The Nation January 11, 2012 by The Nation

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

THE BIG PROTEST

Tears for man killed by Lagos DPO Govt, Labour begin talks Curfew in Oyo, Kaduna Enugu workers shun strike My stand on subsidy, by Tinubu Soyinka fears war SEE PAGES 2-10,55-58 Amaechi strikes N137 per litre deal with marketers Kids protest in Akure All quiet in Kano School burnt in Edo

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VOL. 7, NO. 2001 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

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THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO)

•Part of the crowd at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos Mainland ... yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

STALEMATE

•13 PICTURE-PACKED PAGES ON THE BIG PROTEST INSIDE

Labour: no surrender Federal Govt: strike illegal

If by tomorrow (today), government has not reverted petrol price back to N65 per litre, LASCO would be forced to make political demands, look at other areas, including political disobedience. – NLC

In the event that public servants continue to disregard the terms of their employment ... in disregard of a subsisting Court Order, the Government will ... enforce the ‘no work no pay’ policy. –Adoke

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO)

VER 20,000 protesters, including a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday joined the strike in Abuja. Four members of the House of Representatives teamed up with the protesters. The lawmakers are: Mohammed Bahago, Awalu Saleh, Aliyu Kebe and Shehu Garba. President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Abdulwaheed Omar, said the action will not be called off, until the pump price of petrol is reversed to N65 per litre. He said if the government remained adamant, Labour may change its tactics in the next phase of the campaign. Although Omar refused to give details of the new tactics, there were strong indications that Labour may cut water and electricity supply in major cities, including the FCT. The NLC President expressed satisfaction with the large attendance, which he estimated at 40,000, at the rally. As early as 6am, the protesters had converged on Julius Berger Roundabout. They spent about six hours drumming their desire for the restoration of petrol subsidy. Amidst songs by the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the late Bob Marley, African China, Edris Abdulkareem and some Hausa-Fulani lyrics, the protesters marched through Wuse Market to AP Plaza in Wuse II and Zone 4 junction in Wuse District.

Labour to change protest tactics •Four House members, others join action From Yusuf Alli, John Ofikenua and Gbenga Adanikin, Abuja

A major highlight of the protest was when Christians and Muslims came together to pray for Nigeria’s liberation. The children of influential Nigerians and foreigners with choice power bikes participated in the protest, making the action colourful. The protesters pressurised labour leaders to allow them storm the Eagle Square and the National Assembly complex despite the security barricades, but labour leaders persuaded them to avoid confrontation with security agencies and loss of lives. After a long march, the NLC President said: “Our major aim is for government to reverse the removal of petrol subsidy that they imposed on Nigeria. They must go back to N65. “Everybody is calling on us to call off the strike. We said ‘no’ that the only condition is for government to also reverse the price. “The government is saying we cannot go on like this for a long time. But we are determined to sustain the campaign. It is equally a matter of time to see who will win. “And I want to thank you very much today because if you see the crowd today, you have fulfilled your promise. When we said ‘come with

more people’ and you said ‘yes’. And you did. Do we now say tomorrow we are going to come with more people? Come out until everywhere will be blocked and the people in authority will know that the power really belongs to the people. And that is what we are saying.” Trade Union Congress (TUC), President Peter Esele, said: “Don’t look at others. Just ask yourself what I can do to make this movement stronger. What can I contribute to make this movement better. What can I contribute to ensure we achieve N65 per litre? Why did we come out? We came out for N65 per litre. And when NLC, TUC and Civil Coalition issued a communiqué, did we give any of you money to come here? “You came here because you believe in us. You came here because you trust us. So, when we tell you these are the rules we are going to take that we are planning everything, this is the only city in the country that has two presidents deciding over a protest.” A former Federal lawmaker, Mr. Dino Melaye, who electrified the rally with the late Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, asked Nigerians not to give up. Melaye said: “In 2004, Okonjo-Iweala helped Nigeria to get debt cancellation. And what she promised Nigerians

Strike is illegal, says govt

HE Federal Government last night declared the ongoing workers strike illegal. It urged Labour to reconsider it in view of the National Industrial Court ruling. In a statement by Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke, the government advised Labour to go into dialogue to end the suffering of the people as a result of the action. The statement reads: “The attention of the Attorney General of the Federation has been drawn to reports of the unfortunate loss of lives of Nigerians in the course of the demonstrations staged yesterday in some parts of the country. Government regrets this development and commiserates with the affected families. The HAGF wishes to assure all Nigerians that in order to avoid a re-occurrence of this sad event, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Human Rights Commission will work with the Nigeria Police Force and others security agencies on the imperatives of avoiding excessive use of force and the protection of the rights of law abiding citizens. “It will be recalled that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the 4th January 2012 issued a Joint Statement calling for a general strike of Nigerian workers with effect from Monday, 9th January 2012 in solidarity with the mass protest planned by some civil society organisations over the Federal Government policy of deregulation in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry. “Convinced of the unlawfulness of the planned action of the NLC/TUC especially in the ab-

sence of any trade dispute with its employees, Government approached the National Industrial Court which is constitutionally vested under section 254 C (1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended with exclusive jurisdiction to consider matters relating to the propriety or otherwise of a proposed strike or industrial action. “The Court, in furtherance of government’s application, granted an interim injunction restraining the NLC and the TUC from embarking or compelling other persons to embark on a strike action or general strike, mass rallies or street protest, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice, which will come up for hearing on Thursday 12th January 2012. For the avoidance of doubt, it is necessary to state that the basis of the injunction and the Motion on Notice is that no trade dispute has been declared in consonance with existing laws by the NLC and TUC and a clear distinction between civil protest on one hand and an industrial action or strike on the other. “The office of the Attorney General of the Federation is, therefore, dismayed that the NLC and TUC have refused to join issues with the Government in the judicial process and other peaceful initiatives. Rather than obey subsisting court orders, the NLC/TUC have embarked on an indefinite general strike and have pursuant to their threat, forcefully “ shut down” all offices, oil production centres, air and sea ports, fuel stations, markets and banks. “Government wishes to reiterate that the Order of the National Industrial Court (NIC) is a subsisting order and the continuing disregard of that Order is inimical to the public interest as it constitutes an open invitation to anarchy. Re-

spect for the judiciary, particularly, the Orders and Judgments emanating from the Courts is critical to the survival and sustenance of our fledgling democracy. Government reiterates its commitment to the promotion and protection of the fundamental rights of the people, including the right to free speech, expression and peaceful assembly. “It is pertinent to remind all Nigerians that the enjoyment of these rights and freedoms must be consistent with the letters and spirit of the Constitution. The current strike by organised labour which has prevented the legitimate pursuit of economic activities across the country in defiance of a valid subsisting order of a superior court of record transgresses the parameters set by the Constitution and extant laws. “In light of the foregoing, members of the public who are under contractual obligations as employees in the public and private sectors are advised to respect the terms of their contract of service and report to their duty posts. Necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that this is done without any form of molestation or harassment by anyone or group of persons. In the event that public servants continue to disregard the terms of their employment in the absence of any trade dispute and especially in the face of blatant disregard of a subsisting Court Order, the Government will not hesitate to enforce the “no work no pay” policy. “Finally, Government calls on the NLC/ TUC to respect the Orders of the National Industrial Court and engage government in a constructive dialogue with a view to addressing hardships arising from the deregulation in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.”

was that if we are able to get debt forgiveness, they were going to establish a Millennium Development Goals Office. And that the office will give us road, potable water, better health care. “Today, years after, there is no water, there is no light, there is no road. Can you trust them again? Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos just provided 2,000 buses for Lagos State Government and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provided 1,600 buses for 774 local governments.” The National Coordinator of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC), Mr. Auwal Musa, said that the palliatives provided by the government are fundamental human rights of the people. He said the government should have provided the palliatives before the removal of the subsidy. Musa added that it was not necessary for the government to wait for Nigerians to protest before rendering its soothing gesture. President of the Joint Action Group (JAG) Comrade Jaiye Gaskia, said President Jonathan may not change his decision unless the protest continues. Gaskia said: “It is the mandate of the people to contribute to government’s decision making process. If they don’t revert the fuel price, Nigerians will remain on the street, until the revolution that happened in Arab Spring repeats itself in Nigeria.”

•A protester with ‘subsidy’ sleeping mat at Ojota, Lagos ... yesterday

•Some youths protesting in support of the deregulation of the dowunstream sector of the oil

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO)

Day Two: Jonathan risks too much for too little

HERE were speculations the ongoing protests against the removal of petrol subsidy would wilt by the second day. Instead, it has taken on more vigour, more panache, and even bigger crowd than anyone expected. It should have been anticipated. First was the fact that this is the very first time in Nigerian history that protesters would come out in such great number, and with scant regard for ethnic, religious and even political sentiments. If anything was heard about the PDP, it was because President Goodluck Jonathan stood for election on that party’s platform, and won. Nothing was said about the ACN, CPC, ANPP or any other party. Accompanied by brilliant rhetoric and mellifluous songs from an array of Nigerian musicians, the messages of Day Two echoed far beyond what the organisers probably foresaw. While the crowd in Lagos has surged beyond measure, riding on the opium of music, theatre, expletives against Jonathan, and some smattering of theological lessons, the Abuja crowd, though still impressive, has not surged with the same enthusiasm and fury that accompanied the first day. Gradually, however, even the Abuja crowd has begun to come round, with a little bit of passion than the first day, to asking for the resignation of the president. Former member of the House of Representatives Dino Melaye moved the Abuja crowd to heights of ecstasy with his rendition of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song before he launched into his tirade against the presidency. Eedris Abdulkareem in Lagos worked the crowd almost as effectively as Pastor Tunde Bakare’s short exegesis and intellectual and pastoral discourses. The rally in fact turned into a carnival soon after it formally started on

NEWS ANALYSIS By Kunle Fagbemi

Day Two. There is something to be said for entertainment, particularly music, as a tool for popular mobilisation. Fela’s genius has hung in the air since Day One in Lagos; it still pervaded the air on Day Two, driven in part by the generation that organised the protest rallies in Lagos, the generation that knew him, understood him, appreciated his mastery of the dialectics of protest, and effortlessly immersed themselves in the psychology of the bygone era. But other musicians, perhaps spurred by what they saw on television on the first day, and maybe, too, inspired by Fela, also came around in good number to flaunt their brand of music and whip up, and cash in on, popular sentiments against Jonathan. Nigga Raw made the crowd delirious by stoking the fire with Igbo music, adapting his popular rap hit to suit the moment. Pasuma also stirred the crowd, and Sound Sultan strut his stuff briefly. Day Two, which was propped firmly on protest music, the parade of dramatic and film stars, and aspiring entertainers, has probably now dispelled all fears that the protests could be short-lived. Today, like yesterday, saw the attendance of many important personalities. Dr Frederick Fasehun, leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), drove his message home with a general rendition of what he described as elders’ curses against those punishing Nigeria. Hon Wale Oshun, apparently sensing the message of the protest was being corrupted, tried to redirect the rally by restating the economic underpinnings of the protest and also warning the military against adventurism, which he said would be resisted.

The rallies have thrown up many aspiring and amateur rhetoricians practicing their skills on the public in rallies in Abuja and Lagos. Many of them are doubtlessly gifted, and many more will show up in the coming days. They will guarantee the dislocation of social, economic and political activities and the costly paralysis of the economy that began on Monday. More fearfully, as the crowds make for rally grounds and are whipped into frenzy by speakers after speakers talking shop on political science, political economy, ethnology and history, anything can trigger a conflagration. This was the central logic of the Arab Spring. It began with apparently one small immolation in a small town in Tunisia; but after security men fired on a group of demonstrators and the gory images of that cruelty were transmitted to the world via social networking sites, the movement for change became unstoppable. As analysts said, the moment fear died in Tunisia, there was no stopping a populace that had been docile for more than two decades. The militarised Federal Capital City of Abuja is a tense garrison of accident waiting to happen, while Lagos is a natural tinderbox. But there is no guarantee that any other state or small town in a remote part of the country would not be the trigger. If the government foresaw this danger, it has not betrayed that feeling. The Jonathan government, however, correctly anticipated the effect saturated newspaper coverage of protest news could have on the populace, and it took steps to dampen the momentum by buying the front pages of newspapers at prices few newspapers could resist. The gambit paid off, with most newspapers unable to publish dramatic news and photographs of Day One of the pro-

test. Most television channels either could not, or decided not to, broadcast the protests live. The one channel that did so was probably hamstrung by cost from offering live airtime to protesters in as many places as possible. The indication from Day Two of the protests is that the protests are genuinely popular. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which oversees the rally in Abuja, will do everything possible to keep it going. It has become a matter of pride. They will be glad that Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Lagos is anchoring the much huger and successful rallies in the country’s complex cultural and commercial capital. The government itself, which is gambling that protesters would soon exhaust themselves, has in its worrisome custom poured oil on troubled waters by insisting it would not back down from the price hike. The synergy between NLC and civil society has worked far more smoothly than both hoped. They will also see it as a matter of pride to defeat the government. But that defeat will not come until someone desperate among protesters or security agents does something stupid. It happened in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria. Already, there is division in the National Assembly. The House of Representatives has stuck its neck out in favour of the protesters, while the Senate sits on the fence. If the protesters continue their rallies until next week, with a break from Friday to Sunday, someone’s hand is bound to be forced. Even when the president’s palliatives get to the National Assembly in the context of the 2012 budget, the division between the two chambers will probably widen on account of the unconstitutionality of the agencies the government has created to manage the subsidy withdrawal

•Dr Jonathan

funds and the way the funds would be shared. Every day the protests last, Jonathan’s intransigent government will be dangerously staking too much for too little. As many speakers in the Lagos and Abuja rallies have pointed out, the leaders who were deposed by the Arab Spring at first defied the protests against their rule until something shifted the balance of force and power in favour of the people. By any yardstick, given the brutality visited on Syrian protesters, they should have surrendered. They have stubbornly soldiered on at great costs, encouraged and inspired by what happened in Egypt and Libya. It is unlikely Nigerians would endure that sort of repression for as long as Syrians have done before the final explosion. More crucially, it is unlikely that having gone so far in mobilising the public successfully for two days the protesters would calmly give up after a few more days. There is clearly danger ahead.

My stand on petrol subsidy removal, by Tinubu

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) national leader and former governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has accused the Jonathan presidency of shirking its social contract with the people by suddenly removing petrol subsidy. He, however, provided a window out of the crisis: if subsidy must be removed at all, it must never be at one fell swoop. He said it must be on calibrated phrases, on which the promised gains are measured and confirmed before moving to the next phase of removal. “Government must modify the sudden and complete removal of the subsidy. Either we restore the subsidy or use the funds for other social purposes,” Tinubu counselled in a special statement he captioned, ‘Removal of oil subsidy – President Jonathan breaks social contract with the people’ and which he personally signed. “If we are to use the funds for other programmes, these programmes shall be placed on parallel track with the subsidy.

As more of these programmes are ready thodoxy. “Because he is slave to wrong-headed to go on line, then, the subsidy can be lifted in phases. In this way, the public is economics”; the people will become enassured government will not lower its slaved to greater misery. This crisis will total expenditure on their behalf, thus bear his name and will be his legacy. The maintaining the spirit central to the so- people now pay a steep tax for voting him into office. The removal of the subsidy is cial contract,” he said. The former governor cautioned the fed- the ‘Jonathan tax’,” he insisted. He said subsidy removal is ill-timed and eral government against economic policies that tend to balance the books at the there must be some conditions precedent before such a step could be taken. detriment of the people’s welfare. “First, government needs to He said: “As there FULL TEXT ON clean up and throw away the are progressive salad of corruption in the Nigepolitics, there are PAGES 43 & 44 rian National Petroleum Corpoprogressive economics. As there are elitist politics, there ration (NNPC). Then, proceed to lay the are elitist economics.” It all depends on foundation for a mass transit system in the what and who in society government railways and road network with long term would rather favour. The Jonathan tax bonds and fully develop the energy sector towards revitalising Nigeria’s economy represents a new standard in elitism.” The ACN national leader cautioned the and easing the burden any subsidy represident against being captive to eco- moval may have on the people,” he said. The former governor counselled pronomic orthodoxy and its local purveyors, who always look at the Nigerian testers to go about the protests in a peaceeconomy as nothing until when tied to ful manner and to eschew all forms of viothe apron strings of the conservative or- lence.

NLC praises Nigerians’ firmness

•Comrade Omar

S industry in Abuja ... yesterday

TRIKES and protests – which enter the third day today – will persist, Labour declared yesterday. It also vowed to change tactics should the government fail to heed its demand by today. A huge crowd attended the protest rallies in Lagos. They

were organised by Labour and Civil Society Organisations. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Abdulwaheed Omar told protesters in Abuja of the planned change in tactics. NLC Deputy President Joe Ajaero, who addressed the Lagos rally, said: “We commend Nigerians for their steadfastness in this struggle. 48 hours after commencement, there is no visible reaction from Government. If by tomorrow (today), Government has not reverted petrol price back to N65 per litre, Labour and Civil Society Organisations (LASCO) will be forced to make political demands and look at other areas,

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

including political disobedience. It is no threat. The state of insecurity is worsening by the day. We can’t continue this way.” Yesterday’s Labour protest, dubbed ‘Strike Enforcement Rally’, took off from the NLC Lagos Secretariat in Yaba. The protesters trekked to Lagos Island, marching through the Central Business District to ensure compliance with the strike call. The protesting workers picketed a bank which they suspected was open for business. The protesters also marched on the Lekki-Epe Expressway to ensure that tolls were not being col-

lected. The Labour leadership also said it would take the Federal Government before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over killings during the protests. In a statement jointly signed by NLC and TUC, Labour said: “The country, tragically has witnessed the murder of at least eight unarmed civilians in the course of the protests against fuel price hikes. “The Labour Movement has decided to lodge a formal complaint at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Jonathan and Inspector General, Hafiz Ringim for the murder of the protesters in the country.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO ) NEW YEAR MESSAGES Akpabio urges labour to end strike

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has urged Organised Labour in the state to call off its strike. The governor restated his readiness to negotiate with labour on the outstanding issues in the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage. Speaking through the Deputy Governor, Nsima Ekere, Akpabio said he was willing to dialogue with Labour in the overall interest of the state. He described the week-long strike as illegal and unfair as his administration was the only one to pay the new minimum wage with arrears from last April. The governor said the government was honouring the minimum wage agreement signed with Labour. On the nationwide strike, Akpabio appealed to parents and guardians to caution their wards against joining demonstrations that could result in unpleasant consequences. He hailed the people for their maturity and civility and urged them to maintain the peace. The governor said though the subsidy removal was a painful decision, Nigerians needed to show understanding and patience as it was done in their interest.

Anambra grounded •Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola addressing protesters at the State House, Marina...yesterday

ANKERS and civil servants in Anambra State have continued to stay away from their offices. But filling stations, which were shut on Monday, resumed sales yesterday. Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), civil society groups held a marathon meeting to strategise. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nsukka Zone, yesterday, said it would deploy all le-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

gitimate instruments to mobilise and challenge what it called “government intransigence.” In a statement yesterday in Awka, the union condemned the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. ASUU said: “The unpopular, ill- informed, unilateral and punitive action of the government has already unleashed untold hardship on the populace.”

Compliance in Cross River •Imoke begs transporters From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

•A ram dressed in NLC flag in Lagos...yesterday

•Some protesters in Agege, Lagos

FFICIALS of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and civil society organisations in Cross River State yesterday took to the streets of Calabar, the state capital. Banks, government offices and the Margaret Ekpo International Airport were closed. But markets, fillings stations and taxi drivers continued to operate as usual. A coalition of labour unions and civil societies which gathered at the Zoo Garden Park, which they christened, Freedom Park, mobilised their members to close down establishments that did not comply with the directive. They visited the Watt Market, Ika Ika Oqua market, the Export Processing Zone and several filling stations to close them down. It was, however, difficult for them to monitor the intracity commercial drivers who went about their business. Governor Liyel Imoke appealed to transporters not to increase fares above 30 per cent. Transport fares have increased by over 100 per cent, following the fuel subsidy removal. Speaking during an interactive meeting with commercial transport workers in Calabar yesterday, Imoke told them it was not a directive, but a plea. He said he was touched by the current hardship being encountered by commuters.

Poor turnout in Ebonyi •Labour urges sanction for NUT, RATTAWU, others •NLC President Abdulwahab Omar (left), Dino Melaye (middle) and NLC Vice-President Isa Aremu in Abuja ...yesterday

•Locked gates of the Ministry of Land, Enugu State, being sawed open under the directives of the head of service…yesterday PHOTOS: NAN, DUPE OLAOYE-OSHINKOLU, RAHMAN SANUSI, ABAYOMI FAYESE

HE Organised Labour in Ebonyi State yesterday urged the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to sanction the state executives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT); Radio, Television, Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU); National Union of Electricity Workers (NUEW) and the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) for boycotting yesterday’s protest. The State Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Ikechukwu Nwankwo, regretted the insincerity and compromise by the leadership of the unions. He said: “It is unfortunate and regrettable that while other states participated in

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

the peaceful nationwide protest, some labour leaders in the state decided to boycott it. “Their decision was because of the non-payment of their December salary and the seizure of last September salary by the government. “That notwithstanding, we urge the NLC national leadership to sanction them.” Nwankwo said the state’s labour problem marred the protest yesterday, adding that the union leadership has set up a committee to sensitise workers. “By today, workers in the state will not only down tools, they would also join us in the peaceful protest,"he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO)

Hoodlums burn school in Edo

OODLUMS ,under the guise of protesting against fuel subsidy removal in Benin, Edo State, yesterday attacked the Benin Central Mosque. They succeeded in burning an Islamic school within the mosque. Also burnt was a 30-seater Coaster bus belonging to the school and teachers’ official quarters. The hoodlums, armed with bottles, sticks and various weapons, also attacked Aduwawa market, structures at First East Circular road, Third Junction by Ekiosa market and

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

St Saviour road. Some traders and their wives also took up arms to ward off the hoodlums, until soldiers and the police came. The policemen dispersed tear gas to prevent further looting of shops. Confirming the incident, Chief Imam of Benin Abdulfaitai Enabulele said he arrived to find the school on fire. Enabulele said he was told that the attackers overpowered the police and vandalised the school before setting it ablaze. The Imam condemned the

attack on religious buildings and called for adequate protection of property. He said: ”It happened in the morning. I was called from my house. I contacted the police and came here and saw the place on fire. “The hoodlums overpowered the police. It is not enough to start attacking Muslims. “More than six mosques in Benin have been razed. It is not good. The police should try and punish the perpetrators. “We have gone round and many were attacked. About

Return to work, Orji urges workers From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

three have died and Benin Central Mosque Comprehensive School and an unserviceable Toyota Coaster bus were burnt. “A block of classroom and teachers’ official quarters were also burnt.” The police has said it would deal with anybody who blocks the road, make bonfires or attack citizens. Commissioner of Police David Omojola gave this warning at a briefing yesterday. He warned parents not to allow their children to be used to forment trouble.

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has called on workers in the state to return to work. Orji made the call when some contractors visited him. He told them he was going to release N3 billion to enable them continue work on various projects. The governor said workers should return to work as soon as possible, pointing out that their absence would affect the modalities and the preparation of vouchers needed to pay the contractors. Orji said: “There is nothing wrong in my asking our workers to return to work, since we are all partners in progress in the development of our great state and we cannot allow the state to collapse under our collective care.” But the Organised Labour decried Orji’s directive. It called on workers not to listen to anybody as regards the strike. The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),Silvanus Eyeh, said workers should listen to the NLC, as the group will tell them when to resume work or to call off the strike. Eyeh said all offices that refuse to join the protest by today would be picketed. The strike has grounded every activity in the state, as all offices, except the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), were closed.

Enugu NLC shuns strike

•Amaechi addressing NLC and TUC members at the Government House....yesterday

PHOTO:NAN

Amaechi strikes N137 per litre deal with marketers

ETROL will sell for N137 in Rivers State, Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said. The governor said filling stations which sell petrol above N137 per litre will be sealed off and the stations acquired by the government. He said the government will pay for all petroleum products allocated to marketers and will give out these products to distributors at low cost to ensure availability and regular supply. "Government will also guarantee escort for the tankers to the stations and monitor them to ensure that there is no diversion of products,” Amaechi said. The governor also announced the reduction of transport fares within the Port Harcourt metropolis. From Mile 3 to Education Bus stop is N50; Education to Lagos Bus stop N50; Lagos Bus Stop to Borokiri N50 and Aggrey to Garrison-N50, among others. In addition to the reduction in fares, Amaechi stated that the government will liaise with the Federal Government to purchase mass transit buses, to be managed by NURTW. He said he was certain that the measures would truly assist in guaranteeing Rivers people lower costs, as it also maintained its welfarist disposition to managing the state's economy. State Chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chris Oruge and Chika Onuegbu insisted that the Federal Government must reverse the petrol price to N65 per litre. “The Federal Government should reverse fuel price to N65 per litre. It is an insult for the President to say that the resolution of the House of Representatives is merely advisory. “There is no fresh air in Rivers and other parts of Nigeria, as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan. “The President should respect himself and reverse the price of petrol to N65 per litre. Enough is enough. Rivers workers are saying no to removal of fuel subsidy. “Many Nigerians are now trekking Prices of foodstuff and transport fares have gone up. We are peace-loving people.” But Amaechi said the President is on a rescue mission to save the economy. He said Nigerians should give their leaders, especially the President, the benefit of the doubt. Amaechi spoke to protesters yesterday at the main gate of the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday. “Our economy should not collapse. The President is on a rescue mission. If we do not support the President, you will not be able to buy clothes. The dollar will escalate. There is danger, if the fuel subsidy is not removed now.”

HE Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) did not join the nationwide strike over the removal of fuel subsidy. An NLC official claimed that this was caused by the presence of security operatives and the prohibition of public precessions, meetings and assemblies by Governor Sullivan Chime. But workers insisted that the Chukwumaife Nze -led executive of the NLC in the state had compromised. Chime had, in the prohibition order dated January 8 said: “I, Sullivan Iheanacho Chime, Governor of Enugu State; BEING OF THE OPINION that the holding of any public assemblies, meetings or public procession in any part of Enugu State would lead to the breakdown of law and order; AND THAT it is therefore expedient to prohibit the

From Chris Oji, Enugu

holding of any public assemblies, meetings or public procession. “ACCORDINGLY, in the exercises of the powers conferred on me by law and all other powers enabling me in that behalf; HEREBY ISSUE THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION: The holding of any public assemblies, meetings or public procession in Enugu State is hereby prohibited until further notice.” Chukwumaife hinged the inability of labour unions to join the protest on the presence of policemen in strategic places. The police have continued to barricade strategic areas and offices in the state, including the NLC secretariat. Economical activities have remained partially grounded as all the banks and filling stations remained close.

Edo monarchs call for National Conference From Osagie Otabor, Benin

ONARCHS in Edo North Senatorial District have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a national conference of elders, parties. They said the conference would make room for credible solutions to the problems in the country. Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Aliru Momoh, the Otaru of Auchi, spoke at a briefing at his palace in Auchi. He said the conference would discuss the future of the country. The monarch explained that the proposed conference would include politicians, religious, labour and ethnic leaders.

Time to break the stalemate on subsidy removal

OR the two days that the general strike which Organised Labour declared has lasted, things have been very difficult for the people of Nigeria. Many depend on daily earnings to fend for their families even as prices of goods and commodities have shot through the roof. It is an indefinite strike, thus, no one knows how long the hardship occasioned by the protest against the unilateral deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry would last. The times are difficult; the moment dangerous. A hungry person, it is said, is an angry person. So far, the protests have been largely peaceful. This cannot be guaranteed for too long, if the conflict is not resolved within the week. Following the announce-

By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor

NEWS AN AL YSIS ANAL ALY ment of deregulation of the price of petrol on January 1, the Federal Government insisted that the old regime had become untenable and unsustainable. President Goodluck Jonathan, besides addressing the nation last Saturday, inaugurated 1,600 buses meant to cushion the harsh effects of the astronomical rise in transportation cost and the consequent soaring price of food items. But, the labour leaders shunned invitation to dialogue, with the president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Peter Esele, contending that the government had not kept faith in the negotiations. He said debates and discussions were on

when the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) announced removal of the N65 cap on petrol. Many analysts are now calling for a pull back from the brink. The senior workers of the petroleum industry, under the aegis of PENGASSAN, has served notice that production in the oil fields and wells will be shut down if the increase is not reversed before today. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has also served notice that it would order doctors to drop their stethoscopes and shun patients if the strike lingers beyond this week. Moves by the two chambers of the National Assembly to mediate deserve commendation. On Sunday, about the same time that President

Jonathan was launching a mass transit initiative, the House of Representatives met and passed a resolution calling for suspension of the deregulation policy to allow for wider consultation. The motion was promptly denounced by the president’s spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, who described it as merely advisory. Senate President David Mark held a meeting with the labour leadership with a view to finding a middle ground. It failed as Organised Labour insisted that there would be no negotiation with a government that had breached faith. What then is the way forward? First, the Federal Government must drop the arrogant and dismissive way it has handled the matter so far. It must acknowledge that power belongs to the people in a

democracy, learning from what has happened in other countries in recent times. Perhaps out of exasperation, some of the protesters, especially those from the civil society organisations, are calling for the resignation of the government. This may be an extreme position to take in the circumstances. But, the longer the protests linger, the more extreme the positions participants may take. Chasing away the government that was popularly elected seven months ago may not be a viable way of resolving the logjam. If Jonathan steps aside, who steps in? Vice President Namadi Sambo in accordance with the constitution? If both are forced out, would power be handed to the Senate President? All these have implications and could

lead to a total breakdown of law and order in the country. All wars end on the roundtable. But, as some members of the National Assembly, senior politicians and patriots have argued, it is time to bring both parties together again. It will help if the deregulation is suspended in the interim to allow for thorough consultation. It might also help if the structures solely erected by the government ostensibly to cushion the effects of the pangs, including the Kolade and Belgore panel, are dismantled. Extreme actions could push a country buffeted by sectarian strife off the precipice and the end result is unpredictable. A process has started, the national interest, as patriots have argued, should prevail.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE PROTEST (DAY TWO) NEWBIG YEAR MESSAGES

‘He would not have died’ •Guardian of man killed by Lagos DPO mourns a ‘nice boy’

HE guardian of Demola Abiodun, the 28-year-old boy allegedly killed by a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Madam Alice Aderinto, yesterday said he would have lived, if he had heeded her advice not to go and play football. Madam Aderinto, who spoke with The Nation at her No 3, Aderinto Street, off Thomas Salako Street, Ifako, Ogba home, said the late Demola’s friends broke the sad news to her. Madam Aderinto, a nonagenarian, said: “I had earlier had difficulty waking up that day. I felt unusually tired that morning. So, I woke up a bit late. When I asked about Demola, I was told he had gone out earlier that morning on his motorbike. Moments later, he came in and parked his bike outside (pointing to the motorbike outside). “Shortly after, he headed towards the gate, saying he was going to find out what was happening on the main road. Some other youths around urged him not to go out because no one knew what was happening outside. “I was told he told them he was coming, that he would not be long. Although I was inside the house then, I heard the young men telling him not to go, but he insisted he would not be long. That was how he went. “When I realised that he did not return on time as he had promised, I sent someone to call him. He told the person he was coming. But the person I sent to call him was yet to return home when somebody else came to alert us that he had been shot. We learnt they made efforts to rush him to the hospital, but he later died. “He would have still been alive if he had listened to those who advised him against going out having earlier returned home safely. I believe Demola would not have died, if he had listened to his colleagues. God, why did this happen to this household? “Demola was a nice young man. He neither drank alcohol nor smoked marijuana or cigarette. He was a hardworking and humble young man. He was still single. “My family brought him in to live with us shortly after he completed his apprenticeship. I am a tailor too. I employed him to man my shop. He used to live with his relation called Olu Moses. He was from Ilesa. “But when I found that he

By Yinka Aderibigbe, Jude Isiguzo and Eric Ikhilae

always closed late, I asked him to move in with us. He lived with us for over seven years. “There are other young men in the house. He was never ill, until the police killed him. He is from Ilesha. He returned, about five days ago, from his home town where he had gone for the Christmas/New Year celebration.” Demola’s passion was football. He lived for it and, ironically, died playing the round leather game. But beyond football, Demola was a tailor. Besides, he had a commercial motorcycle which he ran in his spare time. His friend, a tenant who lived in the same house with him, Mr Bimbo Olasunkanmi, confirmed Demola’s love for football. “He was a committed football fan. He was so committed to the Arsenal Football Club and every opportunity he had he made sure he played the game. There was a time one of the tenants who had the opportunity of travelling to the United Kingdom bought him some Arsenal jersey worth N1,2 00. Demola was so crazy about those jerseys that he never shared them with anyone,” Olasunkanmi said. He went on: “He joined us in this house about seven years ago. We were so close that I used to leave the key to my room with him. At times, I asked him to help me host my visitors anytime I was not at home. It would take a long time for me to get over his loss. “I never knew him to be a violent person. Throughout the period I knew him, he never had any misunderstanding with anyone; he was so loved by all and sundry. He was good natured, peaceful, and never argued with anyone. His only concern was with football and anytime he had cause to argue on any team he always ended it on a friendly note. He was so loved that one of the tenants had cause to buy him a smart phone at a time. He was just too good with everyone.” Olasunkanmi said the policeman overreached himself. He said: “I saw him earlier in the morning. He went out on his motorbike. He came back some moment later and parked it outside the house. He later went out to the main road, by the Yaya Abatan Street junction, to see what was happening. “People were gathered there and some were playing football. You know, the strike had commenced

then and people were idle. Although I was indoors, I later heard gun shots. It sounded about five times. I was prompted to go to the main road to see what was happening. “On getting there, we saw some policemen from the Pen Cinema Police Station. I saw people gathered around Ademola who had been shot and was bleeding. While I was trying to move closer, another van, occupied by policemen, came around. “So, people were now running because people had already been shot. Ademola was shot at the upper part of his thigh. He actually bled to death because when they took him to one of the public hospital at Ifako, Agege, the health officials rejected him. “They said they would not attend to him because they were on strike. By then, he was already going weak and was still bleeding. “I learnt that when the policemen got to where the people were gathered, they shot into the air, probably to disperse the crowd, some ran, but others were adamant. “The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Segun Fabunmi, who led the group of policemen, was said to have collected a gun from one of his men and shot directly at into the crowd, wounding three people and killing Ademola in the process. “Ademola Abey, as we all called him, was the closest person to me. We were very close. He was my confidant, a person you can easily relate with. He was humble and easy going. I have never seen him fought with anyone in this area.” Meanwhile, the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Council Chairman Apostle Oloruntoba Oke visited the family yesterday. Oke, who later spoke with reporters at the scene of the shooting, debunked claims by the Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim that Demola was one of the hoodlums who attacked the Pen Cinema Police Station. He said: “Nothing could be further from the truth. The incident never happened at Pen Cinema, it happened at Yaya Abatan, and this much was confirmed even by the Commissioner of Police in the state who as at yesterday evening came out to accept guilt and assured Lagosians that justice would be done in the matter.”

’Survivors of police shooting in stable condition’

NVESTIGATION by The Nation has revealed that none of the survivors of Monday’s alleged police shooting in Ogba, Lagos is dead. It was learnt yesterday that the three survivors, Samuel Egbujor (23), Abubakar Alimi (24) and Joy Monday (20) were successfully stabilised by medical experts at a private clinic, County Hospital, Ogba. The Nation gathered that the

By Eric Ikhilae and Jude Isiguzo

victims were, on Monday evening, moved to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja for further treatment. They were reportedly rejected at a General Hospital, where sympathisers had rushed them when the incident happened. Dr. Azzun Amos, who led the medical team that attended to the victims, told The Nation that they

were in stable condition before they were moved from the hospital. He said the transfer of the victims to the state’s hospital might have resulted from directive by the State Government. He said they were conveyed in a state owned ambulance in the presence of the two Local Government Chairman and some other state officials. Amos denied reports that any of the three later died.

• The late Demola

•KADUNA

• ABUJA S AbdulWahee • Madam Aderinto

PHOTO: ERIC IKHILAE

Musician dies in

N Osogbo musician, Mojeed Apanpa, died yesterday as a result of machete injuries he sustained on Monday. He was said to have been attacked by a thug for making a bonfire on the road to protest fuel subsidy removal. A reprisal attack was launched by a mob yesterday on the home of the alleged killer, setting it ablaze. The Olaiya junction, where labour unions and other civil society groups staged an anti-petrol subsidy removal protest was turned into a “war zone” early yesterday. Hoodlums, who were openly smoking Indian Hemp and drinking alcohol, carried machetes and

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

other dangerous weapons to pursue one another in a reprisal attack. They barricaded all the entry points into the junction. A detachment of riot policemen and paramilitary agencies was drafted to the scene to contain the violence. An eyewitness said the suspected thug, who allegedly attacked Apanpa with a machet, was angry that he was prevented from driving past a barricade on Odi-Olowo Street, Osogbo in his ash colour Honda car. After the attack, other youths broke his windscreen and rushed their colleague to the hospital. Apanpa’s death led to the burn-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO) Okada rider dies in bonfire By Jude Isiguzo

•KADUNA Protesters bearing a coffin in Kaduna... yesterday

PHOTO: AFP

N unidentified commercial motorcyclist was burnt to death yesterday in a bonfire on Lagos/Ikorodu road. The bonfire that killed the okada rider was set up by protesting youths in Ketu as early as 6am. It was gathered that when the rider got close to where the bonfire was set up around 7:30am, he asked the two passengers he was conveying to disembark for him to navigate through the fire. But as he slowed down to manouvre through the burning tyres, a fast moving commercial vehicle came from behind and ran him into the fire. It was gathered that the two passengers were also hit by the bus. They were rushed to a nearby hospital where they are being treated. About two hours after the first incident, another man was knocked down by a fast moving commercial bus in the area. The Nation gathered that the deceased in the second incident was one of the hoodlums who seized the opportunity of the protests to extort money from vehicles plying the road. An eyewitness confirmed both incidents and said the buses were driving against traffic and were overspeeding. He said: “The okada rider could not see properly because of the smoke emanating from the burning tyres. So, he asked his passengers to disembark so that he could pass through the burning tyres. It was while he was trying to pass through that the bus came and hit him, throwing him into the fire”. The source noted that the deceased and his motorcycle were burnt completely beyond recognition while the two passengers had minor injuries. Hoodlums took the opportunity of the protests to extort money from the few motorists who were passing by Ketu Bus Stop and harassed people who refused to give them money. “One of the hoodlums sought to collect money from a commercial bus when he was suddenly knocked down and killed.”

Two feared dead in Ogun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

T • ABUJA Senate President David Mark exchanging pleasantries with NLCPresident AbdulWaheed Omar. With them is TUC President Peter Esele PHOTO: NAN

• ABUJA A suspected thief battered by protesters... yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Osogbo a day after he was macheted •ACN, PDP trade words ing of the suspect’s house around Testing Ground in Osogbo was set ablaze. Commissioner of Police Solomon Olusegun identified the suspect as D Law. Olusegun said he has been arrested. Shops, markets, filling stations, banks, public offices and hospitals remained shut yesterday. Two workers of the Osun State Waste Management Authority (OSSWMA)escaped death when unidentified thugs on Monday night tried to prevent them from cleaning up streets littered with waste. OSSWMA’s General Manager Alhaji Ganiyu Oyeladun said his

men were clearing the waste to avoid epidemics during and after the strike. Governor Rauf Aregbesola appealed to the protesters to be lawabiding and conduct themselves in civilised manner. The governor, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said: “Despite apparent attempts by agent provocateurs to use the on-going nationwide strike and protests against the removal of fuel subsidy as an avenue to cause further mayhem in the state, you should be civil and decent.” Aregbesola condemned “the unfortunate incident in which a former governor of the state report-

edly ran into the protesters during their peaceful protests on Monday at the Olaiya Junction area of the state capital.” The governor said he had directed the police to investigate the matter and ensure that the culprits are brought to book. The Director of Publicity and Strategy of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun State, Kunle Oyatomi, appealed to political leaders to exercise restraint in their reaction to the protest. He said:”The protesting youths gathered on the street to protest the hardship which the unprecedented fuel price increase has brought on Nigerians when the former governor’s car hit three members of the group.

“Eye-witness reports said the ex-governor, in the company of some unidentified party men, drove with the recklessness associated with executive convoys during his administration of the state and in the process, he was reported to have knocked down two of the protesters, Taye Fatoki and Mathew Akinyemi, and ran over the leg of Akinyemi.” The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it had no hand in violence. A statement by its Publicity Secretary, Funmi Lamuye, alleged that its image was being tarnished by those dragging it into the violence that has been witnessed since the beginning of the protests.

WO persons were feared dead and scores of others injured in Ibafo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State when security men clashed with hoodlums who allegedly hijacked the petrol subsidy protest. The hoodlums were said to be extorting money from motorists and snatching travellers’ belongings. One of the victims, simply indentified as Kaula, was hit by police bullets. Kaula, who is said to be a diesel seller at the Kara market at Ibafo trailer park, died at a private hospital around 4pm. Police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said he was not aware of the deaths in Ibafo. He, however, admitted that the command was aware of the activities of hoodlums on the Expressway. He said: “The miscreants were snatching people’s property. We are trying to see what we can do now as we cannot continue to contain their excesses. But we still want to advise that whatever they are doing, they should be objective in their agitations, and they should not lose focus. “If they have a mission they are fighting for, they should not derail. Some of them are blocking the road, burning tyres and thereby depriving others from making use of the highways.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO)

•Protesters carrying a mock coffin in Ojota, Lagos...yesterday

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Subsidy beneficiaries financed Jonathan’s election, says el-Rufai

Nigeria heading for civil war, says Soyinka OBEL Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka warned yesterday that Nigeria is heading towards a civil war. He blamed political leaders for encouraging religious intolerance. Asked whether he agreed with President Goodluck Jonathan that the current unrest is worse than the civil war, he told the BBC World Service: “It’s not an unrealistic comparison — it’s certainly based on many similarities. “We see the nation heading towards a civil war.” Also asked whether the unrest threatened the state of the country itself, he replied: “It is going that way. We no longer can pretend it’s not. “When you’ve got a situation where a bunch of people can go into a place of worship and open fire through the windows, you’ve

reached a certain dismal watershed in the life of that nation.” Soyinka said the issues raised by Islamist group Boko Haram, which was blamed for violence targeting Christians in the North and has sparked fears of a wider religious conflict, had been brewing for some time. “There are people in power in certain parts of the country, leaders, who quite genuinely and authoritatively hate and cannot tolerate any religion outside their own,” he said. “When you combine that with the ambitions of a number of people who believe they are divinely endowed to rule the country and who… believe that their religion is above whatever else binds the entire nation together, and somehow the power appears to slip from their hands, then they resort to the most

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

•Prof. Soyinka

extreme measures. “Youths who have been indoctrinated right from infancy can be used, and who have been used, again and again to create mayhem in the country.” He added: “Those who have created this faceless army have lost control.” Soyinka, a dramatist and essayist, became Africa’s first Nobel laureate in literature when he won the prize in 1986.

Govt, Labour begin talks

ABOUR last night declared its talks with government to break the petrol subsidy removal deadlock as a sign of progress. But in spite of the parley, the strike and protests wil continue, said Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Abduwaheed Omar. Minister of Labour and productivity Emeka Wogu said the dialogue option is open. President Goodluck Jonathan sent a two-man team to the meeting being brokered by Senate President David Mark with Labour leaders. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Anyim Pius Anyim was with Wogu. The meeting was the first session between the Executive and Labour leaders since the strike started, signposting the government’s readiness to back down from its hardline posture to negotiate. the meeting, which started at about 7.45pmwas meant to get a feedback from the Executive on Labour’s demands. Mark had, on Monday, met

From Yusuf Alli, Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

with Labour leaders and promised to convey their grievances to the President. It was gathered that the Senate President had audience with Jonathan on Monday night, prompting the feedback and negotiation session at his home last night. A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The closed door session is to explore dialogue to resolve issues surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy on January 1. The Senate is providing a window for negotiation between the Executive and Labour. “The two sides stuck to their

•Protesters on the street in Lagos...yesterday

positions but things are degenerating with the government being brought down to its knees. “The Senate wants to see how the two parties can agree to a midstream resolution of the matter in question.” Those at the meeting were the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade AbdulWaheed Omar; President of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Peter Esele; Vice-President of the NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu, and other labour leaders. The Senate had Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu; the Senate’s principal officers and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour and Productivity, Senator Wilson Ake.

ORMER Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has said “untouchables who financed Goodluck Jonathan’s election are the beneficiaries of fuel subsidy”.

The former minister spoke on a televised programme, Matters Arising. He said governors were in support “of the withdrawal of subsidy so that they will have money and less deductions from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC)”. He said: “They (governors) are the driving force behind Goodluck Jonathan and half of the blame should go to governors.” Petroleum subsidy, he noted, “is a charge on the Federation Account; so, it is deducted first before money is shared”. Last year, el-Rufai said “the average deduction from the Federation Account was about N22 billion per month; after the elections, it rose to over N100 billion a month”. He argued that because of the deductions, the Federal Government is broke, adding: “If you remove this N1.3 trillion subsidy fund that the government is expecting from the budget, there is no fund because capital expenditure for 2012 is N1.3 trillion.” Evidence that the government is broke, he said, could be seen from the fact that the economy is growing but it is illiquid. By withdrawing subsidy, el-Rufai said the Jonathan administration is taxing every Nigerian - man, woman and child - N8,000 while N1.4 trillion has gone into some people’s pockets. The former minister said the cost of producing one litre of petroleum in Nigeria is N40; so, the N25 difference in the pump price of N65 is an undeclared tax. He said: “The government has not done enough to cut down its own wastes. The Federal Government has to cut its budget drastically: 25 per cent of Jonathan’s salary is N800,000 in 2012. What he should cut should be his allowances.”

One dead in Benin

21-YEAR old boy identified as Elvans Osobor has been allegedly shot by a soldier attached to Edo State Operation Thunder Storm. Elvans, a mechanic was said to be among some hoodlums who hid under the protest against fuel subsidy to loot shops in Benin City. He was said to have been shot at Igun Street where some hoodlums attempted to raid a bureau de change in the area. Eyewitnesses said the soldier

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

warned late Elvans to stop before opening fire on him. He allegedly died instantly. Eyewitness said the soldier and others drove away after the shooting and policemen from Esigie Police Division came to take the corpse away. But father of Elvans, Saturday Osobor told newsmen when he brought the corpse to the Police headquarters that his son was not part of the protesters.

Labour orders sit-at-home in Kano for peace, security

ARELY 24 hours after the violence that followed the fuel subsidy removal protest in Kano, normalcy is returning to the city. Organised labour and civil society grpous have reached a consensus to suspend rallies. They urged workers to stay at home, in compliance with the nationwide strike over the fuel subsidy remov-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

al. The Kano State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Inuwa Isah Danguguwa announced that there would be no rallies in the city. He attributed Labour’s action to the need for all stakeholders to cooperate in the interest of peace and security.

Two people were killed and 24 others injured during the protest on Monday. Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim has drafted a police helicopter for aerial surveillance to areas considered to be flashpoints. The curfew imposed by Governor Musa Kwankwaso and other peace-building measures applied by the security agencies, helped in

restoring the confidence of the residents. In a telephone chat with The Nation, Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris said residents are free to go about their normal businesses. Idris said he had interacted with the Army on possible areas of partnership to strengthen security in and around the state to sustain the relative peace.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO)

PHOTO:ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•A State Security Service (SSS) agent in Abuja...yesterday

PHOTO:ABAYOMI FAYESE

Kaduna imposes 24-hour curfew •Labour suspends street protests From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

•Member of Osun State Newspaper distributors in Osogbo...yesterday

Past administrations lacked courage to tackle fuel subsidy, says Ahmed

AST administrations in Nigeria could not muster the courage to deal with fuel subsidy, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has said. The governor said: “The issue of fuel subsidy is an issue which should have been dealt with a long time ago by past administrq the state capital, when he addressed scores of anti-fuel subsidy removal protesters in front of the Government House. The protesters, including women, youths and students, were led to the Government House by the Coordinator of Labour and Civil Society organisations (LASCO) in the state, Prof Poju Akinyanju; the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) leaders, Comrades Umar Akanbi and Israel Adebisi. Prof Akinyanju, on behalf of the protesters, presented a letter to Ahmed for transmission to Presi-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

dent Goodluck Jonathan. The governor said: “I salute your courage. Why I am saluting your courage is because we have taken time to look at the issue critically in Nigeria today. I agree totally with what you have said. Maybe our differences come in the mode in which the subsidy should have been removed. “This thing has been on since the Shehu Shagari’s time. We are today faced with a critical problem as the removal of subsidy will create a major hardship for Nigerians. There is nowhere in the world where problems are being solved without dialogue.” Ahmed urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue in resolving the fuel subsidy removal logjam. He said: “The solution to the problem today can only be achieved through dialogue. Labour and government must be ready to dialogue.

“Demonstration is a legitimate right but riot is not legitimate. Riot is taking the law into one’s hands. Now that we have been able to show our grievances, those of us you have chosen will play our role by ensuring that your grievances are taken to the Presidency.” Akanbi said President Jonathan has not demonstrated enough capacity to fight corruption. “If not, he would not be passing the pain of subsidy removal to Nigerians. The government of Nigeria knows those cabals who are benefitting from fuel subsidy, which we don’t believe does not exist in the first instance,” he said. Adebisi said: “Even while we believe we should discuss, only one town hall meeting was held. Since January 1, we have been in trouble. Unfortunately, on January 1, when people were in their villages, the government unilaterally withdrew the subsidy.”

Bauchi police command warns against under-age protesters

HE Bauchi State Police Command yesterday warned against children and teenagers participating in the protest against the hike in the price of petrol. The command noted that the under-aged are vulnerable in case of an attack or a crisis. It urged youths to avoid being used as shields or to swell the number of protesters. Police Commissioner Ikechukwu Aduba addressed reporters at the police headquarters in Bauchi. He said: “The police are issuing this warning in view

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

of the nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). From the reports reaching us about cases of violent protests in Gombe, Kano and other states, we are not ready to take chances. It is our duty as security agents in the state to ensure the security of life and property of the citizens.” Aduba noted that there have been no cases of violence during the protest in the state. He, however, urged parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against participating in the protest.

HE Kaduna State Security Council yesterday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna metropolis and its environs to prevent a further breakdown of law and order. This followed the violence that accompanied the mass protest over the removal of subsidy on petrol by the Federal Government. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and civil society groups in the state had suspended street protests, asking people to stay at home and await further directives from the labour movement. A statement by Police Commissioner Ballah Magaji Nasarawa yesterday evening said the Security Council took the decision to protect life and property of residents. The statement reads: “We have realised that the strike over the removal of subsidy has been hijacked by persons other than those commite4d to the cause. The demonstration, which began yesterday peacefully, today turned violent. People were harassed, intimidated and installations vandalised. “In view of this unfortunate situation, the Kaduna State Security Council has no choice than to impose a 24-hour curfew in Kaduna metropolis and its environs with effect from 9pm today, Tuesday, January 10, 2012. “This measure becomes imperative in order to safeguard life and property of innocent citizens. The government is urging all citizens of the state to remain calm, lawful and stay at home until further notice.” A member of one of the civil society groups coordinating the protest in the state, Festus Okoye said imposing a 24-hour curfew was not the solution to the problem. According to him, the leadership of Labour, civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called the people off the streets. He noted that what the government needed to do was to enforce the stay-at-home directive of Labour. President of Civil Rights Congress (CRC), Mallam Shehu Sani, condemned the curfew, saying: “That curfew stands condemned. It is an attempt to stop us from exercising our democratic rights.”

Suswam hails Labour’s peaceful ENUE State Governor protest in Benue Gabriel Suswam has praised

members of the Organised Labour in the state for staging a peaceful demonstration against the oil subsidy removal. The governor noted that members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) were mindful of the rights and freedom of other Nigerians and, therefore, conducted themselves peacefully during the protests. Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Makurdi, the state capital, as early as 6am to join the nationwide strike declared by the national leadership of the NLC and TUC. The demonstrators marched on major streets of the city and ended with a rally at the NLC secretariat in Wadata, Makurdi. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Dr Cletus Akwaya, the governor said the decision to remove the fuel subsidy was a painful one but necessary for the development of the nation. He said: “Mr President would ordinarily not delight in imposing pains on the people who elected him; neither would the governors agree

to a new policy that would just impose hardship on people. But all of us, as political leaders, are agreed that for this country to make progress, the oil industry has to be deregulated - which is what some people have termed oil subsidy removal.” Suswam urged the Organised Labour to call off the strike to avoid further dislocation of the nation’s economy. “I believe that Labour has made the point and Nigerians have registered their feelings. But we need to settle down quickly to confront the challenges occasioned by this policy,” he said. The governor also praised the police and other law enforcement agencies for a well coordinated operation which ended without a clash between the security personnel and the demonstrators. “We have asked the security agencies to remain vigilant so that criminally-minded persons do not capitalise on the strikes to cause mischief or carry out any criminal activity,” Suswan added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO) Protesters litter road to Aliyu’s home with refuse FFICES, banks, markets as well as public and private schools in Niger State were still shut yesterday as the protest over fuel subsidy removal entered the second day. Some youths moved about some streets where notable politicians live. They set up bonfires and scattered refuse on the roads leading to their homes. Some of the affected places include Peter Sarik Road and Bay Clinic Road - the roads leading to the home of Governor Babangida Aliyu. Another group of youths emptied the refuse bins in front of the homes on Okada Road, in Bosso area of Minna, the state capital, thus littering the road leading to Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta’s home. Police Commissioner Ibrahim Maisanu warned the youths to desist, saying the police might be forced to arrest and prosecute them.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Addressing reporters in Minna, Maisanu said: “We will have no option than to use the powers given to us by the law to protect people and their property. That is the power to prevent any damage to property and life as enshrined in the Constitution. Even individuals have that power, let alone the police.” Reports from New Bussa showed that the protest was total in the town yesterday, as organised labour barricaded the entrance to the town and blocked movements from and into the town. In Bida and Kontagora, economic activities were crippled. In Suleja, a minor misunderstanding between the protesters and security agencies nearly disrupted the mass action.

Edo PFN urges calm From Osagie Otabor, Benin

HE Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Edo State has called for calm among Nigerians protesting the removal fuel subsidy by the Federal Govern-

ment. It noted that Nigeria, which is going through economic and security challenges, cannot afford further shed of blood and destruction of property. PFN’s Vice-Chairman in the Southsouth zone Dr. Felix Omobude addressed reporters in Benin, the state capital. Dr. Omobude urged the government and Labour to return to dialogue to find a lasting solution to the problem the fuel subsidy removal has caused. He urged Christians to be vigilant and intensify their prayers for God’s intervention in the present situation. Omobude said: “The killing of innocent people irrespective of their ethnic and religious background is not the solution to the problems facing us as a nation. I urged traditional rulers, religious and political leaders to rise to the challenge by calling on their people to refrain from activities capable of destroying our dear country. “The government and security agencies should not appear incapable of securing the life and property of Nigerians as such action will call for chaos and catastrophe.”

Taraba CAN, Muslim Council allay fear over religious crisis HERE is no war between Muslims and Christians in Taraba State, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Muslims Council said yesterday. Officials of both religions spoke at Mile Six, Jalingo, the state capital, to allay the fear that gripped residents when fire gutted a make-shift mosque in the area. The Muslim’s place of worship was razed by a fire from a nearby thatched hut restaurant. Some Muslims had alleged that the Christians were responsible for the disaster. “But it is not so. It was a fire

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

disaster, not violence,” the State CAN Chairman, Bishop Timothy Yahaya said when he visited the area. He was accompanied by the Chairman of the Muslims Council and their followers. Before the Labour protest on Monday, speculations were rife that Muslims were warming up to fight Christians over the incident. It was learnt that some residents started fleeing the area yesterday, following the incident. The Jalingo metropolis has been quiet since Monday.

Niger sets up palliative committee over subsidy removal fallout From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

HE Niger State Government yesterday said it has established a Fuel Subsidy Palliative Committee to ensure that the proceeds accruing to the state are invested on projects and programmes that would cushion the effect of the removal of oil subsidy. In a broadcast, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said the government would pursue programmes that would have direct impact on the people. The government’s action came on the heels of the Federal Government’s directive that states and local governments are to come up with programmes which the proceeds from the fuel subsidy gains would be directed at. According to the governor, the proceeds from the fuel subsidy gains will be used to pursue Free Education policy, expansion of the Ward Development projects, implementation of youth entrepreneurship programmes and the strengthening the Graduates Engagement Scheme.

•Protesters in Ojota, Lagos...yesterday

PHOTO:ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Senate vows to go after fuel subsidy cabal

HE Senate yesterday said it would deploy the full weight of its legislative instrument to bring to book all those found to have abused fuel subsidy proceeds. It resolved to dedicate today to exhaustive discussion on the worsening security challenges in the country. Senate President David Mark spoke of the Senate’s resolve to go after those who abused fuel subsidy proceeds when he addressed the resumption of plenary. He spoke after about two hours of closed-door session, which was said to have centred on the security challenges facing the country and the nationwide strike by the organised labour. He noted that one pressing issue facing Nigerians relates to the decision of the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy, saying the decision has not been well received by Nigerians. Mark said though the economic argument in support of fuel subsidy removal was compelling, “the political and

•To debate security challenges today From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

social imperatives must also be considered”. He added: “On the other hand, this government is compelled by a genuine drive to transform the country and expand opportunities for economic growth. To overcome this impasse, it is imperative that we engage one another honestly on this issue.” The need for honest engagement on the issue, he said, informed his decision to direct the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity to interface with Labour groups when the Senate was on recess. The Senate President urged every senator to engage Labour and civil society organisations in meaningful dialogue on the matter. He said: “The Senate leadership has also been interfacing with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union

‘These talks are ongoing and I hope they will lead to an outcome that will be in the best interest of Nigerians’ Congress (TUC) as well as the Executive. “These talks are ongoing and I hope they will lead to an outcome that will be in the best interest of Nigerians.” Mark said the Senate had directed its committees on Petroleum Resources Downstream, as well as Finance and Appropriations to look into the management of the subsidy scheme. The motion to debate the state of the nation was moved by the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and 70 others. Ekweremadu, who spoke

under Senate Order 42 (1)(2), noted that the senators were worried about mounting insecurity across the country. The Senate, he said, should put out the raging insecurity fire before it consumes the country. The Senate agreed to debate the issue today. Addressing reporters, Senate Leader Victor NdomaEgba said security challenges, especially the high spate of bombings, strike by organised Labour and the proclamation of state of emergency in some local governments were discussed during the closeddoor session. He said the Senate has not taken any position on fuel subsidy removal because its Ad-Hoc committee was still investigating the management of fuel subsidy fund. He said that the Senate does not want to undermine the mandate of the panel, adding that the interest of the Upper Chamber is that the country should work.

Fed Govt to Labour: you can’t persuade us from the streets

OVERNMENT said yesterday that street protests employed by Labour to press for the reversal of petrol price to N65 cannot force it to rescind its deregulation policy. Minister of Labour and Productivity Chief Emeka Wogu spoke yesterday after a security meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Aso Rock Villa. He said despite the court ruling barring Labour from going on strike and the support of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) for petrol subsidy removal, government is still open to dialogue. Wogu said: “The option of dialogue is still open. I think each side is exploring the need to talk. When I said that the option of dialogue is open, it implies that we are exploring that option and Labour is equally exploring that option. “I don’t believe in putting one as a senior partner and the other

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

as a junior partner. In this issue, there are three senior partners within the doctrine and principle of tripartism: the NLC/TUC on one side, representing the trade union, and the government on the other side. “As at today, government has done a policy on subsidy, which is a partner in that tripartite arrangement. Then, NECA has equally supported the deregulation policy of government on the downstream sector. “So, out of three, two agreed; one is saying no. It means that the two are in the majority and one must have its say. “But still, not minding the fact that two out of the three partners have agreed, there is still room for dialogue; dialogue of persuasion. How can government get persuaded? It is not from the streets. It is not from violent protests. It is from persuasion, it is from talking. That is what our laws clearly indicate.

“Despite the fact that there is a court ruling, we are still amenable to dialogue without going into the merit of the case.” Inspector-General of Police (IGP) spoke on the deaths so far recorded. “I have spoken to you on the two incidents that led to the death of rioters. Those were not part of the NLC people. The NLC, while in Kano, went to the race course. Some miscreants went to the Government House,” he said. Ringim, who displayed photographs of burnt vehicles and parts of the fence of the Government House Kano, said: “Look at these photographs clearly. You can see that over 30 vehicles were burnt in the Kano Government House. Look at this. This is a fence at the Government House. Would you look at this and say this is the work of NLC? No, gentlemen. “This was certainly not the work of NLC. This was the work of miscreants who wanted to burn and maim and loot. The

police have a responsibility to maintain law and order, and that’s what we did.” On what the police were doing over the death of Demola, who was felled by the police bullet in Ogba area of Lagos State, Ringim said: “I have ordered an investigation and that is what I’m supposed to do. After the investigation, I have made a promise that the result will be made public and whoever is found culpable would be charged to court.” On the focus of the meeting, the IG said: “This meeting centred on the progress so far made by law enforcement agencies with regards to what happened within the last three days. We are satisfied with the NLC. It has been conducting itself in the best peaceful manner that it possibly can. However, there are some miscreants that are trying to hijack this process and make it violent. We are here; we are not going to allow it as law enforcement officers.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Govt targets 90% capacity utilisation from refineries By Emeka Ugwuanyi

HE Federal Govern ment has said it is tar geting the achievement of 90 per cent capacity utilisation from the country’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna within the next four years. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke, disclosed this on Channels Television yesterday . She said the government, has already begun work on the refineries by bringing the companies that constructed them to do the turnaround maintenance. She said the companies and the government will sign an agreement on this deal next week. Alison-Madueke, who spoke on the strike on the removed fuel subsidy and what government is doing, said fixing of the refineries is primary in the priorities of government to assuage the effects of the subsidy removal. She said the turnaround maintenance would start from the Warri refinery and petrochemical, followed by Port Harcourt and Kaduna. The minster noted that apart from fixing the existing refineries, construction of the planned three Greenfield refineries in Kogi, Lagos and Bayelsa states that the government has received several bids from investors who want to invest in refineries in the country following the removal of subsidies. The Minister said because Nigeria has seamless border with the neighbouring countries, whose pump prices are very high, it would be difficult to maintain regulated pump price of N65 per litre of PMS, which is one third of the prices in the neighbouring countries.

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

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.5% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $33.01b CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX

0.2958 206.9 242.1 156 1.9179 238 40.472

The economic trend in the country demands that stakeholders should make necessary sacrifice to enable the country to come out of the woods. - Senator David Mark, Senate President

Oil workers to shut export terminals A

S the nationwide strike over removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government enters the third day, oil workers’unions in Nigeria, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), are gearing up to stop operations in the upstream sector of the industry. The two unions as part of support to the ongoing strike targeted at compelling government to revert to old pump price of N65 per litre of petrol, are discussing to stop work at the platforms, flow stations and other facilities including crude export

• Price rises on Nigeria, Iran issues By Emeka Ugwuanyi with agency report

terminals. According to Platts report, the oil unions said they are discussing to disrupt oil output and exports if the government fails to open dialogue on restoring the fuel subsidy. PENGASSAN’s SecretaryGeneral Bayo Olowoshile, according to the report, said workers have already failed to show up at offices of several oil companies and that his union was in talks with its counterpart NUPENG on “bringing down the platforms and production lev-

els.” “We had hoped the government would bow down but that does not seem to be its line of action,” Olowoshile said. Efforts to reach the PENGASSANPresident Babatunde Ogun on phone for comments was futile as he didn’t pick calls while his counterpart - NUPENG President, Comrade Achese Igwe, said he had no comment. Platts also quoted an unnamed Shell’s spokesman as saying that the strike has had no impact on its operations so far but said the company was monitoring the situa-

tion. However, Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Promise Adewusi, said yesterday that parts of the oil sector could be shut down if the strike continues. “The process to shut down the upstream sector began yesterday (Monday) and by Tuesday (yesterday), we may complete the shut down,” he said. Currently, operations in the upstream have not been affected and oil export is smoothly going on. Platts said the spokesman of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Dr. Levi Ajuonuma was unable to confirm reports that loadings at some ports have been affected but noted: “There has

• Stranded foreign bound passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Lagos ... yesterday.

been no impact on oil production for now.” Ajuonuma said the Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke held several meetings yesterday with industry stakeholders to discuss the crisis. The protest in Nigeria coupled with the possibility that Iran could shut down the crucial Strait of Hormuz oil route as well as the signs of strengthening consumer sentiment in the United States, shut oil prices up yesterday. According to TheStreet.com, February light crude futures contract rose by $1.39 to $102.70 a barrel, while the March European Brent crude futures contract rose by 68 cents to $113 a barrel.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Subsidy cabals must go to jail, say Sanusi, Okonjo-Iweala T

HE Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi have admitted there is corruption in the oil sector. They said the government must bring the culprits to book. They spoke yesterday at the African International Television’s (AIT’s) programme – Matters Arising where they had gone to defend the removal of fuel subsidy that had sparked an industrial strike across the country since Monday. The CBN governor noted he had raised the alarm at the House of Representatives over the corruption in the subsidy regime as far back as early 2011. He said: “If you have fuel selling at N65 per litre in Nigeria and at N190 in a neighbouring country, it is simple economics anybody who knows he can take advantage of that rent will take advantage of it.” However, he noted that

• ’Nigeria not broke’ From Nduka Chiejina, Asst. Editor (Abuja)

under a democracy, price system becomes one of the effective ways of checking these trends. “N80 or N90 per litre difference with a porous border will encourage corruption,” Sanusi said. CBN governor warned Nigerians not to deceive themselves by believing that Nigeria is an oil rich country. “Nigeria is not an oil rich country. We are an oil producing country. Nigeria produces two million barrels per day, with a population of 167million people, Saudi Arabia produces eight million barrels per day with a population of 24million people, one barrel for three compared to one barrel for 80. So if you say we are oil

rich, let us remember that we don’t have as much oil as Saudi Arabia but we have six times their population. That you have oil does not mean you are an oil rich country. Wealth or poverty is relative,” he said. Sanusi also dismissed claims that that there is a pool of money from were subsidy is funded, stressing that it is from the proceeds from the sale of oil that subsidy is paid ‘’but what that means is that government then has to borrow in order to carry on some of its expenditures.” He explained that “when you remove the subsidy, what you have done is to effectively divert that money into other areas. We are not borrowing to subsidies fuel but borrowing to deliver projects that will be transparently looked at.” The Finance minister said the government is not shy-

ing away from auditing the oil sector, stressing that the President himself called for an audit. “We are going to audit this thing but while you are doing that, you don’t want the sources of leakages to continue. People are saying we should act against corruption. We are acting but not just acting to stop it but acting to say who are the people responsible and what do we do about it? We have to work on leakages,” she said. She also debunked the allegation that Nigeria is not broke. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was reacting to allegations made by the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on AIT’s Matters Arising, that the government withdrew the fuel subsidy because the country was broke. She said: “Nigeria is not

• Sanusi

broke what we are saying is that if we don’t take the proper measures now and manage the way we spend our money five years down the line and we go on piling debt that will totally undermine our finances.” The Finance minister also disclosed that funding for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE) would be presented to the National Assembly for appropriation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

ISSUES

• Akwa Ibom Airport

• Asaba International Airport

Many states are building airports in their capitals, all in a bid to hasten development. Considering the huge financial outlay for such projects, there is concern over the viability of such airports. KELVIN OSA- OKUNBOR writes.

Should states build airports? T

O fast-track the development of any economy, countries need as many airports as available funds and passenger traffic could drive. It is for this reason that experts are divided over the number of airports that exist in Nigeria. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) is managing 22 airports amid the determination of some state governments to build more to meet, in their argument, the developmental needs of their people. Among the states that have ongoing airport projects are: Ogun, which has been abandoned in Sagamu; the new airport in Lagos, to be located in Epe. Others are Taraba, Zamfara, Jigawa, and the one in Bayelsa State. But there are doubts as to the economic viability of the airports. Airports are globally considered as economic drivers and necessary catalyst to fast-track socio-economic development in any location where they are sited. It is for this reason that many communities and interest groups agitate to have airports sited in their area. Such groups and communities strive not

to be excluded from the many benefits that airports bestow on their communities. But, airports according to aviation experts, can only fulfil the mandate of being a catalyst for socio-economic development if they attract the needed passenger and cargo traffic. Seamless movement of passengers and cargo is the edge, aviation experts argue, that the air mode of transportation has over others. This is in addition to other attributes, relating to speed and safety.

In Nigeria, there is growing concern over the proliferation of airports, especially new ones, even as there is anxiety over the proposal by some state governments to build more, in a country where experts are calling for better management of existing airports. There are about 22 airports, with the international gateways in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano, while the 18 others are for domestic operations. Of the 22 airports managed by FAAN, statistics indicate that many are either unviable

‘How do you expect FAAN to manage the 22 airports and yet remain profitable? It is for this reason that we advocate that all airports should be concessioned. That is the only option to achieve global standards for airports, which will bring about private sector funding. It may be difficult to canvass the concession option in the aviation industry, for now, because of the old experience of concession’

or badly managed. The Delta State government, last year, led a delegation to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to intimate the regulator of its plans to begin day operations at its newly built airport in Asaba. Delta State is not alone. Katsina, Gombe, Bauchi and Akwa Ibom also . Of the airports built and managed by state governments, the Akwa Ibom International Airport could safely be described as functional, viable and attractive to airlines. The airports in Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe could be described as unattractive and unviable, as the scale of operations there is unjustifiable compared to the huge investment and running cost. While the debate is raging that there are too many airports, some industry experts are of the opinion that what the government needs to do is to drive economic activity in the airports. In some of the airports, operational infrastructure is obsolete. Aviation experts • Continued on page 13

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

ISSUES

Should states build airports? • Continued from page 12

reason that there is more to the problems of the aviation sector than building more airports, when none of the 22 airports is certified by NCAA, a prerequisite by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to certifying them. Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai, last year, said the state had concluded plans to build a modern airport in Jalingo just as the Zamfara State government is planning to build its own in Gusau, the capital. Also, last year, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, toyed with the idea of constructing an airport. This is in addition to the proposed cargo and agro airport for Sagamu, Ogun State. Also earlier in the year, President Goodluck Jonathan gave approval for the construction of an airport in Bayelsa State, even as he gave assurance of assisting Jigawa State with the construction of its airport. The Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, built by the old Imo State before it was handed over to FAAN to manage, is a clear example of airports built for political reasons, experts claim, because it is devoid of the trappings of a facility to fast-track socio- economic development. Proposing ways on how new airports built by state governments could be more useful, NCAA Director-General Dr Harold Demuren said: “One of the things that we are doing right now is to look at the airlines and their routes structure. There are certain routes that are very good. When Asaba Airport is completed, flying from Lagos to Asaba, Asaba to Abuja,will be something else. For the first time, we will be competing with the road. All our businessmen in Onitsha carrying big cash won’t go by road, they will come with us by air. “Right now, our biggest area is the golden axis, Lagos-Abuja-Port Harcourt. I am saying don’t blame the airlines, that is where the passengers are.” On how to assist in the development of airports, an aviation expert, Eke Ambrose, has called on the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to consider equity participation in the development of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA), Owerri. He said if developed into a hub, and the facilities upgraded, it will reposition the airport, making it the preferred destination for aircraft carrying cargo into the Southeastern region. Ambrose, who is the Managing Director of Ambed Aviation International Airlines, said the government could create an enabling environment for the development of the Imo airport, through favourable policies that will attract private sector players, who would invest in the terminal, Customs bonded warehouse, cargo bay fuel tank, farm or depot and other ancillary facilities that will boost commercial activities at the airport. The cargo expert explained that if the requisite facilities are put in place, the Imo State government could partner with FAAN on how to review the feasibility of the airport to attract foreign airlines to schedule cargo flights into the airport. He explained that one good way of enhancing operations at the Imo airport is for the authorities to improve the infrastructure, including dilapidated operational equipment, old conveyor belt and the instrument landing system. In spite of the fact that about 18 of the airports are unviable and their maintenance a burden on FAAN, various state governments are still bent on building airports in their domains. At present, at least eight of such airports are in the pipeline and aviation analysts are divided on the continuous development of airports in states. While a section criticised the development as being politically motivated, others claimed that airports are good for the gen-

• Aviation Minister Mrs Oduah-Ogiemwonyi

eral development of the concerned states. The Chairman of Aviation Roundtable (ART), Capt Dele Ore, believes that having airports in some states would open them up to investors. According to him, every airport could be viable in as much as it is handled by private companies and government provides enabling environment for such company to succeed. Ore said airports in the states would create jobs for the locals and open up such states to investors. He maintained that airports worldwide are handled by private companies, wondering why it is not so in Nigeria. “It may not be economically viable but yet politically expedient and very viable for that reason. We have 36 states and the Federal Capital; you can see that agitation would be for at least 36 airports. You must be aware that there was Ido-Osun airstrip that has been there as early as 1925 and I remember in the 60s, I landed into that airstrip. “That is a potential site for an airport already, in which case you are not going to start acquiring lands, evacuating and paying compensation. Government should not have anything to do with managing an airport. Airports are not efficient because they are being managed by the government.” Construction of airports in most states by state governments is seen as a major achievement by such governments, but some ex-

• Airport runway wallpaper

• Demuren

perts say they are needless. Airports in the pipeline are Osogbo International Airport, Osun State; Agro Cargo Airport, Sagamu, Ogun State; Bayelsa, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Niger and Zamfara airports. The active ones are Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja; Port Harcourt Airport, Port Harcourt and Aminu Kano Airport, Kano. ART Secretary General Mr Sam Akerele explained that only the Lagos Airport is viable, saying others were only struggling to survive. He decried a situation whereby a state government spends about N20 billion on the construction of an airport only for the government to generate less than N1 billion from the airport in a year. He warned that most of the airports might be diverted for other purposes in the future. He said: “Whether we like it or not, only one airport is viable in this country and that is the Lagos airport. For instance, a state government will construct an airport with about N20 billion and makes less than N1 billion from that airport in a year. Are we moving forward or backward? “If care is not taken, the airports will turn to football pitches in the future because the government might find it difficult to continue to maintain unviable airports when the viable ones are still being consistently maintained and upgraded by the government. Most of the air-

ports are unnecessary and have political undertone.” Also, an aviation consultant, Lafeef Ejioye, an engineer, decried the construction of airports by state governments, stating that of the airports in the country, only Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt are viable. Ejioye said rather than construct airports for economic reasons, state governments consider political purposes, adding that many state governments waste tax payers’ money by constructing airports in their states. For instance, he criticised the planned construction of Osogbo airport by the Osun State government when Ibadan, Akure and Ilorin airports are still unattractive to passengers. He said the underutilised airports have full complement of staff while the usual government activities of contract awards and payments for services still go on in such airports. He queried the number of airlines and passengers flying into Akure, Benin, Ilorin, Bauchi and other underutilised airports. He challenged the government to divert the scarce resources to other sectors that are crying for attention. “To me, it will end up being a white elephant project. There are other pressing issues in Osun State than for the government to commit huge sums of money to building an airport without passenger patronage. There is no point building an airport in a state where many public facilities such as schools, water, agricultural produces, health care and others are crying for attention. The issue of airport is a misplaced priority in the state.” Commenting on the issue, Chris Aligbe, an aviation expert, explained that if the airport system must work well, the government must take further steps to embrace full concession of major airports including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. He said Lagos deserved at least a major international and domestic terminal, to cope with the expected traffic. He said: “We need a legal policy framework that could cater for the development of airports, airlines and ground handling companies, which will provide a road map for the development of the aviation industry. At the moment, there is no such specific policy in the aviation industry. “How do you expect FAAN to manage the 22 airports and yet remain profitable? It is for this reason that we advocate that all airports should be concessioned. That is the only option to achieve global standards for airports, which will bring about private sector funding. It may be difficult to canvass the concession option in the aviation industry, for now, because of the old experience of concession. The government then needs to put in place a legal and legislative framework to achieve airport concessions.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

MONEY

Subsidy removal: Inflation may hit 14% T

HE 10.5 per cent inflation rate may increase to between 13 and 14 per cent if the fuel subsidy removal is retained, analysts have predicted. Renaissance Capital (RenCap, an investment and research firm), said it expects inflation to rise from a projected 10.9 per cent to between 13 and 14 per cent between now and March and average about 15 per cent for the year. Should the government be persuaded to phase the removal of petrol subsidy as a means of easing the burden of price increases, then the increase in inflation could be more moderate. It also said power and petrol costs make up 20 to 25 per cent of the total housing and utilities cost, according to crude estimates. Based on these, it said the Central Bank of Nigeria

Stories by Collins Nweze (CBN) will maintain its tight monetary policy stance. “In 2011, the CBN tightened policy aggressively and hiked the monetary policy rate by 575 basis points to 12 per cent. In doing so, the apex bank countered inflationary pressures, which partially stemmed from a weak naira. As such, inflation moved sideways and remained in the early doubledigits region during 2011,” it said in a statement. The projected higher inflation environment for 2012, regardless of whether the government chooses to phase out the removal of the petrol subsidy or administer the dose at once, implies that the probability of a lower interest rate environment this year, which is the preference of Minster of Fi-

nance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is very low. If the directive to completely remove petrol subsidy is sustained, then policy rate hikes in the order of three per cent are likely in 2012, particularly if the CBN wants to maintain the positive real-rates environment, which was attained in September 2011 for the first time since early 2008. Higher interest rates are likely to keep annual credit growth from rising out of the tens and into the 20s. The Federal Government is expected to save one-quarter of its revenue by scrapping the subsidy, according to our estimates. The removal of the petrol subsidy will release fiscal resources for more productive spending and put an end to a fund that was highly vulnerable to graft. The petrol subsidy

in 2011 made up a considerable 25 per cent of the Federal Government’s 2010 fiscal revenue, and 2.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to estimates, which is almost equivalent to the projected budget deficit for 2011. The scrapping of this subsidy will help the Ministry of Finance achieve its medium-term objective of narrowing the federal budget deficit to 1.1 per cent of GDP in 2015. The government plans to redeploy these funds for social and physical infrastructure, which is noteworthy. However, a history of graft implies that Nigerians are very sceptical that the funds saved from the scrapped petrol subsidy, which was probably the most tangible benefit they received as citizens of an oil-producing country,

will be effectively and transparently redeployed by the government, it said. The negative effect of higher petrol prices on real GDP growth is likely to be small, in our view. Prior to the removal of the petrol subsidy, we expected the economy to grow seven per cent in 2012. “We now expect high petrol prices to dampen household consumption and private fixed investment. But we expect this to be partially countered by higher public fixed investment, as the government redeploys some of the funds to infrastructure expenditure. Therefore, we think growth of 6.5 to seven per cent is more likely in 2012, which is still strong compared with the regional and global growth averages,” it added.

Banks fortify e-payment solutions for cash-less policy

ANKS have fortified their infrastructure to ensure seam less implementation of cashless banking, it has been learnt. First Bank Nigeria (FBN), FinBank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Wema Bank and Diamond Bank ,among others have developed tested and viable products/ services for effective management of the policy. At First Bank, the First Pay, a webbased payment platform designed to allow its clients directly effect payment instructions from their offices online real time, has been provided. Since the First Pay service is available over the web, payment and authorisation can be done regardless of location. The product is most suitable for clients who carry out bulk payments against their accounts in form of salary payment, vendor/supplier payment, e-Dividend, Pensions among others. It gives the financial institution the power to execute their payment instructions without first sending a

physical instruction to the bank and waiting for the bank to effect instructions. With this service, customers can check their account balances anywhere, anytime; view consolidated bank account balances across banks; secure e-cheques, as well as issue and upload e-cheques for vendor/ supplier payments among other benefits. The bank has also introduced First Alert to give customers instant notification of every transaction that takes place in their accounts through e-mail or Short Messaging Service (SMS). It comes as transaction alert, trade alert, and first guard. Also, trade alert gives customers instant notification of every stage of their trade finance from the point of capturing Form ‘M’ to the stage of establishing their Letter of Credit (LC), while FirstMobile banking is a network independent mobile phone solution that provides financial services and other value added services using the mobile phone and a prepaid has card. Wema Bank equally unveiled the

CIBN advocates stable banking sector

HE Chartered Institute of Banks of Nigeria (CIBN) has cast its lot for a banking sector that is not only strong in terms of capital base and balance sheet, but that also enjoys public confidence. The group warned that deploying more capital in the sector without proper adherence to prudential guidelines, cannot create the desired stability. A statement by the institute said there is need to guard against possible reoccurrence of the present crisis, by building a sustainable banking sector, focused on delivering value to the economy. It said the challenges of rebuilding trust in the sector are becoming more pronounced than ever. “The event, which is part of the institute’s public enlightenment programme, is meant to constantly keep captains of the industry and stakeholders abreast of the developments in the economy. It is also one of the various ways the Institute complements the Federal Government’s socio-economic programmes with a view to fast tracking the socio-economic development of the country and by extension attract foreign investments and improved national earnings to the benefit of all stakeholders,” he said. Meanwhile, CIBN President Laoye Jaiyeola, has said there is need to work out plans that would encourage specialisation in the banking sector. He said the agency

has set up five work groups that would draw specialties where bankers can deploy effectively, their competencies. He said banking industry is not a one cap fits all, calling for the need to set up faculty boards to look at diverse areas of banking. He said it was obvious that there is dearth of skilled manpower in the sector, making it needful for practitioners and regulators to enhance skills of bank workers. “Our own job is to see that we get the right people in terms of skills to manage the banking sector,” he said adding that one way of doing that is through training. He said there is renewed emphasis on risk management and the banking sector is getting to a point where International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) will be fully implemented to enhance quality financial reporting in the industry. To enhance its professional efficiency, the CIBN recently, reviewed professional code of conduct for bankers practicing in the country. The draft Code of Conduct has been sent to the CBN, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the 24 deposit money banks for their input before the final copy is endorsed by all the relevant bodies. The disciplinary organs of the institute, the Investigating Panel and Tribunal have also been activated to ensure the enforcement of the subsisting code.

• CBN Governor Mallam Sanusi

‘Cash on the Go’ in which all the beneficiary needs to have is information that will be received from two sources. The transaction amount and a system generated reference code are received by SMS. An access code selected during the transfer by the sender and known to the sender alone will be communicated by the sender to the receiver of the money. Group Managing Director, First Bank, Bisi Onasanya, has assured customers of seamless e-transaction in all its branches. Speaking to reporters in his office, Onasanya said the bank has put in place adequate infrastructure to drive its epayment services across transaction touch points. These include: Automated Teller Machines (ATMs); Point of Sales Terminal (POS); FirstOnline, the Bank’s internet banking; FirstBank

Visa Card; FirstBank MasterCard; FirstBank Classic Card; FirstBank Naira MasterCard; FirstBank Visa Gold Credit Card; Cash Deposit ATM among others. “It is important to point out that even before the new CBN policy came on stream, we had taken some proactive measures by rolling out various e-transaction services and products. For instance, our onlinereal time banking services have been in place for almost a decade in addition to massive deployment of alternative delivery channels such as POS, ATM, internet banking etc. We were able to recognise on time that in the increasingly dynamic and sophisticated business environment, the future of banking will be e-driven,” he said. The new CBN policy, set a threshold of N150,000 and N1 million withdrawals and lodgments for individual and corporate organisations respectively. The overall objective is to reduce to the barest minimum, the dominance of cash in daily business transactions and its attendant implication on security, cash management and money laundering. The policy, which took off in Lagos this month, will subsequently extend to Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Kano and Aba in the first phase, while the Bankers’ Committee, a body comprising the CEO’s of banks and the CBN Governor as chairman, will determine the date of introduction in the remaining states not covered in the first phase. Equally, it can be effected using network services such as MTN, Airtel, Glo, Starcomms and en-

ables users check their balances and transaction details, authorise payment, verify account , electronic fund transfer among other services from home. First Online, an internet banking service simply requires that a beneficiary has a savings or current account with the bank to enable him check account balances, see account activity, including uncleared effects among others. CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said the policy is designed to reduce the cost of handling cash, which is eating into bank’s profits and liquidity. He estimated that, by this year, banks will be spending N192 billion on cash handling, noting that this would be passed on to customers in terms of fees and interest charges. “The target is getting the cost reduced by 30 per cent in three years through enforcement of fourpronged initiatives- namely reduction in cash management cost, enhanced electronic payment system, Information Technology (IT) and centralised back-office systems,” he said. Sanusi explained that the proposal is not to place limit on cash transactions, but to ensure that customers who make high volume cash transactions bear the associated cost, if they opt to ignore electronic payment channels. To kickstart the scheme, 11 Mobile Payment Service Providers (MPSPs) – Pagatech, Fortis Mobile, UBA/Afripay, GTBank, eTranzact, Monetise, Eartholeum, Paycom, FET, Ecobank and Kudi – have been licensed.

•From right: MTN’s General Manager, Enterprise Maketing, Ladipo Nylander; Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, Babatunde Osho and Managing Director, Cisco Nigeria, Said Rechchad at the launch of MTN ePresence International, a Telepresence solutions for businesses and government parastatals in Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

MONEY

NDIC hires lawyers I to recover debts T

HE Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) will use lawyers to recover between N50 million and N100 million debts, the corporation has said. It said it has appointed nonlegal debt recovery agents to go after debts that are below N50 million as part of efforts to meet its obligations to uninsured depositors. In a statement, NDIC said the measure is aimed at exploring all legal means to recover debt owed the failed banks. The statement reads: “In furtherance of this objective, plans had already been concluded to assign all accounts with balances of between N50 million to N100 million to lawyers (debt recovery agents) due to potentials of litigation so as to expedite the process of recovery through court process”. It said lawyers were appointed as debt collection agents to explore all constitutional processes required in the area of debt recovery adding that the development would speed up its debt recovery efforts, as well as helping in meeting obligations to the uninsured depositors. According to the corporation, business failures, unwillingness to honour obligations and large vol-

Stories by Akinola Ajibade

umes of unsecured/fraudulently granted loans, are some of the constraints limiting debt recovery. It said uninsured depositors and creditors would not be able to get their claims, unless debts are expeditiously recovered. In a related development, NDIC said it has initiated discussion with the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to use its platform to dispose some of its risk assets. “To facilitate this, NDIC has completed the segregation of all accounts with outstanding balances of N100 million and above (I74 accounts in all) that would be offloaded to AMCON,” it added. The financial undertaker said it is facing problems selling some prime-landed properties, among other physical assets of the closed banks. It said some of the properties are subject of litigations, while others are located in towns where there are low demands for them. NDIC had sought leave of the Ministry of Finance to stop making payments into the Consolidated Federation Accounts (CFA), with a view to enhancing its liquidity position. The development fol-

lowed the huge remittances the corporation has been making to the consolidated federated account and the subsequent effects on its activities. The NDIC’s Director of Research, Dr Ade Afolabi, told The Nation, that the corporation has been paying its huge operating surplus to the consolidated federation account, and as a result, could not meet some of its obligations. He said the development has prevented the organisation from meeting the needs of its insured depositors. He said NDIC wants the Ministry of Finance to stop it from further paying to the accounts, to enhance its operations, stating that the issue has slowed down the building of deposit insurance fund, and further prevents NDIC from meeting its obligations. He said the development is aimed at re-invigorating the financial position of the corporation to meet its responsibility. Also, the NDIC’s Managing Director, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said 80 per cent of the corporation reserves, go to the consolidated federation accounts. Ibrahim said the corporation, as a result of the development, could no longer meet its obligations to the insured depositors.

IFC, G-20 collaborate

FC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Group of 20 have launched a new competition that will recognise emerging-market companies that provide critical goods, services, or livelihood opportunities to the four billion people living at the base of the global economic pyramid. The G-20 Challenge on Inclusive Business Innovation, which was announced at the G-20 Summit in Cannes in November, will enable companies in the growing field of inclusive business to learn from each other and collaborate. The IFC is managing the competition as part of the G-20’s efforts to promote private investment and create jobs under the G20 Multi-Year Action Plan on Development. “IFC, alongside a growing number of business and development partners, is committed to supporting commercially viable and scalable inclusive business models that generate growth and have

a high development impact,” said Nena Stoiljkovic, IFC Vice President for Business Advisory Services. He said companies have from now till February 29, 2012, to apply to enter the competition. Entries will be judged on their ability to demonstrate business model innovation, development results, potential for growth and replication, and social, environmental, and financial sustainability. IFC’s inclusive business clients are among those eligible to apply. A judging panel consisting of representatives from the G-20, the private sector, academia, foundations and international finance institutions will select up to 15 winners whose business models will be showcased at the G-20 Summit in Mexico in June. The winners will be invited to peerto-peer learning regional workshops following the summit.

Group urges policy enforcement

HE Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has called for enforcement of the monetisation programme in public service. CSJ Director, Eze Onyekpere said monetisation is backed by law and should be strictly enforced. “A situation where officers and agencies that have some services monetised and directly paid to them go through the back door to enjoy official vehicles and other perks which they have already been paid is outrageous and should not be allowed to continue,” he said. Speaking during a debate on the 2012 federal budget, held in Abuja, Onyekpere said there is need to abolish or drastically avoid wasteful expenditure in almost all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). According to him, it is also possible to consider a moratorium on new capital projects (except they are justifiable under very strict conditions) and concentrate on completion of the thousands of on-going and abandoned projects. He said the debate, was imperative to improving fiscal

governance, creating value, jobs and enhancing the standard of living. “The idea is to kick start the debate on policy options and emergent best practices as to what has worked, what has not worked and what has failed in the federal budgeting process so far,” Onyekpere said. He said that the group was committed to raising and resolving budgetary and fiscal posers adding that there would be the need to look at whether the mode of implementation of the budget should be sustained, or better still, to adopt a new approach. According to him, there was the need to understand why governments at all levels are not meeting the time bound targets under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) or why the country has a huge recurrent expenditure profile in budgets. Nigeria’s commitment to the time bound Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has also made it imperative for the budget to reflect the priorities that will enhance the standard of living of the people.

South Africa plans $1.5b bonds’ sale

•From right: Head, Retail Credit, Diamond Bank, Ashok Pai; Consumer Protection Council representative, Kachikwe Kandozie and Company Secretary, Diamond Bank, Nkechi Nwosu, during the bank’s Savings Xtra end of the year special draw in Lagos.

CBN to issue more mobile money licences

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued more banks licences to provide mobile money services, its Deputy Director, Domestic Payment Division, Emmanuel Obaigbona has said. The development is in response to banks’ quest to play greater role in the cash-lite programme that started in Lagos on January 1. Obaigbona said the plan is aimed at broadening participation in mobile money system, in general, and the cash-lite policy in particular. Obaigbona said the apex bank has already licensed 11 mobile operators who successfully passed the pilot studies conducted for them last year.

“The 11 licensed operators are not the end of the list. The CBN intends to license more operators to meet the set standards for operating mobile money services in the country,” Obaigbona said. He said the apex bank’s decision to issue the mobile money licence was to reduce the unbanked population to the barest minimum and subsequently develop the economy. However, CBN recently banned all telecom providers in Nigeria from advertising for particular mobile money products. In in a letter to the mobile network operators, the CBN said any advertisement for a particu-

lar mobile money system might undermine confidence in the system or confuse consumers that mobile money systems operate independently from any one carrier. “Customers should be able to operate the mobile payment system from any telecommunication network of their choice,” the letter added. Prior to this period, Mastercard Foundation and Microfinance Information Exchange, had in a recent study, said the country has 80 million residents with no access to basic financial services, the largest unbanked population of any African nation.

OUTH Africa plans to sell as much as $1.5 billion of bonds, tapping international markets for the first time since March to take advantage of near-record low United States interest rates to repay existing debt. Bloomberg reported that price guidance provided by Barclays Plc, which is managing the sale with Citigroup Incorporated, was 275 basis points above 10-year US Treasuries, Jeremy Brewin, who oversees about $4 billion at Aviva Investors in London, said by phone. The sale will be between $750 million and $1.5 billion, depending on investor demand, said a person familiar with the transaction, who didn’t want to be identified because the bonds hadn’t been priced. South Africa is following Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia and the Philippines to the dollar bond market this year, betting yields on US Treasuries are set to rise from near-record lows as the world’s biggest economy expands. Benchmark 10year yields will climb to 2.6 percent by December, 31, from 1.98 per cent today, according to the median estimate of 63 economists and strategists surveyed by Bloomberg. “We would be interested in this issue; it looks like fair value” at the guide price, Brewin said. “It is a good time to get in and get the

deal done now”, before further sales in the dollar bond market chase up yields, he said. The Treasury intends to use the proceeds of the sale to repay maturing debt, and for general government purposes, it said in a prospectus filed today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. South Africa plans to sell about $1 billion a year on international capital markets over this and the next two fiscal years as slower growth in Africa’s biggest economy puts pressure on revenues, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said in his mid- term budget statement in October. The Treasury sold $750 million of securities in March. “The timing so early in the year must surely be related to the low level of 10-year US Treasuries,” Michael Grobler, a Cape-Town based analyst at Afrifocus Securities, said by e-mail in response to questions by Bloomberg. “Generally, offshore interest remains buoyant,” with most money managers “running overweight South African dollar bond positions.” South Africa’s long-term foreigncurrency debt is rated A3 at Moody’s Investors Service with a negative outlook. Standard & Poor’s rates the nation’s debt BBB+ with a stable outlook.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

INSURANCE

Operators still counting cost of global recession T

HE insurance sector is still feeling the pinch of the economic recession, which hit the world in 2010. Some insurers said the recession’s fallout affected their operations. The Chairman, Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Mr Aliyu Saád, said the crisis forced people to renege on the payment and cancellation of premiums. He said insurance stocks were also affected following the devaluation of prices. He noted that despite the crisis, operators are working hard to reposition their operations, adding that with support from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the industry is on the path of transformation. Chairman, Capital Express Assurance Limited, Mr Babatunde Adenuga, said the challenges posed by the economic meltdown has had a toll on insurance businesses especially life. He said: “The insurance industry has continued to face the challenges posed by the economic meltdown, most especially the life arm of the industry which has always been the

Stories by Chuks Udo Okonta

worst hit because of the negative effects of economic downturns on disposable income. “ He said despite the challenges the industry will continue to witness new initiatives and statutory requirements in the nearest future, adding that though these may in the short term, constitute a strain to the practitioners, the industry will eventually become stronger and better. Director-General Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Sunday Thomas, said insurers in a bid to rebound from the crisis have embarked on how to shore-up their capital through merger and others, which is in line with NAICOM’s risk base recapitalisation. He said NAICOM has put in place structures to enable insurance companies to have the required capital that can underwrite the type of risk they cover, adding that some companies have begun consultations on how to raise their capital to enable them to key into the opportunities provided by the Local Content Act,

especially in the oil and gas insurance business. “The capital base may not be adequate, but I am aware that companies that want to operate within the Local Content are making efforts to shore-up their capital.Also, NAICOM is working very hard to put in place risk-based supervision. And one of the fundamentals of riskbased supervision is risk-based recapitalisation. “Risk-based recapitalisation measures the type of business in relation to the capital to back-up the business. Some companies may not be there now, but they would not be allowed to operate beyond their capacity. I think NAICOM is doing a good job in that direction. For the industry, efforts are been made to shore-up capital and of course, there have been discussions about mergers and how companies can be bigger, because companies have realised that there is beauty in been big. If they are big, they will be able to increase their capacity to retain more businesses and that will impact the economy through job creation,” he added.

‘Life insurance premium to hit N96.5b’

HE Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has said the sector’s premium income stands at about N60billion, adding that it will reach N96.5billion soon. To achieve this feat, Afrinvest Nigeria, a renowned business analyst firm, said life insurers need to do more to enable them to develop their businesses. It noted that Nigeria has one of the least developed life market, adding that based on International Monitory Fund (IMF) estimates, the Nigeria’s population is expected to grow by 2.8 per cent to reach 183.6million by 2016. It noted that in terms of total industry gross premiums, Nigeria has one of the least developed life insurance markets in Africa, adding that, however, with a rapidly rising youthful population, the life insurance market is unstoppable. The Managing Director Crystalife Assurance Company Limited, Mrs Oluseyi Ifaturoti, said there are lots of potentials for life business in this country and the company is working very hard to increase her market share. She noted that the company has recorded 58 per cent success on the implementation of the items on the strategic document as most of the short and medium term goals have been achieved. Some of the items that

have been completed include the standardisation of the company’s existing branches, expansion of her bancassurance model as part of her market penetration strategy and the upgrade of the company’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, which has helped to improve the company’s service delivery, as well as opening of branches. Managing Director Standard Alliance Life Assurance Limited, Mr Austin Enajemo-Isire, said the reform in the industry has opened up a lot of opportunities for the growth of life business, adding that his company’s performances have been remarkable. “Our emphasis on relationship with our customers will remain at the core of how we do our business. Indeed, we believe this emphasis was a great asset to the company last year and it will be at the core of how we develop our enlarged business in the future. We will pay more attention to strengthening our retail strategy. We will explore various identified joint venture options with local and foreign institutions, which are capable of giving us the leverage we desire and improve our overall distribution strategy significantly,” he added. The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel, said the National Insurance Commission hopes to lev-

‘Cover without premium is fake’

• From left: Sales Manager Technical, General Business, Oracle Anglophone Africa, Mrs Theresa Adeyinka; Executive Director, Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc, Mr Olusegun Ilori; Country Manager, Oracle Nigeria, Mrs Olufunlayo Ajayi and Managing Director, E-insurance Centre, Mr Sulaiman Koguna, at the introduction of Turnquest Bima 360 and training of IT managers in the insurance industry in Lagos.

How insurers can remain relevant, by experts

OW can insurers remain relevant? It is by embracing the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), says the President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr Wole Adetimehin. Adetimehin, in a statement, noted that the accounts of insurance companies must comply with IFRS provisions if they must be taken serious. He called on operators to work assiduously to meet the deadline set by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). He said: “The insurance industry cannot run away from the IFRS considering the fact that insurance itself is an international business. Therefore, the accounts of insurance companies must comply with the IFRS provisions if the companies must be taken seriously by the international community. As we all know, we are in global market, making it mandatory for us to play by the global rules. In my view, all stakeholders should work in tandem towards NAICOM’s 2012 deadline for full compliance with IFRS.” He called on operators to acquire

knowledge on IFRS to bridge the skill gap in the industry, adding that the industry must bridge the skill deficit in accounting, information and technology and more. “There is obvious skills gap issues in our industry necessitating continued professional and general education. This has continued to be our campaign at CIIN while noting that the employers of labour are not doing enough with regards to human development. Financial illiteracy is also an issue we must tackle through public education concerning our business and practice.” The Acting Director, Supervision National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Opara Nicholas, said the commission is working out a uniform IFRS template to ensure harmony in the accounts presentations of companies in the industry. He said insurers are engaged regularly to ensure seamless transmission from the old accounting standard to IFRS. Nicholas stated that the insurance industry is ahead of other sectors in the quest to meet government deadline on the compliance of the new standard, adding that insurers have

been enjoined to produced dual accounts in their last year operations to enable them transit smoothly to the IFRS comes this year. “Under the existing financial reporting, we have what we called uniform financial reporting standard. We have looked at the basis of accounting presentations and have prepared a format which would be followed by all the operators in preparing and presenting their financial statements. The same thing we are trying to achieve under the IFRS. We are also working to ensure that the accounting system of insurance companies will be uniform. The way we hope to achieve this, is by looking at options that are available in the IFRS. The IFRS gives provisions for options, if the companies are allowed to choose their options, without harmonising them; it is possible that the financial statements they would prepare will be different from others. “The commission is working towards choice of options. Right now, we have identified all the options that are available under the various guidelines and we would work with the operators and consultants in choosing that best options.”

N insurance cover without payment of premium invalidates such transaction, President, Nigerian Shareholders’ Renaissance Association, (NSRA) Mr Olufemi Timothy, has said. He said the issuance of policy to individuals and governments on credit makes the business looks cheap, unpopular and inimical to growth. Timothy noted that with continued premium, debtors, the insurance sector would remain backward, adding that no genuine business thrives on credit. He said shareholders would continue to oppose the act of policy being sold on credit, adding that it has left sour taste in the mouths of shareholders who invest in insurance have remained stumped over the years. He called on the government to show concern on insurance by paying their premium on time, adding that a situation like what happened last year when government’s group life premium

was paid in November, will never aid the industry’s growth. Timothy called on underwriters to adhere to the ‘No premium No cover’ clause, adding that brokers have no business in holding premium paid to them. The Executive Vice-Chairman, Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc, Mr Remi Olowude, who shed light on why insurance brokers withhold underwriters’premium, said brokers withhold premiums out of fear that they would not get their commission from the underwriters on time. “Today, one sore issue between brokers and underwriters is the quantum of outstanding premium remittance and payment of claims. In part, this problem arises from the fact that underwriters tend to believe that brokers withhold premiums to underwriters out of fear that they may not get their commissions on time if the premiums are paid directly by the insured to the underwriters.

States, councils urged to embrace pension

HE new Pension scheme should be made compulsory at both states and local government to cater for workers, the Chairman, Pension Operators Association of Nigeria, Mr Dave Uduanu, has said. Uduanu told The Nation that pensions and retirement benefits are among the most fundamental rights of every worker, adding, therefore, that every worker in Nigeria should have a funded retirement savings account. He said given the nature of the federal system of government that Nigeria runs, perhaps the National Council of States and the National Governors Forum could be used to actualise the enforcement of pension at the states and local governments. He noted that a recent study by one of the Regional Development Bank shows that elderly citizens (defined as age 65 years and above) constitute about four of the total population and that the ratio increased from two per cent in 2000

and is projected to increase to 10 per cent by the turn of the decade. “The report, however, notes that most of these elderly citizens have no health insurance and/or retirement plan and might be subjected to hardship and poverty during this most important phase of their life when they are no longer able to engage in any serious economic activity. “This grim statistics, I believe, should spur the states into action to save a large chunk of their elderly population from poverty and hardship at old age. “It is disturbing to note that primary and secondary school teachers who constitute the bedrock of the civil service might end their service without well-funded pension plans since they fall under the jurisdiction of the states and local governments,” he said. He noted that states should also insist that private sector companies that transact business with it should have funded pension accounts as pre-qualification criteria.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

THE NATION

INVESTORS ‘Govt may borrow N1.5tr in 2012’ T

HE Federal Government could borrow as much as N1.49 trillion from the international and domestic capital markets this year, according to the latest Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA), which previewed the borrowing prospects of the country. The DSA was a multi-party report produced by the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, National Planning Commission, Budget Office of the Federation, National Bureau of Statistics and the Debt Management Office (DMO), which served as the coordinating organisation for the report. The DSA, which provided input into the 2012-2014 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) of the Federal Government, indicated that Nigeria could borrow up toN1.49 trillion or $9.5 billion this year given the optimistic profile of the country's growth and debt levels. With this optimistic scenario, total public debt was projected to rise to N9.01 trillion or $57.4 billion in 2012. Nigeria's domestic debt stood at N5.3 trillion, an equivalent to $34.4 billion while external debt totaled $5.6 billion, bringing total indebtedness to $40 billion as at September 30, 2011. This represented debt-to- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 19.6 per cent. The analysis, however, recommended a borrowing limit of some N345 billion or $2.25 billion for 2012 including N208 billion local borrowings and $0.90 billion external debts. According to the report, even the limited amount borrowed by the government should be applied to specific national priority

By Taofik Salako

projects, which can create jobs and generate sufficient stream of incomes to service the borrowed funds. However, the Federal Government is set to breach the DSA threshold as President Goodluck Jonathan indicated that the government was comfortable with a debt-toGross Domestic Product ratio of up to 30 per cent as against the existing 25 per cent benchmark. Outlining the macroeconomic imperatives in the 2012 Budget, the President said government was determined to pursue policies that would ensure a stable macroeconomic environment through strong and prudent fiscal policy, manageable deficits and sustainable debt-to-GDP ratio of not more than 30 per cent among others. In what further confirmed that the government would borrow beyond the recommended realistic limit, the DMO, the debt management agency of the Federal Government, which oversees debt issues by the government, has said government plans to raise some N794 billion through domestic bond issues in 2012 to finance nearly three-quarter of the deficit estimated in the 2012 budget. The income and expenditure profiles of the 2012 budget indicated a deficit of N1.11 trillion, representing nearly a quarter of the total expenditure estimate of N4.749 trillion. Total revenue available for the Federal Government's budget had been estimated at N3.644 trillion. Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, said the

through monitoring of uses of funds secured by government, pointing out that the Fiscal Responsibility Act and other laws have given ordinary Nigerians legal backing to hold government to account. According to him, while no state can issue a bond or obtain bank loan without approval from the DMO and the Ministry of Finance, DMO has no legal authority for post-issue monitoring as this function is vested in other agencies and the Nigerian populace by various statutes. He said the 36 states of the federation have also established debt management departments, in line with the sub-national management framework put in place by the agency. Meanwhile, the DSA has also recommended the diversification of Nigeria's bonds through issuance that targets Nigerians in the diaspora. The report noted that Nigerian professionals constitute a significant work force in many economies of the world urging government to put in place policy and programmes that would attract their savings and remittances.

Ekiti’s N20b bond for 11 priority projects

KITI Stategovernment has said it will use the net proceeds of its N20 billion bond issue, estimated at N19.4 billion, to finance 11 priority projects. It said the fund is aimed at reawakening the economic potential of the state and enhancing the living standards of the people. The Ekiti State’s N20 billion 14.5 per cent fixed rate 2018 bond was oversubscribed by N300 million and, in spite of its seven-year tenor, represented a relatively cheaper capital given the current average interest rate of 16.5 per cent. The Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the benchmark interest rate, is 12 per cent. The N20 billion first tranche represents 80 per cent of the N25 billion bond issuance programme of the state. In a breakdown of the utilisation of the N20 billion bond issue, nearly half of the proceeds would be used for road construction while more than three-quarter of the funds would be used to develop tourism and hospitality industry. The state Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Development, Mr Dapo Kolawole, has reassured that the net proceeds would be used transparently on projects that would add value and improve the economy o the state. According to him, the bond utilisation will be 50 per cent developmental and 50 per cent regenerative, which means the projects will earn income for the state. "By the time we came onboard, Ekiti was paying as deduction from ISPO (irrevocable standing payment order) in excess of N426 million but with the bond well-structured,

we are going to be doing less than N400 million so we have been able to free some money and pay back some of our outstanding debts. What we want to do is to reengineer the economic landscape of Ekiti State by embarking on an ambitious urban renewal phase of Ado Ekiti, the state capital," Kolawole said. He said the rehabilitation of the Ero Dam and Ado Water Works, which will cost about N804.14 million, will supply water to 52 towns and villages in the state. "What the governor has done is to put enough generative power in the dam so that these towns and villages will enjoy water supply from Ero Dam," the commissioner said. As part of efforts to refocus the state as an agrarian state, it plans to invest in the establishment of a school of agriculture at the cost of N750 million. This will boost the agriculture manpower of the state and enhance food production. "At the end of four years, at least 20,000 Ekiti people would have been trained in mechanised agriculture and we are approaching it from different angles." He said about 50 per cent of the bond proceeds, which amounts to about N9.68 billion will be spent on road construction to open up the various parts of the state for economic growth. He added that roads within Ado Ekiti, Ise and some other vital roads that will cover at least 14 out of the 16 local government areas of the state will be constructed. The commissioner said as part of the income generating projects to be undertaken from the bond proceeds is the construction •Continued on page 18

'Banks borrow from blue-chip multinationals'

secure much-needed cash from the ECB, which only provides cash against collateral. In stark contrast, Europe's biggest companies are sitting on cashpiles that amount to more than $20 billion each in the case of BP Plc and Volkswagen . According to Moody's, a sample of European companies held $872 billion cash in total at the middle of 2011. It is typically these very large companies, with reliable cash flows, that engage in repo deals with banks, Euroclear's Reiss said, though he declined to give the names of any counterparties, because of client confidentiality.

•From left: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema and CEO, Airline Services and Logistics (ASL) Plc, Mr Richard Akerele, during a courtesy visit by the management of the ASL to the NSE.

BLUE-CHIP names such as Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Peugeot are among firms bailing out Europe's ailing banks in a reversal of the established roles of clients and lenders. One source with knowledge of the so-called repo deals or shortterm secured lending, told Reuters that the two US pharmaceutical groups and French carmaker were the latest to sign up for them. Europe's banks are struggling to secure the cash to fund their dayto-day business and have largely stopped lending to each other for fear Europe's sovereign debt crisis could land any of their peers in

deficits would be financed largely by domestic borrowings while the government would augment with incomes from other sources. Nwankwo however said the concerns of the public should be the utilisation of proceeds of bond issues and probity and accountability, noting that Nigeria's indebtedness is comparatively low compared with global benchmark and national economic variables. According to him, the global standard for debt-to-GDP is 40 per cent and Nigeria has set a restrictive standard of 25 per cent for itself. At 19.6 per cent, Nigeria is still far below its personal and global standards. He explained that national indebtedness could only be assessed objectively when compared in the light of GDP, export earnings, debt service and total revenue, noting that Nigeria is still better placed in all the indices. He said the government has established a stable and transparent framework to manage national debts, which would gradually reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio over the next five years. Nwankwo stressed the importance of citizen participation in financial management

trouble. As a result, a group of wellknown, cash-rich companies with solid cash flows has stepped in the repo market, which provides a form of lending so far almost exclusively in use between banks, and between banks and central banks. One market participant said in one key area of lending companies now accounted for 25 per cent of these deals. Repos provide the new financiers with the strict guarantees they need before parting with their cash,

answering worries that the crisis has weakened Europe's banks to the extent that they might not be able to pay the money back. "Companies in the past were ... happy to deposit cash on an unsecured basis to a bank for an interest payment," said Frank Reiss, who oversees some of the repo business at Euroclear, the Brussels-based settlement house owned by a group of banks. "Now following the crisis, we have seen that companies are engaging in repos secured with collateral against the cash they are

lending," said Reiss. Euroclear is the largest administrator of repo trades in Europe. At the moment the European Central Bank provides the main lifeline for banks and has pumped hundreds of billions of euros of cash into the market. But the banks are parking most of the money they borrow back at the ECB rather than trusting to lend to each other. They are also paying insurers and pension funds to take their illiquid bonds in exchange for better quality ones, in a desperate bid to

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

THE NATION INVESTORS

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc plans to raise more funds from the capital market to the banking group's investments in Nigeria and Africa. The Group Managing Director, (UBA), Mr Phillips Oduoza, said the new UBA Holding Plc, which emerged after the restructuring of the companies under the bank into a holding company structure, would help to raise funds for members of the group. According to him, the holding firm will take on the earlier mandate from shareholders under the bank's medium-term capital raising programme and realise the remaining funds under the programme. UBA had raised N20 billion under the medium-term capital raising programme. UBA also plans to increase investments and strengthen the unbundled companies while aggressively scouting for opportunities across the continent. Shareholders of the bank had endorsed its transformation into an international financial services holding company, technically completing the regrouping of former subsidiaries into an international financial services group. Under the new structure, a non-

UBA to raise new capital for Africa investments By Tonia Osundolire

operating company to be listed and known as UBA Holdings Plc, would become the parent company of three intermediate holding companies namely, United Bank for Africa Plc, UBA Africa Holdings Limited and UBA Capital Holdings Limited. United Bank for Africa Plc would hold the Nigerian commercial banking businesses, including the bank's branch in New York, UBA Pensions Custodian and UBA FX Mart; UBA Africa Holdings Limited would oversee all the African commercial banking businesses excluding Nigeria while UBA Capital Holdings Limited would hold all the group's investments in noncommercial banking businesses. With the approval, shareholders of UBA would receive proportionate equities in three other public limited liability companies to be quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Existing shareholders of UBA would transfer 60 per cent of their equity stake in the

bank in consideration for 100 per cent ownership of UBA Holdings Plc. In consideration for divestments from the share registration business and real estate business as directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), shareholders would receive proportionate equities in two companies- Africa Prudential Registrars Plc and Afriland Properties Plc, which

Ekitiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s N20b bond for 11 priority projects â&#x20AC;˘Continued from pagte 17 of a liaison office in Lagos that will cater to the accommodation needs of Ekiti government officials in Lagos. "It is a liaison office that will be regenerative. In Ado Ekiti, we are building an ultra-modern market. We will dualise Ikere road, construct a civic centre which will also generate income for the state." Other effort by the state government to enhance transparency and good governance is the establish-

FACTS

GRICULTURE is the largest sector of the economy. With large expanse of cultivable land and good allseason weather, agriculture holds great potential for sustainable growth and returns. But the realities of the sector as indicated by performance of agricultural companies belied the great potential of the sector. FTN Cocoa Processors Plc and Livestock Feeds Plc shared many similarities including sector and size of operations. Both companies, however, appeared to share similar performance outlook characterised by decline in sales, profitability and returns. While FTN Cocoa suffered major relapse in the immediate past audited year, historic poor performance continued to shadow the recovery of Livestock Feeds. Sales Generation Livestock Feeds suffered two almost equaled consecutive declines in sales with turnover dropping by 8.1 per cent and 8.2 per cent in 2009 and 2010. Average sales decline thus stood at 8.15 per cent over the years. FTN Cocoa altercated between impressive sales growth and decline over the years. Turnover rose by about 41 per cent in 2009 but contracted by 12.1 per cent in 2010, leaving a positive average sales growth of 14.2 per cent. Profitability FTN Cocoa has witnessed considerable decline in its actual and underlying profitability. With marginal decline in gross profit margin from 15.8 per cent in 2009 to 15.2 per cent in 2010, actual gross profit dropped by 15.3 per cent in 2010. Pre-tax profit margin slumped from 19 per cent in 2009 to 5.3 per cent in 2010, leaving actual profit before tax with a hefty 76 per cent decline. Pre-tax profit had dropped by 8.0 per cent in 2009. Profit after tax also followed the same trend with a drop of 75 per cent in 2010 as against an increase of 33 per cent in 2009. On the other hand, Livestock Feeds made appreciable progress in the immediate past year. The company increased average pretax profit margin from 1.79 per cent in 2009 to 2.65 per cent in 2010. The company also reversed from about 40 per cent decline in pretax profit in 2009 with 36 per cent growth in 2010. Profit after tax, which had dropped by 35 per cent

would all be listed on the NSE. UBA Plc would remain a listed entity on the NSE. The restructuring by UBA followed the approvals-in-principle obtained from the CBN and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Under the new licensing regime of the apex bank, banks are to either divest from non-banking businesses or form a holding com-

pany structure to hold their nonbanking subsidiaries. Oduoza said the transformation would eliminate duplication across business lines while improving on overall co-ordination. He added that assets of the commercial banking business in Nigeria would be ring-fenced from the other businesses, pointing out that restructuring would lead to maximisation of shareholder value maximisation as the spun-off entities would be able to compete and grow their businesses through efficient asset utilisation and strategic focus independent of the bank.

ment of a Financial Sector Working Group to ensure commercial banks, microfinance banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) participate from the outset in planning and implementing Ekiti's private sector development programme. Also to drive the process in a transparently, the Ekiti State government has entered into collaboration with development partners like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children's Fund

(UNICEF), Department for International Development (DfID), United Nations Industrial Development Fund (UNIDO). The World Bank and the European Union (EU) to assist in capacity building and assist the state development. The recent Ekiti State Economic and Development Summit had identified the need to accelerate investments in key infrastructure and partner with private sectors to optimise its huge potential in agriculture and solid minerals in the state.

FACTS

FTN Cocoa vs Livestock Feeds: Declining fortunes of agric By Taofik Salako

in 2009, inched downward by 5.5 per cent in 2010. But while underlying profitability showed Livestock Feeds with improved profit-making capacity, FTN Cocoa still made more profit per every unit of sales than its peer. Actual Returns Both companies have seen significant declines in actual returns to providers of equity funds as well as other stakeholders. FTN Cocoa returned 1.47 per cent on total balance sheet in 2010 as against 6.9 per cent recorded in

FACTS TO FACTS

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2009. Livestock Feeds' return on total assets also shrank from 3.3 per cent to 2.5 per cent. FTN Cocoa's return on equity nosed down from 11 per cent in 2009 to 2.8 per cent in 2010 while similar return by Livestock Feeds slipped from 7.6 per cent to 6.7 per cent. On the average, FTN Cocoa has the highest average return on total assets at 4.2 per cent as against Livestock Feeds' 2.9 per cent, but the latter surpassed the former in terms of average return on equity at 7.15 per cent as against 6.9 per cent. The Bottom-line Agricultural companies are faced with both natural and artifi-

cial challenges ranging from changes in weather to poor finance and unfavourable import policies. The unpredictability of agricultural inputs has left many operators without any viable sustainable business development plan. FTN Cocoa has particularly suffered from lack of national cocoa policy as instituted in many competing countries. There is need to provide fiscal and monetary incentives to agricultural companies including better access to more farm land, subsidized finance, provision of processing and storage facilities and supportive tariffs that encourage long-term agricultural development.

â&#x20AC;˘Chief Olusegun Oshunkeye

Beyond incentives, agricultural companies need to develop adequate scale and capability necessary to mitigate peculiar natural challenges.

Livestock Feeds

FTN Cocoa 2010 %

2009 %

Average %

-12.1 -15.3 -75.5 15.2 5.3 -75 1.47 2.8

40.5

14.2 -7.65 -41.755 15.5 12.2 -21.25 4.185 6.86

-8.0 15.8 19.1 32.5 6.9 10.9

Pre-tax profit margin (FTN)

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2010 %

2009 %

Average %

-8.2

-8.1

36.4

-39.7

2.65 -5.51 2.47 6.7

1.79 -34.5 3.3 7.6

-8.15 0.00 -1.65 0 2.22 -20.005 2.9 7.15

Pre-tax profit margin (Livestock)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

The real sacrifice • Despite President Jonathan’s offer of token cuts, the people still bear the heavy burden of governance

F the protests against the fuel subsidy removal achieved nothing else, it would be sufficient that it has called the attention of the government to the need to cut some costs, make sacrifices and show a modicum of prudence in the running of the affairs of state. With the outbreak of spontaneous protests a week ago upon the abrupt announcement of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government, President Goodluck Jonathan was apparently pressured to announce a staccato of unplanned and unframed reduction in the benefits of public officials. Chief among the cuts, being presented as sacrifices, include reduction of the basic salaries of political appointees by 25 per cent; cut in overseas trips of government officials and a reduction of the overheads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). According to the President, “To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices. On the part of government, we are taking several measures aimed at cutting the size and cost of governance, including ongoing and continuous effort to reduce the size of our recurrent expenditure and increase capital spending. In this regard, I have directed that overseas travels by all political office holders, including the President, should be reduced to the barest minimum.” While the President’s speech is a move in the right direction, many have faulted it as being too little too late. First, Nigerians have for so long, pointed at the hefty size of government in this side of the world. Just mid last year, as President Jonathan was mulling over his cabinet, we had suggested to him on these pages, about the need to buck the trend and make a fresh break by cutting the size of his government. But if he read us, he never took us seriously; his government was as large as they come. In fact, he simply reenacted the same binge of a cabinet that we have known in the last five decades. What the President announced on Saturday is therefore, at best, an after-thought driven by the fear of an impending mass agitation. Many have also pointed at the tokenistic nature of the so-called sacrifices which is seen as an affront to the intelligence of Nigerians. They point to the entire 2012 federal budget proposal which is remorselessly

• President Jonathan

wasteful if not outright prodigal in most of its propositions. Why would any serious government spend about 75 per cent of its income on recurrent expenditure? Why can’t this expenditure be cut back to at least 60 per cent for a start, if the President is sincere about sacrifices? Common sense dictates that a state budget ought to vote more funds for development instead of emoluments. What is 25 per cent of the President’s salary worth if he has about one trillion in his kitty in the guise of security budget? This is an omnibus account head which is hardly accounted for. Why would we vote about one billion naira on Presidential repast, and do we have an urgent need for another Presidential jet now when the only subsidy for the people is being cut? It is our opinion that the President can afford his own meals and drinks and he can also fly commercial if there is sincerity in all of these.

Tip of the iceberg Just as the Presidency pays for nothing, same is applicable to the 36 governors, the local government heads and members of the National Assembly (NASS). How much is the security vote of the governors? How much is the pay of our legislators, both at the federal and state levels, and how much is that phantom called ‘constituency vote’ handed to the legislators at every turn? All these are just a tip of the iceberg in a vast field of highly corrupted and mis-

‘What is 25 per cent of the President’s salary worth if he has about one trillion in his kitty in the guise of security budget? This is an omnibus account head which is hardly accounted for. Why would we vote about one billion naira on Presidential repast, and do we have an urgent need for another Presidential jet now when the only subsidy for the people is being cut? It is our opinion that the President can afford his own meals and drinks and he can also fly commercial if there is sincerity in all of these’

managed economy. If the President cares to listen, it is indeed the sacrifices and resilience of the populace that has sustained the economy and held the country together over these years. In many different ways, Nigerians have through the years given up almost every right, benefits and privileges to stay alive and to remain Nigerians. One such example of sacrifice is the House of Representatives cutting short its break to meet on a Sunday to deliberate on a matter of crucial and urgent national importance. In doing this, the House provided direction and perspective to a hurting polity while its counterpart, the Senate, dithered and doodled. However, members of the National Assembly must also be ready to make real sacrifices beyond what the President has proposed for public officials.

Sacrificial lamb The real sacrifice, or if you like, the sacrificial lamb, is the citizenry who for many decades, enjoys no amenities or comfort from governments across the board. He has been running on deregulated diesel and kerosene for a long while now without a whimper. He buys his water, he generates most of his power, he trains his child through exorbitant schools, public or private; he has no access to quality basic health and he plies roads that are so much in disrepair that they impair his vehicles. Yes, the average Nigerian citizen bears such burdens and makes such sacrifices in the midst of so much wealth. This kind of deprivation and lack is not known in any other oil-producing nation. It is in fact this that is unacceptable and for that matter, unsustainable; not fuel subsidy. We therefore urge President Jonathan to confront the challenge before him with the seriousness and rigour it demands. We need a whole new fresh thinking, a paradigm shift in which public officials would carry some load of sacrifice rather than leave Nigerians as the beasts of burden. We are sure the government can make more than the N1.3 trn it is hankering after on subsidy removal if public officials truly repent and make sacrifices for the country. But beyond this one-track, leastline-of-resistance action of removing subsidy because it is rippled with fraud and sleaze (hardly a crime), it must go after the so-called cabal and bring to book those it alleges have reaped the people off. That way, the government’s credibility rating would shore up; and the government would be better positioned to be trusted in the nearest future, should it want to call on the people to reason along its line. That is the way to go. This is the paradigm shift in behaviour and conduct the government must embrace if it really wants the people to buy into its programmes. But the question is: is this government ready for such paradigm shift?

Drinking and driving — with horrific results

EVIN COFFAY was incoherently drunk, stumbling into walls at a latenight party in Montgomery County on May 15, when four friends took him up on the offer of a ride. Three would not survive what law enforcement officials described as a horrific, high-speed crash that flipped and crushed the vehicle and virtually sheered off its right side. Mr. Coffay, 20, was likely saved by an air bag; he fled the crash and, according to court documents, evaded police officers for some three hours as he dodged through woods near Olney. Mr. Coffay pleaded guilty to three counts of vehicular manslaughter and one of failing to remain at the scene of the crash. On Thursday, he was sentenced to 40 years behind bars; all but 20 were suspended. This case has hit a nerve. Law enforcement officials believe more people attended the Coffay sentencing hearing than showed up on any given day of the trial of sniper John Allen Muhammad or of the Lululemon murder prosecution. Despite years of public-service announcements, driver’s education classes, and community and law enforcement campaigns regarding drunk driving, more still needs to be done to thwart these preventable tragedies. The criminal justice system is an important tool in that quest. Mr. Coffay’s lawyers argued for a prison term of no more than 18 months. The judge rightly rejected that as too lenient — a penalty that would have communicated crass indifference to the deaths of three young people. It also would not have been reasonable in light of Mr. Coffay’s previous run-ins with the law, including a 2010 episode in which law enforcement officials suspected he was intoxicated when he impaled his car on a brick mailbox. The car was driverless when police arrived; Mr. Coffay apparently left the scene and walked to his home, which was not far away. But did the judge go too far in the other direction by accepting prosecutors’ recommendations that Mr. Coffay be hit with 10 years for every count to which he pleaded guilty? In reality, Mr. Coffay could be released on parole in as little as five years. Had the judge imposed a lesser sentence, his chances of freedom would have arrived even sooner. Sentences should be fair and tailored to the particulars of a case. But they do not merely serve to punish defendants; they are also tools for deterrence. The Post’s Mary Pat Flaherty reported that before sentencing Mr. Coffay, Circuit Judge Theresa M. Adams implored the packed courtroom to end “the culture of recklessness.” The judge’s sentence sent an appropriate message that there will be a steep price to pay when such recklessness results in grave harm to others. – Washington Post

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: Taking a look at the news and newspaper commentaries something became apparent to me about the patterns of governance under Dr Goodluck Jonathan. It is neither the leadership quality of both the president and his economic team nor the technical knowhow of how a country is to be run rather it is the absence of economic ideology, fiscal responsibility and decisions based on virtues. Dr Jonathan’s government has clearly, and from all indications, shown that factors such as university degree of any level, electoral victory either at the poll or in the court rooms do not automatically result in good governance and visionary leadership. The Jonathan-led cabinet has frequently demonstrated that the more highly educated its members are, the more deficient they become in reshaping the economy. What explanation does one have for a government populated with doctorate degree holders in virtually all disciplines but lack expertise in economic and political management? They are better off as either theorists or jesters. Nigeria faces into a new era of government inflicted hardship, when again hope will compete with despair. It is ironical that while the nation is contending with the menace of deadly Boko Haram sect, the President naively and through his anti people policy drives Nigerians into the streets. Perhaps the government does not realise how volatile the mass protest could become at a time when people are hard pressed. Unfortunately the retinue of ill-advisers at his disposal

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The President, the people, the will would not be held responsible for the failure of his government. When people tell you to dance on, it does matter for the dancer to watch his back as the praise singers might be backtracking. The latest pronouncement of the federal government that 1,600 buses would be procured to cushion the effects of the oil subsidy removal is laughable, absurd and asinine. If at all the buses found their ways into the 36 states, it will be 44 buses per state. How many cities, towns and communities would the buses serve? Is transportation the only area that subsidy removal will affect? What becomes of millions of Nigerians who rely solely on petroleum

products to cook, generate electricity, and water? How could a federal government descend so low to adopt such as a palliative measure? The latest pronouncement show the government lacks vision and does not mean well for the people. Wilfully destroying people’s means of livelihood and strangulating the economy in the name of subsidy removal which threatens the fragile peace of the nation certainly risks unleashing unpredictable destabilising forces. The President should not take a gamble on this particular occasion. However desirable the removal might be, the idea that some

unilateral action could resolve our myriads of infrastructural decay overnight is delusional on the part of the government. Government’s neglect of the corrupt is both pathological and dysfunctional; it defines the character of the president and his executive. If the aggression with which Dr Jonathan is pursuing deregulation was expended on tackling corruption, Nigerians would not only fare better but will appreciate and gladly bear further burdens that will jump-start their economic recovery. For Nigerians, at any point to see reason in the subsidy removal, the President should address the culture of greed and cronyism that has

What Nigerians want from Jonathan

IR: The present situation in the nation is absolutely precarious. Everything is at a standstill. No work. No movement. The on-going national strike has virtually crippled our fledging economy. What started as a dissent has degenerated into large scale civil unrest in which no one knows how and when it will end. The issue of fuel subsidy removal has been brewing acrimony among the populace in the past few

weeks when the Federal Government made known its intention to put a stop to funding the subsidy. Governance in Nigeria has been a serious problem for the rulers and the ruled. Trust, which is an important component of governance, is completely absent. Both the government and the people do not trust each other. To the masses, removal of the subsidy is a calculated attempt to inflict more pains on them while

the accrued savings on the withdrawal is seen as creating more resources for the ruling class, to divert for themselves and members of their families. Since the Lagos town hall meeting, organised by the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria was held, the level of awareness has been unprecedented. The discourse was meant to enlighten the populace. Despite the various pro-removal arguments made by the

Jonathan’s broadcast on fuel subsidy removal

IR: President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s broadcast on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Saturday, January 07, 2012, was like administering medicine to a dead person. Democracy is about people, the masses and entails doing the wish of the people. A leader cannot claim to be more than the people he is leading except he is a dictator. President Jonathan should have felt the pulse of his people assuming that he did not know that the Nigerian masses are the most suffered specie on earth with abundant natural resources. What will be our plight if we

almost incurably taken a firm grip of the way our country is run. Dr Jonathan should deploy the knowledge he gained throughout his academic calling to purge the executive and the legislature because it will require moral conversion on the parts of those who lead us to make a difference. The lame excuse being offered that government could not sustain the economy with continued subsidy was not well thought out; it sounds like a kindergarten argument that lacks conviction. If the government had better explanation to offer, Nigerians are listening because ideas normally should be confronted with ideas and not by intimidation or court injunctions. And in the absence of convincing argument, Dr. Jonathan should think twice and consult widely because a person only determines how a war will begin and not how it will end. This is a war against the people sir! • Tola Osunnuga, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State tolaosunnuga@yahoo.co.uk

were not blessed with oil and gas like Switzerland, Netherlands and Ireland? Israel is in a desert, yet most Nigerians will prefer to stray and start a new living in this arid region turned green by good leadership. Going to Europe the Mediterranean sea from Agadir in Morocco is like a camel passing the hole of a needle or can be likened with suicide attempt, yet some Nigerians will prefer to chose this option than stay in the oven called Nigeria. Fuel subsidy removal is not bad in itself because it will add to the revenue of the country, but the Nigerian masses are against it

because it will only empower the leadership class. There will be more money for the executive and legislators to play with. This is not the first time the President will know that the cost of governance in Nigeria is the highest in Africa. Increment in the price of petroleum from N65 per litre to N141 per litre which is over 100% is too much. It will be better for the President to reduce the price to between N65 and N85 per litre and provide more employment, more roads and other infrastructures required before subsidy removal. There is lack of trust between the leaders and followers in Nigeria

because of precedence. What happened to the Babangida’s $12.4 oil windfall earned during the Gulf war in 1991? What happened to the Abacha loot recovered from Swiss Banks by Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration? Where is the accrued money from the removal of subsidy on diesel? The only people that benefited from anti-people policies in the past were the leaders in Nigeria who were trusted with the execution of these policies. All Nigerians know that the only person that will laugh most are the Vedelagos, UBS in Switzerland and whoever in government they are working for. • Olufemi Oyedele Lagos

speakers, they failed to convincingly justify why subsidy should really be removed. Yet, the people got the shock on the New Year when the removal was formally announced. They were caught unawares. They felt deceived by the government. What all stakeholders should do now is to ensure that the nation is not made to suffer needlessly from the inability of the government to manage the crisis. What is paramount now is how to put an end to the stalemate. To start with, the government should, as a matter of urgency, drop its toga of arrogance and meet with Labour in the interest of the nation. Too much has been lost to the strike, in terms of manhours and material resources. Both Labour and government should negotiate a price acceptable to the two parties. The present price of N140 or more is too high, exorbitant, unrealistic and unsustainable. The government should act fast, talk less and stop giving conflicting statements and dissuade the people from having the impression that it is incapable of steering the affairs of the nation. • Adewale Kupoluyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Jonathan: Refineries repaired in three months not three years or resign!

S the dictionary definition of ‘Nigerian’ ‘to constantly suffer even in the midst of plenty’ with an addendum ‘Even the little you have will be taken away from you and Tony given to the rich’? This Marinho insensitive and actually fraudulentgovernment and corrupt ifis itmean, needs three years to fix the refineries which any engineer will tell you could be fixed under ‘Emergency Powers’ in three months by a serious government deploying funds for 2000 competent hands working three shifts a day with hundreds of teams in tandem. Three years will be the end of this government’s term. How convenient. PDP has been in power for 13+ years. It is just now in 2012, ‘transparently’ giving contracts for Turn Around Maintenance confirming it never had the refinery repairs as a strategy. It seems that the government has merely fallen out with its traditional bedfellow and main contractors- the oil cartel. That is why the people, the grass, suffer as the two elephants fight. This is just another government corruption scam to rob the people of money left in their pockets. The people subsidise for Nigerian government’s failures to provide power et cetera. The truth is government wants to prolong the high prices to get more money. Period! In fact the governors’ forum, which instigated ‘subsidy removal’ to pay minimum wage is guilty. Unfortunately for Nigerians, Jonathan greedily took their advice to ‘remove’ the non-existent subsidy. The governors want their share – N400+billion. Remember PTF –Pampering The Few which seemed to abandon the South in favour of the North under Buhari? The PhD wielding international economists of the IMF and World Bank, the big international corporation bosses and their local mouthpieces who misguided government and championed ‘fuel subsidy removal’ know nothing about Nigerian economics. Perhaps they know everything, like Babangida’s SAP, Structural Adjustment Programme and its destruction of Nigeria’s economy and education causing

stagnation of Nigeria for 30 years. They are in denial or perhaps are carefully executing a strategic hidden agenda; they deliberately pretend not to know that the primary victim of any subsidy removal is the poor farmer, villager and city dweller. Is this scenario unfolding before us a new IMF prepared ‘SAP phase 2’? Is it the long suspected international conspiracy against Nigeria ensuring Nigeria remains a beggar nation with a weak naira, of course with cooperation of the chronically corrupt corporate, civil service and political elite? Who is afraid of a strong Nigeria and naira? Government should cut by N1.4trillion its salaries, allowances and housing plans and NASS cars costing N6m+ x 340. Economists told us that ‘removal’ of the ‘incompetence subsidy’, created exclusively by the deliberately engineered failure of Nigeria’s refineries, will only punish the ‘rich’ and the oil cartel. That cartel makes trillions for itself and government officials because our government contracted them for 13 years and allowed our refineries to remain dead. Who is the fool? Everybody knows Nigeria should fix the refineries first and this cost will disappear. The economic advisers blatantly lie by insisting the removal will have no impact on the poor. Have they seen what happened since Jan 1 to the ‘poor’? This is Nigerian economics in practice not Harvard or Ox-bridge economic theory! Nigerians should be entitled to cheap fuel, the only benefit from their oil ‘wealth’. Yet back home, foreign economists enjoy government-run welfare packages, pensions, salaries, transport and huge educational, health and agriculture subsidies, and multibillion massive banking bailouts. They ignored the obvious sequence of events that petrol affects everything from children’s food, pocket money, school transport fare, barber charges, market prices and mortuary fees. Pure water went from N5 to N10 and not to N6 or N7. The new Nigerian economic reality is here for all to see. Where is NISER in all this? Why should Nigerians pay for incompetence and failures of government in monitoring its oil-to-fuel chain and cartel? Even a neophyte level 100 economics undergraduate student could work out the inflation that such a move should have. UK citizens were complaining about a ‘huge’ increase of six percent in train fares. In Nigeria prices never increase by five or six percent. They increase by 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%. 150% and 200%. These

foreign devils should do a microeconomics check with their cooks, nannies, and office workers to find the new cost of living in Nigeria. Is this a ploy to disgrace the President? Millions of angry broke poor Nigerians were stranded on January 1 by the suddenly unreasonably increased transport fares. The cost of living will increase 30-40% and is not helped by 2-3000Mw abysmal power situation-a government failure. The government may denigrate the opposition, insult our intelligence and slant government news and marshal the police but it defends the indefensible. But it cannot change the incontrovertible facts available to Nigerians. Fuel was and is overpriced in Nigeria where currently, 80% earn less than a dollar a day. Is this sacrifice necessary? More suffering, more lives. It is not a necessary sacrifice. It is an imposed sacrifice. While their government feeds fat, it is one sacrifice too many for Nigerians who have sacrificed all their lives to compensate for a Corrupt, Incompetent, Negligent and Selfish government, not worthy of the name as it does not serve or service the citizens. What is the business of government? Not refineries, roads, education, health, airports? Nothing, yes! Jonathan should repair refineries in three months not three years or resign!

‘Is this sacrifice necessary? More suffering, more lives. It is not a necessary sacrifice. It is an imposed sacrifice. While their government feeds fat, it is one sacrifice too many for Nigerians who have sacrificed all their lives to compensate for a Corrupt, Incompetent, Negligent and Selfish government, not worthy of the name as it does not serve or service the citizens’

This Subsidy ‘War’

AM yet to know any other African country which is as blessed with both natural and human resources as Nigeria. Yet, of all the resources that have pleased nature to put beneath the nation’s belly, oil, or the black gold as it is also known, is the most explored and exploited. In fact, one of the country’s past leaders was reported to have once remarked that “ Nigeria was too rich; the problem (then) was how to spend the money”. That was the era of oil boom which has now turned to oil doom. Oil has thrown up new sets of nouveaux rich, mostly very young Nigerians of both sexes with majority of them in their early 30s or 40s. A good number of these young people become rich without lifting a finger. All it takes is to have a privileged background where you can walk your way to those at the top who will in turn make things happen. It could be in form of oil blocs or other juicy contracts which are heavily padded to give a wide margin for incredible profits. In every hamlet in the South-south geo-political zone of the country, bunkering of petroleum products is daily carried out all over the creeks with reckless abandon. Those engaged in these nefarious acts have formed different cartels through which the nation’s resources are cornered. They do this with ‘security’ provided by their heavily armed militias in connivance with security agents, operating or deplored as task force in the area. The atrocities are well known but nobody cares.

The rat race to make money in Nigeria today has thrown up many challenges in the country. While those engaged in bunkering are having a field day, another group of Shylock businessmen make cool money through oil subsidy which the government gives out to fuel importers. As a result, many people whose lines of business have nothing to do with importation of fuel in the first instance have become fuel importers. The major attraction is not the business per se but the illicit money they make from oil subsidy. Making money in this manner is a flourishing racket involving those licensed to import fuel and officials of some strategic agencies under the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). They collaborate to swindle the country of huge sums of money every year. Those engaged in these wholesale fraudulent activities have, over the years, devised many ingenious ways to beat the government to the game. With godfathers all over the place and stupendous wealth in their kitty, the racketeers have succeeded in holding the country to ransom for quite a long time. By the way, what will government do to the culprits? Now the world economy is almost in another recession. Europe and other trade partners of Nigeria are sweating it out, trying to keep afloat in spite of the bad economic climate. In short, the global market is in turmoil. The argument Lamido Sanusi, the Central Bank’s governor, has been putting forward is that if

‘I am sure that a good number of the state government who support wholesale removal of fuel subsidy do so because of the volume of money which will be available to steal rather than for the improvement of the lots of the common man’.

the country must survive, then we have to do away with oil subsidy and put the few privileged people milking the nation dry out of business. At a hurriedly convened ‘Town Hall’ meeting held last month in Lagos, which bore the full imprimatur of an arrangee affair, Sanusi was emphatic that oil subsidy was the bane of the country’s economy. He gave an example where the apex bank sold out foreign exchange worth $8 billion in a particular month to fuel importers and went on to pay another $8 billion as oil subsidy to the same importers. He described the situation as cataclysmic to the economy of the country. Three groups emerged from the cosmetic meeting: those who believe that subsidy must go at once, those who believe that the subsidy should be gradually phased out, and those who do not believe that subsidy exists in the first place. Those who canvassed for a phased withdrawal of subsidy suggested that palliative measures must be put in place before a final withdrawal of subsidy. Such palliatives include standard roads, good hospitals and an overhaul of the country’s education sector, among others. The ‘Town Hall’ meeting was held in the midst of the uproar generated by the too many “comfort zones” created by the President in the 2012 budget, which he presented to the National Assembly. In the budget, it was clear that whereas Nigerians were being called upon to make sacrifice in the interest of the country, the country’s leaders, especially the Presidency and the office of the Vice President were to continue to enjoy the luxuries of the past. The intense arguments generated by such things as jumbo food allowances for the President and his deputy as well as other unnecessary perquisites of office that are largely

symptomatic of recklessness and callous indifference to the plights of the citizenry had hardly subsided when the government removed oil subsidy on New Year Day. Since then, the nation has not known peace. The price of virtually everything has doubled or tripled. In a country where the minimum wage of N18, 000 is still a big headache for some states to pay, what the increase simply suggests is that many Nigerians will soon become walking corpses; children will be massively withdrawn from schools as the economy bites harder; criminals will mushroom everywhere; and all sorts of potential threats to the security and stability of the nation have actually started manifesting. Once more, the country seems to be tottering on the precipice. One curious feature of the current wave of protests is that while the government is claiming that the protests are being sponsored by its enemies, the government is also believed to be organising protests against the organized labour and anti-subsidy removal protesters. The late Muamar Gadaffi did it in Libya ; President Assad of Syria is doing it; the late Gen Sani Abacha did it during his dictatorship; and now it is happening again in Nigeria. This is clearly a recipe for anarchy. Pure and simple! The present spate of strikes and threat of economic collapse could have been avoided if government had sufficiently enlightened the public on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry. Government’s sensitization was grossly inadequate. With the appalling state of infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water supply and the decayed state of education, health and all other essential social services, it is only suicidal for any government to jerk up the price of petrol so astronomically without thinking about the multiplier effect

Dele Agekameh on other economic and social activities. Nigerians have a genuine reason to be angry with government. This is because, over the years, the resources of the state have been frittered away on mere frivolities. As the living standard of the average Nigerian continues to plummet day in, day out, so also will anger against an uncaring government increase. I am sure that a good number of the state governors who support wholesale removal of fuel subsidy do so because of the volume of money which will be available to steal rather than for the improvement of the lots of the common man. By pouring to the streets, Nigerians have demonstrated that they have lost faith and confidence in governments at all levels because of their predilection for stealing and misusing the common wealth put in their care. Therefore, with all these crises confronting the nation and the insecurity everywhere, there is the need for the country to reorder its priorities in order to quickly pull itself back from the abyss which it seems to be headed. Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘Nigerians should not accept subsidy removal unless all political office holders take a fifty per cent cut in their pay. All political officers should make sacrifices for our economic revival instead of expecting only the masses to suffer. They earn outrageously higher pays than any where in the world. Sometimes, I wonder why God put me in Nigeria? Tt is time for us to free ourselve from these wicked representatives who cannot defend our cause. From Fakunle I. O’

• Minister of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala

For Olatunji Dare Dr Jonathan is running away from everything that can make for a more perfect union like national conference, state police and so on. Yet he thinks that Nigeria cannot go the way of Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. He’ll soon realise that it can happen sooner than expected. From Alh. Adeboye Lawal, Felele, Ibadan Which money is Kolade Panel to reinvest as 2012 budget has no subsidy? Goodluck wants to waste all the money in the country; we shall resist with our blood. Keep us informed. Thanks for the good write-up. Anonymous People have forgotten that there was an election last year in which the PDP spent over N500 billion. This money came from the same cabal importing fuel which the government is afraid of. I weep for Nigeria. Vote out ‘Peoples Deception Party (PDP)’ We have been deceived again. Truth is that the country is broke. N1 billion for food? Are you eating gold when the average person cannot eat two meals of N200 a day? This, indeed, is a wasted generation. Anonymous It is difficult to imagine how the President has defied those who voted for him (I did not vote for him anyway). The people said he should not remove the subsidy but he did. PDP should go to IMF and World Bank for votes next election. PDP is a failure. No ideas. N280 million for two bullet proof cars? What a waste. From Olu, Ibadan Labour Congress should not meet with government until the subsidy removal is reversed. We are demanding the resignation of this confused, clueless government. No wonder they don’t have any agenda. No well-thought out answers to our problems. Awo, we miss you. Anonymous. Your piece was great. Winston Churchil must be having people like the Obaro of Kabba in mind, when he said: “The credits belong to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with dust, sweat, and blood.” How I wish you were home in Kabba when the KDU invited you for their annual programme. Perhaps you would have seen how Kabba leaders underdeveloped Kabba. The Obaro only plays advisory role. From Babaeko O. S. Kabba. Jonathan has decided to punish helpless Nigerians to please a selected few by removing the subsidy. Let’s see how far his luck will take him. From Timothy, Abuja. Without any fear of contradictions, I can say boldly that I have not seen any civilian president in the whole world like Jonathan. From Tayo Tola Agbaje, Garki, Abuja. Since the advent of Babangida’s deceitful regime, I have never trusted any Nigerian leader whether military or civilian. It is, therefore, not surprising that when the President pretended to be holding consul-

tations with stakeholders, he removed the non-existent subsidy, thereby declaring war on Nigerians. The innocent protesters were gunned down in cold blood in Ilorin by the rag-tag Nigeria Police. Blood has started flowing! From Abeny Mohammed, Ilorin. I am one of your readers. My week is incomplete without your piece. Your “Summon to fundamentals” speak volumes. I am a police officer with a Masters degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan, and a diploma and BSc in Information and Archival Studies from the same school. My pay and housing can’t motivate one, let alone being posted to where one can use the skill acquired to function. Speak out more as we are gagged. From Onome, Ibadan. It is interesting to know that Mr President’s academic specialism was ichthyology, the scientific study of fish. It’s only logical he would have made a better president if Nigerians were cold fishes! I think it’s high time Nigeria began to take into consideration the cognate relevance of academic fields of political office seekers to the briefs of the offices they seek. From Innocent Elum Before the advent of state INEC, Nigeria had peace during the conduct of local government elections. Don’t we have laws regulating the operation of state INEC? Yet, the governors abused it. You know better than I do, a number of souls gone, properties destroyed since our self-centred governors conduct local government elections. What makes you believe the governors won’t abuse state police. As it were, they are even abusing Federal Police. State police should be a no-go area for now. From Sam Ogaba, Kano. “A summons to fundamentals” is brilliant as usual. But do they listen or make use of your views? Should we continue to speak to the deaf? Or should we continue to beat a dead horse? What wil l be the purpose if we continue beating a dead horse that can’t rise again? From ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos. For Segun Gbadegesin Of what use is a corrupt and inefficient system that artificially keeps prices down. PHCN or whatever name they are called should also be privatised. Are workers in this establishment and other government establishments not the same NLC. What services are they providing us. They are striking to protect the corrupt system that enrich them at our expense. Since corrupt NITEL has been buried has our communication system not gotten better. I wish to commend you on your article “Heralding a New Year”. In addition, President Goodluck’s action goes to show that he rigged election to get to where he is today. He does not have the mandate of the people of Nigeria. Only such leaders can behaive the way he did. Somebody should help me tell him that his government is doomed. From Gberindyer Samuel. Abuja. We’re being ruled by mindless men and women with honour and integrity deficit. Jonathan said he was still consultingand Okonjo-Iweala said subsidy ‘ll not be removed until well into the first quarter of 2012. Yet they chose Jan.1, the first day of

year 2012 to ride roughshod over the poor masses, by removing the so-called subsidy to impoverish the poor more to sustain the rich. From Alh. Adeboye Lawal, Felele, Ibadan. Honestly sir, the house is a bunch of opportunists. From Abu, Kd I’ve never read your column before but this is the first unbiased and sensible analysis from any press man. Please, help educate the government and others. From Biodun, Abuja. Nigerians should not accept subsidy removal unless all political office holders take a fifty per cent cut in their pay. All political officers should make sacrifices for our economic revival instead of expecting only the masses to suffer. They earn outrageously higher pays than any where in the world. Sometimes, I wonder why God put me in Nigeria? Tt is time for us to free ourselve from these wicked representatives who cannot defend our cause. From Fakunle I. O. Thanks for today’s topic titled ‘Heralding a New Year’.The removal of the subsidy abruptly is just a tip of the ice bag. The truth however, is that the sound being heard now is not the heart-beat of patriotism but the cold beat of hatred. If it is allowed to spread, it will no longer be cold but will do so as a fire capable of injuring not only the poor towards whom the subsidy withdrawal is directed, but also the very people who too cunningly ignited the detestable flame in the first instance. From Adegoke O. O., Ikhin, Owan East L/G, Edo State. Jonathan is not listening to the cry of the people but “those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.” 2015 is real. All the pro-subsidy removal people are wealthy men and top goverment officials. They represent only one per cent of the population, while 99 per cent which are the poor masses are saying no to fuel subsidy removal. Where is our democracy when one per cent can enforce their will on 99 per cent. From Agbaka Fidelis, Owerri Re: Heralding a new year. My brother Segun, you are a man after my heart. Issue no: 1. Billions of naira are realised for the turn arround maintainance (TAM ), which is never done. What has happend to the money all this while? Issue no: 2. If Nigeria starts refining its crude oil, would the issue of subsidy that is about to bring down PDP, the largest party in Africa and has turned President Goodluck to “President Badluck” not become a thing of the past? Anonymous Congratulations on the engagement ceremony of your son in Gusaba in East Africa. However, I cannot agree with you that the regime in Rwanda is ‘truly democratic regime’. I am sure you know that the Tutsis (20per cent), the minority group of Kigame is ruling the Hutus (80perc ent), the majority group through electoral manipulation and support of the army dominated by the Tutsis. From Olabode Lucas. Re: Heralding a new year. Having finished reading your piece on the above topic at 12.15am of January 7, 2012 and getting ready to make comments then go on bed, was a breaking news below the screen of STV thus: ‘President Goodluck Jonathan wraps up meeting with gover-

• NLC President, Omar

nors in Abuja with decision reached to the effect that there will not be a reversal of the removal of fuel subsidy.’ For the 2nd term, President GEJ was firm and unshaken. That tells a thing that the government was up to something despite the unpopularity of the subsidy removal and the Federal Government’s own coup planned against Nigerians. Anonymous Your piece has heralded the House of Reps to convene Sunday in order not to make them look uncaring. From Pwajok Mangs, Jos. On january 1, 2012 being the very mistrust cited against the federal government and its leaders! Just a week after the Lagos town hall meeting, the federal government exhibited just that. Quite unfortunate that President GEJ allowed the 36+1 state governors to push him into the unpopular policy option of subsidy-removal among others. With that, how will Uganda and Rwanda not have a better and more promising future than Nigeria? Whichever way it goes on Monday 9, 2012, Federal Government, Senate and House of Representatives should take the blame. A word is enough for the wise. Congratulations on your son’s wedding in East-Africa, blessings. From Lanre Oseni. “Heralding a New Year,” was a nice piece. It suggests we are getting everything wrong in terms of perfect administration in this country. As per the Federal Government action of January 1, when the oil subsidy was removed, I am quite sure Nigerians who voted for the PDP during the last Presidential Election are beginning to regret their actions for doing so. It is not good for a democractic government to become repressive, insensitive and oppressive politically and economically within a short space of time. Because repression, politically and economically, drains any government of ideas and energies to formulate people oriented policy and this had pushed the government into strange behaviour. Strange behaviour makes people react against the bad policy of the government and any reaction in form of peaceful protest that later turn violent can lead to the downfall of the government. We have to realise that nothing in the social realm, and in the game of power, is personal. “Any harm you do to a man, should be done in such a way that you need not fear his revenge,” writes Machiavelli. The peoples’ expectation for better life had never materialised since 1999 before the recent withdrawal of oil subsidy compounded their condition of life. Everything has skyrocketed. Even a mere pure water sachet being sold for N5 before, is now N10. What a pity! From Prince Adewumi Agunloye. Sir i disagree with you , that Fed Govt is the enemy of the people just because of the removal of fuel subsidy. Nothing good. Anonymous

Home Eagles vow to beat Angola

Pg. 24

GALADIMA TELLS HOME-BASED

Put Euro-pros under pressure

Pg. 24

Nation PAGE 23

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

KESHI TO EAGLES

•Stephen Keshi

Prove doubters wrong Pg. 24

‘Strike won’t favour league’ Aiyegbeni wins MOTD award

Pg. 41

Pg. 24

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NATION SPORT

What the players are saying “WE have learnt a lot from this set of coaches and we must acquit ourselves well before every Nigerian on Wednesday. Nigerians should just keep praying for us and those who can make it to the stadium should come out en masse to cheer the team to victory”-Chigozie Agim-Super Eagles’ goalkeeper “This is my second time in the Eagles’ camp and I have not been drilled like this before, I have to prove to the world that we can hold our own against any team because at this moment we are the real Nigerian national team. Personally, I will put in my best and I know by God’s grace we’ll be victorious”. -Azubuike Egwueke, Super Eagles’ defender “I have been impacted on positively on the pitch and I will show it against Angola on Wednesday. What I’ve experienced in camp is too significant for me not to do well against Angola . Insha Allah, we shall come out victorious”. Papa Idris-Super Eagles defender At the moment, we are the national team of Nigeria , the Team A, the foreign based players will soon find that out. And with the calibre of players we have here, victory is sure for us because we are focused, strong and ready for victory-Kalu Uche, Super Eagles’ striker.

KESHI TO EAGLES

Prove doubters wrong S

UPER Eagles’ boss Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has once again assured home based professionals that the era when they were used as training materials in the national team was gone for good. Speaking to the team after their last work out at the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium on Tuesday morning before their clash today against Angola, Keshi told the players that he is ready to accommodate any of them who proves

•Obasi

and prove them wrong and leave the rest to me”. He praised the spirit of competition and learning exhibited by the players in the last three weeks but said that will not be enough until they prove it in a match situation. “ Angola is bringing their Team A, you are the Team A of Nigeria, prove to them that you are their masters in this game and the world will start respecting you. You can do it” he sounded off.

Home Eagles vow to beat Angola Aiyegbeni wins MOTD award

LACKBURN Rovers' hot-shot Yakubu Aiyegbeni has been named as Match of the Day magazine's Player of the Month for December. Yak scored seven goals in December more than any other Premier League player. He netted all four in Rovers' 4-2 victory over Swansea, took his top-flight tally into double figures with a fine finish against Bolton and bagged a brilliant brace in the famous 3-2 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. On receiving the award, he said:

"Beating Man United was probably my favourite, because everyone thought that we didn't stand a chance. So to score two goals and to get the three points was great - and it rounded off a really good December for us."

the ball at the feet. Obasi himself prefers to play through the middle as a striker where he proved very successful for both Lyn Oslo in Norway and during his early days at Hoffenheim. Obasi's opportunities to play as a striker are likely to be few and far between considering the in-form duo of Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have scored 25 goals between them to become the league's most prolific strike partnership at the midway stage of the season. "I'm comfortable in any position up front. I'm always looking for ways to improve. The most important thing for me is to be able to play in order to help the team," stated Obasi. "The competition for places at Schalke is huge, but the high standards set in training spur me on," was the Nigerian's optimistic take on life with the Royal Blues. However, Farfan still holds the edge statistically. The Peruvian has scored twice this season, while Obasi has gone more than one and a half years without finding the net. When it comes to delivering from the wings Farfan has provided nine assists to Obasi's one and on top of that the Nigerian has played more misplaced passes and lost the ball more often when dribbling than the want away winger. Three years younger than 28-year-old Farfan, Obasi does has the potential to develop his game and hone his skills. The 1899-striker has initially joined on a sixmonth loan deal, but Schalke have the option to buy the Nigerian at the end of the season if they so choose. It means Obasi has the next few months to impress those in charge at the club and convince them he's worth spending their money on. Not an easy thing to do if his playing time is going to be limited. The signings offered one major plus point from the Royal Blues perspective as they have the opportunity to utilise Obasi's qualities in Europe: "He's already eligible to play for us in the Europa League matches," declared manager Horst Heldt, something Obasi is certainly looking forward to. "To play in a European cup competition was always a dream of mine," explained Obasi who has set his sights high for the second half of the season. "Things are looking good in the Bundesliga table, we're in a great position to qualify for the Champions League."

ESPITE the unstable sociopolitical situation in the country, the national team currently in camp preparing for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda say they are battle ready to devour Angola in Wednesday’s international friendly. For goalkeepers Chigozie Agbim and Godwin Paul, the game should serve as a test of character of the team

and the coaching crew and that they will show against the Southern African country. “We have learnt a lot from this set of coaches and we must acquit ourselves well before all Nigerians on Wednesday” declared Agbim. Centre-half Azubuike Egwueke and pair mate Papa Idris, also displayed their readiness. “This is my second time in the Eagles’ camp

GALADIMA TELLS HOME-BASED

Put Euro-pros under pressure ...Slams Gambo Mohammed

Obasi hoping for a F fresh start at Schalke HINEDUOBASIhasjoinedSchalke 04 on loan until the end of the season from 1899 Hoffenheim In his first outing for Schalke during their winter training camp Obasi (l.) hit the bar with his only chance of the game The Nigerian international has scored 25 goals in 92 appearances for 1899 Hoffenheim since moving from Norway Munich - Obasi is hoping that his move from 1899 Hoffenheim to FC Schalke 04, initially on a short-term loan deal, will allow him to add a few chapters to his Bundesliga story. The Nigerian's twelve goals in 2007/2008 played a big part in 1899 winning promotion into Germany's top flight, but since then there has been relatively little to speak of from the 25year-old. Obasi is intent on rectifying that at Schalke, but where will the front man fit in with the Royal Blues? The Nigerian international faces stiff competition for a place in Schalke's midfield especially from Jefferson Farfan who looks set to stay at the club at least until the end of the season. The chances of Obasi and Farfan gracing the pitch at the same time for Schalke are fairly remote considering they posses virtually identical qualities in terms of their style of play. Both players are used to playing on the wing and boast the ability to turn on the afterburners to beat their man not to mention their efficiency with

worthy, on the plane to Kigali, Rwanda for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier. This is the umpteenth time Keshi would be giving that assurance but on Tuesday morning he gave the players a new challenge. “The world is watching and waiting, I have been receiving phone calls from all corners of the country of people who intend to come and watch you guys and see what you have to offer. Many still don’t believe that you can do it, go out there

ORMER NFA Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, has said the idea of raising a home-grown national team, should be commended, even as he urged the players to take their friendly games seriously. Speaking from his Kano base Galadima, said today’s international friendly against Angola in Abuja, is the type of game that the team needs not only to get its bearing but to send signals to foreign based players that it’s no longer business as usual in the national team. The NFF and Stephen Keshi, who have decided to take this risky route should be commended, because games like this will build their confidence and give players in our league a sense of belonging knowing that they can be called upon to play for the national team, if they distinguish themselves in their clubs”.

On Kano Pillars Gambo Mohammed, who refused to honour a call to the Super Eagles camp, Galadima said there was no doubt that the player is a talented one but he lacks discipline. “I even confronted

the club’s General Manager over the matter and he told me that apart from that they even gave him transport fare to the camp, yet he refused to honour it, such players have no place in the national team in my opinion”.

Obuh blames defence for 3SC loss

HARKS' head coach, John Sam Obuh has slammed his defence for last Saturday's 1-2 loss to 3SC in Ibadan. Obuh said the opening day loss could have been avoided if the defence of the Blue Angels were alert throughout the game. The Blue Angels capitulated in the last 18 minutes when Talabi Olamakinde and Osagona Ighodaro scored for 3SC after Bright Ejike had put the Obuh's men in front two minutes into the restart. Obuh also singled out centre-back, Fortune Chukwudi for his error that led to the second goal. "The first goal we conceded was a clear error by the defenders failing to close down the scorer. It was apparent that he was going to shoot the ball and all they needed to do was close him down rather than backtrack, which also blocked the keeper's view. "The second goal was purely a schoolboy's error. A defender in the calibre of Fortune Chukwudi shouldn't have committed such a blunder close to the goal area," the former Nigerian Under20 coach said. Sharks will play host to Nigeria Premier League (NPL) newcomers, Jigawa Golden Stars on day two of this season.

and have never been drilled like this before, I have to prove to the world that we can hold our own against any team because at this moment we are the Nigerian national team”, Egwueke declared. Idris on his own said: I have been impacted on positively by th technical crew and I will show it on the pitch against Angola on Wednesday(today). Insha Allah, we shall come out victorious”, he said. Midfielders Rabiu Ibrahim and petit wing wizard Ejike Ozoenyi, spoke in similar vein, with Ozoenyi, saying that he wants to prove to the world that all he has been doing with the ball in training, he can do better during match situations. Returnee striker, Uche Kalu was even more daring when he spoke. According to him, many foreign based players would soon discover that they have no place again in the national team, because the present squad has better players that can play for any national team anywhere in the world.

FIFA launches anticorruption drive F

IFA on Tuesday announced a series of new measures to combat match-fixing, including an appeal for assistance to Interpol and the establishment of protection programmes for informants. "Football currently faces unprecedented problems concerning fixed matches, the effects of which are felt at a national, regional and international level," read a statement from world football's governing body. These criminal practices "damage the integrity of FIFA and the reputation of football's organising bodies," added FIFA, which endured a 2011 plagued by corruption scandals. "The biggest threat today stems from international criminals who conspire and sometimes succeed in manipulating international football matches." In order to clamp down on matchfixing, which is linked to illegal betting, FIFA intends to put in place an early warning system to detect suspicious activity in advance. FIFA will also appeal to international police organisation Interpol and to national police force for help in the fight against match-fixing. This year, the organisation plans to

send investigators to Asia, the Americas and the Middle East. FIFA also wants to establish an amnesty to protect sources who provide information about matchfixing and set up dedicated telephone lines, email addresses and websites enabling people to anonymously warn the authorities about rigged games. There are also plans to set up a rehabilitation programme for players, coaches and administrators caught up in corruption. Chris Eaton, FIFA's head of security, says that "2012 will be the year when football reacts against match-fixing; a fundamentally important year". "The greatest enemy is naivety, in that people think, 'This is the wonderful game, who would try to take advantage of this beautiful game?'" he said. "Well, the answer is that there are lots of ways to take advantage, and one of them is through match-fixing. "Our most important task is to prevent match-fixing, so we are creating a hostile environment for match-fixers to make them realise we will expose them, name them, and make them subject to investigation somewhere in the world."

‘Strike won’t favour league’

HE Nigerian Premier League took off last weekend in spite of the threat of an impending nationwide strike. Nine matches were held. And on Monday the strike took off as scheduled, leaving the next round of league fixtures at the risk of postponement. Yesterday, Nationsport spoke with one of the stakeholders of the league, the Administrative Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan

(3SC), Demola Alabi on the consequences of the industrial action on his club. He told OLUSOJI OLUKAYODE that the action is not in the best interest of his club as well as the league Will the strike action be to the club’s advantage or otherwise? It won’t be on the positive side because we are prepared and you know the time is not on the side of the Nigerian Premier League, it will be dragging on and on. We have a short period but as it is, we have no option but to play with the time. But it won’t be in the interest of the club because we have our programme mapped out already. You want the matches to hold? As it is, everything is at a stand till now. To get to the training camp is becoming difficult. There is no movement everywhere, so the strike is hindering our programme and as it is, I don’t think it will be in the interest of the club for the strike to hold because the players are scattered everywhere. And for a club to travel a long distance during strike, it won’t be advisable. How often do you train now? We (ought) to start our training yesterday but up till now, we are yet to commence training. Since your last match you are yet to train? They (players) are around but the movement is the problem. That’s what we are trying to do now; we are trying to go into closed camping. How soon are you likely to start training again? We are likely to start tomorrow (today), we still want to discuss on the issue. Where will you be training? We are not yet sure. It depends on the accessibility of the team to the training ground. The situation in Ibadan is very serious; there is no movement and bonfire everywhere. We don’t want to risk the lives of any of our players. The situation is too critical, so it is very, very uncertain when we are going to start our training. but we are trying as much as possible to find a way out.

Omeruo: Mikel inspires me to play for Chelsea

IGERIA Under-20 star Kenneth Omeruo has signed for English Premier League club Chelsea and has been loaned out to Dutch club ADO Den Haag. In this exclusive interview, he tells MTNFootball.com he will work very hard in the Dutch league and look up to compatriot John Mikel Obi so as to also make his way eventually to Stamford Bridge. What was it like putting pen to paper for a top club like Chelsea? I was very happy. I didn't know it would happen so fast because Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world. What did the Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo tell you after you signed the dotted lines? He congratulated me and most importantly said discipline and hard work are the only keys to success. He wished me well. He was very supportive. Why did you opt to quit Standard Liege and instead take this route to reach the top in Europe? When my pre-contract expired and there was an offer on the table from Chelsea, my agent and I decided it would serve my career better if I took the big step forward and sign for Chelsea. Otherwise, Standard were wonderful and very friendly and they treated me very well. The only difficulty I encountered while I was there was the language (French) but otherwise every other thing was fine. How long has Chelsea been interested in signing you? From what I understand, by the time I travelled with the Nigeria U20 team for a training camp in Portugal till the end of the U20 World Cup in Colombia, Chelsea were keeping tabs on me. You are on loan in the first instance to ADO Den Haag. Have you trained with the Dutch club yet and how soon will you make your debut for this club? The team are away on a training camp in Spain and I could not make it in time to go with them, but as soon as they are back and all the paper work is finished, I will start training and hope to play as soon as possible even though everything will depend on the coaches as they pick the team. I have already met with the coaches and they have been nice and warm. How soon do you think you could get the chance to make it all the way to Chelsea? And what do you need to do to get there? I can’t really say, but first I have to concentrate on playing for Ado Den

Haag because this is my team now. For me to get to Chelsea, I know that I first have do very good here in Holland. How do you rate the EPL? It is the biggest league in the world big crowds every week, goals, passion and no team can be taken lightly. The media focus is also incredible. Which are your favourite clubs in the EPL? My favourite clubs are Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal. It is great to follow these teams season after season as they fight for the title. Who will win the EPL title this season? This season is very tight to call, but I would still expect it to be between Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United even though some may argue that Chelsea are well off the pace. Who are the players you admire at Chelsea and why? I admire Mikel for how far he has come at Chelsea. It is something I also wish to do. I also like all the players from Africa (Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou). I also love the fighting spirit and work rate of skipper John Terry How close did you come to playing for Nigeria at the 2012 Olympic qualifiers in Morocco? I understand I was needed, but at that time I was without a contract and it became very difficult for me... it was sad I could not make it and even sadder that we failed to qualify for the Olympics. You have featured for Nigeria at U17 and U20 levels, but would need to be a regular full international who has played 75% for the country to secure a work permit in England. Are you under pressure to achieve this target and how can you achieve this? I am not at all under pressure for God has done things much difficult for me. I have already been in the Super Eagles twice, and what I need do is to get those playing times by first playing very good in the Dutch league, make less mistakes and continue praying because everything is possible with God.

Ajani adds to Keshi's ache T

•Blackburn Rovers' David Dunn (floor) challenges West Bromwich Albion's Peter Odemwingie for the ball during the during their Premier League match

HE headache facing Super Eagles technical crew over the players to use against Angola appears not to

abate. The number of players swelled to 27 on Sunday following the re-union of Sunshine Stars striker, Ibrahim Ajani with his teammates. SuperSport.com learnt that Ajani, who finished last season as the second highest goalscorer, took special permission to

feature for his side in the NPL 2011/2012 star match against domestic champions, Dolphins in Port Harcourt on Saturday. Sunshine Stars lost the season's opener 1-0 to the Port Harcourt-based side. Ajani brimmed with confidence as he trained with the rest of the squad on Monday evening thereby adding to the selection problems facing the coaching crew ahead of the friendly against Angola on Wednesday in Abuja.

Also Osas Omomo of Warri Wolves who had a slight knock on Sunday was back in training on Monday but was asked by the physiotherapist to just walk round the stadium as he continues his recovery. He looks an outsider as far as the Angolan friendly is concerned except a miracle happens. Keshi is expected to name his squad for the encounter on Wednesday morning, few minutes before the team heads for the match venue, the Abuja National Stadium.

GESTURE

PROGRAMME

CARE

Lawmaker donates to constituents

Northeast state renovates public schools

Aregbesola’s wife urges love for widows

Kogi

Borno

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

Osun

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Page 25

•The protesters

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Youths want oil subsidy back T

HE nation-wide strike action called by Labour against the Federal Government’s withdrawal of fuel subsidy has had a drastic effect on the socio-economic life of the country. Activities were grounded in Lagos, with protesters marching through roads, demanding that the Federal Government revert to the former N65 pump price for a litre of petrol as against the current price of N141. In different parts of Lagos, there was maximum compliance

By Chinaka Okoro and Duro Babayemi

to the order by the organisers for Nigerians to sit at home. Hitherto busy areas were a ghost of themselves as roads were deserted, making it possible for children to convert them makeshift football pitches. At Ijegun in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area and Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, people, especially youths trouped out in large numbers to hold peaceful demonstrations

against the fuel subsidy withdrawal. They demonstrated along IjegunIkotun Road carrying placards and stopping people from moving about. This, though, was under the watchful eyes of security agents who were stationed at strategic positions to forestall any breakdown of law and order. The usually busy Ijegun-Ikotun Road, Ikotun-Idimu Road, and the Ikotun-Egbe Road were completely deserted but for few individuals who braved it to hit the

roads and those on essential duties. The situation was the same at Ejigbo where the youths came out en masse to protest against the subsidy removal. They marched from OrilowoEjigbo, Iyana-Ejigbo, Jakande Estate, and Mass Burial area of the council and back to OrilowoEjigbo in peaceful protest. The coordinator of the youth, Comrade Kola Olaleye said they were expressing their feelings to •Continued on Page 39

•Bamigbetan

Taraba gets boundary commissioner

•Mr Garba

ORMER Taraba State SurveyorGeneral, Mr. Ishaya Abdu Garba is now the state Boundary Commissioner. Governor Danbaba Suntai approved his appointment. “I received the appointment with excitement,” said the surveyor. Garba pioneered the survey and development of Jalingo metropolis –the heart of the state capital, at its creation in 1991, during the Navy Captain Afolahan administration. The appointee said: “We worked all days and nights, without weekends; and even without Christmas

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

and Sallah breaks. We cleared the land to allocate offices and residences. The Old Commissioners

Quarters, Magami Estate, the GRA and other areas were created when we came on board. “We came in with a master-plan, but the development was too fast that we overran the master-plan.” As boundary commissioner,

I thank God that Governor Danbaba Suntai is working not only with politicians but also the professionals

Garba, a BSc and a Master degree holder in Land Surveying from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has the responsibility to resolve intra- and inter-boundary disputes. He will aslo advise the state government on boundary matters. “I thank God that Governor Danbaba Suntai is working not only with politicians but also the professionals,” Garba told Newsextra. “With my experience, I will put in my best, in the development of Taraba State and Nigeria, once again.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

Ekiti NYSC inaugurates projects

HE National Youth Service Corps, Ekiti State, in a rare show of fellow-feeling and togetherness held its annual endof-the-year thanksgiving at the NYSC State Office on Ado-Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti. The thanksgiving, which attracted the entire staff of the Corps, also witnessed the inauguration of four projects embarked upon and completed by the current state Coordinator, Mr. Baba-Ahmed Nurudeen Tunde. The projects included re-roofing and equipping a sprawling office complex within the compound; total renovation of an abandoned utility bus of the Corps; furnishing the Coordinator’s ante-room for visitors; and procuring a complete set of modest music instrument for ‘Batch B’ music band. Speaking after inaugurating the new office complex, Ekiti State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Folorunso Olabode, praised Mr. Baba-Ahmed for the renovation works he executed within the short period of time he assumed the leadership of the Corps, noting “when man thinks of material things, he cannot leave a legacy. “I want to say that unlike many others before his turn as head, he came, he saw and he has conquered by attending to the needs and impacting on the lives of staff in a concrete way. “One could also see that he is an achiever from what we have heard from the members of staff of the corps. Speaking further, the Commissioner said Ekiti State will also ensure that needs of the corps members were accommodated promptly and within the meager resources of the state as much as possible. Continuing, he said: “Ekiti will continue to partner with the NYSC in the areas of training and manpower development, despite its meager resources. “You would recall that Her Excellency, the deputy governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka agreed to this during the last passing out parade of graduating corps members. “The first phase of the job which

•Ekiti State Youth and Sports Commissioner, Hon. Folorunso Olabode inaugurating the new office, assisted by the state Coordinator, Baba Ahmed (left) From Sulaiman Salawudeen, cluding levies on private business nearly N1.2m. NYSC Camp.” Ado-Ekiti According to him, the projects inMr. Baba-Ahmed, in his brief re- ventures within the camp. cluded total refurbishing of a bus, Noting that as head, one needs to was the welfare of the corps mem- marks, stated that the cost of the renovation/reroofing of an office bers has been attended to. The next projects he embarked upon and appreciate the plight of sub-ordi- complex, equipping State Coordinaphase is the welfare of NYSC staff concluded were met with the pro- nates in discharging duties of their tor’s waiting room and purchase of which will surely involve renova- ceeds from the operations of the office, the State Coordinator dis- complete set of music instruments for tion of their staff quarters at the NYSC during orientation camp, in- closed the four projects gulped the Batch B NYSC music band.

Lawmaker donates to constituents

S part of his New Year gifts to his constituents, a member of the House of Representatives for Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, Hon. Sunday Karimi, has inaugurated some of the projects he embarked upon immediately the current

From Ralph Omololu Agbana, Lokoja

National Assembly was inaugurated eight months ago. Hon. Karimi also distributed items such as refrigerators and cash gifts to widows involved in

•Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun (left), Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Comrade O. Olaosebikan, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi and the representative of the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Saula at the Armed Forces remembrance Day Service at St. Peter’s Cathedral Church, Ake, Abeokuta PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

one trade or the other in Yagba West, Yagba East and Mopamuro councils, to help ease their various economic problems. Some of the projects inaugurated were 10 of the 20 boreholes sunk across his constituency and four lock-up and 20 units of open shops at Egbe Market. Beneficiaries of borehole projects in Yagba West Council included Odo-Ere, Odo-Eri, Ejiba, Ogbe, and Okoloke communities that got one each while commercial township of Egbe got five. In Mopamuro Council, Agbajogun-Amuro and ItakedeIde got one each while Ejuku, Omowa-Isanlu, Itedo-Isanlu, Igbagun and Aginmi communities were the beneficiaries in Yagba East. Widows in the three councils received assistance in the areas of clothing and cooling systems as each participant got a deep freezer. Karimi, who contested for the

•Hon. Karimi

same position in 1999, 2003 and 2007 said the gestures were his way of showing appreciation to the people of Yagba for the popular mandate given to him in April •Continued on Page 27

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

•Some of the pupils in the new uniforms and bag beside Hon. Ade Ajayi’s banner

MEMBER of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Ade Ajayi has eased the burden of parents in Oye-Ekiti area of the state. How? He kitted about 2000 pupils in primary schools in the area and got them ready to return to school. Ajayi provided the pupils with two sets of uniforms each. He also got them sandals and big exercise books. Secondary school students also received some of the materials. The beneficiaries were drawn from the six wards of the constituency. It cost him over N2m. It was the maiden edition of the lawmaker’s Back to School project, which intends to implement annually. The distribution of the materials took place at St. Augustine Comprehensive High School, Oye Ekiti. Also, the sum of N10,000 was given to each of two youths selected from the constituency. At the launch of the project, Ajayi who represents Oye consitueny, and is Deputy Chief Whip in the state Assembly, said

Ekiti pupils get a lift From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

he aims at assisting brilliant but indigent students in the constituency, and adding value to education. Ajayi urged public spirited individuals to support education, noting that government alone cannot fund it. That is why he is supporting families to enable their wards and children return to school, he said. Hon Ajayi spoke further: “The state government is clear enough on its pursuit of its 8-point Agenda of which education is a part. I therefore urge philanthropists and stakeholders to work in concert towards supporting the administration in realisinng its noble goal in education.” Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by the Commissioner for

Education and Civic Orientation, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, commended Ajayi for a gesture she described as worthy and timely, noting that although edu-

cation in the state is free, kindhearted individuals should assist the state in its development agenda. Chief Dele Falusi, who repre-

sented the State chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), also called on elected officials and political appointees to support the development process in the state, noting that it is when they support the government that the much needed development can spread to the grassroots. Commuity leaders, parents and students who attended the event thanked Ajayi for his gesture.

Lawmaker donates to constituents •Continued from Page 26

general election. He recalled that though he contested three times in the past and lost, he got the mandate when he least expected it. He said he saw in the empathic victory “a challenge to represent the people well while also ensuring that they don’t have to face the daunting task of the biting economic hardships and high rate of poverty unaided.” He added: “The election was held in April but as at January, I did not dream of going to the

House of Representatives. After my attempts in 1999, 2003 and 2007 were no successful; I felt it was not God’s wish. I decided never to run for the House of Representatives election again in my life. “But the people felt strongly against the second term aspiration of my predecessor. So, the inspiration to contest the election and rescue our people instantly came to me,” he said, adding: “that I won the election is not by my power but

by the power of God who decreed it was time. It is also victory to all Yagba people who voted for me. It was made easier because when God decided it was time and knowing that I would need resources to prosecute it, He made the resources available.” Community leaders who trouped out to witness the inauguration ceremonies showed appreciation for the gesture, saying it was novel in the area especially considering the short period of time of his election.

That I won the election is not by my power but by the power of God who decreed it was time. It is also victory to all Yagba people who voted for me

•From right: Dr Kerry, Cervical Programme Consultant, Dave Ogunremi and representative of Tetrazzini Fast Foods Mrs Florence Iroemeh at the a news briefing

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

Council chief urges peaceful co-existence T

Borno begins renovation of public schools T

•Governor Shettima

HE Borno State government says it has concluded plans to overhaul the education system in the state in a bid to address the long years of decay. Governor Kashim Shettima told journalists in Maiduguri that the action was part of the recent declaration of state of emergency in the education sector by the state government. He explained that the government had put in place machinery to begin rehabilitation of delapidated structures in all secondary schools in the state. “In a few days time, contract will be awarded for the renovation of nine secondary schools which comprise of three each from the three senatorial zones of the state.

Butchers quarrel over cow slaughtering

UTCHERS have disagreed over the slaughtering of cows during the ongoing protest on fuel subsidy. The confrontation between the two groups of those who supported further slaughtering and those who opposed, led to panic in areas like Ipata and Zango, two popular markets for slaughtered cows in the metropolis. Shops were hurriedly shut and businesses came to a halt as people scampered for safety. Security men were promptly drafted to the areas to restore order. It was gathered that some butchers had warned that no fresh cows should be slaughtered given the backlog of meat that could not be sold the previous day. A meat seller said that they were given some fresh meat on Wednesday along with older ones and told that no fresh meat would be available the next day because their refrigerators would have been filled. However, some other butchers were said

Kwara From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

to have disagreed and went ahead to slaughter cows for sale leading to a violent confrontation with their colleagues on the opposing side. Eyewitness accounts claimed that machetes were freely used during the fracas which once again sent jitters down the spine of residents still recovering from the two-day bloody anti-subsidy removal protests witnessed in the city. No life was lost although many sustained of injuries. Scores of shops were also either burnt or looted during the mayhem. Fire fighters were called into the scene at a point. The state Police Command Spokesperson, Ezekiel Dabo, ASP, confirmed that the situation had been brought under control by men and officers drafted to the two scenes.

HE Chairman of Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory,AlhajiYahaya Muhammad, has called for peaceful coexistence among residents of the area. This, he said, would strengthen and sustain the harmonious relationship amongst the various groups in the area. Yahaya, who was speaking at Abaji at a town hall meeting, expressed the commitment of his administration to protect lives and property in the area. He said the meeting was summoned to further sensitise residents on the need to live in line with the teachings and doctrines of the “various religions” which called for peace and tolerance. “Those virtues which we have inherited from our forefathers that have made us to live peacefully together irrespective of our tribes, culture and religion will not be compromised.” Yahaya condemned the recent killing of

Borno “The schools include Government Girls Seconday School (GGSS) Yelwa; Government College (GC) Maiduguri; Government Secondary School (GSS) Kumshe; GSS Lassa; GSS Miringa and GSS Marama.” Shettima said the government was embarking on the project because it placed great premium on the education sector adding, “without education no meaningful development can be achieved. “Once the youths are well educated and properly engaged, the issue of insurgency will be reduced to the barest minimum.” He said government plans to implement programes and policies that will change the lives of the people and enhance their welfare this year. “We have put in place mechanism that will ensure that the programmes and policies enunciated in the N130 billion 2012 budget are properly implemented. “We have created the Ministry of Budget and Planning with the sole aim of making sure that we attain the goal of transforming the state in a short while.’’ Shettima expressed optimism that the current security challenges facing the state would soon be over and appealed to members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace peace and lay down their arms in the interest of the people.

•From left: Commander, 33 Artilery Brigade, Bauchi, Brig-Gen. Agbo Robinson; Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, and representative of Bauchi State Governor, Pasto Kennedy Masau, at an inter denominational Armed Forces Remembrance Day service in Bauchi

Strike: Patients evacuated from Gombe Specialist Hospital

ATIENTS at the Specialist Hospital, Gombe, have been evacuated from the hospital following the nationwide strike against the removal of fuel subsidy. A visit to the hospital by journalists on Monday showed that relatives of patients have started evacuating their relatives around 9.30 a.m.

‘Involve youths in natural resources management’

CALL has been made for the inclusion of young people in the management and preservation of our natural resources . The call was made by the aide to the Special Adviser on MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) to Ogun State Governor, Mr. Oladipupo Ajiroba. Ajiroba made this call in his acceptance speech as the newly installed chairperson of the Nigeria Field Society of Young Explorer recently launched at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State. According to him, young people should be given more consideration and prominent roles in planning various projects and policies in relation to the management of natural resources across the country. He said: “Natural resources management is not complete without the active participation of young people as well as the indigenous people. While it is not a doubt that old people have the ideas born out of experience overtime, young people have the energy and number to drive these ideas and as well ensure they are sustainable” He decried the alarming rate at which Nigeria’s forest reserves have been depleted, adding that: “the launch of Nigerian Field Society Young Explorers Initiative is an excellent opportunity for us to stress the importance to walk the talk and not just talk

By Adeola Ogunlade

the talk”. In his opening address, The Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Nteranya Sanginga said:” in Nigeria, deforestation or loss of vegetation or the selective exploitation of forests for economic or social reasons is about 3.5 percent per year, translating to a loss of 350,000–400,000 hectares of forest land per year”. This, he said, has led to growing effect of global warming and climate change that is now affecting agricultural production in most part of the country. Also, Nigeria’s first Professor of Forestry, Prof. David Okali, noted that the impact of deforestation and degradation on the environment and livelihoods is enormous. Meanwhile, the current President, Prof. Funso Adeniyi, emphasised the importance of forming the youth wing of the NFS, the oldest NGO in Nigeria, now 81 years old. “The time for action is now and the youths, who will soon be the custodian of these resources, must be involved,” they said. A consultant and coordinator of the IITALeventis Foundation Project, Dr. John Peacock, noted that agricultural intensification could help reduce the rate of deforestation in the region.

From left: An international expert on plant at IITA, Dr. Bennie Brown, Ajiroba and Dr Peakock

•Former Military Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon discussing with Secretary to the Lagos State Government Mrs Idiat Adebule during the birthday ceremony of Prof Bolaji Akinyemi in Lagos

Subsidy: Traders seek understanding

ESPITE the pressure being cranked up on the Federal Government and the commencement of a nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and civil society groups, the Amalgamated Traders Association (Nigeria Grassroots Traders) has called on the NLC and Nigerians to support government on the fuel subsidy removal. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos , the National President of the Association, Mr. Odinaka Iwu, said that his association endorsed the removal of oil subsidy as it is the only way the government can save money and develop the country. His said: “As a grassroots association made up of grassroots and rural traders across the 36 states of the country, we do not accept the call for a nationwide strike by the NLC and the TUC and we appeal to them to sheathe their swords. There is no doubt that the removal of subsidy will cause Nigerians pains in the short run, especially for those who are engaged in buying and selling and whose trade depends on the cost of local transportation but we will not allow intruders to hijack the good intentions of Mr. President.” Expressing the group’s confidence in Jonathan, Iwu said: “We trust President Goodluck Jonathan and his economic team and

By Dada Aladelokun

we believe that they mean well for Nigerians. Only the few who are benefiting from the retaining of the subsidy are bent on stopping its removal by all means and at all costs.” Continuing, he said: “We believe and we are assured that in a few months time, normalcy will return to the oil sector and we shall enjoy the status of an oil producing nation when we begin to enjoy good healthcare, roads, steady electricity etc.” Iwu further stated that after due consultations with stakeholders, members of the association have decided not to close their shops, markets and business centres. “We shall not influence the prices of our foodstuff in order to take advantage of the present situation and we strongly stand by the president and his economic team. “As patriotic Nigerians, we are willing to sacrifice in the interest of the generality of the people and all we need is to make the necessary adjustments and we are prepared to do so in the interest of the people. “Removal of fuel subsidy is the best thing to do in the interest of our economy and we call on all Nigerians to support the government in this well-meaning effort to right the wrongs of the past,” he stated.

Gombe According to them, they are evacuating them following the absence of nurses and midwives to attend to them. Malam Mohammed Adamu, a relation of one of the patients, said that his patient was in a critical condition without medical attention. He said that the patient had an accident early Monday morning and was hospitalised at the casualty ward without any attention. Another patient’s relative, Malam Sanusi Umar, expressed concern over the strike, saying it was against the wishes of the common man. Some patients receiving Anti-Retroviral drugs said they usually received their drugs on Monday but could not access the medication because of the strike. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr James Mahdi, said the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) did not join the strike. According to him, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria have not joined because they are not members of NLC. Mahdi said that members of the three associations could not function without the nurses and midwives because they were the majority in the hospital. “It was against this backdrop that we advised the patients’ relatives to evacuate their patients from the hospital and look for proper care elsewhere”.

Briefly

Police promote 1,151 THE Jigawa Police Command promoted 1,151 of its officers and men last year. The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP. Abdu Jinjiri, made the disclosure in Dutse in an interview with journalists. Giving a breakdown, the Police spokesman stated that 576 constables were promoted to the rank of corporal within the period. He said that 250 corporals were promoted to the rank of sergeant while 252 sergeants were also promoted to the rank of inspector. Jinjiri also disclosed that 59 inspectors were promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) while 11 were moved to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). He said that three policemen on the rank of Superintendent were moved to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. On the sanctions imposed on erring officers, he disclosed that three police officers were summarily dismissed while three others were also demoted for various offences. The spokesman said that while the police would do its best to protect citizens’ lives and property in the state, it would not shy away from rewarding hard working officers and men.

Abuja

innocent people and burning of churches in some parts of the country, saying the acts were unIslamic. He said that Islam was a religion of peace that taught harmonious relationships amongst adherents of other religions, noting that the closest religion to Islam in human existence was Christianity. Yahaya cautioned residents of the area especially Muslims, not to be used to disturb the peace and stability in the area. He also cautioned against spreading of unfounded rumours that could breach the peace and security in the area. The chairman urged residents to report any suspicious movements to security agencies

•Bala Mohammed and implored traditional rulers, religious leaders and councillors to enlighten their subjects on the need to cooperate with the authorities to achieve the objective.

Labour shelves street protest in Maiduguri

HE Nigeria Labour Congress said on Monday in Maiduguri that it had shelved street protest in the ongoing fuel subsidy strike following appeal by security agencies in the state. The Borno NLC Chairman, Mr Titus Abana, told journalists in Maiduguri that the strike would not involve any kind of street protest, saying, however that all other aspects of the strike would continue as scheduled.

Borno “We have agreed to shelve the idea of street protest, mass rallies and the likes following appeals from security agencies. The appeal might not be unconnected with the current state of emegency in some areas of the state. “We have constituted monitoring teams going round to ensure full compliance by

workers, market men and women and others. I am happy to say that the strike has so far been successful.” Abana praised workers in both federal and state government for staying at home and urged them to remain until the strike was over. Our correspondent who went round Maiduguri metropolis, reports that both social and economic activities have been halted by the strike. The gates at the Federal Government Secretariat as well as the State secretariats in Maiduguri were under lock and key. All markets were closed while taxis and commercial buses kept off the roads even as security personnel patrolled the streets.

Church holds revival programme S the New years rolls in, the All Power in Christ Church is holding its 17th edition of the quarterly revival with the theme: Jesus, son of David have Mercy on Me. The event holds from January 15 to January 21 at Prayer House, Elegbeleye Street, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos from 6pm to 8pm. The host and General Overseer, Rev. Eumce Bukola Elusope said: “God has urged everyone to commit his or her life to Christ and as you do this, He will take absolute control.” She added: “As we cross over to the New Year, we have to seek the face of God in order to receive His mercy!.

A •Newly appointed Secretary to the Local Government (SLG) Ojo Local Government, Mr Sikiru Lawal, flanked by Supervisor for the Environment, Mr Moshood Jimoh (right) and his counterpart for Education, Hon Ganiyu Bello during the swearing-in at the council secretariat, Ojo,Lagos

Clerics, LASIEC chief condole with Lagos Chief Imam

UFTI of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I; Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Commissioner Hon Musbau Oyefeso; Chairman Lagos Island Local Government Prince Wasiu Eshinlokun; and Executive Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation Imam Abdullahi Shuaib have condoled with the Chief Imam of Lagos Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim over the death of his wife, Alhaja Muhibat. She died at the age 63 after a brief illness. Sheikh Shafi’I described Alhaja Ibrahim’s death as a great loss to the Muslim ummah in the country and Lagos in particular. “Her role as the wife of the Muslim leader in Lagos, he said, would be missed.” The revered cleric prayed Allah to overlook her shortcomings and grant her soul the best of the paradise. Hon Oyefeso expressed surprise over the incident. “Whao! This is shocking news; though as Muslims, we believe death can come at any time, nobody ever thought such a nice and amiable woman would leave us soon,” he said. The electoral commissioner prayed Allah to forgive the deceased and give Sheikh Ibrahim the fortitude to bear the loss. Prince Eshinlokun described the deceased as an obedient wife. He urged people to emulate her piety and humble character. Bashorun of Lagos Alhaji Sikiru Macfoy described the deceased as a pious woman. “She kept the home front satisfactorily while our Imam was advancing the cause of Islam. The loss is an irreparable one and we pray that the Chief Imam did not suffer much as a result of her departure,” he said.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo Imam Shuaib said the sad incident is indeed a great loss not only to Sheikh Ibrahim, but to the entire Muslim Ummah of Lagos State. He described the deceased as a selfless, committed and devoted Muslim who was always eager to asssist the less-privileged. “Alhaja Muhibat was also among the vanguards of Muslim women who eandeavoured to revive the culture of Islamic spiritualism vide the group prayer sessions. This, she did to complement the

socio-economic and spiritual roles of her surviving husband Sheikh Ibrahim. She would be remembered for long among her contemporaries as a loving sister and strong pillar for women’s cause in the Muslim Community of Lagos State,” Imam Shuaib said. The Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation chief prayed Allah to grant “our amiable Chief Imam and his entire family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of their beloved one and may Allah forgive and shower His mercy on her; above all, may He admit her into Al-Jannah Firdaus.”

•From left: Executive member of Lagos Central Mosque Alhaji Lateef Salako; Alhaji Mustapha Ademola; General Secretary Alhaji Rajee Adenowo and CEO Gawat Communications Alhaji Rasak Gawat during the fidau prayer for the late wife of Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaja Muhibat Ibrahim.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

Dele Jegede loses his only son

Oil that glitters now gold

– Page 32

– Page 34

•Sir Adegbite

‘I recite the 66 books of the Holy Bible every night’

– SEE PAGE 35

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

At 50, Prof. Remi Raji-Oyelade believes he has lived a fulfilled life. A teacher of literature at the University of Ibadan (UI) and an award-winning poet, he has travelled widely in Africa, Europe and America, reading his poems. He is currently the Head of Department of English Studies, UI. His volumes of poetry, Harvest of Laughters, published in 1997, won the ANA/Cadbury Poetry Prize. His other works include Webs of Remembrance (2001), Shuttlesongs America: A Poetic Guided Tour (2003), Lovesong for my Wasteland (2005) and Gather My Blood Rivers of Song (2009). His works have been translated into French, German, Catalan, Swedish, Ukrainian, and Latvian. The scholar-poet, who is the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), spoke with ADEMOLA ADESOLA on his life, career and the enduring vocation of creative writing.

ou have just turned 50. Looking back, what would you say is remarkable about this? Well, I have actually lived what you can call a very monotonous life. I have spent well about 32 years of my life around the University of Ibadan (UI), as a student, lecturer and as someone who considers that he has a stake in the development of education, especially postgraduate education, using UI as a launch pad. So, it has been a very predictable but steady movement. Thank God, I have not been out of the education industry for one year because I only left UI for my National Youth Service in Lagos State and returned the year after to complete my Master’s, and then my Ph.D four years after. I have taught in a number of universities such as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ogun State University, and then back to UI. If I had a second chance, I would like to still come back as a teacher; that is reflecting on what I have gained, not in terms of material wealth, but in terms of the responses of people and the appreciations that have poured in these past few days. It’s been a very fulfilling life for me. What would you say informed your choice of being a university teacher? I didn’t really choose to be a teacher. My classmates at Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, between 1979 and 1981 would tell you that all along I have been telling myself that I want to be an actor; I want to be a performer – an artist. And when I got to the university, I actually applied to study Theatre Arts. But for some reasons, I didn’t find my name on the admission list after the first and second batches were released even though I was qualified and had all the requirements. I went to meet the faculty officer at that time. The man took a look at my result and said, “certainly, you must have been picked, but go and check other departments”. He also helped to check and when we got to English, I saw my name as number seven on the list of the first batch. I had to catch up with my other colleagues who had already started registration. But in spite of that I still combined English with Theatre Arts and Language Art, what is now called Communication and Language Arts. I wanted to transfer from English to Theatre Arts, but there was some kind of lapses or reluctance on the part of the department to release me. I had to stay studying English and taking Theatre Arts as a subsidiary until my final year when I had to write a long essay and specialise in English. Because of that I ended up teaching, briefly during my NYSC year. I fell in love with teaching in spite of the fact that my original love was to be purely an artist. I started teaching and I felt that teaching might just even be a good starting point to playing good roles. I have gained on both counts. Theatre Arts is not far from English; actually one connects with the other. That was how I got into this field. I presume that some individuals must have influenced you … Sure. The first individual I remember was my Literature teacher at Olivet. He was on compulsory national service then. We’ve been friends over the years. His name is Mr Ebinyo Ogbowei, from Bayelsa State. He was the one who actually taught us English poetry in a memorable way. He knew all the lines of all the romantics, and all the poems that he taught us. He could tell us about the lives of the poets and not just their poems. In fact, that was the time I started improving on my poetry. I started writing poetry while at Holy Trinity Grammar School, Ibadan. It was when I met Ogbowei at Olivet that I started taking writing seriously. And, fortunately enough, I found myself at UI, in December 1981/82 in my first year, where I was lucky to meet Sesan Ajayi of blessed memory. He introduced me to the University of Ibadan Poetry Club. In those days it was a memory evening on Thursdays that all of us gathered in Room 32, Faculty of Arts, reading, sharing ideas

•Prof Raji-Oyelade

‘The great Nigerian poem not yet written’ and criticising our works, the style especially – not criticising the author. That was where I gained that reading confidence. There were other reading groups, but the poetry group was so powerful and so influential. I knew Prof. Osundare formally in class later. The first people that I came across were Sesan Ajayi and Harry Garuba. I also recalled that Osundare had just returned

from abroad then. In part one you had to do Introduction to Creative Writing (prose and poetry). We did both in those days. Prof. Isidore Okpewho was the teacher for prose and Osundare was the teacher for poetry. By the time you got to the second year, you were expected to decide which way you wanted to go, whether poetry or prose. I opted for poetry. I felt I had more passion for the use of words in very economic way.

Everybody is in a hurry. Everybody is in a hurry to achieve so much within so short a time. All that some of us took with us by the time we finished was not what our teacher taught us. As it is said in a Chinese proverb, “Teachers open the door, you enter by yourself”. They gave and they asked you to go forage, to go explore.

I had very interesting moment with colleagues in Osundare’s class. We were just about five at that time. There was very little distinction between being in Room 32 and being in Osundare’s class. Can you compare your years as an undergraduate at UI with the reality on ground today? I think it is a very complex matter. It is all about priority; it is all about interest. If you compare the kind of condition in which we studied with what is there today, you might say we enjoyed some consistency in teaching, in quality of professors, the kind of materials we were provided with and the availability of books. But we were also few. An average class couldn’t have been more than 20 or 25 for the compulsory course. But for a Creative Writing course, we couldn’t have been more than 10. As I told you we were five in my Creative Writing class. By the time we got to final year, Advanced Creative Writing, we were three. But these days, we have an explosion in the number of intake, and I am not really sure whether the quality of teaching is the same as the time we were taught. The other point is that even though we had access to books then, in this time there is a greater access to have more books, both hard and electronic copies. But the problem is with the interest and the priority that students, either in the humanities or sciences have. Everybody is in a hurry. Everybody is in a hurry to achieve so much within so short a time. All that some of us took with us by the time we finished was not what our teacher taught us. As it is said in a Chinese proverb, “Teachers open the door, you enter by yourself”. They gave and they asked you to go forage, to go explore. Nowadays, students rarely forage or explore. They rarely attempt to learn beyond what is given within the class. Matter-offactly, the explosion in the number of intakes, students haven’t helped matters. When they even get in, how much of the tutelage are they willing to undergo? That is the question. As a teacher and author of poetry, what is your assessment of poetry in Nigeria today? The reception of poetry in Nigeria is ambiguous. It is really so because there are different kinds of poetry. For the avoidance of doubt, there is performance poetry and there is the more cerebral written poetry. And there is the populist one that everybody wants to compose within the next moment and claim that they have become poets. Depending on the kind of publics we are dealing with, the kind of audiences, those who actually understand the quality, the requirements for good poetry it becomes a real problem. The problem of reception is something that takes years because poetry and the reception of it is about literacy and appreciation, more like being a connoisseur of wine, to be able to know that this poet has done something unique, something radical with the language. We have not explored half of what is possible in the reproduction of our imagination to bring about the great Nigerian poem, to write the great Nigerian work of poetry. But there is the poetry that appears in the corners of pages of newspapers. If you are a very good art editor, you are likely to help in the development and propagation of good poetry by being bold and truthful enough to tell that person who has sent you a poem to rewrite or to edict, or take time to study the lines again so that what he is presenting to you would be something beyond the prosaic. But nowadays people just want to fill the pages of the newspaper and magazine. And so everything goes. Unfortunately, there are no censures for Facebook, for Twitter, for the virtual electronic space. So, everyone who has that freedom of an address on any of the social media is free and capable of writing. But for some people • Continued on page 31

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

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A regular commentator on African culture and musical trends, Wole Alade, 26-year-oldUnited Statesbased Nigerian, spoke with PAUL OLUWAKOYA on the dearth of oral tradition in Nigeria, why he returned home with a distinct genre of contemporary music, Olodumare and how African art can be rejuvenated.

‘Creative confidence is discernable when the artist strikes the judicious balance. Then, what often appears to be a natural, organic emergence from the traditional form hits eye or ear, elevated to such refined heights as to appear like totally original products, yet inducts the consumer joyously into familiar aesthetic territory’

“T

HE death of any art is assured when its traditional forms are allowed to stagnate, stuck in a time-groove without experimentation or development. No matter how re-assuring and fulfilling the pleasures of constant recognition from these forms, even as masterpieces, they run the risk of atrophy. They are reduced to museum pieces, since they breed performance complacency on the one hand and laziness in consumer receptivity on the other.” These were the submissions of Wole Alade on the survival of African culture. He observed that any tendency to wilfully jettison the primal value and integrity of such forms, cuts oneself off in pursuit of newness for its own sake, which he said, is a fictitious undertaking that results often in whimsicality and sterile mannerisms. He noted that the resulting product becomes lost in a form that has no reference points to existing artistic knowledge and, inevitably, alienates potential audiences. “Creative confidence is discernable when the artist strikes the judicious balance.Then, what often appears to be a natural, organic emergence from the traditional form hits eye or ear, elevated to such refined heights as to appear like totally original products, yet inducts the consumer joyously into familiar aesthetic territory. The product is devoid of any obvious effort or strain, only creative fluency that sweeps us off our feet even as it provides unsuspected insights into what we have always known, enjoyed, and taken for granted. “In the case of music especially, the sounds transport us at once into a familiar past, but plunge us into a heady futurism.

•Alade

Diaspora artiste returns with Olodumare This is where we recognise a masterful hand at work, the entrancing blend of intuition and craft.” Wole Alade, who left these shores some two decades ago, was already a multi-talented musician—adept at various instruments— even before he left. He arranged and played with his own band in Ibadan and Lagos on the familiar music

scenes, but always unobtrusively, exploring and perfecting, blending with bands of the most contrasting styles and — revealingly — with a leaning towards musicians based outside the trendy night-life music of Lagos. It was, perhaps an instinctive feeling that what this young talent sought would be found closer to origination, away from the cosmopolitan sounds that already dominated cities like Lagos. He had some stints with IFA, Ayoro Voices, Afro Linkage Ensemble and jamming sessions with King Sunny Ade, as well as tradition revivalists such as Biddy Wright, who also sought to revitalise his roots by taking refuge in Ile-Ife for many years before his death. Perhaps Alade’s longest running engagement was as resident artiste of many years at Segi, the nightclub at Broking House, Ibadan launched by the late Femi Johnson. International exposure did not wait until Alade took up residence outside Nigeria. He collaborated with visiting bands, such as the German EMBRYO and the xylophonist Christian Burchard during their Nigerian tour, giving memorable performances at Oduduwa Hall, in the then University of Ife. Once outside the country he extended his repertoire into special compositions for dance-drama, such as the ‘Festival of Renewal, enjoyed a collaborative stint with the Ipswich Moving Company School of Dance and Donald Donohue in his creation of “The Dancing Spirit of R’. In between obtaining his Master’s in Music at Berkelee, and at Emerson College of Music, he moved in and out of creative encounters with seasoned names, such as Bobby Mcferrin, Marlon Sanders, Jamshied Sharifi, Shawn Lucas, Michael Babatunde Olatunji, Carlos Santana (Abraxas) and others; gave culture workshops over the US campuses and institutions as well as in Germany and Japan.

‘The great Nigerian poem not yet written’ • Continued from page 30

it is also a very good launch pad in learning space to test their writing. A number of our younger writers are serious about their art and they are using the social media very effectively. But there are others who claim that they have arrived and they announce themselves as some of the best in Africa, as Internet poets. That is the problem with the Nigerian literary tradition. There is nothing you can do about it. There is a way a canon develops itself; there is a way a tradition develops itself. In the days of Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Johnson – all these dramatists – in the days of Robert Browning, T.S. Elliot, P.B. Shelley, William Wordsworth, they were not the only writers who wrote. There were many of them who were first considered secondary writers, but after sometime they became unknown and obscure. That is going to be the fate of a bastion of writers, or hack writers who claim that they are established poets. Poetry as a king of the genre is something that should be respected in such a way that to put two or three lines together is something that should take a lot of rigour and at the same time as clear as possible without being prosaic. You have published a few collections of poetry. What is your experience about publishing? There is no hard and fast rule about the waiting time, between writing and publishing. There must be a considerable and deliberate period of editing, of waiting, and sleeping over the poem in order not to write something that is just merely topical. Sometimes you want to write about something that is of national importance and you focus on that. You want to write about EFCC or Boko Haram and you use certain specific metaphor of the day, if you go back to that poem in four years after, or even two or three months after, the poem becomes locked up in that period; it becomes dated that it may not really have an enduring meaning. But the conventional way to think of a poem, as I have said somewhere else and it is something borrowed from T.S Elliot, William Wordsworth, is that you think of the

poem as an organic matter. You think of a poem as something you have to observe. The romantics said poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. That is what we remember, but we do not also remember the aspect that there must be a waiting period. There must be a period of recollection of the experience that you are writing, and that there must also be a period of regurgitation, of reflection on what has been written. The way I taught some of my American students when I was teaching an elementary Creative Writing class was that when the first line you put down for a poem remains the same, there is something missing, there is something incomplete about that. You have to move between the lines, across the lines and see whether you can turn around phrases in order to make the poem to endure. That is even at the aspect of the creative process. Beyond the creative process, you now face the hawk of public presentation. That is the publishing aspect. When it comes to publishing, you certainly should expect some rejection slips. It is not the very first time that you take the poem or your novel that the publisher will jump at it. You have to have done something; you have to have written something that would be fresh and refreshing to the publisher, to his editor, to the second reader for them to suggest that they want to go ahead and publish the work. But people find a way around it – self-publishing. When you do self-publishing and you get noticed, you get lucky. But not everyone gets lucky. I was lucky also because as I said, in the Osundare class you were supposed to come out with a collection by the time you finished. I came out with my first collection in the class in 1983, entitled “Vision from the Void”. The collection was about 15 to 18 poems. Only one or two got included in what came to be my first collec-

tion which was published in 1997. So, between ’83 and 1997 I was hard at work. We have to wait our time. But nowadays it is also a thing of joy that a poet does not have to wait one-and-a-half decades to get published. If you get the work right and the manuscript is good and the publisher is there, why not get published? It is okay. People say it is impossible to live off writing in Nigeria. What is your take on this? I think so. If the social situation, if the structures are there, it is possible to live off creative writing – not necessarily poetry. If you are lucky as I have been, you can actually live off poetry because it is not about the number of the copies of your work that get sold, but also out of recognition you get invited to festivals and you get everything paid for you. You get paid for being invited, you get paid for reading and you are paid for attendance and participation. You also get your work sold in hard currency if you are lucky to be invited to Europe, America, or one of this other countries that appreciate poetry. But given our situation it is going to be hard for anyone to live off poetry, to live off any kind of literary product. But I think in years to come we should have somebody who will announce to the customs agents at the airports that his occupation is writing. Some of your works have been translated into about six other languages. What is significant about this? That is one of the benefits of being lucky and being recognised as I have been, that other people in other cultures would want to have a peep into your world through your writing. The idea of translation is a very huge industry in countries where the international language, that is English, is not spoken or is not the first language; or many European countries that consider English secondary and want to speak to other

‘Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart remains one that has been overly translated. Same thing with Wole Soyinka’s plays and poems. I know that Niyi Osundare has been translated into many languages starting with his Eye of the Earth, which won the Commonwealth Prize in 1986’

minority languages. So, these minority languages of Europe are much more interested in the poetry of other cultures. But before some of the advantages that we have gained, the first generation of Nigerian authors had been translated into several languages, both major and minor languages of the world. Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart remains one that has been overly translated. Same thing with Wole Soyinka’s plays and poems. I know that Niyi Osundare has been translated into many languages starting with his Eye of the Earth, which won the Commonwealth Prize in 1986. But I have been lucky; I have gone to places some other writers have not been. It seems like I get to a place where I read and I get invited. So, the ending in a particular place is the beginning for another one. And also because of the digital age, I get a lot of requests from different parts of the world having been found online, or through some other friends. A couple of my friends have been translated. But more and more translators are interested in getting whole collection out. There is a book in the working in Spain containing a translation of my poems concurrently into Croatian, into German by publishers in these countries, and of course in Ukraine. Because I have benefited from that, I also feel that other writers belonging to my generation should have that opportunity of getting their works translated. For that I have been involved in a number of projects of translation. I have got some of our poets translated into languages like Latvian, Swedish. Currently, I have been engaged by one of the most prominent writers in Ukraine to get some of the best poets in Nigeria and later in Africa to get published in that country. Their works will appear in a bi-lingual edition. It is an ongoing project and the more we get our works translated, it is to the advantage of the language of translation, not to our own advantage because they know much more about us. So, my hope is that we will also be able to translate first our works into our indigenous languages so that we can then bring the literatures of Europe into our own languages. By that we will be able to develop our languages better.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

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Dele Jegede loses his only son • Arts community mourns

T was a great shock. The family, like many others, was looking forward to celebrating Christmas when the unexpected happened. It was the Yuletide and the home of popular artist Prof. Dele Jegede in Ohio, United States (US), was expectedly in a festive mood. His only son, Ayo, a final year law student at the Kent School of Law, Chicago, US, had come home to join in the celebration. Alas, it was not to be. Ayo died in his sleep on December 21, last year, throwing the family into mourning. In minutes, news of his death spread like wild fire. The tragic news rattled the Nigerian arts community and friends of the Dele Jegede family at home and in the Diaspora. On the internet, a flurry of tributes and condolence messages to the bereaved family poured in, expressing the shock and pain of Ayo’s death. In its reaction, SNA issued a statement, describing the loss of its one-time national president’s only son as a devastating blow, which did not only hit Jegede but all members of the arts family. It urged all it state chapters to set out a moment during its next activity to remember the bereaved family “in prayer and very remarkable memorial.” On Friday, December 30, 2011, when the remains of Ayo was interred in Ohio amid the winter chill at a solemn ceremony, some Nigerians joined the Jegede family in their mourning. Art critic and scholar Dr Akin Adesokan who was at the event posted a report: “The funeral was a truly moving event, justly sad but genuinely full of love for the departed, Ayodele. Prof Falola’s tribute was one of those read before the benediction, and there were pleasant, humorous words from Ayo’s siblings, and a message from his law school buddies. There were also many Nigerian friends of the family from the Miami (OH) valley, an invaluable presence at such an event, in this place (USA), at this time of the year. Some of us visited with the Jegedes for much longer after the interment, and as I took my leave at about 4.30pm, I was struck by the family’s growing acceptance of this difficult experience.” Prof Toyin Falola of the Department of History, the University of Texas at Austin, US, who described it as a devastating news, which hurts the one who communicates it, said: “Pray for the family of Dele Jegede who lost their only son when they are already in their 60s, and but for close friends, they are supposed to do the very untraditional: collect the corpse on their own and bury it.” In his tribute, Falola dwelt on the folly of length of life and the challenges of straddling homes (roots) between homeland and Diaspora. “To those of us in the Diaspora, as you meditate over the loss, think about the trauma that a career-focused life has done to me and you – fragmented lives where we see work as more important than people; –loss of communities – when the the small replaces the big; when the nuclear superimposes itself on a clan; when sharing a meal becomes a negotiation over time and place, over distance... A degenerative trope that may not be mediated by a regenerative one, as one exists in reality, the other in imagination, the metaphor of a “cage” that Dr. Afolabi coined in the 1990s, although he cleverly added “golden” to it in his ever ebullient spirit. “Were Dele Jegede allowed by God to trade, he would have asked God to take away his own life and leave that of his son. “Meditate, meditate, and meditate. If only for two hours, leave your career alone and do nothing today other than to meditate. If you cannot join in the fu-

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

MEMORIAL neral, meditate, and put yourself in their position. “To Ayo: As if we hadn’t completed an embrace, that is how we are left. As if with a pregnant silence... do you hear it? “We first knew Ayo, and then later we saw him. We knew him by his images, images that artists talk about as if it nothing matter more to them, although I cherish words more than images. They were hung on one of those pages of time, as if on a wall. And we, hidden then because we were showing ourselves, approached that temporary wall and touched its heart, its words. We saw that we were seen by those words, even if images mean less to us. Not what we were then, nor what we would later become, but now Jegede’s permanent home of sorrow and pain, but also of our hearts. “It might be that his heart, his home, no longer has a roof for us, that he will no longer be looking at us now through the window, that we shall no longer be going through his door or sitting down at his table while outside are the rain, the cold, the sun and clouds. Or it might be that no, he has not died, and beyond that corner his home, his heart, is still there, with all the tumult that others call “life.” “The simple truth is that I do not know whether or not he died, but I do know that his history, his time, is here, with us, with those of us who enter his home with images because he opened the door to us, and he did it because yes, because he wanted to. Because there are hearts that are so large they only beat when they are with others.” For David T. Doris, an Associate Professor in the Department of History of Art, University of Michigan, USA mourned Ayo saying: “Most excellent Baba Dele, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your Ayo. May joy return again to your house, and remain with you always. May your family be infused with peace, light and love. And may all good things be yours, l’agbara Olorun.” US-based Nigerian sculptor and art history scholar, Dr. Chika Okeke-Agulu lamented: “How, tell me, does one say farewell to the future? When the night refuses to wake, terrified by the dirge of our gods? With these hands calloused by grief. With this heart bloated by sorrow, how? Tell me, does one bury a child?” From the University of Ibadan, Dr Ayo A. Adesanya exhaled: “Oh! This is extremely shocking. May God in His infinite mercy be with the family that Ayo left behind and console Professor Jegede and his wife during this trying period.” Also from the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Dr. Babasehinde Ademuleya wrote Prof. Jegede: “I join your friends and fans to commiserate with you and the family on the death of your dear son, Ayo. May God in His infinite mercy grant you and the entire family the fortitude to bear this great loss. That this is happening to someone like you who has devoted his entire life to grooming other people’s children to become the pride of their par-

•Prof. Jegede

ents is indeed painful and very sad. “But Sir, you should perhaps be consoled by the good things many have said about him and thank God for the beautiful life he had lived, no matter how short it seems to us. Perhaps he has been taken away, to join the saintly where he belongs. That his eyes may not see evil and his soul corrupted. “On behalf of myself and the entire artist community at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, I pray God to grant him eternal rest.” The condolence list also included the scribe of the Culture and Creative Arts Forum, and the Nigeria chapter of International Association of Art Critics (AICA Nigeria), Dr. Ademola Azeez, who expressed the grief of the bodies to the former SNA helmsman. He recalled how the pain of the death is made hotter by its coming at a time when the Jegede family just came out of another loss. “I attended Prof. Dele Jegede’s motherin-law’s burial in Abeokuta few months back in 2011,” recalled Azeez. “The Jegedes were proud to have buried their motherin-law. Nobody ever knew that the young Jegede that would have naturally buried his parents in their very old ages would be the first to leave. It’s very sad and shocking that we are commiserating with our only Dele Jegede and Ayo’s

“Meditate, meditate, and meditate. If only for two hours, leave your career alone and do nothing today other than to meditate. If you cannot join in the funeral, meditate, and put yourself in their position.

dearest mother on the death of their only son. In any case, God knows the best and He is the only one that can console the Jegedes better than all of us mortals.” Also, Dr. Okechukwu Nwafor of the Art School in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State urged the bereaved veteran artist and art history professor to accept his sympathy and the commiseration of members of the arts community in Awka and prayed that his family would find “the courage to bear this shocking loss.” Prof. Jegede, an exhibiting painter, onetime popular cartoonist for Daily Times Newspaper, obtained his first degree in Fine Art from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria in 1974. Beyond writing several topical books on art history and art education, he has taught in diverse environments and served in academic, professional, and leadership capacities locally and internationally. He was Fulbright Scholar at Spelman College (1987); Director of the Centre for Cultural Studies, University of Lagos (1989-1992); President, Society of Nigerian Artists (1989-1992); Senior Post-Doctoral Fellow at the National Museum of African Art, the Smithsonian Institution (1995); President, Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA), (1996-1998); and professor and Chair, Department of Art, Indiana State University (2002-2005). From 2005 to 2010, he was Chair of the Department of Art, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Last year, he staged a solo exhibition in Lagos, following his memorable outing as the celebrated keynote speaker the year before at the Yusuf Grillo Foundation, Ikorodu, Lagos. His vast contributions to the growth of art in Nigeria as well as in African and Diaspora made the sector rally behind him in his “dire moment of grief, which every member of the arts community share.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

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Simon Njami is an independent lecturer, art critic, novelist and essayist. Njami, who lives in France, and has Cameroonian roots, turned 50 last Wednesday. He is also a consultant in visual arts for the Association Française d’Action Artistique and co-founder and editor-in-chief of the cultural magazine Revue Noire. His publications include essays in the catalogue for the Sydney Biennale and other exhibition catalogues. He has been the artistic director of the Bamako photography biennale from 2001 to 2007, and was co-curator with Fernando Alvim of the first African pavilion at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007. He has curated numerous exhibitions of African art and photography, including Africa Remix and the first African Art Fair, held in Johannesburg in 2008. He spoke with Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME in Bamako on the emerging challenges, funding strategy and prospects of Bamako biennale.

•Winners at Bamako biennale 2011

PHOTO: OZOLUA UHAKHEME

•Njami

‘Bamako biennale must look beyond France’

S a past curator of Bamako biennale, what are the critical areas that must be addressed to sustain the festival? There are a couple of things that need to be changed. In two years, it will be 10 years anniversary. One of the things I will like the organisers to implement is to have some African curators ruling the biennale. This is what I think they should be working on. The Director of National Museum, Bamako, Mr Samuel Sidibe, have some platforms we are working on to create links with the market, implement discussions and debates and try to build a collection so that Bamako will be capital of Mali in words and reality in terms of the photo biennale. The first step is to implement the biennale, and now they have to work on all these little things that make photography, because the biennale is like a big show and there are day-to-day issues that must be worked on. What is your assessment of local participants in the biennale? At the beginning of the biennale, there were few local photographers. But today, they are adequately involved. However, there is something we need to regulate and that is to ensure that we do not over-concentrate activities in the professional week. For instance, three events opened daily at different venues. Instead of focusing on the international

OR Nigerians, it was the least expected new year gift. They were still wishing themselves “Happy New Year” when the shocking news broke– the removal of fuel subsidy. Some thought it was an April fool joke, but it was not April 1, but January 1. With the subsidy removal, petrol price jumped from N65 to N141 per litre. In some places, it sells as high as N250 per litre. Nigerian are yet to adjust to the price hike as groups and individuals are protesting the policy.The literati are not left out in the protest. The literati, under the auspices of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), have condemned the policy, saying it is ill-timed. It said: “This is most unbecoming and unacceptable, especially since the greater majority of Nigerians have stated, in very clear terms, that such a move would only add more pains to a people who are only just managing to live like paupers.” In a statement signed by its President, Prof Remi Raji-Oyelade and General Secretary Baba Muhammad Dzukogi, it described the move as counter-productive to the nation’s growth, especially on literacy and education. It said: “It is clear that Nigerians who are the purported beneficiaries of the exercise have expressed fear not only on the implementation strategies but also on the genuine realisation of the expected development of the critical infrastructure of the

PHOTOGRAPHY crowd, the local artists should be made to be part of the events. Also, their inputs should not only last beyond when the tourists are gone, but should be visible to the people. How involved are children in the biennale considering that they are future leaders? The biennale will make no sense if it will not look at the direction of children. Already, workshops have been conducted while master classes on photography will hold to strengthen them. Our major target is the youth and the preservation of collections (works by photographers from the 60s till now). One other critical area is the sourcing of funds for the biennale. Are you comfortable with the current strategy? The funding of the biennale is primarily from France and European Union. And this is the real ‘battle field’ and definitely we have to work on it. If by tomorrow France decides to stop funding, what do we do? The biennale will be finished. The biennale is supposed to be a Pan-African festival, so the Malian government has to show more presence in its funding. Also, we must find ways of multiplying the sources of fund, so that we will not be kidnapped or be hostages of handful of people who might think they are the only one who can dictate. The current situation now is like when a

•An exhibit at the Bamako biennale 2009.

friend comes to ask you for money to build a house, he will wish to check the dimension of the house or ask for a room in the house. People are not that generous. The only way to freedom is to have diverse sources of funding the biennale.

‘Removal of fuel subsidy’ll stall literacy’ By Evelyn Osagie

LITERATURE country. Their concerns, which are built on previous failures of past leadership, are genuine and valid. “We note that at times, certain decisions, however unpopular, are taken by government on behalf of the people who entrusted in them the power to act for the country on both its internal and external affairs. However, at all times, both leaders and the citizenry must be seen to have exhausted alternative avenues for peaceful resolution in avoidance of unnecessary conflicts and hardships. “As a body, it said its concern is based on “the potential this action has on education, literacy and book development initiatives in the country.” “As writers, authors and intellectuals who have had to contend with the lack of accessibility to publishing infrastructure due to years of neglect, this subsidy removal may be counterproductive to the development of creative writing in the country. We note that in the list of palliatives designed for the subsidy removal utilisation plan, nothing addresses book develop-

ment. “We contend that a society bereft of idea-generation and documentation is a society receding into underdevelopment. We hereby urge the government to define the strategies and institute structures that will include a clear direction for book development and a conducive literary culture in the larger interest of Nigerians. We, the National Executive Council of the Association of Nigerian Authors, hereby call on the Federal Government to reopen discussions with the Nigerian people by immediately reversing its removal of fuel subsidy until such a time when all parties have exhausted negotiations and agreed on this very sensitive matter. We urge the government to listen to the majority voice of well-meaning Nigerians as a way out of the current impasse.” ANA Lagos said it is in support of the strike. ”We call on all our members and writers in the Diaspora to take part in this general strike, and to partake in a struggle to save the common man from further harassment and intimidation from a leadership that is proving itself insensitive to the plight of the masses. With total commitment to a united Nigeria!” ANA urged the youth and members to avoid being exploited to foment trouble, and to refrain from actions that will further complicate the general security of the country.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

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•Keep moving

•Fulani herdsman

•Any Attempt

A day after a young man was killed in Ilorin during a protest over removal of fuel subsidy, a Lagos-based artist, Tony Evbodaghe, in a performance art piece, Any Attempt, re-calibrates the tragic event into a storyline. What led to the young man’s tragic death on the street of Ilorin? MOYO OKEDIJI asks. And the mother prayed, Child May you never walk When the road waits, famished. Wole Soyinka, Death in the Dawn.

AITING on that Monday dawn was the famished road. A young man lies motionless in the middle of the street. He is wearing a pair of straight-legged stonewashed blue denim pants. Stylishly, his jeans ride below his pelvis to reveal voguish royal blue boxers. From a distance, he is the embodiment of the swaggering young Nigerian male. His face looks calm and blissful, despite the coagulated blood apparently blocking his nostrils. But he appears only to be sleeping, perhaps even having a pleasant dream. The nearer you move to him, the more cadaverous he seems. And then it hits you: “The man died.” His white shirt, pulled up to reveal his skinny belly, is soaked in fresh blood. He appears to have been shot in the chest, which explains the blood in his nostrils: with his sternum and lungs penetrated by the bullet, his respiratory system collapsed; and when he tried to breath, the blood rushed up into his nostrils, choking him. He apparently drowned in his own blood. His rib cage pushes through the skin of his lean chest. His lizard-flat belly looks empty, as if he was famished before he died. No wonder his mien is not contorted with pain. He seems to wear a rueful grin as if, in a bizarre way, he is happy to have been shot. From his morbid perspective, it appears that whoever shot him released him from a life of misery, deprivation, and hopelessness. Excited, flies are already buzzing around his head, some of them trying to occupy the orifices of his head. His body lies still, in an uncanny crucifix position, except that only his right arm stretches out from his body, while the other hand seems stiffly glued to the left side of his body. You notice that he is shoeless. He is the first casualty of the first day of protest against the removal of oil subsidy in Nigeria. A day later, Tony Evbodaghe, the Lagos-based artist who handles metals like Ogun, the Yoruba god of iron, dispatched his artistry to return everlasting life to the man slaughtered so young on the street of Ilorin. In a performance art piece that he titles Any Attempt, Evbodaghe recalibrates the tragic event by turning it into a storyline. What led to the young man’s tragic death on the street of Ilorin? Evbodaghe portrays the slain man as the embodiment of the average Nigerian. Evbodaghe explains that the installation and performance work “depicts a desperate common man sleeping with one eye closed. A 25-litre can of petroleum, which he earlier bought with his hard-earned naira, is tightly chained to his elbow, keeping it safe from robbers. The idea is if you make an attempt to steal it, he will wake up and apprehend you. Hence my title Any Attempt. But sleep does not respect anyone. It carries away emperors as well as paupers. The Nigerian Oil Cabal, therefore, waits patiently for sleep to ferry away the man who chained the oil asset to his body. As soon as he falls asleep, the Cabal loosens the chain, removes the can of petrol, and leaves the sleeping man snoring on the floor. Suddenly, he wakes up, discovers that his oil is gone, and takes to the street in pursuit of the Cabal. But he does not fully reckon with the brutality of his robbers. Callously, they shot him

Oil that glitters now gold PERFORMANCE in the chest as he, without holding any weapon, pursues them. They leave his body as a New Year gift to the flies and maggots of Ilorin. Evbodaghe’s performance is the latest act of a drama that climaxed in the late 1950s, coinciding with the formation of the Ulism art movement in Zaria, in northern Nigeria. In 1953, in the southern part of Nigeria, among the mangrove forests of the Niger Delta, a 19 year-old man named Sunday Inengite from Oloibiri saw white men digging up the bushes and wading into the bayous around his village. “What were they looking for? What was lost in their European land that they were seeking in our forests and swamps?” Evbodaghe wondered. The village elders concluded that they were looking for palm oil. But in the rainy season of 1956, the white men began to celebrate because they found “oil.” Inengite, today in his late seventies, was confounded because the article that the white men called “oil” was the slimy black substance that villagers already knew, but which nobody paid much attention. The white men threw a party in their boathouse, invited the villagers, and asked them to clap and dance. The white men supplied a large quantity of liquor, but when the villagers saw the samples of the sludgy black stuff that made the Europeans so happy, they were not impressed. “What we regarded as slimy, the white men celebrated as glittering as gold. They called it black gold. We thought they were infantile.” Everyone in the fishing creeks knew about this curious substance, and if it made white people so happy, they could remove it, because it would only make their water cleaner and better for fishing. On February 17, 1958, the first batch of oil extracted from Nigeria began to ship abroad, marking the beginning of the commercial extraction of the commodity in the country. Shell-BP, the company granted exclusive exploration rights throughout the Nigeria, produced 5100 barrels of

‘A day later, Tony Evbodaghe, the Lagos-based artist who handles metals like Ogun, the Yoruba god of iron, dispatched his artistry to return everlasting life to the man slaughtered so young on the street of Ilorin’

oil per day in 1958. In 1965, Shell-BP discovered oil in Warri. 1958 and 1965 are two important dates in the history of art in Nigeria. Uche Okeke began to experiment with Ulism in 1958 in northern Nigeria, following fruitful aesthetic activism by art students now known as the Zaria Rebels. By 1965, when the Warri oil fields were discovered, it was becoming unsafe for southerners to remain in northern Nigeria because of the pogrom. The Ulist artists were therefore beginning to cross the River Niger to the east to escape persecution in the north. Key figures in the Ulism movement, namely Okeke, Obiora Udechukwu, Chike Aniakor, and Chuks Amaefuna settled in the east, well before the Nigerian civil war began. By the time war was declared in 1970, Elf was already prospecting for oil and gas in the Obagi field and Ubata; Shell was in Bonny; Agip in Ebocha; and Phillips had made discoveries at Osari and Gelle-Gelle. Shell-BP commissioned its first refinery in Port Harcourt, and was refining 60,000 barrels per day in 1965. The price of oil fell in the international market, only to rise again when the Nigerian civil war ended in 1970. Several oil companies participated in the prospecting for Nigerian oil, including Shell-BP, Elf, Mobil, Agip Oil, Texaco and Phillips. All of these multi-national companies count their profits from oil in terms of hundreds of millions of dollars. The Nigerian villages from where they extract oil have gained nothing from the exploitation of this commodity. Contrary to what Inengite and the Oloibiri villagers imagined, the more the Europeans removed the oil, the dirtier the water became. “We can no longer provide for our families by fishing because all the fish are now belly-up floating on the water, dead. This was not the case before they began drilling oil on our land and waters. They have stolen our oil and polluted our land,” Chief Inengite laments. Tony Evbodaghe’s artistic performance and installation pieces, entitled Any Attempt and Keep Moving, elaborate on the sentiments expressed by Chief Inengite and the Oloibiri elders about their loss. His metal work also explores the curved and straight lyrical lines of Ulism art. The hedonistic lines of his Ulist style, nevertheless, emanate from the pedigree of political activism that co-joins northern and southern Nigeria, as his metal work titled Wazobia indicates. Wazobia is a composite word that welds all the major ethnic groups into one cultural identity. Ulism, which at first seemed absolutely ethnic, has become part of this Wazobia identity. When the civil war ended, the Biafran sun instantly set just as Ulism began to rise and shine within and outside the boundaries of the collapsed secessionist dream. When the styles of Ulism became available to non-Igbo indigenes, its vocabulary expands, and its original political intention became occluded, as it transforms into a post-Ulism stage that seems, at first, nothing but a hedonistic art for art’s sake. It is within this post-Ulism portfolio that Evbodaghe receives the torch of Ulism. Like Ogun, the West African deity of war, Evbodaghe is wielding a blowtorch to weld the cultures of Nigeria together. His personal body is embedded in his body of work, especially his Any Attempt, in which he lies face down along a famished road, chained to a keg of scarce petroleum oil. The battle for Nigeria’s soul has begun. And Evbodaghe, a general in Ogun’s war of decolonisation, leads the way with his blowtorch. •Okediji is of University of Texas in Austin, USA

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

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‘I recite the 66 books of the Holy Bible every night’

POEM

Niger area By Habib Akewusola

At 87, Sir Anthony Adegbite, is still very agile. Apart from exercises, he recites the 66 books of the Holy Bible every night before going to bed in order to be mentally fit. GBENGA ADERANTI reports.

IGHTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Sir Anthony Adegbite is angry. He is angry at the goings on in the country. And rather than take a back seat, he has vowed to take the path of activism till death incapacitates him. According to him, he has no apology for that. He retired as an Assistant Director at P&T. “If the sinners are punished, the righteous are affected. You need to ask yourself, what has the righteous got to do in sharing in the punishment of the sinners? He would be punished because when as righteous should speak, he prefers to keep mute. It is better for those who are elderly to speak out. Whether they listen (government) or not, it is another matter, but you speak out, that is why I have decided that I will let the whole world know the goings on in my country,” he said. From the way he talked and composed himself, it would be difficult to know that he has clocked 87. He is bubbling with life. His only headache is that Nigeria is going into retrogression. According to him, it was unreasonable to talk about removing fuel subsidy. “Rather than government removing the fuel subsidy, the best thing to do is to sanitise the process and block all loopholes. Wherever they may be found in the system and make the arrangement work better.” He advised government to trade cautiously in order not to repeat what is going on in Arab world in Nigeria. As a pensioner, he is sad that government has not been doing enough on issue of the pensioners. He would like to know if government by its approach is trying to cut down number of pensioners to save cost. “If one does not know how to handle a matter, it is not a sin. All that one has to do is to seek better counsel elsewhere.” He posited that if pension verification has come to stay, government should make it a five yearly affair. Pa Adegbite would also want government to do something about the country’s judicial system. “One of the areas government need to look at is to cut down drastically in the number of years it takes to conclude a case. I still feel good at 87. Except some minor things, which one cannot contain,” he boasted. He tries exercising his body, though not rigorous. He does not do only the body exercise, he does mental exercise too. “What I do every night before I go to bed is to recite the 66 books of the Holy Bible from the Genesis to Revelation.” Though a committed Christian, he is not happy that Nigerians have neglected their culture. He said the Britons who brought Christianity to the continent didn’t understand some of the things Africans did, so they regarded them as taboo. Recalling an incident when he was down with migraine, he said if not for the African herbs used for him, he would probably not have survived the attack. “Since 1937, I’ve never had the attack,” he said. Pa Adegbite regrets that he did not care to know the name of the leaves used in curing the migraine. “The English man has no cure for migraine, and what they can do is to suppress it. God is a good God. He knows our climatic condition and he has created the herbs and roots that will suit our envi-

•Sir Adegbite

PERSONALITY ronment. Rather than take those herbs from tropical zone, we are taking those from temperate zone, and they don’t marry,” he explained. The combination of garlic, ginger and onion are what he drinks every morning and it has really helped his health. He is still strong and agile. As he talked, he occasionally made reference to the Holy Bible. He is an active member of the Methodist Church and one-time Arc-Diocesan President, Men’s Fellowship, Lagos Arch Diocese, Methodist Church Nigeria and ex National President of the Men’s Fellowship of the Methodist Church of Nigeria. Food is one thing he does not joke with, unfortunatel, age has stopped him from eating as much as he loved to. “The foods are there now but I can’t eat. I can’t eat more than twice a day,” he said. Watching football matches was something he could not do without when he was younger. Now, he is missing football. “The only football field then was at St George at Onikan, and if the match was slated for 4 pm by 12 noon I would be on the field. But today, I have two stadia at my backyard, yet I don’t know what is happening there. I tried sometimes ago to go and watch football match, but it just didn’t click,”he added. While some who have crossed 60 care less about sports and sports development, Adegbite is abreast of sports and its development. “Nigeria, with our population, we should be able to produce three or four world class football teams if things are properly managed at the Glass House. It is, therefore, disappointing to find ourselves in the doldrums that our football is at the moment,” he noted. He wants government to encourage football competitions among the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and also encourage inter school competitions. Travelling, which used to be his hobby before is no longer appealing to him. “The time when I was the National president of Methodist Men’s Fellowship, I was traveling across the whole country,” said. When he speaks, he speaks with boldness and authority. His knowledge of facts and figures is superb. If you are impressed with all these, it will shock you to know his educational qualifications. His last formal education was Standard Six, but through personal development, 69 years ago, he took his junior Cambridge. In 1944, he took senior Cambridge and left teaching for civil service, where he served for 30 years. According to him, the poor salary made him leave his teaching job for civil service.

Working as a civil servant was a thing of joy, there, according to him, you have peace and “If you have peace, you have everything. That is what is absent in today’s people,” he posited. He loves Shakespeare to a fault, and the collections are part of his library. If he quotes from Shakespeare, Adegbite is not trying to impress, it has become part of him over time. “Apart from the Holy Bible, Shakespeare thinking was very very sound,” he admitted. The retiree has disdain for death. That is the last thing that would scare him. When this reporter reminded him that, at his age, death could come knocking at anytime, he smiled and again quoted from Shakespeare’s, Julius Caesar, “Cowards die many times before their death, the villain never taste death but once… death is a necessary, will come when it will come.” According to him, “death would never ask you to follow him. What he does is to command you to follow him. Why should I worry myself over a thing I don’t have power over? I just pray that when death comes, it meets good work in my hand. And it is often said live today as if it is the last. What will happen tomorrow nobody knows.” Apart from death, he also has scant respect for foreign clothes, especially suits. He wondered why people would wear jacket in a hot weather. “Those who invented suits know why. Each time I traveled abroad, I’m not always different from masquerade. Those who invented agbada know that Africans need plenty of air. Look at Mathman Ghandi, he never wore English dress,” he said smiling. He is worried about the value system in the country, saying “our value system has gone down because women no longer care for their children. Before, it was easy to teach children by their mother tongue but now it is difficult because of the economy.” He would have studied Law at the university, but because he didn’t listen to his inner voice then. He is regretting it. “What I regret is that I failed to study Law and I was preparing for it. The atmosphere that time was not conducive. That was the only mistake I made,” he recalled. Today, he attends church meetings and programmes to keep himself busy. He is a class teacher in his church. He is also an active member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos branch. “Why I attend most of these meetings is to learn and enjoy myself. I don’t go out before 10am and by two or three pm, I return home. I don’t look for contracts. My ambition is to make Methodist Church Nigeria number one in the country,” he said.

My heart is common As dust, You can’t touch nor Cross. I have heard no colour Called Love, I only inhale her sensitive Odour in pleasure and Trust, All translates into one Physical structure With a noble skull. My community, She lives without Deformity, Town hall meetings Is a sitting to view Contributions of every Filling. We eat in peace And rest with feast. Infants jubilates, They understand the Heritage of their future Is a dynamic picture, In smiles they all Respect her culture No reports of torture Ever made our records. I celebrate this stream Were all drink and Rethink into there Offspring’s. The entity never came In a blink, She winked for many, Many day without no Trace. By HIS grace, She made this paste, The faded now try to Emulate. Her structure has formed A buoyant posture, Which is collectively Nurtured. My community has no Equal and can’t be Bought with figures.

Awake Call By AbdulGanniyy Adebayo For long our land has grown Different kind of Goliaths Who trample the land anyhow Here comes an awake call To all the Davids of the land Including you and I Let’s pause to ponder And wage war against the Goliaths Who grow that land may grow not The Davids of the land we are You search for the catapult And I the stone To jointly catapult away the Goliaths Before the arrival of messiah(s) And bring back the true meaning Of our ironical National Pledge

Senseless Talks “Think not what your nation can do for you but think what you can do for your nation” This proclamation And others of similar connotation Are senseless talks from their mouths What a hopeless hope Expecting a set of twins From a full-grown spinster? Has it gone off their memory That only nothing Can emanate from nothingness? What a thoughtless talk Asking the lad to plough And the lass to grow grains With the humus of the land lynched? What sort of casual care is that Promising a monkey a living With the bunch of bananas denied?

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO NEWS

•When Nigerians said NO to fuel subsidy removal during a protest at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos ...on Monday.

Ghanaian Tic Tac offers a double

Miss Beach beauty pageant underway

GHANAIAN emerging musician, Tic Tac, who is one of the hottest musicians to come out of that country of late, is out with a double. He has released two new videos/songs titled Feel The Heat and In The Gallo both are from his upcoming album Ghana 4 U. He has over 11 music awards and six albums to his credit. He became the first African artiste to feature in the MTV Base “making of the video” and had his video directed alongside Akon by Gil Green (U.S director of videos for 50 Cent, Brandy and Buster Rhymes). His song Kangaroo spent over four weeks on the MTV Base chart number one spot and he was the first Ghanaian musician to perform at the 2007 Big Brother Africa in South Africa to an audience of over 50 million viewers across Africa. In 2008, he was ambassador for peace keeping representing West Africa at the Not In Our Lifetime Concert in South Africa against the Xenophobic attacks. He is involved in campaigns with the United Nation in Sierra Leone and Ghana alongside Ramsey Noah and Oswald Boateng as part of the WFP raising funds for

•Tic Tac

MUSIC children. He became the first hip-lifeartiste to collaborate with anyone outside of Ghana with Meiway of Cote d’Ivoire “wope” and Nigerian star Tony Tetuila on the explosive Fefe Na Efe, which received several awards around the world. Tic Tac’s vision is to educate people through his music and help bring awareness of major issues in Africa like poverty, diseases, malnutrition, conflicts and to promote youth empowerment and selfemployment.

RAVELOGUE Communications Limited, publishers of Travelogue magazine, is organising a beauty pageant tagged, Miss Beach Beautiful. The pageant is exclusively traditional and cultural celebrating African womanhood and displaying the beauty of Nigerian tradition through the beach. It is aimed at promoting beach tourism in Nigeria and Africa. It is a marriage of African beauty and the beauty of the beach. It is also a way of promoting tourism among the younger generation as knowledge of tourism elements in Nigeria will play a huge role in determining the Queen. Travelogue magazine has decided to explore the beach as a way of promoting Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage every year and boost the tourism industry. According to a statement by the organisers, Miss Beach Beautiful is designed to showcase real African womanhood and beauty as well as bringing a new dimension to beach tourism in Nigeria, while also celebrating Nigerian culture through food, fashion etc. “It is also a search for beauty, intelligence and warmth, all attributes of the quintessential African woman. Contestants would be drawn from between the ages of 18 and 25.

PAGEANT ‘It is a marriage of African beauty and the beauty of the beach. It is also a way of promoting tourism among the younger generation as knowledge of tourism elements in Nigeria will play a huge role in determining the Queen’ Registration forms would be made available through stipulated banks in due course. Star prize for the winner of this novel pageant takes home N1million and a brand new car, while also being actively involved in tourism propagation around the world and in the country during the one year reign. The second runner-up picks up a cheque of N750,000 while third runner-up goes home with N500,000,” the statement added. The maiden edition of the pageant is scheduled to hold in the first quarter of this year and venue for this epoch event is the popular Oniru private beach in Victoria Island, Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANAURY 11, 2012

Philanthropist conferred with title

PHILANTHROPIST and security expert in Ikot Nkim, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Edet Okon Etim, has been honoured with a chieftaincy title. On the day of the conferment of the title, Ikot Nkim town hall was filled to capacity. Etim got the title of Obong Uforo of Ikot Nkim. Obong Uforo, which literally means ‘the king of riches,’ is one of the highest chieftaincy honours in Ikot Nkim. The traditional ruler of the community, the Ette Idung of Ikot Nkim Obong Effiong Akpan bestowed the honour Etim in recognition of his outstanding role in the town. The Obong Uforo is said to have empowered several youths in the community by giving them jobs. His philathropy and leadership role, however, is not limited to the community but extends to other parts of the state. Over 35 youths of Ibesikpo Asutan, and Ikot Nkim village have been given jobs by Chief Etim in his security firm, Great Hope Security Ltd. He has also helped in providing jobs outside his own business, including such other sectors of the economy as banking, oil, among others. Extolling his qualities the Transition Committee Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government, Chief Etetim Ubom enumerated Etim’s contributions,

Over 35 youths of Ibesikpo Asutan, and Ikot Nkim village have been given jobs by Chief Etim in his security firm, Great Hope Security Ltd From Mike Akpan, Uyo

hailing him for them all. Ubom Thanked God for giving Chief Etim a large heart to help in the development of the state, because, as he put it, developing the youth means developing the society. The Ette Idung of Ikot Nkim said if Chief Prince Etim can achieve this much when he is not in government, he will do more if given the oppourtunity to be elected. Many other people hailed Etim’s award. They included Prophet Ekong Ituen, General Overseer of Christ Deliverance Ministry, who said the Obong Uforo has done well by provid-

ing jobs to jobless youths in the state. He prayed God to sustain him and help him to do more. The cleric said such gestures attract the blessing of God. He said for his people to recognise Etim’s contribution, God will reward him with a crown of glory. Receiving the award, Akparawa Etim said he was surprised that his community reciprocated his little gesture, saying

he was not aiming to be rewarded by the people when he gave back to the community. He promise to do more to better the lot of the community. Etim also appealed to the youths of the area to join him in building a virile state and shun acts that can undermine the peaceful atmosphere in the state. He promised to make himself available in any capacity of any elective position if his commu-

nity called on him to do so. This, he said, will give him more power to raise the profile and development index of his community and beyond Those at the event were Uwem Ita Etuk, the state chapter chairman of the Peoples Democratic Praty (PDP), Mrs Comfort Etuk, Akparawa Obong Godwin Ntukude, Chief Emmanuel Ibiok, Obong Otu Robert Akpan, among others.

Benue council chief builds cottage hospital

PECIAL Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Prince Solomon Wombo has inaugurated a cottage hospital and two council halls constructed by Kwande chairman, Chief Terlumun Akputu. The 20-bed cottage hospital is located in Tse-Ugbena in Mbayoo council ward while the halls are in Achia, and Adagi in Liev and Menev wards. Performing the inauguration at the various locations, the adviser expressed happiness that his tenure has started to witness

•Chief Etim (right) receiving his award from the Ette Idung of Ikot Nkim, Obong Effiong Akpan

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

what he described as functional local government councils. He stated that the state governor Gabriel Suswam had urged him during his swearing-in to revitalise the councils, adding that with the execution of projects at the grassroots the councils were fulfilling their mandates. The adviser pledged to facilitate the delivery of the electricity transformer which Suswam

promised the Achia community, the appointment of an additional district head as well as completion of the Adagi electrification project. Prince Wombo appealed to Kwande people to reciprocate government’s gestures by rallying round the Suswam administration. Community leaders including Chiefs Ityavkase Tsebee, district head of Liev, and his Menev counterpart, Akoso Uban, as well as Simeon Nyaga and Iorwuse

Anhange, expressed appreciation to the governor for constructing the Adikpo-Jato-Aka Road which passes though the area. They also expressed happiness that the Governor appointed an indigene of the area, Mr. Simon Kwaghbullah a commissioner, the first of such since the creation of the state. Yet, they requested the electrification of Achia and Adagi, the appointment of an additional district head and the recruitment of indigenes of the areas to man the halls. At the inauguration of the hospital named Gabriel Suswam Cottage Hospital, state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Orduen Abunku, praised Chief Akputu for what he described as his foresight in the provision of the primary health care facility, pointing out that that level of health care delivery has become a priority for both the federal and state governments. He promised to post a medical doctor to the hospital, even as the state chairman of the Asso-

ciation of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, and Ukum chairman, Mr David Sevav pledged that the association would furnish the hospital with state-of-the-art equipment. Chief Akputu said the projects were among those he has executed in all the 15 councils of the local government area. He explained that apart from the hospital which he said would serve both communities in Kwande and Vandeikya Local Government Areas, his administration has constructed other health clinics at Gbe, Imande Tomatar, and Anyiase in Agbakyan, Mbadura, and Moon council wards. The chairman stated that the local government under his leadership has also spent over N20 million on drug revolving scheme and immunisation programmes and has embarked on serious environmental sanitation exercises as well as aggressive HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns.

Prince Wombo appealed to Kwande people to reciprocate government’s gestures by rallying round the Suswam administration •Medical doctors participated in the strike action

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

Awka agog at cathedral’s inauguration

WKA, the capital city of Anambra State hummed with heavy presence of dignitaries from far and near. The event almost turned to a political carnival. But it was not. It was the inauguration of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Nkwelle, a community in the city built by the traditional prime Minister of Awka, Ozo Augustine Ndigwe. The event drew dignitaries, including Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa and his wife. Others included the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his wife, his Deputy Jude Agbaso, Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi and his wife, Margaret, and Lt. General Obiakor (rtd). The list also included the former governor of Anambra State, and now Senator representing Anambra Central, Dr. Chris Ngige, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Victor Umeh, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on inter party relations, Senator Ben Ndi Obi. Also, present were Edo State Business mogul and Chief Executive Ineh Mic Motors, Chief Mike Inegbese, oil and gas mogul, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili and her husband Dr Chike, members of the diplomatic corps, members of National Assembly, uncountable number of traditional rulers and clergy among others. The building, Newsextra gathered, was erected by Ndigwe but with contributions from other individuals like Ifeanyi Ubah, Prince Arthur Ezeh, Prof Dora Akunyili and others. It cost over N450m. While delivering his homily, Anthony Cardinal Olubumni Okogie frowned at the way worshippers in liaison with priests are fast turning worship centres into what he called muse-

Buying and selling in the church in the name of fund raising is prohibited and it will arouse the anger of God if the trend continues

•Governor Obi (left), his wife, Margaret, and Governor Rochas Okorocha

ums and markets. He said: “Buying and selling in the church in the name of fund raising is prohibited and it will arouse the anger of God if the trend continues”. He warned that such trading in the name of worshipping should be done outside the church, including meetings of councils and not inside where people worship God. “If the house of God is turned into such things, therefore the aim is defeated”.

The cardinal expressed happiness that some people like Ndigwe have started responding to God’s work, adding that the edifice could compete with the one in Rome. He prayed God to reward Ndigwe abundantly for giving back to God what He has given him. Speaking with Newsextra, Ozo Augustine Ndigwe described the day as his happiest in life. “I have achieved what I dreamt of achieving in life,” he

said. He said that the journey of the church building began when his late brother Ozo Kenechukwu Ndigwe died. His remains, according to him, were brought to Saint Peter’s Primary School, Nkwelle, which he described as “one dilapidated building” for the funeral mass. “After the mass, I was called up to give a vote of thanks. The first thing I said was the promise made to God, that is, build•Continued on Page 40

Youths want oil subsidy back •Continued from Page 25 the nation and the Ejigbo community on the negative impact of the subsidy removal on their well-being. In a chat with Newsextra, he said: “As citizens of this country, we say no to fuel subsidy removal. The youths are law-abiding and are in support of any policies and programmes that will enhance the economic well-being of the country. However, we are averse to any form of injustice government is meting out to the hapless masses that are contributing to the growth of the economy.” He further said that the youth are protesting what he called “irresponsible and anti-people policies of the Federal Government, even as he said the essence of the demonstration was to educate the people on their rights and what to expect from the local, state and federal governments and what treatment we don’ deserve from government.” Continuing, Comrade Olaleye told Newsextra that “the youth were out to peacefully demonstrate against subsidy removal which has dawned on us to translate to wishful maltreatment of the masses of this country. We thought that the President’s name being Goodluck would be a good omen to the country. Regrettably his name has become Badluck for the country. Government should know that the era when Nigerian masses are seen to be politically naïve is over. We are

•Ikotun Roundabout deserted no longer slaves in our fatherland. We are free citizens and nobody should toss us around. That was then, not now. He regretted that despite the current democratic dispensation, leaders of the country have succeeded in stifling certain fundamental structures and principles of democracy, resulting in a situation in which the people suffer abject poverty in the midst of plenty. “We are not out for violence or to destabilise or destroy properties but to create awareness in Ejigbo and its environs in order to educate the people on what is going on in the country. We came to see the chairman of

PHOTO: CHINAKA OKORO

Ejigbo LCDA to air our views on the current matter. Receiving the youth at the council secretariat, chairman of Ejigbo council, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan praised them for the peaceful manner the approached the issue, even as he praised them for sensitizing the people on what their rights are, saying everything will go but law and order must prevail. He expressed his happiness that he didn’t wake up to witness any burn fire in any public institutions or any attack on motorists, markets and shops. It is an exercise that depicts maturity. He said: “The Action Congress of

Nigeria (ACN), as a party has taken a position against the removal of the subsidy. As a loyal party man and committed nationalist, he shares their grievances, arguments and position that there is no way to rationalise the removal of fuel subsidy.” Continuing, Bamigbetan said: “The Wards, the party’s representatives at the House of Representatives, the party’s governors and literary giants, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe have written, asking for a reversal of fuel subsidy, “This shows that our action is a popular action in defense of greater interest of sovereignty of the country.”

He urged the youth not to engage in any form of violence or any destructive actions, adding “go about your demonstrations in a peaceful way, so as not to break law and order. At the end of the protest, we are going to emerge victorious.” Comrade Okunade Adebisi, one of the youth said petroleum products are the major resources through which we survive; fueling the vehicles that move people from one point to the other. The country is in a state of turmoil and we are trying to mobilise the youth in our environment against government’s anti-people policies and programmes.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

We should not always wait for government for everything, as the little things we do can put smiles on the faces of many

Aregbesola’s wife urges love for widows

IFE of Osun State Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola has called on government and public-spirited individuals to show love to widows, saying it will helping them lead fulfilling lives. She disclosed this while donating over 200 bags of rice to kingsway International Church Centre for distribution to widows. She made the donation during the church’s annual widows party held at the hometown of its Presiding Pastor, Mathew Ashimolowo, Ode Omu, Ayedaade Local Government. She stated that individuals and corporate organisation can put smiles on the faces of widows by contributing gifts that would give them a sense of belonging. Mrs Aregbesola commended the efforts of Ashimolowo for his contribution to the welfare of orphans and widows in the state. “We should not always wait for government for everything, as the little things we do can put smiles on the faces of many. I strongly believe that wherever love lives, there abounds God, so let us show each other love and help ourselves live a fulfilled life,” she added. The governor’s wife assured the gathering that the administration of Mr Rauf Aregbesola is

•Continued from Page 39

ing a place of worship for him, that my brother’s death will become a blessing to the entire parishioners”. He said that people found it impossible to see this dream be-

•Pastor Ashimolowo (left); Mrs Aregbesola (second left); Prophet Samuel Kayode; Mrs Ayo Omidiran making a donation to Alhaja Mulikat Olatunbosun

committed to improving the lot of women through his lofty programme. Addressing the gathering, the state deputy governor, Mrs Grace Laoye-Tomori reiterated the state government’s resolve to train

women to be self-sufficient, saying provision for the programe has been made in this year’s budget In his address, Pastor Ashimolowo disclosed that his ministry would continue to cater for the well-being of opharns

and widows. He revealed that by March this year, the church would invite medical doctors from abroad to provide medical care for residents of the state. Over 600 widows from Ode-

Omu and Modakeke were given cash, clothes and food items. The programme was attended by all the Commissioners in the state executive council, head of service and Ministers of God across the state.

Awka agog at cathedral’s inauguration come a reality, adding that there was nothing some people could not do to frustrate him from building for the Lord. He stressed that it would be an investment that would ever

•From left: Senators Ngige, Ben Ndi-Obi and Igwe Anugwu

remain in his heart. And not only that; Ndigwe equally built and furnished the Saint Agnes Chapel on the church premises in memory of his late mother, Ojiefi Agnes

Nwone Ndigwe. Others who made the project became a reality, according to him, were Senator Ben Ndi-Obi, Hon. Justice Godwin Ononiba, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Annie Okonkwo, Chief Anayo Nwandu, Chief Emmanuel Nwude, Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo, Chief Victor Umeh, among others. Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa confessed that being the first Christian governor in Kaduna he received tremendous support from the people of Southeast. He said he was delighted to be in Anambra for the event, describing his re-election as divine elevation. Yakowa said that it had been the prayers of the faithful that have been seeing the country through in many of its problems and challenges, adding that the church in the Northern part of the country still requires the support of other philanthropists like Ndigwe to grow. “We need help,” he said. Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha described the day as a day the Lord had made, adding that whoever gives to God receives abundantly. He therefore commended Cardinal Okogie for what he had been doing in the Catholic Church, adding that the church needs more Okogies to move it forward in Nigeria.

APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh said that returning the mission schools in the state by Governor Peter Obi to their original owners was a difficult one and urged Okogie to continue fighting for the masses the way he had been doing in the country. Anambra State Governor Peter Obi said that Augustine Ndigwe should be emulated by others in the society. However, he said that the people and the church should remain prayerful to Nigeria. “Our country is going through great difficulty,” he said. “No country can survive the way we are going today. Bombings have become the order of the day, innocent people are being killed, it is not a good omen,” Obi said. Furthermore, Umeh warned that senseless killings were what caused the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, adding that his party condemns the act in totality. He told Newsextra that if such killings are not stopped by the federal government they could lead to worse trouble for the country. Umeh said: “Let us not have a repeat of what happened years back again; we must live together, we must live as brothers and sisters, we must shun killings and live in unity.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO) NEW YEAR MESSAGES Text of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s statement on the controversial withdrawal of petrol subsidy

‘Jonathan breaks social contract with people’

S Nigerians gathered with family and friends to celebrate the New Year, the federal government was baking a national cake wrapped in the scheme that would instantly make the New Year a bitter one. Barely had the public weaned itself from last year when government dropped a historic surprise on an unsuspecting nation. PPPRA issued a statement abolishing the fuel subsidy. By this sly piece of paper, the federal government breached the social contract with the people. This government, which owes its very existence to the people’s desire to be governed by someone more humble than elitist, has turned its back on the collective will. By bureaucratic fiat, government made the most fateful economic decision any administration has made since the inception of the Fourth Republic and it has done so with an arrogant wave of the hand as if issuing a minor regulation. Because of the terrible substance of the decision and the haughty style of its enactment, the people feel betrayed and angry. At this moment, we know not to where this anger will lead. In good conscience, we pray against violence. Also in good conscience, it is the duty of every citizen to peacefully demonstrate and record their opposition to this draconian measure that is swiftly crippling the economy more than it will ever cure it. By taking this step, government has tossed the people into the depths of the midnight sea. Government demands the people swim to safety under their own power, claiming the attendant hardship will build character and add efficiency to the national economy. It is easy to make these claims when one is dry and on shore. Government would have us believe that every hardship it manufactures for the people to endure is a good thing. This is a lie. The hardships they thrust upon the poor often bear no other purpose than to keep them poor. This is such a time. I am not calling President Jonathan an evil man. I do not believe he is perverse. However, the economic ideas controlling him are so misguided that they have a perverse impact. Because he is slave to wrong-headed economics, the people will become enslaved to greater misery. This crisis will bear his name and will be his legacy. The people now pay a steep tax for voting him into office. The removal of the subsidy is the “Jonathan tax.” This situation shows that ideas count more than personalities. People may occupy office but how that person performs depends on the ideas that occupy his mind. Though someday, Nigeria will have to remove the subsidy, the time to do it is not now. This subsidy removal is ill-timed and violates the condition precedent necessary before such a decision is made. First, government needs to clean up and throw away the salad of corruption in the NNPC. Then, proceed to lay the foundation for a mass transit system in the railways and road network with long term bonds and fully develop the energy sector towards revitalizing Nigeria’s economy and easing the burden any subsidy removal may have on the people. But we know this is about more than the fuel subsidy. It is about government’s ideas on the role of money in better the lives of people, about the relationship between government and the people and about the primary objective of government’s interaction in the economy. It is about whom, among the Nigeria’s various social classes, does government most value. This is why public reaction has been heated. It is not so much that people have to spend more money.

It is because people feel short-changed and sold out. Government seeks to convince us that the Jonathan tax is an unavoidable decision mandated by immutable economic principles. If you accept their premise, you must agree with their conclusion. However, their argument falters at its inception. There are few immutable economic principles. Economics is not an exact science with unbreakable rules like physics. Economics is no less subjective than politics. It was born an offshoot of politics and there it remains. What this government claims to be economic decisions are essentially political ones. As there are progressive politics, there are progressive economics. As there are elitist politics, there are elitist economics. It all depends on what and who in society government would rather favor. The Jonathan tax represents a new standard in elitism. This whole issue boils down to whether government believes the general public is worth a certain level of expenditure. It is like the situation where a man dates more than one woman. To each, he promises love thus nothing can be deduced from his words. However, we know he will spend and dote more on one and she will be the one he loves above the others. When banks were in distress, government produced billions of naira out of thin air and in record time. It was explained the swift expenditure was needed to stop the banking system from imploding. There was no worry that government would be bankrupted. If the banks were to fall twenty times in the future, government would jump twenty times to their rescue. It does so because this government lives a conservative economics placing it in close alliance, if not collusion, with corporate power. However, because the distance between government and the people is far and genuine level of affection is low, government sees no utility in continuing to spend the current level of money on the people. In their mind, the people are not worth the money. Government sees more value in “saving” money than in saving the hardpressed masses. Yet, what does government actually save by this measure? The concept of a government that has the unfettered ability to print its own currency needing to save that currency for fear of insolvency is an anachronism. That his economic advisors would cling to this notion is like a person insisting on taking to the expressway in a horse-drawn carriage. For a government that prints its own currency, attempting to save in that very currency in order to defend against bankruptcy in that currency is a relic of the gold standard abandoned forty years ago. If government thrashed the fuel subsidy based on considerations that it will run out of naira then it based its decision on a factor that have not been relevant since the time of the Biafran war. In 1971, the world left the gold standard replacing it with “state” or “fiat money.” Under the gold standard, a nation had to save gold to support its currency or risk insolvency. After 1971, bondage to gold was broken. Since then, the worth of a nation’s currency is not tied to gold which

means that the ability of a nation to print currency is not determined by its holdings of gold. The worth of the currency is based on the strength of the economy and the amount of money the nation prints is determined by that strength as well as the nation’s future economic objectives. A nation can no longer fall insolvent concerning debts or payments issued in the national currency. As long as the fuel subsidy is paid in naira, then Nigeria cannot go bankrupt paying it any more than the ocean can run out of salt water. In a fiat money system, the problem with the fuel subsidy is not impending insolvency as the government asserts. The serious constraint is inflation. Here we must ask whether the payment is so inflationary as to distort the economy. We have been making the payment for years and inflation has not wrecked the economy. This historic evidence refutes the imminent disaster claimed by government. In advancing the argument that subsidy would lead to imminent bankruptcy, government reveals its lack of trustworthiness on important matters of fact. Is this the same government that several weeks ago claimed Nigeria was among the world’s best performing economies with a GDP growth rate of 7 percent annually? It seems government has a vast canvas on which it can paint a number of different scenarios of Nigeria depending on the whim of the moment. While government may alter its portrait of the nation, the people are forced to live one reality at a time. Is Nigeria a fast growing economy? If the nation’s GDP is growing so strongly, the subsidy or a similar expenditure on the people cannot be the lethal burden government now maligns it to be. Nigerians have a collective stake in the ownership of our oil resource held in trust by the government of the day. What we need then is the effective management of this scarce resource that will beget long term prosperity to the suffering people of Nigeria and not the present racket in which those in power abuse access and control of NNPC and oil revenue to warehouse money to fund their election campaigns. HIS brings us to another in consistency. On one hand, government states the expenditure is unsustainable yet on the other it claims the amount now earmarked for the subsidy will be used to fund other people-oriented programs. However, the two assertions cannot exist at the same time side. If the subsidy is bankrupting us, then reallocating funds to different programs will be no less harmful. A bankrupting expenditure retains this quality whether used for the subsidy or another purpose. Earmarking the funds to something else will not change the fiscal impact. If government is sincere about using the funds for other programs, then it must be insincere about the threatened insolvency. The concern about government saving naira is purely superfluous. Officials cry that Nigeria will become like Greece. Those who say this disqualify themselves from high office by their own words. Greece sits

‘Nigerians have a collective stake in the ownership of our oil resource held in trust by the government of the day. What we need then is the effective management of this scarce resource that will beget long term prosperity to the suffering people of Nigeria and not the present racket in which those in power abuse access and control of NNPC and oil revenue to warehouse money to fund their election campaigns’

in a terrible situation because it forfeited its own currency. Thus, it cannot print itself out of insolvency and it must save or earn euro to pay its bills. Because Nigeria issues its own currency, it does not face the same constraint. Again, Nigeria’s problem with the subsidy is not insolvency. Therefore, to go from subsidy to nothing is not wise economics for it “saves” government nothing. What it does is produce real havoc and misery for the majority of the people while the governing elite worship their mistaken fiscal rectitude. Ironically, by acting like the old gold standard fiscal constraints are real, this government will incur the very thing it seeks to avoid. It will subject Nigeria to a crushing economic contraction. The difference between us and the Greeks will be that their situation is the inevitable result of being a weak member in a monetary union dominated by a strong economy, while our downturn will be a discretionary one artificially induced by the backwardness of our policymakers. By its action, our government placed itself on the list of conservative governments imposing unwise austerity programs on tired and weak economies. The results have been alarming. Greece, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and the UK have imposed stiff austerity. Each nation that has done so now has an intimate relationship with recession. Must we travel the same path? Why does our government think an independently-minded Nigerian success is inferior to the mimicry of European failure? I don’t understand why we take this road. Our government has allied itself with the goals of the European conservatives and not with the needs of the Nigerian populace. No one plucks a chicken to feed his children feathers. Nor does a man set his house on fire just so people can bring him water. However, this is spirit behind government policy. There has been no nation on the face of the planet that has developed or achieved long-term prosperity by devotion to conservative, ultra-free market economic ideas that dominate this government. America, the United Kingdom, and now China all based their initial thrust toward national economic development on significant government interplay in the economy and on sustained government fiscal deficits. If no nation has grown using these conservative ideas when growth was constrained by the gold standard, why would we shackle ourselves to these ideas when we operate under a monetary system that provides the federal government greater policy latitude to achieve economic development objectives. Again, we must rid ourselves of the old notion that government saving and budgetary surpluses are inherently good and that deficits are always bad. For government to save naira, that means it brings in more than it pays out. Where does this influx come from? It comes from you and me, the private sector. If the federal government saves more, it means the private sector will have less. Government surplus means private sector contraction. This shows that the administration has its priorities confused. It acts as if the people are there to help government run itself. The more beneficial relationship is that government should be giving people the help needed to better live their lives. The government’s position is akin to a wealthy parent demanding his young children bring home more food for him to consume than the parent gives them to eat. We would deride any parent for such meanness. Yet, this government believes this conduct is wise and prudent. Another argument government has presented is that removal of the

•Asiwaju Tinubu

subsidy will stabilize the exchange rate. This makes no sense. True, since marketers convert much of the naira from selling petrol gained into dollars, there is downward pressure on the exchange rate and foreign reserves. However, this pressure is not a byproduct of the subsidy. It is a byproduct of importation. With the subsidy lifted, the marketers will earn the same or more from the sale of petrol. For there to be less pressure on the exchange rate would mean the marketers would seek to exchange significantly less of the same amount of naira into dollars simply because the subsidy was removed. There is no logical basis to assume the new Jonathan tax will have the behavioral impact of causing importers to want to hold more naira. The downward pressure on our currency and reserves will not change simply because the imported items are no longer subsidized. In fact, the higher rate of inflation caused by the removal may make importers keener to change naira into dollars. Thus, the real challenge in this regard is for government to pave the way to increased domestic production. HERE is another “philosophi cal mystery” in the govern ment’s position. They state the subsidy must be removed to end the unjust enrichment of the importing cabal. There is a major problem with this assertion. If this is truly a subsidy, there should be no unjust enrichment. A subsidy is created to allow the general public to pay a lesser price while sellers earn the prevailing market price. Subsidy removal should not increase or decrease the amount earned per litre by the suppliers. If the amount earned by the suppliers will diminish materially, what government had been operating was in part a pro-importer price support mechanism on top of the consumer-friendly subsidy. If this is the case, government could have abolished the unneeded price support while retaining the consumer subsidy. More to the point, government has failed to show how the system it plans to use will be protected from the undue influence and unfair dealings of those who benefited from the discarded subsidy regime. Because it is capital intensive by its very nature, this sector of the economy is susceptible to control by a few powerful companies. Most of the players will remain the same except that a few cronies of the administration will be allowed entrance into the lucrative game. Sending the economy into the gutter is a steep cost to pay just so a few friends can reap a new windfall. Government claims the subsidy removal will create jobs. This is misleading. The stronger truth is that it

Continued on Page 44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO)

‘Jonathan breaks social contract with people’ Continued from Page 43 will destroy more jobs than it creates. For every job it creates in the capital intensive petroleum sector, it will terminate several jobs in the rest of the labor intensive economy. Subsidy removal will increase costs across the board. However, salaries will not increase. This means demand for goods will lessen as will sales volumes and overall economic activity. The removal will have a recessionary impact on the economy as a whole. While some will benefit from the removal, most will experience setback. What is doubtless is that the Jonathan tax will increase the price of petrol, transportation and most consumer items. With fuel prices increasing twofold or more, transportation costs will roughly double. Prices of food staples will increase between 25-50 percent. Yet this is more than about cost figures. Most people’s incomes are low and stagnant. They have no way to augment revenue and little room to lower expenses for they know no luxuries; they are already tapped out. The only alternative they have is to fend as best they can, knowing they must somehow again subtract something from their already bare existence. There will be less food, less medicine, and less school across the land. More children will cry in hunger and more parents will cry at their children’s despair. This is what government has done. Poor and middle class consumers will spend the same amount to buy much less. The volume of economic activity will drop like a stone tossed from a high building. This means real levels of demand will sink. The middle class to which our small businessmen belong will find their profit margins squeezed because they will face higher costs and reduced sales volumes. These small firms employ vast numbers of Nigerians. They will be hard pressed to maintain current employment levels given the higher costs and lower revenues they will face. Because the middle class businessman will be pinched, those who depend on the businessmen for employment will be heavily pressed. States that earn significant revenue from internally generated funds will find their positions damaged. Internally generated revenue will decline because of the pressure on general economic activity. The Jonathan tax will push Nigeria toward an inflation-recession combination punch worse than the one that has Europe reeling. This tax has doomed Nigeria to extra hardship for years to come while the promised benefits of deregulation will never be substantially realized. People will starve and families crumble while federal officials praise themselves for “saving money.” The purported savings amount to nothing more than an accounting entry on the government ledger board. They bear no indication of the real state of the economy or of the great harm done the people by this miserly step. As stated before, the threat of bankruptcy is nothing more than a ghost of something long dead. The real consideration is not whether this sum should be spent but whether it is better spent on the subsidy or on oth-

er programs. Nigerians do not need to be wedded to the subsidy. It is not the subsidy that gives life to the social compact; the amount of the expenditure is the better litmus. When attempting to douse popular sentiment, government pretended that the social contract would remain intact because government would spend the money saved from the subsidy on other programs. This would be nice if supported by action. If government were sincere in this regard, it would have used an entirely different strategy. It would have looked on the removal as evolutionary, longterm process instead of as a sudden event accomplished by executive decree. If government had proceeded along these lines, it would have first perfected the plans for the new programs and projects that would receive the funds previously allocated the subsidy. These plans would have been in place and ready to implement. Only then would the subsidy be removed. To say that they will develop programs once the subsidy is removed suggests government‘s heart is not in these alternatives. Government only raised this possibility as a public relations afterthought to douse public opposition. For instance, the government’s top spokesperson said it was obvious the Administration had guillotined the subsidy since it was not included in the 2012 budget. If we take this as the measure, there is no evidence in that budget of government transferring the bulk of “subsidy savings” to other programs. Using the reasoning employed by government itself, the budget reveals no sympathetic plan to buffer the effects of the Jonathan tax. Even if government wanted to engage in naira-for-naira alternative social spending, it would take well over a year for the programs to have even minimal effect. Such expenditures would require new legislation. Given the pace of the National Assembly, such legislation would take months even if fast tracked. Then appropriations would have to be made before the process of procurement began. If the federal government were to buy sufficient buses to subsidize urban transport across the nation, orders would have to be placed for the purchase and importation of these buses. Again, months would elapse. If we are aiming at major road construction, the processes of project planning and contract bidding will require well over a year after a project is approved and funds appropriated. Last, government has just established a large committee to oversee this alternative expenditure. We have no need for another such body. If competent, government would not require this help. Moreover, we have seen this tactic before. Time and money will be devoted to running the committee. More attention will go to the committee’s emoluments than to its fundamental work. The actual parameters of the committee’s scope of work are nebulous and ill-defined. Will it have the authority to act or only advise? This looks like another blind alley where government hopes to misdirect our attention. This committee is not

meant to accomplish anything except to numb public opposition. Government hopes people will posit confidence in the body because of the eminent people named to it. By the time the public discovers the committee is a zombie creation, too much time would have elapsed and it will be too late to reignite public protests. The people then will resign themselves to their fate. This trick has worked in the past; it will not work today because the people are much too aware and too agitated. In the end, the federal government has done the nation an awful disservice at the worst time. This is an unneeded and avoidable emergency. Pursuing the grail of elitist economics, the federal government brings economic disaster to our doorstep. Attempting to protect government bank accounts from false bankruptcy, they push the people into real bankruptcy. Government is relying on the fact that the people are long-suffering and patient. They think the people will quickly forget this latest assault and return to the grueling challenge of daily survival. Government thinks people will be so fixated on survival that they will forget government has made survival more difficult. Rarely has a government been this cynical. Not even the reclusive Yar’adua or the dictator, Obasanjo placed this hardship on the people. Of course, Nigerians know that Obasanjo failed spectacularly to lay the necessary infrastructural foundation which could have made the recent removal of subsidy an easier decision for President Jonathan and a lesser burden for Nigerians to bear. Nigeria in Jonathan is confronted with a government “on top of the people” rather than a “government for the people”. It is as if Jonathan has turned from president to pharaoh and has decreed that the people make bricks without straw. What manner of leader has he become? I don’t know. However, there is only one just way out of this distress. Government must modify the sudden and complete removal of the subsidy. Either we restore the subsidy or use the funds for other social purposes. If we are to use the funds for other programs, those programs shall be placed on parallel track with the subsidy. As more of these programs are ready to go on line, then the subsidy can be lifted in phases. In this way, the public is assured government will not lower its total expenditure on their behalf, thus maintaining the spirit central to the social contract. Fuel price increases will be moderated so as not to cause extreme economic distress. And the people will see and feel the benefit of the alternative programs at the same time of the cost increases, thus further blunting the adverse impact of those increases. Until this change occurs, the people must remain vigilant or else we will sink under the weight of what the federal government has done.

•Enugu State Chairman, Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Chukwuma Igbokwe (middle) speaking before a meeting with the Head of Service…yesterday. With him are NLC Vice Chairman Comrade Ndudi Chude (left) and NLC Chairman Comrade Chumeife Nze

•Protesters at Ojota, Lagos.

•Another protesters at Ojota, Lagos

Kwara State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Isreal Adebisi presenting a protest letter to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House, Ilorin...yesterday PHOTOS: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE, ABIODUN WILLIAMS AND NAN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

It was largely unexpected. The House of Representatives held an emergency plenary session last Sunday. VICTOR OLUWASEGUN and DADA ALADELOKUN present the politics behind the sitting.

Reps caught in politics of subsidy debate M

ANY of those who watched the special session of the House of Representatives on television on Sunday could not have understood what informed the decision and the underlying political principles. The Aminu Tambuwal-led House took a resolute stance on the side of the Nigerian people over the removal of the subsidy on fuel by the Goodluck Jonathan administration earlier on January 1, this year. The lawmakers told the executive arm to suspend its decision on the removal of fuel subsidy in appreciation of the mood of the nation and allow more room for consultations. As long as the subsidy argument lasted, the House had consistently reiterated its desire to stand with the masses on the positive side of history. Tambuwal, while presenting the legislative agenda of the 7th House, had said at inauguration of the new assembly: “The House makes bold to state and with new assurance to the Nigerian People that the legislature have come of age. It is a new day - a new House of Representatives - that is ready to meet the expectations of the Nigerian people.”

AGAINST REMOVAL

• Ogene

• Faparusi

• Osagie

FOR REMOVAL

Unprecedented action With a nationwide total strike by the organised labour unions looming in the horizon, the House had hastily recalled its members two days earlier than scheduled from the Christmas and New Year break to take a common position on the controversial subsidy issue. A total of 294 members attended the session. The House also urged the organised Labour and other stakeholders to suspend the intended strike action and submit to further dialogue on the matter. The House of Representatives has seen a moment in history in which to garner the goodwill of the Nigerian people and it has seized it with both hands. Though many had thought there was a consensus of opinion on the issue of which position the House would take on the issue, emerging scenario on the floor of the House during the emergence session showed that it was hasty to have adopted that assumption. During the briefing of reporters on Friday, January 6 by the Chief Whip of the House Isiaka Mohammed Bawa and the Minority Whip Samson Osagie, they told newsmen that the decision to convene the emergency meeting was agreed to by all the leaders of the various political parties in the House. By implication, all members of the PDP, ACN, ACPN, AP, ANPP, APGA, CPC, PPA, PPN and LP that constitute the House are supposedly in agreement on not only the need to summon an emergency meeting, but also on the need to take a common position on the issues. But as in most democracies around the world, dissenting views would always be expressed. And as it turned out, some members said the subsidy should be removed. The final resolution may not have gone down well with those who had dissenting views. For instance, Warman Ogoriba (PDP, Bayelsa), a pro-subsidy removal lawmaker said President Jonathan loves the country and that the President was only trying to save

• Dickson

the nation from collapse. Other lawmakers who spoke in support of subsidy removal include House Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola (PDP, Oyo), Nado Karibo (PDP, Bayelsa), Yakubu Barde (PDP, Kaduna), Arua Arunsi (PDP, Abia), Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa), Sekonte Davies (PDP, Rivers), Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta), Andrew Uchendu (PDP, Rivers), Ini Udoka (PDP, Akwa Ibom), Asita Honourable (PDP, Rivers) Mohammed Ibrahim Idris (PDP, Kogi), Joseph Akinlaja (LP, Ondo) and Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo). Other people were quick to assert that they had been “reached” by the Presidency. But it is also instructive that majority of those who spoke in support of subsidy removal are from the Niger Delta. Could they have spoken because of the overriding desire to protect and support their kinsman who is the President, which they gave more importance than standing on the side of the Nigerian people? Tambuwal, while speaking on the import of the situation, said: “Issues before us, though weighty and critical, are certainly not insurmountable. The survival of Ni-

• Adeola-Akande

geria as a united, indivisible and prosperous nation is of crucial importance and must be factored into whatever position we adopt on these issues “In a world of competing challenges and opportunities, it is simply critical that we remain focused on our non-negotiable goals of building stability reign supreme. According to him, the issues had raised serious concerns among the generality of Nigerians particularly from organised labour. He said the concerns were not unfounded but that the House believed the options were not exhausted. When the President Goodluck Jonathan invited members of the National Assembly to the Villa in December 2011 to lobby them on the issue of fuel subsidy removal, members of the House of Representatives reportedly told him to his face that they were not going to support his removal of fuel subsidy. The federal lawmakers were hailed by Nigerians for their determination to be on the side of the people. Most Nigerians saw the action of the lawmakers as an ample opportunity to show the Executive that it could not always

• Elumelu

have its way all of the time. To a large extent the encomiums showered on the lawmakers became a moral albatross on the House to do that which they have always said they would do –stand on the side of the people.

How the decision was reached Sources disclosed that the leadership of the House convened the meeting on the evening of Thursday, January 5 and early morning of January 6 before agreeing to recall members for the emergency meeting. Though labour has hailed the decision of the House calling for the halt in the removal of subsidy, some people have posited that the House was simply playing to the gallery just to be seen “to be doing something.,” Efforts were said to have been made by the Presidency, to get to the leadership of the House through the House Leader, Mulikat AkandeAdeola, in order to persuade the House to shelve the emergency meeting. But while speaking with The Nation yesterday, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, who represents Emure/

Gbonyi and Ekiti East Federal Constituency of Ekiti State, expressed displeasure that the President treated the House with disdain by not carrying it along in the whole scenario. He said: “The President should have come to us in the House, lay open his cards and convince us as to what he wanted to achieve. Apart from us, other stake-holders in the Nigerian projected should have been carried along. His failure to do all that is what has led to this logjam. “Again, if corruption as being touted is the reason behind the astronomical increase in fuel price, it means Nigerians are being made to pay for government’s inefficiency; I won’t support that. More so, I fault the re-investment pledge of the government. What the President needs to do is to focus on infrastructural development and among other things, convince Nigerians actually about his readiness to build our refineries so that we can buy the product locally.” Saying that President Jonathan was in a hurry to make an impression, Faparusi likened him to a bad driver, explaining: “He is like a driver being accused of being too slow by his co-occupants of the vehicle. In response, he hurriedly switches from the first gear to the fifth and in the process injures both the vehicle and the occupants. This is what we are seeing. Mr. President should respect the resolution of the House by reverting to the N65 per litre while allowing for negotiation on the way forward.” The House has also set up two AdHoc committees. One headed by Patrick Ikhariale (PDP, Edo) to interface with the representatives of the Executive and organized labour with a view of finding common ground. The second committee headed by Farouk Lawan (PDP, Kano) is to verify and determine actual subsidy requirement and monitor the subsidy regime. The resolute posture of the Reps members shows a new leaning in the Parliament,

President’s reaction But the President through his spokesman Reuben Abati has said the lawmakers are just expressing their opinions and unfortunately, many people are of the opinion that the resolution of the House is advisory, not enforceable. The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Victor Ogene, however, sees the situation differently. According to him, the situation on ground requires that the President listens to the voice of the people as expressed in the resolution of the House. “While motions do not have the force of law, they also have moral authority behind them. Reading through the statement by Jonathan’s spokesman, Dr. Ruben Abati, I am shocked he could try to downplay such an important issue by reducing it to the level of mere opinion. What the House did on Sunday cannot be described as the expression of mere opinion. The House came out to take a definite stance towards bringing the country back from the precipice. Because at the point we were before the sitting, something was going to give,” he further said. Now, wherever the pendulum will rest, time will tell.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

POLITICS

The problem with the 2012 budget, by Odubote House of Representatives member Hon. Lanre Odubote spoke with reporters on plans to further review the constitution. OZIEGBE OKOEKI was there.

OING by what we have had so far since President Goodluck Jonathan took over, what direction do you think we should go. Do you think the President is following the right channel? In fairness to him, a man can only work to the level of his capacity. There are so many things at stake in the nation - unbalanced federation and so on. See what is happening about Boko Haram; there is no way he can do more than what he is doing. The only thing is that Nigerians should respond to democratic practices to encourage him to succeed, if he succeeds, then we will have a stable polity. As far as I am concerned, the only direction left for him now is to listen to people’s opinions and superior arguments. The issue of fuel subsidy should be discarded and he should think of how to improve infrastructure at petroleum level. More refineries can solve the problem instead of building refineries in Niger and around the whole West African coastline; Nigeria is importing fuel from other West African countries; that is round tripping. The view of the people is that the National Assembly is not doing its work, that the people there are not doing their best for the masses. How do you react to this? This Assembly is the 7th. It took off about six months ago. All the committees have been inaugurated and we have been doing our best; see what has been done in a short time. This is a responsive National Assembly. See the leadership; we have been doing our best. I can assure you that this is the people’s Assembly. This is the Assembly that will sharpen the fortune of the country. So, the Assembly is a very solid one and we just need understanding from Nigerians. We have started amending the constitution, so the Assembly is very solid; we just need the understanding of Nigerians, to understand us better than in the past. For us to deepen democracy depends on the integrity of the legislature. So, it should give us that opportunity to develop that arm of government, they should just be patient. By the time we address the issue of this budget, you will see the kind of Assembly we are talking about. On this issue of 2012 budget, President Jonathan kept mum on fuel subsidy; how do you see the issue? Yes, he kept mum, but the fact still remains that he has to tell us the areas he will generate funds to finance the budget. I have not seen the budget, I only heard about it. By the time we now resume after the whole thing, we will look at it. For now, I can’t make any comment; maybe it is there or it is not there. By the time we go into it and know how he is going to finance the budget, we will see. Recently, there appeared to be an onslaught on the opposition, particularly ACN. First, it was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and now, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly is on trial; how do you see the development? Is it not normal in any political environment that the opposition would always be intimidated? It is part of the political maneuverings of the ruling party; they want to weaken the base, but they cannot weaken it because you

are dealing with enlightened environment and people, where the press is even helping to publish the truth, let everybody stay by the truth. The only thing why they are after them is that they are not comfortable with Tinubu emerging as the Yoruba leader and by the grace of God; he will even lead us to the Promised Land. True or fiscal federalism is the best, where everybody will do things based on his own ability. So, it is political persecution. The National Assembly seems not to be very comfortable with the budget for 2012. What really is the problem? There is no way such a budget can be passed. The position of everybody at that level on the issue of oil subsidy is that we want to even know who is buying the fuel, who is distributing the fuel and those behind the cartel. They have published names; then let the security agents go into it. In terms of subsidy, there is no way anybody can allow it to stand especially when the environment does not even warrant such removal. As per the security vote, I don’t know, are we at war? I think agriculture is the main thing; why don’t we even put up to 50 per cent of the budget into agriculture so that we can go back to Obasanjo’s ‘operation feed the nation.’ Our economy has to be diversified immediately. Let the debate start on the floor of the House and you will see the direction of the House. But I can assure you I don’t see the House passing such budget as it is. There appears to be serious clampdown on the opposition how far do you think they can go? They can’t go far, the truth will always prevail. By the time you expose everything everybody will know the truth. What is their offence? They were able to agitate for a free and fair election; they were able to free their people from feudalist system of government. As far as I’m concerned, they cannot succeed, the people will resist it and we are going to resist it. But how do you see the debate on fuel subsidy removal? Definitely, you want to inflict pains on the people; not at this particular time. The rate of unemployment is so high; people are not comfortable even with the government and with the whole thing. So, it is like inflicting more pains; people will resist it. So, let us go into it, let us examine what is in the budget and see how far we can go.

•Odubote

His passion for the stay of oil subsidy became more apparent with the anti-fuel subsidy removal cap that Hon. Abayomi Kako-Are wore to the presentation of the budget by President Goodluck Jonathan. In this interview with DELE ANOFI, the lawmaker takes a look at the 2012 budget, and its implications for national development.

Jonathan has deceived Nigerians, says Rep O

UT of the N4.7trn 2012 budget recently presented by President Goodluck Jonathan, recurrent expenditure gulped N2.4tr while capital budget is N1.3tr, how do you view the two per cent difference? Just as Mr. President said, there is marginal increase in the capital budget, and he did promise that by 2015, there would be progressive changes. Let’s take it that the margin is not like last year; so, there is an improvement. But as a largely agrarian society before the advent of oil and with calls for the diversification of the economy, don’t you think it is inappropriate that some key sectors got meager allocation in the 2012 budget? Well, the President has put in place so many measures, including decrease in interest rate; importing agricultural equipment with free import duty and many like that. I want to believe that one will be adequately informed when the document is made available after critical analysis of the details. But as it is, what the President mentioned in his budget speech is still satisfactory enough, but implementation is the key word. Do you think the pronouncement on rice and other items will get us on the right track? I agree with what the President said; he is not putting immediate ban on it, if I heard him correctly; I think he said March ending in 2012. So, there is a lot of process going on now, and I believe between now and March next year, we would have achieved a lot in our production. I will want to agree with him; though saying is one thing and implementing is another thing, but let just give him benefit of the doubt, may God give him the will to implement it. Implementation has always been the major source of concern for all; can the government, the parliament inclusive, do the right thing now? You will notice during the budget presentation that the Speaker’s speech was widely applauded. It is because he did mention that selective implementation of budget will not be accepted because Nigerians are not happy with selective budgeting. Budget is a law, and once it is passed, it must be executed. What do you mean by selective budget? Selective budget is a partial implementation of the approved budget. So, what the Speaker is saying and what every one of us agreed on is that the budget must be implemented 100 percent. That is the position of the House, that there must be full implementation of the budget. In other words, Nigerians should look ahead to an improved and a better implementation of the 2012 budget. What is your view on the ongoing crisis over fuel subsidy removal? Let me just say this; we all agree that whether fuel subsidy is good or not, it is immaterial at this level, and l want to add that there is no country in the world today

• Kako-Are

where the citizens are not benefiting one thing or the other from the government. Be it accommodation for the aged, scholarships for single mother’s children or in form of bursary for all; citizens benefit from the government and in some way that is what they know as part of good governance. It is only Nigeria that we don’t have this kind of benefits. I am yet to be convinced that there is subsidy. Government should come up with facts, let it tender papers. Looking at the facts, you will realize so many frauds going on in NNPC as discovered by the Senate. Just recently, the Senate committee uncovered another big fraud that the fuel that was meant for refinery outside the country is never been done, and you are paying for something that does not exist. Rather than pay for 400 liters of fuel, they end up paying for 500 liters simply because they have no record of what is actually imported. It is like you are strongly opposed to the subsidy ... Yes; why do we have to import? This is the 13th year of PDP government, yet the refineries are in shambles. Subsidy is just the element of taking our crude from Nigeria, take it abroad, refine it and bring it back. Lastly, why I don’t agree is that when the government said it wanted to remove

‘We all agree that whether fuel subsidy is good or not, it is immaterial at this level, and l want to add that there is no country in the world today where the citizens are not benefiting one thing or the other from the government’

fuel subsidy, what they were saying is that instead of them paying for it now, they want the ordinary Nigerian to pay for it. It is not as if they are removing the known cartel. Imaging they subsidized a liter of fuel with N60.00 and by the time it is removed, a liter will then sold for N125.00. The logic behind this is that average Nigerians will still be paying the same amount to this cartel we are talking about. That particular aspect has not actually been taken care of. How do we get out of the confusion? Government should come up with adequate data. For instance, if they pay Oando so much, it should be based on quantity they applied for. How do you expect a contactor that supplied four trucks of sand to get paid for five trucks? That is exactly what is happening in that sector. Nobody is monitoring anything here, so let the government come up with all the facts. Transparency and accountability are what we are clamouring for in NNPC. Secondly, for God’s sake, what does it cost us to put our refineries back in shape? If government is comparing us with Qatar or even Iraq, have you seen the housing scheme that those people have? If they are buying fuel for $100 per liter, are you seeing their road network? Are you seeing their schools? Are you seeing the kind of life average people in those countries are living? Can an average Nigerian live that way? So our own take on this matter is; delay the subsidy removal, let us have the correct data, not a trumped-up data. Let us see how we can improve on these things first and put the refineries in place. For those that are talking about subsidy removal at this moment, I am sure they have not been to the fuel stations because they use government money to fund their vehicles. Have you asked Okonjo Iweala how many government cars she has in her possession? Maybe five or six and all of them are being fueled with government money. I know how much fuel I bought just to take me to Kaduna and back. So, she won’t even know how it pinches because she has not been to petrol station before. She needs to experience long frustrating queue at the filling stations to know how it pinches. Anyway, the Presidency still has the fuel dumps right there for them where they fill up their vehicles, so they don’t how it is. So we at the House are not supporting fuel subsidy removal in whatever form. So let them come and give us data and details. What is your word for the President as things stand? I am appealing to Mr. President to retrace his steps on the issue of subsidy because when he was campaigning, he didn’t talk about subsidy removal. So, if he wants to talk about subsidy, let him first of all resign to come back and relaunch his campaign; let him now see if it will go down well with Nigerians to vote for him. Many would see this as sheer deceit.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

THE NATION INVESTORS CORPORATE SCORE BOARD UTIX Plc witnessed considerable decline in its profitability last year as the company struggled with high operating costs amid sluggish sales. Audited report and accounts of the cable manufacturing company for the year ended April 30, 2011 showed that average unit per sale of the company nearly halved, which resulted in significant declines in pre and post profits. With sales growth at 3.4 per cent, about 12 per cent increase in cost of sales and additional 12.3 per cent increase in operating expenses impacted negatively on profitability, pushing profit down by 39 per cent. The company's total assets also dropped by 12 per cent, reflecting declines in nearly all components of the balance sheet including permanent assets and current assets. However, the company's balance sheet emerged stronger with better equity back-up, lower financial leverage and improved liquidity. The company also sustained its cash dividend payout rate, although the sustainable dividend outlook reduced considerably.

Financing structure Cutix witnessed improved balance sheet position in 2011 as the proportion of bank loans to equity funds dropped from 65 per cent in 2010 to about 38 per cent in 2011. Equity funds, which had risen by 4.4 per cent, amounted to 53 per cent of total balance sheet in 2011 compared with about 45 per cent in 2010. The proportion of current liabilities to total assets improved from 47 per cent in 2010 to 39 per cent in 2011 while long-term liabilities/total assets ratio stood at 109 per cent in 2011 as against 55 per cent in 2010. Cutix's paid up share capital remained unchanged at N264 million but shareholders' funds inched up from N475 million to

Cutix: Losing grips on profitability N496 million. Total assets, however, dropped from N1.06 billion to N935 million. Total liabilities jumped by 73 per cent from N586 million to N1.02 billion. Longterm liabilities had skyrocketed by 672 per cent to N655 million as against N85 million in 2010. Efficiency Both employee productivity and cost efficiency declined considerably during the year. Average number of employees increased from 169 persons in 2010 to 176 persons in 2011. Average total staff costs also increased from N107.1 million to N126.7 million, indicating average staff cost per employee of N0.72 million in 2011 compared with N0.63 million in 2010. However, average contribution of each employee to pre-tax profit dropped from N1.25 million to N0.7 million. With all costs on the upward, total costs-excluding financing charges, rose to 89 per cent of turnover in 2011 as against 82 per cent in 2010. Profitability Cutix suffered significant declines in both actual and underlying profitability in the immediate past year. Generally negative underlying profitability indices underscored the worrisome decline in the overall profitability of the company. Gross profit margin dropped from 37 per cent in 2010 to 32 per cent in 2011. Pre-tax profit margin, which indicates average profit per unit of sales, nearly halved from 15.3 per cent to 8.7 per cent. Total sales had inched up by 3.4 per cent from N1.39 billion to

Fiscal Year Ended April 30

2011

Nmillion

12 months

Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

per cent from N138 million to N84 million. Further analysis of net earnings showed that basic net earnings per share reduced from 26 kobo in 2010 to 16 kobo in 2011. The company retained a dividend per share of 12 kobo, totaling N63 million, the same amount distributed to shareholders in 2010. However, the probability of sustaining such cash payout declined with a dividend cover of 1.3 times in 2011 as against 2.2 times in 2010. Return on total assets reduced from 20 per cent in 2010 to 13 per cent in 2011 while return on equity also dwindled from 29 per cent to 17 per cent. Net assets per share meanwhile increased marginally from 29 per cent to 17 per cent.

By Taofik Salako

â&#x20AC;˘Chairman, Cutix Plc, Dr Ajulu Uzodike

N1.44 billion. Cost of sales, however increased by 11.8 per cent from N879 million to N983 million. Consequently, gross profit dropped from N510 million to N453 million. Total operating expenses also increased from N264 million to N296 million. Distribution cost had increased from N51.8 million to N55.8 million while administrative cost increased from N211.9 million to N240.3 million. Non-core business incomes slipped to N9 million in 2011 as against N11 million in 2010. H owever, finance expenses also reduced by 13 per cent to N40 million in 2011 as against N45 million in 2010. Profit before tax thus dropped by 41 per cent from N212 million in 2010 to N125 million in 2011. Profit after tax followed the downtrend with a drop of 39

2010 % change

Liquidity The liquidity position of the company improved generally with better working capital and coverage for emerging liabilities. Current ratio, which relates current assets to relative liabilities, improved from 1.4 times in 2010 to 1.59 times in 2011. The proportion of working capital to turnover however improved from 13 per cent to 15 per cent. Debtors/ creditors ratio stood at 242.5 per cent in 2011 as against 390.6 per cent in 2010. Governance and structures Cutix is an indigenous company wholly owned by Nigerians. Incorporated in 1982, the company gradually transformed from a private limited liability company formed and owned by friends and family members to become a publicly quoted company. The company has embarked on

Fiscal Year Ended April 30

12 months

1,436 1,436 983 453 296 9 40 125 84 16 63 12 94

3.4 3.4 11.8 -11.3 12.3 -21.3 -12.6 -40.9 -39.0 -38.8 0.0 0.0 4.4

1,389 1,389 879 510 264 11 45 212 138 26 63 12 90

361 361 33 574 935

-4.4 -4.4 -48.0 -16.0 -11.9

377 378 63 684 1,061

13 188 360 655 1,015

-16.3 -39.4 -28.2 671.5 73.2

16 309 501 85 586

264 496

0.0 4.4

264 475

major corporate changes including restructuring of its board of directors to become more compact and supportive of business growth and good corporate governance. With the retirement of the main promoter of the company-Dr. Ajulu Uzodike, from the board and institutionalisation of a value-based board appointment policy, Cutix has strengthened its corporate governance structure. Meanwhile, the management of the company remained stable under Mr Ifeanyi Uzodike. The company has largely complied with code of corporate governance and best practices. Analyst's opinion Cutix's performance was adversely affected by general challenges of poor infrastructure and unfavourable fiscal and monetary policies faced by manufacturers. With increase in cost of fuel and erratic public power supply, the company was bedeviled with rising costs amidst erosion of market share by substandard imports. Global increase in the cost of raw materials also compounded local cost variables. Government needs to protect the competitiveness of local manufacturing by ensuring that imports comply with Nigerian standards. Cutix needs to reassess its corporate marketing strategy to harness latent potential in the private and the public sectors. Recent investments in human resources, machinery and standardisation are expected to impact on performance in the years ahead. Overall, the performance outlook is modest.

2011

2010

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

53.0 108.6 38.5 37.8

44.7 55.2 47.2 65.1

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

31.5 8.7 13.4 17.0 1.3

36.7 15.3 20.0 29.1 2.2

Efficiency Pre-tax profit per empl oyee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

0.7 0.72 89.1

1.254 0.633 82.3

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

1.59 14.9 242.5

1.4 13.1 390.6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

OR many Nigerians, starting a small business is their dream. Owning a business can be an exciting and rewarding experience and offers some advantages, like being one’s boss. There are several businesses, which offer opportunities to earn good profits. They fit every interest and budget and provide a platform for entrepreneurship. They can be done full-time or part time. One can start from home to test the waters. One can use spare bedrooms, garages, dining rooms and even the kitchen table. Determine the fees or costs for your service or product by analysing what your particular market should be.

Business opportunities in 2012 preparing all the little touches such as painting, cleaning and all that. Handbill Distribution Think about helping people to distribute flyers or handbills. You can do this for businesses, promoters, grand openings, etc. Gift Basket Business Gift business is still a lucrative one.You make and market gift baskets in a wide variety of themes. You’ll need to develop resources for wholesale baskets and goods that you can include in your offerings. Check out for manufacturers who will sell you goods at wholesale rates. Bed and Breakfast Use extra rooms in your home to make money with your bed and breakfast business. Cost will vary depending on how much work you need to get your place spruced up. Bed and breakfast businesses do well in areas where there are things to see and do. If you are around a local tourist attraction, a hot golf tournament, a college or university, then you have a very promising futurein this business.

Catering There are still opportunities for those interested in cooking. Prospects exist for those with good cooking skills and who enjoy it. One can start with N50,000 cooking by the road side or make-shift kiosk. With time, one can provide catering services for birthday parties or anniversaries,before graduating to corporate events and finally fullfledged marriages. Computer Troubleshooting There are many Nigerians who cannot handle basic computer problems. But one needs repair knowledge. Start off on your own and handle all the cases. Then you spread the word around and do a bit of classified advertisement. When the business picks up, you hire people. Writing and Editorial Services It requires excellent command of the English language. To start with, you need to invest in a computer and an Internet connection. You can provide services, such as content writing, resume writing, article writing, blogging, copy editing, proofreading, book doctoring etc. With quality and on-time service at an affordable price, you can get more clients and finally a decent income. Events Management The business requires good organisational and planning skills. An event manager ensures that a party or an event is carried out without any hitches or glitches. Today, event managers are required to plan events, such as birthday parties, anniversaries, corporate meets, marriages, etc. If you enjoy people and parties, then this could be a great business for you to start. You’ll have to develop a very good file of resources for music, catering, places to hold events, flourists, invitation printing, and just about any other aspect of hosting an event. Charge by the hour or by the event. Some events take a long time to plan, so be cautious before you commit to do the event for one set fee. Babysitting

• Food selling point. By Daniel Essiet

Working couples are looking for babysitters. You can run it as an agency. Just put up fliers or pamphlets and you’ll have people calling in. Cleaning Services You can make money providing cleaning services to households. For a start, you just invest in the cleaning equipment. Offer services such as window cleaning, vacuuming, yard cleaning, parking cleaning to households. Once you start getting more work or want to enter into commercial cleaning, hire a few more people to take up assignments on your company’s behalf. Tutorial centres If you are good at teaching, a tutorial business is ideal for you. The initial investment is a place, and then ad to drive people to the centre. Distribute leaflets around the neighbourhood. Offer your services to neighbours, friends, family and acquaintances. If you are good, you will automatically get more students through word of mouth. You can choose to specialise on a train-

Borno to get micro-credit institutions

OVERNOR Kashim Shettima has promised to set up micro-credit institutions in each of the three senatorial zones of Borno State. He spoke while receiving the report of the Boko Haram Crisis Verification Committee in Maiduguri. Shettima said the gesture was aimed at promoting industrial development in the state, noting that the institutions wouldprovide soft-loans to farmers and smallscale industrialists in the state. He appealed for the understanding of the people for the success of the programme. “I will like to advise the would be beneficiaries of the loans to utilise the funds judiciously and pay back on time for the programme to be sustained. I also call on the people to be patient as we continue to face secu-

rity challenges in the state,” he said. Shettima added that setting up financial institutions was part of government’s efforts to engage youths and prevent them from getting into social vices. He said the government had approved the immediate disbursement of about N89 million to identified victims of the Boko Haram crisis in the state to ameliorate their suffering. He said the victims were based in Jere, Mafa, Konduga and the Maiduguri Metropolitan Local Government Areas (LGAs).The Chairman of the committee, Mr Malam Fannami, told the governor that the committee discovered that 35 people were killed during the crisis. He said 14 others sustained injuries, while one person was declared missing, adding that various properties were also lost by individuals.

ing need. You can focus on ICAN, GMAT, WAEC, JAMB, GSCE, CIS, etc. Buy, Mend, and Resell: This is a business idea that requires hard work, dedication, and patience. You can visit shops or local markets and collect items that can be repaired and made to work.You will require some amount of technical expertise to start such a business. If you have a knack for assembling things bought in home stores, such as desks, bookcases, dressers and more, and then you can start a business offering this service in your clients’ homes. Van Rental If you have a van, there are plenty of people who don’t need one. You rent out your van to move furniture, move equipment, etc. You can start this business by printing up flyers and distributing to local shops and companies. Painting Business Painting is good business idea. All you would require is some basic necessities and creative advertising. You get painting contracts from the neighbourhood and companies around. You can paint anything from cars, house interiors and exteriors, or other things. Photography Photography is a job that is suitable for teenagers to grown-ups. Become a skilled, professional pho-

tographer and start looking for clients for photo shoots in informal occasions, weddings, birthday parties, and similar other events. Take photos from your clients and create beautiful photo albums. Take your own photos and create a photo album. Add decorative touches, such as lace for wedding albums, and hand-sewn baby-oriented styles for baby albums. Flower Arrangement You can start by offering floral arrangements for free. Start with restaurants and banks near your home. Build a photo portfolio of flower arrangements and ask your potential clients if you can provide them with weekly fresh floral arrangements. Buy flowers from a local mart or garden, take them home, arrange in vases, drop them off and collect the money. Start-up costs to create initial arrangements for your portfolio, stationery and business cards, plus a flyer for businesses will cost little. You can start a business growing and selling plants. If you are a gardener already and know how to grow these plants, then you have all the tools that are necessary. Sell your plants to homes, offices, local flourists and plant shops. Decorating Service You decorate residences and businesses. Take pictures of your own home or the homes of friends that you have decorated. You can also help get apartments ready for the new tenants before they move in,

Car Buying Consultancy You help people buy cars—used or new. If you are a car buff and love reading about the automotive industry, this could be a great business for you. As a car buyer you compiled a profile of what people like and what they needed along with how much they were willing to spend, and find the perfect car for them. Day Care You offer to set up and run a day care centre in hospitals, business centres, supermarkets, malls, inns, hotels, and civic centres. Contact all of the managers of all of the above facilities and determine if they’d be interested in your service. You’ll need to purchase toys, games, balls, chairs and tables. Start-up could run to N400,000 depending on how much inventory of toys and goods you already have. Firewood Delivery Firewood delivery entrepreneurs are making good money. Just find where you can buy wood cheap and top the price and sell it. Your market is road side food sellers, restaurants, etc. Bicycle Repair People buy a lot of bicycles from Ladipo and Alaba markets. You can turn your love of bicycling into a moneymaking enterprise by advertising that you repair bikes. Battery Charging There are about more 20 million cars and trucks on the roads andthe number is expected to grow. Each vehicle uses a lead acid battery. You can make money providing battery charging service.The other source of income is from reconditioned batteries. There is market for dependable, affordable, long lasting batteries.

Group hails Akwa Ibom over gas project

HE Esit Eket branch of the Nigerian Welders Association (NWA) has praised the Akwa Ibom State government for opening the oil and gas sector to private investors. Its Chairman, Robert Okpo, hailed the government for partnering with foreign investors in facilitating the Central Gas Project at the Uquo Marginal Field in Esit Eket. He said the initiative would ensure that available resources were optimally harnessed for the benefit of the state and the host

communities. Okpo also commended the state government for involving members of the association in the execution of the project, which, he noted, had provided them with income generating opportunities. He said: “We appreciate the state government, project contractors and stakeholders for recognising the capabilities of the union members to execute jobs that meet approved specifications obtainable in the industry.’’ He said the project had attracted socio-ecenomic development to

the area and created job opportunities for the teeming youths and impacted positively on the economy of the state. Okpo assured the government of the smooth execution of the project, which he said, would provide enough gas for the generation of uninterrupted power supply. “Considering the importance of gas to power generation, the association wishes to restate its commitment to partner with contracting companies handling various construction projects,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-1-12 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.85 17,500 14,175.00 17,500 14,175.00

AIR SERVICES Company Name NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 5.30 45,000 243,000.00 45,000 243,000.00

No of Deals 4 2 20 35 16 2 3 25 1 27 135

Quotation(N) 4.80 2.01 1.40 8.95 14.08 8.00 3.88 2.24 0.57 12.30

No of Deals 16 24 40

Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 235.00 5,061,820 1,189,782,015.00 96.04 590,000 56,497,500.00 5,651,820 1,246,279,515.00

No of Deals 1 17 2 20

Quotation(N) 11.29 116.51 43.65

No of Deals 7 7

Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2.58 168,100 420,707.00 168,100 420,707.00

BANKING Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,600,000 7,677,960.00 36,000 72,360.00 13,721,000 19,228,900.00 8,962,210 80,351,196.30 459,458 6,447,290.06 20,000 167,000.00 47,000 184,760.00 16,543,064 37,076,553.36 5,950 3,272.50 5,304,089 63,801,319.13 46,698,771 215,010,611.35

BREWERIES Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,000 22,100.00 482,515 55,736,486.64 60,000 2,640,000.00 544,515 58,398,586.64

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

Investors cash in on Guinness Nigeria

MIDST protests and nationwide strike on the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy by the government, investors sustained the upbeat at the Nigerian stock market and further raised the momentum of activities on the remote trading facility of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). While there were notable increases in level of activities and the bullish rally at the market, Guinness Nigeria Plc was the main attraction yesterday as investors sought to cash in on recent gains by the stock. Investors traded 5.06 million shares of Guinness Nigeria worth N1.19 billion in 16 deals, suggesting possible cross deals. The transactions represented 0.34 per cent of total outstanding shares of the brewery. With a full-year capital gain of 31.2 per cent, Guinness Nigeria was one of the few biggest gainers in 2011 and was widely divergent to the overall market position, which saw total market value dropping by about N1.4 trillion in 2011. The level of activities on Guinness Nigeria yesterday however, pressured the share price of the company, dropping by N2.56 to close at N235. The overall market outlook remained positive al-

Quotation(N) 29.00 0.61 29.70 29.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 40,000 1,160,000.00 1,444,800 881,328.00 14,750 430,700.00 1,500 41,340.00 1,501,050 2,513,368.00

No of Deals 1 1 4 2 50 58

Quotation(N) 11.80 4.89 64.00 4.01 423.38

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 40,433 477,109.40 2,000 9,940.00 153,000 9,743,050.00 25,000 100,250.00 255,743 104,273,379.98 476,176 114,603,729.38

No of Deals 12 12

Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 21.85 298,500 6,522,225.00 298,500 6,522,225.00

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 36.19 11,940 410,616.60 11,940 410,616.60

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.50 100,000 50,000.00 100,000 50,000.00

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.93 708,600 658,998.00 708,600 658,998.00

No of Deals 2 2 1 5

Quotation(N) 31.50 2.62 21.00

No of Deals 8 8

Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 10.70 1,971,000 21,069,695.00 1,971,000 21,069,695.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

HEALTHCARE Company Name GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC Sector Totals

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC Sector Totals

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. Sector Totals

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. OANDO PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 8,500 281,095.00 8,480 21,115.20 947 20,881.35 17,927 323,091.55

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

300

58,210,899

1,666,518,318.52

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

though trading remained skeletal and there were barely 13 price changes. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities rose from N6.555 trillion to N6.588 trillion while the benchmark All Share Index trended upward to 20,905.35 points as against its opening index of 20,802.33 points. The recent trend has neutralised the negative hangover of the 2011 and placed the market on a positive return with a year-to-date return of 0.84 per cent. The uptrend was driven by few highly capitalised stocks, especially in the consumer goods sector and banking sectors. Dangote Cement Plc topped the gainers’ list with a gain of N1.47 to close at N116.51. Nigerian Breweries followed with a gain of 9 kobo to close at N96.04. Flour Mills of Nigeria added 50 kobo to close at N64. Zenith Bank added 28 kobo to close at N12.30 while Guaranty Trust Bank gained 23 kobo to close at N14.08 per share. On the downside, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria followed Guinness Nigeria on the los-

ers’ list with a drop of N1.15 to close at N21.85 per share. United Bank for Africa lost 11 kobo to close at N2.24. Fidelity Bank dropped by 6.0 kobo to close at N1.40, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated dropped by 5.0 kobo to close at N10.70. Japaul Oil and Maritime services lost 4.0 kobo to close at 93 kobo while First Bank of Nigeria and Red Star Express slipped by 3.0 kobo and 2.0 kobo to close at N8.95 and N2.58 respectively. Total turnover stood at 58.2 million shares worth N1.67 billion in 300 deals. Banking subsector was the most active with a turnover of 48.67 million shares worth N236.1 million in 143 deals. Breweries subsector followed with a turnover of 5.6 million shares worth N1.25 billion in 40 deals. On stock by stock basis, United Bank for Africa was the most active stock, by volume, with a turnover of 16.54 million shares valued at N37.1 million in 25 deals. Fidelity Bank followed with a turnover of 13.72 million shares valued at N19.23 million in 20 deals. First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) ranked third with a turnover of 8.96 million shares valued at N80.35 million in 35 deals.

South Africa’s rand breaks losing streak, bonds rise

CONGLOMERATES Company Name No of Deals PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC 1 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC 2 UAC OF NIGERIA PLC 3 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC 1 Sector Totals 7

•Market remains upbeat

OUTH Africa’s rand firmed for the first day in five yesterday, as risk sentiment improved with positive signals out of the Unites States, which in turn helped bond prices higher. The rand broke the 8.10/ 12 resistance area to trade at 8.0625, making 1.1 percent worth of gains against the dollar on the day. It closed at 8.15 in New York on Monday. Analysts see little chance for the rand to break the big 8 rand level without a convincing rally from the euro. “Euro/dollar has struggled to rally much beyond 1.2800 and this has limited any further dollar/rand downside, as has traders buying on dips below 8.1000. I don’t think USD/ ZAR is going to break below 8.0000 anytime soon,” said Christopher Shiells of Informa Global Markets. The firmer rand helped to drag bond yields, which trade inversely to the price, to a week low. The yield on the threeyear bond closed at 6.80 percent from 6.885 percent on Monday and the fourteen year yield ended at 8.575 percent from 8.67 percent previously. Treasury held its first fixed income auction for the year which saw healthy demand even though some players were said to be holding back. “Most local clients we spoke to all wanted to adopt a wait and see strategy for the auction. It cleared a tad higher than I

would have expected being the first auction but results were fair,” said Steve Arnold, a bond trader at Investec. “Rand strength dragged yields lower for most of the afternoon and I guess that players who missed (the auction) today jumped in as well,” Arnold added. South Africa also sold a $1.5 billion 12 year eurobond, taking advantage of low U.S. yields to diversify its sources of funding and pay down more expensive domestic debt. [ID:nL6E8CA0LJ The bond attracted bids totalling $3 billion and saw demand from mainly European and American investors. Analysts say stateowned agencies are likely to follow suit now that the sovereign has set a benchmark. Meanwhile, South African stocks rose for a third straight trading day, pushing the benchmark index to its highest closing level in a month as a rebound in metal prices bolstered miners. The benchmark JSE Top40 blue chip index was up 0.85 percent to 29,481.51 for its highest closing level since December 7. The broader All-share index improved 0.75 percent to 33,020.16 “China import data was okay for sentiment and it seems the U.S. reporting season is off to good start. But there was nothing to really shoot the lights out,” Xoli Mokoena, a dealer at Global Trader,

said. “But I wouldn’t read too much into the this threesessions of gains because most people are not in the market yet.” Volumes for the day, at 152 million shares, were 60 percent of the 200-day moving daily average of around 250 million shares. Heavyweight miners dominated the leaderboard as industrial metals such as copper cruised higher after a positive outlook overnight for global demand from U.S. aluminium group Alcoa. Copper rose 2 percent on Tuesday as strong import data from top metals consumer China brightened the outlook for demand. Bourse heavyweight BHP Billiton advanced 2.6 percent to 253.09 rand, its highest closing level in nearly two months and making it the biggest percentage gainer on the bluechip index. Shares in rival Anglo American climbed to their highest levels in more than four months, rising 2.59 percent to 317 rand. Other gainers were Hudaco, up 5.61 percent to 90.03 rand, after the small cap industrial firm said full-year profit likely rose as much as 30 percent. On the flipside, retailers recoiled after helping the bourse post modest gains in the previous session. Apparel retailer Truworths was down 1.65 percent at 77.70 rand and consumer foods maker Tiger Brands retreated 1.2 percent to 246 rand.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

MONEY LINK

Analysts project 8.1% growth in 2012

•Say CBN may adjust exchange rate

nalysts at FBN Capital, the investment banking sub sidiary of First Bank Group have projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 8.1 and 8.3 per cents for Nigeria in 2012 and 2013 respectively. It also forecast another adjustment to the exchange rates central point (naira depreciation) in 2012, The growth, which compares with the 8.0 per cent and 7.9 per cent recorded in 2010 and 2011 respectively, is expected to be driven by the non-oil sector. “”We see Nigeria’s GDP growth reaching 8.1 per cent this year, rising gently to 8.2 per cent in 2013. The non-oil economy will again be the driving force. Private consumption remains robust. A recovery in oil production following the Niger Delta amnesty will play a supporting role,” it said in the 2012 Research Outlook released yesterday. The company advised government to pursue its reform agenda if double-digit growth is to be achieved.

Stories by Collins Nweze

Titled: ‘The Upside From Holding Firm,’ it said that the government has made a start with the deregulation of the petrol price, and should hold its nerve against opposition from vested interests while it works out some additional palliative measures to fully win the argument. “If it holds firm on one reform, it

and interest rates. It linked the slow pace of progress to the predominance of recurrent spending in the budget, adding that fiscal and monetary policy, needed to be harmonised even as the monetary policy rate (MPR) has peaked at 12 per cent. Unfortunately, pressure on the naira will be sustained even as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues in its plan to achieve exchange rate stability. This will go

becomes emboldened to implement the next, which could be the new electricity tariff, the petroleum industry bill or the sovereign wealth fund,” it said in an emailed statement obtained by The Nation. The research firm also noted that fiscal consolidation has started, with closing up of the fiscal laxity of past administrations, a practice that will ease pressure on the forex

Survey ranks The Banker number one globally

HE Banker magazine, a publica tion of Financial Times Group, London, has maintained its leadership position among monthly trade publications across the world. According to the new Global Capital Markets Survey, conducted by Think Media, an independent company that researches readership of financial publications, The Banker is number one in various streams. Country Representative Nigeria, The Banker, Kunle Ogedengbe, said the

survey covered 10,000 of the world’s most senior corporate and financial decision makers and identified the magazine as the most-read monthly publication. The survey rates the magazine as number one monthly in banks and financial institutions, capital markets, emerging markets, Asia/Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In comparison to all other publications, be they daily, or weekly, or monthly, the magazine was ranked fourth glo-

bally behind Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and The Economist, none of which is monthly and it is in the top three, in the Americas. “Despite the global turbulence, The Banker continues to set the benchmark and is the C-suite choice of decision makers. Among its competitors, it was responded to as magazine of first choice by 18 per cent of the population, Bloomberg Markets earned 16 per cent, Euromoney and Harvard Business Review came a distant 14 per

Angolan banking system prepares for petrodollars

NGOLAN banks are preparing to handle hundreds of millions of dollars from foreign oil companies operating in the country when a law requiring them to use local lenders comes into effect later this year. According to Bloomberg report, the Chief Executive Officer of Banco Fomento Angola, Emidio Pinheiro, expects oil companies to start using local banks to pay part of their taxes and suppliers by the end of June. “It’s a very significant challenge for the financial system. I believe we will be ready for it,” he said.

In the past, oil companies were not required to use banks in Angola, Africa’s biggest producer of crude after Nigeria, as the banks could not handle such transactions. The law, approved by parliament in Luanda on November 29, will be phased in so that Angolan banks can adjust to it, Pinheiro said. The southern African country, which emerged from a civil war in 2002, is adopting measures to increase transparency in the banking sector, said Pinheiro. Last year, President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, signed into law a bill designed

Monetary Fund. “There is a lot of interest in Angola from foreign investors, mainly because the country’s energy sector remains robust. There is also interest in farming and other industries,” Pinheiro said. About 21 banks operate in Angola, including Standard Bank Group (SBK), Africa’s largest lender. Banco Fomento Angola, which is controlled by Banco BPI SA (BPI), Portugal’s thirdbiggest publicly traded lender, accounted for more than 60 per cent of BPI’s nine- month net income last year, according to BPI.

to prevent money laundering and the funding of terrorist activities. The country ranked in the bottom 15 of 183 countries in a Transparency International corruption study last year. “Such laws will bring more credibility to Angola’s economy and create a more business-friendly environment,” he said Angola is attracting more foreign companies as its economy booms. Gross domestic product is expected to grow 10.8 per cent this year, up from an estimated 3.7 per cent in 2011, according to the International

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 10-1-12 SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

ZENITHBANK

12.02

12.30

0.28

GUARANTY

13.85

14.08

0.23

115.04

116.51

1.47

FLOURMILL

63.50

64.00

0.50

95.35

96.04

0.69

DANGCEM

LOSER AS AT 10-1-12 SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

GLAXOSMITH

23.00

21.85

1.15

UBA

2.35

2.24

0.11

JAPAULOIL FIDELITYBK

0.97

0.03

CHANGE

1.40

0.06

237.56

235.00

2.56

REDSTAREX

2.60

2.58

0.02

ETI

10.75

10.70

0.05

FIRSTBANK

8.98

8.95

0.03

GUINNESS

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.85 98.43 0.76 1.04 0.88 1,642.73 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,351.90 193.00

9.08 1.00 118.69 97.65 0.73 1.04 0.87 1,635.25 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,149.37 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR

0.04

1.46

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

cent and eleven per cent respectively,” Ogedengbe said. In penetration of senior management in the emerging markets category, it earned 29 per cent, while Bloomberg Markets and Euromoney achieved a lower 21 per cent each. Among the monthly titles, for the banks and financial institutions category, The Banker led the pack with 24 per cent, Bloomberg Market 17 per cent, and Euromoney, 15 per cent. It also led the pack in the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region with 19 per cent, followed by Euromoney 18 per cent, Bloomberg Markets earned 14 per cent, while Harvard Business Review, earned 10 per cent. The Banker has been providing financial intelligence to the world since 1926. It is the most read international banking and finance magazine. Its news and analyses, informed opinion, big names interviews, and industry data, make it one of the most comprehensive and respected voices in the financial media. It has also been an essential reading for chief executive officers, chief financial officers, corporate treasurers, central bank governors, institutional investors, and finance ministers around the world.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

on in the face of resilient forex demand and softening of oil prices this year which could lead to oil price adjustment within the year. “Pressure on the currency will not go away. The CBN holds its objective of exchange-rate stability dear but has to confront resilient forex demand and an expected softening of oil prices this year. Since it is wedded to the managed rate, we see another adjustment to the central point in 2012,” FBN

Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2011

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO) Shops, markets remain closed in Ado-Ekiti From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

GAIN, the streets of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital were deserted yesterday,the second day of the workers’ protest against the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. Shops and markets did not open for business, while the nearabsence of vehicles and other automobile restricted movements. The Fajuyi-Adebayo, Fajuyi-Ojaba and Ajilosun-Okeyinmi roads were devoid of the usual commercial activities. Those who defied the stay-at-home order of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had the tyres of their cars and motorcycles deflated. The protesters, who had assembled at Adehun area of Adebayo along Ado-Ifaki road, marched through Fajuyi-Palace (of Ewi of Ado Ekiti) road, before making a stopover at Mobil, in the Ajilosun area of the capital. Decked in tight-fitting trousers and skimpy tops, the protesters chorused anti-government songs. They said the reversal of the government policy on fuel subsidy was the only way to avert a replica of Arab Spring in the country. While a team of labour officials prevented a senior career officer from carrying out a duty at the Governor’s Office earlier in the morning, the Association of Market Women also moved round in the day, to persuade their members from displaying goods at the ware points. The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayodeji Aluko, who addressed the crowd of protesters, said the protest would last for as long as President Goodluck Jonathan refused to reverse his policy on fuel subsidy He said: “I want to assure all of us that we are fighting a just cause and we will be on the roads if Jonathan remains deaf to our pleas. The president should listen to these million voices of reason. “President Jonathan, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Finance Minister, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala have exposed themselves as your enemies and should be so seen and fought against. Also speaking, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) chair, Kolawole Olaiya urged the protesters to remain steadfast in the crusade against the withdrawal of subsidy. He said: “Only our unity has made it possible for us to fight subsidy removal. The price should go back to N65.00

We won’t return home until our demands are met, says Ogun NLC From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

S the protest against the removal of fuel subsidy enters the second day yesterday, the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday vowed that its members remain on the streets until the President Goodluck Jonathan administration reversed its policy. According to the NLC chair in the Gateway State, Akeem Ambali, all arrangements have been concluded to convert the Congress Secretariat at Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta to a temporary home for workers. The measure, he explained, would allow for effective coordination and mobilisation of the strike and protest. Ambali made this known to reporters in Abeokuta as the protest train moved to Ilaro in Ogun West Senatorial District yesterday. He added that the protest will continue today in Sagamu and in Ijebu-Ode tomorrow. In Abeokuta where the protest began on Monday, social– economic activities remained largely paralysed as protesters in their hundreds still trooped to the streets, chanting antigovernment slogans. All major roads and streets including; Adigbe, Panseke, Igbore, Oluwo, Ake, Lafenwa, Obantoko, Isabo among other areas of the state capital were barricaded with bonfires.

Rep says policy is economic aggression against Nigerians

OUSE of Representatives member for Ife Federal Constituency in Osun State, Rotimi Makinde, has described the Federal Government policy of removal of fuel subsidy as an unprovoked act of economic aggression on long suffering Nigerians. He told reporters after an emergency sitting of the House of Representatives in Abuja on Sunday, said the Federal Government should allow the long hand of the law to punish the oil cabal rather than punish Nigerians with the withdrawal of subsidy on petrol. Rather than engaging in sweeping removal of oil subsidy, Makinde called on the Federal Government to come clean and transparently on how much it had spent on the production of one litre of

petrol at the delivery point to end users. He argued that the 40 million litres of petrol daily consumption by Nigerians cannot within a year translate to N1.3 trillion, being claimed as the annual subsidy on petrol. His words: “Nigerians who sent us to represent them in Abuja are opposed to the removal of fuel subsidy. They see the policy as an act of economic aggression by the government against them. “They have mandated us to return to Abuja to expressed their resolve to democratically shoot down the policy”, Makinde declared. “Fuel subsidy was the only meaningful benefit that Nigerians can enjoy from the fact of their Nigerian citizenship. This removal has since January 1, 2012, had untold effect on their economic activities.

• Protesters at Mokola area of Ibadan

PHOTO: BISI OLADELE

Protests ground Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun F OR the second day running, businesses did not open yesterday in Oyo, Ogbomoso and OkeOgun areas of Oyo State. Thousands of workers under the aegis of the Joint Action Congress of the Labour Unions trooped to the streets to continue the protests against the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government. Members of the National Association of Oyo Student (NAOS) came out in large numbers to join the protests. The ever-busy IbadanIlorin highway was deserted. There were no intra and inter-state transport services as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers' Association of Nigerian (RTEAN) withdrew their vehicles and services from the roads. School pupils turned the highways into football pitches. In Oyo town, residents

From Bode Durojaiye,Oyo

Govt imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew

N apparent move to guarantee the security of lives and properties in its domain, the Oyo St ate Government has slammed a 12-hour curfew on the state. The dusk-to-dawn curfew, which takes effect from 7pm till 7am, was announced through a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Akin Olajide. He justified the curfew by explaining that the government had uncovered plans by some disgruntled politicians to sponsor hoodlums and miscreants to hijack the ongoing anti-fuel subsidy removal protest to cause mayhem in the Pace-Setter State. The SSG said the politicians planned to threaten the security of the state, especially at night, adding that the government was left with no other option than to impose the curfew. The SSG said all security agencies have been put on the alert to apprehend and prosecute anyone who contravens the curfew. The statement reads: “While the government appreciates the rights of the citizens to protest, the protection of lives and property of citizens is imperative.” carried placards and chanted solidarity songs in objection to withdrawal of subsidy and

the attendant hike in the price of petrol. The rally, which began in

Durbar, took the protesters through Owode, Isokun, Sanga and Akesan, terminated at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. Various inscriptions, such as "Okonjo Iweala Must Go"; "You Can't win this battle until you reverse to N65 per litre"; "Resign Now, Jonathan"; and "Enough of Foreign Dictates to Nigeria", were on the placards. Bon fires littered township roads. Addressing the crowd, Ajiboye Morakinyo, aunion leader, urged the Federal Government to repair bad roads nationwide, reinforce and maintain security agencies to guarantee the security of lives of Nigerians and ensure the immediate implementation of the minimum wage for workers. Ajiboye also advised the government to ensure stable and regular supply of electricity, create jobs for the youths, as well as review downward salaries and allowances of political functionaries.

Private hospitals urged to treat protesters with gunshot wounds T HE Lagos State Government yesterday made a case for protesters who may sustain gunshot wounds during the nationwide strike called by organised Labour and civil society groups. The widespread protests entered the second day yesterday. Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris, who spoke for the government, reiterated the need for doctors in pri-

vate medical practice not to deny patients, especially those with gunshot wounds brought to their health facilities during the ongoing strike. Making the appeal yesterday, Idris also urged the protesters to allow medical workers carry out their duties without any form of molestation. The commissioner lauded

organisers of the mass protests for their endorsement of the provision of emergency medical services in government-owned hospitals. According to him, such understanding shown by the labour leadership would prevent unnecessary deaths and pains among the citizenry. Idris urged ambulance

crew, doctors and nurses to make themselves available for emergency duties. His words: “The organisers of the mass protests have kindly consented to the provision of emergency medical services in government hospitals in order to prevent unnecessary deaths and suffering among the citizenry. “Ambulance crew, doctors and nurses on emergency duties are requested to make themselves available for these duties.”

Lagos ACN warns security agencies against killings

HROUGH its spokesman Joe Igbokwe, the Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday warned security agencies to avoid killing more Nigerians during legitimate protests that are not only imperative but necessary. In a statement signed by Igbokwe, the party warned that further killings of those protesting against injustice repeatedly meted out to Nigerians may lead to a fright-

ening and uncontrollable situation. The statement reads: “The police have no right to take the life of any Nigerian in a legitimate protest that will make President Goodluck Jonathan and his men pay attention to the plight of hapless Nigerians under bondage as a result of the clueless leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “Those involved in the killing of harmless protesters in Kano, Lagos and

Benin and wounding several others should learn from the trial of former President Mubarak, who presided over Egypt while security men killed hundreds of protesters. “The DPO (Divisional Police Officer)in Lagos who fired the shots that killed an innocent protester and those who killed Nigerians in Kano and Edo should be fished out, arrested and charged to court for murder. “Lagos ACN fully understands what is at stake

in Nigeria and we are standing by the people of because the ruling party has not shown committed and disciplined leadership in the past 13 years. “They have not shown fiscal discipline; they have not shown that they understand what leadership is all about; they have not shown understanding; they lack the capacity to make the necessary change needed to move the country forward and they have not made the required sacrifices to convince Nigerians that they are serious.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO)

AD urges President to listen to peoples’ voice By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

LLIANCE for Democracy (AD) yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan to listen to the voice of the people, warning that the removal of fuel subsidy may herald doom for his administration. The party advised the President to be sensitive to the dynamics of the contemporary Nigerian society, pointing out that people are ready to resist repressive policies of the government more than before. Its National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, told reporters in Lagos that “since President Jonathan derives his legitimacy from the peoples’ verdict at the poll, the onus is on him to listen to their agitations and preferences”. He said: “The way people trooped out to protest the removal of the subsidy is an indication that the removal did not go down well with them. Any government that truly derived its legitimacy from the people would not be adamant to the voice of the people. Only a government without legitimacy would be insensitive to the yearnings of the people”. Adebiyi reminded the President that God who gave the oil to the country as a natural resource would not be happy, if it becomes a tool of punishment in the hand of government. He said AD has thrown its weight behind the nationwide protests organised by labour and civil society groups, warning security agents not to harass citizens on the streets. The party leader asked Nigerians to peep into 2015, urging them to consider the imperative of power shift to progressive parties.

Catholic Bishops condemn ‘insensitive’ timing of policy

ATHOLIC Bishops have described the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government as an unpopular action which gives priority to economic considerations over moral implications and immediate public interests. The Bishops also condemned the timing of the policy. In a statement in Abuja by the Bishops and signed jointly by Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job of Ibadan and Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Oyo, the bishops declared: “We note with deep regret that this country now has a tradition of making the poor suffer in the selfish interest of a few who have fraudulently enriched themselves in collusion with those in the corridors of power.” The bishops asked: “ Must the poor suffer to make the rich smile” The bishops further stated: “It may not be fair to blame the Jonathan government alone for all the woes of Nigeria but this government must take full responsibility for the insensitive timing and

execution of this policy on fuel subsidy. “Government seems to have already decided on it anyway long before the so-called consultations were begun or does it not matter at all that scores of Nigerians were gruesomely murdered only days earlier in the very vicinity of our Federal Capital”, they said. Commenting on the expected benefits of the subsidy removal as outlined by the government, the bishops expressed concern that “government’s many policy somersaults and failure to provide security for life and property have created an unfriendly business environment which the mere removal of subsidy cannot reverse.” According to them, it is regrettable that the Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has simply recycled promises made by previous governments to use money realized from oil subsidy removal to improve infrastructures and raise the standard of living of the people but these promises have always been in the breach.

SNG asks Jonathan to resign

HE Save Nigeria Group (SNG) yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to resign their appointments, saying that they have betrayed Nigerians by approving the removal of petrol subsidy. Also, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) warned soldiers to stay clear of the petrol subsidy crisis, adding that the mood of the country would not accommodate any military intervention in politics. The leader of the group, Mr. Wale Oshun, who addressed protesters in Lagos, said, since civilians created the crisis. they should be allowed to resolve the logjam in their own way. Protesters intensified their campaigns against the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil sector through street protests as government remains adamant. The peaceful protest which lasted for eight hours took place at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, where labour leaders and leaders of civil society organisation enjoined demonstrators to sustain the tempo of struggle, until government rescinds its decision. Many of them carried placards with various inscriptions decrying the fuel hike. Some of them read: “Jonathan: Just On Notorious Assignment To Harm Nigeria”; “On N65 per litre we stand”, “Jonathan must go now” and “Okonjo-Iweala must resign”. Musicians including Wasiu Pasuma, Femi Kuti, Mentere, Salawa Abeni and Idris Abdulkarim provided music at intervals. Speakers at the rallly included the SNG Convener, Pastor Tunde Bakare, founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr. Fredrick Fashun, Lagos lawyer Femi Falana, leader of Campaign for Democracy (CD) Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, ARG chieftain Dipo Famakinwa, son of Afrobeat king, Femi Kuti, widow of the late rights activist, Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi, her son, Mohammed, Miss Marian Okoya, Waka Queen Salawa Abeni, and Segun Aka-Bashorun. Pastor Bakare, who ap-

•ARG: no room for military intervention ‘All Nigerians have spoken with one voice. We are entitled to good life. The protest is not a waste of time. We should sustain the tempo’ By Emmanuel Oladesu and Bisi Onanuga

plauded the fighting spirit of the demonstrators, enjoined them never to relent, until victory is won. He asked President Jonathan and his ministers to step down, saying that they had betrayed Nigerians. He said: “Jonathan said that he is ready for street protest. He has forgotten that we protested on the street before he became the Acting President. They say they cannot build refinery and that they must deregulate fuel. They have deregulated diesel and kerosene before, but did they build refinery? Jonathan has no capacity to govern Nigeria. What we are fighting for is good governance”. Third Republic Chief Whip of the House of Representatives Oshun said: “Before negotiation, let us revert to N65 per litre. The duty of government is to ensure that life is made comfortable for the ordinary citizen. They are making life difficult. We will not accept it. Let the military remain in the barracks. The civilians will solve the problem. The problem was created by the civilians and civilians will solve the problem. The struggle may take a longer time”. Fasehun said: “Government exists for the welfare and happiness of the people. If government does not listen to the voice of the people, what does it want? We said we are opposed to increase in the price of petrol. We warn President Jonathan. He should avoid the curse of elders. Anybody who wants us to suffer in this country will suffer”. Falana asked the police to arrest the minister who

claimed that he was bribed to take part in the 1986 protest against the economic policies of Babangida regime, saying that nobody is above the law. He berated the minister for a shortfall in historical perception, recalling that he defended him at that time in the court of law against the oppressive regime when he was President of Students Union Government at the University of Jos free of charge. Hailing the resilience of the demonstrators, Falana said that they can only be liberated by crying out. Hlamented that successive administrations have imposed curious burdens on Nigerians through the IMF-teleguided policies of liberalisation, Structural Adjustment Programme, deregulation and fuel invcrease. He added: “The struggle transcends fuel subsidy. We are fighting injustice, corruption, unemployment, bad roads and economic imperialism”. Femi Kuti objected to attempts to compare Nigeria with Greece, which has no oil, stressing that government cannot convince Nigerians about the rightness of the policy. Reiterating his position on N65 per litre, he added: “The discussion on minimum wage was based on N65 per litre. Now that it is N141, then, the minimum wage should be N100,000. Jonathan should also earn minimum wage too as a Nigerian”. Ace comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka said: “Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable. This protest has no tribal colouration”. Dr OkeiOdumakin said: “We are dealing with a wicked and callous government, but we will not relent”. Mohammed Fawehinmi said: “All Nigerians have spoken with one voice. We are entitled to good life. The protest is not a waste of time. We should sustain the tempo”. Mrs. Fawehinmi said: “It is ungodly to be suffering in the midst of plenty. Nigeria is so blessed. God has given the oil to Nigeria free. It should not even be N40 per ltre. The in-

crement was a bad new year present. I urge you to be peaceful. Don’t engage in violence. There will be victory”. Aka-Bashorun said revolution was brewing, adding: “Jonathan should better listen. This is how it started in other parts of the world”. Also, in a statement, eminent Nigerians, including Dr Tunji Braithwaite, Prof. Pat Utomi, former Finance Minister Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu and Arewa Youth Leader Shetima Yerima flayed President Goodluck Jonathan for incompetence, stressing that he has not demonstrated capacity for tackling the challenges confronting his administration. They also complained that the President was heating up the polity, following the removal of fuel subsidy, which has led to high cost of living in the country. Also, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), in a statement, decried the fuel subsidy removal, saying that it would impose hardship on hapless Nigerians. In a statement in Lagos, the group implored Nigerians to support the labour strike against the policy. Braithwaite cautioned against reducing the challenges of governance to fuel subsidy, pointing out that widespread bloodshed, insecurity, corruption and flawed 1999 Constitution should also be addressed. He said: “The price increase is the symbolic last straw that breaks the camel’s back...It is our position that any belated effort to cancel the price increase at this late hour will not even assuage the justified anger of the long suffering Nigerians. The entire political and social oppression threatening the corporate existence of the country must be tackled now”. Braithwaite said the root of the crises in the country is that many power holders were not properly elected by Nigerians. He said the high cost of governance, jumbo pay to government officials, and soaring corruption were offensive to the people.

Kids join protest in Akure From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

HILDREN, aged between four and six, yesterday joined their parents on the streets of Akure, the Ondo State capital to protest the withdrawal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government. The kids showed their grievances by displaying placards with inscription such as; “We are a happy family, Mr. President, we say no to hardship”; “No to increase in fuel prices”; and “No to fuel subsidy Mr. President” among others. They said the more than 100 per cent increase in the price of petrol from N65 to N141 was affecting their parents. “We are appealing to Mr. President to save our future”, the children said. Leading the protest, which entered the second day yesterday, was the state chapter chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mrs. Bosede Daramola. They barricaded the popular roads such as Oba-Adesida, NEPA and Alagbaka, all within the state capital. Major shops and markets in the city were not opened for the second day running to show solidarity with the NLC. Among the protesters were members of the state chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), students, civil society organisations and artisans. They demonstrated their grievances peacefully with the popular song of the late Afrobeat music legend, Fela Anikulapo entitled: “Suffering and Smiling” Some of the protesters vowed to sustain the action until the Federal Government reverse its oil policy. Mrs. Daramola advised the President to listen to the masses. •The kids...yesterday

PHOTOS: LEKE AKEREDOLU

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS THE BIG PROTEST (DAY TWO) Middle Belt Federation urges peace From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

•Policemen on guard

ACN to Jonathan: revert petrol price to N65

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to listen to the voice of the people, as expressed through the ongoing nationwide protests, and revert to the old petrol price of N65 per litre. In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the President should by now have realised that he had been deceived, or allowed himself to be deceived, by unscrupulous advisers into removing a non-existent subsidy and inflicting unnecessary pain on Nigerians. The party said he should fire such advisers and retrace his steps. It said that despite the underhand tactics employed by the government to divide labour, using some renegade union leaders ; and to misinform the public by wasting public funds through radio, television and newspaper adverts, Nigerians from all walks of life came out in large numbers to protest against the obnoxious fuel subsidy removal. ACN said:‘’If the government needed a referendum on this ill-thought-out policy, it got one in the massive protests by Nigerians against the subsidy removal. This happened despite the massive frittering away of scarce resources to sponsor a myriad of shady groups to force Nigerians to swallow the bitter pill of subsidy removal. ‘’It is clearer than ever, now, that no good advert can sell a

Party condemns arrest of former secretary

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned yesterday’s arrest of its former National Secretary, Dr. Usman Bugaje, by the State Security Service (SSS) over an interview he granted a radio station on the ongoing fuel price hike protests across the country. It is calling for his immediate release. In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed concern that the Federal Government, having boxed itself into a tight corner due’’, is now baring its fangs at perceived enemies, especially members of the opposition, civil society and the unions. ‘’There is nothing that Dr. Bugaje said in that interview that has not been said many times over by other Nigerians since the govBy Nneka Nwaneri

bad product. The tactics being employed by the government has never worked and will not work in this case. In fact, it has backfired!’’ ACN said. The party praised the House of Representatives for showing that they are indeed the true representatives of the people, by cutting short their recess to take a stand on such a burning national issue as fuel subsidy removal, among others, and asked the Senate to take a cue from the House. It also hailed organised labour, civil society organisations, professional groups as well as ordinary Nigerians for engaging in peaceful protests across the country, despite provocation by some security agents in a few states where peaceful, unarmed protesters were shot dead. ‘’Nigerians have shown that

Three killed in Bauchi village attack

HREE people have been killed by unknown gunmen in overnight attack in Pyakman village near Tafawa Balewa Local government Area of Bauchi State. In a telephone interview, Bauchi State Police Commissioner Mr Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba confirmed the incident. He said “the area is calm. The DPO has reported the incident and we are investigating the matter”. Secretary of Sayawa elders Council Mr. Bukata Zhadi told reporters yesterday in Bauchi that “the deceased went to the village to see their lands and they were attacked and killed, we have reported the incident to Police in Tafawa Balewa who in company of soldiers went and removed the bodies of the deceased from the bush and deposited them in Tafawa Balewa General Hospital morgue.” He said: “We don’t know the importance of the security agencies deployed in the area they were there and our people are being attacked and killed by assailants.”

ernment decided to over-reach itself by inflicting avoidable pain on the people in the name of fuel subsidy removal. ‘’Perhaps Dr. Bugaje’s only sin is that he is a member of the ACN. But our party is not responsible for the unenviable situation in which this rudderless government has found itself. In fact, had the government listened to our wise counsel, it would have avoided the troubles it had now brought on itself,’’ the party said. ACN wondered why the Federal Government is dissipating its energy on targeting and harassing the opposition, when it is confronted with monumental problems, including the worsening cases of insecurity of lives and property, most of which the administration brought upon itself.

they can indeed make their case on whatever issue without resorting to violence. We believe this is an indication of our growing democratic culture and we hail the citizenry for this. We must however warn the authorities to reciprocate this by bringing to justice the triggerhappy cops who shot innocent Nigerians on Monday. ‘’We advise organised labour and their civil society partners not to allow themselves to be railroaded into making a compromise that will not be in the interest of the people. Perhaps the labour unions did not know it, but their successful management of the ongoing protests, so far, has redeemed their image. Many had expressed doubt at their (labour’s) ability to lead the people against the subsidy removal. Labour has now dispelled any doubt about their resolve

and they should see this to the end,’’ ACN said. The party said the way forward is for the President to jettison the well-worn but unconvincing argument of subsidising fuel, work with organised labour and other stakeholders in removing the corruption and inefficiency in the downstream petroleum sector, ensure that local refineries work at installed capacity and build new ones, and put in place the necessary policy to ensure a successful deregulation (not to be confused with subsidy removal) of the sector. ‘’The government must also stop its fruitless propaganda on this issue of fuel subsidy, stop deceiving Nigerians with meaningless palliatives and begin what is sure to be a long and tortuous journey to win back the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people,’’ it said.

HE Federation of Middle Belt People has appealed to Nigerians to remain peaceful in the fight against petrol subsidy removal. In a statement by its National Vice-President, Gowon Usman Egbunu and Emmanuel Ekele (General Secretary), the group congratulated Nigerians for their courage and the will to express their views on the situation. According to the group, this is the essence of democracy; government must always be made accountable to the people. It called on “Nigerians to give the government the benefit of the doubt by supporting this difficult decision to remove fuel subsidy with the hope that the pains will soon go as it did with the deregulation of the telecommunications sector. “It is clear that things are not working well enough in our country. It is also clear that there is too much corruption, and it is also clear that national wealth is leaking through smuggling, illegal bunkering, and failure to earn full and fair revenue from the maritime, oil and gas sectors. The solid mineral sector is equally leaking, the agricultural sector until recently is also a shadow of itself. “We call on President Goodluck Jonathan to be firm and decisive in fighting corruption and all forms of on-going economic sabotage. “Let us give government a six months period of grace, if we do not see appreciable positive changes, we would return to the trenches. “We call on the president to be more dynamic in fighting all forms of threats to our national security and unity. The sponsors and perpetrators of this crime (Boko Haram) must be brought to book immediately. Government need to mobilise all Nigerians to be more patriotic and committed to democracy and national building.

Give govt a chance, minister pleads

HE Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada yesterday pleaded with Nigerians to give the Federal Government a chance to deliver on its promises over the removal of subsidy on petrol. Mrs Obada, who spoke in Ilesa, Osun State while sensitising members of her community on the oil policy, said the decision was meant to develop the country and improve its economic base. In a statement by Mobolaji Yusuf, Press and Public Relations Department, the Minister said: “The Federal Government, in continuation of its transformation agenda, will through the fund realised from oil subsidy removal, improve the

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

provision of social amenities and infrastructural projects especially in power, resuscitation of our rail services, improvement in health services, construction and maintenance of roads, adequate funding for education sector, while lots of jobs will be generated for those who are unemployed. “The President had appointed some credible and trusted Nigerians with impeccable pedigrees to manage the fund and ensure that the programmes and projects are judiciously executed to key into the transformation agenda of the Federal Government”.

Nollywood actress calls for caution FRONTLINE actress and Nollywood star Jennifer Eliogu, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind his decision on the hike in petrol price in the interest of Nigerians. Eliogu said the subsidy issue is not the most pressing need of Nigerians and urged government to first tackle the problem of corruption and provision of basic social amenities before action. She said: “The first challenge the Federal Government should fight is corruption. Fight it with all determination and let Nigerians see that government is doing something serious in that direction before we start talking about removal of subsidy. And the second leg of the fight will be to reduce the cost of governance”. She added: “We have other issues more pressing; security, power, infrastructure, unemployment etc, that the government hasn’t shown much commitments as to finding permanent solutions to” stressing however that “Fuel subsidy removal in itself is not a bad idea, but the government should have taken their time to educate the masses on the long term gains as it were”. The actress said “since we are operating the 2011 budget until March, what was the hurry?”.

Exotic cars: EFCC to seek data of owners from FRSC, says Lamorde

CONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting chair, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterday said the agency will soon be seeking information on the owners of exotic cars from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). He said the purchase of such cars might be product of stolen or slush funds. Lamorde made the disclosure while receiving the Corp Marshall and Chief Executive, Mr. Osita Chidoka on a courtesy visit to the anti-graft agen-

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

cy. A statement by the acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren said Lamorde urged the FRSC to always furnish the anti-graft agency with vehicle registration details of exotic cars of suspicious and dubious ownership. He said this will aid in tracking fraudulent transactions. He said: “Most of the inquiries we do with your Commis-

sion have more to do with the driver’s licence, but we are also interested in the vehicle registration details because we believe that most financial criminals love to drive exotic cars. These cars will be registered. “You see, an individual buying two, three cars and registering them on the same day. We would want your Commission to assist us in such cases, as such cars worth over N100 million could be proceeds of illegitimate wealth.”

He said the identity forgery has been a big clog in the wheel of the operations of the EFCC and assured that the commission will do all it can to key into the new licence regime. Chidoka explained that the old driver’s licence has been compromised by fraudsters within and outside Nigeria , which necessitated the introduction of a new driver’s license based on a robust data base with unique identification systems to replace the old one.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS Massive turnout as protests spread across Lagos

•Nigerian protesters in New York.... yesterday

PHOTO: ADEOLA FAYEHUN

More residents join rallies in Ibadan

ORE residents joined the antifuel subsidy removal protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday. Labour leaders and civil society groups also spread to other parts of the city during the protest which lasted till evening. Yesterday’s protest was also peaceful. Protesters vowed to sustain the action until the pump price of petrol is returned to N65. The residents were led by Labour leaders, civil society groups and activists on a 10-hour protest which has crippled activities in the ancient city since Monday. Among the activists who marched on the streets of Ibadan on the opening day of the protest are former Minister of Petroleum Resources Prof. Tam DavidWest; former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Mashood Erubami; state coordinator of the Joint Action Front (JAF), Dr Demola Aremu and state chairman of the Ibadan Branch of the NBA and his the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) counterpart, Luqman Laoye and Prof. Millicent Obajimi respectively. They were joined yesterday by popular Nollywood actor, Muyiwa Ademola, who also charged Nigerians not to give up until their demands are met. The protesters gathered at Mapo Hall again yesterday morning from where they moved to Gate, Idi Ape, Iwo Road and Old Ife Road, where they addressed a crowd of protesters on the need to sustain the protest. All major roads were barricaded with planks, iron bars, blocks and electric poles, while tyres bon fires

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

were made to prevent vehicular movements. The mainly-youth protesters remained on the streets to ensure that no businesses opened. The protest began in most areas as early as 7:30am with youths gathering at the junctions of major roads across the city. There was, however, no report of violence in any parts of the city as at press time. Smokes billowed from bonfires intermittently kindled with used tyres. For the second day running,roads including the Lagos-Ibadan,the Ibadan-Ife and the Ibadan-Ilorin highways were barricaded at different points by the protesters, who kicked about the hike in prices of petrol from N65 to N141, and its multiplier effects on prices of goods and services. The various unions converged under the aegis of the Oyo State branch of the JAF, led by Aremu. At Mapo Hall, activists told the protesters to continue with the struggle. Akeredolu lamented that President Goodluck Jonathan had quickly forgotten his promise of fresh air last year. He said: “Our leaders are indulged in taking us for granted. But this time we are saying ‘No.’ We must call the bluff of this government. President Jonathan is not a man of integrity. We want the government to do our bidding not us doing their bidding.” In his own remark, Aremu, who was a former chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities said: “We shall continue to protest until the Federal Government reviews the removal of oil subsidy. We are here to let the ‘looters’ know that we are against the so-called subsidy removal. If not the masses wouldn’t have been out to protest the

‘We elected him based on our trust. But, unfortunately, he has let us down. He once told us that he went to school without shoes. Now he has forgotten the experience’ unpopular move by the President.” “We elected him based on our trust. But, unfortunately, he has let us down. He once told us that he went to school without shoes. Now he has forgotten the experience.” The unionist explained that former President Olusegun Obasanjo increased pump price of petroleum products five times between 1999 and 2007,stressing that citizens should deduce form the actions that the Nigerian government has always failed them. “They told us that they would use the money to improve on infrastructure but we don’t trust them anymore. They should shut illegal refineries and hire the boys engaging in illegal refining to work at the refineries. Jonathan, David Mark and the governors have failed us. It is either they reverse the price of petrol, resign or reverse the socalled subsidy.” The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State, Mr. Bayo Ajayi, who posited that the policy

was against the people, said that immunity cannot save the President. His words: “We have started the protest and there is no going back until the price is reversed. Nigerians will not give up the fight until the price is reversed.” The chairman, Oyo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Millicent Obajinmi, lamented the poor standard of living of Nigerians and stated that an end must come to it. Her words: “We contend with infrastructural deficit such as bad road network, poorly-maintained hospitals, ill-equipped schools and more. Everything is at the detriment of the Nigerian masses. “Painfully, our legislature and the executive continue to milk the nation dry with high cost of governance. “The masses had waited in vain. We contend with high level of school drop out, increased crime rates and infrastructure breakdown. When the subsidy had not been removed people found it difficult to foot their medical bill, but not anymore. We, the Medical doctors are against the move of the Federal Government.” In his own remark, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Oyo State, Mr. Lukam Laoye, said that the fuel pump price was only N17 in Iran. Decrying the high cost of petrol in the country, he urged Nigerians to end the regime of lies by political leaders. The TMG chair condemned a situation where the government left the citizens to provide their own power, security, water, roads and other amenities. “They have devalued the naira; the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has increased the tariff and subsidy has been removed”, Erubami lamented.

USINESSES and shops across the Lagos metropolis remained under lock and key yesterday, while the crowd at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, witnessed unprecedented huge turnout of protesters. It was the second day of the national strike called by organised Labour to protest the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. The atmosphere at the park depict that of anger as scores of Nigerian youths broke into different sessions, chanting solidarity songs around the area to expressed their disapproval of the new policy. They brandished placards and effigy with various inscriptions including: “Subsidy Sleeping Bed”; “We say no to corruption”; and “End corruption and looting”, among others. The youths restated their determination to continue with the protest on daily bases until the government restored the price of petrol to N65 per litre. A lawyer, Mr. Abayomi Osibanjo described the atmosphere as a reflection of a popular anger because the situation affects all in the society. His words: “The policy affects every one of us and the leaders must listen because if you said you are leading a set of people they have the right to say this is the way they want to go “What is going on now is worse than the military era, because this government is worse than the military era, and we just pray that it does not degenerate further into a major crisis in the country.” Osibanjo said the people are determined to sustain the protest, adding that it was the first time in the history of the country that the people rose up willingly without being in-

By Miriam Ndikanwu

duced by anyone to come out and protest a policy they considered inimical to their existence. He said: “President Jonathan should have consulted widely before coming up with this decision. This is going to be a big problem constitutionally.” He applauded the courage of Nigerians while adding that it would have been much more impactful to have people coming with things that will enable them stay overnight. “That way, the government will realise that we mean serious business”, he said. A student, Mr. Kingsley Akande, who came to the park with a sleeping mat, said his plan was to continue to sleep at the park pending when the strike is over. Akande said: “This is so painful. We can’t express our anger in words. We have been walking down here since the strike commenced from Shomolu and we will be here until government listens to us.” Another student, Okebuyi Olanrewaju said the situation transcend fuel subsidy removal, noting that it was a right platform for Nigerians to protest the injustice and corruption in the system. But some commercial buses and motorcycle operators were seen along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. Their fares were outrageous. Many Lagosians assembled at newspaper stands to read about the latest development, with some expressing the hope of possible dialogue between government and Labour representatives.

President imports armed thugs, Labour alleges From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of importing armed thugs into Abuja to attack the anti-petrol price hike protesters. In a statement jointly issued by the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Owei Lakemfa and TUC Secretary General Comrade John Kolawole. The unions said the country, has witnessed the murder of at least eight unarmed civilians in the course of the protests. The statement reads: “By their actions in the past few days, Nigerians have left the Presidency and the world in no doubt that sovereignty belongs to them and that they intend to reclaim their country. “The Labour Movement alerts the country and the world at large that the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has imported armed thugs into Abuja to attack the anti-fuel price hike protesters. “In a Mubarak-style response to the peoples’ protests, the Jonathan administration brought into Abuja, thugs armed with various weapons including guns. Those of them who made an appearance on Abuja streets yesterday afternoon were former militants and students from Nasarawa Polytechnic who operated under the banner of “PDP Transformation Movement”. “Clearly, the Presidency had intended to use the police and army to carry out a planned attacks on peaceful protesters but due to the outcry over previous murders, it has opted to use armed thugs. Labour warns the Presidency that it will be held responsible for whatever atrocities these thugs commit. If the thugs attack the anti fuel price hike protesters, the Labour Movement will be compelled to ask all citizens to march on Abuja and take the city. The Representatives yesterday resisted attempts to endorse campaign for the convocation of National Sovereign Conference to address national issues confronting the country. The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and most of the lawmakers kicked against the call for sovereign national conference aimed at resolving the lingering crises in the country.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NEWS

INEC shifts Adamawa poll to January 21

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday postponed the Adamawa State governorship election from next Saturday to January 21. A statement by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said the commission took the decision after consultations with relevant stakeholders in the state. The statement reads: “The governorship election will now hold on Saturday, January 21, instead of January 14, as earlier scheduled. “INEC reassures all Nigerians, Adamawa State resi-

•PDP Acting chair rallies support for Nyako From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and Barnabas Manyam, Yola

dents in particular, of its determination to conduct free, fair and credible election in the state. The commission is working very closely with all stakeholders, including security agencies, to ensure a conducive environment for the conduct of the election.” The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kawu Baraje has promised to cooperate with

other party stalwarts to ensure the victory of its candidate, Governor Murtala Nyako, in the governorship poll. Baraje, who spoke at the grand finale of the governorship rally in Yola, the state capital, promised to ensure Nyako’s victory through multi-party commitment. He said there is no need to change a winning team in the middle of a game, adding that he would work with others party stalwarts to make the party’s candidate

triumph in the poll. The PDP Acting National Chairman condemned killings and violence, urging Christians and Muslims to live together as brother and sisters. Dignitaries at the event included Vice-President Namadi Sambo; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; 15 members of the House of Representatives from the state as well as its three senators.

Guild of Editors’ ex-president is Kwankwaso’s spokesman

ANO State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has approved the appointment of a two-time President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Malam Haliru Ibrahim Dantiye, as his Director on Communications and Public Relations. This followed the resignation of the former Director of Press, Alhaji Umar Sa’idu

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Tudun Wada. The appointment is contained in a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Yunusa Adamu Dangwani. Dantiye served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief/Head of Editorial Department of the state-owned Triumph. The governor’s spokes-

man is an alumnus of the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State. He has been a practising journalist for many years. A graduate of Bayero University, Kano, Dantiye was President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors between 2003 and 2008. He holds a Master of Arts

Kalu urges Igbo to defend selves From Dele Anofi, Abuja

•Kalu

ORMER Governor of Abia State Orji Uzor Kalu has described the violence in the North as been directed at Igbo. He urged southerners living in the North, especially the Igbo to seek external assistance to defend themselves. Orji, in a statement yesterday, regretted the seeming helplessness of the Federal Government to protect its citizens.

He said his reaction to the killings of Igbo was necessitated by the silence of Igbo political intelligentsia. He said: “It is unacceptable that whenever there is any disagreement or crisis of any sort in this country, the Igbo are targeted, whether the issue at stake concerns them or not. “Whether the recent bombings and slaughters in churches are attributable to the hatred of western education or making the country ungovernable for the President or even the alleged quest for revenge by the sect involved for the alleged extra-judicial killing of its leader, none of these issues has anything to do with the Igbo. “It is beyond sheer coincidence that most of the killings are in churches attended predominantly by

the Igbo. And the victims are innocent Ndigbo who know nothing of and are in no way connected with the issues for which they are being killed. “Everyday, Igbo in the North are being slaughtered and the Federal Government appears clueless, helpless and incapable of coming to the defence of these citizens. “Unfortunately too, Northern political leaders have made statements and interventions - at levels that further question, the essence and founding vision of one Nigeria. “If nobody will come to the rescue of the Igbo, the Igbo will have no choice but to protect themselves by themselves. By their nature, the Igbo are peace-loving and respect human life, but if they continue to be pushed to the wall, they will have no choice but to defend themselves.

Falana urges EFCC to investigate NNPC over alleged subsidy fraud

AGOS lawyer Mr Femi Falana has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over alleged fraud perpetrated through fuel importation. Falana, in a petition, said the alleged fraud had gone on for so long. The petition reads in part: “Whereas the federal government instituted the subsidy regime to mitigate the effect of volatility in the international prices of crude on domestically consumed refined petroleum products. “Whereas the government committed the administration of the scheme into the hands of the petroleum products pricing regulatory agency by virtue of its statutory enablement, “Sadly; and to the detriment of the national economy, the NNPC has continued to manipulate and suppress the autonomy of the agency using its dominant position in the petroleum industry.

“Lately, a catalogue of fraudulent acts being committed by the NNPC with respect to the implementation of the subsidy scheme are itemised below: “House hold kerosine (HHK) by virtue of an extant presidential directive is deregulated with a view to freeing government from huge financial burden as subsidy effective July, 2009. However, NNPC has vehemently declined to implement the presidential directive. Rather, kerosene was being assigned in bulk to marketers at huge kickbacks in form of thousands of dollars, while consumers pay deregulated price for the product and the federation account is continually short-changed. the corrupt practice endures till today under the watchful eye of the honourable minister of petroleum resources, as NNPC (an operator) is solely in charge of supply and regulation of HHK in violation of regulatory procedure.

Amaechi swears in 10 acting council chairmen •Suspends 11 for not attending meeting From Clarice Azuatalam And Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday swore in 10 acting council chairmen. They were sworn in following the suspension of 11 council chairmen. Though no reason was given for the suspension but it was gathered that the 11th person, a woman was not sworn in because her matter is still being looked into. Those sworn in include: Sampson G. Egop (Andoni); Bestman Amadi (Ikwerre); Stanley Benibo(Akuku-Toru); Imbremieye Sunday(Okrika); George Allwell (Asari-Toru). Others were Melford Ezebalike (Ahoada West); Ndidi Erim(Emohua); Nwaobakato Franklin(Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni); Patrick Alapuberesika(Opobo/Nkoro) and Britain D. Ewor(Ahoada East). The governor urged the acting chairmen to work for the benefit of their people and not to misuse council funds. “As acting chairmen, let me warn that your job is not to tamper with the resources of your people illegally”, he said. On the suspension of the council Chairmen, Governor Amaechi said “the decision to suspend 11 council chairmen was taken with a lot of challenges in my mind but it was necessary to take that decision.”

Rep slams Fed Govt over ‘anti-people policies’

•Kwankwaso

degree in Journalism Studies from Cardiff University, United Kingdom. An indigene of Kano Municipal Area Council of Kano State, the seasoned journalist is married and has children.

MEMBER of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Prince Kola Olabiyi, has said the attacks on and killing of fuel subsidy removal protesters by policemen show that the Federal Government, under the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), is uncultured and intolerant. He said the ruling party has also shown that it lacks traditional democracy, participatory and transparent governance.

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) federal lawmaker bemoaned what he described as “pretence and deceptive mechanism in procedural approaches” by President Goodluck Jonathan and his party’s cohorts to underdevelop and cheat the masses. In a statement, Olabiyi noted that the country’s undemocratic governance and underdevelopment are the result of arbitrary and tyrannical rule, injustice and lack of respect for humanity.

FOREIGN

South Africa: One dead in stampede for varsity admission STAMPEDE on a university campus in Johannesburg yesterday left one woman dead and several people injured, according to eyewitness reports. The victim was the mother of one of many prospective students who had gathered in the early hours to enroll in the University of Johannesburg, according to the African National Congress Youth League, the youth wing of the governing ANC party. Local media reported that 17 people were also injured. Thousands of young people and their relatives had gathered outside the campus gates hoping to secure some

of the last remaining university places or admission slots for students. Some chose to sleep outside overnight, desperate to sign up. One eyewitness told CNN how the stampede began. “There was a girl who tried to jump over the fence but unfortunately she tripped and the fence went through her from her back area so when the police came the people saw the police van as an excuse to jump over it to use it to go over. “The first lady went over and I think that broke everything off because we were all looking at her, we never thought she would

jump over. She jumped over, everybody screamed, clapped and started pushing their way through and that is when the commotion started happening.” Another witness recounted how a gate was opened “and then people started fighting and running towards the gate, and then there was a stampede. People were stepping on each other, and I was also there by the gate, but I was able to survive.” Sitting among the debris of shoes, ID cards and blankets — all discarded during the stampede — June Moloro told CNN how she was accompanying her grandson to the university when they also got caught up in the chaos.

Lawyers join call for Mubarak’s execution

IVIL rights lawyers yesterday joined prosecutors’ calls for a death sentence for former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The former leader, his former interior minister and four of his aides are on trial for their alleged involvement in the deaths of hundreds of protesters in last year’s uprising. Attorney Sameh Ashour, who represents some of the victims’ families, said Tuesday at the trial that “160 police officers fired 4,800 live bullets from machine guns during the revolution. Ambulances were used to trans-

port weapons to the officers on the ground, which indicates there was intention from the start to fire at protesters.” Judge Ahmed Refaat gave each of the five lawyers who spoke 10 minutes to present their case. The attorneys, Ashour said, request “the maximum sentence for those accused and a compensation of 100,000 Egyptian pounds to the families of the victims.” The trial will resume next Tuesday, with the defense making its case, the judge

said. A verdict is not expected before January 25, the first anniversary of the Egyptian uprising. “We merged our voice with the prosecutor’s closing arguments from last week’s hearing and demanded the death sentence to Mubarak, his former interior minister Habib El Adly, and four of his aides for killing hundreds of protesters and injuring thousands more,” attorney Khalid Abu Bakr told CNN Monday. “We have proof Mubarak is directly responsible for the killings along with El Adly and his aides.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NATION SPORT

Sabella: You can’t say no to this job Last August, former Argentine midfielder Alejandro Sabella was given one of the biggest challenges a coach can face when he was handed the reins of his national team. An assistant to Daniel Passarella at the 1998 FIFA World Cup France, Sabella’s brief was to restore the lustre of La Albiceleste and take them to Brazil 2014. Already preparing for Argentina’s next qualifying match in June, the 57-year-old father of four and avid history student spoke to FIFA.com about the unique challenges and demands of the job, the form of the world’s leading national sides and the contribution Lionel Messi makes to the national side.

OU took over as Argentina coach nearly six months ago. Has the job matched your expectations? I felt a huge responsibility when I took over and a huge amount of love too. The first thing I had to do on coming into the job was to get familiar with how a national team works, which is totally different to a club side. Luckily I’ve been able to draw on my experience alongside Passarella, which came at a time when Argentinian players started going abroad in large numbers. It’s taken me a while to settle in but I knew all about the responsibility I had on my shoulders when I took over and how difficult the World Cup qualifiers are. What do you enjoy most and least about coaching the national team? As a football-loving Argentinian this is the biggest job there is, the thing you dream about doing most. Anyone who makes a living out of the game dreams about playing in the first division and for the national team, and that goes for coaches too. That’s the good thing. The hardest part is handling the tremendous pressure to get results. There’s more and more pressure in football these days and not just in Argentina. There’s maybe a bit more in Latin America than there is in English-speaking countries, where the mindset’s a bit different, but there’s pressure wherever you go. That’s the unpleasant bit but it’s all part and parcel of the job. Did the untimely departures of your predecessors Alfio Basile, Diego Maradona and Sergio Batista make you think twice about taking on the job? No, not all. I didn’t have any doubts, for the reasons I’ve just mentioned. This job is the dream of any Argentinian who’s ever been in coaching. You just can’t turn it down or even have any doubts about it. As a football-loving Argentinian this is the biggest job there is, the thing you dream about doing most. Let’s turn to the qualifiers for Brazil 2014 now and Argentina’s away win over Colombia in their last game, a result you seemed very pleased with. Yes, because our previous match against Bolivia [a 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires] was a disappointment for us. We didn’t play that well but the result was totally unfair. We fell behind in Colombia and I felt a lot of pressure on myself to turn the game around quickly and take Argentina to where they belong.

•Sabella

Do you demand high standards of yourself? Yes, I do. That’s quite an explosive combination: someone as driven and determined as the national team coach of a country as passionate about its football as Argentina. That’s right, and that’s why I feel you shouldn’t ask too much of yourself or be too critical of yourself. There’s nothing wrong with being self-critical as long as you don’t go too far. That’s when you can get depressed and that’s not good. Have you ever had counselling or therapy? No, never. Mao Tse Tung once said that self-criticism was a symptom of weakness. And there’s something in that because it is a weakness when taken to an extreme. Reading that helped me because I’ve always been critical with myself. It’s something I use

“No, never. Mao Tse Tung once said that self-criticism was a symptom of weakness. And there’s something in that because it is a weakness when taken to an extreme. Reading that helped me because I’ve always been critical with myself. It’s something I use with my players as well. I always tell them not to dwell on their mistakes because that’s worse. A little bit of selfcriticism is great sometimes and necessary even. It’s a sign that you’ve got your feet on the ground. You can get big-headed otherwise, but there again, you always need to strike a balance”

with my players as well. I always tell them not to dwell on their mistakes because that’s worse. A little bit of self-criticism is great sometimes and necessary even. It’s a sign that you’ve got your feet on the ground. You can get bigheaded otherwise, but there again, you always need to strike a balance. Turning back to football now, would you say your biggest problem has been putting the defence together? Overhauling the defence is taking a bit more time, that’s true. We need to stay grounded about it but when you’ve got strikers of the quality of [Lionel] Messi, [Gonzalo] Higuain and [Sergio] Aguero, I don’t think people should be offended by anyone saying the back line is proving to be a bit more of a headache. The thing is, we don’t have much time to work with and solve the problems inherent in the team. We need to get a good squad together, make sure the players get on well and that they have a sense of belonging and feel something when they pull the Argentina shirt on. That’s what these boys have been doing, especially in the second half against Colombia. Do you listen to what the media have to say? A little but not that much. There’s always someone worth listening to, and criticism, whether it’s positive or negative, is good. It opens your mind. Some people do have useful things to say. You received a lot of criticism in

the press when you said before the Venezuela match that you’d be happy to win “by half a goal to nil”, a comment some felt gave the Venezuelans belief. Having lost the game, do you regret saying that? Given the history of the fixture, maybe I made a mistake in saying the “half a goal to nil” thing, though I don’t think it gave our opponents extra belief. You need to put things in context. Venezuela have come on a lot, they rested their first-teamers for their first game, and the match was played in very hot and humid conditions. Venezuela had the luxury of playing with their second string against Ecuador, the idea being: “If we lose this game, then so be it because we’ve got Argentina next.” But with the history Argentina have got they don’t have that luxury. Maybe my comment was a little unfortunate but I don’t think it helped them gain in stature. Brazil are the hosts of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. You’ve played there and you know Brazilian football well. Do you think playing at home will be a disadvantage for them? Home advantage can be a doubleedged sword, and it all depends on the character of the players. Brazilian players are very special and possess tremendous technique. If they hit their stride they can destroy you, wipe the floor with you, thrash you. They’ll also be under pressure though. They’ll have the obligation of having to win, and we’ll have to see how they

handle that. They’ll be big favourites of course. They always are and they’re at home. It’s a tricky one, though, and I always say that the sword has two edges. The control he has of the ball at full pace is amazing. It reminds me of the Scalextric I used to play as a kid – those cars going flat out from a standing start. Sabella on Lionel Messi You were assistant coach to Daniel Passarella during his time as Uruguay coach. Why do you think La Celeste have been doing so well lately? Uruguay have got a lot of character and a very strong and close-knit squad. The players really stick together and they feel they belong. They know what the Celeste shirt is all about and they also seem to have a great relationship with the coaching staff. Then there’s the fact that the players based in Europe have come on a lot. All that’s made them tremendously strong and they’ve really gained in confidence. They’ve created a virtuous circle and it’s all very positive for them. You watch a lot of football. Which national teams have impressed you the most recently? Germany and Spain are the best sides around. Germany are looking really good and they’ve grown a lot. They’ve brought in a couple of new and very talented young players, the likes of [Thomas] Muller have cemented their places in the team and big-name players like Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger are still there. They’ve gained in experience after going through a transitional phase. Spain are up there as well, no question. They’ve got fantastic potential but sometimes you ease off a little when you’re the world champions. They stand out the most, but then there’s Brazil too. How could I forget about them? Brazil are Brazil, and the five-time world champions too. A question about Lionel Messi. What has surprised you about him most as a person? I knew I’d be working with the best player in the world, a player who can change a game quicker than anyone. But to see him close up, and his acceleration, explosiveness and technique at pace, was a real eye-opener for me. The control he has of the ball at full pace is amazing. It reminds me of the Scalextric I used to play as a kid – those cars going flat out from a standing start. What’s surprised me about him more than anything, though, is what he means to people in India and Bangladesh, for example. It’s incredible. It’s the same in Venezuela, and Colombia was something else. He means so much to people. They idolise him and they’re crazy about him on and off the pitch. It’s unbelievable. One last question. Do you see yourself at Brazil 2014? No. I just see myself playing against Switzerland in February. After that we’ll see. I like to take things one game at a time and focus on the job in hand, and that goes for my work in general, not just coaching the national team. I don’t think long term, only short and medium term. We’ll see how the rest works out.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

NATION SPORT EUROPEAN FOOTBALL...EUROPEAN FOOTBALL...EUROPEAN FOOTBALL...

Messi still needs to shine at the World Cup, says Platinia L

IONEL Messi still needs to produce his best at the World Cup to be remembered as one of the truly great players, former France captain Michel Platini said on Monday. Messi won the World Player

of the Year award for the third time in a row on Monday, based on his exploits last year with Barcelona, but Platini said the Argentine still needed to perform at the highest level for his country. “Look at Diego Maradona,

everyone remembers what he did in 1986, nobody remembers so much what he did with Napoli, with Barcelona,” Platini, president of UEFA, told reporters after the ceremony. “It’s still the World Cup which sticks in people’s minds. “Messi will always be great with or without the World Cup, Johan Cruyff will always be great with or without the World Cup, but the World Cup does something special,” he added. The only criticism levelled against Messi is that he has yet to produce his best playing for his country, who were knocked out of the Copa

America in the quarter-finals last year when they hosted the tournament. Messi, who has played in two World Cups only for Argentina to lose in the quarter-finals to Germany on both occasions, admitted the national team were not at their best “The reality is that we are very far from being the best national team in the world,” he said in a news conference before the ceremony. “There are many in front of us but we have the ambition and the desire. There is still a lot of time to go before 2014 and we have to improve a lot but we will get there.”

• Tevez

Gotze: I could sign a contract extension with Dortmund

• Messi

ORUSSIA Dortmund star Mario Gotze says he "feels very well" at the German champions, and added he could sign a contract extension with the club. The 19-year-old is continually being linked with a move abroad as clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea and Inter are all believed to be keeping tabs on the attacking midfielder. Nevertheless, Gotze seems happy to remain at his current club in the foreseeable future. "Of course I can imagine signing another contract extension with Borussia Dortmund. I have always said that I'm feeling very well here and that hasn't changed," Gotze was quoted

as saying by Bild. The Germany international's attitude towards prolonging his stay at Dortmund is believed to be in part due to the recent •17.5 million (£14.4m) signing of Marco Reus from Borussia Monchengladbach, a move that Gotze hailed. "This is a super sign, that we can get such an outstanding player," he said. Gotze is a product of the Borussia Dortmund youth academy and has developed into a key player at BVB since making his official debut in November 2009. The Germany international's current contract with Dortmund runs until the summer of 2014.

Totti: I know Daniele De Rossi wants to stay at Roma

OMA captain Francesco Totti claims that team-mate Daniele De Rossi wants to commit his future to the club. De Rossi is out of contract at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City. However, the Italy midfielder has reportedly been offered a new deal worth •6 million per year to remain in Rome and while the player has been very coy

Yildirim: My revelations will shake up Turkey

E N E R B A H C E chairman Aziz Yildirim has promised to "shake up" Turkish football during his trial for alleged match-fixing on February 14. The 59-year-old has been detained since July, but his long wait for a court case is due to end next month - a prospect he is relishing. "I'm looking forward to the first hearing. With all my knowledge and documentation I'm waiting for the court case. Everybody should pay close attention to what I'm going to say," Yildirim said in a letter sent to TV8. "On February 14, I'm going to shake up Turkey. I will disclose everything

that nobody said or had the courage to say until today. Then everybody will reconsider everything." Yildirim went on to state that he felt he has serviced Turkish football well in his career, but the ongoing saga is threatening to undo his good work. "They want to finish off in five to six months what I have achieved in 13 years. I've put in great service for Turkish football. "I spent •23 million [£19m] out of my own pocket - I built a stadium and facilities, and I looked after 2000 amateur sportsmen. "If I hadn't done all this and had used my money for transfers, we'd have been champions every year, not just for three."

• Yildirim

about his future in recent days, Totti has revealed that De Rossi is keen to extend his contract with the Giallorossi. "From what I know, Daniele wants to stay at Roma,” the veteran No. 10 said. “He’s a big fan of this team, but the decision lies with him.” Totti’s future has also been the subject of much debate in recent months, with the World Cup winner having been left hurt and annoyed by criticism from Roma fans. There was also speculation that he did not see eye to eye with coach Luis Enrique but Totti insists he is enjoying life under the Spaniard, particularly now that Roma have put a difficult start to the season firmly behind them. “With Luis Enrique there has always been a good feeling and the whole squad has always been behind him,” the 35-year-old said. “What has been lacking in the past but not lacking now are the results, we continue in this way.” Totti scored twice from the spot in Roma’s 2-0 win over Chievo at the weekend and the Giallorossi are now seventh in Serie A, 10 points behind co-leaders AC Milan and Juventus.

Moratti: Bid for Tevez is not a joke

NTER president Massimo Moratti has revealed that he is making a serious bid to sign Manchester City's Carlos Tevez. AC Milan have already reached an agreement with the player, according to club vice-president Adriano Galliani, and are now trying to conclude negotiations with the Argentine's club. However, Inter have stepped up their bid to hijack the deal over the past week and Moratti has now claimed after meeting with sporting director Marco Branca on Monday that they could yet pull off what would be a remarkable transfer coup. "We're trying to figure out if it can be done," the 66-yearold Italian is quoted as saying by Goal.com Italia. "When we make a move like

this we never do so just for fun. We have received information and we now want to see how it goes. "It's not a matter of being optimistic or pessimistic, we must only just wait." Moratti is feeling upbeat at the moment, though, with Inter having defeated Parma 5-0 at San Siro on Saturday night - their fifth successive Serie A win - to set themselves up nicely for Sunday's eagerly awaited derby clash with AC Milan. "It's an important week for us and I was happy to see the team do so well on Saturday as this will give us much more serenity for the next few days," he added. Inter currently sit fifth in the standings, eight points off the pace.

Vertonghen: I could stay for another season JAX captain Jan Vertonghen has revealed he could remain with the Eredivisie champions until his contract expires in 2013. The Belgium international had been linked to several top European clubs last summer and has admitted that he would like to move to a bigger team in the near future. However, the 24-year-old insists he is in no hurry to leave the Amsterdam side and is happy to see out the remainder of his contract with the Dutch giants. "I will definitely stay for another six months,” the centre-back told the club’s official website. “I'll just see what happens after that. Everybody knows that I'm an ambitious guy, but it's not like a summer transfer is a must. “I want to make the next step in my career at some point,

but it's very well possible that I will stay at Ajax until the end of my contract." The defender took over as Ajax skipper at the beginning of the season following the departure of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to Roma in the summer and Vertonghen says he is enjoying the responsibilities that come with wearing the armband. “I'm not going out there to act like the captain, I don't like that,” the Belgian added. “I am trying to do it in a way that suits both me and the team. “That means that I always have to make sure I deserve to wear the armband on the pitch. I can only instruct others whenever necessary after that. I think the other players all accept that from me.” Vertonghen signed for Ajax as a teenager in 2003 and broke into the first-team in 2008. He is contracted to the club until summer 2013.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 11, 2012

SPORT EXTRA

Angola storms Abuja with 39-man delegation A

39-man contingent of the 2012 African Cup of Nations-bound Palancas Negras of Angola arrived in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Tuesday ahead of tonight’s international friendly game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The delegation touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 4.33pm aboard a chartered aircraft, which will fly the team back to Luanda on Wednesday evening immediately after the match. President of the Federacao Angolana de Futebol, Mr. Pedro de Morais Neto led the delegation, which also included vice presidents of the Federation, the Head Coach, four Assistant Coaches, team manager, journalists, psychologist, team doctor, physiotherapist, equipment manager and 22 players. The team trained on Tuesday night at the mainbowl of the National Stadium. They were received on arrival by General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), Barrister

• Match kicks-off 4pm at Abuja Stadium Musa Amadu and the Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, as well as a battery of media representatives. The Palancas Negras and officials are quartered at the Transcorp Hilton hotel, and will have a light walk-out on Wednesday morning. The match co-ordination meeting will also take place on Wednesday morning, at the NFF Secretariat. FIFA referee Aguidissou Crespin from Republic of Benin will be at the centre, to be assisted by compatriots Padonou Prosper (1st Assistant) and Fassinou Alexis (2nd Assistant). Nigerian FIFA referee Bunmi Ogunkolade will be the fourth official. The Nigeria Football Federation reiterated on Tuesday that gates will be thrown open for the match. Amadu said: “We want Nigerians to come out en masse to the National Stadium, Abuja and bond together, and also support the Super Eagles in this

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match against Angola. It is an important game for our team as it prepares for the African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda next month”. The Super Eagles will fly out to Monrovia on Friday for another international friendly match, this time against the Lone Star of Liberia, which will take place at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, 15th January. Coach Jose Carlos Vidigal expects a tough game from the Super Eagles as his wards

set into the final stages of preparation for the threeweek, 16-nation African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, starting next week. On his part, Nigeria’s Coach Stephen Keshi will have a good look at the boys he has been grilling at residential camping since last month, with a view to seeing which of them would be good enough to win shirts in the team to face Rwanda in a 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier in Kigali next month.

Anichebe listed among poorest players in Premier League

HE English Premier League, perhaps more than ever before, appears to be going through a crisis of quality. With so many teams simply there to make up the numbers, the amount of poor players currently operating in the top flight has grown the past few seasons. While it may be difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes a player ‘poor’, a mixture of age, lack of technical ability and pace are all certainly factors when considering the issue. When a striker is then moulded into a winger/wide midfielder, you know something is afoot. The Nigerian international Victor Anichebe may be strong as an ox, but he lacks anything even approaching an ‘end-product’. He’s been the unfortunate recipient of some horror tackles in his time at Everton, which may have gone some way to stunting his development, but he’s merely being kept around at Goodison Park these days to help fill the subs bench. Players listed among this group include Zat Knight of Bolton, who should be a commanding centre-half, yet his lack of pace and mobility prevent him from getting anywhere near most centre for-

wards. Michel Salgado is just a penalty waiting to happen. At 35 years of age, his chronic lack of pace has been cruelly exposed at times both this season and last. Others include Rory Delap, Sebastien Squillaci, Leon Barnett, Darron Gibson, George Elokobi is built like an absolute tank, but his lack of footballing ability and technique is simply startling for a top flight player. Abou Diaby is another Arsenal's deadwood the club should be looking to shift. Nicknamed Abou Diabolical by his detractors, the French midfielder is rarely ever fit and when he is, he’s absolutely anonymous. The fact that he picks up 60k aweek for this makes it all the more galling. An embarrassment to his profession. Whenever Armand Traore plays, catastrophe follows. He’s one of those players that if he didn’t have any pace, it’s unlikely that he’d even be a professional footballer. Looked out of his depth at Arsenal and has already incurred the wrath of his new manager at QPR Neil Warnock, for what can only be described as a completely brain-dead challenge that saw him see red in QPR’s recent 11 draw at home to Aston Villa. A seriously stupid player.

Akpabio promises Olympic-size stadium •As Uruan L.G.A wins Governor’s Cup

KWA IBOM State Governor Godswill Akpabio on Sunday in Oron called on all stakeholders involved in football in the state to join hands in taking the game forward and said his administration will do everything possible to renovate the existing sports facilities in the state just as he promised to present an Olympic size stadium to the people of the state. The Governor made the call at the final of the 2011 Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Cup held at the Oron Township stadium. Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Paul Ekpo, Akpabio said he was pleased with the standard of the competition. “I’m impressed with what I’ve seen here. It shows that there’s been massive improvement in the standard of this competition. I must thank and congratulate all the teams that took part in this tournament. “This administration will do everything possible to encourage sports development in the state. We will not fail in our promise to renovate sports facilities in the state. I want to also assure you that very soon, we will work to present an Olympic size stadium to good people of Akwa Ibom State,” the Governor said. On his part, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Pastor Oyong Asuquo thanked the Governor for his immense support for sports in the state and said Akwa Ibom State came out tops in nearly

Ghana FA promises Black Stars $100K to win AFCON

HE Ghana Football Association president has announced fantastic bonuses for the national team in their quest to win the African Cup. Each Black Stars player going to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea will get $15000 for each win with a draw netting them $10,000. The package could rise to a staggering US$ 100,000 or more for each player if they manage to win the trophy. According GFA boss Kwasi

Nyantakyi the incentive is a motivation for the players to bring the Cup home after a 30 year wait. He told local station Joy FM: “There bonuses paid this time is an improvement of the one paid at the last edition. These incentives are performancebased to ensure that the players are duly rewarded for doing a good job.” The Black Stars are drawn in Group D alongside Botswana, Guinea and Mali.

Journalists call on FIFA to probe Warner, Blazer

• Anichebe

all sporting endeavors held in the country last year. “I must say we performed credibly well in sports last year, thanks to the support of the Governor. We ranked among the best at the National Sports Festival held in Port Harcourt, Akwa United gained promotion to the Nigeria Premier League and Akwa Starlet got promoted to the National League,” Asuquo said. In Sundays Governor’s Cup final, Uruan L.G.A defeated Itu L.G.A convincingly by a lone goal to claim their first ever victory in the final and a prize money of N3million. Second placed Itu L.G.A were awarded N2million in cash, while Eket L.G.A got N1million having earlier beaten Etinan L.G.A 21 to place third in the competition. The Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Cup otherwise known as ‘Godswill Akpabio Cup’ is so far the biggest paying state sponsored football competition in the country but Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association Effiong Johnson says the Association would pay even more as the competition progresses. “When the current Executive Committee came on board in 2001, the price money for the winner was Five Hundred Thousand Naira but today, it is Three Million Naira. We intend to improve on what we give out as we progress,” the elated Johnson who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation Security Committee said.

HREE journalists who turned down invitations to be part of FIFA's new Independent Governance Committee have issued a list of matters the sport's World governing body should probe to uncover the alleged corruption in the organisation. Jens Weinreich, a freelance sports correspondent from Germany, Andrew Jennings, a Scottish television presenter, and Jean François Tanda, a Swiss reporter, outlined a series of steps they say FIFA and its president Joseph 'Sepp' Blatter should take to prove they are serious about fighting corruption. They included investigating former FIFA vice-president Austin 'Jack' Warner and former CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer. "We suggest the following crucial areas of investigation followed by rapid publication ...," said the three journalists in a media statement.

"Investigation is long overdue into how Chuck Blazer could simultaneously be both treasurer and general secretary of CONCACAF - and the secret payment to him of US$10 million (in recent years as 'commissions'). "Have his offshore assets come from FIFA funds - including his vintage Mercedes car registered in Zurich in FIFA's name?" They added: "Re-open the investigation into Jack Warner and extend it to embrace every payment of any kind since 1998 to Warner, members of his family, companies owned by him, including Simpaul travel agency, the CFU, CONCACAF and the Jo‹o Havelange Centre of Excellence." The three journalists were invited to partner with Swiss anti-corruption professor Mark Pieth and another journalist on the new Independent Governance Committee.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

SPORT EXTRA

I still have strong ties with Nigeria –Dennis Aogo

IGERIA-BORN German international, Dennis Aogo said despite his strong affiliation to Germany, he still has strong ties with his father's homeland. "Of course I'm aware of where my roots lie. I've been to Nigeria and visited my family. I still have a lot of cousins, aunts and uncles there. We've always had ties with Nigeria, but to be honest I had a pretty German upbringing. I can't say I'm overly familiar with the culture there, but I have learned the odd thing or two being brought up by my father," Aogo said. Set to turn 25 on January 14, son of a Nigerian father and a German mother, Aogo has been one of Hamburg's most consistent performers over the past few seasons. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa he appeared in the match for third place against Uruguay (32) and boasts nine international caps in all. Aogo is typical of a new generation of German talent which blends individual class with traditional values like discipline and determination.On his dream towards the UEFA EURO 2012,

•Dennis Aogo

Aogo said Germany group is tough, but will do all to ensure that they advance from the group. "I think we're in the strongest group. Portugal and the Netherlands have a lot of potential and a huge amount of individual quality. They have players in their ranks who can decide a game on their own, so it's going to be tough, but not impossible. The DFB is determined to finally win another title and to do that you have to beat the big teams. He added that Germany has

all it takes to become European champions. "On the basis of our recent performances, the title is certainly a realistic target. If we can get through the group, we'll have already knocked out one, if not two big teams, and that could be to our advantage. Even so, I still think Spain are the clear favourites and I can't see that changing. They have to be favourites based on their quality. You can only hope that after all the success of the past few years their players aren't quite as hungry," he added.

NATIONALITY SWITCH

Ledor: Congo yet to agree to my terms

EW Sharks FC of Port Harcourt recruit, Sam Ledor has told NationSport exclusively that the Congolese Football Federation was yet to cool off interest in their resolve to have him play for their senior national team;The Red Devils. Ledor, a veteran of the Nigeria Premier League with stint with Lobi Stars, Enyimba and Enugu Rangers under his belt, informed that his representatives were still in close touch with the Congolese FF with a view to donning the country’s colours. He stressed that it was up to the Congo to take a concrete decision on the discussion he had with them and to agree to the terms he placed before them if indeed they wanted him to become a national of that country. “I am still interested in playing for Congo and I have made that known to them since I learnt about their attention in me. My representatives have told them what my terms are and if they abide by the terms there is nothing

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri stopping me from not playing for them. I am a professional and I will only do what I think is the best for me,” he told NationSport Ledor further enumerated that: “I think I impressed when I was with Saint Michel back in Congo and it was my behavior both on and off the field that drew the attention of the Congolese FA to ask if I would be interested in playing for them and to help the young players to learn and to excel in the national team.” It would be recalled that Ledor is not the first of some Nigerian footballers seeking to grab the opportunity to play for other countries after the seeming lack of attention from the national team selectors. Just recently about four Nigerians including Francis Ikechukwu and Kelechi Osunwa explored the possibility of representing the Sudanese national team at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guninea.

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

Nigeria taekwondo team begins quest for spots

IGERIAN taekwondo team will today in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, begin quest for places in the 2012 London Olympic Games at the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)organised Olympics Qualifiers. With Nigeria and 29 countries competing in the qualifiers, 87 athletes will jostle for the 16 slots alloted to the continent at the 2012 London Olympics. 54 male athletes will compete in four weight categories - 58kg, -68kg, -80kg and +80kg, while in the female event, 33 athletes will jostle in four weight divisions - -49kg, +57kg, -67kg and +67kg. The trio of Chika Chukwumerije, Issa Muhammad Adam and Joy Ekhator will represent Nigeria at the qualifiers. Its Korean expert, who has been putting the team in shape for the Egypt qualifiers, will tutor the contingent. Chukwumerije, 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medalist will compete in the men’s +80kg alongside two-time world champion, Mali’s Keita Daba Modibo as well as his conqueror in the semifinal stage of the 2011 All Africa Games in Mozambique, Cote d’Ivoire’s Zokou Saint Nom Firmin. Chukwumerije will

By Innocent Ammomoh

jostle for the two slots with other nine athletes in the weight cadre. To berth at the 2012 Olympics, Chukwumerije will have to make it to the final to be sure of a place in the 16-man team from the continent. Adam, a quarterfinalist at 2008 Beijing Olympics and bronze medalist at the 2011 All Africa Games will have his hands full against Tunisia’s Wahid Briki and Senegal’s Dieye Balla as well as 16 others in the men’s -68kg. Joy Ekhator, who is taking part in her first Olympics qualifiers and a bronze medalist at the 2011 All Africa Games will jostle for place in the women’s -49kg with other nine athletes. Before the team’s departure to Egypt last week, Adam told journalists that the training in Korea has put them in good mood for the qualifiers. “Although the weather in Korea was unfriendly but I think we are in good shape for the qualifiers. We have leant a lot from the new Korean coach. I am confident that we will do well in Egypt. We just need all Nigerians to pray for us because we have done our own part by

preparing very well for the qualifiers.” An optimist national coach, Osita Egwim had said that the team has the chance to book places in London considering the quality of athletes representing Nigeria in Egypt. “I think we have 100 per cent chance of having our athletes in London at the Egypt qualifiers. I believe with the kind of training they must have been exposed to in Korea, they can take on any athlete in Egypt. They just need to win between three to four fights and they are sure of making it to London,” Egwim said. Egwim, who guarded the team to second place in the taekwondo event of the 2011 All Africa Games, however, admitted that the athletes need to be on their best against athletes from Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Tunisia and Morocco who are among the best in the continent. Aside the National Sports Commission (NSC) supporting the team, the Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation assisted the team in the branding and promotion of the contingent for the Korea tour.

www.thenationonlineng.net

WHO SAID WHAT

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.2001

‘There is nothing wrong in my asking our workers to return to work, since we are all partners in progress in the development of our great state and we cannot allow the state to collapse under our collective care’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

ROPAGANDA, the world famous Noam Chomsky, an MIT professor of Linguistics, once said, is to democracy what the bludgeon is to dictatorship, or words to that effect. That is, both are instruments of persuasion. Since President Goodluck Jonathan made up his mind to remove fuel subsidy as part of what he now says is the Transformation Agenda he had promised Nigerians in his campaign for last April’s presidential election – that is to the extent that a subsidy exists at all – government officials, big and small, seem to have embarked on a propaganda over-drive to persuade Nigerians that the president’s decision is in their best interest. Somehow, they seem to be making a poor job of it for at least four reasons – the massive turn-out of people in protest against the removal since Monday is a clear testimony that government’s PR is simply not working. First, government has a credibility problem stemming from the fact that its senior officials hardly ever practice what they preach to the rest of society. Second, asking people to sacrifice things even not as basic to their lives as petroleum products is, in any case, a hard sell anywhere, anytime. Third, government officials seem to have been at odds with each other on the timing of the withdrawal of the subsidy. Fourth, and not least of all, there seem to be a thinly veiled attempt by government to use region and religion to divide Nigerians from forging a united front against the withdrawal. To begin with the last, the first sign that government was desperate enough to use religion to divide Nigerians on this issue emerged when the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayodele Oritsejafor - a pro-Jonathan presidency zealot if ever there was one – declared that his association was in support of subsidy withdrawal even before the debate on its merit has begun. As we all know, his hasty declaration soon back-fired; the 19 Northern States plus the Federal Capital Territory branches of the association met and issued statement that Oritsejafor was not speaking for its members. It soon turned out that, far from CAN supporting the withdrawal, at a meeting of the president with both Christian and Muslim clerics ahead of the withdrawal they had warned him against doing so. There can be no better testimony that the men of God did warn the president against the withdrawal than the say-so of Archbishop John Onaiyekan, the Archbishop of the Abuja Diocese of the Catholic Church, himself once a president of CAN and without doubt one of the most respected religious leaders in the country for his forthrightness and perpendicularity. “My grievance is why,” he asked rather rhetorically in an interview in Leadership, (January 8) “telling us you are consulting when you had made up your mind...It seemed government was playing with the intelligence of Nigerians.” It seems in spite of the determination of the rump of the Church to resist being used to undermine a united front against the subsidy withdrawal, the authorities have remained undeterred. At least in Kaduna where I live several churches in Kaduna South told their members not to join the demonstrations. In metropolitan Kaduna, the calls appear to have

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Subsidy removal: Why govt’s propaganda isn’t working

•Dr. Jonathan

fallen on deaf ears because Christians and Muslims alike turned out in their massive numbers to protest the withdrawal. As for using region, this is pretty obvious from at least the numerous newspaper adverts by such organisations like the newfangled South South Middle Belt Alliance and the South South Peoples Assembly that look suspiciously funded by government calling on Nigerians to support the subsidy withdrawal for apparently no better reason than regional solidarity with the president. In a full page newspaper by the first organisation, for example, it drew a patently fallacious dichotomy between Democracy and fuel subsidy. Entitled “The Arithmetic of Fuel Subsidy (Democracy Versus fuel subsidy), the advert, signed by one, Ambassador Dan Harry Esq, announced that it would soon be organising a demonstration and talk show at the Eagle Square, Abuja, to express solidarity with the government. “We Nigerians,” it said, “have to choose between Democracy and retention of fuel subsidy because we cannot have the best of both worlds.” Presumably democracies like America, Britain, France, the Nordic countries, the Asian Tigers and even East Europeans shaking off the dead hands of Communism, and whose peoples enjoy one form of subsidy or the other are having the worst of both worlds. After the opposition to the withdrawal has been forcibly stopped from using the Eagle Square it will be interesting to see if the organisation will be allowed the use of the same venue. To move on to the first reason why gov-

ernment seem to be making little headway in its massive propaganda war against opposition to the subsidy, it should be obvious to its officials that without credibility, or at least its semblance, no propaganda war can succeed. And this government, like virtually all the others before it since Independence over 50 years ago, suffers serious deficit in credibility. In its own case, it is arguably the worst, not least because its leadership is definitely the most clueless this country has ever seen. An indication of its credibility problem was very much on display at the recent town hall meeting in Lagos organised by the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria. As a member of the panel of journalists who asked questions, I sought to know from the two ministers on government side, namely Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, the Finance and Co-ordinating minister, and Mrs Dizeani Alison-Madueke, the Oil minister, how they intended to deal with government’s credibility problem and its apparent lack of will to do what is right even when it has identified such. Both skirted around my question, the first with a promise that we will soon see changes in the attitude of our leadership, the second with a shopping list of what government will do with the money accruing from the withdrawal of the subsidy. I, and I guess the audience, had expected to hear what government, for example, intended to do about the scandalous size of the vote for the creature comforts of members of the Presidency and the indefensible size of the security vote and also to hear how government intended to check the oil cabal whose members were wellknown to it. Instead what we heard were pleas for patience and promises and promises of good governance. As if to demonstrate that the Presidency cannot be trusted to carry out the promises of its officials, even as the country was being shut down by demonstrations and an indefinite strike against the withdrawal beginning last Monday, the president decided to fly out of the country on an unnecessary trip to South Africa with the usual huge crowd, and worse, with the First Lady in tow, she too with her own huge crowd. On the second reason why government’s propaganda is not succeeding, its officials should know that oil, as the source of energy for transportation and for so many sectors of industry and commerce, is one commodity that should be made affordable to the ordinary man. When government withdrew subsidy from fertiliser, for example, there was hardly a whimper from the public even though food is also basic; few ordi-

HARDBALL

IGERIANS are brilliant at putting local flavour on global phenomena. This is not just because they are renowned for their feistiness or the unique shock absorber of happiness with which they tackle stress and distress; it is probably because their own flavour is an intrinsic part of their culture. When the world woke up to the Tunisian revolt in December 2010, few suspected that it would snowball into the massive Arab Spring that has now torn the Middle East apart, upturned democracies, destroyed authoritarian regimes, and seems set to begin convulsing Nigeria and possibly other West African countries. Using the ongoing fuel subsidy protests as a template, Nigerians have begun displaying their sense of humour, musical ingenuity, and cultural innovations.

Protests give birth to unusual comic opera Top on the list of flavours Nigerians are spreading over the global protest movements is the adaptation of some popular Christian praise songs to suit local needs. The reasons for this adaptation are not farfetched. The songs are short, simple to learn and pleasant to the ears. More importantly, they are even easy to adapt. Consider for instance this: “O ti mu mi gbagbe o, ibanuje igba kan.” (God has made me to forget the sorrows of times past). This has been adapted to lampoon Jonathan in this manner: “O ti yara gbagbe (You have forgotten so soon), Ileri E igba ‘polongo (Your campaign promises) 2x

Ase bintin l’ogbon Ori E (You are so bereft of ideas) Iwo ti A ro p’ogbon (And we thought you were wise) 2x. Apart from impromptu songs that feed on humour, there is also the hugely popular flavour of christening new born Nigerians in the spirit of the age. Here are some of the suggestions published on the internet by inventive Nigerians: “SUBSYdeen;SUBSYdat; SUBSilat;ASUgbemi,ASUlabi, ASUlomo;ASUseun, BOKOsomiji (adapted from Boko Haram); BOKOramide, BOKOrantimi. These adaptations are supposed to pun Yoruba names. It should not be long

THEODORE ORJI

nary farmers ever benefitted from the subsidy. To make matters even more difficult for government, most people believe, quite rightly in my view, withdrawing oil subsidy is collective punishment for the alleged crime of a few who are well-known to government. Most people also know that a more efficient and transparent management of the sector can heavily reduce, if not eliminate, the subsidy. In these circumstances, obviously the public needs more convincing arguments than the ones government officials have been trotting out to agree to make the kind of sacrifices the withdrawal of oil subsidy requires. Finally, the confusion created by senior government officials about when the withdrawal will start was hardly helpful of government’s credibility and sincerity. When the president first announced the subsidy, he gave the impression it will kick in on January 1. Then during a presidential retreat in Abuja on Economic Development and Job Creation on October 11, last year, he said the subsidy will be “phased out” beginning from the start of the 2012 fiscal year. This created the distinct impression that the withdrawal will start in April, the month our budgets have taken effect in recent years. Then the Oil minister was quoted as telling reporters in Perth, Australia, during the last Conference of Commonwealth Heads of State, that the date for the withdrawal was yet to be decided. Subsequently, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr Austin Oniwon, told a hearing in the National Assembly that the effective date was April. The public expectations of April as the D-Day was strengthened by the assurances form the two ministers at the NPAN town hall meeting that consultations were still on-going on the issue. For government to now spring the withdrawal on the public on New Year’s Day was, to use the words of Archbishop Onaiyekan, to “play with the intelligence of the public,” and thus create doubt about the sincerity of government when it says it has the best interest of Nigerians at heart in taking its decision. As if to add insult to injury some of government’s senior officials are saying government had all along made it crystal clear that the withdrawal will start on January 1 on the dot. Worse, some of them are even hiding behind the NPAN town hall meeting to claim that everyone at the meeting had agreed that the subsidy should go. “We had a town hall meeting in Lagos,” said Prof Sylvester Monye, the Special Adviser for the President on Monitoring and Evaluation, for one, in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune (January 9) “and everybody agreed that the subsidy needs to go.” He went on to argue that the take-off date of our budgets was January 1, “not April, not October,” and people should therefore not have been surprised that the subsidy was withdrawn on that day. Yet the professor was right there in the hall when the audience booed the Edo State Governor when he spoke in support of the withdrawal and the chairman of the occasion, Malam Ismaila Isa Funtua, had to intervene to protect Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. With such acts of bad faith like Prof Monye’s is it any wonder that the government is having a hard time convincing Nigerians that its withdrawal of oil subsidy is in their best interest? •For comments, send SMS to 08054502909

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above before equally enterprising bloggers begin to offer us Hausa, Igbo and other ethnic adaptations to reflect the spirit of the age. Goodluck Jonathan himself has been rechristened as Badluck Jona, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who so far is still simply familiarly called Ngozi, will soon be renamed. Even the Arab Spring phenomenon has for us become Blackman’s Spring. Why not Blackman’s Winter, in consonance with Europe’s Winter of Discontent? If the protests continue for much longer, expect other government functionaries to be renamed, and perhaps many public institutions, former heads of state, and popular roads would also be rechristened. Surely, Obasanjo and Babangida can be easily renamed. And why not one or two ministries?

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO