The Nation July 15-2011 by The Nation

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 6, NO. 1821 FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan talked tough yesterday on corruption. He gave the policy direction of his government on the menace. The President said the battle against corruption had been taken a notch up, with a directive to anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to beam their search-

Jonathan orders probe of ministries •EFCC, ICPC to focus on ministers From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

light on ministries and government departments. They are also to focus on the other tiers of government. Activities of ministries in the last

four years are to be audited, he said. The President, who quoted proDr Jonathan spoke at the Presiden- fusely the words of the late Dr. Tai tial Villa at the Solarin, a prominent swearing in of SEE TEXT ON PAGE 5 humanist and educathe last batch of tionalist, said: “May ministers, who were cleared on your road be rough. I’m not cursWednesday by the Senate. ing you; I’m wishing you what I

N150.00 wish myself every year. May there be plenty of troubles for you this year! If you are not so sure what you should say, why not just say, same to you? I ask no more!” He said the road ahead of the administration may be rough, but with sincere and purposeful leadership, the task of transforming the country will be achieved. Dr Jonathan warned the ministers to shun corruption, saying that the Continued on page 2

BOKO HARAM VIOLENCE IN MAIDUGURI

Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo indigenes flee Borno Abia, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Imo also evacuate people

ORE states are moving their citizens from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital hobbled by Boko Haram violence. Lagos, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Abia and Oyo are bringing home their indigenes, following the lead by some states in the North. Kwara, Kano, Kaduna, Benue and Plateau. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola ordered

From Jide Babalola (Abuja), Miriam Ndikanwu (Lagos) and Ugochukwu Eke (Umuahia)

the immediate evacuation of Lagos students from the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), which the authorities have closed for security reasons. The General Manager/ CEO of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the

directive covers students who are either indigenes or residents of Lagos State. Said the LASEMA chief: “The Lagos State Government cannot fold its hands while its indigenes and residents are exposed to danger. That is why the Governor directed the immediate evacuation of those students to Lagos.” Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has dispatched several buses to Maiduguri to

bring back Abia indigenes who are students of UNIMAID. The governor’s media adviser, Mr Bonnie Iwuoha, said: “The governor has assured all Abians wherever they are in the country of his resolve to protect their interests at all times, once they are threatened in any form.” Besides, he advised all indigenes of Abia State in other parts of the country to remain calm.

Iwuoha restated the governor’s belief in the unity of Nigeria, urging the trouble makers to allow peace to reign for the country to meet its goals. Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi is said to be deeply concerned about the security of Ekiti students in the Borno State capital. In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said the first batch of about 50

Ekiti students, who are mostly students of tertiary institutions in Borno State, left Maiduguri early yesterday for the long journey to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The second batch of Ekiti indigenes are to be brought back as state officials are making frantic efforts to establish links with the remaining students in the northern state. Continued on page 2

Merkel advises Nigeria to fight insecurity, graft From Vincent Ikuomola and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

IGERIA must overcome insecurity and corruption for its economy to grow, German Chancellor Angela Merkel advised yesterday. The German leader, who is on a two-day visit to Nigeria, spoke at the State House in Abuja at a joint news conference with President Goodluck Jonathan. She spoke against the backdrop of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North, especially in Maiduguri. She advised Nigeria to expand its industrial base and diversify its economy to enjoy trade balance with Germany. Merkel came to Nigeria in continuation of her three-nation African tour. She had visited Continued on page 2

•President Jonathan and German Chancellor Merkel chatting with some members of her delegation during the visit at the State House in Abuja ... PHOTO: STATE HOUSE yesterday.

•POLITICS P17 •AGRIC P14 •SPORTS P24 •SOCIETY P29 •BRANDS P49

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS Merkel advises Nigeria to fight graft Continued from page 1

•From left: National Chairman, Space Engineering Division, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Brig.Gen. Michael Agu; representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mrs Esther Gonda, and President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Chief Olumuyiwa Ajibola, at the inauguraPHOTO: NAN tion of the Space Engineering Division in Abuja ... yesterday.

Kenya and Angola. Nigeria and Germany agreed to set up a bilateral commission, Merkel said German and Nigerian Foreign Affairs ministers have been given the mandate to work out the Commission and enhance the areas in which both countries will cooperate. She said: “Nigeria we know will have to overcome a few impediments and problems to ensure transparency for everyone in this country “Today, we made a point that is very important, that Nigeria succeeds in fighting violence and terrorism in its society because it is impor-

Jonathan orders probe of ministries Continued from page 1

anti-corruption fight will start at the centre. He said the anti-graft agencies have been directed to beam their searchlights on the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). To underscore his determination to fight corruption, the President also announced that a comprehensive audit of all MDAs in the last four years would be carried out, beginning from June 2007. He admonished them to observe due process in all

they do as they are expected to be above board. The nine new ministers, who took the oath, are: Dr. Mohammed Ali-Pate (Bauchi); Chief Edem Duke (Cross River); Mrs. Omobola Johnson (Ondo); Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Melafia (Kaduna); Dr. Nurudeen Mohammad (Jigawa); Mrs. Sarah Ocheape (Plateau); Ms. Ama Pepple (Rivers); Mr Nyeson Wike (Rivers); and Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina (Ogun). The ministers were allocated the following ministries: Pepple (Lands and

Housing), Duke (Culture and Tourism), Adesina (Agric and Natural Resources) Mohammed (Minister of State II, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mailafa (Environment), Olubusola (Communication Technology), Ochekpe (Water Resources), Mr. Nyesom Wike (Minister of State Education), Pate (Minister of State, Health).This brings to 40 the ministers so far sworn in. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is yet to take the oath The nominee from Taraba State, Dr Obadiah Ando, was

rejected by the Senate. The President will present another nominee from the state. Jonathan is displeased over the campaign of calumny that trailed the selection of ministers. He said the comments that have trailed the appointments, both positive and negative, should tell them that they are all on probation in the eyes of the public and, as public servants, the administration must give proper account of its stewardship to the people at all times.

tant to guarantee the security of the Nigerian people. We have made it very clear that respect for human rights, especially for minority rights, is of the utmost importance. Nigeria has a constitution in which these rights are enshrined. Now, it is the task to see that these rights are guaranteed on a daily basis,” she said. Merkel added: “I have had the opportunity to meet with religious leaders from various areas of the country and in our discussions; they made it clear that their cooperation with the government of Nigeria is intensive and very good; when it comes to addressing the problems that the country is facing.” She also praised Nigeria’s leading role in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a role she described as important, and promised that “Germany will continue to assist your country in this particular endeavour”. “We have done so and we will continue to do so in the framework of our development cooperation and we focus on training and education of young people in you country,” Merkel said, adding: “So, we are aiming for a closer cooperation in all the areas. We already have cooperation when it comes to empowering Nigeria’s forces to further contribute and par-

ticipate in peacekeeping operation in the continent and we intend to continue to develop our relationship. In our discussions today, I mentioned Lufthansa as one of the few German companies very active in Nigeria. Basically, these are the strategic points of our relationship with Nigeria. As the President said, there is room for further strengthening and deepening that relationship.” President Jonathan, who spoke on the deadline for ending gas flaring, said the government had agreed to give the oil companies more time because of the huge cost involved. Germany is to support Nigeria’s quest for a seat in the United Nation, Security Council. This is part of the discussions held between Senate President David Mark and the delegation of German parliamentarians, led by Hartwing Fischer, in Abuja yesterday. According to a statement by Mark’s Chief Press Secretary Paul Mumeh, both countries pledged to promote economic and political ties. The Senate President was glad that Germany and Nigeria were pushing a common cause in the interest of their citizens at the UN. Mark said: “Democracy is right on track in Nigeria and we are strengthening and institutionalising all democratic structures and institutions.”

Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo indigenes flee Borno Continued from page 1

“The governor is concerned about the situation in Borno State and he is particularly concerned on the plight of students and other indigenes of the state resident in Borno State. “This is our modest effort to save the lives of our kith and kin who are trapped in the precarious situation in Borno State. “We urge Ekiti indigenes living in various parts of the country to be security conscious and not to exercise any fear in pursuit of their legitimate businesses as everything possible will be done to protect them,” the statement said. The government of Akwa Ibom State has concluded the evacuation of its indigenes, including Youth Corps members and university students. According to the governor’s representative, Mrs. Mary Ekpenyong, who supervised the evacuation, the government felt compelled to move its indigenes from the troubled state because of the obvious insecurity. Speaking with The Nation shortly after arriving in Abuja yesterday; Mrs. Ekpenyong said: “Indigenes of my state were evacuated from Maiduguri on the governor’s orders. The protracted crisis has become intolerable and the state government cannot fold its arms and wait for worse things to happen to its people while the quagmire continues. “Though we are all people of different faiths and culture, God, in his wisdom, has joined us together as citizens of Nigeria. It is regrettable that instead of improving on

MEND condemns refusal to prosecute suspects

HE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has condemned the refusal to prosecute arrested Boko Haram suspects. It accused the Federal Government of double standard. The militant group threatened to resume hostilities in the Niger Delta and other parts of Nigeria. The results would be felt both nationally and internationally “very soon”, it said. MEND, in an online statement yesterday by its spokesman Jomo Gbomo, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of willing to sacrifice the lives of Niger Delta indigenes, to please the Western governments and oil companies. It viewed with scorn, the statement by the spokesperson of the State Security Service (SSS), Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, that the over 100 Boko Haram members arrested in connection with the Abuja police headquarters’ bombing would not be prosecuted. The spokesman of the Joint Task the legacies inherited from preceding generations, some people are hell bent on destroying them. “The current evacuation being conducted by various states who fear for their indigenes’ lives in Borno State is also a condemnation of the prevailing level of intolerance and insecurity unleashed on law-abiding people in Borno State. In the evolving global village, youths from different parts of the world find means to work together on productive issues; youths in Maiduguri, Uyo, Lagos and other parts of Nigeria can do the same.” Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has also ordered the evacuation of citizens of the state from Maiduguri. The logistics for this immediate evacuation is to be handled by the State Emergency Man-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Force (JTF), Timothy Antigha, had earlier urged the people and residents of Niger Delta, as well as the oil companies to ignore the “so-called” MEND. Antigha admonished the people to go about their lawful businesses without fear. While further commenting on the refusal to prosecute the Boko Haram members in custody, MEND said: “This is a blatant disregard to all Christians in Nigeria, killed with impunity and also an insult to all Niger Deltans, as the government is displaying double standard as regards the Niger Delta indigenes, falsely and unlawfully arrested over the October 1, last year’s bomb blast (in Abuja) carried out by our field operatives. “While the kangaroo justice system being displayed by the South African courts, which is obviously playing by a script drafted by the their bosses, the

agement Authority (SEMA). According to a statement by Ajimobi’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Festus Adedayo; “those to be evacuated are youth corps members, young, old, aged and all citizens of the state in the troubled state.” Edo State has evacuated no fewer than 100 students from Borno State and also helped 50 students of Ondo State origin, who were stranded in the state, to leave. The students were evacuated on Wednesday night. Delta State Government on Thursday evacuated 585 students from the state studying at the University of Maiduguri. Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Dr. Tony Nwaka, told the students at the Government House in Asaba yesterday that the gov-

Nigerian Government, continues to detain Henry Okah in unacceptable conditions without a shred of evidence linking him to our action, except that he is a highly respected individual by MEND and other groups in the Niger Delta. “His brother, Charles and others arrested with him are languishing in Kuje prison, Abuja, still without any proof linking these individuals. “The Nigerian government, till date, has refused to dialogue over addressing the injustice in the Niger Delta, preferring instead to deceive the world into believing that the Niger Delta issue has been resolved by the government of Goodluck Jonathan, who has only been successful in bribing a few miscreants.” “MEND is preparing very hard for the resumption of hostilities, with the training of new fighters, who are joining our various camps. We promise that the results will be felt both nationally and internationally, very soon,” the statement said.

ernment is committed to the welfare of Deltans. He condemned the activities of Boko Haram but thanked God for the safety of the students in Maiduguri and the hitch-free journey back home. He commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan “for his magnanimity and in line with his care for the people, saying he also gave some money to the students to enable them travel back to their various destinations”. Director of Socials, National Association of Delta State Students Union (NADESSTU), University of Maiduguri chapter, Terry Obukata, thanked the government for its kind gesture. A Government House press statement yesterday signed by Alhaji Maigari Khana, Director of Press Affairs to Gover-

nor Isa Yuguda said: “The Bauchi State Government has concluded arrangements to convey back all state indigenes studying in higher institutions and those on exchange programs in Maiduguri”. The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has appealed to Southwest governors to immediately withdraw the Youth Corps members serving in violenceprone areas of the North, especially Borno and Bauchi States. In a statement by Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) and Chief Idowu Sofola, the group said: “This call is primarily to protect the lives of those Youth Corp members. It is necessitated by the state of insecurity in some northern states. We have all been witnesses to the fact that over the past few weeks, the pockets of violence in some northern states have

escalated. The Boko Haram menace is also ever increasing. We also appeal to the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) to stop posting corps members to crisis - prone areas. The elders also commended the governors for their meeting intended to jointly develop the Southwest. Amnesty International and prominent Nigerian human rights organizations have called for an immediate end to arbitrary and unlawful killings by Nigerian security forces in response to bombings by the Islamist group, Boko Haram. “Amnesty International opposes these abhorrent killings both by the Nigerian armed forces and by Boko Haram. They must be stopped immediately.” Amnesty International called on the government to investigate the killings and bring to justice anyone found responsible for heinous crimes. Allegations of rape of women by members of the Joint Task Force should also be investigated. “Nigeria must not promote security at the expense of human rights” says Tawanda Hondora, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Africa, in a statement. “Killings and illegal detentions just serve to fuel resentment against the security forces and undermine confidence in the criminal justice system and the government,” he added. Amnesty International and Nigerian NGOs urge President Goodluck Jonathan to state publicly that anyone found responsible for killings during security operations in Northern Nigeria will be brought to justice. In addition, the President must make public the commission of inquiry report into the Boko Haram crisis of 2009.

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Strike: House asks 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Fed Govt, states to 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 pay N18,000 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 From Onyedi Ojiabor and Victor 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Oluwasegun, Abuja 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 THE House of Representatives 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 yesterday urged the Federal and 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 state governments to pay the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 N18,000 minimum wage. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 The House made the appeal at a 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 closed-door meeting with Minis12345678901234567890123456789012123456 •Doctors request another heart for Susan 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 ter of Labour and Employment 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Chief Emeka Wogu, leaders of the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 HE lives by the grace of a in the then 10 months old Baby SuNigeria Labour Congress (NLC) 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 pacemaker, a medical device san’s body when she underwent a 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 and Trade Union Congress (TUC) inserted in her heart two complex open heart surgery in 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 in Abuja . years ago after a surgery. Now the September 2009 to correct her heart 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 The lawmakers on Wednesday device needs to be examined to as- condition. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 adopted a resolution to intervene certain its continued suitability for The Nation first reported her case 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 in the disagreement between her system. But there is a snag; her in a story entitled: “Who will save 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 governments at various levels parents lack the financial muscle for this 10-month old baby”? in its 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 with labour over the implemenher return to India for the exami- News Extra section on July 1, 2009. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 of the Minimum Wage Act. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 tation nation. Hours after the publication, the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 They resolved to invite repreFor Baby Susan Odewole to re- Lagos State Government contact- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 sentatives of the two unions and main alive, the examination must ed the Editor, Mr. Gbenga Omo- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 the minister to a peace meeting. be carried out before the pacemak- toso. Subsequently, Baby Susan and 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 A source said the intervention er expires in her body. Her doctors her young mother, Mrs. Bukola 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 of the House may influence Federhave warned about the danger of Odewole, travelled to MIOT’s Cen- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 al and state governments to comallowing that to happen. To pre- tre for Children’s Cardiac Care, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 with the Minimum Wage Act. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 plySpeaker vent such a development, her par- Chennai, India, for her treatment 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Aminu Tambuwal had ents have again taken their case to at the expense of the government. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 announced before the commencethe Lagos State Government which The mother told The Nation on their 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 ment of plenary yesterday that footed the bill for her earlier treat- return home, in a report in News 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 principal officers of the House ment in 2009. The amount needed Extra on November 18, 2009, enti- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 were meeting with leaders of for her treatment, according to her tled: “How baby Susan got a new 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 organised labour and government parents, is N1,165,000. heart” that she was cautioned 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 representatives to seek ways of The father said: “And it is now about the importance of bringing 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 averting the strike. almost two years. Our fear is that her daughter back to the hospital 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Our correspondent gathered the thing should not expire inside two years after, for the pulse gen- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 that the House leadership told her stomach. We are not medical erator, bulging in her daughter’s 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Wogu to “persuade relevant 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 stakeholders to comply with the experts but even the doctors at the stomach to be removed. paediatric unit, Lagos University A May 8, 2011 letter from LUTH 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Minimum Wage Act pending any Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Ar- with the title: “Medical Report for 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 future development.” aba, where she has been receiving Odewole, Susan and Request for 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 The lawmakers were said to treatment and medical observation Support” noted: “Susan Odewole, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 have reasoned that since there was since she was brought back from 21/2 years old underwent complex 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 a law backing the payment of 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

Little Susan Odewole needs a surgery to remove the pacemaker inserted in her body two years ago. Her indigent parents are appealing to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola for help. The government footed the bill for her first operation. JOKE KUJENYA reports

‘All we need is N1,165,000...’

India, have cautioned us to be fast about making sure that the implant is removed as early as possible. All we need now is N1,165,000 and sadly, we cannot afford such money”. In a July 26, last year letter signed by Dr. Robert Coelho, M.S. (M.Ch); Director, Chief Surgeon, the doctors said: “She is due for an assessment of her heart condition plus interrogation of the pacemaker and possible replacement of the Pulse generator/lead Replacement... The replacement will be determined after the pacemaker interrogation and this will attract a total cost of £3, 500 (about N525, 000. 00), plus the cost of Implantation.” The Pulse generator was planted

open-heart surgery plus pacemaker Implantation at MIOT’s Centre for Children’s Cardiac Care, Chennai, India, during the month of September 2009. She had mild to moderate MR. She needs to undergo pacemaker interrogation plus assessment of surgical repair and the status of MR. “She is unlikely to require any intervention at the moment. However, complete paediatric evaluation including ECG, X-tray, Echocardiogram, and Blood Investigation, pacemaker Interrogation and cost of patient’s attendant stay approximately for about one week is $1, 500 (N150, 000), return ticket for three, the patient, mother and a

•Susan

medical official, N640,000.00, Issuance of visa to India for three, is about N36, 000 (about N12, 000each), parent’s accommodation and feeding for one week is about $700 (N105, 000) and accommodation, feeding and out of station allowance for the medical escort fixed at $1, 050 (which is about N157, 500) for the one week period.” The letter also indicated that the procession fee for the whole requirement is N50, 000 while the patient will need $3, 500 for the replacement of the pulse generator

and pacemaker lead which will be determined by the MIOT doctors only after the pacemaker Interrogation, a medical need they described as being “very urgent” to forestall any health impairment for the young child. “The cardiology unit of the Department of Paediatrics, Lagos University LUTH, Idi-Araba, Lagos, wishes to solicit your kind support for the removal of the pacemaker for Susan. We are grateful to you for according Susan this life-saving opportunity,” the letter said.

N18,000, it was better to advise government at all levels to obey the Act in the interest of industrial harmony. The source said the DirectorGeneral, Budget Office, who also attended the parley, asked the labour leaders to make themselves more open and available to dialogue in order to resolve the issues. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) had sought the immediate review of the revenue allocation formula and the removal of fuel subsidy to enable them comply with the N18,000 Minimum Wage Act.

Tension as new members protest alleged blackout by Speaker, Deputy

FRESH crisis is brewing in the House of Representatives over alleged blackout of new members from contributing to debates at plenary by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and his Deputy, Emeka Ihedioha. The members have agreed to meet on Tuesday over their next line of action. Of the 360 members in the House, about 258 are new. The Chairman of the House AdHoc Committee on Information, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, however, said the leaders have not been partial. Investigation by The Nation indicated that the members are unhappy over what they described as “selective” choice of those to contribute to debates by the leadership, especially the Deputy Speaker Ihedioha. Those worst hit by the discrimination are new lawmakers from the North, who are always technically edged out from contributing to debate. They alleged that Ihedioha has been treating new members like school children any time he was either presiding or on the floor. It was gathered that some of the lawmakers had complained to a senior member, Farouk Lawan, to prevail on the leadership to change its style.

•Reps meet on Tuesday over next line of action From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

But an influential member, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “The Deputy Speaker and some returnee members have been running the House like a cartel. They know who to speak at plenary at any time and the session used to look stage-managed. “Some of us came into the House with brilliant ideas but they will not allow us to be part of the debates in the House. “It is as if the leadership used to make up its mind on some issues and draw from its die-hard supporters on who to speak along its line of thought.” Another female lawmaker said: “Some of us are angry that we are being blacked out during debates. In fact, when the Deputy Speaker is not presiding, he prefers to have the final words on all issues being debated in the House. “And the Speaker indulges the Deputy Speaker and a few members of the cartel to have their way. They have been treating new members like school children and benchwarmers.” On his part, a member from the Southsouth said: “I cannot under-

stand why contributions to debate are one-sided in the House. “It seems the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker in particular operate a syndicate of those who should speak on issues. We can no longer be led by the nose at all. “Even when you raise up your hands, they know who to call on any matter before the House. That is not how to manage a legislative house.” On his part, a lawmaker from the North-East said: “I think the leadership, especially the Deputy Speaker, is still suffering from the hangover of how it was elected and it is adopting a debate method which is favouring its key loyalists. “But they have forgotten that we were all equally elected to represent 360 constituencies. The fact that someone is a Speaker or Deputy is a decision of the majority. The same majority is empowered by the House rules to change the leadership at anytime. “No one should think that he or she has the sole right to dictate to his colleagues on when to talk or not. I am really bitter that as a new member I have not been allowed to talk.” Another lawmaker from the North-Central said: “We are convening a meeting of new members

on Tuesday to review the situation and take a position. “We have started mobilising our colleagues for the emergency meeting of new members. If this trend continues, we will not accept it at all. But we will give the leadership a chance to review its strategy.” But a new member from Kwara State , however said: “Emeka Ihedioha is not my friend but because of his background and having been in the House for a while, whenever any issue is raised, he will like to ask old members who had been on some committees in the past to guide the House. “The Speaker or the Deputy Speaker do not teleguide debates but they always like us to have robust sessions with facts and figures. “You need to watch the off-thetrack contributions of some new members to appreciate why the leadership is providing guidance for them. Some will stand up and end up saying nothing tangible. And do not forget, the press is there to monitor us fumbling. “The House comprises 360 members, it is not possible to recognise everybody to speak or contribute to debates.” Bamidele told The Nation: “I want to say that to the best of my knowl-

edge, this has not been an issue in the House and I don’t have reasons to so conclude. “I have not seen any reason to see that there is partiality. In the last few weeks, new members have spoken more than old members. But I believe that the issues before us are so fundamental that it is too early for people to so conclude that the leadership is partial. “However, where you have 360 members, it is not unlikely that there may be some people who are agitated that they have not been able to make contributions. “For a House that sits from 10am to 2pm., if a member were to speak for five minutes, the maximum number the Speaker can call per hour is 12 people. That translates to about 36 to 48 people per day. “So, it is not unlikely that a member may be raising his hands for a whole week without being called upon. “If there is any member who is aggrieved at this point, all we can do is to continue to appeal for understanding and cooperation. “Everyone is eager to make contributions but doing so is not only at the plenary. By the time the standing committees are constituted, everybody will definitely be busy and there would be added platforms after all a member of the House may belong to four committees or more than.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS

Court grants Deji Abiola leave to travel abroad By Joseph Jibueze

A LAGOS State High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday granted the second son of the late Chief Moshood Abiola leave to travel abroad for medical treatment. Deji Abiola’s lawyer, Mr Jimoh Lasisi (SAN), had in a July 8 application urged the court to release his International Passport on health grounds. A letter written by a medical consultant, Dr. Ravi Dasan, was attached to the application, saying that Abiola had numerous medical conditions requiring close monitoring by experts. “He has numerous medical conditions that require regular monitoring and treatment. He is a hypertension sufferer and will require a 24-hour ambulatory monitoring test, which is scheduled for August. “He also suffers from sebaceous cysts which require surgical removal in due course,” the letter stated. Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release Mr. Abiola’s International Passport and said one of his sureties, Dr. Wuraola Abiola, should deposit her International Passport with the agency, until the defendant returns. “Given the fact that the prosecution did not oppose the application, it is hereby ordered that the EFCC should release the International Passport of the defendant to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment. “One of the sureties of the defendant, Dr. Wuraola Abiola, is to deposit her International Passport with the EFCC, which should be released to her after the defendant has returned his own passport to the EFCC upon his return from abroad.”

EFCC arraigns clearing agent By Joseph Jibueze

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a clearing agent, Mr Sylvester Asobo, for collecting over N3 million from three persons with the pretext of selling them a Toyota Camry 2000 Model car. The agency said he collected N1, 544,000 from Michael Jam; N764, 000 from Kayode Shokunbi and N760, 000 from Maxwell Aham for the same car. It also claimed that the clearing agent fraudulently converted the same car, which belonged to one Mr Chukwuma Akanuligo, to his personal use. The alleged offences, said to have been committed between February and March 2009 in Aguda, Surulere in Lagos, contravene Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap C 17, Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003. Asobo pleaded not guilty to the charges. Justice Olabisi Akinlade ordered that he be remanded in prison custody. She adjourned till September 21 for ruling on his bail application.

Akwa Ibom ACN accuses INEC of tampering with election materials T

HE Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its governorship candidate, John Akpanudoedehe, have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of tampering with ballot boxes and other materials required in evidence to prove their case against Governor Godswill Akpabio. ACN’s lawyer, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), told the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Uyo yesterday that INEC officials were caught stealing election materials in their bid to frustrate their case. Osinbajo, who told the tribunal that his client intended to file an affidavit to bring the anomaly before the court, said his clients possess both pictorial and video evidence of the theft. He said:“Nothing has changed. What we saw, and we have it on videos and photographs, are INEC officials stealing away ballot boxes from the INEC office after the order of the court. The court has said go and inspect. “At 4 O’Clock on July 11, INEC officials were stealing away ballot boxes and we

From Eric Ikhilae and Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

caught them. We have it on videos. It is not an allegation made frivolously. I will not, as a senior counsel, make an allegation frivolously. “It is so sad that we can be having this kind of malpractice in a country where we are supposed to be reforming and transforming. I don’t even know how we can conduct credible election when INEC officials are doing this kind of thing. Who knows what they have taken. Who knows how many they have taken? “The point of the matter is that we are committed to a process and administration of justice. The authority must take action and to prevent the situation so that people don’t get robbed of their mandate. How can INEC be doing that? It is shameful,” he said. The court had earlier granted the petitioners’ prayer to invite forensic and handwriting experts to inspect materials used for the disputed election. But, the petitioners had remained unsuccessful in this bid, owing to alleged uncoop-

“Nothing has changed. What we saw, and we have it on videos and photographs, are INEC officials stealing away ballot boxes from the INEC office after the order of the court. The court has said go and inspect”

erative attitude of INEC officials. Osinbajo said it was in the course of executing the court’s order that one of the petitioners’ lawyers caught some INEC officials “carting ballot boxes from their office’’. ‘’It is unbelievable that this is happening; that evidence that could be useful in this matter is being tampered with.” He told reporters after the court’s proceedings that argument by lawyer to the first and second respondents (Akpabio

and Nsima Ekere), Bayo Ojo (SAN) that they asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition for allegedly being defective, was baseless. Osinbajo said the petitioners complied with the necessary requirements under the Electoral Act in filing all their processes. “We came by the way of a motion and you will see that tomorrow,” he said. INEC’s lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) denied knowledge of the petitioners’ allegation. He said their lawyers failed to bring their said discovery of alleged unlawful act on the part of INEC officials to his notice. “I gave my telephone number to the lawyer who earlier appeared for the petitioners. They should have contacted me. If the information was brought to my notice, there is no way I will be a party to such acts,” he said. Ojo also told reporters that the ACN’s case is similar to that of the Progressive Action Congress (PAC’s) which the tribunal dismissed in an earlier ruling. “What we did was to file a motion to dismiss their

(ACN’s) petition because they did not comply with the requirement of the Electoral Act which says that for them to apply for the issuance of pretrial notice, they have to come by way of Motion on Notice and serve us the motion. But they didn’t do that. “So, we filed an application to dismiss their petition. INEC has also done a similar thing. We thought we could go on this morning but they said they needed time to respond and they will respond by the end of today. And tomorrow, we will take the application. In the ruling delivered earlier, the tribunal, headed by Justice Adam Onum, dismissed PAC’s petition on the ground that the petitioner did not comply with the requirements of the Electoral Act in filing its processes. “It behoves on any counsel handling election petition to constantly acquaint himself with the relevant section of the law,” the tribunal held. The tribunal also consolidated all the applications by the respondents, praying the tribunal to dismiss the petition by ACN and its candidates, alleging that it was defective. The earing continues today.

Hacking: Press Institute warns against repression By Joseph Jibueze

•Senate President David Mark with members of the German Parliament- Mr Hartwig Fischer (middle) and Mr Alexander PHOTO: NAN Ulrich, when they visited Mark in Abuja…yesterday.

Alleged N266m fraud: ICPC okays agency boss for trial

HE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it has recommended the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA), Kaduna, Mr. Ezenwanne Isaiah for prosecution over alleged N266million fraud. The commission said it has concluded investigation into the alleged mismanagement

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

of the funds. A statement by Media Consultant, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said the DG will be prosecuted for allegedly violating provisions of the ICPC Act, 2000. The statement said: “Isaiah was alleged to have misappropriated over N266million being 2008 capital allocation released by the Federal Government to the Agency.

“He was alleged to have abused his office by inflating all contracts awarded by him in 2008 which is sharply contrary to provisions of the ICPC Act, 2000. “The reports also indicated that contract for Coal exploration of Hamza and Guyuk Local Government was awarded at a contract sum of N34, 612,000.00 which was far above the N19million approved in the 2008 budget. “The ICPC investigators

discovered that N18million was approved for Iron-Ore exploration in the budget but the Director General awarded the contract at the sum of N19.5million. “Similarly, N15million was approved in the 2008 budget for Ferro-alloy exploration, however, examination of the relevant documents and payment vouchers in respect of the contract revealed the payment of N22, 650,000.00, the report added.”

HE International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has warned against media repression due to the News of the World hacking scandal. In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Committee meeting yesterday, jointly signed by its Director, Alison Bethel McKenzie and President, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Mr Nduka Obiagbena, IPI condemned the scandal. It read: “We strongly condemn illegality in the British media, especially the hacking scandal that has led to the closure of News of the World by its publishers. “We recognise this as a failure of law enforcement and not a failure of journalism and press freedom. “While we endorse British government reaction by way of the setting up of two enquiries to look into the affair, we caution that this quest for revenge should not be a basis to undermine the robust history of press freedom in the UK in particular which could cause a ripple effect globally. “It would be a tragedy if governments elsewhere now use events in Britain to justify the repression of the media in their own countries.”

Uniform licensing ‘ll help fight terrorism, says FRSC chief

ORPS Marshall and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Osita Chidoka says the new National Uniform Licensing Scheme scheduled to take off in October could be used to fight terrorism. Noting that vehicles have become dangerous tools in the hands of criminals, the FRSC chief said the introduction of the fully automated licensing scheme could not have come at a better time than now.

From Yomi Odunuga, Abuja

Chidoka, at an interactive session with reporters in Abuja yesterday, said the commission was collaborating with various agencies to ensure the success of the scheme. He said the retrieval of information concerning any vehicle in the country would become faster and easier, as the new vehicle licence would contain comprehensive details of owners. His words: “I believe, with the new licensing scheme, it

would not have been difficult to get accurate and precise information on the vehicle that was used in the bombing of a place like the Police Headquarters. “It is important for us as a country to adopt this method especially at a time when the vehicle has become one of the critical ingredients for exporting terror. “We must understand that, in these modern days, identification is key to global war against terrorism and Nigeria should not be left behind.

That is what we are doing with this new system which will be starting soon.” Speaking on the special features in the new vehicle licence, Chidoka explained that it would completely eradicate the use of multiple number plates for one vehicle, as the number plate would be tied to owner of the vehicle instead of the current system whereby a vehicle can be sold with number plate. His words: “There is also a vehicle identification tag which must marge with the

car. The essence of this is that we want to make sure that the car is uniquely identified. We are also planning to collaborate with the telecoms sector to verify that the telephone numbers on the licence have been duly registered. The proof of ownership is also tied to the insurance document. Also, Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a compulsory field in filling your new vehicle registration and we have reached an agreement with the Federal Inland Revenue Services on this.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS

•Jonathan (eighth right), Vice President Namadi Sambo (ninth right) and members of the Executive Council...yesterday

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

‘Our task won’t be an easy one’

PDP chief urges Jonathan to be wary •Text of President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech at the swearing-in of the new Executive of ‘double-agents’ Council at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja. ..yesterday

ODAY, I am formally presenting the team that will run the affairs of the Federal Government. Let me congratulate all appointed members of the Executive Council of the Federation on their achievement, and also for having successfully gone through the Senate Confirmation Hearings as required by law. I want to assure everyone that the process of selecting this team of Ministers was quite rigorous; we searched far and wide within and outside the country, and finally made a selection based on an assessment of expertise, integrity, experience, qualifications, and after due consultations with a broad category of stakeholders. The Senate also did a thorough job in screening the nominees. I want to thank our Senators for their efforts and their patriotism. We have taken time to put together a Cabinet, and due process, as stipulated by the Constitution, has been carefully observed. Some of the Ministers are returning to their old portfolios to ensure not just continuity, but also the consolidation of projects and processes embarked upon in the last year. I am concerned however, that in the course of our efforts to select this cabinet, I received disturbing reports of threats of assassination to nominees, their families and friends, and so much campaign of calumny to discourage them from coming into government to serve. This is most unfortunate; service to the nation is a patriotic duty that every citizen must look up to, and support. There is no greater responsibility than service to the nation. I am also aware of the comments that have trailed these appointments, both positive and negative. Honorable members of the Executive Council of the Federation, it is important for us to realize that we are all on probation in the eyes of the public. We are public servants, and we must give proper account of our stewardship to the people at all times. I believe that this Cabinet is made up of men and women who can drive our transformation programme, and work hard to make Nigeria better. You have been called upon to serve your Fatherland at a most trying and challenging period in our nation’s history. On October 1st last year, we celebrated our golden jubilee as an independent nation. On January 1, 2014, we will celebrate our centenary as a nation. This surely is a transitional phase that requires transformational leadership at all levels. I believe that the best way forward is to have a strong government of determined and capable men and women, who believe passion-

ately in Nigeria and who want to make a difference. You have been selected to be the change-agents that Nigerians are asking for. You must know that expectations are high at home and abroad. We are expected to stabilise power supply in the country, as a minimum pre-condition for strengthening national productivity, we are expected to generate employment for our unemployed youth; we are expected to revolutionise the agricultural sector and ensure food security for the people; we are expected to sanitise the oil and gas sector; the people also want good roads, a more qualitative public school system, as well as more efficient public health and transportation systems, and so on. These expectations cut across all sectors. Most importantly, we are expected to protect life and property, and guarantee the welfare and happiness of all Nigerians. We cannot afford to disappoint the people. Our nation has been described by certain persons, as a failed state. But we are definitely not a failed state. We are a country of talented people, who have the capacity to address whatever challenges our country may be facing. Other nations have passed through their own trying moments,in no way is our experience peculiar. I believe with a transformational leadership that is willing and committed, we can reposition our country for economic growth and development, and win the support of all and sundry, including those who are in doubt or denial. There will be difficult decisions and tough moments ahead but we must through our efforts show that we are prepared to work in the best way to focus on the people’s aspirations. It only takes committed people to do things differently. I believe you are among the group of Nigerians that can do things differently and help to move our country forward. Our task is to address the issues which preoccupy Nigerians. We must act quickly while at the same time, working on sustainable responses to long-term challenges. This is the debt we owe the electorate who turned out in large numbers in the April 2011 elections to

make a statement with their votes. I will therefore expect the best form of conduct in the discharge of your responsibilities. A responsive, responsible and accountable government is central to a genuine democracy. To continue in your positions, you must always be responsive, responsible and accountable. In particular, I expect that Ministers and Ministers of State will work together as a team, and in so doing eschew the kind of rivalry and one-upmanship that has been a problem in the past. I expect maximum co-operation among all members of the Executive Council of the Federation. We cannot achieve much if we work at cross-purposes. In the various speeches that I gave from the primaries through the campaigns to the inauguration on 29th May, I promised Nigerians that I will run a transparent government and ensure a significant improvement in our economy. You are to join me and the Vice Presidentto achieve this. Our plan is to restructure the economic management team in order to make it more functional; the new structure will be co-ordinated by the Minister of Finance, with a charge to ensure improved performance of key economic sectors and greater efficiency. One critical issue that will also engage our attention is the issue of corruption. There is no doubt that our rating in the Global Corruption Index is embarrassing. Corruption is therefore the monster that we need to confront and defeat, in order to raise the country’s integrity profile. The war against corruption in this dispensation will start at the centre. The anti-corruption agencies have been directed to beam their searchlights on the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, and also focus on the states and local government areas, in order to send out a clear signal, that no form of abuse will be tolerated. We will carry out a comprehensive audit of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government beginning from June 2007. You must observe due process in all that you do. I expect you to be above board. Ladies and Gentlemen, I enjoin you not to see your position as mere-

‘You must remember that Nigerians have serious concerns about the integrity of their leaders. We cannot just talk about transformation; Nigerians must see us taking serious steps in that regard. To start with, this is not a government of the ruling party; this is a government of the Nigerian people’

ly another job or a reward for status, but as an opportunity to serve the people of Nigeria. You must remember that Nigerians have serious concerns about the integrity of their leaders. We cannot just talk about transformation; Nigerians must see us taking serious steps in that regard. To start with, this is not a government of the ruling party; this is a government of the Nigerian people. Each one of you must prove that you are deserving of the honour of recognition and of the portfolio that has been assigned to you. You are expected to ensure that the Ministry you head serves the interest of public good, and promotes the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. You must always remember that we are not alone in government; you will be carefully watched and assessed by other stakeholders who have as much right as you do, to be concerned about the fortunes of our country. Everything will be done to provide an enabling environment for you to be able to function efficiently. I will also personally ensure that we remain focused as a team, and that the confidence that the people repose in us, is not taken for granted. The task ahead is not going to be an easy one. Remember the words of the late Tai Solarin, in a January 1, 1964 essay: “May your road be rough,”he said. “I am not cursing you; I am wishing you what I wish myself every year. I therefore repeat, may you have a hard time this year, may there be plenty of troubles for you this year! If you are not so sure what you should say back, why not just say, same on you? I ask no more!” Obviously the road aheadof us may be rough, but with sincere and purposeful leadership, we will surely succeed in transforming this country.

CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State and founder of the Omoilu Foundation, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has frowned at the conduct of some estranged members of the party who are jostling for political appointments. Kashamu, who fingered a former minister and a senatorial candidate as the arrow-heads of the dissidents, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to be wary of them. He described them as people propelled only by self-interests without any respect for constituted authority given their antiparty activities, adding; “what happened after former President Olusegun Obasanjo nominated the minister? Did he not betray him by surreptitiously pushing for another PDP state chairman aside the one agreed, under the leadership of the elder statesman? Amusingly, he prides himself as being spontaneously fickle. Is that not treacherous?. “After working for the opposition parties, as it pleased him in the just-concluded elections, what support has he deemed fit to give (his) PDP candidates and now justifiably at the tribunal? And the indubitable facts are there for all to see. “Now that appointments are being made, these same people who worked against the interest of the President and the party by supporting the opposition are now seeking to reap from where they did not sow. Kashamu appealed to the President to guard against those he described as “double-agents”, adding that it would be ungodly for those involved in anti-party activities to be rewarded at the expense of loyal party members.

Doctor kidnapped in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

OCTORS at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), have threatened to began an indefinite strike over the abduction of one of their colleagues, Dr. Nwanfor Emeka Asampete by gunmen. Their notice, served yesterday, was against the backdrop of a threat by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to sanction doctors who embarked on job boycott. Asampete, a senior registrar, in the Department of Histopathology, was allegedly abducted Wednesday night at his Benin home. President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UBTH chapter, Dr. Ehigiator Adayonfo, told reporters that its members would not go to work until their colleague was found. His words: “We have just finished from an emergency general meeting and the association has decided to constitute a man-hunt for the abducted doctor. It is only when we find him that we will be at our duty post”. He said the victim left the hospital at about 8.30pm but was abducted by gunmen at the gate to his residence at about 9.00pm. Adayonfo said the matter was reported at the Ugbowo Division of the Police.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS Woman kidnapped in Niger

Kudirat Abiola: Court frees Rabo Lawal

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

A 36-YEAR-OLD housewife, Mrs Ifeoma James Ofomah, was yesterday kidnapped from the IBB Market in Suleja, Niger State, by some gunmen. The woman was kidnapped at about 11.50am when she was leaving her shop in her Toyota Rav 4 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number (Abuja) 522 KWL. Eyewitness said a sevenman gang cornered Mrs Ofomah to scare away traders. They said the other members of the gang ordered her out of the car and bundled her into a waiting vehicle. She was reportedly driven to an unknown destination. It was gathered that her husband was later informed by other traders. Confirming the incident on phone Mr. Ofomah said he was yet to report the matter to Police.

Kaduna Assembly confirms 23 commissioners, rejects one From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

THE Kaduna State House of Assembly yesterday concluded the screening of 24 commissioner-nominees sent to it by Governor Patrick Yakowa. It, however, rejected one of them because of the petitions against her. In a letter to the Speaker Mua’zu Uaman Ganagara, the governor urged the Assembly to confirm the nominees as commissioners. Those confirmed are: former Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Saidu Adamu, (Birnin Gwari); Alhaji Mohammed Usman, (Makarfi); Bashir Sakadadi, (Sabon Gari); Timothy Gandu, (Jaba); Suleiman Ibrahim, (Sanga); Idris Isa Tukur, (Igabi); Maria Dogo, (Chikun); Gambo Lawal, (Ikara); Abubakar Haruna, (Kachia); and Alhaji Nazifi Mohammed, (Kaduna North). Others are: Halima Lambo, (Kaduna South); Patrick Maigari, (Kajuru); Jonathan Kish Adamu, (Kaura); Zakaria Shamaki, (Kauru); and Nasir Aliyu Damau, (Kubau). The Assembly also confirmed Ali Kalak, (Jema’a); Sunday Marshall Katung, (Zangon Kataf); Ramadan Ibrahim, (Giwa); Felix Gimba, (Kagarko); Alhaji Magaji Sadiq, (Lere); Suleiman Yahaya Richifa, (Soba); John Ayuba, (Zangon Kataf); and Sani Aminu Mohammed, (Zaria). The Assembly refused to screen Mrs. Maria Dogo based on petitions by members of Gbagyi community, the Hausa/ Fulani and Kabilu Political Forum, which accused her of poor representation in previous public offices she occupied. The petition against Mrs. Dogo’s nomination was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk and it was referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions to investigate.

By Eric IKhilae

•From left: Abdulrahman Yinusa, Executive Director, Diamond Bank; Chimaobi Madukwe, Group Chief Operating Officer, Bua Group, Nigeria; Arunma Oteh, Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher, IC Publications/Events; and Ndiana-Abasi Matthew, Regional Director (West Africa), IC Publications/Events, at the Africa Debts Capital Market Summit at the London Stock Exchange (LSE), London, United Kingdom.

More witnesses indict Akala, Bolanta at NURTW panel

WO more witnesses yesterday blamed former Oyo State Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala and ex-Commissioner of Police, Mr Adisa Bolanta, for the protracted crisis in the Oyo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). The witnesses testified at the public hearing of a panel of enquiry into the union’s crisis in Ibadan, the state capital. They alleged that AlaoAkala colluded with the former Police chief to remove a factional leader, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (aka Tokyo) because the union leader did not support his second term ambition. Kamoru Agboola and Ayoola Omoseebi accused the former governor of polarising the hitherto peaceful union, leading to the mayhem that claimed the

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

lives of many innocent citizens. Agboola said he and some other union members invaded the House of Assembly on June 8, last year, and injured some lawmakers. Claiming that he was a loyalist of the late factional leader, Alhaji Lateef Salako (aka Eleweomo), as at the time of the inv asion, Agboola said he later decamped to the Tokyo-led faction when Mukaila Lamidi (aka Auxilliary) allegedly killed his friend, idenitifed as Bruno. He said he defected to Tokyo’s faction because it had legal backing. Agboola alleged that he

and some other members of the union attacked some lawmakers on Eleweomo’s order when they told about an alleged plan to remove the Speaker, Maroof Atilola. He said he and his colleagues were assembled at a filling station on Iwo Road before they were moved to the premises of the assembly. Agboola said: “We were all standing in front of the Assembly until Salako (Eleweomo) sighted some of the anti-Speaker lawmakers arriving at the premises. “He (Eleweomo) then signalled to 10 of us to follow him upstairs. It was there we beat up one of the anti-Speaker lawmakers. “It was in the process one lawmaker jumped down

from the window and broke his leg. “We were given N5,000 each for that operation.” He said he did not report the killing of his friend to the Police because he knew Auxilliary was working for Alao-Akala. Agoola said: “There was a time he (Auxilliary) was arrested based on a petition, and he was released within two hours.” He said it was not true that two of Eleweomo’s guards were killed by a politician working for Alao-Akala. Tokyo is facing murder charges for the allegation. Agboola said: “Nobody was killed in that house. It was Lamidi (Auxilliary)that entered a room and shot. The blood you saw was not human blood; it was a mixture of the blood of a goat and that of a duck. I know what I am saying.”

Court orders Bayero to reinstate deposed district Head

EVEN years after Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, removed the former Head of Gabasawa, Aminu Baba Dan-Agundi, who is also the Sarkin Dawaki Maituta, a Kano High Court yesterday ordered his reinstatement. Justice Mohammed Sadi Mato ruled that the emir’s action was unconstitutional, and violated the plaintiff’s fundamental human rights to fair hearing. In a 125-page judgment, the judge held that the suspension and subsequent removal of Dan-Agundi was “unlawful” and, therefore,

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

set it aside. The court also gave an injunction, restraining the person turbaned to act as the district head by the emir, from parading himself in that capacity. Justice Mato ordered the Emirate Council and the Kano State Government to pay the backlog of salaries and allowances of the plaintiff from December 11, 2003, till date. Dan-Agundi, through his counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), sued the Emirate Council and three others

over his suspension and removal from office. He sought three reliefs: praying the court to declare the action as null and void, on the grounds that he was not given fair hearing before the decision was taken; and praying the court to declare his family, which holds the title of Sarkin Dawakin-Maituta, one of the four kingmakers in the emirate, as the sole owner of the title, among others. Ado Bayero, through his counsel, Ayodele Olajide (SAN), who called nine witnesses, had argued that

the plaintiff was given an avenue to defend himself but turned down the offer. Olajide had also argued that the plaintiff’s family was not the sole owner of the disputed title, saying other families had occupied the position before. After the judgment, DanAgundi said: “I am grateful to Almighty Allah for the victory. I believe in God and God has done His work. I have nothing else to say other than to thank God. The ruling of the court is an indication that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.”

ABOUT 11 years into his trial for murder, freedom came the way of former Head of Aso Rock’s arm of the Anti-riot Police (MOPOL), Rabo Lawal, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) yesterday. A Lagos High Court discharged and acquitted him over the charges. Lawal, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the former Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamzat alMustapha, and an aide to the late Kudirat Abiola, Lateef Shofolahan, were charged with the 1996 murder of the wife of the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola. They were arraigned in 1999. In a ruling yesterday, Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, held that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence linking Lawal to the crime. The judge held that the state could not establish a prima facie case against him. The ruling was on a no-case submission by the three accused persons. But al-Mustapha and Shofolahan were not lucky as the court ordered them to enter defence. It held that there was enough evidence to make Al-Mustapha and Sofolahan to open their defence over their alleged involvement in the murder of Mrs Abiola. Justice Dada adjourned the matter till August 1and 3 for Al-Mustapha and Sofolhan to open their defence.

‘Provide jobs for youths’

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko yesterday urged the Federal Government to provide jobs for the nation’s youths. He noted that it was only by engaging them in productive ventures that youths could avoid being used to foment trouble. The governor spoke in Sokoto, the state capital, when he received members of the Presidential Committee on Post-Election Violence, led by its chairman, Sheikh Ahmed Lemu. A seven-man sub-committee is in Sokoto to gather information and submissions from the public.

ACN alleges attack on members by ‘PDP thugs’

HE Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of attacking its members. The ACN members were allegedly attacked at the premises of the state High Court where they were observing the pre-trial proceedings of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the state capital. ACN governorship candidate, Mohammed Dele Bel-

•PDP: it’s untrue From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

gore (SAN), is challenging the declaration of Abdulfatah Ahmed as the governor in the April 26 poll. In a statement in Ilorin, ACN Chairman Kayode Olawepo said: “We condemn as barbaric and unacceptable the continued lawlessness of PDP thugs, who have become notorious for unleashing terror on innocent members of

the public. “We are, by this statement, drawing the attention of security agencies to the disruption and beating by PDP thugs of ACN members, who went to observe the proceedings of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Ilorin on Thursday morning. “Our members have always been peaceful and orderly whenever they attend-

ed the proceedings. We warn PDP thugs to desist from their unruly behaviour because no amount of intimidation will deter men and women of integrity populating our ranks. “Since its government claims to be engaging jobless youths in meaningful employment, we urge it to tap into the opportunity and stop molesting law-abiding citizens, who have chosen the honourable path of siding by the truth...” But PDP Secretary Yemi

Afolayan said the allegation was untrue, adding: “PDP is never violent.” Afolayan said: “What happened in the court was that security personnel ensured that the courtroom was not overcrowded because the premises is very small, thereby leading to the locking out of many people outside. “In the process, some perceived ACN members were seeing shouting from outside. So, nobody beat anybody. It is a lie.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS

Fashola begins tree planting

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday began a tree planting campaign to mitigate the impact of climate change. At Aboru Canal in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), where several people perished in last Sunday’s flood, the body of a woman identified as Mama Risi, was recovered. A displaced resident, Grace Uren, who lives around Pen Cinema Agege, said the early downpour left many residents in fear. She said: “We lost many of our belongings to the flood on Sunday, now the few things we managed to save have been destroyed again.” Motorists in Lekki and Vic-

By Miriam Ndikanwu

toria Island were seen hurrying into their cars to drive to safe points to avert last Sunday’s horrid experience. Fashola, at the Tree Planting in Oyinbgo, urged Lagosians to bear with the government, which he said is doing everything to tackle the flood. He said the state survived last Sunday’s 16 hours downpour due to its proactive measures in line with the warning by experts on climate change and global warming. “In other places, we have seen cities submerged and remain like that for many days after just six hours of rain.” He urged Lagosians to desist from the habit of felling trees and cultivate the habit of planting.

Ondo urges workers to resume duty

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday in Akure, the state capital, called on striking workers to return to work. He urged eminent citizens to prevail on them to reciprocate the government’s commitment to their welfare by calling off the strike. But, the Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) Solomon Adelegan said the strike was inevitable. According to him, the present Labour Party (LP) administration is not labourfriendly, saying the high taxation, which accompanied the proposed salary review, was obnoxious. Adelegan said the government, being the only LP government in the country, should have given priority to workers’ welfare but regretted that the reverse was the case. Mimiko assured workers that he was committed to ensuring that their welfare takes the focal point of his programme, saying what his government has done with the vexed Minimum Wage law

From Damisi Ojo, Akure was unprecedented in the nation as neither the Federal Government nor any state has matched what the state was willing to pay its workers. The governor wondered why despite his assurance to pay, union leaders still called workers out on strike for the second time in one month. He made this appeal when he visited the State Specialist Hospital, Akure. Mimiko commended health workers for their dedication to work, saying their refusal to abandon their patients was highly commendable and worthy of emulation. He said: “I’m excited that health workers are working. Please don’t turn your backs on your patients and the Lord will continue to be with you. And as for your enhanced salary, the circular will be out soon. “The question you should ask is that why is it only in Ondo State that the leadership of the workers called a strike twice in a month. Even the Federal Government has not paid. We have given our commitment to pay the new minimum wage.”

Apologise, Ajimobi tells Akala

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has asked his predecessor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to apologise within seven days for spreading falsehood against his government or face a legal action. In a letter through a spokesman, Ojo Adebayo, Ajimobi asked Alao-Akala to withdraw what he described as “a regime of spurious lies” or risk being sued for libel. The letter reads: “The attention of the Oyo State Government has been drawn to the series of spurious lies being told in the media by former Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala through his spokesman, Dotun Oyelade, against the government and Governor

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Abiola Ajimobi. “The government, by this letter, is asking Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and, or his spokesman, Oyelade, to apologise over this mudslinging, within seven days, or risk facing a court action for this irresponsible concoction.” But Oyelade, in a statement said:”It is unfortunate that the new administration has shown that it cannot take as much as it gives in terms of enlightened public discourse. “The threat of litigation is so wide off the mark when all government is being asked to do is to clarify issues that border on its fiscal disposition to its avowed policy.”

Fayemi off to US, UK

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday left for a working visit to the United States and the United Kingdom. In a statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funminiyi Afuye, the governor will hold talks with the Vice President of the World Bank in Washington DC on how the bank can assist the state. The governor, he said, would be hosted by the Nigeria Ambassador, Prof. Ade Adefuye, at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington. Fayemi is also expected to meet with the Governor of the state of Maryland to explore areas of cooperation between Ekiti and Maryland. On Monday, the Governor will speak at the Royal African Society in London, United Kingdom. He is expected back on Tuesday.

•Fashola( left) and Commissioner for Environment Tunji Bello planting a tree...yesterday

PHOTO:OMOSEHIN MOSES

Drama at Oyo Oba Council’s meeting

HERE was a drama at the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs meeting yesterday. The meeting was presided over by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana. The Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran, rose against the directive of the Olubadan. There was uproar as other members of the council criticised the effrontery of Oyediran. The meeting was the first since the former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala administration made a law quashing the permanent chairmanship of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. In the new law, the Olubadan will chair the council for the next two years and the Soun of Ogbomoso for another two years before the Alaafin takes over. Alaafin was not present yesterday. Sources said the Onpetu walked into the meeting late

•Alaafin absent as Olubadan, Onpetu tango From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

and started querying the directive of the Olubadan, who asked that the media be allowed to cover the proceedings. The meeting was the first to be attended by Oba Odulana and Oba Oyewunmi, who had stayed away during the headship of the Alaafin. The Ijeru monarch went straight to his seat without observing any protocol. He said: “I think we should tell the press to go out.” Olubadan : “I asked them to stay.” The monarch, who became agitated, said the presence of the media made the meeting abnormal. “Then, it is not a meeting; the normal thing is that after the meeting, we brief the press,” he said. The Olubadan countered: “I am the chairman of this council for two years, after which

it will be Soun, and then Alaafin, if he pleases him to come. “The matter is in court. We can’t dwell much on it. God has answered our prayers in Oyo State. Whoever says that God does not answer prayers is deceiving himself. “We now have a governor who has promised to uphold culture and tradition. I want the press to stay. “I know you are an agent of disunity. We are not holding any secret meeting. If you are not pleased, you can walk out.” Oba Oyediran said: “There is no autocracy here; it is against the law of any meeting. We are not holding an Ibadan meeting. It is the Council of Obas’ meeting.” The Osi Olubadan, Chief Lekan Balogun, told the Olubadan that Onpetu’s position was normal, but that his manner of presentation was wrong. Facing Onpetu, he said:

“You should realise that you are talking to an elderly man and my king. It is totally rude and unbecoming of a traditional ruler.” The Otun Olubadan, Chief Omowale Kuye, urged the Olubadan to allow the press to go out after which they would be briefed. He said the Olubadan should ignore the Onpetu. Kuye said: “Kabiyesi, we are not their mates. From the beginning, we are never their mates. In this world, we will never be their mates.” Turning to Onpetu, he said: “You stood up as if you wanted to box (fight) my king.” Balogun said it was more or less an inaugural meeting under the new law, new chairman and new governor. “Some of us were not part of the previous meeting and it was not possible to deliberate on what we were not part of, which hampered drawing up of an agenda.”

Protest in Oyo over alleged police extortion

HERE was a protest yesterday in Oyo town by students of Government Technical College (GTC) and commercial motorcyclists over alleged extortion by the police. Five persons were arrested and 40 motorcycles impounded. A source said the incident occurred when a commercial motorcyclist was stopped by some policemen on Awe/Iwo road. The policemen allegedly demanded a bribe. The motorcyclist, carrying two passengers, refused and attempted to speed off. He said: “Embittered by the non-compliance, one of the policemen hit the motorcyclist with a gun in the head. “He became unconscious and drove into the bush where both he was involved in an accident with his passengers. “Few minutes after, GTC students and hundreds of motorcyclists mobilised and took to the highway. “The policemen immediately left the highway and ran for cover.” It was gathered that the pro-

•Three injured •’It’s not true’ From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

testers stormed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) office at Akunlemu and destroyed the only operational vehicle. They also destroyed the Oyo State Vehicle Inspection Office on Iseyin Road before proceeding to the Durbar Police Station. The presence of armed policemen and anti-riot policemen saved the station from being torched. The outgoing Oyo Area Police Commander, Felix Vwamhi, curbed the tension when he appeared before the students and appealed to

them to allow peace to reign. Some of the protesters said: “We are fed up with these extortions by the police. They demand what must be given to them, and if you don’t give them they harm you for no cause. “We are calling on the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Zone II); Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the commissioner of police to intervene to avoid another revolt.” The protesters later marched on the palace of the Alaafin, where they were told to refrain from acts that could aggravate tension. But police sources denied the extortion allegation, say-

ing the protest was premeditated. They said: “The truth is that the Okada man saw the policemen on the road, panicked and made a u-turn without caring for other road users. He ran into another bike coming behind him. Policemen were far from them. Besides, the situation does not warrant the gravity of violence and arson committed by the protesters. “The protest left much to be desired. But we cannot fold our arms and watch some people disrupt law and order.” The motorcyclist and the two passengers (a woman and a GTC student) were said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Methodist Church to host Deputy Governor

AGOS State Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire will be the special guest at this year’s Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos West annual harvest. It will hold at the Palm Avenue, Mushin Cathedral on Sunday. Senator Gbenga Ashafa will also attend the

ceremony to be hosted by Diocesan Bishop Revd. Isaac Olawuyi. “This harvest thanksgiving is special in all ramifications to us as a church where we are to celebrate God’s blessing to us as individuals and more importantly to our immediate environment where we worship,” Olawuyi said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS Nigerian arraigned in Ghana for ‘stealing a child’ A 54-YEAR-OLD Nigerian trader Bola Bello who was arrested in Ghana for allegedly stealing an eightmonth-old baby boy was yesterday arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court. Bello whose plea was not taken, has been charged with ‘stealing a child’. She has been remanded into police custody to reappear on July 20. Bello, answering questions from Mrs Ivy Heward Mills, the trial Judge, denied the claim that she stole the child from Nigeria. She said she adopted the child from a Nigerian adoption home but forgot to bring along the adoption papers when they were coming to Ghana. The Prosecutor, Chief Inspector A.A. Ahor, said on July 6, the Police received information from a concerned citizen that a Nigerian woman who lived at Lapaz Six to Six in Accra had brought an eight-month- old baby boy to her house. He said the informant suspected that Bello had stolen the child from Nigeria. Chief Inspector Ahor said the police on receiving the information went to Lapaz where the baby was rescued and the suspect arrested. He said Bello in her caution statement, among other things, claimed that she was the biological mother of the baby and that she brought him from Nigeria to Ghana in March, 2011. Chief Inspector Ahor also said later Bello was taken to the Police Hospital where she was examined adding, the report submitted on her indicated that she was unlikely to have given birth to the child eight months earlier.

11 commissioners take oath in Kwara From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ELEVEN commissioners yesterday took their oaths of office in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed urged them to be transparent and follow due process in their duties. The commissioners were assigned their portfolios. But the ministries of Health; Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Education and Sports, are yet to get commissioners. Those sworn in and their portfolios are: Olatunji Moronfoye (Information and Communication); Mohammed Babkpa Isah (Agriculture); Bode Olayemi (Housing and Urban Development); Abubakar Kannike (Works and Transport); Umaru Aliu, (Industry and Solid Minerals). Others are Mrs Comfort Afolayan (Women Affairs); Raji Atolagbe (Energy); Abubakar Idris (Water Resources); Ademola Baanu (Finance); Kamaldeen Ajibade (Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner); and Samuel Bamisaye (Environment and Forestry).

Youths to ACF: you’ve no moral right to speak on Boko Haram

ORTHERN youths, under the aegis of Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), said yesterday that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the umbrella body of the region’s elders, lacked the moral right to assist the government to stop Boko Haram sect. The youths said the elders failed the region when most of them were in power. They condemned the choice of ministers from the North, saying those currently serving under President Goodluck Jonathan are the worst since the return of democracy in 1999. In a statement in Kaduna by its President, Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, the youths said the offer by the ACF leadership to assist the government in ending the Boko Haram menace was laughable. They noted that if Nigerian leaders had run the nation well, most of the challenges threatening or undermining national security today would

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

have been overcome. This way, they said, the nation would have saved huge resources and avoided the death of innocent people. The statement reads: “The AYF held an emergency meeting in Kaduna on July 13 and 14, on the purported claims by the ACF in its Tuesday meeting with President Jonathan that it would assist the Federal Government to solve the current ‘Boko Haram imbroglio’; and the reports credited to ACF that Boko Haram was a creation of political thuggery. “As such, we resolved that ACF cannot, in any way, be of help to the Federal Government and security agencies as far as the issue of Boko Haram is concerned. It has no moral ground and standing to meddle (in the matter) because its leadership failed the

people of the North in all ramifications. “There is nothing tact about tackling insurgency of this type that requires any monopoly of ACF’s boasting. The logic is simple: had Nigerian leadership acted well in running the country, many challenges threatening or undermining national security (today) would have been overcome. This would have saved this country huge resources and innocent lives that are being wasted daily. “Alas, we may add: Had Nigerian security agencies and government been proactive and prompt, many lingering security challenges being experienced in the country would have been nipped in the bud right at the infancy level. “It is amazing and laughable that ACF, a supposed umbrella organisation of the North, which could not influence the 19 northern governors in addressing critical is-

sues of abject poverty, cancerous religious and ethnic crises, infant and maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, almajiri syndrome, illiteracy, unemployment, collapse of agriculture and total extinction of the northern economy, destitution and able-bodied begging, series of avoidable diseases ravaging the region, could be boasting of knowing and having a solution to the Boko Haram syndrome, alongside a presentation of the plaque of Sir Ahmadu Bello’s inscription. “What stopped it from overcoming the above-mentioned challenges facing the North? Will the future generation of the region present the plaques bearing their inscriptions? We challenge it (ACF) to state in detail its individual positive contributions to the development of the northern region, after the demise of Sir Ahmadu Bello, while it held sway in the various positions it held in the past.

•Emir of Bauchi , Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, in a group photograph with pupils of LYS Children School who visited him in his PHOTO: NAN palace…yesterday.

NAPTIP rehabilitates 10 rescued victims

ATIONAL Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) yesterday empowered 10 rescued victims. Its Executive Secretary, Simon Egede, said the agency made use of funds from the Victim of Trafficking Trust Fund (VTTF) to empower the 10 victims after they passed through NAPTIP’s rehabilitation process. In 2005, the agency amended its Act to establish a fund

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

for the rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking. The fund is serviced mainly from proceeds of assets seized from convicted traffickers. The VTTF is administered by a board selected from relevant stakeholders and chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Egede said the beneficiar-

ies underwent vocational training after going through business management courses in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Benin, the Edo State capital, in May. Two of the victims were given catering equipment; two others got hairdressing equipment; while another two received welding equipment. The seventh victim received a grinding machine; and the last three got grants to continue their education.

Egede said: “Each of the victims will also receive N20, 000 as seed money. The agency will also help them through the accredited non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to secure and pay for business premises for a period of two years. “It is our sincere hope that these victims will survive the economic hardship and social pressure that led them into the unfortunate circumstance, which led them into the hands of traffickers.”

‘Northwest has highest percentage of out-of-school children’

GROUP, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), has said the Northwest has the highest number of out of school children. Quoting statistics by the Nigerian Education Data Survey (NEDS), the group noted that 52 per cent of children from five to 16 are not attending school in the region. The group’s Programmes Officer, Abuma Ibrahim, spoke in Sokoto at this year’s Global Action Week, with the theme: Women and Girl Child Education. He said efforts were on to

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

empower girls and women, particularly in Sokoto State, for education advancement. Ibrahim said only 18.9 per cent of children from five to 16 could read, adding that 66 per cent of Sokoto State’s school age children never attended school. He also said only 28.9 per cent of children from six to 16 ever had primary education. According to him, between 2007 and 2010, the gross enrolment of boys and girls into primary schools

between one and six years was decreasing. Quoting the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ibrahim said: “For the male, it has decreased from 79 per cent to 75 per cent, while for the female, it is from 26.1 per cent to 24.3 per cent.” He said this year’s theme was chosen to ensure that an awareness is created among men, women, boys, girls and other stakeholders in their communities. Ibrahim said the action week for this year’s interaction revolved around “story-telling” by women and

girls on their personal experience and impact of education or lack of it on their lives. He noted that for the state to meet the requirements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, the state government needed to overhaul the education sector, ensure the use of effective and clear teacher recruitment and deployment, massive campaigns to sensitise communities on the significance of allowing girls to attend school, and by adequately reviewing strategies and operational plans, among others.

Tribunal won’t quash Kaduna CPC application From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

ADUNA State Governor Patrick Yakowa yesterday failed to quash the application by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) candidate in the April 28 governorship election, Haruna Saeed, challenging his victory. The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Kaduna dismissed the governor’s application for lack of merit. The governor had prayed the tribunal to strike out the CPC candidate’s application, which challenged his victory. Counsel to Yakowa, led by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Joseph Daudu, had prayed the court to dismiss Saeed’s petition on the grounds that it was not filed within the specified time. But tribunal chairman Justice G.A. Kwajafar said the fact that the pre-hearing notice by the petitioner did not come through a motion is a mere irregularity, which was not enough to dismiss the application. Justice Kwajafar said the petitioner had filed a prehearing notice within the period in question, adding that there was a pre-hearing information sheet filed on June 24, which considered all the answers required. The judge averred that the current trend in the judicial system was for the court to avoid an emphasis on technicalities, adding that it was better to do justice to the issue at hand in the interest of fairness. Justice Kwajafar said since the substantive issues had been complied with, irregularities of the time of filing the petition could not render it dismissible before the tribunal. He, therefore, dismissed the application. But Yakowa filed a fresh application, asking the tribunal to dismiss the petitioners’ application in which the petitioner was challenging his election on the grounds that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on which platform he contested the election, was not joined as a respondent. The tribunal is expected to rule on the application today.

Bauchi emirs back peace move From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

MIRS in Bauchi State have backed the peace initiative of Dr Jhalil Tafawa Balewa to reconcile estranged parts of the state. Emir of Bauchi Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu and his Dass counterpart, Alhaji Usman Biliaminu Othman, spoke when they received Balewa and his entourage in their domains. They praised him for the initiative, noting that it would bring peace to the state. Adamu said: “You are the son of the soil. You are welcome to your home. You are doing a lot for this community. Please, continue to do so and the sky will be your limit. We need you to continue to contribute to the growth of our state and Nigeria.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS Uduaghan loses bid to dismiss Ogboru’s petition From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

HE Election Petitions Tribunal in Delta State yesterday overruled an application by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, which seeks to strike out Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) governorship candidate, Great Ogboru’s suit for failing to file a pre-hearing notice. Ogboru is challenging the outcome of the April 26 governorship election, which declared Uduaghan winner. The tribunal Chairman, Justice Ayo Abisoye, reserved ruling on whether to grant Ogboru’s application for issuance of pre-hearing notice. Uduaghan’s counsel Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had urged the tribunal to dismiss Ogboru’s petition, contending that he had abandoned it and that the petitioner’s reply to the respondent’s reply was filed out of time as required by law. He argued that Ogboru’s application was dated June 25, three days after the time permitted by law. Olanipekun had argued that the condition precedent for entertaining Ogboru’s ex-parte motion was non-existent and that the tribunal lacks the jurisdiction to hear the petition. But Ogboru’s counsel Nichols Ichekor urged the tribunal to dismiss the respondent’s motion, contending that the petitioner’s reply to the respondent’s reply had not lapse and that they were duly filed and served. Ichekor argued that the petitioner responded to the respondent’s reply by way of an ex-parte motion. He further argued that the wordings of Paragraphs 18 (1), (3) and (4) of the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act are ambiguous on the issue of time. Justice Abisoye held that the first respondent’s petition “lacks merit and is therefore dismissed. We hold that the petitioner has not abandoned his case. “The petitioner’s ex-parte motion converted to a Motion on Notice is hereby accordingly granted. All submissions made against the petition as regards the pre-hearing are of no issue,” he said. Justice Abisoye adjourned till July 20 for further hearing.

‘I was not attacked by protesters’

HE Secretary to the Government of Ogun State (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, yesterday said he was neither attacked nor faced the threat of being lynched on Wednesday at the Governor’s Office, Oke – Mosan, Abeokuta, by angry youths. The youths were protesting their disengagement from the civil service. Adeoluwa said he was shocked to discover that some newspapers reported that he escaped lynching by protesters. He said the resolve of former Governor Gbenga Daniel administration to employ 2,000 workers was not only a “landmine,” but also a move designed to “destabilise the new government” of Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The SSG, who briefed reporters in his office, where a video tape of the meeting with the protesters was played, expressed shock over the false and misleading reports. But the “disengaged’ work-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

racy. Sylva spoke when he swore in and allocated portfolios to the commissioners in Yenagoa yesterday. The commissioners are: Stephen Ogulla (Finance); Charles Opuala-Sylva ( Budget, Planning and Economic Management); Ebitei William-Francis (Works and Transport); Opukiri Jones-Ere(Sports); Robert Enogha(Environment); Blessing Apoloma (Agriculture); ThankGod Apere (Housing and Urban Development) and Mike Ogiasa (Special Duties).

Four arrested over beheaded student

•Hold retreat in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

bers which are scandalous and immoral. Party members must live with the knowledge that they have the right of dissent but that they are obliged to consent. Party leaders must also recognise that the power to control and lead is moral.” Former Governor of Ekiti State Otunba Niyi Adebayo said the retreat was for the party to chart the way forward for the development of ACN-controlled states. Adebayo said the ACN must not fall short of the expectations of the people and urged the governors to share experiences with a view to leveraging on areas of strength. National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande hailed the governors for associating in unity with a view to taking a common position on matters of national significance. Akande noted that the governors have attracted attention to their governments as agent of hope and omen of respect to the ACN.

“We are called a progressive party because of the constant directives from and fanatical insistence of our party leadership that our governments must serve the people loyally and selflessly in the most transparent and durable ways of reducing and eliminating mass poverty.” Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who spoke on the topic “Project Implementation: Scope and Challenges”, emphasised on the need to invest in infrastructure and ensure adequate project monitoring, implementation and delivery. Fashola said he wants to make Lagos the model of a mega city in Africa by using infrastructural renewal as the policy thrust for reducing and managing poverty within the Lagos economy. He urged his colleagues to pay attention to project management, monitoring and delivery. Governor Adams Oshiomhole said the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen from 0.10 per cent to 30 per cent

and it would increase to 35 per cent next year. Oshiomhole said his administration was able to save N450million monthly from recurrent revenue by not granting allowances for political office holders to attend what he termed ‘unnecessary seminars’. He said a 10-year plan for the state would see reforms in the civil service, revolution in the educational sector and an efficient local government service. Oshiomhole spoke on the topic “Leveraging Effective Leadership for Good Governance towards meeting Peoples Expectation”. Other dignitaries present included Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila; ACN National Secretary Lawal Shuaibu; Osun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori; Governors of Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo states Kayode Fayemi, Ibikunle Amosun and Abiola Ajimobi. Others are Senator Chris Ngige; Edo State Chairman of ACN Chief Thomas Okosun, ACN National Vice Chairman Southsouth, Osagie IzeIyamu; ACN National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed.

•From right: Fayemi; Fashola; Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa; Oshiomhole; Amosun; Ajimobi and Mrs. Laoye-Tomori

AYELSA State Governor Timipre Sylva has urged members of the executive council to work on set goals and ensure the delivery of the dividend of democ-

OUR suspects have been arrested by the police in Edo State in connection with the beheading of a yet-to-be identified student of the College of Education, Ekiadolor, Ovia Northeast Local Government. Police spokesman Peter Ogboi said the suspects were arrested, following intelligence reports.

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday outlined plans on how its states could develop. It unfolded the plans at a retreat for governors elected under its platform in Benin, the Edo State capital. ACN chieftain Chief Audu Ogbeh, in a presentation, said for parties to survive in Nigeria, they must have the authority to call their members to order, take a position and persuade members to abide by that decision. Ogbeh, who spoke on the topic “The Essence of Party Supremacy in a Presidential System of Government”, said parties, which sought to lead a state or a nation, must display the capacity to order their affairs and followership. He said chaos would always result when parties lacked such authority. “If members have any cause to doubt the leaders, then supremacy is threatened and disobedience becomes inevitable. Leaders must never throw their weight around no matter how important they are. “They must not make demands of younger mem-

ers” protest entered the second day yesterday with the government standing its ground that a fresh employment exercise should be conducted. It urged the affected workers to re–apply for re-consideration. Adeoluwa said: “I was shocked when my attention was drawn to the reports. As you can see, is there any sign of one being under any attack or running away from being lynched? “There was only disagreement on the number and that did not cause any commotion or attempt to have me lynched, but, no responsible government would allow illegality to stand. What I told them was that all those recruited in April by the last administration should go and re-apply.” He urged reporters to always verify their reports before going to press.

Sylva inaugurates exco

ACN governors seek development of states

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

A fresh human head was discovered in front of the school gate on Tuesday morning. The unidentified young man was believed to have been a victim of cult killings that had rocked parts of the state recently. Police are yet to find the body of the student.

Mark seeks emergency rule in disaster-prone areas

ENATE President David Mark yesterday pushed for a State of Emergency in flooded areas. Mark said declaring such does not mean removing the governor but sending personnel and troops to assist the state during emergencies in line with global practice. The Senate President, who spoke at the end of the motion on Flood Disaster in Lagos State moved by Senator Ganiyu Solomon, said the Federal Government should be ready to take from the ecological fund when states make request after disasters. He called on states to be prepared for such disasters by alerting the Federal Government on time. The Senate urged the Nigerian Maritime Adminis-

•Urges NLC, TUC to shelve strike From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

tration and Safety Agency (NMASA) to remove all wrecked ships from the waterways. It also urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to repair roads affected by floods nationwide. The Senate also observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives as a result of the flood. Moving the motion, which was co-sponsored by Senators Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) and four others, Solomon (Lagos West) regretted the destruction and death inlast Sunday’s down pour in parts of Lagos.

According to him, many lives, including children, were lost and property worth hundreds of millions of naira was destroyed. Solomon said some federal roads, particularly the Abeokuta Expressway, collapsed in three places and the Oshodi-Apapa Express way was also flooded and is in danger of collapse. Several ships, he said, had lost their anchor and run aground at coast, while the ocean level of the Atlantic and the lagoon has increased. This has caused coastal flooding and erosion in many communities, including Alfa beach, Ilase and Mayegun. Mark urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and

the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to cooperate with the House of Representatives and shelve the proposed strike. The labour unions had threatened to begin warning strike next Wednesday over non-implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage by the Federal Government and states. The House had on Wednesday invited the unions over the proposed strike. Mark said the House was handling the matter. He said: “It is one National Assembly and there is no competition between the two chambers of the National Assembly.” “The House is dealing with the subject matter. All we need to do is to encourage them to deal with it as expeditiously as possible.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

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Shell, Kolo Creek communities to discuss power By Emeka Ugwuanyi

HE Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture is seeking dialogue with youths of Kolo communities in Bayelsa State, who are protesting against the company for not supplying them electricity in compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the two parties signed on commencement of the Shell’s GbaranUbie integrated oil and gas project. Shell said the communities are being supplied electricity from the facility but due to population and demand increase, electricity demand by the communities has outstripped supply, which has become more than the installed capacity of the powersupplying equipment. In spite of the challenge, Shell said it made an alternative for the members of the community that were not accommodated by its power facility but unfortunately, the alternative is currently being renovated. Shell is of the view that the youths should sheathe their swords and settle for discussion with the company. A statement issued by Shell and signed by Corporate Media Relations Manager Tony Okonedo said: “Some youths from four communities in Kolo Creek – Imiringi, Elebele, Otuasega and Oruma, yesterday protested at SPDC JV’s Kolo Creek field logistics base, about not being supplied with electricity from company facilities. “The fact is that Kolo Creek field logistics base has been supplying electricity to Elebele, Imiringi and Otuasega communities in line with an agreement reached in 1999.

The less we are able to compete, the less we are able to produce and the less we are able to produce, the less we are able to grow and poverty and all the associated fallouts of poor economic performance would keep staring us in the face. –Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala

Nigeria’s foreign reserves N hit $34.5b

IGERIA’s foreign reserves rose to $34.5 billion in July 13, from $31.5 billion a week earlier, netting about $3 billion increase within the period. Foreign-currency reserves stood at $31.7 billion by July 4, compared with $37 billion a year earlier, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) website. No reason was however, given for the sudden rise in the reserves. But Nigeria’s crude oil production had soared to about 2.6 million barrels per day since June. Foreign exchange reserves (also called foreign reserves) are only the foreign currency deposits and bonds held by central banks and monetary authorities. However, the term in popular usage commonly includes foreign exchange and gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and International Monetary Fund

By Collins Nweze (IMF) reserve positions. The banking watchdog had recently said it acknowledged the modest increase to the external reserves in recent months. It, however, noted that inflow into the CBN was not consistent with the high oil prices and, this underscored the need for tighter fiscal controls around oil revenues as well as first line charges including Joint Venture Company (JVC) deductions and subsidies. It said a higher rate of retention of oil revenues should facilitate the efforts at maintaining exchange rate stability as an antidote to imported inflation without excessive reliance on mon-

etary tightening measures. Before the increase, the reserves have been declining, shedding seven per cent from the middle of last month to the end of the month, as the CBN tried to defend the naira. “The current external reserves level is still adequate and is expected to remain robust in view of the favorable outlook for oil prices and output,” CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido had said two weeks ago. Nigeria’s foreign reserves have been under pressure since last month with strong local demand for the United States dollar by oil and rice importers, leading, sometimes, to a depreciation of the naira. The foreign reserves stood

at over $40 billion a year earlier, but have fallen sharply since then due to demand pressure from importers and a reduction in accruals from oil export revenues. The CBN has maintained that the current level could finance more than 17 months of import. Experts say in a highly import-dependent economy with large pass-through effects of import prices on domestic prices like Nigeria, it is necessary to create a climate conducive to larger foreign capital inflows. This could be done through appropriate fiscal measures, particularly in the light of the gains that could be made in the current context of high crude oil prices. There is therefore need of continuing structural reforms and infrastructural development to enhance domestic production to reduce large import cost.

MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.82 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -12.4% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -8% Foreign Reserve -$31.6bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 218 £ 242.5 $ 150.9 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 241.5 RIYAL 39.3

Stories by Adline Atili

XTENDING its partner ship with IBM, telecoms major Bharti Airtel has awarded a 10-year contract to the technology giant for providing Information Technology solutions to its employees across 16 African countries. According to Airtel, under the new agreement, IBM will provide end-user services to Airtel employees across Africa in English and French. It will provide a standard operating environment; help desk and desk side support to enhance employee efficiency and convenience, Bharti Airtel said. The consolidation of Airtel’s helpdesks is expected to bring about greater cost savings and efficiencies through streamlining of the processes for addressing IT operational issues. IBM is already managing Bharti Airtel’s IT operations in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and 16 African countries including Nigeria. It will also include an enhanced information enterprise security solution that further strengthens the Telco’s commitment to customer data privacy.

Globacom to launch Next Generation Charging

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$114.2/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound

Airtel, IBM sign IT solutions pact

• Representative of Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Kingsley Chiedu Moghelu (left) and Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO) Dr. Abraham Nwakwo at the 4th Annual National Conference with the theme: “Global Economic and Financial Recovery” organised by the Department of Finance, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Lagos, held at PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE Afe Babalola Hall UNILAG.

BPE revises timeline for PHCN privatisation

HE Bureau of Public En terprises (BPE) yester day announced the revision of the transaction timeline for the privatisation of the successor companies created from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN.) In a statement, BPE spokesman, Chukwuma Nwokoh,said the decision was due to the imperative of finalising industry agreements and the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO). Besides, he explained that the industry regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other key stakeholders are working towards finalising

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

the industry agreements and MYTO, adding that a lot of work is being undertaken to set up the Bulk Trader and conclude the subsidy structure. He said: “Based on these factors and with the intention of creating the optimal environment for the investors, the Bureau decided to revise the transaction timeline after consultations with the key stakeholders in the electric power sector. The revised timeline also includes an extension of the deadline to confirm the intention to bid and pay the due fee for pur-

chasing the Requests for Proposals (RfP) documents.” Under the revised timeline, draft industry agreements will be posted on August 15, 2011. The deadline for bidders to confirm intention to bid and pay $20,000 for purchase of RFP documents, is August 26, 2011. The issuance of RFP and Information Memorandum documents, according to the statement, will be undertaken on September 1, 2011. The access to virtual data room begins on September 1, 2011. The Pre-Due Diligence Conference would hold on September 16, 2011, while bidders’ site visits are scheduled for between September

19, 2011 and January 16, 2012. The transaction and industry review conference, the statement added, will hold between October 4 and 5, 2011, while the pre-bid conference is scheduled for November 21, 2011. The deadline for submission of bids for the generation companies is January 16, 2012, whereas the deadline for the submission of bids for distribution companies is January 30, 2012. The bid evaluation process for the distribution firms, according to the statement, will be completed on February 14, 2012, while that for the distribution companies is February 28, 2012.

ELECOMS giant, Globacom, has an nounced plans to replace its legacy charging platform with Ericsson’s market-leading charging System. This will allow the Telco to have flexible pricing and discounting plans, and offer rich features to its pre-paid subscribers, such as benefits from loyalty programmes. Besides its charging system, Ericsson will provide a range of professional services such as migration and systems integration services, software maintenance and support for the duration of the ten-year contract. Executive Vice Chairman of Globacom, Paddy Adenuga, said: “We are committed to innovation and developing new service propositions to meet increasing customer expectations of a better experience. “Ericsson’s solution will help us rapidly deploy new products and services, and our subscribers will get more value for their money through better control of costs, bonuses and discounts.” The Nigerian mobile communications market is intensely competitive. User needs are rapidly evolving; expectations continue to grow as the market continues to mature. With this, there is ever increasing pressure on service providers to be more customer-centric and deliver greater value for money.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1. 2. 3. 4.

LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana 1. IRS 2. Arik

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

• From left: MD/CEO Bank of Industry Ms. Evelyn Oputu, Company Secretary, Mr Waheed Olagunju, Chairman of the bank Alhaji Rabiu and a Director, Chief Lawrence Osayemi at the 2011 Annual General Meeting of the Bank at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja... yesterday. PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.

BoI disburses N195b to manufacturers T

HE Bank of Industry (BoI), has disbursed a total of N195 bil lion from the N200 billion set asidde by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the refinancing of manufacturing companies. The Chairman, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, said this yesterday at the bank’s 51st Annual General Meeting in Abuja. The amount, Alhaji Rabiu said, was given to 518 manufacturing companies across the six geo-political zones. He stated that of the N300 billion that was dedicated to the second phase of the power and aviation sectors’ schemes, N83 billion has been disbursed to finance activites in both sec-

Premium Pension asset management hits N125b From: Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

HE Chairman, Premium Pen sion Limited, Mohommed Sabiu Baba, said the firm has registered about 400,000 contributors both in the public and private sectors. Baba, who spoke during the presentation of its 2010 report, said the organisation’s total pension assets under management, has risen to N125 billion. He added that Premium Pension has continued to maintain its position as one of the leading pension fund administrators in the review period. “The company recorded impressive increases in assets and revenue profile for both the firm and the funds under management during the year ended 31st December 2010. “The consolidated portfolio was N125.1billion for the year 2010 which represents an increase of about 32.42 per cent over that of year 2009, which closed at N94.47 billion. The chairman, said the outfit has 11 various legacy funds with the coming of Delta State Legacy Fund, adding that legacy fund increased by N6.4 billion in 2009, thereby raising fund’s portfolio to N46.5 billion in year 2010 from N4.14 billion in 2009. Sani Baba stated that the premium growth fund earned about N3.68 billion interest income in the review period as against N2.69 billion in the year before. However, the dividend income increased from N57million in year 2009 to about N164 million in year 2010. He said as at 31st December 2010, there were seventeen funds under management namely: Premium Growth Fund, Retirees Pension Fund, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC pension fund, Zamfara State Pension Fund.

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

tors. He stated that the component of the Small and Medium Enterprises has begun to yield fruit, stressing that the impact of the financial intervention for power and aviation would be felt as from next year. In the past year, the development finance initiatives of the bank, he added, yielded success, as the number of jobs created by the bank increased from 150, 000 in 2005 to one million, in 2010 Alhaji Rabiu, told shareholders that the bank has returned to profitability. It recorded profit before tax of

N2.57 billion. He said the profit represented an increase of 2.36 per cent over the N105.36m recorded in 2005. He said in 2010, the volume approved investments endorsed by the bank, the chaiman said, was N48.4 billion, saying it represented an increase of 262 per cent over the N18.5bn recorded in 2009. This N48.4 billion, he explained brings the cumulative volume of approvals over the five year period to N114.3 billion from N9.8 billion in 2005. In the coming years, the chairman said, BoI would strive to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth in keeping with it’s mandate, saying the

bank would accord priority to the promotion of projects having high multiplier effects as well as potentials for developmental impact. He said: ”BOI has demonstrated that enterprise profitability and discharge of developmental mandate are not exclusive. In 2010, the bank not only recorded an unprecedented quantum leap in its level of support to the industrial sector, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. It also posted its highest profit.” He maintained that the bank would sustain existing collaborative programmes with its domestic and foreign development partners in the public and private sectors.s

NSE, brokers mull secondary market for bonds T

HE Nigerian Stock Ex change (NSE) yesterday said brokers should look at the possibility of having an operational secondary market on fixedincome securities including federal government bonds and corporate bonds. In a meeting held with the Chief Executive Officers of stockbroking firms yesterday, CEO of the NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema said that the Exchange was restructuring to move the market towards the direction of the economy. Onyema, according to operators at the meeting, said making the market move with the economy means institutionalising structures for fixed-income securities since they are the toasts of investors now. Operators noted that since bonds are attractive to investors now, the market should move towards that

By Tonia Osundolire

direction as people are presently not keen on investing in the equities market. “We are looking at more federal government and corporate bonds, but this time, it is to be traded on the secondary market. The Exchange will put in place infrastructure to allow the trading of the bond just as it is done in the equities market,” they said. Also, it was learnt that the meeting was more of operational issues. Another issue discussed was the inter-member transfer by investors. The NSE CEO was said to have stated that there was an amendment on the time frame of having investors transfer their accounts among

brokers. For a client to transfer his account from one broker to another, a request note is written to the residence stockbroker and target broker where the necessary forms are filled and signed by the CEO of the stockbroking houses before it is passed to the NSE. The NSE will now take it to the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) for the inter-member transfer to be effected. Currently, the process of transfer takes about six weeks but the NSE is automating the process to reduce it to a maximum of three days. At the meeting, it was also learnt that brokers discussed the issue of the market-makers with the NSE, which reiterated plans to see this through.

FCTA plans N156b World Trade Centre

World Trade Centre esti mated to gulp about N156 billion, is to be constructed in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital, Abuja. The Centre which is billed to occupy about 40,000 sq metres, would have a Diplomatic Status. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, while on a visit to the site of the proposed Centre, said the first phase of the project is to be completed by June 2013. Mohammed, who said the funds for the construction of the Centre are to be sourced from local banks and real estate developers, said the site for the project was handed over to Abuja Investment Company Limited ( AICL) to develop as a befitting world class shopping all. He said the scope of the project was expanded to a mega multi-use

From: Bukola Amusan, Abuja

complex consisting of high-rise residential and service apartments towers, office towers, including a central iconic tower, conference facilities and a retail shopping mall, with food and beverages as well as entertainment facilities. “This project is a good example of a successful public private partnership, and it will be used as a model to implement other upcoming PPP projects in the FCT, such as the Boulevard, the Central park and Botanical gardens and the Area 10 mixed development projects,” he said. The Minister, said the centre is billed to be an Economic Development platform and a gateway to the world, by connecting its members to the Global trade community in nearly 300 cities

and 85 countries through a powerful array of information and services. “Because of the high profile and global scope of the project, the FCTA has already written the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain a diplomatic status for the World Trade Centre Site. The Managing Director of Churchgate Group, Vinay Mahtani, said the construction of the centre has already provided job for about 600 people with the number expected to rise to 1500 as the development progresses. He said with the Centre located in prime real estate location, a ring road is to be constructed around the site to give it an unrivalled access with a local and national railway under construction just a stone throw away from the World Trade Centre.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

AGRO-BUSINESS

‘Why we should hasten labelling genetically modified foods’ T

HE Chairman, Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS), Prof Tola Atinmo, has called for immediate labelling of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods for the safety of consumers. He said now that there is a food safety law authorising bio technology firms to produce GM foods locally, the companies should label their products in case they cause allergies to consumers. Atinmo, an Executive Council Member, International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), said GM foods are not generally considered safe, since they contain allergyinducing ingredients, and so must be labelled before being sold in the market. He said GM foods must pass rigor-

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

ous risk assessments to ensure their safety for human consumption before being allowed to be sold in the market. Speaking with The Nation, a consultant to Nestle Food Plc, Dr Olusola Fakankun, noted that labelling of GM foods is a complex issue and that a consensus is yet to be reached at the international level. He argued that since mandatory labelling of GM foods is not an international practice, it would not be in the interest of producers for the government to enforce it locally. He emphasised, however, that GM foods, such as other food products, must meet existing food safety requirements on ingredient listing and

information, to facilitate tracing and recall. Fakankun said labelling genetically modified food could result in extra costs and affect demand for such products. Worldwide, some food experts have strongly pushed for compulsory GMO labelling, while others canvass a wait-and-see approach, insisting that more tests be done on the safety and quality of GMO foods. Regulators from over 100 countries during a meeting, agreed to label guidelines that will make it easier for food manufacturers to say whether their products contain genetically-modified ingredients. Until now, objections from the United States had presented roadblocks to such labels. But the new

agreement means any country wishing to adopt genetically-modified food labelling will no longer face the threat of a legal challenge from the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Samuel Ochieng, president emeritus, Consumers International, said while the agreement fell short of the consumer movement’s long-held demand for mandatory labelling, that it was still a milestone. “This guidance is extremely good news for the worlds’ consumers who want to know what is in the foods on their plates.” Michael Hansen, Ph.D., senior scientist at Consumers Union and lead representative of Consumers International to the Geneva meeting, said labelling GM foods is important in

• Atinmo

part because it allows consumers to report allergic or other adverse reactions to regulators. Edita Vilcapoma of the Peruvian consumer group, ASPEC and another representative of Consumers International at the meeting, said the new agreement secured the right of the consumer to be informed about genetically-modified foods.

$20m soya bean processing factory for Abuja

N indigenous firm, Karma Foods Limited, is establishing a $20 million factory that would take delivery of locally produced soybeans, thereby opening up new marketing opportunities for Nigerian soybean farmers. The 75,000 metric ton processing factory, which is located near the Abuja International Airport, will create additional stable and sustainable demand for soybean in one of Africa’s major producers. Karma Foods plans to source 100 per cent of its soybean demand locally, says Dipak Mirchandani, chairman of the firm.

“We hope that this investment will help reposition soybean production in Nigeria, and more importantly, it will profit the Nigerian soybean farmer, because he will not only have options to sell his products, but also can plant with a sense of security and the assurance that his produce has a committed buyer,” he stated. To meet the company’s soybean demand, Karma Foods and researchers from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), under the Tropical Legume ÉÉ project and the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, would be

backstopping farmers in Benue State with best practices in soybean production. “We see Benue farmers as key stakeholders in this project, because the state plays a leading role in soybean production,” Mirchandani, said. The company, the biggest soybean factory in Sub Saharan Africa outside of South Africa, will be creating tens of thousands of jobs along the soybean value chain, which will help reduce the level of unemployment in Nigeria in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformational

Agric council urges conduct of national agric census

HE National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) has underscored the importance of the conduct of a national agriculture census. Director, Seed Information, Data Management and Capacity Building, Mr Olusegun Olatokun, said such a census would provide data on the total land area that could support farming. The exercise would also provide information on the actual population of farmers and the percentage of farmers engaged in the various aspects of agriculture, among others. “The census will enable us to know the number of farmers who

are into real farming; those who are into fish farming, livestock and poultry production as well as the number of farmers into seed production. He also stressed the need for the government to fund agriculture and make judicious use of research findings to boost the sector’s performance. “He observed that Indian farmers, through effective utilisation of research findings, have succeeded in increasing crop production to between 10 and 12 tonnes per hectare unlike their Nigerian counterparts. According to him, farmers in Nigeria are struggling to produce a “meagre” three tonnes per hectare.

Olatokun stressed the need for the government to establish a specialised agency for data management in agriculture, which would ensure regular monitoring of farmers’ needs. He said the agency would also enable the government to outline the cost implication of the activities of the various agricultural subsectors. “There is need for the government to have such data so that we can know where we are going. “Today, many people do not know where we are going or where we are coming from. We even don’t know where we are right now,” Olatokun said.

agenda. Dr Alpha Kamara, IITA Systems Agronomist, said the emergence of Karma Foods, will go a long way in increasing soybean production in northern Nigeria with a resultant increase in farmers’ income. He explained that IITA and its partners are already promoting soybean production through the provision of high yielding improved varieties, creating awareness, promoting sustainable seed production systems and strengthening the capacities of seed companies to package and sell improved seeds. Described as a ‘miracle bean’ or

‘golden bean’ because of its cheap protein-rich grain, soybean production in Nigeria has been stymied by unfavourable market which often times results to cyclical gluts. Dr. Lucky Omoigui, Molecular Geneticist/Plant Breeder at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, says the new partnership between research and industry will create sustainable demand and supply for the commodity, and make the farmers proud hence they now have a very large and committed buyer who is reaching out to them.

Conference seeks measures to tackle post-harvest losses

CONFERENCE of experts in food safety has called for a national policy to tackle increasing incidence of post-harvest losses (PHL) among farmers. The Mycotoxin Roundtable which was held in Ibadan, stressed the need to put in place strategies to further reduce losses, saying measures to control mycotoxin contamination of staple foods should be given priority. According to the forum, organised by the Mycotoxins Society of Nigeria (MSN), mycotoxins are chemicals produced by fungi that are harmful to humans and domestic animals. The chemicals contaminate staple foods and feeds, posing a number of significant food safety concerns. The body stated that the staple diet of most Nigerians is grain commonly infected with mycotoxins. The conference called for better storage to reduce high incidence of diseases in populations attributed to chronic exposure to these toxins.

According to it, research has revealed a positive correlation between mycotoxin consumption and immunosuppression, especially in HIV/AIDS patients If the government is going to rely more on local produce to cut food import bills, the conference advised the government to announce measures that will help farmers. Several issues were discussed under the conference’s theme: Mycotoxin Management in Food and Feed and they include: overview of the global impact of mycotoxins , predisposing factors that lead to mycotoxin formation, standard mycotoxin detection techniques, permissible limits and intervention strategies. There were responses from the conference attendees and invited local farmers and other stakeholders. The responses gave rise to a list of suggestions that could help mycotoxin reduction, management and increase awareness among Nigerians.

Fadama III: Abia disburses N39m to community associations

• A road show by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Lagos State Co-operative FederaPHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS. tion Limited (LASCOFED) during this year’s International Co-operative Day.

HE Abia Fadama Office says that it has disbursed addi tional N39 million to Fadama Community Associations (FCAs) in the state. Mrs Ezinne Otuka, the State Programme Co-ordinator (SPC), disclosed this in Umuahia during the fifth tranche of funds disbursement to 23 FCAs selected from 10 local governments. Otuka commended the beneficiaries for the interest so far shown in the programme. “Our target is that in 2013, we will have enough food in Abia and also be able to feed others outside the

state. “At the rate the programme is going, we in Abia, are no longer talking about implementation, because we have already recorded huge success. “We are now concerned with value addition and how to do other things that will increase food production in a sustainable manner.” Otuka urged the FCAs to make judicious use of the funds, saying: “If we could disburse this money without putting attachments on them, we expect you to use same for the purposes they are meant for.’’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

2011

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

AGRO-BUSINESS

Plateau spends N10b on agric centres

LATEAU State spent about N10 billion on three agricultural services training centres in the last four years, Governor Jonah Jang has said. Jang said this when he received Mr Goerge Deek, the Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Israel, in Jos. “The centres will cost Plateau N10 billion and the Israeli government is committing N2 billion into the project. They are being replicated in the three senatorial districts. “Kassa (Plateau-North) and Mangu (Plateau-Central) centres were inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan last year. Shendam (PlateauSouth) will soon be completed. We are registering the centres as public companies so as to have full private participation,” he said, adding that his administration was determined to revolutionise

• Gov Jang Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

agriculture. Jang said Israel would continue to hold 20 per cent shares in the centres, pending when the state government’s shares would be sold to the public. The governor said his admin-

istration would make agriculture the mainstay of the state’s economy to make it depend less on federal allocation. “Over 70 per cent of our population are peasant farmers. We want to make agriculture more attractive by turning our peasant farmers into big-time farmers.” He said to eliminate the activities of middlemen, efforts were ongoing to ensure that farmers benefitted maximally by selling their produce directly to the centres at profitable prices. Meanwhile, Jang said 73 cows had been imported for the centres’ dairy farms from Israel, to strengthen the existing co-operation with the Jewish state for the benefit of Plateau people. He described his visit to Israel last week over partnership in agriculture as fruitful. Earlier, Deek said due to the state’s agricultural potential,

Israel was determined to assist with all the necessary expertise. “The farm centres have recorded impressive results of international standards. This is a commendable achievement by the government. “The Israeli Agency for International Cooperation and Plateau Government have come up with an idea to bring experts in different fields to Plateau twice monthly.” Deek recalled that Israel had faced challenges in agriculture more than any country, adding that such difficulties spurred them to evolve creative ways of tackling them. He expressed regret that most farms were abandoned during the dry season due to water scarcity and drought. He said Israel was ready to partner with the government to revolutionise agriculture in Plateau and Nigeria generally, through its expertise.

N75b CBN loan: Oyo farmers optimistic over disbursement

HE Oyo State branch of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has expressed optimism that the N75 billion earmarked for farmers under a loan scheme initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will be disbursed equitably. Emmanuel Elegbede, the Chairman of the AFAN branch, said the loan, which was under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme, is not new to farmers in the state. Elegbede said many farmers in the state did not benefit from the initiative in the 2008 edition due to corruption. He, however, expressed confidence on the resolve of the Jonathan administration to ensure a transparent disbursement exercise which would boost food produc-

tion. “I will set the machinery in motion on how to access the loan whenever the state government is given what is due to it,” he said. Elegbede, who commended the Federal Government for ordering the disbursement as the planting season was taking off, urged the CBN to expedite action to meet the pressing needs of farmers. The CBN on June 27, said it has earmarked N75 billion to boost agriculture in the country. Meanwhile, three economists have commended the new policy of the CBN to cut food import bill by N630 billion annually. They said in Lagos that the policy would improve local agricultural output. They claimed that agriculture was the only answer to

the challenges facing the Nigerian economy because of its potential to generate employment opportunities for youths. Dr Kazeem Bello, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics at the University of Ibadan, said that Nigerians should not depend on imported foods. Bello said that importation of food items was depleting the external reserve and urged the Federal Government to be serious about reviving the sector. “The idea portends good for the economy if the government can be focused and sincerely implement the right policy that will affect the sector positively,” he said. Dr Olumide Owoade, Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the Lagos State

University (LASU), said that the government should develop the necessary infrastructure that would make the policy to succeed. “The government should develop the agricultural and the real sectors if it intends to achieve the objective,” he said. He said that the financial gains from lower food import could be used to provide good roads and constant electricity supply. Dr Taiwo Opeyemi, also a lecturer in the Department of Economics at LASU, said that the success of the policy would depend on effective implementation. He said that the policy would stimulate the real sector and reduce importation of rice and other products that could be produced in the country.

• From right: Head of Service, Lagos State, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Dr. Olajide Basorun and President, Lagos State Co-operative Federation Limited, Alhaji Saheed Oki, at the International Cooperative Day, Merit Award Nite at Sheraton Hotels and Tower Ikeja.

FARA-led project wins prize in UK

HE UK Collaborative on Development Sciences (UKCDS) has announced the winners of the Africa College Prize on Impact on Food Security and Human Health. The event took place at the Africa College International Conference at the University of Leeds. Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa’s (FARA’s) Prof Adewale Adekunle and his team in the sub-Saharan Africa Challenge Programme (SSA CP) came first.

Adekunle is the Director of Partnerships and Strategic Alliances and Coordinator of the sub-Saharan Africa Challenge Programme (SSA CP). The winning project, “The Integrated Agricultural Research for Development concept (IAR4D)”, brings together stakeholders in agricultural research and development to interact, identify problems, generate solutions and implement them. It takes a holistic approach

by creating an innovative platform (IP) that tackles the entire value chain and addresses technological, institutional and infrastructural problems. The concept was implemented through 36 IPs in eight countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Director, UK Collaborative on Development Sciences (UKCDS), Dr Andrëe Carter said: “It is increasingly im-

portant for research to demonstrate impact, but it is often difficult to define or isolate how a particular project or programme of work can make a difference.” She said UKCDS was delighted to sponsor the Africa College Prize to spotlight the excellent research and innovation being carried out in sub-Saharan Africa. “We will build on the success of this award and encourage other researchers to profile their work,” she said.

STATE FOCUS

Agro business opportunities in Osun By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

SUN is an agrarian state. At least, 60 per cent of its active population work in agriculture. Arable and permanent planting areas occupy 70 per cent of its land mass. The state is working towards being self-sufficient in food production. Against the backdrop of its natural resource base, agriculture is among the leading productive sectors and fundamentals of its economy. The growth rate for agriculture is increasing tremendously. Agriculture in Osun is central to food security, as it supplies significant amount of fruit and vegetable, fish, chicken, beef and pork to satisfy local consumption. There are varieties of agricultural produce in the state. These agricultural produce constitute a springboard for the establishment of various agro-allied industries. These include maize, rice, yam, cassava, sweet potato, cocoyam and gari. There are fruits such as oranges, grape, fruit, lemon, tangerine, plantain, banana, mango, pineapple, pawpaw, guava, bread fruit, walnut, chrysophyllum, albidum (agbalumo), invingia gabonensis (apon).the people grow pepper, tomato, amaranthu (tete), okro, melon, (celocynthis citrulus), waterleaf and bitter leaf. There are tree crops such as cocoa, kolanut, coconut, oil palm, raffia palm and cashew. The available trees in Osun State forest reserves include Chlorophora excelsa, Terminalia superba, Antiaris africana, Tectona grandis, Gmelina arborea, etc. They are useful for production of timber, billet, tooth picks, particle boards, electric poles, furniture, match sticks, etc. The state government has invested and continues to invest heavily in agriculture with the intention of mass production of various crops for direct human consumption and industrial utilisation. This, coupled with the • Governor Aregbesola agro-allied provision of an investment-friendly environment, has set the stage for massive agro-allied industrial investment in the state. Production and export of value added products remain relatively small, but the government wants agriculture to be characterised by the production and export of primary products. Livestock and fishing contribute to gross agricultural output and employment. The livestock/animal population in the state include cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry and rabbits. Governor Rauf Aregbesola has vowed to make the state a veritable economic hub of the Southwest. The state agricultural development plan outlines a strategy of agricultural diversification as one of the primary means of increasing rural incomes, employment and reducing rural poverty. This strategy endorses focus on production of nontraditional commodities for local and export markets, thus expanding the agricultural base of the economy. The key goal is to increase mechanisation, better yield, and good production and harvest management. To this end, farmers in Osun are expected to benefit from schemes introduced by the government to boost food production. Already, there are efforts to teach farmers in rural areas how to use pesticides to control pests and improve soil fertility. The Ministry of Agriculture is supporting the extension service to develop farmers’ field schools and to conduct integrated pest management across the state. The state government is partnering with China on agriculture and farm produce processing and has welcomed the Chinese investors to boost its agri-oriented industries. The governor said the state is keen on agricultural programmes and projects particularly food and is determined to improve logistics to enhance movement of agricultural produce from the state to Lagos where the market is. The government is exploring the possibility of having investment in heavy agricultural equipment. These initiatives and the role of donor partners and technical assistance agencies complement the state’s capacity to address the critical issues identified for agricultural development. The development challenges to the food, agriculture and natural resources system are no different from other states of the federation.

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Southwest and Edo State governors are out to chart a new course to promote genuine people-oriented governance in their region. Last Friday, five of the states met in Ado-Ekiti to decide the scope and range of the integration. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN, who was there, reports the outcome of the initiative.

A quest for regional integration in Southwest

HE idea itself was sufficiently revolutionary. It was a day seven out of 36 governors agreed to forge a united front to confront and possibly combat the malaise of underdevelopment that has afflicted the country since creation of states became a regular exercise in 1967. Many saw it as a daring project. Amid the speculations about the wedlock of different political personalities and ideas in an age when divisions in politics are more of joggled semantics than ideologies, five governors of the old western region, with the understanding of the other two, at Ado, the Ekiti State capital, last Friday. Their mission: To consolidate and make decisive efforts to actualise their muchhyped regional integration for general growth of their domain. The areas under their immediate focus include energy, transportation, agriculture, manpower and others as may be deemed necessary and possible. The historic event took place at the Executive Council Chambers of the Ekiti State Governor’s Office where five of the seven governors of the concerned states were in attendance. The development seekers appeared at the venue in a white-coated luxury coaster bus. They were: Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori. They alighted into the waiting hands of top Executive Council members of the host state, led by Governor Fayemi. Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State and his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole sent apologies for their absence which they described as unavoidable. They were briefly addressed by Fayemi, after which they went into a closed-door session from which they emerged barely two hours later with a communiqué, on the crux of the initiative and the tasks ahead. The initiative was first broached in November 2010. But only governors of Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states were at that chance meeting. The parley last week, was therefore a cheering improvement on the maiden one in terms of attendance by the parties concerned and its outcome. They agreed to set up a 21-member Technical Committee to dilate on the various issues of development in specified areas of agriculture, infrastructure, health, education among others. It comprises three members from each of the seven participating states Earlier in his address, Fayemi had recalled the maiden meeting and noted that a follow-up meeting was deliberately delayed to allow for “total liberation and emancipation of Oyo and Ogun States which by the grace of God and the benevolence of the people of those states, came to fruition recently.” Fayemi noted that the meeting was the first genuine effort to “kick-start the process of building a new momentum for engaging and mobilising our respective states to harness our inherent capacities. It will also enable us to

(L-R): Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka; Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Deputy Governor of Osun State, Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Deputy Governor of Osun State, Titilayo Laoye-Tomori and the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajomobi at the South West Governors’ Forum meeting in Ado Ekiti. Behind Fayemi is Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosu.

build a consensus on major issues of communal concern and also facilitate a genuine process of political and economic cooperation for the muchneeded rapid growth and development of our dear states.” Fayemi read the communiqué. According to it, the states would share from the experiences of previous efforts at regional integration to harness the gains of regional cooperation and pool resources to gain advantages of economies of scale to further aid desirable development. The Chief Executives equally reached consensus about sharing experiences and exploring areas of collaboration with other geo-political zones that operate similar cooperative efforts. The communiqué stated that since all the constituent states are historically connected and have common values of making life more abundant for the people, the implementation of the idea would be devoid of party affiliation

among the member states. Earlier, Fayemi had regretted that the do-or-die politics that was imported into the region in the last eight years by a certain political party had reduced the economic strength of the zone. He expressed the strong hope that the regional alliance would offer the platform for exiting the morass suffered in the ‘lost’ years. The speech of the Osun State governor also reflected shared enthusiasm about the need for combination of efforts. Aregbesola said: “Considering our afflictions and struggles of the past, we can say we have now been placed at the appropriate historical junction to integrate our region, strengthen our unity and uplift our people.” He said further: “It has been my cry in the past that we needed a visionary political platform that must, with the support and mandate of the people, and having control of government in

‘It will also be the first of its kind among other geo-political entities, a development which may aid a replication of such alliances in other zones with attendant synergies across broad segments for improved national economy. However, some observers have recognised politics and timing as potent threats to the actualisation of expected gains’

the western states, implement an integrated economic plan, a unified development agenda with central consideration for Lagos economy and prospects as a driving force.” There can be no doubting the gains of an alliance of a regional bloc that seems providentially positioned to blaze trail in every area of the economy, given the abundant collection of human and material resources. The collapsing of artificial barriers of politics for a more enduring legacy of well-oiled relationship between genealogically connected entities may settle minds indeed regarding concerns about what would be in respect of the cooperation. It will also be the first of its kind among other geo-political entities, a development which may aid a replication of such alliances in other zones with attendant synergies across broad segments for improved national economy. However, some observers have recognised politics and timing as potent threats to the actualisation of expected gains. They contend that there is a permanent undercurrent of transient political calculations among the major actors that could frustrate every step on the way to making profits from the initiative. Timing is also recognised as having a part to play in frustrating actualisation of the alliance. The fact that very soon, some of the governors will be going for elections, is seen as another factor. But feelers from the cooperating governors hinted that they have recognised possible impediments and are working out ways to surmount them.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

POLITICS

Why Lagos deserves special status, by Fashola’s aide

HAT are the lessons that can be learned from other countries, which have moved their capitals from old capital territories to new ones? Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Regional Integration, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, who spoke on the plight of Lagos, stressed that the metropolis deserved recognition as the commercial nerve centre and former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) shouldering enormous national responsibilities. From the colonial days, Lagos had played host to many people from across the protectorate. During the depression of the 1930s and 40s, many relocated to the city in search of greener pastures. At independence, the metropolis became a mini-Nigeria. Due to the influx of people from the 35 states, there is pressure on social amenities. When the FCT was moved from Lagos to Abuja, there was a subsisting agreement that the city would not be abandoned. In fact, five cities; Enugu, Port-Harcourt, Ibadan, Kaduna and Lagos were later designated as ‘Centres of Excellence’ by Muritala Administration. The plan was to make them cities of pride by the federal government. However, since Lagos was disrobed as political capital of Nigeria, the federal government abandoned the city. Successive governments have refused to borrow a leaf from countries which relocated their national capitals without abandoning infrastructural development of the former capitals. Adebiyi told our correspondent in Lagos that the time is ripe for Nigeria to emulate Germany, Brazil, Malaysia, Australia and Tanzania, which, after relocation their seats of government, did not stop developmental programmes targeted at the former capitals. From 1954 to 1994, the capital of Germany was Bonn. It was moved to Berlin, following the endorsement of the ‘agreement of movement, which spelt out the responsibilities of German government for the maintenance of the old capital. The Special Adviser also gave the example of Brazil, which moved its capital from Rio-dejainero to

• Adebiyi By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

Brasilia. He said that, up to now, all federal roads, buildings and other infrastructure in both cities are maintained simultaneously by the central government. “This is the concept of dual cities at work”, Adebiyi said. Malazia has also maintained two capitals. Its old capital, KauraLampur, has been retained as the legislative capital, where the National Assembly operates. Its new capital, Putrajaya, which is the most computerised city in the world, is the administrative capital. In Australia, the old capital, Sidney, still enjoys special recognition. Although Campera is the new capital, most activities of government, international conferences, party conventions and meetings still hold in the former capital city.

‘If water coming into the drainages of the local government and state roads can find space in the bigger drainages that are supposed to be built along with the federal roads, the type of flood we experienced recently would not have happened’

Fayemi lauded over inauguration of Ekiti SIEC

HE Association of Local Gov ernment of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ekiti State has commended the Dr Kayode Fayemi-led government for inaugurating the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC). It noted that the inauguration came at the most auspicious time in the life of the state. The governor had, on Monday at Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, inaugurated the SIEC with Chief V. E. Adelusi as chairman. Its members are - Chief Remi Olowoloba, Alhaji A. Coker, Mr Olanrewaju Aina, Chief Soji Oloketuyi, Chief Gbenga Agbona, Mr Dele Oloje. The ALGON Chairman, Chief Joel Omoniyi, in statement signed the ALGON spokesman in the state, Mr Gbenga Sodeinde, said the governor’s action had punctured an erroneous impression in some quarters that he would continue to use delay tactics to extend the caretaker tenure against the stipulated law unlike his predecessors. “We have taken our time to study

the personality of Governor Fayemi and we have no doubt that he means well for his people. Instead of rushing into hasty conclusions on matters of state, he takes his time to do a thorough thinking and execution, all in the interest of the people. This is what we have just seen in the case of SIEC,” he said. Commenting on the calibre of the appointees, the ALGON chairman said the governor would not have appointed better persons into the board of SIEC going by the appointees’ track records. The body described them as persons of proven integrity who had made their marks in their various chosen careers. Besides, the association described the governor as a focused leader who knows what is good for the people of the state, particularly at the grassroots level. The statement, however, added that with SIEC board in place, the coast is now clear for democracy to further take root at the local government level.

The former capital of Tanzania is Dar-es-Salam. When Dodoma became the new capital, the old capital did not suffer neglect. Adebiyi wondered why the federal government cannot take cue from these examples by according Lagos a deserving special status. Lamenting the state of federal facilities in the city, he said: “Most trunk A roads, drainages, canals and other infrastructures, which the federal government is supposed to maintain in Lagos and other Southwest States, have been abandoned for decades’. He made references to LagosIbadan Expressway, Lagos-Ore Road and Lagos-Abeokuta Road, which are now death traps, urging the federal government to wake up from slumber. Adebiyi pointed out that the recent flood in Lagos was compounded by the neglect of the city by the Federal Government. He said: “If water coming into the drainages of the local government and state roads can find space in the bigger drainages that are supposed to be built along with the federal roads, the type of flood we experience recently would not have happened”. Lagos State government over the years invested a huge amount of money on infrastructural development, especially construction of drainages, durable roads, beautification and restoration of parks to forestall the negative impact of flooding, erosion and other environmental hazards. However, the Special Adviser pointed out that “these efforts are not enough because of the ever increasing population of Lagos State and its position as the economic nerve centre of Nigeria”. To complement the efforts of the state government, Adebiyi said the federal government should release adequate funds from the ecological funds to assist the state in dealing with the effects of environmental hazards. He added: ‘The federal government should review its responsibilities to Lagos as the old federal capital territory and other former regional capitals; Ibadan, Enugu, Benin City, and Kaduna, which were capitals of the old Western, Eastern, Midwestern and northern Regions”.

‘Nigerians, expect peopleoriented legislature’ By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

MEMBER of the House of Representatives from Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, has charged the National Assembly to be selfless, patriotic and refrain from toying with the collective destiny of the nation by playing the ethno-political card. In a statement, he said any issue raised at the National Assembly always assume a national dimension and warned that politicising such issue that affects all Nigerians may plunge the nation into crisis. Bamidele assured Nigerians that the 7th National Assembly at lower chamber under the leadership of Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal would offer a platform for robust legislature in the country through the pursuance of issues in the overall interest of the people. “Nigerians should be expecting surprises and patriotism that had never been witnessed in the history of any national assembly in the next four years,” he said. Bamidele, who is representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1, said the bulk of the members of the present National Assembly are accomplished individuals, whom he expected to sacrifice some of their benefits to palliate the sufferings of the downtrodden masses. The former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State reiterated that the members of the National Assembly would pursue issues that would be in the overall interest of the nation and not the ones that would smack of personal aggrandizement and parochial interest. The Reps member, who was emphatic that the members of the hallowed chambers would operate as one indivisible family, despite its multi-party nature, however, declared that the opposition members would not hesitate to play their traditional roles when any issue of national interest is being manipulated by a group of people. Bamidele who is the Acting Chairman, House Committee on

‘We assure Nigerians that we will not do anything that will ridicule the hallowed chambers in the eyes of all Nigerians and international community. We are committed to the growth and development of our dear nation because democracy is growing in this country’ Media and Public Affairs, also warned the leaders of all the political parties in the country against ridiculing the sanctity of the National Assembly by politicising issues of national interest raised on the floor of the Houses. He said: “We assure Nigerians that we will not do anything that will ridicule the hallowed chambers in the eyes of all Nigerians and international community. We are committed to the growth and development of our dear nation because democracy is growing in this country. “And to prove that democracy is growing, our people must begin to feel the dividends of democracy. We will put in place all the laws that will effect good governance at all levels and ensure that an average Nigerian can raise his head tall anywhere and chant the name of Nigeria to high heaven.” Bamidele, who had earlier promised to forfeit some of his personal benefits to facilitate job opportunities and empowerment programmes, said he would never renege on the promise. “On these promises I stand and I will never waiver or renege on them. It is a bond and covenant between me and my people and I am ready to fulfill it even better than I promised,” he said. He called for unity among Nigerians for the current political office holders at all levels of government in the nation to be successful and deliver on their promises.

•Chairman ad-hoc Committee on Media, House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele (middle), with other members, Nnena Ukeje (left) and Aliyu Gebi during a press briefing on the reduction of the House of Reps members PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE earning at National Assembly, Abuja.

THE NATION FRIDAY,JULY 15, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Obama administration shows how to treat a terrorist suspect

Rail rhetoric •Government must keep its promise on Lagos-Ibadan fast train

N the face of it, the recent announcement by the Federal Government that it would award a contract for the construction of a fast rail link between the cities of Lagos and Ibadan is welcome news. Any project that would improve the connections between two of Nigeria’s most economically vibrant cities can only help speed the socio-economic development of the south-west and the nation as a whole. The announcement, which was made by Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the opening of the Nigeria IncentiveBased Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), is a clear recognition of the importance of an effective transport infrastructure to the growth of any nation. It is particularly gratifying that there appears to be a new emphasis on rail, which is by far the most cost-effective mode of transporting people and goods. For too long, Nigeria has neglected rail in favour of roads and air transport to such an extent that it no longer plays a significant role in national development. A fast rail link between Lagos and Ibadan would have palpable benefits. It would immediately ease the difficulties of travelling between the two cities, almost all of which are currently confined to the heavily-overused Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Agricultural products, industrial equipment and other goods could be moved safely and cheaply, consequently lowering costs and prices. It could also serve as

a viable template for development by linking major economic zones across the country by rail. Like most good things, however, the devil is in the details. What is the guarantee that this laudable project will ever get off the ground, given the demise of similar projects in the past? Attempts to modernise the rail sector have been plagued by corruption and inefficiency that are scandalous, even by Nigerian standards. The U.S. $528 million contract signed in 1995 between the Abacha regime and the Chinese Engineering Construction Company (CECC) to rehabilitate the country’s rail network never came to fruition. In 2006, the Obasanjo administration launched a U.S $8.3 billion railway modernisation programme to reconstruct the LagosKano railway. The project, which was supposed to be the first phase of a 20year railway modernisation programme, was cancelled by the Yar’Adua government in 2008, amidst accusations of contract-inflation and corruption. Nigeria lost an estimated $1.6 billion to the Chinese contractors. If the Lagos-Ibadan fast rail project is not to go the way of its predecessors, it must go through a transparent bidding and award process. The financing options must be economically viable and not constitute a burden to either the contractor or to government. The over-inflation of contracts and other forms of misappropriation must be thoroughly investigated and those

found culpable must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Jonathan administration should also learn to situate specific development projects within the context of a more comprehensive policy framework. The Lagos-Ibadan fast rail project will only be truly effective if it is part of an overall land transport programme that must include the expedition of the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the resuscitation of rail links to the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, and the enhancement of rail transport as a viable means of inter-city transportation. Nigerians are tired of hearing their governments talk about what they plan to do. It is time for such talk to be matched with resolute action.

‘The Lagos-Ibadan fast rail project will only be truly effective if it is part of an overall land transport programme that must include the expedition of the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the resuscitation of rail links to the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, and the enhancement of rail transport as a viable means of inter-city transportation’

Anthony Aniagolu (1922-2011) •Eminent jurist left his mark for constitutional democracy and activism

E had great company at the Bench in the likes of Kayode Eso, Chukwudifu Oputa, Andrew Obaseki, Muhammadu Uwais, among others, who created what was considered an ‘activist’ Supreme Court of Nigeria. Though they did not entirely discard complicated legal technicalities, they often weighed in more on the side of the rule of law and natural justice. Anthony Nnaemezie Aniagolu was in this class of that glorious era of the Bench from the late ‘70s to the early ‘90s. Notwithstanding the reign of a capricious military leadership at the time, these men were erudite, luminous, principled and, more important, courageous. This great breed further diminished in number recently with the demise of Aniagolu on June 28, at the age of 89. Aniagolu hailed from Eke, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. He schooled at St. Paul’s Elementary School, Eke (1931-38); Government College, Umuahia; Christ the Kings College, Onitsha (1940-44). He started his legal education with the intermediate LLB (London) before he went on to study at the University of Bristol, UK (1948) and was called to the Bar in 1952. He started practice under the tutelage of the revered judge, Daddy Onyeama same year he left Bristol. Eight years later, he was appointed a judge of the High Court of the East Central State of Nigeria (1965) and in 1973 he became a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Regardless that his time at the Supreme Court was mainly in the military era, he

acquitted himself creditably and left indelible imprints. In his contribution to a decision of the Supreme Court in the landmark case of Olaniyan and Others v. University of Lagos, which buttressed his humanist mindset when he remarked so eloquently that: “the procedure adopted by the Council (of the University of Lagos) may be quick, convenient and time-saving, but the dictates of justice demand that the legal principle of audi alterem partem must be obeyed no matter how cumbersome and inconvenient it may appear to the Council. To remove a public officer in flagrant contravention of the rules governing him, whether under contrite or regulation made hereunder, is to act capriciously and to destabilise the security of the tenure of the public servant, frustrate his hopes and aspirations and thereby act in a manner inimical to order, good government and the well-being of the society.” Aniagolu was member of many commissions, tribunals and committees both in the old Eastern Region and at the federal level. Chief among these was chairing the Tribunal of Enquiry into the Kano Religious Riots in 1981(Maitatsine Disturbances). His was also the historic duty of chairing the National Constituent Assembly 1988, whose outcome was the 1989 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Upon retirement from the Bench, Aniagolu took up appointment as a visiting scholar in International Jurists Programme at Capital University, Columbus Ohio. He was also Pro-chancellor,

University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, and Chairman of the Governing Council, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (1991). He had the rare distinction of being honoured twice, first as Officer of the Federal Republic, (OFR, 1964), then Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON, 1981). Aniagolu was also knighted twice by Pope John Paul II as Knight of Saint Sylvester and Commander with the Star of Saint Sylvester. Commenting on the state of the Bench recently in the wake of corruption allegations engendered by serial election appeals, he told a newsmagazine that: “Justice represents the Almighty God himself. It touches the heart of God and once you are corrupt on the Bench, you no more deserve to sit on that Bench.” Such was the tenor of his character and his fidelity to the Bench and indeed, the

‘Commenting on the state of the Bench recently in the wake of corruption allegations engendered by serial election appeals, he told a newsmagazine that: “Justice represents the Almighty God himself. It touches the heart of God and once you are corrupt on the Bench, you no more deserve to sit on that Bench’

RINGING Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame to the U.S. for a civilian trial demonstrates to the world that the United States is willing to afford due process even to its bitterest enemies. Republicans are livid about the way the Obama administration handled the apprehension and arrest of an accused Somali terrorist. But — with one exception — the treatment of Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame was a creditable balancing of national security concerns and due process. President Obama should resist pressure in Congress to make such an approach impossible. Warsame was arrested April 19 and interrogated on a U.S. Navy ship before being flown to New York. He is accused in a nine-count federal indictment of supplying material support to Al Qaeda in Yemen and the Somali group Shabab. Republicans have two complaints. They argue that bringing Warsame to the United States violated congressional statements opposing the transfer of suspected terrorists to the United States. The other grievance is that Warsame will be tried in a civilian court. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) combined the two criticisms: “The administration has purposefully imported a terrorist into the U.S. and is providing him all the rights of U.S. citizens in court.” It is easy to dispose of the canard that accused terrorists can’t be brought to the United States because their trials would pose a danger to the public. Several terrorist trials, including that of 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui, have been held without incident. As for the argument that Warsame shouldn’t be given “all the rights of U.S. citizens,” it is precisely that feature of civilian trials that demonstrates to the world that the United States is willing to afford due process even to its bitterest enemies. If the administration is to be criticized for anything, it’s the decision to hold Warsame on a ship. The structure of the interrogation itself was defensible. Warsame was questioned for intelligence-gathering purposes without being read a Miranda warning (meaning that nothing he said could be used against him in a criminal trial), then read his rights before a separate criminal interrogation. That is likely increasingly tobe the model for questioning alleged terrorists. But holding a suspect on a ship creates a coercive atmosphere regardless of how scrupulous questioners are. Detention at sea also is reminiscent of the “black sites” used by the George W. Bush administration to interrogate suspected terrorists. Warsame should have been brought to the United States for questioning. Congress already has barred the transfer to the United States of inmates at Guantanamo Bay, and the House has passed legislation barring the transfer of detainees from anywhere outside the country. Enactment of such legislation would foreclose the possibility of civilian trials like the one Warsame is facing. Obama needs to stand his ground and veto such legislation. – L.A Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Controller (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: Nigeria is blessed with large reserves of petroleum deposits and this explains why there are lots of exploration and exploitation activities in the country. This “black gold” is Nigeria’s largest foreign exchange earner. In truth, Nigeria is not just all about crude oil as there are large deposits of other natural resources scattered around. Unfortunately, they are under-exploited due to our overdependence on Petroleum. If enough research and exploration activities are carried out on most of these resources, which include renewable energy sources, the energy situation of the country will improve a great deal. Generation of electric power has been a massive problem that has faced successive government administrations in Nigeria and I think renewable energy has some answers to this intriguing puzzle. Nigeria lies in one of the tropical regions of the world and so, with the huge amount of sunlight we receive, the availability of adequate funding and a few bright minds in the renewable energy sector, government can forge ahead in their quest to ensure that the country’s power generation capacity is drastically improved, through the use of the renewable and inexhaustible energy of the sun, which comes to us at no charge. Not only are these renewable energy sources cost effective, they are also “GREEN”, in the sense that they do not pollute or harm the environment by emitting carbon contents into the atmosphere, which in turn, promote global warming. And with an accession to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol by Nigeria on 10/12/2004, these renewable energy sources will help drive down our carbon emission levels and help us achieve our targets, hence making the environ-

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The case for renewable energy ment healthier and safer. The city of Freiburg in south-western Germany portrays a case of Sustainable Development at work. The city has become an eco-friendly city, one where the power of nature is being fully utilized to the benefit of all the inhabitants. Freiburg has profiled itself as a sustainable city, driving actively down its carbon dioxide emissions by regulation, incentives, design, long-term commitment and policy reform. Freiburg’s specific target areas include energy and transport. The three key pillars for future development in Freiburg became en-

ergy saving, new technology and renewable energy sources. Freiburg has branded itself as the Solar Region of the world. At the end of 2006, it had an overall solar module electricity generation capacity of 8.6 Mega Watts (MW) and over 12,000 m2 worth of solar-thermal collectors to capture heat from the sun. In 2006 alone, two Mega Watts of new solar energy capacity was installed. Nigeria could take a cue from the city of Freiburg. If a European city can generate such power using the power of the sun, then imagine what

Nigeria, a nation that lies in the tropics, could possibly achieve using the same solar energy. Solar power if implemented on a large scale can effectively complement the current power output we receive from our ageing power generating plants and in-turn, improve our electric power production capacity. People say nuclear energy is also an option here but really this option has more cons to it than pros. Nuclear power will require a lot of experts in the field of nuclear energy but unfortunately, there is a dearth of such experts in Nigeria. Again,

Questions Senators didn’t ask Okonjo-Iweala

IR: Those of us who, for lack of electricity or timing opportunity, could not watch the Senate’s screening of ministers on TV can only rely on what we read in the newspapers or heard on the radio. I read that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala noted that Nigeria had spent billions on refineries “without tangible results”, and asked “the National Assembly to strengthen its oversight function” to unravel what went wrong with the refineries. She was quoted further as saying that Nigeria obviously needed new refineries, and that there was no reason why the country should not be able to achieve the goal. Fine talk indeed! But I am disap-

pointed that the Senators did not ask Dr. Okonjo-Iweala what the responsibility of the President who signed the checks for the refineries without result was. Does she think the government is capable of running refineries, successfully, in a country in which government’s property is stolen, because public property is nobody’s property? What is her opinion on the belief that privatization is a sine qua non for development? Another area in which I found a lacuna is where Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was quoted as alerting that the 2011 budget of Nigeria is inimical to development because the recurrent expenditure is about 74 percent of the total budget. My question is: What

will Dr. Okonjo-Iweala do about it as Finance Minister? Remember that the first person to impress Nigerians and the international community with that kind of revelation was the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. But that was where it ended; it did not translate into change. Are we not into another meaningless eureka? I would fault Dr. Okonjo-Iweala for saying that “the present regime of fuel subsidy is not reaching the poor”. I believe she betrayed lack of knowledge of the level of poverty in Nigeria. She needs to be told that only the rulers and others who are in privileged positions who

Why Adoke should be removed now!

IR: President Goodluck Jonathan should urgently consider removing Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Bello Adoke for advocating the merger of EFCC/ICPC. Adoke has never been helpful in the cause of fighting corruption in Nigeria. During his first term in office, he took over the prosecution of corruption cases involving highly placed individuals. Among these are the Minister of State for Health, Alhaji Suleiman Bello, alleged to have solicited for and received the sum of N11.2 million from Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State in 2007. Bello who was then the Resi-

nuclear energy has now become a key issue in the world due to the fact that it goes hand in hand with Uranium enrichment. Also, nuclear power is a very expensive and extremely dangerous option and with the present volatile nature of parts of Nigeria, it won’t be a wise idea to have nuclear plants around. Also, Nigeria cannot handle the possible effects of a nuclear disaster occurring at these plants. These disasters can be very devastating like those in Chernobyl, northern Ukraine in 1986 and most recently Fukushima, Japan. Finally, finding appropriate energy solutions that will fuel economic growth and increase social equity while protecting the environment is one of the major challenges facing humanity in this early part of the 21st century and renewable energy seems to have some of the answers to it. It is time to embrace it. • Nonyelum Nwanekezie Elelenwo, Portharcourt.

dent Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State was alleged to have collected the money as “hardship allowance” for the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and got N750, 000.00 as his own share. After its investigation, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, was on December 21, 2010, granted leave by a Federal High Court in Yola to commence Bello’s trial. The two other persons committed to trial along with him were in court on the appointed day but Bello was not there. It was a counsel from the office of AGF Adoke that appeared to inform the court that the

Federal Attorney-General had taken over the case. Cases of the Vaswani brothers, top officials of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, the Halliburton and Julius Berger were similarly withdrawn or taken over by Adoke. It is also on record that Justice Pat Ajoku of the Federal High Court last year resisted the move by Adoke to withdraw charges of theft of assets of the Daily Times Company of Nigeria worth N3 billion against the directors of Folio Communications. The judge acknowledged the power of the AGF to withdraw criminal charges against any person but averred that such power must be exercised in the public

interest to prevent abuse of legal powers. It is therefore disturbing that Adoke could open his mouth to pour invectives on EFCC, ICPC for being inefficient in the anti corruption fight in Nigeria. Rather than strengthen the various anti-corruption agencies, Adoke is actually playing the spoiler by mounting campaigns about the inefficiency of the EFCC/ICPC. President Jonathan should do the needful on Adoke’s unguarded utterances if Nigeria must be saved from the locust. • Favour Tommy Ojelimafe Ambrose AlliUniversity, Ekpoma Nigeria.

misappropriate the commonwealth don’t need the subsidy. The big collaborators of the multinational corporations, such as the contractors, oil companies, mobile phone providers, etc. who exploit the people don’t need it either. But the overwhelming majority of Nigerians need it (the subsidy). Even though Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said that Nigeria’s economy was better managed under the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with her as Finance Minister, why was it that the regime performed woefully on infrastructure? ith her as Finance Minister? The former Minister for Finance, Olusegun Aganga, was also quoted as telling the Senate that “revenue generating agencies, such as the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation were not making remittances to the federal treasury as required by law,” and that the problem could be checked through the forensic auditing of the ministries concerned. According to him, “The law says that they should remit 80 per cent of their revenue to the treasury, but this does not happen.” Did he report any of these to the President; and what did the President say or do? Now that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has been employed, we wait to see how she will bailout our economy from the doldrums. • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D, University of Ilorin.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011 16

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Bad belle? (1)

Reality Bites M

(Not to trash or praise Reuben Abati)

Olatunji Ololade

ANY people are talking about Reuben Abati. They probably shouldn’t be talking about Reuben Abati – within and outside the Fourth Estate of the realm. I probably didn’t have to do this piece too. But I did anyway, if not for anything, as a worthy tribute to one of Nigeria’s self-styled activists. And one of the very best too. Who is Reuben Abati? Let me tell you about Reuben Abati. Not a few Nigerian graduates have sought his mobile phone number and audience just to have him append his name in the reference section of their résumé. They believe that having him attest to their employability is a guarantee to securing that plum job. That is just a bit of who he is. Bet you know of his impeccable penmanship, enviable accomplishments and guts. Then you must be aware that he flaunts an enviable academic record completing his PhD at the age of 24. He has also won several journalism awards including The Cecil King Memorial Prize for Print Journalist of the Year in 1998 and the Diamond Award for Media Excellence for Informed Commentary in 2000. And that is hardly all about Reuben Abati. Today, many Nigerians at home and abroad are ardent fans of

his engaging discourse, literary prowess and breadth of character. And the reason is hardly far-fetched: over the years, Abati had evolved into an unrepentant advocate of “governance for the collective good.” Little wonder he became Chairman, Editorial board, Guardian Newspaper following an enviable career as a lecturer. Via his column, he preached accountability, honesty, and irreproachable passion for the just and moral. Every week, Abati played the conscientious guard of the rule of law. He faulted dishonesty on our power plinths and ruthlessly picked apart, corrupt leadership, wherever he spotted it. Many a time, his intimidating morality served to identify numerous specks in our eyes, blatant defects in our character or our lack of it. Yet even when we became the butt of his activism, we swallowed his bitter truths with relish and loved him for it. And this is a bit of who he was to you and me. Let no one impugn the character of Reuben Abati. The persistent assent of his pieces was the prologue to his ascent up the ladder even you are desperate to climb. No diatribe from the most caustic tongue or pen could hurt him now.

‘It is not clear yet what inadequacies he shall be ordered to cover. It is not clear yet what guilt may unman him. Now that he has stopped speaking truth to power, he shall start speaking truth according to power. I guess he knows that he has finally entered that gory tale which he was desperate to end’

FEW years ago while paying tribute to Aremo Olusegun Osoba, ex-governor of Ogun State, I said his days in office were characterized by a policy I called “trans-party politics”. Under this, I submitted, “the ex-governor pursued an agenda that appeared quite antithetical to his party’s stand, but favoured the interest(s) of the people”. I distilled Akinrogun Osoba’s ideas of politics and governance thus: development (of the society) is a political neuter. Whether your party is of the left, right or centre you need to introduce a programme of harnessing available resources (or creating them) in order to establish platform to empower the citizens. And as you go about this process you must watch against unhelpful encumbrances of party or political labels. All that the electorate or constituency wants from the elected public office holders is to deliver the goodies of life to the society. In other words you are accountable to the people, not to the party (or your cronies) in the long run. I cited two occasions where Osoba, an AD governor, was located identifying with the position of the ruling PDP administration because he believed that on the issues in contention what the latter stood for was in the interest of the nation. It was a matter of principle! He held his ground without breaching party order! Now, nearly a decade after Osoba left office and as we honour the journalist-turned politician at 72, the events of our day challenge us to look at his philosophy and adopt his pragmatic approach to party politics in the “federal” system we claim to be operating. Only a few months ago, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, hardly a chum of Osoba, acknowledged this political liberality of his fellow Egbaman. He declared in a widely publicised interaction with newsmen: “I (as PDP President) enjoyed more respect from Osoba (an opposition AD governor) in Ogun more than any other governor. Osoba gave me land to build the presidential library, even the house where I now live”. The do-or-die politics practiced by Obasanjo himself as evinced in some of his mild actions however ran counter to this broad-mindedness he gained from! This piece of information coming from Obasanjo about what went on behind the scenes in the heady days of our resurrected politics after the transition from military rules in 1999, depicts the picture of a one-sided affair. A president is seen sipping from the seemingly bottomless depth of the good-natured heart of a governor of another party. But there is a twist in the tale as this man sitting atop

It is obvious nobody knows what Abati knows. What he sees, we do not see. It does not matter what anyone thinks of his spirited lunge across the social divide, Reuben Abati has paid his due. Having presided as Chairman on Guardian Newspaper’s editorial board quite successfully, his resignation from the esteemed post to serve as President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication could hardly be faulted. Abati has earned the bragging rights to whatever bounty years of scholarship and immaculate penmanship has accorded him. Hence you can rant as much as you like; you may divine the worst for Abati just because he decided to seize good fortune by the nettle, it won’t change a thing. This morning, he was still Special Adviser on Media and Communication to President Jonathan; he still is, even as you read. Yet I do crave your indulgence particularly that of Reuben Abati; that I may asseverate in the spirit of his fabled tenor, forthrightness and rigid morality that he never dithered to impress. By his recent appointment and acceptance of it, some see that his robust media experience and analytical prowess shall bear fruitfully in the management of President Jonathan’s governance style and public image. I see that too…and then some more. I see ambition holding him like a raving spouse, clever as the treacherous are clever, digging up his secret truths…unmasking him from his fabled genius. I see desire expose what hopes he hoards and dare not hoard. I see Reuben Abati remind us all of what we are sick of remembering. It is not clear yet what inadequacies he shall be ordered to cover. It is

not clear yet what guilt may unman him. Now that he has stopped speaking truth to power, he shall start speaking truth according to power. I guess he knows that he has finally entered that gory tale which he was desperate to end. But he couldn’t care less for if anything, his current appointment epitomises one of those blatant super strokes from the hands of fate. In any case, Abati has chanced on his epiphany; he is in one of those rare moments that yield to a journalist and columnist, opportunity to actually stop pushing pen and barter his much hyped sincere concern for the average man on the street for that lush, irresistible chance at the good life. But what is the good life? What denotes fulfillment cum ultimate accomplishment in our proverbial calling? At what point must one ditch the practice of high morality for the lure of the proverbial national cake? What correlates with being on the right side of history? Where is the right side of history? What signifies the apex of the practice for the conscientious journalist? A promising post as Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Chief Press Secretary, Personal Assistant – Media, Personal Assistant-Photo Affairs to Mr. President and company? Perhaps he could have stayed put on his moral mount. He could have politely declined the offer and nominated in his place a brilliant, dependable underling for the demands of conscientious journalism cum social surgery that he performed and so gallantly preached demanded that much. Maybe it would ring well if he had been invited to serve as Nigeria’s next Minister of Information or External Affairs Minister. But even these I be-

To Segun Osoba at 72 By Banji Ojewale

the “federal” administration eventually topples his benefactors and does the unthinkable: seizing the legitimate the revenue of a neighbouring state governed by the party of the benefactor! All through, an urbane and calculating Osoba, given to a strong belief in history as the ultimate arbiter in temporal affairs, is unruffled, biding his time and settling into semi-retirement, away from the sharks of politicians, believing he’ll have the last laugh. Did he? Yes, as demonstrated by the upshot of the series of political activities that gave birth to the ACN victories in the Southwest, Osoba’s Ogun inclusive. Osoba is widely regarded as the grand old architect of the Ogun triumph. I recall that prior to the April poll, he made a dramatic return to Abeokuta, the state capital, after the “loss” to Otunba Gbenga Daniel in the 2003 governorship ballot. The former Managing Director of Daily Times group made a mighty show of his comeback, riding in an open car with a convoy and tumultuous crowd of supporters that resulted in hours of standstill. Why didn’t Osoba simply “sneak” in – in his characteristic way of working effectively offstage away, from publicity and the prying eyes of the people? Critics say he was making a statement. His “loud” return presaged a change or the restoration of the ideals and vision he introduced in his era. Now Osoba didn’t fall into a fatal temptation of insisting that he’d present himself as the governorship candidate as did a godfather in nearby Oyo State. Obviously Osoba’s mission was beyond personal justification. He sought an alternative platform for the delivery of the dividends of democracy for his people through his party. If he did it through a personal agenda then it might be counterproductive as it was with the party it displaced and with the case of our godfather in Oyo. Some writers have suggested cynically that age and a fear of losing inhibited Osoba and not a question of principles and self –respect. I don’t think so. Ex-Governors

lieve, would be beneath a Reuben Abati: “renowned columnist,” “agenda setter,” “leader of leader writers,” “oracle to journalism lecturers and students,” “nemesis of tyrant democrats and corrupt leadership.” Much as I tried, I could not picture Fareed Zakaria, Larry King or Christiana Amanpour, ace columnist, journalist and talk show hosts of Time magazine and Cable News Network (CNN) respectively, desert their esteemed roles as guardians of the public good and conscience of America to play dignified errand boys and girl for the Barack Obama administration. But much as I would like to believe that the name and title, Reuben Abati…Chairman Editorial Board, Guardian Newspaper; imbued with incontestable dignity and character undiminished; like so many others, I probably do not see what Reuben Abati sees. Thus may I be forgiven for baring thoughts that ought to be probably left unbarred? Perhaps Abati would probably not see this as an affront to his “Excellency,” “honour” or whatever appellation currently suits his rank. Perhaps he shall learn to affect the same level of patience, tact and sportsmanship successive leadership struggled to affect to his often scathing, didactic and hardnosed criticisms back when he was Reuben Abati, the guardian of public morality. Perhaps he shall imbue his purportedly exalted office with every enviable attribute save the eloquence of a presidential doormat. Perhaps he is reading this too and loving it and seeing it as a worthy tribute to Reuben Abati before the demystification of Reuben Abati. For SMS only 08038551123

Ajasin and Adefarasin made it to Government House in their mid-70s. Osoba has been known to take daunting risks without fear of losing under more intimidating circumstances, both as a journalist and as a politician. To settle that I return to my point that Osoba’s politics is driven chiefly by a decision to serve (satisfy) the people and not to serve narrow constituency. In his view, his own party or circle of family, friends or village represents a relatively narrow ground. He may have emerged with the support of, and from a party, family, friends, or village; but in the long run he isn’t accountable to then once he secures a larger mandate. This latter commission of course is no licence to contemn your source. You maintain regular contact, as a stream to its source. Nigeria’s political terrain, and by extension, our society will be cleaner and be devoid of the rancour and systemic corruption that have plagued it if the players see service to the people as a consuming passion. A politician or public officer must always allow that passion to destroy his personal ambition the moment he assumes office. They are unsuited to politics and public office who can’t relegate private pursuits, who can’t resist pressure that scorns programmes meant for the welfare of the masses. All the crises of credibility and conflicts in society are the direct consequences of failure of governance. Let’s correct it with a caring and selfless political leadership as seen in the politics of Olusegun Osoba. Happy Birthday Akinrogun! •Ojewale is a media consultant.

‘Nigeria’s political terrain, and by extension, our society will be cleaner and be devoid of the rancour and systemic corruption that have plagued it if the players see service to the people as a consuming passion. A politician or public officer must always allow that passion to destroy his personal ambition the moment he assumes office.’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION For neither man nor angel can discern Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks Invisible, except to God alone. ———John Milton (1608 - 1674) English writer in: Paradise Lost N the periphery, it looks as if only few northern states in the federation are under siege of the dreaded religious sect called Boko Haram. But when profoundly scrutinised, it will be clear to the discernible that what started like a few northern states problem might infiltrate other states in the country. And this is the more reason why the security agencies must henceforth be on sustained red alert. It has become routinely worrisome to daily read about the wanton killings and destructions being perpetuated by the Boko Haram criminals masquerading as religious fundamentalists. My fears for the escalating nuisance called Boko Haram stem from the reported revelation of Lieutenant General Jeremiah Useni, Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) during the group’s visit to Aso-Rock, Abuja to confer with President Jonathan Goodluck. Gerry-Boy as the retired general was fondly called when he served as one of the henchmen in the infamous regime of despotic General Sani Abacha said that the group allegedly used to function as a political thuggery arm to a former governor of Borno state. In the man’s words: ‘…I remember when I was the Deputy National Chairman of the ANP, I went to the state (Borno) to commission some projects and when we were driving along one of the major streets, I saw young boys selling petrol in jerry cans and I asked him(the governor), why he allowed them to be selling on a major road like that, and he said, ‘no, no, leave them they are very useful during the elections, we can use them to turn everywhere.’ The general further stated; ‘so it means they were used during the elections. So that was how it (Boko Haram) all started.’ Prior to the time Gerry-Boy made this statement, it was reported in the media that the State Security Service (SSS) quizzed Modu Sheriff, the immediate past governor but like every intelligence encounter, the outcome may never see the light of the day. One only hopes that whatever was gleaned from that security meet would be useful to the SSS and other

EN times I asked myself, what is your business in this matter? Ten times I answered, it is in public domain. Twenty times it flashed across my mind; who made you a judge in a family matter? And I said to myself, I am not judging. Call it my own intervention in a matter of public interest. But beyond public interest, there are lessons in family relationships to be learnt. It is also an escape from too much politics. The story of Robert Nnamdi Olujimi Odogwu is tears-evoking. He is the Diokpa (first son) of an elder statesman, Iwedike Sonny Odogwu one of the most successful post Independence Nigerian entrepreneurs, industrialists and businessmen. Now Diokpa seems to have long fallen out of favour with dad, Iwedike but currently, Diokpa has fallen on hard times and he is not ashamed to say it. He granted an interview recently to a national newspaper, Newsstar (June 15, 2011 pages 27 and 28) titled:”My dad and I are like cat and mouse” Diokpa is an American trained pilot who flew for two (now rested) airlines, Concord and Sosoliso. He is over 60 years therefore can’t find job as a pilot so easily. There lies the dilemma. Hear him, when asked about getting another job: “Even though the Government of Nigeria has extended the retirement age by a few more years, all the employers of labour right now are looking at it like, should we employ someone who has passed the normal age of retirement? I’ll be very happy if I can be employed again instead of sitting down here and thinking about what I don’t know. Because the only job I know is flying machines.” Asked whether he is not involved in any other business? He answered; “I am not, I’d tried to put my hand in other businesses but nothing seems to work. If anything, I’ve lost all the money I had.” Now talk of falling doubly on hard times, this scion of a magnate is too old to do the only job he knows, he’s lost savings dabbling into business and now resides in the crowded area down town (Oko-Oba Agege) with his family. At a time like this, a hallowed family name becomes a burden. You dare not mention who you are but everybody knows anyway. As you pass, they point and snigger. Why is your relationship with your dad Iwedike , like cat and mouse? “How would I know? You should ask my father that question. I love my father very much but I don’t think that he likes me at all. Like I told you, everything changed after the Nigeria-Biafra war, till today, I cannot explain. It’s beyond the normal human physical reasoning; maybe spiritual, I don’t

The hypocrisy of Boko Haram

•Alli Modu Sheriff security agencies in nipping the menace of Boko Haram in the bud. But beyond the finesse of security quizzing lies the truth that must be told to those in elective positions across the country. What Gerry-Boy accused the former governor of Borno state of, whoever that person is, is also happening in other states across the federation. What this means is that what is happening in Borno, Bauchi, Yobe, Taraba and other states in that region can if care is not taken happen in other regions in the nation. Except we all want to be clever by half, it is an open secret that most past and even some currently serving governors rely on thugs to win elections at all cost and to rule their states. It has even been alleged that

some of these thugs could be so daring to the extent of allegedly wearing police or army uniforms to snatch ballot boxes during elections. The veracity of this allegation remains sketchy because none of these vagabonds have been apprehended by law enforcement agencies. Nevertheless, it could be said that behind every rumour, there is an iota of truth. So, one expects that the former military general will not be frivolous as to make such weighty statement against a former governor. The admonition from the statement credited to the Abacha buddy is for all governors engaging the services of thugs, whether to subdue opposition or to win elections, to think twice because events have proved that things might get out of hands and probably beyond redemption. There are several examples of replication of what is happening in these northern states in other regions in the land. In Oyo state under its immediate past Governor Alao Akala, some dangerous members of the NURTW loyal to the outgone governor were empowered to misbehave and to sometimes kill innocent members of the public. At a time, the control of these lawless miscreants went beyond the imagination of their creator. These social vermin Governor Abiola Ajimobi inherited and upon realising the magnitude of their violent inclination quickly took the drastic but proactive step of proscribing their union in Oyo state. The same thing that happened in Oyo also happened in Ogun state under the immediate

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

(SMS O8055001684 email: steve_osuji@yahoo.com

Iwedike Vs Diokpa Odogwu know.” How about this: he has not had physical contact with his father, Iwedike in five years, he says and even though he calls dad often, the answer is always: “He’s in a meeting, he’s busy, bla, bla, bla. All to avoid talking to me. I think he just believes I am old enough to take care of myself. He had always told me ,look, at the age of so, so and so. I was already a multimillionaire; my father never had money to give me, I wonder why you try to lean on me.” For those still wandering why a strictly family affair should be the preoccupation of a columnist, here is Diokpa’s answer to the question about his social life. “Poor man dey go party? uuh? I sit down at home, broke as hell (laughs)I don’t even have light. We are in a place where NEPA would give you light once a month and give you a bill of N10,000 every month. And when you don’t have money to buy diesel or petrol, what do you do? You are just there watching what life is bringing. But as I said earlier, I’ve attained one stage in life where I have started to stop feeling. You know when things are happening in the negative I just feel off. But then the only time I feel on again is when I see my children unhappy. “Then I feel sad. At times to them, daddy does not seem to understand what’s going on. But daddy understands everything. Everything going on with them, how they are feeling and I feel for them too. But there is nothing daddy can do.” Diokpa Odogwu is at the nadir of life and he says so in very clear language. A silverspoon who once attended one of the best primary schools in Nigeria along with the likes of Charles Taylor, an American trained Pilot of 27 years’ experience and the first son of a billionaire industrialist today he can’t even power his gen set, he can’t cater for his children. What could have gone so wrong? Does this remind us of the prodigal son? The most paradoxical proverb told by Christ in the

bible to explain His sometimes inexplicable notion of love. For those not familiar with the bible (Luke 15vs 11-31), here is a rough paraphrase: a certain son of a wealthy man rose one morning , told his father to apportion him his share of the estate that he may go live in faraway country and explore life. His father obliged him a chunk and he set off. No sooner had he reached his land of bliss than he blew his inheritance on the things reckless young men blew their money on including the sort of women I must not mention here... He soon found himself sharing dung with pigs. Then it occurred to him that even servants in his father’s house don’t eat in the muck. He decided to return home not as a son but as a servant to his father. On sighting his son, his father threw the biggest party ever to welcome him back and reinstate him. His home bound brother was mad! “I have toiled with you in rain and shine, I have never demanded to go burn your riches in faraway land between the laps of… (homeboy must have choked with rage, I guess), yet you never rewarded me with nary, a bottle of cold beer,” he fumed. But the old man consoled him saying,” see, we have to celebrate this day. You brother here was lost and we found him, he was dead and he has come back to life!” When it is said (often flippantly) that “God is love,” I guess this is what it means. Unlike we mortals, He always looks for opportunity to heal, to regenerate, to uplift to give us a second chance. Absolutely no sin is too grevious for his awesome redemptive nature. The matter between Iwedike and his Diokpa is surely more than we know or we even need to know. But as Ndigbo say, the bottom that is used to being draped in silk should never be allowed to be naked, it does not make a good sight. Besides, we were never meant to be all equally endowed. How many men have the grit and the touch of Midas as Iwedike? Great men’s shoes

past Governor Gbenga Daniel. The man was reported to have allegedly armed members of the NURTW and several alleged cult boys that were loyal to him while in power. Some have even argued that whenever those boys could not get things to do on the political turf, they use the guns at their disposal to inflict mayhem on inhabitants of Ogun through car snatching operations and the likes. Though Daniel might not come out to admit it, the boys must have gone beyond the boundary he marked for them which definitely would have caused him some regrets at some points. The promotion of violence by those in power has moved far and wide to the south-south where political thugs of men of power from the Niger-Delta under the guise of militancy have wreck havoc on the entire nation. The only difference between the Boko Haram of the north and the cultists/commercial bus drivers cum militants of the south is that one group hides under Islamic religion to perpetuate evil while the other hides under the umbrella of unionism/militancy/rascality to commit acts of criminality and brigandage. It is sad that the militarisation of the Nigerian society is unfortunately being promoted by those who erroneously thought that sponsoring acts of violence in their sphere of influence is synonymous with not only effectively controlling the wheel of governance but also being in power. Therein lies the hypocrisy of Boko Haram that without being immodest is rampant among majority of past and present political office holders in the country. Succinctly put, that is why it has been very difficult for past and the present administration to curb the menace of Boko Haram. Let us remove the hypocrisy of Boko Haram from our approach to governance and the menace will forthwith be conquered by our security agencies.

‘Though Daniel might not come out to admit it, the boys must have gone beyond the boundary he marked for them which definitely would have caused him some regrets at some points’ usually turn out to be too big to their children. I wonder if it is not sometimes better to be a son of nobody than the wahala of being the son of somebody. Edsel Bryant Ford was said to have been pressured to an early end by his father Henry Ford, the American auto mogul. Edsel died at 49 and his hard- driving and tempestuous father returned from retirement to reclaim his empire. It won’t hurt for Iwedike to be reconciled to his Diokpa especially now that he can be said to be at the reconciliation stage of his life. This is a small task for the Asagba or His Lordships in Asaba. Last Mugs: of Robin Hood Emeka Offor and Superman Aregbesola: Dear readers, you are getting two mugs of my special Expresso (not espresso) coffee for this weekend. Enjoy. You must have read recently that a certain Emeka Offor donated stuff worth N900m to schools in Anambra state. Well for some of you still tweaking your brains wondering who on earth is this fella, let me help you. Yes, it’s the same honcho who in cahoots with Baba (there is only one Baba!) collected Anambra allocation at source in Abuja for four years and pocketed it. Remember those crazy Obasanjo days when one Woke Mbadinuju was said to be governor and schools in Anambra were closed for aboutone year- no salary, no pension, people died of hunger yet allocation was being signed off in Abuja? Yes, it happened in Nigeria. Na wao, we don waka o, to misquote Fela. Well, it’s ok for Emeka to try and return some of our money but what’s Gov. Peter Obi, SGF AYim Pius Ayim and those Igbo big men doing at that occasion legitimising Emeka Offor? All is well that brings wealth hmn? Well I am confused but If Emeka wants to make atonement, he knows what to do, he should make a simple public apology to Anambra people first. As for my Comrade Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state, he should please quit acting like a super man and form his cabinet quick before the whole country raise placards against him. It’s scandalous that since November last year when the court restored his mandate, he can’t find people good enough in Osun state to run the government with him. Leadership is about leading a team well not excelling alone. Like the Yoruba say, if it takes 20 years readying for madness, how many years more do we have to relish in it? Please don’t serve us a meal you will never eat o! MY ERROR: Last week on this column, I suggested that Samanja ( Usman Baba Pategi) is late. Tens of readers sent messages to correct and even upbraid me. I stand corrected and I am sorry.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NATION SPORT NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

AHEAD FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP

Nbiene lauds Jonathan for monetary incentives

HAIRMAN of the Swimming Competition under the revived Nigerian Academicals’ Sports, Godwin Nbiene has said that the monetary incentives of President Goodluck Jonathan, coupled with the successful hosting of the just concluded National Sports Festival hosted by Rivers State under Governor Rotimi Amaechi, would definitely boost Academicals Sports most especially Swimming.

From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja In a chat with reporters in Abuja during the week, Nbiene lauded President Jonathan for not only boosting the Festival with monetary incentives but also personally gracing the occasion to encourage the young athletes that participated in the competition, while the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amechi also

ensured a unique and successful hosting of the Nigeria fashion of the Olympics that was rounded off last week Saturday. “My congratulations to President Goodluck Jonathan for ensuring a hugely successful hosting of the 17th National Sports Festival and I also commend the Rivers State Governor for providing the enabling environment and good facilities which most of the athletes attested too.

Globacom/NFF deal will transform football –Pamodzi Boss

HE renewal of the sponsorship deal between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and telecommunication giant, Globacom Limited has positioned football as one of the platforms for the actualization of the national transformation vision of President Goodluck Jonathan. This was the position of Mike Itemuagbor, the Chief Executive Officer of Pamodzi Sports Marketing (PSM) Limited who facilitated the amicable resolution of the partnership dispute between the two organizations, thus paving the way for the five-year contract extension sealed last week in Abuja. Itemuagbor, who is a Marketing Consultant to the NFF, said the Globacom sponsorship deal will provide the NFF a strong financial base and the enabling environment for a more efficient administration

of football in the country. He said, “The Globacom deal comes as a big relief to the NFF, considerably reducing their financial stress and allowing them space to address their minds to finding solution to the developmental issues of football in the country”. This renewed partnership with Globacom covers the sponsorship of the Federations Cup, Women Football League and the National Professional League. To the Sports Marketing consultant, job opportunities will be created in football and allied industries. “The NFF is now in a position to play a significant role in the President’s National Transformation policy as the revival of Federations Cup, Women Football and the National Professional League will resuscitate otherwise moribund job opportunities providing platforms

for youths to express their talents in football and stimulate related businesses that go with football match events”. Noting that Globacom has remained the biggest corporate supporter of sports in Nigeria, he congratulated the NFF for successfully negotiating the renewal of the deal. In his words, “It is easier to attract a new sponsor than retain partnerships given the unstable environment that obtains in most African markets and it is on this basis that I appreciate Globacom’s perseverance and also congratulate the NFF for successfully closing this deal”. Through the renewed sponsorship deal, Globacom now holds multiple sponsorship rights covering all the National teams, the Women League, the Federation Cup and the National Professional League.

“While congratulating the newly appointed Sports Minister, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman on his appointment as the no 1, Sports man in the country, I am using this opportunity to urge him to do more for sports and build on the successes recorded by his predecessors. I am very sure Academicals Swimming would benefit as well as other sports under him”, Nbiene prayed. He, however, revealed his vision and projection for swimming in schools from primary to the tertiary institutions. “Our projection for swimming in schools in the next three to five years is to breed talents that could go beyond the shores of Nigeria to make names for themselves and the country by winning laurels in international competitions. That is why Academicals Sports is very important in this country. He, however, revealed a swimming project that the Rivers State Governor, Amaechi has promised to throw his weight behind in order to unravel swimming talents in the country. “It’s been wonderful what we discovered in Port Harcourt. Governor Amaechi has been able to embark on a wonderful project in building the Games Village in Port Harcourt which has sports facilities. In fact it is one of the best of it’s kind in Nigeria and even in West Africa and we say kudos to the Governor of Rivers State for embarking on such project”, Nbiene summed up.

Obuh pardons Flying Eagles trio F

LYING Eagles coach John Sam Obuh has forgiven the three players who have stayed away from his training camp in Portugal ahead of the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia. Skipper Ramon Azeez, Stanley Okoro and Aliyu Mohammed will no longer be teaming up with the Nigeria Under20 team in Europe after they delayed in getting their passports for visas. “I have forgiven the players. We could all see that the problem of not joining up with us in Portugal was not from us but the players and those handling them,” Obuh said. “What is now left is for me to decide who among them could add value to the squad I’m already preparing.” The Junior Eagles will leave Faro 2am Friday for Lisbon, where they will connect a flight to Amsterdam after which they will set out on an 11-hour flight to Panama City. Meanwhile, coach Obuh has attributed his team’s below-par showing to anxiety by the players over who will make the final cut for the

•Flying Eagles players in training

World Cup. “I’m certainly not satisfied with what the boys played against Portugal,” he said. “It was the entire team and not just a handful of players and one could attribute it to the fact the players were

NATION SPORT Okaka hurt after Roma snub

Taiwo: Ronaldinho is S my idol T

UPER EAGLES and AC Milan defender, has said that he cherishes Brazil football super star, Ronaldinho. The 26 years old Nigerian international, while responding to questions on Sky Sport Italia recently informed that he adors the former Barcelona sensational player, who has since returned to Brazil. ''My idol is Ronaldinho. It is a pity that I can not learn from him here at Milan . Allegri? I have not talked about yet but he seems a great coach, I have to do anything to deserve the starting spot, '' Taiwo said. It will be recalled that the former

Gabros lateral defender has since resumed training with the Italian giants and regrets not meeting Ronaldinho, who he descibes as his idol. In a trecent report however, coach Max Allegri has expressed satisfaction at the performance of the former Olympic Massielle of France defence ace in the pre-season training. Taiwo joned Milan at the close of last season in a record move after his contract with the Franch side expired.

either being too careful or too overzealous all in the bid to impress and in the end they make many mistakes. “I believe we will improve a lot more especially when the tension over the final squad is over.”

Egwim’s brace sinks Sharks

Jay-Jay brought tears to my eyes –Emma Okocha

ORMER Nigeria International Emma Okocha described the early beginnings and rise to stardom of his younger brother Austin Jay-Jay Okocha in an exclusive interview with SuperSport.com. His career was at the peak in 1990 when he scored Nigeria’s lone goal in a 1-5 loss to Algeria in the opening match of the African Cup of Nations in Algeria. He was a firm favourite with then Dutch coach Clemens Westerhof. He would star as Nigeria finished a close second, losing narrowly 0-1 to Algeria in the finals. He would remain an integral member of the team and as his career nose-dived dramatically, his brother’s star began to rise. Though even he didn’t take notice until a memorable encounter that he shared with us. He told SuperSport.com: “When I think about Jay-Jay, there’s always this wry smile on my face, you know, because of how we grew up and everything. “When I was in the National team in the late ‘80s and 1990, he was playing for his school team and I never took time to actually find out how he was doing. I never actually took notice, maybe because I was much engrossed with my own career. I

was always travelling. I never actually found out how good he was or what was going on, on the side.” Emma also starred for the legendary club Rangers, where Jay-Jay would make his mark before heading to Europe. He spoke fondly about the first time he came face to face with the reality of his brother’s abundant talents. “When I came back, he had signed for CCB, that’s the bank, and he was playing for them and I was like ‘okay, I’m going to go and find out how he is doing one of these days’. The next game we had, an FA cup game, was against CCB. I didn’t even know he was in the first team. I used to hear little things about him but when we lined up, I saw him lining up on the other side.” “I was like, ‘have you finished your house chores? Did you finish washing the plates before you came out?’ He was just laughing. We shook hands and, to my utmost surprise, he was the Man of the Match. He tore Rangers apart. We won that game one nil but it was narrow and I was like ‘okay, that gave me a little bit of something to think about’.” Emma sums it up nicely: “In a very short way, he brought tears to my eyes a lot of times watching him play. Tears of joy.”

•Taiwo

Crown players threaten boycott against Bukola T

HE players of Crown FC of Ogbomosho are threatening not to honour their Weekend NPL clash with Bukola Babes over the failure of the club’s management to keep to the promise of paying part of their sign on fees for the current season which they alleged they have never received a dime from since the league season began last year. The players in a distress call to NationSport stated that their Week 33 NPL cracker at home against the Ilorin based club may not be played if at least 50 percent of their 2010/2011 NPL season sign-on fees are not paid to them as already promised them by the club’s management before now. They reason that they have found it difficult to make ends meet with only their salaries which they reckoned have not even been fully paid till date, solely to lean on and with a lot of responsibilities on their hands as the breadwinners of their families. They are thus admonishing the top hierarchy of the club to release the monies due to them just like their sister club management, 3SC did to their players recently. “ We may not play our weekend league match at home to Bukola Babes. The reason is very simple we want the club’s management to pay at least 50 percent part of our sign-on fees for this season. We have not collected any percentage of it and it is affecting us in the fulfillment of our financial obligation to our families. "We didn’t train yesterday and if nothing is done before the match against Bukola Babes, we are not

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri going to step out to play the match.”The players echoed to NationSport.

'FIFA ban would have improved Nigerian football'

FEANYI Egwim’s brace gave Rangers a 2-1 win over Sharks in Wednesday’s rescheduled week 31 game at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu. Egwim who joined the Coal City side from Crown during the mid-season, scored ,in the 15th and 25th minutes respectively while Sharks lone goal came in the 87th minute. The victory has taken Rangers’ points to 50 the same as Sharks but better placed on the sixth as against Sharks’ seventh position on superior goal difference. An elated Egwin told SuperSport.com that the victory has wiped away the tears of the home loss to Kano Pillars in the week 30 game. “We worked very hard for this victory, and thank God my goals did the magic. It had not been easy after the home loss to Pillars, our fans have found it difficult to swallow the bitter pile, I think this victory will go a long way to heal the wound of that defeat. “Now that we have our fans back once again, I think it help us in our determination to do well in our other matches.” The Flying Antelopes will be home to Niger Tornadoes at the weekend and Egwim said it will be a wonderful opportunity to cement a lasting relationship with their estranged fans and push for better placement on the log.“We are already motivated by this victory over Sharks, we will want to consolidate by going all out for another home victory and I am sure it will go down well with our fans. “We have our target and another win will help us in the realisation of our dream, the dream of winning the league crown or worse case, picking a continental ticket,” he said.

Rangers clear sign-on fees

•Demands 50% sign on fees

HAIRMAN of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Davidson Owumi has spectacularly declared that an international hiatus would have done the country’s football more good than harm. Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan directed in June 2010 that the country would withdraw from all international football competition for two years to enable Nigeria to reorganize its football. The President eventually rescinded the decision following high level delicately diplomatic consultations but Owumi has declared that a lot of positives would have been recorded in Nigerian football if the decision had stood. “There are a lot of things wrong with our football and I tell you that if the President had insisted that we stayed away from FIFA competitions, we would have completed a year by now. We would have had just one more year to go and a lot would have been sanitized

HE agent of Stefano Okaka is unhappy his client was excluded from the list of players called up by the club officials of AS Roma for their summer retreat. Okaka, born in 1989, had hoped to be part of the Roma squad in the 2011 - 2012 season, but recent developments show he is now surplus to requirements in Rome. ''The boy has been hurt, but everyone expects this decision. He is the son of Rome, is young and is in the national team. This was very bad, '' Okaka's agent told romanews.eu. Okaka, in the summer market, has been linked with Genoa, Palermo and Hamburg.

in our football,” he said. The NPL chef also frowned at the ‘antics of several individuals who keep on doing wrong things and hiding behind the curtain of a FIFA ban’. “Some individuals keep on doing wrong things and hiding behind the curtain of a Fifa ban on the country. “To hell; what is Fifa ban. What are we benefiting by been a member of Fifa? “Is it just to take part in World Cups? Is that enough? We keep struggling to beat countries like Ethiopia, Madagascar, Ethiopia…is that a normal situation? Those two years would have helped us to restructure our football,” he stressed. Owumi also voiced his opinion on the recent decision by a Federal High court restating him to his position as NPL Boss. Presiding judge, Gabriel Kolawole on Tuesday, gave the order that Owumi return to office pending the determination of a suit he filed challenging his removal by the

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). “I do not have an issue with anyone. Victor Baribote Rumson contested an election and lost woefully. This is a political issue. “The NFF should allow the league to be autonomous. They (NFF) remind me of a Parent that does not want his child to grow. Their job is not to run the NPL but just to act as a regulatory body,” Owumi said. The chief added that the domestic football league in Nigeria could rank among the best on the continent ‘if things are allowed to go the way they should’. “My brother, if we allow things to go the way they should, we can be among the best. The other day a Nigerian player was transferred to a South African PSL club for $100,000.00. “We hardly see such things in Nigeria because we have not yet done the right thing. Are they better than us? Do they have bigger companies than we do in Nigeria? We will move mountains if we do things right,” Owumi concluded.

IGERIA Premier League side Enugu Rangers have cleared all outstanding signing-on fees from last season. John Nnam, Ebele Obi and Austin Iyangbe received the highest signingon fee of about three million naira each (about $20,000), while the least paid was Musa Najere, who got 500,000. He was signed from lower league side Taraba United. At least half of Rangers annual budget of about 300 million naira goes on paying signing-on fees. Rangers goalkeeper Godwin Ayalogu told MTNFootball.com that all the players have received payment for last season’s signing-on-fees, which is a lump sum payment on renewal of a contract. “We have received the balance of our signing-on fees for last season,” Ayalogu disclosed. “Last season, we were paid 30% and now we have been paid the remaining 70%.” Ayalogu though would ask the Enugu State Government to fast track the payment of the signing-on fees for the current season. “We appreciate what the government has done, but we also wish to remind them that we are yet to receive a kobo for this season.” Rangers have overcome a cash crunch, which threatened to derail their campaign, and they are now fifth on the NPL table with 50 points from 31 matches.

CRIME Suspected Kidnappers arrested Abia

HEALTH

PROJECT

3,000 get free medical care

Prison completion thrills Akpabio

ANAMBRA

FRIDAY JULY 15 2011

Akwa Ibom

Page 25

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

HEIR objective is to scale down strife in the country by enhancing peace and cohesion in families, the communities and local councils. They take the message of peaceful cohabitation to individual homes, villages and towns. They do not sink boreholes or donate food items as many private organisations do. The United Nigerian Chaplaincy (UNC) believes tackling rancour is a great way to enthrone a better society and accelerate development. They are clad in khaki uniform and address one another in military fashion but they are commanders and generals of peace. When they were decorated with new ranks at the Women Development Centre in Awka, the Anambra State capital, many from different parts of the country turned up. President Goodluck Jonathan sent a representative. So did the Inspector-General of Police Mr Hafiz Ringim. Virtually every state in the federation had a presence. The UNC started some six years ago but last year, several of its members met the President, intimating him with their goals, which include inspiring a morally sound society, fighting corruption, raising godly youths and upholding justice. The federal government approved the group and included it in its database as a civil society organisation. Headed by a chaplain chief, General Jidejisos Josiah Ejie, the UNC has over 1000 members spread across the country. Ejie, who spoke with Newsextra, said the body is made up of men and women of honour and integrity, who are out to join other well-meaning Nigerians to move the country forward. “As we know,” he said, “the

•Officers of peace: United Nigerian chaplaincy personnel on rank decoration day

Corps tackles community strife Presidency, police, FRSC, others identify with project From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

importance of chaplaincy cannot be overemphasized; in fact it is recommended that governments at all levels should partner with the UNC to help checkmate moral decadence and rising wave of cultism among our youths, fostering peace in families and communities, restoring our

orientation, among others. “It is obvious that if everything fails, the word of God will not fail. This word of God is the chaplain’s authority. This explains why the UNC should be assisted and supported by all to make their mark in taking Nigeria to a greater height. “This group is committed to the goal of helping to sanitise the

entire nation; our main vision is to identify and interpret the nature of crime, criminality and corrupt practices as well as proffer solutions to crime prevention. “We are committed to community policing through moral advocacy, spiritual advice, intelligence and surveillance services, and you may agree with us that it takes more than insight

and wisdom to achieve this as the carnal man cannot bring peace.” At the event, heads of churches and groups were represented, as was the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The representative of the IGP, Joshua Omayele, who is also the chaplain of Abuja, said the •Continued on Page 26

UNICEF supports Abia child-health programme

•Governor Orji

HIEF Field Officer of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Mr Charles Nzuki, has promised to support Abia State government with N61.7milion in this year’s Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA) to enable it to reduce the high rate of child mortality and other healthrelated issues. Speaking in Umuahia during the signing of the PIA between UNICEF and the state government, Nzuki said that his office would focus on increasing their cooperation to improve capacities in all areas of intervention.

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

Nzuki said that his office would fund this year’s PIA to the tune of N61.7m, “as our commitment to the implementation of the 2011 programme in the state and we also believe that the state government will make its contributions exceeding this value through counterpart funding.” The UNICEF boss noted that the indexes available to his office showed that routine immunisation coverage has improved to 64 per cent, “though more effort is required, while a recent survey revealed that HIV infection rate is 7.3 per cent;

higher than the national average rate.” Continuing, he said: “As we sign this agreement, we hope it will renew the commitment towards the protection and empowerment of the well-being of our children through the signing of the 2011 PIA. Abia State remains high on UNICEF agenda as our mission coincides with your state’s aspirations on MDGs.” Nzuki also commended the state government on the Maternal Neonatal and Child Health Week (MNCHW), stressing that during the period his office supported the programme with the sum of

N14m, which he said will help in the area of child survival, protection and basic education. Responding, Governor Theodore Orji expressed the gratitude of the state government over the cooperation that exists between UNICEF and his administration which has helped in the intervention and aid for the protection of the child. Orji noted that the aid from the UNICEF has also helped the state to domesticate the Child Rights Act, stressing that such act has, in no small way, improved the development of children in the state since his administration came into being.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NGO slams govt, oil majors over spill

CTING under the aegis of National Coalition on Gas Flaring and Oil Spills in the Niger Delta (NACGOND), a coalition of civil society has criticised the government and oil majors operating in Nigeria over poor response to oil spills in the Niger Delta region. NACGOND, which was formed after a stakeholders’meeting at Chatham House, London in May last year, is charged with the responsibility of continuing the advocacy on issues concerning environmental degradation in the Niger Delta to find ways of addressing them. Speaking in Port Harcourt, the group argued that “government and oil majors must recognise that the current system of oil spill response does not work and has contributed to one of the core grievances of the Niger Delta region. “This failure has supported the space in which violence has emerged. It is time for a nonviolent approach to address this critical ecological and

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

environmental disaster.” The disaster being caused by this poor management of oil spill, they stated, has caused the grievances and violence in the region. They therefore called for more transparent and responsive mechanism on oil spills as well as a permanent end to gas flaring in region. In his speech, Inemo Samiama, the Director of Stakeholders’ Democracy Network (SDN), one of the civil societies that make up the body, expressed worry that rather than responding speedily to oil spills, those involved have continued to play hide and seek game, which has left such sites abandoned for decades. Samiama also said: “Some sites where oil spill occurred over 30 years ago are yet to be properly remediated. When oil spill occurs, the main issue is to clean up the environment and not the usual blame game of who caused it. Oil companies are comfortable with

Some sites where oil spill occurred over 30 years ago are yet to be properly remediated. When oil spill occurs, the main issue is to clean up the environment and not the usual blame game of who caused it.

• An oil spil site naming every spill as sabotage in order to avoid paying compensation.” He also pointed out that even with the amnesty given to militants in the region the civil societies, the government and the oil companies are all aware that the system is not working properly due to unresolved environmental issues. It was also stressed that there was the need for a new independent mechanism that would comply with international best practices in preventing, identifying, responding

and quickly compensating for oil spills, “however they are caused.” The civil society group further demanded that all Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) be made more participatory and the reports made public by all oil majors, adding that efforts must be made to improve transparency around oil spills reporting which would go a long way towards restoring confidence in the system. In order to find a workable longterm solution to the

environmental issues in the region, NACGOND also called for a focused and critical dialogue among all stakeholders; civil society groups, oil majors and the Nigerian government. Groups that make up the coalition are Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Centre for Social and Corporate Responsibility (CSCR), Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), among others.

Mbang decries negative disposition to leaders

HE Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang, has decried the spate of Nigerians’ unfounded rumour, hatred, bitterness and gossiping against their leaders. Dr. Mbang, who spoke on Sunday, during a thanksgiving service on the successful and peaceful conduct of 2011 elections of President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Godswill Akpabio at the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ikot Abia Idem/Ikot Enwang Circuit of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, said these negative tendencies are borne out of jealousy.

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

Quoting copiously from James 4:7-17, Luke 12:4-15 and Eccl. 3:111, he said: “People could hate you for doing nothing against them or any wrongdoing against them. Human beings are naturally jealous. We are extremely jealous. At times, they wish their fellow human beings death. How I wish we could act as God who is positively jealous.” Mbang condemned rumours peddled about Governor Akpabio to the effect that he was dead, saying, ‘’your life is in God’s hands, not in anybody’s. Your purported death is false. The evil doers and

rumour mongers shall reap their dividends. Let them write and speculate anything but your life is in God’s hands.” Mbang enjoined Christians to live a life worthy of emulation instead of living a sinful life. Governor Akpabio thanked the church for organising the thanksgiving service for the President and himself after the general elections and likened the gesture to an act by a biblical leper who, out of the nine lepers based on Jesus’ instruction returned and appreciated the priest for his healing. Akpabio thanked God for preserving his life and that of his

Abia transport workers protest unpaid salary

ORKERS of Abia State Transport have staged a peaceful demonstration to the Government House in Umuahia alleging that the former General Manager (GM), Anthony Usuwa, owed them three months salary before leaving office. The workers also asked the governor to stop appointing people from outside the company to be their helsman, stressing that there are capable hands within the company the company that can manage their affairs, even as they alleged that politicians have not always ended up destroying instead of moving the company forward. However, the former GM denied owing the workers three months salary, saying that the workers are being owed for June and part of May when the company, he said, is in its off-season when money comes in bits. Usuwa noted that the Abia Transport is a self-sustaining going concern which does not get any subvention from the state government. "The company survives based on what it could generate every month to pay its workers," he said. The workers, led by their leader, Emma Amaechi, noted that most of the GMs who have managed the

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

company always run the company down, pointing out that they have been working for themselves instead of the company and the welfare of its workers. Amaechi further said that most of the workers had garnered enough experience on the job to manage the affairs of the company, instead of appointing GMs who will only come in to lord it over the workers who have kept faith with the company.

Addressing the aggrieved workers, Governor Theodore Orji, who was represented by his Media Adviser, Bonnie Iwuoha, thanked the workers for the peaceful way they conducted themselves instead of destroying government and private properties. Iwuoha assured them that the governor will resolve the problem with ease, "including the issue of the three months salary arrears they are alleged to be owed by the management of the company."

Corps tackles community strife •Continued from Page 25 uniform means peace, adding that anybody in it must be pure. He threatened to arrest and prosecute any member who fails to work according to the guidelines and rules of the chaplaincy, adding that the group is ready to partner anybody t bring peace to the land. Mr. Osita Chidoka, who was represented by Ayo Omiyale, the Sector Commander in Anambra State, noted that insecurity has ravaged parts of the country, adding that there is need for

everyone to return to God for the challenge to be overcome. He said:“Look at what is happening everywhere, suicide bombings, armed robbery, kidnapping, among other crimes…unless we move closer to God, all these things will be difficult to control.” He enjoined newly ranked officers of the organisation to be alive to their duties. Some who spoke with Newsextra, regretted that youths are being used by politicians to cause violence. But with the UNC, the task of reforming the youths and society will be easier.

family, noting “God’s will is not man’s will. My political enemies are liars. Everything is in God’s hands. Every position belongs to God and He gives to whom He pleases.” The governor dismissed as untrue all the rumours peddled against him by his political enemies, adding that despite evil wishes against him, God will still cater for him, even as he added that “people rob or kidnap yet some speculate and gossip about me. I am happy I have not disappointed the people in my performance.” He, however, thanked parents in the church for proper

The workers noted that most of the GMs who have managed the company always ran it down, pointing out that they have been working for themselves instead of the company and the welfare of its workers

upbringing of their children resulting in their beautiful presentations and recitations. He encouraged the children to keep up their performance. While thanking the paramount ruler of Ikot Ekpene Chief Okuku Augustine Assiak for his support to him and for helping to organise the church service for him, he recalled that the royal fathers in the state first blessed and endorsed him for a second term in office. Earlier, Chief Assiak had thanked God and Nigerians on the successful conduct of elections into various offices without war as earlier canvassed by some. He also thanked the governor and other dignitaries for honouring the invitation. Okuku Assiak specifically thanked God for His love and kindness to Akwa Ibom people despite threats of war and violence by some tribal warlords, saying, “in Akwa Ibom, tribal war song was sung, rumour was marketed. Those who did not see the Nigerian Civil war wanted it to happen. But we who had experienced war prayed against it and God granted us peace.” The royal father equally commended the people of Akwa Ibom State for voting for Governor Akpabio who is presumed to be from a minority area during the election. He also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a job well done despite intimidations and harassment by some disgruntled persons.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

Orji’s wife donates wheelchairs

HE wife of Abia State Governor Mercy Orji has donated 200 wheel chairs to the physically challenged people in the state, as part of the government’s efforts to ensure easy movement for members of the group. Mrs Orji also donated other empowerment items such as sewing machines, barbing and hair dressing kits, driers, sliding basins and rollers and stabilisers, radio cassettes, wrappers, exercise books and toilet soaps.

•Orji

Mimiko to empower women

HE Ondo State government has said that it will continue to empower women in the state to engender positive transformation and rapid socio-economic development. This was disclosed by the Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko during a courtesy visit by the daughter of the late Bashorun MKO Abiola , Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Costello, who is also the founder of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy(KIND) in his office in Akure, the state capital. The governor, who lauded Mrs Hafsat AbiolaCostello for her doggedness and commitment to democratic norms, emphasised the necessity of giving the girl- child compulsory education for an all-round development of the society. Dr. Mimiko said the current administration in state decided to place more emphasis on the development of women and children because of their vulnerability in the society. He cited the Abiye programme which he said, has become a template for other African countries as one of the numerous programmes in this directive. The governor promised the commitment of

Ondo From Damisi Ojo, Akure

his government to support the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, towards empowering women in Nigeria. In her remark, Mrs Hafsat Abiola Costello, lauded the numerous people-oriented programmes of the state government, adding that the Caring Heart mantra of the government is a thing of pride to the citizens both at home and in Diaspora. She praised the Olusegun Mimiko-led administration for the numerous developmental projects it had embarked upon, saying that she was particularly pleased to see concrete developmental projects going on in several of the cities in the state as well as deliberate efforts at uplifting the womenfolk, developments which she noted, were unprecedented since the creation of the state. She solicited for the governor’s support in ensuring that her desire to initiate a centre in honour of her departed mother, KudiratAbiola in Abuja becomes a reality

3,000 get free medical care

Imo From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

Speaking at the ceremony, the state governor, Theodore Orji praised his wife for empowering the disabled in the society and thanked the American based association, Health Resources Centre, for partnering with his administration to uplift the standard of living of the downtrodden. Orji said that the office of his wife and the American-based health centre have demonstrated the desires of his government to turn disability into ability, stressing that those in the category of the disabled in the state will never go un noticed in the scheme of things. He described his wife as one of the driving forces behind the success of his administration, “as her complementary role in mobilising women, children and youths as well as the less- privileged have helped in the stability of my government in the past four years in office”. Also speaking, the wife of the governor, Mercy, described the event as one of the ways her husband’s administration intends to show the people of the state that his government has a covenant with God to touch the lives of all strata people in the state. Mrs Orji, however, charged the physically challenged in the society who had benefited in the distribution of the wheel chairs to see their disability as a phase in life, which they must overcome. She said: “My children, do not let your disability in life be a hindrance to what you can achieve; rather, it should be a learning process which should be used to learn crafts and trades to become self- reliant, create wealth and contribute meaningfully to the society”.

O FEWER THAN 3000 patients benefited from a free medical service organised by the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Holy Spirit Parish,Catholic Church, Omagba, Anambra State .The Chairman of JDPC in the Parish, Mr. Alphonsus Nwoye, told reporters that the exercise was part of the commission’s effort at serving humanity. The exercise which began around 8.00am lasted till 4.00pm with about seven medical doctors, over 20 nurses and laboratory attendants attending to patients who trooped en masse to the Parish .

NRC loses N3m to Lagos floods

T •Rivers State Governor Chubuike Amaechi receiving a copy of an address from Team Leader, Violaine Mitchel of Bill and Medinda Gates Foundation, USA on behalf of Global Alliance on Vaccines and Inmmunisation (GAVI) during a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt

UNICEF donates to child centres

HE United Nations InternationalChildren Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has expressed its readiness to develop the early child care education initiative in Rivers State and pledged to donate writing desks to the centres. The Chief Field Officer Unicef, Mr. Charles Nzuki, stated this during a visit to the early child care and education model nursery school

Shonekan urges Nigerians to fight corruption

ORMER Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, has urged Nigerians to shun corruption, saying that it underdevelops a country. He said the vice also scares away foreign investors. He spoke at the Seventh Annual Luncheon of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) and awards in Lagos. Chief Shonekan, who spoke on the event’s theme: Accountability: The Hallmark of Good Leadership’, said a good leader must have a mix of the following attributes, namely: vision, intergrity, intellect, humility and excellent decision-making skills. He noted that accountability implies that there must be checks and balances. He said that though this factor is important in an organisation, it is often neglected. He said rules should be put in place and that where there is accountability workers would be responsible and they would perform well. On corruption, he urged Nigerians to fight it. saying that all Christians should join hands to eradicate the scourge. ‘’We must henceforth be more determined to be better Christians. This will make us better leaders,” he added.

In a speech read on her behalf by Mrs Grace Governor (Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu), Senator Oluremi Tinubu canvassed the enthronement of servant-leader model of leadership, noting that a leader must not only be ready to serve, but be able to also ready to be accountable. She also asked mothers to be accountable in the family. She added that a good mother must have intergrity just like a good Christian. Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, called for support for BSN’ programmes. He disclosed that the society has published Bibles in 20 Nigerian languages and the New Testament in 60 languages. While praising the BSN’s General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Rev Fred Odutola, for the achievements, Gowon, who is the Patron of the body, enjoined Christians to donate to the group. Also, Odutola urged Christians to support the Braille Bible’s project of the society. He said that while it costs a mere N300 to buy a Bible, a set of Braille Bible costs N77,400.

• Amir, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, Alhaji Qasim Badrudeen flanked by MSSN Assistant Secretary, AbdulHakeem Odeduntan (left) and Welfare Officer, Luqman Gawata during a press briefing in Lagos

• From right: Sponsor of the Oshodi Isolo Local Governemnt monthly Half Maraton, Mr Jamiu Badru presenting prize to the first winner, Master Azeez Shitu being assisted by the council’s Information Officer 2 Mrs Eunice Shitu

Lawmaker donates1800 bags of fertiliser A Peoples Democratic Party member representing Misau/ Dambam Federal Constituency in Bauchi State, Abubakar Ahmed Garkuwan Misau, has given out 1800 bags of assorted fertiliser to his constituents. Ahmed said the fertiliser was his own contribution to boost food production this cropping season,and assured he will continue to contribute to the development of the area and their representative in the National Assembly. Ahmed gave the assurance while donating the fertiliser and other farm inputs to his people, and noted that ‘’my constituents are mostly farmers who need a lot of encouragement by way of farm inputs as they do not have any other trade but farming which has become part of their lives’’. Ahmed who reiterated his love for the people said ‘’as a lawmaker and representative of the people, I always have the interest of my people at heart and that is why my doors are always open to all, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnic, religious or social background,particularly political difference.But politics should be practised for development’’. He charged the people to maintain peace, stressing that:’’without peace,there can be no farming,there can be no development in any

Bauchi

From Austine Tsenzughul Bauchi

way or form,and you as Muslims you should keep to the teachings of the Holy Quran and Hadith.I also enjoin you to live in harmony with those that are not Muslims, bearing in mind that we are all created by Allah S.W.T,and on the last day we shall stand before him for judgment’’. The Chairman, Misau Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Gwaram,while thanking the lawmaker, said that: ‘’governments at all levels subsidise fertiliser price, but they are not giving it out free of charge’’,and appealed to people in the area “to reciprocate by supporting and encouraging the lawmaker to bring more dividends of democracy’’. He assured that,’’our people will remain peaceful and law abiding,and support you so that you will not only represent us well, but contribute positively to the good governance at the federal level’’. Some of the beneficiaries who also spoke to reporters thanked the lawmaker,but like Oliver Twist, they urged him to put in place poverty alleviation programmes that will sustain their wives and youths in the area.

Rivers run by a non-governmental organisation, the Empowerment Support Initiative, founded by the wife of the Rivers State Governor Dame Judith Amaechi. Mr. Nzuki said the gesture was necessitated by the resounding success recorded by ESI in the early child care and education in Rivers State, describing it as a model to be emulated in the country. The Unicef official disclosed that the only panacea to salvage the dwindling fortune of education is for all stakeholders especially state and federal government as well as corporate citizens to invest in the education of children between ages 0-9. He added that these formative groups are vulnerable and may develop into personalities that may erode societal values if they are not guided and exposed to early learning and added that the challenges of education must be addressed through kindergarten education. He added that Unicef would deplore its team of experts to work with the ESI to fine tune its early child education with a view to complementing its efforts in Nigeria. According to him, “Unicef is pleased with what we found on ground, we will collaborate with ESI and deplore Unicef experts in the area of education and monitoring, health, nutrition among others to provide technical assistance to ESI. He added that a monitoring and evaluation mechanism system will be established soon. Founder of ESI and wife of the Rivers State governor Dame Judith Amaechi charged Unicef to assisting in taking early literacy programme to the rural and remotest communities in Rivers State.

HE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that it lost about N3million to flooding that followed the downpour in Lagos. The Lagos District Manager of the corporation, Mr John Dottie, who disclosed this, said the rail track was also washed off at Shogunle area of Lagos. The downpour in Lagos caused heavy flooding of the tracks, making it unsafe to travel. Dottie said that since the NRC was making an average of N.5million daily, the two-day stoppage of movement due to the flood caused a loss of N3 million. He said that contractors had started working on the track and as soon as they finish with the repairs, train services would resume. “We are working round the clock to see that the track is put right so that we can resume better services”, he said. He appealed to commuters to bear with the corporation while the problems lasted, saying he hoped the track would be alright for railway operations by Wednesday. The NRC runs eight train services between Iddo in Lagos and Ijoko in Ogun on a daily basis, moving not less than 15,000 passengers daily

From Adimike George, Onitsha

Among the free medical services rendered during the programme were free medical laboratory tests, free medical consultations, free dispensation of drugs, free feeding, free HIV/ AIDS counseling and testing. According to Nwoye, the increasing high level of povertyin the country informed JDPC’s decision to provide free medical care to the people, adding that it was the fifth time JDPC was providing such free medical services to the people in the last five years. The Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Marius Obiagwu, told reporters that the exercise was part of Christ mandate while on earth. He said as Christians, we should emulate Christ who healed the sick and gave food to the hungry. He noted that despite the capital intensive nature of the project, the Parish will continue the programme on annual basis. One of the beneficiaries, Miss Chinwe Okeke

• Obi in an interview, praised the group for the humanitarian gesture and urged other associations to tow the line in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people. She noted that such programmes should be encouraged in Anambra State especially now that the strikeby the doctors in the state government hospitals is entering its sixth month.

Farmers organise workshop for students From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

ARMERS have urged the Federal Government to make provision for adequate organic fertiliser so as to boost food production and other agricultural services in the country. The farmers while calling on the government to stop the perpetual importation of food, also urged youths to engage in agricultural activities rather than struggle for white collar jobs. This, they said, will help to check importation of food into the country. The call was made in Jos during an annual workshop for young farmers in the state. Speaking at the event, Chairman, Farmers Management Association of Nigeria [FAMAN] Plateau State chapter, Mr. Sunday Mancha said the country was producing about 2 million tonnes of assorted foods instead of the required 5 million tonnes to cater for the needs of the country’s population.

Briefly

Cross River counts losses after downpour PROPERTY worth overN90 million has been destroyed by flood in Cross River State due to persistent rainfall. The Director- General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Vincent Aquah, said in Calabar that the persistent rains for four days created an upheaval in the socio-economic life of the state. Aquah regretted that over 40 houses in

Anambra

Calabar and its envons were affected, displacing over 500 persons in addition to over 1060 farms in various parts of the state that were swept off. Local Governments Areas mostly affected were Obubra,Biase, Yakurr, Ikom, and Akampa. The SEMA boss said that based on the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predictions for higher rainfall this year, more devastating rainstorms are expected.

•The Chairman, Ikeja Local Government Area, Hon Wale Odunlami (middle) presenting the 2011 budget to the leader ofthe House, Hon Adesola Adeniyi. With them on the left is the council clerk, Mr T. A. Salaudeen

Council aspirant promises speedy development

group, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Fans Club in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government has held a solidarity awareness forum for Mr Muse Ariyoh contesting the chairmanship of the council. The forum was attended by scores of youths, women who came in droves to declare their support for the aspirant.Ariyoh also declared his programmes for the community. The aspirant, who is an aide to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, promised to run an all-inclusive government if elected. He said having worked closely with Tinubu, he has garnered a lot of experience to move the council forward. Ariyoh described Tinubu as the best teacher, saying his interest in the council race was borne out of the need to effect changes in the community. “Poverty alleviation is one of my

programmes and to this end, I will be working closely with the community leaders .I will also regularly organise town hall meetings for consultation with the community to know cases of government intervention. Ariyoh also enjoined the people to expect more from his administration, noting that he was not greedy for power. He said : “ In 2006, I contested the House of Assembly seat for this council but I was told to step down ,which I did.I have closely watched my community and this is why I want to contribute my quota,” he said. A leader of Action Congress of Nigeria in Oshodi/Isolo , Chief Femi Loye, urged the people to consider Ariyoh because he has good antecedents. He said he would serve as a unifying force for the party members in the council

Oshiomhole canvasses selfless leadership EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has advised the leaders of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) South-South to select selfless leaders who would work for the interest of the people. He gave the advice when he granted audience to South-South ACN leaders led by its Vice Chairman, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu in Government House, Benin City. According to the governor, “these people are not invincible. But it would require a level of commitment and you should be

prepared for a long distance race. It cannot be a 100 meters dash which is why in selecting leaders, you have to look for people who are not opportunists, people who are going to a direction because they think that is where the food is. You have to believe in a cause”. He praised them for their sacrifices in mobilising and organising the party in their respective states, adding that “we appreciate you, we appreciate all you are doing and we do hope that in the near future, ACN would be able to count more states in the country.”

•Hon Bolaji Ariyo (right) Alhaja Modupe Ariyo and Mr Musilim Akinsanya at the event

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

PEOPLE THE NATION

A SIX-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

American Ambassador to Nigeria Terence McCulley hosted the high and mighty in Abuja to commemorate his country’s 235th Independence Anniversary JIDE BABALOLA reports.

•Deputy Governor of Ekiti State Mrs Funmi Olayinka being received by Mr McCulley and Mr McAnulty

Reminiscences as America marks 235th National Day

HE expansive compound of the United States (US) Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terence McCulley was neat and prim. As the guests came in one and twos, he was on hand to receive them. Clad in a dark suit, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr Jim McAnulty, was with him to welcome the guests. American security agents stood ramrod, keeping eyes on affairs. The date was July 4 and the Ambassador was hosting guests in celebration of the US 235 th Independence Anniversary. As he circulated among the guests, he kept pumping hands here and there. The air was full of bonhomie. And there was a lot to eat and drink. The A-guest list comprised the crème de la crème of the public service, the military and members of the diplomatic corps. The Maitama, Abuja residence of McCulley was where to be that Friday night for those who matter in the society. Among those in attendance, were Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Anyim Pius Anyim, former Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Ahmadu Ali, journalists, representatives of civil society organisations. They mixed freely with their American hosts. Members of the Abuja Metropolitan Music Orchestra (AMEMUSO) choir led by the founder, Madam Cecilia Toledo de Schmillen, wife of the German Ambassador to Nigeria entertained guests. They were complemented by members of the US Navy band with instrumental music.

Notwithstanding the pomp and ceremony that attended the celebrations, Ambassador McCulley saw the annual July 4 ceremony as a poignant period for reflections on the past and present, noting that even after ending slavery and building robust democratic traditions and institutions, democracy remains a “work in progress” for the United States. Indeed, deep thoughts about past bloody events in American history and the enduring echo that reverberates through the nation’s democracy to this day were reflected in the ambassador’s speech. He said that Nigeria can effectively overcome centripetal forces in order to achieve ‘genuine unity in diversity. “Indeed, 150 years ago, we were in the midst of a civil war that nearly tore our nation asunder. Between July 1 and July 3, 1863, North and South fought at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in the bloodiest battle in American history, with more than 50, 000 casualties… We nonetheless struggled for more than a century to fully realise the lofty principles contained in our Declaration of Independence, and one of the world’s oldest democratic experiments remains in progress,” McCulley remarked. He said Nigeria’s 150 million strong population comprising some 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages can be leveraged into a major economic, social and political force, adding that the US is willing to deploy diverse development programmes to support Nigerian initiatives. •Continued on Page 30

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

SOCIETY

as 47 Gbosas for Sylva I

T was his 47th birthday, and many people, high and low, celebrated with the Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, with many Gbosas which were counted in as many places where the day was marked. Whether in the Gloryland Cultural Centre in downtown Yenagoa, or in the elaborate tent outside the ornate Gloryland Castle or in the governor’s residence, no one could miss the sounds of gbosa, or the pop of champagnes, the dance steps, or the lilt of Timaya, stage triumph of Tuface or the hip performance of D’banj. It was not only dance or sounds, it was also spectacle. The Izon motif splashed in many colours, gaudy and subdued, as the woman and men belonging to different cultural groups moved to the stage of the Gloryland Cultural Centre in the presence of many dignitaries whose sartorial exclamations draped the day. Enter Governor Sylva in his vintage Niger Delta hat, tall and imposing as his supernova smile as he cut the birthday cake with his pretty wife, Alayingi, beside him and happy. Others were there. The poet, Gabriel Okara, whose avuncular presence was richly acknowledged by all and Governor Sylva himself who might have been moved to poesy by his company. The Poet Governor read his poem on Bayelsa and the Izon nation, serenading a place he has held sway for all of four years. Former governors also materialised. Unmistakable was Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, former governor as well as Ada George, former governor of old Rivers State .Of course, his deputy governor, Werinepre Seibarugu, was beside him in amiable spirits. Governor Sylva was in his element when he said his pretty wife, Alayingi, was his better half and the deputy governor was his other half. “That means I am nothing,” he quipped to laughter in the crowd. But the fixture of the Gloryland event was the presence of Edem Kodjo, former Togolese leader who gave the

•Sylva assisted by his wife, Alayingi and children to cut the cake

Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva on July 7, turned 47 and friends from all walks of life moved from the Gloryland Cultural Centre in the downtown Yenagoa to his Excellency’s residence to felicitate with him on attaining two scores and seven years. NNEKA NWANERI reports. special talk on transformational leadership, which brought an air of politics to the celebration. Governor Sylva himself is bracing for a political confirmation in the governorship election billed for April next year. The afternoon event was billed as an intellectual event as Kodjo soared into

ideas and experience about the qualities and dynamics of leadership that can transform African people. He was unmistakable in his cute, conservative suite quite delectably at odds with the array of Niger Delta motifs of the day. At home, people gathered. Alex Oti, Managing Director of Diamond Bank

was among those who attended the house party, which was highlighted by another session of cake cutting. This was more intimate as the celebrator’s whole family was complete with wife Alayingi and three children crouched over the colourful cake. The eldest child and daughter, Taria Maria, son,

Timipre Marlin Jr. and Pagapio Ganye thrilled to that moment with their celebrator father. There were many gbosas, but from the cultural centre to the tent and the home, it was hard to count how many, but no one doubted that the governor deserved as many as 47 Gbosas.

America marks 235th National Day •Continued from Page 29

“As you consolidate your democratic institutions and rebuild your economy, the United States stands ready to deploy its programmes and resources in support of your national priorities, from public health to education, from food security to national security, and from the battle to contain malaria to the daily struggles of the millions of Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS,” he added. The ambassador identified two major conditionalities – a frontal assault on corruption and utilisation of the private sector as the engine of economic growth – as factors that can motivate American investors and businesses to create jobs and other opportunities for Nigerians. “Nigeria and the United States have travelled a long road together over the past 50 years. We are two young nations, forged by traumatic civil wars, enriched by the diversity of our peoples, and bound together by a common commitment to regional and global peace and security,” he

said. While congratulating America on the occasion, Anyim said strong and mutually fruitful diplomatic, socioeconomic and cultural relationships between the two countries over the past 50 years have become binding ties. Describing the US- Nigeria Bi-National Commission established last year as proof of cordial relations between both countries, Anyim said the Federal Government would continue to discharge any responsibility assigned to Nigeria by international bodies to ensure the success of international peacekeeping operations. After speeches by McCulley and Anyim, informal discussions among many Nigerians who were savouring the seductive ambience of the ambassador’s residence drifted around the significance of America’s independence anniversary, US’ efforts to spread democracy and its inherent values in the world. Indeed, beyond the shores of America, July 4 has registered its importance in Nigeria. •Anyim and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director-General Ms Aruma Oteh

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

SOCIETY

All hail Banire, ‘the caring boss’ Lagos State Ministry of the Environment has organised a send-off for the immediate past Commissioner, Dr Muiz Banire, now National Legal Adviser, Action Congress of Nigeria at the Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, Agidingbi, Lagos. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there

IS dream of joining the Lagos State government under Col Muhammed Buba Marwa’s regime, then former Military Administrator of Lagos was dashed by the then Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The SSG bluntly told him he was “too young” to work for the government after the young man, who lectured at the University of Lagos, had brought a note from Brig-Gen Buba Marwa’s predecessor, Col Raji Rasaki, recommending him for membership of a committee in the Ministry of Land. A few years later, he realised his dream following his appointment as Commissioner for Transportation. The man is Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire, the immediate past Commissioner for the Environment. Not quite long, after he became commissioner, the same SSG, who had retired, submitted a proposal for a project in Banire’s ministry. Banire approved the proposal and instructed his Permanent Secretary to inform the former SSGto see him. What happened thereafter was not revealed by Banire, who went down memory lane at a reception to mark his exit from the state executive council (SEC). He spoke at the Ministry of the Environment send-off for himat the Eko FM Multi-Purpose Hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja, in Lagos. The hall was lively all through. The celebrator, accompanied by his beautiful wife, Olufunmilayo, was ushered into the well-decorated hall by friends and politicians, many from his Mushin constituency. Lagos State independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Commissioner, Mr Tokun Pedro, a lawyer opened the party with prayer. The highpoint of the event was the impromptu speeches delivered by those who worked closely with the former commissioner. It was done in an entertaining way. Starting from Permanent Secretary, Office of the Environmental Services, Dr Titi Anibaba, down to Banire’s driver, the whole auditorium burst into laughter as the speakers mimicked Banire. Two features – workaholic and compassionate, they said, singled out Banire. Dr Anibaba recalled how the former commissioner would come to the office as early as 8.a.m and called her on the phone complaining that nobody had reported for duty. “Oga can sack you with ordinary mouth 10 times a day. (Guests laughed). He would call you in the midnight to complain about a job that has not been done. He would tell you to get in touch with a particular contractor even as early as 3.am. He would ask me to query all

the staff once he gets to the office and nobody is around, yet he would never hurt anybody. He is just a man who wants excellence at all times. We will miss him a lot because the ministry won many awards during his time and Lagos environment witnessed several turn around, while was in the ministry,” she said. Also speaking, Managing Director of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ola Oresanya, described his experience with Banire as memorable. “He has a tender heart. He is a kindhearted person who does not want to lose any of his friends. “I enjoyed working with Hon Banire. He is a man who is passionate about his job. He is somebody that would give you a task and ensure that you accomplish it by all means. He doesn’t believe in failure and that is why you see wastes being cleared, drainages being cleared and Lagos State has excelled in the area of environmental cleaning,” Oresanya said. Newly appointed Commissioner for Housing, Hon Bosun Jeje, said Banire is a friend one can learn a lot from. Jeje congratulated his wife, Olufunmilayo for having him as husband. Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mr Muyideen Akinsanya, marvelled at how Banire, a lawyer mastered the engineering aspect of the work. “He is an exemplary in the midst of engineers. He left an indelible mark that would stand the test of time in the ministry. A Mushine of enviable character,” Akinsanya said. Banire, arguably the longest serving commissioner in Nigeria, thanked Allah for the journey so far. His 12 years as commissioner in Lagos, he said has been eventful and full of incredible feats. He saluted the ministry for deeming it fit to organise the reception. He attributed the achievements to Allah. With smile, he urged the people of the ministry to be more hardworking than before, saying that he is still part of them. “I am still part of the ministry. I am passionate about Lagos State. I am interested in everything that is happening in the state, so don’t think I have left you. I will still disturb you with text messages over drainages and other environmental issues. As the legal adviser of the ACN, I have to devote more time to pursue all our election cases in the courts and tribunals,” he stated. He, however, apologised for disturbing his workers during crucial hours. Afterwards, there was presentation of gift items. Later, the the celebrator was led to the dance floor.

•Dr Banire assisted by his wife, Olufunmilayo (right) to receive a gift from Mrs Adebola Afun

•From left: Lateef Raji; Bosun Jeje; Kunle Adegoke; Bolaji Ayinla and Bashiru Ajibola

•From left: Wife Executive Director, Courtville Nigeria Limited, Alhaja Bilikis Sonaike, her husband, Alhaji Wale Sonaike, Wife of LASIEC Commissioner, Alhaja Fatimat Oyefeso and her husband, Hon Musbau Oyefeso

•Managing Director LAWMA, Mr Ola Oresanya (left) and Hon Toyin Hamzat

•From left: Chairman Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA Hon Yemi Alli, Hon Olawale Olayiwola and Chairman, Mushin Local Government Hon Olatunde Adepitan

•Mr Akinsanya and Dr Anibaba

•NURTW Lagos Chairman, Alhaji Rafiu Olorunwa

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

SOCIETY

31 years of touching lives On June 25, a socio-cultural group, Omo Ajorosun Club of Ibadan, hosted friends, associates and well-wishers to its 31st anniversary and also gave awards to members who have served diligently.SEYI ODEWALE reports.

•Alhaji Aremu(left) and Chief Oyero •Oloye Alabi and his wife, Adetokunbo

OR members of Omo Ajorosun Club, Ibadan, Oyo State, June 25 was an important day . They celebrated the 31st anniversary of the club with glitz and glamour, and recognised the contributions of some members to its growth and progress. Those honoured were particularly happy. They threw all they had into the day to make it memorable. As early as 9am, guests and wellwishers started trooping into the club premises on Queen Elizabeth II Road, opposite D-Castle Inn, Agodi, Ibadan, •From right: Dedeke, Alhaji Bayo Adebowale and Prof Alabi for an event slated for 11am. He then advised people in power, in In a welcome address, the Planning Dressed in assorted traditional attires Chairman, Mr all tiers of governance, to urgently adshowcasing Yoruba culture, dignitar- Committee ies and members of the club were Olasunkade Azeez, described Omo dress the decay being witnessed in the grateful that nature was in support of Ajorosun Club as a non-partisan socio- nation’s education sector and the moral the day as there was no rain, despite cultural club always at the fore front of decadence in the society. “The club would want to seize this the threat it posed at the beginning and issues of progress and advancement of that peace has returned to the ancient Oyo State in general and Ibadan in par- opportunity to advise people in power city after it was thrown into chaos by ticular. The club, he noted, has been at all tiers of government that efforts the warring leaders of the drivers partnering with successive govern- need to be made in addressing the apments in Oyo State since the inception parent decay bedeviling education and union. The event, which took off with the of the democratic dispensation on how poor morality of the people. “The poor state of our education sysrendition of the National and Ibadan to move the state forward. tem needs urgent attention, especially, He pledged the club’s continuous supanthems, was anchored by Feranmi Babalola, otherwise known as port to the government by making sug- the fast-fading technical colleges. Our Feranmingo, who saw dignitaries to gestions and advice available through secondary schools’ laboratories need the high table one after the other. the club’s position paper on issues of to be well-equipped to be abreast of Among those introduced were the collective good to the people of the the universal trend in technical education, which is a deliberate promotion Chairman of the occasion, Dotun state. In his speech, the President, Prince of science education at primary and secDedeke; Head of Service, Oyo State, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu; National Oluyemisi Adetayo Adeaga, explained ondary levels. We should avoid furPresident, Central Council of Ibadan that the club had impacted positively ther deterioration of the system,” he Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adebayo on the society. “Every year, and also advised. Some deserving members of the club Oyero; former Rector, The Ibadan Poly- periodically, members have been extechnic, Prof Remi Alabi; Chairperson tending their hands of assistance to the were honoured for their contributions of the day, Princess Bola Osipitan and motherless, the physically challenged, and commitment to the club over the her husband, Otunba Osipitan, among the needy and the poor,” Prince Adeaga years. Among them was the former Chief Press Secretary to the late Chief explained. others.

•Alhaja Fausat Arulogun (left) and Mrs Margaret Adewetan PHOTO: SEYI ODEWALE

Bola Ige when he was the governor of old Oyo State and three of his successors, who were military, personnel, Oloye Lekan Alabi. Alabi is also a former image maker of Odua Group, a conglomerate owned by the old Western Region. Others were Olasunkade Azeez; Alhaji Hakeem Aderemi Muili and Prince Bioku Ismail. Indigent, but brilliant students of some secondary schools and the tertiary institution in Ibadan (21 in all), were given scholarships, both sponsored by the day’s planning committee and the club’s executives. Speaking to The Nation on the Oloye Alabi, who chronicled the history of the club, said he was happy being honoured. He was awarded the club’s Cultural Ambassador in recognition of his efforts in promoting the culture of his people and ethnic nationality. “Naturally, I feel elated and I’m grateful to God Almighty and the club. And the honour coming from a leading socio-cultural club in Ibadanland, Omo Ajorosun Club, which is as we have

heard from the speeches and evidence available in prints, is also an ambassador of culture. So, the award coming from an ambassador of culture and tradition is an extension and I feel highly honoured,” he explained. The club, Oloye Alabi, said was not founded solely for socials, but to impact meaningfully on the society. “We are not just a social club devoted to only drinking and banters, but principally the objective is to promote the Omoluabi value system; the Ibadan culture which embraces hard work, philanthropy and relaxation with sensible ambit. And from the evidence available, we give scholarships yearly and we help the needy and more than anything else. We promote our food, culture, music and our essence,” he said. A scion of the late Sakara exponent, Baba Legba, was on the band stand to treat guests to his grandfather’s old tunes, a music which thrilled everyone.

Receiving her reward on earth She served Oyo State for 35 years. She was well known in the primary education circle, retiring as head teacher. Westley Practising School, Elekuro, Ibadan. Members of her constituency on July 6, sent her off after a 35-year service. DAMISI OJO was there.

OR Mrs. Stella Olufunmilayo Olajumoke, July 6 will remain one of her happiest days in life. It was the day she bowed out of teaching after serving for 35 years. Mama Olajumoke, 58, started her career in the Oyo State primary education level, grooming future leaders of the nation. She retired as the headmistress of Wesley Practising School II, Elekuro, Ibadan. In recognition of her sterling contributions to primary education development, all the schools where she taught converged to honour her at a party, where they described her as an epitome of good conduct and honesty. The Jubilee Hall, Elekuro, venue of the event, could not contain the guests, who came yearly. By 2.35 pm, Mrs Olajumoke, dressed in a lace attire with a yellow Aso-Oke to match, was accompanied by students

of Wesley College, Practising School, Elekuro, Ibadan and teachers alike. Shortly after her majestic entry, encomiums began to pour in from both heads of schools and teachers present. The Chairman of the occasion, Hon Ayoola, alias Barika Jimoh, solicited for better treatment for teachers and their profession. He said teachers should be well remunerated because of their contribution to the society. "Teachers all over the country should be treated well by government at all. Their contributions to the development of a better society cannot be over overemphasised. Teachers deserve to be well remunerated. "Teachers are the one who train doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants and many others. So, teachers should not be toyed with by any government," he said. He described Mrs Olajumoke

as a dedicated teacher who contributed her quota to the development of education in the state. Ayoola also praised the celebrator for instilling discipline in the pupils that came her way. "Mrs. Olajumoke has done her best. It is now left for you all to emulate her good conduct while in service. She is a disciplinarian, who ensured that aside from teaching, pupils were also given good morals. She is an epitome of honesty. She never allowed anything to soil her hands while in service," Ayoola said. In her response, Mama Olajumoke, who began her teaching career at ICC Primary School (now IMG primary School), Orita Aperin in 1976, could not but thank the management of Wesley Practising School, Elekuro, Ibadan, her last school, for their co-operation. The Ijesha-born teacher was

•Mrs Olajumoke being presented a deep freezer by the school’s School, Elekuro,

also full of praises to God and relatives, friends and co-teachers, who found time to come and honour her. The event was spiced with cultural displays by Agbontawo Theatre Group and teachers

of the school who rendered beautiful Ijesha songs. Present at the event were the Very Reverend Lawerence Awojobi of Wesley Cathedral, Elekuro; Mr and Mrs. Moradeyo of Davey Superb Enterpris-

es; Dr. Tokunbo Olajumoke of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital; founder of Bread of Life Church, Adekile, Ibadan, Pastor Joshua Abimbola and Rev Caroline Jawolusi, among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

SOCIETY EKITI CHIEF AKOMOLEDE GIVES OUT DAUGHTER’S HAND IN MARRIAGE

10 years of touching lives

•

•From left: Father of the Bride, President Ekiti Parapo, Chief Kola Akomolede, Groom’s mum, Mrs Dima-Okojie, the couple Tolu and Ide, Bride’s mother, Chief Abike Akomolede and Groom’s dad, Air Comdr (Dr.) Dima-Okogie

Members of the Christ Apostolic Mission Church (CAMC), friends and family of Pastor Isaac Enitan Akinyele, gathered at the Odi-Olowo, Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area Secretariat open field to rejoice with him on his 40th birthday. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

Life begins at 40

T was a gathering full of praises and thanks to the Almighty God for His help and mercies over their loving and beloved Pastor, Enitan Akinyele. And to show how joyful they were. They all appeared in various beautiful dresses with matching head gears and caps. The celebrator, Pastor Akinyele, was joyful as he danced all through. He was dressed in a cream Buba and Sokoto with a chocolate cap. His wife, Funke, who sat close to him, was also dressed in cream Iro and Buba with a nice head gear and a matching pair of shoes. Pastor Akinyele recalled that his sojourn in life started on a

OR Mr Emmanuel Akinwole, an eletrical engineer, Wednesday was a special day to him. It was a day he joined the league of golden people as he turned 50. To him, the day was made by the Lord and he had every cause to be glad in it. But instead of rolling out the drums and making merry with friends, he chose to thank the Lord at the altar of the New Heritage Baptist Church, Fola Agoro, Shomolu, Lagos. The electrical electronics graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and proud father of two boys couldn’t hide his joy as he thanked God for his life in a private ceremony with his family and church members; a perfect way to mark the golden jubilee of his existence. It was a breakfast service that began at 7.30am and guests were there in time, singing praise songs and giving thanks to the Almighty for sparing the life of their own. Giving exhortation was the Pastor of the church, Rev Julius Omolola, who read from the book of Psalm 90:2. He talked about the wisdom in the

rough note and as such had every reason to praise Lord Almighty for His mercies on him and his family. According to him, it was a life that was full of ups and downs. "The valley of death experience began on May 5, 1996, when I experienced a strange headache. To my greatest surprise, I met my mother at home who told me that a particular Prophet had mandated her to proceed to Lagos to check on me. This sickness nearly claimed my life because all hopes to get healed proved abortive. Everyone of my friends even pastors could not stand my sight so they all ran away from me and I was left alone. "When the situation was getting out of hand and the founder of Christ Apostolic Mission Church, Apostle John Ajayi Agbona of blessed memory, advised my mother to take good care of me, because, according to him, 'what is not many in someone's hand should not get missing'. This was how I got out of

•Pastor Akinyele flanked by his wife Funke and Prince Osiyemi

the Ministry for seven months and I was rushed to several hospitals, but my healing was still far away. It got to a stage during

the seventh month, my body started smelling like a dead body and I was in coma for sometime. Baba Agbona came, he

prayed and left the place in tears. The next expectation of everybody naturally was to have me proclaimed clinically dead. My mother bought a white lace cloth. She gave it to one of her brothers and told him that in the event of my death, the cloth should be kept to bury me. To her, as a mere mortal, she did not hope that I would survive. "But glory be to God, the owner of my soul came to my rescue in November 1996. I had a mighty experience whereby I heard the voice of the Lord clearlythree times that 'you are redeemed.' The voice sounded like a gush of mighty ocean. "Immediately, I heard the voice. I stood up from where I had laid prostate some months back and I asked for a cup of tea from my mother. To God be the Glory, am alive today by His grace. This is the reason I am appreciating God and celebrating my 40th birthday," he narrated. Giving testimony on the life of the celebrator, Richard Fifu-

Attaining the golden age A birthday/thanksgiving breakfast service was held midweek at the New Heritage Baptist Church, Somolu, Lagos, for Mr Emmanuel Akinwole, an engineer, who clocked 50. NNEKA NWANERI writes. praise of God; the wisdom to do the purpose of God in one’s life and the wisdom to adhere to His purpose. The cleric described the cel-

ebrator as someone he can proudly describe is a child of God. ‘’I thank God for the life of Engr Akinwole I can proudly say he is a child of

God. And to mark a day like this shows that he has a passion for the Lord, the church of God and his profession. He desires that there will be ex-

•The celebrator, Mr Akinwole (middle) flanked by Revd Omomola (second left), Revd Oyebande (left), Dr Charles Ojelade (right) and Pastor Ben Akano

cellence and Godliness. According to the cleric, ungodliness pervades the land now. But Akinwole, he said, has an exceptional spirit. “He has the hunger and desire that in his own profession, Godliness will be that order of the day. People like him should be encouraged and that is why we have gathered around him today to commend him on the wisdom of God and pray for him that God that brought him thus far will continue to uphold him and increase him in wisdom. It is our prayer for him that as he moves ahead in life, wisdom in spirit will be his,” Rev Omolola prayed. The cleric encouraged the youth quoting the scripture that they should remember their creator in their age.

neyin, described Akinyele as a loving and honest man who always desires for people what he desires for himself. "He is always ready to assist people to achieve their goals in life. He does not have secret; he does his things in the public," Fifuneyin said. The occasion was chaired by Prince Bayo Osiyemi, who supervised the cutting of the cake. Dr Kayode Adewunmi, in his message, charged the celebrator not to desist from his good characters. He urged Akinyele to always remain steadfast to the Almighty in his doings in life. The Blessed Voices were on hand to dish out good gospel tunes, Everyone danced as the melodious voices wafted from seakers. Guests onthe occasion included Pastor Fola Adeyemi, Deaconess Omolara Okupe, Grace Olatunde, Pastor Timothy Olatunde and Pastor Tobi Babafemi among other clerics. “The young ones should remember that they are here on earth for a purpose and love the one who has created them for a purpose. The essence of life is in finding the will of God,” he explained. He advised them to find the will of God in their lives and follow it irrespective of peer pressure. Responding, the happy celebrator thanked God for His faithfulness upon his life, family and ministry. When asked why he chose to celebrate the way he did, he replied: “I prayed over it. I didn’t want to follow the way of the world, So, I had to talk to the father. God laid it in my heart that the best time of the day is in the morning. You know God doesn’t work with number but with faithfulness and that was why it was like this. I’m glad to rejoice with the people of God and my relatives all around me. I feel great and happy and fulfilled because God has been good to me. His greatest challenge in life according to him is how to obey God and all His instructions in the midst of the pleasures of the world.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

SOCIETY

HEIR busy schedule notwithstanding, they stormed the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), venue of the lecture on the challenges of nationhood delivered by the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. Two things made them to come: the topic of the lecture and the personality of the lecturer, whose wealth of knowledge on world affairs they considered handy in addressing the damning question about nationhood. The event took off with a welcome address by the President of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Nkem Adukwu Bolujoko, who explained the purpose of the yearly lecture, which she noted was instituted 30 years ago. According to her, the lecture was to bring key national issues to the front burner and promote intellectual discourse for public enlightenment as well as chart policy direction. In his remarks, the moderator, Chief (Dr) M.O. Akinrele, stated that Nigeria is coloured with corruption. . He said: “This is a state where everybody is suspicious of the other although a lot of efforts has been made by non-government organisations(NGOs) to stop these, but the array of corruption is so large that a lot of people cannot live on their income which had led them to disgraceful acts.” Chief Anyaoku in his address stated that Nigerians need to live as one and that people should waive aside differences in culture, tradition, religion and language. To impede corruption, in his words Nigerians must collectively serve as watchdogs in their various communities. He commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for its good work in making the society to be corrupt free. He said: ”In Nigeria, the industrial sector is now virtually non-existent, while public infrastructure has completely crumbled with the deplorable state of our roads, comatose rail transportation and perennial epileptic power situation. Devoting no less than about 60 per cent of the country’s financial resources to recurrent expenditure in the face of this poor infrastructural and industrial condition cannot be the basis for nation-building or for achieving our development objective as articulated in Vision 20-20:20. The situation calls for an urgent attention by the federal and state governments.” Anyaoku harped on the challenges as a nation their effects on the citizens. “At the individual level, many Nigerians feel hopeless because of the general situation. They feel uncared for by their country. This is probably why there seems to be no restraint or limit to the extent some of our citizens can go to help themselves. This culture of self help which encourages disregard of societal norms has seemingly spread and become widely accepted as a way of life,” he noted. He concluded that by looking at the task of retrieving the country from the jaws of the challenges mentioned above and their consequences which he said are monumental. “President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech of May 29, movingly affirmed his determination to work for the transformation of

All for nation building The former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, penultimate Thursday, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos delivered a lecture tagged: “The Challenges of Nationhood” in a Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) organised yearly lecture series.. FOLUKE ADEMOLA was there.

•From left: Chief Anyaoku, Dr Adukwu-Bolujoko and Dr Olawale Cole

•Deacon Gamaliel Onosode flanked by President of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Mr Segun Ajanlekoko (right) and a guest

Nigeria with the belief that the citizens are raring to follow him in a genuinely transformative drive in tackling the challenges faced by our nation,” he concluded. Guests, moved by his lecture, responded with a thunderous applause.

The event also witnessed presentation of awards to deserving members, while Chief Anyaoku was conferred with honorary membership of the institute. This segment of the ceremony was done by Dr. Adukwu-Bolujoko. In his acceptance speech, Chief Anyaoku said:

“It is a great honour to be awarded membership of the institute .Even though am getting old, I hope I still have more time to contribute to this country and the institute.” The guests were later hosted to an elaborate reception at the same venue.

INAUGURATION OF RAUF AREGBESOLA MEDICAL CENTRE

•From left: Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his wife Alhaja Sherifat; Vice-Chairman, Mosan-Okunola LCDA, Princess Opeyemi Akindele, Chairman, Hon Abiodun Mafe and his wife, Oyedoyin

•Newly appointed Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Aderemi Ibirogba (left) and Chairman, Agege Local Government, Hon Jubril Abdulkareem

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS

‘Community health is key to attainment of MDGs’

‘Looking at public health, you will find out that the doctors are concentrated in the urban area. This is because of the harsh socio-economic conditions in the rural area. One of such problems is poor infrastructural development in the community. Community medicine is not practised the way it is supposed to be practised’

The Community Health programme was designed to provide health care at the grassroots through the establishment of the Primary Health Care (PHC) centres. But the scheme is yet to make an impact since the creation of PHCs in the 774 local government areas in the country. A public health expert, Dr Ime Okon, in this interview with WALE ADEPOJU gives reasons for this. Excerpts.

OW do you see community health in Nigeria and its involvement in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 6? Community health in Nigeria is still far away from achieving goals meant for community medicine. The goals as stated in the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 says the Primary Health Care (PHC) is the objective for achieving health for all. The establishment of the PHC is to make health available, affordable and accessible to the people. What are the major problems confronting public health in the country? Looking at public health, you will find out that the doctors are concentrated in the urban area. This is because of the harsh socio-economic conditions in the rural area. One of such problems is poor infrastructural development in the community. Community medicine is not practised the way it is supposed to be prac-

tised. The correct way is to have a doctor, a community nurse or midwife with other members of the health team. There are more nurses than doctors in the community. Can you expantiate on this? Community nurses do a lot of feedbacks. They tell doctors the development in the community regarding the welfare of the patients. The doctors address the health needs of the patients based on the information they receive from them. Are rural communities accessing adequate health care? Most rural communities can’t access health care. When most people can’t access care in hinterlands, how do the people expect those in the rural areas to access it? How do you know what happens in Borno State or in the eastern part of the country where erosion has divided the people from accessing care. How do doctors in the rural areas process the information they receive from

• Okon

nurses to patients’well-being? Doctors in the rural areas take the feedbacks to the Local Government Areas, from where it would be taken to the state and then to the Ministry of Health which gives us the picture of what is happening in the country. Can we say that the role of doctors is crucial than other health practitioners in the PHC set up? All practitioners are important, but the role of the community health physician cannot be under estimated in the attainment of MDGs. Unlike the consultants, gynaecologists and paediatricians among others who sit in their clinics to attend to

patients, the roles of community health physicians are unique because they go out to look for the patients. Would you say community health has contributed to the attainment of MDGs? Yes, it has contributed to MDG 4 which is about reducing child mortality. But communities are still plagued with malaria, respiratory tract infections, diarrhoea and malnutrition in children below age five. MDG 5 which addresses the reduction of maternal mortality, is still bothered with haemorrhage, obstructed labour, preeclampsia (hypertension in pregnancy), among others. These diseases are common in expectant mothers. On MDG 6 which addresses HIV and AIDS, TB, malaria and other non-communicable diseases, I will say a lot still needs to be done at the community health level.

Rotary donates 30 wheel chairs

OTARY District 9110 Nigeria has presented 30 wheel chairs to some organisations and individuals. This gesture, according to District 9110 Governor, Dr Dehinde Shoga, is to make some people move on with their lives. He said the club would support and change the world of the physically challenged. Shoga said the wheel chairs were bought from monthly donations from 80 clubs within Lagos and Ogun states, adding that it would be a continuous exercise. He said the club has purchased 100 wheel chairs but 30 have been distributed so far. “We have procured 100 chairs but we will roll out 30 each in batches to minimise and checkmate diversions.” Shoga charged the beneficiaries not to use the chairs to beg for alms, adding that they were provided to aid their mobility.

How to manage pain during labour

T •Deputy Governor of Lagos State Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, flanked by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina (left); Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board Mrs. Khadijat Daodu (second right) and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile, at the launch of the School Health Club in Lagos State.

Firm to reward brilliance

N indigenous pharmaceutical company, Fidson Healthcare Plc, is set to reward brilliant pupils. The company said the move is to encourage pupils, adding that for over a decade, it has partnered schools and related institutions in the advancement of knowledge through its brand, Astymin. It said it would reward the best pupils in Primary Six in 150 schools in Lagos, and also set up Astymin Book Readers Club, to encourage reading in youngsters.It will also set up a Hall of Fame for outstanding pupils. The event will hold at Grange School, GRA, Ikeja by 10am on July 30. The General Manager of the company, Ola Ijimakin, said: “In a world where kids are getting increasingly addicted to

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

hightech electronic games and computerised distractions at the expense of books, a reward platform that celebrates youngsters that have displayed brilliance cannot be over-emphasised. “A Junior Hall of Fame is to be set up under this initiative. The maiden edition of the Brilliance Rewards will provide the first set of rewardees. Astymin hopes to continue to monitor and support these kids in the coming years and mentor these budding geniuses to future greatness,” said Ijimakin. The Brand Manager, Astymin, Femi Ajala, said the Brilliance Rewards will also provide an avenue for academic networking among the kids that could result in positive peer influence. An Online plat-

form is also to be deployed for interaction among the kids. “Today, Astymin is taking a giant stride by not only partnering, but also rewarding brilliant kids in a way that will make them stay focused on their studies and believe that merit and hard work can still be rewarded. “Kids need varied assistance, good health, monitoring and mentoring at every phase of their academic development and this is a very strong value of the brand, Astymin. It is believed that the initiative will propel parents, school authorities and teachers to put extra effort in bringing out the best from their pupils since they know any kid on the hall of fame will rub on the family and the school at large.

HERE are many ways in which pain can be managed or reduced and you can start to practice them at home long before the baby is due. • Regular gentle exercise will strengthen the muscles used in childbirth and prepare the body for the stress of contractions and labor. Being fit and toned also increases your endurance and prepares you to cope with a long labor. Never overdo your exercises and always get advice from your doctor about what he or she considers a safe program based on your pre-pregnancy fitness level and pregnancy history. • Childbirth classes are an excellent way of learning techniques to manage pain during labor and are something you and your partner can participate in together as a bonding experience. Many techniques are used to manage pain, for example visualization or stretches that will make the uterine muscles toned and strong. In the United States the two most commonly taught methods are the Lamaze Technique and the Bradley Method. • The Lamaze Technique Lamaze classes focus on the fact that childbirth is a normal, natural process and one that should be viewed with a confident attitude. The classes teach women ways in which their perception of the pain may be minimised such as relaxation exercises, distraction and massage by a partner. •Culled from www.pier55.com/medical-care

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

COMMENTARY

FEMI ABBAS ON

HIS is one of the seasons in which craving for economic survival is a sine qua non. The much dreaded global economic meltdown has come and gone with its threat to human existence. But its echo continues to reverberate across the mountains and valleys of the world even as its agony persists retroactively among races and tribes. Today, avoiding a slump into a similar devastating threat again is a major preoccupation of all nations. Perhaps that is why most European and American countries are trying to surpass one another in the succour of Islamic Banking which they now see not only as viable alternative to the rapidly failing conventional banking but also as the most potent antidote for seemingly die hard economic viruses . They have learnt a lesson from the global economic meltdown and have pitched their tent with what they now realized to be the right camp. Strangely however, in Nigeria where imitation has virtually become a culture, a great deal of scepticism over the potency and adoption of Islamic banking is being exhibited. This is not just because the word ‘ISLAMIC’ simply sounds abhorrent to certain people who see the terrorist activities of a particular group called ‘BOKO HARAM’ in the north as having fundamental links with Islamic religion. The contention of such people is that any establishment of an Islamic Banking especially at this time can only heighten the spectre of terrorism in the land. This has led to an open opposition on the proposed licensing of the first Islamic Bank in the country by people who are not informed about the workings of Islamic banking system. If the conventional banks in Nigeria had lived up to expectation and their managers had not sunk abysmally into the quagmire of corruption perhaps the former Governor of the Central Bank, Charles Chukwuma Soludo who initiated the incorporation of Islamic banking into the country’s Central Bank would never have done so. Despite the initial reluctance of this column to succumb to pressure and join the fray of controversy over Islamic banking in Nigeria, it became compelling for THE MESSAGE to bring an informed article of a Nigerian non-Muslim on the issue to its informed readers. As a researcher and keen observer of current affairs, I have read about 123 comments as well as scholarly papers presented at local and international conferences and seminars on this volatile subject. Among such comments is that of a Nigerian by name Ola Onikoyi Jnr. Posted to the internet on June 30, 2011, this comment was only fortuitously picked from the pack. Many others are equally qualified for publication in this column. It goes thus: “Many people would agree with the Fulani-Hausa smart and astute central banker in the name of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on almost every issue bothering on the Nigerian financial system, but not on Islamic Banking! Unfortunately, Sanusi’s Islamic banking model has come at the most threatening period of the Nigerian experiment; when Islamic terrorism has reached it heights; ... when Shari’ah states for over the past 10 years have brought nothing good to write home about and when the Boko Haram would hit at anything and everything that frowns at it”. “Unfortunately for Sanusi, his Islamic banking model has come when the sanctity, morality and objectivity of his Islamic religion have been subjected to questioning and moral probity in the public space like never before”. “Sanusi’s Shari’ah compliant banking has come at a bastard decade of Islamophobia (sic) and indeed a popular epoch of Islamic extremism when some adherents of Islam are claimed to be “do no goods” but destroyers and selfish warriors that bring down anything good”. “But let’s balance the equation here. Sanusi’s Islamic banking has also come at a very good time – and for those who know – it’s an era of extreme capitalism which makes the poor poorer and the rich richer. It’s what many conscious citizens would know: that capitalism has no soul – is insensitive to human needs and at the root of all wars”. “Sanusi’s interest free banking has truly come at a dire time, when mainstream

Femabbas@yahoo.com 08051101861

Chaff or Wheat...

• Sanusi economics has lost its sense – and conventional banking has gone bizarre. How under the sun could an interest rate be 18-25% where the poor needs to survive”? “Fortunately for Sanusi, his Islamic banking model has also come at a very critical time when the global business mantra is all about sustainability, sustainable development and about social entrepreneurialism which are all borne out of the need to balance the inequity which are more often than not the offspring’s of capitalism”. “Forget zero banking, forget Sanusi and forget northern politics, all these moral principles are exactly the fundamental ethics of Islamic banking and finance (See: Ainley et al 2007, FSA, 2005). To further quote the authors above: “The emphasis of Islamic model of banking is on fairness through equity, social justice and macro-economic prosperity, the banking model specifically prohibits Riba (interest) and the financing of gambling, prostitution, pornography, armaments, alcohol and speculation. “What become worrying and unforgivable are the conscious ignorance, myopia and flagrant pessimism which have taken over the public space about the introduction of this banking system. For example, a group called; the Anglican Bishops in Nigeria recently issued a statement to the National Assembly advising the lawmakers not to identify with Shari’ah banking. More recently, another group called “the Concerned Citizens of Nigeria” did a full page advert in the Daily Sun newspaper crying foul about the gradual “Islamization of the Central Bank”. “More and more disappointing debates are going on in our public spaces about Islamic banking and the bias of the central bank but no one has indeed bothered to truly and objectively examine what Islamic banks entail and how it would in reality be of benefit or disadvantage to Nigerians. Until today, no organisation, association or group has published a research on how Islamic banking will do no common good step on the economic rights of the non-Muslims”. “Till today, no group, religion or association has come up with credible alternatives to solving the problems of conventional banking, the challenges of soaring interest rates, and the growing elitism of Nigerian banking. No group, individual or association has come up with any form of tested social system of banking whose interest is at the heart of society and not the few who wants to make

money. It would therefore be instructive to question the rationale and intention behind the argument against Islamic banking in our public spaces. Why exactly is it greeted with so much sentiments, resentments and naïveté by those who know nothing about how it works and indeed how it would operate”? “To draw a sound debate here, one must first acknowledge that Sanusi might have introduced the banking model at the wrong time and a supposedly wrong period given the current frivolities of Boko Haram as well as other recent negative news about Islam in and around the world. But this argument has been discountenanced by the CBN’s recent claim that Sanusi is not responsible for the policy: Hear (Tunde Lemo) the CBN spokesperson: “Islamic banking is not a Sanusi Lamido Sanusi programme, but started by his predecessor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo. This policy has been on for about three years and has been approved in principle for some time now. I can recall that Al-Jaiz International Bank Plc has been given approval in principle to operate as an Islamic Bank.” “This statement automatically nullifies any argument against Sanusi’s timing because most of the policy concerning the Islamic banking system had been formulated and implemented by Sanusi’s predecessor – except that the banks themselves couldn’t comply as of that time and more investors couldn’t afford to start an Islamic bank”. “Another argument against Islamic banking has been the assertion that Nigeria is a secular society, the CBN is a secular authority and so regulations, policies and any activity of the body must be secular in nature without favour for any religion or sect”. Yes indeed, Nigeria is not a Muslim country nor is it a country for any religion or sect – the question then is whether the approval of an Islamic bank is right in such society. “The simple answer is yes it is right and not against any secular law or principle because it is an alternative product to conventional banking that would further diversify the Nigerian banking system. Moreover, any religion, group, association or sect can come up with its own model of banking and apply for a CBN license and that’s the beauty of secularism. Diversity drives competition and competition drives markets”. “In a recent guideline called the framework for the Regulation and Supervision of Institutions Offering NonInterest Financial Services in Nigeria,” the CBN made it clear that non-interest banking is not limited to Islam and so other forms of non-interest banking model from any religion, sects or investors are welcome”. “This CBN guideline also nullifies any argument against whether Islamic banks should be created in a secular society such as Nigeria. Unfortunately, the argument about secularism has led the debate about whether Islamic banking is right in Nigeria or not, but it does seem that proponents of such arguments are living in their own world”. “In other secular societies around the World, Islamic finance is gaining currency not as the main system of banking but as an alternative to those to whom it appeals. In South Africa for example, there is AlBaraka Bank offering solely Islamic products and services to its discerning customers there is also the HBZ Bank

which offers Islamic products and Sharia’h compliant services to its customers. There are more and more other small service firms which offer Islamic insurance, products and services in South Africa and the industry is growing”. “In the United Kingdom, there is the Islamic Bank of Britain offering Sharia’h compliant products and services to its customers. In the UK, other mainstream banks like HSBC and Lloyds also offer products and services which are tailored in Sharia’h compliant ways through their Islamic banking windows. There are other such small financial service firms offering varied products and services such as financing and insurance to their vast customers (Muslims and non Muslims) in and around the country”. “In many other secular climes around the world; like Europe and America – Islamic banks are well greeted without fear and without mudslinging in spite of the alarming spate of Islamic terrorism. Where there are no such banks, mainstream banks are opening windows where Islamic products and services are specifically tailored to their discerning customers. It’s in Switzerland, and it’s coming up in France”. “The Islamic banking model is simply accepted because it works and is a model found within the legal and ethical framework of the regulators. It is sustainable and does not put unnecessary burden on people who are trying to eke out a living out of their small struggles like conventional banking often does...” “In 2003, shortly before the Islamic Bank of Britain was approved by the Financial Service Authority, Sir Howard Davies who headed the authority made it clear that: he had ‘no objection in principle to the idea of an Islamic bank in the UK provided they met the FSA’s regulatory requirements, the UK had ‘a clear economic interest in trying to ensure that the conditions for a flourishing Islamic market are in place in London’. A soundly financed and prudently managed Islamic institution would, he argued, be ‘good for Muslim consumers, good for innovation and diversity in our markets and good for London as an international financial centre”. “Since the introduction of Islamic Bank in Great Britain in 2004, the FSA has taken keen interest in ensuring that the bank fulfils its obligations and does not fall behind any regulatory requirement. According to a report published by the UK economy and finance ministry (HM treasury, 2007) “The UK is at the forefront of developments in Islamic Finance and London continues to seize new opportunities - two of the largest Sukuk issued in the first half of this year were listed in London...” “Among the interesting news (which many myopic eyes would not see) about the introduction of Islamic banking to Nigeria is that it would not be an alternative to conventional banking whose interest rates are bizarre but would definitely be the beginning of another banking era and system in Nigeria because in the next few years, the introduction of other models of non-interest banking from the Redeemed church, the Catholics, the Apostolic, Pentecostals and other churches as well as religious sects would be most likely and such is a brilliant idea”. “That is what we need to build a prosperous state - that is creative capitalism and that is required in order to move forward as a society, and indeed, a people bound by one common purpose. But nevertheless, Sanusi must tread carefully!” “Saying No to Islamic banking is saying no to development and the millions of poor whom it will benefit. That is stupid economics! And if you say No who is your teacher?” Readers can get the details of Onikoyi’s comment on Google and he can be reached through his e-mail address thus: olaonikoyijr@yahoo.com

Attention! The three best winners of MUSWEN 2nd Annual Essay competition emerged at a ground finale last Sunday. Who are they? Where are they from? Please, read about these promising Muslim children next Friday in sha’Állah.

THE NATION

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

CRIME WATCH

Court awards N10m damages against SSS, AGF

Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State has awarded N10million as damages against the State Security Service (SSS) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) over the arrest and shooting of Mr Lucky Etumokwu. The SSS said Etumokwu was shot at and arrested because he was who is physically challenged suspected to have been involved in a case of kidnapping. It said when its men got to the place where ransom was to be delivered to the kidnappers; they saw Etumokwu making furtive phone calls. The applicant’s behaviour, SSS said, led the operatives to approach him for questioning. As they moved to apprehend him, they said they noticed Etumokwu trying to pick up a metal object. The operatives erroneously thought he was reaching for his weapon, so they quickly ‘demobilised’ him by shooting him in the leg. It was later discovered that Etumokwu only wanted to pick up his crutches. He sued the SSS, its Director-General, its Edo State Director, and the AGF through

By Joseph Jibueze

his lawyer, Edo State-based human rights activist, Mr Dele Igbinedion, who handled the case pro bono (free of change). The applicant sought a declaration that his arrest at his business centre on Sapele Road, Benin on May 26, 2011 by three armed SSS officers was a gross violation of his rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement guaranteed by 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. He prayed the court to hold that his being shot on his right thigh by the officers and his detention at the SSS headquarters in BeninCity was a violation of his right to dignity of his human person, personal liberty and freedom of movement. Etumokwu said the SSS failed to provide him with “any and adequate” medical treatment for the gunshot wound, denied him access to his lawyer and family and failed to charge him to court until he was released conditionally two days later, thereby violating his right to fair hearing. He sought an award of N202m as general and exemplary damages for his unlawful

arrest, shooting, detention and seizing of his personal effects, as well as N81,500 as special damages for medical and special expenses. The applicant prayed for an order directing Edo State SSS Director to tender a written apology to him. In a June 22, 2011 judgment, Justice Adamu Hobon held that Etumokwu’s case had merit. He said there was no evidence to show that he was involved in the said case of kidnapping. The judge added that there was evidence that the SSS knew about the applicant’s physical condition and that he could not pose any threat during his arrest. “I am of the opinion that upon all the circumstances of this case, N10m is sufficient as general damages, in addition to N81, 500 specific damages. I so award against the defendants jointly and severally in favour of the plaintiff victim,” he said. The judge described as “a reprehensible conduct” the SSS shooting of Etumokwu who had a physical disability and was trying to entre a vehicle with the help of his crutches. He said it was unconstitutional to handcuff and detain him without adducing any

•Etumokwu

satisfactory reason for doing so. Justice Hobon said: “The applicant’s case in the absence of any good cause on the respondents’ part must succeed and be granted. In the whole, the plaintiff’s case has succeeded and must be granted. It is hereby granted.”

Police arrest suspected kidnappers, drug peddlers From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

•Ringin

HE Aba Area Command of the Nigeria Police has swooped on criminal hideouts in the state’s commercial city and arrested three suspected kidnappers and 54 drug peddlers. The hoodlums were arrested at Umule in Aba North Local Government Area, Owerre-Aba in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, and York Street; a popular drug flash point in Aba South Local

Government Area. Parading the suspects, the Aba Area Commander, Mr Rabiu Dayi said his men arrested the suspects based on the information they received that the hoodlums, most of whom are hard drug addicts, converge at the spots to take hard drugs before embarking on their criminal activities. Dayi said: “The suspects were arrested during a raid by our men in their different hideouts in Aba where they go to take Indian hemp, cocaine and other dangerous hard drugs.” The Area Commander further said: “Those apprehended by the police were in three groups. The first group are those ones arrested based on information that they are kidnappers. They come to these black spots to take hard drugs before embarking on their criminal activities. For that reason, we raided a hideout at Umule in Aba North Local Government Area, Owerri Aba Village in Ugbunagbo Local Government Area.” “The first raid,” according to the police boss, “was at Umule where 17 suspects were arrested and some weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered. “The second raid was at Alaoji where 18 people were arrested and 27 kilogrammes of Indian hemp was seized. There was also another raid on York Street, a notorious spot in the centre of the city where 22 suspected drug peddlers

Those apprehended by the police were in three groups. The first group are those ones arrested based on information that they are kidnappers. They come to these black spots to take hard drugs before embarking on their criminal activities were apprehended and some hard drugs including cocaine and heroin seized.” Dayi said the raids became necessary as information had it that these hoodlums, after taking the illicit drugs, would terrorise innocent residents and visitors to the city, stressing it was also alleged that the hoodlums break into shops and bring their loot to York Street where their receivers converge also to buy the stolen goods from them. The Aba police boss also said: “Mere looking at them, you will know that these people do not have future. What they know is to take these drugs and kidnap and rob people of their properties. “But I’m assuring residents of Aba that we are on top of the security situation in the city. They should go about their normal

duties and report suspected movements and activities to the police.” Dayi commended the men of the Army whom he said have been complementing the activities of the police in Aba and the entire Abia State, even as he solicited more cooperation from other security agencies. One of the suspects paraded who identified himself as Okey Cimo from Eziama in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, confessed that he has been in the business for long, adding that he is the major dealer that supplies them with cocaine and other dangerous drugs. Cimo said that he did not know what those who took his hard drugs do after taking the drugs, even as he added that his business starts and ends with supplying drugs to them.

Man accuses bank of illegal withdrawal

business man Mr. Edward Akinlade has accused the management of Oceanic Bank Plc of withdrawing the N27. 5million from his company’s account at the bank’s Opebi, Ikeja branch in May, 2011, without authorisation and notice. His company, Suru Worldwide Ventures Nigeria Limited, had been having a running battle with the bank since 2009. Akinlade also accused the bank of mischief, saying that after the bank had withdrawn the money from the company’s account illegally, it also went ahead to give Suru Ventures an overdraft of N42million, which was not applied for. He explained that it was the second time the bank would be invading the company’s account without any authorisation. He recalled that on January 17, 2011, the bank carried out a similar withdrawal of the sum of N9.5m to pay one of his company’s creditors without seeking any form of consent from them. He called on the President and the Central Bank of Nigeria to call the bank to order and ensure that it followed the due process in its dealings. Narrating his ordeal to Newsextra, Mr Akinlade said: “Since 2009 when a new management took over, we have been suffering from one humiliation to another from this bank, which disregarded every agreement we had with it. Instead, it was

By Joseph Jibueze

bent on destroying us. From a staff strength of 5,000 in 2009, we have been forced to reduce our staff strength to 250 in order to survive.” Akinlade, while explaining how the problem between the bank and his company started, said that his company got a loan facility of N13b from Oceanic Bank before the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Lamido Sanusi’s crackdown on banks. Continuing, he said: “By that time, we had gotten about N10b out of the N13b loan, which we judiciously used, while also paying the interest on the loan.

“After the CBN appointed another management team headed by Mr. John Aboh in 2009, the loan was recalled. We told Mr. Aboh that we were servicing the loan and we were also expecting the balance of N3b so that we could complete our project and start repaying our loan.” He further told Newsextra that the new management did not agree, a situation which forced the company to sell some of its assets to start the repayment. “A week after we made our first payment of N700m to Oceanic, we got a letter from Asset Management Corporation informing us that Oceanic Bank had sold our loan to

Since 2009 when a new management took over, we have been suffering from one humiliation to another from this bank, which disregarded every agreement we had with it. Instead, it was bent on destroying us. From staff strength of 5,000 in 2009, we have been forced to reduce to our staff strength to 250 in order to survive

them. From that moment, our relationship with Oceanic Bank ceased and we started negotiating terms of repayment with AMCOR. I must state that we neither knew that Oceanic Bank was planning to sell the loan nor were we invited to the negotiation table. “After we started making headway, AMCOR informed us that they bought only our loan and we were at liberty to access our money in our bank account.” He explained that Suru Ventures immediately signed some cheques and we wrote the bank to honour the cheques. The bank later wrote back to inform Akinlade that it had used the money to pay the company’s creditors. “We did not instruct them to do this. We hope that the President and the CBN will call the management of Oceanic Bank to order and instruct them to do the right thing.” Akinlade may not be putting all his hopes on the Presidency and CBN, as he is already in court challenging the action. He said: “We want to know if all the banks actions are legal and if not; it should be punished.” But a source in Oceanic Bank said that the bank was not losing any sleep on any action taken by Akinlade or Suru Ventures. The bank’s spokesman, Mr. Lumi Igun declined comment, saying: “We are going to court. Let the court decide.”

THE NATION

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

Shell enhances healthcare in communities

HELL Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) is proving, through its Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU), that it is delivering healthcare to rural communities through the people themselves at minimal cost. Speaking at the re-launch of Obio Community Health Insurance Scheme (OCHIS) at Obio Cottage Hospital, Port Harcourt, the Managing Director of the company Mr Mutiu Sunmonu described it as "one glaring evidence of the success of GMOUs in our communities. The OCHIS is being pioneered by Shell IA Cluster Communities Development Foundation in partnership with SPDC, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and with the full support of the state government. Sunmonu, who was represented at the ceremony by Mr Fuakakpo Funyenyi, a manager in SPDC also noted that his company was impressed with the success recorded by the scheme since March 25, 2010 when it was first launched. The SPDC boss also said that the Obio Cottage Hospital is one of the company's 27 health facilities being run in the Niger Delta states. He further said that there are eight of such health centres in Rivers State, noting that for about eight thousand members of the community to have so far accessed the scheme is a proof that when all hands are on deck, "there is nothing we cannot do." In his own speech, Dr Babatunde Fakunle, the Regional Manager, Community Health of SPDC explained that the re-launch was to create awareness on the scheme and to show appreciation to the management and staff of the health centre for working hard on the scheme. Mr Fakunle, who described the scheme as "affordable, acceptable

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

and accessible to the people," also said that the cost per annum for an individual from any of the four host communities of Rumuobikani, Rumuezeolu, Oginigba and Rumuomasi is N3, 600 while a nonindigene is expected to pay N7, 200. Members of the host communities pay half the cost because, through the GMOU, their communities have subsidised the scheme by paying about N21, 600. Mr Fakunle, who pioneered the health insurance scheme, disclosed that: "Hitherto, the number of births given at Obio Cottage Hospital was just five in a month. But since after the launch of the health insurance scheme, the hospital now records more than double the number in a month." Also speaking, Dr Joe Amadi, Chairman of IA Cluster Foundation who traced the history of the health insurance scheme described it as "a true success as it implies taking your destiny in your own hands and driving your infrastructure by yourself," which is the spirit of GMOU. Hon. Solomon Eke, the ViceChairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area who represented Hon. Timothy Nsirim, the Chairman of the council at the ceremony said that the health insurance scheme was one of the ace cards they threw during the political campaign "because we promised our people health care when we campaigned. He also urged SPDC to replicate what is happening at the Obio Health Centre in other health centres in the locality. In his own remarks, Dr Rogers Wali, Chairman of Rivers State Health Management Board who stood in for the state government noted that the increased number of babies being born at the cottage hospital "is an indication of the

The re-launch was to create awareness on the scheme and to show appreciation to the management and staff of the health centre for working hard on the scheme…The cost per annum for an individual from any of the four host communities of Rumuobikani, Rumuezeolu, Oginigba and Rumuomasi is N3, 600 while a non-indigene is expected to pay N7, 200 awareness created by the scheme." In thanking SPDC for the scheme, he stated that the issue at the moment in health sector is community ownership. Mrs Amaka Ede, one of the women who gave birth to babies at the hospital, in her testimony said that "these people are more than good." Ede, who confirmed that as a non-indigene, she paid N7, 200 to have her third child at the cottage hospital added that "the experience is very good." Still in line with the spirit of giving people of its host community better deal, Sunmonu, at another event, explained that the company established Shell Contractor Support Fund to help develop the capabilities of local contractors in the oil and gas industry in the country. Speaking in Port Harcourt at the formal launch of the scheme popularly called 'Kobo Fund', Sunmonu said that developing the capabilities of local contractors is the goal of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010. The Kobo Fund, unlike other ini-

tiatives of Shell, he said, is in partnership with notable banks in the country like the First Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Zenith Bank. He also said that the three banks have agreed to finance and manage the scheme, while SPDC would provide the contracts for which the funds would be utilised. He expressed his regrets that funds have always been a challenge to most contractors to Shell even as various attempts have been made in the past to solve the challenge. While adding that the Nigerian Content Support Fund was initiated by the oil company to support contractors, the SPDC boss also lamented that these initiatives did not target the "small community contractor who wanted easy-to-reach funds at a reasonable interest rate and without the complications of collateral and extended administrative work." However, he expressed hope that with the Kobo Fund, the funding challenges experienced by small community contractors would be

Engineers urged to be self-confident ACK of self-confidence and stereotype beliefs that Nigerian engineers are inferior to their expatriate counterparts have been identified as some of the reasons preventing Nigerian engineers from achieving their full potential in the quest for the nation's development stride. An engineering expert based in Warri, Delta State, Mr Ugochukwu Nzurumike, who made the assertion said that Nigerian engineers would have done better than their foreign counterparts if they have self-confidence, adding that the situation has hindered technological growth and the development of the country's economy. Mr. Nzurumike made the observation in a paper entitled "The Role of Nigerian Engineers in Making Life worth Living for Nigerians," which he presented at the inauguration ceremony of Nigeria Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), Warri Chapter, held at the Petroleum Training Institute (P.T.I.) Conference Centre, Effurun, recently. He noted that engineering is not all about the number of degrees one has, but by intellectual capability and what the hands of the individual can do to impact positively on the society. He added that any engineer worth his onion should stand out in the search for solutions to problems. Nzurumike regretted that Nigerians have failed to have the belief in their local engineers and what Nigeria can do for itself, stressing that the people who are leading the world technologically

From Shola O'Neil, Warri

are not better than the human resources we have in the country. "We the engineers must develop this self sufficient ideology. Who told you that you cannot do it? All we need to do is to coordinate ideas; dreams; and aspirations and put all these together to get what we want. I don't know what you feel about yourself. As for me, I believe in myself and I am convinced that we can do it," Mr. Nzurumike posited. He reminded the audience that Taiwan that was noted for a country of fake-products in the past has overcome their initial challenges and has become a major supplier of products to Nigerians. He opined that there is urgent need for Nigerians to wake up

We, the engineers, must develop this self-sufficient ideology. Who told you that you cannot do it? All we need to do is to co-ordinate ideas, dreams and aspirations and put all these together to get what we want from their slumber and stop the discrimination between engineers and technologists, adding that the earlier both parties begin to live as one family, the better for the country. He disclosed that those who

manufactured equipment and weapons for the Biafran soldiers during the Nigerian civil war were Nigerian artisans determined to do something. He further said that if such feats were possible under such adverse

• Shell CEO, Vander Veer resolved, pointing out that the commitment of the three banks to relax the collateral security requirement as well as reduce the processing time and lower the interest rates would enable the small contractors to establish their competitive advantage and become global players. In his own speech, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Ernest Nwapa called on SPDC to look into the possibility of giving domestication letters to the partnering banks to make it easy for local contractors to have access to loans. Making his remarks, the Group Managing Director of First Bank PLC, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, stated that SPDC and the bank had maintained a cordial relationship for the past 42 years which is why it committed about 3b dollars to initiatives of Shell in Nigeria in 2011 alone. Commenting on the initiative, the Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa, Mr. Philip Oduoza promised that the partnering banks would not attach stringent conditions that would make it difficult for local contractors to access funds under the initiative.

condition, it is possible that we can do better under an atmosphere conducive enough for technological feat. "Why do Nigerian engineer enjoy insulting himself? The world super powers are not so powerful because of their laws, it is not their accounting, not their business, but as a result of their technology and engineering. If you and I fail to take the bull by the horn, then our country will not move forward. Rather, we will move backwards. I don't feel happy when those goods made in Nigeria are not quality enough," Nzurumike said. Earlier in his address, NATE's national president Sir Okereke assured that the era of dichotomy between polytechnictrained engineers and their university counterparts was over, even as he commended the Warri chapter of the union for being the first city chapter of NATE

Prison completion thrills Akpabio

KWA Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has expressed his happiness with the successful completion of Ikot Ekpene Federal Prison estimated at N2.6billion. The project, which was started in 2009 and completed this year by Governor Akpabio administration, is meant to replace the Federal Prisons at Ikot EkpeneAba Road. Akpabio, who inspected facilities at the prison, said his government was motivated by the aesthetic value of Ikot Ekpene in embarking on the project. The Governor noted that: “This administration decided to intervene in the rehabilitation of

the prison as a result of its welfare policy. The package for convicts is to enhance their living standard after serving out their imprisonment.” He said the old prison about to be relocated to the new site would become a cynosure of all eyes as soon as people come in from Abia and other parts of the country because of its strategic location. Chief Akpabio further hinted that the new site was acquired in 1981 by the Federal Government but was abandoned; assuring that the Akwa Ibom State government would reclaim the old site as soon as it is relocated for beautification purposes.

Akpabio said after inaugurating the project by President Goodluck Jonathan, the state government would submit a bill to the Federal Government for a refund. Meanwhile, a bridge linking Ukana Edem Idim and Afaha Ikot Ebak in Essien Udim Local Government Area is ready for inauguration. The contract for the bridge which measures 90 metres long was awarded one year ago to Stemco Limited. Governor Akpabio, who inspected the project expressed delight at the quality of job done by the company and hoped that it would open the area for socioeconomic activities.

• Akpabio

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

These well-trained doctors are going to change the face of the health care sector in Bayelsa as well as Nigeria. They have been well-acquainted with the best training available to an aspiring medical practitioner anywhere in the world

•A cross section of the students and Bayelsa State government representatives

Health boost for Bayelsa B

AYELSA State’s drive to enhance its health sector got a boost when 23 medical students of the state origin graduated from the Belarussian State Medical University. They and two others were under the scholarship scheme of the Bayelsa State government. The two majored in engineering. This has been hailed as a major boost for the state’s health and education sectors. The graduation was a momentous occasion for the students, as well as the hitherto educationally disadvantaged state which has, under Governor Timipre Sylva, evolved a deliberate education policy to raise human capacity development. To celebrate the day, the governor, who could not make the trip, sent a strong delegation led by Mr Whyte Durban, Director, Science Technology and Higher Education; Mrs Atonye Pekene, Secretary, Bayelsa State Scholarship Board; Waripamo Martin, Assistant Director, Foreign Awards Scholarship Board; Mike .B. Olomu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, and Mr Oyanbo Peace Owei, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media and Social Networking. Many parents also flew in from different parts of the world to witness their wards’ graduation ceremony. These young Bayelsans did not just bag their certificates, they are now also very

Imo reassures investors

MO State government has expressed its satisfaction on the performance of GMICORD Alusminium factory Limited at the Onitsha Road Industrial Layout Owerri. He has, therefore, assured that arrangements would be made to know areas of requirements of the company, so as to create room for its expansion. This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Lady Chioma Ogoke, during her maiden visit to the company in continuation of her tour of local industries in Imo State. The Commissioner, who expressed her surprise at the performance level of the factory, observed that if the company has up to 350 staff, it is actually on board with the rescue mission agenda of the present administration.

By Nneka Nwaneri fluent in the country’s language as they spent their first year learning it. Little wonder many of them are members of the school’s choir. The vice chancellor of the University thanked the state for its efforts in education, which he said was novel and commendable. He also praised the Bayelsans for being exceptionally well behaved and upright throughout their stay in the school. Also, Governor Sylva spoke on the telephone with the students, commending them for their hitch-free stay in the East European country and for making Bayelsa proud with their achievements. He promised to take them on a tour of the state’s health facilities on arrival and that he would welcome their suggestions and advice. In appreciation of the governor’s gesture, the President of the Bayelsa State Scholarship Students in Belarus, Enarebebe Ebiowei Robinson, on behalf of the students, presented an award to the governor for his initiatives in the education sector saying, “These well-trained doctors are going to change the face of the health care sector in Bayelsa as well as Nigeria. They have been well-acquainted with the best training available to an aspiring medical practitioner anywhere in the world. We thank the governor for making this happen.” From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

Stressing that if the state has up to 10 of such companies, it would go a long way in providing employment opportunities to the teeming unemployed youths. She therefore called on other investors to emulate the company, even as she wooed other companies to come to Imo State and invest, bearing in mind that the state

Interestingly, last year, over 100 students equally graduated in the 2009/2010 academic year in Russia and Belarus; 11 were of post graduate category, while another 50 were from Kursk State Medical University. Among them were 40 medical doctors, out of which two graduated with first class honours and were subsequently offered automatic post-graduate scholarship by Governor Sylva to continue their education to any level. A cross section of the students also lauded the governor for having kept faith with the educational advancement of Bayelsa even in the face of dwindling finances when he took over four years ago. One of the graduating students said, “We in Belarus are not the only beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme. Last year, Governor Sylva sponsored 40 youths to India and Norway to acquire basic skills in local content policy for the oil and gas industry. He was also in Thailand recently to monitor the progress of the Bayelsans undergoing tailoring training programme. There are other students in Norway, U.S.A and South Africa. Governor Sylva realises that without education, the State might not measure up with the rest of the world that is why he is vigorously pursuing his education agenda which would soon place the state at par with other states in Nigeria.” Since December 2008 when Governor Sylva organised the maiden educational summit

government would soon unveil some incentives to local investors. In his address, the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of the company Mr Goddy M. Iheanacho thanked the Commissioner for deeming it fit to visit and interact with them on the way forward. He said that they have been trying to register their names and that of the state in

Some investors in the industrial layout are trying to sustain themselves and their products in the midst of harsh economic condition, even as he pleaded with government to help them in the construction of durable road network in the layout ... He further pleaded with the state government to ensure that adequate security surveillance are extended to the area

to fashion out the way forward for education in the state, the sector has not remained the same. In the intervening years, he has secured full accreditation for the Niger Delta University, ensured the smooth take-off of the South-south campus of the Nigerian Law School in Bayelsa, the South-south Federal University located at Otueke, the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, the State College of Education, Okpoama and re-opening of the once moribund College of Health Technology, Otuogidi. Additionally, Governor Sylva ensures prompt payment of WAEC, NECO fees while he has approved the construction of 16 additional model primary and secondary schools along the three senatorial districts. To its credit, Bayelsa was the first to commence payment of the Teachers’ Special Scale Salary when economically vibrant states had to weather the storm of intermittent teachers’ strike to compel implementation. It did not come as a surprise therefore that contrary to the poor showing of Bayelsa students in previous examinations, remarkable improvement was recorded in the state’s performance at the WAEC, NECO, Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exams and Common Entrance. Commendably, teachers at primary and secondary schools have access to government-funded trainings. The state also has 10 designated school buses to convey primary school pupils to and from their various schools. All these put together are robust signs that education has catapulted the state from its abysmal level to an enviable position.

the map of business world. He asked the government to help investors. Mr Iheanacho stressed that some investors in the industrial layout are trying to sustain themselves and their products in the midst of harsh economic condition, even as he pleaded with government to help them in the construction of durable road network in the layout. Highlighting that some of their constraints include bad roads, lack of adequate security, he further pleaded with the state government to ensure that adequate security surveillance are extended to the area. He also said the industrial layout needs adequate power supply because of its importance to business growth. He also solicited government’s patronage which can come as a policy where the state government directs indigenous contractors to always patronise the state-based manufacturers in a way of helping them sale. He pledged that the company will still maintain its staff strength and contribute its quota to the economic growth of the state.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

SHOPPING

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FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

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Stop cold with duvet

Duvet, used on beds as blanket, is known for its usefulness as an insulator, against cold, especially during this rainy season. TONIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;DIYAN writes.

Wallets that make a man

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Page 44

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Shopping for ladies handbag Page 46

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

SHOPPING

URING a season like this, there is the need to keep the body warm. One way of doing so is to get good and thick beddings and one of such is the duvet. A duvet is a combination of silk, wool, cotton or artificial fibres such as polyester. This bed warmer does not only keep you warm, but also protects your bed sheets, pillow cases and blankets from getting dirty and making them last long. The duvet guarantees savings, so when shopping, go for one that is fanciful and colourful apart from its warm and protective features. Everybody loves a good duvet, but choosing the right one for your bed is most important. They are heavy enough that they are usually the only cover you need, and their thickness makes them stand out more than blankets. Therefore, picking a duvet cover that fits in nicely with the rest of your decorating scheme is a good way to keep the bed from taking over the room. Selecting muted colours or simple patterns is nice( unless the room is for a child, then feel free to go with prints) and if you have an overall decoration theme, then it is relatively easy to match it up with your design. To buy a duvet suitable for your bed, first know your bed size, so you won’t end up going home with a king size duvet for a smaller bed, pick a dark colour that would absorb dirt and wouldn’t need dry cleaning often. While considering the colour to pick, remember it has to be colourful, fanciful and colourful. Fabrics and thread count are also a few of the things to consider when purchasing duvet covers. You have a choice of shopping for silk covers, polyester or even cotton duvets but satin is actually rated very highly and thought to be the highest quality. Cotton is known for

ALLET is important for holding essential documents. Usually, it is made of leather or strong manmade material. In a wallet, you can keep an international passport, tickets, boarding pass, money, traveller’s cheques, credit and debit cards, driving licence, identity cards, small pens and note pad. There are varieties of quality wallets, and no single wallet can be right for everyone. Some prefer a wallet that looks like a normal wallet, others do not. Most importantly, almost all wallets will do the job and it is up to the routine and the performer to make it happen. Its types and categories are; • The Switcher wallet • Himber wallet • Loader wallet The switcher allows one switch one card

Stop cold with duvet its durability and polyester is actually a stability among the two. A duvet cover is ideal for children too and there are wide ranges of children duvet covers for bunk beds, which they can select from

with options of colours and designs. Children’s duvet covers catch the attention of children from all age groups, and they are more affordable, so you can pick them at a cost you can pay. They are also simple to

Wallets that make a man When buying a wallet, decide on the size you would prefer, because they come in different makes and shapes, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN for another, the Himber wallets can be used effectively for a card to wallet effect, but can also be used in any situation when you want to exchange one card or any other item for another. The loader wallet allows you to load a selected item into a seemingly impossible area. Some wallet designs combine both features, so you have a combination of switching and loading wallet. Some provide visual switching mechanisms, i.e., an item can be

seen through a hole in the wallet, yet a switch can be made when such is removed. Wallets also vary greatly in quality of construction. Expect to pay about N5, 000 or more for a quality wallet, because some of the less expensive wallets are certainly not usable. Some wallets are as low as N3, 000, others are over N5, 000, and the expensive wallets provide some unique routine possibilities. When buying a wallet, decide what size

maintain. They enjoy a more notable and key role in just how your kids’ room will look as they come in different handy cartoon designs, also entertaining the children before they sleep. To buy one for your child, don’t bother yourself, just get him or her involved, because they know what they want and how they want it. They will make shopping a duvet for them a pleasant experience.

you want to use for example, a Michael Ambers showcase wallet is a small vinyl switcher designed for simple switching. On the other hand, a full size pocket secretary type Himber wallet will allow you place envelopes or bills into the wallet without folding. There are many factors to consider when buying a wallet, do you want the wallet to fit in your hip pocket, or do you often wear a jacket where you can keep it? Do you need an instant reset wallet or not? Prada long wallet is sold for N17, 500. It is available in Nero (black) and pink. A saffiano leather wallet with gold plated hardware, a metal lettering logo, two snap closure, ten credit cards slots, and one coin compartment with zipper. It is 18.7cm / 9cm Other types are balducci / kaps, lepau and Mullica wallets.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

SHOPPING

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Building a classic wardrobe

T is often hard work and expensive to keep up with clothing trends and to change your wardrobe with the seasons. That is why it is a great idea to build a classic wardrobe that will keep you looking and feeling stylish, regardless of the season and the current trends. Here are tips on building a classic wardrobe. It is far more important to look good than it is to look different all the time. A loud patterned blouse or suit might be fashionable, but you can only wear it once in a while and chances are it will be out of style soon. A classic wardrobe allows you to accessorise with the latest fashions while maintaining a timeless elegance. It does take time to build, but it is possible to create a fashionable and classy wardrobe that will last you years to come, if not a lifetime. The following is a guide to help you build a classic wardrobe. The first step to building a classic wardrobe is having an understanding as to what makes something classic. In this case, classic means clothes that stand the test of time. Here are just a few examples of classic looks that have stood the test of time: black, stripes, denim, cashmere, trench coats, polo shirts and white button-ups. Buy what you absolutely love. If you won’t be excited about ripping the tags off, then sleep on it. In the beginning, it might be hard to distinguish classics from the trends, or from the just plain expensive. This is where knowing yourself is key. The next step is to only buy what works double duty. A good rule of thumb is to never buy anything that won’t go with at least two other outfits. You will end up having to buy more clothes just to match your new purchase, which is more wasted money in the long run. Think of your personal style, and buy nice quality pieces to create a functional wardrobe where everything mixes and matches. Do not be a slave to trends. Only buy what you love, and a classic, functional wardrobe will eventually follow. Another thing is coming to terms with the fact that some clothes are worth splurging on. That is a fun rule, but for some, it can also be the hardest. Consider it an investment in yourself. If you do not invest in yourself, who will? If you think about it, buying an expensive classic jacket is more practical than buying a trendy coat that will last only for a season, no matter how cheap the coat. Classic accessories If you only wear suits and shirts, a classic wardrobe can appear to be very boring. This is where accessories come in. They can be as flashy and attention grabbing as you want. Think of the suits and shirts as blank canvases and the accessories as the paint. Women can completely change the look of a classic outfit by wearing a colourful scarf or eye catching piece of jewelry. Men can express their individuality and sense of style with a bold tie or

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• Standing paper towel holder • 15-piece everyday kitchen tool set

JANICE NKOLI IFEME shiny cuff links. Accessories are much easier to change and discard than an expensive tailor made garment. Other parts of a classic wardrobe No wardrobe is complete without shoes, belts and casual wear. Classic shoes and belts are black and basic. Black goes with everything and is always appropriate. Brown is a close second. However, shoes and belts are another area of a wardrobe that can reflect the wearer’s individuality. Once you own the basic black and brown shoes, go ahead and express yourself. Fill out your wardrobe with smart casual wear that compliments your classic suits. Coloured button down shirts can be worn with them for a more informal look. Leave the jacket at home for an even more casual look. Solid coloured polo shirts and v-neck cashmere sweaters are always classic and work well with the slacks. The beauty of the classic wardrobe is its flexibility. You can mix and match the pieces and always look like a classic. The classic suit Every classic wardrobe starts with a classic suit. It can be dressed up for weddings, funerals and professional settings. It can also be dressed down for nights on the town or after work occasions. The classic suit is dark and solid. Patterns and unusual colours can be in vogue one season and a joke the next. You cannot go wrong if your best suit is black, navy blue or dark gray. That may sound boring, but a dark suit gives you infinite options to spice up your look with accessories. Meanwhile, it never goes out of style, so you can feel free to spend more on a good suit.

‘It is far more important to look good than it is to look different all the time. A loud patterned blouse or suit might be fashionable but you can only wear it once in a while and chances are it will be out of style soon. A classic wardrobe allows you to accessorise with the latest fashions while maintaining a timeless elegance’

Write to us, express your views, observations and experiences. Let’s have your comments about shopping. Your comments, questions and answers will be published first Friday of every month. With your full name and occupation, send e-mail to: janicenkoli@yahoo.com SMS - 08033349992

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

SHOPPING

Shopping for ladies’ handbags Whatever your choice or preference in handbags, get at least one that seems perfect for an occasion. writes TONIA ‘DIYAN.

HERE is one accessory that many women cannot do without - a handbag. In fact, they consider it a necessity. That explains why there is a hot demand for ladies’ handbags in the market. From the designer ones to the ‘no names’; from brand new to fairly used! Every woman has her own sense of style and taste. Therefore, she will tend to buy ladies’ handbags that reflect that. For some women, they only buy designers ladies’ handbags, which are crafted from the finest materials and carry the names

of some of the most celebrated designers in the world. Names such as Gucci, Escada, Versace, Channel, Fendi, Calvin Klein, Dolce and Garbana, Givenchy, Next, Esprit, Prada, among others, top the list. Designer ladies handbags are quite expensive, but this class of women views them as fashion statement, portraying their class or high taste. They visit some specialty boutiques in choice places to purchase them. Another purchase venue is online retailing. There are many websites that sell brand name designer ladies hand-

bags and will deliver right to your door .This often allows the customer the biggest selection and a chance to compare prices. But it is important to be careful when buying this way because of fear of imitations from China/Thailand. Visiting your local boutiques and departmental stores is a wonderful idea to find less -expensive ones. Most of these stores do not cater for women

• Burbery handbag

who are looking for a pricey handbag. Instead, they have a varied selection of reasonably priced but attractive ladies handbags, imported from Dubai and Asia and branded in these known designer names (imitation/ replica). One of the most popular types of ladies handbags are those crafted from leather. Leather handbags are available in several shades of colours .But

many women prefer a neutral shade such as black or brown. And if you are looking for something unusual, then you must opt for one that is red, blue or yellow. A handbag in a bright colour is a great fashion accessory in the

that is oversized. She would want to choose one that is relative to her size. The same applies for a taller/fat woman, when she is browsing for a handbag. A bigger size will complement her body

• Designer handbag

• Channel bag

spring or summer. As there are many colours of ladies handbags, there are as many styles as you can getover the shoulder design, small clutches or even a few that can double as briefcase. Many of these handbags have detachable handles which give it versatile look. The size of ladies handbag depends on your individual preference. It is over - powering for a petit woman to carry a handbag

frame better. Having several ladies handbags, of various designs, colours and names is a good idea. It is very nice to be able to change handbags to suit occasions or complement the outfit you are wearing. For example, an evening outfit will demand a more sophisticated choice in a handbag than going to the office or seminar.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

49 FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

Vol 3 No. 138

The Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology is a Federal Government registered project initiative of the African Foundation. Established five years ago, and approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, the institute is a non-sectarian, not-for-profit educational organisation. Its sole objective is to provide world class research and cutting edge training for relevant stakeholders including public office holders and those aspiring for leadership positions in the country. At its recently held annual leadership lecture and awards in Abuja, the Country Director of the institute, Moses Essien spoke to WALE ALABI on leadership challenges facing the Nigeria and other relevant issues. Excerpts:

‘Good governance is everybody’s business’

‘Good governance is everybody’s business. Governance is too serious to be left to public office holders alone. When you hear things like (PPP) Public Private Partnership, it is because the world has come to understand that progress, success and improvement in the provision of infrastructure can happen when public and private sectors come together’ research institute. I was discussing in this office with one of the Ambassadors from a European country and he asked me how we can be of assistance in the areas of manpower training for its high commission staff.

Source(s) of funding for the institute

Leadership challenges in public office

The institute is blessed with men and women who believe in good governance. Funding comes from individuals in public and private sectors and corporate citizens who believe in what the institute is trying to do.

HERE are a lot of challenges facing public office holders in Nigeria. However, I think we must decide to move our country forward whether one is in public or private sector. We must have policy consistency, price stability for good planning. We must hold somebody responsible for lack of performance and commend one that has done well. I think that we are too quick to condemn our leaders. Our institute has been assisting in the area of training, research and development. The media too will do well to support us and persuade public office holders to send their manpower for world class, cutting edge research and training programmes that we run. The institute is blessed with one of the finest academicians and professionals who have distinguished themselves in their various areas of calling.

On achievements of the institute I think it is too early to talk of achievements now. Give us a little time, you too will be in a better position to tell us what we have been able to achieve. I resume office

Criteria for the institute membership

• Essien

only in November, 2010.

Vision and mission of founding founders

The institute is evolving. The mission is to promote learning and training through cutting edge research with various stakeholders globally. The vision is to be the most respected, most credible educational training and

Fanta mini car activation excites consumers

ANTA, the premium known orange drink of The Coca-Cola Company, for its brand asset of play, fun and vivacity has extended this core brand values to the hearts of residents of the nation’s capital city, Abuja through its campaign activation tagged Fanta Mini car Activation, an offshoot of the “Play. It’s natural”campaign. The awareness campaign, which began in Abuja a fourthnight ago is already fulfilling its promise of a weekend of play, fun and excitement for the winner of the week via the Fanta play zone page on Facebook. Some of the activities in the past days have seen winners emerge. Bridget Biem, a 16-years-student of Junior Secondary School, Mabushi, Abuja, was the first to experience the three-day exotic treat. The young girl got wind of the Fanta play zone page on Facebook from the mini car town storming that visited her school a fortnight ago. With much enthusiasm, she swiftly went into action using the internet facility at her home. She then made strategic moves to invite 15 of her friends to the page which paid off in the end and saw her emerging the first winner in Abuja. The shy young lady, who was at a loss for words however expressed her excitement. “I hardly go out like this to have fun, my fun times are mostly indoors with family and close friends. But I really enjoyed this outing, especially when the car came to pick me from school in the presence of everyone and the interesting places it took me to. I really felt special”. Her guardian, Juliet Obasanya, who was initially skeptical about signing the consent forms for security reasons, was full of accolades for Fanta. Her words: “I am happy for Bridget and now understand that

all this is actually real. It is a plus for Fanta that they can positively engage their consumers and I really commend their efforts.” She also said that this will make people, particularly the young consumers appreciate Fanta better. The second Abuja winner, 17-year old Abdullahi Jubrilla, a student of Government Secondary School, Kado, invited a total of 34 friends, a step which made him winner for the second week. The third child from a family of six Children, the youngster was grateful for the treat Fanta gave him and promised to continually be loyal to the brand. He invited his friends Abdul Mutelib, a 17-years-old student who just concluded his Junior WACE and Illiyasu Bashir, a 16-year-old of Best International School with him for the all expenses paid lunch on Saturday. Having grown up with them in the same neighbourhood he was grateful that he could share this memorable experience with them. “It is a very wonderful experience for me and everyone that came with me for the treat. This experience was made possible by my friends, Abdul and Illiyasu. They both helped to get more friends registered to my name and when we get back, we would all help each other to ensure that we all emerge winners. I look forward to coming back to enjoy the treat.” In a typical show of family harmony, he invited his brother Mohammed Jubrilla and his mother Mrs. Fatima Jubrilla with him the next day on the special treat to Chicken Republic. The excitement was evident as they laughed and shared joke emphasising the ambience of fun and excitement. Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, Strategic Marketing Manager (flavors) of the Coca-Cola Company, stressed that the members of core target of the brand are always playful with an exuberant and frivolous impulse that always keeps them on the go.

Good governance is everybody’s business. Governance is too serious to be left to public office holders alone. When you hear things like (PPP) Public Private Partnership, it is because the world has come to understand that progress, success and improvement in the provision of infrastructure can happen when public and private sectors come together. The Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 in Lagos is a classical example of PPP. In answer to your question, membership of the institute is not limited to public sector alone. The criteria for membership include, but not limited to good qualifications, experience and acts of patriotism. The institute is privileged to have members who are public office holders, legislators, captains of industry and chieftains of political parties. The institute will not admit anyone who deliberately take arm against his country; who do things that give Africans a bad name.

Criteria for conferring awards Identification of acts of patriotism in individuals, corporate citizens and public office holders . The institute is introducing a reward mechanism for those who deliberately strive to improve our public and private sectors in terms of performance, delivery of democracy dividends, obeying the rule of law and creation of employment; compliance with government regulatory policies and of professional code of conduct and ethical standards.

On 2011 award winners I may not be able to give you a complete list of awardees this year right away. But I remember from the public sector that Governors Sullivan Chime and Rauf Aregbesola were conferred with the Africa Order of Merit awards for their contribution to democratic values and development.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

Brandnews

Samsung rewards winners in consumer promo T

HE Mobile Division of Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), a subsidiary of the consumer electronics giant, Samsung Electronics Co., has announced four lucky winners in the raffle draw to end the three monthlong sales activation, tagged “Samsung Mobile Easter Galaxy Giveaway Promo”. The promo is aimed at rewarding loyal consumers for buying either a Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Pro, Galaxy Gio and Galaxy Mini mobile phones.

The four lucky winners, James Joshua, Ige Olusegun, Oluwatoyin Fakoya and Alabi Iyabo, smiled home with a Harley Davidson Motorcycle each in the electronic raffle draw took place at the firm’s corporate office in Lagos. The draw which was witnessed by journalists and senior Samsung staff is a demonstration of Samsung’s commitment to reward loyal consumers. The raffle draw was adjudged to be transparent by the observers. While congratulating the win-

ners, Fady Khatib, Regional Director, Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics West Africa, said it is always a privilege to reward loyal customers. He said that consumers’ response from all parts of the country to the “Samsung Mobile Easter Giveaway Promo”, was overwhelming by all standards. He observed that the response was a demonstration of Galaxy Mobile brand due to its stylish design, functionality, reliability and rich applications. According to him, “Samsung Gal-

axy mobile phone ranges are among the fastest selling Smartphones in the world. Any of the Galaxy Smartphone range is a smart buy any day with its rich features and over 2000 applications to choose from. Galaxy Smartphone is a lifestyle enhancer for tech savvy consumers. That is why we marry the brand with Harvey Davidson Motorcycles to reward our consumers for their patronage and we are

New caplet pack for Panadol

•From left Mrs Anne Oragwu, Group Head, BancAssurance, Guaranty Trust Assurance PLC; Mr. Owolabi Salami, General Manager, Retail Business and Mr Kunle Ahmed, General Manager, Institutional Business, during the unveiling of theGTAssur communications material in Lagos.

KadPoly student wins in Maltina Dance Gig

OR Ibrahim Abdullahi, a student of Kaduna State Polytechnic, this year’s edition of the Maltina Dance Gig, is the beginning of a brighter and promising life for him as he emerged the best male dancer in the show held in Kaduna. Abdullahi, who defeated 18 other contestants in the keenly contested show, said that the 2.5 KVA generator set he won in the show will help him to meet up the financial pressure that he has been facing in his studies. In his words: “It has been very tough paying my school fees and other fees. But with the generator set I won as the best male dancer

in the show, I intend to start a barber’s shop within the campus and I must confess, this is a big boost to my academic pursuit. I can now dream big.” Abdullahi was not the only winner planning big. Victoria Paul, who came first in the female category and went home with a 2.5 KVA generator, also promised to assist her parents who are into commercial water business with the generator, especially in pumping water when power fails. Other winners at the Kaduna show in the male category included: Emeka Patrick, who went home with a 21" colour TV and David Nosiru, a home

theatre. Peggy Obed and Joy Orifa were first and second runners-up in the female category. The event, which started on May 21, 2011, by far has given many budding talents that abound across the cities visited so far the opportunity to express themselves and showcase their talents in dance and music. Some of the cities that the roadshow had touched so far included Badagry, Ajegunle, Ogbomosho, Iseyin, Ilesa, Offa and Birnin Kebbi. The Maltina Show Your Swag will touchdown with 325 activations in various locations allover the country by December 2011.

La Casera gets new ambassador

FTER an exciting MBGN competition involving 34 beauty contestants from across the country, 21-year-old Ms Nwando Ebeledike has been crowned Miss La Casera® 2011. By her selection, Ms Ebeledike becomes the Brand Ambassador of La Casera® Nigeria’s foremost carbonated soft drink from the stable of Classic Beverages Nigeria Limited (CBNL), in the next one year. Ms Ebeledike emerged the new La Casera® Queen, following her selection at the 24th edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant, which took place at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. She contested as Miss Adamawa in the MBGN pageant and succeeds Ms Onyekachi Udechukwu, Miss La Casera® 2010.

As Miss La Casera®, Ms Ebeledike will personify the intrinsic values of La Casera® as she promotes a strong identity on behalf of the brand and works on various social causes. High ranking CBNL executives and staff were on hand to witness the pageant and the eventual crowning of the new Miss La Casera® by her predecessor, Ms Onyekachi Udechukwu and the Group Financial Director, Anil Bapna. As part of build-up to the event, on Wednesday, June 22, which was tagged “Day Out with La Casera®”, the contestants paid a courtesy visit on the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; this was preceded earlier in the day by a tour of the National Museum and lunch

at KFC in City Mall, both in Onikan, Lagos. During the visit to the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, CBNL restated its readiness to partner with the state government and other stakeholders in the promotion of social causes. According to the General Manager (Marketing), Mr Dave van Rensburg, the sponsorship of MBGN ties in with La Casera®’s brand essence by providing a platform for young Nigeria girls to develop confidence, talents, values and principles while opening doors for them to build a career. It also demonstrates the company’s commitment to value-driven Corporate Social Responsibility by giving back to the community where it operates.

thrilled that we have reached out with this promo. It is our tradition at Samsung Mobile to reward our consumers with lasting mementoes”, he said. “Samsung Mobile Easter Giveaway Promo” was opened to consumers who purchased any of Samsung Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Pro, Galaxy Gio and Galaxy Mini range of mobile phones, during the promo period that ran from April 1 to June 30, 2011.

O enhance consumers’ convenience while enjoying fast relief from headache and body pains, GlaxoSmithKline, makers of the premium Panadol brand, has introduced a 20-caplet consumer pack. The new pocket-size pack is designed to provide convenience for consumers in dealing with unexpected pain fast and effectively. This is in furtherance of the company’s commitment to offer credible health care solutions and products to help people feel better, do more and live longer. Commenting on the new pack, Panadol Brand Manager, Olawale Akanbi noted that the development is in line with GlaxoSmithKline’s commitment to enhance and improve values for consumers. With the newly introduced pack, panadol with optizorb gets even better. It comes in a convenient 20caplet pack making it very handy to carry around. Consumers across the nation can slip it into their pockets, purses and pouch, and go about their day confidently ready for any unexpected pain,”

he stated. Akanbi said human beings experience different pains due to factors such as stress, workplace pressure, headache, toothaches, joint and muscle aches, and menstrual pains. As such, they need a readily available companion to soothe their pain and help prevent down time. This is where Panadol with Optizorb consumer pocket-size pack comes handy. He added that: “Panadol with optizorb is hard on pain but really gentle on the stomach. Panadol with optizorb is specially formulated to disperse in one’s body system five times faster than regular paracetamol; this gives faster relief from pain such as headache, backache, mestrual pain, muscle pain, toothache among several others. The new Panadol is a unique 500 mg caplet formulation of paracetamol enhanced by the global Optizorb technology to rapidly disintegrate and dissolve in the stomach ensuring a faster absorption in the small intestine.

ASO Savings unveils new promo A LEADING primary mortgage institution, ASO Savings & Loans Plc, has opened a vista of opportunities for Nigerians in its ASO Save & Win promotions. The Save & Win promo is a sixmonth customers acquisition and account growing marketing campaign that promises to reward lucky winners with fabulous prizes that include: 20 flat screen television sets, 30 refrigerators, 40 deep fryers and 50 microwave ovens, while a star prize winner will win a three-bedroom Super Deluxe bungalow in a choice part of Abuja. According to the Managing Director of the mortgage finance firm, Hassan Musa Usman, “we have designed this promotion as a property acquisition platform for all our prospective, new and old customers. It is also a financial empowerment medium through which a customer can cultivate good savings habit. This will open our customers to two opportunities; One, as you save, you get the chance to win fantastic prizes including the star prize of a threebedroom luxurious house in Abuja. Two, if you save up to 30 per cent of the cost value of your choice property, you are guaranteed a mortgage to acquire your dream home. “We also provide you a choice of any of our premium products you want to have. These products have been designed to suit individual fi-

nancial capacity; no matter your level of income. We have the Opal Accounts which you can open with a minimum balance of N10,000; the Pearl Account with a minimum balance of N20, 000; Ruby Account, with a minimum balance of N200, 000 and lastly, the Black Diamond Account which will require just N500,000 minimum balance. “As you open any of this minimum balances, you are qualified for our monthly draw. And as you grow the account, you stand a strong chance of being picked among 100 customers to be shortlisted every month for the next six months where 600 overall shortlisted customers will participate in the final draws. This opportunity also applies to our old customers. All that is required of them is to continue to grow their accounts and they will automatically qualify in the monthly draw. The promo and final is being driven with a holistic integrated marketing campaign through the above and below the line media. It is a national communication campaign with special focus on states where the organisation has offices. Their office network includes Kano, Kaduna, Minna, Akure, Port Harcourt, Benin, Lagos and Abuja which serves as the company’s corporate headquarters.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

Word power Desiree Gullan, founder and creative director, Gullan&Gullan Advertising, South Africa and Brandweek special correspondent writes on effective use of language to enhance marketing results.

ARKETING professionals understand all too well that the power of carefully chosen words in their headlines and copy cannot be underestimated. Finding the right words to get your brand across can be challenging, where words have to be extremely precise and impactful. But selecting your words carefully can be the difference between a successful marketing campaign and a failed one. Thankfully, I was a writer long before I became an agency owner or creative director, so I have made it my mission to nurture a passion for carefully-chosen words amongst all the members of my team. I would also like to get you thinking about how to harness the power of language for your next marketing campaign. Avoid over-used words and clichés Searching for just the right word can be not only rewarding for the wordsmith, but also be rewarded with more powerful marketing collateral that move just the right audience with just the right message. In an article on BusinessWeek.com, they pointed out some overused words: Quality - Way overused and what exactly does it mean? It’s subjective to the situation. Value - This is an overused word, and value is subjective to the purchaser. Service - Let’s face it, no company is going to claim lousy service. Caring - Caring is obvious, otherwise the company wouldn’t be in business. Integrity - Most people already give the company the benefit of the doubt that they have integrity. In addition, clichés and idiomatic phrases can be used as long as you put a fresh spin on them. For example, the cliché ‘old bag’ is wonderfully revitalised in this headline for a new range of utility satchels: ‘Do something with your old bag.’ Don’t allow your campaign to get lost in translation Communication in South African English is not always easy. Our language is a mixture of many other languages and often people we are communicating with have diverse backgrounds; and, therefore, different understandings of our intended meanings. If you are planning to market your products in another country or language, make sure you understand the cultural system and the language. And better yet, seek the help of a local writer.

Use proven, powerful words To ensure that your marketing copy has not lost its punch, ensure the language you use motivates response and produces results. Try these tips (suggested by Hershell Gordon Lewis, one of the world’s best-known copywriters) for finetuning your marketing copy, - Use conversational language that builds a rapport, for example, ‘thanks’ instead of ‘thank you’. - Use contractions such as ‘you’ll love’ instead of ‘you will love’ unless you want to add impact and emphasis, eg: ‘this is not sold in stores’ is more impactful than ‘this isn’t sold in stores’. - Open with a question. Questions immediately involve the reader. Use a question that requires an affirmative answer. Would you like to save 30 per cent? - Emphasise the ‘what’. - Be careful how you use numbers. Using numbers makes an amount seem larger or smaller, or a time longer or shorter. - Avoid passive, patronising words. Use active, direct language that doesn’t condescend. Replace endeavour with try, utilise with use. Consider how much weaker ‘We’ll refund the cost of shipping” is compared to ‘We’ll even refund the cost of shipping’. - Be asterisk-free. Avoid making an already sceptical reader more sceptical. If there’s nothing to hide, Lewis suggests putting it in parentheses right in the copy. Every marketer has their idea of what words are more impactful. The following words seem to have received general agreement of their power, • Thanks - Words that convey sincere and honest appreciation do well; • Free - Use it carefully though, so you don’t sound like a scam; • Immediate - Consumers want it and they want it now; • Bonus - Everyone loves one; • New - Be sure it really is new before using; • Money - How to get it or save it always appeals; • Results - I want something that provides results, especially if it’s new; • Trust - Consumers want to trust your brand; • Help - Consumers can always use some help; • Know - When the reader feels like they’re learning something not everybody knows, you have impact.

Thoughts on ISP

HE advert was engaging. The teaser was spot-on. It asked the target what is the name of the fastest land animal, the name of the fastest bird in motion, the name of the fastest reptile. The advert, therefore, promised the target to experience the “fastest wireless broadband speed allowed by today’s technology”. The concept was to convince the customers and would-be customers that the product under the wrap is the fastest in its segment. The same advert asked the target to take their productivity to the next level, either at home or home; everyone can share reliable high-speed broadband connection and instant Wi-Fi cloud on “your laptops, smartphones, and iPads and gaming consoles working at 4G speeds”. Like a good advert, it got the right hook. The present customers were wondering what is going on. They were in the dark. They could neither comprehend what the brand was up to, nor leave the wonderland. However, in the passage of time, everything was clear. The masquerade was unmasked, as the product was unveiled. It was a great unveiling ceremony. Nevertheless, the product has not delivered on its promise. The advert helped to sell the product. However, it failed to take the brand further. That is because the product failed to deliver what it promised. The advert painted pictures of the fastest animals in the animal kingdom, suggesting that the target the product has the same credentials as these animals, as such; the market should rely on it to meet their particular needs. Sweet talk. However, when a brand failed to match words with action, it all amounts to sweet nothing. This is not the first time such failed promise would occur. It is just that, this time it was distasteful and burdensome. For instance, the internet service provider (ISP) promised 4G broadband speed. Meaning: your car would travel on Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos without any hindrances. With that analogy, you get a clearer picture of how 4G works. However, now imagine travelling on Third Mainland Bridge in the morning or any time and your car moves at snail pace. Does that match the experience the brand promised you? Let us take it further. You are signed on 4G from this ISP. Your team of 10 executives were connected. Thinking the 4G would run at the speed of Cheetah, you sent a JPEG picture to the team from out-field. The following day, the team

•From left: Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Enugu State, Mrs Vivienen Eze; Nestle Nigeria Plc Consumer Services Manager, Mrs Imabong Martins, and wife of Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Onyebuchi, at Maggi Cooking Competition in Enugu. PHOTO: NAN

could not download the picture. Hey, the resolution is heavy! Your colleague screamed at you over the phone. Quickly, you reduced the resolution and sent it again. The team got the same result. Meanwhile, 72 hours later, you were back in the office. Have you downloaded the picture? No. What is the problem? Trouble-shoot your system. The system engineer advised. It was done. You had the same experience. Desperate in search of a solution, you turned to your BB. Immediately, you had the picture on your phone and transferred it to your laptop, all within seconds! Now, this is the option available to most Nigerians. However, the challenge is that there is a limit to what you can achieve with a mobile application. With a one-off, light download, there is no stress. Nevertheless, with the kind of business you engage in, where data and information stream out of you like a river, you need a robust 24/7 internet connectivity. When you do not have that, what can you do? You directed the question, this time, at the engineer. He looked askance. That is one experience. Before you got to this stage, the ISP had cutoff your link without a prior notice. Not knowing that the “fastest” ISP had played a fast one on you by pulling the plug of your 3G internet connection, you were “trouble shooting” and “searching for internet connection” where there was none. When this was discovered, the ISP said you must connect to the 4G internet speed. The essence of such an investment in 4G is to boost content download and upload. This is important to how business manage their information. If it is a business with an incredible richness of information like yours, then it is frustrating not having the internet access for a millisecond. On that score, when you eventually obeyed the “4G order”, you thought your life, the life of your business, would never remain the same. It was never the same because after the connection, your business slowed and you spent your waking hours shuffling between Lagos Island, where the ISP has its office and your Ikeja office. While in the ISP office, you noticed several hapless customers, those without a voice, those without options, and those without a clue about what was going on, comfortably seated waiting for Godot. Some of these people were hopeful; others were hopeless; some were expectant; others were in suspense. The customer service executives were not friendly. They know what was going on. They know that the ISP was selling dummy to the subscribers. They cannot tell you. They dare not tell you. Why can’t they tell you? The look on the faces painted a sad story, a sad story of indifference, a sad story of total lack of care. In retrospect, their body language said: “Collect the 4G modem and leave our office. After all, before you know that the modem is not functioning, you would have got to your office and ….” Meanwhile, these customer service executives earn salary from the subscription of these subscribers. If so, is it too much to show a little care, a little concern, a little compassion for a subscriber who had to leave her office early in the morning and queue up to collect the internet modem she had paid for? The hours spent waiting in that ‘fastest’ ISP’s office could have been used for something meaningful such as rendering a service to a client, conducting a research online, attending a meeting that would translate to more business opportunities…. Excuse me. You ran after a matronly woman. Fortunately, she is the marketing manager. You could only mutter two words: Madam. Help. She ushered you into an air-conditioned office. She listened to your woes. She promised to help. She promised she would help. Deliberately, that statement came twice because she had not helped you at all. Till now. This is the link. The ISP put out a paid advert, painting it as the fastest 4G broadband internet service provider. Now, face to face with a manager who represents the face and voice of that ISP, what you got was yet another promise, which she did not fulfil.

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Human Relations Executive - Owolabi Afolabi *Operations Executive - Isiaka Hassan *Creative - Oluwaseyi Sulaimon*Front Office Executive - Blessing Nkeanya * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Drumbeat Media and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper. Corporate Suite: 20 Akinremi Street, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, , e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

NEWS Why NYSC members’ allowances were hiked

Don’t emulate me, Soyinka tells younger generation

OBEL Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka yesterday marked his 77th birthday with a warning to the younger generation not to emulate him. Soyinka, popularly referred to as ‘Kongi’ by members of the literary world, celebrated this year’s birthday in his country home in Abeokuta. He said it would be wrong for the younger ones to toe his path, apparently referring to his incessant criticisms of bad government. The Nobel Laurate said it could be “problematic” to do so. The professor, who hosted 77 children drawn from all parts of the country to celebrate with him,added that the younger generation should not keep labouring to be another Wole Soyinka. “Don’t try to be Wole

FromTayo Owolabi and Damilola Makanjuola, Abuja

•Amosun extols virtue at 77 From Nwokolo Ernest, Abeokuta

Soyinka because I could hear when the Master of Ceremonies (MC) said you should all be like Soyinka. Don’t be like Wole Soyinka because it could be problematic. People should not try to emulate me, especially the younger ones. It will be wrong to do so. The children were part of those that participated in an essay competition to mark Soyinka’s birthday. Miss Haliya Ibrahim from Kaduna State emerged winner. She thanked the host for the privilege given to her to visit him and be part of the 77th birthday anniversary. Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, who was there to felicitate with

Kongi, extolled Soyinka’s virtues. He said: “The significance of Soyinka’s birthday is not in the number being marked or in the monotony of the yearly rituals, but the celebration of life that has been dedicated to the struggle for an egalitarian society.” Amosun said Soyinka fought injustice wherever he observed it, adding that his life would be a challenge as well as encouragement to younger generation to aspire for greatness and excellence in any worthy endeavour. “He has been a consistent critic of many military dictators and political tyrants worldwide. No wonder some of his admirers and critics alike also call him Kongi. It is remarkable that

he hosting of the 77 children symbolises the demonstration of the journey so far and inject aspiration in those children who are the leaders of tomorrow. “ He is a creative challenge and encouragement to these children who invariably would become writers, doctors, lawyers, politicians and leaders. Prof. Wole Soyinka is an example for all of us to emulate, even though he said it is difficult to be a Wole Soyinka, we all agree with that. He is an epitome of respectability, resistance, commitment, and doggedness. I am sure we are particularly lucky to have learnt a lot from him,” he said. The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development

P •Soyinka

of the education sector. “We believe that free and qualitative education will give our youths the needed impetus. I want to seize this opportunity to enjoin Nigerians to learn to appreciate those who have genuinely contributed to the growth and development of our society, while they are still leaving. It goes a long way in encouraging others to do their best to their immediate community and the larger society,” he said.

Abia to build refinery with foreign investors

Lagosians panic as rain returns

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has concluded arrangements with a foreign consortium to build a refinery. After construction, the refinery will be the best in the southeast, Orji said according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Communication Ben Onyechere. “The proposal to build a refinery in the southeast and Abia in particular is viable because nothing of such has happened in Igbo land since after the civil war,” the statement said. The governor said: “the viability of the refinery derives from the fact that Abia is a major oil producing state with attendant need for industralisation in the petroleum sector so as to pop up the teeming population of skilled and unskilled manpower in the southeast.” The statement added: “This is a project whose time has come but not without the support from the federal government as guarantee to the consortium of foreign partners. It is on this note that the governor is beckoning on Abia citizens in the Diaspora to return home and contribute the requisite expertise in one way or another towards the realisation of this project.” Orji said Abia is now “relatively crime-free to the point that investment of such magnitude is guaranteed. We cannot continue to pretend about the need to give a new lease of life to the southeast to cater for the massive unemployment problems which have led to various levels of criminality in Igbo land.”

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday explained why he approved the upward review of corps members allowances from N9,700 to N19,800. Jonathan spoke through his “Facebook” page. He said the corps members sowed a sacrificial seed for the greatness of Nigeria during the April elections, adding that government cannot expect the youth to give the country their best without the government reciprocating such a kind gesture. The President said: “Our youth corps members have sowed a sacrificial seed for the greatness of Nigeria by being there when Nigeria needs them most especially in service to the mostneedy Nigerians and we cannot expect our youth to give us their best without Nigeria giving them her best. “This is why I approved the upward review of youth corps’ wages from N9,700 to N19,800.”

By Jude Isiguzo and Sunday Ogundugba

•A car wading the flood at the Mile 2-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos after a down pour...yesterday

PHOTO OMOSEHIN MOSES

Jonathan, PDP lose bid to stop CPC’s petition RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, vice-president; Namadi Sambo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday lost the battle to stop the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal from hearing the petition of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). The CPC is challenging the victory of Jonathan in the April 16 presidential poll. It urged the tribunal to cancel the results of the election in 20 states. Jonathan contested on the platform of the PDP Maj–Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), was the candidate of the CPC. The opposition party is alleging substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and irregularities in Lagos, Bayelsa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Kwara, Adamawa, Abia, AkwaIbom, Enugu and Cross

•Tribunal dismisses objections From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

River. The PDP, Jonathan and Sambo had asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition because it was filed on a Sunday, May 8, 2011 which was a public holiday when the registry was not expected to open for operation. Dismissing the request by the PDP to strike out the petition because it was filed on a Sunday (Dies Non Juridicus), the tribunal chairman and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, said it was a mere “technicality” which was not weighty enough to nullify it. “Even, if Sunday was a public holiday”, Justice Salami said, “the filing of the petition on a Sunday was a mere technicality which in-

flicted no injury on the respondents, stressing that the matter will decided on its merit. Besides, the tribunal said the non-joinder of the CPC’s candidate, Major Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and his running mate; Tunde Bakare does not affect the competence of the petition as argued by counsel to Jonathan and PDP. According to the panel, the CPC knew that its candidates in the 2011 presidential election actively participated. The tribunal also refused to be persuaded by the respondents that the petition amounted to an abuse of court process. It said the petition could not be regarded as an abuse because the petitioner (CPC) participated in the

said election and was not satisfied by its outcome and so has the right under the electoral Act to complain or raise issues on its conduct. The tribunal, however, refused to grant the relief sought by the CPC for election to be reordered between it and Jonathan. It said it will be unconstitutional to declare a rerun election between a party and an individual. It also struck out the allegations made by the petitioner against the army and police when they were not joined as parties to the petition. This, it said, was contrary to the principle of fair hearing. The tribunal also declared that the joinder of all state Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) by the petitioner was unnecessary (not fatal) to the petition but mere surplus sage.

HE rain came again four days after some residents were swept away by flood. Some had been killed and many sacked from their homes. Yesterday’s rain started in the early hours and continued till about 4pm, making it almost impossible for many commuters to find their ways round the city. Traders could not make it to the ware points. In Ikeja, the state capital, commuters had to wait for several hours under the rain to catch motorcycles plying Alausa, Oregun and Allen roads. Some of them without umbrellas had to buy from sellers who saw the rain as an opportunity for brisk business. Some residents, who were in their offices, had to rush back home, when the rain did not stop, to ensure that their property were intact. One of them, Mr Kayode Adewuyi, told The Nation that his property was destroyed in the Sunday rain.

Senator Uba: no link with aircraft

ENATOR Andy Uba has denied any link with a private aircraft that overshot the runway at Benin airport last weekend. In a statement yesterday, Uba said: “For the benefit of doubt, I have no link with, or ownership of, the private plane so mentioned and I did not defy any airport control tower’s orders, as I am not a pilot. “It is also instructive to note that I was neither in that aircraft when it overran the runway, nor was I the one who chartered it.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

MONEY LINK

CBN disburses N41.8b Power, Aviation intervention funds

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disbursed N41.8 bil lion out of the N300 billion Power Sector and Aviation Fund (PAIF) approved last year. The disbursed fund was for the month of June, 2011 and covers projects carried out in both Power and Aviation sectors of the economy, according to a circular on CBN’s website. The Bank of Industry (BOI) had been appointed as the managing

Stories by Collins Nweze Senior Correspondent

agent vested with the responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the fund, while the African Finance Corporation (AFC) serves as the technical adviser. All commercial banks and development finance institutions have also been enlisted to participate in scheme. Based on the PAIF Working Guidelines, the security to be offered by

the participating banks to BOI shall be in the form of a bank guarantee backed by a payment order for the participating banks’ accounts. On the part of the aviation projects, any airline duly incorporated under the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 1990 and operating in Nigeria is eligible to apply for the facility. The fund is meant for refinancing existing loans, existing leases and working capital for both power and avia-

CBN, banks, NIPOST meet over mobile banking

‘Banking sector remains a sleeping giant’

HE Regional Editor, Oxford Business Group (OBG), Rob ert Tashima has said that the Nigerian banking sector is a sleeping giant. Speaking yesterday during the launch of 2011 Economic Report on Nigeria, he said that Nigeria has a lot of potentials and that the banking sector is pivotal for it to achieve its economic objectives. Tashima said that the sector contributes between 34 to 35 per cent of the Capital Market capitalisation, and have maintained increased presence in other parts of the world. He said that for the sector to continue to maintain its lead in the economy, the ongoing reforms must be sustained. He said there are lots of potentials in the sector, which must be harnessed to the benefit of the economy. For him, issues relating to transparency and ac-

countability must be sustained by the regulator, for a strong and dynamic sector to emerge. The report, which marks OBG’s second publication on Nigeria’s economic activity and investment opportunities, includes a detailed, sector-bysector guide for foreign investors together with contributors from political, economic and business leaders. The group’s new publication provides comprehensive coverage of the major contribution that Nigeria’s industrial sector is expected to make to the country’s long term economic development. With extensive infrastructure development earmarked for Nigeria’s telecom sector, the document looks ahead to investment opportunities in the country. He said that as the Economic Community for West African States

(ECOWAS) continues to secure a growing number of key trade agreements and development projects, OBG’s new report explores the rewards that the block is reaping from the alliance. Tashima said the report captured Nigeria’s notable pace of growth, which is made all the way impressive given the significant limitations constraining further Gross Domestic Project (GDP) expansion. “The in-depth knowledge and expertise of our local partners in Nigeria enabled our team to produce highquality first report on the country which was given approval by business leaders worldwide,” he said. He said the report was produced in partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission among others.

HE Post Master General of the Federation, Mr. Ibrahim Mori Baba, said that the agency has initiated discussion with the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), and the 23 Deposit Money Banks(DMBs) in order to promote telephony mobile banking services in the country. Baba said the body is also talking with companies involved in the preparation of mobile payment services to achieve this objective. Baba spoke during the Unbanked African Summit in Lagos yesterday. Represented by the Deputy Post Master General, Mr. Yashin Bitiyong, Baba said the discussion became necessary to enable the 80million unbanked population in Nigeria have access to financial services for growth.

Naira declines to 4-day low as banks demand dollars

HE naira weakened to a fourday low against the dollar af ter the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) failed to meet demand from lenders for the dollar at Wednesday’s auction. The naira depreciated as much as 3.1 per cent to N156.95 per dollar in the interbank market, the biggest

intraday decline since January 2009, and traded down 0.03 percent at N152.25 according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The CBN sold $250 million at the auction, less than the $410 million demanded by lenders, which was the biggest amount sought since the June 27 sale.

“Dealers expect the naira to depreciate slightly at the interbank market today due to the surge in demand for foreign exchange by the end users,” analysts said. The apex bank has been using foreign-currency reserves to keep the naira within a 3 percentage-point band above or below N150 per dollar at its

twice-weekly auctions. The inability of the CBN to meet demand “is causing scarcity of dollars, with the naira depreciating to 165 per dollar at the black market,” Abubakar Mohammed, the managing director of Forward Marketing Communication Bureau de Change, based in Lagos, said in an e-mailed statement.

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

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 14-7-11

SYMBOL GTASSURE CAPHOTEL STERLNBANK AIICO INTERCONT UBN OKOMUOIL UNITYBNK WEMABANK CONTINSURE ETI

O/PRICE 1.42 5.14 1.54 0.66 1.05 2.35 16.10 0.87 0.96 1.06 14.43

C/PRICE 1.49 5.39 1.61 0.69 1.08 2.41 16.50 0.89 0.98 1.07 14.50

CHANGE 0.07 0.25 0.07 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.40 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.07

LOSER AS AT 14-7-11 SYMBOL

DIAMONDBNK DANGSUGAR JBERGER SKYEBANK OCEANIC NEIMETH CILEASING OANDO PLATINUM JAPAULOIL NEM

O/PRICE

5.00 12.00 56.30 7.05 1.21 1.70 1.07 40.80 0.71 1.05 0.53

C/PRICE

4.75 11.40 53.49 6.70 1.15 1.62 1.02 38.90 0.68 1.01 0.51

He said when the discussion sails through, NIPOST’s customers would be able to key into the networks provided by the banks and the e-payment service providers in order to get the services they are looking for. He said: “The twenty three banks, and the e-payment service providers are providing linkages that would facilitate mobile banking services. We would key into their networks so that our customers wherever they are, can link up and get the services they are looking for”. He said the aim of discussing with CBN is to prevent breaches of financial regulations, adding that going beyond financial borders would jeopardise the efforts being made to drive mobile banking services. “CBN cannot roll out branches in order to deliver financial services. But through any of its branches nationwide, it can examines what financial operators and their allied agencies are doing to ensure growth. We are relating with CBN in order to work in accordance with the regulations”, he said.

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 467.7m 400m 452.3m 500m 499,8m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

By Akinola Ajibade

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

employment and productivity. At the launch of PAIF Guidelines last year, Deputy CEO and Chief Investment Officer Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Solomon Asamoah, said beneficiaries must be directly involved in electricity power supply value chain such as generation, transmission, distribution. The beneficiary, he said must be either a profit-oriented business or a public service, with distinct contracted cash-flows or financing support.

tion sectors, while the long term segment of the fund is exclusively applicable to new power projects only. The fund is meant to fast-track the development of the power and aviation sectors, by improving the credit terms to operators/projects. It is also expected to provide leverage for additional private sector investments in the power and aviation sectors. It is also meant to enhance living standards and security in the country through improved power supply, and increased

Exchange Rate (N) 153.59 153.4 153.45

Date 25-5-11 23-5-11 16-5-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

January ’11

February ’11

May ’11

MPR

6.50%

8.00%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.3%

% Change 0.2% 0.2%

Rate (Previous) 04 MAR, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 24, MAY, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.62 1,586.00 0.81 0.99 1,586.00 9.97 1.39 1.87 8,827.74 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 1,576.75 0.78 0.99 1,576.75 9.48 1.33 1.80 8,557.73 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 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

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

08-07-11 N7.773tr 24,310.03

Name

DISCOUNT WINDOW

Tenor

07-07-11 N7.786tr 24,350.18

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

CHANGE

0.25 0.60 2.81 0.35 0.06 0.08 0.05 1.90 0.03 0.04 0.02

Amount Sold ($) 400m 400m 499.8m

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous 04 MAR, 2011

Current 07, MAR, 2011

Bank

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6,

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Vox populi, vox dei! ing the ACN, however Asiwaju wa (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu) may God continue to grant you good health, long life, success and prosperity for your passion and desire to see a better Yoruba land and Nigeria as a whole. I strongly believe soon Nigerians will see that ACN is the only party with vision for us. I am not a political person but I look at the ruling party, PDP, and nothing tangible has been delivered for 12years. Although, President Jonathan might have a good intention but the party he is in will not permit. Eko oni baajee ooooo. Ade Balogun

The following are some of the comments from readers on the bold initiative:

This is a wonderful idea. Please, do not allow it to die on the drawing board. Other regions would soon emulate you. Alama7 At last, the vision of Awo will rise again. The governors must remember that Awo

•Map of Nigeria

gave the West a better quality of life than any other region because he viewed government as a social welfare maximiser; that is, government must be the sole arbitrator between the people and poverty and the main provider of the policies, which lead to collective prosperity. He added value to the region’s natural and human resources. That is why cocoa and palm oil research were in place, while free education and free health at point of use were always in his agenda. The challenge now is to modernise that vision against a current scenario analysis. Dr P I honestly don’t know where to start prais-

RIPPLES JUMBO pay: SENATORS, REPS PROTEST 40% PAY CUT-News

JUMBO PAY for LAWMAKERS...MINIMUM WAGE for WORKERS?

NO. 1,821

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

On July 9, 2011, The Nation reported that the “governors of Western Nigeria have resolved to pool resources together to ensure a rapid socio-economic development of their states.” It was one of the agreements they reached at a meeting they held in Ado-Ekiti the previous day. It is more than a coincident that this column ran a two-part series, “Towards a Fuller Union”, by Muyiwa Gbadegesin in the last two weeks. Naturally, therefore, my own excitement and optimism has run wide since I read the story. But I am not alone, and I would like the governors to know that the entire people of Western Region are with them as indicated in the numerous positive readers’ comments on the story. I have devoted today’s contribution to these thoughtful comments on a thoughtful decision by our governors. What is even more reassuring is that the governors are already taking the first steps towards the implementation of the agreement. I am reliably informed that Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has again, shown leadership by appointing a Special Adviser on Regional Integration! I am sure others are working hard to put in place the necessary machinery for a successful take off. Life is looking up!

HIS is about the best option for the Southwest to liberate itself from the purposeless leadership at the federal level in Nigeria. I really want to encourage these governors to avail themselves of the opportunity of fellowship (made possible by) party affiliations to put the Southwest on the path of sustainable growth and development. We expect a joint effort in the areas of rail transportation, electricity, telecommunications, education and industrial policy/development. Governor Fashola has shown, without any reasonable doubt in Lagos, that development is possible. May the Lord help you! Amen. Olufemi Obembe

TOMORROW IN THE NATION ‘How many of us truly believe in the oneness of this Lugardian contraption? Deep inside us, we are nothing but ethnic jingoists and tribal irritants. Can anyone remember the last time we collectively agree to confront the crisis of nationhood as one people without those contaminants of ethnic and feudal slant? Shame!’ YOMI ODUNUGA

It’s a great gathering in the positive direction and we will appreciate from the forum, among other things, the consideration of the construction of a railway system that links the southwest together, whereby someone can wake up in Ado-Ekiti, link up with a train and be in Lagos in less than 60 minutes. They should also consider IPP for the people of the zone as we continue to suffer marginalisation at the federal level. David Victor China can be used as a model for our development in Nigeria. However, if the Federal Government isn’t ready, the decision by the Southwest to work together is commendable. Here in China, each province is known for a particular line of economic product: Shangdong for agriculture; Guangdong Jiangsu for technology; Hainan for tourism, etc. The Southwest should have a model. Let’s work on the strength of each state and complement the weaknesses of one another. I live and run an international trading company in Qingdao, China. I know about the “Economic Miracles”, the foreign policies and China’s “friendship” with Africa. I am ready and will-

HARDBALL

HE arraignment on Wednesday of seven police officers for the extrajudicial killing of Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, his father-inlaw, Baba Fugu, and a former commissioner for religious affairs in Borno State, Buju Foi, has reportedly drawn resentment from some police officers. According to the reports, the resentful police officers were angry that the arraigned officers were made scapegoats for the debacle unfolding in Maiduguri after risking their lives and some of their subordinates in the bloody fight against a terrorist group. Boko Haram, of course, has very little support anywhere in Nigeria, let alone among enlightened groups in the North and even elsewhere. Public support for the firm manner the police and army dealt with the Boko Haram insurrection in 2009 is also not in doubt. Two years after that bloody encounter, it is, however, surprising that neither the police nor any arm of the security services has done a forensic appraisal of how the insurrection was put down and how effectively or otherwise the law enforcement agencies performed their constitutional duties. Had the police and other law officers done this appraisal rather than show re-

ing to be of service to the committee if contacted. Kayode Bewaji (ktbgroups@gmail.com) Western Nigeria is long overdue for this. I am happy for this great step towards development. Let us tell them that we are the pacesetter. Please my advice for the incoming committee is that it should survey public opinion in the member states. To this end, it can arrive at a concrete resolution. On a similar note, let me begin with my own advice. I would like to remind the stakeholders that power (energy) is indispensable for meaningful development. Therefore, the committee should deliberate on the possibility of generating 10,000 mw through nuclear power plant. Then I must say that the areas of priority should be limited to power, agriculture, and transportation. As we pray, if we are successful in those areas, we can move to other sectors. Saaa Thumbs up for Your Excellencies! Please work closely together on industrial revolution, rail network within the region, high quality education, and healthcare delivery. God bless you all! Olumide Great! Our people should also prepare to cooperate with the governors to ensure good governance. If the governors are ready and the governed are not, we will definitely go nowhere. Olugbamila Michael A Lofty idea, indeed! Please Yoruba from Kwara, where do we lie in this? Enough is enough. We had better stop being a bat. Let the massive clamour for state creation from the old Kwara State begin. Such a state will have an absolute identification and alliance with other sister Southwestern states. Geographically, culturally, and historically Yoruba-speaking Kwarans are neither northerners nor north centralites! We need to align with our progressive Yoruba brothers and sisters in the Southwestern part of the country if adequate development will come our way! Emancipation of Kwaran Yorubas!!!!!! OAK Need we add more? Indeed, what other witness do we need? •For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

The police-Boko Haram labyrinth sentment that a few police officers are today standing trial, they would have taken the initiative to bring their offending officers before the courts for professional misconduct and error of judgement. Instead, they waited until they were arm-twisted by the increasingly emboldened Boko Haram fanatics to consent to bring their men to trial. If the police or the presidency had dealt with the issue of extra-judicial killings in Maiduguri in July 2009 firmly and dispassionately, it would probably not have obviated the continuing insurrection by Boko Haram, but it would have deprived the fanatics of an important (and moral)argument to justify their assault on civil liberties and the constitution. It took two years before the government reluctantly and embarrassingly brought the offending policemen to trial. If there are policemen who oppose the trial, we must hope there are not many of them who have such archaic and barbaric understanding of their responsibility as law enforcement officers. One of the major reasons law enforcement in Nigeria has been so ineffective is

the lawlessness or overzealousness of those entrusted with enforcing the law. They often allow their emotions to cloud their judgement and their frustrations and pressure to come between them and their work. But there are rules governing how every agency should perform its functions, just like there are laws governing proper behaviour among citizens. The citizens cannot be held to account if law enforcement agents are exempted from the same law. A society cannot cohere or survive if any member or group of that society goes beyond the law in its effort to uphold the law. There are no two standards for upholding the law. The law is the law, irrespective of the status or profile of the offender. The sooner the police understand this, the better. The state would do well to diligently prosecute the seven policemen, not because Boko Haram made it one of the shifting preconditions for its warped appreciation of peace, but because we must uphold the law and the decency and civilised behaviour many in the world never knew we had.

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