The Nation July 13, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Senate okays five for minister

NEWS – Page 4

•Taraba’s Obadiah Ando rejected

Okereke-Onyuike, others charged with theft NEWS

Page 11

•Lagos alleges N3.3b theft against eight http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 6, NO. 1819 WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•OYO COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ADISA BOLANTA REDEPLOYED - P5 Five dead in Task Force, Boko Haram duel From Abiodun Joseph, Maiduguri

I

T was another bloody encounter yesterday in Maiduguri, the troubled Borno State capital city.

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was thrown into a moving military patrol vehicle near Fannah Dori Filling Station on Baga Road at about 8a.m. Soldiers fought back.

In a statement, the Joint Task Force (JTF) said: “There was an explosion at Baga road this morning targeted at a patrol team of JTF. Three of the attackers died in the blast and two soldiers were injured.”

But eyewitnesses said the three persons killed by soldiers might not be members of the fundaContinued on page 2

•COUNTING THE the state ... yesterday

L OSSES: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun using a canoe to waddle through some flooded areas in Lamnbe and Akute areas of LOSSES

NLC issues strike notice over minimum wage Three-day warning strike to begin on Wednesday Why we can’t pay, by Obi Ondo battles to stop action

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•Omar

ORKERS will begin a three-day warning strike next Wednesday.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday issued the strike notice against the Federal, states and local governments as well as private employers for non-implementation of the N18,000 National Minimum Wage.

NLC President Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, at a news conference in Abuja, said should the governments, remain adamant after the warning strike, the NLC would announce an indefinite strike.

He said: “The National Executive

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Council (NEC) of the NLC has painfully observed that over three months since the New National Minimum Wage became law, no government, whether Federal, state, or local government, has implemented it. Also, no private sector employer has paid the new wage.”

He, however, noted that due to the non-implementation, “the Labour Movement calls a three-day general strike across the country with effect from Wednesday 20th July to Friday July 22, 2011”.

Omar said: “The attempt by the Fed-

eral Government to make the New National Minimum Wage implementation applicable only to workers on Grade Level 01 to 06 in the Federal Service is not acceptable.”

According to him, the National Minimum Wage affects all workers, irrespective of sector or grade level.

He added that the NLC rejected both the payment table and the implementation circular that the Federal Government presented to it.

The NLC, said Omar, expected that the Federal Government would set a good example as a good employer to pay the minimum base of N18,000.

He said: “This will be in line with

the Labour-Federal Government understanding in year 2000 that the Federal Government, Lagos, and oil producing states would pay higher than the minimum wage. This was the reason that the Federal Government, Lagos and oil producing states paid a minimum wage of N7,500, which was higher than the legislated minimum wage of N5,500.”

On the strike, Omar said: “Colleagues and gentlemen of the press, we are compelled to take this decision because we have come to the simple conclusion that governments at all Continued on page 2

•POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •LIFE P29 •MONEY P43 •INVESTORS P45

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

NEWS

•President Goodluck Jonathan (third left), flanked by Vice President Namadi Sambo (second left), Gen. Jeremiah Useni and other leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum during their visit to Aso PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN Rock Villa, Abuja ... yesterday. The group photograph of arewa consultative forum with the president after their meeting at the villa yesterday.

Continued from page 1

mentalist Islamic sect Boko Haram, who have seized the city by the throat.

Eyewitnesses claimed that two more bodies were evacuated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) near the scene of the incident, two hours after the early morning gun exchange.

NEMA zonal Information Officer (North East) Ibrahim Farinloye said two bodies were picked near the scene of the incident, but declined to give details.

“We were just informed about the corpses but we are trying to assist traders in Baga market who were trapped following the bomb explosion this morning and the gun shots.

“We are negotiating with the NURTW in the market so as to help people check out of the place,” Farinloye said.

NEMA said another explosion affected its vehicle when officials of the agency were moving to the scene of the first blast on Baga road. He said only the agency vehicle was damaged, but nobody was injured.

The JTF statement signed

by Colonel Victor Ebhaleme denied that soldiers were shooting indiscriminately.

The statement reads: “The Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Order in Maiduguri, wishes to debunk claims that soldiers are involved in any indiscriminate treatment of law abiding members of the

Five dead in Task Force, Boko Haram duel Soldiers are cowards, says Boko Haram

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OKO Haram hurled some verbal missiles at the military task force yesterday. It described soldiers deployed to keep the place in Maiduguri, as cowards.

The group vowed to attack the army and warned Army chief Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, saying he should ask InspectorGeneral of Police Hafiz Ringim what happened after he boasted that he would defeat Boko Haram.

The group accused the Joint Task Force (JTF) of carrying out massacre and destruction of innocent people’s property.

Borno elders also yesterday called for the immediate withdrawal of the soldiers from Maiduguri. It accused them of terrorising the people and committing rape. They said well-trained policemen should be deployed as replacement.

But in Abuja, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) endorsed the military action against Boko Haram.

Members of the Jamaátu Ahlis- SunnahLil-daáwatti wal jihad (otherwise known public.

“The claims are baseless and uncalled for at a moment when the state is facing a challenging security situation. We want to reassure the general public that members of the JTF will never act in anyway against the peace of the state.”

The JTF accused Boko Haram of planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) at residential areas, which exploded and damaged houses and vehicles.

From Abiodun Joseph, Maiduguri

as Boko Haram), in a statement signed by Abu Zaid and circulated to newspapers in Maiduguri yesterday, accused soldiers of hiding behind women and children.

They said this move portrays the soldiers as weak, vulnerable and confused. They challenged the army to relocate to their barracks, remove their families, and wait to see whether they would not be attacked.

Zaid said: “If you have the capacity to fight us, return to your barracks, remove your children and wives and see if we will not confront you within hours.”

In the statement written in Hausa and Arabic, Abu Zaid alleged that the recent attack on the innocent and destruction of their property is a sign that “you are weak, ungodly and fearful”. He criticised a statement credited to the Chief of Army Staff that Boko Haram are cowards.

“We want to tell the Chief of Army Staff, General Ihejerika, that cowards don’t engage a military in a duel as we did in your

Besides, it urged members of the public to disregard the rumour that people should leave Maiduguri. The JTF said soldiers would soon fish out the fundamentalists and “their sympathisers who resorted to spreading the rumour in order to instill fear in the people”.

Also yesterday, the Committee of Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought called for the immediate withdrawal of soldiers from the streets.

The elders said the coming

barracks and on the streets of Maiduguri.

But cowards are those who attack women, children in their sleep and who burn the innocent property,” the statement said.

Zaid said attacks on military barracks would continue to prove Boko Haram’s capacity to the army chief.

His words: “We have attacked you in your barracks in the past and, God willing, we will do it again very soon.

“You attacked us first in Maiduguri and then in Bauchi where you killed innocent lives who were holding nothing, and now you are busy killing the innocent in Maiduguri and destroying their property.

If this is not cowardice, what else is?

“We consider your description of us as cowards as an affront that will not be left unreplied and we want to remind you to ask the Inspector General of Police what the punishment of his boasts was.”

Abu Zaid described the attack on the registrar of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and his wife by the army as another sign of the weakness of the army.

of the soldiers has not helped the situation, which it described as getting worse.

The group issued a statement signed by Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno, Imam Baba Gana Asil (the Imam Idaini of Borno), Alhaji Garba Abba Satomi, Alhaji Bukar Bolori, Alhaji Usman Gaji Galtimari, Alhaji Kyari Sandabe, Brigadier General Abba Kyari (rtd), Air Vice Marshal Al-amin Daggash (rtd), Alhaji Shettima Ali Kidaji, Ambassador Ahmed Yusufari, AIG Zanna Laminu Mamadi,

NLC issues strike notice over minimum wage Continued from page 1

levels in this country are not willing and are not ready to pay the new national minimum wage even as the President has put it into law by signing the Bill.

“We are, therefore, left with no other option than to commence a strike action, that will begin from July 20 to July 22 in the first instance. And that is just a warning strike and failure to do anything about the full implementation of this minimum wage, Nigerian workers will be ready to embark on an indefinite strike to be announced at a later date.”

Omar said: “Given the nonimplementation of the Minimum Wage by the Federal, states, and local governments, as well as the private sector, the Labour Movement

Assembly urges NLC to shelve action

E

BONYI State House of Assembly yesterday urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve the proposed nationwide industrial action over the N18,000 minimum wage.

Speaker of the House Ikechukwu Nwankwo who spoke during the sitting of the House urged all the parties involved in

is left with no alternative than to defend the Minimum Wage Law, interest of working people and the fundamental human right of the Nigerian populace to live above poverty line.”

The NLC helmsman said although many state governments have promised to pay, there is no negotiated payment table on which the minimum wage is based.

According to Omar, the

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

the negotiation to exhaust all avenues before arriving at a decision.

Nwankwo said considering the security situation in the country and other challenges, a nationwide industrial action would not only cripple the economy, it will also have severe effect on the masses.

NLC took the decision to embark on the strike after its National Executive Council meeting on the update of the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage, which President Jonathan signed into law in March.

“Although many state governments have promised to pay, there is no negotiated payment table on which the Minimum Wage is based. Unfortunately, governors are al-

lowing their colleagues to hold them to ransom on the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage,” he said.

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi said if he pays the minimum wage, there will be nothing left for development.

The Ondo State government urged its workers to shelve the strike planned to commence today, saying it will pay the new wage.

AIG Muktar Alkali, Alhaji Tijjani Bolori, Alhaji Bulama Mali Gubio, Alhaji Umar Abba Shuwa, Alhaji Ibrahim ElZubairu, Mallam Ibrahim Mustapha and Alhaji Gambo Gubio.

It said since the beginning of the conflict in Borno, the situation had been deteriorating and that the intervention of the military, instead of bringing it under control, worsened it and made their expectation in them “grossly misplaced and shuttered”.

The elders and leaders of thought, who met on Tuesday, said: “the presence of thousands of weapons - brandishing soldiers on the streets of Maiduguri has turned the situation into a nightmare, the worst Maiduguri has ever seen.”

They also alleged that “hundreds of youths have been shot and killed by soldiers for no known reason other than they are young people.” “Many communities have been sacked and people, in their thousands, are fleeing Maiduguri and the level of human suffering in Maiduguri has reached its peak and Borno is faced with horrific and horrendous humanitarian crisis.”

The elders demand: •”immediate withdrawal

of all soldiers on the streets of Maiduguri as they have been burning down houses, killing innocent people, looting private property, harassing innocent passersby and even burning down cars and raping young girls”; •”immediate rescue of fleeing masses and returning them to their houses and immediate provision of relief materials to the affected victims”; and •replacement of soldiers by well-trained policemen who are versed in civil ways of enforcing internal security without molestation.

The elders urged Boko Haram (Western education is evil) members to “see the current human suffering of fellow Muslims and look for alternative ways of pursuing their demand and consider the general public who are their brothers and sisters and do everything within their powers to ensure their safety”.

In a statement by Secretary to the State Government Baba Ahmed Jidda, the government said: “Borno State Government and the Joint Task Force wish to assure the general public not to panic or migrate from their houses as adequate measures have now been taken by government to ensure that security operations would henceforth be undertaken with a human face and with absolute respect for the freedom of movement and peaceful abode of all citizens with in the urban centres of Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere local governments.”

The SSG said the government is not unmindful of the hardship being experienced by the public as a result of the ban on Achaba (motorcycle) operators.” He said the government will soon distribute tricycles and buses as palliative measures to ease the hardship.

Following Monday’s closure of the University of Maiduguri, other higher institutions in the state have closed down indefinitely.

Primary and secondary schools have equally been shut as a result of the security situation.

The exodus from Maiduguri has continued. Transport fares have skyrocketed. For instance, the Maiduguri to Abuja fare, which used to be N4,000, was N9,000 yesterday.

CORRECTION Dr Olusegun Aganga is the Minister of Trade and Investment and not Minister of Finance as reflected in the table of ministers and their portfolios published on the front page of yesterday’s edition. The error is regretted. – Editor

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

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2011

NEWS 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 Scores flee Borno as 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 soldiers clamp down 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 on sect members 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 From Duku Joel, Damaturu 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 THE exodus of people from 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 as a result of unending attacks by 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 the Boko Haram sect, has triggered 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 a population explosion in 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 neighbouring towns.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 Mostly affected is Damaturu, the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 Yobe State capital.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 Displaced persons have also 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 saturated nearby towns, like 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 Benisheik, Auno, Gamdu and 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 Warsala, boundary villages 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 between Borno and Yobe, on 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 They were seen yesterday 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 waiting for vehicles to get out of 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 the troubled area.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 In Damaturu, motorists drive at 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 snail speed, resulting in traffic 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 It appeared everyone in the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 snarl. town was struggling to get out.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola addressing residents of Pedro, Bariga after his inspection of areas affected by flood…yesterday. With him is Commissioner for the EnvironmentTunji Bello (middle) and other officials. Story on Page 59

BOKO HARAM MENACE

ACF backs military action against Boko Haram

T

HE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the activities of the Islamic Fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram (Western education is evil).

The ACF, which is seen as the voice of the North, also blamed political leaders for the emergence of the group, which it described as a product of political thuggery.

The ACF backed military action to curb the security threat posed by the sect and admonished security operatives to do more on intelligent gathering to nip in the bud the group’s activities.

ACF Chairman Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni, responding to questions from reporters after the group met with the President and the Vice President, said people should always use the normal process in seeking redress for their grievances, instead of resorting to violence.

“We abhor the use of violence in whatever form. We believe there are due processes through which we can voice our complaints. So, why should we kill to satisfy our grievances? So, the more we condemn this , the better for us; not for some people to go and sit down and be saying ‘good for them’,” Gen. Useni said.

Re-echoing the suggestion made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister said: “Like in war, the soldiers must be working on information on the Boko Haram.”

He also warned that “innocent ones would definitely be killed in the process of trying to dislodge the Boko Haram members from their base”.

He also warned: “It is not enough to be issuing statements like “Boko Haram your days are numbered or Boko Haram you are this or that.

We need to look at it in-depth”.

Beside the military option, the General said good governance is another weapon to quell such crisis.

“Well, good government will reduce that. I mean good government at all levels. Just like the Boko Haram issue, it started like a Borno affair but now it is becoming a national problem,” he said.

He also assured that ACF was ready to join forces with the government, saying: “We have agreed that there are Nigerians even within ACF that have been trained in security matters and we, as a group, will send a small team to come and discuss with him and find out the best way we think can be done to handle the problem.”

Giving an insight to why he blamed political office holders for the insecurity, Gen. Useni said: “I

Why I went to SSS, by ex-Governor Sheriff

A

FORMER Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff yesterday said he visited the State Security Service (SSS) on Monday to make input on how Boko Haram menace degenerated after he left office.

He said some people are also desperate to crucify him for political reasons to take over the politics of Borno State .

Sheriff, who spoke to our correspondent through one of his former commissioners, said he had never used Boko Haram to consolidate his political fortunes in the state.

The ex-commissioner said: “The governor was never arrested. He actually booked for an appointment to go and see the Director-General of SSS, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, in my presence. He excused us, along with other aides, to go and see the DG only for us to read that he was quizzed.

“His Excellency went to the SSS to contribute or to make input on how he felt on the situation in Borno State because this thing degenerated after he left office.

“The ex-governor had offered public apology and at this time everybody expected that the thing would abate with that apology only for the thing to degenerate.

“The ex-governor felt it was statesmanly to offer that apology and went to SSS to rub minds on how to arrest this thing from further degeneration.

We want to insist that if the SSS can corroborate this From Vincent Ikuomola

remember when I was the Deputy National Chairman of the ANPP, I went to the state 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 (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 general elections, we can use them to turn everything.”

“So, that was how it all started.

And if you remember, we had the same problem again in Rivers State where one of the former governors used thugs and at the end of it, they became militants.”

On the way forward, Gen. Useni said ACF would “organise Arewa Peace Conference in December.

“All the governors will come so that we will sit and talk and we will follow up with a monitoring group,” he said.

Earlier, the ACF, at a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at State House, Abuja, congratulated the President on his success in the April election, and pledged to support his administration.

The 19-man ACF delegation, which was led by Gen. Jeremiah Useni, chairman of the ACF board of trustees, also had Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, Alhaji Hassan Ada-

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

story, the identity of the top official that quizzed him could not have been hidden. But no SSS operative corroborated that ex-Governor Sheriff was even invited.

“It is also more damaging in that story to say that Sheriff collaborated to form Boko Haram to consolidate his political power in Borno State . That aspect was opinionated and we did not expect that from either the author or the source.

“What we are suspecting is that some people just want to crucify ex-Governor Sheriff for political reasons so that they can take over the politics of Borno State.”

The former commissioner also added that the exgovernor has no cause to go underground.

He said: “Ex-Governor Sheriff is not running away from the law and if the SSS had invited him of course, he would really oblige.

“It is wrong for some people to, at this critical period and given the innocent lives being lost, to try and settle political scores.

“This story only goes to confirm our earlier position to the effect that Boko Haram has assumed a political dimension. This fact is corroborated by no less a body than the SSS itself.”

Replying a question, the ex-commissioner added: “The former governor has said that he will go to court to clear his name that he has no link with Boko Haram.”

mu, Wakilin Adamawa, Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Onoja, Alhaji Saidu Barda and Brigadier Musa Shehu.

The ACF noted that they shared the concern of the President and the Federal Government on the heightened state of insecurity in the North, and deplored the militancy and violations of the rule of law.

Gen. Useni said as part of efforts to help find lasting solutions to the intolerance and religious extrem-

ism, the ACF was organising a unity and peace conference later in the year to address ethno-religious divisions, poverty and related issues militating against the development of the country.

The ACF delegation called on the President to constructively engage all who won and lost in the elections, and start programmes that would assist youths roaming the streets.

The central roundabout, which was usually scanty - except for the eastern part, where a GSM village is located - had a large number of displaced persons.

It was gathered that the eastern part of the stadium has been taken over by heavy duty vehicles and trailers conveying people to different destinations.

Hundreds of trailers were also seen loaded with almajiris (urchins) and artisan fleeing Maiduguri.

Ibrahim Shehu, who said he was a teacher in an Islamic school (Tsangaya) in Maiduguri, told our correspondent that the people were leaving because of the terror soldiers had unleashed on the residents.

He said: “Look at me and these children (pointing at the almajiris).

We just have to leave because the soldiers brought to Maiduguri are forcing people to leave. The brutality of the soldiers is too much and people can no longer bear it.”

The Nation gathered that the renewed hostility in Maiduguri was having a multiplier effect on Damaturu, about 134 kilometres from the crisis area.

Businessmen, including commercial bus drivers, have taken advantage of the situation to make brisk business.

Commercial institutions, like banks, were having difficulty in their operations.

The cost of transportation has shot up as motorists charged N1,000 from Maiduguri to Damaturu as against the normal N300 fare.

But government transport service still maintained the old fares as at the time of filing this report.

Most commercial drivers were seen rushing without passengers from Damaturu to Maiduguri, where there was passenger glut.

Govt ‘ll dialogue with Boko Haram, if…, says minister T

HE Federal Government will dialogue with Boko Haram if that will guarantee peace, Minister for Police Affairs Caleb Olubolade said yesterday.

“We cannot allow insecurity to take over our land,” he said, while handing over to his successor as Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ms Jumoke Akinjide.

“Today, we are confronted with security problems in Nigeria now and it requires that we brace up. Taking me to Police Affairs Ministry is a job I will enjoy most. That means I will be able to provide security for the FCT and so you can count on me.”

“We will explore dialogue with any aggrieved persons so that peace will reign in Nigeria. Where that is not working, but I hope it will work, we will look at what we can do to guarantee peace” “Peace must be guaranteed and the

Sanni Ologun, Bukola Amusan, Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Police must be given the necessary support and to make them do their job because that is what they are paid to do and then, Nigeria will be at peace,” he said Olubolade expressed his commitment to ensuring the full implementation of Government’s police reforms programme “aimed at taking policing and general security to the Nigerian people.”

He said: “The police have the mandate of providing security for lives and property, not much can be achieved without the full involvement of the people.

Minister of Interior Abba Moro also yesterday vowed not to leave

any stone unturned in identifying why some Nigerians are bent on killing others.

Moro, who declined to mention the word ‘Boko Haram’, described the development as bad adding that: “That is the biggest challenge that the country faces today.”

He spoke after receiving the handover documents of the ministry from Permanent Secretary Saidu Ozigis.

His words: “Make no mistake about it, the challenges are enormous. We must from this end identify why Nigerians are rising against Nigerians.

We must identify why Nigerians are taking each others lives. Above all we want to know why Nigerians are taking up arms against the state. That is the biggest challenge that the country face today. So I ask you and invite you to put yourselves on the line of service for the country.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

NEWS Jonathan seeks more pay for aides From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

THE President is seeking more pay for his aides.

He has written to the National Assembly to approve an upward review of the remuneration of his Special Advisers.

President Goodluck Jonathan, in a letter addressed to House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and read on the floor at plenary yesterday requested that the House should pass a resolution upgrading the salaries and allowances of his Chief Economic Adviser and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to be at par with Ministers.

Part of the letter titled: “Request for a resolution on the remuneration and allowances of the Chief Economic Adviser and National Security Adviser,” reads: “I write to request the Honourable House to pass a Resolution upgrading the salaries and allowances of the Chief Economic adviser and the National Security Adviser to be at par with that of Ministers as par the powers conferred on you by Section 151 (2) of the Constitution.

“My request is predicated on the peculiar nature of the functions the holders of these offices perform. These officials, amongst other things, chair committees and bodies whose membership includes serving Ministers, in addition to their participating in Council Meetings.”

The President said he is certain that if his request is acceded to, it will enhance the capacity of the office holders to “operate as tasked, and to impact positively on their service delivery.”

Nurse remanded over woman’s death AN EBUTE Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, yesterday remanded a 52-year-old nurse Ekaete Akpan in prison custody for allegedly causing the death of an expectant mother and her unborn baby.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akpan’s plea was not taken as the court has no jurisdiction in trying an alleged murder case.

Magistrate Mr M.O. Olubi ordered that the accused be kept behind bars pending when the court would get advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Samuel Omoyeni told the court that the accused, a self acclaimed nurse unlawfully killed Mrs Comfort Nicholas during child birth.

According to him, Nicholas and the baby died during labour.

Omoyemi said the offence, which was committed in October, last year at Agege, Lagos, contravened Section 309 and punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The case has been adjourned to August 24 for further hearing.

Senate okays Pepple, four others as ministers

T

HE Senate yesterday rejected the nomination of Dr. Obadiah Ando (Taraba) by President Goodluck Jonathan as minister.

But five others were lucky.

Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, Edem Duke, Nyesom Wike, Mrs. Ama Pepple and Hadiza Mailafia were confirmed.

The three Senators from Taraba State last week opposed Ando’s nomination.

He is a former Minister of State in the Water Resources Ministry in the last cabinet.

They complained that he did nothing for the people during his tenure.

According to them, not even a borehole was sunk in the state.

After reeling out his achievements in the Water Resources Ministry while introducing himself to the Senators yesterday, Ando was asked to take a ‘bow and go.’

•Rejects ex-Minister Ando From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

He was not asked any question.

At the end of the screening, no senator supported his confirmation when Senate President David Mark sought for voice votes.

Senator Aisha Al-Hassan (Taraba North), who spearheaded the opposition to the nomination, sprang up from her seat and started jubilating.

She thanked her colleagues for their support.

“Senate rejects the nomination of Dr. Obadiah Ando as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Mark declared.

The only other nominee who was accorded the ‘bow and go’ privilege was Mrs.

Ama Pepple (Rivers). She was Clerk of the Senate and retired Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF).

Before taking a bow, Pepple, who served as permanent secretary in many ministries, said: “I am the only Nigerian who has served at the highest levels in both the legislature and the executive arms of government.”

Fielding questions from senators on his alleged arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a former Chairman of Association of Local Government Of Nigeria (ALGON) Wike described it as false.

He said the alleged N4.5 billion fraud case against him which was investigated by the EFFC was the handwork of his enemies.

He said: “I went to EFCC on my own. I was not arrested. The moment people perceive you to be growing, they will try to bring you down.”

“The offence in 2008 was that I diverted N4.5 billion to my account. I was not a signatory to the account,” he added.

Stressing that he is a proper and fit person for the position, Wike said the case against him has been dismissed since 2009 by a competent court of law.

“I did not commit any offence and the court acquitted me,” he stated.

Wike also pushed for the independence of local governments, being the third tier of government, instead of its current appendage status.

Duke spoke on the need for meaningful development of tourism as a major source of revenue for the country.

Protest as magistrate keeps Senator in detention

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HE trial of Senator Ibrahim Musa by a Minna Chief Magistrate’s Court for alleged forgery of tax clearance certificate went rowdy yesterday. This was after Magistrate Zaynab Gani refused to vacate an order remanding the lawmaker in prison.

Musa was brought before the judge on Monday at about 5:45 pm on a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy, using forged document as genuine, misleading civil servants and cheating – in contravention of Sections 97, 364, 366 and 322 of the penal code.

The Magistrate ordered that the accused be remanded and brought on Tuesday (yesterday).

Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna, branch and supporters of the accused, stormed the court to secure his bail. They were shocked when the magistrate failed to grant him bail.

Instead, she directed all the parties to come with a motion.

Police counsel Mark Igwe read out the First Information

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Report (FIR) and was admitted by the court. The prosecutor urged the court to keep the accused in prison “because he can use his position and influence to interfere with Police investigation”.

This position was opposed by the lead counsel to the accused. In his application for bail, Mohammed Sani, after citing authorities, said his client was ready to provide sureties and abide by all the conditions that may be attached to the bail.

Besides being a senator, Sani maintained that Musa is a responsible member of the association and would not jump bail or interfere with investigations.

He also pointed out that the order remanding the accused was made out of the official hour of the court, insisting that such order was illegal.

The Chairman of the NBA Human Rights Committee, Jonathan Taidi, argued that the court was not competent

to hear the case. He said a similar case had been filed against the accused by the Police at the Federal High Court, Minna. Also, a petition is before the Niger State Election Petition tribunal holding in Minna.

In her ruling, Magistrate Gani said the defence counsel failed to furnish the court with details about the case in the Federal High Court She directed the parties to bring motions before the court.

No sooner, had she made this ruling when the court room became rowdy. Lawyers demanded to know the fate of the accused.

A lawyer accused the magistrate of not making her ruling on the point of law, but political.

“Your Lordship, if you agreed that you ordered that the accused person be remanded outside the official hour, you have the opportunity to right the wrong now, but if you fail to do this, we can say that your order was not made from the point of law, but your order was po-

He also insisted that the nation’s security situation is challenging but not worse as in South Africa and Jamaica.

Speaking on Dr. Ando while briefing reporters at the end of plenary session yesterday, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba said: “The issue is that if you don’t have support of your senators, you are in trouble”.

“He did not have the support of his senators; he was given an opportunity to meet with his senators; whatever effort he made did not yield result”, he added.

On why Ando was not screened last week when his name appeared on the Order Paper, Ndoma-Egba said: “We got information from the Villa that he was going to be withdrawn. But the correspondence did arrive and that means he was still on the list.”

Screening of the remaining three nominees will continue today. They are Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed (Jigawa), Mrs. Omobola Johnson Olubusola (Ondo) and Dr. Mohammed Pate (Bauchi).

Customs impounds N1.5b goods

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•Musa...yesterday

litical,” The magistrate rose and headed for her chambers.

Lawyers and supporters of the accused expressed disappointment at the turn of events.

They protested outside the court premises.

Officials of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) ferried Musa out of the court premises at about 12:25 pm.

A detachment of armed Policemen were at strategic positions.

•Former Governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (left), former Governor of Kogi State Prince Abubarkar Audu, National Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba and former Ekiti State Governor Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo during Audu’s declaration for ACN at Lokoja, Kogi State...last weekend.

HE Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Ikeja, Lagos yesterday said it seized goods valued at N1.54 billion between January and June this year.

Acting Controller of the Command Mr Victor Dimka, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos yesterday.

He said the seizures comprised 1,585 vehicles, textiles materials, rice, vegetable oil, used tyres and other prohibited items.

Dimka said the command had also secured the conviction of five persons.

He said the command’s performance in the first half of 2011 was a remarkable improvement over its achievements in the corresponding period in last year.

According to him, the command made 930 seizures with total duty paid value of N632 million in the first half of 2010.

“Smugglers now resort to the use of waterways and creeks to perpetuate their nefarious acts,’’ he said.

Dimka said officers and men of the command were ready to stem the nefarious activities, adding that three seizures were recorded on Agbara waterways on April 4, May 5 and June 28.

“A truck-load of textile materials was equally brought in by officers of the command on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway axis on June 18 and these seizures worth over N35 million in terms of duty paid value.

“A week ago, the command also intercepted a truck containing 10,000 bags of frozen chicken,” he said.

Senate’s overhead cut by 40%, says Ndoma-Egba

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ENATE Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba yesterday insisted that salaries and allowances of senators will not be slashed.

He said, however, that overhead cost of the National Assembly has been cut.

Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, the Senate

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Leader said the report is false.

According to him, the 40 per cent reduction only affects the overhead cost of the Senate.

He said: “My pay has not

been cut. My salary has not been cut because our salary is fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission. What has been cut is our overhead. Our running cost.

What you people refer to as jumbo pay. The cost of run-

ning the National Assembly which you now attribute to us as pay.”

“I want to be categorical that no salary of the members of the National Assembly has been cut. Because we earn about the same salary with ministers and Supreme

Court judges.

“I am not aware that their salary has been cut. So, if we are earning jumbo pay it also means ministers and judges are earning jumbo pay.

What has been cut is the running cost of the National Assembly.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

NEWS

‘I still have bullets lodged in my body’ •Driver tells Oyo panel

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EMBERS of the panel of inquiry investigating the Oyo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) crisis heard yesterday how the stomach of a driver was ripped open.

The commercial driver, Mr. Mojeed Moshood, told the panel that he was attacked in a mid-night raid allegedly led Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi (aka Auxiliary), a factional leader of the union.

Moshood, his stomach plastered, , said some bullets lodged in his private part had not been removed.

He made the stunning revelation before the Justice Olagoke Ige-led judicial commission of enquiry set up by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to probe the violence.

Amid sobs, Moshood claimed that he was at a motor park on Iwo Road trying to pick passengers for a night trip at about 11.30pm when the factional leader of the union stormed the park in a convoy of heavily armed men.

He alleged that Lamidi and his men were dressed in military and police uniforms.

The Ibadan driver claimed that immediately the men arrived at the park, they started shooting all the drivers on sight.

According to him, he kept seeing bodies on the way as he scampered to safety.

Speaking to a bewildered audience, Moshood claimed that he saw from afar how the hoodlums evacuated the corpses into one of the buses in their convoy.

He said: “While I was trying to escape from the scene, I was shot many times in my stomach and my private part. So severe was the shooting that my intestines gushed out of my stomach.

“Although I was in pain, I still managed to run to a safe haven while I used my hands to hold the intestines.

“It was at about 2am that I sighted a police patrol van from hiding and I quickly ran towards the policemen who later took me and some others who were injured to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

“As I am talking to you now, there are still two bullets lodged in my private part.”

Those who witnessed the public hearing were moved to tears when Moshood pulled up the flowing Muslim robe he was wearing to expose his stomach, which was heavily plastered.

Dr. Doyin Odebowale, a member of the panel quickly cautioned him against exposing the wound unnecessarily since it is has not

Oyo police commissioner redeployed From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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T last, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Baba Adisa Bolanta, has been redeployed. He was moved to Sokoto State.

The police boss, who has been facing persistent calls by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and some notable individuals including the factural leader of the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo), was transferred after spending three years in the Pacesetter State.

He would be succeeded by Mr Salihu Hashimu, who was until yesterday his counterpart in Jigawa. Hashimu supervised the April general elections in Oyo while Bolanta was in Sokoto.

Reacting to the development through its state Secretary Mr Wasiu Olatunbosun, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), lauded the redeployment, saying it was overdue, despite the controversies surrounding his handling of many cases during his tenure.

Olatunbosun, said the ACN was happy with the development, pointing out that the party was expecting a new commissioner of police that will ensure peace and tranquillity in the state.

He alleged that Bolanta contributed a lot to the crisis rocking the state and that his transfer was a relief to every peace-loving citizen in the state.

A notable Ibadan chief and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Lekan Balogun described Bolanta’s redeployment as a welcome development.

Balogun, however, stressed the need to investigate the police boss’ tenure in the interest of the public.

His words: “There is the need to investigate Bolanta’s non-professional handlings of the matters reported to him and his overall performance as the commissioner of police.

“There is also the need to revisit all cases reported to him that he mismanaged with a view to ensure that justice is done.

“It is only then that he can have his name cleared. And if he fails, it will serve as deterrent to others. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavour.”

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

healed.

The Secretary of the Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo)-led faction of the union, Mr. Lekan Aleshinloye, also continued his testimony yesterday.

He insisted that the dispositions of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Baba Bolanta, compounded the crisis.

During cross examination by counsel to the Police Mr. E. F. Ijalana, Aleshinloye claimed that the union has since discovered that

night guards of another factional leader, the late Lateef Salako (a.k.a Eleweomo) who were alleged to have been killed by Akinsola, are still alive.

He said: “They roped Akinsola in and claimed that he was the one who killed Salako’s guards. It was on the strength of that allegation that Akinsola was arrested and imprisoned to pave the way for Salako’s emergence as the union chairman.

“We have since discovered that the said night guards are not dead.

We have since seen them. Because we cannot arrest them, we report to

Student beheaded in Edo cult war

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YET-to-be identified student of the College of Education, Ekiadolor in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State was yesterday beheaded by suspected rival cult members.

The severed head, soaked in blood without the body was dumped at the gate of the institution.

There was an indication that the student was killed in a gruesome manner as there were gunshot wounds and machete cuts on his severed head while grasses were stuffed into his mouth.

Police in the state are already bat-

•Aleshinloye giving his testimony PHOTOS: NAN …yesterday

•A cross-section of the panel members …yesterday

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

tling to find the body.

The police officers who brought the severed head to the Central Hospital in Benin told the authority they were yet to find the body.

They did not, however, disclose if any arrest has been made.

Some students who spoke to The Nation on phone said they heard gunshots at night in the villages only to discover a fresh human head in front of their school early yesterday.

Provost of the institution Prof.

Amen Uhunmwagho said in a telephone chat that the institution has not

ascertained whether the beheaded man was its student or not.

He, however, promised to wait for the police to conclude their investigations before the identity could be known.

State Police spokesman, Peter Ogboi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said he has not been briefed of the development.

Several persons have been killed recently across the state due to cult clashes.

The state Police Command also announced the arrest of more than 70 suspected cultists.

•Moshood showing his plastered stomach

the police command and the police have not done anything about it.”

Aleshinloye also faulted the photographs of the corpses of the guards presented to the panel by the police, saying that the man who took the photographs has since confessed to them (members of the Akinsola’s faction) that the corpses were brought by men of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

It was, however, a drama of sort at yesterday’s sitting when Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi, counsel to another faction of the union led by Alhaji Wasiu Abubakar (a.k.a Tawa) began to cross examine Aleshinloye.

PHOTO: OSEHEYE OKWUOFU

At a point, the secretary protested that Gbadamosi was confusing him and that he was tired of the proceeding.

It was at that point that the chairman of the panel told Aleshinloye that if he was tired, the panel members were not. The witness quickly asked for a bottle of water.

No sooner had he received the water that he again requested to be allowed to go and answer to the call of nature.

The panel sadjourned till today to take evidence from other witnesses.

Reps move to stop varsity strike

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T plenary, the House of Representatives yesterday waded into the looming varsity workers’ strike. It urged the Federal Government to dialogue with leaders of the respective unions in the nation’s universities to iron out pending issues in the 2009 agreement it signed with them.

The House said a continued dialogue of the Federal Government and the three affected unions was necessary to avert another nationwide industrial action in the ivory Tones.

Its resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Ismail Hussain ask-

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

ing the House to intervene in the threat of industrial action by the workers over the non-implementation of 2009 collective agreement with the Federal Government.

The Non-Academic Staff of University (NASU); Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSNU) and the National Association of Technologist (NAA) have been threatening to go on strike over non implementation of agreements on increased sundry allowances and the 65 years retirement age entered with the Federal Government two years ago.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

NEWS

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Governorship poll: Kano tribunal strikes out ADC, PPA, others’ petitions

HE Kano State Election Petitions Tribunal has struck out the joint petition filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) and the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), challenging the election of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The tribunal also dismissed the petition by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), following an indication by the party’s counsel that the party did not wish to continue with it.

The tribunal’s ruling followed a motion filed by Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, counsel to the three parties, informing the court that his clients were no longer interested in continuing with the petition.

The three parties had, on May 16, filed a joint petition, seeking the nullification of the election of Kwankwaso on the grounds that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly excluded them from the April 26 governorship election, which produced

•Kwankwaso, PDP bribed ADC, others to dump petition, says counsel

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HE legal team of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Progressive Peoples Party (PPA) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), in a joint petition challenging the election of Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso, has accused the parties of taking bribe to withdraw their petitions before the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

Addressing reporters after a court session in Kano yesterday, one of the counsel to the three parties, Mr Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, alleged that the PDP bribed the parties to abandon the petition.

The lawyer said the attitude of politicians in Nigeria portends grave danger to democracy.

Noting that the ADC, PPA and NNPP had good grounds to nullify the election of Kwankwaso, Ibrahim alleged that the withdrawal of the petition was done in bad faith because the counsel were not consulted prior to the decision.

Ibrahim said: “The petitions were filed on grounds of unlawful exclusion, but at the end of the day, we found out that all the petitioners were reached by the governor and the PDP. “The petitioners, unfortunately, decided to withdraw their joint petition, even though they have a good case; the evidence From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Kwankwaso as the governor.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

is there, and we have overwhelming documents in support of the petition.”

Ibrahim alleged that the election that produced Kwankwaso would have been nullified if the three parties had been patient enough to follow through the legal process.

He said: “If the petitioners had proceeded with the petition to its logical conclusion, the election held on April 26 in Kano State would have been annulled and fresh election ordered.

“I am sure the PDP saw the handwriting on the wall and decided to reach out to the petitioners, who did not consult us before they filed for withdrawal. The way they did it was so terrible; it was so bad and so embarrassing.

“They wrote a letter indicating their intention to the tribunal to withdraw their petition and they came to our office and disappeared into thin air.

“Even when we sought to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, to file a motion of leave to withdraw the petition, they were nowhere to be found. They disappeared into thin air; they went underground. It is quite unfortunate.

“These are parties that came to our of-

Ibrahim told the court that he was instructed by his client to file a motion seeking the leave of the

fice to brief us. We were reluctant to take up the case in the first place, but we took it up in the interest of justice, only for them to withdraw unceremoniously.

“So, we suspect a foul play; so many ‘Ghana Must Go’ (bags) must have exchanged hands. What other reasons could they have had? These are parties who felt aggrieved, because their party logos and names were excluded from the ballot papers.

“After complying with the requirements of the electoral law, they were denied participation in the April 26 governorship election in Kano State. I don’t know what really transpired. I do not think this will augur well for our democracy because instances like this are the bane of our politics.”

But Offiong debunked the allegation, saying he had no knowledge of any outof-court-settlement between his client and the three political parties.

He said: “I do not have any information that anybody was bribed. He (counsel to the parties) did not raise any allegation of bribery in the open court. Rather, I see this as a case of a counsel not willing to obey the instructions of his client and that is not done in the legal practice.”

court to withdraw the petition.

He said: “My Lord, I am here with my learned col-

league, Rilwan Umar, to inform the court of the decision of our client to discontinue the petition.”

Defence Minister: I will perform

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Kebbi gets new Police chief

THE Nigeria Police Force has appointed Mr Lateef Junaid Commissioner of Police for Kebbi State.

He was the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Lagos State Police Command.

Junaid joined the Police Force in 1977 as a Cadet Inspector, the same year with the Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim; Lagos Police Commissioner Yakubu Alkali, among others.

NASFAT urges special attention for children From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

From Dele Anofi and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

INISTER of Defence, Alhaji Haliru Bello, has said the security challenges confronting the country would be tackled with the Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) manifesto on Defence.

Until his appointment as minister, Bello was the Acting chairman of the party.

He said he would offer political leadership to steer the affairs of the Defence Ministry to protect the nation’s territorial integrity.

The minister spoke yesterday in Abuja at his inaugural meeting with Defence and Service Chiefs and senior officials of the ministry, where he expressed his readiness to transform the security sector.

Bello, who was in company of the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, said: “Our job is simple, knowing that we have appropriate professionals, we will offer you political leadership.

We will offer you the political will to reform this country and to perform your responsibility to the international community...”

Tribunal Chairman, Justice Iyabo Kasali, struck out the petition as “an abandoned petition”.

Justice Kasali said: “In view of the fact that the learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) do not object to the motion of withdrawal, the tribunal is empowered by the 2010 Electoral Act, as amended, to grant the prayers of the petitioner. I hereby strike out the petition as an abandoned petition.”

Counsel to Kwankwaso and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Offiong Offiong, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told The Nation that the ruling was a victory for democracy and a vindication of the election of Kwankwaso.

The only petition left is that of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), which the tribunal has slated for hearing today.

Abdul Adamu Fagge, counsel to ANPP and its governorship candidate, Mallam Salihu Sagir Takai, hoped that his client would get justice at the end of the day.

• Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Kano, Chief Tobias Michael Idika (right), receiving a Gold Merit Award for Leadership and Integrity from a member of Christian Democratic Journalists (CDJ), Mrs. Titi Aderogba, at the CDJ secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos.

With them are Pastor Olurotimi Abiola of Faith Terbarnacle (Winners Chapel), Otta, Ogun State (second left); and CDJ PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID Secretary-General, Mr. Oludayo Ojewole.

Yakowa urges court to dismiss CPC petition

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ADUNA State Governor Patrick Yakowa and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have asked the Governorship and Legislative Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Kaduna to dismiss the petition by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) candidate in the April 28 governorship election, Haruna Saeed Kajuru, for lack of merit.

In a pre-trial hearing yesterday at the High Court Complex in Kaduna, the governor and his party said the petition was filed outside the stipulated time.

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, Ahmed Mohammed Aruwa, withdrew his petition

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

challenging the election of the governor.

He said he was doing so in the interest of the development of the state.

Through his counsel, S. S. Ameh, Aruwa said: “I have decided to withdraw this petition so that peace, unity and rapid development may reign supreme to the glory of God and the benefit of Kaduna people and my supporters.”

Aruwa and Saeed had filed their separate petitions at the tribunal challenging the declaration of Yakowa as the winner of the election, alleging massive irregularities and rigging.

Tribunal Chairman Justice G.A. Kwajafar granted

Aruwa’s request.

Leading Emmanuel Toro (SAN) and Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) for the governor and the PDP, Joseph Daudu (SAN) told the tribunal that the petition lacks merit.

Citing the provisions of the Electoral ACT, 2010, the lawyers argued that the law does not allow petitions to be filed beyond the stipulated time as done by the petitioners.

They said: “It, therefore, lacks merit and should be dismissed.”

The governor’s legal team added: “The petition is stillborn and dead on arrival.

Therefore, we are humbly praying the tribunal to dismiss the petition.”

Counsel to Sa’eed, Mr Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) said he filed the pre-hearing notice on June 24 and a counter-affidavit on July 11.

He said he had filed a written address, adding that he intended to rely on the written address for the first and second applications.

Akintola prayed the tribunal to rely on Paragraph 53 (1) of the Electoral Act to dismiss the defendants’ application, adding: “Your jurisdiction now is to perform the judicial act of dismissing the petition pursuant to Paragraph 18, Sub-sections 3, 4, 5 of the Electoral Act.” Tribunal chairman Justice G A. Kwajafar adjourned the matter till tomorrow for ruling.

NASRUL-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) has begun its 12th Annual National Women’s Week with a call on parents to pay attention to their children.

The theme for the celebration is: Muslim Women in Leadership: Opportunities and Challenges.

Highlights of the celebration, which began on Sunday at the Abuja branch of the society, included prayers for the elderly by the Branch Missioner, Alhaji Sharafudeen Aliagan.

Delivering a lecture entitled: Child Abuse and Rights, Hajia Lateefat Kolawole urged women to care for their children, noting that they are precious gifts from Allah.

Another bomb explodes near church in Niger •No casualty

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

BARELY 36 hours after a bomb explosion at a worship centre in Suleja, Niger State, another bomb on Monday night hit a church in Madalla, a suburb of the town, at 9pm. No one died.

The explosion occurred at the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) in the town.

It was gathered that the explosive was planted beside the fence of the church by unknown persons and exploded when most residents were going to bed.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

NEWS

Ondo workers on strike over minimum wage L

Ex-Deji of Akure’s wife dies

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HE estranged wife of the deposed Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Adepoju, Olori Bolanle, is dead.

The deceased, who hailed from the ancient town of Owo, was beaten by her husband, which eventually led to his dethronement The family spokesman, John Fadeyi, said Olori Bolanle, whose husband was deposed on June 10, last year, after a street brawl, died around 4.45am yesterday at St Mary Specialist Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.

Fadeyi said though the late Olori had been suffering from renal failure, the exact cause of her death was not known, since an autopsy had not been performed.

Fadeyi said the funeral arrangement cannot be announced because of her position as an Olori.

The deceased is survived by two children.

•The late Olori Bolanle From Damisi Ojo, Akure

The crisis between Bolanle and her husband peaked in May last year, when she was engaged by her husband in a street fight at her residence.

During the fight, her husband allegedly poured a substance suspected to be acid on her.

The development led to Adepoju being deposed by the government. The deposed monarch was said to have later travelled out of the country.

ABOUR unions in Ondo State will today resume their strike over the dispute on the N18,000 minimum wage.

This followed a-24 hour ultimatum given to the government on Monday by the Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC).

They criticised the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration, describing it as insincere.

The government had issued a circular to withdraw the N14,000 Salary Relativity Structure agreed for workers.

It proposed to adopt the Salary Relativity pending the review of the federal allocation to the state.

This decision was jointly taken by labour and government.

It was to take effect from July 1, but government withdrew the circular after it

•Govt: we didn’t get any notice From Damisi Ojo, Akure

agreed to pay the new minimum wage of N18,000.

Speaking to reporters in Akure, JNC Chairman in the state Solomon Adelegan said the decision of government to repeal a collective agreement contradicts the rules and norms of industrial relations practice.

He queried the sincerity of government in implementing the new minimum wage, adding that the idea of rescinding its earlier decision to pay N14,000 was callous.

Adelegan said: “It is wickedness and an insult to the sensibility of the labour leaders as well as the generality of workers of Ondo State for

the government to unilaterally direct the withdrawal of the circular and that the old salary of N10,000 be paid for July.”

He said the governor did not give as condition the withdrawal of the circular on Salary Relbefore he could pay the N18,000 minimum wage.

But the government, through the Commissioner for Information, Ranti Akerele, said no worker should be absent from work.

In a statement, the government said: “The attention of Ondo State Government has been drawn to the report that workers in the Public Service of Ondo State will be absent from work from July 13.

“The information is not correct and far from the truth.

“All workers are advised to report to their duty post tomorrow without fear of molestation or harassment.

“The government is yet to receive any formal notice of industrial action as required by law.

Akerele said no worker would collect below the N18, 000 as stipulated by the law.

He said the government took the decision in full compliance with the law and urged the workers to discountenance insinuations that the state was attempting to short-change the workers.

“Ondo State, in full compliance with the law on Minimum Wage, has decided to pay the N18, 000 minimum wage to its workers. This was agreed with labour union leaders, hence nobody should play politics with the issue,” he said.

Ogun yet to utilise World Bank $35.4 m grant From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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HE Ogun State Government is yet to utilise $35.4 million of the $78 million World Bank development aid.

The leader of the World Bank team on national urban water and community based development programme, Hassan Kida, made this known yesterday when he visited Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Abeokuta.

Kida described the visit as part of a quarterly routine supervision to assess the level of compliance with facilities granted the state.

He noted that the bank’s intervention in the state has improved water supply from 30 to 80 per cent.

Kida lamented that poor power supply and decay of distribution networks posed major challenges to the implementation of the scheme.

He added that the World Bank has invested an additional $13.5 million on community based development projects, which include roads; 12 primary schools; two clinics, electrification projects across the state.

Amosun assured the World Bank, international development partners and multi lateral agencies of continuous partnership towards facilitating development in the state.

“I must commend the efforts of our development partners as government cannot satisfy all the needs of the people without their support.

“They are very important to development and we will do all we can to ensure that we fulfill our part in addition to creating the enabling environment,” Amosun said.

‘Adopt Awo’s agenda’ N activist, Morakinyo Ogele, yesterday urged Southwest governors to adopt the four agendas of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) governors of the old Western Region.

He said the agendas are: free education at all levels; free health programme; integration of rural areas and employment.

He commended the governors for forming an association for quick development of the region, saying this had been witnessed during the late Obafemi

A

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Awolowo administration.

“This forum must ensure that it makes the South West a better place for the people.

Security, food, and housing, among others should be addressed.

“During Awolowo’s administration, governors like late Adekunle Ajasin, Bola Ige, Olabisi Onabanjo, Ambrose Alli executed projects that impacted on the citizenry. They never borrowed money to execute road projects. Their records are still unbeatable”.

Ondo to hold council poll in Dec

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HERE were indications yesterday that the Ondo State Government may conduct local government elections in December.

The government will by the end of July constitute the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) and members will be given 150 days to prepare, according to the Electoral Act. Governor Olsuegun Mimiko constituted Interim

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Caretaker Chairmen in the 18 local governments in July 2009, after sacking the chairmen and chancellors that were elected during the administration of Olusegun Agagu.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Diran Iyantan, said by the end of the month, government would swear in the new members of the electoral body.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi teaching English Language to Primary Five pupils of Itanla Community Primary School, Ado-Ekiti, when he visited the school yesterday

Osun Assembly passes resolution on LAUTECH SUN State House of Assembly has passed a resolution on the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

The 26-member Assembly yesterday said the collective heritage should not be shared because of political sentiment.

The Assembly maintained that the administrative demarcation between the states should be seen as their collective patrimony.

In a motion by Bamisayemi Adedoyin (Ife South) which was seconded by House Leader Timothy Owoeye, the Assembly resolved that Osun should not trade off its share of the university because of the future of students and other stakeholders.

Speaker Najeem Salaam called on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders and elders in Yorubaland to intervene in the crisis.

The Speaker advised Governor Rauf Aregbesola not to concede the sharing of the institution. He said although Osun was carved out of Oyo State in 1991, this should not be the basis for the loss of a

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‘School is jointly owned’

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HE Oyo State Government yesterday said it is “pursuing a brotherly joint ownership” of LAUTECH. In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Public Communication Festus Adedayo, the government said to buttress this claim, the slashing of school fees in Oyo State undertaken by the government on Monday could not totally apply to LAUTECH because the state believes this could only be done in conjunction with From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

common identity.

Salaam said Oyo State, under the leadership of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has shown that peace and dialogue can be used to settle the ownership crisis.

He hoped that the states

Osun, which has a joint proprietorship in the school.

The statement said a report that Oyo State is claiming sole ownership of the institution is false.

The statement said government suspected that the Adebayo Alao-Akala government had a hand in the spread of the mischievous story aimed at causing disaffection between the states, as it coincides with a purported congratulation to the government by Akala.

would use the opportunity of being in the same political platform to resolve the crisis.

Reacting to a judgment of the Federal High Court which declared positions of top officials of the school vacant, the Speaker said part of the anomalies would be

resolved if the order is executed.

The House urged security agencies to carry out the court order by ensuring that all officers of the institution mentioned were prevented from carrying on with the business of governing the school.

Bishop calls for SNC

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HE Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaiye, has expressed fears on the likelihood of the country’s disintegration.

He said a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) would help the issues affecting the country.

Ajakaye spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti. He

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

noted that the spate of bombings by the Boko Haram sect was a worrisome development that must be curbed.

The bishop berated the Federal Government for the social problems that aided the growth of the dreaded group.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

NEWS Committee to tackle flood in Delta

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ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has constituted an ad-hoc committee to tackle flooding in the state.

The committee, chaired

by Commissioner for Environment Frank Omare, would address the challenges of flooding across the state.

Addressing the committee in Asaba, the capital, Uduaghan said no part of the country is immune to floods this year.

“Two issues will be looked into in order to avoid flooding in the state.

Waste dumps in different

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

areas of the state will be cleared and every obstruction along the water ways will be removed.

Members of the committee include the Commissioner for Information, Christopher Ogeah; Head, Bureau for Special Duties Tony Nwaka and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment Willams Riabele.

Others are Head of Personnel Management of Uwvie, Warri South, Isoko South, Udu and Oshimili South local governments.

Fire guts foam factory in Benin

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OUKA Foam Factory at Okhun, Benin, Edo State, was gutted by fire yesterday.

The inferno destroyed property worth millions of naira before it was put out by firemen from the Air Force and the Army.

Workers said the fire started when facilities of the processed foams went up in flames due to pressure.

Hoodlums had a field day

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

as they carted away foams to nearby bushes.

Firemen from the State Fire Service were almost beaten up by angry sympathisers, when they came to the scene with an empty water tank.

They reportedly told factory officials that they could get water due to logistics problem.

Varsity gets principal officers

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KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has appointed four principal officers for Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) with effect from July 4.

The officers are Samuel John Udoekong( Registrar); Samuel Moses Udowo(Bursar); Daniel John Otoyo(Head of Works) and Mrs. Mfon Essien Etuk (Librarian).

Akwa Ibom State University Law 2009, Section 6 (5) of the First Schedule stipulates that the governor, who is also the institution’s Visitor, shall appoint the principal officers.

Panel to probe Warri jail break

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HE Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) has set up an investigation panel to probe last Saturday’s prison break at the Warri Prison, Delta State.

Two inmates are currently on the run.

It was learnt that the team was inaugurated by the Deputy Comptroller General (Arms), Essien Ekang, who visited the prison on Monday.

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

The team, headed by the State Prisons Comptroller, Emmanuel Bassey, would among other things, determine if there was internal collaboration and the perpetrators.

A source said a senior official at the prison, who is an Inspector, is seen as a likely suspect.

“This man left the door to

the cell open with the flimsiest of excuse.

“Since that Saturday, he has not been seen and his lines are not going. We think he has a case to answer,” the source said.

Bassey had ordered the arrest of the inspector on Sunday but, like the prisoners, he is yet to be found.

A source said the incident could have a far reaching effect on officers and men of

Rivers , ACN disagree on water shortage

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HE Rivers State Government and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday disagreed over water shortage in Port Harcourt, the state capital and its environs.

ACN alleged that almost all the taps in Port Harcourt and its environs are dry.

It urged Governor Rotimi Amaechi to provide clean drinking water for the people.

ACN’s Publicity Secretary Jerry Needam said despite the huge allocation to the state’s Water Resources Ministry, no “meaningful, concrete and beneficial” steps had been taken, towards the restoration of clean water for public consumption.

But Amaechi, who spoke through his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Blessing Wikina, said the dry taps

Ijaw group warns Boko Haram From Shola O’Neil, Warri

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

were inherited from the previous government, made up of the present members of the ACN. The governor said: “This administration’s master plan for water in Port Harcourt and its environs is ready. We are completely redesigning the entire water situation, which will be followed by engineering design and bidding.

“We are currently at the stage of engineering design.

After which we will enter the bidding process. The entire project will cost over N100 billion.”

The ACN asked the governor to ensure that the billions of naira voted for the ministry do not end up in private

•Amaechi

pockets, who allegedly care little about the concerns and health of the public.

The opposition party also admonished Amaechi to curtail his frequent overseas trips and save the funds, which it said could be utilised for the provision of water for residents to enhance their living standard.

ACN governors for retreat in Edo

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OVERNORS elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) will converge on Benin , Edo State, for a one-day retreat tomorrow.

The retreat, which is put together by the party, will allow the governors discuss and fashion out a development agenda for their states.

It will be chaired by Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former Governor of Ekiti State. Chief Audu Ogbeh will present a paper on “The Essence of Party Supremacy in a Presidential System”.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole will speak on “Targeting People expectation: Governance as a tool” and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola will speak on “Project Implementation, Scope and challenge”.

Also expected are Senators and members of the House of Representatives elected on the party’s platform as well as other party leaders across the country.

Amaechi advises aides to work hard From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

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IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has advised his aides to be hardworking.

Amaechi gave the advice in Port Harcourt when he inaugurated 34 members of the Local Government Service Commission; Social Services Contributory Trust Fund; Primary Health Management Board and Post Primary Schools Board.

The governor told members of the boards that they were on a mission to rescue the state from rot.

He said: “If you function properly; believe me, I will not leave my office, but would sit down and do my work.”

The Local Government Service Commission is chaired by Azubuike Nmerukini; Board of Trustees of Social Services Contributory Trust Fund is headed by Shyngle Wigwe.

Primary Health Management Board has Dr Uriah Etawo as its head and the Post Primary Schools Board is to be headed by Alwell Onyesoh.

Ekiti health workers threaten strike From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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the service at Warri Prisons.

It was gathered that both Ekang and the Zonal Comptroller (Zone D), Ayodeji Diya, had lambasted the head of the prison over perceived loose security at the prison.

Ekang, who refused to comment further on the team, said the security arrangement at the Warri Prison at the time of the break was not good enough.

EMBERS of the Ekiti State Joint Health Sector Union have threatened to go on strike, if the government does not stop its high tax.

The union said the government started deduction of the tax after implementing the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale and Consolidated Health Salary Scale for workers in the health sector.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists and Allied Professions, Sola Ojo, urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to prevail on the Accountant General to honour the circular stopping the tax.

Ojo said the office of the Chairman, Executive Board of Internal Revenue wrote a letter to the Accountant General to stop the deduction, but this was not honoured.

He said members were ready to pay their taxes, but noted that the union would resist every attempt to impose a tax regime that would burden them unnecessarily.

AN Ijaw group, Ijaw Youths Welfare Association, yesterday warned the Islamic group, Boko Haram, against carrying out its threat to attack southern states.

The group cautioned that such action would be counter-productive.

“They should never make carry out their threat of spreading their suicide bombing to any southern part of the country.

“Such move would be counterproductive and may disintegrate the country,” the group said.

IYWA’s National Coordinator and SecretaryAlaowei Cleric and Otuaro Jerry, in a statement yesterday denounced perceived lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government and security agencies towards tackling the menace of group.

Bayelsa NEPAD honours 91 From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

NINETY one persons are to be honoured by the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) Bayelsa State Chapter.

The chapter is to launch a two-year strategic frame work.

The state Coordinator, Mrs. Vivian Eli-Shama, said this in Yenagoa yesterday.

She said the summit comes up tomorrow.

With the theme: ”Sustainable development – A Collective Responsibility”, Mrs. EliShama said the awards is in recognition of the selfless development initiatives of the recipients.

She said the awards include two posthumous, eight gold, 16 silver and 33 bronze. Forty two persons will receive certificates.

Governor Timipre Sylva is the chief host and will present the awards.

‘We deserve better’ From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

THE Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders Caucus yesterday decried the offer of junior ministerial slot to the state by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan had appointed the daughter of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide, Jumoke, as Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The PDP Elders said it is insulting to the Oyo PDP family that despite its contribution to the election of President Jonathan, a junior minister was allotted to the state.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

NEWS

Civil society groups sue Yakowa over councils’ dissolution

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IVIL society groups in Kaduna State, under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Groups, have sued the government over the dissolution of elected council chiefs and the appointment of caretaker committees in the 23 councils.

In a suit filed at the Kaduna State High Court, the groups are seeking an order restraining the government and its agents from appointing sole administrators for the councils pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.

The defendants are: Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa; the AttorneyGeneral and Commission-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

er for Justice; the House of Assembly; and the Local Government Service Commission.

They also seek an order declaring that the appointment of sole administrators for the 23 local governments constitutes a violation of Section 7 (1) of the Constitution and is illegal.

In an affidavit in support of the originating motion, the applicants averred that the government sacked the elected officers of the 23 councils and directed local government secretaries to take over in the councils.

They also averred that the local government secretaries

had been performing their “constitutional duties” as seasoned administrators, adding that appointing sole administrators to take over from them without any allegation of fraud, incompetency or maladministration is unconstitutional.

They argued that the local government secretaries had spent tax payers’ money judiciously and executed good projects.

They prayed the court to stop the government from appointing caretaker committees for the local governments.

The government has sworn in a five-man caretaker committee, headed by a Chairman for each of the 23 councils.

Erring pilgrims to face trial in Kano

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HE Kano State Government will soon set up a special court to try pilgrims who violate the ethics of Hajj operations in Saudi Arabia, Deputy Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, has said.

Ganduje spoke yesterday in Kano on the need for pilgrims to be of good conduct in Saudi Arabia, adding that the court would prosecute erring pilgrims when they return from the Holy Land.

The deputy governor said the pilgrims would face justice in the state since “we cannot try the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, because we don’t have the powers to do so”.

“But all evidence of misdeeds against them will be brought to Nigeria and the offenders will be tried here in Kano.”

Ganduje noted that Islam forbids pilgrims from misbehaving in the Holy Land, adding that the government

would not condone misdeeds by its pilgrims.

The deputy governor said the government had obtained good accommodation for intending pilgrims, adding that houses were rented at moderate charges near the Ka’abah (Holy Mosque) in Makkah.

Ganduje said he had inspected the rented apartments, describing them as conducive for the pilgrims to stay in.

Group hails Jonathan for ministerial nomination

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BAUCHI-based sociopolitical group, the Bauchi Unity and Integrity Forum (BUIF), has praised President Goodluck Jonathan for nominating Dr Muhammed Ali-Pate as a ministerial nominee from the state.

A statement by the group’s Coordinator, Mr Jibrin Sa’id-Jibrin, said the President made a wise choice in nominating AliPate as a minister.

It noted that Ali-Pate would justify his appointment.

The statement said the

nominee’s impressive stewardship at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) since 2008 showed that he is capable of contributing to national development.

It added that in many international agencies and institutions Ali-Pate served, he demonstrated a high sense of commitment, professionalism and trustworthiness.

The statement reads: “Highlights of his remarkable achievements in office so far include the nearly zero level of polio outbreak re-

corded for the better part of the period when he was at the NPHCDA, where the country witnessed a reduction of cases of outbreak of wild polio virus from 803,339 and three cases in 2008, 2009 and 2010.”

Before his appointment as the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Ali-Pate was a lecturer at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH); Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH); University of Rochester, UK, and other positions at the World Bank.

Minister dissolves 12 boards in FCDA

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HE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday approved the dissolved boards of 12 parastatals and agencies under the FCT Administration.

A statement in Abuja by the Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Hazat Sule, said the dissolution was part of FCT Administration’s plan to reposition and restructure the operations of the par-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

astatals and agencies for effective service delivery.

The affected parastatals and agencies are: the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA); Abuja Technology Village; FCT Scholarship Board; Aso Radio and Television; FCT Secondary Education Board; FCT Universal Basic Education Board and Area Council Service Commission.

Others are the FCT Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board; FCT Christian Pilgrims’ Welfare Board; FCT Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal; Abuja Infrastructure and Investment Centre (AIIC); and Abuja Film Village International.

The secretaries/chief executives have been directed to take over the running of the parastatals and agencies pending the composition of the new boards.

The Nation reporter’s mum buried

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HE remains of Princess Dooshima Ihyongo, mother of The Nation Senior Correspondent in Taraba State, Fanen Ihyongo, were buried yesterday amid tears at her husband’s country home at Gbise, KatsinaAla Local Government of Benue State.

A funeral service was jointly officiated by the NKST Church, Central and NKST Church, Gawa.

The late Mrs. Ihyongo was a teacher, farmer and business woman. She was 50.

Mrs Ihyongo is survived by her husband, mother, four children, two grandchildren and many brothers and sisters.

Family members, friends, journalists, farmers and sympathisers from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Taraba and Adamawa states, among others,

paid the late princess their last respect.

Her husband, Mr Joshua Ihyongo, said: “My wife was a caring woman and a devout Christian.”

The late Mrs Ihyongo was the first child of Igba Baka Utume, a retired soldier from the Royal British Army (RBA), who became a Kindred Head in Utenge-Kpav, Shitile, Yooyo Ward of TorDonga, Katsina-Ala.

1/2 page Advert

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

11

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Lagos files charges against Okereke-Onyiuke, others R

S

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 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

–Justus Uranta, Managing Director, Niger Insurance Plc

Shell lifts force majeure on Bonny oil

Experts advise NSE on demutualisation OME stakeholders in the capital market yesterday expressed mixed reactions to the proposed adoption of demutualisation by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

They expressed their views at workshop on Demutualisation: The Way Forward, organised by some stakeholders in the capital market in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that demutualisation is the legal structure being proposed to be adopted by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

It is a model whereby ownership, management and the trading rights of the Exchange are segregated.

Mr Rasheed Yussuff, Chairman of Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), said that the introduction of demutualisation would remove the autonomy of the NSE. According to him, demutualisation would stop the NSE from being a monopoly and be more competitive.

He said that demutualisation would allow the NSE to compete more favourably with foreign markets that had already adopted the model.

Yussuff said that the process would stop distractions associated with identifying issues relating to the stakeholders and that there was the need for government to protect public interest under demutualisation.

He, however, said that there was a need for a strong decision on whether the NSE would adopt demutualisation or mutualisation model to avoid conflict of interests of operators.

Today’s business is knowledgedriven, so, you need to train and retrain your manpower to be able to compete globally having seen that the world has become a global village. As it is today, there is no difference between those of us operating in Nigeria and our counterparts in London if we are able to drive our knowledge some where close to their point. So, we need this funding to improve on our bottom line

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HE Lagos State Govern ment has filed two charges against the former Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Prof (Mrs) Ndi OkerekeOnyiuke and seven others at the state’s High Court, accusing them of stealing about N3.3billion.

Charged with OkerekeOnyiuke are former senior officials of the NSE, Alhaji Lance Musa Elakama, Uzoma Henry Onyekuru and five companies - Creative Financial Services Limited, Mining System Limited, OPDC Properties Limited, OAK Business and Finance Company Limited, Kingdom Securities and Finance Company Limited.

Their planned arraignment yesterday before Justice

• Alleges N3.3b theft

By Eric Ikhilae

Christopher Balogun was stalled owing to the state’s inability to produce them in court, a development that prompted the court to adjourn to October 10.

When the case was called, Principal State Counsel, Femi Adamson, told the court that efforts by the Police to arrest the accused had proved abortive.

He said information from the Police authorities was that some of the accused persons were already outside the court’s jurisdiction, but that efforts were being made to arrest them.

The charges, marked LCD/ 157/2011 and LCD/158/2011, were signed by the state’s Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan, for the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

They were specifically accused of conspiracy and stealing, contrary to Sections 516 and 390 (7) of the Criminal Code of Lagos State Cap C17, Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State 2003.

In count one of the charge numbered LCD/157/2011, Okereke-Onyiuke and Lance Elakama were alleged to have conspired among themselves sometime in June 2008, as officers of the NSE and Mining

Systems Limited, to steal N455 million property of the Exchange.

Other counts read: “Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke (f), Lance Elakama (m) (officers of the Nigerian Stock Exchange) and Creative Financial Services Limited on/or about June 20, 2008 at the Nigerian Stock Exchange Building with intent to defraud conspired to steal N495 million property of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

“Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke (f), Lance Elakama (m) (officers of the Nigerian Stock Exchange) and Creative Financial Services Limited on/or about June 20, 2008 at the Nigerian Stock Exchange Building stole and fraudulently converted N495 million property of the NSE.”

OYAL Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) said yesteray it had lifted a force majeure on its Nigerian Bonny Light crude oil loadings, which was declared on June 13 due to leaks and fires on its TransNiger Pipeline.

Force majeure is a common clause in contracts that essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as a war, strike, riot, crime, or an event described by the legal term “act of God” (such as flooding, earthquake, or volcanic eruption). It prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract.

Shell’s Nigerian SPDC unit said in June that the leaks caused by saboteurs who used hacksaws — had been repaired and production resumed on June 12, but the shutdown of the lines affected loading programmes at its Bonny export terminal.

Bonny is one of Nigeria’s top oil streams and is popular with refiners in Europe and the United States.

A Shell spokesman in Nigeria confirmed that the force majeure, which frees the company from contractual deliveries due to actions beyond its control, had been lifted but gave no further details.

Withdrawal limit: Court fixes suit against CBN, Sanusi for Oct 11 • From left: Nollywood actress/GLO Ambassador, Monalisa Chinda; Executive Director, Human Resources, Adewale Sangoawa, Globacom; Head , Sales, Nokia, Chris Brown and Head, Globacom Enterprise Solution, Folu Aderibigbe, at the GLO Mega Deal PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA event in Lagos, Lagos… yesterday.

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Union Bank, core investor sign transaction implementation pact

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NION Bank of Nigeria PLC yesterday moved a step further in its recapitalisation exercise with the signing of a Transaction Implementation Agreement (TIA) with its potential coreinvestor, the African Capital Alliance Consortium (ACA Consortium).

TIA is a document, which spells the relationship between the parties. Thereafer, the duo’s agreement is expected to be submitted to the regulators and shareholders for approval.

The TIA is in furtherance to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in March, this year with ACA, which is investing $750million in the bank consisting of $500million equity and $250million Tier II capital.

The full capitalisation of the bank, according to a statement from its Head of Corporate Affairs, Francis Barde, “will be achieved through the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria’s (AMCON) invest-

By Ayodele Aminu,

Group Business Editor

ment to bring net asset value to zero, Union Global Partners Limited’s investment and a Rights Issue, to be made to the bank’s existing shareholders.”

This proposed investment “will restore Union Bank to capital adequacy and position it to regain its pride of place in the Nigerian banking sector.

The bank will be able to rebuild its customer service franchise and restore its infrastructure to compete again across diversified financial services.

The bank will also significantly focus on human capital development through staff training and development.”

African Capital Alliance (ACA), a leading private equity investment firm, investing in West Africa, is leading a consortium of international investment groups and development finance institutions to invest in Union Bank. The ACA Consortium, which will invest as

Union Global Partners Limited, consists of ACA B-Holding Limited (comprising ACA managed funds, FMO Netherlands, and other co-investors), The Keffi Group VIII LLC (comprised of the Keffi Group and several U.S financial institutions), ABC Holdings Limited (Banc ABC Botswana), and Discovery Group (based in Connecticut USA). Members of the Consortium have invested in financial services and several other sectors in various areas of the world, over the past 20 years.

The execution of the TIA represents a significant milestone in the recapitalisation of the bank ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s deadline of September 30, 2011 set for the rescued banks among, which is Union Bank.

Union Bank was one of nine Nigerian banks rescued in a N620billion bailout in 2009.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set a September deadline for the rescued bank

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

• GMD, Union Bank, Funke Osibodu

to sign recapitalisation deals or face nationalisation or liquidation.

Other rescued banks are Intercontinetal Bank Plc, which has also signed a TIA; Springbank Plc, which has finalised talks with core investors; FinBank Plc that is about perfecting its merger with First City Monument Bank Plc; Afribank Nigeria Plc, Oceanic Bank Plc and Equitorial Trust Bank, which are still searching for partners, and Bank PHB Plc, which is in talks with Habib Bank of Pakistan.

USTICE Adamu Bello of a Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed October 11 for hearing in the suit filed by 11 communities in the riverine areas of Delta State against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The communities are: Akpakpa, Ogidigben, Madagho, Ijalla, Kantu, Omadino, Ogheye, Dheghe, Ajudaibo, Obaghoro and Okrigho.

They are challenging the proposed daily withdrawal limit by individuals and corporate bodies of N150, 000 and N1, 000,000, fixed by the apex body.

The Judge will also hear the application for the enforcement of the fundamental human rights of the communities.

Joined as a defendant in the suit is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN).

Meanwhile, the CBN and Sanusi (first and second respondents) have filed a notice of preliminary objection against the motion for enforcement of fundamental rights.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 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.

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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: Group Managing Director, UAC Nigeria Plc, Mr Larry Ettah; Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr Keith Richards, President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Mr Thomas Awagu and Divisional Managing Director, MDS Logistics, Mr Solomon Aigbavboa, during a breakfast meeting on Logistic strategies, in Lagos.

Banks get ultimatum to remove sub-standard bullion vans

T

HE Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has given banks a six- month ultimatum to remove all sub-standard armoured bullion vans from the country and acquire standard and certified ones.

All banks are expected to comply with this directive within the next six months, starting from August.

The order was given at a stakeholders’meeting on the specification of armoured vehicles to be used in Nigeria, by the DirectorGeneral, SON, Mr Joseph Odumodu, who was represented by the Director of Enforcement, SON, Mr Louis Njoku, at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said this directive became necessary because of the importation of substandard armoured bullion vans into the country, noting that it has led to attacks by armed robbers and loss of lives and cash.

He said the National Security

By Toba Agboola

Adviser, who is responsible for granting the end-users security licences for these vehicles once invited service chiefs to a meeting to find a solution to the problem.

He said one of the resolutions of that meeting was that SON should develop a system for standardisation and quality assurance for these class of vehicles.

He said the certification or re-certification scheme would involve two aspects. He listed them as the inspection, assessment and re-certification of existing armoured vehicles such as bullion luxury and commercial transport vehicle models. “ The other aspect is the material process line testing and assessment of manufacturing plants abroad from where these vehicles are to be imported in line with international regulations, which will also

include the pre and post shipment inspection. In order to effectively achieve the objective of this scheme, SON entered into a technical agreement with CZ Consultant Limited and Testing Standard Auto Nigeria Limited. With this synergy, SON commenced the development of a National Infrastructure for conformity assessment under a guideline that has been approved by the office of the National Security Adviser as is obtainable all over the world,” he said.

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would be involved in the system. The National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Azazi (rtd), who was represented by the Director, Internal Security, Mr Abok Nyam, said the NSA would collaborate with the SON to check abuses and to ensure that the policy framework towards standardisation of security equipment into the country is attained.

FIRS chief cautions states on expenditure

T

HE Executive Chair man, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, yesterday urged the state’s Accountants-General not to allow their expenditure to exceed the revenue.

Speaking in Abuja at the meeting of the Forum of States Accountants General in Nigeria, she admonished them, saying: “Don’t spend what you don’t have. Say no to unsustainable expenditure and back up your expenditure with verifiable data.”

The Director, Public Communications Department, Mr Emmenuel Obeta, disclosed this in a statement

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

yesterday.

According to him, she enjoined the Accountants-General to seek external help – but not to outsource core government functions, focus on building institutions rather than on personalities -capacity building, training, professionalism, reward and recognition of staff to get the best out of them.

She also encouraged them to leverage on technology, automation and electronic platforms to safeguard state revenue and improve generation and expenditure and always place the interest of the state

above other interests.

Omoigui noted that not many states are doing well in internally generated revenue. Some states have IGR to total revenue percentage that are as low as three per cent.

Only two states had an IGR ratio above 40 per cent. For most states the federal allocation ratio is above 80 per cent, this went down slightly to 70 per cent in 2009, she said.

From the CBN figures, apart from Lagos State, which did over 60 per cent of the percentage of IGR to total revenue in the two years, Sokoto State posted an impressive 46 per cent of IGR to total revenue in 2008.

Fed Govt targets N15tr private sector investments

I

N line with its promise to rejig the economy, the Federal Government has created the Ministry of Trade and Investment.

The new ministry is expected to pool private sector investments worth N15trillion into the country within four years.

The ministry, headed by a former Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga, is strategic. It is aimed at breaking the country’s vicious cycle of poverty through aggressive and productive investment drive.

The government is also targeting sustained double-digit growth and the creation of at least three million jobs to plug the country’s huge unemployment hole.

Nigeria, according to the Vision 2020 document, needs to invest N34trillion in growth areas in the next four years. Of this, the Federal Government, according to the Min-

By Ayodele Aminu,

Group Business Editor

istry of Trade and Investment, should account for N10trillion, state governments, N9trillion, while the private sector (both local and international) is expected to inject N15trillion.

Based on the constraints in the budget, as passed, the Federal and State governments’investment targets may not be achieved. For instance, only N1trillion is in the 2011 capital budget.

Aganga’s exceptional private sector background, result-oriented growth initiatives in his one year as Nigeria’s Finance minister and experience as a managing director of the World’s biggest investment bank, Goldman Sachs, are valuable qualities needed to lead the new drive for economic growth.

Going by the documents available

to The Nation, under the new ministry, the small and medium enterprises, which are the bedrock of growth in advanced economies, will enjoy the special attention that will enable them to perform their roles efficiently, thus providing the foundation for enhanced non-oil growth.

The new model according to sources, was conceived, based on the economic transformation achieved by the Department of Trade and Investment in the United Kingdom; the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Investment of Japan; and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Competitiveness of Cape Verde, among others.

Historically, the UK’s Trade and Investment Department, which is now known as the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, is only headed by senior ministers with first-rate experience in investment matters.

Minister sets up committee on aviation fuel

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

A

VIATION Minister, Princess Stella Ada OduahOgiemwonyi, yesterday set up a six-man Committee to come up with recommendations that would help reduce the prices of Jet A1, popularly called aviation fuel.

The committee, which has two members each from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and the Aviation fuel Marketers Association, one member from other stakeholders and another from the Ministry of Aviation (Director, Finance and Accounts), has two weeks to submit its report.

It is to look into the challenges facing airline operators, fuel marketers and other related issues that have a bearing on the rising cost of aviation fuel.

The committee is the outcome of a dialogue with stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the aviation fuel crisis, which has prompted air fares to skyrocket beyond the reach of the average Nigerian.

While charging the committee to approach the assignment with a high sense of urgency, Mrs OduahOgiemwonyi expressed optimism that the challenges facing the sector, including rising cost of aviation fuel, are solvable if all stake- holders resolve to dialogue frankly about issues inhibiting the growth of the sector.

She said her plan is to make air travel the preferred mode of transportation for the average Nigerian.

She lamented that with N18,000 as minimum wage, the high cost of air tickets is not sustainable hence the need to explore legitimate means of bringing down fares. She stressed that stake holders must come together to fashion out strategies that will revive the sector and help create jobs for millions of unemployed youths.

World Bank, others to assist Niger Delta From: Dele Anofi, Abuja

A

S the Federal Government seeks alternative financial and technical assistance for the socio-economic and infrastructural development of the Niger Delta, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, European Union (EU) and the Embassy of Japan have pledged to assist in the development of the region.

Already, the UNDP and the World Bank have supported the design of a framework for the development of the region with $150,000 and $200,000.

The government had recently stated that the yearly budgetary allocation for the region was inadequate to meet the needs of the region.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

ISSUES

How to revive multiple access bands, by stakeholders The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) segment of the telecommunications industry is facing hard times.

Experts are worried about the decrease in CDMA subscriber base every quarter. They suggest turnround strategies, ADLINE ATILI writes.

I

T is no hearsay that Nigeria is the largest and fastest growing telecommunications market in Africa. With total connected lines of over 100 million, teledensity has steadily increased over the decade from 0.73 in 2001 to 64.7 per cent last April.

Teledensity is a measure used to gauge the availability of phones to citizens of a country.

However, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators are facing a challenge to their bottom line. What the future holds for this segment of the telecommunications industry is anyone’s guess.

CDMA is gradually going downhill with stakeholders helpless on strategies to revitalise it. Plagued by decreasing subscriber base and economic uncertainty, the operators are struggling to maintain • Continued on page 14

• A CDMA cellsite antenna

13

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

ISSUES

How to revive multiple access bands, by stakeholders • Continued from page 13

a sound footing and competitive edge. They are also seeking to provide crucial, uninterrupted service to customers.

Although some of the companies work to improve profit margins by introducing innovative products and services, their efforts still do not amount to much. They have continued to experience consecutive quarters of decline.

According to the monthly telecoms subscriber data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) -April 2010 to April 2011), total connected lines of CDMA stood at 10.5 million compared to 85.5 million for Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM). Of the CDMA’s 10.5 million lines, 7.7 million are active.

This figure slid to 5.9 million active lines in April 2011. According to the data, the CDMA operators – Starcomms, Visafone, MultiLinks, and Reltel – lost about 1.7 million active subscribers between April 2010 and April, 2011; its GSM counterpart gained almost 14 million subscribers during the same period.

These recurring CDMA losses consumed Multi-Links, forcing its parent company, Telkom of South Africa, to quit the CDMA business after offering the firm for sale.

Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Multi-Links, Vincent Raseroka, said: “It is strategically, financially and commercially challenging for us to continue to do business in this segment, despite the comprehensive turnround programme of the company.

“CDMA business is still facing a lot of challenges in a highly competitive environment, requiring scale to successfully compete.

“The segment’s only 10 per cent market share limits the necessary scale opportunities for players.

“It was bought by Visafone for $52 million this year but the deal fell through due to litigations brought on by a tower company.”

The Telco (Multi-Links) was eventually sold to the tower company for $10 million, a fraction of the original price.

Some industry stakeholders believe that, for CDMA not to go into extinction, bailout is necessary.

President of the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) Gbenga Adebayo, said the Federal Government should come to the rescue of CDMA operators to help turn their fortunes round.

Speaking on the continued decline in their subscriber base, Adebayo said the bailout would enable them free up resources to deploy better infrastructure.

He noted that low access to capital was one of the problems affecting CDMA networks, stressing that the government must find ways to support the operators.

Specifically, he said the bailout could be in form of relief to help them deploy infrastructure for better services.

The industry regulator, NCC, said though some Telcos seem to be faced with challenges which hinder the growth of their businesses and has made some to go

under, it was not in the mandate of the commission to provide funding for them.

NCC’s perspective NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr Eugene Juwah, however, noted that the commission was yet to get any official request for bailout from any ailing operator, which could prompt deliberations at ministerial level for assistance.

He said: “The issue of bailout of operators normally puts the regulator in a difficult position because it is not really in our mandate or Act to fund operators. Our role here is to provide a level playingfield for all operators.

“Having said that, none of the operators or groups has actually made a case in writing to the commission so that we can discuss it with the government through the ministry and see if the government can help.

“I believe if there is a serious case that is logical and acceptable, government would consider it.

“It is now left for the agitators to make a convincing case that government should intervene and bail them out. We are not the operators; we are only regulators.”

He noted that it would be a waste of resources to bail out some of the operators when it was glaring that the fault was from them”, he added.

The NCC boss further said: “Mind you, it could be their fault they are not doing well. It could be as a result of mismanagement.

In that case, it would not be wise to throw good money into such venture.

“You must not forget that I used to work for one of them. So, I have personal experience.

“But if there are convincing issues why operators should be helped or bailed out, the government would step in.”

Juwah said there was nothing fundamentally wrong with the CDMA technology, as widely believed, but that the operators did not get their priorities and vision right.

“Basically, I think the first intention for CDMA was fixed wireless; it was a very regional sort of licence and, who knows, probably, that would have been their position judging by the amount of frequency that they have.

“But, incidentally, this universal access licence came and they wanted to compete with the ‘big boys.

“Some of them with little capital went to borrow; and when you

• Juwah

borrow at 25 per cent interest rate in Nigeria, it will smoothen out all your profits. This may be one of the causes of their problems.

Their strategy was wrong. Their vision was wrong,” he noted.

“I don’t know if they are entitled to a bailout or not in that case; but it’s not left to me to make that decision. But I do not think the CDMA technology is faulty.

Verizon of the United States, which happens to be the biggest operator there, uses the CDMA technology; Reliance of India too.

“So, the technology did not contribute to the position they are in.

When you want to compete, you must know your strengths or, else, there is a possibility that one can shoot oneself in the foot.

“Nevertheless, we are still open to a convincing case, which we’ll take to policy makers for action.”

He was also quick to ask if a Nigerian could go to other countries for business and ask for bailout.

“We have to think from different angles and put this thing in proper perspective. It is not as people say, banks are getting funding.

“You can also look at problems in other countries. For example, can a Nigerian go to, say, India and say he hasn’t done well in a business, the Indian government should give him money?”

He noted that the telecoms sector is still beset with challenges, especially in the areas of growth and business, but that the government was working out modalities to make the country more business–friendly.

Star Comms view To the Managing Director of

• Qubain

Starcomms Plc, one of the four CDMA companies, Maher Qubain, consolidation is the only solution to the dwindling fortunes of CDMA. He added that a fair playground for all networks was also vital for proper development of that segment of the market.

Qubain said with all the CDMA networks controlling less than 10 per cent of the telecoms market and operating in a lopsided competition against larger GSM networks, there was the need for constructive measures by the CDMA networks and the regulators.

He said: “It is important for the CDMA networks to come together in the face of the operating conditions. With that, they can achieve scale. They can muster greater buying power. Instead of struggling for survival, they can compete as a dynamic force in the industry.

“CDMA mortality rate is alarming. There were 12 active CDMA networks two years ago. They came down to six by last year and now there are about three or four.

“Meanwhile, GSM networks are growing in number because they have scale and are favoured by the interconnect rates allowed in the industry.”

He noted that consolidation can happen in diverse ways.

Qubain suggested that unused spectrums of moribund networks now lying fallow could be made available for others to use for better coverage.

According to him, it is important for the NCC to enforce its own ‘use the spectrum or lose it’ rule on networks that are no longer operating and reallocate to others.

‘It is important for the CDMA networks to come together in the face of the operating conditions. With that, they can achieve scale.

They can muster greater buying power. Instead of struggling for survival, they can compete as a dynamic force in the industry’

He said a lot of the CDMA networks that have closed shop were weighed down by high interconnect rates, adding that the exclusive opportunity the GSM networks had for five years to enjoy high interconnect rates, despite the size of their subscriber base, did not allow some of the CDMA networks to take off properly.

Nigeria charges the highest percentage of interconnect rates in the world, he said.

He enjoined the regulator to look into the issue of interconnect rates and unused spectra to allow for proper development of the industry and effective deployment of various technologies to serve Nigeria better.

NATCOMS stand President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo, while supporting consolidation of CDMA networks, maintained that the interconnect rates should be reviewed to maximally favour the CDMA segment so as to ensure a level playingfield.

He said: “Everywhere in the world, CDMA interconnect rates to GSM, are much cheaper.

“It was the former Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Ernest Ndukwe that made it at par with GSM; that was the beginning of the end for CDMA. “Though consolidation is good but without a deliberate pricing policy in place, revenue cannot be increased.

“Therefore, the interconnect rates should be reviewed to reflect what obtains in other parts of the world.”

He added that though CDMA could be unappealing to subscribers due to its low service range, operators could make it appealing by improving the quality of service and ensuring innovation in service delivery.”

Speaking in the same vein, a telecoms consultant, Francis Ajayi, said in the face of rapidly developing technology and fierce competition, CDMAs must consider, apart from consolidation, technological upgrades as well as increased revenue by efficiently delivering new offerings that set them apart from competitors.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

17

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 , 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Delta State people expressed hope for better times when Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan made some changes in his administration after the April polls. But many people are concerned about his commissioners-designate. SHOLA O’NEIL examines the executive council.

Discontent over Uduaghan’s Executive Council Amos Utuama

I

F his opponents had their way, Amos Utuama would not have become the Number Two Citizen, despite being in the corridors of power for over a decade.

The Law professor has not carved a political niche for himself, even in his Delta North constituency. In the two elections this year, he failed to “deliver” his local government area. He won his unit but lost his ward in the April election. In fact, the PDP lost every available position in his council to the opposition. His supporters are quick to mention his influence and contribution as a loyal deputy in the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration. One of his supporters maintained: “He may not be your everyday politician, but the Deputy Governor is a man who knows his onions and his boss usually gives him his dues, no matter what the situation is. Or, how can you explain his return, in spite of the rumour about plans by the governor to change him for a ‘sellable’ deputy after the debacle of the January 6 rerun election? That he has been in the corridors of power for over a decade tells the story of his relevance.”

Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay The announcement of Macaulay as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) stunned many. He was and Returning Officer for the governor in the re-run election and the April 26 governorship election. His critics thought he had done enough. His perceived attempt to assume leadership role had generated opposition from key politicians like Senator Spanner Okpozo and Funkekeme Solomon among others. This did not help Uduaghan’s cause in the hitherto PDP stronghold. The huge votes garnered by Chief Great Ogboru’s DPP in the elections were seen as protest vote against him. Thus, after his unimpressive performance in the re-run and April 6 elections, he was seen as heading for political oblivion.

But, hehas bounced back.

Sources close to Uduaghan said Macaulay’s choice for the SSG is a function of his administrative adroitness and strict adherence to procedures. The Owhe-born politician is also seen as a shrewd negotiator. He first shot into the political limelight was when he was appointed Commissioner for Conflict Resolution and Inter-Ethnic Relations by former governor, James Ibori during the Ijaw/ Itsekiri crisis in the state. He was once referred to as a ‘Baby Commissioner’ by Chief Edwin Clark in those days. Macaulay’s appointment in 2003 was ostensibly for his role in building of the now comatose Nkoyi Ibori Children Referral Hospital in Agbarho. An aide to Uduaghan described Macaulay as a dependable goal-getter.

Dr. Joseph Otumara Otumara, a medical doctor like the governor, is one of his strongest allies among

• Uduaghan

Itsekiri politicians. This several-time former Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area of the state has managed to remain in the corridors of power since the Ibori-era. His strength, according to analysts, is his closeness to the grassroots and key leaders of the Itsekiri traditional institution. True to expectation, he has bounced back again. But what few people know is that Otumara was not interested in becoming a commissioner, but the Executive Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), a highbudget and very influential seat. It was gathered that he had all but got his wish when Uduaghan broke the news that he had another candidate lined up for the job.

Like Macaulay in Isoko land, Otumara has his critics in Itsekiri land. A prominent Itsekiri leader accused him of becoming increasingly isolated and of losing touch with the youth in his base.

Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen A medical doctor, Oghenechovwen is not on the good side of his kinsmen, most of who see him as tight-fisted and not interested in promoting their interests. He is one of the old guard of commissioners who made the list, but only on the strength of his closeness to the governor. His re-emergence shocked quite many, including supporters of the governor because of his perceived failure to deliver even his ward to the PDP in the past elections. As one of the three top political office holders in Ughelli South, who failed to deliver the council, along with Oma Djebah and the deputy governor, his ‘recycling, many feel, worsen the fate of the PDP in Ughelli in general.

“Having performed so woefully in the National Assembly from 2003 - 2007, Oghenechovwen has constantly staged a comeback even from the ‘dead’. His main political credential is being the governor’s ‘son’ from college days. The relationship blossomed because they are members of the same profession. But on the political front, I don’t see what value he can add to the government,” one of his critics, who is a

• Amori

member of the PDP in the area said.

Chief Ighoyota Amori One would have expected Chief Amori to reject his appointment, as Senior Political Adviser to the Governor. One of the diehard loyalists and disciples of Ibori’s, Amori is known for expressing his views about issues, sometimes to his own detriment. His biggest political faux pas was when he reportedly declared in 2006, that his boss and benefactor, Ibori, knew the consequences of handing over power to a non-Urhobo candidate. Some linked Ibori’s travail to the inflammable statement; thus, Amori wallowed in the political wilderness for four years before his ill-fated senatorial bid earlier this year. The appointment by Uduaghan is a strange one. Yet, the powers of the ‘Odidimadi’ can never be underestimated: what he lacks in diplomacy, he makes up for with the sheer force of his personality and hard-boiled politics. Besides, he still enjoys the patronage of some state and federal lawmakers who could be stirred up to create problems for the governor.

Frank Omare He is a former Commissioner for Housing, a long-time ally and so-called ‘foot soldier’ of Uduaghan in the Ijaw area of the state. He is one candidate that most Deltans, particularly his Ijaw kinsmen, would love to see his back in government.

He rose to political prominence as a beneficiary of the so-called political solution to the Warri crisis under Ibori as a Special Adviser. He rose to become Commissioner for Special Duties and then Housing. Investigations by our correspondent revealed that he is not so acceptable even in his own Ogbe-Ijoh community, where a number of key leaders like Chief Favour Izoukumor and even his sibling, Mr. Eric Omare, have renounced the ruling the PDP because of his perceived overbearing attitude. “The position of these OgbeIjoh and other Ijaw community leaders is not borne out of hatred for Uduaghan, but

‘He may not be your everyday politician, but the Deputy Governor is a man who knows his onions and his boss usually gives him his dues no matter what the situation is. Or, how can you explain his return in spite of the rumour about plans by the governor to change him for a ‘sellable’ deputy after the debacle of the January 6 re-run election? That he has been in the corridors of power for over a decade tells the story about his relevance’

• Funkekeme

because of their anger against their own kinsmen who have amassed personal wealth without being able to improve the well being of the people,”a member of the kingdom’s traditional council told our correspondent.

Hon. Funkekeme Solomon A former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly in the 6th Assembly, like Omare, Funkekeme is one of the staunch supporters of Uduaghan in Ijaw land. His inclusion in the commissioners’ list was no surprise. However, those who knew him said being a commissioner came a very distant second to his initial ambition of becoming the SSG. Funkekeme may not be a very happy person as a commissioner, particularly as he was being tipped as a possible candidate to fill the vacant substantive Executive Chairman of DESOPADEC.

Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu The woman, popularly called Madam Micro Credit, was perhaps the revelation of Uduaghan’s first tenure in office. Her elevation to head a ministry is no doubt an indication of the governor’s faith in her and a testimony to the success of the Micro Credit Scheme, which has won both local and national accolades for the state.

One of the few women nominees, Ashiedu’s elevation to the Commissioner for Special Duties (Micro Credit) and her present appointment were lauded. Her inclusion is expected to add fresh breath to the cabinet irrespective of her portfolio.

Paul Odili He is the Communication Manager to Governor Uduaghan. Odili, affirmed that the new administration was poised to complete its laudable development agenda started in the first tenure of his boss as well as carry out further massive development.

On the ofte-touted concern that the governor has not delivered on its agenda of change in government, he said, “Change is a highly subjective matter. If you say you want change, change from what to what? That is the question we should all ask but I can assure you that His Excellency has again put together a highly professional team capable of achieving his laudable dream for the state. Some persons may not like some candidates because of their own agenda; so, when you say critics, you should also ask yourself if that person was not also angling for the job,” Odili added.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

‘National Assembly will prevent budget failure’ P

OOR implementation of budget has become a common headache over which many stakeholders are worried.

This is because of its negative effects on the economy and general well being of the citizenry.

To halt the trend, members of the National Assembly are rising to the occasion by proposing a constitution amendment that will give a time frame for the passage of the appropriation and effective monitoring. The goal is to ensure that the budget is effectively implemented by the federal government.

A House of Representatives member from Oshodi/Isolo, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who reflected on the performance of the budget, which has dented the image of the National Assembly and government, said there should be a clean break from the past.

He explained: “This current National Assembly has a vibrant and robust legislative agenda. The major thrust is that se are going to work on the constitution again. We will look at the aspect that empowers the President to bring the budget at any time.

“Now, we want him to bring it three months to the end of the year. Every three months, the Executive must also come to report on budgetary implementation. This is to stem failure. We will be in a position to monitor the implementation. The agenda is to make sure that things are rightly done. We will compel the Executive to do the right thing”.

Akinderu-Fatai, who spoke at his first meeting with constituents after his inauguration lamented that, since 1999, budget has not performed up to 50 percent.

He expressed optimism that the parliament should be able to conclude deliberation on the appropriation within three months.

The legislator said the National Assembly would ensure that the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mandates the Executive to appear before it to explain budget implementation is invoked, adding that legislators

• Akinderu-Fatai

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

would also conduct a mid-term assessment of the budget.

Akinderu-Fatai added: “The executive must continually brief the National Assembly on the implementation. The executive may have to meet with the legislature for input. They have often come up with the budget without proper consultation. In the past, the National Assembly would tinker with the budget and the executive would refuse to implement. Budgetary formulation, implementation and evaluation should be a joint business, based on the understanding that we are promoting a common, national interest”.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain agreed

‘This current National Assembly has a vibrant and robust legislative agenda. The major thrust is that se are going to work on the constitution again.

We will look at the aspect that empowers the President to bring the budget at any time’

that the House should do something about its image, stressing that the perception of constituents would change when they are well represented.

Akinderu-Fatai assured that the House would have a better outlook, following the inauguration of more opposition members.

He said the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clearly lacks two-third majority, adding that, with 71 members, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has become a factor in the House.

The legislator stressed: “PDP cannot do it alone. The minority parties have over 150 members. So, the PDP will have to work and listen to the minority voices. This, to me, is good for Nigeria. Even, when we were just few, we made impact. now that we are many, we will make more impact”.

Akinderu-Fatai said the ACN would shake the House because its legislators would work for Nigeria as a matter of priority.

He said: “We will fight for the common good. There will be good governance at the end of the day and ACN will become a force to reckon with”.

He promised to articulate the problems of his constituency on the floor by sponsoring motions and bills that would tackle the challenges of unemployment, under-employment, and poor infrastructure.

Akinderu-Fatai said the virtual eclipse of manufacturing companies in Oshodi area created pains and suffering, stressing that their former workers, who have no place to go, turned into touts tormenting innocent people.

He described their aggressive behaviours as a reaction to the indifferent of leaders who have refused to bring their plight on the front burner.

Urging the legislature and executive to fight poverty, the legislator said a time would come when no wealthy Nigerian and elected politician would be confident to walk freely on the road for fear of assault and molestation by aggrieved citizens.

• Senator Bukola Saraki (left) exchanging pleasantries with Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Alhaji Mohammed Dele Belgore (right), at the Fidau of Hajia Aminat Ibrahim Mamalosho in Ilorin. Watching are Speaker Rasaq Atunwa (left) and Lanre Daibiu.

Since the last governorship election, the unity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State has remained threatened. But the appointment of Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama as minister seems poised to arrest the sickening development. DUKU JOEL, writes.

Is it rebirth time for PDP in Yobe?

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EARD indeed, little or noth ing has been of Gashua, a Yobe State town since the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), was detained there. But with the recent appointment of Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, one of its own, as minister, the town is fast turning into a political theatre of the state.

Now, all eyes seem focused on Ngama, who, for long, had remained a household name in the Nigerian financial institution, having served and headed reputable financial institutions at the top management cadre, notably at First Bank and Diamond Bank Plc. Before his eventual “initiation” into politics, Ngama had also brought his financial experience into transforming the larger economic fortunes of his home state, Yobe. He was a resource person and participant in the various sessions of the Nigeria Economic Summit and the Vision 2010 Summit. He is the Secretary of the Yobe State Economic Summit Group and the main editor of the Summit Report. He is also a member of the Business Support Group of the VISION 20-2020.

However, upon his resignation from the First Bank December 31, 2010 to plunge into active politics, he pitched tent with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He obtained his membership card, No. 4019836, from Lawan Musa Ward, Gashua in Bade Local Government area. And the race began from there.

At the wake of the 2011 electioneering campaign, Ngama was visible at all meetings, rallies and gatherings of the party, while giving his own contributions.

Apart from trying to key into the economic agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan as a technocrat, Ngama, who was already donning the toga of the new leader of PDP the state, knew the daunting challenges he had to overcome while trying to harmonise the factions in the party, assuage the feelings of aggrieved members and chart a course for the unity of PDP that had been threatened after the last gubernatorial primary elections in the state.

One of the factional leaders, Adamu Maina Waziri has already extended his hand of fellowship but on the condition that his group would wait and observe how the new minister would initiate his peace moves before supporting him.

In apparent concession that the mantle of leadership of PDP in the state was almost resting on Ngama’s shoulders, Waziri recently said: “The unity of the PDP in Yobe is now the sole responsibility of the new minister, Yerima Ngama. We know the camp he is coming from, but we have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Let us see how he would start to bring back the factions. But we should all support the new minister to succeed. But I must say that another panacea for peace in PDP

in Yobe State is the removal of the current PDP chairman Abbagana Tata from that office.

The issue is in court and I am sure we will get justice.”

But Tata told The Nation that Ngama’s emergence as the new minister from Yobe underscores his silent contributions to the party in the state, adding that the new minister would bring his wealth of experience to the new economic drive of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Tata also noted that the unity of the party in the state is equally one of the priority actions of the new minister; stressing that Ngama would be a unifying factor for the Yobe PDP. Indeed, for many observers, the Ngama’s emergence marks a new era in the history of PDP in Yobe for several reasons.

For instance, in all the two lists of nominees forwarded by the two factions of the PDP in the state to the national headquarters of the party, none reflected Ngama’s name. It was gathered that though his name featured in an initial list prepared by one of the factional leaders, it was later dropped for a senatorial candidate after the new minister was humiliated in a fracas which took place in a meeting at Sen. Usman Albishir’s house in Abuja.

Many have also come to terms with the fact that Ngama’s emergence as the new minister from Yobe is purely a divine providence precipitated by the hunger of President Jonathan for technocrats of which the new minister is one.

The rousing ovation that Ngama received at the Senate chambers – the loudest which came from senators from his home state during screeningperhaps said it all: that he had become a force to be reckoned with.

At the moment, the PDP family in Yobe awaits anxiously to see how far Ngama, who has been described as the new bride of the Yobe PDP, would go in the the task of bringing peace to the PDP in Yobe as he begins his national assignment.

• Ngama

THE NATION WEDNESDAY ,JULY 6, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Worrisome refugee status •More countries in West Africa should face the challenge headlong

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ARTICIPANTS at the ongoing ministerial conference on humanitarian assistance and internal displacements in West Africa holding in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, have something to chew, with the revelation that Africa is home to about 11.1 million of the global 27.5 million forced out of their homes on the continent. The gathering, the first of its kind in the sub-region, is jointly organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The conference is important because it is expected to draw attention to the fact that about 14 of the countries in the region are yet to ratify, not to talk of begin the implementation of the African Union (AU) Convention (Kampala Convention) for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Of the 15 countries in West Africa, only Sierra Leone and the Gambia have ratified the convention that aims mainly to bring succour to the displaced as well as embody preemptive measures against the phenomenon. Only 15 of the 53 countries on the continent have signed.

Nigeria has had its tragic share of such displaced persons. The civil war created a situation and we recovered after years of integration. But in the past few years, we have witnessed upheavals that have displaced persons, if not in the mass droves we see in the most prone countries. The ethno-religious imbroglio in Plateau State, the Niger Delta militancy and the election riots have brought Nigeria to the fore as one the hotspots for

concern.

The record for the country and indeed the region is poor. African countries can and indeed should do better, considering the grim statistics revealing that the continent accounts for nearly half of the world’s conflict-induced IDPs, with the largest concentration of these in just three countries, – Sudan (4.5 million to 5.2 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (about 1.7 million) and Somalia (1.5 million). Outside the continent, only two other countries – Iraq and Colombia – had more than one million IDPs by the end of last year.

There are other compelling reasons why Arica has to show more concern about the refugee situation. The numbers of resettled people are down, with only about one percent of them or even less resettled each year. Moreover, the number of people returning home is also down. For example, last year, fewer than 200,000 people returned home, the lowest in a decade.

Worse still, the causes of displacement are not going away, with new conflicts breaking in North Africa, Ivory Coast and Sudan. Add these to the millions of people around the world who are homeless due to natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the picture becomes the more frightening. Africa should be particularly worried because IDPs appear largely to be a problem for the poor countries. Such countries also, incidentally, bear the greatest burden of caring for these destitute millions.

The problem is compounded by the

fears expressed by the UNHCR that citizens of countries that bear the burden of the victims are beginning to object to hosting them or even the asylum seekers due to the economic situation in their respective countries. Although some people claim these are over-bloated, the fact is that whether the claim is true or not, Africa has to put its house in order.

And the situation calls for concerted action.

We therefore urge participants at the Abuja conference to forge an agreement on a common declaration as well as a roadmap for the formulation of a regional approach to displacement problems based on the AU convention.

This they can begin by signing the eight instruments needed to be signed for the convention to come into force.

‘The record for the country and indeed the region is poor.

African countries can and indeed should do better, considering the grim statistics revealing that the continent accounts for nearly half of the world’s conflict-induced IDPs, with the largest concentration of these in just three countries, – Sudan (4.5 million to 5.2 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (about 1.7 million) and Somalia (1.5 million)’

Illegal arms •We should worry over the volume and sophistication of the ones in Nigeria

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IVEN her population, geographical size, resource endowment, historical antecedents, relative military strength and strategic location, Nigeria has always been perceived as a stabilising factor in West Africa and Africa as a whole. Indeed, a key component of the country’s foreign policy is promoting international peace, not only in her immediate sub-region, but across the globe.

Thus, Nigeria has severally earned plaudits for the discipline and efficiency of her troops in peace-keeping missions abroad. Its military and diplomatic influence were decisive factors in ending protracted civil wars in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone, and setting them back on the democratic path.

Against this background, it is disturbing that Nigeria has been identified as a possible source of destabilisation in Africa. According to the Coordinator of the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN), Mr Allen Onyema, the volume of unlicensed and illegal arms in circulation in Nigeria is enough to destabilise Africa.

In his words: “The amount and sophistication of arms in wrong hands in Nigeria could destabilise the whole of Africa. We work closely with these militants, we know that. So, the government has to be careful. I am sure that the security agencies know this. We have the staff to post people all over the place …The violent culture in Nigeria is growing and it is very scaring”.

These are indeed sobering words,

which nobody interested both in the stability of Nigeria and Africa can afford to treat with levity. The unprecedented degree of violent crimes in contemporary Nigeria – armed robbery, assassinations, kidnapping, communal strife, bomb explosions, religious conflicts, political thuggery, etc. – testify to the large number of sophisticated arms available to unauthorised persons who use them to disrupt the peace and stability of society.

A key defining characteristic of any state is its monopoly of the instruments of coercion within its territorial jurisdiction.

When unscrupulous elements can undermine the authority of the state through ownership of weapons that enable them to endanger law and order, then there is the imminent danger of descent to anarchy as we are gradually witnessing in Nigeria.

But then, how come that unlicensed arms are circulating in such alarming numbers in a country that is not at war?

One reason for this is the widely acknowledged porous nature of the country’s borders. While the authorities make a dramatic show of cache of illegal arms seized once a while at the borders, the reality is that most of the sophisticated arms that enter the country are undetected. It is thus important that the agencies in charge of border security be strengthened to perform their duties with greater efficiency and efficacy.

We cannot also dismiss lightly the allegation that unscrupulous members of some of the country’s armed security agencies rent out their arms to criminal

elements for pecuniary purposes. There is thus the need for tighter control of arms and ammunition issued by the country’s security agencies to ensure they do not fall into unauthorised hands. A related factor is the allegation that desperate politicians intent on winning elections at all cost in the past recruited and armed private militia that ultimately got out of control. We cannot equally discount the growing capacity of local blacksmiths and related artisans to fabricate weapons, even if of a rudimentary nature.

It is thus at these different levels that the war against unlicensed arms must be fought. More importantly, we agree with FEHN that government must be proactive in inculcating non-violent behaviour in the citizenry through both the formal and non-formal education and socialisation systems. A refugee crisis arising from a major conflagration in Nigeria could have disastrous implications for Africa.

‘It is thus at these different levels that the war against unlicensed arms must be fought. ... We agree with FEHN that government must be proactive in inculcating non-violent behaviour in the citizenry through both the formal and non-formal education and socialisation systems. A refugee crisis arising from a major conflagration in Nigeria could have disastrous implications for Africa’

Free speech and the Internet

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S the United Nations has said, access to the Internet is a human right.

A report by the U.N.’s special rapporteur presented last month to the Human Rights Council in Geneva warns that this right is being threatened by governments around the world — democracies included.

The main concern is about oppressive regimes trying to squash political dissent — like China, which jails bloggers, blocks Web sites and filters the Internet to eradicate words, including “democracy,” from the conversation.

The report also warned against overzealous attempts by democratic states to control or censor online communications.

Stopping infringement of intellectual property or the distribution of child pornography is legitimate. But governments must protect citizens’ rights to speak freely — anonymously when necessary.

In Italy, a court convicted Google executives because a user uploaded a video on YouTube depicting cruelty to a disabled teenager, even though Google quickly removed the offending content. Brazil’s Congress is debating legislation that would require Internet service providers to keep a log of customers’ online activity for three years, which authorities could access without a court order to pursue crimes such as calumny.

The French and British parliaments have passed draconian laws that would ban users from the Internet for illegally downloading copyrighted material. The United States Senate is considering an intellectual property bill that would allow the government or private businesses to take action against a potentially large array of Web sites for “facilitating” piracy, an excessively broad definition.

The U.N. has proposed sound guidelines to defend free expression: censorship of content online must be transparent and enforced only through the courts.

Governments should not rely on private entities like service providers to censor content and should not hold them liable for user content. Counterterrorism should not be an excuse to bar expression, unless it is to prevent imminent threats.

With few exceptions, governments should not adopt Internet registries that require users to reveal their identities.

And defamation — so often used as a legal tool to repress political speech — should be decriminalized. Finally, nobody should be banned from the Internet.

It is a fundamental tool for enabling free speech.

New York 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

•Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho

•Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

•Pre-Press Manager Chuks Bardi •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: A new dimension has been introduced to the level of insecurity in the land with the latest, being the bomb blast that occurred at the Louis Edet House, headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.What has, perhaps, made this case disturbing is the fact that it happened right within the vicinity of those constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people.

Acts of terrorism and criminality appear to be getting more complex and sophisticated by the day. Apart from the colossal loss of lives and property, incessant crises often lead to capital flight culminating into its attendant unfavourable investment climate.

We cannot afford to take with levity, the recurring decimal otherwise we may just wake up to see the tatters of a nation.

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Growing insecurity in the land After the amnesty granted the Niger-Delta militants, one would have expected restiveness to abate.

Rather, kidnappings and arms proliferation have been rife in the oil rich region. With the hostilities in the oil regions, abductions and now Boko Haram, I don’t think we can’t sleep with our two eyes closed except we want to deceive ourselves.

This year alone, members of the Boko Haram were said to have bombed the Maiduguri office of the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) while it spearheaded the illegal liberation of 14 inmates of Yola prison during a jail break.

While Nigerians were still recuperating after the suicide attack on police headquarters, the sect was said to have carried out another bombing on a recreation centre. This time, motorcycles, apparently ridden by its members was reported to have been used to throw explosives on 25 fun seekers, killing them.

To begin with, the various secu-

rity agencies should be more proactive. I wonder why the bombers have not been apprehended. After all, they are not spirits. Ballisticians say the process of assembling bombs takes time and involves a chain of activities. With good networking and intelligence gathering, bomb assemblage and planting could have been detected, truncated and quashed.

Security agencies need to work together and synergize for effective inter-agency co-operation. What we

Good conduct, not re-branding

IR: We were taught in an AIDS awareness campaign seminar in Port Harcourt as teenagers in secondary School in 2003 that good conduct is the only way to stop the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome alas AIDS and not the irritant condom some other HIV/AIDS activists preached.

We agreed then, I still agree now.

Since good conduct-moral uprightness; will entail that the issue of sex before marriage will not occur; same goes to the image of a country. No amount of image laundering (rebranding) will change the perception of the peoples of the world about Nigeria if the Nigerian citizenry are not behaving in a proper way. Thus, so long as there are scandals, corruption, drug trafficking, terrorism, killing etc, the world will see Nigeria as a bad place and Nigerians as bad people. Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation will be a rubbish rant if her people refuse to show attitudinal change. Irrespective of the ratio involved in this colossal damage, the truth is that they are Nigerians and are seen so world over.

Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation! Without first cleaning the hearts and inimical attitude of her people?

Not long after the re-branding campaign, a Nigerian was involved in an act of terrorism and suicide bombing. The ‘Good People, Great Nation’ found herself in hot waters of image

scandal. Nigeria was immediately enrolled in the United States ‘special list’ of terrorist countries.

At the time of this re-branding, we cannot boast of good roads, electricity, neat and efficient airports, fine housing scheme, employment and good welfare. In fact, within that period, the World Bank released a figure of $2,398.78 per person per annum in July, 2010. This shows a per capita income of $3.00 a day! That period also witnessed strike action from University Lecturers for what they termed, “the neglect of educators, education and knowledge”. It was still then that the proposed #18,000 about $114.73 minimum wage was being advocated though it was rejected by most Governors. Are

these, features of a great nation? Then where is the greatness and honor in all these?.

Good People? The ‘Etteh-gate’ and subsequent war of words that greeted the nation’s House of Representative were within the period of re-branding Nigeria. Check Nigerian Newspapers online, you will see where that free for all fight is hoisted. What about that grand welcome and reception that was given to an ex-convict? The many cases of corrupt Government officials and bank executives standing trials; the endless drug trafficking cases, kidnapping, killing, rape etc? Does this make a good people?

Good attitude and morally upright behavior will change our image than any well composed words; irrespec-

tive of the writer or poet that composed such words. The money spent during the re-branding crusade is an imprudent spending as we have found out today. So changing the attitude of Nigerians is far more important to those sweet words.

Nigeria: Good people, Great Nation will be achieved not by the number of times we echoed the words nor the amount of newspaper advertorial space and broadcast commercial time, but by our good hearts in dealing with others, shunning of corruption, drug trafficking etc and developing our country. This is the re-branding we need and not the deceit we engaged earlier.

• Uwalaka Temple Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt

have at the moment is a situation in which our security agencies want to outsmart each other. Just like a football team, whereby a single player wants to defend, attack and score at the same time without making recourse to other players. Two things are likely to happen. It’s either the footballer turns into a dramatist in his folly while others opt for ‘siddon look’ or he gets crashed out! And who loses? The team of course! That is what we see and hear when security agents engage in in-fighting, trade blames and shirk in their responsibilities.

Nigeria has not really made much progress in resolving its many ethno-religious and political crises because those apprehended for such violence are either shielded from prosecution or are set free from their alleged mis-deeds.

The nagging question of true federalism will continue to raise dust.

Until we summon the courage to face the daunting challenge of evolving a true federal state, many of the experiences and problems facing the nation may not be over. One of the ideals we are talking about is the issue of state police. The present arrangement, in which the commissioner of police reports to his Inspector-General, and not the state governor, who answers to the appellation, Chief Security Officer of the state is retrogressive. While one is not advocating that security or should be the sole business of government, it will amount to failure on its part, as a constitutional duty, if government fails to secure and protect the life and property of it’s citizenry.

• Adewale Kupoluyi University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State

NYSC: Why post corpers to Bauchi and Borno states?

IR: MEDIA reports recently had it that the National Youth Service Corps either inadvertently or deliberately posted fresh graduates to some states in the northern part of the country where their lives could not be guaranteed.

The decision of the management of the scheme and the counter reaction of the institution to the posting of innocent youths to where security cannot be guaranteed show the position of our leaders to the security of our

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youths and the commitment of the university authorities to the welfare and safety of its product.

The authorities hinged its decision not to allow its products to any part of the north to the killings of 10 students in Bauchi among whom was a graduate of the university.

It is unfortunate that those in authority are trivializing the issue of security and delight in looting the treasury instead of placing emphasis on the welfare and security of the

youths.

Of recent, the Director General of NYSC Brigadier General M Tsiga said publicly that no corper would be posted to violence-prone states like Borno and Bauchi states. Why the Uturn when extremists operating under Boko Haram are killing on daily basis?

One would have expected the Director General of NYSC to remember the level of insecurity in Borno, Bauchi and other states where Boko

Haram insisted on executing their jihad and wipe out all those promoting scholarship.

Laudable as the objectives of the scheme is, the government should show more concern in the area of insecurity and keep the youths away from Borno, Bauchi and other dangerous states in the North. Let the indigenes of those states serve in those zones at least for now.

• Adesola Babalola, The polytechnic road, Ibadan .

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

GEJ: Ignorance Elimination by ‘Media Ads for Dev’; Media Law for Dev & More Media Messages

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UR President, Governors and LGA Chairmen should consider a plastic recycling plant set up by local businesses and universities for the billion Tony pure water bags, plastic Marinho bottles and plastic bags threatening to strangle Nigeria. This is one of many environmentally friendly ‘waste to wealth’ initiatives operational abroad and available on the internet.

The federal, state and LGA civil services throughout Nigeria are politically bloated with political jobbers and hangers on and file blockers. Civil services with such built-in inefficiencies delay decisions and have files stacked high in the ‘dead tray’ or endlessly ‘lost’ unless prompted to be ‘found’ by a fat bribe.

In Nigeria we do not use our talents for development and life saving education. The ‘Advert Strategy’ successfully sells anything especially product information as seen by multibillions advert budgets annually and the billions on political posters and electronic adverts for the last election and the resultant torn and tattered posters left. Advertising achieves simple elimination of ignorance about a product and secondly puts it in a good desirable light.

Our citizens suffer from the killer disease ‘Ignorance’. Yet governments do not utilise ‘the advert strategy’ the ‘Media for Development’ to lift our people out of that ignorance. They do not take advantage of media gurus and marketers who can sell anything to anyone merely by eliminating their ignorance educating them, sometimes wrongly.

Getting ‘life skills’ information to the citizenry is good governance in an ignorant country. But government owns most of the media and can easily send a million state and federal messages as the airtime there is wasted on mindless music and entertainment without empowerment. Governments have rejected or wasted the media armament of radio and TV for 50 years, 24 hours of airtime on most channels. Periodically we have UN, WHO, UNICEF etc days to highlight various social topics-like AIDS Day, clean Hands Day, Kill Mosquitoes Day

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IGERIA is a country so richly blessed in human and material resources. There are so many untapped natural resources which will make those in the desert regions green with envy. In addition, the country enjoys rich vegetation in most parts which makes farming a productive venture.

But like the mariner in that popular poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “water, water, every where, nor any drop to drink”, Nigeria is a country that wallows in self pity, in self-inflicted pains and trauma. Self-pity in the sense that her numerous natural resources are untapped. Her vegetation is not being properly utilized to provide succor to her teeming population who are mostly poor, underfed, uncared for and in fact, hopeless.

Yet the country’s woes are self-inflicted. The discovery of oil in the mid-1950 seems to have become a curse rather than a blessing. As soon as the country began to export oil, other natural resources became second fiddle. The sector is completely mismanaged while the revenue accruing from it is largely misappropriated. The insincerity of our policy makers has resulted in agitations for resource control and better standard of living by indigenes of the region that produces the “black gold”, as oil is widely known. These agitations have turned violent in the past, leading to low oil output and consequently, low revenue for the country.

It is because the country has earned a distinction in mismanagement that its four refineries are running below 15 percent of installed

etc. marching through the calendar year but there is hope at last. Happily the Ministry of Health and the National Cancer Control Programme has just involved the media in the battle against ignorance about cancers. But what about the other life skill things like Okada murders? Cholera is back, this time in Plateau State. The ‘Media And Development’ –MAD- or ‘Media Advertising for Development’ is a good linkage. In Nigeria the media is largely a wasted education space. Even the AU ignores its leadership role in ensuring the media as a ‘Weapon for African Development’ and does not have Africa-wide IECIgnorance Elimination Campaign strategies.

At the threshold of this new 2011-2015 Jonathan regime, politicians, legislators, professionals and NGOs can ‘think tank’ to initiate a ‘Revolution in the Media/ Citizen’ space. What President Jonathan and Nigeria must first do is to introduce legislation and make local and national laws or guidelines to allocate compulsory dedicated amount of airtime daily to life skill messages aimed at ‘Urgent Ignorance Elimination Campaigns –IEC’ throughout Nigeria budgeting if necessary.

A revolution is taking place in the media abroad with useful ‘IEC’ information passed to the citizens. We must duplicate it in Nigeria. NN24 CSR and A Communication For Change Production in collaboration with Ford Foundation is a good start and is similar to the VUKA Adverts on South African TV and the ACT Advertising for Change Together social messages on the CNN and other Cable networks. The adverts on alcohol, trafficking etc and are yet to be reproduced in the local media, giving access to millions of ignorant ordinary viewers on simple non-cable networks. Incredibly any advert for social messaging is charged ‘commercial rates’ by the media house in an attempt to boost ‘Internally Generated Revenue’.

One wishes that these adverts which are on the cable channels also find their way into the media controls airtime. NGOs from Boy Scouts, to Educare Trust to anti AIDS groups have been forced to create and ‘advertise’ their own social messages and sadly pay for them at commercial rates. Even the Gates Foundation paid commercial rates for empty space to protect Nigerians from AIDS. President Jonathan, Governors, CEOs should summon emergency meetings to allocate airtime informing the citizenry of

life skills through MEDIA life skill messaging. They can do this by enforcing a lawTHE MEDIA CSR LAW/ REGULATION stating that ‘EVERY ELECTRONIC MEDIA ORGANISATION MUST PROVIDE 1 HOUR, 60 MINUTES IN 15, 30, 60 SECOND SLOTS OF LIFE SKILL SOCIAL MESSAGES RECRUITED FROM LOCAL SOURCES NGOS, INTERNATIONAL BODIES AND DELIVERED THROUGHOUT THE DAY FOR THE IGNORANCE ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN IN HEALTH AND OTHER IMPORTANT LIFE SAVING SKILLS’. Such a law implemented in 100 radio stations and 50 TV stations would create a well informed citizenry about cancer and messages from ministries and health and safety institutions. A country which does not teach these same messages in a special ‘LIFE SKILLS CLASS’ BOOKLET read at morning school assembly is breeding a future army of ignorant citizens.

One other revolutionary ‘Ignorance Elimination Campaign’ strategic advertising opportunity missed by the entire world is to include A ‘LIFE SKILL MASSAGE’ IN EVERY SINGLE COMMERCIAL ADVERT. Imagine every MTN, Dangote, Coca Cola and Glo advert also by law having an AIDS, Road Safety, trafficking or dangerous driving, seat belt or read-a-good-book ‘social life skill’ message. Such government and Corporate Media Advertising Strategies would save lives of customers and citizens and soon Eliminate Ignorance at almost no extra cost and result in an educated population. But it will not happen!

‘What President Jonathan and Nigeria must first do is to introduce legislation and make local and national laws or guidelines to allocate compulsory dedicated amount of airtime daily to life skill messages aimed at ‘Urgent Ignorance Elimination Campaigns –IEC’ throughout Nigeria’

Minimum Wage, Maximum Trouble capacity. What this abysmal production level translates into is the widespread poverty and squalor in the region that produces the oil. Again, as the high revenue earner for government, albeit the only visible source of revenue, poverty is pervasive in the country which is at the forefront of oil-producing countries in the world.

It was in the midst of this misery that, sometimes ago, the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, proposed N52,000 as minimum wage for the average worker. Before then, his average minimum take-home pay was less than N7,500, excluding the numerous taxes and deductions.

Arriving at it was no tea party either. Workers went on strike several times before the government of the day grudgingly succumbed.

Arguments were even put forward then to determine whether that could be called a living wage. This was so because prices of essential commodities have continued to rise astronomically ever since. Besides, the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, has been spiralling every day. From a rock bottom price of less than N1.50k per litre in 1976, it has risen to N65 today and there is still the threat of further increase as long as we cannot refine the oil within our shores. It is shameful.

The federal government claims that petrol prices are heavily subsidized and has been canvassing for the removal of this subsidy. But

‘The bad news about this minimum wage issue is that even if the N18,000 is paid, the current rate of inflation in the country and the anticipated new price regime for goods and services that will follow will reduce it to nothingness’

those who should know, like Prof.

Tam David-West, former Petroleum Minister, have variously dismissed this claim as mere bunkum.

The Virology professor has maintained that government is only being economical with the truth and that there is nothing like subsidy.

And if it exists at all, he says, it should be in the imagination of thieving government officials.

Now, the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has signed a bill allowing N18,000 as minimum wage into law.

That was done a few weeks to the April 2011 general elections, where he stood for election. Perhaps, that is why many people are of the opinion that signing the bill into law was more of a political salesmanship than the need to meet the yearnings of the average Nigerian worker who has been pauperized over the years by inflation.

The elections are over, and the May 2011 date given by the government for the commencement of payment has passed. Today, the Nigerian worker is totally disillusioned by the lack of commitment to the letters of the agreement by governments at both the federal and state levels. The bubble seems to have burst as NLC has threatened a showdown if this scenario is not resolved in two weeks. Almost one week has passed since this ultimatum was issued.

As usual, the governments are becoming jittery as the days are fast running out. To underscore the commotion that NLC’s ultimatum has caused in the polity, Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State and newly elected chairman of the Governors’ Forum, came up with what, in his wisdom, he thought was the only way out of the logjam.

He advocated the removal of petroleum subsidy which David-West had said never existed in the first place. If at all there is anything like

subsidy as Nigerians are made to believe, the price of a litre of petrol could jump to as much as N130 if it is removed. In that case, if it took a car about N4,500 to fill its tank now, the price could jump to N9,000 or more, considering the sharp practices going on in filling stations.

Quite recently, the cement manufacturers attributed the high cost of cement (the highest anywhere in the world) to the rise in the cost of diesel which has continued its geometrical price ascendency in the last few months. Diesel is what the big trucks carrying cement from the factories to retail outlets use to power their engines. The same diesel is used to power the production machines because of the epileptic nature of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria which has continued to hold on to power supply rather than release them for public consumption. Most generators in homes also run on diesel.

It is obvious that the governments have no solution to this minimum wage palaver. The only government that has so far crossed the volatile hurdle is Ondo State, where the workers recently went on strike for three days. The negotiations that followed produced N14,000 as mutually agreed minimum wage with the prospect of gradual increase until the N18,000 is achieved. Unfortunately, rather than applaud this breakthrough, some governors and even the NLC have criticized this agreement by describing it as a betrayal. I personally do not agree with that. What the various governments need to do is to lay bare their revenue and expenditure portfolio to allow their workforce to appraise the situation. If the workers show understanding, they can give the governors some breathing space like they did in Ondo State.

Another way is for the federal government to increase revenue al-

Dele Agekameh location to the states. The states too need to cut down on the many frivolous expenses in their yearly budget, especially the security votes which are conduits through which taxpayers’ money end up in private pockets. The security votes even in some relatively peaceful states are very scandalous. So also is the bloated workforce which, in most cases, comprises idle workers getting paid for jobs not done. Therefore, the workforce needs to be tinkered with to make it more compact and efficient.

The bad news about this minimum wage issue is that even if the N18,000 is paid, the current rate of inflation in the country and the anticipated new price regime for goods and services that will follow will reduce it to nothingness. Petrol prices are threatening to go up, cement prices are still up there, house rents are obscene, kerosene prices are out of the reach of the common man, the cost of ‘unavailable’ electricity has already been jerked up, foodstuff prices have ballooned to the rooftop, cost of medical services is daily skyrocketing, school fees are becoming unaffordable, and many more. All these are pointers to maximum trouble for minimum wage campaigners.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘Dear Dare, your write-up is master piece of metaphor which mark my day. The annuallment of June 12 election by military cabal either through forced or unforced error in which the hero of our democratic strungle late M.K.O. Abiola died in detention is ungodly. Unless Chief M.K.O. Abiola is postumosly installed as president of our beloved country, history will not absorve Babangida and Senator David Mark. Tope Omobulejo, Ifaki Ekiti’

•Awolowo For Segun Gbadegesin Hi Sege! So you are self centred. Your son is repeating what you and I have been saying. Anonymous Dr., I agree with you, please derive means of bringin the states involve together and let us pray that ACN will capture Kogi and Kwara in the next election. Enock from Kaduna.

Dear Dr. Gbadegesin, I last read your article on ‘Restructructing for the Nigerian state.’ I have missed your article since then as I was on a study tour in Israel. I am excited by your proposition of EICSS “Towards a Fuller Union-1”. I recommend a book by Senor & Singer, “Start-up Nation” on how Israel, a nation of 7.1 million has turned to become the venture capital of the world and excelling in turning desert landscape into land of lush agriculture and high tech industries. With the recycled dead wood GEJ has reappointed it is clear that it is “Not Yet Uhuru” for the nation.

If the Nigeria nation is not ready to move, the Oodua States should move towards the needed coordinated development programmes for the Southwest. Gbade, keep ringing this tune into the ears of all the Governors. It was on such a principle that the “Progressive Governors” were born. Dr. Abayomi Oguntoye, Abeokuta.

This is a well thought out piece from a sound mind please keep it up, we pray they listen and do something fast. Olu-Victor Thanks Dr. To achieve what you are preaching in your article, as well as your son’s views, I think the governors and their so called first ladies should undergo periodic orientations and cluster workshops about good governance. In Ekiti for example, the unhidden display of flamboyance by the first lady may whittle people’s enthusiasim which hitherto stirs up their impatience to give that government time to prove points. Vincent You are a real son of your father ‘Omoluabi’. I am in total agreement with you of Yoruba Union infrastructure integration. But can Mimiko government go along with its anti Awo/ACN sentiment of robbing Paul to pay Peter? Until ACN secure Ondo state. Olu, Akure.

Sir, your today’s piece provides an insight into the future. Sir, I totally agree with you on the need for a new socio-economic order cum revolution in the South West. I suggest that it be code named ‘’ S / W Federation Co-operatn (SWFC).” From Barr. S .

0 . Ojo Lagos, yes is in the west, but has never been part of or administered as part of western region. It was not carved out but created as a crown colony/federal territory. Anonymous Sir, can you feed me with information on why the Southwest could not get tangible positions in the House of Senate and Reps.

Qozim Sanjo from Port Harcourt.

Dr. Gbadegesin is on the mark Prof. is waiting for the conclusion. Hope he is aware that Lagos, which will be crucial to the project is not yet in the ‘Oodua’ net.

Regards. Olu. Dr. Gbadegesin, I commend your wider

view and plain mindedness to the plights of our region. This had been tried before Fashola Agric. Farms, Ire Burnt Bricks, etc.

Even when I was young, U.I. had an agrofarm where staffers buy cows, hens, pork and eggs. What happened there-after was that people without vision took the products for social parties without paying, then total collapse. Our problems are not the ideas but faithful executors without which no program can succeed. I am as worried as you are. Who else worries with us?

Olaofe Ajayi (Ado-Ekiti) Are there examples of where such economic integration and cooperation ever worked? “State-rization’’ of the country makes this almost impossible. I am sure you have lost hope in the country and hinging a very feeble hope on what was. A Sovereign National Conference is the answer. To the drainpipes with Nigeria.

Nathan in Owerri.

The southwest ACN should now try to consolidate their footing by having relatively common agenda which will improve the people’s welfare and serve as good example for other states to copy. Respect for the electorate because there lies the, powerò 4- year not far pleasòe. Anonymous I am quite impressed by your write-up about the ‘Regional of the Western States.’

I wonder if there is a structure or platform on which we can move idea forward?

Tunji Lawal-Solarin Good morning sir Dr. Gbadegesin, I have been enjoing your piece on ‘Yoruba, towards a fuller union,’ but please as a Yoruba man coming from the minority (Okun people of Kogi state), what can you do for us or what must be done to fully integrate we the minority Yorubas to also be called majority because I am tired of being linked with Northern people which I am not and also encourage the elders of Afenifere to also include us in any Yoruba related activities. hope to get your reply in the next edition of your piece. Anonymous Re-’Unforced errors’ there are more to June 12 that has not been told than the lyrics IBB are making the world to believe.

Thanks for your write-up. Sunny Oke, Abuja Have you ever pondered why Jega was appointed to preside over Jonathan’s presidensy? check this j - jonathan e ebele g - goodluck a – azikiwe, that is Jega, his apointment is from heaven. Franklyn Akande, Ososo My late father though educated got me to see Awolowo in the moon in 1979..., but that is not possible again my brother.

Anonymous The Yoruba nation as at today even needs a more sophìstcated Awo and there is none on the horizon yet my brother.

Anonymous Please task the respective governors to perform as Fashola, Oshiomole and Mimiko are doing! Anonymous They may choose to have some investment but it should be optional. Anonymous You will be shocked to know that the political dynamics of Osun is different from Oyo, so let the respective governors sort out the issues of governance and don’t shield those who can’t perform. Anonymous Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo cross examines Olusegun Obasanjo on Nigeria.

Awolowo: do you love Nigeria Segun?

Obasanjo: if I don’t will I be the President?

Awolowo: I know you wouldn’t want me to remind you that I’m the cross examiner here.

Obasanjo: sorry sir.

Awolowo: what do you love about this country?

Obasanjo: everything sir.

Awolowo: why do you want Nigeria to be ruled by PDP for a long time?

Obasanjo: it is because I love the country.

Awolowo: Segun, you were given two opportunities to rule Nigeria twice, how come you asked for a third term to rule?

Obasanjo: it is because I want my love for Nigeria to be unconditional.

Awolowo: do you love progressives in Nigeria?

Obasanjo: yes the one like myself.

Awolowo: do you hate the conservatives?

Obasanjo: yes.

Awolowo: I thought you said earlier that you love this country?

Obasanjo: yes, just the conservatives.

Awolowo: Segun why is Nigeria not having it good for now?

Obasanjo: it is because my successors have decided to follow their own shadows and not mine.

Awolowo: so you mean yours is the best for Nigeria?

Obasanjo: yes.

For Olatunji Dare The oil in the Niger Delta and its environs is what is causing resistance to the truth. If oil is discovered in commercial quantity in the North, the Federal system will work. Anonymous I agree with you. Most of our leaders make bad decisions deliberately. Then blame it on pressures. They should not be leaders if they can’t make the best of pressures. Anonymous Rubbìsh excuse for opportunìsm and cowardice. If a man who at the risk of being shot stole power to better his and the lots of his cohorts, could not stake his life to defend a righteous cause then he deserves no place in history. Anonymous Your analogy of force and unforced errors in sports activities and political issues or decisions can hold because of their different time lag to reply stokes or punches or treat as in polities. All actions in political issues are unforced and so its errors also. Ebede The issue of unforced error is not even worth mentioning, the political quagmare in Nigeria is as a result of delibrate error stemming from poverty of social interaction and cowardice. Anonymous What do you call the errror comitted by Nigerians to allow OBJ and Mark emerge as the benificiaries of the democracy they worked so hard to stiffle? Obviously ‘unforced’ and we are all getting the result in terms of bad government. Nigeria situation can make the healthiest man on earth sick. Oye Ayeni Dear Tunji, professional tennis players know the meaning of “UNFORCED ERROR” The meaning is simple and straight forward. It means “STUPID MISTAKE”. It is a mild way of saying that the player is stupid. Hon Lanre Adeyemi (MHR) Dear Dare, your write-up is master piece of metaphor which mark my day. The annuallment of June 12 election by military cabal either through forced or unforced error in which the hero of our democratic strungle late M.K.O. Abiola died in detention is ungodly. Unless Chief M.K.O. Abiola is postumosly installed as president of our beloved country, history will not absorve Babangida and Senator David Mark. Tope Omobulejo, Ifaki Ekiti.

Thanks for your tennis lesson. Dr. Mann

•Obasanjo

Tolofari, Pharcourt.

Sir, thanks for your insightful write-up today, titled ‘Matters lexical: Unforced errors’. The difference between ‘forced’ and ‘unforced errors’ is now clearer. ‘The annulment of June 12 election which Babangida now professes to regret was done with the courage of men, but with the blind policy of a child. So great was his passion for wrong doing that the very doing of wrong was a joy to him for its own sake. What many ‘leaders’ lack is the magnificence of mind and it is not among our best prized virtues today, in the country. Magnificence in a leader means one who will live on his own carefully considered terms, (for the benefit of majority), not on those imposed by others. Babangida’s ‘ regret’ is dubious. Adegoke O. O., Ibadan.

For Gbenga Omotoso Indeed “There is no greater force than inordinate ambition”. We have seen it in the Nigerian polity year to year, yet the lesson is not learnt. Babangida, Abacha, Obasanjo and many of the same ilk have come and gone. What with Jonathan? We keep our fingers, legs and necks crossed.

From Heropride of TWZ, Enugu.

State police no sir,. Fed police is one big problem, to add 36 more problems, will be too much for we the masses to shoulder.

Some state governors will use them to settle political scores. Capt(NN) AI Olisadebe (rtd).

Better are the blows of a friend than the false kisses of Boko Haram. It is an incontestable fact that to get to the unknown you must access it through the known. I. E. T., Abuja.

Why on earth are we still uncertain of what the president or a legislator “chops” monthly? So with the FOI Law the media is still exhibiting helplessness in acquisition of information for stakeholders. Or have you people been compromised a la Nigeria as usual? T. C. I. Onuoha, Owerri Hi Gbenga, I am impressed with your comment on the back page of The Nation Newpaper. I am a police officer which if you ask me I can still answer the why because the security right at the headquater gate. Secondly, they should interview IG excort commander what happened with the unmarked vechile that was following them? Thirdly, did the car follow them from the IG residence or he joined them along the road? Anonymous Dear Gbenga, the parable of the rabbit is good but at the same time could be an understatement. Have you forgotten that thesame crime fighting agencies entered Monrovia in 1991 without any assistance from FBI or prior GS mapping of the city and stopped the internicine carnage within one week! Ask IBB and his boys how he did it in Moronvia. Our agencies have the best brains. Your article has mainly thrown in the challenges at them!

From ‘Tunji Falana, Ise-Ekiti More of your write-up would do more good than harm to the government. If they should answer your questions and keep to your advise. Hon. Kataiko, Plateau.

...Eucharia denies Flying Eagles’ stars risk World Cup axe Beckenbauer’s accusation

Pg. 24

Pg. 41

Nation Wednesday, July 13, 2011

FREE COPY

PAGE 23

RAPE CASE

Godwin Okpara regains freedom Pg. 24

Nigeria set to host Olympic qualifiers

Pg. 41

•Okpara

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

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NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

COPA Coca-Cola is ambush marketing –NFF

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RGANISERS of the CopaCoca-Cola tournament have drawn the ire of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), officials who accused them of ambush marketing because the tourney did not get the approval of the NFF under the extant rules and

Taiwo thrilled on first day at AC Milan

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ORMER Marseille defender, Taye Taiwo was excited when he met with his other AC Milan teammates for the first time Tuesday morning ahead of the new season.

Nigeria international defender Taiwo signed a three-year contract at the expiration of his contract with Olympique Marseille this summer.

“It was great. All the players were very friendly and welcomed him to the team. Players like (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic and Gattuso were there to welcome him,” a close friend of the player informed MTNFootball.com.

“He said Milan is in a totally different world compared to Olympique Marseille. He has his own room complete with toilet at the Milan training ground and the whole atmosphere around there is unbelievable.

“He also told me that it is now that he believes he has really signed for Milan.”

He will move into the house of another Milan player, Mark van Bommel, who has moved home.

His wife, two children and younger brother, Azeez, are expected to soon join him in Milan after they would have perfected their travel papers.

The 26-year-old left back has already processed his visa to fly out with Milan for pre-season training in China.

regulations applicable to such competitions.

NFF Ag. Scribe, Musa Amadu in a letter to the organisers dated July 8, 2011, said NFF was also boycotting the final, until such anomalies are corrected. The final was scheduled for Lagos last Sunday but could not hold due to heavy down-pour and was then re-scheduled for last Tuesday.

“Please, be informed that the organisation of any football competition must be sanctioned by the NFF, the football governing body within the territory of Nigeria in line with existing rules and regulations”, the letter read in part.

On his part, Chief Executive of Pamodzi, the Marketing company to NFF described the tourney as an infringement of the rights of the NFF, warning that if it persists legal options might be considered. He

described as curious the staging of the tourney with the period of the Copa America tourney for South American nations.

“Copa America is the equivalent of Africa’s Nations Cup and European Cup by UEFA, which are duely sanctioned by FIFA, Copa Coca-cola should not be linked with the tourney, its sheer ambush marketing and since Coca-Cola Nigeria withdrew on their own from hosting the FA Cup years back, they should stop dabbling into football organisation and face their business.” He described Copa Cocacola tourney as a novelty tourney which will add no fillip to Nigerian football. Itemuagbor, further accused Coca-Cola Nigeria of breaching CocaCola International’s avowed support for football through partnership with FIFA, but chose to go through the back. “That is totally unacceptable to us and it must stop.

Godwin Okpara T regains freedom E

X-NIGERIA international Godwin Okpara will next month regain his freedom after three years in French prison and then be deported.

MTNFootball.com has exclusively gathered that the former Paris Saint-

Germain defender will regain his freedom for good behaviour after he was sentenced to 10 years in jail in February 2008 for raping a 13-yearold girl under his care.

The French authorities have now agreed to release him ahead of

schedule on the condition that he is deported to Nigeria on his release.

However, his wife, Linda, who was jailed for 15 years for mistreating the minor in question, will remain in prison.

“Godwin will be released next

month on condition that he does not stay back in France, he will be deported immediately to Nigeria,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com.

In jail, ‘Alan Ball’ twice tried to commit suicide.

However, he has since become a born-again Christian and he is very much involved in the church in prison.

Tragic star Okpara will see the outside world again with more person tragedy awaiting him as his 17-year-old son is dying of cancer.

“The young boy is suffering from lung and knee cancers and doctors do not give him long to live,” a source disclosed.

“His four children are living with different French families now.”

His Paris house was confiscated by the French government following his sentence.

However, he still has a house in Ikeja GRA, which fraudsters have tried to sell to unsuspecting people but for the vigilance of his mentor, Chief Teluwo.

Sources close to the former Strasbourg star said Okpara was not well represented in court during his trials and this led to his imprisonment.

HE French women national team may face disciplinary action from FIFA following the nude photographs of three of its players on the sports page of German leading paper, Bild.

The news report which had a headline that read: ''Is this how to show up before you come for our games?, the pictures generated controversy in German circles but FIFA says it will wait until the game in Moechengladbach to know the motives of Bild and the players on the provocative shots.

However, the French players confirmed that the shots were no phototrick but a ploy to distract the German team from the objective of the final match.

Meanwhile, German legend, Franz Beckenbauer, believes FIFA'S reluctance to punish Nigerian coach, Eucharia Uche, on allegation of lesbianism in women football encouraged the French players to go •Beckenbauer

Flying Eagles’ stars risk World Cup axe

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A

•Rhian Wilkinson of Canada (l) challenges Desire Oparanozie of Nigeria in action during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Group A match

Bukola Babes top Team of the Week

Dolphins in auto crash

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•Solomon Okpako

FRENCH PLAYERS NUDITY

Nigerian coach started it –Beckenbauer

Sundowns raid Nigeria FTER securing the services of midfielder Solomon Okpako from Nigeria, the South Africans have now roped in Nigerian Olympic team striker Gbolahan Salami.

As if this was not enough, the freespending Sundowns are believed to be on the brink of bringing in another Nigerian player.

Salami has been brought in to replace Downs and Bafana Banfana striker Katlego "Killer" Mphela, who looks set to move abroad.

The raid on Nigerian talent is part of club president Patrice Motsepe's ambitious plan to assemble a formidable side that will challenge for the championship and other trophies in the coming season.

The Sundowns side will continue with their pre-season preparations when they travel to Swaziland today where they will play in a four-club tournament against local teams during their twoweek stay in the capital Mbabane.

LAYER of Nigeria Premier League (NPL) joint leaders, Dolphins FC have been involved an auto crash that left several key personnel injured.

The incident occurred along Akwanga Road, Nasarawa State on Monday morning as the team proceeded to Lafia from Bauchi after Sunday’s 2-1 NPL defeat to Lobi Stars.

“We thank God no one was seriously injured and more importantly, that no life was lost,” an official who was in the team bus at the time of the crash told SuperSport.com.

The team’s rescheduled game against Crown FC has now been postponed.

Acting Executive Secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola confirmed that he had been informed of the development.

“We have been officially informed

by Dolphins about the crash and we have accepted their request to have the match against Crown FC postponed.

“No date has yet been decided. We will communicate our decision to the two clubs as soon as we reach a decision,” he said.

The league chief, however, revealed that Dolphins would be expected to play their next league game against Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday.

The Dolphins contingent is currently in Lafia.

41

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•Chidi Osuchukwu

EWCOMERS, Bukola Babes got three mentions in the Team of the Week for Matchday 32 announced by the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) on Tuesday.

The recognition comes on the back of the Babes 3-0 win over Kwara United last Saturday in Ilorin in a derby game.

Caretaker coach, Sulaiman Kabir Dogo leads two of his outfield players, Promise James and Otu-Bassey Effiom, into the team that adopts a 4-3-3 formation.

Dogo is picked as coach of the week for guiding his side to back-to-back wins - his first - since he took charge of Bukola Babes.

The Babes had secured a 2-1 win over Kaduna United in Week 31.

James gets a place at right-back due

to his all-round display against Kwara United while Effiom makes the cut for tormenting the opposition's backline and getting one of the goals.

Heartland and Warri Wolves, however, provided two players each for this week's team.

Azubuike Egwuekwe and Michael Okoyoh made the cut from Wolves while Bartholomew Ibenegbu and Chibuzor Ozurumba are picked from Heartland.

Enugu Rangers shot-stopper, Ebele Obi, makes the team for the first time alongside Papa Idris of Kaduna United, Moses Bunde of Lobi Stars and Moshood Kasali of JUTH. Jude Aneke of Kaduna United, who is joint top scorer in the league this season with 13 goals so far complete the team.

KIPPER Ramon Azeez, Stanley Okoro and Aliyu Mohammed are likely to miss the final cut for the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia, according to coach John Obuh.

The three players are yet to join the team in Faro, Portugal, for residential training and Obuh has insisted he will only pick the players who are available for selection.

The players’ applications for work permits have been denied by the Spanish embassy in Nigeria and it is now very unlikely that they would secure visas to join the Flying Eagles squad that has been training in Portugal for a week now.

“I will pick only the players who are here with me because I can vouch for their fitness,” said coach Obuh.

“Besides these players, I can also make a case for four other players because they have been active at either their clubs or for the Olympic team. The players are Ahmed Musa, Olanrewaju Kayode, Terna Suswan and Emmanuel Anyanwu.

“The others who are not here are on their own.”

Azeez, Okoro and Mohammed featured at the African Youth Championship in South Africa, but their progress was hindered by their late arrival to the squad also as a result of their passports being held up in the Spanish embassy.

Azeez and Okoro were among the stars as Nigeria reached the final of the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which the country hosted. Azeez would later be picked as skipper in place of Fortune Chukwudi.

Obuh is expected to name his final 21-man squad on Friday, same day the team will fly out to Panama City for a four-nation tournament that

involves hosts Panama, Portugal and Mexico.

The Flying Eagles will take on fellow World Cup finalists Portugal on Wednesday in continuation of their build-up to Colombia 2011.

•Ramon Azeez

NPL hammer player, coach

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HE Nigeria Premier League has clamped down on a player of Ocean Boys and and the assistant coach of Crown FC of Ogbomosho.

Ocean Boys Debekeme will miss two matches for assault and for using abusive language on match officials during their week 31 game against Crown of Ogbomosho in Ilaro.

The assistant coach of Crown, Daniel Ogunbamiyi will also miss two games for encouraging and instigating crowd violence after the match against Ocean Boys of Yenagoa.

The ban takes effect from week 33 matches this weekend.

naked on pages of German sports publication, Bild, a day before the final of the 2011 Women World Cup. French players namely Gaetine Thiney, 25, Elodie Thomis, 24, and Corine Franco, 27 posed nude in the sports paper, Bild and claimed it was deliberate to taunt the German team. ''I think it was time to respect the game more, moreso this is a Women World Cup.'' ''FIFA should have been more frontal on the issue of lesbianism

raised by the Nigerian coach. Sitting on the fence made things worse with the French women, the world respects France and their citizens so much,'' he told reporters.

Uche claimed there were lesbians in women football but that she had curbed it among the Super Falcons by excluding players who exhited the tendencies. She was warned by FIFA for the discriminatory content of her widely criticized media unguarded interview.

...Eucharia denies Beckenbauer's accusation

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UPER FALCONS chief coach, Eucharia Uche has expressed shock at the comments by German legend, Franz Beckenbauer that it was her comments that prompted some of the French players to pose nude.

Prior to the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup, Uche was alleged to have said that there were lesbians in the women's game. The claim has triggered several reactions across the world.

French players namely Gaetine Thiney, 25, Elodie Thomis, 24, and Corine Franco, 27 had caused a big stir in the on-going Germany 2011 Women World when they posed nude for German newspapers, Bild in its sports page. They claimed it was deliberate to taunt the German team in their last group match, which ended 4-2 in favour of the host.

Speaking with NationSport, Uche, who is still in Frankfurt to attend a symposium organised by FIFA on Thursday said that she was really shocked to read the report on the internet.

“In the first place, I never spoke with any journalist on the issue relating to lesbianism since we came for this

From Ejiro Femi-Babafemi, in Germany world cup and I never told French players to pose nude. So I don’t know why Backenbauer should be accusing me for an offence committed by the players.”

Speaking further, Uche said: “I was summoned by FIFA when the issue came up and I told them that I never said anything about lesbianism. I was cleared and that was all. I saw the photographs of the players on the internet and I read Beckenbauer’s accusation as well. It was a big surprise to me because I never said anything that could prompt them into such thing.”

Beckenbauer pointed accusing fingers at Uche He said FIFA should have punished the Nigeria coach. 'Sitting on the fence made things worse with the French women, the world respects France and their citizens so much,' he said The news report which had a headline that read: ''Is this how to show up before you come for our games?, the provocative pictures generated series of controversy here in Germany.

Nigeria set to host Olympic qualifiers

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Nigeria is in the running to host the final Africa zone qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The Under-23 football teams from Algeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Gabon have qualified for the final round of qualifiers for the football event of the 2012 Olympics.

The qualifiers comes in the shape of a mini tournament to be staged in a country of one of the qualified teams, with two groups with four teams, dates provisionally set as 2-18 December 2011.

The NFF has now confirmed that Nigeria is firmly in the frame to host the event.

Chairman of the NFF’s technical committee, Chris Green told SuperSport.com that a formal proposal has already been sent to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in that regard.

“Yes, we have sent a formal proposal to CAF as regard hosting the mini qualifying tournament. We believe our bid is solid as we have a great track record in hosting big competition.

“Hopefully, we will be chosen as the host nation,” he said.

‘Several’ other countries have also indicated interest in hosting the event though the identities of those nations have yet to be made available to SuperSport.com.

“I can tell you that several other countries are also lobbying greatly

to host the event. It is very keen and competitive but we will try all we can to win this for Nigeria,” Green said.

Meanwhile assistant Coach of Nigeria’s Under-23 football team, Stanley Eguma says it will be important for Nigeria to pick the rights to host the event.

“I hope we get it. Having the competition in our country is very important. I know what we experienced when we played against Ghana in Kumasi on Sunday.

“The importance of your home fans behind you cannot be over emphasized,” he said.

•Aminu Maigari

130,000 youths trained

Sokoto 37

Ekiti

WEDNESDAY JULY 13, 2011

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Abuja

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

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•Bala Muhammed

Security heightens at FCTA gate

Fayemi wife’s passion for development

IQUED by the perennial gridlock on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has directed that one additional lane be opened up from Nyanya to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway. This, he said, will ease traffic congestion on the road.

He gave the directive in Nyanya during an on-the-spot inspection of vehicular movements along the route.

The Minister stated that he had decided to hit the ground running in fulfilment of his promise to Nigerians that traffic bottlenecks at all the entrance points into the FCT would be eased off.

Mohammed, who instructed the

New roads for FCT From Bukola Amusan

FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services to embark on intensive enlightenment to ensure that motorists comply with traffic regulations, said the government will provide the equipment and manpower required to sustain the initiative.

During the inspection, Mohammed directed the security agents to put an end to all commercial activities along the route, especially the furniture market at Kugbo and an illegal motor park close to Nyanya

Interchange to enhance traffic flow.

He promised to assist in relocating the market to enable the upholstery traders display their products, even as he also said the site would definitely not be along the road as the traders’ activities may negatively affect road traffic and security.

The Minister instructed the Acting Federal Capital Directive Executive Secretary, Alhaji Kabiru Ado Husaini to immediately begin the reconstruction of the road linking Karu fly over and the new general hospital.

Instructing that the project be

completed within three months, he added that the road, when completed, would serve as an alternative route for motorists from the city to Nasarawa and other neighbouring states.

The Minister was accompanied on the inspection by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Biodun Olorunfemi; Husaini; Chief of Staff to the Minister; Alhaji Musa Umaru Yashi and a host of other government functionaries.

Meanwhile, the FCTA has said the daily traffic situation on the •Continued on Page 26

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ELP has come for less privileged children in Jos, Plateau State capital, as Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) in the state donated various food items to them. The donation was made to the Zawan Orphanage Home, which caters for orphaned children and those who were abandoned by their mothers.

Mrs Oluwatoyin Akano, wife of the state Commissioner of Police, led other members of the state chapter of the association to the orphanage.

The orphanage, located in Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Area of the state, is owned and run by the Catholic Church. It has catered for children in need for years, but conflict which engulfed the state in recent years may have increased the number of the orphanage’s charges. Women caught up in the crisis may have been pushed to abandon their babies.

Authorities of the facility have been doing their utmost to take care of their children, but challenges still exist, necessitating more help from the public.

It was those challenges that the chairperson and members of POWA in Plateau State tackled when they made the donation.

They handed over packs of diapers, baskets of tomatoes and pepper, gallons of vegetable oil, beverage drink, seasonings, among other items.

Mrs Akano spoke on behalf of the association. “As mothers we decided to visit these motherless children to show them motherly love and affection. “It is our intention that we from time to time come here and show love to these children just as we show love to our respective children, at our homes.

“It is also part of our social

•Mrs[1eft]. Akano, Chairperson Powa Plateau State Presenting Items to the Zawan Ophanage Jos.. AminuJos

Police officer’s wives feed orphans Succour for children abandoned during Plateau crisis From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

responsibility as wives of police officers to show love to such children especially these categories of children who lost contact with their biological mothers through no fault of theirs.

The association’s chairperson

also had warm words for the administrators of the Home.

“We want to praise the management of this home for their efforts in providing a home for these homeless children,” she said. “The efforts of those who run the home shall never go in vain since their goal is to make this

category of children comfortable; God will comfort you beyond your imagination.”

The benefactors were modest in presenting the food items. “We plead with you to accept our widow’s mite.” “We don’t have the capacity to provide all you need but it is better to give a little than not to give at all,”they said.

Mrs. Akano and members of the state chapter of POWA were received by senior staff of the centre Sister Moreen Akaolisa and Sister Vivian Dore.

Akaolisa, who received the items on behalf of the orphanage management, commended POWA for the gesture.

•Con

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

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‘Women should play more leadership role’

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university administrator, Prof.

Rasheed Garba has challenged women to participate more actively in the decision making process in any human endeavour where they find themselves.

Garba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK), said women should deepen their involvement in decision-making because there is more to them than is apparent.

He said this at a seminar organised by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), BUK chapter in Kano.

The DVC noted that the 35 per cent affirmative action will remain a mirage if women wait for men to invite them to play

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

leadership roles.

“Gender differences are merely fictional and women’s participation in union activities is a great way of contributing to the development of the country.”

His view was corroborated by the Chairman of SSANU, Comrade Elija Egbunu, who urged women to take a bold step by participating in men-dominated activities.

Egbunu challenged women to play more active leadership roles, instead of relegating themselves to the background, adding that women have the capacity to make the nation a better place to live in.

The Women Leader of SSANU, BUK Chapter, Mrs Beatrice Ezugwu, called for the amendment of existing laws to enable women participate more actively in public life.

While highlighting the challenges confronting women, including lack of confidence, poor interest, and low selfesteem, Mrs Ezugwu said the time has come for Nigerian women to brace up and take their rightful place in the scheme of things.

One of the guest lecturers at the seminar, Prof. Esther Oyeyi said it will take more determination on the part of Nigerian women for them to take their proper place in the running of the country.

Gender differences are merely fictional and women’s participation in union activities is a great way of contributing to the development of the country

New roads for FCT •Continued from Page 25 Abuja Airport Road and the Kubwa Expressway will soon be over.

It gave December, as deadline for the completion of the five-lane road.

Mohammed, who stated this during an emergency meeting with the development partners and contractors, advised those handling the projects to brace up.

He stressed that contracts for the two expressways Lots I and II should be completed before the end of the year to reduce the gridlock being experienced by the residents of the FCT and to enable them to enjoy the huge capital investment made.

Mohammed stated that the FCT Administration, in association with the Debt Management Office (DMO), has a robust financial plan for these road projects, so the contractors have no excuse to give for lack of action.

According to him, the Federal Government is responsive and will continue to accelerate the development of the Federal Capital Territory in consonance with the dreams of its founding fathers.

The Minister disclosed that he would commence the inspection of projects especially road leading into the Federal Capital City soon to obtain first-hand information on some of the problems militating against their early delivery.

While disclosing that the administration was contemplating the use of bond system in contract finance of FCT statutory projects, he assured that all certified bills from the contractors will soon be paid.

He stated that the introduction of bond system has become necessary because the amount of money realised through internally-generated revenue which will be used to finance the projects falls short of the required revenue, even as he noted that over 50 districts are yet to be developed in the FCT. He stated that as the Administration continues to discharge its responsibilities by

•Muhammed inspecting the furniture market paying the contract certified bills promptly, the contractors should reciprocate by matching it with quality work that meets government’s specification and prompt completion and delivery of projects.

He assured all the contractors that the FCT Administration, in line with the aspiration of President Jonathan, will continue to maintain internationally-acceptable standards in all its procurement processes.

On the chaotic traffic problem along

Nyanya-Karu Road, Mohammed said work has already commenced along the KarshiApo Road to serve as an alternative route into the Federal Capital City, thereby giving reprieve to residents who live along that axis.

The Minister urged that all the contractors handling satellite infrastructure to redouble their efforts as, according to him, the provision of infrastructure in the satellite towns will go a long way in decongesting the city centre.

He described the meeting as a re-union to strengthen areas of mutual interest and address grey areas in the overall interest of the nation.

Responding on behalf of the contractors, the Managing Director of SCC Nigeria Limited, Mr. Levy Yuvil commended the President for re-appointing Senator Mohammed as the FCT Minister; saying that continuity will enhance development of Abuja.

The Federal Government is responsive and will continue to accelerate the development of the Federal Capital Territory in consonance with the dreams of its founding fathers…The Minister disclosed that he would commence the inspection of projects especially road leading into the Federal Capital City soon to obtain first-hand information on some of the problems militating against their early delivery From left: Alhaji Aliyu Sule, Lagos State commander of NDLEA, and chairman Amuwo Odofin L.G.A., comrade Ayodele Adewale at the PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID 2011 United Nations Drug Free Day held recently at the L.G. secretariat.

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Edo rewards young inventors gifted boy, Oghene Ochuko, who constructed a motorcycle which runs on battery, has been given an award as well as a cash prize of N350,000 by the Edo State government.

The occasion was the second edition of the Technology Day celebration in the state.

Ochuko was among many youngsters who responded to the state talent hunt for young inventors in technology as part of activities marking the day.

Ochuko, who said he wants to study mechanical engineering, told Newsextra that he took interest in constructing things after his elder brother taught him how to rebuild broken toys their mother bought for them.

According to him, “My elder brother used to destroy the toys my mother used to buy for us. I will join him to destroy the toys and use any materials we could find to make another one. As I grew up, my mother told us to make better toys. I decided to make a bicycle but I opted for a motor-cycle. My mother bought everything we used in building this motor-cycle.”

Also, 24 year-old Felix Imade was given an award and N200,000 cash for building a software he called electronic medical recording system. He said he was moved to build the software due to lack of proper medical records in the country.

He: “This software centralises records for hospitals so that they can manage their record on- line rather than the manual way where individual health history got missing. It will help hospitals and other medical health centres to manage their records centrally.

They can make connections to this database whenever they need it. Different hospitals can connect to it and it makes the diagnoses of illness more easy”.

Imade said he studied Computer Science from the University of Benin and hoped to have a company of his own building software solutions for people.

The star prize winner were students of Unicent Group of Schools who went away with cash prize of N500, 000 for constructing a water seepage censor from materials that cost N2,500.

One of the students, Osayi Obasuyi said the device could detect water and the level of

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From Osagie Otabor, Benin

humidity of a place.

According to him,”This device is very easy to construct and all the materials can be gotten from the market. This portable type cost about N2,000. We are asking if institution can sponsor it, we will be able to build larger ones. We just need assistance for us to establish well.”

The event which has the theme Repositioning Edo State using Technologysaw Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Services, (FIRS), Ifueko Omogui-Okauru, Governor Adams Oshiomhole attributing future development and growth of Nigeria to huge investment on application of modern technology.

Governor Fashola, who doubled as Chairman of the occasion, said the dearth of technological know-how in the country was due to polytechnics’ failure to train adequate manpower for production purposes.

Fashola said Polytechnics in the country deviated from their functions of training manpower to awarding degrees in accounting and business management and started competing with orthodox universities.

The Lagos State Governor recalled that as a student of the University of Benin, he had memories that whereas many parts of Nigeria did not have traffic light, “but there were traffic lights in Benin City. There was one along Akpakpava and several areas.

What is important about them was that they were locally made. They were powered by the bulb in our homes. They were made by students of Auchi Polytechnic. Just imagine what would have happened if we had continued.

“The five technical and vocational educational centres in Lagos were established in the early 80s and they were abandoned.

We resuscitated them and created an international affiliation in partnership and technical support with the World Bank.”

In one year, graduates of those technical institutions are being prospected for jobs by companies who actually needed them but no programme to train them. They are almost

Technological development will not prosper until we prosper agricultural development.

The resources and materials for technological implements come from the land. Let us advice our young men and women that this is the time to go back to the land. They should resist the bright temptation of bright city life

By Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

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Women urged to unite

THREE-day event organised by women of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Jos, Plateau State, has ended with participants urged to unite and show more love for one another.

The women, who are members of the North 2 Province of the church, were told having unity and love is the only way their prayers will be answered, and for them also to achieve success as well as positively impact their generation.

The event called ‘Women Convention 2011’. Its theme was “The Force of Unity”.

The convention convener, who is also the wife of the Provincial Pastor, Pastor (Mrs.) Kemi Adegoke, said the event was unique, a time of revelation and restoration.

Her words: “It is the desire of God, and also needful within the body of Christ, to truly dwell together in love and unity instead of allowing the pressure of our individual differences and doctrinal persuasions to tear us apart. When artificial barriers created to protect and preserve our interest and preferences are pulled down and replaced with divine love and openness, the true virtue

•Motivational speaker Toyosi Akerele assists as Governor Adams Oshiomhole presents a cheque to Oghene Ochuko ready now from training to full employment.”

Governor Fashola however warned that “technological development will not prosper until we prosper agricultural development.

The resources and materials for technological implements come from the land. Let us advice our young men and women that this is the time to go back to the land. They should resist the bright temptation of bright city life.”

In a key note addresss, Mrs Ifueko Okauru who spoke on “Governance in Nigeria: The Technological Challenges,”said the introduction of ICT to FIRS has led to improved revenue, efficiency and reduces leakage and unethical practices.

The FIRS boss disclosed that there are now over 700,000 registered taxpayers in FIRS database and that tax collection in 2010 recorded an increment of between 237% to 248%, amounting to N2.839trillion in 2010.

She urged governance at all level to provide adequate funding to train its employees on ICT for increased productivity.

Mrs Omogui-Okauru noted that employment of consultants should result to knowledge transfer and urged governments to have the will to encourage workers to train in ICT and to dismiss those not ready to go with the changing times.

Governor Oshiomhole, in his address, said the state government is counting its gains in its investment in ICT as according to him “it has greatly reduced the incident of ghost workers and pensioners the state as well as help boost the state’s revenue.”

According to the Governor, “part of the problem of governance in Nigeria is the problem of inefficiency. A business that should not take more than an hour takes a couple of days. This can block progress. It leads to loss of revenue. With modern ICT, the culture of looking for files does not arise.

There is information flow and that leads to greater efficiency; there is value for money.”

“We must take advantage of modern technology to improve on our communication. When I hear governors and of Christian love and living assumes a fruitful dimension.

“My desire and expectation in this convention is that the Lord will grant every woman the understanding to know the importance of living and walking in love and unity.”

Guest speaker Evangelist Gboyega Shitta, who read from the book of Colossians 3:814, urged the women to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and mercy as they will ensure

It is the desire of God, and also needful within the body of Christ, to truly dwell together in love and unity instead of allowing the pressure of our individual differences and doctrinal persuasions to tear us apart. When artificial barriers created to protect and preserve our interest and preferences are pulled down and replaced with divine love and openness, the true virtue of Christian love and living assumes a fruitful dimension

employers talking about ghost workers, it is something strange in the 21st century. How can you count ghosts? Today in Edo State we have made a lot of savings and we shall continue to make savings from our modest investment in ICT”, he said.

He disclosed that recently the Edo State ICT discovered forty ghost pensioners who were on the pay roll, adding that officials who paid the ghost pensioners have been issued queries.

“We discovered some 40 dead persons who wake up on pay days only for the purpose of collecting pensions and once they have collected, they return to their graves and they were able to do this for quite some time. But these who wake every 30 days to collect pensions do not like the sight of ICT and once we brought biometrics and insisted on using it to pay pensioners, we did a big damage to them because these men who woke up only on pay days now remain permanently dead.

•A student of Unicent High School who received a N500,000 cheque on behalf of the school peaceful living with each other.

However, the women groups such as spinsters, women waiting for the fruit of the womb, widows, single mothers, etc were engaged in praises and worship, seminars on unity in the home, fostering team spirit, standing strong, working with others, among others.

The convention, which started on July 8, came to an end on the 10th with many women giving testimonies of life-changing encounter at the programme.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

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Lawmaker signs N9.5m contract for boreholes

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•Governor Yuguda

of Representatives,Hon.Aliyu Gebi,has signed a N9.5 million contract with a private firm to sink 20 boreholes in the area.

Gebi told reporters in Bauchi that he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SALGAD Investment Nigeria Ltd to ease the problem of water scarcity in the area.

Shema urged to appoint more women

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NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation (NGO) based in Katsina State, Women for Peace in Nigeria (WOPIN), has called on the state governor Ibrahim Shema to emulate President Goodluck Jonathan by appointing more women into his cabinet.

The Coordinator of the organisation, Hajiya Halima Dangiwa, made the call in an interview with reporters in Katsina.

She said that appointing more women into key positions in the state would give them the opportunity to contribute their quota toward the development of the state.

“If more women are appointed into key positions, it will ensure adequate representation of women in decision making and implementation of policies and

Sokoto trains 130,000 youths

Bauchi

lawmaker representing Bauchi Federal Constituency in the House

He said the contractor would sink a borehole in each of the 20 wards of the constituency and explained that the projects were not part of the constituency projects for the area but that he would finance the project from personal purse.

“But I want to give assurance that by the time we get into the constituency job proper, other projects will follow to reduce the hardship we are experiencing today.

“Water is among my priority projects and I want to assure you that I will not relent in my efforts towards delivering all my campaign promises to the electorate.

“All what I am doing now is just the beginning of a new era and I will ensure that we overcome the water problem within my constituency by the special grace of God,” the lawmaker said.

NASFAT begins Women week

Katsina programmes that are aimed at enhancing their socio-economic status.”

Halima, who praised Jonathan for appointing a number of women as members of his cabinet, urged state governors to borrow a leaf from the President him so as to give women a sense of belonging.

“This singular effort of Jonathan is worthy of commendation, hence the need for all the 36 state governors to emulate him.”

According to Halima, there is need for the governors to consider more women in their appointments this time around, considering the fact that they turned out e n masse to vote during the general elections.

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HE Women wing of Nasrullahi-liFathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) will today hold campaign against Child Abuse at Ojodu Market, Ojodu, Lagos.

The event is part of activities line up by NASFAT to mark her weeklong annual Women’s Week.

Other events include visitation to Psychiatric Hospital, Parade and Talent show at Mowe, free health services, empowerment and dinner.

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OKOTO State government says it has trained about 130,000 youths in various trades under its skill acquisition programme.

Military task force warns Borno residents Borno

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• Former Military Governor of Benue State, Gen. Ishaya Baku (left) congratulating the new minister, Mr Mike Onolememen during a reception for the minister in Abuja . With them is wife of the minister, Bibian

Yakowa canvasses strong economic ties

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ADUNA State Governor Patrick Yakowa has advocated the establishment of strong economic ties among different entrepreneurs to facilitate the evolution of a sound economic system in the country.

Yakowa made the call at the closing ceremony

NPC challenges youths on development

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HE Acting Director General, National Population Commission (NPC), Mr Jamin Zubema, has urged the youth to be interested in the development of the country for their future and their children.

Zubema spoke at the opening of the FCT schools’ debate hosted by the NPC in collaboration with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in Abuja.

The debate between Government Secondary School, Jiwa, and Government Secondary School, Lugbe, was part of the build up to the World Population Day celebration.

“This 2011 theme for the World Population Day, seven billion people counting on each other, is particularly interesting.

“We are not talking about seven people, or 70 people, or 700 people or 700,000 people, or seven million people but seven billion people,” he said.

Zubema said the World Population Day was set aside to raise awareness on global population issues.

“We cannot ignore the fact that when we move, seven billion people also move,” he said.

According to the DG, when population is concerned, people either think of the many mouths to feed or the many hands capable of working.

“This is where the topic of the debate, ‘Population growth is a critical resource for development,’ is of importance.”

Abuja GSS Lugbe supported the motion and argued that population growth could be controlled and made beneficial in view of the untapped manpower, innovation and our numerical strength in terms of crisis and war.

While GSS Jiwa, which won the contest, argued that population growth had the potential of diminising returns, starvation, corruption and destruction of the environment.

Church holds programme

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HE Melototah Church of Zion, Youth Forum, at 18/21 Ikale Street, Papa-Ajao, Mushin will hold its montly revival programme on July 15.

The Youth Secretary, Miss Blessing Odigieh, said the programme will feature prayers at 9.00am, 12 noon and 300pm, counseling and ministrations. The revival begins at 5.30pm.

She promised it would be a pleasant experience for attendees as there will be unlimited breakthrough.

Members of the public are enjoined to come with faith and their Bibles.

•The Executive Chairman, Ikeja Local Government, Hon. Wale Odunlami (FCA) signing the 2011 Appropriation Bill into law. With him from left are thecouncil’s Legal Officer,Mr Dapo Alebioshu, the Council Manager, Mr Razak Oladeji, the Leader of the House, Hon. Sola Adeniyi, and the council’s Clerkof the House, Mr. T.A. Salaudeen

BRIEFS

Commission brainstorms on water resources AS part of its efforts to produce a comprehensive integrated water allocation licensing guidelines, the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission has prepared national water allocation criteria using existing laws.

The existing laws include regulations of policies with the primary objective of maximising water which has put into consideration priorities for all users of water within the context of integrated management principles.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources Ambassador Goodknows Igali disclosed this during a stakeholders’ workshop on guidelines and regulations on water allocation, authorisation framework and licensing system which was held in Abuja. He further stated that adequate access to fresh water is important.

He said: “The need for the establishment of a water abstraction licensing framework cannot be over-emphasised. This is a system by which the designated government agency allocates water rights.

CMD partners German training institute

•From left: Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Residential Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Commissioner, Hon Musbau Oyefeso and INEC Administrative Secretary, Alhaji Muhammed Umar during a lecture organised by Centre for Social Advocacy and Research, University of Lagos at UNILAG main auditorium, Akoka, Lagos

THE Centre for Management Development, (CMD) in partnership with German Technical Agency has agreed to step up training in the country by sponsoring core businessmen and women to Germany for training with the approval of the centre .

The Head of German Technial Agency, Mr. Reimut Duvering, disclosed this during a visit to the D-G CMD in Abuja, stating that they are in Nigeria to explore the possibility by combining business cooporation between Nigeria and

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Germany.

He said: “We are already doing that kind of programmes with emerging countries such as like China, India and Russia. We are trying to enhance the programme by involving Ghana, Morocco, Columbia and Nigeria.

“Our focus is on the very top management level, and the lower management level by bringing together business ideas between the two countries. The other group is the middle management level, we have the opportunity to bring them for three months to merge with their sectors in Germany.

Kaduna of the First Annual Economic Conference organised by the Islamic Economic Thought Association (IETA) of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

The governor, who was represented by Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, the Permanent Secretary, Religious Affairs (Islamic Matters), said the collaboration would lead to the exchange of technical know-how.

He urged entrepreneurs to share the technical know-how on the basis of Islamic principles to foster cooperation in commerce, industry and finance.

Yakowa said that if Islamic principles were strictly obeyed, they would pave the way for the evolution of a sound economic system.

In his speech, the Director-General, National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Dr Aminu LadanSharehu, said the essence of the conference was to evolve an alternative to conventional economic principles.

He said the conference was timely in view of the fact that Islamic Banking had become the topic of discussion among Nigerians.

Ladan-Sharehu charged the participants to make judicious use of the knowledge acquired for the benefit of the society and the nation.

In a paper on “Liquidity Management in Islamic Finance”, Dr Garba Magaji of Bank PHB, spoke on the problems of liquidity management.

He attributed the problems to lack of access to the safety net provided by the Central Bank and lack of access to government security guarantees.

HE Operation Restore Order Military Task Force in Borno State has warned residents of Maiduguri against allowing their premises to be used for attacks by suspected Boko Haram militants.

The warning was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the Task Force, Col. Victor Ebhaleme in Maiduguri.

“The Task Force has observed with dismay the unacceptable behaviour of some residents in Maiduguri, who willingly allow their surroundings or frontage of their business places to be used for nefarious activities.

“Such residents are strongly advised to desist from such acts. The Task Force will henceforth take appropriate actions to protect the public from such actions.’’

Ebhaleme said that such individuals, who allowed their premises to be used for criminal activities, would also be treated as criminals.

“It is to be noted that persons who allow their surroundings to be used for criminal acts will also be treated as criminals.

“Owners of makeshift kiosks who allow the structures to be used to attack members of the public or security agents, will be considered as collaborators and treated appropriately.”

Ebhaleme said the task force had discovered that most makeshift structures were being used for attacks on the public and security agents in recent times.

Vehicle owners warned The Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of vehicles abandoned at the following police stations to remove them or forfeit same through auction. They are: Onipanu Division 1. Volkswagen Bus - XN754 KJA 2. Mazda Bus – XA915 KKE Badagry Division 1. Old model Vowagen Bus – RV 9615PE 2.

BMW 318 Saloon Car – AG 4742 RB (Accidented)

Content board, NUJ to partner on information

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HE Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has expressed its determination to partner with Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to sensitise stakeholders on the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010.

The board also disclosed that its activities would produce over one million jobs in five years.

Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr Ernest Nwakpa, disclosed this when he received a delegation of the NUJ led by the state chairman, Mr.Tarinyo Akono in his office in Yenagoa.

“We are willing to partner with the NUJ. We are open to new ideas,” noted Nwakpa who also disclosed that, as a take-off point for the partnership, a two-day workshop would be organised for the media with representatives of oil and gas firms and oilbearing communities and contractors.

Nwakpa, who stressed the importance of the media in enhancing the activities of the board said the function of the board was getting information about the benefits of the act to the people.

“Nigerians must see what is happening. The real job is in getting the information down to the people,” Nwakpa said. He also said that “all of us must work together so that the aspirations of the Federal Government will

Yenagoa Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

coincide with the aspirations of the people through confluence of ideas.”

He further stated that it was equally important for Nigerians to know that the oil and gas industry alone would be unable to provide jobs for everybody, noting that it was necessary to get the word out. He however stated that its activities would create upto one million jobs in the next five years.

He further disclosed that one of the avenues for job creation would be the construction of a 15-storey headquarters in Yenagoa as well as the hyundai heavy industries coming to Brass Island and a pipe company interested in establishing a company at the Gbarain-Ubie Integrated Gas plant.

Mr. Akono, the Bayelsa chapter of the NUJ chairman who had earlier commended the board for the take-off of the industry, noted that the enormous job of the board would require partnership with the media with a view to properly disseminating its activities to stakeholders.

Sokoto Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, said in Sokoto that the government was committed to providing jobs for youths in the state.

He said that the beneficiaries were trained in knitting, welding, carpentry and soap making, among others.

Aliyu said they were issued with various tools for their skills, free of charge, to start their businesses.

“We will continue to accord priority attention to centres in the 23 local government areas of the state by providing basic tools needed to train the youth and women to be self reliant.”

The commissioner called for the cooperation

• Governor Wamakko of the public to enable the government to implement its programmes.

Lawmaker seeks demolition of dilapidated RKED by the spate of collapsed buildings buildings and increasing loss of lives, a member of

I

the House of Representatives, Hon Jumoke Okoya-Thomas has called on the relevant agency in Lagos State to embark on demolition of dilapidated structures.

Hon Okoya-Thomas said this would avert future occurrence of the unfortunate incident.

The federal lawmaker who visited the scene of the collapsed four-storey building on 2 Mogaji Street, Idumota, Lagos Island to sympathise with the victims of the incident regretted that the incident happened during rainy season when adequate shelter is paramount.

“My heart goes to them especially this rainy period that they need shelter,” she said.

Hon. Okoya-Thomas whose constituency covers the area of the collapsed building, lamented the present state of some of the buildings in the area.

She reiterated the need for the replacement of the old structures with not only news ones but ones properly built.

“All those dilapidated houses should be pulled down to pave way for new ones that would meet the present age when people would live without fear. The Ministry of Housing should as a matter of urgency embark on housing projects not only in that area but other places in Lagos.

“Also, the owners of the property should take into consideration the lives of inhabitants which

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

are sacred and should not be toyed with because of economic hardship,” she said.

The lawmaker urged the property owners to allow government manage the buildings if they are not buoyant enough to re-build them.

“Obviously,” she affirmed, “the materials used to construct those structures are sub-standard hence the collapse of the buildings.”

She hailed those who participated in the rescue efforts and called for the enforcement of existing building codes and timely action.

She charged the state government to punish those who engage in adding more floors without approval as well as those that use cheap and subs t a n d a r d materials.

•Okoya-Thomas

NGO seeks financial support for indigent children C HANGE-A-Life Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called on well-to-do individuals to give financial support to the education of indigent children.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Ms. Jumoke Giwa, at the launch of an initiative tagged, Adopt-A-Child, said the initiative is part of the organisation’s educational scholarship scheme, aimed at connecting indigent children, who show academic excellence and determination to succeed, with people who have the financial capacity and willingness to finance their education.

She said: “By donating to the Adopt-A-Child project and providing Nigeria’s indigent children with sound education, we are going a step further to secure the future of our country.

We are removing one tout from the bus park and ensuring there is one less destitute child on our roads. If Nigeria is to reclaim its glory and secure a firm place for itself in the committee of nations, we need to develop the minds of our children by providing them with tools with which they can compete in the international community.”

She noted that the project started with 30 indigent children at primary, secondary and

• Beneficiaries of the scheme

By Chuks Udo Okonta

post-secondary levels of education, adding that the children were chosen for their tenacity, brilliance and dedication towards their academic goals, in spite of their extenuating family circumstances.

“Adopt-A-Child aims to connect potential individual, corporate, and governmental donors with children whose education they can sponsor. Through donations from wellmeaning individuals to children under the scheme, Change-A-Life will pay school fees, provide textbooks, uniforms and other essentials the children need for a sound education,” she added.

She said the foundation was founded in 2002 by award winning journalist and television producer, Funmi Iyanda to intervene in the lives of indigent people when they need it the most, adding that over the years, the foundation has been changing the lives of children and people through its scholarship, healthcare, counseling and micro-finance intervention scheme.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

KONGI’S 77TH BIRTHDAY SHOW IN LONDON

Soyinka’s shows stir UK audience The opening day started with a red carpet reception at the foyer/bar of Theatre Tabernacle, London. – SEE PAGE 32 Reliving Ulli Beier

‘My love for Lagos’

Commonwealth, Gallery partner

– Page 32

– Page 34

– Page 35

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•A scene in Soyinka’s Dance of Liberation

Soyinka’s shows stir UK audience As part of activities marking Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 77th birthday, the arts community gathered last week at the Theatre Tabernacle, London, to honour him with a song, ‘I love my country’, and drama, ‘Dance of Liberation’. Today, Nigerians will be treated to a variety of shows – music, drama and advocacy (OPEN DOORS...

Our World), a platform for international cultural exchange holding at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos by 6pm.

Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

F

OR two days, leading arts enthusiasts, top government functuntionaries and diplomatsin the UK gathered at the famous Theatre Tabernacle, London, for one reason – to honour Nobel laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, who turns 77 today.

The London event was marked with pomp and ceremony. It featured a performance of Dance of Liberation, a dance-drama, rendition of I Love My Country, by music veteran Tunji Oyelana and a discussion on Culture and Humanity, were held on July 1 and 2. It was a colourful theatrical presentation of Kongi’s cultural advocacy.

The opening day started with a red carpet reception at the foyer/bar of the theatre. In attendance were dignitaries that included the Head of the Information Section, Nigerian High Commission in the UK, Mr Simon Ogah, who represented His Excellency, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida.

Others were Head of Political Affairs at the embassy, Mr Akin Oyateru; Mr. Alex Afari of Arik Air International (one of the event’s sponsors); former Most Beautiful Nigerian Girl (MBNG) 2007, Davina Ojegba and Face of Nigeria (FON) 2009 Flower Ayoub. K. Mzee, British blues dance teacher, Sara White, Stanley Amah of the Crown Prosecution Service, Otunba Tunji Sotimirin, Damilola and Folasade Kareem, Nigerian born, UK-based writer and movie maker Samantha Iwowo, Stephanie Eniafe (Current Miss. FON 2009), Ade Adenuga of Hartford Consulting, Adrian Ajibade of EES Limited, Angela Winter and Ellen Thomas of Eastenders, Actresses Fatima Jabbe of Mir-

ror Boy and Medina Ajikawo of Global 7 agency, Shola Enikanolaiye Special Advisor Nigeria High Commission and Makeba Boateng (former Miss. Ghana, UK) and other Nigerian and foreign professionals.

On hand to give the event adequate coverage were the crew from Ben TV, OHTV, The Voice Newspaper and documentary recording team of WS project, headed by the documentary expert, Ishmahil Blagrove of Ricenpeas films.

Expectedly, guests took to the red carpet and responded to questions on their concepts of culture while posing for the paparazzi.

The event anchored by Mike Yomi Dada of ZMC and Nollywood’s Lillian Amah-Aluko took off with a rendition of Nigeria’s national anthem. And this was followed by the opening remarks by Amah-Aluko in her capacity as the event’s producer.

But, like a first course, the big one came: music veteran Tunji Oyelana took the crowd by storm with renditions of several favorites, such as I love my country, which kept the capacity crowd on their feet. It was a perform-

‘We congratulate these bright young people and wish them luck as they journey to Nigeria for the finals with 74 other equally bright young Nigerians. Mouthwatering prizes await the winners’

Peter Badejo as Sarumi on stage

ance that fetched the grand old man of music some rousing applause from appreciative guests.

It was the turn of Sir Peter-Badejo choreographed dance drama, Dance of Liberation.

Energetic dancers took the stage amid bodytwisting drum-beats. The courting dance had the crowd roaring with laughter each time a male dancer hit the floor in the face of energetic wriggling by the women.

Shortly after, it was time to jaw-jaw on Culture and humanity. The advocacy speaker for the evening, Chief Executive Officer of Disability in London, Mr. Akin Olukiran, and the two panelists: Founder/artistic director, Pan Project UK, Mr. John Martin, and Chief Executive Officer, Carnival Village, Mr. Shabaka Thompson, spoke on the topic of the project.

They gave good accounts of themselves and did justice to the lecture that was moderated by Professor Segun Ojewuyi of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA. A series of humorous yet cerebral questions from the audience had the discussion stretching some minutes beyond the 30 minutes allocated for the segment. The event also witnessed the presentation of gifts and flight tickets donated by Arik Air International to the essay finalists. This was done

by Mr. Akin Oyateru and Mr.

Simon Ogah from the High Commission.

Amah-Aluko said while urging the finalists to get ready for the finals: “We congratulate these bright young people and wish them luck as they journey to Nigeria for the finals with 74 other equally bright young Nigerians. Mouthwatering prizes await the winners.”

The next theatrical dish on the menu for the audience was the Segun Ojewuyi-directed Dance of Liberation, an excerpt from Wole Soyinka’s Kongi’s Harvest. The audience was literarily breathless as Wale Ojo in the role of superintendent marched on stage. Sir Peter Badejo played Sarumi, Kunle Bamtefa was Oba Danlola, Moji Bamtefa; Golda John, Abiola Dosumu and Yomi Oyekanmi all gave good accounts of themselves. As the actors took the curtain call, cheers and ap•Continued on page 31

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I took alcohol to cope with fame, says Potter star

H

E was an 11-year-old schoolboy who suddenly became one of the biggest child stars in the world. But the whirlwind of fame left a lessthan-glamorous legacy on the private life of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, he has re-

vealed.

The actor has told how he developed a dependency on alcohol as he attempted to live a ‘famous person’s lifestyle’.

He stopped drinking last August after becoming ‘so reliant’ on alcohol, he said.

His decision to become teetotal coincided with the beginning of a relationship with his current girlfriend and he now prefers quiet nights in to the partying lifestyle. Radcliffe, who is estimated to be worth £48 million, said that he turned to drink as he became increasingly ‘complacent’ about his role as an actor, developing a penchant for whisky and partying.

‘I became so reliant on [alcohol] to enjoy stuff,’ he told the forthcoming issue of GQ magazine. ‘There were a few years there when I was just so enamoured with the idea of living some sort of famous person’s lifestyle that really isn’t suited to me.’ Screen star: Daniel reprises his role as Harry Potter in the final film in the franchise, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part II Longevity: Daniel told GQ magazine that he is hoping to break the ‘child actor’ curse after he finishes the Harry Potter franchise. He added: ‘I really got away with that because there were many instances when a shot like that could have been taken.’

The actor, who owns flats in London’s Chelsea and New York, admitted he now prefers to spend his evenings at home

From Ben Todd

with his girlfriend rather than at parties.

‘I’m actually enjoying the fact I can have a relationship with my girlfriend where I’m really pleasant and I’m not ****ing up totally all the time,’ he said of his new lifestyle.

He added: ‘As much as I would love to be a person that goes to parties and has a couple of drinks and has a nice time, that doesn’t work for me. I do that very unsuccessfully.

‘I’d just rather sit at home and read, or go out to dinner with someone, or talk to somebody I love, or talk to somebody that makes me laugh. There’s no shame in enjoying the quiet life. And that’s been the realisation of the past few years for me.’

The Daily Mail has been assured that, despite claims yesterday, his secret love is not Olive Uniacke, the stepdaughter of Harry Potter producer David Heyman. They were photographed together last summer but remain just friends, the Mail has been told.

Asked in the interview what advice he would give to his younger self, Radcliffe replied: ‘Don’t try too hard to be something you’re not.’

And he said of his huge wealth: ‘I don’t know what to do with it. I’m very fortunate to have it, and it gives you room to manoeuvre. But the main thing about having money is it means you don’t have to worry about it. And that for me is a lovely thing. It’s not for fast cars and hookers.’

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part II, the last instalment in the film franchise, is released this month.

•Todd is of The Daily Mail of UK

•Radcliffe

Soyinka’s shows stir UK audience •Continued from page 30

plause filled the venue.

Today, an essay competition and advocacy night will hold at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos and Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos. Tomorrow, the participating students in the essay competition will have lunch with Kongi at Abeokuta followed by sight-seeing and drama presentation of Ajantala Pinocchio between 6 and 9pm. At the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, on July 15, there will be dance, dance drama and night of theatre to be produced by Mufu Onifade.

A team of young musicians like Baba Dee, Sound Sultan, Nomoreloss, African China and Guitar Man will be on stage at the Freedom Park between 7 and 9 pm. Wole Oguntokun directed drama, The Waiting Room, will be on stage at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos from 7pm to 9pm on July 17.

Already, state winners have emerged from across the country in the ongoing essay competition organised as part of activities marking the Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 77th birthday tagged; Project WS7728086.

Last year, ZMirage Multimedia Limited staged Preemptive, a play written by US-based Niyi Coker and directed by Segun Ojewuyi, in the Barbados, the UK, US and Nigeria between June and July as part of activities marking Wole Soyinka’s 76th birthday.

•Yet another thrilling scene

THE UNINVITED GUEST

•Some residents battling with the flood in Lagos.

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

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They said it all. Close friends, associates, arts protégés, culture enthusiasts, ‘sons’ and ‘grandsons’ of the late art and culture exponent, Ulli Beier, reflected on the life and times of the German-Jew at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), Osogbo, Osun State. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

Reliving Ulli Beier

H

E came, he saw, and was conquered. So the story goes of Horst Ulrich (Ulli) Beier, the German-born scholar who came to Nigeria in 1950. He was sucked in by the richness and novelty of the African culture, tradition and arts. He became a leading light, leaving behind enduring footprints not only on the sands of time but also on the lives of men and women, communities and the development of the modern arts in Nigeria.

Although a foreigner, he is generally regarded as one whose soul lost its way into a white skin who found his way back home to the Southwest of Nigeria - the Yoruba tribe to be precise. And so, he was also known as Obotunde Ijimere Sangodare Akanji Arabagbalu Ulli Beier, the father of Tunji Beier and of many Nigerian world-class artists and culture icons across Yorubaland.

He died on Sunday, April 3, 2011, but his legacies live on. Those legacies drew many to the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCUI), Osogbo, Osun State penultimate Saturday.

The event was a celebration of the life and times of Beier. It saw renowned scholars, artists, culture activists and enthusiasts, and more reminiscing on the innovations and contributions of Beier to the development of Nigeria’s arts and culture. Some chanted traditional odes and poetry to him. Others read poems written in his honour. The ambiance was electrified with emotion as they recounted. The tributes and reflections ran from morning till late afternoon.

They included Prof. Niyi Osundare, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Chief Segun Sofowote, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, Chief Muraina Oyelami, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, Jimi Solanke and the former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Others were the Director of the Centre for Black African Arts and Culture (CBAAC), Prof. Tunde Babawale, Vice Chancellor, Wesley University of Science and Technology, Prof. Tola Badejo, Prof. Dele Layiwola, among several academic and culture icons.

Prof. Wole Soyinka sent his words. As one whose works formed the nucleus of the centre, CBCUI governing board also named the Centre’s multi-purpose Hall after Beier.

The centre is affiliated to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orientation (UNESCO), it was said.

In the same vein, the evening was equally rousing. It witnessed thrilling dramatic and musical performances by traditional troupes from across Yorubaland and music entertainment was given by Solanke (Baba Agba).

The performance of Sango Osogbo was rousing and larger than life. Although he did not rain down fire and brimstone like Sango the deity, the actor bathed with fire and performed various magical stunts. The enthralling beats from Oyelami’s drums and sweet songs by Baba Agba drew Oyinlola, CBCUI board chairman, and others to the dance floor.

While the celebration ran into the night, the tributes kept pouring in.

And so they said: Ambassador Segun Olusola: There was no where Ulli Beier went that he did not plant hope in people. Many would forever say thank you for the cultural influence and motivation he provided. If he were alive, he would have been faced with accusing fingers, asking: “What brought you here? why are you… a white-skinned man now being glorified as a founder of the cultural awakening of this place? He was a remarkable individual, rich in culture.

Professor Niyi Osundare: Ulli Beier was a man of many tongues and many languages. Ulli has inspired us in all kinds of ways. It is not enough to praise a great man or woman. We also must make sure that we borrow, steal, or take something from their lives that would make us great too. We talked about the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, what happened to our country after then ... a lot.

The mosques and churches had taken over. People who practised traditional religions were called Olorisa were called Olorisa in those days, but the hostility was not so much. How can people throw away what is theirs? We may praise him from thy-kingdom-come. I want us to

•From left: Olusola, Oyinlola and Osundare

•Onobrakpeya

•Solanke

look at the irony of Ulli’s life.

If Ulli came back to Nigeria today, I am sure he would not have been able to achieve all he did. Years back when he was going back, he kept on wondering what kind of change has come over Nigeria. The gods and goddesses – deities of our fathers and mothers whom we were throwing out - were what Ulli, Georgina Beier and Susanne Wenger were busy taking back into the house. There is a lot for us to learn. Twin Seven-Seven and Muraina Oyelami played our traditional songs. What kind of songs are our young ones singing – Gonga Aso ti pa tpa, Gonga Aso. Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya: Ulli Beier was one of the few expatriates involved in the pre- and post-independence

work in the arts that revolutionalised what we can today describe as the contemporary arts. He was an inspiration to very many renowned artists including myself.

He was totally committed to the development of the arts.

He was involved in various documentations on the African artist and culture. He was a great teacher and mentor who drew our attention to the hidden values of our pasts, tradition as well as asking us to look beyond our religious and educational restrictions. He came and awakened us to our artistic and cultural potential. He laid the foundation that turned Osogbo into a Mecca for arts lovers and a world renowned tourist site.

Ulli affected my life and that of a host of artists whose talents would have remained dormant. Through his workshops, which I attended thrice, he drew my attention to the use of raw materials and things around us people, clay, wood, myths, folklore, traditional lessons, rope, etc. These became the foundations of the great art pieces by Twin Seven-Seven, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, Nike Okundaye, Chief Muraina Oyelami and my works.

Ulli did not stop with organising workshops; he monitored the progress of the artists in other to encourage them further. He would sometimes buy some of their artworks; exhibit them in Nigeria and abroad. He inspired his friends to establish galleries to help sell works particularly those produced at the workshops. He also inspired the Harmattan series, which is held annually in my hometown Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.

His pride and passion for the arts not only developed the arts’ profession, but also proved that the arts in its entirety are an essential tool for the building of any nation.

Chief Jimoh Buraimoh: I received the message of Ulli’s death with rude shock and disbelief. Can Ulli die? We,

‘He was an inspiration to very many renowned artists including myself. He was totally committed to the development of the arts. He was involved in various documentations on the African artist and culture. He was a great teacher and mentorwho drew our attention to the hidden values of our pasts, tradition...’

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•Bata drummers entertaining guests.

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

Reliving Ulli Beier the ‘theatre boys’, saw Ulli as a spirit being (Alijannu) that came to the world in human flesh. Ulli was never senile. Going down memory lane, my impression of Ulli is that of a changeable changer, who at all times seeks to impact on the lives of people around him.

Ulli turned my life around from an electrical expert tender to a theatre person, naturally endowed artist and now a school of thought in the creative art industry. I make bold to profess that with the likes of us Ulli is still alive!

The man of vision, Ulli, encouraged me to write my book titled My Heritage which was published in 2000. His life was full of passion, encouragement, and very resourceful, his exit became doubtful. Ulli spent more time and money on humanity.

Jimi Solanke: Baba Ulli has done so much for us, all of us artists. Baba lived and died a Yoruba man. When I first met him in the early ‘60s at the Mbari, Ibadan, what caught my fancy about him was his thoughtful mien – his love for asoke and adire dress. He was soft-spoken and always busy. He was a cultural visionary.

He was always thinking about the next best thing that would happen to the Yoruba culture. Since then, I have learnt to dress in adire/asoke tops. Ulli shared his total feeling with the Yoruba people regardless of his Austrian or German originality. Baba lived and died a Yoruba man.

Obotunde Ijimere sun re o.

Baba was part of my crossover to the theatre profession. He was part of the group that initiated the School of Drama which I attended and it changed my life because if I had not attended it, I would just have been a singer without going for further studies. It was there I met all the people I later worked with.

Baba being a great Yoruba man having known the interest of Adunni Olorisa left her for the Osun shrine and married another great artist, Georgina.

I believe that Baba Ulli is now in the place where only the elder’s tread. If there is that opportunity for Baba and Suzzane Wenger to meet, they would be checking notes and discussing what they could still have done for the Yoruba culture if they came back to the world again. They were truly Yoruba people.

Chief Muraina Oyelami: Ulli Beier is our very own… ti wan ti wan. Without him and Susanne Wenger, Oshogbo would not have been a world heritage site today.

They used to come for the Ori Oke festival at my hometown Iragbiji then. You would see him taking pictures of the occasion.

At that time, it was unusual to see white men. As a child, we would follow behind

•Oyelami

•Sofowote

•Elebuibon

everywhere they went. Not knowing that I and the man would one day work together. Aside influencing my dramatic arts and drumming, he also discovered my talent as an artist. I later helped him in his discoveries and research.

He loved the local people and didn’t like staying in the university confines. You would see him across Yoruba town during festive periods taking shots. In 1960, he established Mbari Mbayo Artist Club, which was then a popular bar owned by Duro Ladipo at Oshogbo.

Chief Segun Sofowote: So ubiquitous was Ulli Beier within the immediate space of his cultural field in those days that if you were ever involved to any significant degree in some artistic expression, you were virtually inescapably bound to cross paths with him. Having remarkably deepened himself in this culture in the manner, and to the extent to which, very few of the active and enlightened generation of the heirs of the culture themselves ever cared to apply their creative and intellectual faculties to do, Ulli Beier extensively documented, created, motivated, managed, organised, promoted and networked, all to see indigenous expressions

of culture and creativity set on a footing that is self-assertive. Today, the hub of cultural expression that Osogbo represents in the perception of the world cannot be divorced from the one-time synergy of activism on the part of Ulli Beier, Susanne Wenger and Georgina Betts, later to become Georgina Beier.

Ulli Beier was that kind of a tireless cultural worker, an artistic workaholic who never allowed any creative impulse to go to waste – whether his own or somebody else’s.

And now Ulli has aged and gone… it cannot be doubted that Obotunde Ijimere, or Tunji Sangodare, or Ulli Beier, father of Tunji Beier would have preferred to live his last years here, for his soul to depart the earth from here and for this land to have his bones. As to why that was not permitted to be, only those who saw to it can answer.

But his extensive and priceless artistic and archival collection of Nigeriana, Africana and Oceania is firmly in our hands. So this is not in the nature of an isipa ode, or in the tradition of burying treasures with their noble collectors. We keep those treasures and send after Ulli

Ulli turned my life around from an electrical expert tender to a theatre person, naturally endowed artist and now a school of thought in the creative art industry. I make bold to profess that with the likes of us Ulli is still alive!

- Buraimoh

Ulli Beier was that kind of a tireless cultural worker, an artistic workaholic who never allowed any creative impulse to go to waste – whether his own or somebody else’s...But his extensive and priceless artistic and archival collection of Nigeriana, African - Sofowote

Beier our deepest wishes that his ever active spirit will continue to mature towards an eternity of joy, unfettered by any kind of jingoism.

Chief Yemi Elebuibon: Baba Ulli Beier and Duro Ladipo, our head at Mbari Mbayo, are very special people that affected my life positively. Ulli did a lot to affect lives. Mbari Mbayo is the root of what I have become today.

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola: Owing to the relationship my father had with the late Ulli Beier, I would say I am one of his ‘grandsons’. For us at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), the death of this great legend is a monumental loss. I believe that this is also true with so many people all over the world with whom this genius has shared his invaluable experiences in the literary world as well as in the field of arts and culture.

It is not possible to over-emphasise Ulli Beier’s significance and contributions to the preservation and promotion of the rich cultural heritage of the black race. He not only trained several people in this country, many of whom are here with us, but also articulated the vision, mission and activities of our forefathers in the very important field of culture. He could very well be described as ‘the man who saw tomorrow’ as a result of his ingenuity and foresight.

It is important we acknowledge the efforts of this great personality who helped in most significant terms to shape our image of our past and present as a society greatly blessed by our Creator. It is no mean achievement that Ulli Beier was able to gather all those treasures which today form the nucleus of the archives of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding.

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Andrea Haenggi is in love with Lagos. The Swiss-American choreographer’s affection for the ‘Centre of Excellence’ inspired a global water dance project, in collaboration with the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) at Freedom Park, Lagos. In this interview, the Director of Amdat Dance Company, New York, speaks on her love for the city and more. EVELYN OSAGIE writes.

N

IGERIA was part of the Global Water Dances festival held in 60 countries at the same time.

Lagos’s edition of the water feast was performed by the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN).

Residents on Lagos Island watched as the water dancers flowed past their streets into Freedom Park, Lagos, three weeks ago. It was an exciting sight to behold. The dance project entitled Human River was conceived by a New York choreographer, Andrea Haenggi who has an unwavering passion for the Centre of Excellence. She was in Lagos to choreograph the dance.

Inspiration behind the dance performance I CREATED the concept of the water dance project entitled Human River with the choreography in collaboration with the Nigerian choreographers at the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN). It was a part of a global event known as Global Water Dances that also took place at the same time in 60 countries across the world. I chose to work with Lagos choreographers because of the unique features of Lagos. It is surrounded by water; and also because I know Sarah Boulos. This is my fourth time in Lagos. I was in Lagos twice before by Boulos to give workshop. And the last time I was here was a year-and-the-half ago. Then, I went out on the street with an American journalist to do some filming.

That was when I really saw a lot about the life in Lagos and the people. So, when the project came, I thought it would be really good to have a water dance in Lagos. I approached Boulos saying that I really think Lagos, such a big mega city, should to be a part of it. I want people to hear their voices.

I told her about my concept; a lot of times other countries choose rivers. They bring the dances and bands to rivers to celebrate the rivers and streams. But I knew I had to go into the people because when I was on the streets of Lagos with the journalist, his name is Robert, he interviewed a lot of vendors and water sellers, many girls selling water and making money from it. I saw lots of plastic – plastic bags and bottle – everywhere. And everyone is drinking from them. And about 50 per cent have no free access to clean drinking water even though Lagos is surrounded by water. One of the girls said she sells her water in bags early in the morning, so that she could have money to buy school bag and other things she need in school. The street girl’s life looks more of what happens in Lagos.

Planning the dance I knew from Boulos that, due to the budget, I had only five days here to work it all out. And I knew that isn’t enough time to get anything done if you want dancing.

So, I did a lot of preparation overseas to think about what the concept should be, what streets I would like to use; and what is possible in Lagos. So, we chose the site.

I then decided we should invite other chorographers.

Originally, it was ten Nigerian chorographers but in the end seven participated. And each of them came with one-minute sequence of what water means to them. Although I come on with the deep pieces of movements, I didn’t want it all to come from my view point. What water means for Lagos and its citizens need to come from people who live here. So for three weeks, there was back and forth communication with the chorographers.

And each prepared the little sequence of chorography which they showed me on the day the workshop started.

And then we merged the whole piece. And although we didn’t count, at the end there were also 50 dancers in it.

Challenges you encountered The first challenge was the difficulty many of the participants faced in trying to come on time. Some came from the mainland and so it took them like two to three hours to come there. When I started, sometimes, I didn’t have the whole group. How do you start without the whole group? The second was the rain. We did the rehearsals in the Freedom Park and it rained almost everyday, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays when we really should tie it in together, we got wet the whole day.

Next time we do it again, we would get raincoats. We had no raincoats for the dancers and I actually forgot mine in New York.

Sharing the day with some other activities was a really challenge. And then was the concept of dancing in the streets. We were allowed to walk on the path but were never allowed to dance it there. So I had no pre-preparation to dance it outside. So, we had to do it in there. The day of the event was the first time, we danced it outside.

I think it was awesome. When we took a little longer time, especially, in the streets, there should have been the music in the end; they didn’t give us the music anymore. That was a little sad. So we couldn’t really finish completing that.

Also when we did the practice, I didn’t have security but walked down alone. But on Saturday, the day of the performance, they provided a security guard because

•Andrea

‘My love for Lagos’ they were worried. I didn’t like it because I noticed he had a bulletproof on and if somebody should shoot at him, he would not get killed. But if they shoot at me, it would get me. And so I told him look ‘you are scaring me’. Because I am feeling somebody would come and shoot. I don’t mind having people worry about me; but I also do not mind having people around me. And Lagos people are such a nice people. I also learnt a lesson that day. Still on the challenge, I would rather talk more about the joy instead.

Feeling in spite of the challenge I felt really great.

My love for Lagos I mean I just love Lagos. I love the people, the rush. I remember when I went out with the journalist, we asked people we would like to know what they were doing and if we could film them, they said ‘yes’. First, a person would be alone when we started filming, it didn’t take five minutes for 40 people to gather around. And everybody just wanted to help, to tell something. And they loved to talk. Lagosians love to talk. And I like that.

Why do I love Lagos? I think it’s something about the people here. In a certain way, they are all kind of fighting. They are very strong. There is so much energy in them. And I think it has to do with how the city works.

You have to find all kind of ways to survive. You have to work out how you are gonna survive in a mega city.

The infrastructure is there; but not really there. Let’s be honest, it’s there but not everybody has access to it.

‘I mean I just love Lagos. I love the people, the rush... Why do I love Lagos? I think it’s something about the people here. In a certain way, they are all kind of fighting. They are very strong.

Lagos and New York two cities as one Actually, New York City 20 years before could be compared to Lagos. New York City, in the past when I first came, there was much more free spirit and people trust everybody; but with a little more structure. Lagos doesn’t have that much infrastructure. Everybody knew that if I came to New York, I can make it. Right now it is not the case any more. It is so controlled since maybe September 11, 2001. It got too controlled and everything got so expensive. That’s the danger, when everything gets cleaned out. You really don’t have crime in that sense; everything has got so cleaned out and expensive like the rent.

So, you can’t not make your dream grow any more. A lot of people go to other cities in the States now because it’s too hard. But in Lagos, everybody is an entrepreneur.

Everybody has a business and stands up and say ‘okay, I can be somebody’. They can say boldly, ‘I am a journalist’. ‘I am a dancer.’ And you can change these things and adapt to something else. If I say to a dancer, for instance, that: ‘would you rather be a costume designer because I have a lot of work for you’. She would change because that is the next opportunity. So they care for opportunities. And I think that is different. In the past, New York went for opportunities. It doesn’t do so much right now. But in a way, it still a little of that same feeling I have when I walk in the streets of New York and in Lagos; it’s about the strong energy. Also, Lagos still has the market and the everyday person; while in New York there are the big stores. We used to have the sellers like the one-to-one sellers. All the little stores are little gone.

Lagos turning mega city take away the zest as New York Developments usually affect the common people. Turning Lagos to mega city will take away the zest as in the case of New York. Actually, I think Lagos already lost it.

Like what they did in Oshodi market. What they did there was so brutal. I understand what they tried to do was to let the traffic go through smoothly. But they didn’t take the opportunity to really see what Lagos is. First, to build Lagos because of the cars is contradictory. It’s just copying the western world. Lagos is surrounded by water and by everyday people who like to be their own business persons. So why not build a city to take that in account. I am not an architect, but they could take Oshodi market and build the road on the other side or around it.

They also could make the roads pass through streets alongside some markets. People could park their cars on those streets and just walk down. It gives opportunity for tourism and a good walk. Not just wash it all out…’and let’s just make for the cars’. I thought it is very sad. It’s not considering the people. It is like having a fountain in public places just as in the Freedom Park, but it is just a decoration. Why not make a fountain where people can enjoy the park and a drink from. Where people can touch clean water: wash their faces from it and still drink from; as we have in many countries such as in Switzerland and New York. In Switzerland, a city with 200, 000 people has 120, 000 fountains - drinkable fountains. So you don’t need to buy these water bags or plastics and then, throw it on the streets. I also think building the city around the water would be a smart way.

Why not build a city knowing where the water is; get the water traffic going, maybe over it or under; and where the sellers or markets go or are, and just go around them.

Instead of every time the market is in the way for car traffic, you just wash them all out. And I think it is not taking into considering what Nigerian have, Lagosians actually. I think the governor is trying; but he should be considering the people more and look at that aspect as a tourism prospect – the people, the market, the rush, the water surrounding the city. He should get advice from architects who would really look at the city. It would be so interesting to make a map of all the different markets in Lagos and what each market sells. And see how we can make this map an efficient design that would allow people, tourists, to go easier into the markets and the cars in the streets around it. While developing the city take the people into consideration; that is what I think.

Other cities with such structures If you go cities like Rome, Milan or Paris, you would see that at that the time it was built people were considered. In Zurich, they made sure that the traffic goes around in circles. Not to just cut it through. I mean what they did to Oshodi market was so pathetic.

First visit to Oshodi market The feeling was awesome. This was before the demolition. I remember I took a public transport - a bus. I went into the little markets in it to buy materials and some other stuff. And then I took the little motor cycles that you call o..oka..something I guess.

The Okada…

Okada, yeah! That’s what they call them. And I took the bus again. It took us time to figure out which bus but people helped. It was fun the people were nice. I had a swell time.

3, 2011

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Commonwealth, Gallery partner

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HE Managing Director of the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), Mr Steve Godfrey, is exploring how Nigerian visual art can play major role in the forthcoming Commonwealth Business and Heads of Government Forum holding in Australia.

He said the council would highlight the business aspects of the organisation in relation to how art can be a revenue earner for the country.

Godfrey, who visited the Director-General of National Gallery of Art (NGA), Dr Abdullahi Sabo Muku, said he was in the country for a business dialogue on the forth-coming Commonwealth Business and Heads of Government Forum in October.

He was accompanied by the Managing Director, Image Affairs, Nigeria, Ms Annette Dore and the Director, Investment Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Ladi Katagun. He explained that he deemed it appropriate to visit the NGA chief to work out modalities for promoting Nigerian visual art at the event.

CBC is the umbrella body for Promoting Global Trade and Investment for Shared Prosperity among Commonwealth states.

Godfrey said Nigeria is known for its rich culture and that the involvement of NGA would engender the participation of President Goodluck Jonathan who will delivering a keynote address at this year’s event.

Muku unfolded his action plans to make the visual art sub-sector a revenue earner.

He disclosed that NGA has over three thou-

•From L-R Katagun, Muku, Godfrey and Dore,

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

sand works of art of various sizes in its collection, indicating that the works are faced with challenges. These challenges, he said, range from space, weather, preservation and essentially having a befitting National Gallery of Art that will be located in Abuja.

He commended the CBC for choosing Jonathan, who is looking at other sectors to diversify the economy through improved internally-generated revenue. He said they would make the President to consider the

visual art sub-sector as a revenue earner. In line with this, he has directed that a befitting National Gallery of Art be constructed in Abuja. With this in place, the NGA will be more proactive in its statutory responsibilities and become an revenue earner. He said the culture of conservation, preservation and restoration of works of arts can be properly executed. He hinted that he is making frantic efforts through diplomatic collaborations for training of NGA staff in these areas..

The Commonwealth Heads of Govern-

CONADEV 2011: Artists call for papers

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HE Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) will hold its second International Convention on Art and Development (CONADEV 2011) from September 19 to 20, at the Main Foyer, Calabar Cultural Centre, Calabar, Cross Rivers State.

With the theme, Rethinking art in a global village at the twilight of the 20 th century, the convention seeks to interrogate, harness, interject and situate art at the level of transnational praxis. It will also serve as a major forum to bring together academics and researchers in visual arts, literature, music and performing arts.

Speakers at the convention will include contributors in all areas of the arts – artists, curators, writers, theorists and policy makers. It will feature a conference on Arts, Culture and Tourism.

Organisers are calling for papers from intending participants. Abstracts of not more than 300 words should be submitted in electronic format to: info@snanational.org Deadline of submission of abstracts is August 1.

Complete papers in MLA format in Microsoft Word must come in for the

Book of Readings by August 19.

Sub-themes will include Art and Carnivals, Philosophies in Art, Art and Cultural Agenda, Art and Literary Contributions, Art and Value System, Art and Technological Advancement, Art Criticism, Art and Transformation, Art Policy and Practice, Art and Society, Aesthetic Issue, Art Administration/ Management and Art and Copyright.

Indigenous participants are to register with N10,000 while international participants will pay $100. Payments should be made to Society of Nigerian Artists, WEMA Bank Acc. No (0101537346) (local), Payment should be made to Sky Bank, Domiciliary account No. 122520000566 (international).

Entries are in the following categories: Ceramics, Drawing, Graphics, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Print Making, Sculpture, Textile design, Installation and New Media Art. Entry forms and images of works must be submitted online on or before September 1 st, 2011 to info@snanational.org

Celebrating excellence in schools

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O promote reading culture and reward excellence among primary school pupils in Lagos State, Fidson Pharmaceutical will on July 30 reward best graduating pupils drawn from 150 schools at the maiden edition of its Astymin Brilliance Reward.

The event that will hold at Grange School, Ikeja, was initiated to address the need to appreciate intellectual values and reward academic brilliance. A junior hall of fame would be set up under the initiative, according to the General Manager, Mr. Ola Ijimakin, He noted that the initiative would also propel parents, school authorities and teachers to put in extra effort in bringing out the best in their pupils since they know that any kid on the hall of fame list will rub off on the family and the school at large.

“In a world where kids are getting increasingly addicted to high-tech electronic games and computerized distractions at the expense of books, a reward platform that celebrates youngsters that have displayed

brilliance cannot be over-emphasised.

“This will also encourage parents to make their children read thus forstering a healthy competition among the children,” Ijimakin said.

He explained that the pupils would form a viable network for the children, adding that Fidson would after the reward follow the children up and mentor them.

On the ratio of public and private schools participating in the event, Ijimakin disclosed that of the 150 schools, 50 per cent is public schools. He noted that the choice of Grange as venue was for access and safety of the children during the event which, he said, is a test run exercise for a regional or national event in the future.

The reward will consists of books, writing materials and other things.

According to the Brand Manager, ASTYMIN, Mr. Femi Ajala, the reward would provide an avenue for academic networking among the pupils that could result in positive peer influence.

ment meeting (CHOGOM) holds in Perth, Australia from October 28 to 30, 2011. The Business Forum of CBF will be hosted with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which has as its theme: Partnering for Global Growth: The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean and the Pacific Rim. The event will be declared open by Her Excellency, the Prime Minister of Australia, Hon Julia Gillard.

The forum will highlight new global economic partnerships for trades and investment in key sectors across the Commonwealth and beyond.

OXYGEN’s comedy CD out soon

A •OXYGEN

NEW CD from the stable of OXYGEN, aka Prince Kelechi Ulu Torti, entitled Wahala Be Sense, will be in the market soon. The CD is unique because it is not just a package of humours but motivational jokes and stories based on human challenges and the solutions to tackle them. The comedian, who has also featured in movies such as The Wedlock of Blood and The Hanged Hangman, was challenged to awaken the comic elements in him when he answered an SOS call of a friend who had no money to pay an MC during his wedding reception in 1997.

In 2006, he played the pastor in a Yoruba movie, Aye Kini Mose, a film he co-produced with Olaide Irawo.

NB/AAF presents Documenting changes in our nation

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IGERIAN Breweries Plc in partnership with African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) is organising this year’s national art competition with the theme, Documenting changes in our nation.

Unlike previous editions, this year is emphasising on the process of art creation rather than the end product with a star prize of two million naira.

According to the organisers, twelve finalists will be selected and invited to a 14-day workshop, led by industry

professionals like Janine Systma, at the Abraka Resort, Abraka, Delta State.

Interested artists are expected to submit a brief proposal of not more than 200 words to show how they intend to interpret the theme through their chosen medium. All media are qualified for the entry. Deadline for entry is July 28.

For Nigerian Breweries, the sponsorship remains part of a broad initiative to support arts development in Nigeria, as well as the development of talents in various fields.

Beyond Football opens at Goethe

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GROUP international photo exhibition, Beyond Footballshifting interests and identity, will open at the Goethe Institut, City Hall, Catholic Street, Lagos, on July 16. The show is taking the ongoing 2 0 1 1 F I F A W o m e n ’ s W o r l d C up tournament in Germany as a focus point and it interrogates issues of gender, sexuality, discrimination and lifestyle in contemporary societies

through the prism of football.

The exhibition had earlier opened in Berlin at Gallery SAVVY Contemporary on June 25. It is curated by Emeka Udemba and featuring Adebimpe Adebambo, Andrew Esiebo, Yetunde Babaeko, Uchay Joel Chima, Nina Erfle, Uche James-Iroha, Ebele Okoye, Lerato Shadi, Alafuro Sikoki and Katrrin Strobel.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Violent kiss of the brushes

•Bob-Nosa’s The decaying head

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OB-NOSA Uwagboe is enraged.

He is not only furious, but heart broken. The world of an artist to which he belongs is grossly mis understood. This is the reason the world has turned upside down for him.

To him, it would have been a better place to live in if everyone were an artist – free of all restrictions.

Boiling with rage, Bob-Nosa, as he is known, went to work on canvas. As an artist experimenting with various media, he took his brush and put on canvas his misgivings, pains and struggles.

“The moment of working for me is a moment of confusion, anger…you name it. The anger I feel within is because of the things happening around me. I am saddened by the bad leadership in Africa, especially my country ‘Nigeria’; the violence, especially since human life seems not to have value these days.

People just go about taking people’s lives. A pathetic case is that of the ten corps members that were killed months ago. The only way I can show how I feel inside is by kissing my canvas with my brush,” Bob-Nosa said.

The result is Homme Libre, an ongoing exhibition at the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF). The title of the exhibition, Homme Libre, the French words for ‘Free Man’ or ‘a man who is free’. Freedom is the underlining thread linking his 27 pieces on display.

The title Homme Libre is deliberate. The artist seeks to call attention to a universal want for ‘freedom’ across all spheres of society. In fact, the entire collection, he said, is advocating against all forms of oppression no matter how subtle – whether it is psychological, physical or otherwise.

In his words: “All men should be free! Free to express his mind. Free to express what his mind-eyes sees, what he feels, his dreams, and so on. Why frown at your neighbour because he wears dreadlock. That does not

By Evelyn Osagie

make him a lesser person compared to others.”

His acrylic piece, Homme Libre, from which the exhibition was named, speaks loud the artist preoccupation.

Like several works by the artist, it showcases a male figure with his private organ bared out in the open. This unique artistic feature, although seeming a little obscure, is part of the artist’s crusade for ‘freedom’.

However, one could see that this piece is special. The male persona in the 23½ by 29½ inches painting is a physicallychallenged holding a clutches. Could it be that the artist finds freedom at the bosom of the physically-challenged?

“Yes!” He said.

“There is so much strait-jacket every-

‘The moment of working for me is a moment of confusion, anger ... you name it. The anger I feel within is because of the things happening around me... The only way I can show how I feel inside is by kissing my canvas with my brush’

where - in the way we live our lives, how we must think or how things must be; so much hypocrisy, so much pretence. Still, there is so much decadence. While in Cameroon last year, I saw a physicallychallenged dancing in the open with a woman. He was dancing to his heart delight not minding whether people were watching him. I was touched by his happiness and freedom. I thought it was amazing that, in spite of his challenge he was so free and happy. That inspired the theme of freedom. However, the French word came from my relationship with the French community in Nigeria. Their love for my works and support has been so great,” he said.

That was last December, when the BobNosa participated at the seventh edition of the Picture Show in Cameroon. That show brings back sweet memories. He said: “I sold all my works in that exhibition and that was why I got inspired to do the show here in Nigeria.” But such is not an everyday feature experienced by the artist.

“Financially, I must say, it has been quite difficult. Art for me has been very challenging. From people – friends, especially family, thinking you are obscure – to the struggle for acceptance, the fight for identity, how to make ends meet, low patronage, etc. You have a lot inside, a lot to offer but you are not allowed to express them because people think you should be and think in a certain way.”

The decaying head, another piece in his exhibition, is equally interesting. The work is a mixed medium consisting the artist’s dreadlocks that is glued in acrylic.

It shows the face of a man caged in by a bar made of ropes. There comes a time in a man’s life when he feels caged in.

“The piece speaks tells a story of struggle for freedom. That work represents a bad period of my life when things were very hard. It was the last work I did before relocating to Lagos from Abuja. I call that period the ‘dark era of my life’. It was a period I was fighting hard for identity, acceptance from friends and family. I wore dreadlocks then which I had to cut. It was really challenging for me and so, I decided to document it by using the dreadlock for an art piece. Although I started it in 2007, I finished it up this year. Without it, the exhibition would not have been complete.”

The artist also calls for peace, security and love through his art series on violence, showcasing varying incidents of brutality in the society. The New Human Abbatoir, a 54 x 54 inches painting in mixed media, draws fresh attention to what happened a few months back when some corps members were murdered.

Another piece, Expert Gunman also advocates against the indiscriminate killings.

The piece is addressing the Force men who sometimes allow themselves to get power drunk and kille without reason. To them, he said: “They, in fact, we all need to be human in the way we live and treat others. There is need for us to consider and respect one another. Life is so precious, let’s not waste it. That is what my pieces are about.”

Boxed in by so many challenges, the artist has refused to lose faith. The soothing words of few individuals, he said, have kept him going.

“But I have a few people who love and buy my work. They also lend their words of encouragement whenever necessary, which, to me, is priceless. Some of them are Mrs Ifeoma Fafunwa, the French women, Pierre Chidiac from Mexico, AAF and Signature Gallery, among others.”

For seven years, Bob-Nosa has employed his creative force in experimenting with various media which has resulted in thought-provoking themes and subject matters.

His pieces go for between N50,000 and N400,000. The exhibition will run till Friday.

LIFELINE

Rainbow to host Caine prize winner, Osondu The Rainbow Book Club monthly reading for this month comes up on Sunday, July 24 at Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, Port Harcourt. The reading will hold from 4 to 6pm. The RBC book-of-the-month is Voice of America and the author and winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing, E.C. Osondo, will be at the reading to interact with the audience, read from his work and sign autographs. Voice of America has received a lot of press coverage in the past few months.

REPRONIG tasks govt on right protection The Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG) has called on the government to ensure that the copyrights of authors are protected. The statement was issued as part of its activity marking the World Book Day last Friday.

In the statement signed by REPRONIG Chairman, Prof Olu Obafemi, the organisation stated that since the president's book project, Bring Back the Book, is to give encouragement to authors of these books, the government should ensure that authors are remunerated for their efforts and that they are not exploited not unduly exploited through plagiarism, unauthorised photocopy etc.

It read: "It is in this sense we are calling on the government and other relevant authorities to prevent or at least drastically minimise reproduction of an author's work without that author being compensated. REPRONIG is calling on government institutions, schools and other agencies to cooperate with it by paying for the photocopying and other forms of reproducing literary works - books, newspapers, magazines, journals, etc that they carry out in their respective places."

POETRY

Of law, negligence, sentiment & sonnet (ignorantia populi est calamitas populi) Of law, negligence, sentiment and sonnet, Man is and must always be in commotion.

Law has given us many an asset To mould our future with set-out notion.

Negligence camouflaged itself in Trojan House Sanctity of law was exposed to Hiroshima.

Logic was to save glorious mother Themis But sentiment crawled in from America.

Democracy is not always what it appears to be, Where sentiment has blindfolded us against reason, And what we see as reason is indeed treason Democracy dies, and we’ll never disagree to agree.

Negligence has murdered law, and sentiment has Swallowed fault All may be lost, I fear, except my expository sonnet.

- By Bolaji St.Ramos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

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ABUJA REVIEW Vehicles and people coming into the city are subjected to thorough search. The joint operation of gun-wielding soldiers and mobile policemen at both entrances leading into the FCTA secretariat, it was learnt, was to quell any situation of insecurity. I was searched by a lady of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who was directed to search our bags. Another set of soldiers insisted they must see my identity card

•Abuja gate

Security heightens at FCT gate From Bukola Amusan

A

S a result of the insecurity situation in the country which, allegedly is being perpetrated by the

Boko Haram sect, soldiers and policemen have been deployed to man the Federal

Capital Territory Administration entrances to ensure the safety of lives and properties.

Vehicles and people coming into the city

•A cross section of community heads when they met with acting Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto over the sunday bomb blast in Suleja, Niger State

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HE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director in Nigeria, Dr. Ray Kirkland has said the agency has been supporting orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) with $35m annually.

Part of this fund goes to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs. This is by way of technical assistance from USAID implementing partners, including Measure Evaluation, FHI/ GHAIN and Management Sciences for Health.

Ray Kirkland, who spoke in Abuja at the formal hand-over and launch of the database for OVC in Nigeria, said

are subjected to thorough search.

The joint operation of gun-wielding soldiers and mobile policemen at both entrances leading into the FCTA secretariat, it was learnt, was to quell any situation of insecurity.

All private security guards who usually man the gates stood at a distance to watch the screening.

The car park outside the FCDA was cleared as no vehicle was allowed to use the facility.

Sign posts bearing “No Parking,” “No loitering,” “No hawking” were erected at strategic positions around the gates.

A staff of the FCTA, who does not want her name in print for security reasons, said she was searched at four different points.

“I was searched by a lady of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) who was directed to search our bags. Another set of soldiers insisted they must see my identity card,” she stated.

Policemen were also posted to watch over the car parks as they continued to monitor movements of persons in and around the vicinity to ensure that the area was devoid of any form of danger.

One of the NSCDC security personnel said: “This is the new directive that we got as we came in today.”

The Capital Road on which the FCTA, FCDA and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) are located have been under military surveillance since the police headquarters was bombed.

USAID supports vulnerabe children From Bukola Amusan

the US government will continue to contribute to better the programming and provide more services to the over 17.5million OVCs in Nigeria.

Handing over the OVC report to the Minister of W o m e n Affairs and Social Develop-

ment Hajia Zainab Maina, Kirkland said the US government is reviewing the development of vulnerable children across the country, even as he appealed to all the stakeholders in the sector to work with the database.

Accepting the report, Maina said the

The need and importance of a database for gathering, storing and disseminating critical information on our children to governments, the private sector, analysts, researchers; opinion holders and decision makers cannot be over-emphasised…This realisation, among other factors, resulted in the harmonisation of monitoring and evaluation tools for OVC

report identified the various challenges being experienced by the children who include stigmatisation, depression and the tendency to drop out of school, among other problems.

She noted that the database will enable her ministry and the country at large to take stock of progress so far made and bring to fore the collective commitment to improve the human development status of Nigerians in general and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as they affect the children in particular.

She said: “The need and importance of a database for gathering, storing and disseminating critical information on our children to governments, the private sector, analysts, researchers; opinion holders and decision makers cannot be over-emphasised.

“This realisation, among other factors, resulted in the harmonisation of monitoring and evaluation tools for OVC and the translation of the Child Status Index (CSI) into four languages namely: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin English.”

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ABUJA REVIEW

This boy needs urgent help I

T was one early Tuesday morning that a young man, Mr. Innocent Ochai visited The Nation Newspapers’ Abuja office.

With him was a nine-year-old victim of diffuse lipomatosis.

The young victim was in a state that would move anyone to sympathy.

Ogar Ekawu who is a resident of N0 7, Court Road, Ogoja in Cross Rivers State was said to have undergone several medical treatments in the country after his first surgery in 2008 at the University Teaching Hospital, Calabar.

According to Mr. Innocent Ochai, the Programme Coordinator of Social Aid Initiative for Africa an NGO based in River State, Ekawu had been suffering from the ailment since birth. He said the disease which started like a lump at the left side of the victim’s face was initially not given much attention by his parents after which it persistently developed as the boy grew.

Various attempts by Mr. and Mrs. Ekawu Mathias (the boy’s parents) to put an end to the ailment proved fruitless, and they had to call for the assistance of the NGO after the disease had deformed the boy.

Narrating how the Ekawus got to know about their NGO, Ochai said the humanitarian organization once assisted a lady who was a resident of Ogoja in River State.

He said the lady had a medical problem but was fortunately revived through the organization’s support in Abuja. According to him, the news of the assistance by the organization spread through the area and the victim’s parents were advised to approach the NGO for a probable solution for their child’s problem.

The programme coordinator said Ekawu’s father, Mr. Ekawu Mathias, “told us his son was born with this predicament. When he was small, the lump was very little, the growth was very little then and they were

•Requires N4 million for surgery in India From Adanikin Olugbenga and Genevieve Ajewole

thinking that probably it’s just a minor puss or something, with the hope that it will go someday.

Ochai said he was told that over time as the young boy was developing, the lump was equally growing along with him eating over the whole face. So at the age of seven they took him for an operation at the University Teaching Hospital in Calabar and they did the operation but it was not really successful.

He said he was told that a Doctor Charles Anyanechi of the UTHC had to refer the boy to UCH Ibadan. According to the parents, they have spent everything they could gather; they even had to borrow to see him through the costs of operations. So at the time of the second operation they had no money, they could not even pay the transport fee to UCH Ibadan again, Ochai said.

He said consequently, “They now resigned to faith, hoping someday something will come up.”

Ochai said his NGO took up the matter from there. He explained that when they got to UCH Ibadan with the referral letter the consultant doctors having checked the boy advised they should meet other professional doctors because they are not really equipped to conduct the operation because of the condition. They later stressed that there could be a re-occurrence after the operation, if they should attempt to conduct an operation.

He said to worsen the situation; the medical specialist added that a successful operation with positive result could be only be conducted only when the boy has stopped growing as a person. “Yes! When he stops

growing naturally between ages 20 to 21 that is when they can attempt any operation on him” Ochai lamented.

It was revealed that Ogar Ekawu could not undergo his basic education because of the condemnation and ridicule he faced at his initial commencement. In their efforts to end this, the parent had visited various hospitals such as Nnewi Teaching Hospital, Anambra State, National Hospital Abuja and Primus Hospital in Abuja. It was at Primus Hospital that the Senior Consultant on General Surgery Dr. Sudista Chandra finally referred the victim to its head office in India for a plastic surgery estimated at 4 million naira.

Ochai, said: “The condition is so pathetic such that we imagine a young man at the age of 20, 21 going to start primary 1 and all that. It has affected his future but we didn’t give up on him. Some persons from among the doctors were suggesting try India and that they are good, so we started communicating with consultant doctors in India and some of the consultants we met actually gave us some ray of hope, but they insist they had to see the boy so we scanned all the reports we gathered from every where we’ve been to.

“From the UCH we took him to Lagos, then we returned to National Hospital, Abuja. So the last place we went to was Primus hospital at Karu and when they saw him they said, we should take him to their own branch headquarters in India. So they gave us a referral letter to India. So based on enquires from the Doctor at Primus Hospital and the embassy flight tickets and everything he estimated the cost to about N4, 000,000.

“Though from what they said the sum will also entail other things like two persons will

•Ogar go with him that would look after him, and we are looking at the air ticket to and fro, accommodation over the period, from what we gathered its like a process of therapy they would place him and they don’t really need to operate on the face again. If you look at the face there is an initial operation but it still remains the same. So he might be there for one month, we don’t really know, so we are making preparations for any further contingencies”.

Ochai said the boy’s parents have done all they could and spent every thing they had so much so that it is now a challenge for them to eat in the house because of their son’s condition.

“Nobody will look at his child this way and be happy about it.,” Ochai said.

On behalf of the victim, Ogar Kawu and his parents, the NGO pleaded for support from the public towards a successful conduct of the plastic surgery planned to take place in India. .Grants can be paid into the GTB Account: 511245290110 (Social Aid Initiative for Africa) on Orgar Kawu’s behalf.

Training for intending Muslim pilgrims I

N its bid to attain hitch free-hajj hajj exercise this year, the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board of the Federal Capital Territory has created a unit (Da’awah and Irshad unit) to enlighten its pilgrims.

This is in conformity with the Kaduna confer-

From Bukola Amusan

ence on investigation over last year’s exercise and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON) directives.

The unit, according to the Director of the

Board, Dr Shu’aibu Yakubu Kurfi, was part of measures being taken to address some of the vital problems encountered by pilgrims during hajj exercises.

Dr Kurfi added that the measures became necessary as the board is desirous of finding last-

ing solutions to issues which border on the attainment of hitch-free and acceptable hajj exercise.

He said the unit was mandated to educate and enlighten the pilgrims on hajj rites as related to steps and practices in order to achieve an acceptable hajj.

The Director said the board is restructuring its staff in order to enhance its hajj operation this year.

He disclosed that the board has received over 1, 000 e-passports from the intending pilgrims preparatory to visa procurement by the Saudi Arabia authorities.

He therefore advised intending pilgrims who have made deposits and were yet to submit their e-passports to do so in order to ensure early preparation for the exercise.

He disclosed that the board has received over 1, 000 e-passports from the intending pilgrims preparatory to visa procurement by the Saudi Arabia authorities, and advised intending pilgrims who have made deposits and were yet to submit their e-passports to do so in order to ensure early preparation for the exercise •Some of the Kaduna State new sole administrators taking their oath of office in Kaduna

40

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

Mrs. Fayemi has been able to put a smile on the faces of widows and other women in difficult circumstances, as a result, the lives of these women and their dependants have tremendously improved

Bisi Fayemi and the Ekiti Development Foundation

I

T is uncommon for a governor and his spouse to be activists of repute. Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is an activist of international repute, so also is his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi. The activism of the governor’s wife is so intense that she had always been in the news (both in the local and international media). She is in the league of world female leaders such as President Hellen Sirleaf of Liberia and former South African First Lady, Mrs. Graca Mandela who had on many occasions, graced the events of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) which she headed until she resigned recently.

Bisi Fayemi had received a standing ovation on the floor of the General Assembly of the United Nations for her efforts through the AWDF to make life better for African women. She narrowly missed the African Leadership Hunger Prize award in 2008 when she was nominated.

On April 5, 2011, she was presented with the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award, one of the most prestigious Awards in the field of Philanthropy. With this award, Mrs Fayemi has joined the rank of past winners of the award such as former South African President, Nelson Mandela, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Sheela Pattel, Fazle Hasan and Queen Rania. In 2011, she was appointed as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) by the Federal Government. She was listed in March this year as one of the 100 personalities working for the advancement of women and girls in the world. It was no surprise then when she decided to replicate what she has been doing in many African countries in her home in Ekiti. She used the occasion of her birthday to launch the Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF) which is aimed at transforming the lives of Ekiti women and the needy especially widows. Her birthday was June 11 but she launched the Fund on June 10 and the event drew many

dignitaries in the economic and political circles. She also launched the Forum of Spouses of Ekiti State Officials (FOSESO).

To those who know her, the launch of the Ekiti Development Foundation is not a surprise because this is what she has been doing all her life. Apart from being an activist of note, she is a humanitarian to the core. The traditional ruler of Umezi Owa in Enugu State, Igwe Ozoeze gave her a chieftaincy title in recognition of her invaluable contributions to the community. It was an elaborate event where hundreds of women whom she had helped one way or the other emotionally showed their gratitude.

Many of the women who were widows sang her praise, some wept and hugged her and a particular woman knelt down at her feet and prayed for her in Ibo language till her emotions took over and she started crying. It was there she was given the title of Ochiora which means ‘a leader of the people’.

The monarch expressed the gratitude of his people to Bisi Fayemi in this words, “the entire people of Imezi Owa and Women Aid Collective ( WACOL) have decided to honour an illustrious African woman, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi.

Mrs. Fayemi has been able to put a smile on the faces of widows and other women in difficult circumstances; as a result, the lives of these women and their dependants have tremendously improved. The Monarch of her husband’s town, Isan Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ajiboye in 2011 also presented her with the title, ‘Erelu of Isan kingdom.’

At the unveiling of EDF, chief launchers were the respected automobile guru, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, C.E.O of Elizade Nig Ltd. and Chairman of Deux Projects, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe. Are Afe Babalola was also in attendance and he donated handsomely to the project. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Grace Ongile, Country Programme Director, United

The Foundation will collaborate technically with the Ekiti State government in matters relating to gender empowerment and equality as contained in the administration’s 8-point agenda

V

ETERINARY doctors in the country have cried out against what they described as “unjust and unfair” exclusion in the management of the National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The veterinary medical practitioners, under the aegis of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), in a letter, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to look into the exclusion and address it without delay. The association specifically urged the president to look into the alleged disregard for the 2002 presidential directive on the creation of

•From left: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Lagos State First Lady, Dame Abimbola Fashola; Oyo State First Lady, Mrs Florence Ajimobi and Ogun State First Lady, Mrs Olufunso Amosun unveiling the logo of the Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF) during its launch in Ado-Ekiti

By Hakeem Jamiu

Nations Women (UNWomen). At the end of the launch, N65m was realised by the foundation. Chief Ade-Ojo donated a Toyota bus in addition to a sum of N5m to the Foundation. Governor Fayemi and his Deputy, Funmi Olayinka and top government officials were present at the occasion. Also present were wives of the state governors of Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos.

The main thrust of the Ekiti Development Foundation is the economic empowerment of women.

The project is to support women in agriculture such as women farmers, market women and the enhancement of market infrastructure. The EDF is also to promote women leadership from local to cabinet positions in government, and to complement the efforts of government in improving the health of women, especially in eradicating child and maternal mortality, providing education on breast cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. The EDF would work in the area of education that would guarantee the education of the girl child and protect her from sexual and parental abuse. In the area of financial empowerment, the EDF would work with support and civil society organisations, cooperatives associations and community based groups. The Foundation will collaborate technically with the Ekiti State government in matters relating to gender empowerment and equality as contained in the

administration’s 8-point agenda.

Before her husband became governor, she had helped many Ekiti women through soft loans akin to micro credit scheme through her organisation - the AWDF. In a statement that underscores her passion for the womenfolk, she once said,..’if for instance, young women grow up in an environment where they have very little education or skills, and therefore few options, in terms of seeking employment, they become vulnerable. They become dependent on either their families or their spouses. It makes it very difficult for them to leave violent or disruptive relationships. In that situation too, transactional sex becomes an option for young women. That is why young women are more at risk of HIV/AIDS than young men on the continent’. In Ekiti today, God help you if you maltreat a woman or abuse her sexually. Mrs. Fayemi will immediately be interested in the case and would ensure that the man faces the music in a law court.

An international woman and agent of social and positive change and justice, Erelu Bisi Fayemi was a Director of Akina Mama wa Africa (AMwa), an international development organisation for African Women based in London with an African office in Kampala, Uganda. Through AMwa, she was able to train many African women who are now important personalities across the world. She has B.A and M.A in History from University of Ife, Ile -Ife (now OAU)

and an M.A in Gender Studies. She once served as President, Association for Women’s Right in Development (AWID) and Co-Chair, International Network of Women’s Funds. She is an adviser to Global Fund for Women (USA), Mamacash Foundation (The Netherlands), Editorial Board Member of the Alliance Magazine (UK) and Resource Alliance (UK). She is one of the conveners of the African Feminist Forum. Mrs Bisi Fayemi had bagged many international awards such as the Dame Nita Barrow Visitor in Women and Development and Community Transformation for the academic year 2000/01, University of Toronto Canada, a Synergos Institute Senior Fellow which is a forum for senior leaders of philanthropic institutions. In 2006, the Obafemi Awolowo University conferred a distinguished alumni award on her and in the same year, she was honoured by the Africa Media Summit for ‘Outstanding Contributions towards Projecting A Positive Image of Africa’. In 2007, she received the prestigious ‘Changing the face of Philanthropy’ award given by the Women Funding Network in the US. We in Ekiti celebrate this woman of virtue and our own jewel of inestimable value as she added another year and we say, ‘congratulations and a happy birthday’ to Erelu Bisi Fayemi’. .Hakeem Jamiu is Senior Special Assistant on Research to Ekiti State Governor

Veterinary doctors allege exclusion in NAFDAC From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Veterinary Directorate within NAFDAC to carry out the functions of registration and regulation of veterinary drugs, medicaments and other animal remedies.

The letter, entitled: “Unjust and unfair exclusion of the Veterinary Profession in the Management of Affairs of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control and Disregard for Presidential directive, explained that in spite of the provisions of Section 5 of the Animal Diseases

Act of 1988 and Articles 7 and 30 of the ECOWAS Protocol and Guidelines on Veterinary Pharmacy C/REG ...06/09, “the veterinary profession has been deliberately prevented from carrying out its statutory responsibilities within the agency in accordance with internationally acceptable best practices, due to the privileged leadership of the agency by members of the Pharmacy profession that appear to have institutionalised and perpetuated this undue dominance, illegal subjugation and perennial vilification of our profession.”

It was signed by its president, Dr Charles Chukwudike Ibe. Alleging that the agency created a Directorate of Narcotic and Controlled Substances which is product based, the NVMA said the

refusal to create Veterinary Diretorate was a deliberate act to prevent veterinary medical practitioners from carrying out their statutory responsibilities in the agency.

The veterinary profession has been deliberately prevented from carrying out its statutory responsibilities within the agency in accordance with internationally acceptable best practices

SLIDING TACKLE

“You can never tell what the future holds. There is some unfinished business which I will have to finish in both FIFA and CONCACAF at the appropriate time and who knows I may go back.

The only expert on the FIFA in this country (Trinidad) is me and in the fullness of time I will tell this country what FIFA is and what FIFA is not.”

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

42

F

OOTBALL legend Diego Maradona suffered slight injuries on Monday after his car collided with a bus in Buenos Aires.

The Argentine icon and World Cup winner was driving near his home near his home in the suburb of Ezeiza when the accident happened.

His partner, Veronica Ojeda, was travelling in the same car and reportedly incurred a bruised rib.

“It is nothing serious,” said Maradona’s doctor Alfredo Cahe, his prognosis swiftly confirmed by hospital director Oscar Sico.

“Maradona is fine, he suffered virtually no whiplash.

They (he and Ojeda) were taken hospital as a precaution but have no problems. They can both go home.”

Last week, Maradona was in hospital again but on that occasion as a visitor as he went to see his frail mother Dalma Franco, who is on a ventilator in a Buenos Aires sanitorium after suffering in recent days from a virus.

She also has a history of heart problems, which necessitated a spell in hospital late last year.

Maradona has been a spectator at the Copa America 2011 which Argentina is currently hosting.

Batista: Messi played a fantastic game

R

ELIEVED Argentina coach Sergio Batista singled out Lionel Messi as his star after overcoming Costa Rica 3-0 in a crucial Copa America clash.

The Albiceleste suffered during a first-half marked by missed opportunities, but found their scoring boots just before the break and ran out comfortable winners over the Central Americans. Sergio Aguero scored a fine double to become Copa top-scorer, while Angel Di Maria notched the third to secure victory.

Barcelona star Messi stole the show, however, and was named man-of-the-match after a much-improved performance where he provided two assists.

Speaking after the match, the coach chose to praise his No. 10, highlighting the 23-yearold’s strength of character following criticism during the week.

“He played a fantastic game,” Batista told reporters during the post-match press conference.

“We talked a lot about the emotional and individual state of the team before the match.

We needed to regain our confidence. Lionel knows how to overcome these situations, he has great character.”

Batista also spoke of the tactical changes he made before the pivotal Group A decider, which confirmed Argentina’s passage to the last-eight behind Colombia in second place.

Ex-FIFA vice president, Jack Warner declaring he is not finished with football matters

Diego Maradona involved in car accident

• Maradona and his girlfriend, Veronica Ojeda escaped serious injury on Monday when his car was involved in a collision with a bus near his Buenos Aires home

I have unfinished business—Jack Warner

J

ACK Warner, the controversial ex-FIFA vicepresident, has claimed he

may return to football in the future because he has ‘unfinished business’.

Warner quit last month amid allegations he had facilitated the paying of bribes and FIFA dropped the investigation following his resignation. The world governing body did warn, however, that the investigation would be reopened if he were ever to return to football.

Warner, who had also been president of the CONCACAF organisation of countries from north and central America and the Caribbean, has said, however, he might do just that.

He told the Trinidad Guardian: ‘You can never tell what the future holds. There is some unfinished business which I will have to finish in both FIFA

• Jack Warner

and CONCACAF at the appropriate time and who knows I may go back.

‘The only expert on the FIFA in this country (Trinidad) is me and in the fullness of time I will tell this country what FIFA is and what FIFA is not.’

Mohamed Bin Hammam, the 62-year-old Qatari who was Asian football president until his provisional suspension, faces a FIFA ethics committee hearing into the bribery allegations on July 22.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s World Cup chief has claimed there is prejudice against his country’s successful bid for the 2022 tournament.

Phaedra Al Majid, the so-called ‘whistleblower’ behind a series of bribery allegations involving FIFA members and the bid, has released a statement saying she fabricated all the claims.

Hassan Al Thawadi, general

secretary of the supreme committee for the 2022 World Cup’s general secretary, told BBC Sport: ‘The attack on 2022 fits the prejudice people have in their minds. An Arab nation

could not have won.

Asked whether the Gulf state had paid money or gifts to secure the 2022 tournament he said: ‘We never broke any rules,’ Al Thawadi said calls for a

review of the bid vote was an ‘absolute outrage’.

He added: ‘If there is evidence, investigate the evidence, but if there is nothing there and it’s based on rumours.’

Mourinho: We need another striker

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EAL Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says he is content with his squad after the summer arrivals of Nuri Sahin, Hamit Altintop, Fabio Coentrao, Raphael Varane and Jose Callejon, but believes the club still need to bring in a new striker ahead of the coming campaign.

Mourinho is currently away on a pre-season tour with Madrid in the United States, having recently returned from his holidays.

And the Portuguese coach told the club’s official website: “I’m happy with the squad, especially when you think we’re still missing [Gonzalo] Higuain and [Angel] Di Maria [currently away with Argentina at the Copa America], who are very important to us.

“It’s fantastic to have more than 90 per cent of the team you want by mid-July because it allows you to work in a different manner.”

Mourinho went on to say that Madrid are building a side both for the present and the future.

“It isn’t easy to sign for Real Madrid because we have a very good squad and we earned important results last season,”

he said.

“We won one title [the Copa del Rey] and nothing more. We have decided to improve on, and balance out, the squad without losing track of having to come up with a team for the future; Coentrao is 23 years old, one year younger than Callejon.

Sahin is even younger and Varane is an 18-year-old kid.

“We never want to side-track from building a team for years to come that has large room for improvement and progress. We signed men we thought were important to improve on a

squad that was already very good - this squad has 10 years ahead of it.”

Nevertheless, Mourinho is keen to add a top striker to the side this summer.

“I, like everyone else, believe we need another striker,” he said.

Madrid have been strongly tipped to sign Brazil forward Neymar in the current window, with Argentina strikers Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez also linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vitali to Haye: I’ll bury you

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ITALI Klitschko wants to finish what brother Wladimir started... by knocking out David Haye.

The older Klitschko hopes to tempt Haye to postpone his retirement after his points defeat

by Wladimir in Hamburg last week.

Vitali said: “The fight between Haye and my brother was about business as Haye had the WBA belt we wanted in our family.

“Now it’s personal. If a fight can be arranged between me and Haye I want to do what my brother didn’t do - and knock

him out.”

WBC champion Vitali, 40, is furious with Haye for his notorious T-shirt that depicted the brothers decapitated as the hype was cranked up for last week’s unification showdown.

The Germany-based Ukrainian admits he came close to snapping as Haye threw the insults in a bid to unsettle Wladimir’s preparations for their bout.

And Vitali revealed he even had to tell his parents Haye was ‘ill’ in case they saw the infamous T-shirt.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

43

MONEY

CBN plans more ATM outlets for proposed cash policy A

HEAD of the planed cash limit policy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is to install 40,000 point-of-sale (PoS) and 10,000 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) nationwide to facilitate the scheme’s takeoff on June 1, next year.

The facilities will be ready before December 31; with another 375,000 PoS and 75,000 ATMs expected to be provided by December 2015.

CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo said the facilities would be deployed with strict rules on high uptime and availability.

He said CBN is using successes recorded by the Federal Government in online salary payment in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and wide spread use of ATMs by bank customers as a benchmark for the policy.

The policy stipulates that over-the-counter cash transactions above N150,000 and N1 million for individuals and corporate bodies will attract a charge. The apex bank said the policy is meant to address currency management challenges and enhance the payment system.

Lemo said: “The progress made by the Federal Government in the electronic payment of salaries, contractors and suppliers, the growing acceptance among the citizenry of innovations such as the ATM and mobile telephony and commitment by the banking community to improve the supporting infrastructure for seamless electronic payments were encouraging factors which propelled the new retail cash policy.”

He disclosed that data analysis of the commercial banks showed a high cost structure in the banking industry, of which a significant proportion is passed on to customers in the form of high service charges and high lending rates.

By Collins Nweze Lemo said the economy is cash-oriented, thereby imposing high costs on the banking sector and, consequently, the customer, in terms of cash management, frequent printing of currency notes, currency sorting and cash movements.

The direct cost of cash management to the banking industry was N114.5 billion in 2009, and it is estimated to be as high as N192 billion by 2012.

“This spiraling cash management cost, most of which is passed on to the consumer in the form of bank charges and lending rates, is as a result of the cash-dominant economy,” he said.

Clarifying issues on the policy, the CBN Deputy Governor said 90 per cent of bank customers’ daily withdrawals are of amounts below N150,000 whereas only 10 per cent of bank customers who withdraw over N150,000 are responsible for the heavy cost of cash management being borne by all bank customers.

“The present levels of cost and inefficiencies in providing banking services and the poor quality of services experienced by the majority of the banking public will be addressed by the new cash withdrawal policy, in concert with other efficiency initiatives by the CBN in collaboration with the Bankers Committee,” he said.

According to him, the policy recognises that businessmen have to continue to receive payments. It, therefore, allows them to choose either cash option for receiving payments or cheaper and convenient alternative electronic payment channels to facilitate business transactions. The implementation of the policy will commence in Lagos, and gradually cover Port Harcourt, Kano, Aba and the Federal Capital Territory.

The CBN said it did not place limits on cash transaction, but is encouraging banks to shift the cost burden of heavy cash management to customers conducting high volumes of transactions in the banking halls.

This means that individuals and corporates desirous of such cash usage should be willing to pay for the services offered by the banks. Since 90 per cent of Nigerians do not carry out cash transactions of up to N150,000 daily on their accounts, the threshold for charging was set taking into consideration the need to protect low income earners and savers. The banks are poised and committed to an aggressive roll out of ATMs, Point-ofSale (POS) and other electronic channels to ensure these are readily available to the high cash-driven individuals and businesses.

Besides, there are funds transfer products of banks that ensure same day value to customers anywhere in the country through the electronic transfer system.

The CBN and the Bankers Committee have commenced concrete actions to ensure that priority is given to payments related data traffic by telecommunication networks.

Agreement has been reached to provide dedicated channels for transactions over the Point-of-Sale (POS).

The non-acceptance of some cards over the PoS, owned by certain payment networks due to lack of inter-operability, is equally being addressed. The PoS service providers and banks have been issued, through this policy, a clear directive to vacate any existing contract which is restrictive to card usage with effect from June 1, 2012. The apex bank has also commenced compliance checks.

The CBN further issued approvals-in-principle to 16 mobile payment providers for which the pilot was recently concluded, as part of the effort to provide effective and

• Mallam Lamido

efficient alternatives to cash in the economy.

The eventual licensees will be held to strict service quality and roll out targets. The arrangement for prioritising payments data traffic over the telecommunication network will also be extended to cover mobile payment providers.

The cheque is available to make payments of up to N10 million through the clearing system even as the enforcement of the Tier Two clearing cycle is being stepped up and efforts are ongoing to reduce the cycle to Tier One. “We are prepared to ensure discipline in the usage of cheques and we shall give necessary assistance to the EFCC in prosecuting issuers of dud cheques,” Lemo said.

The CBN has set up a Consumer Protection Office to address users’ complaints, especially in respect of use of electronic banking channels. The CBN said it is committed to a robust grassroots awareness and education campaign strategy to aid the understanding, adoption and usage of POS and ATMs.

MfBs seek higher capital base

T

• From left: Managing Director, BOI Trusts, Mr Tony Pinido; Managing Director Bank of Industry, Everlyn N Oputu, President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Sani Ndanusa and Manager Corporate Services, Bank of Industry, Waheed Olagunju at the unveiling of Nigeria Game Village in London, held at Bank of Industry, PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA Marina, Lagos.

Regional Maritime Development Bank coming

T

HE Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has given Nigeria the final approval to start the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB) in the country.

The Nation gathered from the Federal Ministry of Transport that the necessary approvals had been given for the bank to take off.

The General Assembly of MOWCA has ratified the take-off of the bank and the Bureau of Transport Ministers has also approved all the proposals of the Federal Ministry of Transport on the matter.

By Uyoatta Eshiet “All the 25-member countries constituting MOWCA is looking up to Nigeria to take-off with the project,’’ the source, who craved anonymity said. Besides, a meeting held by transport ministers of the sub-region between April 11 and 13, 2011, in Dakar, Senegal has equally increased the chances of getting the agency approved.

It was at the meeting that MOWCA gave the Nigerian Minister of Transport go-ahead to start the bank as well as approved the

appointment of financial and legal consultants for the bank.

However, 76 per cent of shipping business that takes place in West Africa is done in Nigeria alone, which means Nigeria is very important in the West African sea ladder. Therefore, shipping must be of great interest to the Nigerian economy.

Maritime trade and shipping is very important and the government needs to come up with a better intervention fund like they have done for the aviation, manufacturing sector, agriculture and so on.

O encourage growth, microfinance bank (MfB) operators are demanding additional capital requirement from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The operators, under the umbrella of the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), are asking CBN to create room for those ready to operate in any of the six-geo-political zones, and impose additional N250 million capital base on them.

This is in addition to N20 million, N100 million and N2 billion capital base imposed on MfBs that want to operate at the rural, state and national levels, they said.

The association’s chairman, Lagos chapter, Olufemi Babajide, said zonal microfinance banks became necessary because of the huge potential available for operators.

Babajide said the decision to allow MfBs to operate at the rural, state and national levels was a good development, but that it would deny many banks the opportunity to harness potential in the six-geo-political zones.

He said: “Nigeria is delineated into six-geo political zones - Southwest, Southeast, Southsouth, Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral. If a MfB is allowed to operate in each of the zones, such a bank would be able to tap into the active poor market in that zone. Also, the development would

By Akinola Ajibade afford banks the opportunity of accessing the market in their zones.”

He said some communities fall between two states, adding that many MfBs would not be able to establish branches in such states, unless they have a zonal licence.

Babajide said the association had recommended the establishment of zonal MfBs to CBN, but was surprised that the aspect was struck out when the apex bank unfolded the operational guidelines for the sub-sector recently. “ The new guidelines introduced

by CBN would ensure stability in the industry, and restore the confidence of investors. But one thing that is not included in the guidelines is the issue of zonal MfBs. CBN has through the guidelines made the running of microfinance banks practicable. We would continue to mount pressure on the until they allow us to have zonal MfBs,” he added.

Also, the Managing Director, Molusi Microfinance Bank, Mr Bayo Ogunbanjo, said the request for zonal microfinance banks is justifiable considering the huge market awaiting operators.

“If you look at the customers of MfBs, their demands, and the economy, you would realise that the request for additional capital requirement is justified”.

Bank to reward customers

T

HE Southeast zonal draw of the Skye Savers promo holds tomorrow in Enugu State where winners in the ongoing promo will be rewarded. The bank said a new Toyota Corolla will be won in addition to cash and material prizes. Consolation prizes will also be presented to some categories of savers.

The promo’s target audience consists of old and new savings account customers, who will be re-

warded during the six months that the exercise will run. Customers who run Skye Save, Skye Wise, Skye Treasure or Skye Rainbow accounts are eligible to participate.

Savers with a minimum deposit of N25,000 or maintaining an average balance of same, in any of the savings products, qualify to win a new Toyota Corolla in the zonal draws. Multiple deposits of N25,000 or more, increase the customer’s chances of winning.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

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MONEY

Relief for debtors as banks softpedal on loan recovery T

HERE appears to be hope for those described as “genuine” loan defaulters to, henceforth, restore their facilities or secure additional funds.

Banks, which hitherto insisted on payment or seizure of their collaterals are said to have softpedalled as the deadline of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on recapitalisation draws nearer, it was leant.

In the past, banks used debt recovery agents to pressurise debtors to repay their loans.

Debt recovery agent Leonard Anoka of Anoka & Associates, which confirmed this development, said banks would first find out if the loan was utilised for the right purpose or diverted. If the loan was properly utilised, but due to some circumstances, the customer was unable to repay, such borrower can get the facility restructured, or refinanced.

But where it is discovered that the borrower diverted the funds, two options are usually deployed.

One, the bank may go to law enforcement agents, and provide evidence of a criminal act. It can also follow up with criminal prosecution if the borrower refuses to pay.

But where restructuring of loans is the option, a bank can look at the customer’s cash flow, inject

Stories by Collins Nweze

more funds, and stagger the repayment plans. “The bank can decide to stagger the repayment plans to favour the borrower’s cash flow.

There is also need to consider whether the borrower can afford a bullet repayment plan, get a waiver on interest rate among other considerations,” he said.

Anoka said in may other cases, the bank can give a customer a moratorium period, during which the borrower will not be servicing the loans.

Another loan recovery agent, Kingsley Okorie, said the level of recoveries done in many of the banks depend on approach and customer involved. “The strategy adopted by a bank and recovery agent depends on the customer involved. In some cases, we use dialogue, in others we apply force,” he said.

According to him, some customers decide from day one, not to repay the loans. They can provide defective title and fake addresses making it difficult for the loans to be recovered.

Debt collectors had earlier advised banks to allow debtors pay only the principal sum without the accrued interests, a plea many of the banks had declined. The banks’

• Anoka

defence is that the borrowed funds belong to depositors, who have not written off their interests and, therefore, it will not make business sense to write off the interest on the loans.

The financial institutions insist that the debt collectors are only interested in their commissions than the continued existence of the lenders. Okorie said the banks needed to consider that most of the funds were lost during the global

financial crises, especially where borrowers were into margin trading, or involved in sale of petroleum products.

The firm, a key player in debt collection, is handling several of such cases for banks. “I think that the banks should consider collecting the principal of NPLs as full and final payment and in other case, need to restructure the loans. It is a good option for them,” he said.

The CBN prudential guidelines categorised problem loans into substandard loans, as those with unpaid interest/principal outstanding for more than 90 days but less than 180 days. But the loans become doubtful when there is unpaid interest and principal outstanding for at least 180 days but less than 360 days. Such loans are considered lost when the principal /interest are unpaid for 360 days and above.

Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation (AMCON) Mustafa Chike-Obi, said loan recovery plans must be considerate to ensure businesses survived while the recoveries were going on. The AMCON boss explained that while it is key to recover the over toxic assets acquired

by AMCON from 21 banks, the processes and strategies adopted must not stifle borrowers’ businesses.

Speaking during a Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria

(CIBN) fellowship programme in Lagos, he said that since the bad loans are non-performing, AMCON intends to talk to everyone of those borrowers, find out why they defaulted, ask them how they intend to pay because they must pay and work closely with some of them to support their businesses in a manner to help the economy and allow AMCON recover its investment. This, he said is a huge job that may be going on for the next 10 years.

“We hope that as we talk to these borrowers, we restructure their loans we can return some of the loans to the banks affected as healthy restructured loans. So, we expect partnership with the banks over the next 10 years in restructuring and rehabilitating these borrowers,” Chike-Obi explained.

He asked the people to support AMCON in trying to restructure and rehabilitate these customers because of the inherent benefits to their businesses and the economy.

“So, I implore all new fellows of the institute to look for ward to the future with a lot of optimism, you have a lot to do with it. Please, don’t be discouraged, you will definitely have a discouraging moment; you will find that an institution like AMCON that is set up by government to help has no other role than to help the financial industry and the economy,” AMCON boss advised.

Firms to disclose liquidity, profit estimates in 2012 results

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• L-R: Corporate Services Executive Mr. Wale Goodluck; General Manager, Organisation and Talent Management, MTN’s Human Resource Mrs. Oluwafunke Amobi and Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Bola Akingbade, at an event in Lagos.

‘Nigeria economy has underperformed’

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HE Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Bismark Rewane has said the economy, must be resuscitated through reforms to achieve its full potentials. He said ongoing reforms in the banking sector and capital market must be sustained to enhance economic growth.

Quoting FDC’s report, he said it would be imperative for the country to address other major hurdles that could undermine its economic success. For him, meddling with the autonomy and independence of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) could endanger the economy. “Frustrating these champions of reform could easily lead to suboptimal economic performance and be counterproductive,” he said.

According to Rewane, poor corporate governance practices, undue exposure to the capital market, oil and gas sectors, poor risk management, distress signs

through the banks’ frequent resort to the inter-bank market and the Expanded Discount Window (EDW) were defining issues before the reforms. There were also matters relating to inadequate disclosure and lack of transparency about banks’ financial positions, making the reforms inevitable.

The CBN had at the onset of banking reforms, commenced a special joint examination in conjunction with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to ascertain the true state of the banking industry. The outcome of the examination revealed that a total of eight banks exhibited imminent signs of collapse, which could drag the entire banking sector down.

To stem further deterioration in the condition of the affected banks and protect the interest of depositors and creditors, replaced the executive management and in some cases boards of the banks with new ones. The apex bank also injected about N620 billion

into the banks in form of tier two capital to be repaid from the proceeds of recapitalisation.

In the Capital Market, the Federal Government has set up a committee to review the Investments and Securities Act of 2007 as well as design code of corporate governance for capital market regulators.

It is expected that the setting up of the committee was part of renewed efforts by the Federal Government to ensure transparency, ethics and effectiveness in the capital market. The government insisted that the design of code of governance for capital market regulators would help to improve the operations of the regulators.

Experts said there was also the need to strengthen disclosure and transparency process in the exchange. The integrity of any market can be partly measured by the level of information disclosure, transparency and quality of governance of institutions. The mere provision of information to the public is not the key issue.

HE European Banking Authority (EBA) will end the region’s banking crisis by forcing firms to publish details of capital shortfalls in a more stringent and detailed set of stress tests , it has said. During the six-month grace, the banks are expected to plug all loopholes. It said banks would be made to disclose capital levels, estimates for profitability in 2011 and 2012 as well as their holdings of sovereign debt.

The regulators are seeking to assuage investor concern that banks in the region are inadequately capitalised with a second round of stress tests. The EBA toughened this year’s review by tightening its definition of bank capital and forcing firms to disclose more about their holdings of government bonds.

The 91 banks being tested will be expected to maintain a Core Tier 1 capital ratio of at least five per cent in the tests’ baseline and adverse scenarios, the EBA said. The exams will assess how banks would handle a 0.5 per cent economic contraction in the Euro area in 2011, a 15 percent drop in European equity markets as well as possible trading losses on sovereign debt.

Banks will list their exposures to

commercial real estate, residential property, corporate lending and sovereign debt by country. Banks that fail the tests may need to present plans for making up their capital shortfall by the end of September, according to an internal EU document dated July 7. Firms may be given a further three months to implement these plans and raise the additional capital they need, according to the preliminary document obtained by Bloomberg News.

“The market wants to see failures for banks which have large exposure to peripheral sovereign debt, such as Commerzbank AG and Dexia, but that’s not going to happen,” said Simon Maughan, head of sales and distribution at MF Global Limited, London. “The most likely bank failures from this will come from countries where the economies are tough already; there will be failures, but they’re going to be in the wrong place.” Lenders will be pushed to raise capital from private sources, according to a statement from European Union finance ministers released by the EBA. Government money will be available “as a last resort” and “subject to strict conditionality,” the document said.

Ecobank emerges ‘Best Bank in Africa’

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COBANK has been declared “Best Bank in Africa in 2011” by international finance magazine, Euromoney. The award recognises the bank’s effort at “building the banking infrastructure the continent’s middle class needs by focusing on the fast-growing region it calls Middle Africa: sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa,” the organisers said.

Euromoney Editor Clive Horwood highlighted how Ecobank has since 2005 invested more than $120 million in greenfield expansion and acquisitions.

In his words “Its geographic reach in Africa is now unparalleled: more than 750 branches and representative offices in 32 countries”.

According to him, “Ecobank is facilitating the continent’s all-important economic integration by making it easier for companies and individuals to perform transactions across east, west, central and southern Africa. It has built an alliance with Bank of China to enable more trade and investment with Asia. It has alliances in South Africa with Nedbank and insurer Old Mutual”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

45

THE NATION’S

INVESTORS 25

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HAREHOLDERS of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) Plc have approved a multi-instrument capital raising exercise to enable the cement company finance its N45 billion expansion project.

At the annual general meeting of the company yesterday in Abuja, shareholders empowered the board of directors to raise N15 billion each through rights issue, public offer and a rights-based secured convertible debenture issue.

The resolution implied that the company would be seeking to raise up to N30 billion from existing shareholders while new investors and existing shareholders would contribute N15 billion. A secured convertible debenture would give opportunity to debenture holders to choose to convert their holdings to ordinary shares

Shareholders approve N45b expansion for CCNN

By Taofik Salako

at a later date.

In his address to shareholders, chairman of CCNN, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, said the net proceeds of the three issues would be used to finance the installation of a new one million metric tonnes production line to increase the installed capacity of the cement company from 500,000 tonnes per annum to 1.5 million tonnes per annum.

He added that the company has also embarked on the conversion of its kiln fuel from Low Pour Fuel

Oil (LPFO) to coal with a view to modernise the existing plant and reduce the cost of energy.

According to him, the board of the company has already approved the supply, installation, inauguration as well as training for a coal grinding facility together with its auxiliary equipment.

Rabiu noted that the new production line and the kiln fuel conversion would reduce production cost and increase the competitive advantages of the company.

He pointed out that the performance of the company was ham-

pered by erratic fuel supply, which led to higher costs and production stoppage occasioned by cracks on the kiln shell.

He explained that the high sulphur content in the imported LPFO caused build-up of dust on the fan blades, which made it necessary to stop production for cleaning at intervals.

Rabiu added that the kiln down time for connecting and inauguration of the new electrostatic precipitator and gas conditioning tower took longer period than expected thus further

contributing to low productivity during the year.

In 2010, CCNN produced 397,185 tonnes of cement and clinker with a turnover of N11.18 billion compared with 394,288 tonnes for a turnover of N11.87 billion in 2009.

Gross profit dropped by 20 per cent from N5.2 billion in 2009 to N4.11 billion in 2010. Profit before tax stood at N1.75 billion in 2010 as against N2.32 billion in 2009 while profit after tax closed 2010 at N1.27 billion as against N1.81 billion in 2009.

However, the audited report and accounts showed that the company’s total assets per share increased from N7.80 in 2009 to N8.53 in 2010. Net assets per share also improved from N3.36 in 2009 to N3.86 in 2010. Basic earnings per share stood at N1.01 in 2010 as against N1.44 in 2009.

•L-R: Director, Mr layi Adeyemi, Director, Prof. Funmi Adeyemi, Director, Mr Festus Ajani, Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Adeyemi, Company Secretary, Chief Taiwo Ajala and Director, Mr Ademiran Asa all of Fumman Agricultural Products Industries Plc at the company’s 1st Annual General Meeting in Abuja recently

Investors offload banking stocks

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NVESTORS appeared to be uncertain about the prospects of banking stocks as more than three-quarter of traded in the banking stocks last week ended in the negative.

In spite of the subtle assurance by the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) that no bank might be liquidated even in the event of failure to meet the September, 2011 recapitalisation deadline, upsurge in sale market orders by investors led to depreciation in share prices of most banks.

At the close of business last week, 76.19 per cent of the traded bank-

By Tonia Osundolire

ing stocks recorded price reduction as against the 23.81 per cent that recorded marginal increase in value. Among the 21 banking stocks traded upon, 16 recorded price depreciation while the remaining five increased in value.

The market operators had commended the possible nationalisation option with the view that the government will not hold on for too long to any nationalised bank before allowing the professionals take over to give better returns to the investors who

ordinarily would have lost out completely, Half-year report by Thaddeus Investment Advisors & Research had shown that the four banks with the largest average daily traded volume over the past six months were the four biggest banks by assets including First Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa and Guaranty Trust bank.

The report noted that there was overwhelming interests in big banks by domestic and international investors.

According to the report, investors appear to be targeting the biggest

Low investors’ confidence: Shareholders blame SEC SHAREHOLDERS have blamed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for what they described as lack of investors' confidence in the Nigerian capital market.

General Secretary of the Independent Shareholders Association (ISAN) Mr Adebayo Adeleke told The Nation that besides the other factors dragging the key indicators downwards; the main problem had to do with restoring confidence to the market.

He said SEC should be asked to hands off completely the day to day affairs of the Exchange since it has its own rules.

This he said, will prompt accountability, transparency, restore confidence and respect from the local and international market.

"SEC should hands off completely and

By Tonia Osundolire

immediately the day to day operations of the NSE through the back door in order to engender accountability, transparency, restore investors' confidence and earn both local and global respect for SEC led by Ms Arunma Oteh," he said.

Furthermore, he said contrary to the positive development the SEC promised to attain with its intervention in the last one year, the commission has only been able to bring down the confidence of the general inventors.

Citing the achievements of the past council before SEC's intervention, he said that the Exchange about 10 years ago attained a world-class status as a major player in Africa and beyond.

banks regardless of the underlying performance of the bank.

The report noted that the top five banks with the highest volatility among the 21 listed banks were the rescued banks. They included FinBank, Oceanic Bank International, Bank PHB, Intercontinental Bank and Union Bank of Nigeria. Out of the top eight banks with the highest volatility, six were rescued banks.

The other two were UBA and Stanbic IBTC Bank. UBA with the sixth highest volatility level reflected in its 2010 full year report, which was outside the normal curve of expectations of all stake-

Forecasts Q3 COMPANY FORECASTS Q3 Tripple Gee and company Plc Turnover N166.09m PAT N74.59m MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC Gross Premium N3.750b PAT N889.68m

holders.

Stanbic IBTC had the seventh highest volatility number among banks over the past six months with the third lowest average volume traded among all 21 listed banks over the six month period.

The five worst price performers for the first half of 2011 were sanctioned banks including Intercontinental Bank, Bank PHB, Oceanic Bank International, Afribank Nigeria and Union Bank of Nigeria.

The 14 worst- price performers over the first half of 2011 were banks with single digit stock prices, which all have double digit negative returns. GTB had the best price performance and was the only bank with a positive price performance with 13.7 per cent.

NIGER INSURANCE PLC Gross Premium N2.039b PAT N72.93m

JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC Turnover N120.800b PAT N3.390b

CUTIX PLC Turnover N588m PAT N68.75m

DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Turnover N150m LBT N90.55m

HONEYWELL FLOUR MILLS PLC Turnover N21.214b PAT N835.646m

BETA GLASS PLC Turnover N2.859b PAT N373.98m

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

46

THE NATION’S INVESTORS

Diversification boosts Oando's earnings

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OANDO Plc's financial performance has been greatly enhanced by the diversification of the company from the traditional petroleummarketing business into upstream and midstream businesses.

Latest audited report and accounts of the company for the year ended December 31, 2010 showed that the upstream, gas and power businesses contributed N52 billion as Oando reported a group turnover of N378.925 billion.

Specifically, the upstream business contributed N35 billion to group turnover, mainly from energy services, which added N15.5 billion and exploration and production with N19.5 billion.

Sales from the gas and power division added N17 billion to total turnover.

The audited report had showed that group turnover increased from N336.9 billion in 2009 to N378.925 billion in 2010. Profit before tax rose to N24.318 billion in 2010 compared with N13.512 billion in 2009. Oando paid a dividend of N3.00 per share alongside a bonus of one for four for the 2010 business year.

By Taofik Salako

Group managing director, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, said the strategy of the group would lay more focus on the higher margin upstream sector yielded dividends with the sector contributing immensely to the group's earnings.

He said the energy group expected the current financial year to be a landmark as the group lay the foundation for significant growth and expansion in the years ahead.

He noted that Oando holds interest in 13 licenses for the exploration, development and production of oil and gas assets located onshore, swamp, and offshore and its primary task is to harness optimally the potentials of its existing portfolio.

He pointed out that strong sales growth for Oando was underpinned by a big increase in sales by Oando Gas and Power Limited (OG&P), which is responsible for development, operation and management of Oando Plc's gas and power businesses, which currently include

Gaslink Nigeria Limited (GNL), Akute Power Limited (APL), East Horizon Gas Company Limited (EHGC), and other prospective gas and power Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).

He added that 2010 provided an opportunity for Oando Energy Services to solidify its position as a leading drilling services provider to the oil and gas industry.

On the exploration side, Tinubu said that Oando recorded a zero per cent casualty level even as it pushed average daily production to 4,500 bpd through its upstream vehicles.

He noted that Oando in 2010 recorded notable achievements in the upstream business including successful production tests on Akepo 1 oil well, commencement of production from Obodeti/Obodugwa oilfields, which is expected to average over 350bpd in 2011 upon completion of drilling programme for this year.

"Given these achievements as an indigenous player, our ambition going forward is to enhance and optimise the intrinsic value of the assets in our portfolio using the most productive capital structure whilst releasing more resources to capitalise on opportunities the ongoing reforms in the industry should present in the near future," Tinubu said.

How we beat the odds,

by Berger Paints

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CHAIRMAN of Berger Paint Plc, Mr. Clement Olowokande, has given insights into how the company was able to surmount operating challenges to achieve significant growths in the immediate past year.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the company in Lagos, Olowokande said the manufacturing and paint subsector of the economy operated under a tough operating environment in 2010.

He said the company stood up to these operating challenges as the board took proactive and direct intervention through its oversight function to sensitise management on the pitfalls to avoid and opportunities to exploit.

He pointed out that one of the measures the board took was to set up two ad hoc committees to work closely and directly with the management in some crucial areas that impacted directly on profitability enhancement, cost efficiency and internal control systems.

He noted that these committees added considerable value to the

By Tonia Osundolire

company to produce results that were presented to the shareholders at the meeting.

Analysis of the financial performance of the company showed a turnover of N2.8 billion in 2010 as against N2.4 billion, representing an increase of 16 per cent. Gross profit rose by 61 per cent to N519.9 million in 2010 compared with N322.9 million in 2009. Profit after tax doubled by 129 per cent to N442.5 million in 2010 as against N193.115 million in 2009. With the double in net earnings, the company increased cash dividend by 40 per cent to 70 kobo per share for the 2010 business year as against 50 kobo paid for the 2009 business year.

Shareholders commended the board and management of the company, noting that the increase in cash payouts showed their commitments to shareholders' interests.

A member of the Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Michael Cole, landed the company, urging it to maintain its leadership position in the industry.

Facts to Facts

UACN vs AG Leventis: Battle of the Conglomerates

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AC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc and AG Leventis (Nigeria) Plc are two of the oldest surviving and earliest listed companies in Nigeria. As conglomerates, their interests span foods and beverages, automobile, real estate, hotel, general trade and merchandise. While AG Leventis has eight business lines, UACN's group consists of 11 companies. With strongly competitive products, 80year old UACN and 53-year old AG Leventis are historical Nigerian companies with strong linkages and roles in the evolution of the Nigerian economy.

UACN, the larger and broader of the two conglomerates, has over the years transformed into a largely Nigerian-owned company while AG Leventis remained mostly a foreign-owned company.

Both companies appeared to be trailing the same growth pattern with declines in sales and profitability.

Sales Generation Both UACN and Ag Leventis witnessed decline in their sales in the immediate past business year but the proportion of decline left UACN worse than its competitor.

UACN's group turnover dropped by 7.76 per cent in 2010, overwhelming increase of 5.3 per cent recorded in 2009, thus leaving the conglomerate with average twoyear turnover decrease of 1.23 per cent. AG Leventis' sales dropped by 1.7 per cent in 2010 compared with an increase of 21 per cent in 2009, indicating a two-year positive average growth rate of about 10 per cent.

Profitability UACN has witnessed consistent decline in profitability in recent years but its descent has been measured and reluctant compared with the major slump in profitability suffered by AG Leventis in the immediate past business year.

UACN's profit before tax had declined by 8.8 per cent in 2009 and worsened to 12.3 per cent drop in 2010, putting average profit decline over the years at 10.55 per cent.

AG Leventis grew pre-tax profit by 1.1 per cent in 2009 but this gain was overwhelmed by 55.3 per cent decline in 2010, indicating a two-

By Taofik Salako

year average growth rate of -27 per cent.

In terms of the underlying profit making ability, UACN appeared stronger although its year-on-year margin inched downward during the last business year.

UACN recorded a pre-tax profit margin of 13.6 per cent in 2010 as against 14.3 per cent in 2009, representing average margin of 13.95 per cent over the years. Ag Leventis' pre-tax profit margin slumped from 13 per cent in 2009 to 5.9 per cent in 2010, indicating a two-year average margin of about 9.5 per cent.

Also, UACN's net earnings have been on the decline in recent years at an average rate of about 11 per cent. Net profit had dropped by 9.8 per cent in 2009 and further slipped by 11.8 per cent in 2010. AG Leventis on the other hand, increased net profit by 12 per cent in 2009 but lost 29 per cent in 2010,

•GMD, UACN, Mr Larry Ettah

• MD, AG Leventis, Mr Authur Bourekas

ending with a negative two-year average decline of 8.5 per cent.

Actual Returns Both companies have shown de-

clines in their returns in recent years but actual returns to shareholders by UACN remained better. AG Leventis' return on total

assets dropped from 6.4 per cent in 2009 to 3.9 per cent in 2010, indicating an average return of about 5.2 per cent. Actual return to shareholders, as measured by return on equity, to below average at 7.2 per cent in 2010 as against 10.3 per cent in 2009 and two-year average of 8.75 per cent.

UACN's return to shareholders also dropped below average in 2010 at 11.96 per cent compared with 13.74 per cent in 2009 and twoyear average of 12.85 per cent.

Bottom-line The diversity of operations of conglomerates is expected to serve as cushions for them in minor economic corrections. But in a cross-national economic slowdown as witnessed in recent years, conglomerates are apparently not immune from the regressive trend. Both UACN and AG Leventis obviously need to break new growth opportunities to serve as platforms for profit growths.

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

2010 % -7.76 -12.3 13.6 -11.8 11.96

2009 % 5.3 7.7 -8.8 27.9 14.3 -9.8 6.6 13.74

Average % -1.23 3.85 -10.55 13.95 13.95 -10.8 3.3 12.85

Pre-tax profit margin (UACN)

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

2010 % -1.7 -4.5 -55.3 26.2 5.9 -28.6 3.9 7.2

2009 % 21.1 1.1 26.9 13.0 11.7 6.4 10.3

Average % 9.7 -2.25 -27.1 26.55 9.45 -8.45 5.15 8.75

Pre-tax profit margin (AG Leventis)

47

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

THE NATION’S INVESTORS Corporate Score Board

Sterling Bank: Improving assets quality, efficiency

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TERLING Bank Plc rode on the back of significant improvement in risks assets and cost management to strengthen its overall corporate outlook and reverse a N12 billion loss with a profit of N5 billion. Audited report and accounts of Sterling Bank for the year ended December 31, 2010 showed a generally positive outlook with strong underlying performance ratios underpinning significant growths in actual profit and loss and balance sheet figures.

Notable improvement in the assets quality of the bank as well as profitability combined with a stable capital adequacy and liquidity to overshadow the contraction in the bank's core-banking and noncore banking incomes. While gross loans and advances increased by 15 per cent, non-performing loans and threats thereon to equity funds almost halved, putting the bank within the reach of the industry's target of five per cent single-digit bad loans. With almost a double in the profitability of its core banking operations and a downward moderation of its operating expenses relative to the top-line, the bank was able to leverage on internal cost efficiency to optimise opportunities in a somewhat sluggish banking year.

Capital adequacy Sterling Bank sustained a stable capital adequacy position with a 24 per cent increase in equity funds strengthening the bank's position as a national commercial bank.

Group paid up capital remained unchanged at N6.28 billion. Total assets increased by 25 per cent from N221.32 billion in 2009 to N277.11 billion in 2010 while total liabilities rose from N200.2 billion in 2009 to N251 billion in 2010. Customer deposits grew by 26 per cent to N203.1 billion in 2010 as against N161.3 billion in 2009.

Equity funds thus amounted to 9.4 per cent of total balance sheet size in 2010 compared with 9.5 per cent in 2009. Shareholders' funds financed 26 per cent of loans and advances in 2010 as against 27 per cent in 2009 while less equity funds were tied down in fixed assets with fixed assets/equity funds ratio of 17 per

By Taofik Salako

cent and 25 per cent for 2010 and 2009 respectively.

Assets quality Sterling Bank achieved significant improvement in assets quality in 2010 with 44 per cent reduction in non-performing loans. Gross loans and advances advanced by 15.4 per cent from N96.75 billion in 2009 to N111.65 billion in 2010. Non-performing loans, however, dropped from N22.84 billion in 2009 to N12.9 billion in 2010. The decline in bad risks assets was due to recovery efforts and improved credit risks management as well as disposal of some bad risk assets to the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). With these, the proportion of bad loans to total loans portfolio halved from 23.6 per cent in 2009 to 11.5 per cent in 2010.

Bad loans, which had overwhelmed shareholders' funds at a ratio of 108 per cent in 2009, reduced to 49 per cent of equity funds in 2010. The general structure and security of the loans portfolio also indicated less probable exposure to delinquency.

While exposure to capital market and consumer credit were 15 per cent and 4.8 per cent of total loans in 2009, these reduced to 2.5 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively in 2010. The bank increased finances to real estate, manufacturing, oil and gas, communication among other key sectors of the economy while reducing exposures to government by almost half. The assurance of its loans portfolio was stronger in 2010 with 50 per cent of total loans secured against real estate and additional 48 per cent otherwise secured. The proportion of margin lending reduced to 2.5 per cent while unsecured loans were negli-

•GMD, Sterling Bank, Mr Yemi Adeola

gible at 0.0025 per cent of total loans in 2010. Loans secured against real estate were 38 per cent of total loans in 2009 while margin lending was almost 18 per cent. Loans secured by other means were highest at 44 per cent in 2009 and unsecured loans were more pronounced at 0.23 per cent.

Profitability Low cost of funds, improved internal cost management and aggressive deposit mobilisation cumulated into a positive bottom-line for the bank in 2010, putting it in strong position to jumpstart a stable growth trend. With a positive pre-tax profit margin of 14.4 per cent in 2010 as against a negative margin of 25 per cent in 2009, increase in net interest margin from 39 per cent in 2009 to 56 per cent in 2010 assured the profitability of the bank as a going concern and a banking institution. Although average interest rate almost

‘

During the year under review, Sterling Bank was the second highest in Return on Investment (ROI) after Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

2010 %

2009 %

Asset Quality Gross Loans and Advances (Nm) Classified loans (Nm) % of classified loans Loan Loss Reserves/Classified Loans Classified Loans/Equity Stock

111,645 12,889 11.5 67.0 49.3

96,749 22,842 23.6 71.2 108.4

Capital Adequacy Equity/Total Assets Equity/Loans and Advances Permanent Assets/Equity

9.4 26.0 17.3

9.5 27.0 24.7

Liquidity Ratios Loans & Advances/Total Assets 36.3 Cash & Bank Balances/Total Liabilities 12.7 Loans & Advances/Total deposits 49.6

35.3 49.0 48.4

Profitability ratios Pre-tax Profit Margin Return on Total Assets Return on Equity Net Interest Margin Interest Income/Loans & Advances Interest Paid/Total Deposits Operating Expense/Total Revenue Non-Interest Income/Total Revenue Pre-tax Profit Per Employee (Nm) Staff Costs per Employee (Nm) Staff Costs/Gross Revenue Earnings per share (basic)(kobo) Dividend per share (kobo) Dividend cover (times)

-24.9 -5.3 -42.8 39.4 23.3 12.8 47.2 27.2 -7.2 4.0 13.9 -72 _ _

14.4 1.8 19.3 56.0 14.4 5.5 46.0 26.7 3.1 3.0 14.0 40 _ _

’

halved in 2010, the bank balanced this with equally cheaper funds, giving it an advantage of additional 17 percentage points in overall transactional margin. Total operating expenses also reduced to 46 per cent of total revenue in 2010 as against 47 per cent in 2009. Average cost per employee dropped from N4 million in 2009 to N3 million in 2010 just as average contribution of each employee to the bottom-line was N3.1 million in 2010 compared with negative contribution of N7.2 million per head in 2009.

Strong underlying ratios reflected on actual profit and loss figures with net profit after tax of N5.05 billion in 2010 as against a net loss of N9.02 billion in 2009. This indicated earnings per share of 40 kobo for 2010 in contrast with a loss per share of 72 kobo in 2009. The bank had replaced loss before tax of N11.6 billion in 2009 with a pre-tax profit of N4.96 billion in 2010, with tax credit of almost N90 million providing further support. Total operating expenses had dropped by about 29 per cent from N22 billion in 2009 to N15.8 billion in 2010. In spite of 26 per cent decline in interest income and 28 per cent decline in non-interest income, a 46 per cent reduction in interest expense led to increase in net interest income by 5.3 per cent, which moderated the impact of the contraction in incomes and supported the bottom-line performance. Non-interest income had dropped from N12.7 billion in 2009 to N9.2 billion in 2010, representing 26.7 per cent of total revenue in 2010 as against 27.2 per cent in 2009. While interest income had declined to N25.2 billion in 2010 as against N34 billion in 2010, interest expense dropped from N20.6 billion in 2009 to N11.1 billion in 2010. Overall, gross earnings contracted from N46.72 billion in 2009 to N34.3 billion in 2010.

During the year under review, Sterling Bank was the second highest in Return on Investment (ROI) after Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. Liquidity The liquidity position of the bank

reduced during the year. Cash and bank balances amounted to about 13 per cent of total liabilities in 2010 as against 49 per cent in 2010. Loans and advances/total assets ratio stood at 36 per cent in 2010 as against 35 per cent in 2009 while loans and advances/total deposits ratio rose from 48 per cent in 2009 to about 50 per cent in 2010.

Governance and structures Sterling Bank is owned by highly diversified group of individual and institutional Nigerian and foreign shareholders. The State Bank of India has the largest single equity stake of about 14.8 per cent while total foreign shareholdings stood at about 23.5 per cent. At the last count, the bank has some 91,000 shareholders.

The board and management of the bank have been stable. Alhaji Sulaimon Adegunwa still chairs the board while Mr Yemi Adeola leads the executive management as group managing director. The bank has a robust corporate governance structures including succession plan, whistle blowing channel, code of ethics and requisite board and management committees. The bank has broadly complied with codes of governance issued by financial services regulators.

Analyst's opinion The performance of Sterling Bank reassures on the feasibility of its strategic growth plan. With the streamlining of its operations into highgrowth areas and continuing drives to strike working balance between assets growth and quality, the performance in 2010 emplaced the bank on a steady platform. On-going efforts to increase the capital base of the bank would surely support its aggressive business expansion and stabilise profitability. It however, must remain cautious not to stifle business growth with restrictive credit risks framework. Overall, there are reasonable basis to assume that Sterling bank has struck the path of stability and growth. The bank should maintain its steady and calculated growth.

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

2010

2009

Nmillion Profit and Loss Statement Gross earnings Interest income Interest expense Net Interest income Total Non-interest income Total Non-interest expense Profit before tax (loss) Profit after tax (loss)

12 months

% change 15 months

34,342 25188 11076 14,111 9,153 15,783 4,955 5,045

-26.5 -25.9 -46.3 5.3 -28.0 -28.5 -142.6 -155.9

46,717 34010 20,614 13,396 12,709 22,068 -11632 -9020

Balance Sheet Assets: Cash and balances with other banks Short-term investments Loans and advances (net) Total earning assets Fixed assets Total assets

31,759 6,171 100,641 272,584 4,527 277,111

-67.6 -42.9 29.0 26.1 -13.2 25.2

98,166 10,813 78,036 216,105 5,213 221,318

Liabilities and capital: Total deposit liabilities Total liabilities

203,075 250,993

25.9 25.3

161,277 200,245

Paid-up share capital Shareholder's funds Liabilities and Equity

6,282 26,118 277,111

0.0 23.9 25.2

6,282 21,074 221,318

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

48

INSURANCE

NAICOM warns firms against money laundering T HE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has urged operators to be wary of suspected money laundering transactions.

In a gazette by NAICOM on Anti-Money Laundering/Combating Financing of Terrorism, insurance operators were urged not to do business with: any policy holder who insists on anonymity; reluctant to provide identifying information, or provide minimal, fictitious information; frequent policy surrenders by policy holders; payment of premium and top ups over and above the N500, 000 per person policy.

It reads: “A suspicious transaction may be defined as one which is unusual because of its size, volume, type or pattern, or otherwise suggestive of known money laundering methods. It includes such a transaction that is inconsistent with a policy holder’s known legitimate business or personal activities or normal business that lack obvious economic rationale.

“Operators should be wary of a request for a purchase of a policy in amount considered beyond the apparent need of the policy holder, frequent policy surrenders by policy holders, policy from a place where he does not reside or is em-

Regulator mulls treatment of insurers’ special reserves

T

AIWAN’s Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), is studying how it could resolve a taxation problem related to the special reserve fund of domestic insurers that amount to around NT$100 billion ($3.45 billion).

According to the Taiwan Economic News, the special reserve fund will have to be listed as shareholder’s equity following the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 2013. Under these standards, the reserves would be a form of retained earnings and become subject to 10per cent tax.

The fund is established under the island’s insurance legislation to ensure that insurers would have the

ployed, unusual terminating of policies and refunds and frequent request for change in address.

“Others are borrowing the maximum amount against a policy soon after buying it, inflated or totally fraudulent claims and overpayment of premium with a request for a refund of amount overpaid.”

NAICOM urged all insurers and re-insurers to display visibly in all their operation centres nationwide the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004 on their duty to file cash transaction reports (CTRs) and suspicious transaction reports (STRs) with the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and copies should be forwarded to NAICOM.

“In line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004, it is mandatory for all Insurers and Reinsurers to identify their customer and their customer’s businesses before entering into or establishing any business relationship with the customer.

“Customer identification shall be in compliance with the provisions of the Know Your Customers Guidelines (KYCG) issued by the National Insurance Commission and other guidelines/regulations which may be issued or made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from time to time.

It stated that all insurers and re-

insurers should report to the NFIU within seven days any single cash transaction, lodgments or transfer of funds in excess of N1 million or its equivalent in the case of an individual, or N5 million or its equivalent in the case of a corporate body,” it said.

NAICOM noted that failure to file CTR will attract various penalties as contained in the relevant laws, adding that for the effective industry compliance, where neither cash transaction in excess of the limit prescribed nor any suspicious transaction is recorded, the insurer or reinsurer is required to file a nil return monthly to NFIU and inform the Commission.

capability to pay out compensation in major events.

The FSC, which will discuss the issue with the Ministry of Finance, is considering allowing insurers to pay the tax in instalments. The FSC and the ministry have reached a consensus not to levy tax on increased income or retained earnings resulting from implementation of the IFRS. However, some matters remain unsolved, including treatment of the special reserves of insurance firms.

Meanwhile, the FSC has set up an IFRS service centre to help companies better understand and employ the new standards.

LASACO Life settles claims

L

ASACO Life has paid N1.3million claims to the family of a deceased who took a life policy of N5, 000.

A statement by its Corporate Affairs Manager, Mrs Jumoke Koleoso, said: “In line with its tradition of prompt claims settlement, LASACO Life Assurance Company Limited recently paid a claim of N1,315,000 to Miss Dasola Olapade, daughter of Mrs Afusat

Adenike Raheem.

Mrs. Raheem died 19 months after taking a life policy of N 5, 000 monthly premiums and paid N 95, 000 before her death.”

She noted that the company’s Agency Operations Manager, Mr Tayo Oyedemi, urged the public to embrace life assurance for protection and security of the family and dependants in the event of untimely death.

•Head Marketing, First Guarantee Pension Limited Joan Mbachu (middle) with Head, Business Development, North, Kolo Abubakar (left) and Dr Nnamdi Dimgba at the African Governance and Corporate Leadership Awards 2011, organised by Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology in Abuja.

Insurers woo customers with complaint bureau

I

• Oyedemi presenting the the cheque to Dasola Olapade

NSURERS are partnering with the customers’ complaints bureau constituted by the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) to raise public confidence in their operations, The Nation has learnt.

The NIA has embarked on an awareness campaign via advertorial, calling on the public to report their problems to the Bureau.

NIA Director-General, Mr Sunday Thomas, said the bureau has helped to resolve several disputes.

He said: “Actually, the bureau has been quite helpful. It was inaugurated in December last year and since then, complaints are being resolved without us making noise about them. Some of the complaints are resolved as they come, some minor while others major. But much more that that, a lot are still ongoing and we intend to appraise our works in six months, so that we can actually evaluate the impact on making insurance quite friendly to the public. Extensively, it has shore up some level of confidence on insurance operations and we are at present educating the public on how they can take advantage of the bureau.”

Chairman of the Bureau, Retired Justice Adesola Oguntade, has pledged to treat petitions against insurance companies with greater speed to enable the bureau to

achieve the purpose of its establishment.

Oguntade said the bureau will not entertain disputes between member companies as that did not fall within the purview of his brief, but that his team will concentrate their efforts and energy in ensuring speedy handling of complaints by policy holders to reduce litigations arising from insurance transactions.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) said its bureau has settled claims disputes valued at about N2.2billion within four years, adding that the feat was achieved due to its resolve to commit insurers to their responsibility on claims settlement.

NAICOM noted that in line with its commitment to ensure that operators fulfil their promise of indemnifying the insured, its Bureau was restructured and strengthened through the provision of required staff and working tools, which is in line with its policy of zero tolerance of non-payment of claims, which now compels most insurance companies to treat claims payment promptly.

It noted that the effort has expedited the complaints resolution processes and enabled the commission to effectively monitor companies’ claims settlement processes

excluding NICON Insurance Plc where a lot of complaints relating to pension matters are yet to be resolved.

“Through the bureau, a lot of claims that were proving difficult have been paid. Apparently, excited at the way the commission handled his claim issue, an Assistant Director with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) wrote to the Commission, as follows: “… let me respectfully thank you and your management for the prompt action that compelled the insurance company to settle my claims after 987 days. It paid N338, 895.60 inclusive of the accrued interests for the period it held the money…..”

“A loss adjuster also wrote to the commission, stating: “We … wish to confirm that we have received the insurer’s cheque for the amount involved in full and final settlement of their indebtedness to our organisation. We hereby register our profound appreciation and gratitude for your prompt intervention and immediate conclusion of the matter.”

“About 1,500 complaints valued at N2.2billion was adjudicated and resolved between 2007 and April 2011. This development has increased insurance consumer’s confidence on NAICOM and the industry,” NAICOM said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

‘How I make money telling my life story’

I

N 1999, Victor Bassey, son of the late Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey,a veteran journalist and contender to the Efik throne, graduated from the University of Calabar, (UNICAL). He studied Management.

“I felt my life was over. It took me a year to tell my father what I graduated with. But life changed for me when I met Mr Holumidey Lawrence, the Director of Paragon International Schools in Abeokuta where I did my one year stint as a member of the Nigerian Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Lawrence helped me to develop faith in myself and as a result I made up my mind to go into business.”

The founder and creator of PowerIdeas, a monthly personal and business development audio training programme series, said his first job was as an insurance sales executive with AIICO Plc and he did pretty well until he had felt he found his niche.

“One day, I attended a seminar in Calabar and heard Rev. Sam Adeyemi speak on entrepreneurship and he made a statement that made me rethink. He said if you are here and you are selling for an employer…what makes you think you can’t sell for yourself.”

According to him, that was all it took to inflame his desire to own a business. After a little research, he decided to get into the meat business.

He said that he discovered he could make a living selling meat by subscriptions to residents of Calabar.

Bassey set out with his big idea. He started hauling meat to the market . Over time, people realised it was cost effective to patronise him and decided to buy his products. Before he knew it, he had extended his market to major areas of Calabar.

“I operated one of the most successful meat delivery businesses in Calabar (Efy’s Beef) and the success attracted a lot of attention from people who wanted to invest with me”.

To establish his business firmly, he decided to bring in more investors. He said his business ran into murky waters, when he began to live large. “It was the very first success I ever experienced in my life and I guess the money got into my head. I would do silly things like spend a weekend at the most expensive hotel in Calabar at the time and on Monday tell my investors that I couldn’t give them what was due to them simply because we hadn’t generated enough sales. This was a big fat lie of course.”

According to him, it took a great deal to

Stories by Daniel Essiet

return investors’ funds.

The fortunate thing for him was that he had the money in the bank so he was able to save face and till today he maintains a good relationship with them.

“In fact, I’ve got two of them on my client list and we laugh over it any time I tell the story and they are in the audience. But, the unfortunate thing was that after giving them the money back his bank account was virtually cleaned out all I had was about N2,000.

According to him, he stumbled on a report by a man named Robert Allen.

“Allen said something in his report that would forever change my life. He said: “Every experience whether good or bad has commercial value.” Reading that, I thought about my experiences and it dawned on me that the one thing I knew how to do and do very well at the time was selling meat…and my customers knew it. In fact, many of them had asked me how I did it, but I just wouldn’t tell. Now it made a whole lot of sense to do so.”

He discovered his experience was good enough to share during personal business development programmes.

“The problem was, I didn’t think I had a whole lot of people who would pay to come to my seminar on how to sell beef. Inspired

by Robert Allen I got myself a note book and wrote everything I knew about the meat business. I borrowed a microphone from church and start down in front of my cassette player and read everything I wrote unto tape. I then bought a set of empty 45 minutes tapes for N350 and duplicated 12 copies, which I promptly sold to my former customers for N995. The title of the 45min audio cassette that I created was How to Earn N10,000 a Week Selling Beef and Still Enjoy Time Off. I made about N12,000 within a week, most of which was pure unadulterated profit,

‘It didn’t take me long to realise that I’d hit a gold mine. As I provided them with the opportunity to solve their problems, they started referring me to their friends and inviting me to speak at events’

Micro entrepreneurs seek govt’s assistance

•Bassey

as a business consultant, Evergreen Pensions Limited offered him a position as Business Development Manager for Cross River State.

“I took the job seriously while building my business part time. In the process I learnt a lot about how business really works, negotiation, sales/marketing and a lot of other vital aspects of building a business,” he said.

By 2009, his PowerIdeas business had grown to 3,000 monthly subscribers and his income from his part-time business outstripped what he was being paid on his official job. He decided to resign and go full time.

Today, he is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Primedia Communications, an integrated publishing and training company, which focuses on helping people harness and maximise their potential for success and at the market place.

He said his programmes are now bigger with even more attendees, more clients getting tips and more income boosting tactics.

Bassey is the publisher of the monthly Winning Edge, a newsletter in Lagos enjoyed by hundreds officers.

His strategy is selling ideas that can help young entrepreneurs’ double or even triple their income in as little as 12 months guaranteed without additional stress.

Kolanut sellers urged to form co-operatives

T

T

HE Association of Micro Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN) has urged the government to assist its members.

Making the appeal during its forum in Lagos, its President, Prince Saviour Iche, said micro enterprises need government’s attention as they are driving the economy.

He decried the lack of interest shown by financial institutions to small enterprises.

According to him, some micro entrepreneurs would like to improve production technology and to develop their own brand names. This, he added, involves huge capital.

He said microenterprises have problems securing loans from local banks for the purchase of machinery or leasing of equipment to be used in their factories.

Iche noted that micro enterprises are still finding it difficult to access funds from commercial banks to kick-start their businesses, despite attempts to aid the sector.

He added that there are so many people with great ideas, but who have funds to achieve their dreams.

To lift micro enterprises to the pinnacle of business, Iche urged the government to support the group to make significant contribution to the nation’s economic growth and development.

The Lagos Centre Manager , Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Yinka Fisher, said micro enterprises are set to benefit

I was ecstatic!”

According to him, customers started asking for resources that would help them tackle problems in their relationships, careers, finances and so on.

“It didn’t take me long to realise that I’d hit a gold mine. As I provided them with the opportunity to solve their problems, they started referring me to their friends and inviting me to speak at events.”

Since then, he has made a good fortune enough to give him the confidence to quit his job as the branch manager of a financial institution.

His strategy is simple: to hand over to Nigerians ready-to-use strategies and encourage them to go out and get instant results.

Bassey said he has created a crash course that can get one to double his profits over the next 12 months.

His goal is to grow zero level clients to own multiple six figure businesses within some years.

Over the last decade, he has “coached” hundreds of entrepreneurs on how to not only survive in this business, but how to dominate their marketplace and can modestly estimate that through his live events, workshops, and educational products,he has helped hundreds of university graduates and professionals realise their full business potential and in some cases become quite wealthy.

Bassey has become a personal business development celebrity having appeared on TV locally and can be heard regularly on public radio.

His programmes became event not- tomiss for young entrepreneurs who want to create the ultimate personal training or boot camp business.

Right now, he told The Nation, there are more opportunities to make money in the personal business development industry.

In 2007, on the strength of his experience

•Iche

from the empowerment training aimed at enhancing their management skills.

According to him, the capacity building and empowerment training are meant to address the challenges facing small businesses.

For micro enterprises industry to make meaningful contribution to the economic development of the country, he said emphasis must be placed on impacting entrepreneurial skills on practitioners in the sector, a pivotal role for SMEDAN to play.

He said SMEDAN was ready to support the group with funding windows available to entrepreneurs such as the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the funding scheme of the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND).

HE Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, has urged all members of the Kolanut Producers and Dealers Association in the state to form cooperative societies to access loan.

She gave the advice in Osogbo on Saturday at the second anniversary and inauguration of a N50 million fund raising for the completion of the union building.

Tomori said this would make it ``easy for small scale business owners like you to access loan from banks.`` She said the administration in the state had rolled out many poverty alleviation schemes for the benefit of the people.

She said the government would continue to support small scale businesses, ``especially at the grassroots, so, that our social economic development can be accelerated.``

Tomori said the government had a role to play in empowering the citizenry to create wealth and attain self sustainance. ``We believe democracy dividends would be meaningless unless we succeed in making a positive impact on the poverty level in our society.`` The deputy governor reiterated the commitment of the government to make life better for the people of the state.

She, however, solicited their support for the success of the administration to eliminate poverty from the state.

The state Chairman of the association, Mr Kareem Giwa, commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for what he had achieved within the short period he assumed office.

He promised that the association would continue to support the government to achieve its objectives.

Firm donates sheanut processing machines to Niger local govts GERMAN firm, German International Development Corporation (GIZ), has donated 13 sheanut processing machines worth N3.9 million to six local governments in Niger State.

The locally fabricated machines have been handed over to representatives of the local governments at a ceremony in Bida, to serve the various communities.

The local governments are Gbako, Borgu, Katcha, Lapai, Edati and Bosso.

Mr Luthmann Klaus-Peter, the company’s representative in Nigeria, who made the presentation, said the donation was aimed at empowering people engaged in the busi-

A

ness in line with the Federal Government's poverty alleviation programme.

“A declared goal of the Nigerian Government is to expand economic opportunities in the agricultural sector to increase jobs, sales and investment for farm and non-farming agricultural business. ``We are determined to partner with the government to achieve the target goals,'' he said.

He commended the collaboration between the state government and private investors, including the GIZ, in promoting the agricultural value chain through the public private partnership arrangement.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

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EQUITIES

Investors lose N253bn as bears rattle high-cap stocks

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-07-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 11 13

Quotation(N) 0.50 8.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 110,000 55,000.00 302,900 2,423,200.00 412,900 2,478,200.00

Quotation(N) 2.63 7.55

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 250 625.00 74,298 572,950.46 74,548 573,575.46

Quotation(N) 2.09

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 39,073 78,730.00 39,073 78,730.00

Quotation(N) 6.70 0.95 4.98 2.80 6.66 2.28 11.80 0.59 14.20 9.53 1.01 1.27 0.74 6.76 0.85 1.62 5.30 2.30 0.87 0.93 14.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 9,339,740 63,338,284.10 2,000,809 1,935,606.89 5,825,934 29,077,259.52 167,460 484,331.16 294,831 1,867,836.23 6,521,214 14,994,690.08 12,867,738 153,616,710.50 4,759,640 2,930,766.28 18,739,295 269,528,042.04 200,078 1,915,039.22 10,987,176 11,863,619.82 2,563,459 3,161,237.68 2,209,658 1,657,142.34 1,667,407 11,375,263.76 2,232 1,807.92 532,390 862,771.80 6,265,499 33,281,497.14 1,177,417 2,688,904.27 1,903,347 1,655,977.43 1,625,394 1,519,944.81 23,560,793 336,942,824.28 113,211,511 944,699,557.27

Quotation(N) 244.99 87.51

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 102,023 25,177,159.76 722,453 63,203,272.46 824,476 88,380,432.22

Quotation(N) 20.70 9.30 122.40 48.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 106,673 2,170,276.01 27,081 242,613.30 193,572 23,719,978.75 792,075 38,038,224.26 1,119,401 64,171,092.32

Quotation(N) 9.91 31.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,392 69,632.64 232,422 7,187,695.23 239,814 7,257,327.87

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 23 24

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 9 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. SPRING BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 161 29 76 22 30 355 628 54 582 22 93 69 27 75 1 9 236 97 21 38 316 2,941 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 45 132 177 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 48 4 30 47 129 CHEMICAL & PAINTS

Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 27 28

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC Secure Electronic Technology PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 34 2 8 2 46

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.92 2.92 5.78

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 613,200 306,600.00 772,000 710,240.00 205,000 583,542.79 2,100 11,550.00 1,592,300 1,611,932.79

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 3.25

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 25,200 85,932.00 25,200 85,932.00

CONGLOMERATES Company Name PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 43 1 7 48 64 163

Quotation(N) 37.00 6.43 1.03 39.01 27.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 283,406 10,464,005.62 1,125 6,873.75 419,195 431,770.85 359,068 14,084,400.09 405,071 10,981,252.14 1,467,865 35,968,302.45

Quotation(N) 2.81 56.30

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 884,077 2,476,270.86 9,020 482,499.80 893,097 2,958,770.66

I

Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

NVESTORS in Nige rian stock market have lost some N253 billion in capital gains so far this year as the sustained recession in the stock market saw overall market value of quoted equities down to N7.66 trillion yesterday.

The steep decline at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) was worsened by almost free-fall transactions on highly capitalised stocks, with open sale orders overwhelming demand by institutional investors.

Aggregate market capitalization of quoted equities dropped by 0.92 per cent to N7.66 trillion as against N7.731 trillion recorded in the previous day, indicating a year-todate loss of 3.20 per cent or N253 billion.

The All Share Index, which serves as Nigeria’s country equity return index, also slipped by 0.92 per cent to close yesterday at 23,959.70 points compared with its opening index of 24,181.57 points.

This also indicated a year-to-date negative return of 3.27 per cent, given the benchmark index 2011 opening level of 24,770.52 points.

Many highly capitalised

stocks, including Zenith Bank, Lafarge Cement WAPCO, Guaranty Trust Bank, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, First Bank of Nigeria, United Bank for Africa and Unilever Nigeria recorded drop in prices.

Zenith Bank lost 55 kobo to close at N14, Lafarge Cement WAPCO, dropped by two kobo to N48, Guaranty Trust Bank slipped by 74 kobo to N14.20, First Bank of Nigeria, lost 29 kobo to close at N11.80, United Bank for Africa dropped by a kobo to N5.30, while Unilever Nigeria lost 30 kobo to close at N27. Altogether, 25 stocks suffered price depreciation as against 15 stocks that appreciated.

However, Flour Mills of Nigeria topped the gainers’ list with a gain of

‘The steep decline at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday was worsened by almost free-fall transactions on highly capitalised stocks, with open sale orders overwhelming demand by institutional investors’

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-07-11 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 20 5 25

No of Deals 9 38 43 70 105 10 17 19 36 2 2 351

Quotation(N) 45.00 18.50 16.00 12.00 81.00 4.25 5.13 41.50 400.01 24.70 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 15,855 712,340.14 170,691 3,064,039.32 582,519 9,320,304.00 1,107,236 13,258,534.70 1,976,609 159,355,709.92 18,830 77,743.00 197,530 1,014,938.24 143,963 6,049,923.00 40,246 16,152,066.26 8,000 187,760.00 6,000 3,000.00 4,267,479 209,196,358.58

HEALTHCARE Company Name EKOCORP PLC FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 14 10 27 7 59

No of Deals 52 52

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 1 3

No of Deals 4 11 15

No of Deals 10 10

No of Deals 1 7 8

No of Deals 17 17

No of Deals 38 19 6 3 6 1 2 9 1 17 5

No of Deals 1 1

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,237,700 1,293,047.00 1,237,700 1,293,047.00

Quotation(N) 0.51 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 26,035,785 13,278,250.35 1,500 750.00 26,037,285 13,279,000.35

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.55

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 102,000 51,000.00 197,780 107,180.47 299,780 158,180.47

Quotation(N) 1.11

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 35,000 37,100.00 35,000 37,100.00

Quotation(N) 2.58 12.71

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,131,729 7,894,208.26 48,400 584,672.00 3,180,129 8,478,880.26

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC BETA GLASS CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1,417 1 1,418

PETROLEUM(MARKETING)

Quotation(N) 5.31 1.80 24.32 3.80 1.70

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 61 323.91 199,700 349,845.75 97,080 2,330,320.00 193,768 734,096.70 51,500 83,430.00 542,109 3,498,016.36

Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 4.90 1.46

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 134,075 656,967.50 759,405 1,108,731.30 893,480 1,765,698.80

Company Name LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 282,138 1,695,874.19 282,138 1,695,874.19

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 12 3 11 12 115 15 171

Quotation(N) 0.50 34.30 4.30 19.28 157.50 40.60 195.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 225,000 112,500.00 13,156 428,754.04 23,066 94,339.94 102,020 1,966,945.60 4,188 627,640.03 397,076 16,195,947.76 11,494 2,299,305.52 776,000 21,725,432.89

PRINTING & PUBLISHING

Quotation(N) 6.00

No of Deals 1 8 9

Quotation(N) 5.60 5.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 11,200.00 42,060 210,213.60 44,060 221,413.60

Quotation(N) 20.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 76,237 1,448,503.00 76,237 1,448,503.00

REAL ESTATE No of Deals 16 16

ROAD TRANSPORTATION

Quotation(N) 0.53

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 529,391 278,731.14 529,391 278,731.14

Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.69 1.06 3.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.53 0.51

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,528,106 1,080,742.87 12,513,950 13,279,787.02 98,562 295,716.00 2,000,000 1,000,000.00 1,350,000 675,000.00 38,500 19,250.00 80,000 40,000.00 404,410 202,747.85 30,000 15,000.00 2,618,199 1,387,998.48 1,028,776 525,152.76

Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC.

Quotation(N) 1.04

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Sector Totals

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

422,280.00 2,500.00 50,602.20 18,996,777.18

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

240,500 5,000 99,220 22,035,223

MEDIA

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

1.75 0.50 0.53

MARITIME

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC Sector Totals

7 1 10 125

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

81 kobo to close at N81.

Capital Hotel followed with a gain of 23 kobo to close at N4.90. PZ Cussons Nigeria, added 20 kobo to close at N37. May and Baker Nigeria gained 14 kobo to close at N3.80, while Costain West Africa and Red Star Express added 13 kobo each to close at N2.81 and N2.92 respectively.

Turnover stood at N1.44 billion for 180.85 million in 5,857 deals. The three most actively traded stocks were Afromedia with 26.04 million shares, Zenith Bank with 23.56 million shares and GTBank with 18.73 million shares. Also, the three most actively traded sectors were Banking sector with 113.21 million shares, Media sector with 26.03 million shares and Insurance sector which recorded a turnover volume of 22.03 million shares.

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.57

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 550.00 1,000 550.00

Quotation(N) 0.59

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 548 323.32 548 323.32

TEXTILES No of Deals 1 1

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

No of Deals 35 35

Quotation(N) 15.05

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 441,063 6,613,903.50 441,063 6,613,903.50

5,848

180,578,807

1,436,951,643.68

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

56

MONEY LINK

F

Banking transactions hit N9.6t

OLLOWING the ongoing re forms in the Nigerian pay ment system by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the total value of transactions, transfers plus cheques, in the system in May, hit N9.6 trillion.

This comprises of value of cheques cleared which declined by 7.6 per cent to N1.2 trillion and interbank transfers and settlements (RTGS) which rose by 7.6 per cent to N8.4 trillion.

Analysts expect an increase in payment and activity level by approximately 2.5 per cent in July and August, 2011. The total transaction volume represents 80.6 per cent of broad money supply (M2) in the system, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited

Stories by Collins Nweze Senior Correspondent

(FDC), Bismarck Rewane, has said.

Rewane disclosed this in a report at his monthly economic news and views presented at the Lagos Business School (LBS), executive breakfast meeting tagged: “Nigeria’s Make or Break,” a copy of which was made available to The Nation.

He said the retail sector of the Nigerian economy enjoyed significant increase in cashless transactions, which he added, climbed from 9 per cent in 2010 to 12 per cent in the first quarter of this year.

Commenting on the real estate

nal reserve depletion.

The interbank markets remained relatively tight during the month but overnight rates and OBB spiked above 12 per cent before receding to 10.5 per cent.

The new bond rule, he said allows international investors to buy short term debt instruments and has helped firmed up the naira in the interbank market.

“For the first time in three years, interbank dollars were cheaper than CBN dollars. The initial effect was a reduction in Wholesale Dutch Auction System demand from $400 million to $182 million at the auction.

•Cleared cheques drop to N1.2t 2012.

He said, going forward, unsecured lines of credit for Nigerian banks needed to support trade finance would become more expensive.

For Nigeria, raising new money from the Euro bond market will be more challenging.

Rewane, said the gap between inflation and short term interest rates in the review period narrowed, thereby helping to stabilize the naira and reduce the rate of exter-

sector, Rewane argued that price discovery mechanism remains faulty in the sector, saying high brow properties in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki axis, are seriously experiencing high vacancy factor and decreasing values.

According to the financial market expert, middle and low end properties on the other hand, are experiencing increased values and low vacancy factors experience.

Rewane, said emerging markets are also facing serious inflationary threats, which could inch higher in

Board appoints Agbaje GTBank’s CEO

T

HE Board of Directors of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) yesterday, appointed Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the bank.

He is taking over as the bank’s substantive head, following the death of his predecessor Olutayo Aderinokun last month, the bank said in a statement The statement explained that prior to his appointment as Managing Director/Chief Executive

V

Officer, Agbaje served as an Executive Director of the Bank from January 2000 and was later appointed Deputy Managing Director in 2002.

Agbaje, held the position until April 2011, when he was appointed as Acting Managing Director, “ following the absence of our late Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer on Medical Leave,” the statement, added.

The former chief executive and cofounder of GTBank, Tayo

‘Vine Capital’s bid for Afribank may collapse’

INE Capital Partners’s plans to acquire Afribank Plc may fail because the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) won’t approve the transaction, an official at Afribank told Bloomberg, declining to be identified because the information has not been made public.

Fidelity Bank Plc, another lender that had previously expressed interest in acquiring Lagos-based Afribank, is

waiting for permission from the central bank to resume talks, an official at Fidelity, which is also based in Lagos, also told the agency, declining to be named for the same reasons.

Afribank was one of the banks that received part of the N620 billion ($4.1 billion) bail out of banks by the CBN in 2009. The central bank is now overseeing the sale of all or part of some of the banks.

Aderinokun, died last month in a London hospital after several months of illness.

"Mr. Segun Agbaje is the natural successor to Mr. Aderinokun in line with the well defined succession plan of the bank," the bank's chairman Oluwole Oduyemi, said in the statement.

With over 19 years of investment and international banking experience, the bank said Agbaje has earned a reputation as a truly ac-

complished and highly respected professional given his diverse experience in the financial services industry.

He has an enviable mix of experience, dynamism and versatility in addition to a remarkable track record in the Financial Services Industry, Oduyemi added.

Agbaje serves on the board of several other notable business concerns, which include; Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited, Guar-

T

Fed Govt to sell N70b bonds in July

HE Federal Government is set to sell N70 billion ($458.7 million) in 3-, 5- and 10-year sovereign bonds on July 20.

This is the nation’s seventh debt auction of the year, the Debt Management Office has said.

The DMO said it would sell N30 billion of the 3-year, N15 billion of 5-year and N25 billion of 10year papers, due to mature in 2014, 2015 and 2018 respectively.

“All the papers are re-openings of previous issues and the results of the auction will be published

the following day,” DMO said in a statement.

The government agency issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit.

DMO DirectorGeneral, Abraham Nwankwo disclosed that the Federal Government issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 12-7-11 SYMBOL

CAPHOTEL COSTAIN REDSTAREX MAYBAKER FIDSON CONTINSURE WEMABANK NEM STARCOMMS UNHOMES

O/PRICE

4.67 2.68 2.79 3.66 1.74 1.03 0.91 0.52 0.52 0.54

C/PRICE

4.90 2.81 2.92 3.80 1.80 1.06 0.93 0.53 0.53 0.55

CHANGE

0.23 0.13 0.13 0.14 0.06 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01

LOSER AS AT 12-7-11 SYMBOL

FIDELITYBK AFRIBANK GUARANTY SKYEBANK INTERCONT STARLNBANK CAP DIAMOND VITAFOAM UNITYBNK

O/PRICE

2.40 1.00 14.94 7.11 1.06 1.70 32.51 5.22 6.28 0.91

Exchange Rate (N) 153.59 153.4 153.45

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

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

7.9-10% 10-11%

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Amount Sold ($) 400m 400m 499.8m

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11

INTERBANK RATES

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

local bond market create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. The units of sale are N1, 000 per unit subject to a minimum subscription of N10, 000 and in multiples of N1, 000 thereafter.

The offer, already listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, will like all FGN bonds, qualify as liquid assets for liquidity ratio calculation for banks.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

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

OBB Rate Call Rate

anty Trust Bank (Gambia) Limited and Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Limited.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

•Segun Agbaje

C/PRICE

CHANGE

2.28 0.95 14.20 6.76 1.01 1.62 31.00 4.98 6.00 0.87

0.12 0.05 0.74 0.35 0.05 0.08 1.51 0.24 0.28 0.04

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

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

06-07-11 N7.756tr 24,256.97

Name

January ’11

February ’11

May ’11

MPR

6.50%

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%

NIBOR

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

05-07-11 N7.823tr 24,465.52

% Change 0.86% 0.85%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

DISCOUNT WINDOW

Tenor

NSE CAP Index

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 8,557.25 191.08

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

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 MAR, 2011

Current 07, MAR, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

57

NEWS

•Abdullahi (right) receiving the handover note from Baba...yesterday

Minister promises to impact on youths

T

HE Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has promised to make positive impact on the nation’s teeming youths.

The minister spoke in Abuja at his inaugural meeting with officials of the ministry, following his assuming office on Monday.

He noted that the ministry had the opportunity of working for about 70 million youths, adding that this was an asset for the ministry to make positive impact.

Abdullahi said: “With about 70 million Nigerian youths, the Ministry of Youth Development is one of the most important ministries. We can make pos-

itive impact by taking advantage of our large youthful population.”

The minister urged the officials to join him in turning around the fortunes of the ministry and make impact in the lives of every Nigerian youth.

He said: “The ministry is relatively young, having been established in 2007. This provides us with the opportunity of giving it the direction we want.”

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Obioma Godwin Enwerem, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Baba, promised the support of the workers to ensure that the new mandate is achieved.

Obi: N18,000 minimum wage is threat to NAMBRA State Govnot because they candevelopment cannot ernor Peter Obi said not. For us we are committed

A

yesterday that if he pays the N18,000 minimum wage, there will be nothing left for the development of the stat e.

Obi spoke at the State House in Abuja after he met with President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “All the Southeast Governors have categorically stated we are going to pay the minimum wage and I believe that a lot of states are committed to paying it. What the states are agitating for is that if they go on to pay this, there will be little or nothing left for infrstructural development and other expectations of government, that is all the complaints.

“We are saying if the government is all about paying salary and sitting down, then fine but the question is people had done one election,

Katsina donates N4m food items to Corps members

T

HE Katsina State Government has donated three cows and food items worth about N4 million, to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural, Social Development, Youth and Sports Alhaji Labiru Musa, said the gesture would assist the 2011 “Batch B” corps members.

He presented the items to the state NYSC Cordinator.

Musa said the donation included N500,000 cash, to be spent on fumigation of the camp and purchase of insecticide and toiletries.

He said the gesture was part of the state government’s commitment toward ensuring a successful orientation programme for the corps members.

promised a lot of things and Nigerians are waiting for those democracy dividends and suddenly you are just paying salary and no money for any other thing. And that is why it seems most of the states are saying we

to it but while trying to do that, we are looking for other sources to increase our revenue especially in the Southeast in which you know is the least in the geo-political zone”.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE MANOR GLOBAL CARE FOUNDATION The Manor House, Block 110, Plot PFS, Admiral Ayinla Way, Opposite Treshore Garden, Lekki Phase I, Lagos.

The general public is here notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Cooperate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

Dr. Obafemi Anibaba 3. Mr. olufemi Anibaba 2.

Mrs. Aderonke Anibaba 4. Miss Damilola Anibaba AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide succor to widows, orphans, and the needy.

2. To provide assistance in form of food, clothing etc to widows, orphans and the needy.

3. To provide accommodation and medical assistance to widows, orphans, and the needy.

4. To make provision for food and relief materials to deserving widows, orphans and the needy.

5. To assist widows, orphans, and old people with special needs or learning difficulties and those who are physically challenged.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja within 28 (twenty-eight) days of this publication.

Signed: DANIEL OMOTILEWA & CO. 3, CMD Road, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos. (08032228080, 08022239050)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

58

NEWS Anglican women pray THE Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Women and Girls Organisations have declared July 16 as a day of prayer andfasting.It is tagged: “At Jesus Feet.”

The programme is part of its annual programme of bringing succour to the needy through prayer and fasting.

The programme is expected to hold at Faith Plaza, CMS, Bariga, Lagos. President of the organisation Mrs. Oluranti Ademowo and other anointed men and women of God would be ministering.

Funeral for don today FUNERAL activities for the Head of Department of Economics, University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof.

Oluwatayo Fakiyesi, begins today with a service of songs at the Multipurpose Hall of the university.

The Professor of Energy Economics died last month.

He was 55.

The wake to be conducted tomorrow at his residence, 3 Idris Alooma Street, UNILAG campus.

On Friday, a lying-in-state at the Faculty of Education Auditorium will precede the funeral service at the Chapel of Christ, Our Light, UNILAG. Interment will be at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens,Lagos.

Fakiyesi is survived by his wife , children and a grandchild.

Reps fail to appoint House Leader

T

HE crisis of confidence trailing the appointment of princi-

pal officers of the House of Representatives deepened yesterday.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal failed to name the House Leader after announcing other positions.

A source close to Tambuwal said the brewing cold war between President Goodluck Jonathan and chieftains of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)on one hand and presiding officers of the House on the other hand, might have stalled the naming of the House Leader.

The source said while the President and PDP leaders insisted on Representative

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

Mulikat Akande-Adeola ( Oyo State ) as the House Leader, majority of PDP lawmakers preferred Muraina Saubana Ajibola.

He said enormous pressure from the presidency and PDP might have forced Tambuwal to keep the appointment of House Leader in abeyance pending further consultations on the issue.

Adeola and Ajibola jostled for the position of Speaker of the House before Ajibola withdrew from the race following the endorsement of Akande-Adeola by the Presidency and the ruling party.

Tambuwal had announced at the plenary session yesterday that the PDP Caucus of the House met on Monday

with the Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and other party chieftains to consider the appointment of principal officers of the House, He said at the end of the consultation,Leonard Ogor ( Delta State ) was chosen as Deputy Leader, while Ishiaka Mohammed Bawa ( Taraba State ) emerged the Chief Whip.

The Speaker also said that Ahmed Muktar Mohammed ( Niger State ) was selected as the Deputy Chief Whip.

For the position of the House Leader, which should have been the first to be announced, he simply said that consultation was still in progress to fill other slots.

Action Congress of

Nigeria (ACN) Caucus selected the party’s leader in the House, Femi Gbajabiamila ( Lagos State ) as Minority Leader while Samson Osagie ( Edo State ) emerged Minority Whip.

He said that the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) caucus selected Suleiman Kawu ( Kano State ) as the Deputy Minority Leader while Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Caucus picked Garba Mohammed Dalti ( Kaduna ) as Deputy Minority Whip.

Yakubu Dogara, ( Bauchi State ) was said to have stepped aside when he discovered that the position of House Leader which he wanted had been zoned to the Southwest.

Fashola orders demolition of church over flood

P

SHOCKED by the devastating effects of Sunday’s floods, Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday ordered the demolition of Faith and Christ Evangelical Church built on drainage channel in Bariga.

He said it is obstructing the free flow of water to Awofodu canal.

Also, to go are all illegal structures built on the drainage alignments.

Fashola gave the order when he inspected the area yesterday.

•Residents appeal for more time

By Miriam Ndikanwu

He blamed the casualties recorded in the flood that swept across the state on distortion of the environment by certain individuals.

He explained that the major problem confronting the city is indiscipline on the part of residents who, he said, prefer to break the law and do the wrong thing to the detriment of others.

He appealed to residents to

desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the drains, noting that haphazard way of building without approval from the government would no-longer be tolerated by the government.

He said: “Many of the areas where the impact of the flooding was devastating are places where people have built very closely to the canals, which was like the people literally going to meet water in its course. They have

either disturbed its course , built along its path and therefore after 16 hours of rainfall exceeded its limits.

“Many of the places we visited I doubt if you will find a permit for any of the building including here (Arigbanla Street).

There was no approval for all of these buildings .Now these are the challenges of urbanisation. You may argue that government must do something but when people have already built before you lay your plans, it is then an uphill task”.

Two brothers die in Ilesa flood •Governor sympathise with Ilesa, Ife people From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

T

WO brothers of same parents, Festus and Gideon Adeoye, died in the flood that accompanied the heavy rainfall on Sunday in Ilesa, Osun State.

Their sister Fortune was injured.

According to an eye witness account, the trio were returning from the church when the rain started.

It was gathered that an old building suddenly collapsed and fell on the victims who were walking ahead of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adeoye.

He said the incident happened around 3.00 pm. at Igbaye Street, in the Ilesa East Local Government Area.

The two brothers died under the rubble but their sister escaped with serious injuries.

Mr. Adeoye, who has not recovered from the shock of losing two sons in a tragic circumstance, was said to have lamented to sympathisers how efforts of residents of the area to rescue the children proved abortive.

A family source said Fortune is recuperating at the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital(OAUTH) Complex Annex at Wesley Guild Hospital, while the remains of her brothers have been buried.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

59

FOREIGN NEWS France says Gaddafi ready to leave FRANCE says it has had contacts with envoys from Muammar Gaddafi who say the Libyan leader is “prepared to leave”.

“The Libyan regime is sending messengers everywhere, to Turkey, to New York, to Paris” offering to discuss Col Gaddafi’s exit, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told French radio.

But he added that such contacts did not constitute negotiations.

France played a key role in launching Nato-led strikes in Libya, under a UN-mandated mission to protect civilians.

Mr Juppe told France Info radio on Tuesday: “We are receiving emissaries who are telling us: ‘Gaddafi is prepared to leave. Let’s discuss it.’

“There are contacts but it’s not a negotiation proper at this stage.”

Mr Juppe did not say who the emissaries were.

French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said: “These are emissaries who say they are coming in the name of Gaddafi. What is important is that we send them the same message and stay in close contact with our allies on this.” Stalemate The comments come as the French parliament debated the continuation of air strikes over Libya, four months into the campaign.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon told the assembly that a political solution was “beginning to take shape”.

Hugh Schofield in Paris says that although this may turn out to be overblown, the French - who are prime movers in the Libya campaign - seem to be showing the first signs that it could be heading towards a conclusion.

Murdoch’s bid for network opposed

by UK govt

T

•Palestinias and Foreign demonstrators run from tear gas smoke fired by Israel: troops in Western Bank...yesterday

Sudan’s President Bashir announces austerity measures S

UDAN’S President Omar al-Bashir has announced that he will introduce economic austerity measures following South Sudan’s secession.

Most of Sudan’s oil lay in the south and the two countries have not agreed how to divide future oil revenues.

The president told MPs that a three-year “emergency programme” would include issuing a new currency.

He also promised a more open society where people would be free to express political views without fear of arrest.

Our relations with the newly born state of South Sudan will be based on respect of covenants and seri-

ous commitment to consolidate stability” “Our government is keen not to curb freedom of speech. No-one from today will be arrested for expressing his political views,” the president said in his speech to parliament in the capital, Khartoum.

Consultations on a new constitution - a key opposition demand - would also begin soon, he said.

It would be an inclusive process involving opposition politicians, religious leaders and university professors and the new constitution would be put to a referendum.

Last December, President Bashir said a new constitution would make Islam the only religion in Sudan and Sharia

the only law.

The BBC’s James Copnall in Khartoum says that Mr Bashir’s opponents will be sceptical about the promises of greater political freedom.

But our correspondent says that perhaps President Bashir has decided that only greater openness and inclusiveness or at least the impression of it - will keep his country united through what could be a very tough period.

According to Reuters news agency, Sudan has been hit by a scarcity of foreign currency and high inflation.

“We have placed an emergency programme for the next three years,” Mr Bashir said in his nationally televised speech.

A new budget with no new

taxes is to be put before parliament.

“The package of the economic measures includes issuing a new currency in the coming days,” he said.

‘Sensitivity’ South Sudan announced it was launching its own currency and the South Sudan pound note would be in circulation by next Monday.

The new country’s Central Bank Governor Elijah Malok told Reuters it would take three months to completely replace the northern currency.

Soldiers of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement’s northern arm drive through the Nuba mountains of South Kordofan on 29 June 2011 Ex-southern fighters in South Kordofan and Blue Nile are to join the north’s army or disarmed

HE British government yesterday joined in calls for Rupert Murdoch to shelve his ambition of taking full control of British Sky Broadcasting as a widening investigation of phone hacking and bribery at his newspapers fed the backlash against the powerful media mogul.

The decision followed a dramatic accusation by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown that Murdoch’s UK newspapers employed criminals to obtain confidential information about his family and ordinary people, and as police officers came under sharp criticism for failing to turn up evidence of some of the most serious spying allegations.

Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said the government would vote with the opposition Labour Party today to support a motion calling on Murdoch and his News Corp. to withdraw the $12 billion bid for highly profitable satellite broadcaster BSkyB. Labour leader Ed Miliband said the motion, which is not legally binding but is a powerful expression of sentiment, would be the simplest way to ensure that the bid isn’t considered until the criminal investigations are complete.

“Ultimately, that is a decision for News Corp. but we would always expect people to take seriously what Parliament has said,” said Cameron’s official spokesman, Steve Field.

Cameron’s decision marked a sharp breach in relations with News International, the U.K. branch of News Corp., which published the Sunday tabloid News of the World, the focus of two criminal investigations.

Jonathan urged to snub Gaddafi’s plea for help

F

OREIGN Affairs analysts have advised Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan not to consider Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s call for Nigeria’s intervention in the five month old civil unrest that has turned into militaryoperation in his country.

The call was prompted by the report that the embattled Libyan leader sent his Foreign Affairs Minister to Abuja recently to seek Nigeria’s brotherly assistance towards ending the bloody confrontation between the government and the opposition backed by Non Aligned Treaty Organisation (NATO) forces.

By Leke Salaudeen

Former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Professor Gabriel Olusanya and the incumbent DG Professor Bola Akinterinwa told our correspondent that Nigeria accepting to assist him will be inconsistent with the attitudinal disposition of the African Union and as well contradict the position of the United Nations Security Council.

Olusanya, who also served as Nigeria’s ambassador in France said Nigeria as a rotational member of the Security Council en-

dorsed and voted for the adoption of Resolution 1973 which demands the immedite establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and attacks against civillians in Libya. He said it is too late in the day for Nigeria to back out of the decision taken by members of the Security Council including the five permanent members.

He said “there is nothing Nigeria and Africa can do to assist Gaddafi now. Though it is an African problem but the AU failed to act at the appropriate time. The world powers have taken the initiatives”.

His words: “Since Nigeria has voted for Resolution 1973, the only option is for us to abide and support the actualisation of the full mandate of the resolution. For us to shy away from the realities would paint us as a nation that lacks principle.

On his part, Akinterinwa said the implication of the Gaddafi’s call is that Nigeria is being asked to support the continuity of Gaddafi’s rule in Libya which the opposition elements have vowed to resist. Nigeria is simply being requested to come and support uncertainty and non integrity, he says.

Afghan President’s brother killed by bodyguard

T

HE half-brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been assassinated in Kandahar.

Ahmad Wali Karzai, a leading power broker in the country’s south, was shot dead at his home in a blow to Nato’s battle against the Taliban in the area.

He was shot twice by his long-time head of security Sardar Mohammed, who was himself killed almost immediately.

The Taliban said they carried out the attack, calling it one of their top achievements in 10 years of war.

Khaled Pashtun, a Kandahar province politician, was sceptical about the Taliban claims, saying the Islamist group had claimed responsibility for many attacks in the past without much evidence of their involvement.

Sardar Mohammed’s motives remain unclear, but the killing will raise questions

about securing Afghanistan’s top officials.

The last time I saw Ahmad Wali Karzai in his heavily protected compound, he said the war against the Taliban in Kandahar was being won.

He wanted foreign troops to stay the course - even though his brother, the president, didn’t.

The man they called Mr Kandahar was asked to solve every problem from tackling Taliban strongholds to

solving the personal problem of anyone who made it to his door.

President Karzai relied on him to consolidate his tribal and political sway in the restive south - he must now be deeply worried.

Nato officials had often spoken of putting Ahmad Wali Karzai “on notice” over allegations of drug deals, and corruption. He challenged everyone to prove them.

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SPORT EXTRA

17th NSF: LOC thanks participants, stakeholders, for support

T

HE Local Organisng Committee (LOC) for the just concluded 17th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Garden City Games 2011 held in Port Harcourt has expressed gratitude for the broadbased support it received that ensured the success of the event.

Chairman of the LOC, Engr. Tele Ikuru, said this yesterday while receiving the Golden trophy won by Team Rivers, the State

contingent at the games from the Vice Chairman of the committee and immediate past Commissioner for Sports in the State, Hon. Boma Iyaye, at the LOC Secretariat in Port Harcourt.

Engr. Ikuru, who is also the State deputy governor, attributed the resounding success achieved by the Scouragement of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, thanking him for the

privilege given them to serve.

Commending the athletes, officials and members of the LOC for the huge sacrifices state at the sporting fiesta to divine favour and the tremendous support and encouragement of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, thanking him for the privilege given them to serve.

Commending the athletes, officials and members of the

LOC for the huge sacrifices they made, the LOC Chairman noted that such spirited efforts ensured the State won laurels and also put up the most spectacular event in the history of the festival.

Presenting the cup to the LOC Chairman, Hon. Iyaye noted that the hosting of the

sports festival in the State has impacted positively on the overhaul of sporting infrastructure in the State, commending Engr. Ikuru for his visionary leadership which he said has paid off in the success of the games.

Earlier, the State Director of Sports, Mr. Daobu Harry, while presenting the cup to

Hon. Iyaye observed that the State came out tops at the games for the first time in 38 years because of the level of preparations, commitment of the athletes, officials, committees and the support of the State Government, thanking all the stakeholders for the success achieved.

Wrestling Federation to monitor discovered athletes

T

HE Wrestling Federation of Nigeria has promised to ensure that athletes discovered at the just concluded National Sports Festival, tagged The Garden City Games are given the necessary exposure to become international champions.

In a chat with NationSport in Port Harcourt, President of the Federation, Chief Austin Edeze (MON) said the body will continue to monitor and guide such athletes till the next edition to be hosted by Lagos State in 2012.

“In the previous festivals, as soon as we discover a new talent we hold on to him or her until we make such an athlete an international champion. We don’t discover a talent and leave him at the

By Akeem Lawal

local level, if not everything about the festival will become wasted.

“So any talent discovered at this festival is automatically programmed for subsequent continental and international championships. It is by exposure that you build them, if you discover them and you never take them out, we insist, we monitor, even when there are no national activities we keep monitoring their movement, we keep monitoring their training to make sure they get the required training, to make sure they don’t shift from their weight level except we desire to change somebody from one weight level to the other.

“We don’t discover a talent

and abandon such athlete until the next edition, so anybody we discover here is very important to us and we follow such athlete until we make him or her get to the zenith of his wrestling career”, he said.

While commending Rivers State with the organisation of such an event, he noted that the Sports Festival will always be an avenue for the body to discover more talents.

“My feeling is that the dream of the National Sports Commission is being fulfilled because you will realise that for about two to three times, this festival has been shifted. This is a festival that is supposed to have been held last year, but was carried over to this year as a result of logistics.

•Iyaye (left) shaking hands with Ikuru after presenting the winner’s trophy to the deputy governor ... yesterday

Tomorrow in THE NATION

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 6 NO.1818

‘What we demand is to be left alone to enjoy our miserable lives which our bloated administrations have not been able to affect. Leave us alone to navigate our ways on the pot-holed roads and in the dark since light is never available. Certainly, no government has the right to send innocent children of subjects to sure death which is what posting Youth Corps member to dangerous areas of Nigeria represents’ JIDE OSUNTOKUN

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

FTER reading your piece today (July 6), Malam, I couldn’t help but notice the implausibility in your argument that Jeff Sachs, an American, could love Nigeria more than (Dr. Ngozi) Okonjo-Iweala, a proud Nigerian in abroad, if ever there was one. Let fair be fair: you may not like her but telling me a white American male loves this blasted nation more than the exminister is a bit over the top.

Okonjo-Iweala is actually one of three World Bank managing directors. Even at that, I wonder how becoming an AfDB chief is ‘bigger’ than being one of the WB’s MDs. A third of the WB’s budget is by far more than the entire budget of an AfDB suffering nonpaying members. This is not to mention its limited global reach and influence when compared with being a top WB executive.

Chima Ejiofor Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is just reaping the benefits of over-advertising one-self to a gullible nation. Perhaps more than any other person in Nigeria in recent memory, Ngozi is profiting from a well-oiled PR campaign that is capable of sending iced cubes to the Eskimos.

She is presented as an Economic expert, possessing the magic wand to turn Nigeria’s finances around. Yet, there is nothing in her CV to suggest that she has done any significant work in the financial sector nor does she possess any macro-economic management experience.

The World Bank on its website claimed that Ngozi has been appointed Finance Minister and Co-ordinator of the Nigerian economy. But there is no provision in the Constitution of Nigeria for a Co-ordinator of the economy. However, should the PDPled government characteristically defy the Constitution and decide to appoint a coordinator for the economy, what then will President Jonathan be — a cheer-leader, spectator or what?

Instructively, much of her working life is with the World Bank, primarily a project institution, with a history of project failures across its constituencies. Yet, her PR handlers would want the rest of us to believe that she is a macro-economic manager. It would have even been better to promote her as a “project expert”. Then her “skill” would have been more useful in any of such project ministries, such as Energy, Works or even Industries. Certainly, not in the Ministry of Finance.

Even her portfolio at the World Bank is over-bloated. Mrs Okonjo Iweala is only but one of three managing directors, who man each of the divisions in the Bank. Yet, in Nigeria, she is advertised as if she is the head of the institution instead of a managing director. A South African lady, who had held the same post before, left it and went back to her country quietly. We over celebrate what other nations take for granted.

I am still praying for the day we will have the Senate that Nigeria truly deserves; a chamber of diligent senators that will screen candidates in the true sense of the assignment. Then, Senators will be knowl-

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Re: As Ngozi returns to Finance ministry

•Mrs Okonjo-Iweala

edgeable enough to ask the right questions that will reveal the true character and ability of each nominee. If it were so, at least one senator would have remembered to ask Mrs Okonjo Iweala to produce her NYSC certificate; another would have asked why as Finance Minister she was not enthusiastic in campaigning for Nigeria’s candidate for ADB Presidency. (By the way Nigeria lost to Rwanda when she was Finance minister, and not to Burundi, as you said in your column).

Still another senator would have asked her to declare her interest in ADB presidency in 2015 if she had any as has been widely speculated. That way a potential conflict of interest would have been avoided.

It is obvious that the exposure Ngozi got during her last tour of duty in Nigeria paved the way for her sudden rise at the World Bank, because until Obasanjo discovered her, she was a relatively junior official at the World Bank. Records indicate that she came to work with Obasanjo twice, first as a Consultant after which she went back and was promoted to Director at the World Bank.

The second time was when Obasanjo appointed her minister and she subsequently returned to Washington to become a man-

aging director.

Perhaps, after Jonathan, she may become the African Development Bank President.

Of course, nothing is wrong with people having ambition but it is unacceptable when it becomes a pattern to use national positions to chase foreign posts. It is instructive here to note that most Africans who come back to serve the continent with eyes on foreign positions are usually quick at mortgaging national interest for personal advancement.

Ndaliman Magaji Sir, I usually like your columns, especially with your brave mien, caring less for those whose oxen are gored. I still have a copy of your article last September titled “The dangerous president”, an allusion to president Jonathan’s denial of rotational Presidency and zoning in the PDP. Though sometimes you could be an ethnic jingoist, but majority of Nigerians are when ethnicity becomes the focal point of discussion. On the column, I agree with you Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will necessarily have double loyalty because she is a creation and clone of the West. In fact, she is a mole planted to monitor our economy just as she paid part of our debts when other countries, including the US, still owe more debts than us. She will serve the interest of the West more than her fatherland. Again, please find out if she would be paid in dollars. Keep up the bold and incisive writings.

Oluseye Akanmu-Bode It beats me why in a country of the likes of Soludo and Co., we have to remove one of our own in a sensitive and lucrative job as MD of the World Bank to come and do a job some guys at home can do.

I am going to wait, watch and see what Ngozi will do that Aganga, Nenadi and Soludo couldn’t or can’t do.

I am yet to see a better FCT minister than El Rufai even though he was trained in Zaria.

We need to look inwards in tackling our numerous problems.

Charles Amankwe For me, I no longer get excited at the idea of bringing officials of the World Bank or International Monetary Fund into the cabinet of

HARDBALL

L

AST week, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was asked what he thought of the call for amnesty for militants of the Boko Haram sect. In what should pass as the worst equivocation in recent Nigerian history, the former president first launched into psychology by concluding that the sect’s militants were not insane and so must have reasons for acting strangely. Why Obasanjo describes the murders and bombings by the sect as a strange action rather than terrorist action is not clear. But much more bewildering, the former president warned that amnesty must not be abused. And then hemming and hawing, he suggested that once the country got information on the sect’s activities, it would be clear what we should do with the Federal Government’s suggestion of stick and carrot approach to the sect’s activities. Don’t snort yet.

As the former president inelegantly put it: “There is so much to know and so much to find out about them. If there is the need

•For comments, send SMS to 08054502909

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Wisdom of our elders to deal with them through the stick and carrots approach, we must be able to know what should be the ‘stick’ and what should be the ‘carrots’.” Stripped of the pettifogging details in which Obasanjo tried to confuse the issue, he was saying that the rest of us, not him the interviewee, should try to establish whether we really want to use stick and carrot.

But the point was that reporters were trying to find out from him whether he had a wiser approach to the problem than the confused Federal Government and the even more confused and unprincipled public. As if he could hide his vacuity, Obasanjo went on to push to us the nuisances of identifying those to benefit from the amnesty, of identifying the offence deserving of amnesty, and then of proving the necessity of granting am-

any President. Did the appointment of Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in 2003 significantly reduce poverty or put food on the tables of millions of Nigerians? Does she now have the magic wand to do what she didn’t do during her previous participation in the Obasanjo government? Will she have the courage to stop profligacy, misplacement of priorities, greed and misappropriation, which have become second nature to our governments?

During his official visit to Nigeria in 2000, former U.S. President Bill Clinton told a joint session of the National Assembly that his country would support a debt relief for Nigeria if it was convinced “the benefits will go to the ordinary Nigerians.” The sad truth is that the so-called debt relief didn’t eventually change anything in the state of living dead the majority poor has been experiencing.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala could mean well for Nigeria but the trouble is that she is coming back to the same polluted political terrain.

Na’Allah Mohammed Zagga Bravo, Professor Ruqayya Rufa’i Nearly seven weeks this week after I first wrote about the seven-month shut down of Kaduna Polytechnic due to the strike by its academic staff, the authorities in Abuja, the owners of the institution, have at last done the right thing; sack the board and top management.

A panel set up by the Federal Ministry of Education to look into allegations of venality and incompetence against the board and management of the institution established they were well-founded. The ministry accepted the recommendations of the panel on what to do with the alleged culprits. Yet for months, nothing happened. Indeed at one point it looked like the government was about to cave in to intense pressure from the powerful benefactors of the alleged culprits and reverse itself.

Happily, this has not happened. Instead it seems the first act of Professor Ruqayya Rufa’i in retaining her job as Minister of Education was to put the whole sordid affair behind her. She deserves praise for that. Ditto her boss, President Goodluck Jonathan, without whose support she could hardly have prevailed over the powerful forces that wanted the truth buried.

Still there is work left to do. The government has appointed Aminu Abdullahi, a former Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi as Sole Administrator.

Malam Aminu is a fine, diligent, experienced and honest gentleman, if ever there was one. But a sole administrator is incongruous with managing an institution of higher learning such as the Kaduna Polytechnic. So the sooner the authorities in Abuja set up a proper governing council for the institution, and, of course, hold up the erstwhile board and management to account for the mess they created, the better for the future of what, in addition to being the largest polytechnic on the continent, was once one of its best.

nesty. It is clear the former president has not given the matter a serious thought, and so he had absolutely no clue how to proceed. Now prepare to snort.

Judging from what another former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said on Boko Haram, it can be established that our former leaders, though not quite as urgently as the rest of us, see grave dangers in the sect’s activities, particularly threat to the peace and unity of the country. Yet, there has been neither wise nor courageous counsel from the former leaders. Asked by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) what should be done about Boko Haram, Abubakar cleverly refused to say what the government should do. Instead, he talked on what Boko Haram should do.

According to Abubakar, Boko Haram should seek dialogue with the government. In other words, since the Federal Government is the

senior partner in any contentious national issue, it behoves any troublesome junior partner to make an offer. However Abubakar wants his suggestion to be read, it is not different from the suggestion some others have made asking the government to negotiate with the militants or even grant them amnesty.

It is not known yet what will be the counsel of the other living past presidents and Heads of State, whether we would find any of them wise in the face of this grave threat to the unity of Nigeria, or whether they would be courageous enough to give a clear direction out of the quagmire even if they are wrong. But with each passing day, as our leaders keep silent in the face of this horrifying threat, or beg and apologise to the sect, or prevaricate in fearful parables, or as it is now obvious even offer cowardly counsel, we must begin to realise why our hugely overrated leaders have made a mess of ruling an otherwise richly endowed nation.

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