was recovered from a previous crime scene, as the one used in the Oyerinde murder.

Addressing the IGP, Oshiomhole said: “I am aggrieved that my Principal Secretary was murdered in cold blood. And I am aggrieved that the DIG in charge of Force CID, who was detailed to investigate the case, decided to do poContinued on page 6

•AGRIC P17•SPORT P23 •SOCIETY P25 •BRAND P29 •POLITICS P43

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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NEWS

Plea bargain and N To many, plea bargain is a recipe for impunity in corruption cases, allowing political bigwigs to get away with serious offences. Others argue it quickens disposal of cases and reduces the time and cost of litigation, writes OLUWAKEMI OLADIPO of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

•Vice President Namadi Sambo presenting the Code of Conduct and Professional Standard for police officers in PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN Abuja..yesterday.

• From left: Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in Nigeria, Mr. Tetsuo Seki and the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, at the hand over of additional classrooms built by JICA in Kano State to the Ministry of Education in Abuja ... yesterday

U

NTIL recently, most Nigerians were not familiar with the legal term “plea bargain’’ as it was not part of Nigeria’s history.

Plea bargain is a process whereby a criminal defendant and the prosecutor reach a mutually satisfactory disposition.

The term became known and applied with the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following increased level of corruption.

The judiciary then began to apply the process in justice administration particularly in high profile cases prosecuted by the EFCC. Some cases so far resolved through plea bargain include the case of misuse of depositors’ funds preferred against a former Chief Executive Officer of the Oceanic Bank, Mrs Cecelia Ibru.

The prosecution and the defence agreed under plea bargain that Mrs. Ibru should forfeit 199 assets and funds worth about N190 billion and be sentenced to only six months’ imprisonment.

Also, the money laundering case against former former Bayelsa State Diepriye Alamieseiya was disposed of through plea bargain which required him to forfeit some assets and to escape stiff penalty.

Former Governor Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State also had his money-laundering case determined through plea bargain.

Many Nigerians, including lawyers, have criticised the application of this process in the nation’s legal system.

Some argue that plea bargain is not part of Nigeria’s history and others say that its application will fuel corruption since it allows less punishment for corrupt people.

The immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, is a major critic of plea bargain which, he describes, as dubious.

He said: “The concept is not only dubious but was never part of the history of our legal system — at least until it was surreptitiously smuggled into our statutory laws with the creation of the EFCC.” Musdapher made the submission at an Alternative Dispute Resolution summit organised by the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group and the National Judicial Institute.

An eminent lawyer and university lecturer, Prof. Adedokun Adeyemi, explains that plea bargain was not specifically provided for under any Nigerian federal legislation, and that the nearest to plea bargain was Section 14(2) of the EFCC Act. He accused the EFCC of employing

Alleged $15m Ibori bribe: Court rues slow proceedings

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•From left: Business Development Manager, First Bank Nigeria Plc, Calabar, Cross River State, Mr. Frank Onyia; past winner of Peugeot 307, Col. Ferdinand Ekpo-Mbang; Head, Consumer Banking Products, FirstBank, Mrs. Funke Smith; and Head, Media and External Relations Marketing and Corporate Communications, Mr. Babatunde Lasaki, at the bank’s ‘Save and Excel Promo’ grand finale in Calabar … yesterday.

•Senator Gbenga Ashafa (second right) presenting a gift to the United States Consul General, Lagos, Mr Jeffrey .J. Hawkins when he visited the Senator’s Constituency Office on CMD Road, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos ... yesterday.

With them are former chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, ‘Tunde Buraimoh and Political Officer in the U.S. Consulate, Mr. Ben Lazarus.

FEDERAL High Court, Abuja, has blamed lawyers for the slow proceedings at the hearing of the ownership suit on the $15 million traced to the convicted former Governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ibori.

Ibori allegedly gave the money as bribe to former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

The anti-graft agency wants the money forfeited to the Federal Government, while Delta State is laying claim to it.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Gabriel Kolawole lamented the interlocutory applications by parties in the matter after EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs, (SAN), moved an application for the extension of time within which to file a further counter affidavit.

Justice Kolawole said: “I don’t like the way we are wasting time on interlocutory applications without getting to the substantive matter. This is because of the interlocutory applications which counsels bring before the court by counsels.”

Jacobs told the court there was the need to respond to new issues raised by the Delta State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Ajuyah, (SAN).

Ajuyah, urged the court to discard the application for lacking merit.

He noted also that the applicant has failed to advance any reason upon which the court can act judicially and judiciously.

Jacob said Section 36 of the Constitution which the claimant cited does not accord a party an endless right to file process in a matter.

Following an interim order, the Delta State government formally approached the court with an ap-

•Ibori From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

plication, seeking an order to release the amount to its treasury.

Following Ibori’s denial that he did not offer the bribe, the money had since 2007 been kept in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for safe keep.

In a 35-paragraph affidavit in support of the application, the state averred that the money would facilitate the current developmental projects in the state.

The deponent, one Nikiru Bridget Emakpor, a legal officer in the Ministry of Justice, averred that Ibori was a governor of the state between May 29, 1999 and May 29, 2007, the period the money in dispute was allegedly offered as bribe by the former governor.

The state therefore said the $15 million was its exclusive property.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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NEWS

d Nigeria’s Criminal Justice Administration

•Mrs Ibru

the section to make defendants to make restitution in derogation of Section 29 (2) of the Evidence Act. According to the don, the Evidence Act provided that confessions are inadmissible if obtained by oppression, but that the EFCC has been employing Section 14(2) of its Act to persuade defendants to make restitution “with promises made by the commission’s agents’’.

The section, Prof Adeyemi argued, empowers the commission to compound any offence punishable under the Act, by accepting money as it deems it, notwithstanding the amount to which the accused would have been liable if convicted.

He said: “Before resorting to plea bargain, there must be voluntariness on the part of the person willing to plea bargain; this willingness must be

• Justice Minister Mohammed Adoke

backed by a court approval.’’

Adeyemi noted that the concept is being abused in Nigeria’s criminal jurisprudence.

He, however, notes that plea bargain expedites the conclusion of the criminal process without the need for a formal trial, thereby reducing congestion of the cause lists of courts.

The professor said that plea bargain reduces cost of prosecution, noting that in the United States (U.S.), more than 90 per cent of criminal cases was being settled through plea bargain.

A social critic and lawyer, Mr Bamidele Aturu, described plea bargaining as an embarrassment to Nigeria’s judicial system.

He said the concept encourages people who unlawfully enriched

Fed Govt: return toxic wastes containers to UK

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HE Federal Government has ordered that the toxic waste laden containers on board MV Marivia Monrovia be shipped back to the port of origin in the United Kingdom (U.K.), Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Ngozi Benebo said yesterday.

The Liberian flagged container ship with gross tonnage of 23, 652, which berthed at the TICT container of Tin-Can Island Port on Wednesday, was intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and NESREA. Some containers in the ship were laden with used television sets, used computers, used CPUs, used DVDs, used microwaves, used pressing irons and used stereo sets.

Dr Benebo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that returning the consignment to its port of origin was in conformity with the provisions of Harmful Wastes Act, promulgated after the Koko waste saga.

She said: “We are sending the ewastes back to the port of origin,” NAN quoted NESREA’s directorgeneral as saying.

She said her agency was going to work according to the Nigerian laws on the matter, adding that the agency would do exactly what the laws said.

The NESREA chief promised that the vessel owners would be heavily sanctioned in line with the laws of the land.

Her words: “The captain wanted to deceive Nigerians. When he realised that there was a red alert on the containers, he lied that the containers were not destined for Nigeria and that they were meant for another country, which was completely false.

“I conferred with the Comptroller General of Customs, who said that

once it is manifested as Nigeria, the containers must be dropped and inspected in Nigeria.”

She said that the inspection of the containers, as directed by the NCS comptroller-general, was carried out by officials of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the NCS and other security agencies. B Dr. Benebo said it was discovered that the containers were meant to be disposed off in Nigeria. According to her, Nigeria will never be used as a dumping ground and “we will resist any attempt by any country to make Nigeria dumping ground.”

She said that her agency acted on a tip off to track down the toxic contents in the ship.

The importers have been identified as Messrs Moronuk David and Bonik Investment.

A shipment of over 3,500 tonnes of toxic wastes from Italy was imported to Koko Port, a coastal community in the old Bendel State in 1988.

In April 2010, the NCS arrested and detained a Maersk Line vessel, MV Nashiville, laden with toxic wastes (lead batteries classified as Basel code A1180 and broken televisions.

Again in June 2010, NCS also arrested and detained a ship, MV Gumel, in Lagos port for bringing in eight containers with materials suspected to be toxic wastes.

In October 2010, a vessel, MV Vera D, carrying three containers laden with toxic black and white television sets, was detained at the Tin-Can Port, Lagos.

The toxic-laden containers were sent back to the port of origin in the U.S. In Dec. 2012, NESREA impounded four containers of used electronics described as “e-wastes” in Apapa Port.

•Igbinedion

themselves with public funds to escape long sentences, giving the impression that only the poor will serve the long-term punishment under the law.

Aturu said: “It leads to corruption, and corruption has reduced our moral values.”

Another lawyer, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, also argued that plea bargain favours only the rich and influential, adding that it has caused some controversies in the judicial system “because those who looted public funds don’t want to be punished’’.

He advocated that the concept should also be applied in cases involving the poor so that they can take its advantage.

Another SAN, Mr Vincent Ohaneri, described plea bargain as a well thought-out initiative but would not thrive in Nigeria’s political, judicial and socio-economic milieu.

According to him, the concept will not augur well in because most political “big wigs” have seized the opportunity of plea bargain get away with serious offences that required criminal prosecution.

He said: “A handful of our elites in the country have used plea bargain to run away from just punishment for criminal acts.

“The concept should be completely abrogated from our judicial system. I say this because Nigeria as a nation is already faced with too many cases of corruption and financial malpractice.

•Lamorde

“These culprits should be made to face the wrath of the law, rather than romancing with them in the name of plea bargain.

Mr. Mike Agbamuche, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, has belief plea bargain enables individuals to get away with their wrong doings.

He said that financially-enhanced individuals, who enter into plea bargain, do not feel the brunt of punishment because they merely refunded a specified amount. ‘ Agbamuche said: “I do not see the justice in plea bargain as that is a door left open for abuse.

“When a crime is committed against a society, there should be deterring punishments, and to my mind, plea bargain is not one of such deterrents.’’

He, therefore urged abolition of the practice.

Mr Onyekachi Ubani, the Ikeja branch Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, also describes plea bargain as unhealthy to the judicial system.

“The manner and mode of application of plea bargain is questionable,”Ubani argued, adding that the process is clearly a recipe for impunity in corruption cases.

However, Mr Chris Uche, (SAN), viewed the system from a different perspective, as according to him, plea bargain is a good initiative since it quickens disposal of cases.

•Alamieyeseigha

The senior advocate said: “Plea bargain is a good concept in criminal prosecution, which has been successfully experimented abroad.

“But like every other thing in Nigeria, the concept is abused, particularly when utilised in prosecution of criminal cases.’’

Also Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said that the advantages of plea bargain surpasses its disadvantages because it makes room for conviction, sentence or sanction with resources saved.

“As long as it is carried out in an honest manner— without any underhand arrangements— it has more of advantages than disadvantages,” Sagay argued.

Mr Emmanuel Oche Ochai, also a lawyer, agreed that plea bargain, though new to Nigeria’s legal system, saves the time and cost of litigation.

Ochai expressed satisfaction that the process requires the defendant to pay part of his loot and get less punishment.

He said where the law provides for maximum sentence, the judge has discretion to give the minimum sentence. Ochai says.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, is satisfied that the EFCC has been able to use plea bargain to conclude some high profile cases.

He lists the cases to include those involving former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Tafa Balogun; Alamieyeseigha, Igbinedion and Mrs. Ibru.

What Plea Bargain is all about

T

HE Black’s Law Dictionary defines a plea bargain as the process whereby the accused and the prosecutor in a criminal case work out a mutually satisfactory disposition of the case subject to court approval.

It usually involves the defendant’s pleading guilty to a lesser offense or to only one or some of the counts of a multi-count indictment in return for a lighter sentence than that possible for the graver charge.

There are three different kinds of plea bargain. The Charge Bargain is where a prosecutor allows the accused to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to only some of the charges that have been filed against him or her. This typically occurs or is negotiated at the pre-trial phase.

If a bargain is struck after the beginning of trial, then the prosecutor will withdraw the charges and re-arraign the accused.

A Sentence Bargain is offered when the defendant is told in advance what the sentence will be if he or she pleads guilty.

EFCC’s move to legalise process

L

AST year, the EFCC approached the National Assembly with bill to legalise the controversial concept of plea-bargaining.

The anti-graft chief said then: “It should be noted that except in Lagos State, there is no legal provision in Nigeria directly empowering the prosecution to enter into plea bargaining with persons accused of a crime.

“It is desirable, in view of the controversial nature of plea bargaining and the possibility of abuse inherent therein, to clearly regulate its practice by law. There are steps already being taken in this direction.

“It is worthy to note that there is a draft plea bargaining provision of the Nigerian Administration of Criminal Justice Bill at the National Assembly”.

By Adebisi Onanuga and Joseph Jibueze

The Fact Bargain involves the defendant admitting to certain facts (admission of truth or existence of provable fact, thereby eliminating the need for the prosecutor to have to prove them) in return for agreement not to introduce certain facts into evidence. The Fact Bargain can sometimes be possible but is not the usual practice.

A plea bargain allows both parties to avoid a lengthy criminal trial and may allow criminal defendants to avoid the risk of conviction at trial on a more serious charge. For example, a criminal defendant charged with a felony theft charge, the conviction of which would require imprisonment in state prison, may be offered the opportunity to plead guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge, which may not carry jail time.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

NEWS

•President Goodluck Jonathan (fifth left) Vice-President Namadi Sambo (fourth left) with members of Ndi Igbo in Lagos during their visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja…yesterday

Oshiomhole accuses DIG of aide’s murder Continued from page 1

lice magic.

“According to the police entry, the gun that was tendered as the one used in killing Oyerinde was a gun that was recovered from a previous crime scene that was already in police custody.

“The DIG frustrated the investigation using another senior police officer to thwart investigation. As I am talking now, that police officer has just been promoted by the police authorities.

“I demand that the DIG and that police officer be dismissed immediately. They are unfit to carry on with their duties. They should not be allowed to continue with police job.

“I am aggrieved over the murder of my private secretary and the way in which it was trivialised. I am saying it knowing that the Vice President is here.

My secretary was murdered in cool blood and you dispatched a DIG to supervise that investigation.

“A DIG is a sufficiently senior officer. They came to Benin and they did what (Afro beat musician) Fela (Ransome-Kuti) would have called police magic. In the end, they went for a civil rights activist and charged him with the offence of murder.

“The DIG Force CID has a case to answer. It is either he is guilty of conspiracy to murder or is guilty of conspiracy to shield murderers or both. In which case, he cannot wear his police uniform. He must be dismissed.

“That Deputy Commissioner

EFCC grills Soludo over N750m contract

THE POLICE CODE OF CONDUCT •Officers and men shall perform their duties impartially without favour of affection or ill will and without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or aspiration.

•Officers and men must never employ unnecessary force or violence and will use only such force in discharge of duty, as is reasonable in all circumstances. The use of force should be used only after discussion, negotiation and persuasion have been found to be inappropriate or ineffective.

•Officers and men must maintain confidentiality on information obtained about members of the public and such information must not be improperly divulged.

•Officers and men must not engage in acts of bribery and corruption nor condone such acts . They must avoid any conduct that might compromise integrity and that which undercuts the confidence reposed in them by the public. They must not accept gifts, presents, subscriptions, favours, gratitudes or promises that could be interpreted as seeking to cause them to refrain from performing official responsibilities honestly and within the law.

•Officers and men must cooperate with all legally authorised agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.

•Officers and men will be responsible for their own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve their level of knowledge and experience.

•Officers and men will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to the Force or to themselves. A police officer’s conduct while on duty must always be exemplary, thus maintaining a position of respect in the community in which he or she lives and serves. The officer’s personal behaviour must be beyond reproach.

of Police has no business wearing police uniform because, by my judgment, in his own narrative, he is a criminal. They wrote a report that the man who was involved in the murder, including the entry made by a DPO in a police station, was already under police detention.

“The weapon that was used for the murder was used for armed robbery earlier, recovered by the police and under police

custody at the time my secretary was murdered.

“So, the man who murdered my secretary was in police custody, the gun used was in police custody and this is the finding of the police. The only conclusion that can be reached was that the police ordered the murder of my private secretary.

“The officer went and this is in black and white. I ask you to read it that he has done a thorough job

F •Oshiomhole

under a very skillful DIG in charge of Force CID and the sky is their limit.

“And I ask the Vice President to report to the President that if they do not find the killers of Olaitan, he can’t expect the people of Edo State and all those who know Olaitan to have confidence in the security agencies.

“I feel terrible that as a Governor, I can’t get justice. If I can’t get justice, then an average Nigerian cannot expect justice and we can’t have justice if we can’t tell the truth.”

The governor bemoaned the culture of impunity involving the police and the civil service.

“This country cannot be reduced to a banana republic.

When the stick and carrot game is appropriately applied, the message of discipline would be clear to all”, the Governor said.

Giving an example of such culture of impunity, Oshiomhole cited a case in Edo State.

He said: “I want to be specific. In Edo State, a policeman Continued on page 63

ORMER Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Prof. Charles Soludo kept a date with detectives yesterday at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Soludo was asked to say all he knew about the N750million polymer contract.

As from the press time last night, the ex-CBN governor was still at the commission’s office in Abuja.

President Umaru Yar‘Adua had in company with the CBN governor launched the new N5, N10 and N50 polymer notes on September 30, 2009 at the Presidential Villa.

The circulation of the new bank notes coincided with Nigeria ’s 49th Independence Anniversary celebration.

But there have been allegations of shady deal between some CBN officials and Securency International Pty of Australian.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) already probed the allegation that N750million was offered by Securency to win the contract.

Although the contract for the printing of N5, N10 and N50 notes was awarded in April 2009, the scandal involving Securency was perpetrated in 2006.

The probe conducted by AFP gave clues, which the

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

EFCC is looking into, it was learnt yesterday.

In the last few months, the EFCC has interrogated some top officials of the CBN and the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have been on this case for many months, but we have got to a convenient bend that we ought to interact with the ex-CBN Governor.

“Soludo, who arrived at our office at about 9am, is still being interrogated by a team of crack operatives. At least, he has spent eight hours with us.

“We may detain him overnight because the probe is likely to stretch far into the night.”

Another EFCC source said: “The fact is that the Federal Government has, since 2009, been in receipt of a confidential security memo from the Australia Federal Police Authority which gave details into how the bribery was perpetrated.

“The bribe had to do with a series of multimillion-dollar payments by RBA firm Securency into offshore bank accounts of two British-based businessmen for onward transfer to some CBN and government officials.

Continued on page 7

Tukur’s peace moves fail as Adamawa PDP crisis lingers

A

FENCE-MENDING initiative of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, with aggrieved members of the National Working Committee (NWC) has suffered a setback.

The NWC members yesterday remained adamant on their resolution that the justconcluded congresses in Adamawa State were illegal and unconstitutional.

Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido Committee, constituted to look into the crisis, is expected to begin the probe on January 22.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that in spite of the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan, the NWC members yesterday insisted on the reinstatement of Alhaji Umaru Mijinyawa Kaugama State Executive Committee.

But National Chairman Tukur, is still standing by the purported election of a new

Jonathan, PDP governors parley over crisis in the party

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors on the need to ensure unity and oneness in the party.

The president and governors on Wednesday separately waded in the crisis within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The party leadership is divided over the crisis in the Adamawa State chapter.

Following the sacking of the council in October, last year, Governor Murtala Nyako and other PDP governors urged the NWC to reconsider its stand but the National Chairman of the party, who is also from the state, failed to yield ground.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

State Executive Committee headed by Chief Joel Madaki.

It was unknown last night, which of the factions would manage PDP in Adamawa State pending the conclusion of investigation by Lamido’s

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

As the crisis degenerated, 10 members of the party’s NWC on Tuesday convened a meeting in Abuja, excluding the chairman.

The meeting annulled the congresses conducted in Adamawa by the Caretaker Committee, which was set up by the national leadership of the party and reinstated the executive council loyal to Governor Murtala Nyako.

The crisis also led to a sharp division between the party’s national leadership and the governors.

The issues were later resolved with the intervention of the President on Wednesday as the PDP NWC rescinded its earlier decision to dissolve the Adamawa PDP executive.

The PDP governors met on Wednesday

Committee.

A top source in the party, who spoke with our correspondent last night, said: “Although the President intervened, the National Chairman and NWC members could not reach a compromise on Thurs-

at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja. The meeting endorsed the decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) rescinding the dissolution of the executive of Adamawa PDP. The governors also endorsed the NWC’s decision declaring the ward, local government and state congresses in Adamawa, null and void .

The governors reaffirmed their recognition of the Kugama-led executive, which was elected in March 2012 and endorsed by the national convention.

The governors also resolved to call for National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to be held as at when due as provided in the PDP constitution.

day on who will be in charge of the affairs of PDP in Adamawa State .

“As far as the NWC members are concerned, we were adamant on the reinstatement of Alhaji Umaru Mijinyawa Kaugama State Executive

Continued on page 7

Committee which was known to and recognized by the last National Convention of the party.

“The National Chairman tried to reach out to us on Thursday by saying that we should wait for the outcome of

the probe of the leadership crisis by Lamido Committee but our position is that the legal faction of Kaugama should be in charge.

“We have not been able to arrive at a meeting point on who should be in charge. But since NWC is greater than the chairman, Kaugama Executive Committee will be recognized by the party. So, we are standing by our Tuesday decision.”

But in a statement, the PDP National Secretariat said the NWC was intact without any commitment on who should be in charge in Adamawa.

Continued on page 7

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

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THE NATION FRIDAY JANUARY 11, 2013

NEWS CPC slams Obasanjo’s comments on Boko Haram From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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HE Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has blamed former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his comment on the Boko Haram sect.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said: “As Nigerians, we need to ask ourselves the leadership content of Chief Obasanjo’s persona that keeps defying the law of succession as a fundamental imperative in leadership. A good leader is rated by the quality of his successor.

“In 1979, General Obasanjo handed over power, under disputable circumstances, to a civilian administration that proved to be a case study in administrative ineptitude. Little wonder, in about four years of its life, the corrective military regime that toppled it, listed a litany of woes besetting the nation under the perfunctory watch of the administration. In like manner, General Obasanjo handed over power in 2007 to a president that brought the sociopolitical milieu of the nation to a sorry state! The administration so born has now given birth to an irredeemably comatose situation. It is the Nigerian state that is worse off because its political and economic health is in a shambolic state.

“This brings us to some pertinent questions: •Is it a deliberate personal policy by General Obasanjo not to ensure a credible successor to himself?

•Would this suggest that there is a desire in him for the people to always make his administration a reference point vis-à-vis the succeeding administration?

•Would this not suggest a selfish desire not to care if Nigeria’s dream is imperilled so long there is a noxious messianic imagery of himself?

•Is General Obasanjo not the architect of the travail of the Nigerian state since 1979?

Fashola urges Fed Govt to relocate fuel farms from Tin Can Port L AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday urged the Federal Government to relocate the fuel discharging farms from the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa where an MRS Oil and Gas tank farm jetty exploded on Wednesday.

Fashola, who was on the scene of the explosion to assess the damage, said the incident was a wake-up call for the government, adding that delay could be dangerous.

He said the country does not have emergency response facilities to cope with an inferno involving oil installation facilities, adding: “I don’t think we should wait before we get there. This is enough lesson, it is a wake-up call for everybody and we are sitting on a keg of gun powder.”

Lamenting that the explosion was “one tragedy too many”, Fashola said the nation should count itself lucky

By Miriam Ndikanwu

that the damage caused by the explosion was not much.

He added: “One can only begin to imagine what we will be dealing with here the day after, but for luck. We can’t continue to live on luck. I hope our luck is not running out.”

The governor urged the Federal Government to be in charge of maritime safety, fuel management, fuel importation and port management.

Said he: “These are the responsibilities of the Federal Government. I think we can do better than this amateurish standard.

“These people are in business and when you look at what they have done here, you can only hope that people will pay more attention. Government must also understand that it’s in business and its prof-

it is different, it’s the welfare of its people and it cannot deliver this by amateur standard.

This place was not designed for fuel discharge, we’ve converted it. All sorts of permits given by the regulatory agencies, DPR, PPMC and all these people. All these were part of the private jetties when the Tin Can Island was built up to Ibafo and all of that because we just converted it because the old installations in Apapa became inadequate. There was no plan for the future.

“We’ve set up a safety commission, trying to design safety standards for different activities, including this, and, of course, some of the times, when we try to get compliance here, this place is sealed off with all sorts of security men who would say that this is a national security thing; that we

can’t come in.”

Fashola enjoined the Federal Government to be proactive in preventing disasters. He said it should increase its advocacy and safety measure to nip disasters in the bud.

He went on: “Federal Government agencies should step up their safety compliance levels. Everybody must do his job.

That is short term, the long term is to relocate these facilities from residential areas. Lagos State is ready to provide these facilities.”

Fashola urged the Federal Government to take advantage of the Oil and Gas Section at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, adding: “Let us begin a relocation plan. Let this place come back to what it was. Let the private jetties come back for people to discharge safe and simple cargo and all of that.

So, the ball is in the court of the Federal Government.”

12 vehicles burnt in Ibadan tanker fire From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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FUEL tanker veered off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway yesterday, causing a fire that burnt about 12 vehicles.

No life was reported lost in the incident.

Residents of Sanyo, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said the accident occurred about 4pm when the tanker veered off the road and fell into a ditch.

According to them, the fully loaded tanker fell into autotechnicians’ workshop, where some vehicles undergoing repairs were parked. The tanker emptied its content during the accident, causing a fire that burnt the vehicles.

It was learnt that fire fighters, who arrived early, worked hard to curtail the fire from spreading to buildings.

But the accident caused a heavy traffic jam. Motorists moving from the Ibadan toll gate through Iwo Road spent hours in the traffic. The lane, where the accident occurred, was blocked.

Men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and policemen were battled to control the traffic; firemen worked for hours to curtail the fire.

Most motorists detoured into other roads in the city to escape the traffic snarl.

EFCC grills Soludo over N750m contract Continued from page 6

“No one is saying that Soludo is guilty, but we have started probing the scam. Do not forget that the current CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had in 2009 sought clarifications from Australia Federal Police Authority on the scandal.

“We will get to the root of the scandal as soon as possible. Soludo is already explaining how the contract was awarded.”

According to a document, the CBN tender results for banknotes in 2006 showed how Securency bid for N20 polymer note at Euro 73.475 per 1000 notes, including freight charge.

But it was learnt that the cost was later reduced to Euro 59.88 by the CBN when the N20

polymer contract was awarded in 2006.

Others involved in the bid are Global Securency (Australia); Gieesecke and Devrient (G&D) of Germany; De La Rue (the UK ); FC Oberther ( France ) and Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).

The bid was opened on March 27, 2006 and finally concluded by April 4, 2006.

A March 16, 2006 letter from the Director of Currency and Banking Operations of the CBN invited the five firms for the bid.

After the bid, G&D and NSPMC were awarded contract for the printing of the notes. But Global Securency won the bid for the production of polymer substrates.

The contract was awarded to the short-listed firms on May 2, 2006.

•Fashola (middle) during the inspection of the damage...yesterday. With him are CEO of MRS Group, Mr Sayyu Dantata (left), PHOTO:OMOSEHIN MOSES Quality Control Coordinator, Mr Ali Berjawi (right) and others.

Jonathan, PDP governors parley over crisis in the party Continued from page 6

Yesterday’s meeting, which was the second of its kind in the last one year, according to Akwa Ibom State Governor Goodswill Akpabio, was also used to review the situation in the party and the country.

He said that the various crises in the party would soon be a thing of the past. He also hoped that with the various committees set up by the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Working Committee (NWC), all the issues would be trashed out in the next one

week.

He said: “Mr. President invited all the PDP governors for a parley. I think this is the second of that type of meeting.

We agreed we should meet every two months to look at issues as leaders of the country. And particularly since the PDP is the ruling party.

“We must look at all areas of governance and look at areas that require improvement.

It’s a kind of peer review mechanism, where the PDP states comes together to look not just at governance at the state level but also of the party itself at

PDP crisis on Adamawa festers Continued from page 6

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said: “The Peoples Democratic Party has commended its Board of Trustees (BoT)for the prompt resolution of the misunderstanding in the National Working Committee (NWC)of the Party.

“The PDP remains the only political party in the country where differences in the leadership of its various organs could be resolved within a record time.

“In a political party as large as the PDP, divergent opinions on issues are normal but in the ability of its leaders to resolve and find a common ground on such issues, dwells the strength and dynamism of such an organization. In this instance, it is only in the PDP that misunderstandings are not just resolved but done in matter of hours.

“The National Working Committee of the PDP therefore wishes to commend the Board of Trustees of the Party for proving its role as the conscience of the Party.”

“The National Working Committee wishes to further assure all members of the PDP of the unwavering unity of purpose in our ranks.

“We are united under the able and dynamic leadership of our National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur. We are ever determined to ensure that the Party fulfills its electoral promises to the people by securing an undiluted compliance of all our members in various positions of authority to a credible performance target.”

The Lamido Committee will begin its sitting on January 22 at the Legacy House to interact with stakeholders on how the crisis degenerated in Adamawa State.

A member of the group said: “We will start probing Adamawa crisis as from January 22 in Abuja. We will hear from all stakeholders and make appropriate recommendations.

“We decided to sit in Abuja to be fair to all. If we go to Adamawa, even our movement might be subjected to interpretation.”

the national level. So that we look at things that can strengthen the party and also look at what Nigerians want.

“I think this is good for the governance of the country. We must commend Mr. President for this initiative.

“Meeting the president and the vice president will augur well for the governance of this country. We will deliver more dividends to our people. Nigerians love the PDP and, of course, we want to give Nigerians the best.

“I can assure you that from the discussion we had, the PDP will remain the party to beat because Nigerians are looking for good governance.”

On whether the PDP governors are comfortable with the way party leaders are running the party, Akpabio said: “You know the PDP is a very large party. The party may have its own internal challenges; of course, we have our own modus operandi, ways of resolving all these issues.

“Nothing like the PDP governors not being happy. We identify with the party; we have confidence in the party and all the internal wranglings you are hearing are normal in any democracy. All these internal issues will soon be resolved. Mr. President, who is

the leader of the party, has taken the right step; he has set up the right committees and you are aware that even in the state of Adamawa, we have the Governor Sule Lamido Committee that will soon bring a report which will bring the Adamawa crisis to an end.

“The governors are happy with the party and we are sure that under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, all the issues pertaining to the party will be resolved amicably and the party will come out stronger.”

At the meeting were Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, and other principal officers to the president.

Governors present are: Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Ramallah Yero (Kaduna), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Theodore Orji (Abia), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta).

Cross River and Enugu states were represented by deputy governors.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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NEWS

Shekarau: merger talks will succeed

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HE presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2011 general elections, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, yesterday assured Nigerians that the merger talks among opposition parties would succeed.

Shekarau, a former Kano State governor, spoke at the Southwest meeting of the National Rebuilding, Inter-party Committee on Merger Plans of the party in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He is the chairman of the committee.

He said the three leading opposition parties - Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and ANPP have gone half way in their agreements, in view of the commitment they have been showing on the merger plans.

Shekarau, who is leading the ANPP committee in the merger talks with other parties, said the move is not just about dislodging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of its name, but to come up with a party that would offer good governance, which PDP lacks.

Said he: “This idea is not about merging to dislodge the PDP, but to provide good governance. We just don’t want to dislodge the PDP; it is about its policies and programmes.

For instance, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo intro-

J

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

duced the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) and forced states to adopt it. But the late Umaru Yar’adua, his successor, abandoned it and began the Seven-point Agenda. Again, President Goodluck Jonathan, who is also a PDP member, jettisoned that and introduced the Transformation Agenda.

“The merger is about dislodging people who do not understand Nigeria. People who are inconsistent and people who run disjointed programmes and policies. So, it is a new party, programmes and identity. It’s a serious matter.

We will agree on a common focus.”

•Shekarau

The former governor said the three leading opposition parties are at an advanced stage in their discussions, adding that “this merger will work.”

According to him, what has been happening on the political scene since independence have been alliances.

Said he: “This is a true merger that will see the three opposition parties fusing into a new party that will be a solid platform to win elections.”

Challenges of education enormous, says Minister

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HE Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, yesterday said the Federal Government is facing the challenges of providing qualitative education to Nigerians.

He said the challenges, which are enormous, require the efforts and commitment of stakeholders.

Wike spoke in Abuja at the handing over of 317 classrooms to the Federal Government built by the Japan International Cooperation Agency

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

(JICA). They are in 33 schools in Kano State. They were built to advance basic education.

The minister said despite the challenges, the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has invested huge resources to tackle access and quality in Nigeria’s education system.

Government’s aim, he said, is to ensure that quality education becomes an important thing that Nigerians can take for granted.

Court dismisses NPAN’s suit against APCON

USTICE Musa Kurya of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday dismissed the suit instituted by the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) against the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

The judge upheld APCON’s objection against the suit, declined jurisdiction and held that NPAN lacked the locus standi to file the suit.

Justice Kurya upheld APCON’s argument that NPAN was in error in not instituting the suit in a representative capacity, having admitted in paragraphs 12 to 17 of the affidavit supporting its originating summons that the suit was intended to fight for the employees of the media being allegedly harassed

by APCON and the police.

The judge, who relied on the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Salako v Dawudu (1997) 7 SCNJ page 278, held that NPAN was wrong to have filed the suit in its personal capacity. He faulted the plaintiff for not obtaining the leave of the court before filing the case.

“The leave of the court was not sought and obtained to institute the suit in representative capacity. I am of the view that the respondent’s objection to the suit succeeds. The suit is hereby dismissed for lack of jurisdiction,” Justice Kurya held.

NPAN had in the suit marked: FHC/L/CS/1067/

•Says it was wrongly filed

By Eric Ikhilae

2012, questioned the propriety of the provisions contained in articles 21 and 137 of the Nigerian Code of Advertising and Sales Promotion (NCASP). The provisions require media houses to submit advertisement materials meant for publication, for vetting by APCON. The suit was instituted by NPAN’s Registered Trustees.

The plaintiff also had the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) as the defendant in the suit in which the plaintiff argued that the provisions of articles 21 and 137 of the NCASP are inconsistent with the provisions of Section 39 of the Constitution, guaranteeing the freedom of expression and to hold opinion. It urged the court to void the said provisions.

APCON objected to the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to file the suit. APCON contended that NPAN lacked the right to challenge a law meant to regulate its members’ conduct.

It argued that the suit was wrongly instituted because the law being challenged by the plaintiff was enacted to regulate the activities of advertising practitioners, who are employees of the media

houses.

APCON further argued that the relationship between it and advertising practitioners is like the one existing between the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and bankers.

The defendant contended that advertising practitioners are only using the media houses as a platform for their work just like bankers, who are being regulated by CIBN, use various banks, which employed them as their own platforms.

In a counter argument, NPAN prayed the court to dismiss APCON’s objection and proceed to hear the case, hinging its position on the argument that NPAN has sufficient interest by suing on behalf of its members.

It contended that NPAN has a mandate of protecting the interests of its members, who are media owners and whose interests are being “adversely affected” by APCON’s “unconstitutional regulations”.

NPAN argued that contrary to APCON’s position, the suit was not meant to fight for employees of media houses being allegedly harassed by APCON and the police, but was meant to challenge the power of APCON to control newspapers.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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NEWS Fire razes Ibadan market •Govt demolishes illegal structures

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The permanent secretaries taking their Oath of Office...yesterday.

Why I dissolved Exco, by Fayemi

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said the dissolution of the State Executive Council was to ensure a better performance.

Fayemi spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during the swearing-in of eight permanent secretaries.

He said the dissolution was to reposition the executive council to meet the yearnings of the people.

Fayemi likened the dissolution to the strategic approach of a coach in a football match, who at half-time can choose to reorganise the team by substituting tired players and changing the position of some players for better result.

•Ekiti gets eight permanent secretaries He said: “There are some players who are strikers and can score goals. There are also strikers who cannot score goals. Some score brilliant goals but lack the stamina to stay till the end of the match.

“There are also those who are put in the wrong positions. All these must be reviewed for us to have a government that is connected to the people.”

The governor said the appointment of the permanent secretaries was based on merit, adding that it was determined by the various examinations and interviews they were subjected to.

He urged the appointees to maintain an open-door policy and shun favouritism.

Fayemi said gone are the days of “god-fatherism” in the State Civil Service, adding that the “primacy of meritocracy has come to stay in the public service”.

Urging the permanent secretaries to brace themselves for the “enormous responsibility” of implementing government policies and programmes, the governor said his administration would continue to provide a conducive working environment for workers.

The appointees are popular broadcaster Mr. Kola

Ondo tribunal strikes out PDC’s suit

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HE Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital, yesterday struck out the petition filed by the candidate of the People for Democratic Change (PDC) in last October poll, Mr. Oluwaremi Adetusin.

Adetunsi challenged Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s victory on grounds that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deliberately omitted his party’s logo, which was similar to that of the Labour Party (LP).

He alleged that the omission confused his supporters, who mistook the LP for PDC. Adetusin later employed another lawyer to withdraw his petition without informing his lead counsel, Mr. Yinka Orokoto.

Yesterday, Orokoto, who is also one of the lawyers representing the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, withdrew his appearance as Adetusin’s counsel through oral application and it was granted unopposed.

The Chairman of the threeman panel, Justice A. Kaka’n, said: “Having read through the PDC’s application for withdrawal and the absence of its candidate in court, I hereby strike out the petition.”

The tribunal ruled to consolidate all petitions before it.

•Parties consolidate petitions From Damisi Ojo and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

‘Consolidation is meant to bring all the cases together and shorten the time that will be spent on each case.

The tribunal has only 180 days to determine the case’ The consolidation came after all counsel deliberated for about 30 minutes.

Speaking on behalf of the counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) said they had agreed that the petitions be consolidated.

Justice Kaka’n adjourned till January 22.

He urged the lawyers to file all processes required between now and January 21, adding that all orders would be taken on January 22.

The lead counsel of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), said the consolidation of the petition was supported by all

the parties.

Olujimi said: “Consolidation is meant to bring all the cases together and shorten the time that will be spent on each case. The tribunal has only 180 days to determine the case.”

The tribunal granted the PDP’s application to inspect materials used in the election.

Security was strengthened at the entrance of the High Court, venue of the tribunal, and many judiciary workers were barred from entering their offices.

The popular NEPA-‘A’ Division Road Junction was cordoned off by policemen and road users were diverted to alternative routes.

Party members, particularly leaders of the ACN and PDP, were at the court session.

Dignitaries at the court include ACN governorship candidate Rotimi Akeredolu; his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure; PDP candidate Olusola Oke; his running mate, Mr. Saka Lawal; ACN State Chairman Olorunsola Adesoji; PDP State Chairman Ebenezer Alabi; House of Representatives’ member Ifedayo Abegunde; ACN State Secretary Gboyega Adedipe; ACN Treasurer Ade Adetimehin; Chief Tayo Alasoadura and Chief Wale Akintimehin.

Ajumobi, Dr. Joseph Adeyemo, Mr. Bamidele Agbede, Dr. Olufolakemi Olomojobi, Mr. Olusesan Alabi, Mr. Abegunde Ebenezer, Mr. Owoseeni Adeyemi and Mrs. Olufunke Falodun.

Ajumobi hailed the government for giving priority to merit, adding that it would encourage workers to be hard working.

WENTY-FOUR shops were yesterday razed at the popular Bola Ige International Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Goods worth several millions of Naira were lost in the fire, which affected the section where kitchen utensils were being sold.

It was learnt that the fire started at about 1am.

This is coming few days after 20 shops were burnt at Ifeleye Market in Ibadan.

The victims urged the government to come to their aid. The source of the fire is yet to be identified.

Director of the State Fire Service Oyekunle Kareem said 16 shops were razed and the Deputy Commissioner of Police put the number at three.

Also yesterday, the Oyo State Government demolished 200 illegal structures at Ogunpa Market in Ibadan.

The demolition was carried out during the weekly

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

environmental sanitation in markets.

Commissioner for Environment Lowo Obisesan decried the erection of unapproved structures on water channels.

He gave traders at the market a seven-day ultimatum to clear the drains or risk the closure of their shops.

Obisesan said: “The indiscriminate building of structures on the water ways is prohibited. Building without approval and without observing the necessary setback is unlawful.”

He said the government had made provision for the relocation of traders at Agbeni, Ogunpa, Amunigun and Agbaje markets.

Chairman of Ibadan North-West Local Government Mr. Wasiu Olatubosun said the traders must conduct their activities in accordance with the law.

100 Ekiti health centres get ORT

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HE Ekiti State Government yesterday distributed Oral Rehydration sachets and Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) equipment to 100 Primary Health Care Centres across the state.

The Chairman of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr.

Sule Lawal, said the gesture was to encourage the use of ORT to combat diarrhoea.

Lawal said diarrhoea was responsible for 16 per cent of deaths among children below five years, adding that the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration was determined to eradicate the disease.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

NEWS

Aregbesola, Yuguda,others sympathise with Alaafin on fire

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MINENT Nigerians have sympathised with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on the fire which razed part of his palace on Wednesday.

The fire, which was said to have been sparked by an electric surge, reportedly gutted over 21 rooms.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement, thanked God that no life was lost.

Aregbesola said: “I share in your pain, but we should thank God that no life was lost in the fire. God knows everything, including why this happened at this time.

We thank God it did not happen at night while His Majesty and his family were asleep. Were it to be at night, the story would have been different.

From Bisi Oladele, Tayo Johnson, Ibadan and Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

“On behalf of the government and people of Osun State, we offer our deepest sympathy to His Majesty and pray that every loss, however minute, would be replaced by the omnipresent God.” Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, in a statement, said: “It is unfortunate that this incident is coming at a time when the monarch is preparing for his 44th Coronation Anniversary celebration.”

Yuguda urged the Alaafin to consider the fire as an act of God, “accept it with philosophical calmness and thank God that no one died”.

He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State, I am saddened by the fire and we pray God

to continue to protect and guard your Majesty and your family.

“We also pray God to give you the courage and strength to overcome whatever losses the fire must have consumed.”

Yuguda lauded the monarch’s contribution to sustaining peace in the country.

Deputy Senate Whip Hosea Agboola, in a statement, said: “The Oyo palace is one ancient and glorious palace that holds important artifacts and value to a lot of people. It is saddening that such an incident occurred. I pray that God will replenish the Kabiyesi’s losses.”

He urged the Alaafin to be strong and continue to protect the culture, history and heritage of the Yoruba.

Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday visited the Alaafin at his palace.

Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu, who led members to the scene of the fire, thanked God that no one died.

She urged the monarch to see the incident as an act of God. Oba Adeyemi said the fire would have claimed lives, but for the palace’s many exit points. He urged Nigerians to imbibe the attitude of building homes with more than one escape route.

Alaafin said: “I am calling on the state government and other stakeholders to renovate the palace in a way that the cultural heritage would be preserved.”

The Oyo State chapter of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kehinde Salawu, said: “Oyo State PDP feels the Kabiyesi’s pain at this moment because the value of the palace is known to us and all Yoruba people. We stand with him and his wives, whose apartments were affected, and we encourage them to be undeterred by the terrible incident. May God replenish their loss.”

Dignitaries that visited the Alaafin yesterday include Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo; former Governor Omololu Olunloyo; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Shiek Suara Aruna III; former Secretary to the Oyo State Government

Chief Sarafadeen Alli; State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Chief Akin Oke and Hon. Kamil Akinlabi.

Others are the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao; the Commissioner for Finance; Chairperson, Amnesty International, Nigeria chapter, Dr. Abiodun Aina and the Aare Latosa of Yoruba Land, Mr. Mabinuori Adegboyega.

The rest are traditional rulers from Ogbomoso, Afijio and Oke Ogun, and the managements of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, the Old Oyo National Park and the State Hospital.

Man arraigned for shaving wife’s pubic hair

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37-year-old man, Oriyomi Adepoju, was yesterday arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, for allegedly shaving the pubic hair of his wife, Nafisat, without her consent.

Adepoju allegedly shaved his wife’s pubic hair at midnight, when she was sleeping.

He allegedly committed the offence on January 1 at their home in Osogbo.

The police prosecutor, simply identified as Tajudeen, said the suspect conducted himself in a manner “likely to cause breach of peace” when the police attempted to arrest him.

He showed the court

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

some pubic hair allegedly found in Adepoju’s room.

Adepoju pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of breaching public peace and indecent assault.

He told the court that the hair discovered in his room belonged to his former wife and Nafisat.

Adepoju said: “I shaved the hair in order to make her sexually active. I do not enjoy making love to her with plenty hair in her private part and I do not want her to go to another man.”

Magistrate Habibat Basiru granted the accused N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

NSCDC officials battle pipeline vandals

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FFICIALS of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday engaged pipeline vandals in a gun battle at Arepo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Guns boomed for over 30 minutes, until the vandals, who were injured, fled into the bush.

NSCDC spokesman Kareem Olanrewaju said the vandals laid ambush for the corps men.

Olanrewaju said: “The vandals shot at our men and they returned fire. The vandals bowed to the superior fire power of our men and

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ran away. Some of them escaped with bullets wounds through the bush and waterways.

“We urge the public, especially people living around Arepo, Majidun and its environs, to inform the corps if they see anybody with bullet wounds.

“The corps could be reached through the following numbers: 08039407131, 08023619224 and 08033534796. We appreciate your support and pledge that information given to us would be treated with confidence.”

Ogun cautions two community leaders

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HE Ogun State Government yesterday restrained two community leaders, Chief Aliu Malomo and Alhaji Alani Darafunjo, from parading themselves as the Baale of Idi-Emi, Abeokuta North Local Government Area .

Malomo and Darafunjo have been entangled in a rivalry over who would become the next traditional head of the community.

It was gathered that the prescribing authority, the Omola of Imala Kingdom; Oba Adegboyega Olabode, was favourably disposed to

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta ‘s

one of them, but the community does not agree with his choice.

Yesterday, the state government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, waded into the matter.

It suspended the two contestants after a peace meeting with stakeholders.

It also constituted a seven-man Ruling Committee to take over the administration of the community, pending lasting solution to the crisis.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘21 Nigeria’s crude cargoes for Feb. unsold’

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O fewer than 21 Nigeria’s crude cargoes for loading in February, or 31 per cent, remain unsold because of reduced European refining margins and rising United States’ shale oil output, said three traders who participate in the market.

That’s more than normal for this stage of the month, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the information is confidential.

Unsold grades for export next month according to Bloomberg, include six lots of Qua Iboe, four Brass, three Forcados, two each of Bonny Light, Erha and Usan grade and one of Abo and Yoho, the people said.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, plans to cut exports in February to 67 cargoes totaling 2.19 million barrels a day, compared with 75 shipments this month, according to shipping schedules obtained by Bloomberg . US oil production exceeded seven million barrels a day for the first time since March 1993, Energy Department data show.

Sales of Nigerian crude to the US are set to fall in 2012 to the lowest in 27 years. The US imported an average 422,550 barrels a day in the first 10 months of last year.

That would be the least since 1985, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

European margins have fluctuated between minus four euro ($5) a metric ton and zero this month after averaging 14 euro last month and 29 euro in November, according to data from French refining group, Union Francaise des Industries Petrolieres, which represents refiners in the country including Total SA and Exxon Mobil Corp.

We are advocating the formation of government’s yearly budgets, multilateral agencies funding, five per cent petroleum tax, private sector fund, road bonds, toll charges, among others, into the national road fund for the development of roads infrastructure in Nigeria.

- Mr Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works

PIB, fuel subsidy, Dana crash reports top Senate’s agenda R EPORTS on Dana Air crash, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), fuel subsidy probe, Niger Delta Development Commission 2013 Appropriation Act and Public Procurement Act, among others, will receive priority attention this year, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Solomon Ita Enang, has said.

Enang spoke yesterday in Abuja on the activities of the Senate from September to December last year and the area of focus this year.

He dispelled rumours that the PIB would not be passed by the Senate, adding that the issues raised in the media concerning the PIB would be considered during the second reading.

Enang said: “You will see it (PIB) in the notice paper when we publish it. A Bill sees the light of the day when it is listed on the floor of the Senate to be considered.

“So, the contributions that are being made by Senators are intended to heighten interest in the Bill, enlighten

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

the public more.

“We will take all the contributions into account when considering the Bill for second reading in taking decisions on it.”

On whether the Executive submitted the budget of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the lawmaker said: “I had mentioned earlier that the President submitted to all of us and to the National Assembly along with the national budget, the budget of the statutory corporations.

“And this is one of the things we will give priority to as we resume and the budget of SEC and others are contained in it. What we said in that clause of the Bill, which we have forwarded is that there should not be any implementation, except as would be approved. Just an emphasis.”

The House of Representatives refused to pass SEC’s budget, because the commission’s Director-General, Ms

Arumah Oteh, was not sacked as the lawmakers demanded.

However, speaking on the performance of the Senate during the review period, Enang said 163 new Bills were presented and considered. These include 25 Executive Bills; the others are private member Bills.

He added that 32 Bills were read for the second time and referred to committees.

He said the Senate passed 15 resolutions. The five Bills passed include this year’s Appropriation Bill, the National Automotive Council Act (repeal and re-enactment), the Money Laundering Act (amendment), the Terrorism Act (amendment), and the Prison Act (repeal and re-enactment) The Senate also confirmed 10 executive nominations.

The President has assented. The five Bills that were passed by the Senate, Enang said: “No. What you have there are Executive Bills, not members’Bills.

There is another document

containing Senators’Bills.

We had to draw a distinction.

“Most of them have been passed and when we pass them we forward them to the House of Representatives for concurrence. Remember that in the case of the nine universities, we set up a Conference Committee, but our colleagues and brothers in the House of Representatives were yet to set up theirs.

But I believe they would have set it up and we are working on reconciling the differences in the Bills so they can be passed.

“Remember that some days ago, the Federal Executive Council met and approved three new universities, which Bills would soon be presented to the National Assembly. We would be working in such a manner as to perhaps avoid a situation where the three new universities come to join the ones already with us.

“So, definitely they were passed by us, but we are waiting for conference reports.”

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From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

T

HE Federal Government is set to secure a $160million loan from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) to support power transmission, it was learnt yesterday.

The Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, had announced that the government was sourcing funds for its power transmission projects outside the budget, to boost electricity supply.

Last year, the Federal Government secured $309 million from the Exim Bank of China to fund 75 per cent of 700mega watts -Zungeru Hydroelectric power project contract, which is being implemented by a Chinese consortium, CNEECSino Hydro.

Mrs Kuchi said: “The source of the funding is from an arrangement with Exim Bank of China for the 75 per cent of the cost while counterpart funding balance of $309 million is currently available with the ministry.”

The minister, however, added that since the project would be implemented through counterpart funding, the Federal Government would provide the 25per cent balance.

Similarly, the United States’Exim Bank had last year pledged to provide a credit facility of $5billion for investors in the Nigerian power sector.

But while announcing the government’s plans to scale up power generation and transmission in the country in her presentation to the Presidential Action Committee on Power, which was released to reporters in Abuja yesterday, Mrs Kuchi noted that the 239kilometres of 330KV transmission line, which has been completed, is ready for inuguration.

MRS probes fire

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

Fed Govt to get $160m AfDB loan for power

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• From left: Chief Executive Officer MTN Nigeria Mr Brett Goschen; General Manager, Customer Care, Fehinsola Mustapha; Human Resources Executive, Amina Oyagbola and Customer Relations Executive, Akin Braithwaite, at the launch of MTN’s Yello City Customer Experience Centre in Lagos.

Govt earmarks $400m for Trans-Saharan Gas Project

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HE Federal Govern ment has earmarked $400 million in this year’s budget to fast-track the Tran-Saharan Gas Project, the Acting DirectorGeneral, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Ghaji Bello, has said.

He spoke in Abuja at the opening of a technical workshop on Presidential Infrastructure Championship Initiative (PICI).

Bello, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the project would foster and transform the economy of African countries and impact on the lives of the citi-

zens.

The workshop organised

by The New Partnership For Africa‘s Development (NEPAD) has as theme, PICI: A panacea for sustainable growth and development for Africa.

Bello said: “As a sign of its commitment the Federal Government has made a provision of $400m in 2013 budget in order to move the project up to the next stage.

We are not just doing project for the sake of doing project, we are doing it to advance development, progress and to impact on the lives of the citizens of our continent.“ He stated that three coun-

tries, Nigeria, Niger Republic and Algeria, were involved in the project.

Bello said the project would also involve the running of gas pipelines from Calabar to Niger Republic into Algeria to Spain.

He said the project was critical to the economic transformation of the countries, adding: “Africa needs to drive its development.’’

Bello, however, urged African countries to make infrastructure a priority, “until the challenge is tackle the trajectory of Africa‘s growth will remain slow’’.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Plan-

ning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA), South Africa, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, said PICI was a continental infrastructure aimed at developing the continent and would drive regional development in the next 27 years (up till 2040).

The PICI is to act as a catalyst for the rapid and sustainable development of the region and to spur continental infrastructure development as initiated in 2011.

The Trans-Saharan gas pipeline, also known as NIGAL pipeline and Trans-African gas pipeline, is planned to transfer natural gas from Nigeria to Algeria and to Spain.

HE management of MRS Oil Plc has begun investigation into the fire, which destroyed one of its barges.

The incident occurred before noon on Wednesday. Although there was no casualty, some people who helped to put out the fire sustained minor injuries, the firm said, adding that the terminal would open soon.

In a statement yesterday, the company said the prompt intervention of the Fire Service and other agencies helped in putting out the fire.

The statement reads: “This is to inform the general public that on January 9, 2013 about 1130hrs, one of our barges (S215) caught fire at our jetty. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but investigation is ongoing.

“We would like to assure the public that no life was lost, although minor injuries were reported by members of staff who were on duty at the time of the incident, while trying to contain the fire.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

SIX

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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POLITICAL pressure group, Foundation for Integration in Nigeria, has donated relief materials to victims of last year’s flood disaster in Ughelli and Burutu local government areas of Delta State.

The National President, Vice President and Secretary of the foundation, Comrade John Adie, Isyaku Garba and Abdulwahad Abdulkadir led the delegation which presented 250 bags of rice and other items to the beneficiaries.

Before the presentation at Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area, Adie led the team on a courtesy visit to the Ovie

Page 13

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Succour for Delta flood victims From Shola O’Neil, Warri

of Ughelli Kingdom, HRH, Oharisi III, the Okobaro of Ugievwien Kingdom as well Pere of Mgbelebiri Mein.

Adie, speaking with our reporter after presenting the materials, said the visit by the pan-Nigerian group was to assist the victims of the disaster as well as to show them love in their time of need.

He said: “The flood was an illwind that has blown nobody any

good. Although most of us may not have been affected directly, we feel compelled to give our widow’s mite and to show compassion to fellow Nigerians in this trying time.”

Adie, who was the leader of the Southsouth Liberation Movement (SSLM), said the wish of the group, which has prominent Nigerians including General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Nze Akachukwu as patrons, was to foster unity among all Nigerians.

He disclosed that the group planned to embark on various en-

lightenment programmes as well as de-worming of school children in various states of the federation.

He said: “The foundation came into existence after consultation with progressive minds across the ethnic groups in Nigeria. We have the sole aim of promoting peace and unity among all ethnic groups in Nigeria.

“The foundation is a platform to re-awaken the consciousness of Nigerians on the need to understand our individual, religious, ethnic and political differences and institute the Nigerian dream. A strong

‘Teamwork is our strength’

J

OY has coursed through the homes of the needy in Anambra State. Widows received food. Orphans’ well-being was enhanced.

And there was more.

Behind it all was Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters Mrs. Joy Emordi.

She visited and interacted with the motherless babies at Onitsha South Motherless Babies’ Home along Umunna Street in Odoakpu.

Emordi gave out to the orphanage homes some undisclosed cash and bags of rice, bags of noodles, milk, vegetable oil, salt, and clothes, among others.

According to one of the social health officers, Christy Udemezue, Emordi has turned out to be the joy of the world. In fact, some of the grown ones here call her Mummy.

“Again, she does not only come during the festive periods, she ensures that she visits the places any time she comes to Onitsha. If other people, especially the wealthy ones, are doing like her, the world will be a better place,” she said.

Another social welfare officer, Nsofor Ifeoma, told Newsextra that though the state government had been doing its best towards helping the motherless babies home, most of the things they receive are from individuals like Mrs. Emordi.

At the motherless babies’ home at Umunna Street, 17 children were being cratered for by the social welfare officers.

The happy and healthy kids were either sleeping or playing within the premises, while some other individuals visited them.

Emordi, who spoke with Newsextra said: “I started this kind of visit and help to or-

By Musa Odoshimokhe

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•Emordi with some of the orphanage children

New deal for the less privileged Emordi helps widows, orphans in Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

phanage homes even before I joined politics. This is because it has been my aim from childhood to help the needy.

“This kind of thing motivated me into opening Joy Emordi Foundation which carters for the widows, the youth; the lessprivileged people, among others. Even if I die today, that foundation must continue. It is an endless journey.

“You must share whatever you have with the lessprivileged in the society. We

have to remember those people who have not. You have to touch their lives. Festive periods provide such platforms.

“What touched my heart recently was the flood disaster in this state and I discovered that the people of Anambra State are really their brother’s keepers in times of need.

“When you share what you have with the less-privileged, the more blessings you receive and some people do not know it because they do not read the Bible.

“Anytime I visit some of these motherless babies’ homes, I feel moved; my heart bleeds because some of these children may be the leaders of their own generation. Nobody knows tomorrow.

“We should imbibe the spirit of giving and not only taking.

It is not only in Anambra State I play with such kids but also outside the state. When they see you and call you mummy, you have to show them that motherly love, and when you do it, the children will feel that sense of belonging.”

Akwa Ibom council donates to fire victims

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SIT Eket Local Government Council in Akwa Ibom State has donated some relief materials to Mr Eli Okpo and members of his family, whose house was gutted by fire on November 5 last year . Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr Ibanga Etang, the Chairman of the council, said the donation was in fulfilment of a promise he made

dream where all Nigerians are equal with equal opportunities to the common good of mankind regardless of race, tribe, religion, ethnic and social status,” he added.

He lamented that since the civil rule in the country the poor masses have been groaning under the burdens imposed on them by bad leaders and attendant poor infrastructure, lack of peace and security as well as poverty.

•Continued on Page 14

when he visited to sympathise with the family over the fire incident. ‘ ’Though these materials will not make up for the loss, trauma and difficulties you were exposed to by the incident, it will restore hope to you and assure you that the council shares your pains. It behoves us to assist our people at the grassroots who face challenges as

a result of disaster, to touch their lives and restore hope to them,’’ Etang said.

Items donated by the council’s chief included mattresses, pillows, beddings, kitchen utensils, assorted food items, vegetable oil, other consumables and cash gift.

He also gave an assurance that the council would assist members of the family to rebuild their house

that was reduced to ashes.

In his remarks, Okpo praised the council chairman for his timely intervention. He noted that through the donation of the materials, Etang had demonstrated that his leadership was compassionate. ‘’I am very pleased with this intervention by the council; it is very unusual to find public office holders with this level of commitment to the welfare of the down-trodden.

HE Chairman,Itire/Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Hakeem Bangbola, has attributed the success in the council’s performance in project execution in 2012 to team work of the stakeholders.

Speaking to Newsextra shortly after the meeting with staff of the Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs at the secretariat, the council chief noted that without the co-operation of every member of the executive and legislative arms not much could have been achieved.

The council boss who gave account of his stewardship said: “We were able to get to this point because there was joint effort which engendered result. Above all, there was this cordial relationship between the two arms . The openness and transparency in the system enabled us to set priority and look at issues critically and resolve on how best to tackle them.”

Explaining why there was no variation during their defence before the monitoring unit, the chairman remarked that there was no basis for that because every thing was done in the open as every department had its mandate on what to do for the people within the available resources.

Bangbola said: “Even when there is conflict, the method of resolving it was the most paramount thing because as along as everybody does his job well there won’t be cause for alarm. And where it appears that there is a doubt, the issue is looked into critically to ensure that things are done properly.”

Reeling off some of the projects carried out in the out gone year, he said the council expedited action on schools and health, believing that these are important sectors. The provision of patrol vans to the police was to boost security, grading of roads and working in partnership with the state government in some projects enhanced the well-being of the residents.

The chairman maintained that last year’s performance would not make the council rest on its oars, rather it would encourage it to do more.

“Government has no vacuum; we are going to put more attention at education and health because they are the hub of any development in societies,” he said.

He thanked the workers for their dedication and promised that attention would be given to their training in order to get more result in 2013. He urged those who have not taken their job seriously to do so because there is dignity in labour.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

14

Succour for Delta flood victims •Continued from Page 13 Consequently, he said the group’s aim and objective include desire to promote integration of the various ethnic and religious groups, to assist government’s genuine development efforts in the grass roots as well as to identify and support good governance across board.

“We can change the political landscape for good and for the benefit of the masses. Nigerians should quit waiting for foreigners to come and change the country. Our destiny is in our own hands and we must do whatever is necessary to keep the nation together.”

Nigeria belongs to all of us and we cannot allow it to be disintegrated either by politicians or any ethnic group. We will play a vital in the 2015 election and support a truly detribalized Nigerian, who will be a leader and not a ruler, to savage this country,” he added.

Earlier, the traditional rulers prayed for the success of the group and urged them to strive for the peace and unity of the country.

O

N January 1, residents of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the end of 2012. But as they rejoiced, they hoped and prayed that the tragedies of the year gone by would not be repeated.

Here is why: Fire disaster The Okogbe, Ahoada tanker fire will forever remain in the memory of residents of the community and the state. About 200 persons lost their lives and many sustained serious injuries. A fuel tanker at high speed fell on its side on the deplorable East-West Road and exploded. Women, men and children who were scooping fuel at the scene were burned beyond recognition.

At Igwuruta Roundabout in Ikwerre Local Government Area, another petrol tanker somersaulted and crashed into a private building before bursting into flames. About three persons lost their lives, while property esti-

•With the Ovie of Ughelli Oharasi III

Rivers’ 2012 tragedies From Precious Dikewoha

mated in millions were damaged.

Five months later, a similar incident occurred twice at the same roundabout. No life was lost in the second incident.

Communities in Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area, and host the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) also witnessed more infernos than any other local government in the state. There were series of petrol tanker explosions in the area.

On July 23, two tankers caught fire simultaneously along Eleme– Onne Road. The situation forced travellers to jump out of their buses, many sustaining serious injuries.

On July 16, residents of Elechi Beach waterfront in Diobu were

sacked by an inferno caused by illegal bunkering. A petrol tanker also exploded at Elele, Omagwa, Isiokpor, all in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state. The residents also witnessed a tanker explosion in other parts of the state like Gokhana Local Government Area, Etche, among others. The state-owned Newspaper Tide also caught fire including some private homes and business organisations such as Rumuomasi community and Ada-George where private homes and shopping malls were burnt down.

Bomb Scare and explosions The state also witnessed some explosions and bomb scare that troubled the state government and security agencies. One of such incidents was the discovery of improvised explosive devices (IED) planted in a storey building at

Osina Street, Mile 3 Diobu. The bomb which was discovered by children playing around the building was later carried away by police anti-bomb disposal squad. The question at that time was who dropped the explosives?

A month later, another explosion rocked Rumuokoro Roundabout in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area that killed about three persons and injured many.

According to the state Commissioner of Police, the explosive device was being conveyed by armed robbers on a bus when it exploded, killing them. Residents feared the Boko Haram sect might have entered the state, a sentiment Governor Chibuike Amaechi dismissed.

There was also an explosion that rocked the office of the Bursar, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), putting residents to flight.

The last explosion in the year 2012 took place at Rivers State Police headquarters during the passing out parade of Neighborhood

Police Watch.

Mob action, mayhem, suicide The year 2012 in Rivers State also witnessed a lot of mob action and mayhem caused by angry youths. The worst was the October 5 brutal murder of four students of University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) who were set ablaze by an Aluu community mob. Two months later, three persons including a National Youth Service Corps member was murdered in Choba, another host community of UNIPORT. Two weeks later, two brothers were also murdered in Etche Local Government Area of the state over cultism. Five youths in the same local government were shot dead by a rival cult group in the area. In fact, Etche, Omuma and Emohua Local Government Areas could be awarded the cult clash councils of the year. Emohua Local Government Area buried many young men in 2012 due to cult related activities in the area.

On July 21, rampaging youths of Omudioga Community in Emohua Local Government Area destroyed over 50 houses. Most of those affected by the mayhem are still homeless.

A petrol tanker also exploded at Elele, Omagwa, Isiokpor, all in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state. The residents also witnessed a tanker explosion in other parts of the state like Gokhana Local Government Area, Etche, among others

•Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan administering oral vaccine on a baby during the flag-off of state wide Maternal and Child Health Week in the council area

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

AGRO-BUSINESS

‘High feed prices may affect poultry farmers’ T

HE poultry industry may continue to face the challenge of high feed costs, the Head, General Management Division, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Instiute(ARMTI), Dr Ademola Adeyemo, has said.

The key factor driving this adverse situation, he said, is the recent flooding which could affect crop production in most areas.

On the outlook for the industry, he said the first quarter may be challenging because of higher feed in-

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

put costs, adding that unless the government’s efforts through the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) yield fruits, livestock returns would be affected.

This, he said, could be overcome if the industry moderates production sufficiently to get prices higher and offset increasing costs.

Speaking with The Nation, the Chairman, Lagos Chapter, Poultry Association of Nigeria(PAN), Mr Adedotun Agbojo, said the effect

of adverse conditions combined with concerns over feed bills were affecting the poultry industry.

He said poultry farmers were in for a tougher year, with rising animal feed costs well-documented in recent months.

Besides,he said the confidence of producers has tumbled as costs have risen.

The expert said there has been a shift in the market following the fall in profit of many poultry businesses because the flood of last year affected, not only the harvest, but it caused difficulties for feed produc-

ers.

Long term volatility and short term price shocks in the supply chain, he warned, are set to continue as no significant action, has been taken to tackle the issue.

The volatility in the market would enable feed producers to justify price increases.

He said farmers need to address what they are doing to manage their exposure to feed price and availability risk.

There are fears that this year could be turbulent for grain markets with early indications of increasing trans-

portation challenges.

There are expectations,however, are of an increase in corn and soyabeans production. Potential volumes will hit the markets from March. Reports of farmers planning to increase corn and soybeans planted will give the potential for large crops to help feed prices.

Without any weather-related supply disruptions, watchers expect increased production of grains to be pushed higher from later months of the year onwards.

All the indications are that the year could produce good yields, but as ever these depend on many variables.

Fed Govt urged to combat food contamination

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HE Federal Government has been urged to support researches on how to control contamination of key staple foods by mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are poisonous chemicals secreted by fungi which attack crops in the field and during storage, making them unfit for human and livestock consumption.

Prof Stephen Fapohunda, of Department of Biosciences,Babcock University, Ogun State, said control of contamination of food produce was necessary if farm output should keep pace with demand.

If this is not done, it would have far reaching effect, as it will affect the efforts of the government and the private sector to secure food supplies.

He added that food production was not keeping pace with demand and the implications of this over the coming years could be terrifying with the impact of contamination.

Fapohunda said a massive national research and enlightenment action is necessary to develop a comprehensive and lasting solution to reduce mycotoxins. Among the key targeted mycotoxins is aflatoxin produced by the fungus -Aspergillus flavus.

Dubbed the ‘silent killer’, it has been shown to cause liver cancer and suppress the body’s immune system

at high levels of contamination, while the most severe levels of poisoning results in liver failure and death.

Some studies indicate that aflatoxin contamination could be responsible for critically impairing the growth and development of children. Livestock are also affected through consumption of contaminated feeds which can lead to reduced growth, yields and even death. Mycotoxins are also passed on to human beings when they consume infected meat or milk.

He said the sector should develop a safe and natural biocontrol technology that can effectively reduce aflatoxin contamination of maize and groundnut in the field and during storage.

For watchers, inadequate pre and post-harvest management practices among small-holder farmers have lead to the high and unacceptable levels of mycotoxins in crops.

Aflatoxin is produced by a fungus, Aspergillus flavus. But not all strains produce the toxin. The innovative biocontrol solution being proposed in the project, therefore, works by first identifying and then introducing the naturally occurring non-toxic strains ‘the good fungus’ that can out-compete, displace and drastically reduce the population of their poisonous cousins ‘the bad fungus’.

Expert calls for fishing quotas

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Professor of fisheries, Martins Antekhai,has called for a quota system, which will protect over-exploited fish stocks and safeguard livelihoods of farmers.

Antekhai, who is of Lagos State University(LASU), said although big catches are best for the economy, but as fish stocks decline, the government must stipulate the quantity of fish to be caught.

He said it is the responsibility of fisheries’ authorities to respond to this situation by adopting direct measures to limit catch volumes and ensure fish stock sustainability.

The don said the authorities have taken steps to conserve stocks through various rules.

These include fishing quotas, limits on the number of fishing days, and restrictions on the engine power of fishing vessels.

According to him, quotas are normally reduced by a percentage of the amount a nation has over-fished.

He said the quota would help achieve the main goal of the common fisheries policy: longterm sustainability of fisheries.

Antekhai said the government needs to reduce total catch to a

biologically and economically sustainable level.

Ideally, he said Total Allowable Catches (TACs) should be set at a level that allow the maximum economic yield (MEY) to be achieved in the long term. However, TACs alone are not enough to safeguard economic efficiency, for at the start of every new fishing season with a limited TAC, each fisherman would attempt to secure the largest possible share of the quota for himself by engaging in a very high fishing effort for a short period (also known as the “race to fish”).

If the quota is exhausted within a short time, the unused ones would be kept till the next fishing season. In order to give \ the individual fishermen a modicum of planning security throughout the fishing season, the TACs are, therefore, allocated to individual vessels, fishermen or cooperatives.

Antekhai said the United Nations has sought to manage fisheries by setting the total allowable catch of fish for areas of ocean.

He called for scientific data on stock levels, which meant clear information on catch levels of fish species.

Women husk corn at a village in Katsina State.

‘Incessant tilling of land threatens crop nutrients’

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TEPPED-up farm production could lead to shortages of vital crop nutrients, a soil expert, Prof Ayo Ogunlela, has said .

Ogunlela, who is Head of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, urged government authorities to consider conservation and recycling measures to protect supplies.

He said phosphorus in the soils has supported crop production on a sustainable basis for decades.

So far, it can’t be predicted how long the reserves of such non-renewable nutrients will last, with projections ranging from a few decades to hundreds of years.

Ogunlela said when the nutrients, which lead to soil fertility are removed and not replaced, or when the conditions that support soil fertility are not maintained, soil becomes degraded.

He said soil fertility is declining in many parts of the country, attributed to various reasons. Chief among them are loss of nutrients such as phos-

phorus and climate change. He said the top soil washed away, especially in flood-prone areas or blown away contains most important nutrients needed for an effective agriculture production.

To reverse this, he said farmers can use methods such as micro-dosing of fertiliser, planting nitrogen-fixing crops and trees and making good use of compost manure.

He however noted that the variation in fertility of soils has to be viewed and approached cautiously with different land management practices for production to be sustainable.

Ogunlela recommended an integrated plant nutrient management where farmers use the best soil fertility principle- using organic sources of fertiliser and soil and water conservation practises.

Across the industry, shortage of phosphorus in a major issue in soil fertility. In most soils, however, the only option is to add phosphorus. Following this, the prices for agricultural

phosphorus and other crop fertiliser have risen , driven in part by production and shipping costs, but also growing food demand.

Experts have called for expanding research and technology to recover phosphorus from non-mining sources.

Despite the differing takes on future supplies, there is broad agreement that recycling and more judicious application are important to supply security and reducing environmental hazards.

The United Nations Environmental Programme contends that “major gains can be made through improving plant nutrient management and recycling phosphorus from waste streams,” including sewage sludge.

The more efficient use of phosphorous fertiliser opens the door to better environmental stewardship, the UNEP also said .While nitrates and other minerals used for plant nutrition work their way through plants quickly, phosphorus dissipates very slowly and excess use can lead to long-term contamination of soils.

Group hails govt on agric development plan

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RESIDENT, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN),Tola Faseru has praised the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development ,Dr Akinwumi Adesina for initiating a meaningful agricultural development plan, with farmers at the centre of all support measures.

Faseru said the plan contained priority measures, with a broader and more meaningful revitalisation programmes, covering all sectors of farming .

Faseru said the long term outlook for agriculture ‘remains positive’

By Joy Thomas

and there is strong public support for farmers to increase production to address food security concerns.

On storage of grain,he said the government should augment improve storage capacity to keep vast quantities of foodgrains from rotting in the open.

He commended the government for planning to outsource the storage of some of its grain to the private sector, in return for a fixed annual payment. Using the publicprivate partnership (PPP) model,

he said will provide additional storage facilities over the next few years.

He said PPP model had proved successful in the infrastructure sectors, can be applied to agriculture business .

Faseru said the project should structured as an integrated storage and logistics model with links to carry grain from the silos to the distribution points were provided for. He said working with the private sector to develop grain silos will , make it possible to store grain beyond the harvest season.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

AGRO-BUSINESS Jigawa spends N847m on livestock development

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IGAWA State Government spent N847 million on livestock development in five years, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isa, has said He spoke at the inauguration of the 2012/2013 livestock vaccination exercise in Kiyawa Town.

He said out of the amount, over N539 million was spent on the provision of 50 wind-powered pumps at various grazing reserves in the state.

He said N87 million was spent on the demarcation of 50 grazing reserves while N26 million was spent on the development of 2, 000 pastures at Kwarin-Laye.

The commissioner added that N10.7 million and N36.6 million were spent on procurement of improved cattle breeds and construction of shades for skin and leather workers, respectively.

He said: “More than N59.7 million was spent on livestock vaccination in the last five years and another N20 million was committed to the veterinary drug revolving fund initiated by the

Why agric is attractive in Africa

• Women buying cassava roots from farmers at Onipepeye, Ibadan.

New farm policy crucial after weather challenges

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DON, Prof Abidun Adeloye has called for ‘fresh thinking’ from the government on farm policy as farmers begin the New Year ‘reeling from the consequences of what he calls “extreme weather”.

Speaking with The Nation, Adeloye of the Department of Animal Production,University of Ilorin UNILORIN), said drought in the key production regions in the North and flooding could push up animal feed costs,since farmers are relying on reserve stocks.

A further extreme weather condition, he said, could compound the situation and affect production this year.

Adeloye said climate change scientists had predicted that sector would face major weather challenges The major commodities likely to be affected are grains and soybeans driven by weather-related disruption, especially by persistent dryness in key grain-producing

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By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

states.Hot and dry weather in areas of the North may lower corn and soya bean yields.

Regarding food prices, weather is the predominant factor that can affect production and prices.If there is going to be flooding again, the don told The Nation it would push food prices to new highs.With these price increases, demand would remain strong ,he said.

Right now, Adeloye said the focus is on harvesting in some areas while the planting season approaches.

Farmers, he said, should be prepared to plant more to ease supply disruption later in the year.

He said the sector needs to crease productivity, noting that the challenge was coping with the reality of climate change whose impact is likely to decrease crop yields.

Adeloye said the government

must design programmes to help farmers implement climate smart agriculture, a model that helps tackle food security and climate change problems.

He said the government must supply seeds and planting material of drought tolerant crops for the vulnerable areas. Many crops were waterlogged after flooding. The poor harvests, Adeloye said,would affect the price of animal feed, and push up the cost of meat.

This, he said would have a knock on effect on food prices, sending the cost of grains, fruits and vegetables soaring. As the price of grains is soaring, it has a knock-on effect on meat, as a large portion of the crops are grown for animal feed.

Adeloye said prices of cereals impact directly on other sectors, especially livestock farmers who are already struggling with higher feed costs. He urged the government to focus on tackling climate change, to help farmers make good harvests.

Research institutes urged to collaborate

HE Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria(ARCN) has been urged to collaborate with research institutes to showcase their innovations.

Speaking with The Nation,an Associate Professor with the Department of Crop Protection, University of Maiduguri, Dr Daniel Gwary, said this was necessary to promote exchange of seeds and to create market linkages between them and the private sector.

He said seed retrieval was important as it ensures that as many farmers as possible receive the quality seeds.

According to him, traditional crops demand less input in terms of fertiliser and pesticides. They are drought tolerant and adaptive to harsh weather conditions. This makes it possible for even the resource poor farmers to easily grow them.

Gwary said the research institutes have an important role to play in the efforts to conserving agricultural biodiversity.

The research institutes ,he noted have to a commitment to creating platforms that give farmers access to a greater variety of locally adapted seeds and the opportunity to exchange relevant local farming knowledge.

Gwary said the research institutes need to be involved in replicating seed conservation efforts so that the industry can safeguard indigenous crop varieties which are proving to be useful today.

Over time,he noted, that the production of most crops had declined for various reasons which include; inadequate availability of planting materials, low interest by seed companies to multiply the seeds due to low demand, low investment on research and extension to develop and promote superior varieties, emergence of pests and diseases, limited knowledge on utili-

By Daniel Essiet

government.”

The state government also spent N68.9 million on the establishment of three veterinary clinics to enhance animal health care delivery. ”Isa said more than four million livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and dogs would be vaccinated against zoonatic diseases in the ongoing exercise. This, he said, was part of the proactive measures adopted by the State Government to transform agriculture and enhance food security. In a remark, Gov. Sule Lamido, said the livestock vaccination exercise was designed to control animal diseases in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad, the governor said the state government had upgraded various veterinary clinics and initiated animal drug revolving fund to enhance animal health care services.

“Livestock diseases which are the limiting factor against maximum animal production will be controlled through supporting animal vaccination exercise,” he added.

sation and agro processing and limited knowledge on production and change of eating habits.

According to him, they need to do more to promote crop diversity conservation for varieties that are neglected, underutilised and threatened with extinction.

Emphasising the need for preserving seeds by the farmers, he said since seeds were paramount for the survival of the mankind, the practice of saving them in a scientific fashion must be learnt and practiced by all.

Gwary noted that farmers need some measure of seed security, or economic and physical access to adequate quantitiesof good quality seed prior to the planting season.

As with food security, the three variables that arecentral to the attainment of seed security are availability, access, and utilisation.

Seed access refers to the ability of farmers to acquire the seed or planting material that is available.

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MPROVEMENTS to the wider macro-economic fundamentals are making Africa attractive for private equity in agriculture and food production , a deal partner at Phatisa, Anders Einarsso has said.

Phatisa,manages, African Agriculture Fund (AAF), a company , providing equity funding to companies operating in the food production value chain in sub-Saharan Africa The African Agriculture Fund (AAF), managed by private equity fund manager.

Einarsso said in an interview with How we made it in Africa, that the continent’s Gross D omestic product (GDP) is on course and the acceleration in Africa’s growth over the past 10 years reflects material improvements in political stability and the business environment.

He said Africa is the fastest urbanising region and its population is forecast to increase by 60 per cent over the next four decades. The immediate benefits of the improved macro-economic environment is far reaching with falling poverty rates being one of many positive outcomes and the wider demographic trends represent a huge market opportunity.

More specifically, the availability of large domestic consumer

markets, fertile land, abundant water supply and a relatively inexpensive labour force will enable African farmers/food producers to benefit from these wider macro themes.

He said there are numerous challenges that require careful assessment; ranging from lack of capital and skilled labour, the non-availability of high-yielding seeds suited for the African climate, non-supportive government policies and sub-optimal farming practices.

According to him, various stakeholders are currently actively addressing many of these challenges and governments across the African landscape are increasingly pushing incentives and regulatory change to support growth in the agricultural sector.

On the type of companies, AAF invests in, Einarsso said it is driven by its investment strategy which is to build regional platform businesses that increase capacity through commercial and smallholder schemes, seeking to reintegrate the food production value chain to enhance domestic and regional food security.

Investments that have the potential to provide follow-on opportunities in the form of bolt-on acquisitions that create vertically integrated platforms.

Innovative rice science: ‘a must for global food security’

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LIMATE-tolerant -rice varieties, water-saving technologies and better access to market information will help farmers to improve food security, Director-General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Dr. Robert Zeigler, has said.

He spoke during his Coromandel lecture in India.

“As one of the biggest rice-consuming countries in the world, it is essential India continue its improvements in rice productivity to both ensure there is enough affordable rice for all Indians, which will help reduce poverty nationally, and contribute to global rice trade to improve food security worldwide,” said Dr. Zeigler.

In his lecture “Cutting-Edge Rice Science for Food Security, Economic Growth, and Environmental Protection in India and Around the World,” Zeigler noted that IRRI and India have

been working together since 1967 to develop and deliver ways to help Indian rice farmers improve the productivity of their rice crops. India has since shifted from importing to exporting rice thanks to science-derived innovations such as new varieties that helped the country’s rice farmers increase their rice yields and incomes.

Managing Director, Coromandel International Ltd. Mr Kapil Mehan said he was honoured to have Zeigler give the 2012 Coromandel lecture, adding: “He brings a global view on the role of agricultural sciences and public policies in ensuring food security for a large and growing world population.

“We believe the Coromandel lecture this year will provide thought leadership to important issues of food security and the economic upliftment of rural people in the vast Indian hinterland of rice cultivation.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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COMMENTARY Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

A step backward in bank regulations

Holy rebuke •Bishop Hyacinth Egbebor was right in identifying corrupt leadership as impediment to national development

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HE sermon by Catholic Bishop Hyacinth Egbebor at the funeral mass for the late General Andrew Owoye Azazi in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on December 29 is a good example of the role expected of men of God in the allimportant task of cleansing the Nigerian society. As this newspaper has consistently maintained, taming the corruption monster is a desideratum if Nigeria is to truly assume the position of ‘giant of Africa’. In every sector and at every turn, corruption in various forms - financial, material and institutional - stares us in the face and threatens the country’s existence.

At the centre of it all is a rapacious ruling class and elite that has refused to be patriotic. Until leaders emerge who buy into the need to develop Nigeria by ridding it of vices that have held it hostage over the years, it is impossible to take the needed step forward.

In these days when men of the cassock have taken to massaging the bloated egos of those in power, it is a welcome relief that a bishop could seize that solemn moment to make his point as succinctly as Bishop Egbebor did. He admonished that debasement of values and irresponsible accumulation of the common wealth by the privileged few might have caused the air crash that claimed the lives of the late Patrick Yakowa who, until his demise, was governor of Kaduna State, and Azazi, who retired as a four-star General and Chief of Defence Staff before his appointment as National Security Adviser.

Their deaths had raised posers over

who is entitled to fly military helicopters.

The fact that they were allowed to use one of the few helicopters bought by the Navy for surveillance underscores the tendency in the country to corrupt values. This is not the case in other countries.

At the time General Azazi and Governor Yakowa died, they were not on official duty, but social engagement. How did attendance of the burial of a presidential aide amount to enhancing the welfare of the people of Kaduna State which was the primary purpose for which Yakowa was elected? Or, how could it have contributed to promoting security of the coastline for which fund was appropriated to procure the aircraft?

What the bishop demonstrated in that homily was that all Nigerians must speak out and engage their leaders at every opportunity. In a country where adherents of the different religions revere their leaders, those who claim to have been called to the duty of ministering to souls should follow the example of founders of the religions and prophets of old who spoke truth to power. Ironically, leaders of some Christian denominations have become too close to power that they risk ultimately losing the respect of their followers.

President Jonathan committed a fallacy in his response to the bishop’s holy words.

He sniped back by saying that the problem of Nigeria was not corruption but attitude. But is our attitude not corrupt? That is a clear case of either intellectual ineptitude or fraud for the president to fail to understand the nuance. Attitude can be corrupt, and that was the point the clergy

made and it was lost on the president.

Bishop Egbebor’s courage is commendable, especially when President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, governors, ministers and the top echelon of the military were at the service. The applause received by the bishop’s comment and the blank stare that greeted the rather tame response by the President who would rather blame underdevelopment on attitudes of the citizens, underscores the popularity of the view expressed by the bishop.

Nigeria can only be saved from the brink if the clergy, media, judiciary and civil society hearken to the national call to arise as compatriots and make the exploiters uncomfortable.

‘What the bishop demonstrated in that homily was that all Nigerians must speak out and engage their leaders at every opportunity. In a country where adherents of the different religions revere their leaders, those who claim to have been called to the duty of ministering to souls should follow the example of founders of the religions and prophets of old who spoke truth to power’

Fighting fires •The country must improve both its preventive and responsive capabilities

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S Nigerians struggle to come to terms with the devastation that fire disasters inflicted across the country in recent times, it is tragic that their difficulties are being compounded by the widespread absence of proper preventive and remedial measures.

Two incidents demonstrate this worrying situation. The first was the alleged disappearance of fireworks from a store that had been sealed off in Jankara Market in Lagos, following the inferno of December 26. The second was the outbreak of fire at Ikoku Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in which many shops were destroyed.

Both incidents encapsulate the profound inability of the country’s security agencies and disaster-management services to address the underlying issues

‘When the absence of preventive measures is combined with poorly-implemented investigative procedures, the result is that fire disasters will continue unabated, regardless of how much destruction is wrought upon lives and property. If adequate care is not taken, Nigeria may return to the bad old days of the early eighties when the country suffered a rash of fire outbreaks in public buildings, allegedly caused by individuals seeking to destroy evidence of fraud’

that make fire outbreaks so common. In the Jankara case, two other warehouses in which fireworks were stored allegedly belonged to the same individual whose store caused the earlier fire. These warehouses were sealed off by the police as part of their investigations into the matter. However, the fireworks in one store were removed overnight, allegedly on the orders of a senior police official.

It is obvious that this action was undertaken to frustrate ongoing investigations into the Jankara fire and protect the investment of whoever imported the fireworks. Those aims run counter to the Lagos State Government’s determination to find out how prohibited items were imported into the country, cleared at the ports and delivered to the market despite the profusion of security agencies.

If the disappearance of fireworks in Jankara is demonstrative of weak followup procedures, the fire outbreak in Ikoku Market is indicative of poor preventive measures. The fire took place in the early hours of New Year’s Day, when many Nigerians were commemorating the occasion in places of worship. The market, which deals mainly in automotive spare parts, apparently did not have fire extinguishers on the premises. There was no clearly outlined fire drill which could have enabled an immediate and organised response to the fire. The state’s fire service declined to show up, claiming that it did not have water. The firefighting unit of a multinational oil company which tried to help could not get to the market due to the lack of access roads.

When the absence of preventive measures is combined with poorly-imple-

mented investigative procedures, the result is that fire disasters will continue unabated, regardless of how much destruction is wrought upon lives and property. If adequate care is not taken, Nigeria may return to the bad old days of the early eighties when the country suffered a rash of fire outbreaks in public buildings, allegedly caused by individuals seeking to destroy evidence of fraud.

The curtailing of fire outbreaks must be treated with the seriousness that it deserves. An important first step is that of increasing public awareness of fireprevention measures. It is amazing that regular fire drills are an almost-unknown occurrence in the country, in spite of their obvious importance. In addition, government agencies must ensure that building codes which provide for the installation of fire exits, fire alarm systems and the provision of fire service access are adhered to without exception.

The habit of providing just one entry and exit point in buildings and on housing estates must be discontinued forthwith. There must also be increased investment in the training of fire-fighting personnel and the provision of requisite equipment. Standard post-incident investigative procedures must be strictly obeyed, and anyone who attempts to abridge them must suffer sanctions accordingly.

As the country begins a new year, we hope that sustained efforts will be made to limit the agony and sorrow caused by fire disasters to the barest minimum.

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COMMITTEE of central bankers and regulators from more than two dozen countries, including the United States, has disappointingly given in to lobbying by big banks and watered down important rules meant to strengthen the global financial system. The change will let banks include risky financial instruments like corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities as part of their liquid asset reserves, which are meant to cover up to 30 days of cash outflows during crises. And the banks have until 2019, not 2015, to comply fully with the easier standards. Each nation will decide when and how to implement the rules.

The committee unanimously rolled back the so-called Basel III rules that were adopted in 2010 to make them “more realistic,” said Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England. The banks argued that requiring them to hold most of their liquid reserves as cash and government securities would restrict their ability to lend to small businesses and consumers because they would have less money to lend.

The problem is that the new assets defined as liquid are precisely those that banks found difficult to value and trade in 2008. Relying on them to provide liquidity during a crisis is a recipe for disaster, said Anat Admati, a professor of finance and economics at Stanford University.

But the banks want to be allowed to hold more such assets because they are more profitable than cash or government bonds, like 10-year Treasury notes, which were yielding just 1.86 percent a year on Wednesday. Big banks also know that in a crisis they would likely receive emergency loans and capital from central banks and their governments, so why tie up their reserves with assets that provide only modest returns?

Coming four years after the failure of Lehman Brothers, the dilution of liquidity standards suggests that banks are again dictating policy in ways that will put the world at greater risk of another crisis.

Policy makers in Washington and other capitals need to ask banking regulators to hold the line on the very limited progress made so far.

New York Times

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: May God grant you the grace to keep doing the good work you are doing , making life liveable in the pursuit of our collective dreams.

Just like every other Nigerian graduate , with dreams and aspirations , I graduated in 2006, after series of strikes , a year of school closure and family crises with a Second Class degree in International Studies and Diplomacy. I rounded off my national service in Enugu South L.G.A, 2008.

In 2009 , the Federal Civil Service Commission called for applications for suitable candidates for the position of Foreign Affairs Officers. It was so disorganised; in the end, some preferred (Man know Man) candidates were taken.

I even applied to the Delta State Civil Service Commission where I scored 77% in the test. A friend scored 66% he and some preferred candidates were taken and the rest confined to oblivion.

In June 2012, I saw an advert in the Vanguard by the Federal Civil Service Commission calling for applications for the position of a Foreign Affairs Officers 1 and 11, for those with a degrees in French, Chinese, International Studies etc.

I was so ecstatic and applied. I couldn’t get the form in Abuja owing to the unorganized way it was conducted. I travelled to Port-Harcourt and after much queuing in the rain and sun, I got it, filled and submitted awaiting the test/interview.

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Mr President, I need this job When the names were released, it was pasted in Mabushi Abuja.

I checked and found my name in Port-Harcourt after battling through the flood and high fares just to get to Port- Harcourt.

I was accredited and given a slip on September 21, 2012, which qualified me to write the test the next day . The test comprised of Mathematics, English Language,

and Current Affairs.

I was told that names of successful candidates were released in December. Upon checking, it didn’t include my name. The nine names from Delta State have been interviewed and given appointment letters. Some of them didn’t even show up for the test, but came in through man know man. I was distraught. Is this the govern-

ment I voted for? After all the good luck and transformation speeches by the President, it is a charade that someone somewhere is still very comfortable robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Mr President, this is a call to action. I gave you my vote because I believed in you when you said you had no shoes and no hope, but the policies of someone gave

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• Wonder P.O Akpeki Sapele, Delta State

Omuooke Ekiti autonomy: Kudos to Fayemi IR: I wish to appreciate and commend the selfless efforts and exceptional courage of the Ekiti State government under the leadership of Dr Kayode Fayemi on the autonomy recently granted to Omuooke Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government even as we await the official presentation of staff of office to His Royal Highness, Oba Valentine Adebayo Otitoju, the Olomuooke of Omuooke Ekiti in no distance date.

The expressions of profound gratitude to the state government

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through this medium became pertinent having earlier written a passionate letter of appeal to the governor to swiftly do justice on the subject matter last year.

To say that the autonomy granted to Omuooke Ekiti is a well deserved one and indeed long overdue is to state the obvious, taking into cognisance the years of injustice, oppression, and suppression suffered by the community.

The suffering and challenges faced by the Omuooke people during these lengthy years can

be likened to the experience of the Israelites in the hands of Pharaohs in the land of the Egypt before God decided to set them free through Moses. Dr Fayemi is the Moses of our time. Thank God that you have allowed yourself and your government to be used as a vessel to liberate our great community from the agelong evil shackles.

Mr Governor Sir, you demonstrate, through this action of yours, what a good person, a good leader, a true democrat and an advocate of social justice

Time for action on fire works IR: On January 26, 2012, the news media reported the story of an inferno, allegedly caused by a firework stored at a warehouse at Jankara market, Lagos Island. The havoc caused by this inferno are inexplicably painful; a kid was reportedly burnt to death; property worth of millions were destroyed and many were injured.

Typical of Nigerians, there was an uproar and the usual reminders that the law prohibiting/banning the importation and sales of fireworks was still in force. Of course, tragedy from fireworks was an ac-

you hope. I connected with that sentiment.

Mr President; the selected names, how did they get them, what were the scores of each applicant, how did they arrive at the nine names from Delta State out of about 400? Sir, please call the attention of Federal Civil Service Commission’s Chairman Deaconess Joan O . Ayo, the permanent Secretary Ambassador Sani Saulawa Bala, Director, Recruitment and Appointment Mr David K. Oladapo to please give me my appointment letter. I need this job to send my sister to school and help others.

cident waiting to happen having been ignored for too long. The case will die down and nothing will be heard of it again and later this year there will be easy accessibility to fireworks. Should this be allowed to continue?

Nigeria is plagued with insecurity; since fireworks is an imitation of explosives and bombs and with the insurgence of the Boko Haram one expected the government to move swiftly against the use of fireworks. Today, children have become tools in the hands of fireworks sellers. It has become an avenue for children to spend their

money on frivolities. Some parents even buy these fireworks for their kids.

In a country faced with economic hardship, why would one spend over a Dollar equivalent on a product that does not add value while over half of the population lives on less than one dollar a day? I never seem to understand the essence of fireworks as a product. A product I believe is something that should satisfy want, need and something we derive pleasure in. I haven’t understood yet, the wants and needs that bangers satisfy.

Are fireworks the only way to

celebrate or herald us to a new year? Are there no other way to use to show our joy of witnessing another season apart from the use of fireworks? The sound of banger makes the heart race!

Even the storage of fireworks is hazardous. An inferno could be caused by fireworks if it is stored where there is heat. Government should intercede as the situation is getting out of hand. Adequate measures have to be taken to tackle the problem of fireworks.

Kemi Okunade Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State

means in the real words of it.

As you have written your name in gold, the entire indigenes of Omuooke Ekiti would never forget and would ever appreciate your government for what you have done for our great community.

I would also like to use this opportunity to appreciate the noble role played by the reputable Ekiti State Council of Obas, particularly the committee assigned for a fact finding mission to the disputed communities leading to the subsequent recommendation of a deserved autonomy for the community as contained in their report submitted to the Governor Adeniyi Adebayo administration after the conclusion of the highly tasking assignment. Your highnesses’ unbiased and objective report and recommendations is what we are celebrating today even though it took ages to be implemented.

I also wish to appreciate individuals and groups who overtly or covertly contributed in one way or the other during the struggles.

• Lanre Atere, Glasgow United Kingdom.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013 16

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COMMENTS

Nigeria, as it could be made (2) HERE is no perfect nation to be born yet Nigeria is the worst nation to be born, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report. No thanks to the Economist magazine’s sister publication, the Nigerian newborn may arrive knowing he has come where the sun dies everlastingly for the bliss of the fig.

The EIU report ranks Nigeria 80th out of 80 countries assessed in its Where-to-be-born index. Predictably, the report has inspired and incited all manners of conspiracy theories and affirmation of doom; foremost newspapers and columnists have written editorials affirming the report and the poor fate of the Nigerian child; child advocacy groups have regrouped to re-strategize in order to fleece international children foundations off grants that would never get to its touted recipient, the Nigerian child.

Within the din of socio-politically correct and self-righteous vituperation, a crucial voice dies slowly, painfully but certainly; it is the voice that goes to bat for the Nigerian child. Foremost newspapers may have affirmed the EIU’s claims but very few newspapers would publish as their cover stories, the plight of teenage sex workers or child urchins across the country, unless there is a mass death involving the minors.

Such media fare is never strong enough to upstage news of political party intrigues and permutations.

And if you examine closely the child rights campaigns, you will find that they have always been meal tickets to duplicitous and luxury-lusting advocacy groups.

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Nobody actually speaks for the newborn. Nobody speaks for the Nigerian child. And nobody truly speaks to the only human force capable of exciting the future in which the Nigerian newborn may arrive assured of a prosperous fate and a better life; the Nigerian youth.

There is a tragedy inherent in our customary lamentation every time our conscience is roused with a damning report and as it has become customary of us, more racist politicians and activists have suggested that we split and go our separate ways touting it as the only solution to our league of extraordinary problems.

Secession is the anthem that we should shun. It is the fruit of ‘reason’ that we need to be wary of and I will continue to say this hoping every prospective muscle –the youth – by which the separatists hope to achieve their dreams of dissolution, would listen and learn to let the secessionists risk their skins to prove their platitudes.

The biggest misconception about secession, insurgence, self-determination or whatever the separatists choose to call it is that it could be peaceful and that the end result would be a conscientious and citizenry-centred dispensation.

It’s all dirty, greedy politics; the separatists want the youth to fly the flags of their dream nations, they want everybody to brandish a bumper sticker that bellows,”Death to the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”

They call anyone that’s anti-war and anti-secession, “pacifist,” “traitor” or whatever colourful adjective suits their rage. Then they promise the

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HAT is happening in the state of Osun at the moment may not be aptly captured for its significance by the present generation.

We are witnessing dramatic changes in the state at close quarters; so we may fail to grasp its strategic importance appropriately. Yet we can see the stirrings of a great social and political movement never witnessed before in the state in recent years.

I refer in part to the recent report of the provision of free uniforms and health books to over 750, 000 students of public schools in Osun by Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Planned as part of a total package to revamp education in the state, the uniforms are in three different types to match the tiers of school structures namely elementary, middle and high schools.

Local adire fabric is the stuff of the uniform while tailors from all the local governments of the state are employed to sew the attire. This is a de-

‘The state of Osun is teaching us that with whatever means at the disposal of a society it can still make a difference in the lives of the citizens if you throw up a caring leadership who would be passionate about service and be sensitive to the needs of the people’

youth a prosperous future and better fate under their dream nation.

Consequently, youth that ought to know better buy into such farce and they all begin to dream and talk of the great uprising that would set them free from the living hell Nigeria has become.

Truly, it is a sad thing for us as a nation to be afflicted by such youth whose eyes cannot see and intellect cannot detect the hideous manifestations of the vulpine intellect characteristic of the Nigerian separatists.

Thus the Nigerian youth wastes his passion recycling hackneyed criticisms and fomenting trouble in the name of all manners of political godfathers, minority group leaders, human rights activists, tribal rights activists, youth leaders to mention a few.

He engages in bootless pursuits at the end of which he accomplishes too little or nothing. For himself he probably accomplishes some individualized goal – satisfaction of a sentiment or material gain – which to him is everything but for Nigeria, he accomplishes comparatively nothing.

Eventually, he grows into the prototypical average, disgruntled man on the street, who suddenly realizes in his twilight that he had squandered God’s greatest gifts to him, his intellect and talent – then the smokescreen of youth and hastily prized platitudes begin to peter out and he realizes that his miraculous talisman is a paltry plated coin, not fit to pass in the shops as a contemptible kobo.

The attempt to conceive imaginatively, a better ordering of Nigerian society than the destructive, pitiless chaos in which the nation has sunk is by no means modern; it is at least as old as Plato, whose “Republic” set the model for the Utopias of subsequent philosophers and self-styled revolutionaries.

The secessionists contemplate a

new world in the light of an ideal: they claim to feel a great sorrow by the evils that characterize Nigeria, and they claim to be driven by an urgent desire to lead their race to the realization of the collective good. It is this desire which has been the primary force moving the pioneers of Anarchism and horrid tyrannies, as it moved the creators of ideal commonwealths in the past.

In contemporary Nigeria, it is incense for suspicious revolutionaries claiming to fight for the interests of Nigeria’s ethnic divides. In this there is nothing new; what is new and unpardonably offensive is the pretension of such characters to heartfelt sorrow, shared grief and relation in identity and ideal to the present sufferings of the Nigerian youth and breadlines.

This has enabled cynical and anarchist political movements to grow out of the frustrations and hopes of Nigeria’s youth and predominantly impressionable thinkers whose thought processes are anything but politically conscious. And this makes the agitation of the Nigerian separatists worrisome and markedly dangerous to the survival of the Nigerian State.

The process of re-sensitizing the youth away from the establishment of chaos and genocide advocated by the secessionists will be greatly accelerated by the abolition of the current political order; however, this can only be achieved by the nation’s youth – who are unfortunately taken by the platitudes and poetics of Nigeria’s band of self-serving ruling class and racist emancipators.

It is no doubt the stock in trade of the latter to refer to violent uprisings in Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Iraq, Zanzibar, Tanganyika, India-Pakistan, Mali and parts of Asia among others, as worthy indicators of Nigeria’s need to follow suit. Whenever they dazzle with such informed commentary, tell them to lead the

secession they advocate with their wives, children and closest relatives.

Many activists, youth leaders and self-acclaimed political heroes today have their wives and children safely tucked away in secure schools and sociopolitical climes overseas even as they goad impoverished and clueless youth at home to their doom.

If it is true that there is appreciable number of Nigerian youth capable of powering revolts for ethnic selfdetermination, the end of which is dissolution of Nigeria, why can’t the same youth power the social regeneration and reclamation of the Nigerian State from the clutches of the predatory ruling class, ethnic bigots and dissolution activists?

The current political separation and acute race-sensitiveness must eventually yield to the influences of education and culture, if the youth could endeavour to be truly civilized. But such transformation calls for remarkable wisdom and tolerance.

To be continued…

‘Eventually, he grows into the prototypical average, disgruntled man on the street, who suddenly realizes in his twilight that he had squandered God’s greatest gifts to him, his intellect and talent – then the smokescreen of youth and hastily prized platitudes begin to peter out and he realizes that his miraculous talisman is a paltry plated coin, not fit to pass in the shops as a contemptible kobo’

Osun: Long throw into the future By waheed Adeoye liberate ploy to apply a sector, education, to empower the citizens of the state. While the children are being equipped with education for them to be useful to society in the future, the government is correspondingly arming their parents economically by offering them jobs through the sewing of uniforms and the weaving of adire.

Ogbeni Aregbesola says the first set of uniforms will be free while subsequent ones will be bought at highly subsidized rates. He declared that the new unified uniform system would “promote unity, ensure uniformity and foster a sense of belonging in the public in the primary and secondary schools”.

The governor declared: “The idea of the Osun school uniform stems from our belief in the need to create a unique identity for our students in the public schools; and a good way to do this is through unification of school uniforms which is after all what uniforms are meant to be. Consequently, the school will also help promote unity irrespective of the differences in the socio-economic and cultural background of the pupils”.

According to the Ogbeni, N800m was expended on the school uniforms, out of a whopping N2.6b spent on education in Osun in the last two years of the present administration. He said N1.8b meanwhile was spent purely on grants for meals for the students and examination fees. These include N342m just announced by the Ministry of Education as money paid by the

government to enable Osun pupils write their WAEC papers. The government says these expenses do not include the salaries and emoluments of the teachers and the administrators of the school system. With all these, you can’t dispute the claim of Aregbesola that the state of Osun under him is the country’s “biggest spender on education despite the fact that it ranks 34th on the table of 36 states in the federal allocations”.

At the event in Ede where he unveiled the uniforms to the public and the students, Ogbeni also gave free health books to the students. The action is symbolic of the governor’s oftstated declaration that developing human capacity is a double-prong strategy: you must attend to man’s body and soul. To get the best in a man, you need to feed his body and his intellect. It boils down to the old Latin saying: mens sana in corpore sano (a sound mind in a sound body). You can’t take care of one and ignore the other. There must be a balance of attention to the two. While the uniforms partly address the outward academic need of the pupils as well as the economic yearnings of their parents, the health books offer a guide to taking care of the body so it can get the right sustenance for its upkeep.

Together, the uniforms and the health books make up what economists and sociologists refer to as the ingredients of human capacity development. And as we all know the human factor constitutes the most critical of all the factors of production. But the human being must be refined and

be well equipped to play that crucial role of harnessing the other factors of production for the all-round development of society. Where a society boasts all the other resources, land, money, infrastructure etc. etc. without the accompanying entrepreneurial intervention in the form of man (the skilled or educated man), all the other factors would amount to nothing. In fact, the human factor is the most critical. The man or woman with skill can work wonders and create resources even in the absence of nothing. The example of the wealth and prominence of nations without oil comes in handy here. They do not depend on the so-called petrodollars to attain the great heights they have reached.

Isn’t that the challenge we are facing in Nigeria where we have enormous resources at our disposal but with little to show for it in terms of development of human capacity all because we don’t have the right and visionary leadership to harness our latent resources? The state of Osun is teaching us that with whatever means at the disposal of a society it can still make a difference in the lives of the citizens if you throw up a caring leadership who would be passionate about service and be sensitive to the needs of the people. The future will rightly capture the events in Osun, even if the present isn’t also oblivious of them, just as the Awo era relished the achievements of the sage in his lifetime but with the greater impact reserved for the generations that came after Obafemi Awolowo.

• Adeoye is a retired journalist in Lagos.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

22

COMMENTS “When honour and the Police no longer stand on the same side of the line, the society suffers”— ——Dr Patrick Wilmot (FormerABU, Zaria, lecturer) ITHOUT being conceited, the Nigeria Police Force as an institution may fairly pass as the most corrupt and traumatised institution in the country.

Yet, for the peace and security of the nation to be effectively sustained, that institution ought to be efficient and effective. Unfortunately, Nigerians under the unfurling scenario have devised alternative means of security for themselves; Nigerians have no trust in the force but fear, for the wrong reasons.

The Police in the country have made mincemeat of the job of policing. Policemen for no fault of theirs now see their uniform as licence, not for protecting the citizenry from harm, but for securing their welfare through extortions and persecution of members of the public. Infact, the morass ravaging the force is a reflection of the complete value relapse plaguing the entire country. Can the force ever get out of its abyss of depravity? Can its endemic problems be solved by theoretical applications and rhetorics of Code of Conduct?

The Nigeria Police Force in its website recently hinted about its new special ‘Code of Conduct and Professional Standards for officers of the Nigeria Police Force’ that has been formally launched in Abuja. The launch of the “Code of Conduct” came a day after the National Summit on Security organised by the same institution.

The new “Code of Conduct” is the brainchild of Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, the current Inspector-General of Police. It is, as usual, setting out rules that are expected to guide and regulate the behaviour of police officers in the country. The Code purportedly contains standard policing rules as well as contemporary international best practices in law enforcement as available in various United Nations Conventions, the Nigerian constitution, Police Act and Regulations, and other domestic statutes. It is intended to be used by police officers in determining what is right and proper in all their actions.

Through this Code, the Police High Command intends to achieve transparency, accountability, professionalism and a deeper sense of civilian oversight in police activities. The Code is reportedly the IGP’s contribution to President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformational agenda. Can the Code truly transform the police from its state of opprobrium to an institution of reverence? Will this code not amount to scratching the surface without getting to the roots of police

W

E

NUGU State has always had politicians who play politics in very unique ways that almost always attract national attention, either due to the roles played by the key actors or the hilarity that their acts arouse.

It was more verbal than physical wars between the candidates themselves and also supporters of Chiefs Jim Nwobodo and Chukwuma Onoh during the battle for the governorship of old Anambra State. That was during the 1979 and 1983 general elections. In those days, different camps composed songs to denigrate the other. Their media interviews were spiced with all kinds of inelegant words. But there was no bloodshed, just occasional flexing of muscles by their distinct supporters. The election that ushered in Okwesilieze Nwodo as the first civilian governor of the new Enugu State was full of its own intrigues, climaxing in the former being donned in the same campaign uniform as his elder brother, Joe who had been disqualified with Hyde Onuaguluchi. It was a tragic-comedy that threw up mundane issues as electioneering progressed.

Then came the period of Chimaroke Nnamani, the Ebeano godfather and an ardent lover of political sloganeering. This was an era when opposition elements were hounded out of the state. Those who dared to visit came with truck-load of soldiers and policemen. Ask the Nwodos, Nwobodos and others.

Enugu began to breathe fresh air with the coming of Sullivan Chime as the governor of the State in 2007. The political temperature in the entire state has remained calm since then. There is accommodation of opposing views. Yet, the development under his charge has been so unprecedented that even his political rivals acknowledge that fact. But some people, for obvious reasons, have seized the opportunity of his absence to try to portray Enugu State as a place where nothing works at the moment. For those of us who live here, nothing can be farther from the truth. One has read a lot of jaundiced

The police as national nemesis

•Mohammed Abubakar (IG) problems? Can the police function effectively, even with this code, the way it currently is?

Can there be true police transformation without preceding reformation?

While browsing through the website of the Nigeria Police Force during the week, the need for complete reformation, not code of ethics of the force keeps recurring in my medulla oblongata. The history of the force as narrated by its high command gives credence to this thought. According to the website, in April 1861, the British Consul in Lagos obtained permission from his principal in London to establish a Consular Guard comprising of 30 men. Two years later in 1863, this small body of men became known as the “Hausa Guard”. It was further regularized in 1879 by an Ordinance creating a Constabulary for the Colony of Lagos.

An Inspector-General of Police commanded this Force recruited mainly from Hausas and known as the “Hausa Constabulary”. So, the first police in the nation was the Hausa Constabulary. On 1st January 1896, the Lagos Police Force was created and armed like the

“Hausa Constabulary”. While the developments were taking place in Lagos and part of the Yoruba heartland, the areas now known as Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, River and Cross River States were declared the Oil Rivers protectorate in 1891 with Headquarters at Calabar where an armed constabulary was formed.

In 1893, the area which was proclaimed the Niger Coast Constabulary, modelled after the Hausa Constabulary, was formed. It existed for six years and featured prominently in the British expedition to Benin in 1896. In the Northern parts of the Country the Royal Niger Company, which was granted a Royal Charter in 1886 by the British Government, set up the Royal Niger Constabulary in 1888 with Headquarters at Lokoja to protect its installations along the banks of the River Niger. It had a mounted company known as Carrol’s Hoses.

The Royal Niger Constabulary played an important role in British campaigns against Bida and Ilorin. The police website stated that when the British Government in 1900 following the take-over of administration from the Royal Niger Company proclaimed protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria, the Royal Niger Constabulary was split into the Northern Nigeria Police Force and the Northern Nigeria Regiment. In the South, the Lagos Police Force and part of the Niger Coast Constabulary became the southern Nigeria Police Force in 1906 while the bulk of the Niger Coast Constabulary formed the southern Nigeria Regiments.

Thus, after the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914, both Forces continued to operate separately until April 1, 1930 when they were merged to form the present Nigeria Police Force with Headquarters in Lagos. Thus the genesis of the problems riddling the force could be traced

Chime: The hawks at it again

By Ezekiel Nwafor articles that have no bearing with what is on ground in the State.

I am not a civil servant here neither am I a political appointee. But I know that they receive their salaries promptly and regularly. Road projects are on-going in both the urban and rural areas. Aside the roads, other projects are being executed. There is an acting governor who is in charge and who presides over the state executive council meetings and gives all approvals and directives.

Yet, some mischievous politicians from the state working in concert with some hired hands in the media have been sponsoring reports to suggest that the Acting Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi is not the one calling the shots. Has he told anybody that? If, as we are told, he approves payments for contractors, chairs state executive council meetings, supervises on-going contracts and gives all due approvals, so who else is running Enugu State? This is a clear case of some interested politicians out to cause unwarranted anxiety, crying more than the bereaved. We must show this fine gentleman some respect that he deserves. Just like his boss, Onyebuchi abhors the limelight. It is an insult to suggest that he is not the one calling the shots when in truth, he is.

Some even go to the ridiculous level of calling on the Enugu State House of Assembly to either impeach Chime or make Onyebuchi an Acting Governor! What has he been ever since the governor left? As a lawyer, I have gone through the Nigerian constitution and I see no place where Chime went out of line. As the constitution stipulated, he transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly to the effect that he was proceeding on vacation and that his deputy would act in his absence. From reports, he also announced same to the state executive

council. Either out of sheer ignorance or outright mischief, some persons with hidden agenda have even made allusions to when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was out of the country and the National Assembly came up with the Doctrine of Necessity. There is no relationship between the situation then and what it is in Enugu today.

The difference is that Chime transmitted a letter to the state House of Assembly that his deputy would act in his absence. For those of us living in Enugu, especially citizens of the state, we do not lose sleep over those sponsored stories in the media which are aimed at painting a hopeless picture and to get the House to act rather unwisely. If things go bad in our state, we the people will be the first to experience it and shout out. If the government is no more delivering services to the people, we will be the first victims to feel the pains.

For those who go to the extreme case of wishing a man dead because of the lure of power, I urge them to have a rethink. That is not the way to play politics. Only God will determine when each and every one of us will die. As for the newspapers, I sometimes pity them. How do readers take a newspaper seriously when it publishes that a man is feared dead on the strength of what one mischief maker posted on the internet? The other day, one national newspaper published the falsehood that Governor Chime’s brother, sister and children had travelled abroad because his “health” was “unstable.” Yet, both Jide Chime and Mrs. May Oji, the governor’s siblings as well as his children were all in Enugu at the point of the report. I was dumb-founded when I saw May at the church that same Sunday that the newspaper published this story. It reminded one of the slip made by many newspapers which reported the death of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe some years back when he was at

to 1930 when the police from the north and south were merged together, ostensibly for erroneous administrative convenience. One good observation is that when the force operated separately, it had more cohesion, probity and effective policing of its immediate society. These virtues have been long lost because centralisation of the police has created unbridled corruption and collapse of morals cum ethics in the institution.

Well, those that are clamouring for a state police might have a point here while the recalcitrant posture of the northern governors against such move can be pooh-poohed because they cannot prove that the police, the way it is presently constituted, is serving the interest of the entire country. The reality is that any state where the police force is a bit fair in policing operations, the governor in the state is heavily funding its activities. The IGP cannot deny this and yet, the northern governors prefer to close their eyes to this realism.

Most communities contribute money to fund operations of police in their areas. Yet, money is annually budgeted for this purpose without it getting to the various stations across the federation. Yet, some are still vociferous in their position against decimation of the present unworkable force. How would the new code of conduct work when the police leadership is closing its eyes to proper funding of police stations’ activities and personnel welfare? This federation, through this aberration, has turned policing into policing for profiteering and not for securing lives and property of the people.

Despite the politicisation of the issue of breaking down the force and seeming difficulty of its actualisation, it is pertinent that the police hierarchy be asked what efforts successive leaderships have made to restore sanity into that institution. The truth is that the police is avoidably deteriorating everyday. The way it currently operates, the police represent everything but good. The great novelist, Sidney Sheldon, must have been thinking of committed, largely honest and justice minded security men from another clime when he posited: ‘My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place.’ The men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force would definitely have been outside Sheldon’s contemplation while crafting the above. Neither the government, the Police institution itself or its men and officers have done enough to protect our world or make it a better place. Is the Police as an institution not a national nemesis? The way out is not rhetorics but genuine reformation of the force.

his Onuiyi Haven in Nsukka. Those who control what get published must do their papers and all of us a lot of good if they cross-check the information at their disposal before they present fiction as facts. Of course, I can predict that those behind such false stories concerning Chime will not relent because it serves their narrow interests to present Enugu State as one where nothing works at the moment. We have heard that the sponsors have set up a team co-ordinated by a media aide to one of the former governors with a charge to continue to publish lies in order to create an impression that governance has broken down in Enugu State. Today, they write articles with pseudo names and send same to their contacts in the media houses. Their sole goal is to encourage an unwholesome act from both within and outside. Fortunately, that is the sharp opposite of the situation on ground.

•Ezekiel Nwafor, a lawyer and public analyst, contributed this piece from Enugu

‘For those who go to the extreme case of wishing a man dead because of the lure of power, I urge them to have a rethink. That is not the way to play politics. Only God will determine when each and every one of us will die. As for the newspapers, I sometimes pity them. How do readers take a newspaper seriously when it publishes that a man is feared dead on the strength of what one mischief maker posted on the internet?’

‘Ejide’s injury Ositelu not serious’ dies at 69

Pg. 41

Pg. 41

Sport Friday, January 11, 2013

PAGE 23

Dike

devastated to miss AFCON

Pg. 24

AFCON 2013

Eagles

undergo medical test T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is not taking chances with the health of the players as all the 23 players who made the final cut for the Nations Cup starting later this month in South Africa, were on Thursday taken for a comprehensive medical check-up in Faro, Portugal.

The medicals include scans, chest x-ray, blood tests and general tests for the players with the medical team headed by Dr Ibrahim Gyaran, assisted by Physiotherapist, Adewale Oladejo being very busy for the better part of the day. The players went for the tests in batches of four and five and there are indications that the health status of the players is very good.

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi described the exercise as routine and good for the players and the team, even though most of the players have undergone same in their various clubsides. Nigerians who have expressed fears over the thigh strain that Super Eagles goalkeeper suffered in the friendly against

Cape Verde on Wednesday, have also been told that there was no cause for alarm, as the keeper’s injury is normal and he would be ready for the championship that starts on January 19.

“I have been told that in two days I can resume action on the pitch, because I’m feeling very free now”, Ejide said on Wednesday evening after the routine medical tests.

Similarly, Keshi has urged Nigerian to remain supportive of the team, as there was no need to panic after the goalless draw recorded on Wednesday night against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde.

“Yes, there were errors and mistakes here and there but in the game but the boys did very well and we must remain confident that they will deliver in South Africa.

Keshi added that friendly games are targeted at spotting errors and shortfalls in a team, and correcting them. He declared that the technical crew has made observations and will work on them in the next one week.

Enyeama voted Africa’s best keeper

Pg. 41

MOSES

apologises for red card scare Pg. 24

24

NATION SPORT AFCON

Moses apologises for ‘red card’ scare

41

NATIONSPORT FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

COUNTDOWN...AFCON COUNTDOWN...AFCON COUNTDOWN...AFCON COUNTDOWN...AFCON COUNTDOWN...AFCON COUNTDOWN... NATION SPORT AFTERMATH OF EAGLES FINAL LIST Oboabona hails Keshi’s courage NFF: Cape Verde has ‘exposed’ Eagles

Emenike: Time to prove my worth

•Relishes chance in Eagles’ squad

By Innocent Amomoh

By Innocent Amomoh

•Umeh

•Oboabona

Dike devastated to miss AFCON

Obuh invites 19 new players

•Bright Dike

‘Ejide’s injury not serious’ G

OALKEEPER Austin Ejide will be fully fit for Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations challenge in South Africa.

The Hapoel Be’er Sheva shot-stopper limped out of Nigeria’s friendly against Cape Verde on Wednesday with what looked like a hamstring injury.

Officials of the Nigerian team have now moved to allay fears over the fitness of the 29-year-old for the Afcon.

“He has not been assessed by the doctors yet but from what we can see, he’s in good condition. He was walking normally after the game (on Wednesday) and we believe he will be fit for the competition,” spokesman of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya.

The Eagles’ media chief also revealed that a full assessment of the goalkeeper’s situation will be made on Thursday.

“The game against Cape Verde ended at around 11pm Wednesday Nigerian time so it was impossible for tests to be conducted on him at that time.

“The doctors will look at him today (Thursday) but like I hinted earlier, I don’t think the injury is serious,” he stated.

Ejide made his Nigerian debut in 2001

and has played 22 times for the Super Eagles.

Vincent Enyeama voted Africa’s best keeper •Ejide

•Enyeama

I learnt a lot at Glo soccer Academy —Evicted James Samson

Ositelu dies at 69

•Late Ositelu

25

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

PEOPLE THE NATION

AN EIGHT-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has given his daugther, Uloma’s hand in marriage to his Commissioner for Lands Uche Nwosu. The show-stopping event attracted the high and mighty to Owerri, the Imo State capital, reports NNEKA NWANERI

I

T was more or less a state wedding. The Holy Cross Catholic Church, Aladinma, Owerri, the Imo State capital, was packed full of dignitaries. They came to share in the joy of Governor Rochas Okorocha, who gave out his daughter, Uloma, in marriage to his Commissioner for Lands Uche Nwosu.

Being a gathering of governors, top government officials, seasoned politicians and businessmen, security was tight. Streets adjoining the church were blocked with heavy duty vehicles. The police and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); State Security Service (SSS); Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) ensured an hitch-free event. They frisked people before allowing them into the church.

Helicopters hovered over the church in circles throughout the service. The place was brimming with people. The whole of Imo, it seemed, was there.

Many were forced to park their cars in an open field. Only cars conveying the bridal train and top government officials were allowed into the church premises.

The ceremony billed for 9:30am didn’t start until midday.

Those who came early waited patiently for the service to start.

The church was decorated in all white. Seasonal decorative lightnings ran the entire gamut of the church. The three aisles were beautified with fresh flowers. Each seat was draped with white cloth and given a face-lift with yellow ribbons. Colourful paintings of the saints of the church added to the beauty as guests’ eyes drifted from one end of the church to the other.

The gallery was filled.

Women wore a uniformed yellow lace. Men wore senator’s suit, an attire made popular by Okorocha.

Okorocha was beside himself with joy as he acknowledged cheers from people.

A procession of Reverends, Priests and Bishops of the Diocese made their entry a few minutes before noon.

The clerics were followed by the groom, in an all white suit. His 28 groomsmen followed, they looked handsome in their ash suits and white shirts The groom didn’t cause much stir as the bride, who walked into the church with her father. They were preceded by the little bride and groom and fairy-like flower girls who sprinkled the aisle with shiny particles. It smacked of a fairy-tale wedding. The bride’s gown was something. The upper part was styled with lace and had little shiny stones all over it.

A solo love song played in the background.

During the mass, the bride took the first reading from Tobit 8:5-7. The groom read Colossians 3:12-17. The passages talk about values and virtues that make a marriage succeed.

The sermon was given by the Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Orlu, Bishop Gregory Ochia noted that

‘Genuine humility, utmost selflessness, zealous charity and concern for each other should be your watchword. You both must express gentility, so that you will use your behaviour to tame and discipline others’ marriage demands utmost care to work. The cleric encouraged the couple to complement each other and not to take themselves for granted.

“Genuine humility, utmost selflessness, zealous charity and concern for each other should be your watchword. You both must express gentility, so that you will use your behaviour to tame and discipline others,” Bishop Ochia said.

The couple exchanged rings and the nuptial knot was tied.

Guests moved to the Woodi Centre, New Government Layout, Owerri, for the grand reception, they were entertained by Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface.

That same night, a black and white dinner was held at the International Conference Centre, Owerri with musician Flavour on the band stand.

Okorocha thanked God for blessing him and his family. Expressing joy over Uloma’s wedding, he thanked his wife, for the daughter she gave him, saying:“If I don’t marry again, it is because of the kind of person you are.”

In attendance were former President Olusegun Obasanjo; President Goodluck Jonathan was represented by the National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki; Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Peter Obi (Anambra); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Chief Judge of Imo State Justice Benjamin Njemanze; former Governor of Imo State Achike Udenwa; Mr Niyi Akintola (SAN); Senator Florence Ita-Giwa; Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu; All People’s Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh; wife of Lagos State Governor Dame Abimbola Fashola and her Bayelsa counterpart Mrs Rachael Dickson among others.

•The couple Uche and Uloma

Okorocha’s daugther’s fairy-tale wedding

• More pictures on page 18

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

26

SOCIETY

•Governor Okorocha and wife Nneoma

•Groom’s mother Mrs Nwosu

•Chief Obasanjo

• Col Dasuki

•Chief Umeh

•Mrs Dickson

•Senator Osita Izunaso

•Groom’s father Mr Nwosu

•Governor Uduaghan and wife Roli

•Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Benjamin Uwajumogu and his Anambra counterpart Chinwe Nwaebili

•Senator Ita-Giwa

•From right: Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu; Senator Annie Okonkwo and wife PHOTOS: OKODILI NDIDI CASLEY

CONSECRATION

WEDDING Revd Bisi Bankole and his wife Lola after his consecration as a charismatic Bishop at Triumphant Word Christian Centre, Egbeda, Lagos

Mr Moses Orumen Arumemi, a lawyer with the Federal Ministry of Justice and former Miss Manifest Otabor, a nurse during their wedding at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Iruekpen, Ekpoma, Edo State

27

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

SOCIETY The sixth annual Hijrah Lecture/Du’au Session of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) has been held at the pavilion of the Assembly complex. OZIEGBE OKOEKI reports

A speaker’s pledge I

T was a motley crowd of lawmakers, Assembly staff, clerics, professionals and, of course, civil servants. Many of the men dressed in Islamic robe; most of the women wore traditional attires and covered their heads with hijab. The Alfas and Imams stood out in their dressing.

They wore alukinba and turban.

The Speaker came in a long flowing ash coloured robe with a small white cap to match.

The programme scheduled for 1pm did not start until about 3pm because the lawmakers sat to attend to some important pending issues.

The guests were not bothered by the delay.

It was yet another Hijrah Lecture/Du’au Session organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA).

The guest speakers Prof Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State and Dr Tajudeen Yusuf of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) spoke on Establishment of a just and balanced society: A critical look at leadership and accountability.

Describing the theme as apt, Prof. Ladan said it underscores the importance of the duties of Muslims to society, particularly, those in leadership positions on the need to showcase the core religious values in governance.

He said Nigeria is till at a cross-road because it is a nation full of paradoxes.

These paradoxes, the don identifies, as poverty in the midst of plenty.

“With over 70 million people living below poverty line; high unemployment rate among educated youths; widespread/ endemic corruption; widening income inequality; high cost of governance and rising debt profile due to lack of financial discipline on the part of all tiers of government. These are clear manifestations of the crisis of leadership in governance,” he said.

Quoting from the Quran, Prof. Ladan said Islam wants Muslims to establish a society that is just and balanced, orderly, safe, secure, righteous, stable and prosperous “that is founded on selfless service, justice, humility, respect for the rule of law and protection of the rights of the weak, the poor, the needy, the orphaned, minorities/ non-Muslims against all forms of discrimination,

tyranny, oppression, monopoly and arrogance of the powerful, the rich and the corrupt political and public office holders and their colluders in the private sector of the economy”.

He urged political office holders to use their position to show good leadership and accountability in office. According to him, those at the helms of affair should be compassionate, merciful and responsible to their followers.

“The leaders must always be transparent, reliable and posses a sense of accountability. The leaders must be compassionate to the followers, use their position, power and the authority to do good work,” he said.

Dr Yusuf said Allah forbids injustice, which is the norm in the society today.

One of the fundamental problems confronting us as human beings, he said, is injustice.

He asserted that a just and balanced society cannot be achieved unless we follow God’s commandment religiously.

“In Islam, being a leader is a serious affair and the leadership position must be held with fear of Allah. It is not a thing of joy to be a leader because everyone will be accounted for on the day of judgement,” he noted.

Ikuforiji promised the lawmakers would continue to show good leadership and abide by the Quranic injunctions.

The House, he said, will continue to legislate for the betterment of the people’s welfare and for good governance as representatives of the people.

In attendance were Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole; Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Education, Alhaji Abdul Fatai Olukoga; Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Garuba Akinola Ibrahim and Chief Imams from the five divisions of the state, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i of The Muslim Congress (TMC); Ustaz Abdullah Akinbode of NASFAT; Ustaz Abdur Rahman Adangba of Fathu Qareeb; Sheikh Yahya Osoala; Sheikh Jubril Ramadan of Morkaz Salam; Sheikh Abdul Majeed Imran Eleha of Daaru Na’im Central Mosque; Sheikh Zakariyya Thaani of Ansar-uddeen; Sheikh Abdul Wakil Mustafa and Ustaz Dawud Adelakun both of Association of Muslim Professionals.

•Hon Adebisi Yusuf

•Hon Ikuforiji

•Sheikh Ibrahim (left) chatting with Hon Alawiye-King

•Prof Ladan (left) and Hon Kolawole Taiwo

•From right: Sheikh Shafi’i discussing with Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib and Sheikh Adangba

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

•From right: Mr Mobolaji Fanimokun; Hon Jamiu Ali-Balogun; President of Eko Forum, Mr Babatunde Ali-Balogun; Hon Fuad Oki and other guests cutting the cake during the Annual General meeting of Eko Forum at Apapa, Lagos

•Alhaji AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef (left) and Dr Yusuf

FUNERAL

•Children of the late Major Sunday Obadina (from left) Shina, Lola, Funmi and widow Mrs. Deborah Obadina during the Funeral of the deceased at Abeokuta, Ogun State PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

28

After six children, Zimbabwean-based Nigerian businessman Anselem Oguamanam has married his Zimbabwean lovebird, former Miss Masslin Munemo, at the Christ the King Catholic Chaplaincy, Alvan Ikoku, Shell Camp, Owerri in Imo State.

JUDE ISIGUZO was there.

T

HE Christ the King Catholic Chaplaincy, Alvan Ikoku, Owerri Municipal Council in Imo State, bubbled from dawn to dusk on December 28. It was the day Anselem Oguamanam and former Miss Masslin Munemo couple formalised their union after 14 years.

Though their relationship has produced six children, it did not stop the lovebirds from tying the nuptial knot officially.

The church auditorium was ornately decorated. Various lightings used for the Christmas service still adorned the walls of the church.

On the right side of the church was the choir, dishing out inspirational songs. The congregation that included guests from the United States, United Kingdom, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe, danced to the choir’s music.

For those visiting Nigeria for the first time, especially the bride’s family members, they were enthralled by the choir’s performance. They could not resist dancing to the music.

The solemnisation began immediately the officiating minister, Revd.

Father Christian Iwuagwu, mounted the podium.

The amiable groom stood tall, waiting for his lovebird.

Oguamanam looked stunning in grey suit, a purple shirt, sky blue tie with a touch of red; a silver wrist watch and matching pair of shoes.

Behold, the woman of the day, Masslin catwalked into the auditorium with her father, Mr Jackson Munemo.

Clad in a white flowing gown, beautiful pieces of jewellery dangled from her head, ears and neck; she wore a pair of silver shoes.

There was pin-drop silence in the hall with the pianist.

She was handed over to Oguamanam before Revd. Iwuagwu began the marital rites.

The cleric declared the lovebirds husband and wife after they had said “I do”.

The church erupted in shouts of halleluiah!

The couple, their parents and witnesses signed the marriage certificate.

Recessional hymns were sung as the bridal train filed out.

The train moved to the newly opened Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu Centre, new Owerri, for the reception.

There was a photograph session with family members, friends, business associates and well-wishers.

Revd. Iwuagwu said the opening prayer before handing the microphone to the Founder, Redeemed House of God, Harare in Zimbabwe, Pastor Nick Ohizu.

Pastor Ohizu urged the couple to support and encourage each other as that was the only way to achieve a successful union.

Chairman on the occasion Mr Henry Onukwugha, from the United States, congratulated the couple.

Onukwugha, a lawyer, enjoined them to learn more about each other’s tradition.

This, he said, would aid mutual un-

From Zimbabwe with love

•Bride’s parent Mr and Mrs Jackson Munemo

Mr and Mrs Oguamanan

•Groom’s father Mr Oguamanam (left) and Mr Michael Oguamanam

•From left: Elder Ike; Mr Nwadike and Mr Okonkwo

• Pastor and Mrs Nik Ohizu

derstanding.

There were toast and cutting of the cake before the couple stepped onto the dance floor.

A Disk Jockey (DJ) played Nigerian, Zimbabwean and South African music. The couple thrilled the audience with spectacular dance steps as if they had trained for a long time.

An elated Masslin described the day as her happiest.

She said:”Getting married to a Nigerian is the best thing that has happened to me. If given the opportunity, I will do it over and over again.”

She promised to encourage other

number from a close friend and called me to express his interest and that was how the courtship began.”

Oguamanam, a former presidentgeneral of Imo community in Zimbabwe, noted that it was his wife’s extraordinary qualities that attracted him to her.

He said: “I cannot break it down but she is every good thing put together.

We got close and began to know each other better; I know she was the one for me. We were in courtship for about three to four years before we finally decided to get married. What is happening here, today, is the official hand-

single Zimbabwean women to marry Nigerian men.

“My husband is caring, soft spoken and hard-working. He knows how to make his woman happy and loved. At first, it was difficult but with time things started falling into shape,” she said.

The Director at Cen Michaels Investment Limited told The Nation how she met her husband.

She said: “He came to supply goods to one of his customers who has an office in my father’s shopping complex in Harare. I did not know he was looking at me; he collected my telephone

ing over in the presence of God”.

Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were Mrs Prisca Mupfumira and Mrs Lucy Mombeshora, both bride’s aunts from Harare; Afam Okeke from China; Gauis Nwaiwu from UK; David Oguamanam, the groom’s uncle from the United States; Edison Pepsi from South Africa; Paschal Nwaolikaenyi; Ugo Sly; Chima Nwadike; Smith Okonkwo; Simbarashe Chakare and Tinashe Mashitamoyo from Harare, Zimbabuwe and Chairman, Ogwa Community in Harare, Elder Bright Ike.

CHAIRMAN SIFAX GROUP DR TAIWO AFOLABI FETES GUESTS AT HIS OSBORNE ESTATE, IKOYI RESIDENCE TO USHER IN NEW YEAR

•Dr Afolabi and President-General, Supporters Club of Nigeria, Dr Rafiu Ladipo

•From left: Public Affairs Officer, Sifax Group, Yusuf Yaro, Chairman and MD of Instarmac Nigeria Limited, Dr Wale Afolabi and Ms Tunde Komolafe

29 FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

Vol 4. No. 1784

Challenges of traditional and experiential marketing Marketing is the bedrock of every business.

It enhances all-round growth. Experience has shown that consumers would rather have a taste of available products before making their choice, instead of relying on advertisement. This discovery heralded experiential marketing, which allows consumers to feel, taste and connect emotionally with products. This approach is expensive but efficient. The traditional marketing option saves cost but it is not as effective. Finding a balance between them is now of concern to marketers. RAJI ROTIMI SOLOMON reports.

M

ARKETING differ on approach and style. They have different ways of achieving results in their campaign. Some prefer to do it the old, traditional way and others go for the new, modern approach. These approaches are the traditional (old) and experiential (new) marketing.

Some experts keep to the traditional marketing, their line of arguement stating that this type of marketing reaches out to more people than the experiential marketing that would only touch few people. According to Mrs Wunmi Enilo an expert marketer said “using the mass media to convince the people is actually effective and pocket friendly. most times i suggest traditional marketing for clients because we are not restricted to the number of people that would get the information. Take for example we want to advertise an energy drink, it is a youth oriented product but we can as well put it on the Tv for everybody and you would be surprised that even the older people would recommend this energy drink for a younger person so i think that restriction is taken off..”

Traditional marketing gains customers by elucidating features and benefits of a product or brand, promises, catch-phrases, product benefits, guarantees, and every other information you want a potential customer to know are all inculcated either in a TV commercial, website, prints, or radio. Customers are to reflect on the information and decide whether to go

for the brand or not.

In this concept of marketing, the buying decision is left totally to the consumer who is either convinced or not. A weak conviction might turn-off a potential customer from a good brand or product while a strong conviction might as well pique the interest of a consumer to a less superior brand. It’s all about verbal or visual conviction. Examples of typical traditional marketing abound on our TVs, radios, magazines, newspapers, banners, websites among others. It is more about creating awareness with a little explanation.

Experiential marketing is a concept that integrates elements of emotions, logic and thought processes to connect with the consumer.

According to Kevin Johnston, experiential marketing as a concept appeals directly to the senses through touch, sound, smell, taste and sight. The objective of experiential marketing is to create the connection wherein the consumer responds to a brand or product both emotionally and rationally.

Experiential marketing stirs up emotional reaction which eventually arrests your interest and creates desire to take action which usually comes in form of purchase. Just like the name implies, experiential

marketing is meant to give your consumer an experience they would forever remember. Not only that it connects with the consumer’s emotions and sensibilities directly, it also gives room for immediate feedback.

You can test the pulse of your brand in the market and at the same time put every promise into practice. By understanding what the consumer is likely to feel or think, it is possible to get an idea of how to drive the customer in a direction that will relate with the product and lure them to take action. For Mr Ayo Adefajo, a experienced concept developer and marketing strategist said “experiential marketing is a good approach but the only king size issue most marketers have with it is that, it is quite expensive to run and most brand owners don’t want to pay for the services so most times i advice clients to juggle the two together for maximum result.”

Bringing it home, in recent times, many organisations, advertising agencies and marketing practitioners are buying into the idea of experiential marketing. Many brand owners are excited at the different possibilities that it offers; it is the winning approach to marketing.

When a brief is given, activation plan is developed in a manner that

suits the product or brand in focus and most times brand owners have a say in the development of such activation plans.

Most marketing communication outfits now incorporate experiential into their work scheme though it requires a specialist skill to carry out experiential effectively. Products, such as Safeguard soap embarked on experiential marketing when they came up with the wash your-hands-stay healthy concept.

They went in their trucks to test Safeguard soap in a hand washing campaign. Ariel at one time also adopted the experiential approach when they organised a washing contest in various places to test the power of the detergent in full glare.

Harpic didn’t only go experiential; they also placed the responses and feedbacks they got from it on their TV Ads, though some were created.

Moving away from product based brands, corporate brands who offer intangible goods like banks also adopt the experiential, Diamond Bank recently launched their ‘Bank on Wheels’ campaign; this takes the bank away from the four walls of the banking hall. This campaign connects with different consumers in the comfort of their houses, customers can carry out every and any transaction right

‘The aim of experiential marketing is to make the customer relate, feel, think, engage, reflect with the product, brand or company.

Aren’t those goals the aim of every marketing plan? If they are not, something is wrong with the marketing plan’

there in the truck. Customers can also make complaints.

As effective as experiential marketing is, it has got a major setback which is a point of controversy for marketing experts in the country.

It cost an arm and a leg to execute a brand activation plan. First, for consumer based product, product samplings and give away consumes a huge chunk of the budget, setting-up in a location, sometimes battling touts could be another challenge for those that do general market space campaign.

With all these, most experiential marketers tend to charge high, and with the crushing effect of global economic melt-down, which has made most companies to cut down on their marketing communication budget, it puts both brand owners and marketers in the spot. In some cases, brand owners would give a go ahead for brand activation and at the end of the exercise they are not paid and most times money used for product brand activation wis loaned from the bank.

Falling back to traditional marketing, the argument is, it is definitely cost effective but maybe not as efficient as experiential, therefore balance is needed, compromise must be reached. To reach this compromise an industry expert said: “The aim of experiential marketing is to make the customer relate, feel, think, engage, reflect with the product, brand or company. Aren’t those goals the aim of every marketing plan? If they are not, something is wrong with the marketing plan.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

30

Brandnews

Domestic tourism vital to destination branding G

LOBALLY, tourism and incentive travel are not only acknowledged as the largest industry in terms of huge revenue generation but also the world’s highest employer of labour. Yearly, over 600 million people travel internationally while hundreds of millions or more travel domestically, transiting from city to city. They embark on these journeys for various reasons: specifically for business, pleasure, relaxation, enjoyment, education and more.

Over the years, the tourism industry has grown and is also evolving with leading tourism destination spots changing from the former assets-driven marketing to the strategic customer-centric marketing.

This entails the selection of the best a country has to offer in terms of arts and crafts, science, cultural and biological diversity, beautiful scenery, rich and distinct history and people with diverse heritage.

Tourism has become the honey pot of most countries as they rely on it either as the major foreign exchange earner or as the main source of national income and in most cases with the revenue generated higher than those of agrarian countries.

Stories by Wale Alabi

World wide, tourism generates about $10 trillion, employs about 300 million people and about $10 trillion in terms of capital investment. Nigeria with the world at her feet as a tourism destination spot has the potentials of earning well over N100 billion annually, if well harnessed.

Genesis of tourism in Nigeria could be said to have began in 1472, when Lagos as a protectorate welcomed the Portuguese who came visiting for reasons best known to them. But then they could be described as the first set of tourists to step on Nigerian soil. According to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), “tourism is the movement of people from one place to another, either across national or international boundaries for some specific purposes, such as education, business or even sports and immigration”.

With rich natural endowments, huge population, friendly people and good climate, Nigeria as a tourism spot has huge potentials.

Hence, the world ought to be visiting Nigeria to see what she has to offer. With a population of about

150 million, 250 ethnic groups with diverse historical and cultural backgrounds, Nigeria is indeed a paragon of tourism.

Sadly, however, over the years, Nigeria has been unable to harness these potentials for branding and sundry developmental purposes.

Reasons for this are not far-fetched, tourism industry analysts contend that Nigeria is perhaps blinded to her tourism potentials because of the petroleum resources available which earn her trillions of Naira every year.

Analysts also point to the fact that the average Nigerian does not know how to relax, rest or enjoy utilising the tourism potentials God blessed Nigeria with. But why do Nigerians fail to tap into Nigeria’s tourism endowments? Reasons for this, range from poverty, economic survival, ignorance, non-appreciation of heritage, complacency and religious fanaticism. Given this scenario, only a few rich appreciate domestic tourism in Nigeria.

However, how can the Nigerian tourism industry become attractive to outsiders if Nigerians fail to appreciate and patronise the tourist havens and facilities? How can Ni-

geria’s huge tourism potentials be explored and exploited profitably if domestic tourism does not flourish? Domestic tourism apart from its revenue generating benefit also plays a very vital role in destination branding.

According to the late tourism guru, Matts Da’Silva, “domestic market is important to any country determined to develop its tourism destinations with a view to penetrating the international market.

It is true that globally, domestic tourists always outnumber international tourists in varying ratio.

It is possible that local products can be developed to international standards by clustering very popular destinations or points and various festivals within the country, in conjunction with states and local governments where most destinations are located to form circuit for marketing internationally, thus building the image of the nation as an international tourist destination”. This strategy will, however, work when it is driven through a Public, Private, Partnership (PPP) platform.

Already, some states in Nigeria are already utilising the PPP platform in the tourism sector. States like Cross River, River, Lagos, Ogun,

Osun, Kebbi, Ondo and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja are in the vanguard of promoting domestic tourism for destination branding.

Before it was recently rebranded as ‘Ipinle Omoluabi’, (State of the virtuous), Osun State was known as the land of the Living Spring. The term, living spring was taken from the Osun River. Annually, the Osun festival features colourful display of the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

Also, the Osun Sacred Grove and Shrine in Osogbo is acclaimed locally and internationally as a favourite tourist spot. And Osun, one of the pantheons in Yoruba mythology is regarded as the goddess of fertility. Drawing tourists within the country and abroad, the Osun annual festival has for decades now become a veritable marketing tool to position Osun State.

Also, corporate brands, such as Grand Oak Nigeria Limited, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Coca-Cola Nigeria and MTN have partnered with the government to leverage Osun as a tourist spot.

In Cross River State, the Calabar Carnival, the month long festival which opens weeks preceding the Yuletide has become very useful in branding the state.

CSR: MTN empowers young entrepreneurs

A

• From left: National Trade Marketing Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc Wietse Mutters and the Chairman Tabcon Enterprise, Omoba Gbadebo at the trade briefing in Ibadan.

Consumers hail Heineken bottle

H

EINEKEN®, the international premium beer brand, unveiled its new global bottle to over 250 consumers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The event was interspersed with a preview from the latest James Bond movie, SkyFall, which was sponsored by Heineken.

It was pepped up with dramatic and energetic dancing by the DNMT dance group.

Regional Business ManagerWest, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Joseph Bodunrin, said: “Innovation is boldly written in the DNA of the Heineken® brand. We always want to be the pioneer in being the first to bring new beer experiences to consumers. With this new bottle, we have succeeded in that respect. The new bottle has a clear plastic label, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It means you can see through the label to the high quality beer in the bottle. It’s good to always be fresh. Give something new to your consumers.”

He explained the relationship

between the brand and Skyfall, the latest James Bond movie. “The partnership with James Bond will further drive home the uniqueness and the premium nature of the Heineken® brand in line with man of the world campaign.”

Bodunrin added that consumers generally have insights, which drive them to approve a brand and they have approved Heineken®.

Commenting on the place of the brand and the activities in Ibadan region, he said Heineken® has done creditably well because of its unique quality. “We engage in sponsorships in term of carnival, especially the Ibadan carnival which is mainly a beer event where consumers gather to enjoy the quality beer responsibly. The beer market in Nigeria is still growing; competition may be keen, but what matters is for consumers to continuously approve of a brand. It is not gainsaying that Heineken® brand will continue to have worldwide acceptance and Nigeria will not be an exception.”

The brand will continue to grow in the West, as good times are here

for consumers they will have Heineken® brand available, especially during the festive period. We value our consumers and distributors and we will continue to treat them as such.

Speaking on behalf of the distributors, Odebiyi Mary, a Manager at Dacamca Nigeria Limited, Ibadan praised the new Heineken global bottle “The new global bottle is a very fantastic move that will further boost the already high profile of Heineken, it is a worthy development and we appreciate Nigerian Breweries Plc for it. We are trade partners to the company and as such we are always interested in innovations and ideals that will promote our businesses. The brewery industry in Nigeria is very big now, and the new bottle will expand our business because people will appreciate the beer now more than ever as this will translate into high sales volume for us as distributors. Heineken® is for a unique set of consumers and the new bottle will further distinguish it from other beers.”

DETOLA Adebowale has won the inaugural MTN Business Grant Competi-

tion.

At the award and prize presentation, held recently at the Banquet Hall of Oriental Hotel, Lekki, the graduate of the University of Lagos and Fate Foundation’s Aspiring Entrepreneurship Programme Batch 34, was unveiled along with two other runners-up which include the Titus Igwe twins and Terseer Ugbor.

The winner was presented with an entrepreneurship financial grant of N20 million while the runners-up received N5 million each.

The competition is an entrepreneurship aid aimed at helping bright Nigerian youths, who have developed satisfactory business plans and are willing to pursue them. The competition is the latest innovation and addition to the MTN Leadership Summit which, over the years, has given Nigerian youths the platform to develop and drive their visions.

According to Imamoke Ogoro,

Senior Manager, Master Brand, MTN, ‘the strategy of the summit is to act as a platform for networking.

Aside that, it became imperative not just to bring people together to get excited and motivated after a series of motivational talks but to help bring their dreams alive’.

She added that, because MTN has always striven to give Nigerians the opportunity to live the richer life, the introduction of the Business Grant Competition, to give financial assistance to the best among the nation’s budding entrepreneurs become necessary.

At outset, Wale Adeniranye, one of the panelists, said, over 2000 business plans were received. These plans were pruned to 40 per region from where they were screened for the final 12 entries. It was from among these final entries that the eventual winner, Adetola Adebowale, emerged for his business plan for Wapa Apparel, a fashion consultancy and garment manufacturing outfit; alongside the two runners-up.

Campari unveils new TVC

T

O enhance the its brand, a new television commercial (TVC), has been launched for the world’s best known aperitif, Campari, with the title “Unstoppable”.

The commercial blends the drink’s stimulating and sensual essence with the optimistic nature of the national character to create something uniquely Nigerian.

According to a source from the ad agency that created the TVC, “Unstoppable” offers a glimpse into the life of an inspiring and charismatic Nigerian man played

by David Gyasi, star of the movie The Cloud Atlas. “As we follow him through his work day and into the evening, he is seen enjoying Campari with friends before meeting an elegant and sensual woman, and a fellow Campari drinker, at a bar. The scene ends with the stylish and refined couple striding for-

ward, leaving the viewer with a sense of intrigue and anticipation at things to come,” he said.

Explaining the rationale behind the new creative work for the brand to our reporter, Richard Black, Marketing Director, Campari International, and who also oversaw the creation of the new campaign said: “We wanted to reflect the hope and positivity which characterise the Nigerian consumers, whilst staying true to the vibrancy and elegance of the world’s best-known aperitif. The Italian passion of Campari and the optimism of Nigerians are natural partners, which combine to create a sense of anticipation of things to come and a belief that anything is possible,” he added.

The 45seconds unstoppable campaign has been aired in almost all the leading television stations and some payTV channels.

SHOPPING

31

THE NATION

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

e-mail: janicenkoli@yahoo.com 08033349992 sms only

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

• Eastern shop, Ogui Road, Enugu.

Relief for stranded shoppers Shoppers in the Southeast are happy that major stores and markets have reopened after the Yuletide. During the festive period, shoppers had to make do with road-side shopping. ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU reports. • Story on Page 32

Stability in price boosts sales

Make your bathroom glow

Page 33

Page 34

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

32

SHOPPING

S

HOPPERS in the Southeast, especially in some parts of Enugu, Anambra and Abia states were stranded during the yuletide as major markets were shut for the festival. The shopping plazas in big markets and many of the supermarkets were closed.

Apart from shoppers in state capitals and those who patronise superstores, the villagers are used to the four-day traditional markets — Eke, Orie, Afor, Nkwo. But during Christmas, some villagers brought out their goods targeting the returnees from other places for brisk sales. The local markets were deserted as traders moved to the roadside.

The plazas and major markets in the states were closed from December 22 to 24, 2012.

Shoppers had no option than to resort to the local market places and road sides. Almost every street and frontage of big markets turned into shopping centres.

Nnewi, Onitsha and Awka as far as business and shopping were concerned, during the festivities, were dead zones. Shoppers who had not bought all they needed before the markets were closed could not meet their needs.

Mr Anayo Onyekauba of Umubele Village, Awka, drove through the whole town just to buy a carton of Star to complement his stock of drinks for his wedding to no avail until someone finally directed him to a place behind the market. That was the fate of many, especially returnees.

The commercial town of Nnewi was a ghost of itself when the numerous visitors doing business in the industrial city went to their villages to celebrate the Christmas and New Year. But that did not stop skeletal businesses as in Awka and Onitsha.

A journalist, Mr Austin Onwutalobi, lamented that everywhere in Nnewi was closed and he could not find a place to send his news reports. He expressed joy that businesses have resumed again.

Hon James Onwuka, the councillor representing Awka North Local Government

• Enugu market

Relief for stranded shoppers Area, told the Nation Shopping that it was needless going shopping in his community. He said it would take two hours or more to get to Awka and, therefore, one had to make do with whatever one had bought or resort to the local shops which may not have all the things that one might need.

Hon Onwuka disclosed that a bag of rice sells for between N5,500 and N6,000 in rice mills in his community and that alone should be an attraction to shoppers but lamented that sequel to lack of good roads, these shoppers wait for them to evacuate the bags of rice to Awka before jumping on them. He said the rice sold in his community is better than the foreign rice.

Aside from all species of rice at Ugbenu, shoppers swung to the numerous road joints buying delicacies, especially fish and other farm produce preparatory to going back to the city after the celebrations.

But for Mr Kalu Matthias Chukwuma, a banker with Nice Microfinance Bank, Nise, an indigene of Amaba Ubibia, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, shoppers were not in their village this season for pineapple, banana and plantain, which they have in commercial quantities.

“I was in the village but shoppers were not forthcoming. They wait for us to bring the produce to Umuahia before pricing. Our people have pineapple, plantain and banana, even palm fruits in commercial quantities but the bounty harvest period will be from February to April. Ordinarily, they would follow you to the plantation to buy the pineapple in the farm and later harvest. If you refuse they will be begging you and those who harvested their own will sell it off because there would be many shoppers of pine-

apple looking for the limited product.

At Ngene Awka junction, Ngodo Nise, a food vendor, Mrs Cordelia Ngwu, confirmed the scarcity of condiments and household needs in local markets like Oye Ngene Awka daily market, even on Oye day during the festivities but rather than get frustrated she went down to Eke Awka and shopped on the streets to complement.

“I couldn’t get all I want here even on the market day, especially during the celebrations but I went down to Awka to get others because in Awka, even when the market is closed, you still get what you want from the street sides and avenues created for shoppers behind the markets so they won’t be stranded one bit. And prizes remained stable but for addition of between N10 and N100 at most.

“If I had depended on the market here, I wouldn’t be able to satisfy my customers and when you talk about those coming to eat all kinds of delicious meals in my catering shop, are they not shoppers or is it because they eat and lick mouth before going? It is the same thing like going to some of these eateries in town where they go and park and buy expensive meals which we even cook better here.

“That is why those who want to eat good meals storm here daily to enjoy sumptuous meals as you can see the number of guests I have in there now. I feed people from Awka, Amawbia , Nibo , Agulu and Enugu-Ukwu, Nise and all the federal establishments around here’’, she concluded.

In Amanuke and Isu-Aniocha also in Awka North Local Government Area, shoppers did not mind buying anything they needed along the village roads but the markets

looked empty even on market days.

Mr Felix Oti, a newspaper distributor and Mr Samuel Odogwu, a retired school Administrator were of the opinion that shopping freaks coming home to celebrate must stockpile the things they would need or make do with what the villagers have in the local shops or travel out to cities to get whatever they needed if they would see it anyway.

Oti and Odogwu were of the opinion that disappointment from some shoppers to get whatever they had wanted during the festivities in their villages serves as a lesson to them on what the villagers are passing through and the lesson of adaptability and compromise, which life is all about. They opined that no person would like to open a shopping plaza in a village because it would not thrive there and shoppers who cannot do without shopping should go the extra mile or shop in the villages for the fun of it.

The shoppers, mostly returnees were interested in buying local stuffs they would go back with.

At Eke Obinagu, Emene-Owo, there was not even a single soul at the market. It was dead. Unlike in Anambra State where people were around the markets providing needs of shoppers, there was not even a vehicle or motor bike to take a stranded visitor home. It was just lonely and deserted.

This reporter had gone for the traditional wedding of Mr Simon Ideh from Eziowelle with intention of buying palm wine and other delicacies which the natives are known for but noting was found.

The streets of Enugu were also deserted but Shoprite was a beehive of activities as well as eateries in and around the state.

33

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

SHOPPING

Stability in price boosts sales Lagosians are besieging markets to restock after the festivities. To their pleasant surprise, prices have remained stable. TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

M

AJOR markets in Lagos have been busy since the Yuletide ended.

Traders are daily posting impressive sales figure. “We are experiencing high sales,” Mrs Latifat Adebayo, a tomato seller at the Mile 12 foodstuff market, said.

“It is evident that a new year has begun and people are restocking for their daily needs. There is no significant drop in patronage even as people complained of lack of cash,” she added.

At Ketu Market, shoppers say cost of food items are the same . “I bought all I came to the market to buy and they all still sell for the same prices. No inflation and no reduction in the quantity of items sold”, said Mrs Ehi Osadolor.

Madam Best, a rice seller, said: “The prices of bags of rice are still the same between N7, 000 and N9,000 and people have been coming to buy. I have been able to restock my store.”

At Oyingbo Market, a bowl of crayfish still costs N1,200, which is the same price it was sold during the Yuletide.

In terms of sales, traders say they have not experienced a decrease.

A carton of croaker fish still sells for N9,000 while a carton of stockfish sells for N5,500.

Also, a carton of chicken sells for N5,000 and the price of turkey remains N6,600 per carton.

A bowl of garri is sold for N300. The cost of Mama Gold rice is N8,800, while ‘special’ rice costs N9,000.

Mama Bisi, a yam flour dealer, said the prices of food items have not changed.

“We have always sold a basin of dry yam for N2,000. The price hasn’t changed, it is still the same,” she said.

Miss Aduke Blessing, who sells oil at the market, said the price of all measures of oil has not risen.

“Five litres of groundnut oil have always been N1,500. It is still what it is. The price hasn’t changed at all. Twenty-five litres is N7,500,” she said.

The secretary of the market, Mrs Titi

• Women and their wares

• Balogun West

Adeoye, confirmed that business has been booming for traders.

“Traders do not have to bring their wares in the open and sell under a tent for people to see and patronise them. People locate traders even in their hidden shops because the traders tend to have what they need at that time”, she said.

Adamu Mohammed, who deals in livestock, said the traders are enjoying good patronage. “Ordinarily, one would assume that after the festivities, sales of livestock would be poor. But the reverse is the case. I look forward to coming to the market early every day,” he said.

Balogun Market in Lagos Island was crammed with buyers and sellers last weekend. It was as if Lagosians had come out en masse to shop for a new year.

A trader, Mrs Romoke Jinadu, noted that the market had been experiencing an unusual influx of customers from within and outside Lagos.

Speaking to the Nation Shopping, she said: “What do you expect? This is a new year and many people come to the market to buy their needs to start another year. It could be their children’s school needs; they will be resuming soon. It could be foodstuffs for the family and it could be items to plan for parties.

This is one of the major markets in Lagos and so many people troop here on a daily basis,” she said.

Mrs Cordelia Iheanacho, who sells shoes and bags, corroborated that business is still at its peak. “Some people who do not like the festive rush wait until a time like this to shop without stress and probably get to buy new stock.” she explained.

“At this time, we have good sales like the festive periods. Some people want to buy new shoes and bags to resume work for the year, some to attend parties and others because they might just get what they want at the best bargain. We didn’t need to inflate the prices of these items. The prices vary depending on the design you want to buy.

We don’t need to increase any price for any reason”, she said.

Shopping Right with

Restocking your kitchen

F

OOD, (along with the rent and car and gas) are one of the biggest expenses people make. Many homes allocate a chunk of their budget to food stuff. The reason is simple. They do not want to run short of food. Besides, cooking one’s food is just so much less expensive and healthier than eating out because when you cook it yourself, you would know exactly what you are eating.

And as I figure that most of my readers, whether they have big families or not, shop for foodstuff now; everyone does. And this is about the time many are doing so. So it is as well I passed across some tips.

Pick and choose from among these tips, which I hope will be of use to you.

JANICE NKOLI IFEME Always go with a list. This cannot be overemphasised. If you go without a list, you may as Cut back on your “one-item” trips. They waste well just throw your money away. Better still, gas, and almost inevitably, you buy more than donate it to me. I probably need it more than that one item. If you plan ahead, make a weekly you do. Seriously, though, you need to prepare menu, and shop with a list, this should drastia list of everything you need. Make sure you are cally reduce the number of trips you make for a not forgetting anything. Now stick to that list. small number of items. But if you still find yourPlan out a weekly menu. This is the best way self running out for a few items, analyze the to ensure that your list is complete, and that you reason — are you not making a good list, are have enough to serve your family for the week. you forgetting some items from your list? Stock Do not go when you are hungry. As trivial as up on the things you frequently go out for. it sounds, do not ignore this tip. When you are When there is a sale, stock up. Sale items can hungry, you want to buy all kinds of junk and be a great deal. If it is an item you normally use, would end up spending a lot more. Eat a good buy a bunch of them. meal first, and you will be more likely to stick Try comparison shopping. Look at the differto your list. ent brands for a certain type of product, includHave a budget. When I go to the store, I know ing store brands. exactly how much I can spend.

Sometimes there Then I try my best to stick within will be a significant that limit. If you do not know ‘When you run out of somedifference. how much you can spend, you thing, do not leave it to Do not buy junk will certainly spend too much. food (or buy as lityour memory.

Jot it down When you run out of sometle as possible). thing, do not leave it to your immediately, and you will Junk food not only memory. Jot it down immedicosts a lot of money ately, and you will never have never have to run back to for about zero nuto run back to the store because the store because you do trition, but it you do not have eggs. Keep a makes you and list on your fridge if you have not have eggs. Keep a list your family fat and to. When you are running low, on your fridge if you have kills you. Talk write it down. Do not wait until to. When you are running about a bad deal! you run out.

Opt for fruits and When you see there is only low, write it down. Do not veggies instead. three toilet paper rolls left, put it wait until you run out’ Go for whole on your list. Because when you foods. The procrun out, it will be too late. essed kind is lackKeep things stocked for quick and easy meals. ing in nutrition and will make you fat. Look for Easy meals might be spaghetti or a quick stirthings in their least processed form — whole fry. The ingredients are always on hand, so you grain instead of white or wheat bread, fresh fruit can whip something up fast when you are feelinstead of canned or juice, whole grain cereal or ing lazy. oatmeal instead of all other kinds of cereal. You Buy in bulk when it makes sense. If you can get the idea. save money, over the course of a month or two, Know when the store stocks its fresh fruits and by buying in bulk, plan to do so. But be sure that veggies. Fruits and veggies can go bad quickly, you are going to use all of it before it gets bad. It so it would do you a lot of good to go at the right is not cheaper to buy in bulk if you do not use it. time Make a pantry checklist. Make a checklist of Plan one big trip a month for bulk staples. You everything you normally stock in your can get fresh items at another store on other pantry.This makes it much easier when it comes weeks, but doing a big bulk trip will cut back on time to make your list. the expense and amount you have to carry for Pack your own lunch snacks. Buying pre-made the other three weeks. Avoid buying on impulse snacks is convenient, but a big waste of money. at the bulk store too — just because they sell a lot Buy little baggies and buy the snacks in bulk, of it does not mean you are saving, if you were then it will take just a few minutes to pack some not planning on buying it in the first place. snacks for lunch each day.

Use everything possible. Got a bunch of leftoMake leftovers for lunch. Plan to cook a bit ver ingredients (half an onion, a bit of tomato, extra for each dinner, so that you will have leftosome pasta, a few other veggies?) … combine vers for your lunch and for the kids too. Pack it them for a quick meal, so that these do not go to right away, after dinner, so you do not have to waste before your next grocery trip. The more worry about it in the morning. you can stretch the food, and the less you waste, Cook a lot, then freeze. It is always advisable the less you will spend in the long run. to prepare your stew and soup to last you for a Do not waste leftovers. Have a list on your considerable period of time, when you have the fridge of what leftovers are in there, so you do time, then freeze. With that you would always not forget about them. Plan a leftover night or have ready meals, even when there are visitors. two, so you are sure to eat them all.

Write to us, express your views, observations and experiences. Let’s have your comments about shopping. Your comments, questions and answers will be published first Friday of every month. With your full name and occupation, send e-mail to: janicenkoli@yahoo.com SMS - 08033349992

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

SHOPPING

• Modern bathroom design

In many homes, bathrooms lack the modern touch. They are no longer what they used to be in the past. They now come complete with the requisite accessories for men and women. Want such a bathroom? Here are tips from TONIA ‘DIYAN

Make your bathroom glow T

HERE are several ways of giving your bathroom a new look. It involves assessing your space, knowing how you want to use it; finding the right pieces to define the space and adding any final touches to make it your own.

Gone are the days of the small efficient bathroom area. Everyone now wants to have at least one bathroom suite in their homes, so changing a few key items can make a difference. This gradual progression from the simple bathing room to the bathroom suite is apparent to anyone who watches the home improvement channel.

Modern designs have always made sense in the bath and by understanding the essence of modern design; you can transform your bathroom into a simple yet luxurious one.

Updating the look of your bathroom is quick, simple and serene when you maximise the minimal space you have whether you have a small or big apartment.

When it comes to creating your space, it is not necessary to ignore either luxury or comfort to make or remake your bathroom.

However, it is imperative to think differently during the design process. Concentrate on editing, rather than adding. When embarking on bathroom renovation, choose quality products, such as fixtures, tubs, plumbing, showers, flooring and paints.

Green and orange are two colours you can make use of. It could be as simple as coordinating colours but too many colours can produce a chaotic atmosphere.

Paints that hold up against moisture even if you want the latest colours reflected in your bathroom, you should consider the bathroom’s high humility, condensation and steam. Be sure to select a paint that is specifically made for the bath, because bath paints offer moisture, mildew are mold resistant and will not spot, fade or stain. They can be easily cleaned and are commonly used for interior walls, cabinets, celling and doors.

Get rid of blocky cabinets and replace with a graceful fixture. Quality fixtures although

may look similar but not all faucets are the same. Look for faucets constructed of high quality materials. A quality faucet will give you superior performance, as well as durability providing stylish addition to your bathroom. A faulty metal washer is the usual cause of faucet leakage.

Ceramic tiles are very suitable for bathrooms, they come in various colours and sizes. It is better to make use of the coloured ones preferably pink for the female bathroom and blue for male bathroom while purple can be used for the kids bathroom because it is easier to wash compared to white which is difficult to maintain.

Real wood vanities create lasting impression. Walk into any home improvement store or bathroom retailer and you will be confronted with vanities of all types and sizes. From maple to cherry to oak, the possibilities are endless.

But be sure to select a vanity made of real wood. There are many vanities that may look like real wood, but when you look at them closely, you will find a veneer on top of pressed wood. In a steamy bathroom, the veneer may peel away from the pressed wood leaving you with a problem.

Bathroom accessories should not be forgotten when you are renovating or creating your bathroom. They provide the finishing touches to any bathroom, they are the little things that enhance your bathroom such as bath rack, grab bar, robe hook, scale , shelves, shower curtains, soap dish, toilet brush holder, toothbrush holder, towel bar, towel ring, towel warmer, and of course, toilet paper holder or nail if you prefer.

Don’t forget you spend quite a lot of time in the bathroom so choose carefully and make it a relaxing and cozy place you desire it to be. If you are looking behind the walls at the plumbing system, or in the main room at decorative features, don’t be consumed by the stylish images in the latest magazines or the sales pitch at your local retailer. Always go beyond the surface to look for quality.

• A modern bathroom

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

35

Brandnews

Brand battle of the century: Apple Vs Samsung L

AST year, the biggest Smartphone makers took their battle beyond advertising campaigns into the courtroom.

Though the two brands had been unsolved in supremacy war for long, this particular court case was special as it was the first time the parties would be appearing in court against each other.

The result was a $1.05 billion verdict in favour of American based Apple to be paid by Samsung; a Korean/Japanese technological firm.

Several Americans trooped to the streets, happy with the American Judicial system while technological pundits worldwide worried about how the verdict would affect stocks, shares and sales in the months to follow.

But it is clear that the war is far from being over as both companies have continued to announce ground-breaking technology on their many devices.

The result is an increased drive to out-perform each other by pumping billions into various research and development projects and a more fervent campaign to consumers to convince them on why they should buy their products. Apple has continued to ride on the success of its self-made platform; the IOS while Samsung is ever reliable on the innovative minds at Google which develop the Android OS. Apple, sued Samsung over the latter’s infringement on six of its softwares and designs, which has

Stories by Raji Rotimi Solomon

resulted to what is considered to be the highest penalty ever meted out for patent violation in history.

The jury in San Jose concluded that, Samsung has violated several of Apple’s patents covering things like bounce-back, Samsung was alleged to have copied Apple’s iPhone in terms of its looks which is rectangular with rounded curves.

The case didn’t end there as Apple, on August 28th said they wanted the presiding judge Lucy Koh to ban the sale of eight Samsung smartphones in America.

Apples sales ban appeal created a sizzling shiver in the industry; it was Samsungs greatest fear, but recently, the sales ban appeal has been overruled, a great relief for Samsung.

The interesting part is that the legal tussle between Samsung and Apple is quite interesting because these two sworn-enemies are interwoven into each other in a way.

Samsung is one of the largest suppliers of hardware components such as memory chips for Apples gadgets, but its phones and tablets which till recent times have used Googles Android operating system.

While Apple rejoiced at the legal victory of the ruling that was in their favour in America, Samsung was also celebrating their victory over apple in Uk. Not only that, Samsung had filed for sales ban of Apple product in several European

countries which includes Germany, Italy, UK, Netherlands and France.

Samsung had alleged that Apple had violated the use of its patent, which is described as wireless technology.

Apple countered that Samsung didn’t license the patent out fairly, which the company is supposed to do under the principle of FRAND, fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory basis. Though Samsung later withdrew its request on salesban of Apple on the premise of protecting consumer choice.

In all both companies are still doing well, despite the legal morass both firms have found themselves, peace is in sight. According to District court judge Lucy Koh, this was what she told the two warring companies “it’s time for global peace, is there anything the court can do?

Lagos woos investors with carnival THE Lagos State government has reaffirmed its resolve to attract foreign investment into the state, with its business-friendly policies, infrastructure and tourist attractions.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Lateef Aderemi Ibirogba, said this on Tuesday, during the Lagos Countdown – a cross-over event driven by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA).

He explained that the government is leveraging the proposition of Lagos as a premium destination for business and leisure, with tourism platforms such as the countdown.

“The Lagos Countdown was conceived to place Lagos on the same scale with cities, such as Sydney, London, New York and Los Angeles, which have been known world-wide to celebrate the entry of each year with colourful festivities, while attracting thousands of tourists and businesses with each edition,” he said.

He further stated that the event boosts micro economy of the state and also rehabilitates and employs the majority of the high-risk youth and individuals, popularly called area boys, who usually cause nuisance to their communities during the festive seasons. An estimated 615 individuals were employed during the course of the event, and a majority of these previously unemployed individuals also benefited from the training programmes that were organised to assist them discharge their functions.

According to him, 108 shops were erected, while licensed vendors recieved stalls, tables and chairs free of charge. Over 120 vendors participated in the event, while jobs were created in areas of security, crowd control, stewards & information marshals and fireworks rigging and testing.

Unilever donates to mothers AS part of celebrating the pureness of a mother’s love and to share love in the new year, Unilever Nigeria Plc. has donated Home Care & Baby Products to mothers who just gave birth and expectant mothers at the General Hospital in Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos suburb.

Speaking during the donation. Assistant Category Manager, Skin Cleansing, Unilever Nigeria Plc. Mr Adeola Dexter stated “our giving is not to do what others are doing but it is our sincere love that we come to share with mothers and babies here. From the on-going, our brands are purely the expression from our heart to go extra mile in putting smiles on the faces of everybody we come in contact with them.

Our brands signify our joy and love that we spread across every home.”

“We aim to become an iconic company in Nigeria. This means to be known as a company first for good, impacting our environment in a very positive way. And this is one of the little ways we give back to our immediate society. We reflect this also in our new super four variants to connect the abundant benefits with our numerous consumers. The new Vaseline maintains its rich heritage of extreme quality, now using a unique triple purification process that works naturally with your skin to renew and rebuild moisture”.

Nokia showers millions on winners MORE lucky millionaires have emerged in the Nokia Asha Millionaire promo organised by leading mobile phone manufacturer, Nokia. The lucky winners are Alagbile John Olugbenga, Alashe Kazeem, Ani Nkechi, Ogundipe Oluwadamilola Desodun, Jude Ihuoma.Samuel Egbegbadia and Sowunmi Kabirat.

With the emergence of these seven lucky winners, the promo has produced 21 winners of N1 million cash prize having produced 14 winners in the previous draws.

Speaking during the presentation of cheques to the winners at a ceremony held at Nokia Office, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, ‘Ladi Oyatayo, Head of Sales Operations, Nokia West Africa described the promo as another way of connecting with the customers and entrenching affinity with the brand.

“Nokia is always willing to give back to our esteemed customers and since the Christmas season is usually a period to share joy and make people happy, we introduced the promo to share the joy and happiness with our customers,” he said.

From left: Head Group, Marketing, Interswitch, Enyioma Anaba; Trainee Manager, National Lottery Regulation Commission, Okoro Margaret Chigozie and Deputy Manager, National Lottery Regulation Commission, Onymenam Ike Daniel at the Verve Double Offer promo in Lagos recently.

France wants Google to pay to deliver Ad

G

OOGLE faced renewed political pressure in Europe on Monday when France’s technology minister backed suggestions that it should make a contribution to the cost of operating and upgrading telecoms networks.

Fleur Pellerin said there was a “need to ask serious questions about how web companies can put some money into networks”.

Her comments came after a French broadband provider blocked its subscribers from seeing the advertisements that fund web companies such as Google. Xavier Niel, the entrepreneur behind Free, which has around 5.2 million subscribers, has complained that Google does not compensate him for the amount of capacity that services such as YouTube consume.

Ms Pellerin said she had asked Free to lift the embargo on Google and other web advertising, but indicated sympathy with Mr Niel’s position.

“What solutions do internet providers have when faced with content providers who use their networks but don’t invest in them?” she said at a press conference in Paris.

Google is likely to fiercely resist political moves to make it pay telecoms firms for carrying its traffic to their subscribers as it would likely mean costs would increase with the popularity of its services.

The firm’s massive profitability is based in part on the fact that once it has built web products, the cost of serving them to growing numbers of people remains relatively stable.

Similar proposals were tabled by

a coalition of European network operators at a recent United Nations conference. Google publicly attacked the talks and branded them a threat to freedom on the internet.

The firm declined to respond to Ms Pellerin’s comments but said it was aware of Free’s actions and was investigating. The minister said she would meet Google executives ahead of a debate on the issue on January 15.

The controversy is the latest of Google’s regulatory battles in Europe. While a US government investigation last week found that in the most important areas web search and advertising, Google was not guilty of monopoly abuses, a parallel European Commission probe has demanded it changes its practices.

NB media goes for a pitch THE multi-million naira Nigerian Breweries media planning and buying business has been put up for a pitch. The account is with Carat MP which won the business after an intense pitch in 2005. Slugging it out with the incumbent are Initiative Media, Universal McCann, Capital Media and Media Share.

The account is a big and very active one including brands like Gulder, Star, Heineken, Maltina, Legend and Amstel Malta.

The account is also known for its heavy spending media properties and reality television shows like the Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS), Maltina Dance All, Amstel as well as one of Nigeria’s biggest concerts, Star Quest.

New popcorn here FCI Symle International, a revolutionised confectionery outfit, based in Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, in collaboration with Popz Demark Ap8 has introduced new Popz Microwave Popcorn into the Nigerian market.

The popcorn has three ranges – Butter, Sweet and Cheese ready to eat popcorn. It is a global brand with six factories serving 39 countries across the globe.

Speaking to journalists during the unveiling of the Popz Corn, the Nigeria representative, Mr Ijeh Chris who doubles as the Chief Executive FCI Symle International Limited, said Popz Microwave Popcorn is rich in fibre value, adding that apart from its nutritional health gains, it also lowers cholesterol adding that it has health benefits.

He said Popz is a product from Denmark with over 40 years of microwave popcorn making experience.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

36

I

T was a splendid Monday morning at the Grace Assembly, Yard 158, Oregun Ikeja, on December 24, last year, when the crème de la crème of the society gathered for a thanksgiving service to mark the 50th birthday of an illustrious Ijebu Prince, Lagos socialite and public relations consultant Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya popularly known as YBO. Eminent Nigerians from different walks of life, family members and friends honoured YBO with their presence and good gesture at the service. Among the guests were Dame Abimbola Fashola, wife of the Lagos State Governor, who represented Babatunde Fashola, Prof Kanyi Ajayi, Honourable Abike Dabiri Erewa, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, Chairman of APCON and Chief Executive Officer of Prima Garnet, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, represented by his three Oloris among whom is YBO’s sister, Olori Bisi Tejuoso.

Others were board and management of CMC Connect Ltd (Perception Managers), an organisation founded by the celebrant and where he presently presides as the Managing Director. Top echelons of Nigeria’s Integrated Marketing Communications industry and various regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) and the African Public Relations Associations (APRA where the celebrant is currently the Secretary General)) were fully represented.

The church service was presided over by the Most Senior Pastor of the Grace Assembly, Pastor Femi Paul. He was assisted

by Pastor Charles Abraham, Group Managing Director of the LTC Advertising Group. Prof Ajayi, a Reverend, was the guest minister.

In his sermon, Pastor Paul admonished the celebrant to look back and reflect on the beginning of his 50-year journey on

Celebrating YBO @ 50 earth and be grateful to God for sparing him and placing him in an enviable position in life. He drew analogy between the celebrant and the biblical seed planted that germinated good fruits and the vague seed that scattered bearing no good fruit.

YBO, he said is the purposeful fruit that was planted and yielded great fruits.

According to Pastor Paul, the celebrant has influenced his community and the people that had come across him positively; creating and giving values to humanity.

Eulogising the celebrant, Dame Abimbola said the humble and selfless nature of the celebrant endeared him to many that have crossed his part. She congratulated his wife, Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya and their son Kitan for being lucky to have a husband and father like the celebrant. She prayed for long life, good health and prosperity for the birthday boy.

The thanksgiving service was climaxed with a breakfast and reception at the event centre of Yard 158. The reception was coordinated by ace comic act, Teju Babyface who was joined by other eminent highbrow comedians, Alibaba and Tee A. Members of the Igbobi College Old Students Association, a body where the celebrant is a prominent member, were not left out. They came on stage to render the school song to the admiration of many.

As part of activities marking BadejoOkusanya’s 50th birthday, a colloquium was held on January 8, at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. The colloquium discussed the topic, Managing Nigeria’s Image: Whose Responsibility?

Keynote was delivered by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, was the special guest, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, was the lead speaker.

Noah’s Ark empowers school

I

N furtherance of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to give back to the society which it started last year, one of the leading new generation creative Advertising Agencies in Nigeria (AAN), Noah’s Ark Communications Limited has organised a three-day workshop on Creative Photography and Makeup for the students of Wasimi Community Senior School, Maryland, a neighbourhood school to the agency’s office. This also included an introduction to Entrepreneurship session The Corporate Social Responsibility initiative was carried out in partnership with an online group of Nigerian Makeup Artists known as Nigerian MUA’s. Some of its members were present and others made donations of makeup products & supplies to the school; namely -Zaron Hair & Makeup Limited, Hegal & Esther as well as Port Harcourt based Gift’s Daughter. The initiative also enjoyed the support of the two major brands in the agency’s portfolio - Indomie and Mr Biggs.

Speaking at the workshop, the Managing Director, Noah’s Ark Advertising Limited, Mr Lanre Adisa explained that the company decided to expand the frontiers of its CSR initiative beyond the donation of solar reading lamps which was done last year to empower the student and help them to shape their future by impacting on them skills in the areas of Photography and Makeup.

“For us at Noah’s Ark as a socially responsible corporate citizen, we believe in contributing our quota to the society by giving back in our own little way, we started this last year with the donation of reading lamp to the students and this year we are trying to impact their world by helping them take up careers in Photography and Makeup.

Adisa noted that the three-day workshop will go a long way in future career development of the benefiting student as some of them may take interest in either of the two key areas and develop to become professionals of repute in the future and to become entrepreneurs thereby creating job for others.

On the choice of only Wasimi Secondary School, Maryland, Lanre Adisa stated that the agency believes in starting its CSR drive by directly touching lives and impacting on its immediate environment in which the school is located. He hinted that the agency has the plan to adopt the school and support it in different ways from time to time.

Responding on behalf of the school, the Vice Principal, Wasimi Community Senior Secondary School, Mr Abdul-Kabir Abubakar described the workshop as an opportunity of a lifetime which will go a long way in the lives of the students. He thanked the agency for lending a hand to the Government and the school to prepare the student for the future and for choosing the school.

Some of the students who participated in the three-day workshop established that they learnt new skills in photography and make up as well as entrepreneurship skills which they hope to put to use in the nearest future, They commended Noah’s Ark Communications for the gesture.

During the first two days of the workshop, the student were taught different skills such as how to handle a camera, creative photography (practical demonstration& photo session) and Makeup (Basic makeup techniques and simple makeup hygiene while on the third day ,the students were hosted to a small party.

T

ALK is free. That is why those who usually do the talk hardly have the inner strength to walk the talk. They simply do what they have the strength to do: talk.

They do not have the will, the skill, and the drill to follow-through. They are talkers. Not doers. They are orators. Not go-getters. What they have done in the real sense is that they have transferred the potency in their limbs to their tongues. Alternatively, the strength in their tongues has also gone to their limbs.

With such transference, what do you expect?

All talk. No action.

As such, they obviously lack characterstrength to roll up their sleeves, muster enough strength of mind to achieve their target. They usually go to sleep when it is time to match their words with action. A typical example is a Nigerian boxer. Samuel Peter. He talked and talked about how he would demolish his opponent. He proved be to be a talkative person, than a boxer. In other words, Peter fought with his tongue.

The other boxer fought with his gloves. Peter fought through the media.

His opponent chose to fight in the square ropes. During the run-up to his last fight, he did not make any untoward pronouncement.

He did not boast. He understands that talking comes by nature. He understands that any man who can control his tongue wins.

But Peter made so much noise about the fight. He painted pictures of how he would beat his rival silly.

He ran riot with his mouth. He talked and talked. But, as it turned out, Peter petered out. He lacked the plan and the techniques to put the match under control. In other words, he had a big mouth, but no punch. In simple term, he lost the match. Did you not watch the match?

Somehow the situation is akin to the loudtalking cowboy who applied to a western banker for a loan. The banker, making sure his loan would be repaid, asked his neighbour, an Indian, if he regarded the cowboy as a good credit risk. The Indian pondered the question a moment, gazed at the clouds, scratch his head, and replied, “Big hat, no cattle.” Big hat, no cattle, means someone who boasts a lot but doesn’t have the means to back it up. In a nutshell, Samuel Peter boasted but lacked the will to see him through. Who else has a big hat, and no cattle? Nigeria. How? Come along.

Nigeria has low Internet penetration; do not mind MainOne, Glo1, and all those gibberish. There is low broadband internet access in Nigeria. It is however not surprising that the country’s tele-density is improving.

That is why Nigeria has over 70 million subscribers. The surprise element is that the country achieved this remarkable feat without the necessary infrastructure such as

Big hat, no cattle power, fibre optic, road network, adequate security among others.

Now, because these things are not available, the telcos have become mini-local governments. How? They generate their own power, provide their own security personnel, erect fibre optic cables and backbone to support their networks, construct network of roads in remote areas where none existed and more.

This is no big deal, you would say. But think about this. Each of the telcos, viz, MTN, Airtel and Glo paid about $265,000 licence fees in 2001. Thereafter Glo paid about $300,000 for a bouquet of license as the second national operator (SNO). Later Etisalat paid about $400,000 for a GSM licence. At the conclusion of the auction bid in 2001, the industry regulator promised to plough this largesse to provide telecom infrastructural backbone for the telcos. After that, what happened? Big hat. No cattle.

There was so much talk about what would be done. After all that was said, nothing was done. Now the same authority is shouting itself hoarse over the perennial poor quality of service. Isn’t it obvious that the basic systems and services that are necessary for smooth telephony delivery are lacking?

Ditto for the Internet access. The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) posited that broadband access in Nigeria and Africa is not high because of inadequate number of fibre optic link along Africa and within Africa, connecting the various countries and cities. Bridging the digital divide on the continent with the infrastructural facilities that are very expensive would be very difficult to accomplish without government intervention.

This is because it is only very few service providers that would be able to provide adequate broadband infrastructure. An egghead at the CTO pointed out that many countries have not got investment in this area since 1990 because of the World Bank’s impression that the private sector would do all the funding of infrastructural provisioning for ICT. Private companies like MainOne and Glo1 that have invested in areas like internet and broadband access would require much longer payback time. That is why it is important for government to get involved.

But past and present governments have paid lip service to the provision of infrastructure in this area. Like the cowboy who desired a loan facility, Nigeria has become a ‘big hat and no cattle’ country. To get things moving in the right direction, the telcos and internet service providers should talk less and deliver more.

From left: First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fasola, the celebrator, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya and his wife, Oyinkansola, at the Okusanya’s 50th birthday thanksgiving at Grace Assembly Church, Lagos recently.

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Brandz Republic Consulting and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper.

All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

37

SOCIETY

Renowned publisher, politician and philanthropist Chief Ikechi Emenike drew dignitaries, including Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, to his village, Umukabia Okpuala, for the dedication of a replica of the popular Tinubu Methodist Church, Lagos in memory of his father, the late Chief Bartimaeus Emenike Uwagbama, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

U

MUKABIA Okpuala, a village in the Ohuhu community of Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, came alive on December 29.

It was not because the New Year was around; neither did it have anything to do with its popular Iri Ji (new yam) festival or Ekpe festival, which is termed as the village Christmas.

It was all because a son of the soil, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, renowned publisher and philanthropist, was putting the village on the global Christian map, with the inauguration of a replica of the popular Tinubu Methodist Church, Lagos.

The magnificent church, which he built and furnished in memory of his father, the late Chief Bartimaeus Emenike Uwagbama, shone in glittering golden brown paint to the admiration of the gaily dressed guests, who thronged the place.

The historic dedication was performed by the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde.

The church, which replaces the old structure at UmukabiaOkpuala, can accommodate 1,000 worshippers and has an underground and overflow on the upper gallery. It also possesses new musical instruments, which the choir played to the delight of guests.

The commissioning also marked the one-year remembrance of the death of Emenike’s father, who was the church’s first choir master in 1940.

The new St John’s Methodist Church has been described as one of the most beautiful places of worship in Abia State. It is part of the Ohuhu Circuit II of the Diocese of Umuahia East. The Emenike family also held the oneyear memorial thanksgiving at the event.

Emenike also provided robes for the choir as well as uniforms for the Women Fellowship.

The church hall brimmed with dignitaries. They were led by Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, who was accompanied by his wife.

For several minutes, the choir in red and white robe sang one sonorous song after the other, carrying the congregation along.

The most memorable session of the service was the sermon by the Prelate, which focused on the essence of living an exemplary life.

Dr. Makinde praised High Chief Emenike for building such a magnificent edifice, urging all those present never to forget their parents, whether dead or alive.

Orji praised Emenike for the honour done his late father and for his contribution to the progress of the state.

The governor thanked Emenike for his kind heartedness and prayed for the continued growth and prosperity of the state. He applauded Emenike for building such a befitting house of worship for God. He described Emenike as his brother.

Emenike thanked the Prelate, the Prelate Emeritus Dr. Sunday Mbang, the governor and the large audience for coming to witness the inauguration of the house “built for the worship and the glory of God in memory of our departed father who was also the pioneer choir master of this church in 1940”.

Dr Mbang reminded everyone that “God never forgets His own

A memorial for a dear father

•Chief Emenike (second right) Dr Makinde; Dr Mbang; Mrs Emenike and other priests.

•Governor Orji and his wife

•Mrs Ananaba

•Chief Chekwas Okorie (left) and a guest.

•Sir Ohadiugha

•From left: Mrs Ihemadu; Mrs Emenike and Mrs Uwaoma

•Chief Bob Ogbuagu (left) and Chief Ogala Osoka

people.”

He assured Emenike that since he has built for God, “God would also build for him.”

Among those in attendance were clergymen, politicians, ranking businessmen and senior traditional rulers including Eze Hope Onuigbo; Eze Owoghiri and 90-year-old Eze

Uwanamodo.

The ceremony was also attended

by Bishop Chubuzo Opoko; Bishop Lawson Elom; Archbishop of Arch Diocese of Umuahia Most Rev Dr S.I.O Agwu; Bishop Sunday Onuoaha; Secretary for Evangelism for West Africa, Chief Bob Ogbuagu; Chief Ogala Osoka; Sir Emeka

•Dr Okwuonu (left) and Chief Ogbulafor

Ohadiugha; Lady and Sir Martin Ohadiugha; People’s Democratic Party (PDP) former National Chairman Chief Vincent Ogbulafor; Sir Jimmy Coker; founder of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and current Chairman of United Peoples Party

(UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie; wife of Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mrs Ananaba; Chief Emenike’s sisters Mrs Ezinne Ihemadu and Mrs Ngoz i Uwaoma and his mother, Nneoma Helen Emenike.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

38

CELEBRITY

•Hadj Odunewu (right) and Mr Samuel Adegbayibi

•Chief Ajibade Fasina -Thomas

•Aremo Osoba (left) and Chief Badru Olaogun

•Mr Femi Segun

From left: Justice Akin Holloway; Chief Oladende Lucas and Alhaji Yaya Quadri

•Dr Yemisi Kuforiji (left) and Mr Dapo Williams

•Mrs Awosika (right) and Mrs Mobolaji Awosika

The first remembrance/thanksgiving service for the late Mrs Elsie Abimbola Aduke Odunewu, wife of veteran journalist Hadj. Alade Odunewu, has been held at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. DAMILARE OSHOPALE writes.

Bouquet for a sweet mother

F

AMILY members and well wishers gathered at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Marina, Lagos for a remembrance and thanksgiving service in memory of the late Mrs Elsie Abimbola Aduke Odunewu.

Mrs Odunewu who died on January 5, last year, was the wife of legendary journalist El-Hadj Alade Odunewu (aka Allah De). She was a business woman.

The late Mrs Odunewu was an alumna of Saint Mary’s Covenant School and Holy Child College, both in Lagos. She proceeded to the United Kingdom (UK) to study Architecture. After her graduation, Mrs Odunewu returned to work at the Federal Ministry of Works.

Rev Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House led the church service.

The entrance hymn what a friend we have in Jesus was sung.

He also read from 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, reminding the congregation of the last day when God will call on man to account for his deeds on earth.

He urged the congregation to be God fearing.

The communion hymn was sung by the choir for the baptised Catholics who are in state of grace to receive the communion.

The recessional hymn Blessed Assurance was taken at the close of the service.

After the service, guests and friends were hosted

to a lavish reception at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

The expansive hall was decorated in white and laced with gold. The ambience was lively thus setting the mood to celebrate a life well spent.

Her children and grandchildren still have fond memories of her.

All looked charming in their attires. The band of Femi Arowolo entertained guests. The melodious tunes from his saxophone added glamour to the occasion.

One of her sons, Akanni Odunewu, described her death as painful.

“The pain is great, the loss inexplicable, but who am I to question the will of God for He knows all, sees all and listens to all. Iya rere sun re o. I love you mother with all that I have,” he said.

Former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba sympathised with the family.

He moved from table to table to greet the family.

The deceased’s first child, Mrs Ebun Awosika said her mother’s death hurts.

“It has been one very strange year mummy. It is very difficult to find the words to describe the emotions I go through daily, I feel I let you down at the time you needed me most and it hurt very badly. I am very sorry. I know it was ultimately God’s will,” she said.

Mrs Awosika said her mother’s legacies have kept the family going.

•Mr Bayo Adeshina and his wife Funmi

•Mr Moturayo Awosika (right) and Mr Demola Daniel

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

39

SOCIETY Egbeda Host Lions Club has installed Lion Abayomi Oriretan as its fifth president. The event was held at the De Hall of Lagos State Printing Corporation (LSPCC) on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS

Setting your Communication Agenda for Year 2013

H

APPY New Year to you and your wonderful family. I believe last year was a fulfilling year for you.

May you change level positively and progress speedily this year. AMODU LANRE OLAOLU (Ph.D) Year 2012 was a delightful year for sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. us on this column. We were able

•Lion Agbogun (left) presenting Lion Oriretan to the members after the installation. With is Oriretan’s wife Ebunoluwa

Change of baton at Lion’s Club

F

IVE years ago, some people gathered for fellowship at one of the secondary schools in Egbeda, a Lagos suburb. Little did they know that their gathering would lead to birth of Egbeda Host Lions Club?

It was tough getting people to buy into their idea of humanitarian service which the club stands for.

The club has been growing steadily.

Members gathered at the De Hall of LSPCC for the investiture of Lion Abayomi Oriretan.

The hall was filled. It was decorated in blue and white colours.

They looked resplendent in their blue Ankara attire.

Lion Oriretan stood tall among his colleagues; he wore a blue agbada with an abeti aja cap to match. He beamed with smiles and acknowledged cheers from guests.

Guests were welcomed to the occasion by some well-dressed women.

Otunba Taiwo Oloyede was the compere.

The arrival of the Governor of Lion Clubs in Nigeria District 404B, Lion Stella Agbogun, kicked started the event. Her arrival was greeted with cheers and praises.

The call to order, done by a former President of the club, Lion Azeez

Olasode, marked the start of the event.

The club’s code of ethics was read by Lion Layi Tailor.

Lion Gbadebo Salawu thanked the guests.

Lion Agbogun subsequently gave her speech, thanking the club members for their efforts in the service of humanity. She urged them not to relent Lion Agbogun tasked the incoming president to live up to expectations.

She appealed to the members to support the president to achieve the club’s objectives.

“Your election to the position of president of the club shows the type of trust your members have in you and you should not allow that trust to fail,” she said.

Lion Agbogun urged members to work tirelessly to alleviate the sufferings of the Nigerian child.

“Whatever you can do to alleviate the sufferings of the Nigerian child should be done,” she urged.

Before decorating Lion Oriretan, Lion Agbogun obtained his wife’s permission to install him as president.

After his installation, Lion Oriretan listed his programmes for the year and promised to carry all along.

“Our projects will include provision of boreholes in schools and streets in our community; provision of first aids

Agenda Setting

•Lion Olasode

boxes to schools; free exercise books to schools; visitation to and presentation of relief materials to motherless babies homes among others,” he said.

To realise the target of his club, Lion Oriretan appealed to all to donate generously to the course.

The club’s song was sung after the installation.

Chairman on the occasion, former President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rot Nike Maiyaki, urged the Lions to rally round their president for him to succeed.

She appealed to the president to work for the good of his members and reader service of humanity.

Guests were treated to delicious meals.

WHAT AND WHERE

A

•Oba Fatola

Birthday

A

CTIVITIES marking the 80th birthday celebration of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Johnson Olatunji Fatola continue today with a Muslim prayer in his Palace. A thanksgiving was held yesterday at the Celestial Church of Christ, EL-Morijah Olubukun Prish, 2 Adedeyo Ajayi Street, Surulere Estate, Igbogbo, Ikorodu Lagos.

The celebration will be rounded up tomorrow with a grand finale for the Igbogbo Community at the Oba’s palace.

Award

Celebration

NWAR-Ul Islam College Agege Old Students Association (ACAOSA 77/78 set) will hold its end of the year party tomorrow at 4, Abiodun Close, off Alabi Street opposite Water parks, Ikeja, Lagos.

•Prof Akande

E

KO Boys High School Old Boys Association (EKOBA) will hold a thanksgiving Service on Sunday to mark the centenary celebrations at Hoares Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Yaba. The service will be followed by a FundRaising/Award and dinner thereafter at Sir Adetokunbo Ademola Hall, Nigerian Law School Auditorium, Victoria Island, Lagos same day.

The award tagged Centenary award of excellence, according to the president of the association, Chief Idowu Sofola will be awarded to alumni of the school. The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola will lead others to the award.

Lecture

Celebration

T

HE Oluyole Club will on Saturday hold its annual public lecture and New Year party at the Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The celebration will feature lecture and presentation of bursary awards to indigent students.

Chief Olusoda Dada is the guest speaker while the club president, Prof Bashir Akande is the host.

to discuss a few topics on the need to communicate effectively. We focused on why we cannot but communicate and how we can use communication to our advantage and also to benefit others.

This New Year, I believe it is very important for us to have a solid start with specific objectives in mind. Communication is very important; you communicate whether you want to or not. Just as you make major plans at the beginning of the year, which some people refer to as New Year resolution, you should also have major plans for your communication and interaction with other people. By now, I’m sure you will agree with me that there is nothing casual about communication. This week, we shall be examining the all important topic of ‘setting agenda for your communication in 2013.’

N

IGERIAN Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch will hold the 9th edition of the Chief Gani Fawehinmi annual lecture on Tuesday at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola is the Chief Host while his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun is the Chairman of the occasion.

What does it mean to set an agenda for communication? It means carefully planning where you want to be at the end of the year and then determining the kind of communication you need to engage in to get there. If you don’t plan your life, your activities will be subjected to chance and chance is never stable. Think about this, supposing you can say all the right things and act in the right way all the time, wouldn’t you be the best person in the world? I know we are not that perfect, but if we can pay attention to about 70% of the communication we are involved in, our lives will change dramatically.

Along with other personal communication agenda you may set for yourself this year, I strongly recommend that you include thisdo all you can to add value to others through your communication.

Communication is bi- or multi-directional as the case may be. It is also a transaction. In 1978, Michael Burgoon and Michael Ruffner identified some attributes of human communication. They said that communication is transactional because both the source and the receiver are constantly influencing each other through their interactions.

Hence, a change in one element of the communication process naturally leads to a change in the other elements.

Let me use this simple illustration to explain what they meant. If you want to buy a loaf of bread for instance, you will take part in a transaction that will involve you (the buyer) and the seller. The transaction is based on mutual benefit; you need the bread and the seller needs the money. Supposing the seller tells you that the cost of the bread has increased (which is a change in one element of the transaction), you are left with the option of either paying more than you planned for or leaving without buying anything. If you don’t buy, you will not have the bread and the seller will not have the money.

Hence, one change has changed everything.

The same is the case in communication. When you communicate with people, you are exchanging benefits. When you concentrate only on your benefit, the people you are communicating with will withdraw from you, yet you need them in your life. Don’t focus too much attention on yourself at the expense of others. Whenever you communicate with people, always leave them satisfied and glad that they ever met you. That is the way to build profitable relationships.

Remember, before you can be a good public speaker, you must first be good at influencing the individual lives of the people around you.

Decide today that everyone who comes in contact with you in 2013 will leave a better person and you will be surprised how influential you will become.

Why is Setting Agenda necessary?

Nothing happens by chance. A wise man said that whoever fails to plan, plans to fail. You have to deliberately decide to communicate effectively this year. Whatever you don’t prepare for, if it ever comes to you, it will be by mistake; and nothing that comes by mistake lasts. You cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. If indeed you want this year to be far better than last year, you have to deliberately aim at effective and contribution-oriented communication. Communication is like a seed, what you sow is what you reap. Your life cannot be different from what you communicate. God bless you this New Year.

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

40

SOCIETY Saturday, December 22, was a day of glory for Olori Sabainah Adeyeni Olayisade, as prominent indigenes of Ekiti State thronged her Ido Ekiti country-home to celebrate her at 80 that day.

O

LORI Sabainah Adeyeni Olayisade, mother of five, among whom is the former Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, Akin Olayisade, now the Chairman, Public Works Corporation, is an enterprising trader widely loved by her people in Ekiti State.

She is the wife of the late Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Adeyemi Olayisade, fondly called the Odundun Asodedero by admirers during his lifetime. As a virtuous community leader, who had served well, Olori Olayisade enjoyed a lot of respect among her people, considering the crowd that besieged her residence and the attendees at the birthday thanksgiving held at St John’s Anglican Church, Ido Ekiti to celebrate with her.

It was also a day for the exhibition of various lace materials and headgears of multifarious shapes.

Popular gospel artiste Mrs Funmi Aragbaye and traditional musical funfare by the Ekiti State Cultural Troupe added more glamour to the event.

Guests relished the sumptuous meals served by waiters.

Mama, who danced energetically, was joyous throughout the party.

She was clad in a purple lace and the same colour of headgear. Her sons – Prince, Kehinde, Adebayo and Adebanji – and the grand children wore a light blue lace while her only daughter, Princess Timilade Oriloye and other female relatives of the celebrator donned deep blue lace wears and yellow headgears.

The birthday cake was designed in white, blue and purple to reflect the dressing of the celebrator and her children.

The ceremony was unique in many ways. One, it turned a traditional carnival of sorts. Various groups appeared in aso-ebi and danced round the town to felicitate with the octogenarian women leader.

Two, it attracted many prominent indigenes led by Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by his wife, Erelu Bisi.

Mama Olayisade was full of praises to God for not only sparing her life but also for granting her good health, despite the challenges she had faced. She was particularly happy because all her children are doing well in their chosen careers.

In his sermon at the Holy Communion Service, Bishop C.T. Omotunde, told the celebrator that having spent 80 years, all she was left with is to be born again with the belief that she is spending overtime, going by the biblical injunction that prescribes 70 years.

Bishop Omotunde, who was full of praises for Mama Olayisade for her contributions to the church and the community, said she must see God as the pillar of her life and that of her children.

He reminded Olori Olayisade that many of her age mates were not privileged to live to such a ripe age.

Responding, Olori Olayisade said she has no option than to thank God for sparing her life and that of the children.

She urged her children to be more diligent and rededicate their lives

A queen at 80 •The celebrator assisted by children and grandchildren to cut the cake

•From left: Aare Adebayo; Hon Bamidele and Mr Oguntuase

•Erelu Fayemi

•Hon Daramola

•From left: Oba Ajiboye, his wife, Yemisi and Chief AKin-Fasae

to the service of God and humanity.

Olori Olayisade, who said being celebrated at 80 is a rare privilege, prayed for more prosperity for Ido Ekiti community and the state at large.

Speaking on behalf of the children, Prince Olayisade described his mother as a disciplinarian, who nurtured her children with the best moral upbringing for them to be good ambassadors wherever they may be.

He said the self-confidence and self-sustenance which she instilled in them helped in shaping their lives and made them successful in their chosen careers.

Dignitaries included former Governor Ayodele Fayose; Hon Opeyemi Bamidele; Hon Bamidele Faparusi; Hon Bimbo Daramola; former Chairman of Oodua Group, Mr Clement Akinyemi; former UNAD Vice-Chancellor, Prof Israel Orubuloye; former Rector, Polytechnic , Ado Ekiti, Prof Olawumi Ajaja.

Others were Group Managing Director, Wema Bank, Mr Segun Oloketuyi; former State Chairman,

•Dr Orire

•From left: Prince Adetunji; Prince Adedoyin Adeyinka; Prince Akintade Olayisade and Mr. Tunde Adebayo

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Ropo Adesanya; Justice Kunle Adeleye; Ekiti State Deputy Speaker Hon. Tunji Orisalade; Mr Wole Ajiminsinmi; Special Adviser,

Governor’s office, Mr Biodun Akin – Fasae; Chief Medical Director, Ido Ekiti Medical Centre, Dr Majekodunmi Ayodele; Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ajiboye; Hon

Muyiwa Odu; Hon Richard Apolola and Mr Kola Fakiyesi.

Traditional rulers included Alaaye of Aaye Ekiti; Owa of Ilogbo Ekiti; Onigogo of Igogo Ekiti; Regent Omotunde Adelabu, among others.

Mancini's criticism

motivates us, insists Tevez

"We have a lot to win this year. We are still in the Copa and the Champions League. We are doing better,the Portugal star stated to the official Madrid website.

I want to play, that's what I like to do, and to help the team so we can achieve our aims in the Copa del Rey, the Champions League and to do the best that we can in the league.”

Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting the Spanish team has a lot more to play for in the new year.

• Tevez

C

ARLOS TEVEZ thinks that Roberto Mancini's recent praise of Robin van Persie will only serve as added motivation for Manchester City's strikers.

The Argentine believes the club's current forwards are good enough to fire the club to glory after the Italian recently lamented "having four strikers who cannot score" The Premier League champions currently sit seven points behind neighbours Manchester United in the table, and the Italian recently lamented his attacking unit's lack of goals so far this season.

The club's defensive coach, Angelo Gregucci, also revealed this week that City are chasing a deal for Napoli forward Edinson Cavani, but Tevez insists this will only spur the current crop on.

"Those words were a motivation for the strikers and we know that we need to carry on fighting," Tevez told reporters.

City's front men have shared 10 goals between them in their last three games, with only Mario Balotelli failing to score in that run and, if that is sustained, Tevez sees no reason why City cannot catch their biggest rivals once again.

He added: "Last season United lost some games and we were back on track so we will just keep doing our job.

"That's the emotion of the Premier League. It is always a fight to the end and if United lose one game we'll be getting close to them. They will know that.”

42

Friday, January, 11 2013

Madrid

has a lot more to win

this year — CR7 C

RISTIANO RONALDO has insisted that Real Madrid still has everything to play for this season as they can still win the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

The Santiago Bernabeu side have fallen 16 points behind arch-rivals Barcelona in the Liga table, but Ronaldo has stressed they can still win silverware in 2012-13.

"We have a lot to win this year.

We are still in the Copa and the Champions League. We are doing better," the Portugal star stated to the official Madrid website.

"I want to play, that's what I like

to do, and to help the team so we can achieve our aims in the Copa del Rey, the Champions League and to do the best that we can in the league."

The prolific attacker then went on stress that the fans' support is crucial for the team if they are to be successful.

"I appeal to the fans to encourage the team and together we can win something, because we feel everything on the field and it can affect us. We need help, not to be criticised and to all be together.

"I have to thank the fans, they are with the team. I am very happy

• Ronaldo

•Ba about that.

W h e n people support me I feel better, m o r e motivated and happy and also play better."

M a d r i d resumes Primera Division action on Saturday away against Osasuna.

Sneijder decides own future, says Moratti

I

NTER president Massimo Moratti has stressed that Wesley Sneijder will decide his own future after the Nerazzurri accepted an offer from Galatasaray for the playmaker.

The Netherlands international

is keen to leave Inter in the winter transfer window after he was frozen out over a contract dispute, but Moratti does not expect any problems if the former Madrid star were eventually to stay put.

"I have only spoken to Sneijder

very quickly because it's not been a big deal. It simply comes down to whether he wants to stay or not," Moratti told reporters.

"In any case he's within his rights to either continue with his great contract, or to accept our

terms - which we'd be happier about - or to move to another club.

We've left it up to him and we'll see what happens.

"Could Sneijder disrupt the dressing room if he stays? These things happen at the beginning, but if you're sensible you can get over them.

AFCON COUNTDOWN...AFCON COUNTDOWN...AFCON COUNTDOWN...

Shocker as Black Stars

drop Sumaila

K

WESI APPIAH has dropped Kotoko defender Rashid Sumaila from his final team to contest for the African Cup of Nations later this month.

The player was the only one to be axed, as the coach had until midnight to present a maximum of 23 players to the Confederation of African Football.

After the last training session here on Wednesday, the players went to the team hotel, following which the technical team made the decision over dinner at their Viceroy Hotel.

Striking for observers, among the list of 23, are ten first timers to the tournament.

GOALKEEPERS: Adam Kwarasey, Fatau Dauda and Daniel Agyei DEFENDERS: Harrison Afful, John Paintsil, Richard Kissi Boateng, Wakasu Mubarak, John Boye, Isaac Vorsah, Jonathan Mensah, Awal Mohammed, Jerry Akaminko.

MIDFIELDERS: Anthony Annan, Derek Boateng, Rabiu Mohammed, Agyemang Badu, Solomon Asante, Albert Adomah, Christian Atsu and Kwadwo Asamoah STRIKERS: Asamoah Gyan, Richmond Boakye Yiadom and Emmanuel Clottey Burkina to take gamble on striker's fitness Burkina Faso took a gamble on the fitness of key striker Alain Traore by including him in their final squad for the African Nations Cup finals in South Africa on Wednesday.

Adebayor finally joins Togo

E

MMANUEL ADEBAYOR will play at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Mahamadou Diarra will not, and a last-minute change left Brown Ideye thrilled and Nigeria teammate Raheem Lawal devastated.

It was all part of the drama as the 16 title challengers finalised 23man squads Thursday ahead of the January 19-February 10 tournament in five South African cities.

Tottenham striker and Togo captain Adebayor said last year he would shun the competition, citing

security concerns after being part of the squad attacked in Angola ahead of the 2010 finals.

A player and an official were killed by separitists seeking independence for the oil-rich Cabinda enclave and Adebayor escaped injury by cowering under a bus seat.

As Tottenham, the Togo president and national football officials became involved in the saga, Adebayor refused to reveal his plans, and his inclusion became official only when the 23-man squad was named by coach Didier Six.

Perennial underachievers Togo are in the Rustenburg-based 'group of death' with title favourites Ivory Coast and other former champions Algeria and Tunisia and are given little hope of survival.

• Adebayor

South Africa is ready—Mbalula

S

OUTH AFRICA is set and raring to go for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament, sports and recreation minister Fikile Mbalula said on Wednesday.

"We are ready. We are a footballing nation, all systems go.

If the games were to start tomorrow, we are ready for that," Mbalula said in Johannesburg at an event to mark 10 days to the start of the Afcon tournament,

hosted by South Africa.

Bafana start their campaign against Cape Verde at the National Stadium (the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg), before taking on Morocco and Angola in Group A. Mbalula encouraged supporters to turn out in numbers throughout the tournament, and wished the national side well for their campaign.

"People must get their tickets," Mbalula said.

"Already some of the tickets are sold out. The excitement is very important. People need to get to their different places, the tickets are selling like hotcakes."

Although South Africa suffered a setback by going down 1-0 to Norway in Cape Town in an international friendly on Tuesday, Mbalula said the team looked in good shape heading into the continental showpiece.

Mali can present a strong squad

M

ALI have a habit of punching above their weight at the Africa Cup of Nations and there is no reason to doubt they could do so again at the 2013 tournament.

The Eagles have been runners-up once, third once and fourth three times in seven appearances a record many more-established football countries would gladly settle for.A draw that placed the Malians in Group B with former champions Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger gives the landlocked west African state a good chance of making the quarterfinals.

Mali and Ghana clashed twice at the 2012 Cup of Nations in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea with the Eagles losing a group game 2-0 and winning by the same score in the third-place play-off.

The Malian squad this year appears even stronger with the return of veteran midfielder Mohamed Lamine Sissoko from French Ligue 1 side Paris SaintGermain, although the lastminute withdrawal of Mahamadou Diarra is a blow.

Hopes that Diarra from English Premier League club Fulham could recover from a recurring knee injury were dashed and he misses his second consecutive tournament afer playing for the Eagles in four Cup of Nations.

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POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Can the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dislodge the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State.

Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the strengths and weaknesses of the main opposition party in the build-up to the next general elections.

2015: Can Lagos PDP get it right?

F

OR 14 years, Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has coveted the seat of government. But the opposition party has lost its deposit in four general elections. Will the party make a difference in 2015?

When the PDP leaders from the state visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, recently, they were full of bravado. The chairman of the party, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd), who led the team, declared the party’s intention to “capture” the Centre of Excellence in the next general election. Firing salvos at the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he assured the former President that no stone would be left unturned, until victory is attained.

Lagos Sate PDP Publicity Secretary Ganiyu Taofeek also said that the party would perform better than the ACN, if elected into power.

The missile was promptly replied.

ACN National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed described the PDP’s motive as empty threat and wishful thinking. He said PDP leaders were busy chasing shadows, adding that the party lacked the programmes that can attract votes from Lagosians. Mohammed also said that the achievements of Fashola Administration have sealed the pact between Lagosians and the progressive party. “They are joking, they cannot capture Lagos,” he maintained.

Since 1999, PDP has been producing failed governorship candidates in Lagos State. The party has revealed itself as a platform made up of Generals without battalions. In that year, Chief Dapo Sarumi from Epe Division was floored by the Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu, his compatriot in the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). In 2003, Tinubu also triumphed over the PDP flag bearer, the late Mr. Funso Williams, an engineer, who had defected from AD to PDP. The battle was fiercer in 2007, but Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) defeated the PDP challenger, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a defector from the AD. In 2011, ACN and PDP clashed again, with Fashola defeating the former Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASSA) Director-General, Dr. Adegboyega Dosumu. Since Lagos PDP is perceived by Lagosians as a party that opposed the creation of additional councils in the state, the party could not attract votes from the grassroots at every local government election.

To observers, Lagos PDP has its inherent structural weaknesses.

However, the bane of the party is that it is addicted to crises. Recurrent personality clashes and ego war among party chieftains have deepened the disunity in the fold, making the party to go into periodic elections as a divided house. Although many aggrieved AD and ACN chieftains have defected to the party, they have often lamented their decision to be part of a sinking ship. Some of them have retraced their steps back to the progressive fold. Others who stayed on out of frustration continued to play passive roles in the conservative camp.

• Lagos State PDP leaders: Alhaji Yaya Dosunmu, (left); Alhaji Muritala Asorobi and Dr. Wahab Dosunmu at a function in Lagos.

Obasanjo appeared more realistic than the foot soldiers in Lagos. He dissected the ailing chapter, submitting that it has been retarded by the promotion of personal and particularistic interests over group interest. Those claiming to be leaders are larger than their followers. The former Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman described the platform as a party in the wilderness in Lagos State. For members to restore it to the right path, he said they needed to work and build the polarised party together. The former President reasoned that Lagos PDP chieftains must sink their differences to make a headway. “If only the leaders would sink their ego and regard the party’s interest as supreme and above that of individual, then, the party will come out strong and able to wrest power from the ruling party”, he advised.

Enveloped in protracted crises, Lagos PDP mirrors the rot and organisational deficiency of the party in the Southwest. The baseline is the lack of unifying and transformational leadership to offer a new direction. It is glaring that the chapter needs more than its executive committee to generate ideals, fashion out winning strategies, and offer gerontocratic guidance. While the “G-14”, comprising elders, including Oba Olatunji Hamzat, Tinubu, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Alhaji Busura Alebiosu, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and Apostle

Olorunfunmi Basorun, moderates the internal tensions in the Lagos ACN, their counterparts in the PDP, including Commodore Olabode George (rtd), Chief Rafiu Jafojo, Chief Alaba Williams, Alhaji Muritala Asorobi, Mrs Modupe Sasore, Senator Seye Ogunlewe, Senator Wahab Dosunmu, and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro belong to different caucuses. The groups or camps are always locked in the battle of supremacy. At a reconciliation meeting held at the party secretariat and chaired by Pa Aderibigbe Shitta, armed thugs invaded the venue and dispersed the party faithful.

The crisis of leadership that has hit the party is fatal. I has been escalating and the party leaders who are in disarray, have been building on the crisis-ridden edifice. Between 1999 and 2013, AD and ACN have only produced three chairmen-the late Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Prince Ogunleye and Otunba Oladele Ajomale. But PDP has produced six chairmen; Basorun, Asorobi, Rasheed Williams, Bayo Williams, Setonji Koshoedo, and Shelle.

Instructively, Lagos PDP had a solid foundation. Its first chairman, Basorun, is a progressive. But his tenure was short. When he handed over to Asorobi, the party started to move at a snail’s speed. The former chairman was rusticated. But his followers kicked and the party broke into several camps. Later, he

was readmitted by the Williams leadership. Many believed that had Ajiroba Williams been able to implement his reconciliation programmes fully, Lagos PDP would have been better for it. The former BOT member was abroad when he was abruptly replaced with a caretaker chairman.

After the 2007 general elections, there was disenchantment towards the leadership of George. The party leader had backed Funso Williams’ widow, Hilda, against Obanikoro. The primaries was deadlock during the rerun. A national leader of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, who observed the congress in Lagos, declared that it appeared to him that Obanikoro carried the day. The result of the governorship primaries was later announced in Abuja, to the consternation of George’s group. The party went into the general election as a divided entity. It was alleged that the campaign structure already in place was suddenly dissolved by George and a new one set up. Party members complained about the misuse of logistics. It was evident that many leaders showed hypocritical commitment to party victory.

Irked by the dismal failure at the polls, a party chieftain, Sunday Olaifa, said that he had the missed the target of winning power, advising that he should step aside as the arrowhead of the chapter. “Commodore Olabode George should

‘What has the PDP Federal Government done for Lagosians to win their votes? What programmes are they offering? What is the party’s score card? Lagosians who have enjoined the dividends of democracy under Tinubu and Fashola administrations would not sever relationship with the progressive party. PDP is a disaster at the national level and Lagos State will not be contaminated by its virus of destruction.’

step aside as the arrowhead and leader of the party in Lagos State, having led the party to three general elections without good results”, he said. But it was difficult to shove George aside.

As the party prepared for the 2011 polls, it was engulfed with more crises. Obanikoro’s camp installed a former state legislator, Hamid Olorunoje, as the parallel chairman.

In a swift reaction, the national leadership set up a reconciliation committee led by Chief Tunde Oshunrinde, a party chieftain from Ogun State. The committee proposed a sharing formula for the composition of the state executive committee. The report was jettisoned. Thus, when Koshoedo was in the saddle as chairman, there were allegations of marginalisation against Ogunlewe/Dosunmu/ Sasore Camp, Olorunoje Group and Jafojo Group. Few weeks to the 2011 general elections, notable chieftains, including Chief Lanre Rasak, Demola Seriki, Wale Ahmed, and Tunde Salau, deserted the PDP train and joined forces with the ACN. It was clear that Dr Dosunmu, who contested against Fashola, lacked the political pedigree of his predecessors; Sarumi, Funso Williams, and Obanikoro.

Before the 2011 elections, George, the former Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) , chair, was sentenced to prison for corruption. Yet, he continued to dictate the tune from the prison. It was a setback for the political career of a combative party leader. Out of prison, George continued to play leadership role, but he could not command the respect of many chieftains. Initially, there was a lull in party activities, until the emergence of Shelle as the chairman.

The new chairman has boasted that he will become the first chairman to produce a governor in Lagos State. He has held series of meetings with aggrieved leaders.

During the last Christmas, he and other members of his team visited some leaders, including Ogunlewe, at home to pacify him and elicit his cooperation. Shelle also led the party to a rally in Ikoyi, where he unfolded plans to take the party to grater height. PDP is contesting the results of the local government elections in some Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

However, ACN has described the party chairman as a day dreamer, maintaining that there will be no vacancy at the Alausa State House in 2015. ACN chairman in Lagos State, Ajomale, said “with the level of work Governor Fashola has done in the state, Lagosians will definitely vote for continuity”.

Echoing him, the Publicity Secretary, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, queried: “What has the PDP federal government done for Lagosians to win their votes?

What programmes are they offering?

What is the party’s score card?”

Igbokwe said Lagosians who have enjoined the dividends of democracy under Tinubu and Fashola administrations would not sever relationship with the progressive party. “PDP is a disaster at the national level and Lagos State will not be contaminated by its virus of destruction”, he added.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

POLITICS Afegbua: Stop campaign of calumny against Oshiomhole

Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State Senator Adegbenga Kaka represents Ogun East District at the Senate. In this interview with Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN, he speaks about Jonathan Administration, imperative of power shift to progressives and other burning issues.

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‘Presidency not for highest bidder’ M

ANY Nigerians believe that President Goodluck Jonathan has failed to meet their yearnings in the past one year.

What is your own assessment?

I wholeheartedly empathise with Nigerians. There have been a lot of motions, but no movement. There is no point itemising the problems because they are all well known to even the ordinary man in the streets. However, we are likely to have divine intervention in the belief that all the rots in our society have been exposed and there is no other direction to go other than to tackle the rots for us to move on. But we can’t go further down below the zero line. With composition of the current executive council and the direction the ruling party is going, there is bound to be a divine intervention whereby, if something of a drastic change does not occur within us, God Himself is likely to take care of things. I may not be able to say anything about how, and the exact time because I’m not a prophet. But something within me is telling me that we must change our ways of doing things and restore the value system. If we fail to do it willingly, God will intervene Himself. And we must emphasise that it is not all about Jonathan; the governors and the councils’ helmsmen are involved. Across the country today, our public utilities are in states of disrepair and our leaders indulge in one egoistic attitude; rather than rehabilitate and maintain decrepit structures, they will abandon them and build new ones whereas the money used on the a new structure, especially as in the case of our schools, will be enough to reposition the old ones. This is an attitude that we have to eschew.

Go to other sectors; it is a saga of rots everywhere at all levels.

Is the National Assembly not also part of the administration?

Yes. I make bold to say that it was the outcome of all our various committees in the Senate that led to the exposure of the corruption in the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), the Pensions Fund and the oil subsidy issues, thus leading to the various probes. So, we have been trying although our best may not be enough.

But we are not relenting. It is now left for the executive to actualise the committees’ recommendations.

Can we completely exonerate the National Assembly from this blame?

On this, nobody in this country deserves exoneration because we are all involved; right from our respective family homes to our various workplaces. The politicians, the civil servants, operators of the private sector, the clerics, and the traditional rulers are all involved. We need a total rebirth in the way we have been doing things. We need to go back to the good old days whereby all of us will resolve to shun corruption and the lethargy that have eaten deep into our fabrics. This is the only way the corruption, kidnappings, bombings, all forms of insecurity in the land, deliberate sabotage (as in the case of electricity, those importing generators and their collaborators within government) can end. Those who are manufacturing generators that are not used in their countries have their collaborators here. They will ensure that no matter how much money is sunk into the electricity project, it won’t work.

But God is going to intervene before the end of this year if those people

don’t stop. A lot of things will happen and how it will end, no one can foretell.

But don’t’ you think that those in position of authorities should have the liver to deal with these issues decisively?

As I said, everything that is wrong with this country is known to everybody in the streets and the solution is known to them. In the same vein, the problems and solution are known to those in authority, but why are they not doing things right? Rather than doing the needful, we are busy chasing shadows, pursuing worthless material things that will vanish one day.

That is the root of all we are grappling with today. Now, nobody wants to work. There is no more dignity in labour; everybody wants to cut corners. The leadership must show the way and if that happens, the followers will have no choice other than follow the path. But the leadership lacks discipline, which is why there is so much everywhere. What has the government done to those caught with corrupt practices to serve as deterrent to others? Nothing!

The National Assembly is supposed to provide major checks on the executive. What is the problem?

In virtually all the legislative Houses, the man that is calling the shots happens to be the man that is paying the piper, thus dictating the tunes and making the legislatures not to function as they should; even making the judiciary not to function as it should be. Even the Press, the Fourth Estate of the Realm is being incapacitated by the powers that be, therefore making it to appear as if we are still under unitary government. And that is why many are clamouring for a more responsible form of government that with jettison the presidential system and go back to the parliamentary system that will make leaders more accountable and responsive to the electorate that put them in positions.

Now, there is no more mentoring; what we have is godfatherism and nepotism. The old never-do-wells are now bringing their children who just barely passed through any school to the pinnacle of power. We still recycle the tired brains. Now, you will see people in their 80s, still hungry for government appointment; if they are not getting it, then it must be their sons and daughters to the detriment of the younger generation.

But I think that era is giving way…

Look at the PDP; the chairman of the party is about 80; so are those who are jostling to chair the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman.

Now, what do we expect from that situation in a jet age? Its awry effect is replicating virtually everywhere, whereby the rot created by the leaders of yesteryears, they still want their children to get there and continue with the unhealthy pillage.

That is why I think we are in for a divine intervention and I don’t think God will delay it beyond this year.

Those who are wielding power will know that it belongs to God who gives it to whoever He pleases.

We have people called stock brokers who deprive the poor people of their hard-earned money in the name of shares. They now use this money to build house and buy jets; yet, the same government that should punish them is wring those

• Kaka

debts off so that the stock exchange can rebound. What kind of rebound?

The same set of people will come back and wreck havoc. We can continue on and on. Is it the pension fund that those who have worked diligently are being punished by those in the corridors of power and are being shielded? Do they think that the God of those hapless retirees will not fight for them? So, it is not the issue of corruption alone; it is whether we are punishing the identified culpable ones or promoting them.

So you don’t agree with the government when it said Nigeria was moving forward…

Nigeria is moving forward to where? I laughed when the Minister of Information chastised the Press for painting Nigeria black when indeed the reality is known to the world.

That is part of the deceits people are being fed with and which could prompt the wrath of God on bad leaders. This is the same country where the mother of a sitting minister was kidnapped in broad daylight. I am an agriculturist; we have an intelligent Minister for Agriculture and in the current budget, a paltry N79 billion was budgeted for agriculture for the whole country in a year! This is the money that is not enough for two states to give farmers rural road networks. And the man has not deemed it fit to resign. Rather, he is defending the budget and telling us that some amount of foreign investment is coming; from where? Are the investors fools? Are they not after profit making? I respect his brain but one would have expected such a person to have resigned.

Despite all these, Jonathan’s posters are all over the place in preparation for 2015 elections…

Yes, they are free to paste posters; it is their entitlement. Let them be for Jonathan or any other person; the truth is, God is going to deal with a lot of us.

And besides, 2015 won’t be for the highest bidder.

PECIAL Adviser to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Media and Publicity, Prince Kasim Afegbua, has condemned the campaigns of calumny against the governor over the governorship litigation.

He urged critics to allow the judiciary to do justice to the matter, instead of trying the governor on the pages of newspapers.

Afegbua said in a statement in Benin, Edo State capital,that the case involving Comrade Oshiomhole and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, General Charles Airhiabvere (rtd) will be decided by judges and not the rumour mongers on the streets.

He chided critics, including Professor Tony Afejuku, Hanson Aimofume and Sylvester Ilebhvare for expressing partisan opinions in favour of Airiahbvere, thereby slapping objectivity in the face.

Afegbua conceded to the critics their rights to express their opinions. But he pointed out that they lacked the right the right to present mere conjectures and concoctions as the position of law.

He said: “Apart from the competent courts of jurisdiction, any verdict given outside the four walls of a Court is as good an academic exercise as the opinions of these hirelings tend to suggest.

“The PDP candidate had the privilege to present his case through his counsel in the courtroom. He had the opportunity to assemble his legal team also to argue his case. If in the readings of the supporters of Charles Airhiavbere they now discover that the legal team did not argue their case well, why come to the pages of newspapers to do same?

“It is more of intellectual laziness for a Professor worth his salt to run a verdict on an issue that is pending in the tribunal>” Afegbua maintained that a university don should not arrogate to himself the role of a judge, adding that those teaching in the university should focus their attention more on teaching and research.

Noting that Comrade Oshiomhole is not the one who is alleging rigging in the court, the governor’s aide said the onus of proof is on the PDP candidate and not the governor.

Afegbua stressed: “There are questions being raised as to the jurisdiction of the tribunal to adjudicate on pre-election matters, particularly with specific reference to qualification for elections. The relevant position of the law is very clear and that is why, the Comrade is seeking the Supreme Court interpretation on those provisions. Rather than wait for the courts to do their billing, failed politicians in the PDP are busy carrying out media trial.

• Comrade Oshiomhole

By Jemeriah Oke

“ If they were that brilliant, what stopped them from giving such “informed” opinion to their counsel to present before the tribunal? It is not an accident of history that Edo people collectively spoke on July 14 and gave Oshiomhole the nod to continue his good works in the State. If they had wanted the failed PDP candidate, they would have expressly said so”.

The Special Adviser queried further: “At what point did he discover that Oshiomhole was not properly certificated, since the law provides that candidates should display their particulars for all to see, object or endorse?

Could it be that he was carried away by his selective, ethnically-structured campaign and thought that he would defeat a political Iroko of Oshiomhole’s stature? Why did he not object to the declared particulars at that point before the elections and taken the appropriate steps in the relevant courts for determination before entering the election proper?.”

Afegbua said Oshiomhole won the 2012 poll massively in the 18 local governments, adding that his victory was hailed by voters who endorsed him.

He added:”In a matter of days, all these will be put to rest so that the state will be saved the orgy of distraction and deliberate provocations from the PDP. One is waiting to see the real “cat with nine lives” between the promoters of Charles and the law. “ Whoever has any reasonable judicial point to make should deliver such to the counsels and save us this culture of media trials with very unintelligent, self-serving and academically deficient presentations. Law as we know it does not pander to sentiments, emotions or sensationalism.

Law weighs the facts of a matter before informed judgments are delivered”

•From left: Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole; Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Anambra State Governor Peter Obi at the launch of Code of Conduct for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja ... yesterday.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-1-13

Profit-taking shaves off N84b

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HE price rally at the stock market was halted again yesterday as most stocks carved in to the pressure of profit-taking.

Consequently, the market capitalisation of equities shed N84 billion to close at N9.171 trillion.

Similarly, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) AllShare Index (ASI), declined by 0.90 per cent to close at 28,695.59. Both indicators had grown by 0.46 per cent last Tuesday.

Most market participants did not express distress, saying that it was only natural that the investors should resort to profit-taking following gigantic gains recorded earlier.

However, of the 15 listed stocks in the in sub-sector, 10 had their prices slashed by profit-takers, three recorded uptrend while two closed flat.

The downturn trend was caused by value losses recorded in the following mid and large capitalised stocks; UAC Property, FBNH,

By Tonia Osundolire

Oando, GT Bank, NAHCO, Access Bank, ETI, Guinness, Zenith Bank and FCMB. The gainers dropped further to 19 from 20 the previous day. The losers also reduced from 31 to 27.

Leading the gainers’ table was Conoil with a price increase of N1.02 to close at N21.52.

This was followed by BOC Gas, Fort Oil, RT Briscoe, Fidson, Eterna Oil & Gas, AIICO, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Fidelity Bank and Mangard with price growth of N0.31, N0.44, N0.07, N0.04, N0.08, N0.02, N0.29, N0.07 and N0.04 respectively.

On the lower side of the table, UAC-Property led the losers with a drop of N1.33 followed by Sterling Bank with a drop of N0.16 to close at N1.97. Also on the list were Zenith Bank, Ashaka Cement, Etranzact, NAHCO, Japaul Oil, Ikeja Hotel, Port Paint and Honeywell Flour with price drops of N1.30, N1.08, N0.19, N0.31, N0.03,

N0.05, N0.21 and N0.11.

Specifically, the bearish transactions dominated trade statistics. League of bearish investors exerted control over transacted deals, volume and value in this order; 56.8 per cent, 37.6 per cent and 56.2 per cent respectively.

The market traded 407.241 million shares worth N3.512 billion across 6,200 deals. The Finance Services sector recorded 305.997 million shares worth N2.207 billion across 3,924 deals.

The market for the first time due to the sell pressure recorded two sectors, the Finance Services and a new sector with a value of traction of over N1 billion.

The other sector, which also doubled as the third in terms of activities was Consumer Goods with 20.163 million shares worth N1.019 billion. The sector occupied the third position in terms of activities was the Conglomerates with 43.121 million shares worth N90.023 million.

Others with relatively high volume were Agriculture, Oil & Gas, Industrial Goods and Services with 11.374 million shares, 8.184 million shares, 7.640 million shares and 6.768 million shares.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-1-13

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

MONEY LINK

‘FDIs to Nigeria, South Africa, Angola to hit $40.6b’ F OREIGN Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to Nigeria, South Africa and Angola are forecast to average $40.6 billion per year over the next five years, a report by Ernst & Young, global accounting firm has forecast.

Ernst & Young polled 505 global executives, and 60 per cent said their perception of Africa as a business destination had improved over the past three years. Nearly three quarters said they believed

Stories by Collins Nweze

Africa would become more attractive to potential investors over the next three years.

Reuters report said African oil and mineral reserves draw investors from emerging and developed markets.

It said around a quarter of a million new jobs are likely to be created in the three countries as a result.

Managing Director, Partnership Investment Company, Victor Ogiemwonyi

Africa among the top investors into the rest of the continent.

Nigeria topped the list of countries expected to draw significant funds over the next five years, with the report forecasting an average of $23 billion per year in FDI inflows and around 95,000 new jobs. But recent militant attacks in the continent’s top oil producer, which has been the largest African recipient of FDI over the last decade, could deter some investors,

said majority of the foreign investors are targeting the Nigerian bond market where there is sovereign guarantee and improved returns compared with other developed countries. There has also been a strong portfolio inflow to the high yields on local-currency debt including 91-day Treasury bill, which was 14 to 15 per cent.

Intra-African investment has also been a significant driver of growth, with Kenya, Nigeria and South

it added.

FDI inflows to South Africa were projected to average $10 billion a year, generating up to 125,000 new jobs, compared with $7.6 billion a year and 30,000 new jobs in Angola.

Ernst & Young said more regional integration and increased investment to close an infrastructure gap, which will require an estimated $90 billion annually, would boost Africa’s standing among investors.

T-Bills yield drops to 15-month low

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REASURY bills (TBs) yield fell to the lowest in 15 months at an auction yesterday as bids were more than double the amount on sale amid speculation that inflation and interest rates will retreat this year.

According to Bloomberg report, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold N30.153 billion ($193 million) of 91-day bills at a yield of 11.55 per

cent, it said, the lowest since the September 29, 2011 sale.

The regulator also sold N50.403 billion of 182-day bills at an 11.60 per cent yield and N85.845 billion of 364day notes at a yield of 11.79 per cent. Bids totaled N360.2 billion, more than double the N166.4 billion on sale.

Inflation rate rose for a second month in November to 12.3 per cent from 11.7 per cent, as the worst floods in

decades cut farming output, the National Bureau of Statistics said December 17. The impact of the floods will probably boost inflation before price pressures begin easing early this year, CBN governor Lamido Sanusi said on November 20, after leaving the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 12 per cent.

The auction results “are driven by expectations of lower inflation and interest

rates,” Alan Cameron, analyst at London-based CSL Stockbroker Ltd., said yesterday in an e-mailed response to questions. There is also an “intensifying search for yield globally, which has driven foreign investors towards emerging and frontier markets including Nigeria,” he said.

The Federal Government also sold N26.7 billion of 91-day securities at a yield of 11.55 per cent, N25 bil-

lion of 182-day debt at 11.60 per cent and N41 billion of 364-day bills at an 11.79 per cent yield to non-competitive bidders, Sanusi said.

“Treasury bills rates will continue to moderately drift lower over time as effective monetary conditions become more accommodative,” Samir Gadio, an emerging-markets strategist at Standard Bank Group Ltd. in London, said in e-mailed comments.

‘Asset seizure’ll check money laundering’

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HE managing director, DataPro, Abimbola Adeseyoju has called for the implementation of the asset seizure, confiscation and forfeiture policy of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to check money laundering in the country.

Speaking at the DataPro inaugural lecture series held in Lagos, he said that the antimoney laundering /combating the financial terrorism (AML/CFT) initiative was instituted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that financial crime perpetrators

are punished to ensure they do not benefit from their crimes.

He advised that an acceptable framework that tallies with ‘Recommendations Four of the Financial Action Task Force 2012 Principles’ which is on asset seizure, confiscation and forfeiture as one

of the deterrents to money laundering and terrorists financing.

He said that government should ensure that competent authorities have powers to freeze or seize and laundered property or proceeds including instrumentalities

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 Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 10-1-13

SYMBOL CONOIL BOCGAS FO RTBRISCOE FIDSON ETERNA AIICO STANBIC FIDELITYBK MANSARD

O/PRICE 20.50 6.25 8.93 1.53 1.11 2.62 0.68 11.21 2.74 1.87

C/PRICE 21.52 6.56 9.37 1.60 1.15 2.70 0.70 11.50 2.81 1.90

CHANGE 1.02 0.31 0.44 0.07 0.04 0.08 0.02 0.29 0.07 0.04

UAC-PROP STERLNBANK ZENITHBANK ASHAKACEM ETRANZACT NAHCO JAPAULOIL IKEJAHOTEL PORTPAINT HONYFLOUR

O/PRICE 13.74 2.13 21.00 20.69 3.84 6.30 0.61 1.02 4.29 2.30

C/PRICE 12.41 1.97 19.70 19.61 3.65 5.99 0.58 0.97 4.08 2.19

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 136.08 125.53 0.80 1.13 0.92 100.00 1,000.00 1,763.58 11.31 1.39 1.87 9,770.56

9.08 1.00 135.74 124.60 0.77 1.13 0.91 100.00 1,000.00 1,754.53 10.75 1.33 1.80 9,515.51

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor

NSE CAP Index

Name

CHANGE 1.33 0.16 1.30 1.08 0.19 0.31 0.03 0.05 0.21 0.11

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 10-1-13

SYMBOL

E

COBANK Nigeria has given out cars to winners in its Win Big promo held yesterday in Lagos. The winners include Green James Rose (King Jaja branch) who won the star prize of Nissan Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and Margaret Omisakin (IleIfe branch) who also won a Nissan Salon car. The winners emerged from 1,519,340 qualified entries for the grand prize.

The bank’s Head, Domestic Bank Products, Funwa Akinmade said that the bank has kept faith with its customers by rewarding them monthly since October 2012 through the promo. Previous draws were held in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

By Adedeji Fakorede

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Ecobank promo produces winners

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

used or intended to be used for money laundering or terrorism financing.

He said there is also need to allow such proceeds to be confiscated without requiring criminal prosecution otherwise called a Non conviction based confiscation approach.

•Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

56

NEWS

B

Wanted in Benue: Anti-terrorism force

ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam has urged the Federal Government to assist the state to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

The governor said the Federal Government needs to set up an anti-terrorism outfit in the state to stem the sect’s incursion into the state.

The Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Mr. Conrad Wergba, yesterday addressed reporters in Abuja on the state’s security situation.

He noted that efforts by the Suswam administration to tackle the Boko Haram menace “tran-

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

scends the capacity of Benue State Government”.

Last December, Suswam alleged that the Boko Haram sect planned to attack Benue State.

The governor also alleged that the sect had placed him on its hit list.

Wergba yesterday explained that following the tracking of a suspected Boko Haram kingpin to Gboko, Benue State, last Saturday, and the recovery of a large cache of explosives and ammunition in his house, it was obvious the governor was not

“crying wolf where there was none”.

He added: “Apart from heightening security concerns and bringing the state into greater security focus, it has unfortunately moved the insurgency threats from the realm of speculation and conjecture into that of stark reality.”

Wergba said Benue State’s request for an anti-terrorism force from the Federal Government did not mean it was asking for the deployment of troops.

He said: “…The truth of the matter is that we need, as a nation, to reinvigorate our security

Plateau women protest arrest of youths by STF From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

W •Suswam

platform. This is why we have called for collaborative synergy between major stakeholders.”

The commissioner said the Suswam administration would not, for economic reasons, shy away from declaring that there were security issues bothering the state “or sweep security subversion under the carpet”.

UNILORIN hails Supreme Courts verdict on 49 lecturers A

UTHORITIES of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have hailed Monday’s ruling by the Supreme Court in a suit filed by the sacked but reinstated 49 lecturers, popularly called the UNILORIN 49.

The lecturers had asked the apex court to compel the university to pay their unearned sabbaticals.

They also prayed the court to promote them and backdate

PUNBLIC NOTICE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Osikoya Olasunbo Bukonla now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeopa Olasunbo Bukonla. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

•Reinstated lecturers: statement taken out of context

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the promotion to cover the period of their absence.

Reports on the verdict had said the apex court warned the lecturers not to make frivolous demands from the university authorities.

Counsel to the lecturers, Mr Toyin Oladipo, said the reports were taken out of context.

He said: “The fact of the matter is that their lordships struck out UNILORIN’s motion for an interpretation based on our preliminary objection. It is

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that a C.Of.O Registered as NO 77 Page 77 in Volume 1990AG at the Lagos State Lands registry,Alausa,ikeja Belonging to PROPHARM LIMITED is missing.All effort to trace the said document proved abortive.General public pls take note.......

SIGNED: MANAGEMENT

true that the justices counseled the two parties to put heads together. Unfortunately, the statements have been taken out of context to elicit propaganda. The position is that their case was struck out.”

Oladipo said the verdict of the Federal High Court, which the Supreme Court restored, gave the lecturers not only their salaries but also other rights and entitlements which they missed during the termination of their appointment.

“It is left for the Federal High Court to determine what these rights and entitlements are,” he said.

In a statement, UNILORIN’s Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun said: “Monday’s landmark ruling has now laid to rest the pesky antics of the lecturers. The attention, energy and efforts of the management will now be directed towards pursuing its set goal of running a first-class citadel of learning.

“The ruling is consistent with the university’s argument that the June 12, 2009 judgment of the

same court, which ordered the reinstatement of the lecturers.

It is clear and unambiguous.

“It only covered the payment of their salaries and allowances, conditions which the university has since fully complied with.

“Right from the beginning, the university has always drawn the attention of the public to the fact that the suit was frivolous and tantamount to an abuse of judicial process by the lecturers. The management will continue to build on the progress already recorded by the university, especially its unbroken record of academic stability as well as its top rating among the universities in Nigeria.

“We are very passionate about these records and we intend not only to sustain them but to break more grounds so as to serve the country and humanity better.

“We are, however, happy that the landmark judgment of the apex court has put to rest all the antics to draw the hand of the university’s clock backwards. It is hoped that the lecturers will now settle down to their primary responsibilities of teaching, researching and community service and put behind them other distractions that will, in the long run, not be in anybody’s interest.”

OMEN in Du village, Jos South Local Government of Plateau State, yesterday protested the arrest of their youths by the Special Task Force (STF), code-named Operation Safe Haven. But the STF said it arrested the youths for alleged possession of illegal arms.

The women, who wore black dresses, stormed the major streets of the village, the home town of Governor Jonah David Jang. They urged security agencies to release the youths immediately. The protest disrupted the movement of vehicles around the village. People going to the village made a U-turn or took an alternative road. The STF, on Wednesday, paraded nine youths as suspected criminals.

STF spokesman Capt Salisu Mustapha said the suspects were arrested for alleged possession of illegal arms.

But the councilor representing Du Ward, Rosleyn Dung, told reporters that the women were protesting because they were fed up with the over a decade crises in the state.

She said: “We were sleeping peacefully in our village late Tuesday night when unknown gunmen stormed our village and started shooting sporadically. This led to the death of two of our youths. Ironically, when our youths rose up to repel the gunmen, the STF rounded them up and even paraded them as criminals.”

Yuguda employs families of nine slain residents From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

B

AUCHI State Governor Isa Yuguda has employed the families of nine men who were killed last October by unknown gunmen at Zango, Bauchi, the state capital.

The employment to the families of the deceased is besides the monetary assistance they got last year from the government.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Chief Michael Ishola Adeyemi, the government explained that those suggested by the families of the deceased have been given employment letters by the Civil Service Commission.

It said the beneficiaries would resume work this week.

The new employees are: Danjuma Ayuba, Dinatu Innah, Virmidah J. Lumi, Jamimah Joseph Komo B., Rahila Samaila, Jamimah I. Joro, Chongdah Haruna, Fibi Godiya K. Rimi, Rahila Zamba and Alhamdu Markus.

The statement said the beneficiaries have accepted their employment with appreciation to Yuguda.

The Nation learnt that those employed are to teach, based on their academic qualifications.

The others have been appointed Special Assistants to the Governor on various matters.

The governor, during a condolence visit to the bereaved families, urged employers of Labour to hire members of the families to enable them have means of livelihood to cater for the people left behind.

Governor explains Kwara budget From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

K

WARA State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed yesterday said workers’ welfare was the reason this year’s budget has a higher recurrent expenditure over the capital expendi-

ture.

The governor spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, during his monthly media chat: The Governor Explains.

He said: “The fact that the recurrent expenditure is higher than the capital expenditure in our 2013 budget estimates is due to the Nigerian factor.

“The state is largely civil service-driven, like the local governments and even the Federal Government. The recurrent expenditure is high because we need to take care of the civil servants. We cannot afford to reduce the workforce.”

Ahmed dismissed insinuations that his government concentrated developmental projects in a section of the state.

He said his administration has ensured equitable distribution of projects in the three senatorial districts.

“The needs of the three senatorial districts of the state are being addressed in equal proportions. While we are expending over N2.7 billion on rural roads in our villages across the state, we are also ensuring the completion of ongoing projects in the state capital.

“The Shoprite that we brought here has created employment for our people. More of such job-yielding ventures will be attracted to the state in the interest of Kwarans.”

Funeral for ex-civil servant

T

HE funeral of Pa Andrew Eriambinomo Ighodalo, will hold on January 18 and 19 in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government of Edo State.

The late Ighodalo, who died last October, joined the Civil Service in 1956. He worked with the Public Works Department (PWD), now Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMWH), and went into private practice: Ighodalo Photo Studios.

He is survived by children, among who are Owhiyon

•The late Ighodalo

Ighodalo, Ms Carol Ighodalo, Mrs Helen Nwaeze and Mrs Stella Adams.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

57

NEWS Imo denies arrest of commissioner, AG

Andy Uba defeats Ukachukwu at Appeal Court

By Precious Igbonwelundu

THE Imo State Government yesterday debunked reports that its Commissioner for Finance, Deacon Okafor Chike John, and Accountant-General (AG), Eche Ezenna George, were arrested on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N40billion fraud.

The two men were reportedly arrested following petitions from some quarters over an alleged diversion of over N40billion loan obtained from Zenith Bank Plc. Although the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest of the two officials, Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Chinedu Offor, in a statement, said the allegation was false.

Offor said the Rochas Okorocha led administration never obtained the loan or misappropriated the state funds as alleged.

UNN convocation holds January 25 From Chris Oji, Enugu

THE 42nd convocation of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), will hold on January 25 and 26 at the Margaret Ekpo Cconvocation Arena of the Nsukka campus.

Over 17,000 graduating students are expected to receive degrees, diplomas and certificates during the event.

A programme released by the Registrar, Mr Anthony Izuka Okonta, said first degrees and certificates would be awarded on January 25, while Postgraduate diplomas, higher degrees and honorary degrees would be awarded on January 26.

The ceremonies will be preceded by various activities that will last four day.

These will begin on January 21, with a media briefing by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bartho N. Okolo, at Enugu campus.

Ex-Ikeja Club President dead A FORMER President of Ikeja Club, Alhaji Popoola Olarinjo Solarin (aka Shomanger), is dead.

He passed on last December 18. He was 76.

The late club president has been buried according to Islamic rites.

The late Solarin was one of the first African Managers at R. T. Briscoe in the 1960s.

He retired from Nigerian Textile Mills in 1983 as Senior Manager, Purchasing and Logistics.

He was also a former president of Thursday Society of Friends, Ikeja, and former Secretary, Sagamites Club, Ogun State.

A

•From left: Group Head, Products, Ecobank, Mr Funso Akinmade; Prince Jeminiwa Emmanuel, Acting Director, Regulations Monitring, National Loterrey Regulations Commission, Abuja; Abel Ajala, Head, Export Desk, Domestic Bank, Ecobank and Susie Onwuka, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Office, during the grand draw of the bank’s Win Big promo in Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Enugu PDP: Chime will return soon

T

HE Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday assured that Governor Sullivan Chime would soon return home.

Its Chairman, Chief Vita Abba, told reporters yesterday that the group seeking an explanation on his whereabouts was ill-informed about the workings of government.

A group, Save Enugu Group (SEG), on Tuesday, demanded an explanation on the whereabouts of the governor, who has been away for over three months.

Abba said: “In my honour as the PDP State Chairman, I want to reassure the people of Enugu State that the governor will soon return. We are, therefore, asking for patience, support and understanding, as the Government of Enugu State, under Acting Governor Sunday Onyebuchi, is doing its utmost best to satisfy the yearnings of our people by providing the needed democracy dividends.”

The party chairman dismissed the threat of the SEG. He said: “For a group of people to threaten to take the laws into their hands, if the governor did not return to the state, smacks of ignorance.

They know that there is a properly constituted House of Assembly and other arms of government saddled with the responsibilities of taking action in

A

From Chris Oji, Enugu GROUP, The Save Enugu Group (SEG), yesterday said it would sembly to step in.

The statement, by Willy Ezeugwu, said it pressurise the National Assembly to take was unfortunate that members of the State over the Enugu State House of Assembly, if Executive Council (Exco) reportedly derided it fails to invoke necessary sections of the a letter the group wrote to Acting Governor Constitution to resolve the alleged impasse Sunday Onyebuchi, asking for information that arose on the absence of Governor on the governor’s health.

Sullivan Chime.

It said the manner the letter was treated In a statement in Enugu, the group said it showed that something was fishy about the would not give up on its demand for infor- governor’s absence. mation on the whereabouts of the goverIt said: “The House of Assembly must pernor. form its duty, since those in the Executive SEG said its plan to occupy the Lion Build- arm are playing ostrich. Our demands have ing and compel the Assembly to act could not changed. The Assembly should cause the make it impossible for the lawmakers to Executive to make a categorical explanation perform their duties. on the whereabouts and status of Governor It said there is need for the National As- Chime.”

From Chris Oji, Enugu

any event of this nature.”

He wondered why the group said nothing was going on in the state since the governor was away.

“It is worthy of note that despite the absence of the governor, various developmental projects worth billions of naira in the area of roads, water supply, electricity, education, health, housing among others are in progress.

“The State Executive, under the acting governor, had awarded several contracts running into billions of naira and

such projects are ongoing,” Abba added.

The PDP chairman recalled the travail of the party, adding that it has surmounted them.

He said: "Since the inception of the PDP-led government under Sullivan Chime in 2007, we have had challenges and tribulations. The first was when we lost at the lower election tribunal. To the good people of the state, it seemed then that the world had come to an end. But by the grace of God, we did overcome.

"During the 2011 elections,

the PDP government, under Chime, was brought to its knees when Dr. Okwisilieze Nwodo was PDP National Chairman. Through prayers, tremendous goodwill and calls for justice by the people of Enugu State, we also overcame.

"Now, the governor's vacation has brought another challenge to our government.

I expect that the good people of Enugu State and Nigeria should live up to the challenge once more believing that the governor will soon return to continue with his good works in the state.”

Okorocha’s aide held for abduction of Nkiru Sylvanus

T

HE police have arrested an aide to Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha for his alleged involvement in the kidnap of popular Nollywood actress and an aide of the governor, Miss Nkiru Sylvanus.

Miss Sylvanus is the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs.

She was abducted last December by unknown gunmen in Owerri, the state cap-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

ital, while on location.

The suspect is said to be detained at the Police Command Headquarters in Owerri.

The suspect was said to have facilitated the negotiation between the kidnappers and the victim’s family.

He was said to have been implicated by text massages allegedly exchanged be-

tween him and the abductors, who collected N8 million ransom from the actress’s family.

A source close to the Government House said the bubble burst after a top government official tipped the police on the involvement of the governor’s aide in the abduction.

Although the governor’s aide was not among the sus-

pects paraded by the police, police spokesmanVitalis Onugu confirmed his arrest.

He said the command was still investigating the extent of the suspect’s culpability in the crime.

ADUNA State Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero yesterday made his first appointments about three weeks after assuming office.

The governor sacked the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Samaila Lawal Abdullahi and appointed Ishaq Hamza Dan’Mahawayi to replace him.

A statement by the Com-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

missioner of Information and Home Affairs, Saidu Adamu, said the new appointments take immediate effect.

The statement reads: “…Governor Yero has approved the appointment of the following: Ishaq Hamza Dan’Mahawayi as Secretary to the Government; Chief of

Staff, Yahaya Aminu Abdulahi; Director-General (Media and Publicity), Abdulahi Ahmed Maiyaki; Principal Private Secretary, Aliyu Samalia and Special Adviser Political, Madami Garba Madami.

“Nathaniel K. Hayab remains the Head of Service (HOS). All appointments are with effect from January 10.”

Ex-Editor for burial today A FORMER European Editor of the defunct National Concord, Tunde Agbabiaka, who died on December 17, last year, will be buried today.

The late Agbabiaka was in a coma on December 14 and never regained consciousness.

In 1976, he toured the frontline Southern Angolan city of Huambo where remnants of UNITA insurgents were still fighting. He also filed reports from other flashpoints like Liberia, Chad, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Northern Ireland (accompanying British troops on surveillance operations in the hostile, sniper-ridden IRA stronghold of Belfast).

An English Language graduate and alumnus of Times Journalism Institute, the late Agbabiaka was the publisher of the Nigeria Banking and Insurance magazine as well as Fraud & Theft Alert International, a newsletter that helps African financial institutions to track white collar crime trends in the world’s emerging markets, among others.

Funeral for nonagenarian

Yero appoints new SSG, Director of Press

K • The late Solarin

Group threatens action on governor’s whereabouts

COURT of Appeal sitting in Owerri, the Imo state capital, yesterday refused the request of Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu to make a declaration on who between him and Dr. Andy Uba is the valid candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Anambra South Senatorial District.

Ukachukwu and others had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and orders (including Dr. Andy Uba). The Court of Appeal had ruled that Justice J. Umar, then of the Federal High Court, Umuahia, was wrong to have transmitted the application to the Court of Appeal.

The court also held that Ukachukwu had no grounds of appeal on the real issue in controversy.

It refused to exercise its power under Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act on who is the validly nominated candidate of the PDP between Uba and Ukachukwu.

The Court of Appeal consequently ordered that the substantive suit pending at the Federal High Court Umuahia, be transferred to the Chief Judge of the federal High court for re-assignment.

•The late Mrs. Faseluka THE remains of Madam Comfort Faseluka (nee Ajayi) will be interred tomorrow at Osi-Ekiti, her hometown in Ekiti State.

She died on December 7, last year. She was 92.

The late Madam Faseluka was a devout Christian and educationist who started St. Michael’s Catholic Church in her living room at Ara-Joshua, Ile-Ife, Osun State, as well as St. Michael’s Primary School.

She also worshiped at the Church of God, founded by her son, Apostle Samuel Adeyemo, and at the Christ Apostolic Church.

She is survived by many children, including Apostle Adeyemo, Mrs. Mary Olayinka and the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Liaison office, Abuja, Mr Gbenga Faseluka.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

58

NEWS ‘2,504 households suffered flood’

T

WO thousand five hundred and four Akwa Ibom State households were victims of last year’s flood, it was learnt yesterday.

Also, five primary health care centres and a secondary health care centre were affected .

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bassey Antai, said this when the Southsouth Ministerial Committee on the Post-Flood Assessment visited the state.

Antai said three local governments– Uyo, Oruk Anam and Itu– were the worse hit by the disaster as the flood prevented people from ac-

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

cessing hospital facilities.

He said immunisation teams from the ministry could not access the affected areas.

His words: “What I am telling you is basically in the area of health. Of course, you know the State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA) and other agencies could have more figures.”

Affirming that there was no casaulties, Antai said the flood caused an outbreak of diseases, such as malaria, diarrhoeoa, poor nutritional intake, upper respiratory challenges.

Oshiomhole appoints perm sec

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has approved the appointment of Major Lawrence Loye (rtd) as the permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment.

Before the appointment, Loye was the Executive Director, State Environmental Protection and Regulatory Unit.

Loye (48) is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Chartered Institute of Transport, United Kingdom.

He holds a Master’s in Transport Planning and Management and retired from the Army on June 30, 2002.

Loye also worked as a member of the State Board of Internal Revenue between 2005 and 2007.He is married with five children.

The swearing-in will hold at the Festival Hall, Government House, on Tuesday at 2pm. Guests are expected to be seated at 1.30pm.

N707m spent on community projects

G

ENERAL Manager of the Cross River State Community and Social Development Agency (CRSCSDA) Victor Ovat has said N707.5million has been spent on community projects since 2009.

Ovat spoke during a joint meeting with sister agencies from Abia and Niger states in Calabar.

He said the agency was established in March 2009 to implement community and social development projects.

Ovat said 79 community

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar development projects and 253 micro projects have been completed in various communities.

The manager said 24 new projects, comprising 63 others in the micro category had been approved.

Ovat said CSDA is a partnership between the World Bank, Federal Government and the state governments designed to support development of rural communities.

NAFDAC probes UNIBEN don’s HIV/AIDS cure claims

T

HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) yesterday warned Nigerians not to use the HIV/AIDS cure drug announced by Prof Isaiah Ibeh of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Stressing that the drug was not subjected to standard scientific protocols before announcement, the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, at a briefing in Abuja, said the don would be sanctioned.

According to him, the Minister of Health, after clinical tests byNAFDAC, ought to make such an announcement to Nigerians and the world.

Diassociating NAFDAC from the announcement, Orhii said the product was never brought to his agency for vetting and neither was it subjected to any known institutional scrutiny.

He said: “We have started with diassociating ourselves from the so-called cure.

“We will decide the appropriate sanction. We have invited him for further investigation.

“If our laws don’t have appropriate punishment for such persons who don’t follow scientific protocols in making such pronouncement, we will review the law and ensure that such do not occur again.

“The agency wishes to state that this herbal drug, which is claimed to have undergone a series of successful tests, has

•Warns against patronising the drug •Sanctions coming, says Orhii

Don: AIDS cure research is on-going

A

LECTURER of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Isaiah Ibeh, yesterday said he was researching the drug capable of curing HIV/AIDS. He said observations of the research were still at the preliminary and embroyo stage.

Ibeh had, on Tuesday, announced a major breakthrough in the invention of an oral drug made from plant extraction in Nigeria for possible cure of HIV/AIDS. But the university authorities queried him for making his findings public without following procedures.

The university, which spoke through the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Vincent Iyawe, said it would like to take credit for the breakthrough.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

never been presented to NAFDAC for evaluation of efficacy and safety.

“This bogus claim of efficacy without following the appropriate procedure for drug evaluation is capable of misleading the public, especially those who have HIV/AIDS as there is no known cure for the infection.

“You may recall that Nigeria had been inundated with similar spurious claims in the past, when individuals announced cure for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and diabetes, which later turned out to be false

A statement by Ibeh reads: “I am very sorry for the embarrassment this has caused my professional colleagues in the University of Benin .

“I’ve realised that there are procedures for reporting such scientific results.”

It was, however, gathered that Ibeh was a victim of power play within the institution.

Sources told The Nation that top management of the institution, including professors in the College of Basic Medical Sciences, were aware of the drug but were not happy that Ibeh refused to disclose the formula before going public.

The sources said seven HIV/AIDS patients were said to have undergone trial treatments with the drug and two were found to have been cured.

after thorough investigation.

“This is usually at the expense of innocent citizens, who have risked their lives, wasted their time and money in search of the elusive cure for their ailments.

“Nigerians deserve better than to be used as guinea pigs, no matter how noble the intention of the researcher.

“Also, recall that in September 2011, NAFDAC arrested the Managing Director of Winners Medical Diagnostics and Research Institute, Dr. Jacob Abdullahi, for dealing in expired medicines claimed to be cure for HIV. “Similarly, in November

2011, Dr. P.S.A. Bondima Young of Bondima Hepatoviral Centre, Jos, was apprehended by NAFDAC for administering unregistered drugs on patients for the treatment of hepatitis.

“I wish to caution other persons who might want to follow the footsteps of Prof. Isaiah Ibeh in making public claims for products ,whose safety and efficiency have not been scientifically proven to desist.

“There is a laid down protocol for determining efficacy and safety of new medicines and this must be strictly adhered to by all.”

Navy hands over suspects to EFCC

T

HE Navy in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has handed over eight persons suspected to be involved in illegal bunkering to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.

Handing over the suspects to the EFCC in Calabar yesterday, the Commanding Officer, NNS Victory, Commodore Kingdom Itoko, said the Navy was committed to the fight against illegal bunkering.

“I am handing over the eight suspects to EFCC and a formal letter will be completed in my office and

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

signed as a document of the handing over.

The Navy arrested the suspects and impounded 220 drums of diesel, wooden boat and two pumping machines on December 21.

Itoko said the suspects were arrested between Igbani Station and Parrot Island with the products, which were to be sold in Calabar.

The Assistant Detective Superintendent, EFCC Port Harcourt, Abdullahi Musa, said the agency would further investigate the suspects to unravel their sponsors.

Lamido’s son gets bail

T

HE police in Kano have released on bail Aminu Sule, the eldest son of Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

He was detained, following an auto crash in which a man was killed on Wednesday night.

Aminu’s release came on the heels of an unconfirmed report that parents of the victim have been convinced to drop charges.

It was rumoured that the victim’s family was promised juicy rewards, if the matter was settled out of court.

Aminu was said to be driving a Sport Utility Vehicle

(SUV) that allegedly crushed the man to death on the Bayero University, Kano (BUK) Road by Rumfa College, at 8.55pm on Wednesday.

He was arrested at the scene by security agents.

His detention happened barely a month after operatives of the Economic and Finance Crime Commission (EFCC) arrested him at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport for alleged money laundering.

Police spokesman Magaji Musa Majia told reporters that the case had been transferred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for appropriate action.

•Chairman, Arik Air, Sir Arumemi Ikhide (second left); Vice-Chairman, Senator Aniete Okon (right); President, du Conseil d’ Administration, Air Cote d’Ivoire, Coulibaly Abdoulaye (left) and Directeur-General, NEMBE, Victor J. Nembelessini-Silue at Arik Air Headquarters, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE

Edo tribunal reserves date for judgment

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HE Edo State Governorship Electoral Tribunal has reserved judgment in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Charles Airhiavbere , on the outcome of the July 14 governorship election.

Airhiavbere is challenging the qualification of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to contest the election.

Tribunal Chairman Justice Pindinga Mu'azu adjourned sitting sine die after listening to the adoption of written addresses by counsel to parties.

Justice Mu'azu said the date of judgment would be communicated to the parties.

Oshiomhole 's lead counsel Adeniyi Akintola said the

•Court to talk with parties From Osagie Otabor, Benin

petitioner's conclusion in his final address was silent on corrupt practices and noncompliance and that it was not a ground before the tribunal.

Adeniyi said the Court of Appeal made no findings as to whether the ground covered non-qualification.

He said statements from witnesses called from four local governments were based on corrupt practices and not on non-qualification.

"The entire piece of evidence, including the affirmation, covers 61 units out of 2,624 units in the state.

"Can a person who admitted that he lost an election ask to be returned as winner in his relief?

“The relief is not available.

It did not flow from the petitioner's facts presented before your Lordship."

Adeniyi described the petition as the most frivolous petition in the country, saying the petitioner did not present any result sheet before the tribunal.

Counsel to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Adetunji Oyeyipo said the petitioner failed to prove the allegations of forgery.

Oyeyipo said the relief sought by the petitioner was

not available.

Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Robert Emupero said the burden was on the petitioner to prove non-qualification and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

Airhiavbere's counsel Efe Akpofure urged the tribunal to deliver judgment in favour of the petitioner.

Akpofure said it was Oshiomhole's duty to prove that he owns the certificates presented before INEC. He urged the tribunal to declare a vacancy in the Edo Government House and returned Airhiavbere as the substantive governor.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS CAR: Govt, rebels okay ceasefire

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Jonathan holds talks with French envoy on Mali C

HE crisis in Mali was the focus yesterday when President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday received the special Envoy of the French government,Jeam Felix Palanon.

The Minister of State Foreign Affairs II, Nurudeen Mohammed, said discussions were centred on the crisis in Mali and how best to resolve the issue.

He said: “ Principally, the message is on the crisis in Mali and how both countries can come together to find solutions to the problem.”

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Palanon said the discussion focused on how to stabilise and seek a smooth transition and an agreement between the North and South.

“The adoption of resolution 20/85 at the security council opened a new face in the handling of the Malian crisis.

Islamists capture key town

M

ILITANTS Islamist in Mali say they have entered the key central town of Konna, advancing further into government-held territory.

This is the most serious fighting since Islamist groups captured the north from government forces in April 2012.

The army has not commented on the claim by the Ansar Dine group that its fighters are in Konna.

Earlier, it said it had advanced on Douentza, a central town held by another Islamist group.

A resident in Douentza said no fighting had so far taken place for control of the town, about 800km (500 miles) north-east of the capital, From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

“When it come to the practicalities, as you know we are now on a double track approach which was suggested by ECOWAS and we must ensure that the two progress balance.

Bamako.

It was still in the hands of the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), the resident said.

The UN has approved plans to send some 3,000 African troops to Mali to recapture the desert north but they are not expected to arrive until September 2013.

Some European leaders have voiced concerns that jihadists could use Mali’s vast Islamist-controlled area, which is the size of France, to launch attacks on Europe.

Ansar Dine spokesman Sanda Abu Mohammed said their fighters had driven out government forces from Konna, about 700km (435 miles) north-east of Bamako.

“So we discussed extensively on how to accelerate the political process to stabilise and find the proper way for a smooth transition and an agreement between the North and the South.”

He said efforts would be redoubled to bring about a political solution in Bamako and an agreement between the North and the South to ensure the deployment of the African force in support of the Malian Armed Forces.”

Biden to make gun control recommendation

U

NITED States Vice-President Joe Biden has said his task force on gun control will make its recommendations to President Barack Obama as early as Tuesday.

Biden is meeting members of the National Rifle Association (NRA) on day two of White House talks on gun control policy.

The perennial US debate on gun violence has been revived by a massacre at a school that left 27 dead last month.

Soon after Biden spoke, reports of a school shooting in California emerged.

Two people were shot yesterday morning at a high school in Taft, California, sheriff’s officials said. A suspect was reportedly in custody.

Biden said he would present his findings to President Barack Obama next week because they had only a “tight window” of time in which to act.’

“There is nothing that has pricked the consciousness of the American people,” Biden said, “there is nothing that has gone to the heart of the matter more than the visual image people have of little six-year-old kids riddled - not shot with a stray bullet - riddled, riddled, with bullet holes in their classroom.”

The vice-president said recommendations could include universal background checks for gun buyers and updating databases with information about convicted criminals.

Biden also said he had encountered widespread concerns over high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Correspondents say Thursday’s NRA meeting could be one of the most difficult for Biden. Later in the day Mr Biden will also meet sportsmen, entertainment industry groups and Walmart, the biggest US gun seller.

ENTRAL African Republic’s government and rebels have agreed to a temporary ceasefire deal, two rebel sources with knowledge of the talks told Reuters yesterday.

One of the sources, present at the negotiations in Gabon’s capital Libreville, said Central African Republic President Francois Bozize would propose a national unity government with the Seleka rebel coalition.

“The principal of a ceasefire has been agreed and the parties are going to sign it shortly,” he said, asking not to be identified.

It was not immediately clear if the rebels would accept the unity government proposal. They having previously insisted that Bozize’s resignation was a precondition for peace and that the president, who came to power in a Chadian-backed 2003 coup, should stand trial at the International Criminal Court.

The one-month old rebellion has come to within striking distance of the riverside capital Bangui, posing the biggest threat yet to Bozize’s decade in charge of the minerals-rich former French colony.

But African leaders have deployed hundreds of troops to the country in recent weeks to bolster its military against the rebels, who accuse Bozize of reneging on a 2007 peace deal meant to provide jobs to insurgents who laid down their weapons.

10 killed in Kenyan revenge attack

R

EVENGE attacks targeting a village in southeast Kenya killed 10 people yesterday, including women and children, the nation’s Red Cross said.

The deaths occurred in Tana River district , the latest in a series of attacks in the area.

A day earlier, nine others died in an attack that left homes torched in a nearby village, according to the Kenyan Red Cross.

Attacks and revenge raids have soared in the region in recent months.

Late last month, rival tribesmen armed with arrows and machetes clashed at dawn, leaving 32 dead, the Red Cross said.

TODAY IN HISTORY

1962: Thousands killed in Peru landslide At least 2,000 people are feared dead after a huge avalanche in the Peruvian Andes engulfs nine villages

SPORT EXTRA

Yobo, Enyeama seek steady support •Cape Verde coach rates Eagles high

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UPER EAGLES’ skipper, Joseph Yobo and his assistant Vincent Enyeama, have spoken of the need for Nigerian football supporters not to fret anytime the team falls short of their expectations, urging them to keep supporting the team in its quest for glory at AFCON 2013.

Yobo also condemned reports that he was nursing an injury and may not be fit for the AFCON championship, assuring that he was 100 per cent fit and ready for the championship. His above average performance in the game against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde also underscores his

fitness status. “I must say Nigerians have been very supportive of the team but we need more, especially when things go wrong because it cannot be rosy all the time. The media especially must always stand behind us so that our families will not be discouraged when they read negative things

NIGERIA VS CAPE VERDE FRIENDLY

Bad omen for African football—Onigbinde

F

ORMER Super Eagles’ Head Coach Adegboye Onigbinde has said that the standard of play exhibited in the Super Eagles versus Cape Verde friendly tells how bad African football has deteriorated.

Onigbinde told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview yesterday in Abuja that there is a need for the technical crew to ensure the teams improve before the competition proper.

Reacting to Super Eages’ 0-0 draw against Nations Cup debutant, Cape Verde, on Wednesday, the CAF and FIFA instructor said friendly matches are meant to test the teams’ strength before a major competition, but added that the encounter did not show the quality of play expected of a competition of this magnitude.

“I did not see any exciting moment throughout the ninety minutes of the game and that tells a bad story about African football.

“But I hope the technical crew

will work on the team and make them improve,” he said.

Onigbinde, added that the team’s performance against Catalonia was a fluke and should not be used to assess it.

“The match we played against Catalonia was a fluke. Fluke in

the sense that all those stars paraded in the opponent’s side had another match for their club the following day. So, they did not come out and play with the desired zeal which we saw on the pitch; we shouldn’t use the match as an assessment of our team in anyway,” he said.

Ideye: I'll justify my inclusion

D

YNAMO KIEV striker Brown Ideye has said he is ready to justify his inclusion in the Super Eagles final list to the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa later in the month.

Ideye’s name was missing in the purported fake list released on Tuesday, but the slicky forward probably impressed the technical crew in training at the Faro Camp of the Eagles to have made the final list released Wednesday right.

The former Ocean Boys’ ace said he has nothing to prove but to raise his game and to justify his inclusion in the team.

By Innocent Amomoh "I'm happy to be part of the final team," said Ideye.

"Its great to be on the train to South Africa with Nigeria.

That has been my mission at the early stage of the qualifiers and I hank God it is being accomplished. My dream now is to fly with the team in South Africa.

"I intend to work harder to be on the starting line and prove my worth with the team as a whole."

"There are lots of striking options for the coach but I will definitely prove myself when given a chance."

about the team”, Yobo said in Faro on Wednesday night. “ I also heard that they say I’m not fit but I have been very active all season for my club and the proof is there on the internet for anyone to see. God has blessed me and no man can put me down not at this time of my career. Nigerians must unite behind the team for the goals to be delivered”, he said.

Enyeama, who spoke in similar vein, said most of the players that have been so labeled great and won laurels achieved it because their compatriots and their media stood solidly behind them. “Its very demoralizing when a player makes a single mistake, the people stand up and start condemning such a player calling for his head. They forget the past when the same player saved the nation from defeat or was outstanding. We must always defend our own thing all the time, because that is the only way the Super Eagles can bring greatness to Nigeria”, he said.

Meanwhile, Cape Verde Head Coach, Lucio Antunes, has said the Super Eagles put up a gallant performance against his side and he expects the team will go far in the AFCON 2013 championship. Antunnes, who spoke through an interpreter, declared that his boys met a very experienced side in Nigeria and he was happy that the team played out a draw. He also promised that his team; the Blue Sharks will cause many upsets at the AFCON championship with the quality of players at its disposal.

NFF, Abdullahi mourn Ositelu

T

HE Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has described the sudden death of Deacon Ayo Ositelu as a great loss to both the Media and Sports sectors.

The Minister said he was shocked and saddened by the unexpected demise of the veteran journalist, Ositelu, who contributed greatly to sports development in Nigeria through excellent articles and opinions.

He recalled that Ositelu was very active in the media and sports circuits over the years and was a great advocate of the game of Tennis, which he promoted through his column in The Guardian.

“He would greatly be missed, especially at this time when we need all hands to move Nigeria sports forward. The vacuum he left would be very difficult to fill. I wish his family the fortitude to bear this loss,” the minister said.

Also, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday expressed deep grief at the death of seasoned sports analyst, writer and administrator, Deacon Ayo Ositelu.

Ositelu, who needs no introduction as one of the finest sports journalists of his generation, with special attention to tennis, died in Lagos on Wednesday after a brief illness, three months to his 70th birthday.

Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama said: “The

•Abdullahi NFF is shocked to receive news of the passing of one of the best sports journalists and commentators that this country has ever produced, Deacon Ayo Ositelu. He was a marvel in his area and did his job with painstaking attention to details.

“He worked very hard and was meticulous. We mourn him because he was a good man through and through. But we are consoled by the undisputed fact that he left his giant footprints in the sands of time, not only in tennis reporting, but in the entire sports arena,” Inyama concluded.

Nicknamed Arena, late Deacon Ayo Ositelu worked with some leading national dailies, including The Punch (where he edited Sunday Punch) and The Guardian - where he was a member of the editorial board. He left no one in doubt of his mastery of his vocation, with fascinating presentation of historical facts and matchless previews and reviews wrapped in excellent prose.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

60

CITYBEATS

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Friends clash over Majek Fashek •Musician disappears from hospital NOTHER attempt to rehabilitate reggae artiste Majek Fashek may have failed, leading to a clash between two of his friends.

Fashek was said to have disappeared from a highbrow hospital on Lagos Island where he was taken to last month by a former music promoter, Aib Igiehon.

Igiehon and Fashek's manager Hajia Dangayiga are now trading words over the artiste's disappearance.

The “rainmaker”, as Fashek is fondly called, was admitted in hospital after collapsing at the office of Igiehon, a frontline music promoter in the 80s, said to be one of those who discovered him and later took him to America.

But Dangayiga is alleging that Igiehon is trying to snatch Fashek from her, after spending so much to rehabilitate the musician.

Dangayiga's A-Plus Entertainment and Record Label is

A

By Victor Akande

said to have rented and furnished a bungalow for Fashek in Gowon Estate, gave him a car and returned him to the studios for his comeback album, which is in the works.

Explaining his involvement with Fashek to reporters at his Anthony Village office yesterday, Igiehon said he was only interested in rehabilitating Fashek.

Fashek, he said, was one of the artistes he discovered and partnered with during the Babangida regime to drive the Mass Mobilisation for Self-Reliance and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) initiative; touring over 110 cities.

He said although his investment in Fashek after taking the musician to America did not yield returns, he remained committed to his (artiste's) rehabilitation.

This, according to Igiehon, was why he took the artiste to the hospital where he deposited N1 million for his health

•Fashek

problem.

He said he brought another philanthropist, Captain Idahosa, who donated N4.5 million and Pastor Paul Adefarasin, to preach to Fashek in the hospital.

"Alcohol is dangerous than some of these drugs that people talk about. Majek is an alcoholic, not a drug addict. Majek drinks, and would not eat.

But he is a very kind-hearted man," said Igiehon, who expressed disappointment over why Fashek should leave the hospital without letting him know.

He said before Fashek disappeared from the hospital to Ghana, the was already recovering.

Plank market for remodelling

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday said his administration will not tolerate building of structures without proper planning at the Oko Baba Plank Market, which was razed by fire on Tuesday.

Fashola, who came to commiserate with the traders, said the government would re-design the area in compliance with modern trend and put in place measures to prevent such occurrence in future.

He said: "First, I am going to send the Ministry of the Environment to come here and clear all the drainage, clean the place up and nobody should build here without

By Miriam Ndikanwu

town planning approval. We won't let you do it.

"We need to sit down and talk on how we want this place to be. We need separate saw mill business from residential area. Do we want to do everything here or get a place where we can saw our logs and bring the planks here to sell?

"We are preparing a place with machines that can saw your logs. We are also constructing 3,000 housing units there for you to live. There will be water and power supply among other things.

"Government has done its bit; it is now left for you to decide whether you want to live in this dirty place or move to where you have everything to enhance your work."

The governor advised residents to insure their property against disasters such as fire to cushion the effect of losses.

"No matter how small, any property can be insured. If you have television that cost N200, 000; it is only the one per cent of that amount that you need to insure it. If anybody had done that here, you would have been at your insurance agent's office to make your claims," he said.

Remains of commercaial bus driver buried

I

T was a funeral, but it became an avenue for many to pour out their hearts over the death of Isaac Popoola, the commercial bus driver, who died during a behindthe-wheel tussle with Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials on December 24, last year.

His friends and associates described his death as unwarranted.

The late Popoola was buried in his compound yesterday at noon, amidst tears, after a Christian wake keep conducted by the Akowonjo branch of Foursquare Gospel Church. His colleagues, who did not operate as a mark of honour for him, turned out in large numbers.

"Nobody can speak ill of this man," said Michael Ore, Popoola's deputy at the Oshodi-Egbeda Motor Park, adding: "LASTMA officials call him mugun (stupid) because he did not like being caught on the wrong side of the law."

Those who attributed their achievements to Popoola's large-heartedness were angry.

"He picked me up as a nobody and I lived with him for many years in this compound and got married. But today, I am living in my own house.

"If not for the respect we have for Lagos State govern-

•The late Popoola

By Segun Balogun

ment, LASTMA officials that would have been killed in retaliation would have been many because this man meant so much to us. He is the reason someone like me, who people called a riffraff, is proud to be a father today," said Musibau Majolagbe.

Tunde Saka, another driver said: "LASTMA officials killed a wrong man. They killed somebody that the society should celebrate because of his character and benevolence.

"I slept under Oshodi Bridge for a long time till I met Baba.

Then he took me in and built a small room for me in his compound. I lived there for 15 years without paying a kobo. I had my first child there before I went to rent my apartment. If government will compensate his family N100 million is not enough because so many families depended on him."

Fakomilogbon Sunday,

Popoola's mechanic, had similar story to tell. "I have been living in his compound since November 1996 and have never paid a dime. He would always encourage me to be patient, when I didn't have any customer. His compound became my workshop and he brought all the clients I have today. Today, I am married.

He is my father. Many people owe their existence to him."

Aremu Salau, Popoola's bus assistant, said he has been working with him for more than three years adding that it was difficult to tell anyone that he was not related to him.

"I was in debt when I met him and he bailed me out.

Even on a bad day when I had no money, he would still give me money, even if he had to borrow. I have been sick since he was killed," he said, adding: "Baba would not have died if he got help early, but LASTMA officials kept saying that he was pretending."

THE NATION FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

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NEWS Eminent citizens to Jonathan: disband your cabinet now

Oshiomhole accuses DIG of aide’s murder Continued from page 6

manned an illegal road block, contrary to the orders of the IG. Members of the public complained and the fact of the illegal block was established.

“It was discovered that a soldier was recruited illegally by an ASP to man this illegal road block, extorting money. In my view, that borders on armed robbery because the man carries arms. Without the arms, he cannot subdue the road user to part with his money.

“If you take money with the aid of arms, you are an armed robber. Having arrested him, the Army proceeded to do what a responsible force should do by dismissing the soldier.

“IG, you will be shocked to know and this is not 10 years ago that your men in Benin decided to shield this officer and, recently, I learnt that one of them was even promoted.

“While the military dismissed the soldier, the police promoted their own. How can you have discipline in such an environment? I will plead that you order the dismissal of those policemen today.

“When we begin to apply the stick and carrot appropriately, the message of discipline will be clear.”

Oshiomhole also called for the scrapping of the Police Affairs Ministry, saying that with the existence of the Police Service Commission, the continued existence of the ministry is superfluous and wasteful.

According to him, the police cannot function effectively with the existence of the police ministry, headed by a minister who is a partisan politician.

“We do not need the Police Affairs Ministry because the minister is a partisan politician who may not allow the Inspector General of Police to function independently,” Oshiomhole said.

The Governor praised the IGP for directing police officers to politely decline illegal orders from their superior officers whenever such orders are given. He urged the IGP to similarly decline illegal orders whenever such orders are given by the President.

Oshiomhole enjoined the police to explore avenues for negotiation where possible but warned them against negotiating with criminals. He charged the police to be civil, polite but firm.

He called on the police authorities to maintain neutrality during labour disputes, stressing that the right of labour to protest is not negotiable.

Also speaking at the event, activist lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) praised the IGP for providing the code of conduct, saying it was a clear departure from what used to be.

He lamented the general poor perception of the police by the public and bemoaned poor funding and training culture within the Force.

Falana observed that the budget for the Joint Task Force for 2013 was higher than what was budgeted for the entire Police.

The activist-lawyer urged the IGP to curtail extra judicial killings by the police and cited the example of a certain Customs officer who saw his undergraduate son among suspects paraded by the Edo State command

of the police in July 2012.

He narrated how the father rushed to Benin to see the son the next day only to discover later that the young man had been extrajudicially eliminated alongside other suspects.

Falana expressed regrets that he later discovered that the police officer who spearheaded the extrajudicial killing of the undergraduate was one of those recently promoted by the police authorities.

The IG said the police are confronted with numerous challenges that have made it almost impossible for the organisation to deliver on its mandate of protecting lives and property.

According to him, while some of the challenges are external to the Force, others are institutional. One of the challenges is falling standard of discipline, he said.

Abubakar said: “It is a known fact that discipline is the bedrock of the Force. The present police management team under my leadership has, therefore, vowed with vehemence to return the Force to its glorious days, rooted in discipline, in adherence to extant rules and regulations, loyalty, dedication to duty and commitment to Force ethics.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, unveiled the Code of Conduct document.

Sambo charged police officers and men to always observe the best practices in the discharge of their duties, stressing that the Federal Government would continue the support the police and other security agencies to tackle insecurity.

•Dr. Jonathan Continued from page 1

ernment. There is need to do more, though we are not in a position to say more about security because it is a sensitive matter.”

With Nwabueze at the briefing were Olorogun Felix Ibru, Gen Alani Akinrinade, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Philip Asiodu, Mrs. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, Chris Okoye, Chief Solomon Asemota, Senator Ben Obi, Mr. Michael Orabotor and Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

The challenges facing the country, according to them are: pervasive corruption; outrageous remuneration of political office holders; detoriating security situation; proliferation of government agencies and government’s failure to improve power and transportation.

They also pointed out the inability to improve educational facilities, failure to punish appropriately and promptly the few persons found guilty of corruption

and failure to embark on effective and widespread publicity of Vision 2020 and the Jonathan 2011 – 2015 Transformation Agenda to demonstrate the commitment and determination of the leadership to implement them.

The Patriots said: “In order to avoid the horrors of descent into a very bloody and destructive anarchy, there is need for a revolutionary change of attitude among key elements of the national leadership and the emergence of a re-awakened and re-vitalised responsive government.

“It is the duty and historical challenge of President Goodluck Jonathan as the democratically elected president of the country in whom authority for government is vested, to initiate and lead the necessary revolutionary changes to enable the nation avoid the horrendous holocaust which threatens.”

The Patriots said: “The purpose of this conference is to enable the people of this country, as members of ethnic groups and as individuals, to deliberate and agree on how they are to live together in peace and unity, and to work out a programme of ensuring development and progress for the benefit of all Nigerians and for promoting nation-building and integration of the various ethnic groups in the country in equality and freedom, and the continuing development of the Nigerian nation.

“The Patriots believe that a

national front comprising itself, Project Nigeria, Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Northern Elders Forum, Middle Belt Forum, Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta, SouthSouth Peoples Assembly and other civil society organisations, is necessary to facilitate the process of convening a National Conference.

“We (The Patriots) are at present actively engaged in efforts to create such front.

When the effort is completed, a meeting of the front with Mr. President and leaders of the National Assembly will be organised, and a memorandum on the National Conference submitted to them, accompanied by a draft bill on the subject, covering all aspects of it, particularly representation at the conference, election/selection of delegates, preparation of a draft constitution and its submission and adoption at a referendum.”

The Patriots said they will approach certain persons who command reverence and credibility as “fathers of the nation” to join in appealing to the President and the leaders of the National Assembly to accede to the demand for convening the National Conference.

Nwabueze said: “We are only postponing the evil day, until we have a National Conference. We must have it, if we don’t have it now, we will have it some day.”

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11-01-2013

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Ethics, education and community

•Minister of Education Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i

‘Without proper communal standards of conduct, anarchy is bound to prevail. And where anarchy prevails, individual survival or progress is jeopardised.

But if proper communal standards are essential to avoid anarchy, it should also be recognised that proper communal standards of conduct require shared moral beliefs’

the offspring. And communities still survive and make progress because the majority of their members accept and respect the primacy of moral values and principles. Morality is an internalised private cop, which if completely abandoned will spell doom for all. In spite of the odds, we still have generalised shared values about the wrongness of kidnapping and armed robbery just as we do about the immorality of corruption.

The more insidious agent of moral and value conflict has to do with the inequalities caused by disparities in access to good education. In the normative sense, education refers to two—narrow and broad—processes.

In the narrow sense, we may see education as

the process of bringing up the youth, training and instructing them for particular— whatever—ends. Broadly, it is the development of a person’s awareness, the transformation and regulation of emotions, wants, and attitudes. To be educated in this sense means more than to be trained for a job. It is to be brought up for good citizenship.

Education is a value; an educated person is an improved person and the end-product of an educational system is a desirable product.

Education, in this sense, prepares one for a wholesome life and for living well, which does not necessarily mean materially well.

Obviously, then, formal institutions of learning have a role to play in providing educa-

RIPPLES THERE WONT BE FUEL PRICE HIKE IN 2013, SAYS NNPC

Somebody shout a LOUDER AMEN

VOL.8 NO.2,368

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

T

ODAY I start a series of reflections on what I consider the foundation of a progressive society: the education of the public or public education. I think it is fair to say that the future of any community or nation is going to be determined by the attention it pays to and the resources it provides for the education of its members from the cradle to the grave. If the preceding reasoning is true, then education of the public is also a matter of ethics. First, if we bring children into the world, we have a moral responsibility to educate them so they have a meaningful life experience. Second, educating its public is in the interest of any community that prioritises peaceable living and development. And there is a general consensus among thoughtful people that if a community gets right the priority of educating its members, it can be assured of the addition of all other good things of life.

I just argued the point that the education of its public is a matter of ethics for any community. But I have not shown, it may be pointed out, why a community should bother about ethics or morality. Indeed, why do we need to worry about shared moral beliefs or moral rules? Why can’t individuals create their own rules and play by it or even refuse to follow their own rules in a consistent fashion? I think many of us would protest the sense of this question because it appears to ignore the reality of our times. Many people, especially the highly placed, now create their own rules and don’t necessarily play by them unless they are assured of benefits for themselves. The point, however, is that even those individuals would be first to advocate common moral rules because it is not in their interest if everyone were to imitate them.

Without proper communal standards of conduct, anarchy is bound to prevail. And where anarchy prevails, individual survival or progress is jeopardised. But if proper communal standards are essential to avoid anarchy, it should also be recognised that proper communal standards of conduct require shared moral beliefs. These are trying times for decent human living. The fact that there is so much trouble around us point to the absence of adequate moral values.

We are witnessing the negative impact of the erosion of shared moral beliefs and standards across the land. It is not just in terms of divergent religious or ethnic values. Indeed, deep down their roots, every religious or traditional value system has important shared beliefs about the sanctity of life, about the good of communal living, about the care of

‘The truth is that the police is avoidably deteriorating everyday. The way it currently operates, the police represent everything but good.’

HARDBALL

T

HE Minister of State for Power, Mrs. Zainab Kuchi, was reported to have gushed before the Presidential Action Committee on Power in Abuja on Tuesday that the Federal Government planned to generate 10,000 Megawatts of electricity by December 2013. The government’s confidence probably derives from the fact that by the end of last year generation capacity stood at 6,442MW, while actual generation peaked at 4,517.6MW. The reports on Kuchi’s presentation did not say how the government planned to achieve the target it set for the year. Perhaps she gave the needed details, only that they were not reported, and she expected her audience to believe her projections, if she could somehow wave a magic wand.

For a highly skeptical public, however, the projections are not only far-fetched, they seem too overly optimistic. First is the nebulous figure associated with the socalled generation capacity, which is so subjective as to be statistically meaningless.

Why use it in any presentation or discourse when it is nothing but a chimera? But more crucially is the actual electricity generation for 2013, which Kuchi indicated would rise to 10,000MW. Ten thousand megawatts? Why, even pigs might fly!

Neither the President Goodluck Jonathan government nor any before it has managed to come near its electricity generation projections at any time. Shortly after

MOBOLAJI SANUSI

tion in this sense but there is much more to it than formal institutions are capable of offering. In any case, a community or nation must come to terms with this sense of education because it is its most important resource as a social force.

Let me suggest the following syllogism: To educate is to improve; every human person needs to be improved; hence every human person needs to be educated. I think there is a very important sense in which this is true. But there is one caveat or two. First, it has also been suggested that education can dehumanise in which case it does not improve because it cannot be both. We may deal with this by making a distinction between genuine and fake education, what Carter G. Woodson once referred to as miseducation. While genuine education improves, mis-education dehumanises.

A second caveat has to do with the second premise of the syllogism: every human person needs to be improved. The question is by whom? And the answer is by self and the community. Self-improvement is certainly an obligation that everyone has to bear responsibility for. “I have been made; I will have to remake myself” is an important traditional axiom. But we know that the human being is wholly dependent at birth and this extends to the first seventeen to eighteen years of life. Some can gain independence earlier but not without enormous and debilitating struggle the scars of which sometimes permanently impair future development and progress. Therefore from infancy to adolescence every human person needs a community of fellow human beings to take responsibility for his or her education.

The community has a genuine interest in educating its public to avoid a degeneration of its existence. Mwalimu Nyerere’s sagacious reasoning in this matter is instructive: The purpose of education, he observes, is to transmit from one generation to the next the accumulated wisdom and knowledge of the society, and to prepare the young people for their future membership of the society and their active participation in its maintenance or development. Traditional communities paid serious attention to this important area of their responsibilities within the scope of the resources—tangible and intangible— available to them. The question we must ask ourselves is “how have our contemporary societies fared with regard to the discharge of this grave responsibility?” This will be the focus of attention next week.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

10,000MW: If wishes were horses assuming power in 1999, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo enthusiastically saddled the late Chief Bola Ige with the task of solving the energy problems of the country. Not only were the shifting targets not met by the end of Obasanjo’s first term, it became doubtful by 2003 that any reasonable target could be met by the end of his second term. It will be recalled that he also set a 10,000MW target for 2007, only to end up, after spending billions of dollars on electricity projects, generating even less than he met on assumption of office.

Admittedly, a part of the problem that hobbled Obasanjo’s effort to solve the electricity problem of Nigeria had been mitigated by the Yar’Adua amnesty programme. But to suggest that in about 11 months the government could double electricity generation over its current levels is to stretch bureaucratic confidence too far. In the last year or two of their presidencies, both Obasanjo and the late President Umaru Yar’Adua repeatedly revised their estimates downwards, at various times citing either shortage of water in the nation’s hydroelectric dams, disrupted gas supplies and pipeline vandalisation, and plain sabotage. None of these three major factors has been thoroughly dealt with to warrant the kind of unabashed

confidence Kuchi exuded.

It is said that if wishes were horse, beggars would ride. Indeed, as much as we would like to give the government the benefit of the doubt and yield to their enthusiasm, it is still hard to see what sort of magical horse the government hopes to ride into 10,000MW. Their main challenge this year should be how to maintain the little progress they have made in the past few months and possibly how to build on it a little at a time. A little modesty would serve their optimism well. In fact what the people want is not extraordinary projections, but simple realism. To generate even 6,000MW would be stupendous achievement, one that would impact favourably on the economy and transform the social environment of the people. If that figure is surpassed, the government can justifiably boast; but if they fall below it, they can offer reasonable alibis. But to set target at a humongous 10,000MW is to tempt fate far beyond their ability to manage.

Nigerians must also hope that in the event of failing to meet their own lofty expectations, the government would be honest enough not to say that what they promised the country was 10,000MW generation capacity.

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