January 27, 2015 by The Nation

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Revealed: How PDP chiefs forged Buhari document Blogger accuses Fani-Kayode of doctoring mail By Our Reporter

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) leaders seem to be hanging on tenaciously to their puerile stand that All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has not come clean on its academic qualifications. It emerged yesterday that the PDP Presidential Campaign Council manipulated a Cambridge University e-mail to justify its claim that Gen. Buhari’s West African School Certificate’s statement of result was forged. PDP Campaign Council spokesman Femi Fani-Kayode has been accused of doctoring an e-mail from Cambridge. An accountant and blogger, Mr. Suraj Oyewale, claimed in a message published by Premium Times that the e-mail received from Cambridge by his friend, Sodiq Alabi, was doctored by Fani-Kayode to achieve another purpose. Fani-Kayode has not disputed this claim. Continued on page 2

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 EVER RETURN?

•Soldiers with an anti-aircraft gun captured from insurgents on the outskirts of Maiduguri...yesterday.

Troops launch battle to retake Monguno

•P AGES •PA 2&60 •An armoured tank captured from Boko Haram...yesterday

•MARITIME P14 •POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •PROPERTY P49 •ENERGY P50 •AVIATION P52

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS Jega to RECs: we must be impartial From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

•All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. •President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, during Muhammadu Buhari (left) with Chief Observer, EU Election Observathe visit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign organisation to the Emir in tion Team, Mr. Santiago Fisas, during the team’s meeting with him in Ilorin…yesterday. Abuja…yesterday.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

President Jonathan spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a campaign rally. Said he: “The economy you all know has become the largest in Africa after the rebasing, it was not by chance. We worked with the private sector.... a few days ago, the CNN announced that Nigeria has joined other nations where the economy will blossom. “If CNN can say that who is the economist in Nigeria that says that what the world has seen about Nigeria…? Who is

the economist that can tell me that he is superior to the World Bank; the economists in the World Bank? “Who is the economist in Nigeria that can tell me he is superior to the economist in the IMF? Who is the economist in Nigeria that can tell me that he’s sharper or better focused than the CNN? People should stop deceiving Nigerians. We are working hard to move this country forward and we will work with the people of Kwara State to move the state forward.”

The President also flaunted his administration’s credentials in the rule of law, saying it is strictly adhered to. The President said: “We don’t want to run a government by intimidation; I signed the FoI Bill, and promised that every Nigerian will be free. I want every Nigerian to be free. We don’t want to intimidate anybody; we want you to have the ability to express yourself without any fear of intimidation. “We don’t encourage our Continued on page 60

Continued on page 60

NEMA registers 5000 IDPs from Monguno

Jonathan challenges critics of his economic policies RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday replied critics of his economic policies, challenging them to come out with facts and figures to contest the fact that the economy is Africa’s largest. Last year, the Jonathan administration rebased Nigeria’s economy and declared it the largest in Africa. The President said after the rebasing, the economy became the largest as recently attested to by the American Cable News Network (CNN).

NDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega has charged Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to remain impartial in conducting next month’s elections. Jega spoke during the Commission’s quarterly meeting with RECs in Abuja. He urged them to ensure a level-playing field for all political parties, candidates and contestants. He said: “This meeting is important because as we approach the elections we need to put heads together and review where we are so that we can take stock as we prepare adequately for the very daunt-

HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Borno State has registered 5000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Monguno following the takeover of the area on Sunday by Boko Haram. Spokesman of NEMA in the Northeast, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said the IDPs were reg-

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

istered with the help of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). He said: “National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) northeast zone, in conjunction with Borno State SEMA, has so far registered over 5000 IDPs trooping in Continued on page 60

U.S. blocks Israeli arms deal with Nigeria

ITING human rights abuses and widespread corruption in nixing helicopter sale, the United States has reportedly vetoed a 2014 arms sale of USmade Cobra helicopters by Israel to Nigeria. Though the resale of decommissioned gunships was approved by Israel’s Defence Ministry, Washington stopped the deal over concerns that the Nigerian government was not doing enough to avoid civilian casualties in its ongoing fight with Boko Haram, Israeli newspa-

per Haaretz reported yesterday. The canceled sale has further strained Washington’s already tense ties with Nigeria over the government’s response to the five-year-long insurgency by the Islamist group. Beyond its concern over human rights abuses, the Obama administration has significantly limited its security assistance to Nigeria in recent months, due to widespread government corruption and a possible Boko Continued on page 60

100 bodies counted at morgue •A drip bottle hanging on a tree at a makeshift Boko •Used cotton wool and other medical materials at a makeshift Boko Haram Haram clinic on the outskirts of Maiduguri...yesterday clinic on the outskirts of Maiduguri...yesterday

Troops launch battle to retake Monguno

OLLOWING continued ground battle and air strikes, troops killed 53 more Boko Haram insurgents on Monday in Konduga and Maiduguri parts of Borno State. The figure came from the battle between troops and the insurgents from Sunday night till the early hours of Monday. A security source, who spoke in confidence at 9pm,

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

said: “Continuing coordinated ground and air mop up activities by military personnel in the aftermath of diversionary terrorists attacks on Maiduguri and Konduga have led to the destruction of dozens of more terrorists. “At least 53 more insurgents lost their lives as troops in pursuit of the insurgents engaged

those that fled and their additional reinforcements in the outskirts of Konduga and Maiduguri in a battle Sunday night/early Monday morning. “Health and emergency workers are having hectic challenges in evacuating terribly mangled corpses of the terrorists for mass burial.” A tweet by the Defence Headquarters confirmed the fresh mileage gained by

troops. The DHQ tweeted: “More casualties inflicted on terrorists as troops battled fleeing ones and reinforcement at outskirts of Maiduguri, Konduga. “Substantial amounts of heavy weapons have been captured, as more terrorists died in the fight which lasted till early Monday “Our forces also recorded Continued on page 60

ROOPS were fighting yesterday with air support to recapture Borno town Monguno from Boko Haram insurgents. No fewer than 5,000 residents, who fled the town, have been taken in as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri. The insurgents on Sunday seized the town, which lies on the shores of Lake Chad, in a triple offensive that also targeted Konduga and the outskirts and Maiduguri airport. A local journalist who visited Maiduguri’s biggest

morgue said more than 100 people, mainly insurgents but also including at least 15 soldiers and a few civilians, had been killed in Sunday’s fighting around the city. The man said he left the morgue after counting 100 bodies. He said another 50 people had been injured in the fighting, Reuters reported. In Monguno, at least 15 soldiers were killed along with more than 25 civilians, a security source said. Defence spokesman MajorContinued on page 60

Revealed: How PDP chiefs forged Buhari document Continued from page 1

Oyewole said: “The controversy over the secondary school results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, continues as the University of Cambridge has said that Hausa Language, which is one of the subjects listed by Buhari, was not offered in its examinations in 1961. “The disclosure was contained in a statement from the office of the Director of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation claiming it came through an e-mail dated Thursday, January 22,

2015 from the institution’s Archives Delivery Service Officer, Jacky Emerson, to one SODIQ ALABI who requested for confirmation if the examination body offered Hausa Language in the 1961 West African Certificate Examination it organised. “Emerson, in his one-sentence reply, said: “According to the Regulations for 1961, African Language papers, including those for Hausa, WERE NOT included for West African School Certificate. “This development may have further cast doubts on the certificate which is pur-

ported to be General Buhari’s. He is yet to react to the assertion by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation that the document (the published certificate) was forged and illegally procured.” (Capitalizations mine) Sodiq was shocked such falsehood was attributed to him by Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode and wanted misrepresentation. “Sodiq Alabi (sodiqalabi@ hotmail.com) had written an email to Cambridge Assessment, the brand name of University of Cambridge Local

Examinations Syndicates, on January 22, 2015, 13.31 hours, to confirm whether Hausa was truly offered by it in 1961 examinations. By 4.10pm same day, Jacky Emerson (arc h i v e s @ cambridgeassessment.org.uk), Archive Services Delivery officer of Cambridge Assessment, replied thus: “Dear Sodiq Alabi, According to the Regulations of 1961, African Language papers, WERE SET for West Africa School Certificate.” “A screenshot of this email exchange was shared with us on Facebook by Sodiq and it went viral on the internet.

“The email triggered other Nigerians to send emails to Cambridge Assessment for independent confirmation and the school came out with a statement on its website the next day. In the release titled, ‘Statement in response to Nigerian Presidential election enquiries”, the school stated, ‘The organisation also confirmed that according to the Regulations for 1961, African Language papers, including those for Hausa, WERE SET for the West African School Certificate.” Here is the link to the Cambridge Assessment website where this confirmation was published: http://

cambridgeassessment.org.uk/ news/statement-in-response-to-nigerian-presidential-election-enquiries/. “It is however surprising that Femi Fani-Kayode went ahead to alter the content of Sodiq’s email in his press statement to, ‘According to the Regulations for 1961, African Language papers, including those for Hausa, WERE NOT included for West African School CertifiContinued on page 60

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THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS

NIGERIA DECIDES

Tinubu: Nigeria’s Devaluation of the naira, diversification of the economy and the introduction of austerity measures are the Federal Government’s immediate response to Nigeria’s ailing economy. But the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, feels more proactive measures could get the economy on its feet. The former Lagos State Governor proffers some solutions in this article. Reason for Macroeconomic Policy

•From right: Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Director-General, National Pensions Commission, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; immediate past Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms. Arunma Oteh and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina at the 50th birthday anniversay of Ms. Oteh in Abuja...on Saturday.

•Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, flanked by the Deputy Corps Marshal Operations, Mr. Abu Adeyi and the Deputy Corps Marshal, Planning Research & Statistic, Mr. Chidi Nwachukwu, at the inauguration of the FRSC 2015 Strategic Goal in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

HIS serves as a companion to my recent commentary on slumping oil prices. As hoped, that prior intervention helped to stir discussion on the critical issue of our economic wellbeing and the best policy direction to take in order to ensure that well-being. I would like to expand the discussion from the recessionary effects of decreasing oil prices to a more general discourse on macro-economic policy and the main objectives of the said policy. Several reasons spur me in this direction. First, falling oil prices constitute a clear and present danger. This alarm should wake us not only to the proximate threat but also lead us to reappraise government’s macro-economic policy anew. Even in the absence of the challenge of lowering prices, our economy is aptly characterised as a surfeit of idle capacity, unemployment and poverty. Second, the different policy directions that are possible must be starkly placed before the Nigerian people that they may decide upon which path they would place their economic destiny. In this regard, we must define the objective of macro-economic policy and then determine the best policy mechanism to reach the desired point. This delineation is essential because we always talk about the economy we assume everyone desires the same outcome. This assumption is equally parts naive and dangerous. Economics is not a science in the same degree as chemistry or physicse. A human invention, economics is shaped more by the ebb and flow of human nature than by unbendable natural law. Economic policy is more a matter of subjective preference than of inexorable conclusions. Conservative mainstream economists tell us differently. They want us to believe their prescriptions are the only plausible ones. Only one road exists: theirs. They do not want us to seek alternatives because they are afraid of what we might learn and how that might affect our heretofore-blind obedience to the subjective biases they parade as objective science. They are afraid that if we reject their economic model, they may lose their elite position.

Difference between progressive and conservative economics •Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Christopher Kolade, flanked by Dr Nelson Uwaga of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) (left) and Senior Trade Advisor/Permanent Representative of the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr Olatunji Olaniyi at a Business Breakfast Roundtable organised by the NIM at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

•Director-General, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhi, Director Drug Evalvation & Research (NAFDAC), Mrs. Titilopa Owolabi (left) and Director, Port Inspection Directorate of the Agency, Mrs. Maureeni Ebigbeyi at the press briefing on NAFDAC’s activities in Oshodi, Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

I believe the highest objective of macro-economic policy is to provide for all the people the basic necessities of life and to progressively improve the lot of as many people as possible through broadly-based wealth creation by all segments of society and an equitable allocation of the fruits of the increased wealth to all, from those who labour to those who invest or supply capital. All must be duly rewarded. Balance must be maintained in the political economy so that no class becomes so powerful and affluent that it can bend the entire nation to undue benefit. This is the progressive’s macro-economic creed. Conventional neo-classical economists believe something different. They believe the economy should be left to the rich and powerful. As the elite carve the economy in their own image, residual benefit will trickle down to the rest of the society. Implicitly, they think those with money have earned or purchased the right to shape the society without having to listen to others. Stripped to the bare essence, their sophisticated economic models and philosophy are but a pagan adoration of money. This is the way of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other global financial institutions. It is the

creed of Reagan (Ronald) and Thatcher (Margaret) that did so much economic damage in the 1980s. It is gospel of the present government. They are Nigeria’s Tories, Nigeria’s conservative Republicans. If the choice came down to the choice between saving money or the people, a progressive would advocate saving the people by spending the money. The conservative would say expend the people, yet save the money at all costs. Against the backdrop of slumping oil prices, a picture of this difference has been placed before you. To avert the approaching recessionary storm, I espouse a counter-cyclical fiscal policy. This policy entails expansionary deficit, but non-debt, spending at the federal level. The spending must be aimed at public works infrastructural projects that are needed in any event as a foundational prerequisite for economic growth. This nation cannot grow beyond the capacity of the infrastructure to service it. Now is as good a time as any to take on this overdue mission. Moreover, by providing tens of thousands of jobs, this strategy will make productive now idle human capital. The wages these now unemployed earn will be used to consume goods and services, further spurring economic activity. In that wages will be relatively modest, their consumption will favour local goods and services more so, than do the consumption patterns of the affluent. Because the Federal Government has the sovereign power to issue our national currency, this can be done without risking insolvency or further debt. Inflation, not insolvency, is the constraint. The major concern will be in ensuring that inflation does not rise above the limits acceptable to our specific political economy. This can be done by making sure that expenditures are limited to those projects that increase productivity and have the positive economic multiplier effect that we seek. This will be a hard but not impossible feat. Harder would be to allow the nation to fall into steep recession and cause the masses to suffer unduly. However, laying the welcome mat for recession is at the top of this government’s policy menu. The Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has stated that government will follow a pro-cyclical tact. Instead avoiding a downturn, they will intensify it by cutting federal spending and increasing taxes. This means gruel is straight from the IMF pot right into the beggar’s bowl the IMF would have us hold. It is a clarion for a deflating economy. Yet, this fate seems not to unduly bother the government. Global big money will applaud this government as one to like. But what they do will distress poor Nigerians.

Hyperinflation scare: Conservative PDP fear mongering The Finance Minister and other conservatives have responded to my suggestions not by a critical analysis but by flippantly concluding that ruinous hyperinflation would result. This is an old trick of the conservative elite. Their ploy is to frighten the people from the very ideas that will benefit them. They want us to recoil from what might be our very rescue mission. Because their conservatism is also the economics of the global corporate media, this mythology dominates the airwaves and permeates our economic thinking. People generally have heard one side of the story. Repeatedly given only one account, they assume that the truth lies in the repeated tale. This article is an attempt to sweep away some of the myths by which the elite steer us from an understanding that befits the national economic interests instead of theirs.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NIGERIA DECIDES

s unemployment level worse than depression

• Asiwaju Tinubu

• Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

The Finance Minister claimed my prescriptions would lead to situations that existed in Weimar Germany’s postWWI (First World War), Zimbabwe and Argentina. I can categorically state the faithful rendition of my suggestions will never lead to such a condition. Numerous countries have walked this path and never came close to gross inflation. America did it in its formative years. It was also this route that led it from the Great Depression in the 1930s (The same with Germany). China walked a similar path in the 1990s when it began to record its unprecedented growth rates. Meanwhile, each nation that has committed itself to the policy approach of this government has jumped straight into the mire for several years before desperation or common sense forced it to redirect itself to a path more aligned to the one I have drawn. The examples the Finance Minister offered against my recommendations were a bit odd. A person is unwise to draw analogies to the past without having sufficient historical grasp of the prior situations. The analogies will be prone to be off-center as it is in this instance. The three circumstances she cited are far removed from what I am advocating. Either the Finance Minister was being glib, woefully ignorant, or both. If her intervention is indicative of her knowledge of history, our economy will be sorely pressed because her knowledge of the past will prove too superficial to do much good in the present. As a result of losing WWI, Germany was burdened with an onerous reparations bill by the victors. Famed economist, John Maynard Keynes disparaged it as a “Carthaginian Peace” because the war damages exceeded the German capacity to pay without incurring national ruin. The damages amount to a confiscation intended to keep Germany in weak and indebted circumstance for perpetuity. The debt was to be paid in gold or in the currency of the creditor nation. Compounding the trouble, France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr, Germany’s industrial heart, reducing economic activity which further impeded the quest to pay the impossible war reparations. Left with no other choice, Weimar printed vast amounts of its currency and bonds to trade for gold, pounds and dollars in order to redeem the annual war bills when they fell due. Forced payment of an exorbitant external debt causes Weimar hyperinflation. This situation is a far-cry from a sovereign nation paying its own citizens a decent wage in its own currency for productive toil modernising the nation’s infrastructural base. Instead of citing the Weimar predicament, the Finance Minister should have studied the difference economic trajectories of France and England in the immediate post-war years. England adhered to gold-standard austerity economics. That nation fell into a recessionary trough. France exercised a looser peg to the gold standard and engaged in expansionary fiscal policy. The French economy was much healthier than that of its English channel rival. Zimbabwe was also cited. President Mugabe’s land redistribution and other

policies caused inflation because these measures resulted in economic dislocation, resulting in diminished productivity and capital flight. However, Mugabe’s hyperinflation came from another direction - an external shock similar to what crippled Weimar Germany. While fronting as a tough nationalist, Mugabe’s Achilles Heel was that he borrowed liberally from the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and private banks. Debt was denominated mostly in American dollars. The IFIs and banks had always rescheduled his debt as it came due. When he embarked on land reform, the Western governments that control these entities changed their policies. They blocked debt extension. The vast bill became due. His feet to the fire, Mugabe did the only thing he could. He printed Zimbabwean dollars that he may go into the market to purchase American ones. The more local dollars he printed, the lower their value fell against the needed American version. The more he printed, the lower the value fell and the more he had to print. This culprit unleashed the hyperinflation. Finally, Zimbabwe succumbed to pressure, entering an agreement with the Western nations. He gained partial debt payment relaxation after pegging his currency to the American dollar and South African Rand, thus surrendering a huge chunk of his fiscal and monetary sovereignty to other nations. After the deal, Zimbabwean hyperinflation disappeared relatively quickly. The context of Argentine hyperinflation is also vastly different from what I set forth. In the late 1970s-early 1980s, the nation opened its financial markets. A rush of government and private sector dollar-denominated borrowing took place. Later, the military government ‘socialised’ much of the private debt. It assumed the private debt. This amounted to a grant to big international and domestic business. It would crush the government under a heavy debt burden. Worse, this was a time of Reagan and tight money in America. Interest rates on dollar debts exceeded historic norms. To pay the spiraling dollar debt and interest burden, Argentina printed pesos in order to purchase the dollars needed to redeem the debt. Hyperinflation came. My recommendations will not produce this situation. More instructive to our circumstance is the Argentine depression of 2001. At the best of the IFI’s from which our present government takes guidance, Argentina did a curiously destructive thing in the 1990s. It established a currency board, pegging its peso to the dollar at a ratio of one-toone that was purely convertible. Much of the government debt was converted into long-term, 10-year dollar denominated bonds. The peg placed the nation on a dollar standard that functioned like

the extinct gold standard. It would prove to be just as deflationary and ruinous. The nation’s exports became too expensive because the currency was overvalued. Earnings fell. Business activity shrunk. This was masked for a time by the influx of foreign capital taking advantage of the relatively high yields on government debt. The currency peg amounted to a trap. Due to the peg, creditors could lend government a peso yet demand payment of the principal and the interest in dollars. With the peso overvalued, this process effectively constituted a government subsidy to big investors. Worse, the peg-attenuated government’s ability to engage in expansionary fiscal policy because every peso issued became a potential dollar obligation. The government could not issue its own currency without incurring a proportionate contingent debt in a currency not of its ability to issue or control. Argentina had relinquished significant control over its monetary policy to those who control the dollar. In short, this was a calamitous attempt at turning a peso economy into a dollar-controlled economy. It was as foolhardy as using a short rope to tie a canoe to the anchor of an ocean liner. Once the massive anchor dropped that the canoe would sink was a certainty. More apposite to this situation is present-day Greece. By entering the Euro zone, that nation slipped itself in a vise. With its goods denominated in Euro, Greek’s exports shrunk because the exports had become more costly to the nation’s principal export recipients. These partners were not members of the common currency. Meanwhile, imports from Germany and other nations became cheaper and thus more plentiful. Also, European investors eagerly lent money to the Greek government since bond yields in Greece were relatively higher than other euro zone countries. As long as creditors rescheduled the loans, things were fine. The 2008 recession ended the merry ride. Creditors called for loans repayment. Greece faced a sovereign debt crisis because it had forfeited its currency sovereignty to the euro zone. The EU, IMF and World Bank imposed austerity measures on Greek in exchange for debt relief. These “experts” made a forecast that the economy would grow and the debt would quickly reduce. The opposite happened. The nation was thrust into a downturn steeper than the Great Depression. The Greek depression lasted six years. This year has seen modest growth. This growth is due to the tacit admission that austerity was too onerous a yoke. The Greek government was allowed to engage in fiscal expansion by passing an ambitious highway construction bill. These brief accounts of prior crises show austerity works all the time. It always brings contraction. These accounts also show that what I propose is far different from the situations raised by the government. What I advocate and the examples they use to scare Nigerians should not even be mentioned in the same breath.

The nature and function of money in a progressive economy My policy is to use our currency sovereignty to spur economic activity. Government should deploy fiscal policy to engage in non-debt deficit spending on productive ventures that modernize our infrastructure and provide jobs. This is a far-cry from nations printing money in order to purchase foreign currency to redeem foreign-denominated debt. One method is productive, the other promiscuous. They are as different as giving a shovel to your brother that he might help dig the foundation of the family house or giving the tool to an irate trespasser. That you may be hard struck in the later instance should come as no surprise. An overview of how we now fund

‘ by giving primacy to Should we labour otherwise exchange rate, we shall achieve neither exchange rate stability nor adequate economic growth. ‘

government will better explain my concerns regarding the path this government has taken. The Nigerian oil is exchanged for dollars. The dollars are then used as the basis to calculate the naira to be given to the federal government. This process basically treats our money as a finite commodity and not as the sovereign instrument of a national government. Money is generally represented as a tangible thing. Its essential nature is otherwise. To treat money as a commodity is a subtle but grievous error. Money – historically - has taken the form of cowry shells, precious metal, paper stamped with pictures of famous personalities, and electronic transmissions. The essence of money is not found in the thing used to represent it. Those things change over time and with technology. Money is an idea, a social convention. Money is the concept of storing economic value in an agreed medium so that value can be transported over geographic space and across time. Money is not the gold or the cowry. Money is the intangible idea these tangible things represent. If the nature of money renders it more sublime than that of a commodity, its functional use should also transcend to how we use a commodity. Money should be used in a manner that assigns appropriate economic value to all potentially productive labour, resources and capital within the nation. To attach money to these things requires that they are placed in productive use and in the stream of commerce. Conversely, that which has no money attached to it is idle and unproductive. A jobless man with no family or friends has no income and receives no relief. Being unproductive, he has no money. As such, he is deemed to have no economic value. Economically, an able-bodied human being has been reduced to a cipher. The goal of progressive macro-economic policy is to liberate people from this dismal circumstance. Policy should minimise idle capacity by attaching value to these economic elements by funding their employment in productive endeavour. A government that enjoys the sovereign right to issue currency should not restrict its currency’s use to the amount of foreign currency it receives. This restriction forfeits much of the fiscal power resident in the Federal Government. This has nothing but mean consequence for the great number of ordinary people, especially the unemployed. Forever tying the level of naira to dollar revenue intake means our economic decision makers have turned exchange rate management into the nation’s primary macro-economic goal. This is tantamount to giving food to the shadow yet leaving the actual man unfed. A sustainable exchange rate is a function of our economic strength not vice versa. A mechanistic pursuit of a high exchange rate as the chief policy objective is to love the image on the map more than the actual nation the map represents. The exchange rate is but a factor that helps measure economic strength; it can also be a tool used in building that strength. But, it is not itself the strength. The overriding economic objective is to produce sufficient economic growth and development that allocate equitable shares of income and wealth among the nation’s economic constituencies. If we achieve the target of this aim, exchange rate stability will follow suit. Should we labour otherwise by giving primacy to exchange rate, we shall achieve neither exchange rate stability nor adequate economic growth.

Bank versus government creation of money The real issue is not how much naira is issued but how the money is used. To the extent the extra naira pays for economic activity that has a real value equal to, or exceeding one naira, inflation will not be problematic. Real costs within the economy will not rise as long as any additional local currencies are employed for things of productive value equal to the naira. Inflation jumps when the funds are spent on things of

lesser productive value. This idea is not revolutionary. You see it in operation everyday but do not acknowledge it. When told that banks make loans based on deposits they hold, you have been told a myth. The government has given banks a charter to issue money. When, Nigerian banks issue loans, they do not check their vaults for naira. Upon concluding the borrower is sound enough to repay the loan, the bank creates money with the touch of a computer keystroke. The funds are created out of the thin air. In most developed economies, the vast majority of money is created in this fashion. Conservatives never complain about this process. They do not complain because this private-sector mechanism is predominately advantageous to the financial and economic status of the elite. The government using its currency issuance power to pay wages on infrastructural projects or to feed the hungry is done by the same mechanism. The mechanism is not different than how the banks create money except that the bank money creation is via loans. Thus, it is inherently associated with a new private sector debt. The government deficit spending is not necessarily tied to a debt. Consequently, such deficit spending may be less inflationary than private bank money creation because private bank money compels the payment of interest on the loan. Because of the interest on the loan, the real value of the bank money is less than the real value of the equal sum of government deficit spending. While the mechanisms of creating money by government and by private banks are similar, the conservative elite react differently to each. They hate government expenditure but extol private bank money creation. The different reactions cannot be attributed to the mere fact of money creation because creation of “money from the thin air” occurs in both instances. The conservative objection is embedded in the discomfort that the government may use the funds for reforms and projects that might help the average person and reduce elite control over the political economy. They fear the money might be used to reduce poverty and joblessness while spurring growth. The government deficit spending to help the poor and working class can amend the political economy in a progressive way inimical to elite interests. As such, their true opposition to government deficit spending is more a consideration of political power than objective economic principles. In the end, government deficit spending has been the most reliable method to lift a nation from economic downturn or to divert that downturn. We must divorce ourselves from the myth that the Federal Government deficit spending is wrong. For a state government or a private household, deficit spending incurs debt. High debt is impending disaster. However, the Federal Government occupies a different policy stratum due to its ability to issue currency. Deficit spending does not mean debt. All it necessarily means is that the government is giving the people more of what only government has the sovereign ability to create than it is taking from the people. That the people do not have capacity to issue money, the net flow of money from the government to them not only seems just, it makes common economic sense. Nigeria’s level of unemployment and idle capacity is synonymous with what other countries would lament as an acute depression. We have lived in this dire condition so long that we now consider it normal; in reality, we suffer from a chronic, structural depression. As with the fiscal expansion needed to pull nations out of the Great Depression, Nigeria must engage in similar fiscal expansion to thwart the impending downspin caused by faltering oil prices. If we take the path of austerity, the contraction may intensify to the point where the downward momentum plunges us into a recession otherwise avoidable if only wiser policy had been known by those entrusted to have known. •Tinunu is National Leader of the APC

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS

APC insists PDP members attacked Jonathan in Bauchi

LL Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Inspector-General of Police to institute a probe into the stoning of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign convoy in Bauchi last week. The call followed the revelation by Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda that the attack was stage-managed by unnamed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts. APC’s National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Moham-

med, in a statement in Lagos yesterday, said the investigation was necessary because of the criminal nature of the attack and the attempt to blame the APC. ‘’We stand by our earlier statement in which we accused the PDP of sponsoring the attacks on President Jonathan in Katsina and Bauchi as part of its devillish plan to demonise the opposition and force a postponement of next month’s general elections, and we are glad

•Party seeks probe we have been proved right,’’ the party said. The APC added that it was apparent that the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation was out of tune with developments within its own party, “hence, its spokesman considers the APC’s statement that the attack was orchestrated by the PDP, as ‘absurd and reckless’, without a shred of evidence to

support that specious argument”. The APC added: “The excitable and garrulous Femi FaniKayode rushed to the press to condemn the APC, in his usual skittish self, without taking the pains to know what Governor Yuguda and a top official of his party, the PDP, said about the attack. That action is what is ‘absurd, reckless and asinine’.

‘EU Mission won’t monitor polls in Northeast’

EAD of European Election Observation Mission to Nigeria Santiago Ayxela said yesterday his team would not monitor next month’s general elections in the Northeast due to security reasons. He told reporters in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, that the mission would, however, deploy people close to the area and rely on their contacts in the area for better information. Ayxela said the team was put in place in November 2014 and would function till mid-April. The mission head added that the responsibility of the team would not be restricted to election day, but the entire elec-

•Delegation meets Buhari From Tony Akowe, Abuja

toral process beginning with the conduct of the primaries by political parties and compliance with the provisions of the law among other things. He said: “First, I want to thank General Buhari for the opportunity to have this interview here. The European Election Mission is a big mission. It is a mission that started in November and will be in place till mid-April. “What happened on the election day is not only the problem. It is what happened during and within a space of time, how their primaries were done, how the law has been complied with, the propaganda, activities of the media and any possible

claims after the elections. “That is our role and not just to follow up the days of election. This is a very big country with so many inhabitants. And so, it is not possible to cover everything. I can’t tell you that we will cover all the wards, either for this election or for any other election. “We can’t be in the Northeast for security reasons. But we will deploy people very close to the Northeast. We have contacts there to get better information as much as we can have. But the present situation does not allow us to go to the Northeast.” He said the mission might hold a similar meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan soon.

From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Abuja

ernor, Babatunde Fashola, last week accused the NCC of closing the party’s fund-raising platform. Fashola, who described the action of the NCC as unconstitutional, threatened to challenge the agency in court. But, Juwah maintained that the NCC was a public service institution, which is not political, insisting that the rules governing the operations of NCC were not made with considerations for elections. His words: “We are a public service agency; we are not political. If you are allowed to raise money, you must conform to the rules of NCC. We did not make these rules look-

ing at elections. We made these rules for the interest of the development of telecommunications in Nigeria. And we will keep those rules, whether there is election or not.” Juwah said the meeting of the ATU was an avenue to further the interest and development of the region, stating that participants would discuss issues of harmonisation of spectrum as a scarce and limited resource with a view to come up with a uniform position during the World Radio Communication (WRC) Conference. “This meeting is a key meeting for the world and we are going to discuss spectrum usage. Africa is to protect its own interest in spectrum usage. So, the meeting we are having today is to prepare the

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

HE Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has rejected the call for postponement of next month’s general elections. The group, in a statement in Abuja, condemned a statement credited to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) that the general elections be postponed. TMG’s Chairman Ibrahim Zikirullahi said if there was any compelling reason for the date of the polls to be shifted, the appropriate body to make that call would be INEC. “Our considered view is that if INEC is having any difficulties in pulling off the elections, it should be the body to come up and make that position known. “It is disingenuous for the NSA to be publicly second-guessing INEC,” TMG said It described the call as a ploy to pull the rug under the feet of INEC and create uncertainty around an electoral process that Nigerians and the international community had invested so heavily in. “TMG views this call by the NSA as an affront on the stability of the 2015 electoral process, and it stands condemned. “We also wonder why such a call is coming so close to the elections, when INEC itself has not come out to say it is unable to go ahead with the polls.

•Director-General, APC Presidential Campaign Council and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi (left) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the meeting.

Fund-raising platform’s closure in order, says NCC HE Nigerian Telecommunication Commissions (NCC) said yesterday that it acted in order by closing the fund-raising platform of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman Eugene Juwah dismissed allegation of partisanship and double standard levelled against the commission. Juwah, who fielded questions from reporters shortly after the opening ceremony of the Third African Preparatory Meeting of African Telecommunications Union (ATU), at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, said the action of the commission was based on rules. Director of the party’s fundraising and Lagos State Gov-

members. They found these youths on the road and gave them brooms and they instructed them that when the president was passing, they should raise the brooms and pelt them at him’.” The party hoped that FaniKayode would allow himself a rare moment of sobriety by admitting that he goofed in pitching a wrong position, and then follow up with a public apology to Nigerians for misleading them.

TMG rejects postponement of polls

But, he stressed, however, that the meeting with the president would depend on his schedule since he would be the one to fix the date for such meeting. The APC presidential candidate described the EU election mission as experienced people in election monitoring, stressing that they had monitored elections in other countries before now. Buhari said: “They are vast in this field and they have been covering elections in other countries, even though they are not similar to our own. They are very experienced people; they are qualified to come for this supervision. “As you observed, they cannot cover the over 120,000 polling units. But they have placed people on strategic places to advise them.”

•From left: All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; APC chieftains Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Chief Bisi Akande and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at an executive meeting of the party’s presidential campaign council in Abuja...yesterday.

“Since he will rather learn about the happenings in his party from outsiders, we will like to quote what Governor Yuguda said on the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and reported by Daily Trust and other media outlets on Sunday: ‘I am sure and I want to let the world know that the people who did this thing were PDP members, and those politicians in Abuja were the ones behind it; they were not APC

ground for our own position. “We are going to the WRC in 2015 with a united voice and this is a key meeting. It won’t be the last. It is one of the preparatory meetings towards the end of the year for WRC 2015. The expectation is that all the outstanding issues regarding the use of spectrum will be discussed, especially harmonisation of spectrum, spectrum slots and border interference and other technical issues,” the NCC boss said at the gathering. The Minister of Communication, Dr. Omobola Johnson urged participants to leverage on their experiences in the field of spectrum management to forge a strong and united position for Africa in the WRC 2015 Conference.

NBC cautions broadcast stations From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

HE National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has threatened to sanction any broadcast station, which did not conform to the ethics of professionalism in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities during the electioneering campaigns. In a statement, the Director, NBC Kaduna Zonal Office, Alhaji Ibrahim Isah Wada, warned that the commission would take decisive measures against any broadcast station that reneged on its professional responsibility as prescribed by law. The statement regretted that some politicians make attempts to use the broadcast media to overheat the polity, thereby causing disharmony among the people. “Broadcast stations are, therefore, enjoined to exercise professionalism and live above any parochial interest, for the overall good of our country. “The commission wishes to emphasise that electioneering exercise is a game of rules, likewise the broadcasting profession. It is, therefore, essential that the rules of the game are adhered to by all players. Thus, no politician should be allowed to sue the broadcast media unlawfully to the detriment of society,” the statement said.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS NBA to INEC: allow eligible voters to vote

Osinbajo: Buhari ’ll accord security top priority

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

•‘Jonathan playing politics with Boko Haram’ From Tony Akowe, Abuja

NSURGENCY in the Northeast took a dangerous dimension because the President Goodluck Jonathan administration failed to prioritise security of lives and property, the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, said yesterday. He promised that the issue of insecurity would be of top priority to APC presidential standard-bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, if elected. Osinbajo said the Jonathan administration failed to equip the military even when it was obvious that the security situation was getting worse. He also said soldiers, who were court-martialed for alleged mutiny, complained that they were not given weapons, but were asked to go to war against insurgents. The APC vice presidential candidate, who spoke at a Town Hall meeting with young professionals under the auspices of Act Now Professionals in Abuja, said as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, the president ought to have shown an example by leading from the front and not the back. He accused Jonathan of reneging on his oath of office and his promise to protect Nigerians, stressing that even though the government claimed to have spent about N4 trillion on defence, evidence on ground suggested the contrary. He said: “From what we are seeing on ground and with the complain by soldiers that they are not given weapons to fight the insurgents, it is either that money was not spent at all or somebody is telling lies.” Osinbajo assured that an APC government will equip the military and give them a true sense of belonging. He said: “When you have a situation like this, you do not point to the opposition and say it was the opposition that is sponsoring it, until General Buhari almost lost his life when Boko Haram attacked him. “We must start by understanding that there is a war going on in that part of the country and what the government need to do is to get the nation behind it, not pointing accusing fingers at wrong places. “Secondly, we need to look at the whole question of funding and equipping the military. The military at the moment is not equipped. “I worked with Femi Falana on the mutiny of some soldiers and what is the complaint of those soldiers who are charged for mutiny? Their complaint is that they are not given equipments and they want them to go to battle. “So, how do you say that? How does anybody think that you can fight insurgents without ammunitions? “The first priority is security and to question what has gone wrong in the military. Then funding the military adequately and ensuring that the commander-in-chief leads from the front.”

•All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (right) discussing with retired Maj.-Gen. Indian Garba, at his decoration as honorary patron of Ray of Hope Crusaders for Good Governance in Abuja...yesterday.

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that every eligible Nigerian was allowed to exercise his/her right to vote during next month’s general elections. The NBA said following INEC’s inability to fully distribute permanent voter’s cards (PVC) to all eligible voters, it would amount to denying them their right to vote should registered voters be denied the opportunity to vote because he/she has no PVC. NBA’s General Secretary Afam Osigwe said although INEC could make regulations to ensure free and fair election, its position that only those with PVCs would vote was outside the requirement under the Electoral Act. Osigwe, who spoke in Abuja yesterday, said the requirement under the Electoral Act was that to be eligible to vote, one must have his/her name on the voter register. “INEC had powers to make regulations. But if such regulations offend the right of citizens to vote, that will not be accepted. INEC must do all it can to ensure that every eligible voter is allowed to vote with PVC or not. “The IDPs (internally displaced people) have the right to vote. It is not whether they should vote. It is that they should be provided with all they need to vote,” he said. Osigwe spoke while contributing to discussions during a meeting of stakeholders on Franchise 2015 Project, an initiative of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to campaign against hate speech and other acts capable of igniting violence before, during and after next month’s elections.

PDP wins first Rep seat in Benue

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the first seat in the House of Representatives, even as the election is 19 days away. Christian Adabah Abah is the only candidate validly nominated to contest the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadigbo Federal Constituency seat in Benue State. He is of the PDP. According to the Electoral Act, in case of an only nomination, the Independent National Election (INEC) is man-

•INEC rejects minor parties’ governorship nominations By our reporter

dated to declare such a candidate elected. Yesterday, INEC, in an extract issued and signed by the Director (Commission’s Secretariat), Ishiaku A. Gali, declared that on election day, its returning officer will declared Abah elected. Section 41 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended)

provides that: “If after expiration of time for delivering of nomination papers, withdrawal of candidates and the extension of time as provided for in this Act there is only one person whose name is validly nominated in respect of an election, other than to the office of the President or Governor, that person shall be declared elected.” INEC also yesterday reject-

ed some governorship candidates nominated by some mushroom parties because they have no running mates. Seven political parties are affected. The parties and the states affected are: Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) in Delta State; Labour Party in Niger State; New Nigeria Peoples Party in Ogun State; Unity Party of Nigeria in Oyo State; United

Democratic Party in Rivers State; and Peoples Democratic Movement in Sokoto and Zamfara states. Section 187 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that a candidate to the office of a governor shall not be deemed to be validly nominated for such office unless he appoints another candidate as his running mate, who shall occupy the office of deputy governor.

We’ll work for Jonathan, say minorities •’PDP sabotaging president through impositions’ From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

•Jonathan

IGERIAN minorities regrouped yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, vowing to form a “new majority” for the purpose of re-electing President Goodluck Jonathan in next month’s presidential election. The minorities, who gathered at the Banquet Hall, Government House, declared that Jonathan must be reelected to further consolidate their quest for political equality and an egalitarian nation. Declaring that the “bornto-rule syndrome” would be permanently checked if Jonathan clinched a second term, the minorities said they were capable of delivering their choice of candidate with unity of purpose. Prominent citizens drawn from different parts of the country and led by Chief Edwin Clark and Senator Ameh Ebute attended the meeting under the aegis of Congress for Equality and Change (CEC). Clark, however, lamented deliberate efforts by the

leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sabotage the victory of Jonathan in most of his strongholds in the North. He noted that “the apologists of hegemonic oligarchy” had perfected a plot to destabilise Adamawa, Taraba and Plateau states, areas he said gave the president maximum votes in 2011. He said: “This was done with intent to cause grave disaffection for President Jonathan, knowing well that these states are his strongholds. “No better reason could account for Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu’s PDP to hold governorship primaries in Abuja to the chagrin of genuinely committed party members in Adamawa State, simply because they must foist the candidature of Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu on the people and must stop Governor Bala Ngilari to re-contest the governorship election. “What I can understand is the hypocrisy and the brazen nepotism of Alhaji Muazu’s PDP leadership. Could there be any particular reason why Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State, who shared similar circumstances in office, should be treated differently from Governor Ngilari?” He pleaded with the minorities to forego their grievances against Jonathan and vote for him, saying doing otherwise would spell doom

for their interests. The Ijaw leader said the second coming of Jonathan would turn things around for the greater good of the people. Insisting that no other president would give minorities greater relevance, freedom and liberty, the octogenarian said the majority would stop at nothing to divide them. Clark noted that as minorities, they had continued to hold the forte for the integration, economic prosperity and development of the country. “It is not contestable that we constitute the silent majority and economic backbone of Nigeria. It is not for the best interest of our country for those who continued to think in the old ways that the conspiracy of the hegemonic coalition of the elites will perpetuate their hold on power. “It is, therefore, left for us to decide whether to jettison our perceived prejudices in the spirit of our commonalities to pursue what will ultimately ensure and assure our greatness or fall prey to the divisive instincts of the majority,” he said. He added: “No man is born inferior to the other. All men are born equal. There is no single individual or tribe that is born to rule perpetually over others. Every citizen of this country is guaranteed the inalienable right to aspire to any position of leadership.”

Ebute, who is the CEC chairman, said having their minority brother in government was more satisfying than anything else. He said: “What benefit could offer greater satisfaction than the innate, knowing that you have been extricated from the shackles of bondage, oppression and servitude by a group of people who think they are superior to you. “As a symbol of minorities, President Jonathan’s emergence has brought freedom, liberty and emancipation”. He said the meeting was convened to inform minorities that the February 14 presidential election is not about Jonathan, but about the future and political emancipation of the minorities. He said the Middle Belt voting pattern had always decided the winners of elections from the Alhaji Shehu Shagari era to the present dispensation. The representative of the Northeast and former Taraba State Governor, Mr. Jolly Iyamu, said though the zone came to the meeting with heavy hearts because of the ravaging insurgency in the area, its people would vote for Jonathan. He said they would not derail in their focus and determination to return Jonathan despite plans by the PDP to discourage them in Adamawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Taraba. Speaking on behalf of the Southeast, the former Anam-

bra State Governor, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said Buhari was not fit to rule Nigeria again. He said it was time to end the born-to-rule syndrome, alleging that the people professing change were part of the problems of Nigeria. He said Jonathan should be re-elected to enable him implement the outcome of the concluded National Conference. But the Chairman of Daar Communication, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who spoke for the Southsouth, told the minorities that delivering Jonathan would require hard work, urging them to go back to their zones and mobilise their people. He said the issue of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) had thrown up many issues, wondering why Borno State, which had lost many of its local government areas, had collected about 91 per cent PVCs while the Southsouth had only collected about 55 per cent. He said about 30 million Nigerians were yet to collect their PVCs, adding that the card readers had not been tested for the elections. Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson, while opening the meeting, thanked the minorities for their efforts to unite for Jonathan. But he said: “PVCs collection is very critical. The support we have professed here for Jonathan will amount to nothing, if we didn’t collect our PVCs.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS Oyo to train retirees

N4.5m poultry products seized

By Oluwakemi Dauda

HE Headquarters Monitoring Team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Axis, has intercepted a truck on the Sagamu/Ijebu-Ode Expressway carrying foreign poultry products. The truck had 850 cartons of the poultry products concealed with other contrabands worth over N4.5million. The patrol team, led by Yahaya Usman, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACC), trailed the vehicle, following a tip-off. The two male passengers escaped into the bush when they saw Customs officials pursuing them. The Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Turaki Usman Adamu, said when the truck was searched, 850 cartons of poultry products were found. He thanked the operatives for their vigilance and urged them to continue the good work.

Makinde to help fire victims

HE Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has promised to help the fire victims of the ‘S and T’ army barracks, Ibadan. The barracks, built with planks, went up in flames at the weekend, rendering the victims homeless. Makinde made the promise when he visited the scene on his way to a campaign tour of Oke-Ogun area (Oyo North). The SDP governorship candidate told the victims to see the incident as a natural disaster common during the dry season. Makinde called for a list of the victims to be sent to his campaign organisation. One of the victims, Gabriel Adeyemo, thanked the candidate for identifying with them.

Safety campaign in schools

HE Lagos State Safety Commission has started its school safety inspection to reduce schoolrelated incidents. The first phase of the inspection, which began yesterday, will run three times weekly for one month. All schools would be inspected using a 10-point framework known as ‘ the ten commandments’, which encompasses all areas of school activities and each school would have a star rating. Schools are to present evidence of clear, consistent commitment and leadership to minimising risk and incidents, safety signs, sick bay, well trained first aider, adequate facilities, insurance on education trips and emergency preparedness. Director-General, State Safety Commission, Mrs. Dominga Odebumi, said the inspection would help reduce safety risks in schools. She said it was a collaborative effort of the commission and the Ministry of Education.

•Lagos State Governor and Director, Buhari-Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Fundraising Committee, Babatunde Fashola, speaking at an updated press briefing at the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Office, Abuja. With him are former Osun StateGovernor and committee member Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (left), Deputy Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) North, Alhaji Lawal Shuabu (second right) and representative of Senator Mohammed Alli Ndume, Abdullahi Sabiu.

I’ll tackle crime if voted in, says Ambode

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, has assured residents that his administration will tackle crimes to ensure security of life and property. Ambode gave the assurance yesterday while addressing thousands of residents at the APC campaign rally in Mushin. The APC candidate assured that his administration would create an enabling environment for residents to carry out their businesses and make a living. “We have made Lagos safer in the last eight years. “We will make it more se-

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

cure so that you will have a 24-hour economy. So that you can move around any part of the day and night and Mushin will be a better place to live in. “My administration will encourage community policing and you will be the ones watching over your own locality. “We are going to have community watchers; we will have people here who will be engaged to watch over all of us and there will be peace. “When we are able to get a safer city here people will do their jobs and business well. “Then you can work in the

day and night. Our parents will be able to work safely without fear of being robbed or molested. We want a more comfortable life for all of you.” Governor Babatunde Fashola urged residents and APC supporters to remain calm, focused and avoid violence, despite the provocation. Fashola said the opposition was looking for an opportunity to foment trouble and get an excuse to postpone the elections. He said politicians who are vying for elective posts would still remain friends after the elections, urging residents to see politics as a football game in which play-

ers remain friends at the end of the game. The governor said: “Are you not voting for your prosperity and your development now, if you fight and God forbid and you are killed, will you be able to witness the prosperity? “Irrespective of all the seeming problems that you are beginning to see, remain calm and focused. It is provocation. They are looking for opportunity to foment trouble and excuse to postpone the elections.” Flags were presented to the House of Assembly and House of Representatives candidates-Mrs. Funmilayo Tejuoso and Yusuf Ayinla

Communities protest attacks by hoodlums

UNDREDS of residents of Abudu and Iyana - Ilogbo in Ado Odo -Ota Local Government of Ogun State marched on the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office yesterday, protesting the routine invasion of their communities by hoodlums and land speculators. Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the residents appealed to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to save them from hoodlums and the ajagungbale, who they said are fond of carrying out surprise attacks on their communities. They accused the State Patron of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Bademu Adebayo, of sponsoring the hoodlums and the ajagungbale. Reliving their ordeal, the

•Fingers bishop •’It’s not true’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Chairman of the 24 Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Abudu and Ilogbo, George Owolabi, said hoodlums serving the cause of land speculators had been making life harrowing for them. Owolabi, the Chairman of the Ilogbo Area Community Development Association, alleged that on December 5, Adebayo and armed thugs stormed their villages, demanding from each landlord N1million for a property on a plot and N500,000 for property on half a plot. He said: “We have been living in Abudu for over 60 years

now. They claimed they have gone to court to obtain judgment to demolish our houses. We are now being threatened everyday. “We can no longer sleep. They don’t allow artisans and shop owners to work. They extort money from us daily.” The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, lauded them for their peaceful demonstration. Adeoluwa assured that the government would write the police, requesting that the alleged threats to life and property be investigated. “The Bureau of Lands would be invited to look into the matter. We’ll inform the po-

lice too. I want to advise you to go to court because the government cannot award title to the land. If you own the land, go to court.” But Adebayo said the protesters were Awori people, who are plotting to eject the Egba and Owu resident in Abudu communities. “The protesters are Awori, they want to overthrow the Egba and Owu people who live there with certificates of occupancy. They don’t want other tribes there. Just imagine that. “I’m not the only community leader there. My father has land there and they want to take over the land. They feel if they don’t first conquer me, they won’t be able to conquer other Egba and Owu people there.”

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said there will be an exit training programme for local government retirees. The governor, who spoke yesterday at an interactive session with local government retirees at Ibadan Civic Centre, said the training programme would afford them the opportunity to share experiences with fellow retirees. The governor pledged that his government would build a befitting clubhouse for the retirees. Explaining the delay in the payment of pension allowances to the retirees, Ajimobi said the five per cent pension fund which states receive from the Federal Government had not been forthcoming. He said his administration had surpassed its predecessors in the welfare of pensioners, stressing that his government was the first in the state’s history to pay the 142 per cent increase in pension allowance. Ajimobi advised the retirees to be closer to God and to always engage in physical exercise to ensure good health and longevity.

Agbaje promises new education system By Leke Salaudeen

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State yesterday flagged off its campaign. Its governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, promised that his administration will change the state’s education system. He didn’t give details of how the changes will be carried out. Agbaje told his audience that his government would ensure that water flows in every home, that non –indigenes enjoy equal right with the citizens and treat commercial motorcyclists with dignity. “We have every hope that we will win the election. We have been moving round selling ideas to the people. In the next couple of days, we will show the people that we are on ground. PDP State Leader Chief Bode George urged party supporters to make sure they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them vote during the general elections. He advised his supporters to abhor violence before, during and after elections. George said there were no dissenting voices in Lagos PDP anymore. All the aspirants who contested for the party’s governorship ticket with Agbaje have agreed to work with him to ensure the party’s success at the poll.

Gunmen abduct ex-commissioner‘s 87-year-old mum in Ondo

N 87-year-old woman, Mrs Olapeju Fasonu, was on Sunday night abducted by gunmen from her home at Araromi-Obu in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The victim is the mother of a former commissioner for Agriculture, Bunmi Fasonu. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred at 9 pm at 35 Ajewole St., Araromi-Obu, in the presence of two relatives. A member of the family, Tayo Ikujuni, who is a senior editor with NAN, said three gunmen scaled the fence of the house and overpowered the occupants. According to him, the octo-

Two teenagers killed

HE police in Ondo State are searching for the killers of two teenage girls in Iju, Akure North Local Government. The bodies of Oyinkansola Owoeye and Folasade Bello were discovered by some residents. It was gathered that the two girls were killed by suspected ritualists, who were “returning” from a shrine. A source said the girls were returning from a farm when they met the suspected ritualists. The source added that there were machete cuts on them and their blood drained out.

genarian, who has malaria, was taken away by her abductors in a waiting car. He wondered why any-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said they were killed by unknown assailants . The police spokesman said: “We received information that the two girls, Oyinkansola and Folasade, went to the bush to fetch firewood where they were killed. “Our detectives have visited the scene. The bodies have been removed and deposited at the mortuary of the State Specialist Hospital.” He noted that no arrest has been made, saying the command has begun investigation.

body would want to disturb the peace of the elderly woman, when she was not involved in politics or in any

feud with anybody. Ikujuni said the whereabouts of the woman was yet to be ascertained, adding that

the incident had been reported to the police. “The armed gunmen scaled the fence of the house at 9 pm. on Sunday and overpowered the occupants before taking the woman away. “We are yet to ascertain her whereabouts; we pray that she is safe and in good health. “We have reported the case to the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security (DSS) in Akure,’’ he said. Commissioner of Police Isaac Eke said the police were on the trail of the perpetrators. He promised that the hoodlums would be brought to book

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

NDIC takes over 21 Primary Mortgage Banks

HE Nigeria Deposit In surance Corporation (NDIC) has taken over 21 Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) that fell short of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulatory guidelines. NDIC Managing Director, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim who disclosed this at a workshop on ‘Credit Underwriting Standards for NDIC Examiners’ held in Lagos, said available records showed that the PMBs Portfolio At Risk averaged 45.70 per cent, which is more than the prescribed five per cent threshold. He said the affected PMBs’

By Collins Nweze

licences have been withdrawn by the CBN and handed over to the NDIC for liquidation. Efforts made to obtain the list of the liquidated PMBs proved abortive as calls to the corporation were not answered. But investigations showed that the PMBs failed to meet the prescribed capital requirements of N5 billion for National licences and N2.5 billion for State licences. The NDIC boss said the corporation is now focusing on the PMB sub-sector so as

to address the emerging challenges, especially in Credit Underwriting Standards. “PMBs in Nigeria can create significant impact if only they adhere to recommended corporate governance practices, based on effective and sustainable risk management practices as instituted by the Regulatory Authorities. “In particular, PMBs should be interested in enhanced Credit Underwriting Standards because their loan portfolios are on a variable rate and therefore sensitive to Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) fluctuations,” he said.

Customs revenue collection hits N977b

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), col lected a total revenue of N977.099billion into the federation and non-federation accounts, the Comptroller-General, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, has said. He said it was an improvement over the 2013 performance that saw the NCS recording N833.397billion. Attributing the feat to the implementation of the Pre-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), Abdullahi noted that “PAAR has equally delivered on the promise of generating revenue to government. In 2014, we received 291,146 applications, out of which a total of 273, 148 was issued. “A total revenue of N977.088billion was collected into the Federation account, representing an improvement

over the 2013 total revenue of N833.397billion.” The customs boss spoke at the International Customs Day (ICD) ceremony with Coordinated Boarder Management as its theme in Abuja. He described the theme as an inclusive approach for connecting stakeholders, adding that PAAR, represents a bold statement in forging an all inclusive approach to stakeholder management.

• From right: The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Laraba Mallam; Lead Consultant, BlueOceans Nigeria Limited, Segun Adaju and the Branch Manager Wuse Zone 4, Abuja of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Garba Mohammed, at a conference on clean cooking stoves held in Abuja...yesterday.

Shareholders adopt new technology for FTER three years, it and the legislature Brass LNG undertaken American energy gi had undertaken it too.

ant, ConocoPhillips, ceased to participate in the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (Brass LNG) project in Bayelsa State. With its exit, its remaing shareholders, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Total and Eni, have adopted a new technology for the project and also agreed to share ConocoPhillips’ equity in the project. The initial plan of the shareholders was to find another investor to replace ConocoPhillips but they decided at a recent meeting to share ConocoPhillips 17 per cent equity among them. Also ConocoPhillips’ technology called Cascade technology was initially adopted by the shareholders for the project but that has also changed with ConocoPhillips’ exit in 2012. The current shareholders have now agreed to use a new technology called APCL. The shareholders have also

• Share ConocoPhillips’ 17% equity By Emeka Ugwuanyi

constituted a new pre-Front End Engineering Design (FEED) team for the project. At a dinner in honour of the pre-FEED team from Italy’s Eni led by Mr. Giampaolo Bachmann in Lagos, after the team’s tour of the project site at Brass Island with representatives of the shareholders, the Chairman of Brass LNG, Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, told the team that the shareholders have demonstrated remarkable commitment to the project. Gaius-Obaseki said: “Brass LNG is a project that enjoys total support by all tiers of government and that makes our job easier. It might interest you to know that the visit you undertook today, the President had

“We had undertaken an international invitation to tender (ITT), evaluated the tenders received and what was between us and the Final Investment Decision (FID) was the choice of the preferred bidder for onshore works, after government had provided all the payment guarantees, when ConocoPhillips decided to quit the country. The work that has been carried out including what you saw during your visit and the shareholders commitment should allow us to hit the ground running. “The government is very much in support, the shareholders have demonstrated their commitment, the communities have their expectations. Therefore, we should not behave as if nothing has been done. After spending over $1 billion, we cannot throw the baby and the bath water away. That is why when we met in London and the engineering group gave you all the data, I still insisted that we should visit the site.”

Ibrahim said that an increase in the interest rate could make mortgage-loan repayment difficult, resulting in default which may give rise to toxic assets. He added that new loans could become less attractive for small borrowers due to affordability pressures. PMBs, he said, should be able to assess borrowers’ capacity and willingness to continue with loan repayments in the case of an interest rate rise, stating that a

lack of thorough and effective assessments could pose a major risk for their operation. The NDIC helmsman said Nigeria is faced with a myriad of challenges, amongst which is inadequate credit facilities for Nigerians, especiall of middle and lower incomes to fund their mortgage needs. He said Nigeria needs PMBs to fix about 20 million housing deficits requiring a funding of N59.5 trillion.

“Currently, the Nigerian mortgage contribution to Gross Domestic Product is a paltry figure of one per cent, compared to 29 per cent and 25 per cent recorded in South Africa and Malaysia,” he said, adding that a yawning credit gap has been linked to inadequate funding windows targeted at the “bottom of pyramid” component of the population, such as women, rural dwellers and artisans, among others,” he said.

Power supply now 3,791.66Mw

HE Electricity Distribu tion Companies (Dis cos) received a total of 3,791.66megawatts (Mw) from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on 25th January. Data released by the Ministry of Power and posted on its website yesterday, said the electricity market recorded energy generation of 3,864.00Mw. Of this generated energy, the TCN could not evacuate 72.34Mw. Besides, the peak generated energy was 4,291Mw. The ministry's penultimate statistics of January 18, showed that the TCN evacuated 3,562.75Mw, showing that

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

power transmission increased by 228.91Mw within seven days. Generated energy that was 3,636.29Mw last week has now increased by 227.72 Mw while the peak generation that was 3986.6Mw has increased by 304.4Mw. Prior to this boost, the power plants had grappled with challenges of gas supply shortage following the vandalisation of Trans Forcados Pipeline. Responding to the power shortage at the weekend, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Executive Director, Gas and Power,

Dr. David Ige noted that vandalism always causes the shutting down of the power plants. He said: "We have varied production effects from the vandalism in terms of crude oil, condensate and gas, and it runs in thousands of barrels every day. "And when you shut down production of gas from the western axis where we produce close to 1000 million cubic feet per day of gas and every day, when you shut down that, it is not just the cost of shutting it down but the consequential cost of the power plants that are sitting idle and so many other costs. And so the cost is huge."

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

Rice smuggling rises as river is left open R

ICE smugglers have stepped up operations along the Ogun State axis, fuelling speculations that Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officials have gone into “slumber”. About 6,000 bags of rice worth over N50 million were said to have been imported into Lagos last week through Ere River in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of the state. According to sources, the smugglers started moving their consignment in the wee hours of Friday, last week. The river, which links Nigeria with Cotonou in Benin Republic to Owode-Apa and Ado-Odo/ Ota, also links Gbaji and Badagry Lagoon with the Atlantic Ocean.

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda MaritimeCorrespondent

During The Nation’s visit, locally made boats were seen offloading rice into about 20 buses, each carrying more than 100 bags enroute Lagos from Itupa in Owode-Idiroko, to Alapoti, Apena and Ketu-AdieOwe. They stopped at Lusada before entering Lagos. The Nation spent about four hours trailing the buses. A source said the smugglers had made more than two uninterrupted trips to Lusada and Igbesa-Iteko. Ere River is a popular rice smuggling point, through which vehicles and vegetable oil are

smuggled into the country. A commercial motorcyclist spoke of “powerful” people backing the smugglers. He blamed the high cost of rice for the booming illicit trade. The Okada man said the number of youths who are into smuggling has grown because of unemployment. Goods smuggled through the area, he said, included second hand vehicles, textile materials, used cloths, bags, shoes, tyres, rice, frozen chicken, frozen turkey, vegetable oil, soap, furniture, sweets, cigarettes, apples, pineapple and palm oil. Said the man: “I hope you noticed that these buses are not registered anywhere in the country.

Look at their number-plates and you will discover that they are carrying foreign number-plates. “If you counted the number of people in front of each of the vehicles, they are no fewer than three and if you relate it to the number of buses they used in transporting the rice, you will not count fewer than 60 people per trip. “Those people sitting with the drivers are carrying guns and they are ready to engage anybody who challenges them on the road. “A majority of them are also exsecurity officers and the few serving ones who have access to arms and ammunition and that was why I told you that it would be dangerous for you to take the picture of the vehicles because if they know that you are trying to take their picture, they would be very brutal if they don’t kill us.” “The people you saw there are very deadly and they have wasted so many people that have threatened their business,” the cyclist said. But, a Customs officer denied the allegations that men of the organisation were working with

the smugglers. He said the Customs mounted surveillance in the area because it suspects smugglers have a hide-out there. Several bags of rice, he said, have been intercepted by some teams in the area. “Although I don’t know where the river you mentioned is, we cannot deny that smuggling is going on around this place and that is why many of our officers have been posted to curtail the illicit trade. “Those of us posted to curb the nefarious activities of smugglers in the border areas are not finding it easy. “It is a difficult task because a majority of those involved are youths from the area and they know the area very well. Don’t forget that we, security officials, are strangers and we are not expected to detect all the routes that smugglers use in a few days. So, if you have detected a new route, it is your duty as a journalist to inform us before telling the public,” the officer said. Last year, the country was said to have lost over N16.5 billion to smuggling.

Link ports with rail, govt urged

• Some of the smugglers’ buses.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

HE Federal Government has been urged to link the Lagos ports, six Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Container Freight Stations (CFS) across the country by rail. An industrialist Mr Muyiwa Olabintan made the call in Lagos when he visited the port. He bemoaned a situation where importers used trucks to move their goods from the ports. The maritime expert told The Nation that the ICDs and CFS would be more effective if they were linked by rail. Olabintan, who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the House of Representative in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of the state, said an effective rail system would ease the movement of goods and persons from the Lagos ports to other parts of the country. He said the ports were connected by rail, they would help

Pay your yearly due, Freight Forwarders, others told

SSOCIATION of Nigeria Li censed Customs Agents (ANLCA), President Prince Olayiwola Shittu has urged the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and other freight forwarding associations to pay their yearly subscription fees to the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to boost the council’s work. Shittu urged the associations to join hands to resuscitate the Council and make it effective instead of sending petitions to the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar. He wondered why the freight forwarding associations were more interested in the sharing formula for the transaction fees collected at the port instead of finding ways to make the Council effective.

“Let me tell you, the CRFFN cannot survive without the annual subscription fees. As an association, we have an amount we are supposed to pay per annum. ANLCA paid for the first and second year, and there are groups which did not pay at all and they are given more recognition than ANLCA, so we stopped payment. “Other associations refused to pay, yet they said we are all equal; we paid the first one, we paid for the renewal, we were to pay the third one when we asked for evidence of payment by other associations and we discovered there was none. If we see evidence of others paying that money, I will use my money to pay for ANLCA, Shittu said He continued: “CRFFN has a source of funding; everybody practising must pay membership

fee and licensing fee, which is renewable every year, how come the CRFFN is not collecting them? This is a veritable source of revenue, because in the last data base of CRFFN, what we have was 6,000 members, imagine if you are paying N17,000 times 6000, they need to do more than what they are doing. “It is only ANLCA that still makes the CRFFN relevant, we have refused to join the band wagon of associations that want the CRFFN disbanded, people have written petitions, but ANLCA refused to write, the Minister has called, but we told him that CRFFN is still relevant and that he should allow them do their job,” Shittu said. The ANLCA chief said no fewer than eight freight forwarding associations were waiting to be registered and accredited by the

CRFFN. This, he said, would bring the total number of registered associations under the Council’s supervision to 13. Shittu said the problems confronting the CRFFN were selfinflicted because it had earlier registered associations and individuals who were not qualified and did not have offices. According to him, by doing this, “a precedence has been set already; the mistake the CRFFN made was lowering the standards for registering associations.” He however charged the leadership of the Council to look inwards and focus on its main objective of regulating freight forwarding, rather than bothering itself with collection of transaction fees and setting up a enforcement unit and employing officers to man it.

to decongest the Lagos ports, whose facilities and the adjourning roads, he said, had been overstretched. Olabintan said he was happy that the Federal Government was planning to build deep seaports in Badagry, urging the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to adopt the programme if elected. “Aside from creating more job opportunities for Nigerians, the linkage will increase the cargo throughput (imports and exports) of the ports and make it attractive for business. “The seaports will be to the advantage of Nigerian importers and exporters if they receive bigger vessels, discharge more cargoes if the Badagry deep seaport is developed. “But another problem would be created if the government fails to link the deep seaport by rail,’’ Olabintan said. He claimed the non-engagement of indigenous shipowners in coastal and inland shipping, otherwise called cabotage, had rendered thousands of seafarers jobless. Olabintan said there was need to build the shipping industry with indigenous workers. He said policy makers should make adequate projections for the the industry. The APC candidate said of the 4,000 seafarers in the country, only 2,500 were registered with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). “Of the 2,500 registered, over half of them are on the streets of our major cities such as Lagos doing nothing,’’ he added. He said the seafarers were unemployed because the indigenous shipowners who could have accommodated them were not engaged because of the poor implementation and enforcement of Cabotage law. Olabintan advised NIMASA to enforce the Cabotage Act to create jobs for both the seafarers and indigenous ship owners.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2 015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Edo North senatorial race is gathering momentum. Three parties-the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP)-are fielding candidates for the election. Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR writes on the three-horse race.

Momoh, Alimekhena, Ugbome battle for Edo North

N June, Senator Senator Obende Domingo, who represents Edo North District in the Senate, will vacate his seat, following the expiration of his tenure. He was elected in 2011. During the party primaries, he failed to secure the ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC). He came a distant third. The shadow poll was won by Major Francis Alimikhena (rtd). Edo North is made up of six local governments. But, there are also three ethnic groups in the zone. They are Owan, Estako and Akoko-Edo. The people of Estako occupy three local government areas and they are in the majority. Domingo is the first senator from Akoko-Edo to represent the district. The succession battle is a three-horse race. The contest is among the candidates of Estako extraction. The parties are the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC. The parties, it was learnt, picked their candidates from Estako to secure victory at the polls. The projection is that people may be mobilised to vote along ethnic lines. A source said that there is an ‘Estako agenda,’ which had been sealed before the primaries. “Etsako is a majority tribe here and, if the people decide to vote for an Etsako man, he will win,” added the source. However, the three candidates are from Etsako. Thus, the contest will not be a walk over for any candidate. Apart from Alimikhena of the APC, other flag bearers are Hon. Paschal Ugbome of the PDP and Hon. Abubarkar Momoh of the SDP. According to observers, the contest is unpredictable. Momoh and Alimikhena hail from Estako East. Ugbome is from Estako Central. They have been holding elective positions in the district since 1999. But, luck has not smiled on Alimikhena, although he has been contesting party primaries for the same position in the PDP since 2003 before he defected to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). To analysts, the three candidates have to rely on votes from Owan and Akoko-Edo local governments for victory at the polls. The thinking is that votes from the Estako may be split because the three flag bearers

•Momoh

• Alimekhena

•Ugbomeh

are from the sub-zone.

council chairman. They are grassroots politicians. They are popular across the towns and villages.

paigns. But, he will have to work hard to defeat the APC candidate.

Alimekhena The victory of Alimikhena at the APC primaries was a surprise to many stakeholders. Before the primaries, many thought that the contest was between Senator Domingo and the Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere. Alimikhena secured 836 votes. But, his victory was attributed to the commitment Estako agenda. He had his career in the Nigerian Army between 1968 and 2000. He is also a lawyer. The APC candidate is renowned for philanthropic activities. According to his kinsmen, he is generous. He is likely to reap the fruits of the power of incumbency. Governor Adams Oshiomhole has turned Edo North into a huge construction site. He has embarked on massive infrastructural development in the area. Many road projects have been executed by the administration. Many villages, including Okpekpe and Imiegba, which were not accessible, have been opened up. Alimikhena however, faces an uphill task. His opponents are former lawmakers and

Ugbomeh Ugbomeh is a businessman and a lawyer. He is a member of the Governing Council of the National Examination Council (NECO). Ugbomeh hails from UgbekpeEkperi. He began his political career in 1998 when he was elected on the platform of the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) to the Edo State House of Assembly. But, he was not sworn in because the transition programme collapsed, following the death of the Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha. In 1999, he was elected to the House of Assembly on the platform of the PDP. In 2004, he became the Chairman of Estako Central Local Government. Ugbomeh is a committed member of the PDP. He has served as the state vice chairman and senatorial leader. He is also the former Director of Operations. He told reporters told that God has revealed his victory at the polls to him. He has embarked on rigorous cam-

to go back to that era of killings? “Amaechi, for the love of this community, brought in the bulldozers under the supervision of our own able brother, Peterside. Even, when our brothers and sisters turned their backs on us, Amaechi and Peterside made a difference. They stood by us. So, we will continue to support men and women of honour like them who work for society. We will never be intimidated again because we have been liberated. Never again will any son or daughter of Okuru-Ama be intimidated. The Dakuku I served as Commissioner of Works, the Dakuku, whose house I lived in Opobo when Okuru-Ama was destroyed, is a man that fears God and loves our community greatly.” Douglas said, apart from building and rehabilitating major roads in Okuru-Ama, Peterside, who also attended OkrikaGrammer School, is conversanty with the problems and yearnings of Okuru-Ama. He therefore, called on the people to support him in next month’s election. The APC candidate, who was accompanied by friends and chieftains of his party, assured the people of his willingness to consolidate on

Momoh lost the PDP ticket to Ugbomeh. In anger, he defected to the SDP, a party that is fast growing in Edo North. Momoh is perceived as a grassroots politician. His popularity is not in doubt. He has served as a councillor, council chairman and lawmaker at the state and National Assembly. He currently represent Estako Constituency in the House of Representatives. Momoh left the APC for the PDP along with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu after the party’s congresses. He joined the SDP after he lost the party’s ticket to primaries to Ugbomeh. Momoh believes that his popularity among the masses would make him win the poll. He said his performance would swing the pendulum of victory towards his direction. But, he is contesting on the platform of a fragile party. The time is too short for the party to enlarge its coast. Thus, according to observers, SDP has a narrow chance at the poll.

‘This campaign is about my performance’

‘Amaechi, Peterside have liberated us’ HE people of Okuru-Ama, Phalga Local Government Area of Rivers State, have commended Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Dakuku Peterside, for their commitment towards the liberation of their community. The community noted that the two politicians have brought peace and development to the town. A community leader, Thompson Douglas, described Amaechi and Peterside as instruments of change and stability, adding that the people are appreciative of their outstanding roles in Okuru-Ama. He spoke at a reception for Peterside hosted by the community. He thanked them the governor and the legislator for liberating the community from hardship, intimidation, and marginalisation. Douglas said that the community regained its sense of belonging under the Amaechi Administration. He added: “Before our son came and became the governor of Rivers State on October 27, 2007, we were direct casualties of the calamity that befell this community. Do we want

Momoh

•Dr. Peterside

the gains of the Amaechi Administration in the community. He charged them to be peaceful and law-abiding, adding that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of crisis. Peterside urged the people to collect their permanent voter’s cards, stressing that they are the keys to change. He said the radical transformation under this administration can only be sustained and improved upon by voting the APC at the elections.

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has predicted victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the general elections. He said the party will win the elections in Rivers State because he has performed creditably in the last seven and half years. The governor described his performance in education, health care, agriculture, human capital development and the provision of first-rate infrastructure as the issues that will shape the governorship election. He said the search for his successor will be based on his achievements and the ability of the candidates. Amaechi said his success is the success of the APC in Rivers State. He described the APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, as the most educated, competent and acceptable candidate. He said Peterside will surpass his record of performance. However, Amaechi declared that the performance President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will also influence the choice of many voters in the oil-rich region. The governor, who spoke at Okehi, Etche Local Government Area, urged the people to reject Dr. Jonathan at the poll, saying that he has not performed. Amaechi said: “This election is all

about me and my performance. It is also about President Goodluck Jonathan and our small friend, Nyesome Wike. I built schools. I employed teachers. I built health centres and we worked on some federal roads. When I started the Igbo Etche Road, the Federal Government stopped me. Now, I will be stubborn. I will start the road again because Igbo Etche is very important to us. “Let the President show us one small project in Etche Local Government. All the Federal Government projects that are in Rivers State were initiated by Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani Presidents. The Bodo Bonny Road project, for instance ,was started by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. “Jonathan does not like us. I had to start a battle with them before the EastWest Road was started again. He did not attract anything here. Onne Sea Port, Eleme Petrochemical, the refinery, all of them. Our so-called brother has spent six years. Why does he say he loves us? He only loves our votes, but this time around, we are going to reject him. Etche oil well has been taken to Abia, yet they want our votes”. Amaechi urged the people to shun sentiment during the elections, adding that performance and character are very vital. He said the country needed a new direction, which only the APC can give.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

have noted with dismay that ‘ We the Jonathan Administration has continued to pursue the plot to shift the elections

‘

‘We ‘ll not accept any shift in election dates’

‘Bauchi has brighter future’

In this statement, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed describes the advocates of election postponement as enemies of democracy.

N our press statement of Jan. 22, 2015, our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), strongly rejected the call by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, for the postponement of next month’s general elections, ostensibly to give more time to INEC to distribute the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs). In spite of this, we have noted with dismay that the Jonathan Administration has continued to pursue the plot to shift the elections. That plot in itself is one of the two-pronged approach being pursued by the Administration to either shift or scuttle the elections, which are scheduled for Feb. 14th and 28th. The other is the campaign for an Interim Government. It is important to state here that for the APC as a party, both options represent the Devil’s Alternative (apologies to British writer Frederick Forsyth, who has a book by the same title), and are totally, absolutely unacceptable to us under any circumstance. When President Goodluck Jonathan met with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday here in Lagos, the President said he told the visiting US top diplomat that ‘’the May 29th handover date is sacrosanct’’. We say this is not reassuring enough, and that for us, the February 14th and 28th dates for the elections are as sacrosanct as the handover date of May 29th. Therefore, we are more assured by the call made by Mr. Kerry, that the elections should be held on time as scheduled. Nothing short of that will be acceptable to our party. We are also satisfied with the assurance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it is ready for the elections. The electoral body has also said it will con-

tinue with PVC distribution until the eve of the elections. Therefore, the orchestrated campaign about INEC not being ready for the elections is sheer baloney! Now, make no mistakes about it, we are aware of the limitless capacity of the PDP and the Jonathan Administration for anti-democratic and desperate actions in pursuit of selfish motives that have nothing to do with the interest of the good people of Nigeria. We are aware of the clandestine moves, including reaching out to various interest groups and hiring talking heads to make the television rounds, being made by the Administration to get the elections shifted. The Jonathan Administration’s apologists are hiding under the facade that millions of Nigerians will be disenfranchised if the elections should proceed as scheduled. Again, they are using the terrorist attacks in some parts of the North to advance their election shift argument. We sincerely hope the recent escalation of the Boko Haram attacks, and the siege on Maiduguri on Sunday, a day after President Jonathan campaigned in the city, are not connected to this sophistry. All in all, these arguments in support of election postponement is a smokescreen. The truth is that the forthcoming elections terrify the PDP and the Jonathan Administration to such an extent that they are looking for ways to postpone or scuttle the polls. If indeed the Jonathan Administration is genuinely concerned that many Nigerians have not received their PVCs, let it declare a three-day public holiday to give working Nigerians the opportunity to collect their PVCs. Let the government work with INEC to ensure that the PVCs are distributed at the polling units. If these steps are followed, within five days,

•Mohammed

the distribution would have been completed. In conclusion, let me summarise the stand of our party, the APC, regarding next month’s general elections: APC is ready for the elections, and under no circumstance will we accept a postponement. For us, Feb. 14th and 28th are as sacrosanct as May 29th, the handover date. The government has had four years to prepare, and the dates for the elections were announced over a year ago, therefore there is no going back now. We note that the PDP has also said it is ready for the polls. That is good news. Let them now end their clandestine push for either postponement or the formation of an interim government, stop engaging in scare and scandal mongering and dwell on issues, ahead of the polls. We are satisfied with the assurances by INEC that it is ready for the polls, and we call on the Jonathan Administration to give the electoral body all the support and resources it requires to organize successful elections. Any postponement of the election will mean that INEC is not independent and that it is being dictated to by the Federal Government, a position that will hurt the credibility of the electoral umpire. Finally, any postponement on the basis of the insurgency in the Northeast will represent a victory for the terrorist group Boko Haram, and will create a constitutional logjam that will take Nigeria back to 1993. Believe me, we have travelled that route before and it was not pleasant.

‘APC can’t defeat PDP in Bauchi’ From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

•Jatau

AUCHI State People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Hon. Auwal Jatau has said that the party will win next months’s elections. Also, the Chairman of the chapter, Ibrahim Yaro Yaro, urged the members to defend the legacies of the party. He said Bauchi will fare better under the PDP. The party chieftains spoke at the flag off the governorship

campaigns in Bauchi, the state capital. Jatau charged party supporters to shun violence during and after elections, stressing that the contest is do-or-die affairs. He said: “Leadership comes from God. Any candidate that does not win his election should accept defeat in good faith because, in every contest, there must be a winner and a loser. “Politics should not be a-do-or die affair. So, once politicians understand that it is God that gives leadership to whom He pleases, our elections will be free from violence.” Yaro advised the people to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards in their various local governments. He also urged them to vote for the PDP at the polls. He added: “The right of every voter is to exercise his franchise. It is an inalienable right that cannot be taken away by any government or institution. Every eligible voter is entitled to vote, irrespective of whether he has a Permanent Voter’s Card or a Temporary Voters Card.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot be defeated in Bauchi State. But, my advice is that you should not sell your votes to anybody because of temporary gain.” The Chairman of the PDP Contact and Mobilisation Committee, Alhaji Sanusi Magaji, congratulated the candidates, urging them to work assisuously for victory at the polls. Other PDP leaders at the rally included Senator Adamu Gumba, the former deputy governor, Abdulmalik Mahmud, Senator Abdul Ningi, PDP Women Leader Hajiya Bahita Mahmud, the Organising Secretary, Muhamadu Sarde, legilators, commissioners, special advisers and council chairmen. At the rally, Governor Isa Yuguda did not make a speech. The governorship candidate, Jatau’s speech, was short. An observer said: “If they had come out to speak, they would have been stoned more than what you saw. So for the interest of peace the governor and our governorship candidate did not speak. But that does not mean that we will not win the elections”.

HE Bauchi State governorship flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Mahmud Abubakar, has said that the state has a brighter future under a progressive administration. He promised to improve agriculture to boost the economy of the state. He said, if agriculture is fully developed, farmers will get more yields, adding that the state will benefit from it. He explained that agricultural development will provide employment opportunities for the youths. The APC chieftain said Bauchi is endowed with enormous mineral resources, assuring that his administration will use them judiciously for the development of the state. He said the maximum use of the resources will reduce the over-dependence on the

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

monthly federal allocation. Abubakar promised to execute other developmental projects in the areas of education, health and women empowerment. The flag bearer, who described Bauchi as an APC State, called on the electorate to vote for the party during the elections. He said the party is not unaware of some elements, who go from house to house to collect voters’ cards from people, with the promise of giving them financial and material support. Abubakar, therefore, urged the people to be wary of such unscrupulous elements to safe guard their voting rights. He also urged them to conduct themselves peacefully to avoid the imposition of curfew as it was done in 2011 elections.

No room for council autonomy, says APC candidate

HE House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ifako/Ijaye Constituency, Lagos State, Dr. Elijah Adewale, has flayed chairmen of local governments for agitating for council autonomy. He said the agitation smacked of lack of the understanding of federalism. The flag bearer said that autonomy will lead to financial recklessness at the grassroots. Adewale said the local government system needs men and women of integrity to run grassroots administration. He said: “When I get to the House in June, by the grace of God, and somebody raises a bill on financial autonomy for the council administration, I will work with other like minds to kill it. What we need in our councils are resourceful and incorruptible people to generate resources and manage them properly”. Adewale added: “Some of our council chairmen are bereaved of ideas. They only know how to spend, but do not know how to generate. They only know how to

By Our Correspondent

award contracts, but do not know how to execute them”. The APC candidate promised to set a standard and fight for the establishment of well equipped library in the local government for thye benefit of the youths. He stressed: “I always weep every morning when I see fibrant youths in the local government merely arguing by the newspapers’ stand and doing nothing.” Adewale also promised to sponsor a bill for the setting up of a mortgage bank where small and medium scale enterprises and artisans can get loans without interest to run their businesses. He also promised to change the orientation and perception of the youths toward self employment. Dr. Adewale, a pure grassroots politician, who runs the most successful private institutions in the local government, proffered: “Unfortunately most of our youths only think of how to be employed. This is not just possible and feasible except we want to deceive ourselves.

‘Igbo deserve more appointments’

SOCIO-POLITICAL organisation, Odinma Igbo, has called for a fair treatment in the affairs of Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC). The group comprising politicians, market leaders, artisans, women groups and town unions of Igbo extraction, said urged the party to extend a hand of friendship to non-Yoruba members of ther party in Lagos. Rising from its meeting in Lagos, the group pledged its loyalty and commitment to the ruling party. Its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Igbo Chinedu, said in a statement that Igbo are ready to mobilise for the success of the APC at the polls. The purpose of the meeting was to appraise the participation and contribution of Igbos in the Lagos APC and how they have benefited, in terms of empowerment and political appointments. The group said Igbo people deserved better treatment, having

By Bode Monogbe

assisted the ruling party to mobilise for victory in some local governments, including Oshodi/ Isolo, Surulere, Amuwo Odofin, and Ajeromi/Ifelodun. According to the group, Igbo is marginalised in council administration in Lagos State. It added: “We have noticed that Ndigbo in the APC are not given opportunity to nominate representatives in any political office. They often pick any Igbo man or woman from anywhere and for any position they intend to consider for Igbo, leaving the main group that is politically oriented. “Politics, as we all know, is all about one’s participation or contributions. The Igbo politicians in APC, Lagos State, have not been adequately taken care of in this respect.” The group urged the party to take necessary action on the complaints.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Abalaka’s victory

•It is sad that the claims on his drug had to become subject of litigation HE controversy over Dr. Jeremiah Abalaka’s claim to have patented a vaccine for the treatment of HIV has refused to go away. Of note, 15 years after the federal agency, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) banned the doctor and his vaccine, a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, has lifted the ban on the use of the vaccine. According to media report, the court also restrained the Federal Government and NAFDAC from further interfering with the use of the vaccine. We hope the judgment of the court is only to enforce the rights of Dr. Abalaka, to be treated fairly as ‘an inventor’ in accordance with the law, and not to grant him a free reign, not to submit to standard regulation, as provided by extant laws on authentication of medical discoveries. Dr.Abalaka had approached the court to challenge the ban placed on him by NAFDAC, and had claimed that he was offered monetary inducement to give away his discovery, which he rejected. Back then, the Federal Government had come out strongly to denounce the doctor, claiming that the discovery could not be authenticated. It is unfortunate that such a matter that should be handled scientifically in accordance with laid-down rules and procedure, became a subject for litigation, with its own peculiar technicalities. For now, the implication of the judgment is that Dr. Abalaka was badly treated by the

Federal Government and her agencies, over a matter that ought to have brought glory to the country, if the vaccine had the potency he ascribed to it. But for the disagreement and counterclaims, we had thought that there is a standard procedure for the authentication of drugs, before use. Indeed, as the global race for the discovery of vaccine for Ebola disease showed recently, such standards are substantially universal. So, why would a Nigerian discovery, if the claim is true, end up in controversy? Now that the court has restrained the Federal Government and NAFDAC from interfering with the vaccine, we hope Dr. Abalaka will proceed to conclude the authentication process, which from his claim appears to have been arrested. As a scientist, we believe that he will follow the process to completion, if he has not. Indeed, if NAFADC had made a mistake in unlawfully restraining the doctor and his vaccine, then it must own up, and allow unfettered use of the medication. After all, there is yet no known cure for that dreadful ailment, and who says a Nigerian cannot contribute to the body of medical knowledge for the benefit of the world? If however the Federal Government feels that the court erred by granting that relief to Dr. Abalaka, then it must return to a higher court, to argue for a reversal of the judgment. The government and its agencies must not be ambivalent over this matter. Considering that it is the

health of Nigerians that we are talking about, the relevant agencies should, as a matter of public importance, make a statement as to their position over the court judgment. The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research which Dr.Abalaka claims authenticated the vaccine, also owes Nigerians a confirmation or rebuttal. It will also be fair to properly compensate Dr. Abalaka if he was wrongly treated by the relevant agencies. His claim that he was offered inducement by the agents of the Federal Government should be investigated, to clear all the grey areas. Unfortunately many reasonable Nigerians out there believe Dr. Abalaka’s story, considering the neglect or lackadaisical attitude of government to research in the country.

‘We hope the judgment of the court is only to enforce the rights of Dr. Abalaka, to be treated fairly as ‘an inventor’ in accordance with the law, and not to grant him a free reign, not to submit to standard regulation, as provided by extant laws on authentication of medical discoveries’

Bird flu challenge •Collaboration among agencies is praise-worthy but there is room for improvement

“

E are not in a state of epidemic,” according to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina. While his statement may be reassuring, the official report of cases of bird flu in seven states is nevertheless a sufficient cause for alarm. Adesina, who named Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau states, said 140,390 birds had been linked with the infection and recorded mortality so far was 22,173. It is a grim picture indeed, considering the widespread consumption of poultry meat and poultry products across the country. It is hoped that Adesina’s claim that the Federal Government’s efforts to contain the outbreak are guided by “strong determination, purposefulness and aggressiveness” will be demonstrated by result-producing actions. He said: “In all of these states, different levels of interventions, including depopula-

‘The spread of avian influenza, known as bird flu, to five other states beyond Kano and Lagos states which were initially identified as affected areas calls for a thorough and farreaching response by the appropriate authorities to prevent a possible further extension of the disease’

tion, decontamination and quarantine, are currently ongoing.” The spread of avian influenza, known as bird flu, to five other states beyond Kano and Lagos states which were initially identified as affected areas calls for a thorough and far-reaching response by the appropriate authorities to prevent a possible further extension of the disease. It is noteworthy that the presence of the virus was detected following unusually high mortality reported in some poultry farms and live bird markets in Kano and Lagos states. Equally remarkable are the reported statistics that about 103,445 birds have been exposed to infection in Kano State, with 15, 963 mortality recorded, while in Lagos State there were about 31, 195 cases of infection and 3, 347 deaths. Samples taken from the birds were tested at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, and showed that the cause of the deaths was the H5 Strain of Avian Influenza Virus. The virus is infectious and can cause serious human infection. It is thought-provoking that Adesina said: “I wish to assure Nigerians that Nigeria will successfully control the bird flu outbreak. We have successfully controlled it in the past and have activated all the necessary protocols and measures to ensure successful control this time as well.” The questions are: What is responsible for the recurrent outbreak? Is prevention not better than cure? Apparently, a major contributory factor is lax official surveillance, which is unacceptable because this is a virus that could contaminate foodstuff and expose

the public to serious health consequences. It is important to strengthen the formal inspection system, just as greater attention should be paid to the enlightenment of poultry farmers and fowl sellers, especially concerning best practices in biosecurity. Also, it is helpful to educate the public on how to avoid infection as well as prevent the spread of the virus, which includes ensuring that poultry meat and eggs are properly cooked before consumption and promptly reporting cases of mortality in birds in any area to the appropriate authorities. The collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the relevant ministries in the affected sates is a positive approach. It is also a plus that there is no record of any human infection. In particular, the example of the scope of government response in Lagos State is impressive. Apart from active diseases search by surveillance agents, biosecurity monitoring and sensitisation in poultry farms and markets, disinfection of poultry markets and decontamination of affected farms and sensitisation of poultry farmers and traders on insurance policy issues, the state ministry of agriculture and cooperatives is collaborating with the ministry of health, the Lagos State branch of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, National Agriculture Insurance Corporation (NAIC) and Lagos State Fowl Sellers Association. The bird flu challenge must be tackled and urgently contained. Furthermore, it is necessary to comprehensively address the system-related defects that enable such a potentially dangerous outbreak.

Religion as PDP’s campaign weapon

IR: One had thought that the resort to exploitation of religion as a political weapon by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) only emanated from and stopped at the level of goodygoody spokespersons who, could gracefully be excused for struggling to keep their lucrative positions. More so that some of them just made the transition from relative oblivion and penury to sudden fame and fortunes practically overnight! Nigerians were on countless occasions inundated by these spokespersons with statements clearly aimed at exploiting our religious fault lines with a view to achieving mundane political ends. And, not quite unreasonably, some of us shrugged such statements off as the handiwork of overzealous spokespersons who might just be abusing delegated authority. However, vice president Namadi Sambo disproved this assumption a January 21, in Dutse, Jigawa State when they were campaigning. So, exploitation of our religious differences has truly all along been the crux of this government’s deliberate official homeland policy and; the unholy weapon intentionally employed to divide and rule Nigerians? Sambo’s utterances in Dutse should seriously worry and agitate the mind of whoever wishes Nigeria good. The man mounted the campaign podium to give his supporters a reason why they should not vote for APC. And, you know what the odd reason was? That Buhari’s running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was the owner of 5,000 capacity church! What did Sambo hope to achieve by that, for heaven’s sake? Is the ownership of church a crime in Nigeria or even in Islam itself? Can Sambo or his boss look Pastor Enoch Adeboye in the face and repeat what he said in Dutse verbatim? If Sambo’s audience aren’t educated, enlightened or exposed enough to know that Islam and Christianity are mutual friends rather than foes, wouldn’t it have helped if Sambo had taken time to educate and enlighten his audience especially at these volatile times? Or is Sambo also lacking in proper understanding of Islam to know that the religion he wanted to belittle and bring to the opprobrium of his audience was lavishly accommodated even by Prophet Muhammad (SAW)? Islamic scholars of comparative studies of religions couldn’t have done more justice to the topic of how Islam and Christianity share much more than some ignorant fellows are aware of! The little differences we have are not worthy of and should never be exploited by politicians for self service. For instance is VP Sambo and his like minds aware of the existence of these verses in the Holy Qur’an: “And nearest among them in love to the believers will you find those who say, ‘we are Christians’ because among them are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world. And they are not arrogant”. Quran Chap 5v85. “…Had it not been for God’s repelling some people through the might of others, the monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques wherein the name of God is oft praised would have been utterly destroyed. God shall certainly help those who help His cause. He is all powerful, Majestic” Qur’an 22v40 So, where did Sambo get his inspiration to blackmail a fellow Nigerian for ‘owning’ a church’? Surely not Islam! • Ibrahim Muhammed Sani Hadejia, Gusau, Katsina State.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: At the rate things are going, there should be scant surprise in the event of PDP leaders issuing a disclaimer in respect of their presidential candidate! At the last count, PDP had issued four high-level disclaimers; two of them within hours of each other. Twice within the past week or so, the party distanced itself from a statement issued by one Deji Adeyanju, an aide to Doyin Okupe to the effect that the presidency was contemplating calling on the Nigerian Army to scuttle General Muhammadu Buhari’s impending inauguration. This was followed by another disclaimer in respect of the irascible Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State. I have met indigenes of Ekiti state who claim Fayose is a typical Nigerian hustler. You know the typical Nigerian hustler: those Nigerians who will do anything to get anything. Any person who can wish anybody dead or announce the obituary of the living can do anything. See some of the president’s most reliable lieutenants? Judged by the way they are embarrassing the president, one would think Fayose, Okupe, Femi FaniKayode and others are moles in the PDP. This same Femi Fani-Kayode who raised valid questions on his ability to rule is now a prominent member of the president’s kitchen cabinet. With such poor judgments in the choice of top presidential aides, Nigerians need no soothsayer to tell them why and how their country was turned into a hellhole. Nigerians should share the guilt of poor judgment because, all along, people who never prepared themselves for leadership positions have always walked their ways, with relative ease, to occupy the most sensitive offices in the land. This has been the metaphor as well as the tragedy of Nigeria! Add former resident, General Olusegun Obasanjo to the mix and the picture you get is the political carcasses of unprepared and ill-prepared people being foisted on Nigerians. The stench left

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Season of disclaimers by his government notwithstanding, a major fallout of President Obasanjo’s criticism of his protégé, President Jonathan is that we may gradually be coming to terms with the raisons d’être behind crunching leadership paralysis, the main drawback that ensured Nigeria remained a toddler nearly 53 years after independence. Let’s get this straight: since October, 1960, Nigerians have not been lucky to have leaders who adequately prepared themselves for the tasking and taxing job of leadership. And this has been at the heart of the many problems with

Nigeria. At independence in October, 1960, the man who should have been prime minister and head of government, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto, opted to govern the north and ceded the throne to the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Give this to Sir Ahmadu Bello: the obvious sign that he prepared himself for leadership role manifested in the indelible and enduring achievements he posted as premier of the defunct Northern Region. The trend continued with the return to civilian rule in October, 1979 after 13 years of military interreg-

num. In his own words, Shehu Usman Shagari, the man who became the dovish president in succession to Obasanjo was prevailed upon to drop his senatorial ambition for the presidency by hawkish colleagues in the defunct National Party of Nigeria. The year 1999 brought Olusegun Obasanjo in his second ill-prepared coming. His hand-picked successor, the late Umaru Musa Yar’adua, was terminally ill at the time he assumed office. After serving eight years as governor of Katsina State, Nigerians thought Yar’adua needed a deserved rest rather than being sad-

dled with the tasking and taxing job of leading the nation. Obasanjo had a different idea. Flowing from that self-serving idea, Nigerians have been stuck with Goodluck Jonathan, a man who became president more for compassionate reasons, for the past six better-forgotten years. The electioneering campaigns so far have shown that majority of Nigerians no longer feel threatened by the puerile No Jonathan, No Nigeria campaigns of the recent past. The fear factor is dead! February 14 will provide Nigerians a golden opportunity to wriggle out of the snake pit their country has been turned into by a bungling ruling class. The date provides an opportunity to depart from the hurtful practice of celebrating mediocrity through imposition of incompetent leaders who glorify corruption. • Abdulrazaq Magaji, Abuja

No to the drum-beats

IR: It all started as s joke late last year when politicians from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) threatened fire and brimstones should their respective presidential candidates lose out in the presidential election that is less than a month from now. It was the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi that got the attention of the Department of State Security (DSS) when he threatened that his party (APC) would form a parallel government should the PDP rig the election. The governor got serious warming from both the DSS and the Defence Headquarters. But the same security agencies seems to have ignored threats emanating from top stalwarts of the PDP, namely Governors Godswill Akpabio and Ayodele Fayose of

Akwa- Ibom and Ekiti States respectively. Doyin Okupe, the Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs was also quoted on the social media to have said that there would be war or a military coup if his principal – President Goodluck Jonathan should lose out in the polls. To the best of my knowledge, none of these war-mongers are yet to get any form of reprimand or caution from the relevant security agencies. Asari Dokubo, the warlord and militant leader from the South-south has not ceased to remind the nation that his region possess more sophisticated weapons and ammunition than they submitted during the Amnesty Deal. We admonish the contestants in the coming elections to address the issues militating against the progress, peace and tranquillity of this nation and stop fanning the

embers of disunity or war. Let it be known to all that the elections will be peaceful. It is only those that are sowing the seeds of discord that will reap their harvests while the nation will prosper and make progress in every area of human endeavour. If these politicians truly intend to serve the nation at different levels of governance, and not their respective pockets/stomachs, then elections should not be a ‘do-or-die’ affair. Nigerians are seriously praying for politicians irrespective of their political leanings who will truly serve and heal the wounds of this nation and not a group of people who intend to milk her dry and further destabilises or dehumanise her. President Goodluck Jonathan is advised to rein in these mudsluggers and campaigners of calumny if they don’t have better is-

sues to bring to public domain. May be unknown to them, they may be smearing the President’s image instead of trying to show-case the achievements of his administration in some key sectors like agriculture, transport and power, among others. But issues of security challenges and high – level corruption are competing very hard to dwarf these achievements. Those who think of catching the next available flight or jet out in their private jets if what they imagined against the nation happens, may not be that lucky. They may be consumed by the flames of the fire that they are trying to ignite. • Gbemiga Olakunle, JP General Secretary, National Prayer Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

COMMENTS ROM the present agonies of Citizen Muhammadu Buhari, issuing from a sham certificate controversy, it is a far cry from the halcyon days of 1984! The then Brigadier Buhari was a dashing though taciturn military officer, who just took over as head of state, after the collapse of the 2nd Republic (1979-1983). “I will gag the press,” he roared to National Concord (now defunct) in January 1984, in perhaps his first major interview lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) with a newspaper. The grouse of the new Nigerian helmsman were media reports, traced to a Vera Ifudu scoop during the Second Republic — Ms Ifudu was an NTA reporter — that alleged US$2.8 billion NNPC cynically exploited to con the voting public. Constitutional rule money vanished when Buhari was federal commissioner (now is a far-cry from military impunity! minister) for Petroleum, under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. Besides, it is season of electioneering; and about any sense or Buhari defended his integrity, claiming the report was phantom. nonsense is allowed in the passion of the campaign stump! The media, never one to give government and its officials the Twenty years ago, therefore, Citizen Buhari was a military benefit of the doubt when the subject is sleaze, insisted on its officer who, on assuming martial powers, could practically do scepticism, bordering on summary media conviction. It was anything. therefore perhaps a truly innocent but thoroughly bitter man But now, if Gen. Buhari assumes constitutional powers, he cannot that issued that threat. touch anyone, except the law says so — even in the face of the In any event, Gen. Buhari soon enough walked his talk, with most blatant of provocations. the promulgation of Decree 4 of 1984, which soon claimed the Therefore, Buhari’s present agonies — as cynical as they appear scalp of The Guardian duo of Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor, — are no more than constitutional strictures to purge him — as for publishing a report that was essentially factual. indeed every candidate — of any dross of misconception, over A callow Buhari did what he had to do. He is living with the civil power. consequences of his actions. But how is an older and wiser Buhari reacting to the present Aberrant soldiers could shoot their way into power. Since they hold nobody’s mandate, they could indulge in crass recklessness. storm, which appears even more blatantly unfair, given the vacuity But attaining democratic power is much more sobering — except, of the certificate allegations? of course, you are an Ayo Fayose! Indeed, there is an eerie parallel between 1984 and now. This stark difference must, more than anyone, impress Gen. Back then, Buhari was accused of sleaze, which would appear Buhari, given his 1984 derring-do and his current electioneering fantastic indeed, given his acclaimed probity. experience. But that kiln should forge him into a more tempered Shortly after he gained power, he took it out on the press; and wielder of power. Nigerian democracy — and governance — today, it hangs as albatross on his neck. However, Tunde should be the better for it. Thompson, one of the victims of Decree 4, has decried the use of Still, the general would appear to have got off comparably his odyssey as partisan blackmail against the Buhari presidential lightly. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s presidential bid never got candidacy — a candidacy that Mr. Thompson himself has beyond testing the waters. A wild roar of public hostility shot it practically endorsed. down — and just as well, for the IBB regime was notorious on Now, the same media, in the course of its routine reportage, most fronts. and under the rubrics of the people’s constitutional right to know, Goodluck Jonathan, that got his presidency on a virtual platter is busy amplifying a certificate non-issue, on the cusp of Gen. of gold, despite his ultra-minority status, must really think Buhari becoming Nigeria’s next president, should he win the Nigerians stupid to have voted him. That is why he had not February 14 presidential election. offered leadership yet got his propagandists to proclaim him If indeed he wins — as about every indication points he would — he cannot possibly, Decree 4-wise, hit at his traducers on the Nigeria’s best president ever! His comeuppance appears nigh, as certificate controversy, which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the election looms. What has stood Gen. Buhari in good stead, despite his terrible decisions as military head of state, is his integrity, which has remained steady over the years, courtesy of the Buhari records, just released by the Nigerian Army. 1961: Buhari’s principal, Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, in the letter recommending him for the Army commission: “ ... A fine boy of honest disposition ... “

1973: His instructors at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, USA: “Buhari is a quiet, unassuming and honest individual ...” Both sources describe him as intellectually “average”. While Wellington wrote Buhari was “of average intelligence”, his secondary school principal, an expatriate, wrote: “Took WASC in 1961; predict [and that prediction came to pass] a Grade 2 certificate for him. This is a reasonable hope.” So, while not being a dullard — he was Head Boy in his secondary school — his forte was character, not necessarily brilliance. Yet, it is on the character plank that his partisan opponents try to rubbish him! Many, for instance, make a sickly meat of the difference between “Mohammed” on his released WASC statement of result and “Muhammadu” his official first name, perhaps making the everglib Femi Fani-Kayode, the Jonathan presidential campaign chief spokesperson, reach his rather infantile conclusion that the statement was “Oluwole” (alleged forgery) — Oluwole, being a notorious neighbourhood, off Tinubu Square in Lagos, where documented forgeries were big business. Yet, in his own handwriting, in his application to the then Royal Nigerian Army (RNA) for military commission in 1961, the boy Buhari wrote his name as Muhammadu. But his expatriate principal changed it to Mohammed, apparently seeing no fundamental difference between the two variants! To play that up is, of course, the cynical clutching at straws that has typified the Jonathan camp’s demonise-Buhari-at-all-cost costly strategy, which has however badly backfired. But this negative electioneering strategy echoes another eerie parallel: between Gaius Marcus Coriolanus, boy soldier in old Rome; and Muhammadu Buhari, old soldier in contemporary Nigeria. Coriolanus wanted to be Consul, after vanquishing his city’s enemies at the battle field. But the vengeful tribunes (constitutional defenders of the Roman rabble) would have none of it. So, they launched a campaign of calumny that goaded Coriolanus to his doom, knowing full well Coriolanus was young, rash and shortfused. The Jonathan campaign, on the Buhari certificate saga, are essaying similar tactics. But unlike the Roman tribunes that unhorsed Coriolanus, Femi Fani-Kayode and co have only succeeded in burying their own principal! How sweet! Buhari agonistes may be well and truly galling, to the general that has built life-time integrity. Still, it is not so bad for the polity. For one, the certificate storm has restored Gen. Buhari’s honour and further consolidated his electoral bounce, barely two weeks to the election. For another, when he becomes president, a tempered Gen. Buhari would realise 2015 is not 1984, just as constitutional rule is no errant military usurpation! That cannot be bad for the polity!

probably because they are still reeling in the after-shock of the Soludo put down. For sure, every activity of the CBN under Soludo would come under intense scrutiny. If you ever served in government, you know what I mean: every book under the sun will be opened in the bid to roast their latest enemy in the sun. Contracts signed and sealed several years ago will suddenly become matters of interest. Nigerians should expect some revealing files to suddenly pop up somewhere showing how people who claim to be “Mr Clean” are actually white-washed sepulchres! Remember the unfinished business of Securency International Pty Ltd – the polymer currency people? Expect findings of ‘great interest’. That is the way of the desperate administration, an administration for whom no boundaries are inviolate. Continuity or change? That is the million dollar choice Nigerians are being called to make at this time. A government fittingly described by Soludo as “dominated by self-interested and self-conflicted group of traders and businessmen, and so-called economic team meetings have been nothing but showbiz time”. A government in which “the very people government exists to regulate have seized the levers of government as policymakers and most government institutions have largely been “privatised” to them”? An economy “on auto pilot, with confusion as to who is in charge and government largely as a constraint…where “there are no big ideas, and it is difficult to see where economic policy is headed to”? That is the terrible choice foisted on the nation by the PDP. And now some have told us that the devil you know is better than the saints you don’t know! After nearly 16 years of motion without locomotion, if you ask me, I would take a gamble on a different course.

epublican ipples

Olakunle Abimbola

Buhari agonistes

“Buhari agonistes may be well and truly galling, to the general that has built life-time integrity. Still, it is not so bad for the polity”

XPECT a fatwa from the intellectual goons of the Jonathan administration on former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his blistering critique of the policies of their principal as published by this newspaper yesterday. A refreshing detour from the tonnes of staid and sterile stuff spewed by the henchmen of a rattled regime, it does more than a needleprick on the exaggerated self-score by the regime hacks. Exactly three weeks ago on this page, yours truly had predicted that the administration’s claims of achievement would, sooner than later, be tested literally and figuratively with fire. That prediction appears to have come to pass at the weekend. The only thing I could not have foreseen was that the roasting would come from a man who would ordinarily qualify as an insider, who only a while ago served as the number one banker to the same PDP federal government. I have read the 6,232 word critique by Soludo with the rather suggestive headline Federal Government’s economic team weak, selfish. Irrespective of what anyone may say about its timing or the motives behind it, particularly his unflattering characterisation of the administration as ineffectual and selfcentred, Soludo is hardly a man you can put away as a nincompoop as far as issue of the nation’s economic management is concerned. His words, conveyed with the profound insight of an insider are not just weighty but authoritative. While I do not here pretend that his views represent any final judgement any more than his critics are also entitled to their own verdicts on the performance of the Jonathan administration, the views, set in the context of the administration’s outlandish claims of achievement, is helpful and illuminating. To be sure, it isn’t exactly that Soludo has presented any new facts or stumbled on a serendipity over which Nigerians should be excitable. Yes, he has helped articulate in his own way, some of the economic issues that many Nigerians have at one point or the other expressed their views about. Like a disciplined academic that he is, what he has done is to distil the issues to help in the understanding of the subject which the administration insists on muddling up for reasons that are self-serving. The point is that other actors in the preceding PDP administrations have done no less. Nigerians would remember Oby Ezekwesili, who, about this time last year similarly accused the administrations of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of squandering’ $67 billion (about N11 trillion) oil money left in two separate accounts by Obasanjo. The same charge would be repeated early in the year by the former President much to the discomfiture of the Jonathan

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Soludo and the Jonathan scorecard administration. As it appears, the issues would simply not go away. I consider the Soludo interjection important for a variety of reasons. That the nation’s one-time banker would re-echo the same charges earlier made operatives of the former administration would seem a measure of their dissatisfaction with the explanations rendered by the hierarchs of the administration. More embarrassing is that Ngozi OkonjoIweala, minister of finance actually served in that administration whose top actors are the ones accusing the current one of squander-mania! It couldn’t get any messier that the lone functionary to whom the management of economy was outsourced to could not even persuade his erstwhile colleagues that nothing is amiss! Now, for an administration that has done nothing else than serve Nigerians its endless cocktails of distractions in the last few weeks, it must be said that Soludo has helped in no small measure to change the course of the debate from the banality of muck-raking and character assassination to one driven by issues. Having helped to frame the issues, it is left for the rest of the civil society to pick up the gauntlet. Having said that, I must say that the coming days would seem easy enough to predict. With the regime hounds already off the leash, those expecting a healthy contest of ideas on the issues raised by Soludo had better prepared for disappointment! Knowing how the mind of this administration is programmed, I know it won’t happen; rather expect a choreographed demolition job on the messenger. Trust me; if the administration’s legion of netizen warriors have not already set out on the demolition job, it’s

‘For sure, every activity of the CBN under Soludo would come under intense scrutiny...every book under the sun will be opened in the bid to roast their latest enemy in the sun. Contracts signed and sealed several years ago will suddenly become matters of interest. Nigerians should expect some revealing files to suddenly pop up somewhere showing how people who claim to be “Mr Clean” are actually white-washed sepulchres!’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

COMMENTS Nigeria on the march again; On the march again; Looking for Mr President o; On the march again; MKO is our man o 2ce AM sure not a few Nigerians are familiar with the above political jingle by the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the left of centre political party sought to get Nigerians to vote for its candidate Chief MKO Abiola, (now late) in the June 12, 1993 presidential election. As the nation begins another march towards electing a new president on February 14, 2015, recent events in the polity in the run up to the 2015 general elections remind one of similar events, 22 years ago, that led to the premature demise of the third republic. You will recall that the 1993 presidential election was contested by the two officially recognized political parties; the SDP and the right of centre National Republican Convention (NRC). Though the present dispensation is a multi party set up, the election on February 14 will be a straight contest between the candidates of the two dominant political parties, Goodluck Jonathan (the incumbent) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Any other candidate in the race is just wasting his time. Because of the caliber of the political heavyweights in the SDP, people thought it would be difficult for them to come out with a presidential candidate that would enjoy widespread support within the party. Just as the PDP people were saying in the run up to the formation of APC, the doomsday prophets were predicting crisis in the SDP post its presidential primary; but they were wrong. The primary produced billionaire

June 12 on my mind businessman/politician, Chief MKO Abiola as SDP’s presidential candidate and both the party and its candidate grew from strength to strength across the federation, to the surprise and annoyance of the opposition, including the then ruling military junta. The strength and appeal of Abiola across the country turned his ‘Hope 93’ campaign into a national movement for change that drew support from millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora; the kind of movement that we are seeing today in the APC/Buhari campaign to rescue Nigeria from Jonathan and the PDP. Those who later stopped Abiola from assuming the presidency in 1993 would have made it impossible for him get the SDP ticket if they knew or rather suspected that his candidacy was going to enjoy overwhelming support among Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic and religious differences. Abiola they thought was going to be a pushover and Tofa, the NRC flag bearer and their preferred choice for the presidency was going to brush him aside at the polls. Not even the smear campaigns and the enormous dirt thrown at Abiola were enough to diminish his standing before

‘Instead of dabbling into issues that are outside his competence, Dasuki should devote his time and energy to making all parts of the country, including the northeast region safe for the conduct of general elections next month. He should leave INEC to worry about how to get the remaining PVCs to those Nigerians yet to collect theirs’

HESE are, indeed, trying times for the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) which, from all its recent actions, is now like a rudderless ship, just meandering without control. It is evident, from happenings across the country, especially on the political turf, that the umbrella that used to provide a false sense of refuge for the party is now in tatters. Without any doubt, things have finally fallen apart for the party that once boasted that it would rule the country for 50 years because even its leaders know and are now just wondering how fast things are working against them. Desperation is now the order of the day within the rank and file of the party. For the first time in the political history of our country, we now have a ruling party that is mounting huge propaganda machinery even against itself as if it is the party in opposition. The party got to this sorry state because at a time when all Nigerians expect it to leverage on its ‘performance’ in the last 15 years, what we have is a sinking party that is trying to justify its failure using a rather depressing presidential declaration that ‘My generation has failed Nigeria’. This is because the party really has nothing to show for these wasted years other than brigandage, shamelessness and do-or- die stance that has made even the president become angry with himself. Out of sheer desperation, a party that openly promised an issue -based campaign is now resorting to lies, vulgarism, blasphemies and deception as campaign manifestoes. Thus, if it is not Buhari’s ‘sickness’ today, it is his certificate issue tomorrow and next it is about a phantom scheme to Islamise the country or a desperate attack on the man’s impeccable character and his anti corruption stance. The PDP does not mind

Nigerians. They voted for him en mass as their president, but the enemies of Nigeria did not allow them have their say. The June 12, 1993 election was annulled. In the run up to that election, there were calls by some subversive elements, with covert support from the military rulers of the day, for the postponement of that election. You remember Abimbola Davies and Arthur Nzeribe and their Association for Better Nigeria (ABN)? Justice Ikpeme, I think, who granted their request for the election not to hold shortly before the D Day? Listening to Jonathan’s National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki calling on INEC to postpone the February 2015 general elections reminds one of that era. Why on earth did he make that call? And why go to London to say it? When Nzeribe and Davies began their move to stop the 1993 presidential election we did not take them serious. We thought they were mere busy bodies. But to our tragic surprise they were dead serious. Now that Dasuki is flying the same kite we would be foolish to ignore him or simply condemn him. Dasuki is not an ordinary person in Nigeria; he is a very high ranking member of the Jonathan administration. I do not think that he would open his mouth and say something without clearance from his boss. I believe the hand that we are seeing is that of Esau while the voice is distinctively Jacob’s. As gladdening as the reassurances of INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega and President Jonathan on the February elections being sacrosanct, Nigerians should still be circumspect as we were offered similar assurances in the run up to the June 12, 1993

PDP and the hollowness of power By Lateef Ibirogba to go any length to play dirty, not even the note of caution by Kofi Anan, former UN Secretary General, would stop the President and his party from all sorts of crude and desperate politics. Or how would the PDP imagine that Nigerians would gullibly accept that a man who did not Islamise Nigeria as a military ruler (with absolute power) will try same in a democracy? But then, will anybody be surprised when it is the PDP that we are talking about, a gathering where anything, other than the right thing, is the norm. Unfortunately, the die is cast as Nigerians are now wiser. The baseless emotional appeal of a shoeless president no longer holds water. Not even a fraudulent hurried reduction in the pump price of fuel after General Buhari called for it can deceive Nigerians again, not to talk of the belated visit of the President to the parents of the kidnapped Chibok girls after over 200 days of their captivity will win the sentiment of Nigerians now. There is no longer a hiding place for the PDP and its tottering presidency. To the discerning Nigerians, the PDP’s floundering approach to governance is not in any way unanticipated because from the outset, the party never really promised Nigerians anything that will better their life. While other parties’ slogans are anchored on hope, change, progress, prosperity, etc, PDP’s is anchored on POWER! So, wherever

‘Nigeria, under the PDP, remains the only oil producing country in the world that is still classified as poor. We are also the only oil producing country that imports petroleum for local consumption. We even shamelessly import from small African countries that are less buoyant but better managed’

its members gather, the shout of ‘PDP, Power!’ usually rents the air. And since power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, the party has only been using power to encourage corruption, impunity, kleptomania, ineptitude and divide-and -rule since the last 15 years that it has held on to power. Contrary to the stand of late Martins Luther King who once said he is not interested in power just for its sake but in power that is moral, that is right and that is good, what the PDP desires is nothing but naked power. By alluding to the moral perspective of power, King was simply emphasizing justice and fairness as the fundamental basis of true political power. Sadly, these are functional components of power that the PDP knows nothing about. PDP and fairness are strange bedfellows as evident in how the party bungled and polarized the Nigerian Governors Forum for parochial interests. Today, in Ekiti State, seven members of the House of Assembly legislate in a legislature made up of 26 members. In the same state, a Permanent Secretary has been reportedly sacked for not mobilizing staff to attend President Jonathan’s re-election campaign rally in Ado Ekiti. PDP’s concept of power is anchored on impunity and driven by desperation. Unfortunately, it is this faulty perception of power by the PDP that has resulted into the several aberrations that we have witnessed in the polity in the last 15 years. This is partly why a First Lady that resides in Abuja was made a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State. And she was bold enough to say that it is her way of securing her pension whenever her husband is out of power. What an outrageous arrogance of power! Not a few will tell you that what we have presently in the country is a faltering presidency. It is obvious that those that occupy the presidency presently are only interested in the allure and grandeur of power and are igno-

election. We all knew what happened. For even toying with or thinking of that idea, Dasuki ought to have been fired by now. But we all know this would never happen as our president is not the type that can call his men to order or punish/fire them when they act against the interest of the nation. Examples abound of such untouchables in his government; Deziani Madueke, Abba Moro et al. Calling for the postponement of the general election on the flimsy excuse that the Permanent Voters Card had not been fully distributed to the electorate constitutes a threat to state security. Both Dasuki and his boss know this. Such calls could leads to a chain of events that could culminate into a crisis especially if it was heeded. We all knew what happened when the 1993 election was not allowed to run its course. Instead of dabbling into issues that are outside his competence, Dasuki should devote his time and energy to making all parts of the country, including the northeast region safe for the conduct of general elections next month. He should leave INEC to worry about how to get the remaining PVCs to those Nigerians yet to collect theirs. I hope nobody is going to act on his call or listen to others like him equally clamouring for a postponement of the polls. Let the elections go ahead as scheduled. On the current smear campaign by the PDP against General Buhari, I think it is just uncalled for as it will only make him more popular, just like what Chief Tom Ikimi and his NRC did their campaign against Chief Abiola in 1993. Like I said earlier; as it was with Abiola’ Hope ’93 in terms of wide appeal among Nigerians; so it is with Buhari’s Change campaign. This is a movement for change that cuts across all segments of the Nigerian society. Nigerians want a change for the better and it seems Buhari represents our best hope for that change now. We should not be sentimental about the issue. Six years of Jonathan have not brought the desired change, and another four years for him could just be a waste of time which the country cannot afford. If he had done well, nobody would be talking about Buhari today. That is the truth. NB: After a well deserved vacation, I am happy to be back on the beat.

rant of the ultimate purpose of it. They lack the creative and innovative thinking needed to make governance work for the good of the people and only see governance in the context of grandstanding, show of shame and abuses. Despite being located in a desert, the nation of Israel remains self-sufficient in food production. This could only happen when people with the right view of power hold sway in a country. The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, once revealed that he was always studying late into the night in search of solutions to the myriads of problems confronting the country while some of his contemporaries were partying away in the dead of the night. No wonder Awolowo’s legacies still abound all over the country years after he left office. Today, it is because leaders with adequate preparation for the rigorous demand of power are in short supply in the PDP that we have been moving in circles for one and a half decade. It is so inopportune that the PDP is more concerned about being in power rather than performance. It is sad that the party sees politics more about ruling and not performance. Since 1999, the PDP - led federal government had collected over N40 trillion in oil revenue but Nigerians have nothing to show for it. Ironically, Nigeria, under the PDP, remains the only oil producing country in the world that is still classified as poor. We are also the only oil producing country that imports petroleum for local consumption. We even shamelessly import from small African countries that are less buoyant but better managed The forthcoming general elections, therefore, offers Nigerians a rare opportunity to free themselves from the naïve, clueless and tired PDP government. The main essence of political power is to serve the interests of the people by upholding the principles of fairness and justice for all. Governance is not just about braggart leadership, neither is it about mere grandstanding nor blaring of siren to terrorize innocent people. It is about protecting the interests of the people who are now unanimous in saying the game is up for the PDP. The time for CHANGE is now. God bless Nigeria!

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

’

Let only those with the fear of God and love of their neighbours rule Nigeria; only those who know what to do should sit at helms of affairs. Enough of mediocrity, enough of failures, enough of nepotism, enough of ethnicity

’

See page 28

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

Should next month’s elections be shifted? No, say lawyers, who roundly condemned the call by National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki(rtd) and for a few others for postponement. To them, there is no legal justification for the call. They disagreed with Col. Dasuki’s reason, saying collection of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is an ongoing exercise that will continue even after the elections. They urged him to focus on tackling insecurity. They advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stick to the election timetable to avert a constitutional crisis. JOSEPH JIBUEZE writes.

ATIONAL Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki has drawn the ire of lawyers for his call for a shift of next month’s elections. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have rejected the call, saying it is unconstitutional. Col. Dasuki said at the Chatham House in London last Thursday that there was nothing wrong in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shifting the elections to distribute the remaining Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Col. Dasuki said: “You have a year plus and all we have been able to do is to distribute I think about 50 per cent of the (voter) cards. They still have about 30 million cards to distribute. “We look at the possibility of shifting this thing (election) and doing it when everybody has the cards because it doesn’t cost you anything; it is still within the law and it is safer for all of us...” There was outrage over the suggestion. Socio-political organisations such as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned the call. The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) asked the NSA to apologise to Nigerians. It described Dasuki’s reason as “childish, barefaced lie and a dummy meant to deceive the international community, portray Nigeria in bad light and scuttle regime change.” The All Progressives Congress (APC), the Buhari Campaign Council, Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, among others, also said no to a postponement. APC National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed said Col. Dasuki’s call exposed the clandestine plot to push for the postponement of the polls using “cheap tricks.” The Buhari Support Organisation, the umbrella body of over 300 voluntary organisations working for the election of APC presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari said Dasuki’s suggestion indicated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is jittery and does not want credible poll.

INEC’s position

INSIDE:

Reacting to Dasuki’s proposal, INEC spokesman Kayode Idowu said there were no plans to delay the polls. “It is not a conversation of the commission at all. As far as we are talking now, the date is what it is.” INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega also insisted that the elections will go on as planned. The commission, he said, is working with an election timetable issued a year ago, adding that INEC is determined to implement it to the fullest. The commission, Jega said, never contemplated postponing the elections. Jega, who spoke at a programme for mitigation of violence in election (MOVE) organised by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), assured Nigerians that the commission would ensure that all registered voters get their PVCs before the elections. He said INEC has so far produced 50 million PVCs which, according to him, have been made available for collection out of the 68.8 million registered voters, with 30 million already collected.

Why Buhari is qualified to be President -Page 27

Should elections be shifted? •NO, say lawyers “The collection has also been a problem. There are millions of cards available for people to collect. We have given people up to 31st January to collect their cards. But if push comes to shove, we can distribute up till the eve of the elections,” Jega said.

What the law says The 1999 Constitution provides in Section 123 (2) (as amended by sections 11(b) of the First Amendment and 4(b) of the Second

Lawyers, litigants groan as JUSUN strike bites hard -Page 28

Amendment) that an election to the office of the President “shall be held on a date not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.” This means that April 29 is the latest date when the presidential election must be conducted. But, to a professor of law, Yemi AkinseyeGeorge (SAN), the fact that the Constitution makes room for a shift in date does not mean a postponement can be done at a whim.

He referred to Section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010, which says: “Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, the commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned, appoint another date for the holding of the postponed election, provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable.” This provision, Akinseye-George said, implies that an election must not be postponed lightly. According to him, unless all political parties expressly agree to a postponement where the conditions stipulated in Section 26 (1) are satisfied, INEC has no power to postpone the elections. He said in matters pertaining to elections, Section 132 (1) of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act give INEC the final say. “Even the President has no power to order an election to be postponed,” Akinseye-George said. He added: “The power to fix the date for the Presidential and other national elections is vested in INEC. No other authority can dictate to INEC what date to fix. The constitution provides the timeframe within which INEC must conduct the election. INEC is not bound to accept the suggestion of the NSA.” Akinseye-George rejected the call for a postponement, saying there was no convincing reason to even contemplate the possibility. “Postponing the elections would be tantamount to rigging the election in favour of the candidate of the ruling party whose campaign resources cannot be matched by other candidates. Postponing the election even by just a few days may be a political strategy that may wear out or exhaust other candidates who have planned to deploy their campaign resources within the time frame already issued by the INEC and agreed upon by all concerned. “INEC is, therefore, estopped from postponing the elections as the parties have altered their positions and deployed resources based on the Election Time Table it issued and which was agreed upon by all concerned,” he said. The senior advocate said shifting the dates would offend international best practices which frown at election postponement without fundamental reasons. Any reasons for a postponement, he said, must be so obvious that every reasonable observer would consider the shift mandatory. “Such reasons may include outbreak of war, natural disaster of widespread effect, etc. The current reason adduced by the NSA is that many registered voters are yet to obtain their PVCs. INEC has earlier acknowledged this fact and accordingly extended the deadline for the collection of PVCs. “Several of the PVCs yet to be collected belong to people who may not be interested in voting, persons who may have died and others who have relocated to other places including overseas. Continued on page 26

Alleged N750m bribe: Lawyers seek Elumelu’s prosecution -Page 39

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

LAW COVER CONT’D

•Muoka

•Prof. Akinseye-George

•Ofuokwu

•Dr. Ajibade

Should elections be shifted? •Continued from page 25 “It is sure that even if the deadline for collecting the PVCs were to be further extended, many of the cards will never be collected. So postponing the election merely because many people are yet to collect their PVCs is certainly not a valid reason for doing so,” Akinseye-George said. The profession said Dasuki’s principal job is to ensure the country’s security to enable voters elect leaders of their choice. “This right to choose is the most important singular attribute of a democracy. This right must not be thwarted through postponement of elections or other means. “The NSA is entitled to his personal opinion as a Nigerian. I don’t think he should be vilified for that. The right to freedom of expression of every Nigerian must always be respected. That’s one of the most important benefits accruing to citizens of any free society,” Akinseye-George added.

NBA’s position NBA president Augutine Alegeh (SAN), in a statement, said the association was “deeply concerned by the statement credited to the NSA”. NBA said while it appreciates that the constitution puts the cutoff date for the elections on April 29, February 14 and 28 were long fixed and preparations have reached a fever pitch. “A postponement of the elections would give INEC little room to manoeuvre and may push the nation perilously close to a constitutional crisis, if any unforeseen event occasions a further shift of the election date,” NBA said. The association said there is no assurance that the situation with PVC distribution would be different even if the elections were postponed. NBA said INEC should rather take positive steps to ensure collection of PVCs by voters. “The present practice of collection of PVCs should be replaced with collection of PVCs at the location where the polling units would be on election day. INEC should request the government to declare work free days to enable voters collect their voters cards. “There are several other steps that can be taken by INEC to ease the process of collection of voter’s cards. The postponement of the elections is not the reasonable solution to resolve the difficulties associated with collection of PVCs,” NBA said. It urged Dasuki to focus on providing security ahead of the of the general election. “The NSA should offer Nigerians the assurance that the Boko Haram insurgency would end in three months and in the absence of such a critical assurance the call for postponement of the elections cannot be reasonably justified. “We advise the respected NSA to concentrate efforts at dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency to ensure that elections can be held in the North Eastern states,” NBA said. NBA further urged INEC to find better ways of resolving difficulties being experienced in the collection of PVCs. It advised the commission to put in place a system for collection of PVCs at the location of the polling units; extend the period for collection of PVCs till at least February 13; and request the Federal Government to set aside

two work-free days for collection of PVCs. “We hope that all concerned will note that any attempt to postpone the February 2015 general elections without just and reasonable cause will adversely affect our standing in the international community and cause severe damage to the foundations of our democracy,” NBA added. Chairman, Lagos Branch of the NBA, Mr Alex Muoka, faulted INEC’s mode of distributing the PVCs, saying it makes their collection difficult. “INEC distributes by sending the cards to the collection centres. How many of the PVCs that have been distributed have actually been collected by the owners? If you have collected your PVC you will appreciate the logistical impossibility of all the distributed cards being collected in the timeframe that INEC has set. “So the question is ‘why this fire brigade approach?’ Why should something so important and permanent not be distributed over a period of time well before the elections? “I think that people should be allowed to vote with their PVCs (for those who have collected) or TVCs (temporary voters cards for those who have not) once their name is on the voters register. “Since voting is localised and you can only vote at the polling station where you registered, nobody should be disenfranchised once their name is on the register,” Muoka said.

Lawyers reject postponement Osaro Eghobamien (SAN), Dr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) and Norrison Quakers (SAN) as well as constitutional lawyer Ike Ofuokwu rejected the call. Eghobamien said while the law allows for an extension, hiccups in PVC collection is not a genuine basis for a shift. He backed NBA’s suggestion that the Federal Government may declare two workfree days to enable voters collect their PVCs. The SAN added: “Further, the NSA can mobilise the security apparatus of the nation to assist with the organisation for the collections of PVC. Indeed INEC may even simulate the elections, asking everyone to attend to their polling booths on a particular day and many of the current lapses may be resolved prior to the 14th. “For those who have been mistakenly deregistered, INEC may permit such persons to use their temporary voter cards. “Postponement of the election must be considered a grave issue and a very last option. February 14 must be considered sacrosanct. There is so much mistrust amongst the populace that such advice (regardless of its inherent unassailability) is liable to be (mis)interpreted as ill-motivated. I think the advice by NSA was ill-considered.”

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Eghobamien said a postponement would undermine the integrity of the entire electoral process, and could lead to more people feeling “psychologically disenfranchised.” “Any government produced by such exercise may lack the requisite authenticity to govern effectively. Whenever the legitimacy of any government is questioned, it is a recipe for chaos and disaster. Re-scheduling the elections under this circumstance will be setting a dangerous precedent,” he said. Dr Ajibade said only INEC can say whether it is able to conduct a successful presidential election on February 14. Besides, he noted that none of the candidates has so far complained. “To the extent that any of the contestants in the presidential election feels that INEC is not sufficiently prepared or capable of conducting a successful presidential election on February 14, that contestant and his party are best advised to make their position clear before the election takes place and challenge INEC’s holding of the election on that basis. “In my view, any party that participates in the election and then raises the issue of INEC’s lack of preparedness as a post-election issue will be successfully met with the defence of waiver. Thus, the first responsibility lies with INEC to declare its preparedness. “Once INEC does so, any party that feels that this declaration of preparedness is susceptible to challenge should make the challenge before the election or hold its peace forever and prepare to abide by the result,” Ajibade said. Dr Nwobike said there is no valid reason for a postponement of the polls. “I do not think that any factual situation or event within the contemplation of the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 has occurred. The events are natural disasters or other emergencies. The ‘other emergencies ‘ must be such that should not be self induced or capable of being controlled by man. “The reason advanced by the NSA for calling for the postponement of the election is the inability of INEC to distribute the PVCs. To my mind, that type of situation cannot be a valid reason to postpone this election under the extant law. “Another point that has to be noted is that the call was not even made by INEC. The NSA cannot speak for INEC on this very sensitive and volatile subject. In any event, the distribution of the PVCs is ongoing and will continue to be work in progress even after the forthcoming general elections. “Politicians should not be discouraged by this call, as it may have been made patriotically,” Nwobike added. For Quakers, nothing empowers INEC to

The NSA cannot speak for INEC on this very sensitive and volatile subject. In any event, the distribution of the PVCs is ongoing and will continue to be a work in progress even after the forthcoming elections

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postpone an election once election timetable has been fixed unless there is war. “The only time the constitution allows for the postponement of general election is when the country is at war. If the territory of Nigeria is at war and the President in his wisdom deems it unfit for an election, he will write the National Assembly requesting for a shifting and the legislature after due consideration, can shift the election forward to a period of not more than six months. “But as it stands now, we cannot say the country is at war because we have not admitted we are at war. Secondly, it is not the entire territory of Nigeria that is threatened and so, election cannot be postponed.” Quakers said INEC’s power to postpone election does not include presidential election because it cannot be segmented. “It is in relation to elections with state and local government colouration,” he said. Ofuokwu believes Dasuki’s call is not in good faith. He compared it to “the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau”. He said: “It is a tripartite conspiracy against the Nigerian people with the lead role being played by Prof Jega and INEC on the one part, the National Security Adviser and Department of State Security (DSS) on the second part and the Presidency and the PDP on the third part. “This evil and mischievous conception actually started when the DSS announced to us that the APC has hacked into the INEC data base but their shoddy handling of their purported investigation/presentation of facts and the APC quickly accusing them of trying to call for a shift in the election aborted the plans of the DSS. “Prof Jega and INEC on their part cannot by any means tell Nigerians why mere distribution and collection of PVCs have become a herculean and an almost impossible task despite all the money released to the commission. “For the Presidency and PDP they are already jittery over what they perceived might be the outcome of an election in February hence they needed a shift in date to perfect the art of rigging. “The call for a postponement is not just about the constitutionality or otherwise, it’s a call to anarchy and chaos. Nowhere in the world do all eligible voters vote, coupled with the fact that there is a subsisting House of Representatives resolution that those without a PVC can use their TVC, which was used for past elections that the same INEC had always celebrated as credible. “Again the problem with the collection of PVC is neither confined to a region nor to a state, it is even. Hence, we cannot say that a particular section of the country is disenfranchised. “Col Dasuki since his appointment as NSA in 2012 has not made any meaningful achievement in the fight against terrorism. Instead of dabbling into electoral matters he should focus more on his immediate constituency to ensure a peaceful conduct of the elections. “It’s not in his place to preempt what is possible and what is impossible for Jega and INEC. His call, therefore, is an arrow gone to the wrong direction. To grant any extension would be tantamount to creating a bad precedence for a would-be sit tight president.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY An Abuja based lawyer James Ocholi (SAN) contends that All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari breached no law regarding his academic credentials.

Why Buhari is qualified to be President

O much fuss and dust have been raised by both legal and literary minds con cerning the qualification, vel non, of General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to contest in the forthcoming presidential election. It is amazing that in spite of well settled principles of law, even senior lawyers have submitted that the General is not qualified to contest in the said election. Some gaffers even go to the extent of asking the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to disqualify him. To the protagonists of this position, since General Buhari did not present his academic certificates to the INEC but rather swore to an affidavit that he could not immediately lay hands on the said certificates, he has lost it all. They argue further that such affidavit evidence cannot take the place of the erstwhile certificates; hence the INEC should waste no time in throwing him out of the February, 2015 electoral contest. In resolving this issue, recourse must be had, primus, to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. Section 131(d) thereof, which is relevant to this discourse, is to the following effect: 131. A person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if– (d) he has been educated up to at least the School Certificate level or its equivalent. Nothing in the above provisions requires General Buhari to either “produce” or “show” such certificates to the INEC. The Supreme Court had quite recently interpreted similar provisions as concerns qualification of a person to contest for the office of Governor of a State, in the case of Kakih vs. PDP (2014) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1430) 374 S.C. In this case, the appellant had contested the Benue State Governorship primary with the incumbent Governor, Gabriel Suswam under the platform of the PDP. Having lost, the appellant instituted a pre-election suit challenging the qualification of Governor Suswam, on the ground, inter alia, that the latter had not presented his academic certificates to the INEC before the electoral body cleared him to contest in the said election. In dismissing these arguments and the appeal, the Supreme Court held on page 424, per Galadima, J.S.C., who delivered the lead judgment, emphatically thus: “The appellant has contended that… the 4 th respondent is necessarily required to present his certificate to the 1st and 2nd respondents in order to prove his qualification to contest the election, otherwise he is disqualified under S. 177(d) of the Constitution and that by section 167(d) of the Evidence Act 2011, the failure is fatal, because if produced it would have been unfavourable to him. This contention is misconceived. Submission or presentation of certificate is not

the requirement of S. 177(d) of the Constitution as regards the Gubernatorial screening process. The process of screening which the appellant and the 4th respondent undertook with the 1st respondent requires the candidate to fill in his qualification in the form and to swear to a verifying affidavit that the information contained in Form CF001 was true. This takes away the necessity of presentation of the actual certificate to the 1st and 2nd respondents” After making some other findings, his lordship further held on same page 424 of the Law Report thus: “In any case, it is not a requirement of S. 177(d) of the Constitution for the candidate to necessarily present the certificate to qualify for election to the office of Governor of a State. His lordship further adopted the reasoning of the Court of Appeal in the case of Bayo vs. Njidda (2004) 8 NWLR (Pt. 876) 544 at 630 C.A., where it had been held that “it is enough, in my view, that one attended school certificate level i.e. without passing and obtaining the certificate.” He then concluded on page 425 that “it is not… presentation of certificate to the respondent that is the only proof that 4th respondent is qualified” to contest for office of Governor of Benue State. There is no doubt that section 177(d) of the Constitution is similar in content and form to section 131(d) of the same Constitution. The interpretation given by the Supreme Court to section 177(d), therefore, will, under the doctrine of stare decisis, apply to its interpretation of section 131. I am fortified in this position by two rock-solid principles of law, namely: a) Even though the Supreme Court is the final and highest Court of the land, it is, under the yoke of judicial precedents and stare decisis, bound by its previous decisions. See Braithwaite vs. Skye Bank Plc (2013) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1346) 1 S.C. b) It is settled law that where there is interpretation of a previous statutory provision by a competent court, the court faced with interpretation of a similar provision must follow such previous interpretation, vide: Ibekwe vs. NNPC (2011) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1243) 245 C.A.; Olufunsho vs. Global Soap & Detergent Ltd. (2013) All FWLR (Pt. 709) 1092 C.A.; Attorney General of Abia State vs. Attorney General of the Federation (2005) All FWLR (Pt. 275) 414 S.C. and Ndili vs. Akinsumade (2000) FWLR (Pt. 5) 750 C.A. Insistence that General Buhari must present his academic qualifications, even when he has deposed to an affidavit that they are not with him, again stands legal logic on the head, given the evidential value of affidavit evidence in our jurisprudence. For, in Ojukwu vs. Onyeador (1991) 7 NWLR (Pt. 203)

•Gen. Buhari

•Ocholi

286 C.A., Tobi, J.C.A., stated tersely that an affidavit is: a) Court process in writing deposing to facts within the knowledge of the deponent. It is documentary evidence, which the court can admit in the absence of unchallenged evidence. From the above dictum, deposition by General Buhari that he attended at least secondary school up to school certificate level or its equivalent is a matter ‘within his knowledge;’ and unless the disqualification protagonists produce contrary evidence, this fact remains standing tall in the reckoning of the Judiciary, which is the ultimate arbiter in all legal disputes. It has also been argued with much frenzy, glitz and blitz, that under an unnamed INEC regulation promulgated post-2011, General Buhari stands disqualified for not presenting his educational certificates to the INEC. Again, this is a gross misconception of the law. First of all, whatever regulations made by the INEC are inferior to the constitutional provisions already discussed above. If the Constitution itself does not disqualify General Buhari, the INEC will have no scintilla of power to do so under any guise; for the Constitution of Nigeria remains the fons et origo or source of all laws and powers, be they administrative, executive, legislative or judicial. Secondly, section 131 of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended has, in crystal clear terms, embargoed disqualification of candidates by the INEC “for whatever reason.” A basic principle of constitutional cum statutory interpretation is that words not contained in a provision must not be read into such provision. This is called the golden or literal rule of interpretation. See firmly on this, per Mukhtar, J.S.C., as she then was, lead judgment, in Attorney General of

Anambra State vs. Attorney General of the Federation (2007) 5-6 SC 192 at 220. In the present situation of things, if section 131(d) of the Constitution had used either “produce” or “show” certificate of qualification, this in law, having regard to the legal meanings of these two words, would have placed a legal, nay constitutional, burden on General Buhari to produce the said certificates before the INEC. See Ekpenyong vs. Duke (2009) All FWLR (Pt. 470) 755 at 776 C.A. (on the meaning of “shown,” which is a past tense of “show”) and Ogbuanyinya vs. Okudo (2001) FWLR (Pt. 72) 1987 at 2001 S.C. (on the meaning of “produce”). Since, therefore, the Constitution has not used the words “produce” or “show” in terms of a candidate presenting his certificates to the INEC, it will amount to doing grave violence to the Constitution for anybody to insist that General Buhari must present his academic certificates to the INEC before he will be qualified to contest in the forthcoming presidential election. I will round up by submitting that any purported extra qualifying requirements imposed by the INEC, as alluded by the supporters of the Buhari disqualification movement would be unconstitutional, as settled by the Supreme Court in the case of INEC vs. Musa (2003) FWLR (Pt. 145) 729 S.C. – where the Supreme Court struck down some portions of the Electoral Act, 2002 – wherein the INEC had stipulated certain conditions not contemplated by the 1999 Constitution. I, therefore, submit with all sense of responsibility and honesty that General Buhari is not, on the mere account of his failure to submit his academic certificates to the INEC, disqualified from contesting the forthcoming presidential election in February, 2015. He is eminently qualified to contest.

Text of a paper presented by Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology Prof. Benedict Ayade at the eight national stakeholders forum oganised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in Abuja.

Role of legislature, judiciary in environmental governance

LEGISLATURE is a decision-making organization, a member of this orga nization is called a Legislator, usually associated with national government, which has the powers to enact, amend, and repeal laws. Legislatures observe and steer governing actions and usually have exclusive authority to amend the budget or budgets involved in the process and checking the executive branch through oversight functions. The legislature is an assemblage of the representatives of the people elated under a legal framework to make laws for the good health of the Society, in this instance, make laws that will make the environment be safe for all. It is also define as “the instrumental body responsible for making laws for the nation and one through which the collective will of the people or part of it is articulated, expressed and implemented” (Okoosi Simbine, 2010).

Defining environmental governance: For the purpose of this paper, environmental governance is synonymous with interventions aiming at changes in environment-related activities, knowledge, institutions, decision-making, and behaviours. More specifically, we use “environmental governance” to refer to set of regulatory processes and organizations through which political actors influence environmental actions and outcomes. International accords, national policies and legislation, local decision-making structures, transnational institutions, and environmental NGOs are all examples of the forms through which environmental governance takes place. Environmental governance is varied in form, critical in importance, and near ubiquitous in spread, (Ayade 2012:4). Roles of the legislature: The National Assembly, which in our case

consists of the Senate and House of Representatives, is vested with the Legislative Powers of the Federation. Section 4 (1) under part II, of the constitution states inter alia; “The Legislative Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in the National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representative”. It goes further, in Section 4 (2), to states as follows: “The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List”. For the purpose of explanation, the Exclusive Legislative List, which is contained in Part 1 of the second schedule to the constitution deals with specific items which only the National Assembly has the sole prerogative to legislate upon, to the exclusive of the states and local governments, for example, the items, which are 68 in number, included de-

fence, aviation, currency, customs and excise duties, citizenships, drugs and poisons, copyright, insurance, external affairs and meteorology. On the other hand, there is a concurrent Legislative List provided for under Part II, of the Second Schedule to the Constitution. It includes ’30 items’ it is called concurrent list because the constitution allows both the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly to legislate on the items so specified. The 30 items include the following amongst others: public funds at state and local government levels, antiquities and monuments, collection of taxes, stamp duties, voters registration in the local government councils, agriculture, environment, education, cadastral and topographical surveys etc. There is yet another category of powers described as residual list. This is the exclusive prerogative of the states. •To be continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

FROM THE COURT Court workers under the auspices of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) began another round of industrial action on January 5. They had embarked on a similar exercise for about two weeks in July last year. ERIC IKHILAE examines the strike’s implication for court users and the way out.

Lawyers, litigants groan as JUSUN strike bites hard

ALA (not real name) was ar rested by the Police on De cember 29 last year in Lugbe, a satellite town in Abuja, for allegedly stealing a fowl. He was taken before a Magistrate’s Court in the area on charges of stealing. He pleaded guilty, claiming he stole it because he could not afford one for the end of year festivities. The magistrate convicted him and sentenced him to a three-month imprisonment, with an option of N10,000 fine. He was able to raise the fine the second day with the assistance of neighbours and sympathisers. Prison officials commenced the process for his release, but could not complete it before the New Year holiday. The officials assured him that the process would be completed on the first official working day after the holiday. But today, Bala is still in prison. Prison officials could not complete his release process because the courts are not in session. Bala is one of the many detainees, litigants and other court users, who are casualties of the on-going strike by court workers in the country, who are members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). Today, the existing problem of congestion in prison and police cells is further compounded by the strike, giving room for the exploitation of detainees by security personnel, who see themselves as the only bail-granting-authorities and access to freedom. Beyond this, the closure of the courts has served to deny the people the constitutionally guaranteed right to personal liberty as contained in Section 35(4)(5) and (6) of the Constitution. Reason for the strike JUSUN President, Marwan Adamu explained that the strike, which commenced on January 5 (the first official work day after the holidays), was a result of the refusal of the Executive arm of government, both at the federal and state levels, to comply with last year’s January 13 judgment by a Federal High Court, Abuja, which upheld among others, financial autonomy for the Judiciary and declared unconstitutional, the piecemeal release of budgetary allocation to the Judiciary by the Executive. Trading of blames Unfortunately, rather than address the issues raised by the striking workers, government officials have engaged in trading blames over who is responsible for the nonexecution of the judgment. Some have also queried the justification for the strike. JUSUN’s Public Relations Officer, Kayode Igbaragu insisted that the Executive at both the state and Federal levels are not sincere and are unwilling to either honour their obligations under the MoU or abide by the dictates of the judgment. But arguing the Federal Government’s position, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN) contended that the problem was with the states. He said the government has always met its obligation to the Judiciary. But JUSUN argued that contrary to the AGF’s claim, both the federal and state governments have continued to undermine the judgment. JUSUN said in a statement it issued shortly after the minister’s statement, that the AGF “is being economical with the truth.” Justification for the strike The question has been whether or not JUSUN was justified in its decision to go on strike. JUSUN has argued that it was justified in its action, meant solely to compel the Executive, both at the state and federal levels, to obey a valid and subsisting court judgment. Adamu said: “The 1999 Constitution pro-

vides that all monies for the judiciary should be given to them through the heads of the courts, either at the National Judicial Council (NJC) level or at states level. “We appealed several times to them, but they failed to listen, then we decided to go to court for the interpretation of Sections 121 (3), 81(3), and 163 (9). All these sections contain provisions about financial autonomy and independence of the judiciary. “Eventually judgment was given in our favour on January 13, 2014. Unfortunately, since then, they have failed to comply with the judgment. All the 36 state governors were served with the court order, but they refused to implement the decision.” Those who share JUSUN’s position, including rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa and Abuja-based lawyer, Abdulllahi Mustapha argued that the Judiciary workers were merely exercising their rights to engage in strike as guaranteed by existing laws. They rely on two resolutions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the provision of Section 40 of the Constitution. First is the ILO “Resolution concerning the Abolition of Anti-Trade Union Legislation”, adopted in 1957, which calls on member states to make “laws ensuring the effective and unrestricted exercise of trade union rights, including the right to strike, by the workers”. There also the “Resolution concerning Trade Union Rights and Their Relation to Civil Liberties “, adopted in 1970, which enjoins member nations to take “action to ensure full and universal respect for trade union rights in their broadest sense” Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees a citizen’s right both to form a trade union and to belong to any trade union of his choice for the protection of his interest. Adegboruwa contended that the workers supported by Section 39 of the Constitution, which grants the freedom of expression, to every citizen. He said such freedom could be exercised through protests, strike actions, or other legitimate methods of civil protests. He argued that although Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Constitution create the three arms of government to be independent, the Judiciary has become the whipping organ of the other arms of government; being totally starved of funds, controlled at will by the Executive and reduced to mere rubber stamps, by the Legislature, through ouster clauses and obnoxious laws. Adegboruwa further argued that any action, taken to wean the Judiciary from oppression and bondage, whether by way of strike, court action or otherwise, should be supported by all democrats and indeed, all lawyers. He argued that under normal democratic culture, there should have been no need for JUSUN or anybody to embark on any action to compel government to abide by a valid judgment of court. He cited Section 287 (3) of the Constitu-

•Adoke

•Adamu

tion, which provides that decisions of a Federal High Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons.

Federal Government or the states on the strength of this judgment. “It is merely declaratory. JUSUN now has used the mechanism of an industrial action to plague the overall interest of Nigerians, oblivious to the unlawfulness of its action. “Consequently, where a party is faced with a declaratory judgment on a matter of serious public interest involving public officials, what it does, particularly having regard to the peculiar facts of each case, is to seek judicial review i.e. mandamus against all the public revenue officials of each state i.e. Accountant-General of the state, Auditor-General of the State and nominally, the Attorney-General of the State compelling them to act in the terms of the declaratory judgment secured at the Federal High Court and give prompt effect to same,” Daudu said.

Counter arguments On the flip side however, there are those who argue otherwise, to the effect that the strike is unlawful. It is their contention that not only was the strike not supported by law, it was wrong for some workers to engage in strike to compel the obedience of a court’s judgment when there are legitimate procedures for judgment enforcement. They also questioned the timing of the strike, which they said ought not to be now when pre-election cases are pending in courts. The AGF and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Joseph Daudu have questioned the enforceability of the judgment. They argued that the judgment was not enforceable.in view of some earlier decisions of the Supreme Court to the effect that the funds in the Federation Account could only be shared by the three tiers of government (federal, state and local governments). The AGF was said to have made this argument at a meeting called by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on January 12, which was attended by the NBA President, Augustine Alegeh, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the supervising Minister of Labour, Kabir Turaki and some states Attorneys-General. Adoke was said to have argued that by the decisions of the Supreme Court on the operation of the Federation Account (FA), it was wrong for the Accountant-General to make deduction from the FA in favour of the Judiciary, as ordered by the court. Daudu made similar argument in a statement issued recently that since the principal reliefs being sought, which are based on Section 162(9) of the Constitution are declaratory in nature, declaratory judgments cannot be executed under the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act. “They are simply not executory or executable. That is why JUSUN has not been able to approach the Federal High Court to either Fifa or Garnishee the accounts of the

‘We appealed several times to them, but they failed to listen, then we decided to go to court for the interpretation of Sections 121 (3), 81(3), and 163 (9). All these sections contain provisions about financial autonomy and independence of the judiciary. Eventually judgment was given in our favour on January 13, 2014. Unfortunately, since then, they have failed to comply with the judgment. All the 36 state governors were served with the court order, but they refused to implement the decision’

AGF’s failure Many have argued that the needless closure of the nation’s courts would have been avoided had the nation’s Chief Law Officer, the Attorney-General has acted proactively and advised the government, particularly the Federal Government appropriately. They wondered why it took the strike by the workers for the AGF to realise that the judgment was not only enforceable, arguing that a pending appeal would have prevented the workers from going on strike, by virtue of the doctrine of lis pendens, while governments at both state and federal work with leaders of the Judiciary to ensure how the issue would be amicably resolved. Why the court order was ignored Many have argued that the other arms of government will continue to treat the Judiciary with contempt in view of several factors. First is the problem of impunity in the land. There is also the problem of a Judiciary that seems not to appreciate its powers, but sees itself as an appendage of the other arms of government. They argued that where judges depend on politicians for appointment and elevation; work to please those in the other arms of government to be compensated either financially or otherwise, it will be impossible for such judges to command respect. Observers also contended that a Judiciary where judgments are sold to the highest bidder; where the conservative tradition of the Bench has been jettisoned; where judicial ethics are freely traded, cannot command respect. The way out Although there are divergent views about the legitimacy or otherwise of the strike by court workers, there is an agreement that the Judiciary should be well funded and its independence preserved. As currently being worked out, parties to the dispute should intensify effort to ensure an amicable and prompt resolution of the various issues thrown up by the judgment and the resultant strike. This is because of the implication of the closure of courts on the society, particularly litigants and other court users.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

PAGE 29

Kogi kinsmen battle for title •PAGE 30

•A Fulani prepares a meal

•The Fulani at their home

Insecurity keeps nomad kids from school

Monarchs rally against postelection crisis

•PAGE 31

Their ordeal is not as documented as that of thousands of people killed or forced from their homes by Boko Haram insurgents. Yet, across the nation, especially in the North, children of migrant folks are finding it increasingly difficult to go to school for fear of being cut down in communal clashes. GRACE OBIKE reports on the challenges of nomadic women and their kids

CALABASH of fura de nono, a rich, fresh milk delicacy, is still offered the guest with the same enthusiasm and hospitality of the forebears. The Fulani relish their culture; what is in short supply is peace. Unfortunately, their story is not as documented as the ravages of Boko Haram insurgents, who have carved out large swathes of territory in the region’s eastern flank. Thousands have been cut down by the sect’s fighters, many more forced to flee their homes and seek refuge wherever they can find it. Survivors’ sources of livelihood have crashed, as has the education of their children.

Crisis is hurting Boko Haram targets. Fulani herders and local farmers, who are often at loggerheads, are also suffering. For both communities, their means of sustenance is dwindling. Their children have difficulties going to school. Fulani women, who spoke the reporter in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory, said they found it difficult sending their children to school owing to the frequent crises. The National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) has offered nomdic folks a great opportunity to educate themselves but insecurity is hurting the plan. Sixty-year-old Hauwa Usman

‘The biggest problem we have at the moment is the lack of peace; we are so scared and cannot even send our children to school even if we wanted to because we are afraid of them being killed. All we ask for is that the government assist us in achieving peace and end a ll the fears in our minds’

‘Right now, all we seek as Fulani women, is peace; the numerous crises that always erupt affect us so much and have put so much fear in us. All we hear these days is that person was killed, that person killed, cows stolen and people driven from their homes. Can anyone live in peace in such a situation?’ in Gwako Fulani community in the FCT, said she gave birth to 14 children, 11 of them dead. This has “Right now,” she said, “all we seek as Fulani women, is peace; the numerous crises that always erupt affect us so much and have put so much fear in us. All we hear these days is that person was killed, that person killed, cows stolen and people driven from their homes. Can anyone live in peace in such a situation? “The biggest problem we have at the moment is the lack of peace; we are so scared and cannot even send our children to school even if we wanted to because we are afraid of them being killed. All we ask for is that the government assist us in achieving peace and

end all the fears in our minds.” Zulia Abdullahi, 15, who resides in the community should be in school. But she is not. Rather she is already married and had a child, who died a few weeks after birth. At that tender age, she is already bearing the pain of bereaved older mothers. Like most nomadic young mothers, Zulia left her husband’s home five months into her pregnancy and returned to her parent’s home in Tudun Fulani to deliver her first child. She was expected to leave the child with her parents at the age of two. Like most of her peers, Zulia was practically forced to marry •Continued on page 30

Natives feast amid gloom •PAGE 33

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Insecurity keeps nomad kids from school •Continued from page 29

another nomad living in the opposite part of town called Kabusa. She could not refuse the union even though she would have loved to because she wanted an opportunity to go to school like a few of her neighbours. But her parents never allowed her to go to school, wanting her to marry the man they chose for her. She said she felt it was her duty as a good daughter to marry whoever her parents choose for her. “If something where to happen to my husband or marriage, I will then be free to choose who to marry, whether in the bush or city; it will then be my decision. I had always wanted to go to schoolý, I still do but now I am married and will have to give up the dream because, as a married woman, I am not allowed to leave the house other than to go sell fura or travel. By the grace of God, when I have children again since my baby just died, I will ensure they acquire as much education as their intelligence can take, since I can never be the civil servant that I always wanted to be, not being educated. I will ensure that my husband allow our children to acquire enough education because I know that they will be capable of taking care of me better in my old age.”

Although Zulia would have loved to live her dream of being a civil servant, she is not condemning her early marriage because, according to her, nomadic girls older than 15 are treated differently. “I’m not unhappy to marry when I did, because in our culture, if a girl at 15 is still in her parents’ house and unmarried, people will call her wicked and say that no one is coming to marry her because of her wicked ways, they will make fun of her wherever she goes and she will always have to hide her face in shame. We marry very early, which is not really good. Even if I had not been willing to marry when I did, the fear of what people will say would force me into marriage. When a girl is 12, the parents will start discussing marriage with her, but at that age, the girl is not yet wise but will be made to marry all the same. The husband is the one that comes and asks your parents for your hand in marriage and as a girl, you have no input in it, which is not a good way to live because it is what a person desires that gives him peace of mind.” Zulia’s mother, Hajara Yusufu, 45, had always wanted to be a medical doctor. It is a secret she never shared with anyone. She

•Young, mobile Fulani

•A Fulani settlement

claimed that her older children have never been to school while her youngest child and grandchildren whom she has tried to enroll in a nearby nomadic school are afraid of returning to the school because of the crises between Fulani herdsmen and farmers which has caused so much havoc. Her greatest wish is the return of peace so that they can return to school and live out her dream. She said she dreamed of telling people that they are her children. However, she was quick to say that the decision of whether they go to school or not is not hers to take but her husband’s. She said: “I see people in huge cars and nice houses whenever I go into the city all the time to sell my fura de nono and sometimes wish that I were born in a different situation. I would have loved to be a doctor, I admire them anytime I go to the hospital and see them.” On her part, 70-year-old Halima who resides in Chumanga hamlet, a quiet settlement in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has never been

‘All Hajara does is gather her children and move from place to place whenever her husband says so. She has covered the entire North Central on foot with her children and young grandchildren. Her greatest fear is the thought of another migration because her feet hurt with arthritis’ to school even though she would have loved to. Surrounded by several children and grand children, her greatest regret is that she never had the opportunity to be educated. She told The Nation: “My greatest regret in life is not attaining any form of education because if I had, I would probably be in a big city and beautiful house, relaxing instead of living and dying in this bush.” She said all has done all her life has been to be ready to gather the children and move from place to place whenever her husband said so. She said that she has

walked all over the North Central on foot and alongside her children and presently young grandchildren. Her greatest fear however is the thought of another migration because her feet hurt with arthritis and it will not be an easy journey for her, but with a show of strength, she still said, “Well if the husband today decides that we ought to move, I will simply pack up and obey because it is not my place to question my husband. He decides what happens in the family”. Bilkisu Musa is not interested •Continued on page 32

Kogi kinsmen battle for title T

•Some attendants at the northern monarchs’ peace meeting in Abuja

ROUBLE is brewing in Ganaja in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State over which of two brothers should occupy the traditional stool of the area. While one of them, Idris Mohammed occupied the stool in an acting capacity hoping to be confirmed later, his cousin, Yahaya Abubakar Umar was eventially crowned as the Anajagaku of Ganaja. This action has created tension in the sleepy community as supporters of the two kinsmen are spoiling for war. Mohammed has petitioned the authorities in the state on the development, saying he has been prevailing on his supporters not to take the law into their hand but to remain calm and allow peace to prevail. However, he is not sure for how long he can hold them down.

From James Azania, Lokoja

Although there are two ruling houses in the community, he claimed that the kingship was snatched away from him by undisclosed persons and handed over to his cousin. He claimed that the “coup” was perfected with the connivance of Umar and some of his loyalists. Mohammed said the reason behind the development is the fear that if the throne returns to him and his family lineage, being the “rightful owners, the impostors might not be able to return. Even right from time, they didn’t use to snatch it; if you beg we give you, •Continued on page 32

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

HEY walked majestically to the hall, resplendent in their traditional attires. Not a few cast a fanciful look at the splendor they displayed. They had come from different clans, communities and environs. They are Christian traditional rulers from northern states in Abuja, the federal capital, for two reasons: One, according to the chief convener, Elder Olaiya Phillips, was to pray for peaceful polls next month. Two, according to the rulers, was to brainstorm how to prevent post-election crisis in their domains. Hell literally visited them in 2011 and many of them were determined not to allow a repeat of the orgies this time around. These were the moods last week during a parley by Christian traditional rulers in Abuja. The conference was organised by the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) as parts of its strategies to arrest worsening insecurity in the north-east. Welcoming the royal fathers to the forum, Phillips, who is the chair of NOSCEF, stated that their coming together was imperative to forestall any possible backlashes from the forthcoming elections. He lamented the untold hardships and ruinations that many of their subjects and communities suffered in the past. Except they rise to do things differently and build bridges of peace and harmony, worse scenarios might be experienced in their communities again, he warned. He said: “We can all remember the scenes across the North following the last general election. The needless loss of hundreds of Christians and Muslims in post election violence is a memory that still feels raw. “I do not know if we will see a repeat of such reprisals following this year’s elections but as a community we should be prepared. And as community leaders, those here today should be ready for whatever events unfold.” He added: “You must speak up for your communities. You must be the ones to make sure that politicians understand. You must pray that the Northern Christian community is better represented at all levels of Nigerian politics following elections. “You must create and embody the forums of discussion between our community and Muslim community to settle disputes before violence occurs. You must make your communities understand that politics is not worth taking and losing life and limb. “You must provide the glue that our communities desperately need to

•The monarchs and clergymen

Monarchs rally against post-election crises Determined to prevent post-election conflicts in their domains, northern Christian traditional rulers met in Abuja to forge peace in the region, reports SUNDAY OGUNTOLA hold our nation together, before the first blow lands or the first bullet is fired. We - the Northern Christian community – must make sure that whoever wins, the unity, secularity and integrity of our nation is preserved.” Phillips urged them to support “candidates that win elections in your communities and prevent post-election violence or crises.” This, he stated, must be their biggest preoccupation

for the next few months until the incoming administration is stabilised. He added that the peaceful coexistence of political opponents and subjects with differing political inclinations should become their main objectives, stating that the more peaceful their domains are after the polls will indicate how much efforts and commitment they have invested after the parley. Phillips, a businessman, urged them

Kogi kinsmen battle for title

•Continued from page 30

but this one was done with fire, cutlasses and arrows. The palace was locked and now the situation is ripe for war, but I have continued to appeal to our people to remain calm.” He explained that “the Ohi of Egunji in Adogo (Ajaokuta LGA) is the traditional ruler in charge of the whole area, and the Onu of Ajaokuta”. The Nation was informed that the Shaba of Ganaja title has been in existence for over 400 years, long before the creation of Kogi State and is recognised by the authorities. Supported by a cousinsister, Zainab Banda, Mohammed said despite the petition to the state Commissioner of Police (CP) and the Director of State Security Service (DSS), things have remained the same as those bent on fomenting trouble within the community went ahead with the coronation. He claimed he was molested when he went on a peace mission to the palace of the Anajagaku. “I have written petitions to the Commissioner of Police and the SS, but still they couldn’t stop them. The situation is tense as I am

‘I want peace in my community and I want things to be properly done. The council will now sit and come out with an acceptable candidate, even if it is him, but what is obtainable now is unacceptable’ talking to you right now. I want the Ohi of Egunji and his council to call this chief top order in case of trouble tomorrow. There has been peace and we don’t want this to cause trouble. We are cousin-brothers but we have to sit and agree. As an elderly brother, they pushed me out of the palace so that maybe I

•Mohammed will cause trouble and government will push me out that I cannot lead. I have acted as Anaja of Ganaja for so long, but we later agreed to give it to the present person because he was an elderly person, but since he is now chief; the position ought to revert to me, but they tried to shortchange me. I want peace in my community and I want things to be properly done. The council will now sit and come out with an acceptable candidate, even if it is him, but what is obtainable now is unacceptable”.

to consider themselves as peace builders and agents of transformation. Royal fathers, he added, must ensure peace in their domains at all costs, stressing that the cost of allowing crises would be too much to consider for their communities and the nation. “We must provide the glues that our nation need to stay together. We must ensure that our communities remain one united entity regardless of our political differences,” he further stated. President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, commended the monarchs for coming together to work for peace in their domains. Lauding the forum, he said: “The more you know each other, the stronger you become. You are able to share challenges and be stronger than you used to be.” He bemoaned the spate of violence recorded after every election in the country, saying that all stakeholders, like the traditional rulers, must synergies to prevent such reoccurrence this time around. Oritsejafor called for the enthronement of a fair and just electoral system to minimise some of these backlashes, urging Nigerians to become

committed to building a nation of equity and peace. Done with the niceties, the traditional rulers broke into groups to deliberate on why peace is always a challenge during election period and practical ways of working against breakdown of law and order. Rising from the closed-door deliberation, the traditional rulers resolved to build peace in their communities. They also vowed to accommodate all political leanings and work with candidates to prevent violence. They said they will mobilise their subjects to reject violence and candidates with such tendency, while also empowering them to peaceful choices. They also retired into a prayer session coordinated by the immediate former chairman of NOSCEF, Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye. Owojaiye challenged them to break down stereotypes and spiritual forces instigating violence in northern parts of the country. God, he said, has the powers to stop the devil in his track and restore peace to beleaguered regions. The monarchs raised their voices in utter supplication to God for peaceful elections next month as well as harmonious relations after the polls.

‘We must provide the glues that our nation need to stay together. We must ensure that our communities remain one united entity regardless of our political differences’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Nomad kids shun school •Continued from page 30

in sending her children to school even though she did not attend any school herself. She is not interested in having her children obtain any form of education. Said she, “I don’t have any interest in going to school neither do I want my children to go. The country is now very dangerous and I prefer knowing that my children are close. I want them to learn the traditional nomadic ways and live our normal life in peace.” Investigations by The Nation revealed that the most prevalent thing in the Fulani nomadic community is infant mortality. It was gathered that the women have been thought to accept the death of their children as the will of God. Bilkisu whose two children, out of seven, are dead, said, “When we get pregnant, we don’t go to any hospital, attend antenatal or take any drug; it is not part of our culture. You stay at home and when the time comes to have your baby, you close your curtain and deliver your child on your own without help from anyone. That is our culture. When you see that any bush Fulani is taken to a hospital, then you must know that the condition is critical.” Even though the NCNE has been established by a decree to cater for the educational needs of the socially excluded, educationally disadvantaged and migrant groups in Nigeria, available records show that only 519,018 children of nomads are currently in school. It was also discovered that out of 10.4 million migrant groups in the country comprising pastoral, migrant fisher folks and migrant farmers, about 3.6 million are children of school age. The participation of the nomads in existing education programme is very low as the literacy rate ranges between 0.02% to 2.0% at the early age of implementing the Nomadic Education Programme but so far, the number of nomadic schools around the country has risen from 329 at the inception of the programme in 1990 to 3,445 as at December 2013, with pupils enrolment, rising from 18,831 at inception to 519,018 by the above date. The October 2014 edition of the nomadic education bulletin quoted the Executive secretary NCNE, Prof. Rasheed Aderinoye as saying that “the situation is worst for the nomadic girl-child in northern Nigeria, who is often

•A young Fulani and her baby

‘When we get pregnant, we don’t go to any hospital, attend ante-natal or take any drug; it is not part of our culture. You stay at home and when the time comes to have your baby, you close your curtain and deliver your child on your own without help from anyone. That is our culture. When you see that any bush Fulani is taken to a hospital, then you must know that the condition is critical’ marginalised and at a disadvantaged position in the family due to cultural factors and religious misinterpretation. The nomadic girl-child in northern Nigeria is doubly disadvantaged, given her sex, age and ethnicity. The girl-child is surrounded with culture and social settings that neither recognizses nor appreciates the value of girl education. The socio-cultural context of her existence not only encourages social exclusion and gender discrimination but brings to bear the effects of institutionalized patriarchal practices hidden under religion and culture to perpetuate injustice and unfair distribution of opportunities.” State Secretary, Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN) Nasarawa chapter, Alhaji Mohammed Hussaini explained that the major reason for Nomadic Fulani’s slow pace in education is insecurity that has plagued them for years. He said that if peace is restored, the Nomadic Fulani will send his child to school. “If there is peace today in the whole country, Fulanis will go to school. I am a nomadic Fulani and my father sent me to school since 1976 and today I have attained so many degrees. Yes, our girls drop out of school early to marry but the government cannot put in place any legislation to stop it because our religion permits us to marry our girls early; religion sometimes can overcome the constitution; we have people that send their daughters to school, we have thousands of female nomadic Fulani graduates in Nigeria. Making a girl child stay in school or marry is an individual decision by the parents and they cannot be forced upon by the constitution, how can you force someone to do what he doesn’t want? You cannot force me to do such a thing because I can take you to court because of the democratic system of government that we presently have.” He also said, “In some parts of Kaduna right now, most of the nomadic Fulani have migrated to the western part of the country, to Ghana and other countries to keep their cows from being stolen...Nomadic schools were closed down or burnt to the ground by the Ombatse group; so were several settlements.” As The Nation made to leave the Gwako community, after several bows of Fura de Nono, 60-year-old Hauwa, full of excitement, thrust a N20 note into the reporter’s hand, insisting that she take it for fare back to town.

From left: Programm Coordinator, Stefanos Foundation, Mr Mark Lipdo, representative of Executive Secretary, Plateau Emergency Management Agency, Mr Biser Longnan and representative of Sterling Bank staff, Mr Augustine Okwuagwu, during the official presentation of the relief materials donated by Sterling Bank staff, Plateau State branch to the Internal Displace Persons, IDP, in Jos

•A medical personal, Miss Obande Rebecca (middle), attending to some of Internal Displace Persons (IDPs), during the Tina Bawa Ministries International free medical treatment at Internal Displace Persons camp in Jos

•From left: Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr Johnkennedy Okpara; President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Orisejafor, at the CAN President’s special prayer rally for the land at St. Mary Catholic Church in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State

•APC supporters, at the APC gubernatorial campaign in Gombe State at Kaltungo LGA

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Page 33

•The first inhabitants display their cultures

Natives feast amid gloom E

VERYONE knows the tall buildings, paved roads and streetlights. They know it is the federal seat of power, where people of means and power live. But who knows the native inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)? Who knows the Amwamwa, Bassa, Egbura, Gade, Ganagana, Gbagyi, Gbari, Gwandara and Koro, all of whom claim to be the hosts of everyone who lives there or visits the 8,000 sq. km territory? But whether they are recognised and given their due or not, the various tribes came out to celebrate what they called their Heritage Day. They came with their women, drums, masquerades and hunters, among others, united under the Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA). They were determined to make themselves heard even if no one else bothered to look their way.

From Grace Obike

It was far from a feast of frollicking. As the various tribes displayed their cultures, none lost sight of the fact that they are a threatened lot. The consciousness of marginalisation is strong, as is the gloom of being cheated and even the despair of cultures belittled and spited. When most Nigerians relocate to or visit Abuja, the natives are seen as a local set of people, forgetting that every community in the country has its own share of local people who are yet to catch up with the standards of the educated and professionals in big cities. When asked, most of the natives of Abuja will tell you that every other Nigerian has an ancestral home and community to call home but theirs have given way to beautiful edifice, which they are unfortunately not a part of. Although for years, they have been known to clamour for a form

‘The Abuja Heritage Day is to showcase how accommodating the Original Inhabitants have been to all Nigerians, despite the fact that the system is trying to not know that we are existing. To insinuate that Abuja was a virgin land and people did not exist here is a very big error’ of independence in the form of a Mayoral status as is seen in different cities like theirs around the world, a ministerial slot, additional Federal Constituencies and Area Councils, they have come out more boldly in this era of campaign to make their demands and conditions as an option for voting. President of the Original Inhab-

Pump price reduction triggers reactions

OLLOWING the reduction of pump price of fuel from N97 to N87, some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed mixed reactions to the gesture, while some commended the Federal Government, some saying that the N10 difference is not enough. Among some of the residents who spoke with The Nation, Mr. James Omo, an educationist, commended the Federal Government for taking the step to make the reduction without waiting for the general public to rally or protest for it, but expressed fears over how long the price will last. Omo said the federal govern-

From Olugbenga Adanikin

ment is known to be habitually increasing the cost of living without minding the feelings of the people, and if the government now went out of its usual way to reduce the pump price of fuel, Nigerians should not celebrate too much, because anything can happen in future. “The government needs to be commended for reducing the pump price of fuel, but, to tell you the truth, I do not trust the Nigerian government. This is because if the reduction is coming now at the peek of election, I can boldly say that this is one of their campaign

strategies and anything can happen after the election. Because with Nigerian government, anything that goes up, never comes down,” he said. Miss Jennet Chukwu, a civil servant said that although the reduction was long overdue, since the price of crude oil crashed at the international market, but that the N10 difference is too small to be celebrating about, saying that the Federal Government should have reduced it to N65 where the present administration met it, instead of N87. She said: “I must say that the N87 is still on the high side, because, •Continued on page 34

itants Development Association (OIDA), Pastor Danladi Jeji, during their third FCT Heritage Day celebration in Abuja, said that he cannot reconcile the fact that although the natives have peacefully harboured the capital city of the country and visitors for 38 years, they still feel like hermaphrodites, and not sure of what they really are. He said that his people are not asking for what is not attainable in other states of the Federation but a simple chance to have a government that they can recognise as theirs and also hold accountable when things do not go well like in other states. He said, “I want to clear the air by saying that what the original inhabitants are clamouring is for the Nigerian government to assert the Nigerian constitution with a clear democratic structure for the people so that those representing us, when something comes we will be able to hold them accountable, as it is, this House of Representative and the Senate is not officially their by the law for the Original inhabitants. “We cannot reconcile the fact that

Abuja, as it is, we are above five million people with only one Senator and two House of Representative members and Nigerians are also saying that the original inhabitants should hold them accountable. On what ground? Every state has a State House of Assembly except us, so matter how anybody gets there, we will hardly ever get the person to do anything that will satisfy the people because they have already tied us to a position. “How can I pass a vote of no confidence when I have no government, how can you pass a vote of no confidence on a hermaphrodite condition, the government has made the FCT look like neither a man or a woman, how can you pass a vote of no confidence on someone that is neither a man or woman. “Let anyone who desires to be the next Head of State notice that we are here, any political party that will recognise communities of the FCT is already coming to partner with us and that kind of person is who we can give our vote. “We are saying that the Nigerian government cannot divide us, God gave us this land and flesh and blood cannot divide us. “The Abuja Heritage Day is to showcase how accommodating the Original Inhabitants have been to all Nigerians, despite the fact that the system is trying to not know that we are existing. To insinuate that Abuja was a virgin land and people did not exist here is a very big error. “To say that the land was compensated for is a kind of derogatory word; it is not right. Now that we are in a democracy, it is •Continued on page 34

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Natives feast amid gloom •Continued from page 33 very unconstitutional for the government to practice democracy and our people are marginalised in all ramifications. “People may say that Abuja is very beautiful but Abuja is very beautiful because the people have been accommodating, that is how the development has kept on going and the government continue to behave like we don’t even exist. The government is building Abuja in the wrong footing because the law stipulates that you don’t take somebody’s land until adequate compensation has been made even if it means relocating the person completely out of the place. “There are about 808 villages in the FCT, if as you say that the FCT is looking beautiful and 808 communities with almost 2 million inhabitants are still here, the idea is that the people have been accommodating but there is fear. “People say that when original inhabitants are settled, they sell of the lands to foreigners but i want to explain it this way, in the whole 36 states, all Nigerians have their ancestral lands that they can lay claim to and they can go to their states and have title ownership given to them to do anything with, the 2million Nigerians of the FCT cannot do that with their fathers land. “So now you are saying that be-

cause an original inhabitant decides to have land and sell it, he has committed the worst sin but all Nigerians can sell of lands in the 36 states and no one says anything. “36 states of the nation does not go to ask the Head of State to give them ministers, it is automatic in the constitution, now why will the Nigerian government say that they want to give us, Minister of the FCT? The issue is that the confusions in the constitution that operates the FCT is what comes into play. “We asking for it to be addressed, you can’t be dribbling Nigerians by saying that you are practicing democracy and telling people that you are not part of the democracy yet they are the owners of the place where the democracy is being operated from, this is pure apartheid in Nigeria which is not suppose to happen. “We will go with that head of state that will come and recognise a community here, campaign and demand for our vote.” An Original inhabitant and Director FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Adamu Noma who was also present at the heritage day celebration added, “We want to display that we the original inhabitants of the FCT have our culture to protect and showcase to the entire world, we are identifiable and our culture is very simple, accommodating and friendly to everybody.

•Native hunters at the feast “With this event, our young children will see that we have a culture that can be emulated by everybody. Many people that have come to the FCT thought that there

are no original inhabitants, today is the day for us to showcase that we have original inhabitants and we have a culture to be identifies with and we don’t want the cul-

ture to die, we want our children to continue with the culture even after we have gone because we want our culture to be sustained through this cultural events.”

Ex-Minister hails efforts to revive school debates

FORMER Minister of State for Education and Chairman of Advisory Board, Presidential School Debate, Nigeria, Professor Jerry Agada, has commended the nation’s efforts to revive the education sector and bring back the reading and debating culture. He said this at the bringing back the fading debate culture in schools, particular those at the basic education sector which took the center stage recently at the annual debate competition for primary and secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), organized by Mastering Debate Concept, held at Peoples Comprehensive School, Nyanya, Abuja. He blamed the fallen standard of education in the country on its dying reading culture among students and teachers saying there is need for governments, schools and students to redouble their efforts in resuscitating reading culture in the country.

From Gbenga Omokhunu

He said the Presidential school debates, is part of the global efforts to address the fallen standard of education in Nigeria and to encourage reading culture among its citizens, especially students. The former minister, who presented copies of one of his books to the participating students, commended the efforts of their teachers and the talents displayed by the students. He urged teachers to redouble their efforts in preparing students for such competitions. The competition which was in two categories, primary and secondary school and participated by over 23 schools, brought together students of diverse school backgrounds in the FCT environs to appreciate talents. Though the organisers of the debate had earlier cautioned the students who were drawn from the primary and secondary schools, on the

‘The competition was a platform for expressing oneself, building intellectual capacity amongst students and exposing them to speech and public speaking, adding that it is a debate that is based on merit’ conduct expected of them as the debate progresses but he warnings were thrown to the winds soon after the event started. Commenting on the performance of the students at the programme, observers at the event cautioned the teachers to learn to properly guide the pupils and not expose them to difficult words they may find it diffi-

cult to pronounce. Similarly, the students were cautioned on noticeable flaws like speech, pronunciation and so on. Organiser of the annual competition, Mr. Akinsola Olalekan, said the competition was a platform for expressing oneself, building intellectual capacity amongst students and exposing them to speech and public

speaking, adding that it is a debate that is based on merit. He said the idea was initiated to groom school children for speech development, language control and general appreciation of the environment Schools that participated in the debate include, Glorious Stars International School which came 3rd in the primary school category, Darussalam Islamic Academy, which took second position and Mater Miser cordial Nursery and Primary school, which came first. Mater Misericordea school was crowned the overall champion of the event for adhering to most the guideline set for the debate For the secondary school category, Apex Star Academy, Peoples Comprehensive Academy and Hope International School came, 3rd 2nd and first respectively. Over 20 topics were extensively debated by the school children. Participating schools were, Yusrah Model Islamic Academy, Darussalam Islamic Academy, Busy Brain Nursery and Primary School, Better Choice Academy, St. Mary Nursery and Primary School, Kings International School, Sky Gold Academy among others.

Reactions to fuel price reduction •Continued from page 33

•Borno State Governor, Ibrahim Shetima(left); Representatives of Lamido Adamawa, Dahiru Bobo, Secretary Borno State Government, Ambassador Ahmed Jida; Adamawa State Governor Barr James Bala Ngilari, Chairman House of Representative Committee on INEC, Hon Jerry Manwe, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, and Senator Andy Uba during the INEC Stakeholders PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE meeting on Internally Displaced Persons and 2015 general elections in Abuja

even when crude oil was sold at over $100 per barrel in the past, we still bought fuel as low as N65. Now that it is less than $50 per barrel, they are reducing to N87 per litre. I do not see why we should be jubilating, because, it is as good as not being reduced. “It is obvious that it is because they want to have more things to use for their campaign, that why they removed the N10 and believed that they have done Nigerians a huge favour. If the government wants to prove to us that they really care about us, they should revert back to the N65 per litre, where they met it and they will gain the confidence of Nigerians.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

ABUJA REVIEW

•From left: Agric Minister of State, Asabe Asmau Ahmed; President Goodluck Jonathan; Agric Minister Dr Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina; Head of Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi and Secretary General to the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim on the opening day of theAGRIFEST in Abuja

•From left: Project Manager, British Council, Anthony Chukwuma; Researcher, Aberystwyth University, Prof Luis Mur and Representative, Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof Okon Ansa during a Researcher Links Workshop on Future Proofing Agricultural Production Against Environmental Change in Abuja

•From left: Director, Engineering Infrastructure, Dr. Mohammed Dauda; Alhaji Mohammed Alkali; Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Rasheed Olaoluwa; Director, General, National Agency For Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Dr.Mohammed Sani Haruna and others during a courtesy visit by the Management of Bank of Industry to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure in Abuja

•From left: President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr Frank Jacob; Director, Policy, Research, Standard and Statistics, Ministry of Trade and Investments, Alhaji Aji Maman; Minister of Trade and Investments, Mr Olusegun Aganga; Chairperson, National Cotton Association of Nigeria, Southwest Zone, Chief Lola Kushimo and Director, Brand Protection, Vlisco Group, Mrs Monique Gleskes during the launch of the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Policy under the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan in Abuja PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Programme Coordinator, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, Mr. Joseph Amennaghowon (left), Co-Founder, BudgiT, Mr. Oluseun Onigbinde; Deputy Director National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Kayode Fagbemi, and representative of Auditor General of the Federation, Mr. Kiyani Elisha, during the presentation of reports on flood relief and rehabilitation funds in Abuja

•Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Mr Adeseyi Sijjuwade (left); Deputy Chairman, House of Reps on Land Transport, Dr Davis Sekonte; Director General, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Alhaji Aminu Yusuf and Executive Secretary, Hassan Bello during the conference on rail transport in Abuja PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Canada supports Gwagwalada policing T

HE High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Perry Calderwood has congratulated Women Friendly Initiative (WFI) on the inauguration of the Community Security Support Group in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. The project is aimed at contributing to the reduction in crime in the community. He said that the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), focuses on funding projects with long-term sustainable goals that

From Grace Obike

enhance the local community. This was made known in a press statement signed by the Public Affairs Officer, Ezinne Uluocha. Calderwood said in the statement, “This project supports the effective participation of the community in decision making around local policing. This community-based policing approach is improving the security of women, men and children. I con-

gratulate Women Friendly Initiative and the key stakeholders in Gwagwalada Area Council on their commitment to work together to improve the security of their community.” “She also stated, “The project by Women Friendly Initiative has brought together stakeholders from the Gwagwalada Area Council Security Committee and the local community for regular dialogues to improve relationships, raise awareness of security issues, and increase capacity in crime pre-

vention. The project builds on a successful 2012 WFI initiative in Kuje Local Government Area. Both projects have received support from the High Commission of Canada in Abuja’s Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. “The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) provides direct funding assistance to community groups, non-government organizations, people’s organizations, international non-governmental organizations, and government institutions for small

projects addressing human rights, democratic development and transition, security, rule of law, and good governance, and strengthening economic governance. “The CFLI focuses on funding projects with long-term, sustainable goals that enhance the local community. The program is widely recognized as making a significant contribution to development and capacity-building in Nigeria.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

ABUJA REVIEW

S in the opposition parties, the campaign to secure the votes of Nigerians by the

ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached a crescendo. The parties are coming up with variuos strategies to outsmart each other towards the February 14 and 28 elections. In these moves, there have been accusations, counter-accusations, and both sides have been engaging in blackmail, intimidation, thuggish acts and other illegal means towards winning the forthcoming elections. To get re-elected, President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo have hit the road and have since been on the campaign train since it kicked off in Lagos on January 8. They now hardly sleep in the Villa as they move to the battle field from one part of the country to the other to canvassing for votes. This developmeent, as expected, is taking its toll on the normal daily activities in the villla. Activities in the Villa are now at its lowest ebb with the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting now suspended. The only FEC meeting that has been held this year was on the 7th January just before the campaign started. Also before the campaigns, hardly can a week go by without a major function in the old Banquet Hall of the State House. But I can’t recall any one holding in the hall since the campaign started. Courtesy visits by variuos groups to the president in the Viilla have also drastically reduced. Variuos governors’ meeting with the president in the villa has also gone down. All these have, no doubt, reduced the number of vehicles and convoy that come to the Villa. For last week, four events were held to the knowledge of journalists in Abuja from last upper Sunday to last Saturday as the president’s campaign train hit the northern part of the country during the period. The events included thanksgiving service last upper Sunday, which Mr. President and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, attended at the Aso Villa chapel. Immediately after the church service, President Jonathan held a private meeting with Daddy Showkey at his resident. Few minutes to 9p.m, journalists again were invited on that Sunday

As campaign heats up to cover a function at the villa. This time around, it was the official announcement of government’s reduction in the price of Petroleum Motor Spirit from N97 to N87 per litre. The President, last Friday, also attended the AgriFest 2015 at the Eagles Square, Abuja before jetting out to Bayelsa State for his sister’s burial and to Delta State. For a greater part of the rest of last week, the President and his team were outside Abuja campaigning for votes in Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Benue and Borno. For this week, the President is scheduled to take his campaign tour to Plateau, Kwara, Nassarawa, Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna states. Just like most state house staff, who are around as the campaign train is going round the country, some journalists covering the villa, who have been labelled as ‘opposition journalists’, either by their constructive reports which those in charge see as unfriendly or through other parameters have been dropped from the campaign tours,

From the Villa By Augustine Ehikioya are anxiuosly waiting for normalcy to return to the seat of power. They are counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the D-day, February 14th, 2015 when the campaigns for the number one seat would have come to an end and Nigerians will troop out to exercise their civic right. And my prayer, and those of many Nigerians, is for the elections to be peaceful, free, fair and credible, and for the candidates that will take Nigeria to a higher height in the next four years to emerge victorious at the states and national

Elections: Fed Govt buys 25 sniffer dogs A

S the general election approaches, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has bought 25 sniffer dogs from the United States of America (USA). The canines can detect any Improvised Explosive Device (IED). More of such dogs, according to the corps, are still being expected to assist 500 others to monitor security before, during and after the elections. NSCDC Deputy Commandant General (DCG) Operations, Evans Ewurum disclosed this in Abuja on NSCDC road map to next month’s election. Ewurum said security operatives have agreed that the Feb 14 election would be free, fair and credible. He said 60 thousand personnel will be deployed to monitor the election. The issue of Boko Haram, he assured will be over soon with what government is putting in place. His words: “there should be no fear about the Feb. 14 election. UNDP alongside the US are patnering with Nigeria in training and in other areas

From Gbenga Omokhunu

to ensure that the election is free and fair. “60 thousand officers will be deployed to conduct the election. 25 sniffer dogs from the US have been bought and these dogs can detect any Improvised Explosive Device (IED). More are still coming and they will assist the 500 sniffer dogs already on ground. Everystate will have atleast 25 dogs for the election. “In no distance the issue of Boko Haram will be over. The polity should not be over hitted. We cannot disclose all our plans to the media because when Boko Haram are planning they do not go to the media.” Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin who was represented at the event by the Deputy Commandant General (DCG), administration, Suliman Bello assured that there is synergy within other security agencies.

•Koro hunters on the Heritage Day

levels.

Pilgrimage Commission glorifies God For a successful pilgrimage in 2014, the Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) and its leaders and staff held thanksgiving at the Aso Villa Chapel. They chose to do it on the first Sunday service that President Goodluck Jonathan worshipped at the chapel this year. The Executive Secretary, John Kennedy-Opara who led the man-

agement and staff on the thanksgiving, also announced his birthday anniversary, which coincided with the thanksgiving day. The Aso Villa Chapel Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba led other pastors to pray for the commission, executive secretary’s birthday, the first family and the nation. The following day, the commission was led by its Board Chairman, Nicholas Okoh to submit the 2014 pilgrimage report to the office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. According to him, the Commission last year achieved 50 percent self-sponsorship and zero mortality as nobody died during the pilgrimage except minor ailments. He however noted that the commission was still facing some challenges. The clergy revealed that six northern states did not sponsor Christians in their states on pilgrimage in 2014. The commission, he disclosed, is partnering with the lottery commission towards raising funds for the commission and helping Nigerians go on pilgrimage.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has been honoured with the “Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award” by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA.

Rise in defence of truth, Nigerians urged

PEAKERS at the 11th Gani Fawehinmi annual lecture in Lagos, have urged Nigerians to fight for truth always. They stressed that only the truth can save Nigeria. They included Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie; Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Dr. Alex Otiti; Dr. Zaid Timehin; Femi Falana(SAN); Muhammed Fawehinmi; Dr. Fred Agbaje and Femi Aborisade, among others. They spoke at the Oranmiyan Hall of the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, where the late activist-lawyer Bamidele Aturu was given a posthumous award. Cardinal Okogie, who chaired the event, said there was an urgent need to rescue Nigeria. “This is the time when every right thinking Nigerian must pray to hate the present situation strong enough, such as to desire the fortitude to act right. “This time does not allow for indifference. All must rise to save Nigeria from the imminent brink of irredeemable destruction,” he said. Okogie lamented that truth is a scarce feature in Nigerian polity and public life, urging the people to adopt the truth as an indispensable currency of exchange by everybody. He lamented that experience has shown, rather unfortunately, that an average man or woman in public office in Nigeria is anaemic to truth. He hoped people would have the courage to say the truth and protect it. “I urge you, not to be afraid of truth for truth is eternal and simple. In the long run, only truth can set you free; only truth will save this nation,” he said. Taking a look at the present situation in the country, Cardinal Okogie wondered how the late Gani Fawehinmi would have reacted. He also wondered where the late Fawehinmi would be standing in the face of the government misadventure brewing in the country, the state of politics and governance. Okogie said: “Gani must be terribly worried about the general decay in our political and economic atmosphere, which is riddled with lies, deception, incompetence, mediocrity, hopelessness, lawlessness and lack of vision. “Gani would be saddened that in this age and time, Nigeria is still playing politics of religion and tribe/ethnicity when the primary concern should be capability. Gani would have definitely been grossly infruriated with the quality of leadership in Nigeria today and would have fought intensely for a change. “Gani would not have allowed anyone rest until the Chibok girls are rescued and returned home. In his characteristic manner, he would have gone to the courts to seek for the removal of all those responsible for the security of this nation for complacence and complete failure in their constitutional duty. “Gani would have been very infuriated with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for his disgraceful conduct, arrogant and flagrant slap on democracy by his unconstitutional role in the National Assembly saga recently. He would have wasted no

time in condemning such abnormality and inviting the rowdy officer to query, in the court of law,”he said. He said every Nigerian has the special task of applying the philosophy and ideology of ‘Ganiism’ to the signs of our time. “This is the time when only the only currency allowed is truth. This is also the time to wake up from slumber and face reality. “This is the time we must play the politics of the best, for the best position in order to guarantee the best for our nation. “Let only those with the fear of God and love of their neighbours rule Nigeria; only those who know what to do should sit at helms of affairs. Enough of mediocrity, enough of failures, enough of nepotism, enough of ethnicity,”Okogie admonished Nigerians The APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Prof. Osinbajo, after being conferred with the “Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award” said there is no doubt that Nigerians want a change from what presently obtained. The APC Vice Presidential candidate, who spoke of his experience on the field since the campaign commenced, said it was unfortunate that the nation has failed to a point that people no longer believe she could be resuscitated. He said Nigerians cannot afford a situation where the country has no option. “What we have seen going round the country is that the Nigerian people are so articulate about what they want and are very clear about what is wrong. “There is no question that people are looking for responsible leadership that could deliver the social goods and responsible leadership means transparent leadership,” he said. Osinbajo supported the views expressed by Dr. Zaid Timilehin, one of the guest lecturers, that the change people are looking for was not about ethnicity or religion. He emphasised that what should be done as a nation is to choose who would represent us best irrespective of religion and ethnicity. “And I believe very strongly that the time has come in this nation when change is not just possible, but it may well be inevitable. “So if we don’t bring about that change somehow, the people themselves will bring about the change,” he said. He recalled that late Gani Fawehinmi as somebody, who supported General Buhari with everything he had during his life time, noting that “that support cost him a lot because he was blacklisted by the Bar until Aka-Basorun became the President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) ”. Osinbajo said Nigerians need to exhibit the kind of courage Fawehinmi exhibited during his life time for the country to experience change for the better. “I think we need that kind of courage; I think we need that kind of discipline and I believe that today as we look back at such a person, we are also being asked to stand up to be counted on the side of truth. For me, I am committed and those who know me will tell you that I am not just committed but that I am committed to the betterment of this country come May 29 as I believe we will be elected”.

•From left: Dr. Timehin, Ahia and Cardinal Okogie

•From left: Dr. Fred Agbaje, Femi Aborisade and Kayode Komolafe.

•From left: Adeyinka Olumide Fusika, Ade Ipaye, Falana and Farounbi

Wale Ogunade and Monday Ubani.

From left: Prof. Osibajo, Adebimpe Aturu, Farounbi and Adekunle Ojo

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Associaion (NBA), Owerri branch

•From left: Former Imo State Chief Judge, Justice P. C. Onumajulu; Imo State Chief Judge, Justice Paschal Obinna Nnadi; Justice of the Supreme Court Mary Peter- Odili; Governor Rochas Okorocha and Justice Rapheal Chikwe Agbo of the Court of Appeal.

•From left: Alternate Chairman, Law Week Planning Committee, Jude Ogamba; Chairman Law Week Planning Committee, Dr. Amechi Nwaiwu (SAN), Chairman NBA Owerri branch, Stanley C. Imo and NBA General Secretary Mazi Afam Osigwe.

•From left: Nnamdi Ozuzu, Dr. C. K. Okorie and F. A. Onwuzuruike.

•Gerald Ezeuko (SAN) ( left) and Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN).

•Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh (SAN), Justice M. L. Shuaibu of the Court of Appeal and Justice John Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court

•From left: Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), Kelvin C. Nwufo (SAN) and Chuks Ekomaru (SAN)

•From left: Justice Chioma Nwosu Iheme of the Court of Appeal; President Imo State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice P. I. Opara and Justice Nonyerem Okoronkwo of the Court of Appeal.

•From left: Ken Njemanze (SAN), N. A. Nnawuchi (SAN) and J.T.U Nnnodum (SAN).

•One time Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice B. A. Njemanze (left) and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu (SAN)

•From left: F. A. Onwuzulike, Rev Cannon Chinedu Edward and former Chairman NBA Owerri branch, S. I. Opara

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

LEGAL OPINION

Alleged N750m bribe: Lawyers seek Elumelu’s prosecution

OME lawyers have urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute a member of the Federal House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu who was alleged to have given N750 million to some elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Delta State governorship ticket. They asked the EFCC to also investigate the source of the money Elumelu allegedly gave party leaders to pave the way for his political ambition, lamenting that corruption has been introduced into the electoral process. While insisting that Elumelu should not be allowed to go scotfree, they also urged the EFCC not to sweep the matter under the carpet if government is serious about fighting corruption in the country and to serve as deterrent to others. The EFCC was reported to be after two members of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the ruling party, who collected the money from him while an Abuja based billionaire said to be a friend of the National Vice Chairman of the party, was said to be undergoing interrogation by the commission on the issue. An infuriated Elumelu was said to have petitioned the EFCC after losing the governorship ticket to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in a desperate bid to recover his money. Lawyers, who spoke on the issue included former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Monday Ubani; a member of the Ogun State Judicial Council, Abayomi Omoyinmi; former Secretary, NBA Ikeja, Adesina Adegbite and activist Ikechukwu Ikeji. Ubani described the incident during the PDP primaries last year as “mind boggling and scandalous; a clear rape on democracy, enthronement and crowning of corruption in high places. “Believe me it was unprecedented in Nigerian political history,” he said. According to him, party officials, especially those in Abuja, became billionaires overnight, adding that the last primaries of the party would go down in history as the greatest organised scam of the century. “What Ndidi Elumelu committed is corruption of the electoral process for which he should not be allowed to go scotfree. By his own freewill he gave evidence that he used about N1 billion to compromise the electoral process to enable him pick the party’s primary ticket. That is voluntary confession of crime for which he should be prosecuted immediately,” he stated. To him, “the case presents a very big test to the PDP as a party whether it possesses the political

•Adegbite

will and capacity for self cleansing. If this case goes the way of other cases that happened during the time of this regime, it will impugn horribly on the integrity and name of PDP and its flagbearer that is presently campaigning of tackling corruption in Nigeria”. He argued that the Elumelu’s case gives the PDP opportunity to prove to the whole world that it can bite when it matters most. He said its members, who are on the run, having been implicated together with the giver and the arrested member, should be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. “Nigerians eargerly awaits for the result of this case as we prepare for 2015 election. “The point must be driven home that a prospective governor that has started to bribe his way to government house cannot be a good governor in the first place. He lacks integrity, honesty, character and is a dishonest person like the typical Nigerian politician that Gov Aliyu Babaginda described recently. “Such an individual lacks moral capacity to govern a local government area let alone a State. “Let EFCC under Lamorde for once show capacity and integrity in pursuing this case to a logical conclusion. There are so many cases with the EFCC hanging in the balance without appreciable progress in investigation or prosecution. Let this case be a departure from Lamorde EFCC’s old way of doing things. “There are two issues here arising from that report. One is that the source of the money should be properly probed and ascertained. What other business does Ndidi Elumelu do to warrant using such a huge sum for bribe to pick up a party’s primary ticket? “Two, he is a giver of bribe and so he is liable just as the taker. He should, therefore, be prosecuted accordingly to serve as a deterrence to prospective offenders,” he said. Finally, it is now clear why successful candidates do not perform when they get into government. If almost 1 billion naira is spent in just one instance like that coupled with other several billions of naira before the primaries and other several billions during the general election proper, tell me how such a winner will perform when he or she gets into office?”, he stated. He said Elumelu should not smell power let alone getting closer to it. The electoral law, according to Omoyinmi stipulated the criteria which anyone who is contesting for the governorship election must meet, despite the electoral body not having the power to also disqualify candidates who fail to meet such

•Omoyinmi

requirements. He pointed out that it is criminal for anyone to pay money to secure governorship ticket. He described the Elumelu incident as a new dimension of corruption that is been introduced into our electoral process. He said the EFCC has the right, under the law, to investigate the matter and establish facts surrounding the allegation. Said Omoyinmi, “all persons involved must be charged under the relevant laws if a prima facie case is made against them from EFCC findings. “Where it is established that the allegation is true,this is a looting government in waiting should he eventually contest the election for which he paid this huge amount for and win. Adegbite described Elumelu bribery scandal as an attempt to get the governorship ticket of PDP through the back door which was to be facilitated by the N750million bribery. “This same Elumelu you will recall was arrested and prosecuted by EFCC for bribery during the botched probe of power projects by the House of Representatives under Late President Yar Adua”. Adegbite observed that it is only in Nigeria that men who lack honour and integrity are the most celebrated, otherwise, PDP ought not to have encouraged someone with integrity question like Elumelu to vie even in the primaries. “It is totally against the law and morality for any candidate who lost in the party primaries to be selected as the flag bearer of the party. It is even worse to know that someone attempted to buy the people in the NWC of the PDP to be anointed as the party’s candidate. The provisions of the Electoral Act is very clear on this. Even though the law says the INEC is bound by the name submitted to it by a political party, but INEC can only be bound if the candidate emerged from acceptable nomination process i.e. via primaries or a consensus agreed to by all the aspirants”, he said. The former scribe of Ikeja MBA remarked that it was a very clear and logical conclusion that anyone who bought his way into political office will certainly steal his way all through his tenure. “Certainly, his governorship would have brought nothing but agony in the form of corruption and lack of performance to the people of Delta State”. The EFCC he said, should not allow itself to be pressurised by politicians in high places who will surely put in serious efforts to compromise the investigation process”.

•Ikeji

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

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

Senator Tinubu’s prosperity for all

HE campaign slogan of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the distinguished Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, captures my imagination each time I see her re-election poster. It captures my imagination, because her message underscores an offer of a social contract by a campaigner to the electorate. That message also promotes Section 224 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that “The programme as well as the aims and objects of a political party shall conform with the provisions of Chapter 2 of this Constitution.” My excitement is further adumbrated by a personal experience,which confirms that the distinguished Senator lives her dream, of ‘prosperity for all’. I recall an experience in 2009. As the chairman of the investiture ceremony of the President and members of board, of rotary club of festac town, I lead a group,saddled with the responsibility of finding a benevolent Special Guest of Honour, for the occasion. Well, the primary concern of rotary and the ceremony in particular,was to raise funds for the club’s numerous projects, for the benefit of members of the society, living within the club’s catchment area, and even beyond, through the Rotary Foundation. We didn’t just want anybody, who had clout and could donate money. My team sought for a distinguished personality, whose primary interest, epitomises the very essence of rotary, which is ‘service above self’. That was how we settled for the spouse of the former Governor of Lagos state, now distinguished Senator OluremiTinubu, who had made name as a person with the heart of gold, through her numerous pet projects, of note being the Spelling-Bee competition. As the committee chairman, I was saddled with the responsibility of getting across to her, to seek her acceptance. Luckily for me, my colleague on the editorial board of the Nation Newspaper, OlakunleAbimbola, was serving as the Chief Press Secretary to her spouse, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So I leaned on him, to lead the charge. As the cliché goes, the rest is now history. Senator OluremiTinubu, who had no political ambition then, not only accepted to be our Special Guest of Honour, she alsogenerously donated to our cause. Of course, her donation and that of other guests, were put to good use, by our club, to provide clean water, improve sanitation in public places, advance literacy, give out microcredit, engage in health programs,among other several intervention programs of the rotary movement, which is aptly tagged, ‘service projects’, by rotary. The above personal experience no doubt, represent just one of the numerous efforts by that elegant amazon,whowalks her talk, about ‘prosperity for all’. So each time I read her campaign message, which of course has historical redound with the campaign slogan of Chief ObafemiAwolowo’s‘life more abundant’, I am confident that she means what she says. With her political party, the All Progressive Congress [APC], well positioned as a virtuoso incarnate of Awo’s political dynasty, I can only wish the distinguished Senator, the voters’ favour, at the February election. It is also my earnest hope that other politicians and their political parties, would make greater effort to obey the provisions of chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution, as amended. That chapter,comprising sections 13 to 24, deals with the ‘fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy’. In section 14[2][b],it provides, that, “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. Further expounding the meaning of welfare of the people, as a fundamental purpose of government, section 16[1][a] adumbrated, “The state shall, within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this constitution, harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and selfreliant economy” [emphasis mine]. So, Senator OluremiTinubu’scampaign promise is in fact a realisation of that constitutional mandate, and I think all genuine Representatives, must aspire to that Eldorado. I have no doubt, that the road to a stable and progressive country can only be realised when those privileged to provide leadership at all levels, realise that ‘prosperity for all’ as enjoined by the constitution, is the best antidote to insecurity. This responsibility cuts across board, as Section 13 eloquently admonishes, “It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this chapter of this constitution”. The greatest challenge to our constitutional democracy presently, is poverty. For many, poverty drives the murderous war by the incendiary elements, the Boko Haram. Many also attribute poverty to the availability of recruits,as suicide bombers, and political thugs. Some have even blamed poverty for other social ills, like prostitution, armed robbery and kidnapping. So to seek prosperity for all,as the campaign message of SenatorTinubu testifies, is to attack the ills that poverty promotes. In any society where the majority are prosperous, criminal behaviour is very minimal. As I have argued previously on this column, there is the urgent need to make the provisions of chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution, justiciable. It is strange that our constitution, would eloquently provide the fundamental requirements for a just society, as enshrined in chapter 2; but incongruously deny her citizens, the judicial impetus to enforce same. I therefore advocate an abrogation of the constitutional somersault,in section 6[6][c], to wit: “The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing of this section – shall not, except as otherwise provided by this constitution, extend … to whether any law or any judicial decision is in conformity with the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy set out in chapter 2 of this constitution”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

LAW REPORT

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

•Continued from last week a registered political party in Nigeria, it does not lie in their mouths to challenge her locus standi or capacity to institute this action again. The claimant here, on the pleadings before this court, has discharged the onus of proof cast on her and section 133 (1) of the Evidence Act 2011 necessarily imposes a burden on the defendants to prove the negative (Bunge v. Governor of Rivers States)(supra). This is particularly so in the light of the provision of section 80 of the Electoral Act, which stipulate that: ‘’Every political party registered under this Act shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name”. 47. The provision of this section has put to rest any doubt about the locus standior capacity of the claimant to institute this action. It has alsorendered all the arguments of learned counsel for the defendants, with due respect, puerile and futile. It is my holding, therefore, that having regard to the pleadings before me, the claimant is a registered political party, and therefore, has the capacity and locus standi to undertake the prosecution of this action. 48. The next preliminary point taken up by Mr.Akubo, SAN relates to the application or otherwise of the provisions of section 2 of the Public Officers Protection Law, Cap 111, Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 (as applicable to Kogi State). It is the contention of Mr.Akubo SAN that this action is statute barred having not been brought within three months from the date of appointment of the 4th – 8th defendants in 2008, when the cause of action arose. The basic response of Mr.Ocholi, SAN, is that this case falls within one of the exceptions to the general rule on the application of statute of limitation. The learned senior counsel, however, fails to buttress this argument with any legal authority. 49.Let me state here that the exact date of the appointment of the 4th – 8th defendants in 2008 is only extracted in evidence. The argument of Mr.Akubo, SAN, is only premised on the calculation of the lapse of five years between 2008 and 2013 when this action was filed. Be that as it may, section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Law Cap 111 Laws of Northern Nigeria (as applicable to Kogi State) provides: 2. Where any action, prosecution or other proceeding is commenced against any person for any act done in pursuance or execution or intended execution of any law or any public duty or authority, or in respect of any alleged neglect or default in the execution of any such law, duty or authority the following provisions shall have effect; (a) The action, prosecution or proceeding shall not lie or be instituted unless it is commenced within three months next after the act, neglect or default complained, of or in case of a continuance of damage or injury within three months next after 50. The basic principle is that time begins to run for purposes of limitation of law from the date of the accrual of the cause of action in a case (see Ofili v. Civil Service Commission (2007) LPELR-8538 (CA). The crucial question here is to determine when the cause of action in this case accrued. In determining this question, it is pertinent to know the true meaning of a cause of action. In Aiyelabegan v. L.G. Service Commission, Ilorin, Kwara State (200( 22WRN108, it was held that a cause of action is a set of facts and or the factual situation which gives a party a right to judicial reliefs. The cause of action in a case incorporates every fact which would sup-

port a party’s right to succeed or to have the judgment of the court in his favour. What constitutes a cause of action is put more succinctly in Ekiti State Electoral Commission &Ors v. PDP &Anor (2013) LPELR – 2041 (CA) in the following words: “…the whole or complete set of circumstances giving rise to an enforceable claim. Therefore, it consists of the fact or diverse facts which put together, give the plaintiff a right to sue. It has two component elements, firstly, the wrongful act or omission of the defendant which gives the plaintiff his reason to complain; and secondly, the consequent damage”(Onyemenam, JCA, P. 54). And when the issue arises as to what constitutes cause of action in a suit, the writ of summons and statement of claim constitute the podium for its determination (see Ofili v. Civil Service Commission (supra). The relevant averments in this regard are paragraphs 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 of the amended statement of claim which are reproduced hereunder: 7.The 5th – 8th Defendants are commissioners/ members of the 3rd Defendant appointed by the 1st Defendant but are members of PDP in their various wards and Local Government Area of their origin in Kogi State. 8.The 9th Defendant is also a registered Political Party in Nigeria having the Governor of Kogi State and 4th – 8th Defendants are some of her members and also have the right to sponsor candidates for the forthcoming Local Government election in Kogi State. 13.The Claimants shall be highly prejudiced if the 4th – 8th Defendants are allowed to remain in that office to conduct the forthcoming Local Government Election as a member of PDP which party is also in control of the 1st Defendant and is sponsoring candidates to contest the election which the 3rd Defendant is to organise. 14.The composition of the 3rd Defendant headed by the 4th Defendant is illegal; unconstitutional null and void. 15.The 1st Defendant had taken several steps in respect of the forthcoming Local Government Election in Kogi State addressing several Press Conferences regarding the dates and activities leading to the conduct of Local Government Election in Kogi State. Minutes of some of the meeting and Press release are hereby pleaded so also the election timetable. 51. It is clear from the foregoing paragraphs that the cause of action in this case necessarily consists of the appointment of the 4th – 8th defendants by the 2nd defendant as members of the 3rd defendants; the composition of the 3rd defendant; the facts relating to the allegation of the 4th – 8th defendants membership of the 9th defendant; and the steps taken in respect of the local government election which was yet to hold as at the time this action was filed on 20th March 2013. 52. From both the writ of summons and the statement of claim that as at 20th March 2013, the constitutional validity of the composition of the 3rd defendant to conduct the local government election of 4th May 2013 was a live issue. The approach adopted by Mr.Akubo, SAN, in defining and restricting or limiting the time the cause of action arose in 2008 when the 4th – 8th defendants were said to have been appointed, is, with due respect, faulty, as it ignores other relevant facts and circumstances that constitute the cause of action in this case. This action goes beyond merely challenging the appointment of the 4th – 8th defendants. As at 20th March 2013, (when the action was filed), the local government election that constitutes

an integral part of this action was yet to hold. In all the circumstances of this case, in the light of the foregoing, I hold that this action is not statute barred. 53. The third preliminary point that calls for determination here is whether or not this action constitutes an abuse of the process of this court. Both learned counsel for the defendantsrefer to what they call three antecedent suits which according to them were on the same subject-matter and instituted by the original claimants who were predecessors of the claimant. The three suits are HCL/57/2011 (Exhibit D1), HCL/151m/2012 (Exhibit D2 and HCL/303m/2012 (Exhibit D4). It is contended that the claimants cannot litigate on the same matter already litigated upon in Exhibits D1, D2 and D4. 54. A similar issue also came up at the interlocutory stage of this action and I pronounced on same, holding that the process of this court had not been abused by the institution of this action. This is what I said: “This case before me, in essence, challenges the constitutionality or otherwise of the composition of Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KGSIEC), the third defendant. One of the cases before the Chief Judge is an application for judicial review by way of certiorari, prohibition and mandamus over the election slated for 8/12/12 and the appointment of liaison officers for the local government area councils, as the case may be. In my view, none of the cases possesses the elasticity to stretch its subject-matter to cover the other. Each case exists on its peculiar subject, facts and circumstances… I should also add here that the process of this court has not been abused in any way by the institution of this action in this court. (Omolaye-Ajileye, J., PP 8 – 9) I have no reason to depart from these pronouncements. Istand by them. I also wish to add here that I fail to see how the principle of estoppel by conduct or sections 169 and 151 the Evidence Act apply to the claimant. This is because, this action was instituted to challenge the May 4 2013 local government election, at a time when the election was yet to hold. Objection to Admissibility of Some Documents 55. Mr Akubo, SAN, has asked me to discountenance Exhibits P1, P6, P9, P10 and P15. The documents were admitted, in the first place, because Mr.Akubo, SAN, without objection. All the same, he has now drawn my attention to the fact that Exhibits P1 and P6 are public documents which have not been certified. The point of objection to Exhibits P9, P10 and P15 is that they are mere photocopies. I have re-examined the documents and found the points raised by Mr Akubo, SAN, well made out. There are statutory prohibitions against the admission of the documents in the form in which they have been presented to the court. I, shall, therefore, discountenance them. See sections 104 and 105 of the Evidence Act 2011. Consideration of Issues 56. Upon a deep reflection of the totality of this case and the submissions of all learned counsel for the parties, I have come to the conclusion that the disputes in this case can be resolved upon determination of the following questions: 1. What is the proper interpretation of section 200(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)?

2. Has the claimant succeeded in proving that the 2nd – 8th defendants are members of the 9th defendant (People’s Democratic Party (PDP)? 3. Was the 3rd defendant properly constituted to conduct the 4th May 2013 local government election as required under section 200 (1) of the Constitution (as amended)? 4. If the answer to issue No 3 above is in the negative, what is the effect of such improper constitution of the 3rd defendant on the local government election of 4th May 2013? 57. Before I consider these issues, I shall, at this stage, look into the submissions of learned counsel for the defendants that this suit has becomeacademic. Learned senior counsel for the 1st – 8th defendants and learned counsel for the 9th defendants have argued that this suit has become academic as a result of what they refer to as the retirement of the 4th – 8th defendants from the 3rd defendant and the fact that the local government election that forms the subject matter of this action had held. This may well be. However, one should not overlook the fact here that, from the issues formulated above, the interpretation of a particular section of the 1999 Constitution (section 200(1), is involved.In Agbakoba v. INEC (2008) LEPLR 232(SC), the Supreme Court stated that an action becomes academic “when there is no live matter in it to be adjudicated upon or when its determination holds no practical or tangible value for making pronouncement upon it; it is an otherwise an exercise in futility (P. 63). Also, in Plateau State v. AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (2006) 3NWLR (Pt 67) 346, the Supreme Court, nevertheless, stated that a suit does not necessarily become spent or academic merely because it was heard after the act or conduct which gave rise to the action. And, of more particular relevance is the pronouncement of the apex court that issues relating to interpretation of a living constitution, as in this case, cannot be dead, academic, speculative or hypothetical (See Plateau State v. A.G. Federation (supra). Consistent with these authorities, therefore, I hold that having regard to the character, nature, and contents of this suit, the retirement of the 4th – 8th defendants from the 3rd defendant and the holding of the local government election on 4th May 2013 cannot render this suit an academic exercise. This is more so, as this court is being called upon to interpreta particular section of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which is a living constitution. It is crucially important to determine the issues formulated. I so hold. Interpretation of Section 200(1) of the Constitution 58. Section 200(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) forms the fulcrum of this case. The case of the claimant is that the 3rd defendant is not properly composed in accordance with section 200(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The claimant hinges her position on the allegation that the 4th– 8th defendants belong to the 9th defendant political party (PDP), contrary to the provision of section 200(1) of the Constitution (as amended). It is argued that once it is established that any or all of the 4th– 8th defendants belong(s) to the 9th defendant, then, the 3rd defendant would not have been properly constituted to conduct the 4th May 2013 local government election in Kogi State. This position has been vigorously contested by the defendants. •To be continued next week

•From left: Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), Deputy Senate President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, Minister for Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Dr. Valerie Azinge and former Director-General Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) after the conferment of honourary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) on Senator Ekweremadu and Dr. Azinge by UNN at the weekend.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NATION SPORT

Neymar: Ronaldo

should be punished B

ARCELONA star Neymar says he u n d e r s t a n d s Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration boiling over after he was shown a red card during Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Cordoba. The Portuguese seemed rattled throughout the contest, with video footage appearing to show him throwing a punch at Jose Angel Crespo, which went unnoticed by the referee. But Ronaldo was later punished for kicking out at Edimar Fraga in another

moment of indiscipline, which resulted in him being sent off. The three-time Ballon d'Or winner later apologised on social media for losing his temper, but he has received the support of Neymar. "It is difficult because sometimes there is provocation," he said. "It happened to Zinedine Zidane, it happened to me. Nobody has the coolness to remain calm 100 per cent of the time. "We must think with our •Neymar heads. I think he should be punished. "It is the referee's responsibility to protect players on the pitch, particularly when they are targeted by hard challenges. Hard tackles must be punished." Neymar has been one of Barcelona's shining lights amid a turbulent campaign at Camp Nou, with boardroom upheaval followed by reports of a dispute between Lionel Messi and coach Luis Enrique. The Brazil captain has scored 19 goals in 25 games in all competitions and eased

the goalscoring burden on the Argentine. The 22-year-old was asked whether the prese n c e o f h i s S o u t h American team-mate could hinder his own bid to become the best player in the world, but he says Messi's influence is only positive. "I have no problem. I've shared a dressing room with Ronaldinho and I never had problems with him. I've played with many great players. Messi is the best player in the world and I'll always have huge re-

Drogba targeting Chelsea stay

IDIER Drogba would like to continue his career at Chelsea beyond the end of this season. Didier Drogba has underlined his desire to stay at Chelsea beyond the end of the current season, when his contract expires. The Ivorian enjoyed a stellar eight years at Stamford Bridge in his first spell, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups before sealing the UEFA Champions League with the decisive penalty in the shootout against Bayern Munich in the 2012 final. Many thought that spotkick would be Drogba's last act in a Chelsea shirt, but, following brief stints at Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray, the 36-yearold returned to be reunited with Jose Mourinho at the start of this campaign. And the striker, who signed a one-year deal, says he would like to remain in London for the foreseeable future. "When you have achieved so much and won so many trophies like we have done in the past 10 years, that creates something special," he told Sky Sports. "I hope, and the club makes me believe, I am part of this big family, so we are going to find the best thing for both of us to promote the club in the best way.

rendan Rodgers has told Mario Balotelli he can still become a

first-team regular at Liverpool. Balotelli is yet to score in the Premier League for Liverpool and did not even make the bench for Saturday's FA Cup tie against Bolton, prompting speculation his chances of succeeding at Anfield have already passed. But Rodgers says he would never write off any player for good and has challenged the Italian striker to force his way back into his plans. "We'll give Mario every chance," he said. "We brought him here this season to give him every chance to show he can play consistently at the top in a team at this level. "It has been a difficult perod for him, but he's a good boy who wants to fight for his opportunity here. I've seen some clippings this morning saying that's him over with, and it's not the case at all. "I think I've shown here a number of times - players that have been out of the

•Drogba

"When I left this club [the first time], I was saying that I had done everything I wanted to do, but I think now that I did not do everything, I think there is more to do. "I love this club and would love to be part of this club for the future, with the new players."

Brendan says ‘Good boy’ Mario will stay fold for various reasons, if they work hard every day in training and show the intensity and focus then they've every chance of getting back in the team and not only of getting back in the team, but staying there. So the opportunity's there for Mario and for every player." Balotelli's path to the starting line-up will be further blocked by the imminent return of Daniel Sturridge, who trained on Sunday after five months out with a thigh injury. The England striker could make his comeback in the Capital One Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Tuesday, with the tie evenly poised after a 1-1 first-leg draw at Anfield. Rodgers said: "He trained very, very well, and that was as comfortable as he's looked. Even when he was coming back before [from a previous injury] he was bit tentative, but I thought he looked back to normal. "We'll see how he feels if he's not ready we won't risk it. He's been out a long time and we just need to make sure he's ready and feels ready."

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

SHOWBIZ

Toyin Aimakhu, husband reconcile

• Omotola with pupils of Stella Maris College, Abuja

Omotola marks 20 Nollywood years with Stella Maris pupils A LL roads led to Stella Maris College in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde kicked-off celebrations, marking her 20 years in the Nigerian movie industry, otherwise called Nollywood. The famous Nollywood star also used the event to flag off her tour of 20 cities in the world, as part of the programmes outlined for the celebration, which commenced at the weekend. To Omosexy, as she is popularly called, the event was an opportunity to encourage younger generations to believe in themselves for a better nation. “That was my motivation,” said the Nollywood star, “to meet with young children”. She also used the occasion to launch her pet project ‘I gat value’ and also motivated the young pupils by sharing her experience while growing up to stardom. According to Omotola, “what is lacking most among us in Nigeria is value. We don’t feel valued. I wonder if

•kicks off 20-city world tour

From: Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

our government care about us. What is the value of a Nigerian child? How many people died in France and the whole world was in France? Even our President is sending commiserating messages to them and his not acknowledging all the things happening here in northern Nigeria. Are northerners not part of Nigerians anymore?” She asked. She said, as father of the nation, who was voted in during the 2011 election, it was expected of President Goodluck Jonathan to be accountable and protect the citizens. “...today we have Nigerians bombing one another, killed and all scattered. It appears nobody cares anymore. There is jungle justice everywhere and nobody is being held. How many Nigerian

students have died in this country? Who is protecting them and fighting for their cause? However, the thespian emphasised the need for Nigerians to value themselves, irrespective of whether the government cared about its citizens or otherwise. The celebrity, who has carved a niche for herself in the industry, is considered a major player in Nollywood, the third-ranked entertainment industry globally. The students described Omotola as a living legend and a role model to many of them. They celebrated her as a humble wife and great mother who has kept her marriage intact unlike her contemporaries and urged her to share her secret of success so they could grow to be like her. Earlier, representative of the pupils, Isigwe Chiamaka, in her opening remarks, cel-

ebrated the actress’ achievements and thanked her for choosing their school as a flag-off point for her world city tour. Omotola, who is also a United Nations Peace Ambassador, is married to Captain Matthew Ekeinde and they have four children. Popular Motivational Speaker, Linus Okorie, told the students that to become a leader was a personal choice they must make. He advised them to own a dream book which could be used to write their ideas and embark on research “Identifying your purpose and locating your talent is what makes you better and greater than your contemporaries,” said Okorie, who has been a Leadership Coach for 20 years. “Set goals to be great and focus on your goals.” Okorie said the actress’ visit to the school showed that the school has potentials capable of repositioning the country. Omosexy eventually took pictures with the school officials as well as students.

Burna Boy, Wande Coal to headline Industry Nite in Dubai

HE next stop for popular music industry regular, Industry Nite concert, will be in choice shopping city, Dubai, where organisers have picked vocalist, Wande Coal and Dancehall act, Burna Boy as headliner acts. Scheduled for Thursday, January 29, at the Kiza Lounge, organisers say there are indications that the show will witness a huge presence of music lovers and fans, who would want to share fun moments with the headlining acts, who will be performing together for the first time in Dubai. Kiza Lounge, an African styled restaurant, owned by Nigerian entrepreneur, Lukman Akanbi, is located in the heart of Dubai, and has played host to a number of Nigerian artistes such as Davido, 2Face and Ice Prince among others. Speaking on the concert,

• Burna Boy By Joe Agbro

founder of Industry Nite, Matthew Ohio, said that the show will continually seek unique opportunities to ensure that Nigerian music is recognised globally. "This year, our goal is to take Nigerian music to every Nigerian irrespective of location. I'm always keen on promoting our music beyond this shore. So Dubai is going to be our first port of call in a series of foreign

VER the weekend, reports emerged that actress Toyin Aimakhu, has separated from her husband, Adeniyi Johnson, after a year and half of marriage, but it turned out that the purported reports were blown out of proportion. “This event made us know who our friends and well wishers are...,” said the couple in a statement released Monday. Speculation was high at the weekend, when it was observed that the actress had removed ‘Johnson’ from her Instagram profile, and reverted to her maiden name. Reports had it that, in like manner, her husband also changed his Facebook status to ‘separated’. In a telephone chat with the couple on Sunday, Johnson told The Nation that there was no problem whatsoever with their marriage, revealing that his wife was seated close to him at that time. On handing the phone to Aimakhu, she neither confirmed nor refuted the purported story, but added that they were with their parents, and begged to be excused from further prodding. However, there were indications their marriage was going through some turbulence, as the couple’s statement, on Monday, suggested that their meeting with their parents could have resulted in a quick reconciliation. The statement reads: “With the heart of appreciation and sincerity, we write: There’s no fire without smoke. For every marriage and journey there are moments of storm, that was our stormy and trying times. “The recent event obviously made us know how important our marriage is and that a lot of lives and destiny are attached to ours, we never knew the weight our marriage carried until now, we discovered a lot of destiny and glory hangs on our own. “May we not let God and you down. To the bloggers who blogged, we appreciate you, you might think you wrote a news, but it turned out to restore our happiness and home back, so to all the bloggers we say a big thank you.

By Ovwe Medeme

“We’ve learnt our lessons, corrected our mistakes and choose to move on…We are short of words and filled with gratitude 1st to our parents, our spiritual parents, adopted parents, friends, colleagues and fanssssss...OMG!!! Our fans you guys are the best... for your calls, text messages, mails, pings, Whatsapp messages, facebook comments and messages.... we love you all... “The bible says when we pass through fire it won’t burn us and through water it won’t drown us and whenever we pass through storms it will not over power us(Isaiah 43:2-3). May God still all storms in our lives and make everyone happy.... whatever you hear from us henceforth shall be good news... we wish you all the best and love you all... ADENIYI JOHNSON and TOYIN AIMAKHU JOHNSON.” It will be recalled that Aimakhu and Johnson got married on Monday, July 8, 2013 at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry. Meanwhile, popular blogger, Linda Ikeji, who was said to had linked Funke Akindele to her report on the incident, has been asked to retract her post by lawyers of latter. In a letter to Ikeji, the law firm, Lagal Aficionados, condemned in strong terms, the posts, which they said ascribed a harmless picture on Akindele’s Instagram’s page to be a mockery of the alleged separation between Aimakhu and Johnson. Signed by Yetunde Okulaja, the statement said that Linda assumed the role of a mind reader and a judge in her Sunday, January 25, 2015 post: “DID FUNKE AKINDELE SHADE TOYIN AIMAKHU LAST NIGHT?”, adding that the blogger has exposed the favourite actress to cynical comments and hasty judgments. While demanding a retraction and apology within 24 hours, Akindele’s lawyers said that Linda’s report did not only portray Akindele in bad light, it has promoted unhealthy rivalry where there is none.

• Wande Coal

cities we intend touring this year," he said. Also commenting on what to expect, Burna Boy said, "I feel really excited to be performing on the same stage alongside my brother Wande. I think this is just about the second time we will be performing together, so it's definitely go to be a blast, I can't wait." "It's been a while since I last visited Dubai for a performance, so am looking

forward to the 29th of January, when I get to perform some of my latest singles. My fans in Dubai should expect nothing short of the Black Diamond Experience, because they're in for a surprise," Wande Coal said. Industry Nite live in Dubai is powered by Entourage Entertainment and events management company- Viva Africa, Kiza Lounge and El Carnaval.

• Aimakhu and Johnson during their wedding

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

LASUTH performs first hearing restoration surgery T HE Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has performed the first hearing restoration surgery in the country without foreign doctors’ support. The feat was recorded by a team of indigenous Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) experts, according to LASUTH Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof Wale Oke. Oke said this was the first time cochlear surgeries would be performed by indigenous surgeons. The CMD, represented by the hospital’s Director of Clinical Services and Training (DCST), Dr Ayoade Adedokun, said the ENT department performed corrective surgery on a doctor and a pastor with severe hearing problem. The doctor, he said, developed hearing problem in line of duty. Explaining the procedure, he said, the cochlear implantation is a hearing device implanted in a deaf patient’s ear through surgery. The device converts sound into impulses, which enables the patients to hear and understand. The development, Oke said, is another feat in the hospital’s quest to provide excellent health for residents through indigenous professionals. He said the surgery would no doubt improve the self-esteem and build social confidence in patients who as a result of loss of hearing isolated themselves from societal engagements. The CMD said The Cochlear Foundation of the University of Freiburg, Germany and LASUTH carried out the first implantation mission in the hospital last year. “This, we believe to a very large extent, will find a lasting solution to a long standing problem of deafness and hearing impairment in deaf people. We will continue to strive to provide excellent and accessible healthcare that will improve standard of living of the people in the state, environs and beyond,” Oke said.

• Adedokun (second right); Owa (middle); Prof Van Deheuvel (second left); Olubi (left) and Adeyinka. Stories by Wale Adepoju

The leader of the team, Dr Anthony Owa, thanked the governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, for ensuring that such opportunities were available to experts in the hospital. He said the surgery was the beginning of a new horizon, adding that the hospital is ready to help people living with hearing problems. Owa said the local availability of the surgery would ease the problem people often face when they travel abroad for medical care. “Having this type of surgery here would reduce the patients’ expenses as they would not have to pay for air fare and hotel accommodation, among others,” he said. An ENT expert at LASUTH, Dr

Olawale Olubi, said the hospital now has a cochlear team to help patients tackle their hearing problems. The cochlear implantation, he said, was the continuation of the one carried out last year. According to Owa, about 2.8 per cent of the country’s population needs the surgery. He urged people to have their surgeries in LASUTH, adding that they would only get obsolete device in Asia. “The appropriate one is in Europe and it costs between N10million to 13 million,” he warned. The ENT expert urged the people to check the hearing of their children because the device works better in young people, such as newborns. He called for the screening of new

born babies to detect the problem early before it becomes more challenging at old age. A member of the team, Dr Adesegun Adeyinka, said the state is matching forward in giant strides to take surgery to a whole new level with the cochlear implantation. He said many patients need the device but there is no money to procure it, adding that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and voluntary services groups should come to the aid of the needy to appreciate sound going on in the environment. He said there is a fixed price for the device, which varies from $15,000 to $25,000, adding that patients would not pay if they have the surgery in the hospital. He thanked the state government

PHOTO: WALE ADEPOJU

for training experts to handle the problem in the country. Adeyinka said it is a team effort as other healthcare workers are part of the surgery. The surgery, he said, lasted two and a half hours. “Hearing aid amplifies sound while cochlear converts the sound to electrical impulses. The electrode inside stimulates that.” The ENT expert said there are many patients in need of the surgery to correct their deafness, especially students in deaf schools. Prof Edwin Van Deheuvel, who supervised the surgery, said he was part of those that trained the experts, adding that he was glad that they could replicate what they learned. He said his visit to the country was the first since 19 years of practicsing as ENT surgeon.

Bird flu under control, says poultry association

HE Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has said avian influenza, popularly known as bird flu, is under control. The disease, which broke out in Kano and Lagos, two weeks ago, has been found to Ogun, Rivers, Edo, Delta and Plateau. PAN president, Dr Ayoola Oduntan, said the Federal Government and the association were working to curtail the disease. Oduntan, who spoke in Lagos, said the emergency response has been tremendous, adding that the economic losses would be limited. He said the outbreak first occurred in backyard farms in two rural areas in the two states. Oduntan said the response will prevent the repeat of 2006 experience, which caused a lot of panic and uproar among the people and resulting in loss of money. “These cases also occur in advanced countries such as United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Egypt but are treated primarily as diseases of chicken,” PAN president said. Commercial poultry farmers, Oduntan said, have been managing their bio-security effectively

WHO’s key facts on bird flu •AVIAN influenza (AI), commonly called bird flu, is an infectious viral disease of birds. •Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans; however some, such as A(H5N1) and A(H7N9), have caused serious infections in people. •Outbreaks of AI in poultry may raise global public health concerns due to their effect on poultry populations, their potential to cause serious disease in people, and their pandemic potential. •Reports of highly pathogenic AI epidemics in poultry, such as A(H5N1), can seriously impact local and global economies and international trade. •The majority of human cases of A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) infection have been associated with direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry. There is no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through properly cooked food.

•Controlling the disease in animals is the first step in decreasing risks to humans. Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious viral disease of birds (especially wild water fowl such as ducks and geese), often causing no apparent signs of illness. AI viruses can sometimes spread to domestic poultry and cause large-scale outbreaks of serious disease. Some of these AI viruses have also been reported to cross the species barrier and cause disease or subclinical infections in humans and other mammals. AI viruses are divided into two groups based on their ability to cause disease in poultry: high pathogenicity or low pathogenicity. Highly pathogenic viruses result in high death rates (up to 100 per cent mortality within 48 hours) in some poultry species. Low pathogenicity viruses also cause outbreaks in poultry but are not generally associated

with severe disease. Avian influenza A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) background The A(H5N1) virus subtype, a highly pathogenic AI virus, first infected humans in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong SAR, China. Since its widespread reemergence in 2003 and 2004, this avian virus has spread from Asia to Europe and Africa and has become entrenched in poultry in some countries, resulting in millions of poultry infections, several hundred human cases, and many human deaths. Outbreaks in poultry have seriously impacted livelihoods, the economy and international trade in affected countries. The A(H7N9) virus subtype, a low pathogenic AI virus, first infected three humans – two residents of the city of Shanghai and one resident of Anhui province in March 2013.

with the highest level of health to prevent the disease. He said bid flu is also being tracked in other states, adding that

there is no confirmation yet on them. Oduntan said there is a similar disease which poultry farmers

handle on a daily basis known as Newcastle. This, he said, has similar symptoms as avian influenza (bird flu).

Oduntan said the disease can be recognised if a chicken’s feather is ruffled or when it produced softshelled eggs. Also, when a chicken is depressed and shows droopiness or when there is sudden drop in egg production and loss of appetite. Others are cyanosis (purplish-blue coloring) of wattles and comb, edema and swelling of head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks. They also show green diarrhea, blood-tinged discharge from nostrils, incoordination, including loss of ability to walk and stand and pinpoint hemorrhages (most easily seen on the feet and shanks). Respiratory distress, increased death losses in a flock, sudden death and nasal discharges are other symptoms. “Of the 1500 birds in the Kano farm about 75 per cent was affected. The figure is much less in the Lagos farm,” he said. The Federal Government said the outbreak has not become an epidemic yet. It said over 140,000 birds were affected in Ogun, Delta and Rivers, adding that 22,173 (15 per cent) were dead.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

CONSOLID ATIN GG AINS ONSOLIDA TING GAINS OF A W OR THY LEG ACY WOR ORTHY LEGA

available for People With Disability (PWD), and those engaged in the production of disability guides and appliances to showcase their goods and services. Chairman, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) , Mrs. Tolu Animashaun, said the Expo was meant to provide the opportunity for attendees to become better informed of the resources available in the state for PWDs to provide a unique opportunity for the exhibitors to network and exchange ideas on issues concerning PWDs.

he present administration in the state will go down in history as one that set philosophies worth emulating by posterity and, which served as the drive for its transformation successes.

According to the Governor, the reward for hardwork is more work. This is a deviation from the normal practice of reward for excellence. Though he believes very much in rewarding excellence, he is equally of the view that achievements recorded are already in the past and fresh challenges must be drawn. In the same vein, the administration drew strength from its philosophy of no end in the race to excellence. By this, just like the reward issue, as new frontiers are broken, more frontiers must continue to be broken. It believes each success brings fresh challenges which must be tackled in different ways. The Governor also took inspiration from seeing is believing, and if you give room for complacency, poor output will be recorded. Hence, he and his team were always on tour of project sites to monitor the progress of projects, tackle challenges on the spot, as those concerned were present, chide contractors if necessary and give commendations were necessary. For this administration, every project in whatever sector was designed to create both temporary and permanent employment. It believes there is a monumental unemployment challenge to be tackled, as well as the need for more development. Teach a man to fish, rather than give him fish, was the philosophy behind the administration’s skills acquisition and empowerment programmes. It was directed at moving youths in particular away from none available white collar jobs and making them entrepreneurs who could employ rather than seeking for employment. It was instituted to re- orientate the mind set of the citizenry away from paid employment to wealth creation and their own masters as well as employers of labour. The Governor in his last moments in offce equally told whoever cared to listen that his administration would provide excellent service delivery till the very end of its tenure. This he has demonstrated by working even harder when ordinarily he should be winding down. In line with this philosophy, his administration after successfully winning the war against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, revealed plans to upgrade the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), as a way of increasing its preparedness for infectious diseases. Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said the upgrade would enable the facility attains international standards in tackling hemorrhagic fevers as Ebola, Lassa, dengue fevers, among others. He explained that the upgrade would affect existing facilities by increasing isolation facilities and diagnostic to bio-safety level 4 laboratory, to enable it handle any virology laboratory investigations to tackle existing haemorrhagic fevers presently ravaging the nation’s population. Idris stated that training facilities will also be established and because the state has a number of survivors, it is looking into using serum from these survivors to treat Ebola patients. Furthermore, there will be a plasma unit to collect serum from survivors, freeze them and use them for research to tackle not just Ebola but any other diseases. The State Government, as a result of its hard won credibility, secured the support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , to bring a mobile laboratory that has facility to take the serum and this will be done temporarily until the upgrade of the IDH will be fully on ground. The administration also commissioned the second emergency relief camp in Alimosho, after the Imota camp that has successfully served the state during emergencies. It has five dormitories, with each having 20 rooms, a dinning house, laundry house, kitchen with cooler rooms and a 20 bed clinic. It equally has a water treatment plant, sewage management plant, open space for recreation and a 150 kva electricity generator. These facilities will bring succor to disaster victims. In furtherance of the drive to institutionalize probity, accountability and transparency in the conduct of government business, the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, recently launched the State Tenders Journal and formally interacted with contractors and consultants doing business with government. Chairman, Public Procurement Agency Board, who doubles as the Attorney – General/Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, stated that in order to fully implement the Lagos State Public Procurement law in 2011, as part of the public finance sector management reform system of the state, the procurement system had to be opened up to a wider group of stakeholders, through a system of Information, Education and Communication mechanism, giving access, affordability and equal opportunity to all. This necessitated the publication and regular update of the agency’s website, as a primary source of information on public procurement matters and opportunities within the purview of the law and regulations issued under the law.

Government in further developing the education sector took further steps to ensure better participation by students at external examinations with the cancellation of automatic payment of WAEC fees for SSS 3 students. Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, at a meeting with school principals, teachers, parents, guardians and SSS 3 students, explained that only serious students who attend school and classes regularly would be registered for the examinations, as against the present situation where all SSS 3 students are registered. She stated further that a screening examination would be organized among the students prior to their mock examination, adding that only those found serious and are likely to perform well would eventually be registered for the external examinations, and their fees paid by government. Government also invested heavily in the training and re– training of teachers. For instance, a week-long mathematics clinic was organized for 440 mathematics teachers, drawn from Lagos State public secondary schools in the six educational districts throughout the state. It was aimed at further improving performance of public school students in mathematics, by updating their knowledge of mathematics and improving the teaching and learning of the subject, with a view to achieving improved performance. In addition, 3,500 copies of instructional materials for the teaching and learning of civic education, history and geography in schools, were made available and distributed to the 1007 public primary schools and 664 secondary schools in the Lagos. As a way of reducing mass failure in external examinations such as the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO), in Lagos State, Education District VI Oshodi, interactive sessions with parents, teachers and students, was organized. The aim was for stakeholders to put heads together in ensuring that all perform their responsibilities and move education forward in the state and record successes in external examinations. Parents were urged to ensure that their children and wards attend school regularly and make it a point of duty to check up on them in their various schools to know about their academic performance and always attend Parents Teachers Forum of their schools. They should also buy text books not provided by government for their children, as government alone cannot provide all the reading materials, the students need. As a welfare administration, worker’s monthly salaries and allowances were paid as and when due, even in the face of dwindling revenue from the Federation Account, when many states could not meet such financial commitments. Government’s foresight in boosting Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR), was its saving grace.

In sustenance of its probity and accountability stance, government through the Lagos State Audit Service Commission intensified efforts towards actualizing its goals and core objectives of ensuring that regulations are put in place to obtain optimal performance from auditors and the auditing profession in the state. Towards this end, the agency visited Price Water Coopers (PWC), a renowned auditing firm and others, to seek collaboration in building capacity for the over four hundred and sixty auditors ( 460) under its purview. Chairman of the Commission, Oriyomi Modupe Akinwolemiwa, intimated the firm of her agency’s statutory responsibilities and solicited its support, maintaining that it became expedient for her commission to seek the input of the private sector and seasoned auditors in order to build and impact the foundation on which public sector auditors would further build on. Akinwolemiwa was of the opinion that in line with its capacity-building vision, her commission has identified the need for an e-library as a wide repository of knowledge. The State Government in further fulfillment of its pledge of reducing the cost of land transactions by ensuring that land transactions are carried out with minimal difficulty, especially as it relates to payment of taxes, rates and legitimate levies, reduced cost of land transaction in the state. Via an Executive Order, No. EO/BRF/001 of 2015, which heralded the good tidings. The Order, which takes immediate effect, reduced Consent Fees from 6 percent to 1.5 percent while Capital Gains tax, which was previously 2 percent, is reduced to 0.5 percent. Cost of Stamp Duty was equally reduced from 2 percent to 0.5 percent while Registration Fees was also reduced from 3 percent to 0.5 percent. Signing the Order into law, Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, said the new law aims at improving internal management. He explained that with present challenges in the economy, the need had arisen to sustain information on capital, business concerns and industrialization, adding that expectations in expanding business in the state’s enterprise zones, and the Free-Trade Zones could only be achieved through the reduction of cost of land acquisition. The Governor stated excitedly that cost of land transactions has come down from 30% or thereabout in pre - 1999, down to 13% in 2005 and finally cumulative total of 3%. He hoped the investing public; especially local investors would capitalize on this opportunity to do business in the state. As the selection process for obtaining homes under the Lagos Home Ownership Scheme continues to receive commendation for its transparency, another set of 44 home owners emerged last December. From the nine draws held since inception of the draw, well over 500 new home owners have been produced. Government has promised more housing schemes this year at locations such as Oko-Oba in Agege, Gbagada, Ilubirin, Alausa, to mention a few. The present administration, in furtherance of its futuristic disposition, tackle headlong the flooding challenges of the state, create employment and reposition the state as the nation’s model for national development, presented a draft drainage master plan designed to solve drainage problems across the state before its citizens.

From inception, until this present, it has released the remarkable sum of N54, 040, 125, 941. 60k being the monthly deduction of 7.5 per cent from the salary of employees and its counterpart 7.5 per cent contribution into the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) of employees with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The plan to be driven by the Ministry of Environment, specifically the Office of Drainage Services, will see Lagos getting afloat. It was presented in the three senatorial districts of Lagos namely; Lagos East ( Shomolu, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Ibeju Lekki, Epe), Lagos Central ( Surulere, Apapa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, Eti-Osa) and Lagos West (Badagry, Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin, Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Mushin, Agege, Oshodi Isolo). The well conceived draft plan was designed to guide the state in its quest to present people with a systematic drainage system that will make Lagos rank among the best in the world, while attaining Africa’s mega city status. Government disclosed that with the fastdeveloping population of Lagos, the need had arisen to review the present drainage system, build more drainages and maintain them to prevent flooding and house encroachment. It stated that the public presentation in different locations, was to educate the people on the plan, in order to get them to be on the same page with government and be able to key into the initiative.

Confirming itself as a government of all, able-bodied and those physically challenged, government through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), put together the 2014 Disability Expo, to create awareness on opportunities

Lateef Aderemi Ibirogba, Is the Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy.

In addition, its retired workers were given same treatment as those in service. The State Government at the 14 th presentation of Retirement Bond Certificates paid 319 retirees, bond certificates valued at N1, 791, 702, 841. 73k. Government has equally within limited resources available, paid the total sum of N28, 931, 971, 078. 06k to 5, 530 retirees, a feat yet to be matched by any state in the Federation.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

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How human capital pushes growth, N by surveyors IGERIA has been armed to leverage on its huge human capital to compete with other countries. Speakers at the 10th Annual Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial lecture, organised by the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), argued that with such human capital the country should not be a push over. According to Mr. Gbenga Alara, who represented the Chairman of the chapter, Mr. Hassan Elias, to date, there are no alternatives to human capital as means to development. “With the collection of resources, knowledge, skills, talents, abilities, experience, intelligence, training, judgment and wisdom possessed

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individually and collectively by individuals in our population, I am convinced that we could accomplish the goals of being a great nation and people,” he said. The guest lecturer, Mrs. Paulina Adebusoye, who spoke on the theme: Improving human capital in a competitive world, said in recent years, the country had experienced sustained economic growth as exemplified by the per capita income and the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This

recent growth, she reckons, has to be sustained by an ever-rising level of productivity if the country is to reduce the level of poverty ravaging the country and at the same time ensure high levels of prosperity for its citizens in future years. Therefore, Adebusoye said, to achieve sustained growth and development, there is the need to focus on education at all levels. She listed the other pillars that could make the country competitive to include infrastructure, health and

primary education, institutions, good market efficiency, labour market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication and innovation. “The bottom line is that business, government, civil society and ordinary citizens would do well to keep in mind that it is not primarily the number of people that is important but what they are capable of, their level of education, and their health because on these depend the

• The dilapidated £15 million mansion in South York

Mortgage lending hits six-year high M

ORTGAGE lending in the United Kingdom (UK), rose to its highest level in six years at the end of last year. But, first-time buyers returned to the housing market, figures from banks and building societies showned last week. However, the number of new buyers is still much lower than before the credit crunch, and the data came as separate official analysis showed how far the number of young homeowners has collapsed over the past decade. Despite a slowdown in sales in the final three months of the year and fears tighter rules on lending introduced in April would slow the market, an estimated £205.6billion was lent during the year, the bulk of it for house purchases, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said. It was an increase of 17 per cent on 2013’s figure of £176billion and the highest level of lending since 2008. The increase was driven by strong lending in the spring and summer as confidence returned to the housing market, driving up activity and

prices in many parts of the country, and lenders became more willing to offer loans to borrowers with small deposits. The CML’s Chief Economist, Bob Pannell, said the number of firsttime buyers had increased in 2014, but remained below the high seen in 2007. “First-time buyers were a key driver, helped by government initiatives such as Help-to-Buy. As a result, the number of first-time buyers topped 300, 000,” he said. “While a far cry from the halfmillion that we might regard as ‘normal’, this was the highest number of first-time buyers since 2007.” Analysis by the Office for National Statistics, also showed how young people have dropped out of home ownership over the period since 1980. The report revealed that as recently as 1991, around 65 per cent of 25-to-34-year-olds in England had bought their own home, but by 2012 – the latest figures available – the percentage had declined to less than 45 per cent. Among 35-to-44year-olds, the proportion of owners was also down sharply, from

almost 80 per cent to around 65 per cent. The report showed that through the 1980s and into the 1990s one in three 16-to-24-year-olds could afford to buy their own home, compared with one in 10 today.

The ONS said the number of UK first-time buyers peaked nearly three decades ago in 1986, when more than 600,000 young people climbed on to the property ladder. •Culled from The Guardian UK

wealth of the nation. While a large population is good for creating a large market of consumers, the fact that over half of the population are dependents requiring large resources to provide education and health services and employment is a source for concern,” Adebusoye submitted. Dignitaries at the lecture did not fail to extol the virtues of the late Kukoyi, who was described as a “firm believer in the Nigerian surveyor.”.

£15m Royal South York wastage

DILAPIDATED mansion in South York is now the last symbol of Prince Andrew’s failed marriage to Sarah Ferguson and has been left to decay seven years after the prince sold it for £15million. To make matters worse the grand country house gifted by the Queen to her second son as a wedding gift is now under the Heathrow flight path where planes pass over it every few minutes. The 12-bedroom Sunninghill Park in Berkshire, which is only around 30 years old, is a shadow of its former splendour and now has broken windows and boarded-up entrances. Dubbed SouthYork because it resembles Southfork, the ranchhouse in TV’s Dallas, the Duke of York sold it to Kazakh businessman, Timur Kulibayev in 2007. He paid more than £3million above the £12million asking price but since then it has become close to derelict and could be demolished after the local council gave permission nine months ago. The Duchess of York lived on there with daughters Beatrice and Eugenie following the divorce in 1996, but moved out in 2006 and joined Andrew at his home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park. It was sold a year later but has become an expensive ruin and worse it is now being bombarded by noisy Jumbo jets coming in to land at Heathrow. The new flight-path is part of a trial started by the National Air Traffic Services in August which lasted five months. The experiment is also to be repeated this year. Neighbours told how the latest blight on the once grand mansion saw planes cruising over every two minutes, as low as 5,000 feet, with noise levels of 78 decibels being recorded. ‘It’s terrible - huge jumbo jets fly right over our rooftops and it’s so, so noisy,’ said one neighbour, who declined to be named. • Culled from MailOnline

Fed Govt to partner stakeholders on desertification

HE Federal Government has called on stakeholders to support the Great Green Wall (GGW) Programme to prevent desertification, drought and climate change in the North. Director-General, National Agency for Great Green Wall Mr. Goni Ahmed made the appeal during a courtesy call by representatives of the World Bank and Reducing Emission from Desertification and Forest Degredation ( REDD)+ in Abuja. In the statement, the agency’s Information Officer, NAGGW, Larai Daze, quoted Ahmed as saying that without stakeholders’ support, the North could experience debilitating levels of out migration. He explained that the NAGGW was a holistic and an integrated

From: Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

approach aimed at reducing emission from desertification and forest degradation. Ahmed said the agency needed assistance in the rehabilitation of nurseries, establishment of shelter belt, sand dune stabilisation, agroforestry, farmers’ managed natural regeneration, integrated water and natural resources management. Others include transboundary ecosystem management, sensitisation and awareness, development of alternative sources of energy, gender mainstreaming, scientific expertise and research, capacity building and knowledge sharing. Earlier, the leader of the World Bank delegation, Mrs. Haddy Sey,

said the visit was to facilitate the World Bank’s collaborative initiative on reducing emission from desertification and Forest degradation in developing countries. She also said the programme supports processes and promotes meaningful involvements of all stakeholders, including people living in the dry lands. The GGW is a Pan African initiative launched by the Federal Government aimed at preserving the north from desert encroachment. It is being implemented in 11 frontline states. They are Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Borno, Yobe and Kebbi.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION

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Egbin Power owners spend N50b to fix turbine •Firm eyes 2,670MW by 2017 E

GBIN Power Generation Company, owners of Sahara Group and its technical partner, Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO) Nigeria Limited, have invested over N50 billion on one of the steam turbines (ST), which got damaged about 10 years ago. Minister of Power Prof Chinedu Nebo, broke the news on the company’s premises in Ijede near Ikorodu, Lagos at the weekend. He spoke at the turbine’s inauguration and synchronisation, which was rescheduled for President Goodluck Jonathan to attend.The President was supposed to perform the inauguration but he couldn’t make it. Egbin Power plant has six steam turbines and each generates 220 megawatts (MW), giving combined generation of 1320MW. The sixth unit (ST 06) broke down 10 years ago, and remained unrepaired until now. Nebo said: “The management of Egbin Power Generation Company

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invested over N50 billion working with their technical experts and others to make sure that what we are here to celebrate today is not just taken for granted. Power is at the core of all the industrial revolution in the world. “Nearly 10 years, the sixth unit of this power plant has been moribund and ever since it got bad, the government for eight to nine years could not provide the resources to revamp it. This unit is supposed to deliver 220 MW to keep the power plant’s shareholding as the giant Nigerian and African power project. Because the government has a lot of other issues to care for, it didn’t find the resources. What we celebrate today is one of the rich harvests of privatisation exercise, which resulted in the handing over of the this power

plant to those who can only run it more efficiently with better reliability and to the capacity level instead of hovering around 85 per cent reliability and 50 per cent capacity delivery.’’ Egbin Power’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike Uzoigwe, said: “The rehabilitated Unit ST-06 brings an additional 220MW to the national grid and would also boost power supply to the Lagos metropolis, thereby improving socio-economic activities in the region. The rehabilitation of Unit ST 06 will bring the plant back to its installed capacity of 1,320MW.” ST-06 was first inaugurated in November 1987, but suffered a boiler explosion during operation in 2006 due to some water tube phenomenon. With the unit now gener-

ating at full stream, Egbin is in the final stages of a bilateral agreement to supply the 220MW to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc now (Ikeja Electric) and Eko Distribution Company, a development that is set to yield about 16 per cent additional power supply to Lagos, the nation’s commercial nerve centre, the company said. The transformation at the nation’s largest generation plant began after its acquisition by Sahara Power working through a some Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) in collaboration with its technical partners, Korea Electric Corporation (KEPCO). The Sahara Power/KEPCO partnership has given birth in Egbin to innovativeness, professionalism, human capital development and continuing investment in new technology, it added. Uzoigwe said the company

considered the rehabilitation of ST Unit 6 to be a major breakthrough, noting that huge resources were deployed in achieving an overhaul of the unit. He noted that in spite of the fact that the electricity market in Nigeria is not yet bankable, Egbin has in collaboration with KEPCO continued to achieve laudable feats for the benefit of this country. He added that KEPCO had begun the overhaul of unit ST-04 to ensure it operates in compliance with globally acclaimed standards. KEPCO’s chief, Mr. Gyoo Yeom, said the unfolding plan for Egbin was aimed at replicating the success KEPCO is renowned for in the global power sector. He said: “We are eyeing further expansion of the plant as the new management continues to embark on achieving its vision of attaining 2, 670 MW by 2017 and total capacity of over 10,000MW in the next decade, if the demand permits.”

Schneider chief calls for more investment in power sector

HE Country President of Schneider Electric, Walid Sheta, has said Nigeria needs massive investment in the power, especially in transmission and generation value chain despite the sector’s privatisation. Sheta, who spoke to reporters at the company’s headquarters in Lagos, hailed the sector’s privatisation, but added that it is inadequate considering the population and the level of power generation. The power generation, he said, is only enough for a city and not the country. “Therefore, if the expected stable power generation that will drive the economy will be attained, the transmission needs to be reinforced strongly because it is a backbone of the country,” he said. He added: “With a lot of investments, it took 10 years for some countries to achieve this. There is also need for massive investment in generation, three gigawatts (3000MW) should be for a city, therefore, Nigeria’s generation ordinarily should be for a city. Nigeria should build 10 power plants of 2000 megawatts (MW) each for the distribution companies to see what to distribute. The grid and generation should be upgraded, this will bring Nigeria to where it is supposed to be just like China and Brazil.” Sheta said Schneider, with its expertise, is committed to helping Nigeria achieve its power aspirations. He said: “Energy issue in Nigeria is important and Schneider has the solution. We want to bring Schneider to another level of awareness, and making Africans leaders of the company in Africa. “We have re-injected capital in Schneider Electric Nigeria. We have increased our asset base in the country in December and our presence in Nigeria is also being increased. We are committed to this biggest economy in Africa without any doubt. My main focus is to take Schneider Electric Nigeria to greater heights. We are proud to have 96 per cent of our team including the management team as Nigerians. “We are very proud to ensure that part of the leadership of Africa is Africans. It is a key element of our strategy. We are making our African colleagues rotate in and outside the zone, before they return to assume leadership positions in their home countries, which is an impor-

tant part of our strategy. It is important to mention that people are key in our organisation. I believe that the difference between organisations is the quality of service and the quality of the people who are interacting with the customers. “We are known in the world as an excellent provider of energy systems, especially from the utility angle, including the distribution and generation companies. Our access to renewable energy programmes, such as the one Durumi in Bayelsa and 10 villages in Ogun State, and Edo State, among others.”

•From left: Field Marketing Manager, Schneider Electric, Anne Ezeh; Vice President, IT Business, Ayo Adegboye; Sheta; and Vice President, Retail Business, Tonye Briggs, at the briefing.

NERC, manufacturers disagree on ‘fixed charges’ removal

ALKS between the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on the scrapping of fixed charges have reached a deadlock. Customers pay N750 monthly as fixed charges to the distribution companies whether or not they enjoy their services. The stalemate, The Nation learnt, arose from the NERC’s insistence that consumers must continue to pay fixed charges in line with the MultiYear Tariff Order (MYTO). It argued that MYTO was scientifically determined bearing in mind all the variables involved in the production and distribution of power, but the organised private sector (OPS) is saying a ‘no’ to the proposition. MAN contends that it cannot afford to continue to pay for electricity, which it hardly accessed for it operations. To MAN the payment of fixed charges is arbitrary and killing. Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCS) Director-General Muda Yusuf, told The Nation that the chamber has met with the NERC Chairman Dr. Sam Amadi on the need to scrap fixed charges. He said the OPS at conferences, workshops and seminars, among others, appealed to NERC to scrap fixed charges but regretted that no agreement has been reached. Yusuf said issues, such as the scrapping of fixed charges, assisting manufacturers to own power plants,

By Akinola Ajibade

either separately or as a group via providing effective operational framework in the industry have come up between MAN and NERC on several occasions, adding that the discussions have come to a head because neither the NERC, nor MAN and LCCI are ready to let go. He said manufacturers are putting in place measures aimed at strengthening advocacy on the issue by taking the matter to the Presidency, National Assembly, Civil Liberties Organisations (CLO) and other pressure groups that would help them in achieving their goals. Yusuf said: “In advocacy, one needs to explore all the available options to achieve the desired results. What matters most is the end, not the means to the end. From all indications, the two parties involved in the issue are not ready to shift ground. While NERC is not willing to change the regulatory frameworks by removing fixed charges, MAN and other relevant bodies are not ready to stop agitating for things that would benefit them. ‘’MAN has agreed to use any opportunities at its disposal to press home its demand. If MAN and other relevant institutions have complained severally to NERC on the issue of scrapping fixed charges without getting the desired results, we (MAN and LCCI) will sustain our advocacy by meeting agencies that by law, are stronger in outlook.’’ He urged the Federal Government

to reduce the price of diesel, the same way it reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS)-petrol, from N97 per litre to N87 to enable manufacturers contribute to the growth of the economy, stressing that there is the need for Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA)) to reduce the price of diesel since real sector operators use the product to fuel their generators. ‘’ Given the fact that the country is experiencing poor power supply, occasioned by the perennial gas problems in the sector, the manufacturing industry has no choice than to resort to the production of alternative energy sources. We spend billions of naira on diesel in a year, aside the fact that many of the firms have their own independent power plants,’’ he said. Also, MAN’s Director-General, Remi Ogunmefun, said the body has begun a preliminary discussion on the increase in tariff of commercial users of electricity by NERC on January 1, this year to enable it take a position on the issue. He said the body’s concern is on the tariff for commercial users of energy, and not the planned increase in tariff for individuals by June this year. Ogunmefun said the issue of tariff increase is of great importance to the manufacturers because it forms a major part of their production cost. The Chairman, Infrastructure Committee, MAN, Reginald Odiah said manufacturers are aware of the problems which poor electricity supply posed to the sector and the

economy, and have taken precautionary methods to safeguard their investments. He said companies have resolved to build their own power plants to prevent production hitches and stay afloat of the competition. Odiah said the cost of electricity differs from one company to another, arguing that many operators have either wound up operation or relocated to neighbouring countries, such as Ghana and Cote de’ Ivoire where they hope to enjoy a comparative advantage. Odiah said power supply has not improved, a year after the government sold the assets of the Power holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to 15 private investors ‘’Problems, such as huge tariff, poor electricity supply, among others, made companies to build their own power plants. Plants have been built to take care of companies in the Ogun-Lagos axis to improve production of goods and further help in growing the economy,’’ he said. Meanwhile, NERC has said it was not ready to cancel fixed charges. Its boss, Amadi said the agency was committed to the provision of enabling environment for power generation companies (GENCOs), distribution companies (DISCOs) and other operators within the electricity value chain. Nebo, at a stakeholders forum in Lagos last year, said it would not be doing operators good if it removes fixed charges.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION Airlines are being bogged down by high insurance premiums. Industry players and other stakeholders, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), are having sleepless nights on the matter. At a seminar, experts proffered solution to the problem. KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.

High insurance premiums slow down aviation

IRLINES are struggling to remain afloat in the face of some challenges, which include the high cost of operations. These are: high insurance premium and prohibitive maintenance of aircraft abroad caused by fluctuations in exchange rate. In Nigeria, a high risk country, airlines pay high insurance premiums. But this is not so in countries with less risks. The high insurance premium is the reason some airlines cannot pay compensation to families of accident victims. Aviation and insurance experts are worried that this problem could undermine the sector’s growth. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), it was learnt, is seeking ways to redress the situation. The regulatory body is seeking to partner players in the insurance sector to fix the problems. Sources said NCAA met with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to resolve the issue. Experts said because of the high risk tag, indigenous airlines pay more insurance premiums than their foreign counterparts. They attribute the development to insurance firms’inability to capitalise, adding that their operating demands, including insurance costs, are high. Also, the lack of local insurance firms to underwrite large risks, they said, paved the way for foreign insurers and brokers to undertake such activities, leading to loss of foreign earnings through capital flight. Besides, the experts pointed out that no insurer in the country has the resources to underwrite the risks of a major airline. The Deputy Chairman, Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Gaius Wiggle, attributed the high cost of aviation insurance to the poor state of airports, poor landing equipment, age of aircraft and incessant air crashes. He said the air safety condition of most aircraft in South Africa and their airspace equipment could not be compared to those in Nigeria, adding: “This places Nigerian aviation industry as a high-risk industry in aviation business.” Commissioner for Insurance Mr. Fola Daniel blamed the problem on indigenous firms’ lack of capacity to handle aviation insurance. NAICOM, he said, was working to improve the capacity of indigenous insurance firms to enable them control a substantial portion

•Foreign registered aircraft parked at a private tarmac at the Lagos Airport

of aviation insurance business. He noted that with the capitalisation of the insurance industry and improvements in the aviation sector, there is hope of an increase in the use of local content in aviation insurance. “It may not be prudent to retain 100 per cent risks in the aviation sector because this will negate the principle of spreading the risk. We have relative financial capacity to play in the aviation business in Nigeria.With this relative capacity, we are trying to grow our human capacity because we need to ensure that the two work together for us to play meaningfully in the aviation business. For instance, a small aircraft that flies in the air space costs millions of dollars. So, our capacity to take up such a risk is growing. I believe that in the foreseeable future, we should be able to retain more. “I do not have a vision of the insurance industry that can insure all the aircraft and keep everything here. Even if we can, we need to spread the risks. We cannot say at what per cent we want to grow in the future. “The reason is that if you have 10 aircraft, there are some of the aircraft that we can retain their 60 per cent risks because of their value. For instance, if that aircraft costs $30 million, we probably can retain 60 per cent of that. But when you have an aircraft that costs $300 million, you might not be able to retain five per cent. “That is why we cannot use a percentage across the line because it is subjective. It is usually considered on case by case basis. Every aircraft is underwritten as one entity. You do not lump them together. Instead, you write them one by one. However, there are

some situations where some of the helicopters and small aircraft are insured 100 per cent because we have the absolute capacity,” he said. At a seminar by NCAA and the Socio-Economic Rights Initiative (SERI), aviation stakeholders, insurance experts and lawyers agreed that many airliners’ failure to pay premiums to their insurers or underwriters is responsible for families’inability to access the claims stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). ICAO, according to its Montreal Convention, requires airlines to pay at least $100,000 to the family of a passenger involved in an accident. An NCAA representative Mrs Anthonia Vincent, said aviation insurance had become topical because of the failure of carriers to pay compensation to families of victims of air accidents. The agency, she said, was worried because the industry would not grow if its operators did not have adequate insurance cover for their operations. “As a regulatory body, we are being saddled with frivolous suits due to inadequate enlightenment of the stakeholders and the public on the statutory functions of the authority as it affects aviation insurance,” he said. He assured that the agency would introduce carrier liability and insurance arrangements clause in the proposed amendment to the Civil Aviation Act 2006 and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2009 and 2012, stressing that such provision would ensure that “our regulatory framework is appropriately adapted to modern aviation and insurance environment”.

In his paper titled: Dealing with air carrier liability and related matters: Practical perspectives, a lawyer, Dr. Fabian Ajogwu, explained that a carrier’s liability would arise where there is death, injury or where there is a loss of baggage or cargo caused by an accident. Ajogwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), noted that Nigeria had witnessed several air accidents, where many people had injuries or loss of the belongings. He lamented that such victims spent a long time exploring settlement or waiting for the air carrier’s insurance firm to compensate them. He said insurance companies have a role to play in paying the families of aircraft victims. He cautioned against undue bureaucracy and bottlenecks by both the insurance firms and air carriers. Besides, he said Nigerians should also be aware of their rights on compensation/damages by an air carrier, adding that due to the limited time, they should not delay in suing the air carrier. NAICOM’s Deputy Director Authorisation and Policy, Mr. Leo Akah, identified inadequate expertise to underwrite aviation risks, premium quotes, unfavourable terms, claims of control clause and jurisdictional clause as part of the challenges facing the business of aviation insurance. He noted that many insurance firms lack the capacity to underwrite aviation risks, adding that this is why some domestic carriers choose foreign firms to underwrite their insurance risks. He said many insurance firms find it difficult to pay high claims, adding that this has had adverse effects on aviation insurance.

Akah listed other challenges facing indigenous airlines as the quality of reinsurers, the nonavialability of a pool. “The challenges of air carrier insurance in Nigeria are quite enormous. Primary, among them, is the uncooperative attitude of some airline operators. There are also the challenges of confirming the actual boarded passengers with names in the manifest of an aircraft that has crashed, the claims administration system, incomplete documentation by claimants, fraudulent claims, multiple claimants as well as cultural and religious inhibitions. “All these challenges could be resolved if there is better cooperation between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and NAICOM, compliance of airline operators to the NCAA Act, enforcement of the new market conduct guidelines for insurance institutions by NAICOM and strict observance of Section 50 of Insurance Act 2003,” he said. Last year, airline owners and the Ministry of Aviation officials criticised the insurers for designating the aviation industry as high risk occasioning huge premium to airlines insuring aircraft locally. Chief Executive Officer, Top Brass Aviation, Captain Roland Iyayi, expressed airline operators’ frustration at an event in Lagos. He said premium charged on aircraft insurance is higher than what is obtainable in South Africa and other parts of the world. Iyayi said while NAICOM is trying to deepen capacity in the industry by domesticating aviation insurance, it shouldn’t be at the expense of the growth of the industry.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 26-01-15

Access Bank gets SEC’s approval on N53b rights issue

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the plan by Access Bank to raise funds from existing shareholders, paving the way for the bank to open application list for the N52.6 billion rights issue. Access Bank Plc is offering about 7.63 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N6.90 to existing shareholders on the basis of one new share for every three shares held. Shareholders of the bank had approved the bank’s proposal to raise additional equity at an extraordinary general meeting in Lagos on October 13, 2014. Access Bank’s share price rose by 4.81 per cent to close at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday at N5.23. The bank said the capital raising falls in line with its five-year corporate strategy plan to be one of the top three banks in the country and the “world’s most respected Af-

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

rican bank”. The strategy is anchored on four critical pillars including capital, human capital, governance and risk management. It added that the rights issue will also enable it to be more competitive and meet the funding needs of its blue chip customers that meet its credit risk criteria. Group managing director, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe said the proceeds from the offer will be used to upgrade the bank’s information technology platforms to enable it provide better services, upgrade the bank’s branch networks and further improve the working environment. “The funds raised would provide Access Bank with additional capacity to further consolidate its leading corporate banking business as well as additional capital headroom to support our in-

creasing market share in the SME and retail segments,’” Wigwe said. According to him, in spite of the challenging conditions in the nation’s banking sector with regulatory changes and increased competition, Access Bank has continued to sharpen its execution skills, thereby ensuring a solid platform to build on. Access Bank Plc had launched a highly successful $400 million Eurobond in June 2014. The transaction followed the bank’s highly successful $350 million fiveyear senior debt issued in 2012. Access Bank is rated B (Fitch) and A+ Agusto & Co. Meanwhile, the Nigerian equity market started the week on a negative note as the benchmark index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), declined by 0.11 per cent to close at 29,779.17 points. This worsened the average year-to-date return at -14.07 per cent.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 26-01-15

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

MONEYLINK

Naira crash: Emefiele summons emergency meeting today T

HE Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has scheduled an emergency meeting with operators in the foreign exchange market toady. It is the first direct meeting the apex bank’s boss will be having with stakeholders since the pressure on the naira heightened. The Nation findings showed that the meeting will enable Emefiele gather more facts on how to save the naira from further slide. The CBN had on Friday, raised weekly dollar sales to Bureaux De Change (BDCs) operators from $15,000 to $30,000. The decision is part of the regulator’s con-

Stories by Collins Nweze

tinued efforts to strengthen the naira which on Friday traded at N208 to dollar at the parallel, or black market. A circular to authorised dealers signed by CBN Director, Trade & Exchange, Olakanmi Gbadamosi, said the increase is in line with the ongoing review of developments in the foreign exchange market and is intended to deepen the BDC’s segment. He said the policy takes effect from January 28, 2015.

He said while, the CBN will sell to BDCs weekly at the prevailing interbank rate, BDCs are expected to sell to the public at not more than 3.5 per cent above the CBN selling rate. “Consequently, all BDCs are to ensure that their designated accounts in the CBN are duly funded with the equivalent naira proceeds, not later than 48 hours before the bidding date,” he said. Gbadamosi also advised operators to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the extant regulations on the disbursement of forex cash to

their respective customers, as any case of infractions will be sanctioned. The CBN had earlier in the week, stopped, with immediate effect, sale of forex through the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) and interbank to BDCs operators limiting their only source of funds to the weekly allocations. Gbadamosi, said the weekly sales of forex to BDCs will be sustained by the CBN based on the liquidity needs of the market, adding that the regulator took the decision based on ongoing review of developments in the foreign exchange market and the need to check speculative demand in the market.

Adeola seeks support for social media

HE Managing Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Yemi Adeola has said the premier Social Media Awards Africa held in Lagos at the weekend, was designed to recognise and celebrate excellence, creativity and enterprise in the use of social media – through its tools and platforms by individuals and organisations across Africa. He said the event was an opportunity to showcase the very best in Social Media on the African continent and reward individuals and institutions that have added value to the continent through the unique use of social media.

“We at Sterling Bank are more than happy to associate with this noble initiative because of our focus and commitment to advancing human and social development across Africa. We are also interested in growing relevance of social media around the world with Africa in particular,” he said. Adeola said Sterling Bank cannot overlook the importance of social media in today’s society and the increasing role it plays in the lives of people on a daily basis, hence the need to identify with the Award. He said beside providing a platform for the bank to further con-

solidate its position as a leading light in the social media space, the bank has taken this project as one of our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. A member, Advisory Board, Social Media Africa Awards, Mrs. Ini Onuk, said with the four major categories and 15 awards, the SMAA is a genuine, timely intervention for promoting distinctive creativity, peerless innovation and pervasive developments on the African Continent through the best use of social media platforms and the rest of the social web. “Social media has reconfigured the

• Adeola

FCMB to unveil business account in Aba, Onitsha

IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, will this week unveil its Personal Business Account to traders and other businesses in the commercial cities of Aba, in Abia State and Onitsha in Anambra State. The FCMB product, which was introduced last November, guar-

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

antees traders, merchants, selfemployed professionals and artisans, who operate businesses in their personal names, security in the conduct of such businesses in the event of unexpected disasters such as fire and flood incidents. In a statement, the bank said the launch of the product will hold in

125.78 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,736.57 1,103.92 112.82 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

125.70 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,736.57 1,10315 112.21 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

O/PRICE 24.46 29.63 2.69 4.99 0.92 6.16 3.81 0.81 0.92 0.53 16.20 15.05 5.53

C/PRICE 25.68 31.11 2.82 5.23 0.96 6.35 3.91 0.83 0.94 0.54 16.50 15.30 5.61

CHANGE 4.99 4.99 4.83 4.81 4.35 3.08 2.62 2.47 2.17 1.89 1.85 1.66 1.45

LOSERS AS AT 26-01-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

REDSTAREX DANGFLOUR ASHAKACEM AIRSERVICE RTBRISCOE UBCAP IKEJAHOTEL ZENITHBANK MANSARD UACN LIVESTOCK FIDELITYBK TRANSCORP

3.80 3.19 21.28 1.75 0.70 1.55 2.70 17.50 3.15 37.00 2.27 1.34 3.00

3.62 3.04 20.29 1.67 0.67 1.49 2.60 17.10 3.10 36.59 2.25 1.33 2.98

CHANGE -4.74 -4.70 -4.65 -4.57 -4.29 -3.87 -3.70 -2.29 -1.59 -1.11 -0.88 -0.75 -0.67

duction of the Personal Business Account is in line with its value as a helpful financial institution committed to the protection and growth of the businesses of its customers, adding that the bank will complement its existing wide range of value-added offerings to customers.

Transaction Dates 13/01/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: December

IRST Bank of Nigeria Limited has partnered Tristate Cardiovascular Institute to provide financial assistance to cardiac patients of the institute. The beneficiaries, the lender said, are unable to afford the cost of Cardio Vascular heart surgery they need to stay alive. The Tristate Cardiovascular Institute consists of a team of world class cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and other professional staff who have a mission to bring cutting edge cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment to Nigeria. Staff of the institute have been trained in the best cardiovascular centers in the world and have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac conditions. In a statement by the Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Mrs. Folake AniMumuney, the lender explained that it’s partnership with the institute is implemented on the platform of FirstBank’s “Hope Rising” initiatives aimed at providing health and welfare support for indigent persons and persons living with disabilities. According to her, the lender would continue to support its communities and impact the lives of the society at large. In a letter to the Bank, the Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Tristate Cardiovascular Institute, Dr. Michael Sanusi, said the bank is the first institution to donate to the newly formed Tri State Heart Foundation. He praised the bank for its recent support towards the surgery of two children with holes in the heart.

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

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

CBN EXCHANGE RATES January 14, 2015

Monetary Policy Rate

GAINERS AS AT 26-01-15

SYMBOL OKOMUOIL PRESCO ETERNA ACCESS WEMABANK NASCON CUSTODYINS NPRMCRFBK CONTINSURE WAPIC OANDO ETI DANGSUGAR

Aba today, that of Onitsha is slated for Friday, January 30, 2015. The product which was launched at the Oluwole market on Lagos Island and Alade Market, Ikeja in Lagos last year has been described as a positive development by traders. FCMB explained that the intro-

FirstBank, firm partner on cardiovascular treatment

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

167

168

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$35b

US Dollar

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$45

Pounds Sterling

261.9395

263.508

Euro

206.2617

207.4968

171.546

172.5732

Yen

1.3838

1.3921

CFA

0.2944

0.3144

242.3484

243.7996

Yuan/Renminbi

27.1505

27.314

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Swiss Franc

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

WAUA Tenor

13-01-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 14-01-15

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

Riyal

44.4906

44.757

11.94

12.18

SDR

243.2856

244.7424

13.08

13.33

14.03

14.17

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

165.29

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

Parallel ($/N)

185.50

Jan. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

13.65

T-bills - 182

13.88

T-bills - 364

13.65

Bond - 3yrs

13.81

Bond - 5yrs

13.85

Bond - 7yrs

13.83

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Elections must hold, says Ohanaeze Ndigbo

HE apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said yesterday that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), had no power to call for the postponement of the February elections. It said the call was not in the interest of the country, adding that elections must be conducted. The group spoke in Awka, the Anambra State capital, after a one-day emergency meeting by the presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in seven

•Attacks NSA From Nwanosike Onu

Igbo- speaking states, namely Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Imo and Rivers. In a communiqué, the body cautioned former Aviation Minister and elder statesman Chief Mbazulike Amechi to refrain from his utterances or be sanctioned. The statement was signed by Elder Chris Eluemunoh (Anambra and leader of the group), Chief Emmanuel Okparanta (Abia), Elder

Ifeanyichukwu Onwukamike (Delta), Pius Nwankwo (Ebonyi), Chief Eric Ebeh (Enugu), Dr. Ezechi Chukwu (Imo) and Prince Igo Okparamma (Rivers). Ohanaeze Ndigbo confirmed that there was misunderstanding in the group, caused by those it called dissidents, who are after selfish interests. It said: “This is not a period to create problems in Igbo land, but a time to proffer solutions to Ndigbo’s problems.” Amechi had called for an

election in Ohanaeze Ndigbo, because according to him, the tenure of the present leadership, led by Chief Enwo Igariwey, had ended. But the body’s presidents’ forum led by Elder Eluemunoh said under the reviewed constitution, the tenure of the present leadership was four years. Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned the attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina and Bauchi states. It said violence during election period would not be welcomed.

Uba’s, PDP’s campaigns get boost From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s bid for re-election received a boost at the weekend, when the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Chief Chris Uba, took the party’s campaigns to Ogbaru, Onitsha North and South local governments. Uba is contesting the Anambra South senatorial seat with the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and former Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Chief Executive, Ernest Ndukwe. Following his acceptance in his zone, he took the PDP campaigns to the local governments to introduce other candidates and woo voters for President Jonathan. Many people were surprised when the name of Chris Uba, the state’s political godfather, appeared on the list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), instead of his elder brother’s, Senator Andy Uba. It was learnt that his name was listed, because of the primaries held; only the one by the Ejike Oguebego group was monitored by INEC. Chris Uba’s name was on the list. Oguebego is the chairman of the party according to a court declaration. At the Ogbaru and Onitsha centres, the senatorial candidate of the party in Anambra North and former Minister of Transport, Prince John Emeka, was presented to the people, who cheered him. Oguebego presented the candidate to represent Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Benny Obaze, to the people. He also presented Ifeyinwa Anazonwu, the candidate for Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency. PDP flags were given to them. Uba urged the people to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs). He said he was expecting 100 per cent votes for President Jonathan and other PDP candidates, adding that the party would not disappoint the electorate..

’INEC should permit temporary cards’ •From right: Executive Secretary, Ojokoro Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Mrs. Fausat Hassan-Olajoku; Council Manager, Mr. Rasheed Taiwo; Oba Lambe Taiwo, Oba of Ojokoro land and member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Ahmed Omisore, at a stakeholders’ meeting in the LCDA…recently.

APC okays US’s Visa ban for sponsors of violence

HE APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) yesterday backed the decision of the United States (U.S.) to deny visa to any Nigerian found to have been engaged in, or sponsor electoral violence before, during after next month’s general elections. APCPCO said that the measure would not only serve

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

as deterrent to those sponsoring electoral violence but give credibility to Nigeria’s democracy and electoral system. Director-General of the organisation Mallam Garba Shehu said the APC also welcomed US’ call for free and fair elections and non-violence in the general elections in the

country next month. Shehu said the party remained on the same page with the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s appeal to political parties to ensure free and fair and non-violent polls. He added that all responsible politicians should support the objectives of free, fair and non-violent polls as advocat-

ed by the US government. He appealed to the Jonathan-led administration to show commitment to free and fair elections and non-violence even as he called on other members of the international community to show active interest in the attitude of the PDP administration to these issues of non-violence and free and fair elections.

Desertification: Fed Govt seeks collaboration with stakeholders

HE Federal Government has called on relevant stakeholders to support the Great Green Wall (GGW) Programme to prevent desertification, drought and climate change from affecting the North. Director General, National Agency for Great Green Wall, Mr. Goni Ahmed, made the appeal in a statement in Abuja by his information officer, Larai Daze. He was quoted as saying during a visit by the representatives of World Bank and

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Reducing Emission from Desertification and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Secretariat that without the support of stakeholders, the North could experience debilitating levels of migration. He explained that NAGGW was an integrated approach that aimed at REDD+. Ahmed added that the agency needed assistance in the rehabilitation of nurser-

ies, establishment of shelter belt, sand dune stabilisation, agro-forestry, farmers’ managed natural regeneration, integrated water and natural resources management. Others, he said, include trans-boundary ecosystem management, sensitisation and awareness, development of alternative sources of energy, gender mainstreaming, scientific expertise and research, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing. The leader of the World Bank delegation, Mrs. Had-

dy Sey, said the visit was to facilitate the World Bank’s collaborative initiative on REDD+ in developing countries. She also said the programme supports processes and promotes meaningful involvements of stakeholders, including people living in the dry lands. The GGW is being implemented in Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Borno, Yobe, and Kebbi states.

‘Buhari will unseat Jonathan’

HE South West Coordinator for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign, Alhaji Umar Farouk Arisekola-Alao, has said that the APC presidential candidate in the coming elections, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate,Prof Yemi Osinbajo, would unseat the incumbent President Gooluck Jonathan in the February 14 election. He disclosed this while addressing a crowd of APC supporters at the Freedeom Park, Osogbo, the Osun State capital. Arisekola-Alao said politics in the state and country needed to change for good for the assurance of a good future for the younger generation as he declared victory for the APC in the

Faleke named campaign coordinator in Lagos House of Representatives member for Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Abiodun Faleke has been appointed the Director of the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign for Lagos Office. Faleke, who is The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-corruption, Ethics and National Values, will coordinate the activities of the Lagos office of the campaign and ensure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates February 14 national election and February 28 state election. Speaking of the mandate given to him yesterday, the lawmaker said: “My brief is to coordinate the activities of the Lagos office and all Nigerians interested in effecting a positive change at the federal level such individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), volunteer groups and other organistions.” From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

forthcoming elections. The coordinator, who is the Oyo State Commissioner for

Youth and Sports, said: “Everything we need to say from now on must be for Buhari because this is a man that is passionate

for change in making our country progress. “There is no mistake in choosing Buhari as the APC Presidential candidate as I believe he will unseat the incumbent president of this country come February 14 Insha Allah. “We are ready to create a platform for working committees across the South West state and achieve success. A lot of people thought they can only achieve success with money but when you have the voice of the people towards your ambition, the sky would be the limit and I am convinced that Buhari will unseat Jonathan. “We want everybody to work for Buhari in all the Local Government Areas in Southstate so as to accomplish our desires with great purpose.”

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

KINWUNMI Ambode Kommittee of Friends (AA’KOF) has urged Nigerians to eschew violence before, during and after the elections. The group’s Media Director, Cornelius Olopade, who spoke yesterday in Mushin, Lagos at the campaign of the Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said “violence does not breed good but evil.” Said he: “AA’KOF has been educating people to allow peace reign, as the elections approach.” Ambode enjoined Lagosians to vote for him, his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Idiat Adebule and other APC candidates, to enable them continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy started by the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola. He said he would discourage youths from involving in violence and crimes by creating jobs. The party’s candidate for Mushin Constituency 2 in the House of Assembly, Abdulsobur Olayiwola Olawale, advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the electorate to use temporary voter cards.

My emergence a threat to opposition, says Folarin

From Jeremiah Oke

YO State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Teslim Folarin, yesterday described his emergence as a threat to the opposition. He said since his emergence, the opposition had been afraid. Folarin, who spoke at the Bodija International Market, Ibadan promised not to disappoint the people if elected. He said the opposition thought it would be an easy ride before the primaries, “but they are now jittery.” Folarin urged the electorate to collect their permanent voter cards and vote for President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP candidates. The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide, enjoined the electorate to support President Jonathan and other PDP candidates. Dignitaries at the event included the party Chairman, Alhaji Yinka Taiwo, Senator Lekan Balogun, Chief Yekini Adeojo, Senator Ayoola Agbola, former Deputy Governor Azzem Gbolarunmi, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan. Others are Alhaja Abosede Adedibu, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Prof. Taoreed Adedoja and Muraina Ajibola.

Sambo: Fed Govt approves N250b for SMEs

HE Federal Government has approved N250 billion for the establishment of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), Vice President Namadi Sambo, said in Jos on yesterday. Sambo, who spoke at the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in Plateau, said that N5 billion had been allocated to Plateau. He challenged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Federal Government’s gesture to explore abundant resources on the Plateau and open the path to greater industrialisation. The vice president said that the Federal Government had also approved N27 billion for dry season farming on the Plateau to encourage farmers to take advantage of the good weather to develop their potential.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS

Millions gone in Warri spare parts market fire

ROPERTY worth millions of naira, including a block of shops and assorted automobile spare parts, were destroyed yesterday in an early morning fire at the Lower Erejuwa Spare Parts’ Market in Warri, Delta State. Although no one died in the incident, our reporter, who visited the scene, saw the affected shop owners trying to salvage the remnants of their property. Charred goods were collected around the one-storey block of shops. Nobody could ascertain the cause of the fire, but those who spoke with our reporter said it could not have been caused by an electrical fault. They said there was an outage when the fire started. Some of the victims said they lost between N1 mil-

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

lion to N3 million to the disaster. The leadership of the market’s association said over 50 shops, belonging to about 200 traders, were razed. The Chairman of the Spare Parts Dealers’ Association, Chief Donatus Chiaha, said the incident started at 3am. The market leader said his colleagues lost millions of naira in the fire, adding that his personal loss was over N2 million. He added: “I was informed that there was no light at the time. At least, people living around here confirmed there was no light. So, I cannot say it was caused by an electrical fault. I don’t really know what exactly brought about the fire. “The loss here, though I cannot say exactly, runs into

•A part of the market...yesterday.

hundreds of millions because I have nothing less than 200 men here. You sometimes have two to three persons in one shop and they are all doing well. “This is a very big loss

because most of our boys just came back from the New Year festivities, gearing up for the year. Some borrowed money from cooperatives, from village meetings, from different sources, to prepare

‘Invasion of Rivers stadium criminal’

AWYERS in Rivers State have said the use of armed soldiers by the People Democratic Party (PDP) to take over the state government–owned Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex is an act of criminal desperation and a high level of impunity. The lawyers, under the aegis of Lawyers Network for Dakuku and Buhari, said the invasion of the stadium showed that the Goodluck Jonathan-led PDP administration do not believe in the due process. Addressing reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the

•State lawyers to sue party, military From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

state capital, the group’s leader Dike Iheanyichukwu said the organisation would take action against the military and the PDP for resorting to self-help. He said Governor Rotimi Amaechi had the right to give out or refuse to give out the stadium, if he had the reasons to do so. The lawyer noted that the desperation of the PDP and its supporters prevented them from dialoguing with the state government.

He recalled that the party’s leadership had made unguided utterances against the uncompleted stadium. Dike said: “We condemn the use of military to invade Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex without the consent of the Rivers State Government. The President has shown the world that he doesn’t believe in due process. As lawyers, we believe it is unacceptable for the PDP to resort to self-help. “The stadium is owned by the Rivers State Government. You dare not break

into it without due process. It is a criminal offence and an act of impunity. We are not saying that they should not use the property. But since they can’t control their supporters, they should have entered into an agreement with the state government for the safety of the stadium. “With what is happening in Rivers State, it has become necessary for the Lawyers’ Network to educate the people, especially Rivers State indigenes, on the need for change. That is why we lending our voices so that people would know that Nigeria needs to change.”

Buhari’ll fix Nigeria, says Edo deputy governor

DO State Deputy Governor Pius Egberanmwen Odubu has assured the people of Owan East, Owan West and Akoko-Edo local government areas that the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, will solve the nation’s myriad of problems, if elected President in the February 14 election. He said Gen. Buhari would create jobs for the nation’s teeming unemployed young graduates. Odubu spoke yesterday at the party’s rallies at Igarra,

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

Afuze and Sabongidda-Ora. Addressing reporters at Afuze, he said: “I am very happy with the attitude of our people, because this rally was earlier fixed for 2pm. But you can see the time now. “...The people have been waiting to get the message from our Comrade Governor (Adams Oshiomhole). “In APC, we don’t only have credible messengers but also credible messages. The governor has said that in the next elections, you

must vote against President Goodluck Jonathan and vote in Gen. Buhari. “Gen. Buhari is a disciplinarian. He is about War Against Indiscipline (WAI). He drove away the Maitasine Islamic sect from Kano. He has promised to fight insurgency in the Northeast and create jobs for the unemployed Nigerian young graduates and fix the nation. “That is why, everywhere we go, the people are ready to listen to the message from the Comrade Governor. Our governor has delivered, and when you compare APC-

controlled states and those under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The difference is as clear as the day and night.” Odubu added: “...The APC governors bring development; they bring about improvement to the good people of Nigeria. That tells you that Gen. Buhari has no choice but to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians.” The deputy governor described the huge crowd at the rally as a true acceptance of APC candidates for the elections.

Igini: INEC committed to credible elections

HE Edo State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restated its commitment to free, fair and violence-free elections on February 14 and 28. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mike Igini spoke yesterday in Benin, the state capital, at INEC’s stakeholders’ forum and meeting with the political parties and their candidates. The REC noted that there was need for parties to avoid

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

violence before, during and after the polls. He said the onus rested on politicians to educate their supporters on the symbol of their parties before going to the polling units. Igini said of the 1,779,738 persons who registered for the permanent voter cards (PVCs) in Edo State, 1,046,960 had collected theirs. The REC also said of the 177,000 card readers the com-

mission ordered for, 1,861 had been supplied to Edo State. According to him, it took between 30 seconds and a minute to accredit an individual with the machines. Igini condemned violence or thuggery during elections, adding that there was no use for any politician or his party to encourage such crime. The REC said they should, instead, encourage them to register and obtain their PVCs. Edo State All Progressives

Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary Godwin Erhabor described the event as a welcome development. He urged the party’s supporters to shun violence, adding that it was better for all to unite than fight for positions. APC Secretary Osaro Idah said no politician was worth dying for. He urged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to increase its awareness campaign to discourage thuggery and other forms of violence during the elections.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

for business in the first quarter of the year or the whole year, may be with the intention of paying back at the end of the year.” Another victim, Boniface Ozuo, said he lost over N1

million. He said over 50 shops were affected, adding: “Millions of naira have been lost in this fire. I cannot estimate it, really. I have lost more than N1 million.”

Umana to electorate: don’t sell your PVCs

KWA Ibom State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Umana Okon Umana, has urged the electorate not to sell their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or give them to people to photocopy. Umana said his administration, if elected in the February 28 election, would support the establishment of 10,000 new businesses in his first year in office, through various incentives. The APC candidate addressed thousands of party faithful at Oko Ita, the headquarter of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, at his campaign rally. He said: “Anybody who asks you to sell your PVC or submit it for photocopying is a criminal who wants to perpetrate electoral fraud.

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

“Whatever business idea you have, whether it is distributive trade, agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing or service, my administration will provide the financial support and other incentives so that in my first year in office, our people can generate up to 10,000 start-up enterprises. These ventures will help us to tackle unemployment, create wealth and reduce poverty.” Umana’s promised was endorsed by a popular Akwa Ibom businessman, Dr Ime Umana. The businessman recalled that it was the military government of U. J. Esuene that gave him a grant of N6,000 to start his business several years back in the early 1970s to start my business.

APC candidate to develop constituency

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate for Isoko South 2 Constituency of Delta State in next month’s elections, Chief Ferguson Onwo, has said he will bring basic infrastructure to the constituency, if elected. At one of his “meet the people” visits to Erowha town in Isoko South Local Government Area, Onwo decried the poor condition of the people of the constituency. The APC candidate noted that the area was known to be the highest oil producing area in the state. Onwo promised to bring noticeable development to their door step within the four years of his tenure in the House. He told the people of Erowha that the road project, which had been abandoned by the present administration, would be started and completed within his four years in office. On the only water project, which is the only source of potable drinking water in the

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

community, he told the Erowha people that it would be started immediately and be completed before the elections. He urged them to make sure they all go and collect their Permanent Voter Card (PVCs), which is the only thing that would give them the right to vote for him on the day of election, also charged them to avoid violence and rancour during the elections. Addressing the crowd that welcomed Onwo to the area, Chairman of the Ferguson Onwo Campaign Organisation and former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Anthony Onomuefe Efekodha, noted that for over 30 years he visited Erowha community, it had not changed in terms of development. He called on the people of the constituency to go out in their large numbers to vote for Onwo who is a grassroots politician and has the pain of his people close to his heart.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Moderate your utterances, don tells politicians From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

•Kwara State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Abdulfatah Ahmed (left) with Kwara Central senatorial candidate, Bukola Saraki, during the party’s campaign rally in Asa Local Government Area...on Monday

17 killed as Fulani invade Benue community S

EVENTEEN persons were feared dead yesterday, following a clash between Fulani herdsmen and Agatu indigenes of Benue State. It was learnt that the Fulani herdsmen had crossed from Loko in Nasarawa State to Agatu villages in Benue State. They allegedly killed eight people at Abugbe, two in Okoklo, four at Ogwule, one in Ocholoyan and two more in other villages.

•Police: five persons killed From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

The killings, it was learnt, resulted in the exodus of the Agatu indigenes from the crisis area to safer places. The House of Assembly member representing Agatu, Sule Audu confirmed the al-

leged killings. The lawmaker said the herdsmen were still planning to attack Agatu villages.He urged the Federal Government to assist his people and end the perennial killings in the area. Police spokesman, John

Bako, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (APC), said there was an influx of Fulani herdsmen in Agatu from Loko in Nasarawa State. The spokesman said five persons were killed, adding that the invaders entered the community by boat and fled by the same mode of transport. He said normalcy had been restored in the affected areas with more mobile policemen keeping surveillance.

Jonathan raises five-man panel to avert Ribadu’s defeat in Adamawa

ISTURBED by the crisis in the Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan has raised a five-man team to avert the defeat of the party’s governorship candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in the February 28 election. The party has also initiated a plan to bring back estranged party members with the capacity to win huge votes. It was learnt that the panel is headed by Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, whose mandate is to reconcile aggrieved party leaders and members to support Ribadu. Other members of the panel are: Youth Minister Boni Haruna, Women Affairs Minister Hajiya Zainab Maina, Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari and Ribadu. It was gathered that Jonathan was disturbed that PDP members were ganging up against

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

the party’s governorship candidate because of alleged displeasure with the primaries conducted in Abuja. It was also learnt that the President met secretly at the Villa with Ngilari, Ribadu and major stakeholders like a former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Gen. Haladu Hananiya (rtd), former Petroleum Resources Minister, Prof. Jibril Aminu and a former National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, among others. Some of the stakeholders protested against the unilateral dissolution of the State Executive Committee of PDP and the alleged shoddy primaries for elective offices, especially the governorship strand. They insisted on redress for the aggrieved chieftains and members of the party in

Adamawa State. A top source said: “The President prevailed on PDP stakeholders to forgive and forget issues surrounding the emergence of Ribadu as the party’s governorship candidate. “He said reports made available to him confirmed that PDP leaders and members were threatening protest votes against Ribadu. He reemphasised what the state would gain if Ribadu is elected. “He queried why some leaders of the PDP were allowed to defect to the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). “The President then raised the panel to reconcile Ribadu with all leaders and members. It was also agreed that the State Executive Committee led by Chief Joel Madaki be reinstated.” Another party leader said: “The only way to reconcile is to invite all those who ob-

From James Azania, Lokoja ing the town. The spokesman said commercial banks had been relocating from Kabba since last November for the fear of robbery attacks. He said the residents had to travel to Lokoja for banking transactions, adding that banks in the areas were refusing to load their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) with cash. According to him, the major entry points to Kabba, such as Okene-Kabba Road; Kabba-Omuo Ekiti Road; Obajana-Kabba Road and Kabba-Egbe Road, had been under robbers’ siege.

Olorunfemi said the robbers had killed several residents in the last three months. The spokesman said the banks became jittery when they heard that the robbers had attacked commercial banks in nearby Okene, Ikare and Egbe, killing scores of people.

Kaduna PDP targets 2m-man rally for Jonathan From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

HEAD of the January 31 Kaduna State presidential rally of President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Kaduna presidential campaign office said two million people are expected to attend the rally. Its Director-General, Alhaji Husaini Jalo, spoke yesterday in Kaduna at the inauguration of the 35-Woman Campaign Committee. He urged party women to mobilise at least 2,000 women from each of the 255 wards in the state. Jalo said: “I expect at least 2,000 women minimum from each ward to come out as President Jonathan campaign team visits us. We must show that Kaduna is for the PDP, because here is the home state of Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo.”

El-Rufai: change inevitable in Nigeria, Kaduna From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

•Ribadu

tained forms, especially those with the capacity to win and assuage their grievances. “Also, all the 678 delegates, who were denied the right of voting at the primaries in Abuja, will be compensated. Though some of the delegates asked for $10,000 each, the party believes that they will gain a lot if they work for PDP’s victory than asking for cash reward. “We hope we will be able to put all things in place before the Presidential Campaign Council moves to Adamawa State on January 29.”

Kogi community seeks help against robbery attacks HE people of Kabba, the headquarters of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, yesterday sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) to the government over incessant robbery attacks. They said robbers had been attacking their community in the past three months. Addressing reporters yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, Kabba Development Union (KDU) President Molomo Olorunfemi said the socio-economic activities of the community had been paralysed, following the incessant attacks, especially on major roads link-

HEAD of the next month’s general elections, a professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Olanrewaju Badmus, has urged Nigerian politicians to moderate their utterances. Badmus said it was necessary for politiciansd to avoid actions that could cause instability before, during and after the general elections. The expert spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the 256th inaugural lecture of UNILORIN, titled: Utilising the Qur’an, Stabilising the Society. Badmus berated the country’s leadership for squandering the people’s resources and indirectly festering corruption. He said: “That Nigeria and Nigerians are passing through a difficult period is reflected in the inability of the government to rescue the abducted Chibok girls. It has also reflected in the citizens, especially in the areas of security of lives and property, alleviation of poverty, prosperity-driven policies, among others. “A large part of the world today including our dear country, is experiencing instability and insecurity because leaders promote injustice and corruption and neglect the welfare of followers. “Only recently, a former Secretary of State for the United States of America, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, lambasted the Nigerian leadership for squandering the resources of the people and indirectly festering corruption. “Leadership, as a position of trust, is fragile and has to be handled with care by eschewing some unethical behaviours and conducts which hinder peaceful co-existence and stability of human society. If leaders will function well according to expectation, there will be a functional economic package which will benefit the rich and the poor.

He added: “The management of the banks therefore felt since banks in their neighbourhood were being robbed, Kabba may be the next target, this was why they refused to open to customers since November 2014. The community is now living in fear.”

ADUNA State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has said the change in nation’s leadership and his state is inevitable. The APC candidate spoke yesterday in Zaria during his campaign rally in the ancient city. El-Rufai, who was received by a huge crowd of party faithful, assured that the nation would soon witness a change for national progress, peace and prosperity. He said next month’s elections would make the positive change inevitable in Kaduna and most other parts of Nigeria when APC would be voted into power. El-Rufai, who was concluding his campaign in Kaduna North Senatorial District at the Eid Praying Ground in Zaria, said the crowd indicated that a new dawn beckoned for cogent development and purposeful leadership. The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister was accompanied by thousands of APC leaders and members. He said the need for change was justified by the glaring Federal Government’s leadership failure and myriads of challenges in several parts of the country. He said: “I am emotional and touched because of the way we were received. We were received with total acceptability, trust and confidence, that we have all it takes to rebuild our dear state. “Our state is in need of direction, focus and practical leadership that will bring about justice, development and purposeful leadership to manage our complexities. Kaduna State is in search of a competent and capable sailor and crew to sail our state out of storm. “We are in the middle of this dangerous navigation, but we are confident that by the special grace of Almighty God, we will sail to safety. It is not about us but what is best for tomorrow and the future. “You should remember that we are standing before history and posterity. We must strive to stand for the best of the future that outlives our personal interests. We must be bold, courageous and firm to give the people of Kaduna our best...”

Beg your subjects not to leave PDP, Aliyu urges Emirs

PPARENTLY jolted by the mass defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday begged traditional rulers to plead with their subjects not to abandon the party. The governor spoke at the

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

palace of Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Garba Attahiru, when the PDP governorship campaign stopover at Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area. The appeal came on the heels of last week’s defection of Deputy Governor Ahmed

Musa Ibeto and over 300 elected and appointed officers of the ruling party to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The development has unsettled the ruling PDP and change the political equation of the state. Aliyu urged Emir Attahiru

to talk to his people not to dump the PDP. The governor said the party remained formidable in the next month’s elections at the state and national levels. He said: “Please, plead with Kagara people not to leave the PDP. Help us tell them to join the winning team.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS NEMA registers 5000 IDPs

Troops launch battle to retake Monguno Continued from page 2

some casualty. Meanwhile, ground troops are in charge and Airforce patrol still ongoing.” A military source however gave insights into why Boko Haram embarked on ore-emotive attacks on Monguno, Konduga and Maiduguri. He also hinted of a likely sabotage of troops by some locals in the affected parts. The source said: “The suicidal attempt on Maiduguri and Konduga might have been staged to divert troops’ attention from their goal of com-

mencing the “once and for all” battle against the terrorists by members of the Multinational Joint Task Force from Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Chad planned for early this week. “There are fears that saboteurs among local sympathisers in one of the affected communities might have betrayed the troops, especially concerning the plans to annihilate terrorists to pave way for the success and peaceful conducts of forthcoming elections in every part of the country.” Coordinated ground and air mop up activities by military personnel in the aftermath of

diversionary terrorists attacks on Maiduguri and Konduga in Borno led to the destruction of dozens of more terrorists. This information is contained in a statement issued by Defence Headquarters on Monday in Abuja. The statement disclosed that substantial number of heavy weapons had been captured, in addition to the number of terrorists that died in the night f i g h t i n g until Monday morning. It added Nigerian forces also recorded some casualty “but troops and Air Force patrol are still ongoing.’’

Continued from page 2

•Defence Chief Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh

100 bodies counted at morgue Continued from page 2

General Chris Olukolade said on Sunday evening that warplanes had attacked rebel positions after ground troops were forced to retreat. Soldiers said they had come up against superior firepower. On Monday, a security source said the bombardment had resumed. Monguno lies near the larger town of Baga, which was seized by Boko Haram earlier this month along with a military base in an attack that left

scores of civilians dead. In a video claiming responsibility for the capture of Baga, the insurgents said they had seized enough weapons to “annihilate Nigeria”. President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday promised delivery of additional equipment this month to the military. The President spoke at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin,Alhaji Zulu Gambari when he paid homage to him before going to address a ral-

ly. “You have observed us for the past four years. Yes, we have security challenges relating to the Boko Haram saga mainly in Northeast. “Although their excesses extend to some parts of the North, like Abuja, Sokoto, Gombe and Kano. But it is mainly in the Northeast. We are working hard and we shall surely bring it to a halt. “As far as the military is concerned, even as we are talking, we are expecting more plat-

forms this week and next week. “I believe that in the next two weeks or so, we will be able to move faster than we are moving. “We have intervened in so many areas; agriculture that touches the life of an ordinary Nigerian is one of the areas that we have been working very hard. “We are trying to move agriculture to the next level; a level that young graduates will be able to embrace.”

Lawyer urges court to disqualify Buhari

N Abuja-based lawyer, Chike Okafor, has approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for among others, an order disqualifying presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gen Muhammadu Buhari from participating in the February 14 presidential election. In a suit filed yesterday, Okafor contends that Buhari, having allegedly failed to

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

prove that he has the minimum educational qualification to run for president, should be disqualified. Okafor hinged the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/01/2015 on the provision of Section 131 of the Constitution which prescribes a minimum qualification for nomination to participate in presidential elections and Section 31 of the Electoral Act that stipulates that all

presidential candidates should depose to an affidavit in proof of compliance with constitutional requirement to be president. He argued that Gen. Buhari’s deposition in his affidavit to the effect that he possessed the West African School Certificate (WASC) was false. No date has been fixed for the hearing. Judiciary workers who went on strike late last year, returned to work yesterday.

Bauchi riot: Rumpus in PDP over Yuguda’s comments

HERE was rumpus in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) yesterday following its indictment for the Bauchi violence by one its leaders, Governor Isa Yuguda. The PDP leadership is under pressure to sanction the governor for allegedly concluding that the party’s members should take the blame for the attack on the President’s convoy. Yuguda should have waited for the police to conclude their investigation, the party said. But the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Bala Mohammed yesterday, hit back at Yuguda, describing him as an All Progressives Congress(APC) mole in the PDP. Some PDP leaders were upset that Yuguda thwarted the plot to blame attack on the APC, The Nation learnt. Some of the leaders alleged that Yuguda was acting a script for the opposition. A few others blamed the governor for “jumping into conclusion” while the outcome of the ongoing police investigation was being awaited. A highly-placed source said: “The PDP leaders were shocked by the comments of the governor which they think were aimed at absolving the APC. They said the coincidence of the comments with the visit of the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, was a minus for the party. “Instead of seeing the governor as being truthful, they are now accusing him of working for the opposition. “Some also felt his comments

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

were sheer vendetta and borne out of local politics within the PDP in Bauchi State. Another source confirmed that: “there was pressure on the PDP leadership to sanction Yuguda for the comments. The party may however exercise restraint until police release its findings, it was said. “With few days to the general election, the party cannot afford to lose another governor to the opposition,” a source said, pleading not to be named. But a third source alleged that those behind the stoning of the President were said to be former thugs of the FCT Minister who were yet to be reintegrated. The source added: “The way these thugs penetrated the security wall at the rally venue suggested that they were known to some security agents. “Some of these thugs had worked for the botched governorship ambition of the FCT Minister. They, however, felt betrayed that they were not rehabilitated after he pulled out of the race. “This development indicated that Yuguda’s comments were targeted at the police force to look at all options in its investigation.” But the FCT Minister yesterday denied complicity in the attacks on the President. A statement by Mr. Nosike Ogbuenyi, who is the Special Assistant on Media to the FCT Minister, said there was no iota of truth in Yuguda’s claim.

The statement said: “The attention of the Hon. Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, has been drawn to an allegation by the Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda that he was the sponsor of the thugs that attacked the presidential campaign team of His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan in Bauchi on Thursday 22nd January, 2015. “It is simply irrational for Governor Yuguda to allege that the Hon. Minister hired thugs to stone and embarrass himself (Hon. Minister) while addressing the presidential rally in his home state. “By this claim Yuguda has proven correct the allegation that he has been hobnobbing with the APC at night and running with the PDP in daytime. “The question that the Governor must answer quickly without equivocation is: why did the thugs not stone him (Yuguda) whilst he was addressing the same rally, on the same podium and on the same day? “Yuguda should also tell the world why he has suddenly turned into an APC spokesman, by exonerating the opposition party of culpability in the attack of the PDP presidential campaign team in Bauchi.” Mohammed accused Yuguda of alleged covert romance with APC. The statement added: “Many Nigerians still remember recent media reports that Yuguda is the real godfather and sponsor of the APC gubernatorial candidate in Bauchi state and that he has not been

from Monguno and environs. “A housing estate being constructed by the state government at Gubio Road has been converted into an IDP camp to cater for the influx. “Emergency workers provided water and medicaments to the IDPs on arrival. Initial needs assessment shows that Tents, beddings and food items constitute the immediate needs of the IDPs and efforts are in top gear to deliver the items to them before the day runs out.” Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday inspected areas that were affected in the Sunday attack by Boko Haram. Shettima visited Monramti where he met with the victims and sympathised with them. His visit to other areas was however cut shot when soldiers started shooting in the air due a security panic that the Boko Haram were ahead of the governor’s convoy. Governor Kashim Shettima recognised the danger of another assault on Maiduguri with the rebels now in control of Monguno. He told BBC radio’s Hausalanguage service: “I call on

the people of Borno State not to panic. This is our land. No fear, no flight, no retreat. We should not flee.” Boko Haram’s capture of Monguno, has prompted fears of a fresh strike on the city, where the group was founded in 2002 and from which it was driven out in 2013. Shettima confirmed that the situation was “bad in Monguno,” and people had fled to Maiduguri, where the military was screening them in case any the militants had infiltrated the displaced population. Normalcy yesterday returned to Maiduguri as commercial activities came alive in the ancient city. There was high vehicular and human movements in all parts of the town. Some of the residents who ran out of their homes from 777 and 1000 housing estates along Damaturu/Kano/Jos road where the fight was fierce on Sunday were, however, yet to return for fear of a fresh attack. Mallam Sadiq Sani from 1000 Housing Estate told our correspondent that he would have to wait and watch the situation before moving back with his family.

Revealed: How PDP chiefs forged Buhari document Continued from page 2

cate.’, and still quoted the email as the source. “It is very unfortunate that this is the man speaking for the President’s re-election campaign. How do we believe every other ‘fact’ he has quoted has not been altered as well? It is a shame. He added: “This is not the first time President Jonathan’s men are forging or altering documents to demonise anyone perceived as the

President’s ‘enemy’. His New Media Assistant, Reno Omokri, was also busted in February, last year, when he hid under a pseudonym, Wendel Simlin, to send false but damaging reports to newspapers to demonise the then just suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. A dig into the source of the computer used in typing the document showed it was a certain Reno Omokri that authored it!”

Jega to RECs: we must be impartial Continued from page 2

•Yuguda

campaigning for President Jonathan’s re-election in the state. Again, “History is there to expose the Governor as an unabashed 5th columnist in the PDP. It would be recalled that the first attack Senator Bala Mohammed received for wholeheartedly supporting Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (then Vice President) was in 2010. “The same Yuguda, early in 2010, did everything humanly possible to recall and politically annihilate Bala Mohammed from the National Assembly as the Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District. Bala’s only sin was that he mobilized fellow lawmakers to invoke the famous ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ to confer powers on the then Vice President Jonathan to act as President while former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was away in Saudi Arabia receiving medical attention. “The second attack of the FCT Minister by Yuguda came later again in 2010, when he deployed enormous energies into creating all manner of obstacles to block Senator Bala Mohammed’s return and reregistration as a member of the PDP in his native Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State.”

ing and challenging task ahead. “This meeting is very crucial as we prepare to conduct the general elections. “As we approach the elections, obviously all sort of things are happening, politicians are very busy with their campaigns and quite often the commission gets dragged into the politicisation of the campaigns. “I have said consistently, what we need to do is to remain focused and to busy ourselves in terms of ensuring that

2015 general elections are remarkably much better than the 2011 general elections. “We have to continue to ensure that whatever we do, we remain impartial and and that we create a level plain field for all political parties, candidates and contestants. “We need to ensure that we ready to conduct, free fair and credible elections “We also need to assure ourselves that indeed we are ready for the business ahead of us. “ The meeting then went into a closed session.

Jonathan challenges critics of his economic policies Continued from page 2

leaders to intimidate the followers; where people will be living as if they are in the zoo and the lions and leopard are moving freely and all the other animals have to go into hiding; no. That is not a government, Nigeria is not a zoological garden. Nigeria is not a forest. “Nigeria is a country governed by laws and conventions, a country where citizens must be free and where every citizen must be able to grow to the level that he so desires.” On his agricultural reforms, Jonathan said: “We will use SMEs to grow the economy .We are no longer talking of agriculture as a rural dwellers’ occupation but agriculture as a means of creating wealth, agri-

culture as means of creating millions. So many people in Kwara have keyed into that project and we will work you. Agriculture will accelerate the economy of this country. “Also, SMEs; we are working hard with the CBN. Funds are being released to people who are in that sector. When you talk about Asian Tigers, they became strong because of SMEs and not necessarily because of large industries. We are working very hard to ensure that we encourage SMES in Kwara State and in Nigeria to be able to create wealth for themselves. That is why we started the YouWIN. The beneficiaries will not be job seekers but creators of jobs for themselves and for others.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

‘I went into bunkering to save my wife’ 3 7 - y e a r - o l d man,Shittu Jamiu, yesterday said he took topipeline vandalism to save his wife, who was in labour. The Ogun State-born suspect was paraded yesterday alongside three others in Ikeja by the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).The others are: Isila Bolaji (47), Ishola Ogunlade (36) and Semiu Bello (47). Jamiu said: “I joined this business three months ago because my wife needed N150, 000 to go through Caesarean Section (CS) at a private hospital in Lagos. She was

By Basirat Braimah

attended to after I strived to raise N80, 000. “As I speak, I still owe the hospital N70, 000. I am a taxi driver. I was introduced by other drivers. My wife doesn’t know about this. I had involved myself before I knew it was illegal. We buy at the rate of N2,500 and sell to codrivers at N3000. I will never do such again if I am released. Semiu is just a mechanic. I sought his assistance when my vehicle was faulty.” NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said the suspects were arrested on January 16 around Sabo in Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb, with vandalised

Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). According to him, the suspects drove a Toyota Premiere Space bus marked: KRD63BM with 50 gallons of 50-litre PMS and a Nissan Bluebird marked: AG15FKJ with two gallons of 25-litre PMS. Abafi said:”Every indication has showed that they are guilty and some of them have confessed to the crime. We are trying to see if they can help us fish out the kingpins and if not, they shall face the consequences of their actions. Ours is to make sure such suspects are caught but the court justifies their case. They should look for legitimate business to do other than bunkering.

Bolaji, a mechanical engineer and driver, said: “At times, I don’t make a kobo in my shop and even the money I make as a driver, the traffic monitoring officers do threaten us. I had to join because I have a family to cater for. I just started December last year through some drivers. We purchase fuel at a very cheap rate from some people along the road at Abule. I know it is illegal, but I pray we are pardoned.” Ogunlade, also a driver, said: “Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) seized my vehicle. I dabbled into bunkering because I had nothing to do. I was with Bolaji when we

Fashola lifts police with AGOS State Governor ICT centre Babatunde Fashola yesterday handed

over an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Resource Centre to the Area ‘C’ Police Command in Surulere to facilitate its work. He said his administration plans to hand over 100 of such centres to the police before his tenure expires on May 29. The ICT centre has two computers and trained personnel to man the accessories which include a digital camera, Digital Assert Management Systems Software (DAMS) and two KW Solar installations. “We cannot over-emphasise the importance of information communications in our lives. What we have done with these centres is to empower and enable the police to be able to keep detailed records of

were caught. I also started last December.” Bello, who claimed to be a graduate from the School of Agriculture in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said he wasn’t part of team. “Jamiu told me his vehicle broke down on the road which I went to repair. Since it wasn’t

easy to get a commercial motorcycle from Eyita community to Sabo, I followed them since it was also my route. On getting to Sabo, we were apprehended. I was shocked when they accused us. The fuel was covered with tarpaulin. I am only an automobile engineer.”

Relief as senator equips artisans

By Basirat Braimah

evidence. For instance, why do we have to keep a vehicle that was involved in an accident in the station for so long and allow it to rot, thereby losing value and depriving the owner of the vehicle? With this centre, the police can just take the photographs of the vehicle from all possible angles and incident it in their electronic file,” he said. The ICT centre, he said, would also help to ensure a clean environment as the police can do their work with improved self-esteem; remove blockades and reduce traffic gridlock. Fashola praised the Ministry of Science and Technology, which he said, helped in the training of the

•The suspects... yesterday.

•Governor Fashola (standing) with (from right): Ministry of Science and Technology permanent secretary, Mrs Nike Animashaun, Aderanti; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Adebiyi Mabadeje and Hon Wahab Alawiye-king at the event... yesterday

policemen. While commending the dedication of policemen, the governor said: “In spite of the remarkable decline in crime rate in Lagos, the state government will not relent in taking to another level the wideranging crime-reduction strategies to address the peculiar security challenges arising from the heavy human density and daily economic-

driven migration into the state.” Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti praised the governor for his investment in the police, saying: “What we have in Lagos as far as policing is concerned would not have been possible if you were not police-friendly. The ICT centres would really help us in our fight against crime in the state.”

ENATOR Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS) has donated working tools to members of Lagos State Vulcanisers Association (LSVA) and Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA). The associations’ leaders received the equipment on behalf of their members at the Senator’s Ikeja, Lagos office. Alhaji Ayinla Adeyemi, who chairs LSVA, and his NATA counterpart, Asiwaju Jacob Fayeun, were at the ceremony with some top officials of their associations. Tens of vulcanising machines and mechanic tools estimated at millions of naira were the cynosure of all eyes ouside the venue awaiting. “Please see this as a promise made and kept. It is a gesture that was specially thought out to respond to the unbearable economic realities in our dear

By Basirat Braimah

land today. I want you to distribute them equitably across the state in the overriding interest of all the less-privileged members of your respective associations. “It is a task I could shoulder with my aides but I want the prospective beneficiary members of your associations to see these things as coming through you as their reliable and serviceable representatives. We have done it for other artisans in good spirit. And I dare say that with God behind us, this is just the beginning,” Solomon said. He lamented the rising unemployment, noting that the only panacea at the moment is for Nigerians, especially the jobless, to seek ways of ensuring economic self-reliance. Adeyemi and Fayeun hailed the senator for his continued support for their, organisations.

FOREIGN NEWS

Kerry urges peaceful polls in Nigeria

ELL, good afternoon, everybody. I am really delighted to be here in Nigeria. And I was just admiring the extraordinary view and this wonderful location. I'm particularly pleased to be here at this particular moment, just a few weeks before one of the most important elections that this country has held. And this will be the largest democratic election on the continent. Given the stakes, it's absolutely critical that these elections be conducted peacefully, that they are credible, transparent, accountable, so that the people of Nigeria can have faith and the world can have faith in the government that flows from it. So I came here today to deliver a very simple message, and I met with both major candidates in order to underscore that the international community is paying very close attention to this election and that the international community is deeply committed to working with Nigerians going forward with the hopes that they will have an election that is free of violence and capable of instilling confidence in the future. I was at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this weekend where I delivered a speech about the need for a long-term, comprehensive global effort to combat violent extremism, and to address the underlying causes before that

•Being text of his remarks at a news conference in Lagos extremism takes root. The unfortunate truth is that Nigerians know as well as anyone how desperately that kind of effort is needed. Day after day, the group that calls itself Boko Haram continues to kill scores of innocent civilians and attack villages and military installations in places like Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. The United States condemns these attacks which have escalated in recent weeks. And we extend our deepest condolences to the thousands of families that have been impacted, and we deeply regret the toll that this violence has taken on the Nigerian people. We will absolutely continue to support the Nigerian military in its fight against Boko Haram. And as I said in Davos, all of us must work together to advance a strategy that will not only stop groups like Boko Haram, Daesh, and al-Qaida, but that will address the environment from which these groups emerge. We were very happy to see the Government of Niger host a regional security ministerial meeting last week to discuss how to better coordinate counterterrorism efforts. This is exactly the kind of thing that I suggested is necessary in the comments that I made a couple of days ago. It is very important that the world cooperate more in helping countries

where they want to and where they don't the full capacity to be able to step up and take on lawless terrorist entities. That is precisely why President Obama has announced that next month in Washington we will host an international summit on combatting violent extremism around the world. It will be held at the WH and at the State Department, it will be at the ministerial, and we hope to bring people together who have been engaged in these fights against the Boko Harams and other entities so we can share best practices, so that we could hear from people about what they need and what they think is necessary in order to be able to summon an even stronger global response. The fact is that one of the best ways to fight back against Boko Haram and similar groups is by protecting the peaceful, credible, and transparent elections that are essential to any thriving democracy, and certainly, essential to the largest democracy in Africa. It's imperative that these elections happen on time as scheduled, and that they are an improvement over past elections, and they need to set a new standard for this democracy. That means that Nigerians have to not only reject violence but they have to actually promote peace. I met with President Jonathan earlier today and separately

with General Buhari, and I was encouraged to hear once again from both men that this is exactly what they intend to do to try to press for an election that can be held with the credibility the people of Nigeria want and deserve. As President Jonathan said in his New Year's message, none of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women, and children. And as General Buhari recently tweeted, electoral violence is unacceptable, and every Nigerian life is sacred. Both candidates have also signed on to the socalled Abuja Accord, which commits them to running exclusively issue-based campaigns, refraining from violence before and during and after election day, and speaking out against any violence that does emerge. These are commitments that we need to see from everyone and they are commitments that need to be kept. Many people are stepping up. For example, Chairman Jega and the thousands of independent national election commission employees are taking concrete steps in order to guarantee that this election is successful. We also urge all of Nigeria's governors to call for peaceful democratic engagement among their residents, and we ask all parties and all candidates to do the same. And I would say to every-

body that no matter what the outcome, if you have a question, if you have a doubt, if there is someplace where issues may have arisen, it is absolutely vital that whatever differences may exist be resolved through legitimate channels, through the legal channels, which are fundamental to the democratic process. And I urge all of Nigeria's candidates to do what is best for their country no matter the outcome on election day. I want to emphasize that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner. Nigeria has a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of this continent and beyond. We are committed to helping the electoral process succeed, and last week we sent an electoral security advisor in order to support INEC's efforts to advise on security concerns and to help develop a risk mapping tool to prepare for any violence that might emerge. So let me be clear: Anyone who participates in, plans, or calls for widespread or systematic violence against the civilian population must be held accountable, including by ineligibility for an American visa. Violence has no place in democratic elections, and I can guarantee you that the perpetrators of such violence would not be welcome in the United States of America. Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation

•Kerry

and one of the world's largest democracies. It is blessed with some of the planet's most valuable and abundant natural resources. Conducting accountable, credible, peaceful elections will help put the Nigerian people on a path to prosperity and regional leadership that is needed in order to address a wide range of challenges in this part of the world, including, obviously, violent extremism. With this election, Nigeria has an opportunity to put an indelible stamp on the kind of future that Africa wants to see and most importantly that Nigeria wants and deserves. I want to reiterate what President Obama recently said, that he, I, and the American people stand with you as Nigeria's great democratic exercise unfolds. And we stand ready to work with the Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian people, and whomever they elect next month continue - to continue building on the important partnership that we share.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

NEWS INEC receives card readers From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State has said it has received a consignment of card readers. This has ended speculations by politicians that some “money bags” have purchased Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity Ayodele Folami, who spoke on a private radio station, Flash FM yesterday, said the commission received reports of some politicians buying PVCs. He described such exercise as futile and waste of resources “because INEC has received a consignment of card readers which will take care of anybody using someone else’s PVC”. The INEC spokesman advised the electorate not to sell their PVCs and suffer for four years “because they will not be bold to ask the politicians for accountability”.

Stop ‘arresting’ students, APC tells Fayose

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has berated Governor Ayodele Fayose for the clampdown on the state leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for speaking at the party’s presidential campaign at the weekend. A statement by APC State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said a students’ leader, Tosin Ogunkuade, spoke at the event. Olatubosun said

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

Ogunkuade’s offence was that he highlighted the challenges facing students, saying the present effort by the government was not capable of redressing the hardship faced by the students in accessing quality education. The APC spokesman said: “He said to the applause of hundreds of students in attendance that Buhari presented a better hope for students in their educational pursuits.

“Just 24 hours after, thugs trailed Ogunkuade to Ikogosi-Ekiti where he and other students were attacked with deep machete cuts. “After these students were attacked at Ikogosi, they ran to Efon-Alaye Police Station to report the matter. To our surprise, the police detained them before they were transferred to Aramoko-Ekiti Police Station. “To our shock again, yesterday morning, one of their colleagues, Damilare Bewaji, who went to visit them at the

Aramoko Police Station, was also detained by the police on the order of the governor. “Just this morning, the home of former Commissioner for Finance under ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, Dapo Kolawole, escaped being razed. His offence was that he pasted APC flags and posters on his building. “It is curious that the students, who were the complainants, are being turned into the accused, as the police are being suborned to slam

Tinubu, others for Bola Ige memorial By Joseph Jibueze

PDP attacks Soludo

ORMER Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Charles Soludo came under fire yesterday from President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Group for his submission on the management of the economy under the President. Soludo, in an article published by The Nation yesterday, rated the performance of the government low. But the Director, Media and Publicity of PDP Campaign Organisation, Femi FaniKayode in a statement said: “I read Charles Soludo’s contribution to the debate with amusement. I will be gentle with him because I have a soft spot for him. He has criticised the President, his government and his handling of the economy. “Meanwhile Nigeria has just won the prestigious award of being designated the largest economy in Africa and this has happened under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan and no-one else. “Should any right-thinking person who has the nation’s interest at heart be complaining about that? Needless to say my friend and brother Charles Soludo is confused and conflicted. He seems to have lost touch with reality and this is what often happens when you spend too much time with the Buharists. “The truth is that Soludo is far too educated, civilised and advanced to be in the opposition. He belongs to the modern age and not the dark ages. I pray that sooner than later he comes to his senses and he sees the light. “One thousand Muhammadu Buhari’s cannot match one Goodluck Jonathan in terms of tolerance, compassion, performance or output. Buhari cannot even begin to understand the complex nature of the economy or the immense problems that we are facing in this country whilst Jonathan not only understands them but is also making a gallant effort at solving them. “I respect Charles Soludo immensely but I believe that he got it quite wrong here. He is in error and he needs to sit up, reconsider his views and review his unsavoury and disrespectful contribution.

criminal charges against them.” Olatubosun added that the same spectre of violence was reported in Efon-Alaye, where APC leader Joseph Alake had his house vandalised by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs. “The Divisional Police Officer was reportedly injured trying to rescue the man.” The APC spokesman urged the police to stop being partisan in the handling of political crisis in the state.

•Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (middle) greeting the crowd at Ogbere Ward 8 in Ijebu East Local Government Area during his ward to ward re-election campaign...yesterday.

‘Ladoja, Alao-Akala’ve no fresh ideas’

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has slammed two former governors-Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo AlaoAkala- saying they lack fresh ideas to develop the state. The party said the two former governors were not worthy of being trusted with the people’s mandate. Ladoja and Alao-Akala are the candidates of Accord and Labour Party (LP) in next month’s polls in which the duo and 10 others, including Teslim Folarin of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are seeking to dislodge Governor Abiola Ajimobi. In a statement in Ibadan yes-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

terday by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, the APC regretted the combined eight-year rule of the former governors, describing it as the darkest chapter in the state’s history. “In an ideal situation, the duo cannot indicate interest to vie for any political office again, having failed the people when they had the opportunity to govern. “Indeed, from 2003 to 2011 could be aptly described as years of locust during which the people had the worst experience of political violence, abuse of power and

official corruption. “The citizenry would never forget in a hurry how Ladoja engaged his erstwhile political godfather in a needless supremacy battle which cost them their cherished peace, economic resources and the lives of their beloved ones. “Ibadan became a theatre of war because a governor dared to renege on a pact designed to favour his personal interest and that of the then dreaded garrison commander. “On the other hand, Ladoja’s successor Alao-Akala, who assumed power by default, and could not convince anyone of having an understanding of what gov-

ernance was about, embarked on spending spree. “He was popular for his recklessness, impunity and corrupt practices. “In all of this, the masses became worse for it and the developmental drive of the state entered the reverse gear. “Painful enough, the same characters still have the effrontery to parade themselves as the only ones who must rule Oyo State at all cost. “And without a clear-cut manifesto, they have been moving round the state, insulting the citizenry, all in the name of political campaigns.’’

Ondo APC candidate alleges foul play

HE lingering controversy over who represents the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ile Oluji-Oke Igbo/ Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State at the National Assembly may be settled in court. The acclaimed winner of the primaries, Festus Adefiranye, has taken the party to court for substituting his name for an aspirant, who came second in the primaries. Adefiranye’s lawyer Festus Keyamo has sued the State Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, Chief Returning Officer at the primaries Femi Johnson and Mrs Yejide Ogundipe, who the party allegedly substituted for the claimant. Although originating summons have not been served on the defendants

By Wale Ajetunmobi

because of the strike by judicial workers, but Adefiranye said he would give the party time to revert what he called “injustice” before courts resume. After the House of Representatives primaries on November 7, last year in which four aspirants contested, Adefiranye said he was “duly” declared winner by Johnson and party leaders at the exercise. He said: “But to my dismay, 10 days after the primaries, my name was substituted for Yejide Ogundipe, who came second. “The election was very transparent. It was witnessed by four officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and officers of the

police, Department of Security Service (DSS) and Civil Defence. “After primaries, all the candidates testified it was free, fair and credible. “But I was surprised when the party leaders called me and told me there was a petition against the concluded primaries. “ I was told to report to the APC state secretariat in Akure to respond to the petition. “When I got there, I discovered it was Yejide Ogundipe, who wrote the petition and she asked for a recount of the votes.” Adefiranye said neither he nor his agent was contacted when the recounting was to be done. His name was said to have substituted after deducting three votes from his score,

,which reduced his total votes to 188. When The Nation spoke to Johnson, he confirmed he was not at the recounting exercise, but said some votes, which had Adefiranye’s name misspelt and had initially been given to him, were rendered invalid by the appeal panel. Odundipe and Adefiranye saidthey were not consulted on the recounting. Akingba said Adefiranye won the primaries. Adefiranye accused Kekemeke of snatching his mandate. He said he would seek redress in court, if his mandate was returned before INEC deadline. Kekemeke and Odundipe did not pick their calls at the time of this report.

HE Bola Ige Centre for Justice will today begin activities to mark the 13th anniversary of the death of a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige. The two-day event will start with a film show, Ofin-Ga, by Prof. Akinwunmi Isola at the Arts Theatre, University of Ibadan, by 6pm. There will be a memorial symposium tomorrow at the SUB Events Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, by 11am with the themes: “Thirteenth year after: Ige’s killers still at large?” and “Electoral Offences and Administration of Justice in Nigeria.” Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola is the lead speaker; Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu will chair the event. All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the chief guest of honour; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi is the chief host. Renowned essayist Prof Adebayo Williams is the special guest of honour; Araba Yemi Elebuibon will be the father of the day. The event will be co-hosted by Architect Muyiwa Ige and Awa Bamiji.

I’ll develop agric, says LP candidate From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has said if elected, he would promote agro-economy to increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The former governor made this known in a statement by his campaign organisation’s Director of Public Affairs, Oludare Ogunlana. Ogunlana said the former governor will develop the agricultural sector. “I can boldly say that I have a blueprint that will promote agro economy in Oyo State. The natural and human resources are there. The agricultural sector in over 15 local governments in the state has not been accessed to this level. “With this, I promise to generate revenue to increase the level of infrastructure provision, create feasible employment without bringing hardship to the masses. “My administration won’t depend on oil money or federal allocation to run the state.“

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 27, 2015

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Buhari agonistes may be well and truly galling, to the general that has built life-time integrity. Still, it is not so bad for the polity’ VOL.10

NO. 3108

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

S General Muhammadu Buhari or any member of his presidential campaign team by any chance a devoted student of the sweet science in general, its greatest exponent Muhammad Ali in particular, and the stratagem he deployed in flattening his most fearsome opponent ever in the encounter he christened the Rumble in the Jungle? The opponent was of course George Foreman, who had yanked one-time Ali conqueror Joe Frazier off his feet with an uppercut and dumped him on the canvas with an uppercut, on the way to knocking him out in inside two rounds. Foreman had also administered the same brutal treatment to Ken Norton who had broken Ali’s jaw in one encounter, and whose unorthodox boxing style Ali barely managed to figure out in subsequent winning encounters. The stratagem, courtesy of Muhammad Ali, has entered sporting history as “rope-a-dope.” There are two strands to it. In one, you cover up and in the ring and often lean back against the ropes to allow your opponent punch away until he exhausts himself and can no longer defend himself effectively. Then he is ripe for the taking. In the other, you behave passively or with little aggression until the moment arises for decisive action. This latter is what the GMB Campaign seems to have employed in laying to rest the controversy that had raged for several weeks as to whether Buhari met the minimum academic qualifications for entering the presidential race – an issue that had never come up in his three previous runs for the post. At the time of filing his election papers, he had indicated that his certificates were in the possession of the military authorities and could be obtained from them. The military authorities had said at one point that they were indeed in possession of the certificates, only to recant later in a sensational press conference designed for prime-time television. In a disavowal heard around the world, military spokesman virtually put the contents of General Muhammadu Buhari’s personnel file on global display. It contained no evidence, Brig.-Gen. Oladele Laleye said that Buhari obtained the requisite West African School Certificate, merely a letter from his school principal recommending him for military commission and expressing confidence that he would pass the WASC examination. The way the military spokesman carried himself, you would think that he was the chief prosecutor at a court-martial. By then the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign had worked itself and the Jonathan crowd into a froth. They launched a made-for-the-Internet “Buhari, Show Your Certificate” Campaign, hashtag and all. General Buhari, the most desperate elements in this group said, had been smuggled into officers corps on quota, with total disregard to the rules. In the normal run of things, he would have rated no

RIPPLES

NIGERIANS ‘LL PRAISE ME, AFTER LEAVING OFFICE – JONATHAN

We’ll praise ourselves for surviving this GOVERNMENT.

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

GMB does a rope-a-dope

’

•Jonathan

•Buhari

higher than a sergeant. All manner of experts on the Nigerian Constitution hopped from television station to television station, declaring that all the credentials Buhari had earned in prestigious foreign military academies could not make up for his not having the WASC. “You cannot build something on nothing,” one of them said sententiously, quoting that epigram in the original Latin for added effect. With breathless excitement, the same fellow went on to declare that, by laying claim to a qualification he did not possess, or by claiming that his credentials were in the possession of the military authorities, Buhari had committed perjury. The penalty for that crime, he hinted darkly, was 14 years imprisonment. The implication was clear: Buhari was more likely to end up in Kirikiri Prison than in the Presidential Villa. It was at this point that the GMB Campaign which had refused to be drawn into the contrived controversy — some were already calling it a scandal —and chosen instead to absorb the jeers and the taunts and the innuendos and the coarse abuse in the finest rope-a-dope tradition came out swinging. And what a devastating blow it landed! Buhari authorised Government College, Katsina, the successor of his alma mater, the Katsina Provincial Secondary School, to release authenticated statement of result in the WASC.

He is certainly not a shining advertisement for the doctoral programme of the University of Port Harcourt in ichthyology or in any academic specialism for that matter

‘

The transcript shows, as Buhari had earlier disclosed, that he had passed the examination in Division Two, a respectable achievement back when examination leakages were almost unheard of, and the syndicated cheating that today marks most public examinations was inconceivable. Buhari’s succinct statement refocused and reframed the presidential contest in a way the Jonathan camp loathes so much. It is not about the certificate Buhari earned 53 years ago, but about the Nigerian condition, defined by mass unemployment, especially among the younger population, corruption on a scale beyond anything the country experienced even in the Babangida and Abacha years, and pervasive insecurity. Not a few jaws in the Jonathan camp dropped as what its functionaries had been wielding as a trump card became a symbol of its desperation, its propensity for lying on an industrial scale. You would think that its functionaries would

HARDBALL

“I

F you fail to plan,” goes that trite saying, “you plan to fail.” That perhaps best captures the pre-election epigram of the Jonathan Presidency, vis-a-vis the present lobby to shift the general elections, starting with the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 14. National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), set off a virtual bomb, that resonated all through the civilised world, aside from causing ripples of cataclysmic proportions at home, when he suggested, after a Chatham House lecture in London, that postponement be considered, given INEC’s lagging behind in the distribution of permanent voter cards (PVCs). That Freudian slip, or deliberate leak to test the waters, gives a peep into the Jonathan administration’s probable thinking on the issue. But as far as the 2015 polls go, Jonathan’s government has failed to plan; so it would appear doomed to fail — except the postponeelection-gambit works! President Jonathan rode to power on some easy yarn of being too poor to own shoes; and some thick sentiments of keeping power from those with born-to-rule mentality, after which, open sesame, some magical breath of fresh air would do the rest! That was fine, and a panNigeria (conspiratorial) mandate was soon in

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

now cease and desist, if not admit error. No chance. They are calling the document furnished by Buhari’s school a fresh forgery. They are claiming that Buhari could not have passed Hausa at the WASC exam in 1961 because that subject was not offered then. They even trotted out a “curriculum expert” from one of the universities, who declared without fear and without research that no indigenouslanguage examinations were conducted on that platform in Nigeria at that time. The libel is on them. Back then, Hausa was already being offered even at the Advanced Level, and one of the set books was Shaihu Umar, a well-regarded novel by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, later Nigeria’s first prime minister. It is these slanderers, not Buhari, that should check in at the nearest police station, enter a full confession, get booked for criminal libel, submit to a swift trial, and proceed to jail thereafter. Why should anyone now believe anything they say? Now that Buhari has provided satisfactory answers to the questions that have been raised about his credentials, the Jonathan Campaign will have only itself to blame if attention now shifts, as indeed it should, to their principal’s credentials, particularly the University of Port Harcourt Ph.D. his acolytes are parading as his unique selling point. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo for one has been reported as saying that at the time Jonathan was being interviewed for vice president, he did not have a doctorate. It does not follow from this that Jonathan did not subsequently complete the requirements for the degree. Even his sternest critics concede that, when it comes multi-tasking, he belongs in a special class of his own. He could therefore have wrapped up the dissertation while holding the demanding job of vice president, or even president. But when did he actually obtain the degree? When was it formally conferred? For another, the dissertation on which the doctorate rests, I gather, is not available in the University of Port Harcourt Library, as it should be by law. Again, it does not follow from this that the dissertation does not exist. But where is it? Why is the whole thing so dodgy? For yet another, in manner, thought and speech, Jonathan rarely comes across as someone who has been tempered, much less transformed, by the sustained rigour and comprehensive sweep of doctoral study. He is certainly not a shining advertisement for the doctoral programme of the University of Port Harcourt in ichthyology or in any academic specialism for that matter. He and those who conferred him with the distinction of Doctor of Philosophy of that fine institution surely have a lot to explain. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Project next: Postpone the polls! the bag. In office, however, the president was a clear and graphic image of phantom hope. When, at Buni Yadi, the Boko Haram lunatics set ablaze pupils in a Federal Government College, the president only hee-hawed. Till date, the criminals have not been arrested. No action. When at Chibok, this same band of criminals kidnapped over 200 school girls from their hostel, the Jonathan government not only dillydallied, losing precious lead time to rescue the girls, the very next day, President Jonathan was on the stumps, dancing Azonto at some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stump in Kano, at the ruling party’s so-called zonal rally. No compassion. The security battle, for the Jonathan order, was well and truly lost, casting a pall on the integrity of the Nigerian state. A few days ago, the graphic result of this graphic failure was writ large: a virtually empty stand stared at the president’s campaign entourage in Maiduguri, while the president’s “I vow to do more” graphics, emblazoned on the presidential stands, virtually shouted at the skies. But do more of what — crass incompetence, inaction and culpable lack of compassion?

Hardball wagers: the president and his party already know the result from such a place! The Maiduguri empty stands were an extreme. But the seal of disapproval, nearnationwide, has followed the president wherever he goes. And he leads no united party — for in his desperation to re-contest, he muscled even harmless opposition, birthing at the ludicrousness of the ruling party claiming they only printed one nomination form, even after collecting prospective aspirants’ money! Desperation courts disaster, and all too soon we are all thrown back to the immediate preJune 12, 1993 presidential election days. But the shift-the-polls plotters easily forget this is not military rule but constitutional order. The United States that brought Gen. Ibrahim Babangida to heel back then, and forced him to conduct the election he later cancelled to ruin himself, is already out warning President Jonathan not to change the rules bang in the middle of the game. The president, in fairness, has committed himself to the election timetable. Well, Hardball waits to see if he would walk his talk, or ...

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