January 13, 2015 by The Nation

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Jonathan begs Obasanjo President meets ex-leader in Abeokuta From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ESPERATELY seeking former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s support for his re-election bid, President Goodluck Jonathan last night met with the ex-leader at his Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The meeting, which started at about 9pm, ended shortly before 10pm when those at the meeting drove out of the ex-president’s residence in a convoy of nine cars. At the meeting, according to unconfirmed sources, were two major Christian leaders – Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and Winners Chapel’s Bishop David Oyedepo. Both church leaders could not be reached for comments last night. It was learnt that the church leaders attended the meeting at Obasanjo’s instance. He, according to sources, insisted when the President proposed the meeting that the religious leaders must witness the discussion. The former president, it was gathered, said the president did not honour their previous agreements, hence the need for high profile witnesses. Other leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu and former PDP chairman Senator Ahmadu Ali, were also believed to have attended the meeting. The relationship between Jonathan and Obasanjo has been frosty. Obasanjo has been a fierce critic of the Jonathan administration, Continued on page 2

•The Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation building during the Inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja...yesterday. INSET: Gen. Buhari cutting the ribbon to commission the building. With him are his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (2nd left), Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi (right) and his Kano State counterpart Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Gunmen invade Oyegun’s home

Buhari: we’ll end impunity •APC inaugurates presidential campaign council

LL Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari yesterday promised to end the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration’s ‘impunity”. Besides, he asked his supporters not to engage in any illegal act during the campaign leading to the February 14 election. Inaugurating an 89-man Presidential Campaign Council and his campaign office in Abuja, WILL THE Gen. Buhari said CHIBOK GIRLS the PDP had KIDNAPPED failed to address ON APRIL 15 any of the peoEVER RETURN? ple’s concerns.

•APC suspects sinister motive

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

Two new directorates were created to strenghten the campagn. They are: Strategic Communications, headed by former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Dele Alake and Operations, headed by Chief Ikechi Emenike, a publisher and former governorship hopeful in Abia State. The former Nigerian leader said: “We intend to prosecute this campaign to win and we shall win. We undertake to end the impunity of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, a party that has proved clueless in every material particular. It has failed to address any of the important concerns of the people of this country. Continued on page 2

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

•THE WINNER: Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo smiles after receiving the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or award for player of the year at the KonPHOTO: AFP gresshaus in Zurich…yesterday.

NKNOWN gunmen early yesterday invaded the Abuja home of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. They held his family hostage, ransacking his bedroom. No other room in the house was searched, it was learnt. The gunmen – two burly men – removed the window burglar bars to gain access into the building Continued on page 2

•MARITIME P16 •POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P24 •PROPERTY P50 •ENERGY P51 •FOREIGN P61

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS We will sign undertaken to end insecurity, corruption, says Buhari

•Jonathan (right), Sambo (left) and Folarin...yesterday

Jonathan promises eight million jobs at Ibadan rally

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pledged to boost the first lady’s office at all levels of government - if he is re-elected. Dr. Jonathan spoke in Ibadan as he took his campaign to the Southwest. He also campaigned in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. He is billed for Osogbo, the Osun State capital and Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital today. He will visit Akure, the Ondo State capital tomorrow. In Ibadan, the President visited the Olubadan, the traditional ruler of the biggest city in West Africa, Oba Odulana Odugade, who made two requests - a dry seaport for the city and upgrading of the Ibadan airport to international status. Peoples Democratic Party

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

(PDP) governorship candidate Teslim Folarin was presented the party’s flag by PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu. Folarin told the supporters at the rally that top on the minds of Oyo State citizens is the creation of another state. Other party leaders in the zone were at the rally at the Mapo Hall. Dr. Jonathan spoke on why he would encourage First Lady’s positon at the local government level. “We must encourage women. We are in the Southwest, which is an area that has produced so many great women. I’m sure more than 50 per cent female professors in this country come from the Southwest. Some parties have said they would scrap the office of the First Lady, office of the gover-

nor’s wife, and office of the local government chairman’s wife; they are going to ban Army Officers Wives Association, Naval Officers’ Wives Association, Police Officers’ Wives Association etc. I can tell you that these offices are helping to mobilise our women. These offices encourage all Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The money they spend does not come from government budget. They run NGOs. Nigeria has a lot of philanthropists who want to spend on good causes. They use some of these funds to help our women. I know that in the Southwest, you have trained your daughters in the best universities in the world. You cannot train your daughter in Cambridge, Oxford University and others and expect them to be mere baby factories.”

The President promised to create about two million jobs yearly for the four-year tenure to open up opportunities for youths to apply their skills and competencies. He said: “We in the PDP believe that you are the leaders of tomorrow. We are creating future leaders… That is why most of our governors are in their 40s. We believe you Nigerian students will take Nigeria to the moon. We will also work hard to create jobs for you… We will make sure we provide not less than two million jobs every year. We know that about two million Nigerian youths enter the Nigerian labour market yearly after they leave school. Though we have some arrears, we believe that if we start creating two million jobs every year, unemployContinued on page 60

Jonathan begs Obasanjo at Abeokuta meeting Continued from page 1

knocking it for alleged corruption and slow response to the Boko Haram challenge. Attempts by Dr. Jonathan to woo the ex-President, who is his political godfather, included a meeting last month with Obasanjo by some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, led by Akwa Ibom State Governor

Godswill Akpabio. In that team were Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu. Although neither Jonathan, who passed the night in Abeokuta, to enable him continue his campaign in the Southwest today – in Osogbo and Ado Ekiti –

and tomorrow in Akure - nor Chief Obasanjo, was available to speak to anxious reporters after the meeting, sources said Obasanjo planned to use the talk as an avenue to ask the president some salient questions, most of which he had publicly raised, before the religious leaders. These included the security of the country, the weeding

out of his loyalists from their positions in the PDP, the matter concerning the SouthWest organising and mobilisation committee of the party, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, who the former president said he could not accept as his leader, among others. Addressing the rally in Abeokuta, Jonathan who Continued on page 60

LL Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, promised to sign an undertaken for good governance with Nigerians to ensure that it will promptly address the challenges of leadership failure the country is grappling with. Gen. Buhari spoke at the Dan Anyiam Stadium during the grand finale of the APC rally in the Southeast. He said in the last 16 years under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government, the “country has gone from bad to worse”. To him, all the sectors of the economy have taken a turn for the worst. The APC candidate who was given an Igbo name, Okechuchukwu, meaning God’s own portion, said: “We will sign an undertaken that the APC-led government will make Boko Haram a thing of the past. We will upgrade the low standard of education, healthcare, infrastructure and power to revive our ailing economy”. He urged the Southeast people to “send the PDP packing”, assuring that his administration, if elected president, will place priority on job cre-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

ation and youth empowerment as a viable tool in tackling insecurity and restiveness. The Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, said the purported second Niger Bridge contract was a mere ruse conceived by President Goodluck Jonathan to deceive Ndigbo and give them a false sense of belonging. He said: “The second Niger Bridge was a mere fraud by the PDP to deceive Ndigbo, but we in APC are honest men … we will fulfill all our promises. You should ask President Jonathan to show you what he has done for the Igbo.” The governor added: “the economy has gone down completely because of large scale corruption encouraged by President Jonathan. During Yar’Adua’s administration, the price of crude fell to $45 per litre but Nigerians did not feel the pain because of the excess crude reserve but the present administration has squandered the excess crude reserve and Nigerians are suffering.” Governor Rochas Okorocha Continued on page 60

Gunmen invade Oyegun’s home Continued from page 1

from the back. The APC called for “full investigation” of the invasion. Oyegun was not at home when the invaders came. In a statement, APC National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed, said: “While hoping that a police investigation will unravel what happened, it is either those who attacked the residence at 1.30 am are robbers or assassins.” The party said Odigie-Oyegun was away attending a previously unscheduled meeting in Abuja when the invaders struck. ‘’The facts of the raid as available so far point to a sinister motive. For example, only Chief Odigie-Oyegun’s room was ransacked in the whole house. Common sense dictates that if the invaders were robbers, they would have ransacked the whole house in search of money and other valuables which

they might have believed were in the residence ‘’The invaders, two burly men, removed the window burglar bars to gain access to the residence from the back, and then made straight for the bedroom of our National Chairman. Police security was in place at the residence when the incident happened.’’ The party said while it does not know who was behind the raid, it is worth noting that the angry rhetoric and vitriolic personality attacks that have been directed at the opposition by the top leadership of the ruling PDP and their spokesmen have heightened tension and put the lives of opposition politicians at risk, ahead of the forthcoming elections. It expressed gratitude to God for saving the lives Odigie-Oyegun and his wife, wondering what would have happened “if the chairman had been home at the time of Continued on page 60

We’ll end reign of impunity, says Buhari Continued from page 1

“It has failed to deal squarely with the great security challenge that has faced this nation within these last five years. And it has remained touchy and impervious to all constructive criticism, and without concern for human life and for the suffering going on in the land.” He told members of the party and other Nigerians to be vigilant before, during and after the election “so that sponsored hoodlums do not commit illegalities that are in the end blamed on you.” “Not only must you not take the law into your hands, no matter the level of provocation, you must be able to expose those planning to do so before they act.” Gen. Buhari went on: “I know it is all too painful for you to see votes you cast being disregarded and votes illegally thumb printed being count-

•Alake, Emenike head Strategic Communications, Operations ed to rig out the choice that you have legitimately and conclusively made. And it is even more painful when you know that the road to remedy has been firmly shut in your face; for, you are always called on to accept a judgment whose justice you cannot see, whose logic is flawed and whose facts speak against itself. “All the same, I urge you to take to patience. I wish to assure you that the leadership of the opposition is not unmindful of this sad and frustrating situation, and has accordingly put in place a mechanism that will permanently put an end to rigging in this country.” While lamenting the security situation in the country, Buhari said “As we campaigned, Boko Haram attacked Baga town in Borno

State, reportedly killing 2,000 people; but to this clueless government, this toll is just a number, a statistic that adds up to the litany that has gone before it. “And worst of all, this PDP government has split the country along all known fault lines. It is time to send them into deserved retirement; which, in the normal cause of events, it will have done nothing to deserve. “On our part, we have solemnly promised this nation that we are going to secure it against all threats, manage its resources efficiently and with demonstrable transparency, and then fix whatever is amiss in it. “Under an APC government, no one will go to bed hungry, angry with the gov-

ernment or with the fear of insurgents or nocturnal visitors. We shall secure the government for the people and fix it. And, verily, we shall deliver on every of our promises.” While paying tribute to founders of the party, he said: “Let me seize this opportunity to first pay special tribute to the leadership given by Chief Bisi Akande to the entire enterprise. It is no exaggeration to say that APC owes everything to the leadership given, the tact, wisdom and fairness displayed by Chief Akande. “Next, I would like to recognise Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whose sacrifices, organisational skills and extensive political network did much to straighten and cement the blocks of the merger and then take APC to unprecedented heights of ac-

ceptance in important areas of the country. “I would also like to express my gratitude to all of you for the confidence you have decided to repose in me to be the presidential flag bearer of our great party. I feel honoured and thoroughly humbled.” Gen. Buhari thanked members of the Campaign Council for accepting to serve. He thanked also all those who contested the ticket with him. He thanked former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi for conducting the most transparent primary election in Nigeria. “Finally, I would like to thank Professor Yemi Osinbanjo for accepting to bring his rich repertoire of experience and expertise to enrich a ticket that will be leading this coun-

•Alake

try in the next few months,” Gen. Buhari said. He warned his “supporters, volunteers and other wellContinued on page 60

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS NIGERIA DECIDES

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola ( middle), receiving a Congratulatory Letter from the Presenter, All Eyes on Africa TV Show, Kemi Fadojutimi, who represented the Governor, State of Maryland, United States, Martin O'Malley at Government House, Osogbo, Osun State. With them are: former Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (right) and former Special Adviser on Federal Matters, Mrs. Idiat Babalola.

•Jonathan

•Buhari

Issues that w Chibok abductions

O •From left: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole (left), President, Alumni Association of the National Institute, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd), ex-Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Edugie Abebe and Secretary-General Alumni Association of the National Institute, Issa Aremu at the Institute’s 2015 Re-union Fund Raising in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE.

•Left to right: Alumnus/Lead Facilitator, Geb Igboko; Director of Executive Degree Programmes, School of African Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, United States, Stephanie Hedge; Associate Director of African Studies, Prof. Paul Lubeck; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Associate Dean at SAIS, Dr. Melisa Trotta; Director of Executive Education, Lindsey Waldrop and Director-General, National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS), Dr. Ladi Hamalai at a meeting with the Ekweremadu in Abuja.

Winner of the Star Prize in the Glo/ CAF Awards Predict & Win Big Promo, Princewill Uzochukwu Nwosu (right) collecting the key to the 2015 Mercedez Benz GWagon from Globacom Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Ashok Israni at the presentation ceremony at the Mike Adenuga Towers, Victorial Island, Lagos...yesterday.

N April 14, 2014, Boko Haram insurgents invaded Chibok in Borno State and attacked a Girls’ secondary school where they abducted some 219 schoolgirls writing their final examinations. They have since been held in captivity: married off to militants or sold into slavery, as Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said, or kept somewhere safe, as the distraught parents of the girls hope. The abductions, which will doubtless weigh heavily on the February 2015 presidential poll, are an eerie reminder of the catastrophic manner the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-1980 destroyed the electoral chances of President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 United States presidential election. In November 1979, a group of Iranian Islamist students and militants had held 52 American embassy staff hostage months after the fall of the friendly Shah Reza Pahlavi government. An April 1980 US commando raid to rescue the hostages had failed disastrously, leading many Americans to blame Mr Carter for the national crisis of confidence that ensued and the mood of pessimism that enveloped the country. He lost the election to his opponent, Ronald Reagan, by a landslide. At no time in Nigerian history have Nigerians felt such a sense of impotence and helplessness as they feel now under the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. Added to that impotence is the even more depressing sense of governmental ineptitude, where the federal government appears confused on what steps to take, or, worse, has resigned itself fatalistically to a sense of inevitability in grimly enduring terror attacks. The Jonathan government repeatedly affirms that terrorism is a global phenomenon, and that this is simply Nigeria’s time to share in the destructive effects of terror campaigns. More, the government has appeared to finally reconcile itself to its inability to do anything extraordinary to defeat terror. Its methods are the same day in, day out, and its approach futile and predictable both by beleaguered citizens and terror groups themselves. Immediately after the abductions, which revealed the weak underbelly of the Nigerian military, especially its blunted response time, the Jonathan

BY ADEKUNLE ADE-ADELEYE government stunned the public by doubting the abduction story, thereby losing valuable time in tackling what was fast developing into a huge national crisis. The presidency’s scepticism revealed something else more disturbingly fundamental: that the intelligence system was either compromised, weak or virtually inexistent. The president’s wife, Dame Patience, embarked on farcical and melodramatic manoeuvres over the abductions, casting aspersion on those who blamed her husband for both the lack of security that aided the abductions and the government’s impotence in facing up to the tragic development. Nearly three weeks after the abductions, when Boko Haram had virtually determined exactly what nefarious things to do with the schoolgirls, the Jonathan government woke up belatedly to doing what it should have done in the first instance. It empanelled a 26-member security/intelligence panel to investigate the circumstances of the abductions, and to establish the number, names, and background of the victims. Headed by Brig. Gen Ibrahim Sabo (rtd), the panel confirmed the abduction of 219 schoolgirls out of the 276 originally reported. But even after the confirmation of the abductions and the magnitude of the crime dawned on everyone, the Jonathan government’s response was still shambolic. There was no presidential crisis meeting on a scale that matched the tragedy, and the president did not feel sufficiently provoked or empathetic enough to visit the school where the horrendous crime took place, nor visit the distraught parents of the schoolgirls. Even when civil society groups organised the #BringBackOurGirls movement to draw world attention to the unprecedented crime, the government was more concerned about not politicising the Chibok abductions. It accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of fueling the crisis and mischievously influencing the protesters to embark on street protests or sit-ins. Soon after, also, the police attempted to disperse the protesters at a time when an outraged world was marshalling resources and efforts to focus attention on the girls. As some of the protesters alleged, the government’s attitude was probably influenced by the fact that none of the

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS NIGERIA DECIDES

•Lamido Sanusi

•Oduah

•Nyako

•Malala Yousafzai

•Shekau

will shape presidential poll (1) daughters of highly placed presidency officials were among the victims. Roused into action by the horrifying scale of the crime, the world mobilised their armies and intelligence networks to assist in locating and rescuing the girls. But after a few weeks, according to their own confessions, they were shocked to discover that the Nigerian military had become unprofessional, unwilling to fight, poorly equipped, and corrupt. They grudgingly withdrew; and Nigeria itself lost interest. The joint winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzai, had to travel down to Nigeria to egg on President Jonathan to do something about the girls. It was only then that he promised to meet the Chibok parents. That meeting, sadly, took the ineffectual form of inviting the mourning Chibok parents to Abuja, where another scandal of money payments broke out. The abductions have become drawn out. It is now approximately nine months since the teenage girls were taken. It is unlikely to be resolved before the February poll. Both the abduction itself and the Jonathan government’s lackadaisical attitude to it persuaded the world that the Nigerian government was weak, ineffective and incompetent. Three African leaders spoke derisively of the Jonathan government’s lily-livered approach, and the world press wrote scathing editorials to underscore their disgust. The abductions, more than any other factor, have persuaded angry and embittered Nigerians and even former presidents and heads of state that the government in Abuja is paralysed and overwhelmed. The Chibok tragedy will perhaps be the most important factor, outside the economy, to influence the outcome of the February poll.

Insecurity in Northeast and elsewhere President Jonathan has consistently argued that he was not responsible for the outbreak of the Boko Haram insurgency, and that his inability to effectively deal with it was not just a question of incompetence but that it went back to previous governments, as far back as even the Gen Muhammadu Buhari regime, which refused to kit and arm the military to enable it fight wars. It is not clear whether these are not just political statements

to garner votes and sympathy, for it is established that it was in the early 90s that Nigeria led ECOMOG troops to battle insurgents and keep the peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Financial and material provisions were budgeted and deployed to kit and arm the military in the process. However, it is true that the Boko Haram menace predate the Jonathan government. The sect began fomenting trouble in 2002, metamorphosed and became openly violent in 2009, while President Jonathan took office in 2010. But five years is a long time in the life of any government. It is more than enough to give an indication of the government’s ability, its understanding of the forces predisposing the country to peace or war, and what the solutions are. The time is more than enough to show whether the Jonathan government is making an impact on the crisis or worsening it. All available evidence show that the crisis is worsening, in fact becoming intractable. President Jonathan has no new ideas to combat the menace other than looking for money to arm the military. He has no workable strategies or futuristic plans to tackle the problem. And given his only trip to Maiduguri when the crisis was still at its infancy, where he railed against the region’s elite, accusing them of conniving at the revolt, it was clear the president had no idea what the forces shaping the revolt were. The military is making very heavy weather of fighting the insurgents. In many areas at the epicentre of the Boko Haram revolt, the military is barely holding on. Many local governments, estimated to be over 30 in the entire Northeast, have been ceded to Boko Haram, with no indications they will be regained in the foreseeable future. Indeed, Boko Haram has often seized the initiative, its militants better motivated and armed, and its cause eliciting excitement in the hearts of the sect’s warriors. On the contrary, President Jonathan has not been able to inspire his troops or rally the country behind him. He is often too angry to see clearly, and sometimes when minded, prefers to blame every other person and political party, including the media, for his failure to make a dent on the crisis. Some politicians, including the impeached former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, believed President Jonathan was delib-

erately refusing to fight Boko Haram because he wished to depopulate the North and cripple its economy. Others felt since the president knew he could not hope to win the Northeast, he left the crisis to smoulder so that elections would not hold there. While these suppositions are far-fetched, they do not detract from the fact that President Jonathan’s counterinsurgency methods are ineffective, and his record on insecurity almost hopeless. Whether the Northeast votes or not, a larger section of the country is bound to hold the president responsible for the malaise. If the Northeast votes, they will get a marvellous chance to register their disapproval of the president. If they don’t or can’t, others in the North will likely record their disapproval of the president on their behalf. But insecurity is not limited to the Northeast. It has become a national phenomenon manifesting in kidnapping, armed robbery and other major local and highway crimes. The police are weak, compromised and poorly funded. In fact, other than salaries, most states equip the police in order to make them even minimally effective. Yet, the constitution puts police squarely under federal government control. Most murders are left unsolved, hired assassinations abound, and festering social and political crimes go undetected. Gangs are taking over inner cities, Fulani herdsmen, whether from within Nigeria or outside, run riot in many communities, and revenge killings don’t even elicit response of any credible amperage anymore. These crimes fester because the Jonathan government has no solution, is not adverting its mind in that direction, and sometimes woefully believes he should not be held responsible. Public anger over rampant insecurity is creating an undercurrent of dissatisfied voters and disappointed electorate who are taking out their frustrations on the government. This undercurrent may snowball into a huge movement if properly harnessed by the opposition. Nigeria seems, therefore, poised on the edge of new beginnings, overwhelmed by a sense of anticipation against the Jonathan government, an anticipation that may well turn into a rout in next month’s voting. In February, voters are likely to ask themselves whether they are safer today than they were

before President Jonathan was sworn into office; or whether if they return him to office, he is likely to make them safer than he has done so far. The answers to those questions are not in doubt, and they have made them to begin considering Gen Buhari in much more favourable light than they did in 2011 or are ordinarily inclined to do even now.

Corruption as presidential hemlock President Jonathan insists his government has put more suspects on trial for corruption than previous governments did, and that he is establishing a scientific and judicial basis for tackling that crime. Unfortunately, few Nigerians are persuaded he is capable of making an impact in that troubling aspect of national life. They remember the definitional quandary he put himself in when in a moment of exasperation he tried to draw a line between stealing and corruption. He was unsuccessful in convincing anyone that there was a difference. Worse, the people began to believe he was at bottom both ignorant of grammar and tolerant of crime. They began to understand why, having entrapped himself in a normative conundrum, he was polite about the crime and indulgent of members of his government who were alleged to be corrupt. Comparing statistics of those tried and convicted for corruption before and during the presidency of President Jonathan may, however, not tell the whole story. Could more people than before 2010 not be taking to financial crimes under him, believing his government winks at corruption? It is recalled that he responded angrily when there was a campaign to force the former Aviation minister, Stella Oduah, to resign over a scandal involving the illegal purchase of two bulletproof cars at inflated prices. He also reacted peevishly to campaigns by those who sought to bring Petroleum minister to account over the use of N10 billion to charter jets. It was not even clear the money was budgeted for. Nor has the president compelled the favoured minister to honour National Assembly invitations, though he could if he were sensitive enough to the widespread sentiments held against his government worldwide and in Africa in particular. And he forced the resignation of

the Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, for drawing attention to missing oil money estimated to be between $10 billion and $12 billion. He justifies his loss of confidence in the CBN boss on the grounds that Mallam Sanusi, now the Emir of Kano, got his figures wrong, having at first alleged that over $40 billion was missing. President Jonathan has also made no significant progress in unravelling the true story of how massive corruption inundated the fuel subsidy regime under his government, where a budget provision of about N285 billion in one year suddenly ballooned to more than N2 trillion, and where about 19 fuel importers suddenly grew to over 140 in 2011. A few cases are in court, bogged down and seemingly going nowhere. But the point really made by critics is that President Jonathan has himself not shown outrage over the matter, apparently unperturbed by the scale of the thievery, and hiding behind the country’s slow judicial process to excuse his smugness. In fact last week, at a campaign stop, he accused his main opponent in the February poll of embracing brusque, medieval tactics in the anti-corruption war for suggesting that the anti-corruption battle could be waged quicker and more intensely than the Jonathan government has managed. The government has meanwhile ordered a forensic audit of NNPC, which is blamed for the missing money. The report, expected last year, has not been published even though it is suspected to be ready. For now, the government has kept mum in the face of allegations that the Jonathan presidency financed the 2011 elections from monies the NNPC failed to remit. Until the government comes up with satisfactory explanations and credible forensic audit reports, the image of a corrupt Jonathan government is unlikely to be dispelled. Indeed, Nigeria is rated by most anticorruption watchdogs all over the world as one of the most corrupt countries on earth, 136th in 2014, and the third most corrupt in West Africa last year. That unenviable reputation will endure through the elections and, notwithstanding President Jonathan’s claims to the contrary, will influence the February polls, particularly the presidential poll. TO BE CONTINUED

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS NUC: 27 varsities connected to research network

NYSC shifts mobilisation to May From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

WENTY-seven public universities have been connected to the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), the Chairman of the Board of NgREN and Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, said yesterday. This is coming six months after President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the first West Africa and Central Africa Research and Education Network. Prof. Okojie, who spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of NgREN Technical Working Group, added that nine more universities would connect to the network in the first quarter of this year. He reiterated that the setting up of NgREN had impacted on virtual teaching and learning, adding that the facility had also created a platform for Nigerian universities to be rated among the world’s universities. The NUC Executive Secretary, who said the commission established the network after getting financial intervention through the Step-B projects about five years ago, noted that no progress could be recorded without research network.

Cameroonian soldier dies in Boko Haram’s attacks

OKO Haram has attacked a military base in Cameroon with at least one soldiers killed, local media have reported. The attack occurred early yesterday, about a week after Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, threatened attacks on Cameroon after the country’s military launched repeated assaults against the sect. A Cameroun-based journalist, Bisong Eta, who tweeted about the attack, said the attack was repelled by the Cameroonian military and that calm had returned. “@ChiefBisongEta1 Cameroonian soldier Onana Balla died in the BH attack on the Kolofata army base this morning. Attackers chased away. All calm now,” he tweeted. Boko Haram has conducted several raids in Kolofata in the past, which was often repelled by the military. The insurgents had in July last year kidnapped the wife of the country’s Vice Prime Minister, and a mayor in the region, Seini Boukar Lamine. Reports claimed that the country’s authorities entered into negotiation with the sect, leading to the release of those kidnapped. In his latest video, Shekau warned President Paul Biya of Cameroun to suspend his country’s attack on the group or face reprisal.

•Biya

•Some members of the Technical Working Groups of Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), at their inauguration in Abuja...yesterday. From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

He narrated how a visiting professor at the NUC was teaching his courses from the NgREN to his students at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, through video conferencing. Prof. Okojie added that Elibrary and telephoning were working at the NgREN, adding: “We are just trying to increase the content.” His words: “We have increased the bandwidth and capacity has really improved. It

is very cheaper now. It will also enhance the ratings of Nigerian universities once you can offload your contents. “You know what’s really troubling us, a lot of people publish, and if nobody knows that you have published a lot of journals, they can’t assess you. “It is a question of what is called now popularity of institutions. They want to see how popular an institution is. And the more publications you have, the more people that show up from the university and the more points you gain.

“You will be amazed that when you want to access websites of many institutions now, either because of poor power supply or poor power bandwidth, you may not be able to reach them. “But with this one now, the NgREN facilities are on for 24 hours a week. “It is still very expensive at this level and private universities may not be able to connect to it now. But for public universities, about nine of them in the first quarter of this year would be able to come on board. The

private universities are also showing interest. Now, it cost $1,200 per minute and megabyte. “We are saying that by the time we roll out the second phase at $120, at that level, many universities would be able to afford it.” The technical working groups, according to him, were expected to improve research platforms, enhance sharing of research facilities as well as improving the teaching and learning environment.

PDP: we are ready for elections

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday it was prepared for next month’s general elections, explaining that the support it enjoyed among Nigerians from the ward to the national levels was a guarantee for victory. PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh, who said this in a statement, described APC’s allegations of plots to postpone the elections as a tactics to divert attention from the findings of the Department of Security Services (DSS). The PDP said nothing could be more evident that the APC was not preparing to face the electorate than the alleged “frivolous and unfounded allegations and use of propagan-

da in an effort to hoodwink Nigerians even in the face of clear proof of culpability”. The statement reads: “The PDP is fully ready for the coming elections. Our leaders and members are working hard in all the nooks and crannies of the country, leveraging on our existing grassroots appeal, widespread political structures, a track-record of performance and abiding affinity and loyalty to the people. “We have very popular and acceptable hard working candidates, which the people are anxious to vote for. Our presidential flagbearer, President Goodluck Jonathan with verifiable achievements and commitment to national unity, remains the candidate the beat.

“We have engaged on issue-based campaigns. We have effectively shown Nigerians that we can be trusted. Our amiable leader, President Jonathan, has demonstrated strength of character, sincerity of purpose in his handling of state affairs and Nigerians are desirous to demonstrate their support for him come February 14. “The PDP has successfully communicated its unique selling points and achievements to the electorate and a greater majority of Nigerians are now able to distinguish between facts and mere propaganda, which is the hallmark of the APC. “Our advice to the APC is

Falana seeks information on $1b loan

AGOS-based lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has asked the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to confirm whether the Federal Government has acquired the military hardware with the loan of US$ 1 billion approved by the National Assembly. He threatened to apply to the Federal High Court for issuance of mandamus, if the minister failed or refused to accede to his request. Falana said his request was made pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 In a letter to the minister dated January 10, 2015 and titled: “Request for Information on US$1 billion Loan for Weapons,” the lawyer said if the government had acquired the military hardware, the minister should make available to him the details of the newly acquired equipment. The activist said information at his disposal confirmed that the members of the armed forces were still being hampered in fighting the insur-

By Adebisi Onanuga

gents due to lack of equipment. Falana said: “Upon establishing that the armed forces lacked the weapons to fight the rag tag army of the Boko Haram sect, President Goodluck Jonathan was recently compelled to seek the approval of the National Assembly for a loan of US$ 1 billion to purchase military hardware to prosecute the war on terror. “The approval was unanimously granted by the members of the National Assembly in line with the provision of section 217 of the Constitution, which stipulates that the armed forces shall be adequately equipped by the Federal Government. “As you are no doubt aware, a total of 70 soldiers have since been convicted and sentenced to death by the General Court-Martial sitting in Abuja for the offence of mutiny arising from the legitimate demand made by the convicts for adequate weapons to confront the well-equipped and well motivated troops of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

“From the information at our disposal, the military authorities have concluded arrangements to put hundreds of other soldiers on trial for making a similar demand.” He added: “Having confirmed that the members of the armed forces are still hampered in fighting the insurgents due to lack of equipment, we hereby request you to confirm whether the Federal Government has acquired the military hardware from the loan of US$ 1 billion approved by the National Assembly. “If the answer is in the affirmative, kindly furnish us with the details of the newly acquired equipment. “As this request is made pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, you are required to provide us with the requested information within seven days of the receipt of this letter. “If you fail or refuse to accede to our request, we shall be compelled to apply to the Federal High Court for issuance mandamus in the circumstance.”

•Metuh

that instead of engaging in distortion of facts and propagating of lies and blackmail in an attempt to score cheap political point, they should explain to Nigerians their apparent involvement in efforts to undermine INEC records with a view to corrupt the electoral process.”

HE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced changes in this year’s orientation, reducing the service year to two batches, from the usual three. Its management, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said: “Due to some operational exigencies, Corps members will be mobilised in only two batches this year, i.e., 2015 Batch ‘A’ and 2015 Batch ‘B’.” The 2015 Batch ‘A’ Orientation Course will begin from Tuesday, May 5 and end on Tuesday, May 26, 2015. The new date is a departure from the usual month of March as in previous years. No date was announced for the second batch of the exercise. The NYSC urged prospective Corps members to check its website for details of the 2015 Batch ‘A’ Mobilisation time-table and be guided accordingly.

Akanbi to chair DAILY TRUST Dialogue

ORMER President, Court of Appeal and ex-Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd) will chair the 12th DAILY TRUST Dialogue on January 22. The dialogue, with the theme: “2015 Elections: How to make Nigeria the winner,” will have the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, as special guest of honour. Three distinguished Nigerians have confirmed their invitations to speak at the event slated for the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Speakers, who have confirmed their participation, are former Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Abdulrahman B. Dambazau; former Vice President for African Region, World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, and the Anglican Bishop of the Kaduna Diocese Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon. The yearly dialogue has become a veritable forum for ventilation of ideas that can advance democracy and promote good governance in Nigeria and Africa.

UNICEF condemns escalating violence in Northeast By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

HE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the increasing violence being perpetrated by Boko

Haram insurgents in the Northeast, especially against children. A statement by UNICEF’s Executive Director, Anthony Lake, condemned the use of young girls as suicide bombers and urged the government to do more to stop the violence. The statement reads: “These images from Northern Nigeria should be searing the conscience of the world. Some 2,000 innocent children, women and elderly reportedly massacred in Baga. Young girls sent to die with a bomb strapped to their chests in Maiduguri. And lest we forget, more than two hundred girls stolen from their families, still lost. “Words alone can neither express our outrage nor ease the agony of all those suffering from the constant violence in northern Nigeria. “But these images of recent days and all they imply for the future of Nigeria should galvanise effective action. For this cannot go on.” The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed conflict, Leila Zerrougui, is expected to be in Nigeria for six days this week. She is expected to visit the Northeast to appraise the situation of children affected by the insurgency and partner with the government, diplomatic community, UNICEF Nigeria, UN Country team and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to protect them.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS Constitution amendment, budget top agenda as Senate resumes From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

•From Left: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega; chairman of the occasion, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and Executive Director, African Policy Research Institute Ambassador Samuel Dongonyaro, at Katampe Hill Policy Forum on INEC and the 2015 elections in Abuja...yesterday.

Let Nigerians enjoy their wealth, APC tells Fed Govt T HE All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has urged the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government to explain to Nigerians why they could not enjoy the benefits of the falling price of crude oil. The council, in a statement last night by its Director of Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, asked the government to stop stealing from Nigerians and allow them to enjoy the relief that had come to consumers of petroleum products globally. The council said it was disturbing that despite the fall in the global price of crude oil, Nigerians still buy petroleum products at pump prices, as if the global price of crude oil had remained at $100 per barrel. The statement reads: “The current attempt by the government to deregulate the prices of some petroleum products has been completely compromised to satisfy few moneybags to the detriment of the Nigerian people and the economy. “The price of diesel, which has been deregulated since 2009, still sells at the pump price of N150 and N170 per litre, the same pump price when the international benchmark per barrel of crude was over $100. Now that the international benchmark has dropped to $47.5 (USD) per barrel as at Monday, we ask: where is the deregula-

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

tion and the relief which it ought to bring to local consumers of diesel? “For the Nigerian consumers, unfortunately the collapse of crude oil price since October 2014 has not translated into any change in diesel, kerosene and PMS prices across the country. “We challenge the Federal Government to reconcile the information on the website of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, indicating the maximum open market price of diesel pay per litre in December 2014 as being at N111.6 and the fact that the price has come down to less than $50 (USD) as at Monday. “We want to posit that that the maximum indicative benchmark open consumers of diesel should pay is at a margin below N100 per litre. Therefore, Nigerians are being shortchanged by about N50 to N70 on every litre of diesel sold by government. “The implication of this is that with average consumption of about 12 to 15 million litres, Nigerians are currently extorted of amounts between N600 million to N1 billion daily due

to corruption-induced poor regulatory oversight of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. No wonder, some few industry players are smiling to the banks and buying private jets while small-scale industrialists, who buy diesel on daily basis for power generation and transportation find it difficult to break-even with their businesses. “Similarly on Kerosene, information available on the website of the PPPRA puts the Open Market Price at N114.71 per litre although the market price is anything above N150 per litre when the global price for a barrel of crude oil was $65 (USD). Now that international price of crude is at $47.5 (USD) per barrel, why are Nigerians still buying kerosene per litre at the same price? Why are Nigerians not benefitting from the global shortfall in the prices of crude by having a cut in the pump prices of petroleum products? “We are aware that there are examples in other African countries where governments have cut the pump prices of petroleum products to reflect the changes in the global oil market. Countries like South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya have announced cuts in

pump prices of petroleum products. Why can’t the Nigerian government do same? “Given the failure of government to do the right thing by announcing a cut in the pump prices of these products, we are compelled to draw the conclusion that the Federal Government is short-changing Nigerians, ostensibly to fund the campaign of the PDP presidential candidate. “The APC Presidential Campaign challenges the Federal Government to make explanations on why Nigerians cannot benefit from pricing reliefs on petroleum products as occasioned by the fall in the global price of crude oil. Anything short of this is a fraud and Nigerians should take note. “As for PMS (petrol), the only product the government agrees as regulated at N97 per litre, the irony is that it does not even cost much as that in the United States, a country that was importing oil from Nigeria until recently. “Moreover, even the current budget is still heavy on subsidy with an allocation of N458.68 billion, a scheme that has become a conduit-pipe over the years for which the children of ruling party leaders have been beneficiaries.”

Boko Haram: 150 killed in Baga invasion, says DHQ

HE Defence Headquarters last night said 150 people were killed during the invasion of Baga in Borno State by Boko Haram. It said the death toll included many of the insurgents, who were killed during encounters with troops. The DHQ disputed the figure of the Amnesty International that about 2,000 might have been killed during the January 3 attack on the border town. It, however, said necessary steps had been put in place to restore law and order in the community. But DHQ cautioned against a recourse to the celebration of occasional setbacks by troops while downplaying the efforts and successes at containing the terrorists. He said it was unfair and very unfortunate to place pre-

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

mium on setbacks by soldiers. The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade spoke at a briefing in Abuja against the backdrop of international pressure on the Federal Government to release the casualty figures. Maj-Gen. Olukolade said: “As you might be aware, there was another terror attack on the town of Baga in Borno State last week, which left a number of people dead. “Following that unfortunate attack, a lot of speculations and conjectures have been peddled by a section of the press, particularly the on-line media, regarding the casualty rate. “Some claimed that over a thousand people were killed while others wrote with certainty that 2000 people lost their

lives in that singular attack. “Without any doubt, terrible atrocities have been committed against innocent Nigerians in Baga by the rampaging terrorists, who attacked and have been operating in the town since January 3, 2015. “Necessary actions are being taken to put an end to the activities of the terrorists and restore law and order to the community. “To this end, a lot of covert operations, including surveillance activities, which recorded series of aerial photographs are ongoing in that vicinity. “It is, however, necessary to inform Nigerians in the interim that the exercise so far has not corroborated the report on the casualty rate, which was put at 2000 deaths. “From all available evidence, the number of people

who lost their lives during that attack has so far not exceeded about 150 in the interim. This figure includes many of the terrorists who were bearing arms and got killed in the course of their attack and battle with troops.” Maj-Gen. Olukolade also confirmed that many residents of Baga were able to escape, leaving the town almost depleted. “The figure given by sources who claim to be eye witnesses must be an extremely exaggerated estimate. “Unfortunately, this figure is now being bandied about in a section of the media as if it has been authenticated. It cannot be true.” He pleaded with the media to be circumspect in reporting exaggerated figures of casualties whenever troops had encounters with Boko Haram.

HE Senate will resume today after about three week’s recess for Christmas and the New Year festivities. Top on the agenda at the Senate is the conclusion of the fourth alteration of the 1999 Constitution. Another issue on the front-burner is the second reading of the 2015 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly on December 17, 2014 by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. According to the Senate’s notice paper obtained by The Nation, the senators would consider the 2015 to 2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), which would pave the way for the consideration of the budget. Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s report on the MTEF will first be adopted before the budget can be considered by the lawmakers. The notice paper also indicated that the first allotted day for the consideration of the budget is tomorrow while the second allotted day for the consideration of the fiscal policy is Thursday. The Presidency proposed N4.4 trillion as the budgetary estimate for 2015 fiscal year. The appropriate oil benchmark, which the Presidency fixed at $65 per barrel, is also expected to be a question for debate, especially with the dwindling oil price in the international market. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu also confirmed that the 2015 Budget and the Constitution Amendment Bill are to receive the utmost attention of the Senate on the resumption of plenary today. Ekweremadu stated this while speaking with reporters after a meeting with a delegation of the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC, USA, in Abuja yesterday. On the 2015 Appropriation Bill, he said: “Basically, we are resuming to take care of the issue of the 2015 Budget. God willing, we will go through the Second Reading and send the Appropriation Bill to our committees for a thorough work. That means we may have to break off from the plenary and deal with the budget”. Ekweremadu, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution, assured that there would be expedited legislative actions on the Constitution Amendment Bill.

‘Sri-Lanka’s election is a warning to Jonathan’

SUN State All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to take a few moments off his busy campaign schedule to study the Sri-Lankan election held last weekend and learn from it. Its Director of Publicity, Strategy & Research, Kunle Oyatomi, in a statement in Osogbo, the state capital yesterday, said: “The result of the Sri-Lanka election is a clear warning to Jonathan that the best way to go is to honourably bow out of office, if that is the people’s verdict.” The party warned the president that any attempt to rig next month’s election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and himself would run against the massive current of public aspiration “for a change”. It noted that in a similar situation in the Asian country, “where corruption, misuse of power, graft and the arrogance of presidential immunity had become as choking as in Nigeria, the people last week, voted out the incumbent president.” The statement added: “Although the president attempted to use the military to stay on in power, the military chiefs said no, and Mahinda Rajapaksa, the ousted president, packed his bag and baggage from the Presidential Palace. “Today there is peace in Sri-Lanka. The lessons to Jonathan here should be clear: unpopular presidents cannot win election against the people’s will and survive in the post. “Since Jonathan has boasted that the election would be free, fair and credible, he should have the honour to keep his words and respect the people’s will. “Anything short of this will be a betrayal of the people and a disservice to the country.”

APC demands total release of voters register

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded a complete, rather than piecemeal release of voters register for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) today by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as required by the law. A statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the APC would not accept anything less than a complete release of the voters register under any circumstance. ‘’If on Tuesday January 13, 2015, the date INEC plans to make public the voters register, that of the Southwest and other key states are held back, our party will reject whatever lists comes later,’’ it warned. APC further said: ‘’Anything short of a complete release of the voters’ register will raise the suspicion that some forces are working to manipulate the register of some states where the opposition has strong followership.’’ The party said it was aware of the penetration of INEC by top agents of the PDP and the Presidency to manipulate the voters register of the Southwestern states, as well as Rivers, Kano, Imo and other key states where APC enjoys wide followership. ‘’It is common knowledge that a key rigging strategy by the ruling party is the injection of fake voters into the official voters’ register. “This is why we are raising this alert, so that Nigerians will understand where we are coming from when we reject the release of any voters’ register that does not meet the provisions of the law,’’ it said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS Scores dump Ondo PDP From Damisi Ojo, Akure

VER 1,000 supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday joined the All Progressives Congress(APC). They were led by the council’s Vice Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Wole Obe, who said his members were treated unfairly by Governor Olusegun Mimiko. He said: “Our defection to the APC is the last train of change. We are ready to work and bring the desired change. Whoever fails to join it will find himself to blame. “In my own case, I don’t want to be caught napping. Thus, I am taking this vital decision alongside my teeming supporters to move from the PDP to APC.” APC Chairman Isaac Kekemeke said: “I want to thank you for your courage and visionary leadership. I believe this is your last train to lead your supporters to a land of victory. “I can assure that you and your supporters are entitled to every benefit in the party because we will treat everyone as equal stakeholders, not strangers.”

Fed Govt responsible for states’ financial woes, says Ajimobi

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has blamed the inability of states to meet their financial obligations on the Federal Government’s directive to financial institutions not to grant credit facilities to states. The governor said this at the swearing-in of the Chief Judge, Justice Munta Oladipo Abimbola, at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, yesterday. He said allocations to the state from the Federation Account had reduced by more than 40 per cent in the last seven months, thereby forcing the state to devise ingenious ways of meeting its financial obligations. “This is indeed a hard time for us. Like other states, allocation to this state has been reduced by more than 40 per cent in the last seven months. “Despite this, the Federal Government directed financial institutions not to

•‘Jonathan starving states of funds’ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

grant credit facilities to states. “This has painfully led to our inability to meet our obligations to contractors and workers. “We have a monthly wage bill of about N5 billion and we are receiving an average of N2.9 billion monthly from the Federation Account, thus leaving a shortfall of N2.1 billion. “But, we have to look inwards by devising ingenious ways to ensure that workers do not suffer untoward hardship because of this. “We have been striving to pay salary as at when due, despite the dwindling revenue,” Ajimobi said. The governor praised the judiciary’s exemplary conduct and understanding in the face of dwindling revenue allocations to the state. He advised Justice Abimbola to discharge his du-

ties in accordance with his oath of office by ensuring that his personal interests did not influence his official conducts. “We have made the right choice. We will have the reason to congratulate ourselves very soon for this choice. “But, I must emphasise that you should not allow your personal interest to influence your official conduct. “I can say that the CJ is honest and forthright. On the bench, he had delivered many judgments that were upheld by superior courts. “I’m convinced that he has the ability and capability to perform creditably in his new office.” Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Razak Atunwa said the state governments have become financially emasculated largely because of indiscriminate deduction of

states’ revenue by the Federal Government. He added that the indiscriminate deduction of the state fund from the Federation Account by the President Goodluck Jonathanled administration had crippled most states from performing their statutory responsibilities. He urged Nigerians to vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates to effect the needed change in the country. The Speaker expressed confidence in the ability of General Muhammadu Buhari to tackle corruption and insecurity. Atunwa added that the presidential campaign train would land in the state on Thursday and urged members of the party the state to come out enmasse. He assured that the state would continue to be responsive to the yearnings of the people, despite the dwindling revenue from the Federation Account.

Bus for Ambode’s campaign

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) UK Lagos State has donated a bus to the Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Organisation. The group in a statement by its spokesman, Ladi VeraCruz, said: “APC UK Lagos State in its quest to support the continuance of positive change in the City of Excellence Lagos State is endorsing and supporting the campaign of Akinwunmi Ambode. “APC UK Lagos State also stands shoulder to shoulder with Ambode as he seeks the mandate of the people and presents to him and his campaign team this bus as a sign of solidarity and belief in his aspiration to become the next governor of Lagos State. “The mantle of leadership can be very demanding and you have shown through your years of selfless service at different levels in Lagos State that that you are up to the task to take our precious and beloved Lagos State to the next level. “APC UK Lagos State acknowledges the spirit of excellence in Ambode to steer and take up the helm of affairs in the “Centre of Excellence”. “We want to help him so he can deliver the dividends of good governance to the indigenes of Lagos State. “We call on all the progressives far and beyond to rise up, give their vote and lend their support to one of the most hard-working, people-oriented and progressive personality in Lagos State. “As the progressives go on the march seeking the mandate for Ambode we pray that God fortify him with favour, wisdom and the tenacity of character to accomplish this feat.”

• Ajimobi (second right), Justice Abimbola (right) and some High Court judges at the ceremony...yesterday.

Jonathan’s visit: Heavy security personnel deployed in Osun, Ondo M

ORE security personnel have been deployed in Osun State ahead of the campaign visit of President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan will be accompanied by Vice President Namadi Sambo and party chieftains, including the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, and some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors. Commissioner of Police Abubakar Marafa said security personnel have been drafted to strategic places in and around the state. At 6pm yesterday, the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, was full of armed policemen and men of the Department of

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo and Damisi Ojo, Akure

the State Security (DSS). Those decorating were also busy constructing the stage. PDP’s National Secretary Prof. Wale Ladipo, at a briefing in Osogbo, the state capital, described next month’s presidential election as a battle between light and darkness. An unconfirmed report said there was a directive that all markets in Osogbo, the state capital, be closed for the President’s visit. The state’s Iyaloja-General, Alhaja Asiawu As-

indemade, on state radio and television, denied any directive from the government or her office to shut down markets. She advised traders to disregard the directive, asking them to go about their businesses. Alhaja Asindemade said President Jonathan was on a campaign trip to the state and that since they are not politicians such directive did not concern them. In Akure, the Ondo State capital, where Jonathan will hold a rally tomorrow, security has been tightened. The President who will be received by Governor

Olusegun Mimiko, the Southwest coordinator of Jonathan’s campaign organisation, is expected to visit some traditional rulers before addressing supporters at the Democracy Park in Akure. Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said officers from other neighbouring states might be deployed. He said: “All necessary machinery have been put in place to ensure that there is no violence during the President’s campaign in Ondo State. “I can assure you that the police have done all the relevant things and there will be no crisis before, during and after the campaign.”

Ogun to renovate housing project From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

OGUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said the state will take over Federal Government’s abandoned housing projects. He made the promise yesterday at Obada Oko in Ewekoro Local Government Area at his re-election campaign in the area. Amosun cited the abandoned federal housing estate at Obada Oko, which was initiated by former President Shehu Shagari when he was in power. According to the governor, abandoned housing projects were not only eyesores but hideouts for miscreants. The General Manager, State Housing Corporation, Ms Jumoke Akinwunmi, said government was considering using a mortgage scheme to cover the takeover and re-construction of the project.

‘Nigerians must reject Jonathan’ From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State has listed reasons why Nigerians must vote out President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party urged the people to troop out tomorrow to welcome its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who it described as a man of integrity. Addressing a briefing in Aramoko-Ekiti yesterday after presenting the party’s State and National Assembly candidates, the APC Chairman in the district, George Ojo, accused the PDP of mismanaging the economy and promoting corruption. The candidates are Gbenga Olofin (Senate), Oyetunde Ojo and Dr. Eniola Ajayi (House of Representatives). Others are Gbenga Odebunmi, Oyekola Adeoye, Gabriel Ogundele, Mrs. Omowumi Ogunlola, Ayodeji Odu, Sola Olofin, Sola Fatoba and Bisi Dada. Ojo said the February 14 presidential poll offers the electorate an opportunity to change the polity and end the PDP’s misrule. He said Jonathan lacked the moral justification to canvass votes when the missing $20billion and N500million SURE-P funds were yet to be found.

Ikuforiji advises auditors By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

LAGOS State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has advised auditors to comply with the State Audit Law 2011. Ikuforiji gave the advice at the opening of the fifth Annual Auditors Retreat at Lekki. He said there was the need to shift focus from the conventional “voucher and receipt” auditing system to auditing the performance of government plans, policies and programmes. The Speaker, who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, said it was only through an effective performance audit that the impact and the essence of auditors could be felt among the public.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS Folarin: I’ll pay workers on time

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, has promised to clear all outstanding salaries and introduce enhanced salary package for public workers, if elected. Folarin, who spoke at a meeting at his Oluyole home in Ibadan with representatives of teachers and other categories of workers yesterday, sympathised with workers who were yet to receive their September to December salaries. He also promised to run a government anchored on the fear of God, respect for human rights, which he said would translate to justice, accountability, unity, among other values. The governorship candi-

date also promised to embark on industrialisation to add value to the different sectors, thereby generating employment, wealth and other opportunities for the youth. Folarin said he does not need a tutorial to take off as governor and urged the people not to be deceived by the antics of the outgoing administration in the state. Folarin said he has met with all the conditions that he needed to meet with to stand for the position of governor and urged party members and supporters to ignore the campaign of calumny being carried out against him by his opponents The PDP candidate also disclosed that everything was being done to resolve minor disagreement in the party ahead of the elections. •Fashola condoling with Mrs. Grace Fakeye ...yesterday. With them are Olumide (second right), Tosin (left) and Imelda.

Anglican bishop calls for neutrality

HE Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Lagos West,

Rev Olusola Odedeji, has called on the police in Lagos State to deal dispassionately with all candidates and parties in the general elections. The bishop made the call when he visited the State Police Command in Ikeja yesterday to apprise the Commissioner, Cornelius Aderanti, of his diocese’s plan to host a debate for all governorship candidates. He said: “Elections should be about issues. We decided as part of our corporate social responsibility to provide a neutral and credible platform for all the candidates to address the people on their plans to develop the state.” The cleric said a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University,

who is now the Bishop Theologian of the Church of Nigeria, Prof Dapo Asaju, will moderate the programme. Rev Odedeji told the Commissioner of Police that it had become the tradition of the Diocese to arrange and fund the debate. He also said the Diocese would observe and moderate the elections and present a report to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the public. “We have been involved in monitoring all elections in Nigeria since 2007,” he said. The police commissioner promised to provide adequate security during the debate and elections. He thanked the bishop for his concern for the society. Aderanti called for prayers for peaceful elections in the state.

I’ll represent all, says Adeola

No funeral arrangement yet for Fakeye

AMILY and Church leaders are yet to agree on the funeral plans for the late general leader of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement (Ayo Ni o), who died on Sunday in Lagos. It was gloomy at the church headquarters in Surulere, Lagos, yesterday as church members reflected on the death of their leader, who died at 78. President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the family. He prayed that God will grant his soul eternal rest. He also prayed that God will comfort members of the church, and place the mantle of the Church’s spiritual leadership on a worthy successor to the late Prophet Fakeye. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola visited the church leader’s home in Agege yesterday to commis-

HE Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts and All Progressives Con-

gress (APC) senatorial candidate for Lagos West, Solomon Adeola, has promised to represent all ethnic groups, if elected. Adeola made the pledge when some leaders of the Arewa Community in Lagos visited his campaign office in Ikeja. He said: “Our district is mini Nigeria in all sense of the word with every ethnic group in Nigeria present and living here. I am going to ensure that in whatever I am doing as your elected officer, these multiplicity of interests must be put into consideration.” Adeola said his cognate legislative experience spanning over a decade representing a part of the district, Alimosho that is equally multi ethnic in nature put him in good position to do the work without any hitches adding that the electorate.

Vote for Jonathan, says minister

MINISTER of State for Works Dayo Adeyeye has called on Ekiti people to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Adeyeye said Jonathan has demonstrated his love for the Yoruba by carrying out key projects in the Southwest and appointing more Yoruba to key positions. Speaking on a live programme on Ekiti State Television (EKTV) which was monitored by our correspondent on Monday, Adeyeye explained that Jonathan gave Ekiti State a federal university within one year of his administration. He contended that Jonathan and the PDP represent a bright future for the Yoruba and Nigeria if voted into power. The minister argued that many Ekiti indigenes have

been empowered through Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and other programmes by the Federal Government. He said the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was been rehabilitated and approval has been given for the building of two more seaports in Lagos. “President Goodluck Jonathan has demonstrated his love for the Yoruba by giving us a university in Ekiti, constructing the abandoned Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; among roads, approval for the construction of two seaports in Lagos and most importantly, by resuscitating rail transportation. “Therefore, no real Yoruba person, who is sincerely interested in the progress of the Yoruba, will support a return of Buhari, who will set us back by more than 50 years as president.”

•Jonathan, Fashola, church mourn By Sampson Unamka

erate with the family. The governor was received at the Mangoro, Agege home of the Fakeyes’ by the widow, Mrs. Grace Fakeye, in company of some of the childrenOlumide, Tosin and Imelda. In a condolence letter, Fashola described the late Fakeye as a person of manifest devotion to family and friends, a visionary leader with profound knowledge, grasp and appreciation of history.. “Rest in Peace Baba, A very well done job, A superb race, sleep well and in the bosom of the Lord that you served so faithfully”, Fashola wrote in a condolence register. A church leader, Abel Alomo, told our reporters at the church premises yesterday

that meetings to finalise the funeral arrangements were ongoing. He said: “We wanted to do it as quickly as possible before lent but I don’t think that will be possible because the children are all over and they say they want to be present so we cannot tell you anything, but by Sunday we should be able to tell you something. We are working with the family.” The church was quiet, sorrowful and scanty, when The Nation visited yesterday the Apapa Oshodi Expressway premises, sources said most members are at the deceased’s home in Agege. The Affairs and Relationship Management Coordinator, Special Apostle Abel Alomo, said a funeral date will be set to be announced on

Sunday. Secretary of Corporate Affairs Unit Ade Balogun said the deceased was ill for over three months and died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos. A statement from the general secretary, Special Apostle George Ogunleye, said: “He was a leader who led with zeal, passion and openness. He preferred to give rather than receive. Time cannot heal his demise in our hearts, only the consolation that he is in the bosom of Jesus Christ, who he loved, served and propagated. “Our dear Baba Fakeye, even as we mourn his demise, we are still bold to say: Ayo Ni O. The church, with the grace and mercy of God, will continue to build on the legacies he left behind.”

INEC opens 245 centres for PVCs collection in Lagos

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has said it has directed its Electoral Officers (EOs) to move to 245 Registration Areas across the state for the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). INEC’s spokesman Femi Akinbiyi spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos. Akinbiyi said the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akin Orebiyi, had directed the officers to ensure that eligible voters yet to collect their PVCs are able to receive them at their wards. “The REC has directed the EOs to move the cards closer to the people after consulta-

tion with relevant stakeholders in the local governments. “Even in the riverine areas, our staff will be staying with the communities for the distribution,” he said. Akinbiyi said the step was in line with the directive to decentralise the collection of PVCs, to bring them closer to the electorate. The INEC PRO urged Lagos residents to pick up their cards at the centres across the state. He said a lot of cards produced were awaiting collection at various centres. Akinbiyi said the PVCs should be collected on or before January 31.

The PVCs, according to the commission, can be picked up in 19 centres in Lagos Island Local Government Area, 10 in Kosofe, 10 in Ikeja, 11 in Ifako-Ijaiye and 19 in Epe. It also said that they could be collected in 11 centres in Ibeju-Lekki, 10 in Eti-Osa, 11 in Badagry, 10 in Apapa, 11 in Amuwo-Odofin, 11 in Alimosho, 11 in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, 11 in Agege and 12 in Somolu. According to the commission, they will be available in 11 centres in Oshodi-Isolo, 11 in Ojo, 19 in Ikorodu, 12 in Surulere, 11 in Lagos Main-

land, and 14 in Mushin. INEC had ordered the decentralisation of the distribution of PVCs to ward levels nationwide, to enhance access by persons yet to collect their cards. Before now, the distribution was done at INEC’s local government offices since the end of distribution at the polling unit level. The commission, at its meeting on January 8, said registered voters, who are yet to collect their cards, can now do so from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm daily. It also mandated RECs to set up effective monitoring strategies and ensure that the specified hours are strictly complied with by INEC staff.

Disquiet in Ekiti public service over ‘directive’ to attend rally

HERE is disquiet in the civil service and public schools in Ekiti State over an alleged directive to civil servants and teachers to attend the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential rally in Ado-Ekiti today. The Nation gathered yesterday that the civil servants and teachers allegedly received the directive through their superiors. The directive was one of the decisions reached at a meeting Governor Ayo Fayose held with various stakeholders at Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti, at the weekend. Leaders of workers’ unions were parts of the stakeholders who attended the meeting and they were urged to mobilise civil servants and teachers to the rally to be held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium. The state office of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at Egbewa, on NTA Road in Ado-Ekiti was a beehive of activities as the Jonathan/Sambo campaign T-Shirts were

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

distributed to union leaders for onward transfer to interested workers. The source disclosed that Fayose specifically urged the leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to ensure that all teachers in public schools attend the rally. The NUT officials were reportedly asked that the decision be put to writing but the governor turned down the request, maintaining that his ‘order’ must be carried out to the letter. It was also gathered that attendance of those who appear at the rally will be taken to endure compliance. It was learnt that text messages were sent to the heads of all public schools to ensure that teachers attend the rally. This means that there will not be academic activities in public schools today in deference to Jonathan’s visit. Each of the local government caretaker committee chairman was directed to bring 20 bus loads of supporters to the rally.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

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CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Three siblings, three others die in Lagos fire •One dies in building collapse

IRE swept through some parts of Lagos between Sunday and yesterday, leaving no fewer than six persons dead. Another person died when a building collapsed on Victoria Island. Fire razed the popular Balogun Market on Lagos Island, a sawmill in Ebute-Meta, Lagos Mainland and the Igando Dumpsite on the LASUIba Road. Four children, a septuagenarian and a young man died in the sawmill fire, which started about 9.36pm on Sunday. Among them were three siblings, Amidat, Quayub and Ahmed, aged between three and seven. They were burnt to death in their shanty near the sawmill. Emergency workers said they recovered one body on the scene. Sources said the siblings were last seen around 8pm, few minutes before they died in the fire which affected Jebba, Kano and Cole streets. It was gathered that the septuagenarian was bed-ridden in a storey-building affected by the fire. The fire was so intense that motorists plying the Third Mainland Bridge on Sunday night felt the heat. The Balogun Market fire, which started about 3am, destroyed goods worth millions of naira. No fewer than five plazas, including a Diamond Bank branch on the street, were affected. The incident caused traffic gridlock in and out of Lagos Island early yesterday. Most of the traders did not know their shops were on fire until they got to the market. The fire affected Balogun, Gbajumo and Fred McWen streets, disrupting business. Most of the attached shops including containers built on transformers were destroyed. Although the fire service deployed its aerial fighter to the scene, the fire kept raging. Many attributed its intensity to the goods stored inside some shops. A trader dared the raging fire and climbed a building to recover his safe. The trader, who was seen climbing the building from the Gbajumo axis, resurfaced with a huge safe. Many watched in awe as he took the risk. Many women wept profusely as

By Precious Igbonwelundu and Ebele Boniface

they could not recover anything from their shops and warehouses. Some men among them vented their anger on the local government for according to them, installing road blocks which fire trucks easy access. A victim, Rafatu Adeyemo, who said she was training her children with proceeds from her shop, wept in front of her shop, which is inside Rich Plaza. Felicia Lawani, who said two of her shops and her warehouse were razed, stated that her neighbour alerted her. “I have two warehouses and a shop in the building. I sell shoes. I did not hear about the fire on time. I cannot really talk to you now because I am confused. This is the second time that I will lose my goods to fire. The first one was that of UBA Plaza; I lost everything. Not even a pin was recovered. Now the same thing has happened again,” she lamented. Mrs. Vera Ezenma, who just stocked her warehouse last week, cried uncontrollably as she was stopped from entering the fire. She said: “I have two shops and my main warehouse here. My husband is in China and he sent the goods to me. I just offloaded my goods on Monday and Wednesday. I packed them in the main warehouse here. Look at me now; the whole goods are gone. I did not pick anything out of this place. I came here around past 5am. Someone called me on phone that my shop was burning. Where do I start? What do I do?” Chukwudi Azubuike said: “People should come here and see things for themselves. The local government erected barriers on the roads. If they had not put these hindrances which do not allow vehicles to pass, the over five hours we spent trying to remove them would have been useful in salvaging our wares. “Go and tell them that I will break my voter’s card. I cannot vote for anybody. This is the second time two of my shops would be burnt. The first one was at Tejuosho Market. Two of my shops got burnt and I did not get a single thing out. Now I have lost two of my shops again. This is too much and I cannot take it. What does government enjoys in

•The raging fire at Balogun Market ... yesterday

‘

I have two shops and my main warehouse here ... I just offloaded my goods on Monday and Wednesday. I packed them in the main warehouse here. Look at me now; the whole goods are gone. I did not pick anything out of this place ... Where do I start? What do I do?

’

the sufferings of its people? They enjoy in scattering our business and our money. What do they want me to do? The entire road was blocked and the fire trucks could not come in.” More than four buildings were razed by the Igando Dumpsite fire. The fire was said to have been triggered by the inflammable materials at the site, such as tyres. The fire, which started at about 4pm on Sunday, raged till mid-day yesterday. While inspecting the extent of

‘I was ordained pastor in police cell’

“

I am now Reverend Sunday Ajuwale. I repented and was ordained a Reverend Pastor in police cell. I will build my own church when I regain my freedom.” These were the words of 32-yearold Sunday Ajuwale who is being detained by the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Before his arrest last October, the suspect had been on the “wanted list” for his alleged involvement in a bank robbery, car snatching and other operations. Police said the arrest of three of his accomplices at a hotel in Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, led to his arrest in his house while praying for people who needed salvation. The suspect said: “I am an armed robber, but my wife is not aware. I have three children. I was into the business of supply/sale of kerosene and diesel in Lagos; that was where I got my money to build my house at Ishefu in Ayobo area. “I was praying for members of a robbery gang at a party in Ayobo, unknown to me that police operatives were at the party; I was ar-

By Ebele Boniface

rested. I joined robbery gang due to the downturn in the business of kerosene and diesel that I was doing. I wanted a business that would give me quick money. “I bought my house 10 years ago. I bought the land for N220, 000 but I did not know how much it cost me to build the house because I was building it little by little. It was one of my friends called Omoloja that brought a gun, claiming that he belonged to a cult, Aiye Fraternity, at Ishefu. He is a land speculator. My role is to keep guns for them and sponsor whenever the need arises, but I do not follow them to robbery scenes. I am the custodian of their guns. I usually hide the guns at the back of my house. We were 15 members when we went to rob Bureau de Change operators at the Ayobo gate.” Ajuwale, who said he dropped out of the Osun State College of Technology, claimed to have “graduated in SARS cell as a pastor,” adding: “Robbery did not pay me; that is why I became a pastor in the cell.”

•Ajuwale

•Some traders evacuating their wares

damage at the Balogun Market, the Iyaloja-General, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, appealed to the traders to remain calm. She promised to take the stock after the fire had been put out. She promised to appeal to Governor Babatunde Fashola to assist the affected traders, adding that the market would be re-planned without sentiments. The market leader said: “We cannot give an account of the number

of shops burnt or the extent of damage because fire-fighting operation is still going on. But I can tell you that many goods have been destroyed here. About five storey buildings and many key clamps are affected. We will plead with the governor to see whatever assistance that can be rendered. It is not only markets that are burning. We are in the harmattan season and the tendency of fire outbreak is high. “What our people need to do is to be careful. Like the case of the Ebute Meta Plank Market, people should not smoke around there since there is the likelihood of it causing inferno. We will also need to put sentiment aside and address the issue of re-planning this market (Balogun).” An engineer, simply named Oluwatosin died in the Victoria Island building collapse. The building on 249B, Muri Okunola Street, last year, killing no fewer than 30 people. When The Nation visited the scene, the body, which was retrieved from the debris, was covered with a white cloth awaiting evacuation. It was gathered that the deceased had gone into the building to ascertain the state of the slabs. A man who gave his name as Pastor Reuben Adeyemo, claimed the deceased hailed from Ondo State, but could not say where his family lives. Sources said he was a civil engineer with a construction company that is in charge of the building which has been marked for demolition by the state building control agency. Eyewitnesses claim the building fell around 11.30am, less than 30 minutes after they had exchanged pleasantries with the deceased.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Gaslinks works to contain leakage at Iganmu By Emeka Ugwuanyi

ASLINK Nigeria Limited (GNL), a sub sidiary of Oando Plc and natural gas distribution company, is working to contain gas leakage from its pipeline at Iganmu Lagos, Oando’s Head, Corporate Communications, Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune, has aid. Irune explained that the leakage which was noticed in the early hours of January 10, was isolated within 30 minutes after it was reported, adding that work immediately commenced to halt the leakage. He stated that the GNL gas network was built and maintained in accordance with the requirements of world-class engineering codes and standards, with routinely tried and tested emergency response plan. He said, leakages are common within gas distribution systems globally, and when incidents occur, the company implements an emergency response plan designed to achieve isolation of affected section(s) within 45 minutes. To prevent a recurrence and in line with its corporate responsibilities to communities and the environment, GNL has opted for a total bypass of the entire section, and is presently working towards sectional replacement and final restoration of gas supply, he added. Along with immediate repairs and the recommissioning of gas supply to customers, Gaslink will further sensitise the surrounding community on the properties of natural gas, as well as the implementation of a revamped, solutioncentered response plan. Gaslink apologises for any inconvenience this incident may have caused to the community involved, and is working hand-in-hand with the State Ministry for Environment and appropriate regulatory bodies to ensure all safety standards are adhered to as all required modifications to the gas infrastructure are implemented.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb RATES Inflation -8.2% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $38.4b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

There is nothing wrong in having a robust renewable energy programme in the country. In fact, government has taken a step in that direction by introducing the: ‘Light Up Nigeria’ scheme. - Director-General, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, Rueben Okeke

Union urges release of N50b facility

HE Agro-Allied Com modities Cooperative Entrepreneurship Multi-Purpose Union, has urged the Federal Government to release N50 billion out of the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises (MSME) loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to its members. The group said it has utilised and refunded previous credit facilities extended to it by the government, adding that the government should hasten the release of the fund. Its President, Prof. Victoria Adesuyi said it was important to reduce poverty and ensure food sufficiency in the nation. Adesuyi who spoke in Abuja, said: “The agro-allied ventures are embraced by the middle and low class Nigerians, therefore we use this medium to solicit for the

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

immediate release of money the for these categories of people who have taken cooperative system seriously as the only channel through which they could team up to create self-help for themselves. “Concerning our request for N50billion, it is for our farmers, artisans, marketers, traders, processors, industrialists, agro-allied commodities and service producers all across the nation. It is primarily for the cooperatives.” According to her, the union was certified by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the Federal Director of Cooperative and Farmers Organisation, Dr. Dickson Okolo in August, last year as well as the CBN in 2002.

Adesuyi said the union had been under the cover of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NDIC) since 2002 with partnership with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC). She added that if the 15 million cooperative members from the six geo-political zones could access the facility, it would contribute positively to the nation’s food security programme and national development. Representative of First Bank Nigeria Plc (FBN), Mr. Osaze Owaifo said the bank is known for clear participation on retail business and grassroots lending especially agriculture. He said the bank will give the group the needed requirements to access the loan at nine per cent interest rate. Owaifo expressed opti-

mism that the gesture would contribute to better livelihood for the farmers. Kogi State Coordinator of the Union, Mr. Mohammed Dansulieman said members were already losing hope on the loan. He said it was important for the government to release the credit in order to sustain the trust of the farmers. Southeast representative of the union, Ms Ijioma Chikeze said the members should be registered by the government before they can access the credit. Chikeze who is also the Anambra State Coordinator emphasised need for awareness such that women and youths could benefit more from the facility. She expressed optimism that the larger per cent of the N50 billion would be accessed by women.

Economic slowdown: Dangote urges investors not to relent By Toba Agboola

ANGOTE Group has urged investors to continue to invest in the economy as Nigeria still remains a fertile ground for growing businesses. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) recently said the devaluation of the naira and increase in the interest rate are all contributory factors to the increase in the cost of production. In a statement, the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote said Nigeria still remains a fertile ground for growing business, adding that it is not resting on its oars. He said investors should collaborate with government towards ensuring that the country, which is Africa’s biggest economy, remained robust. According to him, the company is committed in its aggressive growth plan towards ensuring that Nigeria becomes net exporter of cement. The statement described Nigeria as a land of hope and opportunities and commended the Federal Government for encouraging private investment in the country through the recent listing of Nigeria top 100 companies.

DataPro hosts banks’ compliance officers’ confab

• From left: Chief Executive Officer, Verve International, Charles Ifedi; Business Development Manager, Computer WareHouse Group, Adeola Oyebola; Chairman, Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads (CeBIH), Tunde Kuponiyi; Head, Team Leader, SIBS International, Manuel Mendonca; Vice President/Area Business Manager, West Africa, MasterCard Worldwide, Omokehinde Ojomuyide, at the CeBIH 2014 annual retreat held in Abuja.

Fed Govt lists 13 export products as replacement for crude oil

HE Federal Government has listed “13 National Strategic Export Products” to replace crude oil. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga who stated this, said the move is intended to revive the ailing national economy with emphasis on rapid growth of the non-oil sector for exports. Aganga who spoke when he visited the Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo in Abuja, said with the wind of transformation blowing across the 13 products, they are good replacements for crude oil in the market. He said: “The 13 products are Agro-industrial- palm oil, cocoa, cashew, sugar and rice; Mining Related- cement,

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

iron ore/metals; Auto parts/ cars, aluminium and oil and gas industrial products; Petroleum products, fertiliser/ urea, petrochemical and methanol. “NEPC has the capacity to kick-start the diversification of the country’s economy. I chose NEPC and SMEDAN for my first visit in the New Year because of their potential and strategic importance for diversification of the economy, job creation, poverty alleviation and inclusive growth.” The strategy to be deployed in this regard, according to him, requires that NEPC identifies products that are being imported by countries from other exporting nations and develop the products with sound logis-

tics built around them. As an export oriented investment strategy, the products will be delivered to those neighbouring countries at cheaper rates. Aganga said: “In doing this, we must recognise our neighbors’ developmental needs, support them and collaborate with them in areas of their comparative advantage. For you to have sustainable relationship, the relationship must be symbiotic. “The new strategic focus is not just agriculture but rather commodities based-industrialisation. This will help our economy to diversify quickly and sustainably. “Such strategy will help build industrial sector that can diversify our economy in just few years.” The minister urged NEPC

to work towards earning big income for Nigeria by focusing on products and services that will yield quick results in few years with a view to assisting Nigeria earn foreign exchange. Awolowa said NEPC, under his leadership, had long recognised the need to develop the non-oil export subsector and had in the process held series of strategic meetings with stakeholders for the development of ideas aimed at improving the foreign exchange earnings of the country through different avenues. These, he said include, the development of a Four-Year Strategic Plan, One State One Product (OSOP), Nigerian Diaspora Export Programme (NDEX) and the development of New Markets for New Products.

ataPro will host this month’s meeting of the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCCoBIN). Its Managing Director, Abimbola Adeseyoju, in a statement, said the meeting would hold at Colonades Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos on January 29 as part of activities to kick-start its 20th anniversary. DataPro is Nigeria’s first indigenous Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance consulting and training firm, CCCoBIN was established in 2007 by the CCOs of all deposit money banks in Nigeria in collaboration with other development partners and stakeholders including DataPro. CCCoBIN has the largest pool of experts, practitioners, professionals and stakeholders within the AML/CFT community in Nigeria. Its membership cuts across all other development banks, merchant banks, Discount Houses, International Banks in Nigeria, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), other banking regulators and supervisors, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

The world of a customs officer T

HE woman in this picture (right) looks odd. Why? She is dressed in the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) uniform, but wearing a pair of slippers. She was seen at a Customs formation in Lagos, walking around, unmindful of the kind of Customs’ image she is portraying. It was learnt that many Customs officials dress in a similar manner. But, a top Customs officer, who does not want his name in print, said this should not be the case. The Customs Headquarters, he said, gave free uniforms and shoes to officers last year. An investigation by The Nation in some of the Customs commands in Lagos and Ogun states revealed that some junior and senior Customs officers have stopped putting on the official black leather shoes in preference for slippers, despite the good welfare scheme for them, including incentives by the Comptroller-General. In most of these commands, some women dress like pupils. A young officer said: “Despite the efforts of the Comptroller-General to instil attitudinal change in our officers and men, some of the Area Controllers have no time to instil discipline in some of the officers and men that were posted to work with them.’’ A visit by The Nation to some of the commands in Lagos and Ogun states revealed that there was no evidence that the affected

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda MaritimeCorrespondent

officials were working under unfavourable condition. Despite this, most of them look casual in their dressings as if they were in their homes. Findings revealed that in Cotonou, Togo and Ghana, Customs officials do not dress shabbily like their Nigerian counterparts. The poor dressing has become of serious concern to operators, stakeholders, importers and other port users. Some stakeholders have deplored the development An importer, who pleaded anonymity, said it would appear some senior and junior Customs officers, find it more comfortable to use bathroom slippers. Investigation by The Nation at most of the commands in Lagos and its environs revealed the bad habit is common. Apart from the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja and Apapa, the situation is almost the same at Tin-Can, Agbara, Seme, Idiroko and Abeokuta. At FOU Ikeja, source said there is discipline section for any officer or men that violates the dress code and that is why its officers and men are well dressed. Importers complained that the the badly dressed Customs officials are preventing them from recognising the fake ones at

night. The refusal of some terminal operators to allow some Customs officials from entering their terminals was attributed to their bad dressing. The operators complained that apart from Mondays when they resume for work and Tuesdays when they go for parades, some old women officials find it difficult to dress properly. One of sthe clearing agents, who work in Lagos and does not want his name in print said: “One of the first things you notice when you visit some of the commands is the socially and officially unacceptable manner they turn their uniform. “The most annoying aspect of it is that what they put on are bathroom slippers. Bathroom slippers are what are; slippers are used in the bathroom and not in the office. These little plastic slippers are for people to change into when they go inside the bathroom. This is supposed to keep the bathroom mess; well, in the bathroom and not to be brought to the office. “Imagine this. When you enter a Customs command and you see some of them wearing a pair of their bathroom slippers and they started moving from one office to another and nobody, including their colleagues; seniors and the area controller can call them to order deserves public attention.’’

•A female Customs officer in bathroom slippers.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Fed Govt rakes in over N586b in Lagos, Imo

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N586.8 billion in Lagos and Owerri last year, records have shown. According to the records, N585 billion was generated in Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos; the balance was made by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ Owerri. The Apapa command recorded N301,272,187,970, and Tin Can Island, N284,290,462,153. The (FOU) Zone ‘C’ made 363 seizures of illegally imported goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,805,843,064 and generated N71,762,029 as under payment. Its Area Controller, David Dimka, said the seizures made last year were higher than 2013 ’s. The command, he said, arrested 104 suspects with over 100 cases in court. The number of those arrested last year, the controller said, was higher than the 31 sus-

pects arrested in the previous year - 20 cases of which are in court. Dimka said 237 smuggled vehicles topped the list of the seized items; 209 of them had fake Customs paper while 28 were abandoned by the smugglers. The highest numbers of seizures, he said, were recorded in April, September and De-

cember last year. Dimka praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, for the support he gave to his officers, saying it motivated them in the discharge of their duties. He warned smugglers to desist from their nefarious activities, warning that he would deal with them.

The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the command, Ifeoma Onuigbo, said officers and men of the command would carry out intensive patrol this year, assuring that her colleagues would tackle smuggling. Also, the increased revenue in Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports was attributed to the

quality leadership of their Area Controllers. The introduction of the PreArrival Assessment Report (PAAR) and quality leadership, it was gathered, also contributed to the increase. The crisis generated by the new auto policy introduced last year had no negative effect on their revenue, it was learnt.

ANLCA gives PAAR a pass mark

• Shittu

HE Association of Nigerian Li-censed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has given the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) a pass mark for the effective implementation of PreArrival Assessment Report (PAAR) at the seaports. Its National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said the NCS management had demonstrated high level of competence in the handling of PAAR since it was

introduced. He said the Federal Government lost a lot of revenue when the destination inspection was being done service providers, adding that PAAR has blocked all leakages. “We are in support of PAAR and we have given the scheme a pass mark because of the effective manner it was implemented by Customs. The scheme has no big problem and I can tell you that it

has come to stay and it is better than RAR, which cannot in any way be compared to the PAAR as far as ANLCA is concerned. Make proper declaration and get your goods out of the port on time. “PAAR is our own; RAR is a foreign investment and that investment is not for the benefit of our people and economy and that is why we are in support of PAAR,” Shittu said.

TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The prospects of holding elections in three Northeast states that have been practically taken over by Boko Haram insurgents has been a cause for concern for stakeholders. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI examines the issues involved. • An image taken from a video released by Boko Haram on May 12, 2014 showed some of the schoolgirls abducted in Chibok.

Will elections hold in Northeast? T

HIS question has been on the lips of many Nigerians for a long time. According to experts, such Nigerians are interested in the matter because of the vital importance of this factor in the country’s war against insurgency. As military generals would say, propaganda is a vital aspect of modern warfare. So, by inference, another way of striking a deadly blow on the psyche of those behind the deeds of madness in the Northeast is through ballots, not bullets. The implication is that a successful conduct of free and fair elections in the region by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) translates to a psychological blow on the insurgents. That is one of the reasons behind the push for elections in the Northeast region, which has become the enclave of the Boko Haram terrorist group holding Nigerians to ransom. But, what is the reality on the ground, with regards to the prospects of holding elections in the region? There are those who believe that the prospects of holding elections in the zone are bleak. The spate of attacks in recent weeks blights such prospects. Indications are that the affected states, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, would be so destabilized by the insurgents that millions of registered voters in that axis may not be inclined to go out and vote. Holding elections in some parts of the troubled region may be too insecure that many local and foreign observers will not get security clearance to observe the polls. For this reason, there have been fears in many quarters that the general elections may not hold in the zone. In spite of repeated assurances from INEC that it is determined to ensure that elections hold in all parts of the country, it is not clear whether this is would be feasible in the troubled zone. The news filtering from that region is not a palatable one. The President had on May 14, 2013 declared a sixmonth emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states and renewed it twice at the peak of the Boko Haram activities. Though the imposition of emergency rule limited the

group’s reach, it has equally increased the frequency and intensity of its attacks in the states of Borno and Yobe primarily. This is, perhaps, why the President attempt to further extend the emergency rule in November 2014 was rejected by the National Assembly. Several lawmakers have expressed their opposition to the extension, saying previous phases of the emergency rule have done little to help the local population in the three states. The five-year-old insurgency, which is trying to revive a medieval Islamic caliphate, has killed thousands of people and uprooted more than a million. The militants have also kidnapped hundreds of children; including the over 200 school girls snatched from a school in the village of Chibok last April. The Chibok girls, as the kidnapped girls have come to be known, and other persons abducted by the murderous Islamic militants are still missing. Nobody knows their whereabouts or what is being done to secure their release from the den of the militants. It is against this background of hopelessness in the battle to curb the insurgency that concerned Nigerians are saying that there might be no elections in the three states. But, other stakeholders, particularly the governors of the affected states, are insisting that elections must hold in their domain, despite the security threats on the people. Speaking after an emergency security meeting between President Jonathan and security chiefs last Tuesday, Governor Kassim Shettima of Borno State told reporters that elections had taken place in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and so many other places where there is terrorism and that the important issue is how to safeguard the lives and property of the people of those areas and recover the lost territories and the abducted Chibok

• Residents of Gwoza town and sorrounding village, in Borno State, flee their homestead to neighbouring Adamawa State and Cameroun, as the military intensifies effort to recapture the town on August 10, last year.

girls. Apparently, that was the outcome of the security meeting, which was convened in Abuja last Tuesday to assess the security situation in the Northeast. Though the affected Northeast states are facing an increasingly violent Islamic insurgency, the governors of the states were confident that elections could hold in all the areas where the insurgents are active. “Definitely in all those areas where the insurgency exists, elections will hold,” Shettima’s Yobe State counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, said. Geidam noted that the governors told the President to deploy more troops in the Northeast ahead of the general elections, because the troops on ground in the affected states were not enough to handle the security situation. His words:

“We need more troops; the troops that we have on the ground in our various states are not enough to contain the situation. So, we have appealed to the Federal Government to deploy additional troops with full equipment to contain the situation.” Indeed, INEC spokesman Nick Dazzang was quoted as saying that the vote could be held on a staggered basis. In doing that, he added, areas could be secured with “proper deployment” of the security forces. Dazzang said INEC has started distributing voter cards to displaced people from the zone, many of whom are living in camps in neigbhouring states. But, it is not certain that they would be allowed to vote, because this would require “reconciling” discrepancies in the Electoral Act, he added. The implication is that the estimated 1.5 million persons displaced

‘The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria does not make provisions for a situation where, for one reason or the other, elections are not held in any part of the country. So, that lacuna might lead to a situation where the result of elections would be subject to endless litigations’

by the war in the region may not be able to vote in the forthcoming general elections, unless the law is changed to enable them to do so away from the polling unit where they registered. Civil society activist and the President of the Nigeria Voters’ Assembly, Mr. Mashood Erubami said the idea of transferring from one place of registration to another is not a palatable one for INEC and as such it has ignored persons requesting for such transfer. He said this is because the measures put in place for the transfer is not as easy and simplistic as INEC officials are making people to believe. Aside from all these, what is the implication of not holding elections in parts of the Northeast that are under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents? When he flagged off activities as the Director-General of the General Mohammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State had cautioned the Federal Government and INEC not to plunge the country into a constitutional crisis, if •Continued on page 18

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

‘

We cannot be asked to buy Nomination Forms to participate in a process under expressly defined rules only to have the rules changed somewhere in the middle of the game

‘

‘Why Buhari ‘ll floor Jonathan in Kwara ‘

Will elections hold in Northeast? •Continued from page 17

by failing to conduct elections in the three states mainly affected by Boko Haram insurgency. Amaechi said Nigeria would face a constitutional crisis, if INEC does not conduct elections in the three affected states. He asked rhetorically: “What would happen to the state assemblies? What about the National Assembly? Would the presidential election be conclusive if elections are not held in the three states? I hope we don’t enter into a constitutional crisis in 2015.” The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria does not make provisions for a situation where, for one reason or the other, elections are not held in any part of the country. So, that lacuna might lead to a situation where the result of elections would be subject to endless litigations. A legal practitioner, Mr. Niyi Akintola, said the framers of the constitution did not envisage a situation where crisis might compel the electoral commission to suspend election in any part of the country. “The entire country is the constituency of a presidential candidate and he is obliged to test his popularity in all parts of the country. Similarly, for a governorship candidate, the entire state is his constituency and he must stand for election in all parts of the state. Not to conduct election in all parts of the state, for the governorship contest and in all parts of the country, for the presidential race, would amount to a breach of the constitution. “There is no provision in the constitution that says that you can hold presidential elections without participation in some parts of the country. So, whatever it would take, one would expect the authorities concerned to ensure that elections are held in the Northeast. This is necessary to avoid litigations after the election.” Akintola added that he would advise the relevant authorities to ensure that elections are held in all the local governments of the affected states, to give all governorship and presidential candidates a level-playing ground. A security and ancillary services consultant, Colonel Gabriel Ajayi (rtd), said while it is important to adhere to the provisions of the constitution that it is also necessary to ensure that the country is not held to ransom because there is crisis in one part of the country. He added:

• Dr Jonathan

• Prof. Jega

“Does it mean we should suspend elections in all parts of the country, if for one reason or the other elections cannot be held in all parts of the country? I don’t believe the rest of the country should be held to ransom because there is crisis in one part of the country. Does it invalidate the election conducted in other parts of the state and other parts of the country, for governorship elections and the presidential election respectively?” Against this background, the Boko Haram insurgency is one of the critical issues that make the year 2015 a turning point for Nigeria. The other is that of ensuring free and fair elections in the country; to make the

votes of Nigerians count. For this reason, the Federal Government had been anxious towards the end of last year to produce positive results in its efforts to end the insurgency. One of such efforts however ended up embarrassing the government. Indeed, it sounded almost too good to be true to most Nigerians, when in mid October 2014 the Chief of Defense Staff Alex Badeh announced that a ceasefire had been reached with the murderous Islamic militants and that an imminent deal to release the Chibok girls is in the offing. It sounded that way because Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was initially mute about the supposed ceasefire and President Jonathan’s spokesmen were equally silent on the supposed development. In previous occasions, such declarations by military spokesmen had proved hollow. Thus, it was a huge blow, when Shekau appeared in a videotaped message later, dismissing the socalled ceasefire. The Boko Haram leader added that the Chibok girls had been married off. “All of them have accepted Islam and are now married. Anybody that said plans are underway for the release of the girls is just daydreaming. They would not be returned,” he was quoted as saying. He added: “Who agreed to a ceasefire? You are not serious.” Since then, attacks and abductions have continued. The Boko Haram uprising started in 2009 in Maiduguri, under the founder of the group, the late Mohammed Yusuf, when the group carried out a spate of attacks on police stations and other government buildings. The next day, the police retaliated with a brutal crackdown, which led the killing of about 55 of its supporters and the exodus of thousands of residents out of the city. The uprising was originally to protest against the killing and harassment of its men by the security forces. After the murder of its late founder in police custody, the group went underground and the authorities felt that was the end of Boko Haram. But, the group re-emerged in the second half of 2010, under Shekau, with sporadic attacks. It expanded its operations between 2011 and 2012, but scaled it back in mid 2013, when the Federal Government imposed emergency rule in the three states of the Northeast where the insurgency is primarily based.

L-R : Supervisor, APC Data centre, Ebun Ilori, APC Publicity Secretary, Lagos, Joe Igbokwe, APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, and Supervisor, APC Data Centre, Chinedu Atuche at a briefing on accusation leveled by DSS concerning APC data office in Lagos

From Muideen Akorede

HE Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) has said President Goodluck Jonathan would lose the presidential election due to his failure to fulfill the campaign promises he made to the people in 2011. The party urged Nigerians to vote en masse for its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari because he has the competence, credibility, capacity and capability to lead the country in this trying time. Its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, said in a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, that the PDP has failed the country. He sdaid: “It is unfortunate that the catalogue of promises made by President Goodluck Jonathan to the people of Kwara State on February 22, 2011 have remained promises in 2015. “President Jonathan pledged that the irrigation project in Shonga would be completed soon to boost commercial farming activities. He promised to end discrimination along ethnic and religious lines; tackle poverty; agricultural transformation of Kwara State. the rehabilitation of the railway system, the Ilorin-Mokwa road; complete Lagos to Jebba rail project; deliver stable, constant supply of electricity; ensure that Nigerians do not use generators more than two times in a week; create jobs; start two developmental projects in Kwara State; revitalize ailing industries and grant loans to farmers. “After four years, none of these promises has been fulfilled by President Jonathan. We have not assessed Mr President by international best practices but by his record of campaign promises. The vast majority of Kwarans voted for President Jonathan in 2011 because they desire the fulfilment of the promises Mr President made. What has Mr President given Kwarans in returns? Nothing. “Mr President is the architect of his own failure in Kwara State. Gen Buhari will not only floor President Jonathan in this year’s presidential election but Mr President should also forget about securing 25 per cent of the total votes in Kwara State. “We challenge President Jonathan to tell Nigerians why he has failed to fulfill his promises to the people of Kwara State despite the huge resources at his disposal? What have Kwarans done to deserve total neglect from the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration? Since it is glaring that Mr President has a catalogue of unfulfilled promises in Kwara State and other states of the nation, Mr President should tell Nigerians why he should not be voted out of power on the 14th of February? “We appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to pay up the over N4 billion the Kwara State government has used to execute and rehabilitate Ilesha-Baruba-Chikanda international border road and Federal road projects across the state. • Gen. Buhari

Oyo APC candidate promises quality representation From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Rilwan Akanbi, who is seeking to represent Oyo South senatorial district at the National Assembly has promised to uphold the aims and objective of his party, if elected into the Upper House. Speaking in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital recently, the former member of the House of Representatives said he would sponsor people-oriented bills that would accelerate developments in the grassroots. His focus, he added, is to align himself with the APC manifesto, which affirms that “Nigeria is greater than any individual or the sum of her Federating Units” and that the country can only succeed when all citizens have equal rights and when the culture of impunity is abolished. Akanbi insists that he has proved his mettle as a progressive-minded politician by providing quality representation, especially by providing access to better standards of living for those within his constituency. “As an agent for committed, focused and transparent leadership, I have shown the readiness to serve the people and respect their opinions in politics, as well as ensure that the people always have a say in the state of affairs,” he added. Akanbi said his clinching of the APC ticket for the Oyo South senatorial district is a testimony of the people’s trust in his capability as an individual, and his experience at executive and parliamentary stands. If elected, he said he would concentrate on the APC’s five cardinal points of power, security, corruption, electoral and economic reforms. He noted that if the APC is voted into power at the centre that it would work towards achieving a better Nigeria as its manifesto clearly states. He said: “The APC shall muster the political will to wage strident war against corruption, to ensure that it repositions the economy to rely less on export of crude oil.” The APC candidate said an APC government at the centre would also strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), by working towards an amendment of the law, to make them more independent to fight corruption. He added: “We shall embark on public sensitisation campaign and civic education against corruption in schools and town halls. We shall encourage civil society organisations, advocacy groups and whistle-blowers in the anti-graft vanguard. We shall stop the corruption of our electoral process by making Independent National and State Electoral Commissions truly independent.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Rallying to save Nigeria

IR: While Nigeria has recently captured international headlines for its battle against the murderous terrorist group Boko Haram, the most immediate threats to the country’s stability are not bullets from the Islamist militants but ballots - Washington Post Editorial.

Bad start •The ambush of APC politicians on way to maiden rally presaged a primitive campaign season EMOCRACY comes with freedom of speech and association, both of which are guaranteed and emphasised in the constitution. Unfortunately, some people are trampling on these rights with impunity. A recent example was the attack in Rivers State, in which at least one person was feared killed and many others seriously injured when armed youths shot at vehicles of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from AsariToru and Khana local government areas of the state who were going to the inaugural presidential campaign of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). By an interesting coincidence, the attacks were carried out at 5.30am, the same time the APC party faithful made their way to the Adokiye Amasiemeka Stadium, the venue of the campaign rally, in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government. Although it was reported that nobody died in the attack by a gang of hired armed youth said to be working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the APC chairman, Mr. Doole Adoonan, in ward six of Khana LGA, said that seven people who sustained gunshot wounds have been hospitalised. An eyewitness accused a former militant leader, a member of PDP from Gokana LGA, of being behind the attacks. Nigerians should condemn this dastardly act which smacked of barbarism and uncivilised political behaviour. The attack of APC presidential maiden campaign rally was a bad start that presaged a scary atmosphere for present and future political campaigns. One may ask: why

would a political campaign be disrupted and people shot simply on account of their journey to a political rally? Political party supporters who exhibit this kind of gangsterism at campaign rallies of opposing political parties should know that their activities would hurt the very party they are supporting, especially as all the political parties had agreed that no political campaign or rally should be distrupted under any guise. Although we are aware of the volatile political situation in Rivers State occasioned by the rift between Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the former Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who is anxious to become the next governor of the state, this should not necessarily degenerate to the chaos that was witnessed recently in the state. There is nothing wrong with having an ambition, except that it should be tempered with decorum. We do not have to shed blood simply because of an ambition; this point the political supporters should be made to understand. The attacks belied the president’s statement that bloodshedding should never occur for political purposes. Henceforth, the security agencies should take more than a passing interest in political activities like campaigns and rallies, especially in politically volatile states like Rivers State to avoid further bloodshed. Politicians should imbibe the culture and spirit of politics without bitterness. What is more, their supporters should play the game according to the

rules. They should stop attacking political opponents. Those responsible for the attack in Rivers State should not only be fished out but prosecuted to serve as a deterrent against political gangsterism in Nigeria. This is imperative to avoid a situation where the aggrieved would want to take retaliatory measures that would not be in the interest of public peace and security in the state. This kind of barbarism that puts Nigeria in bad light in the international community as a nation populated by people of primitive mentality must stop. Politics is not a do-or-die affair; we expect politicians to be tolerant and take on one another on policies through public discourse. They should sell themselves to the electorate instead of trying to settle scores as if in the war fronts.

‘Those responsible for the attack in Rivers State should not only be fished out but prosecuted to serve as a deterrent against political gangsterism in Nigeria. This is imperative to avoid a situation where the aggrieved would want to take retaliatory measures that would not be in the interest of public peace and security in the state’

Subterfuge! •Parents of 104 unity schools should resist the rip-ff of insurance scheme foisted on their wards HY should a belated insurance policy become an alibi for government’s inability to protect schools and students against insurrection from the Boko Haram Islamic sect? This was our inkling when the Federal Government reportedly hired NICON Insurance Plc to insure 125,000 secondary pupils in 104 Unity Schools across the country. Ade Adesokan, NICON Insurance Plc spokesperson, confirmed the deal: “The Students Welfare Insurance Scheme for Unity Schools is a product designed by NICON Insurance to provide much needed benefits under a combined personal accident and life cover for the pupils and their sponsors.” Also, in a purported circular informing parents and guardians of the new insurance premium fee and the contracted insurance company, an undisclosed principal of one of the schools attributed the

‘It is a good thing that the students’ parents have reportedly protested against the insurance policy. We encourage them to take legal action and resist the imposition. This shows they are not agreeable to something that in the first place should be voluntary. This insurance policy which is a confirmation of government’s inability to protect schools and the children is a complete rip-off and should be stopped forthwith’

new policy “…to the security challenges in the country’’ which compelled the Federal Ministry of Education to have ‘…employed the services of NICON Insurance Company to insure Federal Government College pupils … Each pupil is expected to pay N5, 000 yearly ... This amount will be remitted into NICON Insurance’s account to be supplied later.” An arithmetical breakdown shows that at N5, 000 premium per pupil, NICON will be raking in N625m from the schools’ 125,000 students’ population. This current policy does not go without the usual insurance minutiae that turn rigmarole immediately an accident occurs. For instance, it provides that in case of accidental death of a pupil, the sponsor named in the policy will be entitled to N500, 000; if a pupil accidentally sustains permanent disability, he/she will be entitled to N500, 000 as compensation; while for accidental medical expenses, a pupil will be entitled to N50, 000 for medical treatment. If a pupil is involved in accidental death, the company will pay N50, 000 for burial expenses. We would not be swayed by these niceties because it is common knowledge that Boko Haram insurgents attack mainly public schools and the government has the responsibility of providing adequate security against breach of public peace and safety in any parts of the country, including the schools. If the government has therefore failed woefully in the discharge of this primary constitutional responsibility, especially in the affected institutions, why should the

buck be passed on to parents that are still struggling to meet the other needs of their wards? We recollect that the Boko Haram insurgents have unleashed inhuman attacks on schools with several students abducted and others killed because of its professed aversion for Western education. At the apogee of its barbarity, over 200 girls were abducted in a day from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014. Till date, the girls could not be located despite global indignation against the act and even the Safe School Initiative of government with huge N1.6b funding back-up, among others. Yet, schools are still being wantonly attacked by the insurgents. We have reservations about the motive behind this insurance policy since NICON Insurance, once owned by the Federal Government, was in a jiffy sold in 2006 to Jimoh Ibrahim, a chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). Could this be another usual PDP ‘family affair’? Was there transparency in the bidding process? We demand full disclosure of the other insurance companies that contested for the contract. It is a good thing that the students’ parents have reportedly protested against the insurance policy. We encourage them to take legal action and resist the imposition. This shows they are not agreeable to something that in the first place should be voluntary. This insurance policy which is a confirmation of government’s inability to protect schools and the children is a complete rip-off and should be stopped forthwith.

As political fault lines converge vis-à-vis February 14 presidential election, prediction of disaster and greater turmoil to come is the order of the day. Can Nigeria survive is the question everyone is asking or will the elections herald Nigeria’s Nunc Dimittis? Nigeria’s survival will this time depend on the patriotic and nationalistic sentiments of her political elites. The election will weigh them on the scale of political correctness and spirit of sportsmanship. The former will test their ability to play by the rule whereas the later will test their willingness to accept result and concede defeat. Whatever the case, disposition of political maturity is what will save Nigeria. February presidential election will share many things in common with the 1964 presidential election. The election which was hotly contested saw to the formation of two grand alliances (NNA - Nigerian National Alliance and UPGA - United Progressive Grand Alliance) by the existing parties in Nigeria. The drumbeat to the election and its electioneering campaign which was characterized by political calumny ‘black painting’ and tendencies for massive regularities is similar to what we are seeing today. And God forbid, if some measures are not taken, the aftermath might be graver than that of 1964. Or should I remind that the post election violence that followed the election was one of the immediate causes of the military incursion in Nigerian politics and the subsequent civil war? Prof Bolaji Akinyemi’s open letter to the two major presidential candidates in the election is of great relevance in this process. In order to arrest the looming danger, Prof. Akinyemi suggested the meeting of the two presidential candidates which will see to the signing of undertaking that will commit them to civil and peaceful campaigns devoid of threats by preaching the imperative of peaceful elections, taming party supporters , and preventing violent protest. He suggested the appointment of council of wise men - which he selected - that will facilitate the pre-election meeting with the candidates, preparation of memorandum of undertaking as well as assist in managing the postelection conflicts. It was this lacuna that January 6 Washington Post editorial tried to fill. ‘To minimize the risk of postelection violence - the editorial observed -, the Nigerian government must first do more to support its electoral commission’, there have been serious doubts about its readiness to organize the registration and voting process. Less than six weeks ahead of elections, the federal government has yet to approve the commission’s budget. Millions of permanent voting cards have not yet been distributed’. In all these submissions, it was pastor Tunde Bakare ‘s prediction that drove me mad. Pastor Bakare, after giving the biblical analogy of Nigeria’s objective condition proposed shifting of the election and establishment of interim government among other things as possible means of averting the Euroclydon. Shifting of the election is what APC will never accept not to talk of PDP . And establishment of interim government will even over heat the polity the more. Survival of Nigeria lies in organizing free, fair and credible election. So emphasis ought to be on how INEC will conduct the election. As we head to February 14 and with Baga still under the control of Boko Haram, I urge the federal government to consider the hand writing on the wall. If we don’t change the music, our dance macabre will land us into destruction. • Asikason Jonathan, Lapai, Niger State.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: The recent spate of vitriol unleashed by President Goodluck Jonathan on his predecessors in office, in the course of the presidential campaigns, calls for sober comments and condemnation by Nigerians of goodwill irrespective of party affiliation. The comments are the more troubling when the President himself had gone around the country asking contestants to the various political offices to desist from making incendiary statements that could heat up the polity. First, it was all the previous Heads of State that were accused of doing one thing or the other while in office. Next, was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who was accused of speaking like “garage touts.” Thereafter, it was Muhammadu Buhari who the President claimed cannot “remember his mobile phone number.” Since the President reportedly craved an issuesbased campaign, what are the campaign issues in these statements? The economy? Unemployment? Education? Infra-structure – stomach or otherwise? Is it national security? Let me remind the President of a past incident. Nigeria once had a former Governor-General General, who later became President. Previous to these offices, he was ex-Premier of Eastern Region. His name, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, of blessed memory. Also, there was, then, an incumbent Administrator of the East Central State, a lecturer in Political Science at the University of Ibadan on secondment to that assignment. His name, Dr. Ukpabi Asika. Dr. Azikiwe had written a lengthy article in the papers on what he felt were the “failings” of the Asika administration. Anybody who remembers Dr. Azikiwe and his writings would know that the article was detailed, sequential, to the point and written out of purely patriotic inclinations. After all, Dr. Asika was part of a military administration and Dr. Azikiwe was just an elder statesman and ordinary Nigerian. Well, Dr. Asika wrote a scathing rebuttal of Dr. Azikiwe’s article. In the rebuttal, he had claimed that the offending article by Dr. Azikiwe was written by none other than “an ex-this, ex-that, and ex-everything else”, a politician who was seeking relevance in the scheme of things.

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Mr. President, no condition is permanent Dr. Asika’s rebuttal drew a more scathing response from Dr. Azikiwe. He thanked Dr. Asika for remembering him as Ex-Premier of Eastern Region, Ex-Governor General of the Federation and Ex-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He then went on to say, and this is the germane issue dear President, that the commercial mammy-wagon that plied Lagos to Onitsha, his home-

town, has an inscription that reads “No Condition Is Permanent.” Erudite as ever, Dr. Azikiwe informed Asika, that someday, he Dr. Asika, would be known and referred to as former Administrator of the East Central State, just as, he, Dr. Azikiwe was then known as Ex-Premier of Eastern Region, Ex-Governor General of the Federation and Ex-President of the Federal Republic

of Nigeria, and Dr. Asika’s father is known as ex-Postmaster General of the Post-Office in his hometown. There is the message Mr President. No matter how long you serve as Mr. President, one of these days you will be referred to as former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria just as your predecessors are right now. It is my hope that, at that time and in

that capacity, when you offer some positions on issues of national interest, the incumbent President does not hurl the type of incendiary allegations at you or your person like you did to your predecessors. Character is the defining quality of a president and it helps a president set directions for a country; in words and actions. In whatever situation a president finds himself, he must maintain a state of equanimity that is consistent with the office, for, as the mammy-wagon said “No condition Is Permanent.” By nature’s design, incumbents will be become former occupants. You cannot be President for life or forever; not in Nigeria! And, the chicken will always come home to roost. • Angelicus-M. B. Onasanya, DBA Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State

It’s election, not war

IR: Campaigns across all levels have reached feverish pitch, with respective party candidates trying hard to dot the ‘Is’ and cross the ‘Ts’. All that matters and are of utmost importance at the moment is simply how to coast home to victory in next month’s elections. Politicians aren’t bothered about the fact that Baga, a town in Borno has been taken over by Boko Haram insurgents, politicians are not bothered that all government owned hospitals and courts have been shut down owing to industrial actions. We remind these politicians that what we are preparing for is just an election, not a war! Should we continue in this direction, we would one day wake up and discover that the very country we proudly call our own has ceased to exist. Most Nigerians are so obsessed with politics and politicians that we allow several important issues to go unattended to. Serious pre-election questions are mounting on, but we have resolved never to get credible answers to them. So many unanswered questions stare us in the face, yet we act as if all is just okay with our country. Nigerians have surrendered their beloved country to economic plun-

derers, political saboteurs, religious merchants, mercantile media as well as social misfits. Men and women of integrity have distanced themselves from issues of governance, thereby allowing opportunists with little or no knowledge of what governance entails to run the show. We need to constantly remind those seeking elective positions the need for them to anchor their campaigns on facts, figures and verifiable statistics and not on mundane matters. We expect these men to narrow their arguments to how they intend to raise the bar of leadership, improve security, provide qualitative and highly subsidized education and healthcare, eradicate corruption and put in place schemes that will promote entrepreneurship. This is the way to go. Why are our politicians not harping on the many socio-economic and political malaise confronting Nigeria? Why are the campaigners not stating in clear terms what they intend to carryout if given the opportunity to govern? Let me quickly dwell on the obvious shortcomings inherent in the campaigns of both President Goodluck Jonathan and that of General Muhammadu Buhari. It’s been

a disastrous outing for both of them, especially in the case of Goodluck Jonathan. Both of them have reduced campaigns to a matter of you “insult me and I insult you back”. I think their handlers are not offering them the right briefs on what they should address or speak on. Ideally, a campaign speech or address should be expository, persuasive, convincing and moving. Not speeches laced with invectives, insults, demeaning words and defamatory lines. Many had really expected Gen. Buhari to have armed himself with necessary details as to how he intends to run Nigeria’s economy if elected. By now we had expected him to offer more insights into what he plans to do differently. Instead, Gen. Buhari has chosen to be very brief in his remarks at a time Nigerians want him to speak more. As for Dr Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP, he began his campaign rally on a very disastrous and disappointing note in Lagos. He blasted his chances. He spoke like an angry person. Very harsh, illogical and annoyingly repetitive. Many had expected President Jonathan to dwell more on what he has done since he assumed office in the last six years. Regrettably, he didn’t. Instead, he went after the personality of Buhari,

forgetting that he was doing immeasurable favour to his major challenger. Ironically, the more he castigates his opponent, the more people accept him as their man. Tell Nigerians why your government has been unable to end insurgency in the north east. Tell Nigerians what your frustrations are with regards to tackling corruption. In clear terms, tell us why the economy is in tatters. As our candidates continue their campaign visits to other states, they should do well to scale down on rhetorics and dwell more on serious issues. No buck passing, mudslinging, hate speech, character assassination and other indecorous conducts. They should do well to caution their supporters against making careless utterances. Campaigns should be based on ideas, issues and implementable policies. Politicians shouldn’t go into the forthcoming polls with an i-mustwin-at-all-cost mentality. No one’s political aspirations should be placed beyond national considerations. Elections will come and go, Nigeria will remain a united country. Its called election, not war. •Abdullahi Yunusa Imane, Kogi State

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

COMMENTS

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and his alienated godfather, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have been heating up the polity, with their lessthan-presidential bile. In fairness though, the former president is the guiltier party, for the president’s youare-no- statesman-but-motor-park-tout retort would appear from a person pushed to the wall by a ferocious, relentless and unsparing foe. lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Still, no tears for President Jonathan. He emerged by conspiracy — a pan-Nigeria gang-up that delivered a pan-Nigeria mandate of Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, fired by mass hysteria against the North, and its legitimate — and illegitifall guy of Obasanjo’s age-old wilful infliction of suspect succesmate — expectations, following the death, in office, of President sors on the polity, yet growl most at their clear non-performance, Umaru Yar’Adua. in contrast to his own “golden years” in office. Ironically, Obasanjo was proudly part of that thumping antiIn 1979 Gen. Obasanjo, as exiting military head of state, was so zoning, false testimony-bearing orchestra; swearing on their eager to deliver Alhaji Shehu Shagari as president, that his mili(dis)honour that there was nothing like zoning, just to pave the tary junta even conspired to scuttle a looming electoral college way for Jonathan, who Obasanjo verily believed would be a face-off between National Party of Nigeria, NPN’s Shagari and puppet, he could manipulate anyhow. Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN’s Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Now, if Jonathan emerged by pan-Nigeria conspiracy and antiThe trigger was NPN National Legal Adviser, Chief Richard North hysteria, why shouldn’t he vanish by another pan-Nigeria Akinjide’s controversial twelve-two-third legalistic joker. It mandate of Northern Nigeria and the South West, fired by mass claimed Shagari needed to win, not by a spread of 25 per cent in 13 pro-Muhammadu Buhari hysteria, itself powered by pan-Nigeria states (mathematically, the twelve-two-third of the then 19 states, outrage against crass incompetence and rank insensitivity? earlier affirmed by Michael Ani’s Federal Electoral Commission, Still, Obasanjo’s latest bombing, which elicited Jonathan’s rather FEDECO), but by 25 per cent in 12 states, and a fraction of the 13th! inelegant riposte, was rather predictable. The Supreme Court upheld this contentious argument but hur“When we left in May 2007,” Obasanjo thundered with patriried to add the judgment would not be cited as precedence in otic rage, “the reserve was said to have been raised to US $35 future cases! million. But today, that reserve has been depleted. Our reserves,” Now, why did Obasanjo do this? Some said he wanted to imhe added, after exiting the debt overhang in 2005/2006, “was US press the North at Awo’s expense. Maybe. $45 billion ... I heard that the reserve increased to almost US $67 But others insisted Obasanjo did it because he sensed if Awo billion. [But] our reserves now ...” he rued, “is left with around became president, he would lose his anticipated bragging right only US $30 billion.” that things were far better under him, than under his successors. Long and short? Jonathan is an irredeemable spendthrift, unSo, when the 2nd Republic collapsed after four years, Obasanjo worthy of public trust. That could well be, though his economic was quite happy to wear a chip on his shoulders: that the succeedczarina, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has written a long letter to rebut ing Buhari-Idiagbon regime claimed the Murtala-Obasanjo rethat claim. gime was its nativity. The biting irony that Obasanjo himself deBut the irony of ironies! Mrs Okonjo-Iweala was in charge, legitimised Shagari, on account of the twelve-two-thirds controwhen President Obasanjo was amassing the huge reserves. Now, versy, never troubled his patriotic soul! What is more? When he this same Okonjo-Iweala is in charge, as President Jonathan is came back in 1999, Baba lamented that all he left in 1979 had busy depleting them! vanished! So, is Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s equivalent of the late Senegalese That same crass illogic drives Obasanjo’s present gloating. Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter, aside from trenchant self-defence, After inflicting a fatally ill Umaru Yar’Adua on the country, via proof that Breton-Woods’ local under-development agency is alive his infamous do-or-die (s)election of 2007 — the most horrible in and well? Nigeria’s history — Obasanjo disowned poor Umoru, on his death Still, even if Jonathan is guilty as charged, he is only the latest bed: resign with honour, he thundered, if you are given a job and can’t do it! ‘Where was Obasanjo waxing lyrical about you It was another especially callous call from the Olusegun his hot love for Nigeria? The Olusegun Obasanjo brutal stable! Even if his formerly beloved Umoru was too gone to feel anything, what about the hurting folks he left Obasanjo Presidential Library of profoundly far behind? The same Obasanjo would carpet Yar’Adua, in his new book, suspect moral provenance!

epublican ipples

Olakunle Abimbola

Yet again, Sege talks the talk

IGERIANS describing the President’s outbursts at the PDP presidential rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos last week as a moment of revelation are only partially right. As far as revelations go, that outing neither added anything new nor did it reveal any new trait in a president ever too eager to fly off the handle at the slightest irritation. Aside the familiar effusions of a public figure pretending to be inured to criticism, what emerged was the ultra-defensiveness of a cornered man; a statement made out of a keen sense awareness of the dire implications of performing an elementary public duty. Just when one would imagine that the President would take on an issue that many of his “enemies” would rather have him hung on the guillotine in broad daylight, what we saw was a President, who in a fit of indignation, opted to trivialise a malaise that has grown to cancerous proportions. To him, corruption was not just an overblown non-issue; it required no extra-ordinary measures to tame. Here is how he puts it: “If somebody tells you that the best way to fight corruption is to come and arrest your mother and father and show them on television, will that stop corruption? In fact, it will even encourage corruption. We are shooting armed robbers but is that stopping them? So, arresting people and showing them on television sets will do nothing. We must set up institutions and strengthen them in order to prevent people from stealing public money. That is what we are working on and we are succeeding.” Seems perfectly in the character of a President, who once, in a fit of indignation over demands that he publicly declare his assets would retort: “The issue of public asset declaration is a matter of personal principle. That is the way I see it, and I don’t give a damn about it, even if you criticise me from heaven. When I was the Vice President, that matter came up, and I told the former President (late Umaru Yar’Adua) let’s not start something that would make us play into the hands of people and create an anomalous situation in the country”. That statement, unknown to most Nigerians at the time, would later set not just the moral tone, but the directing principle of the laissez-faire administration. The charge of course was that the President was not just soft on corruption, but that the administration which he heads is more than any before it, corruption-compliant. In what appeared as a well-timed testimonial, the President’s “adopted father”, Ibrahim Babangida had, only days before, declared his administration’s no less sordid record as child play compared to brazen looting going on under his godson. Here is how he compared the two eras: “Maybe I have to accept that but anybody with a sense of fairness has no option but to call us saints. I give you an example, in a year; I was making less than $7 billion in oil revenue but in the same period

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

The President is angry! there were governments that were making between $200 billion and $300 billion…With $7 billion, I did the best I could but with $200 billion there is still a lot to be achieved. I don’t have all the facts but if what I read in the papers is what is currently happening, then I think we were saints.” Remember that his arch-nemesis, Olusegun Obasanjo had earlier on written off the administration as spendthrift citing what he called the administration’s gross mismanagement of both the excess crude account and the foreign reserve. If we expected the president to mount a robust defence of his “record”, it was his moment to sift, select and serve Nigerians a brew of convenient “facts”, a veritable platform to rationalise the all-round paralysis that dogged his so-called fight against corruption. His administration, he would insist, had curbed corruption in the civil service and the agricultural sector. The former via the adoption of IPIS, a payroll system designed to eliminate theft; the other through the Electronic Wallet designed by local IT gurus! No pronouncment on the riddle of the “missing” $20 billion and on the inquiry ordered by the President himself. Not even a passing acknowledgement of the pension scam under which some select few, made away with hundreds of billions of naira belonging to Nigeria’s senior citizens. Today, one of the chief culprits, Abdul Rasheed Maina, is reported to be living large somewhere in the Middle East, with free passage generously supplied by the administration under Jonathan’s due process waiver! What of the subsidygate under which a supposedly democratic administration would ratchet a bill of $17 billion (approximately N2.7 trillion) on fuel subsidies as against the $8bn (N1.2 trillion) appropriated? Or the quantum jump in

My Watch, as an ingrate — a dead man that cannot defend himself? Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential incompetence is clear, without Obasanjo’s huffing-and-puffing. But can Obasanjo wash himself clean of it? Obasanjo puritanically bombs Jonathan he is hopeless spendthrift — which probably he is — judging from the Jonathan Presidency’s record. But what of Obasanjo’s own fatally flawed strategy of hoarding money as “reserves”, when local decayed infrastructure needed urgent fixing? Obasanjo’s all-wise, economic holy writ: reserves is it, do-or-

die! Still, juxtapose Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s simple and profane theory, on his own Gulf War oil windfall: “Our argument then was if you have the money, why keep it and be looking at it, when you have a lot that will benefit the ordinary man. So, that money was not stolen. See the fatal danger of showing off grand ideas, when you don’t even understand simple ones? The notorious fact: with all Obasanjo’s grating noise, he has not, all his public life, nurtured any worthwhile successor to edify his legacy. Yet, he has been military head of state and two-term elected president! Contrast his tale with common Bola Tinubu, a comparable toddler in power and politics, being only two-term governor of Lagos. Asiwaju Tinubu raised Babatunde Fashola, SAN, to build on his legacy in Lagos; and also inspired post-Tinubu tenure development governance in Nigeria’s South West. Now, perhaps you realise how hollow Obasanjo’s eternal jeremiad, over his useless successors, really sounds! Even, Obasanjo’s ad nauseam love for Nigeria is, at best, a happy marriage of showy public love and intense private gain. What, for instance, does OFN mean? Operation Feed the Nation — an Obasanjo military rule agricultural policy? Obasanjo Farms Nigeria — an Obasanjo post-head of state private enterprise? Or Operation Fool the Nation — a not-so-illegitimate interpretation, given how the Land Use Decree powered the first two OFNs! Pray, where was Obasanjo waxing lyrical about his love for Nigeria, while meeting the Yoruba market women leaders? The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library of profoundly suspect moral provenance! So long for hot love for Nigeria and cold love for own pocket! President Jonathan should, other things being equal, meet his electoral waterloo on February 14. But let Obasanjo not delude himself he wasn’t the mastermind of Jonathan, whose meltdown must be removed, if the country were not to melt down with it! Obasanjo made many bad calls, as Nigeria’s wannabe messiah. Jonathan is only the latest of those mistakes. Therefore, let him quietly deal with those costly errors, without insulting the polity with his eternal posturing of peculiar patriotism.

the number of fuel importers from six in 2006 to a record 140 in 2011? Now we know why those fictional ships, which reportedly fleeced the nation to the tune of N422, 542,937,668.59 would never be brought to book. In Jonathan’s book, due process trumps all! What do we know about the waiver-gate supervised by Jonathan’s finance minister and coordinator of the economy Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala? It couldn’t get worse that a selfacclaimed business-friendly administration would be seen as encouraging indiscriminate issuance of waivers. But then, it emerged that the administration could not resist helping its partners with the lucrative waivers. Today, we now know, and it is public record, that the administration actually gave out waivers to the tune of N1.4 trillion in the three years between January 2011 and September 2013, as against Minister Okonjo-Iweala’s claim of N171 billion. If we insist on not flogging an already dead issue – the matter of Stella Oduah’s purchase of two bullet-proof vehicles for the princely sum of N225 million, what about the extortion by Abba Moro of N1,000 from applicants seeking the Nigeria Immigration Service job at the end which 19 of them lost their lives? Isn’t minister still sitting pretty as minister in Jonathan’s morallychallenged cabinet? The President no doubt has a right to be angry. His anger is understandable. This is an election season. He probably assumed that a day like this would never come. As things are fast turning out, he couldn’t be more wrong. The issue however is that his anger is misdirected. I believe that the target of the President’s anger ought to be the laissez-faire type of leadership which he provided and which his uninspiring team exploited to the hilt. As things stand, he would do a better job of directing his ministers and legion of courtiers to get down to the business of rendering the accounts. Should that be too much to ask after six years of stewardship?

‘I believe that the target of the President’s anger ought to be the laissez-faire type of leadership which he provided and which his uninspiring team exploited to the hilt... he would do a better job of directing his ministers and legion of courtiers to get down to the business of rendering the accounts’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

COMMENTS ”It is true that there was always corruption and fraud. But the extent of corruption in Sri Lanka in the last few years is utterly unprecedented” – Maithripala Sirisena (former opposition candidate, newly elected president).

PENING the electoral season for the 2015, Sri Lankans who went to the polls on January 8 to elect their president pulled a stunning election upset and dumped their former over-confident leader, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaska, who had called the election two years before it was due. The Sri Lankans elected the candidate of the opposition alliance, the 63-year old Maithripala Sirisena, who campaigned against the debilitating corruption of the former ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance that is eating away at the fabric of Sri Lankan society. The former president, Mr Rajapaska, who crushed the insurgency of the vicious 25-year Tamil Tiger armed confrontation with the state in 2009 had easily won re-election in 2010 and basking in the euphoria, the former strongman scrapped the constitutional limits of two terms, angling to become a maximum ruler. The rebuilding of infrastructure following the defeat of the Tigers provided a huge avenue for cronies of the regime to help themselves generously to the public till. Extensive nepotism in which the relatives and kinsmen of the former president manned key government positions added to the erosion of public confidence in the administration. But after the former president allegedly consulted his astrologer, Sumanadasa

‘In Nigeria, whose election calendar is coming quick in the heels of the Sri Lanka’s election tsunami, corruption is also taking centre stage. The ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party far from having in its pocket, the containment of the Boko Haram insurgency, unlike its Sri Lankan counterpart that crushed the tigers, is actually being overwhelmed by the insurgency’

Corruption: Lessons from Sri Lanka By Charles Onunaiju Abeygunawardena, who had predicted an easy win for the 69 year old strongman, Mr Rajapaska called a snap election two years before it was due with the opposition sweeping to victory with 51.28% of total votes. The defeated ruling party managed to scoop 47.58% in a high turnout of 81.52% of the total registered voters. The formerly fractious opposition had united under the common candidacy of Mr. Sirisena, who himself belonged to the majority ethnic Sinhalese, from the where the former president hailed. Mr Rajapaska, who crushed the Tamil Tigers but without effective reconciliation with the Tamil minority population in the north of the country, had them, looking over his shoulder for a conciliating national leader. The Tamils, Muslim and Christian minorities, who endured the nepotism and corruption of the Rajapaska regime seized the opportunity of the snap election to throw in their lots with the opposition alliance whom they helped sweep to victory. According to the former opposition, the former government and its hangers-on has through public infrastructure projects looted public funds, leaving majority of Sri Lankans in economic misery with bourgeoning social tensions. The opposition insisted that should the ruling party be re-elected, Sri Lankans in no time would have no country, except one wreaked by poverty and misery. It warned that while the regime’s hangerson live in an unfathomable affluence, the ordinary Sri Lankans whether the minority or even the majority ethnic Sinhalese would sink further into misery except they cease the opportunity of the snap election, confidently called by the ruling party to end its corruption and nepotism. The message resonated very deeply and profoundly too to the Sri Lankans, who in exercising their vote, took out the ruling party in the historic January 8 election. Even with the victory over the former re-

HE story of the PDP-led federal government and its mishandling of the affairs in Nigeria, is that of the worthlessness of power in the hands of inept, deficient and clueless people whose understanding of governance is limited, selfish and dangerous. Very soon, it will be 15 years that the party has been in power at the federal level and without a doubt, these have been years of grave misadventure that has put almost every sector in the country in disarray. The economy is in distress, security of life and property is ignored and dignity of man is compromised. Salaries are being owed in some federal agencies, power is neglected, law and order is jeopardized and the whole country is in serious crisis. And from all indications, things are not likely to get any better, as the government at the centre has imposed a regime of austerity measures on hapless Nigerians, who, as usual, would have to bear the brunt of its incompetence and insensibility. Indeed, Nigerians have never had it so bad. Unfortunately, when people with sound economic and financial minds were raising alarm of an impending economic doom, the PDP economic spin doctors, like in the NPN days, were shamelessly proclaiming that all was well. Now we know better! It is sad that even our oil has become a curse on us as Nigerians now suffer more than when we lived only on agriculture. Today, the country, even as the sixth oil producing country in the world, continues to import fuel for local use because the PDP-led federal government has found it difficult to fix the refineries. Abu Dhabi, the capital and second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, is today a major world’s tourist and travel hub. Its creation is a manifestation of the miracles which the leaders of UAE have performed with their oil resources. In our own case, what can we really pin-point as the most enduring legacies of our huge oil wealth, particularly, in the past fourteen years except the consistent monthly stealing of our oil. On infrastructure, the federal government has lost completely as federal roads remain dead traps across the country. The big question is what exactly does it really cost to turn all federal roads into world class monuments with modern road furniture? Or what exactly is preventing the federal government from seeing the nexus between good road network and economic growth? It is true that we have the resources to make Nigeria a true giant but do we have creative and innovative leadership to conceive and implement such people-friendly projects that can take us there in the PDP-led federal government? Sadly, what we presently have at the federal level is a clueless, incompetent and amateurish leadership whose understanding of governance is impunity. Successive federal governments in the country have been

silient guerrilla – the Tamil Tigers in the pocket, the ruling party, the United Peoples Freedom Alliance of Mr Rajapaska, had a difficult time convincing the ordinary Sri Lankans that corruption is a non-issue and that ending the torment of the formerly brutal Tamil Tigers was the issue for all time. By plucking in to the opposition, the Sri Lankans showed that they understood very clearly that corruption is not mere abstraction, but a crucial variable that affect the qualities of their health care delivery, and access to education, water supply and other crucial services, including even the quality of food on their tables. With governmentprotected stalwarts who have their hands in the public till, corruption could never be an abstract issue or a non-political starter either in Sri Lanka or Nigeria, where its corrosive impact have left millions of young people in a state of hopelessness. In Nigeria, whose election calendar is coming quick in the heels of the Sri Lanka’s election tsunami, corruption is also taking centre stage. The ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party far from having in its pocket, the containment of the Boko Haram insurgency, unlike its Sri Lankan counterpart that crushed the tigers, is actually being overwhelmed by the insurgency. Even mocking the opposition for its highlight of the devastating impact of corruption in public life, the ruling party’s candidate and the president, Mr Goodluck Jonathan said that while the opposition is poised to throw corrupt people behind bars, he would continue to follow the ‘due process and rule of law’ in the treatment of corrupt people. Nigerians are not definitely forgetting that following “due process and rule of law”, has rendered several cases of corruption involving formerly key public office holders either inconclusive or abruptly discontinued from government intervention through an application of the federal attorney general’s office. Even assets temporarily siezed by statutory government agencies in the course of investigation were returned to the suspected fraudsters in apparently partisan-motivated

Clueless party, directionless government By Lateef Ibirogba known to be traditionally prodigal but the PDP-led government has taken profligacy and kleptomania to an inconceivable height while impunity has suddenly become the order of the day. There have been widespread unconfirmed reports of gross mismanagement of the country’s foreign reserves. Government anti-corruption agencies that were hitherto stepping up in the anti-corruption crusade have suddenly become complacent. Indeed, there have been insinuations that the PDP led federal government is a major clog in the wheel of anti-corruption agencies as it is being accused of compromising justice on the altar of political expediency. Those who vehemently uphold this view readily point to the inability of the anti-corruption agencies to see any of the corruption cases they have been handling, in the past four years, to a logical conclusion. A former Minister in the PDP led federal government, whose corruption case has been bungled, presently holds a key position in the Jonathan reelection campaign machinery. What then makes a government that shields corrupt public officers from justice deserve the mandate of the people? The party’s insensitivity to the power needs of Nigerians and their inability to connect power to the growth of the economy have made them turn Nigeria into a large market for power generator sellers. Thus, despite the billions of naira that we have supposedly spent to rejuvenate the nation’s power sector, the power situation in the country still remains epileptic. The productive manufacturing interests in the country have folded up while some multi -national companies have relocated the core of their business interests to neighbouring countries as a result of unstable power supply and the resultant high cost of doing business in the country. Considering the centrality of power to the continued existence and buoyancy of other sectors in the country, it is not surprising that things are bad across all sectors. As it is the case with their handling of economy and power, public security is equally in a mess. Aside the civil war era, there is, perhaps, no other time in our national history that the country’s security has been so threatened like now. In its characteristic style, the PDP-led federal government has

decision by the PDP controlled federal government. The most depressing of these serial politically-motivated compromise involved one Mr. Ifeanyi Uba, whose capital oil and gas company taken in by the asset management company (AMCON) for alleged debt of nearly N50 billion was ordered returned to him by the federal government without any resolution of the debt issue. That individual is alleged to be the financial patron of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a key advocacy group of the president Jonathan re-election effort. Try as the ruling party might to exert itself, it will be hard as the formerly SriLankan ruling party has found out, to banish corruption and its corrosive impact from the key issues affecting the voting decisions of the electorates in the February 14 presidential poll. The newly elected Sri Lankan leader, Mr Sirisena has promised to deal fatal blows to corruption and even limit the presidential powers that have been deployed in the past to condone it. According to him, all those stalwarts of the former ruling party and their accessories who previously help themselves unhindered to the public treasury must come to terms that the day of reckoning is here. President Jonathan spoke glowing recently about measures his government has taken to block loopholes of the financial leakages in the public service. In the most comprehensive anti-corruption campaign in the modern Chinese history, its president, Mr Xi Xinping set to catch not only the low and medium scale crooks which he dubbed the ‘flies’ but also to bring to account, heavyweight political figures that he characterized as ‘tigers’. Now he has not only netted several ‘flies’ but some ‘tigers’ that are previously sacred cows. The former member of the ruling ninemember standing committee of the politburo, the most powerful collegiate leadership of the party and state, Mr Zhou Yokang is in the net for corruption. He is the highest official of the ruling party and state to stand trial for corruption since the political and economic reforms in the late 1970s. Corruption has bounced in the front burner in several countries for its extensive corrosive impact. Will Nigeria be different? • Onunaiju is journalist based in Abuja.

muddled up the security situation through its uninspiring approach to tackling issues involved. At first, the government accused opposition of sponsoring Boko Haram. Later, the President claimed that there are Boko Haram members in his government. While it initially shunned having discussion with the group, the government turned around to do the exact opposite and has strangely announced the death of Shekau, the leader of the deadly group, two times even as the group has come out deadlier and is still waxing stronger. The sect is daily gaining more of our towns and villages in the North-East and has even at one time hoisted its flag in captured territory and yet the PDP government wants to continue in power. It took the intervention of 17-year-old Pakistani child rights activist, Malala Yousefzai, for the presidency to meet with the parents of the fateful Chibok girls. This is even as the First Lady, at a time, turned an otherwise very sensitive national security issue into a comedy of a sort with her, “There is God o”. Nollywood–like episode. It was that bad! In one breathe; the government celebrated a spurious cease fire agreement it purportedly secured with Boko Haram. But 24 hours later, the dastardly group was up in arms against hapless civilians. Till date, we are yet to have official explanations about how the ill-fated cease fire was bungled. The justice system has also been perverse by the PDP. When judges are not being slapped by purported PDP thugs, the party and its government obey only the court orders that suit them. When an Abuja High Court pronounced judgment removing the Godspower Ake-led PDP leadership in Rivers State, the order enjoyed full and prompt implementation, but when an Appeal Court ruled in favour of former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as the National Secretary of the PDP, Oyinlola and his other colleagues were hurriedly suspended by the party. The PDP’s culture of impunity has rub off on the police. When a state Commissioner of Police publicly calls a sitting governor, the supposed Chief Security Officer of the state, unprintable names, you need not to be told that things have fallen apart. To unsuspecting minds, the PDP’s bungling of the Nigerian project could be shocking. But, given the character of the party, will anybody be surprised that it is performing woefully? Will anybody begrudge the Abuja power drunken people for not having the people in mind? Will it actually surprise anybody that the party and its leaders are milking the country dry or is their level of impunity surprising to anybody? Do you therefore doubt their cluelessness when the president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan himself has written off Nigeria with his vituperation that ‘Our generation has failed Nigeria’? • Ibirogba is Commissioner for Informastion & Strategy, Lagos State

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

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This case is about an attempt on the life of the monarch and we want to pursue it to ensure that justice is done.

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See page 39

Justice Ebenezer Adebajo retired from the Lagos State judiciary after serving for 10 years. In this interview with ADEBISI ONANUGA, he speaks on his tenure, saying contrary to what people think, the life of a judge is punishing.

‘Judges must be bold, confident’ SEE PAGE 26

INSIDE

Adebajo Lawyers root for Osinbajo Page 28

‘How lawyers in govt can remain relevant’

‘Why I’m campaigning for change’

Page 37

Page 38

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

LAW COVER CONT’D •Continued from page 25

judge to use his discretion.

From your experience, how do you think judges can be shielded from corrupt practices? Well, my experience is limited to Lagos State and I think despite the fact that Lagos is a highly social environment, the judges have been able to shield themselves and even if you meet a litigant, you can just easily walk away when he starts discussing his case.

HAT is your assessment of the judiciary in 2014? I believe that the judiciary has always performed well and will continue to perform well. The judiciary itself knows when there has been an outside interference, but where I was saddened was where the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) markedly washed the dirty linen of the judiciary in the public. It shouldn’t be done like that because it affected the public perception of the institution. If there is a bad apple in a basket, you remove the bad apple quietly, you don’t empty the basket on the floor and start to push them around, saying which one is bad. No. You gently remove the one that you believe should not be there and take it out. It is a discreet thing. If you are talking of extra-judicial, legal influence, is it only in this country? It goes on around the world. There is no government that does not wish to put its influence on the court. In the United States (US) election when Al Gore was contesting for the presidency, you could see the Supreme Court divided along party lines and Al Gore lost. So why are we making so much noise here?

How was your normal day as a judge like? I think it was punitive. Each judge would have his own style of how the day goes for him. I would wake up at 3 ‘O’ clock in the morning and I would go to my study, read or write. I find the morning very nice time to read, I absorb quicker. Then by 8.30 or 9am, I would be on the way to court. I would sit till 2pm, sometimes 4pm or 5pm. And after the day’s sitting, I would sit down in the chambers and relax a little, and then go home. At home, I would relax more, have my dinner and return to my study. That is basically the life of a judge. Are the remuneration and welfare package of a judge commensurate with his job ? To say it is adequate or inadequate, you would want to compare it with another set of people and that is the difficulty about saying whether it is adequate or not. But I think the welfare package of a sitting judge has to be improved and I believe that the way and manner a judge would go into retirement has to be improved. I think we have to look at other jurisdictions in Africa, which will show that we are not enjoying the best.

Are you saying that the judiciary should be involved in party politics? No, that is not what I am saying. In America, the President will always appoint to the Supreme Court a candidate whose temperament is close to that of his party’s manifesto. So, Obama appointed a woman to the Supreme Court, whose temperament was more that of a Democrat and not of a Republican. And a Republican President would appoint somebody whose temperament is that of a Republican and not of a Democrat. What I am bringing out is that there is nowhere there is not some influence, but that doesn’t mean that we should, here in Nigeria, take out our judges, hold them up and dangle them out and say: ‘Hey, this is a corrupt judge.’ It affects the institution itself. What was your journey to the bench like? My journey to the bench was mono-dimensional. I went into practice and I stayed in practice for over 20 years before moving to the bench. Maybe I overstayed in practice, but my journey to the bench was directly that of a legal practitioner growing from the Bar and stepping up into the Bench. But it is to be noted that a lot of the experience that I had were from the late Chief S.O. Moroundiya, a man from Ibadan, whose chambers was then located at Ikeja. I was with him for several years and there, I think, I cut my teeth in practice. He was a man of many parts and I can say that I learnt a great deal from him. Your years on the bench, what was the experience like ? I was appointed as a judge in January 2004, sworn in as judge of the High Court of Lagos State on May 2004. I had a period of 10 years on the bench because the law says I must retire at 65, but most of the time I spent on the bench was at the Badagry Division of the High Court. On the formation of the Badagry Division, I was the first judge to sit there and I was the only judge in that division for six years. I was involved in general civil litigation, which means that anything from divorce to land matters, to kingship disputes to monetary, indebtedness to fundamental human rights. It was such a cocktail of work and it brought out everything I had learnt from the Bar. But for the time that I was there, I think I appreciated being in Badagry. It was a most enjoyable experience. But I must say that I spent six years there, whereas, ordinarily, a judge should be at a particular place only for a period of three years. What made your case peculiar? It was the Chief Judge at the time. It was just the attitude that ‘we have sent him there, we can forget about that place’. It was an ignored court. Some of the running of the court was from my own pocket. The authorities, as it were, in Lagos then did not care about looking after the judge, who was there and the attitude of judges was that it was like sending someone to Siberia. But, of course, if you have the right attitude of mind, Siberia can be an enjoyable place. I enjoyed myself there, but I should not have been there for that long. While in Badagry, what attempts did you make to upgrade the division? By the time I was leaving, another Chief Judge had come in and decided that things must change and in the course of her time she started seeing to the upgrading of the court in Badagry. She started seeing to providing accommodation for a judge, who would be sitting in Badagry. When I was

How did you relax as a judge? If you want to enjoy Law as a profession, the practice as well as being on the bench, you cannot afford not to have reading as a hobby. Reading must be your habit. And when reading is your habit, you find that you can drop your file and pick up some other book that is non-law. Equally, the television is there, but when I was on the bench I had the benefit of two friends who are medical doctors, one Dr. Omotayo and Prof. Atoyebi and once a week, I would join them at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Staff Club, where everybody else is doctor. So, the danger of somebody mentioning a case is very remote. The danger of my offending somebody, who has a case in my court is very remote. So, I joined them there and relaxed. Also, on Tuesday evenings, I played Table Tennis at the Ikoyi Club. I am a member of that club. • Justice Adebajo (rtd)

‘Judges must be bold, confident’ there, I was using my own money to pay for my accommodation. When was your most challenging period on the Bench? Well, when a judge is newly appointed that initial stage is challenging because it is a fresh perception of the work. So, it is a different mindset. You have to get used to the judiciary, you have to get used to your being the point of concentration and you have to get used to the fact that so much is expected from you because so much has been given to you. So, that in itself is a challenge. And I think that as you go along because of the various cases that come to you, it is not a question of dealing with pen and paper. You are dealing with human lives and activities. And whatever you do, when you give a judgment, the consequence will affect so many people. I remember a land matter where the people on both sides, one traditional ruler was claiming that the vast area of land was under his sovereignty, the other people were saying no, ‘we are not under your sovereignty; we stand on our own’. Whichever way that judgment was to go, it would affect the lives of so many people because so many had built houses on the land and now you might have to change who the ownership is and who

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they owe their right to stay on the land to. If you change that, it means they have no land at all as it happened in the case of the Onitire and Ojora. So when you face these things and you are writing your judgment, you take double care, you become cautious. Am I doing what is right? And at the end of the day when the conscience of the judge allays his fears and he follows the law, he is able to do justice. He is comfortable that he has done justice, whichever way it goes. The fact that there is an appeal on it is neither here nor there for him. That is a different issue, but he would have done what he ought to have done. Which case did you find most challenging? I think there was no case that did not have its challenges. When you are affecting the lives of so many people, you are conscious that this thing has its consequences; you are extra careful. We often heard of corrupt judges. Was there ever a time that you were tempted by litigants during your time on the bench? No matter how much the lifestyle of a judge tends to shield the judge from litigants, litigants would always come. People will always find a way or the other. But it is for the

There is hardly any security provided for judges in Nigeria today. It is next to nil and it shouldn’t be

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Looking at the recent desecration of the judiciary in Ekiti State, would you say judges are safe ? There is hardly any security provided for judges in Nigeria today. It is next to nil and it shouldn’t be. As to what happened in Ekiti, I have given my own impression and it’s unfortunate that what I said was not followed. If it had been followed, a lot of things would be set right in the judiciary today. What was your reaction to the incident? At that time, I said the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) should shut down the judiciary in Ekiti State. If she had done so at that time, they would have found that there is a political quagmire and they would have had to address the issue of the judiciary and the safety of judges. Because the Constitution provides that it is only the Chief Judge of a state that can swear in an incoming governor. And it was the Chief Judge, who was slapped, that now went to shake hands and swear in the man who…, well, I should not say much. So what would you say is the fate of the judiciary in the hands of politicians? The country itself has to be wary as to the institution of the judiciary. The judiciary is the last hope of the nation. After they have done all their nonsense, they now bring themselves to the judiciary. It is comforting that we have people in the hierarchy of the judiciary who have insisted that the it must protect itself from the politicians and the general trend of affairs in the country. The judiciary must protect itself. It must not allow itself to be fiddled with. How do you see the mode of appointment of judges in Nigeria? There is a wrong in the manner we appoint judges. When you say merit, it comprises of a series of elements. Merit is broad and it is fluid and it is not a static and hard-defined thing. It contains human elements. Merit includes so many things that we will call longleg. The most important is that the person, •Continued on page 27

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

LAW COVER CONT’D

‘Judges must be bold, confident’ •Continued from page 26

who is appointed should be able to live up to the responsibility of that appointment. That is what we should be looking for. And falling short of living up to that responsibility, he should be able to say I will leave the office. So, I am satisfied with the way it is now. What have you missed since your retirement? Before the date of my retirement, I had wound down mentally from the work. My frame of mind was that the work was coming to an end. But, as of today, I do miss the camaraderie with my colleagues. When I joined the bench, I think judges in Lagos State at that time were somewhat stiff to one another. But along the line we started going on retreats. We were spending a week to 10 days out of the country, on another location, going through some legal matters and also, sharing jokes with ourselves. It has engendered a comradeship within the judiciary and I think it has been good for the Bench. So, on that note I have missed my colleagues. Looking back, do you have any regrets on the bench? I don’t think I have any regrets. Maybe some one or two things I could have done better, yes, but I have no regrets. There is the notion that there is a decline in the quality of the Bar, having spent over 20 years before moving to the Bench, what is your take on this? Yes, there is no doubt that the quality of legal practitioners in the country is on the decline. There is no doubt that the Body of Benchers, which is responsible for calling lawyers to the Bar is not doing its job. If you look at the accountancy profession, they have insisted on minimising the number of people coming into that profession so that they could look after the standard. The standard has been eroded in the legal profession. English is the tool of the lawyer. There are so many untutored chambers. I don’t know whether it is error or innovation. They present processes in court attempting to make innovations and Law is not a profession that gives room for innovations. It a very staid profession and on the Bench I had to admit to lawyers that look, I am an old school and the legal profession is about being old school. It is a very conservative profession, but the Body of Benchers are the people who would see to the number of lawyers being admitted into the profession. I would insist that 1,000 lawyers in a year are too many for Nigeria. In this wise, I would also point fingers at the National Universities Commission (NUC). So, what is the NUC doing about that? What is the Body of Benchers doing about that? When you are putting 2,000, 3,000 lawyers into the system every year, it is gross error and that is why today you have lawyers, who are earning a salary of N20,000, something less than what a clerk is being paid. I think those people, who have been given this responsibility, those who have accepted to take those responsibilities, should look again at what they are doing. I do not think they are doing the country a favour. What do you think INEC should do about the N21 billion raised as campaign fund for President Jonathan? I am reluctant to go into those areas that deal with politicians. I would just leave them to do whatever they want to do. They are above the law. But it is said that nobody is above the law. Are you referring to what happened in Ekiti where the matter that was supposed to go on could not go on? The matter is still in court. It is the question of whether the Chief Judge is worth his judgeship or not. Somebody has filed a case except if the CJ does not wish to proceed with that case and that would be the value of his judgeship. What about immunity clause? The governor now enjoys immunity clause. There is no immunity in a pre-election matter. It’s not a matter for the election tribunal, it is a pre-election matter; a matter that actually affected what is supposed to be before the election, except that you are saying that it is time-barred.

What should be put in place to provide a conducive environment for judges who would preside over election petitions after the 2015 general elections? I think when the time comes the Chief Judge, who is responsible for that would address the issue. What changes would you like to see in the judiciary in the new year? I’d like to see bolder judges; self-confident, grand boldness. That is what I’d like to see the boldness of a judge to say it as it really should be. Delayed justice has continued to be an albatross of the judiciary. Given your experience as a judge, how best do you think this can be addressed? The country grew between the end of the civil war, that is between 1980 and 2000. The country grew in a fantastic way, at a fantastic rate, but our public institutions have not been allowed to grow in a sustainable manner anywhere near that rate and that is a major problem. It is not for the inability of judges, it is not for lack of attention to duty on the part of the judges. It is that these processes have not been there. When I came into the law profession early 80s, in the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere in January they would start LD/1/the number of that year and by the time you reach December, may be you are at LD/900+/the number of that year, that means that in that year, there were less than 1,000 cases filed. But today, by March they have filed 1,000 already. So, that is the differential that we are talking about. It takes one quarter of the time that it took before for people to file that number of cases. Litigation has grown in a monstrous way. Can we take that to mean that people are getting more enlightened as to their rights? The truth is, people are as enlightened as they are frivolous as to their rights. There are some frivolous cases they file too and that is why they have created the Multi-Door Court House and people are being encouraged to go for the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Maybe this would allow us to do things otherwise. What do you have to say about judges who come late and sit late? It is not a matter of how early you sit, it is that you are giving results. If you look outside our jurisdiction, you’d see that the work we do is just too much. I have visited the English court sitting to see how they mark the day. On the first day of the week, that is Monday, the judge merely previews the cases he is going to do for the rest of the week. That is all he does on a Monday and he doesn’t take any work home; he doesn’t have to wake up at 3am and in spite of retirement, I am still waking up at 3am because the body is used to it. Why do people involved in high profile cases, including those charged with criminal offences, always go scot-free? In America, we all know what happened in the case of Jim Brown, a very well known sportsman, who was accused of killing his wife, who had been unfaithful to him. He got some of the best defence lawyers around in America and he was able to go scot-free. So, many people were dissatisfied that he got free, but he got free because he got competent lawyers. Now, if you look at the Criminal Law practice, you find that most of the top lawyers are not there. In fact, no lawyer premises his practice on Criminal Law practice, otherwise, you are seen as a ‘charge and bail’ lawyer. So, the Criminal Law practice is left for those who just want to make ends meet. And your big men are now able to pay the top lawyers top money for them to sit down and analyse their case and put it to the court and if they are able to put it to the court strongly enough and they are successful, you cannot begrudge them. Does it mean that there are some loopholes in our laws? Is there anything man-made that is perfect? Do you support abolition of death sentence? I do not agree with it. While our institutions are failing, the prison as an institution is half-failing. When people now believe that they can get away easily with anything wrong

•Adebajo

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No matter how much the lifestyle of a judge tends to shield the judge from litigants, litigants would always come. People will always find a way or the other. But it is for the judge to use his discretion

that they do, what would happen? When they now say even that law is nothing, I will kill you and I will just get in touch with my uncle and I will get away with it, what will happen? There is general failure of the institutions and the prison system is not a guarantee for anything. I do not believe that we are ripe to take the death penalty out of our laws. The corollary to that is that we have to remind the governors that they voluntarily chose to take that position of the governor of a state and one of the duties of the governor of a state is to sign death warrants for people, who have been convicted and sentenced to be hanged. It is failure in their duty when they neglect to sign death warrants. It is part and parcel of the duties of a governor and it is a frustration of the order of the court when the governor does not sign death warrants. In Lagos State for example, I don’t think any death warrant has been signed in the last 10 to 12 years. It is a failure, it is a neglect of the lawful and valid order of the court when the governor fails to sign the death warrant when

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they have voluntarily chosen to be the governor. They should have asked what it involves and if you are going to have nightmares about signing death warrants, then don’t go near the seat. I was a criminal court judge and I convicted somebody, who had killed his wife and sentenced him to death, why couldn’t they do their duty too? We are not ripe for death sentence to be taken off our laws. What do you say about those who see you as a controversial judge? Controversial in what sense? Is there anything controversial about me? What is your background like ? I am the eldest son of the late Israel Adebayo Ogunyade Adebajo, a businessman, philanthropist and first sponsor of the Stationery Stores Football Club. I went to school in various institutions in Nigeria as well as in England and I qualified as a lawyer at the Nigerian Law School in 1980.

Police disclaims ex-bank staff

HE police have warned the public against dealing with a former Manag ing Director of Ojokoro Microfinance Bank Plc, Mr P. A. Taiwo. A statement from the office of the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police command, said anybody who does business with him does so at his own risk. According to a police extract, based on an affidavit by a lawyer with the bank, Mr Remilekun Alao, Taiwo was dismissed from

the micro-finance bank on December 9, last year. “Mr P.A. Taiwo was the former Managing Director of Ojokoro Microfinance Bank Plc, but he has been dismissed and he is no longer a staff of the said company anymore,” Alao said in the affidavit. “Any person/persons who engages in any business with him on behalf of the said company is doing on his or her own risk,” the police added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NATIONAL BAR

Lawyers root for Osinbajo

LL Progressives Con gress (APC) vice-presi dential candidate Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) was the toast of his colleagues last weekend as they urged the electorate to vote for him. A group of lawyers under the auspicies of Friends of Osinbajo, also called for more support and volunteers towards the realisation of his vice-presidential bid. Colleagues, friends and well wishers expressed confidence that Nigeria would experience change with Osinbajo as Nigeria’s number two citizen. Osinbajo is APC Presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate. Speakers said their ticket remains the one to beat. A former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Commissioner for Lands in Lagos State, Mr. Fola Arthur- Worrey described Osinbajo as a man of sound moral convictions whose views, philosophy and commitment to the rule of law contributed immensely to the development of Lagos State judiciary. Former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Mr. Supo Sasore (SAN) said the Office of Public Defender (OPD) which Osinbajo introduced into Lagos State judiciary during his tenure as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice contributed greatly to the speedy dispensation of justice and provided access to justice for the less-privileged. Sasore attributed his success and achievements to the solid foundations laid by Osinbajo, his predecessor. Osinbajo graphically showed how support and popularity for the APC has grown across the country in recent months. He said by the grace of God, APC would win the forthcoming presidential election. Osinbajo said: “ We have an incredible opportunity for

By John Austin Unachukwu

change in this country. It has never happened before that you have an opposition that is capable of taking over the government of the country. It is clear that the APC has a clear chance of winning the election come February.” Prof. Osinbajo said he has had the opportunity of interacting with Gen. Buhari. “One thing is very clear, that Buhari is absolutely committed to this country and that is very important to him. “All of us must take the issue of corruption and transparency very seriously because the issues around corruption are largely responsible for the problems of this country today,” Osinbajo said. Osinbajo said while their administration would deal decisively with corruption, setting up probe panels would not be the solution. Rather, he said, those found to have engaged in corruption would be prosecuted. “For instance, about 400 barrels of crude oil is reported missing from the country everyday and if you calculate this, it is equivalent to the money that the Federal Government and all the states share every month. APC government at the centre will stop corruption in high places. “Corruption is so pervasive in the country today that if you get to the office and begin to investigate people, you won’t go far, how many people will you investigate?” he asked. He also spoke on how APC administration intends to reduce unemployment. “As an emergency measure, we shall create about 20,0000 jobs for unemployed youth and this will alleviate their sufferings. We shall give stipends to our graduates till one year after their National Youth Service to enable them

move round and look for jobs. “During this time, we shall provide them with some entrepreneurial skills to enable them to be self employed. We shall give more incentives and encouragements to the banks and other employers of labour so that they employ more hands. The power sector will be revamped to make electricity available to more Nigerians. “You cannot build a gas infrastructure in less than 15 years, but we shall encourage more Independent Power Plants (IPPs) as experimented in Lagos State. Small IPP here and there will meet the electricity needs of the people. We must look for a way to make sure that electricity transmission is privatised.” He also spoke on APC’s social security plans. “APC government will provide social security for the disabled and elderly ones in the country. This is already being practised by Osun State government. Osun is the poorest State but one in Nigeria, yet it is able to fund this, paying between N10,000.00-N20,000.00 monthly stipend to this class of Nigerians to alleviate their sufferings. We shall provide lunch for School children in the country. Research has shown that children who take launch in school across the world do better than those who do not take launch. Government must concern itself with the welfare of the people” Prof. Osinbajo said APC has taken time to research and came out with a manifesto which has been presented to those who will implement it, Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo himself, by the grace of God, within one year of the inauguration of the government of Gen. Buhari at the centre,this country will no longer be the same again.”

•From left: Ebun Sofunde (SAN); Rickey Tarfa (SAN) and Mrs Folashade Joseph.

•From left: Arthur-Worrey; Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) and Dr. Ogbai Omo-Eboh

•From left: Tolulope Aderemi, Osaro Eghobiamen (SAN) and Ibilola Essien

•From left: Chinua Asuzu; Norrison Quakers (SAN) and Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN).

•From left: Ken Etim, Dr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) and Esanye Mayor.

•From left: Patrick Osu, Mena Ajakpovi and Vice-Chairman NBA Section on Business Law (SBL) Olu Akpata

•From left: Chairman NBA Ikeja branch, Yinka Faronbi; former chairman NBA Ikeja branch, Dave Ajetumobi; Dare Akande and Asst. Secretary NBA Ikeja branch, Adeyemi Abijo.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

PAGE 29

Election: Taraba Tiv affirm their choice

•PAGE 31

•The displaced persons in a Jos camp

Two days with IDPs in Jos

A fight to keep off bulldozers •PAGE 33

After spending 48 hours in Jos with thousands of people displaced by Boko Haram, the youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have dire words: the IDPs need much more than relief materials. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

HEY are sheltering almost everywhere in Jos, the scenic capital of Plateau State. In Bukuru, on one end of the city, no fewer than 12,000 of them are quartered at Zawan Commercial College. At Tati Hotel, on the other end, another set has been grappling with the realities and challenges of camp life. Others are hosted in various parts of the city, to say nothing of the majority being accommodated by relatives. You could say the Tin City is home to a grieving mass forced from their homes in the Northeast by Boko Haram fighters. Jos has offered them shelter, for which the people are grateful. They see the beauty of the city and take in its rocky landscape, but it is clear that their one wish is to return home if only the insurgents can be kept at bay. Members of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) from their Abuja national headquarters spent two days with them, coming away with a heavy heart and an urgent call for more action. Individuals

‘Jos has offered them shelter, for which the people are grateful. They see the beauty of the city and take in its rocky landscape, but it is clear that their one wish is to return home if only the insurgents can be kept at bay’ have thrown in some relief materials, as have some organisations, even the government, but the visiting Christian youths said that more needed to be done. The visitors did not come emptyhanded. They brought in bags of rice and cartons of noodles, which their hosts gladly received. The IDPs, drawn from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, ended

up in Jos after Boko Haram insurgents attacked and took over their homes. At one of the camps in Zawan Commercial College Bukuru, Jos, there at least 12,000 people comprising 114 families. There are some others at EYC Church Jos, another group at Tati Hotel while majority of others have been accommodated by their relations as

well as well-to-do individual who have rooms to accommodate these victims of terror. After going round the various camps on December 23, the Christian group was obviously touched. The group said, “After a visit to the displaced persons camps, we, the Christian youth of this country, are deeply concerned over what is happening to our nation as it affects the growing generation. As witnesses of the camps we visited, you could see the pathetic condition of individuals and family members who have been made refugees in their country. “People have been subjected to surviving in unhealthy conditions under the harsh weather of Jos for no just cause. This is just the sample of the so many camps spread over the nation. We are not to mention the families and individuals that have been killed, some missing and others living in the rocks waiting for their death. The question begging for answers in our minds is, when will this bru•Continued on page 30

Council chief warns against bush burning •PAGE 34

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Two days with IDPs •Continued from page 29 tality come to an end? This is the question that has defied every attempt to answer but we are so sure that at the appropriate time our God will bring the horrible act to an end. “We are all created by God for His purpose and pleasure regardless of religion, tribe, location and belief. The creator’s desire is for us to express His love for each other. “We decided to undertake this visit to express our concern and love for those in the camps who are not just our mothers and younger ones but also our peers whose future, and by implication, that of our nation, is threatened. As Christian youth leaders, we will continue to preach peace and restrain not because we lack the capacity to fight back but that we see those killing us as ‘ripe filed for harvest’ and we cannot afford to join in destroying our God given nation. “We will continue to show love to those who hate us and will not be deterred from propagating the gospel of Christ no matter the condition of our country. “We wish to appreciate the governor, non-governmental organisations, churches and individuals who have made efforts toward ensuring that the victims of attacks are cared for. “May we appreciate specially the

Plateau State people and government under the leadership of Pastor Dr. Jonah David Jang for creating the enabling environment for hosting the various displaced persons in homes, churches and various camps. May we also appreciate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the leadership he is providing for Nigeria and his efforts towards making sure that the security agents have the needed equipment and personnel in combating the insurgency. We wish that more is done to the victims of the various attacks. We wish that Government would not only provide reliefs materials to victims but adequate compensation and rebuilding of the houses and property. The Christian youths presented mainly food items to the displaced persons like bags of rice and cartons of noodles. National President of the Youth CAN, Ekiye Ekiye, who presented the items on behalf of members said, “We have come to identify you to demonstrate our concern. We actually share in your moment of grief and we share in your pains. But remember that as Christian, let us placed our trust and hope in a God almighty. Let us not lament endlessly like a hopeless one, at least we have hope in the God we worship, so we are not

•Some of the IDPs in Jos hopeless. “Apart from that we have to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, desist from holding grudges but pray for those who persecute you; your persecution is a challenge on your faith in God. Please, you should not

give up due to this temporary setback, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Jesus is Lord forever; don’t hate those who put you in this situation. Pray for them and remember that you have to love your enemies irrespective of the circumstances. We believe God will help us as a country to overcome these challenges.” Responding on behalf of Stefanos Foundation, Ayuba Planji who is the organisation’s Project Manager, appreciated the gesture but appealed to public-spirited people and organisations to donate medicine and vaccine to take care of the health needs of the people.

Plangji said, “We have 1,000 people from 114 families here and they are mostly women and children. We tested them when they arrived and so far, 45 people have been diagnosed with Hepatitis B. Health-wise, there is a risk so we plead for people to come and donate vaccine and medicine to treat the people and curb the spread of the sickness in camp.” As it is, more is still needed to cater for the housing, feeding, education, health and empowerment needs of the people and government at all levels and individuals are urged to meet these needs the little way they can so that the society can be improved,” he said.

‘We have to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness; desist from holding grudges but pray for those who persecute you; your persecution is a challenge on your faith in God. Please you should not give up due to this temporary setback, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t hate those who put you in this situation. Pray for them and remember that you have to love your enemies irrespective of the circumstances. We believe God will help us as a country to overcome these challenges’ •The items the youths donated

T was a great day for the professor. The expansive palace of the Emir of Kaltungo in Gombe State was filled with a motley crowd. In it were his family members, friends, associates and colleagues. Thrilling them were sundry cultural dancers. It was all for the Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi as he was honoured with the traditional title of Dan Rimin Kaltungo by His Royal Highness the Mai Kaltungo, Alhaji Sale Muhammad Umar. To those who know Njodi said his recognition by the traditional institution was well-deserved considering his contribution to the development of his community. Former Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri Prof Mala Dauara and some of his associates like Prof Saliba James, and Hajiya Saadatu Saad, Commissioner for Women Af-

Community honours VC From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

fairs all praised Prof. Njodi. Even though it was not a speechmaking event, the Mai Kaltungo, Alhaji Sale Muhammad Umar made his remarks, noting the service of the new Dan Rimin. The monarch said Prof Njodi was a worth holder of the title which means Ambassador Plenipotentiary. His contributions to the development and growth of education both within and outside Kaltungo chiefdom were enormous, Alhaji Muhammad said, adding that the Vice-Chancellor was an embodiment of excellence. He said: “The Dan Rimin has re-

mained a beacon for the younger generations of this emirate and the outside world that he has come in contact with. Everything he sets his eyes on, he makes sure he achieves it. He has remained an epitome of excellence. For many that know him, his appointment as the vice chancellor of university did not come as a surprise at all because he has earned himself this exalted academic feat through his hard-work and determination. This is a lesson for the upcoming generation to imbibe,” the Emir said. He charged the new title holder to continue to use his influence and wealth of experience in bringing about meaningful development to the people of the Chiefdom,

the University of Maiduguri and the country at large. Speaker after speaker who spoke at the occasion extolled his qualities. The speeches over, Prof. Njodi submitted himself to the traditional kingmakers who transformed him from a university don to a traditional title holder with a red cap and a colourful headgear and a beautiful long dress confirming his status as the new Dan Rimin of Kaltungo. He expressed appreciation to the Mai Kaltungo, people of the Chiefdom and the community for finding him worthy to be bestowed with the traditional title of Dan Rimin Kaltungo, while assuring of his commitment to discharge the re-

sponsibilities the title demands of him.mHe also pledged to work towards the development of the Chiefdom, State and the Nation at large. He also promised to work hand in hand with members of the Chiefdom and other traditional title holders in the state and other members of the community with a view to moving the Chiefdom and the state in general forward. He asked the people of the Chiefdom to unite and shy away from tribal, religious and political bickering that brings about differences among people. He announced the establishment and launching of an Educational Endowment Fund for the Chiefdom. Over five million naira was realised as donations and cash towards the Fund. He explained that money raised would be used for the educa•Continued on page 31

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Election: Taraba Tiv affirm their choice T

HE Tiv in Taraba have made clear who they want to govern the state after the elections. It is former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Dickson Ishaku. Tiv masquerades and the popular Swange cultural troupe performed before a large crowd in Takum, headquarters of Takum Local Government Area of the state, as the people held a reception for the ex-minister. The Tiv have a dense population in Wukari, Ibi, Donga, Takum, Gassol, Bali and Gashaka local government areas of the state. Their Chanchanji ward in Takum alone has over 30,000 persons, has the highest number of voters in the state and determines who wins Southern Taraba polls. Ishaku, an architect and administrator, hails from Takum council in Southern Taraba. He defeated sacked Acting Governor Garba Umar and two others to clinch the ruling party’s governorship ticket. Thousands of Tiv and Jukun residents in Southern and Central Taraba districts have been attacked and killed, others were injured and hundreds of thousands dislodged from their homes which were also destroyed by insurgents in the last two years. The hostilities are coming to an end following the reinstatement of Abubakar Sani Danladi as Acting Governor. The end of killings and the victory of Ishaku as the standard bearer of the ruling party brought joy in the land. This was evident at the reception and rally organised for Ishaku in his country home of Takum to mark the New Year festivity.

From Fanen Ihyongo

Folksingers, masquerades, cultural dancers, political bigwigs and the general public graced the occasion. The Tiv people displayed their popular Swange dance to show their solidarity. Commissioner of Environment Rebecca Manasseh who is leading the campaign, said the Tiv were pleased with Ishaku and would do everything possible to support him during the election. She said Tiv and Jukun were united and working closely to ensure that Ishaku became governor. Besides the killings, Taraba people are not happy with the level of development in the state. The consensus seems to be that there is no remarkable thing to show for the state’s 23 years of creation from the defunct Gongola, despite its huge mineral and human resources. And the worst time is said to have come when Garba Umar steered the state between November 14, 2012 and November 21, 2014 when he was sacked by the Supreme Court for unconstitutionally occupying the office. Reinstated Acting Governor Abubakar Sani Danladi has accused him (Umar) of plundering the state and leaving behind a debt of over N14.9 billion which is reportedly suffocating the state and impeding payment of salaries. In Ishaku, though, the Tiv said they see a spring of hope. They believe the architect can extricate Taraba from its rural profile to an enviable pedestal. Thus, the Jolly Nyame House, Takum where the rally held, was filled to capacity. A large crowd surged as dignitaries made their

•Swange dancers at the event

‘Tiv masquerades and the popular Swange cultural troupe performed before a large crowd in Takum, headquarters of Takum Local Government Area of the state, as the people held a reception for the ex-minister’ •Ishaku

speeches. A wave of excitement pervaded the atmosphere when Ishaku stood up to speak. His speech appeared to soothe the minds of all the ethnic groups in the area. He said he will make a difference as governor. He stated: “there is peace in the state now that Acting Governor Abubakar

Sani Danladi has been reinstated to steer the state. But if I take over there will be peace, peace and peace. We shall remove war and replace it with peace. Displaced persons will return to their homes and farms.” Ishaku said: “We need celebrations not funerals. I want to work, and I am ready. Please come out and vote to bring back stability and development needed in the

state.”. In his speech, former Minister of Commerce and Industries Ambassador Idris Waziri said: “The time has come to effect a change in the state through Ishaku. Those in the grave must come out and vote. The Senator representing Southern Taraba Emmanuel Bwacha described the occasion as “a huge success.”

Community honours VC •Continued from page 30 tional development of less privilege sons and daughters of the Chiefdom. The Mai Kaltungo is the chairman of the Endowment Fund while members will be drawn from different segments of the Chiefdom. The occasion was witnessed by an unprecedented crowd including members of the University of Maiduguri community, traditional rulers, illustrious sons and daughters

•Yams been displayed Zaki-Biam International Market, Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State

of Kaltungo Chiefdom as well as friends and well-wishers from within and outside Gombe State. It was a beautiful sight to behold as the new Dan Rimin mounted his royal horse to receive cheers and pleasantries from his admirers. Like the stars dim away at the break of dawn, so were the swam of Traditional dancers from various communities of Kaltungo Chiefdom treated the celebrant with assorted dignified dance steps as he retired to his house to receive friends and well-wishers.

‘The Dan Rimin has remained a beacon for the younger generations of this emirate and the outside world that he has come in contact with. Everything he sets his eyes on, he makes sure he achieves it. He has remained an epitome of excellence’

Born fifty years ago at Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State, Prof Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi attended L.E.A Primary school Kaltungo from 1967-1973 and later ECWA Primary school Kaltungo from 1973-1975. He later proceeded to the Government Teachers College Jama’are in Bauchi State from 19751980. From 1981-1985 he was at the University of Maiduguri from where he obtained his B. Sc degree in Physical & Health Education . He served in the National Youth Service Corps from 1985-1986. Prof Njodi joined the services of the University of Maiduguri as Graduate Assistant in 1987 and enrolled and completed his Masters degree from 1988-1991 at the University of Maiduguri and later proceeded to the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka for his PhD in Public Health Education from 2000-2003. Prof Ibrahim Njodi has held various academic and administrative positions within and outside the country. As an erudite scholar he has published books, chapters in books and also contributed by publishing over fifty articles in academic journals. He is widely respected by his colleagues, students and members of the society.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

HE Oegworok people in Kagoro, Kaura Local government of Kaduna State have since made the Year’s Day theirs. That is when they celebrate the Afan festival. Though insecurity has tended to detract from the feast, it remains an unforgettable day, not just for the calibre of visitors but also the display of the Kagoro culture. The 2015 edition of the festival was not different from previous ones, even though it had a tinge of politics in it. People from within and outside the state witnessed the celebration. On display were various cultural groups and dances as well as the rich tradition of the people. Political heavyweight from the state, including Vice President Namadi Sambo, were on hand to see the rich cultural display. Chief of Kagoro, Ufuwai Bonet, who hosted the event, said the festival is held annually to thank God for sustaining the good relationship existing among the people. While reminding the people of their collective resolve to remain united even in the face of challenges, he said that the main purpose of life is to think, live and act rightly. He also expressed appreciation to the government for the efforts being made to tackle the menace of insurgency and execution of projects in the transformation agenda in Southern Kaduna. However, the traditional ruler is not happy that despite several promises, the area still lacks federal presence especially in the area of higher institutions, health facilities, and industries. He wants the government to make good its promises by establishing federal educational and health institutions in the area as well as a ginger processing plant to reduce to create job opportunities and revenue. He also want the government to speed up the completion of the Kukum Daji irrigation and the Zunuruk power plant projects. For the state government, they want the immediate completion of road projects, extension of water supply to other communities as well as develop the

Community rebuilds at feast The Afan festival, celebrated on January 1 by the Oegworok people in Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, attracts dignitaries from everywhere including neighbouring countries. TONY AKOWE reports that at this year’s edition, which featured Vice President Namadi Sambo among other public figures, the community addressed its challenges Kagoro Hill Tourism Resort. Vice President Sambo who was among dignitaries who witnessed this year’s festival told the people that the Jonathan administration was concerned about the incidents of constant invasion of communities in southern Kaduna and has completed arrangements to establish a military formation in the area. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the government in its quest to end insurgency in the country, while commiserating with the people over frequent attacks on their communities which he said has affected development in the area. He also assured that the government was committed to the conduct of a free, fair and credible election, stressing out that all hands must be on deck to ensure its success. He warned those who are planning to cause violence, to desist or face the wrath of the law, pointing that government will no longer tolerate those causing violence, when found, stressing violence has caused the channeling of substantial funds to security of lives and property, to the detriment of other sectors of the economy, which are also vital. He asked the people. Especially youths to be wary of politicians that trade on violence, emphasizing that “ no ambition of any politician is worth the blood of any Nigerian, therefore decisive action will be taken against person(s) involved in any act of violence before, during and after the elections. He called on politicians to conduct themselves according to the dictate of the law and avoid anything that would jeopardize peace” The Vice President disclosed that

‘The traditional ruler is not happy that despite several promises, the area still lacks federal presence especially in the area of higher institutions, health facilities, and industries. He wants the government to make good its promises by establishing federal educational and health institutions in the area as well as a ginger processing plant to reduce to create job opportunities and revenue’

the Federal and the Kaduna State Government are in partnership to develop Nok culture and other tourism sites in the state for job creation and boost the economic fortunes of people of the state; while public-private partnership has been established for growth of the mining industry for wealth and job creation to which micro-small and medium enterprise council has been established, the Vice President said. He therefore enjoined people of Kaduna State to keep trusting the administration of the Federal and State Government even as they strive to complete plan projects and the process of creating Gurara State along with others. He also told the people that he was personally in support of the quest of the people of southern Kaduna to have a state created for them saying “the Federal government recognizes the in-

alienable rights of the citizens to operate within the confines of the law for self-determination, promotion and harnessing the potentials of its people. Therefore, the sociopolitical emancipation of a people lies in their conscious effort to champion a cause that will progressively move them to the next level”. Kaduna state governor, Mukthar Ramalan Yero applauded the wisdom of the people in keeping the festival alive over the years. He said efforts are being made by the Kaduna State through partnership with the federal government to boost tourism development in the area to improve economic activities, road network communication and job creation for the youth. He also told them that the state government was concluding plans to convert the Kafanchan Campuses of the State University into a full

fledge University of Technology. While restating his resolve to completed all inherited/ initiated projects across the state, Governor Yero said no project has been abandoned by his government as the 2015 budget currently before the State House of Assembly is meant to address the completion of these projects before embarking on new ones. He noted that out of the twenty-one (21) projects inherited, eleven have been completed, ten are at various stages of completion, while two of the eight projects initiated by his administration have been completed. While soliciting the cooperation of people of The state in sustaining peace, the Governor explained that substantial part of the funds meant for development was being channeled to maintaining peace and security, to the detriment of others sectors.

•Facilities inside the Ikara Food Company, Kaduna.

•Chairman, Bauchi Radio Corporation, NUJ chapel, Alhaji Kabiru Garba after his turbaning as a Barayan Ubandoman Bauchi, in Bauchi

•People buying fairly used sweaters to fight cold in Dutse

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Page 33

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

The authorities want traders out of Kubwa Market so that developers can move in with bulldozers. The sellers are doing everything possible to prevent that eventuality, reports GRACE OBIKE

F there is anything traders at Kubwa Market want above everything else, it is to preserve their investments by stopping bulldozers from tearing down the facility. They have the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the dreaded private developers to contend with. The FCTA, in early December, served the traders a seven-day ultimatum to quit. The sellers took to the streets, protesting the authority’s action and plan. They know the implications of private developers coming in. Bulldozers will pull down the market, throwing them into all sorts of trouble. The FCT is replete with such cases and they want to avoid it. What are they doing about it? A lot. Apart from the protest, the traders have also offered to build the satellite town market themselves rather than have developers set foot in it. They equally briefed a lawyer who wasted no time in suing the FCTA, hoping to stop it in its tracks. Although the plan to demolish the market was given almost the same time as the Dutse market which was demolished last year, the Area Council, according to the chairman, Hon. Peter Ushafa felt that it will be better to demolish each market separately and give those at Kubwa, some time to get ready after that of Dutse before the market was brought down. The traders in their protest stated that the Area Council had not provided them with an alternative place to trade before the demolition, they said that the market was their only means of livelihood and that even though they support development, it should not be at their peril. In an interview with our correspondent, chairman of peace and

•The protesting traders

A fight to keep off bulldozers security in Kubwa market, Cashmere Obialor, said “What we are saying is that the Kubwa market has been in existence for more than 30 years, it is not a virgin land that you will say, go and clear like that. People feed their families from here and take refuge in this market; there are many widows who feed their families from this market and now they are coming to demolish this place without giving us an alternative place. “What we are trying to tell the government is that we are Nigerians and citizens of this country; many of us don’t have any other place to turn to, by the time they come and demolish the market, it will mean that they want to cause more crime in this Kubwa. They need to provide an alternative place to the traders if they want to de-

‘Kubwa market has been in existence for more than 30 years, it is not a virgin land that you will say, go and clear like that. People feed their families from here; there are many widows who feed their families from this market and now they are coming to demolish this place without giving us an alternative place’ velop the market pending when they finish and the traders can return. “If the government goes ahead to insist on demolition after this seven days, then they should be ready to

kill the whole people in this market because we are not going to run, when they come out with their solders and their arms, nobody is going to run, they will have to kill to

the last person in this market before they can demolish it, we have not agreed on anything with anybody, they have not even tried to get out stands, if they call us, we are the leaders of the market, we will tell them how we want our people to be carried along.” Public Relations Officer, Bwari Area Council Dauda Basha in a telephone interview confirmed the demolition notice placed at the market but denied the knowledge of a dispute between the council and traders or they had been protesting. He said that discussions had been going on between the council and traders for long about the planned demolition and the Area Council had actually gone ahead and found •Continued on page 34

NULGE gives ultimatum over arrears T

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the six area council chairmen to pay the 20 per cent arrears owed staff or face indefinite industrial action. FCT NULGE President, Comrade Al-Hassan Abubakar and Secretary, Comrade Terry Henry Isaac, who spoke on behalf of the union at a joint press conference after the state Executive Council

From Gbenga Omokhunu

(SEC) meeting at the union secretariat in Gwagwalada, said the ultimatum has started. The union said the decision to issue the ultimatum became necessary after the six council chairmen failed to pay the council staff their 20 per cent arrears amounting to N155, 787,579.52 for one year. According to NULGE, it was at the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) on December 23, 2014, where six council chairmen

were in attendance, in which the issue of the 20 per cent staff arrears was discussed. “There was a resolution which we have a letter to that effect at the plenary of the JAAC meeting concerning the staff monies which was written by the permanent secretary through ALGON to agree on the mode of payment of that monies with leadership of NULGE as earlier agreed, “ they said. NULGE noted that despite they had met severally with the leadership of ALGON, based on the re-

port in which a committee was constituted to look the matter, in order to come up with modalities of paying the money, after the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed intervened and the union decided to suspend its 14 days ultimatum in October 2013, but, the council chairmen have fail to make any move to that regard. “Besides, an agreement was reached after the FCT minister, Bala Mohammed intervened that the money be paid in four installments, commencing from January 2014

and one year after, nothing has been done,” NULGE added. The union said it would inform the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, over inability of the ALGON in FCT and the council chairmen for failure to come to terms with agreement with NULGE one year after. “Failure of the six area council chairmen to pay this 20 percent staff arrears, the union would have no option than to embark on indefinite industrial action,” NULGE said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT •Continued from page 33 the traders an alternative place to trade until the modern market is complete. He added, “The area council is working on a place to take them to right now, the space we have is is too small so when we get an alternative place, they will be relocated but we have given the place up to private developers to develop and they already have their equipments on the ground which is expensive to maintain.” The Lawyer who spoke in a phone interview on behalf of the tradersý Barr Maxwell Oparaý, said that they have served a court notice to the Abuja Metropolitan Council and Bwari Area Council and that any attempt to demolish the market will be a breach of peace and will be met with stiff resistance. His words: “These traders in the first instance are there because the government allocated papers to them, they were called for the verification of their papers which they went for to confirm they were truly allocated and they paid the nec-

A fight to keep off bulldozers essary fee that they were asked to pay. “The traders are asking that if the government wants to build a modern market for them, they should give them the plan of the kind of market they want to build, the traders are ready to build it with government supervision, the traders are ready to build the Kubwa market with their money, all they are asking, is the government’s support and plan.” He also said, “ýThe allocation given to the traders was given by the Bwari Area Councilý, they went back to the Area Council to regularise the papers, why are they now being asked to vacate their shops? “The council claimed that they were going to relocate them to a temporary site but when the traders arrived at the site, it was just a vacant land that looked like it was cleared by someone to build a

house. ”We are suing Abuja Metropolitan Council under FCDAý and we have also taken the court notice to the Bwari Area Council, we have served the both of them a court order and we are asking the court to declare that they have no right to intrude on the market, that the court should declare that the Abuja traders are the owners of the market

and that if the Kubwa traders decide to build the market, they will be allowed to build it and after it is completed, they will take over, we are now waiting for a court date to be fixed. “The Kubwa market traders are peaceful set of people but any attempt by the Area Council, FCT administration or developers ýto demolish the market will amount

to breech of peace, we have written to all of them that any attempt to demolish the market illegally will meet with stiff resistance and in the course of resistance, anything can happen, we pray it does not get to that point, they have called us for a meeting which was adjourned from the 24th of December 2014 and we are hoping for another meeting soon.”

‘The traders are saying that if the government wants to build a modern market for them, they should give them the plan; they are ready to build it with government’s supervision...they want to build the market with their money; all they are asking is the government’s support’ •The traders want to avoid bulldozers pulling down their market

HAIRMAN of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Shaban Tete, has cautioned traditional rulers against bush burning, which he said has negative effects on the development of any society. Tete also said that the council would soon organise a sensitisation programme for all village heads across the 10 wards of the council on the dangers of bush burning. The council boss, who stated this when some village heads and district heads visited him, said the council’s decision to organise the sensitisation programme was timely since farmers have started harvesting their farm produce.

Council chief warns against bush burning Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

The council boss said that lives and property worth millions of naira have been destroyed as a result of indiscriminate bush burning, especially at the rural communities, which sometimes nearly resulted in clashes between farmers and herdsmen. Tete said it is at the peak of every year dry season, which is the harvest period, that some parts of the country always witness herders and farmers clashes, in which lives and

farm produce are lost. “Our major concern is how to ensure that there is always peace between farmers and Fulani’s in our various communities, especially now that we are into harvesting period, sometimes you will hear that some farm produce have been burnt as a result of bush burning, which sometime accusing fingers are pointed at the Fulani herdsmen, “ he said. Tete, however, noted that bush burning, has adverse effect on the society, saying even the federal government has always champion

‘It is at the peak of every year dry season, which is the harvest period, that some parts of the country always witness herders and farmers clashes, in which lives and farm produce are lost’ the course of ensuring that people desist from bush burning. “I want it make it categorically clear that at the end of the sensitisation programme, any village heads that fail to take the message home to their subjects on the

dangers of bush burning and any crisis that later broke out either between farmers and Fulani’s as result of loss of farm produce, such chief or village head would be held responsible,” he warned.

10 wards get council chief’s cars T

•Bush burning has done more than wreck the environment

HE Chairman of Kuje Area Council Hon. Ishaku Tete has donated 14 cars to 10 ward chairmen wards of the council. Presenting the vehicles, the chairman described it as part of the dividend of democracy from his administration, saying that the vehicles will facilitate easy movement during the campaign and general elections. He advised the wards chairmen who benefited from gift of cars to take advantage of the occasion and make judicious use of the vehicles. Also speaking, the PDP Flag bearer for the House of Represen-

tative to represent Abuja South, Hon. Danlandi Zhin, expressed gratitude to Hon. Shaban Tete for the gesture, pointing out that, the Nigeria situation, though worrisome, is not beyond solution. He further stressed the importance and efficacy of prayers, that Nigeria needs the prayers of every citizen for it to move forward, adding that Nigeria would be healed of all its political and socio-economic problems, if everyone takes it as a duty to always pray for the country and the sustenance of democracy.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

ABUJA REVIEW

•From left: Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu during the submission of 2014 Hajj Report at the Presidential Villa. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Abuja Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman and Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Rev. Dr Israel Akanji presenting the key and Bible as Staff of Office to Pastor Abel Niyi Owoade at the latter’s induction ceremony at the church in Abuja. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•From left: Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adeshola Amosu and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Real Admiral G. E. Okoi during a security meeting at the State House in Abuja. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Executive Secretary, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa (left); Convener, Protest to Power Movement, Jaye Gaskiya and Coordinator, State of the Union, Okeke Anya at a press conference on state of the nation in Abuja. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

OUTHS in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) under the auspices of Concerned AMAC Youths have called on the council chairman, Hon. Micah Jiba to set up skill acquisition centres for them. Coordinator of the Youth body, Comrade Matthew Yerimah, said that they were promised in the

‘Youths need skill centres’ past that the leadership of the council was going to set up skills acquisition centre to empower the youth, but they are yet to see the actualisation of the prolonged promise.

Lawmaker donates food items to inmates

HE Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the National Assembly, Senator Philip Aduda, has donated food and home items to inmates of Kuje Prison. Some of the items donated to the prison inmates include mattresses, bags of rice, mats, slippers, bags of salt, sugar, while others are grinding machines, musical instrument, sowing machines, public address systems and some cash donation. Aduda who said the gesture was aimed at catering for the vulnerable, the poor and the needy in the FCT, stated that, he was happy to have the privilege to serve the poor, most of whom through no fault of theirs find themselves in the situation they are in. The FCT senator said he went through rough times in life, that was why he put himself in the position of the less privilege, in order to understand their plights, noting that he lost his mother, leaving his father with the task of bringing them up alone. Aduda added that he saw poverty in all its ramification, that he understands what it means to be in want, pointing out that, some of the

poor people presently needs counseling, that he was glad that his experience has helped to inspire some of them. He urged the public to give generously to the cause of the needy, adding, no amount is too small to assist the poor. Senator Aduda also facilitated the release of 40 inmates who are awaiting trial and other minor offenses. Receiving the items, the Controller of Kuje Prisons, Mr. Suraju Olarinde said prison is a capital intensive all over the world. He expressed gratitude to Aduda for considering them among the numerous prisons to benefit from his kind gesture. Also, Venerable Irewa Isaiah of Anglican Communion Chaplain of Kuje Prisons Chaplaincy expressed solidarity in the transformation agenda of Mr. President, Goodluck Jonathan and encouraged him to continue in the great work of repositioning the nation. He thanked the senator for his collaborative and laudable gesture, thereby prayed for God’s blessings, love, wisdom and strength to enable them achieve more for themselves and the church.

According to Yerimah, it is believed that the youth are the live wire of any society, but, it is obvious that most leaders do not plan to invest in the lives of the youth in the society, thereby neglecting them to be use for negative vices. “The youth are been neglected by the government of the day, that is why they are left with no other choice than to commit crimes. We do not want that to happen in AMAC, that is why we are calling on the council boss, Hon.

Micah Jiba to plan for the youth before his tenure expires. “We know that in less than a year and six months from now, the present council administration led by Hon. Micah Jiba would round off, but, we do not want it to end without another government doing something reasonable for the youth of this council. “We are tired of been used and dump by politicians, after making unfulfilled promises. We be-

lieve that the present council boss is a good man and we are appealing that he should use his office to setup skills acquisition centre in one of the satellite towns or in the city centre,” he said. Secretary of the youth body, Comrade Shekwo Musa, also said that most of the youth in the council are jobless because of lack of employment, that when the skills acquisition centre is built, it would go a long way in empowering youth in the council.

Council chief praised for R building market

ESIDENTS of Dutse Alhaji in Bwari Area Council have hailed the council administration led by Hon. Peter Yohanna for what they described as the bold steps taken to build a modern market after demolishing the old one. Mrs Agnes Ukachukwu, a resident of Dutse Alhaji said that the move by the chairman of the council to upgrade the market is really commendable, because the previous market was an eye-saw, that the ongoing ultramodern construction has given market trading a new meaning in the area. According to Ukachukwu, the construction of the ultralmodern market, which is still in progress, is an evidence that the council chairman feels the plight of the people and is doing everything possible to ensure that he fulfills the promise made to the people when he was campaigning for

Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

the office of the chairman. “I must say that we are proud of what is going on here in this market, we never thought that we will ever have such a modern market in Dutse Alhaji, because have heard so many promises without the government fulfilling them. So, this one is really a surprise, that means there is hope for us in this country,” she said. Ms. Glory Gimba, another resident explained that the ongoing upgrade of the market has given the entrance of Dutse Alhaji a new look, saying that the usual rowdy entrance to Dutse Alhaji has suddenly become well organised due to the standard of

the market at the junction. “The present of the market has really shapen things here, mostly the entrance of the Dutse Alhaji which used to rowdy. The okada riders and street traders are no been put on check by the Police. I pray it continues this way for a long time. This is really a very good development and we appreciate the leadership of the council for it. “Initially, when they demolished the old market, we thought they just wanted to punish. But, we are surprise to see this standard market under construction right under our noses. We are really happy and we appeal to the council chairman to use his good heart to make the fees for the shops affordable to the common residents like us,” Gimba said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

ABUJA REVIEW

HE goings-on in the run-up to the elections must confound most Nigerians. Some aspects of President Goodluck Jonathan’s remarks while receiving a delegation of the Northern Elders Council (NEC) led by Tanko Yakassai at the Presidential Villa, last Wednesday, seemed not to have helped much. He was visibly angry with some unnamed elder statesmen whom he said were making provocative statements and want to set the country ablaze Jonathan said: “Some people call themselves statesmen but they are not statesmen; they are just ordinary politicians. For you to be a statesman, it is not because you have occupied a big office before but the question is what are you bringing to bear? Are you building this country? Or are you a part of people who tell lies to destroy this country to create enmity and make people who ordinarily would have been living together to fight themselves?” “Are you planning to set the country ablaze because you did not get that particular thing you want?” He went on: “At the appropriate time Nigerians will know all of us even though I know most of you know us but the younger ones do not know. Some people are hiding under some clogs, some big names and creating a lot of problems in this country.” “Making provocative statements in this country, statements that will set this country ablaze and you tell me you are a senior citizen. You are not a senior citizen you can never be, you are ordinary motor park tout.” “Because if you are a senior citizen you will act like one. It is not because of the offices we occupy, it is by divine grace and providence that some of us occupy these offices. But what role are you playing to build this country?” he queried An aspect of his remark which many Nigerians will be interested in knowing the answer is what the elder statesmen wanted from him, which he denied them and failed to disclose during the NEC’s delegation visit. Are the statesmen looking for contracts, oil wells or other benefits from the Presidency. Not too long ago, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, noted in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH that some visitors to Aso Rock come to beg for one thing or the other. To digress a bit, not all visitors to the Presidential Villa are normally seen by journalists on duty as some of them drive into the forecourt, close to the President’s office, in tinted glasses far away from the prying eyes of journalists.

When Jonathan gets angry They could even visit the President’s residence late in the night when journalists must have closed for the day. Since journalists don’t live in the villa, they could only rely on sources to fill in the gaps on who and who came to the Villa during the dark hours. A part of Abati’s interview in Saturday PUNCH published on October 12, 2013 reads: “The same people (critics) will wish to be on this side, they will wish to be in government, and I see many of these same critical persons, perpetually hanging around government looking for this and that, practically begging, soliciting, hustling, but they go out there and pretend to be otherwise. But that is a story for another day. And their story shall be told someday,” The growing confusion among Nigerians would have been doused to some extend if the President last Wednesday had hit the nail on the head by mentioning the names of the statesmen that wanted to set the country ablaze. It would also have been better if he had gone further to disclose to the nation what the statesmen wanted from him which he denied

From the Villa By Augustine Ehikioya them. Or better still, he should have maintained his style by keeping cool on the matter. Escaping mob attack What would have been absolutely impossible for many Nigerians to imagine, happened last Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, a highly secured area. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students’ Matters, Jude Imagwe barely escaped being mobbed and robbed. It all started with the announcement made by the Master of Ceremony after President Goodluck

Jonathan inaugurated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja. The MC had announced to the gathering that all members of the campaign organisation will meet at committee levels in the Banquet Hall of the State House by 4.00pm the same day. The announcement, however, made those who do not have business with the meetings to throng the car park of the Banquet hall as they kept vigil and waited to get their share of politicians’ largesse. It was already dark when Imagwe stepped out of the hall after his

committee meeting came to an end. As he was heading to where he parked his car, some of the boys sighted him and approached him shouting “our able youth leader.” They followed him to his vehicle while Imagwe initially tried to dismiss them with a promise to see them another day. But the young men were adamant, as they held him hostage in his vehicle, insisting that he must ‘perform’. The youth told Imagwe that he had no choice other than to settle them, saying: “After all, na you be our youth leader.” Imagwe retorted angrily and warned them not to talk as if they were commanding him. Sensing that he won’t be able to leave without doing something for the boys, Imagwe brought out few N1000 notes and gave them. In order not to be surchanged, they scrambled for the money and fixed their gaze on it as it was being counted. That was the saving grace as Imagwe, who was almost choked by the crowd of angry youth surrounding him, started his car and sped off while the few N1000 notes still engaged their attention.

Youth told not to sell their votes Y OUTH in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been advised to vote wisely and not sell their birthrights in the forthcoming general elections. Mr Justice Duncan, a social speaker and the coordinator of Youth Alive For Progress (YAFP), a nongovernmental organization which champions the course of the youth, mostly in the FCT, said that the time for Nigerian youth to stand up for their right is now or never, that if they fail to do it now, it will take another four years to be corrected. According to Duncan, who spoke during an electoral sensitization campaign in Abuja, the government of Nigeria led by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken the youth for granted for too long, by using them during elections and abandoning them after they get into offices. “The politicians have used us for too long, without considering our plight or how we survive during these hard times. During elections they will make all sort of promises without fulfilling

From Gbenga Omokhunu

anyone them. When we look for them in their offices, they will use tight security to prevent us from entering, because, we are no longer useful to them. “All these have to stop now, the using youth for political violence because of peanuts given to them, has to stop now. If they want to use anybody for violence, they should go and use their children. We should not allow them to use us and dump us again, because, we are not rags. We should not sell our birthrights for little pennies and suffer in future. “It is time for us in the FCT and entire Nigeria to stand up for our right and vote for a government that we remove us from this prolonged struggles, corruption, killings and maladministration that we are experiencing in Nigeria today. The youth are the lifewire of the society, so we should prove that to our leaders.

•Ososo Peaceful Women dance on a street as part of the activities marking the fourth edition of Ososo Carnival. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Community honours VC From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Election: Taraba Tiv affirm their choice T

From Fanen Ihyongo

•Swange dancers at the event

•Yams been displayed Zaki-Biam International Market, Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

•Facilities inside the Ikara Food Company, Kaduna.

•Chairman, Bauchi Radio Corporation, NUJ chapel, Alhaji Kabiru Garba after his turbaning as a Barayan Ubandoman Bauchi, in Bauchi

•People buying fairly used sweaters to fight cold in Dutse

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Page 33

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

The authorities want traders out of Kubwa Market so that developers can move in with bulldozers. The sellers are doing everything possible to prevent that eventuality, reports GRACE OBIKE

•The protesting traders

kill the whole people in this market because we are not going to run, when they come out with their solders and their arms, nobody is going to run, they will have to kill to

NULGE gives ultimatum over arrears T

From Gbenga Omokhunu

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Council chief warns against bush burning Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

10 wards get council chief’s cars T

•Bush burning has done more than wreck the environment

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

ABUJA REVIEW

Lawmaker donates food items to inmates

Council chief praised for R building market

Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

ABUJA REVIEW

From Gbenga Omokhunu

•Ososo Peaceful Women dance on a street as part of the activities marking the fourth edition of Ososo Carnival. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NATIONAL BAR

‘How lawyers in govt can remain relevant’ L

AWYERS working in government have been urged to make continuing legal education a priority if they must remain up-to-date with new legal principles. Speakers at a three-day development course for lawyers in the Delta State Ministry of Justice said lawyers in public service must regularly update skills and knowledge to remain relevant. The Attorney-General, Mr. Charles Ajuya (SAN) said the course was designed to enable participants improve their legal skills. According to him, a wellequipped counsel will not only benefit himself, but will add value to the state. Former Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Director-General, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), who was one of the speakers, said the development course afforded him the opportunity to translate NIALS experience into practice in Delta State.

By John Austin Unachukwu

He stated that the course was designed as a capacity building programme for the participants. Addressing participants, he said: “It is customised because it is based on ideas from you. It is a clear amalgam of all the needs of the departments and parastsals. “Therefore your understanding of the course is necessary for you to address the problems of your ministries and equip you with the capacity to face the challenges of a globalised world.” Others speakers included former Director of Public Prosecutions in Lagos State, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey who spoke on criminal prosecution and legal opinion writing techniques; former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Chief T.J. Onomigbo Okpoko (SAN) spoke on case preparation and appeals, and Ken Mozia (SAN) who discussed case management and fast track liti-

gation. Prof. Emeka Chianu discussed Land acquisition challenges and prospects, while former chairman of NBA Ikorodu branch, Nurudeen Ogbara presented Prof. Lanre Fagbohun’s paper on class action litigation and environmental law practice. Chairman Mid-Western Bar Forum, Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) discussed new trends in the law of evidence while Prof. Azinge (SAN) discussed Government legal advisers, Legal writing and law reporting. He also discussed legislative drafting and legal drafting in conjunction with Prof. Paul Idornigie while Mr. S. V. Omekeh discussed public civil rules and application, ethics, code conduct, minutes and memo writing. Prof. Mike Ikhariale discussed constitutional and human rights while Prof. Paul Idornigie discussed commercial agreements, ADR, Arbitration and MOU while Albert Akpomudge (SAN) discussed brief writing.

•From left: Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Z.A. Smith and Ajuyah.

•From left: Ogbara, Arthur Worrey and Azinge (SAN).

•Justice M.C. Okoh (left) and Okpoko (SAN)

•From left: Mrs. Winifred Nwanze, Philip Tan-Bigger and N. W. Ogbogu.

•From left: Mrs. C.E. Eronmwan, Chukwutem Anyafulu and P.O. Omatsone.

•From left: Justice S.O. Tonwe, G. E. Okirhienyela and G. A. I. Mowah.

•From left: Pellen-Joe Ezeani-Ezejiofor, Christopher Dumemi Diai and Moses Agwere

• From left: Ororho I.T, Erharhaghen Oghenero and E.S. Atakwe

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

LAW PERSONALITY Prof Yemi Akinseye-George is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a seasoned legal practitioner and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria. In this interview with JOSEPH JIBUEZE, he proffers solution to the intractable delays in justice administration and shares his thoughts on next month’s elections.

‘Why I’m campaigning for change’ Some have said the legal profession is losing its high standards. Do you agree? OMPLAINTS about falling standards are not new. It is a popular pastime for older generations to complain about falling standards. This generalisation is very convenient but it is not accurate. The standards remain high but many lawyers and judges are unable to meet up. The undeniable truth is that many entrants into the legal profession do not belong there. Admission into the legal profession remains highly competitive. In the past only the most qualified got in. But nowadays there are so many Universities and all kinds of factors influence admission considerations. Many law students are unable to cope with the demands of legal education. Many pass exams without really knowing what law is all about. The recent massive failure at the Bar exams was as a result of admission of low-quality students into law faculties which in turn feed the law Nigerian Law School. Half of the problem would be solved if only the most highly qualified from all parts of the country are admitted into our law faculties. Also, the method of delivery of legal education is archaic. There is need for clinical legal education which instils practical lawyering skills in law students.

What do you think is the way out of the slow process of justice administration? It is most unfortunate that most of our governments do not prioritise issues of administration of justice. They fail to realise that without access to justice, security and the rule of law, the economy cannot function properly. The governments pay lip service to the independence of the judiciary. They do not provide the judiciary with the tools needed to perform efficiently. Some heads of courts too do not seem to manage their resources well. Our judges still undergo the tedium of taking down court proceedings in long hand. They sit for very long hours yet their dockets remain congested. The legislature has been very slow in passing necessary enabling laws to enhance administration of justice. The Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, for example has been in the works since 2003. Only Lagos and a few other States have passed it. Yet there can be no economic progress without a sound legal system, modern laws and procedures. What is the role of the Attorney-General of the Federation (SGF) in this case? The HAGF is a good lawyer but he needs to devote more attention to issues of reform, human rights and economic justice. He should also coordinate with the Chief Justice, the NBA, Civil Society and other stakeholders to devise innovative measures for improving access to justice and respect for the rule of law. We should develop and pass modern laws and procedures at the Federal levels and encourage the States to follow suit. The HAGF should work with the legislature to ensure amendment of constitutional provisions which stand in the way of speedy trial of cases, civil and criminal. The provision on interlocutory appeals ought to be amended. Defence lawyers tend to capitalise on this provision to delay proceedings. The amendment of this provision was part of the initial proposals of the House of Representatives on constitutional amendment. I do not know whether they are going ahead with it. There have been calls that judges found guilty of corruption by the National Judicial Council

(NJC) should be tried rather than retiring or dismissing them as is the practice. Do you buy the idea? Yes. I buy the idea. Everything legally possibleshould be done to reduce judicial corruption. Is the government losing the war against graft and official sleaze? I don’t think there is any war against graft or official sleaze. The body language, statements, actions and omissions of Mr. President and those around him show clearly that graft is tolerable, if not encouraged. The anti-graft bodies are completely demoralised. They lack funding. Their witnesses are reluctant to come forward to give evidence because there is no protection for them. Do you have any reservations with the government’s approach in tackling insurgency? Most right-thinking Nigerians should be worried about the way the counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East is being prosecuted. How come so many Nigerian local governments are under the control of insurgents? And our youths are being conscripted to fight on the side of insurgents? The demoralisation of the Nigerian fighting troops is disheartening. The other day the government talked about a Ceasefire which later turned out to be a ruse. We hear about failed attempts by the federal government to procure arms. We hear of rag-tag Boko Haram fighters over-running military formations and units. Yet we have thousands of intelligent and able-bodied Nigerians roaming the streets jobless. Why can’t we recruit, train, equip, insure and mobilise these Nigerians to help police our borders? Why is it so difficult to strengthen the Armed Forces, re-orientate and motivate them to be more patriotic in protecting all Nigerians regardless of religion? Nigerians will be voting next month for a new President and governors. What is your advice to voters? The nation as a whole lacks inspirational leadership, guiding philosophy or values. The socalled Transformation Agenda is contradictory in terms. Transformation should start from our national values and ethos. Besides, it is not good for a single non-performing political party to continue to monopolise power. Therefore, Nigerians should vote for change. We voted this President in 2011 because we didn’t know him. We thought he would bring a new approach to governance. We thought he would protect minorities all over the country. But for six years now this President has consistently shown that he is incapable of providing what the country needs the most: a developmental philosophy and leadership by example. If this President could not steer the ship of state well when the resources were there what is the hope that he would do better now that government revenue is dwindling? Again, what would be his motivation to govern well when he no longer needs a second term to motivate him? Nigerians should vote for change. They should vote for a new approach to governance. That’s why I’m personally campaigning for change. Nigerians should vote against youth unemployment; they should vote against corruption; they should vote against insecurity in any part of the country. They should vote against impunity. They should vote for change. In my view,

the combination of General Buhari and Professor Osinbajo, SAN is better for Nigeria now. Some have expressed fears that Security agencies may be used to rig election. Are the opposition parties helpless? The APC is the only significant opposition party at the Federal level. It should set up special monitoring units to monitor the conduct of polls in all voting units across the country. The members of the units must be well-trained and mobilised to monitor the conduct of the elections and declaration of results. They must eschew violence and provide support for electoral officials, observers and security agencies on election duties. So they are not helpless. Would you back calls for an electoral offences commission to reduce INEC’s prosecutorial responsibilities? No. I have never liked special courts or commissions. Any such commission will go the way of the Police, EFCC and other prosecutorial bodies. Unless the Constitution is amended, the powers of Attorneys-General under the Constitution would make it impossible for such a commission to function properly. Attorneys-General whose loyalty is always to the incumbent President or Governor would not allow the prosecution of party members who committed electoral offences. The INEC should be empowered to blacklist perpetrators of electoral offenders. Unless there is some form of censure for electoral offences, such illegal behaviours will continue to taint our elections. What are your expectations of the new CJN Justice Mahmud Mohammed? He should protect the judiciary from meddlesome politicians, take the judiciary to a higher level, sustain the fight for financial autonomy for State judiciaries and direct the registrars and the NJC to manage judiciary funds efficiently. He should direct that all our superior courts should be digitalised so that proceedings are recorded electronically obviating the need for writing procedings in long hand. In conjunction with the NBA, the CJN should fashion out new rules to reduce the number of interlocutory appeals to the Supreme Court; work with the NJC to improve the retirement benefit of other Justices of the Supreme Court. Apart from their pension, I believe every retiring justice of the Supreme Court and others justices should be assisted to properly relocate from official quarters. Do you have any political ambition and what will you like to be remembered for? My ambition is to contribute my quota to improving the lives of a greater number of Nigerians. I believe I need politics to do that; so at the appropriate time I will enter politics. I’ve actually started. I’m currently campaigning for political change in the country. I established a group known as Citizens United for Change (CU4C) to mobilise support for change. I wish to be remembered firstly for being a good family man and father and for my contributions to improving other people and the society. You are one of the Professors of Law who are also SANs. What moved you to pursue such academic heights? I was marvellously helped by people and circumstances around me. From my childhood,

LEGAL JOKES Tell the whole truth ‘You seem to be in some distress,’ said the kindly judge to the witness. ‘Is anything the matter?’ ‘Well, your Honour,’ said the witness, ‘I swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but every time I try, some lawyer objects.’ Get away with murder Two prisoners are talking about their crimes: George: “I robbed a bank, and they gave me 20 years” Herman: “Hmm. I killed a man, and I’m here for 3 days” George: “*WHAT*??? I rob a bank and get 20 years; you kill a man and

get 3 days???” Herman: “Yeah, it was a lawyer.” Seashore with family A doctor was vacationing at the seashore with his family. Suddenly, he spotted a fin sticking up in the water and fainted. “Darling, it was just a shark,” assured his wife when he came to. “You’ve got to stop imagining that there are lawyers everywhere.” Newest horror movie Have you seen the current remake of the movie “Cape Fear?” It’s about a deranged psychotic who is seeking revenge against a lawyer. The question is, while watching the

movie, for whom do you root? Tell the whole truth Mr. Dewey was briefing his client, who was about to testify in his own defense. “You must swear to tell the complete truth. Do you understand?” The client replied that he did. Then lawyer then asked, “Do you know what will happen if you don’t tell the truth?” The client looked back and said, “I imagine that our side will win.”

heaven has always been favourably disposed towards me. There are more brilliant and talented people than me who were not so favoured. My modest efforts have always been highly rewarded. I give God the glory for earmarking me for honour. For the benefit of young lawyers who may complain of poor salaries, how did you cope in the early days of your career? Has it always been rosy? Things were easier when we started in 1986. The economy was better. The young lawyers of today should seek knowledge first. They should look for

•Prof. Akinseye-George

law firms where they can be trained properly. L.L.B and B.L degrees do not make one a lawyer properly so called. There is need for a time of pupillage. Money will follow. If they put money first, they would not learn properly. I would recommend to all lawyers, my book, entitled, ‘AlhajiAbdullahi Ibrahim, A Life Shared’ being the Biography of AlhajiAbdullahi Ibrahim, CON, SAN. In the book, this accomplished lawyer and statesman advises senior lawyers on how to treat their juniors and young lawyers on how to cope with the challenges of inadequate pay. It was not rosy for me when we were growing up. Even though the fees were not much, my parents had challenges paying especially when cocoa was not selling well or off-season. I’m the seventh of seventeen children of my father. Father was a farmer. Mother is a trader. As a primary school pupil, I used to hawk pap for my mum in our neighbourhood before going to school in the morning. We assisted our dad in his farm work during long holidays. I rose through difficulties and challenges. I never drove a car until I bought mine at the age of 28. You are a respected Professor of Law. Did you set out for a career in academics? Thank you for your kind words. Yes. My vision was to be a Professor of Law latest by the age of 40 and to combine academics with legal practice. I was inspired by some of my lecturers who lectured and also practiced. These included Late Professor Abiola Ojo, Professor S.A. Adesanya, SAN both of blessed memory and also by Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the Running Mate to General Muhamadu Buhari and Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, seasoned legal practitioner. What was your first day in court like? I don’t remember the date but the experience has never left me. I was sent to the Lagos High Court by my boss then, Mr Wole Olufon to move a motion. Though I didn’t quite understand what the motion was all about, I moved it successfully and the Judge granted it. What would you likely have been if not a lawyer/Law teacher? How did you end up being a lawyer? I would have been a Journalist or mass communicator. My second choice of course was Mass Communication. After my GCE A-Levels at the Ondo State College of Arts and Science, Ikare Akoko, I was admitted to read law by direct entry to the University of Lagos. How do you relax? What is your favourite sport? I read autobiographies, biographies, motivational, story books or newspapers. My favourite sport is Table Tennis. Where do you shop and how do you shop? My wife does our shopping. I only assist whenever she wants. She’s an excellent homemaker, a gifted shopper and brilliant legal practitioner. She’s the Managing Partner of our firm, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN and Partners. If you were to go away for a week with only a piece of item, what would it be? Of course it would be a book or an Ipad. What can you say is the secret of your success? Grace, vision, hard work, humility and good relationships.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

LEGAL OPINION Fashola: Justice delivery now grassroot issue

OVERNOR, Babatunde F a s h o l a ( S A N ) hascommissioned the combined High and Magistrate Courts in Epe, which he named in honour of the late Lagos State Chief Judge of Lagos State, Ligali Ayorinde. Fashola said the inauguration of the complex was a fulfilment of a process of bringing access to justice closer to the people. He said delivery of justice in a most efficient and conducive manner is now a grassroots matter traveling out of the town has now been greatly reduced in addition to the cost and inconvenience. Fashola explained that the location of such facilities like the Courts Complex has a role to play in maintaining law and order in the society, adding that without access to justice through the courts, the breakdown of law and order becomes a real possibility. In naming the Court complex after Hon. Ligali Ayorinde, Fashola said it has become the tradition of the present administration to honour those who have served conscientiously and whose labour of yesterday has made endeavours of today possible. Earlier, the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Funmilayo Atilade said the completion of the structure is an-

•Ligali Ayorinde immortalised By Adebisi Onanuga

other great step of the present administration to ensure greater access to, and speedy administration of justice. This, she said, would enhance efficient justice delivery and assist in prison decongestion. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Ade Ipaiye said with the growing pace of interpersonal, commercial and contractual relationships in Epe, it is proper that matters of law and order be given priority consideration. He said with inauguration and handing over of the modern court house, the challenges of quick dispensation of justice will be met, adding that Epe is ready to take on the task of ensuring that the orderliness, peace and tranquility for which this area is already well known, will remain, even as industrialisation and modernization arrives on a very large scale. Ipaye ponted out that that the courthouse was conceived in 2008 as part of His Excellency’s Law and Order programme, addind that it has 6 fully air conditioned courtrooms for judges and magistrates,

with Chambers and Secretary’s office attached to each, a reception and waiting area, all sizable and well furnished to a high standard, and It also has robing room and library for lawyers, registries, a total of six toilets and 4 shower rooms, a water treatment plant, furnished staff canteen, separate holding cells for male and female accused persons awaiting trial, two gate houses, a generator room, CCTV facilities for round the clock security and parking spaces for litigants and judges respectively. ”This provides us with a unique opportunity to accommodate judges and magistrates in this judicial division with very conducive facilities and amenities which will no doubt enhance justice delivery as well as the welfare of judges and magistrates. It also affords legal practitioners and litigants the best of facilities in which to do business and to resolve cases without having to travel long distances. I believe that this ultramodern courthouse will especially enhance the prestige of my colleagues who may now very rightly claim that they have one of the best working environments in the entire country”, he added.

•Governor Fashola (third left), Justice Atilade (right), Lagos Attorney-General, Ade Ipaye (second left), Aladeshonyin of Odo-Noforija, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja and Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animasahun (left) at the event. PHOTO: Moses Omosehin

Controversy over arrest of Ibeju-Lekki youths

HO ordered the arrest of six persons from the Oko-Olomi and Otunla villages in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos? Does their arrest have to do with land disputes; robbery charges or an attempt on the life of a monarch, Oba Tajudeen Elomoro. These are the knotty issues the police must resolve for peace to reign in the area. The communities, Oko-Olomi and Otunla villages, are alleging that the traditional ruler of Iwerekun Elemoro land, Oba Tajudeen Elemoro instigated the arrest and detention of six indigenes of both villages for alleged robbery. But Oba Elemoro has debunked the communities’ claims that he has been using policemen and thugs to harass their indigenes. Those arrested and charged to court by the police include Kufuli Batunde, Segun Eleku, Akorede Eleku, Lawal Dada, Luqman Adeniyi and Tajudeen Eleku. Speaking through their lawyers, Messrs Bamidele Ogundele and Michael Bayowa at a press conference in Lagos last week, the Oko-Olomi and Otunla villages claimed that the youths were ar-

By Adebisi Onanuga

rested on December 23, 2014 within the premises of the Ikeja High Court. The lawyers claimed that the arrest was to frustrate the communities’ pending cases against the monarch before Justices Kazeem Alogba and Oluwatoyin Ipaye, both of the Ikeja High Court. The lawyers said those arrested were arraigned last December 24,before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe of an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court and were granted bail. But in a statement by his lawyer, Mr Taofik Elias, Oba Elemoro said the allegation against his client was baseless because the persons arrested were involved in the November 24,2014 attack on the Elemoro Palace. According to Elias, the suspects were allegedly attempting to gain entrance into the monarch’s house but were thwarted by arrival of policemen from the nearby Elemoro Police Station. He claimed that after the incident, the monarch was taken to the General Hospital, Epe for treatment for shock and insomnia.

“The police were invited and the Oba told them that he can identify the attackers and that they were from Oko-Olomi and Otunla villages. “Furthermore the suspects were arrested outside the gate of the Ikeja High Court. There was no arrest made within the premises of the court,” Elias said. According to him, after their arraignment on December 24, 2014, they were unable to perfect their bail conditions and were taken to prison. The lawyer said he was reliably informed that the police were planning to withdraw the charge against the suspects. Elias said he had therefore petitioned the Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, M. Ade Ipaye, to take over their prosecution. “This case is not about the civil suits because the judges have already asked parties to maintain the status quo with regards to the issues before the court. This case is about an attempt on the life of the monarch and we want to pursue it to ensure that justice is done.”

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

Between motor park touts and statesmen

HE holiday has been refreshing for me and I hope it issame formy precious readers, to whom I wish a prosperous New Year. For me the Christmas break was as always, a time to touch base with my local community,and spend quality time, with loved ones in the village. It is also a time to attend meetings at the umunna. At such meetings, decisions are democratically reached, and except you have shown fidelity with the people over time, your status in the metropolis, counts for little. Again, it is a time to exert the provision of section 34[2][e][i]of the 1999 constitution, that “normal communal or other civic obligations for the well-being of the community” does not constitute “forced or compulsory labour”, which is forbidden by the constitution. But while on the revelry, I followed developments on the rambunctious scenes of politics. Among the combatants, the most memorable is the exchange between President Goodluck Jonathan and his mentor and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo. For Gen.Obasanjo, President Jonathan is a spendthrift, and invariably the only way to keep his finicky finger from the commonwealth, is to vote him out. For effect, Obasanjo reminds Nigerians that he is still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP]; but while he is willing to die for Nigeria, he will not die for PDP. President Jonathan who has been accused of cowardice in dealing with the Obasanjo menace, charged back at the former President, when he opened his re-election campaign in Lagos, last week. Even when he did not name names, we all knew that his umbrage, was an answer to the many humiliations he had suffered from the tongue of Obasanjo; when he referred to the former President and his ilk [high office holders], as mere “motor park touts”, who despite their best efforts will never amount to the status of statesmen.With the exchange, it was as if the two were ready to finally part ways, but no, Obasanjo last Saturday turned up at the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the President, in Abuja. But the words have been uttered by the President, that many high office holders, past and present no doubt, are mere ‘motor park touts’. That group of persons in common parlanceare referred to as ‘agberos’; and it is an accepted fact among the transport workers and passengers, that‘nothing concern agbero with overload’. Considering that the agbero is charged with loading public vehicles with passengers and goods, his incipient lack of interest in ensuring that the vehicle is appropriately loaded, constitute a danger to the vehicle owner and the passenger. The implication is manifold. It means among several other facts that the vehicle owner and the passenger must be wary of the agbero, considering that the agbero’s interest is merely limited to the immediate gains accruable to him for loading the vehicle. For the vehicle owner, the life and well-being of the vehicle is at the mercy of the agbero. For instance, the agberowill likely concentrate on the stipends paid to him for every load and every passenger, and recklessly overload the vehicle to the peril of the owner, whose investment is at risk. I guess that Nigerians, made up of past, present and future nationals, constitute the vehicle owners, and they have been forewarnedto be observant,by the President. The passengerson their own path, are even more exposed to greater danger, as their precious lives, limbsand personal effects are exposed, and could be imperilled as a result of the malicious conduct of the agbero.So the passengers must watch out, when the agbero is selling travel tickets, to ensure that the vehicle is not loaded with more passengers than it is designed to carry. The passenger must not rely on the smooth talking agbero, who most probably will give the impression that the vehicle is in the best state, even when the vehicle is rickety and obviously not road worthy. Again, using President Jonathan’s averment, Nigerians who are the passengers, should be on the lookout, to starve any impairment to their lives, limbs and property, as the agbero load the vehicle in 2015. Congratulations Ogwugwu Ebenebe, Ogbakokpo Part of the revelry of the Christmas break, came from the first Ofala festival of His Royal Highness Igwe Tom Anieheobu Inyiama, Ogwugwu Ebenebe 1 of Ogwofia Owa.Igwe Inyiama who ascended the throne of our forebears in 2003, revelled in pomp and pageantry, as the Ogwofia Owa people relished their customs and traditions, while paying homage to his Majesty. As part of the celebration,some distinguished sons and daughters of Ogwofia Owa, with a few friends and well-wishers were conferred with chieftaincy titles. Among the select few, was Chief Christopher Maduabuchi Okafor and his wife Nono Ann Okafor, who were conferred with the chieftaincy titles of Ogbakokpo and Nono Ogbakokpo, of Ogwofia Owa, at the colourful Ofala festival on the 3rd of January, 2015. Chief Okafor whoretired as a Deputy Director of Central Bank of Nigeria, in 2011, was celebrated and recognised for his outstanding achievement as an internationally acclaimed statistician and a community leader and philanthropist. Ogbakokpo and his Nono belong to the famous Okafor dynasty, of Amofia, Ogwofia Owa, whose titular head is Professor [Chief] Richard C. Okafor, Ogbueshu-Ugobelunoji,with his amiable wife, Dr. [Mrs] Cecilia Okafor, Nono Ogbueshu-Ugobelunoji. While congratulating all the newly installed chiefs, many of whom are well accomplished, may I wish Ogwugwu Ebenebe many more years on the throne. It is my earnest hope that his long reign will bring greater prosperity and more development to our people.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

LAW REPORT

State electoral commissions must be properly constituted IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF KOGI STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE KOGI STATE JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT KOTONKARFE THIS MONDAY 8TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2014 BEFORE HIS LORDSHIP HON. JUSTICE ALABA OMOLAYE-AJILEYE SUIT NO: HC/KK/002 CV/2013 Between: ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC) -CLAIMANT And 1. KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT 2. ATTORNEY GENERAL AND COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE, KOGI STATE 3. KOGI STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (KOGIEC) 4. BARRISTER ABRAHAM A. OLANIRAN DEFENDANTS 5. HON. DAVID O. APEH 6. HON. HARUNA IBRAHIM 7. HON. AHMED A. SAMARI 8. HON. AMOKA SUBERU 9. PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) JUDGMENT

•Continued from last week The issues are: (1) WHETHER the Claimant has the locus standi, competence and capacity to maintain this case having regard to the fact that the purported merger between the original Claimants, namely, ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGEIA (ACN), ALL NIGERIA PEOPLE’S PARTY (ANPP) and CONGRESS FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE (CPC) admittedly remains inchoate and/or not yet approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) (2) WHETHER the claim of the Claimant particularly with specific reference to reliefs b, c, d, e, f and g is not statutebarred such that this Honourable Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain it. (3) WHETHER this case is not a gross abuse of Court process having regard to antecedent suits on the same subject matter to wit, Suit Nos. HCL/57/2011, HCL/151m/2012 and HCL/303M/2012 at the instance of the original Claimants and/or predecessors of the present Claimant. (4) WHETHER having actively participated and field candidates some of whom won Councillorship seats in the said Local Government Elections in Kogi state on 4th May, 2013, estoppel by conduct operates to defeat the case/claim of the Claimant. (5) WHETHER having regards to the supervening developments, this suit is not rendered academic and liable to be struck out. (6) WHETHER this Honourable Court can grant reliefs such as reliefs K & L in the Amended Statement of Claim against the interest of persons not parties to this case having regard to the doctrine of fair hearing. (7) WHETHER the Claimant has discharged the requisite onus of proof upon it so as to entitle it to the reliefs sought. 19. Issue No 1 touches on the locus standi, competence and capacity of the claimant to maintain this action. The first attack of Mr.Akubo, SAN, relates to the fact that notwithstanding the claim or assertion of the original three political parties (ACN, ANPP and CPC) to have merged into one party (APC), the evidence of the claimant’s sole witness was still to the effect that the claimants are still independent political parties as Independent National Electoral Commission was still to approve the merger as required by law. He draws attention of the Court to the fact that no certificate of registration of APC was tendered in evidence. It is the contention of the learned senior counsel that the evidence of the sole witness for the claimant impugns on the locus standi, competence and capacity of the claimant to maintain this action. He considers the failure of the claimant to tender the registration certificate of APC as suppression of document. Learned senior counsel also adds that, in so far as the claimant did not participate in the 4th May 2013 local government elections, she lacks the locus standi to maintain this action. He describes the claimant as ‘a busy body and a meddlesome interloper’. He, therefore, urges this court to resolve Issue No 1 in favour of the 1st – 8th defendants by striking out this case, which according to him; is manifestly incompetent. He cites the following authorities amongst others; Bagwai v. Goda (2011) 7NWLR (Pt 1245) 28 at 49; Ogbonna v. Ogbuji (2014) 6NWLR (Pt 10403) 205 at 231. A.G. Lagos State v. Eko Hotels Ltd (2006) 18NWLR (Pt 1011) 278 at 450 Amukamara v.

Amukara (2003) 10NWLR (Pt 829) 438 at 447. 20. Issue No 2 has to do with the application of the provision of section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Law CAP III Laws of Northern Nigeria (as applicable to Kogi State) to reliefs b, c, d, e, f, and g of the amended statement of claim. For the avoidance of doubts, the said reliefs challenge the membership of the 4th – 8th defendants of the 3rd defendant, (PDP); the composition of the 3rd defendant by the 1st defendant and the request of the claimant for the nullification of all actions and steps taken by the 3rd defendant with the 4th – 8th defendants as chairman and members of the 3 rd defendants. Mr.Akubo, SAN argues that the claimant is barred from bringing an action against the 1st – 8th defendants having waited for almost 5 years before instituting this action. According to him, the claimant was obliged to file the action against the 1 st – 8 th defendants within three months with effect from 2008, when the cause of action arose. He submits that the failure of the claimant to institute this action within the time stipulated by law is fatal to the action. He, therefore, urges the court to strike out the entire suit. He buttresses his arguments with the following authorities: Egbe v. Adefarasin (1987) ISCNJ 1 at 17 – 18 Ibrahim v. Judicial Service Committee, Kaduna State (1998) 14 NWLR (Pt 584), at 32; Crutech v. Obeten (2011) 15 NWLR (Pt 1271) 588 at 608 – 609; Yaew v. NSW & I.C. (2013) 12 NWLR (Pt 1367) 173 at 19, Hassan v. Aliyu (2010) 17 NWLR (Pt 1223) 619. 21. Mr.Akubo, SAN, argues issues Nos. 3 and 4 together. His first contention is that this suit constitutes an abuse of the process of this court, having regard to what he calls the existence of “three antecedent suits” on the same subject. In this regard, he refers to Exhibits D1, D2 and D4. Exhibit D1 is the judgment of the Honourable Chief Judge in suit No HC/57/2011, directing the 3rd defendant to fix a date for local government election. Exhibit D2 is Motion HCL/151M/2012 initiating contempt proceedings against the 2ndand the 4th defendants, while Exhibit D4 is Motion HC/303M/2012 seeking for an order of Mandamus to compel the holding of local government elections. Mr.Akubo, SAN, submits that the institution of this suit amounts to gross abuse of court process having regard to the proceedings in Exhibits D1, D2, D3 and D4; and especially, by the fact Isaac E. Ekpa Esq, who endorsed the writ of summons in this case featured prominently in Exhibits D2 and D4. He further stresses that Exhibits D1, D2, and D4 relate to the same subject matter of local government election of Kogi State. Another point raised is that Exhibit D1, the judgment of the Honourable Chief Judge of Kogi State, as well as Exhibit D2, D3, and D4 constitute estoppel by rem judicata. On issue No 4, Mr.Akubo, SAN, argues that by the participation of the original claimants in the 4th May 2013 local government election, the claimant is caught by the principle of estoppel by conduct which will operate to defeat her claim. He refers to Exhibits D6, D7AM , D8 and D9 which are series of correspondences that transpired between the original claimants and the 3rd and 4th defendants.He urges me to resolve issues No 3 and 4 in favour of the 1st – 8th defendants.He relies on: Opekun v. Sadiq (2003) 2NWLR (Pt 814) 475 at 485 – 486; Saraki v. Kotoye (1992) 9 NWLR (Pt 264) 156 at 188; Harriman v. Harriman

(1989) 5 NWLR (Pt 119) 6. Ferdinand Oil Mills Plc v, UBA &Ors(2910) INWLR (Pt 1176) 583 at 598; Alapo v. Agbokerre (2010) 3SCNJ475 at 487; Ojukwu v, Nnoru,a (2000) 1 NWLR (Pt 641) 348 at 359. 22. On issue No 5, Mr.Akubo, SAN submits that the election sought to be stopped had already taken place and the 4th – 8th defendants left office on 26th February 2014. It is his contention, therefore, that the foregoing circumstances had rendered this suit needlessly academic. He contends further that courts of law don’t engage in academic issues. He cites and relies on: FCDA v. Koripamo-Agary (2010) 14 NWLR (Pt 1213) 364 at 393 at 395; Dkikibo v. Ibuluya (2006) 16 NWLR (Pt 1006) 563 at 580. 23. The prayers of the claimant for the nullification of the local government election conducted on 4th May 2013 and an order directing the chairmen and councillors elected to vacate their offices form the subject of Mr.Akubo, SAN’s submissions on issue No 6. He submits that this court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain or grant the reliefs. According to him, it is only the Local Government Election Tribunal that is vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether or not a person is validly elected. He also made the point that the affected elected chairmen and councillors ought to have been made parties and given fair hearing in accordance with the provisions of section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 10 therefore. He also cites the following cases. Olatubosun v, NISER Council (1988) 3NWLR (Pt 80) 25 Buhari v. Yusuf (2003) 14 NWLR (Pt 841) 446 at 516, Obasanjo v. Buhari (2003) 17 NWLR (Pt 850) 510 at 578. 24. Issue No 7 as formulated by Mr.Akubo, SAN, relates to the question as to whether or not the claimant has discharged the requisite onus of proof upon her as to entitle her to the reliefs sought. He describes the evidence led by the claimant as wishy–washy, grossly deficient and patently groundless. The basis upon which submission is made includes, according to the learned silk, failure of claimant to tender the letters of appointment of the 4th – 8th defendants, failure to tender INEC documents as well judgments of the Tribunal and Court of Appeal, Abuja pleaded in paragraph 22 of the amended statement of claim. He submits further that failure to tender the said documents justifies the invocation of section 167 (d) of the Evidence Act to deem the documents as unfavourable to the claimant. He describes as speculative and bunches of hearsay evidence, the assertion of the claimant that the 4th defendant participated in the April 2011 general election as a member of PDP. Mr.Akubo, SAN, also argues that bias or likelihood of bias has not been proved against the 4th – 8th defendants as members of the 3rd defendant. He objects to the admissibility of Exhibits P1, P6, P9, P10, P15 and that the documents are devoid of probative value as they were merely dumped on the court. He urges me to believe the evidence of the witness called by the 1 st – 8 th defendants as, according the learned senior counsel, gave convincing evidence that the 4th May 2013 election was in line with best practices in providing a level playing ground for the political parties that participated in it. On the whole, learned se-

nior counsel urges the court to resolve all the seven issues in favour of the 1st – 8th defendants and dismiss the claims of the claimant. The submissions ofEmejeAruwa Esq, learned counsel for the 9th defendant, are not dissimilar from Mr.Akubo, SAN’s. He formulates five issues which discusses the incapacity of the claimant to sue (issue No 1); the locus standi of the claimant to institute the action (issue No 2); the jurisdiction of this court or otherwise to nullify the local government election conducted in Kogi State on the 4th May 2013 (issue No 3); whether or not this suit has been reduced to an academic exercise (issue No 4) and whether or not the claimant has proved her case to entitle herto judgment. 25. On issues 1 and 2, which he argues together, Mr.Aruwa contends that as at the time the claimant (APC) took over this suit from the erstwhile claimants, i.eACN, ANPP and CPC, she did not possess the requisite power or capacity to institute or take over the action. He refers to paragraphs 1, 4, and 18 of the statement on oath of the claimant’s witness, which he submits suggests that despite the then on-going merger of the three political parties, they still existed as distinct political parties. He refers to Sections 84 and 80 of the Electoral Act 2006 and argues that APC took over this suit prematurely at a time she had no legal status or juristic personality. He relies on the following cases; Emenike v. PDP (2012) 12 NWLR (Pt 1315) 556 at 591 Paras G – H; HSF Co (Nig) Ltd v. Springside Co. Ltd (2010) 44 WRN 63 at 83 35 – 45. 26. On issues 3 and 4 which relate to the prayers seeking to nullify the local government election conducted on the 4th of May 2013 and a consequential order directing all purported elected local government chairman and councillors to vacate office,Mr.Aruwa submits that this court lacks jurisdiction to make such orders as, according to him, this suit does question both the validity of the appointment of the 4th – 8th defendants and the election of each local government chairmen and councillor, elected into the office vide the election of 4th May 2013. He relies on sections 22(1) (a), (b) and 23(1) of Local Government Elections Law (2004). He also makes the point that the failure of the claimant to join the chairmen and councillors deprives this court the power to make such orders. 27. In respect of the prayer asking for the nullification of the appointment of the 4th – 8th defendants, Mr.Aruwa submits that the evidence shows that there is evidence before this court of their retirement following the expiration of their term in office. He, therefore, contends that “to foray any further in this suit will be tantamount to engaging in an academic exercise”(P. 14). He cites and relies on INEC v. LSBS (2010) 51 WRN 107 AT 122 lines 25 – 35; Kasimu v. NNPC (2008) 3 NWLR (Pt 1075) 569 T 586 – 587. Muazzam v. Bichi (2010) 12 NQLE (Pt. 1209) 508 at 517, Paras. D. Liasu v. Salau (2012) 2 NWLR (Pt 1283) 162 at 180. Para B and Sijuade v. Oyewole (2012) 11NWLR (Pt 1311) 280 at 304 (Paras C – D). 28. On issues No 5 Mr.Aruwa submits that Section 200(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not state that a person who had been a member of a political party shall •To be continued next week

•Former Secretary NBA Ikeja, Adesina Adegbite and Muhammed Fawehinmi at the inaguration of Lawyer4change in support of Buhari and Osinbajo presidential ticket on APC’s platform.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Doctor canvasses support for bloodless medicine, surgery C

AN patients go through complicated surgeries without blood transfusion? Yes, says Dr Nathaniel Usoro, Head of Surgery Department, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). Usoro argues that surgeons have been performing surgeries without problems before blood transfusion came. He said the three Rs of “reduce, reuse and recycle”are often applied in handling serious surgeries with appropriate pre-operative blood management, adding that blood transfusion is unnecessary. The surgeon described this form of treatment known as “Bloodless Medicine (BM)” as novel. It is not popular in Nigeria but it is used in the developed world. Bloodless medicine and surgery (BM&S), Usoro said, is an emerging clinical strategy for medical care without allogeneic blood transfusion describing it as a well-defined area in blood management. “BMS is the provision of quality health care to patients without the use of allogeneic blood with the aim of improving outcome and protecting patients' rights,” he said. This, he said, can be achieved through conservation of blood. Explaining blood conservation, Usoro said, it is based on the principle of avoiding allogeneic blood transfusion with the aim of improving outcome and protecting patients' rights. “Surgical patients receive a large proportion on allogeneic blood transfused in hospitals. And blood conservation reduces overall use of allogeniec blood use,” he said. Why? Usoro spoke of multiple issues as-

sociated with blood and its transfusion. Blood transfusion, he said, is emerging as a treatment with limited efficacy and substantial risks, as well as the staggering associated costs and limited supplies. This is despite being considered as a gift of life for decades, he added. Usoro identified cost as a major reason to embrace the concept of patient blood management, saying: “Allogeneic blood transfusion is extremely expensive.” “Moreover, evidence indicates that a great number of the patients who are being transfused today may not be seeing many tangible benefits from it, as the transfused blood fails to achieve its primary goals - prevention of ischemia and improving the clinical outcomes. “For about 2000 years up until the 19th century, bloodletting rather than blood transfusion was the standard practice in medicine. Virtually all surgeries before the 20th century were essentially ‘bloodless’, and some were amazingly successful,” Usoro said. The challenge, he said, lies in identifying patients who are at risk of complications of severe anemia (ischemia) and transfusing them, without exposing other patients to unwarranted risks of inappropriate transfusions. Explaining how BM can be done, Usoro he said thorough preoperative planning is essential to reduce or avoid preoperative allogeneic transfusion. “Preoperative assessment requires accurate history taking and physical examination. Attention should be paid to any personal or family history of bleeding disorders. In pa-

tients requesting transfusion-free care who require major cardiac and orthopaedic surgical procedures, aggressive preoperative workups have yielded excellent results," he said. Usoro said in addition to the 'existing' infectious risks, the threat of either new or emerging infection is always present when transfused with donated blood. “These ‘threats’ may be newly identified infectious agents, known agents not previously identified as a threat to transfusion and known transmissible agents when the incidence of infection has increased both significantly and rapidly. He said the application of blood conservation strategies to minimise or avoid allogeneic blood transfusion is seen internationally as a desirable objective. Besides, bloodless surgery is a relatively new practice that facilitates that goal, adding: “The concept, however, is either poorly understood or evokes negative connotations. The problem, the surgeon said, is not only risk of blood-borne infectious agents, such as HIV, but the blood itself, stressing that studies have shown that transfusions, especially those containing red blood cells, are linked to higher death rates in patients who have had a heart attack, undergone heart surgery, or who are in critical care. “The exact nature of the link is uncertain, but it seems likely that chemical changes in ageing blood, their impact on the immune system, and the blood’s ability to deliver oxygen are quite important,” Usoro said. BMS, he said, is evidence-based, adding that it results in faster recovery, lower diseases

•Dr Usoro

and death, as well as shorter hospital stay, and lower cost and better patient (and physician) satisfaction. “Also, patient autonomy is respected and the hazards of allogeneic blood transfusion are avoided, in accordance with the principles of non-maleficence and beneficence in the Hippocratic Oath,” he noted. He said BMS is no longer an 'alternative' but the current standard of care, stressing that it may be considered as a vital step in the journey towards universal ethical, scientific, and evidence-based practice of medicine. According to him, the government of Western Australia was the first across the world to implement patient blood management as an official policy. This was in 2008, he added. “In 2010 the 63rd World Health Assembly of the World Health Organisation officially recognised and adopted the 'pillars' of Patient Blood Management (PBM). It is clearly the universal standard of future ethical practice of medicine,”Usoro said.

Return to work, striking health workers told

OCTORS in federal and state hospitals are overwhelmed no thanks to the ongoing Joint Health Sector Unions’ (JOHESU’s) strike, which started on November 12, last year. Patient care is being hampered despite the doctors’ efforts to restore dignity to the sector. Many patients have died; others in critical condition because of the vacuum created by the striking workers. Stakeholders are condemning the deadlock talks between the Federal Government and JOHESU. A Deputy Director at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), who preferred anonymity, resisted the threat of JOHESU executives to attend to patients. She said:“How can workers be going on strike to let patients die needlessly because they want to satisfy their pockets? They will never reap the reward if they continue to make innocent people die.” People, she said, should be allowed to decide whether they want to belong to a union or not. Workers should not be forced to embark on a strike if they do not want to. The case of patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) is nothing but pathetic. Doctors are suing for peace. They want the striking health workers to resume. Luth is now a shadow of itself. At some departments, such as the Guinness Eye Centre, General Out-Patient Department (GOPD) and Oncology Unit, among others, doctors are attending to patients. Luth’s Acting Chief Medical Director, Prof Chris Bode urged the

By Wale Adepoju

striking workers to go back to work. He said people should not be receiving salaries for the work not done. President, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), LUTH, Dr Ramon Moronkola said doctors are working. He reiterated doctors' commitment to the emergence of an efficient and sustainable health system to the advantage of all. Moronkola, however, identified erratic power supply as the bane of their job, describing it as “unreliable”, adding that consumables and equipment have been locked away by the striking workers. Moronkola said no fewer than 50 patients were attended to during the clinics, adding that the figures almost equalled the number they usually see before the strike began. “This is applicable to other units in LUTH. The dental clinics and the children emergency room (CHER) are running almost to their full capacities. These are veri-

•Consultant Ophthalmologist at Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Dr Olufisayo Aribaba (sitting on the right) attending to patients at the Guinness Eye Centre, Lagos University Teaching PHOTO: WALE ADEPOJU Hospital (LUTH).

fiable facts,” he said. He said it is surprising that striking JOHESU workers have received their incentives to continue the strike because they were paid December salaries well ahead of Christmas.

But doctors in LUTH have not been paid as well as their counterparts in the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Moronkola added. He said the ruling class should not be absolved from the crisis be-

deviling the health sector, adding: "It appears the crisis in the health sector was planned by politicians against the people because you cannot be talking about rivalry where there are verifiable standards existing all over the world."

Engage registered nannies, caregivers, mothers urged

HE Executive Director of Afribaby Initiative, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Mrs Olayinka Odiboh, has enjoined parents to employ registered nannies and caregivers for quality handling of their babies. According to her, the employment of trained and registered nannies would put a stop to the increasing rate of infant or child abduction and abuse in the country. Mrs Odiboh, who spoke to The Nation said: ”The new spate of in-

By Wale Adepoju

fant abduction and abuse by nannies, especially the recent abduction of two kids by a housemaid as reported in some national dailies calls for concern. “Our investigation has shown that infant kidnapping and abuse are the handiwork of untrained and uninvestigated nannies. Many of the nannies in our country today lack motherly skills to make babies safe, happy and healthy.”

Nanny services, she said, were on the increase as many mothers have taken to different careers to make ends meet in the home. Proper training for nannies, she said, would ensure quality child care and education, stressing that this would give parents assurance that their children are in safe hands. “In view of this development, we have decided to organise free training in different parts of the country. The training will be for interested Nigerians who want to

take up nannying and caregiving as their profession as well as those who are already in the profession. “The training will update, upgrade and professionalise the practice of baby care for healthy growth and development of babies, “Mrs Odiboh said. The ED said there was the need to revolutionise the profession by ensuring proper documentation and back-checking of information about nannies to forestall the repeat of the reported incident.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

HEALTH

How new vaccines will enhance child survival

National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Executive Director Dr. Ado Muhammad writes on how childhood killer-diseases can be reduced in Nigeria.

HE Federal Government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) supports and provides leadership for the development of primary health care (PHC) system in Nigeria. The Agency has seven goals as follows: control preventable diseases; improve access to basic health services; improve quality of care; strengthen institutions; develop high performing health workforce; strengthen partnerships; and strengthen community engagement. It achieves these goals by supporting States and LGAs in developing sustainable system of PHC services that are accessible, affordable and of good quality through the participation of individuals, families and communities in partnership with government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In the recent past, some major accomplishments have been recorded in the increasing coverage for routine immunization (RI), Midwives Service Scheme (MSS), Measles Control, and the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI). The improvement in the RI coverage has immensely contributed to the reduction in the morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). For instance; the sustained OPV3 coverage >80 per cent is most probably responsible for the significant reduction in the WPV transmission in the country; sustained improvement in the measles RI coverage >80% in most States is also responsible for the reduced morbidity and mortality from measles cases nationwide. Some of the key factors responsible for improved RI performance in the country are sustained vaccine availability; the overhauling of the immunization system in general, coordinated planning in collaboration with our development partners and other key stakeholders, and the new vaccine introduction in the country. The NPHCDA has ensured that this is on-going on a sustainable basis. Major causes of U5 deaths in Nigeria New Vaccines Introduction (NVI) Infectious diseases are still responsible for nearly 30% of all deaths worldwide; more than 15 million people die every year, mostly in low-income and middleincome countries3. The Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS) 2006-2015, for fighting VPDs has 3 priority objectives: (1) immunize more people against more diseases (2) introduce a range of newly available vaccines and technologies, and (3) provide a number of critical health interventions through immunization. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) prescribes attainment by 2015, of an under 5-mortality rate of not more than 75/1000 live births (MDG4). The 2008 National Demographic & Health Survey (NDHS) estimated Nigeria's under 5-mortality rate to be 157, declining at a rate of 1.2 per cent annually. This rate of progress was deemed insufficient to keep the country on track to achieve MDG4. Nigeria must therefore commit to and implement high impact interventions aimed at reducing the child deaths. Pentavalent Vaccine Introduction The Pentavalent vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects infants against the following five diseases: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) pneumonia and meningitis. Prior to 2012, the RI schedule consisted of the traditional vaccines: BCG, OPV, DPT, Measles and Yellow Fever Vaccines. Commencing in May 2012, Nigeria introduced the Pentavalent Vaccine

•Mohammad

into its National Immunisation Schedule in a phased manner over a three-year period; in order to reduce substantially child mortality from pneumonia and meningitis and thus save up to 30,000 lives annually following full introduction. Currently, it is available in all PHC facilities nationwide. However, pneumonia is a disease that can be caused by a number of other infectious agents that include bacteria, viruses and fungi; the most common in children being Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). The Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) - is the second most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Other causes are the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and in infants infected with HIV, Pneumocystis jiroveci is one of the commonest causes of pneumonia. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine-10 (PCV-10) Introduction Most recently, we have also introduced the PCV-10 to protect infants against the diseases caused by the pneumococcal bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae) such as pneumonia, meningitis and bacteraemia. The national launch event was conducted on the 22nd December, last year at Lokoja, Kogi State. The 12 States of the federation that commenced this phased introduction were selected on zonal basis, immunization coverage and their capacities to receive and store the new vaccine, viz: Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, Osun, Edo, Rivers, Anambra and Ebonyi. This introduction of the PCV-10 is continuing in a phased manner that by 2017, it will be available to infants in all the States and the FCT. Supplemental Immunisation Vaccines Other supplemental vaccines such as Measles, Yellow Fever and the newer MenAfriVac vaccine that protects against the commonest cause of cerebro-spinal meningitis (CSM) serotype A are also given as needed. In the period 2011-2014, the MenAfriVac vaccine was administered through the 23 meningitis belt States in Nigeria to an extended agegroup of one to 29 years old in our effort to eliminate CSM serotype A as a major public health issue. The NDHS 2003, 2008 and 2013 have indicated a gradual, sustained improvement in child survival indices. The introduction of these new vaccines will further reduce childhood mortality rates in Nigeria. _Trends in Childhood Mortality, 1999 - 2013 (NDHS Reports) IPV Introduction as End Game Strategy for the PEI The country has made an unprecedented progress in its polio eradication strategy (PEI) in the past 1 year. There have been only 6 confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in 2 States in 2014 compared to 50 cases in 9 States for the same period in 2013; with the date of onset of latest WPV case being 24th July 2014. There have been no confirmed WPV3 since November

20124. The import of the above is that Nigeria has now achieved the interruption of the transmission of the wild poliovirus (WPV) ending 2014. Through the combined efforts of governments and other key stakeholders, we are going to even put up more efforts into the next 2 years to ensure certification of the country as polio-free. Hitherto, only variants of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) have been used in our RI and the PEI efforts. However, as the country enters into the polio endgame, we have now introduced the injectable polio vaccine (IPV) to complement the supplemental effort. Initially, the IPV was introduced in the polioendemic States of Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi and Kano. But, commencing from the first quarter of 2015, the IPV will also be available to be delivered in the RI schedule to all eligible children at age of 14 weeks, in addition to the OPV that is given in the traditional four-dose RI schedule. The IPV given at that age is intercalated with the OPV and is expected to boost the child's immunity further to confer higher protection against the poliovirus. The Rotavirus Vaccine The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine against rotavirus infection, a common cause of diarrhea and sickness, typically striking babies and young children. The unpleasant bouts of diarrhea are sometimes followed with vomiting, tummy ache and fever. The disease accounts for about half of the hospitaliza-

tions for severe diarrhea in infants and children. A significant number of those children affected by the infection may die. The incidence and severity of the rotavirus infection have declined significantly as seen in those countries that have added Rotavirus vaccination to their routine childhood immunization. When introduced into our RI schedule in the 3rd quarter of 2015, it will be administered to infants on 2 visits at ages of 6 and 10 weeks. Other health strengthening efforts Apart from the Rota Virus vaccine that is administered orally, all the other newly introduced vaccines are in form of injection. This necessitates for the health service provider to have good working knowledge of injection safety and apply the appropriate injection techniques during vaccine administration. The programme ensures the use of autodestruct (AD) syringes, universal safety boxes and proper waste disposal, including incineration of the injection wastes. Through other channels and related programmes, families and communities are regularly educated on the benefits of other nonvaccine but highly effective measures such as exclusive breastfeeding for the newborn up till six months of age, adequate nutrition, reducing indoor air pollution and hand washing. Zinc supplements are given to reduce morbidity from diarrhoeal diseases while health-worker training in PHCs nationwide include capacity building for early detection and to man-

age and/or treat minor ailments. The Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) & SURE-P Maternal & Child Health (MCH) The MSS and SURE-P MCH both operate in 1,000 health facilities with a compliment of four midwives and two CHEWs per facility; this is a human resource pool of about 8,000 midwives and 2,000 CHEWs at the frontlines. We have put in place mechanisms for supply of drugs and commodities and in some places provided boreholes to complement the health services. These schemes serve a population of over 25 million Nigerians and have not only provided a platform for immunization services in the country but also a base for improving the health system of the country with special emphasis on PHC. Justification The introduction of new vaccines (Pentavalent, PCV, IPV, Rotavirus vaccines etc.) will help Nigeria to significantly reduce childhood mortality and accelerate the achievement of the MDGs. These new vaccines will help avert an additional 486,957 deaths over a 6year period. To achieve the MDG 4 targets (70 U-5 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2015), Nigeria needs prompt action to drive down U-5 mortality by ~ 30 per cent (from the current 128/1000 live births). As Nigeria's population is approximately 16 per cent of Africa's, our attainment of the health MDG targets will significantly improve the health outcomes in Africa as a whole.

•Abriana and Adriana

Apollo Hospital separates conjoined twins

OCTORS at Apollo Children’s Hospital, Chennai, India have successfully separated conjoined African twins, Abriana and Adriana. The eight-and-a-half months twins who are from Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, were joined at the chest and abdomen. The girls, who shared a single heart cavity and a liver, are now, the first survivors of this type of separation in India, according to the hospital in a live webcast. Dr K S Sivakumar, the hospital's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, said the procedure handled by a team of 50 staff members, such as surgeons, nurses and intensive care specialists, lasted 11 hours. He said: “This rare procedure involved separation of the pericardium (heart lining), diaphragm and the connected livers. Since 2007, eight pairs of conjoined twins with fused livers and intestines have been reported after separation from various parts of India.” The twins’ state of health was described as thoraco omphalopagus,

By Wale Adepoju

which means the fusing of two bodies at the lower chest and abdomen. According to the hospital, Abriana and Adriana were conjoined and had been sharing a common heart lining and diaphragm. Besides, they also had a connected liver that had to be separated with minimal blood loss. According to chairman-founder, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, Dr Prathap C. Reddy, after being admitted in August last year, Abriana and Adriana, children of Jimmy Mtemi and Carol-yn Zakaria of Dar-es-Salaam, underwent the final separation surgery on November 11, 2014. Indian healthcare, he noted, offered medical treatment for such critical issues at affordable costs than many other countries. "It took seven hours for the surgery and another four hours for closure by plastic surgeons,”Dr Venkata Sripathi, who supervised the surgery, stated.

The surgery, he said, involved separation of the pericardium (heart lining), diaphragm and the connected livers, adding that conjoined births are rare, “one in 50,000 to one in 1 lakh. However, more than 35 per cent die after birth.” Adriana had developed some complications post-surgery and another procedure was carried out on her, details of which were constantly shared between doctors on mobile phone messaging platform, WhatsApp. “Adriana’s heart had to be covered with bovine pericardium and carefully closed with skin and soft tissue. The liver, which was abnormally large, could not be fully reduced in both babies," said Dr K.S. Sivakumar admitted. “In our over 30 years, Apollo Hospitals has always been a pioneer in healthcare delivery and has continued to excel with worldclass clinical outcomes. We have once again demonstrated our prowess as a global destination for affordable yet world class healthcare.”

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

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I advise the people to use their voting rights to effect a change that the country deserves at this crucial period

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Group assures Oyo REC of support

Senator Gbenga Ashafa was elected in 2011 on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He is now seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progresives Congress (APC). His challenger is Mrs. Owolabi Salis-Fakos of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Will he succeed in his bid for anmother term in the Senate? EMMANUEL OLADESU examines his struggle for re-election in the Lagos East District

GROUP, the Centre for Sustained Dialogue (CSD) , has said ex pressed its readines to work harmoniously with the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Chief Rufus Akeju. Its leader, Comrade Omotosho Hakeem, said the challenge before the electoral officer is tasking. He chided the politicians and hired civil rights organisations protesting Akeju’s redeployment from Osun State to Oyo State, saying that their protest is illogical. Hakeem added: “The recent elections conducted so far by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shown beyond any reasonable doubt that a Resident Electoral Commissioner cannot unilaterally sabotage the outcome of an election, since his own duty is just to coordinate and supervise the processes. ‘’The procedures has been structured in such a way that the Chief Returning Officer is different from Resident Electoral Commissioner. We assure the REC of our commitment to work with the commission in the pursuit of violencefree, fair and credible election.”

Ashafa: Why I deserve re-election

ENATOR Gbenga Ashafa is on the weighing scale in the Lagos East Senatorial District, where he was elected on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011. As he unfolded his re-election bid, a searchlight was beamed on his scorecard in the Upper Chamber. To his challenger, Mrs. Olabisi Salis-Fakos of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he could have performed better. Addressing stakeholders in Kosofe area, she said the district will face better, if she becomes a senator. However, Ashafa described his life and career as an open book. He said he has built on his pedigree and track record as a successful technocrat and former permanent secretary in the National Assembly. Many constituents are rooting for his re-election bid, in appreciation of the quality representation he has offered and various empowerment programmes he implemented. Many Lagosians have described the senator as an eminent Lagosian with strategic experience in both public and private sectors. As a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands for almost a decade, he created five and resuscitated nine moribund schemes. He pioneered the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) in the Land Registry and initiated the electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-C of O) recently launched by government.

He raised the revenue base of the Lands Ministry from N1 billion in 2001 to N13.23 billion in 2010. Ashafa attended Morgan State University, Maryland, United States and later, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he bagged his Masters in Public Health Administration in 1979. In the Senate, has sponsored 13 Bills and three motions. These are the Language Bill, Income Tax Holiday Bill, Treaty (Amendment) Bill, Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, National Directorate of Employment (Amendment) Bill, Harmful waste (Amendment) Bill, Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Bill, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences (Amendment) Bill, Banks and Other Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill, Advertising Practitioners (Registration, etc) (Amendment) Bill, Banks Employee, etc Declaration of Assets (Amendment) Bill, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (Amendment) Bill. Motions on the Deteriorating Service of GSM Providers, Motions on the Imminent Collapse of the Third Mainland Bridge and Motions on Baby Factories in Nigeria, Lagos. Ashafa has also co-sponsored many other bills and motions. These include the Social Housing Bill, Prohibition of Same Sex Marriage Bill, Lagos State Special Economic Assistance Bill, Motion on 2011 Lagos Flood,

• Ashafa

Motion on the solution to Terrorism in Nigeria, Motion on the Creation of unemployment Data and Job Centres in the Country, and the Motion on Rivers State crisis. Ashafa is the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development and a Member of the Senate Committee on Gas Resources, Environment & Ecology, Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Senate Committee on Senate Services. The senator was instrumental to the execution of federal constituency projects worth over N803 million in his district between June 2011 and October, last year. He also set up the Gbenga Ashafa Trust Fund Endowment (GATE), which has given succour to stakeholders. Ashafa was initially jostling for the governorship. But, when he saw the hndwriting on the wall, he retraced his steps. As a legislator, he has avoided scandals. he has also been a loyal party chieftain. The party made him a member of the planning committe saddled with the responsibility of organising its maiden convention.

‘Masses ‘ll sponsor Buhari’s campaign’

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly in Lagos Island Constituency 1, Hon. Wasiu Sanni- Eshilokun has said that the campaign of the presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, will be funded by the people. He said the people will be willing to support a leader, who will give them direction and restore the lost glory of the country. The Lagos State APC Secretary described Buhari as a brand, adding that he is held in high esteembecause of his transparency, integrity and anti-corruption crusade. to the discerning electorate, may end up as the elusive rainbow on the lam Sanni-Eshilokun maintained that Buhari represents the change Nigeria is looking for; stressing that, if voted to power, Nigeria will enjoys economic prosperity. He said: ‘’General Buhari himself is a moving advert, who is very popular in the country. With that kind of person, you need less advertorial. If we cite the Barack Obama case as example, the people where the contributed as little as one to five dollars and so to support his campaign and he won the election, then Nigeria will do that in the case of General Buhari.’’ The APC chieftain added that the combination of General Buhari and said Prof. Yemi Oshinbajo is a solid ticket, noting that the candidates are

• Sanni-Eshilokun By Musa Odoshimokhe

hardworking Nigerian full of patriotic zeal. He said: ‘’When Oshinbajo was the Attorney-General of Lagos State he brought value to the job. He carved a niche for himself by serving Lagos State faithfully. Osinbajo who is now a pastor in one of the largest congregations in the country, there is no doubt that he will give his best to the country to ensure that better.’’ He said the APC will sweep the poll in Lagos State, noting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate lacks the experience to manage the

Shun thuggery OrelopeAdefulire urges youths

economy. ‘’It only when people take a myopic view that believe that the PDP candidate Jimi Agbaje is a match for the APC candidate Akinwunmi Ambode. The PPD candidate has not got the experience and has never managed public fund. He has only worked in the private sector, where the monetary worth is less than N5 billion now asking him to handle project that worth N500 billion. ‘’As a private person, the thinking is always on the bottom-line, the last line, that is how profitable is the project that he is doing? But for the public man the situation value. So, you can see the difference in orientation. Looking at the credentials of Ambode who has been in public and private life, he understands the economy better and how governance functions.’’ Sanni-Eshilokun explained that there was an improvement in the number of members returning to the Lagos House of Assembly adding that the primary election was transparent and healthy for democracy. He added: ‘’The State House had an improvement from what they usually have. In the past is normally about 30 per cent of the members that used to returning now that have gotten above this number. It is only at the national that it dropped. This could be explained in the fact that some of them have spent three or four terms at the National Assembly.

AGOS State Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire has advised youths to shun thuggery and electoral violence. Speaking in Lagos, she the election as a historic exercise, urging stakeholders to ensure its success. She said the polls will herald a new dawn and power shift, which will change the course of history. Describing youths as major stakeholders in any electoral process, OrelopeAdefulire said they should play their roles with patriotism so that the society can make progress. She urged them to shun political thugery and reject the move by unscrupulous politicians to make them sacrificial lambs. The deputy governor added: “Hope is not lost for the country. I urged the youths of voting age to use their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to effect a change that will permanently bring poverty to an end and improve our society. “I advise the people to use their voting rights to effect a change that the country deserves at this crucial period. Their vote is the strongest political weapon they can use to fight oppression, injustice and put credible people in power. People should vote for their conscience. They should not be influenced by money. The outcome of the election will have positive or negative effect on the country.” Orelope-Adefulire urged religious leaders not to relent in their prayers for the nation at this critical time. She said: “As spiritual fathers, I urge you, irrespective of your religious beliefs or groupings, to use your divine calling and closeness to God to pray to God to give us peace and unity, especially now that our nation is transiting from a civil administration to another one. • Mrs Orelope-Adefulire

Folarin: Better days ahead for Oyo

YO State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin has urged the people to vote wisely at the polls. He said better days are underway in the Pacesetter State, if the people can resolve to use their voting power to effect positive change. The flag bearer said in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, that the days of despair will be over, if the people can make the right decision at the polls. Folarin said: “With a concerted effort, determination and synergy between the people and a government with an human face, the new year holds a lot of promise. Our people should not lose hope because the PDP government in Oyo State will put smiles on the faces of our people.” The flag bearer added: “Our people have suffered enough. Under the PDP government in Oyo State, poverty reduction will be our focus. Youth unemployment, support for the vulnerable, education, health and agriculture shall form the fulcrum of our purposedriven administration . “In these days of unpredictable price of oil in the international market, an agrarian state like Oyo has a lot of potentials to absorb thousands of unemployed youths. What it requires is the creation of an enabling environment in the rural areas, backed by purposeful legislation and committed leadership”. “We cannot continue to pay lip service to the hopelessness and needless invitation to criminality that our youths have been subjected to over the years.The time to act is now. Otherwise, we shall be sitting on a keg of gun powder that may be difficult to contain when the burble burst. We need to rededicate ourselves and chart a new course that will benefit the masses of our people, so that they could enjoy the real dividends of democracy.” • Folarin

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

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Is President Jonathan elected as a regional president or Nigeria’s President? You see, already, his people are seeing him as a regional President instead of seeing him as Nigeria’s President. Why will anyone issue such a threat? This is quite unfortunate

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‘How to prevent disintegration’

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Audu Ogbeh spoke with JAMES AZANIA on the general elections and the people’s quest for power shift.

By Musa Odoshimokhe

‘Nigeria ‘ll be better under APC’ W

HAT’S your position on Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi’s call for a peace agreement between President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari,to avert postelection violence? The most realistic peace agreement they can sign is to determine between God and man that each of them will abide by the electoral rules that guide all elections; avoid cheating, avoid using instruments of state, namely: The State Security Service, Police, Army and Navy to rig the elections to favour the incumbent. Government has the capacity, Buhari doesn’t have them. Those are the things that provoke actions; there is hardly any need for any agreement to be signed, because it won’t be worth the piece of paper for which to sign, if we lack dignity and integrity to be genuine patriots and say to ourselves, let the people decide. Some are of the opinion that there is no ideological difference between the APC and PDP. What could be responsible for this? Worldwide today, tell me what the ideological difference between political parties are? Where are they? You can’t see a clear difference between the British type and the American type. The Americans belief literally, in the uncontrollable capitalists, the British has welfarist arrangement within their own capitalism. But in APC, we will also want to think of ourselves as social a welfarist that promote the wellbeing of the people, by solving some of the problems which has been instituted in the last 30 years. These outrageous interests prevent individual Nigerians from realizing his or her ambition. Dealing with power supply, this major issue alone if sorted out, the interest rate alone in this country can be under any circumstances be close to one digit, this can sort out electricity and provide security. What are the big ideological differences today? Even, China cannot claim to be exactly a communist state anymore, so which ideological differences are we talking about? What are they? The ultimate ideological philosophy of any party is the ultimate wellbeing of the people, freedom from fear, molestation, threats and assaults by extra-legal forces. If the presidential pollsgoes otherwise, what will the APC do? The party has made its position very clear, if we have reasons to believe that the elections are free and fair, we will congratulate whoever wins, whether we win or PDP wins or somebody else wins. But like I said, if we have reasons to believe otherwise or like what they did in Ekiti and Osun States where 38,000 policemen, SSS and soldiers were drafted as if we are in war front, masked, with instructions to make sure PDP wins, in such case how do you expect us to react? Go to court? We will take decisions that will become absolutely necessary, to tell the world and ourselves that we can’t keep surrendering to slavery, whatever the interpretation you give it is up to you, What is your expectation, if the APC eventually wins the presidential polls? The expectation is to govern this country, to deal with Boko Haram. We are in a very tragic situation, Nigeria Army has been everywhere; in Tanzania, Congo, Liberia, Sudan etc, on peace mission and they performed well. What is it that has turned the Nigerian military into Boys Scout movement running away from a rag tag Boko Haram, nothing but corruption? The morale of the troops is dead and they know it and we know it. That is the issue number one. The second issue is the cutting down of corruption, as no country has totally eliminated corruption, but you know the address and the precedence of our presidential candidates on corruption. With the power of incumbency and resources at President Goodluck Jonathan’s disposal, do you think Buhari can defeat the President?

This is for Nigerians to take. They already have their CVs and they know who can salvage the country from these mess. It is only a stranger in Jerusalem who cannot recognize who Buhari is. We don’t need to advertise him. Buhari is not likely to encourage corruption or see corruption and do nothing about it. He is not likely to allow the Boko Haram to continue ravaging the country because he had certain military experience. The man became an Army General and a Head of State. I think that says he has gotten some distance in life, those two are more than enough to tell Nigerians that this is the man for the job. Of course, there are attempts to say he is a fanatic. Again, I can say this man they referred to as a fanatic or religious extremist has been to Hajj only once in the last 14 years, if they need to know more about him they can, so we are not about re-selling or re-packaging, those who know him, know him. We know a number of people who are scared of his emergence because he will throw everybody in prison, which is not true, there is more work to do than setting up prison and throwing people inside. If you keep jailing and taking people to prisons alone, when will you have the time to deal with power supply, to deal with health, education, infrastructures and grow the economy and reduce the high interest rate and solve the problems of poverty in the country. There are so many things to do, however. If the government of General Buhari decides that this corruption business has to be curtailed to the barest minimum, his body language alone will do far more than the EFCC and the ICPC put together. You said power has been the bane of our economic development. Do you think with an APC government can stem the tide? So much money has gone down the drain in the power sector; $16billion, $20 billion and nobody knows the figures and privitization is expected to help the system better managed but the reverse is the case, there are 15 private groups, now the groups seems to be more powerful for government to control. They refused to give meters out to Nigerians rather they use estimates, they became consortium licensed to defraud the society and cannot be controlled by the government, whereas we are supposed to be given meters and we pay what it reads, but they refuse, knowing fully well that we have no choice, is that not taking us captive? Because if I don’t pay you will come and cut off my electricity, is that not part of the corruption we are talking about? Who got these licenses? That is the first thing. Number two, what happened to coal in this country? There are 13 coal deposits in this country, one of the biggest coal deposit is in Kogi State, one in my state, Benue, also in Enugu and every other places across the country. In the world they are still using coal to generate power, but we insist on oil and gas, which there are inherent problems there in the upstream, downstream. People blowing up pipe lines here and there has become a major challenges. How do we want to industrialize and match the rest of

‘If the government of General Buhari decides that this corruption business has to be curtailed to the barest minimum, his body language alone will do far more than the EFCC and the ICPC put together’

• Ogbeh

the world and how do we hope to participate in these so called global game? How does Nigeria want to go on without being a victim of globalization and beneficiary? If electricity is not available, how? This is what the APC will address. Asari Dokubo was reported to have threatened that, if President Jonathan does not win the 2015 election, Nigeria may not know peace. What’s your reaction to this? Is President Jonathan elected as a regional president or Nigeria’s President? You see, already, his people are seeing him as a regional President instead of seeing him as Nigeria’s President. Why will anyone issue such a threat? This is quite unfortunate. I have heard comments and people saying helicopters have been bought and warships are coming in and we also hear that containers of weapons are coming too. Suddenly we don’t hear anything about them. We do hope that is not their intention and we hope that President Jonathan will recognize that he owes more to Nigerians than to allow his ethnic warlords to talk that way. The same way we are warning anybody else from any other parts, whether is in the APC who will say if we don’t win they will bring Nigeria down and I think is less than responsible talk. Our education sector is in shambles.How will the APC rescue the sector? You know sometimes we see all kinds of very dramatic reforms in this country, one of them is Structural Adjustment Programme. This reform was condemned by Jeffery Sachs who was Economic Adviser to Koffi Anaan, the former UN Secretary General and Paul Robin Krugman, the American who won Nobel Prize about eight years ago, both of them condemned SAP, that it was imposed on Africans by the Western world as the worst assault on Africa since the slave trade. Again, one of the reforms that destroyed our education in Nigeria was the disruption of teacher’s training colleges in Nigeria, and APC is going back to it. We have to train teacher’s that will teach our children from nursery to secondary to university level. Unless and until we restructure and bring back that very basic foundation of training of teachers, if not any other thing we are doing is just like applying cosmetics. There are some private schools ?that are charging N1 million per annum in Abuja and Lagos, and only the rich can afford to send their children there. If that was the situation in the past some of us wouldn’t have gone to school. So whoever that introduced the reforms that NCE is enough, whoever he was did a terrible and irreparable damage to Nigerian educational system. Already, the APC states met in Kano and this was one of the issues we discussed. We have to return to the teachers training colleges, we will find brilliant young Nigerians, send them to those? Teachers training colleges, train them properly to teach and pay them well. APC will start to reform the education from where it can be reformed, meaning the very foundation- the nursery schools- after that you don’t need to panic over what you have.

HE son of former Premier of the defunct Western Region, Alhaji Dauda Adegbenro, Adejare, has called on former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan to work together to fulfilment of the America’s prediction of disintegration. He expressed worry over the frosty relationship between the two leaders, stressing that “the duo have what it takes to stabilise the troubled ship of Nigeria.” Adegbenro said both Obasanjo and Jonathan would serve the national interest better by closing ranks “as father and son,” and working together to resolve the challenges confronting the country. He said: “Posterity would not forget them, if they prevent the America’s prediction on disintegration from coming to pass. Obasanjo is like a grandfather to me. He loves Nigeria. Obasanjo and President Jonathan love this country dearly and they will not want any evil to befall her “I expect a situation whereby Mr. President would go to Otta residence of Papa for a discussion on project Nigeria without making fanfare of it. After all, there is nothing strange in father/ son behind-the-door discussion. It is even in tandem with African culture to iron out differences for the benefit of the generality of the people,” Adegbenro explained. Explaining why he is interested in the unity of the country, he said: “My maternal grandfather, the late Alfred Riwane hailed from Delta State. My paternal grandfather, who was the Premier of the old Western Region, Pa Dauda Adegbenro of the blessed memory, was from Abeokuta, Ogun State. I have a son from Zaria Kaduna State. As a complete Nigeria, where would I eventually belong when Nigeria disintegrate? And I am very sure I am not the only Nigerian with this kind of family setting.”

Suntai’s brother wins House ticket From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

ARABA State Governor Dambaba Suntai’s younger brother, Babangida, has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representives flag bearer in Bali/ Gassol Constituency. Also, Acting Governor Abubakar Sani Danladi is the PDP senatorial candidate for Northern Taraba Zone. A source said, although the ticket was reserved for the former acting governor, Garba Umar, the party changed its mind, following protests by top party leaders. Danladi, who hails from Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, has been Suntai’s deputy since 2007. Danladi was impeached in October 2012 by the House of Assembly. But, the Supreme Court ordered his reinstatement in November last year. The ticket is a payback for Danladi, who initially refused to contest, added the source. Babangida Suntai exuded confidence, saying that he will win the general election. He said he successfully resisted attempts to edge him out of the primaries. He added: “I am very happy that I have gotten the ticket. It was really tough, but I forged ahead. They told me to run for the House of Assembly, but I refused. Others asked me to step down so that they will ‘settle’ me, but I forged ahead.” Suntai was planning to run for the Senate after the expiration of his second term. But, the plane crash truncated his ambition. His associates said that he is happy that his younger brother became a parliamentary aspirant. Babangida Suntai defeated the House of Representatives member, Haruna Manu, at the primaries. However, Manu was elected as the running mate to the governorship candidate, Darius Dickson Ishaku.

• Suntai

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION

Wanted:single air transport policy for Africa Cooperation among African countries through adoption of a single air transport policy can deepen the liberalisation of the sector, say experts. KELVIN OSAOKUNBOR reports.

FRICAN countries are not optimising the benefits of their air transport sector because of restrictive policies , absence of a single market, airspace and air transport policy, some experts have said. Besides, lack of implementation of continental initiatives by many of them remains a major road block to the sector’s sustainable growth. The experts are seeking a single air transport policy for countries on the continent in line with Europe’s model. Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines, Mr Tewolde Gebremariam urge African countries to unite to pursue the liberalisation of the sector. The other experts are Ms Iyabo Sosina, secretary of African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC ) and the Secretary General of African Airlines Association ( AFRAA ), Mr Elija Chingosho. European countries operate a single airspace for the negotiation of air treaties, airport regulations and air navigation procedures managed by the European Union (EU). They said a single air transport policy in Africa would accelerate the growth of air transportation on the continent. An Africanh air transport policy, according to Gebremariam, should be pursued by the African Union (AU), the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and AFRAA. The policy, he said should determine how bilateral air treaties and other matters related to airport infrastructure , air navigation matters and other issues are developed. Gebremariam who spoke in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said African countries should unite to pursue the liberalisation of air transport on the continent. He said until air transportation is liberalised, African carriers would not tap into the potential of the aviationsector. He said the absence of a single air transport policy in Africa accounts for the lopsidedness in market share between African and foreign carriers which have over 80 per cent of passenger traffic. According to him, restrictions to market on the continent among is responsible for its meagre 20 per cent passenger traffic. The Ethiopian Airlines CEO therefore called on African leaders to close ranks to pursue the liberalisation of air transport otherwise known as the Yamoussoukro Decision. The Yamoussoukro Decision was signed by 44 African countries in 1999 as a key enabler for air liberalisation. It was designed to support economic growth by countries committed to aviation deregulation and the promotion of transnational competition in regional markets. But the implementation of the agreement has posed a huge challenge for many African countries due to market protection policies by some countries. He said: ”Now, with the renewed initiative in the Yamoussoukro Decision, we do hope that African Heads of States who are going to meet in Addis Ababa in a couple of weeks would declare that Africa should see a single sky, single aviation policy, where African countries, carriers can cooperate to develop their aviation sector with free market to African carriers. “Basically, what we are looking for

•Mr Gebremariam

•Chingosho

•Mrs Zuma

Passenger movements before and after liberalisation

in the coming meeting of Heads of States of Africa is full implementation of Yamoussoukro Decision which means that the African airspace will be treated as a single airspace so that any African carrier would be able to fly from one point to another without any restriction on the continent. “The second one which we are pushing as African airline through the AFRAA and AFCAC is to formulate an aviation policy on single market for Africa which will be like what the European community has today.” He said member states of EU treat the market as a single airspace. So, they have full freedom of the air for their airlines. But when it comes to air services negotiation within member states, of EU and another country, the EU will act as a single market. “For instance, today as it is, if one of the EU airline member country wants to fly to Africa, there will be a clause mandating the European airline to fly to that country through other European country. “British Airways can fly to Addis through Paris with Union’s community clause. They call it horizontal clause but unfortunately, Ethiopian Airways, Kenya Airways or Arik Airlines won’t be able to fly to European country through another African country which does not have an airline. “For instance, if we want to fly to Paris through Chad in the existing arrangement, we would not be able to do so while Air France would be able to fly to Addis through Abidjan because it is a member country in Europe. “The AU is a bloc, the EU is a bloc, so bloc to bloc negotiation is there to make competitive landing scale level field for everybody. Because of lack of these two policy instruments; first one is the Yamoussoukro Declaration and the second one is unfair competition in the continent, the result is that 80 per cent of the intercontinental traffic between

Africa and the rest of the world is carried by none African airlines. “Only 20 per cent is carried by African airlines and this is lopsided and it has to be corrected. In order to correct this imbalance and unfair competition is to enact those instruments that I explained before. “I sincerely wish that Nigeria would lead the change because Nigeria is a big aviation market, a big country, the most populous country, the largest economy in the continent. Nigeria has a lot of ways to drive this initiative.” he said. He said the body is ready to help, partner, adding that hopefully, the aviation policy will also be revised to support this kind of African partnership between African brothers and sisters which the continent has not encouraged African aviation partnership. According to him, African carriers need to foster cooperation to boost air connectivity as well as increase investment in countries on the continent. He said : ”The poor air connectivity is also driven by lack of investment among ourselves. I think we need to change. I think Ethiopian Airways would want to play a catalyst role in doubling up this trade investment and air connectivity. “As you know, back in the 1960s, Ethiopia was the only airline serving East-West; no other airline. So, we have done it for more than 50 years, so we should be able to it better in the 21st century. “Within the context of Yamoussoukro Declaration, we should operate more to more points and facilitate the intercontinental and intercountry travel hardships that we experience in Africa. If you want to travel today from Nigeria to neighbouring country in Cameroon in the East; Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire in the West, passengers don’t have so many choices in terms of the availability of air routes,

so, it is an underserved market. We should push for more air routes among African countries. “Air travel is the most practical and easy way of connecting passengers in the continent. If you want to connect two countries by rail, it is a huge and massive investment but if you want to connect two countries by air which almost all countries have airports today, it is very easy. With very little investment, you can do it but we are not doing it because we have closed the market. We don’t understand the rationale why we should close the markets and let our people suffer. “ So, in this line, we want to do more in connecting the ECOWAS region, East Africa, South Africa. Africans have to trust each other in terms of trade and investment. It is only ten per cent of African trade which is within the continent. Africa’s trade with the rest of the world is 88 per cent.” Sosina said by not adopting the Yamoussoukro Decision, African countries are not only holding back growth in the aviation sector but their economies. She said : “Liberalisation leads to increased air services which in turn facilitates growth in the sectors of the economy by supporting increased trade, attracting new businesses to the region, encouraging investment and enhancing productivity. “ Chingosho also said the importance of the liberalisation of the continent’s air market cannot be overemphasised. He said the policy on liberalisation will accelerate the growth of the air transport sector in Africa by making air travel accessible by all citizens. He said: “Air transport should be affordable for everyone, not just be monopolised for the rich and the wealthy. As a continent we are subsidising the industry for international carriers.” Chingosho said there is no going back on the liberalisation of air trans-

‘Liberalisation leads to increased air services which in turn facilitates growth in the sectors of the economy by supporting increased trade, attracting new businesses to the region, encouraging investment and enhancing productivity’

port because African aviation occupies just 20 per cent of market share of air traffic. African nations could achieve further economic growth by liberalising their airspace. He said: ”Member states could see their annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grow by the millions, annually, and thousands of jobs created with the adaptation of an open skies, a liberal market between signatory states allowing airlines unlimited rights to fly. “ He said a report released last year by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in partnership with regional associations AFCAC and AFRAA, outlined the benefits African nations would gain by implementing a liberalised policy. He said the report used 12 key markets as examples. He listed them to include Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda. He said: “Air transport plays a crucial role in driving economic and social developments in Africa through enhanced connectivity. However, regulations have made it difficult to provide interconnectivity in the region. “Governments should support the growth of the industry by fully liberalising African skies as intended by the Yamoussoukro Decision, while providing other facilitator assistance such as implementing global standards in safety, security and regulations, reducing high charges, taxes and fees and removing visa requirements for ease of movement across the continent.” According to the report, if the 12 countries were to adopt an open skies policy, they would create 155,000 extra jobs in the market and grow the combined annual GDP of the nations by $1.3 billion, five million additional passengers a year would fly. Africa agreed, in principle, to an open skies policy 26 years ago with the signing of the Declaration. The lack of implementation saw member states, under the AUumbrella, come up with the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision, which looked at what its implementation would mean for African economies. It called for the deregulating of air services and opening regional air markets. Last year , the AU Commission called for a single African air transport market, saying it is critical to agenda 2063. The chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Zuma, spoke during a meeting with a delegation of the African Airlines Association to discuss the importance of the aviation sector in the socio-economic transformation of the continent. In a statement, Zuma noted that a single continental air transport is vital. “Connecting Africa through aviation and other transport infrastructure is critical to integration, intra-Africa trade, as well as to tourism, economic growth and development more generally. “The sector is also an important creator of jobs and critical skills on the continent. The aviation sector is strategic for the implementation of Agenda 2063,” the statement read. According to the AU, the discussions on African open skies have been ongoing in the last two decades resulting in the adoption of the Yamoussoukro Decision by African Heads of State and Government in 2000. Over the last decade, with sustained economic growth on the continent, the commission observed that a growing middle class and more tourists and businesses are coming to Africa, adding that the delays have been at Africa’s peril, with loss of market share by African airlines, from 60 per cent in the early 90s to fewer than 20 per cent at present.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

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Girl, 14, builds $10,000 house

•Row of completed buildings in Cornerstone Estate, Oregun Phase 1

Firm launches Phase 2 of N1.4 b estate A FTER the completion of the first phase of its estate development project,Cornerstone Real Estate Limited, has begun work on the second phase on Kudirat Abiola Way in Oregun, Lagos.The project is a joint venture between the firm and a prominent Lagos family. It is on a-five acre land comprising 26 units. The funding of the N1.4 billion project was arranged by Texas Global LLC and Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc. A breakdown of the units include 14unit of houses, consisting of two threebedroom detached houses with oneroom boys’ quarters; six four-bedroom semi-detached houses with one-room boys’ quarters; and six three-bedroom terrace house. The duplex sits on an approximate land area of 400 square meter each with four bedrooms, all en-suite. The ground floor space area includes entrance lobby, foyer, main living room, dining, kitchen, visitors’ toilet and an en-suite guest room. The first floor space area includes the family lounge with balcony, two bedrooms and the masters’ bedroom, all en-suite; spacious living and dining areas with exquisite wood work, well-

Stories by Muyiwa Lucas

finished wardrobes and kitchen cabinet; plaster of Paris (PoP) ceiling and stainless steel aluminum railings. These features are also available in the terrace units. Its Managing Director, Mr. Lanre Okupe, said the firm is offering 20 per cent discount to the first five buyers in the scheme to serve as an incentive for potential buyers. Such buyers must, however, pay inblock for the units they choose. The duplex sells for N85 million; the terrace goes for N75 million. There is however an opportunity for installmental payment through first installment payment of 30 per cent of the unit value at the onset; second installment of 30 per cent at lintel level; third installment of 30 per cent at roofing level and the balance of 10 per cent at the finishing level. The completion period for any unit is 12 months. “While installmental payment is allowed, there is however an opportunity for the first five

buyers to buy at 20 per cent discount off the regular price of N85 million and N75 million at this promotional period. This means that duplex will sell at N68 million and terrace units will sell at N60 million each if the buyer is paying outright. Also, an allottee who pays 30 per cent deposit and settle the balance within 180 days will qualify for N10 million saving on the unit bought,” Okupe explained. Presently, the completed phase one of the scheme has been sold out with only one unit available for reallocation. In a similar vein, Okupe said the firm’s Ofada Estate, located in Ogun State, presents another investment opportunity for investors, especially at this crucial period of oil price crash, which necessitates wise investment. The Cornerstone Estate in Ofada Town, is a 50-acre property divided into two phases. The first phase is a developed 15-acre land comprising of 10 units of three bedroom bungalows; 14 serviced plots are available here at N2 million per plot, while the bungalows sells for between

N7million and N8.5 million. The carcass, that is, uncompleted bungalow, sells for N5.5 million; each of the units sits on between 500 – 600 square metres. Facilities in the serviced plots area include perimeter fencing, tarred estate road network, borehole water, good drainage system, PHCN transformer and internal reticulation and street lights. The Phase two of the Ofada Estate is an undeveloped 35 acres of land, selling at N5.3 million per acre or N900, 000 per plot. Okupe said potential buyers in this scheme, can make a deposit of 20 per cent and pay the balance over a 24-month period. “For discerning investors, this is a unique opportunity for wise investment given the location of the property and the high return on investment potentials it has,” he said. Indeed, with the high cost of land in Lagos, and the attendant high cost of rent, peripheral areas to the state have become an option for prospective house owners.

UILDING a house from scratch, even a tiny one, is not for the faint at heart, but 14-year-old Sicily Kolbeck has proven she has what it takes to see her passion project through against overwhelming odds. Kolbeck, from Marietta, Georgia, started work on her diminutive dwelling, lovingly dubbed La Petite Maison, when she was 12. At the time, the girl was searching for an outside-the-box idea for a school project when she stumbled upon a sizable online community of DIY builders specialising in downsized homes. Sicily had no construction experience beyond re-purposing a large TV box as a playhouse for herself, but her father, Dane, volunteered to help, CNN reported. Her mother, Suzannah Kolbeck, who was also her teacher and the founder of her school, signed up as Sicily’s project manager, but the girl was to act as the chief architect, builder and fundraiser on the project. Sicily got the project off the ground by launching an online fundraising campaign in January 2013. Within less than a month, she exceeded - her $1,500 goal. ‘My decision to build a tiny house was partly economic,and partly out of the desire to be free,’ Sicily Kolbeck wrote in the description. ‘Building a house would give me the life skills that really matter, such as using tools for construction. Building the house I can know what efforts go into a home and truly appreciate what I am living in.’ Around the same time, Sicily launched the blog La Petite Maison to offer updates on her progress. The 12-year-old and her father, a sailor and woodworking enthusiast, got down to work, drawing blueprints for her future dwelling and erecting a birdhouse and scale models for practice. After some initial growing pains, the father-and-team team got the hang of working together, with Dane Kolbeck learning how to restrain himself and allow his daughter to do it her way. On her part, the plucky 12-year-old quickly picked up the construction jargon from her dad and learned how to safely use his power tools. Then on February 16, everything ground to a halt: Sicily’s father was killed in a car accident. As her mother wrote on her daughter’s blog two months later, Dane’s untimely passing caused Sicily to lose interest in the project. Not before long, Sicily and her mother were overwhelmed with support from loved ones and neighbors who would stop by the house to lend a hand with the myriad of tasks that go into building a house.

Lagos gets first lease-to-own housing scheme

AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has inaugu rated the first phase of the Cooperative Home Ownership Incentive Scheme (CHOIS) City residential estate in Agbowa-Ikosi . The initiative, which comprises 280 twobedroom semi-detached bungalows and 180 three-bedroom semi-detached, is private sector initiative aimed at addressing the housing deficit in the state.It also represents government’s first step in its planned lease-to-own scheme. Fashola said the project, a partnership between state government and First World Communities expected to provide 10,000 homes, will complement government’s effort in

community development under the CHOIS. The ability to become a landlord in this initiative will be tied to the occupant’s income. According to Fashola, there are many people in the society who need a home and can get loan from their employers. He however said such people have been hampered because there are no houses to buy, while some, he noted, also need the support of government to become landlord. “This is what the Lagos State Mortgage Homes and CHOIS City are meant to address. This is our first establishment of lease-to-own that involves gradual payment in which after

15 years, one will become the owner,” Fashola explained. The private developer of the scheme and President of First World Communities, Brig-Gen Tunde Reis, (rtd), said the first phase of the project, comprising 10,000 homes, would be built across the three senatorial districts of Lagos State, with the core aim of delivering housing for the low and medium income households in sustainable communities through leaseto-own schemes. Fashola said: “The pilot project, CHOIS Garden, developed at Abijo Government Reservation Area (GRA) along the Lekki-Epe Expressway is to have over 2,000 homes with over 500 already built and allocated. Agbowa’s

target is 4,000 homes, Epe-Ibeju is 1,000 while Badagry axis is to cover 3,000 homes. All in such a way that ability to afford it is tied to one’s income and continued prosperity.” Reis said an advantage of this scheme is the ease of payment available to prospective owners. This is because once a prospective buyer pays 10 per cent of the total purchase price for his choice house, he is entitled to take possession of the house. This payment serves as the initial deposit and upon the completion of payment, in the form of rent, the home ownership and title passes on to the buyer.

•Fashola

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Oil spills: Rivers villages insist on clean-up, by Shell

HE row between Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Bodo communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State is yet to subside, a week after the oil giant agreed to pay them £55 million (about $83.6 million) compensation to them. The communities, which include Romu, Gbe, K&B, Dere and Kpor Gol, want immediate clean-up of their land, and rivers ravaged by two oil spill in 2008 as part of the compensation. They said they were still licking their wounds, despite the huge compansation. The row will linger because of the disagreement over the volume of oil spilled. While Shell claimed only 1,640 barrels of oil was spilled over the Bodo communities, Amnesty International said over 100,000 barrels of oil was spilled. This resulted in the long litigation, which delayed the clean up of the affected community, because of their inability to reach a compromise. Bodo’s Chairman, Council of Chiefs, Mene Slyvester Kogbara, said money cannot adequately compensate for the loss incurred. He said his people incurred pyschological, mental, and financial losses, adding that the trauma will take time to heal. According to him, the memories of those who lost their lives to hydrocarbon emission, hunger, malnutrition and other problems caused by the spills remain alive, arguing that only a proper clean up would remove the pains. He said: “Bodo people eat, drink and sleep on hydrocarbon. On the average, eight people die every six weeks from unknown ailmentss since there is no functional hospital to detect their illnesses. This is the big trauma people have been struggling to overcome. To reduce mortality rate, we are asking Shell to urgently clean up our rivers and land. Besides, productivity would be enhanced because people would go back to farming and fishingtheir two major occupations ‘’Traditionally, Bodo people are farmers and fishermen. Part of the agreement, which Bodo communities reached with Shell, was the payment of £55million compensation, and cleaning of its land. Though Bodo is happy with the £55million compensation, which is divided into two - £35million for individuals who have agreed to be compensated for their losses and £20million for the community. The issue of cleaning the environment is more important to us. Without doubt, we are excited by the planned financial reward, but that cannot compensate for the loss of lives and our sources of livelihood which went with spills.” He said Bodo community is inhabited by over 15,000 people, adding that they can only start a new

LAND Oil & Gas said it sold 31,500 barrels of Brent crude last year. The Aberdeen-based company said the oil was loaded and sold by its Nigerian joint venture company, Elcrest, at an average price of $94.93 a barrel. The oil was produced from Eland’s only commercially producing field, the oil mining lease (OML) 40 field in the Niger Delta, where it began production earlier last year. The sale of the 31,500 barrels brought its gross oil production from OML 40 in 2014 to 115,722

‘The issue of cleaning the environment is more important to us. Without doubt, we are excited by the planned financial reward, but that cannot compensate for the loss of lives and our sources of livelihood which went with spills’

•Bodo ... after the oil spill. Stories by Akinola Ajibade

life after their lands and rivers have been cleaned. Also, a Director of Programmes, Centre for Envrionment, Human Rights and Deveopment, Steven Obodoekwe, said the communities depend on natural habitats, such as land and rivers for survival. He said the organisation was planning a meeting with Bodo communities to ensure that Shell fast-tracks the cleaning so that the people can engage in profitable ventures. Obodoekwe said the meeting was crucial because oil spills were threatening the existence of the community, and needed to be resolved. He said: ‘’Our organisation , which is based in Port Harcourt, was involved in the legal process that led to the compensation of Bodo people, and wants to see that all the agreements between Shell and the communities are abide with.’’ The Environmental Adviser to an international organisation, the Nigeria-Canada Business Association, Ako Amadi, said the effects of oil pollution would remain for as long as Shell delayed the cleaning. He said the issue of reclaiming or recovering an environment is in various stages, stressing that it takes a longer period to recover an area that is polluted by oil. Amadi said: “The environment can be cleaned, but not recovered. Shell may clean up the community, but may not recover it. The two are not the same. After cleaning an envi-

•Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Joseph Dawha

ronment, there is the need to restore it. Restoration takes place when plants and animals are re-introduced in an area to encourage the growth of the ecosystem. That is why I said it would take sometime before the land and rivers in Bodo are recovered.’’ Outgoing SPDC’s Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu said the company understands the plight of the people, noting that it will not spare efforts in the cleaning. He said the development would help in re-uniting the people with the natural habitat. He said Shell has pledged to be fair with the Bodo community, and would stick to its promise.

Eland crude hits 31,500 barrels barrels and sold at an average price of $103.77. Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), George Maxwell, said: “Eland has had a successful end to 2014, culminating in our most recent operational updates. “The company is moving from strength to strength and is well- prepared and financed for our 2015 programme.” The sale by Eland comes shortly after the company secured a $22 million (£14 million) loan facility

from Standard Chartered. The funding, according to the company, signalled a vote of confidence in its key OML 40 licence at a time when the price of oil is plummeting selling at below $60 a barrel. The facility will be used by the company to fund work on the Nigerian acreage, it added. The AIM-listed Eland has mandated Standard Chartered Bank to coordinate work on securing a $75 million lending facility it wants to have in place by the year end.

• Sunmonu

He said: ‘’From the outset, we have accepted responsibility for the two deeply regrettable operational spills in Bodo. We have always wanted to compensate the community fairly and we are pleased to have reached an agree-

ment. We are fully committed to the clean-up process being overseen by a former Netherlands’Ambassador to Nigeria. Despite the delays caused by division within the community, we are pleased that clean-up will soon begin now that a plan has been agreed with the community’’ Sunmonu, who doubles as the Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN), said the company was working with the government, the civil soceity and international NGOs to create awareness on environmental pollution. He assured that Shell would continue to search for solutions to the problems, adding that the support of Bodo community leaders is needed to acheive the deired results. He, however, warned: “Unless real action is taken to end the scourge of oil theft and illegal refining, which remains the main cause of enironmental pollution and is the real tragedy of the Niger Delta, areas that are cleaned-up will simply become re-impacted through illegal activities.’’ The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report had directed Shell to address the problems in the oil polluted areas in Ogoniland. The Federal Government’s Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project(HYPREP) was set up in July 2012 to implement UNEP’s recommendation. This, Sunmonu said, had not come to reality because of challenges facing the HYPREP.

BPE: why 10,000Mw can’t be met

UREAU of Public Enterprises (BPE), Director-General Benjamen Dikki has blamed gas flaring for Nigeria’s inability to generate 10,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricity. He said the country has enough reseviour of gas to generate electricity. Dikki said: “Instead of wasting gas by flaring it, we can channel it to the power sector. Due to gas shortage, the power sector cannot generate enough electricity megawatts(Mw). We are producing less than 6,000Mw of electricity. We are hovering between 4,000 and 5,000Mw of electricity, when we are supposed to generate 10,000Mw. We have been targeting 10,000 Mw for sometime now. Have we achieved it? “The country is flaring millions of metric tonnes of gas daily, because there is no infrastructure in

place to capture it for productive use. To take the gas to where it is needed, what has Nigeria done in this regard? Nothing.‘’ He lamented that gas shortage continues to hinder the growth of the power sector. He said it was wrong to insinuate that political problems were responsible for the hitches in the generation, distribution and transmission of electricity in Nigeria, arguing that gas shortage is affecting the industry. He said the insinuations in some quarters that politics was causing problems in the power sector was an attempt to distract the attention of the government from the real issues hindering the growth of the industry. Dikki explained that infrastructural deficit in the gas industry was having a spillover effects on the sector.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-01-15

Market chiefs hail emergence of Gwarzo as acting DG SEC

HE capital market was in good mood yesterday as erstwhile executive commissioner, operations, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir Gwarzo took over as the acting director general of the apex capital market regulator. The stock market, which had sustained a grueling downtrend since the beginning of the year and lost N1.5 trillion last week, paused momentarily. Market-wide indices at the stock market recorded their first gain of the year yesterday. The All Share Index (ASI), Nigeria’s country index and a value-based market-wide index that tracks prices of all quoted equities, recorded modest gain of 0.30 per cent. Aggregate market value of all quoted companies also rose by N30 billion. Capital market operators said Gwarzo was a round peg in a round hole and a perfect fit that should be able to impact the market positively. Onthe-spot opinion survey generally supported the choice of Gwarzo as acting director general. Market operators described Gwarzo as experienced and diligent noting that his market-wide experience should provide a new verve of energy

By Taofeek Salako

and initiatives that should drive the market to higher level. Managing director, Capital Assets Limited, Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, said the acting director general had worked in nearly all segments of the capital market as a stockbroker and regulator at both the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Securities and Exchange Commission. “He is an experienced person; I believe he knows the market sufficiently well having worked in various capacities. He should be able to add significant value, he is a good choice,” Olushekun, the immediate past president of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) said. Managing director, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, said change should always be seen as a positive thing as a good change can help to provide fresh energy to drive the process. While commending the performance of the former director general, Chukwu said the acting director general would provide new drive for the market. “It’s a positive thing, change should be seen as positive, we

should see fresh initiatives and creativity to take the market to a higher level,” Chukwu said. Chief executive officer, Finawell Capital Limited, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle, said Gwarzo should be able to bring his experience to bear on the market. According to him, the acting director general is familiar with the operations of the market, which should give him the necessary background needed to succeed in his new position. Gwarzo, 50, attended Bayero University, Kano and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Economics in 1987. In 1991, he proceeded to the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom where he obtained a Post Graduate Degree in Development Finance. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS). Over the course of some 25 years, he has played roles the in Nigerian capital market as an operator and as regulator. He had worked at Ministry of Trade, Kano State; Nigerian Stock Exchange, Century Merchant Bank Limited, Empire Securities Limited, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and MTL Global Investment Limited.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-01-15

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

MONEYLINK

CBN extends forex utilisation timeline to 72hrs

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday reviewed the timeline for utilisation of dollars purchased from autonomous or interbank market from 48 hours to 72 hours. In a circular to authorised dealers, titled: Daily Foreign Currency Trading Positions of Banks and Period for

Stories by Collins Nweze

Utilisation of Funds, signed by Mrs. O.L Ahuchiogu for CBN Director, Trade & Exchange, the regulator explained that the letter is in furtherance of December 18, 2014 circular on the matter. Accordingly, she said that authorised

dealers are required to maintain 0.1 per cent as maximum open limit of their shareholders’ funds (SHF) unimpaired by loses as foreign currency trading position at close of each business day. Mrs. Ahuchiogu said that the implementation of the policy is with immediate effect. “Further to the circular of

December 18, 2014, authorised dealers are hereby notified that the daily foreign currency trading positions of banks have been reviewed with immediate effect. Also, banks required to utilise funds purchased from the autonomous or interbank foreign exchange market within 72 hours from the value date, failing which such

Inflation to drop further to 7.8%

HE national headline inflation rate is expected to decline for the fourth consecutive month to 7.8 per cent in December, 2014, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane has said. The inflation, measured as changes in Consumer Price Index has been declining since it peaked at 8.5 per cent in September 2014. “Based on our trend analysis, it is now projected to moderate further to 7.8 per cent in December 2014, a fourth consecutive decline in the headline inflation. This trend is supported by the fall in global commodities and food prices as well as the tight monetary policy stance of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Meanwhile, the projection and trend in the inflation data are yet to reflect the impact of the naira devaluation as well as the increase in electricity tariff on consumer prices,” he said. He said the projected 7.8 per cent inflation rate for December is unlikely to have any significant impact on the current monetary policy stance. “The CBN recently introduced a daily clearance of foreign exchange position of banks to prop up the naira but noted that capital control measures would be avoided as the bank reviewed its naira rules,” he said. Rewane said global and regional inflationary trends remained unchanged

in December as commodity prices continue to trend downward. Eurozone inflation fell to negative 0.2 per cent, weaker than expected. Further, oil prices were down to $57 per barrel (now trading at $50.89 per barrel). Continuing, he said: “Although this decline raises the chances of an increase in global economic growth because there are more consumers than producers of oil, it constitutes a major threat to the economy of these producers. For instance, the decline puts the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance in an awkward position of revisiting the submitted budget for a review of the oil benchmark. This creates the dilemma of determining the benchmark to drive other budget assumptions”. He added that in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), most consumer prices moderate as most December inflation figure decline further except in Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo and Uganda. Meanwhile, FDC’s Lagos urban inflation rose to 8.37 per cent year-onyear in December compared to the 7.66%y-o-y recorded in November. This ends a five consecutive months of decline in the index. Both indices, the food and the non-food, rose to 6.73 per cent and 9.2 per cent in December from 6.09 per cent and 8.45 per cent in November respectively.

He said Nigeria recorded a smooth inflation ride in 2014 despite the bumpy and volatile global, regional and domestic financial markets, lingering leakages of the fiscal buffers as well as constant Boko Haram attack. “These factors, coupled with strong liquidity growth, prompted the CBN to tighten monetary policy, so as to achieve its low inflation and stable currency objectives. With the inflation rate within its acceptable band, the CBN continues to introduce measures such as the zero daily foreign exchange position for banks to support the naira,” he said. Rewane said the outlook for the headline inflation rate, reduces the concerns of the monetary policy committee (MPC). “Hence, the CBN will not be swayed by any decline or otherwise in consumer prices. Nonetheless, the CBN likely to consider further depreciation of the naira if the oil price slump persists. The hawkish monetary policy stance of the MPC is therefore not expected to change at the January 2015 meeting. However, the monetary authority will be careful since further tightening may be detrimental as the general election is less than three weeks from the scheduled January MPC meeting. Meanwhile, administrative tools will continue to be used to support the monetary policy,” he said.

funds must be returned to the CBN for re-purchase at the bank’s buying rate,” the circular said. Before now, banks were to maintain zero per cent of their shareholders’ funds as foreign exchange trading position as at the close of business day. The apex bank had warned that breach of the policy would attract sanctions.

Courteville GMD Akindele joins EABN Board

• Akindele

HE Group Managing Director, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Bola Akindele has been appointed into the board of Advisors of the East Africa Business Network (EABN). EABN Director, Ms. Aurelia Anyika said the group was established in 2010 in united Kingdom to encourage investment, entrepreneurship and advise multinationals on new and established markets in East Africa. She said that the group is honored that Akindele is joining the Advisory Board. She described him as one of the growing Pan Africa business leaders shaping the continent. “The last decade has seen a new wave of Nigeria’s investment in Africa and East Africa. For example, Aliko Dangote signed a deal to build $400 million cement plant in Kenya in 2013 creating thousands of jobs.

Nigerians are no longer attracted to property portfolios in New York , Paris or London, they are seeing higher returns in their investment right in their doorstep”. Akindele has extensive banking and audit experience spanning over 20 Years across various banking institutions and also has strong leadership, strategic thinking and networking skills. The new board member has led Courteville Business Solutions, an eBusiness Solutions development firm since inception in 2005. The company is focused on process re-engineering in both the private and public sector, providing cutting edge solutions to complex operational challenges, through the development and delivery of unique business solution models, revenue stream improvement and cost management processes. Through Akindele’s leadership, Courteville opened its East Africa headquarters in Nairobi last year and looks to provide solutions in the region’s education and logistics sector. His leadership and Pan Africanism will certainly be invaluable for the EABN network.

DATA BANK AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

132.34 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,729.73 1,098.56 112.80 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

132.31 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,729.73 1,097.82 112.17 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

GAINERS AS AT 12-01-15

SYMBOL SEPLAT UBN NAHCO DANGCEM PHARMDEKO CHAMPION AGLEVENT CUSTODYINS PRESCO OANDO HONYFLOUR

O/PRICE 300.00 8.02 4.88 158.65 2.14 6.58 1.31 2.57 26.10 15.05 3.06

C/PRICE 315.00 8.42 5.12 166.40 2.24 6.87 1.36 3.70 27.00 15.54 3.15

CHANGE 5.00 4.99 4.92 4.88 4.67 4.41 3.82 3.64 3.45 3.26 2.94

LOSERS AS AT 12-01-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

JBERGER NEM NASCON NESTLE GLAXOSMITH ETI CONTINSURE DANGFLOUR SKYEBANK ETERNA STANBIC WEMABANK GUARANTY

52.02 0.60 6.40 855.00 42.79 16.27 1.02 4.54 2.31 2.85 27.00 0.97 20.54

C/PRICE 46.95 0.57 6.08 812.25 40.66 15.46 0.97 4.32 2.20 2.72 26.00 0.94 19.99

CHANGE -9.75 -5.00 -5.00 -5.00 -4.98 -4.98 -4.90 -4.85 -4.76 -4.56 -3.70 -3.09 -2.68

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 10/12/2014 3/12/2014 1/12/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: November

7.9%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$61.12

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES December 5, 2015

$35b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

US Dollar

167

168

Pounds Sterling

261.9395

263.508

Euro

206.2617

207.4968

171.546

172.5732

Yen

1.3838

1.3921

CFA

0.2944

0.3144

242.3484

243.7996

Yuan/Renminbi

27.1505

27.314

Swiss Franc

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

WAUA Tenor

17-12-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 18-12-14

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

Riyal

44.4906

44.757

11.94

12.18

SDR

243.2856

244.7424

13.08

13.33

14.03

14.17

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

165.29

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

Parallel ($/N)

185.50

Dec. 18, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

13.65

T-bills - 182

13.88

T-bills - 364

13.65

Bond - 3yrs

13.81

Bond - 5yrs

13.85

Bond - 7yrs

13.83

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS Ondo Assembly ex-Speaker dead

Police petitioned over fake ALGON, NULGE stickers

HE first Speaker of the old Ondo State House of Assembly, Chief Bola Akingbade, is dead. He died at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. He was 85. The deceased’s younger brother, Mr. Jossy Famoyegun, said he died after a brief illness. Famoyegun added that funeral programmes would be announced soon. Chief Akingbade was a renowned lawyer based in Akure, a staunch Awoist and a follower of the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin. He was the Speaker from 1979 to 1983. Until his death, the deceased was the Balogun of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, ErijiyanEkiti and the Mayegun of Mobaland, Otun Ekiti. Chief Akingbade was the first Chairman of Ekiti State Judicial Commission during Otunba Niyi Adebayo’s administration. He is survived by wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

LAUTECH to host conference

ADOKE Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso will host an international conference on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), from today till Friday, at the Senate chamber. The conference, with the theme: “Harvesting Research Outcomes: A Practical Plan to Confirm Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”, is sponsored by Alexander Von Humboldt. The convener, Prof. S. O. Jekayinfa, in a statement signed on his behalf by Mark Debo Taiwo, said the conference would attract over 160 paper presentations by professors across the globe, with over 200 participants. Prof. Adeboye, Humboldt scientist ambassador in Nigeria, is to give a goodwill message, while the speaker is Prof. Adetanwa Odebiyi.

UAMC holds conference

HE 74th Annual Conference of the United African Methodist Church (UAMC) Organisation comes up at Ajido in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State from January 25 to 27. The theme of this year’s conference is: “The satisfaction of God’s blessings” (Joel 2: 26). The General Secretary (Administration), Chief Bukola Payne, said over 2, 000 delegates from churches under the organisation in Nigeria and Republic of Benin are expected. He said the secretariat would move to Ajido on January 22, and other officers are expected to arrive the following day. The Special Guest of Honour is Governor Babatunde Fashola. Highlights of the conference are the inauguration, elevation and consecration of ministers as well as installation of elders of the Ajido Circuit, on January 25. The conference proper will hold on January 26. The Women Fellowship will close it the next day with its meeting.

•Suspects arrested

•Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime (third left); his deputy, Rev. Ifeanyi Nwoye (third right); Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Maj-Gen Godwin Ugwoke (retd.) (left); Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Amaechi Okolo (second left) and Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Victor Atuonwu, at a prayer to mark the beginning of the year, at the Government House, Enugu...yesterday

Explosion rocks Abia PPA secretariat

HE Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in Abia State, Prince Emeka Okafor, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of masterminding an explosion, which rocked the party’s secretariat in Umuahia at the weekend. Addressing reporters in Umuahia, Okafor said the incident was not the first time PPA office and personnel would be attacked. He thanked God that nobody died. Okafor alleged that PDP had been attacking their offices in the state, adding that members of the ruling party attacked the PPA office at

•PDP fingered From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Umuopara. “When the case was reported to the police, nothing was done.” He also alleged that PDP supporters destroyed PPA’s posters and billboards in Aba. “We don’t know our offence. It was our party, which produced the incumbent governor. They are death threats, but I’m happy they are not gods.” According to Okafor, “they should remember that there is freedom of association, worship and expression. They are

trying to show that they are lawless, but claiming to be democrats.” The chairman urged the electorate to vote according to their conscience, adding that they should not be induced by money. Okafor said he was informed of the explosion about 7pm on Sunday when he was in Ukwa with the secretary and the governorship running mate, Chief Uche Enyioko, for the final of a football match he organised. He said he called PPA members to go there and put out the fire, but before they got

there, traders in a nearby complex and bystanders had extinguished it. Okafor noted that the explosion was caused by a locallymade improvised explosive device (IED) in two paint tins connected with a motorcycle battery. He said although nobody died, the explosion damaged a water tank. Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna said he was aware of the incident, adding that the command was on top of the situation. He stressed that the antibomb section of the command had gone there to get materials for investigations.

Suspected hoodlums attack APC office in Ebonyi

USPECTED hoodlums have attacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) office in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital. The incident occurred on Sunday. This followed the destruction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) office and the homes of the party’s supporters in Ohaukwu Local Government, by gunmen said to be wearing police uniform. Police spokesman Chris

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Anyanwu, who confirmed the incident, said: “Our men are working to fish out the culprits.” It was learnt that the APC office on Kipirikpiri Road, a few metres from the Government House and the headquarters of the police command, which also serves as the campaign office of the governorship candidate, Senator Julius Ucha, was at-

tacked by thugs with objects suspected to be Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Although the attack was foiled, one of the aides to Senator Ucha, John Ekeh, said the incident occurred on Sunday night, as they heard a loud noise at the back of the building about 10:45pm when suspected hoodlums threw IEDs to destroy the office, but the explosives failed to detonate. Ucha expressed concern about the increasing rate of political violence.

He described the incident as unfortunate. Ucha urged the InspectorGeneral of Police to order an investigation into the incident and advised APC supporters to be calm. Senior police officers including the area commander and the divisional police officer in charge of Kpirikpiri Police Station were seen on the scene. The bomb disposal unit was invited to evacuate the objects.

Igbo remember Ojukwu, other Biafran heroes

HE remembrance of fallen Biafran heroes, including the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, almost turned sour yesterday, when policemen struggled for rifles and shot sporadically outside the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square. The event, which was held at the Ekwueme Square in Awka, was attended by the former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, his wife, Beatrice and Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano. The Nation learnt that a drunk police sergeant was on the entourage of Col. Emmanuel Iheanacho, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Imo State. Although his identity was not known, The Nation gathered that he disobeyed Super-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

intendent of Police (SP) Tope Fasugba, who is in charge of operations in Anambra State, when he was directed on how to park their Hilux vehicle. When our reporter arrived on the scene, Fasugba was still furious and policemen were trying to calm him down. Before then, the sergeant had been whisked away in another Hilux Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), apparently to be detained. The Nation learnt that the sergeant dragged his rifle with his superior and attempted to remove his superior’s pistol from his waist. The event, tagged: “Remembering Ojukwu and other Biafran war heroes”, by the government, did not go

down well with the Catholic Bishop of Awka, the Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, who saw it as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. He said: “I heard that our celebration today is understood by some people as a way of placating the spirits of departed and forgotten Igbo sons and daughters, who are now blocking the progress of the Igbo nation. “To open up the path of Ndigbo to peace and prosperity, these aggrieved spirits need to be celebrated. “This interpretation is indeed very far from our Christian belief about death and life after death.” Obiano described the remembrance of the Biafran fallen heroes as a unifying factor for Ndigbo. According to the list com-

HE police from Zone II, Onikan, Lagos have arrested three men allegedly fingered to have forged and distributed fake revenue stickers to motorists. This followed a petition written by the Joint Mobile Advert Agency of Nigeria (JMOAN) and the Logistics Agency of Nigeria (LAN) - official consultants to the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on Biometric Clearance Certificates. Those arrested included Tajudeen Olaoye (aka Alfa), Kennedy Okojie (aka Ken Touch) and one Moses, whose office was allegedly used for the distribution of the fake clearance document. In their petition to the police, JMOAN and LAN accused the men of usurping their powers as the representatives of ALGON/NULGE by producing and selling the 2015 Biometric Clearance, saying the alleged fake agents claimed to have got authority from the Deputy SecretaryGeneral of NULGE, Comrade Rasaq Lawal. But the National Chairman of the NULGE Committee on the Eradication of Multiple Taxation, Comrade Chinda Pedro, told the policemen investigating the matter that he knew nothing about any letter or any approval by NULGE for the suspects to perpetrate the illegal act, adding that the union only signed an agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JMOAN/ LAN to distribute and sell the biometric clearance certificate on its behalf between 2014 and 2017. ALGON, through its Protocol Officer, Comrade Venatus Okafor, also denied dealings with the suspects. Lawal has been invited by the police to clear his name, while the suspects, who have been granted bail, were directed to report to the police at Zone II on Thursday. JMAON urged the public, especially motorists, to beware of fake biometric clearance in circulation and report those distributing or selling it to the police at the Zone II headquarters or the nearest police station.

500 get free treatment in Anambra

•The late Ojukwu

piled by the government, Anambra lost over 5,600 people during the war. The Anglican Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Alex Ibezim, said three million Igbo died.

VER 500 residents of Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have benefited from free medical services _____ thanks to a philanthropist, Vincent Ikechukwu Oligbo. The services were carried out by a team of doctors, nurses and other health workers. The doctors screened, diagnosed and gave drugs to patients. Addressing reporters at Urudeke hall, venue of the exercise, Oligbo, a lawyer, said he was touched by the health challenges faced by residents. The London-based Nigerian, who is also a security expert, said the programme was driven by his passion for service, stressing that it had no political undertone.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS

IVERS State chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have decried incessant attacks on the party’s supporters and property. They warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop blackmailing APC supporters in its dirty politics of destroying billboards in the state. APC leaders described the arrest of its supporters in Rivers State for allegedly destroying PDP billboards as unjust and an act of desperation. The ruling party in the state urged politicians to play issuebased politics instead of tarnishing the image of others. Last Saturday, PDP leaders in Omagwa, Elele and Isiokpo, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, arrested APC supporters for alleged billboard destruction. The APC supporters were later granted bail. The party’s chieftains spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, following the allegation that APC supporters were attacking PDP members and destroying their campaign billboards. The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Khana Local Government Area, an APC chieftain, Chief Gordon Tornwe, noted that PDP’s desperation made it difficult for it to ask for those responsible for the destruction of

Rivers APC chiefs decry attacks on party’s supporters Amaechi’s supporters protest attacks on APC members

HOUSANDS of supporters of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, protested the incessant attacks on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, especially in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, were led by the leader of the APC in the local government, Chief Tony Okocha. The protesters lodged complaints at the state headquarters of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) in Port Harcourt. The protest was held barely 48 hours after alleged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs attacked APC members at a rally at Ward 10 in Rumueme, Port Harcourt. Several APC members were seriously inFrom Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

APC billboards in the state. The council chief also asked PDP leadership to tell the people that were responsible for the gun attack on a convoy of APC supporters heading to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign rally at the Adokiye Amsiemeka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

jured and hospitalised. The secretariat of the APC in Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area, was also bombed last Sunday morning by suspected PDP thugs. Okocha, an APC House of Representatives candidate for Obio/Akpor, was accompanied by a former member of the House of Representatives, Ike Samuel Chinwo, and the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Obio/Ákpor Local Government Area, Dr. Lawrence Chuku. Some of the placards read: “This one is not democracy, it is dictatorship”; “We say no to thuggery, incessant attacks on APC embers”; “APC will resist police intimidation”; “Police, enough is enough”; “Are APC members in Obio/Akpor LGA not Nigerians?” and “Police, stop encouraging violence in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area.”

Tornwe reminded PDP of the bomb attack on APC secretariat in Okrika, describing it as senseless and barbaric. The APC chieftian urged law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. He said: “I was shocked at the level of callousness of some Nigerians against their fellow citizen. I wonder why politics has be-

comes a game of violence instead of a game of number. “How could you bomb the party’s secretariat? How could someone open fire on innocent party members who chose the path of change? APC supporters in Rivers State are not trouble makers; they just want change. They have decided to be lawabiding and to conduct their political activities peacefully.”

Traders endorse Peterside

LAUGHTER, a popular market at Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt, was agog last Friday when over 10,000 market men and women endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and his running mate, Okorie Asita. The traders, who were mainly from other parts of the country, described Peterside as a detribalised Nigerian who meant well for non-indigenes in Rivers State. A spokesperson for the traders, Suleman Umar, described the APC candidate as a stable, humble, visionary and considerate leader whose cosmopolitan background inspired hope in others. He said: “In this era of insecurity and lawlessness, it is only natural to trust a man known for his humility and broadmindedness. Peterside is well known as a moderate politician who represents all shades of interest. “We trust him and we will

vote for him because with him, we are sure of our continued stay here in Port Harcourt.” Peterside said: “Rivers State is for all of us living here. Nobody has any right to intimidate or oppress any of you. All of us are Rivers people. As long as you live here and pay your taxes here, you have the same right as any other person. “We will work with Obio Akpor Local Government Area to modernise Slaughter to a world-class market that will be a hub of commerce. We will create a special fund to support small businesses here so that our businesses will be strong and provide jobs for teeming unemployed youths. “Under our watch, nobody will intimidate or harass you because our administration will have zero tolerance for crime. To enable us protect your interest, you must vote APC. I urge you to live here without any fear of molestation because Rivers State is your home. So, stay here and vote for APC in all the elections.”

APC warns UNIBEN

HE Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday urged authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to guide their agents and hirelings against further attempt to cast aspersions on Benin monarchy. The party gave the advice over the ownership contention of the university’s staff quarters, which the court affirmed was the property of the Edo State government. In a statement yesterday in Benin, the state capital, by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Godwin Erhabor, the APC condemned “the sarcastic reference by UNIBEN ASUU

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

President, Dr Anthony Emina-Monye, that his team met a vehicle of Benin Traditional Council in one of the quarters, whose fence was demolished by the state government last week. Emina-Monye alleged that ASUU was aware that the Edo State government had given some of the houses to a foremost traditional personality in the state. UNIBEN’s lawyer, Mr Kola OkeayaInneh, re-echoed the statement when he said some of the houses had been taken over by a foremost royal personality in the state.

Delta South: LP senatorial candidate optimistic

•APC protesters in Port Harcourt ... yesterday

Igbinedion is devil’s advocate, says Oshiomhole

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has accused the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, and his Independent Television (ITV), of being the devil’s advocates. The governor accused them of churning out falsehood to discredit his administration. Oshiomhole was reacting to a report by the station that his aides beat up a Catholic priest last weekend at Ujogba in Edo Central Senatorial District when Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola was inaugurating some projects. The report said Rev. Peter Udo was beaten to a state of coma for allegedly refusing

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

to leave the road for the governor’s convoy to pass. It said Rev. Udo had been discharged from hospital and that an unnamed parish priest at the locality said the perpetrators were begging. In a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, the governor said he was not at Ujogba last weekend, as the station reported. The statement reads: “We watched with great shock the concocted news that was reported by ITV, owned by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Gabriel

Igbinedion, stating that the governor’s aides beat up a reverend father at Ujogba. The report is not only callous, malicious and wicked but also clearly portrays ITV and its proprietor as the devil’s advocates who churn out falsehood to denigrate the Oshiomhole administration. “The governor, as the father of everybody in the state, would never encourage anyone to beat up anybody, let alone directing that a priest of God, from whom he receives the Holy Communion, be beaten up. “If the purported incident as reported by ITV were correct, why has the church,

which has unfettered access to the governor, not reported the incident? “We use this medium to call on ITV to retract the said offensive report and tender an unreserved apology to the Governor, through the same station for dragging the governor’s name into a matter totally unconnected to him.” Spokesman of the Catholic Diocese in Edo, Rev. Stephen said no report of any reverend father being beaten up had been made to the diocese. He said: “Allow me to do my holy work. I was with the Bishop this morning. He did not say anything like that. We are not aware of any such thing.”

ELTA South Labour Party (LP) senatorial c a n d i d a t e Oniyetsoritse Elijah Wilkie has assured that he will win next month’s National Assembly election. The LP candidate said the people in his district would vote for him because of his ideals, which he said would serve them best. Wilkie addressed reporters yesterday in Warri on his plan for the district. He said: “The awareness in politics is such that people have grown and become

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

his rally at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, the state capital. The event witnessed a large turnout of supporters for the APC candidate. But it was learnt that some PDP stalwarts were unhappy that the governor allowed Gen. Buhari access to the sta-

dium. Before the rally, the PDP chieftains allegedly mounted pressure on some government officials to make Dickson turn down APC’s request to use the stadium. Dickson was said to have refused to do their bidding, insisting on political tolerance and peaceful co-exist-

ence. A top-ranking official of the state government confirmed the development. He said the governor would not stop any other political party from using the state’s facility for campaign. The official, a commissioner, said Dickson exhibited politics of maturity, be-

more enlightened that they can appreciate what you stand for.” The politician stressed that “recent pattern in voting has shown that voters vote according to their conscience, no matter the inducement”. The LP candidate, who was a member of the Board of Directors of Delta Waterways Limited during the James Ibori administration, explained that his ambition was anchored on courage, purpose and the people.

‘Disqualify Jonathan’

GROUP of youths in Delta State, under the aegis of The Forum of Past Youth Leaders of Ethnic Nationalities in the Southsouth, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to disqualify himself from contesting the February 14 election after admitting that he has failed the nation. The forum’s chairman,

Why Dickson allowed Buhari’s campaign, by PDP chiefs OME stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State are criticising Governor Seriake Dickson for allowing All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to hold his rally at the only stadium in the state. Buhari, last Thursday, held

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

ing an advocate of political and religious tolerance. He stressed that the ripples in some quarters that Dickson allowed Gen. Buhari to campaign at the stadium were misplaced. The official said the state facilities belonged to Bayelsa people, irrespective of their political leanings.

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

Alhaji Mumakai-Unagha, addressed reporters in Warri after visiting the six states in the Southsouth to educate the people ahead of the proposed mass rally in the area. According to him, the President’s admission that his generation had failed the people was enough for a vote of no confidence in him. Mumakai-Unagha noted that Nigerians no longer needed an indolent President, adding that Nigerians needed a leader who would address the challenges facing the various components of the nation. The activist, who is the pioneer vice president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in the Southsouth, frowned at the high rate of corruption in high places and insecurity in parts of the country.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS

Four die in Kwara car crashes

OUR persons at the weekend died in two separate road crashes in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. Three of the accident victims were members of the Ilorin depot of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) at the Ilorin Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The road accidents occurred on the Ilorin-old Jebba Road in the capital city. The three IPMAN members died when their car, a Prado Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), lost control on the Oke-Oyi section of the road as they were return-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ing from a meeting of the youth wing of their association at the Oke-Oyo NNPC depot. One of the deceased, Alhaji AbdulWaheeb Abese, was the owner of several filling stations in the state. He was a chairmanship aspirant in next month’s election of the association. It was gathered that they planned to inspect a new filling station belonging to one of their members. The filling station was under construction. The other two victims are: Alhaji Bola Taiwo and Hajia Rasheedat Gada. Taiwo was a dealer with

Forte Oil and had a station on the popular Murtala Mohammed Road in Ilorin. Hajia Gada was also said to have a filling station near Sango area of Ilorin. The lone survivor of the accident, Hajia Sekinat Lukman, told reporters that the vehicle attempted to avoid an oncoming car when it lost control, veered off the road, somersaulted six times and landed in the bush. Kwara State’s IPMAN’s spokesman Mashood Jaiyeola said the victims were first rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, less than two kilometres from

the scene of the crash, but were turned back because of the strike by health workers. They were also turned back at the government-owned Sobi Specialists Hospital at Sobi for the same reason. Also, a woman, Alhaja Iya Ganiyu, was crushed by a car that ran into her kiosk at OriOke Junction in Sango area of Ilorin. She was said to be observing her Asri prayer at 4pm inside the kiosk when the incident occurred. It was gathered that the vehicle was being driven by a “learner”, who lost control. The car reportedly skidded off the road and hit the kiosk. The deceased have since been buried according to Islamic rites.

‘Insurgency has ruined North’s economy’

AUCHI State Governor Isa Yuguda has said the economy of the North has been shattered by the activities of insurgents. The governor spoke yesterday in Bauchi when he opened a workshop organised by the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) for youth volunteers from the region.

He said: “Your economy is finished. We have lost the peace and security, which are the two indices for economic development. “These have been compounded by the most corrupt attitudes of the people of the area precipitated by killings and unnecessary spilling of blood in the struggle to grab

Buhari to receive defecting senator, others in Nasarawa

LL Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, will next Saturday receive into the party a defecting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, John Danboyi, and over 2,000 supporters from Nasarawa North Senatorial District. Gen. Buhari is also expected to inaugurate the multi-million naira Lafia Square and other projects as his campaign train moves to Nasarawa State on January 17. According to Malam Yakubu Lamai, the director of press to Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura, necessary arrangements had been concluded to accord the PDP defectors a rousing welcome to add impetus to the campaign. Lamai told our reporter in Lafia, the state capital, that APC remained the party to

From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Abuja

beat in the state. The governor’s aide said the party was enjoying overwhelming support, adding that the people were confident in Al-Makura’s administration. Lamai said the governor would also kick-start his campaign with Gen. Buhari’s on same day. The governor’s aide said APC stakeholders would ensure nearly 100 per cent victory for the party. He said Al-Makura’s campaign would be anchored on the popular slogan of “seeing is believing”. According to him, the achievements of the governor have been documented with verifiable facts, images, data and testimonials from the people. Lamai said scores of aggrieved PDP supporters from Doma had indicated their resolve to join the APC and be received by Gen. Buhari at the campaign.

positions. “These are people who cannot obey simple traffic rules and join the queue when situation calls for such.” The governor said the North had been traumatised to the extent that job creation and investments, which would engage or empower the youth and major population of the people, had been ruined. He said the Federal Government had set up a committee to address problems associated with cattle routes, especially the Ilorin to Lagos, Otukpo to Port Harcourt, Maiduguri to Lokoja gazetted cattle routes. Yuguda said the taking over of the gazetted cattle routes by farmers were among the major crises bedevilling herdsmen and farmers in the country. He said: “The future of the youth is being threatened and you need to rebuild the old bridges that united your

people in the North together. “I urged you to find your bearings and deliberate on issues affecting the North and look for ways of mitigating them and let’s proceed.” The National President and Project Director of Arewa Youth Forum on Conflict Mitigation and Peace Building, Mr Gambo Gujungu said the workshop was organised for participants from conflictriddled states in the North. Gujungu said the project was initiated for Kaduna, Bauchi, Nasarawa and Taraba states, which had a history of conflict and violence. He said the project was also proposed to provide a community framework for healing, conflict mitigation and to offer assurance to the people. The youth leader said there was need to tackle the immediate and remote causes of problems confronting the region at the communal level.

Oshiomhole congratulates Emir, Tambuwal

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has congratulated the Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris, on his 40th coronation anniversary. He also felicitated with House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal on his 49th birthday. In a letter to the emir, Oshiomhole said: “I heartily write on behalf of the Government and the good people of Edo State to pay tribute and celebrate with Your Royal Highness on this momentous occasion of your landmark 40th coronation anniversary, as Emir of Zazzau. “Under Your Royal Highness’s glorious reign, the

Zazzau Emirate witnessed phenomenal socio-economic, political, educational and cultural advancement and, more than at any time in its history affirmed its status, as a worldrenowned Emirate, centre of learning and scholarship, and a home for all Nigerians. “Despite the fast-changing Nigeria’s developmental trajectory, it is significant that Your Royal Highness has remained a veritable bridge builder and a stabilizing force across the generational, religious, regional and inter-continental divides, which further affirmed your enduring relevance and the respect you command amongst your subjects and non-subjects alike...”

‘PVC is your main weapon’

HEAD of next month’s general elections, the Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed its members to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The union said the cards were the main weapons they needed to elect those they could trust.

From James Azania, Lokoja

Kogi State NUT Chairman Abdullahi Suleman spoke on phone yesterday with our correspondent. He said it had become imperative for teachers to determine correctly who to govern them through the ballot box.

IGP condemns Jos, Port Harcourt attacks

NSPECTOR-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has condemned the attack on the vehicles, buildings and other valuables belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The attacks, which the IGP described as a pre-election violence, took place in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and PortHarcourt, the Rivers State capital.

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the Force Spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, the police chief urged politicians, party supporters and wellmeaning Nigerians to play politics with decorum and avoid religious, ethnic and other primordial sentiments. Abba assured Nigerians that the perpetrators of the acts would not go unpunished.

•A security guard screening pupils at a school gate at Dougirei, Jimeta in Yola, Adamawa State ... yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Yero: I can’t be intimidated by opposition

ADUNA State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has told other parties that he and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will not succumb to intimidation from them. The governor said the PDP believed in peace and issuebased campaign. He warned that anybody who engaged in violence would be taught a lesson. Yero spoke yesterday at the inauguration of his campaign team in Kaduna. A former Aviation Minister

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

and governorship aspirant, Dr Felix Hassan Hyet, is the campaign’s director-general. Yero warned those he accused of threatening to destroy PDP’s vehicles, banners and billboards, to bury the idea. He said: “If you are touched, protect yourself. If you can’t tell us, we will protect you.” The governor stressed the essence of peace, adding that politics should not be a do-ordie affair because power comes from God only.

Ombatse killings: ‘Jonathan’s attitude lukewarm’

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan has displayed serious levity in handling the killing of over 100 policemen and members of the Department of State Se-

curity Service (DSS) in Nasarawa State in 2013. It accused the President of not showing enough seriousness about the welfare and safety of the nation’s security personnel. The council said Jonathan had demonstrated that he

would trade the welfare and security of security personnel for political gains. In a statement in Abuja, the campaign council said it was for political exigency and the aim to carry on with his “gentleman’s image”, which would not hurt a fly that the

Gaidam to settle Potiskum bomb victims’ bills

OBE State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has promised that the state government will foot the medical bills of those affected by Sunday’s twin bomb blasts detonated by two female suicide bombers at a GSM market in Potiskum. The blasts killed seven people and injured 48 others.

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

The governor spoke yesterday when he visited the scene of the blasts. He said: “We will provide every support that the injured need to ensure they recover fully. We will pay all the bills, even if it means sending those who have been referred to other hospitals

outside the country.” Gaidam was at the Potiskum General Hospital on his return from Abuja. The governor condoled with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased. He described the attacks on innocent people as “barbaric and wicked”.

Gaidam advised the people to continue their prayers, which he said would reduce the effect of insurgency. The governor prayed Almighty Allah to expose those behind the attacks. He promised that his administration would also foot the bills of the 11 victims, who had been referred to the

Federal Medical Centres at Nguru and Birnin Kudu. Gaidam directed the acting Principal Medical Officer (PMO) at the Potiskum General Hospital, Dr Musa Sarki, to liaise with the Commissioner of Health and submit a memorandum on the establishment of an Emergency Response Centre at the hospital.

President failed continuously as a commander-in-chief to mobilise the security forces and provide security personnel with the necessary leadership to accomplish their objective. The statement by the campaign’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, noted that the attitude of the Jonathan administration to the cruel fate that befell over 100 policemen and operatives of the Directorate of the State Security Services (DSS), who died on a mission to arrest the sSpiritual leader of the notorious Ombatse cult in Nasarawa State, last year, was the most glaring example of how callous and uncaring the government had become.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NEWS We’ll end reign of impunity, says Buhari Continued from page 2

wishers within the party or even out of it not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf”. The Campaign Council is expected to: •give a sense of participation and belonging to major stakeholders and engender widespread support for the project; •act as a buffer between the campaign organisation and the candidate and vice presidential candidate; and •identify and resolve conflicts arising from the operation of the campaign organisation. “They are also charged with enunciating and monitoring broad strategic objectives of the campaign; serve as mechanism for checks and balances in the overall efforts towards achieving set objectives of winning the general elections of 2015 and shall oversee the campaigns votersregistration and anti-voter suppression efforts. “They are also to ensure that the campaign’s messaging is consistent with and incorporates the key planks of the party manifesto and ensure that resources will be made available and appropriately allocated to assist the campaign. The council’s DirectorGeneral, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi called on members of the party to participate in the campaign because no one person can deliver the APC. He said: “Only three persons can deliver APC. They are God, the people and you. This is the best chance for the opposition. We can never have this kind of opportunity again and so, we can not afford to make mistakes or afford to disagree on any issue. “The only issue we can afford to disagree on is that we must not make mistakes. We must agree that President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP have had their cup filled by themselves and the society wants them out. Fortunately for us, we have a wonderful candidate. “As we say in Ikwerre, when a woman is too fine, you say see how ugly she is because you don’t have any-

CAMPAIGN COUNCIL MEMBERS •General Buhari (Chairman) •Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo (Alternate Chairman) •HE. Senator Bola Tinubu (Vice Chairman, South) •HE. Alh. Atiku Abubakar (Vice Chairman, North) •HE Chief John Oyegun (Deputy Chairman) •HE. R. C. Amaechi (Director General) •HE. Chief Bisi Akande •Chief Audu Ogbe •Dr. Sam Sam Jaja •HE. Prince O. Oyinola •Prince T. Momoh •Mr. Sam Ndah Isaiah •Professor Tam David West •HE. Chief Ogbonnaya Onu •Sen. O. Mamora (Deputy Director General) •HE. Sen. Bukola Saraki •Alh. K. Baraje •HE. R. M. Kwankwanso

•HE. R. A. Okorocha •HE. A. Oshiomhole •HE. B. Fashola •HE. R. Aregbesola •HE. T. Al-Makura •HE. A. Wamako •HE. I. Geidam •HE. K. Shettima •HE. A. Ajimobi •HE. I. Amosun •HE. A. Yari •HE. Fatah Ahmed •Rt. Hon. A. Tambuwal •HE. K. Fayemi •HE. Sen. Chris Ngige •HE. Timi Sylva •HE. Otumba Niyi Adebayo •HE. Group Captain Sam Ewang •HE. Prince A. Audu •Chief O. Oyo Kola •Dasuki Jalo •Sen. Abba Ibrahim •Sen. K. Gaya •Sen. G. Akume

•Sen. A. Adamu •Gen. Jafaru Isa •Gen. Dambazau •Sen. D. Goje •Sen. A. Yerima •Sen. Hadi Sirika •Chief Ikechi Emenike •Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) •Dr. Mamud Mohammed •Alh. Mai Buni •Alh. B. Gwagwarwa •Sen. L. Shuaibu •Sen. O. Izunaso •Lai Mohammed •HE. Chief Segun Oni •Engr. B. D. Lawal •Hajia Ramatu Tijjani Aliu •Hajia Naja’atu Bala Mohammed •Amb. Fatima Balla •Hajia Rabia Ishaq •Barr. Sharon Ikeazor •Hon. Farouk Aliyu •Hon. A. Dabri-Erewa

•Hon. F. Gbajabiamila •Hon. Kawu Sumaila •Hon. Temi Harriman •Clarence Olafemi •Jasper Azutalam •Nike Oluwole •Tunde Daramola •Tina Dike •Chief Sonny Jackson Udoh •Idris Wase •Mallam Addul Gombe •Barr. Sam Nwakoha •Brig-Gen. John Shagaya •Admiral Ibrahim Iko •Dr. Ibrahim Lame •Alh. Tijjani Tumsah •Barr. David Umaru •James Ocholi (SAN) •Mrs. Helen Bendega •Mrs. Joy O. Kunu •Mrs. Kemi Nelson •Princess Akobunde •Mrs. Recheal Akpabio •Haj. Sadiya Umar

CAMPAIGN DIRECTORS 1. Fund Raising 2. Operations 3. Admin & Finance 4. Strategic Communication 5. Media and Publicity 6. Contact & Mobilisation 7. Election Planning & Monitoring 8. Research and Statistics 9. Security 10. Legal 11. Youth Mobilisation 12. Woman Mobilisation 13. Dr. Sam Alkali

— HE. Barr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) •Balla Abbas (Deputy) — High Chief Ikechi Emenike •Dr. Mahmud Mohammed (Deputy) — Hon. Sekonte Davies •Amb. Fatima Balla (Deputy) — Mr. Dele Alake •Na’atu Bala Mohammed (Deputy) — Mr. Garba Shehu — Boss Mustapha •Abike Daberi (Deputy) — T. O. E. Ekech •Sen. Hadi Sirika (Deputy) — HE. Dr. John Fayemi •Prof. Nimi Wariboko (Deputy) — General Abdurahman Dambazau •Gen. India Garba (Deputy) — Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) •Deputy Chukwuma Umeh (SAN) (Deputy) — Dasuki Jalo •Nasiru Danu (Deputy) — Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani •Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson (Deputy) — (Persons with Disability)

ZONAL COORDINATORS HE. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole — Southsouth HE. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola — Southwest HE. Sen. Chris Ngige — Southeast

HE. T. Al-Makura HE. Kashim Shettima HE. Aliyu Wamakko

— Northcentral — Northeast — Northwest

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE •Chief of Staff (HE. Col. Hamid Alli) •Deputy COS (Col. Mustapha Abdulla) •Head, Strategy and Policy Advisory Group to Presidential Candidate (Chief Audu Ogbe)

CAMPAIGN TEAM •Director General — Gov. Rotimi Amaechi •Deputy Director General — Senator O. Mamora

TWO NEW DIRECTORATES TO STRENGHTEN CAMPAIGN OFFICE •Operations — High Chief Ikechi Emenike •Dr. Mahmud Mohammed (Deputy) •Strategic Communication — Mr. Dele Alake •Na’atu Bala Mohammed (Deputy) thing else to abuse her with. We have a wonderful candidate to sell. Please join us to sell the candidate” To APC Deputy Chairman (North) Senator Lawal Shuaibu, “this is a turning point in the political history of this country, the first time a ruling party is jittery about the activities of the opposition”. “They are jittery because we

have made the right choice of a candidate. A gentleman, a honest Nigerian, one who has paid his dues and a man who enjoys an infectious support from the common people of this country,” he said. A minute silence was observed for victims of the Boko Haram massacre in Baga and other communities in the Northeast.

At the inauguration were Prof. Osinbajo, Governors Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara), Tanko AlMakura (Nasarawa), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), former governors, Abdullah, Adamu, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Bukola Saraki, Segun Oni, Kayode Fayemi,

Danjuma Goje, Timipriye Sylva and Lawal Ja’afaru Isa. Others are: Mr. Audu Ogbeh, Prince Tony Momoh, Chief Akande, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, Femi Gbajabiamila, High Chief Emenike, Dele Alake, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Dino Melaye, among others.

‘We will sign undertaken to end insecurity, corruption’ Continued from page 2

encouraged by President Jonathan. During Yar’Adua’s administration, the price of crude fell to $45 per litre but Nigerians did not feel the pain because of the excess crude reserve but the present administration has squandered the excess crude reserve and Nigerians are suffering.” Governor Rochas Okorocha after receiving the APC flag, said the PDP government had dealt a terrible blow to the Southeast zone, which he said could only be remedied by the APC. Describing the APC presidential candidate as “a man that is not corrupt or selfish”, Okorocha, spoke on the insinuation that Buhari will Islamise Nigeria, if elected. “How can Buhari Islamise Nigeria, when his driver and cook for over 30 years are both Christians and his running mate is a pastor in one of the largest pentecostal churches”. The governor assured the people that his second term would concentrate on creating wealth and employment through massive industrialisation of the state. Gen. Buhari’s running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said: “The country will see change by February 14. All you have to do is to pray that you will be alive to see the change. It is going to be a change from unemployment to employment, from darkness to light and from insecurity to peace and Nigerians will rejoice because when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” APC chieftains at the event include National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief Segun Oni, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Chris Ngige and Senator Saraki. Chief Timipre Sylva, Senator Osita Izunaso, APC national woman leader and APC governorship candidate in Abia, Anyim Nyerere.

Jega raises polls alarm in Northeast

•All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (second left) addressing a rally in Owerri, Imo State...yesterday. With him are Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (left), Senator Osita Izunaso (fourth right), Vice Presidential Candidate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Sen. Chris Ngige and National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

NDEPENDENT National Electoral commission (INEC) chairman Prof Attahiru Jega yesterday raised the alarm that elections might not hold in the NorthEast. According to him, unless there is an improvement in the security situation in Borno Yobe and Adamawa states, ravaged by insurgency, the chances that election will hold in the troubled states are slim. Jega, whospoke at a forum in Abuja, organised by the African Policy Research Institute, said: “A place like Borno State, unless something is done about those that have been displaced, even return for the governorship might be difficult, if not impossible un-

•Prof. Jega From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

der the circumstances. To be realistic, we must say that it may be impossible to do elections everywhere, in every local government, in every constituency in those three states”. This is contrary to the assurance given the commission that it was prepared to conduct elections in all the states of the federation.

THE NATION JANUARY 13, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS German leaders call for halt to marches

ENIOR German politicians have called for a halt to so-called anti-Islamisation rallies in response to the murders in Paris of 17 people by Islamist militants. Up to 20,000 people are expected to join a march in Dresden held by the Pegida group on Monday. Justice Minister Heiko Maas has appealed to people to stay at home. And Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will attend a rally in Berlin by Muslim organisations on Tuesday. Mr Maas was one of several leading politicians to urge the Pegida march organisers not to “misuse” the deadly attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket. Marchers in the eastern city on Monday were expected to wear black ribbons or armbands and hold a minute’s silence in memory of the 17 dead in Paris. Pegida - Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the West - attracted 18,000 marchers in Dresden a week ago. But a counter-rally organised by the authorities there on Saturday attracted an estimated 35,000. In a series of interviews, Mr Maas accused Pegida of hypocrisy. “In Dresden people want to remember with a black ribbon the victims in Paris those same people whom a week ago they were calling the ‘lying press’,” he said. At a counter rally on Saturday protesters held up placards saying “I am Charlie but not Pegida” Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere also criticised the organisers while Bavarian leader Horst Seehofer called on them to stop the marches for the foreseeable future. The chancellor, who was meeting Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday, was set to take part in a demonstration against the French murders in Berlin planned by Muslim groups on Tuesday, her spokesman said. ViceChancellor Sigmar Gabriel and other ministers were also expected to be there. The growth of the anti-Islamisation marches over recent weeks has worried Germany’s political leadership. Tensions were further raised at the weekend when arsonists attacked a Hamburg newspaper that republished controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad which had originally been printed by Charlie Hebdo in 2006. The men who attacked Charlie Hebdo last week were said to have shouted out that they had avenged the Prophet for the cartoons.

Pope Francis: terrorism result of ‘deviant forms of religion’

OPE Francis yesterday denounced the religious fundamentalism that inspired the Paris massacres and ongoing Mideast conflicts, saying the attackers were enslaved by “deviant forms of religion” that used God as a mere ideological pretext to perpetuate mass killings. In his annual foreign policy address to Vatican-based ambassadors, Francis called for a unanimous response from the international community to end “fundamentalist terrorism” in the Mideast. And he called for Muslim leaders in particular to condemn “extremist interpretations” of their faith that seek to justify such violence.

The leader of the 1.2-billion strong Catholic Church has stepped up his call for Muslim political, religious and intellectual leaders to vocally insist that Islam doesn’t condone such violence. Francis said the Paris attacks were the result of a “throwaway culture” in which human beings and even God are rejected outright. Referring to the “tragic slayings” in Paris, Francis said those responsible had become “enslaved” by new fads and “deviant forms of religion.” “Religious fundamentalism, even before it eliminates human beings by perpetrating horrendous kill-

ings, eliminates God himself, turning him into a mere ideological pretext,” he said. Francis also denounced the “abominable” kidnapping and enslavement of young girls by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria and the slaughter of “unspeakable brutality” of more than 100 children by the Taliban in Pakistan. Referring specifically to the U.S., Francis welcomed the planned closure of the Guantanamo prison and the recent U.S.-Cuba rapprochement that he himself helped facilitate. He called for a change in attitude toward accepting refugees, noting the many unaccompanied Latin American children mi-

Cuba frees all 53 U.S.prisoners

•Pope Francis delivers his message during the Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican. Yesterday. PHOTO: AP

grating to the U.S. are “are all the more at risk and in need of greater care, attention and protection.” He said he hoped 2015 would bring progress toward a new climate change agreement, saying in a brief deviation from his text that it was “urgent.”

Pakistan school reopens after Taliban massacre

AKISTANI children and their parents returned yesterday to the school where Taliban gunmen killed 150 of their classmates and teachers, their green school blazers, Superman lunchboxes and hands clutched tightly to their parents a symbol of perseverance despite the horrors they had endured. Pakistan has been reeling from the Dec. 16 terrorist attack in Peshawar — one of the worst the country has experienced. The violence carried out by seven Taliban militants has put a spotlight on whether the country can end the stubborn insurgency that kills and maims thousands every year. The violence also horrified parents across the nation and

•Pakistani students look out from a vehicle on their way to school...yesterday

prompted officials to implement tighter security at schools. For parents like Abid Ali Shah, getting ready for school Monday morning was horrifically painful. Shah’s wife was a teacher at the school and was killed in the violence. Both of his sons attended the school. The youngest was shot in the head but survived after the militants thought he was dead. Monday morning they were late as they struggled with preparations previously done by Shah’s wife. “A hollowness in my life is getting greater. I am miss-

ing my wife,” Shah said. His older son, Sitwat Ali Shah, said he had managed to control his emotions. It wasn’t until he saw his brother break down in tears that he did as well. A ceremony was expected to be held at the school, but classes were not expected to be held until later this week. Security was tight, part of a countrywide effort to boost safety measures at schools in the wake of the attack. Media and vehicles were kept hundreds of yards away from the school. The chief of Pakistan’s army,

PHOTO: AP

Gen. Raheel Sharif, was on hand inside the school to greet students, a military spokesman said on Twitter. For many, attending school Monday morning was an act of defiance and proof that they would not be cowed in the face of Taliban threats to attack again. Andleeb Aftab, a teacher at the Army Public School, lost her 10th grade son, Huzaifa, in the attack. She arrived Monday wearing a black dress and black head scarf and walked briskly toward the school, where she had last seen her son alive.

Mozambique beer poisoning deaths rise to 69

HE number of people killed after drinking a “poisoned” homemade beer in Mozambique has risen to 69, state radio has reported. The beer, usually made from millet, may have been contaminated with crocodile bile, a health official said. A toddler was among

those killed after apparently drinking the beer at a funeral in Tete province on Saturday. An official said it was the worst such tragedy to hit Mozambique, with 39 people still being treated in hospital. The government declared three days of national mourning in a decree

published on Sunday. The beer, known as “phombe”, is traditionally served at functions in Mozambique’s Tete province. Deaths from drinking it are rare, correspondents say. Carle Mosse, the province’s health director, said it was suspected that the poisoning had been caused

by crocodile bile although this had yet to be confirmed in tests. It was not immediately clear how the beer had been contaminated and whether it was intentional. The woman who brewed the beer and several members of her family were among the victims, Radio Mozambique has reported.

Lebanon prison raided over links to bombing

EBANESE security forces have raided a prison after an investigation found detainees were connected to a suicide attack over the weekend, officials say. Television pictures showed troops entering and searching inmates’ rooms and smoke rising from Roumieh prison. Officials said some detain-

ees had set light to mattresses in protest at being transferred from one wing to another. The interior minister said intercepted telephone calls proved some were linked to bombings in Tripoli on Saturday. Al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, claimed it was behind the attack on a cafe in the northern Leba-

nese city’s predominantly Alawite district of Jabal Mohsen, which left nine people dead. But officials said its rival, Islamic State, might have been responsible. Helicopters hovered above Roumieh prison as Internal Security Forces (ISF) personnel and ambulances entered the facility on Monday morning.

Earlier, Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk told the Reuters news agency that the operation was launched after intelligence showed some of the inmates were connected to Saturday’s attack. “We made sure of their involvement... through monitoring their communications,” he said. Mr Machnouk said the

prisoners had used mobile phones and internet video chat programme Skype to communicate with fellow militants. “I can confirm that Roumieh prison is an operations room for Da’ish,” he added, using a pejorative term for Islamic State based on an acronym formed from the letters of its name in Arabic.

CUBA has released all 53 prisoners it had promised to free, senior U.S. officials said, a major step toward détente with Washington. The release of the remaining prisoners sets a positive tone for historic talks next week aimed at normalizing relations after decades of hostility, the officials said. They described the Cuban government’s release over the weekend of the last detainees on the list as a milestone but said they would keep pressing Havana to free more people the United States considers political prisoners. The officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, did not say how many prisoners were released over the weekend or identify them. But the White House will provide the names of all 53 to Congress and expects lawmakers to make them public, the officials added. There had been questions over whether Havana would release all 53 prisoners as part of the deal Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced on Dec. 17 to restore diplomatic ties that Washington severed more than 50 years ago. Intense secrecy surrounding the 53, whose names have been withheld by both countries, had fueled skepticism over Cuba’s intentions and played to critics who said Washington hasn’t pressured Havana enough on human rights in exchange for normalizing ties and loosening economic and travel restrictions.

Afghan unity govt named AFGHAN President Ashraf Ghani has unveiled his unity cabinet more than three months after he was sworn in. The names of 25 ministers were read out at a ceremony in Kabul presided over by Mr Ghani and government chief executive Abdullah Abdullah. The announcement comes after tortuous negotiations between the two former rivals who agreed to work together following disputed elections last year. The cabinet still needs to be approved by parliament. Mr Ghani’s cabinet contains three women, for the portfolios of women’s affairs, culture and higher education. As widely rumoured, his new foreign minister is confirmed as Salahuddin Rabbani, son of former president Burhanuddin Rabbani who was killed by a suicide bomber in 2011. The long delay in confirming the cabinet had prompted fears that the unity government might fall apart over the issue. Mr Ghani marked his first 100 days in office last week. He was sworn in on 29 September after an election his rival accused him of winning by fraud. The United States helped broker the unity deal. Reuters news agency reports that the cabinet make-up reflects the two rival camps and contains “prominent ethnic and regional power-brokers”.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

DISCOURSE

‘APC... miracle waiting to happen’ Text of an address by All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen Muhammadu Buhari at the inauguration of the National Presidential Campaign Council party’s in Abuja...yesterday. PROTOCOL would like to welcome all of you to this occasion and most sincerely thank all members of our great party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, for their support and tireless devotion to the ideals that brought us together. With your permission, Mr Chairman, I would first of all like to thank those leaders who toiled and gave their all to make the merger that gave birth to our party such a great success. Let me seize this opportunity to first pay special tribute to the leadership given by Chief Bisi Akande to the entire enterprise. It is no exaggeration to say that APC owes everything to the leadership given, the tact, wisdom and fairness displayed by Chief Akande. Next, I would like to recognise Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whose sacrifices, organisational skills and extensive political network did much to straighten and cement the blocks of the merger and then take APC to unprecedented heights of acceptance in important areas of the country. I would also like to express my gratitude to all of you for the confidence you have decided to repose in me to be the presidential flag bearer of our great party. I feel honoured and thoroughly humbled. In addition, I want to thank each one of you who have accepted to serve on Presidential Campaign Council. I have no words to thank you enough. Needless to say, your choice to serve on this council is in recognition of your dedication and commitment to the ideals of our party, and it is in each case on merit. I would like to thank all the colleague-aspirants with whom I vied for the presidential ticket of our great party for everything— for all the sportsmanship displayed, for gallantry in their concession, and in the promptness with which party unity was affirmed and restored. We must congratulate ourselves for one of the cleanest and keenest-fought political contests this country has yet witnessed. Our ability to sink whatever differences of opinion we have shows the level of our political maturity,

and our capacity for growth. And the experiences, approaches, talents and skills that we have individually brought to the common party pool have that much enriched and strengthened our party as it embarks on its way to victory. I should like to congratulate the party and especially His Excellency Chief Kayode Fayemi for conducting the most transparent primary election in Nigeria. That election has become an example and a reference point, and it should become the new standard by which all subsequent inter-party and intra-party elections in the country will in future be judged. Finally, I would like to thank Professor Yemi Osinbanjo for accepting to bring his rich repertoire of experience and expertise to enrich a ticket that will be leading this country in the next few months. And just as our primary election was an example for the nation, so must our conduct of the campaign also be exemplary. As I said in my address to some of our supporters on September 30, 2014, I would like to repeat: “With your support, I intend to offer myself for the position of the president of the republic on the platform of our great party. I intend to make a formal announcement on October 8, and I hope I can count on your continuing support and sacrifice. However, I would like to point out to you that, to be more meaningful, your support must extend beyond my person and always be available to the party and all those the party puts forward; because it is the party that is the platform. “You must at all times remember that the APC is a party with several qualified people for each and all the positions that will be contested, including that of the president. It is the primaries that will determine who eventually represents the party in which capacity. If I get the party nomination, I expect you will redouble your effort and commitment until we clinch the presidency. But in the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who wins, I will expect you as good party men to extend to him your total support. We are a united party, and united we shall remain,

because our strength lies in our unity.” “For this and for other reasons, I must warn all my supporters, volunteers and other well-wishers within the party or even out of it not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf. My supporters must not engage in any kind of behaviour or conduct that will tarnish the image of any leader or promote division and rancour within the ranks of the party. Whoever does that should know he or she is working for the enemy.” “At the same time, I would like to appeal and urge you to be good ambassadors of the opposition. As a body, the opposition is committed to the rule of law; and as members of the parties in the opposition, you must learn to do the same at all times. In particular, you must learn to be vigilant especially just before, during and immediately after elections, whether these are rigged or not, so that sponsored hoodlums are not made do not commit illegalities that are in the end blamed on you. Not only must you not take the law into your hands, no matter the level of provocation, you must be able to expose those planning to do so before they act.” “I know it is all too painful for you to see votes you cast being disregarded and votes illegally thumb printed being counted to rig out the choice that you have legitimately and conclusively made. And it is even more painful when you know that the road to remedy has been firmly shut in your face; for, you are always called on to accept a judgment whose justice you cannot see, whose logic is flawed and whose facts speak against itself.” “All the same, I urge you to take to patience. I wish to assure you that the leadership of the opposition is not unmindful of this sad and frustrating situation, and has accordingly put in place a mechanism that will permanently put an end to rigging in this country.” We intend to prosecute this campaign to win and we shall win. We undertake to end the impunity of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, a party that has proved clueless in every material particular. It has failed to address any of the important concerns of the people of this country. It has filed to deal squarely with the great security challenge that has faced this nation within these last five years. And it has remained touchy and impervious to all constructive criticism, and without concern for human life and for the suffering going on in

the land. As we campaigned, Boko Haram attacked Baga town in Borno State, reportedly killing 2,000 people; but to this clueless government, this toll is just a number, a statistic that adds up to the litany that has gone before it. And worst of all, this PDP government has split the country along all known fault lines. It is time to send them into deserved retirement; which, in the normal cause of events, it will have done nothing to deserve. On our part, we have solemnly promised this nation that we are going to secure it against all threats, manage its resources efficiently and with demonstrable transparency, and then fix whatever is amiss in it. Under an APC government, no one will go to bed hungry, angry with the government or with the fear of insurgents or nocturnal visitors. We shall secure the government for the people and fix it. And, verily, we shall deliver on every of our promises. Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, it is now my pleasure and privilege to formally inaugurate the 2015 National Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressive Congress, APC, under the leadership of His Excellency Chief Rotimi Amaechi, with the following suggested terms of references; To give a sense of participation and belonging to major stakeholders and engenders widespread support for the project. •The body acts as a buffer between the campaign organization and the Presidential candidate and Vice Presidential candidate. •The board identifies and resolves conflicts arising from the operation of the campaign organization. •The board enunciates and monitors broadstrategic objectives of the campaign. •The board serves as mechanism for checks and balances in the overall efforts towards achieving set objectives of winning the general elections of 2015. •The board shall oversee the campaigns voters registration and antivoter suppression efforts. •The board shall ensure that the campaign’s messaging is consistent with and incorporates the key planks of the party manifesto. •The board will ensure that resources will be made available and appropriately allocated to assist the campaign. Needless to add, Chief Amaechi is a fighter who has never failed in any

•Gen. Buhari

‘

It became a promise. Then it became a reality; and, today, it is a miracle—a miracle waiting to happen. And it will happen.

‘

assignment, and every member of the presidential campaign council has been chosen on account of experience and expertise and proven track record. With such a team and with the unprecedented acceptance that the APC enjoys in all parts of the country, the question is not whether the party will defeat the PDP. The question is the nature of the landslide with which the clueless party will be sent packing. I promise you that the landslide will be unprecedented. And with suggested terms of reference as your guide, I urge you to put all your trust in God and the support of the people; and victory is yours. May God guide and bless the APC in its quest to rescue Nigeria. And to us, it is a done deal. Less than two years ago, APC was just a dream. It became a promise. Then it became a reality; and, today, it is a miracle— a miracle waiting to happen. And it will happen. I would like to thank all of you for your patience and attention.

NEWS

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC)governorship candidate Olorogun Otega Emerhor (second left); APC Treasurer, Osun chapter, Mr Segun Olanibi (left); Publicity Secretary Kunle Oyatomi (right) and Mr Sonni Afenogho (second right), when Emerhor visited the Government House, Osogbo

•Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda (middle), Assembly Speaker Alhaji Yahya Miya (left) and National President, Arewa Youth Forum, Alhaji Gambo Gujungu at the Arewa Youth Forum Conflict Mitigation and Peace Building Project in Bauchi...yesterday.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Ronaldo wins Ballon d'Or again

• Ronaldo (left) enjoys a selfie with Marta before the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala on Monday evening Ancelotti and Atletico MaCup where Portugal went out ORTUGAL forward drid's Diego Simeone in the in the first round and Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo won mustered only one goal. poll. the FIFA Ballon d'Or Ronaldo netted 51 goals in 47 However, he still became Poraward for the second year runtugal's all-time leading scorer appearances last season as Real ning and the third overall on secured a record-extending and his goal haul for his counMonday after a prolific, trotry stands at 52 in 117 appear10th Champions League title phy-filled year with Real Maand won the King's Cup. ances. drid. Messi, by contrast, inspired His tally included 17 goals in He was voted ahead of Barthe Champions League, a Argentina as they reached the celona and Argentina forward record for a single edition of a World Cup final, where they Lionel Messi, his bitter rival, Europe's elite club competition. lost to Neuer's Germany. and Bayern Munich and GerSince then, he has added the Ronaldo first won the award many goalkeeper Manuel in 2008, when it was run solely Club World Cup title to his colNeuer in the annual poll run lection, has scored a stunning by FIFA, and he finished ahead jointly by soccer's governing of Messi. 26 goals in 17 La Liga matches body and France Football magaand looks set to looks set to Messi won the award four zine. smash the biggest total for a times in a row from 2009 to Joachim Loew was voted season in Spain's top flight of 2012, with Ronaldo finishing Coach of the Year after leadas runner-up on three occa50 scored by Messi in 2011-12. ing Germany to the World Cup sions, before the Portuguese reAll that was enough to overtitle in Brazil. He finished ahead look a disappointing World versed the trend last year. of Real Madrid's Carlo

Eagles arrive Dubai for Sudan

HE Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)'s Technical and Development Committee, Felix Anyansi Agwu has praised the home based Super Eagles who were only within few minutes of getting at least a draw against 2015 AFCON bound Cote d'Ivoire in a friendly match played in Abu habi,UAE on Sunday. Nigeria's senior national team is going through a rebuilding process again after the country's failure to qualify for the 2015 AFCON and the NFF organised two friendly games against Cote d' Ivoire and Sudan to keep the Eagles busy and serve as consolation for the team's 2015 AFCON noshow. Anyansi Agwu who was on the entourage to UAE told NationSport from Dubai on telephone that the Eagles played

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri very well and only lost to the Ivoriens owing to a careless back pass from a defender to his teammate, which the Ivory Coast striker, Salomon Kalou capitalised for the only goal of the game. He said, besides the mistake that led to the only goal of the match during the dying minutes of the game, both sides were equally matched with no much difference with Nigerians that paraded 99 percent home based players with the exception of Steve Ukoh who plays in Europe and the Ivoriens who have most of their players scattered in top European countries. Anyansi Agwu who also doubles as the Chairman of Enyimba FC of Aba, also stated that the game against Ivory Coast has given the home based players more ex-

Berahino backs Ideye to find his form

PEAKING to the official website of West Brom, England international Saido Berahino has backed Brown Ideye to find his scoring boots again after managing only one goal in the Premier League this term. Against Hull City last weekend, the Super Eagles’ attacker spent 72 minutes on the pitch until he was replaced by Victor Anichebe. “I feel for him because he has found it hard, but you can’t knock his effort and his drive to do well for the team. “He hasn’t scored as many as he would have liked this season but he has to keep going. “He is a strong character and I am sure that he will start

scoring soon,”Saido Berahino told wba.co.uk. Brown Ideye is being linked with a move from The Baggies in the winter transfer market, with the likes of Newcastle, Sunderland and Hull rumoured to be monitoring his situation.

posure and experience adding that the team would do better against the Falcon of Jediane of Sudan later this week. "The team played a fantastic game and was unlucky to have made such mistake at a crucial moments of the game. We are happy with their performance that players made up of mostly home based players to play the Ivoriens the way they did, showed that our national team has a future. "The team, I believe will do better against Sudan because the players played with their whole hearts and ought to be rewarded with another brilliant outing and result against Sudan," Anyansi Agwu told NationSport.

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TODAY IN THE NATION

‘Where was Obasanjo waxing lyrical about his hot love for Nigeria? The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library of profoundly suspect moral provenance! TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10

NO. 3094

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

KITI State has been going through a radical branding since the once and still hugely discredited Ayo Fayose returned to power as governor. It used to pride itself as a Fountain of Knowledge on account of being reputed to have, household per household, the largest number of holders of earned doctoral degrees in Nigeria, and one of largest in the world. It had long been settled that there is no academic specialism so recondite or arcane that you will not find at least one person in a household in Ekiti holding a doctorate in it. Fayose seems to have made peace with that characterisation of Ekiti. What he apparently finds it hard to reconcile himself with is Ekiti’s other profile as a land of two of the most prized assets among the Yoruba – íyì and éeyè, which translate into honour and propriety. He served notice the other day that he would strip the Ekiti Coat of Arms of those enduring values, whether as aspiration or actuality. He may even have done so in the manner that becomes him so well. But that is not the subject of this piece. Nor is Fayose’s solicitous catering to the stomach structure of Ekiti State residents during the Yuletide the concern here, remarkable as it was, what with people from all over Nigeria and even from the ECOWAS region pouring into the state capital to obtain a portion of the Fayose Bonanza – rice, hens, cooking oil, salt, pepper and onions, together with pots and pans and other utensils guaranteed to do justice to such a special occasion. I gather that the next edition of the Stomach Infrastructure Initiative, or Fayose Special, is scheduled for Easter. Personally, however, I will not be surprised if Fayose were to decide to stage the event much earlier in deference to those complaining that Easter is too far, great democrat that he is. Plus, remember that the reason he connects so well is that he hears the people even before they begin to talk. Again, that is not the subject of this piece. Between his election and his inauguration, Fayose had gone from one bank to another warning of dire consequences if they granted his predecessor loans to service the administration’s financial obligations. And when that administration could not pay civil servants in its last month in office, Fayose had latched on to that as proof, were any still required, of the wickednessand callousness of Governor Kayode Fayemi and his team. Now finding himself similarly circumstanced, Fayose is appealing to civil servants to appreciate why their salaries had to be delayed. While campaigning for the governorship, Fayose had declared that President Goodluck Jonathan had promised to give him anything he wanted if he could capture Ekiti for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Why is Fayose not rushing to cash in on the promise to bring in huge federal assets to stave off the

RIPPLES

I DO NOT WANT TO ADDRESS OLD PEOPLE LIKE ME BECAUSE OUR GENERATION HAS FAILED –JONATHAN

It’s PDP that FAILED… not a whole GENERATION.

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Curiouser and curiouser in Ekiti ’ dispersInstead of

•Dr. Omirin

growing popular discontent? The whole thing should take no more than a phone call to Aso Rock. So, what is Fayose waiting for? Again, that is not the subject of this column. By now, everyone knows how seven of the 26 members of the State Assembly, all elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defected to the PDP several hours after Fayose was declared winner of the gubernatorial election, and how the defectors, their ranks swollen by three infiltrators of identities unknown, purportedly convened a meeting of the Assembly during which they had claimed to have impeached the Assembly Speaker, Dr Ademola Omirin, and to have replaced him with one of their own. Everyone one knows how, drawing on a variation of the peculiar mathematics of the PDP and the Jonathan administration under which 14 is a larger number than 18, Fayose decreed that the seven defectors constitute a majority

ing protesters and demonstrators with main force, the police will henceforth function as honest brokers between them and the institutions they are protesting against...

‘

of the total membership of the House vested with law-making. The public knows how the seven defectors and their unidentified confederates had purported to carry out, in the appointed chambers, and under the full protection of the police, the business of the Assembly, to wit, approving Fayose’s nominee for State Attorney-General (ha!) among other appointments, and passing into law the State’s 2015 Appropriations. Everyone also knows how the 19-member majority of the House was reduced to meeting at secret locations to countermand the legislative acts the defectors purported to have carried out. They had to meet in such circumstances because Fayose and the police could not or

HARDBALL

T TU, Brute? That was Caesar's fatal shock -- in any case, according to William Shakespeare's dramatisation of the tragedy of Julius Caesar's assassination by the Roman murderous conspirators of nobles. Among them was Marcus Brutus, the nobleman who wore his nobility like a gown, but who had to be drafted to murder Caesar -- not because he hated his bosom friend, but because he loved Rome! How about that for dramatically classical sophistry? Indeed, Shakespeare made it known that the shock of Brutus's involvement in the plot was more fatal to Caesar than the other conspirators' stabs. Well, even if you are not literature inclined, just carry the drama of old Rome over to modern Nigeria, and you could well imagine the shock of President Goodluck Jonathan and his court over former Military President Ibrahim Babangida's cheeky comment on the current corruption of Jonathanian, sorry, gargantuan proportions! When the news hit Aso Rock, perhaps President Jonathan had, in shock, gawked: Et tu, (You too) IBB? Ah, IBB too! That is the depth of rot this country has plumbed under Jonathan. For IBB whose government is perceived -- IBB insists

Et tu, IBB? his alleged corruption was mere perception -to have institutionalised corruption, to claim, corruption-wise, to be "saints" and "angels", compared with the present, is well and truly confounding! Still, IBB does have some claims to flaunt. For starters: the US $12.4 billion Gulf War Oil windfall alleged to have vanished. IBB claimed it never did, since there was no such windfall. But can Jonathan say the same of the US $20 billion oil money the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) never remitted into the Federation Account, as alleged by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (now Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II of Kano), then Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor? Remember: it was on account of that whistle-blowing that Jonathan "suspended" Mr. Sanusi from his job? O yes, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Jonathan's economic czarina, insists some forensic audit was afoot to clear the mess. But many weeks later, after the audit is supposed to be public knowledge, Madam Minister, where is that report? And o, there were some interesting parallels, in the EFCC-arranged (remember Fela's Army

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

would not guarantee their safety. The public knows these developments all too well. Those developments are consequently not the subject of this piece, merely a backdrop to it. To finally come right out with it, this column is about the recent transformation of the Police Command in Ekiti from a force accused of passively watching elements of the ruling PDP harass and intimidate and brutalise supporters of the opposition when it is not actually siding with and aiding and abetting the lawless rule of the PDP in Ekiti, to an institution dedicated to the peaceful resolution of disputes. To get to specifics, the police that had stood by as thugs invaded the Ekiti High Court, beat up judges, tore up lawyers’ robes and shredded court documents now want to reconcile the minority seeking to usurp the legislative functions of the Ekiti House of Assembly, and tne majority that have refused to submit to Fayose’s threats and blandishments and who knows what else from Abuja. How this improbable mission came about it remains for now a secret, but since it was announced by the Ekiti Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, there can be no doubt that, at the very least, it has been approved from the very top. I doubt whether the police would have embarked on such a radical departure from its standard operational procedures without that kind of approval. If this is not another false dawn, the implications are far-reaching. Instead of dispersing protesters and demonstrators with main force, the police will henceforth function as honest brokers between them and the institutions they are protesting against – between Labour and Capital, between students and the university administration, between perpetrator and victim. The more perceptive observers of the political scene would have sensed the coming of this new dispensation when, in the dispute over the competence of Aminu Tambuwal to continue to function as Speaker of the House of Representatives after defecting from the ruling PDP, Police Inspector-General Sulaiman Abba made it emphatically the province of the police to have the last word on the Constitution. From that singular act, it was but a short step to re-constituting the police into an institution for settling disputes and resolving conflict. Some may question whether the police are trained or otherwise equipped to perform such a function. But they cannot question the function itself. Somebody or some institution has to perform it. If, as in Ekiti and increasingly in other parts of Nigeria the courts and traditional rulers or so-called “royal fathers” cannot or will not perform that function, who can blame the police for stepping into the breach, even if that moves the country farther and farther along the toad to a Police State? •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above Arrangement, AA) IBB-featured laconic and sardonic humour on corruption, which, if it were a play, should have been titled, My Regime is Less Corrupt Than Yours! IBB declared himself the "most investigated president Nigeria ever had". Jonathan had earlier christened himself the "most criticised". Similar crosses, would you say? Then Saint IBB says he made "less than" US $7 billion oil revenue; yet "I built Abuja" and also delivered Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, besides the first dual carriageway in the North. Now, what is Sinner Jonathan's bragging right to IBB's? As current head of IBB-reported government "making US $200 billion to US $ 300 billion", what is Jonathan delivering? Well, some say retooling the railways. But others quickly snap: antiquated rail that would scandalise modernists in the Lord Lugard era? Or maybe the president's New Year's resolve to fight corruption -- after literally snoring for six years? Indeed, what should worry Jonathan and his aides is the symbolism of the IBB comment: the vanishing elite consensus from his presidency, some eight weeks shy of an epochal election! Well, ill luck is not transferable!

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