The Nation January 01, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Murray-Bruce, Asoluka, Mustapha get board jobs

•NTA, FRCN, SON, others get directors

NEWS

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Nkiru: Police hold ‘abductors’ NEWS

Page 59

•Four suspects in security net

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2358 TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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•Indian sportsmen of Madan mohan malviya stadium, light candles to welcome the New Year in Allahabad...yesterday. Sydney kicked off a wave of dazzling firework displays welcoming in 2013, from PHOTO: AFP Dubai to Moscow and London, with long-isolated Yangon joining the global pyrotechnics for the first time.

My 2013 plan, by Jonathan Wada to leave hospital ‘in days’

There’s hope, says Mark From Vincent Ikuomola and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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IGERIANS have got from the President a message of hope – that this year will be better and a pledge – to work harder. But Dr. Goodluck Jonathan made a request – the citizens should play their role in making the country great.

President Jonathan, in his New Year message, said the government would do more to improve security by further empowering the security agencies to stem terrorism and enhance the security of lives and property.

Besides, in the new year, the Federal Government will be paying more attention to flood and erosion control, rehabilitation and expansion of roads, improved power supply as well as upgrading of the national rail network.

Other areas listed for priority attention are employment generation and wealth creation.

The President also urged Nigerians to make a commitment to do more this year to support the implementation of the Federal Government’s Agenda for National Transformation.

President Jonathan noted that peace and security remain pre-requisite conditions for the full realisation of the government’s objectives.

He said: “I have already given a clear indication of the Federal Government’s agenda for 2013 in recent pronouncements.

Our objective for the year is to ensure by all possible means that more of the programmes and projects envisioned by this administration, and which are already being embarked upon,

•Jonathan visits From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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OSPITALISED Kogi State Governor Idris Wada was in high spirits yesterday.

He was all smiles as President Goodluck Jonathan showed up in his ward. He raised up his body and stretched out his hand for a handshake.

Wada then pulled up his blue kaftan to show the President his plastered leg, which was broken in an accident last Friday.

The governor, who is being treated at a private hospital in Abuja, was returning to Lokoja , the state capital, from Anyingba when his Lexus SUV crashed at Emi Woro village.

His Aide-de-Camp Idris Muhammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), died. His driver was injured.

The President was received at the Cedar Cross

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•President Jonathan (right) sympathising with Wada at the hospital in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: NAN

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WE WISH ALL OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS A GREAT YEAR 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

NEWS Murray-Bruce, Asoluka, Mustapha, others get board jobs

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•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left); Executive Secretary, Ayedade Local Government, Gbenga Ogunkanmi and Deputy Speaker House of Assembly Akintunde Adegboye, during the inauguration of the construction and rehabilitation of 10 Kilometre road projects across the 30 local governments and one area office starting in Ile-Ogbo…yesterday

My 2013 plan, by President Jonathan Continued from page 1

are further brought on stream within the next 12 months to meet the yearnings of our people, and raise the quality of life.

“We have in the last year achieved a lot in terms of the positive transformation of vital sectors of our national life, such as public infrastructure, power supply, oil and gas, transportation, education, health and agricultural development. We will continue to work diligently in 2013 to ensure that our efforts in these areas are carried forward to full fruition in fulfillment of our promise of better public services and improved living conditions for all Nigerians.

“We will give priority attention in the coming year to flood and erosion control, the rehabilitation and expansion of existing federal roads, improved power supply, as well as the continued rehabilitation, upgrading and reactivation of the national rail network.

“Employment generation and wealth creation will also remain a primary objective of our socio-economic agenda for 2013. Creating more employment opportunities for our

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youth and graduates of our universities is an imperative that will continue to underpin our drive for massive economic growth, the rapid expansion of our manufacturing and industrial base, and the productive diversification of our national economy. In this regard, we will continue to provide the necessary enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

“As peace and security remain pre-requisite conditions for the full realisation of our objectives, we will also do more in 2013 to further empower our security agencies who are working in collaborative partnerships with our friends in the international community to stem the scourge of terrorism in our country and enhance the security of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria.”

The president also assured Nigerians that the administration will nor be discouraged by it’s critics, stressing that the administration remains resolutely committed to the rule of law, due process and fair play in all circumstances.

He also noted that the ad-

ministration will continue to push forward and remain focused on the task of making the nation a much better place for present and future generations.

“I also want to assure Nigerians that we will refuse to be discouraged by those who have taken it upon themselves to pick on every initiative and effort of this administration.

We remain resolutely committed to the rule of law, due process and fair play in all circumstances. Our democracy continues to grow, and the scope for human freedom continues to expand. It is an achievement that we will continue to build upon.

“I say it again, we are determined to continue to push forward. We will do more, not less. We will remain focused.

“For your part, dear compatriots, I urge that you all include in your new year resolutions a commitment to do more this year to support the implementation of the Federal Government’s Agenda for National Transformation in every possible way. That is all I ask for.

“The task of making our dear

nation a much better place for present and future generations cannot be left to government alone. Leaders and followers alike have critical roles to play in our march towards the fulfillment of our great national potentials.” while wishing Nigerians a better year, the President also urged them to place national interest above all other considerations.

“Let us all, therefore, resolve as we celebrate the new year to place the higher interests of national unity, peace, stability and progress above all other considerations and work harder in our particular fields of human endeavour to contribute more significantly to the attainment of our collective aspirations,” he said.

President of the Senate David Mark also enjoined Nigerians to continue to partner with those in elected offices in order to take the country out of its grave challenges.

Mark in a New Year message to Nigerians noted that Year 2012 was very challenging “but Nigerians resolved to remain in one indivisible naContinued on page 63

OARD members of nine government agencies were named yesterday by the Federal Government.

Former Director-General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Mr. Ben MurrayBruce tops the list with his appointment as chair of the board of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

Murray-Bruce is also the chairman of Silverbird group – a privately-owned media outfit which controls radio and television stations.

Apart from the FRCN, boards of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), National Examinations Council (NECO), the National Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, Port Harcourt, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and Agricultural Research Development Council of Nigeria, were also constituted.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim said the boards would be inaugurated later.

Notable names include the National Organising Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha; National Auditor of PDP, Chief Olabode Mustapha; Editor of SUNDAY SUN Mrs. Funke Egbemode and Col. Edward Mark, younger brother of Senate President David Mark.

Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria: Chief Bisi Ogunjobi (chair). The board members are: Dr. Godwin Duru, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Works, Two Representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, The Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and three executive Directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

Federal Capital Development Authority: Senator Bala Mohammed (chair), Former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salimot Badru, Ayekeme Whisky Kashim Bukar Shettima, Col. Edward Mark, Aliyu Musa Dagoggo, Dr. Uche Uzochukwu and Mrs. Mather Onwuzurumba are memebrs.

Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce (chair). Mrs. Bola Doherty, Farouk Dalhatu, Mrs. J. N.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Chinedu, Hajia Hauwa Kida, Chief Elvis Agukwe, Abubakar Sarkin Fawa Damboh, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Information, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Director General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (members).

National Examinations Council Dr. Paddy K. Njoku (Chair). Members are: Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsavri, Hajiya Aishatu J. Dukku, Hon. Terlumun Akputu, Chief Yemi Oluyemi, Chief Mrs. Cheryl Amonu, Hon. Paschal Ugbome, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, two Representatives of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, three Representatives of Universities in Nigeria, the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, the Registrar of the National Examination Council, Representative of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, Representative of the National Parents Teachers Association and Representative of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Nigerian Export Promotions Council Mrs. Grace Clark (chair). Members are: Alhaji Mohammed Soli Jibia, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Tourism. Culture and National Orientation, Representative of the Nigerian Customs Service, Representative of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industries. Mines and Agriculture, Representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Representative of the Association of Nigerian Exporters, Representative of Farmers Association and the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.

Onne oil and Gas Free Zone, Port Harcourt: Mr. Chris Asoluka (chair). Members are: Gen. Geoffrey Ejiga (Rtd), Kelly Azike, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Continued on page 63

PIB unfair to North, says Senator Abba-Ibrahim

SENATOR has explained why the North is opposed to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) – the much vaunted magic for the troubled oil sector.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Housing, Sen. Bukar Abba-Ibrahim (ANPP-Yobe) said yesterday in Abuja that the North is opposed to the PIB because of its “lopsidedness”.

Abba-Ibrahim, who spoke at an interactive session with reporters, said the clause in the PIB, which is asking for additional 10 per cent revenue for oil producing communities, is unacceptable.

He said: “Derivation is only one out of seven sources of revenue for the oil producing states. They have the Federal Government’s take home, the NDDC with over N500 billion being projects only in oil producing communities, they also have the Niger Delta Ministry with over N400 billion Federal Government grants in the name of amnesty and oil companies doing social corporate responsibility.”

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

According to Abba-Ibrahim, adding another 10 per cent to the already existing revenue generators for the zone will be unfair. “Adding another 10 per cent to all these seven sources, I don’t know how you are going to have peace where resources allocations are so skewed to one side and unfair.’’

He said this addition in the PIB is unacceptable and suggested that the money should go into the treasury so that every Nigerian could benefit from it.

“Nobody planted or farmed oil, it is God who put it there and it will not last forever. It will get to a point where the oil will finish and another natural resource will come up and every Nigerian will benefit from it,’’ the senator said.

The lawmaker added that the North is also opposed to the PIB because of its failure to make provision for the exploitation of other minerals in other parts of the country.

“We have over 800 million tonnes of limestone in Gulane, Fune and Guljimba local governments of Yobe, but as a state government, you cannot go and exploit, it has to be done by the Federal Government.’’

He expressed optimism that the bill when passed, would sanitise the Industry and address corruption. Speaking on the security challenge in the country, Abba-Ibrahim said that although dialogue might not be the only solution, it remained the best solution.

“I am not saying it is the only solution because there are many ways to solve it, but I believe that dialogue remains the best.”

He said himself and four others were named as observers in the negotiations between the Boko Haram sect members and the Federal Government, but that the sect members still remained faceless.

Abba-Ibrahim, a former governor of Yobe, decried the marginalisation of the Northeast zone, which he said was one of the largest geo-political

zones in the country. He said the marginalisation had led to the backwardness of the zone, which is battling desertification and poverty.

While acknowledging that no particular leader could be blamed for the backwardness of the zone, he urged Nigerians to help proffer solutions to the regions problems.

“The Southeast had their problems and it was resolved, the Southsouth also had their marginalisation problems resolved. So we hope that Nigerians would also help find solutions for the Northeast zone.”

On education, he urged the president to summon the political will and courage to declare free and compulsory education up to secondary school level nationwide this year.

He insisted that the merger talks between opposition parties in Nigeria are meant to give the country a credible alternative in 2015.

Abba-Ibrahim said: “The Northeast today is where it is for the reasons I have just giv-

en. We just hope Southern Nigerian will try to consciously help us solve our problems.

“The poverty in the northeast is unbelievable. It is incredible. When you get there you don’t need to be told. Just go round and don’t talk to anybody. When you come back, if you are an honest person you will say ‘yes, this place has been neglected for so long.’

“Studies after studies have shown that it is the poorest part of Nigeria not because of lack of natural resources. No, but because of neglect for over decades.

“You can’t blame Jonathan or Yar’Adua or any particular leader for what happened. But what happened had happened and there is need to consciously try to solve these problems and the circle goes on and on.

“There are other issues like our National Social Housing Bill. This is part of the fight against poverty. There is also the Desertification Commission which will soon be debated on the floor of the Senate.

“That is also part of poverty

•Abba-Ibrahim

alleviation efforts because desertification remains one of the reasons the North East zone is the poorest part of Nigeria.

Continued on page 63

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NEWS NEW YEAR MESSAGE

Fashola envisions a better year

Nigeria’s future is bright, says Ekweremadu

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HE Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday assured Nigerians that 2013 would yield the dividends of democracy, peace and prosperity.

The lawmaker, who delivered his New Year message in Abuja, said: “I believe enough groundwork has been laid for the actualisation of the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

and for surmounting the challenges facing the nation.

“With the early passage of the 2013 budget, more maturity on the path of institutions of governance and a greater sense of responsibility, love, unity, and patriotism among Nigerians; I have no doubt that the future is bright for the nation, despite the present challenges.”

Ekweremadu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, noted that the National Assembly would go beyond the passage of the 2013 budget to lay emphasis on oversight of the institutions of governance to ensure implementation for the benefit of the masses.

He urged the people to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

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•Ekweremadu

The Deputy Senate President wished Nigerians a happy and prosperous New Year.

S Nigerians join others in the world to usher in 2013, Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has expressed a wish for a better year for all.

He implored residents to stay safe, healthy, shun the temptation to cut corners and be security-conscious.

In his New Year message, the governor urged vigilance and compliance with law and order, which represent the measure of the civilisation of every society and the only way through which it can identify and put pressure on the few people who are making life difficult for the majority.

He added that it was by so doing that the people could bring the few spoilers to justice, secure the state and make it the model mega city.

Governor Fashola said the New Year resolution of his administration is to continue to serve the people and evolve policies and programmes that would secure their life and property, and advance their

welfare.

He said given that 2012 had some challenges, particularly in terms of security, everyone must vow to fight the menace if any progress must be made as a nation and a people in the New Year.

He stressed that everyone must realise that security is everybody’s business and that those who make life difficult for the rest, such as kidnappers, armed robbers, suicide bombers and other criminals belong and live within the communities.

Said he: “They are not ghosts but people like you and I. They must be known by some people. It’s our duty as individuals and communities to expose such people. Their activities only benefit a few and the majority suffer.”

Governor Fashola said everyone must respect the rights of others and obey the laws of the land, noting that it would be difficult to realise any noble aspirations or dreams if there is no order in the society.

We’ll employ better strategies in governance, says Amaechi

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•Members of the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Retirees protesting the non-payment of 43 months pension arrears at the entrance of NIPOST office in Awka...yessterday.

Akume wishes Nigerians pleasant celebration

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HE Senate Minority Leader Senator George Akume has wished Nigerians a pleasant New Year celebration.

Akume, in his New Year message, said: “On behalf of my family and the people of Benue Northwest Senatorial District, I wish all Nigerians a pleasant New Year celebration.

“This celebration is remarkable because it heralds a respite from the turbulence we have had to endure as a country in the past months.

“I believe 2013 has brought with it good tidings.

With all sense of responsibility, I wish to acknowledge that since the last celebration a year ago, Nigeria has made significant strides in all areas of the polity.

“In my assessment, we are not yet where we ought to be. It is disheartening to note that despite our posture as the giant of Africa and the resources that abound, many Nigerians today still live below the poverty line.

“As a progressive, I wish to observe that ours is a nation that has been very slow in developing. The government is very far from delivering on most, if not all its pledges to the citizenry, especially those benefits expected to have accrued to all after the subsidy on petroleum products was removed

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

last January.

“It would have been the joy of everyone if our resources were invested to build good roads, equip health facilities, improve on power supply, make functional education affordable and accessible to all as well as create employment opportunities for our youths.

“It is necessary to point out that the performance of the present administration has fallen short of the expectations of Nigerians, especially in the areas of administration of justice and implementation of important legislations, which were passed

by the National Assembly as well as the tackling of corruption that has been the bane of development in Nigeria.

“In all these difficulties, Nigerians have conducted themselves in an enviable manner, eschewing violence.

They are peace loving, displaying the kind of civility and patience hitherto unseen in this part of the world.

“I hail the forces/corps for being dutiful during crises.

In commending the citizenry, I urge them to hold the government accountable in areas where its activities are below their expectations, using every constitutional

means open to them. It is only then that the government can be made to provide the tonic essential for development.

“I sympathise with those affected by the sectarian violence, air disasters and the recent floods. I urge Nigerians to advocate for peace, love and the unity of this country and also to be supportive of government’s programmes and policies as we celebrate the coming of 2013.

“I pray the Almighty God to make our dreams as individuals and a nation come true in the New Year.

Once more, I wish all a happy New Year.”

Expect greater things in 2013, says Oshiomhole

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OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has assured the indigenes and residents of greater things in 2013.

In his New Year message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, he said the people have much to thank God for in 2012 and should look forward to a prosperous New Year.

Said he: “2012 was good for Edo State. We executed a number of capital projects, which had impact on the lives of the people.

“Also, we held our gover-

norship election, which was adjudged the freest and fairest in the country and is used as a template for polls.

“However, as we enter 2013, I assure the people of government’s commitment to deliver more to every nook and cranny of the state, to justify the confidence reposed in me by the victory I received at the polls in the 18 local governments.

“I assure Edo State people that the projects started by this administration will be followed up with diligence and vigour to ensure completion.

“I urge our people to remain vigilant to ensure that evil doers are not given a free hand in the New Year.

“I salute the people: our royal fathers, the professional groups, civil servants, students, civil society groups, traders and the ordinary people for standing by this administration in 2012.

“Also, I hail Christians and Muslims for their peaceful coexistence.

“I recognise the contributions of the security agencies in the maintenance of peace and security in 2012.”

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has assured that his administration would employ better strategies in governance, by laying the foundation for a future the people would be proud of.

He said his administration was conscious that posterity would not forgive it, if it failed to make use of the opportunity given by the Rivers people to make significant progress.

Governor Amaechi said this in his New Year broadcast.

He said his government carried the lessons of the past with it and looked forward to guaranteeing the survival of the present and future generations.

The governor said his administration was conscious of the fact that the impact of the decisions taken today would have consequences for the people, noting that small actions taken collectively could add up to real change.

Amaechi, who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), said: “Leadership lives and dies by its ability to engage, influence and care for the people. Lead-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

ership is about trust, stewardship, care, concern, service, humility and understanding.

“This is the type of bond that will survive challenges, and downturns, and this is the reason we have worked to improve the past and give hope for the future. We believe that we can only earn your trust and loyalty if we add value to your lives.

“As you know, we inherited a near, comatose education sector, our health infrastructure had broken down, power remained a major challenge despite our huge investments in that sector and our road infrastructure was in dire need of urgent intervention.

“In addition, the challenges of militancy and its attendant insecurity had brought our economy to a standstill. Our once thriving economy was worse than a shadow of its old self.

“Our development approach this year will balance competing needs against the social and economic challenges that we face.”

Eschew bitterness, Yero urges ADUNA State GoverNsigerians nor Mukthar Ramalan

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Yero has asked the people of the state to use the period of the New Year celebration to eschew bitterness and embrace peace.

In his message, the governor said the New Year holds great potentials for the state, and his administration is committed to the building of bridges of understanding across the interest groups in the state, irrespective of political, religious and tribal differences.

The message, which was signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Reuben Buhari, reads: “As we bade farewell to 2012 and look forward to the New Year, His Excellency, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, felicitates with the people of the state.

“While asking for more prayers for our state and the country, His Excellency is urg-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

ing us that in the New Year, our desire to succeed should be stronger than our fear of failure. By so doing, we will prepare ourselves for the challenges of the New Year and the fact that our resolution to succeed will create the extra needed motivation for us.

“His Excellency further reiterates the fact that this administration is committed to building bridges of understanding across the interest groups in the state, irrespective of political, religious and tribal differences.

“He is asking the people to eschew differences and live peacefully with each other so that government can have the needed environment to continue intervening in all socio-economic aspects of the state in the New Year.”

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NEWS 2013 SPECIAL

Nigerians w Last year was not a particularly good one for Nigerians. Boko Haram, kidnappers, corruption and a wobbling economy, among others, made the year tough. As 2013 begins today, Nigerians want the Federal Government, state governments and local governments to improve their lot •House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (right) and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, at a thanksgiving service organised by a member of the House of Representatives, Nnanna Igbokwe ...on Sunday.

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Y the time the curtain was drawn on 2012 yesterday, Boko Haram had killed over 750 Nigerians. This was over 100 more than the number of people the deadly sect killed the previous year.

Kidnappers also had a good outing and made life hell for many a family. In the midst of the insecurity, the economy too did not fare well.

Nigerians are looking forward to a better year and want government at all levels to help change things.

We need conducive environment, says ANPP

•Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (left), Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and Prof Jeo Irukwu (middle) during Chief Obasanjo’s visit to Irukwu for the 2012 Item day celebration ...at the weekend.

•Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio andf Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in the state, Obong Paul Ekpo during Ekpo’s Thanksgiving Service at Winners’ Chapel, Uyo...at the weekend.

•A member of Christian Women in Politics, Mrs Hannatu Bulus (left), receiving a wrapper from the Director General, Bauchi Government House Religion Affairs, Pastor Kennedy Masau, during the distribution of wrappers to Christian Women in Politics members in Bauchi ... yesterday

The National Chairman, All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, in his New Year message, urged the Federal Government to create conducive environment, where peoples’ vote truly counts and “the voter matters in an election that is not only free and fair but also peaceful and credible”.

Onu urged Nigerians not to despair, but to continue to pray for the country.

He said: “As Nigerians join the rest of the global family to thank God for his favours in the past year and ask for a new year that is full of hope, the party shares with Nigerians the expectations of 2013. It is our conviction that our beloved country will be a better place, where we can all be proud of, if we resolve that our democracy will be such that the will of the people remains supreme.

“As we think of how to improve our lives in the New Year, we should also reflect on how we can rededicate ourselves to a more conscientious pursuit of those cherished attributes that will enable Nigeria’s democracy thrive. The way we want our future to be will depend on the choices we make today. We urge our fellow country men and women to strengthen their faith in themselves, put the interest of the nation first, reaffirm implicit confidence in the power of a collective determination to succeed.”

with enough knowledge on the problems confronting the nation and urged him to now come out with realistic solutions.

"My prayer is that this New Year will usher in new vista of immense opportunities and fulfillment for us as a nation," he said.

‘Give us security’ The Deputy National Chairman, Alliance for Democracy (AD), Alhaji Musa Umar, said that no nation could progress without security.

“The President should address the issue of insecurity and also put a state of emergency on corruption,” he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, the initiator, Peoples Movement for a New Nigeria (PMNN), urged Jonathan to ensure that he carried Nigerians along in his governance in 2013. He also called on the president to reduce his cabinet to reduce the cost of governance in 2013. He said: “I expect him to carry every one along in his administration and reduce his cabinet to cut cost.”

A politician, Mr. Damian Ogbonna, advised the president to give the youth a greater sense of belonging in the nation’s politics and governance.

According to him, this will promote participatory democracy in the country. He said the step would also help in reducing unrest in the country.

The Lagos State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Godfrey Lemchi, urged the Senate to ensure that the issue of regional federalism was reflected in its constitutional review.

“Since we could not have the sovereign national conference in 2012 and the government is not favourably disposed to it, let there be something from the legislature in 2013 to give Nigerians that commitment that something is happening. If the Senate is doing anything, they must ensure that the issue of regional federalism is made to reflect in the proposed constitution amendment because this is the bottom line of our problems,’’ he said.

‘Take governance more Jonathan must fulfil his serious’ The Citizens National Party (CPP) promise, says Archbishop The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, The Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to make good his promise of making Nigeria a better place in 2013.

Martins, in his New Year message signed by the Director of Social Communications, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, said Nigerians were looking on the president to better their lot by addressing the challenges confronting the nation.

He said: "At this period of our national life, what Nigerians need now is to see practical steps by their leaders to alleviate the growing rate of sufferings in the land. They want to see good governance; we have gone through a lot as a nation and we have been hearing promises upon promises; we want to see action this time around. "I want to believe that the President is very sincere about moving the nation forward but he must prove it with concrete actions and not just mere rhetoric.''

Martins said the past two years should have equipped the president

wants the government to convoke a national conference that will midwife a new Nigerian Constitution in 2013.

The party made the call in an end of year message to Nigerians signed by its National Chairman, Mr. Maxi Okwu.

Okwu urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sit up and take governance more seriously in the New Year in line with his transformation agenda. The party chairman said the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda would uplift the living standards of the citizenry through effective political engineering, economic restructuring and social reorganisation.

He said: “It is imperative for all the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria to sit down and discuss their peculiar problems and proffer solutions to them with a view to strengthening their commitment to one Nigeria. Today, our economy is in trouble, the political process in disarray, security of lives and property jeopardised and the populace impoverished and disillusioned. We urge President Goodluck Jonathan to sit up and take governance serious, as the world has become a global village and watch our

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NEWS 2013 SPECIAL

ns want security, jobs this year ‘

•Omar

•Dr. Onu

•Lemchi

Today, our economy is in trouble, the political process in disarray, security of lives and property jeopardised and the populace impoverished and disillusioned. We urge President Goodluck Jonathan to sit up and take governance serious, as the world has become a global village and watch our progress with cautious optimism

‘

of the top 20 democracies of the world but one of the top 20 global economies.

“This will not be achieved in a chaotic atmosphere and among people with disunited and corrupt minds.”

‘Tackle unemployment’

•Jonathan

•Okwu

•Rev. Imaekhai

•Rev. Martins

Subsidy looters must be punished, says NLC

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HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to ensure those who looted funds meant for subsidising petrol are punished this year.

It also urged the government to curb the rising unemployment in the country.

In a statement by its president, Abdulwahed Omar, labour said it would not augur well for the citizenry for unemployment to continue to increase.

The NLC said: "Government will be unfair to the Nigerian people if they fail to expeditiously prosecute those who have stolen so much, and caused so much trauma and death to the people. We hold the view that no one is above the law in any decent society and if our government is committed to the enthronement of good governance and a corrupt-free society, they must get the named beneficiaries of the oil subsidy scam to not only refund all the money they have stolen, but also serve appropriate jail terms. This, will be the only acceptable condition for continuous industrial harmony by workers and the Nigerian people.”

It said the claim of economic growth by the government has not translated to improvement in the lives of Nigerians.

The statement reads: “On behalf of Nigerian workers, it is our pleasure progress with cautious optimism.’’

Pensioners seek peace, love The Federal Universities Pensioners’ Association (FUPA) urged Nigerians to promote love, understanding, national cohesion to achieve development. In his

to welcome Nigerians to the year 2013. As a New Year, we believe that it holds new hopes and aspirations for the Nigerian nation. However, given the disturbing trend in the economy and governance in the past year, which were characterised by incessant job losses and unemployment, insecurity, and corruption, as well as unparalleled impunity, the sustenance of good governance would require re-srategising and more commitment to a peoples-focused and oriented policy thrust in the interest of the Nigerian poor.

“To workers and the Nigerian people, it would entail a demand, ever than before, our collective will of struggle and patriotism, to check this apparent drift in the affairs of state in the interest of working families and the Nigerian people.

“The economy, during the year 2012, was characterised by a number of maladies, with dire consequences for workers and the Nigerian people.

In particular, the crisis of unemployment continues to be the greatest of these. Official statistics puts the unemployment rate at above 24 percent.

As alarming as this would seem, it actually disguises the enormity of the unemployment problem given the huge pool of disguised unemployment and underemployment. The in-

cidence of unemployment among the youths is even more alarming.

Though official figures indicate over 40 percent of them as unemployed, the reality is that about 60% of youths remain unemployed. On average, graduates of the nation’s universities and polytechnics continue to remain unemployed four years after discharge from the mandatory NYSC scheme. Other categories of less qualified youths have been roaming the streets in millions without gainful employment. Thus, resigning to a life of perpetual destitution and despondency in a country blessed with so much resources and potentials.

“The underlying inflation in the economy has also continued to erode the purchasing power of workers’ incomes, making the N18,000 Minimum Wage largely a poverty wage.

Aggregate inflation, which officially stands at 11.7 percent in the third quarter of the year, might be misleading as the fuel price hike in January, the increase in electricity tariffs and the floods in the third quarter of the year that have been major culprits driving inflation, have largely disempowered working families.

“Consequent upon the above, poverty remains endemic as increasing numbers of families and households are unable to meet their basic needs.

To compound this situation, thou-

sands of families displaced by the massive floods in various parts of the country continue to live in refugee camps awaiting resettlement.

“This abysmal economic outlook is prevailing in the face of official aggregate of the economy touted to experience respectable growth. The growth rate of GDP is flaunted to average about 6.5 percent based on data for the first three quarters of the year. While this is lower than the corresponding rate for 2011, it is way above the global growth rates for comparable national economies.

“However, our concern about this respectable economic growth is that it does not translate into industrial development and better life for the Nigerian people. The economy continues to experience incessant factory closures, and with no visible industrial policy, has led to continuous informalisation of work and deindustrialisation, unemployment has continued unabated, and hyperinflationary pressure, which has been most severe in the food, energy and transport sub sectors have impoverished majority of Nigerians.

“Rather than throw up figures, which the World Bank has recently alleged are largely obsolete in Africa, the challenge should be to promote employment generating growth so as to break away from the malady of jobless growth.”

New Year message, the National President of the Association, Dr Ayuba Kura, urged the Federal Government to conquer poverty, insecurity, illiteracy, unemployment and other forms of social vices bedevilling the prospects of Nigeria.

The President urged the federal government to settle the 53 per cent arrears government owed members of the association to give them hope and sense of belonging.

He also urged Nigerians to be tolerant.

His words: “I implore Nigerians to endeavour to exhibit high sense of unity, tolerance, brotherliness to guarantee national unity in the New Year.

“As patriotic citizens, we must strive hard to make the country not only one

By Dupe Olaoye-Oshikolu

The Archbishop of Bendel province of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev’d Friday Imaekhai, wants government to be more aggressive in tackling unemployment in the New Year. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin yesterday that it would help to reduce propensity to criminality in the country and also called on citizens to be obedient and supportive of leaders, stead of antagonising them. Imaekhai, who doubles as the Bishop of Esan Diocese, Anglican Communion also said in his New Year message to the nation that governments at all levels had the responsibility to fulfill their electoral promises to the people to whom they were accountable. He added that citizens on the other hand, owed it as an obligation to be obedient and supportive of leaders and said that both government and the governed had their specific responsibilities to carry out so that the country could move forward.

“All forms of political or religious antagonism should end and let us embrace the olive branch and work as an indefatigable team.’’ While wishing Nigerians a prosperous new year, the clergyman called on them to affirm their resolve to ensure peaceful society devoid of rancour and bitterness.

‘Rehabilitate ports’ infrastructure’ The Chairman, Shipping Association of Nigeria, Mr Val Usifo, yesterday urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate infrastructure at the seaports.

Usifo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that infrastructure, particularly those in Lagos and Port Harcourt ports should be upgraded.

“The job on the road network at the Lagos ports should be fast-tracked because it is taking too long,” he said.

Usifo said the deep sea ports being constructed would reduce the burden on the Lagos ports. The chairman said that the new sea port projects should not be slowed down at all and should be carried out through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 1, 2013

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NEWS

Fayemi, Amosun sign 2013 budgets

G

O V E R N O R S Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) yesterday signed the 2013 Appropriation Bills for their states into law.

Fayemi also signed nine other bills into law.

The others include the law to pay pension to former governors and their deputies and other auxiliary matters; Ekiti State Peace Corps Law, 2012; Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Law, 2012; Ekiti State Lotteries Law, 2012 and House of Assembly Commission Loans Board Law, 2012.

Others are the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue Law, 2013, Ekiti State Advisory on Prerogative of Mercy Law; Local Government Service Commission (amendment) Law and Local Government Administration (amendment) Law. Fayemi said this year’s budget would consolidate on on-going projects across the state.

He said the proposed Ministry of Rural Development

From Sulaiman Salaudeen, Ado-Ekiti

and Empowerment will ensure development at the grassroots.

Noting that this was the first time the state’s budget would be passed before the New Year, the governor said the 2013 Appropriation Law was tailored in line with the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which covers all sectors of the economy.

He said the budget would be “carefully and faithfully implemented”.

On the other laws, Fayemi said the establishment of a Peace Corps, which would work with security agencies, would sustain the peace in the state.

He said the Board of Internal Revenue Law was to reduce the state’s dependence on federal allocation and improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin said the Fayemi administration delivered the dividends

•Fayemi (right) presenting the bill to Omirin... yesterday.

of democracy to the people in the implementation of the 2012 budget.

He said the early passage of this year’s budget was to enable the administration continue with the good work.

On December 6, Fayemi presented a proposed N93.6 billion budget to the Assem-

bly, but it was jerked up to N97.6 billion. The House passed the budget on Friday.

Assenting the bill in his office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Amosun thanked the House of Assembly for “diligently appraising the budget estimates”.

He said after exhaustive

•Amosun signing the bill as Adekumbi looks on...yesterday.

deliberations, you were able to pass the budget and present it for assent before the end of the year. This demonstrates that the legislature and executive are working together to make life better for the people.”

Amosun said the budget would be implemented to

Ekiti hospitals get N33.3m drugs

Court restrains Osun workers from going on strike

T

HE National Industrial Court (NIC), sitting in Lagos, has restrained the organised labour in Osun State, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), from going on strike over the remuneration dispute between it and the state government.

Justice Benedict Kanyip said labour could not legally embark on a strike until it has complied with the provisions of Section 31(6) of the Trade Unions Act. The section, among other things, provides that no trade union shall go on

strike unless “a ballot has been conducted in accordance with the rules and constitution of the union and majority of registered members vote in support of the strike.”

The court held that the Osun State government has complied with the National Minimum Wage Act by paying the minimum wage of N19, 012.95 per month to workers.

The judge said the National Minimum Wage Act does not place any obligation on the state government to increase salaries by 100 per cent across board, but to ensure that the least paid worker in the State Public Service does not earn below N18,000 monthly.

Osun compensates displaced landlords, traders From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

T

HE Osun State government has paid N67,330,000 compensation to 247 landlords in Ipetu-Ijesa, Oriade Local Government Area, on whose property the Air force Base was sited.

The government also paid N65 million to 395 displaced traders at Railway/Old Garage in Osogbo, the state capital.

Presenting the cheques to the claimants yesterday at the Ministry of Information and Strategy in Osogbo, Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning Muyiwa Ige said the land was acquired by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Defence in the interest of the public.

Ige hailed Governor Rauf Aregbesola for compensating the landlords, “despite the federal government’s refusal to do so.”

He thanked the claimants for their sacrifice.

The commissioner said the land was acquired during the tenure of the former Chief of Defece Staff, Air ViceMarshal Oluseyi Petirin (rtd.) who hails from the community.

He said: “The payment of compensation to 247 genuine claimants of the land on which the Air force Base is situated is another milestone of the Aregbesola administration. The government compensated them when the Ministry of Defence refused to discharge its responsibility.”

the letter.

Speaker Suraj Adekumbi assured the governor of the Assembly’s support in rebuilding the state.

The signing of the bill was witnessed by principal officers of the House and members of the State Executive Council.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

HE Ekiti State Government has distributed another set of drugs worth over N33.3 million to hospitals and health centres across the state.

Speaking with reporters at the Central Medical Store in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Commissioner for Health Prof. Olusola Fasubaa said the stocking of drugs and consumables through the Unified Drugs Revolving Fund Scheme (UDRFS) would ensure the success of the state’s free health care scheme.

T

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola signing the N499.1 billion budget....yesterday.

With him are his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Kolawole Taiwo (Story on page 10).

Aregbesola kicks off work on 218km roads

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday inaugurated work on the building of 218.12 km roads across the 30 local government areas.

Ten kilometre roads are to be built in each council.

At the ceremony in IleOgbo, headquarters of Ayedire Local Government, the governor said part of the money for the project came from funds accruable to the state from the Excess Crude Oil Fund (ECOFUND).

He said the N16.21 billion project is a local government financed project, but coordi-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

nated and implemented in conjunction with the state government.

Aregbesola said of the N16.21 billion, N6 billion was put down and permission was taken from the House of Assembly to borrow the balance, which he said would be repaid within 60 months (five years).

He said all contractors would be adequately mobilised this week and urged them to deliver the projects promptly.

The roads are expected to be

completed between March and September.

The governor said: “These road projects were initiated by the local councils. The state government only partnered with them in the areas of coordinating, implementation and execution.

“What our administration is telling the people with these projects is that not all politicians are wasteful, as regards resource management. The cardinal objective of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is to improve the people’s welfare.”

Aregbesola thanked the Osun House of Assembly for its understanding and cooperation.

Ayedire Council Secretary Mr. Gbenga Ogunkami said the quality of the roads would be a departure from what used to be the tradition, adding that they would have a minimum of 20 years life span.

Also at the ceremony were Secretary to the Government Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Akintunde Adegboye; members of the House and secretaries of the 30 local governments.

Be hopeful, PDP urges Ondo people

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has felicitated with residents on the New Year.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Wale Ozogoro, the party said: “We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that this New Year shall usher in good governance and development in

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

our dear state.

“We have rated the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration and found it wanting in all facets of human development. Most worrisome is the fact that the clueless government is focused on looting the public treasury.

“The government has

pauperised the people and is engaged in unthinkable profligacy cum indebtedness. It is preoccupied with cosmetic and self-serving projects, such as the Dome, Mare and others, which add no value to the life of the people.

“All road projects initiated by this administration since almost four years ago are either on-going or abandoned.

The government has continued to pay lip-service to developmental issues and unfulfilled promises abound in the midst of plenty.

“The profligacy of this government came to fore when the head of the government snubbed every entreaty not to plunge this buoyant state into generational indebtedness.”

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 1, 2013

9

NEWS

Aregbesola, Amosun, Ondo PDP eulogise Adegbonmire SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has described the death of Chief Wunmi Adegbonmire, a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, as “a big loss to progressive politics”.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said the late Adegbonmire was one of the most committed followers of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He said the late Afenifere leader, who died at 77, was consistent and courageous in the struggle for a better society.

The governor said: “Chief Adegbonmire was our symbol of progressive politics in Ondo State. He was an astute administrator, writer, consistent politician and unblemished statesman. He made a mark in the history of democracy.

O

From Damisi Ojo,Akure

“In the wake of the loss of Southwest to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and when the Alliance for Democracy (AD) was enmeshed in leadership crisis, Adegbonmire teamed up with others, including former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, who was the only survivor of the PDP’s invasion in the Southwest, to float the Action Congress (AC), which later changed to the ACN. “Adegbonmire would be missed by all progressives, especially in the light of the recent development in the nation, which calls for the rallying of all progressive-minded persons to confront the reactionary forces that have held Nigeria by the jugular.”

Aregbesola urged the family of

‘Adegbonmire would be missed by all progressives, especially in the light of the recent development in the nation, which calls for the rallying of all progressive-minded persons to confront the reactionary forces that have held Nigeria by the jugular’ the deceased to be consoled by his selfless service to humanity.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said the late Adegbonmire was a “progressive politician of distinction and social

crusader, who fought for the restoration of civil rule in Nigeria”.

In a statement by his media aide, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, Amosun said: “Chief Adegbonmire was a fearless writer and principled politician. He was devoted to the cause of the masses. The reserve of the progressives in the country has again been depleted with his shocking death.”

The governor prayed for the repose of Adegbonmire’s soul.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State yesterday visited the family of the late politician in Akure, the state capital.

Mr. Saka Lawal, who led the delegation, said: “We are here to commiserate with the family of Chief Adegbonmire. He was a respected elder statesman, who stood for truth, honesty and development.

“He loved the masses and was

concerned about the level of poverty and underdevelopment in the society. He never minced words when it came to telling the people in power the truth.

“He wished the state’s resources was better managed for the good of all. His contributions at the state and national levels contributed to the deepening of democracy in Nigeria. We will all miss him.”

PDP State Chairman Mr. Ebenezer Alabi said Adegbonmire’s death was “a big loss” to the state.

Alabi said the late Adegbonmire is a good example to upcoming politicians.

Others on the PDP’s delegation included the State Organising Secretary, Mr. Afolabi Akinbowale and former Commissioner for Transport Michael Omodara.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

10

CITYBEATS R

ESIDENTS of OjoGiwa and Okoya Streets in Jankara, Lagos Island, where 12 buildings were razed by fire on December 26, have vacated their houses following a quit notice by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSBCA).

Occupants of the affected buildings and 36 other houses were on Friday, served a 48-hour quit notice by the government.

During a visit yesterday, The Nation observed that almost all the buildings were empty except for a few shops that had been sealed off by the government. Eight of the 12 buildings have been pulled down.

Officials of the LSBCA, Lagos State Building Materials Testing Agency (LSBMTA) and Rapid Response Squad were on ground to ensure compliance.

Although the buildings have been vacated, most of the residents and traders still hung around the premises insisting they had nowhere to go.

Some of the residents who spoke with The Nation urged the government to provide alternative accommodation for them.

They insisted that it was wrong for the government to throw them out without an alternative accommodation.

An old man who gave his name as Pa Ajasa said he does not have a place to stay.

He said: "Our building was not gutted by fire but they still gave us quit notice and asked us to go and look for a place to squat.

"As a family man with five children and wife, where do they expect me to keep my family? In whose house can I go now and they will allow

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

NGO, others donate to babies A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Citinet Group, in collaboration with Link Stride Security System and the Chairman, Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State will today donate some items to new born babies in some hospitals and charity homes.

A statement by the coordinator of the group, Mr Ola Akintonwa, said the gesture is to give thanks to the Almighty God and mark the beginning of a New Year. Homes and hospitals to be visited include Ayinke House at Ikeja General Hospital; Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital; Hearts of Gold Children's Hospice, Surulere; Bab Salam, Home of Peace, GRA, Ikeja among others.

CDA stops banger use PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

•The demolished structures...yesterday

Lagos explosion victims quit homes

By Precious Igbonwelundu

me to stay without knowing when the government will complete their work?

"What I expected the government to do was to open relief camps so that those of us who do not have a place to go will pack ourselves to the camp pending when they finish their work."

Traders around Moshalashi by Okoya Street protested their inability to access their shops, saying

this has prevented them from earning a living. They said they cannot access their shops because of a police road block.

Most of the traders whose shops were gutted by the fire had other shops in areas that were not affected but could not access them, The Nation gathered.

Mrs. Iyabode Akinsunmi who said six of her shops were razed, told The Nation that the only place she had left was just "one shade."

She said: "This is the only place I have left but as you can see, I cannot sell anything because the Police are chasing everyone away.

"My six shops were affected by the fire. I sell grinding machines and generators. Now I heard the government wants to seal off this place and that we shall all be driven away.

"I am begging the government not to chase us away.

Government should not seal off the place. If I am allowed

in this shade that is left, I will see people that will have mercy on me and give me goods on credit which I will sell and pay them. So, government should consider our condition."

A community leader, Mr. Olumegbon Ajaiye, who spoke on behalf of the people, said the traders in Jankara Market were made to observe a two-day "closed shop" to show solidarity to those that were affected in the disaster.

THE Ilupeju East Community Development Assocoation (IECDA), of Lagos has directed residents not to use fireworks, otherwise known as bangers in ushering in the New Year.

A statement by a leader of the assocition, Apostle Babatunde Odele, said the CDA took the decision as part of efforts to ensur effective security of lives and property in the area.

According to him, the use of bangers is being frowned at particularly in this festive period to ensure that residents enjoyed a peaceful celebration.

He urged the residents to comply with the directive as security remains sacrosanct to the CDA leadership.

Suspected serial fraudster arrested for duping women SUSPECTED serial fraudster, Olalekan Kazeem, 36, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defrauding five women.

Parading the suspect yesterday at her GRA Ikeja, Lagos officce, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of (DSP), said he was in the same class with the suspected killers of Cynthia Osokogu. She said while the former used drugs; Kazeem deceives his victims by asking them to push his car, claiming that "it is faulty, and in the process, he zooms off with the victims' money and properties."

She said the first victim Adebiyi Adenike Okunola, knew the suspect on facebook, where they chatted and became friends. The suspect claimed to be a medical doc-

A

By Ebele Boniface

tor who wanted to assist the victim in securing employment into Customs.

Kazeem, Mrs Braide said, requested for N200,000 as “PR” along with his victim’s original certificates.

On November 15, last year, she said, they set out for Abuja but along the way the suspect pretended as if his vehicle was faulty and asked the victim to disembark and push it.

As soon as the victim, pushed the car, he zoomed off with her belongings such as N235,000 cash, jewellery, two blackberry phones, original certificate/credentials, ATM, PHCN cards, among others.”

The PPRO said another report was lodged at Ogudu Division, also on the same November 15, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect on December 23, at a worship

centre on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

She said three other women, Okunola Folashade, Ibrahim Ganiyat Bukola and Adefemi Fadeke Mercy, all National Youth Service Corps(NYSC), members on community development assignment on their way to Ibadan were also the suspect's victims.

“The victims, Mrs Braide said, boarded the suspect's car to Ibadan on December 20, but on getting to the toll gate, he diverted to the old Lagos/Ibadan road where he pretended that the car was faulty and asked them to push it. "Immediately the car started, he zoomed off with all their belongings ranging from laptop to cash, certificates, ATM card, toaster machine, phones, clothes etc," Braide added.

Mrs Braide also presented another victim, Akinbo Jan-

•Some of the victims. Inset: Kazeem

et Atinuke, whom she said boarded the suspect's bus at Berger on November 12, last year, to Ibadan. On their way, the suspect branched off to a filling station and pretended that the car could not start and the moment the victim came down to push the car, the suspect zoomed off

with all her belongings, such as laptop, phone, Senior a School Certificate Examination (SSCE) certificate, ATM card, NYSC discharge certificate, and N104,000 cash.

Describing the suspect as a serial fraudster, Mrs Braide said he had earlier been arrested for the same offence, won-

Fashola signs N499.1billion budget

By Yinka Aderibigbe

• Fashola

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday signed the N499, 105 billion budgetand appealing to workers to buckle up.

Capital Expenditure took N269, 376 billion representing 54 per cent. About N229,729 billion which is 46 percent went to recurrent expenditure.

Fashola who spoke at the Conference Room of the Lagos House, Ikeja, said the government's successes would be measured by the overall output and percentage performance of the budget year on year.

He said when the developmental issues challenging the people today, are examined, they may not be much about how quickly the budget is passed, but about how rigorously it is implemented.

"That is why the issue of revenue that you raised is important, because this is what it is, a statement of what we want to do. And it would only be done if first you earn the money to do it and also if we generate the energy and commitment of

all of us in our various areas to meet our expectations", he said.

Fashola said it was fair to acknowledge that the House of Assembly has given the government a good head start because the budget would be fully operational from January 2.

He thanked the lawmakers for working round the clock to ensure a quick passage of the 2013 Appropriation Bill, adding that it represented one of the quickest

in a long time.

While giving an insight into the passage of the bill, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon Mudashiru Obasa said the lawmakers made a corrective amendment to the draft figure submitted by the Executive to arrive at N499, 105,000,000.

He added that the increase was necessitated by a discovery by the committee that a reduction in overhead in all Ministries, Departments and

dering how he managed to escape conviction.

Mrs Braide said the suspect would be charged to court and advised young women not to hitch a ride from motorists they didn't know.

The victims corroborated the PPRO's claim on the suspect.

Agencies (MDAs) hads affected the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) as the Assembly’s commitment in the area of capital projects.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Ben Akabueze in his opening remarks said the early passage of the Appropriation Bill is a testimony to the relationship between the legislative and executive.

He added that the 2013 Budget which is the largest in terms of nominal term for the state represents a slight increase of 1.5 percent over the 2012 Budget.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

- Mr Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works

AMCON acquires equity stake in Starcomms From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

• MD AMCON, Mustafa Chike Obi

A

SSETS Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) has acquired a stake in the debtridden telecoms company Starcomms.

As part of the deal with Capcom, the special purpose vehicle through which AMCON will have a share of Starcomms, both Helios Investment Partners, an African-focused private investment firm and AMCON, would acquire equity stakes in Starcomms derived from the Capcom shareholding on completion of the transaction.

Addressing shareholders in Abuja at a court-ordered meeting on the acquisition,

the interim Chief Excutive Officer of Starcomms Mr Olusola Oladokun said the acquisition became necessary because “Starcomms is facing operational and financial challenges on account of the shifting competitive landscape in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.”

The recent challenges, he added, “have resulted in the company generating operational losses and functioning with unsustainably high levels of debt and the reduction of weekly cash collections to unsustainable low levels.”

As a result, the board decided to accept a proposal from Capcom to inject the much-needed capital and assets into Starcomms to facilitate a strategic turnaround and improve the competitive position of the company.

To facilitate the investment, Starcomms’ shareholders endorsed a Scheme of Arrangement “to reorganise Starcomms’ share capital, subsequent to which the company will undertake the private placement for the subscription of new

shares by Capcom.”

Oladokun explained that Capcom is registered in Mauritius, saying the company was established by MBC, a private trust. “MBC has investment agreements in place with a number of investors, including Oldonyo Laro Estate limited, Helios Investment Partners and AMCON.” The commercial understanding that was captured in the investment agreement between Starcomms and Capcom, stipulates that the placing will entail Capcom contributing the investment consideration to Starcomms via the placing in exchange for such number of shares as will result in Capcom owning90.5 per cent of Starcomms’ share capital post-placing, he said.

Starcomms has 6,966,963,378 shares in issue, thus implementing the placing without reorganising Starcomms’ share capital.

The scheme would require that Starcomms issues 62 billion additional ordinary shares to Capcom under the placing.

However, given the significant cost and time implications of increasing the

company’s authorised share capital and issuing such a large quantum of shares, Oladokun and other members of the Starcomms’ Board, “proposed that the share capital of Starcomms be reorganised through a restructuring of the issued share capital of Starcomms, that will entail the transfer of the nominal value of the scheme shares from the share capital account to the Capital Redemption Reserve Account.”

As a result, “shareholders of Starcomms’ ordinary share so restructured, shall retain one ordinary share with a nominal value of 50 kobo in Starcomms, credited as fully paid up for every 100 ordinary shares with a nominal value of 50 kobo each previously held.”

Capcom will contribute assets, cash and other things.

Capcom will also pay off Starcomms’ outstanding NCC obligations up to $13million in exchange for receiving the subscription shares and conditional share subscription rights.

The investment assets that Capcom will bring to the table “comprise the entire issued share capital of

Cyancom and HIP oils, which include the spectrum of MTS and the CDMA business of Multi-Links. The firm has negotiated conditional sale and purchase agreement with the vendors of the assets, namely AMCON and Helios Towers,” Oladokun said.

Capcom intends to use a portion of the subscription shares it receives after placement to part-settle the consideration due to AMCON and Helios Towers for the investment assets. At completion, these assets will be transferred from Capcom to Starcomms via share transfer.

Capcom will inject the investment cash into Starcomms to finance the integration of the spectrum of MTS and the CDMA business of Multi-Links, meet ongoing short term losses in the business, pay key trade creditors and drive the new business plan.

As part of the separate and subsequent underwritten Rights Issue, Starcomms is expected to receive a further $20million from shareholders, which will also be applied towards executing the company’s new business

plan.

Capcom proposes to raise the required funding for the proposed transaction from some sources, including $50million private placement of new equity in Capcom, in connection with which it had signed a backstop underwriting agreement with MBC, a private trust; debt financing from Afrexim and Diamond Bank Plc; and the sale of certain assets in Multi-Links to Suburban, a major independent supplier of Internet protocol backbone services in Nigeria.

Starcomms shares held by members of the Board would be subject to the scheme, but Capcom said it attached great importance to the skills and experience of the employees of Starcomms and expects them to play a significant role in implementing the business plan.

To this end, Capcom has assured the Board of Directors of Starcomms that the employment rights and pension rights of Starcomms employees would be safeguarded on completion of the scheme and subsequent private placement.

12

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

BUSINESS NEWS

NCAA to acquire safety equipment

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IGERIAN Civil Avia tion Authority (NCAA) is set to deploy Aircraft Automated Flight Information Reporting System to improve safety.

Its Director-General, Dr Harold Demuren, told reporters this in Israel, where he is on a pilgrimmage.

Demuren said the new system would alert the authorities if there is any problem on board an aircraft, whether the aircraft is missing or not.

He said: ‘’If anything happens on board, whether it is recorded or not, once it happens, automatically it would record on data based on hours and it would alert you that there is a problem and it would stream those data to us. Whether the aircraft is missing or not, you still get and see the data.

“The good thing is that this data can be easily animated and you will see it in real life, how it happened, what occurred, so that there will be no speculation. You can log from it, you can learn from it and then correct it.

That is all about that and that

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

is the good news coming from us.’’

He said aviation is safe, but regretted the tragic accident of June last year, involving Dana Air. “You must not forget that this is why we gave thanks to God that from 2006 to June last year , we have carried 50 million passengers, we have operated four million flights, not a single accident and then suddenly that accident happened.

So our prayers and thoughts are with those families that lost their lives in that crash and those of the military helicopter, that God will grant all peace and joy.”

On expectations for 2013, Demuren said: ‘’ My message to Nigerians, and expectations in 2013 as it relates to air safety, is to pray that the Lord God Almighty, our Lord Jesus Christ will bring perfect peace and safety in the air transport of Nigeria. It is very crucial; you have to remember that unless God builds the house, they labour in vain that build the house.

• Demuren

“Unless God keeps the city, the watch men watched but in vain. It’s God that gives permanent safety and we pray God should use us as an instrument to give our travelling public a safe and accident-free aviation industry in Nigeria, and that is our prayer.’’

On the recent call by the House of Representatives for his resignation, Demuren said: ‘’The National Assembly members are politicians; we are not politicians. We are professionals doing our job. The truth will come out and when it comes out, it will set everybody free.’’

Why local products suffer international OR the nation’s local acceptance, by UNIDO products to gain inter

F

national acceptance, it must comply with the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) agreements on Technical Barrier to Trade (TBT) and Sanitory PhytoSanitory (SPS), the Country’s Representative, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, has said.

He spoke during a National Awareness Seminar on the programme, organised by the Federal Ministry Trade and Investment in partnership with ECOWAS and UNIDO in Lagos.

He said the measure, which when implemented through the West Africa Quality Programme (WAQP), will promote international trade and boost the country’s economy.

Kormawa said: “Awareness on the WAQP is key to international trade because without trading Nigeriamade-products, the country cannot grow economically. ”The aim of the programme is to foster compliance with International

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

Trade rules and regulations, in particular the World Trade Organisation agreements on Technical Barrier to Trade (TBT) and Sanitory and Phyto-Sanitory (SPS) measures, through the establishment and strengthening of national and regional quality infrastructure for the entire West African region.”

He identified poor product quality as a major challenge faced by member nations of ECOWAS when trading their products. ”We have to benchmark our food produce for the international market,” Kormawa added.

Earlier, Chairman Steering Committee of WAQP, Dr. J. I. Odumodu said the awareness seminar on WAQP would improve quality of infrastructure in member states.

Odumodu, who was represented by Mrs. Oluremi Ayeni, said it is aimed at making the nation’s exportable food-products accept-

able in the European markets.

National Technical Coordinator, NTC –WAQP, Dr. Joel Akinbolawa, said the programme specifically intervenes in five technical areas, namely: accreditation, testing, standardisation, inspection and quality management.

The objective of the programme is to assist in the establishment of national and regional quality infrastructure and to contribute to greater regional market integration and increased participation of ECOWAS countries and Mauritania in international trade.

“As key stakeholders in the promotion and provision of quality products and services, It is crucial to sanitize them on the activities and achievements of the WAQP for a better understanding of the issues, processes and services so as to enable their greater participation in the promotion and protection of consumers and market partners’ interests”

Etihad Airways records 10.29m passengers

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TIHAD Airways has surpassed its target of carrying 10 million passengers in 2012 and is set to achieve a 22 per cent increase on the total of 8.41 million passengers for 2011.

The increase averaged 10.29 million, representing an extra 1.88 million passengers travelling on the carrier’s global network that covers 87 of its own passenger and cargo destinations, and 245 codeshare destinations.

The passenger growth for Etihad Airways is mirrored by its equity partners. By the end of 2012, airberlin is expected to have carried 33.4 million passengers, Virgin

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

Australia 19.5 million passengers, Aer Lingus nearly 11 million passengers, and Air Seychelles 241,000 passengers.

Etihad Airways and its equity partners will have collectively carried more than 74 million passengers in 2012, with cooperation between the five airlines greatly contributing to passenger growth.

An example of the success of this cooperation is the 300,000 passengers Airberlin and Etihad Airways have delivered onto each other’s networks dur-

ing the last 12 months.

Etihad Airways’ President/Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said: “Etihad Airways has achieved significant expansion in 2012 and therefore it’s very satisfying to pass our target of flying more than 10 million passengers during a year for the first time.

He said: “We have launched flights to six new destinations during the last year, including Tripoli, Shanghai, Nairobi, Basra, Lagos and Ahmedabad which have contributed to the 22 per cent increase in passenger numbers.”

13

PROPERTY

Tuesday, JANUARY 1, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

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

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

Mansions begging for occupants •Landlords overprice properties in Abuja •An estate in Abuja

PHOTO: GOOGLE

It is widely believed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) lacks enough accommodation for its teeming population. But, surprisingly, NDUKA CHIEJINA discovers that the city has many overpriced estates that are begging for tenants.

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HE Abuja landscape is dotted with state-of-the-art buildings that are unoccupied. These buildings are found mainly in Maitama, Asokoro, Katampe Extension and Wuse Two. The history of unoccupied buildings dates back to the military era when some wealthy Nigerians and foreigners with connections to influential government figures acquired plots of land, developed and stayed in them. But, when they lost power and influence, they moved out of Abuja or tried to sell the property.

It is being alleged that most completed but unoccupied buildings belong to some people who illegally acquired huge wealth and cannot defend the sources. They include politicians and senior government officials accused of looting the treasury, who resorted to either buying property with their loots or simply acquiring new plots and developing them.

Many of such houses have remained unoccupied because the owners have placed them in the market at exorbitant rates and out of the reach of honest citizens with genuine interest to stay in such houses.

The Abuja city, referred to as the Federal Capital City (FCC) in the masterplan, has become a veritable ground for money launderers and suspected treasury looters and their desire to maintain a very high taste, in the

absence of legitimate income, has left them with the option of demanding very high rents on their property.

Since most people cannot afford the tastefully finished houses, they are left largely unoccupied.

At the popular Area 11 junction, there is a massive estate, which people allege belongs to a former Head of State. The estate though has some tenants, many of the flats have remained unoccupied because of the high rent.

In Wuse Zone One, a large complex of apartments belonging to a famous business mogul from the Northwest, has been in the hands of squatters for almost 10 years and there appears to be nothing the businessman can do to change the situation. In fact, the squatters have partitioned the flats and are sub-letting portions of their flats to other ‘tenants.

In recent times, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had warned that it would levy ground rents on unoccupied buildings to force the owners to put the buildings up for rent, instead of having unoccupied buildings dotting the landscape, with their attendant risks; they could be flash points or hideouts for criminals.

Investigations showed that except where the landlord has a human face, it is virtually impossible to get a room and parlour for less than

N450,000 per annum; and the more the number of rooms, the higher the price. There is no three-bedroom flat in the FCC that goes for less than N1.2 million per annum. Some landlords, agents and estate managers and valuers have cultivated the habit of demanding two years’ rent from prospective tenants.

In the satellite towns, because the demand far outstrips the supply, many owners and agents have resorted to demanding one-and -a-half or two years’ upfront payment from new tenants.

Another reason for the preponderance of unoccupied buildings in Abuja is the greed of registered and unregistered estate agents/valuers and developers. The tradition in the city is for estate agents and valuers to inflate the prices of properties in their care, most times without the knowledge of the owners.

The districts that have the most number of unoccupied buildings are Maitama and Asokoro.

There, the owners are former government officials and some rich Nigerians and individuals of questionable character. The owners have been known to hand the buildings over to estate agents at a reasonable rate, but the greed of the agents have resulted to the buildings remaining in the market for years and, eventually, falling to ruins because the agents refuse to give them out at the rate the owners have instructed them.

It is difficult to see the owners of many houses

•Stakeholders trade words over collapsed buildings

- PAGE 14

in Abuja as agents in charge will not arrange a meeting between them and potential tenants.

These developments have led to a glut of houses in the FCC and many Nigerians are only waiting for the day something would happen to force a burst in the real estate market in Abuja, thus bringing down the prices of houses.

The wait may be long, but the fact remains that many buildings in Abuja City are wasting away while many Nigerians with genuine need for shelter are either forced to cough out large sums of money as rents, or they shelter in the satellite towns all of which are over crowded and lack basic amenities and infrastructure compared to the FCC. The indomitable spirit of Nigerians can also be seen at play where some of these unoccupied houses have been taken over by illegal squatters who neither pay rent nor attempt to carry out repairs on the buildings when the need arises.

It is being envisaged that Abuja development may result in a property rate crash, the type that happened in the United States that reverberated as the global economic crunch.

However, the effect of it, if indeed it hap•CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

•NIQS chief seeks review of abandoned projects

- PAGE 14

14

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Stakeholders trade words over collapsed buildings A RTISANS, professionals, some government agencies and manufacturers are trading words over frequent building collapses.

Speaking at a workshop for concrete managers and artisans in Lagos, the stakeholders said if the decisions reached earlier by them were implemented, the nation might have experienced fewer cases of building failures.

Several cities in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have witnessed building collapse, but Lagos probably because of its large size, seems to have more cases.

This, perhaps, was why the workshop for concrete managers and artisans was organised by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) and the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development.

BCPG Chairman, Mr Kunle Awobodu, said the collapse of buildings under construction and older buildings indicated a lag between the rate of development and monitoring and an evidence of dwindling observance of standard practice and dominion of quacks in the sector.

He observed that though Lagos has been in the forefront of confiscating land of collapsed buildings to serve as a deterrent to reckless developers, the government also witnesses collapse in its own government buildings.

Noting that the negative attitude that leads to the collapse of buildings owned by individuals also exists in the government system, he called for

•A collapsed building in Lagos.

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

a closer working relationship between professionals in public service and those in the private sector to achieve desired results.

He called for the recognition of concrete workers, saying though they occupy an important position in the sector, they are not well paid.

He said a day of massive concrete at site could be a nightmare for the site manager and client as some of the concrete workers are intractable, difficult to control, behave irrationally and prone to violence.

•Left to right: Lekan Lawal of Communication Consult, Ron Ashkin; Technical Director, Dolapo Olusanmokun; Business Development Coordinator and Weijers, at a press conference in Lagos.

•A collapsed building in Abuja.

A former lecturer in the Department of Building of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Mr Siraj Bokini, said blamed artisans for buildings collapse, saying they have no liability except to the contractor who employed them.

He also blamed clients, who insist on half measures and some professionals who compromise their ethics in a bid to make make

vised that the profession should be better placed to play roles in national development for the benefit of the nation.

He said NIQS had used advocacy tools, such as media interviews, seminars, advertisements and statements to promote its programmes.

On affordable housing for all or housing for those who can afford it, Alufohai explained that housing is an important factor in national life and that the money spent on and the proportion of the financial system connected to housing construction and real estate make housing a dominant part of the economy.

He added: “Housing policy is simply to assist people live in safe and healthy accommodation that they can afford. It will help individuals acquire their own houses. It will en-

C

ONSTRUCTION Ideas Fund, a United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) project, has opened its second funding round for the construction and real estate sector in Nigeria under an agency, Growth & Employment in States (GEMS 2).

The funding is aimed at promoting economic growth within the sector, and also support changes by encouraging innovative ways that businesses can work with and for the poor.

The Team leader, Paul Wejiers, told The Nation that CIF is a funding mechanism, which shares the financial risk of innovative projects within the construction and real estate.

He said the Fund welcomes innovative ideas for projects which meet its core objective of increasing employment and incomes in the construction and real estate sector.

“If a Nigerian business or organisation has an idea that not only improves her business, but can also

able others to spend as little as possible of their income on paying rent.

It will also enable others who might be too poor to pay for any type of accommodation to have a shelter over their heads’.

He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to concentrate on long term mortgages, which will become the means through which the majority of Nigerians, especially those in urban centres, can acquire homes and also build a system of urban development that is integrated with the construction of low-cost housing.

To address affordable housing problems, the NIQS boss said contributions by government housing bonds, financial institutions, international sources and good roads should be incorporated.

be shown to have a lasting positive impact on the sector, particularly in terms of increased income and employment opportunities for low-income groups, then such business or organisation can access the fund upon satisfying the eligibility criteria”, he said.

According to him, a company or business is deemed eligible if it is commercially-oriented and has its operations in the FCT, Lagos, Kaduna or Kano State, adding that other noncommercial oriented (not for profits) organisations can partner with their commercial counterparts to be eligible.

“Ideas that can be co-financed by the fund may be a wide range of areas in the construction and real estate sector, such as production of input supplies based on local content.

Others are skills training for artisans, strengthening business and trade associations, empowering women in construction, improving systems for labour recruitment”, he said.

Wejiers said application to the fund could be made through its five funding windows, which focus on empowering more women economically and encouraging relevant training and skills acquisition.

Application, he added, could also focus on establishing sustainable channels of recruitment; improving the services offered by Business Membership Organisations (BMOs)

pens in Nigeria would be different, because most of the property owners are looters who are privately funded.

The effect of such a development would weigh more on the owners

who will lose substantial part of their investment, rather than a national economic collapse, which resulted in the the in the early 2000s, Gwarimpa district was noted for the high number of squatters occupying the government buildings, but

when most of buildings changed hands many of the squatters were ejected from the FHA and now Gwarimpa has lost the tag of ‘squatters’ settlement.

The unoccupied building syn-

and trade associations, and improving the quality of input supplies and construction materials.

He disclosed that the grants available range from £25,000 to £250,000 while an applicant is expected to make 25-50 per cent equity contribution.

“CIF is one of many DFID motivated funds that are globally applied to inspire innovation in key sectors in developing economies. Popular business concepts across Africa are aided by such funds,” he said.

He cited the MPESA mobile money concept in Kenya, an idea that was born through similar funding opportunity, as one of the Fund’s many interventions.

These funds, he explained, are managed by different international development programmes or projects and are known in different names and parlances. “In the construction sector in Nigeria, it is known as the CIF”, he said.

He listed some of the roles of the fund as stimulating and encouraging business innovation, and providing access to low cost funds for investment in innovative projects.

Others are providing an opportunity for private sector participation in sector development, promoting sustainable business projects with pro poor objectives, and stimulating the provision of services/products which otherwise would have been neglected by the private sector.

Four students win in Nigerite competition

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HREE architecture students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and another from an unnamed insitution have won the overall prize of $3,000 in a competition instituted by the African Union of Architects and funded by Nigerite Limited, manufacturer of roofing products and accessories.

The winners are Adedoyin Babalola, Akinyemi Olalekan and Ordia Efosa Babalola and Olalekan.

The Young Architects and Students Competition on Beyond Housing received entries from 19 individuals/

Mansions begging for occupants in Abuja •CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

price and the auditing of the structural integrity of buildings. The NIA boss called for the punishment of building control contraveners to serve as deterrent to others.

In an address, the Commissioner of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Mr Toyin Ayinde, said the government has structured the monitoring of the physical development of the state into 57 sectors.

UK agency lifts construction with £3.5m

NIQS chief seeks review of abandoned projects, other policies H OUSING policies on contract administration and procurement and abandoned projects, among others, should be reviewed, President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mr Agele Alufohai, has said.

He spoke during the Mandatory Leadership Development Programme (MLDP) workshop and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the body.

The theme of the workshop was: Corporate transformation and leadership challenges: The construction Sector within the Federal Government transformation agenda.

He said the profession and issues of importance were becoming known and should be understood by professionals in the industry and public.

Alufohai said the body has developed a new constitution. He ad-

extra cash.

He observed that some people build without taking into consideration weather conditions, site communication, mixing rate, design interpretation.

President, Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Mr Haruna Ibrahim, said 10 years ago, there were fewer cases of collapsed buildings. He called for the reduction of cement

drome is not restricted to residential properties alone, many commercial buildings equally litter the city with vacant shopping and office spaces being more in number than those in business.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

groups in five African countries.

Malawi, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire, and Kenya had an entry each while Nigeria had 15 entries.

President, African Union of Architects, Mr Tokunbo Omisore, at the presentation of award, at the weekend in Lagos, said: “Entries submitted by most of the competitors were quite commendable. A technical report will follow in the New Year. For now, the panel can safely state that we are pleased with the level of competence as it portrays a bright future for the level of design and communication in our continent.”

The organisers said the marks scored by the participants were close and that there was a winner and five consolation prizes in the first competition.

They winners were led to the cheque presentation by Head of Department, UNILAG, Mike Adebamowo, an Associate Professor of Architecture.

I

Finance Ministry delays Eagles’ AFCON funds

Pg. 16

•Money to be released latest Friday

Ambrose: I’ll snub Nations Cup, if...

Pg. 49

Sport Tuesday, January 1, 2013

PAGE 15

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Osaze still good for Eagles —NFF chief W

EST BROMWICH ALBION attacker Peter Osaze Odemwingie will return to the Nigerian national team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The controversial forward raised a national outcry when he took to social networking site Twitter to protest his exclusion from the Nigerian squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of

Nations in South Africa. The attacker has however expressed regret at the turn of events in the wake of his outbursts.

Following his dramatic U-turn, the forward has now put himself in the frame for selection in the Super Eagles in future. “Osaze is a Nigerian and eligible for selection in the

national team. As long as he is in form and his conduct is okay, he is eligible like all Nigerians to play for the Super Eagles,” executive committee member of the NFF, Chris Green told supersport.com. The NFF chief also hinted that the player could be recalled for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March 2013. “Obviously there

are a lot of factors to consider but he could return to the Super Eagles in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers,” Green said.

Nigeria currently lead Group F of the second round of World Cup qualifying for the 2014 tournament ahead of pool rivals, Namibia, Malawi and Kenya.

16

49

NATIONSPORT TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Finance Ministry delays Eagles’ AFCON funds •Money to be released latest Friday

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•Reuben

Reuben set for comeback against Catalunya

ATIONSPORT learnt exclusively in Abuja yesterday the main reason why the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not received the approved N1.4 billion ($9 million) funds for the Super Eagles’ participation in the 2013 Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa between January 19 and February 10, 2013.

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja A top source in the National Sports Commission (NSC) disclosed that the Commission was not to blame for the delay in the release of the funds since they haven’t received the cash equivalent to that effect from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“The main problem is that the Ministry of Finance has not paid the said money into the coffers of the National Sports Commission.

Until that is done there is nothing anybody can do. So, we just need to wait for the release of funds from the Finance Ministry”, the source disclosed to NationSport on

condition of anonymity.

Another influential member of the Commission also buttressed the point adding that the money is due for release on Thursday or latest Friday.

“Yes, it is true that we are yet to receive the funds from the Ministry of Finance. But the main problem that delayed the release of the funds is that the Super Eagles’ Nations Cup money was not in the 2012 budget, but it was captured in the 2013 budget.

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The interview: How do you feel now after several weeks of full training and no relapse of your groin injury?

I feel really great! I am happy to be fully back after over six weeks on the sideline.

Are you surprised that you made the list for the training camp in Portugal?

I really don't know what to say. But I am not surprised because that is why I am in the training camp. I believed I impressed the coaches, that is why I made the list.

Considering that you were just returning from injury, did you find it difficult to blend?

No! Not at all. It’s the same players I play with, just a few new ones.

But I won't say it was easy, I just thank God for the opportunity. I had made up my mind that once I hit the camp in Abuja, it would be a fight to the finish.

With the likes of Mikel, Nosa Igiebor, Nwankwo Obiora and others on the list for the final phase of camping, how do you fancy your chances in making the final 23?

Like I said before by the grace of God and my hard work I will make it.

All I need do is work extra hard, do what the coach wants me to do and play to instructions. I am very confident I will make the party to South Africa. Don't ask me where my confidence is coming from! (Laughs) Did you miss the Eagles?

Yes. And I cannot wait to comeback.

How soon do you think you would make your return?

On January 2 against Catalunya in Spain.

Many have predicted that not more than four home-based players would make the final 23-man squad for the AFCON? How many? Four you said? Well, even though I disagree I think it’s the decision of the coach.

Do you think Nigeria can win the Nations Cup in South Africa?

With the way we have started preparations and with the quality of the players we have, I would confidently say yes.

What countries do you think would give Nigeria a run for the title?

Every country at the Nations Cup wants to win it. And no country is a push over. If Cape Verde could stop Cameroon, then it tells you there are no small nations anymore. But personally I think Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, DR Congo and Mali would parade very strong teams like Nigeria. All we ask of Nigerians is that they pray for us and continue to believe that we would deliver in South Africa.

Thank you for your time.

You are welcome.

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IDFIELDER Fengor Ogude is urging his Super Eagles teammates to be positive ahead of their testy clash with Catalunya on Wednesday in a Nations Cup build-up declaring that Nigeria can beat their highly-rated opponents.

Nigeria will enter their last phase of preparation for the 16-team tournament in South Africa with the encounter against the star-studded side who are expected to parade no fewer than six players from European powerhouse Barcelona and a host of other players from the Spanish top

clash in 1998 winning 5-0. division.

However, Ogude said the Super Eagles must not approach the match on the conclusion that they are inferior to their opponents.

"It's football and we know we can put up a good performance against them even though they have more experienced and quality players. We can't afford to concede defeat to them, we just have to be positive going into the match and hopefully we can beat them. It all depends on our mindset.”

Catalunya were too much •Ogude for Nigeria during a similar

are yet to get anything and have been using internal funds for all our activities since the Eagles started camping here in Abuja in December 17th, 2012. I can’t just explain how we have been going with the preparations because it is like a magic. We have been kept going by the will of God”, Green stated.

So it would be a great relief to the Football Federation if the money is released this week as being expected according to the top NSC sources.

Mikel, Moses confirm Jan. 5

ABRIEL REUBEN has said he hopes to make his Eagles comeback after a long injury layoff on Wednesday in an AFCON warm-up against Catalunya.

The highly-rated defensive midfielder last featured for the Eagles in June, but he has had to battle a long-term groin injury to now get back into top reckoning with the Eagles.

In a special interview with MTNFootball.com, the Kano Pillars star has also rated high his chances of making the final squad to South Africa, just as he would back the Eagles to win the ultimate prize there.

Ogude: Eagles can beat Catalunya

So, there is no way the Ministry of Finance can release funds meant for the year 2013 in year 2012. It is now very visible that the NSC will get the money on Thursday or latest this week Friday”, the impeccable source disclosed.

A board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Chairman Technical Committee of the Federation, Christopher Green had revealed on Saturday that his committee was yet to receive the funds for the prosecution of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup. “Up till this moment (Saturday), we

arrival in Faro M

IKEL OBI has told MTNFootball.com he will report at the Nigeria training camp in Faro, Portugal, for the AFCON on January 5.

The Chelsea midfielder also played down a knock on his knee in an English Premier League game against Norwich City, saying he is fully fit even though he was not listed for Sunday’s clash at Everton. Mikel told MTNFootball.com that he will leave for Faro, Portugal, along with club mate Victor Moses immediately after

Agbim, Akpeyi to stop Barca stars

W

ITH none of the foreign boost their chances of making a based goal keepers not debut appearance at the Nations expected to hit camp Cup. early enough for the Catalunya friendly on January 2nd, NPL stars, Chigozie Agbim and Daniel Akpeyi have the tough task of stopping Barcelona’s Carlos Puyol and the gang in the friendly.

It is expected that at least one of the two goalkeepers will make the final cut to South Africa with the Israeli duo of Vincent Enyema and Austin Ejide appearing home and dry.

Expectedly a good •Agbim performance by any of the duo chose to be between the sticks in Wednesday’s friendly could help

an FA Cup game against Southampton. "I have two more games to play for Chelsea before I will resume at the Nations Cup training camp in Faro, that would be the league game against QPR and the FA Cup against Southampton on January 5. I will leave for the camp immediately after the game together with Victor Moses," he informed Mikel is poised for his fourth AFCON after he made his debut at the 2006 tournament in Egypt. Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez had wanted to have his Nigeria stars till at least January 9 for the Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea City.

Ambrose: I’ll snub Nations Cup, if...

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ELTIC defender Efe Ambrose has said he won’t be able to join the Eagles for the Nations Cup in South Africa if his Scottish club does not allow him to do so.

Ambrose knows that if the club did put the squeeze on him he would be in a tricky position.

"If the club says I can’t go, then I can’t go. It all depends on what they say. I believe the manager has his own opinion.

If they say I can’t go, I don’t have any option. But I believe they will come to the right choice for me.

In the event that he is permitted to represent Nigeria at South Africa 2013, the former Ashdod FC star is however not bothered if he loses his first team shirt on return from the Africa Cup of Nations, as

he is dedicated to play for Nigeria at the competition in South Africa. He said: “I won’t be worried about losing my place. If that is the challenge I have to face when I come back, I will face it. I will just have to fight my way back into the team.

"That will give me more edge and more drive to play my way back in.” Ambrose was gutted to sign off 2012 with a defeat to Hibs on Saturday. The Hoops go into the new year with a six-point lead at the top of the SPL with a game in hand. And Ambrose reckons the team can surge further ahead in 2013.

He added: “I am leaving the club in a good position, although the Hibs game was difficult for me, because I always want us to win. But we’re still a long way clear of the rest. Our aim is to keep driving

the club forward, keep winning."

Ambrose had the best chance of the game for Celtic against Hibs but failed to hit the target from a couple of yards.

•Rabiu Ibrahim

Rabiu Ibrahim joins Eagles in Catalunya •Igiebor doubtful; as team jets out

C

ELTIC of Scotland playmaker, Rabiu Ibrahim is expected to link up with the rest of the Nigerian set up preparing for the Nations Cup in Catalunya, when the team arrives in Spain early today.

Ibrahim, was expected to have arrived earlier but delays in his flight schedule means he was advised to join the team in Catalunya in Spain instead of coming to Faro, Portugal, where the team is presently camped. That means, Ibrahim and hitman, Ikechukwu Uche will be the last two players that will join up with the Eagles before the game on January 2.

Earlier indications that midfield anchor, Nosa Igiebor will join the team may also have evaporated as the technical crew of the team were still awaiting word from the bow-legged player till later afternoon on the last day of 2012. “We are still waiting word from Nosa at the moment, so we cannot say he will be in Catalunya or Faro for the game”, Team Secretary, Dayo Enebi Achor said.

The Nigerian national team will jet out to Catalunya from Faro at 5am, Portuguese time which is 6am Nigerian time. The team will have its lunch in Catalunya and will train on New Year day at about 7:15pm, which will be 8:15pm Nigerian time. Wednesday’s match against a Catalonia selected side that is managed by Dutch legend Johann Cryuff will be played at the home of La Liga team, Espanyol and the time of the game is 8:00pm Catalunya time, which is 9:00pm Nigerian time.

Omeruo grateful to Dutch club

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EFENDER Kenneth Omeruo is grateful ADO Den Haag's management released him without condition to team up with Nigeria ahead of the 2013 Nations Cup. The on-loan player from Chelsea was the first foreign-based player to join the Super Eagles camp in Faro, Portugal and observing how some of the invited foreign-based pros are finding it difficult to get released by their clubs, the youngster is thankful for the understanding shown by Den Haag.

"I'm very happy to be part of the squad and I'm very grateful for my club who never showed any sign to hold me back, " he said.

The former Nigeria U-17 and U-20 player is one of the surprise inclusions in the 32-man Nigerian team having

never got an invitation to the senior national team before now.

He is in line for the train to South Africa with reports that he impressed in his first training with the team over the weekend.

•Omeruo

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

EDITORIALS

Bright spots in the world economy – Bright spots in the world economy

Goodbye 2012, Welcome 2013 • By all accounts, things were dreary in 2012. Are the prospects better for 2013?

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HE year 2012 was a leap year. The general superstition is that leap years are often horrible years, consuming many; and utterly sapping the lucky ones that survived. The year 2012 lived up to that chilling billing, as disaster, agony and anguish came in proverbial leaps and bounds.

The clear message from all the disasters, natural or man-made, was that the republic could be far better run. Is that likely to happen in 2013? There are always hopes that a new dawn is possible. But the prognoses are pretty dim.

The tragedy of 2012 was epitomised by the massive collapse of security and safety. Boko Haram, the murderous lunatics that camouflage as Islamists, wrought their grimmest harvest last year, killing some 815 people in 275 attacks, in the first nine months in 2012, according to a Human Rights Watch document, entitled Spiralling Violence: Boko Haram Attacks and Security Force Abuses in Nigeria.

After the staccato attacks on Kano in January 2012, with heavy guns and bombs, which claimed 150 lives, the attacks attained heightened madness by mid-year when Boko Haram, in three consecutive Sundays, attacked churches in Bauchi, Jos, Zaria and Kaduna, claiming 80 lives in the gory campaign against the defenceless. The year, for Boko Haram, ended as it started: with attacks on two churches in Borno and Bauchi states on Christmas Eve, claiming 12 lives and another storming by gunmen of a prison facility in Maiha, a border town with Cameroon in Borno State, in which no less than 20 were feared dead.

Despite the strivings of the security forces, who often were accused of extrajudicial executions, torture and other strong-arm tactics in their bid to contain the Boko Haram menace, free-wheeling terror appeared to taunt a Federal Government that was at the end of its tether. Security is one key area President Goodluck Jonathan must seriously work on in 2013, if his government must preserve whatever is left of the mystique of Nigeria as a modern and working state, in contrast to a failed one.

But even as security was collapsing, safety was in a free fall, costing one gubernatorial death in Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, courtesy of a helicopter crash (which also killed Gen. Andrew Azazi, former National Security Adviser, NSA), and two serious gubernatorial accidents: Taraba Governor Danbaba Suntai who in October crashed in a self-piloted light aircraft; and Kogi Governor, Idris Wada, who on December 28 had a fatal road crash, courtesy of a bust tyre, which claimed the life of the governor’s aide-de-camp and in which the governor reportedly broke one of his legs.

The Dana plane crash of June 3 in Lagos, in which 146 passengers and all seven crew members perished, could well have been an accident. But such occurrences tend to underscore the Nigerian penchant for levity in safety matters and notoriety to subvert standards. This ingrained institutional malaise must be frontally tackled in 2013; if the not unfair general feeling that the authorities are not up to par is not to continue.

The tragedy of mass deaths and frequent

kidnappings notwithstanding, improvement in power generation, perhaps the only feeble spark in a gloomy year, came with its own tragedy. By December 2012, electricity generation had hit the 4, 500 mw mark. Though 10, 000 mw was supposed to have been realised by 2007 at the end of the Obasanjo Presidency, the increase in power output has brought palpable relief to households and micro-businesses. This success should however be consolidated and increased output recorded in 2013, for 4, 5000 mw is still a far cry from the target of 40, 000 mw for 2020, under the 20:2020 development document. Still, it was ironic

that Barth Nnaji, the minister credited with this breakthrough, after consistently and quietly working on it for years was consumed, when he resigned for alleged abuse of office.

Transportation got a slight jab in the arm at the tail end of 2012, when a Lagos-Kano passenger/cargo rail shuttle was launched.

That was a welcome relief. We need to see how stable and reliable this will be.

Critical road arteries, like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Ore-Benin Expressway also got marginal improvement with the Federal Governor ordering emergency repairs to make these busy roads motorable for Yuletide travels. Still, the Federal Government must do much more on road rehabilitation and construction in 2013, for much of the roads nationwide are in a shambles.

In 2012, the economy was still marooned in the paradox of growth sans development. Though the Nigerian economy had averaged 7.4 per cent growth in the past 10 years and was projected to slow down a

bit at 6.9 per cent in 2012, according to African Economic Outlook 2012, the growth clearly has not made a dent on poverty (with still more than 6 out of every 10 Nigerians living under the poverty line).

Neither has it impacted much on dilapidated roads and other infrastructure. Besides, there is still mass unemployment, bordering on hopelessness. Though agriculture had accounted for much of this growth – which is good news – it has not upset the over-dependence of the economy on oil and gas.

Indeed, a key component of the oil and gas is petroleum downstream, the failed deregulation of which led to a nation-paralysing strike in January 2012, with an attempt to hike the pump price of petrol from N67 to N140 and “completely remove subsidy”. That crisis established two related facts: that much of the socalled subsidy was no more that corrupt payout in election year 2011; and the futility of downstream deregulation by importing fuel.

In 2013 therefore, the Federal Government must not only recover the illicit payout and judicially punish the culprit, it must as a matter of urgency invest in building local refineries. It must adopt a new policy of downstream deregulation • Jonathan based on local refining. If it clears the oily and corrupt stable, it probably would have enough funds to heavily invest in education and health, twin longterm pillars of development.

Politics 2012 was much more of the same – and that is because President Jonathan has consistently refused to show leadership. When he ought to play the statesman, he insisted on playing politics, to please his party’s apparatchiks. A glaring case in point is the running saga of Justice Isa Ayo Salami, president of the Court of Appeal, who remains illegally suspended, despite every advice to the contrary.

The political waters in 2012 remained shark-infested, with nary any difference between the principal political parties, if not in ideology, then in orientation and practice. This has led to an unbearable level of hopelessness and citizen cynicism, which could hurt Nigeria’s democracy and development. Unfortunately, with 2015 elections looming and only a year to the 2014 electoral test-run in gubernatorial polls in Ekiti and Osun states, there might, in 2013 be more politics and less governance.

For something terrible not to give, things must change for the better in 2013.

‘In 2012, the economy was still marooned in the paradox of growth sans development. Though the Nigerian economy had averaged 7.4 per cent growth in the past 10 years and was projected to slow down a bit at 6.9 per cent in 2012, according to African Economic Outlook 2012, the growth clearly has not made a dent on poverty (with still more than 6 out of every 10 Nigerians living under the poverty line). Neither has it impacted much on dilapidated roads and other infrastructure. Besides, there is still mass unemployment, bordering on hopelessness. Though agriculture had accounted for much of this growth – which is good news – it has not upset the over-dependence of the economy on oil and gas’

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HEN the countdown to midnight is over, few will look back at 2012 as a cheerful year for the world economy. The eurozone fell back into recession, with countries on its periphery paying the highest price in terms of job losses and falling living standards. Britain experienced its own double-dip and is now in its slowest recovery in 100 years. Strong figures for the third quarter confirmed that the US economy is in better health than Europe’s. However, even for the US there was no trace of the sharp rebound that some analysts had hoped for.

Yet this gloom may be overdone. Looking beyond the western world, 2012 had no shortage of bright spots to choose from. Take China. The hard landing that many had feared for Beijing did not happen, and the economy continued to grow at a sustained rate of about 8 per cent. The country is slowly rebalancing, as the proportion of national income destined for consumption is on the rise. And while its small and medium-sized enterprises are still starved of credit, the steps Beijing is taking on the road to financial liberalisation mean foreign capital could soon come to the rescue.

True, policy inaction has transformed the Indian hare into a tortoise. Red tape and high labour costs are tying up Brazil’s growth. But their regional competitors are rising fast. With growth rates of more than 6 per cent, Indonesia is tipped to replace India as the “I” in the Brics club. Meanwhile, Mexico is benefiting from the reshoring of US companies from Asia. Were its new president to deliver on the promise to take on drug crime and fight off industrial oligopolies, Mexico would be in the position to outshine Brazil as Latin America’s most dynamic economy.

On the road to prosperity, few countries are marching more rapidly than Africa’s. The International Monetary Fund expects sub-Saharan Africa to have grown by 5 per cent in 2012. Four of the 10 fastestgrowing nations in the world were African. Of course, it is much easier for countries starting from low levels of GDP to have record rates of growth. And with inequality widespread, a large chunk of Africa’s population still lives on less than two dollars a day. Yet large-scale investment from China in particular means infrastructure is improving and manufacturing growing. A middle class is rising and, with it, demands for better governance are strengthening.

Looking ahead to 2013, the developing world will continue to provide the best economic news. According to forecasts by the IMF, gold and silver in the race for fastest growth will go to South Sudan and Libya.

These countries, however, are rebounding from years of war and destruction. Bronze will go, perhaps appropriately, to copper-rich Mongolia, whose natural resources – which also include gold, uranium and coal –are feeding China’s commodities hunger. More generally, resource-rich economies from Africa, Asia and Latin America will continue to do well.

As for the laggards, the list is unsurprisingly dominated by eurozone members. Six out of the eight countries for which the IMF forecasts a contraction in 2013 are in the eurozone. Even Germany and France are among the worst 20 performers. Is this an inevitable outcome? As austerity constrains the public purse, the economic outlook will depend on a pick-up of confidence in the private sector. This is difficult, but not impossible. The bold steps taken by the European Central Bank have brought down yields on peripheral bonds. Reforms passed in Spain, Ireland, Portugal and Greece mean their economies are rebalancing and their current accounts improving.

No one should expect 2013 to be much better than 2012. But those making this wish tonight at midnight should not feel completely hopeless about it.

– Financial Times

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Dear Lord, thank you for seeing another New Year. And a big thank you that we did not wake up to fuel subsidy removal. Thank you for making our New Year joy full.

Thank you for those that matter to us. Thanks for mum and dad, a loving family, old folks, and good friends. Thank you for safe journeys, and home comings.

Thank you for the gift of life, for a sound health, a good appetitive, second helpings, thanksgiving, non-Dutch treats, and a bountiful harvest; for birthday cake, wedding cake, and national cake.

Thanks for weekends and winks, good news and good grades, controllable hypertension and uncontrollable laughter. Wine, without the hangover, fried food without the flab, and candies without dental caries.

Thank you for hiccoughs that stop and hearts that go on; for presidents that smile, and the people that laugh.

Thank you for Nigeria. Thank you that our journey of nationhood has not overwhelmed us. Thank you for failed suicide attacks, for failed kidnapping attack, and for failed rape assault.

Thank you for the ties that bind, for unity in diversity, for being “one” without the”chance”; for unlike charges attract, like charges repel, and wazobia.

Thank you for the blessing in human and natural resources, and for those things that make our country beautiful. Thank you for names like Azikiwe, Balewa, Bello, and Awolowo.

Thank you for Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Kanu Nwankwo,

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

Letter of thanks to God in New Year Genevieve Nnaji, D’Banj. Thank you for Olumo Rock, Zuma rock, Gurara Falls, and the Yankari Game Reserve. Thank you for Argungu Festival, Eyo Festival, and the New Yam Festival.

Also for Papi Luwe, Baba Sala, Samanja, Ibu, Osuofia, Basket Mouth, I go die, Teju Baby face, Aki and Pawpaw, And yes, for Oruka, Lori Lori, and Akanchawa, and a Nite of A Thousand Laughs.

Thank you for Ajegunle, Oshodi, Ojuelegba, Upper Iweka, and

Okrika (wake up).

Thank you for”enter with your change,” “nothing spoil,” “odiechi” and “abeg”. For “Up-NEPA!”, “It’s a goal for Nigeria!,”and”God is a Nigerian.” Not leaving out, MAMSER, NAPEP, INEC, EFCC, and ICPC. Thank you for “No overtaking.”

“Many have gone.” “I am serving a living God”. “Are you my God?” “Beware”. “God dey”. “It’s not my portion”. “I reject it”, “Back to sender”. “My miracle is on the way”, “Jubilee hour”, and “Power must change hands”.

Thank you for questions like, “What state are you from?” “What tribe are you?” “Who will you vote for?” “You wan try?”, “You wan die?” and “Who wants to be a millionaire?” Also, “water no get enemy” and “water don pass garri”.

Thank you for coups that leak, and oil pipelines that don’t, laughter that explodes, and bombs that won’t; mother Africa without her mosquitoes, and the rains without the flood, and for the Harmattan without the dust; Thank you for free immuniza-

Should we allow greed and corruption to kill Nigeria?

IR: The word ‘greed’ is defined in the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English as “a strong desire for more food, money, power, possessions etc, than you need”while ‘corruption’ is defined as “dishonest, illegal, or immoral behaviour, especially from someone with power”. It is noteworthy that in our country today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to draw a line of distinction between greed and corruption as greed starts from where corruption ends while corruption starts where greed ends.

If the avalanche of mind-boggling reports on greed and corruption that daily dot pages of newspapers is anything to go by, then the services

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of a soothsayer or a star-gazer will not be required before we all appreciate the fact that our country is indeed at the crossroads.

It would be recalled that at the peak of the sanitization of banks in Nigeria in 2009 when the Central Bank had to inject N420bn to bail out five banks (International Bank, Afribank, Oceanic Bank, Union Bank, FinBank Plc) with non-performing loan portfolio totaling N747bn hanging on their necks, the EFCC came to offer assistance in debts owed the ailing banks by greedy Nigerians who camouflaged as businessmen. At the end of the day, the commission was able to recover N171bn from the debtors.

However, the commission, rather than being supported and encouraged to do more, was castigated by some Nigerians for taking the debt recovery as a responsibility.

The Chairman of the Presidential Pension Reform Task Team (PPRTT) disclosed to the public that the team was currently investigating a “N3.3 trillion pension fraud” and revealed further that the achievement of the team included the “cutting of N1bn police pension monthly releases (from N1.59 billion to N500 million) and the ‘stoppage of monthly leakage of N4.2billion from the Head of Service pension office”.

Corruption among public office holders must have informed Presi-

The transformation of Obahiagbon

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IR: The write-up by Sheyi Oriade titled“Hon Patrick Obahiagbon – Farewell to the Federal House of Reps” published online immediately after the elections of 2011, makes quite an interesting reading. This is what he wrote in part; “In surveying the assembly of Federal Representatives for 2007 – 11, one would struggle to find many of that political intake who towered above Patrick Obahiagbon in the public eye. Not even the Speaker of the House with whom

tion, free and compulsory education, free and fair election, for freedom, for human rights, and for the rule of law Thank you for the sun that shines on everything Nigeria, thank you for the bees in the hive that work so hard to make our honey flow;.

Thank you for peaceful coexistence, for religious tolerance, for national integration, for peace and unity; and that north and south can get along.

Thank you for the ongoing Constitution review, and for bright spots. Thank you also for Jeans that fade, and love of Nigeria that doesn’t. For our biggest hurts (Nigeria) and for our highest hopes (Nigeria).

Thank you for a better tomorrow, and for a whole new Nigeria.

Amen.

• DrCosmas Odoemena Lagos

Pat Obahiagbon shared the distinction of being one of the most visible of that legislative congregation, towered above him”.

Then he predicted, “Wherever his political future leads, I, for one, do not believe that the nation has heard or seen the last of him. And if the Grand Geometrician of the Universe has anything to do with it, he will be back before long”.

And, indeed, he is back in grand style, so to say. Today, less than a year after he failed to gain a second tenure to represent his Oredo

Federal Constituency, Obahiagbon is back to political reckoning where he could represent his constituency even better. He is currently the Chief of Staff to the Edo State Comrade Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole. But, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon still remains today the most flamboyant, and colourful legislator that has ever threaded the hallowed chambers of the Nigerian Parliament. Perhaps, a little research may reveal two or more other names of men like him; Mazi Mbonu Ojike, Chief Felix Okotie-

Eboh and may be one or two more in the First Republic and perhaps, late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, K.O Mbadiwe.

When his lily-livered colleagues were pontificating and speaking behind closed doors over the secret medical trip of former President Yar’adua, his capacity to perform as President and his equally secret “return” to Aso Rock in the dark of night, Hon. Obahiagbon was the one who spoke out in favour of a swift constitutional resolution of the situation; and he not only questioned the wisdom

dent Goodluck Jonathan’s warning that Nigeria might disintegrate if serious steps were not taken to check the menace.

President Goodluck has appealed to Nigerians for patience with his administration with a promise to improve on governance by his administration in year 2013. The question remains: which aspect of governance will Nigerians want the President to improve upon as a matter of priority? It is certain to be eradication of pervasive greed and corruption in the polity. There is need for the Jonathan administration to revisit the jettisoned private bill on assets forfeiture of greedy and corrupt Nigerians to the government earlier submitted to the National Assembly by a former EFCC Chairman, Chief (Mrs.) Farida Waziri. There is also the need for an executive bill on ‘whistle-blowing’ as a fundamental right of the citizens in the country to be sent to the National Assembly.

The Central Bank has already taken a step towards this direction but the Federal Government and the state governments still need to borrow leaf from the apex bank and introduce the act of ‘whistle-blowing’ in all the Federal and States’MDAs. Odunayo Joseph Lagos odunayo_ joseph2006@yahoo.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1 2013

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COMMENTS

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suffering, tested but hardly ATALO Aremu, The Nation on trusted (it would appear, given Sunday columnist that takes no developments after his tragic prisoners, as he snoops around, death) Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa. launching his fearsome Sunday-Sunday Before his ascendance to the heavy bazookas at those who trouble Kaduna power pinnacle, GovNigeria’s Israel, plumbed the depth of ernor Yakowa had done everypessimism the other day. thing that could possibly earn In his 23 December 2012 piece he titled him the office – a top grade state “An avoidable tragedy”, Tatalo wonOlakunle and federal civil servant, a loyal dered why, with a touch of combative and amiable two-time deputy lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola hyperbole, Nigerians could in all good governor and a level-headed conscience regard 2012 a horrible year, governor that, from reports, when their irresponsible leaders had alsaw neither Christian nor Musways connived and conspired to make lim but one Kaduna. things horrible for luckless Nigerians in But at his death in that chopper crash, religious lunacy ate at their care. be contemplated. the soul of the state. What the law had compelled, technologi“What you have in Nigeria,” he thundered with patriotic Yet, the 1999 Constitution puts citizenship above religious cal freak had undone – and it was time for the religiously bigoted rage, “is not Annus Horribilis but Homo Horribilis”! That is as leanings; and therefore guarantees, at least on paper, access to to rejoice! Why, a lunatic even posted praises, on his Facebook dire a sentence as can ever be. political power to whoever is qualified, no matter his or her wall, to his peculiar “Allah” for the death of another, who never Is Tatalo justified? Maybe. Maybe not.

Feedback faith. did him any wrong!

But nature and nurture did conspire in 2012 – a horrible Since the unfortunate aircraft crash of Governor Danbaba To the conventional mind, these were raw savagery, unbefitting year by all accounts – to expose the dirty underbelly of Suntai on 25 October 2012, Taraba has waited with bated breath. of 21st century Nigeria – just as the conventional global mind Nigeria’s unconscionable power elite, and their antediluEveryone hopes and prays the governor would be all right. But expected the British public school tradition and discipline to have vian thinking; as well as the masses who they so ingloriwhat if it goes the other way, should the state suffer a needless held Golding’s fictional school boy characters in Lord of the Flies ously mislead to, not to love their neighbours as themselves crisis? And not because the Constitution is not clear on what from descending into savages, just a few days after being maas the Bible and the Quran command, but to hate with passhould be done but because the power elite over there think rooned on an island, after an air crash. sion on as intensely private a business as religion and ethnic their own will should trump the Constitution?

But just as Golding’s novel was a wake-up call for the darkness make-up.

This is one institutional shallowness that the horrible 2012 of the human heart, though the globe boasted civilisation and In 1899, Joseph Conrad found the European Heart of Darkexposed, despite grand pretences. That power heart of darkness evolution, the Kaduna and Taraba tragedies and the evil reacness down the river in Belgian Congo, in blind and mindless – shaped, no doubt, by past decades of illicit domination across greed. In 1954, William Golding, Nobel Prize winner lotions to them by the power elite, accurately reflected the darkness the religious divide – must have triggered the reported rash cated, in his Lord of the Flies, that the human core might well of the Nigerian power mind, which needs a blinding flash of attempt to expel, from his official quarters, the then deputy be more evil than good, contrary to previous thinking. constitutional reforms to treat. Add Boko Haram, the mass murdergovernor and now Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, as if Both Conrad and Golding, were they to still be alive, would ous gang to the mix, and the stark, tragic reality of today’s Nigesuch rashness could vitiate constitutional provisions in case of have found further validation, for their fictional theories, in ria is all but clear. any eventuality.

2012 Nigeria; with mass murder and free-wheeling mayThe greater tragedy, however, is that while the grim situation That the man is acting governor now, and may well become hem that have been the evil signature of Boko Haram; and the is all but clear, the authorities efface comical optimism that borgovernor, underscores the futility of passion over-riding cold bumbling response by the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency, ders on wilful determination to see the house entirely collapse, constitutional provisions, when the rule of law, and not arbiwhich spread the fog of hopelessness beyond measure. while playing the ostrich. trary passion and power, is the issue.

But it shows a dangerous Year 2012, the Annus Horribilis Nigerians would rather forThe Nigerian state is terribly sick. It is weak and tottering, gulf between the cold print of law and the hot, not-so-lawful get, had pretty little to cheer. But it at least showed the bordering on total collapse. To be saved, it needs a radical constiardour.

That may yet be explosive, if that gulf is not bridged. troubled republic in its true state – closer to the Thomas tutional fix. Yet, with the current attempt at constitutional amendBut flip the coin and you are faced, at Kaduna, with the MusHobbes’s pre-Social Contract state of nature, where life was ment, the federal pretenders offer no more than effete palliatives, lim opposite of the power drama playing out in Taraba. Kaduna nasty, brutish, cruel and short; than to the modern welfare reminiscent of the failed efforts of the Abacha and Obasanjo eras. power players, who would tolerate a Christian governor only state, where the security of the citizen is guaranteed; and the This may sound a dire New Year’s Day pronouncement, ala over their dead bodies, got subdued when Goodluck Jonathan welfare of all is the chief business of state.

Amos the Biblical prophet of doom; but the political elite and the nominated Namadi Sambo as his vice-president, and the former Taraba and Kaduna states, united in religious chauvinism, powers-that-be must work harder at an all-inclusive constituKaduna governor yielded the gubernatorial seat to the longthough on opposite sides of the religious divide; and ironitional talk, where nothing is taken as given. cally too, united in grief, epitomised the dysfunction of the Anything short of that radical restructuring may well make the “The Nigerian state is terribly sick.

Nigerian state, as much as did a year of limitless tragedies. horrible 2012 the signifier of a well and truly horrible era for a Taraba, a state that would, only over its dead body, harbour It is weak and tottering, bordering on country battling for survival. That won’t make 2013 much hapa Muslim governor, finally faces the spectre of one – spectre, than 2012! total collapse. To be saved, it needs pier because to the power lobby in that state, the sceptre of power Despite this dire prognosis, a happy New Year to you all, readers of this in wrong religious hands, is nothing but some hell, never to a radical constitutional fix” column.

epublican ipples

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ELCOME to 2013, a year declared by President Goodluck Jonathan as one that will witness improved governance. Just as it is natural at this time of the year for individuals and households to project on the promises of the immediate future, our President, in addition to his charming Goodluck, seems to have taken to the ancient mystical art of crystal-ball gazing in the bid to assure us that the journey to his Nigerian Eldorado is on course.

First, was the occasion of the foundation laying ceremony of Living Faith Foundation Bible College in Kaduna on Christmas Eve where the President spoke of better times for the citizens in the New Year. His words: let me assure all of you and indeed Nigerians that 2013 will be better for us than 2012 in all aspects of the nation’s history (sic). The New Year shall be better for us in terms of job creation, wealth creation and improved security among others”.

Days after – this time at the Christmas Service in Abuja, the President broached on the subject of perception of his administration as being a slow one.

Again, his words: “people say this government is slow.

Yes, by human thinking, we are slow; but I can say that we are not slow. He added, perhaps for emphasis, that “the government will not, because of the perception, begin to rush….”

Although, the latter must have come to many Nigerians as a new one, from the President, it may well be evidence that the cries and anguish on the Main Street have finally pierced through the impervious walls of the Villa.

A snail speed administration? C’mon, that would be far more tolerable than the astonishing inertia or even the outrageous but expensive presidential indulgence of outsourced governance – the variant of which finds expression in irrational fatalistic abdication; the practice of leaving routine matters of governance in the hand of the supernatural in a supposedly secular, presidential democracy.

Without taking anything from the rare candour of the

‘In the last year, more industries closed shop than we have had new start-ups. We know why: the same old, worn, recycled but nonetheless valid tales of inclement policies, infrastructure deficit, high interest rates, and other countless bureaucratic impediments which constitute the body and soul of industries’ lack of competitiveness’

Annus Horribilis 2012

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

A President’ New Year promise presidential admission that the past year was a colossal disaster as far as governance went, I have struggled in vain to find the substance in the so-called solid foundation on which the President plans to erect his transformational infrastructure.

Let’s begin with the touted claims of achievement. The most obvious one of course is the “improved” performance in the power sector. Considering the state of power generation which is said to have hit the 4,500 Mw, it must be galling to most Nigerians that a federal government that has poured over $20 billion in the last decade has been on an orgy of wild jubilation over the incremental achievement – a notional improvement that is no more than 25 percent – in electricity supplies.

Or the railways. Amazingly, the nation is supposed to be in frenzy that the railways has been primed to run –on the same old, disused Lugardian tracks. How about touting the “feat” of the overpaid Chinese contractors in fixing the relics in the age of high speed trains as “transformation”!

In the last year, more industries closed shop than we have had new start-ups. We know why: the same old, worn, recycled but nonetheless valid tales of inclement policies, infrastructure deficit, high interest rates, and other countless bureaucratic impediments which constitute the body and soul of industries’ lack of competitiveness.

And the result? Manufacturing remains at the abysmal low level of 4 percent contribution to the GDP – the level it was at independence. We remain net importer of just about anything – from refined fuel to domestic consumables, and to industrial spares.

We have since found a magic in starting our charity abroad.

Not for Olusegun Aganga, Jonathan’s Trade and Commerce minister, the reciprocity subsumed in global trade relations.

Progress, Nigeria style, is denominated in foreign investment: the higher the number of those high-octane cocktails in offshore hotels packaged as foreign investment drive, the more

progress is said to be made. The question of how foreign investments would thrive in an environment littered with carcasses of dead industries hardly matter. How about herding our policy wonks for a refresher course in Globalisation 102?

Today, the single greatest threat to the nation’s socio-economic stability is unemployment. The figure is said to be some 25 percent with youth unemployment put at a frightening 50 percent rate. That’s nearly twice the population of our neighbour, Ghana. What’s being done? The last I heard was that the inelegantly couched Sure-P headed by Christopher Kolade, an extra-constitutional contraption very much like the PTF, has been drafted to the rescue.

What more can be written about the security situation that is not already known? There is war with the Boko Haram in the North; kidnappers are threatening to overrun the South.

The capacity of the nation’s military is stretched thin – bogged down with internal security operations with no signs of respite on the horizon. The police, being no match for the sophistication of the criminal gangs on rampage appear overwhelmed.

Why the picture of these realities? It is to show where the nation is coming from. It seems to me the only way to evaluate the President’s prognosis for the year. After all, isn’t it said that were wishes to be horses, beggars would ride?

So much for the President’s exaggerated picture of 2013; last year for instance, it took a paralysing protest over the fuel price hikes to move the President to act on the racket of fuel subsidy funds administration. Twelve months after that holy rage forced the President to commit his administration to the establishment of three new refineries, it has since backtracked: the refineries are no longer on the table.

In the year ended, the nation spent N1.3 trillion on fuel imports; this year, the figure is likely to be much higher.

Lost on the hierarchs of the administration are the drag-on effects of the avoidable fuel import regime on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves and the economy as a whole.

Consider also that it took the threat of impeachment to prod the President to implement the capital provisions of the 2012 budget. Thanks to executive-bureaucratic inertia, the roads remain a picture of abandonment. Sprucing up airport terminals may be Minister Stella Oduah’s idea of modernisation, the aviation sector is nowhere modern or safer any more than new entrants are willing to venture into the sector.

My prognosis for the year? Nothing will change. Not in the quality and pace of governance. The bazaar driving its processes will continue no doubt. Industry capacity utilisation is likely to remain, pretty even. Surely, no one expects unemployment to come down; Not the interest rate. The monetary authorities will continue their ‘inflation targeting’ while the real economy grinds to a halt.

You ask why? I say there is too much thinking within the box. Isn’t it said also that ‘what you see is what you get’?

Happy New Year!

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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COMMENTS

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S we commence a new year today in line with Gregorian calendar, it would be necessary as a country and a people to seek the face of God who led us through year 2012 successfully for another success in year 2013. After going through the events of 2012 I feel compelled to offer the following prayer for our dear country Nigeria and I invite you to join me.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, we thank thee for seeing us through the year 2012 successfully. Though not all that started the year twelve months ago are here today to witness the beginning of year 2013, it is not by our good deeds that those of us still alive today are here but by your grace, and those that have passed on can not be said to have offended you. It is Thy will that they come back home when they did and we should remain behind to complete our term. As we are enjoined to say always; let Thy will be done.

Oh Lord, it is universally agreed that apart from corruption, bad leadership has been a major problem of this country, we know it but unfortunately we’ve been unable to correct that problem.

After several decades of failed leadership we had the opportunity to turn a new leaf in 1999 with a new democratic dispensation and indeed we thought we have turned the page when retired General Olusegun Obasanjo, a one time military Head of State was elected president and commander-in-chief., but alas we ended up with 8 wasted years of that presidency.

God you know the story. Obasanjo not only wasted that golden opportunity but inflicted further pains on us when, having failed to illegally extend his tenure, he forced a reluctant president on us as a successor in the person of late Umar Yar’Adua. God, the jury is still out on Yar’Adua’s tenure but certainly not a few Nigerians will declare his tenure a failure.

When you decided to take Yar’Adua away, Obasanjo again manipulated the system and forced another colourless and reluctant leader on us in the person of President Goodluck Jonathan. Even though he still has two years to end his tenure the jury has already returned a verdict of failure on him.

Oh God our Lord, even though we have no authority to question you we want to humbly ask why you have allowed those who never had the intention of ruling Nigeria become president or Prime Minister of this country, while those who genuinely aspired did not get there. From Tafawa Balewa to Jonathan, with the exception of the Babangida

Let us pray and Abacha interregnum, all the leaders got there either by accident or reluctantly.

Babangida and Abacha wanted to rule Nigeria and they got there, but what did they make of that opportunity.

God, power belongs to you and you only can give power and anoint leaders. We cannot question your judgment, but as we begin the countdown to the 2015 election we pray that you give us leaders at each tier of government, who are genuinely interested in serving us and not just ruling us, leaders with compassion who will feel what we feel not those who because they have power supply 24/7 in the government villas across the country forget that majority of us are still living in darkness or on “I better pass my neighbour” power generator. Not leaders who will fly their children and spouses to specialist hospitals in Germany even for common cold leaving the rest of us to attend the glorified clinics that we call hospitals here.

Not those whose children and relations will attend elite schools in Europe, America, Asia and even in nearby Ghana while watching our educational system nose dive. Not those who because they can fly around in state funded executive jets forget that our roads are bad; not those who because they cruise around in fleets of government fueled limousines would want the rest of us to go around on bicycles or pay through our nose for a litre of fuel.

God, the sins of our leaders are many but even in these closing stages of their tenure preparatory to the 2015 elections, we pray that you touch their hearts to turn away from their evil and wicked ways and serve the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. Beginning from today our Lord, we pray that our leaders will rule with the fear of God and respect for us the people.

While not blaming our leaders entirely for the woes that have befallen our country, we equally recognize the ignoble role some of

I

T is the tradition of the ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE UNITof the weekly British Magazine,THE ECONOMIST, to make a global survey of values of life in countries.

A month ago,the unit published the result of its survey for the year 2013 in eighty countries.

According to the UNIT, it was aware that despite global economic crises, times have in certain respect, never been good owing to decline in output growth rate.

On page 85 of THE WORLD IN 2013, printed

by THE ECONOMIST, Nigeria is listed as the worst place for a baby to be born in 2013.

It was an article written by LezaKekic on the verdict of the ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE UNIT. It earnestly attempts to measure which country will provide the best opportunities for a healthy, safe, and prosperous life in the years ahead.

Switzerland is the best country to be born in 2013,according to the UNIT, followed byAustralia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore, Newzealand, Netherland, Canada, Hong Kong, Finland, Ireland, Australia, Taiwan, Belgium, Germany and United States of America.

South Africa is ahead of Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Iran, Morocco and Jordan, while Nigeria is below Kenya, Pakistan and even Syria, which is at present at war.

It was hard to imagine a bright future or subSaharan Africa without a more successful Nigeria, by far its most populous nation. After listening to his compelling inaugural address, I hoped Obasanjo would be able to succeed where others had failed’.

us followers have been playing in bringing the nation on to her knees. Just as we pray for guidance for our leaders we also pray for committed and sincere followers who will not sell their conscience or birthright for a mere pot of porridge.

God we agree that not all our leaders are that bad, there are rays of hope of better leadership tomorrow within the ranks of our present State governors, and to a little extent members of the National Assembly. We are still waiting for those in the State assemblies and local governments to show their true colour.

But of recent God there has been a disturbing trend within the ranks of our governors that is giving cause for concern. In the course of the year 2012 the ranks of our state governors have been visited by tragedy leading to death in at least one instance and on two occasions, close to death. Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State was flying a small aircraft from his home town in Taraba State to Yola airport in nearby Adamawa State when the aircraft crashed as he was approaching the airport. All on board were badly injured and Governor Suntai almost lost his life.

Almighty God as you know, our health facilities are nothing to write home about, not even our best hospital; the National Hospital in Abuja could handle the treatment of Suntai and the others on board that aircraft; they had to be flown to Germany for treatment. As at the time of this prayer, we are not sure whether they would survive but we pray that through your mercies they will survive and come back home to their loved ones in good health. Our First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan recently returned from a medical treatment in a German hospital, we don’t even know what was wrong with her.

God in this New Year please direct our leaders to establish that kind of German hospital that is good enough to treat our First

Lady in at least each of the six geopolitical zones in the country, for the rest of us to also enjoy good healthcare.

God as the year 2012 was drawing to a close you decided to recall back home Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State. He died in a military helicopter conveying him, former National Security Adviser Gen. Owoye Azazi and three others including the crew to Port Harcourt airport from Bayelsa when it crashed into the creeks killing all on board.

God this is one air accident too many. We are yet to fully recover from the tragic air crash involving DANA Air in Lagos. We recall similar ones in the past involving some of our domestic airliners. If this was due to our sins please God forgive us and prevent such tragedies from befalling us this year and in years to come.

Just as we are about drying the last drop of tears in our eyes as a result of the death of Governor Yakowa and co, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State was involved in a fatal road accident that claimed the life of his ADC but left him badly injured. On top of all these accidents and death are wicked rumors flying around announcing the death of no fewer than three other State Governors. God what is happening to our governors? Please deliver them from all evils.

The accident involving Governor Wada has once again highlighted the carnage that daily takes place on our roads, especially highways. God, in our country today, as you know, road accident has taken more lives than any known disease due in part to poor conditions of the roads and the reckless suicidal driving culture in this country. .God please in this New Year direct our leaders to fix our roads for us even if they won’t build new ones and touch the hearts of our drivers.

Lord our prayers are by no means limited to these, but the space here is too small to accommodate them all, but you know what is in our hearts, please grant us those ones that will make us a better people and a better nation. In your mighty name we pray.

Amen.

‘Almighty God as you know, our health facilities are nothing to write home about, not even our best hospital; the National Hospital in Abuja could handle the treatment of Suntai and the others on board that aircraft; they had to be flown to Germany for treatment’

The lottery of life

By Eric Teniola ‘Its quality-of-life index links the results of subjective life-satisfaction surveys- how happy people say they are- to objective determinants of the quality of life across countries. Being rich helps more than anything else, but it is not all that counts; things like crime, trust in public institutions and the health of family life matter too. In all,the index takes 11 statistical significant indicators into account. They are a mixed bunch: some are fixed factors, such as geography; others change only very slowly over time (demography, many social and cultural characteristics); and some factors depend on policies and state of the world economy.

A forward-looking element comes into play,too. Although many of the drivers of the quality of life are slow changing, for this ranking some variables, such as income per head, need to be forecast. We use the EIU’S economic forecast to 2030, which is roughly when children born in 2013 will reach adulthood’,Mr.Kekic declared.

By co-incidence,the same magazine on page 81, published the Economic predictions of Nigeria’s Finance Minister,NgoziOkonjoIweala on Africa, Nigeria included.

In the article titled,’EMERGING FROM THE FRONTIER’, Mrs.Iweala said Nigeria, Ethiopia and Angola will have a robust economy in 2013.

She used all the economic jargons,typical of World Bank officials, which had never worked so far, to project Nigeria’s economic future in 2013.

Reading the two articles,I got addled and befuddled on who is credible and plausible.

If Mrs.Iweala, whom we regard as our economic miracle woman here, could be precise in her prediction, how come THE ECONOMIST,was able to regard Nigeria as

the worst place to be born in 2013, If she can not convince THE ECONOMIST, how can she convince us all here.

Anyway time will tell whether Mrs Iweala’s projection is a mere fantasy or day-dream typical of her or whether the findings of THE ECONOMIC INTELIGENCE UNIT could be precise and exact.

As they say, NAPOLEON IS ALWAYS RIGHT. But morning shows the day.

No American President has cared and loved Nigeria more than BILL CLINTON. In and out of office he has visited Nigeria several times.

In his 953 page book titled ’MY LIFE’ which he wrote in 2004 after he left office, he revealed his hope for Nigeria while in power.

On page 856 of that book, he wrote,’ I got up at four in the morning to watch the inaugural ceremonies for Nigeria’s new president, former general Olusegun Obasanjo, on TV. Ever since gaining independence, Nigeria had been riddled by corruption, regional ad religious strife, and deteriorating social conditions. Despite its large oil production, the country suffered periodic power outages and fuel shortages. Obasanjo had taken power briefly in a military coup in the 1970s, then had kept his promise to step aside as soon as new elections could be held.

Later, he had been imprisoned for his political views and, while incarcerated, had become a devout Christian and had written books about his faith. It was hard to imagine a bright future or sub-Saharan Africa without a more successful Nigeria, by far its most populous nation. After listening to his compelling inaugural address, I hoped Obasanjo would be able to succeed where others had failed’.

That was vintage Bill Clinton on Nigeria in 2004.

Has there been any improvement so far?

We are now in 2013, a fresh year and the

year should offer us new opportunities and new challenges. Certainly 2013 should be a judgment year for Nigeria so as to avoid jumble and clutter in this country. Things can not go on as they are now.

Our situation is near lamentable and our plight and agony was even mentioned by the Pope in his last Christmas message.

My hope for Nigeria is the same hope you have for Nigeria too.

May 2013 bring new light into our dark chambers of pessimism.

May 2013 lift us from the mid-night of desperation to the day break of joy.

May 2013 lead us through life’s dark valleys into sunlit pathways of hope and fulfilment.

• Teniola is a retired Director in the Presidency, now lives in Lagos.

‘Its quality-of-life index links the results of subjective life-satisfaction surveys- how happy people say they are- to objective determinants of the quality of life across countries. Being rich helps more than anything else, but it is not all that counts; things like crime, trust in public institutions and the health of family life matter too. In all,the index takes 11 statistical significant indicators into account.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

INSIDE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

Page 25

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

FCTA receives Hajj report - Page 26

‘Better days ahead’

Residents fete motherless children - Page 27

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‘I see a brighter new year’ - Page 40

HERE are better days ahead and a lot that residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can look forward to.

Those were the assurances of the Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, as residents savoured the joy of the season.

The minister said he was optimistic that for those who made the FCT their home, 2013 would be much better than the previous year.

Mohammed recalled that 2012 recorded an appreciable level of success as the FCT Administration officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 13 land-swap investors to immediately commence the opening up of eight new districts in the capital city, a feat he described as unprecedented.

He disclosed that each of the investors paid the sum of N350m to the FCT Administration. The fees, he explained, cover survey maps, detailed land use plan, en-

From Bukola Amusan

gineering design, demographic reports, legal documentation and other ancillary services, in addition to the over N300b investment from banks in and outside the country to develop infrastructure in those districts.

Senator Mohammed also recalled the historic flag-off of infrastructural development in three districts of the FCT during the year, which is in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda and the FCT roadmap for sustainable development.

He further stated that in order to quicken development in the FCT, five districts namely Katampe, Mabushi, Gwarinpa I and Kado were approved for procurement using PPP by the Federal Executive Council since 2006.

Senator Mohammed also noted that part of his promise to create as well as ensure the take-off of

FCT Social Housing Scheme, he approved the allocation of 50 hectares of land to American Building Systems International; an American-based firm to build the first phase of the Abuja Social Housing Initiative, even as he said he approved1, 000 hectares of land to be set aside for the Federal Mortgage Bank to build decent and affordable houses.

The minister added that the objective of these is to take care of victims of demolition exercises and provide affordable housing to medium and low-income earners. He disclosed that the latter initiative has already taken off near Ushafa in Bwari Area Council.

Another area which Senator Mohammed said there were recorded successes is the laying to rest all encumbrances that had hitherto plagued the multi-billion-Naira Abuja Light Rail Project as the FCT Administration had signed an MoU agree-

ment with the Chinese Nexim Bank which will provide $500m loan that will boost the light rail project.

He said: “The Abuja light rail is of major significance to us because it will move people from the outskirts to the centre of the Federal Capital City and vice-versa within a short record of time and enhance the FCT residents’ economic power as well as decongest the city.”

Another measure worth mentioning, the minister said, was his administration’s bid to lessen the pressure on the 250-square kilometres of the Federal Capital City, where the FCT Administration, through the approval of President Jonathan re- established the Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA) to fast-track engineering infrastructure in the designated satellite towns •Continued on Page 26

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ABUJA REVIEW

‘Better days ahead’ •Continued from Page 25

of the territory.

According to him, another achievement recorded is in the transport sector with progress of work on some major roads to address the transportation bottlenecks being experienced along major entrance points in the Federal Capital City.

Those jobs include rehabilitation and expansion of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (Airport Road) and Murtala Mohammed (Kubwa Road) Expressways.

He disclosed that these projects have reached completion stages; while the multi-billion naira Guzape-Sunrise By-pass was also opened to traffic thereby depleting the traffic congestion at AYA Junction.

“The inauguration of the Bypass and establishment of Mobile Courts to sit at designated areas in the city, have improved vehicular movement and reduced the traffic jam hitherto experienced around Mogadishu Cantonment and the entire Karu/Nyanya axis,” he stressed.

On foreign investment, Senator Mohammed revealed that the FCT Administration has realised over 6.6 billion US Dollars (about N1.086trillion) from direct foreign investment into the Federal Capital Territory, including the sum of $2.6 billion foreign direct in-

The Abuja light-rail is of major significance to us because it will move people from the outskirts to the centre of the Federal Capital City and vice-versa within a short record of time and enhance the FCT residents’ economic power as well as decongest the city vestment for the Abuja Town Centre Development and over 1 billion US Dollars now being expended on the ongoing construction work at the Abuja World Trade Centre.

In order to ensure optimal protection of lives and property of

•Abuja residents

the residents during the outgoing year, he disclosed that the FCT Administration has constructed and completed three new police

stations and 11 new police posts in and around the 250-square kilometres of the Federal Capital City; procured 114 new vehicles

•Hajj pilgrims

FCTA receives Hajj report

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•Oloye Akinjide

INISTER of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has received the report of the 2012 Hajj operations.

While making the presentation to the minister, the Director of FCT Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, Suraju Ado Faskari, said the report was a reflection of activities carried out for the 2012 Hajj exercise.

“It is in the year 2012 that 2, 844 FCT pilgrims went to Hajj. 3.1 million people were officially recorded, despite the large number that entered the Holy land with-

From Bukola Amusan

out permit.

“It is a reflection of all activities carried out, ranging from the sale of form to the departure and return. The Hajj is obligatory once a lifetime for a Muslim. It teaches generosity and kindness to the less privileged,” he said.

He said the report was in chapters, which captures different aspect of the Hajj operations at a time.

The minister thanked the board for the work done in 2012 Hajj operations; while saying, the task is

not an easy one.

“It is not a task that is easy, when you have almost 3, 000 pilgrims with different social, academic and language coming together” to perform the Hajj as Muslims in spite of their social and educational difference.

She said the administration would take a look at the report and attend to the challenges presented.

“I will study the report to look at the challenges. In FCT, our aim is always to be the best, the one that everyone looks to match.

“The Hajj is something sacred and therefore we must help the pilgrims to concentrate on what they have gone to do- to serve God,” she said.

for the security agencies, apart from being able to use the data generated from the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) to enhance security of lives and property in the FCT. Senator Mohammed announced that the FCT Administration had, in 2012, begun work on the legal and administrative framework for the establishment of the FCT Security Trust Fund.

Similarly, the minister announced that his Administration, in 2012, banned motor racing and use of power bikes across the FCT. Senator Mohammed also revealed that in order to turn Abuja into a healthcare hub in the West African sub-region, the FCT Administration articulated an efficient roadmap for health services; stressing that the roadmap has also captured the FCT Immunization Services as an integral part of the maternal and child health services to actualise the aspirations of the residents of the territory.

He reiterated that, in order to achieve this, the FCT Administration has introduced automating laboratory services in all its secondary health facilities and also concluded arrangement to establish a world-class dialysis unit in the FCT. The minister said that a lot of investments have been made to provide basic medical infrastructure in Abuja as the Asokoro District Hospital now has ultrasound and echo cardiograph machine (HD 11 machine) which is said to be the only one in the country. Also, four new Static XRay machines have been installed in Gwarinpa, Wuse, Maitama District and Kubwa general hospitals respectively.

Senator Mohammed stated that the FCT Administration has also procured four new Mobile X-Ray units which he pointed out has been deployed to Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse and Gwarinpa District hospitals; apart from the four new HD3 ultra-sound machines (Philips) for Maitama, Gwarinpa, Wuse districts and Nyanya general hospitals respec•Continued on Page 27

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ABUJA REVIEW

Residents fete motherless children

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HE Mother Theresa Children’s Home, Gwarimpa, Abuja, played host to individuals and families, who came to celebrate and share their gifts with the children.

It was gathered that at least 10 families and more than 15 individuals visited the home to celebrate the Boxing Day. Mrs Bolanle Dare, founder of the home, expressed happiness and gratitude to the people, adding that their generosity enabled her to take proper care of the children.

“I am happy that people are here to celebrate with us; they brought various gifts for the children to support them and make

Stories from Bukola Amusan

them happy,’’ she said.

She said that due to the public’s generosity, she had few challenges as their effort had been a source of strength .

Mrs Funke Adewole, a guest at the home, said that giving gifts to the children and celebrating with them made her happy.

“Christmas season is a time of love and a time to exchange gifts with those that we love,’’ Adewole said.

Mr Peter Ejiofor, another visitor at the home, said that orphans were mostly neglected in the society with little or nothing to live on.

Ejiofor urged Nigerians to use the season to touch the lives of the less privileged in order to move the society forward.

Mr Mike Emmanuel, who was also a guest, said that he brought his friends to celebrate with the children and to show them love.

According to Emmanuel, we came with the little we have to celebrate with the children and to make them happy.

“We want them to know that we care for them and that we are part of them,’’ he said.

Various items including food and toiletries were presented to the home.

There were at least 51 children in the home from ages one to five.

Students flop in WASC exam

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VER 60 per cent of students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) failed the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2012, as only 38.39 per cent of them made credit pass in five subjects, including English and Mathematics.

Education Secretary, Alhaji Kabir Usman, dropped the hint during the 2012 education media luncheon in Abuja recently.

Usman, however, said this was an improvement over 2011 results, where only 20.42 per cent

passed, representing an 80 per cent failure rate.

He attributed the improvement to employment of more teachers in the relevant subjects and ensuring that teachers put in more efforts for the success of their students.

He said inadequate infrastructure had affected the school system in the FCT in the past.

“This has been our experience in the school system, especially in the area of congested classrooms, empty libraries and laboratories.

This has been our experience in the school system, especially in the area of congested classrooms, empty libraries and laboratories

•Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka (in glasses) with Deputy Corps Marshal, Operations, Boboye Oyeyemi during the Aerial Surveillance Patrol to monitor traffic across the country in Abuja PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

“These problems, I am happy to say, are being tackled with a provision of infrastructure, including schools, classrooms, hostels, sporting facilities, among others in 2012,” the Education Secretary said.

He said government had constructed over 2,000 new classrooms for the basic and senior education levels.

Usman said a total of 28 additional new schools were established across the six area councils of the territory.

According to him, the FCT administration had also ensured that all schools have a functional computer laboratory with interconnectivity to enable online registration in 52 public senior secondary schools.

He, however, said the FCT Education Secretariat did not only pay adequate attention to quality of teachers, but also trained them regularly.

“In collaboration with the British Council, 200 English teachers were also trained under the Teaching Knowledge Test,” he said

•Continued from Page 26

tively, to help take care of pregnant women and patients with liver or abdominal problems.

Senator Mohammed further said that in 2012, the FCT Administration also announced the establishment of training and waiting centres particularly for skilled unemployed in order to tackle unemployment problems, even as he said that the Urban Affairs Department of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council is already working on the blueprint as well as the site for the centre.

He also noted that, in order to improve the recreational facilities in the territory and ensure that the residents of Abuja keep fit and remain healthy; the FCT Administration has completed four sporting facilities in the city.

The minister stated that, in fulfilment of the promise made to Nigerians by the FCT Administration to fast-track all processes of building plan approval in Abuja, the FCT Development Control Department has commenced elec-

The minister solicited the co-operation of all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory; assuring that 2013 will surely be better than the preceding year

‘Better days ahead’ tronic vetting (e-vetting) of all drawings submitted during the period.

“In keeping with over-riding public interest, the cardinal principles of equity and the transformation programme of his administration, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan approved the immediate re-instatements of 3,645 plots hitherto revoked in the Federal Capital Territory which is unprecedented,” he said.

Senator Mohammed also signed performance contract agreement with mandate secretaries, directors and heads of agencies/parastatals under the FCT Administration in line with the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan and the full realisation of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

The minister thus solicited the co-operation of all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory; assuring that 2013 will surely be better than the preceding year.

•Senator Mohammed

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ABUJA REVIEW

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has declared its determination to dislodge the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the party picked its flag bearer for the 2013 local council elections.

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chapter of the party picked its flag bearer, Mr. Patrick

ACN unveils strategy to oust PDP from FCT From Dele Anofi

Ogunyemi at its primaries held over the weekend.

The colourful event, attended by party members and councilorship aspirants and supervised by Independent National Electoral Com-

•Arab Junction during the Yuletide

YULETIDE FUN FOR ABUJA KIDS

mission (INEC) officials from the FCT and the National Headquarters was described as free and fair.

Chairman of the AMAC chapter of ACN, Mrs. Hailmary Aipoh said the outcome of the primaries was a pointer to the resolve of the party to bring change to the Abuja me-

tropolis.

She said: “As you can see that everything went as quiet and in a peaceful atmosphere, that is to show how determined we are. We have taken our decision by presenting our candidate which is ACN come 2013.

“Our aspiration as a party for the residents of Abuja municipal is to replicate what we have been doing in the states. As you can see, if you go round ACN states, you will see that we are performing.

“For instance Edo, Lagos states, Osun, you can see that the Governors are performing. We want to take charge of Abuja so that the people can reap benefits of democracy.

“The only way to do that is to bring someone with integrity, fear of God and someone that can deliver and someone that will leave a legacy for our youths and generations to come.

“We are tired of what we are experiencing now whereby nobody cares about others”.

In his victory speech, Ogunyemi who appreciated the party and the members for the platform to serve promised to “Carry the banner of ACN to the elections and by the special grace of God when we win the election we will turn around AMAC”.

He said his motivation to contest for the Chairmanship seat of AMAC was borne out of the present rot in the system and infrastructural decay in the suburbs of the city.

“I have visited a number of places, wards where the roads are bad, no

water, no light, a lot of our youths are on the road, no work. I want to create employment opportunities for our youths and our women. I want to make a fast turnaround in terms of infrastructural deficiency in AMAC. “We want to upgrade the roads and construct new ones. We want to provide water so that people living in every part of AMAC, wards can have all the benefits that people in the city centre has so that everyone can enjoy dividends of democracy,” he said.

On the strength of PDP in the federal capital, Ogunyemi said his Party has what it takes to wrestle power from ruling Party adding that the residents are wiser and better informed of events happening around them.

He said: “I can assure you that we will win PDP at the polls. We have our strategies which I will not let out and we know how to get things done. God is leading our force and we are very sure we will win.

“My only appeal is that AMAC residents should not lose hope, they should keep the hopes alive because when I come into office, I will physically make sure I put smile on the faces of people in Abuja especially AMAC. “I know where the problems are and I’ve identified their sources and I have proffered solutions on my own. When we come into power, I can assure you, within the first year, anybody that comes into AMAC will see a new AMAC and new wards council area. You will know for sure that God is at work”.

PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

29

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

‘ The time has come when laws regarding contempt

of court should be liberalised and the media afforded an opportunity to comment on the conduct of judges See page 34 and on their decisions

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

• Boma Ozobia

Mrs. Boma Ozobia was elected president of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association( CLA) in Hyderbad, India, 22 months ago. Her tenure will end on April 14. A new helmsman will be elected at the CLA Conference in Cape Town, South Africa on April 18. In this interview with JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, Mrs. Ozobia speaks on her stewardship, challenges facing the judiciary, pupilage, mentoring of young lawyers, specialisation, CLA’s forthcoming conference and other issues.

‘We need to overhaul judicial system’ H

OW would you appraise the performance of the judiciary last year?

The judges in Nigeria, like their colleagues in many developing Commonwealth countries, live and work in very difficult circumstances. They have very little control over the number of cases coming into the system daily from the appellate courts and, indeed, even in the courts of first instance. Meanwhile, they cannot increase their numbers to meet the grow-

ing demand due to constitutional and other provisions.

Can you give us a particular example?

A typical example is the situation with the Court of Appeal. Do you know that the backlog of cases has resulted in an absurd situation where, if all panels of the Court of Appeal sit for seven days a week for the next seven years, they would still not be able to conclude all pending appeals before the courts. This is a systemic failure and it

Inside: The Judiciary of our dreams, by Senior ... P.32

would be unfair to blame the judges as we are wont to do. The blame game is the easy option but it does not provide a solution.

So, how do we resolve this problem?

The truth of the matter is that we need a radical and total overhaul of the system to properly address the issue. Nigerian judges are relatively poorly equipped in comparison to their counterparts in the developed Commonwealth countries. The judiciary is grossly underfunded, which means there

are insufficient funds to provide our judges with adequate support by way of properly qualified research assistants, wellresourced libraries, comfortable and wellequipped courts and other tools that make service on the Bench a worthwhile and rewarding undertaking in other countries.

Recently, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) felt compelled

NBA: Journey so far, task ahead ... P.35

•Continued on page 30

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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LAW COVER CONT’D

‘We need to overhaul judicial system’ • Continued from page 29

to take action on behalf of Nigerians as a result of the reduction in the budgetary allocation to the judiciary in this year’s budget.

I have been asked on many occasions why the judiciary does not have more courageous judges, ‘judicial activists’ as they are often described, and India is most commonly cited as the bench mark for judicial activism.

It is widely believed that our judges, particularly in the Supreme Court, lack the intellectual depth and courage to deliver such robust judgments we had in the days of Justice Kayode Eso (JSC) of blessed memory, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa (JSC), and Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais (CJN).

We hear of such judgments in India and other Commonwealth countries. What is your reaction to this?

The Supreme Court in India had quite properly, in my view, given public interest litigation a fair hearing and made decisions to address the wrongs suffered by the poor and disadvantaged in that society within the provisions of their constitution. However, there are many, including leading members of the profession in that jurisdiction, who feel the Indian Supreme Court has crossed the line and has effectively appropriated some of the constitutional powers of the executive arm of government. I do not think our judges lack courage; quite the contrary. I also believe there is much to be said for making haste slowly when it pertains to the justice delivery system.

What can we do to get it right?

I would recommend the Ugandan example as a benchmark in this regard for Nigeria, which is grappling with very similar challenges. Having said that, there is much that can be done to make the administration of justice more efficient without changing the law as it stands. The Chief Justice of Uganda has been able to address some challenges successfully by various administrative measures.

Can you shed more light on this?

For instance, in July 2008, the Ugandan judiciary administratively established a specialist anticorruption court by designating judges of the Uganda High Court as specialist judges of the High Court’s anti-corruption division.

This anti-corruption division began hearing corruption or corruption-related cases only, in December 2008. I asked the Chief Justice how he was able to achieve this without a change in the law and he responded that their constitution gave him the power to issue orders and directions to the courts as necessary for proper and efficient administration of justice.

After that conversation with Hon. Justice Odoki, I looked up the provisions of the Ugandan Constitution and compared them with those of the Nigerian Constitution. In so doing, I was able to confirm that the Chief Justice of the Federation, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court have similar powers.

At the state level, the Chief Justice of the state is similarly empowered, as are the administrative heads of Sharia and Customary courts.

What other steps did Uganda take?

Uganda has created several specialist divisions of its High Court dealing with land, family, commercial, war crimes and, of course, anit-corruption, not all of these administratively. The data from their courts show they are disposing of cases much more efficiently, and this is, despite that the number of new cases registered have also

increased substantially. Some may argue that the increase in the number of new cases may actually be a likely indicator of the restoration of public confidence in the administration of justice.

What has been your experience, piloting the affairs of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) in the past 22 months.

It has been a privilege to serve as the president of the CLA in the past 22 months. Thankfully, the secretariat deals with all administrative matters, which means that my role as president is effectively ambassadorial. We also have a very structured governance system in place. This ensures that no one individual, regardless of title or role, can make decisions on behalf of the organisation without the consent and approval of the majority.

Coming from a country like Nigeria, where we have the tendency to build ‘big men’ rather than ‘big institutions’, I appreciate the independence and sanctity of the institution and decision by majority vote. Naturally, this can, sometimes, mean that we do not make decisions as quickly as we would like, but the pros far outweigh the cons.

What have been your greatest challenges in office?

The greatest challenge has been the impossibility of being in two places at once and the relatively poor connectivity between the six continents generally, and Africa in particular. I’ll give you an example; each time I travel within Africa on CLA business, it has generally taken four days to make the return trip on the average with the exception of the West African subregion. Of course, the time devoted to CLA activities also reduced the time for fee earning legal work and impacted on my firm’s bottom line to some extent.

Many people, including the NBA, emphasise the importance of pupilage as a way of improving the quality of Nigerian trained lawyers. Do you agree?

While I agree that pupilage or vocational training is important and an essential part of legal education, I am of the view that the problem is more fundamental than that. As the founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, said, you have to look backwards in order to connect the dots. The common law we practise in Nigeria is not indigenous to us. The received wisdom from the British, who introduced the common law and this system of legal education to our shores, was to teach law by studying decided cases. This method has been the accepted mode of instruction for law students across the Commonwealth for nearly 150 years. It is premised on the assumption that students would learn legal reasoning by studying appellate court rulings, thereby effectively treating law as a form of science and a source of truth.

This principle in my experience belongs with the dinosaurs. Law in practice is a means rather than an end, a tool for problem solving rather than the solution to the problem itself. This being the case, as it is in reality, law students will be better equipped, work ready and fit for purpose if our legal education focuses on preparing students for their multiple future roles as

advocates, negotiators, mediators, arbiters, deal shapers, counselors and problem solvers and as citizens of Nigeria.

Once we have determined the focus, it will be easier to decide how much time to devote to the academic as opposed to the vocational and vice versa. We have to take a wholistic approach, and that may mean going even further back to primary education to connect those dots.

What are the fundamental or cardinal principles the CLA preaches?

The CLA quite simply exists to promote the rule of law and standards in the profession across the Commonwealth. With our shared history and system of law, Commonwealth countries have much to learn from each other and the CLA provides a platform for this interaction and exchange of knowledge.

It is quite simply the largest and only global platform for common law practitioners the world over.

All common law jurisdictions are concerned with the preservation of the highest standards of ethics and integrity in the profession, which is why it is a central objective of the CLA as well. Naturally, ethical lawyers make ethical judges and advocates, which means the society is better served and the citizens will continue to have confidence in the justice system, which in turn will result in respect for the rule of law. Pursuing these two key objectives from the CLA’s perspective would therefore, really equal a win-win for all concerned.

You have advocated the mentoring of young lawyers as a way of giving back to the society.

How far have you achieved this?

Mentoring is a crucial part of training in all professions, including the law or some might say, more particularly the law.

There is so much one can only pick up from experience, which is simply not available in standard academic books, no matter how well-written. If I have travelled by road to Ibadan and I know there is a trailer park on the way that could result in delay to the unsuspecting traveller, it would be helpful to that traveller if I am able to share my experience. The traveller can set out earlier, allowing time for any delay at the trailer park. This is a rather simplistic explanation of the importance of mentoring. But this is essentially why my friends and I wrote the two books ‘sisters in law’ and ‘survival manual for new wigs’. It is also the reason Sterling Partnership has engaged with the Nigerian law school to organise an annual mentoring talk at the Lagos campus in the past four years. It is also the same reason I am involved with WISCAR, a formal mentoring programme for young women professionals interested in moving up the career ladder. These efforts have yielded great results, for which I cannot take the credit. The results were achieved by team effort in all these instances and the credit goes to all who make up the team, including the mentees.

Some lawyers have advocated specialisation to improve the quality of legal services to clients. What is your take on this?

A lawyer, who claims to be an expert in every area of law, is in my view an unethical and unprin-

• Ozobia

cipled lawyer. A client engages your professional services because you have held yourself out to have expertise in that area of law, not because you know where to find the books to read. If you have to read it up to even understand the basic principles of that area of law, you cannot hold yourself out to be an expert. The danger of that approach is you may not find all the books and a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Having said that, I am willing to accept that Litigation or Court Room Advocacy, which forms the bulk of many practitioners’ work in this jurisdiction, may, as it has been argued, be an exception. But my response to that argument is that litigation in itself is a specialization. Needless to say, I am an advocate of specialisation and our practice has been built along these lines.

When is the next CLA conference? Where will it hold and what are likely to be the highlights?

The next CLA conference will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from April 14 to 18, 2013. We have invited some very eminent and interesting key note speakers.

Contemporary legal issues across the Commonwealth will be covered. As always, there will be subject specific panels, comprising of experts from various commonwealth jurisdictions. In addition, there will be an exciting social program and a gala dinner as magical as the one in Hyderabad, India You will hand over the presidency of CLA to another person in South Africa...?

I will definitely hand over at the end of the conference in Cape Town. We usually hold an AGM on the first day of the conference where the officers of the CLA are

‘The common law we practise in Nigeria is not indigenous to us.

The received wisdom from the British, who introduced the common law and this system of legal education to our shores, was to teach law by studying decided cases. This method has been the accepted mode of instruction for law students across the Commonwealth for nearly 150 years’

elected. Usually, the institutional members, such as the NBA will field their candidates in accordance with the CLA Constitution.

However, individual candidates may be nominated by individual members; nominations are not restricted to the institutional members only.

What reforms would you like to see in the judiciary?

I would like to see the judiciary making more use of the registrars and qualified lawyers in dealing with administrative matters to reduce the burden on judges in the future. It may take more than a year to put in place the required structure in terms of policy and guidance but it is commonplace in many Commonwealth jurisdictions and I commend it to the judiciary. In South Africa, for instance, senior lawyers are drafted to sit in quasi-judicial capacity to deal with those interminable applications that take up so much of a judicial working time. In England, practising lawyers sit as recorders or part time judges for the same reason. I am not saying we should import this practice whole sale, but there is much to commend it and it is certainly worth considering. We all agree that justice delayed is justice denied and we do not want our citizens to get so frustrated with the inefficiencies of the system that they resort to self-help. It is already happening; therefore urgent measures have to be taken to alleviate the situation for the litigant, particularly the poor and disadvantaged in our society.

Lawyers complain that some programmes of the International Bar Association and, sometimes, the CLA do not address specific problems facing developing countries like Nigeria. How do you address this?

The IBA conference is a global legal conference with papers and contributions from civil law jurisdictions and other systems of law while the CLA is quite simply about the common law. This means that every session, every paper and every discussion is relevant to your practice as a Nigerian lawyer for many reasons, not least because the decisions from other common law jurisdictions have persuasive authority in ours.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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NATIONAL BAR

Some major cases likely to shape the courts in 2013

T

HE courts are going to be kept busy this year, attending to various cases, some of which resulted from criminal acts, commercial disputations and, in some instances, social discontent. Some of such cases stood out last year, for reasons including the personalities involved and their effect on the society. They are also going to shape events in the courts this year.

Prior to November 29, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had announced that it had filed a 27-count charge at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, against lawyer-businessman, Wale Babalakin (SAN) and was set to arraign him on the said date.

The formal arraignment of Babalakin and four others by the EFCC for allegedly assisting the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori to launder N3.47 billion out of the country was to hold at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja and to be presided by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.

To stand trial alongside Babalakin were Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Remix Nigeria Limited.

The EFCC charged them on a 27- count offence bordering on corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action contrary to sections 98A (1), 516 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C17, Laws of Lagos State 2003 and for retention of proceeds of a ceiminal conduct contrary to section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004. The offence was said to have been committed between May and December 2006.

The EFCC had listed 23 persons that would give evidence against Babalakin in the matter.

On November 29, a crowd gathered in the court to witness the commencement of the trial of the wealthy lawyer for the allege money laundering offences. When the court sat at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, Babalakin was absent. His lawyer Ebun Sofunde (SAN) informed the court that he was ill and sought an adjournment, a request the court granted and adjourned the matter to December 12, 2012.

At the same time, a group of lawyers led by Wale Akoni (SAN) were before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos seeking to prevent Babalakin’s trial before the Lagos High Court. They also challenged the competence of the charge filed against him.

Justice Idris initially granted the plaintiff leave ex –parte, to pursue the case. The leave was to serve as a stay of all further actions in relation to the case pending its final determination.

On December 14, Justice Idris struck the case out and held that Babalakin committed procedural errors by failing to comply with provisions of the court’s rules.

The judge held that under Order 34 Rules 5 of the court’s Civil Procedure Rules, a plaintiff is required to file an affidavit of service of court processes on the respondents, a requirement Babalakin failed to comply with.

Justice Idris held that Babalakin’s noncompliance with the said requirement robbed the court of jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

On December 17, Babalakin returned to the Federal High Court, with a fundament rights enforcement suit, alleging among others that the EFCC had violated his rights by restricting him to the confines of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

He prayed the court to restrain the EFCC, the police and State Security Service from arresting him.

December 21, Justice Ibrahim Buba, in a judgment, dismissed Babalakin’s fresh suit for laking in merit. The judge held that Babalakin could not hide under ill health to institute the suit to stop his arrest. Justice Buba held that Babalakin was before the wrong court and that he ought to go before the court, before which a charge was pending against him, to challenge his planned t r i a l .

Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing of the suit against Babalakin at Ikeja, a new twist was introduced into the arraignment as lead defence counsel, Chief Ebun Shofunde (SAN) on Wednesday announced his withdrawal from the case.

He had told the court that he forwarded a letter to the registrar of the court earlier which contained a medical report by one Dr Charles Harmon about the state of health of Chief Babalakin.

But at the resumption of the sitting of the court for Babalakin’s arraignment on December 12, the learned counsel said he had forwarded an application dated December 4, 2012 to the court which contained his decision to withdraw from the defence team for personal reasons.

The lawyer however told the court that if his client wishes to challenge his withdrawal, he may decide to tell the court the reason for deciding to discontinue representing the main defendant in the matter.

In his ruling, Justice Onigbanjo granted his request for withdrawal and stood the matter

• ECOWAS Court President Justice Awa Nana Daboya

• Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta

• Chief Judge, Lagos High Court, Justice Ayotunde Philips

By Eric Ikhilae and Adebisi Onanuga

called four witnesses including, Ayoola Ayinde, a former head, foreign operations of Intercontinental bank, Thomas Ayodele, the Managing Director of Intercontinental Capital Markets Limited (ICML), Akin Fabunmi, former Financial Controller of the bank and a Stockbroker.

The star witness for the defence was Ayodele who told the court that the former bank managing director never benefitted from the transactions he was being tried for. On October 22, 2012, the Court, presided then by Justice Habeeb Abiru adjourned hearing in the trial of the former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, it was for both the prosecutor and the defence to within 14 days, file their final written address before the court, the defence having closed its case earlier on the order of the court.

The court thereafter adjourned, to reconvene November 15, 2012, when it is expected to announce a date for the delivery of judgement in a trial that had spanned about 19 months.

But luck again shun on Akingbola as the trial judge Habib Abiru got elevated to the appellate court at a point when parties were to adopt their final written addresses. It is not yet clear which way the trial of Dr. Akingbola would go. But there are feelers that the matter would be ordered de-novo, that is, to re-start all over again.

There were also some cases involving multibillionaire businessman, Ifeanyi Ubah, his firm, Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited and others.

Having been arrested and detained at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police, Lagos, Ubah and others were on October 12 taken before an Tinubu’s Magistrate Court for the court’s permission to further remand them pending the conclusion of investigation of their alleged involvement in a N43.291 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

Despite opposition by the defence lawyer, Joseph Nwobike (SAN), presiding Magistrate, Martins Owunmi, relying on the provision of Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos, ordered their further remand.

Others were four other principal officers of his company - Nsikan Usoro (Head of Trading), Godfrey Okorie (Depot Manager), Chibuzor Ogbuokiri (General Manager, Operations) and Orji Joseph Anayo (Executive Director, Operations).

On the same day, Margistrate Owunmi also ordered that three other officials of Matrix Energy Ltd, brought by SFU on similar ground, be equally remanded. They were Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer), Yusuf Adebowale Oyolola (Operations Manager) and Adewale Akinde (Accountant).

They were to return on a further date for argument on their bail applications. But rather than return to the Magistrate’s Court, UUbah and other officials of Capital Oil went before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Lagos alleging unlawful detention by the police and was silent on the earlier proceedings before the Magistrate’s Court.

When the Police got wind of the case at the Federal High Court, it went before the court and argued that the plaintiffs’ remand was at the instance of a competent court. Surprisingly however, few days before the courts judgment, the police granted Ubah and others administrative bail.

The court still went ahead on October 22, to deliver a ruling and refused the applicants’ prayers. Justice Abang held that the motion filed under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules was incompetent, defective and so, incurable by amendment.

The judge also held that Nwobike failed to inform the court that his clients were being held on a subsisting order of remand made by Magistrate Martins Owunmi of the Magistrates’

Court, Tinubu, Lagos.

He held that the fact of a subsisting remand order was not contained in the affidavit of urgency filed by the applicants before the court.

The judge also noted that they did not inform the court that they had a pending bail application before the same magistrates’ court.

In a separate case before Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja initiated by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) against Capital Oil and Ubah over debts it allegedly owed three local banks, the court initially granted permission to the plaintiff to assume the management on the defendant’s identified assets. The court later lifted the order made ex-parte.

On August 27, four young men held in connection with the murder of Cynthia Osukogu, a lady allegedly murdered in a hotel room by some male friends she met on Facebook, were taken befor a Yaba Cief Magistrate’s Court.

The four were Okwumo Echezona Nwabufor (33 years), Ezike Ilechukwu Olisaeloka (23), Orji Osita (32) and Maduakor Chukwunonso (25).

Their pleas were not taken. The court ordered their remand pending the advice of the state’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Three more suspects were taken before the court by the police in September. They included a taxi driver, Gideon Okechukwu (39 years), Ezike Nonso Ifechukwu ( 22) and Ezeaka Chinonso, (27) In Novemeber, two of the suspects –Orji Osita and Maduakor Chukwunonso (identified as pharmacists) - were set free based on a report by the DPP which absolved them of any wrong doing.

The two were rearrested some weeks later, taken back to court and granted bail on December 18. But the state’s Attorney General, Ade Ipaye has disclosed of plan by the state to ensure their arraignment before the High Court, which has jurisdiction over murder cases, in the New Year.

There is alsothe case of Akolade Arowolo who is facing a one count charge of allegedly killing his wife, Titilayo Onozoje at their Isolo , lagos residence.

The Lagos Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan had closed its case against the defendant while Akolade had commenced his defence. At the last hearing on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, his trial could not go on because one of the defence witness was said to be ill.

Counsel to Akolade Arowolo, Mr. Olanrewaju Ajanaku told the court presided over by Justice Lateefa Okunnu that he was not aware of the sickness of the witness until Monday when he was informed that she was down with malaria and asked the court to adjourn the matter and give another date pending when he would be able to get the witness ready to give evidence. The trial judge, Justice Okunnu, thereafter adjourned further hearing of the case till January 22, 2013.

On December 17, a funny side was added to the trial of the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his aide, Oyebode Atoyebi before Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

The inability of court officials to trace the where about of the keys to the court’s exhibit safe stalled further proceedings Proceedings had progressed smoothly, with prosecution witness, Adebayo Adeniyi tendering three documents, only for the judge to stun all by announcing that those in charge of the exhibit safe have misplaced its keys.

Prosecution lawyer, Godwin Obla had requested that some earlier tendered exhibits be produced so that Adeniyi could read from them.

But the presiding judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke said the exhibits requested could not be produced because keys to where they are kept can not be found.

down moreso that the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had earlier requested that the matter be stood down. Jacobs had told the court that he was attending to a sister case filed

by Babalakin at the Federal High Court, Lagos seeking to stop EFCC from arraigning him over the alleged N4.7 billion fraud.

But when the court resumed hearing on the matter some hours later, it was Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), who announced his appearance for Chief Babalakin. Ayorinde told the court that he had taken over from Sofunde. Ayorinde subsequently informed the court of two applications pending in the court dated December 11, 2012 seeking for adjournment of the trial. He also wanted the court to admit the Chief Babalakin (first defendant) to bail.

He drew the attention of the court on EFCC’s seige at LUTH pointing out that it was against the directive of the court asking EFCC to verify his health status at the last sitting. Ayorinde said the applications before the court are premised on the health condition of the first defendant.

The prosecution led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) defended the action of the EFCC saying that the alleged siege was meant to put the agency on alert to avoid a James Ibori’s situation.

Jacobs, however, asked the court for time to respond on the applications as they were only served on him on Tuesday’s evening.

Other counsel in the matter including Tayo Oyetibo, Dr Joseph Nwobike and Roland Otaru all SANs also craved for more time to either be served with the court processes or respond to them.

After taking the submissions of the counsels, the trial judge adjourned the matter till January 17, 2013 for hearing of the pending applications and possible arraignment of the defendants.

On April 2, 2012, Justice Charles Achibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos discharged former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank, Erastus Akingbola of a 26-count charge of financial impropriety brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for lack of diligent prosecution.

Justice Archibong, in a dramatic ruling, also barred the prosecution from appearing before his court or another judge of the Federal High court in relation to Akingbola’s matter.

The judge frowned at the attitude of the prosecution team comprising five Senior Advocates, observing that they indulged in serious ‘professional incompetence.’

Justice Archibong directed the Attorney General of the Federation to exclude the lawyers from handling the case The judge labeled the prosecution team ‘a drain in the public purse,.

He vowed to refer the conduct of the senior advocates that led the prosecuting team to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) for further consideration and determination of the issues raised, adding that the record of the matter would also be forwarded to the AGF and the LLPC for further action. EFCC said it has appealed against the judgment.

But at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, the EFCC had charged Akingbola, his wife, Anthonia and associate Bayo Dada before the court, Ikeja on a 29 count charge of allege stealing of N49.7 billion belonging to the bank. The theft charge was later amended and reduced to a 22 count charge when the commission dropped his wife, Anthonia, from the list of the accused persons following their inability to arraign her before the court to face charges. .

The prosecution called two witnesses to collaborate its charges. The first witness was the Chief Inspector of Access Bank, Mr Abdulraheem Jimoh.

The second, Mrs Nkechi Ibekaku was one of the EFCC operatives that conducted investigation into the activities of the bank. when Dr Akingbola opened his defence, he

• Continued on page 34

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FROM THE COURT Efficient, independent and impartial judiciary is the bedrock of every democratic society. The Nigerian Judiciary is going through challenges in a bid to reinvent itself. As a New Year begins today, lawyers speak on the kind of judiciary they want.

The Judiciary of our dreams, by Senior Advocates

T

HE year 2012 was, indeed, a challenging and difficult one for the judiciary. This third arm of government saddled with resolving disputes between citizens and the government and among the citizens, witnessed a change in the leadership of the Supreme Court. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a female Chief Justice (CJN), Justice Aloma Miriam Mukhtar was appointed and inaugurated.

Before her inauguration, her predecessor in office, Justice Dahiru Musdapher acting on the recommendations of the Judicial Reform Committee, had embarked on serious reforms, which many believed would address most of the ills plaguing the judiciary.

Also within the year, on August 31, a new President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali (SAN), a critical stakeholder in the justice sector, was inaugurated.

These developments, nevertheless, have gone a long way in shaping our judicial landscape, inspiring hope, confidence and rising expectations of a light at the end of the tunnel among Nigerians. Most people hitherto lost confidence in the judiciary, a situation worsened by the face-off between Justice Aloysius Katsina –Alu (CJN) (rtd) and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami (PCA).

As we enter a new year, lawyers have expressed views on what they expect from the judiciary in 2013. The expectations, though divergent, boils down to the fact that it is not yet Uhuru for the justice sector.

For some, it is doomed, for others, there is hope, while many others call on the leadership of the sector to rise up to the challenge and give the country a courageous, incorruptible, independent and dependable judiciary that will truly remain a beacon of light in darkness and indeed, the last hope of the common man.

By John Austin Unachukwu

undue influences.The lawyers too have their own share of the blame because it takes two to tango. I really expect all stakeholders in the justice sector to work together to improve justice administration in the country in 2013. The government should increase budgetary allocation to the judiciary while the Bar and Bench forge a common front to improve the system

ernment wields a lot of powers and unless we tackle this, there is little or nothing that the judiciary will do, the major challenge facing Nigeria today is leadership problem and nothing more”

• Adesina (SAN)

• Adekoya (SAN)

‘Funke Adekoya (SAN) said: “It is only where the people believe in efficacy of the court system that they will patronise it for the settlement of their disputes. From the high profile fraud, corruption and other criminal cases which are commenced and then languish in court for ever, to the everyday breach of contract, negligence and civil claims filed by ordinary citizens, people are losing confidence in the court system as a means of obtaining redress.

“Using the court system is how the majority of lawyers derive their employment and so, we feel the effects of this discontent. I wish that in 2013, the judges will remember that they became judges so that they can dispense justice to the people, not so that they can ‘preside’ over court rooms.

They should remember that justice delayed is justice denied. The judges should manage their cause lists so that cases do not go on forever, where available, they should use the frontloading effects of their court rules to proactively manage cases and stop lawyers from wasting court time. “ The use of electronic technology should be embraced by all courts. It can be used not just to record proceedings, but using voice recognition systems to transcribe the spoken word into written format, will also save time in compiling the written record.”

• Prof Osinbajo (SAN)

Former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) said: “ We are in the throes of possibly the greatest crisis of our administration of Justice system”.

Chairman NBA Rule of Law Action Group, Dele Adesina (SAN) said: “ I believe that the Judiciary remains one of the very independent, brave, and courageous judiciary in the continent of Africa. A good number of our judges are highly respectable, hardworking and disciplined. On the democratic front, it has continued to play a solid and decisive role in stabilising the polity.

“I think the greatest challenge that the judiciary and all of us connected with it must overcome in 2013 is about how to stop judging the entire judicial system with the falling standard of a very insignificant few “Consequently, the inbuilt disciplinary mechanism of the system must be re-invigorated to flush out the bad eggs. Also, all stakeholders must in a strategic and co-ordinated program, rescue the judiciary from the perception that portrays Nigerian Judiciary as the most corrupt in the world in 2013, the judiciary must in practical terms, decisively address the question of delay in our justice system. To this end, there must be a workable program to reduce the time lag from the filing of a suit to the delivery of judgement. “ Frivolous application for adjournments from Lawyers must be continually refused. The provision of the Rules of Court on Personal liability for cost against erring Lawyers should be given full force. Our Judges, particularly of the High Courts should take full advantage of the rules on case management and take full control of their cases and Courts to deliver speedy justice. Justice delayed is justice denied.

The trust and confidence of the public must be restored. In the year 2013, there will be more strategic collaborations between the Bar and Bench to bring about the judiciary of our dream” Alternate Chairman, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) said

inextricably linked to the productivity of judges, something drastic has to be done concerning the productivity of our judges. A situation where there are no strict parameters for assessing the productivity of judges is unacceptable. Sanctions must not only be enthroned, but must be rigorously enforced against unproductive judges.

This will decongest the cases in court and curb delay in justice delivery.

“Corruption is also another thorny issue in our judicial system. We cannot pretend any longer that this is not the case. The National Judicial Council should vigorously, speedily and consistently discipline corrupt judicial officers. Enforcement of disciplinary measures against errant lawyers should also be enhanced.

“As I have noted elsewhere, human rights cases largely border on human liberty. This nexus is not sufficiently underpinned by current procedural rules at both trial and appellate courts, leading to delays and occasioning difficulties for citizens. There is an urgent need for issuance of Practice Directions to ensure accelerated hearing of human rights cases”.

•Essien, (SAN)

Miannaya Essien, (SAN) said: “The CJN noted in September 2012, at the special Court session to mark the legal year that, except laws were administered “fairly, rationally, consistently, impartially and devoid of any improper influences, a society cannot operate.”

The judiciary we look forward to in 2013 should embody these attributes to ensure citizens have renewed confidence in the judiciary.

“We also hope there will be more computerisation, so that judicial officers and their supporting officials, can have increased access to e-libraries and the wealth of information available on the internet etc. in relation to law in Nigeria and other jurisdictions.

“With computerisation and e-technology, decisions of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal should be made more readily accessible and this should help to reduce the number of conflicting decisions of the various divisions of the Court of Appeal as has been occurring in recent times.

This will assure citizens of consistency in justice delivery and the courts will have quicker access to information and precedents, which will enable them dispense justice faster.”

“There is no doubt that Nigerian judiciary has had its challenges in 2012.A lot of practising lawyers had one disappointments or the other.

In some courts judges were not sitting on time. And when these judges eventually came in late, they offered no explanation or apology to members of the Bar. “In other courts where the judges sat on time, they looked for very flimsy excuses to adjourn cases and matters before them. In other cases where the courts did sit and conducted businesses, the quality of the decisions and rulings left much to be desired. In reading through some of these judgments and rulings, you can see and infer, that all is not well with our justice delivery system. Some judges demonstrate outright intellectual laziness and jurisprudential indiscipline that one wonders why and how these judges found themselves on the Bench. That is not to say that all our judges are bad. No, some are good and are doing their best within the difficult environments they are subjected to work.

“Be that as it may, in 2013, it is my expectation that all the vices that we noticed in 2012 and before, with our judiciary and justice delivery system, will be a thing of the past. I expected to see our judges at all levels be business minded in discharge of their judicial responsibilities. Judges must sit on time, they should avoid adjournments except where it becomes absolutely necessary.

Judges must be in charge of their courts and avoid putting themselves in a situation that can compromise their independence and impartiality.

“Our judges must imbibe the good qualities of judicial officers, and avoid judicial tyranny or tyrannical conduct. Judges must use 2013 to clear back log of cases that have suffered adjournments as a result of political cases, I want to see our judges perform optimally in 2013. I want the judiciary to be bold in judgment and avoid conduct that will lend credence to the stories that the judiciary has become more corrupt. I want to see our judiciary do more in justice delivery system in 2013 where law will be used for the betterment and happiness of the greatest majority of Nigerian people. All judges handling corruption and corruption related cases must demonstrate to Nigerians that it is not business as usual. They must demonstrate total commitment to the fight against corruption by promptly attending to these cases with speed and deliver judgments that accord with the dictates of justice”.

• Akintola (SAN)

• Alegeh (SAN)

Chairman Data Base Committee, NBA, Augustin Alegeh (SAN) said: The past year was, indeed, very very challenging for the Judiciary. Our judges worked under very difficult conditions without the necessary tools that will ease their jobs. Some of them are poorly remunerated thus exposing them to

Chairman, Committee on Local Governments and Community Access to Justice, NBA, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) said: “ The major challenge facing the Nigerian state is that of inept leadership, a leadership that lacks focus and direction should be tackled and addressed and not the judiciary.

He drew attention to the Italian mafia during the Mafia era and concluded that nobody, not even the judiciary can operate outside a leadership that is directionless and weak.

Chief Akitola said it got to a point in Italy where people went to the courts and were sweeping the judges until the people protested.

He said: “ The Executive arm of gov-

• Falana (SAN)

• Ngige (SAN)

Chief Emaka Ngige (SAN) said: “Year 2012 witnessed mixed results for the Judiciary. In the new year, it is expected that greater transparency should attend the appointment of judges in particular. This will ensure that the complaints and disquiet, that usually attend such appointments become a thing of the past.

“Further, delay in justice delivery is

• Okutepa (SAN)

The Alternate Chairman, NBA Rule of Law Action Committee, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa (SAN) said:

Femi Falana (SAN) said: “ In Williams Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part II, a rebel demanded that “The first thing we do is , let’s kill all the lawyers”. Such hatred for lawyers confirms the age-long anti-people’s role of the legal profession in supporting injustice and oppresion. But by a twist of irony the legal profession has pro• Continued on page 33

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

33

LEGAL OPINION

SANs: the Judiciary of our dreams • Continued from page 32 duced Vladimir Lenin of Russia, Fidel Castro of Cuba and Nelson Mandela of South Africa and other progressive lawyers, who have changed the course of history. In the colonial era, Christopher Sapara Williams, the first Nigerian lawyer, led some of his colleagues to join the nationalist politicians that fought the authoritarian rule of the British imperialists on the platform of the rule of law.

“Since that golden era, only a handful of Nigerian lawyers have shown fidelity and commitment to the rule of law in defending the national interests under successive regimes. Regrettably, majority of lawyers usually pay lip service to the concept of the rule of law. In defending their clients, most lawyers do not hesitate to sacrifice the law to the detriment of society.

“In an atmosphere of impunity, most lawyers and judges are comfortable to pay lip service to the concept of the rule of law. In the process, the law has become so discredited to the extent that no Nigerian wishes to set foot in a court at any time in his life. here is not much to celebrate in the year 2012 as far as the judiciary is concerned. Both the supreme court and the court of appeal failed to recognise the danger of handing down controversial and contradictory judgments which have made the law so uncertain in some areas.

Some high court judges issued ex parte orders in questionable circumstances.

Through the election petition tribunals many judges and senior lawyers have smiled to the banks. It is generally believed that a Nigerian court has become a bazaar market for the highest bidder.

“Of course, the year witnessed the appointment of the first female chief justice in the person of Justice Aloma Muktar. The National Judicial Council was unable to stand its ground in the case of Justice Ayo Salami, the suspended President of the Court of Appeal. It also faultered in the case of Justice Ifeoma Jumbo-Offor of the Court of Appeal, who was subjected to undeserved embarrassment on account of an illegal directive of the Federal Character Commission. As if that was not enough the NJC has, without any legal justification, involved itself in the transfer of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole from Lagos state to Osun state. “ It is an internal affair of a state which does not concern the authorities in Abuja. It is high time the NJC was made to operate within the Constitution and stop dabbling into matters in which it has no competence. In 2013, judges are going to continue to deal with matters brought before them. A lot therefore, depends on the nature of cases filed in courts by litigants and the handling of such cases by lawyers.

For instance, in recent time, many frivolous cases were filed by senior lawyers seeking to stop the arrest or prosecution of their clients who were accused of grave criminal offences.

Unlike other jurisdictions where lawyers are sanctioned for filing motions that are designed to cause delay or frustrate trials, lawyers are at liberty in Nigeria to sabotage the legal system without any repercussions.

“Unfortunately, Nigerian judges and lawyers have failed to draw any lesson from the disgraceful management of the case of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, by the Federal High Court. A man who was declared innocent and freed by a Nigerian judge of 170-count charge pleaded guilty to similar charges of fraud and money laundering in the United Kingdom and was convicted and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment. Neither the Judiciary nor the Bar deemed it fit to probe the role of trial Judge and the lawyers involved in the subversion of the judicial process.

“But as the nation wobbles towards 2013, the verdict of the courts in some cases will have reverberating effect on the polity. Curiously, some pre-election matters arising from the 2007 and 2011 elections are yet to be concluded.

Eventually, the verdicts of the appellate courts on some of the cases may lead to the removal of some legislators whose elections will be nullified.

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The determination of cases relating to the fate of Justice Salami will be deliberately delayed till October 2013 when he is due to bow out of the bench since he has become a persona non grata in the Bench. With increasing corruption in the country the search light is going to be on the judiciary. The handling of cases of ex-governors and fuel subsidy scam suspects will have an impact on the image of the judiciary and the rating of the country in the global corruption index.

“No doubt, there will be public interest cases to fight executive lawlessness, corruption and abuse of power.

One hopes that our judges will realise that the doctrine of locus standi has been wittled down considerably. The human rights community will forge ahead in demanding for the enforcement of socio-economic rights enshrined in the African charter of human and peoples’ rights through the courts. If Nigerian courts continue to strike out such serious cases for want of locus standi, many NGOs will turn to the Economic Community for West African States ( ECOWAS) court for succour. For instance, two of the judgments obtained from that court by the Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) have upheld the rights of Nigerians to education and satisfactory environment.

In order to enrich the jurisprudence of appellate courts and enrich the quality of the Bench, lawyers are going to intensify the campaign for appointment of practising lawyers and law professors as judges. This was the practice in the past, but now, it has become a promotion exercise, this reactionary policy has to stop in the interest of the country. However, many lawyers are going to support the plan of the federal government to stop the police from prosecuting cases in our courts.

Apart from the employment of thousands of lawyers as prosecutors, the policy is going to improve the quality of prosecution of criminal cases, particularly, in the area and magistrate courts throughout the Federation.

With the setting up of an Anti-corruption commission by the NBA, headed by Yussuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), it should be possible to expose and shame corrupt lawyers who serve as conduit pipes for corrupt judges.

“But a lot depends on the political will of the leadership of the Bar to go the whole hog. However, the antigraft agencies will continue to deal with discredited lawyers if the NBA cannot purge itself of corrupt but influential members. Some concerned lawyers appear determined to challenge the status quo, already a group of lawyers under the Rule of Law Group have demanded for the democratisation of the NBA. “Another group has been campaigning for the abolition of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Those who are opposed to outright abolition of the rank are calling for farreaching reforms to rid the exercise of any form of discretion by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee. In any case the Bar leadership is going to face the challenge of relevance as it strives to address the agitations of the generality of members who have been excluded from the affairs of the NBA. Time is certainly not on the side of Nigerian lawyers!”

• Kwaku

Hajiya Fatima Kwaku said: “The judiciary I knew when I started practicing as a lawyer just over 36 years ago is today, in many respects, a mere shadow

of its former self. The truth of the matter is, in the words of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapha : “ ….quality and timeliness of the trial process, procedural inefficiencies, poor infrastructure, poor conditions of service for judicial and nonjudicial officers, declining intellectual quality and reasoning content of delivered judgements, corruption, as well as the effects of unrestrained quest for political power have all served to disrupt the efficiency of the judiciary and damage its perception.

“There is no disputing the fact that society is far from satisfied with the performance of the judiciary and legal profession as a whole. Consequently what once used to be regarded and referred to as the one and only “ Honourable “ profession and the “last hope of the common man” is today gradually and systematically being dragged into the same mud as the remaining two arms of the government.

“There is dire need, therefore, to face reality and take all appropriate steps to arrest the situation from further deteriorating in order to restore the very necessary public confidence in our judicial system-otherwise the country as a whole is doomed.

“Like Martin Luther King I too have a dream that one day Nigeria will have a judiciary which is truly independent and free from external pressure to be compromised. A judiciary where honesty, integrity, commitment, dedication and devotion are the core/foremost rules of engagement.”

A judiciary where the society shall enjoy efficient, effective, and coordinated system of justice that guarantees security, fairness, equality and adherence to the rule of law. A judiciary where there will be speedy dispensation of justice through modernizing facilities, systems and processes. A judiciary where justice shall be done and shall be seen to be done irrespective of the social status or the financial capacity of the litigant. A judiciary which is in the forefront of the fight against corruption by first and foremost challenging and cleansing itself of the menace. A judiciary where the dignity of and respect for judicial officers shall be second to none. A judiciary where both the judicial and nonjudicial officers constantly bear in mind the level/gravity of the trust reposed in them and, above all, the need for them to perform their duties with the fear of the Almighty God.”

• Ubani

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HAIRMAN of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja branch, Mr Monday Onyekachi Ubani, said: “ Apart from Justice Salami’s saga, the retirement of the former CJN and the swearing in, for the first time of a female CJN, not much could be attributed to the Judiciary in 2012. My expectations from the Judiciary in 2013 include: “A strong institution that is fairly independent, ready to dispense justice expeditiously without fear or favour irrespective of the social standing of the litigant. A bold, strong and justice driven judiciary is what Nigeria needs to nip all crimes in the bud. These crimes include corruption, kidnapping, terrorism, robbery and sundry vices.

“Nigerians are expecting Chief Justice Aloma Miriam Mukhtar to fulfil her promise of ensuring a corruption free judiciary which she made during her swearing in ceremony “

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Nature’s fury adds to mis-governance

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Y the number of President Goodluck Jonathan’s beneficiaries of the flood disaster intervention fund, nearly all the thirty-six states of the federation are affected by the flood that had made further mincemeat of our disabled federal republic of Nigeria. Shamelessly, despite the billions of naira spent over the years on operation feed the nation, to build tens of dams and idle silos, to empower tens of river basin authorities and to run a bloated federal Ministry of Agriculture headed by bow-tie wearing Ministers, Nigerians should brace up for serious food crisis next year. Considering our disability in normal times, arising from corruption and incompetence of our political leaders, Nigeria once again showed her unpreparedness for any natural disaster.

From Bayelsa and Rivers states through Anambra and Delta to Kogi and Benue states, all the major food belt states abutting the over flowing rivers Niger and Benue, and several other adjourning states are having their days under the water. Several of the affected states were also buffeted by predicted intensive rain. As many internally displaced Nigerians affected by this calamity will confess, the idea of hell as only a burning fire may not be entirely correct. No doubt, for them, too much water can be hell also. Imagine an entire house, furniture, food, cars, books, electronics and even lives, submerged in water. You have everything today, and then suddenly tomorrow, the flood sweeps everything away and you become a beggar, in a country ruled by predators.

As the federal government’s 2013 budget proposal shows, no lessons have been learnt. The occupants of Aso Rock are determined to enjoy their second chance, apologies to Dame Patience Jonathan, as much as they enjoyed their first chance. They and their friends are still engaged in a feeding frenzy, budgeting nearly a billion to feed the families of Mr. President and the Vice President. While billions of naira was budgeted for power generators this year, several billions of naira is again budgeted for the same generators next year. Never mind that Mr. President promised to cut down on his wasteful travels; he has gone ahead to increase the budget for next year’s junketing. At the end of the day, the recurrent expenditure is more than 70per cent of the budget, leaving nearly nothing for capital expenditure; and yet promises were made in the past to reverse this trend.

Again shamelessly those who misled President Jonathan to disengage Professor Barth Nnaji, from his duty post at the Ministry of Power based on spurious allegations have quickly shared our common power patrimony amongst themselves. For them, the definition of conflict of interest must come with a prefix - applicable to others and not to us. While selling off the electricity distribution companies, they never bothered that some of the beneficiaries who offered to buy the legacy companies have serious questions to answer for their stewardship in power. Just like the infamy that underpins the several unsuccessful attempts to sell Nigeria’s telecommunications company, NITEL, this sale is likely to falter, and while the consumers suffer, they will go back to their beloved NEPA contracts, to continue to hemorrhage our common resources. For them, head or tale, they gain.

Most of the states affected by flood will be in for a huge shock when a report of how much has been spent to cater for the displaced persons is rendered. Many of the Governors and federal officials will use the opportunity of the flood disaster to further steal from the scarce state resources, and any talk about whether their conscience will prick them to do it right, is like hoping to stop rigging in elections. Unfortunately most of the Governors remain unaccountable to neither the state assemblies nor the people. For this group, the resources of the state are theirs to spend as they please.

These are the group that use such abnormal words as ‘my money’, when referring to the money belonging to the state, and who treat their commissioners and state officials as errand boys. As recently exemplified in Kogi, a group of lawless members of the state house of assembly with the apparent connivance of the state Governor shamelessly in disregard of the constitutional provisions, purportedly sacked the Speaker of the state assembly and other principal officers.

The ordinary folks in turn borrow a leaf from their lawless power elites. For purportedly stealing sundry items, some idle and disgruntled people of Aluu community in Rivers state, turn themselves to jury and executioners, beating and burning to death, four young persons living in their community. Now that a film of the mindless murder is broadcast across the internet, the shame is that of every Nigerian, as the international community will be wandering, what manner of people inhabits this part of the world. Again the blood thirsty members of Boko Haram and their allies in the Northern part of the country are continuing their efforts to turn that area of the country to a waste land. From the Mubi Polytechnic to the churches and the streets, the mindless murders of innocent Nigerians remain their pride. Of course all these in addition to the ugly business of kidnapping in the Southern part of Nigeria.

In all this, the state security agencies remain overwhelmed. President Jonathan mimicking power and influence recently went to Mali to promise that the ECOWAS leaders will restore sanity in the northern part of that country. Yet he is unable to heal his own country of the same ailment. As the resurfaced President’s wife rightly said, there is a chance for a new beginning; and the way to go about it is to become sober and restore sanity to public governance; more so as nature’s fury seems on the rise across the world.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

34

LAW & SOCIETY

How judicial, media relationship can enhance society Former Chief Justice Dahiru Musdapher and other prominent Nigerians, including Senior Advocates, at a forum in Lagos, identified ways the judiciary and the media could collaborate to ensure a society driven by adherence to the globally accepted principles of rule of law and public accountability. This, they argued, will enhance social justice and help safeguard democratic liberties. ERIC IKHILAE and PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU report.

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O sustain the nation’s democ racy, the government must ensure that the judiciary and media exist unencumbered. This is because of the inherent benefits the society derives in their independence.

Such benefits heightened where there exists a harmonious relationship between the judiciary and the media – the third and forth estates of the realm. A major features of the relationship between both institutions, where they are unfettered, exists in their ability to protect and sustain democratic liberties Where both institutions are afforded sufficient freedom to function, they also serve to check the excesses of the other arms of government and by so doing, ensure probity and accountability in the management of state’s affairs.

Where the judiciary is independent and the media free media, they both function to create an ordered society, driven by rule of law and social justice which form the basic prerequisites for the realization of a tranquil and virile society.

An independent judiciary is that which, in mediating social conflicts, always ensures justice and remained blind to extraneous influences. A free media on the other hand, always ensure accuracy, fairness and objectivity while playing its watchdog role.

This belief formed the kernel of discussions at the second annual lecture of a national daily - National Mirror newspaper, held in Lagos.

In a paper titled: “Media and judiciary: A necessary symbiosis,” former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, contended that, regardless of the differences in their orientations, a mutually reinforcing relationship exists between the media and judiciary.

The relationship, he insisted, must be nurtured in view of its ability to promote democracy, rule of law and social justice, impetus needed to reverse the country’s current social contradictions.

Other speakers, including Anthony Idigbe (SAN), Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), rights activist, Fred Agbaje, Chair, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, Taiwo Taiwo and businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim shared Musdapher’s position and argued that both institutions must engage in self reexamination to effectively play their roles as change agents.

He regretted the unenviable state of affairs in the country. Musdapher argued that rather than serve to help evolve a democratic society driven by rule of law and probity, the country’s judiciary and media are themselves victims of the vari-

• From left: Funminiyi Afuye; Yusuph Olaniyonu; Alhaji Salim Sanda, Dr Amos Akingba and Jimoh Ibrahim at the event.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI.

ous social ills that plague the nation.

He observed that the nation’s judiciary currently lacked the needed public confidence, but instead associated with corruption and unethical conduct, a development he attributed to the quality of minds on the bench, the process of appointment and the general foul mood of the society.

Musdapher noted that the media was not better either. To him, the media has thrown over board, its much cherished principles of accuracy, fairness, objectivity and factual reporting.

The former CJN regretted that on some occasions, media has even served either wittingly or otherwise, as a tool for political litigants, keen on whipping sentiments towards their cause, to disparage malign the judiciary.

These failings on the part of the judiciary and media, he argued, have only helped to promote the current state of immorality and lawless, from which the country must urgently be retrieved.

To salvage the country from this perilous state, and restore probity and accountability in the public space, the former CJN the judiciary and media must be helped to perform their roles the right way.

He said, to achieve this, both institutions must extricate themselves from extraneous interference, tolerate each other and work towards a common goal of ensuring a just and democratic society.

Mustapher argued that the era was gone where the media was placed at arms length by the judiciary. He suggested that, while keeping some sensitive information from the media, the judiciary must, more than ever before, be more opened to the media.

“The time has come when laws regarding contempt of court should be liberalized and the media afforded an opportunity to comment on the conduct of judges and on their decisions,” he said.

This enhanced relationship between the judiciary and media, he said is necessary to reinforce public confidence in the court, eliminate public misconception of judicial conduct and provide media practitioners with better understanding of the workings of the judiciary.

The CJN, in underscoring the importance of an enhanced relationship between the judiciary and media in the creation a free society, argued that where both institutions are independent, democratic liberties are guaranteed.

He charged the media to also strive to always ensure factual reportage of judicial activities, and be cautious where the reputation of a judicial officer is concern. This he said, was necessary in view of the damage a wrong report about the judiciary and its officials could do to peaceful and orderly existence in any society.

According to him, the media possesses the multidimensional role in the promotion of values and virtues in the society as well as in the dispensation of justice. He added that the media could be very instrumental in uncovering crime besides playing a key role in projecting a vision of order, justice, stability and change.

Idigbe agreed with Musdapher that an independent judiciary and a free media were capable of engendering sustained democratic governance anchored on the twin principles of rule of law and social justice.

He noted that despite its current

challenges, the nation has witnesses some progress since the reestablishment of democracy 13 years ago. This, he said, informed why it was necessary for all to work towards protecting democracy in the country.

Idigbe said he agreed that the judiciary and the media could reverse the various challenges confronting the country and urged them to shun all acts inimical to societal growth.

Ayorinde stated that the media and judiciary remain the real guidance of democracy, because in them lies the hope of the common man.

He observed that the media possesses the power of identifying and promoting good leadership in every society.

He urged the media to change from its current practice of emphasizing the elite to being mass oriented, by devoting time and space to issues affecting the down trodden.

Taiwo expressed discomfort over media reportage of court activities and advised media practitioners to be “circumspect in reporting court cases.

“If we want a very viable democracy, we should be careful in the way we write about and comment on cases in court,” he said.

Agbaje, who frowned at the conduct of some judicial officers, particularly of the lower courts, advocated more openness in the activities of the court.

He cited a case of a magistrate in Lagos, who does not tolerate journalists and prevent media coverage of the court’s proceedings.

Ibrahim advocated a change of attitude on the part of many serving judicial officers. He cited instances of unethical conduct, noting that at some instances, judges

Lagos gets manual on compulsory Pro-Bono service for lawyers

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HE 12-man committee set up by the Lagos State govern ment to draft a manual on how Pro Bono can be structured, resourced, directed and supported to provide better access to justice through the Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership [LPILP] has submitted its report.

Speaking during the official handing over of the LPILP manual by the 12-Man Committee set up to work on the manual ,led by its chairman, Prof Lanre Fagbohun, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye, enunciated that the philosophy behind the provision of pro bono services in Lagos State is to ensure that everyone has equal access to justice ye explained that.

Ipaye said the orientation of the state government has changed and

By Adebisi Onanuga

more emphasis is now laid on rendering free legal services to the indigent and disadvantaged in our society through LPILP. TheLPILP is a public and private collaborative and supportive legal service pro bono project established to enhance access to justice and address other legal needs of the indigent, disadvantaged and marginalised residents of Lagos.

The commissioner stated that access to justice by deserving, disadvantaged self-represented parties who have meritorious legal issues has now been classified as a right for all Lagosians.

He reiterated that after studying the manual it will be published with due recognition of all the members of the committee.

“This is a very delightful moment for me. I am indeed grateful. I am particularly happy that this is coming this year so that we will have a clear mandate to implement next year.” Ipaye noted.

In his remark, the Chairman of the committee, Professor Fagbohun commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola for the Initiative and other initiatives aimed at making Lagos safe and habitable.

Fagbohun thanked the AttorneyGeneral for the honour and confidence bestowed on him and members of the committee to work out a manual for the implementation of pro-bono service in the state.

He also expressed appreciation for his colleagues in the committee who he said worked tirelessly and ensured that they presented

• Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Ade Ipaye

something that the state will be proud of.

• Justice Musdapher

take some indefensible decisions.

He expressed worry over instances where judges abuse the application of ex-parte injunction, arguing that such practice does not help the society. “The judges must understand the importance of the continued existence of Nigeria to all of us,” he said.

Some major cases likely to shape the courts in 2013 • Continued from page 31

With the development, proceedings earlier scheduled for today has also been cancelled, in the case that has suffered several adjournment in recent time.

Ikuforiji and Atoyebi are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering offences.

They are facing a 20-charged in which they are accused of accepting about N501m cash payment from the House of Assembly without going through a financial institution, an act the EFCC argued, violated the provisions of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. There is also the case between businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim and some four pioneer directors of the troubled news magazine- Newswatch. Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Lagos will in March deliver judgment in this suit marked: FHC/CS/1054/ 2012, filed by Ibrahim, his company, Global Media MirrorLimited and Newswatch Communications Ltd. They are praying the court to, among others, restrain the directors, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed and Soji Akinrinade from further acting as directors of Newswatch on the ground that they had allegedly resigned voluntarily from the position.

The plaintiffs set six questions for the court’s determination and sought six declarative reliefs and an order.

Parties adopted their final written addresses in early December, during which the directors asked the court to dismiss a suit onthe ground that it is without basis. The directors, who were in court in person argued their preliminary objection, contended that suit disclosed no reasonable cause of action against them and that the Ibrahim was not authorized by Newswatch to sue them.

Some children of prominent politicians, including Mahmud Tukur, Abdullahi Alao, Mamman Ali; their companies and business associates Alex Ochonogor , Christian Taylor are now before the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on trial for their alleged involvement in the fuel subsidy fraud running into billions of naira. There are reports that there were underground moves to arrive at an out of court settlement in some of these cases.

35

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

LAW & SOCIETY In this piece, the president of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) , Okey Wali (SAN) appraises his four months in office, chronicles his efforts towards fulfilling his campaign promises and sets agenda for the future of the Bar.

NBA: Journey so far, task ahead

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CROSS the world, building institutions is not easy, and that is even more difficult in a country like Nigeria with weak institutions.

It was this drive for strengthening our institutions in Nigeria that made me contest for the presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), being my immediate constituency as an active member of the Bar. With the membership of over 80,000 lawyers, the NBA has 100 branch network spread across the 36 states of the Federation, including the Federal capital territory.

NBA has three specialised Sections, five Foras, two Institutes, and various Committees through which Bar activities are carried out.

I ran my campaign on a 10 cardinal point agenda, which I committed myself to in my inaugural speech at my swearing in on August 31, 2012, this 10-point agenda are: Branch Capacity Building; Professionalizing the Secretariat; Financial Responsibility; Human Capacity Building; Institutional Synergy With Regional And International Organizations, Bar Associations and Law Societies; Human Rights Programme; Anti-corruption Crusade; Uplifting Professional Standards; Criminal Justice System & Access to Justice; Robust Legislative Advocacy Since my inauguration, I hit the ground running towards the execution of the 10 point agenda, the 10 programme of action, were carefully developed.

Bearing in mind, the regulatory, representative, and public interest roles, which a Bar Association should play in a country. Also, bearing in mind the enormity of this tripartite roles of the Bar association, I have set up a total of 24

By Okey Wali (SAN)

(twenty-four) Committees including Constitutional and Law reform Committee, Rule of Law Action Group, Anti-Corruption Commission, Capacity Building Committee, Welfare Trust Fund committee, etc.

The first task I performed in my capacity as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association was to organize a Bar leaders Summit on the future of the Nigerian Bar Association.

The purpose of the summit, which was attended by eminent Bar Leaders, was to discuss the issues and challenges affecting the growth of the Nigerian Bar Association, and to develop a strategic development plan for the Nigerian Bar Association. The need for the strategic plan was borne out of determination of my administration to restructure the operations of the NBA, and bringing it in line with International Best Standards. We believe the strategic plan will ensure continuity and consistency of programmes and policies, rather than every administration coming up with a two year programme plan that are already on ground. I am happy to say, that the first draft of the NBA Strategic Plan will be ready for consideration at the February National Executive Committee Meeting of the NBA. Apart from the representative and public interest roles the NBA had played so far since my assumption of office, we have also played a very strong role in regulatory issues, especially with regards to professional conduct. In this regards, my administration has set up zonal NBA disciplinary Committees to investigate professional misconduct and recommend appropriate cases to the Legal Practitioner Disciplinary Committee for prosecution.

We have also appointed prosecutors to handle prima facie case before the LPDC. Another area which has received serious attention since I assumed office is the issue of capacity building. Apart from weak institutions in Nigeria, part of the challenges we face is the apparent lack of capacity to provide various services.

This dearth of capacity is glaring in the legal profession and within the Bar. To tackle the capacity challenges head long, the NBA under my watch has decided to adopt two pronged approach: capacity building for branches, and capacity building for lawyers, which are to be driven by NBA Capacity Building Committee and NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education respectively. They would design and implement training programs for branches and lawyers.

It is worthy of note that, the 10 point agenda can only be implemented with financial capacity.

Therefore, in order to generate the much needed revenue, I have set up 2 Committees as follows: the NBA Building Development Fund Raising Committee with the specific mandate to raise funds for the building and furnishing of the NBA National Head Office in Abuja, and the NBA Finance Committee.

Although we hit the ground running since assuming office, we have only succeeded in laying the foundation for the herculean task ahead.

It remains for us to commence the placing of building blocks of the swift execution. And the 1st building block in 2013 will be the organizing of the NBA Summit on Peace and Security in Nigeria. This summit which will hold on the 30th and 31st of January, 2013, will address the security challenges we are facing in Nigeria, and come up with

• Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Prof Ben Angwe (left) presenting a copy of the commission’s Human Rights Journal to NBA President, Oke Wali (SAN), when Wali and his exco visited the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

recommendations for resolutions.

In addition to building blocks for development, the NBA under my leadership has a vision of commencing in 2013 and possibly completing in 2014 a building edifice in Abuja to be known as the NBA House. This building, when completed, shall house the National Secretariat of the NBA. The year 2013, is a significant year for both Nigeria and the NBA. The NBA shall not only get involve in constitution review and electoral reform process in Nigeria, but also will engage the National Assembly, using the NBA legislative Advocacy mechanism to push for the enactment of the Justice Sector Bills pending at the National Assembly, especially those bills that are consolidating the legal profession.

The welfare of lawyers will be of paramount importance to the NBA in 2013, from the data base of lawyers and law firms, to issues concerning liberalization of legal serv-

ices, and protecting our works from foreign lawyers.

It could be gleaned from the foregoing, that the NBA intend to fire on each regulatory, representative, and public interest cylinders in the fulfillment of its roles as a Bar Association.

We shall not only be active; we shall be proactive. We shall speak to issues affecting Nigeria and Nigerian Citizens. We shall implacably rise in defense of Human Rights and promotion of the Rule of Law. As we move into a new year, I call on all members and the general public to join the NBA in not only defending democracy, but also challenging impunity in the land.

For the support, lawyers and nonlawyers have given to the NBA so far, I say thank you. The Bar will remain eternally grateful.

On behalf of the NBA, I wish all and sundry, both members and non-members, young and old, a very prosperous 2013

It was supposed to be an evening for lawyers to wind down in a cosy environment. But the 2012 Annual Bar Dinner of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, turned out to be an evening of revelations. PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports

As Lagos Bar holds annual dinner

F

ROM today, the Lagos judici ary may go online, the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips, has said.

She spoke at the annual dinner of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos.

Ealier the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos, Mr. Taiwo-Taiwo said the Justice Philips had agreed to give the NBA an office accommodation within the premises of the Lagos High Court. It was at the 2012 annual bar dinner held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island.

This announcement was greeted by a resounding applause and praises for the CJ as lawyers refilled their empty glasses.

As if that was not enough, the CJ, made another disclosure which she said was aimed at making the practice of law easier.

She announced that the state’s judiciary will by January 1, 2013, go online, adding that the development will be seconded by a functional e-library to avail lawyers the necessary and needed information.

Philips said she was doing everything possible to ensure that lawyers were comfortable adding that “you cannot be a judge without being a lawyer.

She said: “Your chairman seem to have arm twisted me in his short remark earlier when he said I have agreed to give the Lagos NBA an office space in the court because I

was still considering the request.

“All bars in Lagos are very dear to my heart that is why I have always done everything possible to ensure you are comfortable. I have tried to see what we can do to make practice more comfortable for layers.

“I promised at my assumption of office to commence with information technology. That was why a committee was set up and I am certain that by Janauary 1, 2013, Lagos judiciary will go live with infotech.

“After that we shall commence with the e-library. This is because we have to get the server stable and working. We already have a Lagos judiciary website and I want to urge you to see the Chairman, IT committee, Justice Oshodin if you have suggestions.

For the presiding judge, Court of Appeal, Lagos, Justice Amina Augie, such events provide opportunity for thanksgiving to the creator, as well as avenue for those who have not done well to buckle up.

Taiwo-Taiwo earlier stated that lawyers were congesting the courts and over working judges even as he urged them to desist from running judges down in the media.

“Some cases ought not to go to court but lawyers file them. We should try as much as possible to look at cases critically and offer honest advice to clients. Money should not be the ultimate.

• From left: Justice Philips, Ajayi (SAN) and Justice Amina Augie (JCA)

“By the time we have another dinner next year, I won’t be chairman.

So, I want us to deliberate on an issue that has been bothering me which is the way we ethnicise the NBA. “As lawyers we should be shining examples of unity. We ought not to be tribalistic because we are cosmopolitan. It should not be about where a person comes from but what he/ she has to offer,” the chairman said.

The bar also used the dinner as an opportunity to recognise four distinguished individuals who have contributed in no small measure to the development of the bar.

They honourees were two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) Chief G.O.K. Ajayi and Prof. Yemi

Osinbajo, Chartered Arbitrator, Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, as well as President, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Mrs. Boma Ozobia.

Mrs. Ozobia, who said she was humbled by the recognition from her peers and seniors, told The Nation that the award was a call for continuous service to the community.

She said: “Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of the country were top commercial lawyers practice, so I feel honoured and privileged to be singled out.

“It means people recognise the works we have been doing and I am sure it will serve as a yardstick to spur younger lawyers to delve

towards community service and not just pursuing money alone.”

On the challenges of practicing law in the country, the Commonwealth Lawyers’ President said the kind of training obtained in the country does not favour young lawyers.

She said there are still a lot of avenues unexploited by lawyers in the country which has served as income generating ventures for other Commonwealth countries.

“We are missing a lot in such areas as transactional work as well as legal processes outsourcing. These are areas were lawyers and firms in other Commonwealth countries generate billions of dollars annually. So, we need to tap into such ventures,” she said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

36

LAW PERSONALITY

‘Only financial autonomy will secure judiciary’s independence’ Mustapha Imam, a member of the Database Committee of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), can be described as a civil rights activist. He was the President of the Law Students Society of the Bayero University Kano from where he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Bwari Campus, Abuja. After his call to the Nigerian Bar, he worked briefly with the Constitutional Rights Project (CRP) and Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) where he met such activists as Clement Nwankwor and Hon. Abdul Oro, who he served as a Personal Assistant in the House of Representatives.

In this interview, Imam speaks on the fallen standards of legal education, the challenges facing young lawyers, human rights violation and sundry national issues. JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU met him

C

AN you give an insight into your background?

I am Mustapha Imam, I am from Kano State, my parents came from Wudil and Garko local governments of Kano State. I attended Bayero University, Kano( BUK) between 1995-2000 for my Bachelor of Laws, LL.B Degree.

At the University, I was a students union activist, in fact, I was the president of the law student Society, BUK from December 1998 to February 2000 from where I proceeded to the Nigerian law School, Bwari, Abuja.

At the school, I was member of the Students Representative Council (SRC) where I served as the Deputy General Secretary.

What has been your career path after your call to the Bar in 2003?

Well, after my call to Bar, I went into law practice and I have served the country and the Bar in various capacities. I was privileged to come into contact with such activists as Abdul Oroh, then President Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) who I later served as his first Personal Assistant when he was elected into the House of Representatives to represent Owan Federal Constituency of Edo State, Mr Clement Nwanko of the CRP and a host of others. I served as a member of the Human Rights Committee of the NBA 2006-2008 and currently, a member of the Data Base Committee of NBA in the process, I came in contact with such activists as Prof. Awwalu Yadudu H. Yadudu, Alhaji Sarki Abdullahi Imam (Makaman Kano), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN and Muzamilu Sani Hanga who touched his life one way or the other During the All African Games Abuja 2003 (COJA) I was a staff COJA and I worked with the accreditation unit, where I was privi-

leged to served as manager accreditation in charge of the Nigerian VIP’s and Presidential Committee on All African Games (P.C.A.A.Gs) which was headed by the then Vice-President, Dr. Atiku Abubakar and his Deputy Conel Musa Muhammad.

I will never forget my mentor Mr. Taye Ige who was at that time, was the head of the accreditation unit. He was the one who assigned me to handled all the VIPs issues concerning accreditation I was later employed as a state counsel ministry of justice, Kano in 2006.

It is widely believed that the standard of legal education has greatly fallen in the country, what is your reaction to this?

There several combination of factors that contribute to the fallen standard of legal education in Nigeria. Among them is the university system, Government allowed the establishment of several law faculties by the new generation universities without adequate manpower and facilities, then at the Nigerian law school level, their major constrain is lack of sufficient funds to execute several projects that will enhance the quality of the student’s produced.

Why do you say this?

This is because, I was privileged to served as liason officer to the members of the committee on legal education of the NBA when we visited Kano campus of the Nigerian law school. In short, what the committee saw at the school in terms of the level of infrastructural decadence was a big shame to this country. Consequently, you cannot expect a good services from the product of such terrible background.

Again, instead of investing more resources to renovate and put be-

Lagos lawyer faults NJC on Oyewole

C

HAIRMAN, Nigerian Bar Association( NBA) Lagos branch, Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, has faulted the position of the National Judicial Council (NJC) on Justice Oyewole. The Osun State Government has sought the transfer of the services of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, an indigen of the State, from Lagos State Judiciary to the Judicial service of Osun State. Consequently, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayo Philips sent a memo to the Chief Justice of Nigeria Aloma Miriam Mukhtar to that effect.

The CJN took the matter to the NJC of which she is the chairman and penultimate week Thursday at its last meeting, the NJC decided that Justice Oyewole can only effect the desired transfer on the condition that he takes a fresh Oath of office and be resworn in Osun State.

This invariably means that he will loose his position in the hierarchy and also loose over 10 years of meritorious service which he has put in the Lagos State Judiciary. This action of the NJC has drawn the ire of legal practitioners who not only see this as anomalous, but also as unprecedented in the history of Judicial service in the country.

In a chat with The Nation, Taiwo said: “ I totally disagree with the notion that Justice

• Imam

fitting structures in the existing law schools, they now politicized it and went to establish two more campuses at Yola and Bayelsa. So these factors are some of the major factors responsible for the fallen standard of legal education in Nigeria.

How do we get out of this?

So, there is need by the government to increase the funding of the Nigerian law school so that they will be able to meet up with the challenges facing them. I really appreciate the level of commitment of the current chairman House of Representative committee on Justice and judiciary, Dr. Ahmad Ali who is seriously pushing for more financial resourcing toward that.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently deregistered some political parties, what is your reaction to this?

Ideally, based on our level of democracy in Nigeria, it was a right step taken by the INEC because, most of these political parties have no any structure on ground, some of them don’t even have permanent offices. So, I support the step taken by the INEC. Specialisation of practice is the global trend now, infact most lawyers are of the view that the era of jack of all trades, master of non is gone, what is your reaction to

this?

It is a very good idea generally, but, in the Nigerian context I don’t think that we are ripe enough to start specialization. In short, when you look at the level of bad governance in the country, you will agree with me that it has affected the entire sector of the country. The economy is not growing at all. The various sectors in which people would like to specialize are not growing, they are static. How then can you specialize in a redundant economy, hunger may kill you When you look at the economic sector in Nigeria it is virtually not working at all. All these are attributed to the issue of bad policies and inconsistencies in the policy of government.

But, with time when we are ripe for that, we can be able to practice specialization.

Justice sector administration has suffered serious setback in the country, how can we remedy this?

There are many factors that hinder the administration of justice sector in Nigeria.

The most fundamental is the interference from the government, particularly the procedure of the appointment of the members of the Bench be it either the lower courts (Magistrates) or in the higher Bench (Higher Court Judges).

In most cases, those that are appointed as magistrate rise up to became High Court Judges. But in most of the states of the Federation, you will see that a person that was freshly called to the Bar without any practical experience will be appointed as a magistrate.

In short, some in the same month they were called to the Bar were appointed as magistrates, you don’t need a prophet to tell you that we will face problems here in the future.

Equally, most of the people that have not practiced law from the time they were called to the Bar were appointed as High Court Judges. This trend contributes as some of the challenges confronting the administration of justice sector. The issue of corruption is another factor that affects this sector.

How do we resolve this?

My prayers are that qualified persons should be appointed as judges for our superior courts.

This will definitely strengthen the administration of justice sector.

Also, judges with high degree of integrity should be those that will be appointed to sit on election petition tribunals. Again, the judiciary must be independent particularly, financial independence, so that they can function effectively.

December 10 was the International Human Rights Day, what do think about human rights situation in the country?

Human rights violations have greatly reduced with the advent of democracy in the country.

However, in Nigerian context, whenever issues concerning violation of human Right arise, most people direct their fingers to the police, however, I disagree with that.

Personally I can say that the Nigerian Police remains one of the best police force in the world. If you look critically on their conditions of service, how they perform their functions without the necessary tools, obsolete and archaic guns, you will agree with me that they are doing their best. Nobody in their shoes would do better.

Right from their recruitment, training, welfare etc, you will see that the government is not seriously helping matters with respect to the Police. Then, how do you expect them to perform.

• Taiwo

O.Oyewole must be re-sworn and that he must start all over again.

I must state that this is not the first time that a Judge from another jurisdiction will transfer his service to another jurisdiction. “ In Lagos State, Late Justice Ligali Ayorinde transferred to Lagos, he did not forfeit his seniority being the year he was sworn in as a Chief Judge. JusticeO. Adagun(rtd) transferred his service to Lagos State from Maiduguri, he did not lose his seniority. Both of them became Chief Judge of Lagos State. They met other Judges in Lagos but they were given their due position as per when they were sworn in as judges!

“Justice A.L.A.L Balogun(rtd) was senior to Late Hon Justice Ayorinde iin the Federal Ministry of Justice. Howeve Justice Ayorinde was sworn in as a Judge before Justice A.L.A.L Balogun.

This is just to set the records straight at this time. The judiciary must be insulated from politics!”

• Mrs Ranti Daudu (left) and Mrs Carol Wali at the thanks giving organised by the Daudus to mark Ranti’s 50th birthday anniversary

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

37

LEGAL OPINION

Nigeria’s quest for environment governance • Continued from last week

T

HE issue is, however, much more com plex. The Exclusive List of the 1999 Con stitution arrogates substantial formidable federal powers which following basic principles of interpretation are likely to confer enormous and sweeping powers on the Federal government with respect to environmental management.42 This will involve the promulgation and enforcement of pollution control and other environmental regulations.

In addition, there are also significant powers contained in the Concurrent List and in respect of which the Federal government may on the basis that it had already addressed the issue invalidate a State law on a preemption basis.

On the contrary, and notwithstanding the argument made in favour of the State on the basis that environmental protection is a residual matter, it can also be contended that the power of the State to cognizance environmental matters derive primarily from section 4 (7) of the Constitution, while that of Local Governments derive from Schedule 4 of the Constitution. Section 4 (7) confers power on the State Assembly to make laws for the ‘peace, order and good governance of the State or any part thereof’. This is a phrase that clearly has a wider import. For all the tiers, it is trite that the grant of power carries with it an implication that all powers (including incidental, inherent or instrumental) necessary to carry the granted power into effect are also granted.

What implication does the above portend for the pertinent question earlier raised? Deducible from our analysis is that all the tiers of government can effectively regulate the environment and enforce pollution standards. However, against the background that the issues that the different tiers are supposed to regulate are cross-sectional and oftentimes integrated, the undefined ambit of environmental powers ultimately present formidable problems not only for the principle of autonomy as well-known within federal systems,45 but also for judicial determination of which level of government should make decisions about a particular environmental issue.

For the avoidance of doubt, the point being made here is not to suggest that the constitution should legislate allocation of environmental responsibility. That will amount to an attempt to do the impossible. Rather, the essence of the analysis is to show that where the system is not properly structured on how the different levels of government will responsibly agree on decisions about environmental protection, as is the case with Nigeria, the different tiers will end-up not cooperating with each other in the development of innovative solutions and best practices. The lower levels of government will also not be motivated to generate the social and technological innovations which can help meet the emerging environmental challenges.

In considering the roles of the different levels of government in environmental protection, two approaches are discernible. The first is the political scientist’s perspective which focuses on the constitutional division of power, and which we have said is not appropriate for the reasons earlier noted. The second is the economist’s theory of federalism which focuses on how alternative divisions of responsibility will engender increased efficiency. The level of government most likely to make a decision that achieves maximum efficiency is the one with the most potential

By Olanrewaju Fagbohun

to make the nation, as a whole, better off.

According to the economic theory of environmental federalism,48 if the objective is to maximise economic efficiency, then, the primary issue to consider is whether costs and benefits of efforts to protect the environment extend beyond local (or state) boundaries.

When the answer to that question is in the negative, economic principles indicate a stronger rationale for allowing localities (or states) to set their own standards. If the answer to the question is positive, a stronger rationale exists for setting the standards at the national level. Other factors that will have a role to play in the decision include which level of government has the most compelling information about underlying costs and benefits and whether centralising the standard-setting would yield savings in administrative costs.

Another potentially important issue to consider is whether states or localities would be likely to choose less-than-optional standards to attract industry to their area. This particular point will, however, not be so compelling if other mechanisms such as the judiciary and civil society organisations are properly positioned to play their role. How this is to be achieved will engage our attention in subsequent sections of this inaugural lecture.

For the moment, let us by way of case study apply the above considerations to the way Nigeria has been regulating environmental protection in relation to the oil industry.

Under the legislation, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) which is an arm of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is the body saddled with the responsibility of enforcing environmental regulations applicable to the oil industry. Oil pollution has a significant damaging impact not only on the environment but also on human health. In pursuance of its mandate, the DPR (Federal Government) has identified and put in place the environmental standards that every actor operating in the oil and gas sector must meet. In 2003, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) was also designated as the body to take responsibility for detection and clean-up of any oil spill in Nigeria. A key question to ask is how efficient is the federal role in setting the standards and implementing same?

From the report of the UNDP earlier referred which equally documented widespread degradation and pollution of Ogoniland, it is clear that despite stiffer pollution controls, Federal responsibility for setting and implementing standards has not guaranteed the safety of the environment from the hazards of oil exploration and production.

Three arguments can be put forward for the ever-increasing current strong federal role in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.51 The first is that the very vital importance of oil to Nigeria dictates (or so it would appear to policy makers) the Federal government’s total control of the regulation of the sector. The second

reason which flows from the first relates to the several years of military rule and the concomitant notion that anything that is of importance to the Federal government must be under its full grip. The third is the assumption that the magnitude of environmental issues associated with the oil industry is far beyond the limited resources of the State. This third argument of course fails to take into cognizance the importance of the polluter pays principle which requires that all expenses incurred in restoration, remediation or rehabilitation shall be borne by the polluter. What this reveals is that the federal government’s role in regulating environment protection in the oil industry has not been dictated by a balance of the relevant benefits and costs.

Mr. Director–General, how consistent is the current regime of regulation with the economic theory of environmental federalism?

We will, briefly examine this from the perspective of: i) Setting the standards; ii) Implementing the standards set; and iii) Determining whose responsibility is it to fund research in order to expand the knowledge base.

In relation to setting the standards, the most compelling rationale for a decentralized approach to setting standards stems from the fact that most of the cost and health benefits that will result from the standards are local.

Since the States are not directly involved in oil spills, oil pollution and the attendant gas flaring, it can be contended that there is a strong incentive for states directly affected to want to go for highly efficient standards.

Careful analysis will, however, reveal that in a number of situations there are also externalities (costs and benefits that extend beyond local boundaries) which can give rise to the possibility of states putting in place conflicting and inconsistent standards. This obviously offsets the advantages of local standard setting and makes it more appropriate for the Federal government to set minimum safety standards that balance the costs of reducing pollution against the benefit. In this regard, it will be correct to conclude that the current allocation of authority in the federal government to set the standards is generally consistent with the principle of economic efficiency.

This takes us to the next point which is to identify the appropriate level of government to implement the standards set. The primary consideration here is which level of government has the greatest volume of information about the costs and benefits of reducing pollution. Decisions about implementation of standards are most likely to be efficient when they are based on accurate information. Generally, the federal government has more information about the relationship between alternative levels of a standard and individual

‘In considering the roles of the different levels of government in environmental protection, two approaches are discernible. The first is the political scientist’s perspective which focuses on the constitutional division of power, and which we have said is not appropriate for the reasons earlier noted’

• Justice Abdu Aboki; his daughter,Hauwa; former Chairman, Body of Benchers, Chief Mobolanle Ajomale; Olabiyeye Olateru-Olagbegi; her father, Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi during the call to Bar of Hauwa and Olabiyeye in Abuja recently.

• Prof Fagbohun

or environmental risk. It also has more general information on the environmental impact of oil pollution and the consequences of these impacts.53 The lower levels of government in turn have greater knowledge of the factors that are specific to their locales including factors affecting the physical benefits to a community of meeting a given standard and local preferences and factors affecting the costs to a community of meeting a given standard.

A second consideration relates to the objectives of government. Government officials are most likely to choose efficient standards if they want to achieve maximum welfare for their constituents. Where their other goal, as in the case of the DPR, is to encourage full development of Nigeria’s petroleum resources (increase earnings), or where there are other political constraints, officials will most likely not be able to make efficient decisions. The analysis here favours assigning implementation of standards set to the lower level of governments as they are likely to be most efficient in implementing and achieving those standards when both costs and benefits are substantially local. The conclusion flowing there from is that the current allocation of implementation of environmental standards in the oil and gas sector by way of example is inconsistent with the principle of economic efficiency.

The final point here is whose responsibility is it to fund research in order to expand and deepen knowledge base? Effective restoration, remediation and rehabilitation programs require different types of research to assess the effects of contaminants and determine the cost effectiveness of alternative technologies to remove the contaminants. Research is most efficiently conducted by a single state when the problem addressed is unique to that state. Where the result will benefit many states as is the case here, it will be better to be determined and funded at the federal level in order to benefit from the advantage of economies of scale. On this point the current allocation of responsibility is consistent with the principle of economic efficiency.

Overall, one can begin to appreciate why there is a problem of enforcement of environmental regulation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The responsibility for enforcement is clearly not where it should be.

• To be continued next week •Fagbohun is Professor of Environmental Law and Head of Department, Akinola Aguda School of Postgraduate Studies, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Lagos.

• From left: Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), Justice O. Adekeye JSC (rtd) and Prof Yemi Akinseye-George at the book presentation in honour of Justice Adekeye

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

38

LAW REPORT

Whether a state is littoral or not in Nigeria is a question of fact

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA On Tuesday, July 10, 2012 Suit No: SC.250/2009 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS

DAHIRU MUSDAPHER....... Justice of the Supreme Court MAHMUD MOHAMMED....... Justice of the Supreme Court JOHN AFOLABI FABIYI....... Justice of the Supreme Court OLUFUNLOLA OYELOLA ADEKEYE....... Justice of the Supreme Court SULEIMAN GALADIMA....... Justice of the Supreme Court BODE RHODES-VIVOUR....... Justice of the Supreme Court NWALI SYLVESTER NGWUTA....... Justice of the Supreme Court BETWEEN ATTORNEY-GENERAL, CROSS RIVER STATE

...APPELLANTS

AND 1. ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION 2, ATTORNEY-GENERAL, AKWA IBOM STATE ...RESPONDENTS

I

T was entitled to the payment of 13% derivation in relation to the sharing of revenue from the Federation Accounts as a littoral state.

The Greentree agreement for the implementation of the orders of the International Court of Justice in the judgment between Nigeria and Cameroon - the Cross River Estuary and Bakassi Peninsula were ceded to Cameroon between 2006 and 2008. The President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo made an effort to retain Western Bakassi for Nigeria after the first stage of the cessation. The request was turned down. Consequently, the plaintiff was deprived of its status as a littoral State. The judgment of this court in Suit SC.124/1999 - A-G Gross River State v. A-G Federation & anor (2005) 15 NWLR (Pt.947) Pg.77 adequately described the aftermath of the ICJ judgment on the plaintiff. This court held that the ICJ judgment wiped off what used to be the estuarine sector of Cross River State as a result of which the state is hemmed in by the International boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon. Cross River State no longer has any maritime boundary. It is landlocked. The plaintiff not being a littoral State and not having a maritime boundary or abutting the sea, the 76 oil wells which is the subject matter of her claim in this suit, which lies off shore and within a maritime territory cannot be attributed to it. The National Boundary Commission Map 2008 filed before this court in this suit was correctly relied upon by the RMAFC Inter-Agency Report to categories the plaintiff as a non-littoral State.

The 76 oil wells have legally been attributed to Akwa Ibom State by the Inter-government agencies based on the facts revealed at their meeting.

The plaintiff prayed for mandatory orders and perpetual injunctions to restrain the 1st defendant by himself or through any of its agents from excluding the plaintiff from the Federation Accounts as a littoral state, The plaintiff’s assertions in her case includesa. That the decision of the ICJ made in 2002 was taken into consideration in resolving the maritime boundary in 2005. b. The plaintiff nursed the hope of Bakassi LGA remaining an integral part of Nigeria which means that Cross River State will still have an outlet to the sea. c. ICJ decision cannot be the basis for changing the realities now canvassed by RMAFC and NBC. d. The parties cannot resile from the binding agreement based on the political solution, Exhibit C in the plaintiff’s case. e. Plaintiff maintained access to the sea through Calabar River.

The 1st defendant emphasized that whatever benefits by way of oil wells and derivation available to the plaintiff within 200 meters depth Isobaths were lost upon the judgment of the International Court of Justice of 2002 which was fully implemented in 2008. The plaintiff lost her status as a littoral State. The determination of the status of the plaintiff as a littoral or non-littoral State will determine whether she is entitled to the Derivation Revenue and not whether she has financial com-

mitments to meet.

The 2nd defendant contended that Cross River State not being a littoral State and not having any maritime boundary with Akwa Ibom State does not qualify the plaintiff to benefit from the provisions of the onshore/offshore Dichotomy Abolition Act in respect of the 76 offshore oil wells. The 2nd defendant also explained that as at October 2006 when the agreement Exhibit C was prepared, Cross River State was de facto a Nigerian littoral State.

As at August 2008 when the National Boundary Commission Map was prepared and ratified by the RMAFC InterAgency meeting, Cross River State was no longer a littoral State following the implementation of the ICJ judgment and the ceding of Cross River estuary and the physical handing over of Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon. The 2nd defendant explained that contract frustration had affected Exhibit C as a binding contract between the Parties.

The handing over of Bakassi peninsula

by Nigeria to Cameroon was circumstance so fundamental as to be regarded by law as striking at the root of Exhibit C and practically beyond the contemplation of the parties when they entered the agreement. The intervening event which frustrated the contract was not caused by any of the parties to Exhibit C. The decision of this court in the case A-G Rivers State v.

A-G Akwa Ibom (2011) 8 NWLR (pt.1248) Pg. 31 is not applicable to this case. The 2nd defendant cited the case Mazin Engineering Limited v. Tower Aluminium (Nigeria) Limited (1993) 5 NWLR (Pt.295) at Pg. 526 in support of the principle of frustration of contract, Whereas the other parties like Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State remain littoral States and share maritime boundaries thereby qualifying them for derivation revenue pursuant to the onshore/offshore Dichotomy Abolition Act. The 2nd defendant urged this court to dismiss the plaintiff’s suit in its entirety.

I cannot but refer to the contention of the plaintiff based on the case put forward before this court as followsParagraph 7.01 of the plaintiff’s brief of argument ‘’The facts of this case are clearly settled and they irresistibly point to the position of the plaintiff as the owner of the 76 oil wells which have earlier been conceded by the defendants. The agents of the 1st defendant are attempting to change the factual position by standing logic on its head.”

Paragraph 6.19 ‘’The principle of the law UBI JUS IBI REMEDIUM and it is only right that the plaintiff be compensated for all these environmental problems like her sister states in the Niger-Delta region. It is not only unjust but absolutely unfair to deny the plaintiff its entitlement as a littoral State especially in the light of the earlier decision of this honourable court in A-G Federation v. A-G Abia State (No.2) (2002) 6 NWLR (Pt.764) Pg.542.”

The plaintiff’s stand and argument failed to face the realities of the moment and the position of affairs after the loss of Bakassi Peninsula and the Cross River estuary to Cameroon after the final imple-

mentation of the ICJ judgment in August 2008. Any other claim by the plaintiff after the littoral States delineation of maritime territories by the National Boundary Commission 2009 must be proved by cogent and credible evidence to the satisfaction of this court. The plaintiff’s claim to the 76 oil wells is based on declarations, mandatory orders and perpetual injunction. It is trite law that the purpose of a declaratory action is essentially to seek an equitable relief in which the plaintiff prays the court in the exercise of its discretionary jurisdiction to promote or declare an existing state of affairs in law in his favour as may be discernable from the averments in the statement of claim. In order to be entitled to a declaration, a person must show the existence of a legal right, subsisting or in future and that the right is contested. What would entitle a plaintiff to a declaration is a claim which a court is prepared to recognize and if validly made, it is prepared to give legal consequences too.

Adigun v. A-G Oyo State (No.1) (1987) 1 NWLR (Pt.53) 678.

Dantata v. Mohammed (2000) 7 NWLR (Pt.664) Pg.176.

Ekundayo v. Baruwa (1965) 2 All NLR 211.

Nwokudu v. Okanu (2010) 3 NWLR (Pt.1181) Pg.362 The facts before the court do not support the claim of the plaintiff to being a littoral State. A non-littoral state cannot claim oil wells offshore as she has no maritime territory. The plaintiff has no maritime territory since the cessation of Bakassi Peninsula and the Cross River estuary which used to be part of the State prior to August 2008. The present position of the plaintiff cannot be blamed on any government agency particularly the National Boundary Commission and the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission. The two statutory bodies must perform their statutory duties based on facts and realities to compile the indices for the payment of the derivation revenue to entitled States. The existing contract between the parties based on Exhibit C and which the plaintiff alleged that the defendants are estopped to renege on it was discharged by frustration.

The doctrine of frustration is applicable to all categories of contracts. It is defined as the premature determination of an agreement between parties, lawfully entered into and which is in the course of operation at the time of its premature determination, owing to the occurrence of an intervening event or change of circumstances so fundamental as to be regarded by law both as striking at the root of the agreement and entirely beyond what was contemplated by the parties when they entered into the agreement.

N.B.C.I v. Standard (Nig.) Eng. Co. Ltd (2002) 8 NWLR (Ppt.768) Pg.104.

Mazin Engineering Limited v Tower Aluminium (Nigeria) Ltd. (1993) 5 NWLR

(Pt.295) Pg. 526.

It is the duty of the court to state whether and when frustration has occurred; in other words, to determine the existence of frustration. Frustration occurs whenever the court recognizes that without default of either party a contractual obligation has become incapable of being performed.

The courts have recognized certain situations or events as listed below that constitute frustration a. Subsequent legal changes b. Outbreak of war. c. Destruction of the subject matter of contract. d. Government requisition of the subject matter of the contract. e. Cancellation of an expected event.

Cricklewood Property & Investment Trust Ltd v. Leightons Investment Ltd. (1945) 1 All ER 252 Knell v. Henry (1903) 2 KB 740 Obayuwana v. The Governor of Bendel State (1982) Pg. 167 Araka v. Monier Construction Company Ltd. (1978) 2 LME Pg.60. ln other words, a court would recognize that a contract is frustrated where after the contract was concluded, events occur which make performance of the contract impossible, illegal or something radically different from that which was in the contemplation of the parties at the time they entered into the contract. A contract which is discharged on the ground of frustration is brought to an end automatically by the operation of law, irrespective of the wishes of the parties.

This unfortunately is now the fate of the agreements between the parties which have been automatically terminated by the implementation of the judgment of the ICJ. The court cannot close its eye to this existing situation and declare that the plaintiff should continue to enjoy the benefits and privileges of a littoral State when it is no longer one by subsequent legal changes.

This court cannot because of the influx of refugees from Bakassi into Cross River State give a legislative judgment. The government of Nigeria has a means of providing for the social needs of the people of Cross River State faced with the social problems thrusted on the State due to the cessation of the Bakassi Peninsula to the Cameroon. The government of Cross River State must explore this avenue.

The entire claims of the plaintiff against the 1st and 2nd defendants jointly and severally must fail for lacking in substance and merit.

The 13% derivation revenue on the 76 oil wells offshore between Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State must continue to be attributed to the State on whose maritime territory they are found to be located by the relevant government agencies; that is the National Boundary Commission, the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission relating with the office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The plaintiffs claim is accordingly dismissed with no order as to costs.

• Managing Director, Law Pivillion, Mr Olugasa Opeyemi (center) setting on a cross section of Law Pavillion staff at NBA conference, Abuja.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW NEWS

•From left: Vice-President, Consulting and Training, Bode Technology Group, Mr. Manzar Ahmed; President Goodluck Jonathan; former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon and VicePresident Mohammed Namadi Sambo during a courtesy visit to the State House

•Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Ogun State Leader, Olawale Ogunniyi (left) and CPC National Vice-Chairman SouthWest, Rasaq Muse presenting birthday gift to CPC Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) during his 70th birthday celebration

•From right: Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Evelyn Oputu, Country Representative, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and General Secretary, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGTWA) at the N100b Cotton, Textile and Garment Industry Revival Scheme at the Rockview Hotel

•From right: President Goodluck Jonathan; First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; President's mother, Mrs Eunice Jonathan and one of the children at the Cathedral Church of Advent Church Service

•From left: President Goodluck Jonathan with National Chairman Nigeria Legion Col. •From left: Company Secretary, Nnamdi Onyeka; Chairman, Chief Maan Lababidi and Chief Micah Gaiya (rtd) and Minister of State for Defence Erelu Olusola Obada, during the Executive Officer, Olusola Oladokun at the Starcomms Plc Annual General Meeting at the Emblem Appeal Launch for the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at Transcorp Hotel State House Banquet Hall Presidential Villa Abuja.

•From right: Minister of State for FCT, Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide; Vice-President, Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; his wife Patience Jonathan and Vice-President’s wife, Amina Sambo during the Christmas Homage to the President at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

•Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (left); Vice-President, Namadi Sambo (right) and a guest.

PHOTOS AKIN OLADOKUN

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

ABUJA REVIEW

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S is the norm, people make new resolutions at the beginning of every year.

President Goodluck Jonathan is no exception.

He has assured Nigerians of a better performance in the New Year.

The President’s assurance, according to him, was based on the blueprint of things to accomplish that the government put in place in the previous year.

But rather than elicit joy, the President’s assurances have attracted scepticism from the people. Who would blame Nigerians for not believing the President given the turn of events in the last one year?

After all, there is an adage in the Southwest that one can easily tell of what will become of the night through the occurrences in the morning. Hence, many are sceptical of the New Year given the various activities which shaped the country in the previous one.

From the economic viewpoint, the expectations of the people are yet to be met, especially in the area of power supply. Though the Presidency has repeatedly said that there has been improved power, this, however, has not translated into steady supply which the people yearn for.

Besides, the security challenges were on the rise towards the end of last year. Another issue that has heightened fears in the minds of the people is the rising profilr of kidnapping in the Southsouth and the Southeast where kidnapping has become a profitable and booming business.

On the other hand, armed robbery has been on the increase.

Insurgency, especially by the Boko Haram sect, seems to defy any solution.

But the Presidency is undaunted as it noted that irrespective of the various challenges the country is experiencing, the New Year will be better.

Jonathan also wants Nigerians to keep faith with the government, saying that his cabinet is committed to make significant changes in the country during the year.

If there is any area the President should be appreciated is in the area of admitting to the administration’s shortcomings.

For instance, the administration has been accused of being slow to issues. While admitting that the desired change might have been slow in coming, the President, however, assured that the gains would soon manifest.

This fact is gradually emerging as the administration scored a point in the course of last week.

In the area of transportation, the much-promised resuscitation of

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IX area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have received a total of N2,372,382,097.82 from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), being revenue allocation for the month of November 2012.

The allocation represents an increase of N160,914,908.96 or 7.3 per cent over the N2,211,467,188.86 paid in October 2012, to the six Area Councils – Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

The Chairperson of the FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) and Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, said this during the committee’s meeting.

Akinjide, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, FCT, Engr. Anthony Ozodinobi, said the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) allocation accounted for N56.77 million of the total revenue allocation received from the FAAC.

‘I see a brighter new year’ From the Villa

By Vincent Ikuomola the rail system was realised, at least in part, as the Lagos-Kano route commenced operation. The operation actually commenced in the early part of the year with the Lagos-Ibadan route which has since been extended to Lagos-Ilorin. The recent addition is the Lagos-Kano which also comes with the haulage, which is lifting of petroleum products.

If the haulage is sustained, it will be a relief to road users and commuters who are perpetually

harassed on the roads by tanker drivers.

While also assuring Nigerians that the improvement being witnessed in the area of power supply would be sustained, Jonathan said his wish was that Nigerians could live without buying power generating sets.

He said his administration should be able to generate enough power so that small- scale businesses could thrive.

On security challenges in the

northern part of the country, the President said security operatives were working hard to curtail the tide.

The President also beat his chest about the achievements of the administration, saying that it has laid a solid foundation in critical sectors that will stand the test of time.

On infrastructure, he said the structures government is putting in place will outlive the administration. He also re-assured that his administration will fulfill its promises to the people.

The President also underscored the importance of re-orientation if the country’s transformation is to be sustained. He said Nigerians must stop seeing the country only in terms of money-making.

President Jonathan was also in Ikoyi, Lagos home of former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi to commiserate with members of his family for the loss of their patriarch in the ill-fated naval chopper that crashed in the creeks of Bayelsa

Councils share N2.37b From Bukola Amusan

The minister gave the breakdown of the revenue as: N890.69 million from Value Added Tax, N663.32 million from Statutory Revenue Allocation, N368.68 million from understated account in Central Bank of Nigeria, N275.35 million, non-oil excess revenue and N23.10 million from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation refund.

FAAC had in October allocated to the area councils N1.001 billion from the five per cent VAT, N761.91 million from Statutory Revenue Allocation, N228.48 million from Special Revenue Allocation, N23.10 million from refund

by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and N56.77 million being the SURE-P allocation.

Of the N2.372 billion available

for distribution to the area councils, the FCT Joint Account Allocation Committee gave N845.98 million to the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) for payment of the primary school teachers’ salaries in the six area councils; N95.04 million to FCT Area Councils Pension Board (ACPB) being 15 per cent pension fund as statutorily required, and N23.72 million to FCT Area Councils Service Commission being one per cent training fund, also statutorily required.

The net revenue allocation of N1,280,775,901.74 was distributed to the six area councils, with Abuja Municipal receiving N322.75 million; Bwari, N233.99 million; Gwagwalada, N204.96 million; Abaji, N186.23 million; Kuje, N174.61 million; and Kwali, N158.21 million.

Of the N56.77 million SURE-P funds, Abaji was allocated N6.96

million, Abuja Municipal, N16.77 million; Bwari, N9.28 million; Gwagwalada, N8.50 million; Kuje, N7.45 million, and Kwali, N7.79 million.

It would be recalled that the FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation had on December 5, withheld the sum of N140,129,862.71 being the FCT Administration’s 10 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) pending when the Area

State on December 15, 2012.

General Azazi had served the Nigerian Military as Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff in a glittering career where he also served President Jonathan as National Security Adviser (NSA).

Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadome, who spoke on his behalf, expressed the condolences of Mr. President to the family, even as he hailed the departed General as a patriot and diligent officer.

In the same manner, the Presidency also found time to respond to some criticisms directed at it especially that of the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Mujaheed AsariDokubo who it said was totally wrong in its views about the Presidency.

The Presidency also said Dokubo is suffering from the crab mentality as his summation is from a wrong premise which has no bearing with the present realities.

Councils settle their accumulated debt.

The minister had explained that the JAAC’s decision to withhold the FCTA’s 10 per cent IGR had become necessary to enable the area councils clear their outstanding debt of N247.08 million.

The area councils owed the sum of N144 million, being Fadama III Counterpart Fund, N65.70 million for subsidised tractor sales under the public private partnership arrangement, N7.38 million for 2012 Buffer Stock Grains, and N30 million for biometrics.

The allocation represents an increase of N160,914,908.96 or 7.3 per cent over the N2,211,467,188.86 paid in October 2012, to the six Area Councils – Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali

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ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

System collapses have been responsible for some of the power outages experienced and once it occurs, it affects a substantial number of areas and customers across the country. What are the causes and way forward? EMEKA UGWUANYI, Assistant Editor (Energy) examines the development.

‘How to achieve stable power through B reduced system collapse’

ACKGROUND The power supply chain consists of generation, transmission and distribution but customers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) oftentimes blame power outage on the distribution companies, which however, is the nearest of the chain to them but a chunk of the outages were as a result of system collapse from the transmission division.

The transmission arm of the power supply chain is very vital because it is responsible for taking electricity to various parts of the country, homes and offices. Unlike the generation and distribution segments, which alternatives can easily be provided when they develop faults, the transmission is not so in view of the grid system Nigeria runs. Therefore, whenever there is partial or total system collapse, substantial number of customers and areas are affected.

To buttress how strategic the transmission division is to the power supply value chain, the former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, had in April last year, sacked three top officers of PHCN including the former Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Akinwumi Bada; alongside Head, Operator of the Nigerian Electricity Market, Uzoma Achinanya; and Executive Director, Human Resources, PHCN, Olushoga Muyiwa.

The TCN was sacked on accusation that there were several and consecutive system collapses within the period, which regularly threw the country into darkness. It was believed that there was connivance among the top officers in sabotaging government’s efforts to fix the power sector.

Causes of system collapse The Executive Director (System Operator), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr Jonathan Ndiagwalukwe, an engineer, who spoke at a power summit in Lagos highlighted the importance of transmission arm of the electricity supply chain.

In his paper entitled: Frequency control and grid stability, he said transmission originated disturbances like the tripping of critical tie-lines, wiping out of distribution loads during rainstorm, which result in high system frequency, inadequate transmission network redundancies for parallel and alternate power flows, major equipment failure that sometimes result in loss of part or the entire system, inadequate available generation for scheduling, sudden shutdown of generating units on fault or fuel (gas) supply problem, and inadequate or total absence of Spinning Reserve (unused capacity of generating units, which can be delivered without manual intervention) can cause system collpase.

Others include absence or insufficient number of machines with functional Automatic Governor Control, poor SCADA/IED coverage of the grid, absence of protective earth wire on major load lines owing to vandalism and little maintenance coordination between generation, transmission and Nigeria Gas Company He maintained that supply of power at the right quantity helps maintain stable frequency while otherwise would cause system collapse. He also noted that a well maintained distri-

bution network which ensure that the facilities are not overgrown by vegetation which can lead to snapping of wires if branches of trees fall on them (lines) and poles not destroyed by the slightest rainstorm, among others would ensure stable frequency.

He said: “The quality of electric power supply is defined within the permissible variation in the statutory requirements of frequency and voltage. System stability is a subject of great interest to the system operator because it affects electricity supply quality and reliability.

“Frequency is a measure of the speed of the generating unit’s shaft (rotor). It is measure in cycles per second. A 2-pole generator, for example, producing an output frequency of 50Hz, has an engine speed of 3,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). For a generating unit the revolution per minute (N) of the prime mover for a given system frequency f is given by N=120f/P where P is the number of poles.

“An electric power grid is a system of electric power generation and transmission equipment/devices, including the lines - interconnected in a mesh (network) for efficient delivery of electricity.

Power systems are often interconnected to: improve reliability and quality of power supply, reduce the spinning reserve requirement of individual systems and utilize the synergy offered by grid control and optimization devices.

“In power systems, generation, transmission and distribution are interconnected at their interface points and frequency is common throughout the interconnection. If load and generation are matched, frequency is 50Hz. If load exceeds generation, frequency is below 50Hz and if generation exceeds load, frequency is above 50Hz and any large interconnected power system is composed of several generators synchronously connected.

“Therefore, a perfect real or active power balance: is active generation equals active demand including losses. This ensures constant speed and frequency of operation but unfortunately, the load impressed on the system does fluctuate, more so, in a random fashion. It is, therefore, virtually impossible to accomplish equilibrium of active generation and active demand.

“An excess or deficiency in active power generation will always manifest. This mismatch normally results in frequency fluctuation which could culminate in system instability.

“In practice, we seek to achieve this balance through manual load shedding, generation scheduling or by the appropriate application of frequency relays. At steady state system, frequency is 50Hz in Nigeria and most countries of Africa and it is 60Hz in some countries, for example, the United

States of America. Frequency control objective revolves around maintenance of the equilibrium between generation and load. This, in system operation parlance, is termed power balance.”

On frequency operating limits, he said that the Grid Code stipulates the following: Nominal Frequency: 50Hz and Steady State: 50Hz +/0.5% [49.75Hz – 50.25Hz] and Under System Stress: 50Hz +/- 2.5% (48.75 – 51.25 Hz).

He said that if there high frequency, it damages apparatus and customer equipment, causes generator over speed hazard and also injurious to transformer because (volt/Hz ratio exceeded).

He said that a power system operates in normal state when system frequency and voltages are close to their nominal values, while maintaining scheduled load flow profile.

“In this mode of operation, control is required to: maintain scheduled voltages and frequency, maintain

scheduled tie line flows and obtain economic generation. He also explained the alert mode, emergency mode, and restorative mode

System stability He said that a system that is able to develop restoring forces sufficient to overcome the disturbing forces - and restore equilibrium - is said to be stable. A system is termed insecure when this capability does not exist. Power system stability problems are commonly classified into two categories: Steady state and Transient.

Steady state frequency controls take care of minor disturbances (variations) in the generation-demand equilibrium. System is in a steady state when all the required parameters impacting on System Operations exist like adequate generation, operating reserves and healthy transmission network.

Transient stability problems deal with the effects of large, sudden sys-

tem disturbances such as: Line faults, sudden switching of lines or the sudden application or removal of loads, loss of a major generating unit at a power station.

Spinning reserve, he reiterated, is one key tool for managing system frequency and keeping the system stable. Experience from the operation of the Nigerian Grid between 15th January 2011 and February 2012 when there was reasonably sufficient Spinning Reserve clearly showed that. He said that Spinning Reserve should be taken seriously as a tool in managing system frequency for the attainment of a more stable grid.

Solution Ndiagwalukwe said that although the Nigeria power system is without doubt problematic but there are ways to ensure more stable and secure grid. These include reduction in tripping of critical tie lines by having a well maintained transmission line trace as well as properly coordinated and discriminative line protection schemes.

•Continued on page 16

•Transmission facility

Group recommends measures to boost petroleum sector GROUP, National Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE), has urged the Federal Government to divest majority shareholding in the three existing refineries in the country in order to restore them to full capacity.

Its National President, Dr. John Erinne, who spoke at a press conference in Lagos, said competent private investors with strong technical and financial capabilities as well as track record in petroleum refining be allowed to revive the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries.

He said the government should also implement the proposed 350,000 barrels per day Lekki refinery to ensure adequate refining capacity that would meet the growing demand for petroleum products in the country, even as he ad-

A

By Precious Igbonwelundu

vised that the proposed refineries for Bayelsa and Kogi should be explored subsequently.

He said: “Nigeria indeed has the potentials of becoming a regional petroleum refining hub in West Africa and a net exporter of petroleum products in the next seven years with consistent commitment to these remedial measures.

“The Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), the Strategic Business Unit (SBU) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) responsible for the network of pipelines and infrastructure for supply of crude oil to the refineries and distribution of petroleum products nationwide, should be separated from NNPC and transformed into a new hold-

ing company which should act commercially and should be mandated to concession various aspects of the operations to competent private sector operators under clearly defined terms.”

On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Erinne called on the legislature and executive to without further delay; enact it, even as he objected to the proposal for the retention of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, which he says will run parallel with the new Petroleum Technical Bureau (PTB).

Erinne proposed a National Petroleum Directorate to accommodate both bodies and maintained that the creation of two regulatory bodies in the oil and gas Industry would be a wasteful duplication and would lead to confusion.

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ENERGY

‘Govt must implement policies to encourage F new refineries’ OR sustainable growth of the petroleum industry, the Federal Government must not only put in place policies but ensure they are effectively implemented to bring efficiency and profitability in the refining industry, Prof Yinka Omoregbe has said.

Omoregbe, who spoke in Lagos, said to achieve this, the government should also shun every interest that is politically motivated, ensure the continuity and reliability in the operation of the present refineries to make them reach the expected life span as stipulated by international standard.

Prof Omoregbe , a lawyer and

By Ambrose Nnaji

consulting lecturer at the University of Ibadan, said though enabling statutes were well spelt out in the various legislations, but effective implementation of the policies had been the major problem confronting the industry.

According to her, government policies and their implementation are the most important factors in the refining industry, because government policies shape the de-

‘Why PIB must address community interests’

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HE inclusion of interests of oil producing communities has been identified as one the best provisions in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), now before the National Assembly.

An industry stakeholder said part of the problems oil companies face in the oil producing areas is the weakness of laws defining rights to property by the oil and gas producing communities.

President/Chief Executive, Swamp Blue Pearl, Kuromiema Amiabiye, who spoke at a forum in Lagos, said the communities are underserved in capacity building opportunities by the industry and governments including the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the international oil companies (IOCs) especially in the areas of corporate social responsibility (CSR), job training and education scholarship programmes.

He added that host communities witness a lot of discriminations by government’s agencies and business operators at all levels.

He said the PIB when passed into law should be able to address all the community concerns and associated discontentment for smooth and profitable business operating environment in the industry. This development will ensure sustainable social and economic stability and integration of the nation.

He also said communities are constantly at war with management and authorities over access to information and orchestrated impediments in recruitment, contracts and business opportunities in view of the fact that the oil and

gas resources are derived from their land.

He said: “Preference for beneficiaries are induced by ethnic/sectional considerations and political patronage that favour migrants into the communities and region; and political protégés whose benefactors are ‘outside operator’ of the industry and/or political godfathers, who control the levers of power and decision processes with respect to recruitment, contracting, business opportunities, among others.”

He expressed disappointment that after 50 years of oil and gas exploitation, social infrastructure and amenities are still absent in the Niger Delta region.

Government and corporate instruments for management of the benefits in the region face serious abuses, corruption and run on sponsorship.

He said operators use all sorts of schemes to evade corporate governance rules to ensure that management of benefits goes their way.

He said: “Within governments however, patronage and fraud remain the norm. Huge resource such as funds designated for community development through Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC), Ministry of the Niger Delta Area and the statutory 13 per cent derivation revenue, states/local government allocation targeted at communities, all show no visible impact on the physical and social landscape, or human development conditions of communities,” adding that even when provided, they are carted away with impunity.

Group recommends measures to boost petroleum sector •Continued from page 15

Others are replacement of vandalized sky wires that expose the lines to lightning strikes and replacement of obsolete transmission equipment to reduce the incidence of equipment failure to the barest minimum.

He said well maintained distribution network with properly tensioned lines, free from over grown vegetation, broken wooden cross arms replaced and lean poles stood erect would forestall sudden large scale loss of distribution loads at the slightest rainstorm with its attendant high system frequency.

He added that sudden shutdown of generating units on loss of gas pressure can be checked by developing robust and well maintained gas supply system According to him, deployment of spinning reserve on units that have been identified to have functional automatic Governor Controls are vital adding that power stations capable of doing this are those at Egbin, Ughelli, Olorunsogo NIPP and Kainji.

He noted that the on-going SCADA reactivation, which

would be completed soonest, would help to avail the System Operator the benefits of Energy Management System (EMS) and effective use of Automatic Generation Control (AGC), which can only be offered by a fully working SCADA system.

He said also vital is a coordinated maintenance programme involving the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), generation and transmission divisions as well as construction of additional relief/redundancy lines to the critical 330Kv Onitsha – Benin and Alaoji - Onitsha single circuit lines.

The creation of more loops in the grid, such as Alaoji – Ikot Ekpene – Ugwuaji – New Heaven 330kV loop, are important, he said, adding that these projects, which are on-going, will, on completion, make the grid more robust, flexible and resilient to system instability.

He noted that building power stations in the North would improve both voltage stability in the area, especially the Northeast.

mand and distribution of petroleum products, price and other economic indices of the country.

Omoregbe said the status of the four government refineries, compared to the rapid growth in consumption of petroleum products have necessitated the establishment of more refineries by the government, local and foreign investors.

She said: “The ever increasing consumption of petroleum products and inability of the existing four government refineries to meet the local demand necessitate the need for new refineries to be established.”

She said the deregulation of the downstream petroleum industry with the attendant investment opportunities, business potential and incentives therein, has made private initiatives an inevi-

table option to meet the local demand and also open up avenue for export of refined petroleum products in a foreseeable future.

The establishment of new refineries, she noted, would further boost the export potential for refined petroleum products to the international market including the Economic Communities of West Africa (ECOWAS) and the sub-Saharan Africa.

The development, she added, would in addition create opportunities for employment, technology transfer, human capital development and capacity building, local utilisation of the crude oil endowment with backward integration for value chain investment opportunities and rapid transformation of the operating environment.

She noted that the business opportunities for investment in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria are diverse adding that the appropriate laws stipulating the conditions and guidelines for the

establishment of a refinery by any person or company in any part of the country are quite open.

She, however, noted that the government had encouraged the establishment of export-oriented refineries in the export-processing zone (EPZ) through the enactment of the oil and gas export free zone decree.

The free trade zones, she said, offer a lot of incentives to both local and foreign entrepreneurs including the exemption from taxes, levies, surcharges, import and export, duties, repatriation of foreign capital investment, and technology transfer among others.

Omoregbe also said the benefits of the passage of the petroleum industry bill would far outweigh the challenges to be encountered by the organised private sector adding the implementation of the harmonised bill would rather bring about equity, fairness and overall development of the oil producing communities.

•Warri refinery

ConocoPhillips continues assets divestment ARELY one week the Ameriacquire ConocoPhillip’s’s 95 perin Africa can oil giant, Conoco cent interest in OML 131 in which

B

Phillips, sealed deal with Oando Energy Resources (OER), an affiliate of Oando Plc, to ConocoPhillips to acquire its entire business interests in Nigeria for a total cash consideration of $1.79 billion plus customary adjustments the company has also agreed to sell its Algerian business unit to Indonesian state energy company PT Pertamina for $1.75 billion, plus customary adjustments, as part of its ongoing assetdisposition programme in Africa.

ConocoPhillips Algeria Limited, according to Dow Jones Newswires, holds interests in three major onshore oil fields that averaged 11,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day through October.

ConocoPhillips said the net carrying value of its Algerian assets was roughly $850 million as of October 31, 2012.

The report said that ConocoPhillips expects to close the transaction by mid-2013 adding that the Houston-based energy company is in the midst of a threeyear repositioning aimed at improving its balance sheet and focusing on more profitable, less risky unconventional fields in North America. ConocoPhillips has sold or plans to sell more than $7 billion in assets in 2012, including a $5 billion sale of its stake in

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

Kazakhstan’s Kashagan field in the Caspian Sea announced last month.

The company also spun off its refining arm earlier this year to Phillips 66.

Oando, during the transaction said, in a statement by its spokesman of Oando, Mr Meka Olowola, that the transaction includes the intended purchase of Phillips Oil Company Nigeria Limited, which holds a 20 per cent non-operating interest in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 60, 61, 62, and 63 as well as related infrastructure and facilities in the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) Joint Venture.

He also said the other partners are the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with a 60 per cent interest and NAOC (20 per cent and operator); and Phillips Brass Limited, which holds a 17 per cent shareholding interest in Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Limited, which is developing the Brass LNG project, a Greenfield project to develop a two-train, 10 million ton per year liquefied natural gas facility in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

The other partners in this project are NNPC (49 per cent); Eni (17 per cent) and Total (17 per cent).

In the offshore business arm of the deal, Oando said it would also

Medal Oil owns five per cent; and ConocoPhillip’s 20 per cent nonoperating interest in oil prospecting licence (OPL) 214.

The other partners in OPL 214 are ExxonMobil (20 per cent and operator), Chevron (20 per cent), Svenska (20 per cent), Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (15 per cent) and Sasol (five per cent).

Pursuant to the proposed acquisition, Oando will purchase all of the issued share capital of ConocoPhillips’ onshore and offshore affiliates in Nigeria. Upon closing, the effective date of the proposed acquisition will be today.

According to Olowola, in connection with the proposed acquisition, Oando has retained The Petroleum and Renewable Energy Company Limited (Petrenel), OER’s independent reserves evaluator, to prepare a report on the reserves and resources of OMLs 60, 61, 62 and 63, which are onshore and OML 131 and OPL 214, which are offshore assets, proposed to be acquired under the proposed acquisition.

Oando has got approval from Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise N54.6 billion through right issue, which opened on December 28 and would close on February 6, 2013.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

The health sector has been in crises for years. In 1985, the late Gen. Sani Abacha described teaching hospitals as “mere consulting clinics.” Nothing has changed since then. As a new year begins today, some Nigerians speak on their expectations of the government for the sector. WALE ADEPOJU, OLATUNDE ODEBIYI and SEUN AJAYI report.

How to improve health care in 2013 T

o meet the yearnings of Nigerians and attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the health sector should be overhauled. This is the view of Nigerians in their projection for the sector this year.

A trader at the Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos, Mr Livinus Ani said the sector was characterised by shoddy performance last year.

He is not alone. Other Nigerians also feel the same. In separate interviews they scored the sector low, saying its practitioners should wake up.

Ani said: “In countries, such as Ghana, the government is serious about development which is why their products sell more than those made in Nigeria.

“Our government is not supporting small scale and medium scale enterprises to boost production in the pharmaceutical sector. There is no support whatsoever for locally manufacturers of medicine. Also, there is lack of access to affordable medicine. It needs to build the capacity of the industry to ensure there are drugs at cheaper rate. Despite government’s announcement that anti-malaria should be sold for N80 people still buy the drugs for much higher amount.

“Most of the drugs on sale lack the necessary active ingredients.

When you take them it’s like ingesting chalk, especially drugs from India and China,” he added.

Ani said patients sometimes take malaria drug five times and still don’t feel better, saying one dose of genuine drug can bring immediate relief.

“I think the Federal Government doesn’t value the lives of the citizens,” he added.

On performance, he rated the sector zero, adding that the government should listen to the masses.

A school proprietor, Mr Muyiwa Oshaye, said: “I think, it is so far so good because the government has not done badly in the area of PHC. But they can do more by creating more PHC centres.

“On my expectation, I will like the government to help people living with HIV by ensuring that antiretroviral drugs are available, easily accessible and affordable. The government should help them to ensure they enjoy job security so that they don’t suffer any stigmatisation in work places,” he added.

He said the sector didn’t deliver as it should on infant and matrernal mortality, adding that expectant mothers need to be given more attention.

Oshaye said last year, some expectant mothers died during childbirth. This shouldn’t be happening if adequate equipment is provided to help them at delivery, he said.

Cancer patients should be supported financially to get subsidised treatment because it’s very expensive to treat the disease.

On the performance of the sector, he said, it is 40 per cent because the yearnings of the masses in most critical areas of health care delivery system is yet to be met.

A trader, Mr Sunday Egbu said he didn’t visit any hospital last year, but he heard disturbing reports about the poor state of the facili-

•Oshaye

•Ani

•Okonkwo

•Egbu

•Tiena

•Tolani

•Isaac

•Taiwo

ties.

He recalled an incident in which a patient died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba.

He said: “Armed robbers attacked a man with broken bottles and he was rushed to LUTH on emergency.

The victim, a police officer was asked to pay a deposit of N50, 000, which the family couldn’t afford.

His wife pleaded with the management but it turned deaf ear.

“The poor wife also tried to use the Automated Teller Machine (ATM), but it did not dispense cash so she became frustrated and agitated before she was advised by a concerned citizen to take her husband to another hospital.

“I think the hospital should have concentrated on saving lives than demanding for money. Worse still, is that it is asking for money before attending to an officer of the law.”

He said the government needs to sympathise with the common man.

“When it comes to the issue of emergency, hospital should first treat the

sick in emergency before any other considerations,” he added.

On performance, he scored the sector 40 per cent, adding that it needs improvement.

A resident of Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, Mr Obiora Okonkwo, said the government needs to improve on the medical facilities and drugs.

He said there was need to improve on infrastructure, adding that the state of primary health care (PHC) centres is an eye sore. “The country still lacks many facilities in the hospitals. This may be responsible for some deaths recorded last year. It should ensure there is training and development for doctors to improve treatment.

“The government should invest more in the sector to ensure sanctity and safeguard human lives. By my estimation, I think the sector performed below average,” Okonkwo said.

He urged the Federal Government to enact a law that would ensure gunshot victims and emergencies

are treated first before asking for money or police clarification.

An accountant, who lives at Irawo, a Lagos suburb, Olukemi Opasho, said many government hospitals still lack basic things that would provide standardised treatment.

She called for an efficient drugs distribution chain.

A 25-year-old auditor, Oretuga Taiwo, said the government has failed in the provision of affordable medical facilities, adding that health care is quite expensive.

A linguist/musician from Ikotun, Lagos, Tiena Egbegi, called for a better accident and emergency section in the hospital.

He said there was need for the government to enact a law to ensure that victims of accident and gunshots are given medical treatment before demanding for deposit or police report.

“Many lives have been lost due to this protocol, which results in delayed treatment and eventual death in some cases. People are reluctant

to carry out treatment on accident victims or gunshot wounds because no one wants to be held responsible for their death or any police case and neither do they want to be forced to pay deposit for volunteering to save a life.

“I once saw a man bleeding to death while people watched with sympathy. They were scared of the consequences of getting involved because of the attitude of the police and, of course, the cost of treatment.

Lives are more important and should first be considered in cases of emergency,” he added.

He said there should also be provision of medical facilities along the highways to attend to accidents victims.

Egbegi advised the government to do something about malaria because most sicknesses are linked to it.

A banker, Mr Onome Atife, said government hospitals are short of qualified staff and need more hands.

This, he added, was responsible for long queues in most of the tertiary and secondary health facilities across the country.

The government, he said, should provide state-of-the-art laboratories in its hospitals, claiming there is none that can be used for complex diagnosis.

He said patients are being sent to private laboratories for medical test.

Advising the government, he said: “There should be focus on making

‘Many lives have been lost due to this protocol, which results in delayed treatment and eventual death in some cases. People are reluctant to carry out treatment on accident victims or gunshot wounds because no one wants to be held responsible for their death or any police case and neither do they want to be forced to pay deposit for volunteering to save a life.’

• Continued on Page 46

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

HEALTH

Dana crash: 141 bodies released, says LASUTH CMD

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BOUT 141 out of 153 bodies of victims of June 3 Dana air crash at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos have so far been released, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof Wale Oke, has said.

He said they were released last Wednesday after DNA test, leaving nine other bodies unclaimed. One hundred and fifty of the bodies were

By Wale Adepoju

deposited at LASUTH’s mogue.

Oke said the hospital has also issued death certificates to 89 families.

As at August 8, last year, 107 bodies had been released by the hospital.

He said statistics showed that the hospital recorded 94 per cent success handling the crash fall-out, praising

Governor Babatunde Fashola for making this possible.

The governor, he said, ensured that the accident was better managed than others in the past before the victims were buried.

“The governor expressed satisfaction with the management of the accident that he sought the decision of the families on the next step since the body identification and DNA

have been completed, and assured them that the state was ready to have a cenotaph at the site of the accident in honour of the deceased, if the families gave their approval,” he said.

On state of the teaching hospital, Oke said its Maternal Centre known as Ayinke House is still under reconstruction, adding that it would be opened to the public by the end of May. “Also, the laboratory is being refurbished and it will be equipped with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is a DNA copying machine, among other pressing diag-

nostic equipment,” he added.

Oke said the hospital is operating a-three level care of health care – primary, secondary and tertiary at the same time, adding that it was established to perform research, training and clinical services.

But because it was a general hospital before its upgrade, patients still come for treatment even for the slightest headache, Oke added.

He said the hospital’s oxygen plant, which started operation of recent, has been supplying LASUTH and other hospitals in the oxygen, which he put at 98 per cent purity.

Kidney patients to get subsidised dialysis

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• From left: Former President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Sir Anthony Akhimien ,Executive Director, Embassy Pharmacy Limited (EPL), Mr Chukwudi Obi, EPL Chairman, Sir Nnamdi Obi and PSN President Mr Olumide Akintayo at the Commissioning of PSN’s e-Library in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Access to fake drugs ‘is bane of health care’

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NRESTRICTED access to drugs, including fake and substandard ones has been identified as major health challenge in the country.

According to the Director of Medical Service, Adeyemi College of Education, Dr. Emmanuel

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Ogunmosin, the public’s belief in drugs is so strong that giving healthy advice without drugs is viewed as incompetence on the doctor’s part.

He spoke at a lecture organised by the institution staff’s Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited (CMS)

How to improve health care in 2013 • Continued from Page 45

the hospital environment healthy for people seeking health care. The filing system needs to be integrated into computerised system known as e-Health.

Also, emergency cases should be treated with urgency.”

Tolani Adeyemo, a retired Permanent Secretary in Oyo State Civil Service, said all Colleges of Medicine and Nursing and Midwifery Schools should be properly equipped with necessary equipment and manpower to function optimally.

She berated the government for its shabby treatment of health workers, adding that there should be adequate remuneration for them, especially those posted to rural areas.

She enjoined the government to aggressively employ health workers for the three tiers of care – primary, secondary and tertiary. “The government should not place embargo on employment. When there is a need for employment, it should do it without hesitation to prevent deaths of the patients,” he added.

Adeyemo called for a better power generation in the sector to increase efficiency. Infrastructure facilities such as water and good road networks should be provided to ensure that the money is prudently used.

A musician, at Gbagada, Lagos, Ajayi Olayiwola, urged the government to ensure that corruption is nipped in the bud. He hailed the government for its funding of the sector but cautioned that steps must be taken to ensure it’s used for the purpose for which it was released.

He urged the government on the

training of medical doctors to improve on service delivery.

A musicologist from Somolu Lagos, Runsewe Isaac, rated the sector average.

He said the government should do more on malaria prevention, saying Nigerians often come down with the disease and there should be reduced, if not eliminated.

He said disease prevalence is encouraged by poverty, urging the government to look into poverty alleviation, especially among the less privileged so that they can access quality health care at substantially subsidised rate. He said there was need for the government to enlighting the rural dwellers on preventive medicine rather than engaging in curative medicine which is quite expensive and inaccessible to the ordinary Nigerians.

Mama Vero, who sells roasted plantain, said the government should make health care free because many Nigerians live below the poverty level.

The 47-year-old mother of two condemned the attitude of the nurse and doctors at the hospital, saying it could be frustrating.

She enjoined the Federal Government to treat health workers well so that they could in turn do their work well.

A trader who preferred anonymity implored the government to invest more into the sector.

A 21-year-old and a final year student of Political Science at the University of Ibadan (UI), Gbemi Mendes, said the government should strengthen the sector and put smiles on the faces of the masses.

, Silver Jubilee and Award presentation in Ondo State .

The topic of the lecture was The Pillars of health.

He said not many patients are aware that taking different drugs simultaneously is risky and capable of adversely affecting them and causing drugs interacting.

Ogunmosin advised the people to engage in routine medical checkups, adding that it will ensure diseases are discovered early and treated before they cause serious damage to their health.

He urged them to stop abusing drugs, noting that people believe more in taking drugs than in healthy eating and living.

“This is especially true in obese people who are trying to lose weight.

Obese people prefer drugs, teas and herbs that will melt away their fat rather than being self-disciplined and exercising to lose weight,” he added.

PHILANTHROPIST from Abeokuta in Ogun State is subsidising the cost of dialysis of 100 kidney patients with N500, 000.

The donor, who preferred anonymity, is partnering with Kidney Consultants International, an Abeokuta-based privately run dialysis centre, which is devoted to improving renal care.

According to the centre’s Operations Director, Mr Adebayo Sokunbi, each patient will get N5, 000 for the duration of the treatment.

He said the patients are to pay the balance of N20, 000 each for their completion of their dialysis.

Sokunbi said the clinic, which is a not-for-profit centre, has sought

By Wale Adepoju

partnership of this nature to reduce the economic burden of dialysis on patients and their families without success.

He urged other philanthropists and corporate bodies to partner with the group to ensure access to dialysis of indigent patients in the community.

Doctors, he added, are enjoined to inform their patients about the development so that they can benefit from this gesture.

He lamented the rising incidence of kidney failure, saying people should make necessary lifestyle changes to stay healthy and avoid the trauma of having to go through dialysis.

NGO to open cancer diagnostic centre

A

NON-GOVERNMENT Organisation (NGO), Pink Pearl Foundation is to open its first breast and cervical cancer diagnostic Centre in Delta State soon.

Its Founder, Orode Ryan Okpu said it was borne out of the need to educate people about breast and cervical cancer.

She said more women especially those in the rural area die daily because of the disease.

Mrs Okpu said the women are faced with increasing cases of cancer related illnesses, saying it requires more advocacy and institutional building to prevent it.

NHIS inaugurates health scheme

T

HE National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has inaugurated a health insurance programme to enable people enjoy qualitative health care service for one year with an affordable premium.

Its Southwest zonal co-ordinator, Taiye Adeleye said the programme which cut across every individual can be done with a yearly premium of N15,000.

Adeleye spoke to reporters in Akure at the one-day sensitisation workshop organised for union leaders and workers in Ondo State.

He said health insurance cover will enable people access health care at a preferred hospital for treatment without payment.

Why the scheme, he said, it was aimed at educating and informing the people about the mode of operation of the scheme and the benefits they stand to derive.

He said the policy is meant for everybody, adding that it was targeted at covering the country.

•Members of the Project Management Team, HIV/AIDS Prevention Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and some Farmers in Badagry division of Lagos State during an awareness/sensitisation and testing programme on HIV/AIDS organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Coperatives in collaboration with Lagos State Aids Control Agency (LASACA) at Iragon Town Hall, Ikoga, Badagry.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

51

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Election Petitions Tribunal looking into cases arising from the October 6, 2012 bye-elections in the Plateau North Senatorial District and Barkin Ladi Constituency was still sitting in Jos, Plateau State capital, when the bye-elections were nullified by a Federal High Court in Abuja. Correspondent YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU examines the implications of the verdict.

Furore over bye-elections in Plateau State

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HEN the people of Plateau North Senatorial District and Barkin Ladi Constituency trooped out to vote at the recent bye-elections into the Senate and House of Assembly on October 6, last year, little did they guess that the elections would be inconclusive. From the ballot box, the contest moved to the courtroom.

A Federal High Court siting in Abuja had nullified the polls, making the fate of Senator Gyang Pwajok and Hon Keneng Gyang Fulani, who were declared winners and subsequently sworn in as senator and state legislator to hand in the balance.

The two seats became vacant, following the murder of Senator Gyang Dalyop Dantong, and the former majority leader of Plateau State House of Assembly during the mass burial organised for over 60 victims of gunmen attack in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau State.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in his judgment, took everyone by surprise. The court ruled that Senator Gyang Pwajok and Mr. Keneng Gyang Fulani, who ran on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), should stop parading themselves as representatives of their constituencies.

Before the election, an electoral tribunal was already in place to attend to cases arising from the exercise.

However, the Congress for Democratic Change (CPC), which never participated in the bye-election, had instituted case at a Federal High Court, claiming that it was excluded from the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party prayed the court to annul the election, compel INEC to include it among the contesting political parties and reschedule the polls.

CPC argued that, based on the provision of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, INEC has no power to disqualify any registered political party from contesting any election, urging the court to declare INEC’s decision to dis-

qualify its candidate null and void.

The moves by the CPC, which never participated in the election, baffled many politicians in the state. Apart from the case it instituted, the party also filed a petition at the election tribunal sitting in Jos, asking the tribunal to annul the election for wrongful exclusion of its candidates from the ballot papers. While stakeholderes were looking forward to the sitting of the election tribunal, which was still at its preliminary stage, the Federal High Court declared the seats vacant.

Senator Pwajok said that the judgment took the people of his constituency by surprise. “The court took everyone by surprise. It came like a coup because the case was not made known to some of us, until the judge was ready to deliver its judgment. Neither myself nor my party was part of the processes that led to the judgment. I was not notified by INEC or the court. I only got wind of what was about to happen three days to the judgment and all efforts made to be joined in the case failed. There was just no ruling; it was straight judgment, which to me is like another abraca dabra”, he added.

Senator Pwajok said the verdict was a plot to deny him the right to represent his people, adding that his detractors were bent on embarrassing him and his party.

Senator Pwajok however, expressed confidence in the judiciary, assuring that the court would right the wrong. “The judiciary of today cannot be abused. And this is the confidence I have in the modern Nigerian judiciary. I also believe this judgment is not final. The judge may have made some blunders and that is why there is an appellant court to correct such mistakes. As an interested party, who has been affected by the court judgment, I have an opportunity under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ask a superior court to interpret the judgment of the high court.

As far as I am concerned, I remain the Senator representing Plateau North in

• Jega

• Pwajok

the National Assembly, until a superior court gives us a better interpretation of this judgment. Then, I will bow for the law because I have immense respect for the judiciary and the law of the country.

But for now, I am not convinced by this initial stand of the court to step down”, he maintained.

Senator Pwajok disclosed that he has initiated an appeal through his counsel, assuring his constituents and supporters that truth would prevail. “This is not the end of the struggle. I am not going to give up just like that. I will follow the due process of the law and see the end of this case. But my supporters should be law abiding. They should know that, as their senator, I will not let them down.

Their efforts in electing me will not be a waste of time. The mandate they gave me through the polls has to be defended and I will do that through the lay down processes”, he said.

The PDP chieftain said the court may have acted beyond its jurisdiction by usurping the responsibilities of the tribunal. “I also expect some considerations for those who subjected themselves to the laws of this land to contest election and to get popular mandate of the people, and for somebody who probably would not have contested election

to be the one to nullify it. But I am sure all these interpretations would become clearer at the Appeal Court”, he added.

A Jos lawyer, Yakubu Sumaila, said, with the court judgment the election is inconclusive. “Irrespective of how you feel, a court judgment is a court judgment and it must be obeyed. However, this particular judgment can be stayed just by an appeal to a superior court and the moment that is done, the status-quo remains, until the appellant’s court delivers its own judgment. If the superior court upholds the position of the High Court, then, these legislators have no option but to obey the law. But if the superior court sees fault in this judgment, then, it will give a superior order or judgment as the case may be. So, to me, there is no cause for alarm. we should just allow the law to take its course.”

Following the court ruling, other political parties which lost out in the byeelections have renewed their campaigns, with the hope that the election will be rescheduled as directed by Justice Ademola. That will happen, if those affected by the judgment fail to file their appeal within 90 days as provided by law.

For now, it is obviously not over in Plateau North. In fact, it is back to square one.

Ondo poll: Battle shifts to courtroom Ondo State was in the news in the last quarter of last year due to the governorship election of October 20, 2012. In this report, DAMISI OJO writes on the litigation arising from the exercise.

N

O doubt, the political atmosphere in Ondo State today is less tense.

In the build up to the October 20, 2012 governorship election, political anxiety engulfed the state as the ruling Labour Party (LP) and other opposition parties locked horns.

However, the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) declared incumbent Governor Segun Mimiko as winner of the election.

Leading opposition parties in the state, particularly, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have made it clear that the results did not reflect the reality on ground. They had made frantic efforts to defeat the ruling LP at the polls.

Both parties had accused LP of maladministration, misplaced priorities and

bad governance. The parties also alleged that the majority of the people were fed up with the style of administration, alleging that it has pauperized the people, despite the fact that Ondo is an oil-producing state.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mimiko of the LP scored 41 percent of the votes, while opposition parties polled 49 percent. The simple deduction is that majority of the electorate voted against the continuation in government by the ruling party.

Five political parties, including the ACN, PDP, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Accord Party (AP) and Peoples for Democratic Change (PDC), have taken their grievances to the election petition tribunal to contest the re-

sult of the election. The pre-hearing of the petitions has been fixed for January 10, 2013.

Generally, opposition parties have maintained that the election was marred by irregularities and manipulations. Besides, Accord Party is protesting the non-inclusion of the name of its candidate, Olawale Ojo, in the list of candidates.

Before the election, there was a lot of scheming among the politicians in the state. Many groups operated covertly, but before too long, a group that was hitherto largely amorphous, suddenly emerged with an identity it called “PDPGbasibe”. A source in the state described it as ‘planted’ LP members in the PDP working for the re-election of Mimiko. Their brief, it was learnt, was

• Akeredolu

to work against the interest of the PDP and its candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, while parading themselves as loyal party members. At a point, some members of the group were expelled for anti•Continued on page 52

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POLITICS Former Delta State Information Commissioner Oma Djebah is the Senior Adviser on Foreign Relations to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. In this interview with AUGUSTINE AVWODE, he explains what his office is doing to market the state to the international community.

‘PDP not alternative for good governance’

‘Delta is exploring global T partnership for development’

Y

OU are saddled with the responsibility of marketing Delta State to the international community.

How far haveyou gone in your assignment?

We have been able to do a lot in the last one year. When the office was created, we immediately defined our responsibilities within three broad areas.

The first is to build global partnerships.

To this end, we set up a unit that is called Global Partnership in the office which is directly under the Governor’s Office.

We also set up a second unit called the Diaspora Outreach. And the third one is called Outreach Programmes. It is through these three focal points that we drive the process of the office.

We have recorded some achievements within the short period of time that we came on board in our attempt to build robust foreign relations for the state at the global level. We have been able to successfully key into various international partnership programmes. For instance, Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, is the only governor in the country, and we can say, in sub-Saharan Africa, that has been to such a level of being received by the Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of the UN. When the country was hit by devastating floods, we activated our global partnership structure. And through it we were able to get the UN to agree to assist the state. As we speak, we have submitted our report to the UN which has offered to assist the state. It is significant to say that in the whole country, only Delta and Anambra were given the opportunity to key into that scheme.

That should tell you the level we have gone in building global partnerships for development in Delta State. Again, we are partnering with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Switzerland under the Global Partnership Programme.

Just this last September, we participated in the International Investment Forum which was held in New York under the auspices of the African Business Platform. The state delegation was led by the state governor.

You can say, therefore, that we are saddled with the duty of bridging the gap which exists between the international community and whatever development that is going on in Delta State.

You earlier mentioned the Diaspora units. Many Deltans reside outside the state, both here in Nigeria and overseas.

What have you done in this regard?

We have done a lot, too. Recently, under the Diaspora Initiative, the state government signed an MoU with the University of Texas Midwestern Medical Centre to come and build a Kidney

• Djebah

Transplant and Dialysis Facilities at the Oghara Teaching Hospital. it will interest you to know that a Deltan, who is in Texas, an Associate Professor, Femi Wariuku was actively involved.

The governor led the delegation and I was in the delegation too.

As we speak, that project is on under the Diaspora Programme.

And also, Ambassador Eloho Otobo, the UN Director of Strategic Planning and Peace Building, visited the state under the Diaspora Programe. He is a notable Deltan at the UN. He is a Harvard trained Economist, he came to see how the capacity of the various ministries, departments and agencies can be galvanized so that the state can benefit from the Diaspora initiative.

Again, I will like to let you know that we are about to use that platform to redirect the youths in the state into something productive and useful. In order to mentor the youths in the state, we are reviving the arts, namely poetry, literature and other forms of arts. Instead of going to the net to browse and engage yourself in things that may not be profitable as a youth after school, and in order to rekindle that love for the arts, we brought one of our notable sons in the Diaspora, Ogaga Ifowodo, an Associate Professor at the Texas State University. He is a poet, activist, lawyer and writer.

And we brought students and youths from the 25 local government areas in the state. Some of

the children wrote poems and recited them there. It was a big occasion in the state which attracted many dignitaries, including the governor and his deputy and some members of the diplomatic corp. It was a reawakening of sort with Odia Ofeimun as chairman of the occasion.

And on the Outreach Initiative, we have commenced the production of The Diplomat in collaboration with some private partnership to be able to put in proper perspective what is happening in Delta State. With this in the various embassies and foreign commissions nobody will bother us with such questions as what is happening in Delta State?

One of the slogans of the Delta State government is ‘Delta beyond oil’. How is the international community taking the message?

The international community, particularly, the North, is looking at the possibility of building an economy that is less and less dependent on oil.

Today, the US is talking of reducing gas emission; it is talking about the possibility of running cars that are not fueled with oil. The US is talking about renewable energy and bio-fuel. The US, Germany and Asians countries are moving in that direction. So national governments that are led by focused, innovative and dynamic leadership are gradually keying into this direction change. And Delta State is one of the sub-national government that has keyed into this direction shift.

The Uduaghan Administration, in propagating the philosophy of Delta beyond oil is only stressing the need to diversify the economy. The objective, of course, is clear. There is the need to keep pace with the changing world. And in any case, what we are talking about – oil and gas is not a thing that is infinite. It could be completely exhausted today. If that happens, what shall we do? Even if the oil does not dry up, what if the demand for it plummets, what do we do? That informs the concept of Delta beyond oil.

So, you see that it is a visionary policy that seeks to make provision for tomorrow. It is in this regard that the administration of Governor Uduaghan is building the agricultural base of the state. And we are making investment in other sectors like education so as to build the knowledge industry. In every civilization, development or invention, the knowledge industry is a critical factor that drives it. And I must say that the reception by the international community is very encouraging because it is tandem with their vision and desire.

• From left: Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo condoles with Amina, the widow of former Governor Patrick Yakowa, during his visit to Kaduna... yesterday.

HE Chief Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Razaq Balogun, has dismissed the threat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to capture the state in the 2015 election as empty threat. He said PDP is not an alternative for good governance.

Balogun, who made the observation in Lagos, said PDP had always failed in its bid to rule the state because it lacked good programmes for the people.

Last week, PDP had met at the residence of former Deputy National Chairman, Southwest, Chief Olabode George, to inaugurate its Elders’ Club, whose motive was to unseat the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state.

In Balogun’s word: “PDP has always been trying to capture Lagos and if I can remember vividly since 1999. It is not about capturing Lagos, it is about providing good governance and the people seeing the impact of government in their lives. You can see that since that period we have had four elections which ACN won, this is because the people have faith in us.”

He berated the PDP for trying to misinterpret the new traffic law in the state to mean that it was target at Okada riders who naturally are aware that the law were put in place for public good and to save the state from undue carnage caused by mismanagement of our roads.

“We are merely saying they cannot ride on major roads, Okada was not the only thing that government regulated, we did a whole traffic law that affect trailers, drivers and other users of the roads. The issue of don’t smoke when you drive and other things like that just to protect the people against accidents that could be prevented played in the law.”

Bologun noted that the Lagos State government was sensitive to whatever plight the reforms might have cause and was doing everything possible to reduce the impact.

“I want to use this forum to let them know that the government is sensitive to their plight and will continue to work in their interests. Again, let not continue to talk about PDP in the scheme of things in this country, the party has continued to win election because our people do not understand what governance is all about.”

“This is a government that has been ruling since 1999 and cannot even put an overhead bridge in Ota, who cannot work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and you are telling me that the party has the moral right to contest election. I don’t see PDP as an alternative; Lagosians are there to make their choices”.

Balogun maintained that Lagos state had made remarkable progress under ACN since 1999 and had become a template for good governance in term of programmes with direct impacts in the lives of the people and urged the press to stop making PDP relevant, when it had not put its house in order.

It would be recalled that PDP in Lagos State is factionalised under the leadership Olabode George and former Minister of Works and Hous• Balogun ing, Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe.

Ondo poll: Battle shifts to courtroom •Continued from page 51

party activities.

After the election, the battle shifted to the election tribunal.

Eminent lawyers engaged by both parties would begin fireworks this month. The people of the state are following the case with keen interest.

The allegation that the only oil-producing state in the Southwest region is facing financial crisis is rife. Political observers contend that the state is broke and administrative routine is at stand still. They are also of the opinion that the development has inadvertently affected workers in the state.

There is also the rumour that Mimiko is set to return to his former party, the PDP, next month. The governor was said to have perfected all plans with the Presidency to ensure a smooth defection from LP. Besides, a source said the present cabinet will be dissolved to pave way for new members.

According to the source, those who defected from opposition parties before and after the election will be considered for positions in the new cabinet, especially those expelled PDP members who worked for LP. However, opposition parties, especially ACN and PDP, are working closely to ensure that LP government is shown the way out of governance because of the present economic hardship in the state. The ball is now in the court of the judiciary to decide whether Mimiko actually won the election or not. Justice A Kaka-led Election Petition Tribunal has 180 days to decide • Oke the case.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 1-1-13

Equities close 2012 with N2.44tr gain

T

HE Nigerian equities market yesterday closed 2012 on a positive note with average return of 35.45 per cent, which translated to more than N2.44 trillion capital gain in the pockets of investors.

The market performance in 2012 represents its best return in the past five years, since the long-drawn recession that started in 2008.

The All Share Index (ASI) at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by 0.76 per cent to close at 28,078.81 points yesterday. Similarly, market capitalisation added N67 billion to close at N8.974 trillion.

Speaking on the trading floor yesterday to mark the end of trading in 2012, Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, described the performance of the market in 2012 as a good development that deserves celebration.

The ASI rose by 35.45 per cent from year-opening index of 20,730.63 to close at 28,078.81 while market capitalisation of equities increased by N2.441 trillion or 37.36 per cent from year’s value on board of N6.533 trillion to close at N8.974 trillion.

The difference in market capitalisation and ASI implies that the market forces have not

By Tonia Osundolire

fully adjusted for recent listings.

Commenting on the market performance, the Chief Executive Officer, Lambert Trust & Investment Company Limited, Mr. David Andonri, said the Nigerian market closed as one best performing in the world in 2012.

“It has been a very wonderful year for the equities market. For all intent and purpose the secondary market appears to have stabilised and recovered. We hope that the stability will continue into 2013.

And we also hope that some of the challenges that have confronted the market like the dormancy of the primary market for equities and the dormancy of the secondary market for bonds will be surmounted in 2013,” Adonri said.

New and supplementary listings during the year included Austin Laz and Company Plc, Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc, while the supplementary listings includes First City Monument Bank Plc; International Breweries Plc; Ecobank Transnational Incorporated; Niger Insurance Plc; Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc; Access Bank Plc; Starcomms Plc; Afromedia Plc; Premier Paints Plc; Unity

Bank Plc; Vono Products; Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc; and Studio Press Plc. Meanwhile, a total of 40 equities recorded price change yesterday with 30 appreciating while the remaining 10 reduced in value.

Guinness led the gainers table with an increase of N2.88 to close at N275.00. It was followed by Nigerian Breweries with a gain of N2.00 to close at N147.00.

Others on the table were Julius Berger, Zenith Bnak, Okomu Oil Palm, Presco, Berger, Airservices, FCMB and ETI with price gain of N1.65, N0.86, N0.61, N0.60, N0.42, N0.38, N0.30 and N0.29.

On the flip side, Vitafoam led with a drop of N0.12 to close at N3.66 followed by Continental Reinsurance with price drop of N0.02. Also on the list were Custodian and Allied Insurance, Fidson, Japaul Oil, WAPCO, NASCON, Honeywell Flour, Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Diamond Bank.

Volume of activities of the NSE yesterday stood at 215.581 million shares worth N1.689 billion across 2,714 deals. Financial Services sector still retain the lead position with 93.574 million shares worth N810.331 million in 1,667 deals.

Others with relative high volume were the Conglomerates, Consumer Goods, Oil & Gas, Industrial Goods and Services with 88.312 million shares, 17.731 million shares, 7.902 million shares, 3.815 million shares and 2.035 million shares.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 1-1-13

THE

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

55

MONEY LINK Bank’s capital CBN to unfold finance houses’ ‘Diamond adequacy ratio hits 16%’ reform package A D reform package that will drive the finance houses sub-sector of the economy will be unfolded this month by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), The Nation has learnt.

A source at the Finance Houses Association of Nigeria (FHAN), who spoke in confidence, said the apex bank will also release timeline for compliance to regulatory issues raised in the guideline.

The source also hinted that the Board of Directors of the CBN is also expected to approve an enhanced capital base for the subsector to strengthen its operational capabilities.

Investigations showed that the apex bank’s board would release a new prudential guidelines for the subsector that also includes raising the sub-sectors’ capital base from the current N20 million to about N1 billion. This, he said, would bring stability to the troubled sector.

The source said other policy issues such as the appointment of Managing Directors formed

By Collins Nweze

part of the ongoing reforms in the subsector.

He said the apex bank is also considering developing a regulatory framework plannethat will govern finance lease practice, institutionalising a “funding pool” to stimulate lending activities in the sub-sector and structured programme to address the reputation and poor visibility challenges of the subsector.

He said other pending issues such as withdrawal of licences of 47 finance houses whose liquidity were called to question in May, and funding for the subsector will be decided after the CBN board’s assent.

He said progress is being made now, unlike before when nothing was happening in the sub-sector.

The apex bank had given a 30-day notice to 47 finance houses closed or inactive to

submit evidence of their existence and/or operations, or lose their operating licences.

The order had expired on Tuesday, April 18 and the banking watchdog is yet to take a decision on the matter.

The CBN said that the affected finance companies had closed shop, ceased to operate, or abandoned finance company business. The source said the withdrawal of the institutions’ licences is certain because their conditions are beyond repair.

President of the association, Samuel Durojaye, said in a statement that the CBN reforms in the sector will transform and reposition the finance company sub-sector to enable it play increasing role in Nigeria’s financing value chain.

He acknowledged the apex bank’s continuing support to and engagement with the association on this project. He

• Sanusi

called on FHAN members to support the bank’s efforts at strengthening the regulatory environment by regular and timely rendering of all statutory returns and reports, as well as the renewal of their operating licences every year.

Durojaye enjoined them to note that the apex bank is taking the issue of corporate governance practices very seriously and, therefore, counseled members to identify structural weaknesses in their various organisations and take immediate remedial steps to rectify them.

Standard Bank, ETI forecast on Ghanaian growth

G

HANA’S economic growth, is set to beat the African average for a sixth year in 2013, risks boosting imports and fueling further weakness in the region’s third-worst performing currency, Standard Bank Group Limited and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) have said.

The cedi, which has declined

14 per cent against the United States currency last year, may slump to 2.15 a dollar over the next 12 months, according to Ecobank’s head of economic research, Angus Downie.

Samir Gadio, emergingmarkets strategist at Standard Bank, sees the Ghanaian unit at 1.95 a dollar by the end of 2013. It weakened 0.3 per cent to 1.9065 a dollar according to

data compiled by Bloomberg.

“We expect the cedi to depreciate, driven by continued strong demand for imports, both of capital and consumer goods. We think real gross domestic product will expand by around 8 percent in 2013 due to robust domestic demand and growth in exports.”Downie said.

Since the start of oil exports in December 2010, Ghana’s ex-

pansion has spurred demand for imported fuel, food and consumer products. Growth in the 67.4 billion-cedi ($35 billion) economy is forecast to reach 8.2 per cent in 2012 year and 7.8 per cent in 2013, outpacing the 5.7 per cent projection for next year in subSaharan Africa, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 31-12-12

SYMBOL GUINNESS NB JBERGER ZENITHBANK OKOMUOIL PRESCO BERGER AIRSERVICE FCMB ETI

O/PRICE 272.12 145 33 18.63 41.89 16.4 8.56 3.8 3.45 11

C/PRICE 275 147 34.65 19.49 42.5 17 8.98 4.18 3.75 11.29

CHANGE 2.88 2.00 1.65 0.86 0.61 0.60 0.42 0.38 0.30 0.29

VITAFOAM CONTINSURE CUSTODYINS FIDSON JAPAULOIL WAPCO NASCON HONYFLOUR STANBIC DIAMONDBNK

O/PRICE 3.78 0.78 1.33 1.08 0.56 59.4 8.1 2.1 11.03 4.95

C/PRICE 3.66 0.76 1.3 1.06 0.55 58.53 8 2.09 11 4.94

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 132.65 125.53 0.80 1.13 0.92 100.00 1,000.00 1,763.58 11.31 1.39 1.87 9,270.16

9.08 1.00 132.34 124.60 0.77 1.13 0.91 100.00 1,000.00 1,754.53 10.75 1.33 1.80 9,029.05

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor

NSE CAP Index

Name

CHANGE 0.12 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.87 0.10 0.01 0.03 0.01

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 31-12-12

SYMBOL

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

S

TRONG investor demand in the fixed-income space, especially for treasury bills and bonds, continued this week and could strengthen naira exchange rate, FBN Capital, an investment and research firm has said.

At the monthly auction of Federal Government of Nigeria bonds a week ago, the total bid of N144 billion was the highest since August and comfortably exceeded the Debt Management Office’s sales target of N77 billion.

Recently, the CBN raised N138 billion from the sale of TBs. The total bid amounted to N299 billion, including N180 billion for the 364-bill alone. Also, a sizeable offshore bid at both auctions has supported the naira exchange rate. The inclusion of three FGN bonds in the JP Morgan government index has attracted investors who may have been previously wary of the market. “The headline inflation story is also compelling. We can see a single-digit level as soon as January, and the CBN projects 7.2 per cent year to year for March 2013,” it said.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

TBs to support exchange rate, says FBN capital

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

IAMOND Bank Plc has increased its capital adequacy ratio (CAR) to 15.58 per cent in response to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recent guideline compelling Nigerian banks operating offshore to raise their CAR from 10 to 15 per cent.

This was contained in a statement from the lender, which recently beefed up its CAR by raising funds from a number of international financial institutions including the AFREXIM Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The bank had also increased its CAR to 16.2 per cent in the third quarter, and as at December 29 2012, the CAR stood at 15.58 per cent.

Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), also called Capital to Risk (Weighted) Assets Ratio (CRAR), is a ratio of a bank’s capital to its risk. The Central Banks of countries track a bank’s CAR to ensure that it can absorb a reasonable amount of loss and complies with statutory capital requirements.

The apex bank had on May 18, 2012, issued a statement for banks to increase their capital adequacy ratio in a bid to enhance their regional growth prospects. Sequel to the CBN’s guideline in May 2012, Diamond Bank’s CAR according to the statement, was 13.3 per cent in the first quarter of the year 2012. The lender’s CAR was raised to 15.2 per cent in the second quarter, which ended in June in a bid to comply with the CBN regulation.

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

NEWS Kaduna NMA protests killing of members

T

HE Kaduna State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday protested the killing of its members by gunmen.

Its Chairman, Dr Aliyu Bappah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that three doctors had been killed by gunmen in the last seven months.

Bappah said the association yesterday directed its 1,500 members to reduce their services by 30 minutes, between 12 noon and 12.30pm every day, for one week.

He explained that during the protest, NMA members would observe a minute silence daily for the repose of the souls of the deceased; 29 minutes would be used to discuss members’ safety.

According to him, the recent killing in Zaria of Prof. Hycinth Mbibu, a Urologist at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Teaching Hospital, Shika, was unacceptable.

He recalled that Dr Chris Ugwu of Saidu Dange Hospital and Dr Andrew Abutu were killed under similar circumstances in Zaria.

The NMA chairman said seven others had survived various attacks by the gunmen within the period.

According to him, the cars and other items of some members have been stolen.

Bappah added that the association would meet today to discuss the matter and the measures to take to safeguard the lives of its members.

Al-Makura explains upgrade of traditional institutions ASARAWA State Governor Tanko AlMakura yesterday said he upgraded some chiefdoms in good faith.

A statement by his Special Senior Assistant on Media, Mr. Sani Mairiga, said: “Traditional institutions are the custodians of the people’s customs and traditions and must be treated with deference. The administration will continue to accord traditional rulers due recognition, honour and respect.”

The governor said he would provide an enabling environment for monarchs to help them discharge their duties.

He urged the traditional rulers to use their offices to promote peace and the rapid socio-economic development of their domains.

Al-Makura advised the newly upgraded chiefdoms to view their elevation as a challenge to provide excellent services to the people.

The governor advised them to support the government to take democratic dividends to the door steps of the people.

Al-Makura, on December 17, approved the creation and affirmation of 10 more chiefdoms as well as the upgrade of seven more district heads.

The approval was in pursuant to the powers under the Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2009 (as amended), the Chiefs Appointment and Deposition Law of Northern Nigeria (as applicable in Nasarawa State) and other extant conventions.

N

•Cross-section of Bauchi State Christian Women in Politics displaying the wrappers the state government distributed to them in Bauchi...yesterday.

Y

Plateau youths clash with STF

OUTHS and personnel of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises, code-named Operation Safe Haven, yesterday clashed in Kuru, near Jos, the Plateau State capital, following the alleged killing of a youth on Sunday night by unknown gunmen.

STF Media Officer Capt.

Salisu Mustapha said the deceased was killed by a stray bullet, adding that another youth was injured by a stray bullet.

But he could not confirm the source of the stray bullet.

The angry youths took to the streets yesterday, protesting what they called the “constant and consistent killings” of their kinsmen.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria

•Protest death of colleague (NAN) who visited the scene of the protest, reports that the youths made bonfires on the main Kuru-Vom-Manchok Road.

The NAN correspondent saw rubble of burnt cars on the scene of the protest.

At the heat of the protest, the STF sent reinforcement to the scene to restore normalcy.

This led to a clash with the youths.

Some of the youths accused the soldiers of complicity in what they called the systematic killing of their people.

They urged the government to withdraw the armed men from the area because their kinsmen were hit by military bullets.

Mustapha rejected the allegation that the stray bullets were fired by men of the STF. He said: “The attack was carried out by some unknown men, who just fired indiscriminately and ran away. In fact, there are no STF men stationed at the point where the attack happened. The bullets from these attackers were not aimed at anyone in particular.

That is why I say they were stray bullets.

“Right now, we are trying to find out who carried out the attack. But the youths are distracting us. I don’t know why the youths should blame the soldiers for such a crime and follow that up by taking the law into their hands.”

Mustapha promised that the STF men would fish out the attackers when they are through with restoring law and order in the troubled area.

He added: “For now, the road is closed. But very soon, the road shall be opened for vehicular movement.”

The STF spokesman confirmed that some of the protesters had been arrested but did not specify how many.

“We have made some arrests, but I don’t know how many. I can only confirm that later,” he said.

NAN reports that Plateau State has been a hotbed of violence in the last two years.

Most of the attacks have been carried out by unknown gunmen, usually at night, when the victims were in bed.

Woman, 40, arrested with 757.5kg of Indian hemp in Kano

O

PERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano yesterday arrested a woman, Hajiya Fatima Jimoh, 40, with 75 bags of dry leaves, suspected to be cannabis sativa (Indian hemp).

The State Commander of the agency, Alhaji Garba Ahmadu, said the exhibits, weighing about 757.5 kilogrammes, were found at two warehouses belonging to the suspect at different locations in the city.

The NDLEA chief explained that Hajiya Fatima was apprehended at her home in Dandishe, Dala Local Government, with her husband, Folorunso.

The man reportedly denied knowledge of his wife’s involvement in the illegal busi-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

ness.

He said: “I do not know she is involved in this kind of business. I am not aware of her involvement in drug trafficking.

I just came back from a journey before I was arrested by NDLEA officials.”

Fatima confessed to dealing in cannabis sativa for a long time and corroborated her husband’s claims.

She said: “Honestly, my husband is not aware of this business. He is not into it with me.

I do not bring it to the house and he has not in any way been involved in it.”

Ahmadu warned drug peddlers, traffickers and users to leave Kano.

He said: “We got about 74

* Fatima with the bags of Indian hemp...yesterday

bags of cannabis sativa in one of her warehouses used for wholesale; one more bag was

found in the second warehouse, apparently used for retail.”

Belgore to Kwara, Fed Govt: get serious in 2013

K

WARA State major opposition figure Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to be sincere in tackling corruption.

Besides, it should give Nigerians a sense of belonging and pride in the New Year.

Belgore was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in the 2011 election.

In a New Year message, the lawyer noted that “2012 cannot be said to be eventful for the people of Nigeria, in the areas of security, job opportunities, economic empowerment, power, road network and other basic infrastructure, which are required to give the citizenry a sense of belonging

•‘Kwara budget ridiculous’ and pride”.

He added: “The government needs to first admit these failures and then move in urgently to do the right thing in the New Year.”

Belgore admonished the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Kwara State to “behave more responsibly and govern in the best interest of the people”.

The senior lawyer warned that the “events of 2012 have shown beyond doubt that Kwara people want genuine change and real socio-economic and political empowerment, not the window dressing that dotted the past years’.

The ACN chieftain noted that Kwara lags behind in basic infrastructure and human capital development.

He criticised the Abdulfattah Ahmed administration for presenting the 2013 budget with a recurrent expenditure (N51billion) exceeding the capital expenditure (N42.6billion).

The statement added: “While our people are indeed peaceloving and unassuming, they cannot continue to endure lies being told in the name of governance.

“The state’s 2013 budget, where recurrent expenditure (standing at N51billion) exceeds capital expenditure (pegged at

N42.6billion), does not show a government in tune with the yearnings of the impoverished masses and global trend. For a state clearly on the lower wrung of social, economic and human capital development ladder, such budget estimate calls for worry by concerned citizens who are genuinely conscious of the dictates of the time and consequences of enriching a corrupt few at the expense of the majority of the populace. We hope the State Assembly would rightly raise issues with the budget estimates which we found to be ridiculous and run afoul of the government’s much-ridiculed ‘Shared Prosperity’ mantra.

“Finally, we wish all Nigerians, especially Kwarans, a truly prosperous 2013.”

Police deny rescuing kidnapped Gombe lawmaker From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

THE Gombe State Police Command has denied the rumour that it has rescued the kidnapped House of Assembly member, Jalo Ahmed Ganga.

The command also denied a report, which said Police Commissioner Mohammed Suleman announced the reunion of the lawmaker with his family.

The command’s spokesman, Atajiri Fwaje, described the report as embarrassing.

He said: “The Gombe State Police Command wishes to state unequivocally that the report is false, callous and mischievous. It was made to undermine police investigation, thereby misleading the public.”

The police spokesman urged the family of the kidnapped lawmaker and the public to remain calm as well as disregard the rumour as the imagination of a mischief maker.

Fwaje said the police would locate the whereabouts of the lawmaker and rescue him.

According to him, there has been no communication with the abductors.

He added that investigation was on and that the police would publicise the result.

Ganga, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, was kidnapped at 5am in front of his home in Gombe when he was returning from the dawn (Subuhi) prayer.

Nyako appoints Acting CJ ADAMAWA State Governor Murtala Nyako yesterday appointed Justice Nathan Musa as the new Acting Chief Judge (CJ) of the state.

At the swearing-in of the Acting CJ yesterday in Yola, the state capital, the governor urged him to be fair and honest in discharging his duties.

He said: “Your appointment is based on merit, following your successful record in the stateJudiciary.”

Nyako also urged the Judiciary to cooperate with other arms of government to develop the state.

Musa promised to discharge his responsibilities diligently.

He called for the support of all to make his task easy.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

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NEWS Why Fed Govt has not stopped Boko Haram, INISTER of InformaRibadu’s Petroleum Revby minister Nuhu tion Labaran Maku enue report until there is a

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yesterday gave reasons why the Federal Government has not been able to stop Boko Haram’s killing spree.

Speaking in Abuja during an end of year review of the performance of the Federal Government, Maku said the faceless nature of the members, who easily miss with the crowd of innocent Nigerians, had been one of the greatest challenges in stopping the killings.

He said politicising and condemnation of security forces defending the nation’s unity had boosted Boko Haram’s activities.

Said Maku: “The enemies hide in front, in the midst and behind innocent Nigerians.

They don’t wear uniforms and there is no name on their faces.

The Armed Forces are facing a very difficult enemy. What the Armed forces have achieved is very significant. We must stop politicising these security issues.

“If our security forces had not increased capacity, we would have recorded greater violence in the country. They have nipped in the bud several attacks by the enemies. Government has remained focused in dealing with insecurity in the country.

“The Federal Government has stepped up the investment in security through the provision of logistics and training and deployment of security personnel to the affected states. We have also adopted a multifaceted approach in tackling the security challenge, especially the involvement of stakeholders,

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

religious and community leaders as well as ordinary citizens in this campaign.

“Let me, on behalf of the government, commiserate with those who lost their loved ones and those maimed in the mindless campaign of violence, particularly in the northern part of the country in the last 12 months. I assure you that the government will remain focussed in finding lasting solution to the security challenge in 2013,” he said.

Maku put the blame of the fuel scarcity and increase in pump price in some parts of the country on marketers who, according to him, want to make excess profit.

Stating that the government cannot go to all petrol stations to monitor the conduct of individuals, he said: “Every litre of fuel sold above N97 is additional tax on Nigerians. Misconduct of individuals is causing a lot of problem in the system. Nigerians should have mercy on Nigerians. Profiteering should be done in a sincere manner.”

According to him, corruption is promoted by collapse in the value system. “So long as subsidy remains, there will always be temptation for marketers and other individuals to misbehave,” Maku said.

Declaring that the Federal Government has recovered so much money from fraud in the system, he insisted that the Federal Government cannot move against indicted persons in the

white paper.

Reeling out the achievements in the last 12 months, Maku said due to transformation in the agricultural sector and introduction of cassava bread, Nigeria has saved over N300 billion from reduction in importation of wheat for bread.

According to him, power generation has reached a record high of 4,500 megawatts. Before the end of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria will witness a sustainable power supply, Maku said.

On infrastructural development in the aviation sector, the minister said that local airports have been transformed and covered by radar control in order to make them more attractive for foreign investors.

He said the Federal Government has decided to provide through the private sector capital base for airlines in the country, to help them overcome their financial challenges.

On rail transportation, Maku said: “For the first time in nearly three decades, the trains are moving from Lagos to Kano uninterrupted. The train services, which were broken down by corruption and neglect, have been restored. In 2013, the railway and train from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri will be completed.”

Maintaining that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly will help to boost oil production to 400 million barrel per day, he said over 4,000 first class graduates have been sent abroad on scholarship.

Police arrest suspected kidnappers of Nkiru Sylvanus

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HE Imo State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested four suspects, who played key roles in the abduction of Nollywood actress and Senior Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Public Affairs, Miss Nkiru Sylvanus.

Police Commissioner Adisa Bolanta spoke at the police headquarters in Owerri, the state capital.

He said the state is now a graveyard for kidnappers and other criminals.

The command paraded 20 other suspects, who were arrested for alleged armed robbery, kidnapping and arson.

It also paraded four suspects for the abduction of a fouryear-old daughter of Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Publicity Secretary, Mr Blyden Amajirionwu.

The kidnappers reportedly abducted her from her parents’

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

home at the Uratta Housing Estate, Owerri North Local Government.

Bolanta said three police teams were on the trail for Nkiru’s kidnappers.

The police chief said the teams arrested the four suspects - Okoro Basil, Stella Opara, Festus Olegeme and Chijioke Chima - in their hideout at Imerienwe, Ngor Okpalla Local Government.

He said the suspects have confessed to being the collaborators to the kidnappers.

According to him, the suspects named Chinedu Okoro (aka Mopol), Ifeanyi Onyekwe (aka Alaye), Ezekwem Onyekwe and Ifeanyi (surname held) as the kidnappers of the Nollywood actress.

Bolanta said: “Since the kidnappers have been identified by the police, there have been repeated visits to their homes and

•Miss Sylvanus

hideout to arrest them.”

The police chief also said following the information Amajirionwu gave the police, two suspects - Tochukwu Ekeh, a cripple and Ngozi Ihemba - were arrested.

He said another suspect escaped with bullet wounds during an exchange of gun fire.

The police also rescued a 78 year-old-woman, Mrs Christiana Okeke, from kidnappers.

Gunmen attack Adamawa police station

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NIDENTIFIED gunmen on Sunday attacked a police station in Hong, Adamawa State.

Police spokesman Mohammed Ibrahim confirmed the attack to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Yola, the state capital .

He said the gunmen attacked the station at 8pm on Sunday but were repelled by policemen, who engaged them in a shootout.

Ibrahim said: “They were forced to retreat in different directions and were disorganised after they were forced to abandon their mission.

”They scattered and could not regroup to attack other places as they planned.”

The spokesman explained that the police did not record any casualty except that a girl in the neighbourhood sustained a minor injury from a stray bullet.

The incident came three days after a similar attack on Maiha Divisional Police Station on Friday.

During the Maiha attack, in which two people were killed (a policeman and a civilian), the hoodlums also attacked Prisons, Customs, the Presidential Lodge, the Area Court and the Local Education Authority offic-

es in the local government.

The Adamawa Comptroller of Prisons Mr Andrew Barka said 11 of the 35 convicts, who were freed by gunmen at the Maiha Satellite Prisons, have been returned to the custody.

Barka explained that four of the convicts returned on their own while seven others were rearrested. He sought the cooperation of the public in tracking those on the run.

The Prisons chief said the inmates have been transferred to Mubi Prison, adding that the convicts of Maiha were serving various terms based on minor crimes.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

60

NEWS ‘Prosecute his killers’ From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

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•From left: Lagos State Assistant Commander of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps Michael Oga; Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Unit Commander in Ikotun Chiwendu Iwuoha; Lagos State FRSC Sector Commander Charles Nsebong Apkabio and the State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Tajudeen Abgede at the flag off of the new commercial driver’s licence at Ikotun, Lagos State.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID.

Editors deplore illegal arrest of journalists

By Eric Ikhilae

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HE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has deplored the illegal harassment, brutalisation and incarceration of journalists.

NGE, after a meeting of its Standing Committee in Lagos, urged the authorities “to engage the media according to the constitution and rule of law.

It called for protection of journalists and freedom of expression.

The body, in a communiqué after its meeting, signed by its President, Gbenga Adefaye and Assistant Secretary, Steve Ayorinde, enjoined journalists to observe the ethics of the profession, publish facts and be socially responsible in the discharge of their duties.

NGE frowned at a practice where the health situation of ailing public officers is hidden from the people, and in the process, subjecting journalists to speculation.

It said it would conduct its biennial convention in February to elect new officers.

“The Guild notes the security challenges facing the country and hopes that with the cooperation of all, 2013 will witness an improvement as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The Guild enjoins government to invest in an improved health care delivery system in the country and advises public officers to take the people into confidence about their state of health, instead of putting the media in an embarrassing situation of speculation when public officers stay away from their duty posts for a long period,” it said.

Tompolo’s security firm may sack 4,000

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IL companies in the Niger Delta are getting worried over the Federal Government’s refusal to renew pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to former militant leaders.

It was gathered that only Oil Field Surveillance Limited (OFSL), owned by Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, is not operating.

Sources told our reporter that the company is to lay off over 4,000 workers in the New Year owing to the latest development.

Oil industry experts said attacks on oil facilities and illegal bunkering activities could spike this year, if OFSL lays off its workers.

A source at an oil multinational in Warri said: “The situation is really dicey at the

•Oil firms, NNPC jittery From Shola O’Neil, Warri

moment because of this situation.

“We know that staff of the surveillance companies are those responsible for a large chunk of attacks on our facilities.

“In the past two years since the award of this contract there have been a semblance of sanity, especially in the Bayelsa/ Delta axis where Tompolo’s boys are working.

“While it is not our place to tell the Federal Government what to do in this regard, a lot of us (oil industry operators) feel that it is better to maintain the balance because of the success we are seeing in Delta

State.”

When contacted, Tompolo’s media aide Paul Bebenimibo neither confirmed nor denied report of the mass retrenchment.

He said: “The handwriting is on the wall for all to see, OFSL has been paying thousands of workers for several months without receiving money from the Federal Government and you do not expect the management of the company to continue to lose money.”

Comrade Rex Anighoro, spokesman of Alhaji Asari Dokubor, one of the contract beneficiaries, said he was on the road when our reporter contacted him.

The Federal Government had recently slammed Dokubor, blaming his scatting criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan on the non renewal of his contract.

But a Presidential source said the Federal Government may yet renew the contract, at least for the contractor handling the Delta end.

“There’s no doubt that the contract was a success in Delta State, oil companies and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan have confirmed this to the President at various times.

“The problem is the failure of the contracts in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

The President doesn’t want to be seen as favouring one side over the other. But at the end of the day something has to be done about it,” our source said.

‘Subsidy thieves not behind minister’s in Anambra State. mum kidnap’ residing He identified the three as

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

•Prof Okonjo

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ONTROVERSY has continued to trail the release of the mother of Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Prof Ngozi

Okonjo–Iweala.

Commissioner of Police in Delta State Ikechukwu Aduba yesterday contradicted the minister, who had said that those against the oil subsidy probe were behind her mother’s abduction.

Prof Kamene Okonjo was abducted from her husband’s palace at Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government on December 9 by a 10-man gang. She was released six days after.

According to Aduba, the information leading to the

killing of the alleged mastermind was credible and genuine.

The 35 year-old kidnap kingpin, Nwazor Nwose aka Bolaji, allegedly involved in the abduction, was killed in Asaba, the state capital, after a gun battle with security operatives.

He said the police, acting on a tip-off, tracked the suspect to his hideout in Asaba.

Aduba said the suspects arrested would be arraigned in court next week, stressing that the police was closing in on three other accomplices

Nonso, Chiboy and Chukwura.

His words: “There is a raging controversy over the true circumstances surrounding the abduction of the mother of the Finance Minister.

“We try to be careful in doing our job.

“But we stand by our earlier position that the mastermind involved in the kidnap of Prof Okonjo is credible and genuine.

“The mastermind is a notorious criminal whose death has brought relief to Asaba residents. We stand by this position.”

Fireworks usher in new year around the world

ELEBRATIONS are being held around the world to mark the new year, with the city of Auckland in New Zealand holding the first major event of 2013.

More than 1.5 million people gathered around Sydney harbour to watch that city’s famous firework display.

Big shows are also taking place in many other cities globally.

Celebrations have also been held for the first time in Burma, where large public gatherings were banned by its previous military rulers.

In Auckland, the largest city closest to the International Date Line, fireworks exploded over the city’s 328m (1,076ft) Sky Tower as midnight struck (11:00 GMT).

Two hours later, the huge crowds around the harbour in the Australian city of Sydney were treated to a typically extravagant fireworks display.

Seven tonnes of fireworks lit up the famous landmarks of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House to

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a soundtrack co-written by Australian singer Kylie Minogue.

The display is expected to pump $160m (£98.5m) into the local economy, the BBC’s Phil Mercer in Sydney said.

Fireworks lit up the skyline in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, while South Korea ushered in the new year with the traditional ringing 33 times of the 15th century Bosingak bell in the capital Seoul.

As many as 100,000 people were expected around Hong Kong’s harbour for the city’s biggest ever fireworks display, costing $1.6m (£980,000), the Associated Press reports.

Firework displays were also held in the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

Meanwhile, Burma has for the first time welcomed in New Year with a big public fireworks display in the former capital Rangoon.

Tens of thousands of people were expected to attend the event, which was held close to the country’s most sacred site, the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, and

saw many of the country’s top entertainers perform.

The celebration is in stark contrast to previous years, when the only big new year celebrations took place inside luxury hotels, the BBC’s South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head reports.

It will inevitably seen as another sign of Burma’s normalisation, as it rejoins the global economy, he adds.

The $1million event was organised by a prominent Thai firm with ambitions to cash in on the untapped market for promotional events in Burma, our correspondent notes.

However, there is a subdued atmosphere in the Indian capital Delhi, following the death last week of a 23-year-old victim of a brutal gang rape.

The army has cancelled its celebrations across the country, as have the governments in the states of Punjab and Haryana.

Thousands of residents and clubs have also called off new year celebrations. Protests over the case continued on Monday.

HE Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, M o h a m m e d Indabawa, has been urged by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to apprehend the killer of a Port Harcourt journalist, Edward Alyemen.

The deceased, until his death on Friday, was the State Correspondent of Banner News, a Bayelsa State weekly newspaper.

He was killed by a hit-andrun driver in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The reckless driver escaped after the accident, Alyemen died at a private hospital.

“We are baffled that more than three days after, the police are yet to arrest the driver .

“We call on the Commissioner to arrest the driver.”

Fake Rivers officials nabbed

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WO fake officers of the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Agency (TIMARIV) have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from the public.

Eberechukwu Uzukwu and Eze Amadi were arrested yesterday by senior officers of TIMA-RIV while jumping inside a private car to harass the owner.

They allegedly confessed that they were on the road to extort money from motorists.

It was gathered that they were nabbed when the driver refused to allow them to take his car key away.

The suspects said they are into what they called “road task force” to survive during this festive period.

TIMA-RIV’s Zonal Officer Eferebo Jones said: “I don’t know how they got our uniforms, there is no two ways about it than to face the wrath of the law.”

Akon performs in Calabar From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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MERICAN musician Akon did the unthinkable in Calabar during his performance at the Calabar Festival at the UJ Esuene Stadium.

He was thrilling the crowd when some boys started fighting.

Akon noticed it and asked that they stop the fight or he would stop it himself.

When the fight would not stop, he jumped into the crowd before his bodyguards could stop him.

He said: “Lift me up. I have to go out there, take me there.

No one fights in Akon’s show.”

By the time his bodyguards brought him back on stage, he had lost his left shoe and belt buckle.

Akon still insisted on going.

He emerged from the backstage inside a large transparent balloon Then he jumped into the crowd again as he was tossed around inside the balloon.

His body guards once again had to struggle to get him back on stage.

By this time those who were fighting had relented.

Akon afterwards thrilled the excited crowd with popular tunes alongside twin sensation P-Square.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 01, 2013

61

NEWS Sambo, Obasanjo seek support for Yero •VP, ex-president meet Kaduna rulers

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo yesterday canvassed support for Kaduna State Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero. The duo said the government, under a new leadership, needs the support of all residents to succeed.

Obasanjo and Sambo spoke at a meeting with traditional rulers in Kaduna yesterday.

The former President,who was on a condolence visit to the state, described the former governor, the late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, as a bridge builder, who strove to develop Kaduna State and its people.

He urged Yero to pursue the beautiful programmes initiated by his predecessor.

Vice President Sambo solicited the support of the people for the new government even as he praised royal fathers under the chairmanship of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, for the support they gave him while he was the gover-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

‘They need your maximum support and cooperation as traditional institution to ensure peace and development of Kaduna State. I know you can do it and I’m sure you will do it’ nor of the state, noting that the support was extended to the late Yakowa.

Recalling that the support of the traditional rulers helped him to succeed in building and maintaining relative peace in the state, Sambo appealed to the monarchs to extend similar support to Yero.

He said: “We are here on the sad event of the late governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and we

pray that God give him eternal rest. I called this meeting to solicit your support for the new Governor and his deputy, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga.

“They need your maximum support and cooperation as traditional institution to ensure peace and development of Kaduna State. I know you can do it and I’m sure you will do it.”

Speaking for his colleagues, the Emir of Zazzau said the monarchs are not unaware of the fact that the new administration needs encouragement and support.

According to him, everthing must be done to ensure Kaduna as a state remained the most secured in the country. He urged the governor not to hesitate to call on them for whatever form of support and assistance.

Thanking former President for the visit, the Emir expressed appreciation to Obasanjo for finding time to pay condolence visit to the government and people of Kaduna State.

For R.A Obaleke at 80 Former Guardian reporter and Public Relations practitioner Mrs Iyabosola Olubunmi Akinkugbe pays tribute to her dad, who clocks 80 today.

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Y dear, dear Daddy, I do not have enough words to describe you but the one word that pops up each time l think about you is ‘SELFLESS’. You are an embodiment of service to your family, friends, acquaintances and humanity in general.

You have an unbelievable ability to go the extra mile for anybody, especially when it is about education and employment. How do you describe a person who pays school fees and buys books for children of his drivers, past and present, nannies and helps that we grew up with? How can one describe a person who eats with his driver without any inhibition? How can one describe a person when his name is mentioned, always elicits,”You are the daughter of a good man, your father did this and did that for me.”

Daddy, that is the story of your life.

You have built a legacy of assistance to people and only the Almighty can repay you for your good deeds. I praise God for your good deeds according to Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Daddy, I can’t stop loving you. As your hand is in how my career turned out. You taught me how to read: l remember you instructing me to always read editorial comments of Nigerian newspapers and the West Africa, Newsweek and Time magazines. Even now, I can hear those words: “Iyabo, read those editorials and do a precie (summary) for me.”

When you were secretary of the Union Baptist Church, you taught me how to write minutes from the notes you took. You were particular

TRIBUTE ‘Till today, you never ever say anything bad about the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Ladoke Akintola , Chief Sunday Afolabi, Chief Adedibu and lately Alhaji Lamidi Adeshina. As far as you are concerned, they loved the common man and that covered any weakness they had ’ about my spellings and one of the ways you played with me was to put me through spelling drills. Now, the rest of the world knows how “Iyabo Obaleke” ended up as a journalist/communicator.

Thank you, Daddy.

Daddy, l have always known you to be hardworking, diligent and trustworthy. When you believe in a cause, you are loyal to a fault. Till today, you never ever say anything bad about the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Ladoke Akintola , Chief Sunday Afolabi, Chief Adedibu and lately Alhaji Lamidi Adeshina. As far as you are concerned, they loved the common man and that covered any weakness they had.

I remember my encounter with the late Mama Mrs. Faderera Akintola in my early years as a journalist with The Guardian newspaper I had gone to interview her.

As usual, the security men said she was not available so l sent my complimentary card. Immediately, she saw

•Obaleke

my surname mama practically ran after me. She asked “which Obaleke are you?”

Gushingly, I said “the one who worked with your late husband.” She exclaimed: “So, he did not die with my husband?” (You were his private secretary). Mama, who had not granted any interview years after her husband’s demise gave me an exclusive interview that remains one of my best works in my journalism career. It became a reference point during my confirmation at The Guardian. My debt of gratitude.

In a project l am working on, Mr J.O. Otunla, the Accountant-General of the Federation, speaks highly of you and this has rubbed off positively on me.

Daddy , thank you for being the best husband to my mum, thank you for your care, your love and your ability to serve God despite the challenges of my mother’s health. For that singular act, l have learnt that you stay with God in all situations. I have learnt that God is our anchor, our present help in time of trouble and that He will never let us alone when we pass through the waters or the fires of life. Thank you for setting a good example for us to follow.

Daddy, you are indeed the best.

Happy 80 th birthday and wishing you many more years of selfless service to humanity.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

62

FOREIGN

Obama: fiscal cliff in sight

Rebels reject CAR leader’s offer

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EBELS in Central African Republic have dismissed the president’s offer to form a national unity government.

“We don’t believe in [Francois] Bozize’s promises,” rebel spokesman Eric Massi told the BBC. He accused the security forces of attacking members of ethnic groups seen as rebel sympathisers - the government has previously denied such claims.

The rebels have seized several towns as they advance on the capital, Bangui, in recent weeks.

Massi, speaking by telephone from Gabon, said that African peacekeepers must be deployed to protect northerners living in Bangui.

“If they don’t do that, we will protect them ourselves,” he said.

He accused the authorities of handing out machetes and kalashnikov rifles to civilians and said more than 400 people had disappeared in recent weeks.

Government troops have pulled back to Damara, 75km (48 miles) from the capital, in the face of the rebel advance.

The African Union has warned the Seleka rebel alliance they would face sanctions if they seized power, the AP news agency reports.

After talks with African Union chairman Thomas Boni Yayi on Sunday, President

Bozize said he would form a coalition government and step down when his term ends in 2016.

He also said he was ready to attend peace talks in Gabon “without condition and without delay”.

More troops from the Central African Multinational Force (Fomac) arrived in CAR on Saturday to reinforce a contingent already there.

More than 100 French paratroopers have also been sent in. However, France, the former colonial power, insists they are only there to secure its nationals - not to save Mr Bozize’s government.

A senior UN official told the BBC that all its international staff had been evacuated to neighbouring Cameroon.

The US has also evacuated its embassy in Bangui.

BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says there was no fighting when rebels entered Sibut on Saturday.

The city is about 150km (95 miles) from Bangui.

Government troops and Chadian soldiers deployed as a buffer force had left their position hours before and a rebel spokesman said they took over the city because it was abandoned.

Seleka - an alliance of three separate groups - accuses Bozize of failing to honour a 2007 peace deal under which fighters who laid down their arms were meant to be paid.

•Obama

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N agreement to avert the “fiscal cliff” of automatic tax increases and spending cuts appears to be “within sight,” President Barack Obama said yesterday.

“There are still issued left to resolve, but we are hopeful Congress can get it done,” Obama said.

The deal that was taking shape included an agreement to raise the income tax rate on top earners to what it was during President Bill Clinton’s last term in office, according to sources close to the process.

A GOP source told CNN negotiators are “very close” to a deal. The sticking point is $24 billion in spending cuts being sought by Republicans, according to the source.

“It’s like looking under the cushions at this point,” the source said. “If we can’t find that at this point, we should pack this place up.”

But one leading Senate Democrat warned the deal could run into trouble — not only from House Republicans

who have long opposed any tax increase, but also from liberals in the Senate who oppose allowing more high-income households to escape a tax increase.

“No deal is better than a bad deal, and this looks like a very bad deal the way this is shaping up,” Sen. Tom Harkin, DIowa, said.

President Barack Obama was expected to discuss the issue in public remarks at the White House.

The proposal under discussion calls for rolling back tax rates on the highest-income earners to Clinton-era levels, increasing the estate tax rate, extending unemployment benefits and potentially putting off the $110 billion in automatic spending cuts called

for in the legislation that created the cliff, according to sources close to the process.

A source familiar with the negotiations said the proposal under discussion would generate $600 billion in revenues by ending the Bush-era tax cuts on individuals with incomes above $400,000 and families over $450,000. Their tax rate would be 39.6%, the same as it was in 2000 during Clinton’s presidency. The top income rate is currently 35%.

The deal would also increase the estate tax to 40% from the current 35% level and cap itemized deductions for individuals with incomes above $250,000 and household income over $300,000, the source said.

The plan also includes tem-

porary extensions of several tax credits, including the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit and some business tax credits, according to the source.

Obama and his Democratic allies waded into the debate about the fiscal cliff seeking tax increases on individuals making more than $200,000 and families with incomes above $250,000. He later offered to raise the threshold to $400,000 as part of a larger deal.

The two sides are closer to an agreement than they were on Sunday, the sources told CNN. But as the Senate opened for business yesterday morning, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said negotiators remained apart on key issues.

Chavez suffers complications

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ENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez has suffered “new complications” after a cancer operation in Cuba, his vice-president has said.

In a televised address from Cuba, Nicolas Maduro said Chavez continued to be in a “delicate state”.

Chavez underwent his fourth cancer operation on 11 December in Cuba but suffered a respiratory infection.

The president - who has been in power since 1999 - is due to be sworn in on 10 Jan-

uary for another six-year term.

Maduro did not give details about Chavez’s condition but said the latest complications were connected to the respiratory infection.

“We have been informed of new complications that arose as a consequence of the respiratory infection we already knew about,” he said.

“The president gave us precise instructions so that, after finishing the visit, we would tell the (Venezuelan) people about his current health con-

dition.

“The state of health of President Chavez continues to be delicate.”

He added that the treatment was “not without risk.”

Maduro, appearing solemn, spoke alongside Chavez’s eldest daughter, Rosa, his sonin-law Jorge Arreaza, and Venezuelan Attorney General Cilia Flores.

The vice-president said he would remain in Havana “for the coming hours” but did not specify how long.

Clinton in hospital

U

NITED States’ Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is under observation in a New York hospital after being admitted suffering from a blood clot.

Mrs Clinton suffered a concussion earlier this month after fainting and falling down.

She is being treated with anti-clotting drugs and will remain in hospital for at least 48 hours, her spokesman said.

Mrs Clinton, 65, is due to stand down before President Barack Obama formally begins his second term in January.

At the time of her faint, she was reported to have had a stomach virus and to have passed out after becoming dehydrated.

Doctors discovered the clot during a follow-up examination on Sunday, her spokesman Philippe Reines said.

“She is being treated with anti-coagulants and is at New York-Presbyterian Hospital so that they can monitor the medication over the next 48 hours,” he said.

“They will determine if any further action is required.”

No information was given about where the blood clot had formed.

Mrs Clinton is due to give evidence before a Congressional committee in January in connection with the attack in September on the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi.

The US ambassador to Libya and three American officials were killed in the incident.

Mrs Clinton was appointed secretary of state at the start of Obama’s first term, in January 2009.

Her most recent foreign trip was to Dublin earlier this month.

Mrs Clinton, 65, is known for her gruelling travel schedule.

She is the most travelled secretary of state in history, having visited 112 countries while in the job, the Associated Press says.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013

63

NEWS Wada to leave hospital in days, says doctor Continued from page 1

Hospital, Abuja by Minister of Health Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Felix Ogedengbe. He arrived at about 3:15pm.

Dr. Jonathan, who was accompanied by some of his aides, wore a brown stripped kaftan with a red cap and a pair of brown shoes.

After exchanging pleasantries with the minister who got to the hospital much earlier, the President was ushered into the governor’s ward.

He joked with the governor, who wore a light blue kaftan with a cap. The governor showed the President his right leg which is in a plaster as the doctor explained the nature of the injury to the President. The Minister of Health listened.

The President wished the governor speedy recovery before leaving 15 minutes later.

Dr. Jonathan declined to speak with reporters.

He seemed satisfied with the state of things at the hospital as he smiled while coming out of the hospital.

The CMD spoke to reporters at he end of the visit, saying Wada’s health has improved tremendously.

Dr. Ogedengbe said the governor was doing well after surgery and will be discharged from hospital “in a couple of days”.

He said: “The governor is already doing step-climbing.

He is doing very well at the moment. You know it was a severe injury. We have continued to watch out for any other problem that he might have, but, at this stage, we have not

seen any other problem at all.

“From the medical point of view, he is quite healthy and he should be ready to go back home in a couple of days. I can only at this stage tell you that he will be ready to go back home in a few days, but I won’t be able to tell you specifically which day.

“He is not going to be in the hospital for weeks, he does not need to be here for weeks.”

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Jacob Edi, said: “The governor is hale and hearty and of a sound mind. He underwent surgery for the broken bone in his thigh and the surgery was successful.

“He has been receiving high profile visitors and, apparently, to cap it up is the visit of the President.”

Edi insisted that the gover-

nor would not be flown abroad for further medical treatment.

He said Wada was receiving adequate attention at the hospital and that the governor has confidence in the nation’s medical system.

On the reported fear of the governor’s security in the hospital, Edi said: “From the eyes of men, the hospital could be small and there could be the fear of security, but security belongs to God. We believe that God will protect him.”

Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi, who has been on a foreign trip in the United Kingdom on Monday, returned to the country.

He cut short his trip following the crash.

Awoniyi ‘s trip was to have lasted 12 days covering the Christmas holiday in London.

Murray-Bruce, Asoluka, Mustapha, others get board jobs Continued from page 2

Trade and Investment, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice, The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Plc, The comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Representative of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Representative of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Representative of the Rivers State Government, The

Managing Director of the llnna Oil and Gas Free Zone, Port Harcourt.

Standard Organisation of Nigeria: Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha (Chair). Members are: Mrs. Roseline Ekum, Suleiman Kogun, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Representative of the Ministry of Defence, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Health, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Representative of the Federal Ministry of Works are members.

Voice of Nigeria: Andy Aghaji

(Chair). Members are Mr. George Korgba, Hassan Ahmed, Prof. Fred Onyeoziri, Mr. Oruruo Steve, Mr. Bature Umar Sambo, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Information, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria.

Agricultural Research Development Council of Nigeria: Chief Olabode Mustapha (Chair). Members are Gen. P. C. Taja (Rtd), Bawa Magaji, Yerima Kitaf, Emeka Nwakpa, The Vice-Chancellor of one of the Universities of Agriculture, The Chairman, Committee of Deans of the Faculties of Agriculture of the Universities in Nigeria,

Chairman committee of Deans of the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine of the Universities in Nigeria, The Chairmen of the Governing Boards of Research Institutes established Under Section; the Director of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, The Director of Fisheries, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, The Director of Forestry and lives-Stock, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria.

‘PIB unfair to North’ Continued from page 2

“All the reasons for which we are poor or backward are not man-made. Some are natural and desertification is one of them.

“In whatever form it is going to be passed, I hope the PIB will be passed so that there will be reform in the petroleum industry – the most corrupt industry in Nigeria and probably the most corrupt institution in the world as of today.

“We must put a stop to this corruption. We can’t go on just talking about it. We have to go a step forward to try to solve the problems.

“If at the end of 2013, these three Bills are through and Mr President has signed them into law and they have started to solve our problems, I

will be very, very happy.

“In addition to that, I hope Mr President will have the political will, he apparently seems to lack a strong political will.

But I hope he will muscle sufficient courage to declare free and compulsory education up to secondary school level nationwide.

“If he does just that and in 2015 tells us bye, bye, we will be grateful to him for life and forever.

“If he does not I believe he has a lot of things to face. After all, we are about to merge – ANPP, ACN, CPC, APGA and part of Labour Party, Insha Allah are becoming one very strong progressive socialist party to take the monster, this monster called the PDP – that is the only way you can defeat the PDP and give Nigerians a credible alternative.”

My 2013 plan, by Jonathan Continued from page 2

tion.”

Mark said: “We went through a very challenging year. But collectively we kept hope of a brighter tomorrow.

“I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Those in elected offices cannot bring forth this light alone.

“Government alone, without the support of the citizenry, cannot build a society where everyone is free and safe without fear of any form of violence.

“We must come together in unity to ensure a secure and

progressive nation.

“I can see our nation coming out of our current trials more peacefully and strongly united.

“We must however not relent in our prayers as we continue to build a vibrant nation that will be a pride of all.”

Senator Mark in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, also reiterated the resolve of the National Assembly to continue to provide the nation with legislations that would better the lots of Nigerians.

He prayed for a joyous and prosperous New Year.

093

01-01-13

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

“The Nigerian state is terribly sick. It is weak and tottering, bordering on total collapse. To be saved, it needs a radical constitutional fix” VOL. 7

NO.2,358

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

N a two-part column for this newspaper (December 6 and December 13), the historian Jide Osuntokun called the year just ended our annus horribilis. I doubt whether, if they are true to themselves, other persons reviewing the major occurrences in Nigeria over that period will come to a different conclusion.

Right up to its closing hours, 2012 has been a year of horrors.

It began with a callous ambuscade. Nigerians woke up on January 1 to find, contrary to assurances from on high, that the price at the gasoline pump had gone up 120 percent, ending, it was claimed, a subsidy that had for decades subverted the nation’s quest for economic greatness.

Nine days of people’s power centered fittingly on the Gani Fawehihmi Freedom Square in Lagos forced the government to retreat somewhat.

But the harm had been done. The uncertainty and confusion that heralded the New Year governed most of the year, putting investment decisions and the launch of new ventures in abeyance. A measure allegedly designed to perk up the economy ended up crippling it.

As part of its climbdown, a panicked government embarked on what it called palliatives, to cushion the impact of the hike in gasoline prices.

Suddenly, some more than 1000 passenger buses bobbed up in Abuja, as if conjured out of President Goodluck Jonathan’s fedora, to serve with several hundred more expected shortly. The full assembly would work out 2.5 buses for each of the nation’s 774 local government areas.

Where are the buses today? What is the status today of another palliative, under which each state was going to get federal assistance to put 10, 000 young men and women to work? And just how much relief has the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) delivered with savings from the abolished “subsidies”?

It would turn out, as was obvious to anyone paying even cursory attention to the matter, that subsidising was not petrol consumption but corruption of the most brazen kind, carried out on a scale almost beyond belief by government insiders, heir cronies and their proxies.The government has been going through the usual pretence of making them disgorge their loot and bringing them to justice.

The pains arising from cutting the phantom subsidy continue and have in some cases grown worse, but relief is in short supply.

Meanwhile, “subsidy” payments continue, almost doubling projections.

Nigerians were still figuring out how to cope with this government-made disaster when they were zapped by a natural disaster of almost biblical proportions. From the parched Sahel to the mangrove swamps of Nigeria’s Atlantic coast, flood waters raged and swelled and swallowed everything in their path.

An equal opportunity visitation, the flood waters spared neither the tin shacks of the poor nor the marbled palaces of the wealthy. Even

RIPPLES WE MEAN WELL FOR NIGERIANS Presidency

... then REDUCE FUEL PRICE

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

The year that was 2012

•A flooded area

Dr Jonathan’s country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, went under water.

For the better part of a week, vehicular traffic from the south could not reach Abuja. And for the same period, millions of Nigerians displaced from their homes and farms were left to fend for themselves. When relief finally came, it was vitiated by poor distribution and corruption. Some families reported getting only a cup of noodles. For many of the displaced persons, life will never be the same again.

And then, there was Boko Haram, carrying its campaign of terror to the heart of the military establishment - the Command and Staff College at Jaji, near Kaduna, after more or less completing what General TY Danjuma called the ‘ Somalianisation” of Northeastern Nigeria.

Just this past week, some 40 gunmen believed to belong in its ranks attacked the Adamawa

border town of Maiha, setting alight the police station, the court house, an official residence and freed prisoners in the jail house. It ended the year with a deadly note at the weekend, with the killing of 15 people in a Borno State village.

Kidnappers stepped up their game. Among their trophies: Delta State commissioner for Higher Education, Dr Hope Eghagha; the 82year-old mother of Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and retired professor of sociology, and the wife of retired Brigadier –General Oluwole Rotimi, lately Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States.

All have returned to their families, but their experience just goes to illustrate how perilous life has become in Nigeria, even for people of privilege.

Amidst these travails, the nation was treated to a harvest of deaths of the prominent and notso-prominent, and to reprise of the UmaruYar’Adua health saga that is playing even at this writing. Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser General Owoye Azazi were killed in a helicopter crash.

The President’s wife dropped out of sight, reportedly “resting” in Dubai, exhausted after hosting a summit of the African First Ladies Peace Initiative, only to be traced later to a German sanatorium where she was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.

Dame Patience’s prolonged stay led to rumours that she had died. Since her televised return some six weeks ago, she has stayed discreetly on the sideline. And the public is none the wiser about her condition.

Rumours of death have also been swirling around the heads of Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime and Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke. Chime left Nigeria last Sep-

HARDBALL

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

tember for treatment of an undisclosed illness and was not heard of or from,until he reportedly issued two weeks ago a statement of condolence to the Yakowa and Azazi families.

Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, who claims to have met with Imoke recently in the United States, says Imoke is not sick, much less dead. The governor, he said, was only enjoying a well-earned vacation But, according to government sources, Imoke actually served notice that he was travelling to the United States to attend to a minor ailment and formally transferred power to the Deputy Governor as required by law.

Chime’s condition remains uncertain, and not even Imoke’s Facebook postings have settled the matter.

Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai, who suffered critical injuries when the plane he was piloting crashed near Yola, Adamawa State, last October, is in a bad shape, according to a prominent Nigerian who saw him several weeks ago on his hospital bed in Germany. It is doubtful whether he can return to duty.

A gruesome end-of-year crash near the state capital Lokoja almost claimed the life of Kogi State Governor Idris Wada.He is said to be responding to treatment in Abuja. His aide-decamp Idris Mohammed was killed on the spot.

But it has not been all doom and gloom.

The government says it has finally taken measures that would help ascertain just how much crude is lifted from Nigeria’s oil fields, some 32 years after the University of Lagos polymath, Professor Ayodele Awojobi, established in testimony before the Irikefe Commission that the barrel being used in Nigerian oil fields was four gallons larger than the standard international barrel.

The economy grew by 5.8 percent, slower than in previous years but still one of the highest rates in the world.The rehabilitated railways, a key element in the Transformation Agenda,ferried 450 newly recruited soldiers from Zaria to Lagos, completing the 613-mile journey in just under 26 hours.

Above all, we have Dr Jonathan’s assurance that, while 2013 may not be annus mirabilis, it will be much better than 2012. Don’t mind those kvetching that he had said the same thing about 2102 at the end of 2011. And don’t mind those complaining that he is slow. He has himself admitted that much They conveniently forget that our GEJ is also steady. They forget the old saying that “slow and steady wins the race.”

•For comments, send SMS to 08082036515

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Time again for New Year’s resolutions and knight-errantry

A

REPORT in The Telegraph (London) newspaper says the average person will break their new year’s resolution in just under five weeks. That is not an inspiring record to recommend to those who routinely make resolutions every January, or those who will be joining the ambitious resolute group for the first time this year.

Even more disturbing, Wikipedia has an entry that quotes a 2007 study carried out by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people. According to the entry, “88% of those who set New Year’s resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.” Clearly, the cards are stacked too high against Mr. and Mrs. Resolute.

The risk of failure may, however, not be enough to dissuade many from venturing into the resolutions business, for according to the same Wikipedia entry quoted above, the roots of the popular culture go way back in time.

The entry says: “The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed

objects and pay their debts.

The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the Medieval era, the knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.”

Another Internet entry suggests that the 10 most popular resolutions are as follows: 1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends 2. Fit in Fitness 3. Tame the Bulge 4. Quit Smoking 5. Enjoy Life More 6. Quit Drinking 7. Get Out of Debt 8. Learn Something New 9. Help Others 10. Get Organised Hardball would like to recommend resolution number seven for Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Ieala, the Finance minister who now seems determined to railroad us into more debts, and who, quite contrary to her first tour of duty under Chief Obasanjo, appears to be enamoured of romancing old and new creditor-suitors. Resolution number eight must naturally go to President Goodluck Jonathan because he has managed to give the impression that since he became president, he has been both generally riskaverse and even more gallingly averse to

learning new things. Could we recommend to Governors Rochas Okorocha, Rotimi Amaechi and Liyel Imoke resolution three to assist them in the great Battle of the Bulge, that is, if it is not a bridge too far? When they leave hospital, Governors Danbaba Suntai and Idris Wada should fiercely embrace resolution 10 and put some oomph and order into their governments. Governor Rauf Aregbesola keeps saying he is wrongly described as a misanthrope. So he says. It’s his word against ours. But let him get a life; let him embrace resolution five.

A columnist in this newspaper once described the exciting and often excitable Chief Obasanjo as someone who followed no one and someone whom no one followed.

Well, thanks to New Year’s resolution, his day of redemption has come. Let him take resolution number nine, and stop being so preoccupied with himself. The reader guessed right that Hardball would have loved to use a stronger word than preoccupy. And the snotty Hardball himself; wouldn’t Mr Perfect make a wish? As usual, he waits for the list to be expanded before he finds a wish to fit his snottiness.

Meanwhile the anonymous Hardball wishes his loyal and long-suffering readers a perfect and disciplined 2013, assuming the country is competent to provide the enabling environment.

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