The Nation January 22 ,2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Senate to probe police colleges’ funding

Thousands watch Obama take oath NEWS Pages 4,5, 12&64

NEWS

Page 12

•President unfolds agenda Feb. 12

•Police chiefs invited for explanation

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2378 TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

CUP OF NATIONS

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•I’m proud of my team, says Keshi •CAF to give winners $1.5million •Bafana Bafana accepts herbalist’s help

•AND MORE ON PAGES 23,24&41

CBN: $79 oil benchmark risky

Oct. 1 bombing: Okah T convicted of terrorism

HE Central Bank of Nigerian (CBN) has warned that $79 per barrel oil price benchmark used for the 2013 budget may pose a risk to inflation objectives.

CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who spoke in Abuja yesterday on the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, said...

It’s political, says Keyamo Asari, Tompolo: he deserves it

Business Page 11

B/Faso breaks Eagles hearts

B

URKINA Faso struck a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in their Group C African Cup of Nations clash at the Mbombela Stadium yesterday.

Emmanuel Emenike opened scoring midway in the first half but substitute...

Sport Page 62

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X-MILITANT leader Henry Okah was found guilty of terrorism yesterday by a High Court in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Okah, one-time leader of the militant Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), is likely to be sentenced to life imprisonment — which the law prescribes — on January 31.

Judge Neels Claassen found Okah guilty of 13 terrorism charges arising from the October 1 Independence Day bombing in Abuja and the March 2010 bombing in Warri, Delta State.

“I have come to the conclusion that the State proved beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused,” Judge Neels Claassen said when handing down his judgment.

“The evidence of all the accomplices that worked with him was not contradicted... I found that (Okah is the) leader, planner, funder, supplier... of car bombs used in Warri in March 2010 and on October 1, 2010.”

Claassen said Okah’s failure to testify

Explosive found on Kano road

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HE special antibomb squad of the police yesterday diffused an explosive device planted on Murtala Muhammed Way, Kano.

According to sources, the device was dropped by the roadside close to a bank.

There was anxiety, but normalcy was later restored.

Continued on page 2

‘

The evidence of all the accomplices that worked with him was not contradicted... I found that (Okah is the) leader, planner, funder, supplier... of car bombs used in Warri in March 2010 and on October 1, 2010

News Page 53

37 foreigners die in Algeria

’ NLC, Buhari knock govt over A attack on Emir of Kano •Okah...in court. MORE STORIES ON PAGE 4

PHOTO: AFP

STORY ON PAGE 58

Presidency: we’ll bring attackers to book

LGERIA’s Prime Minister has said 37 foreigners of eight nationalities and one Algerian worker were killed during the hostage crisis at a gas plant.

PM Abdelmalek Sellal said 29 of the militants who overran the facility near the desert town of...

Foreign Page 60

•MARITIME P16 •PROPERTY P17 •SPORT P23 •POLITICS P43 •ENERGY P51

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

NEWS

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From left: Vice Chairman Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Mr Sunny Osa Adum; Former Minister of State for Education, Mr Jerry Agada; Benue State Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani; Senate President David Mark and BON Chairman, Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa at BON’s 57th General Assembly in Otukpo, Benue State…yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Okah’s conviction political, says Keyamo

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AGOS lawyer Festus Keyamo has condemned conviction of Henry Okah by a South African Court for terrorism as “politically-motivated and legally incorrect”.

In a statement, entitled “The conviction of Henry Okah in South Africa”, the lawyer said as counsel to Charles Okah and others who are facing the same set of charges under Nigerian Laws, he had been actively involved in coordinating the trials, both in South Africa and Nigeria.

“The fundamental flaw in the trial is that Henry Okah was not given adequate facilities and the opportunity to defend himself. This is because after the prosecution closed its case in South Africa, the defence attorneys and my Chambers here in Abuja tried frantically to summon the witnesses of Henry Okah who are based here in Nigeria to testify on his behalf. These witnesses include some government officials,” Keyamo said.

In that regard, according to him, his chamber wrote to the

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

Attorney-General of the Federation who replied and directed that Henry’s counsel in South Africa should apply to the court there for an order to secure the legal assistance of the Attorney-General of Nigeria just two weeks ago.

Keyamo said: “Without giving Henry’s counsel in South Africa adequate time and facilities to follow the directives, the South African Court foreclosed his opportunity to call witnesses and rushed to convict him. This is a breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing and an obvious attempt by

the South African authorities to please Nigeria at all cost.

That is why the judgment is nothing but political.”

“Whilst all Nigerians empathise with those who lost their lives and limbs in the October 1, 2010 bombing, it is wrong to convict anybody for it without due process. Henry has been convicted without due process,” Keyamo stated, adding: “I condemn this judgment and call on Nigerians and the international community to condemn the trial and judgment of Henry Okah whose only offence was his refusal to accept the so-called amnesty offered by the Yar’Adua-

Jonathan administration and his insistence on the NigerDelta controlling its resources.

“With the recent condemnation of Jonathan by some militants who initially accepted the amnesty programme, I am sure they now know that Henry Okah was correct not to have accepted the poisoned chalice called amnesty.

The Nigerian government must immediately use all diplomatic efforts to ensure that Henry Okah does not die in a South African prison and for the South African government to grant him unconditional pardon. This is without prejudice to his right to appeal against the judgment.”

JTF places troops on alert over Okah

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HE Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta was put on the alert yesterday following the conviction of Okah by a South African court.

Okah’s conviction caused panic following initial threats by his loyalists and a faction of MEND to unleash mayhem, particularly on South African business interests, because of

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

his trial.

The convict made headlines during the Niger Delta crisis, acting as spokesperson of the deadly MEND under the pseudonym of Jomo Gbomo.

Insider sources said he was also a major supplier of arms to the various groups in the region.

JTF’s spokesman, Lt.-Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, said yesterday: “We are not unmindful of the fact that some of his boys may want to try something, but we are ever on the alert for this kind of situation.”

Lt.-Col. Nwachukwu said the task force would not be caught napping if “anybody tries anyContinued on page 58

Road to Okah’s trial

IGERIA witnessed an unusual occurrence on October 1, 2010. Dignitaries, including foreigners, had gathered at the Eagle Square for the celebration of the country’s 50th Independence anniversary only to be jolted by a series of explosions.

When the dust settled, then Minister of Police Affairs Adamu Maina Waziri confirmed eight people dead and 18 injured. There were contradictory claims by eye-witnesses as regard the actual casualty figure.

Amidst the confusion generated by the incident, fingers were pointed in various directions. While some attributed it to some aggrieved members of AlQuaeda Movement in the country, others blamed the bombing on a Niger Delta group that was gradually gaining prominence then – the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND).

President Goodluck Jonathan said the militants could not have done it. But, by the second day, security agencies were compelled to look more towards the direction of MEND in view of the fact that a few days before the incident, it had issued a statement warning about its intention to protest the government’s intention to celebrate the anniversary. It warned intending attendees to stay off the venue.

The statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, read in part: “MEND is asking everyone to begin immediate evacuation of the entire area within 30 minutes. This warning expires after 10.30 hours. Several explosives devices have been successfully planted in and around the venue by our operatives working inside the government security services.

“In evacuating the area, keep a safe distance from vehicles and trash bins.

There is nothing worth cel-

By Eric Ikhilae

ebrating after 50 years of failure.”

Reacting to the incident, President Goodluck Jonathan assured the country that those behind the act would be brought to book.

President Jonathan, in a statement by the then presidential spokesman, Ima Niboro, described the incident as “a low, dirty and wicked act of desperation by criminals and murderers who do not wish Nigeria well.

“Coming at a time that the world had gathered together to celebrate Nigeria at 50, these bomb attacks are the worst anniversary gifts any nation can get.”

Security agencies, both in and out of the country, went to work and in no time, then MEND leader Henry Okah, who had lived in Nigeria, but relocated to South Africa, had his home in that country searched. He was arrested. He was initially released when no incriminating items were found in his house.

Upon further investigation

by South African security operatives, Okah was later apprehended and taken before the court on terror -related charges.

On 16 October of the same year, and acting on information alleged gathered by their counterparts in South Africa, local security agents seized Charles Okah, the brother, in his Apapa, Lagos home.

Local police had said its action was informed by the fact that the other Okah’s name had consistently recurred in the course of their investigation.

A few days before his arrest, a state prosecutor had, at a court hearing in Henry Okah’s trial in Johannesburg, read a portion of his diary, where it was suggested that the Okah played a role in the MEND hierarchy.

He and some others are undergoing trial at an Abuja court.

He deserves the judgment, say Dokubo-Asari, Tompolo

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EADER of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) Alhaji Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari and former MEND leader Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a. Tompolo) yesterday said Henry Okah’s conviction in South Africa will have no backlash in the Niger Delta.

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja, branch, said the conviction of Okah should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to revamp its justice system.

The Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) said it was time for Nigeria to reform the court system to save democracy from collapse in the face of anarchy and impunity.

Dokubo-Asari told our reporter on the telephone: “He (Okah) was never involved in our (Niger Delta) struggle. He got what he deserved and that is that. It was a well-deserved sentence and that is all there is to his conviction.”

Asked what the conviction portends for activists in the region, Dokubo-Asari said: “It portends nothing; he was just a businessman and, like I said,

Oct. 1 bombing: Okah convicted of terrorism Continued from page 1

meant evidence against him remained uncontested.

Twelve people were killed and 36 injured in the car bombs on October 1, 2010, Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary. Okah was arrested in Johannesburg the next day.

He was also found guilty on terrorism charges relating to two explosions in March 2010 in Warri.

Claassen found no evidence that Okah did not head MEND, which claimed responsibility for the blasts.

He was found guilty of engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device.

About 34 witnesses were called during the trial.

Okah denied any involvement in the blasts and said the charges against him were politically motivated.

South Africa tried him as part of From Shola O’Neil, Warri

never involved in the agitation for a better deal for the region.”

Speaking through the Executive Chairman of the Tompolo Foundation, Comrade Paul

its international obligation, as the Nigerian authorities had not applied for his extradition, according to the prosecution.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Louw said the State had “a watertight case against Okah”.

The case proved great results could be achieved if law enforcement agencies worked together, Louw said.

State prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said justice had been done. The ruling showed South African and foreign law enforcement agencies could work together.

“There is no safe haven in South Africa.”

Abrahams said legislation provided for a minimum sentence of life imprisonment for Okah’s crimes.

After the guilty verdict, Okah was taken to the court holding cells under heavy police guard.

When his wife became emotional, a friend comforted her. They then left the courtroom.

About 10 police officers were in the court, with another four outside while the case was being heard. The main road in front of the court was also closed.

Bebenimibo, former MEND leader Tompolo appealed for calm, stressing that “the law has taken its course”.

But, to Comrade John Adie of the defunct South/South

Security experts believe Okah, who accepted the 2009 amnesty after gunrunning and treason charges against him were dropped - was at one time the brain behind MEND although he has denied ever being its leader.

Claassen said Okah, who moved to South Africa after the amnesty and was arrested there, would be sentenced on January 30.

The 2010 blasts hit the official celebrations laid on in Abuja for Nigeria’s 50th anniversary of independence, sending shock waves across the nation.

A MEND statement signed by Jomo Gbomo, the pseudonym used by the group to claim previous attacks, was sent to news agencies shortly before the explosions, telling people to evacuate the area.

At its peak, the instability in the Niger Delta, caused by the activities of the militants, cost Nigeria about $1bn (£630m) in lost revenue, Reuters news agency quotes the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as saying.

Liberation Movement, Okah is a genuine activist and a victim of what he called tribal politics

by President Goodluck Jonathan, who he said masterminded the trial.

He described the ruling is “the hands of Esau and the voice of Jacob”, hinting that the South African government bowed to pressure from the Nigerian Federal Government

•Okah to convict Okah at all cost.

Adie said: “There are those who did worse that Henry Okah; what happened to the others who are walking free today after committing more Continued on page 58

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

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

4

NEWS THE OBAMA INAUGURATION

•From left: Abia State Governor Theodore Orji , Senate President David Mark, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Health Minister Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, observing the National Anthem at the opening of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) 1st National Health Summit in Asaba.

‘The truth that all are created equal guides us today’ •Obama takes oath, unfolds agenda Feb 12

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•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (right), presenting copies of the Lagos Indicator Magazine to the Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi (left), during a courtesy call on the governor to discuss strategic media partnership and DAAR Educational Services at the Lagos House, Ikeja ... yesterday.

NITED States (U.S.) President Barack Obama yesterday pledged to uphold the Constitution in a public swearing in ceremony that signals the beginning of his second term in office.

Placing his hand on two Bibles one used by President Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration and the other used by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Obama took a public oath of office yesterday, after he was sworn in during a private ceremony on Sunday.

The U.S. Constitution requires presidential terms to begin on January 20.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administered Obama's private swearing in on Sunday and the public ceremony yesterday. He also swore Obama in during his first inauguration in 2009.

In his inauguration speech, Obama pledged to respond to what he calls “the threat of climate change.”

He said failing to do so would be a betrayal of the nation's children and of future generations.

Obama said that while some might deny the “overwhelming judgment of science” - a reference to those who say they don't believe in global warming - no one can escape extreme weather like raging fires, drought and storms.

Obama tried and failed in his first term to get a climate change bill through Congress.

He referenced the Stonewall gayrights riots in his inaugural address, classing them as a civil rights watershed along with key moments in

the struggles for blacks and women.

The President said that the truth that all are created equal guides us today “just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall.”

The Stonewall riots took place in New York City in 1969 when patrons at a gay bar reacted to police harassment and the events helped found the modern gay-rights movement.

Obama, who has become increasingly outspoken in favor of gay rights and same-sex marriage also said the nation's journey is not complete “until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.”

Senator Charles Schumer opened the 57th inaugural ceremonies by invoking the innate majesty and sacred meaning of the proceedings. The duty fell to the New York Democrat as chairman of the inauguration committee.

Schumer said entrusting power from the people to our chosen leaders “never fails to make our hearts beat faster, as it will today.”

Said Schumer: “America always rises to the occasion, America prevails and America prospers.”

After taking part in a public swearing in and giving his second inaugural address, the President was scheduled to dine with members of Congress and other VIPs during events at the Capitol.

Obama was sworn in a much lowerkey event on Sunday. It was in accordance with the Constitution, which sets January 20 date as the beginning of a Presidential term.

Earlier in the morning, Obama and his deputy Joe Biden attended a church

Obama: From Nyanza Prov •From left: Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State Health Commissioner, De Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his Deputy, Chief Alake Adeyemo and Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Mrs Monsurat Adeyemo at the Inauguration of Free Abmbulance Service by the governor in Ibadan ... yesterday. Story on page 8

•From left: Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State,Ministry of Education, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Provost of the Micheal Otedola College of Primary Education(MOCOPED), Prof. Olu Akeusola and Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa at the presentation of the 2012 TETFUND Special Intervention approval letter to the Provost in Noforija, Epe... yesterday.

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ARLY LIFE

His mother, Ann Dunham, grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where her father worked on oil rigs during the Great Depression. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dunham's father, Stanley, enlisted in the service and marched across Europe in Patton's army. Dunham's mother, Madelyn, went to work on a bomber assembly line.

After the war, the couple studied on the G.I. Bill, bought a house through the Federal Housing Programme and after several moves, landed in Hawaii.

Barack Obama's father, Barack Obama Sr., was born of Luo ethnicity in Nyanza Province, Kenya. Obama Sr. grew up herding goats in Africa, eventually earning a scholarship that allowed him to leave Kenya and pursue his dreams of college in Hawaii.

While studying at the University of Hawaii in Manoa, Obama Sr. met fellow student Ann Dunham, and they married on February 2, 1961. Barack was born six months later.

Obama did not have a relationship with his father as a child.

When his son was still an infant, Obama Sr. relocated to Massachusetts to attend Harvard University, pursuing a Ph.D programme. Barack's par-

ents officially separated several months later and ultimately divorced in March 1964, when their son was 2. In 1965, Obama Sr. returned to Kenya.

EXCELLING IN SCHOOL In 1965, Dunham married Lolo Soetoro, an East–West Center student from Indonesia. A year later, the family moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where Barack's half-sister, Maya Soetoro Ng, was born. Several incidents in Indonesia left Dunham afraid for her son's safety and education so, at the age of 10, Barack was sent back to Hawaii to live with his maternal grandparents. His mother and sister later joined them.

While living with his grandparents, Obama enrolled in the esteemed Punahou Academy, excelling in basketball and graduating with academic honors in 1979. As one of only three black students at the school, Obama became conscious of racism and what it meant to be African-American. He later described how he struggled to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage with his own sense of self: “I began to notice there was nobody like me in the Sears, Roebuck Christmas catalog ... and that

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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NEWS THE OBAMA INAUGURATION

•President Obama acknowledging cheers...yesterday

Martin Luther King Jnr. honoured

•Crowd at the National Mall venue of Obama’s inauguration at the Capitol Ground, Washington DC ... yesterday

service and had coffee with congressional leaders.

It took Obama just 32 seconds to officially begin his second term on Sunday. Obama took the oath again yesterday before an estimated crowd of 800,000 Americans in Washington, DC. President Obama became the second President to ever take the oath four times - because he and the chief justice flubbed their lines last time - and twice this year because his official inauguration fell on a Sunday.

As crowds poured onto the Capitol grounds and parade route yesterday, the first family headed to church, an inauguration day tradition.

“The last one was kind of fast, so we've all agreed we're going to breathe in and enjoy it,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.

"It means a whole lot because it's something that I never fathomed," said Vania Abdul-Salaam, who was planning on attending the inauguration.

Many travelled hundreds of miles

just to get a glimpse.

At a reception on Sunday night, the President had some advice for those standing hours in the cold yesterday.

“Be sure to bundle up.

Tomorrow's not as cold as it was four years ago,” he said.

Richard Blanco - the first Latino and first openly gay - inaugural poet, said: “I think that sense of unity is what I want to bring across.”

Perhaps no one was more excited than the fifth graders from New York's Public School 22. They sang yesterday morning.

“Really excited!” said one student.

"It's gonna be good!" said Nadia Nabawy, PS 22 chorus.

A group of Brownsburg High School students also attended.

Thousands of extra security officers had been sworn in and there was a 30-mile no-fly zone over the city.

One hundred and fifty city blocks around the Capitol were shut down.

"We have to be prepared for everything, so that's the way we do it," said Ed Donovan, a security operative.

Attendance was expected to be about half of what it was at Obama's first inauguration four years ago.

The end of months of planning and the beginning of a new term or as the vice president put it: “Something else about this guy Barack Obama - he's just getting started.”

Obama was not expected to tick through his first-term accomplishments, nor announce specific policy proposals for his next four years.

But he was expected to lay the groundwork for his second-term agenda, including stricter gun laws, immigration reform and ending the Afghanistan war.

How Obama plans to meet those objectives will be defined in more detail during his February 12 State of the Union address.

nza Province in Kenya to White House in US Santa was a white man,” he said. “I went to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror with all my senses and limbs seemingly intact, looking the way I had always looked, and wondered if something was wrong with me.”

Obama also struggled with the absence of his father, who he saw only once more after his parents divorced, when Obama Sr. visited Hawaii for a short time in 1971.

“My father had left paradise and nothing that my mother or grandparents told me could obviate that single, unassailable fact,” he later reflected.

“They couldn't describe what it might have been like had he stayed.”

Ten years later, in 1981, tragedy struck Obama Sr. He was involved in a serious car accident, losing both of his legs as a result.

Confined to a wheelchair, he also lost his job. In 1982, Obama Sr. was involved in yet another car accident while traveling in Nairobi. This time, however, the crash was fatal. Obama Sr. died on November 24, 1982, when Barack was 21.

“At the time of his death, my father remained a myth to me,” Obama later said, “both more and less than a man.”

After high school, Obama studied at Occidental College in Los Angeles for

two years. He then moved to Columbia University in New York, graduating in 1983 with a degree in political science. After working in the business sector for two years, Obama moved to Chicago in 1985.

There, he worked on the South Side as a community organizer for lowincome residents in the Roseland and the Altgeld Gardens communities.

LAW CAREER It was during this time that Barack Obama, who said he “was not raised in a religious household,” joined the Trinity United Church of Christ. He also visited relatives in Kenya, which included an emotional visit to the graves of his biological father and paternal grandfather.

“For a long time I sat between the two graves and wept,” Obama said.

“I saw that my life in America—the black life, the white life, the sense of abandonment I felt as a boy, the frustration and hope I'd witnessed in Chicago—all of it was connected with this small plot of earth an ocean away.”

Obama returned from Kenya with a sense of renewal, entering Harvard Law School in 1988. The

next year, he met Michelle Robinson, an associate at the Chicago law firm of Sidley Austin.

She was assigned to be Obama's adviser during a summer internship at the firm, and not long after, the couple began dating. Their first kiss took place outside of a Chicago shopping center—where a plaque featuring a photo of the couple kissing was installed more than two decades later, in August 2012. In February 1990, Obama was elected the first African-American editor of the Harvard Law Review. He graduated from Harvard, magna cum laude, in 1991.

After law school, Obama returned to Chicago to practice as a civil rights lawyer, joining the firm of Miner, Barnhill & Galland. He also taught part time at the University of Chicago Law School (1992-2004)—first as a lecturer and then as a professor—and helped organize voter registration drives during Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. On October 3, 1992, he and Michelle were married. They moved to Kenwood, on Chicago's South Side, and welcomed two daughters several years later: Malia (born 1998) and Sasha (born 2001).

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•Vice President Biden...yesterday

S President Obama was being officially sworn in to begin his second term in the White House, thousands of people visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial nearby on the Washington Mall.

One of the visitors to Washington DC, Bernita King, of Los Angeles, California took a photograph during her visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

Kenyae Reese, who came from South Bend, Indiana, but now lives in Washington, was able to describe the atmosphere as busloads of students and tour groups began to fill the space.

Church service kicks off inauguration

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RESIDENT Barack Obama began yesterday’s inauguration by listening to a pastor counsel him to use his power to benefit others and the nation.

The counsel was part of the sermon at St. John's Episcopal Church, near the White House, where Obama and his family attended services yesterday morning.

The Presidential motorcade arrived shortly after 8:30am under crisp, cold skies outside the sanctuary. The President and First Lady Michelle emerged to pose briefly for photos with their daughters Sasha and Malia before entering the church. The first family sometimes attends Sunday worship at the church, located across Lafayette Park from the White House.

Vice President Joe Biden and his family also attended the service.

Pastor Andy Stanley of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga., who preached at the service, asked what one does when they realise they are the most powerful person in that room.

“You leverage that power for the benefit of other people in the room,” Stanley said.

To the President, the cleric said: “Mr. President, you have an awfully big room. It's as big as our nation.”

Obama stood for a blessing from Bishop Vashti McKenzie of the

OBAMA AT A GLANCE NAME: Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. OCCUPATION: Lawyer, United States (U.S.) President, U.S. Representative BIRTH DATE: August 04, 1961 EDUCATION: Punahou Academy, Occidental College, Columbia University, Harvard Law School PLACE OF BIRTH: Honolulu, Hawaii RECORDS The 44th and incumbent President of the U.S. The first African American to serve as U.S. President. First elected in 2008 and won a second term in 2012.

Tenth Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church. She prayed for the President to be a “soothing presence in the White House when the stress and strain of leadership seeks a resting place.”

Obama exited to cheers from a waiting crowd, then headed back to the White House to prepare to take take the oath of office for his second term.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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NEWS

Reps insist on autonomy for local govts, Assemblies

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HE House of Representatives yesterday joined issues with the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, over his comment on autonomy for local governments.

It insisted on the National Assembly’s proposal to amend the Constitution to grant autonomy to Houses of Assembly and the 774 local governments.

The House also said constituency projects are not drain pipes as insinuated by Kwankwaso.

It queried why he and other governors are jittery over autonomy for Assemblies and local governments.

The House made its position known in a statement in Abuja by the Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed.

The statement said Kwankwaso’s criticism of the National Assembly was misplaced.

The House said: “Our attention has been drawn to a recent media interview, where the Governor of Kano State, Mr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, gave a lot of misleading conceptions about

EFCC to re-arraign Ugbane, Elumelu, Jibo From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Abuja

the 7th House of Representatives stand on local government autonomy, independence of the state legislature and constituency projects among so many other issues.

“The issue of local government autonomy as far as Nigerians are concerned is long over due, arising from our people public session as true representatives of the people.

“Our constituents do not agree with the current status where local government funds are being pilfered by governors, including Governor Kwankwaso, at the expense of the people and chairmen who are seen as mere boys for the job.

“I challenge the Kano State Governor to tell people of his state and Nigerians how these funds are managed in Kano since he came to office. We would certainly not accept a situation where governors turned themselves as demigods in the name of joint account.

“It is only in Nigeria that an elected governor of a state would speak to the media frontally eroding democratic ideals of which he is a beneficiary.

“It is saddening to note that Local Government elections have not been held in some states since 1999, wondering what sort of government states are running.”

•Lawmakers take on Kano Governor Kwankwaso House to release voting pattern, result of public session From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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HE House of Representatives is set to make public the voting pattern on identified issues in the review of the 1999 Constitution.

In addition, the collated results of the Peoples Public Sessions that was conducted on November 10, last year across 360 federal constituencies would also be unveiled in a ceremony on January 31.

Chairman, House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, in a statement, said: “The collated results will be presented at a public ceremony to be held at the House of Representatives during which the voting pattern on all the issues itemised in the template for voting during the sessions will be unveiled as decided by Nigerians at each

The House said the National Assembly had never instigated state Houses of Assembly to ask for autonomy.

Instead, it clarified that the autonomy agenda is being pursued by the House in order to ensure true federalism in the country.

The statement added: “Furthermore at no time did the National Assembly instigate the 36 state Houses of Assembly against governors rather the House of Representatives never hid its resolve for true federalism where the federal, states and local governments would function as federating unit for the benefits of the Nigerian people.

federal constituency.

“This ceremony is in keeping faith with the commitment made by the House of Representatives to make the process of the peoples public sessions and, indeed, the entire constitution amendment exercise transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people”.

According to Ihedioha, those invited to witness the ceremony, which will be presided over by House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, are chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures.

Others, he said, include representatives of labour, trade unions, students, women, professional groups and other stakeholders.

“Kwankwaso should realize that the current unitary federalism that is being propagated by him and his colleagues is responsible for the high number of anti-graft cases against governors on corruption.

“Why is he afraid of the legislature being independent in the state? The recent outburst is seriously calling to question the integrity of a lot of men who masquerade themselves as state chief executives; a lot of state assemblies are an extension of the state executive council, where speakers and the house leadership permanently go cap in hand to the governors for

their needs.

“If the state legislature is independent, as it is being proposed, it would give our teeming electorate a voice, not the situation that keeps the governors as emperors of their various enclaves.

“Just recently a governor’s wife, who has no constitutional powers via a memo from her office, sacked an elected councilor. Although this has since been reversed, it shows how Kwankwaso and his cohorts play with our collective commonwealth.”

On the implementation of constituency projects, the House claimed that National Assembly members were

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) is set to re-arraign former Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Power, Senator Nicholas Ugbane and Mr. Ndudi Elumelu before an Abuja High Court.

They are to face trial alongside Hon Jibo Mohammed before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of theAbuja High Court, on February 1, for the third time.

The trio were earlier arraigned on October 14, 2010 before Justice Adebukola Banjoko, who has withdrawn from the case.

Ugbane, Elumelu, Jibo and six others had originally been arraigned on October 30, 2009 on a 130-count charge before the court.

The other accused are Samuel Ibi Gekpe, Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu, Simon Kirdi Nanle, Lawrence Kayode Orekoya, Abdulsamad Garba Jahun and Kayode Oyedeji.

The charges were later separated with the lawmakers jointly facing a 62-count charge and the other six accused facing a 68count charge.

The fresh arraignment will be the third over charge of conspiracy and abetment in the alleged N5.2 billion Rural Electrification Agency (REA) fraud.

This is sequel to the re-assignment of the case following the withdrawal of Justice Banjoko.

The accused allegedly used 65 fictitious companies as conduits for the purported award of contracts for Grid Extension and Solar Electricity project.

The accused could not be rearraigned yesterday owing to the absence of Mohammed. He was also not represented by a lawyer, a development which prompted the prosecution counsel, Onjefu Obe to pray the court for a bench warrant to effect his arrest.

The case was adjourned to February 1.

•From left: Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr Abiodun Otegbayo; Chief Medical Director, Prof. Temitope Alonge; Deputy Chairman, Dr Bukola Adesina, at a news conference on the strike by the Association of Resident Doctors, UCH branch, in Ibadan...yesterday. Story on Page 8.

never involved.

The statement said: “Similarly the issue of constituency projects is enshrined in the budget, whose location is just being suggested by honorable members. The project execution, funding and all other biding processes are done by the various MDAs. We don’t handle contracts or cash. But in the said interview, the Kano State governor erroneously referred to the projects as drain pipes. These monies being spent to improve the lives of our teeming populace is not up to the ones he and his co travellers squander in the name of security votes.

Or, where do governors get funds to massage their flamboyant life styles of flying private jets for themselves and their family members.

“As a former National Assembly member, minister and governor, Kwankwaso should realise that a man who lives in a glass house should not throw stones.”

The House vowed to go ahead with the desire of Nigerians rather than bowing to the wishes of governors.

It said: “My candid advice to Kwankwaso who might be overwhelmed by the busy doing nothing syndrome is to realise that Nigerians are not as ignorant as he thinks. I invite him to a popularity stroll with my speaker Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and he would see who Nigerian people will applaud including the streets of Kano where every state official is forced to wear a red cap as a sign of loyalty to his narrow-minded and visionless Kwankwassiya doctrine.

Kwankwaso had said: “We do not want autonomy for state Houses of Assembly because they want to determine their salaries and allowances like they are doing in the National Assembly. We hear that in addition to salaries, allowances for them, their aides, their allowances, some get N45 billion or N50 billion per quarter.

“Let us analyse N45 million. This amounts to N15 million per month and half a million Naira per day for very member, whether you are speaking, whether you are in the beer parlour enjoying yourself, half million naira, you are getting that every day. What sort of business will you do in this country to get half a million Naira everyday that is in addition to other things?

ACN to Jonathan on Police College: you missed great moment

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for his last week’s comment on the Channel Television report on the decrepit state of the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.

The President was quoted to have said the expose was calculated to embarass his government, asking how the television gained entry into the institution.

It was during his surprise visit to the college The party said while the visit to the institution is commendable, the President dropped the ball by his comments.

In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said instead of using the occasion to tell Nigerians what his administration will do to uplift the training institution and many of its likes across the country, the President chose to berate imaginary enemies who are bent on embarrassing his administration, and also questioned how Channels managed to film the rot in the college. ‘’Mr. President, those comments were totally unnecessary, and they put a damper on what would have been a great moment for you.

A surprise presidential visit is always a good strategy for leaders to see things in their

real state, without the usual window dressing that heralds scheduled visits. But it must be properly managed to achieve the maximum effect.

Failure to make the best of that moment is akin to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory,’’ it said.

ACN said the expose by Channels shows that the media is alert to its watchdog responsibility, hence it should not matter how the TV station gained access to the college or who was behind it.

The party said the President can still make amends by making a policy statement on how his administration plans to turn around the fortunes of the police college in particular, and all the police training institutions

across the country in general, as part of a general effort to improve the overall welfare of the men and women who are saddled with the responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of all citizens.

It went on:‘’Subjecting police men and women to dehumanising and demeaning conditions, the type exposed by Channels, during training means we cannot and should not expect them to be exemplary after their training, Nothing good can come out of what we saw in that college. ‘’Terrible as the state of the Police College in Ikeja is, it represents a tip of the iceberg when compared with the pervasive rot in police barracks and police stations, as well

as the generally poor welfare of the police. There is no doubt that the pervasive corruption in our country and the lack of maintenance culture contributed to what has now become a global embarrassment to the whole of Nigeria, not just to the Jonathan administration. ‘’Therefore, there is no better time than now for the Administration to embark on a concerted effort to reverse the rot. It may also not be a bad idea for the President, who was reportedly angry and shocked at what he saw during the visit, to order a probe into how the institution deteriorated so badly, with a view to prevent a recurrence,’’ it said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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‘How media can help resolve conflicts, end terror’

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ONFLICT situations make the best headlines, but how can the media ensure that publication of crises does not worsen matters? Experts yesterday said by adopting a more responsible approach to reporting, the media can help resolve conflicts.

They spoke in Lagos at a media panel with the theme: Reportism in Conflict and the Role of Media in Conflict Resolution.

It was jointly organised by the Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Ufuk Dialogue Foundation; The Nation and the Lagos State University (LASU) School of Communication.

Speakers, including General Manager, Cihan News Agency, Turkey, Abdulhamit Bilici; The Nation Online Editor, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin and a communication lecturer at LASU, Mr Tunde Akanni, said it is possible to strike such a balance.

Bilici, who said his country, Turkey, lost 40,000 people to attacks by a leftist terrorist group, said despite threats to media operations, the press must always condemn terror.

He was responding to a question by The Nation Editor, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, who sought to know how Turkish newspapers were able to operate despite risks of attacks.

Omotoso referred to the attack on a Nigerian media house, for which the Boko Haram sect reportedly claimed responsibility. He said the group demands ”fair” media reportage, even as it remains faceless, its leaders unknown.

Bilici said beyond taking a clear position against terror through condemnation, Turkish media laid emphasis on reporting its causes while highlighting steps taken to achieve peace.

He urged the media in Nigeria not to shut their eyes to the problem of terror, saying violence should not be encouraged. The media should continue to raise awareness about the problem, he said.

“We don’t exaggerate or sensationalise, and yet we are successful,” Bilici said of the approach adopted by his newspaper group.

“We have a clear position on terrorism and violence. Irrespective of the motive, we condemn any terrorist act,

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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•Mr. Bilici (middle) answering questions...yesterday. With him are Mr. Otufodurin (right) and Prof. Amidu Assan of LASU. PHOTO NIYI ADENIRAN

•The Nation, LASU, Turkish Nile Varsity, Ufok Dialogue Foundation discuss Conflict Reporting in Lagos

By Joseph Jibueze

whether it is al-Qaeda or ethnically oriented separatist PKK terrorism.

“We do not hide our Islamic identity, but we do place a distance between Islam and terrorism. Prominent figures like Fethullah Gülen condemned such terrorist acts in the name of Islam and we have published this several times as a headline story despite death threats.

“The Zaman Media Group strongly supports initiatives for dialogue among different cultures, religions and civilizations. We invite representatives of such groups to our conferences and editorial meetings.

“We place special emphasis on increasing the standards of democracy in Turkey and we have a very strong position against anti-democratic forces, be they in the civilian or military bureaucracy, in politics or in the media.

“Democracy and freedom are not enough if they are not supported by education, economic welfare, equal opportunities and transparency. As a result, we also focus on the fight against corruption, encourage the strong economy policies of the government, and Turkey’s opening up to

the world.”

Otufodunrin said depending on a number of factors, including ownership, interests of journalists, understanding of the issue in dispute and others, the media can decide to take sides in a conflict and make it impossible for it to be easily resolved.

Besides, it can choose to inflame passion through sensational reports informed by commercial interests, be used as a propaganda tool through publication or broadcast of falsehood and undermine efforts to resolve conflicts.

However, he said by operating in line with the ethics of the profession, which demands that journalists should present truthful, accurate, fair and balanced reports, the media can help resolve conflicts.

“The notion that bad news sells probably explains why media will sometimes prefer that a crisis lasts longer than it should. Our commercial interest should not override that of the public or the affected community or group as the case maybe.

“More than ever before as Nigeria and indeed the world generally gets engulfed in multifaceted crisis, which has grave implications for economic, political and social development, the

media has to rise up to play the desirable role helping to resolve conflict from which it cannot be immune from in some instances.

“Where possible, the media should in accordance with its agenda-setting role, help prevent conflicts. We should foresee conflict situations and call all concerned to order. Our call for caution may be ignored but let it be on record that we spoke up when we should.

“Specifically, the media should stick to the truth in reporting all sides of a conflict instead of publishing falsehood and propaganda from interested parties. The standard maxim of media practice is when in doubt leave out.

“Claims and counterclaims like in the case of the Boko Haram killings should be verified so as not to create false impression of the true situation at hand. The media should not miss out the suffering of the victims of conflicts instead of placing undue emphasis on the ‘heroic’ deeds of the combatants.

“Peace initiatives should be highlighted and encouraged considering that conflict is an ill wind that does not blow anyone any good.

The worst of conflicts have to

be resolved one way or the other. The earlier it is resolved the better,” Otufodunrin said.

For Akanni, basic journalism training skills may not be enough for conflict reporting.

Editors and reporters, he said, should strive to seek better understanding of conflicts.

He said: “Here, we wish to recommend to journalists involved in handling and managing stories deriving from conflict to subscribe to the helpful UNESCO guide for being clearly all-encompassing.

“It, for instance, counsels that journalists should endeavour to confirm a basic understanding of news media roles and generally recognised essential standards of practice for professional journalists.

“While urging journalists to appreciate opportunities and constraints in reporting comprehensively on conflict, they should also be conscious of specific problems and possible solutions confronting conflict-sensitive journalists.”

Plaques were presented to some guests by Ufuk, including the Managing Director of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of the The Nation, in recognition of his contributions to the success of the foundation, and to the media at large. Omotoso received the award on his behalf.

EFCC arraigns Malaysia-based Nigerian, three others A for alleged N55m fraud

MALAYSIA-based Nigerian, Hope Olusegun Aroke, was yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Aroke, an undergraduate, was arraigned with three others - Ibrahim Garuba Tafida, Tafida Gano Investment Limited and Hopes and Oyin Limited before Justice Mohammed Idris.

They were arraigned on two separate charges of false assets declaration, conspiracy and conversion of fund estimated at over N55million.

Hope was arraigned separately on the first three-count of false declaration of assets.

He was again arraigned with others on the second charge of four counts of conspiracy and conversion of

Reps slam Army over silence on alleged rape

By Eric Ikhilae

funds.

A count in the second charge reads: “That you, Hope Olusegun Aroke (m), Ibrahim Garuba Tafida (M),Tafida Gano Investment Limited and Hopes and Oyin Limited between September and October 2012 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court conspired to convert N31,000,000 to the credit of Tafida Gano Investment Limited and Hopes and Oyin Limited account domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc, which sum you knew represent the

proceeds of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said crime.”

They were said to have by that alleged act, “committed an offence punishable under section 14(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004”.

They all pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charges.

Upon their arraignment, prosecution lawyer, Hauwa Abubakar, urged the court to give a short date for trial. She asked that Hope and Tafida be remanded in prison custody.

Defence lawyer, Taiwo

Taiwo, told the court that he had filed applications for bail for Hope and Tafida and served the prosecution since January 18.

He also told the court that the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had granted Tafida administrative bail and on which he did not default. Taiwo prayed the court to allow him continue on the earlier bail or remand him in EFCC custody should the court decide otherwise.

Ruling, Justice Idris admitted Tafida to bail at N10million and one surety in like sum.

The judge directed that the surety must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. He ordered that Tafida should be remanded in prison custody until he meets the bail conditions. Justice Idris further ordered that Hope should be remanded in prison custody.

He adjourned further hearing till January 25.

Information by the EFCC showed that Hope and one other person were arrested late last year by operatives of the EFCC at the 1004 Housing Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The commission described his alleged accomplice, Tafida, as a Bureau De Change operator, through which Hope allegedly launder N55million.

HE House of Representatives has decried the handling of the alleged rape of women by some soldiers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

To curb such nefarious activities, the lawmakers have declared their resolve to pass the Violence Against Persons Bill, which fortifies Nigerian laws of rape, defilement, sexual harassment and other gender-based attacks.

The lawmakers urged the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, to investigate the incident with a view to bringing to justice those found culpable.

The Chairman of the Committee on Justice, Dr. Ali Ahmad, in a statement yesterday, noted with dismay the manner in which the military authorities have handled the alleged rape of women by men of the Nigerian Army.

According to him, intervention from well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations ought to have gingered the Army authorities into action.

“Several days after the report of the incident, and after the National Human Rights Commission has urged the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the allegation that some men in Army uniform abducted and defiled some women under the guise that they were prostitutes, nothing has been heard regarding the involvement of the Army personnel or what the authorities are doing in this regard,” he said.

‘Make safety, security of passengers priority’ From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

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HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday urged operators of airlines not to compromise the security and safety of their passengers for business gains.

He spoke when he was handed a model of the Boeing 737 aircraft of the Aero Contractors named after him and billed to operate from the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto to the West African coast. The aircraft will carry 104 passengers.

The monarch said: “It’s more credible and professional to maintain standard by ensuring the safety and security of passengers than to be in a rush for gains and waste the lives of those on board.”

Sultan Abubakar, who spoke in his palace when he received top officials and management team of Aero Contractors, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Obaro Ibru, noted that air travel is the best and safest, adding: “Aero Contractors has the record of the safest airline in recent time.

OUR ERROR The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Advert on page 18 of Monday, January 21, 2013 edition of The Nation which refer to the Vice Chancellor, PROFESSOR RAHAMON ADE BELLO as Acting Vice Chancellor is highly regreted.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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UCH doctors on strike over assault on colleague

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ESIDENT doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday began a three-day strike to protest the alleged assault of two of their colleagues by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Members of the commercial drivers’ union allegedly assaulted two doctors on Saturday while waiting to receive the body of the union’s late Deputy Chairman, Alhaji

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Kamorudeen Beyioku, who died in the hospital.

The late Beyioku was taken to the hospital after he was shot by unknown gunmen on Thursday.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UCH branch, Dr. Tunde Babasanya, said: “Many of our members had been victimised and the undeserving treatment is fast becoming a norm. It is sad that

the situation is getting out of hand. Last year, a doctor was attacked with a gun at the Accident and Emergency Unit.

That same year, a female doctor was dragged on the floor with her hair and another doctor was reportedly beaten up at the Children’s Emergency Unit.

“We agreed on a 72-hour strike and believe the management would meet us midway before the expiration of the strike to review the situation.

The action is to send a message to NURTW members to stop

harassing us.”

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Temitope Alonge, said the strike is illegal, adding that the doctors did not report their grievances to the authorities.

Alonge said: “We came to work this morning to meet an illegal strike by resident doctors. We managed an important personality, who had a gunshot injury in his upper tummy. We removed bullets in his abdominal cavity and he was responding well until we discovered he had renal im-

pairment. He had the first dialysis and while he was about to receive the second one, he had cardiac arrest and passed away.

“It was between the process of autopsy and the release of his remains for burial that a medical officer was assaulted.

While we are not in support of this, we are also not in support of the strike.

“Strike is not the solution.

When there is dispute, the proper thing is to report to the authorities. But there was no formal report in this case.”

our modest contribution in the rebuilding of the palace.”

The Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle

Aromolaran, also visited the Alaafin and assured him of his support in rebuilding the palace.

Oba Adeyemi thanked them for their concern.

Amosun urges Yoruba to rebuild Alaafin’s palace From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged the Yoruba to collectively rebuild the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111.

Amosun spoke yesterday during a visit to commiserate with the Alaafin on the fire that razed 21 rooms in the palace.

Lamenting the loss of artefacts in the incident, he urged the monarch to take solace in the fact that no life was lost.

Amosun said the task of rebuilding the palace was a task for all Yoruba and pledged “modest assistance” from the government and people of Ogun State in the task.

He said: “We read of the inferno in the newspapers and saw the damage on the television, but as a Yoruba son, I decided to come down to sympathise with his Royal Majesty, in addition to my phone call to him after the fire.

‘Oyinlola, Oni, Odunjirin, others risk jail term’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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HIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has said the sacked National Secretary of the Party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; ousted Ekiti State “Governor” Segun Oni and Chief Bode Mustapha risk being jailed for contempt of court.

Also facing a possible jail term, Kashamu added, is Senator Dipo Odunjirin, the Chairman of the parallel Ogun PDP executive, who was sacked last November by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Speaking with reporters in his Ijebu-Igbo home at the weekend after a PDP meeting, Kashamu said the Adebayo Dayo-led state executive would file an application in court this week to initiate a contempt proceeding against Oyinlola and others.

He said: “We are tidying up an application we are going to file in court to declare the sentence on Oyinlola because Oyinlola has disobeyed the court order.

•Amosun (right) greeting the Alaafin....yesterday.

“I have come and have seen. The loss, no doubt, is monumental, but we thank God that no life was lost in the inferno. The burden of

rebuilding the palace falls on all Yoruba and I urge all Yoruba sons and daughters to rally round the Kabiyesi.

On our part, we shall make

Ajimobi inaugurates free ambulance services

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday inaugurated free emergency ambulance services in the state.

The ambulances comprise 32 tricycles and two buses.

Cadets of the Youth Employment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O) have been trained to offer first-aid services to patients in the ambulances by experts at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

At the ceremony in Ibadan, the state capital, the governor said the ambulances would be stationed at emergency points and can be reached on a tollfree number.

He said a 24-hour control room with a 30-feet mast, a dedicated E-1 direct line and a GIS-based tracking system had been opened at the Ministry of Health to know the location of every ambulance for prompt response.

Ajimobi said the free ambulance service is to reduce the number of deaths arising from road and home accidents, disasters, childbirth and other types of emergencies.

He said: “It is well known that people in these situations do not know what to do, where to turn to or whom to call. With the inauguration of this pro-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

gramme, help is now just a call away.

“It is only in a primitive society that accident victims are carried to the hospital in open Pick-up trucks, taxis or motorcycles. Such accident victims often die needlessly through lack of application of basic firstaid interventions.

“It is our belief that any modern society must be able to respond promptly to emergency situations, whether on the highways or in the homes.”

Ajimobi said patients who benefit from the ambulance service would be entitled to free drugs for the first 48 hours of their stay in the hospital, adding that his administration had distributed drugs worth N200 million to hospitals.

He said one of the priorities of his administration, as articulated in his inaugural address, was the “urgent” need to revamp the health sector and provide quality health care for the people.

Lamenting that hospitals and primary health centres had been in a deplorable state due to long years of neglect, the governor said: “There are not enough medical personnel and equipment are obsolete and inadequate. Despite the lack of

infrastructure and standards, the cost of health care is high and beyond the reach of our people, leaving them to run from pillar to post in search of money to treat the most common ailments.”

He said his administration would soon inaugurate the State Strategic Health Development Plan, which he said was developed in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Bank, United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) and the Federal Government to guide the development of the health sector over the next five years.

Ajimobi said his administration would launch a Universal Health Insurance Initiative next month and ensure that all residents are registered.

Commissioner for Health Muyiwa Gbadegesin said: “Statistics have shown that many deaths recorded in emergency situations are as a result of delayed response of medical and paramedical personnel. This ambulance service has come to ameliorate that, as the ambulances will be stationed at prominent locations and are just a phone call away.

“This fast response will improve survival rates from accidents and common medical emergencies in both urban and rural areas. The tricycle ambulances are designed for deployment to densely populated areas of our urban centres and remote villages to offer first aid services in emergency situations.”

Only God can determine next Lagos governor, says Akiolu •Fashola inaugurates Council of Obas

By Miriam Ndikanwu

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HE Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu I, has said only God will determine the next governor of Lagos State in 2015, when the second term of Governor Babatunde Fashola expires.

Oba Akiolu spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the newly constituted Council of Obas and Chiefs.

He was returned as Chairman of the Council for a five-year tenure, which will end in 2017.

Shortly after Fashola inaugurated the council at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos House, Alausa, Oba Akiolu advised his colleagues to shun anyone parading himself as the next governor of the state.

Explaining that only God knows who will succeed Fashola, the monarch said: “Those deceiving themselves will chop your money and nothing will happen. I cannot say that this or that man will be the next governor, the future belongs to God.” He prayed that Fashola’s successor would continue in the achievements the present administration has set in the last five years and urged Fashola not to rest on his oars until his tenure expires.

Oba Akiolu warned monarchs against “land grabbing”, adding that he would hand over any monarch involved in such to the police.

He urged them to be involved in environmental sanitation and internal security.

Fashola thanked the traditional rulers for maintaining peace in their various kingdoms and for accommodating visitors to the state during the last National Sports Festival.

He hailed Oba Akiolu for the effective management of chieftaincy disputes, as well as his advises on security, social and political issues.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ademorin Kuye thanked the Governor for returning members of the council and increasing the number of members in the council.

The council consists of 65 Obas and white cap chiefs with Oba Akiolu as the Chairman. It has four vicechairmen, who are the Obas of Ikorodu, Epe, Ikeja and Badagry.

Ekiti to disburse N121m loan

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HE Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) will disburse N121 million as loans to 383 civil servants on Friday.

LGSC Chairman Chief Ranti Adebisi disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during a meeting with executive members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ekiti chapter.

Adebisi said N121,150,000 was approved by the state government for the first phase of the

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

disbursement.

He said a seminar would be organised for workers on loan management. Adebisi said 192 council workers would benefit from the housing loan scheme and 191 the car loan scheme.”

He pledged to revive moribund departments, such as works and mechanic Workshops, in councils and ensure a better working relationship between the commission and NULGE.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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2015: Opposition urged to perfect merger talks

Practise what you preach, Okogie urges Obasanjo

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MERITUS Archbishop of the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese Anthony Cardinal Okogie has applauded former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his recent comment on the Nigerian civil war.

At a reception organised in his honour by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Southwest, Obasanjo urged Nigerians to put the harrowing experiences of the civil war behind them and work for the country’s unity.

In a statement yesterday, Rev. Okogie urged Obasanjo to match his words with action.

He said for such a call to be meaningful, there was need for the country’s leaders to forgive one another and work together for the nation’s peaceful coexistence.

Rev. Okogie said: “I hail Obasanjo for telling Nigerians to forget about the ills of the civil war. It is a patriotic comment, but it should go beyond that. How I wish the former president and all our leaders

•Cardinal Okogie

can put the words into action.

“I wish all those who bear grudges against one another can come forward and bury their hatchets. The forgiveness he talks about should go beyond the civil war.

“Let him and all Nigerians search their consciences and ask if we genuinely want peace to reign in our nation.”

The cleric said the only way to achieve lasting peace was for people to forgive those that wronged them.

He urged Obasanjo to lead the way through his actions and prayed that God would grant the country sustainable peace.

Ondo tribunal to hear applications today

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HE Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital, will today hear applications at the pre-hearing session.

Four petitions before the tribunal have been consolidated.

They are those of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Accord and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The tribunal has also consolidated all applications. They will be heard at once.

ACN and Accord are asking that all objections are to be heard with substantive petitions to save time.

ACN said the interlocutory appeal emanating from objection may go as far as the Supreme Court, leaving no time for trial in case the Supreme Court orders a retrial.

The Labour Party (LP) and Governor Olusegun Mimiko, whose election is being challenged, prayed the Tribunal to

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

rule on all applications before hearing the substantive suits.

The tribunal will today decide on the applications.

The Accord applied for judgment following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) admission that it excluded the party from the election.

The Justice A. Kaka’n-led tribunal will rule on whether to enter judgment or proceed to call oral witnesses as requested by LP. Pre-hearing started 12 days ago and was adjourned till today to allow parties reply to the applications.

Unless the tribunal extends the pre-hearing session, only two days are left of the 14 days stipulated by the Electoral Act. The Electoral Act recommend that applications be heard at pre-hearing session, after which a date would be fixed for the hearing of petitions.

Osun Speaker advises Jonathan SUN State House of on security Assembly Speaker

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Najeem Salaam has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to expand the stakeholders’ meeting on intelligence and security.

He said this could help to tackle the country’s security challenges.

Reacting to the attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, in which five people were killed and others injured, Salaam said security must be addressed by the Federal Government.

In a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, the speaker urged Nigerians, irrespective of religious, ethnic or political differences, to unite

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

against violence.

He said: “There was a time when traditional rulers, like the Emir of Kano, were revered and seen as our collective symbol of value. That gunmen, kidnappers, and armed robbers have listed them as preys shows that our collective symbol of value is being challenged.

“If the fortified people and spiritual heads are not secure from men of the underworld, it shows that the vulnerable masses are open to jungle justice. It will not be out of place to have an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting on security to come up with new strategies.”

NSCDC warns erring petrol stations

M

OTORISTS in Osun State have been advised by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to report any filling station selling petrol above the official pump price of N97 per litre to its command in Osogbo, the state capital.

Osun NSCDC Commandant Felix Gbolade said the corps is enforcing the sale of fuel at the official pump price in Osogbo.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

In a statement by the command’s spokesman, Mr. Ayodeji Olowe, the commandant said the enforcement would be extended to other parts of the state.

Gbolade said any filling station caught selling fuel above N97 would be sealed, adding that there was no reason for a price increase.

UBLIC affairs commentator Chief Deji Fasuan has urged opposition parties to ensure the success of the proposed merger.

Fasuan, who was the permanent secretary in Old Ondo State, said parties in the talks must rise above hurdles that might frustrate a genuine cooperation, adding that Nigeria needs the coming together of opposition parties.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, Fasuan warned that the personal ambition of individuals in the opposition must not be allowed to overshadow the general interest of Nigerians, who crave genuine change.

The merger talks among the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

had been in the papers lately and might be concluded in weeks.

Fasuan said the existence of several parties had “unnecessarily muddled up the political space” and is costly for the country.

He said: “Nigeria needs only two or three parties. The plethora of parties that exist now are a crooked way of making money and attracting attention.”

Fasuan suggested that the pair of former Military Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola would do the country good, given their “total commitment, transparency, some ruthlessness, high integrity and ability to follow a focused plan”.

He said: “Until we have such

a joint ticket, this country will continue to wallow in confusion. I am just being hypothetical. I do not mean Buhari and Fasola in person but a pair of Nigerians, who possess what the duo stand for. Buhari has ambition which he has not hidden for the past 10 to 15 years.

“He may have to consider fostering a political activist of

the same doggedness, if in the long run a new party does not favour his personal ambition.

“On the other hand, Fashola has not been known to have ambition for a national office but surely, that young man can be persuaded to run for office to enable him put at the disposal of the nation the magic he has done in Lagos.”

Obanikoro disowns posters

N

NIGERIA'S former High Commissioner to Ghana Senator Musiliu Obanikoro yesterday disowned campaign posters that flooded certain parts of Lagos State at the weekend, which presented him as purportedly gunning for the governorship seat in 2015.

Obanikoro, who is currently out of the country, said whatever was the motive behind the

move has failed.

He said apart from the fact that the strategy is old-fashioned, the timing was ill-advised and the intention stymied.

Obanikoro said: "It was intended to achieve either of two things: to present me as desperate or a politician of uncompromising tendencies. Both intentions have failed because they can neither push me out in the ring nor stifle me.”

10

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

CITYBEATS

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

Police kill suspected robber •Bank robbery foiled

T

HE Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has killed three of the six armed robbers who shot dead five police officers 10 days ago in Lagos. They were said to have killed four policemen in Ajah and one in Denton, EbuteMetta, Lagos on January 12.

SARS head, Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said the robbers were traced to a beer parlour on Oyewole Street, Iyana Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, last Sunday.

His squad, he said, met the six gang members coming out of the beer parlour to board their blue Honda Civic car with registration number MUS 81 AY. On sighting the SARS operatives, the robbers opened fire.

The police returned fire, killing three. The three others escaped, abandoning their weapons and operational vehicle.

Among the items recovered were two AK47 rifles belonging to two slain police officers; a local double-barrel short gun, five loaded AK47 magazines

Ebele Boniface and Precious Igbonwelundu

with 30 bullets each and 15 live cartridges meant for the locally made short gun.

Also recovered was a vehicle whose number plate they usually exchanged with the one on their operational vehicle.

Also, the police foiled a bank robbery on Epe Expressway in Lagos.

It was gathered that a gang of 10, attempted to break into the bank in the wee hours of Sunday.

The bank's security alerted the police, which on arrival, engaged the robbers in a gun battle.

The robbers were said to have fled under the superior firepower of the police led by the Commander, Area J Command, Felix Vwamhi, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP).

Some of the robbers were wounded but no arrests were made.

Two AK47 rifles, ammunitions and the robbers' operational vehicle were recovered.

•The robbers operational vehicle with some seized ammunition

Court frees three of pipeline destruction FEDERAL High Court in Lagos yesterday freed three men charged with vandalising a Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline.

Justice Okechukwu Okeke freed them for lack of diligent prosecution.

Alex Ebiseigha, 45, Jamiu Awosun, 48 and Jimoh Balogun, 52 were charged with vandalising an NNPC oil pipepline, at Igbonla Epe, Lagos.

The accused, who were arraigned in 2008, had been remanded at the Ikoyi prison, following an application for remand made by the Prosecutor, Mr Toyin Ibadin.

The prosecutor prayed the court to order the remand of the accused to afford him ample time to assemble his

A

•Civil Defence seizes 9,500 litres of fuel, boats

By Jude Isiguzo

witnesses for the commencement of their trial.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Justice Okeke berated the prosecutor for being lax with the matter. ``These accused have been remanded in custody since 2008 and you are still asking for a further adjournment to assemble your witnesses. ``I cannot grant you further adjournment on this matter. ``The accused are hereby discharged and acquitted," Okeke ruled.

At their arraignment five years ago, the prosecutor told the court that the ac-

cused were apprehended at Epe, with about 656,000 litres of petrol, which they allegedly scooped through a valve inserted in the pipeline.

The petrol, he said, was valued at N45.92 million.

According to the prosecutor the offence contravenes Sections 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C17 Laws of Lagos State.

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday recovered 9500 litres of fuel from pipeline vandals in Lagos during a night raid.

It was gathered that the vandals jumped into the river and abandoned two of their operational boats

when they sighted NSCDC officials.

Lagos Corps Commandant, Mr Obafaiye Shem told reporters yesterday that intelligence report led to the interception of the suspects at Ajido Community in Badagry, Lagos.

Obafaiye, who confirmed that the suspects dived into the river on sighting the Corps' officials, said: "Our men on ground in the area have been gathering reports about the activities of the vandals for sometime before they decided to swoop on them. We recovered 48 drums of which 10 are empty, a big wooden speed boat with two machines, a pumping machine used by the vandals to siphon fuel.''

Prostitute bags six years for manslaughter

A

LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a 27-year-old commercial sex worker, Nkechi Okafor to six years imprisonment for the death of her client, Abiodun Sarumi.

Okafor was earlier arraignedfor murder, but the charge was amended to manslaughter.

In her judgment, Justice Lateefah Okunnu held that Okafor acted on impulse when she stabbed the late Sarumi.

Okunnu said that it was clear from the evidence before her that the convict had no intention to kill. She however, said her defence was not enough to exonerate her of the crime.

Okafor broke down in tears after the verdict.

She pleaded for leniency, saying that she does not have any relative to turn to for assistance, that she was sorry for what happened.

Her counsel, Mrs A. Onabolu pleaded with the court, describing her client as a young woman in her prime and a first offender.

The prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan told the court that the convict had on March 2, 2010, at 23:30 hours, at a hotel in Lagos, killed Sarumi.

By Adebisi Onanuga

She was alleged to have caused Sarumi's death of by stabbing him with a broken bottle on the shoulder, close to the armpit.

Mrs. Ogungbesan said investigation by Inspector Ada Erondu from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, confirmed that Okafor was responsible for Sarumi's death.

She said the sex worker admitted that she stabbed the late Sarumi, but that she (Okafor) did not know that he was going to die.

The prosecutor said the investigating police officer (IPO) saw broken window glasses when he visited the crime scene, adding that the late Sarumi was drenched in blood and was shouting for help.

Ogungbesan said an angry mob, which saw the late Sarumi's condition wanted to kill Okafor, but she ran back to the room and locked herself up.

In her evidence-in-chief, Okafor claimed she killed the victim in self-defence.

Okafor said the late Sarumi came to the hotel at midnight to see her friend, Ivie.

She said she was forced into prostitution by a relative after she dropped out of primary school.

"When this aunty called Evelyn came to the village last year, she said she will take me to Lagos to work in a restaurant. We were two that she brought to Lagos. When we got to Lagos, she told a girl we met in the hotel to take us round. When we saw the type of dress the girls were wearing, we told her that we cannot do prostitution.

"Aunty Evelyn forced me and the other girls to work for her for two months before she would give us money to return to the village. That was how I went into prostitution.

She paid for the rooms we stayed and after we had slept with the customers, every night, she would come to collect the money.

"We always charged customers N1000 per night and we could make up to N6000 in a day. I was even tired of prostitution and I was planning to go back home when the incident happened. I have not always been a prostitute. When I was in the village in Imo State, I had a baby girl and she is three years old. Things were not easy for us. We are nine in my family and I am the third child. I feel pained about Abbey's death. God knows that I did not intend to kill him," she said.

Daleko market not for demolition MUSHIN Local Government Chairman, Hon Olatunde Adepitan has said there is no plan to demolish Daleko market.

Adepitan told the market executive that visited him that Daleko market is about the largest in West Africa for the sale of imported Rice. "No responsible government will venture into the reconstruction of such a market without adequate consultations," he said.

The state government has directed local governments to ensure that all markets are built with consideration for safety measures and in accordance with what a modern market should look like.

The association's president, Alhaja Alalukimba Ajani, thanked the chairman for debunking rumours of the market's demolition.

PHOTO: EBELE BONIFACE

Fashola bars commissioners from granting interviews LAGOS State Government has barred its commissioners, political office holders and civil servants from granting interview to reporters.

In a circular, the Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe said political office holders must obtain permission from the Ministry of Information before granting any interview.

Ogunlewe said the governor had directed that no public servant or political office holder must grant interview without approval.

"It has become imperative as government has observed that some public officials have formed the habit of granting informal interviews and in the process, divulging official information on public policies which are still under consideration and are not yet ap-

By Miriam Ndikanwu

proved for action by the government.

"Consequently, the governor has directed that no government functionary (public servants and police office holders) should grant press interviews or issue press releases without the concurrence of the Ministry of Information and Strategy.

"Furthermore, under no circumstance should any public servants or public office holders comment or discuss government policies which are still under consideration. Government is aware that officers may be required to represent their political heads and read speeches at event, such officers are to limit themselves to the contents of the written speeches which must have been cleared appropriately prior to the event by their political heads," he said.

Judge's transfer stalls trial THE arraignment of the management of eight hotels and hospitality offices at a Lagos Magistrate's Court for non payment of license fees was stalled yesterday.

The magistrate was said to have been transferred.

The hotels include Excellence Hotel Limited; Bec Hotels Limited; A.Y. Hotels Limited; Top Flight Travels and Tours Limited; Gradeshire Travel and Tours Limited; Atlantic Hotel Limited and Sheratt Hotel Limited,among others.

The court registrar has been directed to forward the case file to another judge who is expected to announce a new date for trial.

A statement by the Ministry of Justice said the management of the hotels and hospitality outfits were being charged on the basis of the government's determination to prosecute tax evaders.

Other hotels were also billed to appear in some courts in their areas of operation in Mushin,

By Adebisi Onanuga

Badagry, Yaba, Agege and Surulere.

They are going to face a two-count charge of operating an hotel without being licensed.

The first count charge has to do with "carrying on or keeping hotel in the Lagos Magisterial District without license granted by the appropriate authority contrary to Section 4(1) of the Hotel Licensing Laws of Lagos State, 2010 Cap H6 and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 21 of the law".

The second charge accused the hotels of "knowingly omitting to comply with the provisions of the Hotel Licensing Law of Lagos State, Cap H6 in carrying out hotel business in the Lagos Magisterial District and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 122 of the criminal Law of Lagos State 2011".

The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) said the first count attracts N200,000 fine or two years imprisonment or both; the second attracts n50,000 fine or one year imprisonment or both.

Actress, director open

MOVIE director, Daniel Ademinokan a Stella Damasus are to poen a multi-mil in Abuja called Code 55.

On how they got the name CODE 55,

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Reps give DMO 48 hours to refund N200m From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

T

HE House Committee on Public Accounts has given the Debt Management Office (DMO) a 48-hour ultimatum to refund N200 million to the Federal Government for evading tax, as well as other financial recklessness.

The DMO is also required to present its bank statements, including certificates and treasury receipt of all monies it has returned to government’s coffers in the last three years.

The Committee said the Audited Report of the organisation revealed some level of financial recklessness that include failure to remit N27.7 million to the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS ), Value Added Tax (VAT) as well as Withholding Tax in 2011.

The Committe Chairman, Solomon Adeola, said the refund became imperative because the DMO helmsman, Dr Abraham Nwakwo, who appeared before the Committee yesterday failed to convince the lawmakers on the details of the money.

The DMO was also requested to immediately refund within 48 hours and provide evidence of payment of N152 million collected in 2011 as Service Wide Vote (SWV).

In addition, the organisation was asked to present evidence of procurement procedure of donations by the Department For International Development (DFID), as well as copies of evidence of application of funds given to DMO by the major donor agencies on yearly basis.

Adeola said reports submitted before the Committee revealed that about N30 million was collected yearly by DMO from DFID on behalf of Nigeria for capacity building without corresponding details.

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

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -11.7% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $43.5b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

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

Sanusi: $79pb oil price benchmark risky •CBN retains interest rate at 12%•Foreign reserves hit $44.3b T

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN), has warned that the $79 per barrel oil price benchmark used for the 2013 budget may pose risk to inflation objectives.

The CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who spoke in Abuja yesterday on the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, said the increase from $75 to $79 per barrel “may constitute a pressure point for the low inflation objective and effective monetary policy as a whole in 2013.’’

He however, reaffirmed the commitment of the committee to respond appropriately if public spending in 2013 adds up to inflationary pressure.

Also, Sanusi, said the chal-

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

lenges confronting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) go beyond high interest rates.

Sanusi, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the apex bank, said it would be inappropriate to tie the difficulty the SMEs have in accessing cheap credit to the high interest rates imposed by the CBN. “People should also not underestimate the impact of instability on the SMEs. High interest rates are not the only reason SMEs cannot

access cheap credit,” he stated, adding he cannot “tell when rates would come down, but would also like to see rates come down, just as the Federal Government wants rates to come down.”

Nonetheless, the apex bank’s boss said the rate will remain unchanged as in previous months.

He said: “The Committee decided to maintain rates as it stands with MPR at 12 per cent with a corridor of +/200 basis points,” adding that the committee also agreed to “maintain the Cash Reserve Ration (CRR) at 12 per cent, and liquidity ratio at 13 per cent.”

He explained that the apex

bank has continued to retain the MPR at 12 per cent for this long, because the economy “cannot have low interest rate in high inflation rate regime,” saying that the “CBN ‘s ability to bring down rates is a function of its ability to maintain stability.”

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has also cautioned against complacency with regards to government’s revenue. Sanusi noted that “ despite the high level of oil prices, the committee noted that government has been able to keep deficit within the threshold of the dictates of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

It advised the government on “the need to drive down the expenditure in view of infrastructure deficits.”

With regards to the country’s foreign reserves, Sanusi said the reserves have increased by $10 billion to $44.3 billion by 16 January.

This new foreign reserve level can finance imports for nine months.

Meanwhile, the naira strengthened by less than 0.1 per cent to N157.10 a dollar, reversing earlier declines of as much as 0.3 per cent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The regulator sold $100 million at an auction yesterday, compared with $108 million at the previous sale on January 16, it said in an emailed statement.

AMCON not managing our tank farms, says Forte Oil

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

F

• From left: Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi; member, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Shaba Lafiaji; Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Senator Ekweremadu and Princess Oduah, at the inauguration in Abuja...yesterday.

Ekweremadu calls for establishment of national carrier D EPUTY Senate Presi dent, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday canvassed the establishment of a national carrier to fly the nation’s flag across the world, saying Nigeria deserves an airline it could be proud of.

Speaking yesterday at the inauguration of the General Aviation and Hajj Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Ekweremadu said if countries like Ethiopia and Kenya could have national carriers, it will be a great disservice that Nigeria does not have one that it could be proud of.

He called for improve-

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor and Olugbenga Adanikin

ment in civil aviation regulation so as to enhance safety and security, saying that it was time Nigeria took her place as a continental leader in aviation matters.

He called on the Ministry of Aviation and its agencies to do what is required to create an enabling environment to achieve a hub status for Nigeria.

He urged the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, to facilitate the

building of more airport terminals across the country, affirming that Nigerians deserve nothing less than the state of the art facilities as obtainable in other parts of the world.

While commending the efforts of the ministry in building a terminal for private charter operations as well as the Hajj terminal, he urged the ministry to give equal attention to airport facilities used by ordinary Nigerians, whom he said deserve a better deal in their travel experience.

He said contrary to public

perception, the National Assembly is not fighting the Ministry of Aviation, but only trying to create an atmosphere for improved oversight of its activities.

Also speaking, Princess Stella Oduah said with the commissioning, the ministry has transformed a dilapidated terminal into a modern edifice.

Oduah spoke of plans to complete other airport terminals earmarked under the 11 airports remodelling programme to be completed and put to use in the next few months, adding that the second phase of the airports remodelling for 10 other terminals has begun.

Distributors canvass ban of imported cement

M

AJOR cement dis tributors at the weekend in Lagos urged Government to encourage indigenous entrepreneurs like Alhaji Aliko Dangote through banning import of items like cement which are now produced in sufficient quantities in the country. The distributors rising from a day retreat with

the management of Dangote Cement commended the cement company for creating massive employment in the economy.

Alhaji Bala Muhammad Getso, Chairman, Giwa Dynamic Ventures Ltd speaking at the retreat said entrepreneurs like Aliko Dangote are needed to drive the economy as they create

massive employment opportunities. Alhaji Getso who described Dangote Industries Ltd as the biggest employer of labour after the Federal Government, urged Government to ban importing of cement in any form as to encourage domestic manufacturing.

He said: “Dangote is the biggest employer of labour

after the government. We need such people who establish industries that build the economy. I commend him for venturing into manufacturing and keeping people gainfully employed. The distributors are gainfully employed, builders are gainfully employed. People in the construction industry are gainfully employed.”

ORTE Oil Plc, formerly African Petroleum (AP) Plc has said its Apapa Tank Farm is not being managed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) as reported.

In a statement, the Head, Brand and Communication, Forte Oil, Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, said: “We wish to state for avoidance of doubt that Forte Oil Plc tank farms are not being managed by AMCON. “Our tank farm is fully operational and is being managed directly by ourselves. At no time has it been rented, leased or managed by AMCON.” It said Forte Oil Plc’s assets were not sold to pay debts owed AMCON, as Forte Oil wasn’t indebted to AMCON. Besides, the Chairman of the company, Mr Femi Otedola has now paid his debt to AMCON, the statement added.

“Forte Oil Plc is not indebted to AMCON and as such neither Forte Oil Plc nor its assets were ever part of the AMCON/Zenon settlements, which can be verified from AMCON” it said.

Olumide-Ojo said contrary to the report, all the assets of Forte Oil are still very much in it’s possession. “As a forward thinking organisation, Forte Oil plc has simply adopted a more efficient business strategy in managing these assets. Our Lubricant stores and warehouses are now managed by our dealers who have leased these stores and purchase Forte products free on board for sale at the various locations as part of our strategy to improve our working capital and reduce inventory,” it said.

On the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant, Forte Oil Plc participates actively in the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) domestic gas off-takers’ scheme, where-in we receive LPG straight into our terminal at Apapa and thereon distribute to the domestic market, the statement added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

12

NEWS

Senate to probe fund allocation to police colleges T

HE Senate yesterday said it will probe the yearly funds allocation to police colleges.

Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmed Lawan made this known in an interview with reporters in Abuja.

The probe may not be unconnected with last week’s rot exposed by Channels Television in the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.

Lawan said though he does not have any figure offhand as to how much has been appropriated to the College, the Senate Public Accounts Committee has invited police authorities to appear before it and explain the utilisation of funds appropriated particularly to the college.

The lawmaker noted that what is certain and clear from

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor, Abuja

last week’s visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the college is that some agencies of government have not lived up to expectations.

He said: “The public accounts committee has already taken some steps to ensure that the police authorities appear before the committee to explain the utilisation of the funds appropriated particularly to the college.

“But we are also expanding beyond the college because this is a sign that all is not okay with the police organisation.

“I want to hope that the rot will stop with the police college. But if in the course of our investigation we discover that

it is more than the college and that some organisations within the police are facing the same thing, then we have to take very serious action.

“First, we have to determine whether the funds were adequate so that if the funds were not adequate, we like to see how prudent, economically and efficiently the scarce resources were utilised.

“If, however, the funds were enough and that someone failed to do his or her duty, we will surely recommend serious sanctions for whoever is responsible.”

On poor oversight by National Assembly, Lawan said he will agree to the extent that the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House

Gunmen seize Nigerian tanker

G

•Senate President David Mark

Committees on Police Affairs should have detected the rot rather than the president.

“But it is also very correct to say that there is Police Affairs and Police Service Commission.

“These are people that are directly involved with them.

So it is a responsibility that we share.

“But I believe that we are supposed to take the lead in the oversight process because this

UNMEN seized a Nigerian-owned Panama-flagged tanker off Ivory Coast’s port of Abidjan as it prepared to unload 5,000 tons of fuel, port officials said in a statement yesterday.

Port agents said they lost contact with the ship, named the ITRI and owned by Lagosbased Brila Energy, shortly after midnight on Thursday.

“Several minutes later, (the ship’s local manager) informed the harbour pilot that its ship was under the control of armed individuals who had boarded,” read the statement.

It is only the second such attack in Ivorian waters. In October, pirates seized a Bahamas-flagged tanker carrying more than 32,000 metric tons of gasoline near Abidjan’s port.

The ship’s whereabouts are currently unknown. The port said its last known position was off the coast of neighboring Ghana. But Ghanaian authorities said they were unable to locate it when informed of the hijacking by Ivorian maritime officials.

“We were informed late last week and our monitoring mechanism as of last Friday revealed no such ship. I can say that it was nowhere in Ghanaian waters as of Friday,” said Peter Isaaka Azumah, director of Ghana’s maritime authority.

Koda Maritime, the Ivory Coast-based company contracted to manage the ITRI during its stopover in Abidjan, said the vessel’s whereabouts and the state of its 16-member Nigerian crew remained unclear on Monday.

‘Today, we continue a never-ending journey’ Text of President Barack Obama’s second inauguration address...yesterday

“V

ICE President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution.

We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago: “We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob. They gave to us a Republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.

For more than two hundred years, we have.

Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free. We made ourselves anew, and vowed to move forward together.

Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce; schools and colleges to train our workers.

Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.

Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.

Through it all, we have never relinquished our skepticism of central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills can be cured through government alone.

Our celebration of initiative and enterprise; our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, are constants in our character.

But we have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new

challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action. For the American people can no more meet the demands of today’s world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias. No single person can train all the math and science teachers we’ll need to equip our children for the future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores. Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people.

This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience.

A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun.

America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention.

My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.

For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class.

We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.

We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time. We must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, and reach higher. But while the means will change, our purpose endures: a nation that rewards the effort and determination of every single American. That is what this moment requires. That is what will give real meaning to our creed.

We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity. We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in

•Obama

the generation that will build its future. For we remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty, and parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn. We do not believe that in this country, freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few.

We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us, at any time, may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm. The commitments we make to each other – through Medicare, and Medicaid, and Social Security – these things do not sap our initiative; they strengthen us.

They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great.

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity.

We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult.

But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage. Our

citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price that is paid for liberty. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the war, who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends, and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.

We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law. We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully – not because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear. America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe; and we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation.

We will support democracy from Asia to Africa; from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom.

And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice – not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity; human dignity and justice.

We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.

It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began.

For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity; until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country. Our jour-

ney is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm.

That is our generation’s task – to make these words, these rights, these values – of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – real for every American. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life; it does not mean we will all define liberty in exactly the same way, or follow the same precise path to happiness. Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time – but it does require us to act in our time.

For now decisions are upon us, and we cannot afford delay. We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect.

We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be only partial, and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years, and forty years, and four hundred years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.

My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction – and we must faithfully execute that pledge during the duration of our service. But the words I spoke today are not so different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty, or an immigrant realizes her dream. My oath is not so different from the pledge we all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride.

They are the words of citizens, and they represent our greatest hope.

You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course.

You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time – not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.

Let each of us now embrace, with solemn duty and awesome joy, what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history, and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.

Thank you, God Bless you, and may He forever bless these United States of America.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

16

MARITIME

Minister angry over delay at ports T

HE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) management and some top Customs officials have incurred the ire of the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, over last Thursday’s long queue at the Apapa port.

They have been asked to explain what caused the queue.

The Minister is also seeking to know why the port looks like a “disorganised market” despite President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts to make it user-friendly.

For almost an hour last week, the minister and his team walked from the gate to APM Terminals office to find out the cause of the delay in the movement of trucks.

He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Pateh Alli; the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye; the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Nebolisa Emordi; NPA Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi and some Customs officials.

Dissatisfied with the reasons given by NPA and Customs official, the minister released all trucks cleared by Customs, including the ones chained

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

by NPA officials.

Umar said he was not happy with what he saw.

President Jonathan, the Minister said, reduced the number of government agencies at the ports to stem congestion, free the port access road, ease cargo clearance, facilitate trade, make the port attractive for business and boost revenue generation.

Facing an official, he said: “Tell me why the port is disorganised? Why are these vehicles stationed on the main access road to the port? Who chained this vehicle down here to obstruct traffic? This is unacceptable to us. It is unacceptable to this government.

This is a very bad situation and we must be very serious in addressing the problem. ”It is an embarrassment for me to come to the port and I am not happy. I made some public utterances out of frustration. I cannot understand why the port will continue to operate as if it is a disorganised market.

Mr President said we must sanitise the port and we must sanitise it. The Customs is involved, the NPA is involved, the clearing agents are involved, the transporters are involved, the shipping line, everybody needs to cooperate. I

• The long queue inside the port

•From left: General Manager Procurement, NPA, Mr Joshua Asanga, explaining to the MinPHOTOS: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA ister of Transport, Senator Umar while Prof Monye looks on.

am not here to apportion blames but from what I have seen, I am not happy.

Attempts by an NPA of-

ficial to explain that they were not responsible for the state of the port was rebuffed by the minister.

The Minster said: “Everything in the port is under NPA. What is written on the gate? Is it not NPA?

You cannot be shifting responsibility for God’s sake. You keep on saying there is no solution to this problem. That is unacceptable to this government.

“We must be pro-active.

The queue is just there, no movement, nothing. The drivers are not inside the trucks and nobody seems to know what is happening.

“NPA, you own the port.

You must not allow this.

Anybody who has not finished its documentation must not be allowed to load, not to talk of blocking the access road.”

Monye told The Nation that the port was becoming “a national embarrassment.” He said NPA seemed to have lost control of the port.

“NPA needs to have a stronger administrative control because the clearing agents have taken over the port from what we have seen.”

‘Freight forwarders don’t need Customs licence to practise’

C

USTOMS licence is not a prerequisite for freight forwarding practitioners, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has said.

It has directed its members not to bother about Customs licence to practise at ports and border stations.

In a letter signed by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr Chidiebere Enelama, NAGAFF said: “It

is not mandatory to own a Customs licence for the purpose of freight forwarding business in Nigeria.”

The association urged its members to register with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), and pay their yearly dues to the body.

It advised freight forwarders, who do not have a Customs licence, to register with the association.

“The identity card issued

by the CRFFN and NAGAFF are the authority you need to enter the ports and approved border stations of the Nigeria Customs Service to transact business,” it said.

NAGAFF said its members must be duly registered with the CRFFN. It urged the Council’s Registrar, Sir Mike Jukwe, “to establish an outdoor registration post at NAGAFF village in Apapa to assist intending members.

Customs fails to meet N872b target

T

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) g e n e r a t e d N850,876,698,974.19 last year.

Its Deputy Public Relations Officer Assistant Comptroller Joseph Attah told The Nation that the Service in 2011 exceeded the Federal Government’s target of N596 billion by recording N741.83 billion.

Attah said waiver concessions that were granted to some persons and companies were over N30 billion.

“The government gave us a target of N872 billion and we realised N850 billion. We would have hit the target, but for waiver concession that was granted,”

he said.

He said the additional N328 billion by its Comptroller-General, Alhaji Dikko I Abdulahi, was a strategy to surpass the N872 billion target the government set for the Service.

The Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) command said the total revenue it collected last year stood at N71,267,589,007 as against N51,264,053,039 in 2011.

Its Public Relations Officer, Mr Steve Okonmah, said this was an increase of N20,003,535,698 over the figure it collected in 2011.

Analysing the figure, Okonmah said a total of

N43.83 billion went into the Federation Account while N27.43 billion was for the non-Federation Account.

On anti-smuggling, the command said 18 seizures were made last year. “A breakdown shows that eight of the containers were 40ft while seven were 20ft containers. Also, three vehicles were seized,” he stated.

The Comptroller of the command, Mr Zakari Jibrin, while promising an improvement in the revenue drive of the command and renewed commitment to anti-smuggling, warned that tough times await fraudulent importers this year.

“It is mandatory for every chapter to establish and administer a chapter secretariat in the name of NAGAFF with necessary facilities, including register of members well kept for headquarters administra-

tion and records.”

The association said it would sanction any erring member or chapter executive members who refused to comply.

The President of NAGAFF,

Mr Eugene Nweke, has been given the authority and mandate of the Board to invoke emergency powers to deal with non-compliant members in line with the association’s constitutional provisions.

NPA to acquire equipment to boost security THE Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi has approved the purchase of more equipment to boost port security.

The items include boats for water front patrol, motor cycles, patrol van and towing vans for the security department of the agency to ensure efficient and effective security at the nation’s seaports.

NPA’s General Manager, Security, Lt. Col Jamil Tahir (Rtd), made this known

while addressing heads of security department at a quarterly meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Tahir said baggage scanners and scanning machines for vehicles, trucks and their drivers would also be installed at the ports.

He pointed out that the equipment would not affect Customs operations because the duties of his men and customs’ differ. He said: While “Customs officials look for contrabands, Nigerian Ports Security

look for dangerous cargoes”.

He thanked the management of the authority for sponsoring some security officers to attend local and international courses last year and appealed for more in view of the dynamic nature of security challenges.

While commending his officers for their dedication to duty in the past year, he enjoined them not rest on their oars in order to reciprocate management’s gesture.

Jetty operators get 130 boats in Delta

T

HE Delta State government plans to give 130 boats to jetty operators on hire purchase (HP), the Commissioner of Transport, Mr Benson Igbakpa, has said.

Speaking at a meeting with the jetty operators in Asaba, the state capital last week, Igbakpa said the boats would be released to the operators after they have paid

the first instalment of N1 million per boat.

The commissioner said big boats cost N7 million each; while the small ones, cost N6.2 million each.

He said the operators are expected to remit to the ministry N100,000 monthly after the payment of the first instalment.

Igbakpa said the smaller boats will convey 16 passen-

gers at a time, while the bigger boats could convey 24 passengers.

He said the boats were not national cakes and urged the operators to imbibe the spirit of remittance.

He said working with water ways was quite difficult and if the operators could remit monthly, it would encourage the government to do more.

17

PROPERTY

Tuesday, JANUARY 22, 2013

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

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

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

What could be the cause of the lingering property glut that hit Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki few years ago? There are exotic houses everywhere in these areas but many remain unoccupied, years after their completion. Are they overpriced or what? OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE asks.

Many beautiful houses, no tenants •CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

•Flats waiting to be taken in Victoria Island, Lagos.

•‘Why work on Oshodi-Apapa expressway is slow’ - PAGE 18

•Kebbi to build 400 housing units - PAGE 18

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

•Aerial view of Ikoyi.

Many beautiful houses, no tenants I

KOYI, Victoria Island and Lekki in Lagos State are the toast of the rich and famous. Over the years, they have remained the choice areas for expatriates and the rich to live and play. Yes, the rich wish to live in these areas but most properties there now carry the “to-let” or “for sale” tag. And the tag has been on them for months or years.

The properties are exquisitely and tastefully finished with topof-the range infrastructure and services yet, they have not attracted tenants. Usually, the properties come with well-cut lawns, fitted kitchens, fitted bedrooms, gym, lawn tennis court, table tennis, 24-hour electricity, and bar, among others. The flats, detached duplexes and town houses do not come cheap. For instance, a three-bedroom luxury serviced apartment on Banana Island costs

$60,000 per annum; a detached duplex goes for $75,000 per annum, a five-bedroom, with a single room boy’s quarter in Victoria Garden City (VGC) goes for N70 million. On Victoria Island, such luxury flats go for between $40,000 and $50,000 per annum.

Although developers have improved on services and provided top-of-the-range facilities to woo tenants, there have not made impression on tenants. Government also considers these areas with the provision of competitive infrastructure, such as high quality roads exemplified by the soon-tobe commissioned Lekki/Ikoyi bridge, mini-water works, and recreational services, among others.

In an interview with The Nation, former National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors & Valuers

Kebbi to build 400 housing units

K

EBBI State Government has approved the release of N2.5 billion for the construction of 400 housing units in the Birnin Kebbi, state capital and Dakingari town.

The state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Hussaini Raha, spoke after the state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting.

He said the houses will be made of 150 three-bedroom flats and 150 two bedroom flats to be constructed on the Birnin Kebbi-Kalgo road.

According to the Commissioner,

From Khadijat Saidu, Kebbi

the 100 units for Dakingari town is made up of 50 three-bedroom flats and two bedroom flats to support the take-off of the newly established Kebbi State Polytechnic adding that the houses would serve as its staff quarters.

Raha also said the Executive council has approved the payment of compensation for landlords who were affected by the township road dualisation in Dakingari town.

‘Environmental degradation threat to security’

D

EGRADATION of the environmental constitutes national and international security risks, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Prof. Joy Ogwu, has said.

She spoke at the 11th Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Chevron Nigerian Limited.

Ogwu said there was the need for a paradigm shift in the assessment of implications from environmental degradation and the need for conservation to ensure a robust and encompassing national security and need for redress.

In her lecture entitled: Addressing environment and conservation: A development and national security

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

imperatives, she argued that the impact of the environment, including biological diversity, climate change and desertification, encompasses global warming, land degradation, deforestation, and loss of vital resources such as land, agriculture and water, which are very essential for our well-being.

She said these dimensions of the environment had become the sources of increasing threats to national security.

She said: “It is common knowledge that since the beginning of time, we have witnessed to a considerable dependence on the Earth’s resources for humanity’s increasing need for sustenance and survival. “

(NIESV) Mr Sam Ukpong said the glut is an interplay of demand and supply. He said many houses have been supplied to the market without effective demand. He said when the Federal Government sold its properties some years ago, in Ikoyi, most of them had large expanses of land with single occupants, which its new buyers converted to storey buildings for multiple prospective tenants.

He said: “ The challenge here is the demand for the properties is not as high as supply - leading to a glut. Besides, the disposal incomes of people and even companies have shrunk to unimaginable levels. The developers of these houses, most times, lack construction knowledge or trends in housing development and build what will not easily be taken up by tenants.”

Ukpong cited an example of people building houses that cost $60,000 per annum. He wondered how a young graduate would be able to rent such an apartment.

He said what some people are doing now is to sustain their daily living on an average income and not necessarily live above their means.

The former NIESV spokesperson also said some developers build wrongly by either not having a kitchen or sitting room big enough for tenants’ needs. So,

I

although people inspect such buildings but they are not usually satisfied with them.

The Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV) Lagos branch, Mr. Shola Fatoki, said the property glut is a mirror of the downturn in the economy.

This, he said, could be seen in the movement of some residents from the upscale areas to places such as Gbagada and Ilupeju while the former residents of those middle class abode have since relocated to Ogba, Agege and Mowe/Ibafo in Ogun State.

He called on President Goodluck Jonathan and his economic team to move fast in tackling the problems of the economy.

He stressed that except the government tackled issues relating to land acquisition, mortgage, land speculators, family land holding, funding and cost of labour, Nigerians would always find it difficult to rent available houses due to paucity of funds and, by extension, would find it difficult to own their own houses. Fatoki said the high cost of construction and the lack of patronage of local building materials are some of the reasons some houses upscale properties have been without tenants. He said as far as incomes do not improve, there would always be houses without tenants.

Fatoki criticised the high cost of

acquiring titles in Lagos and Ogun states, noting that it is prohibitive and a limiting factor to home ownership.

But Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, insists that land acquisition and building approval processes had been liberalised, with the creation of agencies, such as the Building Control Agency, and the strengthening of town planning authorities up to the local government level. He said the government was gradually eliminating bottleneck in the approval process to attract developers .

A developer, Mr Kenny Ojomo, on the Lekki-Ajah axis, confirmed the high vacancy rate in the area.

He said it was more visible in Lekki where a great percentage of houses carry the “to–let” toga with banners and boards. He said some properties are over-prised by their owners - making it impossible for them to be sold or let out quickly. He said it was more worrisome where houses which don’t have competitive facilities or services are prized so high.

Ojomo urged developers to be realistic and also work in tandem with current economic realities to beat the property glut. He also highlighted the fact that some developers do not follow trends in real estate market while building houses.

‘Why work on Oshodi-Apapa expressway is slow’

NABILITY of the Federal Government to offset the outstanding N1.6 billion debts owed Borini Prono Construction Limited - the contractor handing the Oshodi Apapa Expressway - is responsible for the slow pace of work on the road, a Director in the construction firm Mr Nastari Claudio, has said.

He said the provision of the funds would accelerate the completion of the dilapidated portion of road.

Speaking last week during a joint inspection tour of the road, which had in attendance the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar and Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Pateh Alli, Mr Claudio lamented that the project would have been completed within 18 months if funds had been released. ‘’We are asking for the provision of enough funds in order to speed the pace of work at the site, though we are working, but of course fund is an issue.

By Oluwakemi Dauda

“The project would have been completed in May 2013, but we cannot achieve this date because of lack of payment and it is very difficult to complete the project at the end of May 2013. We have N1.6 billion outstanding, which represents 30 per cent of the work we have done so far, therefore, to complete the road will be very difficult,’’ Claudio said.

Another staff member of the construction company,Osareme Osakwe, said some portions of the road would be patched, adding that drainage work is still ongoing.

The Minister of State for Works however, assured the construction firm that funds would be available this week.

He called on the construction firm to ensure that the road is completed before the end of May

2013, stressing that the visit has yielded the desired result.

Fielding questions from reporters, Senator Umar said the inspection was on the directive from President because of his concern for the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.

Prof Monye said efforts were being made to clear the roads leading to the port, noting that the road has deteriorated.

He said: “What we saw at Apapa is an eyesore and this will strengthen Mr President to clear the road and also fix it.

“But what we are seeing is the final phase of the clearing-up operation, we also have very good discussion with the Lagos State government about what to do with the ‘setbacks’ and if you look at the ‘setbacks’regardless of what we do on the road, if we do not tidy up the ‘setbacks’, then it will remain untidy.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

EDITORIALS

Obama 2.0

Cash trafficking •It is a growing epidemic that we must tame

L

AST Tuesday’s arrest of a female passenger while trying to board an Emirate Airlines Flight EK 784 to China with $151,205 cash once again highlights the need to tackle the menace of currency trafficking, frontally. The passenger, Akinnuote Abiola Oluwafunke, was said to have declared $100,000 on the Nigeria Customs Service prescribed forms CDFIA and CDFIB; a search by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service would later yield additional $51,205.

This, of course, was merely the latest in the series of the growing epidemic. On September 27, 2012, one Abubakar Sheriff Tijani, was intercepted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives in Lagos as he attempted to board a Dubai, United Arab Emirates bound flight, with $7,049.444 cash.

On September 29, 2012, it was the turn of one Nkem Sebastian with $288, 000 cash. He was on his way to China en route Dubai. He had declared only $200,000.

The very next day, on September 30, 2012, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, one Tasiu Ilu Kura would also be held for carrying $700,000 cash. Dubai was also the destination.

On October 21, 2012, a security guard with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN), Lagos, Adetula Akinyele, was arrested with two others, Ifeanyi Uramah and Emmanuel Nnanna, over an attempt to ferry $1.4million out of the country.

And, on November 7, 2012, one Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, a Dubai-bound passenger aboard Ethiopian Airline was

arrested for declaring the sum of $45,000 when he actually had $188, 858 on him.

Also found on him was 40 British Pounds and 5,753grams of solid gold said to be worth N34, 518,000.

These are of course the major ones out of the reported cases. It isn’t just the amount involved that is alarming; the trend would seem to speak to the malignancy of the problem of money laundering, a measure of the quantum of hot money – proceeds of crime – in circulation. Of course, the choice of destination must be seen as equally instructive: Middle East and Asia, countries which not only share the same problem of weak foreign exchange controls with Nigeria, but are similarly prone to money laundering.

For a nation like Nigeria, the challenge posed by the menace can hardly be overstated. First, there is increasing evidence to link the amount of cash available through illicit channels to the menace of smuggling and other illegal trades. Needless to add that it fuels corruption by facilitating the recycling of proceeds from corrupt acts and other illicit activities; and as been established, the practice has been linked to terrorists’ financing.

The current situation obviously calls for a new thinking in the management of the nation’s foreign exchange. A good way to start is to tighten access to foreign exchange by bureau de change operators.

For all its acclaimed merits, it seems to us that the idea of an all-comer foreign exchange market once generously touted as the panacea to the challenge of the parallel market hasn’t quite worked. Indeed, evidence would seem to point at the lax

foreign exchange regulations as the source of its sustenance, its staying power.

We need to put a mechanism in place to ensure that those who actually need foreign exchange are availed ease of access without necessarily enthroning a free-forall system as currently obtains.

Why is the practice common with Middle East and Far East destinations?

The answer is not far-fetched: stringent anti-money laundering regulations of North America and Western Europe make the prospects a no-hoper – the same way that the lax regulations in Asia and Middle East make them game. In addition to enhanced surveillance, we expect the Federal Government to explore the possibility of collaboration with the countries to tame the scourge. Only when the risks are seen to be very high will the nefarious practice peter out.

‘The current situation obviously calls for a new thinking in the management of the nation’s foreign exchange. A good way to start is to tighten access to foreign exchange by bureau de change operators.

For all its acclaimed merits, it seems to us that the idea of an all-comer foreign exchange market once generously touted as the panacea to the challenge of the parallel market hasn’t quite worked’

Sanusi and socio-cultural groups •Blanket ban on them cannot guarantee security

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan may have to start considering a new role for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. It does not seem Mallam Sanusi understands that he has a lot to do as CBN governor, because if he does, he will squarely face the challenges of that office instead of gravitating from one controversy to the other. Mallam Sanusi’s activism eminently qualifies him for the epithet ‘Mr. Controversy’.

On January 15, he chose, once again, to stir the hornet’s nest when he called for the proscription of ethno-religious groups in the country. The associations that Mallam Sanusi wants proscribed are the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Afenifere, among others. Sanusi spoke at an interfaith dinner organised by the Northern

‘Even if Mallam Sanusi is right that some of these associations have been abetting criminals or terrorists, the appropriate thing to do is for the security agencies to penetrate them with a view to uncovering those with ulterior motives. It is those found to be serving dysfunctional purposes that should be made to face the full wrath of the law. You cannot place a blanket ban on the activities of all of them simply on account of the sins or perceived iniquities of a few’

Reawakening Forum (NRF) in Abuja.

In spite of the fact that the NRF is itself one of the associations that Mallam Sanusi would want banned, he still found time to attend the event. This means that such groups still have their merits despite what the CBN boss sees as their demerits that he thinks are enough to make Nigerians consign them to history. Perhaps they still serve as vehicles to reach specific audiences. Hear Sanusi; “I almost didn’t want to attend this occasion because I am opposed to regional, ethnic and religious groupings in this country. In fact, I would like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Afenifere and all such other groups to be banned.”

We do not know who drafted Mallam Sanusi’s speech that he read at the occasion, and in what order the names of the ‘offensive’ associations were listed; but it was clear that the writer was not guided by experience. Otherwise, the CAN should not have led the pack of associations that Mallam Sanusi wants proscribed. The CBN governor should not be surprised if people point attention to the fact that CAN is number one on his list.

Obviously, Mallam Sanusi did not expect that his speech would go unchallenged. The concerned groups as well as many others have rightly taken him on.

Afenifere, for instance, has said his call for their proscription is a huge joke. We think so. Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s National Secretary, Chief Nduka Eya, said Mallam Sanusi should not be dignified with a response because his comments are frivolous. As a matter of fact, the association sees the CBN governor as one of the too

many cooks that spoil the broth. CAN, on its part sees Sanusi’s barrage of controversial comments as portending more danger to security than any non-religious group in the country. The ACF sees something positive in what it calls the associations’ “overlapping interests whose countervailing forces reinforce the unity of the country”.

The country’s constitution guarantees freedom of association, and that is the grund norm. There is nothing in the constitution suggesting that political or socio-cultural (ethnic) associations are necessarily evil. Therefore, whatever illfeelings Mallam Sanusi or anyone for that matter might have about these associations cannot be a reason for their proscription.

It is true that there are serious security challenges in the country. But no one has proved that these associations are responsible for them. Therefore, what we need to address are the socio-economic injustices that led to such security challenges, instead of looking for scapegoats in the socio-political groupings.

Even if Mallam Sanusi is right that some of these associations have been abetting criminals or terrorists, the appropriate thing to do is for the security agencies to penetrate them with a view to uncovering those with ulterior motives. It is those found to be serving dysfunctional purposes that should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

You cannot place a blanket ban on the activities of all of them simply on account of the sins or perceived iniquities of a few.

P

RESIDENT OBAMA took office in 2009 with a soaring message of inclusiveness and optimism that proved overly ambitious in the bleak economy he inherited. As he swears his oath for a second time, the nightmarish collapse is a memory, thanks in part to his leadership, and the potential for growth and renewal very real. We hope, given the opportunity, he will rededicate himself to being a president who is bigger than party and above partisan squabbling.

Americans remain pessimistic or at best fretful, but on balance there’s no country with which they ought to want to trade places. China owns the world’s second-largest economy, but hundreds of millions of its people remain impoverished, and it’s not clear how well one-party rule can manage the challenges of pollution, an aging population and growing class divisions. Europe is in a slump with no foreseeable way out. Japan and Russia are on paths of steep demographic decline. The United States remains, relatively speaking, wealthy, a magnet for immigration, and a leader in entrepreneurship and innovation. What it has lost, or temporarily mislaid, is the formula to generate steady growth that benefits everyone, from top to bottom.

Mr. Obama’s answer is for the government to invest more in the foundation stones of economic dynamism and opportunity: education, research and infrastructure. That was the message of his reelection campaign, and we think it is correct. But it can’t be the whole story. On its current path, the government won’t be able to sustain the kind of investment the president favors because in just a few years its entire budget will be swallowed by entitlement spending, much of it on the well-off elderly, and interest payments on the ballooning debt.

In his first term Mr. Obama completed some unfinished work of the New Deal and Great Society, ensuring for the first time that no American will have to live without health insurance. In his second he could solidify the long-term future of this completed package of social protection. Reforming Social Security and Medicare won’t be easy, but the longer the job is postponed the more painful it will become. Mr. Obama could do it in a progressive way, making sure that the most vulnerable are protected. He would have to take on the extremes of both parties, which prefer eternal combat to essential compromise, but most Americans would cheer.

Right-sizing entitlements would also allow the United States to provide the global leadership that no one else can or will provide. Mr. Obama’s first-term emphasis was on retrenchment, not surprising after a decade of grinding wars in difficult places. But the world remains a dangerous place, as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently reminded us. If the United States were to cut its military spending so much that it could no longer respond to an unexpected threat in Mali or offer assurance to far-away allies in the South China Sea, the eventual result would be turmoil far costlier than the annual defense tab. Making that case to the American people, however tired they may be of hearing it, is another task for a national leader.

– Washington Post

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: For the past 15 years, commuters passing through the famous Niger Bridge, one of the longest bridges in Nigeria especially during the festive periods have suffered untold hardships and excruciating pains. In these painful 15 years, it has been difficult if not impossible to quantify the losses in both human and material resources. Many of our people see it as a deliberate punishment to the South-east for losing Nigeria/Biafra war simply because the victors are still celebrating and you cannot blame the victims. My friends tell me that if after 43 years the victors of the infamous Nigerian civil war are still celebrating then it would mean that we are running a nation without conscience.

What the commuters suffered in 15 years put together cannot be equal to what we saw from midDecember 2012 to mid-January 2013. Those coming from Lagos were stuck in Asaba and those coming from Aba, Owerri, Enugu, etc were held in Onitsha. My children who left Nnewi for Lagos on Jan 7, by 6:00 am could not access the Niger Bridge until about 11 am.

Nnewi to Onitsha is about 15 kilometres.

Assurances and pronouncements have been made by the powers that be in the past 10 years and all to no avail. It has been all noise and no substance. Nigerian leaders especially at the federal level have no conscience. I suggest that the Southeast governors take their destinies

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S/East governors, Second Niger Bridge and Security in their hands. South-east governors have the capacity and the resources to build the second Nigeria Bridge federal or no federal government intervention or support.

Political, economic and social activities in the South-east cannot be complete without the second Niger Bridge. Historians used to say that Egypt cannot exist without River Nile. In the same vein,

no second Niger Bridge, no economy in the South-east.

Another very big problem facing the South-east is security. From December 20, 2012 to January 15, 2013 when I left Nnewi for Lagos, I noticed that every prominent person goes about with three or four policemen. Judging from number of security personnel I saw in the South-east I kept on wondering if we still have policemen left to pro-

tect other sections of the country.

Again, let it be known that the South-east governments can effectively handle all security issues in their domain to save the economy from collapsing. The governors must reverse this frightening trend of prominent Igbos travelling to other lands during festivities instead of returning home. Travelling home during Christmas, Easter and New Yam festival is a cul-

Jonathan needs a new team IR: Nigeria is a very populous country, and one out of every five black person is a Nigerian.

Beneath its large landmass lie such natural resources as limestone, tinore, columbite, crude oil and others.

It has equable climatic conditions and fertile soil: these are incentives that boost agriculture and food production in the country. More so, Nigeria has big rivers, which can play prime role in the generation and distribution of electricity in the country. Steady supply of electricity is critical to the national development and industrialization of a country.

But, sadly, for all our human and ma-

S

terial resources, Nigeria is at the rear on the global ladder of development.

Our country is rated as one of the worst places to be born on earth. This is an indictment on the current and past political leaderships in the country.

We are not unconscious of the stark fact that inept and corrupt leadership is at the root of our national problems. Imposition of national leaders, which is a feature of our political system, had always thrown up people who failed to tackle effectively our national problems. Right from 1960, and till now, Nigeria hasn’t been led by its best citizens, who possess in-

tegrity and leadership qualities.

Now, our freedom fighters may have become poltergeists owing to the parlous state of Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan owes his ascendency to power to divine intervention. His success story bears the imprints of God and fate. His name is Goodluck, and there are ample instances of manifestation of good luck in his life. From being an obscure and nondescript lecturer in one of the universities in the marshy creek of the Niger-Delta, he became the President of Nigeria after serving as the governor of Bayelsa State.

But, does President Goodluck

Gov Obi: What could be wrong with borrowing?

S

IR: That is the question for Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State. As a student of Finance

and Investment, I can remember the principle of Investment Analysis.

Basically, a corporation borrows money from a bank or other financial institution to undertake a business transaction. When the operation is duly effected, the corporation pays back the money to the bank or the institution with the revenue collected from the satisfied customers.

The bank is happy, the investor is happy and the consumers are happy.

This approach seems to be a win-

ture in Igbo land and the governors must know this. Good governance demands that the governors know this and consequently create an enabling environment for their citizens. Anything short of this is a failure of leadership. Let the Southeast governors organize a summit on security. Let the governors pull resources together to protect their citizens. Securing lives and properties should be the number one priority if they must succeed.

The primitive idea of going to Abuja for every single problem must cease.

South-east governors can build the Second Niger Bridge and make investment in security to secure the economy of their zone.

• Joe Igbokwe Lagos

win situation and one can see the brilliant applications of it in public administration by Gov. Raji Fashola of Lagos State and Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of River State. Gov. Obi, on the other hand, prides himself as the only governor in Nigeria who has not borrowed money to run his administration. One wonders if this aversion for borrowing makes fiscal policy sense or if it is a consequence of small-mindedness.

Anambra State is underdeveloped and needs a serious injection of fund to stimulate its economy. The governor’s choice of not borrowing to boast development is a leader-

ship shortcoming that is bearing down on the progress of Anambra State.

One is not disputing that the governor has done some work in Anambra State by applying a tight string on the state’s purse. One questions the wisdom of one sitting on top of the ocean and watching one’s hand with spittle. The governor, like other state governors in Nigeria, has access to development loans. He declines to utilize such an opportunity that stands to better the life of the people of Anambra State. Frugality may have its place in one’s personal business but broader vision is re-

quired to institute the right programs for the growth of the society.

Anambra State is highly commercialized and therefore has the propensity to tolerate risk. It is baffling to understand why the governor is shy to borrow money for development. This is not to say that stories do not abound of governors who abused such privileges but Gov. Obi seems to intend well for Anambra State. The governor must have a better explanation why he should be proud of this business anomaly.

Pius Okaneme Umuoji, Anambra State.

Jonathan still remember his difficult past when he was toiling and praying for success in his endeavours? If he is a people-oriented President, he ought to be initiating policies that will reduce poverty and high rate of unemployment in the country. Sadly, since his assumption of power, things have not looked up in the country. As a result, millions of Nigerians have became disillusioned and disenchanted with the leaders.

President Goodluck Jonathan may have good intentions for the country, but some members of his cabinet constitute stumbling block to his achieving his leadership objectives. These people are just square pegs in round holes.

President Jonathan’s executive cabinet is long overdue for re-jigging. He should remove the incompetent ministers, and infuse new blood and experienced technocrats into his team.

What Nigeria needs now is a winning team that consists of patriotic technocrats and politicians without moral blemish.

We can’t realize our potentials as a nation if we continue to run our country with our third eleven while leaving the best people suitable for the ministerial jobs out of the power loop and equation.

• Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu – Obosi, Anambra State. __._,_.___

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

21

COMMENTS

O

R

This is cynicism of the highYINLOLA taku [Oyinlola stays est order, even if there is a surput] – that resonates well with feit of bad faith in both war“Akintola taku”, that 1962 Daily ring camps.

Times immortal headline that captured But the sweetest irony may the constitutional crisis in the First Rewell be this – and Justice Isa public Western Region. This was after Ayo Salami, the sacrificial Premier Samuel Ladoke Akintola (SLA) lamb to appease the PDP gods, had rebuffed a parliamentary sack by for abject failure to sustain the Western House of Assembly.

Olakunle their brazen gubernatorial The resulting impasse, and the conrobbery in Ekiti and Osun, lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola trived state of emergency piously ormust love it: a petition allegchestrated by the Abubakar Tafawa ing probable miscarriage of Balewa federal government, was the justice has hit the Court of beginning of the end for that republic.

Appeal, Lagos, causing an inBut the Balewa government’s contrivdefinite adjournment. ance had the fond hope of nailing, once and for all, Obafemi Ironically, on this one, Tukur and Oyinlola are in the same rial heist 2007, both philosopher and acolyte would appear Awolowo, officially the Federal Opposition Leader, but corner, against the Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP execufated to languish in the evolving Goodluck Jonathan PDP hell. the central government’s Political Enemy No. 1. It ended tive committee, which had earlier in a Lagos federal high The allegation is rife that Oyinlola’s ouster is to clip the wings up nailing that republic. court, kayoed the Tukur PDP national executive committee, of Obasanjo, in the hot proxy war for the soul of PDP, en route Nevertheless, like history repeating itself and petering on a case to determine the lawful lord of the manor in Ogun to 2015 presidential candidacy. out into a farce, the present Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) PDP. But an allegation, rather wild, had popped up that JusIndeed, if the allegations that the legal instrument PDP chairpower in-fighting is a poor copy of the original. tice Amina Augie, head of the appeal panel, was likely to be man, Bamanga Tukur, used to post-haste oust Oyinlola is To start with, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, embattled PDP nabiased, since some highly placed personages had allegedly skewed, is it not sweet irony that the grand philosopher of dotional secretary, has not, in the classical sense of the word, bragged she was in hock with them. or-die politics and one of his foremost acolytes are seeping the “taku”. After initial threats to ‘storm’ his office, after his So, to preserve justice, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, acting bitter taste of their own galling brew, before the judiciary latest court-ordered sack, the man the Court of Appeal had president of the Court of Appeal (PCA), had frozen the proclears the wilful mess, if it ever does? Ah! So the rich also cry? earlier booted out from the Osun governorship, after illecess, pending the investigation of the allegations – right step.

To be sure, no one can be sure how the Oyinlola conundrum gally occupying the post for more than three years, beat a Still, how can Goodluck Jonathan’s latest Trojan horse would pan out. Though the Bamanga Tukur camp appears set tactical withdrawal. against Justice Salami’s legitimate return as PCA, no matter to consign the embattled Oyinlola into the dustbin via a legal If he is staying put at all, it is more de jure than de facto. De how well meaning the Honourable Justice Bulkachuwa is, be technicality, with the announcement of Onwe Onwe as acting jure [in the eyes of the law], he insists he is still PDP naperceived as guarantor of justice? How can the Court of ApPDP national secretary, another faction of the party has protional secretary. That is the long and short of his appeal, peal, under its present contrived presidency, deign to push pelled Victor Kwon, PDP national legal adviser, to ask a fednow before the Court of Appeal. But de facto [in reality], at for justice and fair play when it is itself a sorry captive to, and eral high court in Abuja to stay execution on the verdict. It is least for now, he is out in the cold – and that is where the culpable conspirator with, the Jonathan Presidency against instructive that a counter-manoeuvre is on to replace Kwon rich stream of ironies surrounding Oyinlola’s present odjustice for its own rightful president? with a “more experienced” lawyer. yssey is so sweet and refreshing.

This streak of ironies and its current victims are a lesson to Still, if the status quo remains and Victor is victorious, For some three-and-a-half years, Oyinlola was de facto all – which, however, is not saying much. The Nigerian poOyinlola gets a breather. If not, it is sure political Golgotha. governor of Osun, while Rauf Aregbesola, the de jure govlitical class, as Socrates said of the Athens of his day, is such a Some lobbies, perhaps with a morbid sense of humour, are ernor, languished in political wilderness. How long will slow-witted mule, almost unable to learn any lessons, even if even proposing Obasanjo – Obasanjo, a principal part of the Oyinlola languish before he gets justice, one way or the it is always stung by a gadfly. The people themselves have a hurt Oyinlola party – to meet with Tukur to resolve the crisis! other? terrible penchant to suffer fools gladly.

Some resolution!

Then Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, the attorney alleged to have If Obasanjo, now a putative victim if not an actual one, had Why, even Jonathan, on January 19, offered his own flatterengaged Justice Thomas Naron, chairman of the first Osun scaled the Mandela heights during his presidency, instead of ing sop, claiming his administration was building on State Election Tribunal, in allegedly indecent telephone text roughing it up in the power trough, he would have bequeathed Obasanjo’s legacy! Some building! Reminds one of a certain exchanges, is also the attorney leading Oyinlola’s cause at this republic with high ideals, below which his successors pounded yam feast before the final, ruthless daggering! the Court of Appeal, to over-turn his client’s sack by the would find difficult to levitate. But alas! So, why would his verdict of Justice A. Abdu-Kafarati. It is a grim irony that successors not, with his own patented impunity, splatter his both client and attorney, on the attack to save Oyinlola’s “As for Oyinlola, it is sweet irony to face with executive mud? illegal rule as governor, are now on the defensive to save As for Oyinlola, it is sweet irony to taste a long agonising taste a long agonising wait for justice, wait an ill-fated job as PDP national secretary. for justice, as Aregbesola did, if indeed he was rightfully Again, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the do-oras Aregbesola did, if indeed he was picked as PDP national secretary. But if he wasn’t? die electoral philosopher of 2007, is reportedly in the checkThe collective tragedy is, of course, that these are costly mated Oyinlola camp. Though Obasanjo’s ancien regime rightfully picked as PDP national sec- distractions for a country that needs more than its fair attenoffered Oyinlola the pad to launch his ruthless gubernatotion span in the race against time for development. Pity! retary.”

epublican ipples

W

HICHEVER way one looks at the Channels TV’s searchlight on the Police College Ikeja and the presidential indignation to which it gave rise, the programme conceived as a talk-shop under the TV station’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative seems to have achieved more than it could ever have intended.

If we can discount the presidential gaffe of describing the affair as a smear campaign, it was perhaps sufficient that the President was roused by the graphic imageries as shown on TV to visit. What it means is that changes may be in the offing for the orphaned establishment. The question of whether they would come in the sense of creating the institutions that would ultimately redress the decadence of the state institution is however, an entirely different matter.

Most likely, some heads would be broken to assuage the Presidential anger. Indeed, some dozen careers would most probably be herded to Siberia ostensibly to presage the presidential charade of an intervention. We know what will follow: a classy, all-stars’ cast of a presidential committee to look at the problems that are so obvious to all – except the government! And we also know where it always ends: billions of naira intervention funds. The latter should gladden the hearts of government contractors.

Now, what do I make of the Presidential outrage? In a context, it would seem perfectly in order, if the President can show Nigerians proof of what his administration has done –differently– on which his exaggerated expectation of the police institution could be grounded.

Accusing unnamed citizens of embarking on a smear campaign against his administration – or attempting to cow the police hierarchs into silence – only because the images shown of the college affront the senses, without evidence of what his administration has done to

‘The obtuse public finance system under which the police gets whatever peanuts that a benevolent executive grants, though a major part of the problem, is however one part.

The other part is the culture of criminal denial of the extant rot – a chief example of which the Presidential visit merely illustrate’

Oyinlola taku

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Police and the President’s indignation change the situation would seem out of order. It is unPresidential and cheap; needless to state that it is unhelpful both to the cause of the police and the image of the Jonathan administration.

So, the President is outraged because the Police College Ikeja looks like some refugee camp?

He needs one night of vigil to see the trainees as they troop out daily clutching empty buckets in search of the essential commodity called water as if the chore is a necessary part of endurance training for cadets. He would also need another day out at the police forensic laboratory somewhere in Alagbon, Ikoyi where officers trained with millions of dollars of tax-payers money loaf around – waiting to accompany exhibits requiring forensic investigations abroad – for no other reason than obsolescence of vital equipment.

And the police communication rooms in the various commands? These are said to belong to the Stone Age. And the hell-holes called police barracks? The less said, the better.

Obviously, those are no subjects of presidential outrage.

Far from suggesting that the administration is responsible for the state of the police as it is today, the issue is to put into proper context, the factors responsible for the decapitation of the institution. At the heart matter is the issue of finance – the gross under-funding of the police, which although was more pronounced under the military, has since been sustained under the current democratic dispensation. While these factors predate the Jonathan administration, the administration has clearly not lifted a finger about redressing the situation –the reason it stands as no less complicit.

Let’s turn to the numbers. In Budget 2012, the entire budget for the police was N331.2 billion. Of this, the Min-

istry of Police Affairs took N5.8 billion leaving the Police Formations and Commands with N307.9 billion. Of this, N290.7 billion went for personnel costs for the nearly 400,000-strong personnel. The overheads for running police operations was a mere N8.1 billion. We are here talking of the amount set aside to run 1,115 police divisions, 5,515 police stations and 5,000 police posts spread across the six-geopolitical zones of the federation.

The reader is here invited to read Malam Nasir ElRufai’s illuminating piece on the police in Thisday of March 2, 2012 to have a fuller appreciation of the odds facing the police. There, he showed in some graphic detail, how the per capita allocation to a police division came to no more than N696,000 annually, a further breakdown of which came to less than N2,000 per day – a sum just enough to purchase 20 litres of gasoline for an operational vehicle – and this supposedly to run a police station in the age of kidnappers and the Boko Haram!

Does it therefore surprise that the police training institutions would cut the picture of neglect?

By the way, N851 million was voted for training, with an additional N55 million for associated travels in 2012 – in a nation where billions are earmarked for presidential gourmets! These are verifiable facts.

The obtuse public finance system under which the police gets whatever peanuts that a benevolent executive grants, though a major part of the problem, is however one part. The other part is the culture of criminal denial of the extant rot – a chief example of which the Presidential visit merely illustrate. Like the President, the police authorities are just as complicit, if not more, as their principal in this culture of denial. Asides, both also share in the pathology of being utterly uncreative, if not entirely clueless, when it comes to evolving a workable funding strategy. This is why it came as a surprise that the Police authorities gleefully threw the institution open to Channels TV’s filming crew!

Like the example of Lagos and some states in the Southwest where the Police Security Trust Fund have kicked into operation have shown, the problems facing the police institution does not require any magic wand to solve.

What is required is a willingness to think outside the box, meticulous planning, an iron will to follow the chosen course through and, above all, demonstrable commitment to transparency. The states that have adopted the Trust Fund idea would seem to have substantially addressed the question of whether a sustainable mechanism for funding police operations – outside of the anachronistic, rule of thumb budgeting process – is possible.

What the President does not need is the superfluity of the recent mock show to get at it.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

22

COMMENTS

T

HERE is a saying in Yoruba that if your neighbour is feeding on house rat and you fail to warn him, by the time he begins to cough at night you will not be able to sleep. Since the fall of the Moammer Ghadafi regime in Libya about two years ago the rest of North Africa has not been able to sleep due largely to the terrorist activities of armed supporters of the late dictator displaced by the Libyan revolution.

Working in concert with other terrorist groups aligned with al Qeada in the Maghreb region, the ex Ghadafi boys trained by the slain dictator are all over North Africa causing havoc and are beginning to show their hands in West Africa.

For the over three decades that Colonel Ghadafi was in charge in Libya he harboured and trained terrorists from other African countries who later returned home to destabilize their countries. Remember Charles Taylor and his NPFL rebels in Liberia including Yommie Johnson’s? They were all trained by Ghadafi in Libya and funded by him to cause the civil war that later engulfed the West African country. The Sierra Leonean civil war and the general instability in the Mano River region including Guinea and to some extent Cote D’Ivoire could all be traced back to Ghadafi and his band of terrorists. The Chadian civil war in the 80s had its roots in Libya.

Throughout his stay in the Presidential Villa in Tripoli, Ghadafi was never at peace with his Arab neighbours as well as he was once accused of sponsoring an assassination attempt on late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia at one Arab League summit. Yet with all his terrorist tendencies and destabilization activities in the continent and beyond well known, nobody in the defunct Organisation of African Unity (OAU) did call him to order.

Citing a provision in OAU’s charter that forbids member States from interfering in the internal affairs of another member country, African leaders looked the other way as Ghadafi was causing trouble all over the place even when his activities amounted to interference in those countries he was destabilizing.

Shortly after his fall these band of terrorists spread across North Africa and some, especially the Touaregs of West Africa moved back into the region with all their arms and ammunitions and West Africa has known no peace ever since. After

H

OW much is human life worth in our dear country, Nigeria? This question has become necessary considering the spate of avoidable catastrophes in which scores of lives of our countrymen are terminated and billions of Naira worth of goods and property destroyed. In recent times, fire disasters particularly have become so incessant that it now occurs on daily basis.

Even though the risk of fire outbreaks is higher in the dry season, it is very scary the number of fire incidents that have occurred in quick succession across the nation in the last few weeks. The fire explosion that rocked the heart of Lagos on Boxing Day killing one person and destroying over a dozen houses was still on our minds when the following day the news broke that the country home of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, was on fire. The same day, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, got burnt. Since then, the trend in fire disaster has moved to Ogun State Government Secretariat, Abeokuta, the Ogbomoso tanker fire, INEC office, Abuja, Feleye Market, Ibadan, NNPC mega station, Bashorun-Akobo area, Ibadan, Oko-Baba Shanties, Lagos, the palace of the Alaafin

‘Some people, out of ignorance, still harbour the cultural belief that to make provisions for the prevention of hazards is to actually invite the occurrence of such misfortune. This is why many of our people do not subscribe to simple fire and safety tips that can keep disasters at bay’

As Nigerian troops deploy in Mali unsuccessful attempts at having a foot hold in Mauritania, these terrorists took a large chunk of Mali, especially the north, last year and were beginning to spread to the south on their way to overthrowing the government in Bamako when French forces intervened and drove them back.

France, acting under a United Nations resolution last week sent Special Forces and fighter jets to Mali to confront the rebels and their al-Qeada allies pending the arrival of a West African force to be led by Nigeria’s Major General Shehu Usman Abdulkadir. The Nigerian led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) will draw troops and equipments largely from Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin Republic.

Last week the Nigerian senate approved a request by President Goodluck Jonathan to deploy 1,200 Nigerian troops to Mali and over the weekend the Nigerian Air Force sent two fighter jets join the war.

Not a few Nigerians are worried about the deployment of our soldiers in Mali and their worries are well founded. In the 90s Nigeria was at the head of a West African intervention force called ECOMOG that was dispatched by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intervene in the Liberian civil war. Our troops were also involved in Sierra Leone where another civil war was raging. In both instances we had bitter stories to tell. Though the wars were eventually halted and peace restored in the two countries, our soldiers were bruised and our efforts largely unappreciated especially by Charles Taylor

who eventually became president of Liberia.

The cost of the wars to Nigeria, especially Liberia’s was enormous both in terms of human and material resources. Many Nigerian civilians were massacred by Taylor and his NPFL rebels in Liberia just because our troops came to intervene in the war. Many of our soldiers were killed and millions of dollars spent (much of which was wasted) prosecuting the war which most Nigerians believed we had no business being part of. I doubt whether Nigeria has recovered fully, especially militarily from the effect of that war and now that we are getting involved in another West African war, the rule of engagement and the tenure of our involvement must be well spelt out to avoid a repeat of what we went through in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

While some might want to argue that Nigeria being far away from the theatre of war in Mali has no business sending soldiers there, the fact that some of the Boko Haram militants threatening the peace in northern Nigeria had reportedly confessed to receiving training in Mali is enough to convince that the Malian civil war is a threat to the Nigerian nation. The facts also that some elements of al-Qeada have been found to be offering support to Boko Haram and the weekend attack and killing of two members of Nigeria’s contingent to AFISMA by a hitherto unknown terrorist group somewhere in Kogi state are further justifications for our involvement in Mali.

But in sending our troops to Mali, care must be taken to ensure that all the necessary equipment and logistical support were

provided for them, including their allowances. It is hoped that those being sent have been properly trained both in peace keeping and enforcement, and the rules of engagement properly spelt out. The scandals that accompanied our involvement in ECOMOG must be totally avoided in AFISMA. Our soldiers must behave well especially in their relationship with local civilians including the women.

Now that we are in Mali, the likelihood of the terrorists and their allies in Nigeria particularly Boko Haram targeting strategic places and even military installations in the country should not be ruled out hence the need to scale up security protection around such places. Areas with high civilian congregation should also be properly protected while some high profile individuals both within and outside government should also be given increased protection. Nobody could say for sure the reason behind the gun attack on the convoy of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero in Kano at the weekend. People like him could be vulnerable.

It will also not be out of place for the Foreign Affairs Ministry to issue a travel advice to Nigerians living in Mali in particular and neighbouring West African countries to be less visible and avoid volatile areas where they could be singled out for attack by the terrorists or their sympathizers.

‘While some might want to argue that Nigeria being far away from the theatre of war in Mali has no business sending soldiers there, the fact that some of the Boko Haram militants threatening the peace in northern Nigeria had reportedly confessed to receiving training in Mali is enough to convince that the Malian civil war is a threat to the Nigerian nation’

Stemming the tide of fire disasters

By Sola Ogunmosunle of Oyo, Oyo State and most recently the Arepo explosion that killed scores of petrol pipeline vandals.

All these happened in the new year barely a fortnight gone.

The statistics for the year ended 2012 coming from various states in the federation is equally frightening. In Rivers State for instance, the government has announced that 73 persons suffered different degrees of injuries and that no fewer than 230 persons lost their lives in 222 fire incidents in the state in 2012. Another statement from the Oyo State Fire Service Department indicated that about N1 billion worth of property were destroyed and a total of 38 people were killed in 607 fire incidents across the state last year. In just the first two weeks of 2013, the department received 46 distress calls over fire disasters in different parts of the state in which three persons were killed.

This trend is worrisome because of its consequences on our socio-economic life.

The cost of fire incidents is obviously enormous. It results in pains and deaths to victims, wastes time, money and materials and damages equipment and structures. It is disheartening to know that most of these disasters are not acts of God but rather the products of human errors and carelessness. Nigerians attitude to accidents’ prevention is lethargic! Some of these fire disasters could have been avoided if we have been more safety-conscious. It is only in this part of the world that people store petrol, a highly inflammable material, in their living rooms. This is usually the manifestation of the product’s scarcity. The Lagos Boxing Day fire disaster is reported to have been

caused by ignition and explosion of tons of fire crackers, warehoused in a crowded commercial area. This is sheer recklessness.

Our responses to catastrophes in this clime are usually reactive. The fire-brigade approach of rushing out to quench fire all the time, rather than figure out how to put in place measures to prevent fire outbreaks is a direct manifestation of our nationalistic tendencies for lack of prescience. We must accept that safety simply means being pro-active. Many of us still leave our offices at the end of the day without ensuring that all electrical appliances are shut down to prevent outbreak of fire in case of power surges. In almost every household in Nigeria, matches and other ignition materials are kept within the reach of children.

A research conducted by a non-governmental organisation with a focus on fire prevention, control and management, Fire Disaster Prevention and Safety Awareness Association of Nigeria (FDPSAAN), shows significant low level of awareness on fire safety in Nigeria, less than two percent of the 140 million inhabitants of the country’s population have the required basic fire safety knowledge. This is a shame of a nation. The ‘Not My Portion or God forbid’ syndrome has also been the bane of developing an attitudinal change framework for achieving a safer society in Nigeria. Some people, out of ignorance, still harbour the cultural belief that to make provisions for the prevention of hazards is to actually invite the occurrence of such misfortune. This is why many of our people do not subscribe to simple fire and safety tips that can keep disasters at bay.

The issue of safety which once occupied a major place in the programmes and

plans of every level of government is now treated with levity. Within the context of Nigerian laws on safety, the National Fire Safety Code, for instance, seems to have been dumped in the thrash-can. The code is a set of rules guiding fire prevention and control in all public buildings in Nigeria. If we, as a nation, are desirous of halting the embarrassing trend of preventable fire incidents in the country, it is therefore imperative for the government to strengthen and enforce strictly all existing laws on safety with a view to achieving a safer society. Those who breach the laws must be brought to book and punished accordingly.

The Lagos State Government initiative in establishing a Safety Commission for the state since 2010 is quite laudable. The commission has since its establishment been at the forefront of creating awareness on the dangers of unsafe practices that cause fire and other disasters in the state.

Its role in dealing with issues relating to safety practices in the state has been quite commendable. Since it is the primary responsibility of governments, at all levels, to ensure safety of life and properties of its citizenry, all levels of governments, through their relevant agencies such as the fire services must immediately embark on a massive public enlightenment and awareness campaigns to educate the people on the dangers of unsafe practices most especially in the dry season as it is obvious that only legal approach cannot stem the tide of incessant fire disasters in Nigeria.

• Ogunmosunle is of the Features Unit, Lagos Ministry of Information and Strategy, Ikeja.

10-man Ethiopia hold Zambia Pg. 24

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sport PAGE 23

AFCON WINNER Pg. 24

takes $1.5m Bafana accepts herbalist’s help

Pg. 41

24

NATION SPORT

AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013

Gyan: Ghana made mistakes

G

HANA CAPTAIN Asamoah Gyan expects his side to learn from their mistakes against DR Congo on Sunday, having squandered a two-goal cushion to finish 2-2.

The Black Stars powered their way into the lead through goals from Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and

•Gyan

Kwadwo Asamoah in the opening Group B clash of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

But the Leopards hit back courtesy of Tresor Mputu and Cedric Makiadi to secure a share of the spoils at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for Claude Le Roy's men.

Gyan, arguably Ghana's weakest player on the weekend, believes the four-time AFCON winners have it all to do before their next encounter, against group leaders Mali, on Thursday.

"What we have to do is to go home and correct our mistakes and make sure that any time we are ahead, we do our best to win the game," Gyan told the Ghanaian football association's website.

"It's a big lesson to us. Talking about this game, we were up by two goals to nil and the Congolese equalised.

"We made a couple of mistakes and they came back strongly. They showed great character.

"Although it was a balanced game, we will make sure we go home and correct our mistakes and come back for the second game.”

Adebayor eyeing revenge over Drogba

T

OTTENHAM HOTSPUR striker Emmanuel Adebayor will try to settle a score with former Chelsea frontman Didier Drogba when Togo face Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup today.

Two of Africa's most successful players have been rivals for years and Adebayor (right) is hoping his Togo side will put Drogba's Ivory Coast to the sword in their opening Group D match and go some way to making him feel better about last season.

First Chelsea crushed Spurs 5-1 in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, subsequently going on to win the final against Liverpool as Drogba became the first man to score in four FA Cup finals.

Then in May, Drogba ended his hugely successful career at Chelsea by scoring a late equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final before converting the winning penalty in the shootout and simultaneously depriving Adebayor's Spurs a place in this season's competiti on.

meaning that Spurs were heading for the Champions League as long as Chelsea did not win the final.

"It was very tough to take," Adebayor said. "It was like a very b a d defeat even though w e d i d not play i n the mat ch itsel f .

But thi ngs chan ge quickl y i n football a n d there is always

•Adebayor Spurs had finished fourth in the a chance to turn a failure, or a Premier League and Chelsea sixth, perceived failure into a success.”

Lacen ready for Tunisia clash

A

41

NATIONSPORT TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

LGERIA CAPTAIN Medhi Lacen believes his side are ready for the crucial opening match of the 2013 African Cup of Nations against neighbours Tunisia.

The two sides will meet at the Royal Bafokeng stadium tonight in search of maximum points as they look to progress from Group D which includes Ivory Coast and Togo. ''We are looking forward to the start of the competition and the atmosphere within the group is good,” Lacen told reporters at a press conference.

''We are ready; now this is the true beginning of the competition.”

When the two sides last met in a friendly match in 2011 it was Algeria who edged Tunisia 1-0 courtesy of a strike from Ryan Boudebouz, but Lacen says that result is in the past.

“We do not have a psychological edge over Tunisia,” he said. “Since our last meeting their team has changed and it will be a different game.

“I do not think this game will be a decider. If we lose we will be forced to win the next two games.”

Joan: Angola must peak at the right time

AFCON WINNER

A

takes $1.5m •Taraabt

Club over country for Taraabt

T

HE winner of the 2013 African Cup of Nations tournament will bag $1.5million as well as bragging rights until the 2015 tournament.

The Confederation of African Football will spend $10million on prize money as the runners-up will

M

OROCCO's Adel Taraabt has explained why he chose his club over representing his country at the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

The midfielder has been accused of disrespecting coach Rachid Taoussi, which led to him being axed from the squad and subsequently asked by the Moroccan FA to apologise for his actions.

The QPR man, though, feels his services are more desperately required at the struggling Premier League club than on the African stage.

"My team is at the bottom of the league, and I can't leave them to play at AFCON. I talked with my family and close friends and they supported me in this decision," he said.

"The team gives me a lot of good things and I can't leave them. I know that my decision makes many Moroccan fans angry with me but I want to help my team," he added.

"Morocco has many good players and even without me they will do well at AFCON." Morocco drew 0-0 with Angola in their opening AFCON 2013 fixture on Saturday evening.

get a cool $1million, while the the semi-finalists bag $750,000 each.

Below is the list of prize money and how much will be paid to each of the participants, depending on where they finish.

Winner: $1.500.000 Losing finalist: $1.000.000

Semi-finalist: $750.000 Semi-finalist: $750.000 Quarter-finalist: $600.000 Quarter-finalist: $600.000 Quarter-finalist: $600.000 Quarter-finalist: $600.000 Third-place in group: $500.000 each

YAYA TOURE: Group D is the most difficult I

VORY COAST midfielder a Toure says his side are ready to challenge for the 2013 Africa

Yay

Cup of Nations despite the s t r o n g opposition that they w i l l

Vaclke: Africa has much to offer

J

EROME VACLKE, Secretary-General of FIFA, said on Monday that Africa had great potential to offer something valuable to world football.

Vaclke made the remark in an interview with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) official website on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa.

He described the Nations Cup as a major tournament that had earned global recognition, stressing that FIFA was working closely with CAF toward ensuring a good development structure.

"A lot of work is being done in the continent.

Africa is not just a place where you have great footballers playing for some top clubs around the world.

Africa has a lot of potential and Africa has a lot to offer to football.

"We are working closely with CAF to ensure that Africa has more professional leagues; that Africa has good development structures,” he said.

Vaclke said his expectation on the ongoing tournament was high, saying the tournament would be a remarkable success.

He said winners of the tournament would represent Africa when the FIFA Confederation Cup kicks off in June in Brazil.

"This is the biggest competition on African soil and it is watched globally. It is a key tournament; it brings all countries in Africa together. We expect this AFCON to be a great tournament. The winner will be in Brazil in June for the FIFA Confederations Cup where they will face other continental champions,” Vaclke said.

The secretary-general said the infrastructure of the Nations Cup was largely as a result of the successful hosting of South Africa 2010. "Five of the venues that are being used for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations were built before the World Cup. These facilities have benefitted South Africa and Africa. You have to look at the infrastructure here in Johannesburg; the roads and transportation.

"That is the beauty of the World Cup; I think it gave South Africa the capacity to host major events without any problems,” he said.

He said the participation of AFCON debutant, Cape Verde, was an indication that FIFA’s development programmes were yielding positive results.

fac

•Yaya Toure

M

e.

The Elephants go into the tournament as one of the top favourites, and the Manchester City star says they are prepared mentally and physically.

“We have prepared in very good conditions in the United Arab Emirates and also here in South Africa,” Toure told Le Buteur.

“We are working group is well Nations.”

S a b r i campaign against Stadium this the match will his side.

“It will be a are,”

in a good atmosphere. I think the prepared for the African Cup of Lamouchi’s side will start their Togo at the Royal Bafokeng afternoon, and Toure believes not be a walk in the park for difficult game as all matches he said. “Togo remains a very good team that has produced some positive results.

“For us it is very important to win the first match for our morale and to continue the rest of the tournament with full

confidence.

“Group D, which includes Ivory Coast, Togo, Algeria and Tunisia is the most difficult and things will not be easy for the four teams.

“Each wants to qualify, but in the end only two teams will qualify to the quarter-finals and the other two will be eliminated.

“Everything will be decided on the field, but in my opinion, the matches from this group will be the hardest and most beautiful to watch for the fans.”

Mali set for Ghana test

ALI COACH Patrice Carteron says they are ready for Ghana after a morale-boosting win against Niger in their first group match of the 2013 African Cup of Mali, along with the Black Stars, are favoured to top this Nations. group - and the two clash on Thursday.

The Eagles earned the first victory of this year's finals as all "It was a difficult game against a very defensive team like the teams in Group A drew their matches on Saturday while Niger," Carteron told BBC. in Group B Ghana threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with the "But I'm happy for the players because they have worked Democratic Republic of Congo. hard and this win will boost confidence for the next match It was none other than Mali captain and veteran midfielder against Ghana."

Seydou Keita who scored the only goal in the 84th minute, and Meanwhile, Niger coach Gernot Rohr was pleased with his

side's performance, despite the result, saying: "We tried our best against a top team like Mali.

"My players have great fighting spirit and big hearts, so you can be happy even when they lose."

Port Elizabeth soccer fans will be in for a treat this Thursday as Ghana takes on Mali at 5pm before the DR Congo faces Niger at 8pm, with both games scheduled be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

10-man Ethiopia hold Zambia A •Ethiopia's Minyahile Teshome,(l) is challenged by Zamia's Davies Nkausu, (r) during their African Cup of Nations Group

NATION SPORT

FTER being reduced to ten men in the first half, Ethiopia came from a goal down to force the defending champions Zambia to a score draw at the Mbombela stadium on Monday.

Goals from Zambia’s Collins Mbesuma in the first half and a second half equalizer from Ethiopia's Adane Gima made sure both sides shared points in the keenly contested encoumter.

2012 African Cup of nations defending Champions Zambia came off from sloppy start to take a 1-0 half time lead against a ten-man Ethiopia in a Group 'C' opener that kicked off at

1800hrs from the Mbombela Stadium on Monday 21 January 2013.

The substitute Addis Hintsa played a penetrative ball forward, his first touch, to find Saladin Seid on the edge of the box. He controlled it and pushed it into the area for the onrushing Adane Girma, who crunched his shot past Mweene at the near post. As with the Zambia goal, the defending wasn't great – Saladin had too much space on the edge of the area and Adane was allowed to run – but Ethiopia will legitimately feel it was well conceived.

NGOLA’s goalkeeper, Luis Mamona Joan, said on Monday that they needed to peak at the right time at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.

Angola will meet hosts, South Africa, at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium in a key match that might shed some light on the destination of Group A. Angola had on Saturday in their opening match drew goalless with Morocco, while South Africa also drew goalless with debutants Cape Verde Islands in the tournament’s opening match.

The Petro Luanda goalkeeper who is better known as ``Lama” said on the AFCON 2013 official website that he was optimistic that they could mount a strong challenge in their group.

"We started this tournament with a draw against Morocco on Saturday. We need to prepare our minds for the next game against South Africa. For us, it is important that we peak at the right time in this event,” he said.

The goalkeeper was instrumental to Angola’s goalless draw against Morocco as he pulled a number of stunning saves that kept his side in the game.

The draw might have been a fair reflection of the game, but it neither helped Morocco nor Angola as Group A is likely to be a tightly-contested sprint.

South Africa, Angola’s next opponents, may not have played a great game against Cape Verde, but by their admission, it was not

a productive day for Bafana Bafana.

He added that South Africa would be potent in front of the home crowd, in what is expected to be a sold out match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

"South Africa is a good team. I did not watch their game against Cape Verde, but I know they are a quality side. They have done well in Africa before, they have experience. For us, we have to play well and execute our chances. We need to win this game,” Lama said.

All the teams in Group A: Angola, Cape Verde, Morocco and South Africa, are levelled at one point, with two games left for each side.

All the sides will be in action on Wednesday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, with South Africa playing Angola, while Cape Verde take on Morocco.

•Luis Mamona

Bafana accepts herbalist’s help A

S SOUTH Africa coach Gordon Igesund seeks to reinvigorate his team after a dismal African Cup of Nations curtain-raiser, he has received an offer of help from an unlikely source – a herbalist, and even more surprising is that the South African Football Association (SAFA) has welcomed the offer.

Reuben Matewu, from the Eastern Cape province, is confident he can come to the rescue of Bafana Bafana (The Boys) after Saturday's lacklustre goalless draw against Cape Verde in Soweto.

That has left the 2013 hosts facing a stiff task to extricate themselves from Group A with matches against Angola and former champions Morocco coming up.

"I can help Bafana Bafana for free if they want and I will do that for the first three matches," Matewu told a regional radio station, The

Star newspaper reported Monday.

"I'm not like those people who use bad muti (traditional medicine), I will only use herbs which are easily available here in South Africa."

Matewu says he will start charging for his services only "when" South Africa qualify for the knockout stages.

"Thereafter, I will charge them as they would have started winning," he explained confidently.

His offer is being taken seriously by misfiring South Africa.

"Let the man speak to me and we'll see what we can do after that," Mwelo Nonkonyana, vicepresident of SAFA, told The Star.

"We always welcome whatever help we can get to ensure Bafana Bafana do well," he added.

Matewu's approach is in welcome contrast to another healer's threat to use his expertise to prevent the national side from winning.

Sibonelo Madela, a traditional healer from Ulundi in kwaZuluNatal province, claims he is owed 90 000 rand ($10 128/7 613 euros)

by SAFA for helping the team during the 2010 World Cup. According to the paper, Madela says the team's 2-1 win first round win over France was down to him.

South Africa face Angola Wednesday and Morocco Sunday, both games being played in Durban.

INSIDE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

Page 25

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Kubwa hospital gets radiology unit - Page 26

‘Beware land speculators’ Abaji council chief inaugurates health centres - Page 27

T

Economy, poverty and Aso Rock - Page 40

HE Director, Department of Development Control, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) Yahaya Yusuf has revealed that in spite of the council’s efforts to keep fraudulent land speculators out of business, buyers still fall prey.

This informed the persistent warnings, drawing buyers’ attention to the doggedness of land fraudsters.

Speaking to reporters, Yusuf said it is important for buyers to acquire land titles from relevant departments of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA) to avoid being defrauded.

Yusuf said this during a tour of some sites.

He further said that land acquired without title documents approved by the authorities concerned is void, even as he warned that people need to be wary of fraudulent activities of land speculators. He noted that the

From Bukola Amusan Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) is the only agency saddled with the responsibility of allocating lands to prospective customers in the Federal Capital Territory.

The director also said that titled documents should be submitted to the Department of Development Control for proper scrutiny before development commences on the

plot.

He said that “failure to obtain a building plan approval could lead to some problems in the future, which may include collapse of structure. The department has introduced electronic vetting for enhancing quick and flexible procedures. In time, documents will be submitted electronically.”

The director appealed to developers and the public to co-operate with the department in order not to fall a

Failure to obtain a building plan approval could lead to some problems in the future, which may include collapse of structure. The department has introduced electronic vetting for enhancing quick and flexible procedures. In time, documents will be submitted electronically

victim.

He emphasised that notices to quit have been served to occupants of illegal structures for several times. He regretted that developers had deliberately ignored such notices with the hope that buildings will not be pulled down once they are ‘rushed’ to lintel level.

He stressed that there would be no need for demolition of houses in a situation where due process was followed during construction and when there is no law contravened.

He said: “Nigerians should be law-abiding so as to have a city that we all shall be proud of.”

The director further said that residents should take advantage of infrastructure being put in place by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed and develop in line with the provisions of the Master Plan.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

26

ABUJA REVIEW

Kubwa hospital gets radiology unit

T

HE Health and Human Services Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has inaugurated a radiology unit at the Kubwa General Hospital as part of its efforts to improve healthcare delivery in the FCT. While inaugurating the unit, the Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Demola Onakomaiya explained

•Dr Onakomaiya

“G

OD knows how my five children and I have been suffering since these years after my husband died in 2009.

As God has made this possible, in fact, I will never suffer again.”

The above was the testimony of Mrs. Theresa Akpan during an empowerment programme organised

by Hope Alive Family Foundation in Abuja.

Mrs. Akpan, 48, who lost her sight in 2006, was earlier seen dancing to ‘kukere’, the music of ‘Nyanya’, the popular Nigerian artiste at the venue of the event, with no premonition that her suffering may come to an end soon.

With so much enthusiasm, the former Nursing Staff of St. Mary Catholic Church, Area 3 expressed her gratitude to God, saying her family will no longer experience

From Bukola Amusan

that the unit was capable of a functional X-ray unit, supported with an ultra-modern ultra sound scanning machine that has the capacity for cardiac monitoring.

This, he said, would greatly complement the existing services in the hospital, thereby bringing about qualitative healthcare services to the people of Kubwa.

“Radio-diagnosis is a very important aspect of healthcare delivery. Total patient care is not achievable without this particular unit,” he said, adding that the FCT Administration had always wondered the magnitude of hardship the residents of Kubwa will be facing without this unit.

Dr. Onakomaiya commended the management of the hospital for the development that has taken place in the hospital within a short period of time which include upgrading and inauguration of the eye centre, maternity wing; dental unit and mortuary services, among others.

He assured of the FCT administration’s commitment to take healthcare services in the territory beyond the present standard to meet international best practices.

He praised the Medical Direc-

•Radiology unit

tors in all FCT hospitals for heeding to his directive on making their hospitals attain global best practices.

Earlier in an address, the Medical Director of Kubwa General Hospital, Dr. Ahmed Danfulani said the hospital had, in the past,

been faced with a lot of challenges some of which it was able to solve.

He revealed that when the second Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) building in the hospital would be put to use, the restaurant, laundry and physi-

otherapy building would come up.

Danfulani, who thanked the secretary and the General Manager, FCT Health Management Board for the achievement, also commended members of staff of the hospital for their supports.

Foundation helps 71 widows From Olugbenga Adanikin

hunger. She was presented with a grinding machine.

To her, the grinding machine was enough to meet the family’s needs.

According to her, it will help her to feed her family and save for the children’s tuition fees.

“I have been surviving through the help of people. I have five children. Sometimes, I will be crying because I can’t go out, and praying that someday, God should send a messiah to me. Even for their school fees, it has been difficult,’ Mrs. Akpan said as rains of prayer were being showered on the foundation.

Mrs. Akpan was among the 71 other widows who benefitted from the empowerment programme organised by Hope Alive Family Foundation (HAFF).

No less than 1,500 widows, as early as 9: 00 a.m. had converged on the venue with high hope of getting a relief that will put an end to their long years of suffering. The programme was put together in partnership with Expensive, a popular radio presenter of Wazobia FM. The venue was filled with women of diverse ethnic groups like Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and others. The women came from different parts of the capital city including out-

skirts of the territory such as Suleja in Niger State and Maraba in Nasarawa State.

The 51 beneficiaries with additional 20 others went home with dual-purpose grinding machines, sewing machines and cash awards to start up small business.

Mrs. Deborah Oladimeji, a resident of Suleja in Niger State was one of the beneficiaries whose name was shortlisted for this year’s empowerment programme.

She stated that she had been taking care of her three children since her husband died; adding that she never believed she could be lucky to benefit from the empowerment.

As for Mrs. Dorcas Kazeem, it was a day of reckoning. To her, all hope had been lost as she never believed that luck may come her way. Immediately her name was called through a random sampling, she burst out from the crowd, wailing for joy.

When asked why she was weeping, she said: “I could not sleep overnight because my mind was here.

People around my neighborhood call me names. They derided me that I was begging for food. But today, I thank God because God has blessed me.

“With this grinding machine, they can no longer abuse me. I was here for my registration that dog almost bit me. It was someone that gave me money to transport myself back home around 9:00 p.m.

“When I got here this morning, I knelt down and prayed to God not to put me into shame. See me now,

God has answered my prayer.”

She said with the empowerment, she can feed herself, her three children and build her personal house.

Coordinator of the foundation, Hajiya Jamila Shu’ara urged wealthy Nigerians to assist the needy in their own way.

She said her passion to help the widows and the less-privileged was borne out of personal commitment, stressing that she had started from nowhere before attaining her present status.

“When I started, I started as nobody. That is why I owe people who are less-privileged.

“We have more than 1,000 people here and when you look at them, you see that these people need assistance. They are widows and added to that, they are lessprivileged. I’m overwhelmed. I wish I could do this for everybody.

But I don’t plan for them all. It gave me an insight what I still need to do,” she added.

With supports from friends, she said, many beneficiaries have been supported through the foundation.

Explaining why it became imperative to support the needy, she said: “When a widow is empowered, she will be able to take care of her children.”

Shu’ara urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts towards empowering the widows and the less-privileged.

She added that there was need to empower the youth to enable them to attain better future.

•Continued on Page 27

They derided me that I was begging for food. But today, I thank God because He has blessed me.

With this grinding machine, they can no longer abuse me •Abuja at night

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

27

ABUJA REVIEW

Abuja residents hail Okorocha From Gbenga Omokhunu

•Okorocha

R

ESIDENTS of Abuja who travelled to their home state, Imo, for the Christmas and New Year celebrations were full of praises for the state governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Some of them who spoke to newsmen praised the governor for his efforts to transform the state since he assumed office.

They were particular about Governor Okorocha’s performance in the areas of road construction and

maintenance, education, healthcare delivery as well as security.

According to Destiny Igboanugo, an Abuja-based businessman who hails from Oguta, in Orlu Senatorial zone of the state commended the Okorocha-led administration, especially in the area of free education.

He said: “The government’s free education programme has alleviated the burden of many parents who were finding it difficult to pay school fees for their children in the past. I must say that my people are very grateful to the governor in this regard.”

He added that the governor is also doing so well in the area of infrastructural development, especially road construction.

He mentioned such roads as: “Wetheral, Egbu/Mbaise, Orlu, Uratta, Orji/Okigwe roads, Aba/ Owerri and Owerri/Umuahia roads which are Federal Roads that have attracted the attention of the governor. These federal roads made end-of-the-year trips so con-

The government’s free education programme has alleviated the burden of many parents who found it difficult to pay school fees for their children in the past. I must say that my people are very grateful to the governor in this regard

venient for the people who plied them to their respective homes for the festivities.”

An Abuja-based journalist and Editor of Global Paragon News Magazine, Mr. Anacletus Anyanwuocha, told our correspondent that the Okorocha administration has almost equalled the records of the first civilian governor of old Imo State, the late Chief Sam Mbakwe, in the area of infrastructural development in different parts of the state.

Anyanwuocha, who hails from Ahiazu-Mbaise Local Government Area of the State, said he was marveled at the level of development that has taken place while he was away, especially in Orlu.

“I was taken aback when I visited Orlu during my trip in December 2012 for the Yuletide. At a point we missed our way because of the new roads and roundabouts being constructed,” he narrated.

He added: “In the past, Orlu used to be described in such derogatory phrase as the most undeveloped part of the old Imo State. But Governor Okorocha has broken the jinx.

I am sure that at the rate the governor is going, he may surpass the achievements of the late Sam Mbakwe.”

In the area of rural development, the governor’s mark was felt by the people, sources stated. For instance, they heaped a lot of praises on Okorocha for the development of rural roads and maintenance of peace and security.

A lot of other people who spoke commented that contrary to speculations of insecurity, the state was very

peaceful as no incidence of kidnapping, robbery, or any form of violence against law-abiding citizens was reported.

Also commenting on the performance of the governor, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko; a human right activist and Head, Human Rights Writers’ Associations, (HURIWA) who hails from Arondiuzogu, Ideato-North Local Government Area of the state commended Governor Okorocha over his programmes on infrastructural development of the state.

The activist, however, advised the governor to pay equal attention to the development of the rural areas.

“Yes, I enjoyed my stay in the state during the Christmas break, and I must say that Governor Rochas Okorocha is doing tremendously well in terms of infrastructural development. But this programme is

concentrated mainly in urban centres.

“While commending him for these strides, I would equally advise that he extends the same zeal and enthusiasm to the development of the rural areas.

Speaking in the same manner, some of those who commended his efforts in the urban areas also called on the governor to step up developmental activities in the rural areas to enable them to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Of particular note are citizens of Ideato South Local Government Area who are supporters of the governor but are not happy with the state of the Isiekenesi-Uruala Road which is in deplorable condition.

Rising from an end-of-year meeting, they reiterated their loyalty to the governor, even as they appealed to him to ensure that the road which links them with other parts of the state is rehabilitated.

Foundation empowers 71 widows

•Continued from Page 26

She hopes to empower minimum of 200 widows in 2014.

The popular Radio presenter, Expensive in his words, stated that his mum belonged to that category of the society.

He said: “I lost my father in 1996 even before I finished secondary school. I know how we suffered.

“I never said this before but I have to say it. It was an armed robber that paid my SSCE fee. But I promised God that if He blessed me, I

will reach out to people who I am better off than.”

Expensive revealed that the secret of blessing is to reach out to the needy. He said some of the widows now have the opportunity to make money through the tools.

He urged the Federal Government to combat corruption and evolve policies that will take care of the interest of the less-privileged in the society.

Secretariat gets three parks

T

•Abaji residents want a better environment

Abaji council chief inaugurates health centres T HE chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon Yahaya Musa Muhammad has inaugurated two newly constructed healthcare centres at Yaba and Mamagi communities.

Yahaya told newsmen that his administration is committed to the well-being of the people of the area, adding that his administration is giving priority to health sector in order to improve the well-being of the people.

He further assured that similar projects would be sited in other communities as the council is doing everything possible to equip healthcare centres in rural communities like Gasakpa with modern health facilities. This, he said, will

reduce people’s suffering and also reduce the high rate of child and maternal mortality rates in the area.

“In line with the transformation agenda of our administration to cater for health needs of our people, a number of activities are being carried out in the health sector.

This range from free medical treatment, L.I.D’s, N.I.P.D’s, vaccination against transmitted disease, free distribution of mosquito-treated nets and hospital and provision of clinical equipment,” he said.

He called on the benefiting communities to ensure security of these facilities sited in their areas.

He assured that the structure and equipment of the hospitals are of MDGs standard, even as he said that government cannot afford to lose them due to activities of criminals and unpatriotic citizens.

The Estu of Yaba Alhaji Adamu Abdulahi thanked the council chairman for inaugurating the healthcare centre in Yaba community. He said the equipment and personnel are enough to cater for the people of Yaba Community.

He promised to continue to give his support to the administration and pleaded with the chairman for more social amenities.

HE Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has said that the FCT Administration would develop the full tourism potential of the country’s capital by allocating parks to the Social Development Secretariat.

She stated this at a meeting with the executive members of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) where the preliminary report on Abuja Tourism Master Plan was presented to her by the Director-General of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Munzali Dantata.

Akinjide, who noted that tourism was vital to the economic growth of the FCT, said the administration would optimise the territory’s huge potential for conference tourism, sports tourism, education tourism, medical tourism and cultural tourism.

She outlined several initiatives by the administration to develop the tourism potential of the country’s capital including the Nigerian Art Master Mosaic as well as establishment of Sculpture Park, Music Festival Park and Horticulture Park.

“The Minister of the FCT Senator Bala Mohammed has approved three Parks for the Social Development Secretariat namely Sculpture Park, Festival Park and Horticulture Park.

The administration will partner with the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria towards achieving the full tourism potential of the territory.

“Tourism is very important to the FCT in particular and Nigeria in general. The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, has initiated programmes to develop tourism,” she stated.

Earlier in his address, the National President of FTAN, Chief Samuel Olu Alabi, urged government to utilise tourism for the country’s physical growth.

“Tourism helps preserve the environment rather than destroy it. It opens up the rural areas to develop-

Stories from Bukola Amusan

ment and support good image building and general poverty alleviation.

It triggers rapid development and sustainability of basic infrastructures such as electricity, water and roads, among others,” Alabi said.

He explained that FTAN was planning an investors’ forum and exhibition in the FCT as a showcase for the potential of tourism sector to the economic development of Nigeria.

“The forum is also aimed at strengthening the relationship between the tourism investors and their service providers as well as building new tourism frontiers through the creation of accessible funds,” he added.

Presenting the preliminary report on Abuja Tourism Master Plan, Dantata stated that the FCT had rich human, capital and natural resources which can make it the preferred tourism destination when fully utilised.

He further explained that the report provided a comprehensive overview of the tourism industry in the FCT and also laid out vividly the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the industry in the territory.

•Oloye Akinijide

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW

FCT partners Army, NSCDC on okada ban

T

HE Directorate of Road Traffic Service in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is partnering the Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce ban on commercial motorcyclists in the territory’s city centre.

The move became imperative following spate of insecurity in the FCT and alleged attack on its personnel.

Director of the service, Engr.

Rotimi Alade spoke during a briefing in Abuja.

Alade said: “We have been having g some challenges particularly on security and it is traced more to the recklessness of the okada riders within FCT. Residents and Okada riders are quite aware of this ban. Aside, we have done a lot of sensitisation, advocacy and enhancement. Despite all these, they are adamant so we just have to ensure that we enforce the law.”

The director had alleged attacks on 30 of his officers during the last quarter of December, 2012 by members of public and okada riders while on duty.

He said, despite the sensitisation campaign and advocacy the perpetrators remained adamant .

According to him, since 2006 when ban on commercial motorbike operation (okada riders) began, more than 9, 000 motor bikes have been impounded. Rather for the operators to stop the activity, they intensify their efforts, make replacements and continue their

From Olugbenga Adanikin

usual business because it’s highly profitable.

However, the director informed that a task force, comprising the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), Nigerian Army (NA) NSCDC among other relevant security agencies, have been set up to combat the menace.

“The sole aim of the task force is to ensure that they eradicate Okada usage in Abuja and this will be extended until we ensure there is no single commercial motorbike or okada riding in the city,” he said.

Alade further revealed that more than 270 bikes have been impounded as at the time of filing this report and more are yet to come. He identified Area 1, Durumi, Lokogoma, AYA etc as some of the areas ready to be combed.

“Unless people are ready to comply, we will not stop our operation until they are totally sent away from the city centre of the territory.

“We are concentrating on the notorious areas such as Area 1, Durumi, Lokogoma, AYA, entire stretch of airport road, Gishiri area and Life Camp but it is not limited to this area. We will continue our efforts in other areas they are not expected to ply,” he added.

He restated that despite several efforts to make them

•Okada riders

comply,Okada riders have remained on the streets.

Asked the need for the military in a civil society, Alade explained that: “These people are always armed with dangerous weapons; they have daggers, knives and so many weapons you can imagine civil people can have with them.

So they kept attacking my person-

nel and in the process, we have been recording a lot of causalities, so we had to cry out to the authorities and the only way out is to give us people that will give us just that backing to ensure they are no longer attacked. The motorcycles are collected and the weapons retrieved.”

Speaking on subsequent actions after the motorbikes must have been impounded, the director revealed that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will take the next decision. He stated that the bikes may be forfeited to the government or recycled as the FCTA is planning

to establish a recycling plant.

Incidentally, the military personnel and dispatch riders were exempted from the restriction, but, they are expected to adhere to the stipulated traffic regulations. According to him, the military and paramilitary officials are to be in uniform otherwise they will also be arrested.

“They are supposed to be in uniform because the important aspect is the safety of the riders and other road users. Others should be in steel helmets and reflected jackets and they are not supposed to be with passengers,” Alade stated.

How Nigeria can move forward, by expert

A

•A clean-up exercise in AMAC

AMAC chief promises better services

T

HE chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Micah Jiba has assured residents of the rural communities of the council that his administration will continue to complement the effort of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed in the area of project delivery.

Jiba gave the assurance when he visited all the 12 political wards in AMAC. He added that the FCT Minister in partnership with his administration is committed to ensure

From Bukola Amusan

that the future of AMAC residents and the nation’s capital are better.

He expressed his satisfaction with some of the projects executed by his administration, even as he observed that the materials used for the projects are of better standard.

He said: “Various communities in 12 political wards of the council have, in few years, experienced rapid transformation and will get

more in few months to come.”

Some of the projects visited are the 10 kilometer road at Jikoyi, installation of 500 KVA transformers at Karshi, construction of bridge at Gwagwalape, rural electrification at Kpegi, drilling of borehole at Karu, among others In his massage, the royal father of Karu Chiefdom, Emmanuel Chawuta Yepi commended the AMAC chairman for his courage to carry out people-oriented projects, adding that the construction of Karu modern market was laudable.

MEDIA expert, Dr. Monday Peri Okonny has said for Nigeria to develop, there must be a change of attitude by Nigerian leaders and its citizens.

Okonny, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, said there is an urgent need for attitudinal change in order to achieve a better Nigeria.

While responding to the remark by the Rt. Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, the Catholic Bishop of Bomadi, that accidents on Nigerian roads are caused by bad roads created by corruption in government, he said “if Nigerians would change their attitude, you will realise that most of these issues being attributed to corruption are not caused by corruption”.

He said some of the criticisms in the social media point to the fact that the twisted nature of the Nigerian man will not allow him or her behave responsibly or conduct him or her according to the laws of the land.

“The Nigerian citizen needs serious persuasion or force. Such critics would prefer that the President use maximum force to rule instead

Stories from Bukola Amusan

of preaching attitudinal change or persuasion. ”These critics advocate that President Jonathan himself needs an attitudinal change in finding an end to the critical sensitive security challenges and the corruption cankerworm that has eaten too deep into the fabric of the nation while tackling the problems of inequitable injustices that pervade our socio-political and economic life as a nation” he said Speaking on the expectations from the President and due process,he said: “The critics would want Mr President to use extra-judicial powers forgetting that our nascent democracy has to be nurtured by following due process and the rule of law as Mr President swore to uphold the constitution. Some of these critics have completely misunderstood the meaning and concept of attitudinal change or are simply mischievous.We cannot expect Mr President to change his attitude before we change ours.

If Nigerians will change their attitude, you will realise that most of these issues being attributed to corruption are not caused by corruption

29

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

the rights of the citizen must be respected and duly observed, the ‘ Ifpopulace has to insist on compliance by everyone, big or small. What I mean is that progress is not attained by docility and inertia. Countries that have experienced tremendous movement in terms of development had active, participatory and discerning populace as a catalyst See page 32

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

’

For years, the Police have battled to shed the toga of indiscipline and corruption. They have been implicated in frequent human rights violations, including extra-judicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests and detention. Two weeks ago, the leadership launched a Code of Conduct for policemen. Its aim is to create a disciplined and ethical police.

Many see something good in the Code; others, including lawyers, believe more needs to be done to make the police efficient. . JOSEPH JIBUEZE reports.

• IN ACTION: A group of policemen

The present leadership of the Police is ill-suited to present an acceptable Code of Conduct when it is involved in cover-up or suppression of murder investigations -Emeka Ngige (SAN)

My view is that it will take a lot more than a Code of Conduct right now to begin the process of fixing the deep flaws of the Force - Access to Justice’s Joseph Otteh

Will this T Code reform the police?

HE police have launched a “special” Code of Conduct and Professional Standards for its officers and men. The “Accountability Code” is applicable to all officers.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said the code is a set of rules collated and formulated to guide and regulate the behaviour of police officers in Nigeria – while on or off duty.

According to him, the code contains standard policing rules as well as contemporary international best practices in law enforcement as available in various United Nations Conventions, the 1999 Constitution, Police Act and Regulations and other domestic statutes.

Mba said the code was designed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of police services by promoting transparency, accountability and a deeper sense of civilian oversight on police activities. It is further intended to pro-

Rules alone will not address the culture of impunity in the Force, if such is not backed with the requisite political will on the part of the leadership

Does this Code capture patrol vehicles without petrol? A police officer using his own resources to buy his official uniform? Being posted without accommodation?

-Lawyer/teacher Wahab Shittu

-Constitutional lawyer Ike Ofuokwu

mote discipline, professionalism and strict adherence to due process in police activities and operations.

President Goodluck Jonathan, represented

by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, at the launch, urged the officers and men to uphold the code “politely and properly without fear or favour,’’ warning them against ‘’employing unnecessary violence and accepting inducements”.

He said: “Let me, however, emphasise that given the laudable objectives the Code of Conduct sets out to achieve, its strict and across-the-board enforcement must be given priority by the police high command.

“I believe that the code is simple and easy for all police officers and members of the public to understand. All police officers must be fully aware of its provisions and must strive at all times to live up to its standards.

“I remind you that your badge is a symbol of public trust. You must, therefore, enforce the law politely and properly without fear

Inside: Maritime industry needs modern legal framework P.31

or favour, never employing unnecessary violence and never accepting inducements.”

Jonathan directed that a quarterly assessment of compliance with the code should be submitted to his office to enable him monitor overall improvement or otherwise.

Abubakar said the code would be strictly adhered to and its implementation monitored.

Analysts said introducing new set of codes is not the big issue. It is getting the men to operate by those rules that matters the most.

The force has been under virulent attacks and criticisms by the public, and by some international agencies such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Granted, the police is faced with endemic problems associated with recruiting, training, inefficiency, and indiscipline, and its men still lack expertise in specialised fields.

Before Abubakar’s coming, corruption •Continued on page 30

Wali slams Reps over SEC P.34

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

30

LAW COVER CONT’D

• Ngige (SAN) • Continued from page 29

and dishonesty were widespread, evident in brazen extortions at various police checkpoints, most of them illegal.

This engendered a low level of public confidence, failure to report crimes, and tendencies to resort to self-help. The core functions of the police in community service, crime prevention, detection, and investigation are still backward.

The Human Rights Watch, in its last report, said as in previous years, the “undisciplined” Nigeria Police Force has been involved in frequent human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and extortion-related abuses.”

It alleged the police routinely solicit bribes from victims to investigate crimes and from suspects to drop investigations.

Besides, it said embezzlement of police funds is rife among senior police officials who also often demand ‘returns’ from money extorted from the public by their subordinates.

The police is said to have, through the years, relied on ‘Police Force Order 237’ to commit extrajudicial killings. The order allows the police to shoot any suspect or detainees trying to escape or avoid arrest.

Hiding under the cover of the order, policemen are said to have perpetrated unlawful killings of 7,195 persons in four years, out of which 2,500 were detainees.

Amnesty International, in its last report on police activities in Nigeria, said: “Police operations remained characterised by human rights violations. Hundreds of people were unlawfully killed, often before or during arrests on the street.

“Others were tortured to death in police detention. Many such unlawful killings may have constituted extrajudicial executions.

Many people disappeared from police custody. Few police officers were held accountable, leaving relatives of those killed or disappeared without justice. Police increasingly wore plain clothes or uniforms without identification, making it much harder for people to complain about individual officers.”

Analysts said despite the good intentions of the government and police leadership, the code, which for them is not in any way new, will most likely change nothing.

A lot more is involved, they said.

For them, something more than a convention is needed to bring the needed change. More fundamental reforms, political will, and transparency are needed, they added.

Critics are quick to point at several reforms and investigative panels had been set up to transform the force but their reports have remained largely unimplemented.

For instance, the White Paper of AIG Parry Osayande (rtd) panel, submitted last August, is yet to be out.

While reforms are still awaited along with the required legal backup in form of a Police Reform Act by the National Assembly, it has been pointed out that the re-

• Otteh

• Shittu

• Ofuokwu

Will this Code reform the police?

Excerpts from the Code

P

RIMARY Responsibilities of a Police Officer: A police officer acts as an official representative of government who is required and trusted to work within the law. The officer’s powers and duties are conferred by statute. The fundamental duties of a police officer include serving the community, safeguarding lives and property, protecting the innocent, keeping the peace and ensuring the rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.

• Performance of duties as a police officer: A police officer shall perform all duties impartially, without favor of affection or ill will and without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or aspiration. All citizens will be treated equally with courtesy, consideration and dignity. Officers will never allow personal feelings, animosities or friendships to influence official conduct.

Laws will be enforced appropriately and courteously and in carrying out their responsibilities, officers will strive to obtain maximum cooperation from the public. They will conduct themselves both in appearance and composure, in such a manner as to inspire confidence and respect for the position of public trust they hold.

•Discretion: A police officer will use responsibly, the discretion vested in his position and exercise it within the law.

•Use of Force: A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence and will use only such force in discharge of duty, as is reasonable in all circumstances.

The use of force should be used only after discussion, negotiation and persuasion have been found to be inappropriate or ineffective. While the use of force is occasionally unavoidable, every police officer will refrain from unnecessary infliction of pain or suffering and will never engage in cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment of any person.

•Confidentiality: Whatever a police officer sees, hears or learns which is of a confidential nature, will be kept muneration of officers has to be reviewed regularly.

Experts say reform is needed in the recruitment process to avoid enlisting officers with criminal records. There also needs to be established a reliable system for the public to complain about and to the police.

Observers said for the code to work, the police must be motivated, beginning with their welfare and provision of basic working tools. They also need to be properly trained and equipped.

With Nigeria under-policed due to inadequate manpower and funds, many hope that the call for state police may be given some consideration in the ongoing Constitution amendment.

It has been suggested that police matters should be included in the concurrent legislative list. The idea is that with state High Courts already in place, state police will complete the justice sector at the state level and make for a more effective policing and justice system.

Besides, and more importantly, factors such as sustained economic growth, demands for better governance, stronger civil society and improved access to in-

secret unless the performance of duty or legal provision requires otherwise. Members of the public have a right to security and privacy, and information obtained about them must not be improperly divulged •Integrity: A police officer will not engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will an officer condone such acts by other police officers. The public demands that the integrity of police officers be above reproach.

Police officers must therefore, avoid any conduct that might compromise integrity and that undercut the confidence reposed by the public, in the Police. Officers will refuse to accept any gifts, presents, subscriptions, favours, gratuities or promises that could be interpreted as seeking to cause the officer to refrain from performing official responsibilities honestly and within the law. Police officers must not receive private or special advantage from their official status. Respect from the public cannot be bought; it can only be earned and cultivated.

•Cooperation with other Police Officers and Agencies: Police officers will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.

An officer or agency may be one among many organizations that may provide law enforcement services to a jurisdiction. It is imperative that a police officer assists colleagues fully and completely with respect and consideration at all times; •Personal Professional Capabilities: Police officers will be responsible for their own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve their level or knowledge and competence. Through study and experience, a police officer can acquire the high level of knowledge and competence that is essential for the efficient and effective performance of duty. The acquisition of knowledge is a never ending process of personal and professional development that should be pursued constantly.

formation and communication technology will gradually contribute to a better human rights situation, in which the police plays a very critical role.

The question is whether Nigeria’s political leadership will embrace these changes or see them as a threat to their hold on power.

Lawyers, including human rights activists, spoke on how to get the police Nigeria deserves, beyond the launch of a new set of conduct code.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige, said the Police Service Commission ought to issue the code.

To him, police authorities have not displayed high sense of morality in the discharge of their duties to inspire obedience among the rank and file.

Ngige said: “The so-called Code of Conduct is dead on arrival! Not with the police’ shoddy handling of the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde which has gravely damaged its image.

“The present leadership of Nigeria Police Force is ill-suited to present an acceptable code of conduct when it is involved in cover-

up or suppression of murder investigation.

“In any event, the appropriate organ to issue a code of conduct for police officers is the Police Service Commission, not the Inspector-General of Police.

“In addition, the so-called Code of Conduct has no sanction for its breach, so it’s a red herring, a ruse and a brutum fulmen.

“Unless and until explanations are offered on Olaitan’s murder, the NPF may not be taken seriously in all its future programmes.”

Executive Director, Access to Justice (AJ), Mr Joseph Otteh said while the provisions of the code are laudable, more is required to achieve the dream police Nigeria needs.

For instance, he said the Police Service Commission ought to do more in discharging its disciplinary role over the police.

He said: “The provisions of this Code of Conduct and Professional Standards are unarguably helpful in improving the delivery of policing services; when applied to an institution that is serious about improving the quality of the services it offers, it will make a world of difference.

“Unfortunately, I fear it will not

‘The first code of conduct is for the Federal Government to make adequate provision for proper funding for the police and ensuring its proper utilisation. This will be in contrast to giving them guns and asking them to go and cater for themselves’

• Abubakar

hold out much hope for any change in the police. The Nigeria Police Force is too much of a farce right now, and, rather than repair, it shows worsening dysfunctionalisation each passing day.

“My view is that it will take a lot more than a Code of Conduct right now to begin the process of fixing the deep flaws of the force. Maybe the Code is a good point of departure, but left alone, without strong political action to reform the police force, it will produce nothing.

“It will amount to no more than the several regulations in force to regulate the police force that have themselves become dead letter law.

“Even the Police Service Commission that is empowered to execise disciplinary oversight over the Police and should therefore enforce the Code of Conduct is inert, unethusiastic, and is sleep walking over its responsibilities.”

Constitutional lawyer Mr Ike Ofuokwu said even the best set of rules without right working conditions is useless.

His words: “The Code of Conduct for the police is a step in the right direction, but the issue here is the mindset of majority of this policemen while joining the force. They have always had rules and regulations.

“And of what value is the code of conduct without a better working condition? Does this code capture patrol vehicles without petrol, a police officer using his own resources to buy his official uniform, the police station being in darkness due to power outage, sending him on new posting without accommodation?

“The first code of conduct is for the Federal Government to make adequate provision for proper funding for the police and ensuring its proper utilisation. This will be in contrast to giving them guns and asking them to go and cater for themselves.

“I recommend a surgical operation from the point of recruitment and training to postings and promotions. Godfathersim and quota should be jettisoned for merit and excellence.”

A lawyer and law lecturer at the University of Lagos, Mr Wahab Shittu said a code of conduct or ethics to regulate the police force is a healthy development as any society whose policing is without guiding rules and regulations is prone to impunity.

He added: “However, rules alone will not address the culture of impunity in the force if such is not backed with the requisite political will on the part of the leadership on such fundamentals as the structure, operations, orientation, training, discipline as well as the philosophy of the Nigerian police force.

“Significantly, what is essentially lacking in our force as presently constituted is the absence of a clear philosophy guiding its operations.

“For example, we are yet to grapple with the kind of police force that we actually want and more importantly the orientation of policing should shift from con• Continued on page 31

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

31

LAW PERSONALITY Hassan Bello was the Secretary to the Council and Legal Adviser, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) before his appointment as Acting Executive Secretary. In this interview with Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, he speaks on his plans for the NSC, multimodal transport,port reforms and the dry ports, known as the ICDs.

Maritime industry needs modern legal framework W

HAT are your programmes and plans for the year?

Well, my programmes are in tandem with the programmes of the Federal Government and, indeed, the Federal Ministry of Transport.

For us, 2013 is the year of consolidation of the maritime industry.

What do you mean by consolidation of the industry?

What I mean by consolidation is that we have had so many things on the drawing board, but this year, we will see the actualisation or realisation of so many far-reaching policies of the Federal Government, from revolutionising transportation, to allying the maritime industry to the economic aspirations of the Federal Government .

We shall continue the ongoing port reforms, aligning the transport industry with the world economy.

You have always maintained that multi-modal transportation is the key to unlock the treasures in our maritime industry. How far has this happened in the sector?

We are going there now. We have seen the reactivation of the rail transport, the importance of rail transportation in global economy cannot be over-emphasised, because everybody appreciates the role of rail transport in the economy. So, the resuscitation of the rail transport system is extremely important for the economy and is a landmark development, because this is the beginning of the emergence of many other modes of transport.

Multi-modalism is the reliance of many modes of transport, from water transport to Inland Water Ways. We also have the roads, the air and the rail. However, what is important is not so much multi-modalism as in the intermodalism because there must be some connectivity. There must be some interface between these modes of transport so that we have a seamless transport system. Goods transported by sea are shipped to the owner of the cargo through rail transport, road transport and so on. The coordination of these modes of transport is also very important.

So, all these things have been done in the past two years. What the Federal Government is doing is consolidating and I am sure that 2013 will be a good one for the maritime industry.

What is your appraisal of the role of the National Assembly in response to law making in the maritime sector?

The National Assembly as constituted is very active in this respect. They are conscious of their roles, the Senate Committee on marine transport, the House of Representatives Committee on Marine transport have diligently worked with us closely and you need to see the quality of people and presentation that are made in those committees.

You would recall that during the last maritime seminar for judges, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, suggested a committee for Law reforms generally.

So, what have you done along that line?

Yes, we have been talking with the Nigerian Maritime Lawyers Association, with the House Committee on Marine transport and, very soon, we will set up a committee to look at all the laws,

so that obsolete laws in the sector which hinder speedy economic development could be reformed. Such reforms would not only trigger off rapid socio-economic development, they will most importantly, assist us in the domestication of international conventions that are appropriate and relevant to the development of maritime law. Because for the maritime industry to thrive, it needs appropriate modern legal frameworks.

Is the committee members going to examine maritime law alone? Or are they going to look at other archaic laws in our statute book?

It will be a holistic approach and more practical. For instance, we cannot domesticate a convention if it does not have any meaning. We cannot promulgate laws that do not translate into economic advancement of our people. Laws must be relevant; most importantly, they must guarantee the economic advancement of our people.

We have to have laws that will boost economic activities, facilitate the integration of Nigeria into world economy and we must have laws that are meaningful, and applicable to our peculiar situation.

What is the role of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission in this?

There are so many agents of change of which the Nigerian law Reform Commission is one of them. The law Reform Commission is an omnibus commission, it has been very active if you have been following their activities, what we will do is to liase with them, because they may have their specialties such as criminal laws, constitutional laws e.t.c but admiralty law is a specialised aspect of the law which is also intricate. So, that committee of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Nigerian Maritime Lawyers Association and the National Assembly Committee on Marine Transport would, at one point or the other, rely on the Nigerian Law Reform Commission to effectively discharge

their mandate.

What is your appraisal of the Dry ports, known as ICDs. They are very strategic infrastructure, the dry ports are supposed to solve the lingering crises of ports congestion. They are long term solution to ports congestion because cut off the dwell time of cargo at the sea ports. The dry ports are also ports; the only thing is that you don’t see water.

Otherwise they are supposed to be designated legally as the ports of destination and origin and that is being done right now. The moment we have such designations and such regulations branding them as ports of destination or origin as the case may be, then they will come to the fire. The concept of the dry ports is also a modern concept because it supports the door to door delivery of cargo. It is also one of the ingredients of the modern carriage conventions, the United Nations carriage of goods wholly or partly by sea, otherwise known as the Rotterdam Rules. Nigeria has not only done supporting legislations, but is also providing the real infrastructure to support modern transport system and the potential for dry port are so enormous that when they come to fruition which we hope will be very soon, it will be so visible and we have to look at their employment content. They will employ so many people.

Is that all the dry ports can do?

The most underlying use of the dry ports is their export potential, they should be a place for consolidation of cargo, for group page of cargo and for export of cargo. A place for it is a place for evacuation of all our exports, not only imports if they are well managed.

Who is responsible for their management?

The concessionaries carry enormous responsibilities here because it was done on a PPP basis.

Hitherto, they have been carried along, however, I think their problems are financial problems and now, it is time for the concessionaries to be alive to their responsi-

• Bello

bilities. The Shippers council will also be alive to its own responsibilities, because we can’t have white elephant projects. These dry ports are very important and we must work together to see that they become operational.

We have read of port reforms and efforts to ensure 24-hour operation of the ports. What is the role of the NSC in these reforms.

Yes, many things are happening along that line. That is why I said 2013 is the year of consideration. It is the year of actualisation, 24-hour ports operation would bring a lot of growth to the economy. Apart from speedy cargo clearance, because it will bring the ports alive within these 24 hours, the Customs playing their role 24 hours, the clearing system being electronic. Even the traffic in the ports and ports areas would be affected. The single window system, a lot of responsibility for freight forwarders and the NSC in particular, the Shippers Council has always advocated this, because if we have more hours in operation, you have quick clearance of cargo. You won’t have much port congestions. You will have shorter

‘We have to have laws that will boost economic activities, facilitate the integration of Nigeria into world economy and we must have laws that are meaningful, and applicable to our peculiar situation’

dwell time for cargo, turnaround time for ships and our port will become more competitive because you cannot decree a port to be (a hub of ) a port of priority by importers. It is a function of competition and operations, if we have 24 hours clearing operations, then that will make our ports have the potential of making the best in the whole west African sub-region.

A 24-hour port operations is on the way. It is workable. It is doable and I am sure that if everyone is alive to his responsibilities, this will be realised very soon.

To what use have you put the benefits of the 2012 maritime seminar for judges.

The Maritime Seminar for Judges in 2011 was a watershed in the sense that the seminar is moving towards the economic aspect of the maritime industry.

What do mean by this?

Yes, we brought in big time shippers, such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

We brought in big time maritime lawyers on the issue of ship arrest. We had ship owners who came and talked about the danger of frivolous arrest of ships. We had judges and so on.

But we have the committee for maritime seminar for Judges, which over sees the realisation of the communiqué, so that the seminar is not just a talk shop, but remains a policy driving seminar and right now, it is working to see that the communiqué is realised as soon as its is possible.

Will this Code reform the police?

• Continued from page 30

notation of force to that of service as well as sensitising the people to engage the police as friends rather than foes willing to undo the society.

“The barracks mentality must gradually be phased out as the police is sensitized to see itself as an integral element of the society whose challenges and expectations it must strive to satisfy at all times.

“There is also the imperative of putting in place machinery for the enforcement of the rules embodied in the code of conduct so that the rules do not just reflect fine theories on paper.”

Executive Director, Legal De-

fence and Accountability Project (LEDAP), Mr Chino Obianwu said the police had enough codes of conduct in the Force Orders.

He called for an independent board or commission to act as watchdog of the police.

Obianwu said: “Mere code of conduct without effective and transparent means of enforcement makes no meaning. The Police has enough code of conduct as contained in Force Orders regulations.

“What police authorities need to do is to set up truly public complaint system where the process of handling complaints from the public will be transparent and sincere.

“At the moment police cover up

one another. Police cannot police itself. We need external oversight managed by an independent expert board.”

An Abuja-based lawyer, Iheanyi Maraizu, said the code needs to be strictly enforced to achieve its purpose.

“In my humble view, the more launching of a code of conduct will not make any difference if the code is not strictly enforced.

“The problem has never been the absence of a code. The problem has always been pervasive corruption, the absence of leadership by example, as well as the persistent failure to properly motivate and equip the police.

“My view, therefore is that the

launching of the code is good, but not enough. The leadership of the force must lead by example. Banish corruption in the force and address the issue of ill-motivation and illequipment of its personnel.

Anything short of these will be tantamount to a waste of time,” Maraizu said.

A Lagos lawyer, Mr Udoka Ejilibe, said the police leadership should be commended for coming up with a code of ethics for its men.

He added: “It should be noted that this code is not the first. The problem is that the people it is written for do not feel obligated to live by such codes. We need more than codes.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

32

LAW & SOCIETY

Fawehinmi was among the best, say lawyers, others A lecture has been held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, in honour of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN). ADEBISI ONANUGA was there.

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HE spirit of the late human rights crusader and constitutional lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehnmi (SAN), came alive in Lagos at his ninth yearly lecture / symposium entitled: Fawehinmiism.

At the event, eminent Nigerians took turns to eugolise the late Fawehinmi’s contribution to the development of the economy and his political and human rights crusades.

The symposium’s theme was: “Economy, politics and human rights: whither Nigeria” The speakers described Gani as a selfless lawyer , and the best ever, who gave his life for the course of the masses.

They, stressed the need for national re-birth that will guarantee the development of human rights in order to keep alive the late crusader’s struggle.

Dignitaries at the event, cut across social strata.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), by the SolicitorGenneral, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), his Ogun State counterpact represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), the Executive Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu, human rights activisit, Chief Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN); Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, Senior Advocates of Nigeria such as Ebun Sofunde, Femi Falana, Emeka Ngige, Augustine Alegeh, Niyi Akintola, Tayo Oyetibo and Dele Adesina, among others.

There was also the Resident Electoral commissioner for Cross Rivers State, Mike Igini; former commissioner in Lagos State, Dr Muiz Banire and Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, among other.

They noted that bad economy, high poverty level and the high crime rate are inter related issues at the front burner of national discourse today and that attempts to provide answers to them amounted to digging at the foundation of Nigeria’s problems and thereby bringing the nation to the point of national rebirth.

The Chairman of NBA, Ikeja Branch, Mr Monday Ubani, said in his welcome address that, the late Fawehinmi was still angry from his grave that the problems of the country that truly facilitated his demise, instead of abating are growing daily.

According to him, every decent Nigerian will feel appalled at the rate the country had moved politically and economically, adding: “The nation has been denied growth by pervasive and institutionalised corruption everywhere. No institution or agency of the government is spared even the private sector is not innocent”.

Ubani lamented that the grave danger in all this was that the country has a populace that is less discerning and that which does not see any looming danger.

He said if the country must make progress economically and politically, “ a populace on red alert is the answer. He said: “If the rights of the citizen must be respected and duly observed, the populace has to insist on compliance by everyone, big or small. What I mean is that progress is not attained by docility and inertia. Countries that have experienced tremendous movement in terms of development had active, participatory and discerning populace as a catalyst. Chief Fawehinmi is missed greatly today because everyone in the nation knew that he was never docile, he was never asleep over breaches of government”.

He said the late Fawehinmi “will

shout, he will scream and where they refused to hear, he will sue”.

According to Ubani, Fawhinmi had the Nigerian press as his greatest ally and that he was a firm believer in the rule of law and trusted the judiciary.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described the lecture as another demonstration of the NBA’s readiness to engage issues affecting the country to provide platforms for cross-fertilisation of ideas that would bring solutions to issues bothering our development.

He lamented the fact that poor people could easily be induced to vote contrary to their objective judgment.

This, the governor said, could result in the emergence of leaders they least desire as well as results in poor policies and programmes, which in the end can could give rise to a bad economy.

Amosun emphasised the need for the Federal Government to get economy right to ensure that the nation’s democratic processes and polity are sustainable.

The governor stressed the need to empower the people to exercise their rights and defend them.

“Defending the rights of the citizenry and creating conducive atmosphere for people to realise their potential is the best means through which the government can become accountable to the people”, he added.

Amosun charged lawyers to see human rights beyond the narrow prism of right to life, free expression, fair hearing, education and other social rights contained in chapter four of the constitution.

He referred to some rights embedded in Chapter two of the constitution, which are non-justifiable, advising: “Your determination of rights must equally encompass all of economic rights, including but not limited to right to fair opportunities, decent and gainful employment”.

Pedro (SAN) who represented Governor Fashola urged lawyers to take up more public interest litigations and not to be concerned in making money alone.

Lawal explained that this was why the state government came up with the law encouraging lawyers to take up pro bono cases.He urged lawyers to emulate the late Chief Fawehinmi and to think of what they could do to make the society a better place for all of us.

In his lecture, Odinkalu, who traced the problems of the country to the bastardisation of the judiciary and the police described Fawehinmi as a generalisiimo, who fought for an egalitarian society and challenged Nigerians to stand up against injustice.

Odinkalu called for an egalitarian society where every citizen irrespective of his political linings, religion or creed is allowed to exist.

The NHRC chief attributed Nigeria’s economic woes to the collapse of the police and the nation’s “lobotomised” judiciary, a situation, which he explained led to the belief among influential citizens that judgment could be purchased.

While describing patriots as part of Nigeria’s problems, Odinkalu said the clamour for the national conference would not bring solution to the national woes, but a distilling constitutional convention without violence. He lamented that violence has been democratised in the country and that nobody is being held accountable for it.

He recalled that the genesis of the insecurity in the country started with the murder of the former editorchief, of the defunct News Watch, magazine Dele Giwa, and the “complicity of the state” in the murder or the state’s attempt to cover it up.

• Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Ayotunde Phillips greeting wife of the late Chief Fawehinmi, Ganiyat. With them is Lagos Solicitor-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN)

• Roli Caria and Mohammed Fawehinmi

Odinkalu said a failed Nigeria would be catastrophic to Africa, adding that Nigerian leaders would be failing the country if they failed to address the problems of the country.

“The balkanisation of Nigeria has to end. We challenge the Nigerian government to end the bombings and extermination of one another in the country” he said.

Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) agreed with the view espoused by Odinkalu that The Patriots under the leadership of the latenChief F.R.A. Williams and Prof. Ben Nwabueze and others failed the nation.

Owonikoko lamented that the country has become a nation of consistent despot. He said the leadership has misplaced their priorities and that this has great implications for the country. He said for the country to move forward, the culture of inefficient and misplaced priority in appropriating the resources of the state must stop.

He urged the government to put in place mechanisms for checking the excesses of politicians for the nation to move forward.

The President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali, in an address described Nigeria as a country with all the trappings of a nation state but failed to grab them.

According to him, Fawehinmi was known for public interest litigation.

As a prolific icon, he resisted actions of the government that were inconsistent with the rule of law using public interest litigation. He recalled that Fawehinmi recorded great achievements in public interest litigations under severe and harsh legal frame work and environment.

Wali noted that the situation is no longer the same with the intoduction of the new Fundamental Rights En-

forcement Procedure Rules 2009 which encourages courts to welcome public interest litigations without cases being dismissed or struck out for want of locus standi.

He, therefore, urged lawyers to take advantage of the new rules to emulate Chief Fawehinmi by taking up public interest litigation cases, since those symptoms and components of bad governance fought by the late human right crusader are still prevalent.

The NBA president also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in its fight against insecurity, saying that the issue is not only affecting human lives, but also the economy.

Wali who also noted that the nation’ economy has performed below potential due to inefficient systems, corruption and weak infrastructure called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts in its fight against insecurity.

He also said NBA would embark on aggressive advocacy for the reform of investment laws to make the country more investor-friendly.

On serial violations of human rights in Nigeria, and flagrant violation of human rights in extra judicial killing, Wali advised the Federal Government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to take urgent steps to curb the rising rate of extra- judicial killings.

“Pre-trial detention and unlawful detention with no prospect of trial are other kinds of abuse of human rights and poor administration of criminal justice that stare us in the face on daily basis”, he added.

The NBA president further called on the President Goodluck Jonathan to embark on aggressive electoral reforms and constitutional review to

ensure credible and fair elections, which is one of the ingredient of good governance.

“A political arrangement that promotes justice must be fashioned out as a matter of our survival as no one will do it for us we must ourselves deal with this challenge”, he added.

In a citation entitled, “The Gani Fawhinmi I know”, Chief Wahab Shittu, described him as a foremost, bold and courageous nationalist and statesman, crusader for justice and rule of law, philanthropist extraordinaire, celebrated author, publisher and law reporter and activist founder of a political party.

Shittu said Fawehinmi was one lawyer, who was not afraid to stand alone in the pursuit of his beliefs. “He was able to achieve his desires and command respect of the rank and file because he had character and operated on a higher moral ground. Gani”, he added, “could never be faulted in terms of integrity and moral standing.

He led by example and showed the way as a leading light in the society. He was also very principled and was adjudged consistently consistent, which is a mark of greatness.

“Indeed, Gani’s life has demonstrated that there are two categories of lawyers: those who are obsessed with the theory of change, and those who are obsessed with the theory of forestalling change”, he said, adding: “Gani, clearly was the leader of the first category”.

Shittu also said the lecture made all those present to reflect on the value of honesty, integrity, sincerity, truthfulness, diligence, determination to excel, self respect, humility, fearlessness, contentment, and believing in the dignity of human individual.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

33

FROM THE COURT

Court strikes out suit seeking to evict 800 residents from Fed Govt’s quarters

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ESPITE has come for about 800 residents of the Federal Government-owned Transit Village on Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court has struck out a suit instituted by two property companies, seeking to evict the residents, who are civil servants, and assume possession of the land.

In a ruling, Justice Yunusa declined jurisdiction over the counter-claim brought by the companies - United African Property Development Company (UAPDC) Plc and Transit Village Development Company Limited (TVDCL) – against an earlier suit by the residents.

The judge upheld a preliminary objection filed against the counter claim by the residents.

In declining jurisdiction, the judge held that it was only the state High Court that has the powers to hear land related cases, which do not involve the Federal Government and its agencies.

Some of the residents – Mallam Isyaku Ibrahim, Mrs. C. Ogunsola, J. I. Isi and Mrs. C. J. Abara (suing by themselves and as representatives of Transit Village residents) had initiated the suit with number: FHC/L/ CS/334/2010 upon information that the Federal Government has leased their quarters to UAPDC and TVDCL to jointly redevelop.

They listed the Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development; UAPDC, Bank of Industry and TVDCL as defendants in the suit instituted by the firm of Falana and Falana Chambers. They averred in their statement of claim that some of the occupants of the quarters have lived there for over 30 years and have thei rental deductions made from their salaries for the houses over time.

The plaintiffs faulted the purported Development Lease Agreement dated January 4, 2010 in favour of the property companies, arguing that they were denied the right to first refusal as contained in circular number: SGF/19/S.47/11/371 of June 27, 2003.

They averred that those saddled with the implementation of government’s policy of disposing of Federal Government’s

By Eric Ikhilae

properties under the monetization policy, deliberately omitted the Transit Village from properties for which bids and tenders were sought, but included it in the list of desolate and unoccupied properties to be leased out for redevelopment.

The plaintiffs argued that “nowhere in the circular on monetisation was the redevelopment of residential quarters with legal sitting tenants mentioned. In the various circular published by the Fed Govt, legal sitting tenants were advised not to bid for any other Fed Govt property and thereby curtailing their rights to bid for other properties which prevented them from sourcing for alternative accommodation.”

They contended that the selling or concessioning of their quarters to both property companies as against the 800 inhabitants, amounted to distributing the wealth of the nation in a manner that ensures its concentration in the hands of few people at the expense of the common good of the majority.

The plaintiffs argued that the sale of the their abode to private companies, when they were denied the right to first denial and prevented from bidding for other government properties, amounted to a subversion of “a valid and enforceable process stipulated by the Fed Govt.”

They urged the court to revoke the sale of the Transit Village to UAPDC and TVDCL on the account that as civil servants and sitting tenants, they were denied the opportunity to participate in bidding for their various quarters.

They also sought a declaration that the purported sale of Transit Village to the companies and Bank of Industry for redevelopment is unlawful, ultra vires, null and void”.

In response, UAPDC and TVDCL filed a preliminary objection and counter claim.

They had, in their counter claim insisted on the legitimacy of the lease agreement with the government under which they were to redevelop the property and manage same for 99 years.

They argued that they went through due process, submitted

• Justice Ibrahim Auta, Chief Judge, Federal High Court

bids as required and did all that were required under the law.

The counter claimants averred that the concessioning of the property to them was in line with the government’s intention of “creating a favourable environment for continued and sustainable economic and physical development for the country.”

They contended that the continued occupation of the quarters by the plaintiffs “is unfair and prejudicial” to their economic and business interests as their investments expended on leasing the land were being tied down “unnecessarily”.

They argued the court to declare the second counter-claimant,( TVDCL ) “is the lessee from the Fed Govt for a period of 99 years from the date of grant for the purpose of redevelopment of the piece and parcel of land measuring 24,149.8990 Square Meters.”

The counterclaimants also sought a declaration that TVDCL is the one validly entitled to take possession of the land, and an order granting it possession.

In an earlier ruling, Justice Charles Archibong, before who the case was initially heard, struck out the plaintiffs’ suit for want of jurisdiction, a decision the plaintiffs appealed.

Upon Archibong’s transfer from the Lagos division of the Federal High Court, Justice Yunusa took over the case. He elected to proceed with the hearing of the counter claim, and on which he ruled last Tuesday.

Odi: Verdict on Feb. 19

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USTICE Lambi Akanbi of the High Court, Port Harcourt, will on February 19 deliver judgment on the N100 billion suit filed by the people of Odi against the Federal Government.

The plaintiffs are seeking the amount as damages for the destruction of lives and property in Odi during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo had deployed troops in Odi and authorised the use of force to deal with militants accused of terrorising the state.

After the Odi invasion; the indigenes brought a N100 billion suit against the president, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff.

When the matter came up last Thursday, the Court was filled with reporters from many media houses who came to watch proceedings in the case that has been described as earth-shaking.

During the proceedings, DVD and projectors were used to show military operations in Odi land how the various shelters, machine guns, bombs and helicopter gunships were used to destroy lives and property in Odi Land.

In a chat with the Nation, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, L.E. Nwosu (SAN), told The Nation: “The President and commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had responsibly stated that no militant was killed in that military invasion.

It was only old men, women and children who could not

• Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson

By John Austin Unachukwu

run that were massacred in that military operation.

“Nwosu said: “A situation where you turn guns and artillery purchased with tax payers’ money against the tax payers is a call for sober reflection, and a matter of serious concern.

“It calls for atonement for the dead and compensation for the living for the trauma and loss they have been made to suffer as refugees and loss of their precious homes, loved ones friends and objects of reverence”.

Nwosu led I. A. Adedipe (SAN) and I. R.L Rabana (SAN) for the plaintiffs while Nkoli Awa and M. Ode appeared for the defendants.

Two more lawyers join SERAC

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HE Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC) has appointed Andrew Maki and Megan Chapman to its legal team.

They will be working to develop priorities and strategies for both litigation and non-litigation-based advocacy to advance social and economic rights in Nigeria, among others.

Chapman is a US lawyer with eight years experience in human rights and development law. She is also a consultant with the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), an independent research center housed at the World Bank, providing technical assistance on consumer financial protection and redress mechanisms.

She holds a J.D. (summa cum laude) from American University Washington College of Law, where she received the Human Rights Brief Award upon graduation, and a B.A. in History (with distinction) from the University of Chicago.

Maki is a US lawyer who has worked in the fields of human rights and rule of law development for over six years. He is also a Legal Fellow with the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), assisting on projects aimed at improving access to justice in Africa.

He holds a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law and a B.A. in International Relations (with honors) and Latin American Studies form Connecticut College.

LECTURE IN HONOUR OF THE LATE CHIEF GANI FAWEHINMI (SAN) IN LAGOS

• Former Lagos Commissioner for the Environment, Muiz Banire and Mr Femi Falana (SAN)

• Augustine Alegeh (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN) and Tayo Oyetibo (SAN)

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

NATIONAL BAR

Wali slams Reps over SEC

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RESIDENT of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali (SAN) has condemned the House of Representatives for its refusal to appropriate funds for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the budget because of its face-off SEC’s Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh.

The House refused to invite Ms Oteh to defend SEC’s budget demanding her sack as a precondition for considering the budget.

Wali told The Nation in Abuja that the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the country. So, the Assembly should deal with institutions and not individuals in the performance of their constitutional duties for the benefit of Nigerians.

Wali frowned at the lawmakers’ demand for the sack of the SEC chief before they can approve funds for

NBA to deregister branches • Group’s new secretariat under way

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By John Austin Unachukwu

the SEC, describing it as interference with the functions of the executive arm of government.

He said the legislature should not interfere with the functions of the executive and, therefore, described this action as unconstitutional, ultra vires and inconsistent with democratic principles.

The NBA president said this is akin to the President Goodluck Jonathan saying that he would not approve budgetary allocation for the Assembly unless they remove some principal officers of the House, adding that the lawmakers action was as an abuse of legislative process.

Wali said the resolution of the House does not bind the President Jonathan because it is not a law, but the President should listen to them because the three arms of gov-

• Wali (SAN)

ernment should complement each other to ensure good governance”

LECTURE IN HONOUR OF THE LATE CHIEF GANI FAWEHINMI (SAN) IN LAGOS

• From left: Paul Ananaba (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) and Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN)

• From left: NBA’s National Treasurer, Joyce Oduah; General Secretary, Emeka Obegolu and National Financial Secretary, Folake Abiodun

RESIDENT of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali (SAN) has warned that the body will deregister any of its 100 branches which does not meet expectations.

He said: “The payment of Bar practising fees and active participation in NBA programmes will definitely assist the Bar to know who is where, who belongs to which branch. Many lawyers belong to different branches and we cannot afford to have branches for election purposes only.”

He spoke at a briefing at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The NBA chief promised that the Bar would live up to its motto which is “Promoting the rule of law”, stating that without the rule of law, there would be no development.

He said the NBA has a national Peace and Security summit for January 30 and 31 as part of its responsibility to the country, noting that insecurity and corruption are the main problems ravaging the country, The NBA has always spoken against them, he said.

Wali (SAN) said: “Apart from setting up an Anti-corruption committee recently to address the challenges of corruption in the legal profession and the judiciary, the NBA has organised this peace and security summit to provide a non-partisan, nonreligious and neutral platform for everybody to come, participate and ventilate his views, so that at the end, we shall collectively find a way out of the security challenges facing the country He said: “With our strength and spread, with 100 branches across the nooks and crannies of this country, I believe that we are in the right position to convene this summit because the Bar can only thrive in a peaceful environment On increment in conference fees, the NBA chief said that he had directed the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) to look at it to review it downwards in the interest of young lawyers, so that many lawyers can attend, learn and grow in the profession. The report of TCCP will be presented at the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the association in Makurdi, Benue State, for the NEC to take a decision on it.”

On the increase on the Bar practising fees, Wali (SAN) said: “ The BPF was fixed in 2002; the realities of that time were not exactly the same with that of today; things have really changed in the country” He noted that due to the reaction of lawyers when the BPF was first announced at the Lokoja NEC meeting, he engaged the General Council of the Bar, telling them that lawyers are ready to pay 50 per cent of that amount. The Bar Council

By John Austin Unachukwu

agreed and he reported this at theAsaba NEC, the NEC approved it and he went back to the General Council of the Bar, which also approved it. That is how the regime of BPF regime was arrived at.

On whether the Federal Government is delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, Wali said: “ The government needs to do a lot more. There are no infrastructure, our children go to Ghana to go to school, in Ghana; Abuja the environment is not investment friendly. The security challenges are there, indeed, the government should up its act” Meanwhile, NBA has expressed its readiness to build a befitting secretariat on its permanent site in Abuja.

The Building Committee met at the NBA secretariat, Abuja, to map out strategies and fashion out modalities for the actualisation of its mandate.

After the meeting, Wali said: “Well, you know that we have told our colleagues, that this administration is determined to give the NBA its secretariat on our land.

“Former NBA President Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) had acquired a parcel of land for us within the Central Business District in Abuja.

We have decided that we should build on that property because what we have already does not accommodate everybody and, of course, I know that for those who acquired this place. It was a stop gap measure.

“At the last National Executive committee (NEC) meeting on Asaba, we informed NEC of this and set up a committee to build a secretariat for the association.

There is a plan that we met which we felt is a big challenge coming near it. So, we decided to modify it to what we think we can actualise as association.

“So, based on that, we set up a building committee. I met with the consultants, and reported to the NEC and, hopefully, by Markurdi NEC, we will get NEC approval so that construction will start almost immediately. Fielding questions on how the funds for the building will be sourced, Wali said: “We will generate funds. We are putting a team of the members of the Bar together to raise money.

“The Finance Committee has a clear mandate to do that, but the Building Committee has a subcommittee to raise funds for them, that we are working on now and we believe that by the end of February, we will have some money to go to site”

Rights Commission chief seeks support

By Joseph Jibueze

• Odinkalu

C

HAIRMAN of the Na tional Human Rights Com mission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu is seeking Nigerians’

support in protecting human rights. Nigerians, he said, must have a stake in shaping the Commission.

He said the Commission is “rather puny” in what it is or what it can accomplish, but can be more effective through inter-dependence with the other institutions of state in the executive, legislative and judicial arms.

“Respectful collaboration with the other actors in the public space is imperative. When all is said and done, Nigeria belongs to Nigerians and all who live in this blessed land of ours.

“The people of Nigeria must

take a stake in shaping the Commission. Those of us on Council today are only instruments for this purpose for the duration of our tenure,” Odinkalu said.

He spoke after the commission’s first council meeting. Eleven commissioners were in attendance, including the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice and of the Interior.

The meeting was meant to introduce the Council to the Commission and its work and prepare it for the challenges it must confront.

Odinka said: “It was a meeting to understand the lay of the land and set a tone and begin to build a team. The Commission has been in existence for just over a decade

and a half. But we also have a new law which came into force in 2011. S “So, Council has to begin to work through how to translate that law in the life of the Commission. We began two important things: one is a process that will hopefully lead to the establishment of rules of procedure of the Commission under the current statutory context.

“The other is a set of substantive briefings from key agencies in the safety, justice and security sectors with a view to better understanding the relationship of safety and security challenges we currently face and human rights in Nigeria.

“We received some quite enlightening briefings. We also received and considered the report of the Executive Secretary of the Commission and his team of staff.

Council also decided to undertake a retreat sometime before the end of this quarter.”

Odinkalu said Nigerians should “cautiously” expect a Commission that is confident enough to be able to admit its shortcomings and invite help and partnership in fixing them but which is also able to do what it can towards a better Nigeria.

The council also met with the Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Mrs. Dupe Atoki.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

35

LEGAL OPINION

Nigeria’s quest for environment governance • Continued from last week

A

By Olanrewaju Fagbohun

S pointed out by Atkin J. in Mousell Brothers Ltd v. London and North-West ern Railway Co.:76 … while prima facie a principal is not to be made criminally responsible for the acts of his servants, yet the legislature may prohibit an act or enforce a duty in such words as to make the prohibition or the duty absolute; in which case the principal is liable if the act is in fact done by his servants. To ascertain whether a particular Act of Parliament has that effect or not regard must be had to the object of the statute, the words used, the nature of the duty laid down, the person upon whom it is imposed, the person by whom it would in ordinary circumstances be performed, and the person upon whom the penalty is imposed.

It is submitted that it is this kind of purposive approach to corporate liability that should be given in the construction of a provision like section 31 of NESREA Act and similar statutory provisions. Looking at the way regulation 51(1) of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Industries Regulations is structured, one would surmise that its construction will follow in the stead of section 31 of NESREA Act. A further reflection on the provision of regulation 51 (2) will, however, reveal that the said regulation presents a problem.

The confusion created by regulation 51 relates to the use of the word ‘person’. In the definition segment of the regulation, the word ‘Person’ is defined as ‘…a natural or juristic personality (including ‘facility’). The same definition segment defined ‘Facility’ to mean ‘Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Soap and Detergent Industry’.77 Yet, while regulation 51 (1) used the word ‘Any person’ to qualify situations where the offence is committed by an individual, it proceeded in regulation 51(2) to use the phrase ‘any facility’ to qualify where the offence is committed by a corporate body.

To start with, going by the definition of ‘Facility’ in the Regulations there is no way the Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Soap and Detergent Industry78 as a body can be guilty of an offence under the Regulations. This clearly constitutes a serious bar to the operation and effective utilization of regulation 51(2) to bring corporate offenders to book under the Regulations. Further, the unusual tack taken by regulation 51(1) in using ‘Any person’ to qualify individual offenders while 51 (2) used ‘any facility’ to qualify corporate offenders has made a total mess of the broad meaning traditionally associated with the word ‘person’. Since regulation 51 (2) is supposedly aimed at corporate offenders, 51 (1) can no longer be extended to cover such offenders.

The result is that the Regulations have not appropriately provided for corporate offenders.

Given the above reality, what one can constructively urge on the courts pending a review of regulation 51 (which sadly is the pattern of the penalty provision of almost all of the Regulations recently introduced by NESREA) is a flexible construction policy that will allow the word ‘facility’ for instance to mean a body corporate within the Chemical, Pharmaceuticals, Soap and Detergent Industry. This will be in line with the golden rule of interpretation and the fundamental position stated by Lord Hobhouse79 that while it is unsatisfactory for a court to be compelled to construe a statute by implying words into

it, it is much more unsatisfactory to deprive the statute altogether of meaning. The perplexing problem for the court will be how this will be balanced with another equally important rule of interpretation which requires that statutes must generally be constructed in their plain and unambiguous meaning free from all interpolations. It is not permissible to supply omissions therein even if such omissions are patently unintentional. There is, therefore, an urgent need for a revision of this provision by NESREA. c) Civil Liability Regime In contrast to administrative remedies and command and control regulatory regimes which seek to regulate in the public interest, private legal persons (individuals, corporate bodies and civil society groups) are beginning to show more interest in the use to which civil law mechanisms can be put in the regulation of pollution and general environmental governance. This interest has become heightened in the aftermath of the recognition of the importance of public participation by Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration.80 The primary purpose of the civil justice system is to resolve disputes between two or more parties while the core of the reliefs that it offers e.g. compensation, injunction among others are aimed at providing remedy to a person or their property that has been, or may potentially be, harmed by the conduct of another.

As has, however, been noted,81 aside of resolving the question of liability for specific incidents, the imposition of civil liability starting with the threat of civil action for personal injury or property damage can act as an incentive to motivate people to act in a particular way. It can also serve as a stimulus to integrate risk management principles into all levels of business decision-making: producers and manufacturers will act so as to reduce and manage their risks. Invariably, the imposition of civil liability not only aids fulfillment of the Precautionary Principle, it also assists the concept of shared responsibility which is the goal of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration.

Guided by the historical development of civil liability law in Nigeria,82 the starting point for private litigants seeking remedies for harm caused by environmental pollution is the common law,83 using such common law theories as nuisance, trespass, negligence and strict liability.84 This is supplemented from time to time by statute law. The background to common law itself is that the law was created by judges in the courts, on a case by case, solution by solution basis and in an empirical and practical manner. Thus, the common law can be said to be reactive in nature.85 More importantly, however, the application of the

doctrine of judicial precedent or stare decisis through which judges are bound by previous judgments of a court of higher level gave rise to accretion of case law which became the common law. As noted by a learned author,86 the implication of the above development for the common law is that it emerged as a complex and tangled web of law, which had many inconsistencies of approach and which provided many answers to some problems and none at all to others.

With respect to issues relating to environmental damage,87 the way the common law developed is such that its rules relating to liability are not directly concerned with environmental management and preservation of the ecosystem. Rather, they deal with injuries to persons and to property. Consequently, it is only where damage to the environment is incidental to personal and property damage that common law liability rules become relevant to environmental protection. Notwithstanding this limitation in the remedies provided for the environment by the law of tort, because there is no special civil liability regime for environmental damage cases, a plaintiff is still required to comply with the controls in use for regulation of the civil liability regime. Among others, he must bring his case within the statute of limitation; show that he has the standing to commence the action; and establish causation between the harm and the defendant’s conduct.

This is despite the fact that the natural resources degraded or the environmental media affected by pollution may be unowned (that is common to all),88 or the injury to health or the environment may occur long after the release or discharge of pollution thereby making detection, causation and linkage difficult to prove.

It is worth making a few comments about these controls of the civil liability regime, and what options are available in meeting the challenges posed by them.

Before proceeding to do this, however, it is apposite to note that a number of scholars, including the writer, have stridently urged the courts to in the absence of appropriate applicable statutory provisions innovatively widen the ambit of the common law beyond their traditional and conventional sphere of operation in order to meet the exigencies of environmental policy objectives and governance. The courts have been very reluctant to do this for understandable reasons. The truth is, to depart from ordinarily applicable liability principles, the court requires careful and cogent justification.

Otherwise, it may simply lead to distortion and confusion of the existing common law principles. As cautioned by Lord Goff:89 It is of particular relevance that the present case is concerned with environmental pollution. The protection and preservation of the environment is now perceived as being of crucial importance to the future of mankind: and public bodies, both national and in-

‘A plaintiff is still required to comply with the controls in use for regulation of the civil liability regime. Among others, he must bring his case within the statute of limitation; show that he has the standing to commence the action; and establish causation between the harm and the defendant’s conduct’

• Prof Fagbohun

ternational are taking significant steps towards the establishment of legislation which will promote the protection of the environment, and make the polluter pay for the damage to the environment for which he is responsible – as can be seen from the WHO, EEC and national regulations to which I have previously referred. But it does not follow from these developments that a common law principle, such as the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher should be developed or rendered more strict to provide for liability in respect of such pollution. On the contrary, given that so much wellinformed and carefully structured legislation is now being put in place for this purpose, there is less need for the courts to develop a common law principle to achieve the same end, and indeed it may well be undesirable that they should do so.

The expectation clearly is for statute to fill the gaps where common law is perceived to be insufficient and/or inadequate. In the case of Nigeria, how well has she been able to do this in order to amortise the significant complementary benefit of the civil liability regime? To some of these civil liability litigation controls we shall briefly turn. (i) Pre-action Notice Procedure Pre-action notice is the notice that an aggrieved party or intending plaintiff is expected to formally serve on the other party (the prospective defendant) before the commencement of his action.90 The rationale is to encourage the exchange of early and full information about the prospective legal claim in a way that will enable parties to avoid litigation by agreeing a settlement of the claim before the commencement of proceedings.91 Having regard to its use in Nigeria, pre-action has become a prevalent feature of the enabling law of almost every local government, public corporations, government agencies and institutions.

It is to be noted that the various government authorities and institutions play a key role in terms of environmental protection particularly in the areas of responsibility for planning control system, investigating and abating nuisances, authorizing emissions, identifying contaminations, monitoring hazardous and toxic substances, promoting new legislation, issuing regulations and general enforcement of compliance.

• 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.

LECTURE IN HONOUR OF THE LATE CHIEF GANI FAWEHINMI (SAN) IN LAGOS

• Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) and NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN).

• Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini and Chairman, Senate Committee on Media, Senator Enyinnaya Abaraibe.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

36

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

TEMS (a) and (b) above have further implications as follows d. Cross River State has 35904 N and 81253 E as coordinates of the terminal point on the Nigeria/Equatorial Guinea International Maritime boundary.

Cross River will gain 75 number of oil wells and Akwa Ibom State will lose the same number of oil wells. The status of the plaintiff as an oil producing state was sequel to the amicable resolution of the boundary dispute between the plaintiff and the 2nd defendant in 2005.

The plaintiff also submitted that the 1st defendant or any of its agencies has no power to resolve the purported dispute without the contribution and the views of the plaintiff and the defendant. The statutory duty of the National Boundary Commission implies that there must be a boundary dispute before the Commission can refer the dispute to its technical committee. The plaintiff also dismissed the claim of the federal government that the decision of the International Court of Justice in the Cameroon/ Nigeria Border dispute on the Bakassi Peninsula, as the basis of the review of the Derivation Fund Formula and why the plaintiff’s name was removed from the table of beneficiaries.

The plaintiff disagreed with this reason in view of the following facts a. The decision of the International Court of Justice was made in 2002. b. The boundary dispute between the plaintiff and 2nd defendant was amicably settled in 2005. c. The decision of the ICJ has implication of the retention of the Western part of Bakassi Peninsula by Nigeria which means legally and administratively Bakassi LGA of Cross River State remains integral part of Nigeria. This entails that Cross River State has an outlet to the sea. d. The ICJ decision can no longer be the basis for changing realities as erroneously canvassed by the RMAFC and NBC. The plaintiff further submitted that the 1st defendant having acted ultra vires of its powers under the law, the purported settlement of non-existence boundary dispute is null and void. The plaintiff cited cases to support the submission that the 1st defendant acted ultra vires of its powers:Knight Frank & Rutley (Nig) v. A-G Kano State (1998) 7 NWLR (Pt.556) Pg. 1 at pg. 19.

Ujam v. IMT (2007) 2 NWLR (Pt.1010) Pg.490 at Pgs. 498 -499.

The 1st defendant through her counsel Mr. Mike Usman, learned senior counsel argued and submitted that the National Boundary Commission; the Revenue Mobilization Allocation of Funds Committee; the SurveyorGeneral of the Federation and the Department of Petroleum Resources did not determine any boundary dispute between the plaintiff and the 2nd defendant at her InterAgency Retreat in Kano in August 2008. The Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission relied on her statutory power under Section 6(1) (a) and (b) of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act Cap R7 Laws of the Federation 2004 where it is empowered to “Monitor the accruals to and disbursement of Revenue from the Federation Account and review from time to time the revenue allocation formulae and principles in operation to ensure conformity with changing realities.”

The Revenue Allocation Commission would rely on information supplied by rel-

evant various departments in the preparation of the 13% derivation Revenue Indices pursuant to Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section (1) of the Onshore/Offshore Dichotomy Abolition Act 2004.

The 1st defendant specified the statutory duty of the National Boundary Commission based on Section 7(1) of the National Boundary Commission (Establishment) Act Cap N10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 which reads that the “National Boundary Commission is empowered to define and delimitate boundaries between States, Local Government Areas or Communities in the Federation and between Nigeria and her neighbours in accordance with delimitation instrument or document established for that purpose.”

The 2nd defendant submitted through the learned senior counsel Chief Bayo Ojo about the effect of International Court of Justice’s judgment on the boundary demarcation between the plaintiff and the 2nd defendant.

The judgment of the International court was delivered in 2002. The decision was taken into consideration in resolving the Maritime boundary dispute in 2005. The letter of 4th January 2005 specified the boundary but the letter was written under the impression that Nigeria would be allowed to retain Western Bakassi. The judgment of the International court did not give Nigeria the privilege of retaining Western Bakassi neither did the judgment at any time excise Bakassi nor award it to Nigeria. The entire Peninsula was handed over to Cameroon in August 2008.

The letter of 4th January 2005 was written with the hope that Bakassi Peninsula would become part of Nigeria and the National Boundary Commission in 2005 transferred and attributed to Cross River State the 76 oil wells which hitherto were legally the properly of and within the Maritime boundaries of Akwa Ibom State. The National Boundary Commission’s letter dated 4th January 2005 was hinged on the prospects that Nigeria would succeed in retaining Western Bakassi Peninsula. The map Exhibit CRSG 1 was said to have been approved by the President on the 24th of January 2005. This court in the case of A-G Cross River State v. A-G Federation (2005) 18 NWLR (Pt.958) Pg.581 rejected the National Boundary Commission revised boundary map that was then approved by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in that it will be premature for the court to determine the maritime boundary of the two states. Nigeria and Cameroon has to conclude their negotiation to finality and the international boundary fixed by the International Court of Justice is codified and published in line with the agreement. In effect, this court decided in that case contrary to the facts put forward in this case in this suit, that Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State do not share maritime boundaries in which circumstances there could not possibly be a maritime boundary dispute that could possibly be settled between the

two states. The National Boundary Commission 2005 delineation/map was rejected by this court in the case A-G Cross River State v. A-G Federation. Both Exhibits F and B were nullified in that case. It is a misconception to conclude that RMAFC Inter-Agency meeting went in search of a non-existent maritime boundary dispute between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. With the decision and execution of the judgment of International Court of Justice between Nigeria and Cameroon, there can never be a maritime boundary dispute between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. As an outcome of the judgment of that court, Cross River State is now landlocked and has no seaward boundary. It is not a littoral state and consequently shares no maritime boundary with Akwa Ibom State. The National Boundary Commission and the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission have the statutory power to react to the changes and realities the after effect of the judgment of the International Court of Justice. The plaintiff failed to tender any map to support the contention that Cross River State has access to the sea directly and not through any other State.

The plaintiff also argued in favour of maritime boundary agreement based on the agreement of parties and supported same with two decisions of the International Court of Justice in the case concerning the Temple of Preach Vihear (Maris) Cambodia-Thailand ICJ Report (1962) and the case of Frontier Dispute (Burkina Faso) v. Republic of Mali (1986) ICJ Report.

The decision of this court in the case of AG Rivers State v. A-G Akwa Ibom State adequately supported the use of negotiated agreements in the resolution of maritime boundary disputes. The 2nd defendant however pointed out that such agreements may only be possible in the context of onshore/ offshore Dichotomy Abolition Act 2004 where the parties share maritime boundaries. The plaintiff and the 2nd defendant do not share boundaries and there cannot be an enforceable agreement between the two states on the attribution of the 76 oil wells pursuant to the Dichotomy Abolition Act. The case A-G Rivers State v. A-G Akwa Ibom State (2011) 8 NWLR (Pt.1248) Pg.31 has no application to this case as both States in that suit are and still remain Littoral States. The 2nd defendant urges this court to so hold.

Issue one as identified by this court is prompted by the contention of the plaintiff that there was no maritime dispute between the plaintiff and the 2nd defendant hence there was no basis for the alteration of the existing indices for revenue distribution to have called for a fresh implementation of the powers of the RMAFC as relied upon in Exhibit 1 attached herewith. By the letter of 4th January 2005 already approved by the President, an agreed maritime boundary was identified between the plaintiff and the 2nd defendant. The Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission acted on the amicable boundary dispute resolution between the plaintiff and the 2nd defendant and the plaintiff enjoyed to some extent payment of the derivation fund. The plaintiff now disputed in this suit the unilateral removal of the plaintiff’s name among the beneficiaries of the 13% derivation fund and the recalcitrance of the 1st defendant to change the position, culminated in the filing of this case (vide the plaintiffs statement of claim and Final Written Address Exhibit 1).

It is not disputed that in order to qualify for the payment of the 13% derivation fund or revenue, the state must appear on the National Boundary Commission Maritime Boundary Delineation Map as a littoral State.

The RMAFC Inter-Agency meeting held in Kano in 2008 relied on the National Bound-

‘For the purpose of the application of the principle of derivation, it is immaterial whether the revenue accruing to the Federation account from the state is derived from the natural resources located onshore or offshore. In effect, by virtue of Section 1(1) of the Allocation of Revenue (Abolition of Dichotomy) Act 2004, all littoral states had some derivative interests in offshore natural resources located within 200 metres water depth Isobaths’

ary Commission 2008 Maritime Boundary delineation Map to decide those which are littoral states and consequently entitled to the payment of the derivation. It is convenient to explain at this stage that the bone of contention is 76 oil wells located offshore the coast of Nigeria to which Cross River State, represented by the plaintiff, lays claim for the purpose of 13% derivation revenue attribution pursuant to Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By way of brief background as at the time the judgment of this court in A-G Federation v. A-G Abia State (2002) 6 NWLR (Pt.764) Pg.542 was pronounced, only the Federal Government and not the littoral states could lawfully exercise legislative, executive and judicial powers over the maritime belt or territorial waters and sovereign right over the exclusive economic zone subject to universally recognized rights. The immediate effect of that judgment popularly referred to as the Resource Control judgment was the promulgation of the Allocation of Revenue (Abolition of Dichotomy in the Principle of Derivation) Act 2004. By virtue of Sections 1(1) and (2) of the Act, as from the date of commencement in 2004 the 200 meters water depth Isobaths contiguous to a State of the Federation was deemed to be a part of that State for the purpose of computing the revenue accruing to the Federation Account from that state pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution or any other enactment.

For the purpose of the application of the principle of derivation, it is immaterial whether the revenue accruing to the Federation account from the state is derived from the natural resources located onshore or offshore. In effect, by virtue of Section 1(1) of the Allocation of Revenue (Abolition of Dichotomy) Act 2004, all littoral states had some derivative interests in offshore natural resources located within 200 metres water depth Isobaths. Relevant agencies of government like the National Boundary Commission with the Surveyor-General of the Federation have the statutory duty of delineation of national and maritime boundaries. The National Boundary Commission was established by the National Boundary Commission Act Cap N10 Laws of the Federation 2004. Section 1(a) depicts that the Commission shall deal with, determine and intervene in any boundary dispute that may arise between Nigeria and any of her neighbours or between any two States of the Federation with a view to settling such dispute.

Section 7(1) empowers the Commission to define and delimit boundaries between States, Local Government Areas or Communities in the Federation and between Nigeria and her neighbours in accordance with delimitation instrument or document established for that purpose.

The National Boundary Commission had the presidential mandate to produce the delimitation of the Maritime Boundary of Nigeria Littoral States: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, Ogun, Ondo States from the shore/baselines into the sea up to 200 meters isobaths. (b) Determine the total number of offshore oil wells for each littoral state so that the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission can implement the Constitution and prepare indices for the sharing of the proceeds in the escrow accounts and the 13% derivation fund. The National Boundary Commission on the 4th of January 2005 in Exhibit F gave proposals for the Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State Maritime Boundary delineation followed by the allotment of 76 oil wells to Cross River State.

The parties accepted the issues of boundary delineation as mutually settled to the satisfaction and benefit of both parties (See Exhibit A of the plaintiff which is a letter from the Akwa Ibom State Governor to the president dated 31st January 2005). This court rejected the National Boundary Commission 2005 revised map in the case of AttorneyGeneral Cross River State v. Attorney-General Federation & anor (2005) 15 NWLR (Pt.947) Pg.71 and concluded that in the prevailing circumstance of the judgment of the International Court of Justice on the case between Nigeria and Cameroon.

• Continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANAURY 22, 2013

37

LAW & SOCIETY Lawyers have called for the amendment of some laws as they affect gender and minority rights to reflect the realities of modern life.

Stakeholders seek amendment of gender, minority rights laws

By John Austin Unachukwu

E

XPERTS have called for the amendment of some laws in the country. They made the call at the roundtable on “gender and state of origin rights in Nigeria” organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) at the Supreme Court Complex, Abuja.

NIALS Director-General, Prof.

Epiphany Azinge (SAN) said the event was to sensitise people on issues on gender and state of origin rights, some of which could be the basis for constitution amendment.

Azinge said: “ If you look at the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly, you will observe that the basis for Nigerian citizenship are embodied in Chapter 3.

Azinge said there must be need to build a strong nation if we begin to look at these things and that the outcome would be forwarded to the appropriate agencies of the government where they would assist in policy formulation, distillation and, ultimately, assist the lawmakers in amending the constitution for the overall interest of every Nigerian.

Chairman of the occasion, Prof.

Charles Ilegbune (SAN), noted that the status of women had remained a serious subject of discourse since creation. He said, In the Bible, God made woman after man. God made the woman from the flesh and bones of man. It was woman who cornered or ambushed man to disobey God’s first law. These accounts are very interesting because they set the tone for the position of women, which obviously raised the following questions: Is it to be intended that she is a mere companion of man, is she inferior to man etc?

He said the problem of the position of women had been recurring everywhere.

The special guest of honour and chairman, Federal Character Commission, Prof. Shuaibu Oba Abdulraheem, said we might not need to amend our laws before we could achieve some of these objectives. He said there was the case of a lawyer from Kano State, whose wife was from Benue State, that the woman voluntarily took the citizenship of her husband’s local government area and that was the end of the whole thing, that settled the indigenship problem there. Abdulraheem noted voluntarily you can become a local government indigene. Said he: “ A woman, who marries shall have the freedom to choose to remain or change to the local government of her husband, if you want to stay with your husband, do so immediately after marriage. There shall be no room for forum shopping.

Setting the tone for the discourse, the keynote speaker and former president of Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN) went down memory lane, tracing the global perspective of history of women’s rights and narrowed it down to Nigerian experience. He eventually traced same to the Beijing Declaration of Affirmative Action He said: “From the foregoing, even though the Beijing Declaration advocate a 30 per cent affirmative action for women vis a vis political and elective offices, i.e. that onethird of such offices should be statutorily reserved for women; the thrust of the above–quoted declaration seeks the economic and educational empowerment of women.

That is how it should be and that I support. I will try to demonstrate this hypothesis in the following manner.

“Following the return from Benjing, a massive campaign was undertaken by enlightened and economically advantaged women led by the then first Lady, Mrs. Maryam Abacha seeking the escalation in the political empowerment of women.

This has been carried on by successive First Ladies, who admittedly wield substantial influence in the scheme of governance and have used this vantage position to advance the cause of women participation in politics.

“It must be noted that despite other designed flaws in the scheme of governance, to its credit, the Jonathan Administration has the largest ratio of women to men in the Federal Executive Council. But that is as far it goes; we are, of course, seriously concerned with the electability of women and their role in partisan politics.

“The veritable nature of partisan politics is that elective offices cannot be gifted as ministerial and other appointments. Elective offices have one rule for both men and women and it is that it is a popularity contest for the choice of the people by the people. Affirmative action, therefore, in such circumstances will negate the very principles of democracy i.e. free choice. Where does this

leave the women, who clearly and indisputably have not made a good showing in the arena of partisan politics? This brings us to the usual suspects for this lapse which includes internal democracy or what I call ‘the Rules of Engagement in political parties. It is not a secret that, in virtually all democracies political parties and politicians have sponsors, who wield considerable influence in what goes on in the political stratosphere.

“For example, the National Rifle Association in the US has a strong hold on virtually every Republican politician. Same as Corporate Nigeria versus Nigerian politics.

What, therefore is the ratio of women to men in the world of high roller economic empowerment for the acquisition of elective offices? The answer is that compared to men, women’s financial muscle is infinitesimal.

Without financial firepower, it is impossible for women to have any considerable influence in elective politics. The blame therefore should not be put solely on labels such as ‘patriarchy, discriminatory customs, lack of Affirmative Action plan, and inadequate knowledge by women of the unwritten rules of the game of politics and religious doctrines.

I strongly believe women should first seek the kingdom of educational and economic empowerment before seeking a full stake in the political kingdom. Undeniably, men already have an advantageous head-star but the gap can with the right strategy be abridged within the confines of the constrains mentioned above if only the right strategy can be evolved. Who are those to evolve this strategy?

The answer is the women, of course, who are or will be the ultimate beneficiaries. Where are the women who in the past 30 years have been ‘successful’ in politics?

In what way have the first Ladies, deputy governors, ministers, senators elected reps, commissioners, the beneficiaries of high political offices, other elected officials (all of who are women) ploughed back their experience and resources into the advancement of the progress of women in politics? If there is any re-investment of the said wherewithal of politics back to aspiring female politicians then it is not noticeable. In truth, there is an established school of thought that postulates that women are their own worst enemies. There have been situations where women stoutly refuse to advance the political progress of their fellow women for reasons which are usually unclear to men, “These, in my humble view, are factor that cannot be legislated upon. Clearly, the thrust or direction of Nigerian Politics, which is primarily for a majority, the advancement of the economic livelihood and thereby a matter of survival (though not commendable) makes the engagement in the Nigerian brand of partisan politics, repugnant to the physiological and psychological make-up of women.

I know that women are not violent by nature; rather they are the victims of violence. In Nigeria, some Men believe, though highly detestable, that violence, thuggery and other reprehensible measures are acceptable in the quest for elective office. It is therefore very difficult for a husband or a son to picture his mother or wife in this motley crowd plotting the quantum of evil at times needed to aspire to elective office.

The trajectory for optimum women participation in politics lies in a care build-up, in working assiduously to achieve the action plans of the Beijing Declaration as reproduced above, which, in my

• Prof Nnamdi Aduba

view, which in my view, correctly identifies the pursuit of economic power as a prerequisite to the acquisition of political power. Power is taken and not given. Women, therefore, must realise that to navigate the murky waters of partisan politics require mush more than lofty principles and occasional grandstanding. The problem therefore dose not lie in the paucity of the legal or constitutional framework for the achievement or advancement of Women in politics.

It lies as articulated in the foregoing, in the conscious appreciation of the obvious militating factors and the assiduous working towards the surmounting of same.

On International citizenship and state of origin rights in Nigeria, Daudu said: “There is, no doubt, that the clearest example of the marginalisation of a Nigerian citizen in his own country is seen in the indigene-settler dichotomy. This happens to people who have migrated from their own locations and chosen to live elsewhere within the country.

In most cases, they have assimilated the culture, language, religion of their hosts, but are still referred to as ‘strangers’ and subjected to discriminatory treatment by their hosts. In most cases, this discrimination becomes institutionalised and is carried on or executed by local governments and in some cases State Government. This unjust state of affairs usually leads at some point to communal friction and mayhem occasioning loss of lives and property valued at billions of Naira. Such cries have been seen in Jos, Zangon – Kataf, Nassarawa State, Taraba State and in a host of other areas in the country. A good starting point is to take Jos crises as an example and appraise it from the view point of the dispassionate observer.

“At first, the “Jos crisis”, as Nigerian and foreign media have named it, seems complex and confusing. It is, however, possible to untangle the reasons for this explosion of violence that took place on November 27 and 28 2008 in the capital of Plateau State, North of Nigeria. Early December 2008, interviewed by RFI, Daniel C. Bach said the main cause of these clashes is to be found in the unequal right to “indigeniety” between the Beroms and Hausas in Plateau State.

The distinction between “indigenes” and “allogenes”, i.e. between locals and immigrants, establishes what amounts to a “right of blood”. For inhabitants of Jos like the Beroms and others, a certificate of indigeniety gives them privileged access to scholarships, public employment and land. A solution to the problem would be, according to Bach, to redefine this right so as to identify all individuals, whatever their background, as Nigerian citizens”.

It is suggested by Maud Gaugin (2009) (though I disagree) that ‘In fact, the origin of this inequity lies beyond the scope of this constitutional inequality’. I am of the view that if this imbalance is addressed through the constitution making

process that Nigeria will be better for it and the problem will not disappear. The Jos Crisis brings to the fore the question of the rights of a Nigerian in his own country. The problem as shown above is that settlers in Jos are not regarded as indigenes and they therefore are accorded secondary rights. Thus, there exist disparate access to rights and privileges such as the acquisition of land, payment of taxes, education advancement for children, etc. The settler usually gets discriminatory treatment. He cannot for example aspire to political leadership in the area where he lives.

In short, he is a second class citizen in his country. Millions of Nigerians have been exposed to this treatment in a number of States in this country. The Jos crisis demonstrates how the minority question, ethnic and religious discrimination, indigeneship and settler crisis can stultify Nigeria’s democracy. I propounded the solution thus: “The panacea lies in Nigerianising everybody. That is there should be no indigene or non-indigene if you have elected to live among any ethnic group in Nigeria for an agreed number of years and you demonstrate a desire to continue to live there, then such a person should be qualified to append as his Local government and state such place of his domicile” It is, therefore, clear that the

• Prof Yinka Omoregbe

said seeming interminable crisis masquerading as religious upheavals are actually manifestation of ethnic misgivings in one form or the other. This is because the distinction between ‘hosts’ and ‘settlers’ goes against the reality of existing patterns of social relations and national integration.. it is also clear that the endless internecine wars in all parts of the country predicated upon ethnic differences need to be confronted, head-on, tackled and subdued. Sequel to the foregoing, the concept of citizenship at State Level need to be reconstructed such that prominence is accorded to residence and not to indignity or state of origin. The Nigerian Citizenry should be based on Residency as opposed to State of Origin or indigene ship. The resultant effect is that every Nigerian will have the confidence and the right to reside anywhere in Nigeria and carry on his business without any molestation or hindrance. (see NBA report on citizenship-2009) it is humbly suggested that a new section 32 of the 1999 Constitution should be put in place, while the existing section 32 will become section 33 to address the problems expressed above and provide hope for Nigerians.

That the proposed section 32 should read thus: “Any Nigerian who has lived in or within a community in Nigeria for a continuous period of • Continued on page 38

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANAURY 22, 2013

38

LAW & SOCIETY Stakeholders seek amendment of minority rights laws, others’

• Continued on page 37

not less than 10 years, shall have the same rights and privileges of any Nigerian born in that community or whose pedigree is attached to that community: Provided that such Nigerian citizen shall not claim two communities as his residence or abode for the purposes of determining his local community. This constitutional intervention will crate a level playing field and the foundation will be laid where no Nigerian will feel marginalised in his own country.

Prof Dakas C.J. Dakas (SAN) T is imperative to underscore the context and paradoxes of the issues that underpin the indigene v settler question. In some respects, it is driven by elite contestation for power and concomitant resort to primordial sentiments as the basis of exclusion in terms of access to power and opportunities. Thus, the moment you are tagged and stigmatised as a settler, it literally inscribes a stamp of disability on your forehead. In other respects, many people find refuge in sectional cocoons as safety nets or havens in reaction to a predatory state which abdicates its responsibility to the people and, instead, preys on them. This, in turn, raises fundamental questions about the quality of Nigerian citizenship. The higher the quality of Nigerian citizenship, the lesser the penchant for Nigerians to resort to primordial sentiments. In this vein, section 14 (2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution underscores the fact that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” We must also be mindful of the fact that the issue of indigeneity is sometimes driven by genuine minority fears of being overwhelmed and supplanted by majority ethnic groups who, as several experiences in Nigeria have shown, are highly mobile, powerful and domineering. It is important that we keep these realities in mind to enable us better appreciate the bigger picture, instead of the knee jerk responses that often characterize discourse on the issue.

From a human rights prism, it is important that we situate the issue within the framework of section 42 of the Constitution (which engenders a non-discrimination regime) and other relevant regional and international human rights norms.

From a gender perspective, the plight of women married outside their states of origin is horrendous. On the one hand, section 15 (3)(c) of the Constitution provides that for the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the Nigerian State to “encourage inter-ethnic marriage among persons from different places of origin”, yet the guidelines and formulae crafted by the Federal Character Commission provide that a mar-

I

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

• Prof E. Alemika

• Prof Obiora Okafor

ried woman shall continue to lay claims to her state of origin. It offers her no choice. The paradox is that a foreign woman married to a Nigerian man can elect to become a Nigerian citizen by registration, yet a Nigerian woman married to a Nigerian man does not have a choice as to whether to retain her original state of origin or opt for her husband’s state of origin. This is clearly unconstitutional and the Federal Character Commission needs to revise its guidelines and formulae.Indeed, the fate of such women often hangs in the balance even though, admittedly, a few of them engage in forum shopping of some sort and oscillate between their original states of origin and those of their spouses when it suits their game plans.

That is reprehensible and a great disservice to other women whose plight is complicated by such manipulative shenanigans.

Speaking on the prospect of women’s participation in the political process, Enewa Rita ChrisGaruba, said: “Despite the malepartisan phenomenon with which our political process is saddled, some women who weathered the storms of politics had achieved laudable results in their sphere of influence. It is a known fact that all the sectors of the economy that were manned by women experienced drastic improvement. Notable among such women are former Directoor-General, National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof. Dora Akunyili and former World Bank President and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.

It is no gainsaying, therefore, that the future seems bright for women’s involvement in policies given the resolve of the government of this present administration to improve women’s representation in government as well as its initiation of several developmental projects targeted at women. Also, with the swearing into office of the first female Chief Judge of the Federation Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (CJN), there seems to be a ‘silver lining’ in the sky.

More so, given the efforts of the present First Lady – Dame Patience Jonathan through her ‘Women in Governance’ Campaign, several awareness and sensitisation activities by Civil Liberty Organisations and other bodies, women are becoming more involved in political activities. Moreover, some non-governmental organisation (NGOs) are beginning to administer programs targeted at empowering and enlightening the women, thereby, conscientising them about their civic rights and responsibilities.

Also, with the formation of diverse women forum such as WIMBIZ and other major Em-

powerment Scheme in place, where women are taught various skills and financially empowered, women are beginning to have a strong voice and are becoming more conscious of their rights to participate in the governing process.

Conclusion The Nigerian political arena has been dominated by the men.

This trend is as a result of many factors which have successfully relegated women as underdogs.

It is, however, evident that when given the opportunity, Nigerian women have given good account of themselves in every sphere of leadership be it political, administrative or religious.

Women have also achieved giant strides as politicians and political office holders.

Women possess certain traits which naturally predispose them to successful leadership thereby making them perform better than their male counterparts.

First, is their multi-tasking nature. Studies have shown that women have the ability to perform several tasks simultaneously. They have the ability to manage the career and the home front effectively. Also, women are naturally meticulous. This quality helps them in proper decision making as they subject every idea to thorough scrutiny before acting on it; this, of course, is one of the qualities of a good leader.

Women also make good finance managers and are very prudent in their spending.

Women, being very sensitive beings, tend to be more sympathetic to the plight of others; little wonders why they are often put in charge of welfare. As a political leader, this trait would help the women to feel and understand the yearnings of ‘the governed’ and seek to satisfy their cravings.

Given the optimum performance recorded by the few female leaders who found their way into political offices such as Prof.

Okonjo Iweala, Prof. Akunyili, Hajiya Rukiyatu Rufai, to mention but a few, it is almost certain that if given ample opportunity, women have the capability of turning this nation into the Eldoraro we have all been dreaming of .

Make no mistake therefore, the traditional role of women ensures survival, continuity, identity, character and strength of a nation though her inimitable work as the procreator of the family unit. However, it’s with extreme sense of responsibility I say this. Times of uncertainty and chaos again characterise our polity. History must again repeat itself for the survival of our nation women must again engage and participate in the political life of this nation to sir her out of the musky water of violence, crime, corruption and bad governance.

The fire service and public safety

T

HE Fire Service is very important for public safety, but it is sorely neglected and treated as of little consequence, by most governments in Nigeria. The principal act establishing the Federal Fire Service for instance was enacted in 1963, according to the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. However, the official web site of the Nigeria Federal Fire Service refers to a 1981 act, which is not assessable; and the Laws of the Federation did not also distinguish same. An examination of the provisions of the Act shows the lack of will by the federal government to modernize its Fire Service, despite her wish to be among the top 20 economies in 2020.

Notably since the invasion of petro-dollars in Nigeria, there has been massive, but haphazardly coordinated expansion in economic activities across the country. This development has made fire incidents a major source of danger to public safety and property. Examples include the reoccurring fire incidents at petrol loading bays, tank farms, pipelines and other similar sources. Again most of the poorly developed market clusters across the country annually go up in flames; while fire at multistorey buildings, petro-chemical industries and crash sites always constitutes embarrassments to our outdated fire equipments. Perhaps the future biggest challenge for our dear country will be fire induced by terrorist weaponry and activities, in industrial areas and residential places.

The anachronistic federal fire laws, in section 35 of the Act for instance provides: “any person who unlawfully interferes with, damages, or removes any fire fighting equipment maintained by the Fire Service shall be guilty of an offence, and upon summary conviction thereof shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred naira or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.” While it may be correct to say that the main challenge of the Fire Service is governmental neglect, the inadequacy of the existing laws clearly shows that governments need to be prodded to modernize the Fire Service.

Examining the neglect of the Fire Service by federal, state and local governments, any observant person who visits most fire stations in the country would shudder whether they are antique centers; since most of the fire engines are those left behind by the departed colonial masters.

Indeed most of the vehicles at the fire stations are permanently demobilised, standing on stones as wheels. The fire stations usually painted in bright red colours are also inhospitable, operating without functional offices and modern telecommunication equipments. It may be shocking to note that most of these fire stations have dysfunctional public water mains, and yet water is the main instrument to fight fire.

A further examination of the Act again shows that the Minister of Interior has extensive powers over the affairs of the Federal Fire service. This I guess must be one of the reasons for its stunted growth. The Minister’s powers as provided in section 6 of the Act include, power to provide accommodation for Fire Service, its equipments and personnel. The Minister is also empowered to provide and maintain fire alarms, and wait for this, “to employ the Fire Service or use its equipment, outside Lagos”. The Minister in section 14 also has the powers to “take all reasonable measures for ensuring the provision of an adequate supply of water, and for securing that it will be available for use.” It further grants him power “for the provision at the expense of the Fire Service of fire hydrants or other sources of the supply of water at points to be indicated by the Fire Commissioner.”

The Minister in section 16 of the act has powers to make standing orders, after consultation with the Federal Civil Service Commission, with respect to any matter relating “to the organisation and administration of the Fire Service; to appointments to the Fire Service and to the promotion, transfer, discipline and control of members of the Fire Service; to the duties to be performed by members of the Fire Service and for their guidance in the discharge of those duties; with respect to the management and good government of fire station, training schools, recreation centers and canteens.” With the same Minister overseeing ‘more lucrative’ agencies such as the Immigration Services and until few years back, the Nigeria Customs Services, any surprise that the Fire Service was left to rot over the years, by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Comparatively in better managed societies, the Fire Service is treated as a very important arm of government responsible for public safety.

For instance during the attack on the World Trade Center in United States, otherwise known as 9/11; Fire Service personnel were the most celebrated defenders of America’s national safety and well being. With dilapidated and aged vehicles crawling to get to fire scenes in Nigeria in times of emergency, any wonder that our fire men are treated with disdain by the benefiting public. Governments at federal, state and local levels must also realize that a well trained fire man without the necessary equipments and kits is more of a nuisance at the fire scene and also a danger to himself.

The way forward is for federal and state governments to review their current Fire Acts, so as to establish modern Fire Services with dedicated personnel. Interestingly some states in the country are beginning to show greater interest in Fire Service. Lagos as usual is ahead on this, but needs to do more. The law should also insulate the Fire Service from the lethargic public civil service, and attract greater funding for well trained manpower, equipments, logistics and welfare for firemen. Expecting our firemen to effectively fight fires, without adequate equipments and personal protective kits is dubious.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW NEWS

•Chancellor, Gregory University Uturu, Dr Gregory Ibe (left); Sales Director, Axion Global Engineering, Mr Donald Obi Okoye and Managing Director, Axion Global Engineering, Okey Okoye at the introduction of Axion Solid Base Stabilizer for construction PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Chairman House of Reps Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaya(left) Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs Elendu Ukeje, Chairman on HIV/AIDS, Kigbu Haruna during the House of Representatives resumption after the New Year holiday, at National Assembly

C

ONCERNED about the health of its members and spread of terminal and chronic diseases, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, FCT, Province has introduced a monthly fitness programme for members.

Tagged Walk- For- Life, the exercise is aimed at boosting the physical and mental prowess of the participants and ensure they are healthy for different levels of service in the church.

Convener of the programme and the Pastor-in-charge of the church, Dr. Dele Babade, said the exercise was in line with the instruction from the Bible that there is profit in bodily exercise which should not be ignored.

He said the programme which will be sustained over time remains a sign of good things to come.

According to him, “there will be health talks in other editions of the programme. We observed that people are not conversant with certain health information. We will use this forum to educate and pass basic information to the members; we will be doing the aerobics, different kinds of medical tests will be carried out free of charge.”

Dr Babade noted that by constant practice, the members will get used to physical exercises and then practice such privately so they can live healthier lifestyles afterwards.

Further, he stated that the lifestyle and eating habit of an average Nigerian calls for concern.

“It calls for concern that in this ‘microwave’ generation, people spend their health to seek for

• Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe cutting the tape to commission Press Gallery House in Abuja. With him are the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Press Gallery, Isiaka Mustapha (left) and Chairman , Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, Comrade Chuks Ehirim

• Vice Chairman, House Committee on Media, Victor Ogene (left); Members, House of Representatives, Chukwuemeka Nwogbo and Charles Odebe as the House resumed after the New Year holiday, at National Assembly

Church begins fitness programme for members Stories from Bukola Amusan

wealth and in the end they spend their wealth to regain their health and it is always very difficult and full of challenges at that stage.

“Also if you check the menu list of most families, discover that our diet is mostly laden with carbohydrates and hardly do people have time to exercise and burn off excess fat acquired from the sedentary lives they lead “We know the health implication so we considered that something needs to be done about the health of our church members in the 195 parishes located in different parts of the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

The Provincial Pastor also insisted that from the medical point of view, there are some cardiac conditions that cannot be well managed until physical exercises are done.

He said there will be special programmes for pregnant women also.

Pastor John Olayemi, Commandant of FCT Unit 3 of RCCG Chaplaincy Corps described the exercise as ‘physical healing balm.’

The programme, he said, was initiated by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who engages all ministers of the church on a similar ‘Prayer Walk’ once or twice a year at the Redemption Camp in Ogun

State.

For Pastor Shola Gbadebo, Zonal Pastor of RCCG Chapel of Life Zone,the headquarters of FCT Province 4, “a healthy minister is an asset to the body of Christ.”

Pastor Gbadebo said that the programme was much more than a physical exercise: “It was a spiritual exercise since people were

praying while walking. It was awesome.”

Mrs Mary Nicholas from Triumphant Area C‘hurch in Lugbe, a pregnant woman who participated in the exercise said the pain she experienced a night before the programme disappeared after the exercise.

Mrs Zainab Abdulraheem, a

grandmother trekked that long distance also and said, “I really enjoyed it. This will help those who do not have time to exercise at all.”

The walk commenced from RCCG Chapel of Life Parish, in Church Village Area 1 up to Area 10 Post Office in Garki and terminated at Area 1.

Two rice mills coming for FCT

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HE Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has assured that the Federal Government and FCT Administration were committed to ensuring that Nigeria was self-sufficient in rice production by 2015.

The minister, who stated this in Abuja during a meeting with the Managing Director of Rice Africa, a Pan-African organisation, Dr. Edwin Idu, said agriculture was one of the pillars of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

She said: “The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is making appreciable progress to ensure that the nation is self-sufficient in rice production by 2015. It has revolutionised the agriculture sector with the development of a new policy aimed at making agriculture commercial.

“The government has introduced the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) aimed at revamp-

ing the agriculture sector, ensuring food security, diversifying the economy, and enhancing foreign exchange earnings.

“Under ATA, key initiatives such as the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) have been introduced to support smallholder farmers in the agriculture value chain. The ultimate goal is to ensure that agriculture is practised as lucrative commercial enterprise that is not only sustainable but also attractive to our youths and young people.”

Akinjide disclosed that the FCT had been allocated two rice mills by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which will be deployed in Abaji and Kwali Area Councils.

“The Federal Government in collaboration with State Governments has initiated a Rice Mills Programme and is procuring rice mills for distribution to the states of the federation and FCT. The FCT Administration is supporting the government’s initiative and will en-

sure adequate infrastructure for the programme,” she added.

Earlier in his address, the managing director of Rice Africa solicited the support the administration for the second international conference on rice for food market and development slated for March 6 to 8.

Idu explained that the international conference was an annual event for developing rice promoters’ capacities in Africa.

“We are expecting over 600 participants from Japan and other Asian countries, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and other African countries. The conference is aimed at encouraging new ideas and innovative approaches relevant to delivery of rice value chain.

“The conference will also discuss rice service delivery, research and development strategies that meet the changing needs of smallholder rice farmers under a range of rice sector development scenarios,” said Idu.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

ABUJA REVIEW

I

T was a great moral booster when World Bank’s Vice President for Africa, Mouktar Diop listed Nigeria as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The joy of the Presidency knew no bound as Diop’s comment was coming at a time many complained against the increasing poverty and mass unemployment in the country.

Some who could dissect the economy were quick to say that the said growth experienced in the economy has no direct bearing on the people as poverty is still on the high.

Diop’s words were indeed a great boost to President Goodluck Jonathan who, in return, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the implementation of all reforms considered necessary for accelerated economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation in Nigeria.

Not done, the Presidency in the course of the week, set in motion plans to halt human trafficking in the country. There is no gain saying that trafficking in human has become a thriving and lucrative business in the country. No day passes by without the mention of the incident and the country is gradually becoming notorious for it. To halt the embarrassing incident, Presidency has commenced move to strengthen the law and has decided to send a bill to the National Assembly.

The draft bill that was approved by the Federal Executive Council, (FEC), recommended between five and seven years jail term and other sundry fines for culprits.

Presidency had argued that the current law on human trafficking is fraught with deficiencies and grossly inadequate to effectively combat the scourge of human trafficking in the country.

Besides, it said the law was short of the international expectations as several provisions in the law are not consistent with the requirements of the Trafficing in persons Protocol, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, (Palermo Convention) 2000.

The mail objective of the current bill is to repeal and cure the defects in the existing law and reposition the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons of effective delivery on its mandate.

The new bill, the minister also said, provides for a more comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of human trafficking offences in Nigeria.

Besides, another decision from the Presidency that attracted commendation from the general public was the sanctioning of those involved in the recent Navy building collapse. In its bold step to stop the incident which has suddenly become rampant, the firm

T

HE Secretary for Education, FCTA, Mallam Kabir Usman has begun the 2013 School Inspection programme with visits to some schools in the Municipal Area Council.

This is a special school visitation/inspection carried out by the Secretary for Education and the Education Secretariat Management made up of heads of agencies and departments of the secretariat.

The schools visited on the first day included the Army Day Secondary School, at the Mogadishu Cantonment, Government Secondary school, Garki and Best International Secondary School, a private school in Gwarimpa.

Economy, poverty and Aso Rock

From the Villa

By Vincent Ikuomola that handled the building has been blacklisted. It has been asked not to be involved in building of project anywhere in the country.

Not done, Presidency also sanctioned government officials who designed and supervised the building, while the Navy officer in charge of the demolition was also recommended for sanction. His offence was that he hired an incompetent hands to do the pulling down of the building.

The action has received commendations from the general public as it is the very first time in the country that such an action is being taken. Many are of the opinion that the sanction if executed, would stem the tide of collapsed building

in the country.

Taking the battle against terrorism a little further, the Presidency, besides sending Nigerian troops to Mali, pushed for further action and condemnation from well meaning countries.

The Presidency’s action stemmed from the fact that no one knows who the next victim of terrorist could be.

He, therefore, pushed for global condemnation and action against the act which has become a destabilising situation. Calling for all to collectively condemn terrorism, Jonathan said the extremists should not be condoned anywhere as no part in the globe should be surrendered to them.

The deployment of Nigerian soldiers to Mali coincided with the country’s celebration of fallen heroes who had participated in other wars including the 1967-1970 Nigeria civil war.

The ceremony marking the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration came to a climax in the course of the week with the laying of wreaths. President Goodluck Jonathan led leaders of the Legislative and Judiciary arms of government, the military and paramilitary to perform the wreath laying ceremony.

The president also used the occasion to re-state his confidence in the country’s ability to come out of its present problems unscratched.

He also called on all Nigerians to condemn all acts of violence and those who preach disintegration if the country must berth at the desired destination.

The president exhibited confidence that the country will not break-up as many may have predicted.

To the president, it will take two mad people to have stayed together for 100 years and later divorce.

He, therefore, stressed that con-

trary to many held opinions, the size and the diversity of the people rather than the oil is what makes the country great.

The Presidency also revealed its plans for massive youth development programmes to fight insecurity and social vices in the country.

The project, called integrated youth development programme, is aimed at empowering the youth. This is beside the already existing Youth Empowerment Programme (YouWin).

The Special Adviser to the President on Youth Empowerment, Obinna Adim, who disclosed this, also said the initiative will help address the spate of insecurity being experienced in some parts of the country and other social vices.

He also noted that the initiative has the backing of international donors. The programme, he further explained, involves training youths in some parts of the world including Alaska, USA, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. This will involve exposing them to some success stories of these countries with the aim of expanding their horizon.

Education secretariat begins school inspection From Bukola Amusan,Abuja

The impromptu visit to schools by the Education Secretariat Management is designed to give it a firsthand account of what is happening in schools in the FCT. At the Best International School in Gwarimpa, the Director in charge of quality assurance in the Secretariat, Dr. Emmanuel Aina, expressed concern about the practice by several private schools of admitting students into JSS one from primary four or five. He said this was unacceptable and said there was a policy in place that

forbids such practice.

He further said that while a child may be brilliant, there are however other factors that will

derail a child’s academic performance if placed in classes above the recommended age. He, therefore, called on parents to ensure

The impromptu visit to schools by the Education Secretariat Management is designed to give it a firsthand account of what is happening in schools in the FCT

that their children and wards finish basic education up to primary six.

At the Army Day Secondary School Mogadishu Barracks, the Secretary for Education admonished the teachers for the less than impressive performance of the students of the school at the 2012 WAEC and NECO examinations.

On their part, the teachers promised to be more committed to their duties but requested that the Education Secretariat solve some of the problems they are facing which include lack of office accommodation for staff.

PHOTO PANORAMA 42

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

•Ghana and DR Congo helped spark the African Cup of Nations into life when they drew 2-2

•Fans during the opening ceremony of the 2013 Orange African •Messi Cup of Nations at the National Stadium

•A display of the heartbeat of Africa at the South Africa 2013 Opening Ceremony in the National Stadium in Johannesbug

•Ghana fans were in fine voice during their side's draw with DR Congo

•A Ghanaian 'juju' man

•Maazou Ouwa of Niger kicks the ball as Mali defenders watch

•Bafana Coach Igesund

•Mali captain Keita

•A Democratic Republic of Congo fan watches his team take on Ghana

AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...AFCON 2013...

'Referee punished us,' says Niger defender •Thulani

Serero: Bafana can still do it

B

AFANA Bafana started their 2013 African Cup of Nations campaign on a low note, with a goalless draw against Cape Verde in the opening game of the tournament at the National Stadium on Saturday.

According to the soccerladuma.co.za website, following South Africa’s lackluster performance, the side’s next game is against Angola at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday, with the nation expecting a better showing.

The team flew to Durban soon after the game on Saturday night and midfielder Thulani Serero told the Siya crew that not all is lost and that they can still qualify for the quarter-finals.

He said that they must forget about the 0-0 draw against Cape Verde and focus on Wednesday’s game.

“The other two teams also played a draw in our group. We could have loved to win our first game, but since it wasn't like that, we have to go for a win against Angola now. We can still do it.

“We have two games to play and two wins can see us through in our group so we haven't lost it all. A win could have been great in the first game but we can do it now and move on," the Ajax Amsterdam player expressed.

M

O H A M E D Chicoto says Niger have been punished again by a refereeing call at the African Cup of Nations.

The Mena (Gazelles) were coasting to a first point in the competition before Seydou Keita delivered a late winner to give Mali all three points with a 1-0 win Sunday.

Tunisia-based defender Chicoto took a swipe at the referee for allowing Keita’s late winner to stand when it appeared goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly was fouled.

“It is always like that at

the Nations Cup for Niger. I don’t know why, but there is always a problem with referees for Niger,” said Chicoto after Niger’s record at the competition extended to four losses — three of them as debutants in Gabon last year.

Niger coach Gernot Rohr said he was not clear about the incident against Mali, but added that his players insisted the goalkeeper was fouled.

Chicoto said they will go into their next game against the Democratic Republic of Congo hoping to win and stay alive in the competition.

Cape Verde coach sure of next stage •Chicoto

Algeria, Tunisia target must-win in derby

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•Vahid

A G H R E B neighbours Tunisia and Algeria face-off today in arguably the stand-out first-round tie at the 2013 African Cup of Nations, their first meeting in the competition.

Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic has identified this opening Group D game as a mustwin affair, with his former team Ivory Coast fancied to top the group.

“The match against Tunisia will determine

our future in this competition,” asserted the vastly experienced manager.

Algeria are being touted as one of the sides that could make a big impact in South Africa.

Champions in 1990, the Desert Foxes saw off Ivory Coast with Halilhodzic in charge in a quarter-final extra-time win in 2010, going on to finish fourth.

“If we get to the quarter-finals you never know what can happen, but we have to get there first and it starts with a

positive result from our outing against Tunisia.”

Rated the second best team on the continent in FIFA’s January rankings behind the Ivorians, Algeria tuned up for the competition with a goalless draw against South Africa in Soweto.

Young Valencia midfielder Sofiane Feghouli is one of the rising stars in an inexperienced squad captained by Medhi Lacen from fellow La Liga side Getafe.

C

APE Verde coach Lucio Antunes says there is a strong belief among his players that the team can advance beyond the opening stages of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The statement follows a goalless draw between the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde and host Bafana Bafana of South Africa, in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday.

It was the first point ever secured by debutant Cape Verde at Africa's top tournament, and the result has boosted the confidence of the team, ranked 70th in the world.

The coach said his team played well against South Africa, ranked 85th - 15 places below Cape Verde and that it will perform even better against Morocco and Angola in its subsequent group matches. ``There are a lot of positives from this game. First of all, I think we played well, we were organised. ``A draw against South Africa is good result. I’m certain that our players will draw a lot of strength from these results,” Antunes said. ``I’m happy with our performance tonight. After this match I think we can lift our heads up. We have done something we can be proud of. ``Obviously I’m happy with the fact that we did not concede a goal; that will make us more confident,’’ he said.

He said the team would now focus on the next game.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is addicted to crises. Assistant Editor AUGUSTINE AVWODE writes on the dwindling fortune of the polarised party and implications for 2015

T

HESE are trying times for the Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Between 2003 and 2007, the party loomed large in the region. Little did its leaders guess that power is transcient.

In the six states-Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti-the party has lost power.Thus, top party leaders are left in the cold. Also, crisis is tearing the party apart at the national level.

Indisputably, PDP is back to its pre-2003 period in the zone when it only had one senator, Gbenga Aluko who defeated the former National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, to the surprise of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), which produced the six governors in 1999.

However, the emergence of General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) as the President was a plus for the zonal chapter, although AD floored PDP in his native Ogun State at the governorship and parliamentary elections.

In 2003, the story changed dramatically four years later in 2003. The party displaced AD in five states. Only Lagos State survived the onslaught led by the former President. In 2007, the party maintained its hold on the region through massive rigging. Again, only Lagos State survived the desperation to capture the region.

The reward for political relevance was not in short supply for the Southwest PDP chieftains. Many of them got plum federal appointments. The beat changed when the Appeal Court deposed the PDP governors in Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states.

Reversal of fortune The April 2007 general elections marked the begining of the reversal of fortune for the Southwest PDP. The party went into the 2011 general elections with only two out of the five governors. After the polls, the party lost the Ogun and Oyo states. It also lost National Assembly seats.

Now, the ACN has 14 senators and Labour Party (LP) has three, the PDP could only manage to produce a senator from Oyo North, Chief Hosea Agboola, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Oyo State.

Observers contend that the party faces an uncertain future in the region. Gone with the wind were influential positions held by the party chieftains. They include the Senate Majority Leader, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and chairmen of Senate Committees on INEC and Appropriation.

The loss of the Speakership was dramatic.

On June 6, 2011, House of Representatives member from the Northeast Aminu Tambuwal defeated Mrs. Mulikat AkandeAdeola from the Southwest to emerge as the Speaker. He polled 252 votes to defeat Adeola, who polled 90 votes. The election was significant in many respects. Adeola was the candidate endorsed by the PDP national leadership and the Presidency to ‘compensate’ the party in the zone, because it had lost other relevant positions to other zones. The emergence of Tambuwal dealt a blow to the party’s zoning arrangement. It also stopped the move by the Southwest PDP to produce three Speakers of the House in a row. Southwest PDP had produced Mrs. Patricia Etteh, who was forced out in controversial circumstances, and Mr. Dimeji Bankole, whose reelection bid failed. Interestingly, the opposition parties, including the ACN, insisted on Tambuwal.

However, the Southeast zone produced the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha.The only position of note, which Southwest PDP could boast of in the aftermath of the 2011 general elections, was the

•Obasanjo

•Oni

•Oyinlola

Dwindling fortune of Southwest PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) chairmanship occupied by Obasanjo. But he resigned from the position on April 3, 2012. Now, Southwest PDP is pleading with the BoT to choose its chairman by consensus so that the position can be retained in the zone.

Rising from the joint meeting of the BoT members from the Southwest and the zonal working committee members, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, the party urged the national leadership to compensate the zone with the slot.

PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary Kayode Babade told reporters that the party should not choose the BoT chairman by election.

“The leadership of the party should be encouraged to elect the chairman of the BOT by consensus in the interest of peace, harmony and cohesion of our great party at the highest level, he said.”

Recently, the PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was deposed by a Federal High Court. Although he has appealed the ruling, the tragedy was felt by the zonal chapter. judger.

Southwest PDP is not a cohesive body.

The Ogun State chairman, Chief Adebayo Dayo, had filed a suit challenging the nomination of Oyinlola by the Southwest caucus on the ground that two court judgments had nullified the Southwest Zonal Congress where he was nominated. Defendants in the suit also included the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In his judgment, Justice Abdul Kafarati held that the actions of PDP and Oyinlola had violated the two court orders. He ordered

Oyinlola to vacate the seat. Justice Kafarati stressed: “The conduct of the defendants constitutes flagrant disobedience to a subsisting court order and also constitutes a criminal contempt of court and any step taken thereafter by the PDP secretary is a null and void.”

The party has obeyed the court ruling by naming the national deputy secretary, Solomon Onwe, as the acting national secretary.

Analysts said Oyinlola’s sack portends grave danger to the Southwest PDP. Senator Lekan Balogun, a PDP chieftain in Oyo State, said Oyinlola’s sack was welcomed. But he lamented the attitude of the party leadership in the zone. He singled out former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the man to blame for the woes of the party.

“The poor fortune of the party in the Southwest is unfortunate. It is a leadership problem. It shows that the leaders have mismanaged the enormous goodwill of the people, once they came into positions of authority.

They are to blame. Whatever is bedevilling the party in the Southwest today is a creation of leaders who took the followership for granted.”

Balogun however, said that, if the party could put its house in order and do the right thing, it could regain its lost ground.

But Oyo State PDP chairman Yinka Taiwo said the party has not lost anything. He urged all to wait for the outcome of Oyinlola’s appeal. He also expressed optimism that the party would consider the zone for the BoT chairmanship. Taiwo was however, silent on the chieftain the zone would sponsor for the position.

‘In the Southwest, the image of the PDP had gone down to level zero and I don’t think there is anything it can do to redeem the image. And I don’t see any miracle it can perform between now and 2015 that would give it any in-road to the Southwest’

“I can tell you that the party’s fortunes have not dwindled and it has not lost anything because Prince Oyinlola has appealed the judgment. I would like to advise that we wait for the outcome of the appeal before we say anything.

“As for the BoT chairmanship, we can still have it. You know it has not been elected and we believe that the zone would be considered by the party. I can’t tell you the person we would present now, but certainly we would make it”, he said.

A chieftain of the party from Ogun state, who craved anonymity, submitted that the party needed a lot of soul searching. He said it is too early to conclude that it has lost it all.

“I don’t want to say that we have lost it all.

But the first question we should ask is how did we manage to get to this point? If the party works hard at solving its internal crisis in all the states of the Southwest, it can still make a reasonable impact. You see the showing in the last Ondo governorship election. That shows that, if we had worked as a united team in the zone, we could have taken the state. But many people have their own agenda, different from that of the party in the zone”, he said.

Sunset for PDP? Notwithstanding the optimism being expressed in some quarters about the ability of the PDP in the Southwest to bounce back and reclaim what it lost in 2015, it is believed that the sun might have set for the party. The PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, is anxious to reposition the party.

He had expressed deep concern for the troubled Southwest chapter, urging the warring members to close ranks.

Tukur lamented the PDP’s electoral loss in the region. He said, if the trends persisted, it could affect the fortune of the party in the future.

“In the Southwest, the image of the PDP had gone down to level zero and I don’t think there is anything it can do to redeem the image.

And I don’t see any miracle it can perform between now and 2015 that would give it any in-road to the Southwest”, he added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

44

POLITICS Senior Special Assistant on General Matters to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State Mr. Folawiyo Olajoku spoke with Assitant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN on the challenges confronting the administration.

‘Revenue allocation should be reviewed’ Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio spoke with reporters on the offshore/onshore controversy, lopsided federal structure and imperative of a new revenue allocation formula.

EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

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HAT is responsible for the raging controvery over the onshore/offshore di-

chotomy?

When we had the onshore and offshore problems in 2000 for about nine months, President Olusegun Obasanjo offered a remedial measure.

N600million was given to AkwaIbom. That lasted for about nine months. The situation was corrected and Akwa-Ibom started to receive derivation revenue.

Also, in September, 2000, and the records are available at the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) and Ministry of Finance, my state also collected N3.7 billion. At that time, the state that collected the highest derivation was Delta. I think Delta collected N5 billion or more, Rivers came second, Bayelsa came third and Akwa Ibom came fourth. Later, Rivers used to come first, Delta second, Akwa-Ibom third and Beyelsa fourth. Later, Akwa Ibom came first, but it used to change, based on oil production and militancy.

There is a dichotomy on revenue from oil. The onshore and offshore issue is still there. It has not been totally removed. The compromise position was that states are to be paid for oil wells located within 200 meters isoberg. They said they have agreed on 200 nautical miles; that was said in an interview to incense the North.

Two hundred nautical miles on international waters, no African country has the capability to produce oil there.

But what the man said in his interview was that they are paying derivation for 200 nautical miles, that is, deep on international waters. There is an element of falsehoodin order to cause violence. He knows the truth; he said it so that he can get support. I know Nigerians. If the totality of dichotomy is removed, Lagos will produce the highest quantity of oil because, Bonga oil field is located within the Lagos area. It is a deep sea oil, it can produce 800,000 barrels of oil a day. If the issue of dichotomy is removed today and they say there is no longer dichotomy, the state that might be the highest oilproducing state in Nigeria is Lagos.

Go and look at the amount that they pay derivation on. It is not commensurate with the oil sourced because the rest of oil wells are beyond 200 metres isoberg. The governors are saying that exploration is affecting aquatic life, it impacts on the sea, on the livelihood of the people on the shore because life there can never be the same.

How did militancy affect it?

When the activities of militants reduced, Shell could tap a lot of oil. Then, the production in the Niger Delta would pick. So, what they have done

now is that they are calculating derivation on monthly basis because sometimes, Mobil can have oil spill and you cannot but suspend production. So, for that month, our own resources will have to dwindle. Then, it may go down because you have a major spill and that, of course, will eventually affect the final derivation. In that wise, for that month, we might come to number four or number three.

Generally speaking, we have, at least, four major states that collect their derivation levies; Delta State, River State, Bayelsa State, and Akwa Ibom.

Now, Edo and Ondo have also joined.

The money being so much does not translates to development. It is the vision, it is the dedication, it is the sincerity, it is the commitment, it is the totality of your being.

How are you fighting unemployment in your state?

I was at a Council of State meeting in 2011 when a deputy governor was telling us about Borno State economy.

He told us that his governor left behind N64 billion. But if you look at Borno and how much it gets in a month, for Borno to have saved up to N64 billion, and the new governor met N64 billion, the press should have asked questions. What did he leave behind? He left behind Boko Haran and N64 billion in the bank. That is why sometimes, they say if you don’t give to God, you will give to devil. If you don’t spend the money for the benefit of your people, you will use the money to cure the problems you have created.

The reaction to the neglect of the poor, pauperized and the weak, to the neglect of human capacity building, would come. In an attempt to say you are not corrupt, you keep billions in the bank in order to attract interest.

And your business is booming while the society is dying and you are now saying, if the EFFC comes, you can account for the money. Is that governance?

Why do you often describe yourself as an angry governor?

I served as commissioner for five years and I knew that where I met the state is not where it ought to have been.

I used my money to repair this Calabar-Usi Road when I was commissioner. Obansajo was to pay a visit to the state. I went and brought a heap of sand to fill potholes along the road.

So, I went to the governor at that time.

I said sir, let’s do something about the road. He said, get out, is it my father’s road? Let him (Obasanjo) come and see how he has been neglecting Akwa Ibom. I said sir, but the visitors that are coming, they would think this government is not performing. He said, is it my business to fix the federal

Aregbesola’s aide: We’re tolerant of opposition •Akpabio

roads? Will you get out of this place?

So, I was a man who over advised. If you over advised government, you become an opposition, despite your good intention.

An international award was given to me in Kenya and a television correspondent who came to interview with and asked: ‘what was your motivating factor for all you have achieved in your state which won you the award?

I was stunned because that was not the question I expected he would ask.

I said anger. What motivated me was anger. Do you know that after my speech, they set up a panel of discussants on Kenya Television to discuss ‘the anger of the Akwa Ibom governor? And the conclusion was, let Kenya produce many angry politicians who can on the spur of anger bring monumental and phenomenal development to the country. If you are not angry with the state of insecurity, underdevelopment, poverty in the society, lack of infrastructure, and lack of employment, then, you have no business in governance.

Can you say you have honestly fulfilled your campaign promises?

Obasanjo came here and described the three segments of Akwa Ibom society, those who support Godswill Akpabio, those who are neither here nor there and those who are in total opposition to Godswill Akpabio.

Those who are in support of Godswill Akpabio said ah, the governor is performing excellently. Those who are neither here nor there say the man is trying and those who are in opposition say yes, he has done well, but he has money. My prayer is that anybody that is coming to Akwa Ibom should have money and should also do well.

The fact is that what Akwa Ibom is receiving is 0.00001 per cent of what comes from the Federation Account monthly. On a monthly basis, what I use is 0.00001 per cent of the Federation Account.

All the states in the Federation collect 24 per cent of Federal Revenue.

What the states draw collectively is 24 per cent, the local governments collect 15 per cent, the Federal Government takes 52 per cent, the collectible fund is about 3 per cent, nine per cent goes to the FCT and another one per cent is Intervention Fund. If the Federal Government has agreed to increase derivation and Akwa Ibom is able to get one per cent, I would have transformed Akwa Ibom to a small Dubai and you wouldn’t need to go abroad again.

•Members of the Lagos State Council of Obas with Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and his deputy, Mrs Joke Orelope-Adefulire, after the inauguration of the council by the governor in Lagos.

W

HAT is your assessment of Aregbesola Administration in the last two years?

I think the people of the State of Osun are in a better position to assess our governor and his administration. However, one should give the administration pass mark over his performance in the last two years against the backdrop of what he met on the ground, when he took over in November, 2010. His laudable achievements especially in agriculture, health, education, housing and roads are there for all to see. His employment-generating programmes are eradicating poverty and building a sound and healthy society. He has excelled.

In specific terms, how has the administration fought the infrastructure battle in the state?

In appreciation of the governor’s performance, the people of the state have nick- named him Oba-Ona, which literary means ‘king of road construction’. There is no part of the state that has not witnessed massive road construction, in a desperate bid to rehabilitate the dilapidated roads. In the area of education, Aregbesola Administration launched the O-SCHOOL project, which aim is to construct worldclass modern school buildings and we can see the replica which has been constructed in the Oke-Fia area of Osogbo, the state capital. The same school buildings are currently been built across the state. His administration should also be applauded for its immense contributions towards the health sector, which has experienced massive transformation and the introduction of free health care and free eye glasses for patients.

One of the cardinal programmes of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is rural development. How do you assess the governor on this?

The governor has particularly excelled in this area. The state is primarily an agrarian society that is favoured with fertile soil, which supports a diverse range of agricultural products, both cash and food crops - yam, maize, cassava, millet, plantain and rice. Cocoa and palm produce are our main cash crops. At the current production level, Osun is second only to Ondo State in cocoa production and all this could only be achieved with the continuous provision of enabling environment to farmers in state. The state provides lands and cash to farmers to boost increased food production with a view to making Osun the food basket of the Southwest and Nigeria as a whole. The O-REAP (Osun Rural Enterprises and Agricultural Programme) is a policy framework to precipitate a revolution in the agricultural sector. The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Wale Adedoyin, has been working hard to drive the government’s target of increased agricultural productivity and employment generation.

What programme has the governor implemented to frontally address the needs of youths?

In line with Aregbesola’s people-centred policy, he has inaugurated the OYES (Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme) on his 100 days in office, which employed 20,000 youths and reduced unemployment in the state. Therefore, there is a proportionate decrease in crime. Even, the World Bank endorsed it, and according to the Sector Leader of the bank on Human Development and Task Leader on youth empowerment and social support operation, Professor Foluso Okunmadewa, the state government has achieved a milestone in the area of engaging youths in community development and the world bank is looking into areas to help the government to expand the scope of OYES. What is the government doing to attract both local and foreign investments into the agrarian state?

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has been attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), into the state. He opened bilateral talks with the Germans and even signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Korean firm, Synctop Corporation Limited, for the establishment of agricultural company in the state. The MOU, which was signed under the green wealth agricultural project, was expected to generate 127,000 employment opportunities and boost the economy.

How would you assess the governor’s disposition to the opposition in the state?

The governor has been working for the people and that explains why his party swept all the seats in the last general elections in 2011. So, I can say confidently that our government is strong, transparent and vibrant. For the governor, the wish of the people would always come first. The Peoples Democratic Party spent seven and a half years in power in this state and not a single achievement was recorded by the party. On the contrary, and in just two years of the Aregbesola Administration, the state has witnessed massive transformation in all sectors.

Is there any reason to suggest that the governor, who is a Muslim, is intolerant of other religions as alleged by some people of the state?

The governor’s cabinet has a larger percentage of Christians.

We are the only state in Nigeria which prays in all the three religions at any event or function.

How can anyone say the governor is intolerant of other religions when we all see him at church functions dancing and singing •Olajoku praises, even the Christian way?

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

How to prevent sexually transmitted diseases

By Olatunde Odebiyi

S

• National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi’s gate; inset a group of motocyclists.

PHOTO: WALE ADEPOJU

When Lagos State Government restricted the movement of commercial motorcyclists in some parts of the metropolis, many perceived the action as harsh. It sparked reactions from the public. The government said the restriction stemmed from one of the provisions of the new Traffic Law. The action is yielding dividends as hospital records show that emergencies and admissions from motorcycle accidents have reduced drastically. WALE ADEPOJU writes.

Decrease in hospital admissions after motorcycle ban in Lagos

B

EFORE the restriction of their operations in parts of Lagos State, it was common to find many commercial motorcycle operators or their patrons in hospitals following accidents. In most cases, the accidents were serious, with victims suffering broken limbs. Some even lost their limbs.

It was pathetic seeing many in the casualty ward, especially at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, with hanged limbs or swaddled in plaster. This is gradually becoming history following a drop in such accidents.

According to findings, this trend has changed to the relief of doctors and nurses. Medics and paramedics at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) are savouring the moment as accident and emergency (A and E) wards have less worry.

At the NOHIL Casualty Building/

Ward and its Health Record Department (HRD) it was learnt that motorcyclerelated emergencies have reduced by about 80 per cent.

A hospital record keeper, who preferred anonymity, said no fewer than 10 motorcycle-related accidents were brought to the casualty ward daily in the past.

The source said now the hospital, sometimes, doesn’t receive more than one motorcycle accident in a day or two, describing it as a positive development.

The findings also showed that about 50 per cent of those involved in the accidents were usually transferred from either the casualty ward or the A&E to the wards.

At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Surgical Emergency Department, the story is the same.

A doctor said admissions of fatalities caused by motorcycle accidents have gone down.

LASUCOM writes first surgical book

T

HIRTEEN years after its establish ment, the Lagos State University Col lege of Medicine (LASUCOM) now has a compendium of clinical surgeries.

This feat was achieved after many years of work by 18 contributors.

Edited by a Professor of Urology, Julius Esho, the 11-chapter book entitled Illuminated Clinical Surgeries, is to enhance learning and aid surgeries.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said Lagos State was places high value on health care delivery services, adding it would not go back on its commitment to realising its objectives of accessible and affordable health care for the people.

This is why the state government has been

By Wale Adepoju

funding its medical college, especially in research and development.

On the book, he said, it is worthy to be celebrated because it has a lot of information required to enhance quality health care.

He condemned the country for always relying on international organisations and agencies for information, stressing that it was inadequate.

He said the state now has its own health data, adding that the effort made by the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) to have such an invaluable bood is a step in good direction.

Idris commended the authors, adding: “They wrote their own story based on their experiences.”

He said other casualties from car and domestic accidents were brought to the Surgical Emergency Department but only few motorcyclists were brought in the last one month.

Motorcycle accidents have reduced, according to the Medical Guild Chairman, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote, who described it as a positive development.

He said the traffic law has brought sanity to road users.

Odusote agreed that accidents happen daily but those from motorcycles have reduced for some reasons. First, the state government has confiscated many motorcycles and secondly, only a handful of the operators are still plying the streets.

“Motorcycle related admissions appear to have reduced but accidents generally are still occurring. But those that are directly related to Okada have obviously reduced,” Odusote added.

An administrative officer at NOHIL, Mrs Nike Ayo said motorcycle-related casualties brought to the hospital have reduced drastically.

She said the issue had become a serious concern in the past for the hospital but the story has changed since the ban came into effect.

EXUALLY transmitted diseases ( S T D s) a r e t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h sexual intercourse with an infected person or animal, a health consultant, Dr Paul Osoba, has said.

According to him, STDs include gonorrhoea, syphilis, virginal infection, candidiasis, chancroid and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), among others.

Osoba said STDs in women can lead to blockage of the fallopian tubes which may result in infertility, painful and irregular menstruation.

It can also lead to heavy periods, problems of the eyes, restlessness, depression, itching, stomach disorder, miscarriages, loss of ovulation, and Siamese twins(twins joined together in the buttocks, head, legs and stomach), brain cells can also be affected.

“In men, STD’s can destroy the sperm producing cells of the testis, low sperm count, blockage of the urethral track, pain in the groin, backache, pain during urination, infertility, swollen testis, cause depression and damage of the brain,” Osoba added.

He said STDs could be prevented if people abstained from sex and having multiple sex partners. Also, by avoiding sex with an infected person, ensure usage of condom and discipline ones sexual desire.

He advised that people should wash up warm water after urinating and after every sexual intercourse would help to put diseases at bay.

On gonorrhoea, syphilis and virginal discharge, he said: “In men, gonorrhoea can be identified when the male notices that he has pain when urinating, whitish discharge from the mouth or fever.

In female, there would be foul smelling discharge from the vagina, painful sexual intercourse, fever, abdominal pain, bleeding after intercourse (postcoital bleeding) and irregular menses.

“Syphilis in men can be detected when there is painless sore on the peniswhich may disappear after some weeks, inflamed eyes, fever, and sore throat, loss of appetite or swelling of the groin.

While in female, there will be loss of appetite, loss of hair, sore throat, swelling of the groin and inflamed eyes”.

“Virginal discharge is a liquid secretion produced by the virgina, which may be infected with microorganisms. Virginal discharge becomes an infection when it has a foul smelling odour, when the discharge is large in quantity, when it is irritating and causing lots of inconveniencies, presence of blood in the discharge, itching and when the discharge causes depression or restlessness”.

He urged people to see the doctor whenever they notice an infection, adding that crude method and self medication should be avoided.

General, private doctors for 35th Scientific Forum

N

IGERIAN doctors will from March 13 to 16 at Tinapa Resort, be brainstorming on prevalent communicable diseases as they affect Nigerians, at the 35th Annual Scientific Assembly in Calabar, Cross River State.

This is courtesy of the International Science Forum under the umbrella of Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN). The theme is Lifestyle and emerging diseases.

They will also have the opportunity to learn about career development in medical practice, mass causality and the physician’s health, among other issues.

Vice Chairman, Conference Organizing Committee, Dr Andem Nyong Andem, said the event will see renowned medical professionals within and outside the country discuss and provide a platform to share the latest knowledge, on road map to contain the spread of infections in the country.

46

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

HEALTH

Experts canvass mass screening, treatment for Hepatitis B

Researcher seeks end to inherited glaucoma

By Dada Aladelokun

M

N

Ofewer than 20 million Nigerians are infected with Hepatitis B, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

This was made known by the Society of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists in Nigeria (SOGHIN) in Lagos.

The group said the figure is high because people are unaware of its mode of transmission, prevention and treatment.

The body of experts is calling for collaboration to raise awareness and treatment/vaccination on the disease, which they said is more infectious and common than the human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/ AIDS).

The doctors who specialised in hepatitis treatment defined it as an inflammation of the liver caused by an immune response to the presence of Hepatitis virus in the liver cells. More than 350 million people globally are infected with chronic Hepatitis B and C, which are the most common causes of liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. That is, one in 12 people worldwide is living with either HBV or HCV. A member, Dr.Hameed Oladipupo, said Hepatitis virus is transmitted through contact with body fluids e.g. unprotected sex with an infected person and sharing of infected needles or other sharp objects that can break the skin. In addition, babies born to an infected mother have a 90 to 95 percent chance of contracting Hepatitis B virus (HBV) during childbirth. Fortunately, babies born in Nigeria receive Hepatitis vaccines that protect them from developing full-blown Hepatitis as adults.

Dr Oladipupo said, yet, the biggest obstacle confronting Hepatitis treatment in Nigeria is not the virulence of the disease virus or even the spread of the disease but a lack of awareness among Nigerians, of the importance of discovering their Hepatitis status. There is also the issue of not knowing what to do, where to go to and who to see when it comes to hepatitis. These anomalies are worrisome even though they are the least government could do in ensuring effective Hepatitis B control.

“When patients come to the hospital with yellow eyes, most of the time; that is advanced stage where the situation cannot be salvaged. The best way to know if one has the hepatitis virus is to go for screening and if confirmed obtain treatment.”

The experts said hepatitis B is a common disease in Nigeria that affects at least 19 million or one in five Nigerians. They called on Nigerians to take steps to prevent contracting the disease, as there are vaccines to prevent its occurrence, instead of coming late

• From left Oladipupo, Onyekwere and Oluyemi at the event.

PHOTO: OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

to the hospital with advanced stages of hepatitis.

The Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists said only by increasing awareness of different forms of hepatitis and how the same can be prevented and treated, would not only check the spread of the disease but thousands of lives would also be saved.

They said types B and C are of significant concern in Nigeria since a high proportion of people infected with these viruses may not experience symptoms at the early stage of the disease, and only become aware of their infection when they are chronically ill.

According to another member, Dr Charles Onyekwere, consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), even though one out of every five Nigerians has Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which attacks the liver, local and foreign agencies pay more attention to HIV, which affects one out of every 400 Nigerians. “At one time HIV and AIDS had a prevalence rate of six per cent but local and foreign intervention brought it down to 3.8 per cent today. The Nigerian government should be critical about the state of Hepatitis B management and the need to declare the disease a national emergency just like HIV was declared in 2001 by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration,” said Dr. Onyekwere.

Another member, consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr Remi Oluyemi said, “Hepatitis is an entirely preventable disease if detected early. Just as people want to discover their HIV status, they should also try to know their Hepatitis status. The screening costs about N1, 000 and is available at most hospitals.”

“Without this first-line screening, doctors cannot move to the next stage of treatment which is determining the quantity of the virus in the blood and prescribing drugs before patients develop full-blown liver cancer or liver cirrhosis. If people don’t get screened, when they come for treatment after symptoms have developed, their liver

•Dr Lesi

already has cancer. It’s like medicine after death,” Dr. Oluyemi said.

Another member, Dr Olufunmilayo Lesi, Consultant, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said, Nigeria needs not wait for 28, July of each year before raising awareness on hepatitis. For, HBV is highly contagious – between 50 and 100 times more infectious than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – and can survive outside the body for at least seven days. During this time, the virus can still cause infection if it enters the body of a person who is not infected. “The virus incubation period is 90 days on average, but can vary from about 30 days to 180 days.

HBV may be detected in the body 30 to 60 days after infection and persists for widely variable periods of time.

“Chronic carriers constitute an enormous reservoir of the virus and are a source of infection for others. Have high morbidity and mortality from chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We see 20 cases of liver failure in Clinics who are mostly patients with Hepatitis B, who did not show up for test or check up until it is too late. The number to call for screening, vaccine and treatment is 08058206916.”

New guidelines for acute kidney injury management

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CUTE kidney injury (AKI) has now replaced the term acute renal failure and a universal definition and staging system has been proposed to allow earlier detection and management of AKI. The new terminology enables health care professionals to consider the disease as a spectrum of injury. This spectrum extends from less severe forms of injury to more advanced injury when acute kidney failure may require renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Clinically AKI is characterised by a rapid reduction in kidney function resulting in a failure to maintain fluid, electrolyte and acidbase homoeostasis.

There have previously been many different definitions of AKI used in the literature which has made it difficult to determine the epidemiology and outcomes of AKI. Over recent years there has been increasing recognition that relatively small rises in serum creatinine in a variety of clinical settings are associated with worse outcomes1.

To address the lack of a universal defini-

tion for AKI a collaborative network of international experts representing nephrology and intensive care societies established the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) and devised the RIFLE definition and staging system for AKI2. Shortly after this many of the original members of the ADQI group collaborated to form the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN)3,4. The AKIN group modified the RIFLE staging system to reflect the clinical significance of relatively small rises in serum creatinine.

Most recently the international guideline group, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) has brought together international experts from many different specialties to produce a definition and staging system that harmonises the previous definitions and staging systems proposed by both ADQI and AKIN5. It is anticipated that this definition and staging system will be adopted globally. This will enable future comparisons of the incidence, outcomes and efficacy of therapeutic interventions for AKI.

To date there is a paucity of data on the incidence of AKI whether community or hospital-acquired.

The reported prevalence of AKI from US data ranges from one per cent (community-acquired) up to 7.1 per cent (hospital-acquired) of all hospital admissions6,7. The population incidence of AKI from UK data ranges from 172 per million population (PMP) per year from early data8 up to 486-630 pmp/ year from more recent series9-11, again depending on definition. The incidence of AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) ranges from 22 pmp/year 7 to 203 pmp/year 10. An estimated five to 20 per cent of critically ill patients experience an episode of AKI during the course of their illness and AKI receiving RRT has been reported in 4.9 per cent of all admissions to intensive-care units (ICU). Data from the Intensive Care National Audit Research Centre (ICNARC) suggests that AKI accounts for nearly 10 per cent of all ICU bed days.

OVED by the plight of a 20-yearold accountant who was going blind from juvenile-onset glaucoma, Dr. Oluwatoyin F. Fafowora, a US-based Nigerian researcher, has stepped up efforts at unearthing the rootcause of the disease, thus ending it in Africa and Nigeria in particular.

“Because it affects the younger generation, I found it rather painful to be treating it. I very much prefer research into it because it is more meaningful,” Fafowora, Fogarty Fellow between 2008 and 2010, and formerly of the University of Ibadan, told The Nation.

Fafowora’s foray into researches got a boost when she got the Fogarty Fellowship in 2008 to engage in global health studies.

Fogarty’s Global Health Programme for Fellows and Scholars provides postdoctoral and doctoral students with the opportunity of spending a year under • Dr Lesi mentorship at an established research centre in a developing country.

It is aimed at encouraging career scientists on global health research, provision of a training resource to the host institutions and fostering international research collaborations.

For the success of her research and her attempt at confirming their involvement and identifying additional genes, Fafowora’s fellowship was extended by a year.

The researcher, who told The Nation that she had seen that research is different from clinical work, added that she quickly learned a range of new skills during her fellowship. She added: “You must decide the importance of the disease, the possibility of studying that disease and the usefulness of the outcome. And also what is important to you and to the funding institute.”

Fafowora, who hinted that she is striving to complete analysis of the data to unearth genes that bring a high risk for this type of glaucoma, added that she would publish her findings in due course.

“The moment the relevant genes have been identified, children can be screened for them. And I hope that our findings will contribute to developing gene therapy for glaucoma.”

How to prevent skin rashes • Classify the products that irritate your skin and stay away from them. Go to the doctor and undergo skin testing or remember from past history what you’re allergic to.

-Skin rashes occur if you are allergic to certain ingredients in detergents, dyes in clothing, cosmetics and soaps.

You should also stay away from rubber or latex products such as gloves and elastics, if you’re allergic to chemicals in them.

-Avoid wearing jewelry like watches, rings or ear rings if you notice skin rashes. You may be allergic to the metal in them.

-Stay away from poisonous plants such as poison oak, sumac plants and poison ivy. Poisonous plants trigger an allergic reaction in your skin causing you to develop skin rashes along with itchy red bumps that develop on the affected areas.

-Don’t eat food that can cause an allergic reaction such as seafood, eggs or peanuts.

• Understand the medical conditions that cause skin rashes.

-Infections that are the result of viruses, bacteria and fungi can cause skin rashes. For example, a bacterial infection like Lyme Disease, a viral infection such as herpes and ringworm are some infections that lead to skin rashes.

-Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis cause skin rashes.

• Keep your skin clean.

-Frequently washing your hands with soap and water is one way to prevent some of the causes of skin rashes from developing. You should also dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel to avoid placing any bacteria or viruses back on your hands.

-Take a shower or bath after working out. Sweat can clog your pores causing skin rashes.

-You should change a baby’s diaper frequently to prevent diaper rash, which is another type of skin rash.

•Limit your exposure to the sun and heat during the summer to prevent skin rashes •Source: www.wikihow.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

•Lagos State low-middle income housing estate in Ikorodu.

Journalists’ Estate residents appeal to Tambuwal, others

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ESIDENTS of Journalists’ Estate in Arepo, Ogun- State have appealed to Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and the Sokoto State Governor Alhaji Aliu Wammako, to redeem their pledges for the completion of the estate’s community centre.

The duo, along with Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, had pledged to contribute towards Journalists Estate Residents Development Association’s (JERDA’s) initiative in building an ultra-modern community centre for residents of the estate, planned to be the first of its kind in Africa.

JERDA had embarked on an appeal fund during the tuning of the sod of the community centre by Tambuwal where Wammako was the special guest of honour on an occasion held with pomp and pageantry.

Tambuwal, who represented by Hon. Olumide Osoba, a lawmaker representing Obada-Owode Federal Constituency, pledged that Tambuwal would donate to the project.

The Sokoto State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Danladi Bako, who represented the state governor pledged to support the project with an initial N5million and monitor the project till completion.

Amosun, who was represented by the Works and Housing Commissioner and his Information Commissioner, Messers Lekan Adegbite and Alhaji Yusuf Olaniyonu also pledged N5 million.

Amosun has since redeemed his pledge.

ButWammako andTambuwal have not.

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

In a chat with select reporters at Arepo last week shortly after the vandalism of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline by some oil thieves, Chairman of the Estate, Mr Gbayode Somuyiwa, said the first phase of the community centre would soon be decked, adding that work has progressed tremendously since the foundation laying ceremony last year.

However, he lamented that the delay being encountered was due to paucity of funds because some of the supporters and promoters of the project were yet to redeem their pledges.

Commending the donors’gestures, Somuyiwa appealed to Wammako and Tambuwal not to renege on their promises, adding that all hopes of residents lie in the pledges.

“I want to specially appeal to our donors and supporters, especially Governor Wammako and Tambuwal to come to our aid as quickly as possible as we cannot afford to abandon this project’, he said.

Somuyiwa, who acknowledged that these personalities are great Nigerians for identifying with such a noble cause, said other state governments could also learn from the governor of Ogun State.

He expressed JERDA’s appreciation to the Ogun State governor for the prompt redemption of his pledge. He urged the governor not to relent until the project is completed.

NIESV to hold Ekpenyong Memorial Lecture Jan. 31

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EMBERS of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) will hold the 19th John Wood Ekpenyong Memorial Lecture at the Civic Centre, Lagos on January 31.

According to a statement, the lecture will provide the institution’s leadership an opportunity for self-evaluation and to address national development issues in the industry.

Ekpenyong, in whose memory NIESV instituted the lecture in 1995, was the first Nigerian to qualify as a chartered surveyor/estate surveyor and valuer.

NIESV’s President, Mr Emeka D. Eleh, will declare the lecture open while Mr Joseph O. A. Idudu will chair the event.

Idudu, Chairman, NIESV’s Board of Trustees and the 11th President of the institution, is the immediate past Chairman of Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON).

National Publicity Secretary of the institute, Mr Victor Ayeye, said Chairman, ESVARBON, Mr A. G Sangosanya, will deliver the main lecture entitled: ‘Honesty and devotion in Nigeria’s transformation agenda’.

Society creates home scheme

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BBEY Building Society PLC (mortgage bankers) has introduced a new mortgage product into the market, its Head of Marketing, Joy Coker-Akpojaro, has said.

She said the Abbey Home Account is intended to simplify home ownership, pointing out that it is also aimed at enabling classes of home seekers to buy or build their own homes without stress.

She said the product was in keeping with the bank’s mission to provide affordable housing finance to enable their customers to own their homes.

“Our mission in mortgage banking business is to provide homes to a vast number of Nigerians through well designed mortgage products and services that offer individuals, real estate promoters and housing cooperatives well-structured and competitively priced houses and mortgage products”, she said Coker-Akpojaro added that this drive is also in keeping with the bank’s quest to make

home ownership reach every one.

According to her, to serve the interest of everyone, especially the low income group, the product comes in four different variants/categories including bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

She explained that in the bronze category, a subscriber is expected to open an account with the bank with as low as N6,000; contribute consistently for six months and get a mortgage loan to buy or build a house.

She added that whereas subscribers for the silver category are expected to open an account with the bank with a minimum balance of N10, 000 and save for six months, those for the gold variant are expected to open an account with a minimum balance of N50, 000 and save for six months.

“Abbey Home Platinum requires subscribers to open an account with a minimum balance of N100, 000 and save for six months and with this, they set a memorable milestone towards owning a home,” she said.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

NEWS 74TH POST-HUMOUS BIRTHDAY FOR LAM ADESINA IN IBADAN

•Widow of the deceased, Alhaja Sarat Adeola Adesina at the occasion... at the weekend

•Oyo State Deputy Governor, Moses Alake Adeyemo and House of Assembly Speaker Mosurat Sumonu

•From left: The Guest Lecturer, Sheik Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa and Secretary to the Governmnet (SSG), Osun State, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti

•From left: Mrs Omowumi Oshitelu, Alhaja Mopelade Aderinto and former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Bukola Oni Alayande

•From left: Senator Ayo Adeseun, former Deputy Governor, Iyiola Oladokun and Senator Olufemi Lanlehin

•Senior Adviser on Political Matters to Oyo State Governor, Fatai Ibikunle

•Former Military Governor of Lagos State, Brig. Gen Raji Rasaki

•Chairman, WEMABOD, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi

•Mrs. Funmi Oludoyinbo (left); Mrs. Ayo Babatunde and Alhaja Titilayo Talabi.

From left: Ogun State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Tola Banjo; Executive Director, Zakat and sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib; Chairman, Ijebu-Ode Local Government. Hon Rasaq Daddah; Ogun State Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shuaib Salith and ZSF Chairman Prince Sulayman Olagunju at the PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO Third Zakat Distribution Ceremony at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

•Former Chairman, Ijebu North Local Government, Alhaji Tele Ogunjobi (left); Chairman, Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Adebayo Dayo and a chieftain, Prince Buruji Kashamu at a meeting of leaders and stakeholders in Ijebu-Igbo...at the weekend.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry foresee grave uncertainty in the sector. They say the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), oil theft and vandalism of pipelines and other facilities, are gradually killing the industry, that urgent measures need to be taken to move the sector forward. EMEKA UGWUANYI, Assistant Editor (Energy) reports.

‘Non-passage of PIB, oil theft killing petroleum industry’ T HE direction of the oil and gas sector this year remains a conjecture. Despite assurances from the government that Nigerians should expect a better year, stakeholders think otherwise.

They said the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is detrimental to growth of the petroleum industry.

Upstream The immediate past President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Dr. Mayowa Afe, expressed disappointment that the government has been unable to draw a pathfinder for sustainable growth of the oil and gas industry. He said the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is killing the industry and makes Nigeria a laughing stock outside this shore.

For the industry to witness a change this year, he said: “The ongoing ridiculous grammar about the Petroleum Industry Bill must stop. The Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and other stakeholders must find a way to end this unnecessary debate and tussle over PIB. “In my view, the PIB is being politicised. This unpatriotic approach to a very important national issue is not giving our country a good image outside the shores of this country.

“Investors are moving their investments out of this country while potential investors are diverting to other countries. Oil companies are moving to other neighbouring countries – Ghana, Angola, Mozambique and even the war-torn Somalia, among others because of the uncertainty surrounding the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

“I must tell you that the oil companies in Nigeria currently are just sustaining production in-country to use the money made from here (Nigeria) to invest in oil and gas blocks they acquired outside Nigeria.

“We want to see activities in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry increased, more exploratory and development wells come on board.

Kidnapping in the industry must end even if it entails engaging more youths in the Niger Delta region on sustainable basis. Crude theft, vandalism of oil facilities and unreliable regulations must end.”

On investment, Afe said the way the industry is going, investors may at a point lose interest in Nigeria completely. Major oil companies in Nigeria are divesting their assets and reinvesting proceeds from such divested assets in other countries.

He said: “Investors will be hesitant to put down their money in any investment and any country if there are no dependable regulations and platforms to ensure the safety of the environment and their investments.

“The 10 per cent for oil producing communities in the Niger Delta as provided in the PIB makes sense. Certainly, it will tremendously help to achieve security aspirations of the industry and give the expected safe investment environment.

“If the PIB is not passed as soon as possible this year, it will be a killer for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he added.

A petroleum lawyer and solicitor who practises in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, Ms. Efuru Nwapa-Obua, said for the industry to move away from where it is, some anomalies must be addressed.

She said: “The Industry lacks effective regulatory institutions and is bogged down by gross corruption, mismanagement, poor governance and inefficiency. The fuel subsidy scam in which trillions of dollars were fraudulently paid out to marketers who falsified records with the active connivance of government officials and regulators is a case in point. The scale of the fraud is as mind-boggling as it is audacious and could have only happened in an industry with very weak, or no regulation.

“Absence of international best practices, transparency, openness, good governance and corporate social responsibility, should be addressed.

Inability of the sector to provide the nation with petroleum products is a situation that is disgraceful and unacceptable.

Under capacity utilisation of refineries which are producing well below installed capacity must be addressed.”

Downstream There are concerns as the country continues to depend on imported fuel. The future of the downstream sector remains unpredictable. According to the stakeholders, because the NNPC is the only company importing products, particularly premium motor spirit (PMS), it is also expected that the downstream would be stable this year considering the stability in supply and distribution recorded last year.

Apart from occurrences such as vandalisation of pipelines and

strikes by marketers, or oil workers such as the petroleum tanker drivers, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, said the Ministry would ensure that there would be adequate supply and efficient distribution of petroleum products this

•Afe

•Nwapa-Obua

year.

The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andy Yakubu also said the cor-

poration is revamping all dysfunctional fuel depots across the country to actualise the aspiration of stamping out fuel scarcity completely and permanently from the country.

•A gas plant

‘NNPC has no business asking for loan’

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HE proposed $1.5 billion loan by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from some local and international creditors has been receiving criticisms from Nigerians who query the rationale behind the loan.

The Managing Director, Degeconek Nigeria Limited (DNL), a hydrocarbon assets development company, Biodun Adesanya, said it is hard to understand what could have informed the decision of the corporation to go borrowing despite the huge earnings from oil and gas.

He said there was no reason for NNPC to go cap in hand to foreign lenders, requesting for subvention to meet its debt obligations.

He said: “There is enough reason to believe that NNPC can’t go bankrupt for it to seek for loan from international creditors. First and foremost, oil price is currently attractive enough for oil producing countries such as Nigeria to rake in huge revenues from oil sales.

By Bidemi Bakare

From these revenues, any incurred expenditure can be met.

So if this is so, how on earth would anybody want us to believe that NNPC is borrowing owing to its inability to meet its debt obligations? This is absolutely untenable and incredible.”

Besides, he said, there are enough activities arising from the Joint Ventures (JVs) and Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) operations to make the corporation buoyant to fulfil any of its financial requirements and demands.

The petroleum geologist, said what NNPC realises from its JVs and PSCs operations are sufficient enough to help perform its statutory responsibilities as a national oil company and wondered why it could seek for funds in this circumstance.

“We must understand the fact that NNPC as a corporation generates revenue from its

joint operations with international oil companies. If we add what comes from its JVs and PSCs, there is no denying the fact that it has no reason not to stay afloat and meet whatever financial challenge that confronts it,” he said.

Despite all these favourable conditions, Adesanya said it may not be out of place to assume that lack of a culture of accountability and transparency by the corporation may have been responsible for its current state of financial status to warrant such loan.

But the House of Representatives in response to public criticisms of the move, has called for explanation from NNPC on why it is seeking for a facility after it had earlier claimed it was not insolvent. It therefore, instructed its committee on public account to wade in and scrutinise the corporation’s books to uncover the malfeasance perpetrated over time which may have made the corporation cash strapped.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

ENERGY

Nigeria raises OPEC’s December output to 30.37m bpd

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NCREASED oil production from Nigeria contributed to raising the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC’s) December 2012 output to an average of 30.37 million barrels per day (mbpd), indicating a decline of 0.46 mbpd from 30.83 mbpd recorded in November, report has shown.

OPEC, in its January 2013 monthly oil market report, said secondary sources revealed that total OPEC crude oil production averaged 30.37 mb/d in December showing a decline of 0.46 mb/ d over the previous month.

“Crude oil output saw an in-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

crease from Nigeria and Angola while production fell in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran,” the report said.

According to the report, preliminary data indicates that global oil supply dropped 0.10 mb/d in December 2012 compared to the previous month. The decline in OPEC crude oil production in December impacted the global oil output which was partially offset by the increase in non-OPEC supply. The share of OPEC crude oil in global production declined slightly to 33.6 percent in December. The estimate is based on pre-

liminary data for non-OPEC supply, estimates for OPEC natural gas liquids (NGLs) and OPEC crude production from secondary sources.

The market report said that in 2013, non-OPEC supply is forecast to increase by 0.93 mbpd over the previous year to average 53.92 mbpd. The current supply expectation indicates an upward revision of 85,000 bpd to total nonOPEC supply, while anticipated growth was revised up by 30,000 bpd from a month earlier. The upward revision to total non-OPEC supply was due to the carry-over of some of the revisions introduced to the 2012 supply estimates, as

well as to various updates to individual supply profiles. On a quarterly basis, non-OPEC supply is expected to average 53.84 mbpd, 53.61 mbpd, 53.91 mbpd and 54.49 mbpd, respectively.

The reports also noted that global fiscal uncertainties still persist.

It said: “For the past weeks, the outcome of negotiations in the US to avoid the ‘fiscal cliff’ – a term that describes the automatic spending cuts and tax increases set to take place at the beginning of 2013 – has been a major uncertainty hanging over the United States economy.

Despite recent data showing an improvement in the country’s economy, the lack of clarity about the outcome of these talks over the past months led to a deceleration in business spending and investments at the end of the year, as well as a decline in consumer confidence.”

On world oil demand, the report said: “World economic turbulence has affected oil demand in the past few years. Nevertheless, its effect on this year’s oil demand is not expected to be as sharp as last year, but instead considerably milder. As in the previous year, oil demand

J •From left:Yakubu; Osawaru, and Mrs. Alison-Madueke, during the inauguration of Oredo Intergrated Gas Handling Facility in Edo State.

Alison-Madueke praises Net-Work Oil for Oredo gas project

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HE Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has commended Net-Work Oil and Gas Limited, and indigenous oil service company, for the completion of the construction of the first phase of the Oredo Integrated Gas Handling Facility (IGHF).

The facility owned by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is located at the Oredo oil field in oil mining lease (OML) 111 in Edo State, has begun to deliver 65 million standard cubic feet per day (scf/d) of gas for domestic use, especially the power plants under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).

When the project is completed, it will have the capacity to deliver 100 mmscf/d of gas.

The minister commended the Managing Director of Net-Work Oil and Gas, Mr Clifford Osawaru and the NPDC for exceeding the government’s expectation in the project’s delivery. The facility is a 100 per cent local content facility.

The Minister said since the Nigerian Content Act was signed into law in 2010, indigenous marketers, operators and service providers in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry have developed capacity. She said: “I think the Oredo gas plant is a fantastic example of this sort of indigenous enterprise where a wholly indigenous crew has worked with the NPDC to bring a gas plant to fruition within the shortest possible time; and to make good Mr. President’s 12 month emergency gas supply plan.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

“It is wonderful for us and very satisfying for me and the Group Managing Director of NNPC to see that by the end of 2013, this plant alone will be supplying to the domestic gas market a hundred million standard cubic feet of gas per day. Already, as we speak, it has ramped up and is supplying 76 mmscf/d of gas, and I think that is quite amazing.”

She stressed that with the commissioning, the country will be getting gas for power supply as well as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for domestic consumption.

The spin off effect will further assist in moving the economy forward by opening up the service sector to indigenously owned companies to be able to produce a facility like the IGHF. The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, said the Oredo IGHF is unique and dear to NNPC because it is the first major gas development project which is aimed at the realisation of a strategic road plan of being an integrated and oil and gas company.

It is also special because it symbolises our response to the Federal Government’s gas to power initiative.

He said: “NPDC produces an average of 130, 000 barrels per day and ranks as the fifth largest oil producer in the country. NPDC is poised to surpass its target of 250 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2015.

“Where we are standing today in Oredo covers a block of about 460 square kilometres consisting of three fields with an average production of 6, 000 barrels per

day and with more prospects for further development. The average production from this field in the past 15 years was stagnated at less than 1,000 barrels per day. This facility also has the capacity to eliminate gas flaring in compliance with the Federal Government environmental requirements. Furthermore NNPC, NPDC are pursuing with vigour the development of more resources in order to provide gas to Pan Ocean Oil Company limited to optimise the utilisation of its Ovade Ogharefe gas plant.”

Osawaru thanked the minister and the NNPC chief for giving the company the opportunity to prove that Nigerian companies have all it takes to excel. “I want to express my appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan, the minister, the NNPC group managing director and the Federal Government for giving us the opportunity to showcase our capabilities. With this plant, there will be no doubt that Nigerian companies have come of age in the oil and gas sector.”

The Managing Director of NPDC, Victor Briggs said the oil and gas reserves in the Oredo asset has increased by almost 400 per cent. “Today, NPDC has two rigs on location. One completing the Oredo South well, which is part of the 100 million scf/d of gas that will be supplied through the Pan Ocean facility. The other rig is in our offshore location in OML 119.

By the end of 2013, a total of four drilling rigs, that is one offshore, two land and one swamp will be working for us. We are set to meet the target set for us to attain 250,000 barrels per day of oil production by 2015.”

will grow in 2013, but not without some degree of uncertainty. The US economy is seen to achieve 2.0 percent growth, leading to more stable oil consumption.

“The Euro-zone was able to somewhat contain its unknown fate of uncertainty. The spill-over effect on other economies will certainly be felt, especially in China.

Given the positive momentum in some Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) economies, China’s exports and investments are picking up and showing better results. The OECD region will consume less oil than last year; however, the decline will be reduced by almost a half.

“The non-OECD region will consume about one million barrels per day more than last year. It is worth noting that some parts of the non-OECD region will experience less economic prosperity than anticipated. Their demand will grow, but at a slightly slower pace than last year. The transportation and industrial sectors will consume most of the oil this year, and most of the growth will be related to both industries.”

Need to keep pipeline vandals at bay UST when we thought the nightmare was over, the country is back to square one. And

if we look at the mirror, the picture says it all - the problem is us. Sure we are the architects of our own misfortune. Where else on earth do you see man inflicting pain on himself but in Nigeria? Man's inhumanity to man!

As last year petered out, there was pipeline inferno at Ije-Ododo in the Ojo area of Lagos. Preceding that was an explosion in Arepo, Ogun State which culminated in the gruesome murder of four officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). To the uninformed; those events were part of the Nigerian circus. People always steal oil, vandalise pipelines, even burn themselves to death and the show continues.

The NNPC did not see it that way, nor did motorists. NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD) Andrew Yakubu saw a crisis coming. Efforts were made to fix the damaged pipelines. At the same time, the vandals were bent on frustrating any such attempts.

It did not take long to notice fuel lines. Repair works meant consumers had to undergo stress. Kudos to the NNPC, Yuletide of 2012 was not as torturous as it was in 2011 when the Federal Government increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N65 per litre to N140. Although some greedy marketers adjusted their metres slightly, there was enough fuel to celebrate and calm the polity.

About this time last year, fuel scarcity and price hike almost led to our own version of the Arab Spring.

And just when we started singing Hosanna, trouble came up again

By Ighodalo Aburime

from Arepo, the sleepy town that houses the largest Journalists’ Estate in Africa.

The filling stations became chaotic again because thieves went wild again. The NNPC could also have gone mad. What can make a sane mind go mad more than having to spend time and money doing the same thing all over again? The job of the NNPC GMD now entails visiting damaged pipelines every now and then instead of managing other more pressing oil matters.

The vandals have brought more pains to Nigerians. It's instructive that the NNPC went to work immediately to repair the pipelines.

If the flow had not been stopped, Arepo would still be burning. If the NNPC had continued to pump fuel, nobody would be in Arepo. If not for the immediate intervention of the NNPC, Lagosians would have been suffering by now.

It is sad that money that should be used for other things is being pumped into pipelines repairs because thieves continue to vandalise our common asset. As repair works progress, the economy suffers, man-hours are wasted in search of fuel, commuters are forced to pay more and food prices also go up.

We may always try to blame the NNPC for all our oil woes. At this time, I think we should tell ourselves the truth. The job of the NNPC is not just about burst pipelines. And we should also not restrict their intervention to fire brigade approach. I am sure with the Petroleum Intervention Bill (PIB), oil business will eventually turn out to be good business.

•Aburime is a Lagos- based accountant.

Outage: PHCN Apapa apologises to customers HE Apapa Business Unit of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Lagos State has apologised to customers under its network who are experiencing power outage as a result of serious damage to transmission equipment.

In a statement the Public Relations Officer of the unit, Mrs. Bola Kujore, blamed the outage on an explosion on the 33KVA switch gear at Amuwo-Odofin.

She said the 33KVA switch gear

T

at Amuwo-Odofin on the 132/33 KVA line had caused serious damage to transmission equipments.

She listed Ajeromi, Ajegunle, Amukoko and neighbourhood as the areas that are affected by the outage.

She said PHCN team of engineers and technicians are working to ensure restoration of power in the affected areas adding that management regrets any inconvenience the outage might have caused the affected customers.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

53

NEWS Two Nigerian films make FESPACO

‘How three-man gang attacked Mali-bound soldiers’

By Victor Akande

K

OGI State Commissioner of Police Mohammed Katsina has said a threeman gang was behind last Saturday’s attack on the convoy of Mali-bound soldiers at Abobo village on OkeneLokoja Road.

The commissioner spoke to reporters in Lokoja yesterday.

According to him, the high capacity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) used by the suspects was manufactured less than 24 hours before the attack.

Katsina said the soldiers were travelling on a chartered civilian luxury buses to their destination when they were attacked by the hoodlums.

He said no arrest has been made by the police.

According to him, soldiers and men of the State Security Service (SSS) would meet in a few days’ time to analyse and collate their findings on the incident.

Katsina said the police were making progress to arrest the suspects, adding that the state remained one of the most peaceful in the nation, despite the incident.

Two soldiers were killed and five injured in the attack, which occurred on Saturday.

The soldiers were travelling in a convoy of two luxury buses when they were attacked about 6:30 am.

Expended shells of AK 47 rifles and one active IED were recovered from the scene, Katsina said.

Adeboye kicks against same sex marriage

A

•Vicar, All Saints’ Church, Montogomery, Yaba, Lagos, Ven. Feyi Ojelabi (second right); Mrs. Leila Fowler (left); Dr. J. J. Ladipo; and his elder sister, Pastor J. Kayode Ladipo, after the 10th anniversary of the death of Ms Felicia Bose Ladipo... at the weekend.

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Security defuses explosive on Kano road

HE special anti-bomb squad of the police yesterday defused an explosive device planted on the Murtala Muhammed Way, Kano, near a bank.

According to sources, the device was dropped by the roadside close to the bank.

There was panic but normalcy was later restored.

Contrary to the reports credited to the Kano State Deputy Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, an engineer, that some suspects were arrested in connection with last Saturday’s attack on the Emir

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Joint Task Force (JTF) said yesterday in Kano that no arrest had been made.

Ganduje was quoted in the media as saying that some arrests were made following the Emir’s attack in which three of his palace guards, his

driver and an Interim Management Officer (IMO) of the Kumbotso Local Government were killed.

Spokesman of the 3 Brigade, Kano and media coordinator of the JTF, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, told our reporter on the phone yesterday that he was not aware of the arrest of the suspects.

Kwara ACN, Saraki trade words over govt’s programmes

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HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has frowned at same sex marriage in some countries.

He said the practice should not be allowed in Nigeria.

Adeboye, at the New Year thanksgiving by the Joint Christian Mission of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, said same sex marriage was capable of wiping out human race within 20 years.

The cleric, who described same sex marriage as anathema to God’s will and instruction, said the will of God for human being is to be fruitful, replenish and multiply on earth.

He said anything contrary to God’s will for mankind is devilish.

He said: “How can a man who marries a fellow man produce a child and how can a woman who marries a woman produce a child? If this evil is allowed to stay, there will not be new born babies again in the world.

“As the older generation dies, would there be new generation to succeed? Even plants and animals have new generations to succeed them. So those indulging in the act should repent and turn to God.” Adeboye, who prayed for peace and stability in the country, urged Nigerians to walk in the ways of God this year and shun all evil acts which may influence the wrath of God on the nation.

He also advised Nigerians to walk in the light of God and forsake acts that are traceable to darkness.

•Emir’s attack: Agencies debunk arrest

He said: “As I speak to you, no arrest has been made. If there are arrests, we would have informed you.”

Iweha said the incident was being investigated.

Commissioner of Police Mr. Ibrahim Idris said the command was investigating the attack and would brief reporters at the appropriate time.

He said: “It will be premature to comment on the incident now, especially as investigation is on. As soon as arrests are made, we will let you know.”

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

•Dr Saraki

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HE former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has challenged opposition parties in the state to come up with ideas capable of enhancing development rather than dissipating energy on unprofitable criticisms of the government.

He said: “The opposition parties should partake in the development of the state by complementing government’s efforts at adding values to the lives of the populace.”

But the Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, Kayode Olawepo, described Saraki’s statement as another acknowledgment of the well established brand of politics, which the people of Kwara have been subjected to for 40 years.

Olawepo said: “We think the former governor is entitled to his views, however self-contradicting and flawed such opinions are. In the first place, as a senator representing Kwara Central, what in real terms have been his contributions to his senatorial district? As a former governor, what were his contributions to the socio-

economic development of the Kwara people?

“If his personal contributions can only be measured in terms of how many bags of rice or semovita he distributed to those impoverished by his brand of politics, then we leave him to the verdict of history. That fits perfectly into the politics played over the past 40 years, the outcome of which is the state’s appalling poverty rate.

“Rather, it is a brand of politics that practises and encourages dependency, giving paltry sums to people and Greek gifts and improvising an en-

T

tire populace to enrich a few.

That is the kind of politics we seek to end in this country. We believe in politics that creates opportunity for everyone and promotes equality, merit and excellence.

“Besides, was Saraki expecting the opposition to take after their own style of politics where every donation or philanthropy is announced in the media? Was he expecting the opposition to call a news briefing to announce holiday coaching for students, education scholarships or economic empowerment? No, we don’t subscribe to such politics because the less privileged need

not suffer the twin humiliation of state-imposed poverty and the one of showing their faces or names to the world in the guise of philanthropy! And ultimately, we believe politics should be about teaching people how to fish and not in buying them fish from the funds that belong to them.”

The ACN said it remained “fully committed to the aspirations of our people for better life for all based on the principles of equal opportunity for growth and development to all, free education, free medical services, improved infrastructure and employment generation.”

Man hangs self in Bauchi

HE police in Bauchi yesterday said they have identified a young man who hanged himself last week in Bauchi, as Mr. James Ishaku, 25, from Alkaleri Local Government.

Police spokesman Abbas Abdullahi told reporters that the police have begun investigation into the incident to know why the deceased hanged himself.

He said: “The Federal Highway Patrol Team (police) saw the corpse dangling from a tree branch at Wuntin-Dada ward on the Bauchi-Jos Road on the outskirts of the town and reported at the GRA Police Station in Bauchi.”

According to Abdullahi, the GRA police took the corpse to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

He said anybody found to be associated with the death of Ishaku would be punished.

It was learnt that a copy of the Holy Bible was found on

him.

The police also found three photographs that showed a smiling Ishaku being baptised by a cleric on September 1 last year, with jubilant relatives and friends at the background.

Dasuki’s wife buried in Kaduna

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HE remains of Hajiya Goggo-Jabbo, wife of the former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, were buried in Kaduna yesterday according to Islamic rites.

Family sources said Goggo-Jabbo, 75, died at the National Hospital, Abuja on Sunday, after a brief illness.

She is survived by her husband and three children.

The Chief Imam of Yahya Road Jumma’at Mosque, Malam Hassan Yahya, led the prayers for the repose of her soul.

Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau and Dr. Ahmad Gummi were among the personalities at the funeral.

Also present were the Deputy Governors of Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger and Sokoto states as well as Senators Muhammadu Magoro and Ahmed Yerima.

FRICA’S longestrunning film festival, Festival of Pan Africa Cinema (FESPACO), has shortlisted two Nigerian films to contest, each, in the 35mm and video format categories. The films: One Man Show by Newton Aduaka and Heroes and Zeroes by Niji Akanni, are part of the 102 films short-listed for the 10-day festival, which runs from February 23 to March 3, 2013.

Aduaka’s film, shot on 35mm, a celluloid format for feature films, will be competing for the Etalon D’or, the festival’s top prize alongside South Africa’s film, How To Steal 2 Million among others. The Etalon D’or is reserved exclusively for films in that professional standard. Akanni’s film on the other hand, starring veteran actor, Bimbo Manuel, Akin Lewis and Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari, will be slugging it out in the video category.

Man attacks son with pressing iron From Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

A

49-YEAR-OLD headteacher of Local Government Secondary School, Oshokoshoko, Lokoja, Mr. Christopher Ogbeun, was yesterday arrested by the Kogi State Police Command for allegedly attacking his 10- year-old son, Stephen, with a hot pressing iron.

Ogbeun said he attacked his son with a hot pressing iron because he destroyed his vital documents.

Police Commissioner Mohammed Musa Katsina, while parading the suspect before reporters at the Police Command headquarters in Lokoja, said but for the quick intervention of the men of the Special Ambush Squad, the head teacher would have killed his son.

According to him, the police caught the suspect red handed as he tied up the boy’s hand, closed his mouth and used the hot pressing iron to attack him.

He said the suspect would be charged to court for unlawful detention, inflicting injuries on the boy and attempted murder.

At the State Specialists Hospital, Lokoja, where Stephen is receiving treatment, relations were in a pensive mood, praying for his recovery.

Efforts to speak with the hospital authority were unsuccessful.

Speaking with reporters at the Police Command headquarters, the suspect admitted that he committed the offence.

He said he discovered that the boy had destroyed a letter of approval from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and he asked him why, but he refused to own up.

“When I asked him to tell me the truth, he refused and I used pressing iron to attack him,” the head teacher said.

54

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-1-13

Profit-taking depresses equities

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HE Nigerian stock market closed yesterday with a drop of 0.27 per cent, implying a loss of N27 billion due largely to investors who were seeking to lock in recent capital gains.

The main market index, the All Share Index (ASI) dropped by 84.63 points to close lower at 30,842.54 points while aggregate market value of all equities declined by N27 billion also to close lower at N9.866 trillion.

Against anticipated uptrend based on previous statistics, a handful of heavy weights stocks collapsed to sell pressure. This was caused by profiteering activities of traders. Major casualties here were GT Bank, Guinness, Cadbury, Zenith Bank and Nigerian Breweries with price drop of 1.45 per cent, 1.37 per cent, 1.52 per cent, 1.79 per cent and 3.47 per cent respectively.

In spite of the downtrend, bullish sentiments dominated market transactions.

By Tonia Osundolire

This was highlighted by the growth of 32.20 per cent recorded by the total volume of shares transacted (from 534.642 million to 706.803 million) and the gainers outnumbering the losers table.

The over 700 million shares traded at N3.701 billion were exchanged in 6,089 deals. Financial Services sector retained the lead with 588.170 million shares worth N2.347 billion in 3,750 deals.

This was followed by Consumer Goods with 67.694 million shares worth N932.490 million in 992 deals.

Others with relatively high volumes were Industrial Goods, Conglomerates, Oil & Gas, Services, Agriculture and Healthcare with 12.224 million shares, 11.665 million shares, 10.716 million shares, 5.954 million shares, 4.671 million shares and 3.724 million shares respectively.

Price movement tables re-

flected a total of 102 equities traded on. Forty-five stocks closed flat without positive or negative changes, 33 recorded appreciation while the remaining 24 stocks reduced their share values. On every decliner, advanced stocks appreciated at the rate of 1.32.

Leading the gainers table was International Breweries with price increase of N1.75 to close at N19.75. This stock has been riding on a lot of positive sentiments one of which is the online analysis of being one of the three stocks which emerged as the best in Africa. Unity Bank followed with a gain of N0.05 to close at N0.57.

Others on the list were Presco, NASCON, Sterling Bank, Oando, Wapco, Skye Bank, Dangote Sugar and Japaul Oil with N2.15, N0.87, N0.23, N1.00, N4.00, N0.33, N0.38 and N0.03.

On the losers table, UACProperty led with a drop of N1.60 to close at N14.40 followed by Dangote Flour with a drop of N0.49 to close at N8.30. Also on the table were Morison, Portpaint, John Holt, Beta Glass, Africa Prudential Registrars, Cutix, Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Nigerian Breweries.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-1-13

TH

55

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

MONEY LINK Sybrin Systems, Proactive ‘BPP saves N400b in one year’ Technologies partner on e-payment S D IRECTOR-GENERAL of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Emeka Ezeh, said the agency has reduced the cost of contracts in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by over N400 billion in the last one year.

Speaking in an interview in Lagos, on the sidelines of retreat for federal permanent secretaries, he explained that through engagement programmes organised by the bureau, public officials are now com-

By Collins Nweze and Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

ing to the realisation that public funds should be spent with care as well as a high sense of responsibility.

He said the BPP achieved the feat after consolidating its core role as the ombudsman of public procurement, even as it has not relented in encouraging prudence in public expenditure.

He explained that barely five years after the public procurement Act, 2007 became law, the

provided a level playing field for all strata of bidders in the public contracting system, even as new entrants have been on the increase.

Ezeh said: “The space of participation has been widened through our insistence on open competitive bidding process. The implementation of the Procurement Act has provided channels for complaints. Public officials are now beginning to see public funds as monies to be spent with care, and with high sense of responsibility”.

bureau has continued to consolidate charting of new paths in institutionalising methods in public contracting process.

The BPP boss explained further that steps have been taken to build capacity in procurement research and survey, affirming that it has culminated in the setting up of a public procurement research centre established at the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), in Owerri, Imo State.

He explained that the operations of the bureau have

Sterling Bank’s staff embark on environmental sanitation

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VER 500 staff of Sterling Bank at the weekend, embarked on environmental cleanup exercise at Obalende roundabout and its environs. The workers, led by the bank’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Abubakar Suleiman were also supported by 50 other workers of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

Addressing newsmen at the centre, Suleiman said the workers are trying to encourage people across the country to take cleanliness very seriously. “We have been able to clean the entire Obalende, the whole of the business areas in the roundabout, filling stations, all the residential areas and on top of the bridge. We are encouraging everybody to join us in cleaning up the

country. We have been supporting the LAWMA and other agencies responsible for cleaning up the country for many years,” he said.

According to him, government agencies cannot clean the country alone. They need support from corporate organisations and individuals. He said that cleanliness is an important aspect of the society which people should embark on.

“We must encourage people to pick up the idea of cleanliness. By coming out ourselves, bringing our friends and customers to join in cleaning up Lagos show how serious we are taking the exercise. We decided to start with Obalende, which is one of the dirtiest areas presently

on the Island,” he said.

He said the bank management is pleased with the commitment the staff have shown during the exercise.

“We are very pleased with their commitment. As an institution, we have always encouraged our staff in this line. This is just one of the many things we do to support the society,” he said.

He said the bank is going to reach out to other responsible corporate organistions in the country on the need to promote the culture of cleanliness. He said the firms need to, in their own environment, lead social cleaning.

Regional Coordinator, Highway Sanitation, LAWMA, Onigbajo Tolani said one of the group’s

organisational support has come from Sterling Bank.

He said LAWMA staff is only partnering with the bank’s staff to ensure that the exercise goes on as expected.

‘Budget discipline key to fiscal mgt’

K

ANO State government has expressed its commitment to entrenching budget discipline, prudence and financial management of the state’s resources for the benefit of its citizens.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner on Budget and Planning, Alhaji Yusuf Bello Danbatta at the opening of a two-day workshop tagged: Budget Process And Management, which com-

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 21-1-13

SYMBOL INTBREW UNITYBNK PRESCO NASCON STARLNBANK OANDO WAPCO SKYEBANK DANGSUGAR JAPAULOIL

O/PRICE 18.00 0.52 22.50 9.70 2.82 14.90 61.00 5.65 7.42 0.60

C/PRICE 19.75 0.57 24.65 10.57 3.05 15.90 65.00 5.98 7.80 0.63

CHANGE 1.75 0.5 2.15 0.87 0.23 1.00 4.00 0.33 0.38 0.03

O/PRICE

UAC-PROP DANGFLOUR MORISON PORTPAINT JOHNHOLT BETAGLAS AFRIPRUD CUTIX STANBIC NB

16.00 8.79 2.85 4.30 2.28 10.50 1.52 1.52 12.51 158.50

C/PRICE 14.40 8.30 2.71 4.09 2.17 10.00 1.45 1.45 12.02 153.00

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

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

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 137.94 133.59 0.80 1.14 0.95 100.00 1,000.00 1,777.37 13.64 1.39 1.87 10,221.03

9.08 1.00 137.54 133.51 0.78 1.14 0.95 100.00 1,000.00 1,776.74 12.797 1.33 1.80 9,926.97

• KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor

NSE CAP Index

Name

CHANGE 1.60 0.49 0.14 0.21 0.11 0.50 0.07 0.07 0.49 5.50

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 21-1-13

SYMBOL

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

menced yesterday in Kano.

“It is the initiative of this government to create enabling environment and continue to build on the capacity of its workers for better and quality public service delivery,” he said.

He said that the state government is exploring ways to finance developmental projects in the state.

He noted that the state is also collaborating with the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) to achieve the objective.

He appealed to participants to make proper application of principles of the workshop reminding them that they were selected based on their assigned responsibilities of their ministries on budget matters.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

YBRIN Systems Limited, a software technology firm based in South Africa is collaborating with Proactive Technologies Limited, a Nigerian firm, to ensure adequate implementation of cheque truncation in commercial banks.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Sales Manager, Sybrin Systems Limited, Daniel Parreira, said the firm has been providing automated cheque truncation and other payment solutions amongst Africa’s leading banks, clearing houses and corporations. He said the firm provides solutions such as automated front-office image-based voucher processing, imaging and workflow, mobile banking, document management and statement solutions.

He said the firm is currently doing a pilot scheme in many of the banks and will also be discussing with the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) on its operations. According to him, the firm has also assisted other African countries in migrating into an improved cheque truncation system and is committed to achieving same feat in the country.

General Manager, Proactive Technologies, Roland Obe, said both firms are discussing with commercial banks on how to achieve a seamless execution of the exercise. He said the exercise is in line with the Payment System Vision 2020 being championed by the CBN to revamp the payment system to benchmark it against global best practices. He said the exercise is aimed at achieving a significant reduction in the clearing periods for cheques by banks to T+1 and promoting the use of e-banking tools especially Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (PoS) terminals.

According to him, cheque truncation entails that clearing cycle will reduce by one day, such that a customer can deposit a cheque early on Monday and value is obtained on Wednesday as against Thursday same week.

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 22, 2013

57

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

NEWS

Ezu River: Three bodies for autopsy

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HE police as well as the Anambra and Enugu state governments will today carry out an autopsy on the bodies found in the Ezu River at the boundary of the two states.

Eighteen bodies were recovered by divers on Sunday.

Anambra State Police Commissioner Bala Nassarawa announced this yesterday at the launch of the code of conduct for officers and men.

He said: “Of the bodies evacuated, only three were selected for autopsy because the remaining had decomposed.

“All the bodies evacuated were males. There were no women or children.

“We have discovered that there were no gun injuries or matchet cuts on the bodies as being speculated.

“The bodies were not up to 30 or 50 as rumoured.”

He said the Commissioner

•Enugu govt yet to visit site Governor Peter Obi for •18 evacuated State drilling a borehole for the From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

of Police (Medicals), the Commissioner for Health and pathologists from the two states would be involved in the autopsy.

Nassarawa said investigations were still on going.

The commissioner said two persons were arrested on January 19 in connection with the kidnap and assassination of Lazarus Anyanwu, a protocol officer to the Imo State Deputy Governor.

He said the police were still investigating the matter.

In a related development, the member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency, Emeka Nwogbo, praised Anambra

people to prevent outbreak of epidemic from the contaminated River.

Two days after the discovery of the bodies, the Enugu State Government is yet to visit the area for possible intervention.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Chuks Ugwoke, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday that he was yet to be briefed on the matter. ``The truth is that I do not know what to tell you because I cannot start talking without being adequately informed about the matter. ``I am not sure that Anambra has contacted us on what to do about the matter.

“We will issue a statement

when I am duly informed,'' he said.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Charles Ajah, also told NAN that the issue of providing drinking water to the people required the approval of top government officials.

“The provision of alternative source of water requires money and I have not been directed on that.

“It is only the higher authority in the state that can make that happen.

“The only temporary alternative source of water I think the state can give is the provision of water tankers to supply water to the people.

“The government cannot provide another river for them.

“As long as the river is flowing, it will purify itself. Sooner than later, the water will be safe for drinking,” Ajah said.

Adeboye visits Ebonyi today From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

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BAKALIKI, the Ebonyi State capital, is wearing a new look as members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) are expecting their General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, today.

The headquarters of the church at Democracy Estate by the Abakaliki/Enugu Expressway is being decorated and the surrounding roads rehabilitated.

During the one-day visit, Adeboye will dedicate the Ebonyi provincial headquarters secretariat and the church building.

A statement by the Chairman, Publicity Committee for the visit, Pastor Daniel Dominic, said the General Overseer would preside over a state-wide gospel crusade entitled: “The Miracle Rally” at the Abakaliki Township Stadium.

Three injured in Ebonyi clash

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HREE people were injured in Okue Community, Ivo Local

Government of Ebonyi State, following a clash between two factional leadership of the Okue Community Development Union.

An eyewitness, Ifeanyi Orji, said: “Our Chairman, Alexander Ajah, who was recently ‘shot’ by the police and has been in custody, was released.

“There was jubilation in the community but some

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

miscreants who are not happy that he returned attacked us.

“They came with guns, machetes and other weapons, three people were injured.

“Some people who do not like Ajah’s leadership style have been fighting to ensure his removal but the community has stood against all their plots.”

Court to try APGA factional chair for ‘forgery’ From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

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•Obi speaking when he visited the Ezu River...yesterday. With him are Nassarawa (third left)and other government officials

Petrol tanker accident in Anambra

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RAGEDY was averted yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital, when a loaded petrol tanker fell at the Esther Obiakor Junction without bursting into flames.

The accident also involved five other vehicles.

Over 50 security officers from the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the military and the State Security Service (SSS) were involved in the ensuing rescue operation.

•Survivors: God saved us From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

An eye witness said at 7.55am, a Coca-Cola truck was coming from the Enugu end of the road and stopped at the junction.

“The tanker driver was speeding and wanted to avoid ramming into the truck.

“He tried to manoeuvre but couldn’t. The truck fell immediately; other vehicles coming behind hit it. Thank God

there was no fire .”

A victim, John Mc Samuel, who drove a Toyota Camry from Enugu State, said only God saved him.

Another survivor, Chukwuemeka Ekwue, who drove a bus, said God is merciful.

He said: “I was coming back from where I went to supply sachet water and at the junction, we stopped for other vehicles to pass when the tanker came from no-

where and fell on my vehicle.

“In fact, I cannot say how it happened. Honestly, this calls for celebration and thanksgiving, God saved many lives yesterday.”

The Secretary to the State Government, Oseloka Obaze, lamented the recklessness of drivers on the highway.

Commissioner for Transport Chike Ohamobi confiscated the Jerry cans of some motorcyclists and drivers, who were scooping fuel from the tanker.

Youths protest kidnapping, killing in Imo

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HERE was tension in Owerri, the Imo State capital, yesterday as over 2,000 youths marched on the streets to protest the increasing rate of kidnapping, ritual killing and other crimes.

The protest, which started around 9am, grounded movement on major streets, especially around the Government House.

Security men prevented the youths from entering the Government House and the Police Headquarters.

The protesters, who wore black shirts, however, were not deterred as they sang anti-police songs.

Their leader, Emeka Ohasiri, said the protest, tagged

•They want to embarrass us, say police From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

“Black Monday”, was a peaceful walk through Owerri to create awareness on the insecurity in the state.

He said: “We’re trying to register our displeasure over the killing, arson, robbery and kidnapping and we want to bring it to the notice of the government because we can no longer keep quiet.

“There is no family in Imo that has not been affected. We are all victims of this security collapse.

“We want to be reassured that those responsible for these

crimes will be brought to book, especially those who killed the Protocol Officer to the Deputy Governor, Laz Anyanwu.”

The youths, who were angered by the refusal of the Commissioner of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta, to address them, barricaded the road leading to the Command Headquarters.

They carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Youths say no to further kidnapping and killing of our people”; “Our state is turning into a killing field, we demand a stop to this madness”; “Expose the kid-

nappers and ritual killers now”and “Government should give us security in the state”, among others.

Police spokesman Vitalis Onugu denied the insinuation that the police were not doing enough to curb crime in the state.

He said: “After all the command has done to reduce crime, it is malicious to say we have not done anything.

“We believe the protest is sponsored to smear the image of the police.

“What have they done to assist the police? Have they volunteered any credible information that was not followed up by the police to arrest criminals and kidnappers?”

Federal Capital Territory High Court has fixed March 18 for the arraignment of the factional National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sadeeq Masalla.

He is facing an 11-count charge of forgery of the signatures of some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Refusing the application to quash the charge against him, Justice Peter Kekemeke held that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Masalla.

The court said there is a nexus between the accused and the offences for which he was charged.

Justice Kekemeke said: “The court has jurisdiction to try the case and there is nexus between the accused and the offences for which he is being charged.

“The claim that there is no nexus is false and holds no water as the prosecution met all the conditions for the grant of the leave to prefer charges against the accused.

“The leave was granted in accordance with the law. There is a prima facie case against the accused and he is properly charged before the honourable court.”

The judge directed Masalla’s counsel, Tochukwu Onwubufor (SAN), to ensure that his client is present in court on March 18.

APGA leadership under Chief Victor Umeh had on June 21 suspended its Deputy National Chairman (North) , Sadeeq Massalla and National Vice Chairman (Southeast), Morgan Anyalechi, for alleged anti-party activities.

Also suspended are Sunday Obasohan (Deputy National Organising Secretary), Bala Bako (Deputy National Legal Adviser), Ferguson Opara (National Youth Leader) and Mrs Ella Nwabueze Ezeanya (National Women’s Leader).

Police kill three robbery suspects

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WO ‘robbery kingpins’, identified as Ikechukwu Okeagu alias o/c torture and Ezechukwu Nwosu, were killed by the police in Enugu yesterday.

The two had been on the wanted list of security operatives for various robberies and car snatching.

They met their waterloo alongside another of their associate whose identity could not be ascertained.

It was gathered that operatives of Uwani Police received a distress call at 1730hrs at Ekwueme axis of Uwani in Enugu South Local Government.

Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said the robbers engaged the police in a gun fight where they were shot.

“The hoodlums were arrested with injuries and were later rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

“They were confirmed dead

From Chris Oji, Enugu

by the doctor on duty. Their bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.

“Recovered from the hoodlums are two locally made pistols with some expended ammunitions.”

Vehicle owners warned

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HE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned and accident vehicles parked at Ipakodo and Ejigbo Divisions to remove them or lose them to members of the public through auction, after 21 days of this publication.

The vehicles are Adudi car 9984AAA, Toyota Yaris DM538APP, Opel Salon car CA234ABJ, Toyota Corolla panel van CG547 LSR and LT 35 Volkwagon Bus Commercial colour XC268JBD.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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NEWS Blame govt for attack on Kano emir, say NLC, Buhari G OVERNMENT yesterday got the knocks over Saturday’s gun attack on Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero.

But President Goodluck Jonathan vowed to apprehend perpetrators.

The octogenarian monarch escaped the attack but his driver, three bodyguards and a local government chairman were killed. His car was riddled with bullets.

The emir and two of his two sons, who were among the injured in the attack travelled to Britain for medical attention on Sunday.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the attack showed that government has been unable to address the nation’s security challenge in spite of all assurances.

Former Head of State and National Leader of the Congress for Progressive (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, expressed disappointment over attack on the emir which he described as intolerable. He said government should be blamed.

A statement in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of the CPC Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said: “Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is horrified by the armed attack on the convoy of the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ado Bayero and has expressed sympathy on the loss of lives therein.

“The portent of this latest security challenge is: the Nigerian state is not just under an ominous cloud of insecurity but all the citizens are also victims.

“This is indeed one attack too many! Let it be stated that inse-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja and Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

curity of lives and property in any clime is a measure of its level of development. This aptly explains why the Constitution in section 14, places security and welfare of the people on the government.

“As Citizens, we look forward to the time that this cloud of insecurity shall be lifted and all Nigerians (of whatever religious persuasion and ethnic extraction) shall be free to pursue happiness and living anywhere under the nation-space in tranquil setting.”

The NLC said the attack exposed “the lie in the claim by the Federal Government that its security agencies have been able to curtail the activities of violent extremists.”

Acting General Secretary Comrade Chris Uyot, NLC said the attack has once again questioned the efficacy of security in the country and brings to the fore the urgent need for the reorganisation of Nigeria’s internal security system, to curb growing violent militant activities.

The Congress said Kano, being a major industrial city in the northern part of the country is very strategic to the Nigerian economy and polity, and should therefore not be allowed to be held hostage by violent groups.

It added: “While condemning these incessant attacks, we reiterate our commitment to di-

alogue, national peace and unity, and call on those responsible for these spate of violence and spectre of fear to reflect on the monumental and devastating damages their attacks have inflicted on the economy, and ultimately the negative impact on our collective future.” said NLC. The Presidency yesterday vowed not to succumb to the threat of terrorism.

It assured Nigerians that security agencies would ensure that the perpetrators of last Saturday attack on the Emir are identified and brought to book.

A statement by Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati reads: “Once again, terrorism reared its ugly head when gunmen attacked the revered Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero on Saturday 19 January 2013. The unfortunate incident which led to the regrettable death of three persons including three of his security guards and his driver underscores the continuing need for collective vigilance to defeat the scourge of terrorism which has crept into our environment.

“While we condemn this in the strongest possible terms, this once again underlines the senselessness of terrorism in all its ramifications.

“While we reiterate our determination to address all genuine grievances in the national polity, we want to emphasize that the Federal Government of Nigeria will not succumb to the threat of terrorism and utter disregard

‘He deserves the judgment’ Continued from page 2

•Gen. Buhari

for human lives by purveyors of violence.

“President Jonathan commiserates with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, and assures Nigerians that the security agencies will do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are identified, and brought to justice according to the laws of the land.”

Troops on alert Continued from page 2

thing”.

He advised those who feel aggrieved by Okah’s fate to be “sensible with their actions”, hinting that any threat to the peace and security of the region would attract the full weight of the task force’s swift and decisive action.

The JTF image-maker noted that no genuine former activist would take up arms on behalf of Okah, noting that the Federal Government has shown its sincerity to the development of the region through the amnesty programme.

heinous crimes than Okah?

What about the others?”

Adie recalled that President Jonathan had accused some opposition figures as the masterminds of the 50th Independence Day anniversary bombing. He wondered at what point the Presidency and the South African government zeroed in on Okah as the mastermind.

“The issue of security and justice in this will continue to linger, until we have a truly detribalised leader. Right now nobody is interested in the true cause of insecurity in the country,” he added.

Ikeja NBA chairman Onyekachi Ubani, called for the overhauling of Nigeria’s justice system for speedy dispensation of criminal cases.

Ubani told NAN that the major lesson Nigeria should learn from Okah’s conviction was how to fast track the dispensation of justice in its legal system.

He described the Nigeria justice system as slow, ineffective and inefficient to meet the wishes and aspirations of the people.

“Former Delta State Governor James Ibori was jailed by a United Kingdom court, whereas the crime was committed in Nigeria.

“Now, Okah has been convicted by a South African court for an offence also committed in Nigeria.

“This shows that there is something fundamentally wrong with our criminal justice system and it needs to be overhauled”, Ubani said.

“His brother and some other persons were arrested and arraigned for the same offence in Nigeria but the matter is still proceeding at a very slow pace,” Ubani said.

He added: “We have a lot of agencies responsible for combating terrorism in Nigeria, but these agencies need to wake up to their duties.

“We should not allow terrorists to take over our country and the only way to do that is to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

In a statement, its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Director of Media Affairs, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said: “The conviction calls for deeper retrospection and introspection and definitely represents the clearest indictment so far of the near-moribund Nigeria’s judicial court system that has consistently failed to execute the constitutionally-guaranteed role enshrined in section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended)”.

HURIWA added: “The other day, former Governor of Delta state Mr. James Ibori was convicted in the United Kingdom for fraudulently amassing wealth from the public till whilst he presided over for eight years as the governor of Delta state even when a specially-created Federal High Court, Asaba division found him not guilty of these huge and monumental crimes against the state”.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 22, 2013

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NEWS accuses politicians of Cross River governorship poll: Appeal Bayelsa sponsoring kidnap Court to decide on jurisdiction T

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HE Appeal Court in Calabar, Cross River State, which is hearing the appeal of the governorship election of last February 25, is to decide whether it has jurisdiction to hear the appeal by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate, Pastor Usani Usani.

ACN and Usani are challenging the ruling of the Justice Ishaq Bello-led Tribunal in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Governor Liyel Imoke.

This followed an application by the PDP that the ACN appeal had elapsed after the mandatory 60 days assigned by law for the hearing and determination of such appeal.

The ACN said Justice Bello erred in his judgment of July 17, last year, that Imoke won the election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ACN appealed the

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

judgment and claimed that the former Acting President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Dalhatu Adamu, failed to set up an appeal panel.

However, on January 7, the new PCA, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, issued a hearing notice and directed the Appeal Court in Calabar to entertain the appeal.

This led the Justice Mohammed Garba-led court to begin hearing on January 15.

The Court adjourned till January 18 because counsel to first appellate (INEC), Lazarus Izabi-Undie complained that he was not served the application.

Izabi-Undie urged the court to dismiss the case for purportedly being time barred because it had outlived the mandatory 60 days for hearing and determination.

‘They contended that the issue of time in the matter is akin to a regulation time and not a calendar, where cases of infringement are not counted as part of the mandatory time schedule for the determination of the matter.’

The INEC’s counsel cited Section 285(7) of the Electoral Act, stating that the matter is time barred.

PDP’s counsel Effefion Ekong agreed with IzabiUndie and counsel to the fourth respondent (Imoke).

Izabi-Undie and counsel to second appellant Prof.

Tony Ukam held that the dereliction of the PCA cannot be used to punish the

appellant.

They contended that the issue of time in the matter is akin to a regulation time and not a calendar, where cases of infringement are not counted as part of the mandatory time schedule for the determination of the matter.

Ukam held that in law where a judicial officer or the court displays brazen dereliction to a litigation, his/her dereliction cannot be used as punishment for the petitioner/appellant.

The appellants’ counsel urged the court to discountenance the application of the respondents and hear the matter on its merit.

Justice Mohammed Garba held that since the matter was a challenge on the jurisdiction of the court, it was pertinent that the court rule on the issue before considering the option of whether or not to hear the substantive suit holistically.

He announced that counsel will be communicated the date of the ruling.

HE Bayelsa State Government has accused some politicians of sponsoring kidnapping in the state.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the government said their aim is not only to scare away investors and stall development, but also to make the state ungovernable.

The statement reads: “Governor Seriake Dickson has not only given top priority to security, he has also shown enough political will in protecting life and property.

“Indeed, it is clear to all that this government has been able to turn around Bayelsa State from a haven of cultism, violence and criminality to a state that is clearly adjudged as one of the most peaceful and stable states.

“The passage of the enabling law by government entitled: Bayelsa State Secret Cult, Kidnapping and Similar offences Prohibition Law 2012, makes it possible to effectively prosecute criminals who run foul of this law.

“To this end, the Government of Bayelsa State wishes to warn anyone who runs, intends or is induced to run foul of this law.

“The law will run its course on any one or group of persons involved, directly or indirectly in crime and criminality in line with the provisions of the law, irrespective of their status.

“Let it be stated that there will be no sacred cow in the enforcement of law and order. The era of playing politics with security matters is gone.”

Rivers ACN urges probe

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State has called on the members of the House of Assembly to investigate the allegations against Governor Rotimi Amaechi by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe.

The minister had alleged that Amaechi was using state’s resources to bribe Nigerians.

The party, through its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, yesterday in Port Harcourt, reacted to the faceoff between Amaechi and Orubebe, on the dualisation of the East-West Road.

ACN said it was unfortunate, regrettable and profane for Amaechi to engage

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

in a war of words with Orubebe.

It said ‘the war’ had exposed Amaechi’s political immaturity and lack of what to do with his time and resources.

The party said: “Rather than take issues with the minister, Amaechi should have a rethink over the grave allegations of using the state’s resources on misplaced priorities and redirect his energies to developing Rivers with the huge resources at his disposal.”

It called on the House to initiate motions to remove Amaechi from office.

Panel for Agric College

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•Youths in Imo State protesting the increasing rate of kidnapping, robbery and crime in Owerri...yesterday •SEE STORY ON PAGE 57

Edo ACN begins sales of nomination forms

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Edo State yesterday began selling nomination forms to aspirants seeking to contest on its platform in the forthcoming local government elections.

The State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed April 20 for the elections.

Many aspirants were at the ACN Secretariat to buy the nomination form for N300,000.

Among the early aspirants, who bought forms yesterday were Godwin Imuodu, Sunny Idahagbon, Itohan Osahon and Umoru Isokhokho.

Imoudu, who is aspiring for the Chairman of Owan East Local Government, promised to tackle poverty and encourage communal services.

He said he would consolidate democracy at the grassroots as well create microcredit for farmers, women

Confusion in Edo PDP

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IRECTOR of Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State Okharedia Ihimekpen yesterday gave a damning verdict on the decision of the party to contest in the April 20 local government elections.

He said: “The PDP can never win any election again in the state. I stand to be proved wrong.”

Ihimekpen, in a statement yesterday, said his call for a boycott of the election was an advice to all parties based on information available to him and not a position of the PDP. From Osagie Otabor and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

and youth organisations.

The party’s Secretary, Osaro Idah, said the party was impressed with the large turnout of aspirants purchasing the forms.

“We just started selling forms today and the turnout has been very impressive, they have been coming

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

He said the State Publicity Secretary, Matthew Urhoghide, was wrong to say that the office of Director of Publicity has been scrapped.

He said: “It is high time we stopped deceiving the people with the likes of Urhoghide.

What Urhoghide owe Edo PDP is to tell them how many votes he can assure from his polling unit unlike the five votes for PDP and 600 votes ACN recorded in the governorship election.

“He should tell the PDP the strategy and the work done to ensure victory.”

every minute to buy forms and our primaries will be held on February 9 and the party would be fair to all.”

An aspirant from AkokoEdo Local Government, Akin Agbaje, said: “As a former vice chairman and later acting chairman, I have the experience that could move the council to the next level.

“With free and fair prima-

ries, I believe I will clinch the ticket and the position of the ACN as a party is very clear in its preamble.

“I know majority of my party members are with me and I believe i will clinch the ticket.

“The people of AkokoEdo have been yearning for this progressive change in governance and that is what I stand for.”

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday inaugurated a-six man Visitation Panel to the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi.

He urged the panel to examine the structure and efficiency of the management of the school, including issue of acting provost.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who represented the governor, said: “A Visitation Panel suggests a deep crisis and threat to the main objectives of its establishment and continuous functioning of the college.

“The members of this panel have been carefully selected.

They are men of proven intellectual capacity, and moral standing capable of providing government the truth and we trust you cannot be under pressure from any quarter in presenting to government, a clear roadmap to the future”, Ihonvbere stated.

The members are Prof. Sunday Remison, Faculty of Agriculture, Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Eunice Omoregie, Faculty of Education, Ambrose Alli University, Prof.

Kadiri, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Ms Comfort Isirameya, Mrs. Patience Otoghile and Dr. Collins Aibaogun.

Edo traders swear to affidavit

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RADERS selling on Mission Road and its environs in Benin City are to swear to an affidavit, promising to keep the drainage in their areas clean.

The traders had protested to the Government House the sealing of their shops by officials of the Ministry of Environment, led by its Permanent Secretary, Lawrence Loye.

They called for Loye’s removal for locking their shops without reasons.

They carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Save shop owners from the hands of Major Loye.” “We are asked to pay exorbitant prices”.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

But the permanent secretary said the shops were locked because the traders refused to obey the sanitation laws.

He said the traders’ attitude towards sanitation resulted in the blockage of the new drains on Mission Road.

“These people are destroying government property and unless they evacuate the drains and ensure daily cleaning of the business area, we will not open the market.

“Until they come here to sign an undertaking that they will keep the area neat, the shops will remain closed. “

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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FOREIGN Taliban attacks police office EXPLOSIONS and gun fire rang out across central Kabul yesterday morning after a group of Taliban insurgents stormed the headquarters of the city’s traffic police, the second attack on a government office in the Afghan capital in less than a week.

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives at the entrance gate of the traffic police compound. Two or three other attackers then managed to charge inside the main building, armed with machine guns and more explosives, said Mohammad Ayoub Salangi, chief of Kabul Police.

Soldier killed when insurgents hit Afghan security agency office in Kabul Afghan security forces surrounded the area and began an operation to kill the assailants, Salangi said.

More blasts went off and gunfire echoed around the neighborhood, where the offices of several other Afghan government agencies are situated.

Amid the violence, part of the traffic police building caught fire, Salangi said.

The police chief said he didn’t have firm information on casualties but that around 10 people, including six civilians, were believed to have been wounded.

The Taliban claim responsibility for the attack, said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the group.

The bold assault Monday followed a similar Taliban attack last week on the country’s national security agency in which a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden car.

Afghan security forces killed five other insurgents involved in that attack and disarmed a second car bomb.

Algeria siege: 37 foreigners died, says PM

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LGERIA’s Prime Minister has said 37 foreigners of eight nationalities and one Algerian worker were killed during the hostage crisis at a gas plant.

PM Abdelmalek Sellal said 29 of the militants who overran the facility near the desert town of In Amenas had been killed and three captured alive.

The militants included 11 Tunisians, two Canadians, and others, he said.

The four-day siege ended at the weekend when Algerian troops recaptured the site. Five hostages are still missing.

Japan on Monday said seven of its nationals had

been killed and three others remained missing.

US officials confirmed that three Americans were among the dead, with seven survivors.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said thee Britons had been killed, with three others missing and presumed dead.

He said the hostage crisis highlighted the need for a “strong security response” matched by an “intelligent political response”.

The foreigners killed or still missing also include workers from France, Norway, Malaysia, the Philippines and Romania.

Sellal praised the decision

by Algerian special forces to

storm the site, adding that the aim of the kidnappers was to “blow up the gas plant”.

“The terrorists also shot some of the hostages in the head, killing them,” he stressed.

The prime minister said the kidnappers had crossed into the country from northern Mali, and that they were from Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Mali, Niger, Canada and Mauritania.

The militants said they had taken hostages in retaliation for French intervention against Islamists in Mali earlier this month.

However, Sellal said the attack on the gas plant had been planned for more than

two months.

Algerian police say it was organised by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a militant leader who recently fell out with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which originated in Algeria but now operates throughout the Sahara and Sahel regions.

The crisis began on Wednesday when militants attacked two buses carrying foreign workers to the remote site in eastern Algeria.

A Briton and an Algerian died in the incident.

The militants then took expatriates hostage at the complex, which was quickly surrounded by the Algerian army.

Mali conflict: French troops ‘seize’ Diabaly, Douentza

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RENCH and Malian troops have seized the key Malian towns of Diabaly and Douentza from militant Islamists, the French defence minister has said.

A BBC reporter in Diabaly says the town bears the scars of conflict, with burnt-out vehicles and chunks of shrapnel strewn on the ground.

Islamist fighters fled Diabaly and Douentza last week after a French bombing campaign started on 11 January.

Egypt’s Islamist President Mohammed Morsi has condemned France’s actions.

“We never accept military intervention in Mali, because this will exacerbate conflict in the region,” he said at an Arab economic summit in Saudi Arabia.

France has sent some 2,000 troops to help Malian forces fight the militants, saying it entered the conflict because the insurgents, in control of the north, were advancing south, threatening to turn Mali into a “terrorist state”.

It has called on the West

African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), to speed up the planned deployment of a force of more than 3,000.

Burnt-out vehicles destroyed by helicopter fire, chunks of shrapnel littering the ground and Malian soldiers picking through the debris - the scars of conflict in the small town of Diabaly.

It is the first town to have been recaptured by French forces on behalf of the Malian government.

A resident said hundreds of Islamists had occupied the town earlier this month, and the Malian army was forced to withdraw when the insurgents used the population as human shields.

It may also be that the Malian army was overwhelmed and needed French help to retake the town.

Amongst all the destruction, there was a bizarre sight - the mayor of Diabaly walking through the sandy streets in a smart suit with his ceremonial sash of office across his chest.

Eritrea: ‘Troops deployed’ in Asmara

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EPORTS from Eritrea say a group of soldiers have surrounded the ministry of information building in the capital, Asmara.

State TV has also reportedly been taken off air in what some have described as a coup attempt.

The city is said to be calm with no shots having been fired.

Eritrea’s government has been criti-

cised by human rights activists as one of the world’s most repressive and closed countries.

The websites of key Eritrean state and ruling party media are currently operating erratically, with the site for the ruling People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) party inaccessible.

A statement has reportedly been read out on state radio and television call-

ing for the implementation of the country’s 1997 constitution.

The UK Foreign Office said that it had received reports of “unusual military movements in and around Asmara”, and noted that local radio and TV appear to have been shut down.

President Isaias Afewerki has ruled the country as a one-party state since independence from neighbouring Ethiopia in 1993

Adefuye, U.S. officials meet

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IGERIA’s Ambassador to the U.S., Prof.

Ade Adefuye yesterday met with U.S. officials to review the seventh Council meeting of the U.S.-Nigeria Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

The North America Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting reviewed the discussions and the outcome of the seventh TIFA meeting held in Abuja last year.

NAN reports that officials at the meeting included the U.S. Trade Representatives, those from the State Department and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Adefuye informed the audience about the key conclusions of the TIFA Council and the work of the Committee on the new Nigeria Trade Policy, which had been submitted to the Minister of Trade and Investment.

The envoy stated that the import substitution policy of the government was to enable the country to be selfsufficient in Agriculture, especially in those crops that it had competitive advantage.

According to him, the policy of ensuring that Nigeria is able to feed itself is a national security issue that cannot be compromised.

Adefuye noted that efforts at encouraging partnership between U.S. companies and Nigerian companies were yielding positive results with more U.S. companies going to invest in Nigeria.

He noted the efforts of the embassy through the Investment Forums on Power Sector, Agriculture, and the Nigeria’s Infrastructure.

“These are yielding very positive results with U.S. companies going to Nigeria to invest,’’ Adefuye stressed.

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Whose job is it to make sure that sex is fun in the bedroom?

Is it the man’s responsibility or the woman’s responsibility?

You see, at the heart of this question lies one of the major relationship problems between men and women, especially among couples who are in a long term relationship. A lot of men complain that their wives and partners contribute nothing in bed. They say women just lay in bed and expect to be pleasured and that getting them to have sex in the first place is a struggle. The women on the other hand believe that it is the man’s job to pleasure them and complain that men are selfish and are only eager to pleasure themselves quickly and leave instead of focusing on giving pleasure to the woman.

Well, the answer to this question is that sex is the responsibility of the man AND woman. Couples should focus on each other; remain dedicated to pleasuring one another and take responsibility for romance and the initiation of intercourse. If men and women followed this principle and gave their best to satisfy each other, relationships will have fewer problems and couples will have better lives. Sex is a galvanizing element that draws a man and woman together and when couples are tight and respect each other, it is easier for them to solve their other problems together without much difficulty. Let this be the guiding principle for all of us in relationships. Let us answer a few questions from our readers.

Hello sir. I have been having problems of premature ejaculation and weak erection. I started taking Maxman but had to stop because it caused increase in my heart rate to the point of dizziness and it affected my immune system.

Can I get a permanent solution without side effects? Funso Dear Funso, I have never heard of the drug Maxman and we have never sold it. Do you have high blood pressure? If

you are not sure, do a hospital test. Aphrodisiacs work by pumping more blood to the penis or clitoris to enable the user get aroused. This means that your heart will have to work harder to pump more blood, hence a higher heart rate. So if your blood pressure is already high, it will go even higher when you take an erection drug, causing the dizziness you complained about. That is why people with heart problems are not advised to take certain types of erection drugs. So do a hospital test. If the test confirms that you are okay, then I recommend Xzen 1200 for you. Xzen 1200 is a very good erection supplement and it is herbal as well. Men with similar problems like it a lot. And for your premature ejaculation, a delay cream is best for you. Prolonging Cream is very good for this. Apply it minutes before sex and you will stay long.

And regarding the issue of a permanent solution, no such thing exists yet. The day drug makers begin to produce permanent solutions, I will be the first to tell you about it.

Take care – Uche Please what can I do to enjoy sex with my husband? If he touches me, I don’t feel anything and my private part will dry that sometimes he used to get hurt. If I masturbate, I enjoy it – Gloria Dear Gloria, your husband simply needs to learn how to make love the right way, starting with lots of foreplay. For more details on love making, buy the movie 32 Ways to please Your lover and watch it with your husband. As for your dryness problems, use a lubricant during intercourse. Colt Slick Lubricant and Climax Burst Lubricant are all great for the prevention of dryness – Uche That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can reach us on 08191978308 or 08027901621 to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com. Happy holidays - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

61

SPORT EXTRA ‘Armstrong has discredited all sports’

R

OGER FEDERER has expressed his sadness at American cyclist Lance Armstrong's admission that he cheated his way to seven Tour de France wins and believes it will have a negative impact on all sport.

Armstrong confessed in a televised interview with chat show host Oprah Winfrey this week to using banned performance-enhancing substances to establish himself as one of the biggest names in sport.

'What a sad story,' 17-times grand-slam winner Federer said after reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open.

'I don't know what to say. It just really saddens me to see that someone did this for such a long time.

'Obviously he's hurt his sport in a big way, even though he helped it in the beginning.

But now the burden they live under, all other sports maybe as well.

'I'm an active athlete right now and it's not fun times really to be in sports to a degree. I guess all I needed to see was the first few minutes of the interview and then I knew what was the deal, and the rest I don't really care.

'It's just very saddening this story, to be honest.'

Serena Williams, who has won 15 grand slam titles, earlier admitted she had been 'glued' to the televised confessional.

'I think as an athlete, as someone that works really, really hard since I was four or three, I think it's a sad day for all athletes in general,' the American said.

•Federer

Donaldson overtakes Rose to win Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship JAMIE DONALDSON won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship by one shot on Sunday for the biggest victory of his career, with Justin Rose narrowly missing a birdie putt on the 18th

Gavin stops Welborn to make successful first defence

F

RANKIE GAVIN continued his ring apprenticeship with a ninth-round stoppage of Jason Welborn at a packed Walsall Town Hall.

The former world amateur champion has experienced a turbulent four years since turning professional but made progress in 2012, picking up the Lonsdale belt with a dull but professional win over awkward former world champion Junior Witter.

The Birmingham man, with a record of 14-0 (10KOs) heading in, was expected to make his first defence in style against Rowley Regis puncher Welborn (11-1, 5KOs), who freely admitted in the build-up he could not

•Gavin

match Gavin for quality.

Ranked a massive 1-20 favourite by bookmakers heading into the bout, Gavin unsurprisingly looked to use his technical skills early with quick jabs and solid body shots. But Welborn was intent on making a fight of it, marching forward throughout but enjoying only sporadic moments of success.

A southpaw left uppercut in the second demonstrated Gavin's class as he continued to move through the gears into the third. But Welborn had his best moment so far in that session, briefly trapping Gavin in the corner with a jab and clipping right before the former amateur star escaped and won the round clearly.

Welborn, nose bloodied and swollen under the left eye, was at least landing occasional jabs but the rounds were slipping away.

Gavin landed a left-right early in the sixth but was only occasionally putting together sustained combinations. A right hook with Welborn on the retreat landed flush and a right uppercut was particularly sweet.

Welborn looked increasingly desperate as the bout reached the seventh, lunging in and being punished in the process. A left to the body then had Welborn down on one knee and though he rose, Gavin slammed in power shots to head and body until referee Ian John-Lewis stepped in to save the dejected Black Country man further punishment.

which would have forced a playoff.

Rose's eight-foot putt rimmed out of the hole, giving the Welshman his second European Tour victory after a final round 68 for an overall 14-under 274.

Rose (71) threw his putter up in the air in frustration while Donaldson flashed a relieved smile. Rose shared second with Thorbjorn Olesen (69) of Denmark, who also failed to force a playoff on the 18th when his 15-foot birdie putt rolled past the hole. Olesen, playing with Rose, had putted first.

"Awesome," said Donaldson, sitting next to the tournament trophy. "It was a tough field, brutal golf course ... to sit here is quite surreal. " It was fifth-ranked Rose's tournament to lose. The Englishman had a two-shot lead over Donaldson and Olesen and led all week, hitting greens and making timely putts. But he was shaky from the start on Sunday, scrambling early to save pars and then hitting errant drives on Nos. 5, 11 and 16 that led to bogeys, while finding it difficult to read the greens.

"It was definitely hard work today," Rose said. "You want to close out with a chance to win when you have it and (I) didn't do that today. But I didn't do a lot wrong either."

Rose's struggles opened the door for Donaldson as well as several other players including Olesen and David Howell of England.

Howell struck first. Trailing by four shots coming into Sunday, he ran off five birdies, including one on the 10th when his approach shot spun back toward the hole. He sank it for a one-shot lead over Rose and Donaldson but missed three putts within five feet to triple bogey No. 13. He never recovered.

"I felt good out there and the most annoying thing was I thought I hit a beautiful shot to the 13th. It just came up four or five yards short of where I thought it was going to go and

it all went wrong from there," said Howell, who is ranked 258th after fighting injuries for several years.

Olesen also made an early run with a string of birdies to draw level with Rose, only to fall back when he hit a drive on the sixth into deep rough and had to take a drop when his second ended up in bush.

He settled for a double bogey, only to put himself back into contention with three birdies on the back nine including a clutch birdie putt on No. 17.

"I started out a little bit shaky, I hit a few bad shots on the second and third, but then came back strong," said the Dane, who could have broken

into the top 50 with a win.

"Unfortunately I got a bad lie in the rough and hit a bad shot which cost me a double bogey which put me a little bit behind."

The 47th-ranked Donaldson, who only won his first tournament last year in his 268th European Tour event, started off with a birdie and grabbed another on the ninth.

He missed a three-footer for birdie on the 10th but rebounded to collect a birdie on No. 11 for his first lead of the tournament. He gave himself some breathing room when he sank a 20-footer for birdie on the 14th and a 15footer on the 15th.

Weather denies Lions

D

ESPITE the best efforts of their bowlers, the Highveld Lions were denied a crucial victory by the weather in their four-day domestic franchise series match against the Titans at the Wanderers on Sunday.

When bad light and rain stopped play just after 4pm on the final day, the Titans were reeling on 137/7 in their follow-on innings, still facing a deficit of 46 runs.

With rain having also stopped play for two hours earlier in the afternoon, the Lions apparently felt aggrieved that the weather had cost them victory and a vital extra 10 log points.

The draw left the Lions still 13 points behind the logleading Cape Cobras, but with a game in hand.

The weekend victories of the Dolphins over the Cobras (by 15 runs) and the Warriors over the Knights (by 10 wickets) have turned the series into a three-horse race.

The Eastern Cape franchise now trails the Cobras by just 0.18 points.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir quickly wrapped up the Titans first innings on Sunday morning, taking the last two wickets as the

visitors were dismissed for just 120, 183 runs behind the Lions' first innings of 303.

The home side enforced the follow-on and young fast bowlers Chris Morris and Hardus Viljoen shared six wickets as the Titans' batsmen once again struggled to cope with the movement and bounce on offer under overcast skies.

Morris bowled Pieter Malan for a single in the third over but Jacques Rudolph (25) and Henry Davids (41), the Titans' two members of the national squad, added 61 for the second wicket.

But Viljoen removed Rudolph, who edged a superb delivery that drew him forward and then nipped away into the gloves of Dominic Hendricks, keeping wicket as Thami Tsolekile rested an ankle strain, in the first over of the afternoon session.

Morris then claimed the important wicket of Davids five overs later, trapped lbw, and with Heino Kuhn (12) and David Wiese (3) also falling cheaply, the Lions were in obvious control when rain interrupted play just after the drinks break with the Titans on 128 for five.

F1: Williams owner Wolff linked to Mercedes job TOTO WOLFF could be taking over Norbert Haug’s role as motor sport director of Mercedes, according to Germany’s Bild newspaper.

Haug’s job encompasses the DTM and F3 as well as F1 and thus it makes some sense given that Wolff has long had a stake in HWA, the company that runs both programs on behalf of Mercedes.

However, as a co-owner of HWA he clearly would not be a direct replacement for Haug, given that the latter was a Mercedes employee.

It remains to be seen where such a role – if it does indeed include the Mercedes F1 program – would leave Wolff’s involvement with Williams. The 41-yearAustrian acquired a stake in the team in November 2009 and was named executive director last year, having increased his day-to-day involvement with the team after the departure of Adam Parr.

“This is the moment where I was kind of pushed into a more active role,” he told this writer. “I stepped into some things Adam did, and this was basically helping Frank in sporting decisions, having a close relationship to the FIA and the commercial rights holder, supporting Claire [Williams] with our key sponsors, key partners.”

•Wolff

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

62

SPORT EXTRA

10-man Eagles held 1-1 by Burkina Faso B

URKINA Faso struck a late equaliser to earn a 11 draw against Nigeria in their Group C African Cup of Nations clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Monday night.

Emmanuel Emenike opened the scoring midway through the first half but substitute Alain Traore netted the equaliser deep into injury time after the Nigerians had been reduced to ten men.

The Super Eagles should have taken the lead in the 12th minute as Ahmed Musa squared the ball to find Brown Ideye inside the penalty area but directed his shot over the bar from close range.

Three minutes later Emenike delivered a teasing cross from the right towards the far post but Ideye headed wide when he could’ve left the ball for Elderson Echiejile who was lurking behind him.

Then in the 17th minute Burkina Faso were almost gifted a goal as Joseph Yobo lost possession to Jonathan Pitroipa, but in the end Wilfried Dah could only fire against the side netting.

The deadlock was eventually broken six minutes later as Emenike sneaked ahead of two defenders to nudge the ball past the advancing goalkeeper following a neat flick from Ideye.

Burkina Faso threatened to equalise in the 32nd minute as a freekick was played into the box but Djakaridja Kone and Aristide Bance got in each other’s way as they looked to

pull the trigger.

Then three minutes into the second half Moumoni Dagano should have levelled matters when he was picked out by a good cross from Jonathan Pitroipa, but he failed to connect with his head and the ball deflected off his shoulder.

The Burkina Faso striker did manage to hit the target in the 63rd minute, only to be denied by a decent save from Victor Enyeama, who went down quickly to tip his shot wide of the post.

Two minutes later substitute Ikechukwu Uche squandered a great chance to extend Nigeria’s lead as he sliced his shot wide after controlling the ball well

inside the area.

Then in the 74th minute the Super Eagles were reduced to ten men as Efe Ambrose was given his marching orders following his second bookable offence.

Six minutes later Uche had yet another opportunity to secure maximum points with a second goal when he was put through

by Mikel Obi, but this time he blasted his shot over the crossbar from close range.

Nigeria were punished in the dying moments of the match as Pitroipa cut the ball back for Alain Traore to side-foot home from the centre of the box to claim a valuable point for the Stallions.

•Nigeria's John Obi Mikel, center, is challanged by Burkina Faso's Djakaridja Kone, left, and teammate Jonathan Pitroipa, right, during their African Cup of Nations Group C soccer match

Keshi — I’m proud of my team

S

UPER Eagles coach, Steven Keshi heaped praises on his players despite their conceding a late goal as they were held to a 11 draw by Burkina Faso in their Group B game on Monday night.

With Ethiopia and Zambia battling to a thrilling 1-1 draw in the early game, Nigeria and Burkina Faso were presented with a high bar in the followup. They lived up to it in an entertaining 1-1 draw of their

By Paul Oluwakoya own, with Alain Traore proving the hero with an injury time equaliser to deny the Super Eagles a win.

Speaking after the game the Big Boss said he will allow the Eagles have enough rest and then psyche them up ahead of the team’s crucial match against the Chipolopolo of Zambia.

“I’m very proud of these

Spartak Moscow coach dismisses Emenike rumors

S

PARTAK Moscow Head Coach Valery Karpin has dismissed reports that Emmanuel Emenike is leaving the Russian capital for Fenerbahce.

Turkish media reported on Monday, January 21 that the Nigeria international has completed a loan switch to Fenerbahce. ''That's crazy, I can not

confirm that. No, he will not be leaving the club,'' Karpin told F-Sport.

This season, Emenike, who is with the national team of Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations, has scored 7 goals in 20 matches for the Russian vice - champions.

Emmanuel Emenike's contract with Spartak Moscow expires in the summer of 2016.

Joel Obi happy to be back

N

IGERIA international Joel Obi played his second game in the Italian championship against Roma on Sunday. The midfielder had been missing from the Inter Milan line-up due to a long term injury. ''It went well and I’m very happy. The game went well for us considering how it began.

How do I feel on the right?

It’s a different role for me but I’m comfortable and I’ll do what the team and the coach need me to do. ''The important thing is to play. Today the coach asked me to do my part for the team, which is what I tried to do. I’m also ready for Wednesday,'' Obi told Inter Channel.

Inter Milan will travel to the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday to face Roma in the Coppa Italia.

boys, they did everything I wanted them to do. In the last twenty, twenty-five days this is the first game we are playing as a team, as collective players not as a team because we are still building. I am just going to let everything die down tonight, by tomorrow morning I will pick it up; if I have to go to them individually to talk to them I’ll do that. If I have to go collectively I will do that, but right now, I’m not going to blow their head up for this game,” Keshi reasoned.

He continued: “This game is gone, the next game against Zambia is very, very important. I am going to take my time to psyche them up to the best of their ability.”

On why Super Eagles striker, Victor Moses did not feature in the game, Keshi revealed that the Chelsea of England star had an injury which the coaching crew did not want to aggravate by featuring him in the encounter.

He said: “On Victor Moses, the last practice game we had in Faro, Portugal he had a little bit of minor harmstring and we had to put him on specific training and he was better. But when we got here, I think about two days ago, he felt a little bit of pain in his leg and I don't want to take chances.

We still have a long way to go, so if I had used him in this match, I would look stupid. I don’t want to take chances with him. We hope that if he is fully fit against Zambia we will feature him.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

63

SPORT EXTRA

There are no future K Falcons yet — Nkwocha

Kwara sliders rule Lagos baseball, softball U-13 championship

R

ETIRED Falcons midfielder Perpetua Nkwocha has lamented what she called a lack of future Super Falcons squad.

The Sunnana Sk striker said this recently while in Lagos.

Nkwocha planned to bow out of international football with a bang by scoring a record 15 goals at the 2012 African Women Champion.

She however fell short with the Falcons as she could score no more than two as Nigeria finished a dismal fourth at the tournament.

Nkwocha, still smarting from that failure, told futaa.com that she is afraid that the power of Falcons may be

coming to end as there are no worthy replacements for the old legs.

"If you watched the last African Women Championship (AWC) you will see that we do not have enough people to take over after the likes of us stop playing,” she said.

"We have a wealth of talent but that is not the only thing that makes the national team,” she continued.

"There should be a level of commitment by the younger players. If we have that, together with the talent, we can once again rule Africa,” Nkwocha concluded.

Levante coach defends Martins after loss

L

EVANTE coach, Juan Ignacio Martinez, has jumped to the defence of Obafemi Martins following the 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

The former Newcastle United striker leads all goalscorers for Levante this season with six strikes, but he has not scored since December 9, when Levante destroyed Mallorca 4-0 in the League.

"They had more bite in attack than us. We lacked that final pass and to be more daring than them. Already, by the second goal we had allowed them to play more comfortably," Martinez said, laying the blame at the door of the midfielders.

"We did not deserve anything more, because we have not been able to get a goal. Atletico has two goals and were superior to us,” reflected Martinez afterwards.

"The goal came on a play that we were warned about, they are very dangerous on the

WARA Sliders showed their stuff to emerge as the winning team at the maiden Lagos State Baseball/ Softball U-13 Championship after beating Lagos’ G-Cent Baseball Club 9 runs to 6.

The tournament took place at Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School with the host school claiming the third place trophy.

After an exciting four days, Kwara Sliders’ Jamiu Abdul Ganiu emerged as the Most Valuable Player of the championship in baseball, with Oyedeji Stephen of Efforts Will Baseball being named the best heater while Sliders’ Muhammed Sodiq won the best out fielder.

In the softball event, Kwara Sliders’ Kehinde Badmus won the Most Valuable Player award, while Chukwukere Kelechi of Lagos’ G-Cent Baseball won the best heater award.

Kwara Sliders also claimed the title in the softball event.

Speaking at the event, Chairperson, Lagos State Baseball/Softball Association, Onyeka Onuorah, commended the state government for

•Perpetua

By Paul Oluwakoya

NSC plans Keep-fit programme

wings,” he lamented.

"Falcao was quiet, but the team played with an intensity and vigour that made them a difficult opponent," he said.

Levante have now lost three consecutive games in all competitions.

T

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS:

Nigeria qualify for World Team Cup

N

IGERIA reaffirmed their supremacy as the undisputed number one wheelchair tennis playing nation in Africa on Sunday evening when they recorded a 3-0 win over Egypt to retain the BNP Paribas World Team Cup African Qualifiers in Nairobi, Kenya thus qualifying for the global tournament billed for Italy in May. Spearheaded by the tournament’s top-ranked player Wasiu Yusuf, Nigeria

•Retain Africa title proved that their one-sided wins in their previous games where they have beaten Mauritius and Ghana were not flukes as they made the Egyptians look like beginners in the 12-nation tournament.

Jude Uwaize set Nigeria on a winning course with an express train 6-0, 6-2 victory over Hassan Mohammed before two-time Paralympian Yusuf beat Aly Mohammed 6-

4, 6-1 for an unassailable 2-0 lead.

In the doubles which was turned to a formality, Yusuf and Uwaize combined to beat the Mohammeds (not related) 6-2, 6-0 for a perfect outing.

However, Nigeria’s women’s team, who are debuting in the tournament, could not match their male colleagues as they fell in the preliminary stage with Egypt clinching the title which also sees them earning a slot at the World Team Cup.

CAF CONFEDERATION CUP:

Lobi may play at Aper Aku stadium – Iorfa

T

ECHNICAL Director of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, Dominic Iorfa has assured supporters of the Makurdi side that they may watch their club in continental action at the Aper Aku stadium, Makurdi.

In a telephone interview with NationSport, Iorfa, who is also the vice chairman of Lobi Stars, stated that if the club reaches the quarter final stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, he would return the team to Aper Aku stadium from Bauchi state.

He explained further that it become imperative to choose Bacuhi as the home ground of Lobi because the deadline for CAF inspection had expired and the club had to beat the deadline.

The former international expressed optimism that Lobi would reach the quarter final stage because of the calibre of players the club parades.

According to him, the contractor handling the astro turf may complete the upgrading of Aper Aku stadium between now and

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi March, while Lobi may qualify for the quarter final stage in April-May. He commended both the governor and deputy governor of Benue State for their interest in the affairs of the state government-owned club and

supporting the competition, saying that this would indeed help to unearth talents in the sports.

“Our aim in staging this championship is to develop the game at the grassroots level.

We are focusing on developing the game in secondary schools in Lagos State. We will also organise the U-12 version in March this year so as to select a formidable players for the state.

“Also we have lined up so many age-grade competitions for this year that will cover Epe, Badagry and Ibeju-Lekki.

Our former players have expressed their willingness to support the events by donating equipment to enable us establish the game in schools in the state.”

She added: “We have many donations of equipment stocked in the United States of America and we will need support to ship them to Nigeria. We are reaching out to corporate sponsors to compliment the efforts of the Lagos State Government and we are so much optimistic that we will succeed in that direction.”

appealed to supporters of the club to accept the choice of Bauchi for Lobi in good faith.

Many of the supporters of Lobi have expressed dismay at the decision of the management of the club to choose Bauchi as the home ground for their continental matches instead of the Aper Aku stadium.

Those who spoke to NationSport were unanimous that instead of the Benue State government spending millions of naira to fix the Bauchi stadium, the money should have gone into the Aper Aku stadium. They further appealed to governor Gabriel Suswam to stop the club from playing in Bauchi.

•The Aper Aku stadium, Makurdi under construction in December

HE National Sports Commission (NSC) on Sunday said it would organise an aerobics programme for residents of Benin City in 2013.

Yemi Usikaye, the Zonal Coordinator NSC South-South zone 11, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

Usikaye told NAN that the keep-fit programme was to enable people to cultivate the habit of keeping fit and being in control of their weight. ``It’s a voluntary programme for people who are obsessed to lose weight and to reduce the cholesterol in their bodies. ``It’s to ensure that people keep fit and prevent coming down with cardio-vascular diseases,” he said.

The zonal coordinator said that the weekend aerobics programme would target the youths and adults in the state.

According to him, the programme will commence some time in February at the Federal Secretariat in the state and will run throughout the year.

He added that a seminar on the welfare, training, career,

education and life after retirement of athletes would also be held in the state later in the year.

PUBLIC NOTICE OYEYIPO I, former known and addressed as MISS OYEYIPO TITILAYO ABOSEDE now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS ADETUNBI TITILAYO ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE NNUNUKWE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Thelma Chidinma Nnunukwe, now wish to be known as Mrs. Amaugwu Thelma Chidinma all former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 8 NO.2,379

‘As for Oyinlola, it is sweet irony to taste a long agonising wait for justice, as Aregbesola did, if indeed he was rightfully picked as PDP national secretary ’ OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

O

NE of the high points of my two-week visit to Germany in 1993 as a guest of the German Foreign Office was an interview with the publisher of the influential weekly, Die Zeit, in the northern port city of Hamburg.

My interviewee was no ordinary publisher, and professional issues were the last thing on my mind as I was ushered that crisp September morning into his capacious office. Ringed by bookshelves reaching up to the high ceiling, it was like a busy but well-kept library.

Behind a cluttered desk commanding almost a full view of the room sat the man I had flown from Berlin the previous day to meet, one of the major world figures from the West who in the 1970s sought to inaugurate a new, more hopeful and more just international order even as the Cold War raged with deadly violence across the world.

There was Jimmy Carter in the United States, and next door, in Canada, Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

Jim Callaghan held sway in Britain, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing in France, and Guilio Andreotti in Italy. Down Under, in Australia, there was Malcolm Fraser.

In West Germany there was the longest serving and easily the most outspoken of them all, Helmut Schmidt, who served as chancellor from 1974 -1982, the man behind the desk in the capacious office at Die Zeit, the man they called “The Lip” because of his volubility and his habit of dispensing advice whether it was solicited or not.

He lived up to that reputation during our discussion that went on for more than an hour.

Ask him a question and he would launch a tutorial worthy of the masters at Oxford and Cambridge.

He did not flaunt it, but he left you in no doubt about his great learning The euphoria over the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the re-unification of Germany was still in the air, though much subdued, and I asked him whether he ever thought that Germany would be re-united.

He said he never doubted it, but he never believed it would happen in his lifetime.

It happened just eight years after he left office. And Helmut Schmidt is still very much alive.

I doubt whether any adult American alive today ever believed that a black man would be president of the United States in his life time.

Dr Martin Luther King’s famous dream did not go that far. Nor can it plausibly be advanced that “the promised land” he said he had seen in the Memphis speech that prefigured his assassination the very next day was one in which a black man would be president and commander-in-chief.

The civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, it is true, did seek the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party in 1984 and 1988, as had Shirley Chisholm, the black Congresswoman, in 1972. Both knew that they did not have a ghost of a chance of securing the nomination, much less winning the presidential race.

They sought the nomination because they could; they sought it to make the point that, not merely in theory but also in practice, any qualified person can seek any elected office in the United States, regardless of skin colour.

But here we are today, in the lifetime of some

RIPPLES STATE OF POLICE COLLEGE, IKEJA, SHOCKS JONATHAN -News

After recovering from the SHOCK sir, TRY THE BARRACKS

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Obama 2.0: Retrospect and prospect

•Obama...yesterday

of Dr King’s closest associates and disciples, celebrating the second inauguration of a black person as president of the United States and commander-in-chief. It is more than the stuff of dreams; it is the stuff of fantasy. What began as an unpromising journey— even Michelle Obama thought it was a quixotic quest – is now one of the most inspiring political stories of our time.

“RACIAL BARRIER FALLS IN DECISIVE VICTORY,” The New York Times proclaimed on the front page of its Late Edition for November 5, 2008. This was true in a narrow sense; in the larger sense what followed was the precise opposite.

In a tribute to what has been called “American exceptionalism,”Obama had proclaimed that only in America was his story possible But instead of embracing, even celebrating him as a glittering product of that uniqueness, those

who felt that his ascendancy had upturned the natural order of things denounced him as a rootless impostor who had been insinuated into the system to destroy everything they hold dear.

They had to “take the government back,” their government, by all means.

Just three months ago, one of them, a political hack who bears the quintessential American surname Sununu, was publicly denouncing Obama for not having learned “how to be an American.”

Deconstruction: He is not one of us. He doesn’t belong.

Too bad we could not stop him first time.

Take all means necessary – block every initiative he launches, suppress the vote, stir things up, focus anger and resentment against him, hint darkly at assassination – take all necessary measures to ensure that there will be no second time.

And, for a quite a while, it seemed Obama’s time was up. The TEA Party was set to run him out of town, and all those who could be identified with him or his policies, however remotely. A year before the election, pollsters were reporting that if the election were to be held then, a “generic Republican” would defeat him. With the economy in distress and the jobless rate north of 8 percent, all that a Republican – any Republican — needed to do to win was to show up.

The rest is history.

Obama can already point to some significant accomplishments. When it takes full ef-

HARDBALL

I

N SPITE of his brilliance, composure, sound judgement, and historic re-election, President Barack Obama is unlikely to become a great American president of the first rank comparable to the three leading greats – George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. Under the three greats, the very existence of the United States was imperilled, but they rose to the challenge with a single-mindedness and vigour that admitted no possibility of failure. Washington not only birthed his nation, he led it for 25 years, and gave what historians describe as permanence to the American system. Lincoln preserved the Union and destroyed slavery; and Roosevelt saved his country from economic collapse, ensured the endurance of its political values and institutions, and won World War II. As former President Richard Nixon said of great leadership, it is not enough for a leader to be brilliant, charismatic and courageous; he also needs great issue(s) to put him in what Norse mythology calls Valhalla.

Obama can be pardoned for being consumed by a desire to leave a notable legacy in his second term, or perhaps achieve much more. It is a legitimate aspiration. His inaugural speech of yesterday signposts that secret desire to be remembered for so much more than just being the first African American president, or the third Democrat after Andrew Jackson and Roosevelt to win two successive popular- vote majorities.

Even though the details of his programmes will not be spelt out until February’s State of the Union address, he gave indications yesterday of recommitting himself to the ideals of the Founding Fathers, ideals he says have propelled the country into lofty hopes and achievements, and indeed served as the country’s raison d’etre.

Obama’s second term The speech was doubtless inspiring, but it was not his best ever, for there were not many memorable phrases in it comparable to the ones that have given lastingness to many American presidents’ speeches in their country’s moments of peril. Yet, it should serve as an example for the incomparably dull speeches Nigerian leaders have half-heartedly inflicted on their fellow countrymen. Hear Obama in one sheer moment of ecstasy after quoting the opening lines (second sentence) of the Declaration of Independence: “Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob.

They gave to us a Republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.”

Obama has many unfinished businesses from his first term. He will do his utmost to give permanence to many of them in such a way that some sort of remarkability would hallmark his presidency. He will try not to be encumbered by partisan considerations, or be distracted by divisive issues that have plagued his country for decades. And he will, as he says succinctly, attempt to inspire his fellow Americans into believing

fect, his Affordable Health Care Act will provide insurance cover for some 30 million Americans for the first time. He saved the auto industry. He curbed the predatory propensities of Wall Street and the banking industry and the securities market. He created a path to legal immigration status for millions of undocumented aliens. He arrested the economic decline.

That is achievement enough.

On the international scene, he ended the misbegotten invasion and occupation of Iraq. He reduced global tension and made the world safer by sublimating the American impulse to war He enters his second term with his place in history already secure.

Now, he must have an eye on the legacy of his Presidency. Great challenges lie ahead, not the least of which is forging a partnership with a Congressional opposition that has turned calculated obstruction into an instrument of legislative policy.

He has to restore America to economic prosperity through investment in education and innovation. He has to see the unfinished work of comprehensive immigration reform through. He has to address climate change and its consequences forthrightly.

Gun violence in America has taken on frightful dimension that requires action. Obama will have to lead the effort to regulate access to guns and assault weapons and bullets designed for human slaughter, despite the militant opposition of the powerful National Rifle Association.

Because he has no illusions that he can forge a partnership with a Congressional opposition, he is turning over the awesome machine that helped put together the winning coalition in 2008 and 2012 to a movement that will be in permanent campaign mode during his second term, championing his agenda.

There is perhaps no greater symbolism than the fact that Obama took the oath of office yesterday with his hand on one Bible that belonged to Abraham Lincoln, the legendary 16th President who freed enslaved blacks, and another that belonged to Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, who led a titanic struggle to make that freedom real and meaningful, and on whose birthday, anniversary, an official American holiday, Obama’s second term was launched.

Hail to The Chief as he navigates the rough road ahead.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above in their own ability to transcend limitations imposed by time or circumstances. Again, hear him in his elegant simplicity: “This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience.

A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun. America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.”

Until his second term ends, it will be impossible to determine how well Obama had lived up to the promises he so eloquently orated. Indeed, as The Economist (London) magazine once put it, a leader’s legacy is not secured nor his reign scored until iconoclastic posterity has scoured through his achievements. Obama will have to wait until then, just as Lincoln’s Gettysburg address had to wait to become one of the most memorable ever, with its oft-quoted definition of democracy. Obama has shown what it means to be inspired by past greats. Would to God Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had read about Washington in order to rein in his natural predilection to subvert great principles, including constitutional provisions on term limitation.

Nelson Mandela probably read Washington, and did better than exhaust his term limits. Indeed, Nigeria would have been an exceptional country today had its leaders opened themselves to the values and philosophies that ennobled the three American greats, values which Obama’s second term is giving us the opportunity to appreciate anew.

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